Round One (17)

“Then, who are you?” Si Jiu lowered her eyes. After a long pause, she asked in return, “And who are you?”

Shen Huai was silent.

Si Jiu curled her lips. “Ah, forgive me. When I look at you, I can’t help but think you resemble someone.”

No, not just one person—two, in fact.

Moreover, whether it was him shattering the main storyline of the world to the point of unrecognizability yet still managing to stay alive and well, or the apparent failure of this transfer, possibly because he’d been “summoned” back to this plane by him—none of this seemed like something a mere protagonist of a small world could accomplish.

Si Jiu’s mind churned with possibilities, unaware that her casual remark had completely unhinged Shen Huai.

He abruptly stood up, striding over to her and seizing her wrist.

“Who are you talking about? Who’s on your mind? That A’Yuan? Who is he?”

Si Jiu was slightly taken aback but had no time to wonder how he knew that name. “You can stand?”

Shen Huai froze, a flash of vexation passing over his face. “Yes, I’ve been able to stand for a long time. Ever since the day you… left.”

“Then why…” Were you addicted to the wheelchair? Or just terminally lazy?

“I thought… it was because I could stand that you…” The word ‘died’ could never be used for her.

The very thought of it drove him mad.

Si Jiu was astonished at Shen Huai’s keen perception. Though she guessed the protagonist didn’t know her identity as the courier or the nature of her tasks, a sense of crisis still crept over her.

He was too sharp; given time, he might truly uncover the truth.

Si Jiu smoothed her expression, her tone casual. “You’re mistaken. It was only because Tang You’s allotted lifespan ended, and I couldn’t maintain it any longer.”

“So… who are you, really?” Call me Red Scarf! Si Jiu almost wanted to joke.

“Who I am doesn’t matter, because… mmm.” I’m just a passerby.

She couldn’t finish her sentence—he silenced her. With his lips, no less.

This man, whenever he sensed she was about to say something he didn’t want to hear, always resorted to this.

It wasn’t until Si Jiu was on the verge of losing her temper and about to punch him that he let her go, but not before biting her lip—not too hard, not too light.

Si Jiu was speechless.

Shen Huai’s gaze softened; whether from lack of oxygen or embarrassment, color finally returned to his pale face.

His eyes were dark and bright as he reached out, brushing her reddened lips, then leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. “I won’t let you leave me again.”

At such close distance, weren’t they worried about crossing their eyes?

Si Jiu closed her eyes. “That’s not up to you.”

“You can try.”

She gave him a push, and this time he let her go without resistance.

He always knew how far he could go with her, always managed to draw back before her patience was exhausted.

How had she never noticed before that this seemingly gentle and easy-to-bully young master was, in fact, filled with black sesame paste underneath?

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve placed seals inside and outside this house, Tangtang. You can’t get out.”

So that’s why, Si Jiu thought. All that running around just now, looking as pale as a ghost—was this what he was up to?

Si Jiu refused to believe it and tried anyway. Whether she walked through the door or attempted to pass through the wall, an invisible force blocked her every time, as if she were trapped beneath a transparent bell jar.

Shen Huai didn’t stop her. He simply watched, even smiling faintly.

Si Jiu’s face grew increasingly grim.

This imprisonment reminded her of some very unpleasant memories.

Before she lost her temper and strangled Shen Huai, she thought of retreating into the bronze mirror—at least then she wouldn’t have to see him.

But the mirror bounced her back as well.

She recalled the way Shen Huai had touched the bronze mirror earlier.

“Tangtang…”

“Don’t call me that,” Si Jiu’s face turned cold. “You know very well I’m not her.”

“You are,” Shen Huai pressed closer. “You know I’m calling you. You’re my Tangtang.”

She wasn’t sure what switch she’d flipped in him, but his expression turned somewhat frightening.

Si Jiu was thoroughly sick of that name and replied flatly, “You can’t keep me.”

She would leave this world eventually.

All she had to do was wait for the system’s response and a solution from above.