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Capítulo 104

“Actually, I’ve always been the one making things difficult for others.” Chonghua downed another glass of wine. “I can’t just steal my brother’s woman. Even if Xinghai has no feelings for Xiaoyue and is willing to let go, Xiaoyue only has him in her heart.”

"Then why don't you consider replacing him?" Xue Beifan asked.

Chonghua frowned as he looked at him. "Okay, I'll consider Xiaodao."

"Cough cough..." Xue Beifan choked on his drink. "You only ever stare at your brothers' women!"

Chonghua was just joking with him. He reached out and snatched the wine jar from Xue Beifan, pushing him away, "You go about your business, don't worry about me, I'm going to get drunk!"

“When have you ever been drunk in your life, let alone drunk to death? You could drink until next year and still not be drunk.” Xue Beifan stood up. “Instead of drowning your sorrows here, why don’t you find someone to give you some advice?”

"Give me advice?" Chonghua looked up at him. "How can you give me advice? You can't even protect yourself. Hao Jinfeng is a fool who only knows how to give bad advice."

“You’re usually quite clever.” Xue Beifan reached out and tapped his head. “Ask Xiaodao! In this world, only Yan Xiaodao can help you get Xiaoyue back.”

Chonghua's heart stirred, but he hesitated. "But... Xiaoyue already has someone she loves. Would it be too selfish of me to force her like this?"

"Ha!" Xue Beifan laughed loudly, as if he had heard a great joke.

"What are you laughing at?" Chonghua asked, puzzled.

"That's why I'm most afraid of you scholars." Xue Beifan reached out and poked Chonghua's chest. "Do you really think there's anyone in this world who could love her more than you?"

Chonghua remained silent.

"You're taking her back to cherish her and make her happy, not to make her your slave. What are you afraid of?" Xue Beifan looked at the surging river. "It's only natural for men to fight over women, and it's perfectly understandable for women to fight over men."

Chonghua laughed, "What if we really can't get it?"

Xue Beifan waved his hand regretfully, "Then you'll live out your days alone."

"Why are you so jinxed?" Chonghua sighed, resting his chin on his hand. "If I don't manage to snatch it, you should be comforting me by saying I'll find someone better in the future. Are you telling me to jump into the river?"

"Impossible." Xue Beifan squatted down and patted him. "You and I both know that what we can't have is always the best."

Chonghua seemed to be deep in thought.

“Xinghai has been our brother for so many years, you and I probably know a thing or two about what he’s thinking.” Xue Beifan sighed softly. “If Lou Xiaoyue follows him, she will only become a sacrifice and will never find happiness.”

Chonghua's brows were furrowed.

Xue Beifan muttered to himself, "Let's protect her from harm first."

The two were chatting enthusiastically, while not far away, Xiao Dao was eating his rice bowl and watching what was happening.

"Xiaodao." Xiaoyue placed a piece of freshly made scrambled eggs on Xiaodao's plate. "This goes well with rice."

"Hmm." Xiao Dao nodded with a mouthful of food in his mouth, glancing at Xiao Yue as he saw her pick up food for herself, then glance at Chong Hua in the distance before hesitatingly turning back to continue with other things, clearly preoccupied.

Xiao Dao took out a handkerchief and wiped her greasy mouth. She looked at Chonghua, then at Xiaoyue, and shook her head. Xiao Dao decided that since she couldn't untangle her own mess, she might as well help others smooth things over first. Chonghua disliked conflict, was intelligent and gentle, and most importantly, was deeply devoted to Xiaoyue. Even a ghost would think that Xiaoyue was better off with him than with the scheming Shen Xinghai, not to mention her wicked mother-in-law! Besides, Xiaoyue didn't seem completely indifferent to Chonghua.

Xiao Dao spread out another sheet of paper, picked up a pen, and quickly wrote a letter. She rolled up the letter and stuffed it into the letter tube on the carrier pigeon's leg, pursing her lips and curling the corners of her mouth—"Let this young lady help you out."

Don't easily judge Chonghua and Shen Xinghai as good or bad. No matter how nicely they speak, it's useless; no matter how well they act, it's all superficial. Her mother was right—people always have a facade, good or bad. To know if their heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys are black, you have to peel back the skin to see clearly. And to peel back a man's skin, give him what he wants most. People only reveal their true colors when they pursue something by any means necessary.

Xiao Dao released the pigeon, watching it disappear into the distant sky—Shen Xinghai and Chonghua, this time she'd skin them both alive and let Xiaoyue choose, to see who was truly worthy of entrusting her life to. Xiaoyue was a stubborn woman; once she set her mind on something, she almost never changed her mind, capable of enduring hardship and grievances. But such women had one characteristic: they couldn't bear to be disheartened. Once heartbroken, she would resolutely leave, even if she had nothing left. A woman who isn't afraid of losing everything is the most terrifying; once she lets go, there's no turning back.

...

53

No waiting required

After sailing on the river for a long time, one will inexplicably have a feeling of drifting around. Xiao Dao felt that his stomach was churning and he couldn't eat or sleep for the past few days, and he felt uncomfortable all over.

Seeing that Xiao Dao kept leaning against the ship's railing, vomiting until his face turned green, Xue Beifan felt a little reluctant to let him go.

"Hello."

That day, Xiao Dao counted on her fingers that she had been on the boat for about ten days. Feeling a bit dizzy, she leaned against the railing to vomit when Xue Beifan came to her side.

"Want to know how to avoid getting dizzy?"

As soon as Xue Beifan asked the question, Xiao Dao immediately looked up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him with a gaze that seemed to be the first time she had ever seen him as a human being.

Xue Beifan was both amused and exasperated. He beckoned to her, "Come on, give me your face."

Xiao Dao frowned, thinking to himself, "How can I give you face? You may not care, but I do!"

Helpless, Xue Beifan reached out and gently supported her chin, pressing his fingers on two acupoints behind her ears to support her head and prevent her from shaking.

"Huh?" Xiao Dao raised an eyebrow. "It seems a little bit more realistic."

"Move your fingers, pinch the web between your thumb and index finger, then inhale deeply, and then exhale."

Xiao Dao did as instructed and felt much better.

"Feeling much better now?"

"Mmm." Xiao Dao nodded, unusually obedient.

"Close your eyes!"

Xiao Dao squinted suspiciously.

Xue Beifan was embarrassed, "I won't steal a kiss from you."