La ciudad solitaria cerró

Capítulo 39

For several days in a row, they circled the villa, and Shen Jie would then relay the "intelligence" she had gathered to Lei Jun. Lei Jun and Lei Shuangxue, surprisingly, believed her completely, perhaps thinking that with Xiao Min in their hands, she would obediently follow their orders. Thinking this, a cold smile appeared on Shen Jie's face. She had initially thought Lei Jun was someone remarkable, but now he seemed to be just an ordinary person with no real strength. Dealing with such a person shouldn't be too difficult; as long as they carefully considered each step, they would definitely prevent Lei Jun's plan from succeeding.

Shen Jie lay on the grass, gazing at the azure sky with its occasional white clouds drifting by. The same sky, the same white clouds—for a moment, she forgot where she was, as if she had returned to her own time and space, back to her carefree student days, lying on the school's grass, imagining how she would serve her country after graduation…

"Sister Lian'er!"

A soft voice called out in her ear, pulling her thoughts back from the distant past. She turned to look at the person who had come and chuckled, "Ju'er, is that you?"

"What are you thinking about, sister?" Ju'er asked, tilting her head. She seemed quite serious about it.

"I miss home." Shen Jie said softly, but she couldn't suppress her deep longing. Was she really going to spend the rest of her life here? She didn't understand why God had arranged things this way. Was there really a place here that needed her so much?

"Homesick? Is your home different from this one, sister?" She knew Shen Jie came from a world more than a thousand years in the future, but was there any difference?

"Of course it's different. This change can't be explained in just a few words. I'll tell you properly next time I have the chance." Shen Jie added this sentence in her mind, at least until Lei Shuangxue's matter was over.

"Okay. Sister, you have to keep your word."

Ouyang Tianyun and Qi Ruiyang walked side by side on the cobblestone path leading to Lanxuan. Because Princess Qi wanted to see her savior, she sent her son to personally invite her over.

"Tianyun, is Ju'er really living with your third brother?" Qi Ruiyang felt very uncomfortable at the thought of her living in the same courtyard as Ouyang Tianyu. What was wrong with him?

"Yes, she was brought into the manor by my third brother, so naturally she lives in Lanxuan." Ouyang Tianyun nodded. He really couldn't understand that little girl. Just a few days ago, she was clinging to Ruiyang like glue, impossible to shake off, but how could she have fallen for someone else in such a short time? Originally, he only needed to send a servant to deliver the message; there was no need for him to go in person. But today, for some reason, as soon as his friend said he wanted to see Ju'er, he immediately accompanied him here.

"Was it your third brother who brought him into the manor?" Qi Ruiyang asked strangely, inwardly wishing he could tear Ouyang Tianyu to pieces... What's wrong with him?

"Yes!" He was used to his third brother bringing women into the manor every few days. Usually, they would be brought in one day and sent away the next. But this time, Ju'er stayed at Green Jade Manor for much longer than before. Could it be that his third brother had a special interest in her?

Qi Ruiyang remained silent, his hands behind his back as he walked forward. He himself couldn't understand why hearing such news made him feel like he had lost everything. This was a feeling he had never experienced before.

"Look, she's over there." Ouyang Tianyun suddenly nudged Qi Ruiyang with his elbow, reminding him that the person he was looking for had appeared. Huh? It's her, Li Lian'er? Why isn't she working? Why is she chatting with someone here?

Qi Ruiyang was about to shout loudly to get Ju'er's attention when Ouyang Tianyun stopped him and pulled him behind a tree...

"Sister Lian'er, you seem very familiar with Green Jade Manor, as if you're at home." Ju'er and Shen Jie sat side by side on the ground chatting. She liked Sister Shen very much and hoped that she and her senior brother would have a bright future. "Could it be that Brother Yu was afraid you'd get lost, so he drew a map for you?"

Sister Lian'er? The person brought by the master actually calls a maid "sister"? Could it be...? The two people behind the tree unconsciously exchanged glances.

"No, that's not it!" Shen Jie glanced at Ju'er and laughed. Asking Ouyang Tianyu to draw a map? That wasn't something he would do. Knowing his personality, he wouldn't waste time drawing maps; he would simply take her on a tour of Green Jade Manor. "It's because I stayed here for half a year last time. Since I was the eldest young mistress then, I didn't have to do any work. And I can't embroider or play the zither, so I could only wander around the manor." Recalling that time, Shen Jie couldn't help but frown; those days were truly incredibly boring.

What did she say? Ouyang Tianyun was shocked. Could it be...?

"Ah, I understand now. So last time you possessed the body of the eldest young mistress of the Ouyang family. In that case, Su Yuyin died after falling into the pool, and the Su Yuyin that Brother Yu rescued was actually you?" Ju'er had cleverly analyzed the whole thing.

"I'm afraid that's how it is." Shen Jie nodded with a smile. This little girl is quite capable; she managed to connect the whole thing after saying only a few words.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Tianyun gasped. Although he still didn't understand anything about primordial spirits, he was certain that the woman before him was the one he loved, and that feeling was unmistakable…

He didn't know that his faint gasp had given him away. Ju'er glanced at him discreetly, then subtly led Shen Jie away from there.

^

Chapter Twenty-Seven

On her way back to her room, Shen Jie was told by Ju'er that someone had been eavesdropping on their conversation. The person was highly skilled in martial arts; if it weren't for the faint gasp, even Ju'er wouldn't have noticed. Who could it be? Since the second brother, Ouyang Tianji, wasn't in the manor, the only other highly skilled person in Green Jade Manor besides Ouyang Tianyu was her eldest brother. Of course, Lei Jun couldn't be ruled out either; the fact that he could infiltrate the manor meant his martial arts weren't bad. But whoever knew about this would affect their plans. She had been too careless… What should she do? She needed to discuss it with Tianyu later; she couldn't let the plan be ruined by her.

As she approached the room door, she noticed Ouyang Tianyun standing there, seemingly waiting for someone. Shen Jie immediately understood, and her first reaction was to avoid him, turning to leave before he noticed her. But it was too late; Ouyang Tianyun had already seen her and was walking quickly towards her.

"Wait a minute!" Ouyang Tianyun called out to her as she was about to slip away. He stepped forward, looking at her with excitement, his burning gaze searching her face as if looking for the one he knew.

"Young Master, what are your orders?" Shen Jie asked calmly, her head bowed. She never wanted to have too much to do with him.

“Yin’er…” Ouyang Tianyun called her by her old name in a low, hoarse voice, and raised his trembling hand to stroke her face.

Shen Jie unconsciously took a step back, causing his hand to awkwardly freeze in mid-air. "Young Master, you've mistaken me for someone else. I am Li Lian'er, not some 'Yin'er'." She wouldn't admit it; playing dumb was the best way to escape at this moment.

"Yes, you are Lian'er, but I haven't mistaken you for someone else!" Ouyang Tianyun felt a sharp pain in his heart when he saw her avoid his gaze. He couldn't be wrong. She was still so cold and indifferent to him.

"This servant does not understand what you are talking about?" Shen Jie lowered her head and firmly denied it. This guy is really annoying. Does he know how many people will suffer if he continues like this?

"Lian'er, I beg you, please stop pretending. I heard everything you and Ju'er said. Although I don't understand the whole story yet, I'm certain that the person I love is you..." He desperately wanted her to admit it. No matter how unbelievable her story was, as long as she told him, he... would believe her.

"Young Master, you must be mistaken. I've been in the room with the Third Young Master all day and haven't seen Miss Ju'er at all." Shen Jie looked up at him calmly. Years of undercover experience had honed her ability to lie without batting an eye. It was more than enough to deal with an old-fashioned guy like him.

"You..." He was blatantly lying. Ouyang Tianyun was furious. "Should I go find Ruiyang and Ju'er to confront them?" he shouted at her uncontrollably.

"What do you want with them?" Shen Jie glanced at him sideways. Damn it! This guy is really something. He was eavesdropping on other people's conversation, and he still has the nerve to yell and shout here with such self-righteousness.

Ouyang Tianyun stared at her silently for a long while, then suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly. Only in this way could he feel her presence, that she was still by his side…

The sudden movement startled Shen Jie. She didn't struggle, but coldly said, "Young Master, please release me!" Her voice was soft but firm, causing Ouyang Tianyun to unconsciously let go.

"Why? Why won't you admit that you are the one I love? Am I really not as good as the one in your heart?" Ouyang Tianyun clenched his fist and pounded on a pillar. He knew he shouldn't bring this up, but he couldn't help wanting to know who the person in her heart was. He clearly remembered that she had once said that they were a hundred times, a thousand times better than him. Was it Tianyu? Or Ruiyang?

The man in her heart? Upon hearing these four words, Shen Jie immediately pictured Ouyang Tianyu's handsome face. How could this be...? Could it be that after spending these days together, their relationship had transcended mere friendship? Had she unknowingly fallen in love with him? But did he love her too? Or would fate allow them to be together? If fate were to separate two people in love, then she would rather Tianyu never have loved her. The pain... was enough for her to bear alone; she didn't want anyone else to grieve for this love.

"Young Master, please don't hurt yourself like this anymore." Shen Jie didn't answer his question. Instead, she pulled down his hand, which was covered in blood from hitting it, and carefully bandaged it with a handkerchief from her bosom. After all, loving someone isn't wrong, but one-sided love, even if forced into a relationship, won't bring happiness. A short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one. By cruelly denying him any chance now, his heartbreak will only be temporary; time will heal it...

After dinner, it was completely dark. Shen Jie was a little worried because she hadn't seen Ouyang Tianyu all day, and decided to go to his room to check on him. Having made up her mind, Shen Jie picked up a candle from the table and went out of the room.

"Tianyu, are you asleep?" Shen Jie knocked on the door, but there was no response. Had he gone out? It had been a whole day, why hadn't he come back yet? She thought for a while at the door, then decided to go in and see if he had left a note or something.

She gently pushed open the door, and a strong smell of alcohol hit her nose. By the dim candlelight, she saw Ouyang Tianyu leaning against the bed, chugging a jar of wine. The bottles scattered on the floor almost tripped her.

"Tianyu, stop drinking." Shen Jie walked over and tried to take the wine from his hand. What had happened to make this hero, who didn't care about fame or fortune, drink so much and get drunk?

Ouyang Tianyu shoved her away with brute force, almost causing Shen Jie to fall to the ground. "Go to my older brother's place, what are you doing here?" He picked up his wine and took another swig. Why did he have to let him see that scene?