Un joven errante

Capítulo 13

As Sima Langye gazed into An Jin's bright eyes and heard his confident tone, he couldn't help but recall a lighthearted conversation they had once shared.

"If we were both men, we would be best brothers for life; if we were both women, we would be best sisters for life; if..."

"What if we were a man and a woman?" Sima Langxie interrupted calmly.

The boy, who had been talking non-stop, was stunned and couldn't find a reply for a moment.

After a long silence, the boy blushed and muttered, "If one of us were a man and the other a woman, we would marry and grow old together... However," the boy stubbornly emphasized, "we are both genuine men, so what 'if'? It's settled then, if we are men, we will be best friends for life. As for finding a confidante or a life partner, look, there's a beautiful woman right there, go find her..."

Sima Langya slowly sipped his wine. "If I insist on finding you, will I go to hell, Xiao Jin...?"

Why would a naive and innocent boy fall in love with someone?

So many women yearn for her, just for a glance, why is she so stubborn? Is this how the word "infatuation" comes about?

It was all because of the deep, unfathomable sorrow hidden beneath his radiant smile… Such a beautiful smile, yet not a trace of sincerity could be found in his cold eyes, and one could not even sense the aura that belonged to this place. It was as if he were a god who had departed from the mortal world, never to return…

Just as Yunying was enjoying her meal, she was eating mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and spicy tofu...

My third brother burst in, his eyes stubborn and childlike as he held my hand, but his eyes reddened when I stood still.

"Ying'er, let's run away. I can't let you go to that cannibalistic place."

I remained silent, accepting the worried look from Yunying and gesturing for him to continue eating. I then instructed her to bring another pair of chopsticks and a bowl, and invited my third brother to sit with me.

Third Brother still looked at me with a wronged expression, as if he had been abandoned by his owner.

I sighed. I put down my chopsticks. Stubborn child.

Escape? Hmph, to the ends of the earth, where can I escape to... Besides, nowhere is my home, nowhere belongs to me. What difference does it make if I escape or not... It's just going from one cage to another.

Staying means you can still fulfill your wish... why not?

In a nonchalant tone, he asked, "Third Brother, have you ever seen a kite with its string broken in the sky?"

Third Brother looked at me, puzzled, his face full of questions.

"A kite with a broken string cannot be caught, because it belongs to no one and no place. It can only drift with the wind and the current... rising and falling." I said quietly.

I turned to look at him earnestly, straight to the heart, "Third Brother, I am like a kite with a broken string, do you understand?"

My third brother looked at me, his face contorted with grievance, as if tears were about to fall.

"Third Brother, I'm tired, I'm really tired, you should go..."

"Third Brother, believe me, one day you will be famous throughout the world...and have everything."

Third Brother paused in his tracks, head bowed, looking aggrieved. "Then all of that... excluding Ying'er... what's the point? It would be better to—"

My third brother didn't finish his sentence, and it wasn't until later that I understood what he meant...

In a dreamlike state, I seemed to see the beautiful sister's radiant smile, and the elder brother's diamond-black eyes. They seemed to be riding the wind, drifting aimlessly in the hazy world, drifting further and further away... leaving me behind, while I was like a drowning person, slowly sinking, without any lifeline, struggling desperately but finding no foothold... completely helpless... My heart was filled with fear, I opened my mouth to cry out, but no sound came out, countless bubbles rose before my eyes, making it unbearably suffocating...

Everything appeared and disappeared in my dream, sometimes real, sometimes illusory... Finally, I saw the beautiful older sister smiling at me, a smile so tragic, tears of blood dripping from her clear, autumn-like eyes. She coldly said to me, "Xiao Jin, you killed me..."

A sudden realization dawned on me, and I wanted to shout at her, begging her not to leave, but she gave me a disdainful smile and turned away without a second thought...

Suddenly, I felt my body trembling uncontrollably, tormented by anxiety and heart-wrenching pain.

Just when I felt utterly exhausted and on the verge of death from the pain, a cool liquid flowed into my burning mouth, like nectar. I greedily swallowed several mouthfuls, and finally managed to open my eyes.

What came into view was a pretty face, wasn't it Yunying's worried face?

"Miss, Miss... It's alright, it's alright, it was just a nightmare..." Yunying took a damp towel and gently wiped the cold sweat from my forehead and face. She gently smoothed my unconsciously curled-up back, her face streaked with tears of pity and soft sobs. I knew that she was the only person who would always be by my side. This companion who had grown up with me.

I calmly wiped away her tears and said softly, "I'm fine."

She bent down and hugged me, choking back tears as she said, "Miss, you must take good care of yourself."

"Yes, we all need to be well. Yunying, we are your only family."

"Miss—I'll get you a bowl of eight-treasure porridge. You look too tired."

I touched my burning forehead. I had a fever last night and even had a nightmare that almost kept me awake. I struggled to get up and put on my clothes. In the dim bronze mirror, I saw my defeated face and shattered spirit.

I walked to the water Yunying had brought me and scrubbed my face hard, trying to erase that useless Xie Weiying. From today onward, I will not live for anyone else, but only for myself.

Xie Weiying is not An Jin. An Jin is not Xie Weiying.

They have always been two people.

Volume 1, Chapter 22: Blazing Fire

Junjin Villa.

In just three short years, Jun Jin's businesses rose miraculously throughout the Jin Dynasty, penetrating every aspect of society and becoming deeply entrenched in the entire dynasty. Jun Jin became a household name, known to all. Meanwhile, the newly emerged Vermilion Bird King, Mai Qi, a business prodigy, became even more famous. He was later known as one of the Four Kings, alongside the Black Tortoise King, Qing Ci, the White Tiger King, Lian, and the Azure Dragon King, Ge Kong.

The master of these four legendary kings is known to the world as "Young Master Jin".

At this moment, in the secluded courtyard of Junjin Villa, in late autumn, September, the chicks of swallows chirped by the eaves, and a gentle breeze scattered fallen petals across the ground. Phoenix feathers fluttered, casting shadows on the paulownia trees; the subtle fragrance of the jade courtyard once lingered on sleeves. The south is blessed with abundant rainfall and warm sunshine, and all things naturally flourish. Large clumps of roses climbed the walls, their thorny red blossoms swaying in the wind amidst the green leaves, blooming freely and unrestrainedly, a beauty beyond compare.

A snow-white figure, with flowing sleeves, seemed to be walking among the clouds, her robes fluttering like the moonlight.

The languid young man's face was somewhat blurred in the morning mist of the garden. His slender, white hands, more beautiful and slender than a woman's, idly stroked a pure white, fox-wolf-like cub, caressing its smooth, glossy back. The unidentified creature occasionally let out a comfortable groan.

"How's the resort?" The tone was indifferent, so light that Mai Qi felt like she was dreaming.

“Young Master, the manor has a total of 660 servants, all of whom I personally selected. They have simple and clean backgrounds, and there is no need for unnecessary trouble. Among them, 72 chefs are very famous from various places, and they all follow your orders. There are 57 gardeners... Everything is done in secret, and no one is aware of the manor's enormous existence.”

"Well done. Thank you for your hard work, Xiao Qi. How about the factory?"

"Forty-nine large workshops. One hundred and forty-eight small workshops. Two hundred and forty-five workers. Everything is running normally. But..." Mai Qi's brows furrowed involuntarily, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

The factory employed skilled embroiderers from nearby impoverished mountain villages on a contract basis, paying them monthly. Giving them the right to protect their own interests was unprecedented. Although the factory was strategically located in a secluded suburban area, it still attracted thieves, hooligans, and thugs who frequented the factory, attempting to harass the young and beautiful rural embroiderers. This caused some workers to waver.

"What's wrong?" The boy's eyes sharpened, and he asked in a cold voice.

“But a lot of thugs and hooligans have been causing trouble and demanding our monthly fees. Our chain stores in various locations have also been affected by the same problem. Although the losses are not huge, they are ultimately detrimental to our business,” Mai Qi said respectfully.

The young man's expression turned slightly cold. The pure white animal in his arms, which had been quiet and docile, seemed to sense his mood and suddenly opened its two red eyes, revealing a violent, fierce, and chilling light. The young man paused in stroking it, then smiled faintly at the little creature in his arms, as if remembering something, and said gently, "Little White, do you also think those troublesome guys deserve to die?" He then looked at Mai Qi with gentle eyes, "Little Qi, these things will never happen again. All of Jun Jin's properties in the entire Jin Dynasty will be secretly protected and all impurities will be removed. You don't need to worry about that."

Although Mai Qi was puzzled, he still replied respectfully, "Yes, Xiao Qi understands."

The boy handed the fluffy little creature named Xiaobai to the girl who had been following him. He slowly walked over, lifted Mai Qi's chin with his slender hand, and looked straight into the depths of his eyes. He gazed at Mai Qi with eyes as clear and gentle as an autumn pond, which almost enveloped Mai Qi and made him feel lost in it. Mai Qi couldn't help but blush.

He stammered, "Young Master."

The boy let him go, turned around and smiled sweetly. His deep, magnetic laughter echoed around him and lingered for a long time.

“Xiao Qi,” the boy suddenly sighed softly, without looking at him, “I’m going somewhere in a few months. I won’t be back for long. I’ll have someone send you the design samples.” The boy turned to look at Mai Qi earnestly, “While I’m gone, I’m entrusting everything to you.”

"Young Master is too kind. This is all Xiao Qi should do."

The young master looked around the manor, which could no longer be described as magnificent, nor was it simply a huge house. He said calmly, "Xiao Qi, this will be our home from now on. To me, Xiao Qi is not only my housekeeper, but also my family."

Mai Qi's eyes reddened, and he knelt on the ground with a thud, saying, "Little Qi is willing to follow Young Master for eternity."

The young master remained silent for a long time, and finally murmured, "The phoenix rises from the ashes, reborn from the dead."

"Little Seven, I'll be back soon."

"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!" Anger appeared on the man's noble face for the first time. "Chen Wen!"

The man called Chen Wen emerged from the darkness into the brightly lit hall, saying, "Your subordinate is here."

The man smiled calmly, and Chen Wen was sent flying and fell onto a nearby golden pillar. Before he could wipe the blood from his lips, he quickly and without changing his expression rushed over and knelt down properly.

"The secret society that rules the world cannot even find a single person. What should be its punishment?"

Chen Wen said in a deep voice, "Master, I am incompetent."

Shen Qing, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up: "Master, this can't be blamed on Commander Chen. Several years ago, when you ordered us to follow Young Master An, we noticed he was unusual. He easily shook off all the imperial guards we mobilized. We've been unable to ascertain his identity. It's all Young Master An's fault for being too—"

Kneeling on the ground, Chen Wen couldn't help but sigh at Shen Qing's ignorance and naivety. He kept his head down as much as possible, not wanting to see his fate. He didn't know what his furious master might do.

Sure enough, the noble man smiled coldly and said, "Guards, take this ungrateful lackey away to receive 50 lashes."

Shen Qing was stunned for a moment, and only knew to kneel straight on the ground. Even though he didn't know why he was being punished, there was no disrespect on his face.

"Get out, all of you."

"yes."

An Jin, An Jin, where are you? Why did you disappear from my world without saying a word? As if you had never existed at all...

It's been three months. He's been gone for a full three months...

Where we used to eat, drink, and have fun together, he's nowhere to be found, not even a trace of his presence. He vanished in an instant... I've never valued someone's existence so much, nor have I ever missed someone so much, almost to the point of madness...

Clutching his head in agony, the man let out a blood-curdling roar...

Three months ago.

Crescent Lake near Jiankang City.

In the lake, where lotus flowers bloom in abundance, all colors and varieties vie to display their most beautiful faces. A riot of colors, some vibrant, some delicate, they stand gracefully in the crystal-clear water, with a few buds peeking out from the corners. White dragonflies with transparent wings alight on the tips of the buds, creating a beautiful, poetic, and serene scene. Even though autumn is approaching, the warm and humid climate of the south has had little impact. Only now can we witness such a beautiful sight.

Beneath the layers of emerald green lotus leaves, swaying in the wind, several small boats bobbed on the enchanting water. A group of lotus-picking girls played and sang among the lotus leaves, their voices like heavenly music, interspersed with their innocent and melodious laughter.

"What a beautiful scene of lotus picking! It's breathtaking!" An Jin excitedly ran to the railing of the boat and exclaimed, pointing to the group of laughing lotus-picking girls not far from the large boat.

"What's so interesting about this?" Sima Langxie asked, puzzled. What was there to admire about a group of country women?

"You really don't understand romance. Alas, it's a pity I'm not good at drawing, otherwise I would definitely draw all of these and enjoy them later." An Jin sighed regretfully.

Sima Langya raised an eyebrow without making a sound, signaling Shen Qing to fetch paper and ink.

"Brother Sima, you can paint. No, no, you can even paint in traditional Chinese painting!" The surprised and doubtful tone made Sima Langya, who felt looked down upon, somewhat speechless with anger.

With an extremely elegant flourish, he rolled up the long sleeves of his robe and walked to the desk that Shen Qing had prepared. He said in a deep voice, "I have a rudimentary understanding of painting."

But after a while, An Jin realized how wrong he had been from the start. His claim of "knowing a little" was already incredibly vivid and lifelike. It was truly lifelike. One wonders if his so-called expertise was about to surpass that of Gu Kaizhi, who was unparalleled in the world.

In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, a beautiful painting of a beautiful woman picking lotus flowers was finished. An Jin couldn't wait to snatch it and look at it.

But the more she looked at it, the stranger her expression became, and more of an embarrassment. The painting depicted five women, each with different clothing and hairstyles, yet their faces were strangely similar. An Jin wondered if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but the women's faces clearly resembled her own in women's clothing.

"What kind of painting is this? Brother Sima, are you deliberately making fun of me for being a man? You've turned so many beauties into an ugly woman like me. It's neither male nor female, I'm not talking to Brother Sima anymore!" An Jin pretended to be angry and threw the painting at Sima Langxie to cover up her unease.

Sima Langye stared blankly at the painting Xiao Jin had tossed onto the table. He'd clearly been looking at those women when he painted them, so why were his mind and the paintings all of Xiao Jin's image? Was it possible that no other woman could even register in his mind? But Xiao Jin was a man; why did he keep having this illusion?

He ignored Xiao Jin's words for a long time until he heard him mutter to himself, "Does he want me to change my gender? Honestly. This is so messed up."

Transgender. If Xiao Jin were a woman. Sima Langye was horrified by his own thoughts. Yet he still couldn't suppress that despicable idea. It was like a climbing tree root, reaching deeper and deeper into his heart, and quickly spreading.

If Xiao Jin were a woman, Sima Langya would gladly give her the entire world, making her the only woman he truly loved.

But, but—