The Fierce Lord’s Tender Tears for His Beloved (14)

Page 1/3

Nightfall.

She stepped out alone, clutching a tattered piece of clothing.

As soon as she opened the door, she sensed a tall shadow looming outside.

Startled, she glanced carefully and saw Yan Jiu leaning against the wall beside her door, smoking.

“Master Jiu? Why are you here…” she stammered, momentarily lost for words.

“What are you doing out?” Yan Jiu’s gaze fell on the clothes in her hands as soon as he noticed her.

Hua Mi snapped back to reality and held the clothes up to show him. “I’m going to bury them!”

The man’s hand holding the cigarette paused briefly before he placed his palm on her forehead. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Not at all!” she swatted his hand away, her mood surprisingly brightening.

Taking her gear, she tentatively slipped her hand into his palm.

Seeing he didn’t pull away, she stepped closer.

“Master Jiu, come with me.” She led him to a small park and found a secluded grove.

Yan Jiu followed silently, indifferent to where she was headed.

Hua Mi found a spot with good feng shui, took out a small shovel, and began digging.

Her gaze was serious and devout. Though the work was dirty and tiring, she neither cried nor complained, working until the clothes were buried and the hole filled.

Yan Jiu watched her complete this abstract ritual.

Hua Mi set down the shovel.

“Done?” he looked down at her.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Master Jiu, I’m so tired, I can’t stand up, sob sob.” Only now did she begin to whimper pitifully.

She looked up at him, arms outstretched with clear intent.

“You seemed full of energy digging. Let’s go home now.” Yan Jiu ignored her plea and turned to leave.

“Sob sob, I can’t move, can’t stand up, my palms are scraped, it’s so cold and tiring, sob sob sob...” Hua Mi lamented pitifully, noticing Yan Jiu’s steps faltered.

Tears welled in her eyes, yet the corners of her mouth curved upward, crying yet seeming happy.

Yan Jiu stopped completely, stubbed out his cigarette, stamped his foot several times, then came back.

“Master Jiu, hug me!” Hua Mi immediately lifted her head, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked at him.

Yan Jiu tossed his coat over her head. “Walk yourself.”

Darkness enveloped her vision, yet the familiar scent of Yan Jiu filled the air.

By the time Hua Mi had dressed him in his coat, his figure was nearly out of sight.

She lingered, stood up slowly, put her tools back into the system space, then hurried after him.

“Master Jiu, wait for me.”

Page 2/3

The girl’s footsteps approached softly, but Yan Jiu sensed her immediately.

He slowed and turned; suddenly, a weight pressed against his back.

The girl leapt onto him, clutching his neck tightly.

Yan Jiu caught her with one hand, a vein bulging on his temple.

He almost reflexively wanted to shove her off.

Hua Mi hugged his neck, resting on his back, her legs swinging restlessly.

“Don’t move.” Yan Jiu pressed her thigh to restrain her easily.

Reluctantly, Hua Mi settled.

Leaning against his shoulder, she glanced at the sharp angles of his face and whispered, “Master Jiu, why do you still come looking for me?”

His warm breath brushed her ear, and his steps faltered imperceptibly.

He lifted her slightly twice. “Do I need to explain why I do what I do?”

“Then Master Jiu don’t want to kill me anymore? Last time you said you didn’t want to see me.”

“That was you saying that. I only said not to appear before me again.”

“?”

“What’s the difference?”

Yan Jiu said nothing, but the system chimed in.

[I know this! The difference is the male lead can come looking for you, but you can’t go to him!]

“Why…”

[Because whenever you seek him, you have a purpose!]

“...”

“Jiu Jiu, you talk too much.”

[I’m muted.]

After a quiet walk, the girl’s voice suddenly spoke again: “But I’m still so angry and sad, I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”

“Hm.” Yan Jiu replied lightly, seeming indifferent to her feelings.

She tightened her grip around his neck, silent now.

After a moment, Yan Jiu broke the silence.

“Then why did you call me over? Didn’t you say you don’t want to talk to me?”

Hua Mi pressed her lips together. “Who told you to buy me clothes and be so nice to me…”

“Alright, I don’t want to talk to you or have kids with you anymore, but I still want to see you. What else can I do?”

“I’m just trying, okay? This time you came to me first—I’m not clinging to you!” She hastened to clear herself.

Hearing this, Yan Jiu glanced at her sideways.

“You don’t hate me anymore?”

Page 3/3

“I hate you!” she replied immediately, without hesitation.

“You don’t trust me, always bully me, scare me… I hate you the most!” She sounded as if she made herself angry, kicking her leg to try to hit him.

Yan Jiu grabbed her thigh to prevent her from succeeding.

“Oh? You hate me so much? Then no more piggyback rides.” He chuckled lowly, pretending to toss her off.

Hua Mi clung tightly. “No, no! You’re bullying me again! You’re so childish! Annoying!”

Yan Jiu put her down, then turned to face her and lifted her up again.

He supported her bent leg with one hand, held her chin with the other, admiring her tear-filled, blurred eyes.

“Then keep hating me. Better yet, hate me so much you cry whenever you see me. The more you cry, the more I want to tease you.” A wicked smile curled at his lips.

“Wah, pervert!”

“Ha ha ha.” Yan Jiu laughed, genuinely amused by her.

Leaving the park, pedestrians appeared on the street, some pointing at them.

A tall, fierce-looking man had bullied his little girl into tears but was still grinning smugly.

Yan Jiu didn’t care about the onlookers. Holding the girl in his arms, he strolled slowly to her home.

Before leaving, Yan Jiu took out a necklace and fastened it around her neck.

A platinum chain held a teardrop-shaped white jade pendant, smooth and translucent.

“Wear it well. Don’t take it off for bathing or sleeping.”

Hua Mi touched the jade, feeling its comforting texture. “Oh…”

[Ding! Male lead’s darkness level -1%. Current darkness level 98%. Keep it up!]

After Yan Jiu left, the system excitedly spun around.

[Host is amazing! Darkness level decreased again! At this rate, we’ll finish the mission soon!]

“Wake up. You’re excited over a one-point drop.”

[One point is an achievement no one else has reached! Host is incredible!]

Hua Mi didn’t understand its enthusiasm, walking to the mirror to examine the necklace at her neck.

[Host, a tracking device has been detected inside.]

“Tracking?” She blinked in surprise and touched the pendant again.

[I think it’s necessary since you never know when you might get into trouble again. Now the male lead can come rescue you in time!]

Rescue her?

Her eyes flickered, and a small smile curved her lips.