It's best to ignore people like Zhang Yan. The more you bother with them, the more they'll push their luck. Why waste your breath on such individuals? Once you know what kind of person they are, just stay away.
“I’m leaving,” Wang Gui said, then got up and ran off.
Mu Anxiao let out a soft huff and turned to the two beggars watching Wang Gui’s retreating back. “Do you know him?”
“That guy is like a dog.”
“Exactly! He always looks down on people. So what if he knows some influential figures?”
“Yeah, he’s always bullying us. He’ll flaunt his money right in front of us. That kind of person is truly disgusting.”
“Disgusting.”
In the days Mu Anxiao had been here, the two beggars had never spoken about anyone like this. Listening to them now, Mu Anxiao felt a surge of satisfaction.
“Someone that stingy will surely end up worse off than us in the future,” Mu Anxiao said.
The two of them nodded in agreement.
A smile tugged at the corner of Mu Anxiao’s lips.
Following this, a young man tossed silver coins into their three bowls.
In the past few days, Mu Anxiao hadn’t received a single coin. Seeing the two taels of silver in her bowl now, she smiled.
“Thank you,” she said, looking up at the young man who had given her the silver.
The young man replied, “You’re right, that guy’s mouth is full of lies. He’s a complete two-faced hypocrite, and he’s not even good at pretending. It’s utterly sickening.” With that, he walked away.
Mu Anxiao bent down, picked up the two taels of silver from the bowl, and smiled, “It seems Wang Gui isn’t very popular.”
“No.”
“Exactly.”
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao glanced at the two beggars who were collecting their money and chatting, and smiled. As darkness fell, the pedestrians on the road quickened their pace. After the two beggars had collected enough money, they also left, leaving only Mu Anxiao.
“Not bad. A kind lady even gave me a steamed bun today, saving me some trouble.” She said, pulling out a dirty steamed bun from her sleeve and taking a bite.
“Does it taste good?”
Hearing the familiar voice in front of her, Mu Anxiao’s heart sank. She thought, *Strange, this voice sounds familiar, yet not. Could it be him?* As she thought this, she looked down at a white and blue skirt, at new boots, and instantly remembered Shen Yan, the same Shen Yan who had encountered her in this manner. She swallowed, afraid to look up.
“It’s alright. Young master, if you’re giving money, I thank you. If not,” her heart began to pound, “then please leave, so my hands don’t get your clothes dirty.”
“What’s your name?”
The same question again, just like Shen Yan that year. This voice sounded steady, not like Feng Qishi, but… it really did sound like Feng Qishi.
“…” Mu Anxiao shook her head and reached for her broken bowl.
“Mu Anxiao. I’ve said so much, and you still won’t look up.”
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao paused, then looked up at Feng Qishi, who was staring at her coldly. “You’re back.” She stood up.
Feng Qishi looked down at Mu Anxiao without speaking, just gazing at her quietly.
Mu Anxiao felt uneasy under Feng Qishi’s stare. “What are you looking for me for?”
“Sixty years ago, our business together, do you remember it?” Feng Qishi asked deeply.
That year, Shen Yan had found her just like this. He said he was a cultivator and needed to find a woman he fancied to achieve immortality.
To leave that place, and for money, she agreed.
Thus, she accompanied him on the path to find a woman with immortal destinies. Who would have thought that after only half a year, things failed, and their collaboration ended.
Now, hearing Feng Qishi suddenly bring it up, she was startled. “I remember, but I’ve already failed once. Why are you still looking for me? Isn’t this asking for trouble?”
“I can’t find anyone else.”
“You’re not targeting me, are you?”
“Yes, I am targeting you. You have immortal destinies, and your spiritual energy has reached the fifth level. Naturally, you are the most suitable candidate.”
Mu Anxiao clearly remembered that Shen Yan was not like this. Now that Feng Qishi spoke like this, Mu Anxiao truly didn’t know where to begin.
“…”
“If you don’t speak, I’ll take it as your tacit consent.”
“Wait,” Mu Anxiao blinked her eyes. “You mean, I am the girl you fancy?”
“Yes,” Feng Qishi nodded.
“Why me?” Mu Anxiao was surprised.
“You have no friends, no family, no attachments, only an unreliable master. Thinking about it, aren’t we a perfect match?”
The moment Feng Qishi said this, Mu Anxiao couldn’t help but recall a similar statement from Shen Yan back then: “Based on my observations of you, you have no friends, no family, no attachments. Naturally, you can dedicate your time to me and help me find that person.”
Thinking of those words, Mu Anxiao looked at what Feng Qishi was saying now and tilted her head. “Feng Qishi, who taught you to say that?”
“I remember now. It was when you committed suicide, I remembered,” Feng Qishi said deliberately.
“What do you remember?” Mu Anxiao narrowed her eyes.
“I remember my past life’s memories.”
“So, you… you’ve changed back,” Mu Anxiao pointed at Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi lowered his head. “You’ve hit the nail on the head. I really don’t know how to respond to that.” His gaze was cold. “Besides, I was always Shen Yan. I’ve just changed my name and gone through some unpleasant experiences. What difference does change or no change make? I am who I am.”
Mu Anxiao didn’t know how to evaluate Feng Qishi’s current state.
But for some reason, looking at Feng Qishi now, with shades of Shen Yan, she felt a bit scared. That fear came from the bottom of her heart. In other words, she still felt… Feng Qishi was better when he was lively.
“…”
“Why aren’t you speaking? Are you unaccustomed to my current appearance?”
“I am a little unaccustomed.”
“It’s good that you’re unaccustomed. I think our relationship should be like it was before. Otherwise, if you step all over me, it won’t be fun.”
“……”
Feng Qishi had long expected that Mu Anxiao would be speechless after he said that, so he turned his back. “Where are you going now? You decide.”
Because Feng Qishi’s appearance was so sudden, and coupled with his personality, Mu Anxiao truly didn’t know how to deal with him.
So, she continued to remain silent.
“…”
“If you won’t speak, then just follow me,” Feng Qishi tilted his head.
“I’m not following you,” Mu Anxiao said.
Feng Qishi frowned, turned around, and said, “Do you really intend to cut ties with me?”
“I’ve repaid what I owe you. I…”
Mid-sentence, Feng Qishi suddenly bent down and hugged Mu Anxiao. Mu Anxiao’s eyes widened instantly. “What are you doing?” she asked.