Ouyang Ye’s sudden move startled Mu Anxiao. She furrowed her brow slightly and quickly lowered her head to stare at her wrist, which Ouyang Ye was holding. “Let go,” she whispered. Her gaze then sharpened.
“You’re lowering your voice for him,” Ouyang Ye said, leaning closer and also lowering his voice.
At this proximity, Mu Anxiao’s dislike for Ouyang Ye surged to its peak. However, to avoid hindering Feng Qishi’s self-healing, and not to provoke Ouyang Ye further, she managed to restrain her temper. “I didn’t say anything when you were saving him just now,” she stated.
“You also…” Ouyang Ye said, a smile curving his lips. “So, you were caring about me just now?”
“It’s basic courtesy,” Mu Anxiao replied. She glanced at her wrist, still firmly held by Ouyang Ye, cleared her throat, and continued, “Can you let go?”
“Beg me, and I’ll let go,” Ouyang Ye said provocatively.
Mu Anxiao inhaled sharply, suppressing her anger. “I beg you, let go,” she said, meeting his gaze. “Thank you.”
“You truly are polite,” Ouyang Ye remarked, releasing her wrist as promised.
The moment Ouyang Ye let go, Mu Anxiao quickly stepped back, shaking her hand. “You really have no sense of proportion,” she said, rubbing her reddened wrist with her other hand. “You nearly broke my hand.”
“You always exaggerate,” Ouyang Ye said, amusement in his eyes.
Mu Anxiao glanced at Ouyang Ye, then paused to think. “I have a question for you,” she said, looking at him.
Ouyang Ye’s expression turned cold, and his voice was laced with jealousy. “I guess it’s about him,” he said, glancing back at Feng Qishi.
“Yes,” Mu Anxiao replied. She knew Ouyang Ye could likely guess her every thought. Lying now would only increase his hatred for Feng Qishi. For Feng Qishi’s sake, she decided to speak with Ouyang Ye frankly.
“How honest.”
“Can I ask?” Mu Anxiao asked calmly.
Ouyang Ye stared at Mu Anxiao for a few seconds, then smiled. “If I didn’t let you ask, I’m afraid you’d turn your back on me immediately.”
Mu Anxiao’s face fell.
Ouyang Ye chuckled. “Your expression changes so fast. Fine,” he decided not to push Mu Anxiao’s limits. “Ask away.”
“You must answer,” Mu Anxiao added.
“Pushing your luck,” Ouyang Ye said fondly.
“Then I won’t ask,” Mu Anxiao said. She knew Ouyang Ye’s curiosity would be easily piqued when it came to anything involving her. Given the situation, she was confident his curiosity would make him yield.
Ouyang Ye fell silent.
Mu Anxiao made no move to hurry him, waiting patiently for his response.
Ouyang Ye had expected Mu Anxiao to get angry or even threaten him if he remained silent. To his surprise, she was so quiet. This made him curious about her question. “Go ahead,” he finally conceded.
“Answer properly,” Mu Anxiao said, wanting to ensure Ouyang Ye wouldn’t be evasive.
Ouyang Ye nodded.
Seeing Ouyang Ye’s acquiescent expression, Mu Anxiao’s heart leaped with joy. “They say you, Ouyang Ye, strive for perfection in everything you do,” she began, raising an eyebrow. “This time, why didn’t you completely clear his poison?” She worried Feng Qishi wouldn’t be able to handle it and hoped to provoke Ouyang Ye, perhaps making him, out of pride, continue to help Feng Qishi.
“What do you think?” Ouyang Ye countered.
Mu Anxiao managed a weak smile. “How would I know? If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking you.” As she spoke, she glanced at Feng Qishi.
Ouyang Ye didn’t seem to notice Mu Anxiao’s gesture. He smiled faintly. “Mu Anxiao, Mu Anxiao. I didn’t expect you to be the one who trusted him the least.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Mu Anxiao exclaimed, flustered.
Ouyang Ye laughed. “Nonsense? If you trusted him, why would you be asking me the same question again?”
“I didn’t…”
“You’ve asked that question twice,” Ouyang Ye interrupted.
Mu Anxiao looked embarrassed.
Ouyang Ye stared at Mu Anxiao for a few seconds. “I said I would save him, and I will. He trusts me. And now, you’re…”
“Shut up,” Mu Anxiao hissed.
“If I answer your question, it will prove that you truly don’t trust him. Tell me,” Ouyang Ye said, taking a step forward, “do you still want to know the answer?”
“No,” Mu Anxiao realized her mistake and took a step back. “Don’t talk to me anymore. I don’t want to talk to you.”
“At this moment, I don’t want to talk to you either,” Ouyang Ye said, turning his back.
Hearing Ouyang Ye’s words, Mu Anxiao’s heart skipped a beat.
Just then, Feng Qishi opened his eyes. He lowered his hand and looked at Ouyang Ye.
“Done,” Ouyang Ye said calmly.
Feng Qishi grunted and stood up.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao was about to step forward when Ouyang Ye blocked her path. She looked up at the back of his head and said coldly, “What are you doing?” She stopped in frustration.
“He’s recovered, and you owe me your promise. It’s time to fulfill it,” Ouyang Ye said sternly, turning to face Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao’s gaze flickered. “I still need to check his pulse,” she said, glancing at Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi, seeing Mu Anxiao look at him, deliberately avoided her gaze, effectively ignoring her.
Witnessing this, Mu Anxiao was instantly enraged by Feng Qishi’s dismissal. “Feng Qishi, what do you mean? Why are you avoiding me when I look at you?”
“Since you’ve already agreed to him… then…” Feng Qishi said, finally looking at Mu Anxiao. “You should go.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Mu Anxiao felt that something was amiss with Feng Qishi.
“Nothing’s wrong,” Feng Qishi replied, then looked at the woman in black who had appeared beside Ouyang Ye.
At that moment, Mu Anxiao also turned her attention to the woman in black. “Who are you?” she asked, sensing that something was not quite right.
“You don’t need to know,” Ouyang Ye said, turning to the woman in black standing beside him. “You’re still so playful.”
“I’m not, I just…”
“Just what? I was looking for you, and you were hiding. What is your crime?” Ouyang Ye said mildly.
The woman in black pouted.
Ouyang Ye frowned. “What? Are you feeling wronged?”
“Master, you told me to stay there for three days, but it’s only been this long, and you’ve already summoned me. You… you weren’t like this before,” the woman in black said, then suddenly looked at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao glared coldly at the woman in black who had just ignored her, remaining silent.