Chapter 79: Honey Pomelo (1)


    Slender fingers set down a smooth and round chess piece on the chessboard. No movement was detected from the person in front of them. Mu Yao raised her head, the young man had his head lowered and was looking at the chessboard, appearing to be deep in thought about his next move.


    But deep down, she knew that his mind had wandered off.


    She crooked a finger and knocked on the chessboard, ASheng?


    Mu Sheng silently came back to the present. He sounded a little lost as he responded.


    Mu Yao looked down and tossed the chess piece which had already been picked up back into its container.Advertisements


    ASheng, She calmly looked at him, If youre just going to let me win, is there any point in ying?


    In a split second, a sliver of panic appeared in Mu Shengs eyes: He had always been surreptitious about letting her win and merely went into a daze for a second when he was suddenly called out. It was clear that he had gone off in a daze too obviously that sis had managed to catch some clues.


    Through the window, it could already be seen that night had already fallen. The low tablemp dimly lit the chessboard. The booth of the Changan tavern was elegant and refined but in the end, it was not home. It was somewhatcking in character and even the dust floating in the air smelled different.


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    Yw Zys blpkvyvle yde cyalzu xydytle vs cakdt wr vbl nsap sq  zkrp.


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    Tkp pkp bye clld ryxle cu csvb ryaldvp pkdnl pbl oyp uswdt. Tl bye clld ps nyalqwz kd rasvlnvkdt  cwv pbl pvkzz pwqle ps xwnb, yzz clnywpl sq y vykd xyd nyzzle Nkw Wwuk G bkdv sq nszedlpp qkzzle bkp lulp.


    GFbldt, bso yal ol rzyukdt? Yw Zys zssjle s yv bkx ekpvawpvqwzzu.


    Fkp, zlvp nbydtl kv wr, sjyu? Tl rwxrle bkxplzq wr, Ebsl qkapv zkdlp wr qkhl sq vblka rklnlp kd y aso, okdp.


    Mu Yao frowned as she looked at the chessboard for a while. It seemed she wasnt favorable to his childish suggestion, What kind of ying method is this?Advertisements


    He paused, then immediately began patiently setting up the chessboard, Its Five-In-A-Row.


    The chess piece remained between her fingers. She smiled helplessly then pinched the space between her brows, her waning interest evident, ASheng, if you had this kind of mindset while practicing techniques, our Mu family wouldnt have fallen to this point.


    Mu Shengs actions came to a freeze.


    When he walked out of Mu Yaos room, there was still a trace of confusion left on his face as well as the exhaustion which came from his disappointed heart.


    The silhouette of Mu Yaos slender figure, which seemed frail and lonely, could be seen through the door. The gaping hole left by Liu Fuyis absence could not be filled with any amount of hispany, it would only be like ying house.


    Her world was one he had never been able to enter. And for that same reason, he had always been alone.


    As he walked, he was unable to restrain himself and walked to the neighboring room, knocking on the door.


    It took a long time for her to open the door, revealing Ling Miaomiaos face framed by messy hair. Upon recognizing him, she immediately widened her eyes, Didnt I tell you to gofort Sister Mu? Why are you here?


    She had only cracked the door and had her head stuck out, looking around. It was an obvious attitude of rejection. He couldnt help himself from pressing on the doors, the look in his eyes dark, Can you please let me in?


    Ling Miaomiao backed up a step, and let him in with an innocent look on her face. He looked around the room, the inside was simple like standard rooms of the future generation.


    She had gotten cold from the wind blowing outside and rubbed her arms as she followed behind Mu Sheng.  Its the same as your room, whats there to look at?


    Mu Sheng shot a look at her, walked over and closed the door, Were you sleeping?Advertisements


    The girl had already walked to the dressing table and was bent over in front of it while fixing her hair. After hearing his words, she froze momentarily before replying back hesitatingly, No. II was just reading on the bed.


    Reading?


    She raised the canopy and pulled out a thin book from beneath the messy quilt. She blinked at him with herrge eyes and exined embarrassedly, Its too cold outside, so I so I read it under the covers.


    When she reached the climax, she also rolled around a few times on the bed.


    Mu Sheng nced at her, then back at the book with the nk cover in her hands.


    Uh, I found a very interesting book. Excitement was written all over Ling Miaomiaos face. The waiter downstairs lent it to me.


    The young man came closer and quickly flipped through the pages. His face contorted, You


    An unceasing torrent of words came out of Ling Miaomiaos mouth, This book is about a young man who is secretly in love with his teacher. However, his teacher was totally unepting of homosexuals. Then, the young man used the carrot and stick method, cajoling and pestering. After failing to take his life twice, the teacher begins to realize his feelings towards the young man. Then they go through various hardships before finally ending up together


    Mu Shengs ck eyes shed, but he had all his attention focused on her face which was flushed from excitement, And then?


    Thats it, I only read up to there. Ling Miaomiao couldnt stop smiling, Do you like it? I can lend it to you after I finish.


    Sure. He was still staring at her face.


    Ling Miaomiao froze, nearly biting her tongue.Advertisements


    Just now, she was making things up on the spot. What kind of straight guy would read this kind of book? She thought hed walk away in disgust but why was the ck lotus not ying by the rules.


    For a while, she was at a loss for words. After rposing herself, she bent over and pulled out a pomelo from under the table then struggled to get it on the table. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, Okay, lets eat fruit.


    It just so happened that she wouldnt be able to finish it alone and was wondering about how to resolve this issue.


    Mu Shengs tone had turned a little strange, Did the waiter downstairs also give this to you?


    Yeah. She sliced it open with a dagger. Her cheeks puffed out as she struggled to peel the pomelo.


    A book, fruit His tone cooled, Howe he didnt give me any? The young mans cold eyes fell on her face, seemingly emitting an ominous sense of pressure.


    Sweat covered her forehead, evidence of the exhaustiveness of the task. She waspletely ignorant of the look on his face and only thought his question was a little strange. Annoyed, she answered him, I forked out my own money for it, if you fork out some, hell buy fruit for you as well. She shook her hands in frustration, then ced the pomelo on the table, rolling it over to him. While massaging her aching wrist, sheined, This is too tiring, peel it for a bit.


    Mu Sheng silently epted the half-peeled pomelo, and pulled out a dagger from the inside of his clothes. He sliced the skin, then peeled it off with his right hand, effortlessly taking the flesh of the fruit out. Before the pomelo could even react, its skin and pith were gone.


    Ling Miaomiao was stunned by this sight but his movements did not cease. He broke the pomelo into individual sections, removing the pith on every side, rolling it up and delivering the orderly plump flesh to her mouth.


    When fragrance suddenly hit her, Ling Miaomiao lowered her head, surprised.


    Didnt you want me to peel it? The young mans voice was low and dull with a patient tone.


    Feeling her little face heat up, she lowered her head in embarrassment and after hesitating for a while, she reached out and took it with her hands. She stuttered a bit, saying, Its, its good enough if you just peel the outeryer.Advertisements


    She had a vague feeling thattely, he had be somewhat strange.


    Reasonably, this period was a key juncture where Liu Fuyi had flicked his sleeves and cast away Mu Yao without a care, leaving his sister broken-hearted and fragile. In the original work, Mu Sheng had already begun taking the initiative to win over his sister but before her, her capture target was still peeling the pomelo carpels one by one


    Heyokay, its fine. Ling Miaomiao grabbed his wrist, Stop peeling it, careful that you dont overdo it or your hands will hurt.


    He didnt move, allowing her to hold his wrist. His eyes fell on a fair hand, I didnt use my hand, I used a dagger.


    Ling Miaomiao pulled her hand away in embarrassment, quickly stuffing a piece of pomelo in her mouth.


    The pomelo was sweet and juicy, brightening up peoples spirits. Every pore of her body opened up and rxed. She asked in a vague manner, Is Sister Mu doing alright?


    Mu Shengs fine and longshes lowered and the edges of his lips turned up, revealing a self-deprecating smile, Sister has never listened to my advice.


    Thefort me. Sympathy was written all over her face and she had a very sincere look on her face, Ill listen to yourforting.


    Mu Sheng stood there nkly for a moment, then asked, Comfort you about what?


    I wont be happy either way, no matter if Brother Liu married Sister Mu or the princess. She curled her lips and hatefully said, Im extremely unhappy.


    ..


    Comfort me. She blinked at him.


    The look on the young mans face changed several times and after a while, he dryly replied, Then you should like someone else instead.


    Ling Miaomiao looked at him intently, Who should I like?


    ..


    He found this conversation to be familiar. At the time, she was sitting on his bed in the Li Residence located in Jingyang Slope with a drunken look in her eyes. He had calmly asked, Who should I like?


    You should like me, someone wholl raise you to be tender and round


    He looked at her, going over her question a thousand times before coldly answering, In any case, just not Liu Fuyi.


    Ziqi, this cant be how youfort people, can it? Ling Miaomiaos face was covered in despair as she continued, No wonder you cantfort Sister Mu one bit, this is too direct. Tofort someone, you need to ce importance in the art of speaking


    He smiled imperceptibly.


    Little did she know, he was especially eloquent when speaking to Sister, but in front of her, he couldnt do it at all. His heart would feel so dry and sour and the more he spoke, the more mistakes he made.


    Ling Miaomiao ate as she talked. After having her fill, she handed him a piece of pomelo, Howe you arent eating? Seeing that he hadnt moved, she ced it before his lips, Come on, try some.


    He froze for a moment, then obediently opened his mouth and ate the pomelo. The fruit was cool and sweet and after finishing it, she patiently fed him another piece.


    He deliberately decided to not reach out.


    Ling Miaomiao waspletely unaware of this and continued to feed him. At the same time, she took this opportunity to educate him, Look how pitiful Sister Mu is, Brother Liu isnt there and she only has a younger brother. If youre not the one to apany her, who will?


    Dont you and Sister also get along well? Howe you arentforting her?


    HowHow could I be like you, I dont know what Sister Mu likes and Im not sure of how to cheer her up either.


    She said these words with a guilty conscience.


    When the original work had reached the part about the main character group returning to Changan, Liu Fuyi was absent, Mu Yao was sad and depressed, and the ckened Mu Sheng desired to take Liu Fuyis ce. Consequently, he revealed a secret of his identity on a windy moonless night and confessed his feelings.


    Could the confession of an admirer cheer a person up? Mu Yao was unable to ept the brother who tore off his mask. She even felt disgusted and unable to take the reality of the deeply hidden person, knowing that someone by her side was a vile character in disguise. She broke into a great argument with him and from then on, the two siblingspletely cut off all rtions. The ck lotus fully ckened, taking on a new lease of life andpletely elevating in status to the viin in theter part of the story.


    But if we were to follow the current plot development, he wouldnt necessarily cken for certain. However, it seemed that breaking off rtions and having a big fight would be unavoidable.


    To one who has secretly been in love for many years, as long as they are not rejected directly, they would never end this desire and would hide their feelings in their heart, thinking that there was still hope.


    And so, for the past few days, she had not only done nothing to thwart Mu Sheng and Mu Yaos opportunities of being alone together, but had painstakingly facilitated it. She hoped from the bottom of her heart that he would be able to get past this key moment. She would only be able to bravely face this new him after he decisively walked past this stretch of history he had with Mu Yao.


    But, looking at the ck lotus eating the fruit she fed like a kitten and the disappointment and exhaustion which could not be hidden in his eyes, she felt a little guilty. It was as if she had done something harmful to him just for the sake of her selfish motives.


    To be honest, even I dont know how to cheer up Sister.


    The young mans voice gradually lowered, No matter what I do, she wont cheer up.


    Then you can keep trying


    Just because that person is me.


    Ling Miaomiao frowned slightly, a piece of pomelo was stuffed into his mouth, blocking the words which woulde next.


    Great, not one bit wasted. She wiped off the leftover fruit juice on her hands, pleased as she could be. Then she slowly gathered the pomelo skins in one ce.


    Feeling his unblinking gaze on her face, she casually spoke, Dont be so self-deprecating all the time. Theres nothing wrong with you


    She gestured with her fingers, a smile in her round eyes, You are a little inferiorpared to Brother Liu but its not as bad as youre making it out to be. Sister Mu likes you very much, I can tell.


    Really? He lowered his eyes then raised them again, looking at her and repeating her words in a quieter voice, Thereis nothing wrong with me


    Ling Miaomiao smiled foolishly: Howe youre speaking like a child?


    .


    The faint sound of the watchmans pper could be heard, Ling Miaomiao walked over to the window and looked out. The hook-like moon hung on the tree-tops.


    She stretched her aching waist, Its already thiste, hurry and go to sleep.


    Was itte? He stood up and looked at her figure from behind. feeling emptiness and disappointment inside converging into a sea.


    Ling Miaomiao had already pushed him out without the slightest regret, Youre right next door so I wont see you off. Hurry and go, hurry and go


    The night lights were weak and dim, appearing like beans.


    The young man stood alone in the room, looking around. A bed with its canopy rolled up, a round-backed armchair, a dark brown table, and the vase with a dried flower arrangementJust like shed said, all the rooms looked one and the same.


    But at the same time, it waspletely different Without her presence, it was as bleak as winter.


    TLN: Hey yall, Entropy here. Sorry about thete chapter, I was going to post it after I got home but. I kinda fell asleep hahaha. Anyways, enjoy the chapter~ I heard that some <em>good things</em>(?) are going to happen soon~