Chapter 28: Oh, Is the White-Haired Boy a Door Demon?

Xu Lu Cha hesitated for a moment, but still rejected Zhang Meng’s suggestion: “I can’t go confess now. When the time comes, I will naturally go.”

He would not confess, nor would he go to stay at the magistrate’s office. Qin Long’s people would come to find him from time to time, and at the magistrate’s office, it would be inconvenient for them to discuss matters. Now Qin Long was the biggest bargaining chip in his hand, and he wouldn’t easily give her up.

Just thinking that Zhang Meng had the same feelings as him made his heart sweet.

His expression gradually softened, his beautiful eyes rippling like spring water before calming down. He gazed at Zhang Meng gently for a moment, then said softly, “Remember to come visit me. I’ll be waiting for you.”

Zhang Meng replied, “Alright. I’ll come see you when I have time.”

·····

The sun was setting in the west, the evening glow brilliant, and a cool breeze blew over the earth that had been baking all day.

Zhong Huo wore official robes, her hair tied up, with two wisps of hair on either side of her forehead adding a touch of softness and languidness. Her eyes were black and slightly elongated, with upturned corners and long curled lashes. Her lips were pale, and her skin was like jade.

When she walked into the main hall, several men couldn’t help but steal glances at her. The people of Yun City all knew that Madam Zhong was young and beautiful, and approachable. Many men secretly admired her.

The constable who had finished inspecting the scene came forward to report to Zhong Huo: “Madam, all the valuables in the house are still there, and there are no signs of a struggle at the scene.”

Zhong Huo nodded: “Are there any signs of struggle on the victim’s body?”

“No.”

Zhong Huo frowned slightly and looked at the men standing to the side: “You are all neighbors of the victim. Did you hear any strange noises on the night of the incident?”

The men all shook their heads, indicating they hadn’t.

……

Zhong Huo rubbed her temples with a headache. There had been too many things lately, and all the unpleasant matters seemed to come at once.

Whether it was Zhang Meng being attacked or the successive murder cases, they all gave her a headache.

There was a knock on the study door.

“Come in.”

The door was pushed open from outside, and a slender, graceful figure walked in.

“Madam, dinner is ready.”

Zhong Huo glanced at Zhang Meng, her tightly furrowed brows relaxing slightly as she stood up and walked towards her: “You came back late today.”

Zhang Meng felt a bit guilty: “Because the noodles Mr. Xu made were so delicious, I ate there.”

Zhong Huo looked at Zhang Meng with a stern face for a while, then spoke: “Being so greedy, aren’t you embarrassed? Can you afford to ruin a man’s reputation?”

Zhang Meng quickly apologized.

Zhong Huo snorted and walked out first.

Zhang Meng followed behind her. Suddenly, she noticed a book on the bookshelf, a book about dream interpretation.

Her heart stirred, and the image of the white-haired, red-eyed man from her dream appeared in her mind.

Although she didn’t believe in ghosts and spirits, and thought she didn’t care much about that dream, she still wanted to understand it a bit.

“Madam, can I borrow this book to read?”

……

The book didn’t contain any records about white-haired men. After Zhang Meng quickly browsed through the book, it was already very late.

But she was somewhat afraid to close her eyes and sleep. Every time she dreamed of that white-haired man, she felt a sense of melancholy in her heart.

And recently, she had dreamed of the white-haired man as a child, and she had changed from an observer to the protagonist.

Every time she entered the dream, she would find herself in a dilapidated house standing amidst heavy snow.

She had seen the white-haired boy being bullied by villagers, and had also seen him on the verge of death from cold and hunger.

He was a pitiful child. Every time she saw him, she would give him food, but after waking up, she would disappear from the dream world for a while.

When she entered the dream again, it would be several days later.

……

Snow was falling heavily, and the wind was bitterly cold.

The white-haired boy, dressed in tattered clothes, was huddled in the corner of the dilapidated house, shivering all over.

The fire in the house had long gone out, leaving a pile of black and gray ashes.

When the door opened from outside, the boy slowly raised his head, which had been lowered.

The cold wind blew in with snowflakes, and Zhang Meng’s long hair danced wildly in the wind. She hunched her neck and quickly closed the door.

As usual, she came back carrying a pile of dry firewood, put it aside, and started to make a fire, her movements practiced.

The boy sat quietly in the corner, looking down at the floor, his long white hair falling to the ground. Only his small hands, which had been tightly clenched, relaxed and opened after Zhang Meng arrived.

Zhang Meng carried him to the fire to warm up. Then she dug out several sweet potatoes hidden in the ground and put them under the fire to roast.

When the boy took the roasted sweet potato Zhang Meng handed him, the boy who had been silent all along spoke.

“Aren’t you afraid of me?”

The boy’s voice was hoarse and cold.

“What is there to be afraid of?” Zhang Meng smiled.

The boy’s lifeless eyes stared at Zhang Meng for a while, his eyes slightly rippling. He lowered his gaze and nibbled on the sweet potato in small bites, not speaking anymore.

Zhang Meng stroked his hair: “I’ll go out later to gather more firewood. When I’m not here for those few days, you can make a fire to keep warm. As for sweet potatoes, there are still some here…” The boy remained silent, showing no reaction to her words. He was like a puppet.

……

When Zhang Meng woke up, she saw a dark figure in the room.

With a cry of surprise, she quickly got up and subdued the figure in two or three moves.

She twisted the figure’s arms behind its back and said in a low voice, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

“Zhang Meng, let go of me.”

Zheng Shu’s calm voice sounded, and Zhang Meng was startled. She quickly let go.

Lighting a fire stick, in the glow of the fire, she indeed saw Zheng Shu’s expressionless face.

“Zheng Shu? What brings you to my room?” Zhang Meng was somewhat surprised.

Zheng Shu hesitated for a moment, but still replied, “It’s nothing really, just… can you let me see your chest…”

Zhang Meng: “…” She suddenly covered her chest with both hands, “Why do you want to see?” She hadn’t expected that Zheng Shu, who usually had such an ascetic, expressionless appearance, would have such a preference.

Although Zheng Shu’s face remained expressionless, her red ears showed her discomfort.

Her voice was still flat: “I want to know if you have a red mole under your left breast.”

Zhang Meng naturally wouldn’t let her look. Although they were both women, she would still feel embarrassed.

She also didn’t know if she had a mole there, as she had never paid attention to look. She told Zheng Shu that she would check and tell her the result later.

But Zheng Shu, as if afraid she would lie, insisted on seeing for herself. However, when Zhang Meng asked Zheng Shu why she wanted to know if there was a red mole there, Zheng Shu didn’t say anything.

Zheng Shu was silent for a while, then sighed, “Forget it, I won’t look.” With that, she turned and left.

Zhang Meng was completely bewildered.

After Zheng Shu left, Zhang Meng got dressed as usual and went out.

The sky was still dim. Zhang Meng, carrying the dream interpretation book, walked to the study.

The light in the study was still on. Zhang Meng knocked on the door, and Zhong Huo’s calm voice came from inside.

“Come in.”

After Zhang Meng returned the book to Zhong Huo, she found that Zhong Huo was drawing a portrait.

The person in the drawing had white hair and red eyes – it was actually the man from her dream!

Zhang Meng was shocked. She hurriedly rushed to Zhong Huo’s side and pointed at the man in the drawing, asking, “Madam! Who is this?”

Zhang Meng was extremely close to Zhong Huo, her face almost touching Zhong Huo’s, her warm breath blowing on Zhong Huo’s face. Zhong Huo’s face reddened, and she quickly leaned her head back.

“Zhang Meng, don’t be so rash. How many times have I told you?”

But Zhang Meng ignored Zhong Huo’s rebuke and continued to ask, “Madam, who is this man?”

“A door demon, used to ward off evil.” Zhong Huo glanced at her askance, “You don’t know?”

Door demon?

Zhang Meng was stunned.

“He was originally the reincarnation of an ancient demon, possessing the bloodline of evil spirits, but never did evil. Later he was enlightened and became a god. Because he was originally a demon, all evil beings fear him, so people consecrated him as a door demon, used to ward off evil.” Zhong Huo frowned, “It’s just a baseless tale. But my elder sister insists that I draw this to ward off evil, really…”

Although there had been many unpleasant things lately, if she really put this door demon portrait on the door, she couldn’t bear the embarrassment.

Zhong Huo picked up the drawing paper, preparing to crumple it into a ball, but Zhang Meng quickly stopped her.

“Madam, can you give this painting to me?”

……

Xu Lu Cha lowered his head and slightly closed his eyes.

Since you cherish our feelings as much as I do, then I’ll let you… kiss me.

His heart was beating violently, his long eyelashes trembling, betraying his nervousness and shyness.

I only give my kiss to my future wife-master. I hope you won’t let me down.

The anticipated kiss didn’t come for a long time. Xu Lu Cha opened his eyes to find that the person had already walked away.

Xu Lu Cha: “…”

Hopelessly stupid person!

Xu Lu Cha suddenly opened his eyes, his beautiful eyes flashing with a hint of confusion. It was just a dream.

His snow-white fingers lightly brushed across his red lips. His handsome face slightly flushed as he propped himself up with one hand.

The day had already dawned. He slowly put on his clothes and shoes, then walked out of the room.

The sun was blazing down, and the water vat in the courtyard reflected the light dazzlingly. It was so quiet around that only the chirping of small birds could be heard.

He stood in front of the water vat, his beautiful face reflected on the water’s surface.

Skin like congealed cream, eyes like autumn waters, lips as if painted with vermilion.

He was so beautiful, it was really a bargain for her.

Xu Lu Cha’s expression softened.

It wasn’t long before Qin Long’s servant came to find him. Xu Lu Cha’s gentle expression was completely withdrawn, replaced by a melancholic and fragile look.

“Mr. Xu, my young lady has already persuaded your mother. Your mother has called off your engagement, and you can come down from the mountain.”

Xu Lu Cha smiled slightly: “Please convey my thanks to your young lady.”

She had finally done something of value.

As a price, he handed the manuscript he had stayed up all night to draw to the middle-aged man with an honest face.

“Tell your young lady that the secret she wants is in here.”