Chapter 362: The Fifth Day in the Struggle for Supremacy World

Chapter 362: Day 5 of Transmigrating into a Hegemony-Building Novel

Over three years of correspondence with An Yi, he could read between the lines and sense the other's quick wit and extraordinary insight.

He had speculated about An Yi's appearance—perhaps a composed, mature-beyond-his-years youth, or a cold-eyed genius from a noble family, aloof and above the mundane world, or perhaps a precocious schemer with an unreadable face.

But he'd never imagined An Yi would look... like this.

This face was beautiful almost to the point of being aggressive, yet paradoxically softened by that gentle, unassuming temperament, giving it a nearly inhuman refinement.

Not a woman's soft allure, but a beauty so pure it transcended gender—like ice carved by hand, like moonlight made solid.

Especially those eyes. They held a smile, warm and approachable, yet if you looked deeper, there was only an unfathomable calm, as if they couldn't reflect any ripple of emotion—mirroring everything in the world, yet unmoved by any of it.

A man like this... with such looks, such presence, combined with the insight and tactics his letters hinted at...

Bai Ji felt his heart skip a few irregular beats in his chest, a complex emotion—awe, astonishment, and a deeper, indescribable stirring—quietly taking root.

His original plan, his carefully calculated pros and cons—under the gaze of those eyes, they all seemed to waver, just slightly.

He clenched his jaw, using the faint pain from the inside of his cheek to force himself to keep an impeccably calm expression.

He couldn't lose his composure.

No matter what, he couldn't show any cracks right now.

Comment section:

"They're testing each other, but why does the male lead's inner monologue feel so off?"

"Is the author laying the bromance on too thick? We straight guys can't handle this."

"Yeah, this is a bit much. @author, tone it down!"

"You two are getting a little too cozy..."

"Joking around is fine, but the author can't actually write them as ambiguous, okay?"

"How can two guys be ambiguous? I think the author just can't write."

"He's probably trying to show the male lead is into the beautiful An Yi!"

"Isn't that even worse?!"

"..."

An Yi's lips curved into a smile.

He seemed not to notice the turmoil in the other man's heart—or maybe he noticed and just didn't care.

He sat at ease, holding his teacup, using the lid to gently stir the green tea, eyes lowered to watch the foam gather and disperse, speaking casually, as if to steer the conversation into deeper waters:

"Brother Bai, this trip to Yuncang—is it just to visit a friend and take in the capital's splendor, or... do you have other plans?"

His voice stayed warm, his tone unchanged.

Bai Ji's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around the cup for a moment, then relaxed.

He raised his eyes, and in those calm, dark brown depths, a perfectly measured hint of hesitation surfaced at just the right moment.

He inclined his body slightly, lowering his posture even more, and slowed his voice: "To be honest with you, An Langjun..."

He paused, as if making up his mind: "I came for two reasons. First, to pay my respects in person, to honor the bond of three years of correspondence and friendship, and to satisfy my admiration. Your bearing and presence far surpass your reputation. To meet you today, Ruzhi considers it a true honor."

He first sincerely expressed his respect, then gently shifted the topic, his tone tinged with a barely perceptible hint of melancholy and self-deprecation:

"Second... though Yuncang is the capital, seemingly full of opportunities, I have no particular talents—just a commoner with some opinions that may be out of step with the times. In this place crowded with nobles, I fear I'd struggle to find a place to stand."

He paused briefly, watching An Yi's reaction.

Seeing that the other man was just listening quietly, he continued, his tone growing more earnest: "Recently, I happened to hear that you, needing rest and recuperation, will soon return to Sique. I was wondering..."

He raised his eyes, looking directly at An Yi: "Would you allow me to follow in your wake and accompany you? Though I'm unskilled, in matters of financial accounting and clerical paperwork, I might offer a small measure of help, to share some of your burdens."

He spoke with extreme euphemism and humility, positioning himself as a talented but unrecognized scholar seeking shelter and opportunity.

His gaze was earnest, his posture as low as it could go.

These words had already strayed from his original plan.

He'd originally only intended to come and observe.

To see what kind of person this An Langjun—renowned throughout the land, his correspondent for three years, occasionally revealing extraordinary insight in his words—truly was, and whether he truly possessed the forward-thinking vision hinted at in his letters... or perhaps ambitions that shouldn't exist in the heart of a stable aristocratic youth.

Even if he'd discerned some signs, he hadn't planned to commit himself now.

He was a sixteen-year-old legitimate grandson of a prestigious family, whose clan was illustrious but made up entirely of civil officials and Great Scholars. In the coming chaos, lacking any real military foundation, an early investment was too risky.

He, Bai Ji, never made uncertain bets, nor would he lightly tie his own future to someone else's hands.

But... now.

The moment he saw An Yi, felt that strange temperament, that unfathomable calm beneath the gentle exterior, and the depth of soul—far beyond what an ordinary youth should possess—showing faintly through the beautiful shell... Bai Ji's cold logic of weighing pros and cons cracked.

A maddening, exhilarating thought seized him.

Why not just join now!

Observe up close, take part personally, and see just how far this An Langjun could go.

See whether beneath that gentle smile truly lay the sharpness and ambition he'd guessed at.

For... for An Langjun himself.

And so, he changed his plan on the spot, throwing out a stone to test the waters.

Comment section:

"See! Bai Ji took the initiative to ask to go with An Yi! So he's the one he'll end up serving, right!"

"Am I the only one who thinks something's off? The male lead's really weird!"

"What does 'for An Langjun himself' even mean? He's really gay gay!"

"Maybe it's because the author is gay! So even the soulmate friendship is written all gay!"

"Slander! Complete slander! Defamation! You're defaming me! (in that tone)"

"Who's that above me?"

"Heh, heh, I'm the author."

"..."

An Yi said nothing.

An Yi understood immediately.

So this guy was voluntarily pledging his allegiance.

Yet he wondered how much of this was truly for future prospects, how much was because of his own unpredictable presence, and perhaps, there were other reasons as well.

His smile didn't waver, but his gaze grew contemplative, showing he was deep in thought.

He slowly set down the celadon teacup, the base clicking softly against the table with a faint "tap."