Chapter 114: Swordsman Online 3 BL (VIII)

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Chapter 114: Swordsman Online 3 BL (VIII)

There was a moment of silence in the cabin. Yang Qifeng did not care whether the others looked surprised or disdainful. The only thing that mattered to him was the answer from the person he wanted. However, because Miao Lichen was standing with his back to him, all he could see was his increasingly long hair and the shadow cast across his red shirt.

It had not been long, yet his palms were already beginning to sweat. The confession he had spoken with anticipation and excitement now left him somewhat regretful. But if he did not say it, Miao Lichen would never acknowledge his feelings. He might remain Miao Lichen’s shield forever, until the day his true partner appeared. How could he possibly accept that?

Even if it hurt, he chose the quickest way, handing the knife over himself and carving a clear wound into his own heart. Then he would spend all the time that followed making the one holding the knife heal him with his own hands.

The vulnerability that flashed through his eyes was carefully concealed, leaving only his domineering possessiveness in his gaze toward Miao Lichen. If even a genuine heart could not move him, then he would rather they both suffer.

Since he had fallen in love, how could the other person be allowed to remain untouched? If the final outcome was something neither of them wanted to accept, then he could only blame the fact that the person he loved could not love him. The person he least wanted to hurt in this world was also the person he could never bear to leave.

“Mm, I know.” There was still a faint smile on Miao Lichen’s lips, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Yang Qifeng’s eyes darkened slightly. Miao Lichen had only said that he knew, without saying how he felt. Did he accept him? Hate him? Or was his love simply irrelevant to Miao Lichen, no matter what form it took? Did he have to tear his entire heart from his chest to prove what he felt? Would Miao Lichen only believe his sincerity when they were standing between life and death? If so, would a natural disaster be better, or would an accident be easier for someone to believe?

“We’re already late. Let’s go.” Miao Lichen gently squeezed their clasped hands. Yang Qifeng looked extremely cold, even his face devoid of color, yet his palm was unexpectedly warm. Even when their hands met, Yang Qifeng’s warmth could not raise the temperature of Miao Lichen’s perpetually cool palm.

His body was like a perfectly calibrated system, regulating his temperature, blood circulation, and heartbeat to the levels most suitable for him. It constantly reminded him that he was different from the people of this world. Although they had once shared a similar past, that was all it was: the past. Miao Lichen’s future would never intersect with the people around him now, nor even with this world. They were merely passing travelers.

After stepping off the plane, Miao Lichen gazed into the distance, though no one could tell what direction he was looking toward. The curve of his lips suddenly changed, and a trace of warmth appeared in his eyes.

That smile, so different from his usual one, made Yang Qifeng instinctively place his free hand over his chest. The pulse beneath his palm beat in sync with the sound in his ears. His feelings for Miao Lichen grew more intense with every passing moment. He had already reached the point of no return, yet those feelings continued to rise, reaching a place even he could not predict.

He was certain that even if he lost the Yang Family, he would still be Yang Qifeng. But if he lost Miao Lichen, he would choose self-destruction. Or perhaps he would… take this entire world down with him.

“Yang Qifeng, I like you too.”

Miao Lichen’s voice was as gentle and unobtrusive as a breeze, yet Yang Qifeng heard every word clearly, etching it firmly into his mind. Like a recording playing back again and again…

‘Yang Qifeng, I like you too. I like you. Like…’

Those were the words he had waited so long to hear. Yet his rapidly beating heart returned to normal with Miao Lichen’s next words.

“But… there are too many people I like. So many that I no longer remember them, and I have even forgotten their faces.” Miao Lichen met Yang Qifeng’s still-excited gaze. The smile on his lips had disappeared, and the tenderness in his eyes was as calm as water, yet left no trace after passing. Just like all those people who had given so much and still failed to leave a mark on his heart. He had been moved and had returned their feelings in his own way, but he would never love them. Because the person Miao Lichen loved most in this lifetime was himself. How could he possibly allow himself to fall into such a foolish emotion? “I only like you. I cannot love you. Are you satisfied with that answer?”

“If you don’t know how to love, I’ll teach you.” Yang Qifeng showed little disappointment, or perhaps he had already expected this answer. Only liking him? How could that possibly satisfy him? But he could teach Miao Lichen to love. He would make it a feeling that Miao Lichen gave only to him.

“Heh~ Is that so? Then I’ll give you a chance. I’ll wait and see what your final answer is.” Miao Lichen put that mask-like smile back on. This was not the first time he had heard such words. But if someone had really succeeded, he would not still be standing here. Yang Qifeng might be special compared with the others, but that specialness was only because he originated from this world. This was the world that had shaped his soul and body. What more did Yang Qifeng have than all those who had given everything for him?

“I’ll make you fall in love with me.” Yang Qifeng tightened their clasped hands, determination filling his face. He was very happy now. It had been a long time since he had felt this way, and it made him exceptionally greedy for more.

Meanwhile…

“It’s already past twelve. Are Dawn and Abyss coming or not?” MoonisColdHeartisCruel lounged casually in her chair. When she had first arrived, she had still possessed some maidenly restraint, but now not a trace of it remained. As she put it, a lady’s decorum was for strangers to see, while her true self was reserved for friends. Since they were friends, they could hardly mind her less-than-ladylike side.

“Let’s wait a little longer. If they’re still not here by one, we’ll eat first. We have other plans after lunch.” ElegantFlower glanced at the watch on his wrist. The silver watch was simple and elegant, but anyone who knew watches could easily tell how much it was worth. Clearly, the guild leader came from a good family as well.

“Sorry for keeping everyone waiting. We’re late.” A gentle voice came from outside. Although the door had not yet fully opened, everyone instinctively imagined an elegant and refined man and turned toward the guild leader.

MoonisColdHeartisCruel’s eyes lit up. Was this going to be a battle of smiles between two men with the same refined temperament? They said refined men were usually secretly scheming, so she wondered which of them, the guild leader or Dawn, would be more scheming.

To their surprise, the two men who entered were not dressed entirely in white. One wore a red shirt with two buttons casually undone, a smile on his face. The other had a somewhat sickly pallor and looked rather delicate, yet the heavy black clothing suited him perfectly, giving him an air of restrained sensuality. Their faces were different in style, but both could only be described as exquisitely handsome, each a top-tier beauty.

As a fujoshi, MoonisColdHeartisCruel naturally did not miss the fact that the two were openly holding hands in front of everyone. Her eyes immediately lit up. It was simply too adorable. But her own disciple… She cautiously shifted her gaze away. The more she tried to do so without drawing attention, the more obvious it became. Sure enough, she saw her disciple staring gloomily at the two of them. Although she wanted to help, when it came to something like this, an outsider interfering might only make things worse.

“Nice to meet you. My game ID is FirstRayofDawn, and my real name is Miao Lichen.” Miao Lichen pulled his fingers free from Yang Qifeng’s tight grip and flexed them slightly to ease the redness in them. Was he trying to prove his ownership? Such a childish act really could give someone a sense of satisfaction. But what was meant to be his would always be his. What was not his could never be obtained through force.

“IntotheAbyss, Yang Qifeng.” Yang Qifeng’s introduction was even more concise. He shifted one hand to rest on Miao Lichen’s shoulder. The black sleeve against the red shirt created an intertwined impression, as though the two had formed a world of their own that no one could enter. But that was only how it appeared. More than one person present wanted to break that understanding.

“My game ID is ThisLifeisPureCold, and my real name is Rong Hansheng.” Rong Hansheng’s youthful smile easily inspired goodwill. He acted as though he had not noticed the intimacy between Yang Qifeng and Miao Lichen. Instead, he took one of Miao Lichen’s hands and performed the Western custom of kissing it.

Although this was traditionally a gesture performed by a man toward a woman, it did not seem out of place when he did it. The moment their gazes met even carried a hint of beauty. “Master, you’re even more captivating than I imagined.”

MoonisColdHeartisCruel covered her mouth. For a moment, she felt that her disciple’s back looked incredibly impressive. How many times had she imagined a scene like this? Yet when she finally witnessed it, it was one man doing it to another man. It felt like the greatest malice the world had ever shown her. Had all the good men really gone off to date other men?

“I wonder whether I should call you Director Miao or Doctor Miao. I never expected to run into you here.” Mu Kuiqiu walked over to Miao Lichen, interrupting Rong Hansheng before he could continue. She glanced at the person holding Miao Lichen’s hand, then at the person with a hand resting on his shoulder as he faced her. It was as though there was no place left for her beside him.

But how could that be possible? She had been prepared from the very beginning. The place beside him would be hers, and it would belong to her openly and rightfully. Whether Yang Qifeng or Rong Hansheng, they would only be passing travelers in his life. “The first man I ever fell for is someone I’ve known for a long time.” It was an open confession, something she had waited so long to say. After living through two lifetimes, she had finally spoken those words aloud.

“Mu Kuiqiu.” Miao Lichen nodded lightly and stepped out from between the two men. “I’m surprised to see you here too.”

“So this is what they call fate?” A genuine smile appeared on Mu Kuiqiu’s face. The two stood face to face as they spoke, sunlight falling across Miao Lichen’s red clothes, making him look like a god who had stepped out of a painting, descending upon the world with light and glory. He truly was her god, the person she had admired for two lifetimes. Everything she did in this life had begun because of him.

“It could also be a case of being fated to meet but not destined to be together.” Yang Qifeng narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice carrying a chill.

“Then we’ll just have to wait and see. You two aren’t lovers yet, are you?” Mu Kuiqiu had already witnessed Miao Lichen’s gentleness in her previous life. That was precisely why she was jealous. If the two of them were lovers now, the person arguing with her would not be Yang Qifeng, but Miao Lichen. He reserved his greatest tenderness for the person he loved most. That was exactly why she was so determined to claim the place beside him. In her previous life, she had been one step too late. In this life, they stood at the same starting point. She did not believe she would lose again.

“We’re not lovers, but he is someone I’ve acknowledged. I’ll give him a chance.” Miao Lichen shook his head and deliberately rested his hand on Yang Qifeng’s shoulder. The small gesture dispelled the gloom in Yang Qifeng’s eyes.

“Then, Master, why not give us a chance as well? We’ve never truly spent time together. You don’t know who is actually the right person for you.” Rong Hansheng leaned against Miao Lichen. If he moved any closer, their bodies would touch. Their breaths mingled, yet all he felt from Miao Lichen was complete rejection. As expected… it was a no?

“Exactly. We should compete fairly.” Even Mu Kuiqiu herself found the words ridiculous, but it was such a sophisticated excuse, wasn’t it?

“This is a guild gathering. I hope you can put your personal matters aside for now.” After watching the entertaining spectacle for a while, ElegantFlower finally stepped in to stop their rivalry over Miao Lichen, while giving him a sympathetic look. It was not good to attract too many admirers, but with that face of his, it would have been stranger if he did not.

All he could say was… fate had its own plans.

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