"Madame, he is here," Maid Lin informed.
Shen Yuan nodded without stopping in his steps. "Go."
Maid Lin gave a brief bow before leaving his side and blending into the shadows. Shen Yuan continued his way strolling down the street and stopped by a nearby beauty shop.
Without turning his head, he discreetly glanced at the man entering after him before moving to a different shelf to have his back against him. Soon after the customers around them left, the man finally approached.
"Young Master Shen," Zhou Yi carefully called out.
Shen Yuan put back the powder in his hand and turned around. "Sir Zhou?"
Not sensing any hostility, Zhou Yi inwardly sighed in relief. There was a silver lining to not getting in touch for so long. He nodded. "It's been a while, Young Master Shen."
"Mn." Shen Yuan scratched his neck. "Forgive me for…you know. I know you were only trying to help, but I responded poorly. It took me a while to realize."
"No, not at all. It's only reasonable for you to be cautious. I was also too aggressive with my approach." Zhou Yi waved his hand in reassurance. "Do you still have the concealer?"
"Yes, of course. I tried using it as little as possible, but it's running out." Shen Yuan touched the selection of powder on the display table, his brows drawn.
"Ji Zhixuan…" A lump of thorns halted the words in Zhou Yi's throat before he forced the words out of his mouth. "…Your husband doesn't know about it yet?"
Shen Yuan only shook his head.
It was difficult for Zhou Yi to believe Ji Zhixuan truly pursued someone without any hidden motives. What if he actually knew but feigned ignorance to let Shen Yuan's guard down? That was a more likely scenario.
Still, he could only keep the suspicion to himself for now. He didn't know how much affection Shen Yuan had for Ji Zhixuan and didn't want to upset him again.
He fished out the concealer he prepared in his robe and gave it to Shen Yuan. "Here. I had expected for it to run out since you must wear it every day."
"This…" Shen Yuan looked at it with complicated eyes. "I can't accept this again. After my ungrateful conduct…"
"It was because of an unfortunate misunderstanding. And you can just think of this as me doing it for my own gratification. I wish for you to stay safe."
Shen Yuan accepted it under Zhou Yi's insistence and lowered his head. "I am forever grateful. If Sir Zhou needs any help or anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask me. Of course, I will keep it safe from my husband's knowledge."
"I suppose you know about our bad blood now."
"It's difficult not to when the whole city talked about the matchmaking event. It was…embarrassing to say the least. Again, forgive me for causing you such a humiliating display." Shen Yuan sighed. "People thought the both of you were fighting over me. Even though you were only trying to help."
Zhou Yi's fingers twitched and he clasped his hands behind his back before Shen Yuan noticed anything amiss. "It's alright. It didn't last long anyway. Rather, I should be the one apologizing for giving you unwanted attention."
A couple of ladies entered the shop, putting a halt to their conversation. When more people came, Shen Yuan pointed outside. "Should we find a more appropriate place to chat?"
The two of them left the shop together and walked for a couple of minutes to reach the pier where they found a small, open-air tea stall. Shen Yuan suggested they lounge there, and Zhou Yi agreed.
As the worker served them their order, Shen Yuan let out a small laugh. "This reminds me of our first meeting. If I hadn't suggested to buy you a drink, the whole thing wouldn't have happened."
"I'm glad you did though. If I didn't find out and you got into trouble one day, I would've blamed myself."
"You're too soft-hearted, Sir Zhou. It's difficult to imagine how you could enforce safety in our city."
"Work is different."
"Speaking of which, is it alright for the commander of the civil guard to be absent? Are you here for work? Or perhaps…" Shen Yuan traced the rim of his cup, "…you're here for the sanctuary as well?"
Zhou Yi nodded. He knew Shen Yuan was here for it as well but still intentionally asked, "Are you also going there with Ji Zhixuan?"
"…Mn."
The discomfort didn't escape Zhou Yi's ears. He reached out to hold Shen Yuan's hand in comfort only to stop himself before his fingers could touch him and rest it on the table. Giving in to himself would only cause problems for Shen Yuan.
"What's wrong?"
"He wants me to go there with him." Shen Yuan tightened his hold on his cup. "I know it's important for him, and I do want to support him, but…I'm scared. What if he notices something suspicious? I'm not ready to tell him yet."
"If you don't want to go, there's a safe house for you to hide. There's still time left. We can think of some narrative."
"I can't. He doesn't have any other catalyst he can rely on."
"What is it that is very important to him that he must force his wife to risk himself entering such a dangerous place? The sanctuary is not as it sounds. It's not a place where you can sleep with both your eyes closed at night. Not only other people looking for treasures, there will also be monsters and traps."
"About that…" Shen Yuan raised his head to Zhou Yi. "Can I ask you for a favor?"
"Of course."
"I don't want us to end up fighting there. If by fate we encounter each other, I'll try to make my husband leave, but you understand best how he is. If he's stubborn, I hope you'll be willing to leave us alone."
Zhou Yi fell silent for a second before opening his mouth, his voice low and suppressed, "Young Master Shen, why did you choose him? Do you…love him?"
Shen Yuan lowered his eyes. "It's just…meant to be, I suppose."
"What do you—" Zhou Yi felt a tingle on his neck and halted.
He tilted his head slightly and scanned their surroundings from the corner of his eyes until he pinned his focus on the expressionless woman walking towards them from across the street. It was the maid.
Before Shen Yuan could react, Zhou Yi grabbed his arm, pulled him to his feet, and dragged him away. Even with his upgrade and enhancement from Ji Zhixuan's energy, he still wasn't on par with Zhou Yi's strength. He could only stumble on his steps in an attempt to slow him down.
"Sir Zhou? Where are we going?" He looked back to signal Maid Lin to save him but she was nowhere to be found.
What the hell? Did Zhou Yi erase her?
"My inn. You'll be safe there." Zhou Yi kept himself alert on his surroundings as they paced forward, knowing full well the capability of Ji Zhixuan's shadow guards. "If Ji Zhixuan takes this as me kidnapping you, then so be it. Before I understand everything, I'm not letting you bear any grievances."
"What are you saying!? He'll kill you! Let me go!" Shen Yuan inwardly cursed. He didn't think Zhou Yi would act up like this.
Zhou Yi tightened his grip and his gaze deepened. "Not if I kill him first."
Shen Yuan froze for a split second, causing him to trip on his foot for real. Though he was quick to regain himself, he let himself fall and successfully stopped Zhou Yi's advance to turn and catch him instead.
"Forgive me, I was too rough." Zhou Yi helped him straighten up. "Are you alright? Anywhere painful?"
"I think I twisted my ankle." Shen Yuan spat out a quick lie.
He didn't care how; he needed to buy time for someone to come and retrieve him. But anyone and anything other than Ji Zhixuan was a product of Zhou Yi's neural space. Would they be a match for him?
Ji Wu…
The temperature suddenly dropped and a gust of wind cut through with bitter sharp coldness. A low, glacial voice reverberated through the air, scaring all animals away. "What do you think you're doing with my wife?"
While animals cried and people trembled, the presence only brought relief to Shen Yuan. He pushed Zhou Yi away and pretended a slight limp as he went to Ji Zhixuan's side, returning to his rightful place in his arm.
"Husband, it's nothing. I tripped and fell and Commander Zhou only tried to help. Please, don't cause a scene." He rested one hand on Ji Zhixuan's chest, seemingly coaxing him, as he subtly leaned his lips to his ear and curtly whispered. "Don't. He's dangerous. Leave."
"…" Ji Zhixuan tightened his hold on Shen Yuan and fixed his lenses, the veins on his hands bulged from restraint.
Zhou Yi grabbed the handle of his sword, ready for a fight, only for the beast to pull his preying eyes away from him and turn to leave. With one last warning glare, he walked away, each step carrying the pressure of his unsatisfied bloodlust.
He clenched his jaw.
"Forgive me, Young Master Shen. It doesn't seem like I can fulfill the favor you asked of me."