"Let's go find them first."
Song Yan gave a soft "Oh," and after a pause, said pitifully, "I think I accidentally sprained my ankle just now, I can't walk."
Zhu Nian stifled a laugh and shifted him higher in her arms. "Then I'll carry you?"
"How can that be?" Song Yan said, adjusting himself into a comfortable position, clearly having no intention of refusing.
Zhu Nian patted his behind, reminding him, "Don't fidget."
"What are you doing!" Song Yan immediately bristled like a startled cat, tilting his head up to glare at Zhu Nian with his dewy, bright eyes. He had no idea how alluring he looked in that posture.
Zhu Nian feigned ignorance. "What did I do?"
"You patted me..." Song Yan was furious. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and said fiercely, "Nothing! Hurry up and go!"
"Heh."
Zhu Nian couldn't help but chuckle lightly, carrying the blushing, slightly mischievous Song Yan forward.
Soon, they reached a fork in the road.
Unable to see the screen while holding Song Yan, Zhu Nian asked, "Which way?"
Song Yan glanced at the screen, a wicked grin on his face, and pointed in the opposite direction. "This way."
Zhu Nian didn't suspect him and followed his lead.
They were still in the inn.
However, compared to the well-maintained inn before, this one looked as if it had been heavily vandalized. Some areas were hollowed out, while others were cluttered with piled-up items, forcing them to take detours.
Zhu Nian continued to carry Song Yan, following his directions without question.
After wandering around inside for nearly an hour, Zhu Nian hadn't reacted, but Song Yan felt he had gone too far. He struggled a bit and asked, "Are you tired?"
"Not tired," Zhu Nian replied, having circled around with him without even a hint of breathlessness. "What's wrong, is this uncomfortable?"
"...No." Song Yan was a bit dejected.
Being carried around by a woman had long since dispelled his initial dissatisfaction with Zhu Nian. What troubled him now was that he rather liked this embrace, but he had to leave.
If he didn't leave, he couldn't set obstacles for them and make them fail their mission.
He didn't want to deal with her, but others would.
"My foot doesn't hurt anymore, you can put me down."
Zhu Nian obediently set him down and then took his hand.
Song Yan wanted her to let go, but he was also reluctant.
He thought he could part ways when it was time to leave, so he might as well hold her hand for now.
"What's your name?"
Zhu Nian replied, "Jiang Nian."
"I mean your real name."
Zhu Nian thought for a moment and said, "Zhu Nian."
Song Yan was pleased. "I'm not called Song Yan. My name is Chong Yan, the 'Chong' from repetition, and 'Yan' from extension."
Zhu Nian felt pleased and smiled. "I know."
Song Yan was greatly surprised. "When did you know?"
Zhu Nian's expression remained calm. "Now."
Song Yan's heart, which had just begun to calm, sank again. He glared at her indignantly, "You're so annoying."
"No, I like it very much."
"Like what?" Song Yan took small, skipping steps forward, hopping along adorably.
"I like you."
Song Yan's heart skipped a beat. After a moment of stunned surprise, he turned to look at her, confused. "What do you like about me?"
"You're cute," Zhu Nian pinched his puffed-out cheek. He was just like he had been when he first recovered in the previous world – fair, tender, and soft, like the finest silk, with a wonderful texture.
Song Yan's newly dissipated dissatisfaction returned.
But he himself didn't realize that his current actions and demeanor towards Zhu Nian carried an air of wanting to refuse yet accept, and wanting to speak yet holding back.
"Of course I'm cute, unlike you, you're so annoying!"
As he spoke, he summoned a ghastly, terrifying monster that advanced towards them from the opposite direction.
Then, he feigned a scream of fear, "Ah!"
Zhu Nian pulled him close and turned to run.
She could have killed the monster directly, but it was clearly something he had conjured. Not knowing what he intended, she decided to let it be for now.
Song Yan soon couldn't run anymore, panting heavily and struggling to say, "I can't run anymore, you run by yourself."
Without a word, Zhu Nian scooped him up. "It's okay, I'll carry you."
Song Yan, who had intended to use this as an escape: "..."
Despite everything, why was this person's embrace so warm and comfortable?
He thought, somewhat shamelessly.