Xu Hengyan and Xie Jiang were locked in a windowless ship's cabin.
The prolonged darkness and lack of light inevitably brought a certain damp chill. As soon as Xie Jiang entered, he let out a loud sneeze.
Xu Hengyan asked the escort leading them to find a slightly cleaner set of clothes.
The escort wanted to say something but held back, bowing respectfully and retreating.
The cabin door was closed.
Several guards armed with weapons stood watch outside.
Xie Jiang sneezed a series of times, rubbing his arms for warmth.
Xu Hengyan worried that she would catch a cold.
Xie Jiang rubbed his ticklish nose and walked behind Xu Hengyan, "I'll untie your ropes for you."
The moment the words left his mouth, the cabin door was opened.
A guard said with a cold face, "Our second young master ordered that the ropes are not to be untied."
Xie Jiang's eyes narrowed, "Scram!"
That fleeting glance, bursting with killing intent as if it had substance, made the guard feel a chill on his neck, as if it no longer belonged to him.
As the terrifying killing intent receded, he managed to swallow nervously.
The young man named Xie, despite his appearance, looked...
The guard, not well-read, didn't know how to describe it.
Perhaps he looked like an immortal, but when he revealed even a sliver of his true nature, he was more terrifying than a god of war appearing.
If Young Master Xu inspired awe, this young man named Xie inspired fear and trembling.
Xu Hengyan said, "You guard the door so tightly. This cabin has no windows. Even if we turned into mosquitoes, we couldn't fly out. You don't need to be so nervous."
After the guard withdrew from the cabin and closed the door, he only realized something after a while. He thought for a moment, called someone to replace him, and went to report to the second young master.
Inside the cabin.
Xie Jiang drew a dagger from his boot and untied Xu Hengyan in two swift movements.
Xu Hengyan stared at her dagger, signaling her to put it away quickly, lest it alert Lu Baohong and they search her.
Xie Jiang obediently tucked the dagger back.
Not long after, the cabin door was opened again, and a guard entered with a set of clothes.
Xu Hengyan flexed his wrists and stepped forward to take the clothes.
The guard glanced down at the ropes scattered on the floor.
Xie Jiang kicked the ropes aside with a foot, "Don't worry, we won't escape. Whoever escapes is a grandson, whoever escapes will be struck by lightning, whoever escapes will die without a burial place."
The guard was startled. Such a vicious oath? Had she decided not to escape? Or did she think escape was impossible, so there was no point in trying?
The guard bowed slightly and retreated.
In front of Xu Hengyan and Xie Jiang, he couldn't lift his head or straighten his back. There was an invisible pressure on his head and shoulders, like a thousand-pound jack.
Xu Hengyan walked over and personally closed the door, warning the guards outside, "Don't come in unless it's important. If something happens, please knock first."
Perhaps because of Xie Jiang's harsh oath, the guards outside remained silent this time.
Xu Hengyan placed a long bench to block the door. It wasn't very effective, but it was better than nothing.
Xie Jiang picked up the clothes, looked at them, and then threw them down with a look of disgust.
Xu Hengyan gently urged, "Hurry and change. If you keep wearing these wet clothes, you might really catch a cold."
Xie Jiang frowned, "They're smelly, having been worn by others."
She knew this wasn't the time to be picky, but she felt extremely disgusted.
Xie Jiang was still struggling internally. Wet clothes were uncomfortable, but smelly clothes were even more so.
Xu Hengyan walked over and picked up the clothes she had thrown down. They didn't smell as bad as she said, but it was clear they had been worn many times. Even after washing, there was a not-so-fresh scent, and the fabric was old and of poor quality. It was indeed difficult for her to wear these clothes.
Xu Hengyan seemed to recall something, and his brows furrowed. After a moment, he suggested, "If you don't mind, I can take off my clothes for you, and I'll wear this set on the table?"
Xie Jiang's eyes lit up, "I don't mind, I don't mind at all!"
Xu Hengyan chuckled, "I am honored that Young Master Xie does not disdain them."
Xie Jiang smiled, "My Hengyan is the best, so understanding."
Xu Hengyan asked, "When did I become yours?"
As long as she didn't call him that in front of outsiders, he felt it was acceptable.
Xie Jiang said, "What's the difference between yours and mine between us?"
Xu Hengyan unbuttoned two buttons, noticing the look in her eyes as she watched his movements, "...Turn around."
Xie Jiang asked, "Why?"
Xu Hengyan replied, "Why do you think? I need to change clothes."
Xie Jiang said, "Just change."
Xu Hengyan stopped his actions and stared at her.
He hoped she would understand his meaning.
Xie Jiang still looked full of confusion, signaling him that he was supposed to change clothes, so why wasn't he doing it quickly? Wasn't he afraid she would catch a cold?
Xu Hengyan said helplessly, "I'm not used to it."
He had changed clothes in front of Lu Zhiheng before, but in front of her, for some reason, he felt uncomfortable.
Perhaps it was because she was too eccentric, clever, and mischievous.
Thinking about the suggestive things she had said to Lu Baohong earlier!
Who knew what astonishing things she would say after he changed clothes in front of her.
Xie Jiang said, "Do we need to be so distant between us?"
Xu Hengyan replied, "...Yes, we do."
Xie Jiang: "..."
Xu Hengyan made an excuse, "Go to the door and keep watch for me, lest they barge in."
Xie Jiang reluctantly walked to the door and stood with her back to him.
Only then did Xu Hengyan continue to take off his clothes.
He was quick.
He dared not be slow.
As soon as he put on the old clothes, he heard Xie Jiang let out another loud sneeze, startling Xu Hengyan and making his hand tremble.
Seeing that she hadn't turned around, Xu Hengyan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly continued to button his clothes.
"Done."
Xie Jiang turned back after hearing his words.
Xu Hengyan was already dressed.
He handed her the clothes he had taken off and consciously stood with his back to her at the door.
Xie Jiang said, "I'm not distant with you."
Xu Hengyan urged, "Hurry and change, you keep sneezing."
Although Xie Jiang said she wasn't distant with him, in reality, it wasn't the case. How could she not be cautious around him? After all, as soon as he turned around, he would discover her secret.
But Xie Jiang wasn't worried that he would truly not be distant.
After all, Xu Hengyan embodied the four words: a true gentleman.
Xie Jiang's movements were also not slow.
"Changed."
To her surprise, Xu Hengyan didn't move for a long time, "...Really done?"
Xie Jiang choked, "...Xu Hengyan!"
Xu Hengyan slowly turned around and then slowly raised his eyelids.
She had indeed changed her clothes, buttoned them properly, and tied the belt neatly.
However, his clothes were a bit too big on her, the sleeves and hem extending a considerable length, making her look like a child.
Xu Hengyan stepped forward and helped her roll up the sleeves, "Just make do for now."