When Liang Lu went to pick up the snow-covered Ling Li at the door, Su Jingyang was still sitting on the stool in a daze because of the news. It wasn't until Ling Li got close to gently call his name that he suddenly stood up, "Ah-Li, you're here!" Su Jingyang raised his sleeves and swept the snow off his black hair, putting a cup of hot tea in his hands and letting him sit down to rest for a while.

Ling Li had no intention of drinking tea or sitting at all at this time. He put the teacup on the tea table next to him and grabbed Su Jingyang's hand, asking urgently: "Jingyang, I heard from young master Liang, Hao Jiasheng's dead?"

Su Jingyang nodded solemnly, "Yeah, I didn't expect it." He was actually really annoyed at that family, but when the other party really died, his heart was still messed up and felt uncomfortable. It was still a young life after all.

Ling Li suddenly panicked: "What should you do then, will this..."

Seeing Ling Li's face pale, Su Jingyang knew that he was thinking of the past, so he rushed to comfort him, and looked at him softly, "Ah-Li, don't worry about it anymore. Someone definitely saw it at the time, we'll find them to prove that I didn't push anyone, I'll definitely be fine."

Liang Lu also said on the side, "Yes, don't worry about it. As long as I'm still here Su Jingyang won't be wronged in vain."

Ling Li bit his lower lip and suddenly turned towards Liang Lu's direction. He took out his purse and stuffed it towards Liang Lu. Liang Lu was stunned by his actions, Ling Li pleaded with his eyes: "Young master Liang, I humbly ask for your help, we mustn't let Jingyang be wrongly accused."

Liang Lu couldn't help but smile, he sighed softly and shook off Ling Li's hand, returning the purse and repeatedly assuring him that he would help Su Jingyang even without these, Ling Li took it back with an uneasy expression.

At just this time, an officer summoned Su Jingyang to court. Su Jingyang took Ling Li, who became nervous again, and sat down with him. He shook his hand and said to him: "I need to go, don't worry, I'll be back soon."

Su Jingyang really came back soon, because old lady Hao fainted and fell to the ground, she was sent back to the hospital after hearing the bad news in court. Su Jingyang verified a few things and went home directly with Ling Li. If a witness could be found tomorrow, Su Jingyang would need to come again.

While they were eating dinner, Rong Hua suddenly came to visit in the snow. She was already familiar with the road, and even without Ling Li's guidance, she ran to the kitchen to help with the dishes and ate with them at the table.

She quickly realized that Ling Li was in low spirits and immediately asked Su Jingyang what was going on. Su Jingyang told Rong Hua what had happened, Rong Hua bit her chopsticks and pursed her lips, glancing at Su Jingyang and then Ling Li while saying: "It's normal to be worried. If it doesn't work, just let Jingyang marry into Rongcheng, naturally, someone will protect him there."

A certain sensitive spot of Su Jingyang was poked, his eyes soon widened and he stuttered, "What marry? I don't want to!!"

"Why not, marry our City Lord, how nice would it be to be the City Lord's wife? Didn't you say that you liked him before?" Rong Hua knocked on the table. "Isn't that what you said?"

"I did say that, but I won't marry him because I'll..."

Ling Li, who was silent next to him, trembled uncontrollably. After a moment, he quickly lowered his head to eat to conceal it, Su Jingyang was still busy firing shots with his mouth.

Rong Hua felt that it was strange, persistently questioning: "Who knows what will happen in the future?"

Ling Li suddenly retracted his chopsticks and took away his bowl, softly saying: "Don't talk anymore, eat fast or the food will turn cold,"

"Alright, I'll listen to Ah-Li and eat first." Rong Hua smiled obediently and started eating intently, not talking to Su Jingyang anymore. But there seemed to be some careful thoughts secretly brewing in those eyes.

Ling Li originally wanted Rong Hua to stay overnight after the meal. It was snowing outside and was dark, Ling Li was afraid that a young girl like her would meet danger when going back. In fact, Rong Hua wanted to stay and sleep with Ling Li, but because of a small plan, she couldn't cuddle up with Ling Li and reluctantly left in the end.

Ling Li and Su Jingyang stood at the door, watching the gorgeous red figure disappear from sight, they then closed the gate and walked back.

Su Jingyang asked the question that had been brewing for a long time: "Ah-Li, do you think Murong's one of your lost relatives?"

No matter how he looked at it, she was extremely close to Ling Li and seemed to rely heavily on him. She obviously has a bad temper, but in front of Ling Li, she liked to act like a baby, full of childishness. Su Jingyang could only come up with the conclusion that Lingl Li must be her elder in some respect. In addition, Ling Li's early life experience wasn't clear, Su Jingyang felt that his suspicion was well-founded.

Ling Li thought for a while and shook his head, "It shouldn't be. I know from my father that my biological parents shouldn't be from Rongcheng."

Su Jingyang murmured, "Perhaps, there were one of the many people in Rongcheng back then that married a foreigner and never went back? If we could find your relatives, I'll feel more at ease."

Ling Li paused slightly when he heard his words. Su Jingyang truly hoped that he could find his relatives, so he said to him again: "When Murong comes next time, Ah-Li can ask her about it." Ling Li hummed and agreed with a few words.

Liang Lu drove a carriage to pick up Su Jingyang early the next morning. Ling Li wanted to go with him but Su Jingyang said, "It's cold and the road is slippery, you shouldn't open Lin Ji pavilion temporarily. Ah-Li, just wait at home for Ah-Xuan's return." If there weren't any delays, Ah-Xuan would probably be back tonight.

Liang Lu found several witnesses, it sufficiently proved that it wasn't Su Jingyang who pushed them. At this time, he breezed through the case, provided credentials several times and went home. Ling Li was a little relieved and stayed at home after listening to Su Jingyang's words.

When they hurriedly hurried to the government office, several officials were gathered into a huddle while talking about something. Their tone was quite disbeliving, Su Jingyang was puzzled and was about to lean over to listen to them.

There was one who was very familiar with Liang Lu. When he turned his head and saw them, he ran to them with eyes wide and a very excited tone. He told them: "Master Liang, you know, that Hao Jiasheng, h-h-he— he came back to life! ! !"

Liang Lu was stunned: "... What????!"

Su Jingyang only felt that thunder seemed to have struck him, his whole body began to get goosebumps. Came back to life? ? Damn, what's happening right now? ? ?

After listening to the officer's account, he realized that Hao Jiasheng, who had already stopped breathing, recovered his pulse and body temperature in the middle of the night last night, when he woke up the next morning, he could speak freely! He spoke without slurring, his mind was clear, although his body was still a little weak and needed to adjust slowly. The doctor in the hospital explained that maybe his body was in a state of suspended animation before, he had an unwilling soul and strong willpower, so he came back alive.

More importantly, Hao Jiasheng admitted that he slipped and fell into the water and that it had nothing to do with Su Jingyang. Su Jingyang was completely free of suspicion, he didn't even need to do anything anymore, he could leave directly.

Su Jingyang still felt like he was dreaming when he walked out of the door of the government office, Liang Lu also looked thoughtful and silent. Su Jingyang pulled Liang Lu's sleeve, "Why... let's go and have a look."

Liang Lu glanced at him and agreed, "I was just about to say the same thing."

But when they arrived at the hospital where Hao Jiasheng was staying, they were told that he had gone home.

After being rescued from the water the old lady Hao was in good health, she went to the government office to whistle and complain, but after knowing that her grandson had died she fainted and hadn't woken up. The doctor said that she was getting older and had suffered a major blow and lost her will, he was afraid that her days would be cut short. After Hao Jiasheng heard this, he took the old lady back without saying a word.

The doctor seemed to have known Hao Jiasheng before. He also said that after this back to life after death, Hao Jiasheng had become very silent, it seemed that he was about to truly mature.

When Su Jingyang left, he listened to a medicine boy whispering, "It seems that Lord Yama¹ didn't give back his life for free." It seems that the old lady Hao was going to die soon.

After leaving the medical hall, Su Jingyang and Liang Lu left in the carriage again. He was completely freed from trouble, Su Jingyang's mood improved.

Su Jingyang was holding a hand warmer and chatting with Liang Lu when he suddenly sneezed. Liang Lu looked at his red nose and laughed, "Someone must be thinking of you."

Su Jingyang rubbed his nose and smiled hesitantly: "It must be Ah-Li, he must've been worried about me."

"Why can't it be someone else?"

Su Jingyang glanced at him, "Who are you talking about?"

Liang Lu seemed to smile. "Someone's always thinking about you, but you just don't know it."

Su Jingyang didn't have time to think about why he said that. The carriage stopped suddenly as if it had encountered some obstacle. Because it was too sudden, Su Jingyang shook suddenly and almost fell out, fortunately, Liang Lu quickly pulled him up, and he slammed into Liang Lu's arms instead, causing Liang Lu to puff out a breath.

When the carriage curtain opened amidst the exclamations of the coachman, Su Jingyang had just steadied his body and separated from Liang Lu. The cold wind blew in the snowflakes. Su Jingyang shivered from the cold and subconsciously turned his head to look outside. He saw Rong Ci's expressionless face on the side of the carriage, alone in the wind and snow, his black clothes looked extremely cold.

Su Jingyang was surprised to see him here and now. He steadied himself and asked, "Eh? Weren't you suppose to be back tonight? Where's Ah-Xuan?"

Rong Ci's gaze swept towards Liang Lu, and Liang Lu raised his hands to prove his innocence. Rong Ci concisely said to Su Jingyang: "Get off."

Su Jingyang was indeed ready to let Liang Lu stop the carriage at the intersection ahead so that he could walk back by himself. Hearing what he said, he got out of the car and waved at Liang Lu: "Thank you, come for dinner some other day."

Liang Lu didn't insist on sending him home, and smiled while reminding him to pay attention to safety on the road. He then put down the curtains and let the coachman drive away.

Rong Ci turned and walked towards home, Su Jingyang quickly followed him. The snow under his feet crunched. His mouth condensed white fog as he asked him, "Why are you alone, kid?"

Rong Ci said, "Murong volunteered to go meet up with Ling Li." Su Jingyang asked puzzledly: "Then why did you suddenly appear here?"

Rong Ci stopped and looked at him intently, Su Jingyang was stared at by him inexplicably. "What's the matter, why're you looking at me like that? When did I mess with you?"

Rong Ci's expression was impatient and he gritted his teeth after a moment: "You were imprisoned because of the accusation for murder, and Murong told me you wanted me to save you, remember?"

Su Jingyang's expression turned incredulous. What was this? He was indeed accused of murder, but when was he locked up, and when did he ask Murong to tell this guy to save him?

Su Jingyang thought it was funny, "Murong really said that? I told her that I did have some trouble but I wasn't detained, and I didn't ask for you to save me. Why would I expect you to bail me? Young master Liang was already helping me a lot."

Su Jingyang paused and suddenly realized, saying with a bit of disbelief: "So you appeared now because you believed Murong? You really wanted to come and save me?!"

Rong Ci's eyes grew colder and the corners of his mouth tensed.

He heard the news and rushed overnight. He searched the prison cells and the main hall of the government office all morning but didn't even see a shadow of this guy. He had already realized that he might've been deceived by Rong Hua, but his heart still didn't rest assured and he searched again without giving up. In the end, he listened to the officials' discussions and realized that Su Jingyang had been let go.

Rong Ci was in a very bad mood right now. Rong Hua's words and the slightly anxious expression at the time wasn't without any suspicions, but he didn't discern at all and believed. On the way back, he was still thinking that this guy must've been very scared after he got caught, but in fact, he was happily fooling around in young master's Liang's carriage. At this time, after Su Jingyang personally confirmed that what Rong Hua said was a lie, an uncontrollable wave of anger dominated his heart!

Rong Ci strode forward with a foul face, Su Jingyang speeded up to keep up. "Don't go so fast, wait for me!"

Su Jingyang felt that he was really possessed by the mould god. He fell heavily on the ice ground five times along the way, his butt was almost torn apart and hurt terribly. He yelled out and Rong Ci simply couldn't look straight at his unsightly posture, he decided to abandon dignity and walked up to Su Jingyang, slightly lowering his body and turning his head to signal him to come up.

Su Jingyang didn't seem to believe it. He patted the snow on his body, his tone suspicious: "You... want to carry me? You won't throw me into the river?"

"I'll throw you off a cliff." Rong Ci said: "Don't dawdle, come up quickly."

Su Jingyang hesitated for a while and laid down on his back, his arms looped around his shoulders, and he hugged his neck.

Su Jingyang blinked his eyes lightly, recalling in his mind that this seemed to be the first time he had such peaceful and intimate contact with this guy. He felt... he didn't know why, it was a little weird and uncomfortable.

Rong Ci lifted Su Jingyang on his back with ease and moved forward steadily.

After a while, Rong Ci felt a fresh and warm breath hitting his ears. Su Jingyang whispered: "Sure enough, if I had walked by myself, it would've been dark long before I could get home."

Rong Ci snorted. "It's good if you know it."

Su Jingyang asked, "Can people with martial arts all walk like this?"

Rong Ci replied, "Not all."

Su Jingyang asked again, "Then, how can I have this skill like you? Ahhh, I also want to walk without being afraid of slipping!"

"It's easy, reincarnate as me."

"Reincarnation is a technical job, too difficult." Su Jingyang shook his head and sighed, then he said, "Lift your feet and show me, let's see if there's something wrong with your shoes, I'll just take a quick look..."

Rong Ci's breath sank suddenly, he stopped abruptly and turned his head slightly to say to him: "Don't beat around the bush if you have something to say."

Su Jingyang didn't expect to be keenly noticed by him and immediately went silent because of surprise.

Su Jingyang stared at his handsome profile he could only glimpse from his angle and whispered after a long while: "Ah-Yi, you're such a smart person, you risked and believed Murong's words, coming to my rescue so urgently. You're willing to carry me home and didn't even scold me for being noisy. I was just wondering, um, that..." Su Jingyang hesitated for a while before continuing in a quiet voice, "You didn't just suddenly like me, right?"

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Notes:

1- or Yamarāja or jivayam is a Hindu and Buddhist deity of death, dharma, the south direction, and the underworld, belonging to an early stratum of Rigvedic Hindu deities. (wikipedia.com)

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