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After delivering the slap, Su Che seemed to have no intention of apologizing. As Xu Mu regained his composure and was about to express his anger, hurried footsteps were heard from outside the door.
Before the person was seen, their voice could be heard.
"Oh my dear, you mustn't be in any trouble."
In the next moment, Su Che's parents rushed in, their faces filled with concern as they approached the bed.
"I heard from Xiao Tao that you were talking nonsense? What do you mean by life and death? Nonsense! You must have been delirious from the fever. You can never climb that high again; if anything happens to you, how will your mother live?"
Su Mother spoke while wiping her tears, expressing her worries. After the doctor examined him and suggested it was likely due to a prolonged high fever, she still couldn't shake her anxiety. It wasn't until several doctors had come to check on him and Su Che himself mentioned it was just a moment of confusion from the fever that she reluctantly began to feel reassured.
Though Su Father appeared indifferent on the surface, he was deeply worried inside. Seeing his parents standing before him in good health made Su Che's eyes well up with tears.
Ignoring the pain in his body, he just wanted to hold them tightly. However, seeing Su Che's unusual behavior, his parents were both puzzled and concerned about his health, fearing he shouldn't move too much yet.
But Su Che refused to let go. He clung to both of them with all his strength, his body trembling as he fought back tears that flowed uncontrollably.
He was terrified that if he loosened his grip, they would vanish like a dream or a wisp of smoke. Although Su Father and Su Mother were somewhat confused by his actions, they allowed him to hold on as he wished.
Meanwhile, Xu Mu stood awkwardly nearby, unsure whether to stay or leave. After a while, seeing that Su Che finally released them, he stepped forward.
"It’s all my fault. I told you this place was very dangerous from the start. From now on, I need to follow you every day to prevent you from suffering like this..."
"Ugh..."
Xu Mu's words were cut short by the sound of Su Che vomiting. It wasn't intentional; it was just that after being reborn into this life, for some reason, seeing Xu Mu's face made him feel nauseous.
Hearing the sound was nauseating, purely a natural reaction.
But at this moment, he couldn't just turn his back; his good days had only just begun. Su Che suppressed his disgust and waved his hand.
"I'm truly sorry, perhaps my stomach isn't feeling well, and... Cousin must have other matters to attend to, so I won't keep him. Xiao Tao, Cousin has been diligent in his studies, so please don't trouble him with such trivial matters anymore. Hurry and see Cousin off."
Su Che spoke urgently, casually finding an excuse to have Xiao Tao escort their guest away. Xiao Tao looked at Su Che in surprise; usually, the young master was very fond of Cousin. The two were inseparable and had a very good relationship.
This injury had also arisen because of Cousin; if Cousin stayed, the young master should be happy. In the past, no one could compare to Cousin when it came to dealing with disasters or illnesses, yet now he was eager to send him away.
Though confused, Xiao Tao could only comply. Xu Mu didn't take it to heart; he had long wanted an excuse to leave, and now he had a ready-made opportunity.
However, he still needed to put on a show. Xu Mu hesitated for a moment and exchanged a few polite words before taking his leave. Once Xu Mu was gone, Su Che let out a sigh of relief.
Women are perceptive; the woman noticed something was off with Su Che and asked after Xu Mu left.
"Child, is something wrong?"
Su Che smiled slightly and shook his head.
"Nothing much, just fell ill and missed you and Father greatly. By the way, Father and Mother, I want to return home to study. The Scientific Examination is approaching, and it's better to have some discipline at home than being outside. If there's anything I need help with, please invite a few teachers over. As for this courtyard, it can temporarily accommodate Xu Mu; he enjoys being outdoors and will likely be willing."
"I'd like to go back early; how about tomorrow morning? At that time, I would trouble Father to send someone to inform Xu Mu."
Su Father was somewhat surprised by this. In the past, Su Che and Xu Mu were inseparable; they were close like brothers. Now he was calling him by name and even suggesting they part ways.
"Did you have a conflict with Mu'er?"
Su Che shook his head, knowing that Xu Mu had always put on a good front in front of their parents. He had also spoken highly of Xu Mu before, and if he were to reveal Xu Mu's true nature now, they probably wouldn't believe him.
So he simply said he wanted to focus on his studies, and it was more convenient to do so at home. Besides, both he and Xu Mu were young and playful, which might hinder each other's learning.
Moreover, the Scientific Examination only took place every three years; if he missed this opportunity, he would have to wait another three years.
After thinking for a moment, Su Father found this reasoning acceptable and agreed. The next day, when Xu Mu learned about this, he was stunned for quite a while.
He thought it was just Su Che's joke and didn't take it seriously until he returned home to see the nearly empty courtyard and the vacant room, realizing that what the servant said was true.
Upon returning home, Su Che locked himself in his room all day, refusing to let anyone disturb him. He only told others that he needed rest because his body had not yet recovered. In reality, he was reflecting on what he had seen after his death.
After jumping from Fragrant Pavilion, his whole body ached, and then he saw his own mangled corpse. Indeed, after his death, he floated around his body like a wisp of soul for a full seven days.
At first, he witnessed Xu Mu desecrating his corpse. The hateful thing was that Xu Mu's lineage somehow survived. This matter was naturally kept under wraps; they merely claimed that a new arrival with a fiery temperament had jumped off the building. Su Che's face was so disfigured from the fall that no one could recognize him.
Of course, those who frequented the place knew that the top floor of Fragrant Pavilion only entertained distinguished guests. Even if someone recognized him, no one would dare to speak out.
Afterward, he watched as his corpse was humiliated and then discarded in a mass grave. He thought this would be the end; after all, witnessing how his enemies violated his corpse seemed like the greatest suffering imaginable.
His body lay in the mass grave; surely heaven had nothing more for him to see. Being devoured by wolves or tigers was nothing compared to what Xu Mu had done.
Yet he did not disappear or undergo any other changes. Day after day, he floated around his corpse because he had tried going far but found he couldn't venture too far away.
On the fourth day, several wild dogs approached him, just as they were about to feast on Su Che's corpse. Suddenly, a sharp arrow whizzed through the air, and a ragged man with a weathered face dismounted and rushed over.
In his haste, he nearly stumbled but slowed his pace as he reached Su Che's body, staggering to kneel beside it with reddened eyes.
"This place is not good. I've found you a better one; let me take you there."
His voice trembled with emotion, showing no disdain for how dirty and pitiful Su Che's body was. Instead, he carefully lifted Su Che and carried him to a secluded spot by the mountains and water. All the while, he held Su Che as if he were a precious treasure.
On the seventh day after Su Che's passing, the man changed into a new set of clothes. Su Che stood nearby, watching. During these days, he realized that not only could he not touch anything, but no one could hear him either. Initially filled with resentment and unwillingness, he eventually grew accustomed to it. Since he was destined to drift aimlessly, he might as well observe what this person intended to do.
That day, not only did the man wear beautiful clothes, but he also shaved off his thick beard, finally allowing Su Che to recognize him.
"You are... Mu Junze? Why is it you?"
Su Che recognized the handsome man kneeling at his grave, weeping sorrowfully. He was the Duke of Beiqin from the Great Yu Dynasty, renowned for his military achievements. He had once expressed his feelings for Su Che, but at that time, Su Che was infatuated with Xu Mu and had gently declined him.
After that encounter, Mu Junze had said, "If you ever find yourself in trouble, be sure to come to Duke Beiqin's mansion." Then he disappeared from Su Che's life, gradually fading from memory.
In recent days, Mu Junze had spoken to him many times. It was then that Su Che learned that after being rejected, Mu Junze had not dared to disturb him again but had quietly sent people to watch over him. Whenever Su Che faced hardship, Mu Junze hoped countless times that he would come seeking him. Yet every time, Su Che never took a single step toward Duke Beiqin's mansion.
Despite this, Mu Junze continued to wait. When war broke out and he was forced onto the battlefield, he still sent messages whenever possible. However, due to the vast distance of the borderlands, by the time he learned of Su Che's situation days had already passed. He rode back day and night in haste.
Su Che felt a pang in his heart; he wanted to ask what it was all for. He longed to touch Mu Junze but could only pass through him. Watching the man before him struggle to regain composure made Su Che realize that he had missed out on someone so wonderful; ultimately, he had been blind and foolishly devoted himself to Xu Mu instead of appreciating someone like Mu Junze.
Suddenly, Mu Junze rose to his feet, gripping his sword tightly until his knuckles turned white. He declared that he would avenge Su Che. Su Che wanted to stop him, but darkness enveloped them suddenly. When he awoke again, it was just as it had been yesterday.
Su Che came back to his senses and made a silent vow that in this lifetime, he would not let the tragedy repeat itself. Calculating the days, he realized that he had yet to meet Mu Junze.
He thought it best to focus on healing his injuries for now. In his previous life, he had lost a bet with Xu Mu and, in order to save face for Xu Mu, he had climbed a tree to retrieve something, which ultimately led to his fall.
He had taken a full month to recover, but in reality, he only needed half that time. He had prolonged his recovery just to spend more time with Xu Mu.
Now that he understood Xu Mu's true nature, he planned carefully. What was rightfully his would no longer be taken away, and he would not give anything that was not deserved.
For instance, the monthly allowance. Xu Mu enjoyed flattery and often invited a group of friends and self-proclaimed scholars to drink and have fun, leading to significant expenses. In his previous life, Su Che had given his share to Xu Mu out of fear that Xu Mu would lack funds and lose face in front of others. Because of this, Xu Mu naturally used Su Che's money to seek out his so-called pride.
Su Che had always given Xu Mu face, complying with him in everything. However, now that he had left the courtyard, it meant that Xu Mu would only receive his own share of the allowance.
"Without me around, I want to see what kind of face he can maintain."
Su Che deliberately stayed indoors, allowing Su Father to invite several tutors to their home. Each day was spent either dining with family or discussing studies with the tutors.
Just a few days into this routine, Su Father received a pile of bills.
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