Chapter 44: What Does It Have to Do with You? (1)

“How else would you steal someone away? Of course, you’d just charge in, brandish your sword, and kick you out of the game,” Ye Lang said carelessly from the side.

The whole room fell silent, and many people began to suspect that Ye Lang was deliberately causing trouble. Otherwise, why would he be egging Zhen Xiaoyan on, or supporting her? Yet, everyone who knew Ye Lang also knew he was the type to keep out of other people’s business, rarely involved in anything unless it suited his passing fancy. Was this one of those rare moments?

“Don’t look at me like that. I know what you want to say, but I can’t be bothered. I’m reading! And, hey, fatty, I believe in you. You should trust yourself!” Under the crowd’s puzzled gazes, Ye Lang retreated once more into his book, making it clear he wished to be left alone for the time being.

Emboldened by Ye Lang’s support, Zhen Xiaoyan became so courageous that even Shalan was frightened, dragging Young Master Moya away in haste. Zhen Xiaoyan, however, only shouted her vow to fight for what she wanted and didn’t pursue them further.

But passion fades, and once the heat of the moment passed, Zhen Xiaoyan’s expression changed as embarrassment and frustration began to take over.

“Ye Lang!” Zhen Xiaoyan slapped the table with her enormous hand, startling Ye Lang out of his book.

“What is it? You look like you want to eat me alive. I’m so scrawny, there’s not enough to fill you up. Maybe you should try someone else…” Ye Lang tried to divert her attention, staring at the fire in her eyes.

But Zhen Xiaoyan was immune to his antics this time. “Don’t try to change the subject. Tell me, why did you confuse me and push me into doing something so humiliating?”

“Well, actually… ha, I was just joking around. I didn’t think you’d really go up there. You can’t blame me—your desire was just too strong,” Ye Lang said, holding his book up as a shield and laughing.

Indeed, the whole thing hadn’t started with any intention on his part. He’d just been joking, never expecting Zhen Xiaoyan to act on it. If you looked at how he’d tried to distance himself the whole time, it was obvious. He wasn’t someone to get lost in fantasy and ignore reality. His grand words earlier were just that—words. Anyone could say such things.

“So what do I do now? I’m too ashamed to show my face!” Zhen Xiaoyan grumbled, her voice thick with embarrassment.

“Since you’ve started, you have to see it through.” Ye Lang replied calmly. This wasn’t just idle talk; he was the type who, once he began something, would see it to the end.

“I’m afraid…” Zhen Xiaoyan hesitated.

“What’s to be afraid of? You’ve already embarrassed yourself—what’s a little more? Besides, with skin as thick as yours, what’s there to fear?” Ye Lang replied, utterly irresponsible as always. It’s easy to make light of other people’s troubles.

“I’m not afraid… Wait, are you calling me shameless?” Zhen Xiaoyan had started to agree, then caught on.

“Just thick-skinned, not shameless. You can’t deny that.”

“My skin is thick, but not that thick!”

“Skin is skin, isn’t it?”

Zhen Xiaoyan fell silent, unwilling to argue further—there would be no end to it. She sighed softly, “I’ll stick with it, but I don’t think he’ll ever accept me.”

“That’s none of your business. You like him; you don’t need his permission!” Ye Lang replied indifferently.

“??” Zhen Xiaoyan was baffled, pondering what he meant. How could you like someone without their consent? If they didn’t agree, what use was liking them?

“You mean… like what you did with Li Yue?” The memory suddenly came to Zhen Xiaoyan—a piece of Ye Lang’s history with the Grand Marshal’s granddaughter.

Ye Lang fell silent, realizing everyone was about to laugh at that long-forgotten story.

“Haha, I’d almost forgotten! Back then, Ye Lang was relentless. He pursued Li Yue so many times, she lost her temper, but still couldn’t shake him. I remember exactly what he said: ‘Liking you is my business, what’s it got to do with you?’”

“Right! That was so bold—left Li Yue speechless, stuck dealing with him no matter how persistent he was.”

“Seriously, after all this time, you still remember it so clearly?” Ye Lang grumbled, annoyed.

This had happened before Ye Lang had undergone his transformation. Back then, he’d suddenly developed a crush on Li Yue, chasing her relentlessly until his transformation put an end to it.

The cause of it all was almost laughable—he hadn’t fallen for Li Yue out of love, or even genuine affection. It was because he’d overheard a fortune-teller on the street predicting he’d meet the woman of his life under certain circumstances. By pure chance, Li Yue fit the scene, so he decided she must be the one, and thus began his pursuit.

Even Ye Lanyu and the Seventh Princess had been baffled by how suddenly it happened. When they learned the reason, they could only feel helpless. But they hadn’t tried to stop him—not for lack of desire, but because it was impossible. Once Ye Lang set his mind to something, unless he changed it himself, nothing in the world could budge him.

“I understand! I’ll do the same as you did back then. Even if I’m rejected, I won’t give up!” After a moment, Zhen Xiaoyan declared resolutely.

“…Ahem, good—persistence is victory!” Ye Lang replied, slightly embarrassed. He hadn’t expected to bring trouble on himself, and little did he know this was only the beginning.

“So, tell me—what should I do next?” Zhen Xiaoyan gazed at Ye Lang with expectant eyes, eyes so bright they were almost enchanting. If eyes alone could be judged, hers were truly beautiful.

“What should you do? Do whatever you want. How should I know?” Ye Lang waved her off, unconcerned.

“You’re not going to help me?” Zhen Xiaoyan asked, puzzled.

“Help you how? Knock Moya out so you can have your way with him?” Ye Lang replied, still absorbed in his book.

“Oh, come on, be serious!” Zhen Xiaoyan shoved him, almost knocking him over with her strength.

———

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[Book ID=116406, Book Name=“Wind Upon a Strange World”]