Chapter 151: I Am Who I Am

Sinuosang hurried down the mountain, boiling with anger as she pondered. Why was Wen Shu'an here? Furthermore, he had assumed a completely different identity, and most importantly, he pretended not to know her. She simply could not make heads or tails of what was happening.

She forced herself to calm down, nearly running the entire way down the mountain. She stumbled many times along the path, but her only thought was to escape this place as quickly as possible.

The presence of Wen Shu'an evoked memories of the past, making her feel as though she were reliving those bygone days all over again in a matter of moments, with a surging tide of complex emotions overwhelming her heart.

A turbulent mixture of feelings flooded her mind, leaving her utterly bewildered.

Back in the grand hall, Xuanyuan Juesi returned and saw Cang waiting for him there.

Cang looked at Xuanyuan Juesi’s expression, which appeared rather grim.

"I truly do not know her. Juesi, what is the meaning of all this?"

"I have no idea either. She said you look exactly like her former lover," Xuanyuan Juesi said with a hint of jealousy.

"Xuanyuan Juesi, stop letting your imagination run wild. I am certainly not her lover."

"Of course I know that. After all, you and I were together for a period of time. Such a thing is impossible. It is just that seeing her still unable to let go of the past truly leaves me at a loss. Besides, you two are likely to have serious trouble because of this now."

"Where is she now?"

"She went down the mountain. I had someone follow her and arrange living quarters for her below."

"That is for the best. In any case, you can handle things here however you see fit. This Peak of Kunlun is your domain after all."

"No, this is your domain. I have no intention of competing with you for it. I merely came here to stay for a while."

"Why did you come here so hastily? Did something happen?"

"There are some matters, but I cannot quite make sense of what is truly going on." What on earth was the origin of those people?

Yuan Qianlü could only hope that he would manage to escape.

Sisi Xueyi brought Yuan Qianlü all the way to the capital. Upon entering the manor to investigate, she discovered that Sinuosang was nowhere to be found.

"Where is she? Where is she?" she demanded, glaring fiercely at Yuan Qianlü.

"I do not know. I have been with you the entire journey, closely monitored by you. I am even less informed than you are."

Yuan Qianlü knew that the Prince had already taken Sinuosang and left the place, which deeply enraged Sisi Xueyi.

"What do we do now?" Alex asked, looking at Sisi Xueyi.

"What is your Plan B?"

Wen Shu'an would certainly have a Plan B, so these people should know what their next step ought to be.

"We do have a Plan B, but it seems we must part ways now."

"What do you mean?"

Sisi Xueyi had not anticipated this turn of events. Were they going to stop searching? "Are you giving up the search? How can you do this? Are you taking money and refusing to work?"

Looking at this band of mercenaries, she thought them utterly useless.

"We are not refusing to work, but the probability of you finding Sinuosang is simply too low. Therefore, we will search for her separately."

Alex said to Sisi Xueyi, who merely shook her head at them.

"Count me in. Is there a problem with that?"

"Yes, you are a liability. We cannot operate encumbered by a liability. It would only slow down our pace. It is far better for us to split up and reconvene whenever there is a lead. How does that sound?"

"Whatever, just get lost, all of you! I do not care."

Sisi Xueyi glared at these men, infuriated that they dared to call her a liability.

"Actually, Lawyer Si, you should return as soon as possible. This era is far too dangerous for you. You can live much more freely in the modern world."

Alex offered this advice out of kindness, but Sisi Xueyi only sneered at them.

"I will never return until I find her. She is my sister, and I will not leave her behind alone in this ancient era. Get out of my sight."

She pointed toward the main gate, ordering them to leave the premises immediately.

The men said nothing more and departed one by one. What thoughts were hidden in their minds remained entirely unknown to her.

Deciding to act on her own after the mercenaries left, Sisi Xueyi led Yuan Qianlü into a nearby narrow alleyway.

"I am going to unlock your restraints now. In this world, only this specific core key can open your lock. Although I despise you, I will not let you live like this for the rest of your life. Listen to me carefully: once I unlock this, we are even between us. Agreed?"

She had to settle everything clearly beforehand; otherwise, if Yuan Qianlü decided to turn against her later, her martial skills were no match for his.

However, she believed Yuan Qianlü to be a man of his word.

"Agreed," Yuan Qianlü replied without a moment's hesitation.

"Very well."

Sisi Xueyi unlocked the handcuffs and slipped them into her pocket.

"You may go now!"

Seeing that he was still standing right in front of her, she wondered if he intended to go back on his word.

"I never expected you to let me go."

Yuan Qianlü looked at Sisi Xueyi and spoke the honest truth. He had expected his fate to be far worse. Sisi Xueyi rolled her eyes at him.

"I am no murderous monster. I do not wish to stain my hands with blood."

Sisi Xueyi's hands were entirely clean. Although she was a lawyer, she was a righteous one who would never defend a dangerous criminal.

Looking at Sisi Xueyi, Yuan Qianlü gently pulled her into his embrace.

Then, he whispered softly into her ear: "I like you."

This sudden confession left Sisi Xueyi momentarily stunned. She pushed him away.

"There are plenty of people who like me. Don't pull that routine on me. However, if you truly like me, help me find my sister. Perhaps then I will consider it."

"Liars."

"What liars?"

"You would never consider it. You would only take Sinuosang and leave—leave completely, wouldn't you? Although I do not understand what you are talking about, one thing is clear to me: you and I belong to two different eras. You come from the future, don't you?"

"What, do you believe it now?"

No matter how Sisi Xueyi had explained it earlier, Yuan Qianlü had always refused to believe her. Did uttering these words now mean he believed her?

"Although I still do not wish to believe it, I suppose I can tentatively accept it for now. Do you truly come from the future?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

"None. I am merely deeply shocked and curious."

"Heh, in your heart, you probably think we are a bunch of lunatics!"

Sisi Xueyi never minced words.

"I never said that."

"Right, I said it. Now that I am letting you go, you had better leave immediately. Do not show your face before me again, and spare me your confessions, because I cannot be bothered with you."

"Do you belittle my feelings to such an extent?"

"Ha, as I said before, there are countless people who like me and confess to me. If I had to respond to each of them, how conflicted I would be! Besides, they are all far more talented than you. Even if I were to choose anyone, I would never choose you."

"You—"

Yuan Qianlü pointed a finger at her, looking rather angry.

"What about me? This is the truth, and this is who I am. Stop viewing the world through your narrow perspective, will you?"

Sisi Xueyi's words dealt a heavy blow to Yuan Qianlü. He forced himself to rein in his temper. Why was it that he simply had no defense against her?

Could this truly be what they called love?