Why Am I the One Being Pursued?

Nan Liujing: Yes, yes, of course. I'll keep your words firmly in mind.

Hanya: Hehehe, then I'm relieved. I was worried you might do something stupid, like taking my sister to read at Sanyu Bookstore. But obviously, you're not that much of an idiot, right?

A thin bead of cold sweat trickled down Bai Jun's forehead. He felt strangely powerless, as though even his underwear had been seen through. Subconsciously, he glanced around him, and only after confirming that Hanya was nowhere nearby did the weight in his chest slowly ease.

"What is wrong with thee?"

Xue Yi took in Bai Jun's unusual behavior. She closed the comic book in her hands and asked.

"Nothing... What do you want to eat?"

Bai Jun had wanted to quickly change the subject, but the moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to slap himself twice. He knew full well that her puppet body could not eat like a normal person, yet he had still stepped perfectly onto a landmine.

However, Xue Yi's reply caught him off guard. She nodded and answered, "Anything is fine."

"Can a puppet Mechanical Body eat normal food?"

It was Bai Jun's first time learning such a thing. Though shocked, he asked again to make sure Xue Yi was not forcing herself.

"It is not an issue. The Artisanship Commission's Mechanical Bodies have many methods of energy replenishment, and ordinary eating is among them. It is simply that the replenishment efficiency is too low, and the puppet body's five senses are generally quite weak. Even food is difficult to taste, so there is usually no need to use this method."

Xue Yi stood and extended her hand toward Bai Jun, who was seated on the bench. "However, thy words have reminded me. It has indeed been a long time since I last ate ordinary food from the mortal world. If possible, I would like to go with thee and taste the flavors from my memories once more."

"Of course."

Bai Jun took her hand. Though it was somewhat cold, he could still feel a trace of warmth from her body.

When it came to the food of Exalting Sanctum, the renowned Aurum Alley was impossible to avoid. Xue Yi had not never come here before, but only in the course of her routine work as a Ten Lords Bureau judge. Thus, her impression of Aurum Alley had been limited to a place with too many people, too much noise, and little convenience for carrying out work.

Yet this brief Return to Life had still granted her an identity called freedom. Now that she had come here again, she watched hurried passersby, their serene and contented smiles, the loudly hawking vendors, and the steaming pots and stoves. Somehow, she felt a faint sense of mortal warmth.

But the more so it was, the more she felt utterly out of place here. After all, she was a sinner steeped in grave sins, burdened by karmic debts that even three lifetimes could scarcely repay.

Besides, what right did a puppet without warmth or signs of life have to receive the same treatment as ordinary people...? Even happiness was not something she ought to hope for.

"It's lively here at night, isn't it?"

Bai Jun brought her to a small stall and ordered two ice cream cones from the vendor. Turning back to look at the dazed Xue Yi, he assumed she was unaccustomed to the noise.

"It is indeed lively. I..."

"Try this first. It's delicious."

Knowing that Xue Yi's sense of taste was faint, Bai Jun handed her a cone with three scoops of ice cream, while he took one with a single, less-sweet scoop. Yet after only one bite, he still found the sweetness overwhelmingly intense.

Xue Yi blankly held the cone and copied Bai Jun by taking a bite. However, she had overlooked the fact that Bai Jun's cone had only one small scoop, while hers had three large ones.

So after that bite, ice cream inevitably got on her face, though fortunately, she did not stain her clothes.

"Eat slowly. It won't melt that fast."

Watching her adorably dazed expression, Bai Jun could not help recalling the days when he had cared for a certain girl. He instinctively reached out to wipe the ice cream from the corner of Xue Yi's mouth, then naturally put it into his own mouth.

Xue Yi's body froze in place. Her eyes widened so much that she even forgot to swallow the ice cream in her mouth.

"Is it good?" Bai Jun asked in confusion.

"It is." Xue Yi slowly lowered her head and swallowed the ice cream in her mouth. Though the sweetness was cloying enough for Bai Jun, the puppet Mechanical Body still could not truly taste much of anything. Yet regardless, she could still sense a sweetness that seemed to seep into the depths of her heart. She took another bite and mumbled, "I... I like it very much."

"I'm glad you like it... Be careful. How did you get it on your face again?"

Meanwhile, Hanya on the other side had fallen into a state of chaos.

Secretly hiding in the shadows, she was shocked as if struck by a bolt from a clear sky. Watching the intimate interaction between the two, she found it somewhat unbelievable.

An emotion difficult to describe in words suddenly washed over the stunned Hanya.

If she had to describe it, it was like the desolate feeling of seeing a cold and aloof cat she had raised with her own hands suddenly act affectionately toward someone else.

Was this still that straight-laced Bai Jun? And her sister's smile... why did it look so happy as well?

Everything was clearly moving in a better direction, yet her heart felt as though it had fallen into an ice cave.

P.S. Chapter 56 has been revised. Those who have already read it can refresh the chapter and read it again.

Also, a quick plug for a new MyGO book: "I Became the Nightmare of MyGO's Lovestruck Girls."

It's by an experienced author. Feel free to check it out if you're interested.

Each of Their Hesitations

"Just as I thought, it's still too sweet. Even this amount is a little hard to bear..."

After finishing their ice cream cones, Bai Jun leaned against a wall, covering his mouth with a troubled expression. It was not enough to make him vomit, but the sickening sweetness was still physically unpleasant.

"Art thou all right? Do not force thyself next time. Just leave it to me."

Xue Yi stepped forward and gently patted his back, reminding him with concern.

"You've got some nerve saying that..."

Bai Jun looked resentfully at Xue Yi, the true culprit—or, more accurately, the ice cream smeared on her face.

He reached out and wiped the ice cream from Xue Yi's face again. This time, however, he did not eat it himself. Instead, he held his finger in front of her. "If I hadn't kept dealing with the ice cream on your face, I wouldn't have ended up like this."

"My apologies. It has been too long since I last ate food, so I am somewhat unfamiliar with the process of eating."

Xue Yi brushed back the blue-green hair at her forehead, then suddenly held Bai Jun's hand in both of hers. She lowered her head slightly and took his finger into her mouth.

"W-What are you doing!?"

The soft sensation around his finger startled Bai Jun. He hurriedly pulled it from the girl's mouth.

Yet the beautiful girl before him still showed no expression. Her eyes merely darted away as she wiped the silvery strand at the corner of her mouth. "Didst thou not say it was too sweet? The law forbids wasting food, so I had no choice but to handle it myself."

"You, you... Sigh, forget it. Don't do that next time."

In the end, Bai Jun helplessly conceded beneath Xue Yi's cool expression, which revealed no emotional fluctuations. Knowing it might have been an unintentional act on her part, he could only wave his hand before turning to look at the bustling street.

"Is there anything you want to do?"

"I do not know. I have never considered it."

"Uh, then what did Hanya take you to do during your previous Return to Life days?"

Xue Yi's crisp and decisive answer left Bai Jun momentarily stunned. He pressed a finger to his chin, thought for a moment, and then asked.

"My younger sister? Though she usually appears gloomy and sinister, she takes me around to wander about. Sometimes we visit markets, sometimes we read novels, and sometimes we watch illusion plays... She said those seemed to have been many of my hobbies while I was alive."

At the mention of Hanya, Xue Yi's expression softened considerably. She said quietly, "Though my emotions have long since faded, as long as my younger sister is with me, I am happy wherever I go."

"Is that so... Then how about I take you to try some other snacks? You should taste sweetness, but other flavors too. Only then can it be considered complete."

After saying something of unclear meaning, Bai Jun took hold of her wrist and led her through the crowd.

Xue Yi did not understand, but she knew it was enough to follow Bai Jun.

Amid the loud conversations of diners, Bai Jun brought Xue Yi to a familiar stall. Every table had a script for storytelling and crosstalk upon it, with blue human-shaped projections discussing the past and present above them. Whenever they reached the most exciting parts, diners would occasionally look up and glance over.

Bai Jun spotted the busy figure among the tables and greeted her. "A table for two."

"Ah, welcome, welcome! You two can pick any seats you like. Call me after you've ordered."

Aunt Gao, who was clearing dishes from an Eight Immortals table, answered without even turning her head. Then she quickly realized how familiar the voice was. She immediately turned around in surprise and spotted Bai Jun at once. "Oh my, isn't that A-Bai? What a rare guest! Did you bring Lady Dragon Girl over for a meal again?"

But her expectant gaze swept around Bai Jun and failed to find the adorable Lady Bailu. Instead, she saw only a black-haired young beauty with exquisite features and an exceptional temperament.

As though she had thought of something, Aunt Gao's face took on a teasing look. With the expression of someone who had been there before, she joked, "Oh my~ A-Bai, you've finally figured it out. You know to take your girlfriend out for a stroll now."

Hearing Aunt Gao's words, Xue Yi had no intention of explaining. Instead, she lowered her head slightly and moved a little closer behind Bai Jun. That adorable reaction seemed even more like confirmation of Aunt Gao's guess, making her smile all the more brightly.

"What are you talking about? We're not that kind of relationship." Bai Jun denied Aunt Gao's guess with a dark expression.

"You don't need to be shy with Auntie, A-Bai. It's not a bad thing. You're a famously handsome young man all across Exalting Sanctum. Because we know each other, plenty of wealthy families have come to me hoping to build a connection with you."

"?"

Before Bai Jun could speak, Xue Yi tugged on his sleeve.

"Ah, is this youth? How enviable..." Watching the girl stake her claim over the boy, Aunt Gao felt as though she had become younger herself. She nearly could not hold back a strange giggle.

"Come on, Xue Yi. Let's eat somewhere else."

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't go, don't go! Auntie won't joke around anymore!"

Seeing Bai Jun really about to leave with Xue Yi, Aunt Gao hurriedly called out to stop them. She had only wanted to tease Bai Jun, after all. Taking it too far would not be good.

Fortunately, Bai Jun was not truly angry. After Aunt Gao promised him, he brought Xue Yi to a clean table and sat down. He picked up the menu and ordered three dishes—stuffed Hakka bitter melon, dry-pot spicy lotus root slices, and a serving of hot and sour soup—covering the three flavors of bitterness, spiciness, and saltiness.

While Aunt Gao went to busy herself in the kitchen, Bai Jun suddenly took Xue Yi's arm. He felt her wrist, measured her forearm, and asked amid her somewhat stiff expression, "Come to think of it, do you have any requirements for your arm guards? For example, do you prefer lighter or heavier materials?"

"Arm guards?"

Seeing her blankly adorable expression, Bai Jun nodded in confusion and lowered her hand again. "Yeah. Didn't I promise a couple days ago to make you a suitable pair of arm guards? Don't tell me you forgot?"

"That did happen. My apologies, I had somewhat forgotten..."

"It's fine. As long as I remember. The equipment the Artisanship Commission gave you is only useful for that scepter. As for protection, it's practically a mess. Besides, your combat style does not need secondary weapons like shields. Arm guards can be considered your only means of resisting damage when you get hurt. Get a better set, and it might save your life at a crucial moment."

As he spoke, Bai Jun took out the inscription brush he carried with him. He wanted to find a sheet of paper to record Xue Yi's forearm and wrist measurements, but could not find one. In the end, he had no choice but to make do with the small notebook Hanya had given him.

He casually flipped open a page, but the contents made his expression stiffen.

Today, I brushed Huo Huo's fox ears. They were super soft. I liked it. Too bad I couldn't brush her tail.

Huo Huo's fox ears are so soft. If I get the chance later, I definitely have to pet them again.

Bai Jun did not dare read any further. He abruptly shut the notebook, his expression turning solemn.

Bro, what the hell are you writing in your notebook!? Is this something you can let outsiders see?

Bai Jun suddenly recalled Elena's strange behavior that morning. She had happened to be reading this notebook just before that... Could it be!?

Remembering Elena's expression at the time, as well as what he himself had said, Bai Jun's face gradually turned pale. It was a helplessness known as despair.

"What is wrong? Why has thy face suddenly become so pale?" When Bai Jun's voice suddenly cut off, Xue Yi noticed something odd and poked his cheek with concern.

"Nothing... Ah, the food's here."

Bai Jun covered his face and did not want to speak. Just then, Aunt Gao arrived carrying the dishes, so he put away the notebook and handed Xue Yi a pair of chopsticks.

But after tasting the three dishes on the table, Bai Jun was about to ask Xue Yi how they tasted when he saw her gripping the chopsticks with extremely unfamiliar motions. Her exquisite face held a trace of confusion. "I remember... this should be how they are used..."

Perhaps because it had been too long since she last ate normally, her memory of using chopsticks had long blurred and faded. At this point, even the sensation of gripping them felt more unfamiliar than tasting food.

"Don't force yourself. I'll feed you. Ah—" Seeing this, Bai Jun took her chopsticks and picked up a slice of lotus root, holding it to her mouth.

Xue Yi stared blankly for a while. Then, urged by Bai Jun, she opened her mouth and ate it.

"It's delicious, right?"

"It is... very delicious..." Xue Yi nodded slightly at Bai Jun's question.

"As long as it's good. Come on, open your mouth again. Ah—"

Little did they know that Aunt Gao had seen everything from beside them. Moved by the beauty of youth, the smile on her lips simply would not fade.

Under Bai Jun's feeding, the dishes on the table were soon completely cleared away. Due to the unique energy consumption mechanism of her Mechanical Body, Xue Yi was no different after eating than before. The only change was that some soup had gotten onto the corner of her mouth. Bai Jun handed her a tissue, indicating that she should wipe it herself, then stood and went over to Aunt Gao to pay.

"Oh, no money! And I still haven't settled the score with you for secretly stuffing money to me when you brought Lady Dragon Girl here to eat last time!"

"Got it, got it. I won't pay, then."

Aunt Gao raised her eyebrows and pushed back the money Bai Jun had offered. She told him that if he dared secretly give her money again, she would blacklist him in the future. Bai Jun had no choice but to obediently put away his wallet and raise both hands in surrender.

As they were leaving, Aunt Gao suddenly pulled Xue Yi aside. When Xue Yi returned, she had a bouquet of fresh, elegant white flowers in her hands.

"Goodbye! Come by often when you have time~ And A-Bai, you'd better be careful tonight." Aunt Gao waved a handkerchief as she cheerfully bid them farewell.

"Stop talking nonsense..." Bai Jun helplessly looked at Aunt Gao's teasing face, feeling as though he had punched cotton.

Xue Yi lowered her head to look at the bouquet of white flowers, and a gentle smile appeared on her face. She waved as well and said goodbye to Aunt Gao. "Goodbye, Auntie. We will come again."

This rare behavior astonished Bai Jun so much that, for a moment, he even ignored Aunt Gao, whose spirits had risen further as she shouted in the distance for them to get married soon.

The Return to Life permitted by the Ten Lords Bureau lasted only half a day. After their meal, it was almost time for Xue Yi to return.

"Thank thee. I truly had a very happy day today..." After leaving Aurum Alley, Xue Yi, who had been walking ahead, stopped and suddenly spoke.

"I'm glad you had fun. It's a rare day off, so of course you should relax." Bai Jun replied casually.