Don't Hurt You Li, Okay? [Please Vote Monthly Tickets]

Sibao Prefecture, government office.

Liao Jia drifted into the administrative hall with a yawn.

He already had a somewhat sleazy look, and now his shoulders slumped, his expression was weary, his eye sockets were dark, and his eyelids were puffy. He looked as if he'd drained his vitality indulging in wine and women. He sat down with his eyes half-closed. After a dozen breaths, he opened them again, and the drowsiness was gone.

Qi Shan smiled without warmth. "I've been hearing rumors lately."

Liao Jia listlessly picked up his brush and turned into a heartless office machine. "What rumor could possibly reach your ears?"

Qi Shan said, "People are saying you spend every night carousing."

Liao Jia's hand stopped. A drop of ink fell, and his expression twisted into a spectacular grimace. His voice shot up, nearly breaking. "I spend every night carousing? Which heartless bastard started that rumor?"

Qi Shan looked at Liao Jia's wan little face.

Liao Jia, who usually loved dressing in bright reds and purples and wore flowers in his hair every day, could no longer manage to be flamboyant. Even the flowers at his temples looked as listless as their owner. Some people seemed to carouse every night, when in reality they worked 996, so busy that even their Literary Qi Incarnation couldn't keep up.

Liao Jia snapped, "You could at least say a few words in my defense!"

Qi Shan replied, "I believe the facts speak louder than words."

Liao Jia: "..."

He'd stake Qi Yuanliang's head on it: that bastard was definitely gloating behind his back! As the scholar left behind to hold down the fort, Liao Jia hadn't gotten much rest since Shen Tang led the troops out. He was lucky that Literary Scholars had strong constitutions. An ordinary person would never