"You replaced him. No one in this manor ever mentions your name; they only speak of Shen Yan," Mu Anxiao couldn't comprehend.
"I took on my senior brother's appearance. Is that not allowed?" Shen Lü stated arrogantly.
This time, Mu Anxiao finally understood. When she first met Shen Yan, he had been wearing blue. Back then, she noticed he carried the aura of someone from an official family and wondered if he had any connection to the authorities.
Initially, she had wanted to ask Shen Yan about this. However, before she could utter the question, she had become the one 'protecting' him and the target of his 'pranks'.
Because of this, she had dismissed all her suspicions.
Decades later, her conjectures had proven entirely accurate.
Yet, that Shen Yan was no longer present.
"He was already a general then," she murmured to herself.
Shen Lü, assuming Mu Anxiao was speaking to him, nodded. "Yes, my senior brother simply dislikes idleness. He came down to find a woman destined for immortality, and before that, he had to find himself a profession. Not only that, but he also didn't want anyone to know. If it weren't for my intelligence in tracking him and stopping him, I fear," he glanced around, smiling, "he would have nowhere to go now."
"Then he should thank you," Mu Anxiao replied, unable to suppress a smile.
As Shen Lü chuckled, he lifted his lantern and looked towards the dilapidated house.
Concurrently, following Shen Lü's gaze, Mu Anxiao surveyed the abandoned courtyard. "Who used to live in this courtyard? Why is it abandoned?"
"It was prepared for you," Shen Lü said suddenly.
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao's expression stiffened. She fixed her gaze on Shen Lü's profile and said, "You're quite bored to crack such a joke at a time like this."
"You think I'm joking," Shen Lü said, turning around and meeting Mu Anxiao's eyes directly. He became serious. "What would be the point of me deceiving you with this ruined courtyard?"
"I think there's no point, but you," Mu Anxiao shrugged, "I wouldn't know."
"You..."
"Shen Lü, just speak plainly. Who exactly was this courtyard meant for?" Mu Anxiao had not been particularly interested in the place initially, but after Shen Lü's words, she couldn't help but become curious.
Conversely, Shen Lü sighed.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao felt a strange unease. It gave her the feeling that Shen Lü was not joking!
However, reality dictated that Shen Yan at that time would have preferred her to stay as far away from him as possible. How could he possibly have arranged a courtyard for her?
At this moment, she was unable to figure it out.
At the same time, she became puzzled by Shen Lü's sigh. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know what my senior brother was thinking. On one hand, he wanted you to stay away from him, and on the other, he worried about you not faring well out there," Shen Lü lowered his eyes and chuckled, shaking his head. "He said you have the fate of a beggar. When you ran out of money, you would surely resort to begging. Moreover, your spiritual energy is unstable, and you're timid. You'd definitely end up here while walking. Since he happened to be away, he asked me to settle you. However, I didn't want you to come."
"..." Mu Anxiao lowered her eyelids, her heart beginning to ache.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's somber expression, Shen Lü chuckled again. "Although that's what I thought, I couldn't disobey my senior brother's arrangement, so I've kept this courtyard reserved for you all this time. Who knew you, this guy, would become a famous Yin Messenger? Truly worthy of being called a cockroach."
"You're the cockroach."
"Aren't you? Becoming an immortal isn't easy, and using stolen spiritual energy is no simple feat. I really don't know what to say about you," Shen Lü said with a laugh and a shake of his head.
Mu Anxiao gave Shen Lü a sidelong glance and remained silent.
Shen Lü looked at the wordless Mu Anxiao and said, "Speaking of which, my senior brother had to endure all sorts of hardships for you."
For?
From Shen Lü acting for Shen Yan, to Feng Qishi acting for Mu Anxiao.
This word, 'for,' had clearly become familiar to Mu Anxiao's ears. It was then that she caught a clue from Shen Lü's words. "Do you know where your senior brother is?" she grabbed Shen Lü's arm.
Shen Lü was startled. "Why are you grabbing me?" He tried to shake off Mu Anxiao.
Unexpectedly, Mu Anxiao tightened her grip. "Tell me, do you know something?" Her eyes widened, showing urgency.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's eager look, desperate for news of Feng Qishi, Shen Lü sighed and said, "I do know something. However, aren't you curious about when I arrived?" He met Mu Anxiao's gaze.
Mu Anxiao echoed, "When did you arrive?"
"Just a few days ago."
"A few days ago?" Mu Anxiao frowned. "So, you and that crazy Shen met long ago."
"It might not be appropriate for you to call my senior brother 'crazy' to my face," Shen Lü said with a smile.
Mu Anxiao knew Shen Lü was protective of his senior brother. Under the circumstances, she rephrased, "You and Feng Qishi met long ago."
"Not quite."
"Not?"
"Your senior brother also avoided you in the previous life, and in this life, he's clinging to you. You two really are..." Shen Lü let out a peculiar bitter laugh. "Enviable."
Enviable?
Shen Lü's sudden choice of words confused Mu Anxiao. At that very moment, she thought of Shen Lü's relationship with Hong Yan.
So, she asked, "Strange, why are you the only one here? Where is Hong Yan?"
"Why are you suddenly mentioning her?" Shen Lü refused.
"You were the one who named Hong Yan, yet now you seem to disdain her," Mu Anxiao's curiosity was piqued about Shen Lü and Hong Yan's relationship.
To her surprise, Shen Lü became impatient. "Mu Anxiao, you have a good memory. You still remember her name. But let me tell you, don't try to link me with her. I'm a great immortal who will marry a woman destined for immortality. If you mention her again, I'll get angry with you."
"She went back with you, didn't she?" Mu Anxiao said, relying on her memory.
Shen Lü's face darkened.
Conversely, Mu Anxiao started to care about Hong Yan. She knew that Hong Yan's ascent to the heavens was due to Shen Lü, and she vividly remembered that Hong Yan had always harbored feelings for him. However, Shen Lü now seemed to disdain Hong Yan so much, leaving her confused. "Don't you like Hong Yan? Why..."
"Who says I like her? Can you stop talking nonsense?" Shen Lü grew agitated.
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao furrowed her brow deeply.
Unexpectedly, Shen Lü said, "She is a demon. I have never liked her. If you continue to talk nonsense, don't blame me for being impolite." He glared at Mu Anxiao.
After Shen Lü's outburst, Mu Anxiao felt sorry for Hong Yan.