Siheyuan: tomb robbing? I am serious about hunting.

Chapter 1114 Cloud

Chapter 4: I Can't Help My Emotions The early summer breeze carries a bit of heat, but when it brushes my cheeks, it carries a hint of coolness unique to the evening. The Mirror Lake outside the city looks like a huge emerald that has been overturned by someone, embedded at the foot of the rolling green hills. At this time, the setting sun is slowly sinking to the west, dyeing the clouds on the horizon into a gorgeous golden red, like the thick ink and heavy colors splashed on the canvas by a painter, so beautiful that it makes people intoxicated. The lake is sparkling, and every ripple reflects the glow of the setting sun, as if it is covered with countless pieces of gold. Occasionally, a late-returning water bird flies across the water, stirring up circles of ripples, and then flaps its wings and disappears into the distant twilight. The weeping willows on the shore hang down their slender branches, swaying gently in the evening breeze. Occasionally, the tips of the branches touch the water, causing circles of tiny ripples. The air was filled with the faint scent of green grass and the unique moist aroma of lake water, mixed with the faint fragrance of lotus wafting from the nearby lotus pond, which made people feel relaxed and happy. Shen Yanqiu was walking alone on the gravel path by the lake. He was wearing a moon-white long gown with a green jade belt tied around his waist. The hem of the gown swayed gently with his steps. He lowered his head slightly, watching his shadow stretched very long by the setting sun, and cast on the uneven gravel road, appearing a little distorted. These days, Xie Linzhou's figure always lingered in his mind. His gentle smile, clear voice, and even the slight upward curve of his mouth when he spoke seemed to be engraved on Shen Yanqiu's heart. Every time he thought of Xie Linzhou, Shen Yanqiu would feel an inexplicable joy in his heart, but this joy was also mixed with a deep fear. He was afraid that his thoughts would be discovered by Xie Linzhou, and that Xie Linzhou would dislike him and alienate him because of it. He was even more afraid that this relationship would be known to others, because then not only would he be ruined, but the entire Shen family would be implicated. This conflicting feeling was like a heavy stone, weighing down Shen Yanqiu, making it hard for him to breathe. He walked slowly along the lake, the stones under his feet making a slight "crunching" sound. In the distance, the village was already emitting curls of smoke, and the sound of dogs barking and children laughing could be heard faintly in the air. This quiet and peaceful scene did not relieve the depression in Shen Yanqiu's heart at all. He felt like a lost child, standing in a vast wasteland, not knowing where to go. "Brother Shen?" A familiar voice sounded behind him, and Shen Yanqiu's heart suddenly jumped, as if stung by something. He turned around suddenly and saw Xie Linzhou standing under a willow tree not far away, holding a folding fan with a few elegant orchids painted on the fan. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on him, giving him a layer of soft golden light, making him look even more gentle and jade-like than usual. Xie Linzhou wore a gentle smile. Seeing Shen Yanqiu turn around, he took a step and slowly approached him. His steps were light, the hem of his long gown fluttering with his movements like a graceful butterfly. "Brother Xie? Why are you here?" Shen Yanqiu was a little surprised. He hadn't expected to meet Xie Linzhou here, and for a moment he was at a loss, not knowing where to put his hands. "I was out of town on some business today and passed by here. I remembered that the evening view of Mirror Lake is quite famous, so I thought I'd come over to see it." Xie Linzhou walked over to Shen Yanqiu and looked out at the lake with him. His voice was soft, as if he didn't want to disturb the tranquil evening. "I didn't expect to meet Brother Shen. What a coincidence." Shen Yanqiu nodded, but said nothing. He could smell the faint aroma of soapberry coming from Xie Linzhou, which mixed with the lotus fragrance on the lake, forming a unique scent that made his heart beat faster. He was a little nervous, not daring to look at Xie Linzhou, and could only cast his gaze on the lake in the distance. The two stood in silence for a while, with only the sound of the evening breeze blowing on the lake and the rustling of willow branches when blown by the wind. After the setting sun gradually sank into the distant mountains, the clouds in the sky slowly faded their brilliant colors and turned into light pink and purple. The ripples on the lake surface also became much softer, as if covered by a thin veil. "Brother Shen," Xie Linzhou suddenly spoke, his voice a little lower than usual, with a hint of imperceptible temptation, "Are you... afraid of something?" Shen Yanqiu's heart tightened, as if it was tightly grasped by an invisible hand. He turned his head to look at Xie Linzhou, only to see that Xie Linzhou's eyes were deep, like a calm lake, but as if he could see through all his disguises. Shen Yanqiu opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but when the words came to his lips, he didn't know how to start. He could feel his cheeks getting hot, and his heartbeat was getting faster and faster, as if it was about to jump out of his throat. He was afraid that Xie Linzhou would ask more questions, afraid that he would lose control and reveal the secret in his heart. Xie Linzhou sighed softly. He could see Shen Yanqiu's nervousness and uneasiness. He stretched out his hand, hesitated, and his fingers paused in mid-air for a moment, and finally gently placed it on Shen Yanqiu's shoulder. There was a hint of warmth on his fingertips, which passed through the thin long gown, burning Shen Yanqiu's whole body, as if an electric current was transmitted from his shoulder to his whole body. Shen Yanqiu's body stiffened instantly. He wanted to dodge, but he seemed to be nailed to the spot, unable to move. He could clearly feel the temperature and strength of Xie Linzhou's fingers. The temperature was not high, but it caused ripples in his heart. "Brother Shen," Xie Linzhou's voice had a subtle tremor, his eyes locked tightly on Shen Yanqiu's face, as if he wanted to see his expression clearly, "Actually... me too." The four words "me too" were like a thunderclap, exploding in Shen Yanqiu's heart. He suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked at Xie Linzhou in disbelief, as if he had heard something out of the ordinary. His mind was blank and buzzing, and the only sound in his ears was the violent beating of his own heart. "You...what did you say?" Shen Yanqiu's voice was trembling, with a hint of disbelief and confusion. He even wondered if he had auditory hallucinations, otherwise why would Xie Linzhou say such a thing? Xie Linzhou met his gaze with a hint of frankness and nervousness in his eyes, and his lips moved slightly, as if he was organizing his words. "I know this may be ridiculous and unethical." His voice was very light, but extremely firm, "But I can't control myself. Every time I see you, my heart beats faster." Shen Yanqiu felt that his breathing had become difficult, and his chest seemed to be blocked by something. He felt uncomfortable and inexplicably excited.