"I’m saying it one last time, get up and eat something."

Man Yue was silent for a few seconds, then rose angrily and sat by the table.

Man Yue reached out to grab the bowl and chopsticks, Chuzheng held his wrist and whispered, "Man Yue, I can indulge you, and tolerate your temper while coaxing you, but remember, don’t go too far."

Although Man Yue had issues, there was nothing wrong with his intelligence; he understood what Chuzheng was saying.

"Then let me go."

"Impossible."

"I want to see Yan Ya."

"You’ll see him once we find you."

Man Yue shook off Chuzheng, picked up the chopsticks, and started eating.

Halfway through eating, a chair was pulled out next to him, and he watched as the girl who had been fierce to him earlier squatted down and held his ankle to put on his shoes.

An evil intent surged in Man Yue’s heart, wanting to kick her hand and overturn the things in front.

But...

He didn’t.

He quietly watched Chuzheng put on his shoes, the warmth of her palms clinging to his ankle, climbing up bit by bit.

When Chuzheng finished putting on his shoes and tidied his hem, Man Yue swiftly averted his gaze, lowering his head to focus on his food.

"Did you dislike the flowers I sent you today?" Chuzheng asked calmly, sitting beside him.

Man Yue remained silent.

"Speak."

The boy flinched, as if startled, clutching the chopsticks tightly, finally squeezing out two words.

"The color."

"What?"

"I don’t like that color." The boy’s voice was slightly loud.

"You could have just said you didn’t like it, why overturn things?" Chuzheng’s tone was still reasonable.

If you don’t tell me, how am I supposed to know whether you like it or not?

Is dislike an excuse to directly hit things?

Man Yue lowered his head, the lines of his profile taut, veins appearing on the back of his hand.

Just as Man Yue was about to explode, someone suddenly gripped his hand, forcibly prying open his clenched palm, gently clasping, "What color do you like?"

He looked up at the person holding his hand, the black and white of his eyes reflecting the girl’s indifferent face.

The hostility around Man Yue’s body suddenly vanished.

A hint of confusion appeared in the boy’s eyes.

Chuzheng raised a hand to wipe the grains of rice from the corner of his mouth, "What color do you like?"

"Red."

Red?

I thought this little thing would like black.

"I understand." Chuzheng said seriously, "In the future, if you don’t like something, just say so, don’t overturn things again."

Man Yue said nothing, and Chuzheng didn’t rush to push him, "Finish eating first."

-

The next day.

The clothes sent over in the past were mostly white-based, but today’s clothes were red.

Man Yue stared at the clothes, not moving for a long time.

The person holding the clothes nervously asked, "Y-Young Master, do you not like them? There are two more sets, how about I bring them all and you pick one?"

The boy shook his head, pointing at the clothes in the person’s hands.

Having served him for a few days, the person probably understood he meant to put them down.

He immediately set down the clothes and exited the room.

Scared to death.

Sometimes the young master’s gaze is truly terrifying.

-

Chuzheng brought two people over to give Man Yue medicine and breakfast.

Man Yue stood by the window, the red clothes accentuating the boy’s look more exquisitely, like a fairy child stepping out of a painting.

...if only his face wasn’t so gloomy.

Chuzheng let people put down the things, and once they left, she walked up to the boy and handed him the flowers from behind.

The boy’s gaze was drawn to them, his black and white pupils seemed to bloom with a cluster of flames.

He dumbly gazed at the vibrant red flowers, and after a while, reached out to take them.

Holding the flowers, the boy appeared even more radiant.

Chuzheng’s fingertips brushed the hem of her clothes, then turned away slightly, "Eat your breakfast."

The boy asked, "Have you found Yan Ya?"

"No." Chuzheng said, "Don’t worry, I will help you find him."

The boy fell silent, his toe turned, heading toward the table.

-

Xi Nan was found, and everyone prepared to return to Linjiang City.

As for Yan Ya, there was no news yet, Man Yue asked about him three times a day, morning, noon, and night.

If someone else answered, Man Yue would get angry, flipping tables and smashing vases... no, he wouldn’t do it in front of Chuzheng.

Every time Chuzheng came, the boy quickly retreated to bed, covering himself with the blanket.

Such behavior made Chuzheng both frustrated and amused.

But when Chuzheng answered, the boy would remain silent, then curl back up on bed.

This wasn’t the real issue; getting him to eat or take medicine was the real challenge.

When Chuzheng lost her patience, she stopped coaxing and directly held him down, forcefully administering the medicine, making Lou Zhong somewhat sympathetic, as this was a patient after all.

On the carriage, Chuzheng first placed a blanket under Man Yue to sit on, then settled on one side.

"Tower Master, get in the carriage." Xi Nan jumped in from outside, "It’s so cold outside, and it’s not even winter yet..."

Man Yue frowned, resentment and rejection rose like sharp spikes from his body, lingering in the air.

Xi Nan naturally felt it, "You... what’s that about!"

Before she could speak, Chuzheng signaled her not to make a sound.

"It’s okay, he won’t hurt you." Chuzheng whispered, "Relax."

Man Yue suddenly moved towards Chuzheng, directly hugging her, his eyes gloomily fixed on Xi Nan.

Xi Nan felt uncomfortable all over, but didn’t leave.

Although this boy... is he really okay? He seems to have significant issues, given the commotion in the past few days...

Xi Nan thought about it but said nothing.

The Tower Master has become quite mature.

Chuzheng hadn’t quite figured out what triggers Man Yue to act this way, but she didn’t mind the benefits.

Usually, Man Yue actually resisted her touching him, at most allowing her to hold his hand.

-

Man Yue slept for a while, and upon waking, found Xi Nan looking at him oddly, instinctively tightening his hold on Chuzheng.

"What’s wrong?" Chuzheng straightened her cape, "Are you feeling unwell? Shall we stop and rest for a bit?"

Man Yue said nothing, and Chuzheng had the convoy stop to eat something before moving on.

Chuzheng carried Man Yue outside, then placed him on the ground.

"Is the Tower Master raising a son?"

"The young master really is beautiful, previously sickly and covered in wounds, but now don’t you think he looks increasingly attractive?"

"Is the Tower Master taking him back as a husband for the fort?"

"Bah, watch your words! Our Tower Master saved him, so it’s more like life indebted, right?"

"..."

-

Chuzheng was taken aside by Xi Nan to talk, and upon returning, she couldn’t see the red silhouette.

"Where’s he?"

"Tower Master, Young Master Man Yue went over there." Someone pointed to the river not far away.

"Why did you let him go alone?"

"Young Master Man Yue didn’t let us follow, but don’t worry Tower Master, Ah Mu secretly followed!" Lou Zhong promptly said.

Chuzheng headed towards the river, went down a slope, and immediately saw the figure standing by the river, the sky drenched in stunning sunset, making the boy’s clothes appear even more fiery, like a flame standing there.