After Transmigrating, My Younger Brother Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 6

Seeing Song Heng’s silence, Lu Yin quietly took a few steps back. When he remained motionless and unresponsive, Lu Yin turned and bolted.

Song Heng snapped out of his daze and, taking two steps at a time, seized the fleeing Lu Yin. Meeting his wary, questioning gaze, Song Heng found himself at a loss for words.

Should I tell him we were comrades who risked our lives together in our past lives? He’d probably think I’m crazy.

The two remained locked in a tense standoff, the atmosphere thick with tension.

Lu Yin moved first, tucking the portrait that had slipped slightly from his embrace back into his robes.

Song Heng’s gaze followed the movement, catching a glimpse of the portrait’s corner. An idea struck him. The portrait you’re hiding is of my sister.

He immediately turned the tables. Your behavior is highly suspicious. Did you tear off the portrait… to report it to the authorities?

Song Heng deliberately let a hint of ferocity show, portraying himself as a devoted younger brother acting in his sister’s best interests.

Lu Yin hadn’t initially believed it. He hadn’t paid much attention to the person beside her that day, but the figure before him matched the beggar who had been standing nearby. Combined with Song Heng’s flustered demeanor, Lu Yin began to suspect there might be some truth to it.

Song Heng hadn’t expected such a casual remark to throw Lu Yin into such a panic. He hastily tried to explain, his words stumbling over each other in his nervousness. N-no… that’s not it!

Song Heng watched as Lu Yin’s face flushed crimson.

I just don’t want anyone bothering her, he murmured, his voice barely audible. I would never do anything to harm her.

Why is Lu Yin so concerned about Song Zhen? Song Heng wondered, puzzled.

Seizing the crumpled portrait from Lu Yin’s arms, Song Heng held it high above his head. How can I trust you?

Lu Yin reached out to snatch it back, but Song Heng’s greater agility allowed him to evade the attempt.

…She saved my life that day, Lu Yin finally admitted.

Which day?

Lu Yin then recounted the events of that day.

This is truly unexpected, Song Heng thought.

In this lifetime, she had already become so strange, as if possessed by another soul. Yet she had still shown kindness by helping a disheveled beggar.

That same day, Zhu Zhenzhen didn’t wake up until late afternoon. When she finally rose, she noticed Song Heng was gone, but she wasn’t worried. After all, what kind of trouble could a kid who threatened her with a knife upon their first meeting possibly cause?

Even if he did stir up trouble, it wouldn’t matter. They were already fugitives on the run.

She yawned, went downstairs for lunch, and found the innkeeper’s son had already laid out the steaming dishes. The enticing aroma of the food made her stomach rumble.

Just as Zhu Zhenzhen picked up her chopsticks, ready to dig into the braised pork knuckle, she heard something that instantly ruined her appetite.

The innkeeper’s son, his face plastered with a smile, said, Sir, tomorrow is the fifth day of your stay. Please pack your belongings and prepare to depart.

Zhu Zhenzhen froze. Suddenly, the pork knuckle lost its appeal, and all thoughts of Li Jiadong vanished from her mind.

She set down her chopsticks and turned to ask, Won’t you accept some jewelry? This hairpin alone is worth eight hundred taels.

Sorry, we don’t accept jewelry, dear.

…But the dagger…

The innkeeper’s son remained silent.

Zhu Zhenzhen was at a loss.

Without money, even getting a meal was a problem. Without money, how could she investigate Li Jiadong? Without money, she might be arrested tomorrow and end up eating prison gruel.

When Song Heng returned, he found Zhu Zhenzhen propping her head up with one hand, a bright red pork knuckle lying untouched before her. She wasn’t eating, just sighing heavily.

She looked deeply troubled.

What’s wrong? If you don’t like the food, we’ll order something else. Though he didn’t fully understand her current mood, Young Master Song believed that anyone under his care would never go hungry.

Zhu Zhenzhen shook her head and sighed. The Li Jiadong case is shrouded in mystery. If we run out of money, we’ll have to leave immediately. Forget investigating—even protecting ourselves will be difficult.

Song Heng frowned, puzzled. Why was she so determined to involve herself with Li Jiadong? Once they left Bian City, even if Li Jiadong wanted to capture her, it wouldn’t happen overnight.

As if reading his thoughts, she continued, Li Jiadong is treating the people so cruelly. If we don’t uncover the truth and stop him, their safety will be at risk.

The market had been abuzz with talk of Li Jiadong that day. Even when she stopped listening intently, snippets of disturbing news still reached her ears.

Li Jiadong was like a man-eating tyrant. While the specifics of his crimes remained unclear, the sudden disappearances of ordinary citizens were undoubtedly connected to him.

I fear Bian City might soon become a living hell. Besides, Li Jiadong’s illness is suspiciously timed.

Song Heng raised an eyebrow, studying her as if seeing her for the first time. He stared at her for a long moment.

How could I have never noticed her remarkable sense of righteousness before? he wondered inwardly.

At three quarters past noon, only the two of them remained in the tavern’s main hall. But when Song Heng glanced up, he saw a figure at the next table—a person in a hooded cloak with a wide cloth belt and narrow, wrist-bound sleeves—raising a bowl of wine to their lips in a hearty gulp.

The wide brim of the hood obscured their face, but the hem of their robe bore the distinctive emblem of the Sun and Moon Inn a shyly blooming violet.

As Song Heng discreetly observed this person, the figure lifted their bowl, spilling a few drops as they swayed to their feet. Stepping onto a bamboo stool, they thrust the bowl forward and launched into a torrent of praise for Song Zhen.

Now, their features were finally visible ordinary, unremarkable, the kind that would blend into any crowd. The only distinguishing mark was a long scar that snaked from the corner of their eye down their neck, disappearing beneath their collar, lending their face a sinister edge.

I never imagined Bian City harbored such a righteous soul, one who cares so deeply for the common people! This Cheng admires you!

Zhu Zhenzhen, who had been picking at her rice with her head bowed, looked up at the sound of his voice. After a moment’s hesitation, she offered a clumsy, non-standard bow and replied, Thank you?

From what region does such a virtuous lady hail? Why are you investigating that tyrant? Have you uncovered any clues? He bombarded her with questions in a single breath.

Zhu Zhenzhen’s mind raced. Hearing his questions, she let out a dramatic sigh. I have a sister who became a maid in Li Jiadong’s household. She hasn’t returned home in four or five years. I’ve searched everywhere in Bian City, but I can’t find her. To uncover her whereabouts, I had no choice but to investigate the Li Family’s tyrannical ways.

She pulled out a handkerchief from somewhere and angrily flicked it, pressing it to her lips. I wonder if my sister is still alive?

She slipped into character instantly, her voice trembling with tears. The sight of her weeping moved her listeners to pity. I found no clues, only trouble.

The lips hidden behind the embroidered handkerchief curled into a sneer. Does she think I’m a fool? she thought. Asking all these questions so obviously trying to trick me. Who would believe such a clumsy ploy? If I told her the truth, she’d probably just claim the reward money on the wanted poster.

Her ability to lie through her teeth was truly impressive. If Cheng Jiuxiao hadn’t already known the truth, he might have been fooled. Song Zhen twisted the handkerchief in his hands, lowering his lashes. The sight of her delicate, orchid-like fingers froze him for a moment. He had no choice but to play along.

My dear lady, your plight is truly tragic. I’m certain your sister is safe and well.

Of course she is, Zhu Zhenzhen thought. How could someone who doesn’t even exist be in danger?

Brother Cheng, since you’re so confident, do you perhaps know something about this tyrant? Could you offer any clues to help me find my sister? I would be eternally grateful. Zhu Zhenzhen tilted her head, trying to pry information from him.

Cheng Jiuxiao sighed in relief, thinking, Though the process wasn’t ideal, at least things are back on track.

He cleared his throat and said, I did manage to find a lead, but it ends at Changding City.

Changding City was the ghost city from his previous life.

A team had once ventured into the city, leaving one member outside as a lookout. They expected to return within three days at most, but a week passed, and the lookout still hadn’t heard from his comrades.

Ten days, a month—no news ever came. Letters sent into the city vanished like stones dropped into the sea.

Song Heng had dismissed it as a strange tale at the time, never imagining Li Jiadong would be connected to this city.

Rumor has it that all the people Li Jiadong kidnapped were sent to Changding City—men and women alike. Travelers avoid staying in Changding Town, preferring to camp outside rather than enter.

Zhu Zhenzhen pondered this. Could such a thing really be possible?

Yet, considering Bian City’s vast population, its distance from the capital, and the countless beggars roaming its streets, it wasn’t entirely implausible. If a few nameless, faceless beggars disappeared from the city, no one would likely notice.

As Cheng Jiuxiao spoke, he suddenly paused, his lips pressed into a thin line, refusing to say another word.

Zhu Zhenzhen looked at him in confusion, meeting his gaze. His eyes clearly held unspoken words.