Five Big Bosses are Too Clingy After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Zhou Buyan, Next Time I’ll Just Hug You

Xiao Wang was somewhat surprised but calmly agreed, while Ling Zhou, watching from the side, was wide-eyed.

Although he had witnessed Chu Xingchen punishing Xie Ziqing before, seeing it again made him feel like the sun was rising in the west, mainly because the Crown Princess used to cherish Xie Ziqing so much.

Miaobi held Xie Ziqing, seething with resentment, but repeated losses prevented him from speaking out.

Chu Xingchen didn’t care what he thought; she was deliberate. Who asked Xie Ziqing to treat human life like grass?

Xie Ziqing woke up again, having been moved back to bed. Hearing Miaobi recount Chu Xingchen’s reaction and words, his hands clenched into fists.

“Good! Good riddance, Chu Xingchen! If you are unjust, don’t blame me for being unkind.”

Malice flashed in his eyes. “Miaobi, proceed with the plan.”

…

After parting with the two men, Chu Xingchen felt completely relaxed. The relationship reconciliation mission was complete.

Truth be told, even though the entire process was a bit tense, and the interactions were mostly superficial, it was genuinely pleasing to the eye. She somewhat understood the Emperor’s joy.

If the harem didn’t have Xie Ziqing, it would be even more wonderful.

Back in her bedchamber, Chu Xingchen started looking for Zhou Buyan. Wan Dong was right: she had to show impartial favor, so she also needed to connect with Zhou Buyan and talk to him more.

Although Zhou Buyan wasn’t involved in court politics, she couldn’t ignore him.

“Zhou Buyan, Zhou Buyan.”

After two calls, Zhou Buyan silently appeared before her, awaiting orders. Chu Xingchen smiled. “Nothing much. I just wanted to see if you were here. Let’s eat together.”

Before her voice faded, Zhou Buyan had vanished.

Chu Xingchen: “…” Phooey! Such a unique personality. How am I supposed to socialize him through casual conversation?

…

Nevertheless, the mission was complete. Chu Xingchen tidied up and prepared to sleep peacefully. Seeing a few palace servants still lingering, she said warmly, “Alright, you can all leave.”

Chu Xingchen yawned and walked toward the bed, failing to notice that one of the servants who should have left did not follow the others but rushed toward her, dagger in hand.

By the time Chu Xingchen sensed something was wrong and turned around, it was too late. As the dagger was about to make intimate contact, and her mind went blank, a black figure descended from above and kicked the dagger away.

It was Zhou Buyan.

It was the first time Chu Xingchen saw Zhou Buyan take action. His movements were so fast that before she could register anything, the servant was kicked flying and restrained by others.

Chu Xingchen looked at the very sharp dagger lying on the floor and felt her legs go weak.

She was startled. How could she not be startled? This was the first assassination attempt she had ever encountered. She lived in the modern era, one of the safest places in the world, where people lived in peace and rarely faced such danger.

“How dare you! Attempting to assassinate the Crown Princess!” Wan Dong was just helping Chu Xingchen make the bed. She was furious that an assassination attempt happened in the blink of an eye.

“She deserves to die! She is unfit to be the Crown Princess! Her crimes warrant ten thousand deaths!”

The servant was restrained, his arms dislocated, his face covered in cold sweat, but he still struggled and shouted.

An assassin in the Eastern Palace! Naturally, a thorough search and investigation would follow. The servant was taken away for interrogation.

Chu Xingchen waited for Wan Dong’s report, having dismissed everyone else. Experiencing the assassination made her realize the danger of the Imperial Palace. She felt unsafe around all the servants, wondering if they might suddenly pull a knife from their sleeves. She just wanted to be alone.

The bedchamber fell silent. She looked around and realized that Zhou Buyan had disappeared again without a word after saving her.

This wouldn’t do! He made a great contribution but didn’t even know how to ask for recognition.

“Zhou Buyan, are you there?”

A light tapping sound came from the ceiling. Zhou Buyan signaled he was present. Chu Xingchen looked up but couldn’t find him.

“Where are you? Zhou Buyan, come down! I can’t find you.”

The air was silent for a moment before Zhou Buyan landed in front of her. After bowing, he remained silent. Chu Xingchen didn’t mind. “Zhou Buyan, thank goodness you showed up in time, or I would have been in trouble. You truly are my best bodyguard, and your skills are amazing!”

Chu Xingchen gave him a thumbs-up. “You saved me. What reward do you want? I will do my best to grant whatever you ask.”

Zhou Buyan shook his head, pointing toward the roof. He just wanted to go up.

“No way. If you go up, I can’t find you.” Chu Xingchen shook her head. “Actually, I’ve always been curious, are shadows like you truly here all the time?”

If he was always there, wouldn’t he hear everything, including when she accidentally farted? And if he was present during intimate moments, wouldn’t that be incredibly awkward?

She had two more questions. “Zhou Buyan, how do you eat and drink? And how do you relieve yourselves?”

At this point, Chu Xingchen suddenly became serious. “Speaking of which, Zhou Buyan, are you around when I relieve myself?” Wouldn’t that mean he sees and hears everything?

Zhou Buyan’s expression finally shifted slightly, as if twitching. Then he spoke his first full sentence: “Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety.”

Perhaps because he hadn’t spoken in a long time, his voice was hoarse and dry.

Chu Xingchen found his voice like music, because she had finally managed to make him speak! She pressed on. “Then tell me how you usually eat and drink.”

If I get one sentence today, I’ll make him say ten tomorrow!

In the midst of Chu Xingchen’s grand plans, Zhou Buyan shifted, ready to run again. Chu Xingchen quickly grabbed his hand. “You’re not allowed to leave! I was just assassinated. I feel unsafe alone.”

Zhou Buyan frowned again. He glanced at the hand she held, struggled, and pulled his hand away.

Chu Xingchen: “…”

She was just too anxious and accidentally grabbed his hand! Why wouldn’t he let her hold his hand? Although she was afraid of marriage and had no intention of becoming intimate with them, his action still prompted her to say:

“Zhou Buyan, have you forgotten that you are also Consort Zhou?” Besides being a shadow, you’re my husband, dear.

A flicker of confusion crossed Zhou Buyan’s eyes. She was the one who said his identity as Consort Zhou was a mere decoration and that he should not harbor foolish hopes.

He didn’t understand the constantly changing Chu Xingchen and instantly drifted away again.

Chu Xingchen gritted her teeth. “Zhou Buyan, if you run away again, I’ll just hug you next time!”

Just as Chu Xingchen thought Zhou Buyan was going to play dead again, she heard him reply factually, “You can’t hug me.”

She had never touched him before, so he was unprepared just now, which allowed her to grab his hand. Now that he was prepared, given Chu Xingchen’s speed and skill, ten of her couldn’t touch him, let alone hug him.

Chu Xingchen paused, then finally understood what Zhou Buyan meant. She was speechless and didn’t know how to describe the feeling of exasperation.

You can’t hug me? Is that something you say to your wife? Try saying that in the modern world; you’d probably be looking for a beating.