Ever since on the observation tower, Lu Yan suddenly picked up Yu Suo, and they were mistakenly thought to be quarreling. The atmosphere between Yu Suo and Lu Yan has been somewhat subtle."
"Before, Lu Yan used to follow Yu Su closely every day, occasionally touching him. Yu Su didn't mind, as he had gotten used to it. At most, when Lu Yan's clinginess became excessive, Yu Su would give him a stern look.
However, recently, whether it was Lu Yan's issue or his own, there were times when Yu Su's heart would unconsciously beat faster when Lu Yan touched him. Combined with Lu Yan's strong presence, whenever Lu Yan got close, Yu Su felt enveloped in his breath, making him uneasy.
So, during this period, whenever Lu Yan approached or made a move to touch him, Yu Su would immediately give him a glare.
With frequent glares, Lu Yan noticed something was amiss, trying to avoid getting too close to Yu Su. However, his lips tightened, and when he turned away, his expression was chilling, making the soldiers beneath him nervous.
"What's wrong with the leader lately? Always wearing a stern face. Yesterday, when attacked by a demonic beast in the Death Valley, he turned it into ashes, not leaving a piece of flesh."
"Forget it. I made a mistake in my martial arts practice and got a solid beating from him."
"Why do I feel it's related to Lord Yu Su? Haven't you all noticed that in recent days, whenever the leader wants to get close to Lord Yu Su, he gets glared at."
"The leader has changed? Isn't he always sticking close to Lord Yu Su, even tighter than one's own wife?"
"Maybe the leader angered Lord Yu Su?"
Soldiers speculated, cautious not to show anything in front of Lu Yan, but secretly observing his interactions with Yu Su.
Noticing that whenever Lu Yan was glared at by Yu Su, his expression became even colder, soldiers concluded, "Confirmed, he's being disapproved of by Lord Yu Su."
"But how did the leader manage to anger Lord Yu Su?"
"Yu Ye mentioned that Lord Yu Su and the leader might have had a conflict. He once saw them arguing on the observation tower."
"Ah?"
Everyone was surprised because they couldn't imagine a day when Lu Yan and Yu Su would quarrel.
In the entire village, Lu Yan and Yu Su had the closest relationship, spending their days together inseparably, even closer than some married couples.
How could such two people quarrel?
But given the recent situation, it seemed there was indeed a conflict between them.
Yu Mengdao said, "It must be something the leader did wrong. I'll go ask him."
Yu Meng left in large strides, and others, unable to contain their curiosity, followed.
Meanwhile, Lu Yan was on the observation tower. Today, Yu Su had been checking the progress of the market construction. Because Yu Su had been avoiding him, Lu Yan didn't follow.
When Yu Meng arrived, he saw Lu Yan standing there, looking in the direction of the river's east bank, with a face that seemed lost in thought.
"Leader, did you do something to anger Lord Yu Su?" Yu Meng wasn't one to beat around the bush.
The soldiers, not on the tower but with sharp ears, heard Yu Meng's question and couldn't help but cover their faces.
Lu Yan coldly glanced at Yu Meng, not saying a word.
Seeing his reaction, Yu Meng knew he guessed right.
"What did you do wrong? Tell me, and I'll help you figure out a way to appease Lord Yu Su." Yu Meng assured, patting his chest.
Lu Yan looked at him suspiciously, evidently doubting Yu Meng's capability.
To prove himself, Yu Meng said, "I have several confidantes in the village. No matter how angry they are, I can always make them happy. My confidantes can testify to that. If you don't believe me, I'll ask them to vouch for me."
In this village, where attitudes toward relationships were open, men like Yu Meng, powerful and possessing divine strength, were very popular among women. Many even wanted to bear his child, hoping their offspring would inherit divine powers.
So, Yu Meng indeed had several confidantes in the village.
It should be noted that someone like Lu Yan, who had no confidante, was the exception. Many women wanted to have his child, but Lu Yan showed no interest, sticking to Yu Su all the time.
Continuing, Yu Meng said, "Although Lord Yu Su is not a confidante, the idea is the same—soothing people. It should work similarly."
Lu Yan pondered for a moment, thinking that maybe Yu Meng indeed had a solution, and asked, "What if Yu Su doesn't want to get close to me?"
Initially thinking he misheard, Yu Meng confirmed that Lu Yan was troubled because Yu Su didn't want him close, and there was no other conflict between them.
Is that it?
What kind of conflict is this?
Moreover, talking about getting close...
"You're always by Lord Yu Su's side. Isn't that close enough? In the whole village, who else can stick to Lord Yu Su every day like you do?" Yu Meng spoke the truth. Even Yu Zhou and Jian Yunchuan didn't follow Yu Su as closely as Lu Yan did.
But Lu Yan wasn't satisfied; he felt it wasn't enough.
"Well, what else do you want?" Yu Meng asked.
"I want to touch him, hold him, and sleep with him like before."
"Ah? But Lord Yu Su is seventeen now. How can you treat him like a child? It's offensive."
"I don't treat him as a child."
If not as a child, why insist on sleeping while holding him?
Yu Meng found Lu Yan strange. They were both adults, yet Lu Yan clung to his childhood behavior.
"It's not right to be so clingy; everyone has grown up. Look at me, when I have free time, I find my confidantes or practice with my brothers, hunt together. That's the life adults should lead."
Lu Yan frowned, "Why can't I be close to him?"
"Everyone has grown up. Look at me, when I have free time, I find my confidantes or practice with my brothers, hunt together. That's the life adults should lead."
Lu Yan felt disinterested in what Yu Meng said. He had been practicing all along, and it had nothing to do with getting close to Yu Su. Moreover, he thought Yu Meng beat around the bush and didn't address the main issue.
"Why can't I be close to him?" Lu Yan asked.
"Everyone has grown up. Look at me, when I have free time, I find my confidantes or practice with my brothers, hunt together. That's the life adults should lead."
Lu Yan found Yu Meng's suggestions unappealing and expressed his dissatisfaction:
"Why don't you teach me how to comfort people?"
"Of course, I can!"
Yu Meng generously shared his methods of comforting his confidantes with Lu Yan.
Listening, Lu Yan sometimes frowned, sometimes seemed contemplative.
Having spoken for a long time, Yu Meng asked, "Have you memorized everything?"
"I've memorized it."
Relieved, Yu Meng said, "I'm leaving now. It's up to you from here."
"Okay."
After Yu Meng left the observation tower, others gathered around. Since Yu Meng and Lu Yan spoke quietly, many couldn't hear clearly and asked for details about the situation. They wanted to know
how Lu Yan had upset Yu Su.
Not wanting to reveal too much, Yu Meng simply said, "It's nothing. Lu Yan is just too clingy."
Others were puzzled, but seeing that Yu Meng didn't want to elaborate and feeling hesitant to ask Lu Yan directly, they had to let it go, following Yu Meng.
...
Yu Su spent the whole day at the construction site of the market and returned home near evening.
Upon arriving, he noticed a large bunch of flowers on the dining table—colorful and varied, almost covering the entire table.
Yu Zhou and others were curiously looking at them and turned their attention to him when he came in.
"Brother, you're back," Yu Zhou greeted.
Yu Su asked, "Where did these flowers come from?"
"Lu Yan brother picked them and said they were for you," Yu Zhou replied.
Yu Su was puzzled, "Why did he pick flowers for me out of the blue?"
At this moment, Lu Yan also appeared, holding another bunch of flowers—purple, layered with large beautiful blossoms.
Yu Kui and the others were astonished, their eyes fixed on the flowers.
Yu Su looked at Lu Yan with confusion, "Why did you pick flowers? What's the reason behind it?"
Lu Yan handed the flowers to Yu Su, "For you."
Yu Su was even more perplexed, "So, what's the purpose of giving me flowers?"
Lu Yan said, "To make you happy."
Yu Su, still confused, asked, "...?"
Soon, he understood what was going on and questioned, "Who told you to do this?"
Lu Yan, sensing that Yu Su wasn't happy, quickly threw Yu Meng under the bus.
"It was Yu Meng. He said doing this would cheer you up."
Yu Su, not liking the peculiar gesture, examined the flowers and said, "You can't just imitate Yu Meng randomly. Besides, I'm not angry with you. Why are you trying to cheer me up?"
Lu Yan's eyes lit up, "So, can I stick with you like before?"
Yu Su reiterated his stance, "I didn't say you can't stick with me. Just don't suddenly hug me, and don't stand too close."
Lu Yan understood. It seemed that Yu Meng's approach didn't work.
...
"A-achoo!"
Having just sneezed, Yu Meng, who was on a date with his confidante, shivered. She looked at him with some disdain, "What's wrong with you? Caught a cold?"
Feeling misunderstood, Yu Meng explained, "I didn't catch a cold. Someone is cursing me behind my back. I'll find out who it is when I go back and teach them a lesson."
Upon hearing this, his confidante, still skeptical, said, "You didn't catch a cold in this weather? Can you still have children with me?"
Feeling indignant, Yu Meng quickly clarified, "I didn't catch a cold. Someone was cursing me. I'll find them and beat them up when I return."
His confidante only believed him after his explanation.