When Luo An got dressed, Qin Yaozu quickly scooped him up before he could stand up to make sure he wouldn't hurt his foot anymore. On their way back, none of them spared the other even a single word, Qin Yaozu out of embarrassment, Luo An out of pity for the former. The silence was suffocating and made the time go slower until Luo An finally spoke up. "I'm sorry." Qin Yaozu, who was trying to bring his mind somewhere else, looked at Luo An, who he held in his arms. "What did you say?" Luo An repeated himself. "I'm sorry." Those sudden words brought Qin Yaozu to a shock.
Why would he be apologizing?
"What are you sorry for?" he couldn't help asking. "For teasing you. That's why you're mad at me right?" Qin Yaozu let out a sigh and readjusted the way he was holding the other. "I'm not mad about it. I was just thinking." Even though, this wasn't true, he just didn't have the heart to tell Luo An that he was right. There was a feeling inside of him that made it seem like it was wrong. He didn't care at all about Luo An's feelings, but he couldn't just say: Yeah you're right, I'm fucking pissed at you for doing something so shameless over and over again. Not only would he sound like an asshole, saying that after he got an apology, he also thought that it was inappropriate for him to get so angry over such a trivial matter. It's not like it was his first time dealing with someone like that.
On the other hand, in the past it has always been women trying to get his attention and possibly take him home and marry him. He'd find himself surrounded by women many times before, kissing up to him the second they found out he was from a well known sect. Not only that, he was also the one who was expected to take over after the current leader retires or dies. Women would go anywhere from trying to appeal to his gaze, through attempting to get him drunk and later baby trap him, to cussing him out or threatening him the second they realized they didn't have a chance. Never before did a man act even close to how Luo An acted. Most men either paid him no mind or challenged him to try and win their girlfriend back over to their side. Qin Yaozu was never interested in fighting any of them so he brushed them off all the time, knocking them out if necessary.
Why was Luo An behaving like this? Was it to mess with him? Or was he a cut-sleeve?
Qin Yaozu shook his head at the thought, leaving Luo An confused but he didn't question it.
They finally reached the inn and strolled up the stairs. Qin Yaozu set Luo An on the bed and sat on a chair nearby. Luo An collapsed onto the pillow, face first, the second he had the chance. "What's gotten into you? It's not even time for lunch yet." Qin Yaozu asked with a raised eyebrow. Luo An raised his head a little and looked towards him. "I'm just a little tired. My body is completely useless after laying in the hot water for so long." After letting out a long sigh, Qin Yaozu got up and headed to the door. Luo An sat up and called out towards him while he was still putting on his shoes. "Where are you going?" Qin Yaozu turned back with an answer. "The innkeeper won't serve lunch for the next hour or so. I'm going to run to the stalls nearby to get something to eat early." Luo An crossed his arms. "Can't wait another hour? Are you actually fat under those robes?"
Qin Yaozu glared at him but pushed down his anger. "I'm getting it for you so you can rest with a full stomach." Realizing his mistake, Luo An let out an awkward laugh. "Right... But you don't have to go. I can go to sleep without eating or wait one more hour. If anything I'll just eat when I wake up. Missing one meal won't kill me anyway." Qin Yaozu didn't argue further and just left without a word, making Luo An sigh. "Aiya, why does he always act like he cares so much? "
Qin Yaozu returned almost in a blink of the eye, setting a serving of fried rice next to Luo An. "Eat and go to sleep." Luo An was dumbfounded. By now, he didn't have the energy to argue so he obediently ate. "A plain congee or just some white rice would do."
"I got this from the closest stall there was. I didn't look at what they have. Do you not like it?" Qin Yaozu asked, crossing his arms. Luo An almost choked on the food he had in his mouth. "Oh no! You got me wrong! I'm just worried about you spending more money than necessary, if any at all. For a guy that is doing all of this just to challenge and punish me, it's a little over-kill." What he said made sense but Qin Yaozu just shook his head and scoffed. "You think I'm poor? No money is too much for me." he argued. "On the other hand. How do you get money to begin with? You were able to buy full bags of candy, pay for the room you're staying in and even buy a mask of such quality."
It seemed like Luo An made a mistake there. His pure intentions of not wanting to be much of a burden ended up turning around, turning into a weapon and stabbing him, silencing him. No matter how much Qin Yaozu wanted to know the answer, he decided not to push any further.
The fried rice was soon gone and Luo An dropped back down onto the bed. "This was the best fried rice I ever ate! What stall did you buy it at? I'll definitely get some more when I can." Qin Yaozu answered by throwing the covers right onto his head. "That's not important. Go to sleep already."
"Will it kill you to just tell me?" Luo An pouted, pulling down the covers to let his face poke out. "Fine then. If you want to be stubborn, then I'll find out myself when I'll get the chance." Qin Yaozu was left speechless.
You don't always have to get everything you want.
Luo An yawned, giving the other a soft smile that didn't reach his eyes. This sight was quite new to Qin Yaozu but he didn't say anything and watched as Luo An turned around, facing the wall, and fell asleep.
Back at the hot spring, Luo An did mention that he still didn't feel any emotions and they were all fake, but it was just now that Qin Yaozu was finally hit with the full realization. The smile just now made him realize many things. Every time Luo An smiled, pouted, acted offended or anything like that, he was just pretending. That meant that the night before, when Luo An seemed hurt, was also an act!
Qin Yaozu was speechless.
Was he trying to make him feel bad for him so they wouldn't fight? Was he worried about losing and getting punished? Or even worse, did he not want to be turned over to the emperor? All of that would make sense, but it sounded strange when it was Luo An, the well known rabid fox that nobody could put a muzzle on.
All of his actions seemed very out of character for him, as if he has been replaced. First of all, he didn't kill Qin Yaozu when they first met, second, he allowed him to see his full face and third, he acted like a child. Every single one of those things were the complete opposite to how everyone described him. Luo An was supposed to be a ruthless killer that would never let anyone leave alive if they got into a fight, wouldn't risk letting people know how he properly looked like and definitely wouldn't be so childish. Was this not him? Did Qin Yaozu get the wrong guy? If so, then why was he playing along the whole time? Not once did he even hint that he wasn't Luo An, so could this be just some kind of evil plan of his? That seemed like the most logical thing. Why would he let his guard down around a stranger anyway? The only logical explanation was that he targeted Qin Yaozu and possibly wanted to use or do something to him.
Something suddenly clicked inside of Qin Yaozu's head. Some people claimed that Luo An could be a fox spirit and that's why he is so strong. He never wanted to believe it because it sounded like an excuse to let people that were defeated by Luo An save them and their family some face, but now it sounded like it could be reality.
Qin Yaozu stared at the man on the bed, watching his chest rise and fall in a steady pace. He could kill him right this instant and put an end to this. That fox was definitely someone evil and shouldn't stay in this world much longer, otherwise he'll bring destruction and chaos. Qin Yaozu's eyes landed on his sword, his hand soon following to grip the hilt and pull the blade out as he approached Luo An. He was ready to hit when he froze. "Gege? Can you lay with me?" Luo An's voice came out of nowhere, almost making Qin Yaozu drop his sword. He sheathed it and put it away before laying down onto the bed. Luo An immediately grabbed onto him, holding him tightly. "Thank you," he mumbled before going back to sleep.
Qin Yaozu didn't know why he did what Luo An asked and why he didn't proceed to slaying the beast and it made him think that he was losing his mind.
Just what kind of spell did you use on me, little fox?