Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 153

“We grew up together, eating and playing together, getting into trouble and being punished together. We are all good brothers. But then one day, you find out that one of your brothers is a girl. For various reasons, you start to take special care of Little Tang, whether intentionally or unintentionally. You’ve kept this up for a long time, until Qin Mo arrived.”

As Xu Shen mentioned Qin Mo, Liang Cheng’s eyes suddenly narrowed. He silently clenched his fists and turned his face towards the window, leaning against the carriage wall.

Xu Shen smiled and continued, “Qin Mo’s arrival disrupted the harmony of our little group. Little Tang started interacting more and more with him, and you felt that the person you had been caring for was now leaning towards someone else. You felt scared, anxious, and started to openly and secretly compete with Qin Mo, trying to pull Little Tang back. Do you think this is love?”

Liang Cheng’s eyes trembled, and he replied in a low voice, “Isn’t it?”

“Maybe it is, but maybe it isn’t. Your reaction might not be jealousy. Perhaps it’s just…”

Liang Cheng waved his hand, cutting off Xu Shen’s words. “I know my own feelings very clearly. If I was unsure before, after that hotpot meal, I thought it through carefully. I know now that I truly like Little Tang, not in the way you mentioned.”

Whether it was eagerness to argue or anger from being misunderstood, Liang Cheng’s temples throbbed.

Xu Shen sighed softly. “Then you are pitiable.”

Liang Cheng’s nose tingled, and he let out a muffled hum.

Of course, he knew he was pitiable.

Little Tang and Qin Mo had mutual feelings; he didn’t stand a chance.

After these words, neither spoke again. The carriage rumbled along, moving swiftly. After an indeterminate amount of time, Liang Cheng’s hoarse voice suddenly asked, “Does Little Tang know?”

Xu Shen shook his head. “No.”

“Thank you.”

Liang Cheng’s abrupt thanks were understood by Xu Shen. He was grateful for Xu Shen’s straightforwardness during the hotpot meal.

“Little Tang is my brother, and so are you. I don’t want to see you both end up as strangers.”

Liang Cheng covered his face with his hands and gave it a rub. “We won’t.”

The price of that was Liang Cheng forever keeping his love buried deep in his heart, always restraining himself. Perhaps one day, he would fall in love with someone else, but perhaps he never would.

From Qinshui County to the capital, the journey took a month and a half with stops along the way.

When they arrived, the capital was already in spring. The weather was warm, and willow branches were budding.

Madam Qiao and Miss Lu Shuqing had received the news early and were waiting at the city gate. Seeing the carriage from afar, Miss Lu Shuqing ran towards it excitedly.

Behind her, Song Qingzhan called out urgently, “Why are you running? The carriage will be here soon.”

Without looking back, Miss Lu Shuqing replied, “I haven’t seen my brother in half a year!”

Song Qingzhan laughed helplessly and followed, afraid she might fall.

Lu Tang stuck her head out of the window and saw Miss Lu Shuqing from afar. She immediately waved her arms excitedly. “Sister, sister.”

After a few calls, she saw Song Qingzhan behind her sister and felt a pang in her heart. She looked past him, but saw no one else.

As the carriage approached Miss Lu Shuqing, it stopped. Before Lu Tang could get off, Miss Lu Shuqing climbed in.

“Little Tang!”

Miss Lu Shuqing hugged Lu Tang tightly, her eyes red. “I finally see you.”

Lu Tang pushed her sister, who was about to strangle her. “Sister, you left me at home. Why does it sound like we’ve been separated by life and death?”

Miss Lu Shuqing immediately poked her forehead. “Don’t say such unlucky things.”

Knock, knock, knock.

Song Qingzhan lightly tapped on the window outside. “Mother is still waiting at the gate.”

Miss Lu Shuqing rolled her eyes at him. “Got it, got it. You talk too much.”

Lu Tang looked at them in surprise.

Song Qingzhan’s face was full of indulgence. He stepped back and nodded at Lu Tang. “If you hadn’t arrived, Miss Shuqing would have gone back to fetch you.”

Lu Tang glanced at Song Qingzhan and thought of Qin Mo, her heart aching. She forced a smile.

She wanted to ask about Qin Mo but couldn’t find the words.

It seemed as if she and Qin Mo had completely severed ties after their last meeting.

Like Xia Yuhe and the Emperor.

She had no Ziwei, and she didn’t want to be Xia Yuhe.

Noticing Lu Tang’s unhappiness, Song Qingzhan thought for a moment and said, “He has something to do today but will come tomorrow.”

The “he” was Qin Mo.

Lu Tang’s heart raced for a moment, and she lowered her eyes without saying a word.

The carriage paused briefly and then entered the city. They picked up Madam Qiao at the gate and headed straight to the Qiao Family Inn.

The capital was bustling. As soon as they entered the city, Zhou Shu and Guo Dawei were dazzled by the excitement outside, clapping when they saw fire breathers and cheering for monkey performances.

The Qiao Family Inn was located on the busiest Drum Tower Street in the capital. The carriage entered the backyard, blocking out some of the noise from outside.

Despite the long journey, none of them showed signs of fatigue.

“Madam!”

“Aunt!”

“Aunt Rou!”

“Miss Shuqing!”

“Sister!”

Xu Shen and the others called out chaotically.

Xie Yu, who had never met Madam Qiao or Miss Lu Shuqing, stood nervously to the side, his face twitching with tension.

On the contrary, Zhuang Yu, smiling, took out a jade bracelet and handed it directly to Miss Lu Shuqing. “This girl looks like she matches my taste. This is for you.”

Song Qingzhan saw the bracelet, his eyelid twitched, and he quickly pulled Zhuang Yu aside. Zhuang Yu rolled his eyes at him but still followed. The two went off to talk privately.

Miss Lu Shuqing blushed and led the rest into the inn, quickly glancing at Song Qingzhan.

Er Bao was excitedly looking around. “This inn is bigger than the one we have in Qinshui County.”

Madam Qiao had read about Er Bao in Lu Tang’s letters and was fond of the child. She pinched his chubby cheeks. “After we eat, you all should rest. Tomorrow, I’ll take you out to explore.”

Er Bao’s eyes sparkled. He wasn’t shy at all. “Can we go to the Western Mountain Camp?”

Madam Qiao: …

Miss Lu Shuqing laughed. “What a peculiar request.”

Song Qingzhan finished his conversation with Zhuang Yu and returned, hearing Er Bao’s request and looking puzzled at Lu Tang.

Lu Tang didn’t understand Song Qingzhan’s confusion. She rubbed Er Bao’s head and explained to her mother and sister, “His brother works at the Western Mountain Camp. He wants to visit him.”

Song Qingzhan coughed lightly, hesitating to speak.

Lu Tang felt miserable, deliberately avoiding looking at Song Qingzhan, and clung to her mother’s arm as they entered the inn.