BXBX NOVEL Chapter 293: 293. I am sleepwalking
Chapter 293: 293. I am sleepwalking
Old Bai was too fierce, so Qi Jun and Ren Dong didn’t dare to do anything rashly, and they called out to Su Liang for help.
As soon as they called out, Su Liang had already leaped down from the second floor of Yuanming Pavilion, lightly tapping her feet on the shore of the lake. Seeing Old Mu struggling in the water, she immediately jumped in, swam over to grab him, and dragged him to the shore.
Qi Jun and Ren Dong hurried over, with one pulling Old Mu up and the other helping Su Liang.
Old Mu couldn’t swim, and his face was pale as Qi Jun patted him on the back, coughing nonstop.
Other than being completely soaked, Su Liang was okay. After standing still, she looked at Old Bai.
Old Bai had a dazed expression on his face as he sat among the shards of his broken liquor bottles, looking up at Su Liang and mumbling “Junior sister…”
Seeing Su Liang approaching, Ren Dong subconsciously grabbed her, worried that Old Bai’s unstable mental state might cause him to attack Su Liang.
“It’s okay.” Su Liang brushed off Ren Dong and walked to Old Bai’s side. When she saw his bare, bleeding feet on the broken porcelain, she pushed the shards aside and reached out to help him.
However, Old Bai moved back as if suddenly frightened, “Junior sister is dead…
You are not… Who are you… ”
“Senior, my name is Su Liang. This is my home, and you were brought here by Old… Old Jin,” Su Liang said softly.
Old Bai grabbed his messy hair, “Old Jin… Old Jin… That bastard tricked me into finding a well-behaved disciple… Good wine… Where is the well-behaved
disciple… ‘
Su Liang pointed at herself, her smile blooming like a flower, “That’s me!”
Seeing Su Liang’s smile, Old Bails expression turned blank again. He allowed her to pull him up. Despite his impressive fighting abilities, he was barely able to stand steadily on the ground.
Not far away, Old Mu, who was watching Su Liang supporting Old Bai, was furious, “Damn it! Whose disciple are you? Why don’t you come and help me?”
Qi Jun and Ren Dong both hurriedly tried to help Old Mu, but he pushed them away, “If that stinky girl doesn’t come over, I won’t get up!”
Su Liang called Qi Jun over and tried to hand Old Bai over to him. “You take this senior to get cleaned up.”
However, as soon as Qi Jun reached out, the supposedly unstable Old Bai slapped him away…
Ren Dong managed to pull Qi Jun back just before he fell into the lake.
Qi Jun exclaimed in astonishment, “That senior’s strength is incredible!”
Left with no other choice, Su Liang had to leave Old Mu for the time being and help Old Bai into the Yuanming Pavilion. She sat him down and poured him a cup of warm water to drink.
Old Bai was very obedient to Su Liang’s words; as a result, as soon as he drank a
cup of water, he passed out…
Su Liang couldn’t help it. This man was like a volcano that could erupt at any moment; she had to let him “slumber” before making a long-term plan.
Then Su Liang went out and asked Qi Jun to take Old Bai away, clean him up, dress his wounds, and change his clothes.
By the time Su Liang went to help Old Mu, she couldn’t lift him up, so she sat down next to him-
“We’re already soaked through. We can just dry off and go back later,” Su Liang said nonchalantly.
Old Mu glared at Su Liang, “Is it because his martial arts skills are better than mine that you dislike me?”
Su Liang shook her head, “Old Bails martial arts skills are high, but he is short.”
Old Mu suddenly had a sense of superiority and couldn’t hold back his laughter, “Hahaha! That’s right! That drunkard is indeed short compared to me!” “Master, aren’t you friends with him?” Su Liang asked.
Old Mu wrung the water out of his hair, grumbling, “I’m terrified of water! I’m going to break off my friendship with him today!”
Su Liang laughed lightly, “His mind is not clear right now. Master, you should be more generous and not hold it against him.”
Old Mu snorted, “He doesn’t even know who you are, and yet you treat him so well?”
Su Liang said seriously, “If Master is unhappy, we can just throw him out.”
Old Mu rolled his eyes at Su Liang, “Stop pretending with me!”
“Master, do you know who his ‘Junior sister’ is?” Su Liang asked.
Old Mu shook his head, “We’re just drinking buddies. How would I know? Even if she were alive, she’d probably be an old lady by now.”
Su Liang felt that “Junior sister” must be a very important person to Old Bai and that he wouldn’t randomly mistake her for someone else. Maybe she really did look like Old Bai’s junior sister when she was younger. When he wakes up, she’ll have to ask him clearly.
“Didn’t you say you were going to make me something delicious?” Old Mu asked, still worrying about it.
Su Liang pulled him up, “Master, you already ate all the desserts Yang Yu brought, are you still hungry?”
“Desserts are not a meal!” Old Mu shook his head, “You have no idea how tiring it was to carry that drunkard back home, and I had to keep finding alcohol for him along the way. Who am I doing this for! ”
“For me, thank you, Master.” Su Liang called Ren Dong over, “You take my master to wash up, change clothes, and rest for a while. I’ll go cook. Master, what do you like to eat?”
“Meat!” Old Mu’s voice was loud and clear.
“Alright then!” Su Liang said it was no problem.
Old Mu and Old Bai were both arranged to stay at Qi Jun’s courtyard, not far from Yuanming Pavilion.
After Qi Jun had bathed Old Bai and Old Mu had soaked in a bath himself, Ren
Dong had already left the Mansion and returned from Yang Family’s Embroidery Workshop with two large bundles. They were clothes bought for the two old men, from head to toe, there was everything they needed.
When Old Mu changed into his new clothes and went to see Old Bai, he found him lying quietly on the bed, neatly dressed. His hair and beard were all neatly groomed by Qi Jun, making him almost unrecognizable from before.
“You lad, comb my hair too.” Old Mu scratched his messy head and looked at Qi
Jun, “Comb it nice, better looking than him!”
Qi Jun smiled and nodded, “No problem. Please sit down, senior.”
Before long, Old Mu picked up a brass mirror and looked at himself from left to right, feeling somewhat incredulous, “How did I suddenly become younger?”
With his hair tied up and his beard shaved, dressed in well-tailored and high-quality new clothes, the tall and thin Old Mu seemed to have his charisma upgraded by a few notches, looking fresh and neat.
Qi Jun complimented him a few times, and Old Mu asked, “Who looks better between me and Old Bai?”
Since Old Bai was asleep and couldn’t hear anything, Qi Jun naturally said that Old Mu looked better.
Old Mu looked satisfied. Not long after, when Qi Jun was chased and beaten by
Old Bai, he finally realized an important life lesson: some multiple-choice questions have no correct answer…
Su Liang carefully prepared a table full of dishes for Old Mu: braised fish, spicy chicken, eight-treasure duck, sweet and sour spare ribs, and meat. The main dish was Thousand Layer Meat Cake.
Ren Dong came to tell Su Liang that Old Mu was having Qi Jun shave his beard and would be coming over soon.
Su Liang took a plate of each dish and two freshly cooked pieces of meat cake and put them in a food box, handing it to Ren Dong, “Send it to Marquis Chang Xin’s Mansion.”
Ren Dong was stunned, “Master, are you still sending meals to Marquis Chang Xin?” It was said they’d severed ties…
Su Liang went to fry the remaining meat buns, “Hurry up and hurry back, try not to be seen.”
“Oh.” Ren Dong had no choice but to take the food box, climb over the wall, and secretly deliver the meal to Marquis Chang Xin’s Mansion.
Su Liang carried the prepared dishes into Yuanming Pavilion and saw Old Mu, looking completely refreshed and dignified, sitting inside.
“Is this my master? Where did this dashing uncle come from?” Su Liang pretended to be surprised.
Old Mu’s face instantly blossomed into a smile, “These clothes are not bad,”
Su Liang smiled as she served the food, “As long as Master likes it, in the future you can buy whatever you want, but don’t ever try to save money for me.”
Upon hearing this, Old Mu felt extremely comfortable in his heart! When he started eating Su Liang’s cooking, he became even more delighted, “My dear apprentice, your cooking skills are really awesome!”
Su Liang had a little meal with Old Mu, even using tea to replace alcohol, and officially became his disciple.
The more Old Mu looked at Su Liang, the more he liked her, completely forgetting the talented successor he was supposed to take in.
At this time, Gu Ling also had a taste of the all-meat feast Su Liang made, which were all his favorite dishes. More importantly, Su Liang still remembered his meals, which instantly brightened his mood.
It should be noted that since meeting Su Liang until now, he was no longer used to living alone…
Old Mu ate and drank his fill, then went to bed.
Su Liang told Qi Jun and Ren Dong that Old Mu’s last name was Jin, so they could call him Old Jin or Jin Lao. He was a master she had acknowledged before, and they would live together in the future.
While Old Bai was in a daze, Su Liang checked his pulse. Due to excessive drinking and an extremely irregular lifestyle, his martial power was very high, but his body had many issues and was on the verge of collapse.
Su Liang planned to treat and recuperate him first, making sure he quit alcohol. After getting a preliminary understanding of his situation, she would discuss the matter of becoming his disciple.
In the afternoon, Xing Yusheng and Lin Xueqing came to visit Su Liang. They were still as lovey-dovey as ever. Su Liang explained that she wasn’t deceived by Gu Ling and their fake marriage was a joint plan. Xing Yusheng then took back his curse on Gu Ling…
After sending them off, Su Liang made a special trip to the Lin Family to see Lin Shuzhi, discussed with him about her trip to Liang Country, and examined the health of her two sisters-in-law. Lin Boyan’s wife was about to give birth, and Su Liang said she would be there to help deliver the baby when the time came, and asked her not to worry too much.
When it was time to leave in the evening, Su Liang said she needed to go, as there were guests at home. Lin Bojun chased after her and handed her a letter, “Lian Shun asked me to give this to you personally.”
Su Liang felt it was strange. Lian Shun could have left the letter in Xuanbei City and had Xing Ji or Qi Jun pass it on, so she would receive it more quickly – and
he also asked Lin Bojun to give it to her personally…
“I’ll read it when I get home.” Su Liang took the letter, “Second Brother, don’t bother sending me off. You should go back.”
Upon returning home, it was already getting dark.
Su Liang opened Lian Shun’s letter, which contained two pages. The first page had only one sentence, “There’s one thing, that after thinking long and hard, I decided to tell you…”, then, on the last line of the second page, there was another sentence, “Su Xiaoliang, see you again someday! Haha!”
Su Liang could almost see Lian Shun laughing sinisterly while writing this cryptic letter…
Dinner was bought by Qi Jun from the Wan Family Restaurant. Wan Hui and Lu Yu had gone back to Qingyang City after the New Year’s celebration, accompanying their elders and Zhengzheng, so they weren’t in the capital city.
Su Liang wrote a sheet, allowing Qi Jun to hand it to the manager of Wan Family Restaurant. It was the meal orders for Su Mansion and Marquis Chang Xin’s Mansion. For a total of seven days, detailed meal orders listed what dishes were to be sent at each mealtime, and in how much quantity.
The Wan Family Restaurant had never taken on such a “private customization” order before, but since it was Su Liang’s request, they naturally didn’t refuse.
Upon finding out that Su Liang had no time to cook every day, Old Mu was quite unhappy, as he had only eaten her cooking once.
Su Liang laughed and said that she would cook when she had time, but she had some things to do in the meantime.
“What are you busy with?” Old Mu asked.
“Curing Old White’s illness. Once he’s healed, and if he’s willing to accept me as his disciple, there will be many things to learn from him.” Su Liang replied with a serious expression.
“I’m also your master, but you never thought about learning something from me?” Old Mu grumbled.
Su Liang smiled, “I’m not cut out for that. Master should teach Gu Ling instead. But let’s take it easy for the next few days, since someone is keeping an eye on him. Once that person’s surveillance is gone, then we can continue. For now, Master can give him some blueprints to study.”
Old Mu sighed deeply, “No delicious food and I still have to rush to meet that annoying kid! ”
“Master, the dishes I ordered from my sister’s Wan Family Restaurant are very delicious, not worse than what I cook.” Su Liang said.
“It’s just not the same.” Old Mu snorted, “But okay, it’s not good to always make a delicate girl like you go to such lengths to cook. We’ll do it your way.”
Regarding this matter, although Old Mu wanted to eat Su Liang’s homemade meals, he appreciated her straightforward attitude – if she had no time, she wouldn’t cook. On one hand, he liked her eagerness to learn, wanting to grasp any opportunity to learn poison techniques. On the other hand, he felt that Su Liang treated him as family rather than a guest. It was like indulging one’s own child, so how could he refuse her?
Su Liang instructed that even if it was late at night, if Old White showed any signs of waking up, she should be called immediately.
Therefore, that night, Qi Jun stayed by Old White’s side without sleep, and Su Liang, who was sorting out the books she brought back from Liang Country, didn’t sleep either.
Hearing Qi Jun calling her from downstairs, Su Liang hurried down.
“He just moved his hand a bit, but hasn’t opened his eyes yet,” Qi Jun said.
“Thank you for your hard work.” Su Liang replied.
Qi Jun smiled, “Master, don’t be so polite all the time.”
“Oh, I’m just trying to win people’s hearts.” Su Liang said seriously.
Qi Jun: …His Master was best at spouting nonsense with a straight face.
By the time Su Liang saw Old White, he had just opened his eyes.
Su Liang gestured for Qi Jun to leave the room first, and she sat down by the bedside, “Senior, do you remember me? I’m Su Liang, and this is my home. You’ve been invited here by my master, Old Jin.”
Old White’s gaze was initially bewildered, but as it fell on Su Liang, it gradually became clearer. He opened his mouth, his voice hoarse, “Good… apprentice?” Su Liang couldn’t help but laugh, “Yes. I am the obedient apprentice Old Jin wanted you to come to meet.”
“Little girl… how old are you… who is your mother…” Old White asked weakly.
“I just turned sixteen. My grandfather is Su Yuanzhou, and as for my mother, I don’t know.” Su Liang shook her head. She felt as if Old White was looking through her at someone else, his eyes filled with deep affection and regret. He was probably thinking of his “Junior Sister” again. Su Liang smiled, “Do I look a bit like your Junior Sister, Senior?”
Old White, however, shook his head slightly.
Just as Su Liang was puzzled, she heard him whisper, “It’s not… just a bit similar… it’s too similar…’
“My mother was married to my father while he was away doing business and were both killed before returning home. Maybe I have some connection with your Junior Sister.” Su Liang analyzed, “If you could tell us the identity of that Junior Sister, I could do some investigation.”
Old White, however, remained silent. His gaze still fixed on Su Liang’s face, it took a long time for him to speak again, “No… it’s not possible…”
Su Liang nodded, “Alright then.” It seemed that Old White didn’t want to talk about his Junior Sister, and didn’t want her to investigate anything.
“Senior, you have been drinking excessively for many years, and your body is at its limit. You must quit alcohol and focus on recuperation from now on.” Su Liang said.
“Why…” Old White looked at Su Liang and asked.
Su Liang asked back, “What?”
“Why are you treating me so well?” Old White said in a deep voice.
Su Liang replied earnestly, “Here’s the deal: Old Jin is my master, and I want to learn poison techniques. He said you seem to be a Poison Master, so I asked him to invite you here.”
“Poison…” Old White frowned slightly, “Why do you want to learn that?”
Su Liang mentioned the incident when someone tried to poison her, and her friends were almost harmed too. “I don’t want to harm people, I just want to protect myself and my loved ones. I don’t need to use it, but I have to know how. ”
Old White shook his head, “I won’t take disciples.”
“I see…” Su Liang felt disappointed. It seemed that Old White was indeed a Poison Master, but he didn’t want to take any disciples.
“But I can teach you.” Old White continued.
Su Liang’s eyes lit up, “Really?”
Old White’s gaze became somewhat distant again, “Whatever you want to learn, I’ll teach it to you… but I won’t take disciples, and you mustn’t call me Master…”
Su Liang felt that there must be a reason for this, so she asked directly. Old White sighed, “There’s a crazy woman who always causes me trouble… if she finds out you’re my disciple, you’ll never have peace…”
“So that’s why.” Su Liang felt that Old Bai was so kind to her because of her face, otherwise things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.
But regardless, her goal had been achieved.
“Senior, are you hungry?” Su Liang asked.
From outside the door, Old Mu’s sour voice came, “I’m hungry!” He had heard the movement inside and came to check on Old Bai.
Su Liang stood up with a smile, “Senior, you rest first, I’ll go prepare something to eat and come back.”
Old Bai’s gaze followed Su Liang’s figure until it disappeared, and only then did he sigh deeply, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
As Su Liang stepped out, she saw Old Mu yawning outside.
“Did he wake up? No longer mad? Has he agreed to accept you as his disciple?” Old Mu asked three questions in a row.
Su Liang nodded, “He’s sober now. But won’t accept disciples.”
Old Mu frowned, “He doesn’t know poison techniques? Or does he just dislike you?”
Su Liang shook her head, “He knows, it’s not that he dislikes me, it’s just that being his disciple would cause trouble. He said he could teach me but without the master-disciple relationship.”
Old Mu was stunned for a moment, “Why did the drunk suddenly become so serious?”
Su Liang laughed, “I’m going to make some white porridge for Old Bai, do you want any, Master?”
Old Mu made a disgusted face, “No, no!” After saying that, he went back to his room to sleep.
When Su Liang finished cooking the white porridge and brought it over, Old Bai was still awake. He didn’t let her feed him but sat up and slowly drank the bowl of porridge before taking the medicine Su Liang gave him.
“How should I address you, Senior?” Su Liang asked.
“Just call me Old Bai…” Old Bai looked tired, “Your name is Su Liang?
Su Liang smiled, “Yes.”
“Hmm,” Old Bai nodded slightly, “Then I’ll call you Little Bai.”
Su Liang: …Little Bai it is, as long as he’s happy…
“Why did you worship Old Jin as your master? Do you want to be a carpenter?” Old Bai asked, puzzled.
Su Liang shook her head, “I have a friend who wants to be a carpenter, so I took the opportunity to worship him as well.”
“What’s the use of having so many useless masters?” Old Bai asked.
With a serious expression, Su Liang replied, “If someone bullies me, I can ask my master for support.”
Old Bai nodded, “Old Jin won’t do, I’ll back you up.”
With a beaming smile, Su Liang asked, “So Senior, are you really a master of poison techniques?”
Old Bai shook his head, “No.”
Su Liang raised an eyebrow, only to hear Old Bai say, “Not a master, but a
Poison Master. ”
Su Liang: …I can see it now, this old man has a bit of pride hidden in his bones…
After taking the medicine, Old Bai soon fell into a deep sleep. Su Liang told Qi
Jun to get some rest too, as there was no need to keep watch. She had probably
“conquered” this powerful drunk with her face, and the “danger” was now gone.
Su Liang returned to Yuanming Pavilion and entered her room, only to find someone sitting by the window, and her unsorted books had all been neatly placed on a nearby shelf.
“Great God, are you sleepwalking?” Su Liang asked jokingly.
Gu Ling looked at her, “What happened?”
Su Liang sat down and recounted what happened after she met Old Mu and Old Bai today. Finally, she said, “My background might be related to Old Bai’s junior sister, but he’s not willing to say more about it. Maybe it’s just a coincidence. Great God, weren’t you being watched?”
Gu Ling shook his head, “1 have sleepwalking disorder.” When Duanmu Yi asked about it, Gu Ling would say he was sleepwalking and didn’t know where he went at night. As for the watcher, he had already shaken them off to the outskirts of the city.
Su Liang paused for a moment before responding with a thumbs up, “Very good.”
Gu Ling had heard of the Poison Master title, an almost legendary figure who hadn’t appeared for many years. It was said that he had already died.
“He’s just living a life of drunkenness and dreams, not really dead.” Su Liang was in a good mood.
“You learn from him, then teach me.” Gu Ling said.
Su Liang nodded, “No problem. He’s Old Bai and calls me Little Bai, so you’ll have to be called Little Little Bai. It sounds weird, like you’re my son.” Gu Ling raised his hand and gently tapped Su Liang’s forehead.
Su Liang frowned, “Great God, why are you hitting me?”
“I’m sleepwalking. What hitting? I don’t remember it. You taught me.” With that, Gu Ling leaped out of the open window, like a piece of ink feather, disappearing into the night..