Chapter 204 - 89: Catching the ’Snake’ (Part 2)

This decision was perhaps a bit rash, seemingly made without thinking. But sometimes, when things happen suddenly, you just don't get the chance to think things through.

Once Lu Qinglian stepped into the trap, fell into the snow pit, and couldn't get out, Zhang Shutong was certain he'd be able to get some answers out of her.

Of course, his plan was only to get some information. He had no intention of hurting her.

As for what to do if Lu Qinglian was truly innocent, that wasn't something he needed to worry about right now. It wasn't that he was trying to evade responsibility; whether he'd have to pay her back or let her kick him, those were matters for later. But he couldn't let that small concern paralyze him. He had come to this mountain alone. If something unexpected really did happen, doing nothing would be the same as surrendering without a fight.

However, Zhang Shutong wasn't so ruthless that he felt he absolutely had to lead her into the pit. It was just a contingency. If possible, he hoped he wouldn't have to use it.

This reminded Zhang Shutong of his self from the "cold-blooded timeline." He had no idea how that version of him had built a good relationship with Lu Qinglian. At any rate, his current self couldn't imagine it. That being the case, his only option was to resort to other means.

At this thought, Zhang Shutong sighed to himself.

'I really am a cold-blooded person at heart.'

That version of him must have had some history with Lu Qinglian, something much deeper than what they had now. He wondered what must have been going through his mind when he left her on that island.

'Would he hesitate?'

'Would he feel regret?'

'Would he feel pity?'

There was no way to know.

He only knew that it felt like he was about to make the same mistake all over again.

But to Zhang Shutong's surprise, Lu Qinglian's attitude had been far more direct than he'd imagined since they got out of the car. She was no longer hiding everything. While he still hadn't gleaned much crucial information, at least the two of them could finally hold a proper conversation.

It was just as Lu Qinglian had said earlier:

"If you want honesty, then you need to act like it."

Those words had truly made him do some deep self-reflection.

So now, with the trap dug, his perspective had begun to shift.

'Maybe I don't need to be so extreme about this.'

'Even if I get the information and rule her out as a suspect, I'll have lost a potential collaborator in the process.'

Zhang Shutong didn't have a persecution complex.

If Lu Qinglian had kept up that attitude she had in the car—constantly smirking and saying unsettling things—he wouldn't have minded making her do her smirking from the bottom of a pit.

But now… Zhang Shutong wasn't one to waver, but he had to admit, he was starting to waver again.

It was hard to say why. Was it because Lu Qinglian's words had made him realize there was a problem with his own attitude? Had he subconsciously let his guard down? Or was it seeing her stroking the fox, making him feel that deep down, she was really just a sixteen-year-old girl?

"You really like small animals?" he couldn't help but ask.

"They're all right," Lu Qinglian said coolly. "You don't see many animals around here anyway."

"It's like you raised it from a kit." Zhang Shutong watched as the fox rolled over and exposed its belly. He couldn't believe this was something a wild fox would do.

Just as Zhang Shutong was about to get a closer look, Lu Qinglian spoke again.

"Don't move."

"Uh, I'm not going to scare it."

'Seriously. She's acting like I'm some kind of threat.'

"Don't let its current appearance fool you. It's actually very fierce."

'I feel like I've heard that somewhere before…'

"Why isn't it fierce with you?"

"I'm the Temple Priestess."

'There she goes again.'

Zhang Shutong was speechless.

He had thought her attitude was improving, but here she was again with these ambiguous statements that amounted to saying nothing.

"There's no point in talking like that."

"I'm not spouting nonsense." She kept her eyes on the fox, explaining calmly, "I have a strange affinity for animals. If you're asking why, all I can say is that it's probably because I'm the Temple Priestess. My grandmother was the same way."

Zhang Shutong shrugged. He would just have to take her word for it for now.

"Snakes, too?"

"Snakes, too." Lu Qinglian added, "I'm going back on my word. You can go rest for a bit. I'll be ready to go in a little while."

As she said this, she poked the fox's snout with her finger.

'But wasn't she the one who just said, in all seriousness, "We're almost there, you'd better not stop again"?'

This fickle attitude didn't seem like that of a dangerous person at all. It was more like a young girl who was so captivated by a cute animal that she couldn't walk away.

Zhang Shutong couldn't be bothered to call her out on it. Or rather, he wasn't in the mood for sarcastic remarks. He just found himself subconsciously analyzing the meaning behind Lu Qinglian's every word.

Her earlier remark could only mean that perhaps she hadn't been sure she would even encounter this fox here.

'Then what was her mood like on the way up the mountain?'

Enough to make a girl who showed almost no emotion reveal a faint smile.

'Was she filled with some kind of anticipation?'

The word "anticipation" should be used when hoping for something wonderful, like a child looking forward to birthday presents, or a boy hoping he'll get to sit next to the girl he likes when the seating chart changes. Zhang Shutong didn't understand what there was to anticipate about seeing a wild fox. This one was nowhere near as cute as the ones he'd seen online. Especially in winter, it looked malnourished, its fur lacked any healthy sheen, and it was even missing an ear.

Calling it "cute" was being generous. But for Lu Qinglian, seeing this fox was apparently a moment of anticipation.

Zhang Shutong was at a loss for words.

He found a relatively clean stone step, brushed off the snow with his gloved hand, and sat down. Propping his chin in his palm, he watched the interaction between the beautiful girl and the not-so-beautiful fox.

The girl named Lu Qinglian crouched in the snow. On the winter mountain path, the snow beneath her feet looked like solidified clouds. Her flared cyan robes spread out around her like a blooming lotus. The fox was a dark red, like a lick of flame. The scene was simple and pure.