You Are the Mute [Comprehensive Martial Arts] - Chapter 17

First, this was a person, not a zongzi (sticky rice dumpling). Second, he was a person, not a long, cylindrical zongzi. Finally, he was a person who could die, merely tied up like a zongzi. After repeatedly convincing himself of these facts, Iron Hand finally turned his gaze toward Wang Lianhua.

Wang Lianhua naturally understood the meaning in Iron Hand’s eyes. Feigning innocence, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

Iron Hand felt a headache coming on. Why had he ever become friends with Wang Lianhua? Perhaps he had committed some sin in a past life that he was now being forced to atone for. He sighed inwardly. “Young Master Wang, why did you tie up the Former Manor Lord as well?”

“Naturally, because he was complicit,” Wang Lianhua said, ignoring Yuan Dongyuan’s resentful glare. “Without him, how could the Bat Young Master have risen to power? Besides, do you really believe he was completely unaware of his son’s actions?”

Earlier, Qiao Yiying had suggested Yuan Dongyuan might know about Yuan Suiyun’s deeds. Now, Wang Lianhua was declaring Yuan Dongyuan to be an accomplice. Though he lacked concrete evidence, his eyes had pierced through countless hearts, easily discerning Yuan Dongyuan’s outwardly righteous facade that concealed his guilty conscience.

Why did he feel guilty? Naturally, because he had done something to feel guilty about, and because he knew everything Yuan Suiyun had done.

Iron Hand asked, “Do you have any evidence?”

Wang Lianhua looked at him with feigned astonishment. “We’ve already handed the man over to you and given you the clues. Do you still need us to provide the evidence? Iron Hand, if that’s the case, you might as well let me take your place as one of the Four Great Constables.”

Iron Hand didn’t take offense at this. Instead, he smiled and said, “If you’re willing, I’d be delighted.” If Wang Lianhua were to become the chief constable of the Divine Marquis Manor, he would undoubtedly capture far more criminals and solve far more cases. After all, he was even more cunning and intelligent than the criminals themselves.

Therefore, if Wang Lianhua were to take on the task of apprehending fugitives, he would certainly surpass Iron Hand in skill.

Wang Lianhua had only been joking, but when Iron Hand genuinely seemed interested in making him chief constable, he immediately retreated to Qiao Yiying’s side. He eyed Iron Hand warily. “I’d never take on your constantly criticized, grueling, and exhausting job as chief constable. Even being called a ‘divine constable’ wouldn’t change that.”

Iron Hand smiled wryly. “It’s not that simple.”

“Go, go, go! Hurry up and leave!” Wang Lianhua waved his hand dismissively. “You’ve finally captured the Bat Young Master. You must investigate everything about him thoroughly and rescue the people trapped in the Bat Cave. You have so much to do—get to it!”

Thus, Iron Hand, accompanied by Yuan Dongyuan and Yuan Suiyun, left the inn feeling as if they’d been swept out the door. As they stepped outside, his heart was filled with confusion. Why did he feel like Wang Lianhua considered him a nuisance? That couldn’t be true, he thought. We’re friends, after all.

Iron Hand’s intuition was correct. Wang Lianhua indeed saw him as an unwelcome distraction. He had finally reunited with Qiao Yiying, and though she still lacked her memories, she had lowered her guard and agreed to be his friend.

Now was the perfect time for him and Qiao Yiying to deepen their bond and become the closest of friends. At this crucial moment, anyone who disturbed Wang Lianhua was superfluous—even Iron Hand.

Seeing Iron Hand leave, Qiao Yiying wrote, “We could have gone to the Capital together. Traveling as a group would have provided mutual support.”

Well, the truth was, she was deeply curious about the Divine Marquis Manor and thought that if she could help them—especially Zhuge Zhengwo—with divination, her reputation would soar to new heights. Yet she also suspected that the manor wasn’t the type to truly believe in divination. Iron Hand’s decision to take the Yuan Family father and son likely stemmed from his own suspicions.

After pursuing the Bat Young Master for so long, he couldn’t have come up empty-handed, could he? Qiao Yiying figured Iron Hand might be half-convinced of her abilities, but with Wang Lianhua’s endorsement and his own doubts, he had taken the Yuan Family father and son into custody.

Thus, Qiao Yiying planned to first establish friendly relations with the Divine Marquis Manor, then slowly work her way in. Iron Hand was her point of entry. She hadn’t expected him to leave so quickly, foiling her carefully laid plans.

“That might not be wise,” Wang Lianhua mused. “Iron Hand is traveling with the Yuan Family father and son, and Jianghu warriors will undoubtedly be hot on their trail. If we travel together, our group would be too conspicuous, making it difficult for Iron Hand to conceal his movements.” It seems Yiying has taken a liking to Iron Hand, he thought. Good thing I sent him ahead. If they became friends, I’d be left behind!

That wouldn’t do at all. He alone was her best friend; no one else could ever take that place. Wang Lianhua had always been fiercely possessive, fiercely protective of anything or anyone he considered within his domain. No one was allowed to touch them. Qiao Yiying was one of the rare few he had included in this inner circle, and he was determined to remain her closest friend, allowing no one to usurp his position.

Years of waiting had subtly altered their friendship, adding a layer of unspoken longing. Yet Wang Lianhua had rigidly defined their relationship, refusing to consider any other possibilities. Despite his cunning mind, he could sometimes be astonishingly naive.

Qiao Yiying didn’t realize Wang Lianhua genuinely wanted to drive Iron Hand away. Instead, she found his reasoning sound. Since she was going to the Capital anyway, she could cultivate connections with the Divine Marquis Manor later. Even if that failed, it wouldn’t matter. With so many influential figures in the Capital, she was certain she could achieve her goals.

With this thought, she nodded with a smile.

“Oh, Yiying, I had some fabrics sent over. Why don’t you take a look and have a few outfits made to change into?” Wang Lianhua said, eager to steer the conversation away from Iron Hand.

With a clap of his hands, servants swiftly cleared the tea and pastries from the table. Another group entered in orderly procession, each carrying bolts of fabric in vibrant colors and diverse textures.

The fabrics ranged from elegantly understated to intricately ornate, but all were clearly of exceptional quality. In an instant, Qiao Yiying felt the inn had become even more lavish. She shook her head and wrote, “I have clothes to change into. I can also buy more.”

“Anything you buy outside will be the same as everyone else’s. They’re not worthy of you,” Wang Lianhua said with a dismissive wave. “If you can’t choose, then we’ll have all these fabrics made into outfits for you to wear.”

A quick glance told Qiao Yiying there were probably twenty or thirty bolts of fabric. Feeling overwhelmed, she hastily wrote, “That’s too wasteful.”

“Yiying, please remember this,” Wang Lianhua said, his expression utterly earnest. “You deserve the very best the world has to offer. Nothing spent on you is ever a waste.”

Faced with Wang Lianhua’s earnestness, Qiao Yiying couldn’t help but feel puzzled. She wrote on the Water Tablet, “Why are you so good to me? Just because we’re friends?”

“We’re the best of friends,” Wang Lianhua emphasized again, “the kind who would entrust their lives to each other. Yiying, you’re different to me.” Without her, he might have long ago become another Wang Lianhua, consumed by the love and hatred between his mother and Chai Yuguan.

Therefore, she was important—the most important person in his life.

Qiao Yiying lowered her gaze, her eyelashes fluttering as if she were deep in thought. After a long moment, she wrote, “A-Ying.”

When Wang Lianhua saw those two characters, a breathtakingly beautiful smile bloomed on his face. “Alright, I’ll call you A-Ying from now on.”

If that version of me lets you call me A-Ying, it means that version of me is starting to accept you. Little Lianhua, you’d better work hard. Wang Lianhua gazed at Qiao Yiying, tracing the words already etched in his heart once more.

A-Ying.