184 A Fool With A Kind Hear (1/2)

After returning to the Bai Manor, An Sun and Manchu also came with them. During these days, An Sun began setting his plans into action. Given a room, he devoted the majority of his days inside. When he did leave the room, it was to ask passing servants for food or wine.

It didn't take long for the Bai Manor servants to become overwhelmed by the man's alcohol consumption.

When Manchu entered the room that evening, he witnessed An Sun sprawled on the ground, eyes shut with a gourd of wine in his hand. Papers surrounded the room in every corner.

”What the…” Manchu's brows furrowed into a frown. ”Sun, what happened?”

An Sun remained lounged on the ground and faintly released a low grunt.

”I'm thinking,” He muttered.

Manchu's brows raised. ”About?”

Sarcasm could be heard from his tone as he replied, ”Whether to work or drink myself unconscious.”

He raised his head. ”What do you think?”

Manchu's lips twitched upwards in a smile. ”I'm getting slightly concerned about you, Sun.”

An Sun snorted in response. Manchu chuckled, he closed the door behind him before he stepped into the room. Glancing down at one of the numerous papers on the floor, he curiously picked one up.

Written on the paper were the written words: [Alliances: Bai Rin]. Manchu stared at the paper with wide, disbelieving eyes.

He looked at An Sun, who had now settled himself at the table and was lazily drinking away at his gourd of wine. Silently, Manchu set the paper back down and sat across from him.

”Sun, there's something we need to discuss.”

An Sun sounded a faint 'mm' while chugging his wine.

Manchu had pressed his lips together tightly before he said, ”I plan to return to the An Clan.”

An Sun's movements paused. Setting the gourd down, he looks at Manchu, the light in his eyes dimmed.

By now with his so-called 'death', An Sun was certain his brother was already planning his next moves to take over the An Clan. If Manchu were to be present when this occurred, he would be the first to suffer.

An Sun clenched his fist and finally restrained his erupting emotions. He asked in a cold voice, ”Why?”

Manchu sighed. ”No one's as cheerless about this than I am. However, while the An Clan believes for you to be dead, my situation is different. If I stay any longer, all your plans will be in vain.”

There was an unreadable look in An Sun's eyes. It wasn't an appreciation towards a loyal subject, nor admiration. It was far from gratitude as well.

It was grievous and filled with reluctance.

He knew Manchu's words were true. An Sun pursed his lips as his gaze swept over the piles of paper scattered around the room. His handsome face was rather serious and grim.

An Sun slowly shut his eyes and took a deep breath, forcing back the feelings that poured into his eyes. When he opened them again, they were back to his usual clear gaze.

”I understand.” There was also a bone-chilling quality within his voice when he spoke.

Suddenly, he leaned forward and firmly set a hand on Manchu's shoulder. He looked into his eyes with a very serious expression. ”But as my brother, promise me something…”

…

The late, winter night breeze brushed over the man's skin, lifting the two locks of hair by his face. An Sun stood with his hands behind his back. He stared at the sky in a daze, his mind completely blank. The sourness and bitterness in his heart were overwhelming.

”An Sun?”

At the sound of a soft voice, An Sun's gaze shifted. Two round, emerald eyes stared back at him with a small tilt in her head. Rin walked up to him and looked up at the starlit sky.

”Peaceful night, huh?” She said, her eyes focused on the dark sky.

An Sun sounded an 'mm' and looked back up at the sky. The ghostly wind broke the peaceful sound of silence as the two stared up at the sky together. After a while, Rin swept her gaze over.

She saw that he was contemplating with a frown on his face, so she asked, ”You look like you have something on your mind.”

An Sun chuckled. ”You really know how to read me like a book.”

His eyes lowered, a trace of self-mock flashing within them. ”I've just come to realize what a fool I've been again, that's all.”

Rin blinked her eyes. She was a little confused by his words, but she remained silent, waiting for him to speak.

After a brief moment, An Sun asked quietly, ”Did you know Manchu planned to return to the An Clan?”

Rin raised an elegant eyebrow. ”Do you think I'm some sort of seer?”

An Sun's phoenix eyes narrowed with a deep glare in her direction. The air was heavy around him, and his dashing face couldn't get any darker. Rin cleared her throat after receiving that warning glare.

She straightened up and put on a serious face as she said, ”While I didn't know, as far as I can see it was long suspected considering the situation.”

Rin swept a profound gaze over him before stating, ”I am as sure of that as you are.”

An Sun was silent. He put his thoughts in order, and his expression became even more somber. She was right. He had known this would happen eventually. He just didn't want to believe it.

There wasn't any trace of emotion in his magnetic voice as he said, ”I want to fulfill my purpose, but I also want those I care about to live. Even in a world like this, if there's a sliver of hope, I want to try to protect everyone.”

Rin returned with an expression filled with surprise. Her gaze turned a little hazy, and she hurriedly tried to hide the trace of pain in the depths of her eyes. By the time she raised her head, she had already calmed the turbulent emotions in her heart.

She truly was jealous of his way of thinking. She sighed softly.

”In this world, which war was won without deceit, sacrifices, loss and mass murder? The truth is none. To win a war or gain power, you'll need to be ruthless.”

Rin hesitated slightly and then her gaze turned resolute again. Her next words were full of sincerity. ”However, you're different. You think of not just yourself, but the people around you as well. To be honest, I'm jealous. Your heart…its kind, An Sun. Don't ever change. Not for anyone.”