Chapter 85 Your Alyu Has Logged Off

Yu Huali never imagined, not even in his wildest dreams, that he would end up warming someone’s bed. Wasn’t this the sort of plot reserved for powerful CEOs? Now, to use his body to repay the debt of over a hundred lives in the village—it seemed worth it, no matter how he looked at it.

In the oppressive silence, Yu Huali suddenly smiled, baffling the Seventh Prince who couldn’t discern what trick he was playing.

Yu Huali said, “I thought... after so many years, when we met again, you’d have something to say.”

He stood up and coldly scrutinized the Seventh Prince’s back, saying, “You want me that badly? Then come on! Saving over a hundred lives is worth more than selling myself!”

The Seventh Prince knew this was an intentional provocation, but he couldn’t control his temper. He spun around and shoved Yu Huali hard against the door.

Yu Huali was caught off guard, pain shooting through his chest, but before he could cry out, the Seventh Prince’s kiss silenced him completely.

It had been so long since he’d kissed him. Holding Yu Huali in his arms felt almost unreal—the softness of his lips still carried that lingering sweetness.

No one knew how long the kiss lasted, but eventually Yu Huali began to respond, kissing back. Only when the Seventh Prince bit his lip did Yu Huali, breathless, push him away.

He wiped the blood from his mouth, frowning. “You’ve already kissed me. Will you promise or not?”

The Seventh Prince’s eyes glinted coldly as he approached Yu Huali, suddenly scooping him up into his arms, startling Yu Huali so badly he clung tightly to his clothes.

Seeing his stunned expression, the Seventh Prince looked down at the face he’d longed for day and night and said, “Ziliang said... sleep.”

“Hey! Don’t play tricks on me!”

The Seventh Prince threw him onto the bed, covering him, saying, “Who was it that played tricks on me? Three years you disappeared... how much longer do you plan to leave me?”

As he spoke, he was already stripping Yu Huali’s clothes.

Yu Huali was no match for him; after three years apart, the Seventh Prince was even stronger than before!

Once his clothes were off, the Seventh Prince paused at the sight of the shocking scars on his body, his rough movements replaced by gentle caresses over the wounds, his eyes softened to the point of tears.

His voice made Yu Huali shiver, as the Seventh Prince asked, “How did you get these?”

Talking about it made Yu Huali furious. All because of a few words from Cao Zhiling, the Seventh Prince believed them and concocted an elaborate background for him.

At the time, Yu Huali’s heart was entirely devoted to him, but the Seventh Prince doubted him just like that. If only he’d known, he might as well have left with Cao Zhiling.

It nearly cost him his life.

Yu Huali turned his head away, angry. “I don’t know! If you want me, take me! Why so much nonsense? Aren’t you a prince? Why the dithering?”

The Seventh Prince was angry too. He lowered his head, kissing Yu Huali’s body—not just kissing, but biting as well, making him want to escape.

But escape was impossible; the Seventh Prince always pulled him back.

“The past... I won’t pursue it anymore. As long as you come with me, I’ll agree to anything you want... Is that okay, Ziliang?”

Yu Huali, dizzy from the kisses, smiled faintly upon hearing this childlike plea.

He reached up, wrapped his arms around the Seventh Prince’s neck, and sat on him, murmuring as if drunken, “Can’t you stop... I’m afraid I’ll never forget you.”

The Seventh Prince bit his shoulder, whispering in his ear, “Ziliang, do you still want to leave me? This time, unless I die, it’s impossible!”

Yu Huali hugged him, smiling contentedly. He loved hearing such words, but suddenly remembered that Alyu was still trapped in the bandits’ den.

Clearing his head, Yu Huali pushed the Seventh Prince away urgently. “No, I have to save Alyu!”

The Seventh Prince climbed off the bed, then embraced him from behind. “Don’t worry, Ziliang. Ye Fang has already gone ahead. Just some bandits—by tomorrow morning, I’ll take you to see Alyu.”

Yu Huali retorted, “How can I rest easy? They’re bandits!”

“Ziliang...” The Seventh Prince looked at him gravely.

—

“Three years... Do you know how I survived?”

Yu Huali lowered his head slightly. He knew it hadn’t been easy for the Seventh Prince, but his own three years had been far from pleasant.

Whenever he remembered the Seventh Prince sobbing atop Wanzhang Cliff, his guilt kept him awake at night.

He said nothing, but his eyes shimmered with unshed tears. The Seventh Prince knew Yu Huali couldn’t be so heartless; all the feelings he’d invested over the years had not gone unanswered.

“I’ll save him. For you, I’ll save him. When dawn breaks, I’ll return you to him... Just one night... Can’t you grant this to me, Mu Zicheng?”

Faced with the Seventh Prince’s plea, Yu Huali’s heart softened again. As the Seventh Prince leaned in, Yu Huali did not resist.

But when morning came and he couldn’t get out of bed, Yu Huali regretted it. The Seventh Prince dressed, leaned down, and kissed his face.

Receiving a glare and a look of disdain from Yu Huali, the Seventh Prince chuckled. “Anyway... it’s just this once.”

Yu Huali grabbed the blanket to cover his face, mortified. After three years apart, their reunion ended like this.

During those three years, he had played the dominant role—now, suddenly, he was on the receiving end. Not only was his pride wounded, but his body ached all over.

Some places had even been bitten and blood stained his white clothes. The Seventh Prince gently pulled down the blanket and produced a bottle of medicine.

“Better apply some medicine.”

Yu Huali couldn’t afford to be shy now. He reached for the bottle, but a wave of dull pain forced him to grit his teeth and furrow his brow.

The Seventh Prince’s hands were gentle as he applied the medicine, bringing cool relief to the wounded areas, alleviating the pain.

“How did you get these scars?” the Seventh Prince asked, concerned.

Yu Huali answered nonchalantly, “From falling.”

The Seventh Prince’s hand pressed harder, making Yu Huali cry out, “Careful!”

“Ziliang is lying. These are knife wounds,” the Seventh Prince finally snapped.

Yu Huali sat up, snatching the bottle from his hand. “Oh, the prince has studied medicine—how impressive.”

His words were dripping with sarcasm. The Seventh Prince exhaled deeply. “Tell me.”

“Accident,” Yu Huali deflected again.

“Ziliang!” The Seventh Prince’s frustration was palpable. Why wouldn’t he just tell him?

After all these years, what else had Yu Huali been hiding...

Yu Huali changed the subject. “Nothing! You said at dawn, you’d take me to see Alyu. Isn’t that right, sir?”

The Seventh Prince composed himself, refusing to argue further. He helped Yu Huali dress, then carried him into the carriage.

Watching them, Qi Feng shuddered. Of course, Yu Huali didn’t want to be carried, but no matter how much he protested, the Seventh Prince wouldn’t let go.

Yu Huali felt his last shred of dignity as a man evaporate, especially before Qi Feng—it was utterly humiliating.

In the carriage, Yu Huali’s heart was restless, as if something terrible was about to happen. The Seventh Prince saw him sweating anxiously and took his hand.

Yu Huali glanced at him in surprise. After all this time, the Seventh Prince hadn’t changed. Facing that handsome visage, Yu Huali said nothing.

He withdrew his hand and whispered, “If Alyu sees... what should I do?”

A surge of anger rose in the Seventh Prince’s chest. As expected, unless Alyu was gone, he would never truly win Yu Huali’s heart.

The bandits’ stronghold was high in the mountains; the carriage couldn’t go up, and Yu Huali couldn’t walk easily. The only option was for the Seventh Prince to carry him up.

—

The mountain stronghold was deep within the wilderness, easy to defend and hard to attack, but quite large. The Seventh Prince carried Yu Huali for a long time before reaching the main gate.

Even from a distance, thick smoke billowed from the compound—it must have been a fierce battle.

The Seventh Prince set him down, and Ye Fang came to greet them, his eyes full of disdain at the sight of Yu Huali.

But Yu Huali was used to it and paid no mind. The villagers emerging looked as if they had stepped out of ruins.

Yu Huali saw that they were unharmed, and smiled, limping over to grab the village chief. “Where’s Alyu?”

The chief’s eyes were brimming with tears, his hands trembling, unable to speak. Yu Huali felt his anxiety grow, the smile freezing on his face.

He grabbed Erniu’s hand and asked again, “Where’s Alyu?”

Erniu suddenly burst into sobs, and Yu Huali understood—Alyu was gone.

His own tears overflowed as he desperately clutched Erniu. “I’m asking you! Where’s Alyu?”

Erniu cried, “Brother Liang! Alyu... he’s dead.”

“What did you say...” Yu Huali’s mind went blank, his strength draining away. Thankfully, the Seventh Prince was there to steady him.

After a moment, Yu Huali gently pushed him aside, relying on his own strength to stand.

“Brother Liang! Alyu died protecting this bracelet from the bandits!”

A silver-embellished bracelet was placed before Yu Huali.

Not the broken bracelet he’d given Alyu—it was the one his mother intended for his future daughter-in-law.

Just a broken bracelet, yet it had cost Alyu his life.

Yu Huali’s tears fell silently. In that moment, his feelings were beyond words.

His mind was empty as he shakily reached for the bracelet.

It had been well cared for; Yu Huali could imagine how Alyu had treasured it—it was probably the only thing Yu Huali had ever given him.

Thinking of Alyu, so lively just days before, Yu Huali’s heart ached. He wept bitterly, kneeling to clutch the bracelet to his chest.

The Seventh Prince, unable to bear it, stayed by his side, drawing Yu Huali into his arms.

Erniu and the villagers wept as well, their tears streaming. Erniu said, “A Liang... be strong. His body is over there.”

Yu Huali stifled his sobs, and with the Seventh Prince’s help, he slowly walked toward the corpse.

Each step was agonizing. The knife had pierced Alyu’s heart, blood pooling everywhere, his anguished face staring with open eyes, haunting to behold.

One could feel how much pain he’d suffered before death. Yu Huali’s trembling hand reached out to touch the cold body.

But Alyu would not move, would not cry; his hand was clenched tightly, unwilling to let go of the bracelet.

Yu Huali embraced him, pressed his face to Alyu’s forehead, closed his eyes, and slipped the bracelet—so fiercely protected—back onto Alyu’s hand.

“It’s yours... No one can take it away... Don’t worry, A Liang is putting it back on you...”

Yu Huali, like soothing a child, managed a bitter smile through his tears. “You always wanted to be my wife... I’ll marry you... I’ll marry you! Get up! Don’t scare me!”

“Ziliang... the dead are gone.”