Chapter 57 Terrible Acting

“Lyte, would you like to come over to my place after school?”

As they departed from the Deep Sea Crimson Knights headquarters, making their way back to school, an unexpected thought suddenly occurred to Xie Shenhong.

“No problem.”

Perhaps it was due to their growing familiarity, but this time, Xie Shenhong could discern that Lyte’s agreement stemmed solely from a place of concern for him.

In other words, the carefree smile Xie Shenhong had feigned earlier had, once again, proven insufficient to mislead Lyte.

He had utterly failed to embody the role of a “friend.”

‘I am truly useless… If only I could return to those days…’

Yet, this was but a futile yearning.

Five years had elapsed since his transmigration, adding to the four years of his previous existence.

A full nine years had passed since that time.

Xie Shenhong was no longer the unfeeling puppet he had been in those nascent days.

By now, it was utterly impossible for him to retain that state of naive ignorance he once possessed.

For all humans are destined to grow… though, naturally, regression remains a possibility.

When considering only his ability to act, he was a mere shadow of his former self.

For now, he harbored emotions.

Emotions had blossomed from a stolen identity, feelings that were never meant to be his, yet he clung to them with a poignant reluctance, terrified of their imminent disappearance.

‘I am truly despicable.’

Xie Shenhong lowered his head profoundly; had Lyte not been by his side, he would likely have collapsed to his knees, utterly consumed by guilt.

“Shenhong.”

Dread instantly seized him; his despondent mood had been detected.

Upon hearing Lyte’s call, Xie Shenhong’s expression flickered; he swiftly composed his features, turning his head to offer Lyte a perfectly calibrated, reassuring smile.

He now comprehended that, perhaps owing to his royal lineage, Lyte possessed an acute sensitivity to individuals harboring malevolent intentions.

This was precisely why his previous facade of insincere expressions had been so effortlessly pierced.

However, at this moment, he harbored not a shred of malice towards Lyte, only a profound solicitude that Lyte should not be burdened by concern for him.

Lyte would, beyond a shadow of a doubt, be utterly incapable of discerning his pretense—

“Shenhong, I’m craving something a little special for dinner tonight. And those ingredients you bought last time must be nearly depleted, aren’t they? How about we head to the market together after school?”

Yet Lyte did not meet his gaze, instead keeping his eyes fixed straight ahead, continuing to speak as if to himself.

But then, as Xie Shenhong instinctively began to slacken his pace…

That slightly broad hand, rendered somewhat calloused from years of relentless sword practice, yet radiating an undeniable warmth and profound reassurance, would gently enclose his own.

A silent encouragement, urging him to press onward.

Evidently, Lyte was attempting to console him through a redirection of his thoughts, yet he seemed to lack complete confidence in his approach, perhaps fearing Xie Shenhong might seize an excuse to retreat… A faint, involuntary smile touched Xie Shenhong’s lips.

Truly, how could he possibly remain in low spirits after such an earnest effort?

“Indeed, that suits me perfectly; I also had a few purchases in mind.”

“Mm.”

Witnessing the unfeigned delight blossoming on Lyte’s face, Xie Shenhong’s own spirits lifted considerably.

After all, in his estimation, there was no greater source of joy than having his meticulously crafted role-play recognized and affirmed by others.

****

By the time they returned to school, only a single class remained before the morning session concluded.

Fortunately, the commotion he had caused while acting as Hai Zhu had yet to disseminate, allowing Xie Shenhong to navigate lunch break with relative ease, merely enduring a customary flurry of questions from his classmates.

“Shenhong, there’s no need to fret. Occasionally, I shall indeed accompany you… After all, this, too, forms a part of my daily routine.”

Bolstered by this freshly conceived justification from Lyte, the two resumed their training as usual that afternoon, subsequently embarking on their agreed-upon shopping excursion during their journey home.

An hour vanished in the blink of an eye. Much like their previous outing, Xie Shenhong acquired a prodigious amount of goods, enough to form a stack two meters high.

However, on this occasion, he was resolute in his decision not to burden Lyte with the role of “porter boyfriend” once more.

“Ah, so you intentionally did that last time?” Lyte exclaimed, a hint of surprise in his voice.

“At any rate, such measures are unnecessary this time around,” Xie Shenhong mumbled, averting his gaze with a touch of embarrassment.

“Then I’ll help you call a taxi.”

“No need for that either.”

“Are you certain… this is truly advisable?”

Lyte regarded him with an expression etched with apprehension.

Xie Shenhong momentarily froze, then a sudden realization dawned upon him.

Lyte, it seemed, was under the impression that Xie Shenhong intended to abandon his principles, summoning assistance from the Duanmu family, and his concerns even extended to whether Xie Shenhong was contemplating self-abandonment… Truly, Lyte was prone to excessive worrying.

A gentle warmth suffused Xie Shenhong’s chest as he spoke:

“Not at all; I merely intend to test a novel technology.”

As he spoke, Xie Shenhong produced a ring and a corresponding magic stone, designed for its activation.

The moment the ring pulsed to life, fueled by an influx of external magical energy, the mountainous heap of goods instantly diminished by half.

“Is this… a spatial artifact?”

Lyte’s astonishment was palpable.

Spatial magic, in this realm, represented an advanced technological marvel, while spatial artifacts were deemed treasures of national significance, so rare that even the Imperial Royal Family possessed but a scant few.

Yet, based on his intimate understanding of Shenhong, anything Shenhong could produce was, in all likelihood, a commodity already poised for mass production.

“Indeed. Its current capacity is merely that of a modest backpack, and our monthly output remains limited to a handful. However, in another six months, we anticipate equipping every member of the Knights with one, and by then, the storage capacity might even see a twofold increase…”

—provided, of course, that no unforeseen complications arose before then, Xie Shenhong silently added, a trace of apprehension lacing his thoughts.

Turning his head, he discovered Lyte’s gaze intently fixed upon him.

Surely not, had even this subtle detail been uncovered?

“Shenhong, you are truly exceptional.”

Thankfully, Lyte’s intent was simply to offer commendation.

A quiet sigh of relief escaped Xie Shenhong’s chest, and he quickly replied:

“Oh, not at all… thank you.”

Yet, mid-sentence, he instinctively altered his response.

For he abruptly realized that, when addressing Lyte—who consistently strived to uplift and praise him—any modest reply would constitute an act of profound discourtesy.

“In that case, let us hasten our return; I find myself utterly impatient to savor your culinary artistry.”

Perhaps discerning his discomfort with effusive commendation, Lyte did not prolong the topic, instead shifting to an expression of profound anticipation.

Frankly, Lyte’s performance on this occasion bordered on the overly theatrical.

Yet, he never perceived clumsy, deliberate efforts as foolish, especially when Lyte undertook them solely for his benefit… Consequently, in that moment, his heart swelled not with criticism, but with an overwhelming surge of gratitude and joy.

“Mm, let’s go.”

Deftly retrieving his other spatial rings and carefully stowing all the accumulated goods within them, the two then set forth upon their journey homeward.

“Tell me, Lyte, do you happen to have any particular culinary preferences?”

It must be acknowledged that, thanks to Lyte’s sustained efforts at encouragement and redirection, Xie Shenhong’s spirits had markedly improved.

Consequently, he recognized a certain inadequacy in his own conduct—for how could he properly express his gratitude without first considering the recipient’s personal preferences?

He had, regrettably, allowed his emotions to unduly sway him, even to the point of overlooking such a fundamental truth.

Thus, Xie Shenhong promptly set about his task of rectification.

“Anything you prepare, I shall…”

“Halt, Lyte. I have long wished to tell you: refrain from becoming overly fond of flowery pronouncements, and furthermore, those are not sentiments you ought to direct toward me.”

“But it is the unvarnished truth; your culinary skill surpasses even that of my family’s head chef,” Lyte retorted, a hint of resignation in his tone.

“Regardless, you must possess certain culinary preferences and aversions, no? There’s no need for diffidence; speak openly with me.”

“To be frank, I am not one to be fastidious about food, for…”

Lyte’s expression grew somewhat somber, yet before he could utter another word, he witnessed a sudden shift in Xie Shenhong’s countenance, who then abruptly sprinted forward.

A short distance away, several black sedans idled… Lyte promptly identified them as vehicles belonging to the Duanmu family, and he noted that Xie Shen’ai was among their occupants.

However, that was not the crux of the matter.

From a street corner, merely thirty meters distant from the motorcade, a dark silhouette furtively observed the procession.

“Shenhong, do not act rashly; allow me to intervene.”

Lyte immediately grasped the nature of Xie Shenhong’s apprehension, and swiftly, with a surge of acceleration magic, he vanished from his spot, becoming a mere streak of light.