Chapter 34: The Dual-Faced Beauty – For Whom Does the Epiphyllum Bloom?

What force in the world could be more terrifying than the power of love? (Gu Long)
……
Suddenly, Liu Yi opened his eyes and sat up, feeling drenched in sweat as he took deep breaths.
“Boss, you’re awake! You scared us to death,” said Shi Jie.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Liu Yi realized there were people gathered around his bed—Mo Ying, Jili’er, A Jiu, Shi Jie Yi, and Da Dao Wang. Everyone was there. Liu Yi looked at A Jiu and asked, “How…? A Jiu’s illness has healed so quickly?”
Jili’er sat by Liu Yi’s bed and said, “What’s so quick about it? You’ve been asleep for four days! We were terrified. Now that A Jiu is fine, you’ve fallen ill again.”
Mo Ying added, “If Young Master Liu hadn’t woken up, I really wouldn’t have known what to do. Everything seems normal—nothing amiss. I really had no idea where to start.”
The others began discussing it, and Liu Yi urgently asked Jili’er, “Are you saying I’ve been asleep for four days?”
Jili’er nodded. “Yes, you’ve been asleep for four days. Sister A Jiu was fine long ago.”
A Jiu ran to the bed and sat down beside him. “Idiot, are you too tired? We tried to wake you up, but you wouldn’t wake up no matter how hard we tried. We were really scared.” She then took out a handkerchief and began wiping the sweat from Liu Yi’s forehead.
Liu Yi quickly took the handkerchief. “I can do it myself.” He used it to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
A Jiu continued, “You seemed to be having a nightmare just now. You kept shouting something like ‘Don’t…’ What kind of dream was it?”
At her words, Liu Yi remembered the dream again. That person… he seemed so familiar. Was he dead? Seeing A Jiu ask and Liu Yi become confused again, Jili’er quickly said, “Scholar, scholar? Stop thinking about it. Get up and eat.”
Hearing about food, Liu Yi immediately felt hungry. He hadn’t eaten in days—how could he not be hungry?
The people in the room left, with Da Dao Wang and Mo Ying going out to play chess. Only Liu Yi, Jili’er, A Jiu, and Shi Jie Yi remained.
Liu Yi got out of bed, shook his head, stretched, and sat down at the table. “What delicious food has Jili’er prepared for me again?”
Jili’er brought out the prepared meals. “These were made this morning. They’re a bit cold now.”
Liu Yi smiled. “It’s okay. I’m starving. I’ll eat them even if they’re cold.”
Shi Jie said, “Boss, you don’t know—these days, Jili’er has been preparing delicious food for you every day, but you just wouldn’t wake up. When I wanted to eat it, she wouldn’t give it to me. Eventually, she even threw it away. I’ve been living on porridge these days. See, I’ve lost weight, right?”
Jili’er laughed. “Brother Eleven, does that mean you’re complaining?”
Shi Jie blushed. “I, I’m not! I just feel… it’s not fair. Hehe.”
A Jiu also sat down at the table casually. “It’s just a few dishes, right? Wait till you see what I’ll make tomorrow.”
Shi Jie excitedly said, “A Jiu’s dishes must be delicious. Hehe.”

A’Jiu glanced at Shi Jieyi and said, “Go away. I’m cooking this for this fool to see whether Sister Jiliel’s cooking is better or mine is. Hmph!” Then she turned her face away.
Liu Yi stopped stuffing food into his mouth and thought to himself, “Why is the atmosphere so tense? What’s gotten into A’Jiu?”
Jiliel also sat down next to Liu Yi and smiled, though it didn’t look like a real smile at all. She said, “Great! I was just curious to see Sister A’Jiu’s cooking skills. The scholar always eats what I cook; he must be tired of it. It’s good to change things up.”
A’Jiu replied with a fake smile, “Oh, Sister Jiliel, when the time comes, this fool will only eat what I cook. Don’t regret it later!”
Liu Yi felt more and more confused. What were these two talking about? Was he a pet? Did they only care about eating? They were even discussing who’s food he should eat! Liu Yi finished the last bite of his food, put down his chopsticks, and said, “Not bad. I’m full.”
Jiliel asked, “Was it delicious?”
Liu Yi nodded and said, “It was made by Jiliel. How could it not be delicious?”
Seeing that the two no longer respected him, A’Jiu stood up and said to Liu Yi, “Foolish big brother, I still owe you a great deal for saving my life. I will repay you generously someday.”
Liu Yi quickly shook his head and said, “I just acted as a guide. If you want to thank someone, thank Shi Jieyi. He’s the real hero. Without him, not only would I not have saved you, but I and Da Dao Wang would likely have died several times.”
Shi Jieyi quickly said, “No need, no need. As long as A’Jiu is safe, that’s enough.”
After that, Liu Yi turned to thank Jiliel for her care these past few days…
A’Jiu glared at the insensitive fool and stamped her foot, saying, “Hmph! Fool, I’m fine now. Let’s leave here tomorrow.”
Hearing this, Liu Yi thought to himself, “Right. A’Jiu is one of the emperor’s most beloved princesses. If we don’t send her back, things might get worse in the future. It’s better to send her back first.”
Liu Yi nodded and said, “Okay, fine. Come with me to thank Elder Mo later. We’ll return to the Central Plains as soon as it gets light tomorrow.”
Jiliel’s expression turned gloomy. “Scholar, won’t you stay a few more days? Why are you in such a hurry to leave?”
Liu Yi turned around and said, “No, it’s really urgent. We can’t delay. I appreciate your kindness, Jiliel.”
Through Liu Yi, Jiliel saw A’Jiu smiling arrogantly…
Jiliel thought to herself, “Is A’Jiu deliberately trying to steal this scholar from me?”
Just as she was thinking this, Nalan’s voice came through her mind, “What? You’ve met a rival?”
Jiliel replied, “Stop talking nonsense. You can’t see. That damn girl! Out of all the scholars in the world, she has to compete with me. It’s driving me crazy! I’m about to die from anger because of A’Jiu.”
Nalan laughed and said, “True love is something that lingers deeply in your heart. It’s not like what you two have. I’m going to sleep. Go ahead and compete slowly.”
Liu Yi, noticing Jiliel’s strange behavior, asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Jili’er quickly regained her composure and smiled, saying, “It’s nothing. Since we’re in such a hurry to set off, it’s not right for me to keep you. Let’s get drunk tonight and also try Miss A’jiu’s cooking.”
A’jiu glanced at the sky outside and said, “Hmph! It’s getting late. I’ll go prepare something. Tonight, you’ll taste my cooking. Shi Yi, let’s go.”
Shi Jie followed A’jiu out of the house.
Jili’er looked around and said, “It seems like Sister A’jiu really is talented.”
Liu Yi waved his folding fan and said, “This A’jiu is the ninth princess, whom the current emperor loves the most. Why does the emperor dote on her? Not only because she knows how to please him, but she’s also proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. It’s said her strongest skill is cooking, and the emperor loves having her cook for him the most.”
Jili’er laughed and said, “It seems Sister A’jiu comes from a prominent family. Come, let’s go too.” With that, she took Liu Yi’s hand and ran outside.
Liu Yi asked urgently, “Go? Where?”
Jili’er held Liu Yi’s hand and ran while laughing, “Silly scholar, we’re going to prepare food and drinks. Tonight, I’m going to compete with A’jiu to see whose cooking is better. Haha, you’ll be the judge.”
Liu Yi followed behind. Suddenly, everything blurred before his eyes, revealing an endless field of yellow flowers. Yellow petals fluttered all around, with no end in sight. Amid the flowers, Liu Yi was pulled along by Jili’er, running and laughing…
Liu Yi quickly shook his head. The scene from before vanished instantly, and everything returned to normal—back outside the three thatched cottages. Liu Yi began to feel strange. Ever since he arrived here and met Jili’er, he had experienced some unusual things and had had unexplainable dreams…