Untouchable Lovers

Chapter 190: Chapter 172 Fishing Canghai Guest Chapter 190: Chapter 172 Fishing Canghai Guest In fact, after witnessing the martial prowess of the man in mourning clothes, Chu Yu developed a bold hypothesis.

With exceptional martial arts and living far from the mundane world, even an aristocratic young master like Xiao Bie had to treat him courteously and seek favors. Could this faceless person in mourning clothes be the Canghai Guest they were searching for?

Naturally, Chu Yu did not believe she was lucky enough to randomly encounter someone she wanted to meet, but upon further reflection, it seemed that within this coincidence, there was inevitability.

Yu Wen had brought them near Jiangling City to await news, which suggested that the person probably resided within or near Jiangling City, for easy communication and meetings.

Rong Zhi had initially instructed Chu Yu without revealing the true name, only referring to him as “Canghai Guest.” This indicated that the person used this title publicly, a name with a hint of world-renouncing implications, likely suggesting that Canghai Guest was something of a hermit.

Chu Yu did not know how many hermits were hidden near Jiangling City, and she couldn’t even be certain that the man in mourning clothes, who appeared easy-going with a hint of laziness, was the person she was looking for. However, in that instant, she bizarrely linked the man before her with an abstract name in her mind.

That is why, before leaving, Chu Yu deliberately mentioned waiting for Yu Wen’s news as if by chance. To outsiders, this statement might seem normal, but only the real insider would understand that if the man in mourning clothes was Canghai Guest, he would grasp the implication of her words. If he was not Canghai Guest, then her words would have no effect, causing no harm.

Her coming here alone also involved some risks. If Yu Wen had any malicious intent—seeing that he had shot Boss Ren—it suggested he was trained in martial arts, and if it came to a fight, she’d be doomed.

Luckily, Yu Wen did not deceive her, and more fortuitously, the man in mourning clothes was indeed the person she sought.

Even though she initiated this meeting herself, on seeing the back of the man in mourning clothes, Chu Yu couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “Ah, it’s you?” Her expression, too, became quite astonished.

Yu Wen asked in amazement, “Sir, do you know the Canghai Guest?” After saying this, he sensed something was off. If you knew him, why would there be a need for me to relay messages? And why wait these ten-days?

Chu Yu quietly explained that she had seen him by chance while out strolling today, casually clearing up Yu Wen’s confusion, before she respectfully addressed the Canghai Guest, “I am Yu Chu. I had not realized that you were Canghai Guest. If I offended you in our last encounter, please forgive me.”

However, the man in mourning clothes, the Canghai Guest, did not respond to her, only instructed Yu Wen, “Step back for a while. I have something to discuss with this individual alone.”

Yu Wen bowed and immediately retreated to the forest outside, without lingering for even a moment.

After waiting a while, probably to ensure Yu Wen was far enough not to overhear their conversation, Chu Yu then heard Canghai Guest’s annoyed voice, “Alright girl, there’s no need to feign such a surprised look. Those few words you purposely said before leaving last time were aimed at me. Did you think I couldn’t tell?”

Not only her thoughts but also her gender was exposed in a few sentences.

This truly startled Chu Yu.

Giving up her act when uncovered, she slightly embarrassedly touched her nose, took a few steps forward, and stood behind Canghai Guest, “Uh, was there a flaw in my disguise as a man? How could you recognize me without even looking?” Her voice naturally low, it became even more boy-like under deliberate suppression. Coming from the twenty-first century, she walked with long strides and could not mimic the graceful demeanor of ancient women, which was why she often dressed as a man. Firstly, it made it easier to travel, and secondly, because in women’s attire, she had to be continuously mindful of her conduct.

Moreover, men of this era valued a more effeminate beauty. For instance, people like Liu Se were even softer than her. In such a beauty-conscious society, unless one was incredibly perceptive, it was not easy to quickly discern her true gender.

Canghai Guest still did not turn around. He shook the fishing rod slightly and replied slowly, “I did not see it, I heard it. No matter how much your appearance resembles a man, your breathing rhythm, the heaviness of your steps, and even between your words and gestures, you can’t shed the trace of a woman. Just by the sound of your footsteps, I can discern your skeletal structure.”

Even in martial arts novels, distinguishing people by the sound is no more advanced than this, right?

Still marveling internally, Chu Yu heard Canghai Guest continue unhurriedly, “You were looking for me, I’ve already heard from the Yu Family lad… What is your relationship with Rong Zhi?” His voice was not old, but he addressed people as “lad” and “miss” quite straightforwardly.

Rong Zhi?

Yu Wen had always called Rong Zhi by the name Yu Rong, and she had never mentioned the name Rong Zhi in front of Yu Wen either. It seemed that Rong Zhi was indeed his real name?

Chu Yu paused for a moment, initially a little pleased, but then she quickly became troubled again. What relationship? What was her relationship with Rong Zhi?

Princess and concubine?

The suspect and the suspected?

The one who repays kindness and the benefactor?

Friend?

Chu Yu gazed at the creek, watching its surface flow smoothly and slowly, occasionally creating small whirlpools. After many twists and turns, she smiled slightly, sighed lightly, and admitted calmly, “I like him.”

It was that complex.

It was that simple.

She didn’t know when it had started, whether she admitted it or not, and even regardless of how hard she had tried to resist and escape it before. Now, it was an undeniable fact.

Seeing him, her heart would ripple with tender warmth. That young man, with his graceful and gentle appearance and his deep and fierce mind, had been deeply etched in her mind, impossible to erase.

Strangely, the words she couldn’t utter in front of others flowed out naturally and effortlessly when she was with this person.

Canghai Guest scoffed, “You know so little about him and yet you like him?”

Chu Yu replied with a smile, “That’s exactly why I want to ask you for guidance. Since you are acquainted with him, please tell me about him.”

Perhaps unaccustomed to such a bold woman who would take a mile when given an inch, Canghai Guest, who had previously choked Xiao Bie, was also choked up for a moment before mumbling, “Even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell you.”

Chu Yu laughed out loud.

She felt a wave of relief wash over her. Finding the formality too constrictive, she found a spot nearby where the soil was less clumpy and sat down comfortably and casually.

Canghai Guest had an air of casualness and carelessness about him, which involuntarily made people relax. From the initial cautiousness when she first met him to now, just half a day later, Chu Yu had nearly completely let down her guard in front of this man, whose real name she still did not know and whose face she had not even seen fully.

This feeling was somewhat similar to that with Wang Yizhi, though unlike Wang Yizhi, who was a nobleman and always carried an undeniable aura of illustriousness even in his casualness, Canghai Guest’s carelessness was more like the wild plants growing unrestrained in the mountain wilderness—plain, yet more approachable because of it.

Due to her positioning and angle earlier, Chu Yu had not seen the situation behind the rock properly. Now, from behind, she saw that beside the rock under Canghai Guest, there lay a bamboo-woven fish basket filled with several small fish.

If it weren’t for the strange mourning attire he was wearing, Chu Yu might almost mistake him for a professional fisherman.

“Back to the main point, you went out of your way to find me, so what exactly do you want?” Canghai Guest flicked his wrist, skillfully removing a small fish from the hook and tossing it into the fish basket before casting the hook back into the creek.

When it came to the main issue, Chu Yu also slightly restrained her smile. She pondered for a moment, carefully spoke out, “I came here on behalf of Rong Zhi.”