linked to the collar

Two years.

Two full years.

In the past two years, Bai Ye was still the same as before, parked the carriage outside the city, and stayed in Xiao Ran's wooden house by himself.Even if he is the only one sleeping in it now.

There have been countless times when he had the urge to destroy everything. Bai Ye smashed things, and even lit a fire once, but in the end he sorted everything back out by himself.The smashed one went to buy the exact same one in person.

He had someone come and clean it every once in a while, but everything in the house was required to remain as it was.

He had the quilt washed and dried in the sun. It wasn't new at first, and now the color of the quilt had turned white, but every time he could only fall asleep if he hugged it.

There was no smoke from the kitchen after that, and Bai Ye no longer ate in this room.At most, he would hold a flagon and lean against the wooden door of the kitchen, staring blankly at the empty kitchen for a while, feeling dazed that he didn't know.

When Bai Ye was around, he never let anyone into the house, those servants who came to clean could only enter after he left; everyone in the village was blocked by an invisible line, no one could approach, Once it is close, someone will go up to stop it.

That's Bai Ye's forbidden area.

Bai Ye himself didn't know what he was obsessed with, he just felt that if this house was gone, all traces of Xiao Ran's past existence would disappear.

Xiao Ran existed.Bai Ye still remembered the man's embrace, his panting, his crying, and...that pale snow-like face, bright red lips, and those bottomless black eyes.

The two years did not dilute Bai Ye's memory, but instead made certain details of that time clearer.Bai Ye would even clearly remember the infinite affection that could not be hidden in that person's eyes.

Bai Ye couldn't pretend that Xiao Ran had never appeared before, and he didn't want to forget Xiao Ran either.But if this hut is gone, where can I find the trace left by Xiao Ran?

But he didn't know what he was obsessed with.

Zhang Ting went to take the provincial exam last year and passed it again. His family arranged for him to rent a house in the capital to prepare for the exam.

At the beginning of the year, Bai Ye redeemed Canxing and Kong Yan, and gave Canxing a sum of money to return to his hometown.But Canxing is unwilling to leave Deyilou, and guides newcomers in the building with empty words. With the reputation left in the past, he is still doing well. Canxing is even more heavily relied on by her boss.

Canxing and Bai Ye haven't slept together since that night, Canxing doesn't want to, and Bai Ye doesn't want to.Occasionally, when the two of them are together, they can actually drink tea all night gracefully.

The name Xiao Ran has never been mentioned from Bai Ye's mouth. Occasionally, Canxing wants to mention it, but Bai Ye will force him back with fierce eyes.

It's not that Bai Ye didn't think about looking for Xiao Ran, but he couldn't find it.The last whereabouts that could be found was that Xiao Ran and several other men who looked like scholars went into the mountains in the northeast.

Perhaps after missing the first day, Bai Ye would have no chance.

Bai Ye will still sleep in someone else's bed, but he won't be fixed on someone.He would rather patronize different brothels or small brothels than stay in anyone's bed more than twice.

No matter who is in his arms, he can't sleep deeply.

No matter who he is holding, he always lacks enthusiasm.

The relationship between Bai Ye and He Ruhui became more and more cold. There was no relationship between husband and wife before, but now because of Bai Ye's deliberation, it seems that there is nothing to talk about.Bai Ye was often away, He Ruhui simply didn't go back, and lived in He Mansion all year round.

At the beginning of July, Bai Ye went back once, and He Ruhui didn't court like before, and she just lay down at night to be self-satisfied.In the past two years, Bai Ye has been much more indifferent towards sex. He took off his outer robe and lay on the outside with his eyes closed to cultivate sleepiness.

He Ruhui suddenly pushed Bai Ye. "Sir, the eighth day of next month will be Daddy's birthday, and the magistrate and the others will be invited to come that day. You must remember to come back to attend."

Bai Ye was just dreaming that he saw a familiar scholar-like person, and he couldn't catch up with him when he walked in front of him. He was on fire, and he gave He Ruhui a slap, and the person turned into smoke and disappeared, so he turned around. He hummed casually to express his understanding, and fell asleep again.

He nodded and agreed, anyway, all the recent affairs are in the south.On the sixth day of August, Bai Ye returned to Jiankang City. Now that he has been trained to be very lovable, he did not forget to remind Bai Ye to prepare some birthday gifts for his father-in-law. He also said that if the second young master doesn't dislike it, the uncle has already done it for him. Ready, in the Boguxuan in the city, the second young master went over to have a look.

Since you don't have to use your own brains and thoughts, it's always good, so the carriage stopped at the door of the largest antique shop in the city, and Bai Ye went up to the second floor under the gracious greeting of the shopkeeper.

Boguxuan is actually one of the properties under the Xuantian Sect, and Bai Ye was not too polite, and went directly to the third floor where only special guests can usually enter.The shopkeeper told the waiter good tea while talking clichés, and Bai Ye leaned against the window boredly, listening to the polite conversation between Kuixi and the shopkeeper.

The weather was fine that day, the sun was shining brightly, and Bai Ye felt a little dazzled by the bright white light.There were not many pedestrians on the road, and even the small vendors packed up, unwilling to suffer under the sun.The business of the teahouse has improved a lot. Twos and threes have to sit in it to enjoy the cool air and listen to ditties. In recent years, the imperial court has vigorously developed the economy, and people have spare money, and they are willing to enjoy it.

Opposite Boguxuan is a newly opened tea house called Qin Ya Yuan.It is said that it is newly opened, and it has been at least three or four years. It is said that the boss is a real person, who uses good tea and does not cheat people. The decoration inside is simple and elegant, and the price is reasonable. Congratulations, Bai Ye came back in the past few years and felt that his family's business was getting stronger and stronger.

Bai Ye leaned against the window and looked at Qin Yayuan, and he couldn't help but think of a bookworm.If you are a nerd, you will definitely like it, right?I remember that he once said that in his hometown, some people came back from the capital, saw the world, and opened a teahouse that was said to have the characteristics of the capital.Three days before the opening, there was a long line at the gate of Tiantian.The boss specially hired the most popular singers and storytellers from the capital to perform. At that time, they all used going to that teahouse to drink tea as a way to show off.

If this bookworm sees this Qinya Garden now, he will definitely want to go in and have a look, right?

Bai Ye thought a little funny, the more time passed, the more clearly he remembered that bookworm.Bai Ye felt that he remembered everything he said, every move he made, and everything about that nerd.

He didn't understand why he had to remember so clearly; but he felt that he couldn't bear to forget that person, so Bai Ye always had to recall unconsciously, and as he recalled and re-remembered, that person became clearer and clearer in his mind.

At this time, the manager of the shopkeeper ordered several young men to carry several large and small things covered with red cloth or packed in exquisite boxes into the Accord, and displayed them on the shelf in front of Bai Ye.

"Second young master, this is a pink coral tree sent from the South China Sea. It is two feet nine inches high. Although it cannot be said to be rare in the world, it is indeed a precious thing. At least I have never heard of it in the years since Jiankang City. There are more precious ones than this one;' he said, opening one. "This is a scimitar that just came from Dashi. It is inlaid with eight blue crystals the size of a thumb and 26 emeralds the size of a little finger. There are also about a hundred crystals of various colors inlaid on it. Second young master, look, Just putting it in the box is eye-catching, if you don’t wear it on your waist, you won’t envy the dead; the second young master still has this, look, the one from the south is like ivory, and it took three months for a first-class craftsman to carve it. The finished ivory cup, the pattern on it is a picture of a hundred longevity, just to celebrate the birthday of the second young master and your father-in-law..."

What the shopkeeper said was so frothy that Bai Ye was bored listening to it.

What could his father-in-law like?

Expensive and rare.

Now it's enough to take whatever is spread out in front of his eyes to his father-in-law, so why bother?

Casually looking at Qinya Garden opposite, he happened to see three young men who looked like scholars stepping out of Qinya Garden.Two of them, carrying bamboo bookcases, have already walked outside, and they don't look very old, about twenty; the other one in white is standing at the door with his back to Bai Ye talking about something.

The short Xiaoer pulled the man in white's sleeve, and he spoke very excitedly. From Bai Ye's angle, he could still see the man in white's slightly bent waist.

Bai Ye looked at it twice and was not interested, so he turned his head back.

The shopkeeper had already finished explaining, seeing Bai Ye's indifferent face, he thought that what was on the table didn't suit the second young master's mind, and he felt uneasy.The ones on the table are the best and latest batch of products from Boguxuan. If they are still not satisfied, what can he show the second young master?

"Second young master, what kind do you like, please tell the little one, so that the villain can go and take care of it for you."

"Second Young Master is a little tired from rushing all the way back. Shopkeeper Zhang, please put all your things away, and just leave a clerk at the door. Second Young Master has finished picking, and I will come out and call you." Bai Ye, who has learned to observe words and expressions over the years, gave a look. It's pleasing to know what the master wants to do. Seeing Bai Ye's appearance now, he knows that the second young master is not thinking about these things at the moment, so he invites the shopkeeper out of the Accord and walks back to Bai Ye's side. "Second Young Master, why don't you go to sleep on the recliner? It's so hot..."

Bai Ye nodded casually, and when he stood up straight, he wanted to go to the recliner next to him, when suddenly he heard someone shout, "Xiao Ran, why don't you go?"

Bai Ye froze in place for a moment, his eyes widened, and then he immediately looked out the window.There were still not many people on the street, except for the two men in Tsing Yi at the gate of Qin Ya Yuan opposite, and the man in white who had just stepped out of Qin Ya Yuan...

Bai Ye's eyes were fixed, staring blankly at the gentle and elegant man who was talking to two men in Tsing Yi with a smile on his face.

There are two shallow dimples on the man's face.He was not very tall, and was as thin as ever.

The three of them stood at the gate of Qinya Garden and said a few words in a low voice, then saw two youths in green clothes lifting the books on their backs, and it seemed that they were about to leave.Bai Ye was anxious, and raised his voice and shouted: "Xiao Ran!"

The man's feet stopped suddenly, and after a while he slowly raised his head, so slow that Bai Ye couldn't help but think of that night in Deyi Building two years ago, so did Xiao Ran, so slow that Bai Ye doubted, in fact, he didn't want to see himself .

"Xiao Ran!" He shouted again, and immediately jumped from the window on the third floor, landing at the gate of Qinya Garden.

At this time, Xiao Ran seemed to have just come to his senses, raised his head and smiled politely at Bai Ye, and bowed in a bow. "Master Bai, long time no see."

Rusty and indifferent eyes, a peaceful and polite smile, and a humble posture.

The only thing missing is the sincerity of the year.

The smile couldn't reach the bottom of his eyes, and he didn't even want to meet his eyes.He seemed to be looking at Bai Ye, but in fact, Xiao Ran's eyes were slightly lowered, and Bai Ye's face was not in his eyes at all.

Bai Ye stared at Xiao Ran, not knowing what to say for a while.

He knew that he had been missing the person in front of him for the past two years, but for a moment he didn't know what he wanted to do with Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran didn't see him.Without him again, he was a little unhappy, more uneasy.This kind of emotion, uneasiness, and fear that had been there since that night two years ago, was ignored at that time, and was reawakened today two years later.

Even worse than back then.

"Xiao Ran, long time no see..."

Xiao Ran smiled and bowed his waist again. "Yes, Mr. Bai is safe and sound."

Bai Ye suddenly reached out his hand to hug Xiao Ran, he wanted to use that person's warm body temperature to prove that he was not dreaming again.

Such a cold Xiao Ran, Bai Ye felt strange, if he could hug him, maybe he could truly feel that person.

But as soon as he raised his hand, Xiao Ran immediately stepped back to avoid his touch.

Bai Ye's hand stopped in the air, he stared at Xiao Ran, and after a while he retracted expressionlessly, but he took a step forward.

"Xiao Ran, we haven't seen each other for a long time, let's find a place to sit down and catch up."

Xiao Ran immediately took another step back. "No, my companion and I have to rush out of the city before evening, let's talk about it next time we have a chance."