side by side

When Liang Jixuan returned to Guijiu Alley in a daze, it was already dark.

There were few people on this road, Liang Jixuan didn't take a taxi, he was anxious, he drove back purely on the 'Eleventh Road'.He stood at the entrance of the alley, looking at the dimly lit red lanterns in the depths of the alley, and couldn't help but take a long breath.Liang Jixuan was really scared, all kinds of accidents made him breathless.

Along the way, he thought about it for a long time. He couldn't figure it out and didn't want to think about it when he saw Mr. Chen on the night of September [-]rd.Now, he just wanted to take Liang Jiqing away from this place first, away from Guijiu alley, and away from Du Ruobai.

Liang Jixuan didn't see the 'Du Ruobai' lying in the Du mansion in a coma for several days in Wan Shan's mouth with his own eyes, so he has reservations about it.The only thing he can do now is to take Liang Jiqing away from this mystery.

When he came here with Du Ruobai before, he didn't realize that this alley is really too quiet.He was alone now, and the idea spread quietly all at once.No louder, no human voice, no dog barking, no rooster crowing, not even a bit of insect chirping.He walked quickly in the dark alley, only the sound of his own footsteps could be heard, Liang Jixuan couldn't help subconsciously speeding up his pace again, the flickering red light in the depths of the alley became his only comfort at the moment.

When he saw Liang Jiqing's figure at the door, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.Liang Jiqing was still wearing the half-new navy blue silk gown, using the light from the lantern to fill the red lantern on the lower left corner of the door frame.I don't know if it's because of the windy direction or because the surface of the two lanterns is not tightly pasted. Among the seventy lanterns on the left, third and right, only the two bottom ones are always dark.And Liang Jiqing only repaired the lamp on the left, and the lamp on the lower right corner has never been repaired, and has been dimmed all the time.

That day and night, the two cats, one black and one white, were still lingering around the entrance, screaming shrilly to reach the lantern at the bottom of the right threshold. Liang Jiqing stood at the door, holding the big white cat in his arms, Xiao Hei, with a faint expression on his face. In a shadow, can't see clearly.The two cats found Liang Jixuan not far away, and suddenly became anxious. They paced back and forth in the same place, their screams became more and more sharp, their fingers and claws bounced all over, and they scratched the ground, leaving white marks on the ground. He moved away from under the lantern and from the door. Before Liang Jixuan could relax, the alarm bell rang loudly, and the two cats were clearly outflanking him.

The four bright eyes shone with a cold light in the dark night.

"Come here quickly!" Before Liang Jixuan could react, Liang Jiqing moved first, his tone was very anxious, he took a few steps forward, and seemed to be stopped and twitched, he subconsciously staggered back With one step, he stumbled on Menlan and hit the ground in a daze.Liang Jixuan was still confused, but when he heard Liang Jiqing's voice, he subconsciously followed suit. He quickly ran to the gate, and Liang Jiqing had stood up at this time, he grabbed Liang Jixuan's wrist, and slammed Pulling him into the gate, he closed the gate with a backhand 'slap'.There was a clear 'Bang!boom! ' Twice, the two cats slammed on the door, scratching unwillingly, their fingers and claws rubbing against the wooden door, hoarse, mixed with crying, the shock made people's scalp numb.

Liang Jixuan's legs were so frightened that he didn't forget to grab Liang Jiqing's hand to look at him, "Brother! Are you okay!" Liang Jiqing was also in a cold sweat, he suddenly raised his eyes to look at Liang Jixuan, but smiled, "Little grapefruit Don't be afraid, brother will always protect you."

"Brother! You've already said this name, don't call it anymore!" Liang Jixuan's face turned red up to his ears, he touched his cheeks in embarrassment, and his palms felt hot.

Liang Jiqing didn't speak, and dragged him to the back room.I don't know if it was cold in the night, Liang Jixuan felt that the hand holding him was a little chilly, Du Ruobai was not there, there was no one in the back room, there was still a pot of charcoal fire burning in the corner, the charcoal fire should have just been ignited, the charcoal block was red and orange, There was a layer of fly ash on the surface, glowing brightly in the firelight. "Brother, you just burned something." Liang Jixuan asked casually.

"..." Liang Jiqing paused while twisting the handkerchief, "Ah... I just burned some useless waste paper."

The room fell into silence for a while, only the crackling sound of charcoal fire could be heard.

"Brother, come home with me." Liang Jiqing twisted the handkerchief to wipe his face, Liang Jixuan grabbed his hand, "Brother, let's go back to Yonghe together, isn't it good to be a family together?" Liang Jixuan Staring at his brother's face that was exactly the same as his own, he felt extremely familiar but also extremely strange, and suddenly he was a little dazed.

"No! We can't go back for the time being!" Liang Jiqing stood up abruptly, clenched his hand holding the handkerchief tightly, and that bluish-white color made him see Mrs. Liang's shadow for a moment, and he was shocked. "We'll go home," Liang Jiqing regained his composure, he stroked Liang Jixuan's upturned hair, "I'll take you home, let's stay a little longer, okay, I'll definitely take you home .”

"Brother, what's the matter with you today?" Liang Jixuan looked at Liang Jiqing with a confused look on his face. He always felt that his brother was acting strangely today, "Brother, let's get out of here, this place makes me feel uncomfortable."

"I think Du Ruobai..." Before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly heard a rapid knock on the door.Liang Jiqing went to open the door, Liang Jixuan was worried and followed, the person standing outside was indeed Du Ruobai.He was still dressed in black and black trousers, with a low-brimmed black hat covering most of his face.I don't know if it was because after listening to Wan Shan's words in the afternoon, he became prepared. Looking at Du Ruobai now, Liang Jixuan felt that there were problems everywhere.

Before Liang Jixuan could protect Liang Jiqing behind him, Liang Jiqing took the first step to block Du Ruobai. "Go to sleep in the side room today, I have something to say to Ji Xuan." Liang Jiqing turned his back to Liang Jixuan, and he couldn't see his brother's expression clearly, only felt his tone was very cold.

Liang Jixuan stood behind him, puzzled. Liang Jiqing was willing to go far away with Du Ruobai, he was naturally happy, but his brother's behavior today was a bit strange.Du Ruobai was slightly taller than Liang Jiqing, but standing in front of Liang Jiqing at this moment really looked like a child, with his head hanging down, the frustration on his face was not concealed at all.He timidly stretched out his hand and pulled Liang Jiqing's sleeve tentatively. Although Liang Jiqing had a tense expression on his face, he didn't shake him off.Du Ruobai didn't say a word, just stood there obediently, and didn't let go of the hand holding the sleeve of the man's clothes, like a big dog who is afraid of being abandoned.

"Okay, you go to sleep first." After being stiff for a long time, Liang Jiqing's cold tone finally thawed a little, and he lightly patted Du Ruobai's hand holding his sleeve.Du Ruobai raised his eyes and glanced at Liang Jixuan, the defense in his eyes made Liang Jixuan feel a little uncomfortable.He still didn't let go of Liang Jiqing's hand.

"Okay, Ruobai, don't hold back anymore," Liang Jiqing kept protecting Liang Jixuan, he sighed, "I know everything in my heart, so don't talk about it anymore."

After a stalemate for a long time, Du Ruobai finally let go. Before leaving, he took a deep look at the two people who were still standing there. The worry on their faces made Liang Jixuan very uncomfortable.

Liang Jiqing turned his head, smiled at Liang Jixuan, and dragged him to the inner room.Liang Jixuan always felt that his brother's smile was a bit stiff.These things tonight are more bizarre than the last.Liang Jixuan looked back at Du Ruobai uneasily, he was standing at the door of the side room, the dim yellow light in the room shone on him, and he could vaguely see his figure.Liang Jixuan always felt that this figure was a little weird, as if something was missing. He thought for a long time, and his back suddenly felt cold - this Du Ruobai seemed to have no shadow, the ground was empty, and the light passed through his body and hit him unobstructed. To the ground!

Liang Jixuan turned his head abruptly, but Du Ruobai had already closed the door and entered.

"Ji Xuan, are you okay?" Liang Jiqing turned around and asked him puzzled.

"..." Liang Jixuan didn't speak but shook his head, Liang Jiqing couldn't believe what he said now.

He decided to go to the Du Mansion first to find out the truth.

tbc.