Absolute Choice
chapter-550-30041322

"Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

Upon hearing Speechless say that, Shi Xiaobai and Mu Lengxi's gaze immediately turned heavier.

They had heard Speechless and Tyger's conversation. Other than understanding that the father-son duo had a terrible relationship, they had also realized some things. For example, Speechless was acutely aware of what had happened in the memorial hall. It also meant that he had not been suddenly revived or awakened. Instead, he had seen everything.

His explanation of going to the Western Paradise to meet Buddha was obviously not to be treated seriously. Although Tyger Li's explanation sounded 'sinister', it was the most reasonable one. If Speechless had not 'faked his death', how could he be so aware of what had happened while his 'corpse' lay in the coffin? And why would he suddenly 'revive' at the most dangerous moment?

But why would Speechless do such a thing considering his personality? This manner of feigning death had ignored the heartbroken sadness his relatives and friends endured, while also framing Shi Xiaobai to become a murderer and even causing his mother and sister harm because of Tyger Li's threat. Speechless was an upright person and would definitely not have done such a thing.

But no matter how much disbelief was suspended, it did not deny the very likely explanation over the questions such as Speechless dying so suddenly and oddly.

However, if Speechless had faked his death, how did he do it? And why did he do it?

Shi Xiaobai was eager to know the answer but he was somewhat worried that he would hear an answer he did not wish to hear the most. He fell into a dilemma and after a moment of silence, he said seriously, "This King wants to hear…the truth."

The lie was definitely a white lie but the truth could very likely be a cruel one.

Shi Xiaobai had chosen the latter. It was because he wanted to know the truth and also believe that Speechless was not a gentleman and not a hypocrite.

"Alright."

Speechless nodded with a faint smile. Suddenly, he turned around and took his mother from Mu Lengxi's arms.

"The wind is strong tonight. I'll first carry my mom in to prevent her from catching a cold."

Speechless carried Mu Zhaorong in his arms. With a gentle look in his eyes, he suffused a warm smile on his lips.

Shi Xiaobai nodded. He naturally had that bit of patience.

With a slight smile, Speechless carried Mu Zhaorong to an opposite wing of the courtyard.

Shi Xiaobai turned to look at Mu Lengxi, who had not followed. His eyes constricted suddenly as he was slightly alarmed.

Under the lonesome, holy and beautiful moonlight, a beautiful silver-haired girl stood there alone. She was watching the back of her elder brother who was walking to a wing of the mansion. Her eyes were slightly red as crystalline tears dripped down her face.

"Why are you crying?"

Shi Xiaobai hurriedly asked in concern. "Could it be…you are not feeling well?"

Mu Lengxi jumped out of her reverie as she turned to glance at Shi Xiaobai. She hurried raised her hand to wipe her tears. A red glow slowly suffused her face as though she felt embarrassed for tearing up. She shook her head eagerly.

Moments later, she wrote on her writing board: "I'm just too happy. It's really great that Brother is still alive. Actually, when my mom divorced that man, Brother had wanted to go with Mom but Mom did not agree to it. She only brought me with her. Back then, Brother was furious and said he would never call her 'mom'. Therefore, when I heard Brother say 'I'll first carry my mom in', I do not know why but I suddenly felt like crying. And then…"

Shi Xiaobai gave a knowing smile. So it was because the crybaby was crying tears of joy. To reunite with her family with all misgivings dispelled, how could she not be happy?

Mu Lengxi suddenly stuck her tongue out and began writing: "Actually I was always angry with Brother. I found him too insensible. The reason why Mom did not bring him along was clearly that that man disallowed it. Mom must have been very sad as well. Yet, he said made such spiteful words. He made Mom even sadder so I had said, 'if you don't call her Mom, then I'll not call you Brother in the future'! Hmph! At least he's sensible or I would definitely never call him 'Brother' my entire life. Well, it still needs some consideration now…"

People felt good when they encounter joyous occasions. Mu Lengxi felt uplifted and immediately transformed back into a chatterbox. She wrote a lot of words.

When Shi Xiaobai first saw this girl, she was also this lively and adorable. She was clearly a 'mute' but she was more talkative than a chatterbox. People could not help themselves but simmer with laughter but also feel a sense of pain for her.

Compared to a 'silent' and melancholic girl, Shi Xiaobai preferred her to be lively in such a 'talkative' manner.

He responded, "What's there to consider?"

Mu Lengxi suddenly frowned slightly and hesitated for a moment before writing: "Brother Xiaobai, sorry. Brother…he might have really been faking his death. Although I can't figure why he would do so, the likelihood is extremely high. For Brother to do that, framing Brother Xiaobai into becoming a murderer is overboard even if he does not mean harm! We have to punish him. I'm considering not to call him 'Brother' in the future. Brother Xiaobai can beat him up badly but…Brother Xiaobai, can you forgive him…?"

The girl's gaze looked pleading. She was afraid that this matter would cause enmity between the person she liked and her brother.

Shi Xiaobai said with a gentle smile, "Don't worry. I believe your brother isn't such a two-faced hypocrite. If he were to fake his death, then he definitely has his reasons. Furthermore, we should believe him. He is not a person that would fake his death."

Mu Lengxi glanced at Shi Xiaobai and suddenly lowered her to fall into a deep silence. Moments later, she looked up and wrote: "Brother Xiaobai, actually Brother's original name is not Speechless Li. His real name is…Dragoon Li."

Shi Xiaobai was stunned. Dragoon Li?

Why did the names, Tyger and Dragoon Li…sound like it was from the phrase 'ruling over dragons, beating down tigers'?

However, why did Mu Lengxi suddenly change the topic?

Shi Xiaobai was somewhat puzzled but he went along with her and said, "The name Dragoon Li is still not bad. Why did he change to a name like Speechless Li…a name that renders people speechless?"

Shi Xiaobai could not help but poke fun at Speechless's name.

Mu Lengxi grinned and with a blink of her eyes, she wrote: "The name Speechless Li was originally a nickname. Someone had called him that on the forums and later on, more and more people began calling him that. Hence, everyone switched to calling him Speechless. In the end, Brother felt that the nickname 'Speechless Li' sounded better than 'Dragoon Li', so he registered to have his name changed, truly changing his name to 'Speechless Li'."

Shi Xiaobai could not help but laugh as he said, "He is truly Speechless Li."

However, Mu Lengxi did not laugh. Her gaze turned slightly heavy as she lowered her head and picked up her pen to slowly write something.

However, just as she was halfway done, Speechless had walked out of the wing and into the courtyard.

Mu Lengxi hurriedly wiped away the words she had written and wrote: "I'll first return to the room to take care of my mom. You and Brother can have a personal conversation. Anyway, Brother would definitely think of a way to chase me away. Sigh…"

Mu Lengxi lowered her writing board and wrote something after wiping it clean. However, she did not show it to Shi Xiaobai. She walked towards the wing of the mansion and passed Speechless by. She then raised the board to show him.

Speechless looked at it for a few seconds before nodding slowly.

Mu Lengxi lowered the writing board and sped up her pace to leave the courtyard.

Speechless slowly walked towards Shi Xiaobai and sighed slightly. "That girl has truly grown up. She's sensible now."

Shi Xiaobai was silent. He thought to himself that she was beyond sensible. She was so sensible that it pained one's heart.

Speechless looked up into the night sky and suddenly said, "It's true."

"What?"

Shi Xiaobai failed to react immediately.

However, he saw Speechless slowly turning his head over. His eyes were bright, much more alluring than the moonlight.

The handsome boy suffused a deep, meaningful smile and said softly, "It’s true that I faked my death."