【This is way more serious than that!】
【One night, he bought a jar of alcohol.】
The system’s tone became a bit lighter.
【He planned to drown all his sorrows in drink.】
【But he drank too much and staggered all the way to Bi Bo Lake.】
【That night, the moon was especially bright, and the lake surface shimmered beautifully like scattered stars.】
A scene formed in Fang Zexuan’s mind—moonlight like flowing water, the lake reflecting a galaxy of stars.
A drunken young man stumbling toward the lakeside.
【He stared at the water for a long time.】
【Then a thought suddenly popped into his head—what do etiquette, rules, and restraints even matter?】
【It’s all bullshit!】
Fang Zexuan raised an eyebrow.
Not bad—that realization was actually decent!
The ministers’ expressions changed instantly.
The Minister of Rites swayed and nearly lost his balance.
“Etiquette is bullshit?”
If this got out, how would officials who defended ritual propriety ever show their faces again?
【Then something in his brain just snapped.】
【He tore off his clothes in a few quick motions and ran naked around the lake!】
The system’s tone carried a hint of emotion.
【The night wind hit his skin—cold and sharp.】
【As he ran, he shouted, letting out months of frustration, anger, and despair!】
【When he finally stopped, he collapsed on the grass and stared blankly at the stars.】
【At that moment… he felt like he had come back to life.】
A pause.
【That suffocating desire to die… was gone.】
【The tight knot in his chest that had been there for half a year finally loosened.】
The officials’ expressions turned extremely strange.
This was way too wild!
Fang Zexuan imagined the scene and quickly shook her head to clear it.
Unseemly!
The Minister of Revenue stared wide-eyed.
Was this really the same Fang Ziqin who always bowed and flattered superiors?
【The next morning, he woke up terrified out of his mind!】
【He remembered his naked run and wanted to smash his head against a wall.】
【He rolled around in bed, burying his face under the blanket for a full hour.】
【His mind was full of last night’s images—himself running naked under the moonlight…】
【He even remembered exactly what he had shouted—】
The system lowered its voice.
【“To hell with the Deputy Director of the Dali Temple!”】
【“To hell with workplace bullying!”】
【“To hell with being born a commoner!”】
【“I just want to live!”】
Fang Zexuan couldn’t help laughing internally.
Hahaha—this is too real!
People really tell the truth when they’re drunk!
The ministers’ expressions became even more colorful.
The Deputy Director of the Dali Temple had a face dark as a pot.
He didn’t expect that the subordinate he usually scolded had been cursing him like this behind his back!
“Go to hell?”
Fine. Very fine!
The Crown Prince glanced at him coldly.
Seems like this one really needs to be disciplined.
【But strangely—】
【Even though he was ashamed after waking up, he felt refreshed.】
【That desire to die… was gone.】
【From then on, every three days, he went out to run naked again.】
【After running those three li, he forgot everything.】
【Forgot his identity, his pressure, and all those damn cold stares.】
【He even forgot himself.】
Fang Zexuan felt complicated.
So that’s how it was.
In her mind, she thought:
When I was under pressure in my past life, I used to go to karaoke and sing rock songs for six hours straight.
Singing until my voice went hoarse made everything feel lighter.
Everyone has their own way to release stress.
Fang Ziqin’s method… how to put it—wild, but effective.
She nodded slightly in approval.
That guy really has guts.
Daring to save himself like this isn’t easy.
If it were me…
She curled her lips.
I probably would’ve just quit and gone back home to farm.
After all, I can’t stand being wronged.
If I get wronged, I just want to run away—find somewhere nobody knows me and rot in peace.
The Minister of Revenue looked at Fang Ziqin with a different expression now.
A bit of pity.
The Minister of the Civil Service flickered his eyes—this man has resilience. He’s good material.
The Crown Prince thought: I absolutely must not let Fang Zexuan suffer even the slightest grievance!
Fang Ziqin stood in the ranks, his nose suddenly stinging.
The King of Zhenbei… understood him?
Not only understood him—but even praised him for having guts?
He had thought he would be ridiculed, despised, made into a laughingstock.
But instead…
Someone actually understood.
And it was that fearless, ruthless, gossip-loving King of Zhenbei.
His eyes reddened, throat tightening.
The shame in his heart slowly faded.
Replaced by a strange sense of relief.
Fang Zexuan asked again: 【But… wasn’t he afraid of being discovered?】
【Of course he was! Terrified!】
The system immediately replied.
【That’s why he only went after midnight and before the third watch!】
【That time, almost nobody was outside.】
【He even posted two servants around the lake!】
【One on the east side, one on the west.】
【If anyone approached, they’d whistle as a warning.】
【He’d immediately hide and get dressed.】
The system turned mischievous.
【To be safe, he prepared three sets of clothes!】
【Hidden in three different spots around the lake!】
【If he couldn’t reach the first set, he’d run to the second!】
【He even rehearsed escape routes countless times in his head!】
Fang Zexuan was stunned.
【What the… this is way too professional?!】
【Just how much does he enjoy naked running?!】
The officials were also stunned.
Three sets of clothes?
Escape route rehearsals?
This guy… was seriously committed!
【He had been doing this for half a year without a single mistake.】
Fang Zexuan thought for a moment, then said seriously:
【Well… the method is wild, but as long as it keeps him alive, it works.】
She recalled news from her past life.
Some people, under extreme pressure, choose irreversible endings.
Jumping, drowning, self-harm…
Every time she saw those stories, she felt deeply sad.
If only they could find a way to release that pressure…
Maybe they wouldn’t go that far.
Fang Ziqin’s method… cough… ridiculous, but at least he’s alive.
As long as you’re alive, there’s hope.
After singing “Unembarrassed,” she no longer felt secondhand shame about it.
Instead, there was a strange tragic beauty to it.
A young man pushed to the edge, using the most primitive, direct way to scream his unwillingness into the world.
【The world holds all things.】
【As long as no one is harmed, any form of release is acceptable.】
Fang Ziqin bit his lip, eyes red.
The King of Zhenbei… truly understood him.
Not only understood him—but gave him the courage to live on.
He took a deep breath and lifted his head.
Fine. Since his face was already gone—he might as well go all in!
His posture straightened, eyes clearing with relief.
No more midnight running.
Because his heart was already free.
The Crown Prince watched Fang Ziqin’s change, his gaze softening.
This kid… actually knows how to let go.
Just when everyone thought the gossip was over—
The system spoke again.
Its tone turned strange.
【But…】
【Host, there’s an even bigger twist!】
Fang Zexuan froze.
【What?】
【Fang Ziqin… was actually seen once while running naked!】
“WHAT?!”
Fang Ziqin’s restored color drained instantly.
He turned to stone on the spot.
His expression shifted from relief → shock → despair.
Seen… by someone?!
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
He had arranged everything so carefully!
Fang Zexuan was also stunned.
【What? He was seen?】
【Didn’t he have guards?】
【Did they fall asleep?】
The officials were equally shocked.
There’s more?!
【Host…】
The system said slowly.
【The servants could guard the perimeter… but not the center of the lake.】
【The center of the lake…】
Fang Zexuan’s mind turned.
【Don’t tell me someone was in the water?】
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