Chapter 9 – Childish

“Ohhhh~”

A high-pitched cry reached his ears, and even though it was so far away, it was so shrill that it nearly pierced his eardrums.

Feng Ye couldn’t help but stop what he was doing and look toward the chicken coops in the back mountain.

The idea of killing the rooster because he didn’t want to get up was undoubtedly a stupid way to deceive himself while burying his head in the sand.

When one rooster fell, a thousand more stood up.

And even if they didn’t stand up, the rising of the sun and the setting of the moon wouldn’t come to a standstill because of their extinction.

Feng Ye was certainly not that naive. His words that morning were just half-conscious dream talk. After all, he knew the rooster was innocent.

However, Feng Ye thought while leaning on his broom, it’s fine for the rooster to crow in the morning, but now it’s crowing almost at noon. It’s just as annoying as Hao Chen, so I’ll make soup out of it.

Speaking of Hao Chen, Feng Ye couldn’t help but look around, but there was no sign of him.

Had this sticky fellow actually discovered a conscience and left?

Of course not! Feng Ye rejected this idea the moment it occurred to him. Hao Chen had come all the way here and hadn’t done anything yet. How could he leave empty-handed? 

That fellow must have gone to seek out Fang Yang. Feng Ye easily predicted Hao Chen’s movements. It seemed that Hao Chen also knew how to change his strategy and advance from another angle.

Compared to himself, Fang Yang’s mouth was like a city with its gates wide open, lacking any defensive capability at all. Given Hao Chen’s cunningness, that fool would probably tell him how many piglets his aunt and uncle’s pigs gave birth to last year.

But there’s no point. My disguise is flawless. It’s impossible for Hao Chen to discover anything about me from others, Feng Ye thought somewhat pridefully.

He looked at the leaves piled up by his feet. The floor was nearly swept. It was a good time to go find Fang Yang, and Hao Chen beside him.

Feng Ye was almost a little eager. It wasn’t that he had any feelings toward Hao Chen, the fake friend he’d only known for a day. He just couldn’t wait to see Hao Chen’s frustrated expression after asking a bunch of trivial questions for a long time.

Just the thought cheered him up, and Feng Ye couldn’t help humming a song.

However, just as Feng Ye was about to stow away his broom and depart, a strong gust of wind suddenly blew over his head.

Feng Ye subconsciously looked up at the sky and saw someone flying overhead on a sword, exactly the same as yesterday.

Yesterday, it was Cao Zirui, the second personal disciple of the sect leader. Today, it was the head disciple, who was also the default successor to the sect leader – Xue Ren.

Unlike Cao Zirui, who had just entered the sect a year prior, Xue Ren had been a disciple for more than twenty years. By virtue of his natural gift of gold and wood spiritual roots, he had reached Golden Core stage and was considered preeminent among his peers.

The speed of cultivation slowed down the more one progressed. It took about two to three years for a person to go from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, and the time from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core was extended tenfold, twenty to thirty years.

This was only the case for those who were able to cultivate to Golden Core stage. Most people would be stuck at Foundation Establishment for a lifetime. For example, the administrator who managed the junior disciples was at the Foundation Establishment stage.

After cultivating for most of his life, he was still unable to break through to Golden Core stage. Knowing that his talent was limited, he no longer went out to fight for opportunities, and just quietly served as the sect’s gossip-monger.

Xue Ren, who had cultivated to Golden Core stage in twenty years, could be considered a genius. It was just that there existed geniuses among geniuses, and compared to his genius shidi, who had reached Foundation Establishment in just one year, Xue Ren’s achievements weren’t quite as impressive.

If nothing unexpected happened, it would definitely take Cao Zirui fewer than twenty years to cultivate to Golden Core stage.

It was said that comparing oneself to others led to despair.

But all of this had nothing to do with Feng Ye, who was gifted with five spiritual roots and had spent three years cultivating to the third level of Qi Refining.

Not to mention Golden Core, with his qualifications and his habit of doing things in fits and starts, the fact that he was able to achieve a foundation was considered a miracle in the world of immortal cultivation.

But Feng Ye wasn’t concerned with this. He looked away from Xue Ren flying above him after recalling his identity.

Cao Zirui had returned from outside yesterday, and now Xue Ren had returned today. Did something happen in the sect recently?

Although the inner sect examination would be held in three days, there was no need to call back the sect leader’s personal disciples for such a matter.

Feng Ye leaned on the broom as he pondered.

After some time, he belatedly registered the tragic sight of messy leaves all over the ground in front of him.

Feng Ye, who had worked all morning in vain: “……”

Damn it! A vein bulged on Feng Ye’s forehead, and he squeezed the broom handle tightly. He yearned to grab both of those Cao Zirui and Xue Ren brothers who had flown over yesterday and today, point at their noses, and teach them that civilized sword-flying didn’t include flying at low altitudes.

But he was just an outer sect junior disciple. Generally speaking, he couldn’t even meet these two personal disciples of the sect leader, let alone teach them a lesson.

Today, Feng Ye finally understood what it meant to fall into one’s own trap.

In short, he had wrapped this cocoon around his own body, and until he achieved his goal, Feng Ye was not going to remove it. Thus, his only choice was to endure.

Endure! Feng Ye thought bitterly. Resigned to his fate, he resumed swinging the broom.

Not far away, Hao Chen and Fang Yang were slowly walking over from the meditation hall.

As soon as they approached, Fang Yang said in bewilderment: “Shixiong, why aren’t you done yet? The administrator will be here soon!”

Feng Ye glanced at him with a sullen expression, saying sluggishly: “There was a small accident.”

His line of sight moved a little to the left of Fang Yang, to Hao Chen. Hao Chen said nothing. This fellow was still waving his fan in a showy manner, with a playful expression on his face as if he was watching a performance.

Feng Ye had originally planned to go and see Hao Chen looking like a fool, but who could have known that the tables would turn so fast? The situation turned out the complete opposite, and he had become the one being laughed at.

This wouldn’t work. Feng Ye couldn’t stomach defeat, so when Fang Yang rolled up his sleeves in preparation to help, Feng Ye refused: “Shidi, you go eat first.”

Fang Yang asked in surprise: “But you’ll soon be too late to finish, ah…..”

Feng Ye cut in: “Not a problem. Shixiong has someone to help.”

Hao Chen stopped fanning himself. He suddenly had a bad premonition.

Feng Ye looked toward him with a smile: “Fellow Daoist Hao Chen and I have a bond more solid than gold. He certainly won’t sit by and do nothing.”

Fang Yang nodded in sudden realization. He very considerately took a broom and entrusted it to Hao Chen: “Hao-dage, you can do it!”

Hao Chen: “…….”

Fang Yang retired after accomplishing his mission, leaving just the two people standing in the martial arts training square.

Hao Chen looked at the broom in his hand, then at Feng Ye, who had dug this hole for him. He tried to put up a struggle: “Fellow Daoist Feng Ye, it is said that visitors from afar are guests…..” Wasn’t it inappropriate to ask a guest to sweep the floor?

Before he could finish, Feng Ye interrupted him: “My friendship with Fellow Daoist Hao Chen is such that heaven and earth bear witness to it. Others who come may be guests, but when Fellow Daoist Hao Chen comes, isn’t he just like a brother?”

Hao Chen: “……”

Feng Ye built upon his good work, wanting to completely block Hao Chen’s escape route. He raised his eyebrows at him and said: “What, could it be that what Fellow Daoist Hao Chen said yesterday about missing me so much that he couldn’t sleep was a lie?”

Now that things had come to this, what else could Hao Chen do? He could only smile back: “Of course not. Fellow Daoist Feng Ye, rest assured, my friendship with you is as staunch and pure as a drink with no water added.”

Of course, there’s no need to add water to something that doesn’t exist in the first place, Feng Ye added to himself. But on the surface, he looked very moved: “Then I’ll rely on you, Fellow Daoist Hao Chen. I’ll take this half…..”

Feng Ye used his broom to sketch a line on the ground, starting from one third of the way across the martial arts square. He pointed to the other two-thirds and said: “The other half is yours.”

Hao Chen: “……Fellow Daoist Feng Ye’s half is truly symmetrical.”

Feng Ye smiled shyly: “Not so, not so.”

Having successfully pulled Hao Chen into the water with him, Feng Ye’s bad mood had mostly dissipated. He stopped talking and turned around to get to work.

Hao Chen held the broom unskillfully, waving it the same way Feng Ye was doing. He felt a little strange at the thought that he was actually doing such a thing. The sight would likely shock his subordinates.

He looked at the piece Feng Ye had allocated to him, nominally half, which took up two-thirds of the square. Then he glanced at Feng Ye on the other side, who appeared delighted at his success in obtaining the upper hand.

Childish, Hao Chen appraised inwardly.

In addition to this appraisal, he couldn’t help but to resort to a few tricks to regain some ground.

He was completely unaware that his behavior was extremely childish.

With the broom in one hand and his fan in the other, he silently put the fan behind his back and waved it gently where Feng Ye couldn’t see. 

As he was sweeping, Feng Ye found that the fallen leaves in front of him were no longer gathered together, but were flying around randomly.

He took a subconscious step forward, intending to sweep back the leaves that had flown away.

But for each step he took forward, the leaves took a step back.

After three steps, Feng Ye realized something wasn’t right and turned to look in Hao Chen’s direction.

Hao Chen smiled and blinked at him innocently.

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes, then suddenly smiled and followed Hao Chen’s example, putting a hand behind his back. Where Hao Chen couldn’t see, his five fingers became claw-like and made a grasping motion.

Hao Chen’s immediately became focused. He felt a strong gust of wind heading toward him. Just when Hao Chen couldn’t stop himself from striking back, the wind changed direction and passed by him. Only…..

Hao Chen picked the fallen leaves off his head, looking at Feng Ye.

Feng Ye also blinked innocently.

This aroused Hao Chen’s competitive spirit. Wanting to teach Feng Ye a lesson, he also waved his fan vigorously behind his back.

The wind was so strong this time that it was almost impossible to keep one’s footing. Feng Ye took a step outward with his right foot to stabilize himself, looking against the strong wind at Hao Chen.

Unlike the hurricane on his side, only a gentle breeze blew Hao Chen’s sleeves, making it clear that he was the one responsible.

Behind his back, Feng Ye’s hand suddenly clenched into a fist, and several sharp bursts of wind blew in the opposite direction. This wind was so strong and sharp that it was like an invisible blade, instantly cutting off the wind storm’s path.

The hurricane scattered in the air.

This fellow had some tricks up his sleeve. Hao Chen was intrigued, and wanted to test Feng Ye’s abilities.

Just when Hao Chen was about to try again, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from afar. 

Someone was coming.

Feng Ye realized this at the same time. The hand behind his back immediately loosened, and Hao Chen also put away his fan.

The two of them tacitly stopped quarreling, picked up their brooms again, and pretended to sweep the floor. But they were also unwilling to sweep it properly. Feng Ye walked to the dividing line he had just drawn and unobtrusively swept all of the fallen leaves from his side to the other.

Hao Chen soon discovered the reason for the increasing number of leaves on his side. He followed suit and silently swept the fallen leaves over.

The two of them kept their movements small at first, knowing to be a little discreet. But later, when they realized they were exposed, they became increasingly blatant, waving their brooms vigorously as if in competition.

This was the scene Fang Yang saw when he arrived.

He saw leaves falling all over the sky, with the ground increasingly messy.

Fang Yang: “……”

Fang Yang looked at the two people – both a head taller than him – and thought expressionlessly: Two childish brats.

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Chapter 8 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 10

It was the hosts’ big day, so even Liu Qiao couldn’t help but drink more than usual. 

When Liu Qiao was drunk, he seemed to have a bit more of a temper. In the face of Qiao Jin’s arrogant words, he scoffed and said: “Stinky brat!”

When Qiao Jin rushed over, Liu Qiao moved to step directly on his chest. He was going to tame this wolf cub who took advantage of him being drunk to secretly climb into his bed and pounce on him.

As expected, one must not reveal weakness in front of a wolf cub, or it would take the opportunity to shamelessly bite its prey.

But the moment Liu Qiao swung his foot, Qiao Jin promptly bent backward. The kick did not connect solidly, and its force was weakened.

Qiao Jin took the chance to grab Liu Qiao calf and lift it up, and with a flick, he spun around and pushed Liu Qiao against a tree. It was impossible for a master such as Liu Qiao to lose his balance.

Although Qiao Jin’s flexible counterattack was somewhat unexpected and caused Liu Qiao a minor loss for the first time, it could be seen that Qiao Jin had truly trained hard just to make some progress in this matter.

But in the face of a true master, it was all in vain. When Qiao Jin pushed Liu Qiao against the tree, he felt a chill at his neck.

When he looked down, Liu Qiao was like a sharp blade pressed against the jut of his throat.

“You!” Qiao Jin gaped.

Liu Qiao was also a bit stunned: “It’s a conditioned reflex.”

Qiao Jin’s sudden counterattack had aroused his instincts as a martial arts master, and he used a killing move.

Qiao Jin suddenly felt very aggrieved. In a fit of anger, he pressed his neck toward Liu Qiao’s hand.

“Then just kill me!” Qiao Jin said furiously. 

But although Liu Qiao didn’t pull his hand away, he didn’t exert enough force to hurt him. Qiao Jin moved forward so that warm fingertips just brushed his throat.

The touch stunned Liu Qiao for a moment. His throat bobbed, and he experienced an inexplicably strange feeling.

Liu Qiao tutted in annoyance. He withdrew his hand and shoved the other’s chest: “Get out of here! Don’t go crazy!”

But Qiao Jin refused to do so. He was likely very drunk.

Just like a trapped beast, Qiao Jin approached fiercely with a vicious expression: “I am crazy. Liu Qiao, you’re driving me crazy. I don’t want anything in the world except you. I can’t take it any longer! How long are you going to make me wait!”

Qiao Jin would go crazy from time to time, but Liu Qiao never took it seriously. With a blank expression, he said: “I didn’t ask you to wait. If you can’t endure any longer, find someone else.”

Qiao Jin’s pupils shrank. His heart ached. He knew that Liu Qiao was telling the truth. It didn’t matter to Liu Qiao at all whether or not Qiao Jin came to pester him. Even if he crossed the sea to meet him every month, he would only be regarded as troublesome.

Liu Qiao was a man made of stone and wood, and he had no such feelings at all. But…..but Qiao Jin still felt wronged, and he couldn’t wait any longer.

His gaze suddenly turned fierce: “Fine. In any case, you gave me my life. Today, either you kill me, or…..”

“Or what?” Liu Qiao felt a strange sensation on his back, and his animal instincts alerted him that something was wrong.

In the next moment, Qiao Jin kissed him, and the hand Liu Qiao had pressed against the other’s chest suddenly became full of internal strength.

But this time Qiao Jin persisted, absolutely refusing to retreat. It seemed as if there was no way back, so at the risk of his life, he was determined to carry this romance to the end.

Qiao Jin attacked with frantic kisses, and Liu Qiao tasted blood. This was the result of the power in his palm. 

This little wolf cub was actually willing to give up his life for such a thing.

Was this truly what he wanted?

Liu Qiao was a little short of breath after being kissed, his brain dull as he pondered this question. He could clearly sense that Qiao Jin had internal injuries from his beating.

But in the next second, Liu Qiao’s eyes widened – because the little wolf cub’s hands were dishonest.

Shocked, Liu Qiao directed more force to his hand. This time, Qiao Jin was actually beaten a distance away. Blood flowed from the corners of his mouth.

But Liu Qiao was now a little flustered. He didn’t know if it was because of Qiao Jin’s moves, the kiss, or because he drank too much and his control over his body had slackened, but Liu Qiao was experiencing a rare and unfamiliar reaction. He had a special physique, and this was his first time experiencing such a thing. His entire being was in a panic.

But in the next second, Qiao Jin suddenly crouched down and moved closer.

It all happened while Liu Qiao was stunned and unable to react.

It was Liu Qiao’s first time, and he was so stimulated that he leaned against a tree in a daze. In the end, he could only remember subconsciously grabbing onto Qiao Jin’s black hair.

Liu Qiao didn’t know what happened next. When he regained his senses, Qiao Jin had already carried him to bed.

“Liu Qiao, I like you, I really like you. Can you like me for a while? Just a little while? Don’t reject me.” Qiao Jin’s humble request sounded in his ears, with even a hint of tears in his tone. In fact, Qiao Jin didn’t want to have such an unromantic beginning, but he really couldn’t wait any longer.

“If you reject me, I won’t live!”

Liu Qiao blinked. His body gradually remembered that feeling. It seemed……rather comfortable. He didn’t hate it.

His master had once told Liu Qiao that if he really couldn’t accept this, he should reject Qiao Jin cleanly and set him free to find his own happiness. 

Liu Qiao had asked what not being able to accept it entailed.

His master told him that he couldn’t accept it if, for example, being kissed by him made him sick to his stomach.

It didn’t. 

For another example, if Qiao Jin became more intimate with him and he felt uncomfortable all over, feeling so nauseous that he wanted to vomit.

Now he knew that this wasn’t the case either. It was just that his instincts as a martial arts master made him hate the feeling of being controlled by others like prey. Qiao Jin always looked as if he wanted to eat him, which made him uncomfortable.

But just now, he seemed to have understood something…..he felt that Qiao Jin was more like a starving wolf that would die if it didn’t eat him.

In the end, when Qiao Jin made another desperate effort to kiss him, Liu Qiao felt a small tremor leak through his ferocity. He was taken aback, but still raised his hands and embraced the insecure Qiao Jin.

Qiao Jin was shocked, and his heart almost stopped beating due to excitement.

But not long after, Qiao Jin was kicked off the bed.

Qiao Jin raised his mussed head: “You’re not willing?”

Liu Qiao said with fear on his face: “I want to be on top! It hurts like hell on the bottom!”

Liu Qiao was the kind of person who wouldn’t cry out in pain even after being shot with several arrows. Qiao Jin was dumbfounded: “I’ll be careful. There’s ointment, and I’ll take my time…..”

But Liu Qiao shook his head firmly, refusing on his life as if he had some kind of psychological shadow.

Qiao Jin had truly never expected that when the meat was right in front of his mouth, such a problem would arise. It was understandable that Liu Qiao might have concerns about being on top or on bottom, but being afraid of pain?

How could a wolf cub give up the fatty meat in its mouth? After much coaxing and coercing, and promising not to do it to the end, he was allowed to climb up.

Since he couldn’t win, he could only wear away at him slowly, and one day he would be able to eat!

But Qiao Jin didn’t have to wait long, because one day, Liu Qiao took the initiative to question Liu Zhenqing. He feared that he would someday lose control and cause Qiao Jin a specific kind of pain, and wanted to ask if there was a good way to alleviate it. Liu Zhenqing finally realized what sin he had committed, but he was also very excited. He thought Qiaoqiao would be overwhelmed by the wolf cub, so he immediately explained things and gave Liu Qiao lots of ointment with a smile on his face.

As a result, Liu Qiao wasn’t able to get up the next day, which made Liu Zhenqing very depressed. Qiaoqiao failed to live up to expectations, ah. He even intended to marry that rebellious little cousin.

But in Liu Qiao’s opinion, it didn’t hurt, so it didn’t matter.

Going back to that night, Huo Fenglie was carrying a food box when he saw Liu Qiao beating Qiao Jin. This was a common scene, so he naturally dismissed them and turned to go back.

When he was passing by a rooftop, he heard a sudden roar: “He Yundu!”

“You’re not really drunk! What? Are you guarding against me? Zhanyuan’s married now, it’s time to get him off your mind.”

Upon hearing the voices of He Lan and Qin Yu, Huo Fenglie was about to leave, but stopped in his tracks when he heard his name. But after some thought, he decided to ignore the two stupid brothers and immediately set off to find Qing-ge.

Inside Qin Yu’s courtyard, an outward-facing window was wide open, and Qin Yu was being pressed against the windowsill by He Lan. It was obvious that they had just been fighting.

“What nonsense are you saying!” Qin Yu tried to struggle, but He Lan grabbed his wrists, turned him over, and pressed him down, making it more difficult for him to resist.

Qin Yu had never expected the difference between them to be so great. He also hadn’t been lazy this year, so how could he suddenly be overpowered like this?

Qin Yu was unaware that, in order to deal with this wild cat who didn’t know how to come home and only knew how to show his claws, He Lan had worked very hard this year.

He Lan forced Qin Yu to bend over with half his body leaning over the windowsill. Qin Yu barely managed to grab the edge with both hands to avoid falling headfirst, but this put him in an even weaker position.

Coupled with the extremely skillful stroking from behind, Qin Yu’s ears instantly felt hot and he tensed up from head to foot.

Even though they hadn’t seen each other in a year, and even though He Lan was doing very well in the capital, he was still a fiend.

“I’m talking nonsense? Clearly you never showed up, and I couldn’t find you even when I sent people to look for you. You didn’t come back. You hid from me, but took the risk to attend the wedding banquet. It’s obvious that anything to do with Zhanyuan is the most important to you. I actually believed you when you said you treat him as a brother and don’t like him that way. Qin Zichuan, are you playing with me?”

A look of shame and anger flashed across Qin Yu’s face. He tried to struggle, but was pinned down. Due to their familiarity with each other’s bodies, and at such a close distance, He Lan’s mood was fully revealed within a few seconds. Whenever this happened, Qin Yu’s legs would automatically weaken.

“Do I need to lie to you? I’ll say it again, I’ve never liked anyone else,” Qin Yu said scathingly.

He Lan sensed the seriousness in Qin Yu’s words and was stunned: “You’ve never liked anyone else…..anyone else. Then am I considered anyone else?”

Qin Yu froze.

“Speak! I don’t believe you can’t see that I like you!” He Lan said angrily.

But Qin Yu remained silent.

He Lan’s blood boiled. Gritting his teeth, he leaned down and said fiercely in Qin Yu’s ear: “Qin Zichuan, I don’t believe that you can forget what we’ve had in the past. Why didn’t you come back and face me? What are you afraid of? For more than three hundred days and nights, you didn’t have the heart to come see me. Do you know how I spent my time? Whenever I had a free moment, I would think, ‘Sooner or later, I’m going to catch you and do you until you can’t get out of bed!”

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Wedding Extra 5 << Table of Contents >> Wedding Extra 7

Pei Xi hadn’t slept so deeply in a long time. It was as if every bone and joint in his body had been overtaxed, every active cell exhausted after such extreme excitement.

He opened his eyes when the sun was directly overhead and stared at the ceiling in a daze.

He closed them again.

And opened them ten seconds later.

Dreams and reality slowly diverged, and he felt more hungry than sleepy. He sobered up, carefully and gently lifting the quilt to sit on the edge of the bed.

He was dressed in clean clothes – just a pair of white cotton underwear. A large area of skin was exposed to the air, and marks covered him from his neck to his feet.

Even in the trickiest places, he could find teeth marks that were neither too deep nor too shallow.

At the bedside, there were clean clothes prepared for him by He Chuzhou.

To say that it was clothing might be an overstatement, because when Pei Xi picked it up to take a look, there weren’t even pants, just a black shirt that was too baggy for him.

The passionate words of a certain person were embodied at this moment, rolling into his mind along with memories of the night before.

Pei Xi didn’t want to use the word ‘procrastinator’ to describe He Chuzhou, because the word was very much contrary to his nature.

But for the He Chuzhou who carried him into the bedroom, aside from this word, he couldn’t think of any other accurate description.

Unlike the urgency he had shown before, he had stretched the foreplay out so long, honing in on every detail that could help him relax and relieve discomfort. 

But overpreparing him was the opposite of torture.

Pei Xi’s shame prevented him from urging him on, and he gritted his teeth, keeping his thoughts to himself. At one point, he even wondered if He Chuzhou was a faint-hearted person hiding in the shell of a pervert.

Even the process of his advance was slowed down infinitely.

Time seemed to slow down at that moment, but his senses were infinitely magnified.

It couldn’t be called painful, nor could it be called pleasure. He just felt in an abstract way that their souls had become deeply enmeshed.

This feeling was very complicated and difficult to describe, and it easily emptied his brain.

Such was the case that when Pei Xi snapped out of his trance, he couldn’t tell exactly when the situation had spun out of control.

Waves that barely reached his ankles had become huge swells without him noticing.

His flimsy little boat swayed in the wind and rain, lifted up by huge waves one second and almost overturning the next.

A desk lamp lit the room that was originally shrouded in darkness. The orange-gold hue, similar to sunlight, cast a romantic glow across his body.

And as time went by, this layer of light was embellished by an underlying crimson.

Pei Xi struggled to turn off the light, but just as his finger was about to touch the switch, his wrist was clamped tightly and forced back to the pillow.

He Chuzhou completely put his words into practice and coaxed him patiently.

But his actions had nothing to do with tenderness. His voice got lower and lower, his words insincere and absurd:

“Be good. It’s okay, I’ll be a little gentler.”

“Baby, you’re so beautiful. How are you so beautiful even when you’re crying?”

“No, Baby, I really can’t help it. Can you hold on for just a while longer? Just a while…..”

The bed sheets were wrinkled all over. Pei Xi tried to escape, but was pulled back and nailed down to his original position.

His attempt backfired, and the soles of his feet could no longer touch the bed.

The neon lights outside the window would be on all night, but Pei Xi was exhausted before he could even watch half of it.

During his last moments of consciousness, he sat in He Chuzhou’s arms, leaning into his shoulder with eyes half open and grabbing the hair on the back of his head to vent his anger.

His grip was soft and weak, more like flirting than revenge.

He Chuzhou’s kisses and low laughter lingered in his ears. He called him his dear wife and asked him how he was feeling.

Tears rolled down from the corners of his eyes, and Pei Xi was unable to utter a complete word.

If possible, he hoped that He Chuzhou would be more single-minded and carry out his original plan from start to finish.

His stomach growled faintly. He looked down at the shirt in his hand and shook it out before putting it on. Standing up, he buttoned the shirt casually and walked a few steps to open the door.

He Chuzhou was in the living room, typing on his laptop. When he heard a sound, he clicked ‘enter’ and turned around.

Pei Xi had just come out. His body was slender and vulnerable beneath his meager clothes, his legs long and straight.

The marks had remained overnight. The black fabric also served as the best foil for his white skin, like private property that had been marked and monopolized. Fragile and beautiful, he easily aroused the urge to ravage in those who looked at him.

He Chuzhou admired him from the tips of his hair to his heels. His eyes darkened, and his lips curved silently.

Pei Xi saw him and walked closer without saying a word. There was a dull look on his features, as if he hadn’t quite woken up, or as if fatigue was pressing down on his eyelids.

He Chuzhou set the computer aside. When Pei Xi came to him, he hugged him around the waist and put him on his lap.

Positioned face to face, Pei Xi hugged him very naturally and buried his head in his shoulder with an attitude of strong dependence.

He Chuzhou encircled his waist and pressed him against himself tightly, stroking his back. His eyes were so soft that they were practically seeping moisture.

“Wife, you look really good like this.”

“I wanted to do this the night you came to see me on my business trip. I dreamed about it all night, but I didn’t dare tell you for fear of frightening you.”

“So you did it to me all night just like in your dream,” Pei Xi said in a hoarse voice.

“Not exactly.”

He Chuzhou pondered, then said as if reminiscing: “If I did, you probably wouldn’t be able to get up until tomorrow afternoon.”

He lowered his head and rubbed a mark on Pei Xi’s shoulder with the tip of his nose, indulging in the feel of his body temperature: “I was very restrained. Really.”

The person in his arms said nothing.

He Chuzhou tilted his head slightly and saw the tips of Pei Xi’s ears growing red.

He had a thorough understanding of Pei Xi’s character – he was tough when facing a strong opponent, and gentle when facing a weak opponent.

In the same way, Pei Xi was able to remain calm when he was clearly nervous, and when he was at ease, he was embroiled in the chaos and turmoil of war.

But he himself seemed to be unaware of this, which made it difficult for He Chuzhou to avoid feeling sorry for him always being at a disadvantage, so he let him off again and again.

“Are you hungry?” He changed the subject.

Pei Xi nodded weakly and asked: “Where did you put my pants?”

He Chuzhou held him and stood up, just like carrying a child: “I hid them so you couldn’t wear them.”

Pei Xi silently smacked him on the back.

He Chuzhou laughed loudly and pulled out a chair at the dining table. He sat with Pei Xi in his arms and made up an excuse for his behavior: “This chair is cold.”

Pei Xi couldn’t be bothered to fight him. Walking those few steps out of the room had exhausted all of the energy he’d mustered with great difficulty, and now he was sleepy again.

He finished his breakfast slowly, and before he could go back to the bedroom, he set down his chopsticks one second and fell asleep against He Chuzhou’s shoulder the next. 

The last time someone slept so well was when Xiao Yueliang was first brought back home. She’d put her head in the milk bowl and begun to dream, gurgling bubbles with every breath.

He Chuzhou’s heart practically melted. He tilted his head and kissed the tip of Pei Xi’s ear. For fear of disturbing his sleep, he sat there for a long while without moving.

When Pei Xi woke up again, the sun was setting outside the window.

He was still in a certain person’s arms, but they weren’t in the living room. Nor were they in the dining room or the bedroom, but rather in the study.

The computer displayed an online conference room where twenty-eight people were online.

He was a little confused about the situation. All of a sudden, he felt a pain in his shoulder.

He sucked in a sharp breath and looked up. He Chuzhou, who was making trouble on his shoulder, heard the sound and raised his eyelids to look at him. Upon seeing that his eyes were open, a slight curve appeared at the corners of his lips: “You’re awake?”

Pei Xi saw the lust in his eyes, and his fingertips curled up almost reflexively. He was too startled to dodge, and an eager kiss was pressed down on him, rudely obstructing his breathing.

“I just thought you smelled good, so I wanted to get closer and smell you more.”

“But you were so soft when I smelled you that I wanted to quietly kiss you while you slept.”

“Xinxin, I swear I had no intention of bullying you.”

He manipulated the person in his arms like a doll, pulling his hand to a certain place and holding it there with a pitiful look: “But then this happened.”

“The child has grown up to be rebellious. I can’t control it, so you should take care of it. It’ll listen to you the most.”

Pei Xi had no room to resist, and the small bit of strength he had regained through sleep was soon lost again. 

With his breathing forced into chaos, he could only struggle for his last shred of dignity: “The computer…..”

He Chuzhou bit the back of his neck and chuckled: “Don’t worry, Wife. It’s an audio conference. The camera isn’t on.

Audio…..?!

Pei Xi forced himself to swallow the groan that was about to escape his throat. He clenched his teeth tightly and refused to make any sound no matter what.

He Chuzhou sensed his intentions and deliberately played tricks. When he saw Pei Xi cover his mouth in a fluster, he grabbed his wrist and pressed it to the table.

It was unknown whether the keyboard or mouse was bumped by this movement, but the audio went from bluetooth to the external speakers. A voice unfamiliar to Pei Xi was making a summary report with clear logic and rigorous thinking.

Pei Xi was frightened and trembling. Choked sobs escaped the corners of his mouth, and the tips of his eyes were filled with moisture.

He Chuzhou instantly gasped, and a flash of scarlet seemed to appear in his dark pupils. He released Pei Xi’s wrist and kissed him with urgency.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.”

“I’m just kidding, the voice chat has been turned off on our side.”

“My wife’s voice is so beautiful that I don’t want anyone else to hear it.”

Pei Xi stared dazedly at the setting sun outside the window. All of a sudden, he lowered his head and bit down hard on the sweating neck in front of him, leaving deep teeth marks that made his vexation clear.

Men who had just started having sex in their thirties were truly frightening. Pei Xi often felt that the person next to him wasn’t a human being, but a hungry wolf that had been fed carrots for thirty years.

Once the wolf got a taste of meat, it could never return to its former ignorant and unaffected self.

It only took one sentence and one night to go from a peaceful life to unbearable misery.

After that night, Pei Xi’s life fell into dire straights.

His physical endurance and mental fortitude were far inferior to He Chuzhou’s, and when he really couldn’t bear it anymore, he considered ruthlessly refusing.

But it couldn’t be helped that He Chuzhou was so thick-skinned, and would lay on top of him, whining and acting like a spoiled child. He chattered mindlessly, calling him ‘gege’ and ‘husband’ in a plaintive voice.

The result of being soft-hearted was that the ‘last time’ turned into the last hundred million times, so that everything that could be sucked from him was vacuumed clean.

Pei Xi began to wish that He Chuzhou was a little busier than he was now. It would be best for Pei Xi to sleep at work, so that he could get a decent rest and give himself a way to survive.

But reality had a mind of its own.

Wu Qing had organized another party and enthusiastically called them out for drinks.

Pei Xi didn’t want to go. He had never been interested in such gatherings. The married He Chuzhou didn’t want to go either, as he was in his golden years and just wanted to be home with his wife.

Pei Xi gave him a lengthy stare: “You’re really not going?”

He Chuzhou: “Not going.”

Pei Xi nodded. He got up and walked to the entrance, then looked back and beckoned to him: “Come here, I’ll give you a surprise.”

He Chuzhou happily followed him: “Where?”

Pei Xi opened the door: “Outside.”

He Chuzhou had just taken a long stride out when he heard the door slam behind him: “Go drink, and don’t come back until you’re drunk.”

He Chuzhou: “……”

He Chuzhou rubbed his nose in dismay, then turned around and trudged down the stairs obediently. He dialed Wu Qing: “Give me the address, buddy, I’m coming. My wife kicked me out of the house. Your friend is homeless.”

Wu Qing enjoyed a lively scene. He had called many people over, including the foreign boyfriend with golden hair and eyes like glass beads, whom he had introduced to Pei Xi. When this person kissed him, he was so elated that he lost his mind.

“This time it’s for real. I think I’ve found true love. I have to marry him,” Wu Qing said in a low voice.

He Chuzhou gave a disinterested “oh,” busy texting Pei Xi.

Wu Qing: “You don’t want to give your blessing to your buddy?”

He Chuzhou: “Why are you in such a hurry? It won’t be too late to give you my blessing once you get the certificate. When the time comes, I’ll definitely give you a big red envelope to congratulate you on settling down and getting married……oh, you haven’t established a career. Ignore what I just said.”

Wu Qing was so angry that his teeth itched.

During the dinner conversation, someone asked about the riverside property. It was said that He Chuzhou’s former rival had now become his wife, so why bother fighting over the land? 

Some said they wouldn’t steal it: “Of course I wouldn’t steal it, ah. How shameless would a man have to be to steal something from his wife?”

Some said: “Even accounts between brothers should be settled clearly, let alone those with your wife. If you steal it, you deserve to kneel on a durian when you go home, and sleep in the study at night!” 

“Then I’ll have to disappoint you.”

He Chuzhou sighed pretentiously: “I definitely wouldn’t fight my wife for anything, but I couldn’t say no to him giving me something. He’s already given me that piece of land.”

“…..Fuck!”

“The president of He Group eats soft rice.”

“What’s wrong with eating soft rice? Soft rice is delicious. I love it. I’d eat it too, but I don’t have a wife.”

“Lao Liu has a wife. When he gets here later, ask him if he’d like to live off her.”

“Ai, what do you plan to do with that piece of land, He-ge? Build a shopping mall or apartments?”

He Chuzhou: “Nothing like that.”

“Have you not decided yet?”

“I’ve decided, ah.” He Chuzhou was focused on sending texts, and only occasionally took a brief moment to respond to them. “I’m building an aquarium. My wife likes them. I’m going to give it to him as a surprise later on.”

“……”

“……”

“…….tsk.”

“Would you look at that. Didn’t I say not to invite married people out for drinks? It’s just asking for trouble.”

The door to the private room was pushed open, and noise from the hall filtered in for a moment before it was quickly blocked out.

The person who came in was Lao Liu, so everyone continued the previous topic and asked him if he usually lived off his wife or husband at home, gossiping to the high heavens.

The focus had finally shifted from He Chuzhou. Wu Qing looked over silently to see what he was busy with, and happened to see Pei Xi’s two big words in reply to He Chuzhou’s screen-swiping behavior:

[Be quiet.]

“Hahahahahahaha!”

Wu Qing burst into laughter: “You’re that annoying? No wonder he kicked you out.”

“Put down your phone and stop pestering your wife. Leave him in peace for a while.”

He Chuzhou was a little wounded, but also thought his wife was really cute. As he put down his phone with mixed feelings, Lao Liu sitting opposite him was talking unrestrained nonsense.

“Soft rice, what soft rice? I don’t care what kind of soft rice it is, I’ll eat it all.”

“Nah, I don’t have any food to eat. I’m the one who feeds my wife. It’s my wife who eats my food, do you understand?”

“A man should be the master of his family, holding up half the sky. At home, if I tell my wife to go east, she doesn’t dare go west.”

“To make your partner obey you is called taming them. It’s a skill. Most people can’t do it.”

. . . . . 

A very strange phenomenon occurred – even though it was Lao Liu who was speaking, everyone wordlessly turned their eyes back toward He Chuzhou with an air of subtle inquiry.

He Chuzhou picked up his wine glass and took a sip, then set it down and looked up: “…..What are you looking at me for?”

Lao Liu naturally knew he was “married,” and happily invited his peer to chat: “He-ge, how about you?”

“Me?” He Chuzhou thought for a moment, then nodded: “Ah, yes. My wife is just as capable as you.”

“Then we’re the same, ah! Ah? No…..eh…..?”

Lao Liu stared blankly, scratching his head in confusion. How astonishing. Could this really be said?

As the party was coming to an end, the drunken Wu Qing shouted for a change of location.

Lao Liu received a call from his wife, who proceeded to scold him. Her voice was so loud that even without the speakerphone on, everyone around could hear it clearly.

Lao Liu changed his attitude and apologized repeatedly, nodding and bowing over his phone: “Yes, yes, yes, I won’t go, honey. I’ll go back to be with you.”

“I didn’t drink much, really. I won’t act crazy. I’ll come home right away. Would you like me to buy some fried duck clavicle for you to eat? Or I could get you a cup of milk tea?”

Lao Liu waited until his wife had finished scolding him before hanging up the phone. He heaved a sigh of relief and looked up, only to find a group of people who had long been standing there in silence: “What are you doing? It’s normal for a man to make himself look better outside. I didn’t do it well this time, so I’ll try again next time.”

As it happened, He Chuzhou’s phone also rang.

The person sitting next to him saw the ID and wanted to watch the fun, so he called for him to put it on speakerphone: “It’s noisy out here, you won’t hear clearly without the speakerphone.”

“Lao Liu-ge, don’t cry. Your fellow sufferer will keep you company soon, hahahaha.”

“Come on, He-ge. Let us take this opportunity to say hello to President Pei. Don’t worry, we’re all brothers here, and you’re just being scolded. We won’t laugh at you.”

He Chuzhou swiped to answer the call and turned on hands-free mode. The melon-eating crowd tacitly quieted down. One and all, they looked at He Chuzhou with gloating expressions, their grins stretching to their ears.

Unfortunately, the imagined scene didn’t play out. The voice on the other side of the phone was calm, cool, and pleasant to the ears: “Is it almost over?”

He Chuzhou leisurely leaned back on the sofa. At the sound of Pei Xi’s voice, the corners of his mouth automatically rose: “En, we just finished. I’m about to go back.”

Pei Xi: “How much did you drink?”

He Chuzhou: “Not much, I’m still not drunk. What’s the matter, honey? Are you coming to pick me up?”

Pei Xi replied affirmatively: “I’m just leaving, so I’ll be there soon. It’s drizzling outside and the wind is cold. You wait for me in the private room instead of coming out.”

He Chuzhou’s eyes curved: “Ai, okay. Thank you, wife-wife is so nice.”

After hanging up, He Chuzhou thought of something and raised his head: “Didn’t someone want to say hello to my wife? Why didn’t you?”

“……”

“I can’t go to the next place. It’s cold and rainy, and my wife is coming to take me home to sleep.”

He Chuzhou rubbed his temples: “Oh, right. What’s this talk about fellow sufferers? Who were you guys talking about?”

“……”

“……”

“……”

Lao Liu burst into tears: “Damn you, we’re not the same!”

---

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Chapter 68 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 70

From day to night, the tattoo on Liu Zhenqing’s lower back continuously swayed, gradually disappearing into darkness. The movement under the red bed tent came to a stop.

Huo Fenglie opened the bed curtain and got out to light the candles. The candlelight not only illuminated the willow leaf tattoo on Huo Fenglie’s body, but also the clearly visible marks left behind by Liu Zhenqing.

After lighting the candles, he took hot water from the stove and brought it to the bed.

“Qing-ge…..” Huo Fenglie’s voice contained a smile as he looked at Liu Zhenqing, who was lying listlessly in bed, seemingly exhausted.

The thin blanket over his body seemed to have been draped there casually, barely covering the area below the waist and above the legs. 

The smooth lines of his shoulders and neck, a beautiful butterfly back, the concave curve to his waist, and straight legs below…..

Even though he had touched and kissed it all countless times, under the warm orange candlelight, Huo Fenglie felt momentarily covetous at the sight.

Not to mention the fact that something on that body belonged to him.

“Qing-ge……” When he spoke this time, his voice had lost its clarity and become hoarse.

Liu Zhenqing cracked open his eyes and peered at Huo Fenglie through the small gap, a hint of resentment to his gaze. The 1:3 record made him rather aggrieved. It had never been so exaggerated before, ah. It seemed that after he got this tattoo, Huo Fenglie had lost all sense of control in this regard.

Although he had been somewhat looking forward to getting this tattoo, as it seemed very romantic, he now appeared to be incapable of warding off Huo Fenglie.

His voice was already halfway hoarse. He didn’t even bother to raise his hands, and just opened his mouth.

Huo Fenglie moved closer to feed Liu Zhenqing some water. After he finished drinking, Huo Fenglie said: “Qing-ge, are you still thirsty?”

“Hungry.”

Huo Fenglie smiled and kissed Liu Zhenqing’s wet lips. Those lips had long turned cherry-red due to overuse, and were parched and plump.

“I’ll go get some food and see how everyone else is doing. Qing-ge, wait for me.”

Liu Zhenqing gave a nod and gestured for Huo Fenglie to go.

A group of people drinking from day till night……the situation could be imagined. When Huo Fenglie went over, he found Yue Xuqian directing the island workers to escort Han Ye and Bai Su back to their rooms.

The slightly tipsy Yue Xuqian turned around and saw Huo Fenglie standing outside. He said with a smile: “How could you bear to come out?”

“I’m getting Qing-ge something to eat. Where are the others?” Huo Fenglie asked.

“The two kids drank a little bit of wine and were taken away by Sister-in-law. As for the others, well.” Yue Xuqian touched his chin with a complicated expression. “Each family led their family members back. But they must have all been quite drunk, because several of them passed out.”

Huo Fenglie paid no mind to this: “You’re not drunk.”

Yue Xuqian raised an eyebrow with a shrewd look on his face: “I’m not a martial artist, and would get a hangover headache, so I just pretended to be drunk. By the way, I heard from the steward that there’s millet porridge in the kitchen, ready for drunkards at any time.”

Huo Fenglie heeded his words and turned toward the kitchen. It wasn’t advisable to eat too much at night, and some millet porridge was just the thing.

As it happened, he ran into Yi Chuan as soon as he arrived at the kitchen.

Yi Chuan had dozed off against the door. His bronze cheeks were a little red, and it was obvious that he’d drank too much.

As soon as Huo Fenglie approached, Yi Chuan woke up.

“Did you come to get porridge?” Huo Fenglie asked.

Inside the kitchen, servants were busily packing food boxes.

Yi Chuan nodded, a little lacking in spirit. His tone when he spoke was extremely out of sorts: “Song Xingmu has an upset stomach. He just drank all night and didn’t eat much.”

Yi Chuan was sulking. After all, Song Xingmu had constantly blocked the wine for him, worrying that he would beat people up when he got drunk. How could he be like that, ah?

It was Song Xingmu who drank himself unconscious and needed Yi Chuan to take care of him. It was annoying to death, so much so that he really wanted to toss him into the sea and let him fend for himself.

Yi Chuan just spoke a few brief words and took the food box handed to him by a servant before leaving.

When he returned to the guest room where Song Xingmu was staying, he heard the sound of drunken shenanigans just as he pushed open the door. He had seen Song Xingmu’s unsightly drunken appearance countless times.

It could be said that Song Xingmu’s true nature was completely exposed.

He was humming a naughty little tune, searching for wine and making a fool of himself.

“Where’s Zhiwan-guniang? Bring me some wine.”

“I don’t remember the name of this tune. I want to hear Zhiwan-guniang sing a little song, find her quickly.”

“Shuyun-gongzi, are you free tonight?”

“By the way, Xi Ran, hahahaha……Liu Zhenqing got married today. Who told you not to choose me that day? If you’d chosen me, maybe……”

His words were drowned out by a loud bang. But Song Xingmu was already out of his mind from drunkenness, and was completely unaware of the murderous aura next to him. Chatting and laughing at the air, he perfectly embodied the uninhibited character of the Sea King.

The moment Yi Chuan placed the food box on the table, the bottom of the box cracked. Yi Chuan gave Song Xingmu an unhappy look and scoffed coldly.

He thought that he really should throw him into the sea and let him swim back by himself to find his lover.

However, the demented Song Xingmu soon noticed that there was someone standing there and staggered over.

“Yo, why are you standing there……are you here to find me? A pretty young boy?” Song Xingmu reached out and touched Yi Chuan’s face, which naturally provoked the latter. Yi Chuan directly twisted Song Xingmu’s hand, but realized that this hand was previously disabled. Although it had been healed, years of conditioned reflex still made him afraid to use force against this hand.

This playboy Song Xingmu was the best at teasing and flirting, and had many tricks to harass people. Thus, he took advantage of the other’s posture to pull him into his arms, his hands reaching behind him almost instinctively.

Yi Chuan felt a touch on his butt, and his tiger fur instantly stood on end.

“The arc is so perfect. How can it be so perfect? It’s just as perfect as Yi Chuan’s,” Song Xingmu exclaimed in amazement.

Yi Chuan’s raised hand paused when he heard his own name, and he didn’t know if he should proceed to hit him or not quarrel with a drunkard.

But in the next second, Yi Chuan’s face blackened as he was pinched. He attacked directly and without mercy, but Song Xingmu wasn’t easy to deal with even when he was drunk.

After several moves, Yi Chuan was temporarily subdued and pressed onto the table by Song Xingmu from behind.

“This temperament is similar to Yi Chuan’s, irascible.”

“Damn you, Song Xingmu! Scram for Laozi!”

“Don’t want to, don’t want to. If I can’t hug Yi Chuan, I might as well hug you,” Song Xingmu said, leaning close to Yi Chuan’s ear.

Yi Chuan stiffened and immediately looked back at Song Xingmu with a cold gaze: “You’re looking for death!”

As expected, this shameless bastard would do anything to anyone!

But before Yi Chuan could attack, Song Xingmu let him go and stepped back with a smile on his face, saying: “Just kidding, la. You have the same personality as Yi Chuan, so I just had to tease you. I…..how could I hug anyone else?”

Yi Chuan stared blankly. He watched as Song Xingmu suddenly sat down in a dispirited manner, hugging the table leg next to him as he muttered: “Yi Chuan……where is Yi Chuan? Where did he go? I have to find him……if I don’t keep an eye on him, he’ll definitely run off with another woman.”

Yi Chuan’s expression changed. “What nonsense! I’m not like you!” As he spoke, he suppressed his temper and kicked him with his foot, saying: “Hey, get up and have some porridge.”

“He’ll run off with her. On the contrary, I’ll have no chance to marry and have children,” Song Xingmu murmured.

Yi Chuan frowned: “I, I won’t.”

Song Xingmu seemed about to fall asleep leaning against the table: “Will so. Watching the wedding ceremony today, his eyes were full of envy. If…..if I were a woman, would…..”

Song Xingmu didn’t say anything else. It was difficult to tell whether he was a man or a woman by his appearance. Although he never shied away from this, and even joked about it, he never said he wanted to be a woman. He still had some pride. Thus, Yi Chuan was given a shock when he heard this.

Yi Chuan’s brain seemed to grind to a halt. He grabbed Song Xingmu by the collar and lifted him up, angrily scolding him: “What are you talking about! Is this something Song Xingmu should say?”

Yi Chuan thought that if Song Xingmu was a woman, he would have certainly married him, as he had fallen in love with Song Xingmu’s female disguise at first sight. But he admired him as a man more. Song Xingmu was a responsible, loyal man who would go through fire and water for his friends and righteously guard the seas, ah.

Song Xingmu was both a teacher and a friend to him……

“Song Xingmu, do you truly like me that way?” Yi Chuan looked him in the face and spoke as if in a trance, adding, “The kind of way that can’t be shared with others.”

Song Xingmu was nearly strangled. This sobered him up a bit and allowed him to see the person in front of him clearly.

“Yi Chuan?”

But he wasn’t sober enough.

So when Song Xingmu saw Yi Chuan, his eyes lit up at being asked such a question with such a fierce look.

He felt he must be dreaming. This was not the first time he’d dreamed of Yi Chuan.

And every time, how could Song Xingmu be willing to give up in his dreams what he couldn’t have when he was awake?

Song Xingmu simply pulled Yi Chuan over and kissed him. Yi Chuan tried to dodge, but was unable to. When he saw the fierce look in Song Xingmu’s eyes, he was shocked. That was an expression that Song Xingmu – who was always carefree and said nine out of ten things in an unserious manner – had never directed at Yi Chuan before. Out of nowhere, Yi Chuan was invisibly suppressed.

Just when he was nearly out of breath, Song Xingmu finally gave him a little space to breathe.

“Yi Chuan, you’re mine…..mine…..I’ll prove to you how much I like you.”

Yi Chuan was unfamiliar with intimate matters, and was in a trance. When he heard this, his cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

In the next moment, there was a bang as the table bore the weight of two people and a food box was overturned.

Song Xingmu actually took action. Yi Chuan still struggled in a panic, but he seemed to have lost all strength to resist, and was gradually made to go along with it naturally.

He gritted his teeth, prepared to endure anything, but found that there wasn’t anything to endure at all. Yi Chuan was startled to realize that even in the midst of a drunken dream, Song Xingmu took his psychological shadow in consideration and didn’t dare go all the way.

But Song Xingmu’s other moves were truly fierce, and in the end, all Yi Chuan could see was a constantly shaking scene:

Curly red hair, translucent earrings, a smiling mouth, and a face as beautiful as that of a fairy.

His name was whispered over and over, the sweet words making his ears warm.

On the other side, Huo Fenglie picked up a food box, and was about to fly back when he heard the sounds of fighting.

After taking a small detour to see what was going on, he saw Qiao Jin being slapped against a tree by Liu Qiao. Qiao Jin lifted a hand to wipe the blood from his mouth, then pounced toward Liu Qiao like a fierce little leopard.

“I like only you, I want to kiss only you, I want to sleep with only you, and I want you to marry me and be my queen!”

---

T/N: I’m just over here cracking up at the fact that literally all of these dudes are gay for each other.

---

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Wedding Extra 4 << Table of Contents >> Wedding Extra 6

The interview with the girl was short and simple. Pei Xi didn’t reveal his identity as the developer. In fact, he didn’t say much at all.

After his joke in the opening remarks, He Chuzhou was the one answering:

“Yeah, I think it’s great.”

“The whole amusement park is amazing. Every detail is well-designed, and nothing is lacking.”

“To be able to construct such an excellent project, I believe the developer must be outstanding, wise and far-sighted, intelligent, and discerning.”

“Suggestions? I don’t have any.”

“My suggestion is that everyone should come and play. Adults, children, friends old and young, come and play at my wi…….at this excellent developer’s — hiss!”

Pei Xi couldn’t take it anymore, and secretly pinched his back.

He Chuzhou gave a surprised gasp, then tactfully shut up.

The girl was very satisfied with the interview, especially because of the enthusiasm and reactions of those in the live broadcast room. She even gave them a small gift before leaving.

They were two red marker pens with the amusement park’s logo printed on them. One could tell at a glance that they were purchased at the park’s souvenir shop.

Pei Xi put his in his pocket. He Chuzhou unscrewed the lid and neatly drew a heart on the back of Pei Xi’s hand near his wrist, filling in the whole interior.

Pei Xi let him do it, but pulled his hand back when He Chuzhou tried to add a watch band to the love heart.

When he looked up, he caught sight of a completely unexpected person a distance away — Pei Zhen.

It wasn’t just strange that Pei Zhen had appeared here. What was even stranger was that he had appeared alone.

But his doubts were soon dispelled.

Jiang Ting was chasing after him in high heels. She wanted to scold him but couldn’t bear it, so her reproach was very mild: “Xiao Zhen, didn’t Mom tell you not to walk around alone? The park is so big, what if you get lost?”

Pei Zhen ignored her, just like he had the last time at home. He stood there not far away and stubbornly fixed his eyes on Pei Xi. It was difficult to understand what he wanted to express, and Pei Xi didn’t want to understand.

Jiang Ting followed his line of sight and noticed Pei Xi.

She slowed her hurried steps and came to a stop beside Pei Zhen, nodding politely to Pei Xi in greeting.

Pei Zhen proceeded to walk forward. He Chuzhou immediately put his arms around Pei Xi’s shoulders and took half a step back, subconsciously revealing his protective stance.

Jiang Ting didn’t know what was going on in Pei Zhen’s head, and didn’t know when he had become so strange, his mind unpredictable. The mother and son almost never communicated, and she could never grasp what he was thinking.

Especially right now. She didn’t feel that he was about to have an attack, but she was even more uneasy than if that was the case.

It felt as if she was about to lose something she could never get back.

“Xiao Zhen, it’s time for us to go…..”

Pei Zhen dodged her grasping hand, but a larger, stronger hand pressed down on his shoulder.

Indeed, Pei Yansong was there too.

Pei Xi wasn’t surprised at all to see him. This was as it should be. Wherever Jiang Ting went, he would be there too.

Pei Yansong’s gaze swept over them. He Chuzhou stilled, then slowly loosened the arm he had around Pei Xi.

But just as he lowered it, Pei Xi grabbed his hand and held it openly in front of Pei Yansong.

Pei Yansong’s face darkened completely: “Pei Xi, do you know what you’re doing! I can ascribe everything else to you being young and hot-tempered, but you had best not learn from people of questionable character and do something indecent and unorthodox!”

Although his father’s words were very harsh, Pei Xi was surprised to find himself calm, as if he was facing someone he knew, but was insignificant to him.

No matter how harsh Pei Yansong’s words were or how angry he was, what he cared about more was He Chuzhou’s mood.

“Is this ‘people of questionable character’ referring to me?”

He Chuzhou kept his mouth as close to Pei Xi’s ear as possible, making the two appear more intimate. Pei Yansong’s expression grew visibly darker.

Pei Xi turned his head: “Are you angry?”

He Chuzhou shrugged: “Nah, there’s nothing to be angry about.”

Pei Xi: “Why?”

He Chuzhou: “He’s your father. What should I be angry about?”

Pei Xi said seriously: “You can pretend he’s not.”

He Chuzhou: “Then there’s still no need to be angry. I only have so many days to live, and only so many dates with my wife. It’s not worth it to waste time on an old man.”

His expression was so earnest that Pei Xi couldn’t help wanting to laugh.

Pei Yansong: “Pei Xi! Come here.”

Pei Xi ignored him: “We’re basically done here. Let’s go back, I’m a little hungry.”

He Chuzhou: “How about seafood?”

Pei Xi: “Will you cook? I want to eat at home.”

He Chuzhou: Of course. Your husband’s cooking skills, which were forced upon him by all those years of Western food, are not to be underestimated.”

The two disregarded Pei Yansong and, chatting back and forth about their itinerary, walked toward the exit side by side.

“Xiao Zhen!” Jian Ting’s voice suddenly rose.

He Chuzhou turned his head and immediately stepped forward to block him from Pei Xi: “What are you trying to do, little bro?”

Pei Zhen was forced to stop. He stared at Pei Xi with dark, stubborn eyes, and stammered for a long time before finally squeezing a word out from between his lips: “Ge.”

Pei Xi regarded him expressionlessly.

Pei Zhen paused, as if trying to digest Pei Xi’s indifference. Then he uttered the rest of the words with difficulty: “I’m sorry…..”

Jian Ting was stunned, as well as Pei Yansong.

Pei Xi raised his eyes, but there was no trace of emotion in them.

On the contrary, the corners of He Chuzhou’s mouth formed an amused arc: “Have you ever been to school, Didi? Didn’t your teachers tell you that the most insincere apology is a simple ‘I’m sorry?’”

Having received no response from Pei Xi, Pei Zhen appeared to be at somewhat of a loss, and could only look toward He Chuzhou.

He Chuzhou immediately found it even funnier: “What, does this young master who grew up in an ivory tower really think he’ll be forgiven as long as he apologizes?”

Pei Zhen was silent for a long while.

He Chuzhou: “It’s okay, we’ll wait. Look, your brother was able to wait so many years for an apology. Maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll also be able to wait until he forgives you.”

“I’m sor—”

He Chuzhou glanced at the couple not far behind Pei Zhen and leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice: “Until your brother forgives you, I’ll continue to have fun causing trouble for you.”

“Prepare yourself, Didi.”

*

*

“I can’t forgive him.”

Pei Xi was curled up on the sofa, watching Avatar on the projection screen. It was completely dark outside, and flickering light and shadow played across his face.

“I know, ah.” He Chuzhou cleaned up the kitchen, then cut up a fruit plate and brought it out, feeding a bite of cantaloupe to Pei Xi. “I was teasing him.”

Pei Xi frowned: “Isn’t it enough for you to tease the cat and dog? It’s cuter than you teasing him.”

“Toying.” He Chuzhou quickly changed his phrasing. “I was toying with him, not teasing him.”

Pei Xi turned his gaze away from his face. Looking at the Avatar onscreen, who was sitting on the back of a flying steed and imitating the indigenous people’s shouting, he felt a little depressed: “You and him really look alike.”

“Okay, we look alike.” He Chuzhou went along with it: “I’m the Avatar. In a few days, I’ll take you to the primeval forest to swing on the vines.”

Pei Xi might not care about Pei Yansong, but he couldn’t avoid his mood being affected by him.

He didn’t want to talk, and He Chuzhou didn’t bother him. He sat down next to him and quietly watched the movie with him.

It was a cold night. He Chuzhou got up to close the window halfway through the movie, then turned on the heat and went back to the bedroom to find a small blanket to put over Pei Xi’s knees.

He took a blanket from the small compartment beneath the wardrobe and unexpectedly found a white shopping bag underneath.

He couldn’t remember buying something and forgetting to take it out. When he grabbed the bag and took out the clothes inside, his expression became even more fantastical.

. . . . . .

The temperature in the living room quickly warmed up once the heat was turned on. Pei Xi wanted to stop He Chuzhou from grabbing a blanket, but just as he was about to turn his head, he saw a jacket fall across his knees.

He didn’t react immediately upon seeing the school uniform jacket on his knees, until he met He Chuzhou’s leisurely gaze — it was over.

“When I first found it, I thought it was Pei-calico’s doing,” He Chuzhou said.

Pei Xi thought this was a good excuse to pass the buck, and intended to go along with it.

Then He Chuzhou said: “But I remembered that you didn’t lose your memory those two days when you received the package, and even hid it under the sofa so I wouldn’t see it.”

Pei Xi: “……”

He Chuzhou: “If Pei-calico had prepared it, you would have wondered what it was for rather than trying to hide it from me.”

Pei Xi: “…..I didn’t.”

He Chuzhou: “Unless you knew what was going on, but didn’t want to let me know that you knew.”

Pei Xi: “That’s not…..”

He Chuzhou: “Xinxin, you actually remember what happens during your amnesia, don’t you?”

Pei Xi: “I don’t remember. You’re overthinking it.”

He Chuzhou: “Did you start remembering recently, or have you been pretending not to remember from the beginning?”

Pei Xi: “………”

“Case solved, case solved.”

He Chuzhou lamented out of the blue: “It turns out that thinking you were inexplicably shy wasn’t an illusion. You remembered to go to the supermarket across the street to get a spoon, and you suddenly called Mrs. Chu Mom…..”

“Why did you hide from me that you secretly took me to the aquarium? You liked me but didn’t dare confess, so you snuck into the employee group to learn how to pursue a love interest like a domineering CEO. And I don’t know where you learned that stupid method to make me copy love words three hundred times!”

“……”

After his counterattack, Pei Xi noticed the bright smile in the other party’s eyes and knew he’d been tricked. He was silent for a second, then turned his face away and ignored him.

He Chuzhou was overjoyed: “So you really remember, ah. You were quite good at hiding it, Classmate Pei Xinxin.”

Pei Xi: “…..It’s for the best that I hid it. You’re as dumb as an ox and couldn’t take any hints.”

He Chuzhou: “What hints? Let me see, helping me tie my tie? Telling me over the phone that you missed me? Implying that you like me whether you’re in your right mind or not? Or all the trouble you went through to get me a Golden Feather to make a wish on?”

Pei Xi’s expression grew increasingly dumbfounded as he spoke: “You…..you knew everything?”

He Chuzhou: “Roughly?”

Pei Xi was furious: “And you still played dumb even though you knew all that?”

He Chuzhou protested this injustice: “How could I do anything? What if it was a misunderstanding and I was overthinking things? You said you only liked my face, but Wu Qing thought that was too superficial. What about when I become old and ugly, will you not want me anymore?”

Pei Xi frowned upon hearing this: “How could you believe such lies?”

He Chuzhou: “What lies? Did you not mean what you said about liking my face? So you actually don’t even like it? Aiyo, it’s over, my mental state has crumbled.”

“……”

“…..Idiot.” Pei Xi gritted his teeth: “I like more than just your face!”

“Yes, I remember. I remembered from the very beginning. You took me in, took care of me, showed concern for me and indulged me. You responded to every request I made. I remember it all.”

“I don’t have a mother, and I have a father in name only. You taught me not to care about other people’s opinions, that it’s no use exhausting myself for someone’s praise, and that relatives don’t have to share blood. You said I deserve the best in the world.”

“I’m not as good as you think I am. It’s easy for me to trap myself in limited logic outside of work. You don’t know how many times your habitual thinking saved me.”

“Aren’t you confident about everything? You’re such a confident person, but no matter how you tried to verify it, you still refused to believe that I liked you.”

Pei Xi finished speaking in one breath, and was no longer able to tell whether he was angry or embarrassed.

Eyes flickering, he didn’t dare to look at He Chuzhou’s expression. He simply took the school uniform and stood up: “Don’t you want to see? I’ll go change into it.”

Pei Xi was a very reserved person who didn’t like to show off. He was used to keeping everything in his heart, whether it was liking, hating, or loving.

The number of times he had spoken his mind could be counted on one finger.

And such a person was telling him at such length that he liked him. He Chuzhou was so happy that he couldn’t tell north from south.

Based just on these words, He Chuzhou covered his heart and thought blankly that he’d be willing to not eat meat for the rest of his life and discuss Plato with Pei Xi instead.

But in the next second, Pei Xi slowly came out of the bedroom in the school uniform. His brain buzzed, and he had no thoughts at all.

“It’s over…..”

“It’s over, it’s over, it’s over…..”

Pei Xi felt uncomfortable in these clothes that didn’t suit his age. He was reaching to tug at the hem of his shirt when his attention was diverted by He Chuzhou’s mumbling: “What?”

He Chuzhou strode over and picked him up.

Caught off guard, Pei Xi subconsciously hooked his legs around his waist. The sudden height difference had him looking down at He Chuzhou: “ ? ! ”

“Xinxin, I’m finished.”

He Chuzhou was breathing rapidly: “You look so good in a school uniform. You’re clean and pretty like a seventeen-year-old minor, but all I can think of is doing terrible things to you.”

“I’m finished. I’ve turned into a beast.”

What Plato, fuck Plato, he wanted to be a beast right now!

Pei Xi was speechless for a long moment. His heartbeat was thrown into chaos by such overly blunt words: “You…..just do what you want, I’m not against it…..”

He Chuzhou gently grasped the back of his neck: “But aren’t you afraid?”

“Then you should coax me more and not just think about yourself.”

Pei Xi hugged him tightly and hid his face against his neck: “Let’s go to the bedroom. I know you have everything ready.”

---

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Chapter 67 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 69

Chapter 8 – What Grudge?

After breakfast, Fang Yang said goodbye to Feng Ye, who was still deep in thought.

The two of them were tasked with different areas. Feng Ye had to clean the martial arts training square, while Fang Yang had to tidy up the meditation hall in front of the square.

Feng Ye unconsciously waved to Fang Yang, walking toward the martial arts square in a daze.

“Does Fellow Daoist Feng Ye have to do this every day?”

Hao Chen’s voice brought Feng Ye’s wandering soul back. He stared in shock at the broom in his hand, only then realizing that he had arrived in the square.

And there was still that tail following him, unable to be shaken off.

Feng Ye suppressed his misgivings and swung the broom vigorously, sweeping up dust half a person high. Hao Chen was forced to step back by the raised dust, and spread his fan to cover his mouth and nose.

Feng Ye then replied unhurriedly: “It’s a sect assignment. I have to do it. After all, I’m only a junior disciple in the outer sect.”

When he heard Feng Ye’s last sentence, Hao Chen’s lips curled into a playful smile behind his fan.

According to his observations yesterday and today, Feng Ye was indeed useless in many aspects, and didn’t seek to make progress. But the more Feng Ye was like this, the more Hao Chen felt that this person was a hidden talent.

Although he still didn’t know how strong his opponent was, the wisdom he displayed in verbal confrontation with him should not be underestimated.

Such a person had sneaked into Lingxiao Sword Sect under the identity of a deceased individual, and was pretending to be a hopeless case. What was he planning?

Hao Chen’s interest in Feng Ye was growing stronger and stronger. Even though Feng Ye wasn’t his original purpose for coming here, for this person, Hao Chen’s original purpose could be set aside for the time being.

Hao Chen’s eyes and nose were hidden behind his fan, and Feng Ye could only see his curved eyebrows.

This fellow seems to be smiling at all times, a cunning old fox, Feng Ye thought to himself.

Although Hao Chen appeared to be in his twenties, a young master in his prime, Feng Ye felt – with a bit of prejudice – that under Hao Chen’s youthful appearance there must be an old fox who had lived for who knows how many years, shamelessly pretending to be young.

Although he himself had no right to point fingers at Hao Chen.

“What else does Fellow Daoist Feng Ye do every day aside from sweeping the floor?” Hao Chen asked again.

Feng Ye didn’t want to bother with him, so he withdrew his attention and said while he swept: “Sleep.”

Thinking of the events the previous day, Hao Chen’s mouth twitched. He made a quick recovery and persisted in asking: “And besides that?”

Feng Ye was about to say “eat,” but Hao Chen likely knew he was going to say that, and took the lead to block that option: “Besides eating, sleeping, and sweeping the floor, does Fellow Daoist Feng Ye have any other pursuits?”

Feng Ye looked at Hao Chen intently. He placed the broom in front of him and held the handle with both hands, pretending to think for a moment. Then he nodded with a serious expression: “I do.”

Hao Chen’s eyes lit up. He saw Feng Ye maintain a serious look as he said: “Killing the rooster.”

Hao Chen: “……”

The false smile froze on his face.

The moment Hao Chen was put in an awkward position, the smile on Feng Ye’s face became sincere. He felt relaxed from head to toe, and even the sunlight seemed brighter.

Whistling, he continued to happily sweep the floor and contribute his part to keeping the sect clean and tidy.

Hao Chen stood in the sun for a long while. Feng Ye had already moved some distance forward, and Hao Chen dithered for a moment before deciding to look for another chance to break through.

Like Feng Ye, he had realized how difficult the other party was to deal with.

Obtaining information from such a person was as difficult as climbing to the sky, but…..it was entirely different with Fang Yang.

Fang Yang was wiping the tables in the meditation hall when he saw Hao Chen approaching, waving his fan. Out of politeness, Fang Yang temporarily set his work aside and walked to the door to greet him: “Hao…..uh…..”

Fang Yang hesitated, uncertain how to address Hao Chen. This was his Useless Shixiong’s friend, and it seemed a bit confusing to directly call him ‘Fellow Daoist Hao Chen.’”

Hao Chen said considerately: “Call me Hao-dage.”

“Oh, Hao-dage,” Fang Yang called out obediently.

Hao Chen looked at the wiping cloth in Fang Yang’s hand and said with fake concern: “You have to do odd jobs each day? Is it the same for your shixiong?”

Fang Yang nodded, adding: “Sometimes my shixiong oversleeps and doesn’t have time, so I’ll help him.”

Oversleeps? Hao Chen raised his eyebrows. He didn’t believe that Feng Ye was actually a lazy person. Then there must be some other reason why Feng Ye overslept, such as…..what did he get up to at night?

Hao Chen said in a seemingly casual tone: “Your shixiong is probably busy at night.”

He had originally intended to take advantage of the situation and keep Fang Yang talking. It would be best if he could tell him the specific times Feng Ye was away at night, and where he went.

Unexpectedly, Fang Yang shook his head: “He’s not. Shixiong goes to bed on time every night. He goes to bed when it gets dark, and sleeps until sishi the next day. Even thunder doesn’t wake him up.”

Hao Chen tapped his chin with the handle of his fan. He still didn’t believe it. Feng Ye was probably just pretending to go to bed so early. Once the door was closed, he could leave without anyone noticing, thanks to the fact that the junior disciples around him hadn’t even reached the Foundation Building stage.

But Fang Yang likely didn’t know anything about it. Hao Chen knew he wouldn’t find anything if he continued digging, so he chose another topic: “Speaking of which, I discussed the Dao beneath the moonlight with your shixiong a month ago. Your shixiong speaks eloquently, and I consider him to be a close friend. How is it that he’s changed so much in just one month?”

Hao Chen didn’t bat an eyelid when he said this, and Fang Yang was completely ignorant. He just hesitated a moment before replying honestly: “I don’t know. I only met him a month ago. Before that, although we live close together, we barely interacted with each other.”

One month ago…..the timing was right. Hao Chen continued: “What happened a month ago?”

Fang Yang recounted the entire process of his encounter with Feng Ye: “I saw that Shixiong was trapped in a corner by Lu Chengye, so I helped him out.”

“And Lu Chengye is still alive?” Hao Chen suddenly asked such a strange question.

Fang Yang stared blankly for a moment, replying subconsciously: “He’s alive, ah. He threatened us yesterday.”

Hao Chen frowned in thought and didn’t speak for a while.

Fang Yang observed Hao Chen’s expression, somewhat confused. He thought for a moment and suddenly remembered something: “Oh, right. A month ago, Shixiong changed his name.”

“Oh?” Hao Chen’s pondering was interrupted, and he raised an eyebrow with interest.

Fang Yang divulged everything with no hesitation: “A month ago, my shixiong had just come back from training outside. Two days later, the Lu Chengye incident happened and he met me, and then he changed his name.”

“Why did he change his name?” Hao Chen asked curiously.

Hao Chen wasn’t actually surprised by Feng Ye’s odd behavior a month prior. One month ago was when he spied the body, and it was likely after he left that Feng Ye took the body, impersonated the man, and returned to Lingxiao Sword Sect.

The surprising thing was that changing his name would draw a lot of attention. Ordinary people received their names from their parents, and wouldn’t change them rashly. Feng Ye was very low-key in his conduct with others, so much so that he could even tolerate someone like Lu Chengye bullying him. Why would he change his name when doing so would draw the attention of others? 

He thought Fang Yang would find it a little strange, but Fang Yang said as a matter of course: “Isn’t this a very normal thing?”

Hao Chen: “ ? ” Was it that he’d been asleep too long, or did mortal customs change so quickly?

Fang Yang explained: “Many people in our sect change their names, ah. Because their original names were too ugly, like Goudan, Gousheng…..”^[1]

Lingxiao Sword sect did not take family background into consideration when recruiting disciples, only aptitude. Some disciples who came from poor families didn’t even know a few characters before coming to the sect. Their parents naturally didn’t possess much education, so with the idea that giving a child a cheap name would make spirits less likely to notice them, they chose their names so casually.

And after a year of study, even if there wasn’t much improvement in their cultivation, their horizons had definitely expanded a lot. Names like Goudan and Gousheng stood out from the crowd among a group of peers with immortal temperaments.

Disregarding everything else, when sparring with others and introducing themselves, it was normal for others to say, “I am xx from xx sect, please give me some advice.” But these disciples would say, “I am Chen Goudan from Lingxiao Sword Sect, please give me some advice.”

There was no need for comparison. Just saying the name out loud made a person feel that they had already lost.

Thus, there were people every year who changed their names. This was not uncommon among all of the major sects.

Fang Yang asked in surprise: “Hao-dage, is there no one in your Tiangong Pavilion who’s changed their name?”

Hao Chen was speechless. Just like his fake friend, his identity as a disciple of Tiangong Pavilion was also fake. He had been in a high position for a long time, so he naturally wasn’t aware of the affairs of these low-level disciples. Faced with Fang Yang’s question, he just smiled and prevaricated.

Since this was the case, it probably wasn’t surprising that Feng Ye would change his name. Regardless of whether he changed it just because the original name was ugly, or if it was for some other reason, his actions did not draw attention.

This wandering soul of unknown origin had infiltrated Lingxiao Sword Sect a month ago using the identity of the original owner. He acted in a low-key, cautious manner, and his purpose was unknown. 

Hao Chen could roughly deduce the time of Feng Ye’s arrival, although it was of no use to him. He still knew nothing about Feng Ye’s true identity.

But judging from Feng Ye’s style of action, he probably wouldn’t reveal any flaws in front of Fang Yang.

So Hao Chen asked without much hope: “Has your shixiong displayed any odd opinions or actions?”

Contrary to his expectations, Fang Yang nodded once more.

Hao Chen straightened up, ready to listen carefully to Fang Yang’s words.

Fang Yang recalled the scene of calling for Feng Ye to get up in the morning, and commented expressionlessly: “He wants to kill the rooster.”

Hao Chen: “……”

Hao Chen: “ ? ? ? ”

What grudge did this fellow have against roosters?

---

[1] Goudan 狗蛋 and Gousheng 狗剩 = Dog egg, Dog leftovers. ⮐

---

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Chapter 7 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 9

Dates: the most romantic way for a couple to spend time together aside from their honeymoon.

The perfect accompaniments to this word were a good day, good weather, and a young couple in love.

Wancheng was geographically located on the edge of a basin. It was overcast all year round, with very thick clouds, and it was difficult to find a sunny day, especially in winter.

The weather wasn’t always good, but sometimes it was just good enough.

He Chuzhou was already prepared to bring a small umbrella, accompany Pei Xi to watch a movie and eat a candlelit dinner, and walk home in the rain.

As it turned out, the weather forecast showed that there would be rare good weather this weekend.

“How about the weekend?”

He Chuzhou asked Pei Xi’s opinion as he used a watering can to water the flowers on the balcony.

Pei Xi was seated on a rattan chair, holding Pei Yueliang in his arms: “I’ll be at the company this weekend.”

He Chuzhou watered the lucky bamboo for a second longer.

Pei Xi: “But only for a short while in the morning.”

He Chuzhou beamed: “Then it’s settled?”

Pei Xi nodded: “But you have to come pick me up at the company.”

He Chuzhou cheerfully set down the watering can and crouched to pick up Yueliang, raising one of her cat paws to bat at Pei Xi: “Xiao He will get up early to send you to the company and wait for you in the office~”

*

*

He Chuzhou had taken Pei Xi to the company many times, but this was his first time going to Pei Xi’s office.

The style of his office was as cold as his personality, with a white background and gray or dark gray accents. There were a few green plants, which when placed next to the computer, gave off a sense of refreshing solitude.

Pei Xi was working. He Chuzhou held his coffee silently for a while, then got up and began to take a look around.

Most of the things here were work-related, and there weren’t many personal items. But because of his relationship with Pei Xi, He Chuzhou didn’t feel bored at all. On the contrary, he felt a sense of closeness to Pei Xi’s daily life.

He Chuzhou knew very well that this was called “once you love someone, you even love the crows on the roof of his house,” but this was the first time he’d experienced it in such a concrete way. He liked it a lot.

The bookshelves were neatly arranged in a row. He stroked his chin and thought for a couple of seconds, then picked the winner. He turned it over with the flap facing outwards, and what was originally just a random book suddenly became very noticeable.

And pleasing to the eye.

Xinxin’s office had traces of him in it.

He clapped his hands in satisfaction and continued his inspection. Very soon, he found a stuffed pig inside the bookshelf.

It was the one he’d caught.

He remembered how Pei Xi had taken it reluctantly that day, and had thought he’d gotten rid of it long ago.

He picked up the pig with great interest, and when he turned around, he caught Pei Xi’s eyes darting away from him. Walking over, he leaned against the desk and waved the little pig in front of Pei Xi.

Pei Xi looked straight ahead: “What are you doing?”

He Chuzhou: “You like this pig so much?”

Pei Xi: “I don’t like it.”

He Chuzhou: “Oh, you don’t like it, but you still put it in your office?”

Pei Xi: “Should I have thrown it into the trash can?”

Answering a question with a question was very typical of a person who didn’t want to admit something.

Amused, He Chuzhou kissed the little pig and then pressed the kissed spot against Pei Xi’s cheek: “Baby, you’re so cute. The little pig is cute too. There’s no shame in liking it.”

Pei Xi finally stopped and looked up at him.

He Chuzhou: “Hm?”

Pei Xi: “You’re right, I like it a lot.”

The corners of He Chuzhou’s lips rose.

Pei Xi: “Do you know why?”

He Chuzhou: “Because it’s cute.”

Pei Xi: “Because it looks a lot like you.”

He Chuzhou: “…..? ? ?”

He Chuzhou was stunned.

He Chuzhou was dumbfounded.

When Pei-calico said this before, he could at least comfort himself that his sequelae had affected his eyesight, but now it had happened a second time.

The world was always changing. People wouldn’t walk into the same river twice, but he could still fall into the same pit of self-doubt a second time: “Why? How are we similar?”

Pei Xi: “Didn’t you say it’s cute?”

He Chuzhou: “It is cute.”

Pei Xi: “Then why are you unhappy that you look like it?”

He Chuzhou: “…..Who would be happy to be called as cute as a pig?”

Pei Xi: “You wouldn’t?”

He Chuzhou: “You would?”

Pei Xi: “I would.”

He Chuzhou was speechless, but quickly noticed the deep smile in Pei Xi’s eyes and felt relieved. 

“Okay, I look like the pig.”

He held the little pig up in front of his face with both hands: “Fortunately, my partner praised me for my good looks some time ago.”

“……”

Amused by his shamelessness, Pei Xi crumpled up a piece of scrap paper and threw it straight at him.

He Chuzhou dodged it easily and then used the pig to tease Pei Xi, grinning with a face that looked like it deserved a beating.

The paper ball fell to the floor and rolled around before stopping at the feet of Xiao Gu, whose knocks were ignored until he had to carefully push open the door and peer inside.

Pei Xi raised his head. Their eyes met.

Xiao Gu rubbed his hands awkwardly and explained in a hurry: “President Pei, I knocked on the door, but you didn’t seem to hear me. Um…..”

His gaze drifted toward He Chuzhou, and he wasn’t sure if he was supposed to greet him.

Pei Xi: “Don’t pay attention to him. Just talk.”

He Chuzhou smiled and raised the pig in greeting.

Xiau Gu quickly threw out a greeting to him and said to Pei Xi: “The staff accompanying the inspectors at the amusement park are ready. You can go now.”

Pei Xi: “Understood. I’ll be there right away.”

Xiao Gu left the office, considerately closing the door for them.

In He Chuzhou’s hands, the little pig’s head immediately drooped: “Didn’t you say you’d only work a short while in the morning?”

Pei Xi corrected him: “I said I’d only work a short while at the company.”

The little pig’s head drooped even lower: “So my wife still has to go out into the field, ah?”

Pei Xi hummed: “There’s a newly completed project undergoing trial operations. We need to go and inspect the user experience.”

Their date time was unexpectedly compressed, and so was He Chuzhou’s happiness. He let out a sigh.

Pei Xi: “Do you not want to go with me?”

He Chuzhou and the little pig raised their heads simultaneously: “I want to, of course I do. Why would I not?”

“Isn’t it just inspecting a project? Today I’m not only your attendant, but also your temporary assistant who will serve you tea and water, and your dedicated driver who’ll go wherever you tell him to. Let’s go!”

*

*

There were personnel at the site who were specifically responsible for receiving the guests and introducing them to the subsequent operations. Xiao Gu temporarily resigned, and Pei Xi had a new assistant.

It was only when they arrived at their destination that He Chuzhou realized that the project was a newly-constructed large-scale theme park.

He was once again bursting with joy.

An amusement park. What a great place, ah!

He found a parking spot and led Pei Xi out of the car, happily prepared to begin their company-funded date.

Five minutes later.

Having fallen behind the crowd, He Chuzhou gazed expressionlessly at Pei Xi, who was surrounded by the introduction personnel five steps away: “……”

Fine, it wasn’t a bit problem.

The amusement park was very beautiful, and he could enjoy the scenery.

The roller coaster was quite pretty, with an outline quite similar to a lemon.

The bumper boat pool was quite interesting. The water inside it looked a lot like the bottle of white vinegar at home.

“Big brother, what’s wrong?”

A childish voice sounded. He Chuzhou looked over and down to find a little boy in a melon-shaped hat staring at him: “Mama says you can’t look sad at the happiest place in the world.”

He Chuzhou raised an eyebrow: “Why is that?”

The little boy said seriously: “Because you’ll get spanked.”

He Chuzhou was amused by him, and felt a little less depressed: “What’s your name, Brother?”

The little boy: “Just call me Little Melon.”

He Chuzhou exclaimed: “That name really suits you! Just call me Xiao He. Where is your mother?”

Little Melon pointed to the ice cream shop not far behind them: “She’s resting in there and told me to walk around by myself.”

The group of people in front came to a stop. He Chuzhou leaned against the railing beside him, a breeze blowing through his hair: “That’s cool. Isn’t she afraid of losing her child?”

Little Melon pointed at the children’s watch on his wrist: “Don’t worry, if I leave Mama’s sight, she’ll call me so I don’t get lost.”

He Chuzhou gave a thumbs up: “Cool!”

“It’s pretty good.” Little Melon grinned happily and asked: “What about you?”

He Chuzhou: “Me? My mom didn’t come. I’m on a date with my partner.”

Little Melon: “Your partner? Oh, I get it, you’re upset because you’re lost? Do you want to use my watch to call your partner?”

He Chuzhou thought it was quite interesting: “You can’t call my partner. He’s with someone else and can’t pay attention to me.”

Little Melon: “Ah, you’re so pitiful.”

He Chuzhou: “Yeah, I also think I’m very—”

“Very what?”

The introduction personnel had dispersed at some point, and Pei Xi came over to hold his hand.

“Very happy. So happy that there’s almost smoke coming out of me.” He Chuzhou took Pei Xi’s hand in his palm and said: “Midday break?”

“I’ve got a good grasp on the situation, so I had them leave first.” Pei Xi asked: “What were you talking about just now?”

“We were talking about Melon-brother’s kids phone watch.” He Chuzhou asked: “So, is our President Pei’s time mine from now on?”

Pei Xi raised an eyebrow, which could be considered as his agreement.

Delighted, He Chuzhou stood up straight. He was about to say something when Little Melon said suddenly and innocently: “Xiao He, why are you talking nonsense? You were obviously going to say that you’re so pitiful because your partner is spending time with others instead of you, and you’re jealous.”

He Chuzhou: “……”

He Chuzhou: “………”

Under his boyfriend’s leisurely gaze, He Chuzhou silently turned his head to look at Little Melon: “Brother, does your mom spank you often?”

Little Melon was surprised: “How did you know?”

He Chuzhou: “Does it work?”

Little Melon: “No, a lot of a time it’s a mystery why she spanks me.”

He Chuzhou: “Listen to me, don’t be obstinate. Trust in your mother’s judgment.”

Safety inspections had just been completed on the amusement park, and it was in the initial trial operation stage. Those in attendance had registered for the mini program in advance, and there were more staff than guests in the venue.

Little Melon’s mother had “fallen in battle” at the pirate ship, and he was worried about not having a companion. Now that he’d met these two brothers, he happily followed them around.

Little Melon asked them: “This is the children’s area. Why aren’t you over there in the adult area?”

He Chuzhou said shamelessly: “Who says we’re adults? We’re children too.”

Little Melon: “I’m seven years old. How old are you?”

He Chuzhou: “I’m…..seventeen.”

Pei Xi sent him a mild glance.

He Chuzhou leaned close to his ear and whispered: “When out in the wild, one must choose their own identity.”

Little Melon covered his mouth in shock: “You’re only seventeen? But you look so old!”

He Chuzhou: “……”

Pei Xi pursed his lips and turned his head, clearing his throat.

He Chuzhou smiled with gritted teeth: “I’m not old, I’m young. It’s you who’s too young.”

“Okay.” His fresh brain, which had gone through less than one cycle of use, still believed this nonsense. “Your boyfriend looks younger than you. Is he seventeen too?”

“Eighteen.” Pei Xi’s expression didn’t change. “He has to call me ‘ge.’”

Little Melon gave an “oh.” His sharp eyes spotted an ice racing ride not far away, and he grew excited: “Brothers, do you want to play that together? It’s so much fun!”

He Chuzhou cooperated: “Okay, Little Bro! Let’s go, I’ll treat you!”

Pei Xi had no interest in this kind of amusement ride and stood outside the ice rink to watch them play.

He Chuzhou stared at the QR code at the entrance for a moment, then turned and waved at Pei Xi, saying very smoothly: “Ge, come and pay.”

Of course, there was no need to pay. Pei Xi simply scanned the QR code and a key came out.

Little Melon ran in and out, waving vigorously toward the ice cream shop in the distance. Then he ran back and got into a car with He Chuzhou.

Despite being so young, Little Melon drove very well and accelerated while diving circles around the enclosure.

He Chuzhou, this big man, was having a blast sitting in the child-sized passenger seat, and didn’t feel embarrassed at all.

When he passed by Pei Xi, the latter just saw a joyous afterimage, and the picture he took looked as if He Chuzhou’s soul had freed itself from his body.

Upon reaching the eighth circle, He Chuzhou found that the spot where Pei Xi had been standing was empty.

“Oh my god, where’s my wife? Has he been abducted again?”

He quickly told the little bro to apply the brakes. The two of them disembarked and left the enclosure. Pei Xi came over and brought each of them a children’s ice cream.

Little Melon: “Wow, thank you, Gege!”

He Chuzhou took the small treat into his hand and stared at it for a moment. He bit off Doraemon’s head in one bite and shivered from the cold: “Thank you, Gege.”

Pei Xi: “…..Shut up.”

It was impossible for him to shut up.

The entire time, He Chuzhou continued to deliberately call him “gege.” Pei Xi had a headache from hearing it, and even buying him three ice creams still didn’t stop him from talking.

“Is that not what you want to hear?”

He Chuzhou leaned over and opened his mouth with a broad grin, waiting for a certain person to feed him ice cream: “It’s just a term of address. I’ll call you anything you want to hear.”

Pei Xi chuckled: “Then call me Daddy.”

He Chuzhou: “Dad—wu?”

Pei Xi stuffed the ice cream into his mouth, ears blooming red: “Shut up, you fool.”

Little Melon was called away by his mother, and He Chuzhou’s little third wheel bro was gone. He held Pei Xi’s hand as they walked, looking through the photos Pei Xi had taken of him.

“Does this one look good?”

“Oh, this one looks good.”

“This one too!”

“And this one, and this one. Wow, amazing! My wife is so good at taking photos!”

Pei Xi took a casual glance and saw that his figure was so blurry that nothing about it could be called good-looking.

He Chuzhou spotted the carousel and gestured pointedly: “Da-ge?”

Pei Xi smiled faintly: “Do you really think you’re seventeen years old?”

He Chuzhou estimated: “Even if I was a hundred years old, I could still ride this thing if someone helped me up, right? Want to try it?”

Pei Xi looked at the carousel. A couple had just rotated in their direction, seated on a romantic pegasus. With arms outstretched, they swayed to the rhythm, smiling and intoxicated by the romantic music.

Pei Xi observed for a moment, they turned to He Chuzhou with raised eyebrows.

The latter was silent for a bit, then took out his cell phone: “This is a nice background. Come and take a photo with me.”

Pei Xi was photographed with He Chuzhou’s arm around his shoulders.

In the photo, He Chuzhou’s chin was raised slightly as he leaned his head against Pei Xi with a bright, proud smile.

Pei Xi was gazing at the camera with a placid expression. The sunlight fell on his cold features, illuminating the arc of comfort and relaxation to his eyes.

He Chuzhou admired it happily, then clicked ‘save’ with satisfaction: “The angle is perfect. Another one, wife, can you…..never mind.”

Pei Xi frowned: “What?”

He Chuzhou touched his mouth and said: “Your skills aren’t good, you biter. I won’t be able to eat hot pot in the evening.”

“……”

Pei Xi grasped his chin and kissed him hard, using force to prove that he wouldn’t bite him again.

He Chuzhou grinned triumphantly and used the opportunity to snap a quick photo.

“Um, excuse me.”

A crisp, sweet female voice sounded behind them. Pei Xi reacted at once and pushed He Chuzhou away.

Turning around, there was a sweet-looking young girl looking at them with bright eyes, a selfie stick in hand.

“Yes?” he answered.

The girl: “I’m a streamer, and I just happened to win a spot in today’s trial run. Would it be okay if I interview you two about your experience? Don’t worry! The camera is facing me right now, and I won’t film you unless you agree.”

“This girl is really interesting.”

He Chuzhou put away his phone and whispered to Pei Xi: “She only comes to interview people when they kiss.”

Pei Xi: “…..Don’t speak.”

The young girl wore an expectant look: “Is it okay?”

Pei Xi was ambivalent, and He Chuzhou was happy to help his wife promote his project: “Sure, ah, what do you need for the interview?”

The girl smiled happily, adjusting her equipment to point the camera at them: “It’s just some simple questions. First of all, what is your relationship?”

He Chuzhou was amused: “Isn’t it obvious? He’s my —”

Pei Xi: “Stepfather.”

He Chuzhou: “……”

The girl: “ ? ”

The live broadcast room: “? ? ? ? ? ? ? ”

---

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Chapter 66 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 68

Because the hosts couldn’t wait, the wedding banquet was prepared in a rush and all of the guests were pulled in to help. Some looked helpless, and some cursed, but in short, they tried their best to satisfy the demands of their capricious hosts.

Li Xingruo waited for Liu Zhenqing to change clothes and come out, and fixed his hair. The jade crown and red robes made him look even more beautiful in the mirror.

Li Xingruo looked at him in the mirror and exclaimed: “I don’t know if it’s because appearance is determined by the heart, or because of the blood relationship, but I feel like you’re looking more and more like your previous self.”

“Really?” Liu Zhenqing looked at his reflection. He saw this face every day and didn’t seem to have noticed any changes.

Li Xingruo nodded. His eyebrows were somewhat longer, and his eyes were like peach blossoms. The contours of his face had also become more defined, and weren’t as round as before.

With this thought in mind, Li Xingruo picked up the ink and drew a few strokes on his eyebrows, then dotted two moles near the tip of his left eye. As she placed the dots, she unexpectedly discovered that there were actually faint black moles forming there.

When she finished, Li Xingruo took another look and was stunned.

Liu Zhenqing turned to look into the mirror and was also given a shock. In a trance, he seemed to really be looking into the eyes of his past self.

That person was Liu Xiting, known all across the world for his talent and unrivaled beauty.

Liu Zhenqing smiled faintly into the mirror and nodded with satisfaction.

Li Xingruo was briefly frozen, but upon seeing his arrogant appearance, she lost interest in appreciating his looks.

Just as she was about to say something, there was noise outside.

Liu Zhenqing said with some uncertainty: “What’s going on?”

Li Xingruo didn’t know either. When she went to take a look, Yunci and Yunqian ran over excitedly as if to deliver a battle report.

“Second Uncle has broken through the first door.”

The people waiting outside feared that the wedding would be too simple, so they started up a game of breaking in to steal the bride.

Liu Zhenqing’s goalkeepers were Liu Qiao, Qiao Jin, Han Ye, Song Xingmu, and Yi Chuan.

Besides Huo Fenglie himself, the people helping him break in were He Lan, Bai Su, Qin Yu, and Yue Xuqian.

In terms of martial arts, Liu Zhenqing had a better chance of winning, but when it came to literary skill, Huo Fenglie’s side completely crushed everyone else.

The two sides were evenly matched to some extent, and the game was lively.

Very soon, the second door was broken through. The third door was Liu Zhenqing and Huo Fenglie’s bedroom.

“For the last game, we’ll compete with this.” Song Xingmu cunningly threw out an extremely complex Rubik’s Cube, which he’d found in Liu Zhenqing’s toy collection.

This thing stumped everyone. Although Bai Su had enjoyed playing it before, he’d never seen this level of difficulty.

Everyone looked toward Yue Xuqian, feeling that he was the only one who had a chance of solving it. Although Yue Xuqian was intelligent, his face turned green when he saw so many layers. He turned to Huo Fenglie and said: “Perhaps you can say some sweet words and coax that person out. It’ll take me an hour to solve this thing.”

In the next moment, Huo Fenglie reached out and took the cube, then started to twist it.

Bai Su instantly thought of something and said with a smile: “Right, how did I forget Zhanyuan’s good at this too?”

Since Huo Fenglie rarely played, nobody had really considered having Huo Fenglie give it a try.

But it was so difficult, it would probably take…..

Song Xingmu and the others, who were initially full of confidence and prepared to embarrass Huo Fenglie, saw that Huo Fenglie’s hand speed practically left behind afterimages. Moreover, the solved section was getting larger and larger. From beginning to end, Huo Fenglie never stopped to think.

Within an incense stick of time, the Rubik’s Cube was restored.

Everyone stared at Huo Fenglie in amazement, once again shocked by his ability.

“When the instructors at the Imperial Academy praised Zhanyuan before, I thought they were exaggerating. This guy has the brains of a top scholar,” Bai Su said.

Yue Xuqian smiled and said: “He’s intelligent. He just doesn’t like to show it off.”

“Isn’t he fighting to marry a wife this time?” He Lan said to Qin Yu, who was watching the show with a smile on his face. “Indeed, one must find a way to get one’s wife in hand.”

Under the focus of dangerous eyes, Qin Yu suddenly felt ill at ease.

“We lost.” Yi Chuan looked at Song Xingmu.

Song Xingmu stared with wide, disbelieving eyes: “You brat……” He clearly remembered that Huo Fenglie had been no good at this as a child!

Liu Qiao also frowned and sent Huo Fenglie a puzzled look. “Strange,” he murmured.

Qiao Jin immediately took notice: “What’s strange? Did he cheat?”

Liu Qiao shook his head: “I remember Master saying that the Second Young Master was clumsy in this regard.”

Song Xingmu was quick to nod in agreement: “Right, ah. Oh, I get it. This toy is from your storeroom, so you must have played with it countless times.”

As they were talking, the door behind them opened and everyone focused their eyes on it.

In an instant, they were all struck dumb.

The spring sunshine seemed to automatically focus on that person, a circle of light lingering around him.

Since he was a familiar face, they couldn’t exactly say they were amazed. But compared to Huo Fenglie’s tall, heroic, red-robed figure, Liu Zhenqing was charming and beautiful. He was like an entirely different person. No, it was as if time had rewound, and they were looking at the Liu Zhenqing from their memories once more.

He was like an immortal exiled to the mortal world, in the splendor of his prime.

Even Huo Fenglie was astonished. The light in his eyes seemed to be made of stardust, with love as boundless as the sea. He murmured: “Qing-ge.”

Liu Zhenqing wasn’t standing properly, leaning against the doorframe with mischief in his eyes. His features were lively, the corners of his mouth raised in a half-moon arc. His figure was like a willow in the wind, his skin like ice and snow, and his bones must be carved out of jade. Transformed by the soul inside, he was exquisite and beautiful, free and unrestrained.

“Fenglie, it turns out you’re really good at playing with the Rubik’s Cube, ah.” Liu Zhenqing spoke in a rising tone. It sounded teasing, with a hint of wanting to settle the score later. Slender white fingers slowly hooked the jade cube hanging at his waist.

The crowd didn’t react at first, but when Li Xingruo came out from behind, she couldn’t help but expose this Second Uncle’s tricks.

“It couldn’t be helped. You didn’t spend enough time with him in the past, so he had to use a few tricks to get you to pay more attention to him. He might not be any worse than you in this aspect. If you don’t believe me, you two can compare skills later.”

Huo Fenglie stared blankly before immediately returning to his senses, his face blushing as red as his wedding robes.

Everyone finally understood what was going on and looked at Huo Fenglie in disbelief.

How unexpected, ah. He seemed so loyal and honest, but was unexpectedly black-bellied when it came to attracting a beauty’s attention!

Huo Fenglie disregarded everyone’s teasing and walked forward to stand at the bottom of the stairs. He put his arms around Liu Zhenqing and looked up at him like a guilty puppy, which made Liu Zhenqing laugh.

“Qing-ge, I’m here to pick you up.”

Liu Zhenqing stopped teasing him and gave a soft hum. The mischief in his eyes turned into tenderness.

Huo Fenglie’s eyes lit up and he lifted Liu Zhenqing horizontally.

Liu Zhenqing felt a bit helpless, but didn’t put up a struggle: “We should walk holding hands for this part.”

This implied that the two people would support each other in their life together and share their joys and sorrows.

But Huo Fenglie walked forward steadily. Holding tight to Liu Zhenqing, he said: “I want to carry you.”

Liu Zhenqing naturally didn’t protest, and could only receive the laughter of the crowd as he was carried into the hall safely and effortlessly by his husband.

The only one sitting in the foyer and not joining in was his master.

His master was leisurely drinking tea, and straightened his posture when he saw them coming. It was his first time serving as someone’s parent, so he was a bit nervous.

Soon after, Li Xingruo took her seat as head of the family.

Huo Fenglie set Liu Zhenqing down. Yunci and Yunqian happily brought a big red scarf to the two of them.

Each of them held one end and looked at the other. The red scarf connected the two people like a red thread.

Yue Xuqian, the only one among them who was married, directly served as the master of ceremonies.

The room was full of joy, happiness, and excitement.

First, they bowed to heaven and earth and thanked the gods for their mercy, for allowing Liu Zhenqing to come back, and for letting Huo Fenglie wait.

Second, they bowed to their parents, relatives, and friends, thanking them for their aid in a time of crisis, which had allowed them to escape from their predicament and regain their freedom.

Third, the husbands bowed to each other. Huo Fenglie gazed at him infatuatedly, and Liu Zhenqing seemed to be somewhat flustered and nervous for once.

With this bow to each other, they would be together forever, remaining so in life and in death.

The ceremony was over!

Time to head to the bridal chamber.

Huo Fenglie eagerly stood and picked up Liu Zhenqing, then flew into the air.

Before anyone could start jeering, they were gone.

“Does this mean we’re not allowed to make trouble at the bridal chamber?”

“Does this mean we’re not allowed to pull them out to drink?”

“Does this mean we’re not allowed to delay their spring night?”

“But……isn’t it daytime now, ah?”

“Hehe, for Huo Fenglie, daytime isn’t enough!”

“Mature guests should know how to entertain themselves!”

“The competition just now wasn’t very satisfying. Come on, ah, let’s drink to decide the winner! The last one to fall down wins, how about that!”

“Okay!”

“Okay!”

“Okay!”

Song Xingmu, however, stopped Yi Chuan for a moment: “Don’t drink too much, you. You’re more likely to hit people when you’re drunk, and I’m always the victim!”

Yi Chuan rolled his eyes, thinking that his hitting people was better than Song Xingmu’s hooliganism.

Qiao Jin was uncommonly enthusiastic about inciting others, his eyes drifting toward Liu Qiao. After all, he could only gain a little advantage when Liu Qiao wasn’t quite sober. Liu Qiao had a clueless look on his face, still lamenting that his master had gotten married.

He Lan took out two jars and placed them in front of Qin Yu with a sneer: “There’s only wine in these.”

Qin Yu just gave him a cold glance, determined not to be provoked.

And the remaining few people who were there just to drink wedding wine were waiting to watch the show. Everyone had their own thoughts and agendas.

Inside the bedroom, Liu Zhenqing was carried directly to the bed by Huo Fenglie. They kissed with great emotion, as if trying to kiss each other right down to the soul.

When they let go of each other, they were both dazed and hot.

It obviously wasn’t their first time, but the feeling at this moment was as exciting as if it were.

Liu Zhenqing thought Huo Fenglie would get straight to the point, but he was pulled up again.

Before Liu Zhenqing could react, Huo Fenglie had covered his face with a red veil.

Liu Zhenqing was taken aback. He asked with a smile: “What is this for?”

There was no need for such a thing when two men were marrying.

Huo Fenglie had difficulty with his words: “In my dream……it was like this.”

Liu Zhenqing tilted his head. He couldn’t see Huo Fenglie’s expression through the veil, and could only guess and imagine.

Huo Fenglie had said that after he fell in love, he had watched himself lift the veil from Liu Zhenqing countless times.

Perhaps this was an obsession of his, and he wanted to reproduce it.

It was rare for Er-gou to make such a willful request.

Liu Zhenqing smiled and sat upright.

Red gauze curtains. A dragon and phoenix wedding bed. And the most beautiful person in the world sitting in wait at the bedside with a red veil over his face.

The red robes burned Huo Fenglie’s eyes like fire.

Slowly, he lifted the veil. His features were as picturesque as a painting, his skin like flawless white jade, and his beauty was like a blazing flame, scorching Huo Fenglie’s heart.

If the beating heart could be removed from his chest, he would definitely put Qing-ge inside to replace it.

Huo Fenglie held Liu Zhenqing’s cheek and said with deep feeling: “Qing-ge…..”

Liu Zhenqing’s eyes gleamed, and he said with sudden seductiveness: “Husband.”

Huo Fenglie’s dark eyes seemed to ignite in an instant, and his body froze.

Liu Zhenqing took in his silly appearance and said with a smile: “Husband?”

In the next moment, that figure leaned down, and Liu Zhenqing could no longer utter a complete sentence in such a teasing tone.

---

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Wedding Extra 3 << Table of Contents >> Wedding Extra 5

Huo Fenglie was not unwilling to tattoo him. It was just that he couldn’t bear for anything extra to be put on Liu Zhenqing’s body, and didn’t want him to hurt in the slightest. Even though there was something to relieve the pain, in Huo Fenglie’s heart, Liu Zhenqing was delicate and fragile. Even if he was bitten by a mosquito, Huo Fenglie would blame himself for not taking proper precautions – the exception being the marks he created himself.

So although Liu Zhenqing had brought it up several times, he’d avoided it. Unexpectedly, Qing-ge had truly made up his mind.

Huo Fenglie let out a faint sigh. He took the box and sat down at the bedside, then leaned down and placed a kiss on Liu Zhenqing’s back.

But Liu Zhenqing had already fallen asleep. He only felt a slight itchy pain spread along his lower back as he slept.

With the help of medicine from Medical Valley, Liu Zhenqing felt nothing at all when he awoke the next morning.

Although he lost memories when he got drunk, he knew the plan he had set. So when he saw the opened box nearby, the corners of his mouth curled up and he jumped out of Huo Fenglie’s arms, rushing to the mirror.

In the mirror, his white underclothes slowly slid down to his waist. There was an obvious patch of pink on his lower back which hadn’t quite healed yet.

Liu Zhenqing was exhilarated, and wanted to find something to warm it up and see how it looked, but its location on his back wouldn’t make it easy. Just as he was gesticulating around the room, Huo Fenglie took him into his arms.

Huo Fenglie gazed at that skin in the mirror with some helplessness and some heartache. He gently stroked it with a hand while adding some internal force.

Liu Zhenqing felt his lower back begin to heat up and leaned happily into Huo Fenglie’s arms, waiting for him to finish.

Very soon, Huo Fenglie’s hand moved away. Liu Zhenqing held one of Huo Fenglie’s arms to steady himself, then turned his head to look into the mirror behind him.

His waist-length hair was covering some of it. Without waiting for Liu Zhenqing to speak, Huo Fenglie understood and raised his hand with only a slight frown, hooking that long hair over his shoulder.

The mirror reflected the two of them intimately close, but Liu Zhenqing’s entire focus was on his lower back.

A dark red hue had appeared on his jade-white skin, like a mature crimson rose growing from the crook of his waist, charming and tender. The three characters for ‘Huo Fenglie’ appeared clearly. The handwriting style was very true to Huo Fenglie’s personality, understated and extremely restrained, yet with an unconcealable sense of resoluteness. It was like a stamp, indicating that the person whose name was engraved there belonged to him.

Liu Zhenqing stared at it in a daze. It was certainly not painful, but a certain feeling went deep into his bones and made his heart ripple.

He couldn’t help but reach down to touch it, an inexplicable sense of security lingering in his heart.

It was completely different from the humiliation and pain he felt when someone else carved their name into him all those years ago. Liu Zhenqing now felt as if he was enslaved by Huo Fenglie’s love, and a freedom-loving person such as himself was only too delighted to be enslaved and possessed.

It seemed like only in this way could he feel connected and bound to his body, that he truly belonged to this world and to the person in front of him.

Huo Fenglie lowered his gaze, his eyes hot and dry as they fixed on that small crevice.

When the tattoo was finished last night and he saw his name on Qing-ge’s body, the shock almost made him lose his mind, and he wished he could ignore the fact that Qing-ge was asleep and do something contrary to their agreement. He wanted to keep Qing-ge’s body warm so that his name would always be present.

In this way, he would feel that he possessed Qing-ge even more firmly.

He had to admit that he had some regrets. If he could have tattooed it earlier……

Huo Fenglie’s eyes darkened. The hand that was originally supporting this person slowly touched the tattoo, then moved uncontrollably downward.

Liu Zhenqing let out a cry of surprise when he was grabbed by the waist and set on the table in front of the mirror.

This caused his clothes to slide down even more. Due to the movement, the curves of his back, waist, and even the little curves below appeared extremely clear within such close proximity to the mirror.

With Huo Fenglie standing to close to him, Liu Zhenqing naturally felt a certain something. He went from being stunned to his lips curving up, and he hooked his legs around the other with bad intentions.

When he clung to that person’s muscular waist, Huo Fenglie’s breathing changed.

“What are you doing? Misbehaving?” Liu Zhenqing’s breath was as sweet as orchids as he deliberately raised his head and moved closer.

Huo Fenglie stared at the person in front of him with cavernous eyes, his breath gusting directly onto Liu Zhenqing’s face. The jut of his throat rolled a few times before he said with difficulty: “Qing-ge…..can’t we get married earlier?”

“Er-gou is so impatient, ah,” Liu Zhenqing said with intentional displeasure.

Huo Fenglie slowly lowered his head and pursed his lips. His drooping expression fully revealed his current grievance.

Liu Zhenqing was so amused by the sight that he lifted a hand to touch the other’s head. Just as he was about to say something, there was a knock on the door. The housekeeper had come to warn them that guests were arriving.

The two of them exchanged glances.

Liu Zhenqing’s lips curved as he said: “If our friends are all here, we’ll marry today.”

Huo Fenglie’s eyes instantly lit up. He quickly got ready with Liu Zhenqing, and as soon as they exited the rooms, he picked the other up and flew to the pier with him.

Seeing Huo Fenglie’s expression, Liu Zhenqing could only laugh: “Even He Lan isn’t in as much of a hurry, you impatient thing.”

A blush flashed across Huo Fenglie’s face, but he still quickened his pace and rushed to the pier.

Bai Su would definitely come. It was just unknown if Qin Yu would arrive early.

However, Liu Zhenqing was wrong about one thing. No matter how impatient he was, he couldn’t be more impatient than He Lan.

Because when they arrived, they saw He Lan leap into the air from the pier without even waiting for the ship to dock.

There were two people standing at the bow — Bai Su and Qin Yu.

The moment He Lan set eyes on Qin Yu, his blood practically boiled. But when he rushed up to him and tried to speak, he didn’t know what to say.

There were no major changes to Qin Yu’s appearance, but the face that had been so gloomy in the capital now appeared much brighter.

Qin Yu regarded him with calm eyes that contained no ripples, which took the wind out of He Lan’s sails.

But He Lan was unaware that when Qin Yu saw his familiar form standing on the pier, a hint of bewilderment had crossed his cold face, and his eyes flashed with a bright gleam.

The only one to see this was Bai Su.

Bai Su looked at the two of them staring at each other and covered a secret smile with his fan. He didn’t disturb them.

In the end, it was Qin Yu who spoke first: “Long time no see.”

This greeting almost made He Lan choke. He was especially vexed by Qin Yu’s behavior. He wanted to pretend like nothing happened? Hilarious!

He Lan’s eyes changed, flashing with the danger of a hunter catching sight of prey. Qin Yu’s back tensed almost instinctively.

In the next moment, He Lan suddenly raised a hand toward him. Qin Yu naturally wasn’t one to be bullied, and reached up to block it.

They would often exchange blows when they met in the past, so Bai Su wasn’t surprised. 

He just watched as He Lan grabbed Qin Yu’s wrist and tried to pull him into his arms. His intentions were exceedingly obvious, but Qin Yu was like a heavy weight and didn’t move at all. Only his hand moved a little when it was pulled.

The two of them seemed to be competing with each other.

Qin Yu frowned: “We’ve just met and you’re fighting me. Does the Deputy Commander think I’m a fugitive to be caught by his Jinyiwei?”

Confronted by Qin Yu’s familiar tone, it was as if some conditioned reflex had been triggered within He Lan. His surging emotions calmed, and he said with a rakish smile: “That mouth of yours sure is sweeter when it’s covered up.”

Qin Yu hadn’t expected him to actually say such a thing! His expression immediately changed.

Others would think he just didn’t want Qin Yu to talk, but Qin Yu knew He Lan was threatening him, and the key point was what might be used to cover his mouth.

Seeing Qin Yu’s change of expression, He Lan finally felt that he had the upper hand. So what if he’d been running around for a year? Could it be possible that he had become a pining woman?

He Lan said nonchalantly: “So you know I’ve been promoted to Deputy Commander. It seems that even on the run, you still paid close attention to me.”

As He Lan spoke, he teasingly twirled his fingers around Qin Yu’s wrist.

“Since you paid so much attention to me, why didn’t you come back to find me?”

Qin Yu sneered and said: “I just heard Yuzhou mention it.”

He Lan turned toward Bai Su, who blinked his eyes. When he started to open his mouth with a helpless expression, Qin Yu also turned to him, and his warning look rendered Bai Su unable to speak.

Why pull him into the two brothers’ relationship issues? Such misery, ah!

When he turned around, he caught sight of his savior. Bai Su immediately waved his hands and shouted: “Zhanyuan! Brother Liu!”

He Lan and Qin Yu’s current rhythm was interrupted.

Huo Fenglie flew up with Liu Zhenqing, and Bai Su hurried forward to greet them warmly.

Qin Yu also looked like he was going to greet them, but his hand was captured. He could only say with displeasure: “Let go.”

He Lan raised his eyebrows and slowly released his hand.

Qin Yu walked past him with a cold expression, but at the moment the two of them crossed paths, he felt He Lan lean toward him.

Qin Yu was about to evade, but then he heard He Lan’s almost hoarse voice: “Let’s wait for Zhanyuan to get married first. We can deal with our affairs afterward.”

Qin Yu turned his head away unhappily. He Lan’s tone made it seem as if he owed something or had committed a wrong.

But when he turned his head, he met a pair of fierce eyes. That look was too familiar. He had seen it countless times in a trance. Qin Yu’s heart trembled, and countless frightening memories flashed through his mind in an instant.

Memories that penetrated deep into his bones made his body start to tremble, but he showed nothing on his face.

He Lan narrowed his eyes slightly and said: “You can’t run away. I can hold a grudge very well!”

Qin Yu’s breathing was somewhat unstable due to the fierceness coming off He Lan. He was going to ignore him and keep going, but when he walked past, he felt a hard slap on the perky part of his rear. “I remember everything, and I’ll make you pay it back slowly.”

There was only one shameless person in the world who dared to act like a ruffian toward him, Qin Yu.

Qin Yu’s veins pulsed, and his anger flared. Just as he was about to take action, he saw Huo Fenglie and the others looking at him.

Qin Yu could only hold back.

Liu Zhenqing asked with a smile: “Why did you come together?”

Qin Yu: “Because of a chance encounter.”

Bai Su: “I was traveling to paint landscapes, and happened to meet him in the west. When I received the invitation, I pulled him along with me.”

“It turns out you didn’t receive the invitation Yue Xuqian left in the west,” Liu Zhenqing said.

Qin Yu shook his head.

“Then this was very fortunate.” Liu Zhenqing smiled. He could see He Lan standing behind Qin Yu with a fierce look in his eyes from beginning to end, like a wolf that had missed ten meals. His eyes were practically green, yet still out of sorts when looking at Qin Yu.

Liu Zhenqing felt that he was still a person who enjoyed helping others. So he said with a smile: “I felt certain that you would come.”

He spoke these words specifically to Qin Yu, which puzzled the others around.

Liu Zhenqing said naturally: “After all, isn’t it Fenglie’s wedding banquet? You regard Fenglie as your best brother, so you naturally wouldn’t miss it.”

There was nothing wrong with this statement.

Qin Yu nodded, and Bai Su smiled.

But He Lan’s expression behind them changed.

Yes, ah, the person who had run away and vanished without a trace had shamelessly showed up for Huo Fenglie’s wedding, not worried at all about how to explain himself to He Lan if he met him here.

As expected, ah! As expected, this scumbag cared more about Huo Fenglie, even though he was about to get married!

The gleam in He Lan’s eyes grew even more dangerous.

Liu Zhenqing felt that he had accomplished his mission, and retreated after his success. 

He was promoting a happy match on a happy day, and certainly wasn’t just watching the fun.

But at this time, Huo Fenglie discreetly tugged on his sleeve from behind. Liu Zhenqing turned to find Huo Fenglie giving him an expectant look. Although his expression wasn’t obvious, his eyes were bright.

He looked as if he wanted the other person to make a promise to him right away.

Liu Zhenqing let out a pfft. Yes, it was time to fulfill his promise and give him a name and status in advance. He turned around and bowed to everyone in a serious manner, saying: “The weather is nice, and since everyone’s here, Fenglie and I will marry today!”

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Wedding Extra 2 << Table of Contents >> Wedding Extra 4

The next day, Pei Xi received two memos.

Pei-calico had rebelled, and told Pei Xi two small secrets.

One was that He Chuzhou had once taken him on a day trip to the aquarium and took a lot of photos, which were hidden in the bottom drawer of the cabinet by the window.

One was that yesterday, on the sidewalk of Wancheng Secondary School, He Chuzhou had expressed his desire to see him in a school uniform.

Although Pei-calico didn’t know why He Chuzhou told him to keep it a secret after telling him this wish, to keep it in his heart like he did with the aquarium and not write it down, that didn’t stop him from secretly leaking the information.

Actually…..it didn’t count as leaking information. He had just informed his better-at-remembering self.

This was Pei-calico’s view.

But Pei Xi knew very well that it was himself He Chuzhou wanted to hide this from.

With the aquarium, he’d been worried he would overthink things.

What was worth hiding about a school uniform?

He couldn’t figure it out.

Why did he have so many secrets with his confused self? Why weren’t there any with him?

How vexing.

He wasn’t very happy, but his hands were very honest. Closing the memos first, he opened the call log, found Xie Ling, and dialed the number.

“A school uniform? Why?”

Xie Ling was worthy of being called an expert in romance, and swiftly came to the logical answer: “Oh, I get it. There’s a saying that one would reject a male model rather than reject a high school boy. Are you trying to confuse He Chuzhou with this? Where did you come up with the idea?”

Pei Xi: “We’re already together.”

Xie Ling: “But I think this method is a bit risky. He Chuzhou is already interested in you, and if he can’t hold back, he’ll turn into a beast. You’ll be the one who suffers, but if you’re willing to endure this suffering, I have no objections.”

Pei Xi: “……”

Pei Xi: “Xie Ling, we’re together. We’re dating. He’s officially my lover.”

Xie Ling: “But to be on the safe side, I still suggest you prepare something in your pocket in advance – ah? What?”

Pei Xi: “Have you been drinking?”

Xie Ling: “I just had a bowl of fermented glutinous rice, that should be considered a small drink, right? No way,  you guys are together? There’s no need to pursue? ? ?”

Pei Xi: “En.”

Xie Ling: “Oh my god! What’s going on? When did this happen? How did it develop? Was it he who took the initiative or you? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Pei Xi: “Do you want to hear about the confession, or do you want to hear about the high school uniform later?”

Xie Ling: “The high school uniform, of course!”

Pei Xi: “Okay, so can you get one for me?”

“No problem at all. Wanzhong just changed their school uniform. I’ll ask my nephew to give you his previous set, the one you wore when you were in school.”

“But my nephew is still in school today. You’ll have to wait until he comes home at noon tomorrow, okay?”

Tomorrow…..

Pei Xi bit his lip in thought. Pei-calico would be on duty tomorrow, so it was reasonable for him to receive the school uniform.

It was just right that he didn’t have to say anything. Pei-calico could just play freely, which was very convenient overall.

Pei Xi: “Okay. Tomorrow, then. I’ll give you the address and you can just send it directly to me. Sorry for the trouble.”

Xie Ling: “It’s no trouble, no trouble, Brother. I’m happy to do it.”

Just as he finished being polite, he heard the busy tone after the phone was hung up. When he looked, the phone had returned to the home screen.

“Just like that?”

Muttering to himself, Xie Ling came to a sudden realization: “No, why should I choose between the two? I’ve contributed so much, can’t I hear both?”

“Fuck, I lost out!”

*

*

Pei Xi planned everything out, but reality defied the best-laid plans. 

When he woke up, he wasn’t amnesiac.

This was the second time.

The first time was when He Chuzhou was on a business trip and Pei Xi slept on the plane on the way to see him.

He’d thought it was an accident, but now it seemed he would have to reconsider.

The courier rang the doorbell, and Pei Xi was just thankful that He Chuzhou wasn’t home.

But just as he was about to tear open the express bag, the door clicked. The person who’d been away from home had returned.

He Xingxing reacted very quickly. The moment He Chuzhou stepped inside, he rushed over with a wagging tail to give him a warm welcome.

Pei Xi was faster than him. As soon as the door was pushed open a crack, he immediately threw the half-opened express bag on the floor and kicked it under the sofa with a guilty conscience.

But He Chuzhou’s eyes were even faster than the two of them, and he peered over: “Xinxin, what did you drop under the sofa just now?”

Pei Xi: “Nothing!”

He Chuzhou: “……En?”

It was difficult not to overreact when one felt guilty. The more Pei Xi tried to hide it, the more obvious it became, so he slowed his tone and abruptly changed the subject: “Didn’t you go to inspect a construction site? Why are you back so early?”

He Chuzhou put down the key and walked over: “The inspection didn’t take long. It was still early, so I wanted to come back and take you to the hospital.”

Pei Xi: “What for?”

“Of course it’s to check whether or not you’ve recovered from your side effects.”

He Chuzhou touched his forehead with the back of his hand and said happily: “You woke up without any confusion, which is a good sign. This has been going on for so long. It’s about time for things to get better.”

Pei Xi: “It’s fine if it takes a little longer. There are only slight signs of recovery right now, and the doctor said it’ll basically heal by itself…..what are you looking at?!”

He took a hasty step back to block He Chuzhou’s line of sight.

“You dropped something.”

He Chuzhou pointed toward the bottom of the sofa: “I really did see it just now. Do you need my help — huh?”

His words were cut off abruptly by Pei Xi’s kiss.

It was truly sudden and loud, with a clear and pleasant “muah” that made He Chuzhou’s black pupils immediately brighten from 40 watts to 800: “Wife?”

Pei Xi let go of his tie with lingering panic and gave an unclear hum.

“Why are you rewarding me all of a sudden?”

He Chuzhou enveloped Pei Xi’s hand and made him hold his tie again. He liked the feeling of being in the other’s hands and being controlled by him in a domineering way.

If humans could grow tails, he feared that in front of Pei Xi, his would really rotate until it flew off.

Pei Xi: “It’s not a reward. It’s just…..in celebration.”

He Chuzhou: “In celebration of what?”

Pei Xi uttered flustered nonsense: “In celebration of…..the fact that I’ve remembered for two days in a row that I’m just your boyfriend, not your wife.”

He Chuzhou: “……”

His dog tail rotated half as fast.

Pei Xi was keenly aware of his change in mood. Fearing that the topic change would fail and he’d remember the express delivery again, Pei Xi simply hooked his collar: “Then it’s in celebration of the fact that I love you a little more than I did yesterday.”

After saying this, he pressed down on the back of He Chuzhou’s neck and kissed him again almost rudely.

This unilateral initiative lasted only for the blink of an eye.

In the next second, He Chuzhou’s hands automatically cruised to his lower back and pressed Pei Xi toward him as he impatiently deepened this tickling kiss.

Other than the day he confessed his feelings, this was the first time Xinxin had kissed him while in his right mind.

And he also said he loved him.

That he loved him more than he did yesterday.

He was so joyful and excited that his dog tail was wagging with fur flying all over the sky. The colorful bubbles inside him were about to burst out from every pore and flood the entire house.

No matter how many times it happened, Pei Xi couldn’t adapt to the strong, enthusiastic way He Chuzhou expressed himself.

He was suppressed to the point that he had no room to resist, and could only choose to resign himself and try to reciprocate under the other’s seduction.

But he also possessed the clumsiness of the unlearned, especially when he was overwhelmed like this.

He forgot to relax, forgot to put away his teeth. When he bumped into He Chuzhou, what he got in return was not the freedom to breathe, but another, more forceful invasion. 

As his retreat was hindered, he pulled the person in front of him and stumbled onto the sofa, putting himself entirely into an inescapable dilemma.

When his breathing and heartbeat were in a state of chaos, the greedy kisses began to spread along the corner of his lips to the side of his face, lingering at his pale earlobe for a moment before kissing it too.

An uncontrollably gasp escaped from his mouth, and his grip on He Chuzhou’s shoulders tightened at once. All of the strength in his back drained away, leaving him completely limp.

He heard a low, husky chuckle in his ear. A murmured “baby” seemed to be spun out of spider silk, circling around the tip of his tongue countless times.

There was a buzzing sound in his ears, and he began to lose control of his body as marks spread wildly from the side of his neck to his shoulder, then to his chest……

Under the unrestrained attention from his lover, an accidental reaction became a matter of course.

The fabric around his waist was lifted up a bit, and fingertips caressed him with restrained force. Pei Xi shuddered and clenched his teeth.

His slightly contracted pupils revealed a nervousness that even he himself was unaware of, and clearly reflected He Chuzhou’s dark, flickering expression.

He Chuzhou nuzzled his nose soothingly. Suppressing his restlessness, he asked him in a hoarse voice, “Are you scared?” 

These three words successfully stunned Pei Xi.

Scared?

This word didn’t seem to exist in his dictionary. He had never been afraid of anything before, and he wasn’t afraid now.

He was just…..nervous…..when facing the unknown.

But because he knew this person in front of him, he wanted to learn, and was excited to the point of trembling.

Unfortunately, he was unable to perfectly organize his words at this moment. He Chuzhou interpreted his silence as an answer and smiled indulgently: “Don’t be afraid. We can use another method.”

When He Chuzhou was halfway through this so-called other method, Pei Xi couldn’t help but hold his wrist, and his eyes flickered with floundering helplessness.

He had to admit, fear was certainly present among his emotions.

But he didn’t stop He Chuzhou’s actions.

He Chuzhou also didn’t stop, but instead murmured extraneous words in his ear in a voice that made his head even more muddled: 

“Baby, do you still want to be my little brother now?”

“That’s not possible. In most families, gege’s and didi’s aren’t like this, don’t you agree?”

“You know, when you said before that we’d break up after you recovered, I was so disappointed. I almost wanted to tie you to the headboard and correct your phrasing ten thousand times.”

“But don’t worry, I couldn’t bear to do it. It must be uncomfortable to be tied up, ah. As soon as your eyes turned red, I wouldn’t be able to keep from hugging you.”

“Just like now.”

“Baby, your eyes are so red, so pretty. Are you going to cry?”

“Is it painful or uncomfortable?”

“Tell me.”

Pei Xi didn’t answer.

He bit his lower lip hard, then closed his eyes and turned his head away, not daring to let a sound escape his throat.

He Chuzhou took in all the changes in his expression and exhaled heavily. He gripped his jaw and kissed him roughly, swallowing all of the sounds that were about to come out of him.

With his palm and fingertips exerting force, he could feel the other’s knees rising and falling repeatedly, rubbing against his waist helplessly as he sought help from the culprit who started it all.

The volcanic energy in his body was eager to erupt, and Pei Xi’s mind was about to collapse.

Moving back slightly, He Chuzhou pressed his forehead against Pei Xi’s. Their breaths became entangled: “What little secret is someone hiding under the couch?”

“I hid…..hid…..”

On the verge of revealing the truth, Pei Xi was brought back to his senses by the last bit of vigilance he had left: “What…..I didn’t hide anything…..”

He Chuzhou played a malicious trick. Pei Xi’s body reflexively tried to curl up, but was unable to. With a pitiful, twisted expression, his eyes became redder and even more aggrieved.

He Chuzhou gazed at him unblinkingly. His voice grew hoarse and deep, and it was no longer evident whose attention was being scattered: “Is it…..a surprise?”

“Yes, a surprise…..” Pei Xi’s eyes were filled with moisture. “I want…..to go on a date with you.”

He Chuzhou: “A date?”

Pei Xi responded faintly, feeling that he had found a way out: “Yeah, that’s it, a date…..Aaah!”

Surging waves suddenly swept over his whole body.

A muffled moan escaped his throat. Fingertips sank deeply into his hair, and his trembling was soothed by a hug as tears finally rolled down from the corners of his eyes.

He Chuzhou’s eyes were completely dark. His heartbeat accelerated, and his nearly-depleted willpower suppressed what was about to explode.

Pei Xi raised his head. He closed his eyes and bit the other’s Adam’s apple tenderly.

“Okay, let’s go on a date.”

“Wherever you want to go, Baby, I’ll follow.”

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Chapter 65 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 67