Yun Qi had not actually intended to swat Wen Zui’s backside. It was simply that the patch of flesh was firm yet yielding, rounded and far too tempting, causing him to lose control of his hand for a momentary impulse.
With his noisy disciple temporarily out of sight, Yun Qi closed his eyes to inspect his own cultivation. He had reached the tenth level of the Qi Refining stage—the Great Perfection. He was only a single step away from the Foundation Establishment stage. Meanwhile, Wen Zui had already successfully reached the first level of Qi Refining.
Yun Qi’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. It had taken them roughly an entire night to fully digest the energy from the elixir, and now sunlight was beginning to pierce through the heavy curtains from the corner of the room. It had been a long time since Yun Qi had basked in the sun using his own physical body. He squinted his eyes and reached out to grasp the curtain.
When Wen Zui emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a bathrobe, he was met with a visually jarring scene: a snow-white figure was attempting to pull open the curtains, seemingly ready to let the whole world admire his physique.
“Yun Qi! What are you doing!” Wen Zui rushed over frantically, slapped Yun Qi’s hand away, and glared at him.
“What is the matter?” Yun Qi’s peach-blossom eyes narrowed slightly. His expression was one of feigned confusion, looking at the agitated young man with a hint of a smile.
“We humans cannot walk around showing ourselves to others without clothes! Do you want to be arrested by the police!” Wen Zui grumbled as he pulled clothes out of his bag to cover Yun Qi. Privately, he thought that anyone who actually saw Yun Qi’s body probably would not bother calling the police.
The shirts were a bit small but manageable. However, when it came to the lower body, Wen Zui was loath to admit that his pants would likely stifle Yun Qi. He grit his teeth and managed to pull a pair of trousers onto him to finish the job.
Yun Qi allowed himself to be manipulated obediently, the mirth in his eyes deepening. Once Wen Zui finally finished and stood up, Yun Qi tilted his neck toward him, displaying several red spots. “It itches.”
Tiny red marks had spread across his jade-like neck, looking like an acute allergic reaction. Wen Zui let out a heavy sigh and leaned his forehead against his hand. “Master, perhaps you should just change back into a snake. It would be more comfortable, would it not?”
Yun Qi did not speak. Instead, he reached out with one hand to clasp Wen Zui’s throat and arched an eyebrow slightly.
“Haha! We are going to buy clothes right now!” A bright smile instantly appeared on Wen Zui’s face. He carefully moved Yun Qi’s hand away and turned to start packing.
“Master, can I teleport and use spells now too?” Wen Zui looked at his skin, which had become noticeably smoother, and began mimicking common moves he had seen on television, pointing his fingers around in the air.
“You have only just entered the sect. When we return, I will teach you how to cultivate properly.”
“Oh,” Wen Zui replied.
At a shopping mall in Yun City.
For the first twenty-two years of his life, Wen Zui had lived in what could only be described as poverty. Consequently, he had no knowledge of luxury brands. He led Yun Qi into an Adidas store and began picking out clothes.
Even with a low-profile appearance, Yun Qi possessed a clean and refreshing temperament. With his pale skin, dark hair, and the cute dimples that appeared when he smiled, he looked like a college student who had not yet graduated. He suited athletic wear perfectly.
An enthusiastic sales assistant immediately approached them. Seeing two handsome men, her smile grew even more genuine.
“Handsome, are you bringing your younger brother to buy clothes? Would you like me to put some outfits together for you?”
Wen Zui was currently worrying about what to buy. Seeing someone offer to coordinate outfits for him felt like a massive relief. He did not even register that the assistant had mistaken him for the older brother.
“That would be great! I will take two sets for myself and two for him,” Wen Zui answered quickly. Then, his eyes darted around as a mischievous smile spread across his face. He leaned in and whispered a few words into the assistant’s ear.
“No problem!” The assistant smiled and walked away. A moment later, she returned with the outfits and led them to the fitting rooms.
Yun Qi naturally followed Wen Zui into the same fitting room, only to be pushed back out.
“One room each!” Wen Zui said, closing the door ruthlessly.
“Heh,” Yun Qi raised an eyebrow and entered his own room instead.
Before long, Wen Zui emerged wearing the black-and-white tracksuit he had requested. He checked himself in the mirror, feeling very satisfied. Wen Zui, you brat, you actually look a bit like a rich heir now!
“You look wonderful in that!” the assistant praised him sincerely.
Wen Zui chuckled and turned his attention to Yun Qi’s fitting room, waiting to see him embarrassed. However, after waiting for a while, Yun Qi still had not come out, causing Wen Zui to frown in confusion.
“Yun Qi? Are you growing mushrooms in there?”
“Come in for a moment,” Yun Qi’s voice drifted out from behind the door.
Wen Zui felt a sudden surge of awkwardness. He stole a glance at the sales assistant to see if she looked suspicious, but seeing no change in her expression, he opened the door and stepped inside.
Inside, Yun Qi had not changed his clothes at all. Seeing Wen Zui enter, he raised his arms and arched an eyebrow.
I have definitely invited a pampered lord into my life! Wen Zui felt he had no choice. He helped Yun Qi take off the ill-fitting clothes and personally assisted him into the pink-and-white tracksuit he had intentionally asked the assistant to pick.
“Pfft, hahaha!” The pink tracksuit made Yun Qi’s temperament appear even more gentle. Combined with his delicate features, he looked like an idol. In Wen Zui’s eyes, however, this look was far removed from a “real man” like himself.
Wen Zui nodded in satisfaction, preparing to open the door so everyone could see. But the moment he reached for the handle, Yun Qi suddenly reached out, hooked an arm around his neck, and pinned him against the wall of the fitting room.
“Why is the material of the clothes here so poor? I am very uncomfortable.”
The hot breath turned Wen Zui’s face crimson, and his heart began to throb uncontrollably. A flash of playfulness crossed Yun Qi’s eyes. While tugging at the fabric on his chest, he pulled the door open.
The sales assistant, thinking the customer was coming out, stepped forward with a smile, ready to offer a barrage of praise. Instead, she was met with a scene where the seemingly harmless “younger brother” had his “older brother” pinned against the wall. The older brother, with his rugged features and brooding aura, looked completely dazed.
It appeared as though the younger brother was using a “honey trap” to bewitch the older one.
The assistant’s face turned red instantly. She stumbled back several steps, her mind filled with a single thought: Heavens! I picked the wrong side! It is actually a “beautiful top” dynamic! No wonder the younger brother is taller!
Having achieved his goal, Yun Qi smiled and released his hold on Wen Zui, stepping back. With his peach-blossom eyes crinkling, he said, “Brother, let us go pay the bill.”
“Ah? Oh.” Although the clothes were still giving Yun Qi an allergic reaction, Wen Zui felt he had to buy them since Yun Qi was not wearing underwear and had already tried them on.
Wen Zui’s ears turned red, and he felt a bit shy as he accepted being called “brother.” Why is Yun Qi suddenly being so well-behaved?
At the checkout counter, Wen Zui swiped his card with a heavy heart. Just for that “brother,” I will splurge today!
Under the ambiguous gaze of the sales assistant, Wen Zui led Yun Qi to the neighboring Valentino counter after making some inquiries. This time, he had no intention of playing pranks on Yun Qi. After all, the only thing getting hurt in the end was his own wallet.
“Do you have any silk white shirts?”
“Yes, please come this way.” This sales assistant was not as exuberant, but her every move was professional and comfortable. Soon, Wen Zui picked out a white shirt with a mandarin collar for Yun Qi to change into.
Sure enough, Yun Qi’s sensitive skin finally settled down, and the redness vanished completely. Wen Zui grit his teeth as he paid the bill, his pout so deep he looked like he could hang a jar from it. This caused Yun Qi to smile, though he quickly suppressed it.
“You can just live on air from now on! Do you know how expensive this shirt is? Ten thousand yuan!” Wen Zui grumbled, missing the teasing glint that flashed in Yun Qi’s eyes.
A faint blue light flickered on Yun Qi’s body, and his skin momentarily took on a metallic sheen—his scales. Unfortunately, Wen Zui noticed nothing; he was too busy worrying about his money.
After a quick meal, Wen Zui hurriedly led Yun Qi back to Old Man Wu’s house. Having been away for only three days, Grandma Wu seemed to have aged five years. her white hair was messily gathered at the back of her head, and her eyes were filled with tears. Nearby, Xiaoyue seemed to have lost her childishness, maturing overnight as she used a towel to wipe Old Man Wu’s face.
Wen Zui blinked hard to clear his eyes and sniffed. “Grandma, Xiaoyue! I am back! I brought a divine doctor with me; he will definitely cure Grandpa Wu!”
Divine doctor? Yun Qi gave a soft huff but did not expose him.
“Xiao Wen, you are back?” Grandma Wu walked over tremulously and grasped Wen Zui’s hand with significant force, as if to confirm he was truly there.
Before they could finish their greetings, Yun Qi placed his hand on Old Man Wu’s wrist and transferred some spiritual energy. In the next second, the blood clot at the back of the old man’s head dissolved, and the remaining energy circulated through his body to eliminate any residual ailments.
Moments later, Old Man Wu opened his eyes and embraced the weeping Grandma Wu and Xiaoyue.
“He truly is a divine doctor!” Grandma Wu attempted to kneel, but Wen Zui was quick to stop her.
“Do not do that, Grandma. He is my friend; there is no need to kneel!” Wen Zui then took the antique tripod from his coat and handed it back to Old Man Wu. “Boss Mei has agreed to return this to you. He also said he wants Grandpa Wu to work at his factory.”
“Really!” Old Man Wu’s eyes filled with tears of joy, and he was momentarily speechless.
Unable to refuse their hospitality, Wen Zui and Yun Qi stayed for a meal before flying back to Hai City the next day.
Mei Li’s corrupt factory had been sold to an ethical entrepreneur by Sun Yan. Wen Zui secured a position for Old Man Wu, and the remaining assets were sold for eight million yuan, which was transferred to Wen Zui’s account. As for Mei Li, he was imprisoned for tax evasion and illegal competition; he would likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.
On the plane, Wen Zui was no longer as excited as he had been during his first flight. He stared out the window, feeling as though everything was surreal. Yun Qi remained coiled around Wen Zui’s shoulders, idly flicking his tail as he contemplated how to obtain a formal identity.
Suddenly, Wen Zui seemed to remember something, and his heart skipped a beat. His voice echoed in Yun Qi’s mind: “Yun Qi! Yun Qi! Which characters are used for your name exactly?”
“The ‘Yun’ for cloud, and the ‘Qi’ for deity.”