The door burst open, no, to be precise, the door was not so much opened as it was completely torn off by Qian Jinye. A solid wooden door of that size, crafted from the finest timber by the most skilled artisans, was reduced to fragments with a single kick from him.
The wood split apart violently, breaking into several large pieces that scattered across the floor, strewn about in disarray, glaringly conspicuous to the eye.
Lu Xiao froze on the spot, his eyes widening until they were almost round with shock. How had he not thought of this earlier? If Qian Shengke knew how to do such things, then naturally Qian Jinye should know them too!
It was probably just that Qian Jinye’s skills weren’t quite as refined and Qian Shengke hadn’t bothered to guard against him too much. Still, Lu Xiao hadn’t expected that he really could pull it off.
So that meant Qian Jinye squatting on the ground for so long earlier, was he actually drawing talisman paper? Lu Xiao absolutely refused to believe that Qian Jinye could sit there quietly and obediently for that long without doing anything.
“Whew. I’ve watched my brother draw them a few times before. Didn’t think it would actually work,” Qian Jinye said, exhaling. “Lu Xiao, what are you standing there for? Let’s go already.”
In that instant, there was no trace left of his earlier listless demeanor. Qian Jinye looked spirited and full of energy, his fox-like eyes brimming with undisguised pride. Lu Xiao couldn’t help clapping his hands in applause. He stood up, brushed the dust off his backside and was just about to follow him.
“Brother Lu Xiao!”
Hearing Chen Yue’er call out to him, Lu Xiao turned back around. The complexions of both her and Li Xianguan were far from good; lying on the bamboo mat, they looked decidedly unwell, their condition clearly less than healthy.
“Yue’er? What’s wrong? How did you suddenly end up like this?” Lu Xiao asked anxiously. He moved closer and picked up some water. “Here, drink a bit of water. Uh… do you want me to add some pearl powder?”
Originally, Lu Xiao would have added the pearl powder without the slightest hesitation. After all, from the imperial palace down to the Qian residence, everyone used this stuff, it was definitely something good but having just retrieved a Suizhu pearl from a rat’s stomach, looking at those white pearls now made him feel inexplicably uneasy, as if they might turn into something strange at any moment.
Once ground into powder, it should be fine… right? Still, he didn’t feel entirely reassured, so he decided to ask Chen Yue’er first. As for Li Xianguan, he already looked half dead, sprawled there staring at the ceiling. There was no way he was going to give any useful answer.
“Add a little.. ” Chen Yue’er said. “Let Li Xianguan drink first. He looks like he’s about to die.”
He didn’t look like he was about to die at all, he just looked too lazy to move. Lu Xiao complained inwardly but he still fed Li Xianguan some water first, then gave some to Chen Yue’er as well. Only then did a hint of color finally return to their faces.
Just as Lu Xiao was about to ask Chen Yue’er a bit more, Li Xianguan suddenly sat bolt upright. It was like a corpse springing back to life. Lu Xiao was so startled that he lost his balance and dropped straight to his knees in front of them. Chen Yue’er couldn’t bear that and immediately mirrored his posture, kneeling as well. The more Li Xianguan watched, the stranger it felt and unwilling to be outdone, he too knelt down.
From Qian Jinye’s point of view, the three of them were kneeling face to face, forming a triangular standoff. It was deeply unsettling.
“I’ll explain! ” Li Xianguan said. “After Yue’er and I arrived at the Qian residence, we started feeling unwell. I mentioned this to you before. Just now, when we encountered that clam shell… rat thing, it got even worse. The rest of the path, you’ll probably have to walk it yourselves. Yue’er and I need to rest.”
He said all this while still kneeling, as if he were solemnly and respectfully arranging his final affairs. Qian Jinye really couldn’t stand to watch any longer. He stepped forward and pulled Lu Xiao up and only then did the two of them sit back down properly.
Lu Xiao was a little dazed. When he first came to this world, the first people he met were them. They were the ones who taught him how to survive in this unfamiliar place and yet he hadn’t noticed anything wrong with them at all.
“Then… rest well,” Lu Xiao said softly. “I’ll go and come back. Once I’ve taken care of things, I’ll take you home.”
He’d never said anything so sentimental before. How had Li Xianguan managed to drag him into speaking like this? He sounded completely unnatural, as if they were parting forever. It felt strange.
“Go on, kid,” Li Xianguan said. “Don’t fight with little brother Jinye. We’ll wait for you.”
Lu Xiao and Qian Jinye waved to the two of them. Given their condition, it really wasn’t suitable for them to keep moving. Lu Xiao didn’t try to persuade them otherwise. Besides, no one knew what monsters lay ahead. To put it bluntly, in their current state, Li Xianguan and Chen Yue’er were a burden.
There was something deeply wrong with the Qian residence. The Qian family members themselves were fine but every outsider, except Lu Xiao, had run into trouble. Lu Xiao even began to wonder whether something would happen to him next but looking at how lively and energetic he still was, that seemed clearly impossible.
Qian Jinye was extremely anxious, searching everywhere for any traces Qian Shengke might have left behind but there was nothing to be found. It was as if no one had been there at all.
Silence. A terrifying silence. It was far too strange. No matter what, Qian Shengke shouldn’t have been able to leave so quietly. With so many monsters on the way, he should have been delayed somewhere. How could he have left without leaving even a single clue?
The person beside him was on the verge of losing control. Those eyes that had only just regained clarity were once again tinged with crimson. Something was wrong. Lu Xiao hurriedly pulled Qian Jinye into his arms, holding him tightly, pressing the man’s face against his chest.
He let Qian Jinye hear his own heart pounding like crashing waves, hoping it would bring him back to his senses. Leaning down to his ear, Lu Xiao spoke in the gentlest voice he had.
“Don’t panic. I’m here.”
The restless figure in his arms suddenly went still. Two hands came up to rest on Lu Xiao’s back, gradually tightening, pulling them into a tight embrace. Qian Jinye was trembling. He was truly afraid. Lu Xiao could feel it clearly. He stroked his hair and pressed a kiss to the crown of his head, offering silent comfort.
“Lu Xiao… I’m scared. I’m really scared. I feel like my brother isn’t coming back. I feel like we won’t be able to get out.”
“If we really can’t get out, then I’ll stay here with you. Don’t be afraid. You’re too tired. There’s no clue about Brother Qian right now, let’s go rest for a bit, okay? Be good.”
In their current state, it wasn’t suitable to charge forward recklessly. Keeping their nerves stretched tight all the time wasn’t a good thing either. Qian Shengke wasn’t going to return anytime soon, even if the burden of breaking through now rested on their shoulders.
But they were still human. If Qian Jinye refused, Lu Xiao was prepared to force him to shut down. What a joke, just an ordinary rich young master and he really thought he was some kind of savior.
“…Okay.”
“Look at this place, it’s such a mess. We should rest, wait, what did you say?”
Lu Xiao was still in the middle of persuading him when Qian Jinye agreed just like that. It felt unreal. Qian Jinye burrowed into his arms and muttered a muffled “okay.” Lu Xiao felt a little foolish as he took Qian Jinye by the hand and led him back to the room they had first stayed in.
Although it had been unpleasant being locked up there, at least there was a bed, a comfortable, soft bed. Lu Xiao felt like he hadn’t touched a bed for two lifetimes. The moment he saw it, he pounced on it without a second thought.
He turned over and patted the spot beside him. Qian Jinye followed suit, diving onto the bed as well. Like a small animal burrowing into the snow in winter, clumsy and endearing. Slowly, he turned to face Lu Xiao.
“Lu Xiao, you never should have come to our house. This isn’t a good place. You were deceived by that damned emperor.”
Qian Jinye’s emotions had clearly stabilized now. In fact, Lu Xiao felt he was almost too calm. He still had the presence of mind to worry about them, instead of thinking about whether he himself would even be able to walk out of his own home.
“I’m different. I’m part of the Qian family. I enjoy this wealth and glory, so I should bear this suffering. You’re innocent. I’m not.”
It was as if he could read minds, answering everything Lu Xiao had been thinking. Helplessly, Lu Xiao moved closer, looking at him seriously.
“Jinye ge. You’re innocent too. Don’t you hate seeing those people sacrificed? Don’t you want to change things? You’re not the same as your father and not the same as your brother either. You’re not silent.”
“But I!”
“But you feel powerless, right?” Lu Xiao interrupted gently. “If you had the ability, would you be willing to change things? You would. That’s why you’re different, brother. You’ll make the Qian family better. You can’t change things now but once you can, you will.”
After saying that, Lu Xiao pulled Qian Jinye tightly into his arms, the two of them pressed close together on the bed. Lu Xiao felt dampness slowly soaking into his shoulder.
He was crying?
Even someone so strong could have moments of such helplessness. Lu Xiao truly didn’t know how to comfort him. All he could do was hold him close, responding with his own body heat. Someone who had gone mad with stubborn strength the entire way, how could he suddenly be crying like this?
Like a snowflake that could shatter at any moment, heartbreakingly fragile.
“Lu Xiao… I swear, I will definitely, definitely take you all out of here. Even if I can’t get out myself, I won’t let any more innocent people get dragged into this. I’ve had enough.”
Lu Xiao broke out in a cold sweat. No, what was wrong with this kid? They were practically at the boss fight already and he was planting flags like this. It was honestly terrifying. Lu Xiao hugged him even tighter, afraid that if he loosened his grip even a little, the person in his arms would slip away.
Speaking of which, despite being a martial man, Qian Jinye was nothing like Lu Xiao’s university classmates, smelly and stiff as rocks. Instead, there was a faint fragrance about him, like orchids touched by morning dew, like a perfectly brewed cup of clear tea. Clean and gentle.
His muscles were just right, not excessive, not lacking. There was a softness to them, wrapping lean strength beneath, springy and resilient to the touch. His hair was fragrant and soft, thick and jet black, brushing against Lu Xiao’s heart and making it itch.
Restless thoughts stirred.
“Brother, let’s not talk about this anymore. Look at me, okay?”
He desperately wanted a response from Qian Jinye. This was his first relationship too. How had it come to share life and death with his boyfriend, without sweet words, without doing a single thing couples were supposed to do? Back in university, he had envied others endlessly. Now, facing Qian Jinye, he just wanted to be willful for once.
At his words, Qian Jinye lifted his gaze to him. They were very close. Their breaths intertwined; he could feel the other’s breathing, even its warmth. With just a little closer,
“What is it, Lu Xiao? Is something wrong?”
Qian Jinye’s eyes were red, carrying a trace of vulnerability. His light colored eyes shimmered with tenderness. So different from his usual domineering self, soft, pitiful, impossible not to cherish. Lu Xiao couldn’t help himself. He wanted to do something for him.
“It’s nothing. I just… want to hear you say you like me.”
As he spoke, he lowered his dark, beautiful eyes, not daring to meet Qian Jinye’s gaze. Qian Jinye could clearly see every one of his eyelashes, long and thick, like a fan that hid all the emotions in his eyes.
Amused, he cupped Lu Xiao’s face and coaxed him gently. “Of course I like you. Otherwise, would I let you run wild in my house like this?”
Lu Xiao looked back at him but this time, there was danger in his eyes.
Qian Jinye sensed something wrong and tried to pull his hand back, retreating but Lu Xiao grabbed him in one swift motion.
The touch on his lips was warm and soft, moist breath brushing directly against his face.
The culprit turned over and went to sleep.
Qian Jinye wanted nothing more than to curl himself into a shrimp.
Wasn’t he supposed to be resting? How was he supposed to sleep now?!
✦ ✧ ✦
Nycreth
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
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☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
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ChaptersChapter 1 · The beginning of the tragedyChapter 2 · Don’t forgetChapter 3 · Look at it directlyChapter 4 · Whom are you trying to seduce?Chapter 5 · TeaseChapter 6 · Sleeping in the same bedChapter 7 · Internal locksChapter 8 · Tampering The rules…Chapter 9 · Black LotusChapter 10 · FledglingChapter 11 · There are no horses in the stable.Chapter 12 · Water-oil separationChapter 13 · The cost of backtrackingChapter 14 · It got biggerChapter 15 · Was it a mouse?Chapter 16 · Too fieryChapter 17 · Administer medicineChapter 18 · Tracing the PearlChapter 19 · A KissChapter 20 · Ge, Kiss meChapter 21 · Ten Thousand Deaths Without RegretChapter 22 · Endless CorridorChapter 23 · CowardChapter 24 · GoodbyeChapter 25 · Back toChapter 26 · It’s is me, Not MeChapter 27 · VictimChapter 28 · Crossed CupsChapter 29 · IntuitionChapter 30 · ChangeChapter 31 · DifferentChapter 32 · ErrorChapter 33 · Mind Your Own BusinessChapter 34 · WanderingChapter 35 · EmbraceChapter 36 · LoveChapter 37 · UnrestrainedChapter 38 · Asking Over a DrinkChapter 39 · As BeforeChapter 40 · SatiatedChapter 41 · A Change in the WindsChapter 42 · A’SuChapter 43 · Welcoming the BrideChapter 44 · GossipChapter 45 · WeaknessChapter 46 · Wedding NightChapter 47 · Brother QingChapter 48 · FadingChapter 49 · Lying LowChapter 50 · CaressChapter 51 · OnceChapter 52 · The Hidden PassageChapter 53 · MotherChapter 54 · FlawlessChapter 55 · ProphecyChapter 56 · EtherealChapter 57 · DecipheringChapter 58 · The TrapChapter 59 · Stone StatueChapter 60 · ChessChapter 61 · AssassinsChapter 62 · The National Preceptor?Chapter 63 · Please return my belongings to me.Chapter 64 · I’m not that desperate.Chapter 65 · No wayChapter 66 · No turning backChapter 67 · I told you, get out of the wayChapter 68 · Still became a monsterChapter 69 · Let’s end thisChapter 70 · Why do you look so much like him?Chapter 71 · One wanted to kill, two stopped himChapter 72 · Unless, the people at Mingzhu Academy are keeping it from himChapter 73 · FraudChapter 74 · Don’t look back, Lu XiaoChapter 75 · It’s coldChapter 76 · Kill MeChapter 77 · We are even marriedChapter 78 · Gege… I Love YouChapter 79 · “It” had arrivedChapter 80 · Wake Up!Chapter 81 · How Nostalgic….Chapter 82 · You already Promised meChapter 83 · Their TerritoryChapter 84 · Jokes were JokesChapter 85 · What you dream was realChapter 86 · Did you cry?Chapter 87 · What’s wrong, young Master?Chapter 88 · No, I only ever said it to youChapter 89 · Honey, Please let me go.Chapter 90 · What are you pretending to be, a gentleman?Chapter 91 · It’s just a shoddy trick to fool people, but I like it anywayChapter 92 · Ge, I did it voluntarily, it’s no useChapter 93 · You little BratChapter 94 · Gege~ please have mercyChapter 95 · Hearing Lu Xiao come in, he patted the seat next to himChapter 96 · Stop fooling around, let me kiss youChapter 97 · “I want…” “Want what?”Chapter 98 · Gege, watch closely how I get youChapter 99 · Little Eleven, how about we talk to ‘it’ first?Chapter 100 · Had it gone mad?Chapter 101 · I will make my decisionChapter 102 · Tsk, how indecentChapter 103 · You are the creator of my original worldChapter 104 · The world is not your toy, go back to where you came fromChapter 105 · He was a boy with snow-white hair and a handsome faceChapter 106 · Haven’t seen you for a long timeChapter 107 · TYRBL Extra: 1Chapter 108 · TYRBL Extra: 2Chapter 109 · TYRBL Extra: 3Chapter 110 · TYRBL Extra: 4