In the Heavenly Pool, Jun Si stared wide-eyed, “Shi Qinian, what… what are you doing?”
Snapping back to his senses, Shi Qinian looked at Zhaozhao’s bare chest, a flush slowly rising to his face.
He cleared his throat lightly, pushing Zhaozhao away in an attempt to cover his embarrassment. “You should get in quickly.”
His fingertips brushed against Zhaozhao’s cool skin, trembling slightly.
Zhaozhao didn’t pay it much mind, but Jun Si kept teasing from the side.
“Shi Qinian, why are you undressing Zhao Zhao~”
Shi Qinian quickly followed into the water, his face burning red. “What nonsense are you talking?”
Seeing Jun Si about to say more, Shi Qinian hurriedly pushed him underwater.
“Splash!”
Jun Si accidentally swallowed a mouthful of their bathwater.
“Shi Qinian, you’ve got some nerve.”
“Just wait, I’ll make you pay for this!”
“Hah, bring it on.”
And so, the two youths began splashing and wrestling in the pool.
In the chaos, someone accidentally pulled Zhaozhao, causing him to choke on water as well.
Zhaozhao’s expression darkened, and without a second thought, he grabbed whoever was nearest and pushed them underwater.
Shi Qinian, concerned about Zhaozhao’s injuries, didn’t dare struggle too hard, so he ended up submerged for quite a while.
“Hahahahaha, Shi Qinian, you’re so useless.”
“Hahahahaha…”
Jun Si’s laughter was downright shameless. Zhaozhao silently released his grip on Shi Qinian.
Shi Qinian slowly straightened up, and their eyes met. With unspoken agreement, they grabbed Jun Si from both sides and pushed him underwater.
“Splash! Let me go!”
“Splash!”
“I was wrong!”
“Alright, I admit I was wrong!”
“…”
Seeing Jun Si’s miserable state, Zhaozhao curled his lips into a faint smile. Indeed, happiness was built on others’ suffering.
After a while of roughhousing, the Demonic Breath on their bodies was mostly cleansed, though their wounds had reopened in the process.
None of them seemed to mind.
Jun Si, looking down, noticed something and said with a mischievous grin, “Zhao Zhao, look what you’ve done.”
He pointed to Zhaozhao’s left chest, where a clear handprint was imprinted.
Zhaozhao blinked, feeling a bit guilty, and slowly turned his head away. “I didn’t mean to.”
Jun Si, intent on teasing him, said, “You’d better explain properly, or I won’t let this go.”
Shi Qinian chuckled lightly. “You’re a grown man, yet you’re picking on Zhao Zhao.”
Jun Si glanced at Shi Qinian, who had the best temper but had suffered the most in their play.
Shaking his head in mock disappointment, he said, “Shi Qinian, you’re just spoiling him.”
Originally, this was just a playful remark from Jun Si, but when he looked up, he saw Shi Qinian actually blushing at the words.
Jun Si: …What in the world?
Just as he was about to say something, he noticed Shi Qiannian suddenly looking past him with a serious expression.
Sensing something, Jun Si quietly turned around. “Greetings, Divine Emperor.”
Luo Chen had arrived without a sound. He nodded coolly, then looked at Zhaozhao. “If you’re done playing, it’s time to go back.”
Zhaozhao hesitated for a moment. “Alright.”
Luo Chen then instructed the nearby guards to bring clothes for the Divine Sons.
Luo Chen stepped aside, waiting for Zhaozhao outside the Heavenly Pool.
Once dressed, Zhaozhao looked relaxed. “Take care of your injuries. I’ll see you next time.”
“See you next time.”
“Goodbye!”
With the Demonic Breath cleansed, Zhaozhao’s powerful self-healing ability began to slowly mend his wounds. His steps were light, and when he saw Luo Chen, he couldn’t help but smile slightly.
Luo Chen also curved his lips slightly. “It’s rare to see you smile.”
Zhaozhao replied, “This is the first time I’ve seen you smile too.”
Luo Chen’s narrow golden eyes softened with tenderness as he lowered his voice. “Are you that happy?”
“Just alright.”
Luo Chen saw through it but didn’t point it out. “Since you like them, spend more time with them from now on.”
“You won’t keep me confined for cultivation anymore?”
“There’s still plenty of time, no need to rush this moment.” It was a reward for Zhaozhao.
The child he had raised had finally grown up, gaining the ability to withstand danger. He felt deeply gratified.
Zhaozhao’s smile faded. This trip to the Demon Realm had lasted three months, and he only had a little over two years of life left.
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
Sensing his shift in mood, Luo Chen asked with concern.
“Nothing, just a bit tired.”
“Go back and rest well.”
“Mm.”