A/N: extra chapter goals are now back up on ko-fi! If you’d like to support me and get extra chapters, feel free to tip me!!
The results came back a week later and Gui Yin found it hard to believe.
“I’m not rich enough to falsify test results,” Qiao Ceng said helplessly.
Gui Yin glanced at Qiao Ceng and then back down at the report. He was perfectly fine. There were a few doctor’s notes about how he could do better if he exercised more, but there was nothing telling him that he was going to die immediately. However, that cough from a few days ago still haunted Gui Yin, making him suspect otherwise.
“We’ll go on a jog every morning,” Gui Yin decided.
“You and me?”
“Of course. Unless you have someone else to jog with in the mornings,” Gui Yin said.
Qiao Ceng smiled sourly. “We don’t have to go that far, right?”
“If you don’t want to jog every morning, then come to the gym with me every night,” Gui Yin said with a frown. “You used to be so active when we were younger. Why are you acting like I’m sentencing you to death now?”
“That’s because we were in competitive sports. Now it’s just…I don’t feel like I need it that much,” Qiao Ceng said.
“This isn’t about physical appearance. This is about personal care,” Gui Yin scolded. “You’d take your car into get an oil change every few months, right?”
“You don’t even own a car. Why are you suddenly bringing up automobiles?” Qiao Ceng said.
“I’m trying to make sure you live longer and you’re mocking me?” Gui Yin asked.
Qiao Ceng’s smile softened. He pressed his head against Gui Yin’s arm. “A-Yin, you’re so sweet to me.”
Gui Yin pushed Qiao Ceng off. “Whatever. I’m a fool to care about you.”
Qiao Ceng’s smile slipped from his face. He was silent for a moment as Gui Yin began to busy himself in his kitchen.
“I’m a fool to have trusted you.”—the words echoed in Qiao Ceng’s brain as if he had heard them just yesterday. He found himself standing from the stool and making his way over to where Gui Yin was busily cooking.
“Look at me,” Gui Yin grumbled, “I haven’t cooked for myself in decades, but now I’m cooking again because of you. You’re a horrible friend, you know that? You should just go back abroad for all I care. You—”
Gui Yin’s words stopped short. He glanced at the arms around his waist and could clearly feel the warmth pressing against his back. He stiffened awkwardly and set the knife down, so as not to accidentally hurt the both of them.
“…Hey, I was just joking. How could I stop worrying about you when you’re all like this? I—”
“I’m sorry.”
“Huh?” Gui Yin glanced back unsurely. “What? Did you actually falsify the test results?”
Qiao Ceng laughed. “No. I’m just…sorry for making you worry about me.”
“Oh, well, it’s fine. It’s not the first time and it certainly won’t be the last,” Gui Yin sighed. “I think that’s my fate—I always have to take care of other people.”
Qiao Ceng pursed his lips and silently slipped his arms from around Gui Yin’s waist. “That won’t do. You have to find yourself someone who’ll take care of you.”
“If there was someone like that, I would have found them already,” Gui Yin scoffed.
“Well, you’re still young.”
“I’m almost thirty,” Gui Yin said. He fell silent for a moment before shaking his head. “No, no. I’ll be only thirty. I have plenty of time.”
Qiao Ceng smiled. “Yeah. You have plenty of time.”
“You too,” Gui Yin said. “When you choose a partner, make sure to find someone who has a good temper. If they don’t, you two are going to argue up a shit storm. And when that happens, don’t you even dare call me in to mediate. I’ll ignore you!”
“I know.”
“Make sure they can cook too. You can’t cook at all,” Gui Yin scoffed. “It wouldn’t be good to eat takeout all the time. Well, I suppose you can hire a chef or something.”
“I suppose.”
“At least you don’t have parents to worry about. It would be a hassle if you found someone you liked, but your parents didn’t like them,” Gui Yin said. He paused a moment before grinning at Qiao Ceng. “But they still have to go through me first. If I think they’ll mistreat you, I’ll chop em up.”
Qiao Ceng laughed. “I’m sure you will.”
Gui Yin sighed. “It’s a waste to reason with you anyway. You’ll just go off and do your own thing. When have you ever listened to me?”
“…Right? I should listen to you more.”
Gui Yin glanced at Qiao Ceng. He frowned slightly. “You’re being really weird.”
“I am? How?”
“You’re being all compliant,” Gui Yin said. He narrowed his eyes. “Tell me the truth—did you come back this time because you went bankrupt?”
Qiao Ceng laughed. “What kind of crazy nonsense are you making up now? My company is fine!”
“It’s fine, huh? Well, that’s good,” Gui Yin said. “I barely have enough money to support myself. I can’t afford you.”
“Should I support you?”
“Forget it. I’m an independent adult,” Gui Yin said curtly.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Hljb Jfcu mtemxifv. Lf kfca ab atf oglvuf jcv qffgfv lc. “C-Tlc, sbe vbc’a tjnf jcs yffg.”
“P vbc’a vglcx yffg,” Xel Tlc rjlv. Lf uijcmfv ja Hljb Jfcu. “Ccv sbe rtbeivc’a flatfg.”
“P’ii ub yes rbwf.”
“Lfs, P pera rjlv—”
“P mjc’a tfjg sbe,” Hljb Jfcu rjcu.
Gui Yin rolled his eyes. “Fine, fine, fine. Do whatever you want. You can die for all I care.”
Qiao Ceng smiled to himself as he took his keys and his phone and left Gui Yin’s apartment. His steps slowed as he made it to the elevator. He slowly closed his eyes as another coughing attack took hold of him. He dodged into the stairwell and waited for it to subside. When he pulled his hand away, he stared at the crimson liquid that stained his palm. He pulled out a tissue and quickly wiped it off.
He stepped into the elevator and leaned against the wall, his breathing unnaturally heavy.
It was beginning to take a toll on him.
He hadn’t thought that it would be so quick. He had thought that he would at least have a few more years in this reality before his body completely deteriorated. He had only gotten to spend twenty-four years with Gui Yin. It wasn’t enough yet.
But maybe in Gui Yin’s perspective, twenty-four years is already far too long.
Qiao Ceng forced himself to stand up. Then, he’ll just waste a few more days of Gui Yin’s time.
He frowned as the elevator doors parted. With his current state, however, there was no way that he’d be able to send Gui Yin back to their original reality. He glanced at the clear skies and smirked a little. He knew that he didn’t have to worry too much.
The Heavens had been watching them the moment Qiao Ceng had bent space and time again. They spent so much time and effort polishing the little pearl called Gui Qinle. How on earth would they be willing to let him rot away in this low-level realm? The moment Qiao Ceng’s presence that was guarding Gui Yin in this world disappears, he has no doubt that the Will of Heaven will bring them both back into their original worlds.
But aside from Heaven, there has been someone else watching them closely as of late. It made the back of Qiao Ceng’s scalp itch every time he was out in the open. He knew that if this person was able to, they would have long torn a rift and pulled Gui Yin back into their original world. But if they did so right now, they would not only destroy this world, they might even shatter Gui Yin’s primordial spirit.
This person obviously cares a lot for Gui Yin. The animosity that Qiao Ceng feels cannot be faked. Although it was annoying, it amused Qiao Ceng and also brought him a bit of comfort.
Twenty-four years was a long time to waste on someone you hated. Qiao Ceng also hoped Gui Yin could return to their original world soon.
The door to Gui Yin’s apartment opened again after a few nearly an hour.
Gui Yin glanced up and glared at Qiao Ceng. “I thought you got drunk out there and got yourself killed.”
“You could have just called me,” Qiao Ceng said in amusement.
“I didn’t want to call you if you were going to be back soon. And then I kept waiting and then it ended up this long,” Gui Yin said.
“Alright, alright. I’m sorry,” Qiao Ceng said, setting the beer down on the kitchen counter. “I’m at fault.”
Gui Yin stared at Qiao Ceng for a long time before narrowing his eyes. “You’re being really weird.”
“How?”
“You’re just…being too nice,” Gui Yin said.
“Am I normally not nice to you?”
“Well, I don’t know. You’re nice, but you’re not very accommodating,” Gui Yin said. He paused and shifted closer. “Are you really not dying any time soon?”
“Do you want me to die?”
“Of course not!”
“Then, stop jinxing me,” Qiao Ceng said as he lightly poked Gui Yin’s forehead.
Gui Yin frowned and sat down as Qiao Ceng took the seat opposite. “Well, I guess there’s no way you’d be dying soon.”
Qiao Ceng smiled and let out a soft hum. “Right? I’m very healthy.”
Gui Yin looked at Qiao Ceng with a great deal of suspicion, but he didn’t say anything else about this topic.
For the night, Qiao Ceng decided to return to the hotel and gather his things before returning in the morning. Once Qiao Ceng left, Gui Yin was alone again.
He had finished his work and sent his edits back to Miss Shen. He sat down at the TV and began to flip through the channels. At some point, his eyes began to grow heavier. The warmth from the blankets made him drowsy. He stood, turned the television off, and retired for the night.
Morning seemed to come too fast. When he opened his eyes, he was a bit confused.
He had clearly woken up, but this was also clearly not his room. He looked around the red maple trees, then at the Go board in front of him. His gaze finally traveled to the hand holding a black Go piece and then to the person who was sitting across from him.
The man smiled curiously, as if he were wondering why Gui Yin was watching him. He set down the Go piece and chuckled.
“Awake?”
“…Huh?”
“You dozed off while we were playing. I was almost going to move for you.”
Gui Yin found himself more flabbergasted than confused. “We’re playing a proper game of Go between gentlemen. Can you call yourself a gentleman if you cheat like that?”
“I’ve never said I was a gentleman though,” the man said with a smirk. He raised a brow as he poured Gui Yin a fresh cup of tea. “What do you think, Qinle? Am I a gentleman?”
Gui Yin snapped his fan open with a scoff. “Gentleman? You’re a scoundrel. Nothing but a snake dressed in a man’s skin.”
Langxia laughed and nodded. “That’s true. I can’t compare to a true gentleman such as yourself, my dear lord immortal.”
Gui Yin’s lips curved slightly as he sighed. “Whatever. I can’t compete with that mouth of yours.”
Langxia’s smile widened. He leaned forward and watched Gui Yin with a tilted head as the man calculated his next move. Gui Yin paused and glanced up. He frowned.
“What are you staring at me for? Are you bringing psychological tactics into this? Let me tell you, I will not be swayed by your beauty.”
“Of course not,” Langxia murmured. “I’m the one who is swayed by your beauty.”
Gui Yin looked at Langxia with wide eyes. “…What’s wrong with you today? Stop, you’re freaking me out.”
“I just miss you.”
“Miss me? I feel like we’ve been facing each other every day,” Gui Yin muttered. “I’m surprised you haven’t gotten sick of me yet. Why are you suddenly saying you miss me?”
“You went down the mountain to visit Yunjing Pavilion for a while, remember?” Langxia said. “I missed you.”
“It was just a day,” Gui Yin said. He glared at Langxia. “You’re trying to distract me!”
“Mn. I am. You keep looking at the Go board and you won’t look at me.”
Gui Yin stared at him speechlessly. “Palace Lord Sun, we’re playing Go! If I don’t look at the Go board, how am I supposed to play?”
“Shall we do something else then?”
“Are you afraid of losing?”
“I am,” Langxia sang. He reached over the table and took Gui Yin’s hand gently. “You’re so great at everything you do. You’re even good at Go. I’ve just barely learned. How am I supposed to beat you?”
Gui Yin glanced at their hands and averted his gaze. “You’re so…”
“Hm?”
“Fine. What do you want to do?” Gui Yin asked.
“Do you want to do a staring contest?”
Gui Yin’s embarrassed appearance immediately shattered. “Staring contest? From Go to a staring contest?”
“Or you can just talk and I’ll listen,” Langxia said. “What was that thing you were working on before? A mechanical human that will protect the lower realm villages from supernatural threats?”
Gui Yin carefully looked Langxia up and down. He pinched the other man’s fingers slowly and silently played with his knuckles. Langxia’s smile only grew the longer Gui Yin stared at him. He raised a brow and leaned closer again.
“Is it good looking?”
“Handsome, but you’re being weird.”
“You keep saying that,” Langxia said. “How am I being weird?”
“I can’t put my finger on it,” Gui Yin muttered. He lifted Langxia’s hand up and pressed it to his cheek. “Are you ill? You seem clingier today.”
Langxia laughed. “I already told you—it’s because I miss you.”
“You never say that though,” Gui Yin said. He narrowed his eyes. “Did you need me for something?”
“I did.”
Gui Yin sat straighter. “What is it? Is it Huigu Palace?”
Langxia shook his head. He puckered his lips and tapped them. “I need a kiss.”
Gui Yin slowly sucked his cheeks in. He released Langxia’s hand and turned back to the Go board. “Alright, you’ve stalled for long enough.”
“If you don’t kiss me, I’ll kiss you.”
“Say whatever you want. I’m not going to entertain th—”
Gui Yin’s head was gently tilted upwards. He didn’t bother resisting as Langxia drew closer. He felt a pair of smiling lips pressed against his. He pinched the Go piece as Langxia began to deepen the kiss. He welcomed Langxia’s invasion and let out a content sigh.
When Langxia finally drew back, Gui Yin licked his lips.
“Did you really miss me that much?” Gui Yin asked, his voice much gentler than before.
“I did. When you were gone, every second felt like years. At first it was fine, because I knew you’d come back. Then, the longer you were gone, the more painful it became. It was harder to sleep every night. But then I started to dream that you were by my side but when I woke up you weren’t there. After a while, it became easier to fall asleep, but harder and harder to wake up.”
Langxia stepped closer. His hands gently cradled Gui Yin’s face as if he were a delicate illusion. If he held him too tightly, he would disappear like the moon reflected upon a lake.
“I don’t want to wake up anymore,” Langxia whispered as his expression crumbled. He pressed his forehead against Gui Yin’s and closed his eyes. “I don’t know what’s reality anymore and what’s a dream anymore. And I don’t think I want to know. I miss you…I miss you so…”
Gui Yin felt hot tears fall against his cheeks. His eyes slowly widened as a lump formed in his throat.
“Er’lang…Er’lang, open your eyes.”
Langxia clenched his jaw and lowered his head further.
Gui Yin pursed his lips. He was silent for a moment as Langxia gathered himself. He lifted his hands and carefully rested them on Langxia’s trembling back. He pressed a gentle kiss at the crown of his head and sighed.
“I’m real,” Gui Yin whispered as his hand gently patted Langxia. He blinked back his tears and forced his tone to be a little more cheerful. “A-Xia, I’m real.”
Langxia flinched slightly.
“I’ll be home soon,” Gui Yin murmured into the crown of Langxia’s head. “You’ll come pick me up, right?”
Langxia abruptly stood. He stared at Gui Yin with reddened eyes. “…You’ve never lied to me before.”
Gui Yin found himself laughing. “Why would I lie about this?”
“You—”
“You’ll come get me, won’t you?” Gui Yin asked. “Just like last time.”
The tears in Langxia’s eyes immediately receded. Gui Yin had never seen the man in front of him so happy before. He threw himself into Gui Yin’s arms and hugged him tightly. Gui Yin nearly fell from his chair, but he managed to stabilize himself.
“Then, I’m dreaming.”
“I told you, I’m—”
“I know,” Langxia breathed. He shifted even closer, as if he were trying to absorb all of Gui Yin’s warmth. “I know. I’ve been trying for so long. I finally…we finally connected.”
Gui Yin chuckled. He stroked Langxia’s head and hummed. “A-Xia, I’m sorry.”
Langxia laughed. He shook his head happily. “Thank you.”
“You’re so…” Gui Yin sighed. He let Langxia squeeze him every which way he wanted until he was finally sick of it. With a quick whap to Langxia’s hand, Gui Yin nudged him away. “Alright, alright. Aren’t you done?”
Langxia grinned. “I would do more if I could.”
Gui Yin’s fan snapped open. He covered the lower half of his face as his brows furrowed. “You’re so immoral.”
Langxia raised a brow as he crossed his arms. “And you aren’t?”
“I’m a pure saint,” Gui Yin said as he rocked to his feet. He stepped closer as he closed his fan. He nudged Langxia’s chest. “I’m not a rogue like you.”
Langxia shrugged. “If you want me to be a rogue, then I can be a rogue.”
Gui Yin scoffed. “You have fun then. I’m leaving.”
Just as Gui Yin turned, his wrist was immediately caught. Langxia tugged him back and tightly hugged him against his chest.
“Where are you going?”
“Waking up,” Gui Yin said with a raised brow.
“Don’t go yet,” Langxia mumbled.
“Hey, hey, hey. You’re supposed to be the suave wolf type. Why are you suddenly a little puppy?” Gui Yin asked.
“I told you, I missed you,” Langxia said.
Gui Yin leaned back against Langxia and hummed. “What’s the first thing you want to do when you find me?”
“Kiss you.”
“And then?”
“Hug you.”
“And then?”
“Tie you to my side and never let you out of my sight.”
“Mm? How bossy of you,” Gui Yin sighed. “What if I don’t want to?”
“Then I’ll watch you silently.”
Gui Yin laughed. He tapped Langxia’s head with the side of his fan. “And you’ll send me notes?”
“If you want them,” Langxia said with a smile.
“You’ll do all those things, right?” Gui Yin asked.
“I will.”
Gui Yin chuckled. He pressed a kiss to Langxia’s cheek and tapped the hand that was around his waist. “Then, that’s a promise.”
Langxia pouted slightly as he was forced to release Gui Yin. He watched as Gui Yin began to make his way back to the bamboo house. Before he walked up the stairs, he paused a moment and looked back at Langxia.
“It’s almost my birthday.”
“It…is?” Langxia asked, confusedly.
“Mn. You’ll celebrate it with me, won’t you? It’s my twenty-ninth birthday.”
Langxia’s eyes widened. He smiled and hummed in understanding. “I will.”
“You better. I don’t like people who breaks their promises,” Gui Yin said.
“I won’t break my promise,” Langxia said. “We’ll celebrate it together.”
sniff “I don’t want to wake up anymore” T-T 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 T-T well Qiao Ceng’s control of that world is coming to an end…. they can be together again 😭😭😭😭😭😭
(repeating feeling, everytime dreams are mentioned, i feel myself thinking “hey thats the theme of the book” as i dissolve into a tear puddle)