“From a faraway place worn with age, I come with regrets from bygone days, feeling miserably lonely in this place with no others. My desire to see you revolves, much like curls of smoke from a golden incense burner.”
In Qin Guan’s Magnolia With Reduced Words, he had written the two words “zhuan xiang”.
Perhaps many people were unfamiliar with the words “zhuan xiang”. Actually, “zhuan xiang” was the same as “xiang zhuan”; the outside looked like a fancier version of an incense coil. After lighting it, it would have a delicate fragrance. More importantly, a xiang zhuan was a tool in the olden days used to keep track of the time.
Just like a watch, an hourglass, or a sundial.
When people in the olden days said that something would take one incense stick, they were referring to something related to the xiang zhuan.
Tang Qizhuan…
Tang Qizhuan probably had long forgotten. He was not a normal person in the slightest, actually; a long, long time ago, he was a box of xiang zhuan from the Tang Dynasty.
He had long forgotten how he cultivated into a human form, and he had long forgotten what his original form was. He forgot how he had received that mark behind his ear. He thought he was a normal person, living a normal life in the living world.
Wen Nuan lowered his eyes to look at the two Tang Qizhuans. The situation seemed unfathomable, but when taking Tang Qizhuan into consideration, it wasn’t actually all that surprising.
Since Tang Qizhuan’s original form was a xiang zhuan who could keep track of time, he had a special ability to manipulate time itself. The shadow who kept harassing Tang Qizhuan was actually from the “future”, using his spiritual power to come back and meet himself…
Several times before, the shadow had suddenly appeared by Tang Qizhuan’s side. Tang Qizhuan noticed a couple times that his watch had acted up. It wasn’t a problem with the internal clockwork; rather, it was because of the xiang zhuan’s arrival, an unavoidable product of time being changed.
The shadow raised his head, his gaze accusingly falling onto Tang Qizhuan, looking at “himself”.
He wasn’t smiling. His face was full of despair and crumbling hope, just like Zhao Mingchong’s was when Tang Qizhuan had had his accident.
There was no difference whatsoever…
The shadow said reluctantly, “I don’t want to cause Mingchong to die again…so, I came to kill you. But now…”
He hadn’t finished speaking when his body suddenly flashed, becoming a bit transparent.
“Fwoosh—”
In the next second, the shadow became like smoke, disappearing before everyone’s eyes.
Tang Qizhuan’s eyes widened. He gasped, “How…How did he disappear? What did he mean by what he said earlier?”
I don’t want to cause Mingchong to die again; what did that mean?
“Ah, what happened?” Wen Nuan was also surprised. He instantly tugged at Baili Wuchang’s hand. “Guest! Guest! Was it because your attack did too much damage, causing his soul to fly away? How come he suddenly disappeared?”
Baili Wuchang was extremely calm. He merely looked down at the hand that was grasped by Wen Nuan and said, “He simply returned.”
Even though a xiang zhuan could time travel, his abilities were limited, so he couldn’t change a large period of time. Every time the shadow showed up by Tang Qizhuan’s side, it was very hurried, and he would leave in the blink of an eye.
Hearing this, Wen Nuan exhaled. “Then that’s good.”
Tang Qizhuan didn’t relax just yet. He urgently pressed, “Just what did he mean by what he said earlier? He said I caused Mingchong to die? I…” Why don’t I know anything?
Tang Qizhuan looked down at the semi-conscious Zhao Mingchong. Zhao Mingchong clearly looked like he was suffering, making it hard for Tang Qizhuan to breathe easy.
The xiang zhuan was undoubtedly Tang Qizhuan from the future. He knew how the events in the future played out…
After Zhao Mingchong used the psychic joss stone, his body would be completely worn down. He would die sooner or later.
Just like Zhao Mingchong had said, in order to save Tang Qizhuan, he would do anything, including exchanging his life.
In the end, Zhao Mingchong had his wish fulfilled. He was truly able to bring Tang Qizhuan back to life, and Zhao Mingchong was able to quietly pass away.
Tang Qizhuan had misunderstood Zhao Mingchong. After Zhao Mingchong passed away, he continued to grumble to himself about how Zhao Mingchong had a change of heart. Just where did they go wrong?
Until one day…
Tang Qizhuan came back to the Hell Chain Hotel to eat in the restaurant by himself.
A waitress in the restaurant recognized him, greeting him enthusiastically.
Tang Qizhuan didn’t remember this waitress at all. He wasn’t in the mood to chat with a fan, so he only forced a smile.
The waitress warmly told him that she was Tang Qizhuan’s fan and that she really wanted Tang Qizhuan’s autograph. Last time when it was Tang Qizhuan’s birthday, in order to not disturb his birthday mood, she hadn’t asked. She regretted it for a long time, hoping that today, Tang Qizhuan could grant her an autograph.
Tang Qizhuan had been at a loss. When had he celebrated his birthday here? He didn’t remember at all.
The waitress told him it wasn’t long ago. There had also been a handsome man celebrating his birthday with him. They seemed to be close.
It was Zhao Mingchong…
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.
The man the waitress was referring to was Zhao Mingchong without a doubt.
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Zhao Mingchong’s pained expression…
And the psychic joss stone…
Tang Qizhuan felt like his breath had stopped. The day of his birthday, every bit and piece of the car accident that day, gradually gathered together in his consciousness.
He finally…
Remembered it all.
Tang Qizhuan, who was the shadow, finally remembered everything about dying in the car accident.
Zhao Mingchong lied to him. He lied to him a lot. There was no need to doubt just how much Zhao Mingchong loved him.
It turned out all the heartbreak had been from a misunderstanding. The real heartbreak…was with the person Tang Qizhuan kept complaining about and pushing away.
Tang Qizhuan couldn’t come to terms with this for a moment. By the time he was hit with realization, Zhao Mingchong was already gone.
Tang Qizhuan didn’t even get to see Zhao Mingchong’s last moments.
He couldn’t imagine what Zhao Mingchong was thinking in the seconds as he closed his eyes…
Or perhaps…
He was thinking of him…
The ache and pain and stifling emotions suffocated Tang Qizhuan. Because he was going through such a violent stimulation, the mark behind Tang Qizhuan’s ear suddenly emitted a faint glow.
After it started to glow, Tang Qizhuan remembered several things…
Tang Qizhuan remembered he wasn’t an ordinary person, but an ancient xiang zhuan. As a xiang zhuan, he had the ability to turn back time, even though the duration was short.
Tang Qizhuan made a decision. He didn’t want Zhao Mingchong to die. He wanted to save Zhao Mingchong, just as Zhao Mingchong did for him, no matter the cost.
So the shadow appeared…
Tang Qizhuan from the future came back, wanting to change the outcome of the car accident.
But Tang Qizhuan found that he couldn’t; the car accident was caused by an evil ghost. The evil ghost’s skills were too powerful, so he couldn’t fight against it.
Tang Qizhuan could only continue thinking of other plans. Any other effective plan…
Then, Tang Qizhuan had a wild idea. If…If he could disappear before Zhao Mingchong finished using the psychic joss stone to save him, or if he could scatter his soul, then…
Zhao Mingchong could keep living.
As if the heavens were laughing at them, between Zhao Mingchong and Tang Qizhuan, it seemed that only one of them could keep going.
In that case, Tang Qizhuan would have it so it would be Zhao Mingchong.
Tang Qizhuan from the future decided to use his ability to travel through time and find every possible way to get himself to leave Zhao Mingchong.
Even if…
He hardened his heart. Even if he had to eliminate himself, even if he had to disappear from this world, even if not a shred of his soul was left behind.
If he was really able to succeed, then the Tang Qizhuan from the future or the past would both disappear, vanishing completely.
Maybe it was a stupid idea, but it was the only one Tang Qizhuan could come up with.
It was a complex story that the Tang Qizhuan from the present hadn’t yet come up with. He couldn’t have known the consequences that were yet to come.
Tang Qizhuan didn’t understand, but he had a bad feeling in his heart as he stared at the suffering Zhao Mingchong with concern.
Tang Qizhuan urged, “Exactly what happened? Do you know? Tell me already! Just what happened?!”
Baili Wuchang said placidly, “He…”
“Guest, you can’t tell Mr. Tang.” Wen Nuan interrupted Baili Wuchang, whispering in his ear, “Mr. Zhao said we can’t tell Mr. Tang, or else everything will be for naught.”
Zhao Mingchong begged them. Zhao Mingchong had suffered so much, and he had barely succeeded…
Baili Wuchang didn’t even spare Zhao Mingchong a glance. “He begged me, but I didn’t promise him.”
Wen Nuan: “…” Uh…
That did seem to be the case.
Baili Wuchang was unperturbed. From beginning to end, he wasn’t moved, calmly telling Tang Qizhuan the entire story.
Tang Qizhuan’s body faltered. He didn’t fall, but his entire body shuddered.
It turned out he was already dead…
It turned out Zhao Mingchong did so much for him…
It turned out…
“I’m so stupid…” Tang Qizhuan coarsely laughed in a self-deprecating way.
Tang Qizhuan finally couldn’t stand any longer. He collapsed on the ground, holding Zhao Mingchong as his tears fell drop by drop. He choked, “What do I do…if I don’t want to be a burden to him anymore? I didn’t know…I didn’t know he was this good to me.”
Hearing Tang Qizhuan cry, Wen Nuan cast Baili Wuchang a reproachful glance and said, “Guest, it’s all your fault. Look at him now…”
Wen Nuan was not at all an expert in comforting sad people.
Tears blurred Tang Qizhuan’s line of sight. Helpless in the face of a crisis, he raised his head, looking at Wen Nuan and Baili Wuchang. “I beg of you, please save him! Please…”
Tang Qizhuan was at his wits end. He didn’t know what to do anymore, unless a miracle happened…
Baili Wuchang was calm and unhurried. “I can indeed save him.”
“What?!”
The one to react to Baili Wuchang wasn’t Tang Qizhuan, but Wen Nuan.
Wen Nuan’s eyes widened, his face full of wonder as he looked at Baili Wuchang. “Guest, you have a way?”
Baili Wuchang didn’t like to meddle in other people’s business. For him to tell Tang Qizhuan all about the truth, that wasn’t him being prompted by a sudden impulse; rather, he expected something in return.
Tang Qizhuan said quickly, “What way?! I’ll do anything you tell me!”
Baili Wuchang laughed, but it made people’s hair stand on end. It seemed like he was waiting for Tang Qizhuan to ask this.
Baili Wuchang said, “Then that’s good. Let’s do a trade. If you give me what I want, I’ll save Zhao Mingchong.”
“Okay!” Tang Qizhuan didn’t hesitate, responding in a breath.
At this moment, there was nothing more important than Zhao Mingchong’s life.
Baili Wuchang said plainly, “I want your memories.”
“Memories?” It wasn’t just Tang Qizhuan who was perplexed, Wen Nuan also was.
Baili Wuchang didn’t explain why he wanted Tang Qizhuan’s memories. He said, “When you’ve decided, let me know. I won’t take away all your memories, only a part of them. If you agree, that means that after you give me your memories, even if Zhao Mingchong lives, you won’t remember him.”
“Ah?” Tang Qizhuan couldn’t respond before Wen Nuan gasped on the side.
Wen Nuan mumbled, “Guest, have you been watching too many dogblood dramas? They don’t make amnesia plots anymore.”
Baili Wuchang’s eyebrow twitched, the vein in his temple jumping. He cast an exasperated glance at Wen Nuan.
Tang Qizhuan stared absentmindedly at the ground, hesitating. He wasn’t as enthusiastic as before. If he really forgot…
“Okay…I agree.” After being silent for a long time, Tang Qizhuan finally gave his response. He had said so before; as long as he could save Zhao Mingchong’s life, he was willing to do anything.
The corners of Baili Wuchang’s lips raised. “We’ve reached a deal.”
—
Wen Nuan couldn’t understand why Baili Wuchang would go through with such a weird exchange. He was once more certain, the more attractive a person was, the more strange their temperament.
“Sigh—”
Wen Nuan sighed, and said, “Once Mr. Zhao wakes up, what do we do? How do we explain this to him? He’ll be sad if he finds out.”
Baili Wuchang crossed his arms in a dissatisfied manner. Within the past half hour, Wen Nuan had been talking about Zhao Mingchong nonstop, mentioning his name more than ten times.
After Tang Qizhuan agreed to Baili Wuchang’s request, he exchanged his memories, and then he left…
Baili Wuchang said stoically, “What does Zhao Mingchong have to be sad about? It’s not like Tang Qizhuan died.”
Tang Qizhuan might’ve disappeared, but he wasn’t dead.
Even though Tang Qizhuan lost his memories, in doing so, Baili Wuchang helped activate the mark behind his ear. Tang Qizhuan left his corporeal body, no longer an ordinary person, but a time-honored xiang zhuan from the Tang Dynasty.
Even though Tang Qizhuan was far from being as profound as Baili Wuchang, he was still an extraordinary incense spirit. It wasn’t a problem if he wanted to take on a human appearance and walk among ordinary people.
It was just that when Tang Qizhuan awoke once more, he forgot about Zhao Mingchong, and he didn’t understand why he was in a hotel.
Wen Nuan went away for a moment, and when he came back, Tang Qizhuan was gone!
Wen Nuan propped his head against his hand and sighed, “Mr. Tang lost his memories, so who knows where he went. What if he never comes back? When Mr. Zhao opens his eyes and doesn’t see him, he’ll be really sad.”
Baili Wuchang lowered his eyes to gaze at Wen Nuan. Hearing him speak, he seemed to be lost in thought, thinking for a long time before suddenly saying, “Even if he has no memories, he has a will. No matter how far away or how long they’re separated, there’s always a way…”
It seemed like Baili Wuchang was talking about Tang Qizhuan and Zhao Mingchong, but his eyes were focused on Wen Nuan. In his words, there was a trace of melancholy.
Wen Nuan looked up at him inquisitively. “Guest, how come your style seemed to shift?”
Baili Wuchang: “…”
Wen Nuan was a bit curious. He said, “But after losing his memories, will Mr. Tang still be the same Tang Qizhuan that Zhao Mingchong knows?”
“Of course.” Baili Wuchang nodded without needing to think.
Baili Wuchang’s eyes remained fixated on Wen Nuan…
He was him, no matter how much he changed.
All encounters started on a blank slate. If there was a second chance, there was nothing to complain about.
Thinking of this, Baili Wuchang was suddenly glad.
As they spoke, Zhao Mingchong, who was laying on the bed, slowly opened his eyes.
Wen Nuan quickly ran over to the bedside. “Mr. Zhao, you’re awake.”
Baili Wuchang agreed to save Zhao Mingchong’s life, and he indeed kept his promise. For Baili Wuchang, this wasn’t any large effort on his part.
Even though it was a hard topic to broach, when Zhao Mingchong woke up and didn’t see Tang Qizhuan, he naturally asked Wen Nuan about his whereabouts.
Wen Nuan had no choice but to tell Zhao Mingchong everything that happened.
“That…Mr. Tang lost his memories…” Ignoring mentioning the perpetrator Baili Wuchang, Wen Nuan briefly told Zhao Mingchong what went down. He was afraid that Zhao Mingchong would get too riled up and start a fight with Baili Wuchang.
Of course, even if they did start to fight, Zhao Mingchong would have no chance of winning; he would be beaten quite pitifully by the nice-waist guest. So…
Wen Nuan quickly added, “But don’t worry; Mr. Tang is fine, perfectly healthy.”
“Really?” Zhao Mingchong wasn’t as disappointed as Wen Nuan had imagined. He seemed to be wild with joy, actually. “That’s fantastic; that’s really great…as long as he’s fine, that’s great.”
Wen Nuan stared at Zhao Mingchong doubtfully. It seemed like, as long as the person he loved was okay, he was fine? If you liked a person, wouldn’t you want to be by their side at all times?
If the person you liked was separated far from you and lost all memories of your existence, Wen Nuan thought, Then it seems like it would be easier to never like them at all.
Zhao Mingchong smiled and said, “As long as he’s fine, I’m relieved. As far as…everything else.”
Zhao Mingchong paused, his voice becoming a little vague. “I’m really not a good person…”
In the past, he had lied to Tang Qizhuan a lot, and he had regretted it a lot. But now, Zhao Mingchong had no regrets. No matter what obstacles stood in his way, he wanted to be with Tang Qizhuan again. He would absolutely be someone Tang Qizhuan would like.
Zhao Mingchong was still in poor health, but he insisted on getting out of bed. “Thank you both so much. I’ll absolutely find Xiao Zhuan again.”
Mr. Tang had left earlier, and now Mr. Zhao also left.
Wen Nuan watched Zhao Mingchong go, letting out a sigh. He then suddenly laughed.
Baili Wuchang blinked. He felt like the way Wen Nuan laughed seemed to harbor evil designs. “What are you laughing at?”
Wen Nuan said mysteriously, “I thought of an interesting dilemma. Say Mr. Tang gets together with Mr. Zhao again. What if Mr. Tang asks Mr. Zhao if he likes his past self or current self? How should he respond? What a life-threatening question.”
Baili Wuchang: “…”
Baili Wuchang regretted asking Wen Nuan anything, his back turning a bit cold.
Wen Nuan’s spirits lifted. He laughed, “If he says he liked his past self, Mr. Tang might explode on the spot!”
Baili Wuchang cautiously probed, “And what if he says he prefers the current him?”
Wen Nuan waved his hands. “Mr. Tang will definitely say that this answer is too perfunctory and insincere.”
Baili Wuchang: “…” Then he can only say he likes both.
Wen Nuan continued, “If he says he likes both, that’s even worse! Isn’t that what a scumbag would answer?!”
Baili Wuchang: “…” Good thing I didn’t speak earlier.
“Tsk tsk—” Wen Nuan shook his head. “How miserable.”
Baili Wuchang was dazed for a long time. The miserable one likely wasn’t Zhao Mingchong, but himself who would have to deal with this in the future.
I’m rooting for you Baili Wuchang!! 🤣 Hopefully Wen Nuan is forgiving!
Good luck Baili Wuchang when you encountered this in the future 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for the chapter
Hope Zhao Mingchong can find Tang Qizhuan and they fall in love again. Hoping for the same fate for Baili Wuchang and Wen Nuan – by then I hope he knows how to answer that question 😅
Man wen nuan is so ruthless 😂 better watch out for future wifey’s tantrums mr baili XD