…
Celebrity Tang Qizhuan gone missing!
In the past two days at work, Wen Nuan kept hearing the TV in the hotel lobby constantly reporting about the entertainment circle’s biggest news.
The hit star Tang Qizhuan’s concert over the weekend was suddenly canceled. Additionally, it seemed that Tang Qizhuan was absent, disappearing out of the blue.
His manager and agency didn’t give netizens a satisfactory explanation online. This piece of news wasn’t dying down for a long time, and it was unknown how long it would keep going.
Wen Nuan clicked his tongue and looked at Baili Wuchang. In regards to this celebrity disappearance, Baili Wuchang had to be responsible for at least half of the blame.
Baili Wuchang wasn’t at all interested in the entertainment news of the living world. He was looking at something on his phone.
Baili Wuchang’s face was grim as he put his phone down.
Seeing this, Wen Nuan decided to sidle up to Hei Wuchang and ask, “Xiao Hei, what’s wrong with your boss?”
Hei Wuchang whispered, “Boss is looking at his business performance. Perhaps he’s not pleased.”
“Performance?” Wen Nuan came to a realization. It turned out even Underworld office-bearers had to keep up their business performance. It seemed rather difficult.
Wen Nuan asked, “Is it because his performance is not good?” He always thought that Baili Wuchang was rather leisurely, crossing paths with him all the time. If his performance wasn’t good, shouldn’t he be quickly busying himself? How could he have the time to stop and sip some tea?
Hei Wuchang boasted, “How could that be? Our boss’s performance is number one. He’s first again this time.”
Wen Nuan was confused. “He’s not happy being first?” Perhaps Baili Wuchang was actually some kind of distressed nerd?
Hei Wuchang replied, “It was the psychic joss stone. Because of Zhao Mingchong and Tang Qizhuan, it took two days longer than needed to retrieve the psychic joss stone. Even though the boss is number one, he was docked half a point.”
Wen Nuan: “…” It turns out he really was a distressed nerd. A normal person like me could never understand.
Baili Wuchang huffed coldly, “How annoying. I don’t understand what these idiots are thinking…”
If you asked Baili Wuchang, he would say that when the shadow, or the Tang Qizhuan from the future, came back, he could tell Tang Qizhuan everything that was going to happen. Based on how much Tang Qizhuan loved Zhao Mingchong, the first thing he would agree to would be leaving Zhao Mingchong alone.
In this way, there would be no need to draw things out. Baili Wuchang could’ve been able to retrieve the psychic joss stone earlier, and he wouldn’t have been docked that half a point.
Speaking of which, actually, Wen Nuan had wondered the same thing. The entire series of events had started with the future Tang Qizhuan’s strange and confusing phone calls. Why didn’t the future Tang Qizhuan just make everything clear? Even if his spiritual power wasn’t that high, within the short periods of time he came back, he could’ve sufficiently tried to explain.
This foggy confusion clouded Wen Nuan’s mind, but he finally was able to think it through.
Perhaps, to the shadow, he couldn’t just say so…
If he were to directly admit with his own mouth that he had caused the person he loved the most to die, then that would hurt more than if he died himself.
Especially since the shadow would be admitting so to his past self…
That kind of feeling would not only be likeling chi, but ling chi done twice.
People tended to believe their own lies. Perhaps ghosts were like this, too. They foolishly believed that if they didn’t think about certain misfortunes or hardships, it would be as if they didn’t exist at all…
“Ah!”
Wen Nuan suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the restaurant entrance. “Look! Tang Qizhuan! Isn’t that Tang Qizhuan?”
At the present, it was past midnight. The Hell Chain Hotel’s ghost guests were aplenty, and the normal people were asleep.
Tang Qizhuan calmly walked into the hotel restaurant. Nobody screamed or gasped at him; it seemed like nobody even noticed that a big celebrity just walked in.
After Tang Qizhuan entered the restaurant, he found an open seat to sit at. “Hello. I’d like to order. Do you have creamy mushroom soup? I’d really like to drink that today.”
A waitress came running over, saying, “Alright, would you like…Ah, you’re that guest!”
The waitress’s eyes widened, her face pleasantly surprised.
Coincidentally, it was that waitress from last time who asked Tang Qizhuan for his autograph, only Tang Qizhuan didn’t remember.
Tang Qizhuan pointed at himself, confused. “Do you recognize me?”
“Of course!” The waitress was Tang Qizhuan’s fan. There was no way she wouldn’t recognize him. Recently, the entertainment industry had been a mess, and as a fan, the waitress was rather worried about Tang Qizhuan.
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.
Seeing Tang Qizhuan today, the waitress was shocked. Looking at him again, she felt like Tang Qizhuan was different somehow.
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Ktf kjlagfrr rjlv fcaterljralmjiis, “Ojra alwf sbe mjwf ab fja klat atja wjc, sbe ujnf wf sbeg jeabugjqt. Yt, gluta; ktfc la kjr sbeg ylgatvjs, sbe jirb mjwf ab fja tfgf, jcv sbe kfgf jirb klat atja wjc.”
“That…man…?” Tang Qizhuan said hesitantly.
At the mention of “that man”, Tang Qizhuan couldn’t think of one. His brain only conjured up a distant, hazy silhouette.
The waitress blushed and whispered, “Don’t worry; I’ll help keep a secret for you both.”
The waitress could tell from the start that things between Tang Qizhuan and Zhao Mingchong weren’t normal and that they were absolutely dating.
Tang Qizhuan pondered and pondered, but he couldn’t think of a shred of memory. He felt like he should ask some more.
Tang Qizhuan said, “Does that man you mentioned come to this restaurant often?” For some reason, he kind of wanted to meet this person. He felt like he was missing something.
The waitress nodded. “Yeah, he comes every few days, but he’s always been by himself. Ah! See, over there; what a coincidence, isn’t that him?”
Tang Qizhuan turned his head to look towards the restaurant entrance.
A man walked in wearing a black suit. He was tall and broad, somewhat serious, with a mature and reliable look to him. At first glance, he looked like the type of person to have both money and status.
It was Zhao Mingchong.
Zhao Mingchong had been searching for Tang Qizhuan all this time. He often imagined, if Tang Qizhuan ever remembered something, he would come by this restaurant. Thus, every few days, Zhao Mingchong came here as well.
Zhao Mingchong only just stepped foot into the restaurant. All it took was one glance for him to notice a certain guest sitting in the corner…
Even after several days, Tang Qizhuan hadn’t changed, just like the day they met and the day they parted.
Zhao Mingchong’s emotions were stirred. He gazed at Tang Qizhuan, who was looking back.
At this moment, Zhao Mingchong found that he was embarrassed and at a complete loss…
How was he supposed to introduce himself to Tang Qizhuan? What version of himself would Tang Qizhuan like?
“Clatter—”
Just as Zhao Mingchong was frozen, Tang Qizhuan pushed back his chair, taking large steps as he approached Zhao Mingchong…
Wen Nuan had first watched Tang Qizhuan enter the restaurant, then Zhao Mingchong enter. He couldn’t help saying, “This must be what they call legendary fate! I hope they get along once more.”
Baili Wuchang didn’t care about the post-story of Tang Qizhuan and Zhao Mingchong. What he cared more about was his deducted half point.
Looking up at the clock on the wall, Wen Nuan covered his mouth as he yawned. “Just a little longer and I can get off work. I’ve been so sleepy lately; I need to rest up.”
Hearing this, Baili Wuchang’s gaze seemed to flicker.
Wen Nuan’s night shift ended at five in the morning. When he saw it was about time, Wen Nuan wanted to use the washroom really quickly, then go straight to bed.
The washroom in the lobby was luxurious and spacious. Wen Nuan went over, pushing the door open.
“Wu—”
“Xiao Zhuan, good; breathe slowly…”
As he pushed the door open, he heard some indistinct and ambiguous noises…
Stunned, Wen Nuan poked his head in; he saw two figures in the washroom. It was the two star-crossed lovers, Zhao Mingchong and Tang Qizhuan.
These two had clearly only met today, but right now…
They were pressed against the sink walls, passionately making out!
“My eyes can’t be going bad…” Wen Nuan was flabbergasted. Wasn’t the speed of this progress going too fast?
Tang Qizhuan looked a bit drunk; his cheeks were flushed, and his body was soft from head to toe. He cooperatively hooked his arms around Zhao Mingchong’s neck. The two kissed like wildfire, not even noticing that someone had walked in.
Zhao Mingchong’s voice was hoarse and rough. “Do you like it when I kiss you?”
“It feels good; I like it…” Though Tang Qizhuan may have drunk too much, he did not stutter at all.
“Cough cough!” Wen Nuan couldn’t keep watching. What if someone else came in?
Zhao Mingchong belatedly noticed the presence of someone else, and a familiar figure, at that.
He flashed a smile at Wen Nuan and said, “It’s Mr. Wen.”
Wen Nuan: “…” Yep, it’s me. Sorry to interrupt your good time.
Tang Qizhuan didn’t remember Wen Nuan at all. His focus was stuck on Zhao Mingchong, wrapping his limbs around him like an octopus. He raised his lips, seemingly wanting to continue kissing Zhao Mingchong.
“Good Xiao Zhuan. Let’s continue back in our room,” Zhao Mingchong lovingly coaxed.
Wen Nuan: “…” I take back what I thought earlier. Kissing at first sight is nothing; these two are going straight to the bedroom!
Zhao Mingchong held Tang Qizhuan. He said to Wen Nuan, “Excuse me, please book a room for us. The one from before would be fine.”
“Oh…” Wen Nuan nodded. “I’ll do that now.”
Zhao Mingchong smiled. “Mr. Wen, don’t worry. I just want to take care of Xiao Zhuan. He’s a bit drunk. This time, I won’t do anything like take advantage of him while he’s intoxicated.”
Wen Nuan smiled back insincerely. He thought internally, Don’t worry my foot. The way you’re looking at Tang Qizhuan so passionately, there’s no chance you’re going to keep being an upright Liu Xiahui.
Wen Nuan helped them check into Room 0728 as before. Zhao Mingchong carried Tang Qizhuan into the room, closing the door, cutting off the curious Wen Nuan’s line of sight.
Wen Nuan helplessly shook his head. “Their progress is flying at mach speed. It sure makes people worry. Whatever; I’m going back to sleep. It’s time to get off work and I’m tired.”
It was quiet in the staff dorms. Wen Nuan trudged in exhaustedly and closed the door. He fell asleep as soon as his head laid down; he was too lazy to change, and within moments, he was off to dreamland.
In his subconscious, Wen Nuan heard a faint “kachak” sound from the room door.
I locked the door. There’s no way it could open…
Wen Nuan thought so in his dreams.
The dorm door had indeed been opened. The sound wasn’t an illusion. It was closed quickly as someone silently snuck in.
In the dark, there was a paint of distinctly crimson eyes.
It was Baili Wuchang.
As Baili Wuchang walked into the room, his actions were very careful so as to not wake the sleeping Wen Nuan.
He came over to the bedside, lowering his head to look at Wen Nuan, puffing out a breath…
He whispered, “Having your defenses this unprotected certainly is terrible…”
Baili Wuchang reached out with both hands. His well-defined fingers were agile as he moved precisely over Wen Nuan’s shirt.
One button, two buttons, three buttons…
His shirt was soon thoroughly peeled off. Wen Nuan didn’t perceive this at all; he only happened to turn over, his body facing Baili Wuchang.
On the back of his butterfly bone, that red birthmark seemed to glow in the dark. It carried an alluring sense of beauty, attracting Baili Wuchang’s interest.
Baili Wuchang couldn’t help touching Wen Nuan’s butterfly bone. He stroked that red birthmark, carefully and greedily tracing all around it.
“Tickles…”
Wen Nuan mumbled in his sleep, frowning.
Afraid of waking Wen Nuan, hearing him complain, Baili Wuchang quickly retracted his hand. With a flick of his wrist, a box appeared in his hand.
When he made a deal with Tang Qizhuan, he treated Zhao Mingchong in exchange for Tang Qizhuan’s memories. At that time, Wen Nuan thought it was strange. Why would Baili Wuchang make such a weird request?
What was the use of memories?
Tang Qizhuan’s memories were saved in this very box.
Baili Wuchang opened it up. Inside, it looked like it was full of stars, flickering on and off in all the colors of the rainbow.
With a tilt of the box, the rainbow lights were sprinkled all over Wen Nuan’s body, covering Wen Nuan with a layer of haze.
In a split second, the red flower petal on Wen Nuan’s back gained another petal, faintly becoming even more dazzling.
“Sweet dreams, my Master…”
Baili Wuchang’s rough voice softly floated next to Wen Nuan’s ear…
Not long ago, Wen Nuan had a strange dream burned into his memory that left him ashamed.
He didn’t know why, but after a while, he suddenly had another strange dream.
Wen Nuan was somewhere unfamiliar with a field of overgrown grass. He looked all over. Surprised, straight ahead of him was a person…Isn’t that Tang Qizhuan?
Tang Qizhuan wore a set of ancient robes with his hair unbound. His hair was blown every which way in the wind, making him look dispirited.
Wen Nuan couldn’t control himself from speaking. He said, “You look quite unhappy.”
Tang Qizhuan’s tepid eyes stared at Wen Nuan. “I’m a monster…a monster who can’t die. I can only watch the person I love die and reincarnate, unable to do anything about it…”
Wen Nuan was at a loss. Was Tang Qizhuan talking about Zhao Mingchong? Didn’t they just get together again?
Wen Nuan wanted to ask, but just like his previous dream, he couldn’t control his actions.
Wen Nuan laughed, not taking this very seriously. “So what? After he dies and reincarnates, are you not allowed to find him? After you find him, stay by his side for a lifetime. Is that not enough?”
Tang Qizhuan’s eyes flashed, gaining a bit of luster.
Wen Nuan continued, “As long as you can be with the person you love, as long as he’s forever with you, even if it’s a bit painful, so what, right?”
Tang Qizhuan showed a bit of understanding, becoming a bit steadier as he nodded and said, “Yes…What you said is right. I should look for him.”
“What’s his name?” asked Wen Nuan.
Tang Qizhuan said, “He’s called Zhao Mingchong.”
“Zhao Mingchong,” Wen Nuan repeated. “How about I help you?”
“Help me?” Tang Qizhuan looked at Wen Nuan hopefully.
Wen Nuan nodded, his voice warm and enticing. “Yes, help you. As long as I leave a mark on your body, you will become my person. You have to do what I say and work for me. Of course, I will help you. I’ll help you find this person named Zhao Mingchong. Life after life, no matter how far apart you are, you will always reunite.”
Life after life…
Tang Qizhuan was obviously moved.
His lips trembled, slowly opening.
Before he could respond, a cold and mocking voice responded first.
“Huh—”
“For such a small dong ming herb, you sure speak big.”
That cold manner of speech, that tone that made others choke up, was one that Wen Nuan was all too familiar with. Who else could it be but the guest from Room 404, Baili Wuchang? Even if he didn’t look back, Wen Nuan was one-hundred percent certain.
Hearing this voice, Wen Nuan turned around. He saw a shadowy figure standing far away.
That person walked over with his arms crossed. His figure became more and more clear; it was Baili Wuchang in the flesh.
Baili Wuchang had black clothes and black hair. He was as flawlessly handsome as always, as sharply proud as he usually was. It seemed like there was nothing between the heavens and the earth that could compare to him.
No matter how many times Wen Nuan admired Baili Wuchang’s face, he was always astonished by it.
Likewise, the Wen Nuan in the dream couldn’t hide his marveled expression. “You’re beautiful…what’s your name?”
Wen Nuan clearly knew Baili Wuchang’s name, but it seemed as if this was the first time the two were meeting.
Baili Wuchang’s lips curved up. The smile didn’t reach his eyes, and he had no intention of replying to Wen Nuan’s words.
Wen Nuan looked at Baili Wuchang undeterred and not disappointed. He suddenly said, “You…do you want to be my person, too?”
TL Notes: And that’s the end of the ‘second arc’ with Tang Qizhuan and Zhao Mingchong! It might’ve been a little messy…but a happy ending is a happy ending, right? :^) Onto the next one (which is one of my favorite ‘arcs’ in this entire novel)!! The plot thickens…
Honestly I don’t think I’ll ever recover from the Ying Zi arc,, I thought this arc was going to be as tragic as the last but thank goodness it wasn’t! 😭
Yay, at least that couple had a a happy ending!
Now i feel like the tears I shed for this couple a few chapters back are wasted XD not them making out in the bathroom soon as they meet again fghfdjjdjd and wen nuan, now is your turn to remember baili~