Ark had already changed into his costume for the play. His pure white clothing matched the large wings across his back. Combined with his innocent and beautiful face, he almost looked like a real angel as he stood at the gym entrance waiting for Ji Ning.
As soon as he saw him, Ji Ning recalled Ark’s ambiguous actions from yesterday and his footsteps became a little hesitant.
However, retreating was never the solution, so after a brief pause, Ji Ning took a deep breath and walked up to Ark, “Good afternoon Junior Ark.”
“Good afternoon, Senior Ji.”
Seeing Ji Ning, Ark’s eyes flashed a little, and his expressionless face suddenly became vivid, like a delicate doll come to life. A faint smile appeared on his face and he took a step forward.
“I’m sorry about what happened yesterday…” Before Ji Ning could speak, Ark started first, “After I went back to my dormitory, I thought about it for a long time and I won’t act so badly today.”
“Okay.” Ji Ning laughed, “Then I’ll wait and see, but if you encounter any difficulties, don’t keep it to yourself. If you need to, you can talk to me, maybe I can help you.”
Ark froze for a moment, then nodded slowly, his expression a little shy, “Okay.”
“Then let’s start the rehearsal.”
His words reassured Ji Ning. Before, he’d wondered if his Junior might like him, but it seemed it was just his delusion. Now that Ark was feeling better today, he hadn’t said anything about his feelings.
The two began their rehearsal. As Ark promised, he performed much better than he had the day before. He was still young, which explained why his actions were so illogical yesterday, but Ji Ning was happy that he’d recovered so quickly so he wasn’t harsh with him.
In the blink of an eye, they had already run through two scenes. The third scene began after the angel rescued the shepherd girl Shu Li Man from the palace. After a long journey, the angel escorted Shu Li Man to her hometown.
The angel had completed his task and should have left immediately, but the two had secretly fallen in love with each other and were reluctant to part, so the angel agreed to the girl’s request to stay with her for one last night. The two sat beneath the moonlight, watching the stars together.
“Mr. Angel, look at how beautiful the stars are in the sky.”
Ji Ning, who played Shu Li man, pointed up at the sky, with a longing expression on his face. Obviously it was still daytime, but the sky had started to turn a little gloomy. When he’d walked with Qin Ruwang in the morning it had been sunny, but since noon, clouds had gradually accumulated and it looked like it was going to rain in the evening.
“Can you see the stars up in heaven? Is heaven more beautiful than the palace?” He continued with the rest of his lines.
“It’s really beautiful.” Ark, who was sitting beside him, turned his head towards him and said slowly, “More beautiful than anywhere else in the world.”
Following the stage directions, Ji Ning opened his eyes wide in curiosity, listening in awe as Ark spoke.
“But in the past, whether something was beautiful or ugly made no difference to me, it was all meaningless.”
Ji Ning was surprised for a moment, because the lines Ark spoke didn’t match the script. It seemed like Ark was ad libbing, so although he hesitated, he didn’t cut him off immediately.
“I can see the stars, and I am from the stars.”
When he was still an ‘Archangel’, he lived on Noah star. Noah’s original territory wasn’t vast and it was just one of countless asteroids. After his creation, when he’d walked out of the institute building for the first time, he was overwhelmed by the star-filled sky.
Gorgeous, cold, lonely stars.
They flickered in the darkness, unrelated to one another to the point of hostility. Even if there were countless planets, each one of them was completely isolated.
At the time, he didn’t know what loneliness was, and couldn’t even distinguish between beauty and ugliness. No matter how beautiful the scenery was, as long as it was the territory of an enemy planet, he would crush it into a wasteland of scorched earth through guns and fire.
He had no emotions, no concept of human nature. All he had to do, day after day, was fulfil the missions Noah gave him. Until that day came, when that beautiful and fragile mermaid appeared in front of him and his frozen heart beat for the first time.
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.
Abs, rjvcfrr, jcufg, vfrqjlg, qjlc, jcv tfjgaygfjx.
Mgbw tlr lclalji lucbgjcmf bo fwbalbcr, ab fzqfglfcmlcu jii atf pbsr jcv rbggbkr bo atf kbgiv, la kjr Al Rlcu ktb ajeuta tlw la jii.
Pa kjr Al Rlcu ktb qbegfv mbibeg lcab tlr yijmx jcv ktlaf kbgiv bo fcvifrr cluta.
Coafg wffalcu Al Rlcu tlr ilof, ktlmt tjv jikjsr yfibcufv ab Rbjt rajg, olcjiis yfmjwf tlr bkc.
Once a seed is sown in his heart, it will quickly sprout and grow.
That was his ‘first love.’
After he’d received Fu Qinghan’s memories, he suddenly understood that what he represented was the beginning of Jiang Che’s love for Ji Ning. He was the first, purest, and softest part of Jiang Che’s heart, representing the first moment his feelings for Ji Ning appeared.
This was the love that began when Jiang Che was very young, before he even understood the depths of his feelings.
It was Fu Qinghan’s voluntary fusion that made him realise that perhaps it was only by merging together that they could become complete individuals.
Just like those lonely planets, they didn’t appear to be connected to each other, but in fact they couldn’t emit light by themselves. It was because they reflected the light from the sun that their bright colours could form the galaxy that fills the sky.
What connected him to the others was their mutual love for Ji Ning.
And he was the beginning of it all.
“…”
Ark fell silent, and he stared at Ji Ning without speaking. His silver eyes were filled with deep affection. Ji Ning’s heart started beating faster and for a split second, he thought his saw Jiang Che in front of him. Ark gently held his fingers.
“I like you.”
Ark said in a low voice, lightly kissing Ji Ning’s fingertips.
“!”
Ji Ning’s face flushed and he looked at Ark in confusion, forgetting to react for a moment. Ark smiled, and wrapped his arms around Ji Ning, whispering in his ear.
“It started a long time ago, you didn’t realise.”
“You were my first love.”
“My first and only.”
After he’d said this, he stood up and walked away. Without thinking, Ji Ning tried to grab at the hem of his clothes, but the smooth fabric slipped through his fingers and he couldn’t stop Ark from leaving.
“Ark…”
Ji Ning felt a little dazed. He hadn’t expected that Ark would actually confess to him. So he really was the person Ark liked, and his first love. But…why had Ark just left after confessing to him? He didn’t even give him a chance to respond!
Although Ji Ning couldn’t give him an immediate answer, even if he was going to reject Ark, he wouldn’t have done so immediately.
But Ark didn’t even let him consider it, as if he was certain Ji Ning would reject him. Did he forget they’d still be seeing each other after this? Was Ark intending to keep his head bowed low for every future rehearsal?
“This kid…”
Since Ark had disappeared, Ji Ning packed up their props and backpacks. He sighed helplessly and returned to the drama practice room to ask if Ark had come by. After getting a negative answer, he was even more exasperated and said, “He walks too fast.”
“What’s wrong?” Fu Ji looked him up and down and asked, “Did you two argue?”
“We didn’t argue, but there’s something going on with him. He didn’t even take his backpack and his phone is still inside.” Ji Ning said, lifting up Ark’s backpack.
“Give it to me and I’ll take it back for him. We live in the same dormitory building.” Fu Ji reached out to take it, asking curiously, “What the hell’s going on?”
Ji Ning shook his head and didn’t explain to him. Fu Ji didn’t ask again and the two of them spoke with the theatre group members before leaving for their afternoon classes. Ji Ning went to class with his backpack on his back, but he was a little absentminded throughout the class, thinking about Fu Qinghan and Ark.
The more he thought about it, the more chaotic his heart became, until he couldn’t bring himself to listen to the class anymore. From time to time, he picked up his phone to check his notifications, but neither of them had sent him messages. He ended up chatting with his brother, Ozer.
Gege: No classes tomorrow morning?
Me: Yeah, but I have to change my thesis.
Ji Ning replied, sending a frustrated emoticon at the same time.
Gege: I’ll find you tomorrow. You’ve been too busy lately, come with me tomorrow to watch a movie.
Ji Ning felt a little torn. In fact, he had a lot of things he should be doing at the moment, so he shouldn’t casually play around, but Ozer’s invitation made his heart waver. He’d been dying to watch Gu Chen’s latest film, which had been released two days ago.
Gege: You can eat whatever you want for lunch, I’ll pay for it.
This completely shattered Ji Ning’s restraint and he quickly agreed.
Me: Sounds good!
Me: Then it’s a deal, I’ll see you tomorrow!
Gege: See you tomorrow.
Ji Ning smiled at the thought of going out to eat without having to spend money, but his fingers rubbed a little anxiously against his phone. He felt a strange sense of loss seeing the phone without the robot pendant, and he couldn’t help but think of Jiang Che again.
Sigh…
Ark still hadn’t replied. Ji Ning lay his head down on the desk in annoyance, looking out of the window. The sky outside was gradually growing darker, as heavy clouds filled the sky and the wind that blew through the trees grew stronger.
The people next to him were quietly discussing whether it would rain or not, and sure enough, before the class was over there was a thunderstorm in the sky and rain had begun to fall.
Almost no one had brought an umbrella, so after class many people remained in the classroom, waiting for the rain to subside. However, Ji Ning was different and chose to return to his dormitory despite the heavy rain.
When he reached their dormitory, there was already someone inside. It was Ying Qianqiu, who seemed to have returned in a hurry. His beautiful short silver hair was still dripping with water. He smiled at Ji Ning when he entered, but didn’t dry himself off. Instead, he packed his backpack with a bag of cat food and a small toolbox, grabbing an umbrella on his way out.
“Where are you going?” Ji Ning asked. Ying Qianqiu didn’t look like he was going to the cafeteria.
“I’m going to find those cats.” Ying Qianqiu said. “Their shelters aren’t sturdy and it’s too windy today. I’m worried that their shelters will be blown away. I’ve borrowed some tools, so I’m going to reinforce the shelters.”
“Then I’ll come with you. It’ll be faster together.”
Ji Ning dropped his backpack and took the umbrella from Ying Qianqiu. Ying Qianqiu didn’t object, so the two of them left the dormitory underneath the umbrella.
The wind and rain outside had grown stronger and the sky had turned dark. The street lights had already switched on as the rainwater poured down, forming a curtain of white mist. A strong wind blew through the rain, making the umbrella almost useless, and after only a few minutes, Ji Ning and Ying Qianqiu were soaked.
“It’s raining so hard…”
Ji Ning hid his face behind the umbrella, struggling to walk forward in the howling wind as he shouted to Ying Qianqiu. Ying Qianqiu glanced back at him, before reaching out to hold his hand and continuing forward.
The cat shelter had been built by the students, and although the university wasn’t officially involved, they tacitly approved of it. When Ji Ning and Ying Qianqiu arrived at the edge of the shelter, they saw Yun Dao and several of the other cats huddled together to keep warm. They were all trembling because of the loud thunder in the sky, and even though the shelter was leaking slightly, they didn’t dare to run anywhere else.
However, at the same time as they arrived, the school’s guard came over in a poncho, saying it was raining too hard and they planned to keep the cats inside the guard’s room for the night.
This, of course, was a more appropriate method. Ji Ning and Ying Qianqiu hadn’t come in vain because they could at least help the guard carry the cats inside. The cats trusted them a lot, and in such terrible weather they would have scratched anyone unfamiliar who tried to pick them up.
By the time all the cats were settled in the guard’s room, Ji Ning and Ying Qianqiu were drenched. The guard looked at the two of them and laughed, giving them clean towels to wipe away the water. He offered to let them stay in the guard’s room to wait for the rain to stop, but they declined. Now that they were already soaked, there was no need for them to hide from the rain, and it would be better to return to the dormitory to take a bath.
After leaving the bag of cat food, the two of them walked outside with the umbrella. There was no one left on the road now and the bright light cast by the street lamps stretched their shadows into long shapes. Rain poured down on the umbrella, but rather than being annoying, the sound felt soothing.
“It’s been a long time since it rained like this.”
Ji Ning smiled and turned his head to look at Ying Qianqiu. He’d slicked his silver hair back from his handsome face, but trails of water still dripped down his jaw. Under the streetlamps, his eyelashes glimmered, unexpectedly revealing a breathtaking beauty.
While he was looking up at Ying Qianqiu, Ying Qianqiu looked back at him, his eyes darker than usual as they reflected the black night. Just like that, they stood quietly facing each other.
Ying Qianqiu’s gaze seemed to suck people’s hearts into it. Ji Ning felt drunk by the weight of it and inadvertently slipped on a puddle when he stepped forward. Before he could fall, he was caught by Ying Qianqiu.
Thud…
The umbrella fell to the ground, and there was no longer a barrier protecting them. The sound of the rain grew stronger, but Ji Ning’s attention was only on Ying Qianqiu.
His skin felt so warm.
This was Ji Ning’s first thought. The rain had soaked through their clothes, but Ying Qianqiu held him in his arms, his body temperature bleeding through the fabric of their clothes, bringing warmth into the cold night rain.
“Okay, I’m alright now. Thank you Qianqiu.”
Ji Ning felt a little shy, and gently broke free from Ying Qianqiu’s hold, indicating that he could stand by himself. He hadn’t expected Ying Qianqiu’s arms to wrap tighter around his back and waist, completely imprisoning him in his embrace.
“Qian…qi…?”
Ji Ning didn’t understand why Ying Qianqiu was hugging him so tightly, but the heavy gaze he looked at him with made his face feel hot even in the cold rain. When Ying Qianqiu raised a hand and gently stroked his cheek, he trembled even more and instinctively leaned back.
But Ying Qianqiu didn’t give him the chance. The more Ji Ning avoided him, the more greedy his hands became. His fingertips brushed along the tips of Ji Ning’s eyes and cheeks, one after another, before tracing his lips. Finally, he lifted Ji Ning’s chin and lowered his head to kiss his rain soaked lips.
I love it, I really do – but the fact that each one of them represents a way that Jiang Che loves Ji Ning is making me sob. He’s such a dedicated ML, he loves Ningning so so much.
Of course Ark was the first moment he fell in love, it’s just that- .·°՞(≧□≦)՞°·. (I had to stop translating yesterday, because Ark’s story was so sad – I have a weak heart~)
To anyone who thought my Ying Qianqiu was a tease – the real one is much worse!! Who made this man so sexy??
Thank you for your hardwork aaa I really appreciate it 💕💕✨️
Dang, this is one of the most romantic scene I’ve witnessed. Just started reading BLs, this is gonna be my 4th one I think. (I freakin got tired of the usual romance thing with perfect ML and FL)
Welcome to the danmei world, hope you have a great time~
Thank you~ I’m having a fun timeeee ✨️✨️✨️
Well I can see you have excellent taste in BL (^^) as you’re precious 4th novel, I hope you continue to enjoy it!
I really enjoy the romance in my author’s novels – her writings are quite chaste as she spends a lot of time developing the romance instead of cough other sides of relationships, but I find that makes me care about the relationships much more!!
I’m enjoying this novel too much aaaa thank you for updating 🥰🥰🥰 This makes me so excited everytime there is an update. The story is getting more interesting as it progresses~ 🤩🤩🤩
AAAAAAAHHHH My Ying Qianqiu is next!! I wonder what emotion of Jiang Che’s he would represent, I really have no idea after knocking my head for so long. 😖
I was both stupid and wrong – I though he was supposed to represent Jiang Che’s wedding night with Ningning QvQ
Will Ark also merge?! (┬┬﹏┬┬) dang, these end chapters are breaking my heart! they are romantic but they give a bittersweet feeling😭💙 I just wanna know how Jiang Che will become alive again even if they all merged
There will be no spoilers!! ahehe
I suppose if this novel was a true tragedy, each of the protagonists would give themselves up for Jiang Che, who would self destruct in order to ensure Ji Ning wakes up properly…luckily my author is an upstanding individual who wouldn’t write something so antisocial~
Another favorite… Ark who represents Jiang Che’s innocent first love to Ji Ning…
Ark… (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀)
im sobbing NO THEY CANT DISAPPEAR
I can’t imagine this novel doesn’t have a happy ending, but how can it if Jiang Che is dead? 😭😭😭
What so what the heck is Ozer’s love type, his possessiveness? Familial love?
What’s interesting is that JC’s possessiveness isn’t personified by just one person, but every single one of them have this trait. When you think about how he got between every single person who got close to JN, it makes absolute sense. What was it that was written? – “the person became a common friend” rather than just JN’s friend 😂 there’s no one-on-one interaction with anyone.
On a different note, I remember there was this book where the MC was pulled into a game and had to go to different worlds to play different roles (similar to this book). If you had a rank high enough, you could build your own world. The MC ended up always being sent to the worlds built by the ML, where the ML left a shard of his soul (or more than one). In worlds where he had more than one shard, they became different people and they obviously all fell in love with MC. And it was quite funny how he’d get jealous of every single role he ended up in. When the ML fused with all the shards, he’d still get jealous of their experiences with the MC 😂 our JC’s possessiveness reminded me of this book. Unfortunately I’ve read it quite a few years back and I can’t remember the name. Sorry. If anyone knows it please leave a reply xx
‘he was the first, purest, and softest part of Jiang Che’s heart, representing the first moment these feelings for ji Ning appeared’. Just take my heart I don’t need it 😭 not qianqiu next…
This novel has so many beautiful moments… It’s written and translated beautifully.