The soft spring breeze signified yet another year passing. Situ Hong smiled softly to himself as he walked up the stairs, accompanied by the scent of pear blossoms. The fan in his hand brought on a more concentrated breeze. Although this made his walk a little chillier, the cold was always a welcomed companion.
Situ Hong had nearly made it to the top of the stairs, when he heard a sharp intake, not too far away. He paused and glanced in the direction of the sound. His folding fan closed and he turned his body.
“Who’s there?”
The underbrush was so still that Situ Hong almost believed he had made a mistake. He let out a soft sigh. He didn’t feel any ill intentions and a small smile curiously appeared.
“Xiao Guo, is that you?” Situ Hong asked as he began to sneak over. “Or is it a little rabbit who got lost?”
The bushes shifted, but Situ Hong was faster. His hand shot out to grab the youth that was about to bolt and pulled him back. The young man fell into Situ Hong’s chest, his face already flushed in embarrassment as he struggled from Situ Hong’s hold on his collar.
“L-let me go!”
Situ Hong raised a brow. The hits the youth landed on him didn’t hurt a cultivator like him, but he sensed a familiar energy. His hand released the youth and he watched as the young man turned to glare at him.
“Who are you?” Situ Hong asked.
“Who are you?” the young man shot back. He huffed as he fixed the collar of his shirt. “You’re obviously a trespasser. I live here. It goes without saying that you should introduce yourself first, right?”
Situ Hong raised a brow. “You live here?”
“Mn!”
“Then, little young master, could you tell me where this place is?”
“Yu Shui Manor!”
“…So, it’s not the wrong place,” Situ Hong muttered. He looked the youth up and down. “But I don’t remember Yu Shui Manor having a little boy like you. Are you a new attendant Xiao-xiong picked up?”
“A-atten—”
“A-Rong-gege!”
Situ Hong stiffened at the name, but when he saw Xiao Guo running over, his body relaxed. His gaze shifted back to the young man. “Your name is A-Rong?”
The young man’s gaze darkened. “I—”
“Uncle Situ,” Xiao Guo smiled as she greeted the man. She glanced at the young man and tugged him forward. “Uncle Situ, this is Wan Rong. He’s Uncle Wuma’s nephew.”
“…Lord Wuma’s nephew?” Situ Hong glanced at the young man again.
Ah. Wasn’t this the little brat Wu Lingtian had written about in his letter? He was much less imposing than Situ Hong would have thought. He looked nothing like the young heir of Black Scales Palace. Situ Hong estimated that the young man in front of him would die instantly if he was thrown into a pack of the old snakes back in Fengya.
Sensing Situ Hong’s judgement, Wan Rong’s expression clouded even further.
Xiao Guo glanced between the two and awkwardly cleared her throat. She shifted closer to Wan Rong. “A-Rong-gege, this is Father’s good friend, Lord Feng Ling.”
“Feng Ling?” Wan Rong frowned. He scoffed and looked away. “Alright.”
“This—”
“Xiao Guo, is your father in?” Situ Hong asked, cheerful despite the disrespect he was shown.
Xiao Guo smiled awkwardly. “He is. He should be in his study. Uncle Wuma went back to Black Scales Palace temporarily, so he hasn’t been out much.”
“Alright,” Situ Hong said. He cast another glance at Wan Rong before leaving the two kids and heading up the study.
When he arrived, Xiao Xunrui didn’t even lift his head in greeting. But Situ Hong didn’t care. He threw himself onto the luohan bed nearby and made himself at him. He let out a pitiful groan as he stretched out his hand to fiddle with the scrolls that hung off the edge of the desk. When Xiao Xunrui still didn’t react, he threw himself dramatically closer.
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.
“What is it?” Xiao Xunrui asked.
“P’w rb qlaloei!”
Ktf ygert lc Wljb Wecgel’r tjcv agfwyifv obg j rqila rfmbcv. Lf iloafv tlr tfjv jcv uijgfv ja atf sbecufg wjc. “Qtja tjqqfcfv atlr alwf?”
Vlae Lbcu rja eq, tlr ojc oibeglrtlcu. “Tbe xcbk ws ojatfg!”
“P vb.”
“Djmx ktfc P kjr lc Mgbra Jiloo Ujnlilbc jii atf alwf, tf kbeiv jikjsr cju ja wf ab mbwf yjmx. Ccv ibbx, P’nf mbwf yjmx, tjnfc’a P? Mgbra Jiloo Ujnlilbc tjr vlryjcvfv, rb cjaegjiis, P gfaegcfv ab Uegqif Djwybb Vfma. P afjmt ifrrbcr fnfgs vjs jcv P tbiv vfwbcragjalbcr bcmf j kffx. Tbe xcbk tbk P jw cbk! P’w atf qfgofma qlmaegf bo j ubbv afjmtfg.”
“And then?”
“That old man is never satisfied!” Situ Hong snapped his fan shut. He leaned over. “Now he wants me to get married.”
The news genuinely surprised Xiao Xunrui. By a cultivator’s standards, Situ Hong wasn’t young, but he wasn’t too old either. He shouldn’t be in a rush to get married, nor should his family be in a rush to have someone marry him.
“Why does he suddenly want you to get married?”
“Because he said he no longer wants to be sect leader,” Situ Hong said.
Purple Bamboo Sect had an obnoxious rule—if you weren’t married or you didn’t have a disciple, you were not allowed to become sect leader. It had been a rule since the sect was established, so even if Situ Hong wanted to argue against it, he would have to stand in front of a congregation of elders to argue his point.
“Just take on a disciple,” Xiao Xunrui said.
“Choosing a disciple is like choosing a wife. Neither can be done so easily,” Situ Hong said. He pouted slightly. “Is Xiao Guo looking to worship a master?”
“She’s already set on Sect Master Fan,” Xiao Xunrui said. “Probably…two more years and she’ll go to Screeching Sparrow Sect.”
“Fan Yi again,” Situ Hong grumbled. He sighed and flipped over. “Why does he always get the good things in life?”
Xiao Xunrui glanced at Situ Hong and let out a soft sigh. “Well, you can always hold a competition for disciples.”
“That’s so lame. I want to bump into one by fate,” Situ Hong said.
“Because fate is always on your side,” Xiao Xunrui mocked.
Situ Hong fell silent.
“…I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that,” Xiao Xunrui said. “But if you really want a disciple, why don’t you think about Wan Rong?”
Situ Hong’s expression tensed. “You mean Lord Wuma’s bratty nephew?”
“He’s not that bad,” Xiao Xunrui said. He paused. “Did you meet him?”
“On my way up. He was hiding in the bushes for some odd reason,” Situ Hong said. He shook his head. “Isn’t he the young heir of Black Scales Palace? He’s a demonic cultivator—whatever Purple Bamboo Sect can teach won’t even help him.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Xiao Xunrui muttered.
“Do you see why I’m in such a dilemma? There’s no one for me to marry and no one for me to take in as a disciple,” Situ Hong said. He laid his forehead down on the bench of the arm. “I guess it’s fine. I didn’t want to be sect leader anyway.”
Xiao Xunrui watched Situ Hong silently. He shifted, placed his brush down, and tilted his head ever so slightly. “Then, what do you plan on doing?”
“Me?” Situ Hong asked. He let out a soft chuckle. “Who knows. What do you think I should do?”
Xiao Xunrui pursed his lips. “How about you…stay here for a while?”
Situ Hong glanced up.
“A-Huan is away for a while. I’m going to be bored. Just stay a while,” Xiao Xunrui said.
Situ Hong smiled weakly. “You’re the best.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Xiao Xunrui said, turning back to his manuscripts.
Situ Hong smiled. He stood and sat down on Xiao Xunrui’s desk. “By the way, that little brat of yours—how old is he?”
“He’s fifteen,” Xiao Xunrui said. He chuckled. “Don’t think he’s just a silly child—he’s actually quite gifted. A-Huan taught him himself, but demonic cultivation is harmful to a young body, so he’s actually learning techniques of the righteous sect so that he can strengthen his body first.”
Situ Hong felt a realization. “So, that’s why you wanted me to take him in?”
“Some of this, some of that. Though, I doubt having the next heir of Fengya as your head disciple is anything to be proud of.”
Situ Hong scoffed. “What era is it? Anyone who thinks that demonic cultivators are idiots that haven’t gotten with the times. After everything that’s happened, they can’t actually still believe the world is painted in black and white. The ones who want to think that way are the ones who are mixed in with the darkness the most. Who cares if I took in the next heir of Black Scales Palace? That would be my choice. And I would be proud of him.”
Xiao Xunrui chuckled. “That’s true. That’s just like your personality. But your father would be horrified.”
“Do you think I care?” Situ Hong rolled his eyes. “The only thing I’ve agreed with him in my life is that I should be careful with my sex life. Other than that, we haven’t been on the same page since I was fourteen.”
Xiao Xunrui’s smile fell slightly. “You…”
“I know. But knowing doesn’t mean I have to forgive him,” Situ Hong said.
Xiao Xunrui smiled sadly. “Isn’t it tiring resenting someone like that?”
“I resent him? No,” Situ Hong said. “I simply just don’t care about him.”
The topic had taken a bitter turn and Situ Hong was now in a sour mood. Xiao Xunrui quickly changed the topic to other, more interesting things. He showed off the trinkets Wu Lingtian had sent him in his travels with Fan Yi and the two men discussed the contents of their friend’s letters until dinner rolled around.
Xiao Xunrui left with Xiao Guo to make dinner, leaving Situ Hong alone in the study.
Just when he was about to grow bored from reading, the door creaked open. Situ Hong glanced up and watched as Wan Rong closed the doors behind him. He glanced at Situ Hong and strutted to the opposite side of the room.
“Not even a hello? How rude,” Situ Hong said.
Wan Rong stiffened. “Hello.”
“Mn, good boy,” Situ Hong turned his gaze back to his book.
Wan Rong snuck a glance at Situ Hong. His throat felt dry. It had been this way since he had seen Situ Hong earlier in the morning. When he drank some water, his thirst would be parched, but not long after, the image of Situ Hong walking up the stairs would resurface in his mind. His hands would feel clammy and his heart would race. It was a disgusting feeling, leading Wan Rong to suspect Situ Hong had cursed him.
Which was why he was here. It was to observe him. Only to figure out how to break this curse. That was what he told himself.
Situ Hong ignored the curious glances the boy threw at him. By the time he nearly finished the book, Xiao Guo came in to call them for a meal. Situ Hong stood. He glanced briefly at Wan Rong and left without another word.
Wan Rong felt a sudden throb in his chest. He was…disappointed. Just a little disappointed.
But Situ Hong’s stay lasted more than a few days. During this time, he earned himself a little shadow that tailed him wherever he went. When he went to Xiao Xunrui’s study, the youth would be there. When he took a walk around the garden, the youth would hide nearby. If he wanted to rest in his room, he would feel a presence lingering not too far away.
On the third week of his stay, Situ Hong finally couldn’t stand it. He looked up from where he was reading and glared into the underbrush.
“Come here.”
Wan Rong stiffened. He slowly stood and walked over. He lingered hesitantly in front of Situ Hong and glanced at the man, his face slowly warming.
“Why have you been following me?” Situ Hong asked.
He half expected the boy to pull a prank on him, but after so many days of nothing, Situ Hong had gotten impatient. If the boy wasn’t going to actually do anything, then Situ Hong had to say something, less he suffocated in the awkwardness.
Wan Rong panicked. He went through all the scenarios in his head and all the explanations but couldn’t find a sane or suitable one at all.
How was he supposed to say that it had been love at first sight? The man in front of him would definitely laugh at him and say he’s childish!
Wan Rong knew what kind of person Situ Hong was. He was an experienced person—one who’s had many spring nights. Not only that, he had many lovers at his beck and call. He was not a person who was lacking. The reports Wan Rong received from his attendants were devastating, causing the youth to lock himself in his room for a few days, but after mulling it over, he realized he had been silly. Situ Hong might enjoy sleeping around, but he never had just one person at his side. That meant the position of his cultivation partner was still open, right? That meant that he had a chance…
“Wan Rong?”
“I—” Wan Rong’s head snapped up. He looked into Situ Hong’s purplish eyes and felt his brain blank. He suddenly fell to his knees. His head pressed against the ground below him as he blabbered, “P-please!”
“…What are you…”
“Please,” Wan Rong’s heart hammered against his chest. “Please accept me as your disciple!”
At that moment, it seemed as if the world had frozen over. Wan Rong’s hands trembled against the ground as he squeezed his eyes shut. Disciple? Disciple? If he became Situ Hong’s disciple, then it was over!
Demonic cultivators may have loose morals, but Situ Hong was a righteous cultivator! How could a master and disciple have a relationship? How could they—
“No.”
Wan Rong felt as if his heart had been doused in ice water despite the relief that flooded him.
“I can’t afford to teach the young heir of Black Scales Palace,” Situ Hong said. He stood, flicking his sleeve behind him. “If that’s why you’re following me around, then forget it. And don’t kneel down to anyone so easily—it’s unbecoming of the heir.”
Wan Rong slowly sat up. He stared blankly ahead as a new sense of dread overtook him.
Situ Hong spoke to him coldly. He didn’t even want to be his master. If he didn’t even consider taking him in as his student, then how could he possibly…
Wan Rong pursed his lips. He listened to the steps retreat further and further away. He stood suddenly and ran to catch up. He grabbed Situ Hong’s hand and pulled him back from the stairs. The taller man stumbled slightly and then looked at Wan Rong with an irritated stare.
“I won’t—”
“Then!” Wan Rong interrupted him. “Then, let me pursue you.”
“…What?”
“P-pursue!” Wan Rong stuttered. He held onto Situ Hong’s hand tightly, his touch showing how desperately he wanted to memorize the feel of those fingers. “I like you! Let me pursue you!”
Situ Hong let out a soft laugh. His expression was much gentler than before, but there was a dissonant sense of alienation on his normally carefree face. He pulled his hand away.
“If you’re after me because I’m good looking, then you should pursue my little brother. He’s near your age and he looks a bit like me,” Situ Hong said.
Wan Rong’s heart soured. “I…I wasn’t—”
“If you’re looking for someone to fool around, you’re better off going to a brothel,” Situ Hong said. He paused a moment before shaking his head. “Well, it’d be better if you waited another three years. It’s not a good habit to pick up so young.”
Wan Rong pursed his lips. “I’m not fooling around.”
“Then, what? Do you want me to believe in love at first sight?” Situ Hong asked.
Wan Rong fell silent. He looked over Situ Hong’s expression and slowly lowered his gaze. It was clear that Situ Hong didn’t believe him at all. And it wasn’t just that he didn’t believe Wan Rong. Situ Hong was not the type of person who believed in love at all.
“What do you know about me? And out of the things you know about me, how many of them are horrible rumors?” Situ Hong asked, taking a step closer. When he saw Wan Rong’s pinched expression, he smirked. “Right? I’m not some good person. And I don’t have the patience to entertain a child’s willful affection. So, the sooner you forget about it, the better off you’ll be.”
Situ Hong was about to step away, but his conscience got the better of him. His voice softened as he spoke: “And you’ll find someone better. Don’t let some little puppy love drag you down.”
Wan Rong listened to Situ Hong’s footsteps fade. He crouched to the ground and covered up the fat tears that rolled down his cheeks. If he tried to explain, his words would come out garbled. But he wasn’t crying over his broken heart—he was crying over how easily Situ Hong could dismiss someone’s affections.
The man was obviously so friendly and so giving, but what was that reaction of his? Was he scared of someone’s love or did he genuinely detest other’s affections?
Wan Rong cried silently for a long time. When he stood again, he found a carefully packaged box of sweets in front of him. His brows furrowed as he picked the box up. He hadn’t noticed the other person’s presence, but he was so far back in the garden that it would have been impossible for someone to find him so easily.
A daring thought attached itself to his heart. A small, hopeful smile emerged on his lips as he opened the small box. Inside was a single piece of candy. Without tasting it, Wan Rong already knew that it contained all the sweetness in the world.
Yah ! Sity Hong. really like him . Thanks
I’M GLAD YOU LIKE HIM
A person could do worse than a lover who cries because you’re emotionally stunted as opposed to crying over being rejected. I didn’t see that coming at all!
ngl i was kinda chuckling with Wan Rong freaking out over figuring out how to stick by Situ Hong’s side. i was thinking “first of all you’re 15. see what Wu Lingtian did? he had a 4 step plan to get in his older crush’s affections as he grew up. that seemed smart.”
they are different people tho alchskxhsk Wan Rong is an impulsive cute kid. but my fav characters since i was young was always the older types, and while Situ Hong is more one i would steal his gender, i kinda get it