Translator:- Max
Merry Christmas Guys!!! Hope you have fun~
Chu Cheng smiled, rubbed his head, and said, “Alright, it’s time to get up. If we don’t go back now, your shrimp might be gone.”
When Ji Qingzhou heard this, he quickly put on his outer clothing and urged him, “Hurry up, we have to go back.”
After the two finished washing up, Chu Cheng waved his hand, and the house in front of them disappeared. He turned back into a dragon, and Ji Qingzhou rode on his back as they returned to the forest where Bai Jing lived.
When Bai Xi saw them coming back, he was very happy and said, “You are finally back. I thought you had left.”
“I haven’t eaten my shrimp yet. I won’t leave.” Ji Qingzhou asked him, “Are we having shrimps for lunch?”
Seeing that he wanted to eat, Bai Xi nodded and said, “Sure, I’ll make them now.”
“I want it a bit spicy.” Ji Qingzhou emphasised.
Bai Xi found it strange that an apricot tree would enjoy spicy food, but he didn’t say anything. He followed his wishes and made fried prawns according to his preference. During lunch, Ji Qingzhou looked at the shrimps on the table, and his eyes lit up. He eagerly reached out to peel the shrimp shells.
Chu Cheng, seeing his hands covered in oil while peeling the shrimp, helped him roll up his sleeves and wiped his hands for him. At the same time, he peeled the shrimp and placed them in his bowl.
Just as he was peeling a big one and preparing to put the shrimp meat into Ji Qingzhou’s bowl, Ji Qingzhou lowered his head slightly and directly took the shrimp meat from his hand. He bit into the shrimp meat and smiled proudly at him.
Chu Cheng thought he was a little cute like this and raised his hand to ruffle his hair. However, seeing that his own hand was also covered in oil, he had to retract it. He continued to help him peel the shrimp, but this time, instead of placing it in Ji Qingzhou’s bowl, he fed it directly in his mouth.
Bai Jing looked at it and couldn’t help but frown. Bai Xi couldn’t quite figure out the relationship between them and wanted to ask but didn’t dare.
Meanwhile, Ji Qingzhou focused on eating the shrimp. After eating and drinking, he handed his hands to Chu Cheng, who wiped them clean. Ji Qingzhou looked at his now clean hands and smiled, feeling quite happy.
After the meal, Bai Jing had something to discuss with Chu Cheng, so Bai Xi led Ji Qingzhou outside.
Bai Jing watched Ji Qingzhou leave and asked Chu Cheng, “You and him…”
“Is what you want to talk about related to me and him?”
“Of course not.” Bai Jing looked at him and said with a serious expression, “Do you know why I live here?”
“Why?”
“Because there is a demon here.”
“Demon?”
“Yes. I need your help.”
Ji Qingzhou followed Bai Jing out of the bamboo forest and asked him curiously, “Where are we going?”
“Go to the town, I’ll take you for a walk.”
Ji Qingzhou was still very new to this town, so he happily followed Bai Xi as they walked out. Bai Xi was familiar with the town, knowing where to find the best roasted chicken, where the most beautiful wine is, and where the liveliest and most exciting places are.
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.
Ji Qingzhou had never played like this with someone before and found it quite interesting. When he went back with the clay figurine, he even made plans with Bai Xi to continue playing in town tomorrow.
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“I’ve agreed with Bai Xi; we’re going to the town again tomorrow. I want to buy those candy men.”
Upon hearing this, Chu Cheng looked at the joy and anticipation on his face. He hesitated for a moment, but quickly thought of his own plans with Bai Jing for the next day. So, he said, “That’s fine. Bai Jing and I are going out tomorrow. You go out to play, pay attention to your safety, and don’t stray too far from Bai Xi, okay?”
“Where are you going?” Ji Qingzhou asked him.
“To a mountain not far from here.”
“Can I go with you?”
“That won’t work. You wait here for me, I’ll be back soon.”
Ji Qingzhou was somewhat unwilling, “I also want to go.”
“Be obedient.” Chu Cheng pinched his face.
Ji Qingzhou lowered his head silently. After a while, he whispered, “Then you have to come back as soon as possible.”
“Okay.” Chu Cheng replied.
The next morning, Chu Cheng left with Bai Jing very early. Bai Xi came to find Ji Qingzhou to take him out to play, but found that he was not in such high spirits.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Do you know where they went?” Ji Qingzhou asked him.
Bai Xi nodded, “There’s a powerful monster that recently appeared in Qiandie Mountain. It killed several foxes from our fox clan to snatch their inner cores. That’s why the elders invited my cousin over. However, it seems that the monster has strong demonic power and is protected by a magical elixir. Even my cousin couldn’t defeat it. So, he told us to stay here by the Luo River to take some rest and instructed us not to go out for now.”
“So, they went to fight that monster?”
“Yes, Chu Cheng should be very powerful. My cousin wants him to help us with this.”
Ji Qingzhou understood.
Bai Xi advised him, “You don’t need to worry. He’s a mythical beast; he will be fine. He didn’t take you along because he is afraid that you will be in danger. If you’re too concerned, he might end up being distracted as he’s worried about you.”
Ji Qingzhou obediently nodded, “I understand.”
“I’ll take you to watch a play.” Bai Xi suggested, “By the time the play is over, they might come back.”
“Okay.”
Ji Qingzhou went to watch the play with Bai Xi. The performance was lively, and he became engrossed in it. They watched two plays in a row before leaving the theatre. Bai Xi bought him a candy man, and they returned to the bamboo forest together.
Chu Cheng and the others had indeed returned, though their expressions seemed somewhat grim. Seeing him come back, Chu Cheng finally revealed a gentle smile. He asked, “Did you have fun today?”
Ji Qingzhou nodded, “Bai Xi took me to watch a play. The play was really good.”
Seeing this, Chu Cheng also felt relieved. “As long as you’re happy, it’s good.”
“And you?” Ji Qingzhou asked him. “Was that monster easy to deal with?”
Chu Cheng shook his head, “It was a bit difficult. Bai Jing initially thought it was just a demon, but it turned out there was an immortal behind him who was possessed by the devil. Demons are manageable, but immortals are difficult to deal with.”
“You can’t beat it either?”
Chu Cheng smiled, “Naturally, I can handle it, but it just takes a bit of effort.”
“It’s okay,” Ji Qingzhou comforted him, “As long as you can defeat it, which is good.”
Chu Cheng looked at him with gentle eyes, but said nothing and just touched his hair.
Ji Qingzhou noticed that Chu Cheng and Bai Jing began to disappear more and more frequently. Fortunately, Bai Xi was still there, always accompanying him and exploring new interesting things every day. When he played with Bai Xi, he wouldn’t think Chu Cheng, and he wouldn’t feel anxious about missing him. However, once the playtime was over, he would think of him and feel like it had been a long time since they had played together.
However, he remembered what Bai Xi said and did not let Chu Cheng know that he was worried about him, lest Chu Cheng would get distracted to take care of himself.
On that day, there was a lantern festival in the town, and Ji Qingzhou wanted a dragon-shaped lantern. Unfortunately, they were already sold out. Bai Xi bought him a fox-shaped lantern instead.
Ji Qingzhou looked at the delicately coloured lantern in his hand and found it cute, so he accepted it.
When they returned, Chu Cheng and Bai Jing hadn’t come back yet. As they parted ways inside the house, Bai Xi lowered his head, seemingly wanting to kiss Ji Qingzhou. He took a step back, a bit startled. Bai Xi asked him, “Can I not?”
“Can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t have a heart yet.” Ji Qingzhou said.
Upon hearing this, Bai Xi reached out and pressed his chest. Indeed, there was no movement. This little apricot tree had not yet cultivated love, so there was naturally no heartbeat.
“You’ll have a heart someday.” Bai Xi looked at him and said tenderly.
Ji Qingzhou smiled, “I know,” He said, “I’ll cultivate my heart as soon as possible.”
Upon hearing Ji Qingzhou’s words, Bai Xi couldn’t help but lower his head and chuckle. He was about to tell Ji Qingzhou that merely cultivating wouldn’t bring about a heart; one needed emotions for that. However, before he could say anything, they heard movement at the door. Chu Cheng and Bai Jing had returned.
When Ji Qingzhou saw Chu Cheng, he ran over happily and raised the lantern in his hand to show him, “Does it look good?”
Chu Cheng looked at the fox lantern in front of him and asked him, “Bai Xi gave it to you?”
Ji Qingzhou nodded, “Today is the Lantern Festival. There are many beautiful lanterns.”
Chu Cheng looked at the lantern in front of him and then glanced at Bai Xi not far away. Bai Xi lowered his head a bit embarrassed. Chu Cheng chuckled softly, seeing through his thoughts but choosing not to reveal it.
He and Ji Qingzhou went back to the house. As Chu Cheng remembered when they entered, Bai Xi’s hand was pressed against Ji Qingzhou’s chest, the two of them gazing tenderly at each other, he looked at Ji Qingzhou with a gentle expression.
Ji Qingzhou tilted his head and sat across from him, asking, “What’s wrong?”
Chu Cheng reached out and touched his chest. Fortunately, there was still no sound.
He withdrew his hand, looking at Ji Qingzhou and asking, “Have you been happy these days?”
“Happy.” Ji Qingzhou said.
“Missed me?”
Ji Qingzhou wanted to say missed, but he was afraid of distracting him. So, he said, “You went to deal with the monster, I know.”
“So you didn’t miss me?”
He had never lied, so when he saw this, he could only be honest. “I still missed you.”
“Are you happier being with Bai Xi or being with me?”
“With you.” Ji Qingzhou said without the slightest hesitation.
Chu Cheng was satisfied and then taught him, “Don’t casually accept other people’s lanterns.”
“But I don’t have money.” Ji Qingzhou replied truthfully.
Only then did Chu Cheng realise that Ji Qingzhou didn’t have money. He conjured a purse and placed it in Ji Qingzhou’s hand, “From now on, just use the money in here.”
Ji Qingzhou opened it in surprise and took a look. Sure enough, there was a lot of money. He said excitedly: “Okay.”
“Go and return the lantern to Bai Xi. Tell him you can’t accept it.” Chu Cheng instructed, then reached out and poked his chest. “Also, in the future, don’t let anyone touch this part of you.”
Ji Qingzhou obediently nodded and agreed. He took the lantern and ran out, knocking on Bai Xi’s door.
Bai Xi looked at him standing at his door, holding the lantern, a bit surprised. He asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Returning this lantern to you.” Ji Qingzhou reached out and handed the lantern over, “I can’t accept it.”
Bai Xi looked at the returned lantern, momentarily at a loss for words.
In Luoshui, adult men would give lanterns to the women they admired during the Lantern Festival, expressing their affection. If the woman accepted, it meant the love was reciprocated. If she refused, it symbolised unrequited love. Bai Xi knew that Ji Qingzhou might not understand the customs here, so he gave him a lantern in his original form, intending to express his liking without expecting a specific response. However, Ji Qingzhou accepted it, making him happy. He never thought that the lantern would be returned.
“Did Chu Cheng ask you to return it to me?” Bai Xi thought, this is the only explanation.
Ji Qingzhou nodded, “Here you go.”
“You can keep it for now. When you have a heart, then decide whether to return it to me or not.” Bai Xi gently advised.
But Ji Qingzhou didn’t think it was necessary. Seeing Bai Xi not taking it, he bent down and placed the lantern on the ground, saying, “No need, I’ll listen to Ah Cheng.”
After saying that, he turned around and walked away.
The author has something to say:
This time, it’s Chu Cheng who falls in love first~
Chu Cheng: Heh, sneaking around to give lanterns behind my back. Don’t I know how to give one myself!
Bai Xi: [Crying.jpg]
Thanks for the update. ♥️
Nobody can win against ChuChen