Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 174: Good Morning
“Can we talk now?” Fu Wenqing approached Xu Wang, still clear-eyed and composed. If it weren’t for the big tear in his clothes, one might doubt he had just escaped the “Deer Demon Massacre”.
“Are you sure you want to talk?” Xu Wang’s gaze went past him, landing on a group under the streetlight, radiating anger and in a sorry state. He didn’t think these adversaries were in the mood for a chat.
“Anger and impulsiveness won’t solve anything. If there’s a win-win solution to a problem, why resort to mutual destruction?” Fu Wenqing didn’t turn around, making it clear he was the one calling the shots on this matter.
After pondering for a few seconds, Xu Wang understood. “You’ve saved your progress.”
Fu Wenqing replied, “So have you.”
It was worth discussing because they would meet again tomorrow.
But the Owl couldn’t save progress consecutively, so Xu Wang couldn’t see any room for negotiation. “Tomorrow, whether it’s you or us, there’s only one option for us to ‘submit our papers’.”
“No.” Fu Wenqing offered a second option. “You can also drop out.”
He said it so calmly, not as a provocation or a show of force, just like a casual chat, making it hard for Xu Wang to get angry. It felt like they were on different wavelengths. “Why should we drop out?”
“We wouldn’t ask you to step back for nothing,” Fu Wenqing continued. “In exchange, I can give you information more critical than just handing in a single assignment.”
“Oh?” This piqued Xu Wang’s interest, who asked for more details, “About what?”
Fu Wenqing pondered and didn’t answer.
Xu Wang frowned. “If you want to talk, you need to show some sincerity. You can keep the information to yourself for now, but at least let us know what it can bring us and whether it’s worth retreating three levels for it.”
“You have a point.” Fu Wenqing nodded in acknowledgment and revealed his trump card. “A way to leave the Owl for good, that is, to leave completely and forever.” Under the streetlight, his eyes were calm yet confident. “Is it worth three levels?”
Xu Wang fell silent, turning back after a long while with mixed feelings.
The friends behind him had similarly complicated expressions on their faces.
“It’s pretty worth it…” Xu Wang turned his gaze back to Fu Wenqing, feeling rather helpless, “but we’ve also paid.”
Fu Wenqing was taken aback by the unexpected answer that finally caused a ripple in his otherwise tranquil demeanor. “A million?”
Xu Wang expressed genuine regret. “We should have met earlier.” Even though the information was bought in a group purchase, it still cost them about three hundred thousand. Trading three levels for three hundred thousand wasn’t out of the question!
A negotiation that seemed promising crumbled in less than three minutes. Fu Wenqing quickly collected his emotions, so quickly that Xu Wang thought he might naturally lack deep feelings.
“See you tomorrow.” With these simple words, the man led his team out of the alley.
“I thought they were going to bury us with money,” Qian Ai murmured as he watched their figures disappear around the corner, feeling a sense of unfulfilled wishes.
Xu Wang knew another tough battle awaited them tomorrow. But for now, the priority was to rest and heal.
……
This time, President Chi got the “tourist destination” information early from his brother and arranged the hotel rooms in advance: two presidential suites, one with two bedrooms and the other with three bedrooms.
Nobody likes to be a third wheel, so naturally, the two-bedroom suite went to Xu Wang and Wu Sheng.
“Our save point is in the house of the Electric Ghost. We’ll take it down first thing tomorrow,” Wu Sheng sat on the couch, letting Xu Wang handle his injured arm, his mind never resting. “We need to find a way to lock down the ownership of the two ghosts, or we’ll be easy targets later on.”
“How do we lock it down? We don’t have any ‘anti-theft stationery’ right now,” Xu Wang said as he carefully disinfected the wound with iodine-soaked cotton balls.
“I have an idea…” Wu Sheng’s gaze landed on the smooth neck exposed by the other’s bowed head. His throat suddenly tightened, and his thoughts momentarily halted.
Unaware, Xu Wang changed the cotton ball and continued cleaning. “What’s the idea?”
“Cough,” Wu Sheng cleared his throat, trying to mask the awkwardness in his voice. “I’m not sure yet. I need to think more.”
Xu Wang didn’t press further. Usually, when Wu Sheng said he “had an idea”, it was almost a done deal. His “need to think more” was just to make it foolproof.
“The other side will also secure their two ghosts tomorrow,” Wu Sheng said, “no matter where their save point is.”
Xu Wang tossed the cotton ball away, took a clean bandage, and cut a length of it to match the wound. “That’s for sure. It’s clear no matter how you paint it.”
Wu Sheng watched him soak the bandage strip in iodine, saturating it. “So, the situation tomorrow might be the same as today. Each of us with our two ghosts, meeting in that house.”
Xu Wang gently placed the bandage strip over the wound and asked, “Does it hurt?”. After receiving a negative reply, he continued, “The goal is to intercept them before entering the house, deal with them first, then the female ghost.”
The dry new bandage was wrapped around the arm, and Wu Sheng, feeling pain with each beat of his heart, actually found it comforting and peaceful. “Yeah, I think so too.”
“Done.” Xu Wang finished tying the bandage, feeling quite satisfied with his work.
Wu Sheng lifted his arm, appreciatively inspected it for a while, and nodded. “You’ve improved over the past ten years.”
Xu Wang paused, then realized what he was referring to and laughed without amusement. “Are you complimenting me?”
“Of course,” Wu Sheng seriously reminisced, gesturing as he remembered. “Back then, I fell, and if I’m not mistaken, only scraped my elbow, right? Then you wrapped it as if I’d broken my entire arm…”
“That’s because you insisted I do it!” Xu Wang protested against the misrepresentation. “I told you to go to the infirmary, but you absolutely refused.”
Wu Sheng raised an eyebrow. “And say what? That we were just walking on the playground, you suddenly decided to jump on my back for a piggyback ride, and then I fell because I couldn’t hold you?”
Xu Wang despaired. “Couldn’t you just say you tripped while walking?”
“That wouldn’t do,” Wu Sheng asserted righteously. “The class monitor can’t lie.”
Xu Wang gritted his teeth, not understanding the foolishness back then, but now he did. “You were just tormenting me, seeking revenge.”
Wu Sheng rested his bandaged arm on the sofa back and suddenly leaned in close to Xu Wang.
Xu Wang jumped. “What, what are you doing?”
“Did you like me back then?” The flood of memories surged, hitting the rock named “realization of love” in Advisor Wu’s mind.
Xu Wang stretched out his hand to touch the head that was getting closer and mercilessly pushed it away. “You’re overthinking it.”
Wu Sheng dodged the half-hearted resistance, pressed forward, and trapped Xu Wang between the sofa back and his arm, firmly kissing him.
Xu Wang didn’t dodge, calmly accepting the kiss.
After the kiss, Wu Sheng didn’t move away but kissed his eyes, nose, chin…
He kissed gently and meticulously down to Xu Wang’s chest, through the thin shirt, nibbling and sucking joyfully.
Xu Wang, tickled and trembling, couldn’t bear it any longer and laughed. “Are you a dog or something…”
“Fortunately…” Wu Sheng stopped, his head resting on Xu Wang’s chest, his words muffled.
Xu Wang didn’t hear clearly. He vaguely heard something like, “Fortunately… after ten years…” but that seemed illogical. To waste ten years, what’s there to be fortunate about, if not deep regrets?
Wu Sheng said no more, contentedly holding the person that belonged to him, listening to each other’s heartbeats, gradually syncing up.
If ten years ago, he and Xu Wang had expressed their feelings for each other, could they have stayed together until now? Two kids, unclear about the future, would their hearts and feelings remain unchanged after all the bumps and bruises along the way to adulthood?
Fortunately, it was ten years later.
Fortunately, when he was capable of protecting a relationship, he found the person he loved the most.
Fortunately, that person still loved him.
These “fortunately” might have used up all his luck for a lifetime, but it was worth it.
……
In the other presidential suite, Qian Ai had fallen asleep, dreaming of the splendid Tang Dynasty Chang’an, enjoying a Qing Dynasty Manchu Han Imperial Feast, with court officials seated on both sides, occasionally giving his live stream double taps of 666*.
*Term meaning smooth now takes on the meaning of good luck or job well done. In a gaming context, it can mean smooth killing (impressive skills).
Next door, in a state of dreamy bliss, Chi Yingxue obediently lay on the bed, having taken off his shirt to reveal his entire back.
Kuang Jinxin was applying burn ointment on him, eliciting complaints of itchiness when lightly applied and cries of pain when too heavily applied, proving to be quite the difficult patient.
However, Kuang Jinxin wasn’t angry about the fussiness; what upset him was that, despite the severity of the injuries, the team captain didn’t allow them to use their healing stationery!
The dim light in the Owl, coupled with Chi Yingxue’s cool response, led him to believe the injuries were minor. But once the clothes came off, his entire back was a swath of red.
Having applied almost a whole tube of burn ointment, Kuang Jinxin’s irritation hadn’t subsided, and he couldn’t bring himself to scold Chi Yingxue, especially since the injuries were sustained while saving him. So, all he could do was grumble under his breath.
Chi Yingxue initially ignored him, but eventually got tired of hearing it and came up with an excuse. “Healing stationeries are rare. We shouldn’t waste them carelessly.”
Kuang Jinxin, used to talking to himself, didn’t expect a response. It took him a few seconds to retort with a glare at the back of Chi Yingxue’s head, “Right, frugality is a virtue.”
Sarcasm wasn’t Kuang Jinxin’s strong suit, but the occasional jest proved effective.
Chi Yingxue turned to look at him, causing his back to move.
Kuang Jinxin frowned. “Don’t move.”
Chi Yingxue stopped but continued to watch him.
Kuang Jinxin paused his actions, meeting his gaze unflinchingly.
[How do you want others to treat you so that you feel comfortable?]
[Be honest, I suppose. Say what’s on your mind…]
With a slight twist of his mouth, Chi Yingxue sulkily replied, “I wanted you to remember my favor, and it’d be better if you felt sorry for me.”
“Lie down.” Kuang Jinxin pressed the disobedient head back down and continued applying the ointment. “Even if you healed immediately after getting hurt, I’d still remember you saved me. And even if the injuries weren’t for my sake, I’d still feel sorry.”
The cool sensation on his back made Chi Yingxue involuntarily relax, and his eyelids grew heavy. “Why…”
Kuang Jinxin, hearing the sleepiness in his voice, softened his tone. “We’re friends.”
Chi Yingxue laid his head on the pillow, seemingly asleep, and made no more movements.
Kuang Jinxin moved gently, finishing the last bit of ointment application, then quietly turned to get off the bed.
Without warning, Chi Yingxue extended an arm, pulling him back.
Unprepared, Kuang Jinxin lost his balance and fell onto the bed. By the time he realized what was happening, Chi Yingxue was already on top of him, his head forcefully burrowing into his neck, rubbing aggressively with a hint of impatience.
Kuang Jinxin’s breath hitched, wanting to push him away but afraid of touching the freshly medicated back, resorting to pushing at the shoulders instead. But Chi Yingxue stubbornly applied all his weight, leaving no room for movement.
The wound Kuang Jinxin received from the female ghost was hurt by this friction. Yet, aside from the pain, there was a peculiar, unusual feeling.
After a standoff, Chi Yingxue seemed to have satisfied his need, calming down.
“I don’t want to be just friends.”
Kuang Jinxin heard this declaration that wasn’t coquettishly stated but more like an announcement.
Chi Yingxue slightly propped himself up. The room was brightly lit, clearly showing the panic in Kuang Jinxin’s eyes.
The more Chi Yingxue looked, the more he liked what he saw, pressing down once again.
Kuang Jinxin turned his head away.
Chi Yingxue’s lips landed on his face—not a kiss, but a bite—with enough force to hurt but not break the skin, earnestly biting him.
Kuang Jinxin blinked in confusion, momentarily forgetting the pain.
Chi Yingxue lay down relaxed, snuggling back into his neck. His slightly raised tone revealed his joyful mood. “Just as I thought.”
Kuang Jinxin asked dully, “What?”
“You taste like oranges,” the person buried in his neck murmured proudly.
Chi Yingxue fell asleep.
Listening to the steady breathing beside his ear, Kuang Jinxin’s heart raced.
He had never met someone who could so easily make him happy, sad, want to get closer, yet fear the closeness. These emotions weren’t under his control but were held in the hands of the other.
Yet, this person was as unpredictable as the wind.
Kuang Jinxin could imagine the future for the captain and the advisor, with the captain finding another job, the advisor perhaps restarting a company, and then living together, growing old together. He could also picture Qian Ai’s future—maybe continuing as a streamer or finding a new job, then settling down with someone suitable.
But he couldn’t picture Chi Yingxue’s future.
Of course, Chi Yingxue didn’t need anyone else to plan his future. With the freedom to live as he pleased, that was enough.
The wind can’t be caught, and Kuang Jinxin didn’t intend to try.
His fear was that he couldn’t even keep up.
Quietly slipping out of bed, Kuang Jinxin covered Chi Yingxue’s back with a blanket and turned up the air conditioning a few degrees.
Dawn was breaking outside, sunlight sneaking through the curtain gaps, casting a bright sliver inside.
Kuang Jinxin turned off all the lights, and before leaving, after much hesitation, he still stole a kiss on Chi Yingxue’s hair.
Good morning.
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