"I see you two are back to sharing the same room?" Zi Xue teases.
Just swallowing a spoonful of rice congee, I cough nervously and don't answer. Yang Zi Huo hides his face behind his hands, avoiding Zi Xue's presence.
After making the atmosphere so very uncomfortable, she disappears into the kitchen.
I place the spoon next to my lips but can't bring myself to eat any more.
Yang Zi Huo clears his throat, even though he isn't eating and nothing seems to have been caught in his throat.
Sitting across from each other, we can't bare to look up. Even though we came out of the same room this morning, we can't get over the awkward realization of what happened last night.
In a slouched position, Yan sits in between us. He puts his head on the table, groaning in pain.
"Uuugh..."
I take a sip of water and observe his terrible condition.
"Yan, what's the matter?" Yang Zi Huo asks at last.
Yan looks up at him, his puppy eyes glistening. "Da Ge, this headache is unbearable. I'm so nauseous and dehydrated. I remember last night being fun, but this is a terrible consequence from all that. How unfair! I thought I was going to wake up in the arms of a beautiful maiden. At least then this headache wouldn't be so painful. Why'd you have to be the popular one at Xurong Pavilion?"
Yang Zi Huo shoots him a deadly glare. Yan immediately notices that I was sitting right to him, and sits up. "I-- I mean we were out working all night for Wicked Mist, right Da Ge?"
"Maybe you didn't wake up with a beautiful maiden in your arms, but I did." Yang Zi Huo brings his cup of tea to his mouth. His eyes magnetically charges to make my heart flutter.
I make a face at him, wrinkling my nose.
Shut it!
Yan finally laughs, "Ah, you mean sister-in-law?"
Annoyed at both of them, I return my attention to the cup of water. Drinking the rest of it, I set the cup down on the table.
"Last day of playing around and then back to work." Yan sighs, "It really is tiring work to uphold demon justice."
Upon hearing that, it dawned on me that their three days off will be over tonight. Tomorrow morning, who knows where Wicked Mist will send the duo.
"Excuse me," I push the bowl of congee away and stand up to leave.
What if Yang Zi Huo gets sent away to a faraway place? What if it's a dangerous assignment? What if he gets hurt?
I shouldn't worry... He's more than capable of protecting himself. He's a three-hundred years old demon.
But my heart is still heavily weighed down with worry. We've only just come to an understanding and the feelings of overwhelming love is already fleeting.
I don't notice him sneaking up behind me. His hands slides in to complete mine. Perfectly interwoven like a beautiful dream.
Yang Zi Huo lowers his head. "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm just worried."
"About?"
"You going away tomorrow to report back to Wicked Mist."
Sighing, Yang Zi Huo wraps his arms around me. His head lightly placed above mine.
"You worried about me?"
I give him a squeeze. "Well, yeah."
He lets out a soft laugh, so delicate like the whispers of a summer breeze.
"Your worries are misplaced. You should think about yourself. Being here without me, make sure you stay within the walls of Withering Snow Inn."
"En."
"We should make the most of my last day. What do you think?"
I look up at him with arms still around his waist. "Okay. What should we do?"
A serious face appears, and he ponders for a minute. "Hmm... something along the lines of last night?"
Flustered, I push him away. Heat rises in my face.
"Fool! Is that all you can think about?"
Smiling, his eyes sparkles with a tint of mischief. Crossing his arms, he ignores my unwillingness to discuss the matter.
"You starved me for three-hundred years, you should make up for lost time."
"You--"
He's enjoying teasing me too much!
"Later..."
"What was that?" He leans his ear toward me, his hand behind it to hear better.
"I said later!"
Running away, I find myself in the back courtyard. My heart is pounding so fast, and my body feeling exceptionally hot to the touch! I might die of a heart attack before the day is over.
I spend the morning in the kitchen, helping Zi Xue. Yang Zi Huo finds me and attempts his seduction.
"Are you going to help Zi Xue Jiejie all day?"
"I don't know..." I continue to chop carrots in big chunks.
"Look." He takes the knife from me and nudges me out of the way. Slicing with precision, the bits of carrots are thinly cut into edible pieces.
"I'm sorry about teasing you. I just can't help but like seeing you be so shy."
"Rude!"
He puts the knife down and grabs my hands, swinging gently.
"Why don't we go out for some fun? I can show you around the city."
"You should go." Zi Xue's voice comes from the other side of the room.
"Since when have you been there?!" I ask.
"I've been here for awhile." Smiling, she peels the last of her orange and pops a wedge into her mouth.
"Let's go." Yang Zi Huo pulls me by the hand, and we exit the kitchen.
Walking hand in hand, I feel like I'm gliding on air. My body feels light, and I can't my lips from curving into a smile. Yang Zi Huo also appears to be in a cheerful mood. He looks straight ahead with a closed smile.
He buys a bright red tanghulu candy and hands it to me.
"Demons have sweet tooths too?" I ask, nibbling on the top.
"Talking like you're not one," he reminds me we're both still under cover. "Anything tasty in this world, who can deny the temptation?"
I shrug at his comment and we both walk down the road. With no clear destination, we just enjoy walking together.
A crowd surrounds an elevated stage. Yang Zi Huo frowns as the people on the stage come into view. I can barely see anything with the gathering in front.
"Let's go," he says and pulls me the opposite way.
"Why? What's going on there?"
"An execution."
I shudder at the thought of a public execution being performed for all to see. It is so blatantly evil, a ploy to demand obedience.
"I wonder why they were executing that person?" I say out loud.
"Who knows? Wicked Mist don't need good reason to eliminate those they deem obstructive."
I nod with a sadden face. Demons, mortals... all kinds have corruption and greed. Many suffer because of those who will do anything to attain control.
If Yang Zi Huo becomes the Demon Lord will he strive for a better world? Or will the true nature of being a demon be what he has to carry out? To prey on humans and bring the honor of demons to the forefront?
Wouldn't he leave the mortal realm then and ascend to the demon realm to rule? I would have never thought that my Lu Kai would one day become a Demon Lord. Who would have thought that the do-gooder Kong Shuguang would one day become a Demon Lord that Yi Fei had once tried to seal?
"Hey, why are you so quiet?"
Inside a restaurant, Yang Zi Huo tries to get my attention. I realize I've been too despondent this whole time, and it's his last day with me before he's sent off somewhere by Wicked Mist.
"Sorry, I just... have a lot on my mind."
Uncovering the transparent curtain, a waiter comes into the secluded booth. He sets down a hot pot of tea and two cups.
After dinner, we make our way back to Withering Snow Inn.
I decide to head to the women's bathing room and prepare for bed. When I step up the stairs to the second floor, I see the lights are lit in my room.
"What are you doing in my room?" I push the door open and see Yang Zi Huo dressed down on my bed. He's only wearing a long pair of white pants, his upper body bare.
"Why? You want me to go?" He arches his left eyebrow. Lying on his side, his head rests on his hand, and he doesn't look like he wants to move at all.
"No..." I reluctantly tell him. I close the door and lock it before walking to the bed. "Move over."
He uses his body to move towards the wall, allowing a bit of space for me to get into bed.
"It's a small bed, but there's room for you." He pats down on the bed.
"Shh!"
Climbing on the bed, I pull the covers over us. Being near him, being able to touch him, it gives me a feeling that I can never be tired of.
He carries on lying on his side, staring at me as I try to sleep.
"You don't get nightmares anymore?" His low voice causes me to open my eyes. Our faces are so close together, I feel intimidated to look at him.
"No... Not after seeing our lifetimes through the Marvel Sphere."
Sighing, he seems disappointed that I had to relive through that. A part of our past that we both wished could have been different.
"Yang Zi Huo?"
"Mm?"
"Did you become a demon to see me again? To be immortal?"
He strokes my cheek gently and says, "If you think it's your fault I turned out like this, know that it's not. I cultivated like those of Jianghu, but my hatred for the Immortal Sects polluted my way."
"But you're still a good person and know right from wrong," I interject.
"I'd like to think so. Others may not see it that way."
Like Qin Yu. And Song Wei Long.
"I felt the sorrow you endured when I died. The guilt you carried with you." I cover my face to hide the oncoming tears. "It was terrible."
Yang Zi Huo uncovers my face, cupping it with his hands. "It was nothing compared to what you suffered."
"It's not a competition!" I remove his hands in a fit of frustration. "We both shouldn't have suffered."
"You're right, you're right." He pats my head like a child, agreeing wholeheartedly.
"You saw all of it... and chose to call off the wedding."
Remaining silent, Yang Zi Huo furrows his eyebrows.
"I kept giving you crap over and over because I was still angry and hated you."
"As you should have."
"But I hurt too you back then. I don't want to do that again."
"We both did things shortsighted. We can only learn from our mistakes and move on."
"Together," I say.
"Mm. Together," he confirms.
"I don't want you to hurt yourself to save me."
"You mean how Kong Shuguang used his Immortal Blood to cure your eyes?"
I nod. "I couldn't bare it. Seeing all those scars on your body and then seeing how you sacrificed yourself... I don't want you to do that, even if it's to save others. Be selfish and come home with me."
"Mm. I won't do that again."
"And if you have anything troubling you, you should share it with me so we can work it out together. I'm not mindless like Mu Dan, as cold hearted as Luo Na Li or as naive as Li Rong Xin."
"I promise. I'll be honest with you."
"And..." The calmness in his eyes bewitches me. "You have to always come back to me, no matter where you are."
He chuckles, "Shouldn't I be the one saying that to you?"
I have him in my arms right now. Everything between us is perfect right now. Why do I feel this impending separation will come like all those lifetimes before?
"I didn't expect to lose my memories of Luo Na Li when I became Yang Zi Huo. As you promised you came back to me as Li Rong Xin. But your face now..."
Becoming insecure, I place a hand on my face, "What is it? Is it... bad compared to before?"
Taken aback by my question, Yang Zi Huo smiles sheepishly. "Not bad at all. Still very pretty. It's just... did you change so that I wouldn't recognize you?"
"I..."
I can't get out of this one, can I?
"Before reincarnating, I decided to change my face. It was all before I knew what you went through."
"I understand why you did that. If I recognized you then I would chase you and cause your demise once more."
"It was never really your fault, Zi Huo. Some things couldn't be helped. You tried your best to protect me and love me. Sometimes... trying isn't enough. As long as we can forgive... and still long for each other then we can be happy. I just want for us to be happy together."
"As do I."
In his arms, I embrace his body and snuggle closely. Remembering this scent, a once secret smell that Mu Dan and Rong Xin would keep in their hearts. Now I can openly be close to Yang Zi Huo without hiding what my heart feels.
About to fall asleep, I remember something I wanted to ask him.
"Do you know what we were in that lifetime?"
"What lifetime?" His voice sounds far away, but I still can hear the pleasantly serene tone.
"The one... where you were a space rock and I was a glowing sun. I wonder what that's all about?"
Falling deep asleep, I don't know if Yang Zi Huo ever said anything else. The next day I awoke and he was already gone.
"He didn't even wake me..."
On the table there is a note.
Yan and I have gone.
Don't worry about me too much.
I didn't want to wake you.
It's already hard on me that I have to go.
If you look at me like how you're probably reading this letter, I wouldn't leave.
We will meet again soon. I won't forget my promise.
Hope all lovely readers are doing well and staying healthy!
Any good Chinese Dramas y'all are watching? I'm finishing up I've Fallen For You. It's a cute romantic comedy that's not too heavy, I like it!
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