Before she knew it, Yukong had wandered near Exalting Sanctum. Garden islands floated amid lush flowers and trees. From the heights, she could still vaguely make out the ancient celestial relic known as Ambrosial Arbor.
Passing through Leisure Courtyard and entering the depths of a grassy path, she found a cluster of antiquated pavilion ruins hidden amid the tall grass, not yet cleared away.
Caressed by moonlight, the stone fragments reflected a gentle white glow. An antique stone lion lay on its side in the grass, with heaven and earth as its bed, sound asleep. It seemed to be slowly sinking into a deep pool of moonlight... Yukong held her breath, afraid of waking it.
There were also toppled lotus stone pillars and cloud-patterned water troughs here. Hardly any of them retained their original form; it was truly a pity. Every so often, young people would start a retro trend and tinker with old-fashioned things from the past.
She thought that both she and those retro artists feared the passage of time. They always tried to keep the past from being diluted through nostalgia, yet before time itself, all such efforts would ultimately be powerless.
The weathered stone structures amid the deep grass seemed to breathe. A distant voice said, "Don't try to understand. Tonight, you need only feel." Yukong stopped overthinking as well.
Such a beautiful sight was a pity to enjoy alone. Yukong suddenly thought of Bai Jun, and her cheeks flushed. She silently scolded herself for becoming too frivolous lately. How could she disturb a beautiful man living alone in the middle of the night? What if someone saw her...
Wait, a single man living alone... perhaps that meant no one would notice her?
She looked around. Only the occasional sparse figure could be seen on the deserted streets.
The moonlight stretched her shadow long. Beside her ears came the rustling sound of leaves stirred by the wind. Beneath the dark blue night sky and hazy gray glow of the mist, recalling what Feixiao had said earlier, a trace of courage suddenly stirred within Yukong for some reason.
How about... going to see him?
Once that thought appeared, it grew heavier and heavier, impossible to stop. In the end, she decided not to think so much and simply went to find Bai Jun.
Before that, however, Yukong specifically ran to a convenience store to buy a bottle of alcohol. That gave her an excuse—if Bai Jun did not want to go out and admire the moon with her, she could still invite him for a drink.
And if she remembered correctly, Jing Yuan had once specifically praised Bai Jun's cocktails, hadn't he?
Following the route she remembered, she soon arrived near Bai Jun's home. Yet as she stared at the front door, which seemed both distant and close at hand, the hand holding the bottle trembled slightly. She hesitated for a long while, unable to bring herself to knock.
What if he did not open the door? What if he rejected her? How would she invite him for a drink after being rejected...? A string of questions came flooding in only now, tangling Yukong's thoughts into a mess as she anxiously paced in circles.
"M-Maybe I should forget it. I'll make an appointment in advance and come another time..."
Just as she began backing down and prepared to leave, a tremendous noise suddenly shattered her chaotic thoughts. Looking toward the sound, she realized it came from Bai Jun's home. Only then did she see that his front door was actually ajar, a sliver of warm yellow light spilling from within.
Her first thought was that something had happened at Bai Jun's house. She hurried toward the door, and for some reason, she could faintly hear Tingyun's voice along the way. Panicked, she shouted:
"Bai Jun? I heard a huge commotion from your place. Why can I hear Tingyun's voice too...? What happened?"
Without caring about anything else, Yukong shoved the door open with a bang. Before her stood Bai Jun in the entryway, his face slightly flushed. Perhaps he had not expected Yukong to come, because he looked utterly flustered as he panted, "Y-Yukong? Why are you here?!"
"I-I..."
Her explanation caught in her throat. Yukong's gaze was completely drawn to Bai Jun's half-open collar, especially the faint glimpse of porcelain-white skin along his delicate collarbones. Her mind could no longer think of anything besides how beautiful he looked.
The two stared at each other for a long while. In the deathly silent room, only their somewhat hurried breathing seemed audible. Yukong swallowed with difficulty, knowing that if she did not say something soon, she might seem like a hooligan. "W-Well... the moon is beautiful tonight."
"Huh?"
Under Bai Jun's puzzled yet alarmed gaze, Yukong quietly shut the front door and locked it. With a faint blush, she took out the bottle of alcohol she had been holding against her chest. "So, I wanted to invite you for a drink. Could we admire the moon together...?"
Thump—!
For some reason, the floor suddenly shook. Yet Bai Jun, standing opposite her, had a stiff expression and had not moved at all. Yukong's expression gradually turned colder as her gaze passed over him toward the living room. "Bai Jun, is someone else in your house?"
"N-No, no. How could there be anyone else?"
Bai Jun shifted left, unobtrusively blocking Yukong's icy gaze once more. Chuckling awkwardly, he tried to brush the matter aside. "The moon really is beautiful tonight. Let me change clothes, then we can find a pavilion outside and admire it together!"
"No. I definitely heard something coming from the living room just now..."
Yukong shook her head. A trace of resolve appeared in her gentle features. Saying it was for his safety, she ignored his objections and headed toward the living room.
This Place Is Already Full
There was no villain she had imagined. Bai Jun's living room was clean and bright, with light wooden flooring, a simple sofa, and a glass coffee table in front of it. The tabletop was spotless, holding only an open book and a small dish of unfinished dessert.
Further to the side was the bedroom, which appeared to contain nothing besides a bookcase, desk, and bed.
Everything was orderly, peaceful enough to seem as though nothing had happened. Yukong frowned, wondering if she had merely imagined it.
That could not be right. She was not so dull that she could not distinguish noises inside a house. Besides, there was a strangely familiar scent lingering in the living room...
"Ha ha, it's so cold outside. Let's admire the moon at home instead. Yukong, didn't you want a drink? Come sit down. I'll mix one for you right away!"
Bai Jun's timely appearance interrupted Yukong's thoughts. He hurriedly grabbed her wrist and pressed her blushing self onto the sofa, then ran to the kitchen cabinet and brought out an assortment of bottles and containers for mixing drinks.
Seeing Bai Jun bustling about, Yukong found it difficult to say anything more. She could only sit obediently on the sofa and quietly watch him take a beautiful-looking cocktail from the refrigerator.
"This was mixed yesterday and has been in the refrigerator ever since. Drink this first." Looking guilty, Bai Jun pushed a cocktail before Yukong. Under the warm yellow light, it carried a red-and-blue color scheme that drew her amazed gaze.
"This is called 'Vast Sea Lattice.' It's made with yogurt, whiskey, refined lemon juice, cranberry, and vodka. It symbolizes a soft, blazing heart beneath a cold, monotonous exterior. It isn't too strong. Please enjoy."
"That's amazing... Bai Jun, were you a bartender before?" The drink truly captured Yukong's attention. With a surprised expression, she carefully lifted the cocktail as though it were a treasure.
"Not really. My former superior in Yaoqing liked drinking, so I was forced to learn."
"Yaoqing? You used to live in Yaoqing?"
"Only temporarily. Temporarily..." Bai Jun quietly swallowed. While brushing off Yukong's questions, he unobtrusively glanced toward his bedroom. He had no idea where Tingyun was hiding, but he hoped she could hold on a little longer. If she was discovered, there would definitely be trouble!
"I didn't expect your past to be so colorful." Yukong took a small sip. The sweet drink slipped down her throat with a touch of spice, and she immediately nodded in satisfaction. "It's delicious..."
"If you like it, drink more. There's plenty tonight." Bai Jun spoke without pausing his work.
Clink—
An ice cube dropped into the small mixing glass. Fresh from the ice tray, it still carried a faint chill. Its glasslike, flawless transparency proved that its quality was no worse than any other.
He picked up the liquor Yukong had brought. The label stated that it was around 56 proof. Although he did not know exactly what it was, he could use it as a strong spirit.
The delicate ice cube rested quietly at the bottom of the mixing glass, at peace with the world. Yet the next moment, silvery liquor descended from above, granting it a touch of coolness beneath the heat.
Drops of clear liquor followed. There was little of it, yet it was especially potent. This high-quality whiskey could not be added in excess, or else even if the drink were fiery enough, it would be overshadowed by another spirit of equal strength.
Bai Jun lightly covered the mixing glass. His slender fingers held it at both ends and gently shook it. Unlike the flashy, forceful movements of ordinary bartenders, he only gave it a few soft shakes before swiftly pouring it into a tall glass containing ice.
One hand steadied the highball glass while the other lifted orange juice and poured it in. The transparent liquor gradually deepened in color, stopping abruptly when the glass was still a quarter short of full.
That was enough. Setting down the orange juice, Bai Jun picked up a straw and gently stirred the drink. At some point, his other hand had taken up a small cup of grenadine, which he let slide down the inner wall of the glass.
The straw continued stirring as the pale orange cocktail gradually mixed with deep red. Before the first layer fully dissolved into the drink, he quickly raised his hand. "Finally, this. Sea Breeze, complete."
Half a slice of orange was tucked diagonally onto the rim, while a bright red cherry pierced with a toothpick fell onto the surface. The orange-and-red color combination was pleasing to the eye, making it seem less like a drink and more like a collectible worthy of display in a cabinet.
Bai Jun brushed aside the loose strands of hair before his forehead, wiped his fingers with a towel, and gently pushed the drink toward her. "Please enjoy."
"No wonder Jing Yuan is always praising your cocktails. It seems he wasn't lying about that." Yukong accepted the Sea Breeze, her voice filled with sincere admiration.
"I'm not particularly sensitive to alcohol. Once it enters my mouth, all I taste is the burn. I can't understand what you all mean by delicious, but I'm glad you like it." Bai Jun shrugged and smiled helplessly.
"Of course I like it..." Perhaps the alcohol was getting to her, because Yukong suddenly muttered softly.
"What did you say?"
"N-Nothing." A flush instantly spread across Yukong's fair face. Then, under Bai Jun's astonished gaze, she tipped her head back and drained the Sea Breeze in one gulp. Like a middle-aged uncle, she exclaimed at the top of her lungs, "Hah! Delicious!"
"Uh, this one should be pretty strong. Drink slowly."
Bai Jun lowered his head to glance at the bottle on the floor again. He had originally intended to get Yukong drunk quickly so he could send her away, but if she kept drinking at this rate, she would probably end up sprawled here soon.
"It's fine. I don't get drunk that easily."
Yukong shook her head. Her speech remained clear and nimble, which made Bai Jun relax slightly as he continued mixing drinks for her.
After three more drinks, Yukong's gaze finally grew a little unfocused. A faint smile also hung at the corner of her lips. "Say, Bai Jun, are you hot? Why is your face so red? And you're sweating so much..."
"I'm not sweating. You're drunk." Seeing that she was drunk, Bai Jun put away the mixing glass. He could not let her drink any more, or it would become even more troublesome if she truly passed out.
"No, you are sweating. I'm not drunk. Keep mixing drinks for me, I want more!" Dissatisfied, Yukong grabbed Bai Jun's arm and suddenly pulled him onto her long, shapely thighs. Her expression became slightly smug. "See? You're the one who got drunk and collapsed."
"No, you really can't drink anymore, or else—"
The usually mature and composed beauty occasionally revealing such girlish playfulness made Bai Jun blank out for a moment. But he quickly realized this could not continue. He tried to rise from her lap at once, only for Yukong's slightly tipsy, pretty face to suddenly lean close and breathe hot air into his ear. "Are you disgusted by me?"
Bai Jun's pupils contracted. Did I fall into a fox den tonight? Why are they coming one after another?
"So cute..."
Driven by the alcohol, Yukong discarded her usual composure, as though she had returned to her youth. Even her unpracticed movements became increasingly bold.
Bang bang bang—!
At that moment, the front door shook violently. At the same time, the voice from outside clearly broke into Yukong's alcohol-clouded mind.
"Hello, hello! Qing Yan, open the door! I came to drink with you!"
The frivolous yet cheerful male voice instantly sobered Yukong. She looked toward the door in panic, then lowered her gaze to the ambiguous position between herself and Bai Jun. A faint mist rose in her gentle, peaceful eyes, as though she were about to cry from anxiety.
If Jing Yuan saw them like this, her sense of shame would die on the spot, right?
"I-I-I... don't tell him I'm here!" Yukong's gaze darted around the room in search of somewhere to hide. She quickly settled on Bai Jun's bedroom—more precisely, beneath the bed.
"Don't go!"
Bai Jun was so frightened his face turned green. He tried to grab Yukong, but he had clearly underestimated her speed. A green gust swept past, and Yukong had already rushed into his bedroom.
Then she bent down...
"T-Tingyun? Why are you here?!"
"Shh! Let me explain, Lady Yukong!"
Two shrieks of varying intensity came from Bai Jun's bedroom.
P.S. This place is already full.jpg
The Universe's Idol's Personal Bodyguard (4k)
"You took so long, Qing Yan. Were you trying to freeze me to death so you could inherit the general's position?"
Jing Yuan had stood foolishly outside in the cold wind for quite a while before the door finally opened. The moment he saw Bai Jun's disheveled clothing and flustered expression, the confusion on Jing Yuan's face vanished, replaced by a knowing smile only men could understand.
"Oh~ No wonder I thought I heard a woman's voice inside earlier. Boys in puberty do like secretly watching overly mature discs. It's fine, as someone who has been there, I understand."
"What discs? I have no idea what you're talking about... Besides, I'm tired. Forgive me for not receiving guests."
Noticing Jing Yuan's strange gaze, Bai Jun curled his lip in disdain and unhesitatingly moved to shut the door. But how could Jing Yuan, whose craving for alcohol had flared up, possibly give in? His boot accurately wedged itself into the crack beforehand, and while Bai Jun hesitated, he slipped inside in a flash with the alcohol in his arms.
"Oh, Qing Yan, didn't you prepare all this alcohol already? And here I was, specially buying a bottle."
Jing Yuan casually hung his clothes on the rack, swaggered into the living room, and sat directly on the sofa. Fortunately, his attention did not shift toward the bedroom. It remained fixed on the cocktail glass before the living room table.
"What are you standing at the door for? Come in already."
Setting down the alcohol in his hand, Jing Yuan looked doubtfully at Bai Jun, who was still standing by the entrance. He patted the empty seat beside him, signaling for Bai Jun to hurry over.
"This is my home. Which one of us is the guest here? Could you please have a little self-awareness?" Looking at this drunkard who always acted like the host in someone else's home, Bai Jun sighed. He casually glanced toward the bedroom, then helplessly shut the door.
"As they say, the host follows the guest. Qing Yan, you should be more patient with your guests, shouldn't you?" Jing Yuan shrugged, completely unconcerned.
"It's the guest who follows the host. Don't twist the saying."
Bai Jun irritably interrupted Jing Yuan's serious nonsense. He took a new glass from the cabinet and mixed Jing Yuan a high-proof cocktail in the same manner. Before handing it over, however, he sternly warned him:
"Let me make this clear first. Once you finish drinking today, get out. Stop lingering in my house all the time."
"Fine, fine~ I'll listen to you. Once I'm done, I'll return to Shence Mansion to deal with the case reports."
Jing Yuan naturally understood that Bai Jun was not speaking in anger, so he wisely nodded in agreement. Only then did Bai Jun hand him the cocktail.
"Haah~ Delicious. Qing Yan, your cocktail-making skills have gotten even better. You're so capable and dependable, I wonder which lucky girl will get you in the future."
After tipping the strong liquor into his mouth, Jing Yuan let out a satisfied sigh. He looked like a middle-aged office worker who had run to a bar after work for an icy draft beer... though that seemed to be exactly what he was.
After draining his drink, Jing Yuan noticed Bai Jun's distracted state. Although Bai Jun had been wiping the glass in his hand, his gaze seemed to keep drifting toward the bedroom. Could he really be tired today?
Jing Yuan stroked his chin and pondered silently.
Meanwhile, beneath the bedroom bed—Yukong and Tingyun had unfortunately hidden in the same spot. Their flushed bodies were pressed close together in the cramped darkness, near enough to feel each other's breath and hear each other's heartbeats. They exchanged a glance, then hurriedly looked away, both wearing guilty expressions.
Although Yukong's face still bore its usual gentle, steady expression, the green tail she had hidden to one side had long since twisted itself into knots. She could not tell whether she felt disappointed or relieved about the relationship between Tingyun and Bai Jun. Rather, she had fallen into an exceedingly strange state.
"Tingyun, you... It's fine. This is good." Yukong was glad that Tingyun's relationship with Bai Jun had reached this point. Entrusting Tingyun to Bai Jun was indeed the most reliable choice. Yet she also felt disappointed, because her presence might affect the relationship between them.
"Lady Yukong, please let me explain!"
Tingyun's fox tail was no less tangled into a knot. Being caught by the senior she respected and admired most was embarrassing enough, but now they were even pressed together so intimately! The last time she had been this close to Lady Yukong was when she had still been a little fox.
"Y-You don't need to explain. Perhaps I came at the wrong time."
Watching the little fox from long ago, now grown into a graceful young woman, Yukong felt a pang of loss. She gently covered Tingyun's mouth and lowered her despondent gaze to the side. "Once the general leaves, I, this outsider, will leave as well. You can stay here and continue with Bai Jun."
Before you continue