"..." Duyu said seriously, "Although I'm delighted you're willing to give me a thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones, what you just said makes me inexplicably want to hit you. Seriously."
Chi Yu burst into bright laughter. "Hahahahaha!"
After an unknown amount of time, Xie Xiyi came out.
Chi Yu asked him expectantly, "Senior Brother Xuanji, how did it go?"
Xie Xiyi smiled softly. "It worked."
The heart Chi Yu had held in suspense finally settled back into place. He was so happy he didn't know what to do. Instinctively, he wanted to go over and hug Xie Xiyi, but restrained himself at the crucial moment-
Today was today, no longer like the past.
He and Senior Brother Xuanji both knew full well that an insurmountable chasm lay between them.
Though their feelings were mutual, loving each other did not necessarily mean they had to be together. There were things more important than love.
He restrained himself, unaware that the moment the thought arose in his mind, Xie Xiyi had already readied himself to receive his embrace.
Yet Chi Yu held back.
Uncontrollable, frenzied hostility and pain welled up in Xie Xiyi's heart.
When hostility and pain arose in his heart, Chi Yu, who shared that heart with him, felt something too.
He covered his chest and looked at Xie Xiyi in disbelief. Xie Xiyi chuckled softly. "What are you looking at?"
"Nothing," Chi Yu murmured.
Xie Xiyi glanced at the hands he kept tucked inside his sleeves. "Where's the ring I put on you?"
Chi Yu lowered his golden eyes and smiled a little shyly. "I thought it was beautiful and was afraid I'd lose it, so... I put it in my Sumeru Ring."
Xie Xiyi said, "Take it out and put it on."
Chi Yu said, "Xuanji..."
Before he could