Xie Ji thought for a moment, unsure of what to say, and could only say, "It's all in the past."
Mu Yao chuckled, "Then let's just leave it at that."
"I don't know how to say this." Xie Ji picked up the bottle of cocktail. " Mu Yao, I've never thought you were dirty. I really want to be friends with you, but anything more is just not possible."
After all, it seems he's already in a relationship.
Mu Yao sniffed. "Did you say the same thing to Ji Shi?"
Xie Ji nodded. "I say that to everyone, after all, I really am not from Nantong."
What about Lu Xunji?
"..." Xie Ji closed his eyes briefly. "I don't want to lie, so I advise you not to ask the Knight of Light such a dark question."
"How can he be different?" Mu Yao took the cocktail, giving a heavy snort. "I don't like him."
Xie Ji kicked him. "Whatever you like."
Mu Yao glared at him. "You kicked me? You kicked me for Lu Xunji?"
Xie Ji: "So what?"
"It's the middle of the night! I'm here with you in the cold wind, recounting my tragic childhood experiences, and not only did you reject my confession, but you also kicked me out for that scheming green tea!"
Xie Ji: "... It's not something I want to hear."
Mu Yao suddenly stood up and grabbed Xie Ji's suit jacket. "Give it back to me, you little ingrate, you're freezing to death."
Xie Ji: "... No offense, buddy."
"Who said we're buddies?" Mu Yao frowned. "You don't trust me at all, do you?"
"It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that I don't care." Xie Ji poked him in the back. "Who you like, what you do with whom, is your business. My friendship with you is my choice, so I've never thought you were dirty. Mu Yao, you're the one trapped in the past."
Mu Yao turned his head. " Xie Ji... you really..."
What's wrong with me?
"Sometimes your sincerity makes me want to slap you." Mu Yao threw his coat at his head. "I'm already so good-looking, how come I still can't win your favor?"
"Because I'm not from Nantong." Xie Ji his glass. "Besides, being pretty isn't a necessary condition for being liked. There will always be someone who likes you unconditionally, and you have to believe that person is definitely in your life. You just haven't met them yet, or rather, you haven't discovered them yet, but that's okay, you'll meet them eventually."
"..." Mu Yao glanced at him sideways. "What if he tells you he's not from Nantong?"
Xie Ji was slightly tipsy and didn't quite hear what Mu Yao said, but he raised his wine bottle and said, "To Nantong."
Mu Yao glanced at the two empty cocktail bottles Xie Ji had drunk.
No, can someone get drunk from this level of alcohol?
"Alright, alright, respect to Nantong." Mu Yao pulled his suit jacket tighter around himself. "How am I supposed to take you back here... or maybe you could stay at my place for a bit?"
Xie Ji frowned. "Huh? What did you say?"
"I said, 'Spit two hundred on your clothes.'"
Two hundred?! Two hundred what?!
Two million.
"Two hundred and fifty?"
"..."
Jin Li waited in the banquet hall until 11:30, but Xie Ji showed no sign of returning. She went out for a walk and saw Xie Ji, who was drunk, leaning on Mu Yao. The two of them sat like statues by the flower bed.
" Xie Little Ji!" Jin Li called out and hurried over. Mu Yao's nose was red, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes when he saw Jin Li.
What are you doing here?
"I... I came to find Xie Ji. We should go back." Jin Li shrank back slightly, lowered her head, and said weakly, "I'll help him back."
Mu Yao didn't say much, and handed Xie Ji to Jin Li: "Can you lift him?"
Jin Li, her arm draped around Xie Ji's, her face flushed red, cried out, "Help me... Ouch, ouch, ouch!"
After taking a few steps, Xie Ji and I stumbled and fell into the bushes.
Mu Yao: "...?"
Whose unlucky child is this?
He pulled Xie Ji up from the bushes. "Never mind, he's so drunk. Let him rest at my place for the night. Go back and tell Lu Xunji."
Jin Li stood up from the bushes and shook her head frantically. "No, no, no, no, no, this won't do!"
Although it is said that envoys should not be killed in war, with the overwhelming power of the Top Scorer Bro, just one look from him would be enough to kill him many times over!
Jin Li grabbed Xie Ji's arm with one hand and clung tightly to a nearby telephone pole with the other. "You can't take him away!"
Mu Yao looked at him speechlessly. "What are you doing? It's like I'm about to do something to Xie Ji."
"So it is!" Jin Li mustered her courage and said, "I know who you are! The young master of the Mu Household, everyone says you're the most promiscuous! You definitely want to get Xie Ji drunk, and then do that to him! Disgusting! Dirty! Vulgar! Lewd! Sick! I won't let Xie Ji be ruined by you!"
Mu Yao licked his back molars.
No wonder he can hang out with Xie Ji; they even look so alike, like they're asking for a beating.
"Then how about this, you ask him yourself, okay?" Mu Yao helped Xie Ji sit up and said in front of Jin Li, " Xie Ji, wake up. If you want to rest at my place, just nod. Don't worry, I won't do anything to you."
Xie Ji was woken up by him, opened his sleepy eyes, and didn't understand what he meant.
Mu Yao repeated, "Nod if you agree—"
Xie Ji subconsciously wanted to nod, but suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind him.
" Xie Ji."
He instantly stood up straight. "Here!"
Jin Li looked behind her and saw a tall, slender figure standing against the dim light of the garden along the path.
" Top Scorer Bro!" Jin Li felt a chill run down her spine. She looked around and finally hid behind Mu Yao.
Lu Xunji walked over, glanced down at Mu Yao's hand gripping Xie Ji's arm, his expression darkened, and he reached out to pull Xie Ji back, whispering, "You made him drink?"
"No, he drank it himself. It was fruit wine, low in alcohol. I didn't expect him to get this drunk." Mu Yao frowned. "How did you know he was here?"
"It's on the campus website." Lu Xunji's tone was calm, showing no sign of anger. "I'll take him back."
As he turned to leave, Mu Yao instinctively reached out and grabbed Xie Ji's sleeve.
Lu Xunji turned his head slightly, his tone icy. "What?"
Mu Yao draped the suit jacket over Xie Ji, paused, and said, "It's too cold. Wear it, or you'll catch a cold."
"No need." Lu Xunji picked Xie Ji up in his arms. "Also, I hope this kind of thing won't happen again, Mu Yao. I'm not that easy to talk to."
Mu Yao opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but his throat felt blocked by something, his Adam's apple bobbing rapidly, as if he had suddenly lost control of his vocal cords.
Lu Xunji carried Xie Ji away, and after a long while, Mu Yao finally let out a heavy sigh of relief.
What a terrifying pressure! Although everyone here is a military academy student, Lu Xunji, after only a few days apart, seems to have been tainted by the blood and gore of the battlefield, his murderous aura soaring to the sky.
Mu Yao suddenly felt like he had forgotten something. He turned around and saw the curly-haired boy hiding behind him, already terrified.
Mu Yao: "..."
He's a real devil, the kind who can stop a child from crying at night.
Xie Ji, nestled in Lu Xunji's arms, was restless, constantly grabbing at Lu Xunji and muttering, " Mu Yao, clothes, give me clothes..."
Mom, why does my bottom always feel cold?
Lu Xunji threw him onto the sofa, leaned down, pinched his cheek, and whispered, "What did you promise me?"
Xie Ji frowned, feeling a bit of pain from being pinched, and thinking it was Mu Yao, he mumbled a protest.
Lu Xunji's eyes darkened further. " Xie Ji, you've misbehaved, haven't you?"
Xie Ji opened his eyes groggily, and in the moonlight, he saw Lu Xunji's face.
The cocktail wasn't very strong to begin with, but Xie Ji was really bad at it, so he got a little drunk. However, Lu Xunji carried him back the whole way, which sobered him up quite a bit, but he still felt weak.
He leaned back on the sofa, managing to sit up a little, and mumbled, "... Lu Xunji? What are you doing?"
Lu Xunji didn't speak, but his crimson eyes under the moonlight were filled with a strange, bewitching allure. Xie Ji unconsciously leaned back slightly. "Why are you making that face?"
His eyebrows drooped, and his eyes were full of fragile accusation, as if he were a scumbag who started a relationship and then abandoned it.
"Didn't you promise me you'd be back before midnight?" Lu Xunji lowered her head, found his neck, and gently nuzzled it, her breath trembling. After a long while, she continued, "How many times do you want to lie to me before it's enough?"
"Didn't I come back on time?" Xie Ji struggled to touch the personal terminal beside him, gently rubbing his head. "I didn't expect those two cocktails to have such a strong aftereffect. I'm sorry, I'm back now. I made you worry. I'm sorry."
Lu Xunji pulled aside Xie Ji's shirt, his tone carrying a dangerous undertone. " Xie Ji, I've been too good to you. You always ignore what I say. Shouldn't I make you suffer a lot before you learn your lesson?"
"..." Xie Ji didn't react for a moment until his white shirt fell into his arms during the movement, and the moonlight danced merrily on his pale skin.
He was completely stunned.
As if a night breeze had blown by, the fragrant plum blossoms, having bloomed too late, suddenly fell from the branches, landing on the vast white snow, winding their way into the distant, eerie, withered forest.
The distant, continuous black forest also welcomed its own gentleness. Xie Ji's beautiful brows were furrowed, and delicate tears clung to her butterfly-like eyelashes as she shivered from the cold.
" Lu Xunji." In the darkness, Xie Ji called his name, his voice filled with panic.
Lu Xunji stopped, turned her head and nuzzled his soft earlobe. "Don't resist me."
Xie Ji took a deep breath and gritted his teeth.
"..."
" Lu Xunji, I'm going to die. I will never forgive you." Xie Ji gritted his teeth and said hatefully, "What have I done to offend you this time?"
Lu Xunji was covered in sweat and felt a little uncomfortable, but he didn't give up. He lowered his eyes, looking at Xie Ji, then leaned down and gently bit him. "You promised me you'd be back at midnight, you promised you'd love me. You said it so many times, but not once was it true."
Xie Ji no longer had the strength to argue; he could only exhale, the cold air rushing into his lungs with each breath.
"I thought that after you said it so many times, there would be a moment, just one time, when you truly loved me." Lu Xunji's fingertip touched Xie Ji's wrist.
He really enjoyed holding Xie Ji's wrist; there was a clear, steady, and powerful pulse there, as if he could control Xie Ji's life and death, without fear of him disappearing or suddenly leaving.
"I just came back a little late?" Xie Ji kicked him. "I'll be more careful about the time next time, okay? Lu Xunji, don't go crazy."
Lu Xunji pursed his lips, remaining silent, large beads of sweat dripping down and landing on Xie Ji's lips.
The next moment, something cold pressed against the throbbing pulse on my wrist.
The sensation of being torn between ice and fire was unpleasant. Xie Ji was so angry that he bit down hard. In his confusion, he didn't even know where he bit, nor did he care whether Lu Xunji was in pain or not. In any case, the bite was quite severe, and a little blood was spilled from his mouth.
Lu Xunji didn't even call out, but instead chuckled softly.
Xie Ji: "..."
Yes, Lu Xunji is addicted to pain; sometimes, pain is the most effective stimulant for him.
The cold metal piece slid from his wrist into his palm, Xie Ji didn't even have time to feel what it was.
The next moment, Lu Xunji intertwined his fingers with his and pressed the metal piece into his soft palm.
The metal piece was probably a medal or something similar; it was cold to the touch and had sharp edges. When held between their hands, the sharp edges cut their hands until they bled profusely.
Bright red blood gushed from between his palms, dripping onto the wool carpet on the floor, making it impossible to tell whose blood it was.
It's not just blood that's mingling.
Lu Xunji tears in his ear, the tears falling like beads onto his ear. Xie Ji could even hear the sound of the tears hitting his hair in his daze.
I witnessed everything that night at Xie Ji.
Lu Xunji has never cried so bitterly before.
He disregarded his own feelings and used his other hand to wipe Lu Xunji's face; it was ice-cold.
"What's wrong with you?" Xie Ji couldn't bear to see Lu Xunji cry, so he quickly wiped his face haphazardly with his hands. "Don't cry... I... I'm sorry, okay? And now you're crying."
" Xie Ji, you've never cared about me." Lu Xunji hugged him, looking down into his eyes. "I hate you so much."
"..." Xie Ji felt as if he had been turned upside down by the Heavenly Gang.
"What do I have to do for you to belong to me? What do I have to do for you to love me? Xie Ji, you're bullying me."
Xie Ji moved his fingers and explained, "It's not that I don't care about you, it's just that I have something else to do tonight."
"But I also have something to ask you." Lu Xunji said indifferently, "When you were Mu Yao, did you even think for a second what I told you yesterday?"
Xie Ji paused for a moment, then shifted uncomfortably. "Do we have to talk like this? Can you please leave first?"
"I said I also have something very important to tell you." Lu Xunji didn't move, and released his grip on Xie Ji's hand. The blood-stained piece of iron finally fell onto the carpet with a thud.
Xie Ji frowned. "What is that?"
"A title and medal." Lu Xunji hugged him. "This title was earned by participating in the commander's assessment and meeting the royal family. Today is my birthday, and I originally wanted to give it to you before the day ended."
"But you didn't keep your promise to me. My princess didn't return to my arms before the end of today. I hate Mu Yao, I hate Jin Li, I hate Ji Shi, I hate anyone who can take your gaze away from me, I hate them so much that I sometimes have murderous thoughts."
Xie Ji: "...?"
That's not necessary.
"Your love is my reins, Xie Ji, I don't want to go mad."
Xie Ji craned his neck; the balcony window was open, and a night breeze blew in, causing the sheer curtains to flutter and dance in the night.
The moonlight was very bright, Xie Ji could hear a heartbeat, a very strong heartbeat, he didn't know whose it was, or whether it was the sound of two people beating together.
Lu Xunji's tears were scalding him.
That's it, everything's over.
Xie Ji lowered his eyes and closed them resignedly.
He's really turning into Nantong; he's probably really fallen for Lu Xunji.
The two cries that the kid uttered in his ear almost broke his heart.
Even though he was oblivious to matters of the heart, he could still sense Lu Xunji's trembling, surging love.
No... do you really like it that much?
What is there to like about a man like him?
It's as if she can't live without him.