Xue Huai decided to cast a long string to catch big fish.
The next day, the wind had already begun to blow in Xianzhou, with a faint sense of wind and rain swaying.
This side is close to the south, different from their native Xianzhou. It is warm like the spring all year round, with no rain, no snow, no fog, and only wind. It is warm and dry. Several Immortal Mountain’s owners regularly lay down rain and raise mist, creating a huge rain-proof spell formation above the nine hundred Immortal Lakes.
This formation consumes a huge amount of energy and lasts for a long time. At its peak, it washes the earth and sky with the power of a gust of wind urging on rotten wood, and the wind clears the clouds. As a result, the Murong Immortal Sect will give its disciples two to three days off. Some people will take advantage of this time to go home and visit relatives. There are gradually fewer people in the noisy school on weekdays.
Xue Huai naturally won’t go back.
Xue Zong is still working in another city, and there is only Xue He left at home. Besides, their spring break is not far away, and he is not in such a hurry to go back.
He heard the sound of the bell ringing in the Immortal Sect, distant and desolate, knowing that it would rain later but not knowing when it would rain.
He returned yesterday and brought back those fifty golden melon seeds without leaving a note, so he didn’t eat dinner at all. After four days of nourishing his stomach, his spleen and stomach were not as uncomfortable as they were a few days ago. Xue Huai ate half a peach and considered it as if he had finished dinner.
He went to the top of the cave where he practiced, it was a hillside where pear blossoms bloomed, the grasses were lush, and the terrain was high. He could see half of the sky and half of the water from afar. When he lay down, there were soft and dry flowers and trees under his clothes, which looked like boundless snow.
A clear fragrance spread ten miles.
Xue Huai sat down against a pear blossom tree, holding out a book and leisurely reading. The sky began to churn with black clouds, and the cool air swept over, blowing his hair.
But he still has no intention of leaving. Glancing at the rising horizontal waves in the distance, he stretched lazily and actually laid down on the spot.
The cool breeze blows gently, and occasionally petals fall off the trees, carrying the impending moisture that blows away his dark hair.
When Yun Cuo came looking for him with an umbrella, he saw this scene: the boy under the tree seemed not to be lying there but to have grown from the depths of flowers and soil, able to sway with the wind.
The moment he saw him, the noise around him seemed to have faded away. The wind had calmed down, and occasionally one or two distant cries could be heard: “It’s going to rain soon, go back quickly.” But it seemed even quieter here—it was so quiet… That even the sound of the person breathing peacefully in front of him could be heard, softer and sweeter than pear blossoms.
Yun Cuo half kneeled down and gently lowered the umbrella in his hand. The wind followed closely, it was a strong gust of wind, and the huge pear tree crown above rustled, blowing away more petals.
There happened to be just that one petal that landed between Xue Huai’s eyebrows, then slid down in a beautiful arc, grazing his brow.
Yun Cuo stared blankly at the petal and reached out his hand, trying to brush it off—
Because it didn’t disturb Xue Huai, he was jealous of it. Xue Huai included these flowers as part of his approval, indulging them and getting close to them, but always refused to adopt this calm gesture.
He had already forgotten why he came here, what he wanted to say, and the surging clouds and rain outside this soft shade. The touch of his fingertips triggered an indescribable trembling sensation, just like a dozen days ago when he blocked him in Shenhua valley with blooming flowers. With a touch of peach color on his fingertips, he wiped out the red tear mole under his eyes.
Like that wishful kiss, carrying the sweet aroma of tea.
like the heavens and the earth turning over and flinging themselves at people in a moment of vertigo. It’s like the man was drowning in raindrops and was abandoned by the high and deep sky instead of turning his own back on the light …… like him. He lowered his head to face the youngster growing in the flowers, it was not driven by his tense rationality, but as if the person in front of him had commanded him to.
Then his young boy’s eyelashes trembled, and he opened his eyes.
The dark, clear eyes reflected a confused shadow, the wind shifted the shadow, and the faint fragrance floated away. The freezing time came to life with the person in front of him, even the wind carried a hint of lightness and urgency.
“Sure enough, it was you.”
The two of them were too close, with this distance, once Yun Cuo lowered his head, they would kiss. When Xue Huai spoke, his warm and sweet breath almost brushed against his lips.
He quickly got up and took a step back, as if he had been electrocuted. The fine rain hit the ground, and only then did he realized that it had started to rain.
The rain is not light.
He was stunned for a while before whispering, “I’m here to bring you an umbrella. You should go back quickly.”
Xue Huai stood up with the umbrella, brushed off the falling flowers on his shoulders, and just looked up at him like that with a frown.
Yun Cuo was looked at by him and felt constrained, just like a child who had done something wrong.
Two pairs on either side of the fence. One’s fishing with a string, the other’s sneaking around. Both sides know exactly what’s going on these days. Yun Cuo was completely unprepared for being caught—he didn’t even know he had missed a flaw in the ingredients he prepared every day.
Yun Cuo whispered, “… I’m sorry, I’m leaving now.”
He stood away from the pear tree, the thin rain falling in lines from the treetops, slowly soaking his clothes. The black long shirt became dark and shiny after being exposed to water, it was dim in the azure rain.
Xue Huai also got some rain on his body. The clothes worn by traditional Chinese medicine cultivators have always been dark blue. When he wears them, his skin becomes even fairer, and his hair is jet black. After passing through the water, it exudes a beauty that makes people dare not look at him directly.
He picked up the umbrella and opened it. He took a few steps out, grabbing Yun Cuo, and said, “These days, the Immortal Sect will rain heavily, and the surrounding lakes and seas are blocking the way. Even the green bird cannot come over. Where are you going to go?”
Yun Cuo’s sleeve was pulled by him, and a hint of surprise appeared in his gloomy eyes: “It’s okay, I can go out.”
Xue Huai felt that he was just talking nonsense: “With this rain shower formation, at most you can only go out only with a cultivation level above Yuandan. Even if you have been demonized before, you cannot ignore your own life. Come with me first.”
Yun Cuo’s eyes lit up, and he asked, “Are you taking me to your place of residence?”
This kid is thinking big.
Xue Huai glanced at him and said, “You stay in the cave where I am practicing. Later, I will have Xiao Tao bring you bedding and clothes.”
Xiao Tao is the name he gave to the gluttonous ghost.
“Oh.” Yun Cuo answered honestly, as if he was still a bit disappointed.
The cave is not far, but the road has become difficult to walk. When Xue Huai came, he walked on a small path up here. Now, it has been washed away by the rain and is muddy, making it difficult to walk.
They then descended from the mountain path created by the greenstone road.
This kind of rain casting spell is not like ordinary rain, it has the characteristics of penetration and infiltration and can penetrate any barrier. To shelter from the rain, spells are not useful; instead, only the most common umbrellas can be used.
They only have one umbrella. After Xue Huai held it up for a while, he saw Yun Cuo stop. His eyes glanced towards the surface of the umbrella, then at him, and he said, “I’ll take the umbrella.”
Xue Huai said, “It’s okay, you’re the guest.”
Yun Cuo wanted to say something but didn’t.
Xue Huai took a few more steps and noticed that Yun Cuo’s footsteps were always one step slower. It was then that he realized: because his height was not as high as Yun Cuo’s, his usual umbrella height would actually block Yun Cuo’s line of sight.
He pushed the handle of the umbrella into Yun Cuo’s hand, feeling a bit awkward. “Then you can come and hold the umbrella,” he said.
The two walked for a little while longer.
Xue Huai said, “You don’t have to lean towards me. The umbrella is big enough, I won’t get wet from here.”
Yun Cuo let out another “En” but after a while, he unconsciously veered towards Xue Huai’s side again.
Xue Huai decided not to waste any more time talking to him—this person is simply a fool.
It was a long walk to the cave, and both of them were covered in water. Xue Huai used a small spell to slowly dry himself, while Yun Cuo made a fire and asked him, “What are you eating tonight?”
Xue Huai said, “I’ve already eaten, you don’t have to worry about me. Wait a few days, after the rain stops, I’ll have someone take you back.”
Yun looked at him for a while, then found a place to sit down and said in a muffled voice, “You said you wouldn’t hide from me in the future, Xue Huai.”
He widened his outer robe and dried it on the fire, and the lapels of his inner garment were also spread out, beads of water that hadn’t yet dried hung on his solid, strong spine and chest, appearing handsome and upright in the warm yellow light.
Xue Huai couldn’t help but smile, “I’m not hiding… My reason is that, Young Master Yun, you’re the Young Immortal Lord. You’re already very busy. What’s the point of following me here?”
Yun Cuo said, “The green bird would come over everyday, I convey and handle things without any delay.”
Xue Huai said, “But these days the green bird can’t come in nor go out, you’ll have a backlog of things to do.”
Yun Cuo said, “I still have The Underworld Faithful Crows. They are undead and have no substance. They can still deliver messages to me without delaying anything.”
Xue Huai：“……”
Yun Cuo stared into his eyes and stubbornly said, “But I’m your fiancé. Xue Huai, you can’t take care of yourself. Your illness has recurred, so there should be someone to accompany you.”
Xue Huai also walked over and sat opposite him, looking seriously into his eyes. The flickering lights made his already bright eyes brighter, as if there was water shining inside. This time, he emphasized his tone and said, “Young Master Yun, I told you last time that the engagement was a unilateral agreement between you and my father, and I did not agree to it. Moreover, even in your agreement with my father, it was not a direct engagement. If I agree after five years, our two families will do the deed again, right?”
The firelight was bright, and the red mole under his eye became vivid and seductive again, like the way he smoked flower cigarettes that day.
Yun Cuo didn’t speak for a long time, nor did he answer him. He just looked at him as if he were lost in thought.
Xue Huai：“？”
The leaping fireworks awakened the scent of daytime flowers, and the aftermath of what he had touched under the trees during the day wrapped him again, as if washed away by the tide.
He whispered: “You……”
Xue Huai didn’t hear clearly: “What?”
“You……are good-looking.” Yun Cuo said.
His eyes carried an undisguised fascination and heat that Xue Huai had never seen before—so pure, straightforward, and clear. He had no disrespect or playfulness, nor did he have any aggressive desire to conquer. It was just like a child who had lived underground, staring at the starry sky for the first time, confused yet sweet.
Xue Huai suddenly felt a bit embarrassed and annoyed. For the first time, he felt a bit overwhelmed by Yun Cuo’s gaze—who could bear it? Not to mention, he has thin skin.
He picked up the umbrella and quickly said, “I’ll go back first.” And without looking back, he stepped into the rain.
Xue Huai is a person with thin skin.
When he was a child, Xue Zong often collaborated with Murong Mi to make him cry because he was so well-behaved and beautiful, making fun of him. Later on, he went to the kindergarten in the Heavenly Court, where more than a dozen plump Phoenix birds liked him. When they saw him, they immediately rushed over to rub against him. He had never encountered such a situation before, and was immediately scared to tears.
Then, when he was a bit older, he became so familiar with the whole suitor thing that he even memorized several templates for rejecting people. His family printed thousands of rejection letters for him, and when needed, he cut one out to use. After his mother’s death, his stepmother walked in, and his temperament became increasingly domineering and flamboyant. However, he was still a young man at heart. He was good-looking and loved by many people, which was one of his proud assets.
Everyone knows how arrogant Xue Huai is.
But today’s Yun Cuo had made him experience the hand-wringing of that year again after such a long time.
“Never mind, he’s crazy and young, I won’t argue with him.” Xue Huai decided to let himself go.
Getting this person back early is the right thing to do.
He tidied up the bed, found a clean bedding, and prepared to have the gluttonous ghost deliver it. But the gluttonous ghost was not promising. He grabbed the corner of the quilt and wanted to eat it, he couldn’t restrain it. He was admonished by him with tears in his eyes, and he even threw a tantrum.
There was only one extra quilt, and the gluttonous ghost bit it to pieces. Xue Huai didn’t have time to beat it anymore, so he had to push the door open again and try to find new bedding in the warehouse. However, as soon as he left, he ran into his grandparents.
The Murong couple stood outside the door and saw him drenched all over. The first thing that came to mind was a frown. “How did this happen? Xiao Huai, why didn’t you come back earlier?”
All elderly people like to nag a few words. As soon as Xue Huai saw the two elders coming, he just knew that Yun Cuo might have to freeze for a while longer. He can’t explain what he’s going out for now.
He said, “I was studying late, it’s okay. Why did you come over?”
“The wind and rain are heavy these days, and the school is closed. Xiao Huai, you can come with us to live there, your room has been put away for you and changed into thick bedding.” His grandmother said, “Let’s go with us now, Xiao Huai, hurry up.”
Xue Huai instinctively shook his head and said, “No need.”
“Why no need? Look, your senior brothers and junior brothers have all gone home, and your home is here. It’s decent to not go home after class. Or, Xiao Huai, are you complaining that your grandpa is too strict with you?”
At this moment, Xue Huai only felt as though his head was going to explode—he couldn’t possibly tell them that he had hidden an outsider in Murong Mountain Manor, and explaining Yun Cuo’s identity would be a lot of trouble.
He repeatedly explained to the two elders that he had absolutely no rebellious thoughts. It’s just that this afternoon he had built a spell formation that required constant maintenance while practicing, so it was not good to go too far.
After talking for a while, the second elder hesitated and allowed him to stay.
His grandmother held his hand and said to him repeatedly, “That won’t work. Even if you don’t go back to live, grandma will add a quilt for you, okay, Xiao Huai?”
Xue Huai said, “I really don’t need it, grandma. I’ll go to bed soon. It’s not cold, I won’t bother you anymore.”
He inquired about the recent situation of the two elders again, and Murong Jinchuan had a long and in-depth future conversation with him, asking him to engrave more than 80 principles such as righteousness, diligence, and self-reflection in his heart.
By the time he escorted the two elders out, almost two hours had already passed.
He reluctantly breathed a sigh of relief and returned to the room to continue tidying up. The gluttonous ghost’s emotions recovered very well. After beating it up, Xue Huai finally called out to it, “Give this storage ring to Yun Cuo, don’t swallow it on the way again. Yun Cuo, do you remember him? It’s the person who’s good-looking but is very fierce.”
The gluttonous ghost obediently said that he still remembered, and after a whimper, he rushed out of the door—
Then, not long after, he ran back and grabbed the storage ring as it was, rubbing against Xue Huai’s hand.
Xue Huai: “Why did you come back?”
The gluttonous ghost grabbed his clothes and dragged him towards the door.
The door outside the Warm Pavilion was wide open. Outside was swaying with wind and rain, and Xue Huai caught a glimpse of Yun Cuo, who was walking in the midst of it.
Yun Cuo was soaking wet all over, standing in the courtyard, narrowing his eyes to look at the floors above, which appeared somewhat like he couldn’t recognize it. Xue Huai immediately remembered that it was night in the Immortal Realm, and the heavy rain would disturb Yun Cuo’s spiritual vision, just as he was struggling to move in the blood mist in the Demon Realm.
He took an umbrella and walked out, shouting, “Young Master Yun.”
Yun Cuo heard his voice and was momentarily taken aback. He then hurriedly took a few steps towards him, reaching his hands in an uncertain direction and touching his shoulder.
There was a slight urgency and trembling in his voice. “You’re fine.” Then, as if afraid of scaring him, he explained, “I… I waited for you for a long time, you didn’t come, and your little gluttonous ghost didn’t come either. I thought you got lost.”
Xue Huai tilted his head and said, “I’m not a three-year-old kid anymore, how could I get lost so easily? Besides, I think you’re more or less likely to get lost. There was something delaying me just now, so don’t worry… Young Master Yun?”
Yun Cuo’s hand trembled slightly, staring blankly at Xue Huai.
This look is all too familiar to Xue Huai—
It was the look Yun Cuo had when he rushed over and held him in his arms the first time they met in this life.
Xue Huai was about to withdraw and walk back, but Yun Cuo moved faster than him and directly reached out to embrace him. The two of them were entangled and retreated to the door. Xue Huai hit the threshold with his heel, and if he didn’t pay attention, he would fall back. Yun Cuo didn’t let go, even though his elbows were padding underneath Xue Huai’s body. Without a word, he fell to the ground with him and again allowed Xue Huai to scramble on his hands and knees, trying to get up.
Xue Huai half-knelt beside him, desperately trying to pull out the corner of his suppressed clothes, and scolded him, “You’re crazy! Surname Yun, you have…”
Yun Cuo stared at him quietly, with a hint of a smile in his eyes.
But Xue Huai quickly stopped cursing.
His voice came to a sudden halt, and his eyes became stunned, looking in a certain direction behind them.
Yun Cuo followed, climbing to his feet and looking back.
A pair of elderly people he didn’t know stood behind them both, dressed in luxurious attire. The old woman looked shocked, and the old man’s face stank. He was holding a large quilt in his hands.
“Hello.” Yun Cuo said cautiously.
Murong Jinchuan ignored him and asked directly, “Xiao Huai, what’s going on?”
Xue Huai: “…………………………”
The author has something to say: Gluttony Ghost: I was on site and I proved that the emotions of the parties involved have recovered very well and are very stable.
