Upon entering, Yu Ce was immediately pulled by Shen Tanqi to sit at the table, where he enthusiastically recounted his recent adventures across time and space.
“Let me tell you, you haven’t seen the fully grown Goldfish. He’s so, so—tall!” Shen Tanqi exaggerated, raising his hand high. “I swear, the big Goldfish I saw is taller than you.”
Yu Ce raised an eyebrow and handed him a teacup from the table, politely responding, “Is that so?”
“Yeah,” Shen Tanqi skillfully took the cup, gulping down a big sip, his excitement undiminished. “Taro Ball is even more impressive. He’ll be the top disciple of the Rongyun Sect in the future.”
Though unsure of the significance of being the top disciple, it sounded impressive.
The flickering candlelight cast shadows on Shen Tanqi’s profile. Yu Ce rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought for a moment before asking, “What about Sandan?”
“Ah, San… Sandan…” Shen Tanqi lifted the tea cup, drinking with a hint of unease, “He’s doing well too. You’ll get to see him once he’s born.”
If Yu Ce knew there was a chance Sandan might turn demonic in the future, who knows how he’d react. Given his almost obsessive sense of justice, he would surely be upset.
Shen Tanqi decided it was best to wait until Sandan was older before discussing it further.
Seemingly unaware of his vague response, Yu Ce poured Shen Tanqi another cup of tea and said, “Speaking of which, I haven’t gone back to check on Sandan today. I should go back tonight; otherwise, it’ll trouble Senior Brother Fang again.”
Yu Ce had been incubating Sandan himself these days, holding him close and nurturing him with spiritual energy to help him grow.
Due to the demon-slaying trial in Shuoxia City, all participating disciples were staying at an inn. Yu Ce had also arranged for his three children to stay there temporarily, asking Senior Brother Fang to help look after them.
Upon hearing Yu Ce’s intention to return, Shen Tanqi pursed his lips and whispered, “Bring the children to the Shen family’s residence, and I’ll send someone to invite Senior Brother Fang over.”
Yu Ce shook his head, saying, “That wouldn’t be appropriate. Besides, the Shen family has just calmed down from the recent turmoil caused by our affairs. We shouldn’t stir up more trouble.”
Shen Tanqi glanced at him and remarked, “Bringing the children home shouldn’t cause any trouble. Looks like you just don’t want to live with me.”
Yu Ce’s expression remained unchanged as he replied calmly, “Senior Brother, you’re overthinking it.”
At his words, Shen Tanqi let out a light snort. “I know what’s on your mind. I can’t possibly overthink that.”
Yu Ce could be quite stubborn at times.
Quietly leaning closer, Shen Tanqi gently hooked his hand under the table, whispering, “Alright, don’t be angry. Things have settled down, haven’t they? Stay tonight, please?”
His voice was soft, like a gentle breeze brushing against the heart, his warm and dry hand enveloping Yu Ce’s cold one tightly.
Yu Ce’s gaze dimmed slightly, recalling the day in the illusion when Shen Tanqi accused him of using the dependency period to keep him around, binding him to the household with their children.
Sighing softly to himself, he couldn’t deny that his actions seemed to align with the illusion’s accusations, slowly ensnaring Shen Tanqi in his trap.
“Senior Brother, would you blame me?” His voice was barely a whisper.
Shen Tanqi looked puzzled for a moment, then reached out and lightly tapped his head, “What are you thinking? How could I blame you?”
Yu Ce lowered his eyes, hiding the emotions within, murmuring softly, “In the illusion during the sect’s grand competition, I saw you.”
Shen Tanqi paused for a moment, recalling Yu Ce’s distraught state at the time, and asked with a dawning realization, “And then?”
“You were holding our children, questioning why I used the dependency period to keep you here, binding you with our children so you couldn’t bear to leave.”
Those words felt like needles pricking his heart every time he remembered them, and Yu Ce struggled to contain his emotions but couldn’t help but recall them vividly.
Facing Shen Tanqi’s silence, unable to resist, Yu Ce looked up at him, but Shen Tanqi reached out and firmly tapped his head.
“Ouch…”
Yu Ce rubbed his forehead and held onto Shen Tanqi’s hand.
Shen Tanqi glared at him, “You feel pain now? You can’t even distinguish between illusion and reality. No wonder your performance in the illusion trial was poor! Even I could tell my own illusion apart.”
Illusion was illusion, reality was reality. How could Yu Ce mistake what happened in the illusion as reality?
Yu Ce fell silent for a moment and murmured softly, “It wasn’t that bad. I got a Grade B…”
“It’s not about getting a B or an A,” Shen Tanqi slapped the table and continued, “How could you mistake the ‘me’ in the illusion for the real me?”
As he finished speaking, Yu Ce lowered his head in silence, seeming somewhat hurt by Shen Tanqi’s words.
Sensing he might have been too harsh, Shen Tanqi stood up, walked over, and put his arm around Yu Ce’s shoulder, soothingly saying, “In my eyes, you’re incredibly talented. How could you let yourself be defeated by a mere illusion? Especially such a fake illusion that doesn’t even match my speaking style.”
Yu Ce looked up at him, “Are you trying to comfort me now, Senior Brother?”
Shen Tanqi’s face showed a moment of embarrassment. He cleared his throat and said, “Sort of.”
“Your comfort skills are average.”
“…Don’t push your luck.”
Yu Ce fell silent again, and Shen Tanqi chuckled, amused by his indifferent attitude. Just as he was about to retort, he paused, suddenly realizing that perhaps the illusion had really caused Yu Ce significant distress. That might explain why Yu Ce had looked so lost and confused at that time.
But he not only failed to notice that, he even asked Yu Ce to use the demon-slaying sword in his hand to kill him.
He seemed to have… indeed done something excessively wrong.
Shen Tanqi touched his nose and carefully considered his words in his mind before saying, “Think about it, if it were really me in the illusion, I would have definitely said, ‘Hurry up and break out of this illusion! Why are you hugging me and our children at a time like this?’ Then I would have kicked you out of the illusion with one swift kick.”
Yu Ce couldn’t help but chuckle at Shen Tanqi’s vivid and dramatic tone. His expression finally changed a bit. “I actually hoped Senior Brother would kick me out of the illusion.”
Seeing him laugh, Shen Tanqi’s lips curved into a smile. He leaned down, his voice low in Yu Ce’s ear, “Still calling me Senior Brother?”
Yu Ce lightly glanced at him and said, “Of course, I still haven’t forgiven you.”
Shen Tanqi was puzzled, “Haven’t forgiven me for what?”
“I haven’t forgiven you for standing me up, almost making me the target of everyone’s criticism, and leaving without giving me a clear answer.” Yu Ce picked up his sword from the table, as if to leave. “So, I’m going back.”
Gritting his teeth, Shen Tanqi saw that he was about to leave and quickly grabbed his waist from behind. “You’re deliberately trying to annoy me! You know I didn’t mean to stand you up!”
Being hugged, Yu Ce didn’t turn back, his voice still calm. “Senior Brother, you should rest early. You have the demon-slaying trial tomorrow.”
Shen Tanqi couldn’t care less about the demon-slaying trial. The whole scenario wasn’t prepared for him anyway, and going would just be a waste. All he cared about was whether Yu Ce would stay today.
He missed him so much.
He missed him terribly.
Shen Tanqi had never realized just how much he liked Yu Ce. He thought of him in his dreams, opened his eyes to see him, and closed them to imagine him.
His fingertips hooked onto Yu Ce’s belt, his voice low and slightly aggrieved, “Are you really not staying?”
“Mm.”
Receiving such a definite answer, Shen Tanqi sighed and said, “Alright then, you can go back.”
Yu Ce paused briefly, seemingly surprised that Shen Tanqi was actually letting him leave like this.
As the hand around his waistband loosened, Yu Ce turned around to see Shen Tanqi casually walking back to the clothing rack, selecting a crimson robe embroidered with phoenix motifs. He slipped his arms into the sleeves.
After a while, seeing Yu Ce hadn’t left yet, Shen Tanqi looked somewhat puzzled and asked, “What’s wrong? Did you forget something?”
Yu Ce clenched his fingers and withdrew his gaze, “No.”
Shen Tanqi nodded, putting on the crimson robe. His complexion appeared even more radiant, exuding an air of elegance from within. He fastened the belt, accentuating his slender waist.
Unable to resist anymore, Yu Ce finally asked, “Senior Brother, where are you going so late?”
“Hm?” Shen Tanqi shook his head, denied it outright, innocently saying, “Nowhere at all. Just seeing you off from the Shen residence.”
Seeing him dressed so splendidly and elegantly, who was he trying to fool?
Taking a deep breath, Yu Ce said, “That’s unnecessary. It’s getting late; I’ll go back by myself. Senior Brother, you should rest early.”
“Ah…” Shen Tanqi waved his hand, slipping a folding fan into his waist, and adorned his wrist with three or five jade bracelets. He then said, “Why be so formal? I must see you off.”
Yu Ce hesitated, watching Shen Tanqi in his splendid attire glide past him.
“Let’s go. why are you standing there? Are you thinking of staying?”
Shen Tanqi asked with a smile.
Yu Ce’s eyes gradually deepened, and he said deliberately, “No.”
Shen Tanqi sneered inwardly but said, “Oh, alright then.”
Let’s see how long you can hold out!
As they stepped out of the Shen residence’s main gate, Yu Ce immediately turned around and said, “You can stop here, Senior Brother. Please go back.”
Shen Tanqi put his arm around Yu Ce’s shoulder, smiling, “I can’t just stop here. Besides, I have to go see the children. Don’t worry, I’ll escort you to the inn and then leave.”
Yu Ce’s hesitant expressions and attempts to speak were completely ignored by Shen Tanqi.
They walked along the streets of Shuoxia City towards the inn near the western trial platform.
At this hour, most shops on the street were closed, with only a few taverns occasionally open.
Shen Tanqi aimlessly searched the streets until he finally found the place he was looking for.
For a long while, Yu Ce followed behind Shen Tanqi, watching as every passerby appeared captivated by Shen Tanqi’s charm. Gripping his sword tighter, Yu Ce looked as though he might crush the scabbard.
But suddenly, Shen Tanqi stopped in his tracks ahead.
Yu Ce looked up hopefully, thinking Shen Tanqi was finally heading home. Instead, Shen Tanqi turned around, smiling brightly at him, and pointed to a nearby spot, saying, “You go back first. I’ll take a look inside.”
Following his finger, Yu Ce’s eyes fell upon a dozen men leaning out of the second-floor windows, waving handkerchiefs outside. They were heavily made up, shouting, “Hey, handsome, come on in! We’re empty tonight and missing your warmth!”
Yu Ce’s vision blurred for a moment, unable to believe what he was seeing. Just as he was about to speak, Shen Tanqi cheerfully waved back at those men and said, “Alright, wait for me, brothers!” Then he confidently strode into the building without looking back.
Without looking back.
Strode into the building.
Into the building.
Crack—
Yu Ce’s scabbard in hand did not survive unscathed, sacrificing itself gloriously.
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
