In the long street of Shuoxia City, during the hour of You, the sky was painted in a rich crimson.
Shen Tanqi and Fang Wenxun strolled leisurely, each holding a child’s hand. Today’s trials were not yet over; Shen Tanqi had initially planned to invite Lin Tanjiu and Xiao Qingyu to the Shen family for dinner. However, since both of them had trials tomorrow and needed to practice diligently, he could only invite the available Fang Wenxun.
“Senior Brother Fang, why aren’t you participating in the sect competition?” Shen Tanqi asked, puzzled. Given his seniority, Fang Wenxun, as the senior disciple of the inner sect, was eligible to compete.
Fang Wenxun shook his head and sighed, “What’s the use of participating in the trials? My talent is lacking. Even if I did participate, I would just be a stepping stone for others. It’s better not to go and save Rongyun Sect from embarrassment.”
Indeed, he had little talent. He became the senior disciple of the inner sect only because he joined early, long before Rongyun grew to its current grand scale, and was taken in as a disciple by the sect leader.
Back then, the sect leader praised him for being humble, kind-hearted, generous, and possessing the best qualities of a senior disciple. That’s how he ended up being the senior disciple for over ten years, somewhat by accident.
He felt incredibly lucky to have achieved this much. Winning the grand competition was something he never even dared to dream about.
“Nonsense,” Shen Tanqi said, patting his shoulder. “As long as there’s a chance, don’t give up. If you don’t give up, there’s always hope.”
Hearing this, Fang Wenxun looked at him, confused, and asked, “Junior Brother, you haven’t practiced more than I have over the years. How come you’re the one encouraging me?”
Shen Tanqi was momentarily stunned, realizing that he used to think exactly like Fang Wenxun. He didn’t strive for anything because he knew he couldn’t achieve it, so he lay low like a salted fish.
When did he change? When did he start saying things like this to others?
Just as Shen Tanqi was about to say something more to comfort him, the little Goldfish he was holding suddenly spoke, “Daddy, I want to eat an orange.”
The child pointed towards a small stall not far away, where two or three baskets of bright yellow oranges were displayed, looking irresistibly tempting.
Fang Wenxun quickly pulled out his money pouch and said, “Uncle will buy it for you, Goldfish, go pick.”
Shen Tanqi squeezed in front of him, saying, “Hey, how can I always let Senior Brother spend money?”
“What’s the big deal about buying some oranges for the kids? Junior Brother, you’re too kind. Let me handle this.”
The two of them argued over who would pay, completely unaware of a figure silently standing behind them, slowly approaching.
Shen Tanqi, sweating profusely from anxiety, grabbed Fang Wenxun’s arm and said, “You’ve already spent so much effort helping with the kids these past few days. If I let you spend more money, I’d feel really guilty!”
Just as he finished speaking, a soft voice came from behind him.
“Guilty?”
“I never knew, Senior Brother Shen had a conscience.”
In an instant, Shen Tanqi and Fang Wenxun both stopped, turning abruptly to look behind them, and the two children followed their gaze.
Clang—
Shen Tanqi, startled, let an orange slip from his hand.
He frowned at the person standing in front of him and asked, “What are you doing here?”
Goldfish took a bite of his candied fruit, looking somewhat confused at them, “Huh?”
The person’s face was cold and stern as he grabbed Fang Wenxun’s arm and pulled him behind, warning, “Be careful. His intentions are sinister. Don’t be deceived by his appearance.”
Shen Tanqi hesitated for a moment, then reached out, grabbed an orange, and threw it at the person in front of him, gritting his teeth, “Are you out of your mind? What nonsense are you talking about? Instead of preparing for tomorrow’s trials, why are you here?”
The person in front of him was none other than Yu Ce, who had returned unexpectedly.
Clearly, they had agreed before he left that Yu Ce would consult the Elders from Dan Feng and properly prepare for the alchemy trials. So why did he sneakily follow them here?
Yu Ce furrowed his brows, catching the orange thrown at him with steady hands. Before he could say anything, Shen Tanqi interrupted him by throwing another basket of oranges over. Reflexively, he caught the basket and then heard Fang Wenxun chuckling, “Junior Brother must be reluctant to part with you. Perfect timing, let’s go back together for dinner.”
Yu Ce looked at Fang Wenxun incredulously, trying to understand what he meant by ‘reluctant to part with’.
Ignoring the bewildered look on Yu Ce’s face, Shen Tanqi snorted lightly and said, “Forget it. It’s rare that I want to cook today. Skipping practice for one day won’t hurt. Let’s go home for dinner.”
“Go home?” Veins bulged on Yu Ce’s forehead as he once again forcefully blocked out the noisy system prompt in his mind. He looked at the unfamiliar Shen Tanqi and Fang Wenxun in front of him and said, “What are you talking about?”
The last time he met Shen Tanqi was on the day of the grand sect competition. Shen Tanqi, claiming it was the sect leader’s orders, lured him to the Bloodthirst Cliff, attempting to ambush him. If he hadn’t reacted swiftly and counterattacked, he might have died silently at Bloodthirst Cliff.
Although he didn’t understand why he had suddenly appeared in this world and Shen Tanqi had miraculously survived, Yu Ce knew one thing for certain— he and Shen Tanqi harbored deep enmity that could never be reconciled.
That thing called the system had been trying to manipulate his thoughts, but Yu Ce forcefully suppressed it. Now, he only wanted to expose Shen Tanqi’s true face to everyone in Rongyun Sect and keep them away from this cunning and ruthless villain.
If necessary, he would personally take action to eliminate Shen Tanqi.
“What are you saying?” Shen Tanqi lowered his eyes, his ears unexpectedly turning slightly red. “Didn’t you say last night that you haven’t tasted my cooking yet? I was planning to practice today and cook for you another day.”
The faint blush on his fair earlobes struck Yu Ce like a bolt of lightning, momentarily causing him to forget why he had come. He stared in shock as Shen Tanqi paid the money, feeling somewhat embarrassed as he turned away and muttered softly, “Alright, enough nonsense. Let’s go home together.”
Yu Ce stepped back in confusion, “I won’t go with you…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Shen Tanqi’s two little ones ran over and gently took Yu Ce by the hand.
“Father, Daddy said we’ll have hotpot tonight,” Goldfish giggled, his eyes sparkling with cuteness, “I’ve never had hotpot before. Father, have you?”
Father…
Daddy???
Yu Ce’s eyes widened slightly. For him, this was the only expression that could convey his shock. He felt as if he had just touched boiling water, and abruptly let go of the two little ones’ hands.
“You two…”
Seeing his reaction, Taro Ball glanced at him lightly, then looked ahead at Shen Tanqi, whispering beside him, “Father, why do you seem so guilty today, acting strange? Did you do something to upset Daddy again?”
Yu Ce’s face turned pale. A thought he dreaded surfaced in his mind. His eyelashes trembled slightly as he whispered, “When you say ‘Father’…”
“It’s you,” the two little ones said in unison, tilting their heads with confusion.
Is Father’s brain broken?
Taro Ball sniffed the air around Yu Ce carefully. It was definitely him, no mistake.
Yu Ce took a deep breath, then asked in a low voice, “Then when you say ‘Daddy’…”
Taro Ball glared at him, pointing towards Shen Tanqi, and huffed, “Are you deliberately playing games with us? Don’t you know who Daddy is?”
Following his finger, Yu Ce felt his heart sink like ashes. This was surely a terrifying illusion.
Utterly absurd.
Even though he had faced oceans of blood and a desperate past, he had never encountered such a situation in an illusion.
Yu Ce gently covered his heart, calming his racing heartbeat, and told himself calmly.
Endure for now, and see what Shen Tanqi is up to.
Whatever it is, he would not fall into Shen Tanqi’s trap again!
After Shen Tanqi finished buying the ingredients and seasonings for something called ‘hotpot,’ they finally returned to the Shen family residence.
Standing in front of the Shen family’s gate, Yu Ce’s mind was filled with countless sinister and mocking faces of the Shen family members, faces that he could never forget in his lifetime.
Furrowing his brow, he took out a veil from his storage ring.
Could it be that Shen Tanqi brought him back to the Shen family to humiliate him?
Yes, that must be it.
Apart from that, he couldn’t think of any other reason why Shen Tanqi would bring him home. The Shen family was extremely hostile to daemons. Anyone who saw a daemon would surely mock and insult them, and some might even resort to violence.
Shen Tanqi, you are about to reveal your true colors.
His eyes darkened as he prepared to face whatever was to come. Just as he was about to put on the veil, Shen Tanqi frowned at him and chided, “What’s the matter? Can’t bear to show your face?”
With that, he snatched the veil hat from Yu Ce’s hand and stuffed it back into his storage ring.
Yu Ce opened his mouth as if to speak, but hesitated, watching helplessly as Goldfish, with his little dragon horns, strode up to the door and called out in a childish voice, “Open the door, Dandan’s back!”
This child!
As a daemon himself, he could be killed outright by the Shen family servants!
Sensing the aura of Nascent Soul stage approaching, Yu Ce’s pupils constricted. He quickly scooped up the ignorant and fearless child into his arms, but before he could react, the door swung open, revealing two Nascent Soul stage retainers from the Shen family who smiled warmly, “Young Master, Little Young Masters, why are you back so early today?”
Seeing Yu Ce still holding Goldfish, the two retainers quickly stepped forward, smiling, “Sir, let me hold them. Please, come inside and rest.”
Yu Ce: …?
Why was this slightly different from what he imagined?
Pushed inside by the two retainers, Yu Ce saw the interior of the Shen family residence for the first time—a landscape with artificial hills and flowing water, small bridges and corridors, exuding extreme luxury and elegance.
He watched as the two little ones ran confidently across the small bridge, waving at him, “Father, come quick!”
Yu Ce still felt a bit of a headache upon hearing the word ‘father,’ but looking at their faces undeniably made it clear that they were his children.
With their innocent charm, sweet and tender voices, adorable dragon horns still covered in soft fuzz, and round, chubby cheeks, it’s impossible not to be charmed by them.
He sighed inwardly and walked over to them, standing on the bridge with Goldfish in his arms.
Goldfish sweetly smiled and said, “Father, do you remember? That day I argued with my little brother and cried under the bridge. You comforted me for so long and even said I could bathe in the stream.”
Yu Ce fell silent for a moment. He had absolutely no memory related to this child, yet hearing those words made something stir faintly in his heart.
“Brother!!” Taro Ball leaned his face on the bridge railing, looking down at the stream below and complained, “You went to bathe without calling me. You had fun on your own and left me sulking in my room.”
Goldfish quickly let go of Yu Ce and ran over to hug Taro Ball, saying, “I’m sorry, it was my fault. I’ll definitely call you next time I bathe.”
Taro Ball was about to glare at him again, but as he did, he couldn’t help but laugh, “I don’t want to bathe with you! Every time you bathe, you splash water on me. I’m not playing with you!”
“No, you have to play with me…”
“I’m not listening, I won’t play with you.”
Yu Ce watched them laughing and playing on the bridge under the setting sun, like a fleeting dream he couldn’t touch. For a moment, he almost believed he had truly fathered these two children and had been with them all this time.
But how could someone like him deserve such happiness?
Whether in Hidden Dragon Valley or in Rongyun Sect, he had been alone all these years, never truly having a home.
To him, everything here seemed too beautiful, almost unreal.
Yu Ce reaffirmed his thoughts.
This must be an illusion; he couldn’t let his guard down.
He averted his gaze, intending to look at Shen Tanqi, whom he despised the most, to snap out of it. Suddenly, he sensed a presence approaching slowly. Yu Ce turned back cautiously, only to meet Shen Tanqi’s gentle and knowing smile.
The lingering rays of the setting sun shone in Shen Tanqi’s eyes, casting delicate, fragmented golden light, like the shimmering reflections on a tranquil autumn lake.
He stood there, momentarily stunned, allowing Shen Tanqi to approach step by step.
In his ear, Shen Tanqi’s voice was faint and gentle, tinged with a hint of a smile.
“Stay tonight. I’ll send the children away.”
“Wait for me in my room, you know what I mean.”
Yu Ce: …?
What was he supposed to know??
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)
