Bai Tang walked silently all the way, and Su Siyuan also considerately remained silent. When they were about to reach the doorstep, Bai Tang stopped in his tracks and took a deep breath.
In his heart, he felt an indescribable sensation, as if there was a breath stuck in his chest, unable to catch, with a stifling heat swirling, emitting a slightly bitter taste.
Bai Tang gazed at the man in front of him, whose features were profound, and the eyes carried an unforgettable tenderness. In the past, looking into those amber eyes, he could always taste a faint sweetness, but now, there was a hint of bitterness.
“Don’t act impulsively,” the system nervously advised, “Anyone can say good words, but putting them into action is not always guaranteed.”
Bai Tang’s eyelashes drooped slightly, and his hand slowly lowered, placing the unknown flower in front of his eyes. The young man’s gaze seemed to fall on the flower, yet also at some point in the void.
Sometimes, Su Siyuan felt that he couldn’t fathom Bai Tang. Indeed, Bai Tang was a little monster without any pretense, emotions vividly displayed in his eyes, like a clear stream, joyfully flowing every day, with emotional pebbles scattered everywhere.
However, at times, a thick fog would envelop everything, a vast expanse of white where nothing could be seen or touched. Just like now, Su Siyuan felt that the little monster in front of him was sad, not saying a word, his small head almost lowered to his chest, and the small green sprout bent with a wilt.
Why be sad?
Why suddenly ask that question?
Is it because Bai Tang’s lifespan is short? Su Siyuan had heard some secrets before, like the more extraordinary the monster’s ability, the shorter their lifespan.
Because everything in the world is fair, if heaven gives you more in one aspect, it takes more away in another.
If the lifespan is short, then how short is it? A hundred years? Even shorter?
Su Siyuan didn’t know how to comfort Bai Tang; the curtain of death fell, and all frivolous words dared not emerge. All language seemed so pale and powerless at this moment.
Su Siyuan felt it becoming tricky, and what was even more uncomfortable was the anguish in his heart. He couldn’t bear to see Bai Tang in distress, and it was even harder to endure his helplessness when Bai Tang was suffering.
He felt he should come up with a way to cheer up Bai Tang. What methods could bring warmth to someone? If all the flowers in the world were to bloom at this moment, would Bai Tang feel a bit happier?
In reality, Su Siyuan was not a very positive person. Laziness and lethargy were ingrained in his bones, although it didn’t show in his work, even suppressed forcefully. However, in daily life and interpersonal relationships, he inherently kept his distance.
He sees many things very clearly, self-proclaimed as versatile and adaptable. Coupled with smooth sailing in life, he possesses talent, good looks, and a successful career. Even among monsters, he is an outstanding presence.
So, in his weariness, there’s a subtle and imperceptible pride. He is not inclined to initiate friendships with strangers, is reluctant to get too close to subordinates, and is not even willing to hug the snail babies.
With the time spent on these interactions, he might as well take a nap.
But Bai Tang is different.
This little monster not only saved his life but also awakened his heart.
With a personality like his, he isn’t particularly fond of communicating with others because it’s too tiring. However, unexpectedly, on the day he met Bai Tang, he wanted to find the world’s largest tree, sit on the trunk with Bai Tang, and point out the sparkling starry sky to the young man.
If the young man looked up at the sky, he could silently gaze into the young man’s eyes.
Su Siyuan gazed into Bai Tang’s eyes, then approached, opened his arms, and embraced Bai Tang. He didn’t say anything; he simply closed his eyes, holding the young man in his arms with tranquility and gentleness.
My little monster, my heart is cold, yet I always think of giving you more warmth.
…
Bai Tang buried his face in Su Siyuan’s chest and reached out to hug him back.
The young man gently rubbed his cheek against the suit jacket, then lifted his face, silently gazing at the other. Those emerald-green eyes seemed to be filled with a thousand words, and even the slightest breeze could stir up ripples.
Bai Tang had a lot to say, but his thoughts were too chaotic at the moment. After organizing his thoughts for a while, just as he was about to speak, he heard the vibrating ringtone of Su Siyuan’s phone.
It was the incoming call ringtone of Su Siyuan’s phone, especially harsh in the silence, instantly ruining the romantic atmosphere.
Bai Tang let go of his hands, silently taking a step back. He watched as Su Siyuan, with a serious face, looked at the phone screen. His eyebrows furrowed tightly, and his lips pressed into a straight line.
This was the first time Bai Tang saw such a vivid expression of anger on Su Siyuan’s face.
The man answered the call, and on the other end, Chi Cainan’s cheerful voice came: “Su Slow! Let me tell you! I finally have a signal here! Hahaha!”
Su Siyuan said coldly, “Congratulations.”
The voice of Chi Cainan on the other end was frozen by the “congratulations,” and he shivered. He put down his phone and locked eyes with the man beside him, silently mouthing, “He— is— so— fierce!”
The man had a refined and handsome face, the sophisticated appearance of a mature man. His gaze towards Chi Cainan carried an indulgent and doting look. The man reached out, placing his palm on Chi Cainan’s hand, soothingly patting it.
Chi Cainan and this man were sitting on the train. This handsome man was the father of the snail babies, the ancient snail spirit in the deep mountains—Bai YinHao.
In addition to Chi Cainan and Bai YinHao, there was also a middle-aged man with a missing arm. This man had a simple and honest appearance, with a sturdy build. If not for the disability, he would undoubtedly be a mighty man.
Comforted by the ancient snail, Chi Cainan continued the call gleefully, “Hey, Su slow, can you let Yi, Er, San, Si, Wu, Liu, and Qi take the call on your end?”
When Chi Cainan mentioned the snail babies, Bai YinHao’s expression involuntarily became tense. He held his breath, listening to the movements on the other end of the phone.
“Sure.”
Bai YinHao slowly clenched his fists, completely focused on listening to the voice from the other end. Chi Cainan sat quietly, adjusting his phone to speaker mode and holding it between him and Bai YinHao.
The two snail spirits nervously guarded the phone, their antennae popping out from their hair.
“Why?” It was the soft voice of the snail babies.
“I-I’m Dad,” Chi Cainan said hesitantly.
There was a moment of silence on the other end, and then the sounds of the snail babies’ murmured exchanges began. Those sounds were indistinct and unclear, and Chi Cainan instantly started to worry, fearing that the snail babies might have forgotten about him.
With this thought, Chi Cainan nervously pinched Bai YinHao’s thigh. Bai YinHao, who was pinched, had a serious expression as if contemplating life’s profound matters.
Just when the two snail spirits were in gloom, a muffled “Papa” suddenly came from the phone.
Chi Cainan and Bai YinHao turned their heads abruptly, locking their eyes. Both snail spirits looked incredulous.
After the first “Dad,” the second one followed weakly, then the third, the fourth… Countless “Dad” overwhelmed Chi Cainan and Bai YinHao~
Su Siyuan stood on the side, expressionlessly watching the snail babies queuing up and calling “Dad.” He then turned to look at Bai Tang beside him. The young man, at this moment, had lost the earlier despondent look, appearing extremely calm. Logically, Su Siyuan should be happy for him.
However, Su Siyuan couldn’t shake the feeling…
If that call hadn’t come through just now, he might have heard some special words. What kind of special words, he wasn’t sure, but they would undoubtedly be sincere, words that had been hidden in the heart and were finally ready to be expressed in words.
The shell in front of him had slowly revealed a crack, just a little while longer, and it would quietly open, exposing the precious pearl inside the clam.
Unfortunately, it was just that little bit longer.
And now, Bai Tang seemed a bit difficult to approach. If he looked at Bai Tang, Bai Tang would avert his gaze, appearing seriously focused on watching the snail babies.
If Bai Tang didn’t want eye contact, then Su Siyuan wouldn’t force it upon him.
Never let his little monster feel uneasy; that was Su Siyuan’s principle.
But… the contrast seemed a bit too significant.
The melancholy in Su Siyuan’s eyes deepened. He thought, if Chi Cainan wasn’t his good friend for so many years, even if separated by mountains and rivers, he would still shatter Chi Cainan’s shell.
Ch Cainan, feeling an inexplicable chill down his spine: …???
Su Siyuan, who easily tires when angry, yawned. With a stern face, he rubbed his eyes, tired and irritated. After eating dinner, he ruthlessly took back his phone, putting an end to the long and uninterrupted father-son conversation.
Watching the snail babies scatter and rush towards Grandpa Su, Su Siyuan turned his indifferent gaze away. He looked up at Bai Tang’s tightly closed door. At this moment, Su Siyuan’s fighter-like cold and harsh eyes changed, becoming lonely and aggrieved.
With a defeated and sluggish demeanor, he dragged his slow steps, lazily opened the door—
He was just emotionally drained.
Once the heart is tired, there’s no desire to tense the nerves or hasten the pace of things.
He reverted to his true form and plopped into the bathtub with a thud, a white towel meticulously placed on his head. The water in the bathtub was neither hot nor cold, just right. The warm water flowed over Su Siyuan’s belly, soothing his restlessness.
Su Siyuan raised his hand, the brown fur swaying gently like water plants. He lowered his gaze, staring at his claw.
The claw made several small bubbles as it fluttered in the water, and Su Siyuan extended his long claw to puncture each one.
“He likes me.”
“He doesn’t like me.”
“He likes me.”
“He doesn’t like me.”
…
The claw pierced the last mini-bubble, “He likes me.” Satisfied with the answer, Su Siyuan withdrew his hand, folding his two small claws on his belly.
“Mmm.” The naturally smiling sloth softly responded, its drooping eyes and gently upturned mouth faintly visible in the mist.
“I like you too,” he said.
Author’s note:
The next chapter will be sweet~
Bonus Scene:
Chi Cainan: You actually want to shatter my shell?! Clearly, it’s the author’s fault!
Author: Plot necessities, plot necessities, hahaha.
Plot Supervisor: =.=
