Chapter 13: Yan

Yan’s gaze met Qing Xukong’s gaze

“What happened? Why are you looking so pale?” Yan wiped the cup and asked Qing Xukong as he returned.

“Hah... ha... it’s nothing.” Qing Xukong forced a smile to answer Yan; compared to Ling Yu, Yan was infinitely more mature, understanding, and sometimes even shared Qing Xukong’s burdens.

“Hmm... want some tea?” Yan asked Qing Xukong.

“Hmm... thanks.”

Yan went to the kitchen; Qing Xukong collapsed onto the sofa—he was about to break down. Some god, as if aware of his guilt, had vanished somewhere. Qing Xukong silently rejoiced in his heart: if that thing came bothering him now, he’d surely go mad and become a Final Beast.

“Tea.”

“Th... thanks.” Qing Xukong sat up on the sofa and took the black tea Yan handed him.

“By the way, the money problem is solved.” Yan sat naturally beside Qing Xukong.

“Hmm... really? How much?” Qing Xukong asked Yan while sipping the tea.

“Hmm... to be honest, I don’t quite understand human monetary values—about twenty million?” Yan hesitated slightly.

“Hmm... I see... wait, twenty million?!?” Qing Xukong spat out the tea he hadn’t swallowed.

“Wh... what? Is it not enough...? If I apply more pressure, I could get more...” Yan lowered his head, lost in thought.

“No, no no—it’s more than enough. It’s not that it’s insufficient; I just never imagined you could get this much. By the way... is this money legal?” Though born into privilege, twenty million still shocked Qing Xukong.

“Ah, my clothes are wet.” Qing Xukong only then realized the tea he’d spat out had soaked both their clothes.

“Hmm, go change.” Yan began removing his T-shirt; Qing Xukong, seeing this, started taking off his own clothes.

“Something... feels off?” Qing Xukong said unconsciously, staring at Yan.

“Hmm?” Yan looked at Qing Xukong, startled.

“No, never mind.”

Footsteps came from upstairs.

“That... boy, today I truly was wrong—I apologize to you... you—you’re doing what?! I said I wondered why you showed no reaction to me, but turns out—you’re this kind of person?! Yan... you bastard, I was first! I got here first! Whether it was kissing, hugging, or falling for that guy—I was first!” Ling Yu descended into unprecedented chaos.

“Wait, when did that even happen? Don’t make things up!” Qing Xukong shouted in protest.

“Ha... ha ha... so I need to take it by force?” Ling Yu emitted the same deranged laugh Qing Xukong had once made, fixing him with a snake-like glare.

“Hey! Hey! What the hell are you planning?!” Qing Xukong felt an unprecedented chill.

“Ha... ha ha...” Ling Yu leapt from the stairs toward Qing Xukong.

“No... don’t come near me!” Qing Xukong cried out.

Thus, the farce continued.

By the way, in the instant Ling Yu charged, Yan subdued him—then came Yan’s lecture.

“What a troublesome guy... no, a terrifying guy.” Qing Xukong lay sprawled on the bed. It was the night after the farce ended; he was alone in his room. Ling Yu seemed locked inside his own room—temporarily safe.

“Should I buy a pepper spray?” Qing Xukong muttered.

It seemed the ordinary life Qing Xukong had longed for was gone forever.