Chapter 125: Since it’s a holiday, enjoy it fully.

Chapter 125: Since it's a holiday, enjoy it fully.

Chi Shen pondered Ji Xingchen's words. He felt the need to offer some comfort, so he reached out and gently patted Ji Xingchen's head.

Amid the rising steam, they were close enough that they could easily touch each other. Chi Shen noticed Ji Xingchen's initial instinct to pull away but he resisted, ultimately allowing the gesture.

Ji Xingchen's hair felt soft under Chi Shen's fingers, prompting him to pat a few more times while contemplating another matter.

Since Ji Xingchen didn’t resist, Chi Shen's hand slid smoothly down the length of his hair, resting on Ji Xingchen’s shoulder. Chi Shen felt the moment was just right and asked, "May I keep you close to me?"

Ji Xingchen turned his gaze to Chi Shen.

Without his glasses and with his hair pulled back, Ji Xingchen appeared strikingly pale and handsome, his features even slightly sharp. Yet his gaze at Chi Shen remained as calm as ever, answering, "You can."

"Do you understand what I mean?" Chi Shen inquired.

Ji Xingchen looked straight at him: "I do, in every sense."

A smile bloomed on Chi Shen's face as he slowly placed his hand over Ji Xingchen's heart.

There was the sound of a heartbeat.

"I don’t like this," Chi Shen remarked, "so I don't like it here either."

Ji Xingchen's heart raced faster, especially after Chi Shen's statement. Chi Shen seemed intrigued, touching the area where Ji Xingchen's heart thudded. After all, ghosts don’t have heartbeats. And Ji Xingchen’s heartbeat was particularly unique in these circumstances, making it quite interesting.

Not looking up, Chi Shen missed the deepening intensity in Ji Xingchen's eyes as he moved.

Ji Xing's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. It seemed like something he had been holding onto shattered in that moment. Lowering his head, he whispered, "Bite me, I... I'm hungry."

"Alright," Chi Shen replied, tilting his head slightly to expose his vulnerable neck.

Ji Xing gazed at him, leaning in to bite gently onto Chi Shen's neck. However, he did not break the skin; his lips brushed softly against the neck, eventually moving up to meet Chi Shen's lips.

"Sweet."

It tasted of the osmanthus wine they had just drunk.

——

Outdoor hot spring area.

Zhong Yi and Zhong Jingzhu followed a set of wet footprints that led them here.

These footprints seemed to have a clear destination, heading straight for the hot spring area. Aside from doubling back briefly at the entrance, they appeared uninterrupted.

The two also entered the hot spring area.

Upon entering, the footprints became chaotic, leading to different hot spring pools, each surrounded by wet marks.

After walking around the hot spring area, they found nothing but the footprints.

"Since we're here, let's check out the red hot spring pool and the sauna," Zhong Jingzhu suggested.

Zhong Yi nodded in agreement. "Okay."

Having previously scoured the area for footprints, the two had become familiar with the layout and quickly located the red hot spring pool.

Zhong Yi glanced at the pool's sign: Wine Pool.

The hue of the wine pool seemed overly deep, not appearing like a mix of wine poured in for bathers, but as if the entire pool was filled with wine.

After walking around the wine pool, Zhong Yi and Zhong Jingzhu noticed nothing unusual apart from the pool's intense color and sensed no sinister presence.

Neither of them touched the water. Both believed that the warning note was mistaken and chose not to approach the red hot spring pool carelessly.

"Let's try summoning the spirits," Zhong Jingzhu suggested.

Zhong Yi nodded and reached into his coat, producing a peachwood sword and a spirit-summoning talisman. He also took out cinnabar to prepare.

Just then, footsteps echoed from behind them. Both turned to see a trail of wet footprints passing by their side, identical to the ones that had led them to the hot spring area!

They had investigated all the pools marked by the footprints but not the wine pool. These were new footprints!

Zhong Jingzhu and Zhong Yi exchanged glances. Out of the corner of his eye, Zhong Yi caught a glimpse of something—under the dim light of the hot springs, he thought he saw the gleam of a blade.

In the next instant, a forceful push sent both men plunging into the hot spring pool, without even seeing what or who had pushed them.

The water in the hot spring wasn’t deep. After falling in, both quickly adjusted and scrambled out. Zhong Jingzhu looked back to where they had been standing, while Zhong Yi’s gaze shifted towards the direction of the gleaming blade.

A figure holding a knife was retreating from the spot. Due to the dim lighting, all Zhong Yi could make out was a dark silhouette. In the blink of an eye, the shadowy figure vanished, leaving no time for Zhong Jingzhu to catch a glimpse.

After emerging from the pool, both quickly began to feel the chill.

Drenched in their heavy clothing, they initially felt warm from the hot spring, but under the winter wind, their clothes quickly turned cold, and a thin layer of ice even formed on the surface.

Yet they didn’t pause. Rapidly searching for whatever had pushed them, they soon noticed another set of footprints.

“Could it be the owner of these footprints?” Zhong Yi uttered through chattering teeth.

“Perhaps,” Zhong Jingzhu replied. “But why bring us here?”

“Uncle, have you noticed? It’s getting colder by the second,” Zhong Yi said, his teeth chattering.

Feeling the abnormal cold, Zhong Jingzhu’s face paled. “We need to get back now!”

Their clothes, now stiff and icy, drained their body heat rapidly. The wine pool was located deep inside the hot spring area.

With such a drastic drop in temperature, they wouldn’t make it out of the area alive. Both knew this wasn’t natural. Zhong Yi tried to retrieve a fire talisman from inside his coat, but the soaked paper talisman had become mushy and unusable.

“Get in the water!” Zhong Jingzhu decided swiftly. Though the air in the hot spring area was cold, the water was still warm and would offer some reprieve.

Without hesitation, Zhong Yi jumped into the nearest pool. The warm water soon permeated their icy clothing, slowly bringing warmth back to their chilled bodies.

"The warning note said not to stay in the hot spring for more than half an hour,” Zhong Yi pondered aloud, “so could we stay in longer, maybe beyond that half-hour?"

“No,” Zhong Jingzhu corrected, “it said not to get close to the water.”

But they were already submerged.

Once their body temperature was more or less stabilized, the two silently emerged from the hot spring, continuing their way out. When the biting cold became unbearable again, they returned to the warmth of the spring.

Soon, they passed by a small wooden cabin, prompting Zhong Yi to halt suddenly.

Turning to Zhong Jingzhu, an epiphany struck him. "A sauna! I get it now! We should go to the sauna!"

For a fleeting moment, a puzzled expression crossed Zhong Jingzhu's face. "We should get out first," he replied.

"No, Uncle, the sauna is the answer. It'll be fine," Zhong Yi asserted.

Zhong Jingzhu, still looking perplexed, didn’t insist. "You go to the sauna. I'll head out."

Nodding in agreement, Zhong Yi replied, "Alright, I'll head there. Just be careful."

Even in the nighttime, the sauna was operational. Upon entering, Zhong Yi was immediately enveloped by comforting warmth.

He took off his wet clothes and spread them out in the compact room, waiting for them to dry.

With their current attire, they stood no chance of safely leaving the hot spring area amidst the plummeting temperatures. Not every part of the path to the main exit was flanked by hot springs; there was also a children's water park and a swimming pool, where the water was insufficiently warm.

Hence, the need to use the sauna to dry their clothes before departure.

Though he had deduced this, Zhong Yi didn't call out to Zhong Jingzhu. Not because he believed his uncle could manage on his own, but because there was something unsettling about him.

It... didn't seem like his real uncle.

The sauna had a woodsy, toasty aroma – not unpleasant, reminiscent of incense.

A sudden wave of fatigue washed over Zhong Yi. The rapid drop in his body temperature had sapped his energy, and in this cozy setting, he yearned for sleep.

But he couldn't allow himself to rest.

Mustering strength, Zhong Yi tried to stand and open the sauna door for a blast of cold air. However, as he opened it, an icy dread permeated the room.

—Something had entered.

Before he could react, darkness consumed his vision, and he crumpled to the ground.

The next day, Zhong Yi awoke in his own room, surrounded by a feeling of soft comfort, so much so that he didn't wish to open his eyes.

"Awake?"

Recognizing Zhong Jingzhu's voice, he jolted upright, memories of the previous night flooding back. Hurriedly sitting up, he asked, "What happened last night?"

Zhong Jingzhu shook his head, "I'm not sure. All I remember is losing consciousness at the entrance of the hot spring area. When I awoke, I was back in my room."

"I passed out in the sauna," added Zhong Yi.

A heavy silence fell between them.

Amidst the quiet, a knock echoed at the door. Both men turned to look, relief washing over them as Bai Wan's voice sounded from behind it.

"My brother sent me to fetch you. It's time for breakfast."

Over breakfast, Zhong Yi and Zhong Jingzhu inquired about the events of the previous night. Chi Shen indicated he had been otherwise engaged and had not taken note of who had returned them to their rooms, but he was certain it wasn't him.

As he spoke, he absentmindedly touched his neck.

Indeed, he had been busy elsewhere, but he had taken care to leave no trace.

Chi Shen also asked if either of them had seen a ghostly face, pale as a blank canvas, the previous night. Both men shook their heads in the negative.

After finishing their meal, Zhong Yi seemed hesitant. After some thought, he asked Chi Shen, "What do you think we should do?"

Chi Shen responded with a slight smile, "Stay in your rooms and go nowhere. Enjoy your vacation."

For some reason, Zhong Jingzhu found that smile unnerving. And besides, who would consider this ominous place a vacation spot?

Zhong Yi nodded earnestly, "I understand."

Judging from the previous night, any rash actions wouldn't just yield no answers; they might also endanger their lives. This was why he had sought Chi Shen's opinion.

Ever since leaving the port city, he had developed an inexplicable trust in Chi Shen.

Since Chi Shen had advised them to stay put, he decided to heed his words.

But this decision... was soon overturned.

Upon returning to the hotel, they were met with a sudden uproar. A group of young people were chatting on the lobby sofas, and another young man was vehemently discussing something with the receptionist, his face showing clear discontent.

Zhong Yi's expression shifted instantly.

He looked at Chi Shen: "Haven't we already made it clear that this place is dangerous?"

Chi Shen gazed at the young individuals who clearly seemed like students and sighed, "There are always those... who seem fearless towards death."