Chapter 24

Chapter 24

"What's the hurry?"

Ming Fei Yu lowered his gaze to the person in his arms, methodically tucking stray locks of hair behind his ears, leisurely clearing those that covered his eyes, then gently rubbed the corners, marking his fair skin that reddened easily. In such tender moments, a touch of red in the snowy white was most enchanting, pleasing to his heart.

The young man eagerly awaited his next words, ready to comply obediently until he was satisfied and willing to continue speaking.

Ming Fei Yu always felt that in moments like this, he resembled a cat waiting to be fed.

He enjoyed teasing him, letting him catch a whiff of the delicious meal before swiftly hiding it, watching the ‘little cat’ glaring in indignation, yet not daring to provoke him for the sake of food, hopelessly gazing at him while silently plotting his revenge.

It was only when he needed something that he would willingly cling.

The young man asked impatiently, "Big brother, did you just say you'd take me out?"

Ming Fei Yu looked at the barely concealed delight on his face and mocked, "You only call me 'Big brother' or 'Ah Yu' when you're asking for something. On normal days, you address me by my full name. You don’t even bother to pretend to be sweet and gentle; do you really think I’m that easy to fool?"

Not easy to fool, yet fooled many times before.

He wasn't afraid.

"I didn’t," the young man tried to argue with brazen righteousness, but upon meeting Ming Fei Yu’s gaze, he lost his nerve.

"Alright, I was wrong, it won't happen again."

Ming Fei Yu scolded with a chuckle, "You little rascal," and then pinched his ear affectionately.

The young man buried his head in Ming Fei Yu's chest, nuzzling and rooting against his heart, trying to ingratiate himself.

Now he appeared even more like a kitten full of mischief yet feigning innocence.

Ming Fei Yu couldn't help but let out a chuckle; his irritation was feigned, easily dissipated with a little coaxing. He gently patted the back of the person in his embrace. "Come on out, isn't it stuffy hiding in there?"

"It's not stuffy!"

Ming Fei Yu shook his head with a smile, hugging the person tighter and whispering in his ear, "After we get married in a few days, I will take you out of the Misty Mountains to see the people you've been longing to meet."

"Can we really leave?!"

The young man's eyes lit up with surprise as he looked up and grabbed Ming Fei Yu's collar, pulling their heads close, his face full of anticipation.

Ming Fei Yu felt a twinge of annoyance at his reaction, tempted to retract his words.

Is leaving all that makes you happy?

He probably didn't even hear the words "get married."

So as a sort of punishment, he pinched the young man's nose and said with a resigned emphasis, "It's only after we're wed that you can leave, consider it as bringing you back to my family."

"Okay!"

The young man agreed without hesitation; the condition was irrelevant as long as he could leave this place.

Wait, that's not right!

"Why 'bringing me back'?"

It made him sound like a little bride.

"Is there a problem?"

"Yes." A big problem!

But Ming Fei Yu didn't see it as an issue. He lifted the young man's face to examine it, then pondered for a moment, realizing there might actually be a point.

He had nothing in common with a shy, gentle, and domestically skilled bride.

He was cold and fierce, with a bad temper, couldn't cook, didn't do housework, and only softened his tone to use him, feigning tenderness for a few minutes; otherwise, he was unapproachable.

Biting hurts and his punches are fierce; aside from his good looks, it's doubtful anyone would want such a temperamental person for a spouse.

But that suited him just fine. If no one else wanted the young man, then he'd have to stay with him. He was willing to cherish this precious burden at home, provided he didn't always think about running away.

The young man asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Ming Fei Yu replied, "You marrying me would work too. I could be your little spouse."

"What?" The young man was momentarily dazed.

Ming Fei Yu took his hand and placed it over his heart, looking earnestly into his eyes, "Since you've married me, you must treat me well. Don't deceive me, don't betray me, or I shall spend my days in tears."

“……”

"Pfft."

The young man couldn't help it and laughed at his words, playfully thumping him on the chest.

"What was that for?"

Ming Fei Yu laughed along with him.

The two shared a hearty laugh, cuddling together under the blankets.

The young man rested his head against Ming Fei Yu's neck, his soft hair tickling his neck and jaw, a feeling that warmed his heart. He kissed the strands gently, a tender gesture filled with care that the young man could feel.

Looking into his eyes, the young man suddenly didn't want to be cross with him anymore, smiling softly, "Let's not fight anymore, Second Brother."

Ming Fei Yu, eyes soft with affection, responded, "Alright."

"I won't leave you. You don't have to keep me tied to you, I'm not a child."

"Alright."

"And stop making me drink all those weird concoctions!"

"What do you mean 'making'? It's the price you pay for losing a bet."

Better left unsaid, but once mentioned, the young man's face fell, and he shot Ming Fei Yu a sharp glance, his voice tinged with a deep questioning, "Then why do I always lose?"

Ming Fei Yu displayed not a trace of guilt; in fact, he feigned contemplation before responding nonchalantly after a moment, "You're just unlucky."

Yes, it must be so.

The youth, expressionless, retorted, "…Running into you is indeed my misfortune."

"How can you talk about your little wife like that? I'm going to cry."

There wasn't the slightest hint of tears on Ming Fei Yu's face; on the contrary, his smile was so irritating that one might feel the urge to hit him.

The young man feigned annoyance and gave him a light push, without really putting any strength behind it, "Have you no shame?"

Ming Fei Yu was indifferent, "Thick-skinned—this concept only humans care about."

The youth deliberately called him out, "Monster."

Ming Fei Yu's focus, however, was elsewhere as he corrected seriously, "Now, I'm your monster."

Mine?

The youth mulled over those two words, then laughed again, clearly fond of the title. He too reached out to embrace Ming Fei Yu, lifting his chin to address him, "Second brother."

Ming Fei Yu's eyes were full of laughter, "Hmm, I'm here."

"Ah Yu."

"I'm here."

"You scoundrel."

“……”

Ming Fei Yu replied indifferently, "Not here."

Seeing Ming Fei Yu at a rare disadvantage, the young man burst into a loud laugh, becoming even more brazen as he called out, "Old monster."

Ming Fei Yu looked at him and begrudgingly let out a "Hmm."

"Hahahaha—"

The young man was content, finally ceasing his calls.

He realized something — that whenever he called out, there would always be someone to answer him.

The iceberg between them melted under the intensity of their heated breaths, the tension of their confrontation dissipating into a wind that wrapped tightly around them both. When their eyes met again, their gazes had softened, each pupil reflecting the gentle, enduring image of the other.

In this long, sticky, uncomfortable night, the presence of one another made it more bearable.

The youth's mind calmed, but he asked with a hint of unease, "After we're married, will you really let me go? You won't cause trouble along the way, will you?"

Ming Fei Yu tapped him irritably on the back of his head, "No, I'm not the little swindler you are."

"What if you change your mind at the last minute?"

"If I deceive you, you're welcome to take that dagger and kill me."

The air became instantly tense, the previously light and cheerful heartbeat abruptly stopped.

Panic and unrest swiftly flickered in the depths of the youth's eyes before he forcibly steadied himself and asked quietly, "What dagger?"

Ming Fei Yu embraced him tighter, his jaw resting on the youth's soft hair, eyes closing as he said languidly, "The one you just thought of using to kill me with, which you've now put back in the cabinet, haven't you?"

He felt the person in his arms shiver.

"Don't be afraid," Ming Fei Yu opened his eyes, his glance towards the cabinet flickering with a cold sharpness like a blade, but it was quickly reined in, and he patted him reassuringly.

"I won't harm you."

"...When did you find out?" The young man's voice was a feigned calm, forcibly steadied.

If he hadn't hesitated just now and had plunged the knife in, would he still be lying safely in Ming Fei Yu's arms, listening to him speak?

Or would the moment the knife struck have also been the moment of his death... He felt trapped with no escape, a cliff behind him and a ravenous wolf in front, leaving him the choice to either die or to gamble with the wolf for his life.

Either way, he was in a passive position.

He had gained eternal life and health, and death was no longer the greatest threat he feared. But at the same time, his future life or death, joy or sorrow, staying or leaving, were all in the hands of Ming Fei Yu, no longer his own to decide.

This was the price he had to pay for seeking eternal life from Ming Fei Yu.

At that time, he was near death and only wished to survive; he hadn't considered the consequences of striking a deal with a cunning devil, offering his soul and everything else to the devil. Was he still himself?

At this thought, he felt a chill throughout his body, daring not to continue the thread of his fears.

Ming Fei Yu seemed disinclined to pursue the topic further, whispering softly, "Sleep a little longer; dawn is still a while away."

The youth remained silent, seemingly fallen asleep.

It was much later, in the silent stillness of the cabin where one could hear a pin drop, that a nearly inaudible "mm" sounded in the darkness.

Unbeknownst to them, this was to be their last peaceful night.