Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Xie Zhigui had plotted for a long time, waiting for Xie Sanxiao to show himself so he could be ensnared in this carefully constructed dreamscape until his sixty years of life were completely exhausted, and he was utterly obliterated from the world, finally putting an end to all their grievances.

But Xie Sanxiao had guessed correctly; he had not mentioned this plan to Ming Fei Yu.

Because he dared not speak of it.

He had always maintained that he remembered nothing, and if he disclosed his plan, all the lies he had told before would unravel.

The mere thought of Ming Fei Yu's reaction gave him a headache.

It wasn't that he feared Ming Fei Yu's retaliation, but rather he did not want to see the hurt in Ming Fei Yu's eyes, which might compel him to agree to many unreasonable demands out of guilt and remorse.

A trace of worry flickered across Xie Zhigui's otherwise calm facade.

Xie Sanxiao became even more certain that Ming Fei Yu was completely unaware of the plan, which actually brought him some relief.

He couldn't fully control this body in his current state, otherwise he wouldn't have been easily trapped by Xie Zhigui.

But he was confident that Ming Fei Yu would surely awaken his dear son.

All he needed was patience; the one who should be anxious was Xie Zhigui.

Sure enough, before long, the entire dreamscape began to shake violently, with spiderweb-like cracks appearing overhead.

Xie Zhigui glanced up and cursed inwardly, his fears had come to pass.

Xie Sanxiao wore a look of smug certainty, as if he had known this would happen.

Disgust rose in Xie Zhigui's heart at the sight of him, yet he could only sigh softly.

Ming Fei Yu, don’t awaken me...

In the last moments as the dreamscape crumbled, Xie Zhigui suddenly lunged at Xie Sanxiao, stepping over the shards beneath his feet, and before his father could react, embraced him and they both fell into the pitch-black abyss below.

"Let go of me!"

Xie Sanxiao's struggling cries were swallowed by the howling wind as the two of them became mere specks in the darkness.

Outside the dream, Xie Zhigui awoke with a start.

Ming Fei Yu held him against the headboard, gripping his hand, and as Xie Zhigui looked up, he saw the dark circles and visible exhaustion in his eyes, suggesting he hadn’t slept in days. As Xie Zhigui struggled to sit up, Ming Fei Yu gently pressed him back into his embrace and placed a cool kiss on his forehead.

"It's been seven days, glad you’re awake," his voice was hoarse.

The words of anger Xie Zhigui had prepared to speak suddenly wouldn't come out. He touched Ming Fei Yu's body; apart from where he was holding him, which was warm, every other part felt cold.

Had he really been holding him for seven days?

"Ming Fei Yu, you’re holding me too tightly, I can't breathe, loosen your grip a little."

Ming Fei Yu looked at him, "Okay."

And then he did, but only slightly.

Xie Zhigui: "..."

Ming Fei Yu lifted his face, his fingertips tracing across the skin, "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Xie Zhigui found it hard to escape from his burning gaze within such a confining posture. Avoiding eye contact would seem like an admission of guilt, so he conceded, "I had a nightmare."

Ming Fei Yu fixed his eyes on him: "Hmm, a nightmare that lasted seven days straight."

Those seven days were a nightmare not just for Xie Zhigui, but for him as well.

Anyone would be terrified if someone who was full of life just the day before fell into a deep, unwakeable sleep for an entire seven days.

Ming Fei Yu had used some method unknown to finally rouse the man.

When Xie Zhigui first opened his eyes, groggy and unfocused, he felt an immense relief that he had not abandoned Ming Fei Yu.

He wanted to hold him tight, to blend him into his very bones and blood, to become one with him.

He yearned to kiss him too, to conquer the scent on his body and mark his presence everywhere, but he feared scaring him away, so he resigned to only wish for it.

Xie Zhigui didn’t know if Ming Fei Yu believed his words, but he could see the fierce intention in Ming Fei Yu’s eyes that could burn wildly through his body with just a warm breath in his ear.

They would perish under the clear blue sky, in the midst of a tumultuous wildfire.

He couldn’t avoid it, nor could he pretend it wasn’t there.

“I want to take some medicine,” Xie Zhigui suddenly requested.

Ming Fei Yu asked him, "Are you ill again?"

"I’m not sick," Xie Zhigui denied Ming Fei Yu’s offer to check his pulse, saying, "It’s for the nightmares. They're unbearable, and I want to take something to cure them."

"It's to treat this condition," Ming Fei Yu said tenderly as he arranged the hair soaked by sweat.

It seemed Ming Fei Yu wasn’t suspicious, and since he asked, Ming Fei Yu set out to prepare it right away.

The garden didn’t have the medicine he needed; it had to be sought from outside.

Before leaving, Ming Fei Yu cautioned him, "Don’t wander off, wait for me to return."

Of course, Xie Zhigui complied submissively, asking him to return soon as he wanted porridge for dinner.

Once he left, Xie Zhigui waited patiently for about twenty minutes, then threw off the covers, got dressed, put on his shoes, and stepped outside. The spirit insects in the courtyard swarmed to the gate at his appearance, forming an impenetrable wall of bugs.

Xie Zhigui was no fool to attempt a brute force entry, so he turned and headed towards the kitchen in the back.

Shortly after, he emerged with a large basin of honey water, beckoning them over to drink.

The gu insects hesitated to approach, but Xie Zhigui had his ways with people and bugs alike, disarming with his harmless, endearing smile. It wasn't long before the insects, as if charmed by some bewitching potion, foolishly made their way over.

Xie Zhigui set the basin down on the ground, and the insects swarmed it immediately.

"Take it easy, there's no rush, there's enough for everyone."

They were still too naive, unaware that a handsome man could be deceitful and poisonous.

In less than five minutes, there was a patter of insects collapsed on the ground.

Xie Zhigui made certain that no straggler would alert the enemy, Ming Fei Yu, by carefully sidestepping the bugs, careful not to crush them, and holding his breath as he exited the courtyard. Then, without looking back, he dashed towards the dense forest.

Time was of the essence for him; he did not know when Xie Sanxiao would awaken to contest control of this body, so he needed to put as much distance between himself and Ming Fei Yu as quickly as possible.

Xie Sanxiao longed to use his body to kill Ming Fei Yu, a deed which would grant him a twofold satisfaction of revenge, inflicting pain on two detestable beings at once.

Xie Zhigui ran faster and faster, guided by memory through the forest, with branches scratching his legs and hands, small but painfully sharp.

But he could not stop.

The wind whistled past his ears, and the verdant woods were quickly left far behind.

Soon he arrived at the suspension bridge, thankful that Ming Fei Yu hadn't destroyed it; below, the river roared tumultuously.

He was a bit acrophobic and still haunted by the last ordeal; after hesitating for a few seconds, he took a deep breath, focused straight ahead, and ignoring the roaring river beneath, dashed across at full speed.

At last, he arrived on the other side of the river.

Compared to the other side, the traces of passage were much more evident here; he chose the broadest path and continued on his relentless journey.

Back in the courtyard, on the other side.

The insects soon woke up, naive as they were; they smacked their lips, savoring the aftertaste of the honey water blissfully.

Someone had entered the courtyard.

They stared, nearly scared to death by their master’s impassive face.

Ming Fei Yu looked at the empty yard and the inner rooms with a cold voice inquired, "Where are the ones you were supposed to be watching?"

People? What people?

The bugs looked around in confusion, not finding the kind soul who gave them honey water, only a faint scent of Xie Zhigui lingered.

It dawned on them, and they were petrified.

It's... it's over!

Their little lover had fled!

Timidly, they returned to their master's side, posing in contrition.

But the next second, with a "whoosh" in the wind, the basket Ming Fei Yu was holding caught fire, flames raging furiously, incinerating its contents before they could even be taken out.

Besides medicine, that basket contained fruits that Xie Zhigui loved, for which he had gone out of his way to pick.

The firelight cast upon half of his stern face, slowly draining of warmth.

Xie Zhigui might never know the trust with which he set out, how every second spent outside was filled with thoughts of someone, nor the bewildered shattering of expectation when he returned home to find the courtyard empty.

Here we go again...

Having been deceived so many times, Ming Fei Yu couldn’t even remember how to be angry anymore.

So Xie Zhigui, it seems, wasn't truly afflicted by the nightmare; he just concocted a shoddy excuse to escape, and I, the fool, believed it.

To think... I could still trust him.

I deserved to be deceived.

Ming Fei Yu was excessively calm, neither sad nor angry, until the flames extinguished, the sun set, and the last gleam of light was taken away. After what seemed like an eternity, in a world eerily silent and bizarre, a tranquil voice rose in the darkness: "Bring him back."

"Dead or alive."

Immediately, the insects buzzed their wings into a frenzy, tracking Xie Zhigui's scent.

Ming Fei Yu gazed at the ashes on the ground, which seemed to mock his foolish hopes silently. A glint of cold light flashed in his eyes. He stepped on them, grinding a deep imprint with the sole of his shoe, a release of too many complex emotions. Without another glance, he too entered the woods.

This is the last time, little trickster. No more soft-heartedness for you; you’re out of chances.

——

It was getting dark.

Fortunately, the weather was good today, and with a full moon, Xie Zhigui could barely make out the path with the moonlight. Otherwise, he'd be fumbling blind in the forest, clueless if the next step would land him in a pit or on a wild beast.

Traveling by night was dangerous, but he dared not stop, his forehead slick with sweat.

Ming Fei Yu must be close behind by now, yet the exit of this forest remained unseen; he needed to pick up the pace.

As he turned a corner, suddenly a cold hand reached out from behind a tree and grabbed him.

"Who's there!" Xie Zhigui exclaimed in shock.

Turning, he saw a ghostly pale face illuminated by a faint firelight, causing him to startle.

"It's me." The familiar voice quickly calmed him down.

Xie Zhigui recognized the person and exclaimed in surprise, "Grandfather?"

Master Lao Liu snorted, released him, and vigorously wiped his hands on his clothing, shooting him a disdainful glance.

Xie Zhigui found himself awkwardly at a loss for words. Master Lao Liu used to restrain his disdain, but now he openly displayed his aversion to him.

For in the eyes of this world-weary old monster, he was nothing but a fox spirit who had used unspeakable means to charm his beloved little monster and whisk it away, only to later betray the creature’s genuine affection.

He was a disaster, a heartbreaker, a bad omen—trouble for anyone he touched.

"Master."

Nonetheless, Xie Zhigui respectfully addressed him, bowing slightly, "What brings you here so late?"

His posture was sufficiently humble, softening the ugly expression on Master Lao Liu's face a bit.

"I've come to help you."

"To help me?!"

"Shh." Master Lao Liu gestured with his hand, signaling him to be silent, "Listen."

Xie Zhigui listened intently; the air seemed to vibrate with a rumbling noise, growing louder as it neared.

His expression turned grave.

"Sound familiar?"

He nodded stiffly; it was the buzzing sound of a swarm of insects flapping their wings in unison.

According to his experience, they would find this place in no more than five minutes.

Five minutes… This also meant that today, he was unlikely to leave this forest.

He had overestimated himself.

Master Lao Liu, seeing the anxiety tinge his brows and eyes, suddenly handed him the lantern he was carrying and pointed in a direction: "Go quickly, I'll hold off Ming Fei Yu for you."

Grasping the lantern handle, Xie Zhigui took a step to leave but then turned back, asking in surprise, "Why would you help me?"

Master Lao Liu gave him a disdainful roll of his eyes and said, "Who wants to help you? I wish you were dead! It'd spare Ming Fei Yu the constant brooding."

The venom in his words remained as potent as ever, something Xie Zhigui had grown accustomed to.

"Get out of here! Once you leave this time, never show your face to Ming Fei Yu again, or I swear I'll kill you!"

"...Thank you."

A-Liu Ye turned around with pride, showing his back to him, and waved his hand impatiently.

"Get lost! Dally any longer and even the path to the underworld will cool down."

Having expressed his gratitude, Xie Zhigui did not bother with any further sentimentality, his figure swiftly disappearing into the deep, dark forest.

Not long after his departure, Ming Fei Yu arrived.

Realizing Master Liu blocked the path and that Xie Zhigui's scent abruptly ended here, one could deduce his intentions.

"Stop chasing him. Let him go."

It was rare for A-Liu Ye to command Ming Fei Yu in such an imperative tone. If he did, Ming Fei Yu was bound to obey, regardless of his own objections.

If there had been any other way, he wouldn't have wanted to leverage years of favor to control Ming Fei Yu.

Ming Fei Yu looked at the old man who had raised him, aware that all he had done was for his own good. His eyes drooped slightly, touched by emotion.

Nevertheless, he disappointed A-Liu Ye's expectations — "Which direction did he go?"

“……”

A-Liu Ye was so infuriated by Ming Fei Yu's stubbornness that he was beyond words.

"You... are hopeless!"

Ming Fei Yu repeated his question: "Where did he go?"

A-Liu Ye gestured as if to slap him. Ming Fei Yu stood straight, his gaze steady, showing no intent to dodge; he was ready to accept the slap he deserved.

For the grace of being raised, for his obstinate nature, for the times he had gone against A-Liu Ye's wishes out of personal sentiment, he deserved to be slapped.

Sorry, there were many things for which he could respect and follow A-Liu Ye's word, but on this matter, there was absolutely no room for concession.

"Where exactly did you hide him?" Ming Fei Yu demanded for the last time.

"What are you planning to do?!"

In the end, Master Liu couldn't harden his heart, slapping a palm against a tree trunk. With a thunderous noise, a deep crack appeared on the tree.

He approached Ming Fei Yu aggressively, pressing him, "Why so silent? What do you plan to do?!"

"And what if I don't tell you where he went, what will you do?"

"Beat this old frame of bones? Or kill me?!!!"

Ming Fei Yu replied with neither servility nor overbearance, "I wouldn't dare."

"What wouldn't you dare!" Master Liu was exceptionally agitated, angry.

The spectating insects shivered with fright and hid behind the trees, fearing the crossfire might reach their innocent selves.

"How many times has he run away, and you still don't see it? He's a faithless scoundrel! Just like his deceitful and heartless father, he doesn't like you, doesn't care for you! He is unworthy of your devotion; what will it take for you to give up?" Master Liu asked him, heartbroken.

Ming Fei Yu's expression remained as calm as still water, maintaining the same demeanor, "Hand him over to me, and I will let this go."

“……”

"Don't even think about it." Master Liu stated resolutely, like the Milky Way that lies between the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, standing between Ming Fei Yu and Xie Zhigui.

Ming Fei Yu could not afford to make another mistake; if someone had to play the villain, let it be him. Let the hatred be directed at him.

If Ming Fei Yu wished to get past tonight, he would have to step over his dead body.

Xie Zhigui, you'd better run fast, the further the better.