“Chapter 99”

"Chapter 99"

"He should have hesitated," Xie Linyuan thought. "Even a fleeting moment of confusion and wandering would have been better than now, being so rational it's unsettling."

"He soberly realizes he's indeed fallen for this person, not for the appearance, but for their entirety. He had a vague premonition of this, but was reluctant to admit it."

"Then Xie Linyuan couldn't help but ask himself: What exactly do I like about him?"

"...And this time, his rational self couldn't come up with an answer."

"In the chaos, Xie Linyuan saw Wu Yin raise his right hand, his index finger hooking the elastic of the mask to pull it away, those emerald eyes darkly fixed on him. Xie Linyuan understood this was their agreed signal, to seek his opinion before doing anything, yet Wu Yin’s action of removing the mask was too decisive to dispute."

"Xie Linyuan felt like laughing. He never expected Wu Yin to clearly weigh the pros and cons, to heed his advice for the most rational decision. Just getting a visual heads-up before throwing a bomb was good enough."

"Seeing Xie Linyuan did not stop him, Wu Yin threw the mask away even more confidently. The white fox hurriedly reached out to catch it, but the ivy got there first, its tendrils joyfully wrapping the mask into a green ball, shrinking and staying still."

"He turned to return to the hall but was stopped by Xie Linyuan grabbing his wrist."

"A warm, dry palm rested on his forehead, and soon, a gem hair clip was placed there, pinning back the hair that obstructed his view to reveal handsome brows and those sparkling eyes."

"'Don’t lose it again, it’s the only clip in Liu Shu’s jewelry. The jade brooch I tricked out of you was carelessly misplaced, almost lost, and I haven’t even settled the score with you yet.'"

"Despite having discussed the pros and cons, this capricious man still went his own way, but Xie Linyuan wasn’t angry at all. It seems spending time with Wu Yin had turned him into someone who acts without method or consideration of consequences."

"Even with a million reasons to keep Wu Yin from removing his mask, in the end, he preferred seeing Wu Yin act on his natural impulse."

"Wu Yin values the ownership of this body greatly and rejects others using it, so he should be even more resolute, firm in the belief that this face belongs to Wu Yin."

"Why should they hide what's theirs, acting timid and sneaky?"

"Hearing Xie Linyuan's affectionate complaints, Wu Yin blinked in surprise, quickly, his gaze filled with a touch of jest, the icy demeanor melting away to become soft and bright, his eyes and brows expressing understanding."

In an instant, Xie Linyuan really wanted to kiss him, to kiss this overly sensitive guy until his head was spinning and he could no longer afford to ponder and distinguish. Wu Yin also saw Xie Linyuan's impulse at this moment, but he knew Xie Linyuan would never be affectionate with him in public, so his smile deepened.

Without words, Jia Chen seemed to sense the undercurrent in the air, especially when Wu Yin removed his mask at a very delicate moment, revealing a face identical to his. Jia Chen's eyes shifted subtly, his fingers tightening around the umbrella handle, thoughtfully looking at Wu Yin and Xie Linyuan.

Only the boy did not react excessively to Wu Yin's unmasking, remaining cheerful, stepping forward to Wu Yin with small quick steps, looking up with genuine joy: "Brother."

Being called "brother" by a six-year-old boy was an odd experience for Wu Yin, who perhaps had a strong heart and adapted well. Despite not knowing Geng Wu's character, and why he dared to openly call Wu Yin, an adult man, "brother" in front of so many people, since he had no reservations, Wu Yin naturally nodded in response: "Bro."

"Hey!" Geng Wu became even happier, grabbing Wu Yin's hand and heading into the hall, "You took so long to come, where have you been all this time?"

"Picked up a couple of dogs."

……

As they walked away, Jia Chen's sticky gaze once again silently wrapped around them, implying, "Your relationship seems quite good?"

Xie Linyuan chuckled lightly: "More than good."

After saying this, he turned and left, feeling inexplicably relieved.

To this day, he has never admitted anything to Wu Yin, not even the confession at the moment of attraction, cleverly evaded with the cunning question, "Do you like me a bit?"

Because in front of Wu Yin, he always somehow ends up at a disadvantage, effortlessly cornered by the other party, his only advantage seems to be Wu Yin's blank slate in terms of emotions. Thus, Xie Linyuan started competing with Wu Yin, unwilling to be defeated.

He indeed wouldn't lose; Wu Yin, who barely understands love, has clearly shown care and fondness for him, getting easily tricked by a casually concocted lie to feel jealous and angry, to be emotionally moved for him.

In fact, Xie Linyuan could have used Jia Chen to further provoke Wu Yin. This man shares the same face with Wu Yin but has a different personality and showed goodwill at first sight. Xie Linyuan doesn't even need to do anything; merely pretending ignorance and not rejecting could definitely infuriate Wu Yin.

The little parasite, new to love and especially naive in emotions, would surely be uncontrollably furious, perhaps bringing him many unexpected gains.

And then?

Would he then be happy for winning the emotional duel with Wu Yin? Would he take pride in having the affection of both brothers, satisfying his vanity? Would he be proud of once again using cunning strategies to confirm Wu Yin's affection?

...Xie Linyuan felt only a sense of blandness.

The moment he realized he wouldn't be overjoyed by victory, he also lost his stubbornness toward defeat. Admitting to what his heart desired didn't seem as painful as he had imagined. Xie Linyuan suddenly thought of Wu Yin's smile, like the first thaw of ice and snow, seemingly naive yet as if understanding everything. Wu Yin always had this elusive demeanor, making him both love and hate, lightening his steps and breathing more freely.

……

Under Geng Wu's lead, Wu Yin fully turned around, revealing his face to everyone. The mutants, who had been paying close attention, simultaneously noticed something odd, their five pairs of eyes wide with surprise and curiosity, looking back and forth between Wu Yin and Jia Chen.

Geng Wu effortlessly pulled over a chair to sit, while Wu Yin returned to the grand master's chair he had been occupying. Xie Linyuan casually leaned on the armrest of his chair. Soon, the mutants found their seats, and Jia Chen, following behind them, leisurely folded his umbrella, flicking off the droplets from his clothing, and sat down on the only empty chair.

Before Geng Wu could offer a reasonable explanation for Wu Yin and Jia Chen's identical faces, the clever mutant Grey provided one: "Are Xiao Hu and Mr. Long... twins?"

Geng Wu, who had meticulously concocted a complex clone theory, instantly deflated and nodded agreeably, "Yes, they are identical twins."

"No wonder they look so alike." The rest of the mutants immediately accepted this explanation, even the most intelligent-looking woman in a qipao didn't harbor a single doubt under Wu Yin's "all-encompassing mutant allure."

Only Lu Ba kept observing them, more astonished the more he looked: "Aren't they too similar? They're exactly alike."

"Really?" Wu Yin, lifting a twenty-pound brown bear off himself and handing it to Xie Linyuan, raised an eyebrow, "Aren't the differences quite significant?"

Suddenly, Jia Chen chuckled lowly, "Significant differences? If we dressed the same, probably no one could tell us apart, right?"

"You better not play those identity swap games in the future," Geng Wu was already feeling a headache coming on.

"It should be possible to tell them apart," Xiao Hei suddenly said. Grey and A Cheng immediately nodded vigorously, chiming in, "Yes, even though Mr. Long and Xiao Hu look very similar, they give off completely different vibes. I think, even if you two wore the same clothes, I could still tell you apart."

Lu Ba listened, perplexed, now mixing up who was who.

Wu Yin frowned, "Why is he Mr. Long, and I'm just Xiao Hu? Why not Mr. Hu?"

Grey chuckled, then looked toward Xie Linyuan, "Right? ...Can you tell?"

"Of course, I can tell," Xie Linyuan naturally pinched the ear of the three-eyed brown bear, "After all, who would mistake the person they like?"

Upon these words, silence fell in the hall, everyone exchanging looks, speechless, while Xie Linyuan seemed utterly unaware of what he had just said, still looking down, playing a game of poking the bear's eyes with the mutant brown bear.

A while later, the lady in the cheongsam looked at Wu Yin in surprise, "What, are you two lovers?"

Wu Yin's face mirrored her shock, "What, we're lovers?"

Jie Linyuan, with the corners of his eyes reddening, finally lifted his head and bit out through clenched teeth as he tugged at his hair, "Dare to say that again?"

Wu Yin proved he really was capable, "When did we become lovers?"

The mutants around them got it: indeed, they were lovers, even if not now, they soon would be.

……

Soon, Lu Ba, unable to stand the atmosphere, stood up to prepare lunch in the kitchen, with A Cheng and Grey immediately following to help.

Although Geng Wu had a thousand things he wanted to say to Wu Yin, with outsiders present, he held back. He had business to discuss with the lady in the cheongsam anyway, so he soon took paper and pen to the side to talk about serious matters.

Jia Chen stopped paying attention to Jie Linyuan, perhaps losing interest in a "married man", and instead started chatting happily with the mutants A Lan and Xiao Hei, their laughter occasionally breaking out.

Wu Yin, overwhelmed by the pets surrounding him and clamoring for food, finally, wearing his real leather scarves and accessories, headed to the kitchen and grabbed A Cheng, who was slicing melon, "What about lunch for these guys?"

Seeing his ease and fortune, A Cheng, green with envy, went to prepare pet food with even greater enthusiasm.

Grey took on the task of chopping meat, while A Cheng had prepared a plate of pigeon and mixed grains. She had a hunch that the six-winged white pigeon, excited all morning, might attempt an escape. As expected, the moment she opened the cage, it burst out.

Though A Cheng could easily recapture it, today she chose not to act.

The pure white pigeon feathers gently fell to the ground. Wu Yin turned his face, raised his right hand, the wind brushing through his hair, a jewel hairpin casting a dim glow, as a pair of red claws lightly clasped his index finger, the sharp nails careful not to exert too much pressure, fearing they might break his skin.

The mutated white pigeon neatly folded its six wings and stood properly on Wu Yin's hand.

Lu Ba added water to the dish, closed the lid, and stoked the fire to reduce the sauce. Turning around, he saw his two assistants standing at the kitchen door, transfixed by something. Approaching, he indeed saw that strange Wu Xiao Hu feeding the mutated animals.

"Go check on the fire." Lu Ba snapped irritably at Ge Rui's head and then patted Ah Cheng on the shoulder, "Ran off after cutting the melon in half?"

The two mutants hurriedly acknowledged and turned back to the kitchen. Lu Ba also turned to go back but stopped in his tracks when his gaze fell on Wu Yin, thinking of Lin Yuan's face which resembled Mr. Long's exactly, and the mention of Lin Yuan's beloved, which inevitably led to some doubts.

This is the person Z1932 likes... What does Z1932 see in him?

"Looking at what?" Wu Yin suddenly looked up, catching Lu Ba off guard who quickly averted his gaze, "Nothing."

"You like mutant animals too?"

"Huh?"

Wu Yin irritably unwrapped the fox fur scarf that was smothering him and causing him to almost break out in heat rash, holding it by the neck in front of him, he earnestly explained, "Coward, you know the difference between a single meal and meals for life, right? I'm only feeding you this once, but they'll be feeding you for at least the next decade. Who should you be trying to please, do I really need to say it?"

Lu Ba watched in surprise until Wu Yin casually tossed the three-tailed fox to him. Catching it reflexively, he then heard Wu Yin sigh in relief, "There, I've trained/disciplined them for you."

Looking down, he saw the fox curled up into a ball, looking miserable and helpless yet forcing itself to be sensible. It didn't flee at their approach like before, eating only in the dead of night when no one was around.

Ge Rui and Ah Cheng, with their ears perked up, rushed out at the slightest sound. Ah Cheng bravely petted the fox's head. The three-tailed fox, terrified, puffed up its fur but did not flee. Soon, it was even trying to earn its keep, sticking out its tongue to lick Ah Cheng's hand.

Ah Cheng, Ge Rui: "..."

"Ah—"

Lu Ba casually left the fox with these two fools, dusted off his clothes, and looked up to see Wu Yin comforting a mutant two-headed dog that was thrice his size, saying it was still its master's only true treasure. That all the affection shown to other animals and plants was just for show, and only it had his true affection.

He couldn't help but smirk, quickly smoothing it out upon realizing he had actually smiled.

When he looked up again, Lu Ba suddenly saw a flash of snow-white. Realizing something, he silently turned back to the kitchen.

Wu Yin was still oblivious when suddenly someone wrapped their arms around his waist from behind. Xie Linyuan rested his chin in the crook of his shoulder, nuzzling affectionately, before abruptly asking out of nowhere, "Wu Yin... do you have a particular fondness for silver hair and red eyes?"

Wu Yin paused for a moment, then couldn't help but curse, "Have you no shame?"

“……”