Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Lin Xingshu wasn’t sure how he’d made it back to campus. By the time he arrived, classes had already ended. Watching the crowds on the playground, he felt a strange sense of disorientation.

Everyone else seemed so happy, yet he felt shrouded in a dark cloud, suffocating under the weight of his own emotions.

“Hey…? Brother Lin?”

A familiar voice suddenly called from behind. Lin Xingshu turned to see Xu Lang, dressed in his short-sleeved school uniform, jogging toward him with a warm smile.

Seeing his childhood friend eased some of the heaviness in Lin Xingshu’s heart. He managed a strained smile and waved at Xu Lang.

“Brother Lin, why are you heading to the classroom building? Aren’t you going home?”

Lin Xingshu opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say to Xu Lang. He could only offer a vague smile and try to brush it off. Xu Lang seemed to sense his unease, and his smile gradually faded.

“Bro, I’ve heard about what happened recently… I don’t know the full truth, but I hope you don’t take it too hard.”

“Yeah…”

Lin Xingshu forced a faint smile. Xu Lang patted his shoulder. “Oh, I haven’t told you yet—my brother’s back.”

Lin Xingshu’s dull eyes lit up. “Really?”

Xu Lang’s older brother, Xu Kai, was a few years their senior—the most mature and worldly of the three. With excellent grades and a good family background, he had gone abroad for college after high school. He was someone Lin Xingshu had deeply admired as a child.

“Of course it’s true. I heard he wants to talk to you about something. He’s meeting your parents tonight.”

“My brother brought back a lot of stuff for me, and he picked something up for you too. He’ll probably give it to you tonight. Don’t be so down. Let’s get some food together in a few days.”

“Okay.”

Xu Lang wanted to say more, but footsteps approached from nearby. Turning, he saw his classmates.

They had been laughing, but the moment they noticed Lin Xingshu, their smiles vanished. Exchanging glances, they quickly pulled Xu Lang away.

Xu Lang looked awkward but didn’t want to offend his friends. He could only say goodbye to Lin Xingshu. As he left, Lin Xingshu vaguely heard their hushed discussions—they were about him.

He didn’t want to listen, nor did he care. Hurrying back to class, he quickly packed his bag and headed home.

*

Standing at the foot of the apartment building, Lin Xingshu gazed up at his floor, a shadow passing through his eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he took a deep breath and slowly climbed the stairs. Before he even reached the door, laughter and chatter spilled out from inside.

“Auntie, please don’t tease me. It’s just a few years studying abroad—nothing as impressive as you make it sound.”

A cheerful, laughing voice rang from within. Lin Xingshu froze for a second before his eyes lit up. He hurried toward the door and threw it open.

“Xingshu’s back! Come here, quick—do you still recognize him?”

His father greeted him with a smile. Lin Xingshu, catching his breath, fixed his gaze on the young man standing in the center of the living room. The darkness in his eyes cleared, replaced by joy.

“Brother Kai—!”

“Oh, you still remember me!”

The young man let out a booming laugh. Unlike the reserved high schoolers, he sported dyed blond hair, earrings, and trendy clothes—buzzing with energy and confidence.

He and Xu Lang were brothers, sharing similar features, but Xu Kai carried an extra dose of swagger in his demeanor.

“Here, Xingshu. A gift for you.”

Xu Kai handed him an exquisitely wrapped box. Lin Xingshu eagerly took it and opened it, only to find an old necklace inside—or rather, an amulet with some kind of incantation?

Lin Xingshu was completely lost. He looked up at Xu Kai in confusion, but Xu Kai just smirked, his eyes glinting mischievously as he dropped a cryptic line.

“You’ll need it.”

“Ah, Kai, you have no idea what’s been happening lately. This kid has been driving me crazy.”

His mother rubbed her temples, recounting the incidents between him and Xie Guan. When she mentioned the hospital visit today, her angry gaze landed on him again.

“Thankfully, Xie Guan isn’t blaming you. Otherwise—”

With Xu Kai—who had always been on his side—present, Lin Xingshu snapped. “I told you I didn’t push him! You never believe me! Even Xie Guan admitted it to you today, and you still blame me! If he wanted to fall, what could I have done?!”

“You—you child—!”

His mother turned red with anger, ready to scold him again, but Xu Kai jumped in. “Actually, I came today exactly for this reason.”

Settling back into the couch, he let out a relaxed sigh, though his eyes remained fixed on Lin Xingshu.

“I returned to the country for you. Three months ago, I already knew this would happen.”

Lin Xingshu went rigid, his eyes going wide in shock. His lips trembled, but no words came out.

“What? What do you mean? Kai, what are you talking about?”

His mother was completely lost, glancing between them, baffled. But Lin Xingshu understood.

“Auntie, do you remember why I came back this time? I’ve always asked you to keep this from Xingshu, but now… it’s time he knows.”

Xu Kai’s fingers brushed absently over his wrist. Only then did Lin Xingshu notice the jade bracelets Xu Kai wore—completely mismatched with his usual style. The bracelets were exquisite, glowing softly under the light.

“This…”

His parents shared a look, hesitating, unsure how to begin.

“If you can’t say it, then I will.”

Xu Kai straightened, dropping his easygoing act. His gaze locked onto Lin Xingshu, his expression solemn—unlike anything Lin Xingshu had ever seen before.

Lin Xingshu stood frozen. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice shaking. “What… have you been hiding from me?”

“I think you’ve already remembered what happened in the village three years ago. The truth is… we all knew about it.”

Xu Kai’s words hit Lin Xingshu like a thunderbolt. He stood there, stunned, unable to process it. His mind went blank as he stared at his conflicted parents.

“You knew all along?”

His father remained silent, lowering his head. His mother forced a strained smile. “Yes… we did. But it was for your sake—”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Three years ago, I told you about my dreams! And recently, I brought it up again! Why did you know, yet still refuse to tell me the truth?!”

Lin Xingshu was about to lose it. All this time, his parents had known—yet he had bottled everything up, even the fact that Xie Guan was a monster, just to spare them worry!

“Xingshu, calm down.”

Xu Kai quickly moved closer, putting a calming hand on his shoulder. “I was the one who told them not to tell you.”

“Back then, you accidentally swore an oath to that monster. Once an oath is made, it can’t be easily broken. But you didn’t know, and later, you violated it. Because of that oath, a bond formed between you and the monster. No matter where you go, it will follow that connection to find you.”

As he spoke, he lifted Lin Xingshu's hand and lightly pressed a fingertip to Lin Xingshu's forehead. When Lin Xingshu opened his eyes again, he saw a faint, shimmering red thread appear on his little finger.

Lin Xingshu widened his eyes slightly. "This... what is this...?"

"This is the connection between you and that creature."

"Can't it be cut?!"

"If it were that easy, I wouldn't have flown back from overseas to deal with this."

Xu Kai sighed helplessly, rubbing his aching temples. "Back then, to prevent that thing from finding you, I had no choice but to block your memories and tweak others. As long as you couldn’t recall his appearance, he wouldn’t be able to locate you."

"But I was careless at the time. That thing could shapeshift—clearly way beyond your average pest. Over the years, he’s been trying to jog your memory through dreams, causing the seal to loosen prematurely."

"Originally, I planned to shore up the block after finishing my studies abroad. But its power has grown stronger, to the point where it no longer even needs your memories to find you."

"What?! That monster is already by Xingshu’s side?!"

His mother blurted out in shock, her eyes filled with panic as she looked at Lin Xingshu. Her face went sheet-white instantly, and she instinctively grabbed his hand. "Who is it?!"

Lin Xingshu’s lips trembled for a moment before he slowly lowered his gaze and spoke with difficulty. "It’s... it's Xie Guan."

His mother’s face went sheet-white in an instant. She staggered back a few steps, and his father quickly pulled her into his arms, murmuring comfort.

"How... how could it be him? A-Kai... what should we do now? Xingshu is still so young—he can’t be taken away by that monster! You have to help us!"

"Auntie, take it easy. That’s exactly why I’ve returned."

Xu Kai replied with cool confidence, showing not a trace of fear. Seeing his demeanor, Lin Xingshu tentatively asked:

"Brother Kai, thank you for helping me. Can you tell me... how did you know about all this?"

Xu Kai chuckled softly and pulled out an ID from his pocket. Lin Xingshu’s gaze fell on it, where Xu Kai’s photo and name were clearly displayed, followed by bold letters beneath: *Paranormal Containment Division*.

"As you can see, the year I graduated high school, through some crazy twists of fate, I joined this organization. After training under my seniors, this spider demon became my first case."

With that, Xu Kai turned to Lin Xingshu, a glint of steel flashing in his eyes. "Xingshu, do you want to shake this thing for good?"

Lin Xingshu bit his lip and nodded firmly. "I do."

"That's all I needed."

Without hesitation, Xu Kai removed the two jade bracelets from his wrist. Lin Xingshu froze. "Brother Kai, these are...?"

"Charms to drain its strength. You must find a way to make him wear them. Tomorrow at sunset, get him to the village. This time... I’ll kill him myself."

"Kill him?!"

Lin Xingshu staggered like he'd been hit, the bracelets suddenly weighed a ton in his hands. He stared at them blankly, momentarily dazed.

He was only eighteen. The word "kill" weighed far too heavily on him.

Now, he'd already remembered the memories from three years ago.

That summer three years ago, Xie Guan wasn’t the messed-up guy he was now.

Back then, Xie Guan had been this shy kid who'd blush if you looked at him. He used to trail behind Lin Xingshu like some lovesick puppy, would do anything I asked without protest.

Xie Guan had been scared shitless of water, yet when Lin Xingshu once complained about not catching any fish, Xie Guan had plunged right into that river without hesitation to fetch some for him—so damn earnest about it.

Xie Guan had always been gentle, never so much as raised his voice, often tripping over his own tongue before blushing. When they fished by the lake, Xie Guan would lean carefully against him, resting his head on Lin Xingshu’s shoulder, just happy to be there.

They had climbed mountains together, wasted whole afternoons shooting the shit. Back then, Lin Xingshu had talked endlessly, while Xie Guan listened quietly beside him, watching me with those big earnest eyes, hanging onto every word...

If... if Xie Guan had been a normal human, Lin Xingshu probably would've fallen hard in the end.

"Xingshu? Xingshu! What's the hold-up?!"

"I..."

Lin Xingshu’s hands trembled, his nose burned as tears spilled over. His voice was barely a whisper. "I don’t want him hounding me anymore... but I... I don’t want him to die either!"

"You fool!"

Xu Kai grabbed his shoulders, his eyes blazing with frustration. "If you don’t kill him, he'll dog you forever! He’ll wreck your life. I know you’ve got a soft spot, that you have feelings for him—but he’s a goddamn monster! A monster!"

"That’s how monsters are. If they can’t have what they want, they go mad. He'll hunt you till the day you die. Do you really want to be stuck with this thing haunting you forever? What about college? What about marriage?"

"I... I..."

Lin Xingshu’s mouth worked soundlessly, his mind blank. In the end, he shakily slipped the bracelets into his pocket and closed his eyes.

"Xingshu, don’t be afraid. Keep wearing the necklace I gave you—it’ll protect you. Just lure him to the village. Leave the rest to me."

Lin Xingshu didn’t respond. Silent tears cut tracks down his face as his parents wordlessly pulled him into an embrace. The living room was so tense you could choke on it.

Xu Kai sighed and quietly left, while Lin Xingshu buried his face in his mother’s arms, his tears soaking through her clothes.

*

The next day, Saturday.

When Lin Xingshu entered the hospital room, Xie Guan was sitting alone by the window, dead still. Dressed in blue-and-white striped hospital garb, he hugged his knees, his face pale as death save for the faint pink of his lips. His dark eyes were hollow as he stared outside, looking like some delicate china figure on the verge of shattering.

Hearing footsteps, Xie Guan turned slowly. The moment he saw Lin Xingshu, his dull eyes lit up. He shot upright, wanting to approach but frozen in place, hands fluttering like nervous birds, his gaze lit up like Christmas.

"Xingshu... you came to see me?"

He spoke first, his face flushing red. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, trembling with nervousness.

Lin Xingshu felt a weird sense of déjà vu. Xie Guan’s demeanor suddenly reminded him of that summer years ago, when Xie Guan had spoken to him just as shyly.

But time had changed everything. They were no longer the same people they’d been back then.

Lin Xingshu lowered his gaze, set the fruit on the table, and stepped closer. To Xie Guan’s astonishment, he wrapped his arms around Xie Guan’s waist, burying himself in his embrace.

Xie Guan’s eyes widened in disbelief. His hands hovered midair, unsure where to rest, his expression a mix of shock and bewilderment.

In all his memories, this was the first time Lin Xingshu had ever hugged him first.

"Xie Guan, I think you were right."

Lin Xingshu’s voice was quiet as he rested his head on Xie Guan’s shoulder, his blank stare locked on the window.

"Everyone’s been lying to me with fake kindness—even my own mother refused to trust me. Only you... only you believed in me. No matter how much I hurt you, you still loved me."

"Xingshu..."

Xie Guan could hardly believe his ears. Was this a dream? How could Lin Xingshu be saying such things to him?

"Xie Guan, let's be together."

Boom—

A thunderous roar echoed in Xie Guan's mind, leaving him frozen in place as if lightning-struck. He turned his head stiffly, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at Lin Xingshu.

"Xing Shu, what did you say? I... I didn’t hear wrong, did I?"

"You heard right."

Lin Xingshu slowly reached out, cupping Xie Guan’s face. He lowered his eyes, his long, thick lashes perfectly veiling the shadows in his eyes.

"Let’s give this a try. I’m willing to try with you."

Lin Xingshu leaned down, brushing a feather-light kiss to Xie Guan’s lips. Yet even that brief touch was enough to leave Xie Guan rigid, his pale face burning red in an instant.

"I... I..."

He didn’t know what to say. His heart hammered loud enough to drown out thought, pounding like it might crack his ribs.

"What’s wrong? Having second thoughts? Don’t want to be with me anymore?"

Lin Xingshu’s voice was calm. Xie Guan’s heart lurched, and he shook his head frantically. "No!"

He bit his lip, gently wrapping his arms around Lin Xingshu, his tone going tender. "I swear, I’ll treat you well from now on. I’ll never go back to how I was before. Thank you for giving me this chance, Xing Shu. I won’t disappoint you. I’ll prove it to you..."

He took Lin Xingshu’s hand and pressed it against his own abdomen, his eyes steady.

"I’ve never told anyone my weakness. Being a spider, this is my most vulnerable spot. If I ever hurt you, don’t hesitate—go for this spot."

Lin Xingshu didn’t respond. Instead, he held Xie Guan’s hand and looked up at him. "I believe you. You’d never hurt me."

"To prove my sincerity... here, this is for you."

Lin Xingshu managed a thin smile and handed Xie Guan a small jewelry box he had prepared earlier. Xie Guan’s eyes lit up brighter as he eagerly opened it, exposing a pair of gleaming jade bangles inside.

Xie Guan’s hands trembled around the box. "This... this is..."

Lin Xingshu instinctively clenched his fists but kept his face carefully blank.

"It’s my grandmother’s heirloom. She gave these to me before she passed away, saying they were meant for my future partner. Now, they’re yours. Are you happy?"

Xie Guan didn’t speak. He slowly took the jade bracelets out of the box, running his fingers over them gently, a small smile playing at his mouth.

Seeing him like this made Lin Xingshu’s skin crawl. His breath came uneven without him realizing.

He was afraid.

Afraid Xie Guan would discover the secret of these bracelets. Even more afraid Xie Guan would expose him on the spot.

But nothing happened. Xie Guan’s smile only grew sweeter as he nodded firmly. "I love them!"

Lin Xingshu’s tense heart eased slightly. He let out a quiet sigh of relief, but before he could even urge Xie Guan to put them on, Xie Guan had already slipped the bracelets onto his wrists and extended his arms toward him.

"Xing Shu, look. Do they suit me?"

Xie Guan was beaming—happier than Lin Xingshu had ever seen him. For some reason, Lin Xingshu’s chest ached dully. He couldn’t bring himself to meet Xie Guan’s eyes, so he lowered his gaze, pretending bashfulness as he murmured,

"Y-yes... they do..."

"I’m so happy."

Xie Guan hugged him again, nuzzling into him like a clingy pup, voice quivering. "I thought you’d hate me... that you’d never forgive me. I never imagined you would, Xing Shu. I’m really... really happy..."

He laughed, his voice breaking uncontrollably. He might have been crying.

"Xing Shu... can I still call you 'baby'?"

Lin Xingshu bit his lip. He didn’t actually like Xie Guan calling him that, but…

He pulled Xie Guan closer. "You can."

Xie Guan burrowed into Lin Xingshu’s chest, tears pricking at his eyes. He lifted a hand to wipe them away, but his eyes accidentally caught their intertwined fingers.

The red thread that once bound them together was now faint, its color all but vanished. He closed his eyes, ignoring it, and simply leaned into Lin Xingshu, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and soaking up his warmth.

"Xie Guan... tomorrow, let’s go back to the village."

Lin Xingshu ventured carefully, expecting questions or suspicion. But Xie Guan only nodded softly, planting a kiss on his neck.

"Okay. Your call."

......

Even after leaving the hospital room, Lin Xingshu remained in a daze. On his way here, he'd pictured a dozen outcomes—but never one where Xie Guan would agree so easily. No doubts, no cross-examination. None of it.

It crossed his mind that Xie Guan already knew about their plan.

He didn’t know. But he doubted it—because before he left, Xie Guan had clung to him, holding him tightly, his face giving nothing away.

Maybe... maybe he was reading too much into it.