Chapter 10 The Demon Monk Touches Your Ear

Chapter 10: The Bewitching Monk Touched Your Ear

"Monk" or not, it’s just one of Shi Zai’s affectionate nicknames for men, hehe.

Look at that look of utter shock.

He first turned to tell Shu Yangkuo and Yang Yun to wait, then shared his thoughts with Jiang Ziqing. To his surprise, Jiang Ziqing snorted:

"Brother Zai, don’t be fooled by this seductive monk!"

"...Hahaha, what nonsense! Even if he’s handsome, you can’t say that. How could he fool me? What is there to fool?"

"You! Look how naive you are! I told you ages ago to join me in entertainment... Ah!"

Shi Zai flicked his finger against Jiang Ziqing’s forehead, laughing helplessly:

"Stop being so disrespectful!"

"He *is* a seductive monk! While you were asleep just now, he held you and touched your ear!"

"...Really?!!!"

Shi Zai immediately spun around and dove back into the car, his mind already reeling from "held you and touched your ear." He knew the dream wasn’t entirely a dream—he *had* been embraced!

He nudged Shu Yangkuo further inside, sat by the outer door, and pulled it shut. Leaning in, he looked up:

"Brother, you held me and touched my ear earlier!"

"...No."

"Denying it again?! Yun Bao, did you see it?"

Before Yang Yun could speak, Shu Yangkuo turned his face away, looking embarrassed but quickly explaining:

"Little Cangsheng."

"Hahaha... Not 'little donkey liver'?"

"..."

"Brother, I like you."

After saying this, Shi Zai added to Yang Yun, "I like you too," then cupped Shu Yangkuo’s face, making him lower his head to look at him:

"Brother, Yun Bao, it’s truly strange. It doesn’t feel like I’ve only known you for two or three days, or even just those two months. It feels like I’ve been with you for a lifetime, across countless lives. From the first glance, you felt familiar, comforting, and at ease... I’ve never said things like this to anyone, not even my parents or siblings. Only to you. I just like you, and I feel like you’re wonderful. I’ve never had much since I was born, but with you by my side, it feels like I’ve gained so much. I can’t quite explain it—I’m just happy and content."

"..."

"If... Brother, if you’re determined to go to the temple, I can take you. But if you ever change your mind, could you stay with me forever? I’ll take good care of you! Or perhaps... is there a chance you could change your mind for me?"

Without waiting for a reply, Shi Zai immediately pushed the car door open. He was terrified—terrified that Shu Yangkuo would shake his head.

Like a child who had never tasted candy boldly asking for sweetness for the first time, he made the request impulsively but was ultimately afraid of rejection.

Yet he couldn’t step out. His wrist was tightly grasped by a large hand. Shi Zai turned back anxiously, only to hear a deeply emotional:

"Okay."

"..."

Shi Zai’s eyes instantly reddened. A tear had just fallen when Shu Yangkuo pulled him tightly into his arms:

"Don’t cry."

"..."

Choking back sobs, Shi Zai buried his face and cried. At nineteen years old, it was the first time someone was willing to do something "for him." Even if it was just the possibility of changing their mind for him, it was something he had never experienced before. He had always been the one making concessions, always the one watching longingly from the sidelines.

Finally.

His uncontrollable desire for closeness, his irresistible longing, found a place to settle in that single word: "Okay."

It was no longer empty. This world was no longer empty.

Why did it not matter to him whether they were human or ghost? Because, all along, Shi Zai had lived like a ghost among people. He didn’t understand why he felt like air—that feeling of being unable to grasp anything, of being utterly unnoticed, was far too empty.

It was as if he came and went without a trace. But now, in Shu Yangkuo’s broad, firm, yet gentle embrace, he found his own trace.

His one bold request—he had bet right.

After crying his fill, he embarrassedly wiped his eyes and lifted his face. Shi Zai was startled to see another head in Shu Yangkuo’s arms, pressed against his own, staring at him with red-rimmed eyes... Yang Yun, once again moved by Shi Zai’s passion and sincerity, now smiled:

"Hehe, not Little Brother, but Little Zai."

"...It’s Little Brother. Call me Little Brother."

"Little Brother Zai!"

Shi Zai burst into laughter, holding both their hands as he helped them out of the car, muttering:

"In those two months, was there any part of you I didn’t touch or kiss?"

"..."

In high spirits, Shi Zai grew even more unrestrained:

"Honestly, you could say I hatched you two!"

"...No! Little Brother Zai! I don’t want to be your son, and Second Uncle definitely doesn’t either! Don’t go crazy!"

"Hahaha..."

Seeing the look of horror on their faces, Shi Zai was utterly amused. Laughing, he helped them out of the car before suddenly remembering Jiang Ziqing.

He looked over and saw the little celebrity squatting at the entrance of the police station, wearing sunglasses and glaring at him. Even without seeing his face, Shi Zai could tell he was full of resentment.

Holding Shu Yangkuo and Yang Yun’s hands, Shi Zai slowly walked over. Before he could say anything, Jiang Ziqing shouted:

"What kind of melodrama are you three brothers performing?!"

"Haha, not as well as you perform."

"Of course! I’m a future big star... Wait, Brother Zai, were you really crying?! Are you still the Brother Zai I know..."

"...Stop chattering. Hurry up and take us to apply for ID cards."

Feeling embarrassed by Jiang Ziqing’s words, Shi Zai realized he truly hadn’t cried in years—not since he was twelve. Not even when... So he felt these past two days were extremely unusual. Whether crying or laughing, his emotions were surging uncontrollably.

Hehe, Shi Zai is also getting a fresh start with his brother and little brother.

The sun was already high in the sky, the sky was crystal clear, clouds drifted lazily, the world felt wide open, like the clouds and fog had cleared.

Shi Zai gripped both their hands tightly, walking toward the police station while continuously reassuring them:

"Brother, Yun Bao, don’t worry, I’ve got this, no need to be nervous."

"Hehe, we’re not afraid. In the past... people used to be terrified of us!"

"..."

Shi Zai ducked his head and chuckled. Pottery Little Bird was so into the "act" that he couldn’t snap out of character—maybe he should ask Jiang Ziqing to recommend him for acting gigs?

But almost instantly, Shi Zai scrapped the idea. He could tell that Yang Yun and Shu Yangkuo couldn't bear to be apart for even a moment. They’d take things one step at a time; no point worrying about what’s next yet.

Even though they weren’t afraid, Shi Zai knew they were out of their element, especially when getting their ID pictures taken. Both sat ramrod straight, and when the flash went off, Yang Yun flinched every time, requiring several do-overs. The kid was so scared he was getting fidgety.

In the end, Shi Zai had to ask the officer to adjust the lighting and angle. He held the camera himself and told Yang Yun:

"Yun Bao, look at me, it’s your big bro. Look right at me, don’t be scared, I’m here with you..."

"...Okay, Big Bro is here."

"Good, give me a little smile, Yun Bao is smiling for your bro, for..."

Finally, after some coaxing, the photo was taken. In the frame, the pink dumpling looked pure and adorable. After thanking the officer, Shi Zai immediately cupped Yang Yun’s face and planted a few kisses. How could there be such an amazing kid in the world?

Turning around, he saw Shu Yangkuo and Jiang Ziqing both watching his interaction with Yang Yun with weird looks. Shi Zai smiled:

"Jiang Ziqing, what’s up?"

"...Nothing, just feel like you’re being a bit creepy right now."

"Hahahaha, you’re the perverted one!"

Then, looking at Shu Yangkuo, Shi Zai’s eyes lit up. He sweet-talked the officer a bit and pulled Shu Yangkuo:

"Brother, sit down, let’s get another shot for you."

"Okay."

"Brother, smile a little, even a tiny one’s okay. It’s okay, it’s me, your little Cangsheng..."

Before he could finish, Jiang Ziqing burst into thunderous laughter, followed by the officer hiding a chuckle.

Shi Zai shivered for no reason, clicked, and snapped the picture. In the frame—Shu Yangkuo gave a faint smile, gazing at him.

After taking the photo, Shi Zai only realized later, as he held hands with Shu Yangkuo and Yang Yun, that he might have gone a bit overboard, hehe. The poor guy had never said sweet things to anyone before, and some things probably shouldn’t be said in front of others. But Shu Yangkuo seemed rather pleased.

As long as he’s happy, hahaha.

All the registration was done. The household register would take a bit longer, but the ID cards would be ready in eight days. Shu Yangkuo and Yang Yun were on the same household register. During the registration, Shi Zai regretted not having moved his own household registration out earlier so he could be with them.

It’s fine, no need for a piece of paper.

Next, they hurried nonstop to a private hospital—a friend of Jiang Ziqing’s family’s hospital. They had already been notified in advance, so they could get scans done without ID cards. One for the arm, one for the leg, both done quickly.

Family members weren’t allowed in the examination room due to radiation, but exceptions could be made for special circumstances, such as if the patient was elderly or unable to move.

Shi Zai asked Jiang Ziqing to explain to the doctor and insisted on going in. Not to mention Shu Yangkuo and Yang Yun, even he, who had never been to a hospital before, was scared of the dark examination equipment. So he had to accompany them.

First, he helped Shu Yangkuo onto the examination bed and bent down to reassure him:

"Brother, don’t be scared, I’m here. It’ll be over quickly. Close your eyes when you go in, and when you open them, I’ll be right here."

"Okay."

"Be brave! Yang Yun and I are both here."

After saying that, he signaled to the doctor to begin and walked back toward Yang Yun. The pink dumpling was trying hard not to laugh. Shi Zai pinched his cheek:

"You need to be brave too in a bit!"

"Hehe, Big Bro Zai, I’ve never seen Second Uncle so happy before."

"...What about you?"

"Of course, same here. Second Uncle gave me new life, and you make me live happily."

Shi Zai smiled silently and hugged the pink dumpling tightly. So good—he hoped they could always be like this.

By the time both were examined, it was almost noon. The results wouldn’t be ready until the afternoon, so the four of them went for lunch first.

Considering both the big and little ones loved noodles, Shi Zai chose a stewed noodle restaurant and ordered six dishes, hoping for smooth sailing in all things. Jiang Ziqing insisted on paying, but Shi Zai firmly refused. This was the first meal out with Shu Yangkuo and Yang Yun, so naturally, he would pay.

Otherwise, how could it count as "providing" for them?

Jiang Ziqing, with his lively personality, kept Yang Yun laughing and talking nonstop, while Shi Zai leaned slightly toward Shu Yangkuo, chatting with him from time to time. It seemed both were adapting well to the outside world, so they could go out more often later. As for money, Shi Zai had it figured out—he still had savings.

Right after finishing the meal, Shi Zai saw Jiang Ziqing take a call and knew the scan results were in. He quickly led Shu Yangkuo and Yang Yun to Jiang Ziqing’s car. He already knew—no major issues! But he still wanted to ask in person.

The old doctor, upon seeing them, asked:

"Who are the patients?"

"...My brother and little brother."

Shi Zai was puzzled and pushed the two forward slightly, but the old doctor stroked his beard, confused:

"Rheumatism at such a young age? If it’s really you, then it shouldn’t be rheumatism. Have you been overexerting yourselves lately? Maybe a sprain?"

"...Huh? Doctor, could you explain a bit more clearly?"

"I can’t explain it clearly."

Shi Zai let out another "huh," but the old doctor quickly wrote out a prescription:

"Three days of medicated patches—one for the knee, one for the elbow. If they’re better after three days, then it’s fine. If not, we’ll see then."

"...Okay, thank you, doctor. It’s not... not serious, right?"

"I can’t guarantee it, but I’m usually right. I don’t think it’s serious. Go home and apply the patches."

The old doctor was very confident, and Shi Zai felt relieved. Deep down, he also felt it wasn’t serious. The scans showed no issues, meaning... he hadn’t fully maintained Pottery Monk and Pottery Little Bird yet, and the two couldn’t wait, hehe, so they weren’t quite adjusted.

But he still needed to be careful. Shi Zai decided to give them massages that night, hoping someone wouldn’t turn into a screaming chicken again.

After tonight, Shi Zai would be busy. Thinking about tomorrow’s photoshoot... that style, tsk, should he bring the two of them along?

Author's note: