Chapter 25 Black and White

Chapter 25 Black and White

How could he be here?!

Xue Shu felt as if he were dreaming.

He had just been to Sibo Lake, rehearsing the date scenario countless times, imagining every possible event, including intimate interactions.

Standing in the whipping wind and rain, Xue Shu's umbrella tilted for a moment.

Drenched by a sudden splash of cold rain, he was jolted awake. He spent a long time talking to himself on the spot, ensuring he could calmly handle any unexpected situation.

Then he returned to the villa.

Only to be caught off guard by the first surprise.

The cold wind behind him still blew, as if loudly mocking his naivety.

Who said surprises only happen on the day of the date?

Meeting his date the night before, looking utterly disheveled—this was probably the biggest test the heavens could devise.

After waves of happiness and bleakness churned in his heart, Xue Shu finally realized something was amiss—how could Wen Yu be here?

Wasn't this party...

Xue Shu’s heart sank heavily, his eyes darkening.

Across the room, Wen Yu clearly recognized him and waved.

His expression was far from pleasant.

Xue Shu’s heart clenched. His vision blurred momentarily from the misty rain. He closed the door and wiped the water from his face.

Turning around, he saw Gu Wei approaching Wen Yu from the other side of the second floor.

Swirling a glass of red wine—his go-to prop for striking up conversations.

“…”

His deep-set eyes scanned the room.

It could also be a minute.

***

Wen Yu watched Xue Shu enter, his smile gradually fading.

That man, with unhealed injuries on his forehead, had run out into the rain, lingered in the cold wind at the door for so long, and was now suddenly running wildly for no reason.

As if something would be snatched away if he were too slow.

The initial joy of seeing him faded, replaced by a surge of inexplicable anger—the kind a doctor feels when a patient ignores medical advice and mistreats their wounds.

His worried and furious gaze followed Xue Shu across the hall.

Gu Wei’s voice sounded behind him: “Wen Yu? Why are you standing here?”

Wen Yu turned: “Mr. Gu? I need to speak with you.”

“What’s wrong?” Gu Wei asked.

“I just ran into the CEO of Xihuo…” Wen Yu began but suddenly found himself at a loss for how to explain what had happened. Should he just say that during their conversation, he realized Si Junjian had ulterior motives?

He paused, looking troubled.

Fortunately, Gu Wei had seen this kind of situation before. Sensing Wen Yu’s hesitation, he immediately understood the issue. “Was he harassing you?”

“Not exactly… but close,” Wen Yu said, recalling Si Junjian’s unpleasant expression before he left. He frowned. “My friend is still talking with CEO Si. I’m a bit worried…”

“Your worry is justified,” Gu Wei said seriously. “That man is top-tier in tactics but bottom-tier in character.”

“We’re not close,” Gu Wei explained, since he had organized the party. “When we sent the invitation, we didn’t expect him to actually show up. Sorry for the trouble.”

“No, it’s not your fault,” Wen Yu said, remembering Si Junjian’s words. “He seemed to think there would be some drama to watch, so he…”

“That sounds like him,” Gu Wei said. “Stay away from him. I’ll go…!!!”

The music drowned out some noises.

Gu Wei didn’t hear any footsteps but suddenly felt a damp, cold hand on his shoulder. The chill seeped through his clothes, pressure and cold settling on his shoulder simultaneously.

The space behind him was occupied by an overwhelming presence.

A cold, misty breath brushed against his ear, accompanied by a lazy tone and faint panting, like a gasp before death. “Gu… Wei…”

“……！！！！”

Ahhhh, a ghost!

“X…” Wen Yu had barely uttered a syllable when Gu Wei, jolting in panic, bumped into him, causing Wen Yu’s back to hit the railing.

“Tsk—” The unfinished name turned into a pained gasp.

Xue Shu’s pupils contracted. His hand shot out, grabbing Gu Wei’s shoulder and pulling him away from Wen Yu.

The cold hand, shaken off but clinging again, sent chills down Gu Wei’s spine.

If he couldn’t escape, he’d fight!

He flung the red wine in his glass at the ghostly figure behind him. Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, he shrugged violently, shaking off the hand.

Then, with his eyes tightly shut, he raised an unknown charm toward the ghost, trembling as he chanted loudly: “Namo Amitābha, demons and monsters, leave quickly, demons and monsters, leave quickly…”

“…”

The moment Gu Wei turned, Xue Shu guessed what he was about to do, but he was too slow to cover his mouth. Now he could only stand frozen, along with Wen Yu, who was steadying himself against the railing.

The chanting, filled with sobs, echoed through the large house.

Drowning out the guests and the orchestra.

The orchestra members stopped playing in unison, facing a situation they had never encountered in their careers.

The abrupt sound seemed like a scream or an exorcism ritual—was someone conducting a supernatural cult gathering on the second floor?

They exchanged glances: What should we do? Is this the host’s peculiar preference? Were we hired just as a cover?

The "demon" being exorcised on the second floor, with bandages covering his head and soaked in red wine, stared fixedly at his babbling cousin... and at the person he loved, standing dazedly behind his cousin.

His gaze was hollow.

Why can't people choose their own relatives?

Suddenly, amid the chaotic incantations, he heard a soft chuckle.

Dark eyes met peach-blossom eyes. The young man's smile, eyes bright, was backlit, brighter than the light itself.

Xue Shu's jet-black pupils lit up. Snapping out of it, he felt a bit embarrassed under Wen Yu's smile and pursed his lips, asking, "What is it?"

Wen Yu shook his head with a laugh, not answering him, and instead patted Gu Wei, who was getting more and more into his chanting.

"What fiendish creature are you!"

"It's me, Wen Yu. Open your eyes and see."

"Ah?" Gu Wei tentatively opened one eye.

Xue Shu withdrew his gaze, which had been glued to Wen Yu, and met Gu Wei's eyes, his expression "gentle."

But dressed all in black, with a red cloth draped over his head, plus his deliberately awkward expression...

Not exactly an evil spirit, but close enough.

Gu Wei swallowed, trying to confirm: "You're my cousin?"

Xue Shu's gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by a look that said, "Are you an idiot?"

Gu Wei, now sure it was really him, straightened up, his tone turning bold instantly: "...Why are you here?"

Xue Shu raised an eyebrow. "What did you think I was?"

"I thought—!" His adrenaline still pumping, seeing this guy acting so casual, Gu Wei nearly jumped up to knock him on the head.

Then he remembered Wen Yu was behind him and held back a bit. "...I thought you were some evil spirit."

Such an obvious change in tone didn't escape Xue Shu's notice. That suspicion resurfaced in his mind, and his voice deepened: "Now that you see it's me, do you still want to exorcise me?"

Gu Wei sensed an inexplicable hostility in those words, but this wasn't the time or place. He couldn't be bothered to argue and decided to calm him down first: "Of course not, cousin. Just look at you, you're soaked. You should go change."

Xue Shu was about to refuse when he caught, out of the corner of his eye, Wen Yu's smile fading slightly. His heart skipped a beat, and he changed his answer: "Alright."

Gu Wei nodded, relieved that his cousin was actually listening to him, and turned to Wen Yu, who was smiling faintly: "Let me introduce—"

Xue Shu frowned.

"No need for introductions," Wen Yu spoke up. "We know each other."

The slight shadow in Xue Shu's eyes instantly cleared. He took a step forward.

Gu Wei instinctively raised a hand to block him but immediately regretted it.

Wasn't this basically shouting at Xue Shu: "I think you're going to attack him"?

His cousin was fine in every other way, except he hated the parts of himself that resembled their father.

Like being domineering, or wielding power arbitrarily.

He'd tormented Gu Wei throughout their childhood over comments like "You look just like your dad," but he'd also become Gu Wei's best friend over offers like "Let me help you take down your dad."

But the more desperately he tried to escape that man's shadow, the worse the backlash seemed.

Xue Shu's raised hand dropped. The light in his eyes dimmed gradually.

Wen Yu, watching his expression, furrowed his brow. He pressed down Gu Wei's outstretched arm and repeated, "We know each other."

"......"

Gu Wei sized up the situation: Wen Yu stood beside him, his gaze slightly upward, looking at Xue Shu. Xue Shu stood before him, but wasn't looking at him; his gaze went over Gu Wei's shoulder, fixed on the person behind him.

And in his eyes, besides the shadow of a raw nerve... there was a hint of hurt.

Gu Wei's mind went blank, forgetting what he meant to say. He stood there for two seconds, then stepped aside.

Moving out from between the two, he let Xue Shu and Wen Yu face each other.

Then he saw the tenderness in his cousin's eyes and the irrepressible amusement in Wen Yu's.

Oh—he's glowing.

Having found his role, Gu Wei offered with a knowing expression: "Wen Yu, I recall you're a doctor... or in medicine? Could you check on my cousin? Look at him, he's soaked, and he has a head injury too..."

Xue Shu shot him a glance, eyes appreciative.

"......" Gu Wei maintained his smile.

Looking at how eagerly he seemed to agree, he knew his guess was probably right.

"Alright," Wen Yu didn't refuse. "Ning Zhi... my friend, and CEO Si..."

"Leave it to me," Gu Wei responded, his gaze already taking on a familial tone.

He waved as he watched the two head towards Xue Shu's room.

One in black, one in white, alike yet different—a well-matched pair.

Like the Heibai Wuchang, the Black and White Impermanence (Chinese death deities).

Gu Wei couldn't help but sigh with feeling.

It's a small world. His cousin's beloved is actually the father of his elder brother's child? Wouldn't that make them even closer relatives in the future...

Wait!

Gu Wei froze suddenly.

Wen Yu has a child... but he had never heard his cousin mention it!!

Xue Shu... probably, maybe, perhaps, certainly didn't know about this!!!

And the room he'd arranged for Wen Xiaoyi was right next to Xue Shu's.

The two sinister-looking figures ahead were just passing the collection room door.

Gu Wei's heart jumped to his throat.

He couldn't quite tell if he was afraid that Wen Yu had deceived Xue Shu's feelings, or afraid that things would explode when the truth about the child came out.

By the time his frightened spirit returned to his body, the two had already entered Xue Shu's room.

"......"

Gu Wei clutched his throbbing chest.

Dammit, those two really are the Heibai Wuchang—come to claim his life.