Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Friday afternoon, the sky looked as if someone had brushed a layer of watercolor over it, still damp with a fresh, watery blue.

The sun's harsh rule had ended, and it was a cloudy six o'clock in Yanbei. Opposite the setting sun hung golden cirrus clouds like feathered wings.

Outside Room 3102 in the West Building of Zone 16, a sparse crowd stood loosely. The stairwell was particularly lively, forming a net that covered the area in front of the door.

A sudden sound came from behind the tightly closed door.

The previously scattered, drifting crowd instantly froze, as if someone had suddenly pressed pause.

A tall, solemn figure emerged from the office, the chill of the room still clinging to his shoulders.

Lucas scanned the crowd—it was evenly split between St. Maria students and Combat Department students. His naturally imposing brows furrowed.

The surroundings fell silent instantly, bracing for a stern reprimand from this high-ranking Alpha—

"Anyone still loitering outside will be made to run laps as punishment."

Before anyone could react, light footsteps sounded from the doorway of 3102.

Everyone immediately looked past Lucas, their expressions shifting instantly into an almost deliberate calm. The atmosphere turned strange, like a sticky lump of sugar wrapped in a layer of transparent, deceptive candy paper.

Lucas seemed to sense something and turned his head.

A slender figure sauntered lazily out of his office.

—He was always like this. No matter how casual, how indolent, how carelessly he smiled, the line of his waist, like the spine of a sword, always carried a restrained sharpness.

Like soft snow covering bamboo, slowly melted by the sun until snow and bamboo fused.

He was like his name.

The silver-haired Alpha leaned against the doorframe.

He seemed not to have expected the sun to already be intruding through the door, momentarily dazzled. His eyelashes trembled in the sudden bright light like a dying butterfly.

His pale, lake-like eyes were now threaded with gold, like stained glass in a church pierced by light. Seeing the crowd, he curved his lips:

"You're done so early?"

A few voices called out from the crowd—

"Coach Wen said we get a day off tomorrow, so we ended early today."

"Shi Jiu, you got held back!"

The silver-haired Alpha laughed: "Oh."

His gaze drifted toward the admiral in question, the one suspected of "holding him back."

That person was quietly watching him, backlit, his deep blue eyes holding an inexplicably "disapproving" look.

Meng Shijiu hadn't even opened his mouth before he could be interrupted by the surrounding students—

"Shi Jiu, want to grab dinner together?"

Observant students noticed that neither Cui Suifu nor Ye Lingxi was among those waiting. They had already guessed the answer, but still looked at Meng Shijiu with hopeful eyes.

"Hmm..." The silver-haired Alpha waved a hand, "Got some things to do. You guys go ahead."

——

The black-haired Alpha waiting by the pavilion didn't seem much different from a few days ago.

His eyes were always focused and sharp, like a young wolf. He leaned casually against the pillar, like a cold, narrow blade.

Seeing Meng Shijiu, he turned his face toward him. The light of the setting sun dyed the outlines of his lips, face, and hair with warm orange-red hues, making that cold, ink-green seem like the deepest, sunless pool in a forest.

The two walked side by side.

Yue Xuanli usually preferred to walk half a step behind, at his side. Walking shoulder-to-shoulder like this was rare.

Meng Shijiu found it somewhat novel. He walked sometimes fast, sometimes slow, as if to be difficult, occasionally glancing down.

His wrist, hanging between them, swung idly, half illuminated by the sunset into a translucent red, then falling back into shadow.

Swinging.

Like a pendulum striking the silent air.

Like a white, free bird, about to swing once more into a mesmerizing orange-red—

A light breeze stirred. That perpetually cool wrist was suddenly seized by the Alpha beside him, imprisoned in the shadow.

The Alpha's palm was scorching hot and dry, enveloping the cool wrist bone. The web of his hand pressed against the pulse. At the moment of contact, the calloused pad of his finger grazed the pale skin.

But it only stopped for an instant.

Meng Shijiu, with Yue Xuanli's hand still gripping his, began to swing their joined hands lightly, already carefree as he flew into the orange-red ocean.

He turned, looking cheerful, tilted his head at Yue Xuanli, and gave a questioning hum:

"Hmm?"

Yue Xuanli didn't look at him. His thumb stroked over the silver-haired Alpha's pulse point, then tightened his grip, asking calmly:

"There's a market nearby, very lively. Might have things you like to eat. Want to check it out?"

Meng Shijiu: "Sure."

——

The market was called "Thousand Sounds," quite large. By evening, it turned into a night market, with even more people than during the day.

The bustle of food stalls and crowds together were always noisy and lively. Lights along the riverbank lit up one after another, their colorful reflections shimmering on the ink-black water surface, suddenly reminding Meng Shijiu of his first day here, standing by the river, betting with See whether the flower float passing underneath would stop.

Songs and the evening breeze wove a soft net in the summer night.

In a place like this, with his heart stirred, it was hard to imagine anything else that could turn the aroma of food and the crowd's clamor into mere background noise.

Meng Shijiu's stated goal of "eating through the whole street" gradually evolved into "playing through the whole street."

He wore the hat Yue Xuanli had just bought him, a pink-and-white flower branch pinned to his collar by someone in the bustling crowd. His eyes sparkled. He suddenly laughed, in an exceptionally good mood, playfully weaving through the crowd a few times, deliberately shaking Yue Xuanli off.

Like a fish diving into the stream of people, disappearing without a trace.

Yue Xuanli couldn't find him, equal parts annoyed and amused.

The black-haired Alpha stood alone in the crowd, holding a pile of food, drinks, toys, and game winnings that someone had shoved into his hands.

His hands were full, yet he still felt empty.

A miscalculation, Yue Xuanli thought.

When he found the man again, Meng Shijiu was standing in front of a fresh juice shop.

Yue Xuanli walked over and, unsurprisingly, saw several pomegranates placed on the shop’s table.

He approached quietly.

The surroundings were still noisy—you had to shout to be heard.

Meng Shijiu caught a glimpse of his empty hands and finally asked, “Huh? Where’s my stuff?”

Yue Xuanli took hold of his wrist again, gripping it tightly. “Had someone take it back.”

Meng Shijiu just said “Oh” and turned back to watch the owner press pomegranate juice for him.

The silver-haired man’s gaze remained fixed on the tall machine in front of the shop. Warm yellow light fell on his hat, and his eyes, shadowed beneath it, looked as if they had been washed clean—bright and sweet.

His porcelain skin flushed with a faint, excited pink, and his lips pressed together like an apple dusted with powdered sugar.

Yue Xuanli found it amusing. He often made pomegranate juice for him, but he’d never seen him this focused before.

…

It was hard to tell how much time had passed, but the crowd at “Thousand Voices” hadn’t thinned—if anything, it had grown even larger.

They returned to the bridge they had crossed earlier, where the lights on the river still shone brightly.

This stretch along the river had fewer food stalls, mostly selling decorative trinkets and collectibles.

The black-haired Alpha walked along the riverbank. Under the warm glow of the lights, his features took on a rare tranquility. With his lashes lowered, his eyes, which appeared ink-black in the night, were filled with a nearly tender expression.

He carried someone on his back—a person wearing a loose-fitting hat, his face obscured, with long hair draped gently over his shoulders.

Eyes closed, head resting against Yue Xuanli’s ear, he was quiet, like a giant doll, his breathing almost imperceptible. Only a faint stream of air brushed against Yue Xuanli’s neck, warming the skin there to a soft pink.

The glances from passersby were fleeting, quickly swallowed by the bustling atmosphere of “Thousand Voices”—after all, in this dazzling, chaotic street, such a sight was hardly unusual.

No one around knew who he was, who he was carrying, or what kind of relationship they shared.

Yue Xuanli wished he could keep carrying him like this forever.

Carrying the person, and carrying the weight of it all.

Yue Xuanli was someone accustomed to focus, but without the voice of the person on his back—the voice that seemed to control all his joys and sorrows—the world suddenly flooded with countless chaotic noises. For a moment, it felt as if his eardrums were throbbing—

At a nearby stall, someone was haggling with the owner, a loud-voiced Beta whose shouts overpowered the Alpha’s…

A couple passing by seemed to be arguing, tearful accusations mixing with irritable explanations, sharp as a thorn piercing the evening breeze…

To the left, two young men who appeared to be friends pointed at a “No Wasting” sign and a nearby trash can overflowing with food—an oddly mismatched sight—their laughter rippling under the lights…

To the right, a mother knelt to wipe away a little girl’s tears before lifting her steadily into her arms.

The girl’s sobs were gently soothed by her mother’s comforting murmur—“I love you, sweetheart.” The words, wrapped in tenderness, drifted into Yue Xuanli’s ears like a soft, fluffy cloud. Almost instinctively, he turned his head, only to feel the cool skin of the person’s cheek against his shoulder.

Meng Shijiu stirred awake.

He nuzzled unconsciously against Yue Xuanli’s neck, his half-open eyes glistening. “Hmm?”

The lights stretched their shadows long.

“I love you, sweetheart, don’t cry… I love you…” The mother’s voice gradually faded into the background of the night.

Yue Xuanli suddenly stopped walking. In the evening breeze, to the sound of the repeated murmurs of “I love you, sweetheart, don’t cry,” he tilted his head slightly and said softly:

“I love you.”

The night breeze lifted the hem of Meng Shijiu’s clothes, and Yue Xuanli reached out to smooth it down. The shadows stood still for a few seconds, but when no response came, he began moving forward again, steady and calm.

Yue Xuanli thought it was fine. It shouldn’t matter.

But suddenly—

But Meng Shijiu, he closed his eyes and said softly, “I know.”

…

When Meng Shijiu woke up again, his feet had barely touched the ground before Yue Xuanli wrapped an arm around his waist and lifted him up.

Before he could even turn around, Yue Xuanli swiftly carried him to a nearby step, giving him no time to react.

Once he was finally set down, Meng Shijiu looked back—

Beneath his feet, water spread across the narrow street like moonlight, swift and all-encompassing.

“Thousand Voices” was flooded.

Meng Shijiu looked around curiously, his voice tinged with wonder. “Is this some kind of special event?”

People nearby heard him and couldn’t help but stare—once they looked, they couldn’t look away.

Yue Xuanli felt both amused and protective. He stepped forward, shielding Meng Shijiu completely from view.

Meng Shijiu understood and closed his eyes, suddenly feeling a bit withdrawn. He tugged his hat down.

The water continued to rise, submerging the entire street.

The crowd grew even noisier as news spread quickly—

The sprinkler system on this street had been ruptured by two Alphas who had gotten into a fight for some reason, and water was flooding everywhere.

The drainage system couldn’t be activated.

They were trapped.

Along with everyone else around them, the two waited where they were.

The crowd around them easily struck up conversations, chatting as if they weren’t strangers at all.

The night was gentle, and the day had been joyful, but Meng Shijiu was growing bored of waiting.

He didn't notice the relaxed contentment of the black-haired Alpha beside him and asked impatiently again, "How much longer is this gonna take?"

Meng Shijiu pouted, "I don't want to wait anymore."

Yue Xuanli paused, then took hold of Meng Shijiu's wrist again.

"Okay, we can go back then."

Meng Shijiu had just started to get up when he suddenly froze. "It smells so good."

Yue Xuanli was taken aback.

Meng Shijiu turned around.

Behind them was a noodle shop.

A rich, overwhelming aroma suddenly wafted out from inside, mingling with the sharp, spicy smells of scallion oil and chili.

Thick, milky steam seeped through the door crack, condensing into a hazy mist in the night air.

Meng Shijiu turned his head back, giving Yue Xuanli a pleading look.

...

Ten minutes later, inside the noodle shop.

Sitting across from Yue Xuanli, Meng Shijiu added another spoonful of chili oil to his bowl and muttered quietly, "It tastes awful."

...Talk about false advertising! How could it only smell good?

Not getting a response, Meng Shijiu looked up.

The black-haired Alpha opposite him was oblivious, eating away, quiet and steady.

He looked like he was really into it.

Could it actually be okay?

Meng Shijiu wondered.

He took another bite and put down his bowl.

The flavors of the chili and the noodles just didn't blend together at all. It was hard not to give a bad review.

The noodle shop was small, a noisy, messy bustle where you couldn't hear a thing even sitting across from someone.

Meng Shijiu looked at Yue Xuanli and repeated, "So bad."

Yue Xuanli seemed to finally notice, put down his chopsticks, and looked up. "Hmm."

Meng Shijiu propped his chin on his hand, figuring he'd missed it, and said again, "Hey."

Yue Xuanli: "Hmm."

Meng Shijiu laughed. "Yet here you are, still eating."

Yue Xuanli heard that this time and smiled. "Hmm."

Meng Shijiu: "Yue Xuanli."

Yue Xuanli: "Hmm."

Meng Shijiu: "Yue Xuanli."

"Hmm," Yue Xuanli replied.

Meng Shijiu: "Doesn't that bother you..."

The eyes beneath the brim of his cap curved into crescents.

Yue Xuanli shook his head.

Annoyed? Why would I be? What could be more important than your happiness?

...

By the time they returned, it was late at night. Perhaps because he had dozed off on the way, Meng Shijiu was wide awake.

He waved in front of the dorm, said "Goodnight," and before he could turn around, his hand was grabbed again.

The tall Alpha leaned in, and the cap that had been stubbornly perched on Meng Shijiu's head fell to the ground with a soft *pat*.

...Yue Xuanli gently kissed his forehead.

Moonlight spilled down, this time truly like the fingerprint of the moon.

Meng Shijiu stood frozen in place.

"Goodnight kiss," Yue Xuanli said softly, gently stroking his cheek.

Meng Shijiu blinked slowly. "...What goodnight kiss?"

Yue Xuanli looked at him.

His dark green eyes were filled with moonlight, gentle, and his kiss was even gentler than his gaze.

Yue Xuanli lowered his head and kissed the corner of his eye lightly. "Yesterday's."

Yue Xuanli leaned in to kiss him again.

Meng Shijiu: "...Stop."

Meng Shijiu took two steps back. "No make-ups for expired ones."

Yue Xuanli looked at him, mimicking his tone, and said slowly, "So strict."

Meng Shijiu: "..."

Yue Xuanli pulled him closer, looking down at him carefully. "Your lips look a bit inflamed from the spicy food."

Yue Xuanli said calmly, "Don't touch them... and don't let anything else... touch them either."

Meng Shijiu didn't think twice about it. "...Alright then."

Yue Xuanli: "Remember when you get back..."

"—Yeah, yeah, yeah, are you done yet..." Meng Shijiu, arms full of snacks, was getting antsy and complained, "So naggy..."

Yue Xuanli waited quietly for him to finish grumbling. "A hug."

Meng Shijiu couldn't help but ask, "What's this now, a goodnight hug?"

Meng Shijiu hugged the snacks tightly, unwilling to engage with him. "My hands are full."

...

Yue Xuanli took the snacks from Meng Shijiu's arms.

Yue Xuanli said, "Now they aren't."

He pulled Meng Shijiu into a close embrace, holding him against his chest.

Meng Shijiu sighed, giving in obediently. "You're really something else."

Yue Xuanli replied, "Mm."

Meng Shijiu added, "You never used to want anything in return."

Yue Xuanli said again, "Mm."

Meng Shijiu concluded, "But I forgive you."

Moonlight fell on the silver hair as Yue Xuanli slowly drew him closer.

Yue Xuanli murmured, "...Is that so."

Yue Xuanli whispered, "That's really good then."

His arms tightened around him like a vise, his knuckles standing out cold white under the light, pinning the person in his embrace until they were flush against him—yet the one held remained completely unaware.