Chapter 28 Chi Luoxi is Not Human

Chapter 28: Chi Luoxi Is Not Human

Grandma He initially thought the two youngsters had just gone for a stroll in the garden to admire the flowers and whisper sweet nothings—after all, with an old lady like her around, they couldn't exactly cut loose.

But she never expected that, after at most ten or twenty minutes, the living room door would be pushed open and Chi Luoxi would rush in, his steps hurried, his eyes red, as if he'd been crying and was struggling to hold back tears. His left foot was only wearing a sock, while his right foot still had that white canvas shoe on.

He limped like a lit firecracker too scared to go off, changed into slippers, and without a word, darted through the living room like a gust of wind, rushing up the stairs.

Grandma He, with her teacup in hand, froze mid-air. Before she could set the cup down and ask, "What's wrong?", another figure followed closely behind.

This He Angxiao before her had none of his usual elegance. The light-colored casual shirt he had been wearing when he went out, once crisp and stylish, was now covered in splotches of mud. Especially on his chest and shoulders, large dark wet patches mixed with mud made him look a mess, and his pants hadn't escaped either—his knees and cuffs were caked with mud.

A Meng, the nanny, had just come out of the kitchen. Seeing He Angxiao in this state, she was startled. She quickly put down what she was holding and exclaimed, "Angxiao, what happened to you? Did you fall?"

He Angxiao swept a fierce gaze across the living room, his eyes locking onto Lailai, who was lying on the carpet by Grandma He's feet, pretending nothing had happened but with her ears perked up.

"...Next time that damn dog dares to poop anywhere in the yard, I'll revoke its pooping rights!"

Grandma He: "…………"

Lailai obviously understood and immediately sprang up from the carpet, barking sharply at He Angxiao, her small paws scratching the carpet, as if ready to charge at this evil human and fight to the death.

For a moment, the living room was filled with shouting and barking.

Grandma He set down her teacup, looked at her grandson—a mess and still picking a fight with a dog—and said, "Alright, stop it."

Lailai's barking instantly subsided into a pitiful whimper as she hid behind Grandma He's feet.

Grandma He looked at He Angxiao: "Go take a shower and change your clothes. What a sight you are. Xiao Chi just stomped off in a huff; did you upset him?

"A Meng, go check the yard and clean it up."

A Meng quickly nodded in agreement, then turned to He Angxiao: "Angxiao, it's been raining these past few days, and Lailai sometimes only gets to go out in the yard. I might not have been paying attention. It won't happen again. I promise to keep an eye on her."

She knew He Angxiao had a cleanliness obsession—he even disliked dust, let alone dog poop.

He Angxiao glanced disdainfully at the mud on his clothes: "Where's Chi Luoxi?"

Grandma He: "Went upstairs."

He Angxiao said nothing more and headed to the guest bathroom on the first floor.

The commotion downstairs temporarily died down.

Meanwhile, on the second floor, Chi Luoxi was curled up in a wicker chair.

He had randomly found an unlocked room to hide in and hadn't turned on the lights.

Chi Luoxi hugged his knees, balling himself into a tiny lump, resting his chin on his knees. His eyes were still red, and so was the tip of his nose. He just felt so wronged.

What a hateful He Angxiao!

He cursed fiercely in his heart, but it didn't relieve his anger: Big jerk! Bastard! Heartless cold-blooded animal!

He never wanted to like him again!

Chi Luoxi thought after being together for so long, after he had tried so hard to make He Angxiao fall in love with him, after gathering the courage to say something like "a lifetime," He Angxiao would at least hesitate or consider it.

But He Angxiao didn't. Without a second thought, he rejected him so bluntly.

All of Chi Luoxi's courage and expectations crumbled to nothing, leaving him feeling humiliated and heartbroken.

He Angxiao really was a heartless big devil! Always only thinking about interests, wanting freedom, not wanting responsibility, not wanting a lifetime.

The more Chi Luoxi thought about it, the sadder he became, and the more he felt like a joke. He pulled out his phone and opened the chat with Hua Ai: "Teacher Hua, He Angxiao rejected me. I said I wanted to be with him forever, and he said no."

After a while, Hua Ai's reply came through, the screen almost radiating disbelief and speechlessness: "...What the hell is his problem?"

Chi Luoxi: "Teacher Hua, I'm ready to leave."

Chi Luoxi was indeed heartbroken, so heartbroken that he felt the whole world had turned gray.

He knew that, in fact, he had overstepped. From the very beginning, what He Angxiao was willing to give was money—a straightforward transactional relationship. It was Chi Luoxi himself who was greedy and wanted more.

Now the words had been spoken, like water spilled, impossible to take back. Between them, there was no way to return to the delicate balance from before, when he was naive and He Angxiao was in control.

Chi Luoxi began to seriously think about leaving. He wondered if he had been too impulsive, but since the words had been said, if he didn't leave, would he stay and look at He Angxiao's cold face every day, reminding himself of how deluded he'd been?

Chi Luoxi was just that kind of person—straightforward and stubborn. Once he did or said something, he had to face the consequences.

Chi Luoxi started mentally listing the things he wanted to take: his books and study materials. He wanted those. And his dolls—various carrot plush pillows and stuffed toys—all sorts of things. There seemed to be quite a lot.

Oh, and the money. The money He Angxiao gave him, including the monthly deposits and the compensation from Chunhui. He wanted to return the money to He Angxiao. Just like the protagonists in those TV dramas he'd watched—when they leave, they return the sugar daddy's money and stand tall, saying, "I don't like your money!"

But then Chi Luoxi hesitated. Life in the city seemed pretty expensive—rent, food, transportation all cost money. If he returned all the money, how would he support himself? Maybe he should take a little bit?

As he thought this, he felt a bit ashamed, like he was a hypocritical jerk. But the urgency of survival eventually won out over that faint moral struggle.

However, the stuff seemed like way too much. Just the books and dolls alone would probably fill several big boxes.

Chi Luoxi decided that if He Angxiao didn't let him leave, he'd stay a little longer for now and slowly move his things out.

Still so sad.

Why did He Angxiao reject him? They'd been so good together. Why couldn't he just agree to be with him forever?

The more Chi Luoxi thought about it, the sadder he became. The emotional ups and downs drained his energy. And while still feeling sad, he somehow fell asleep.

He Angxiao took a shower and changed into some old clothes he had left here before. He went to the second floor, to the guest room he used to stay in when he visited. The door was open, and it was empty. Chi Luoxi's suitcase was still in the corner, untouched.

He went to the next guest room. Also empty.

He Angxiao's brow furrowed tighter and tighter. Where had Chi Luoxi hidden?

He searched room by room, pushing open the door of a room with old furniture. Dim light spilled out from the door crack as he pushed it open. In the corner by the window, on an old wicker chair, a tiny figure was curled up.

Chi Luoxi had balled himself up, his head tilted, his brows slightly furrowed. Even in sleep, the corners of his mouth were downturned, radiating an unspeakable sadness and hurt.

He Angxiao softened his footsteps and walked over slowly, crouching down in front of the wicker chair.

He Angxiao fixed his gaze on Chi Luoxi, sound asleep and unaware. That face, impossibly beautiful, was now resting sideways on his own arm, his hands tucked under his chin like a child seeking a sense of security.

Just looking at him, He Angxiao felt a wave of surrender wash over him, a tender emotion that made his whole chest ache and go numb.

Chi Luoxi thought that if you like someone, you stay together; if you want to be together forever, you say it. He didn't understand the complexities of the adult world, the weight of promises, or the deep thought, responsibility, and courage that the word "lifetime" required.

He Angxiao, who had grown up watching his parents torment each other in the name of love and marriage, turning it into a complete disaster and laughingstock, had a deep-rooted fear and aversion to long-term relationships.

But He Angxiao understood.

Precisely because he understood the implications, he couldn't just rashly promise a lifetime.

And did Chi Luoxi really want to marry him and spend forever together? He Angxiao couldn't help but wonder. Chi Luoxi was so much younger than him, coming from an isolated mountain village, having seen such a narrow world and met so few people. His life had only just begun, with infinite possibilities ahead. How could he be so certain that it had to be him?

He Angxiao was afraid—afraid that Chi Luoxi was just acting on a whim, that when he later saw a broader world and met a more normal, suitable person, he would regret leaving him.

He was even more afraid of truly giving his all, only to make the same mistakes his parents did. The pain then would be a hundred, a thousand times more intense than this rejection now.

Just the thought of it made it hard for He Angxiao to breathe.

He reached out and lifted the curled-up person on the rattan chair. Chi Luoxi let out a soft murmur in his sleep, nuzzling his face into the crook of He Angxiao's neck to find a more comfortable position. His breath, slightly stuffy, warm and damp, landed on He Angxiao's skin.

Holding him, feeling the weight and trust of this warm body, He Angxiao felt like a corner of his heart caved in, yet also felt filled with something heavy, making it almost impossible for him to take a step.

He carried Chi Luoxi back to the guest room he had arranged earlier. He gently laid him on the soft bed, pulled the blanket over him, stared at his face for a long while, then turned and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.

When Chi Luoxi woke up, it was already evening. He looked around groggily, realizing he was lying on the bed in the guest room.

He pushed off the covers and got out of bed, pulling open the door. From downstairs, he could hear the faint sound of a TV and voices. He went down.

In the living room, Grandma He was sitting on the sofa watching the news, still holding Lailai in her arms. The nanny, A Meng, was busy in the kitchen, the sounds of washing vegetables and the gentle clatter of pots and pans drifting out.

Hearing footsteps, Grandma He turned her head and glanced at him. "You're awake? Hungry? A Meng is cooking."

Chi Luoxi nodded, then shook his head. He had no appetite. He looked around but didn't see He Angxiao.

Just then, A Meng came out of the kitchen and, seeing Chi Luoxi, smiled. "Xiao Chi is awake? Perfect, dinner's almost ready. Angxiao had an urgent company matter, so he had to leave first. He told me to tell you to stay here and settle in for a few days."

Left? He Angxiao actually left him here alone and took off alone?

Resentment and anger rushed to Chi Luoxi's head.

He Angxiao, you coward! Bastard! Jerk!

If he wouldn't accept it, fine, but why did he have to dump him at his grandmother's house? Was it because he found him annoying and didn't want to see him, or did he think throwing him here, out of sight, out of mind, would give him some peace?

Chi Luoxi was angry, so angry his chest felt tight, but he had no way to let it out. He couldn't take it out on Grandma He or complain to the kind A Meng.

Grandma He beckoned Chi Luoxi over.

Chi Luoxi sat down on the sofa next to her.

Grandma He asked, "What were you two fighting about?"

Chi Luoxi couldn't exactly tell Grandma He, "I want to be with your grandson forever, but he doesn't want me and left me here." That would be way too embarrassing.

He pressed his lips together and said quietly, "It's nothing, Grandma. Just a small matter. Sorry for the trouble."

Grandma He looked at him, clearly feeling wronged yet trying to act like everything was fine. "It's okay. When you argue with him, don't expect him to apologize first. That mouth of his, and that rotten temper—just like his father… stubborn, pig-headed, self-righteous, always thinking the world should go his way."

Chi Luoxi hadn't expected Grandma He to talk about her own son and grandson like that.

Grandma He continued, "Sometimes I think about it, and it's not really his fault. Growing up watching parents like that, it's already a miracle he didn't turn out completely twisted."

Chi Luoxi listened. "I know. He has emotional scars."

Grandma He was amused by this blunt remark, let out a wry laugh, a mix of helplessness and amusement. "Don't you dare say that in front of him. His pride is bigger than anything."

Chi Luoxi certainly knew that He Angxiao was such a stubborn, difficult person who would rather die than lose face.

Anyway, if He Angxiao didn't contact him, he wouldn't contact He Angxiao either. Whoever texted first was a dog.

Sure enough, for the first two days, He Angxiao didn't contact him—not even one message. At first, Chi Luoxi kept waiting with his phone in hand, but eventually he just tossed it aside, out of sight, out of mind.

His time with Grandma He wasn't as bad as he'd imagined. In fact, it was quite pleasant. Although Grandma He was a bit reserved and quiet by nature, she wasn't harsh with him.

One day, Grandma He was knitting, and Chi Luoxi was sitting on a small stool nearby playing games. She glanced at him, took out a soft measuring tape, and said, "Come here, let me measure you."

Chi Luoxi didn't understand why, but he obediently stood up and let Grandma He measure his shoulder width, arm length, and chest size. After that, Grandma He went back to her knitting without saying anything.

Chi Luoxi felt a little spark of hope. "Grandma, are you knitting a sweater for me?"

Grandma He kept working, not even lifting her eyes, and said with a touch of pride, "You young people, don't you think the things we old folks knit are old-fashioned?"

Chi Luoxi quickly shook his head, his tone utterly sincere. "No way! I think what you knit is beautiful. I'm not like He Angxiao—he always calls me tacky, says my WeChat Moments look like something an old lady would post. I think your taste is amazing!"

He made Grandma He crack a small smile.

And so Chi Luoxi stayed at Grandma He's place. He was sweet-talking, helped A Meng pick vegetables, wash them, walk the dog, and water the garden flowers. He hadn't done farm work in a long time, and he kind of missed it.

Meanwhile, He Angxiao was tied up with an urgent company matter, running around, busy as a bee. After finishing a meeting in another city and debriefing with his team, it was already late at night. He rubbed his tired forehead, and the first thing he did was pull out his phone to see if Chi Luoxi had sent him any messages.

Not a single one.

He thought for a moment and sent Chi Luoxi a message: "Are you asleep?"

Then he added: "You settling in okay at Grandma's?"

The next day, he saw that neither message got a reply.

He Angxiao felt a pang of irritation. Was Chi Luoxi really that mad that he wouldn't even reply? His rejection had been a bit blunt, but wasn't this a special situation? And he'd left him at Grandma's because he thought it would be quieter there, with Grandma and A Meng to look after him—better than letting him go back to the apartment alone to wallow in his thoughts.

He would pick him up once things were settled in a few days.

But Chi Luoxi's cold-shoulder attitude made He Angxiao feel uneasy and irritable. He had thought Chi Luoxi would be silently heartbroken, maybe even secretly crying.

After some hesitation, He Angxiao called Grandma's house. A Meng answered.

"Hello, Angxiao? You're still up so late?"

"Yeah, just finished work. How's Chi Luoxi? Is he asleep?"

A Meng laughed on the other end, her tone light and cheerful. "Xiao Chi? He's doing great! Went to bed early. That kid is just adorable. He gets along wonderfully with the old lady. He helps with the cooking and picking vegetables, and he's so sweet with his words. He's made Grandma really happy. In the afternoon, he even played with Lailai in the garden for a while. Everyone loves him!"

He Angxiao: "......"

This was a far cry from the image he'd imagined—Chi Luoxi heartbroken, losing his appetite, crying in his room all day.

He Angxiao was silent for a few seconds. "...Oh, that's good. Tell him I'll be back in a few days once I'm done here to pick him up."

"Sure, don't worry. Xiao Chi is fine here. Don't stress about it," A Meng said cheerfully.

These two days, He Angxiao's mind had been in turmoil. During the day, the high-intensity work kept him distracted. But at night, those suppressed thoughts clawed at him, tearing at his heart.

Had he been too harsh with his rejection? Was Chi Luoxi so naive that he didn't understand the complicated reasons behind his refusal, and only felt that he was being hated?

He Angxiao couldn't sleep, so he opened their WeChat chat history and mindlessly scrolled upward.

Most of those records had been sent to him by Chi Luoxi.

Various things he shared—something delicious he ate today, the flowers blooming on the balcony, a new radish plushie, a dish he made asking for praise, and his calligraphy practice sheets.

He Angxiao flipped through them slowly, one by one.

He tapped on the earlier voice messages.

One. Then another.

He listened to Chi Luoxi calling him "husband," sharing those trivial joys, his clumsy concern and dependence.

He really seemed unable to leave Chi Luoxi now—a kind of dependence that scared him, yet that he secretly craved.

The moment He Angxiao thought of him, his heart felt as if something had struck it hard—aching, numb, and laced with a desperate sweetness.

He dialed his friend Jiang Ran's number. The phone rang for a long time before it was picked up. Jiang Ran's voice came on the other end, thick with sleep, clearly just woken up, his tone less than friendly: "...He Angxiao? Do you know what time it is..."

He Angxiao ignored his grumbling. Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling window, the city's neon lights glowed cold and endless: "Jiang Ran, let me ask you—how did you know you absolutely had to spend your whole life with someone?"

The question came out of nowhere.

On the other end of the line, Jiang Ran was also stunned, his drowsiness mostly gone: "Why the sudden question?"

He Angxiao: "Jiang Ran, I don't have the kind of stable family you have. What I saw growing up was the ugliest, most unbearable side of marriage. There are a lot of things I've never experienced, and maybe I don't have..."

He had never known the warmth and trust of a normal family, never seen what a healthy emotional relationship should look like.

Clearly, many years ago, a fortune teller had said He Angxiao was destined to be a lone star—weak bonds with his parents, few relatives, destined to be alone. He Angxiao had long accepted that. So why had Chi Luoxi suddenly appeared?

"If one day, Chi Luoxi leaves me... what should I do?"

He Angxiao was used to being in control, to weighing pros and cons. But Chi Luoxi's arrival and potential departure were risks he couldn't calculate or prevent.

Jiang Ran: "He Angxiao, you overthink things, that's why you hesitate and get anxious. With emotions, sometimes it comes down to impulse. You calculate too carefully and think too far ahead, and end up trapping yourself."

He Angxiao: "If I didn't think carefully, how would my big company still be in business?"

"That's business, totally different from relationships." Jiang Ran cut him off. "Let me ask you—close your eyes and imagine it. If one day Chi Luoxi isn't with you, if he's with someone else, smiling at someone else, letting someone kiss him, hold him, sleep beside him at night... can you accept that?"

He couldn't accept it.

He absolutely could not accept it.

Just imagining that scene made it hard for He Angxiao to breathe.

Chi Luoxi was his. Only his. If anyone else so much as looked at him, he'd see it as an affront. If Chi Luoxi dared to be with someone else, he might go crazy and do things even he couldn't control.

"I certainly can't accept it either." Jiang Ran's voice came calmly.

He Angxiao didn't reply. He couldn't accept it either.

Jiang Ran's words sliced through the tangled mess in He Angxiao's mind. He didn't need to think about all those futures and risks. He only needed to be sure of one thing: he couldn't stand Chi Luoxi leaving, couldn't stand Chi Luoxi belonging to anyone else.

That was enough.

He Angxiao used people and then dismissed them: "...Alright, I've decided I'm going to propose. You may bow out now."

Jiang Ran: "...Go to hell."

From Jiang Ran's side, a voice asked who it was.

Jiang Ran replied: "Just a lunatic."

The lunatic, after his meeting ended, didn't go straight back to the company or home. Instead, he went to a jewelry store. He Angxiao stood in front of the dazzling, glittering counter, feeling lost and nervous.

He looked for a long time, then pointed to one of the men's rings—simple in design, with a brilliant center stone. "Please, can I take a look at this?"

The saleswoman enthusiastically brought out the ring, introducing its design concept and the diamond's quality. He Angxiao listened absently, his mind filled with the image of Chi Luoxi's hand wearing that ring.

He Angxiao hesitated: "Do you have... a ring shaped like a radish?"

The saleswoman: "Sir, you mean a ring in the shape of a radish? We don't have any in stock at the moment. Custom designs like that usually need to be special-ordered, and the turnaround time is longer—about a month or two."

He Angxiao frowned. A month or two? Too long.

He couldn't wait that long.

Though he was still hesitating verbally, before leaving Grandma He's house, his body had been more honest than his mind—he had secretly measured Chi Luoxi's ring size while he slept.

He Angxiao ordered a custom radish-shaped ring, even though he thought it might not look great, Chi Luoxi would probably like it. He also bought the diamond ring he had first spotted and bought it on the spot.

At Grandma He's, Chi Luoxi—who had grown up in the mountains with his grandfather—was used to being around older people and accustomed to a quiet, simple pace of life.

Though Grandma He was stern, she didn't have anything against him, and her occasional awkward concern made Chi Luoxi feel a bit of warmth.

He had even taken the initiative to take Lailai for walks.

With Chi Luoxi's tasty treats and gentle petting, the little dog quickly gave in and became his little shadow. Chi Luoxi walked in the garden, hugging the fluffy, warm Lailai, watching it roll around and act spoiled in his arms, thinking how adorable the little dog was.

Much cuter than the cows and sheep in the mountains—Chi Luoxi still remembered the time on the hillside when a hot-tempered old goat almost bit off his tender radish sprouts.

Grandma He would also ask about his family situation. Chi Luoxi said there was only himself left, and his grandfather was gone too.

Grandma He patted the back of his hand: "You're a strong child too."

Chi Luoxi nodded firmly: "Yeah! I'm really strong."

So it didn't matter that He Angxiao had rejected him.

Having dealt with company matters, He Angxiao came back to pick up Chi Luoxi. That day, he had even dressed up—wearing a well-tailored black cashmere coat over a light-colored turtleneck, which emphasized his broad shoulders and long legs, giving him a cool, striking demeanor. His hair was perfectly styled, and his shoes were polished to a gleam.

He stood at the garden gate of Grandma He's house. The afternoon sun cast a faint golden halo around him, making him look like an elite model who'd stepped off a financial magazine cover—almost too handsome.

Chi Luoxi was walking Lailai in the garden when he looked up and locked eyes with the dazzling figure at the gate.

For a split second, Chi Luoxi wanted to drop the leash and tell Lailai, "Go bite He Angxiao!"

He Angxiao also saw Chi Luoxi.

Chi Luoxi was wearing simple loungewear, holding the leash of a Teddy who was growling low at him. Seeing him, Chi Luoxi immediately turned his face away, pretending not to notice, focusing instead on walking the dog with his head down.

He Angxiao watched his deliberately aloof, sulky behavior—clearly caring but pretending not to—and found it both amusing and irritating. If this were before, Chi Luoxi would have fluttered over like a happy little bird. Now he was treating him like air.

He thought Chi Luoxi's sulky little act was adorable, but he kept his expression cold and composed, maintaining his elite persona. The hand tucked inside his coat pocket was tightly gripping a small velvet box.

He Angxiao strode over on his long legs. Lailai barked more fiercely as he approached. Chi Luoxi kept his head down, tugging on the leash, refusing to look at him.

"Is Grandma inside?" He Angxiao stopped a step away from Chi Luoxi.

Chi Luoxi remained silent, just scraping a small pebble with his toe.

He Angxiao wasn't expecting an answer anyway, and walked toward the house by himself.

Chi Luoxi watched his back, bit his lip, and finally, pulled Lailai along and followed slowly.

He Angxiao exchanged a few brief words with his grandmother, thanking her for looking after them, then went upstairs to help Chi Luoxi pack. Chi Luoxi didn't have much stuff, so he was done quickly. He carried the suitcase downstairs and said goodbye to Grandma He and A Meng.

Chi Luoxi crouched down to stroke Lailai's head. Lailai, sensing he was leaving, nuzzled his hand reluctantly.

"Let's go."

Chi Luoxi just hummed and followed him into the car.

On the way back, Chi Luoxi kept his head turned, staring at the scenery flying by outside. He Angxiao tried to speak several times, but seeing Chi Luoxi's closed-off posture, he held back his words.

As soon as they got home, Chi Luoxi changed his shoes quickly and slammed his bedroom door shut.

He Angxiao walked to the door and knocked. "Chi Luoxi, come out. We need to talk."

No sound from inside.

He knocked a second time. "I booked a restaurant. We'll go out for dinner tonight. Come out first."

Still silence.

He softened his tone, coaxing, "Don't be mad. There's a surprise for you later. We'll head out in half an hour, okay? Dress up nicely, or you'll be sorry."

He Angxiao turned and went to the study, closing the door. He leaned against it, took a couple of deep breaths, then took out the velvet ring box.

In the master bedroom, Chi Luoxi was lying face down on the bed, hugging a pillow and stewing. That jerk He Angxiao had ditched him at his grandmother's for days without a word, and now he came back acting like nothing happened, wanting to take him out to dinner? Who the hell wanted to eat with him? He hadn't forgiven him.

No, he couldn't just let it slide.

He needed to make He Angxiao anxious too—make him feel the panic of not being able to find someone. Why could He Angxiao reject him so easily, and then act like nothing had ever happened?

A vengeful idea suddenly popped into his head.

No sooner said than done. Chi Luoxi quietly got out of bed, went to the balcony, and slid open the glass door. He glanced back at the closed bedroom door, confirming He Angxiao wouldn't come in anytime soon, then concentrated and summoned the tiny bit of spiritual energy inside him.

The next moment, Chi Luoxi, standing on the balcony, vanished.

At the same time, a plump, white, tender, healthy little radish with cute, round leaves appeared in the dusty clay flowerpot.

In his radish form, Chi Luoxi settled contentedly into the loose soil, leaving just a tiny tuft of leaves sticking out to quietly observe what was going on outside. He thought, this time he wouldn't come out so quickly. Let's see what He Angxiao will do now.

In the study, He Angxiao spent a full half hour mentally preparing himself, staring at the ring. He thought of a few ways to propose, then shot each one down. Forget it, he'd just go straight to the point.

Anyway, Chi Luoxi wasn't exactly educated—if he said something too complicated, he might not understand.

But Chi Luoxi was still angry. Would he just throw both him and the ring out? Probably not, He Angxiao thought, picturing a sweet scene between them.

It was time.

"Chi Luoxi? I'm coming in. Are you ready?" He Angxiao knocked on the master bedroom door first. No answer.

He pushed the door open. The room was empty, the quilt messily piled on the bed, a pillow on the floor.

Chi Luoxi was gone.

Just like last time—his phone left on the bed, but he had vanished into thin air.

He Angxiao's heart plummeted to the bottom. He ran away again? He frantically searched the house, just like before: bedroom, living room, kitchen, study, balcony, storage room—every corner, even checking the fridge and washing machine.

Same scene as last time. Chi Luoxi had disappeared right under his nose again.

Suddenly, He Angxiao remembered.

The security cameras.

He bolted up from the sofa, dashed into the study, and opened the computer.

Soon the screen showed Chi Luoxi poking his head out, looking around, then tiptoeing out with a sulky expression, heading straight for the balcony.

He Angxiao stared at the screen, his heart racing.

He saw Chi Luoxi walk onto the balcony and glance back.

Then came a sight that made his blood run cold.

On the screen, Chi Luoxi's entire figure suddenly twisted and rippled eerily, like a TV with bad reception. Then his body outline blurred and faded rapidly, enveloped in a faint, misty green glow. The glow flashed and disappeared so fast it almost seemed like an illusion.

And in the instant the glow vanished, the living Chi Luoxi on the balcony floor was gone. In his place, a plump, white, succulent, vibrant little radish with round, emerald leaves had appeared in the flowerpot.

The whole process—from Chi Luoxi's figure blurring to his disappearance to a radish appearing in the pot—took less than two seconds.

He Angxiao sat frozen in front of the computer. He stared wide-eyed at the frozen frame.

He thought... he must be losing it.

Working nonstop overtime, emotions all over the place—he had to be hallucinating badly.

With shaking hands, He Angxiao scrolled back the video, set it to the slowest speed, and played those two seconds frame by frame over and over. Once, twice, three times... ten, twenty times...

Every time, the screen showed the same thing: Chi Luoxi's shape blurred in an eerie glow, disappeared, and a radish showed up at the same time.

Not a hallucination.

Chi Luoxi had actually... turned into a radish.

He Angxiao remembered the weird strength he'd never thought twice about—how Chi Luoxi could vanish into thin air, his room full of radish-themed stuff, and how he babied that crappy clay pot. Now everything clicked.

So Chi Luoxi wasn't human.

He Angxiao's mind went completely blank, like he'd been hit by lightning.

He didn't feel afraid. Instead, a bizarre thought struck him: the fortune teller who once said he was born under a star of solitude and doom was probably right.

Because Chi Luoxi never belonged to this world.

-----------------------

Author's note: Well, bro needs to chill. He was about to propose, but then his wife suddenly became a radish.

Little Luobei, seeing He Angxiao all dressed up, got even more pissed.

Escape countdown starts.