Chapter 44 Happiness Has Fallen Into My Palm

Chapter 44: Happiness Has Fallen into My Palm

Was Chi Luoxi’s identity exposed?

So He Angxiao had known all along—known that he wasn’t human, but a white radish spirit born in the mountains, who had stumbled upon a stroke of luck and somehow managed to take human form.

And Chi Luoxi had been so nervous and careful, like a thief carrying stolen goods, terrified of slipping up.

That hidden fear and inferiority had stemmed largely from this—the feeling that the two of them being together was against nature, a human and a spirit, defying the Heavens.

Chi Luoxi had even secretly imagined what He Angxiao would do if he found out: would he flee in terror, or hire a Taoist priest to get rid of him?

Every time he thought about it, he was at a loss.

But now He Angxiao told him he’d known all along.

A surveillance camera at home? Chi Luoxi wondered how he hadn’t noticed. What a shock.

Chi Luoxi stared at He Angxiao in shock and suspicion.

The mountain wind blew, stirring up dead leaves and making Chi Luoxi’s heart pound.

What should he do now? Should he act like those exposed monsters, go berserk, kill to cover it up, and bury the secret forever in this abandoned mountain school? Or should he immediately reveal his true form, burrow into the soil, and escape, vanishing into the distant mountains, never to meet again?

But looking at He Angxiao’s face, Chi Luoxi couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Chi Luoxi: “...Then when you found out, why didn’t you expose me?”

He Angxiao didn’t treat him like a monster, didn’t drive him away. Instead, he ran to this remote mountain to chase after him.

He Angxiao was still lost in the drama of his own impending death: “I was afraid that if I said it, you’d get scared and run away. If you turned into a Little Radish and burrowed into the ground, where would I chase you?”

Chi Luoxi felt a mix of emotions.

Humans really were too complicated, too convoluted. None of this suited a simple spirit raised in the mountains.

The secret Chi Luoxi thought he’d hidden the deepest and most securely had long been an open book to someone else.

He’d been completely exposed in front of He Angxiao for who knows how long.

This bad guy He Angxiao—how much else did he know?

Chi Luoxi: “How many times have you secretly messed with me behind my back?”

He Angxiao, sensing an incoming accounting of old scores, said weakly: “...Baby, maybe there’s still hope for me. Can you take me to the hospital first?”

With that, he leaned toward Chi Luoxi.

Chi Luoxi grabbed He Angxiao’s snake-bitten hand and, before He Angxiao could react, bent down and put his mouth over the two tiny fang marks on his index finger.

He Angxiao startled, trying to pull his hand back: “Baby, what are you doing! Don’t! I don’t need you to do this for me!”

His eyes were welling up with emotion; he thought Chi Luoxi was risking himself to suck out the venom with his mouth.

How could Chi Luoxi be so foolish.

Chi Luoxi ignored him, held his wrist, sucked a few times, then turned his head and spat a few times. He let go of He Angxiao’s hand and wiped his own mouth with his sleeve, annoyed: “All right, you won’t die now. Stop making a fuss.”

He Angxiao looked at the wound on his finger—it had stopped bleeding, only slightly red and swollen—and asked hesitantly: “...Really?”

The threat of death wasn’t so pressing now, and reason began to creep back in.

He flexed his finger. Besides being a bit numb from the sucking and the sting from the bite, there was no other discomfort. The dizziness and tightness in his chest seemed to have miraculously lessened with Chi Luoxi’s sucking.

He Angxiao looked more closely at the wound. It was really just an ordinary bite—not even swollen much. The snake probably wasn’t venomous at all.

Chi Luoxi had deliberately scared him. The whole "highly venomous snake" thing was made up to frighten him. He Angxiao’s legs, which had gone weak from fear, now steadied as he grabbed a nearby tree and let out a long breath. The relief of surviving and the annoyance of being tricked mixed together.

The once simple, straightforward Chi Luoxi had learned to lie—and to lie convincingly. Was this a case of "he who touches pitch shall be defiled"? Had He Angxiao been a bad influence?

Chi Luoxi sat on the ground, ignoring He Angxiao’s shifting expression. His own mind was a mess.

Teacher Hua had warned him that human hearts are hidden behind a wall of flesh; no human has simple thoughts, their minds as full of holes as a honeycomb.

He hadn’t fully understood then, but now he was starting to get it.

Wasn’t He Angxiao proof of that? He’d installed a camera, known all along that Chi Luoxi was a spirit, yet kept it perfectly secret, without batting an eye as he went on dating him, leading him around by the nose.

It wasn’t just a honeycomb—it was a hornet’s nest.

Indeed, the human world was too complicated, human hearts too unfathomable. Chi Luoxi might as well just go back to the mountains and be an ordinary white radish, peacefully basking in the sun and sipping dew.

He Angxiao watched Chi Luoxi, chin resting on his hand, eyes full of worry and confusion.

He knew Chi Luoxi was stewing over his identity being exposed.

He Angxiao sat down next to Chi Luoxi, his shoulder lightly brushing against him: “Come on, stop worrying. Every word I just said was true. I really won’t tell anyone—not a soul.”

“Honestly, when I first found out, I was stunned too. My first thought was, this is so weird—I fell in love with a radish?”

“But oddly, it also didn’t seem strange at all. I like you, Chi Luoxi. Really like you. Whether you’re a radish, a cabbage, or something else, you’re you. I like you as a person or a spirit—whatever, I love you.”

Chi Luoxi’s eyes, which had been dim, brightened a little at these words, but then he pursed his lips and muttered: “I hate cabbage.”

Unpleasant memories resurfaced.

When Chi Luoxi was just a little radish that had barely awakened its spiritual awareness, rooting in a mountain hollow and striving to absorb the sun and moon’s essence, there had been a similarly sentient but overbearing and annoying cabbage growing nearby.

That cabbage always used its bigger leaves and stronger roots to compete for every bit of scarce nutrients and dew, and often deliberately blocked out Chi Luoxi’s sunlight with its broad leaves.

So he really hated cabbages.

He Angxiao immediately chimed in: “Then I hate them too.”

Chi Luoxi was amused by this immediate, unprincipled agreement, and the gloom in his heart lifted a bit, but a deeper doubt lingered: “Aren’t you afraid of me at all?”

Aren’t humans supposed to be afraid of and hate spirits, wanting to kill them?

“Afraid of you?” He Angxiao laughed like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. “Are you kidding me? You’re just a tiny radish, all white and tender. Even the way you turned human is so harmless. What would I be afraid of? Afraid you’ll hit me with your leaves, or trip me with your root?”

Chi Luoxi wasn’t so easily fooled.

In other areas, his memory was terrible, but when it came to digging up old grievances, he had an elephant’s memory: “...Then before, you said, ‘Those not of my kind are of a different heart; though far away, they shall be punished.’”

He had indeed said that.

Sometimes He Angxiao really thought Chi Luoxi’s foolishness was an act—how could he remember that but forget everything he studied?

He Angxiao suspected that Chi Luoxi might have a little black book somewhere, recording every single moment he offended him.

"That's about other monsters!" He Angxiao immediately argued. "Those who are malicious and ill-intentioned—you're different. You're just this small."

He gestured a tiny, adorable shape.

"You've never harmed anyone. You're pure, kind, and beautiful. How could I bear to kill you? I'd rather hold you in my mouth for fear of melting you, and in my palm for fear I'd drop you."

These words were sweet and direct, like honey-coated arrows that struck Chi Luoxi's heart.

Who doesn’t like to hear nice things?

Especially when He Angxiao, a sharp-tongued man, said it with such unprecedented tenderness.

The fear in Chi Luoxi’s heart from his identity being exposed eased a bit. He lowered his eyelashes without speaking, but his tense shoulders visibly relaxed.

He Angxiao, shrewd as ever, immediately sensed the change in him. He reached out and gently took Chi Luoxi’s hand, which rested on his knee.

Chi Luoxi’s fingers moved but didn’t pull away.

"See? Now you're not carrying this secret alone," He Angxiao said, holding his hand. "Doesn’t it feel a little lighter? No more worrying day and night that I might find out."

Chi Luoxi retorted, "Not really."

He Angxiao: "...Actually, knowing it didn’t make me feel much lighter either."

He Angxiao played with Chi Luoxi’s fingers. "You give me age anxiety every single day."

"Age anxiety?" Chi Luoxi found the accusation baffling. "How is that my fault?"

He Angxiao was many years older than him on his ID—that had always been clear, hadn’t it?

"How is it not your fault? You’re already several years younger than me, but on top of that, you’re a demon."

It was a hopelessly unfair species advantage.

He Angxiao continued, "Demons must live much longer than us ordinary humans, right? Maybe you can even stay young forever, immortal. I can't help thinking that decades from now, when I’m old, gray-haired, toothless, unable to walk, a decrepit old man—but you? You’ll still look like this, young and handsome, people will still turn to look at you on the street. And maybe when I kick the bucket and am buried in the ground, there will be other men and women—young, rich, all kinds—lining up to chase after you and treat you well..."

Chi Luoxi: "............"

He Angxiao was relentless: "The thought of it makes me want to jump out of my coffin. You don’t know, I had Riley look into several longevity projects. Riley probably thinks I’m crazy. By the way, can you turn me into a demon too? Why don’t you try biting me?"

Chi Luoxi was stunned speechless: "...I’m not a vampire."

He Angxiao sighed in disappointment: "True, last time, when we did that, it was too much—you bit me and nothing changed. What about doing that kind of thing? In novels, they call it dual cultivation..."

Chi Luoxi covered his ears: "...No such thing."

Chi Luoxi looked at the anxiety on He Angxiao’s face and thought He Angxiao really had a lot of issues—stomachaches, insomnia, anxiety.

It was because his mind never stopped, always overthinking, doubting everything, even things like his own death decades in the future, dwelling on them so thoroughly and getting himself worked up.

But truth be told, Chi Luoxi wouldn’t live that long.

He had no advanced cultivation methods; his transformation was mostly due to a faint spiritual vein in the mountain and a stroke of luck.

After transforming, he only instinctively absorbed a bit of sunlight and moonlight, barely maintaining his human form.

His lifespan and physical condition were about the same as an average human’s—maybe even shorter because of his weak foundation. But Chi Luoxi didn’t want to admit it.

He didn’t want to use that as comfort for He Angxiao now, as if it mattered to him.

It was He Angxiao who was overthinking.

Chi Luoxi said deliberately, "But didn’t you also say that not all feelings end well? Maybe even while you’re alive, someone else will come along. He Angxiao, you’re so contradictory."

He Angxiao: "...I was wrong. I was just being defensive before."

"Chi Luoxi, I’m a freak—mentally messed up."

"I avoid getting attached. On one hand, I’m pessimistic to the core, thinking true love doesn’t exist in this world, and even if it does, it wouldn’t come to me. But when it really happens, I’m stubborn, cowardly, and can’t help but act pathetic. I say things like 'let it be,' but in private, I can’t stop making small moves, trying to smother any potential variables. I want to hold on tight but don’t dare to really let go."

"I didn’t reciprocate your initial enthusiasm. I know."

He Angxiao had been vaguely aware of this about himself all along.

In every other aspect, He Angxiao had high self-worth, but in this matter alone, he felt very unworthy.

He Angxiao recalled a moment that later haunted him countless times.

Chi Luoxi, with shining eyes, said he wanted to spend his whole life with him.

And what was He Angxiao thinking at that time?

"...That time I rejected you, it wasn’t because I truly wanted to. You don’t know how happy I was when you said you’d be with me forever. I almost jumped up right then and there. I wanted to tell the whole world and announce we were getting married."

"But I kept waiting—for the right moment, for everything to be perfect. But there was always something wrong, some hidden danger. I’m a really bad person—selfish, cowardly, and self-important. I always feel like I’m not good enough for you."

He Angxiao recalled the first time he met Chi Luoxi, at a place called Chunhui.

Chi Luoxi was the most out-of-place person among so many people.

At first, He Angxiao treated Chi Luoxi no differently from others—with a condescending stare. He thought Chi Luoxi had an ulterior motive, just a pretty plaything he could easily deal with using money and resources.

But soon he realized he was wrong.

For the first time in his life, He Angxiao met someone in an environment full of ulterior motives who didn't want anything from him.

It was so fresh, and so... frustrating.

So his malicious thoughts began to stir.

He Angxiao didn’t take the initiative but instead kept his distance. He began to create coincidences and misunderstandings, like a master angler, setting a gentle trap without a sound.

He wanted Chi Luoxi to come to him, to speak first, to take the initiative. He wanted to control every rhythm, including who fell in love first and who spoke up first.

"I’m the worst person in the world," He Angxiao’s voice was full of self-loathing. "For a while, I wished I could turn you into someone like me—selfish, calculating, thinking more of yourself. Maybe then I wouldn’t feel so unworthy of you."

Because he couldn’t match Chi Luoxi’s pure and unreserved love, He Angxiao desperately tried to compensate with other things.

His money, resources, connections—everything material and worldly he could offer.

He was like a poor boy, nervously scrambling to find anything valuable, piling it all in front of the other person, hoping he would like him and stay because of all this dowry.

That time He Angxiao went to look at engagement rings, the salesperson showed him a diamond—clean and bright. The counter light hit it, scattering tiny sparks, like stars trapped inside.

He Angxiao thought, this diamond really was just like Chi Luoxi’s heart.

"The day you left, I actually wanted to propose to you."

Chi Luoxi's eyelashes fluttered.

"I thought, no matter whether you agreed or not, I had to try. I couldn't wait any longer, but you didn't give me the chance—you left."

"I regret it so much, Chi Luoxi. I've never regretted anything more in my life. I was terrified that you would really just walk away, terrified that I would truly lose you and never be able to find you again."

"Tu Yingrui told me that humans and demons are different. He said the gap between us was far deeper than I imagined. He said he had been through it, so he knew. Back then, I was really scared—scared that it would really turn out the way he said, scared that in the end... I would become just like him."

Chi Luoxi said, "...You're not like him. You're not as bad as he is."

He Angxiao lowered his head abruptly, and where Chi Luoxi couldn't see, he blinked hard to hold back the tears. His hand trembled slightly as it reached into the inner pocket of his coat.

After fumbling for a moment, he pulled out a small, deep-blue velvet box.

The box wasn't large, but in He Angxiao's palm, it felt like it weighed a ton.

Inside, there wasn't an oddly shaped ring.

The band was shaped like radish leaves, set with tiny emerald-green emeralds that looked lifelike, holding the main diamond in a lifelike way. The whole ring sparkled brilliantly, with a cute, playful vibe.

A huge radish-shaped diamond, glittering.

The design was exactly Chi Luoxi's taste.

He Angxiao knew him too well—knew Chi Luoxi's obsession with his own radish form, his habit of collecting every radish-themed item in the world.

The moment Chi Luoxi's eyes landed on the ring, his eyes lit up despite himself. But then he made himself look away, pursed his lips, and tried to put on a calm, uninterested face.

"...But I don't want to get married right now. I want to focus on working on myself first."

Otherwise he'd be at a disadvantage in any relationship again.

Meaning the ring's okay, but marriage isn't really on the table.

He Angxiao got it. He took the ring out and held it between his fingers. The diamond sparkled beautifully between his long fingers.

"It's okay," He Angxiao said gently. "I can wait for you, baby. No matter how long it takes, I can wait—because I made a mistake, so I can wait however long is needed."

He leaned in a little. "So, can I put it on you for now? Just to see if it fits?"

Chi Luoxi stayed quiet.

He looked down at his fingers resting on his knees—long and slender, with nice knuckles, healthy fair skin, and neatly trimmed nails.

Then, Chi Luoxi extended his right hand forward slightly, his fingers slightly parted. The gesture allowed it, but he seemed reluctant.

He Angxiao felt a rush of joy and bittersweet feelings.

He picked up the radish diamond ring, gently slipped it onto Chi Luoxi's ring finger, and slid it on carefully.

The size was perfect.

The ring fit snugly on his finger—not too tight, not too loose. The cute radish diamond sat perfectly on Chi Luoxi's pale, slender finger, catching the light.

Chi Luoxi looked at the heavy, beautiful thing now adorning his finger. It was indeed very pretty.

The setting was so rustic—the run-down schoolhouse, the overgrown weeds, the quiet mountains in the distance. No flowers, no balloons, no romantic music—just the raw mountain wind and the scent of earth and grass.

Chi Luoxi vaguely remembered Bai Man once saying that diamonds aren't a good investment, not as good as gold for value. But they were gorgeous.

He thought that if Bai Man and the others saw it, they'd totally gasp, cup their chins, squeal excitedly, then grab his hand and take a bunch of photos from every angle, edit them carefully and post on social media.

Chi Luoxi thought he could officially call himself a gold-digger now.

So, Chi Luoxi took out his phone and asked He Angxiao to take a few photos for him, making sure the diamond ring stood out.

He Angxiao obediently snapped the photos, walking around him 360 degrees.

He Angxiao: "Why are you taking these?"

Chi Luoxi picked a few good ones to post on his Moments. After racking his brains and failing to come up with a caption, he searched online for a caption: "Happiness has arrived in my hands."

Last time at the gathering before Bai Man went abroad, Chi Luoxi had misunderstood Bai Man's meaning and hadn't shown off properly. Bai Man had hinted that He Angxiao was stingy with him—no, he had to set the record straight. Although He Angxiao was a scoundrel, he was still generous with Chi Luoxi.

Jensen didn't give a like, just left a salty comment: "What kind of venue is this? Looks so rundown. President He is loaded, why didn't he set up a backdrop?"

Chi Luoxi replied: "We're at a farm stay, it's rustic—what do you know?"

He Angxiao saw the reply and his mouth twitched, thinking, this is messed up—Chi Luoxi is starting to act just like him.

From now on, He Angxiao would have to be more careful with his words and actions, because Chi Luoxi was learning by example. Their family was moving further from being a civilized, model home.

But by posting this, Chi Luoxi basically staked a claim, right?

So He Angxiao, who hadn't posted on Moments in ages, also made a post. The photo showed Chi Luoxi with his chin resting on his hand, looking bright and carefree, the huge diamond ring on his finger stealing the show. The caption said "Love you."

His friends all flooded the comments saying congrats.

Jiang Ran: "Wow, after hoarding for years, you finally made a move. This dad is so proud."

He Angxiao replied: "Shut up, just wait to give your gift money."

Jiang Ran replied with a cheeky emoji: "Wait till you come back, you pay first."

Filled with relief and joy at getting back what he'd lost, He Angxiao put his arm around Chi Luoxi's shoulder and pulled him closer.

Chi Luoxi didn't resist, leaning into him.

The village chief had been held up by village business. He'd just finished and was about to take He Angxiao to see the land himself. Pushing through some grass, he saw He Angxiao and Chi Luoxi walking toward him.

He wiped his brow and muttered, "Aren't we going to see the land behind the mountain? Why go so far?"

He stopped mid-sentence.

The village chief's hand froze. He saw He Angxiao with an arm around Chi Luoxi's shoulder, taking a few steps and then kissing Chi Luoxi's cheek.

Village Chief: "..."

He blinked, wondering if his old eyes were fooling him. Good buddies often hang out, hug, and slap each other's shoulders—nothing weird. Men in the mountains are close like that.

But then He Angxiao, losing control, lowered his head again—this time clearly aiming for Chi Luoxi's lips and kissing him.

Village Chief: "..."

His face froze. The cloth in his hand dropped to the ground, covered in dirt.

Oh no!

Writing him in the clan registry was a disaster! A huge disaster!

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Author's note: Village Chief: "The ancestors' graves must be cursed too."

Little Radish turns into an evil little radish.

President He: "Building a civilized family is everyone's responsibility..."