Chapter 35: End of This World!

“Who am I?” Jing Chi sighed, completely helpless as he replied, “Honestly, I don’t even know who I am.”

“Hm?” Yu Xingzhou blinked in confusion. Hearing this, he nearly burst out laughing but ultimately chose not to give himself away.

Instead, he cupped Jing Chi’s cheeks in his hands and gently brushed his fingertips over Jing Chi’s eyes, his expression utterly serious as he said, “I feel like I know you.”

Jing Chi was exhausted. Jing Chi was utterly drained.

This daily amnesia routine felt like his memory was being wiped clean every single day.

“Yes, you know me. I’m your boyfriend,” Jing Chi replied listlessly.

“Are you going to ask how I can prove it?” He was all too familiar with this script by now.

But the man across from him shook his head, his lips curving into a slight smile as he said with certainty, “Just kiss me, and you’ll know.”

With that, he leaned in and pressed his lips to Jing Chi’s, moving with the ease of long practice.

Jing Chi was a little surprised at first, but as he took in the oddly familiar routine and the laughter sparkling in the young man’s eyes, realization dawned on him in an instant.

Fine. So he’d dared to trick him.

Jing Chi steeled himself and nipped at the young man’s lip. Sure enough, he heard Yu Xingzhou hiss softly in pain before pulling back a step.

Jing Chi snorted coldly. “Very good. Looks like you’ve even learned how to deceive me.”

He shoved the other man away and climbed straight out of bed, heading into the bathroom.

Yu Xingzhou touched his lip, where the sting still lingered. He frowned slightly and couldn’t help reflecting on his actions.

Had he really gone too far just now?

These past couple of days, Jing Chi had been taking care of him while he pretended to have amnesia—a real handful. But he hadn’t exactly been shy about taking advantage either, with all the kissing and hugging.

He certainly wasn’t going to admit he was jealous of himself.

Yu Xingzhou pursed his lips, then got out of bed and followed him into the bathroom.

The moment he stepped inside, however, he was pinned against the wall.

“Deceiving me—have you thought about the consequences?”

Jing Chi leaned close to the young man’s ear, his warm breath washing over it with a faint tickle.

They were far too close in this position.

Yu Xingzhou hurriedly pressed a hand to Jing Chi’s chest. His face flushed a little, but his mind was still clear as he replied logically, “Well, when you had amnesia, you lied to me too.”

Jing Chi’s gaze turned ambiguous. He looked Yu Xingzhou up and down, enunciating each word as he countered, “Lied to you? When did I ever lie to you?”

His hand slid slowly down from the young man’s waist.

Suddenly, Yu Xingzhou let out a muffled grunt. He quickly wrapped his arms around Jing Chi’s neck and murmured breathlessly, “You—you said you were my boyfriend.”

Jing Chi arched a brow and drawled carelessly, “Was I wrong? So what am I to you then—a classmate? A stranger?”

As Jing Chi spoke, the young man’s body trembled faintly. A flush crept into the corners of his eyes, and his fingertips dug tightly into Jing Chi’s shoulders.

His breathing grew ragged, his voice coming in broken gasps. “N-not… not a classmate. And not… not a stranger.”

With a soft pant, he rested his head on Jing Chi’s shoulder.

Jing Chi’s lips curved slightly. The hand at the young man’s waist rubbed gently, though his teasing movements didn’t stop as he pressed, “Oh? Then what am I?”

Yu Xingzhou bit his lip. Tears began to glisten in his eyes as he whispered, “You’re… you’re…”

“What?” Jing Chi suddenly paused his actions. He watched the young man leisurely and said, “If you don’t say it, I’m leaving.”

Yu Xingzhou hurriedly grabbed Jing Chi’s hand, his voice small and aggrieved. “You’re my boyfriend.”

Jing Chi chuckled softly, then brushed a tender kiss against the young man’s lips. “That’s my good boy.”

In the end, the two of them lingered in the bathroom for quite a while before finally emerging.

.

Yu Xingzhou hadn’t expected his first act after regaining his memories to be quite so intense. It took him a good long while to recover before he made his way downstairs.

Jing Chi had already prepared breakfast below.

When the young man appeared, he looked up, propping his chin on one hand as he teased, “Finally decided to come down, huh?”

Yu Xingzhou sat across from him and mumbled an indistinct “Mm” before saying, “Let’s eat first. I’m hungry.”

Jing Chi nodded thoughtfully, eyeing him with mock seriousness. “You’re right—we should get some food in you to build up your strength. Xingxing’s stamina isn’t what it should be.”

He looked almost regretful as he said it.

Yu Xingzhou’s ears turned red in an instant. He remembered that Jing Chi had carried him back from the bathroom—and they hadn’t even done anything excessive.

The Little Evil Spirit of before would have stubbornly shot back, but the current Yu Xingzhou just buried his face in his bowl.

After all, he’d learned his lesson from trying to be stubborn. He had a good memory for that sort of thing.

Seeing how obedient he was, Jing Chi almost felt bad about teasing him any further. He changed the subject of his own accord. “Next week is Grandpa’s birthday. Do you want to come home with me?”

Yu Xingzhou paused for a moment, his heart fluttering with unease.

After all, his boyfriend was a Celestial Master, and his whole family consisted of Celestial Masters. He, on the other hand, had once been their sworn enemy—someone who’d fled from them at every opportunity. And now, he was about to walk right through their front door.

“Can I?”

Yu Xingzhou’s voice carried a note of caution. He was afraid, yes, but there was also a flicker of anticipation. He wanted nothing more than to immerse himself in Jing Chi’s life, to uncover every little detail about him.

Jing Chi knew exactly what was troubling him. He ruffled the young man’s hair and replied lightly, “Of course you can.”

But in the very next breath, he turned playful again, gazing at Yu Xingzhou with deliberate ambiguity. “After all, you’re my boyfriend. We’ve already…”

Before Jing Chi could finish that sentence, Yu Xingzhou shoved a bite of food into his mouth, desperate to silence anything that might set his heart racing and his cheeks aflame.

“Got it.”

Jing Chi chuckled but said no more.

Time passed in a blur, and before long, the day of Old Master Jing’s birthday arrived.

Yu Xingzhou stared at his reflection in the mirror, tugging uncomfortably at the tie around his neck.

He had never seen himself dressed like this before. It felt strange, yet oddly familiar all the same.

Jing Chi approached from behind and pulled him into an embrace, resting his chin on the young man’s shoulder as they gazed together at the mirror.

“Wow, not bad at all for my boyfriend. You look amazing.”

Jing Chi declared with exaggerated pride.

He had prepared matching black suits for them that day, right down to the identical cufflinks.

Gazing at the perfectly matched pair in the mirror, Jing Chi felt immensely satisfied.

They looked every bit the couple.

Yu Xingzhou couldn’t help but smile, his eyes curving softly at Jing Chi’s praise.

“Bro, you two ready yet?”

Jing Shao poked his head through the door. The moment he spotted them locked in an embrace, he yanked it back out.

“Don’t look, don’t look!”

Jing Shao shook his head, muttering to himself.

A few seconds later, Jing Chi was standing right beside him, which gave him a start.

“Bro,” he said helplessly. Then his eyes lit up as they landed on Yu Xingzhou. “Little sister-in-law!”

Yu Xingzhou smiled and gave a nod.

Jing Chi rapped his brother lightly on the head. “I told you not to tag along, but you had to stick your nose in.”

“Aw, come on, bro. Let me be your driver. You and little sister-in-law can just relax in the back.” Jing Shao pitched himself eagerly.

Jing Chi relented with mock reluctance. “Fine, whatever.”

And so the three of them set off—Jing Shao at the wheel, with Jing Chi and Yu Xingzhou in the back seat—heading back to the Jing Family.

Old Master Jing’s eightieth birthday celebration was a grand affair, drawing guests from all corners of society.

While Jing Shao went off to park the car, Jing Chi led the way inside.

Taking advantage of the bustling crowd outside, Jing Chi slipped away first to Father Jing’s study.

“I figured you’d come sniffing around.”

Father Jing didn’t bother looking up, his brush still dancing across the paper.

“Dad, I’m just here to return your thing.”

Jing Chi shot Yu Xingzhou a quick glance, signaling him to stay calm, then strode forward and set the casket down on the desk. Only up close did he notice that Father Jing was writing something with a traditional brush.

“Last time I told you to come home, you ignored me. If it weren’t for your grandpa’s big eightieth, when exactly were you planning to show your face?”

Father Jing finally set his brush aside and lifted his head to eye Jing Chi.

Jing Chi grinned sheepishly. “I’ll make a point of coming home more often from now on, I swear.”

But Father Jing paid him no mind. Instead, he shifted his gaze to Yu Xingzhou standing behind him. That piercing stare seemed capable of seeing straight through a person.

Yu Xingzhou tensed up involuntarily, cold sweat prickling his clenched palms.

Jing Chi immediately stepped in to block his father’s line of sight, steeling himself as he said, “Dad, I came back this time because I wanted you to meet Xingzhou.”

Father Jing let out a snort and looked away with evident disdain. “No need to get so worked up. I have no intention of harming your… special beloved.”

Jing Chi blinked in surprise. “Dad, you already knew?”

“Hmph. Did you forget your old man’s a Celestial Master too?” Father Jing shot his son a helpless look.

He rose from behind the desk and approached Yu Xingzhou, clapping a hand on the young man’s shoulder. Meeting his eyes squarely, he offered some earnest advice:

“Child, since you’ve become human again, just forget about the past. What happened before had its own causes and effects, but now that you’ve been reborn, don’t get tangled up in those old karmic debts anymore. It won’t be good for you.”

“You and Jing Chi are fated for each other, destined to be together, so I won’t stand in your way.”

Yu Xingzhou nodded at once, his expression grave. “I’ll keep your words in mind.”

“Alright, your grandfather’s birthday banquet is about to begin. Let’s head downstairs.”

Father Jing stepped out first, leaving the study behind.

The moment Father Jing was gone, Yu Xingzhou exhaled in relief and patted his chest.

Jing Chi watched the young man’s reaction and let out a soft chuckle. “Is he really that frightening?”

Yu Xingzhou nodded solemnly.

It wasn’t just frightening—it was downright terrifying. Father Jing’s aura was simply too overpowering. Even now that he was human again, the fear still gripped him.

“Is that so? Then let me help you unwind a bit.”

Jing Chi slipped an arm around the young man’s waist, drew him close into his embrace, and dipped his head to capture his lips in a kiss.

The sounds of guests milling about echoed outside the door, while inside, the two of them kissed without restraint.

There was an oddly thrilling edge to it.

By the time Yu Xingzhou made it downstairs, his mind was still foggy, and he had no clear memory of the descent.

It seemed Jing Chi had kissed him into a daze until Jing Shao knocked, calling them down. Only then did Jing Chi lead him away.

Over on the other side, Jing Shao and Jing Chi were presenting their birthday gifts to Old Master Jing.

Though Old Master Jing was already eighty, he remained hale and hearty, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance.

Once the gifts were delivered, Jing Shao and Jing Chi made their way back.

As they walked, Jing Shao shot his brother a gossipy look. “Bro, were you two up to no good upstairs?”

Jing Chi shot him a sharp glare. Jing Shao rubbed his nose awkwardly and pivoted to a new question. “Bro, did you talk to Uncle?”

This time, Jing Chi nodded by way of answer.

That set Jing Shao buzzing with excitement again. “Did he chew you out?”

Jing Chi rolled his eyes and quickened his pace to rejoin Yu Xingzhou, eager to put some distance between himself and the fool.

Jing Shao started to follow but was intercepted by someone who appeared out of nowhere. He could only watch helplessly as Jing Chi walked away.

“Tired? Want to step out for a stroll?” Jing Chi asked Yu Xingzhou.

“Is that alright? It might not be the best time to leave, with the banquet and all.”

Yu Xingzhou hesitated, mindful of the occasion’s importance.

“It’s fine. Grandpa won’t mind.”

With the young man’s nod, the two slipped away from the banquet hall.

They found a quiet spot where the moonlight bathed the night in a perfect glow.

They settled onto the grass together, the clamor of the party fading into a serene hush around them.

“Thank you, Jing Chi.”

Jing Chi had been gazing up at the stars in the sky when Yu Xingzhou’s voice pulled him back.

He turned his head, meeting the young man’s eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Thank me for what?”

Yu Xingzhou’s face held an unprecedented seriousness, gratitude shining in his gaze as he spoke deliberately.

“Thank you for entering my world. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for giving me new life. And thank you for showing me what it means to like someone.”

The final words came out as a whisper.

Yet Jing Chi found himself drawn only to those last two.

“Words are cheap. Don’t you need to show it?”

He braced a hand against the grass, leaning back slightly as he turned to the young man beside him, his eyes gleaming with intent.

Jing Chi half-expected him to blush or falter, but instead, the young man swung a leg over and straddled his lap.

Then he looped his arms around Jing Chi’s neck and leaned in for a kiss.

This time, Jing Chi surrendered the lead to the one atop him.

Soft moonlight spilled across the lawn, the night tender and entwining, as were they.

~~~

If anyone were to ask whether Nan Musheng had ever regretted it?

Perhaps the answer was yes.

But there was no such thing as a regret pill in this world.

He stared up at the hospital’s white ceiling, white sheets, white clothes—everything around him was white.

Yet he knew his own heart was black.

“Haha, what color is your heart? Black like mine?”

Nan Musheng’s eyes were glazed as he turned to Father Nan, a manic grin twisting his face.

“Musheng, how did you end up like this?”

“It’s all my fault. All my fault.” Father Nan bowed his head in despair.

He saw Nan Musheng’s current suffering as divine retribution for his past sins. Those others had died, but he lingered on in this world.

Living like this, though, was no better than death. It would have been kinder to let him die than to let his son bear the punishment in his stead.

Unfortunately, some things never come with a choice.

Far away in another place, the System suddenly sensed a familiar power surging toward it from all directions. The sense of fulfillment was utterly delightful.

【Ding! Congratulations, Host. The salvation task for this world has been completed.】

This time, the System had learned its lesson and chosen not to announce the good news at an inopportune moment.

Jing Chi let out a faint hum, not particularly concerned about the outcome. What was about to happen next was far more important.

Seeing that Yu Xingzhou was still dawdling in the bathroom and showing no sign of coming out, Jing Chi finally lost his patience.

He pushed open the bathroom door and strode right in. A haze of steam billowed toward him.

Inside, Yu Xingzhou was in the middle of slipping into his pajamas. He froze at the sight of Jing Chi.

Jing Chi caught the edge of the pajamas and tugged. With one firm pull, the young man tumbled straight into his arms—slick and dripping wet.

“Why bother getting dressed?” Jing Chi said with a light chuckle. “It’ll just come off again in a moment anyway.” He scooped Yu Xingzhou up and carried him out.

Yu Xingzhou was too tense to speak. Facing someone so completely naked like this was a first for him.

Jing Chi laid him down on the bed.

Against the deep black sheets, the young man’s skin gleamed as white as snow.

An intoxicating vista was about to unfold right there.

Kisses rained down from his lips, trailing ever lower.

Every inch of the young man’s body was soon marked with Jing Chi’s scent.

“Brother,” the young man suddenly murmured, his voice husky and low.

That sound made Jing Chi lose control for a moment.

Panting moans and soft gasps gradually filled the entire room.

Once that momentary lapse occurred, there was no regaining restraint.

After all, when passion runs that deep, who could possibly hold back?

End of this world.