The Underworld is Empty, Yama is Teaching 40

Chapter 40

Early the next morning, Xue Changyi, his face expressionless, slung his backpack over his shoulder. “Brother, I’m going to school.”

Dong Lan said, “I’m going to the lab this morning. I’ll have lunch with you at school, alright?”

“Sure,” Xue Changyi replied indifferently.

“My brother is so cute!” Dong Lan exclaimed. “Oh, and…”

He added, “Little Ten, stay away from birds! All birds, especially the three-legged kind!”

Xue Changyi: “…”

Li Han chuckled. “Little Seven, let Little Ten go to school, he’ll be late.”

“Brother, I’m leaving,” Xue Changyi repeated, and left for school.

Beep—beep—

As he stepped out of the complex, a familiar black car pulled up. Wu Mu smiled from the window. “Xue Changyi.”

Xue Changyi paused, surprised, then nodded. “Hello, Teacher Wu.”

Wu Mu smiled. “Going to school? I’ll give you a ride.”

Xue Changyi shook his head. “No, thank you, Teacher Wu. My brother told me you’re not a good bird.”

Wu Mu: “…”

Xue Changyi bowed slightly. “Goodbye, Teacher Wu.”

He walked away.

Wu Mu: “…”

The morning classes were full. At lunchtime, Dong Lan texted Xue Changyi, saying he and Li Han would be late, asking him to get lunch and save them seats.

Xue Changyi went to the cafeteria, bought his food, and sat down at a corner table.

“Cough—” Spicy!

He coughed. Today’s dishes were extra spicy, and he’d accidentally eaten a chili pepper. His face flushed, his mouth on fire.

He looked around for a drink, but he had only gotten soup, which was too hot.

His eyes watered, and a shadow fell over him.

A carton of milk, already opened.

“This will help,” a gentle voice said.

Xue Changyi looked up.

“Teacher Wu?” His voice was soft, slightly trembling from the spice.

Wu Mu: “…” Adorable.

He coughed, maintaining his composure. “Drink some milk.”

Xue Changyi quickly drank the milk, the cool sweetness soothing the burning.

“Phew…” He sighed in relief.

Wu Mu smiled. “The cafeteria has a new chef.”

“Thank you, Teacher Wu,” Xue Changyi said.

“You’re welcome.” Wu Mu sat down across from him.

Xue Changyi stared at him, surprised. Was the teacher having lunch with him?

He felt nervous, taking another sip of milk, getting a milk mustache.

Wu Mu chuckled.

“Teacher Wu?” Xue Changyi tilted his head.

With the milk mustache and tilted head, he looked like a kitten.

“You have some milk there,” Wu Mu said, pointing at his lips.

“Ah!” Xue Changyi tried to wipe it off, but missed.

Wu Mu’s eyes darkened. “Let me help.”

He leaned forward, reaching across the table, gently wiping Xue Changyi’s lips with his thumb.

Xue Changyi’s lips were soft.

Because he wasn’t fully mature yet, still a spirit stone fragment, Wu Mu’s touch didn’t burn him, but filled him with a comforting warmth.

“Mm…”

Xue Changyi moaned softly, his body trembling.

Wu Mu’s eyes darkened.

Slap!

Someone swatted Wu Mu’s hand away.

“Brother?”

Dong Lan and Li Han had arrived.

Dong Lan, seeing the three-legged crow flirting with his little brother, was jealous.

He stood protectively in front of Xue Changyi. “What are you doing?”

“Just having lunch,” Wu Mu said.

“Those tables are full,” Dong Lan pointed.

“This table has four seats,” Wu Mu said.

Dong Lan sat down, spreading his legs wide, taking up two seats. “No, it’s full.”

Wu Mu: “…”

He suspected Dong Lan had a split personality, one specifically designed to torment him.

He lowered his voice. “Father, are you deliberately making things difficult for me?”

“Of course!” Dong Lan said indignantly.

“Why?” Wu Mu asked.

Dong Lan sneered. “You stole my position as president of the Xue Changyi fan club!”

Wu Mu: “…???”

Dong Lan had been the president, but had been automatically removed due to inactivity. Wu Mu had been elected the new president.

“You stole my position! Despicable!” Dong Lan yelled.

Wu Mu: “…”

Xue Changyi: “…” He had no idea what his brother was talking about.

“Little Seven…” Li Han sighed, picking Dong Lan up. “We’ll eat somewhere else.”

“Second Brother! Put me down!” Dong Lan yelled.

“Second Brother… put me down…” He struggled like a fish.

Li Han finally put him down.

“You’re helping Wu Mu! What if he bullies Little Ten?!” Dong Lan yelled.

“He won’t,” Li Han sighed.

“He’s a lecherous crow! My Little Ten is still so innocent! What if… Mm!”

Li Han suddenly kissed Dong Lan.

Dong Lan’s eyes widened, his body trembling. “Se-Second Brother?”

Li Han raised an eyebrow. “Seems to be an effective way to shut you up.”

Dong Lan lowered his head.

“What’s wrong, Little Seven?” Li Han asked.

Dong Lan looked up, his face flushed. “More… more kisses!”

Undeterred by Dong Lan’s interruption, Wu Mu waited for Xue Changyi after school.

“Xue Changyi,” he smiled. “Going home? I’ll give you a ride.”

Xue Changyi nodded. “I have something to tell you, Teacher Wu.”

They got into the car.

“You said you had something to tell me?” Wu Mu asked.

Xue Changyi looked at the ring on Wu Mu’s finger. “I… like you, Teacher Wu.”

“What?” Wu Mu was stunned. A confession?

Xue Changyi continued, “But you’re married, Teacher. I don’t want to be a homewrecker, so… I won’t see you alone anymore.”

“Wait!” Wu Mu grabbed his hand. He showed him the ring. “I am married, but… you gave me this ring.”

Xue Changyi looked confused.

Wu Mu sighed. “You were thinking about that?”

He took out a small box, the other ring, Xue Changyi’s ring, destroyed in the explosion. The ring on Wu Mu’s hand was a new one, waiting for its owner.

“You don’t remember,” Wu Mu said hoarsely, “but only you can wear this ring. I’ll wait for you, no matter what.”

Xue Changyi knew he was a spirit stone fragment, his memories lost. Perhaps he would remember someday, perhaps not.

So… he had given Wu Mu the ring?

Wu Mu placed the ring on a chain and put it around Xue Changyi’s neck.

“Xue Changyi,” Wu Mu said seriously, “I like you.”

Click—

Xue Changyi entered his apartment.

“Little Ten, you’re back! Dinner’s ready!” Dong Lan emerged from the kitchen, adjusting his collar to hide a hickey.

“Little Ten? Little Ten?” He noticed Xue Changyi’s strange behavior. “What’s that around your neck?”

Xue Changyi touched the ring necklace. “Teacher Wu gave it to me. He said he likes me.”

Dong Lan: “!!!” Thunderstruck.

Li Han was calm. “So Wu Mu told you everything?”

Xue Changyi nodded. “Yes, Second Brother. But… I don’t remember.”

Li Han gently stroked his hair. “It’s alright. What matters is whether you like him or not. That feeling doesn’t require memories.”

Xue Changyi thought for a moment, then said seriously, “I like Wu Mu.”

Dong Lan: “!”

He glared at Li Han. “You’re not helping!”

Li Han chuckled. “Little Seven, Little Ten is growing up, let him make his own decisions.”

“Hmph!” Dong Lan was unconvinced. A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes.

He smiled sweetly. “Little Ten, I’m just curious, does Wu Mu like the old you more, or the current you?”

Li Han: “…”

As Wu Mu arrived home, his phone buzzed.

A call from Xue Changyi. Wu Mu was ecstatic, had Xue Changyi missed him already?

“Hello?” he said, his voice low and seductive. “Miss me already?”

“Teacher Wu,” Xue Changyi’s cold voice came through the phone, “My brother just asked a question.”

“Oh? What question?” Wu Mu asked.

“Do you like the old me more, or the current me?”

Wu Mu: “???” A trick question from hell?

-End-