41 Warmth

While taking care of Wen Po in a daze, Xu Jiyu was already on the verge of falling asleep by his bedside before the doors quickly slam open, startling the poor youth awake.

"Xu Jiyu." Qi Shun says, approaching the boy quickly and pulling him up into his arms.

Xu Jiyu, the male in question, is still half-asleep when he's called and already in a rather familiar embrace. He can only sleepily blink his eyes open, and mutter out a confused, "Qi Shun?"

"En. I am here." Qi Shun answers, holding the youth in his arms as if he were holding a priceless treasure. "Xu Jiyu, look at me."

Xu Jiyu's muddled mind is able to process this much, at the very least. He doesn't question it and only obediently tilts his head up to gaze at the King of Spirits. "You're back…" He says, a small smile gracing his lips.

Seeing the smile, Qi Shun feels inexplicable warmth spreading throughout his body. What is this feeling? He only wants to be by Xu Jiyu's side, so he quickly rushed over. He also felt an impulse to hold Xu Jiyu in his embrace, so that's exactly what he did. However, now his instincts are telling him something else…

"...En." The King hums, before leaning down and capturing Xu Jiyu's lips with his own.

If Xu Jiyu wasn't awake earlier, he definitely is now. He feels warm lips press against his, and his eyes widen in surprise. He doesn't push away, however. This feeling, this warmth… he welcomes it all. His arms slowly wrap around the King's neck, pulling him closer, as if asking for more. He feels his eyelids close involuntarily as he melts in this feeling of happiness.

After a moment of reluctance, Qi Shun pulls away. He peers down at Xu Jiyu's flushed face and only has one thought on his mind: '...Cute.'

The feeling of wanting to protect this person once again surfaces.

"Xu Jiyu…" The King murmurs again, this time with a soft expression upon his usually cold countenance. He caresses the youth's cheek, "I must leave you once more…"

"You're… leaving?" Xu Jiyu asks, breaking out of his trance. His lips form a pout, "But you just came back! Why do you have to leave again?"

"...I only came back to see you. The spiritual array I created only lasts for a few hours… so it will be ending in a few moments." He embraces Xu Jiyu once more, burying his head into the crook of the youth's shoulder. Before he understood how nice having physical contact was, he was never this touchy-feely. But once he's gotten a taste of Xu Jiyu's warmth, he only knows that he doesn't want to let go.

"So soon?" Xu Jiyu is just as equally crestfallen to hear such news. He thought that the King would be staying for a long time, but it turns out it was only for a fleeting moment…

In all honesty, he's not sure why the King kissed him. Not that he is complaining, but... could it be… the King feels the same way towards him? Is it alright to be hopeful?

"En." The arms around his waist pulls him even closer, "Be careful on your journey tomorrow. I will be watching over you."

"Wait, Qi Shun, I want to tell you something important!" Xu Jiyu hurriedly says, "I, towards you—!"

The arms around him go limp, and suddenly the weight of Liu Jian's body is nearly crushing him! Xu Jiyu struggles to hold onto the man who'd just presumably fainted. "Qi Shun…" He croaks out, barely managing to drag Liu Jian to the chair nearby. Because Wen Po is using the bed, he couldn't go there.

Once Liu Jian is situated in the chair, Xu Jiyu wipes the sweat off of his brow, breathing heavily. Having to pull a body much heavier and taller than his own is really too much work!

But, in the end, he was still unable to confess…

"I will do my best for you, Qi Shun…" The youth says with an expression of solid determination, plopping himself into the chair next to Liu Jian. "And then I will tell you my feelings properly!!"

---

In a room nearby, Fang Lei opens his eyes.

"...Gosh, that scared the f*ck out of me…" He murmurs. He had been in the middle of a conversation with Wang Zhihao, before his spirit was whisked away, returning to this body.

This means that the King must have returned to the Spirit Realm.

He reluctantly sits up, and looks around. It is one of the guest rooms in the Yun Sect. If he was here, then what happened to Wen Po?

...Actually, it's fine, why is he even thinking about that stupid old man? Tomorrow, they are going to go on a journey, so everyone should be asleep, especially this late. If that's the case, then he will also sleep, even if he doesn't need it!!

Fang Lei quickly lies down and turns on his side, throwing the blanket on top of himself. If anyone else was here, they'd think that Fang Lei looks like an adorable child throwing a tantrum.

He doesn't know why, but he feels disappointed that Wen Po did not care enough to stay by his side. But in the end, he's not really surprised.

He hasn't done anything to make that guy care.

...So what was he expecting?

If Wen Po doesn't care, then why should he? Hmph!

It's better if Wen Po stays away!! Stupid old man!!

Thinking such stubborn thoughts, Fang Lei gradually falls asleep.