In the next few minutes, Yichen carefully eased Zhu Yan's pain while watching him become more at ease in his arms. He was relieved that Zhu Yan had shut his eyes, as Yichen could feel his face warming up, even though he was technically a soul. Now, he hoped that his body resting on Yun Guang's lap back in the van would not be as red as he felt, because he knew he would never hear the end of it, as Zhu Yan had already anticipated.
Nonetheless, now that he had begun to channel his thoughts in that direction, he recalled what Yun Guang had previously said to him. That no man or demon would go to such lengths without a significant reason, and thus far, Yichen could not state that it was solely for the pursuit of freedom. He speculated that it was indeed a part of it, but Zhu Yan was exhibiting an extraordinary level of protectiveness and patience towards him. It was as if he truly cared for him or even lo... He froze.
The moment this thought emerged, he looked at Zhu Yan with such intensity that Zhu Yan frowned and opened his eyes to meet the stare. Although Zhu Yan's eyes remained crimson, Yichen felt no fear. They were familiar, as if he'd gazed into them countless times before. Perhaps he had... because the way Zhu Yan looked at him seemed to convey more than words ever could. His eyes carried an intensity that made Yichen feel like he wasn't facing a demon from his past, but someone deeply significant—a man who had witnessed too much and lost too much, evident in the deep-seated pain within.
While he was absorbed in the many emotions before him, he saw no lies. No, the intensity he was experiencing was too powerful to be feigned; it felt too raw, too genuine, even too intimate, as if he had been invited to delve into his soul and almost touch its core. Lost into that gaze, Yichen slowly lowered his head, caught in a trance that he couldn't break free from, drawn in by a force that felt too alive to be denied.
In that moment, there was an unspoken connection that needed no explanation, as if a missing piece was being restored, thread by thread. Yichen felt drawn to it, unable to resist it, not that he didn't want to anyway. Yet, as Yichen was being consumed by that feeling, he caught a glimpse of deep panic in Zhu Yan's eyes before Zhu Yan vanished from his arms in a swirl of red smoke, likely returning to his own body and leaving Yichen in a mix of confusion and embarrassment.
Just what was wrong with him?! He had almost kissed Zhu Yan... He nearly kissed him, and he couldn't understand why! What the hell was that?!
"Damn it... I've just offended a powerful demon that can kill me with a single word," Yichen moaned to himself before also returning to his own body in full shame.
Back in his mansion, Zhu Yan collapsed onto the floor, his breath coming in ragged gasps as if he had never breathed before. His heart was overwhelmed with both pain and emotion. He could still feel Yichen's arm around him, his energy flowing all over his body, his blue eyes shining bright turquoise, their lips tantalizingly close, their souls intertwining for the first time in what felt like an eternity. It was a breathtaking moment, but it was also terrifying.
Yichen had been so caught up in their soulbond for that fleeting moment that he might not have even realized what he was about to do. Yet he did, and he couldn't let it happen. Not because he didn't wish for their soulbond to be restored, but because it was too soon for Yichen. He had waited far too long to jeopardize everything just as he had the chance to make Yichen fall for him again. There was no value in their soulbond fully reconnecting while Yichen was still not ready. Zhu Yan needed him to choose him freely before he could allow himself to yield to him.
Playfully teasing him and stealing a kiss while he was out cold was one thing, but if he ever allowed Yichen to kiss him while overwhelmed by their bond, he would be unable to stop the flood of emotions that had been building up inside him for far too long. He feared that revealing his love all at once would likely terrify Yichen. He couldn't let Yichen discover the truth about their damaged soulbond just yet. That's why he needed to make a swift exit and fast.
Tears cascaded down his cheeks, for even though he couldn't allow himself a moment of false happiness, the longing was so profound it felt like agony. It hurt more than he could bear. Yichen looked so entranced, so willing, so beautiful that for a fleeting second, he wished to close the gap between them himself and savor the wish he had harbored for so long. It was so close, so close, yet he had to let it slip away, and it was devastating.
He screamed in frustration and pain, hoping his cries wouldn't disturb Pei Siheng, who was still resting in one of the mansion's beds. He should still be under his spell, but he wasn't exactly holding back either. After calming down a bit, he stood and dragged himself into his guest room, taking a look inside. Despite his disdain for the mansion, he had kept it in pristine condition on the inside, allowing the young man to rest like royalty rather than the prisoner Yichen may have imagined he was in his hands.
In the past, he wasn't especially close to Siheng, being the youngest and always trying to impress his sister. However, Yichen enjoyed sparring and playing games with him during their free time, just as he did with Bai Jiu and Ying Lei. Wan'er would cheer them on since she preferred more gentle activities over what she called 'boys' sweating games. Wen Xiao, however, occasionally joined in for fun in team games, while Pei Sijing typically refereed.
As the games transitioned to a showdown between demons and humans, Pei Sijing will join them, set on achieving the highest scores alongside Yixuan, when he came back from the Kunlun Mountains, effortlessly displaying his natural agility and accuracy. Yichen, much like Siheng, seized every opportunity to shine in front of his cherished brother, prioritizing that over mere attempts to impress him.
Zhu Yan chuckled at the memory of Yichen first embracing his brother in celebration after scoring a point, then turning to him to give him a sweet kiss on his cheek afterwards. Meanwhile, the three supposedly formidable demons, fueled by their affection for their human partners, willingly allowed the humans to win. He sighed, truly missing the blessings he once enjoyed and never imagining he would lose them so abruptly by one of their own.
Resigned to his fate, he picked up a cup of water from the table and sat beside Siheng's bed to offer him some. Although there was no food in the mansion, as it wasn't necessary for him, water and his energy were enough to sustain his body and aid in the healing process. The boy had been very ill upon entering the mansion, collapsing after crossing the threshold. How he managed to accomplish that feat was a mystery he was quite eager to unravel.
After checking his pulse and feeling pleased with his recovery, he exited the room and settled onto a plush floor cushion to meditate and balance his energy. Beneath him, in the room he couldn't enter, the seal that held him captive glimmered with vibrant energy, yet this time the pattern had shifted slightly, ever since Siheng had accidentally stumbled in.
Back in the van, Yichen jolted awake in a different kind of panic, finding himself on Yun Guang's lap. He quickly sat up, his face flushed bright red and his heart pounding furiously. This reaction took Yun Guang by surprise, as he had just witnessed his cousin's expression shift from serene to embarrassed to outright panicked in mere moments.
"Whoa there, Xiao Chen! What on earth happened to you back there? Did Zhu Yan propose to you or something?" Yun Guang asked, his gaze fixed on Yichen, who was still blushing as if he had stumbled upon someone in the nude. Perhaps Zhu Yan had taken his flirting a bit too far? A bored, sealed demon could certainly be overwhelming for an innocent young man like Yichen. To be honest, it was quite amusing to watch him hyperventilate in what could only be described as sheer embarrassment.
"Did that demon do something perverted to you?" Bai Jiu asked in alarm, while Ying Lei held back a chuckle, skeptical of the claim. It wasn't that Zhu Yan wasn't playful, but Yichen seemed too innocent for him to be lured into anything serious.
"No! He didn't do anything like that!" Yichen hastily clarified, still flustered, which made Yun Guang laugh wholeheartedly. If Zhu Yan wasn't the cause of such behavior, then the clear conclusion was that Yichen himself was the one at fault this time. Now he found himself intrigued by what he had done to Zhu Yan in the astral realm, feeling a profound sympathy for Zhu Yan, understanding that innocence could lead to calamity just as much as mischief could.
"So, Xiao Chen, what did you do to him instead?" Yun Guang asked boldly, just as Zhu Yan had predicted, making him blush even deeper.
"I... I..." But the words were stuck in his throat, as everyone, including Ying Lei from the front mirror, looked at him in utter shock.
"Xiao Zhuo Ge! You couldn't have possibly done something to that demon, right?" Bai Jiu asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"I didn't do anything to him! I was trying to heal him because the seal he's under flared up and hurt him while I was asking about some past events... and suddenly, out of nowhere, we just locked eyes with such intensity that I... I... I almost kissed him..." Yichen admitted, and the revelation was so shocking that Ying Lei slammed on the brakes, causing the van to come to a jarring halt, sending both Yichen and Yun Guang crashing into the front seats before they tumbled back into their own. The van behind them also managed to stop just in time.
"You did what?!" Bai Jiu shrieked, and to Yichen's relief, he was near the door, so he yanked it open in a hurry.
"I need some fresh air..." He muttered before stepping out onto the roadside and letting out a frustrated scream over his foolishness.
Naturally, after witnessing the front van come to an abrupt halt and Yichen burst out of it, Wen Xiao and Pei Sijing followed suit, eager to find out what was going on. However, when Wen Xiao peered inside the van, the conflicting emotions she experienced from the three of them left her puzzled and unable to decipher the scene as she usually could. It was a riddle that instantly intrigued her.
Yun Guang was undoubtedly enjoying himself; Ying Lei was caught in a mix of amusement, shock, and sympathy, while Bai Jiu was completely taken aback and anxious.
"Hey, what happened to you guys? That was definitely dangerous," Sijing asked, and Ying Lie mumbled an apology as he looked down, while Wen Xiao let out a laugh.
"Should we even ask?" she retorted, eyeing Yun Guang, who was also chuckling as he emerged from the van.
"Sorry for that, but don't worry, it's nothing too serious. It just so happens that our little Xiao Chen is starting to open his innocent heart to Zhu Yan," Yun Guang explained, nodding towards the fuming Yichen, who was kicking rocks into the open field beside the road.
"He did not! That demon may have done something to him!" Bai Jiu chimed in as he stepped out, confronting Yun Guang.
"Xiao Jiu, I understand how much you admire him, and in your eyes, he is perfect. But ask yourself this: why would Xiao Chen feel frustrated if he thought he was under Zhu Yan's influence? His outburst is clear evidence that whatever happened between them, was his own doing, and he may have accidentally complicated his relationship with Zhu Yan." Yun Guang's analysis was so well-reasoned that even Bai Jiu couldn't argue against it a second time.
"So, what led you to make such a statement?" Sijing asked again.
"Xiao Chen kissed Zhu Yan," Yun Guang stated simply, which caused Bai Jiu to object.
"He didn't actually kiss him; he said he almost did," Bai Jiu clarified.
"Oh my..." Wen Xiao giggled as she looked at Yichen.
"That idiot," Pei Sijing sighed as she did the same.
"Given that our beloved leader is a bit out of it right now, we should take this chance to organize the information we've gathered and get some rest. Wen Xiao, I leave Xiao Chen in your capable aunty hands... Go work your magic," Yun Guang teased, and Wen Xiao smiled, having always liked his sense of humor.
"Of course. My dear Sijing, I'll return in no time. Stay cautious, just in case a spirit thinks this is a good moment to stir up trouble for humans. The guardian here—" she pointed at Yun Guang—"seems to be enjoying himself a bit too much to be dependable right now," Wen Xiao countered playfully, while Yun Guang acted as if an arrow had struck him, then winked at her.
"He is indeed too distracted," Ying Lei remarked, passing a hand over Bai Jiu's shoulder, smiling as he watched Wen Xiao calmly approach Yichen, and after a few exchanges, they settled down on the grass.
As they settled onto the grass, a weighty silence enveloped both of them for a moment. It that Yichen didn't want her there—he truly did—but rather, he was engulfed by emotions that eluded his understanding.
"Xiao Chen, it's completely normal to feel confused around someone who awakens feelings within you that have been dormant for so long. You are usually so focused on your job that sometimes you forget you are also a young man with needs," she gently told him as he picked up a stone and tossed it away.
"I still can't fully grasp what just happened. Zhu Yan has always teased me whenever we meet in the astral realm. I know he's flirting; it's his style, and even though I have my reservations, I can't deny that it doesn't bother me deep down. And yes, I'm still quite inexperienced in this area, so if my heart responds to his playful games, I don't see it as a threat. It's not like I'm falling for him, right? I'm just starting to know him, but what happened was different..." Yichen hesitated, trying to convey the feelings that captured him at that moment.
"Take your time, Xiao Chen. I'm here to listen and offer guidance as your loving aunt," she joked, and Yichen smiled as he felt a wave of relief wash over him, easing his tension.
"I messed up. For a fleeting moment, I felt a strong bond with Zhu Yan. I thought that what he felt was not superficial, that perhaps our past relationship had been deeper than just a partnership out of duty. I was lost in something that felt sacred, alive, and right. Perhaps I thought he was feeling the same... but just as I was about to kiss him, he panicked. Wen Xiao, he panicked so suddenly that just before he disappeared, I felt his pain, as if I was about to cross a line I shouldn't have, and he would be completely justified in that. I didn't mean for it to happen... but... you know... he may never show up again... and that thought makes me both sad and confused." He covered his face with both hands, overwhelmed with shame. Wen Xiao smiled softly.
"Xiao Chen, whatever you felt was intense, and if Zhu Yan reacted more than you did, it doesn't mean it was wrong. It wasn't dangerous either. And there's certainly no reason to feel ashamed. Maybe you were on the verge of opening a door that Zhu Yan was not ready to open either. Some doors need both people to turn the key at the same time. The way you two met was anything but ordinary from the start, so you still need some time to adjust to it. Remember, pain isn't rejection, and panic doesn't mean you made a mistake. It was just an unexpected moment in a situation that wasn't right just yet." She consoled him, and Yichen swallowed hard.
"But I almost kissed him, Wen Xiao. It was me, not him," he whispered, looking away.
"I know, Xiao Chen. But I have a feeling you won't get rid of Zhu Yan that easily. You just need to apologize the next time you meet in the astral plane, and I'm sure Zhu Yan will tease you again as if nothing had ever happened. A powerful demon that panics when a human is too close is not going to run away for long, because it's obvious that for him, it matters," she stated, and despite feeling embarrassed, that thought made him feel a bit better.
"I'll try to reach him later..." Yichen conceded.
"Then let's go before Yun Guang starts planning your wedding with Zhu Yan—in the physical realm this time," she joked, getting to her feet. Yichen groaned in annoyance and followed her.
AN: Ah Xio Zhuo, you are getting close now. The bond is there, you just need to see Zhu Yan for who he is to you now, before you can fully mend it. Thanks for reading. I hope you guys like it, and until next time, please take care. By the way, since I write mostly from small to huge, meaning by instinct instead of planning, I tend to make mistakes along the way. Thus, I will make some minor edits here and there to correct them.