For both Jiang Que and Shen Tazhi, tonight was destined to be a sleepless one.
Shen Tazhi had no mind to continue packing. After hastily dealing with the school’s email, he took a quick shower and then lay in bed, tossing and turning for a long time without closing his eyes.
He picked up his phone and realized that Du Lulu had sent another email while he was showering.
Opening the email, a few minutes later, his ears turned even redder.
Maturity… does such a thing truly exist?
Thinking about the mature tentacles he had seen on Jiang Que when he returned home, Shen Tazhi’s expression turned blank. He remained unresponsive even after the phone screen automatically dimmed.
Although Jiang Que was indeed not human, he was so similar to humans in his daily interactions that Shen Tazhi never considered him anything other than a being with a few cute tentacles.
Now, learning that Jiang Que would go through a maturity period, possibly in a non-human way, Shen Tazhi felt bewildered.
One must have a partner to go through maturity…
Shen Tazhi fell into silence.
Even if maturity was two years away, and Jiang Que would only be eighteen then, it seemed too young. How could he find a lifelong partner in just two years?
Jiang Que would be starting university soon. Perhaps he would meet more people there?
But would those people truly treat Jiang Que well? Would they not be afraid of his non-human nature? Would they really stand by Jiang Que for a lifetime?
Shen Tazhi’s mind was filled with countless outcomes and possibilities, leaving him restless.
After a while, he sighed, covering his eyes with his hand.
He was worried about others when he should be considering himself the most.
That kiss from Jiang Que… was it a sign of affection? He needed to clarify his own feelings and Jiang Que’s feelings.
If it truly was affection, that would be troublesome.
He himself was now the most likely person to become the “heartbreaker” who would disappoint Jiang Que.
…
Meanwhile.
After returning to his own bedroom, Jiang Que flopped onto the bed, rolling around several times before calming down.
He had kissed Shen Tazhi, he had really kissed Shen Tazhi.
His heart was racing non-stop, and the hand that had just touched Shen Tazhi’s lips couldn’t help but clench into a fist.
With the commotion he had caused earlier, Shen Tazhi must have already woken up.
Just the thought of Shen Tazhi possibly inexplicably watching the wall towards his room from the neighboring room made Jiang Que want to roll around a few more times.
What should he do… It seemed like he really liked Shen Tazhi.
Would Shen Tazhi like him back?
Jiang Que didn’t know. He wasn’t Shen Tazhi; how could he possibly understand Shen Tazhi’s thoughts?
If Shen Tazhi wasn’t his gege, if they didn’t have so many years of bond between them, Jiang Que might have just stormed into Shen Tazhi’s room and demanded, “Do you like me or not?”
But the problem was that Shen Tazhi was his gege.
Because of this relationship, he had enjoyed Shen Tazhi’s favor for over a decade without hesitation. But now, he found himself hesitating to make a move.
If Shen Tazhi truly didn’t like him, he wouldn’t even have the chance to be Shen Tazhi’s brother.
Jiang Que rolled around on the bed again, feeling too agitated, and accidentally pressed on his tentacles, which promptly wrapped him up and tossed him into a corner of the bed.
Jiang Que:…
“Even you guys bully me.” Jiang Que murmured to his tentacles.
He decided to get out of bed, pulled open the curtains to look at the view of the small garden outside. As he pulled the curtains, Jiang Que noticed that the villa next door, which had been dark for so long, was now lit up.
Jiang Que was surprised: “Has someone returned to my house? Or is someone trespassing?”
After all, He Yun and the others hadn’t been home for at least a month.
After a moment of thought, Jiang Que simply put on some clothes, opened his door, and headed downstairs.
Shen Qingxue and Zhao Ruxin were watching TV together in the living room. Hearing footsteps, Shen Qingxue turned around, seeing Jiang Que seemingly prepared to go out.
Seeing him dressed to go out, Shen Qingxue asked in confusion, “Xiao Que, what are you doing out so late?”
“My house suddenly lit up, so I’m going back to check,” Jiang Que quickly explained, breezing past Shen Qingxue like the wind, and ran to the doorway to change his shoes and head out.
If it was He Yun and the others returning, that would be perfect. Finally, he could share the thoughts he couldn’t tell Shen Qingxue and the others.
If it was a trespasser… well, it wouldn’t hurt to tie them up and consult them on relationship matters, right?
The two houses weren’t far apart, and Jiang Que reached the neighboring villa in just a couple of minutes.
He cautiously opened the door, peering inside:
In the living room, the lights were on, and Qi Qiu, who had been gone for a long time, was seated at the dining table, eating heartily. Qi Qing had just served herself a bowl of food and was walking out from the kitchen.
Of course, Qi Qing and Qi Qiu noticed Jiang Que’s entrance. Qi Qing’s sharp gaze swept towards the door, softening upon seeing Jiang Que.
“Jiang Que, why did you suddenly come back at this hour?”
Seeing the two, Jiang Que felt relieved and replied as he changed his shoes at the door, “I saw the lights on from my bedroom, so I came back to check. Where have you both been all this time?”
Footsteps sounded from upstairs. Jiang Que looked up and saw He Yun coming down in pajamas. Upon seeing him, He Yun displayed a surprised expression.
“Xiao Que?”
“Where else could we go? We took a trip to the northwest, that big formation… cough cough cough!”
Before Qi Qiu could finish, he received a hard slap on the back from Qi Qing, nearly choking on his food and coughing violently.
Qi Qing chuckled, “It’s nothing, just went out on a field mission with the Anomaly Investigation Department. We might have to go on a long trip soon, so tonight we’re back to pack our things.”
Frowning, Jiang Que sat down on the sofa. “Don’t lie to me. I remember a bit of what happened when I was a child. The elders clearly went to the northwest for something. Is this still related to the Qishan Taoists? Are you going there?”
He Yun approached and sat beside him, patting his head. “That’s right, but Xiao Que, this doesn’t concern you. It won’t benefit you to delve into it.”
Jiang Que didn’t care about benefits; he stared earnestly at Qi Qing and Qi Qiu. “So, will you be in danger when you go there? Will you come back after going?”
Qi Qiu’s gaze wandered. “Of course, it’s not dangerous… Have you eaten? Do you want to join us?”
Qi Qing changed the subject as well. “Is there a reason for your sudden return tonight?”
Jiang Que:…
This means it’s dangerous.
Jiang Que struggled to resist the urge to give a good beating to the two evasive individuals, looking at them seriously and pressing on, “Will you come back?”
Would they vanish completely like the elders did?
Qi Qing fell silent for a moment, then sighed, “How do I put this…”
Qi Qiu, on the other hand, was more direct, “We won’t come back.”
Qi Qing shot Qi Qiu a stern look, but he gestured for her to hold off on speaking.
Qi Qiu, with a serious tone, said, “Jiang Que, although we’re the same age, Master has always instructed us that you’re not a Qishan Taoist, and we should treat you like a normal child. That’s how we’ve always done it. However, now that you’re grown up, I think we can tell you…”
Qi Qing also fell silent, waiting quietly for Qi Qiu to continue.
Qi Qiu slowly continued, “In fact, the elders all died in the year when you turned five. They divined a natural disaster…”
He narrated everything in detail, then looked calmly at Jiang Que, “I’m sorry for keeping it from you. Now, there’s a problem with the formation, too much malice, and it’s about to overflow, two whole years ahead of the divination, which is why we need to handle it.”
Jiang Que didn’t speak. He glanced at Qi Qiu and Qi Qing, then at He Yun, before finally saying, “So you’ve been keeping this from me all along? Why didn’t you let me help?”
A warm hand covered Jiang Que’s head, it was He Yun, smiling reassuringly, “We didn’t mean to keep it from you. The elders wanted you to grow up happily, without the burden that should have belonged to a Qishan Taoist.”
“You see, now that you’re grown up, we’ve told you, right?”
Jiang Que sniffled, “You’re clearly about to leave, that’s why you’re telling me now. What if I didn’t come back tonight? Would you still tell me?”
Qi Qing replied, “If you hadn’t returned tonight, after we left, Aunt He Yun would have found the right time to tell you.”
Aunt He Yun would tell him? Jiang Que was puzzled.
He Yun nodded, “Yes, because I can’t go either, so we really didn’t mean to keep it from you. I can’t even interfere with the Qishan Taoist’s rights.”
Jiang Que finally calmed down.
He looked at Qi Qiu and Qi Qing, who had grown into teenagers now, and the playful moments they had shared on the mountain seemed like a distant memory.
How did everyone grow up in the blink of an eye?
“Alright,” Qi Qing interjected, breaking Jiang Que’s reverie. “We’ve all shared what needed to be said, now it’s your turn.”
“Me?” Jiang Que was puzzled.
Qi Qing explained, “Yes, you. Why did you come back? It can’t be just to take a look around, right? Come on, spill it. Do you have a little secret?”
Only then did Jiang Que remember the question he wanted to ask initially. He bit his lip, blushed after a moment, and hesitated.
“Oh,” Qi Qiu chuckled, “You’re blushing. What’s the matter?”
“It’s just…” Jiang Que hesitated.
“Just what?”
“Just…” Jiang Que began to shrink back, “It’s just… if I happen to like Shen Tazhi… what would you all do?”
A silence fell over the room.
Jiang Que felt uneasy, lowering his head, unable to meet the gaze of the others.
No need to guess, he knew that the three people present were probably looking at him in shock, and they might even start lecturing him soon.
But he couldn’t help it. He liked Shen Tazhi, and he needed to talk to someone about it before he burst.
After what seemed like a long time, someone finally spoke.
It was Qi Qing.
“You… you’re just realizing you like him now?!”
“I’m sorry, I know it’s not right, but…”
Huh??
Jiang Que suddenly looked up, gaze fixed on Qi Qing. “What do you mean by that?”
Qi Qing also wore a look of disbelief. “Aren’t kids nowadays supposed to mature early? Why are you only just realizing you like Shen Tazhi now?”
Jiang Que was bewildered. “Should I even like Shen Tazhi?”
Wasn’t this supposed to be something unconventional? What was Qi Qing’s reaction all about?
Qi Qiu also looked puzzled, “Huh? So, you’ve been treating Shen Tazhi as a brother all this time?”
He had thought this inherently mischievous guy had long ago developed feelings for Shen Tazhi, deliberately acting cute to catch Shen Tazhi’s attention.
Why was this demon king so innocent when it came to matters like this?!
He Yun also chuckled beside them, “Oh, Xiao Que is still young. Don’t look at him with those eyes. Let me explain.”
Suppressing her laughter, He Yun recounted the divination done by the elders to Jiang Que, and finally, she looked at Jiang Que’s incredulous expression and said:
“Don’t doubt it, you and Shen Tazhi are destined to be attracted to each other. The chances of you not being together are close to zero.”
So surprised, Jiang Que had completely forgotten about the “Northwest Formation” matter that had been on his mind just moments ago.
He opened his mouth, took a while before finally uttering a question:
“Huh?”
“So, you all were so confident in leaving me with Aunt Qingxue and Uncle Zhao because…”
“Of course, they also know about the divination, and they are very welcoming for you to join their family,” Qi Qiu said bluntly. “You’re so gullible, or else how could we trust just anyone to take care of you?”
Qi Qing nodded, “Exactly, although they are not bad people, they are not close enough for us to feel completely at ease.”
Jiang Que: “So, I’ve been kept in the dark all these years by myself?”
Qi Qing chuckled, “No, Shen Tazhi was also in the dark with you.”
Jiang Que:
They really fooled me, those two.
“But…,” Qi Qing rubbed his chin, “Since you’ve only just realized your feelings now and you’re so conflicted, does that mean Shen Tazhi still has no interest in you?”
Jiang Que: “…Your words are quite dirty.”
Qi Qiu laughed, “Why not tell him about this?”
The moment Qi Qiu made that suggestion, Jiang Que did feel a flutter in his heart, but the next moment, he firmly held onto his own thoughts.
“I don’t want to,” Jiang Que whispered.
“I realized it on my own. I don’t want to use fate or anything like that to force Shen Tazhi. If he dares not to like me, I’ll…”
With the confidence gained from knowing about the divination of the elders, Jiang Que seemed more resolute. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “Then I’ll just ignore him!”
He Yun couldn’t help but let out a laugh. She patted Jiang Que’s shoulder and said, “Alright, ready for dinner? Do you want to stay at home tonight?”
“No need, I’ll go find Shen Tazhi first.” Jiang Que got up energetically, ready to leave.
As he reached the door, he remembered the topic that had been interrupted earlier and turned abruptly, saying, “Wait, are you leaving tomorrow morning?”
Qi Qing, surprised that Jiang Que still remembered, sighed and nodded, “Yes, you don’t need to see us off. This involves some confidential matters of the Anomaly Investigation Department, and knowing about it won’t benefit you.”
Jiang Que bit his lip, looking at the two of them again.
Qi Qiu and Qi Qing, one carefree and the other thoughtful, had lived with him on the mountain since childhood and had taken care of him even after they came down. Although they rarely met now, in his heart, they were still family.
He actually wanted to ask them not to leave, but Jiang Que also knew that besides causing Qi Qiu and Qi Qing more trouble, it would serve no purpose.
Jiang Que bit his lip, “…Are you really not coming back?”
Qi Qiu finished his meal and lazily leaned back in his chair, “No, don’t miss us.”
Qi Qing still had a smiling expression, “Just don’t cry secretly by yourself.”
“I won’t cry,” Jiang Que whispered.
“Alright, hurry and leave. There’s no need to stay and keep us company, we’re not familiar anyway,” Qi Qiu spoke bluntly, and the next moment, he got a firm knock on the head from Qi Qing.
Rubbing his head and groaning, Qi Qiu complained, while Qi Qing waved to Jiang Que, “Don’t listen to his nonsense, but you really don’t need to stay and accompany us.”
She tilted her head, “Encounters and partings are all fate. There’s no need to deliberately bid farewell. We don’t indulge in such sentiments; it only adds unnecessary sadness.”
“You’re not from our world. Go live your life well; that’s the best way.”
Jiang Que sniffled, feeling a genuine urge to cry this time.
At this moment, he realized that farewells seemed to be like this.
In the future, every morning, he would still wake up to have breakfast and look out at the villa’s garden. But now, he knew that even if he looked a thousand times, Qi Qiu and Qi Qing wouldn’t return.
“I’m leaving,” his voice muffled, he hurriedly departed.
The gate closed, and Qi Qiu looked at Qi Qing, “Look at you, being so sentimental, making him cry.”
Another slap on the head was the response.
“If you won’t speak, then act like a mute!”
Qi Qiu: … QAQ
Jiang Que ran back to the Shen household, wiping away his tears hastily before entering. After composing himself for a while and confirming he had no visible issues, he pushed open the door.
Shen Qingxue and Zhao Ruxin had gone upstairs to rest; downstairs, only the small light in the hallway was on, seemingly left on just for him.
Jiang Que quietly closed the door, turned off the light in the hallway, and went upstairs.
As he passed by Shen Tazhi’s bedroom, Jiang Que couldn’t help but freeze in his steps.
The light in Shen Tazhi’s room was on.
Should he go in now and clear things up with him?
Before Jiang Que could decide, the bedroom door suddenly swung open.
It was Shen Tazhi.
He must have heard the commotion of Jiang Que going upstairs, prompting him to open the door to see what was going on.
Jiang Que, still with red eyes and a lost look, startled Shen Tazhi when he opened the door. Concerned, Shen Tazhi quickly asked, “Que Que, what’s wrong? Did someone bully you?”
Jiang Que hesitated, the question he had intended to ask taking a different turn just as he was about to speak: “Gege… Qi Qiu and Qi Qing, they won’t be coming back.”
“What do you mean?” Shen Tazhi didn’t understand.
He hurriedly pulled Jiang Que into the room, handing him a tissue to wipe away the tears that had started falling after he finished his sentence.
Jiang Que hugged Shen Tazhi’s neck, just like in their childhood, sobbing and explaining through tears several times before finally clarifying what had happened.
Shen Tazhi, hearing for the first time about the hidden details of the Qishan Taoist’s disappearance, remained speechless for a long while.
Patiently wiping away Jiang Que’s tears, Shen Tazhi said, “It’s okay. They all said not to be so sad. Let’s not cry anymore, okay?”
Jiang Que blinked, a tear running down his long eyelashes and dropping onto Shen Tazhi’s hand.
He had intended to ask Shen Tazhi if he liked him, but it turned out that he might be sadder than he had imagined, as he couldn’t hold back his tears as soon as he spoke.
Jiang Que didn’t dare cry in front of Qi Qiu and Qi Qing; only when he was with Shen Tazhi did he realize that he would be tolerated no matter how emotional he got.
It took Jiang Que a while to calm down. His eyes were even redder now, and after being comforted by Shen Tazhi to take a shower, he felt a bit better.
Shen Tazhi didn’t dare get on the bed; he sat on a chair, anxiously watching over him, afraid he would start crying as soon as he came out.
Meeting Shen Tazhi’s nervous gaze, Jiang Que finally remembered the question he had wanted to ask at the beginning.
Always proactive, Jiang Que, with his freshly cleaned hands, sticky and messy, wrapped around Shen Tazhi’s waist. Ignoring the other’s puzzled look, Jiang Que approached.
“Gege.”
He spoke softly.
Feeling a bit trapped, Shen Tazhi tried to move back, but couldn’t escape.
Jiang Que straightforwardly said, “Gege, I kissed you secretly just now.”
Shen Tazhi hadn’t expected Jiang Que to bring up this incident, and his ears turned red in an instant.
“Actually, just now, I…”
Jiang Que interrupted him, “I’ve thought about it, and I need to explain to you.”
Moving closer to Shen Tazhi, his teenage eyes shining brightly, Jiang Que expressed with an open and pure look, “Shen Tazhi… Gege, I like you, not in a brotherly way.”
Having Shen Tazhi in his embrace, Jiang Que had the opportunity to kiss Shen Tazhi on the lips. However, he refrained and quickly kissed Shen Tazhi on the cheek, blushing and stammering, “It’s… it’s this kind of liking. You have to give me a response.”
He relied on Shen Tazhi’s favoritism, boldly confessing even in his confession.
However, the reality proved that Jiang Que had indeed understood Shen Tazhi’s temperament well. Even facing such a sudden and unreasonable request, Shen Tazhi only showed surprise rather than anger.
He wanted to sigh, but was afraid of being misunderstood by Jiang Que. In the end, he could only ask, “Que Que… why do you like me?”
“Is it because of the impending maturity, or because of what Du Lulu said? Or is it because we are too close, leading you to this misconception?”
Jiang Que stuttered, “Because…” He couldn’t quite articulate why he liked him.
Meeting Jiang Que’s shocked and puzzled gaze, Shen Tazhi suddenly said in a deep voice, “Let go of me.”
Jiang Que instinctively released his hold.
The next moment, Shen Tazhi, freed from Jiang Que’s grasp, pressed him down onto the bed.
Looking down at him, the mature elder chuckled, “Que Que, did you call that a kiss?”
Jiang Que was stunned.
Shen Tazhi knew what he had done just now? He was awake?
Cradling Jiang Que’s face, Shen Tazhi slowly moved downward, his warm breath reaching Jiang Que’s cheek. It seemed like their lips were about to meet in the next second.
Jiang Que blushed, closed his eyes tightly.
But that kiss didn’t come. Jiang Que waited for a while, only hearing Shen Tazhi’s muffled laughter in his ear.
“Can you really distinguish what your feelings are for me, Baby Que Que?”
