C96 – Sinister Lover [Slice]

The sunlight shone through the blue and red tiles at the end of the wall, reflecting on Chu Chen’an’s shoulders. In the interplay of light and dark, his skin was white with a hint of red, casting a light golden glow over his beautiful eyes.

 

 

Chu Chen’an crouched down and stared at him, his eyes trembling and dazed. He wanted to dodge but he couldn’t speak for a long time.

 

 

In Lan Xu’s eyes, Chu Chen’an was like the phoenix tail flower that he loved to plant the most when he was young. It didn’t exude deadly poison like the witchcraft flower plant, but it was still breathtakingly beautiful, weak and gentle, and lovable.

 

 

Lan Xu blinked and asked, “Why aren’t you talking? Are you feeling uncomfortable?

 

Speaking, Lan Xu squatted down and approached Chu Chen’an, carefully examining him.

 

 

Chu Chen’an’s face was flushed, perhaps hot, it was tender, and fair, tempting people to kiss him.

 

 

Chu Chen’an’s vision began to blur; his mind had already turned a hundred times.

 

He remembered what he had seen in the woods that day: the gloomy tomb, the double coffin, the solemn grey portrait, various strange bells and talismans, the smoke of miserable white candles and smoke, and the Lan Xu who was deeply gazing at his portrait.

 

Suddenly, a noisy buzzing sound swept through his mind, and all around him fell silent.

 

In his mind, the reddish flower plant locked in the back room by Lan Huai appeared again, emitting a tantalising fragrance, pulling him closer.

 

One step, two steps, three steps…

 

The flower plant’s sudden vine-like grip wrapped his wrist tightly! Leaving no stone unturned, it poured the deadly flower liquid into his bl-oodstream.

 

Chu Chen’an was startled; after returning to his senses and looking down, it turned out to be Lan Xu, who was holding his wrist and looking at him with concern.

 

Lan Xu raised his hand and touched his forehead. “Catching a cold?”

 

Lan Xu was particularly close. Chu Chen’an looked into his dangerous and seductive eyes and immediately lowered his eyes and shook his head, his heart thumping.

 

He responded, “No.”

 

He didn’t dare to look into Lan Xu’s eyes, afraid that if he wasn’t careful, he would be swallowed up by the dense black net and never escape again.

 

Chu Chen’an squatted in the corner, looking very frail.

 

Lan Xu smiled and asked, “Then why did you run when you saw me?”

 

Chu Chen’an pursed his lips and didn’t answer; his red cheeks looked especially cute.

 

Lan Xu wanted to raise his hand and rub it, but didn’t ask any further. He said softly to him, “I went to the temple today; it’s so lively there. Do you want me to take you to see it?”

 

Chu Chen’an raised his eyes.

 

“Oh, I forgot,” Lan Xu added. “You seem to have come from that direction.”

 

Chu Chen’an’s heart thumped.

 

“How is it? Are there a lot of people?” Lan Xu half squatted and asked diffidently, “Was it fun?”

 

He seemed to view the solemn soul-returning prayer ceremony as fun, with an air of couldn’t care less.

 

Chu Chen’an hesitated for a long time before he bravely said what he wanted to say: “Can your brother… really come back?”

 

 

“Yes,” Lan Xu’s smile didn’t reduce, even as he explained to him, “Chen’an, don’t be afraid; this is our custom here; my brother used to be a shaman and compulsion master in the walled village; he’s very powerful; as long as the remains were kept in a good place, they can return the soul back to life.”

 

“But,” Lan Xu blinked, “I’m more powerful than my brother.”

 

Chu Chen’an squeezed his fingers tightly and asked again, “Then what were you doing in the years before you went to the city?”

 

He remembered clearly that during the last time he came to this copy, he had never heard of the name Lan Xu.

 

 

Perhaps Lan Xu was just a shaman who could see his soul but didn’t reveal his identity.

 

 

Lan Xu glanced at him, slowly twirling his fingers lightly. Restraining his smile, he was silent for several seconds before saying, “Sleeping.”

 

Chu Chen’an thought he was joking; he whispered and asked again, “What did you say?”

 

 

“Nothing,” Lan Xu stood up. “Nothing much; I went to learn to take care of the family business for a few years.”

 

Chu Chen’an nodded.

 

He remembered that Lan Huai told him that the Lan family’s clan was so large that some of the clan would move to the city to live, including his father.

 

Lan Huai’s grandfather was a very old-fashioned and traditional shaman, and he believed that the Lan family should stay in Wulan Mountain for generations.

 

Back then, despite his grandfather’s opposition, Lan Huai’s father took his wife and a dozen of his clan members and moved to the city, where he established a career in the Duhai region, founding several economic companies. And Lan Huai and Lan Xu were the direct heirs.

 

When Lan Huai’s mother was pregnant, she had to go back to the fortress, then she gave birth and left, leaving behind the twins, Lan Huai and Lan Xu.

 

Lan Huai was forced by his grandfather to stay in the village; Lan Xu should also be the same.

 

Later, perhaps a few years after Lan Huai’s grandfather’s death, Lan Xu was picked up by his father and taken to the city.

 

“Then why did you come back later?” Chu Chen’an asked.

 

 

“I found it boring to make money, so I found a few responsible people to act as agents and came back on my own.” Lan Xu said, “How good it is here, green mountains and green water, and the money will still go up by itself.”

 

Lan Xu said sweetly, “Moreover, I came back to meet you.”

 

Chu Chen’an was confused for a moment.

 

The logic in Lan Xu’s words hid two layers of meaning.

 

Did he come back to unexpectedly meet him, or did he come back in order to meet him?

 

He preferred the former.

 

“Alright, don’t squat,” Lan Xu bent down. “Get up; your legs will go numb if you squat for a long time.”

 

Only then did Chu Chen’an get up; after he stood up straight, the backs of his calves suddenly went soft, and his two feet had little sensation.

 

His legs were numb…

 

Lan Xu assisted Chu Chen’an’s arm, “Is it alright? Do you want me to carry you?”

 

“No need,” Chu Chen’an was still afraid of Lan Xu. “I’ll be fine if I walk for a while.”

 

“Today’s weather is good,” Lan Xu held him tightly, daylight refracted dazzling light through his neckpiece. “Let’s go for a walk in the secret realm.”

 

“Don’t you need to go to accompany your brother’s… coffin?” Chu Chen’an asked, and little by little he was moving closer to the question he dared not ask the most.

 

Lan Huai would return to his soul soon. Shouldn’t he pray like those priests?

 

“No need, ah, what am I doing guarding him?” A few points of aggravation flashed in Lan Xu’s eyes. “Chen’an, you seem to be very concerned about my brother.”

 

Chu Chen’an quickly responded, “No… no, just casually asking.”

 

“Well,” Lan Xu smiled again. “I look the same as my brother; if you’re curious, you can look at me more. I am also a shaman and more powerful than him.”

 

Since he knew Lan Xu knew his identity, he felt more and more afraid to face Lan Xu.

 

Lan Xu’s words were intentionally or unintentionally comparing him to his brother; it was both ambiguous and overwhelming.

 

He was worried; Lan Xu had once said that he was his little sister-in-law and his wife.

 

Although this sentence was outrageous, he was worried that Lan Xu really treated him as his wife.

 

How could Lan Xu like him?

 

……

 

Lan Xu was too enthusiastic; Chu Chen’an was almost half pulled into the secret realm by him and couldn’t even refuse.

 

The secret realm was filled with colourful fallout, and after passing through a dense row of sky-high trees, they approached a turquoise-blue lake.

 

The wind moved the water traces of the lake, and the turquoise blue lake was like a mirror of the sky, making Chu Chen’an feel like he was in the middle of the pale heaven and earth.

 

This place was like an out-of-this-world wonderland, clear and clean.

 

It was so beautiful that it almost made him linger, but Chu Chen’an had no intention of enjoying the scenery at this time. He worried all the way and followed Lan Xu past many fruit forests.

 

Lan Xu casually picked a large green fruit. “Eat?”

 

 

Chu Chen’an felt that Lan Xu was coaxing him as a child; he shook his head.

 

And that fruit was green and white; it was sour at first glance.

 

“It’s very sweet.” Lan Xu used the stream water to wash the green fruit; the green fruit skin was glistening with translucent water droplets, very tempting.

 

Chu Chen’an looked, a little hesitant; he began feeling a little thirsty, his throat dry.

 

 

Lan Xu handed it to him and picked another green fruit. “Eat it; can you help me try if it’s sour first?”

 

 

Chu Chen’an finally took it, and gently bit a mouthful. He met Lan Xu’s watching gaze, a little surprised. “It isn’t; it’s quite sweet.”

 

Lan Xu smiled, then he washed the green fruit in his hand and also took a bite.

 

He looked at Chu Chen’an’s lips that were permeated with water, the knot in his throat rolling up and down; those lips were like cherries laced with water, making him want to bite on them hard.

 

 

“That’s good,” Lan Xu gazed deeply at him, seemingly holding back, and he quietly added, “It looked delicious at first glance.”

 

Chu Chen’an took another bite; his cheeks were puffed up as he asked, “How did you know it was sweet?”

 

“Because I’ve seen this kind of fruit before, and I’ve always wanted to taste it,” Lan Xu’s voice lowered, with regret in his voice. “It’s a pity that the one I picked that time was snatched away by my brother, and I didn’t get to eat it.”

 

“But fortunately, there’s still a chance this time.”

 

Chu Chen’an didn’t understand the meaning of Lan Xu’s words; he only felt that Lan Xu had changed somewhat, but he couldn’t figure out where it was wrong.

 

He didn’t dare to stay longer and said in a trembling voice, “It’s not too early; let’s hurry out.”

 

Lan Xu nodded. “Okay.”

 

……

As they walked out of the secret realm and passed through the mountains, Chu Chen’an still couldn’t suppress the doubts in his heart; he wanted to personally go and find out, to see if that tomb really didn’t exist.

 

Chu Chen’an practiced many times in his mind before he carefully spoke, “Your brother will return to his soul soon. As an outsider guest, I would like to go and offer him a pillar of incense. Is that okay?”

 

Lan Xu’s eyes darkened, his footsteps paused for a long time, then the bottom of his eyes quickly became gentle once again: “No need; that place is so cold, you’ll be scared.”

 

 

“It doesn’t matter; it’s just for the incense.” Chu Chen’an didn’t want to give up just like that; he negotiated in a small voice, “It won’t be long; I’ll leave after the incense.”

 

Lan Xu’s smile dimmed; he was silent for a few seconds, locking eyes with Chu Chen’an.

 

Chu Chen’an’s scalp was numb from his look, thinking that Lan Xu was angry,  even his eyelashes trembled from how scared he was.

 

After a long time of staring at each other, Lan Xu opened his mouth and asked, his tone calm with a bit of aggression, “Chen’an, why do you care so much about my brother?”

 

This sentence was different from what Chu Chen’an expected: “Hmm?”

 

 

“You’ve mentioned him several times today,” Lan Xu flatly said . “He doesn’t want to be disturbed these days; when it’s dealt with, you’ll see him; there’s no rush; let’s go back first, huh?”

 

 

He certainly had ulterior motives and didn’t want to give up any minute of the days he could spend alone with Chen’an.

 

 

Every time Chu Chen’an mentioned Lan Huai, his heart was filled with jealousy.

 

 

Chu Chen’an couldn’t say anything else and nodded repeatedly.

 

……

 

Late afternoon.

 

When Chu Chen’an came to look for He Xuesheng, he saw a few of them at the foot of the mountain were surrounding two broken cars to fix them.

 

“Luckily, there are people who can repair cars in this nook and cranny; otherwise, we won’t be able to walk out of the mountain even if we wear out our feet!” Said the assistant beside Old Liang, holding an umbrella coquettishly.

 

Old Liang added, “This car can still drive; at least driving out of the highway is no problem.”

 

He Xuesheng squatted in front of the hood of the car to twist the wrench, and in this group of people, he was the one who worked the hardest.

 

He wiped his sweat, straightened up, and saw Chu Chen’an walking not far away. He greeted him, “Chen’an, you’re here.”

 

Chu Chen’an approached and looked at the two cars; they didn’t look that badly broken. He walked to He Xuesheng’s side and helped repair them together as well.

 

“It’s just this one that isn’t repaired; if there are no surprises, we’ll be able to leave in the morning.” He Xuesheng said happily; he had stayed here long enough and just wanted to go home and play games all night.

 

Chu Chen’an nodded. “Have you packed all your things?”

 

“It’s all packed up,” He Xuesheng glanced around at the few people around him and said, “Also, the woman you asked me to bring along, I mentioned it to the guys, and the guys didn’t have any opinions.”

 

He Xuesheng again whispered in his ear, “Don’t worry, I didn’t say anything specific.”

 

Chu Chen’an nodded. “Thank you.”

 

“Aiya, don’t be polite.” He Xuesheng ruffled his hair. “It’s all trivial.”

 

“Are you guys going back?”

 

A crisp bell sound came from behind Chu Chen’an, and he nervously turned around to see Lan Xu slowly walking over.

 

“Yes, some of us are seriously injured, so we thought we’d go back first to recuperate,” Old Liang greeted him, piling on a smile as he courteously responded, “I’m grateful for your care these past few days, thanks ha.”

 

Lan Xu smiled lightly. “No need to be polite; you’re welcome to come back and play again after you get well.”

 

“Okay, okay, we will definitely come back when we have the chance!” Old Liang said a few more polite words; he knew Lan Xu’s status and position in this fortress and smiled so much that wrinkles squeezed the ends of his eyes.

 

“Well, then you guys continue to pack up; you can always find me if you wish to help.” Lan Xu’s attitude was bland; he turned to Chu Chen’an by his side and said in a warm voice, “Seeing that you’re not in good spirits today, I’ve stewed nourishing soup; let’s go back and drink it.”

 

Chu Chen’an looked at He Xuesheng, who also looked at him.

 

Chu Chen’an’s gaze averted. “I still have to help fix the car, so I won’t drink it.”

 

“Then I’ll help you guys too.” Lan Xu looked at Chu Chen’an and added, “Let’s go back after repairing it.”

 

He Xuesheng was quite terrified of Lan Xu these days, and whenever Lan Xu glanced at him, he felt a chill on the back of his neck.

 

The injury on his neck had never gotten better, and only in these few days had he become a bit worried as well.

 

“Oh… then…” He Xuesheng instinctively withdrew from Chu Chen’an’s side, getting some distance away from him. “Chen’an, go back first. I can see you’re not feeling well either. We’re almost done repairing this. I’ll come find you tomorrow.”

 

“Okay,” Chu Chen’an wasn’t in a good position to stay for long, so he nodded.

 

Lan Xu smiled, “Let’s go.”

 

After they left.

 

The little assistant held an umbrella and stood under the shade of a tree with Old Liang, “Ch, nothing to do but think about hitchhiking.”

 

 

“Alright,” Old Liang looked at him. “Say less.”

 

The assistant pouted and persisted, “That’s the truth. We only saw him show up when we were leaving; we can’t ignore that.”

 

 

He Xuesheng couldn’t listen anymore. He glanced at the assistant, who had pulled Old Liang to hide under the shade of the tree when they started repairing the car. He even shouted that he was tired of holding an umbrella; it was obvious who wasn’t doing anything.

 

 

He glared at the little assistant.

 

The small assistant immediately exploded, “What are you staring at me for? Yes, you guys are a team, and you’re all working together to deal with me.”

 

He turned to Old Liang and pouted, “Director Liang, look at him!”

 

“Alright, alright, you should also say less; go back and rest.” Old Liang patted his shoulder and let him have the umbrella. “It’s been a hard few days; when we go back, I’ll give you two more days off.”

 

The little assistant then made a stop, coldly grunted and walked away.

 

 

……

 

 

On the road, Lan Xu didn’t say a word; when they reached the door of his house, he asked, “Are you also following them back?”

 

“Uh-huh.” Chu Chen’an practically popped out one word at a time and tried to explain, “I came with them, so I’ll have to follow them if they’re going back.”

 

 

“Oh.” Lan Xu slightly pursed his lips as he entered and brought Chu Chen’an a bowl of soup. “I still want to take you to fish in the secret lake tomorrow.”

 

Chu Chen’an sat down, not daring to say anything.

 

 

“The fish there are big and plentiful; they’re especially easy to catch, and the thick soup that’s made with it is delicious.”

 

Chu Chen’an was a bit moved, but it couldn’t overtake his determination to leave. This place was indeed beautiful, with many novel things, and he liked it here.

 

But this place also hid a lot of terrifying and dangerous things that Chu Chen’an didn’t know about, and he was afraid that he would never be able to escape from it again as if he were deep in a swamp.

 

“After I go back, I will come back to play again if… I have the chance.” Chu Chen’an said.

 

Even though the hope of going back might be small, he still wanted to give it a try.

 

“Okay, remember to contact me the next time you come back to play.” Lan Xu said, “I’ll come pick you up.”

 

Chu Chen’an nodded his head quickly.

 

Lan Xu didn’t say anything; he silently watched Chu Chen’an finish the soup, his smile dissipating.

 

After Chu Chen’an finished the soup, he made a point of sitting in the chair and suddenly found that his eyes were fuzzy, then he yawned.

 

 

The shadow of the lamp in front of his eyes began to sway slightly; he suddenly dropped his eyelids in sleepiness, his eyes narrowing into a slit until his field of vision became narrower and narrower.

 

What to do?

 

It seemed like he was so sleepy he was going to pass out.

 

He supported himself for a few moments, but he was still unable to defeat the sleepiness that came over him and slowly closed his eyes.

 

 

Lan Xu wrapped his arm around Chu Chen’an’s shoulders and easily picked him up by the waist.

 

 

Chu Chen’an was drowsy, but he felt as he was carried upstairs and placed on a soft quilt. The wind blowing in from the window was cool, and he shrank his white toes into the quilt.

 

 

But the next moment, it was in the grip of a large hand.

 

His clothes were gone, and the overwhelming kisses left him at a loss, and he was bitten on the lips several times, making him pout in pain and aggravation.

 

Lan Xu kissed his pitifully red corner of the eye again, lightly bit his earlobe, and his eyes were filled with dark admiration.

 

“Baby, but I don’t want you to leave. ” Lan Xu said with grievance, his tongue entwining with Chu Chen’an’s lips.

 

---

TN:

I’m a bit late but here ya go