A Touch Of Irony

As Fang Lei is dragged into the guest bedroom, the door is slammed shut behind him, causing him to jump slightly.

Finally, the tight hold on his wrist is removed. Upon closer inspection, one would notice red finger marks on his skin. Frowning, he slightly rubs at his wrist and glances up at Wen Po.

"Hey, you know, you didn't have to be so rough. I would have gone with you if you had just asked nicely." He complains, still rubbing at his wrist. He doesn't quite notice Wen Po's expression, as the taller male isn't facing him.

"...So. Since you didn't tell me your plans beforehand, how about we discuss exactly what it is that's written in the contract." Wen Po says, completely ignoring Fang Lei's statement. He slowly turns around to face the young male, peering down at him with anger.

Upon seeing that scary expression, Fang Lei both mentally and physically shrinks himself down, thoroughly intimidated by the man in front of him.

Not that he was scared of Wen Po!

Yeah, he… he wouldn't be afraid of a human!

Him, a powerful spirit, afraid of a human? R-Ridiculous!

Wen Po pulls out a scroll from his bag, unrolling it with a dramatic flourish. He holds it in front of the trembling youth's face, saying: "It's about time you know what exactly it is I want you to do, Fang Lei. Before, I never actually specified what I wanted. I only used the 'embrace like a wife' statement as an example, but I never once said that's what I wanted you to do. So, what do you think is written here, hmm?"

He hums soothingly, but his expression is still quite scary.

Why are his actions and expressions telling different stories, ah?!

The throbbing on his wrist forgotten, Fang Lei replies meekly as he stares at the foreign letters on the paper: "I-I don't know! My eyesight is… uh, really bad…"

Of course, it's a lame excuse. He's a really bad liar, as he doesn't like lying in the first place. But who would believe that a powerful cultivator would be unable to read? So, of course, he has to bluff it! Or else Wen Po might become suspicious of him!

Frustrated, Wen Po slams both of his hands against the door behind Fang Lei, effectively trapping the poor male in place. The contract in his hand crumples to the point of no return.

His face incredibly close to Fang Lei's, he says with burning eyes: "So you can't see well? Then, can you see me at this angle?"

Fang Lei's face burns up, and since the contract was previously closer than their current distance before, he's forced to reply: "N-No, I can't…"

Wen Po's face gets even closer, shrinking the distance between them.

Suddenly, Fang Lei wishes he hadn't lied. But if he didn't, then Wen Po would know he's a spirit…!

"How about now, then?" Wen Po asks, their faces a few centimeters away.

If he got any closer, then wouldn't they just be kissing?!

Fang Lei panics, and he raises his arms up, about to push Wen Po away—

…

…

…

Thump!

Wen Po stares lamely at the empty space in front of him. Slowly, he looks down to see a fainted Fang Lei, lying face-down on the floor.

...Was Fang Lei just doing this so he didn't have to face the consequences of lying? Wen Po scoffs disbelievingly, squatting down to poke at Fang Lei's head.

"Hey, enough playing dead. I know you were lying, so get up." He says, but he doesn't get a response.

Raising an eyebrow, he places the crinkled contract on the floor before rolling Fang Lei around to face him. He immediately checks for any signs of breathing, placing a finger under the youth's nose.

However, the young male is not breathing. In fact, his heart isn't beating, either.

Dumbstruck, Wen Po begins to shake the lifeless body, sudden panic rising within him. "Oi, Fang Lei! Fang Lei! Don't play this game anymore! Doctor… I need a doctor!"

---

Meanwhile, in Liu Jian's bedroom, Xu Jiyu nervously shifts his weight onto his left foot, peering around curiously.

"Make yourself at home. I apologize if it's a bit messy." Liu Jian says with a kind smile, before tidying up his already-cleaned shelves.

Xu Jiyu's face fills with black lines.

Messy? How is this place 'messy' in any way, ah? Everything is squeaky clean! There's not even a speck of dirt to be seen anywhere!

"A-Ah, yes, it's not messy at all, thank you…" Xu Jiyu chuckles, before settling himself into a polished wooden chair. As he looks around the extremely clean room, he notices a few paintings hanging around the room.

He sees a beautiful painting of a woman sitting in the middle of a lotus, so he points to it: "Did you…?"

Liu Jian turns his head towards the direction of Xu Jiyu's inquiry, and nods. "En. All of the paintings you see here, I made with my own hands and brush."

The youth is immediately impressed. Not only is his new friend an extremely handsome and powerful cultivator, he's also a very talented artist as well! As expected, it's no wonder the King would want to possess this kind of man.

"I see, it's so beautiful! May I ask who the woman in the painting is? She's very gorgeous…" Xu Jiyu says, brightening up. The more he looks at it, the more he feels that the woman is very attractive. "If she was a real person, I'd want to court her, haha."

"...You'd want to what her?" An icy voice responds, not at all like the previously warm and kind one.

Immediately, Xu Jiyu wh.i.p.s his head around, wide-eyed. That tone of voice was…!

"Liu Jian?" Xu Jiyu asks tentatively, but notices that the man in front of him was currently using clips to clip back one side of his hair.

That familiar hairstyle…?

Liu Jian finally glances over at him, with no trace of previous friendliness. Instead there was only an indifferent and blank expression. This kind of powerful presence, and 'cold-beauty' aura…!!

"Liu Jia—no… King?" Xu Jiyu asks once more, his heart beating rapidly in his c.h.e.s.t.

The King's platinum hues gleam with what appears to be approval and happiness. He gives a slight nod and hums, "En."

Although Xu Jiyu had scorned him and told him to return to the Spirit Realm the last time they met, it never made his feelings for this youth disappear. In fact, their separation had increased his growing emotions for Xu Jiyu. Though he does not understand what exactly he feels for this human, the one thing he does understand is that he wants to be by Xu Jiyu's side and protect him from all harm.

"It's really you? King of Spirits?" Xu Jiyu's golden eyes widen, abruptly standing up from his seat. He rushes over to the taller man, throwing his arms around him.

The King, not expecting the sudden embrace, slowly wraps his arms around the youth. He answers with a simple, "En."

Xu Jiyu feels himself tear up. He'd missed this so much—even the small 'en' that the King would answer with for essentially everything!

"You came back? Why are you here, why did you leave?! Are you really back?" The questions spilled from the frazzled youth, in the same manner as his tears, non-stop.

"I'm not really back, I'm the King of Spirits." The King answers nonchalantly, still holding the young male in his arms. For some reason, he was even compelled to rub Xu Jiyu's back. He just had a feeling it might make the youth feel better, so he does exactly that.

Xu Jiyu can't help but smile through his tears, even though the joke was horrible and stupid. He'd even missed the dumb jokes the King made, so at this point he's not even mad. The soothing sensation of the King's comforting hand on his back calms him down a bit.

"Is that really your name?" Xu Jiyu asks, looking up at the taller man's face, the streaks on his face beginning to dry. His eyes are still puffy and red.

The King's, or rather Liu Jian's, face contorts into an expression of clear confusion. "My name? ...Yes, I suppose that's what I have always been addressed as." A gentle hand brushes the stray hairs from the youth's face, as soft eyes gaze down on him coolly.

Xu Jiyu frowns. "That's really sad, isn't it? Why don't you have a name?" The King's eyes widen in surprise as Xu Jiyu's expression morphs into a full-blown pout.

"..."

"Then, if I give you one, will you keep it? Can I call you that?" The question is again met with confused silence.

"Calling you 'The King of Spirits' makes me feel like nothing more than a subject. Is that all I am?" Xu Jiyu's pout and irritated tone are overpowering the King's potent presence, the normally intimidating aura about him is driven back by the youth's insistence.

The King slowly shakes his head.

"Then, you'll let me give you one?" The youth's aggravated tone has immediately switched to one filled with excitement.

"... En." The King nods.

"Ah, what shall it be?" Xu Jiyu contemplates, eyes bright. "This is important… Wait, I got it! I think I'll name you—…."