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Chapter Text

Luo Binghe blinked rapidly as it all rushed back to him in the middle of his grand tenth birthday party his rich and powerful adoptive parents had did for him.

He lived once before...

Not in this world, but in a distant, more magical, world. The world where he was an overlord.

“Binghe, what’s wrong? Do you not like the cake?” A voice asked and Luo Binghe looked up.

A smooth smile spread out on Luo Binghe’s face, “No, Binghe really likes it!” he beamed up.

He was Luo Binghe, the demon lord. He was Luo Binghe, the overlord.

He was reborn...

It had been quite a journey if not a boring one to grow up. Be on his best behavior in front of the adults and girls, did as he please to those he didn’t like, manipulating those annoying pests into making troubles and got punished by the authority.

Life was fun.

He got into a college. It was in a different city from his original home with his adoptive parents, but it was the time for him to fly away from his nest anyway, his adoptive parents had supported him. Packing up his things, he immediately went to the university.

He didn’t know a lot about the university, just it was one of the most prestigious university and it had dormitory. It would be easier to access, Luo Binghe would rather just drop his things into his room directly rather than searching for the cheapest apartement.

Although, roommates would be annoying, but Luo Binghe was not gonna fuss over such a petty detail. If he didn’t like them, he could just drive them out.

However, when Luo Binghe entered the college, he met many old friends along the way. He bumped into Sha Hualing when he was in the gate, the girl did not change at all even in this life, still being as oppresive as ever as she taught a female senior her place.

Sha Hualing recognized him and immediately bounded up to him, pulling him into a passionate kiss.

Well, that means he wasn’t the only one with past life’s memory then...

He met several of his wives in the first day. The Qin sisters, he met them when he escorted the pouty Sha Hualing to the female dorm. Of course, Sha Hualing immediately picked a fight with Qin Wanyue who was a senior. Qin Wanrong also immediately hugged him in her usual spoiled manner.

Luo Binghe thought he would like this university...

The campus was huge, Luo Binghe wouldn’t even be able to fully venture it within a month. Too many majors, too many departements, too many buildings, too many people.

He met Liu Mingyan in the fashion major in the second month of his college days, she didn’t greet him like any other of his wives. She retained her memory, but she kindly said to him that their ‘seven lifetimes’ probably ended in their last lifetime.

Since she was being like that, of course, Luo Binghe couldn’t force her. Besides, it wasn’t like they were married in this life too. They decided to stay as friends.

They were walking along the corridor as they talked, “So, what kind of person is your brother?” Luo Binghe asked. “I hope he isn’t an overprotective one? He wouldn’t immediately go all ballistic when he knew I married you in the past life, right?” Luo Binghe joked a bit to the devastatingly beautiful girl.

Liu Mingyan chuckled, Luo Binghe always loved it when she expressed her joy. Back then, when she always wore veil, her giggle still could make the nature tremble in shyness. Now, she wasn't wearing her veil anymore, her chuckles naturally made several students, who had the fortune to see and hear it, stupefied. “I already told him about us. Mainly because he once asked me if I ever got married. He didn’t mind me marrying...”

“That’s a good news for me then,” Luo Binghe pretended to look relieved.

Liu Mingyan’s lips twitched, “However, he looked terribly appaled when I told him my husband had a giant harem of six hundred wives.”

Luo Binghe smiled, “Well, I guess, no older brother would like to know their sister was a part of a giant harem for one man.”

“You know, that’s the trait of you I found odd. It feels like you-“ Liu Mingyan stopped dead in her track and her eyes widened in disbelief.

Luo Binghe blinked at her sudden stop and followed her gaze to settle on a pair of men standing not too far away. Luo Binghe froze. The man wearing black blazer with red button-up underneath shared several traits with Liu Mingyan, but he looked more heroic, and very handsome. It was obviously Liu Qingge, Liu Mingyan’s older brother.

But what shocked Luo Binghe to freeze in his track was not Liu Qingge, rather, the man Liu Qingge was talking to. Stern gaze covered in annoyance, lips that seemed to be forever slanted downwards, straight nose, sharp feature and kinda feminine figure with a grace of an immortal. Luo Binghe could recognize him anywhere he went, Luo Binghe could even recognize him even if he was only ashes left.

Shen Qingqiu...

Luo Binghe’s dormant killing intent that had never been triggered for more than a decade suddenly surged up. His hand twitched a bit as he was eager to choke that pretty slender neck and snapped it off, watching the owner of the neck looking up at him in horror-

Liu Mingyan put her hand on Luo Binghe’s chest and Luo Binghe’s train of thoughts was stopped there. The beautiful lady did not say anything but the warning in her gaze was clear.

Don’t do anything.

Liu Mingyan straightened and approached them, her head was held high but that didn’t make her seem arrogant at all. Only confident and untouchable. Luo Binghe followed closely behind her, mainly because if he didn’t, he would absolute try to do something to Shen Qingqiu.

“Brother,” she called out softly and Liu Qingge stopped talking to the man who was absolutely the reincarnation of Shen Qingqiu.

“Mingyan,” Liu Qingge smiled. “What is it? Do you need something?” he asked. What a nice brother he was.

Shen Qingqiu seemed to take that cue to leave immediately, “I’ll leave you with your sister, professor Liu. I hope you don’t forget to e-mail me the document tonight.” Flicking a curious glance at Liu Mingyan, he then turned around without any prompting.

“Okay!” Liu Qingge answered casually before he turned to his sister who seemed dazed, “What’s wrong?”

Liu Mingyan seemed to snap out of it as she looked at Liu Qingge strangely, “Brother... That was...” She gestured vaguely.

“Oh, you remembered him,” Liu Qingge scratched his head. “Yeah, that’s your Shen-shibo,” he answered.

Luo Binghe sneered, shibo? That man was not even worthy to bring Liu Mingyan’s shoes, let alone being Liu Mingyan’s shibo.

“You... You talked to him...?” Liu Mingyan asked hesitantly. Until today, she didn’t even know Shen Qingqiu worked in this university too...

“Well, of course. He’s my co-worker,” Liu Qingge shrugged.

“What Mingyan meant, she was surprised that you let go of the past’s grudge so easily, Liu-shishu,” Luo Binghe decided to explain for his former wife.

Liu Qingge furrowed his brows when he laid his eyes on Luo Binghe, “Shishu? Who are you?”

“He’s Luo Binghe, my friend,” Liu Mingyan answered quickly.

“Oh,” Liu Qingge nodded in understanding. Since she said ‘friend’, that meant he was someone from Cang Qiong Sect and was not an outsider for Liu Mingyan. “What do you mean past grudge? We just had a few spats in the past, not worth brought over this life too.”

“Spats? Brother, you destroyed half of a famous mountain in the south in a fight against him...” Liu Mingyan said helplessly. “You can’t stand him, I think the most fitting definition is you ‘hate’ each other.”

Liu Qingge turned a bit red, “Not really, we didn’t hate each other.” Liu Qingge shrugged, “Well, when I met him in this life, I decided to start a new and forget about our past’s grudge.”

Luo Binghe blankly stared, “Liu-shishu is very merciful and forgiving...” He said with a smile, however, he was ridiculing Liu Qingge inwardly. Forget about past grudge? As if. That man had ruined Luo Binghe’s childhood, faith, life.

“You’re over praising me,” Liu Qingge shook his head carelessly.

“No, really. To even forgive someone who had killed you in a cold blood...” Luo Binghe sighed, trying hard to not let his lips turning into a sneer.

Liu Mingyan nodded, “I think it’s better to not talk to him, brother... I’m worried,” she expressed.

“Kill...?” Liu Qingge raised his brows. “He didn’t kill me, though??”

Liu Mingyan and Luo Binghe froze, staring agape at Liu Qingge. “W-what?” Liu Mingyan stuttered out.

Liu Qingge crossed his arms, “He didn’t kill me. Where did you get the idea that he would be strong enough to kill me?” Liu Qingge laughed as like it was the biggest joke in the world before he stopped abruptly. “Wait, that was actually kind of insulting. You think I’m killed by him?”

“You... You didn’t?” Liu Mingyan gasped in shock as if her worldview had just been overturned.

“No, why would I? –Ah, wait, Qingqi and Qingjiu said the same thing...” Liu Qingge looked at his beloved sister and shook his head. “He couldn’t even defeat me in a sword fight,” he snorted.

Because no one else could, brother... Liu Mingyan pushed back the inadvertent sarcastic comment, “Well... If you’re in a critical stage of cultivating...” Liu Mingyan furrowed her brows delicately. “Like in qi deviation...”

“Your question is the same as the others,” Liu Qingge snorted. “I died from qi deviation, meimei. It had nothing to do with Shen Qingqiu, in fact...” Liu Qingge flicked his eyes up as if to recall that moment before his death.

“He came and tried to help me,” Liu Qingge finished.

“What?!” Liu Mingyan staggered back in shock, Luo Binghe put his hand on Liu Mingyan’s back to steady her back. “He... He tried to help you??”

“Yeah... But it didn’t succeed as you know,” Liu Qingge shrugged. “That pretty boy with his unstable state of mind and cultivation, trying to help me but he also got into a qi deviation...” Liu Qingge sighed.

Liu Mingyan paled as her eyes went wide, “Qi deviation? The two of you...?”

“Yes. In no time, I went from the insane one to the saner one. I think we fought,” Liu Qingge blinked, trying to recall that blurry memory from his past. “I knew none of us wouldn’t survive if it continued, he was weaker but I experinced qi deviation earlier. He completely lost his mind, and I still retain some consciousness, in the end, I absorbed his violent qi and it killed me.”

Liu Mingyan completely went limp into Luo Binghe’s arms, she breathed in and out unevenly.

“Are you okay? Since when are you this delicate?” Liu Qingge clicked his tongue as he pulled his sister into his arms. “Let’s go, I’ll bring you to the campus’ clinic.”

“That’s why he didn’t say anything... That’s why his story had been too simple and full of holes...” Liu Mingyan murmured guiltily. “Oh dear God, what have I done?!” She whisper-yelled to herself.

“Mingyan, have you lost your mind? Why are you talking to yourself??” Liu Qingge asked in annoyance.

“Brother! Mingyan had wronged Shen-shibo!” Liu Mingyan desperately latched herself onto her brother, her pretty doe eyes shone in sadness and extreme guilt.

“What?!” Liu Qingge cried out, confused. Despite his reincarnated martial brothers and sister had asked him about his unnatural death in the past life, none of them dared to bring it up to Liu Qingge when they found out about the truth.

“I... I thought he killed you! I hated him so much... I... He was also very suspicious and... I accused him for killing you and the evidence... ” She sniffed and wiped away a stray tear on the corner of her eyes. “He was evicted and disgraced for the sin he never did! Mingyan has to beg for his forgiveness!”

“Woah, woah, calm down,” Liu Qingge awkwardly patted his sister’s back. “Let it go now, sister. The past is in the past, besides, I don’t think you need to do that.”

“Why?” Liu Mingyan looked up.

“Because Shen Qingqiu doesn’t have his memory.”

Luo Binghe and Liu Mingyan froze in disbelief.

Luo Binghe was dragged to the fashion departement building by Liu Mingyan to talk with her past life’s teacher who also became her fashion teacher in this life.

“Shifu!” Liu Mingyan opened the door to Qi Qingqi’s office and the beautiful woman paused in grading her student’s papers.

“Mingyan, I’ve told you to call me Teacher Qi...” Qi Qingqi sighed as she massaged her temples and put down her pen.

“Do you know that Shen-shibo did not kill my brother in the past life?” Liu Mingyan straight up questioned and Qi Qingqi froze.

“... I did,” Qi Qingqi looked down and bit her lips as guilt appeared in her eyes. Amongst all Shen Qingqiu’s ‘crimes’ the one tha made her loathe him the most was the crime of killing their own martial brother in a cold blood. There was nothing more despicable than killing your own family in Qi Qingqi’s eyes, she condemned him for it... Turn out, he never even did it and just as clueless as they were as to how Liu Qingge died.

“Have you meet him?” Liu Mingyan asked.

Qi Qingqi sighed, “Of course, I have. We’re co-workers. I... Tried to be nicer to him this time, you know, starting a new since he didn’t...” Qi Qingqi gestured vaguely.

“He didn’t reincarnate with his memory,” Luo Binghe finished for her. Qi Qingqi looked up at him and squinted her eyes.

“You are... Luo Binghe?” Qi Qingqi’s expression turned a bit rigid when seeing him.

Luo Binghe didn’t blame her, although Xian Shu was one peak that he showed his mercy to because of Liu Mingyan, in the end, Xian Shu was also a part of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect that he purged over.

“You have let go of your resentment, right?” Qi Qingqi asked cautiously. “We’re all here now, forget about the past, you managed to kill him once... Maybe even more,” she said. Luo Binghe had been the reason behind Cang Qiong’s disbandment back then. He killed so many disciples, especially the disciples from Qing Jing and Bai Zhan who always bullied him. He killed anyone who dared to go against him, in the end, the other peak lords and her decided the safest course of action for their disciples was to disband the Sect.

Luo Binghe smiled and bowed down to her, “Binghe had let go of his resentment to Cang Qiong Sect, imploring shigu to not worry,” Cang Qiong? He had let go of that. Shen Qingqiu? Never.

Qi Qingqi sighed in relief, “That’s for the best. Tell you what, one of your wives that came from Qing Jing, Ning Yingying? Yes, she is in Shen-shixiong’s department. Maybe you could catch up to her, you too, Mingyan. I heard you’re good friends with her,” Qi Qingqi suggested their first approach.

The two youth bowed down to her under her exasperated gaze and exited the room.

The next day, Luo Binghe came to the literature department by himself. Wearing a gentle smile like any other harmless freshman, he walked through the corridor of the literature department. After looking around, he concluded this place was a bit similar to Qing Jing peak in the past life.

Very quiet and very calm.

The students all talked with a calm and quiet voice like they were discussing a study material in a library. Luo Binghe found the man he was looking for in the corridor, talking to one of the students as he handed him a file.

“Revise it again,” Shen Qingqiu said to the student.

“Again? What is wrong with it now?” The student looked close to crying.

“I already told you what was wrong three mistakes ago, I won’t repeat it. Read through it, you wrote that report,” Shen Qingqiu said strictly.

The student sighed tiredly, “Yes, Teacher Shen...”

Luo Binghe smirked, still overly strict and borderline cruel. Lost memory? Didn’t stop him from being a shitty teacher. Shen Qingqiu turned around and Luo Binghe paused for a bit, the youth grew amused when he saw a pair of glasses perched on the bridge of Shen Qingqiu’s nose.

Why, his perfect and graceful Shizun actually had a defect other than his hidden shitty personality?

That reminded Luo Binghe that he blinded Shen Qingqiu in one eye back then, gouging it out of his skull, enjoying the resulting scream of pain.

“Teacher Shen,” Luo Binghe called out to him with gentle and submissive voice, approaching.

Shen Qingqiu looked at him and... No reaction. He just looked questioningly at the random freshman who called out at him. Luo Binghe felt irked.

How dare him to forget Luo Binghe when Luo Binghe could never forget him and his cruelty???

Luo Binghe felt his chest tightened at those eyes who looked at him like he was no one. He itched to gouge them out of that pretty face and rewind the torture he had done in the past life to make this person remember.

“Yes, what is it?” Shen Qingqiu crossed his arms and asked, underlining of impatient in his tone, very subtle. Probably because he had to deal with the student from earlier.

Luo Binghe smiled, “Good afternoon,” He inclined his head slightly, not trying to actually be polite but to prolong the conversation just to spit on Shen Qingqiu’s impatient.

“Afternoon,” Shen Qingqiu answered.

Luo Binghe smiled gently, “Teacher Shen, I-“

“Shizun!” A cheerful voice called out. Luo Binghe stopped to look at the newcomer who called out ‘Shizun’.

A pretty face and a pretty smile, everything about her was very refreshing like flowers in the spring.

“Miss Ning,” Shen Qingqiu said. “I have told you to not be that formal,” he furrowed his brows, seemingly uncomfortable to be called ‘Shizun’. Luo Binghe understood his plight, after all, ‘Shizun’ was just so formal and olden-day-ish. The same like Qi Qingqi refused to be called ‘Shifu’ by Liu Mingyan.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I slipped out again,” Ning Yingying clasped a hand over her mouth and oops-ed.

“That is fine,” Shen Qingqiu nodded. “What do you need?”

“You asked me to ask my senior for samples, I got a few. Could Teacher Shen pick the best one?” Ning Yingying offered about four samples to Shen Qingqiu.

Shen Qingqiu took it and walked over the nearby bench to sit on it before he opened the samples. Ning Yingying’s gaze was very gentle as she watched Shen Qingqiu went through the sample.

Luo Binghe looked she acted that way and cleared his throat, “Ning-shijie, long time no see...” he spoke up and only then Ning Yingying seemed to notice him.

Ning Yingying gaped for a second before she gasped in surprise, “A’Luo!” She smiled but then she froze. Her gaze flickered to their past life’s Shizun and became fretful as she gazed back at Luo Binghe.

The two youths stood like that for a minute before Luo Binghe started again, “How are you?” he asked gently.

“I’m fine, I’m doing really fine, actually,” Ning Yingying smiled at him, subconsciously fiddling with her fingers. A gesture that she was nervous.

“Here.”

Ning Yingying jumped when Shen Qingqiu stood up and gave the three samples to her, separating the other one from the bunch, “This one is much more complete than the rest. Work hard, Miss Ning,” Shen Qingqiu nodded before he looked at Luo Binghe. “What do you need?”

“Um!” Ning Yingying exclaimed, “Thank you Shi- Teacher Shen. Um, A’Luo is my friend, he came to search for me, we’ll go first!” The girl grabbed Luo Binghe’s arm and urged him away.

Reluctantly, Luo Binghe complied.

“A’Luo, I know you have been wronged so much by Shizun in the past. But leave it, okay? You had tortured and killed him, please let go of your resentment,” Ning Yingying looked at Luo Binghe sadly. “Please do it for me, at least. Think back of our love in the past, this wife begs you,” Ning Yingying held Luo Binghe’s hands and pleaded.

“I don’t know Ying’er is still so affectionate with Shizun,” Luo Binghe smiled softly, however, he was actually avoiding Ning Yingying’s plea.

“Well, yes... Shizun... Shizun might be really bad to you, I know it. I didn’t agree with him at all. But... But he was a good teacher for me and the other girls...” Ning Yingying admitted. Lowering her head, she continued, “I only told you to not be too cruel to him in the past life, partly because I know it wasn’t my place to say anything... He... He was cruel to you. It was his karma, your karma.”

Ning Yingying sighed, “But, A’Luo, Shizun has no memory of the past. I know forgetting doesn’t mean he was purified by it, but it was in our past life. He abused you, you tortured and killed him. The karma had been paid, your debt thread with him should have been severed-“

“No, it hadn’t!” Luo Binghe snapped subconsciously, cutting Ning Yingying off. It hadn’t been severed! It will never be severed! That man owed Luo Binghe so much and Luo Binghe would never let him go! He’s his property! In the past life or in-

Ning Yingying flinched and withdrew her hands but Luo Binghe quickly grabbed her hands and pulled them to his chest, “A’Luo...?” Ning Yingying furrowed her brows in concern.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you like that...” Luo Binghe apologized sincerely as he kissed the tip of Ning Yingying’s fingers. “I wasn’t thinking straight...” Luo Binghe whispered.

Ning Yingying relaxed and smiled, “It’s okay, Ying’er doesn’t mind.” She paused, “I’m not asking you to be friends with him or be nice to him or even don’t hate him anymore... A’Luo, just... Think of it as a new start. Why don’t you get to know Shizun...? He was actually... pretty sweet...” She said reluctantly as she watched Luo Binghe’s expression.

Luo Binghe smiled gently as he pulled her into his arms, “Why are you so protective of him? Just as you said, everything is in the past life, you don’t have to be so filial for him anymore.”

“It wasn’t that,” Ning Yingying sighed. “Shizun was really nice, I don’t know why he was bitter with the boys and even abused you. But I know there’s some goodness in his heart, this world is not as dark as the past life, husband. Maybe we could try a new start,” Ning Yingying persuaded.

“... You don’t even have any resentment to him?” Luo Binghe felt rather frustrated with this wife of his. “I don’t want him to hurt you again, Ying’er... Don’t trust him.”

“Hurt?” Ning Yingying looked up, “The only thing he ever did to me that hurt me was abusing you. He didn’t do it anymore, wouldn’t.”

Luo Binghe looked into her eyes, “Ying’er...” he sighed. “He tried to do inappropriate things to you in the past,” he said.

Ning Yingying looked at him incredulously.

“You’re too innocent-“

“What?!” Ning Yingying pulled away from Luo Binghe’s arms and cried out disbelievingly. “No, he never!” Ning Yingying defended and stomped her feet, glaring at Luo Binghe. Angry that Luo Binghe doubted her, “A’Luo, what are you talking about? Shizun had never even look at me more than a daughter to him! I might be somewhat naive most of the times, but even I would notice if someone had any inappropriate intention towards me!” Ning Yingying snapped.

Luo Binghe stared at her, a bit surprised.

“After all, Shizun had coached me about inappropriate relationships since I was young, the other girls too! He treated us like his own daughters and we treated him like our father, and I swear to God on my life, he never did anything inappropriate nor having any of those thoughts. That’s how much I trust Shizun on my wellbeing,” Ning Yingying swore.

Ning Yingying frowned sadly, “Besides, it is unthinkable  of him to do something to me, his goddaughter...”

“Goddaughter?” Luo Binghe only heard that now.

Ning Yingying shifted on her feet, “There was a reason why I really cared for him, A’Luo. Shizun saved my parents’ life... In fact, he was the one who named me under my parents’ request.” She lowered her head, it was hard for her to choose between her love or her parents' benefactor. She had tried her best to make Luo Binghe soften up with her Shizun but... Again, it wasn't her place to.

Luo Binghe looked at her disbelievingly, “What?”

The pieces began to fall.

The next time Luo Binghe met Shen Qingqiu was a week later, he was sitting on a bench with Liu Qingge. The two past life’s bitter rivals seemed to be in complete harmony.

Luo Binghe approached them, “Teacher Liu.”

Liu Qingge looked up and recognized him, “Oh, what is it?”

“Liu Mingyan is urgently searching for you, she said if I see you I have to tell you this,” Luo Binghe said.

Liu Qingge blinked, “What makes her so anxious?” he stood up as he glanced at Shen Qingqiu who only curiously watched.

“I don’t know,” Luo Binghe shook his head. “But I heard from her mumbling it was about marriage meeting.”

Liu Qingge paled as he shoved the unopened canned drink to Shen Qingqiu’s hand, “I need to bail, talk later!” He said as he dashed away.

Shen Qingqiu looked at Luo Binghe who looked back at him. Luo Binghe could see the clear eyes now, clean of cruelty, clean of bitterness, clean of memories of their past-

Luo Binghe tried to smile at him, “Good afternoon, Teacher Shen,” he nodded and said gently.

Shen Qingqiu smiled lightly back at him, “Afternoon to you too.”

Luo Binghe’s heart skipped a beat.

Luo Binghe met Qiu Haitang in the third month, she wasn’t a student in the university, she had a job as an owner of a boutique near the campus, he met her when Qin Wanyue dragged him to accompany her. Qin Wanyue ended up going back first for a personal reason and Luo Binghe invited Qiu Haitang to the bar near the campus.

When he left her to fetch something from the other side of the bar, Luo Binghe met someone he didn’t expect to meet in a bar.

Sect Leader Yue Qingyuan.

Yue Qingyuan froze when he saw Luo Binghe, an underlying of cautiousness and distrust flashed in his eyes before it disappeared without a trace as he tried to play it cool.

Luo Binghe smiled, “Long time no see, Sect Leader Yue,” he greeted him with a sly smirk, enjoying how Yue Qingyuan’s lips twitched and how Yue Qingyuan turned rigid.

“Your highness...” Yue Qingyuan stiffly greeted back. “What are you doing here?” He asked, an underlying tone of sharpness and overprotectiveness in his voice.

“Calm down, Sect Leader Yue,” Luo Binghe smiled. “I just brought one of my wives here to entertain herself. Besides, I studied at the nearby university,” Luo Binghe grinned as Yue Qingyuan paled. He knew Yue Qingyuan also teach at the university. The head department of business major, Yue Qingyuan.

Yue Qingyuan clenched his hands as he looked grimly at Luo Binghe, “You don’t...” However, something in Luo Binghe’s eyes answered the unsaid question. “Don’t. Don’t bother Xiao- don’t bother your shizun again... Please...” Yue Qingyuan said.

Luo Binghe laughed at Yue Qingyuan’s statement, “You’re talking to me like I’m a villain, Teacher Yue.”

Yue Qingyuan flinched and narrowed his eyes, “Whatever grudge you have with him ended after you ended his life in the past life. Don’t ever you dare to bother him in this life, Luo Binghe. He had suffered enough.”

Luo Binghe’s fingers twitched at the mention of ‘end’, but he smiled. He had to admit the reincarnated Shen Qingqiu was much more pleasant than his Shizun, although he was not at the level of loving and gentle like that ‘Shizun’ he met in another world, this one was still more pleasing. That being said, Luo Binghe might not want to immediately gut him when he saw him, but there was still a sense of overwhelming possessiveness when it came to Shen Qingqiu.

Luo Binghe would never let go of their past grudge. Whether Shen Qingqiu remembered it or not.

“Aah!” Shrieks ended the two’s stand down, the two men looked to the source of the shriek and Yue Qingyuan immediately rushed there. Curious, Luo Binghe followed along.

The scene that greeted him was as much as a surprise as it wasn’t. Qiu Haitang was screeching, trying to claw on a man whilst being blocked by another man. The victimized man? Of course it was Shen Qingqiu.

Of course... He must have been here with Yue Qingyuan. Shen Qingqiu’s green button-ups were drenched wet with red wine, he looked pretty pissed.

“Lady, I don’t know you,” Shen Qingqiu hissed. “I can charge you for assault and battery!”

“Shen Jiu, you son of a bitch! You dare to say you don’t know this young lady?!” Qiu Haitang shrieked furiously.

“Now, lady, calm down!” A handsome man, who seemed to be a bartender, tried to block Qiu Haitang for ever reaching Shen Qingqiu.

“Xiao Jiu, are you okay?!” Yue Qingyuan stressed as he came over, he put his hands on the younger man’s shoulders and checked over him in concern.

Shen Qingqiu scowled, “I’m fine, but that crazy woman suddenly came out of nowhere and threw a glass of red wine at me. Not only that, she almost hit me with a bottle of champagne! Luckily Qingjiu stopped her.”

“Crazy?!” Qiu Haitang glowered before she was pulled back, she looked up to see Luo Binghe furrowing his brows.

“Enough, Haitang,” He said. Luo Binghe’s words were enough to stop Qiu Haitang for attacking Shen Qingqiu again, because the woman knew, if there was anyone who would not be afraid to be cruel to Shen Qingqiu, it would be Luo Binghe...

Yue Qingyuan furrowed his brows at Luo Binghe and Qiu Haitang before he coaxed Shen Qingqiu, “Xiao Jiu, why don’t you change your clothes first? I believe Ye-shidi have some spare clothes,” he said gently.

Shen Qingqiu snorted, “Forget that, I’m going to go home,” Shen Qingqiu scoffed, glaring at Qiu Haitang.

Ye Qingjiu turned stressed, “Don’t be afraid to come again, I’m so sorry for today. I’ll make sure to treat you double next time, Shen-shixiong,” he said.

Shen Qingqiu sighed and shook his head, grabbing his jacket, he stomped to the exit.

Yue Qingyuan glanced at Luo Binghe and Qiu Haitang, biting his lips, before he rushed after Shen Qingqiu, “Xiao Jiu, Xiao Jiu, wait for me, ah.”

Luo Binghe blankly stared as they left.

“What made you call us here, Sect Leader Yue,” Luo Binghe said curiously at the VIP room of the Zui Xian Bar. Already sitting in the table was the previous life’s ten peak lords, with only the exception of An Ding peak and Qing Jing peak.

Qiu Haitang tightened her hold on Luo Binghe’s arm as she looked at them with distrust.

“Please sit down, first,” Yue Qingyuan smiled stiffly.

“What’s with bringing a brat here? I thought we were gonna talk about Shen Qing- Shen Jiu’s past life’s memory or the lack-there-of?” Liu Qingge leaned back on his seat, tilting his head.

Everyone just smiled a sour smile after Liu Qingge said that. No one had ever told Liu Qingge anything about Luo Binghe since they didn’t want to recall bad memories or made the guy worried.

“Shen Jiu?” Qiu Haitang made sure to express her clear distaste for the owner of that name.

Yue Qingyuan nodded, “Yes. We’re gonna... Ah, talk about Miss Qiu’s problem first with Xiao Jiu...”

The other peak lords braced themselves and Liu Qingge looked at Qiu Haitang, skeptical. At this kind of moment, the other peak lords hoped they could be as clueless as Liu Qingge was.

Luo Binghe shrugged and escorted Qiu Haitang over to take a sit before sitting down beside her, “What do you need me for?” Qiu Haitang said coldly. “If you’re here to tell me to forgive that scum, you can continue dreaming.”

“Hey,” Liu Qingge frowned but Yue Qingyuan silenced him with a gesture.

“Miss Qiu, Shen Jiu did not have his memory from the past life,” Yue Qingyuan said patiently.

Qiu Haitang sneered, “Just because he forgets it, doesn’t automatically make him innocent. The fact he killed my family and burned down our house for no apparent reason still remains.” She scowled, “The karma continued, my family also died when I was a little. It was all his fault!”

Yue Qingyuan calmly responded, “My deepest condolence for your family, Miss Qiu. But the accident in this life had no connection to Xiao Jiu.”

Qiu Haitang scoffed. “Save your words, I won’t be convinced!”

Yue Qingyuan nodded, “The reason I called you here,” Yue Qingyuan nodded at Luo Binghe. “Was actually to... tell you my side of story...”

“Side of story?” Qiu Haitang furrowed her brows.

“Miss Qiu, my name is Yue Qingyuan, everyone knew this. But I have another name that no one in the past knew but Xiao Jiu, Yue Qi, that was my name,” Yue Qingyuan said. “And I was also a slave of Qiu Family.”

Qiu Haitang’s eyes widened. Luo Binghe’s breath hitched. Some peak lords, who were unfortunate enough to choose that moment to drink, were currently coughing out their lungs, heaving.

Yue Qingyuan closed his eyes, not waiting for them to recover as he continued indifferently, “Xiao Jiu and I were homeless kids who got captured and sold to a slave trader. Some of you, my shidi and shimei, might have your questions on why I seemed to be more biased to ‘Shen Qingqiu’. Yes, that was because I already know him long before I even joined Cang Qiong Mountain Sect.”

“In the slavery, we were maltreated and abused. Xiao Jiu was exceptionally fierce and brazen soul, so his action often incited ire from our slaver, he... He suffered so much back then,” he paused. “Long story short, as you know, Qiu Family bought us. However, the reality was not like your side of story. In the Qiu Family, we’re still beaten, starved, and abused daily, again, Xiao Jiu’s unrestrained manner always got him in trouble.”

“After some times in Qiu Family, I finally manage to escape but... I couldn’t bring Xiao Jiu along with me since he was in a solitary detainment,” Yue Qingyuan’s eyes shone in endless guilt. “I promised him that I will be back after I learn cultivation. I swore to him that I will absolutely come back for him after I became strong enough. I joined Cang Qiong Sect raised through my ranks, however, I was too impatient about my cultivation and my sword and ended up with a severe qi deviation that my master had to throw me into Spirit Cave and sealed me there for three years...”

“So, that’s where you’ve been?” Wei Qingwei asked.

Yue Qingyuan nodded, “After three years, I managed to stabilize myself. My master helped me to go through it by sealing the remaining of my life within Xuan Su. Every time I unsheathed Xuan Su, my life would be reduced, the more often I unsheathed it, the shorter my life would be. That’s why I rarely unsheathed Xuan Su...”

“Wait! Wait! Wait, wait! This is too much, you and Shen-shixiong used to be slaves? You were abused? You ran away without him? You got into a qi deviation? Sealed for three years?! Xuan Su is WHAT?!” Ye Qingjiu clutched his head as he rambled incredulously.

“Xuan Su was the place where my Shifu sealed the remaining of my life,” Yue Qingyuan repeated.

“Zhang- Yue-shixiong, hold on. Wait a second, you can’t drop these bombs on us in less than five minutes!” Qi Qingqi held onto the edge of the table as if her life was depended on it.

Yue Qingyuan ignored them as he continued, “However, years later as I returned to Qiu Family’s mansion, I only found a burned down building and Xiao Jiu was nowhere to be seen. I thought he died... But then I met him again later on with a master... He had suffered under that scum ‘master’ too... Then you got the rest of the story, I brought him to Cang Qiong Sect and he chose Qing Jing peak.”

“Because of the abuse of many men in his life, Xiao Jiu hates men...” Yue Qingyuan said. “Or rather, I felt like he did. He never could stand being with men for an extended amount of time and he barely tolerated sharing a room...”

“Hold on...” Liu Qingge heaved. “You guys were street urchins...? Not from a noble household?” He asked disbelievingly.

Yue Qingyuan smiled, “Yes. Are you all embarrassed to have us, former slaves and street urchins, as your two most senior Shixiongs?” He asked lightly.

“No!”

“No, no, of course no!”

“You two were strong, who cares about your past!?”

“Yes, yes, nobody cares! I’m proud of you!”

The peak lords immediately denied Yue Qingyuan’s question one by one, a new understanding formed in their hearts about their past life’s Zhangmen and Second shixiongs.

Qiu Haitang was rigid beside Luo Binghe, Luo Binghe laid a hand on her shoulder to let her know that he was here for her. She inhaled and exhaled, she didn’t seem she could form a coherent word soon, but she tried anyway, “Why are you telling me this...”

She was shaken, her resolve was shaking. Luo Binghe knew this.

Yue Qingyuan smiled, “In the past life I dared not to reveal my past even after Xiao Jiu’s past was revealed, I still acted like a coward and hid. Never got to defend him even though I know what kind of abuse we went through in the Qiu’s... I hid the thing about Xuan Su from everyone, making everyone think I was a meek Sect Leader... I hid many things from everyone... But I don’t care about it anymore, that’s in my past life. Right now, my goal is to make sure Xiao Jiu is safe and well...” Yue Qingyuan looked at them all.

“I’m not saying that Miss Qiu have to forgive Xiao Jiu... I also am not trying to say that Xiao Jiu’s action was right-“

“It’s an act of righteous revenge against your captor and abuser,” Liu Qingge cut him off. “In the past, such a thing was not rare. My teacher himself was a culprit of revenge-killing,” Liu Qingge crossed his arms. “I’m not saying I’m completely okay with that, but I think it’s justified. When you’re imprisoned and abused, not able to go anywhere and not having choices for yourself...” Liu Qingge shook his head and went silent after he glanced at Qiu Haitang.

 “Now, Shen Jiu does not have his memory. I’m not trying to make him right. But I just want you all to hear my side of story, not quite Xiao Jiu’s side of story, but...”

Qiu Haitang stood up and walked out, not saying anything. The others stared blankly. Luo Binghe looked at Qiu Haitang before looking at the peak lords who awkwardly looked at him.

Luo Binghe sighed and stood up too, following Qiu Haitang out.

Before he exited, he could hear the past peak lords began to clamor over Yue Qingyuan.

“About Xuan Su, why did you never tell us?!”

“You should have told us about the Qiu family! I really thought that Shen-shixiong had done an unjustified killing! I-“

"Is that true!? You two were abused?!"

Luo Binghe closed the doors and chased after the shaken Qiu Haitang.

“Teacher Shen.”

“Oh, it’s you. What do you-“

Slam!

Luo Binghe trapped the man on the wall with his hands on either side of his head. Luo Binghe blankly stared down at the shorter older man who looked at him with wide gaze and pursed lips.

Shen Qingqiu was holding a stack of documents in his hands so he could only stare in bewilderment, cannot try to run, “What are you doing?” Shen Qingqiu asked. They were at the corridor, it was class time so it was deserted, still, if someone exited and decided to wander they might catch this kind of scandalous position between a student and a professor.

Luo Binghe slowly lowered his head and Shen Qingqiu leaned back, trying to fuse himself with the wall if that could make him get away from Luo Binghe. Luo Binghe smiled, “Let me help you with that,” he stepped back and gestured to the documents in Shen Qingqiu’s hands. His playful smile made him look like he was just doing a prank to embarrass his teacher.

Shen Qingqiu glared at him, “Student Luo, that’s not a proper behavior to have to your teacher. You might get detention for that.”

Luo Binghe smiled as he took half of the documents off of Shen Qingqiu’s hands, “If you’re the teacher in detention, then I’ll gladly come.”

Shen Qingqiu frowned, “It’s not proper to flirt with your teacher.”

Luo Binghe snickered as he looked at Shen Qingqiu, “You’re not just my teacher,” you’re mine. My person, my captive, my dear Shizun.

Shen Qingqiu scoffed, “Being just your teacher alone is already enough reason that it’s not appropriate,” With that, Shen Qingqiu walked off first. Luo Binghe followed.

The youth looked at Shen Qingqiu’s slim and straight back and licked his lips. So what if he didn’t actually kill Liu Qingge? So what if his killing of Qiu Family was somewhat justified?

He still abused Luo Binghe in the past.

That alone already made him Luo Binghe’s and Luo Binghe’s alone. This thread of debt and grudge, Luo Binghe wouldn’t let it be severed forever. Shen Qingqiu was his. Shen Jiu was his. Shen Jiu’s body, Shen Jiu’s soul, his entire being- they were all Luo Binghe’s. His blood, his tears... they were also Luo Binghe’s. Shen Jiu’s life and death were also Luo Binghe’s.

Luo Binghe’s eyes squinted in content, that’s right. Shen Qingqiu, Shen Jiu, was his. Because Shen Jiu owed him too much.

But Luo Binghe wouldn’t kill him nor torture him in this life. Enough of that, Luo Binghe grinned. He’d wait for the day where he could get his own loving Shizun...

“I feel bad... Terribly bad...” Ye Qingjiu said as he chugged down another bottle of beer.

“I think we all feel the same way, Ye-shishu...” Liu Mingyan smiled bitterly.

“Then, how can we fix this?” Ning Yingying asked. They had known everything about the talk with Yue Qingyuan from a week ago, mainly because Luo Binghe couldn’t bear to keep secret and... Qi Qingqi as well Liu Qingge couldn’t keep secret from Liu Mingyan who demanded to know everything. Liu Mingyan told Ning Yingying, of course. Ning Yingying told any of her disciple brothers and sisters that retained their memory even though blurry. Mainly the other peaks’...

Luo Binghe didn’t realize how many people were actually from his past life, mainly important disciples from other peaks retained a bit of their memories. Which brought them to another problem...

How did Shen Qingqiu  not retain his memory?

Ning Yingying and Liu Mingyan looked at Luo Binghe and winced a bit, Luo Binghe smiled, knowing what they were thinking about, “I may agree with you, it may have been because of my torture but I’m not quite sure...”

Liu Qingge blinked, “Wait, what?”

The others winced.

Ye Qingjiu choked, “That’s right... You tortured him too...” He said, just realizing they had the bane of their existence here, in the middle of their casual meeting in Zui Xian Bar. Ye Qingjiu hurriedly downed down the rest of the beer before opening a new one.

“Torture what?” Liu Qingge looked around.

“But frankly, I don’t know anything,” Luo Binghe shrugged. “Mo Bei, do you?” Luo Binghe looked at his second-in-command that he had dragged into this convo, he just met him a little over a week ago, having a date with the reincarnated An Ding peak lord in an ice cream shop.

Mo Beijun shook his head, “No, milord.”

“But why him?” Qi Qingqi sighed sadly.

Yue Qingyuan shook his head, “Don’t pity him for forgetting... Personally, I’m glad he didn’t remember a thing in this life.” When Yue Qingyuan met Shen Qingqiu in this life, they were in high school. When Yue Qingyuan found out that Shen Qingqiu didn’t remember him, he was disappointed but then he felt like it was a blessing in disguise...

“You know, it might be the best for him to forget...” Wei Qingwei agreed as he glanced at Luo Binghe. He tried to hide it, but his gaze was somewhat nasty. Luo Binghe didn’t mind that.

The others agreed.

“Shen-shixiong is so pitiful, ah... I just want to wrap him in a blanket, hug him, put him in a golden box and locked him away from this hurtful world!” Ye Qingjiu sniffed and Shang Qinghua handed him a tissue.

Luo Binghe looked at the past life’s Zui Xian peak lord in dislike. No one would lock Shen Qingqiu away except for him. Though, a golden box sounded delightful...

“To atone for our wrongs at him in the past life, I had made a list of every possible way for us to lighten up his burden and made sure that he knew he is loved,” Liu Mingyan said as she took out a thick book. “Also, I decided to change my minor to literary to take care of him...”

“He’s not a kid...” Liu Qingge murmured.

“Just yesterday, when I asked him what did he eat for lunch he said he just ate tanghulu... At breakfast... That wasn’t even a lunch nor breakfast!” Ning Yingying furrowed her brows.

“... He’s a kid,” Liu Qingge nodded and the others agreed.

“He needs attention, else, he got himself killed by starvation,” Qi Qingqi said.

“Have you all notice that he didn’t change his clothes at all since yesterday?” Luo Binghe said.

Ning Yingying clapped loudly, “So that’s why I thought there’s something same with him!”

“You’re so observant,” Liu Mingyan smiled.

Yeah, mainly because Luo Binghe always stopped by for a look and that he was itching to undress his past life’s Shizun off of any piece of clothing he had on his person. Of course Luo Binghe noticed.

“Also, he finished four reports in one day. I struggled for just one per day!” Zhang Qingxu said.

“He always did a thorough check on grading, literature department lacked people to do that...”

“This man needs help, damn it!” Everyone agreed with the sentiment.

“Okay, in this life, we’ll try to be nicer to him, okay? See this as a way for you to atone to your guilt!” Qi Qingqi declared.

Yue Qingyuan smiled, “Thank you, everyone.”

In his apartment room, Shen Jiu was busy typing away in his laptop, searching for the fastest plane ticket to Japan. It had been months, if he went abroad now, no one would suspect a thing right?

It had been hard enough when he met Yue Qingyuan in high school. Not to mention the older man followed him around like a puppy, college choice, job choice. Shen Jiu seriously couldn’t handle several dozens of people reaching out to him and forced him to always maintain his highest guard on things.

Meeting Yue Qingyuan.

Meeting Liu Qingge.

Meeting the rest of peak lords.

Ning Yingying.

And that damn Luo Binghe who almost ruined his perfect act that he had built years... Shen Jiu was purely lucky that he had been born with an award-winning actress as a mother in this life.

Not to mention Qiu Haitang... Shen Jiu had to quickly leave the bar before he cracked up.

It was not easy to pretend you didn’t remember a thing from the past when you tried to start your new peaceful life...

Shen Jiu sighed as he held his forehead.

“I didn’t expect everyone would retain their past life’s memory...”

Chapter Text

The weekend ended and Shen Jiu prepared himself for more days for his lectures. He had researched about everything in Japan. As he was trying to look like he was going aboard in the most natural way as possible, Shen Jiu applied for many things that would make him looked like he had planned this for himself and not to run away from that group.

Research on the cities, colleges, scholarships, internships,  side jobs, fancy gatherings, and where he would live whilst he was there.

Shen Jiu sighed, he had never thought he would meet his old acquaintances in this life nor he would expect everyone would retain their memories as well. In hindsight, Shen Jiu should have expected it.

What the hell the old lady Meng was doing for so many people reborn with their memories???

She certainly didn’t do a good job, although Shen Qingqiu was not even sure if the Old lady Meng really existed since if there was an afterlife, he didn’t remember it.

Shen Jiu shook his head. He originally wanted to ask for a sick leave, just to let himself prepare himself more on moving abroad, but he had finished everything and even if he wanted a rest, Yue Qingyuan would visit him out of concern, absolutely.

Shen Jiu was about to leave for his class when he spotted a blue file in the important file tray. Shen Jiu raised his brows as he picked it up and opened it.

His breath hitched.

This is... A request to switch major? Already signed by the former major and waiting for his approval for the student to move into the literature department. Shen Jiu was screaming inside, what the hell did Luo Binghe want?!

It was still possible to change major so easily for Luo Binghe, a freshman who had spent one semester in university. Also, changing major when you just started was very usual and the procedure was way laxer than any other students who had studied for more than a year or two.

That damn beast, did he want to torment Shen Jiu again?! Weren’t they already even in the past life?!

With calm and curious expression Shen Jiu closed the file and robotically brought it with him to his class. His mask was still perfect for now, but he knew it would crack further if he spent more time with these people...

Luo Binghe put on an innocent smile as he entered the room and immediately spotted Shen Jiu was sitting alone after the class, checking over his teaching materials and generally doing what a teacher should do.

“Afternoon, teacher Shen,” Luo Binghe said as he closed the door behind him. He confidently walked towards the teacher’s platform and sat on the chair placed in front of Shen Jiu’s desk.

“Afternoon,” Shen Jiu answered with a curt nod. “So, I heard you want to change major. The first thing I want to ask, are you sure with your decision?” Shen Jiu asked professionally.

“I’m very sure, teacher Shen,” Luo Binghe put his hands on the desk and leaned forward slightly. Looking at Shen Jiu like he was looking at a very interesting new species.

“What makes you interested in literature major?” Shen Jiu asked as he put down Luo Binghe’s form in front of him and looked at Luo Binghe through his reading glasses. These pair of glasses had been a kind of mental defense for him too since it made him slightly different than ‘Shen Qingqiu.’

“I just feel like I don’t belong in my current major, and I feel terribly attracted to literature,” Luo Binghe answered as his eyes trailed down to Shen Jiu’s neckline.

Shen Jiu tried very hard to not gulp down and exercised his self-control to not reach out to touch his collar to make sure he was all button-up. “Alright. Do you think you can follow through this major?”

“I can,” Luo Binghe smirked.

Since he was like this, Shen Jiu had no reason to reject him. It would look suspicious if Shen Jiu rejected a freshman’s request to change major. Shen Jiu nodded and calmed himself down, “Alright, then, work hard from now on mister Luo.”

Shen Jiu signed the admission form and gave it to Luo Binghe. They both stood up and nodded curtly at each other. Shen Jiu gathered his things and Luo Binghe extended his hand to him after he was done.

Shen Jiu grabbed his hand and shook it when Luo Binghe suddenly drew closer. Shen Jiu froze for a bit.

Luo Binghe leaned in, “Thank you, teacher Shen,” he whispered. “You smell nice today,” Luo Binghe resisted the urge to put his arm around Shen Jiu’s waist and made the older guy uncomfortable.

Shen Jiu politely pushed Luo Binghe away and smiled, “Mister Luo, please learn more about the concept of personal space,” he said with a hint of disapproval in his voice and gaze.

Luo Binghe chuckled as he shrugged, “Of course, see you later, teacher Shen.”

“Xiao Jiu, going home already?” Yue Qingyuan was happy when he saw Shen Jiu was preparing to go home on time instead of working overtime again.

“Hm, yes. I have many things to be taken care of at home,” Shen Jiu said as he checked his phone for his e-mail and didn’t see any new news about his plan. He sighed slightly, he should knew it would take more than just a few days for his form to be processed. Large chance, he would probably have to spend a few weeks before he could flee to Japan.

“Let’s go home together then, have you eaten yet?” Yue Qingyuan asked gently as he walked beside Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu hesitated for a bit before shaking his head, “No. It’s okay, I’m not in the mood to eat,” he said.

“How could that be? Even if you’re not in the mood, you must at least eat for a bit,” Yue Qingyuan said caringly. “Come on, why don’t we stop by a restaurant for a bit?”

“No.”

“Xiao Jiu, you have to be more careful with your health. I heard from one of your students that you only had tanghulu for breakfast...” Yue Qingyuan said as he grabbed Shen Jiu’s wrist, “Come on, it will be my treat.”

Shen Jiu went home that night completely full. Against his expectation, Yue Qingyuan brought him to a restaurant where their other past life’s shidis were also stopping by for food. To Shen Jiu’s confusion, they all cited in to treat him at least one dish and Shen Jiu had to try everything they picked.

And they all stared so fixatedly at him, making him a bit nervous about his facade. Besides, eating whilst you were aware that you were being watched on was really uncomfortable, it just made Shen Jiu want to die or snap at them...

He didn’t do anything, of course. That would ruin his facade of being a polite co-worker who didn’t know them at all.

Shen Jiu groaned as sat himself on the sofa before the tv. He brought out his laptop and began to do more research as he digested his food.

Qingqi: He ate well. Mission accomplished everyone!

Drizzle Mist: That’s great! What did he eat? I hope he ate some healthy menu?

Qingqi: Don’t worry, Mingyan. He did.

Qingxu: He ate so adorably. Sometimes pausing as if reluctant before we encouraged him to eat more.

Qingwu: That’s right, very different from Shen-shixiong in the past, right? He seemed a bit nervous and ate so quietly!

Yingying: Picture?

Qingwu: Ah, don’t have one.

Qingxuan: I have.

Qingxuan: [Shen-shixiong34.jpg]

Yingying: Perfect. Thank you Huang-shishu!

Cheng Luan: Hey, isn’t it illegal to take a picture of someone else without their permission?

Drizzle Mist: No. It’s perfectly fine.

Cheng Luan: Er... Moreover, Qingxuan, what’s with that ‘34’? How many pictures you have?!

Yue Qingyuan: Thank you for your hard work, everyone

Qingqi: No problem shixiong! We all want the best for Shen-shixiong in this life after all!

“Shen Jiu!”

Shen Jiu turned around to see Liu Qingge running toward him.

“No running in the corridor,” Shen Jiu said bluntly to Liu Qingge which made the younger man paused before he huffed and came closer with a slower pace.

“I finished the two reports today, did you check your e-mail?” Liu Qingge asked.

“I did,” Shen Jiu checked his e-mail frequently to wait for the good news about his plan. “I will check it after I finished my class this morning,” Shen Jiu informed.

“Got it, just tell me if there’s anything wrong,” Liu Qingge nodded.

Shen Jiu frowned and sighed when he saw Liu Qingge was wearing his tie wrongly again, “Why do you even bother with a tie,” Shen Jiu pointed at Liu Qingge’s tie. They weren’t obligated to wear a tie unless at some certain events, yet, on some odd days, Liu Qingge still wore it.

Liu Qingge frowned, “I’m just trying to set an example to my students. Those brats are all unruly.”

“Engineering didn’t exactly need to be neat,” Shen Jiu shook his head. “And do you think they would notice your fashion sense and follow? Only Fashion major does that.”

“Yes, but I can’t beat them up to make them learn,” unfortunately. “So I can only use this method to make them realize. So far, it’s working nicely,” Liu Qingge said as he pulled on his tie and fiddled with it. He usually had his sister to do this for him, but earlier this morning, Liu Mingyan had gone off early for some business.

“What are you tugging on it for? You tied them wrong in the first place, here,” Shen Jiu furrowed his brows as he brought his hand towards Liu Qingge’s tie and untied them before redo-ing it.

Liu Qingge only watched as Shen Jiu’s dainty hands worked on his tie before he finished it.

“Ehem!”

Both men jumped when they heard the sharp cough and they turned to see Liu Mingyan and Luo Binghe stood not far away. Luo Binghe seemed to be the one who cleared his throat.

Liu Mingyan patted her chest to calm her rapidly beating heart before she smiled, “Brother, teacher Shen, what’s wrong?” She asked gently.

“Nothing. He just fixed my tie,” Liu Qingge said.

“Oh, brother. Sorry, I forgot to prepare the already tied one for you,” Good riddance, she should do it more often.

“No, it’s fine,” Liu Qingge smiled at his gentle sister.

Luo Binghe turned his eyes away from Liu Qingge to smile at Shen Jiu, “Teacher Shen, why don’t we walk together to the literature department?” Luo Binghe approached his Shizun and his Shizun nodded indifferently.

They parted from the Liu siblings and Liu Qingge talked to his sister for a bit before he bade her goodbye. Liu Mingyan patted her chest and sighed, what was that? Her heart’s weird skip of beat when she saw Shen-shibo was fixing her brother’s tie?

Liu Mingyan closed her eyes and relished on the feeling. It... It feels like a nature call... Liu Mingyan should look more into it.

A week passed by without any big accident, but Shen Jiu was already terribly stressed. For once, it was subtle, but he was sure the people he knew from his past life were keeping close eyes on him. Yue Qingyuan always came to check if he would come home on time, if he didn’t, he would wait for him, usually, the time limit was an hour before he started dragging Shen Jiu home.

Ning Yingying would always ask him questions about his food, sleep, what did he do and what he planned to do, everything. She always knew when Shen Jiu lied about already eating, he had a suspicion the girl was stalking him, but he couldn’t prove it so he would just keep acting like an unsuspecting teacher.

Liu Qingge seemed to frequently bring him some piece of clothing, scarfs, gloves, he suspected it was Liu Mingyan who made that. Whether or not Liu Mingyan made it especially for Shen Jiu or Liu Qingge was just getting rid of undesired gifts, he didn’t know.

Even when Shen Jiu almost slipped in the corridor on Wednesday... They immediately messaged him an hour after the incident. Mu Qingfang from the Health and Medicine Department even came to make sure he was fine. He almost slipped in the corridor not getting pushed off of a cliff and poisoned!

They truly kept such a close watch on him...

Not as much as Luo Binghe though. That small beast was watching too close. Too close.

In fact, his eyes were only a few centimeters away from Shen Qingqiu’s eyes, his hands were on the wall on either side of Shen Jiu’s head. This situation was not unfamiliar...

“Luo Binghe, what are you doing?” Shen Jiu asked in annoyance and disapproval. “This isn’t appropriate. Back off,” Shen Jiu demanded sternly.

“Teacher Shen, you’re beautiful,” Luo Binghe said bluntly.

What the fuck? “Flattery getting you nowhere, young man. This is just the start of semester yet, are you not quite assured about your position in this major to even try doing something inappropriate like this?” Shen Jiu said coldly.

Luo Binghe smirked, “If it’s with teacher Shen, even if I’m confident about my grades, I would still be willing to go through the back door.”

This beast! Shen Jiu frowned and Luo Binghe laughed as he backed off.

“I’m just playing around, teacher Shen. I just read that classic novel you recommended to us and I wanted to try that one scene,” Luo Binghe’s excuse was kind of solid. Luo Binghe couldn’t control himself just now, Shen Jiu just changed his eyeglasses’ frame and Luo Binghe was completely caught off guard.

The new frame made Shen Jiu look sharper... And more fun to be tamed. Luo Binghe’s predator instinct was challenged to try and make the other submit. Luo Binghe just wanted to see panic and fear from the eyes behind those eyeglasses. He saw the panic, but not the fear as Shen Jiu recovered pretty quickly. Mostly just surprise.

Shen Jiu frowned at him. Ah, he didn’t believe Luo Binghe, didn’t he?

“Stop playing around and don’t that again,” Shen Jiu said admonishingly as he walked away, he was about to pick up his things when Luo Binghe already grabbed Shen Jiu’s bag.

“I’m sorry, my apologies. As my apology, I’ll bring teacher’s bag for you,” Luo Binghe said as he slung the bag over his shoulder.

“No need,” Shen Jiu said.

“No way, Teacher Shen. You don’t want to forgive me?” Luo Binghe put his best imitation of that whiny crybaby him from another world and Shen Jiu shuddered inwardly.

“... Alright,” Shen Jiu said. Be patient Shen Jiu, a few more weeks!

Shen Jiu was confused as to how did he get here, in a small but stylish restaurant with two beautiful young ladies as his companions.

Liu Mingyan and Ning Yingying chattered to the waiter for their orders, “As for him, he likes vegetable dumplings with sweet and sour sauce, also some tofu fried rice while at it. Oh, and two tanghulu, that’s all,” Ning Yingying ordered for Shen Jiu as she closed the menu.

When the waiter went away, Shen Jiu looked at Ning Yingying, “How does miss Ning know about my favorite foods?” He asked with a doubtful but curious tone. He had to act curious and clueless after all.

Ning Yingying smiled fondly at him, “You looked like someone who would like them...” Her eyes contained sadness when she said this. Seriously, couldn’t she (or any of them) hide her emotion a bit more diligently? It was so obvious and if Shen Jiu didn’t have his past memory, he would absolutely feel weirded out with their nostalgic, sad, and enigmatic smile at him.

So Shen Jiu did as that, he smiled reluctantly at Ning Yingying as he nodded. Liu Mingyan nudged at Ning Yingying, gesturing to her to be more subtle, Shen-shibo certainly noticed the weird look and became uncomfortable.

“It was really a lucky chance to meet teacher Shen, so we would like you to feel more relaxed,” Liu Mingyan said with a smile.

“Thank you miss Liu,” Shen Jiu nodded with a light smile.

“Let’s talk about light thing to ease this up. How was your work, teacher Shen?” Liu Mingyan asked as she put her hands on her lap.

“My work is going fine, miss Liu. Thank you for asking.”

What a proper and stiff response. Cute. Absolutely cute. Why didn’t Liu Mingyan notice her second shibo was actually somewhat cute with his proper responses? He did act snappily onto her brother and Luo Binghe, she noticed and saw it herself, but when she went and talk to him to mainly investigate about her brother’s death in secret, he was always courteous of her. Just like now. Ai, she was too prejudiced in the past.

“Teacher Shen always worked too hard. As your student, Yingying feels concerned, you should rest more often,” Ning Yingying expressed.

“I’m just doing my job, miss Ning. I’m committed to this job, naturally, I will do my best,” Shen Jiu gave a professional and somewhat cliche answer. In this life, he was Shen Jiu who had no memory, naturally, he would act differently than his older self to convince them.

Liu Mingyan nodded wisely, “A committed man, I admire that trait,” En, that was a very good trait. “But if you worked too hard, don’t you have time for your private life?”

“I sleep with a decent amount of time,” Shen Jiu answered honestly. “I’d like to think I can manage my time.”

“What about a girlfriend?” Liu Mingyan asked casually. “Does teacher Shen have a girlfriend that needs your extra time?”

Shen Jiu smiled, “I don’t have anyone like that, miss Liu.”

The two girls’ gazes flickered slightly and Shen Jiu did not catch that as their tea came. Sliding her teacup over without looking at it, Ning Yingying looked at Shen Jiu more intently, “No wonder. If there’s someone by your side, they would be able to take care of you...”

“Yes, teacher Shen might need a lady in your life... Or a man,” Liu Mingyan suggested calmly as she sipped her tea.

Shen Jiu’s mask almost cracked when he heard Liu Mingyan’s suggestion, he put down his teacup and shook his head, “No, I don’t think I want to... Not at the moment,” Probably later, when he is in Japan. Or heck, his mother could do something for him, her circle of friends was wide and with Shen Jiu’s look, education, and career, few would reject.

Liu Mingyan nodded before sighing, “Speaking about that... My brother too. He always ran away from marriage interviews, no matter what kind of beauties, he rejected them all.” She paused. “With his face, in just one look, a woman would fall in love, men too...”

Ning Yingying’s lips twitched, knowing what her sister wanted to do. She couldn’t let it continue just like that, “Sister is too exaggerating. If it’s about handsomeness, naturally, our literature department has Luo Binghe. I think A’Luo is more handsome than teacher Liu.”

Liu Mingyan paused and immediately knew that Ning Yingying was not her ally for getting her brother laid. What was this girl doing? Didn’t she like Luo Binghe? Why did she encourage the expansion of harem? “No way, sister. I’m his sister, after all. Naturally, I have some bias towards my brother. Teacher Shen, do you think my brother is handsome?” she used that attack as her ammunition to fire another shot at Shen Jiu who looked up in surprise.

“Eh, I guess so,” no, wait. A humble and pure response, Shen Jiu! “Liu-shidi’s facial feature is truly one of a kind, very rare and pleasant indeed,” he nodded.

Liu Mingyan’s eyes shone and Ning Yingying turned gloomy. “Shizun, A’Luo is also handsome, right?” Ning Yingying asked.

Shen Jiu looked at Ning Yingying in confusion, “Yes, Luo Binghe is also handsome...”

Ning Yingying smiled and their orders came.

“What exactly were you doing back there?” Liu Mingyan asked in mild annoyance. “Weren’t you still in love with Binghe? You shouldn’t be this active to matchmaking him off.”

“A’Luo likes Shizun. I think he wants to atone to his wrongs, he also deserves a chance to fix it all back in this life. And did you think you’re the only one who decided to not be in a romantic relationship again with A’Luo?” Ning Yingying raised her brows. “Amongst all six hundred wives, there were few who retained their memories. And amongst those few, only a quarter of it retained full memory. The main wives, you and Hualing, me, the Qin sisters, Qiu Haitang...” Ning Yingying listed off several other names.

“What of it?” Liu Mingyan furrowed her brows.

“What of it? Sha Hualing just called for a meeting for those who remembered,” Ning Yingying said.

“Did she whip anyone?” Liu Mingyan said in concern. After all, in the harem, she was the only one who could control Sha Hualing, aside for Luo Binghe, Liu Mingyan was the only one who could somewhat stop Sha Hualing’s rampage.

“No. She just said she’s no longer the head of the harem, she likes Luo Binghe but not in a possessive way anymore. She didn’t care if Luo Binghe got a lover or anything as she said she wouldn’t marry Luo Binghe in this life,” Ning Yingying was somewhat convinced that it was because it was illegal to abuse your husband’s mistress(es) in this world, might as well search for a man who only love one woman. “And the Qin sisters already got themselves boyfriends.”

“Really?” Liu Mingyan blinked.

“Yup. The only one who is still couldn’t let go is probably Xiao Gongzhu... But you know how Luo Binghe feels about her when her father’s disgrace was uncovered in the past life. Not to mention after she killed Nie Chixue in cold blood when the poor clueless girl only asked her about it...” Ning Yingying’s eyes shone in disgust and disdain as she said this.

Liu Mingyan nodded, “Then... Is this war, sister Ning?”

Ning Yingying smiled sweetly, “Indeed, sister Liu.”

After a month full of torment and his weight increased by two kilos, Shen Jiu finally got his good news. He bought a ticket to Japan and sent his resignation letter by the end of the week. He had expressed his wish to resign to the indulgent head teacher who reluctantly agreed, mainly because Shen Jiu had mentioned how much of an opportunity it would be for him. The head teacher couldn’t bear to ask him to stay.

Shen Jiu was already on the airport when a call came in, Shen Jiu cursed, why did it have to be now? Shen Jiu couldn’t reject the call or else it would be suspicious and they would suspect he was actually running away, which was true! Shen Jiu was careless, he should have turned down his phone.

But thinking about it again, if he suddenly went to Japan without saying anything, it would still be suspicious. Shen Jiu was pleased as he answered the call from Yue Qingyuan.

“Hello?” Shen Jiu said.

“Xiao Jiu? Where are you? Your students said you weren’t in the literature department building since morning. You also didn’t come to your class, which is rare. Are you sick?” Yue Qingyuan asked in concern.

“Oh? Didn’t I already tell you?” Shen Jiu faked a surprised tone as he checked on his fingernails, looking up at the schedule, his flight will be in an hour at most. Then, it would be about twenty minutes for it to take off, safe time.

“Tell me what?” Yue Qingyuan blinked in confusion.

“I got a scholarship and internship for a famous company in Japan, didn’t I already tell you that? I have resigned from my position in the literature department and I’m currently in the airport,” Shen Jiu said innocently.

“What?! You never told me that at all!!!” Yue Qingyuan exclaimed in disbelief.

“Really? I swear I have,” Shen Jiu said. “I think we talked about it...”

“No, we never did!!!” Yue Qingyuan was now in a panic. “What are you even gonna do in Japan?!”

“We never? Did I dream about it?” Shen Jiu sounded lost and confused at himself. “As I said, I got an internship and scholarship.”

“Wh-where are you now? Which airport?!” Yue Qingyuan asked desperately.

“No need to send me off, I don’t want to disturb your work,” Shen Jiu said with a sincere and understanding tone even though he was actually smirking evilly when he said this.

“Where are you?!” Yue Qingyuan demanded. “Xiao Jiu, this is serious!”

“What is it?” Shen Jiu changed his tone to sound annoyed as he typed in his laptop to rearrange his folders and files to be easier to be searched.

“Xiao Jiu, please!”

“No need to send me off. I’ll tell you when I land,” Shen Jiu said calmly when the loudspeaker announcement interrupted them.

[“Welcome to M Airport, we wish you the best hospitality. For the next flight-“]

“M Airport. Got it.” The line was cut after Yue Qingyuan said that.

“Fuck,” Shen Jiu looked at his phone incredulously. He glared at the loud announcement speaker, the only time he was betrayed by technology!

Shen Jiu looked at the schedule for his plane to arrive. It would be here in slightly an hour, he needed more than that to come here, right? Shen Jiu calmed down, yes, Yue Qingyuan wouldn’t be able to come here on time. Even if he did, so what? The airport was a big place with many people in it, he could hide when he wanted.

Hiding from Yue Qingyuan would be a piece of cake.

Yue Qingyuan: Everyone! Shen Jiu is going to Japan! Apparently he already resigned!!?

Yue Qingyuan: He’s in the airport right now! Help!

Cheng Luan: WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!

Qingqi: WHAT?!?!?!!

Qingjiu: Why so sudden?! He didn’t tell us!? Not even you!?

Yue Qingyuan: He thought he had already told me, but I guess it was just him dreaming about telling me from his mumbling. I don’t know what to do!!!

Qingqi: That’s crazy!

Qingfang: The weather in Japan was not favorable at this time, what if he got sick there!? He can’t leave!!!

Qingwei: Yes! We hadn’t spoiled him enough yet!

Drizzle Mist: WHAT?!?! WHAT HAPPENED WHILE I WASN’T LOOKING?!?!!?!

Drizzle Mist: Use this. @Everyone

Qingxu: What the fuck?!

Yingying: AAAAHHHHH!!!!???? WHAT?!?!?!?!

Yingying: WHERE?! WHICH AIRPORT?!

Yue Qingyuan: M Airport.

Qingqi: We have to stop him! Come on! I’m dropping the fashion class today! Who else?!

Qingjiu: ME!!!

Qingyu: Me too.

Qingwei: Count everyone in, meet you all at the gate!

Yue Qingyuan: Please hurry. I’m afraid he would be gone by the time we got there.

Drizzle Mist: Please be at ease, shibo. Ah-! I saw my brother, see you later!

“A’Luo!” Ning Yingying looked up from her phone and called out in panic.

“What is it?” Luo Binghe asked somewhat dispiritedly. Not seeing Shen Jiu at all today made him feel a bit down.

“Sh-Shizun!” Ning Yingying was so panicked that she slipped out calling Shizun again. “He’s going to Japan and already resigned! He’s in the airport right now!”

Luo Binghe shot up to his feet, “What?!” He exclaimed. How could this be?! This was too sudden! Why did that man suddenly want to go to Japan? “Why so sudden?!”

“I don’t know!”

“Did he hide it...?” Luo Binghe furrowed his brows.

Ning Yingying shook her head, “I think no, Yue-shibo said he seemed to even forget that he hadn’t told us anything! Shizun is always like that! Forgetting to tell us the details until the very D Day!” Ning Yingying didn’t doubt her Shizun at all.

“Let’s go!” Luo Binghe’s face darkened as he grabbed Ning Yingying’s hand and ran out. It seemed like he couldn’t play nice anymore. Since the prey wanted to run away, Luo Binghe would stop being nice and chase.

Time to hunt.

Shen Jiu had just exited the restroom and was about to grab his luggage when he saw Liu Qingge and Liu Mingyan were looking and asking around at some distance away. Shen Jiu paled as he dragged his luggage back into the restroom.

Fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

An hour was actually enough!

And it wasn’t just Yue Qingyuan! This turned out harder than he thought!

Shen Jiu regretted to not waiting patiently for his plane, he just heard it arrived...

Shen Jiu panicked slightly as he looked at himself in the mirror, he was way too recognizable! He didn’t have any cap or mask to cover his face! Moreover, they also asked around. Not meaning to brag, but Shen Jiu was too devastatingly good-looking and people would remember him for sure!

Shen Jiu looked at his luggage and immediately opened it, “A hoodie... A hoodie...” Shen Jiu mumbled as he rummaged through his clothes.

Fuck.

He didn’t bring any hoodie. He never had much with him anyway, leaving most of his clothes in his family home. To think he didn’t even bring one hoodie...

Shen Jiu looked at his watch and bit his lips, there was about twenty more minutes before his plane take off. There were two planes going to Japan today at roughly the same time, not to mention one more that would arrive in forty-five minutes. They didn’t know which cities he would go to... As long as he could disguise himself.

Shen Jiu bit his lips and he looked at his watch, fifteen more minutes!

He dragged his luggage out, keeping his head down as he pushed his way through the crown to go the stores in the airport. They should have some cap and sunglasses, right?

Arriving at one store, Shen Jiu immediately looked away as Ye Qingjiu exited. When his shidi already out of sight, Shen Jiu hastily entered the store. He grabbed a random cap he could find and a pair of sunglasses, he dropped them on the cashier.

The cashier looked at him, “Hey, you’re the one who was being searched by a handsome guy just now,” she said.

“Huh?” Shen Jiu panicked slightly.

“Yes, yes, I wouldn’t forget a handsome face when I saw one. Your friend is searching for you,” The girl cashier said as she handed him his purchases.

“Oh, thank you. But, I was actually trying to avoid them,” Shen Jiu said. Since this woman already recognized him, if another of his pursuer came and asked, she would absolutely tell them that he had bought a black cap and a pair of sunglasses. “I’m running away from an arranged marriage, you see,” he gave her a cliche but acceptable excuse.

The girl cashier gasped and nodded solemnly, “I understand. I hope you can escape and find your happiness.”

“Thanks,” Shen Jiu smiled thankfully at her, he wore the sunglasses and put the cap on his head.

Shen Jiu lowered his head and pretended to be playing with his phone as he walked through the crowd, from the corner of his eyes, he saw Qi Qingqi walked past, craning her neck to find a familiar figure.

Shen Jiu’s heart beat fast in his chest when he saw Mu Qingfang approached Qi Qingqi and said something to her. Fuck. How many people did Yue Qingyuan bribe to hunt for him!? Isn’t this too much!?

[“Attention for the flight to K-city, Japan. Your flight will take off in ten minutes. Attention-“]

Ten minutes! He got ten minutes left!

Shen Jiu grew determined as he clutched his ticket and ducked into the crowd, he saw Ning Yingying asking around about him and he pulled down his cap. He finally reached his gate and was about to happily gave his ticket to the flight attendant in a hurry when a hand grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.

Shen Jiu was dragged for a few steps back before he stopped and an arm wrapped around his waist, a hand grabbed his chin and forced himself to tilt his head up.

Luo Binghe was looking down on him, his lips were twisted into a sexy smirk but his gaze was dark. Luo Binghe leaned down slightly, “Teacher Shen, aren’t going away without saying goodbye is considered a bad manner?” he whispered and Shen Jiu could feel his hot breath on his face.

“Luo Binghe?”Shen Jiu said, sounding confused. He totally didn’t get why his student who was supposedly in the campus was here in the airport... That was the feeling of that tone. Thanks mother, Jiu’er will never forget of your teaching and wisdom... Shen Jiu said silently in his heart. “Why are you here?” Shen Jiu raised his brows.

Luo Binghe smiled serenely as he took off Shen Jiu’s black cap and twirled it on his hand, “Binghe only wants to see Shizun...”

[“Attention for the flight to K-city, Japan. Your flight will take off in five minutes. Attention-“]

Shen Jiu frowned as he looked at his gate, “I have to go,” he said as pulled away but Luo Binghe’s arms only tightened around his waist.

“Mister Luo! My flight is going to take off!” Shen Jiu looked at the flight gate

“Shizun!”

“Xiao Jiu!”

“Shen-shixiong!”

Fuck.

The entire group ran up to them, out of breath and thoroughly panicked. Yue Qingyuan immediately walked over. Luo Binghe’s hold on his waist tightened before he let go. Yue Qingyuan immediately wrapped his arms around Shen Jiu and sniffed slightly.

“Thank God, you had yet to go...” Yue Qingyuan said emotionally.

“What are you all doing here?” Shen Jiu asked bewilderedly as he patted Yue Qingyuan’s back and looked at the entire group. “I already said, I don’t need you to send me off,” Shen Jiu said as he furrowed his brows lightly.

“Who said we’re sending you off?! We’re stopping you!” Liu Qingge growled.

“Yes, let’s go back,” Qi Qingqi nodded sagely.

“What?! What do you mean,” Shen Jiu looked at the flight gate and grew desperate. “My flight is here, I need to go,” he pushed Yue Qingyuan away.

“No. We’ll go back. Didn’t I already say we’re stopping you?” Liu Qingge glowered as he walked up to Shen Jiu and snatched off Shen Jiu’s luggage from him. Not Liu Qingge’s match in strength, Shen Jiu could only flail helplessly (and gracefully) when the luggage was taken from him.

“But why?” Shen Jiu said incredulously.

“You’re just not allowed to!”

“Yeah!” The others strongly agreed.

“Security!” Shen Jiu yelled, however, Liu Mingyan quickly stepped up and smiled prettily at the securities who began to approach.

“No need to mind us, sirs. He’s our cousin who wants to run away from home,” Liu Mingyan said. “Family business,” she finished.

The securities backed off, completely believing her. After all, those people who crowded near gate#07 were all devastatingly beautiful, they believed it must be from the family gene.

“No, wait! My flight!” Shen Jiu said. Gritting his teeth when he saw his luggage in Liu Qingge’s hands, Shen Jiu remembered he only had his wallet, phone, and backpack with him... That’s good enough.

Shen Jiu spun on his heel, intending to dash off to the gate, his ticket was still in his hand. He could buy all necessities later! His backpack had his laptop and important documents! However, Shen Jiu was yanked back by several hands.

“You even want to go without your luggage!?” Qi Qingqi shrieked.

“I got a feeling you guys won’t let me go if this chance slipped,” Shen Jiu murmured.

“Damn yes, we won’t!” Liu Qingge snapped.

“Let me go, I already resigned! My future is in Japan!” Shen Jiu exclaimed helplessly.

“It’s okay, we can re-assign you back,” Yue Qingyuan said.

The fuck??

“My flight is going to take off!”

“Yeah, so?”

“This is not funny, stop it! I don’t like this goodbye prank!” Shen Jiu was still in his character as he complained.

They were not moved, “Wasn’t it you who pulled the prank first by suddenly resigning and going to Japan?”

“I did not! I already eyed the job and college in Japan since long, I’m already accepted there. And I already told you all about it at least once at some point,” Shen Jiu was not lying. He had indeed hinted it to them just to make sure they didn’t feel his plan to go abroad was out of nowhere. Their faces turned ugly when they recalled the hints.

“Still no go.”

“Yes, let’s go home.”

“Teacher Shen, stop thinking about running away, okay?”

“Stay in this country. You’re already rich, don’t you?  No need to work abroad. As for education, just take it here, it’s all the same.”

Many hands began to pull Shen Jiu back as the others stood in between him and the flight gate.

Shen Jiu still desperately looked at his flight gate when the flight attendant entered the plane and the door was closed. Fuck, so long freedom. The others only let go of Shen Jiu when they saw the plane was ready to take off.

Shen Jiu really wanted to swear right now.

Luo Binghe was watching Shen Jiu’s expression all the time and enjoyed the crushing disbelief and sadness when he saw the plane, as well as his dream, took off. He then noticed a very handsome man was walking towards them, more specifically, Shen Jiu. He blinked.

“Lord Shen,” The man started and Luo Binghe’s suspicion was confirmed.

Shen Jiu blinked and looked towards the handsome man who just appeared, the others also looked at him, they didn’t recognize him at all... Then, why did he call him ‘Lord Shen’? Is it someone Shen Jiu knew?

“Who?” Shen Jiu asked dumbly. Still in shock that his plan failed, he wasn’t acting at all when he asked that question. He truly didn’t know this man.

The man smiled, happy, “We meet again in this life.”

The others grew alarmed.

“In the last life, I’ve failed you but in this life, I swear, I won’t...” The man said.

“What?” Shen Jiu asked, bewildered.

The man gently grabbed Shen Jiu’s hands and got on his knees, “I’ll protect you in this life. Will you marry me?”

The others gawked.

“WHAAATT?!?!”

In all his life, he only knew he was disdained. Ridiculed. Insulted. When his parents died, no one cared for him. No matter what kind of bloodline that was flowing in his veins.

Until someone important in his life came to him, “From now on, I named you Zhuzhi. You’ll be called Zhuzhi-Lang.”

Suddenly he was ‘Zhuzhi-Lang’. He was brought up again, he was treated right again, he found his home and shelter...

But then, his savior, his most important person, his uncle was captured in a despicable trap and imprisoned in a place called Bai Lu Mountain. Zhuzhi-Lang quitted his official role and chose to roam around the forest of the mountain, trying to reach for the miraculous plant that had a chance of saving his uncle.

He haunted the forest, trying to shoo away anyone who looked greedy. If they found the miraculous plant, they would hog it for themselves. Once, he was seen and couldn’t kill before they ran. Next, a troop of people wearing the same attire came.

He was hunted and tried to fight back, luring them away from the thing he tried to reach himself. He was in a weak condition back then, very weak. He soon found himself retreating from the fight with his small form, bloodied with many of his scales were either burned or scrapped off.

He thought he should go back to the demon world for a while to recover, but he wasn’t even strong enough to go out of the forest.

At that time, he heard the sound of a flute. His bloodline was very interested in flute sounds and the sounds at that time actually soothed down his worry and helped him to recover. Zhuzhi-Lang decided to follow the sound.

Zhuzhi-Lang then saw a graceful man was playing the flute, he was looking up at something... A bird. The bird had something in its mouth as it descended to perch itself to the player’s flute. The man stopped playing then, much to Zhuzhi-Lang’s disappointment.

The man collected the thing in the bird’s mouth and gently ushered it away, the bird chirped happily which made Zhuzhi-Lang a bit hungry. Without the sound of the flute, Zhuzhi-Lang’s body seemed to gradually give up to stay conscious when he felt a pair of gentle hands lifted him up.

“What a beautiful snake. Who had burned off your pristine white scales?” His gentle voice rang in Zhuzhi-lang’s mind. The hands were extremely gently as it held and stroke Zhuzhi-Lang’s head. “I’ll take care of you...”

Zhuzhi-Lang passed out.

The next time Zhuzhi-Lang woke up he panicked because he was in an unfamiliar environment and in a cage. However, when he saw a graceful man walked towards him, he froze in caution.

The man sat in front of his small cage and Zhuzhi-Lang hissed. The man chuckled, “A feisty little one. I won’t hurt you,” he assured as he directly poured out some liquid into the cage and Zhuzhi-Lang realized it was actually medicinal water.

Zhuzhi-Lang shifted, finding the medicinal water actually made him comfortable.

Zhuzhi-Lang ended up living in the cage for the next several days. The man who saved him was called Shen Qingqiu, the lord of Qing Jing peak of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. This man was from the enemy’s side, but Zhuzhi-Lang couldn’t find himself disliking him.

Shen Qingqiu was a very strict and borderline cruel man towards his disciple, especially the handsome one whose eyes looked familiar. His cruelty and ruthlessness made many people reluctant to approach him, but with Zhuzhi-Lang, Shen Qingqiu was always so gentle and caring. Not only to Zhuzhi-Lang but to any small animals that he happened to bring home after a short journey outside.

To the small birds that perched on his windowsill, Shen Qingqiu would always greet them with a gentle pat and they actually let him pet them. Zhuzhi-Lang was fed with fish as long as he stayed and Zhuzhi-Lang obediently ate them even though he essentially didn’t need them.

In the eighth day of his stay, Shen Qingqiu got him out of the cage, “I’m already fond of you, but I’ll give you a chance. If you want to be free, go ahead, if you want to stay, stay.” 

Zhuzhi-Lang coiled himself around Shen Qingqiu’s wrist before he slithered down to the windowsill. Shen Qingqiu smiled sadly, “You’re welcome, be careful as you go.”

Zhuzhi-Lang’s heart was moved by the gentleness in that tone, he hissed in a friendly way before he slithered out and gone into the shadow. He swore he would ask for his Jun-shang to pardon Shen Qingqiu somehow...

Then, after Zhuzhi-Lang begged for it, Jun-shang permitted him if he wanted to evacuate someone, but he had to leave Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. Zhuzhi-Lang then sent the sowers attack and made them slander him for it.

Then, too many things happened. The half-demon with Jun-shang’s blood, Su Xiyan’s son, who turned out to be that boy who was abused by Shen Qingqiu. The revenge. The slanders. The accusation. The trial. Shen Qingqiu got locked up. Cang Qiong Mountain Sect fell. Jun-shang told him to forget about Shen Qingqiu. Protecting Jun-shang’s palace from the half-demon who was trying to claim his ‘right’. Planning to save Shen Qingqiu. Trying to search for a way to attain Sun and Moon Dew Flower Seeds, to help Jun-shang and probably Shen Qingqiu since his body was already inhabited by that half-demon’s blood. The said plant was stolen. He couldn’t retrieve it.

And then... Shen Qingqiu died.

Zhuzhi-Lang was a man of gratitude and loyalty. In all his life, there were only two people who ever showed care to him. One was sealed and imprisoned. The other one was killed with no corpse even left, tortured beyond repair.

Zhuzhi-Lang went back to Bai Lu Forest numbly after he couldn’t find Shen Qingqiu’s trace of life anymore in that forsaken prison. Even though he already promised...

Zhuzhi-Lang went to Bai Lu Mountain that night, risking his safety to go to the sealed region inside just to see Tian Langjun and comforted himself with his uncle’s presence. But it turned out, seeing his uncle being concerned over Zhuzhi-Lang’s strange expression, Zhuzhi-Lang actually broke out crying.

”Jun-shang... It hurts when he died... It hurts... Why?” Zhuzhi-Lang said.

Tian Langjun looked at him in surprise and sighed, “Zhi-lang... You loved him.”

“Love...?” Zhuzhi-Lang lowered his head. “It hurts...”

Tian Langjun smiled bitterly, “It bound to hurt in the end...”

When he gained his memory from the past life, Zhuzhi-Lang’s goal was one, to search for his uncle from the past life who had disappeared when he was roughly five. The second was to find Shen Qingqiu and erase all of his regret in the last life.

That’s why, when he saw Shen Qingqiu in the airport he immediately walked over. Finally, finally...

“Lord Shen?” Zhuzhi-Lang called out. His pair of eyes were directed at him, confused.

“Who?”

Zhuzhi-Lang smiled, “We meet again in this life.” He paused, “In the last life, I’ve failed you but in this life, I swear, I won’t...”

“What?” Shen Qingqiu looked lost.

Zhuzhi-Lang boldly grabbed his hands and got on his knees, “I’ll protect you in this life. Will you marry me?”

“WHAATT?!!!” Everyone looked at Zhuzhi-Lang incredulously as their common sense was crashing down.

“What?!” Shen Jiu was even more confused. “Who are you?!” His voice went up a few octaves, this one was not an act.

“In this life, I’m called Bai Zhuzhi. You can call me Zhuzhi,” Zhuzhi-Lang said.

“I don’t know any Zhuzhi!” Shen Jiu’s brain went on flipping his memories in a speed of light but he didn’t find the name familiar. He then remembered his act and continued, “Moreover, this life?!”

“I’m the snake you saved back then, do you remember? You said you were fond of me,” Zhuzhi-Lang tilted his head and said.

“Snake?” Liu Qingge murmured.

Yue Qingyuan gasped as realization dawned in, “Zhuzhi-Lang of demon race.”

They instantly grew alarmed but it was Luo Binghe who moved first. Luo Binghe pulled Shen Jiu and slapped Zhuzhi-Lang’s hands away. Putting Shen Jiu behind him, Luo Binghe growled at the now-expressionless man kneeling on the ground.

“Back off,” Luo Binghe glared and Zhuzhi-Lang stood up, looking coldly at Luo Binghe.

Shen Jiu’s eyes twitched furiously when he heard Zhuzhi-Lang’s identity. “Zhuzhi-Lang... the demon general...?” Fuck, he actually saved a demon general back then?

“Eh, you know him?” Yue Qingyuan and the others looked at Shen Jiu and Shen Jiu immediately paled when he realized his slip-up.

“Yes, that’s me,” Zhuzhi-Lang beamed at Shen Qingqiu and the others raised their eyebrows.

Fuck.

FUCK!

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Yue Qingyuan didn’t say anything about a demon general! He only said Zhuzhi-Lang of demon race and Shen Jiu just had to screw himself with mentioning the title! Fuck!

Shen Jiu staggered backward, his pale face was useful at this kind of moment. Yue Qingyuan caught him in his arms, “Xiao Jiu?!” He exclaimed in worry.

“Ah-!” Shen Jiu clutched his head and cried out in pain as he doubled over.

“What’s wrong?!” Mu Qingfang immediately stepped up and asked Shen Jiu with full of concern. “Everyone, please don’t crowd over!” Mu Qingfang ordered and the others stepped back to give them some space.

“Xiao Jiu, what’s wrong?” Yue Qingyuan asked.

Shen Jiu’s legs gave up beneath him and Yue Qingyuan almost fell along with him had he not quickly stabilized himself and added more strength to help Shen Jiu up.

“Shen-shixiong, what’s wrong? Is it your head? Your head is hurt?” Mu Qingfang asked.

Shen Jiu wheezed, his eyes teared up, “Ugh-!” he groaned.

“What’s wrong with him?” Luo Binghe asked, although he fantasized a lot of seeing Shen Jiu crying, he didn’t like to see the sight of tears from Shen Jiu that wasn’t caused by him.

“Get him to a horizontal surface first. Huang-shidi, you ran fast, go and fetch my medicinal kit in my car,” Mu Qingfang said as he directed them to a long bench. After asking the people sitting there to vacate for a bit, they laid Shen Jiu down.

Huang Qingxuan came back and Mu Qingfang took out some things from his kit, Mu Qingfang turned on his pen flashlight and opened Shen Jiu’s eyes to check on them. Shen Jiu protested strongly as he pushed Mu Qingfang’s hands away.

“I’m sorry, Shen-shixiong. No flashlight, but let me see your eyes, please?” Mu Qingfang asked nicely but Shen Jiu continued gritting his teeth, hissing in pain before he suddenly stopped, staring blankly.

They freaked out.

“Xiao Jiu?! Xiao Jiu, are you okay?!”

“Hey, you’re not dead, are you?!” Liu Qingge exclaimed and Liu Mingyan stomped on his foot.

“What?! Shizun, Shizun, don’t die!” Ning Yingying begged.

“What’s wrong with him?” Zhuzhi-Lang turned anxious.

“It’s because of you!” Luo Binghe growled at Zhuzhi-Lang and Zhuzhi-Lang frowned at him.

“I fail to see why,” Zhuzhi-Lang said.

Shen Jiu blinked once. Then rapidly blinking, Mu Qingfang sighed in relief, followed by the others. Luo Binghe took his attention away from the annoying man to look at his Shizun, “Teacher Shen, are you okay?” He asked

Shen Jiu furrowed his brows, his eyes were lost as he looked at them then looked at himself. He quickly sat up and Mu Qingfang hastily supported him.

“Xiao Jiu, are you okay?” Yue Qingyuan asked in concern.

Shen Jiu blinked at him, confused. He then looked around and his eyes stopped at the place where they were standing on a few minutes ago. “What happened?” He asked blankly. He sounded thoroughly baffled like something unusual just happened.

“You had a breakdown. Clutching your head and whining painfully,” Mu Qingfang said as he put back his medical kit.

“What?” Shen Jiu looked at Mu Qingfang like Mu Qingfang had just said something absurd.

“It’s true, you even cried. What’s wrong with you?” Liu Qingge asked.

Shen Jiu brought his hand up to his cheek and he withdrew it when he felt something wet on his cheek, he blankly stared. “I... I cried?” Shen Jiu asked disbelievingly.

The others looked at each other, solemn.

“Zhuzhi-Lang...” Shen Jiu murmured and the others looked at him, surprised. Luo Binghe’s face soured.

Zhuzhi-Lang immediately pushed through the crowd and smiled at Shen Jiu, “That’s my name,” he said.

Shen Jiu inhaled and exhaled, his eyes flickered as if he remembered something but it quickly disappeared with a feeling of clueless frustration. “Zhuzhi-Lang... General... Demon?” He murmured to himself before he shook his head.

Yue Qingyuan put his hand on Shen Jiu’s shoulder, “What is it?” Yue Qingyuan asked gently.

“No, nothing,” Shen Jiu shook his head as he looked at Zhuzhi-Lang.

“Let’s go home, then,” Yue Qingyuan coaxed. Yue Qingyuan nodded at them and they all nodded back. Half of them followed Yue Qingyuan and Shen Jiu to go home whilst the other half stayed.

The people who were left all looked at each other, “Did you think... Shen-shixiong just now recalled something?” Qi Qingqi asked her martial brothers.

“Most likely,” Wei Qingwei nodded.

“That means, the memory could be recovered?” Ye Qingjiu asked.

“Most probably. However...” Zhang Qingxu looked at Zhuzhi-Lang who was now in another staring contest with Luo Binghe. “Why did Shen-shixiong reacted to him but not to us?”

Luo Binghe gnashed his teeth when he heard that, a feeling of fiery jealousy rose in his chest and he just wanted to stab this whatever-demon-general with Xin Mo which sadly was not with him.

Zhuzhi-Lang looked away from Luo Binghe to look at the remaining peak lords, “What do you mean?” he asked.

“Ah,” Qi Qingqi nodded. “Well, our shixiong actually didn’t have his memory of past life. He was clueless, so... Probably wouldn’t be a good idea if you brought up the past era to him.”

Zhuzhi-Lang stared, “What...?” His memory was gone? Poor him! How could it be gone?!

“But I think it’s not really the case of not having...” Wei Qingwei said and turned to Zhuzhi-Lang, “Mister Bai, tomorrow, can you come to this address? It’s a bar, we’ll have to discuss it when the others are also in the same place.”

When Shen Jiu reached home, he locked his door and immediately threw himself into his bed, covering his face with his pillow.

Damn...

He’s a really good actor.