But deep down, Xi Yu had always felt that he already had a mother. When it came to the word father, he felt an almost instinctive resistance.
Jiang Yunzheng didn’t notice the brief stiffness that crossed Xi Yu’s face. His eyes widened slightly.
“R-Really? Is that okay?”
Hadn’t Xi Yu said they couldn’t see each other anymore?
He had been genuinely delighted to see Xi Yu today. He’d only approached him because he really couldn’t help himself.
But he still remembered what Xi Yu had told him. Since Xi Yu hadn’t immediately driven him away when they met, Jiang Yunzheng had assumed it was because Lu Zhixing wasn’t around.
And now Xi Yu was inviting him to his home for a meal.
Even though the invitation had come from Xi Yu’s family, Jiang Yunzheng didn’t see any difference.
Xi Yu nodded. “There’s no danger anymore.”
Even saying that made Xi Yu feel a little awkward. Back then, Zhixiao’s jealousy had been so intense that he’d hurt Jiang Yunzheng.
“You probably noticed that Lu Zhixing was acting a little strangely at the time.” Xi Yu paused. “He’s better now. He won’t hurt anyone anymore.”
“Then… can we still be friends?” Jiang Yunzheng asked cautiously. “Will he get angry?”
Xi Yu was just about to nod when several startled cries rang out from the banquet hall.
Luo Cheng’an was the first to spot Lu Zhixing, barefoot and dressed in snow-white pajamas, pushing past the security guards and rushing inside.
Oh, no.
He immediately threw off the hand that was gripping his arm.
The young man whose hand had been shaken off caught sight of Lu Zhixing’s face. His pupils contracted, and he grabbed Luo Cheng’an’s arm again. Smiling, he revealed a row of stark white teeth, his expression somewhat sinister.
“So he’s the one Senior can’t stop thinking about?”
Luo Cheng’an could only be thankful that Lu Zhixing was currently wearing Zhixiao’s face. If he’d shown up with his original face looking like this, he’d be all over the news in no time.
The moment Xi Yu’s gaze passed through the crowd and landed on Lu Zhixing, his expression changed. He immediately ran toward him.
Jiang Yunzheng followed behind him, not understanding what was happening.
The instant Lu Zhixing saw Xi Yu, he finally stopped moving.
That brief pause gave the security guards their chance. They seized him from both sides, pressing down on his shoulders and forcing him to bend forward.
Yet Lu Zhixing seemed completely oblivious to the pain. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Xi Yu—and at Jiang Yunzheng, who was holding Xi Yu’s arm.
………………..
“That looks like a madman. Don’t—”
“Let go!”
Xi Yu shook off Jiang Yunzheng’s hand and rushed over to Lu Zhixing in three quick strides. He pushed the security guards aside and immediately checked Lu Zhixing’s condition.
“Are you hurt?”
Xi Yu’s face had gone pale. Even through Lu Zhixing’s clothes, he could feel how cold his body was.
He didn’t even have time to wonder how Lu Zhixing had ended up here. The weather was so cold, and Lu Zhixing hadn’t even put on any shoes.
Without spiritual energy to protect him, Lu Zhixing’s face had turned a ghastly bluish white from the cold.
Xi Yu took off his coat and draped it over Lu Zhixing. Ignoring the shocked expressions around them, he lifted Lu Zhixing’s hands, breathed warm air onto them, and rubbed them between his palms.
Lu Zhixing pressed his lips together and looked down at Xi Yu. Before he could even say anything, tears began to fall. His voice was terribly hoarse.
“Why weren’t you there when I woke up? I was so scared.”
Xi Yu was consumed by guilt. He blamed himself for being so careless as to leave Lu Zhixing alone at home.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
He apologized over and over, wiping away the tears at the corners of Lu Zhixing’s eyes.
“It’s all my fault.”
Xi Yu’s coat was a little small on Lu Zhixing, but his shoulders were hunched as he stood there, and the grievance in his eyes nearly shattered Xi Yu’s heart.
Yu Qian was initially stunned. But after seeing Xi Yu’s reaction, she whispered something to a server. Before long, the server returned carrying a pair of fluffy slippers.
The people around them stopped talking. Every face wore an expression of barely concealed curiosity, and their probing gazes never left the two people at the center of the hall.
Lu Zhixing was currently wearing Zhixiao’s face, which was strikingly beautiful.
But everyone knew that Xi Yu and Lu Zhixing were a couple. Now, however, another exceptionally handsome man had suddenly appeared—one whose looks were every bit as stunning as Lu Zhixing’s, if not more so.
It was hard not to let one’s imagination run wild.
What made the situation even more suggestive was Xi Yu’s attitude, along with Lu Zhixing’s remark about waking up and not finding him there.
It sounded exactly as though the two of them had slept together.
Xi Yu had practically become the center of this entire banquet. Countless people wanted to establish connections with him, hoping to use those connections to cooperate with the Luo family.
These days, Xi Yu’s name practically represented both the Luo and Lu families.
And that wasn’t all. The Jiang family had issued instructions long ago that whenever Xi Yu’s name came up, their businesses were to give him the green light. His interests were to be prioritized in every matter.
In City A, Xi Yu’s influence was now so great that it was hardly an exaggeration to say he could cover the sky with one hand.
The legitimate young master who had once been dismissed as a fortune-teller living beneath an overpass had become an imposing figure in a remarkably short time.
And setting aside all the prestige that came with his power, Xi Yu’s performance on variety shows had also made him famous. His seemingly miraculous talismans had countless people clamoring to obtain them, willing to pay a fortune for just one. Yet whether in the past or now, he refused all visitors, remaining as mysterious and powerful as ever.
And this very person had just accepted a pair of slippers from a server, bent down naturally, and begun putting them on the feet of a beautiful young man who had never appeared in public before.
Jiang Yunzheng’s hand was still suspended in midair. He stared blankly at Xi Yu’s actions.
Luo Cheng’an’s gaze settled on Xi Yu’s bent back, and his expression was extremely grim. But no matter how displeased he felt, he still had to handle the situation.
After all, this mess had started because of him.
Lu Zhixing was originally supposed to sleep until the following day. Luo Cheng’an had deliberately used spiritual energy to wake him before leaving.
He hadn’t intended anything serious. He simply couldn’t stand seeing Lu Zhixing living such a comfortable life. He’d thought that if Lu Zhixing woke up, found no one at home, and cried for a while, that would be the end of it.
Luo Cheng’an had calculated everything except the possibility that Lu Zhixing would actually find his way here.
And in this state, no less.
Well, this was a disaster.
He had witnessed firsthand just how far Xi Yu could lose his mind over Lu Zhixing.
Bending down to put on his shoes…
Everyone else saw only Xi Yu’s current status and power. But Luo Cheng’an was the one most profoundly shaken by this scene.
The original Demon Venerable, who had once struck terror into all three realms.
The God of Luanxing, whose unmatched dignity had once drawn the worship of countless immortals.
And now, he was crouching down, lifting Lu Zhixing’s foot, his eyes full of tenderness and guilt, personally putting shoes on him.
That’s Luanxing… Luo Cheng’an thought.
Luanxing, cold and aloof, untouched by the dust of the mortal world.
Luo Cheng’an nearly crushed the wineglass in his hand. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Then he handed the glass to a server, put on a smile, and called out to Lu Zhixing.
“Zhixiao!”
He called once before turning apologetically to Yu Qian.
“This is my cousin. He had a high fever as a child, and it affected his brain. He’s visiting us this time and has become particularly attached to Xi Yu. He must have woken up, found Xi Yu missing, and had the driver bring him here. I’m really sorry for disturbing everyone.”
Xi Yu glanced at Luo Cheng’an but didn’t contradict him.
Given the circumstances, this was probably the best explanation they could offer.
Yu Qian smiled and picked up where Luo Cheng’an had left off.
“I’ve heard you talk about your beautiful cousin for ages. I never expected him to be this beautiful.”
Of course, Yu Qian had never heard anything about a cousin. She was simply helping Luo Cheng’an smooth things over.
Their social circle was small, and even the slightest rumor could spread like wildfire. If they could contain this here, they could avoid a lot of trouble later.
Those around them who had initially been skeptical were now about seventy or eighty percent convinced.
Jin Congwen adjusted his glasses and smiled at Xi Yu.
“We’ve prepared a room upstairs. Mr. Xi, you can take him up there to warm himself. In weather this cold, he’ll get sick if he stays dressed like that.”
Xi Yu held Lu Zhixing’s hand. He had practically lost all interest in staying at the banquet. Although the hall itself wasn’t cold, Lu Zhixing definitely needed a hot bath to warm up.
Xi Yu had originally intended to take him straight home. Hearing Jin Congwen’s suggestion, he paused and nodded.
He no longer had his magical powers, so getting home would take time.
“Allow me to show you the way, Mr. Xi.” Jin Congwen gestured politely toward the stairs.
Xi Yu took Lu Zhixing’s hand and tried to lead him upstairs, but Lu Zhixing didn’t move.
Xi Yu turned to look at him. Before he could say anything, Lu Zhixing suddenly wrapped his arms around him. His body was as cold as a block of ice.
After sweeping his gaze across the crowd, Lu Zhixing buried his face in the crook of Xi Yu’s neck and spoke in a soft, timid voice.
“Hubby, I want to go home.”
There were so many people here. So many of them were staring at Xi Yu. He hated this place.
Luo Cheng’an had said he was Xi Yu’s cousin.
But he wasn’t.
Lu Zhixing’s growth had been astonishingly rapid. He simply had no memories, but he could already understand many things.
For example, what Xi Yu meant when he talked about being husband and wife.
For example, he knew that he and Xi Yu hadn’t registered their marriage yet, so their relationship wasn’t legally protected.
And he could also see the disappointment and sadness on the face of the man who had been holding Xi Yu’s arm earlier, now that Xi Yu was being held in his own embrace.
He also understood that Luo Cheng’an had called him Xi Yu’s cousin to explain his sudden intrusion, effectively declaring that his real identity was something shameful that had to be hidden.
But why?
Lu Zhixing didn’t understand. Even if he and Xi Yu hadn’t registered their marriage, weren’t they still a couple?
Why did they have to hide it?
He had never understood why Xi Yu had told him that he couldn’t call him hubby in front of other people and had to call him big brother instead.
Xi Yu wasn’t his big brother.
Lu Zhixing tightened his arms around Xi Yu’s waist. Under Jiang Yunzheng’s pale, devastated gaze, he turned his head and slowly pressed a kiss to Xi Yu’s ear.
Then he repeated himself.
“Hubby, take me home.”
…………………..
Lu Zhixing’s breath brushed against Xi Yu’s ear, making the tip of it burn.
Yu Qian’s smile froze.
The banquet hall had already been quiet, and although Lu Zhixing hadn’t said the two words hubby very loudly, everyone could hear them clearly.
Shen Linchuan raised an eyebrow and looked toward Luo Cheng’an, whose face had turned an ashen green.
Luo Cheng’an let out a breath and, as though he’d decided to stop fighting a losing battle, said to Xi Yu, “Just take him home.”
If they didn’t leave now, he was afraid he might lose control and do something himself.
Xi Yu nodded to him and took Lu Zhixing’s hand.
“I’ll take you home.”
Xi Yu didn’t care what other people thought. The only reason he hadn’t brought Lu Zhixing along in the first place was that his appearance had changed, and he was worried that people seeing him might cause trouble.
But now that things had come to this, and Lu Zhixing had called him hubby in front of everyone, trouble was inevitable.
Even so, Xi Yu wasn’t going to contradict Lu Zhixing at that moment. There was no point, and it was already too late.