Chapter 45

　　Yu Zhi tapped Luo Tingshi’s forehead. The boy stared back expressionless, his voice slightly cold: “Stop poking me.”

He could really touch him.

Yu Zhi gazed intently, pondering. It seemed that whichever Luo Tingshi it was, he held a special place in his heart.

　　He sighed, circling the young Luo Tingshi twice, scrutinizing the child thoroughly. The boy stood tall and straight, towering over his peers—his mother had certainly not skimped on his nourishment.

　　Yet, the thought of her daily tormenting Luo Tingshi with methods invisible to others made Yu Zhi’s heart feel as if it were being pricked by needles. Sharp pains spread from his chest, traveling along his meridians and burrowing deep into his bones. 

　　“Is that how you spent all those years?”

No wonder he developed such an eccentric disposition.

Yu Zhi placed a hand on Xiao Luotingshi’s shoulder, his expression earnest. “With me here, I won’t let her bully you anymore.”

　　Xiao Luo Tingshi remained silent.

Yu Zhi felt at a loss, unsure how to interact with this child. As he pondered, a sudden voice cut through his thoughts: “Yu Zhi.”

Yu Zhi instinctively replied, “What is it?”

No.

　　Yu Zhi looked up to meet the child’s slightly smug expression.

“It really is you.” Xiao Luo Tingshi crossed his arms, his gaze sliding inch by inch over Yu Zhi’s body, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement. “Even grown up, you’re still a beauty.”

Yu Zhi felt goosebumps rise all over from his stare.

　　Xiao Luo Tingshi chuckled softly, leaning forward abruptly. His aura shifted instantly as he fixed his gaze on Yu Zhi’s eyes and pressed, “You’re looking for me, aren’t you?”

Clearly just a child, yet his presence rivaled an emperor’s. Startled, Yu Zhi retorted, “This is none of your concern.”

　　Little Luo Tingshi smiled delightedly. “It seems I truly will have the Crown Prince of Yu Kingdom in the future.”

Yu Zhi: “…”

After learning of this, Yu Zhi noticed Little Luo Tingshi’s mood had brightened considerably. His face was no longer stern; his eyes and brows always held a hint of a smile.

　　Yu Zhi sighed inwardly.

The young Luo Tingshi had been so pitiful as a child. If bringing him a little comfort meant letting him know, then perhaps it wouldn’t hurt.

Yu Zhi asked curiously, “Why do you like Yu Zhi so much?”

Luo Tingshi had told him his reasons before, but he still found it hard to believe.

　　“Like?” Little Luo Tingshi frowned, unconcerned. “When you see a pretty little thing that suits your fancy, wouldn’t you want to claim it as your own?”

Yu Zhi’s mouth twitched. Why was young Luo Tingshi still so irritating?

He wasn’t going to nitpick with a child.

Hmph.

　　Not going to argue with a child.

Yu Zhi curled his lips, reaching out to pinch the boy’s slightly angular cheeks and rub them hard. He gritted his teeth, “A pretty little thing that suits your fancy, huh?”

Little Luo Tingshi narrowed his eyes coldly, opening his mouth to say something to Yu Zhi. His words were muffled by the rough kneading, but Yu Zhi strained to make them out. He heard him say—

“Since you’re his, I won’t bother with you.”

Yu Zhi’s grip tightened another notch. “Is that so? Then I suppose I owe the Fifth Prince my thanks.”

　　After this venting session, much of the pent-up frustration that had weighed on Yu Zhi’s heart throughout the day dissipated.

He withdrew his slightly sore hand, leaned back against the beauty couch beside him, gently massaging his wrist. Gazing at Luo Tingshi’s familiar features, he murmured, “Luo Tingshi, I missed you so much.”

　　Suddenly, warmth not his own touched his wrist.

Yu Zhi looked down. The child’s hands encircled his right wrist, massaging it in gentle circles.

Little Luo Tingshi lowered his eyes, asking calmly, “Did he abandon you?”

Yu Zhi immediately retorted, “How could that be! He was stabbed in the heart trying to save me. He’s critically injured and still unconscious.”

“Impossible!” Little Luo Tingshi lifted his head abruptly. The strikingly beautiful face before him suddenly filled his vision. He hesitated for a moment, then furrowed his brow. “But if it were you… it wouldn’t be impossible.”

　　Yu Zhi was puzzled.

Luo Tingshi had only known him for a short time—why would he be willing to die for him?

Yu Zhi pressed, “Why?”

Little Luo Tingshi pressed his thin lips together, refusing to answer.

　　The more he remained silent, the more Yu Zhi craved the answer. Yu Zhi deliberately prodded, “I know the answer even if you don’t say it. You admire Yu Zhi, don’t you?”

The young Luo Tingshi shook his head.

Yu Zhi raised an eyebrow. “Then why? Aren’t you obsessed with power? Why is he so special to you?”

　　Xiao Luo Tingshi’s dark eyes flickered slightly. His gaze swept over Yu Zhi’s eyes before he slowly turned away, leaning against the beauty couch and curling his right leg as he sat down. His eyes pierced through the dust dancing in the golden light beams, settling on the distant green mountains.

His gaze was desolate and hollow.

　　Yu Zhi was stunned by those eyes. He had never seen such a look in a child before.

Xiao Luo Tingshi spoke slowly: “Ever since I can remember, everything before my eyes has been a hazy gray. Everyone’s faces twisted into grotesque expressions as they rushed toward that throne. The entire palace was nothing but gray and red—blood-soaked red.”

　　A bitter, indescribable emotion suddenly welled up in Yu Zhi’s nose. He called softly, “Luo Tingshi…”

“Yu Zhi, you are the only color in my eyes.”

　　Xiao Luo Tingshi paused for a moment, staring down at his own hands, a hint of melancholy creasing his brow. “More than the empire, what I truly desire is… that splash of color. To keep him, I believe I could do anything.”

This answer weighed heavily.

　　Yu Zhi felt a tightness in his chest, struggling to breathe. He leaned forward and embraced the young Luo Tingshi, his eyes brimming with tenderness.

The child stiffened slightly, glancing at him uneasily. “Are you feeling sorry for him?”

Yu Zhi sighed softly. “I feel sorry for him, and I feel sorry for you.”

　　The child snorted coldly, struggling free. “When are you leaving?”

Yu Zhi: “Once I find him.”

Child: “What if you don’t find him?”

Yu Zhi’s gaze hardened: “I will. I can sense his presence. Just now, I detected his aura fluctuations. He’s here.”

　　Little Luo Tingshi scoffed, hands behind his head, and drawled, “Then go find him.”

–

For some reason, though he sensed Luo Tingshi’s presence, Yu Zhi couldn’t locate him anywhere.

　　No one could see him. Yu Zhi wandered through the palace, turning the entire Sheng Kingdom’s imperial palace upside down, yet he didn’t even catch a glimpse of Luo Tingshi.

Dejected, Yu Zhi kicked pebbles on the ground. Passing by the Wangyan Pavilion, he stopped.

　　Gazing at the misty water surface, Yu Zhi curved his lips.

This was where his entanglement with Luo Tingshi began—it was here he had fallen into Luo Tingshi’s embrace…

Yu Zhi scanned the trees and grass here with nostalgia. Suddenly, that familiar aura fluctuation appeared again.

　　It emanated from the northwest corner.

Yu Zhi immediately set off, hurrying toward that direction, finally stopping at…

Changning Palace?

Wasn’t this where Luo Tingshi and his mother resided? Don’t tell him that aura was coming from little Luo Tingshi.

　　Yu Zhi stepped through the palace doors and froze.

Luo Tingshi’s mother was burning something inside. Yellow talismans were stuck to the child’s forehead and shoulders. The woman sneered, “I’ll reduce you to ashes!”

Little Luo Tingshi stared at Yu Zhi through the talismans and shouted, “Don’t come any closer!”

　　Yu Zhi was utterly speechless. He wasn’t a real ghost—what was there to fear from talismans?

With light steps, Yu Zhi approached the young Luo Tingshi. With a sharp ripping sound, he tore off the talismans. His eyes darted, and he suddenly pressed his hand against the woman’s forehead.

　　Luo Tingshi’s mother screamed, her face drained of color. She scrambled out of the hall, disappearing from sight.

Yu Zhi bent over laughing.

After a moment, he turned and pulled the child up from where he knelt, his expression serious. “Was she trying to bully you again?”

　　The child nodded. “You scared her away.”

“She probably won’t dare come back now,” Yu Zhi pinched the child’s cheek, a faint smile playing at his lips. “You’re safe for the time being.”

　　The child circled Yu Zhi, eyes brimming with confusion. “Why aren’t you affected? Aren’t you afraid of talismans?”

Yu Zhi couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “I’m not a ghost.”

With this distraction, the aura Yu Zhi had sensed earlier vanished once more.

He stared at the child before him, lost in thought.

–

　　Xiao Luo Tingshi’s days were monotonous and tedious. Each day consisted of reading, writing, and… sketching small portraits of Yu Zhi.

The more he drew, the more vividly those tearful eyes came to life.

　　Yu Zhi stroked his chin, studying the tear-filled eyes in the portrait. Truth be told, they were quite pitiful, making one want to protect their owner.

Little Luo Tingshi glanced at the pair of eyes before him, identical to those in the painting. His dark eyes darkened slightly. “Cry for me, then.”

　　Yu Zhi: “?”

He almost doubted his own ears.

Xiao Luo Tingshi’s eyes drooped. “When I was very young, she always beat me. I was covered in bruises back then. When people asked, she’d say I hurt myself being naughty. After half a year of that, she found a better method—using needles. The wounds were too small for anyone to see. The first time she was pricked with needles, it hurt terribly…”

…A ploy to feign suffering.

Yu Zhi knew the child was doing this deliberately, yet he still fell into his trap, his eyes reddening as he pressed his lips tightly together.

　　He had witnessed Luo Ting’s mother employ such methods firsthand—the child being frantically pricked with silver needles by his own mother. Every time he recalled that scene, Yu Zhi felt a pain so sharp it nearly suffocated him.

The child tugged at his sleeve, looking up at him with a pout. “Xiao Yu, it hurts.”

　　It was as if the man were pouring out his own agony to him.

Yu Zhi could hold back no longer.

Large tears fell from his eyes as his voice cracked, “Luo Tingshi, how did you endure such suffering as a child?”

　　The child’s dark eyes brightened. He reached out to catch Yu Zhi’s tears, gazing at him with adoration. “So beautiful. You cry just as beautifully as you did when you were a child.”

Yu Zhi’s round eyes widened slightly, tears glistening within them. “Luo Tingshi, you bastard.”

　　-

After Yu Zhi began accompanying the young Luo Tingshi, he never saw the boy’s mother again. Their days passed quietly and uneventfully.

The child occasionally teased him. Yu Zhi, relying on his adult strength, would pin the boy down and rough him up in retaliation.

　　Their coexistence remained reasonably harmonious.

Yet as days passed, Yu Zhi still hadn’t found Luo Tingshi.

His restlessness grew ever more intense.

Even in sleep, he murmured: “Luo Tingshi, where are you? I miss you…”

　　Little Luo Tingshi happened to pass by and caught his name. His ears twitched slightly as he drew nearer. Hearing Yu Zhi’s low murmurs, Little Luo Tingshi’s expression sharpened, his dark eyes deepening.

　　Tiptoeing to the edge of the bed, Little Luo Tingshi stared intently at Yu Zhi for a long moment before picking up the outer robe nearby and gently draping it over him.

　　His palm slid down Yu Zhi’s smooth neck hair, as if grooming a kitten.

When his fingers reached the protruding butterfly bone, Xiao Luo Tingshi’s hand froze. He instantly withdrew it, staring blankly at his own hand.

What was he doing?

　　“Luo Tingshi, Luo Tingshi…”

The sleeping figure continued to call his name.

Knowing full well it wasn’t him, a surge of joy still welled up in Xiao Luo Tingshi’s heart. He gazed at the person for a long time, his eyes fixed on the thin eyelids that fluttered slightly before slowly opening.

　　Their eyes met. Those round eyes curved into a smile as he exclaimed, “Luo Tingshi, what are you doing here?”

Freshly awakened, Yu Zhi’s voice was soft and husky. To Luo Tingshi’s ears, it sounded like a kitten stretching lazily in the spring sunshine. The kitten’s paw brushed against his heartstrings. Luo Tingshi cleared his throat as his heart began to race.

“Xiao Yu…”

Yu Zhi sighed softly, “Don’t call me Xiao Yu. It makes me think you’re him.”

“Xiao Yu.”

　　Yu Zhi looked up. “I told you… Luo Tingshi?”

The familiar affection surged in the child’s eyes before him, startling Yu Zhi. His voice went hoarse as he asked, “Is it you?”

Little Luo Tingshi smiled faintly. “Xiao Yu, I’m still waiting to marry you.”

　　Yu Zhi was instantly overwhelmed by wild joy. He lunged forward to embrace Luo Tingshi, only to grasp at thin air. Startled and bewildered, a flash of white light blinded him momentarily. Squinting, he saw the man’s arm before him.

　　A warm touch on his head made Yu Zhi look up. Luo Tingshi was smiling as he ruffled his hair.

Forgetting to ask about the dream, Yu Zhi propped himself up on one elbow. His gaze swept over Luo Tingshi’s face and settled on his chest. “You look much better. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Does the wound hurt? Is there anything I can do for you?”

The barrage of questions flooded Luo Tingshi’s ears. The smile in his eyes deepened as he pressed Yu Zhi back down. “I woke up a little before you did. They told me we were unconscious for ten whole days. Practitioners of martial arts have strong constitutions. After ten days, my injuries have healed considerably, though I must avoid strenuous activity and remain bedridden for rest.”

Ten days? In the dream, it felt like a month.

Yu Zhi hesitated. “Luo Tingshi, that dream?”

Luo Tingshi spoke gently, “I was there too.”

　　Yu Zhi: “Was it a dream?”

Luo Tingshi shook his head and sighed, “We returned to my past. Only now do I understand what truly happened during that blank month when I was nine.”

　　Yu Zhi furrowed his brow. “You don’t remember?”

　　Yu Zhi asked, “Does your mother not remember either?”

Luo Tingshi nodded.

A shadow of disappointment crossed Yu Zhi’s eyes as he sighed, “I thought I could have spared you some of that pain.”

　　A warm, large hand lingered beside Yu Zhi’s face, knuckles gently brushing the corner of his eye. Luo Tingshi smiled softly, “Xiao Yu was already quite remarkable. At least I didn’t suffer during that month. Not long after, she passed away too.”

　　Luo Tingshi’s tone was matter-of-fact, making Yu Zhi feel even more heartbroken for him. He pressed against his palm, silently comforting him.

The two embraced, radiating tender affection.

After a moment, Yu Zhi lifted his head and voiced his lingering question: “When exactly did you go?”

　　Luo Tingshi: “It was me from the very beginning. Only back then, I’d lost all memories after age nine and mistakenly believed I was the nine-year-old Luo Tingshi.”

“I see.”

Yu Zhi tilted his head to wrap his arms around Luo Tingshi’s neck, burying his face in the crook of his neck as he murmured hoarsely: You scared the life out of me. Without you, I wouldn’t know how to go on.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Luo Tingshi lowered his head to kiss Yu Zhi’s forehead, his voice slightly deepening. “The King of Hell wouldn’t dare take my life. Even if he did, I’d crawl back from the underworld to find you.”

　　Yu Zhi couldn’t help but laugh. “That sounds creepy.”

Luo Tingshi tightened his arms around Yu Zhi, offering no reply.

“Luo Tingshi, you’re picking on me again,” Yu Zhi began digging up old grievances. “You made me cry on purpose in my dream, and you’re always teasing me.”

　　Luo Tingshi: “…It was my fault. I didn’t remember back then.”

Yu Zhi smiled as he pressed his lips to Luo Tingshi’s and kissed him. “It’s fine. I forgive you. After all, you are my… husband, aren’t you?”

Luo Tingshi’s dark eyes suddenly darkened. “Xiao Yu!”

　　Yu Zhi hurriedly held him down. “Don’t move about recklessly. You must rest quietly. Only after you’ve recovered can your heart’s desire be fulfilled.”

　　Luo Tingshi chuckled softly: “Xiao Yu, you said it yourself…”

–

Changning Palace.

Nine-year-old Luo Tingshi stood frozen in place, staring intently at the beauty bed before him. Something felt missing.

What was missing?

A person, perhaps? That woman?

　　No, not her. It was…

He couldn’t recall. His chest felt hollow, as if he’d lost something precious.

Luo Tingshi walked to the desk and picked up the brush as if by habit.

He dipped it in ink and began to paint, his strokes flowing in one continuous motion.

　　When that pair of tear-filled eyes appeared before Luo Tingshi, the missing piece of his heart suddenly filled.

Luo Tingshi’s eyelids lowered, his eyes flashing with a chilling glare.

Yu Zhi, I will have you.