He had deceived Lanxing for hundreds of thousands of years.
“As long as it’s you, I’ll like you no matter what.” Xiyu kissed Lu Zhixing between the eyebrows and helped him get up.
Lu Zhixing brushed past Luo Cheng’an’s shoulder and followed closely behind Xiyu. After they left the room, he suddenly said, “I like this face better, Big Brother. From now on, let me stay by your side with this face.”
Xiyu froze for a moment, looking a little hesitant. However, Lu Zhixing no longer seemed noticeably different from before. Apart from having no memories, he could be quite intimidating when he kept a straight face.
“Sure. Whatever you say,” Xiyu replied.
Lu Zhixing pressed his lips together and smiled sweetly.
Xiyu had grown accustomed to seeing Zhixu’s face for so long that he still found it a little strange to see Lu Zhixing’s face again.
Hearing Lu Zhixing call Xiyu Big Brother made Luo Cheng’an’s teeth ache. Even though he already knew that ‘Lu Zhixing’ was older than Xiyu, he still kept calling him Big Brother, Big Brother.
You shameless little green-tea schemer.
*
Jiang Yunzheng was rather nervous about visiting the Luo family this time. He was nothing like his usual familiar self. Jiang Xuewei, on the other hand, was much more at ease, repeatedly calling Shen Qing and Jiang Shuhe “Uncle” and “Auntie” until both women were laughing happily.
Even though Jiang Shuhe and Lu Zheng could see what Jiang Yunzheng was thinking, neither of them would hold it against a younger person.
Jiang Yunzheng kept glancing toward the staircase, his expression somewhat dazed.
He had never imagined that he would get to sit here again in this lifetime, especially when Xiyu himself had called to invite him over. It all felt like a dream.
Xiyu himself hadn’t expected things to turn out this way, either. On the day he had intended to sacrifice Zhixu in the execution formation, he had already prepared himself to die.
Yet, against all odds, he had found a way out of a desperate situation. Now, he had merely lost some of his cultivation, while Zhixu’s soul had been damaged. All things considered, this was the best possible outcome.
………………….
The incident in which Lu Zhixing had tried to kill Jiang Yunzheng had left such a profound impression on Xiyu that, before inviting Jiang Yunzheng over, he had actually asked Lu Zhixing for permission.
He had told him that a friend was coming to visit and asked whether he minded.
From Xiyu’s slightly unnatural tone, Lu Zhixing could tell that this ‘friend’ was someone rather unusual.
Perhaps he and this friend had some kind of history, some past grievance. But Xiyu had only said that there had been a misunderstanding.
A misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding?
When Lu Zhixing saw Jiang Yunzheng, his gaze turned cold almost involuntarily.
It was the man who had stood beside Xiyu at the banquet.
The man who had looked utterly devastated when he saw Xiyu holding Lu Zhixing in his arms.
Lu Zhixing could vaguely guess what kind of misunderstanding it was.
He barely needed to think about it. Even without his memories, he could imagine that his former self would never have been able to tolerate having someone who loved Xiyu constantly hanging around him.
“Xiyu.” Jiang Yunzheng rose from the sofa. Then he greeted Lu Zhixing as well. “Mr. Lu.”
Xiyu. Mr. Lu.
Lu Zhixing sneered inwardly. Just look at the difference.
Jiang Xuewei greeted them with a smile, too. She even tugged at Jiang Yunzheng’s sleeve, reminding him not to make a fool of himself.
Luo Cheng’an followed behind the siblings, saying relatively little.
In the past, Jiang Xuewei had loved talking to Luo Cheng’an whenever she visited the Luo family. The two of them could keep a conversation going effortlessly and liven up the whole gathering. Jiang Yunzheng had once been just as lively as his sister, but ever since moving away, it was as though he had left his soul behind here.
My brother’s brain is completely broken, Jiang Xuewei thought.
Still, she could see the situation clearly. Although Shen Qing had previously said that Lu Zhixing and Xiyu had publicly announced their relationship to quell the rumors, her brother had absolutely no chance.
That was simply the truth.
Jiang Xuewei cared more about her family and career than romantic love. She couldn’t truly put herself in her brother’s shoes, and she didn’t really know how to comfort him.
After greeting Xiyu, Jiang Xuewei cheerfully turned to Luo Cheng’an and started chatting with him.
“Brother Cheng’an, I saw the leaked scenes from your new drama! They’re amazing! Your fans are all saying you’re literally the Heavenly Emperor himself!”
Xiyu looked at Luo Cheng’an teasingly. “Really? You’re that impressive?”
Luo Cheng’an’s miserable experience after the variety show had earned him a huge wave of new fans. Apart from the fans shipping Xiyu and Lu Zhixing as a couple, Luo Cheng’an had gained more followers than anyone else.
He had disappeared from the public eye for a while, and his fans had assumed that he had been too badly affected by recent events and planned to retire from the entertainment industry, just like Lu Zhixing.
But unexpectedly, he had accepted a role in a xianxia drama not long ago.
And it wasn’t just any xianxia drama. It was a danmei series, and its announcement had caused quite a stir in the entertainment industry. It had remained on the trending searches for several days.
Although same-sex marriage was already legal, censorship for on-screen content remained comparatively strict, and many actors were reluctant to take on such roles.
Luo Cheng’an’s decision to star in a xianxia drama of this kind had taken practically everyone by surprise.
Almost all his co-stars were newcomers. The director was notoriously picky about casting, so the fact that Luo Cheng’an had been invited despite his acting skills was enough to make people’s jaws drop.
Xiyu, however, thought the director had an excellent eye. Luo Cheng’an was practically playing himself.
Luo Cheng’an sat there with an air of aloof superiority.
“I’m returning to the entertainment industry. This time, I’m taking back everything that belongs to me.”
Shen Qing’s mouth twitched, but she held her tongue this time.
Although Luo Cheng’an’s drama hadn’t aired yet, several leaked behind-the-scenes shots had already been trending.
One particular battle-worn look had caused a sensation. Even Xiyu, who paid little attention to the entertainment industry, had seen it.
Whatever else one might say, in that single clip, Luo Cheng’an wore white robes stained with blood. He gripped a male actor who was kneeling at his feet, his eyes filled with an intertwining mixture of hatred and pain. He could draw viewers into the scene emotionally almost instantly.
Shen Qing felt that her son had suddenly become quite impressive.
“Brother Cheng’an, could you give me an autograph?” Jiang Xuewei asked.
She pulled a postcard out of her handbag, making no attempt to hide the fact that she had come prepared. She grinned mischievously.
Luo Cheng’an took the postcard, swiftly scribbled his signature on it, and handed it back to her.
Once the chef had finished preparing the meal, Xiyu instinctively took Lu Zhixing’s hand and led him to the dining table.
“Auntie Qing, your family’s chef is seriously amazing! Everything tastes so good!”
None of the older generation present had daughters, and Jiang Xuewei was especially endearing. It was difficult not to like her.
Shen Qing chuckled and encouraged her to eat more.
“By the way, where’s the pretty younger cousin today?” Jiang Xuewei asked. “Has he gone home?”
Luo Yuan blurted out before his brain could catch up with his mouth.
“What younger cousin?”
Xiyu’s expression changed. He was just about to speak when Lu Zhixing smiled and answered first.
“I sent him home. Otherwise, I might have gotten jealous.”
As Lu Zhixing spoke, his smile was as gentle as a breeze, carrying just a hint of playful teasing. There wasn’t the slightest thing anyone could find fault with.
Xiyu turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Under the table, Lu Zhixing squeezed his hand.
Jiang Shuhe and Lu Zheng said nothing. Shen Qing thought about it briefly and immediately understood what Lu Zhixing meant by ‘younger cousin.’
Jiang Shuhe was actually quite happy to be back this time. Her son was recovering well. Apart from his missing memories, he was no longer a little fool. Following Lu Zhixing’s lead, she teased him.
“You jealous little thing. Once you two get married, people will be calling you their cousin-in-law!”
Clatter!
A spoon struck the clear chicken soup, splashing it in every direction.
Jiang Yunzheng’s face had gone pale. He hurriedly apologized.
“Sorry. My hand slipped.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Luo Yuan waved it off unconcernedly.
A servant came over and replaced Jiang Yunzheng’s cutlery.
Jiang Xuewei’s expression stiffened slightly, and she stared at them in astonishment.
“Brother Xiyu and Brother Lu…”
She had only casually asked about the younger cousin. She had believed Xiyu when he said the person was his cousin. That beautiful face had left a deep impression on her, but she had never expected her innocent question to uncover such a huge revelation.
Weren’t they a fake couple?!
Weren’t they just doing it to silence the rumors?!
Jiang Xuewei was surprised, yet at the same time, she felt that perhaps this was how things were always meant to be.
She looked toward Jiang Yunzheng, whose face was deathly pale.
Jiang Xuewei sighed inwardly.
Jiang Shuhe had deliberately made that remark to some extent. Her son had lost his memories, and as his mother, she naturally wanted to clear away any potential obstacles he might encounter in the future.
Shen Qing smiled.
“You two aren’t outsiders, so we won’t keep it from you. The wedding date has already been set. It’ll be early next spring.”
Shen Qing naturally understood Jiang Shuhe’s intentions. But Lu Zhixing had ended up in his current state because of Xiyu, and he was also her own daughter-in-law. Although she liked both of the Jiang siblings, a person would always have their own loyalties.
“Congratulations,” Jiang Yunzheng said.
There was a wistful note in his voice, as though something had finally been settled and put to rest.
Xiyu smiled. “Thank you.”
Jiang Xuewei joked, “Uncle Luo said before that you were only pretending to be together to suppress the rumors. So he was just fooling me! Was he afraid I couldn’t keep a secret?”
Ever since Luo Yuan had learned that Lu Zhixing was going to be his daughter-in-law and that Xiyu was entirely willing to marry him, he had stopped having any reservations about their marriage.
He waved his hand.
“At the time, it really was fake. I wasn’t fooling you.”
Xiyu nodded as well and was just about to speak when the doorbell rang.
Luo Cheng’an had no interest in listening to any more talk about the wedding. He waved the servants away, stood up, and went to open the door himself.
Xiyu was drinking his soup when he heard Luo Cheng’an roar:
“Who the fuck told you to come here? Get out!”
…………………..
Luo Cheng’an’s voice was filled with barely restrained fury, his hostility laid bare in the most direct way possible.
Xiyu’s eyebrows twitched.
Luo Cheng’an almost never spoke so harshly in front of a crowd. Who could have provoked him into such a reaction?
A name suddenly surfaced in Xiyu’s mind—the name that had made Luo Cheng’an frown the moment he heard it at the banquet.
Shen Tan.
Xiyu stood up, wanting to see what was going on. Lu Zhixing caught hold of his hand, looking as though he had been frightened. His dark, lustrous eyes were filled with confusion and unease.
Xiyu’s heart softened immediately. He gently rubbed his thumb across Lu Zhixing’s cheek.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Lu Zheng had also been drawn toward the commotion at the door. Before he could get up, he heard Xiyu say those words.
He glanced thoughtfully at Lu Zhixing, who was clinging to Xiyu with unmistakable dependence.
Just moments earlier, Lu Zhixing had been chatting and laughing at the dining table, handling himself with effortless ease. There had been nothing about him to suggest the childlike state he had been in not long ago.
Jiang Yunzheng and Jiang Xuewei were the best proof of that. Neither of them had noticed anything unusual.
Yet now, with Lu Zhixing holding Xiyu’s hand, he seemed to have reverted to the little simpleton he had been a while ago.
Lu Zheng studied Lu Zhixing for a couple of moments, then slowly broke into a smile.
Shen Qing and Luo Yuan had already risen to their feet. Lu Zhixing followed closely behind Xiyu.
Everyone else—whether Jiang Shuhe and Lu Zheng, or Jiang Yunzheng and Jiang Xuewei—was a guest in the house.