Chapter 17.2 Storm
Fan Wujiu quickly changed the subject, “For instance, we have the great Pangu, who separated heaven and earth. In the Bible, it was recorded that the Hebrews have God as the creator of the world. The Greeks have the primordial god Chaos, who birthed the universe…… If these deities were to meet, would they end up fighting to decide who is the true Creator God?”
Xie Bian nodded. “I’m indeed curious about that too. Who would have the higher combat power?”
Fan Wujiu: “……The reason I brought up this example was to say that each world has its own way. There’s no need to get tangled in these things.”
Xie Bian disagreed. “Lao Hei, knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory in every battle. How can we not understand others’ strengths and weaknesses? While the world may be at peace now, who knows when the gods might start a world war?”
Fan Wujiu: “……” Xiao Bai was truly far-sighted.
For the moment, Xie Bian stopped dwelling on the matter. It was getting dark, and they needed to find a place to stay.
Accommodations in the tourist area were very convenient, ranging from private homes costing one or two hundred yuan to star-rated hotels priced in the thousands. For those with money, they could even spend the night on a luxury cruise ship and enjoy the night view over the sea.
Fan Wujiu decisively chose the luxury cruise ship.
Money could buy a comfortable experience. The food on the ship was exquisite, the rooms spacious, and the environment no less impressive than a grand hotel. The price, however, wasn’t any cheaper than a high-end hotel.
Xie Bian walked into the room and immediately went into the bathroom to take a shower.
Fan Wujiu didn’t think much of it. Although a cleaning spell would have sufficed, Xiao Bai was particular about his daily rituals. His lifestyle, though, was no different from that of an ordinary person.
The sound of running water stopped. Xie Bian emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, one hand drying his damp hair with a towel. His long legs stepped out of the bathroom, his body still carrying the fragrance of the shower gel.
Fan Wujiu’s eyes burned as if scalded. He quickly looked away, swallowing hard.
……It was hard to ignore.
This was truly testing his self-control.
“Aren’t you going to shower?” Xie Bian asked.
Fan Wujiu, not daring to look at him, replied, “Uh, I used a cleaning spell earlier, so I don’t need to shower.”
Xie Bian nodded calmly, his tone even. “Well then, everything’s ready, we can proceed.”
Fan Wujiu turned back, confused. “Proceed with what……”
Fan Wujiu: “!!!”
Xie Bian let go of his towel, letting it fall to the floor.
He knelt on the bed with one leg, then came up to Fan Wujiu, and said in the most calm and indifferent tone.
“Make love.”
Fan Wujiu froze, unable to move.
So shocked was he that he even forgot to close his eyes, failing to avert his gaze from what should not be seen.
It wasn’t until Xie Bian leaned over, his lips about to kiss Fan Wujiu’s face, that Fan Wujiu suddenly snapped awake. He quickly pulled the blanket over Xie Bian and moved backward to a safe distance. “Xiao Bai, calm down, put your clothes back on.”
Xie Bian gripped the blanket, his expression darkening. “I’m calm.”
“No, you don’t understand what you’re doing right now.” Fan Wujiu shook his head. “You’re not in your right mind. When you’re clear-headed, we can have a proper conversation……”
“I’m clear-headed. I know exactly what I’m doing.” Xie Bian looked at him, his eyes full of confusion. “But I don’t understand what you’re thinking. Don’t you like me?”
Fan Wujiu was momentarily speechless, then quietly replied, “I like Xiao Bai very much.”
“Then why won’t you accept me?” Xie Bian lowered his gaze. “I’ve made myself clear, and you still push me away?”
Given Xie Bian’s nature, even if he were struck by Cupid’s golden arrow, taking the initiative to do such a thing was already a significant sacrifice of his pride.
If it weren’t for the reassurance from Fan Wujiu’s response, he would never have made such a bold move.
But he was still rejected.
It felt like a blow to his pride.
Why? Lao Hei clearly liked him and even kissed him. Why wouldn’t he be willing to be with him for real?
Fan Wujiu could only say, “Now is not the right time.” He needed to wait until the effects of the arrow wore off. Making any choices before then wouldn’t be fair to Xie Bian.
“Then when is the right time?” Xie Bian’s eyes showed a hint of frustration. “Tell me the answer. Don’t make me guess, don’t make me think about it all the time, don’t make me feel like this……”
His eyes reddened slightly. He didn’t cry, but his shoulders drooped in disappointment. “So scared……”
This small expression of hurt was enough to make Fan Wujiu’s heart ache.
……He thought he had been acting well, but had he only made Xie Bian feel insecure?
He really hadn’t given Xie Bian enough sense of security, nor could he.
Maybe he should just tell the truth, Fan Wujiu thought.
He had rarely seen Xie Bian so vulnerable, and now, he had made him upset.
This fake act, born out of his own selfishness, should come to an end here.
He needed to tell Xie Bian about the golden arrow and leave the decision to him. If Xie Bian learned that his love was only due to the effects of the golden arrow, Xie Bian would calmly end the relationship that never should have started. Then, they would part ways, each finding a place to quietly wait for the effects of the arrow to fade.
This twisted fate would be considered an accident, and they would remain good brothers.
He might never get another chance, but he couldn’t bear to see Xie Bian hurt like this.
Fan Wujiu opened his mouth, his voice hoarse. “Xie Bian, the reason you love me is because you’ve been struck by the golden arrow of love……”
Suddenly, the ship jolted violently, interrupting what Fan Wujiu was about to say.
The shaking was so intense that the furniture in the room shifted, and a vase crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces. The entire space felt like it was turning upside down.
Xie Bian, caught off guard, lost his balance. Instinctively, Fan Wujiu lunged forward, wrapping his arms around him. They tumbled across the floor for a few moments, with Fan Wujiu carefully shielding him in his arms.
Outside the cabin, terrified screams could be heard.
“Oh no! We’ve hit a storm!”
“How could there be a storm? There wasn’t even a wind warning today!”
Both Xie Bian and Fan Wujiu scrambled to their feet, their minds no longer focused on what had just happened. Xie Bian swiftly conjured a set of clothes and changed into them. Together, the two of them navigated the chaotic corridor and eventually reached the deck.
In the distance, two towering waves clashed head-on.
The tourists on board were visibly alarmed. “Those waves are huge!”
Xie Bian and Fan Wujiu furrowed their brows deeply.
The vision and hearing of immortals far surpassed that of mortals, allowing them to see and hear things ordinary people couldn’t.
From their perspective, a dignified and regal goddess stood atop the crest of a wave, shouting in anger. “Poseidon, why have you left the Aegean Sea to intrude upon my Meizhou Bay? Meizhou Bay has been part of China’s territorial waters since ancient times. I will never allow you to set foot in the waters of the East China Sea!”
Xie Bian: “……”
Fan Wujiu: “……”
They hadn’t witnessed a battle between the gods of sun, but today, they had the spectacle of gods of sea in combat.
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