Chapter 34: The Spirit Fish Enters the Dream (4)
Bai Chunsheng tried to pull his hand away a couple of times, but Yan Yi remained unmoved.
Yan Yi’s grip was tight. What had started as holding hands somehow turned into a firm clasp. His fingers had opened up, only to be held down again.
Bai Chunsheng had intended to resist, but somehow, his fingers ended up intertwined with Yan Yi’s.
Perhaps it was the season of late autumn, with the clothes being a bit thick, causing the warmth to flush their faces.
Bai Chunsheng felt extremely embarrassed. He kept his eyes fixed on Han Congzhou walking ahead, fearing she might turn around.
Through gritted teeth, he whispered to Yan Yi, “Let go!”
Surrounded by passersby, street vendors selling wontons, talisman papers, and black dog blood, no one was paying attention to them. They were lost in the crowd, their romance just right.
Moreover, Yan Yi glanced at their tightly clasped hands. His gaze moved up to see Bai Chunsheng’s face, flushed with embarrassment.
—And this was after a transformation; who knew how red Bai Chunsheng’s face actually was now.
Yan Yi resolutely refused, “No.”
Bai Chunsheng was anxious, “They’re looking at us!”
“So what if they do? We’re quite impressive,” Yan Yi replied casually.
Bai Chunsheng took a deep breath, nearly gasping for air, and really wanted to pick up Yan Yi’s wooden sword and poke him in the face for being so thick-skinned.
Couldn’t this person feel any embarrassment?
It was pointless to reason with Yan Yi, so Bai Chunsheng had to console himself, telling himself it was alright, that he was Bai Chunqiu now, and nobody here recognized him.
Han Congzhou was in a good mood, having cleared her name and receiving compensation from the Yusheng Sect. She walked along happily, almost wanting to skip and hum a tune.
Tian Nan City, as the largest central city in theShattered Stone Mortal Realm, was far more bustling than the Fuyu Market. Han Congzhou noticed a group of female cultivators in Yusheng Sect robes entering and exiting a rouge shop at the street corner. The young women carried small boxes with a style she hadn’t seen before.
Their faces seemed to be even more vividly rosy than hers.
Han Congzhou suddenly became interested and turned to Bai Chunsheng, saying, “Daoist Bai, Daoist Yan, could you wait for me for a moment? I’d like to go take a look inside, and I’ll be right back.”
Han Congzhou’s sudden turn made Bai Chunsheng’s heart almost leap out of his throat.
Seeing that Han Congzhou didn’t seem to notice his anxiety, Bai Chunsheng let out a sigh of relief, but his heart was soon racing again. He and Yan Yi were standing at the busiest street corner, and Yan Yi was still wearing that ridiculous mask.
It felt like every passerby’s gaze was drifting toward him and Yan Yi.
As if Yan Yi was some kind of fool and Bai Chunsheng was similarly foolish.
Bai Chunsheng’s whole heart was twisted in frustration. What were they looking at? If they kept staring, he’d want to gouge out their eyes!
He couldn’t handle Yan Yi; was he really unable to deal with these minor cultivators?
Perhaps now Bai Chunsheng was like a bird afraid of a cat.
Bai Chunsheng was just about to instinctively chase after and intimidate these people to stop staring at them.
When Yan Yi let go of his hand.
Understanding his Dao companion’s embarrassment and easily blushing face, Yan Yi had initially playfully held his hand, but realized Bai Chunsheng might get upset again.
So he decided to let go.
But this action made Bai Chunsheng feel somewhat puzzled and even a bit insecure.
Damn it, why was this happening?
Yan Yi could hold his hand when he wanted to, and let go when he didn’t. When had Bai Chunsheng become so obedient? How could he let Yan Jingqiu have such control?
This situation shouldn’t be decided by Yan Yi; it should be Bai Chunsheng who called the shots!
Even within a small group of just two people, Bai Chunsheng’s words should carry more weight.
Thinking of this, Bai Chunsheng grew angry.
He took back the hand Yan Yi had released and tightly gripped it again, glaring, “Why did you let go?”
Yan Yi looked surprised, “Aren’t you…?”
Bai Chunsheng’s slender and fair hand, which was equally strong, gave Yan Yi a lot of encouragement. He thought, as expected of the person he liked. Yan Yi always managed to surprise him with unexpected gestures.
Despite being shy, timid, and reserved, Yan Yi could look at him with innocent, moist eyes and say things that made Bai Chunsheng blush.
Just moments ago, he was embarrassed because of Yan Yi’s hand-holding, but now he found the courage to hold Yan Yi’s hand bravely amid the bustling crowd.
Yan Yi felt himself being captivated by Bai Chunsheng.
It was no wonder someone with his personality had once been so mesmerized by Bai Chunsheng—after all, if he was willing to sacrifice his sword to forge a ring for Bai Chunsheng, what else could it be but infatuation?
Yan Yi didn’t say anything more. He responded to his own thoughts with a simple “Hmm,” as if answering his own question.
Then he gently released Bai Chunsheng’s hand and firmly clasped it again, their fingers interlocking tightly.
Bai Chunsheng: “……” He might as well be lifting a stone and smashing it on his own foot.
Standing in the middle of the bustling crowd, Bai Chunsheng felt out of place.
He touched his face again, relieved that it wasn’t his real face.
In the midst of the chaos, he managed to find a bit of joy in the situation.
Before Bai Chunsheng could figure out what was odd, Han Congzhou, in high spirits, emerged from the rouge shop with two carefully selected boxes of rouge.
She noticed the two “brothers” standing at the shop’s entrance. Passersby hesitated as they looked at their interlocked hands and went out of their way to avoid them.
Han Congzhou asked, “What’s going on with you two….”
“It’s cold, and my hands are freezing,” Yan Yi replied candidly.
Bai Chunsheng quickly nodded in agreement, trying to cover up his awkwardness, looking quite guilty.
Seeing Bai Chunsheng’s guilty look made Yan Yi think he was very cute and couldn’t help but laugh.
Bai Chunsheng glared back defiantly!
Yan Yi didn’t care much about other people’s opinions, but seeing Bai Chunsheng actively hold his hand was a significant progress compared to their previous interactions. Even in the past, it must have been a big step forward.
Some things couldn’t be rushed.
Yan Yi thought again, perhaps their relationship had only recently been confirmed before he lost his memory. This might explain Bai Chunsheng’s angry attitude when he first saw him. From Bai Chunsheng’s perspective, it might seem like he had suddenly disappeared one day and then reappeared with a completely new appearance, as if they didn’t know each other well.
This was like a fickle lover in a worldly romance novel!
No wonder Bai Chunsheng was unwilling to speak of their true relationship; it was indeed his own fault.
Yan Yi felt that his reasoning had unveiled the truth of the situation and grew even more sympathetic towards Bai Chunsheng.
Meanwhile, Han Congzhou pondered for a moment and then said, “Oh, I see.”
It made sense now.
As they walked back to the Yusheng Sect, the chatty Han Congzhou fell silent. Curious Bai Chunsheng was now lost in thought, missing the earlier cheerful conversation.
Arriving at the Yusheng Sect’s main gate, Han Congzhou suddenly remembered something. She opened the two boxes of rouge she had just bought, picked out one with a less vivid color, and selected a small box that seemed to be more subtle in hue.
Han Congzhou handed Bai Chunsheng a small box and said, “It’s pretty.”
On the way back, Bai Chunsheng was mostly being dragged along by Yan Yi, feeling a bit dizzy.
He wondered if he was cursed by Bo Yan and had become ill.
He couldn’t keep track of all the people they passed by.
Yan Yi still wouldn’t let go, which was frustrating and maddening. It was infuriating and absurd!
Bai Chunsheng deeply regretted his actions. What was he doing? He should just let Yan Jingqiu do whatever he wanted. He knew that Yan Yi was unpredictable, so why was he acting so foolishly?
His pride had caused him more trouble. Now, not only had he lost his pride, but also his dignity.
Was he just Yan Yi’s little pet?
Not to mention, even a little dog would have its owner lead it!
At that moment, Han Congzhou suddenly handed him a small box of rouge. Bai Chunsheng, still immersed in his sorrow, was somewhat taken aback.
Bai Chunsheng said, “Huh?”
“What huh?” Han Congzhou replied. “I chose this myself. It suits you well because your face looks a bit pale. This is perfect for you.”
Han Congzhou added, “I’ve spoken a lot about other people today, so as a friend of sorts, I should give you something.”
Upon hearing this, Bai Chunsheng immediately thought of his grandmother and Fairy Hongtao from Cuiwei Palace, and instinctively reached for his storage bag.
Han Congzhou stopped him. “This gift isn’t something I’m asking for in return. It’s just a token of my goodwill. If you insist on offering something in return, I won’t be pleased.”
Bai Chunsheng: “…”
He was in a daze and accepted the gift in a state of confusion.
One box of rouge and one box of mountain flower rouge.
Yan Yi sent a voice message: “The color on your face looks much better than this.”
Really colorful, huh?
Bai Chunsheng thought.
Author’s Note: Yan Jingqiu: Warmed my heart.
Bai Chunsheng: Like falling into a cold pit.
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
