They had come in Zhuo Zhongqiu’s car, but when it was time to leave, Jiang Luo asked them to drop him off at the entrance of a deli. He got out and said goodbye to the two.
Zhuo Zhongqiu and Wenren Lian didn’t live in this area. Wenren Lian glanced at his watch and said, “It’s already eight. Aren’t you going home? Not afraid your other half will be mad?”
Jiang Luo replied, “I’m buying something to eat and taking it back. You two go ahead.”
The two of them simply waved and left.
Jiang Luo stood by the roadside, stretched lazily, and slowly walked to the front of the deli to line up.
It was eight at night, right when crowds peaked. There were seven or eight people ahead of Jiang Luo, all sweating from the heat. He took off his outer coat, loosened his tie, and enjoyed the few strands of cool night breeze. It felt a bit more comfortable.
After several minutes, it was finally his turn. The shop owner asked, “What’ll it be?”
Jiang Luo looked down and said, “A pound of honey-glazed pork jerky, one pig trotter, and two pounds of pig head meat.”
The owner weighed them efficiently. “Do you want it sliced and seasoned?”
“Yes,” Jiang Luo said. “Extra spicy.”
The chili oil at this place was excellent—fragrant and fiery. Just one bite of the seasoned deli meat would instantly whet your appetite and make your mouth water. Since moving here, Jiang Luo had grown fond of the flavor.
From behind, someone said, “No spice for him.”
Jiang Luo turned his head to see the malicious ghost standing behind him. He said commandingly, “You’ve got to exercise tonight. No spicy food.”
The shop owner muttered under his breath, puzzled, “What kind of exercise stops you from eating spicy?”
Jiang Luo rolled his eyes. “Boss, ignore him. The one who pays decides.”
Hearing this, the boss promptly added a huge ladle of chili oil. After all the seasoning was added, he quickly finished preparing the deli food, packed it into three bags, and handed them to Jiang Luo.
Jiang Luo paid and took the bags, tossed his coat to Chi You, and as he walked, he couldn’t resist using chopsticks to grab a piece soaked in chili oil and put it in his mouth.
“Hsss… so good,” he hissed, laughing, his lips reddened by the chili oil. “This flavor is amazing.”
Chi You watched him break into a thin sweat from the spice and frowned in disapproval. He asked slowly, “Is it really that good?”
Jiang Luo nodded repeatedly, fanning his mouth. “So spicy.”
Chi You chuckled lightly. “Why not just let it kill you?”
They walked side by side down the street. Under the night sky, the city lights shone brightly. The sounds of the crowd, the scent of street food, and the array of shops created a noisy, lively atmosphere. People bustled about—men, women, young, and old. The two tall, handsome men walking among them drew less attention in the dark and chaos than they would by day. There was a kind of everyday peace in it.
A couple walked past them. Hearing Chi You’s words, the girl glanced back.
The guy asked, “What is it?”
“I thought they were a couple,” the girl whispered. “But who says stuff like that? No couple would. If you dared to say something like ‘why not just let it kill you’ to me, I’d slap you right in the face.”
The guy scratched his head, confused. “Then what should I say when it’s too spicy?”
The girl replied, “Obviously, go get some milk tea first and then comfort me gently. Don’t learn from him. Otherwise, you’ll never find a girlfriend.”
Chi You’s relaxed steps suddenly faltered.
Jiang Luo snorted with laughter, looked at Chi You with glee, and said gleefully, “Mr. Chi, she’s got a point. With your personality, you’re better off single forever. If you did get someone, it’d be pure luck.”
Chi You said, “You’re the one I got.”
Jiang Luo suddenly stepped up onto the sidewalk, leaned closer, his eyes reflecting the teasing lights and moonlight. Grinning, he said, “So shouldn’t you thank the heavens for letting you meet me?”
It was like a fire lit in Chi You’s heart. The corners of his lips lifted, and he changed the subject. “Let me see how spicy the food you bought is.”
Jiang Luo: “Tch.”
He picked through the bag and found the piece drenched in the most chili oil, offering it to Chi You’s lips. The malicious ghost opened his elegant lips and slowly tasted it. But after a few seconds, his chewing slowed, and the casual smile at his lips froze gradually.
Jiang Luo blinked innocently and asked, “How is it? Super spicy? Super satisfying? Delicious? Do you like it? Stimulating?”
The malicious ghost’s lips tightened. He grabbed Jiang Luo’s wrist and dragged him to a cold drink shop. He bought two cups of iced fruit tea.
Jiang Luo tried to hold back his laughter while watching Chi You, expressionless, gulp down half the drink in one go, then turn away and chuckle softly to himself.
Not long ago, they’d bought a 300-square-meter house in the city near the Research Bureau to make Jiang Luo’s work commute easier. It was a two-story villa with front and back gardens—though no pool.
Jiang Luo had drawn the renovation plans himself and even dug a pool in the front yard. They had plenty of money, so renovations were fast. Now they’d already been living there for a few days.
The villa wasn’t far from the deli, so they strolled back home in under half an hour.
Jiang Luo left the half-eaten food on the coffee table, changed into something comfortable, and came back with two bottles of chilled beer from the fridge. He tossed one to Chi You. “Not eating?”
The malicious ghost caught it smoothly, popped it open with his pale fingers, and smiled faintly. “No need.”
Jiang Luo laughed, deliberately leaned over to cover Chi You’s eyes, and brought a piece of pork jerky to his lips. “A real man isn’t afraid of spice.”
Chi You grabbed his wrist and was about to speak, but Jiang Luo suddenly shoved the meat into his mouth.
The malicious ghost’s expression changed immediately. He was about to spit it out but then noticed—it wasn’t spicy at all. He sneered, removing Jiang Luo’s hand.
Jiang Luo’s smiling face hovered in front of him. He said mischievously, “Well? Isn’t this one better?”
Chi You’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. Unexpectedly, he smiled. “It’s really good.”
Jiang Luo immediately became suspicious and backed away two steps. “If it’s good, it’s good. What are you smiling about?”
Chi You just reached for the three food bags with a grin. Black mist swirled around them, and when it dispersed, the food was gone.
Jiang Luo froze, then lunged forward, gripping Chi You’s neck and shouting angrily, “Ahhh, that was my dinner!”
Chi You calmly lifted the young man in his arms. Jiang Luo’s weight seemed to pose no burden—Chi You carried him as if he were light as a feather, heading straight for the bathroom. His arm muscles tensed, and his right hand stroked Jiang Luo’s back. “I heard you met with Feng Li tonight.”
Jiang Luo glared at him. “It was work.”
Chi You’s expression grew thoughtful. “So, you and Feng Li have a working relationship.”
That line of questioning was dangerous.
Jiang Luo’s demeanor changed instantly. He released Chi You’s neck, jumped down from his arms, walked a few steps ahead into the bathroom, and turned to close the door. “Mr. Chi, it’s a professional, mutual-benefit relationship with Feng Li.”
Then, looking at the handsome malicious ghost, his tone suddenly became mocking. “Unlike the relationship between you and Feng Li—nothing respectable about that, huh?”
They were a pair in the original story.
Even if Jiang Luo insisted their relationship was one of control and submission, it didn’t stop him from being annoyed.
During the conversation with Feng Li today, when Feng Li asked how the Fated One had died, Jiang Luo realized Feng Li had been present at the final battle. The only reason Feng Li wouldn’t remember was if the one who killed Ji Yaozi at the Dazhao Temple wasn’t Feng Li at all—but Chi You, controlling him.
But Chi You had never told him that.
Back then, Jiang Luo had naïvely told Chi You that the Fated One hadn’t died at his hands like the prophecy had predicted. Chi You had just smiled silently, offering no explanation.
Ha.
Finishing that cryptic jab that left the malicious ghost bewildered, Jiang Luo slammed the bathroom door shut.
Him and Feng Li?
Chi You frowned deeply.
What kind of relationship would he and Feng Li have?
