Translated by Eve
Edited by Kara
Zhao Xihe naturally perceived Bai and Lei’s approach. To be precise, his dance wasn’t just for Sui Yuan but also to make his position clear to his rivals-in-love. I am pursuing him. I am currently wooing him. Do you have the ability to beat me up, ah?!
Therefore, Bai came to beat him up. After living in the beast world for so long, Bai had gotten used to the simple, frank way of the beasts. Whoever was the strongest would have their way, regardless if it was food or mates.
Under normal circumstances, the original big bird could not beat Bai, who was enveloped in a protagonist halo. Unfortunately, Zhao Xihe could easily subvert this point. With the advantage of being airborne, Zhao Xihe had the pitiful protagonist shou going in circles as if he was just playing with the other. At this moment, Lei, who had been watching things, noiselessly crawled up the side of a short tree and then leapt, pouncing on Zhao Xihe from behind.
The beasts had never had the concept of fighting one-on-one. So long as they could win, who cared what method they used, ne? Although Lei and Bai were not on friendly terms, they had interacted with each other for a long time now, and the link between them was rather deep. "Brothers may quarrel, but they would stand united if an outsider came to bully them." When Zhao Xihe, this outside concern, had appeared, the internal conflict between them was temporarily set aside. They would first push out this rival before revisiting that.
Unfortunately, while Lei’s idea was not bad, Zhao Xihe’s immeasurable accumulation of battle experience was nothing to trifle with. He had been watching Lei’s every movement secretly. He had even seamlessly adjusted his body’s angle. When he heard the sound of wind shifting behind him, Zhao Xihe suddenly dodged to the side, directly sending Bai, who had leapt in the air towards him, involuntarily flying towards Lei.
The two beasts were instantly struck dumb. They did their best to twist their bodies, wanting to dodge each other, but because it was too sudden, they still ended up knocking against each other. They fell to the ground, rolling on the ground in a ball. Zhao Xihe, who was watching this scene, emitted a clear, ear-piercing cry. To Bai and Lei, it sounded like nothing other than ridicule. Bai slightly narrowed his eyes. He turned into the human form he was more used to, and Lei extended his neck, gaze becoming even more focused and cautious.
Sui Yuan silently turned away, ignoring the flying bird and jumping dogs, and yawned, lazy. Meanwhile, the Crystal Beast hopped over to Sui Yuan’s side in a few steps and curled up against him.
Under the shade, one big and one small gray ball stuck closely together, sleeping soundly. The other three people, who had originally been "happily messing around," saw this scene and couldn’t help but calm down. They silently exchanged gazes and then dispersed, going to rest in different locations that were not far from Sui Yuan.
Their boss was hanging around someone else’s territory with the purpose of courting a mate. So, naturally, Zhao Xihe’s flock gradually came over. Because of Zhao Xihe’s existence, the beasts very happily accepted these winged "neighbours" and did not fight with them. Only, the difference between the birds and the beasts was too large, so they didn’t mix together.
The beasts protected the birds, and the birds acted as scouts for the beasts, acting as sentinels, and helped locate prey. Both sides cooperated and benefited from this arrangement. A period of time passed by as they interacted happily.
Since he couldn’t find a way to "off himself," and he didn’t want to accept such a heavy-taste setting such as man x beast or bird x beast, Sui Yuan, Zhao Xihe, Bai, and Lei’s relationship unexpectedly reached a deadlock in this way.
When Zhao Xihe was not around, Bai and Lei would compete between themselves. When Zhao Xihe was around, he would fight two against one without feeling any pressure. Aside from the fact that they had to fight in order to vent during their mating periods, nothing really changed. Bai thought that as a "human," he would not hold any interests towards any beasts that weren’t Sui Yuan. However, Lei didn’t know why he also persisted like this. It was probably because things that one could not get were the best. The original Lei had no interest in the female beasts’ offers to copulate. Rather than mate with beasts he had no interest in, he would much prefer to fight, which made his blood boil. Of course, the rewards that came from fighting also made him drool.
Following the stabilization of their lives and the expansion of their territory, the new pups became greater in number. Amongst them appeared quite a few variant types. The frequency of variant types amongst the hybrids was also higher than the non-hybrids.
Originally, variant types would not live long because of discrimination and the nasty environment. However, things were not the same now. Not only could they survive, but they also could live very well.
The maturation of variant types aided the development of the pack greatly. These smart and nimble variant types followed after Bai, Lei, and Zhao Xihe like sponges, absorbing their knowledge. That was until Sui Yuan grew old and stepped down as Chief. At this time, a primitive village had already formed for quite a long time in the prairies.
Bai knelt on the ground and used a comb to brush through Sui Yuan’s fur. Meanwhile, Sui Yuan’s head was pillowed on Zhao Xihe’s thigh. He was sleepy.
Bai knew that the lifespans of variant types were longer than those of natural types. He had stopped in the prime of his life, but Sui Yuan’s condition had begun to slide downhill. Even Xiao Hei, who had grown up with them, had already left this world.
Now, Sui Yuan was still a partner to Bai. Although he was not his lover, he was family. Bai’s feelings towards Sui Yuan had never been intense and hot. It was more like a thin stream that had gradually accumulated. He was already assimilated into this world and did not feel lonely anymore. However, Sui Yuan was still an unparalleled existence in his eyes.
After getting rejected time and time again, Zhao Xihe, who was forced to suppress his desires once more, was getting increasingly discontented with Sui Yuan’s gentle treatment of the protagonist shou. When he saw how Bai got increasingly sticky with his beloved as Sui Yuan reached the end of his life, he looked at several giggling, young, female variants, hinting, "What, there are so many variant types here. None of them suit your fancy?"
Bai smiled a smile that was not a smile as he glanced at Zhao Xihe. He naturally knew what the other was scheming, "Don’t talk nonsense. I’ve watched these variant types grow up. They are like my children. How could I have such a thought?"
Zhao Xihe raised the corner of his lips, "...Hehe."
Bai："...................................."
——In his previous world, behind every "hehe" was an implied "f*ck you." There shouldn’t be such a phrase in this world, ba? However, why did he feel like Zhao Xihe’s tone was a bit off?
In the end, Sui Yuan chose to die of old age in this world. When he was sending him off, although Bai’s eyes were red, his expression remained very calm. He had long since prepared for this day, so even though he was sad, he was not in pain. Meanwhile, Lei stood by his side. His expression was also calm. He didn’t know how many comrades he had sent off. Sui Yuan was but one of many.
As for Zhao Xihe, he also did not lose control of himself. Actually, he was just itching to leave this damned world and finally begin a new "beautiful and happy" journey.
Bai placed a last kiss on Sui Yuan’s forehead, peacefully accompanying the other as he stopped breathing.
After confirming that Sui Yuan had left, Zhao Xihe stood up, turning his body with a desire to leave. Bai raised his red eyes, his voice rather hoarse, "Where are you going?"
"Since he’s no longer here, I have no reason to stay here. I...plan on travelling around," Zhao Xihe lowered his head to look at Bai. In the end, he decided to be tactful.
Bai was not surprised, because he had also thought of this. Only, in the end, he was stopped by his pack.
"You’re not going to watch his burial?" Bai carried Sui Yuan’s still warm body and asked quietly.
Zhao Xihe shook his head, "There’s no point."
"...That’s true. You guys don’t have this tradition," Bai nodded, watching Zhao Xihe spread his wings. He didn’t say his last question out loud.
——Will we see each other again?
A voice inside of him clearly answered him: No.
After sending Sui Yuan and Zhao Xihe away, Bai’s days remained the same. It was just that there was no longer a gray silhouette by his side, which always made him feel rather empty.
Lei was never one to stay idle. He very quickly took a group of strong male beasts with him and began to expand their territory. Meanwhile, Bai stayed within the tribe, leading the tribe’s development. One focused on culture while the other on might. They cooperated closely. Although they never developed any feelings for each other because of Sui Yuan’s involvement, they became mutually trusting comrades that fought shoulder-to-shoulder, right until they entered their old age together. They both handed their positions to someone younger but continued to accompany each other as before.
Meanwhile, Sui Yuan and Zhao Xihe had been thrown into another world they had to tie up by the Origin.
"You—why is it you guys again?! Didn’t you already leave?!" Sensing that there was a peculiarity, the Manor Owner, who had come over to check it out, acted like he had seen a ghost —although he himself was a ghost. He stared at Sui Yuan and Zhao Xihe, who were floating in midair, his own face "turning white."
Sui Yuan glanced at him a bit apologetically. Meanwhile, Zhao Xihe beamed at the other while greeting him. Clearly, his mood wasn’t bad, "Hey, how are you? We’ve come to bother you again~"
"What’s your mission this time? Don’t tell me your target is in my manor again?!" The Manor Owner wanted to kneel, "Don’t joke with me! I’ve already prohibited strangers from entering for a long time!"
——It was precisely because he would provoke certain people into coming that he had been on his best behaviour for a long period of time. Did they have to be so cruel, ah!?
"We have no choice. This time isn’t because of you. It is the other party who has taken the initiative to come provoke you," Zhao Xihe spread out his hands, gazing at the Manor Owner with sympathy.
The Manor Owner was startled, "Who dares?"
"You definitely know them. Yang Yue and Ming Hai," Zhao Xihe replied very straightforwardly.
"W-Wait a minute. Why do they want to come here? Didn’t they escape ’with much difficulty?!’" The words "with much difficulty" were squeezed through gritted teeth by the Manor Owner. "It was easier to invite the devil in than it was to send him away." Heaven knew how much effort he had spent back then chasing those two fellows away unharmed while also making sure they had not noticed that something was off!
"Because, they want to save him," Zhao Xihe pointed at Sui Yuan, tone very helpless, "Their consciences won’t allow them to leave him, their cowardly and weak friend, here in a place surrounded by inhumane ghosts."
Sui Yuan, donning an innocent expression: ".........................................."
The "inhumane" Manor Owner, who wanted to weep from pain："...................................."
Even if the Manor Owner didn’t want to let Sui Yuan and Zhao Xihe occupy his home, the powerless him could only helplessly accept this bitter reality and silently hand the authority of the entire manor over.
After quickly arranging all of the ghosts in the manor, Sui Yuan and Zhao Xihe, who had put everything in order, peacefully waited for the protagonist gong and shou of this world to pay a visit. The time the Origin gave them had been just right as they didn’t need to wait too long.
This manor was situated where the world of the living and the world of the dead intersected. The Manor Owner had used his own powers before to break apart the barrier between the worlds, causing living people to enter by mistake. Likewise, Yang Yue and Ming Hai could also use the same method.
When the barrier was attacked, the entire manor began to shake violently. Zhao Xihe did not resist and even opened the manor’s door in cooperation.
When Ming Hai and Yang Yue carefully entered the manor with nervous minds, what waited for them was a gorgeously lit, sumptuous hall as well as delicious food that had been cooked a while ago.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xihe, donning his butler uniform, stood in the center of the hall and bowed to them with a smile, tone playful, "Welcome to our honourable...guests...who have chosen to grace us with their presence once more."
Several years had already passed in this world. The protagonist shou and gong, who had been university students before, had already graduated and entered society. Their temperaments were naturally more stable and mature.
After tempering themselves with many years of ghost-related matters, the two of them were no longer unfamiliar with non-human entities. They would not lose their heads out of fear and be helpless in the face of a crisis as they had been in their youth. Only, they, who had made very thorough preparations before returning to this old haunt, had thought that they would have to fight a hard battle. However, the situation was completely different from what they had imagined. The other had directly received them, secure in the knowledge of having backing. He was cordial and enthusiastic as if...they were old friends coming for a visit.
Although they were still rather apprehensive, Yang Yue and Ming Hai did not show this on their faces. Their eyes only became increasingly sharp.
Seeing Zhao Xihe, Yang Yue’s lips curved up slightly, his voice gentle and refined, but his words were without a trace of politeness, "Hello, Butler. We came today to take Xiao Xiao away."
His voice had yet to drop when the side door of the hall was slowly pushed open. Sui Yuan appeared with a gleeful expression and ran towards Yang Yue and Ming Hai in a few steps. He then stopped as if embarrassed, "Yang Yue Ge, Ming Hai Ge?! You—you really came?"
"Xiao Xiao!" Seeing Sui Yuan alive and seemingly unchanged, Yang Yue and Ming Hai sighed in relief. The two of them darted forwards and surrounded Sui Yuan, sizing up his condition.
What made them surprised was that while the Xiao Xiao they had always thought about appeared pained and sallow, the real Xiao Xiao looked quite good. His face was rosy, and his eyes were glistening. No matter if it was his physical body or mind, he looked very healthy. His previous cowardly and gloomy personality had even seemed to change. He was much more cheerful and happy. The smile on his face was soft without any shadows, making people feel warm all over.
——This wasn’t like what they had imagined at all!
Yang Yue’s expression was clearly complicated, "Xiao Xiao, these few years...how were you?"
"I’ve gotten by very well, Yang Yue Ge!" Sui Yuan looked at him earnestly. No matter if it was his tone or expression, it was very firm and sincere, "I heard that you guys have come to take me back. I’m very grateful, really, that you didn’t forget about me after all these years...."
"Don’t say such silly things! How could we forget about you!?" Yang Yue furrowed his eyes, interrupting him with a stern refutation.
Sui Yuan’s eyes curved, smile becoming all the more splendid, "Mn, I know. Thank you. However, I’ve been doing well here. I like it here. I don’t want to leave."
Yang Yue and Ming Hai looked at Sui Yuan. For a moment, they didn’t know how to go about persuading him.
The moment they saw Sui Yuan, they had almost foreseen this ending. The youth’s eyes were much happier here than they had been in the outside world. In the outside world, he had been pushed out, ignored, and bullied. Even they, his childhood friends who should have taken care of him, had treated him like nothing. They had even disliked him faintly. However, here, he was treasured, indulged in, and also doted on. Yang Yue and Ming Hai watched as the butler walked towards the youth and wrapped his arms around him, giving him a light kiss. The youth calmly raised his head to accept it. For a moment, they didn’t know how to maintain their former conviction.
Humans and ghosts were on different paths. Xiao Xiao should not be with a ghost. However, their relationship seemed so harmonious and close. Was the difference between humans and ghosts that important?
"You don’t have to be in a rush to make a decision. If you are worried about me, why not stay here for a few days?" Sui Yuan saw that the protagonist gong and shou were wavering and happily curved his lips into a smile, "This time, your stay definitely won’t be as terrible as last time. I promise!"
"...Even if you didn’t extend this invitation, we would not leave so quickly," Yang Yue smiled. He exchanged glances with Ming Hai, "We look forward to our stay this time."
——As for whether they should allow Xiao Xiao to stay, they would decide after seeing things with their own eyes, ba.
Kara: I am so happy to see these ghost-y babies again. I loved this arc and the interactions between SY and Yang Yue and Ming Hai. Also, I am throwing a plea for a 3p fanfic of them into the wind. Someone please take my request! (人´∀｀)