Chapter 79: Keep Your Voice Down—Is Chasing After You Really Such a Glorious Thing?

"Zhou Yili, I have nowhere else to go..."

The fireplace crackled warmly, and Zhou Yili heard those familiar words, echoing once again in his ears.

His dark eyes, deep and narrow, curved with a faint smile. "The one who once broke three of my ribs with his own hands, stabbed me almost to death, dares to stand before me now."

Zhou Yili stared at the person before him.

Shen Jixing was born with an icy arrogance; his long white hair made him appear cold and holy, exuding an otherworldly aloofness.

"Aren't you afraid I might kill you, beauty?"

Long, slender fingers tapped lightly on his chin, forcing Shen Jixing to tilt his head up and look at him.

And then he uttered a line not in the script.

"Didn't you say I could come to you whenever I was at my wits' end?"

Si Kongxiu's eyes glimmered.

A competent director would never interrupt an actor's genuine emotional outpouring.

"Heh." Zhou Yili, momentarily stunned, let out a cold laugh and began his own heartfelt performance.

"Fine. If you want me to take you in, that's not so difficult."

His elegant fingers traced Shen Jixing's exquisite jaw, a gesture both suggestive and roguish.

"Call me 'brother.' If you say it sweetly, I'll let you stay."

Shen Jixing: "..."

Si Kongxiu: "........."

Allowing you to improvise did not mean you could flirt for your own benefit.

Still, as the situation was developing within his control, Si Kongxiu didn't call for a halt.

Shen Jixing's brows knitted slightly, and this time, his resistance was genuine.

Yet, as a proper actor, he could only follow the script's thread.

He had to enter Zhou Yili's room tonight.

Shen Jixing's beautiful lips moved lightly. "Brother."

A silent wave of screams erupted on set.

Aaaahhhh!!!

Zhou Yili raised an eyebrow. The corner of his lips curled, revealing a hint of sharp teeth—wild and devilishly handsome.

He fished something out of his pocket, his tone casual and languid:

"Say it again. I’ll record it and post it on my Moments."

Shen Jixing: "..."

He glared furiously at the man, but Zhou Yili leisurely snapped a photo.

Click.

Shen Jixing froze: "..."

Zhou Yili slid his phone into his trouser pocket and carelessly turned back into the room.

"Come in. Close the door behind you."

Shen Jixing glanced at the warm, spotless interior, wrapped his wounded arm with his sleeve, brushed the snowflakes from his hair, and stepped in, clean and composed.

Zhou Yili sat at the dining table, watching his every move without a word.

After a long moment, he sneered, "The grand Marshal of humanity, and look how pathetic you are."

Zhou Yili didn’t eat delicately; his cheeks puffed slightly as he bit into his food, devoid of any sympathy as he said,

"I have no intention of keeping you. After tonight, get lost."

Shen Jixing didn’t touch his plate, his tone indifferent. "Your team needs people. I’m better than all of them."

"Why should I want you?" Zhou Yili wasn’t surprised by his words. He gnawed at the crispy chicken leg, showing not a trace of lingering affection.

"Humans and demon beasts are irreconcilable. The East and West Zones have warred for years."

"Why should I betray my kin for you?"

Shen Jixing watched him eat like a little cat, quietly observing for several seconds.

"The North has trained a group of top-tier warriors. Your people aren’t their match. You’ll only be able to seize this energy core with my help."

Zhou Yili’s chewing paused for a moment.

Never mind the inter-regional battle—what did he mean, only with my help...? Could this man be any more arrogant?

Zhou Yili threw the chicken bone aside. "Fight me. If you win, you can stay."

Shen Jixing glanced at his blood-stained arm. "I’m injured."

"Not my problem. Whether you can fight or not is up to you. Lose tomorrow and you’re out."

Shen Jixing sat in silence for a long while.

Zhou Yili was in no hurry.

The onlookers wanted to strangle him.

Shen Jixing never played up his grievances, but sitting quietly, lashes lowered, cradling his wounded arm, he looked so pitiful it was suffocating.

"Are you fighting or not?" Zhou Yili pressed him.

Shen Jixing lifted his gaze. "I’ll fight."

In that instant, Zhou Yili saw again the cold, proud figure standing tall and sword in hand.

He scoffed softly, thinking:

If Shen Jixing could win by his own strength, Zhou Yili would be willing to go against the entire beast clan for him.

To take in a human on his team.

"Can I have a bite?" Shen Jixing’s voice suddenly sounded. He lifted his snowy lashes to look at the man across the table, somehow giving off an innocent vibe.

"I’m a little hungry too."

"Help yourself." Zhou Yili seemed disinterested, swirling his wine lazily. After a moment, he added,

"Eat whatever you want. You don’t need to ask."

Shen Jixing’s gaze lingered on him, flicking over his lips stained with red wine.

‘Ding.’

A faint sound echoed through the night.

He had blossomed.

...

"Cut!"

The first phase ended there, and Si Kongxiu was left utterly amazed.

"Perfect. Absolutely perfect."

He had planned to have a flower bloom in the night here, thinking it would be hard to make Shen Jixing’s heart race. He hadn’t expected it to happen so easily.

So, why did he suddenly blossom?

"Zhou Yili teased you, and you didn’t react."

"Made you call him brother, and you didn’t react."

Si Kongxiu, sly and clever, was still puzzled. "Why did you bloom at that last line, Teacher Shen?"

Shen Jixing was never fond of this setting.

He was always good at hiding his emotions, but this flower bud exposed him completely.

"Maybe because no one’s ever said that to me," he replied, half joking, half serious.

Si Kongxiu: "?"

Eat whatever you want.

No one had ever said something so simple to him?

Si Kongxiu knew some of his story. Growing up in an orphanage, of course not. But wasn’t he later adopted by a mysterious tycoon?

Shen Jixing didn’t intend to elaborate. The little rose in his hair slowly drew back into a bud as his emotions settled.

Suddenly, he swept his long hair up from his neck, fingers brushing his sensitive nape.

A low, sensual chuckle, warm breath against his skin: "Well, your flower can move, too?"

In the instant he looked down to observe,

The roses hidden among the white hair bloomed one after another.

Zhou Yili was stunned. "Damn, you really are a princess, aren’t you?"

The man was breathtakingly beautiful, almost inhuman.

Si Kongxiu’s foxlike eyes narrowed, sensing something.

Underneath that cool façade was a surging tide—one careless touch and the waves would surge.

Shen Jixing’s face was truly a bewitching one.

"Guess why it happens?" Si Kongxiu asked with a grin.

"Why?" Zhou Yili was unfamiliar with the setting.

Shen Jixing wasn’t angry, just shot Si Kongxiu a warning glance.

Si Kongxiu instantly froze and gestured for him to speak. "After you, Lord Shen."

Zhou Yili stroked the warm little rose, looking quizzically at Shen Jixing.

"You made it bloom yourself?" he asked, his tone unconsciously sultry.

Shen Jixing turned his gaze slightly aside, the roses in his hair now in full bloom.

Si Kongxiu nearly fainted from the sweetness.

Shen Jixing snatched back his silvery hair, clutching the blooming rose in his palm.

"When I’m upset, I start to blossom."

Zhou Yili watched his retreating figure, eyes narrowing as he hissed, "Hey, I didn’t starve you, did I? And you’re upset?"

"You get back here, Shen Jixing!"

He chased after the striking red-and-white figure, his favorite phrase spilling out again.

"So you’re chasing—"

The set was busy, but Zhou Yili, in his mischief, cared little for others’ opinions.

A pair of pale, cold hands yanked him into a corner. Shen Jixing pinned him to the wall, his clear, cool eyes fraught with helplessness and irritation.

"Shut up."

He gripped Zhou Yili’s collar, forcing him to bend down until they were mere millimeters apart.

Their noses almost touched, and Zhou Yili could hear his own heart pounding out of control.

And Shen Jixing, teeth clenched, said in a low voice, "Keep your voice down. Is chasing you really something to be proud of?"