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By the time Qi Bai Cha reached the warehouse, he had also moved the Chevrolet sedan. He placed Zhuang Jing Yi in the passenger seat; the girl remained unconscious, showing no signs of waking.
Having seen monstrous forms, she was scared into a faint. The psychological trauma was immense.
Qi Bai Cha extended his hand, summoning a soft white glow above her forehead, which slowly seeped into her mind.
When Zhuang Jing Yi woke up, she would forget everything she had seen that night, remembering only that she was knocked out by kidnappers.
After completing these tasks, Qi Bai Cha drove toward Zhuang Jing Yi's home.
At the beginning of their freshman year, the entire class had filled out their home addresses. Qi Bai Cha had memorized them at a glance, so he knew precisely where Zhuang Jing Yi lived.
Ten minutes later, Qi Bai Cha carried the girl out of the car and arrived at an ordinary residential house. Inside, the sound of arguing was faintly heard—apparently, a woman was blaming her husband for being too busy to pick up their daughter, leading to her disappearance.
The man remained silent, evidently struggling with his own emotions.
They had already been out searching and returned home with no results. Zhuang Jing Yi's mother broke down, conflicts erupted, and she began blaming her husband.
Zhuang's father knew of his wife's anxiety but had no heart for arguing at such a time. Wasn't he worried too?
Qi Bai Cha knocked on the door of Zhuang Jing Yi's home.
The squabbling inside stopped; footsteps approached from the distance, and someone came to open the door.
It was a haggard-looking woman with tear-streaked eyes. She immediately saw the girl in Qi Bai Cha's arms, froze for a moment, and then hastily took her daughter into her arms, exclaiming, "Jing Yi! Jing Yi is back! Look, husband, it's our daughter!"
Zhuang's father was a man of few words, not expressive with his emotions. However, seeing his daughter safely return, he clearly sighed in relief. Zhuang's mother, engrossed in her daughter, didn't even thank Qi Bai Cha. It was Zhuang's father who spoke up: "It was Teacher Qi who brought our daughter back."
"Ah, Teacher Qi, yes, yes, please come in and have a seat," Mrs. Zhuang finally responded, wiping away her tears and nervously asking, "Teacher Qi, why did Jing Yi faint? Is she alright?"
"She's fine, just a bit shaken from being kidnapped," Qi Bai Cha said.
"What? Kidnappers?!" The couple lost their composure, their eyes filled with shock.
Though they had speculated this possibility, the thought of their daughter's worst-case scenario with the kidnappers was heart-wrenching for both parents.
"Two thugs. They hadn't gotten very far. I've already reported them to the police," Qi Bai Cha reassured them.
"What thugs? Which police station?" Mr. Zhuang asked angrily. "I want to make sure those bastards pay!"
"They have several prior offenses; they won't escape the law," Qi Bai Cha smoothly redirected the conversation. "Let's focus on Zhuang Jing Yi's mental well-being for now. She's been terribly scared. She can take the day off from school tomorrow and rest at home. Try not to press her for details; it could be triggering."
"Ah, yes, alright," the mention of their daughter's mental state made both parents anxious yet concerned.
Mr. Zhuang sighed, guilt overtaking him. "I'm usually busy with work and let Jing Yi walk home alone. That's too risky. I'll pick her up from now on." After this incident, no parent would dare let their daughter walk home alone.
Qi Bai Cha nodded with a slight smile.
Mrs. Zhuang, now somewhat relieved about her daughter, suddenly attempted to kneel before Qi Bai Cha: "Teacher Qi, you truly are our family's savior..."
Qi Bai Cha quickly helped her back up: "There's no need for that. Zhuang Jing Yi is my student; it's my responsibility to look out for her."
"Teacher Qi, please stay for dinner," Mr. Zhuang also chimed in.
Qi Bai Cha gently declined, shaking his head, "I've already eaten. It's getting late; I should head back."
The couple understood. It was almost nine o'clock; most people would have finished dinner. Their own meal was interrupted by their worry for Jing Yi.
Realizing that Teacher Qi might have also skipped his meal to help find their daughter, the couple felt endlessly grateful and slightly embarrassed. Mrs. Zhuang warmly insisted, "If you won't stay, let me at least cut some fruit for you to take with you."
It was their way of expressing gratitude; to decline would make them uneasy.
This time, Qi Bai Cha accepted.
Mrs. Zhuang filled a heavy bag with fruit, handing it to Qi Bai Cha as she waved him off, "Take care on the road, Teacher Qi!"
Qi Bai Cha nodded slightly and got into his car.
When he returned home, it was already past nine. The living room lights were on, and the moment he stepped through the door, Fu Ming Ye embraced him.
"Is everything sorted?" Fu Ming Ye whispered.
"Yes," Qi Bai Cha responded, letting the bag of fruit drop onto the carpet as he embraced Fu Ming Ye in return. "How long have you been waiting?"
"I've been waiting since I got home," Fu Ming Ye playfully nipped at Qi Bai Cha's earlobe, but the bite was so gentle it was almost imperceptible. "Responsible Teacher Qi, is it time to think about appeasing your angry husband?"
Qi Bai Cha looked into his eyes, "Are you angry?" To be honest, he hadn't really noticed.
Fu Ming Ye had always been quite indulgent with him.
Fu Ming Ye stated, "I'm very angry."
Qi Bai Cha inquired, "Angry about what?"
Fu Ming Ye shot him a glance and, seizing his hand, led him towards the bedroom.
"Eh?" Qi Bai Cha followed along, unable to get a word in before Fu Ming Ye pushed him into the bathroom.
With a click, the bathroom door locked.
Fu Ming Ye commanded, "Take it off."
Qi Bai Cha hesitated, "Is the bathroom really the best place?"
It seemed they had yet to "unlock" this particular setting.
In their year of marriage, Fu Ming Ye had treated Qi Bai Cha with the utmost care, as if he were a fragile glass doll, fearing he might break or melt away.
To Fu Ming Ye, his human spouse was a delicate porcelain figurine, far too fragile for rough handling. He had more than enough love and care to offer without resorting to anything wild.
Moreover, Qi Bai Cha's demeanor was one of cool restraint, not inviting any sort of recklessness.
That said, if Fu Ming Ye were to make a request, Qi Bai Cha wouldn't be averse to accommodating him...
The snow god—pure and immaculate—would never admit that he too was curious to try.
Being with the one you love makes you want to try anything.
Seeing that Qi Bai Cha made no move, Fu Ming Ye took the initiative to undress him.
Qi Bai Cha complied willingly, thinking to himself that Mr. Fu was showing a bit of assertiveness today.
The young man's skin was as white as snow; his features, elegant and refined, echoed classical beauty. His arms and waist were slender, with graceful scapulae gracing his back, evoking the ethereal quality of willows swaying in the wind.
In other words, he looked like someone who shouldn't be rough-handled.
Fu Ming Ye scrutinized Qi Bai Cha's flawless physique, "They didn't hit you, did they?"
He had already conducted a thorough examination of Qi Bai Cha when he arrived, ensuring he was uninjured. Otherwise, the torment awaiting those demons would be more than just losing their souls.
Worse than the loss of a soul was eternal damnation without the hope of reincarnation.
Although Qi Bai Cha had no visible signs of bruising or swelling, Fu Ming Ye still felt compelled to ask. If Qi Bai Cha had been hit and bore no marks, how aggrieved he must be.
If he didn't ask, knowing Qi Bai Cha's nature, he would never bring it up, not wanting to cause concern.
"No, they were about to, but you showed up before they could," Qi Bai Cha felt a bit uneasy under such scrutiny. Despite their longstanding intimacy and past escapades, being looked over in this way—with not a hint of desire, solely for the purpose of checking for injuries—felt...
Just very strange.
Still angry.
A dazzlingly beautiful person is standing right in front of you, and you're not even slightly moved?
"Lucky for you, I arrived just in time," Fu Ming Ye retorted, also undressing as he spoke.
Qi Bai Cha thought reservedly, my husband has an impressive physique.
So, can they unlock this new setting now?
Fu Ming Ye picked up the showerhead, turned on the faucet, and after adjusting the water temperature to just the right level—neither too hot nor too cold—he directed the water toward Qi Bai Cha.
Someone as immaculate as Tea (Qi Bai Cha's affectionate nickname) should not be tainted by any malicious energy.
He had to be thoroughly cleansed.
In reality, the malevolent aura of demons and monsters wouldn't affect humans; it was just Fu Ming Ye's psychological quirk.
Malice nourished him, empowered him. What ordinary gods find repulsive is ambrosial to him, a deity familiar with malevolent forces. His very essence transcends all worldly corruptions.
Nonetheless, Fu Ming Ye still disliked it.
Even if it benefited him, it did not stop him from looking down upon those pitiable and laughable evil thoughts. While his divine nature meant he could only absorb such "fragrant" essences, he personally had a greater appreciation for pure souls.
Because they are rare, they are all the more treasurable.
Sadly, a god of malevolence would never hear kind thoughts.
Therefore, Tea (Qi Bai Cha) must never be tainted.
Compared to the Snow God's worldly travels, the God of Malevolence was profoundly reclusive, staying in his temple for millennia until boredom drove him to visit the mortal realm.
The first time he saw Qi Bai Cha in the human world, the young man was helping an old lady cross the road. This cliché scenario, stale even in a school essay, was revelatory to the God of Malevolence.
It was the first time he'd seen a human perform a kind deed.
And the first time he discovered a person without malicious thoughts.
That's how love blossomed.
The steamy water flowed over the young man's body, making his snow-white skin flush a light pink. The bathroom glass fogged up, obscuring the view inside.
Qi Bai Cha felt goosebumps form on his skin. In his perfect disguise as a mortal, he'd adjusted his bodily responses to mimic human ones. Despite the perfect water temperature, he still felt a slight chill.
But warmth enveloped him again soon after.
He leaned into a broad chest.
Fu Ming Ye loved holding him, just as Qi Bai Cha loved being held by Fu Ming Ye.
In the moment when we embrace, our hearts are closer than they've ever been. It's as if time stands still, as if I've wholly claimed this person for myself, for all of eternity.
Yet Qi Bai Cha sensed a hint of loneliness in this otherwise familiar hug.
A teardrop slides down Fu Ming Ye's lashes, making his already stunning face even more captivating, albeit tinged with a touch of coolness.
Qi Bai Cha quietly observes him, and for an instant, it seems like he understands something profound.
Softly, he asks, "Are you mad that I risked my life to take on the kidnappers alone?"
He almost forgot, in the eyes of his loved one, he is but a vulnerable mortal.
"You're not entirely clueless," Fu Ming Ye chuckles as he looks down, "Bai Cha, I want to spend a lifetime with you, until you turn one hundred. A hundred years would be enough for me."
In the grand timeline of his immortal existence, it's a mere drop in the ocean, yet it promises to become his most cherished memory.
And then, eternal loneliness.
This was the preparation Fu Ming Ye had made upon falling in love with Qi Bai Cha.
Mortal lives are too short—so brief that they're hardly the length of a god's dream. Before meeting Qi Bai Cha, a hundred years or a thousand meant little to Fu Ming Ye. After meeting him, every year, month, day, and minute became invaluable.
Yet people are more fragile than he anticipated. Those who die of natural causes in old age are winners at life's finish line. Every day, people perish due to various diseases, accidents, and deliberate acts, often halfway or even just at the beginning of their lives.
That's why Fu Ming Ye cannot allow any mishap like today's to happen again. If he had arrived a second later, and something had happened to Bai Cha at the hands of those malevolent beings, he doesn't know how he'd face the days ahead.
It seems he was never truly prepared.
The world's most recklessly free evil deity is also capable of fear when in love.
Qi Bai Cha looks into Fu Ming Ye's downcast eyes, feeling a slight ache in his heart as he notices the subtle tremor in Fu Ming Ye's long eyelashes.
He jokes, light-heartedly, "You say you're not asking for much, but a hundred years is still quite long, Mr. Fu. Wishing for a long life of a hundred years is a blessing because most people don't live that long."
I, too, am yearning for this, my dear. I yearn for it every single day.
Upon hearing his words, something seemed to extinguish in Fu Ming Ye's eyes, and he appeared to sink into a state of despondency.
Qi Bai Cha couldn't figure out what had suddenly come over his lover—perhaps it was the emotional toll from the near-miss earlier, or perhaps the late hour was conducive to introspection.
He cradles Fu Ming Ye's face, looking deep into his eyes before gently kissing away the droplets that resemble tears.
"Don't worry."
"I'll accompany you until the end of my life."
Once your lifetime has passed, the world will have one more dormant snow deity, who will dream of you for the rest of his eternal life.
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