Chapter 35: The Most Adorable You
At this moment, A’nie was indeed preparing to make his move.
Although he was still some distance away from the deep water zone, he could use his innate talent to shroud the vision and perception of others, allowing himself to slip into the deep water pool undetected.
However, this trick could not be maintained for long, or else his monstrous aura would be exposed. But deceiving the lifeguards for a minute or two was more than enough time for him to accomplish plenty.
The little boy stood up from the bank, lifting his short little legs. Just as he was about to step forward—
Several rapid streams of water shot at his body and face like machine-gun fire, rat-a-tat-tat.
An ordinary child’s body could hardly withstand such a powerful force of water. The little boy was sent staggering by the blast, and with a splat—
He fell flat on his butt, hard.
“Hahahahaha! Knocked another one down!”
A few bratty kids holding high-pressure water guns grinned mischievously as they admired their “handiwork.” Seeing the boy sitting on the ground trying to scramble back up, they gave him another relentless blast.
“Oh wow, this little brat actually didn’t cry.”
“Keep spraying! Let’s see how long he can hold out!”
“Hahahahaha, he fell again, he fell again! His little butt is gonna split into eight pieces! Hahaha!”
A’nie: “…………”
These pre-teen brats were incredibly arrogant in the splash zone, specifically targeting kids who were left alone. They had already sprayed quite a few children to tears, and even when parents came over to scold them, it had little effect.
When these brats gathered together to fiercely blast their water guns, their combat power was staggering—even adults were no match for them. In their eyes, making a five- or six-year-old toddler cry was a total piece of cake.
Yet out of nowhere, after a round of concentrated spraying, the little boy not only failed to cry, but instead took advantage of the moment they were reloading “ammo” to stubbornly stand back up.
The little boy swept a frigid glare across them, a spine-chilling coldness spilling from his pitch-black eyes.
“You lot… are looking for death.”
The group of brats shuddered in unison.
Once they snapped out of it, they were instantly overcome with shame and fury.
“Damn it! Who does a little brat think he’s scaring!”
“Get him! Knock him flat!”
They raised their guns to spray, but the barrel of one of their water guns was suddenly snatched by the little boy. With a violent yank from the child, the water gun changed owners and was hoisted onto the little boy’s shoulder.
“Human scum.” A’nie raised the water gun, pulling the trigger expressionlessly.
“—Go to hell.”
—
Down in the deep water pool, Jian Tang was currently swimming for his absolute life.
He was highly confident in his swimming skills, believing he could reign supreme among humans, but he hadn’t expected there to be a hidden master out there. The dislike guy turned out to be an expert swimmer too!
Jian Tang could only utilize his advantage in agility, acting like a slippery little fish to swiftly flee the moment the man closed in.
However, the other party’s reaction speed was getting faster and faster. Relying purely on opportunistic evasion like this meant he would be caught sooner or later.
Damn it, why isn’t Lord A’nie here yet?
Jian Tang was frantic with anxiety, frequently glancing back toward the shore.
Right then, he suddenly noticed that the adjacent splash zone seemed exceptionally rowdy.
It was perfectly normal for a place packed with kids to be loud, but the current commotion was vastly different from before. It was a chaotic mess of flying chickens, leaping dogs, ghost-like wails, and wolf-like howls.
Jian Tang squinted to get a closer look, and when he finally discerned the source of the chaos, he almost spat blood.
Why on earth is Lord A’nie playing house with a bunch of little brats?!
The stone-faced little boy was wielding two massive water guns, engaged in a fierce, pitched battle against a horde of bratty kids on the pool deck. The two sides were trading heavy fire, fighting from the east side to the west side, and back from the west side to the east side.
Although the brats were gradually falling into a disadvantage, their will to resist was incredibly stubborn. Even though they were being chased by the little boy until they howled, they were still putting up a desperate last stand. The battle was fiercely intense.
“……………”
It’s over. The BOSS went to become a playground king instead. He’s completely unreliable.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from diagonally behind him, firmly locking onto the youth’s slender wrist.
“Caught you.”
Jian Tang’s pupils contracted sharply: Oh no, I got careless!
Frightened into a flurry of wild kicks, he didn’t even know where he struck the dislike guy, but the man who had just surfaced let out a muffled groan and involuntarily loosened his grip.
The moment Jian Tang broke free, he dove straight down, looping around the man to swim frantically toward the opposite shore.
Lord A’nie was too busy to come swap into a new shell, so there was no point in him lingering to play tag in the water with the dislike guy anymore. It was better to quietly slip ashore and escape early.
Jian Tang dove all the way. Suddenly, a current of water surged right at him—it was bone-chillingly cold, making him shiver uncontrollably.
Where did this cold water come from? He wondered in his heart.
Is the deep pool’s filtration system working?
The freezing cold at the bottom of the pool made Jian Tang a bit uncomfortable. He started swimming upward when, out of nowhere, a voice resonated inside his mind.
[…Happy… so happy…]
[…Waiting for you… waiting for you to come…]
[…Miss… you so much… want to see… you…]
The voice was ethereal and illusory, cutting in and out like a poorly connected radio signal.
Jian Tang froze, the motion of his hands slowing down instantly.
This wasn’t a human voice.
This was… a specific soundwave that only eerie creatures could hear.
He looked down toward the bottom of the pool in astonishment, but aside from that suddenly appearing current of freezing water, there was absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.
Yet with Jian Tang’s abundant experience as a runner, he instantly deduced—
There was an eerie creature nearby.
In fact, right inside this water park, there lay a spatial entrance leading to a monster town.
After a moment’s hesitation, Jian Tang didn’t linger. He carefully bypassed that location and continued swimming toward the surface.
In the territory of City A alone, there were at least a dozen monster towns. Everyone usually minded their own business unless they ran into a mortal enemy like Jingba Town. When Jian Tang occasionally bumped into residents of other towns on human turf, he would always pretend he hadn’t seen them.
After all, his current identity was a “human.”
Soon, Jian Tang swam to the surface.
The shore was within arm’s reach. He sneaked a glance back, finding that the dislike guy wasn’t too far away. The man probably hadn’t expected him to sneak ashore; his gaze wasn’t directed here, as he was still searching other areas.
Hmph, count yourself lucky you weren’t possessed by the big BOSS. You should be secretly rejoicing. This little monster is making his getaway.
Jian Tang quietly swam toward the edge. Suddenly, a sharp wave of pain shot through his leg.
A cramp.
He thought uh-oh. He initially wanted to push through to the shore, but the sharp pain quickly turned into agonizing torture. Jian Tang couldn’t help but cry out in pain, swallowing a massive gulp of water in the process.
The freezing water choked into his windpipe, causing Jian Tang to cough violently. Amidst his frantic, panicking splashing, his body began to slowly sink, and his mind went completely blank.
“—Jian Tang!!”
This voice…
In a flash of lightning, a thought sliced through Jian Tang’s chaotic mind—
The dislike guy… how does he know my name is “Jian Tang”?
With a splash, another figure dove into the water, swimming rapidly toward the drowning youth.
Feng Xun and the other party reached Jian Tang’s side almost simultaneously, lifting the youth out of the water together.
The commotion here alerted the lifeguards, who also rushed over immediately. Only after confirming that the youth hauled ashore was still conscious and breathing did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
It had genuinely been a terrifying moment just now, and Jian Tang was thoroughly shaken. Even though he had successfully escaped danger, his small face was still deathly pale—
He wasn’t human, so he wouldn’t actually choke to death or drown. However, if a body in human form suffered an extreme lack of oxygen, survival instincts would cause his true form to seamlessly switch back to its monster state.
If he transformed back into his monster form right under everyone’s eyes… he couldn’t even imagine how massive of a disaster would erupt on scene.
“Thank you.” He thanked the dislike guy and the lifeguard with lingering trepidation, then looked at the other person.
“Thank you too.”
The person who had suddenly dove into the water was likely a Good Samaritan passing by. But when Jian Tang got a clear look at the man’s face, he realized this person didn’t look like a passerby at all.
He practically looked like a dazzling main character.
The man was tall and handsome, his mixed-race features giving him an exceptionally sharp, striking face. A pair of ocean-blue eyes rippled with a faint sheen of water, making his gaze look deeply affectionate.
His attire was highly unique as well. His bare torso generously displayed a superb, toned physique, and a few strands of colorful beads hung around his neck, resembling religious accessories.
His lower body didn’t feature regular swim trunks like the other tourists. Instead, a piece of white fabric was draped around his waist. It was unclear what material the cloth was made of, but it dried rapidly after he came ashore. It was adorned with small accessories shaped like seashells, starfish, and conchs. It felt like if this man held a trident in his hand, he could instantly cosplay the ancient Greek god of the sea right then and there.
Not only was Jian Tang struck with admiration, but whispers also broke out among the surrounding crowd of onlookers.
“Hey, that handsome guy looks really familiar.”
“I think he’s called Yuan Cheng? He’s a minor celebrity who used to be on a magic reality show. He was super popular back then.”
“Yes, yes, yes! There’s a poster of him pasted at the park entrance. I think he has a dedicated performance show today.”
“Wow, he’s so handsome, and his character is so good too. Stepping up to rescue a drowning tourist, he doesn’t have any celebrity arrogance at all!”
As if completely oblivious to the chatter and praise of the people around him, Yuan Cheng smiled and nodded to the youth, appearing thoroughly approachable.
“You’re welcome.” His voice was just like his gaze, incredibly gentle and refreshing like a spring breeze. “It’s good that you’re alright.”
Two people suddenly squeezed through the crowd. They were walking in a hurry, and when they saw Yuan Cheng, both let out a collective sigh of relief.
“Brother Yuan, why did you run off to this place?” one said. “The makeup artist is already here, just waiting to finalize your look.”
“Yeah, hurry back to the backstage,” the other added. “Everyone was worried sick when we couldn’t find you.”
Yuan Cheng stood up immediately, his face displaying an apologetic look. It was clear he was genuinely a person with an excellent temperament and personality.
“Apologies for making you worry.” His gaze swept across the deep water pool, lingering slightly for a few seconds before shifting away imperceptibly.
“Let’s go.” He nodded.
The three left quickly, but the onlookers’ enthusiasm didn’t wane. The volume of their discussion spiked instantly, and some even pulled their phones out of waterproof bags to follow and film him—encountering a celebrity while out on a trip was far too rare, highly worth documenting.
It was also Jian Tang’s first time seeing a human celebrity. He found it very novel and couldn’t help but steal a few more glances, until he heard someone cough heavily.
He turned his head, seeing the dislike guy staring right at him.
“You almost got into an accident yourself, yet you still have the mind to look at others.” The other party wore that displeased expression again, his tone completely rigid. “What happened just now? How did you suddenly start drowning?”
Jian Tang inexplicably hallucinated the scene of being interrogated by his own terrifying wife—the sense of déjà vu was simply too powerful—and he subconsciously shrunk his neck, confessing obediently.
“My leg cramped up.”
He guessed that after encountering the freezing current of water, the alternation of hot and cold during his swim back to the surface had caused his leg muscles to spasm, leading to the cramp.
The lifeguard knelt halfway down to help Jian Tang relax his muscles, but the moment his hand extended halfway, it was blocked by Feng Xun.
“I know how,” he said. “I’ll do it.”
Jian Tang: “?”
Bro, are you kidding me? He’s a professional, why are you an amateur stealing his job?
Just as he was about to protest, the man suddenly gripped his toes and yanked them backward forcefully—
“Ah—!”
Jian Tang let out a tragic shriek. But after the other party released his grip, his calf—which had been hurting so badly he hadn’t dared to move it—actually felt significantly relieved.
Seeing that this man truly knew what he was doing and that there was nothing left for him to do, the lifeguard left with a reassured mind.
There were a few lounge chairs by the shore provided for tourists to rest. Feng Xun slipped his hands under the youth’s lower back and the bend of his knees, smoothly lifting him up and placing him onto one of the chairs.
“Don’t step on the ground yet.” He knelt halfway beside the chair, lifting the leg that had cramped and gently massaging it.
“Relax for a bit and see.”
Seeing the man’s stern expression, Jian Tang didn’t dare move recklessly. To be fair, the dislike guy really did seem to understand this, as the massage felt quite comfortable.
“Thank you.” Jian Tang said in a small voice.
The man didn’t speak, keeping his eyes lowered as he gently massaged.
The youth’s calf was slender and straight, yet quite supple when relaxed. Fingers bearing thin calluses rubbed over the tender skin, leaving faint red marks before massaging all the way down—the smooth ankle, the delicate arch, and the pink toes slightly curled due to tension… it was rather adorable.
Jian Tang felt a bit ticklish from the rubbing and subconsciously shrunk back, but he was instantly dragged back and given a warning pat.
“Don’t move around.”
“But I feel like it’s already fine…”
“It’s not.”
“…”
Why is he being so fierce again.
Jian Tang stayed quiet obediently for a while, when a certain realization suddenly struck him.
“Um,” he asked, “have the two of us met somewhere before?”
Feng Xun lifted his head guardedly—Hmm? A new line for hitting on random men?
“You actually know me, don’t you?” Jian Tang asked.
Feng Xun’s heart skipped a beat, but his surface remained unperturbed: “No.”
“Stop lying,” Jian Tang pouted, figuring this person was just being stubborn. “If you don’t know me, why did you know my name is Jian Tang? You called my name before you rescued me, I heard it perfectly clearly.”
Feng Xun: “…”
Not good. I got careless.
He didn’t take the bait, calmly releasing his grip as he stood up. “Finished massaging. Get up and move around to see.”
Jian Tang did as he was told, but while he moved around, his mouth still chattered away with non-stop questions.
“When exactly did we get to know each other? How come I don’t have a single shred of memory? Tell me quickly, come on, tell me, I want to know.”
“…”
At this moment, only one thought occupied Feng Xun’s mind—
This face can’t be used anymore either.
“Ah!” The youth suddenly let out a loud shout. “I know!”
Feng Xun halted his feet which were preparing to make a run for it, looking at Jian Tang guardedly—He knows… what?
“I know who you are!” Jian Tang announced loudly, thoroughly certain. “You are my wife’s—”
Feng Xun began to recall whether he had any items in his spatial inventory that could temporarily alter a human’s memory.
“—colleague!”
The spatial inventory closed. No need to go through the trouble.
“Am I right? Am I right?”
Jian Tang was incredibly smug. He felt he was practically a master detective reborn, this deductive reasoning was simply unparalleled. “You are my wife’s colleague, and the two of you have a great relationship. My wife mentioned me to you and even showed you my photo, which is why you knew who I am, right?”
Status of Feng Xun: “…”
This story-weaving capability is unparalleled.
“Yeah.” Feng Xun seamlessly claimed the new identity. “Right.”
Jian Tang was instantly filled with deep respect: a colleague of his wife was naturally a university professor as well, a highly impressive human!
“Pleasure, pleasure,” Jian Tang shook hands enthusiastically. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Turns out we’re on the same side.”
Feng Xun was forced to shake hands with the youth, and was then asked for his name.
“Bro, what should I call you?”
Feng Xun: “…My last name is Sui.”
Sui as in Sui Bian (whatever/casual). Call him whatever.
“So it’s Mr. Sui.” Jian Tang paused, then said with a bit of embarrassment, “Can I ask… how did my wife describe me to you?”
It had been almost a week since he signed for his baby wife. He considered his performance as the “head of the household” to be fairly passing, but he didn’t know what his wife thought, or if he was satisfied with his performance.
He really wanted to know the customer satisfaction evaluation.
Super curious!
Under the youth’s expectant gaze, Feng Xun fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“He said… you are very good.”
Like a puppy waiting to be fed by its master, Jian Tang perked up his two small ears, his eyes sparkling as he waited for the continuation, and then…
And then there was no then.
The two looked at each other, staring blankly.
“I-Is that it?” Jian Tang was shocked. “Just that one sentence?”
Feng Xun hesitated: “Is that sentence… not enough?”
Although he had praised Jian Tang before, back then it was just like complimenting a child—a pure compliment without any personal feelings.
But now it was different.
His state of mind had undergone a subtle transformation. Speaking the exact same words now felt as though he were exposing his hidden, untoward feelings to the person involved. The sensation was highly unfamiliar, highly awkward, and highly… difficult to voice.
Jian Tang didn’t speak.
But looking at the youth’s pouting small mouth, his darkened small face, and his listlessly drooping small ahoge, saying just that one sentence was evidently not going to cut it.
Feng Xun fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.
“He also said…”
The youth snapped his head up instantly, his gorgeous green eyes sparkling once more. No one would ever have the heart to disappoint a pure youth who was practically begging for praise like this.
“…He said your cooking is very delicious.” Feng Xun praised against his conscience.
“Really?” Jian Tang’s eyes widened. “Did my wife really say that?”
“Yeah.” The man nodded forcefully to add persuasion. “He said it’s exceptionally delicious.”
“Oh my, hehe, it’s not as good as he makes it out to be.”
Jian Tang was humble with his words, but his smile was practically splitting his face. Anyone could tell he was thoroughly overjoyed right now, in an incredibly grand mood.
“My wife is the true cooking expert. The food he makes is way more delicious than mine! Hehe, but if he likes it that much, I’ll cook more in the future—cook often, cook every day! I’ll feed him until he’s fully stuffed every single day! Hehehe…”
Status of Feng Xun: “…”
Why does this sound slightly off.
“Did my wife say anything else?”
No one disliked hearing praise. Having been praised twice, Jian Tang felt exceptionally good and wanted to hear even more compliments from his wife.
Feng Xun looked at the youth’s rosy small face. The boy’s eyes carried an unmaskable liveliness and expectation, resembling an eager puppy that would happily wag its small tail wildly the moment its master patted its head.
“He also said… you are very adorable.”
Feng Xun stared unblinkingly at the adorable smile before him. Suddenly, he felt that certain words didn’t seem all that difficult to say out loud anymore.
“He said—you are the most adorable youth he has ever seen in this lifetime.”
