Edited—

The two of them entered the Ferris wheel cabin.

The cabin wasn’t very large. Zhou Jiayu sat across from Lin Zhushui. If he leaned forward slightly, their faces would press together. He really didn’t understand why they had to run out in the middle of the night to ride a Ferris wheel. Zhou Jiayu’s heart couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy, and he vaguely sensed that there should be other things present in this massive Ferris wheel.

The cabin slowly rose. The two of them didn’t converse. Fortunately, the atmosphere wasn’t too awkward. Zhou Jiayu looked through the glass window and saw the view of the entire amusement park below the Ferris wheel. The colorful neon lights and the music echoing through the park gave the amusement park a bustling atmosphere. Although there were no people, it didn’t seem quiet at all. All the entertainment facilities were running. Zhou Jiayu even saw a roller coaster plunging down from a height… Of course, what caught his attention wasn’t the roller coaster, but rather the white figure with its head drooping that seemed to be sitting in the front seat of the roller coaster.

Zhou Jiayu quietly broke out in a cold sweat in his heart.

Just as he was feeling nervous, the cabin unknowingly reached the highest point. Then with a click, the Ferris wheel actually stopped directly.

Zhou Jiayu was startled by this movement and immediately became nervous: “Sir, it stopped!”

Lin Zhushui made a faint “mm” sound. He didn’t seem to care at all about the strangeness around them. Instead, he directed all his attention to Zhou Jiayu before him. He said, “Zhou Jiayu, I have something I want to tell you.”

The cabin stopped in mid-air, swaying slightly. The most terrifying thing was that Zhou Jiayu saw through the glass that something seemed to be climbing toward them along the Ferris wheel’s metal frame. This scene was truly too horrifying. If Lin Zhushui weren’t right beside Zhou Jiayu, he would probably have already started panicking.

“Sir?” Zhou Jiayu’s voice trembled slightly, not knowing what Lin Zhushui wanted to say.

“I like you.” Lin Zhushui’s tone was deliberate, word by word, as if afraid Zhou Jiayu wouldn’t hear clearly. He even deliberately emphasized the tone and repeated it once more, “I like you.”

Zhou Jiayu was completely stunned. He thought he had misheard Lin Zhushui’s words and let out a blank “ah.”

“I want to be with you.” Lin Zhushui said this. “Hold your hand, kiss you, go to bed with you—”

Lin Zhushui’s face was close at hand, and with an expression so serious that it wouldn’t make anyone think he was joking, he spoke the words above. He said them very clearly, leaving absolutely no room for misunderstanding. Zhou Jiayu clearly understood Lin Zhushui’s meaning.

Zhou Jiayu’s heart beat wildly. A feeling similar to oxygen deprivation arose. He panted excitedly, just about to agree, when Lin Zhushui’s finger gently pressed against his lips.

“Think carefully before answering.” Lin Zhushui spoke very slowly. “If you agree and then regret it, I won’t agree.” After saying this, he reached out and patted the wall of the cabin.

In the next moment, Zhou Jiayu watched with his own eyes as countless black shadows suddenly jumped from the metal frame of the Ferris wheel into mid-air. The appearances of these black shadows were mostly very ferocious—clearly some kind of dirty things.

Zhou Jiayu was thinking about what exactly they were going to do when he saw this group of black shadows actually form a heart shape not far from him.

Zhou Jiayu was shocked: “…” Fuck, this is indeed worthy of being Lin Zhushui’s confession. Even the ghosts he catches are in the shape of loving you??

Then beautiful fireworks exploded in mid-air. Large red roses fluttered down from within the black shadows. Zhou Jiayu didn’t know why, but he suddenly felt a bit like laughing. But he also felt it wasn’t very appropriate, so he covered his face, his shoulders shaking slightly.

Lin Zhushui frowned: “What are you laughing at?”

Zhou Jiayu: “…Sir, who taught you this?”

Lin Zhushui was a bit unhappy: “What are you laughing at?”

Zhou Jiayu said, “Mm… I just feel this style isn’t like Sir.”

“Lin Jue said it.” Lin Zhushui was silent for a while before answering Zhou Jiayu’s question. He also seemed to vaguely feel that something about the confession process wasn’t quite right. “You don’t like it?”

“No.” Zhou Jiayu smiled, “I like it to death. I especially, especially like it.”

Lin Zhushui also revealed a faint smile.

“I’m willing to be with Sir.” Zhou Jiayu looked at the fireworks exploding one after another outside the window. His expression was extremely gentle, his eyes overflowing with thick affection. “Very willing.”

Lin Zhushui suddenly got up and sat down beside Zhou Jiayu.

Zhou Jiayu was wondering what he was going to do when he saw him slightly tilt his head and press his lips directly against Zhou Jiayu’s lips. Then came an extremely lingering kiss. Their lips and tongues met. Zhou Jiayu once again smelled that sandalwood-like scent. His body began to go soft. It was as if there really were fireworks exploding in his brain. By the time Zhou Jiayu came to his senses again, the Ferris wheel had already started rotating once more.

Lin Zhushui interlocked his fingers with his. His face wore a silly smile.

“That happy?” Lin Zhushui said.

Zhou Jiayu’s eyes curved into slits from smiling: “I… I’ve liked Sir for a long time.”

Hearing this, Lin Zhushui slightly raised an eyebrow: “Then when I confessed to you before, why did you agree and then regret it?”

Zhou Jiayu was stunned upon hearing this: “Before… confession?”

Lin Zhushui said: “When you had a fever.”

Zhou Jiayu: “…” Hearing these words, he fell into silence. Finally, he awkwardly asked, “W-which day? During those few days, I dreamed every day that you were confessing to me.”

Lin Zhushui: “…”

In the end, the two of them tacitly decided to skip this topic.

When they got off the Ferris wheel, Zhou Jiayu was led out of the cabin by Lin Zhushui. He was still a bit nervous in his heart, wondering what Shen Yiqiong and the others would think when they saw this scene.

Who knew that after Shen Yiqiong and the others got out of their cabins, they held onto the trees beside them and started vomiting. After vomiting, they collapsed on the ground. Shen Yiqiong cried and said, “This is the most thrilling Ferris wheel I’ve ever ridden in my life—”

Later, Zhou Jiayu learned that his and Lin Zhushui’s cabin was at the highest point, while Shen Yiqiong and the others were below. Before those dirty things formed the heart shape, they had all pressed against the glass walls of Shen Yiqiong’s cabin. So Shen Yiqiong and the others watched with their own eyes as bloody, mangled faces rubbed against the glass door, looking like they might rush in at any moment.

After the few of them finished vomiting, they noticed the unusual atmosphere between Zhou Jiayu and Lin Zhushui.

Among them, Shen Chaosan and Shen Musi both looked quite calm. Shen Yiqiong and Shen Erbai nearly popped their eyeballs out.

Lin Zhushui, however, was calm from beginning to end. After they finished vomiting, he said one sentence: “Zhou Jiayu and I are together.” After finishing, he added another sentence, “The couple kind of together.”—It seemed he had quite a deep shadow from his failed confession, not forgetting to add this clarification even now.

Shen Yiqiong trembled for a long while before squeezing out one sentence: “Congratulations…”

Shen Erbai also said congratulations.

But looking at the two people’s lost souls, clearly they couldn’t accept this matter so quickly. Especially Shen Yiqiong, who was somewhat dumbfounded from beginning to end.

Everyone stood under the Ferris wheel for a while. Then Lin Jue drove over in the amusement park’s unique sightseeing car. Seeing Zhou Jiayu and Lin Zhushui holding hands, a smile instantly appeared on her face: “Yo, finally together? Was my timing for the fireworks appropriate?”

“Very good.” Lin Zhushui gave Lin Jue a satisfied evaluation.

Zhou Jiayu felt a bit nervous in front of so many people. The hand held by Lin Zhushui began to break out in sweat. But Lin Zhushui didn’t mind at all, holding his hand as they got into the sightseeing car together.

Then Lin Jue drove them away from the amusement park.

After returning home, Zhou Jiayu and Lin Zhushui said goodbye to each other at the door. But the moment he entered the house, he saw Lin Zhushui’s four disciples sitting on the sofa, their eyes all fixed on him.

Shen Yiqiong said: “Wuwuwu, why is it like this? Obviously I was first. Meeting Sir first, becoming Sir’s disciple first…” Before he could finish speaking, he received a slap from Shen Musi. Shen Musi: “Speak properly.”

Shen Yiqiong rubbed his head and rushed to Zhou Jiayu’s side, saying: “Zhou Jiayu, quickly teach me. How exactly did you hook up with Sir? With this technique for hooking up with Sir, I feel like I can be in a relationship too.”

Zhou Jiayu said: “First.”

Shen Yiqiong looked at Zhou Jiayu with longing.

Zhou Jiayu said: “First, you have to meet a girl.”

Shen Yiqiong: “…” He turned his head and looked at the males in this room. “Why is even Xiao Zhi’s gender male?”

Zhou Jiayu spread his hands.

Shen Yiqiong collapsed. He had a premonition that the prophecy about falling in love at seventy-three years old would come true.

Zhou Jiayu walked among them and sat on the sofa. He said softly, “If you have anything you want to ask, you can ask. I’ll try my best to answer.” He didn’t want to create a barrier between them because of Lin Zhushui.

Shen Yiqiong twisted and turned before opening his mouth: “Then… did you ever have a secret crush on me?”

Zhou Jiayu was silent for a long time. Finally, he squeezed out a sentence with great effort: “Sorry, you’re a good person.”

Shen Yiqiong: “…Forget it, you guys chat. I’m leaving first.”

Shen Musi laughed. He said, “Zhou Jiayu, you really don’t need to be too nervous. We definitely won’t comment on Sir’s private life. Whoever Sir likes, whoever he’s willing to be with, we unconditionally agree. Besides, you’re a good person too. Have some confidence in yourself.”

Shen Chaosan also nodded: “You’re not that scammer.”

Zhou Jiayu was extremely moved. He had originally thought that after being with Lin Zhushui, they would cast strange looks at him. He hadn’t expected that they would so easily express their understanding and even offer comfort.

Shen Yiqiong’s focus was forever skewed. He said blankly, “Then doesn’t that mean I have to call you Shiniang from now on?”

Zhou Jiayu said, “Good disciple.”

Shen Yiqiong: “…”

Zhou Jiayu laughed heartily: “Just kidding. What we called each other before, we’ll still call each other that in the future.” He sighed lightly, “I also didn’t expect I could be with Sir.” Even now, he was filled with a sense of unreality.

“It’s fine.” Shen Musi said, “You’ll get used to it.”

The sky was already late. Everyone chatted a few more sentences, then returned to their rooms to rest.

When Zhou Jiayu lay in bed after taking a shower, he suddenly remembered something and called out, “Jiba, Jiba, are you still there?”

Jiba slowly poked his head out from under the turtle shell: “What?”

Zhou Jiayu was quite embarrassed: “Sorry, I should have believed you before. Sir actually did confess to me.”

Jiba snorted coldly: “Only saying it now? Too late!”

Zhou Jiayu coaxed him properly before finally coaxing Jiba out from under the turtle shell. But his wings were still bald in one patch. It looked like he had pecked them with his little sharp beak when the stress was too great yesterday. Zhou Jiayu felt very guilty seeing this and asked Jiba if there was any way he could make it up to him.

Jiba had the weathered expression of an old father looking at his son. He said he didn’t ask for much, only that Zhou Jiayu and Lin Zhushui be happy.

Zhou Jiayu: “…” You’ve suffered, Jiba, worrying like an old father.

Although they had officially established their relationship with Lin Zhushui, their lives didn’t change too obviously.

Lin Zhushui once again gave Zhou Jiayu that glazed lamp. This time, Zhou Jiayu obediently accepted it. He also thought about giving Lin Zhushui a return gift. As for what to give, that was a problem. Lin Jue gave him an idea, saying to have Zhou Jiayu personally carve a pendant for Lin Zhushui. She even provided him with jade material and taught him carving techniques hand in hand.

As a beginner, Zhou Jiayu’s skill truly wasn’t very good. After working hard for half a month, he carved out a swimming fish that looked quite rough. This fish and the jade pendant Lin Zhushui had given him were simply one in heaven and one on earth.

“It’s fine.” Lin Jue comforted him, “This thing is all about the intention. What pendant does your Sir want that he can’t buy? The important thing isn’t the pendant; it’s the person who carved the pendant.”

That did make sense. When Zhou Jiayu finally gave the pendant to Lin Zhushui, Lin Zhushui truly liked it very much. He immediately picked it up and put it around his neck.

So the next day, the aroma of dog food in the house grew even richer. The five single dogs looked at the couple pendants on Zhou Jiayu and Lin Zhushui’s necks and deeply felt the malice of the world.

Just as Zhou Jiayu was immersed in sweet romance, a major incident occurred.

Normally, Xiao Zhi’s emotions were very stable—the type that wouldn’t get angry no matter how much you teased him. But in recent days, his emotions had become especially irritable. He didn’t rub the yellow weasel’s fur anymore. He just stuck to the doorway every day, looking outside.

Zhou Jiayu keenly sensed that something was wrong with him and told Lin Zhushui. Upon hearing this, Lin Zhushui furrowed his brows and said, “Something might have happened to the Xu family on Mount She.”

As a result, that very night, Lin Zhushui came to their place and told them to pack their luggage immediately. They were going to Mount She.

“What happened, Sir?” Seeing Lin Zhushui’s grave expression, Zhou Jiayu also sensed that something was wrong.

“A fire broke out on Mount She.” Lin Zhushui said, “The people over there say they can’t contact the Xu family.”

Zhou Jiayu’s heart chilled upon hearing this. Based on Xiao Zhi’s reaction and Lin Zhushui’s news, clearly the situation of the Xu family on Mount She was not optimistic at this moment. They must have encountered something that caused them to be unreachable.

Zhou Jiayu and the others quickly prepared their luggage and set out from home that very night.

These past few days happened to be the start of winter. A light snow had fallen a few days ago. Fortunately, the temperature wasn’t too low right now. Otherwise, if heavy snow sealed the mountain and train service stopped, they probably wouldn’t be able to go to Mount She.

Zhou Jiayu rarely saw such an expression on Lin Zhushui. From preparing luggage to boarding the train, it could almost be said that he didn’t speak a single word.

Zhou Jiayu was a bit worried but didn’t know how to comfort him. In the end, Lin Zhushui seemed to sense the unease in Zhou Jiayu’s heart. He stretched out his finger and gently hooked Zhou Jiayu’s palm: “Don’t be afraid.”

The anxiety in Zhou Jiayu’s heart was miraculously soothed. As long as Lin Zhushui was here, it seemed like there was nothing that couldn’t be resolved.

Because this matter was extremely urgent, they basically set out overnight and boarded the train to Mount She at midnight.

This time, several disciples and Lin Jue also came along. Xiao Zhi hid in Zhou Jiayu’s embrace, his emotions looking somewhat unstable.

Zhou Jiayu stroked his head, comforting him that everything would be fine. But Xiao Zhi sniffled and said gone, all gone.

Zhou Jiayu sighed in his heart and held him tightly. Xiao Zhi leaned in Zhou Jiayu’s embrace, his expression full of sadness. Zhou Jiayu had raised Xiao Zhi for almost a year now, and this was the first time he had seen him this upset. He couldn’t find words of comfort. He could only stroke his back, wanting to make him feel a little better.

On the train, Lin Zhushui had been on the phone the whole time. But from his expression, one could see that the situation on Mount She was not optimistic.

Lin Jue asked what exactly was going on over there. Lin Zhushui sighed lightly: “The fire has been extinguished, but the Xu family’s situation is not good. Most of them are missing…”

Going missing in a fire, the chances of survival were extremely slim. Lin Jue lit a cigarette and said, “This was deliberate arson, right?”

Actually, they all had a feeling in their hearts about this question, because the paper people on Mount She were not afraid of ordinary fire. Under normal circumstances, a fire was simply impossible.

But according to Lin Zhushui’s news, the place where the Xu clan lived had been completely burned to ashes. There must be other reasons behind this.

This late-night train was very quiet. There were only a few passengers in their car. Zhou Jiayu leaned against the back seat and dozed off in a daze around dawn. When he woke up, he discovered that he was being held in Lin Zhushui’s arms, with a cashmere coat draped over him.

“Sir.” Zhou Jiayu’s tone carried a hazy sleepiness as he mumbled.

“Continue sleeping.” Lin Zhushui’s voice was light, carrying a soothing quality. “We still have a while before we arrive.”

Zhou Jiayu made an “mm” sound and glanced outside the window. At this moment, the sky outside was still dark and heavy. The howling wind in the sky began to carry tiny snowflakes, beating against the glass window with mournful, sharp wind sounds. But Zhou Jiayu didn’t feel cold. Leaning against Lin Zhushui’s chest, through the thin clothing, he could feel the continuous warmth emanating from Lin Zhushui’s body. And that heart-soothing sandalwood scent also lingered in his nose.

Zhou Jiayu said, “Sir, do you want to sleep for a while?” He noticed that Shen Yiqiong and the others were also dozing off. Only their treatment wasn’t as good—they were either lying on the table or leaning against the backs of their seats.

“It’s fine.” Lin Zhushui said, “I’m not sleepy.”

Zhou Jiayu curved his eyes and smiled: “People are made of flesh. How can you not be sleepy?” He rubbed his eyes, wanting to break free from Lin Zhushui’s embrace. “I can also hold you while you sleep. I guarantee it’ll be comfortable.”

Lin Zhushui didn’t let go. He still held Zhou Jiayu. He said, “I’m keeping watch.”

Zhou Jiayu then raised his eyes to look at him. From this angle, he could just see Lin Zhushui’s well-defined jawline and his long neck. The Adam’s apple on his neck formed a sexy protrusion. Below that were beautiful collarbones. Zhou Jiayu suddenly felt a stirring in his heart and slowly leaned over, kissing Lin Zhushui’s collarbone.

Lin Zhushui slightly raised an eyebrow.

“Sir, you’re so good-looking.” Clearly, he was the one who made the first move, yet Zhou Jiayu’s ears turned red in embarrassment.

Lin Zhushui didn’t speak. He suddenly reached out and touched Zhou Jiayu’s earlobe, then said, “Do your ears turn red every time you confess?”

Zhou Jiayu: “…Mm.” He didn’t want to either, feeling this reaction was a bit embarrassing, but he couldn’t control it.

“Very cute.” The corners of Lin Zhushui’s mouth curved into a faint smile. “Lin Jue told me before. It’s a pity I normally can’t see it myself.”

Zhou Jiayu inexplicably felt some heartache. He looked at Lin Zhushui’s beautiful eyes and long eyelashes, then leaned in again, leaving a gentle kiss.

The scorching lips touching the cool eyes made the atmosphere grow increasingly intimate. Lin Zhushui’s Adam’s apple moved up and down, as if suppressing some emotion. But in the end, he only let out a sigh-like phrase from his mouth: “Continue sleeping.”

Zhou Jiayu nodded, closed his eyes, and fell into another deep sleep.

Winter days always got light, especially late. By the time Zhou Jiayu woke up, it was already past eight in the morning, but the sky outside was still dark and heavy, gloomy as if it were evening.

After waking up, Zhou Jiayu saw that Shen Yiqiong and the others were already eating breakfast. Well, it was actually just boiling a kettle of hot water to make instant noodles. Of course, Lin Zhushui, as usual, had no interest in these foods.

When you’re hungry, everything tastes good. After waking up, Zhou Jiayu also ate a bucket of instant noodles and asked how much longer until they arrived.

“Probably noon.” Lin Jue’s nose was red from the cold. She sniffled. “This place is quite far…”

“Has Shibo been to Mount She before?” Zhou Jiayu was a bit curious.

Lin Jue smiled and said, “Of course I’ve been. I went to so many places back then. Besides, the paper people of Mount She are quite famous in our industry. I definitely had to go see them.” As she spoke, she cast her gaze toward the mountains outside the window. Her expression contained a bit of another flavor.

Zhou Jiayu vaguely guessed that when she went back then, there was probably another person accompanying her. It’s just a pity that today, revisiting this old place, the old person was nowhere to be seen.

Shen Yiqiong was also sniffing. He seemed to have caught a cold. Not only was his nose stuffed, but he had also started coughing. His entire person was curled up in his down jacket, wilted like a quail.

“Yiqiong, are you taking medicine?” Shen Musi was a bit worried seeing Shen Yiqiong in this state.

Shen Yiqiong said in a muffled voice, “Already took it. I was definitely infected by Zhou Jiayu.”

Shen Musi said, “Zhou Jiayu’s cold is already better. What does he have to infect you with?”

Shen Yiqiong muttered, “Hmph, whatever. It was definitely the sour stench of romance that caused my cold.”

Shen Musi: “…”

Zhou Jiayu took a bite of instant noodles and said, “You can be in a romance too.”

Shen Yiqiong said, “With who? The only female here is Shibo…” He obviously remembered what Lin Jue had done. Before he could finish speaking, he himself shuddered.

“Don’t you still have your shixiong?” Zhou Jiayu teased him.

Shen Yiqiong said, “Shixiong…”

Shen Musi said, “You guys chat. I’m leaving first.” As he spoke, he carried his instant noodles and slipped away, leaving Shen Yiqiong alone in place, showing a sad expression. “I wasn’t even looking for you. Why are you so disgusted with me!”

At noon, they finally arrived at their destination. After sitting on the train for so long, their bodies were somewhat stiff.

When they were on the train and about to reach Mount She, they saw plumes of black smoke rising from the mountain forests of Mount She. Although they didn’t see open flames, they could guess that this fire was probably quite serious.

“Hope everything is okay.” Zhou Jiayu held Xiao Zhi and got off the train, only to see Xiao Zhi wanting to break free from his embrace. “What’s wrong?”

“Gone, gone…” Xiao Zhi suddenly burst into loud wails, his crying voice heart-wrenching. “All gone…”

Hearing Xiao Zhi’s words, Zhou Jiayu’s heart turned cold. He knew that the situation on Mount She was probably very dire.

__

Author’s Note:

Zhou Jiayu: Kiss collarbone.

Lin Zhushui: Endure.

Zhou Jiayu: Kiss eyes.

Lin Zhushui: Endure.

Zhou Jiayu: Kiss…

Lin Zhushui carried Zhou Jiayu and threw him onto the bed: Can’t endure anymore.