Everyone else worries about their partner cheating after they start dating, but Shen Yiqiong, with his unique talent, had to “cheat” even before he had a partner.

Chen Xian’s face was gloomy after being pushed forward, which made Shen Yiqiong feel a bit awkward. He said, “Maybe we should just forget it. If we can’t find him, we can’t. Maybe there’ll be another way later.”

Chen Xian, however, said it was fine, he was just annoyed at Xu Ruwang, that bastard, for always leaving a mess for others to clean up.

Xu Ruwang shamelessly retorted, “You didn’t see my butt, so how do you know I didn’t wipe it?”

Chen Xian said, “If you babble one more word, I’ll not only see your butt but do something else to it too.”

Xu Ruwang actually didn’t retort. Instead, he changed the subject with Shen Yiqiong, saying Chen Xian was really amazing and that Shen Yiqiong would definitely be fine with him.

Shen Yiqiong was still a little worried, but since Xu Ruwang guaranteed with such confidence that there would be no problem, he had no choice but to agree to Xu Ruwang’s plan.

---

Xu Ruwang said there was no time to lose, and it was best to quickly drag out that weasel. They should take advantage of the dark and windy night to carry out their “illicit affair.”

Before Shen Yiqiong could say anything, Chen Xian slapped him on the back, making Xu Ruwang wince. Chen Xian gloomily said, “Have you forgotten how to speak like a human?”

Xu Ruwang: “…Alright, alright. Tonight, you’ll be in the next room, pretending to make a move on Shen Yiqiong. That weasel’s heart is smaller than a needle’s eye. If he really has feelings for Shen Yiqiong, he’ll definitely come over.”

Shen Yiqiong was still a bit worried: “That weasel seemed quite powerful. If we provoke him, can we catch him?”

“It’s fine, didn’t you say he’s only seventy-three years old?” Xu Ruwang said confidently. “A seventy-three-year-old demon can’t be that powerful…”

Shen Yiqiong felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint it. Seeing Xu Ruwang’s confident demeanor, he suppressed his uneasiness and agreed to Xu Ruwang’s plan. The three of them planned all day in the hotel, then quickly set up a formation specifically for catching weasels in the adjacent room, and finally waited for night to fall.

Shen Yiqiong was still a bit nervous and took two sips of wine to bolster his courage before starting. Xu Ruwang comforted Shen Yiqiong, telling him not to worry, that Chen Xian wouldn’t actually do anything to him.

Shen Yiqiong: “…I wasn’t worried about that.”

Xu Ruwang regretfully said, “Oh, is that so?”

Chen Xian: “????” Xu Ruwang, did you use your intelligence as nourishment for that long hair of yours and it all got sucked away?

---

At 8 PM, the sky outside darkened. Shen Yiqiong and Chen Xian stood up and went to the next room, leaving Xu Ruwang alone to handle any contingencies.

Shen Yiqiong entered the adjacent room, sitting on the sofa, facing Chen Xian. He said, “Um… how exactly do we pretend to be cheating?”

Chen Xian saw his helpless expression and inexplicably felt like laughing. “Let’s go to the bed first. Don’t be nervous, I won’t actually do anything to you.”

Shen Yiqiong felt quite awkward, asking Xu Ruwang’s friend for such a favor. However, at this point, hesitation seemed inappropriate. He reluctantly stood up and sat beside Chen Xian.

Chen Xian himself was not bad-looking, but compared to Xu Ruwang’s purely masculine handsomeness, he had a more refined and gentle aura, as if a sharp weapon had been sheathed.

Shen Yiqiong sat on the edge of the bed as Chen Xian slowly leaned in. He tentatively kissed Shen Yiqiong’s forehead, trying to ease Shen Yiqiong’s nervousness. He whispered, “Don’t be afraid, it’s alright.”

Shen Yiqiong swallowed hard, his eyes downcast, feigning calmness.

Then Chen Xian embraced Shen Yiqiong, his lips slowly moving downwards. He kissed very slowly, and very earnestly. Shen Yiqiong unconsciously tried to pull back, but he was held firmly by Chen Xian’s arm. However, just as their lips were about to meet, a sudden gust of wind howled by the window. Chen Xian’s movements instantly stopped, and a hint of a smile entered his voice: “He really came.”

The wind came so abruptly that it shattered the glass on the balcony. The curtains hanging nearby, like two large hands, flew up into the air and lunged towards the people on the bed.

Chen Xian flipped onto his feet beside the bed, pulled out a pre-prepared talisman from his怀 (bosom) and was ready to fight the weasel. Who knew the wind would instantly stop? Shen Yiqiong felt a red shadow fall over him, and a cold male voice rang out: “Seeking death!”

Chen Xian’s face changed dramatically. He turned to retreat, but his entire body was instantly enveloped by the curtains and flung out the window—

Seeing the situation, Shen Yiqiong immediately shouted, “Huang Yao, don’t kill him—”

Chen Xian, still wrapped in the curtains, instantly froze in mid-air. A pair of hands gripped Shen Yiqiong’s chin, and Huang Yao’s voice was as cold as ice: “You’re very bold.”

This was the first time Shen Yiqiong had seen Huang Yao so clearly. The first time was in the dimly lit tomb, the second was in a drunken haze. Now, with ample light, Huang Yao stood before him, still wearing that beautiful red suit. His features were like a painting, his long, narrow phoenix eyes curving into a displeased arc, his thin lips slightly pursed, indicating a very foul mood.

Shen Yiqiong didn’t know what he was thinking. At a time like this, he incongruously blurted out, “Huang Yao, you really are so handsome.”

Huang Yao: “…”

Shen Yiqiong then laughed awkwardly, “I, I actually didn’t cheat on him. I just wanted to lure you out.”

Huang Yao released Shen Yiqiong’s chin. He said, “Lure me out?”

Shen Yiqiong, in a flash of quick thinking, extended his wrist, revealing the beautiful jade bracelet: “This bracelet is too valuable; it doesn’t seem right to just give it to me like this…”

Huang Yao gazed into Shen Yiqiong’s eyes, silent for a moment. He surprisingly didn’t expose Shen Yiqiong’s lie. He said, “It’s suitable. You deserve this bracelet.”

Shen Yiqiong’s heart began to beat wildly, without restraint.

Huang Yao suddenly asked, “Then, do you like me?”

Shen Yiqiong didn’t expect Huang Yao to ask so directly and felt a bit embarrassed. However, after a slight hesitation, he nodded and said, “I do.”

Huang Yao smiled brilliantly: “I like you too.”

After saying this, he leaned in directly and kissed Shen Yiqiong’s lips. This was Shen Yiqiong’s first kiss. He realized for the first time that kissing someone could be so joyful.

Huang Yao’s lips were cool but very soft. As their lips and tongues met, countless fireworks seemed to explode in Shen Yiqiong’s mind, making his entire face flush red with excitement—though, due to his dark skin, the redness wasn’t very noticeable.

While the two of them were enveloped in a pink bubble of romance, Chen Xian was still dangling in mid-air, unable to move. As soon as he saw Huang Yao, he knew something was wrong. This weasel absolutely could not be seventy-three years old—there were probably at least three more digits before the seventy-three.

Damn it, is it a trend to hide your age when dating these days? Chen Xian cursed the weasel inwardly for being so sneaky, but he was wrapped in the curtains, unable to move.

Shen Yiqiong, pathetic as ever, was entranced. In front of such a beautiful face, gender seemed to become less important. Huang Yao said, “I must go.”

“Where are you going?” Shen Yiqiong asked him.

“I’m going to save up betrothal gifts for you,” Huang Yao reached out and touched Shen Yiqiong’s face, his eyes filled with tenderness. “Then I’ll marry you.”

Shen Yiqiong said, “Actually, you don’t need betrothal gifts…”

Who knew that Huang Yao’s face would change dramatically upon hearing this: “How can you not have betrothal gifts? Betrothal makes one a wife, elopement makes one a concubine!”

Shen Yiqiong: “…” He suddenly became curious, just how many years had Huang Yao been sleeping in that stone coffin?

“If you miss me in the future, just rub chicken blood on the bracelet,” Huang Yao said. “Don’t do anything to challenge my patience—” Like, cheating.

Shen Yiqiong nodded obediently. Huang Yao then imprinted another kiss on his forehead before getting up and leaving.

Shen Yiqiong looked at his retreating back, a dazed expression on his face, and mumbled, “Huang Yao is so handsome…”

“Clang.” A heavy object suddenly hit the floor in the room. Shen Yiqiong turned his head and saw Chen Xian, looking very disheveled, crawling out of the curtains.

“Chen Xian, are you alright?” Shen Yiqiong quickly asked.

“I’m fine,” Chen Xian shook his head. He said, “Did he just come?”

Shen Yiqiong: “Yes, he did. Holy cow, he scared me to death. I thought he was going to throw you out the window.”

Chen Xian looked helpless. Their formation was useless; the weasel didn’t even trigger it upon entering. Simply put, they were not in the same league as this demon. For this weasel to crush them, it would be like crushing an insect.

“He’s definitely not just seventy-three,” Chen Xian said. “With that level of cultivation, it’s impossible without at least a few hundred years.”

Shen Yiqiong: “…Huh?”

Chen Xian: “Sigh, it seems we’ve provoked an ancestor.”

Shen Yiqiong had vaguely sensed that Huang Yao was extraordinary, but he was still startled when Chen Xian said it outright. He hadn’t expected Huang Yao’s background to be so formidable: “Then what should I do?”

Chen Xian: “Do you like him?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Yiqiong thought carefully, then gave an answer: “I like his face.”

Chen Xian: “…” Don’t let him hear that.

“He’s so good-looking,” Shen Yiqiong said wistfully. “If you saw him, you’d like him too.”

Chen Xian was torn between laughter and tears: “Then are you willing to be with her?”

Shen Yiqiong said, “I don’t know. But don’t you have to try dating to know if you’re willing?”

Chen Xian actually agreed with this statement, but the problem was, if Shen Yiqiong wasn’t willing after dating, Huang Yao probably wouldn’t agree to break up with him either.

“If you’re unwilling, it’s best to ask your master to help you,” Chen Xian suggested. “Only Mr. Lin can probably deal with this weasel.”

At the mention of Lin Zhushui, the smile on Shen Yiqiong’s face faded. Although he didn’t know what Lin Zhushui was busy with at the moment, he could vaguely guess it was related to Zhou Jiayu. Compared to Zhou Jiayu’s resurrection, were his own matters even a concern? Thinking this, although Shen Yiqiong verbally agreed, he made a decision in his heart—he wouldn’t trouble Lin Zhushui with this matter.

Chen Xian noticed the expression on Shen Yiqiong’s face and was about to ask, but a knock echoed at the door. He walked over and opened it, seeing Xu Ruwang standing at the doorway, drenched in sweat. After seeing that they were both safe, he let out a long sigh of relief: “Are you two alright?? Didn’t you hear me knocking?”

“No,” Chen Xian said. “We were probably under a spell and heard nothing.”

Xu Ruwang asked, “What about the weasel?”

Chen Xian made a helpless gesture and said, “He left. He’s a centuries-old demon; how could we possibly catch him?”

“Centuries?” Xu Ruwang looked incredulous and quickly looked at Shen Yiqiong. “Are you alright, Shen Yiqiong? He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

Shen Yiqiong shook his head, indicating he was fine.

“Then what should we do?” Xu Ruwang said. “Otherwise, I’ll go ask my master if he can help.”

“No need,” Shen Yiqiong smiled. “Actually, I think he’s quite good. He didn’t force me, and he even said he’d save up a dowry to marry me.”

Xu Ruwang wanted to say something more but saw Shen Yiqiong’s firm expression, as if he had made up his mind. He vaguely understood something, sighed faintly in his heart, and said, “If there’s anything I can help with, you must tell me.”

Shen Yiqiong nodded.

---

After leaving the Northeast, Shen Yiqiong traveled alone to other places. In unfamiliar territory, he occasionally missed his hometown especially. But at least Shen Yiqiong wasn’t lonely, because wherever he went, he was accompanied by a person named Huang Yao.

He would give him a kiss late at night, he would bring him an umbrella on a rainy day, he would shield him from sudden dangers, allowing him to escape death again and again.

Shen Yiqiong finally understood how wonderful it was to have someone by his side.

On a cold evening, he curled up in a hotel, eating supper and smoking. The lights in the room were orange, casting a soft, warm glow on him. He heard Huang Yao’s footsteps, so he turned his head.

Huang Yao appeared behind Shen Yiqiong, holding a beautiful red wooden box. He put the box down and smiled, saying it was a New Year’s gift for Shen Yiqiong.

Shen Yiqiong took the box and carefully opened it, finding a small red jade pendant inside. The pendant was shaped like a vivid little weasel. Seeing this, he immediately thought of the fish-shaped jade pendant Zhou Jiayu had given to Lin Zhushui, and the smile on his face faded.

“What, you don’t like it?” Huang Yao sat beside Shen Yiqiong, asking softly. He had changed out of that dazzling wedding attire and into modern casual clothes, but no matter what he wore, his ancient charm was very noticeable.

“No,” Shen Yiqiong said. “I just remembered an old friend…”

“A friend?” Huang Yao asked.

“Mhm,” Shen Yiqiong said. “He also gave his lover such a jade pendant, but later… he passed away.”

Huang Yao fell silent. He gently pulled Shen Yiqiong into his arms. His body temperature was slightly higher than normal, and in the cold weather, being embraced like this was very comfortable. Shen Yiqiong adjusted his posture and slowly told Huang Yao about Zhou Jiayu and Lin Zhushui.

He spoke of Zhou Jiayu’s appearance, their time together, and his disappearance, his voice growing softer and softer. Huang Yao thought Shen Yiqiong was crying, but looking down, he found his dark-skinned friend had fallen asleep. Perhaps he was too tired. Huang Yao’s gaze softened considerably. He held Shen Yiqiong, feeling his steady breathing, and slowly closed his own eyes.

Shen Yiqiong slept very deeply that night.

For a period afterward, Shen Yiqiong heard no news about Lin Zhushui. However, sometimes no news is good news, as it at least proved that Lin Zhushui hadn’t met with any accidents.

Shen Yiqiong also grew accustomed to Huang Yao’s presence, and deep down, he even began to hope for their relationship to progress further. However, Huang Yao made no moves, at most only kissing Shen Yiqiong. Most of the time, Shen Yiqiong didn’t even know where he was.

“Huang Yao, don’t you like me?” Shen Yiqiong asked him. “Then, shall we date?”

Huang Yao shook his head.

Shen Yiqiong was surprised to see him shake his head: “Why are you shaking your head?”

Huang Yao said, “Only marriage, no dating.”

Shen Yiqiong: “…” He paused for a moment, then asked the question he had always wanted to ask, “Um, do you mind telling me, exactly… how old are you?”

Huang Yao said, “Seventy-three.”

Shen Yiqiong said, “Are you sure?”

Huang Yao nodded earnestly.

Shen Yiqiong said, “Then, before you slept in the coffin, what dynasty was it?”

Huang Yao very calmly said, “I don’t remember.”

Shen Yiqiong’s face showed suspicion. After being with Huang Yao for a long time, he noticed some of Huang Yao’s subtle habits, like his hair subtly swaying when he lied… At first glance, it looked like it was blown by the wind, but it would actually move even when there was no wind.

“Really?” Shen Yiqiong reached out and held Huang Yao’s black hair. “You’re not lying to me?”

Huang Yao said, “No.”

As he said this, Shen Yiqiong felt the strands of hair gently tickle his palm, making him almost want to laugh: “No matter how old you are, I like you.”

Huang Yao frowned.

Just as Shen Yiqiong thought he wouldn’t speak, he quietly said, “You’d still like me even if I could be your ancestor?”

Shen Yiqiong: “…” It seems Chen Xian was indeed right earlier. Huang Yao’s age was definitely not simply seventy-three; perhaps three, four, or five hundred years needed to be added before it…

“Never mind, if you don’t want to say, then don’t,” Shen Yiqiong gave up pursuing the matter. “Anyway, I quite like you now.”

Perhaps due to his ancient origins, Huang Yao’s personality was extremely conservative. Even pre-marital touching and hugging were heavily restrained, let alone anything more intimate. Shen Yiqiong, on the other hand, was a twenty-something-year-old virgin who had been “dating” his five fingers. Now that he finally felt he was in love, he naturally wanted to do intimate things with his lover.

But Huang Yao stubbornly refused.

---

The two were at an impasse over this matter when Shen Yiqiong received news: Zhou Jiayu had returned.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yiqiong rushed home and finally learned everything from Lin Jue, understanding what Lin Zhushui had been working towards all this time. Zhou Jiayu was back! Shen Yiqiong trembled with excitement. He returned home and saw a young man in a wheelchair. His face was unfamiliar, but his eyes and demeanor felt so familiar.

Shen Yiqiong rushed over and gave him a bear hug. However, the young man looked bewildered, as if he didn’t recognize him. Shen Yiqiong was both happy and angry, and finally a little helpless. He thought, It’s good that he’s back, as long as he’s here, whether he remembers or not…

Zhou Jiayu’s sudden return re-energized the house, but Shen Yiqiong was a bit worried, beginning to ponder how to tell his family about him and the weasel. However, before he could find the right words, Huang Yao’s betrothal gifts arrived again.

The family was very surprised to see these items. Left with no choice, Shen Yiqiong had to tell them about him and Huang Yao. Of course, he omitted some details, only saying that he and Huang Yao met in a tomb and had been entangled ever since, but he didn’t dare mention that he wanted to deepen their relationship and was rejected. He always felt it was a bit embarrassing.

“Oh, it’s Little Darkie’s romance,” Lin Jue joked with Shen Yiqiong. “Are you really not planning to accept it sooner?”

Shen Yiqiong thick-skinnedly said he wasn’t someone who could be so easily bought, but only he knew the truth. Although it looked like Huang Yao was pursuing him, what was really going on… Sigh, never mind, don’t argue with ancient people.

The two continued their back-and-forth until Shen Yiqiong began to despair, when Huang Yao suddenly appeared at their home with a matchmaker. Along with the matchmaker came a large pile of betrothal gifts.

At that time, Shen Yiqiong wasn’t even home. When he returned, he found that he had actually already been “married off” by Lin Zhushui.

“Just get married then,” Lin Zhushui said. “It saves you from staying at home every day.”

Shen Yiqiong’s expression was resentful; he knew very well that Lin Zhushui found him to be a third wheel.

“Don’t you want to marry him?” Zhou Jiayu looked at Shen Yiqiong’s expression with some concern. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to. Talk to Zhushui…”

“No,” Shen Yiqiong said. “I’m just thinking about something.”

“What?” Zhou Jiayu asked.

Shen Yiqiong was a bit embarrassed but still blurted it out: “It’s just, after I get married, if my skills aren’t good, will he dislike me?”

The room suddenly fell silent.

Shen Yiqiong saw the pity on everyone’s faces and suddenly realized something: “Wait, do I… I won’t be the one on top?”

Zhou Jiayu said, “You can discuss it with him then?” He had seen Huang Yao once. Although Huang Yao was handsome, his height and aura were in no way inferior to Shen Yiqiong’s. To be honest, facing such a person, only someone as clueless as Shen Yiqiong would think such idle thoughts.

Shen Yiqiong instantly panicked and started wailing: “No, this isn’t what I imagined—” He had imagined making Huang Yao’s face flush red. Now, suddenly realizing that he might be the one in that situation, how terrifying was that? So what had he been looking forward to all these years for?!

“Don’t worry,” Zhou Jiayu patted his shoulder. “If he dares to touch you, just wail. Wail until he can’t go through with it.”

Shen Yiqiong stared blankly at Zhou Jiayu, speechless.

---

Later, no one was quite sure what became of Shen Yiqiong and Huang Yao, only that for two days after their wedding, Shen Yiqiong was nowhere to be seen, while Huang Yao looked refreshed, his smile as bright as spring flowers.

“So, were you on top in the end?” Zhou Jiayu asked Shen Yiqiong much later.

Shen Yiqiong, smoking at the time, exhaled a puff of smoke and said with a world-weary tone, “Yes.”

Zhou Jiayu said, “That’s not bad then?”

Shen Yiqiong said nothing, but secretly wept in his heart. He was on top, alright, but who the hell would have thought there was a position called riding?!!!