The joy had exhausted most of Zhou Jiayu’s strength. Before long, he grew drowsy again and fell into a deep sleep with a contented smile on his face.

If Lin Zhushui had seen Zhou Jiayu’s expression at that moment, he would’ve surely noticed the soft curve at the corners of his mouth — pure happiness written all over his face.

Zhou Jiayu slept for a long time. When he finally woke up, he lay there for a while before hoarsely asking, “How long did I sleep?”

Ji Ba was standing on his turtle shell, humming a tune. “A few hours. It’s almost time for dinner.”

Zhou Jiayu sat up on the bed, feeling weak and limp all over, but he still grinned and said, “I’m so happy. I had a dream.” As he mentioned the dream, his cheeks flushed red, a thin layer of sweat appeared on his nose, and joy sparkled at the corners of his eyes.

“What did you dream about?” Ji Ba wondered. What could make him this happy? Didn’t everything he wanted already come true? Or… was it a wet dream? he thought, eyeing Zhou Jiayu’s flushed face.

Then he heard the silly Zhou Jiayu say, “I dreamt that sir confessed to me.”

Ji Ba: “……”

“He even called me cute.” Zhou Jiayu said cheerfully. “But isn’t it kind of weird for a grown man like me to be called cute?” As he spoke, he put on his clothes. “The dream felt so real I almost thought it actually happened.”

If Zhou Jiayu had been looking at Ji Ba, he would’ve seen the little bird on his head frozen like a statue. But Zhou Jiayu was in too much of a hurry to get dressed and head downstairs to notice.

If Ji Ba had a human face, it would’ve been completely red by now, but alas — it didn’t. Instead, he nearly choked on his own breath. “Zhou Jiayu, if you could go back in time, I have a very serious piece of advice for you.”

Zhou Jiayu asked what advice.

Ji Ba said solemnly, “I’d advise you to fall in love early, maybe back in high school…”

Zhou Jiayu was totally confused.

He trotted downstairs and saw a table full of delicious food. Judging from the quality, he could tell it wasn’t cooked by anyone in the house — Lin Jue must’ve ordered it in.

“Guan’er, you’re awake! Feeling better?” Shen Yiqiong was playing cards with the little paper men when he saw Zhou Jiayu come down.

“Much better.” After the injection, medicine, and a good sleep, Zhou Jiayu felt refreshed and full of energy — especially after having such a wonderful dream.

“Come eat something.” Shen Yiqiong said. “Your shibo ordered all this for you to help you recover.”

Zhou Jiayu nodded. His stomach was already rumbling, so he sat down at the table.

All the dishes were gentle and nourishing — perfect for someone who was sick. Zhou Jiayu’s good mood made him eat even more than usual, humming softly as he stuffed rice into his mouth.

Ji Ba said, “Zhou Jiayu, I have something to tell you. Brace yourself.”

Hearing Ji Ba’s serious tone, Zhou Jiayu casually replied, “What’s with the grave voice? Don’t tell me you’re about to say that sir really did confess to me?”

Ji Ba: “???”

Zhou Jiayu chuckled. “That joke is too obvious — I already knew I was feverish and delusional.”

Ji Ba’s round eyes bulged, and his tongue stuck out in disbelief, looking like he was about to faint on the spot.

Zhou Jiayu was startled by this grotesque expression and carefully asked, “Ji Ba, are you okay?”

Ji Ba said through gritted teeth, “Zhou Jiayu — I have to seriously tell you that Lin Zhushui really did confess to you. You weren’t dreaming.”

Zhou Jiayu laughed heartily. “I guessed that’s the joke you were going to make — can’t you think of something new?”

Ji Ba fell silent. In fact, if he had a physical form, he probably would’ve flown onto Zhou Jiayu’s head and pecked him silly to wake him up.

Still grinning, Zhou Jiayu continued eating. Shen Yiqiong noticed and asked why he was in such a good mood.

Zhou Jiayu said he’d had a wonderful dream.

Shen Yiqiong asked what he’d dreamed about.

Zhou Jiayu said he’d dreamed about the person he liked.

Hearing this, Shen Yiqiong sat up straight, stars shining in his eyes. “Who do you like?”

Zhou Jiayu glanced at him and teased, “Take a guess.”

Shen Yiqiong said eagerly, “Is it me?”

Zhou Jiayu laughed. “It’s late. Go to bed, you.”

Earlier, Shen Yiqiong had been holding the little paper man to keep it from bothering Zhou Jiayu while he slept. Now the paper man was finally free to climb onto Zhou Jiayu’s head and snuggle him again. Zhou Jiayu stroked the little weasel in his arms. The whole house felt warm and peaceful — except for Ji Ba in Zhou Jiayu’s head, who was already so furious he felt like plucking out all his own feathers.

Lin Jue came in from outside and said she had sent Tan Feixing to the Lin family. Lin Zhushui couldn’t take any more disciples, but although Tan Feixing was a bit older, his exceptional talent meant he would definitely be in demand.

“It’s not easy for him to have survived this long on his own,” Lin Jue said. “People who can see spirits tend to attract them too — without protection, accidents happen easily. He probably survived because there’s a dragon suppressing the evil energy in that area.”

At the mention of the dragon, Lin Jue’s expression turned subtly unnatural.

Zhou Jiayu and Shen Yiqiong noticed but said nothing, pretending to focus on their own tasks.

After dinner, Zhou Jiayu strolled around the garden for a bit before returning to his room to sleep. But when he entered, he saw a beautiful glazed lamp sitting on his desk.

Zhou Jiayu recognized the lamp — it was the one Shen Yiqiong had bought at the Ye family auction. On top of the lamp was a short stick of incense, gently burning. The scent was familiar — the unique sandalwood fragrance that Lin Zhushui carried. Beside the lamp lay a white card with elegant handwriting: “To Zhou Jiayu.” It was signed by Lin Zhushui.

Zhou Jiayu knew the lamp was expensive. His first instinct was that he couldn’t accept such a costly gift. But since it was late, going to return it now didn’t seem appropriate. He decided to explain and politely decline the gift the next morning.

Still, though he couldn’t accept the lamp, he couldn’t help liking the incense — especially this scent, so like Lin Zhushui’s, making him feel as if he were nestled in Lin Zhushui’s embrace.

“So nice…” The fragrance seemed to have a sleep-inducing effect. Zhou Jiayu soon drifted off, sleeping deeply and sweetly — even dreaming of some rather intimate scenes. So much so that when he got up the next morning, he sneakily went downstairs to wash his underwear.

Early that morning, Zhou Jiayu saw Ji Ba lying disheveled atop the turtle shell, looking like it was on its last breath. Startled, Zhou Jiayu asked as he washed his underwear, “What’s wrong, Ji Ba?”

Ji Ba groaned, “What did you dream about last night?”

Zhou Jiayu hummed, “The one I like…”

Ji Ba snapped, “Can’t you be more direct? ‘The one I like’? Like I don’t know who that is? I’m the bird in your brain, remember?”

Zhou Jiayu admitted honestly, “Fine, fine — I dreamt about Lin Zhushui.” He chuckled as he washed his underwear. “I dreamt he confessed to me again and even kissed me.”

Ji Ba mentally collapsed. “So if I tell you right now that Lin Zhushui really did confess and it wasn’t a dream — you wouldn’t believe me, would you?”

Zhou Jiayu said, “Wow, that’s too much. Who would believe that kind of joke?”

As soon as he finished, he saw Ji Ba furiously trying to bury its head in the turtle shell, looking like it wanted to die on the spot. Zhou Jiayu jumped in fright and asked why Ji Ba was acting so dramatic.

Ji Ba groaned, “Don’t talk to me!!”

Zhou Jiayu suspected Ji Ba was going through puberty — why else would its mood swings be so extreme?

By lunchtime, Zhou Jiayu was getting ready to deliver food to Lin Zhushui as usual. Shen Yiqiong offered to go with him since Zhou Jiayu wasn’t feeling well, but Zhou Jiayu refused — he didn’t want Shen Yiqiong to see the glazed lamp Lin Zhushui had gifted him and start overthinking things.

Zhou Jiayu carried a basket of food to Lin Zhushui’s door. Before he could even knock, the wooden door swung open.

Lin Zhushui stood in the doorway. “Come in,” he said.

Zhou Jiayu stepped inside.

Lin Zhushui didn’t speak to him but went straight into the study. He seemed to be painting something — the desk was covered with paints and a half-finished scroll.

Zhou Jiayu stopped at the entrance, not daring to step further in. He set the food down on a side table and called softly, “Sir.”

Lin Zhushui said, “From now on, just call me by my name.”

Zhou Jiayu froze. Why was Lin Zhushui saying this? He didn’t quite understand. But calling Lin Zhushui by name felt strange and awkward to him. He hesitated for a moment, then nervously said, “But… I still think ‘sir’ suits you better.”

Lin Zhushui’s brush paused mid-air. He turned his head slightly, frowning. “And stop addressing me so formally.”

Zhou Jiayu felt uneasy, wondering what exactly had happened to make Lin Zhushui’s attitude change like this.

He thought Lin Zhushui seemed a little off today. But that wasn’t why he came — Zhou Jiayu carefully took the beautiful glazed lamp out of the basket and gently set it on the table. “Sir, this is too valuable. I can’t accept it.”

Lin Zhushui immediately put down his brush. His chin lifted slightly, and his lips pressed into a displeased line.

Seeing Lin Zhushui clearly unhappy, Zhou Jiayu hurriedly said, “Sir, I…” He caught himself, remembering Lin Zhushui’s earlier words, and changed his phrasing: “I appreciate your kindness, but this lamp really is too precious for me to keep.”

“Why can’t you accept it?” Lin Zhushui turned to face him, his tone cold.

Zhou Jiayu was startled by his expression. He hadn’t expected such a strong reaction to his refusal, and for a moment didn’t know how to respond. “I’m just afraid I’ll break it…”

“Are you regretting it?” Lin Zhushui suddenly asked, a sentence Zhou Jiayu didn’t quite understand.

Zhou Jiayu glanced at the lamp, then back at Lin Zhushui, feeling strangely guilty. Lin Zhushui’s expression was so cold it felt like solid ice, making Zhou Jiayu instinctively want to shrink away. “Sir…”

“Take it away,” Lin Zhushui said. “If you don’t want it, throw it out. No need to return it to me.”

Zhou Jiayu swallowed hard. From those words, he finally realized clearly — Lin Zhushui was angry. Very angry.

He didn’t know what to say. Afraid Lin Zhushui might actually toss the lamp into the trash in a fit of rage, Zhou Jiayu picked it up and slowly made his way to the door.

“Zhou Jiayu.” Lin Zhushui suddenly called to him just as he was about to leave.

Zhou Jiayu turned back. “Sir?”

“Forget it. Go.” Lin Zhushui’s eyes flickered with unspoken words, but in the end, he chose silence.

Zhou Jiayu trudged down the corridor, his head hung low. The tiger hanging on the wall tried to scare him again, but this time, he didn’t react at all — he left in a thoroughly miserable mood.

He had brought the lamp over — and now he was bringing it right back. When everyone at home saw his dejected expression, they were surprised. Lin Jue asked, “Guan’er, what’s wrong? You look like all the air’s been let out of you.”

“I think I made sir angry,” Zhou Jiayu admitted truthfully.

“You? You made him angry?” Lin Jue looked incredulous. “You? Made Zhushui mad? No way. There has to be some misunderstanding.”

Zhou Jiayu told them about Lin Zhushui giving him the glazed lamp.

When Shen Yiqiong heard this, his face filled with disbelief. “Sir gave you that lamp?” He thought for a moment and seemed to realize something. “Actually… that lamp really suits you. Didn’t sir also give you a koi-and-lotus tattoo? The pattern looks a lot like that lamp.”

“But it’s too expensive. I really don’t think I should keep it,” Zhou Jiayu said.

“Don’t panic. I’ll go find out what’s going on.” Lin Jue stood up. “Zhushui rarely gets angry unless someone crosses a line.”

Hearing this made Zhou Jiayu feel even worse.

Lin Jue headed out, leaving behind a thoughtful Shen Yiqiong and Zhou Jiayu, who looked as limp as a pickled cucumber.

When Lin Jue arrived at Lin Zhushui’s place, she found her younger brother sitting in the room, fuming. Before him was an unfinished painting — only half completed — but Lin Jue could clearly see the person in the painting was Zhou Jiayu.

“What happened? Why are you upset with Guan’er?” Lin Jue casually grabbed a chair and poured herself some tea. “He’s so mild-tempered — don’t bully him.”

Lin Zhushui sat there coldly, saying nothing.

Lin Jue now realized he was truly angry. “What happened between you two? He seemed so happy when he left, but when he came back, he looked totally deflated. It’s just a lamp — if he doesn’t want it, don’t give it. What’s the big deal?”

Lin Zhushui parted his thin lips and uttered something Lin Jue didn’t expect. “I confessed to him.”

“Pfft—” Lin Jue spat her tea everywhere and began coughing violently.

Lin Zhushui moved away from her in disgust. “And he agreed.”

Still coughing, Lin Jue rasped, “Isn’t that good news? You two were only a paper-thin wall away from this anyway. Besides, you’ve always known he was fated for you, haven’t you?”

Lin Zhushui said coldly, “If I told you right now that your fated person was that little golden dragon, what would you do?”

Lin Jue froze. “You’re joking — you are joking, right?”

Lin Zhushui gave her a frosty smile.

Lin Jue felt strangely uneasy. But Lin Zhushui was right — even if you knew who you were destined for, your first instinct wouldn’t be love; you’d start by observing, figuring out how you felt, and what kind of like it was.

“Don’t change the subject.” Lin Jue waved him off. “So you confessed, he accepted — isn’t that a good thing?”

“He regretted it afterward,” Lin Zhushui said icily.

“……”

The room fell into a strange, speechless silence.

His voice was soft, but Lin Jue could hear the repressed anger beneath it. “You said he likes me. But I think he only admires me. Tell me — if I confessed to Shen Yiqiong instead, would he accept?”

Lin Jue: “……” Actually… she wasn’t sure.

Shen Yiqiong was definitely straight. But if someone like Lin Zhushui confessed, even that could change. Being confessed to by someone you idolize could seriously bend a person.

“Lin Jue!” Lin Zhushui snapped.

“…He really does like you,” Lin Jue insisted.

“He won’t call me by name,” Lin Zhushui said coldly.

“…He really likes you,” she repeated.

“He still uses ‘sir’ and formal speech.”

“He…”

“He even tried to return my love token!!” Lin Zhushui’s voice was icy.

Lin Jue fell silent, pulled out a cigarette, and offered him one. “Want one?”

Lin Zhushui took it.

The two of them sat in silence, smoking.

After a while, Lin Jue suddenly remembered something. “Guan’er started burning up with fever right after he got back — wait, when exactly did you confess? Don’t tell me you said it when he was feverish and barely lucid?”

Lin Zhushui gave the faintest nod.

Lin Jue clutched her face in despair.

“Do you know how important confessions are?” If she’d had a pointer stick, she’d have been banging it on the blackboard by now. “You must confirm your feelings clearly and soberly — and let everyone around you know your relationship. You can’t just confess when the poor boy’s burning up with fever like an idiot…”

Lin Zhushui fell silent, thinking hard.

“You’ve spent days thinking about this and that’s what you came up with?” Lin Jue shook her head. “Let big sister help. Let’s take a trip. Charter a cruise, set up a special scene, and do a proper, public confession. You must — absolutely must — tell the world you like him.”

Lin Zhushui frowned slightly. “What if he rejects me?”

Lin Jue scoffed, “If Zhou Jiayu doesn’t like you, I’ll livestream myself eating Shen Yiqiong, okay? It’s so obvious — only you two idiots could make this so complicated. If it were me, the kid’d be three years old and running errands by now.”

Rolling up her sleeves, Lin Jue began laying out a practical strategy for Lin Zhushui — giving him a serious lesson in how to win love properly.

Zhou Jiayu was still feeling upset about having made Lin Zhushui angry when, that very evening, Lin Jue came back from visiting Lin Zhushui and suddenly announced that they were going to an amusement park.

“Why are we going to an amusement park all of a sudden?” Zhou Jiayu felt completely baffled by the news.

“No reason. Your dear sir just felt like going,” Lin Jue said. “The exact park hasn’t been decided yet, but we’ll go the night after tomorrow.”

Everyone in the house found this odd. An amusement park of all places seemed completely out of character for Lin Zhushui. Why would he want to go there? Was there some important reason he had to?

But since Lin Jue said it was Lin Zhushui’s idea, none of them dared to protest and simply agreed to follow along. So, two nights later, they headed to an amusement park in the outskirts of town.

When they entered the park, Zhou Jiayu noticed that all the rides were operating, but there wasn’t a single visitor in sight — the whole place felt strangely eerie.

“Shibo…” Shen Yiqiong’s reaction was similar to Zhou Jiayu’s. He trembled as he asked, “What exactly are we doing here?”

“Take a guess,” Lin Jue said, smiling.

Shen Yiqiong: “……”

Lin Jue chuckled. “Come on now, since we’re here, of course, we’re going to have fun. Your sir is waiting for you all by the Ferris wheel. Go on over.”

Zhou Jiayu glanced at Lin Jue’s smile and felt a cold sweat run down his back. But since they were already there, they couldn’t just turn and leave. So the group walked deeper into the park, surrounded by glowing neon lights and running rides — the feeling that something dirty was lurking here only grew stronger.

“Für Elise” was playing on the carousel, and Zhou Jiayu vaguely heard the laughter of children. But when he looked carefully, there wasn’t a single child in sight.

“This place is creepy as hell,” Shen Yiqiong said, shivering.

Zhou Jiayu’s spiritual sense was far sharper than Shen Yiqiong’s. He could feel something in the shadows watching them intently. The sensation was so awful it made him instinctively quicken his pace.

“This amusement park had a fatal accident,” Shen Musi said, holding up his phone with something he’d just looked up. “There was an incident with the giant pendulum ride — over a dozen visitors died on the spot. After that, accidents kept happening here…”

As they approached the Ferris wheel, Zhou Jiayu caught a terrifying sight. “Why… why do I see people sitting in every seat on the Ferris wheel?”

Hearing this, Shen Yiqiong looked up — and sure enough, he saw the same thing. Almost every cabin on the Ferris wheel was occupied. The scariest part was that the figures inside had their faces pressed right up against the glass, all staring in their direction.

“I’ve got goosebumps…” Shen Yiqiong muttered honestly. “I’m starting to suspect sir brought us here to toughen us up…”

Zhou Jiayu swallowed hard. “Are we still going to the Ferris wheel?”

Shen Musi said, “Well, since Shibo said sir’s waiting there, it should be fine, right?”

Shen Erbai and Shen Chaosan clearly didn’t believe that and silently began pulling out talismans.

But when they reached the base of the Ferris wheel, the terrifying scene they’d imagined didn’t appear. Instead, they saw Lin Zhushui standing at the entrance. Zhou Jiayu immediately called out, “Sir!”

Lin Zhushui said, “Come here.”

Zhou Jiayu scurried over.

Lin Zhushui pointed to one of the Ferris wheel cabins, which was slowly turning. “Get in.”

The disciples exchanged uneasy glances but ultimately chose to trust Lin Zhushui, each climbing into a cabin one by one. Zhou Jiayu was about to get in first, but Lin Zhushui stopped him.

“You go last,” Lin Zhushui said. “You’ll sit with me.”

Zhou Jiayu had no choice but to agree obediently, though inside he was wondering whether he’d really imagined all those shadowy figures filling the cabins earlier.

__

Author’s Note:
Lin Jue: “Pick a beautiful, romantic spot, set up a private space, and then confess — simple.”
Lin Zhushui thought about it and chose a haunted amusement park: Either agree to date me… or stay here alone with all these things.
Zhou Jiayu: Waaaah okay okay okay sir I’ll date you — please save me—!