Night in Hua City was no less bustling than in the day, one would say it was even livelier. Lanterns illuminated the road with red and orange hues, and street performers appeared one after another to offer their entertainment for the evening.
In the street market, sellers offered small tables around their stalls for their customers to enjoy their food and drink with their company, making the street particularly exuberant. Laughter and complaints mixed like herbs in a cigarette, giving a unique vigor to those who took a drag. A flavor one could easily get drunk with.
Shen Yuan walked through the street at an idle pace. He didn't hate this kind of atmosphere. There were also street markets back in reality where he and his colleagues usually unwound when their free schedule aligned—an occurrence rarer than eclipses. There were fewer smiles and more complaints, if not outright rages and fights, but even those could be appreciated as a funny episode.
Compared to their missions, street fights were like mini-games. Even for him who was the least proficient in martial arts.
They wouldn't believe it if he told them about this whole thing.
As he kept walking, the street led him to the canal where there were more boats than there were in the day, each one with their respective lanterns. Most were small boats where couples flirted with each other, treating the boatman as if they were invisible, while the rest were medium-sized boats with an enclosed booth for more privacy.
From what Yang Mo told him, the commercial district Zhou Yi mentioned was on the other side of the canal. Some people would say the east side of the canal was Ji Zhixuan's territory while the west side was Zhou Yi's though it was more intricate than that.
"I was just thinking I might find Young Master Shen here."
Shen Yuan turned to see Ji Zhixuan coming towards him and knowingly smiled. "What a coincidence. Me too."
"What makes you think that? This is a popular tourist spot." Ji Zhixuan rested his hands behind his back, feigning innocence.
"Yet, as I hoped, Young Master Ji is here."
"Well, this is also a common area to look for supper after all."
"If Young Master Ji is afraid of condemnation, there is no need to worry," Shen Yuan fanned himself, a ruthless glint under his calm guise. "I'm more displeased towards those who take my money but still compromise my information. Now I have to waste my time just to take care of him."
Ji Zhixuan felt a tickle in his chest from the small, annoyed pout. He sent Wang Ren away with a wave before taking a step closer to Shen Yuan. He gently rested his hand around his shoulders, coaxing the peeved kitten. "I have wronged you. Let me atone for my misdeed. You don't need to trouble yourself."
Shen Yuan let go of his grievance with a sigh and closed his fan to slap it to Ji Zhixuan's chest in rebuke. "Next time, stick with the spies. Better yet, just ask me yourself."
"I will." Ji Zhixuan couldn't help but chuckle, irresistible adoration fluttering in his stomach. He leaned to Shen Yuan's ear and could smell the clean, teasingly sweet fragrance of his hair as he whispered, "Then, might I ask if this little traveler is busy for the night?"
Shen Yuan hummed in prolonged thought, happily testing Ji Zhixuan's patience. When it seemed like Ji Zhixuan was ready to kidnap him, he finally replied with an inviting smile, "If Young Master Ji can accompany me for some drinks, then I might be available until the moon retreats."
"It seems that I'm being given a chance for a demonstration." Ji Zhixuan accepted the challenge and guided Shen Yuan away.
They went to the small dock where the boats picked up and dropped off their customers. Shen Yuan boarded Ji Zhixuan's boat with his help.
A booth was installed with 2 comfortable cushioned seats facing each other and a table in the middle, presenting selections of food and wine. Instead of a single lantern in the middle of the limited space, a small one was hung at every corner, softening the light and inducing the air with a veil of intimacy.
Instead of sitting across each other, they picked one side to sit together, and the boat soon departed. Before they started their meal, a servant entered with a wooden box and handed it to Ji Zhixuan.
"I prepared a small gift for you. Take it as a commemoration of our acquaintance."
Ji Zhixuan opened the box to reveal an exquisite jade hairpin with golden osmanthus flowers blooming at its tip. A singular, delicate chain hung from underneath the flowers where a teardrop ruby graced its end.
"…Is Young Master Ji mocking me?" Shen Yuan had mixed feelings about it. No doubt it was beautiful, and it would be a lie if he said he wasn't happy with the gift, but he just told him he couldn't wear hairpins this morning.
"Of course not. I simply feel that it's most appropriate for someone as refined as Young Master Shen to wear his hair like a crown and adorn it with the most precious treasures." Ji Zhixuan took the hairpin out of the box and smiled. "That's why, if you'll allow me, I wish to teach you how to wear one."
Shen Yuan touched the cool surface of the jade and traced its shape in contemplation. "If Young Master Ji tells me the true reason, I might consider it."
Ji Zhixuan raised his eyebrows and his smile grew profound.
They had only met for a day but it was as if this person already long understood the deepest part of him.
And accepted it.
"I personally wish to gift you a hairpin." He calmly came clean. "It will bring me the greatest joy to have something of my choice taking responsibility of your most noble part."
"Is it correct of me to assume it's of high significance for an activator to gift a hairpin to a catalyst?" Receiving Ji Zhixuan's silence, Shen Yuan didn't need any other words. "Then, I'm afraid I can't accept it yet."
"Yet?" Ji Zhixuan didn't yet succumb to disappointment.
"I plan to participate in the annual matchmaking event. I already registered myself." Shen Yuan grabbed the jar of wine and poured it into the 2 provided cups. He picked up one and offered it to Ji Zhixuan. "I'm not simply looking for a partner to spend my spring with. I don't care what your status is or how much power you hold. If Young Master Ji desires to pursue me, I expect you to do so with sincerity in heart and commitment in mind. Will Young Master Ji dare show them?"
He knew well there was no need for saying these things and everything would proceed forward without much difference, but something inside him wanted to confirm it once again.
Even though this 'man' had willingly died for him, even though he rooted his trust in him deep into his very core, he still wanted another assurance. Maybe it was the voice of his greed.
Or maybe…fear.
He was pulled out of his thoughts when Ji Zhixuan held his hand and brought the cup to his lips, downing everything in one shot without a second of thought.
"I was afraid I might scare you with my resolve since we have only been acquainted for 2 days, but it seems like it only made me look insincere." Ji Zhixuan's hand remained on Shen Yuan's as he lowered the cup and looked into his eyes with doubtless determination. "I never take half-hearted action. Trust me."
Shen Yuan's heart trembled, and he couldn't help but let out a small laugh. The color of spring dyed his cheeks and his eyes shone with the luminance of a thousand lanterns. "That is a rather difficult demand with the number of times Young Master has lied to me, don't you think?"
Ji Zhixuan never knew his words could spark such joy in another person and basked in its dazzle. If it was to receive this person's happiness, he would bring even heaven down for him. How lucky was he for every single soul this person had ever encountered to be blind to his charm?
No. They certainly weren't. Even the blind would be helplessly enchanted by his voice. They simply weren't worthy of him.
Then, he must make sure he was.
"You have my word." Taking the empty cup away, he lowered his head and pressed a solemn kiss on Shen Yuan's fingers. "From this second, I, Ji Zhixuan, shall never utter a single lie to Young Master Shen Yuan. May this body be struck by lightning if this vow is broken."
A brief tide of energy surged within Shen Yuan, stunning him in place.
It was different. They weren't connected through any means and, rather than his psyche, it hit him deeper. Stronger yet softer.
As if…he was inside his soul.
Before his mind could comprehend it, his heart moved his body. He pushed Ji Zhixuan down to the seat and mounted him, unaware of the passion boiling in his looming gaze. Realizing his action, he clutched the edge of the table to rein himself back.
Not now. Not yet.
Once a catalyst gave themselves to an activator, a bond mark would appear on their pupils, and having a bond mark outside marriage was frowned upon by society. Not only he would tarnish Zhou Yi's impression of him, Ji Zhixuan would also be affected.
Although it wasn't apparent in a passing glance, it could be seen by talking face to face. It wasn't something he could simply powder away like the mark on his skin.
"Shit." He couldn't help but curse this troublesome world. It took all his willpower to stop his fiendish side from rocking the boat away. "You're making it very difficult for me to keep in control, Ji Zhixuan."
Ji Zhixuan pulled himself out of his daze and fixed his glasses. He watched the visible struggle on Shen Yuan's face, appreciating the carnal truth peering from the cracked restraint. Every time he thought he had seen him in his most beautiful state, he drowned him more in his allure.
He took a firm hold of the slender waist and cajoled him to come closer. "I see no reason for you to."
Shen Yuan reminded himself of his plan and regained his clarity. He flumped himself on top of Ji Zhixuan and buried his head on his chest, muffling out his complaint. "I do. I have things to do."
"I assume it has something to do with the matchmaking event?"
"Somewhat…"
"Should I stick my nose in?" Ji Zhixuan petted Shen Yuan's hair in comfort, not surprised by the news. It was more difficult to think Shen Yuan would participate in such a ridiculous event just for the sake of it.
"You being there is enough."
"Hmm…Then, you really should learn how to tie up your hair."
Shen Yuan lifted his face and looked at Ji Zhixuan in confusion. "Why are we back to that topic?"
Ji Zhixuan smiled. "Braiding your hair down means you're not yet available for courting. The event coordinator will think you haven't come of age."
"…"
Fuck this world and all these rules!