Chapter 76: Flavors
"In late June and early July, Chongqing is so hot it makes one question life itself. Jiang Hong, having grown up in Chongqing, could barely cope, but after a trip to the Qinling Mountains and returning, he found Chongqing unbearably hot!"
"Are you a warm-blooded or cold-blooded creature?" Jiang Hong asked.
Lu Xiu, wearing sunglasses, sized up Jiang Hong and replied, "I'm a dragon, not an animal."
Jiang Hong: "Are you cold-blooded or warm-blooded?"
Lu Xiu: "I'm amphibious."
Jiang Hong: "I mean, aren't you hot? I'm about to die of heat."
Lu Xiu casually cast a spell, surrounding Jiang Hong with a mist of water, ah, instantly more comfortable. So that's it, but no matter, there's air conditioning at home.
"Ah, Jiang Hong is back! Lu Xiu! Long time no see! You've gotten even more handsome!"
"How can someone be so handsome," Jiang's mother was increasingly fond of Lu Xiu, having prepared a full table of dishes even before Jiang Hong's arrival.
Lu Xiu was coming to Chongqing for the whole summer vacation, and both Jiang's father and mother showed warm hospitality, with only Jiang Hong feeling a bit uneasy, fearing his parents would notice his relationship with Lu Xiu.
But we haven't defined our relationship. Jiang Hong himself didn't know what he and Lu Xiu were to each other, but it was definitely more than just a master and summoned creature.
Jiang's father said, "The stocks you recommended last time were really powerful, Xiao Lu, they soared!"
"I've prepared it, Uncle." This time, without waiting for Jiang's father to hint, Lu Xiu took out a stack of papers and said, "I did a detailed analysis last week..."
"No way!" Jiang Hong exclaimed, "A written report?!"
Jiang's father was overjoyed, receiving the stock analysis report from Lu Xiu.
Jiang's mother added, "Auntie cleaned the guest room for you, and the bedding has been aired. You don't have to always squeeze in with Jiang Hong..."
Jiang Hong said, "I want to sleep with Lu Xiu."
Suddenly, Jiang Hong realized, could his parents have noticed something? His request lacked confidence, and he guiltily added, "We can talk at night."
Upon hearing this, Jiang's father gave Jiang's mother a knowing look.
"Oh no! Having lived with his parents for eighteen years, Jiang Hong could instinctively sense what his father was about to say. Had they figured it out?"
Lu Xiu casually replied, "It's fine, we often share a bed in the dormitory."
"Ah," Jiang's mother laughed, "then it's up to you guys. I just didn't want Jiang Hong's bad sleeping habits to disturb anyone."
"Huh? Why did their guard suddenly drop?" Jiang Hong thought, wondering if Lu Xiu's frank answer had dispelled his parents' suspicions.
Shortly after, Jiang's mother asked, "Has baby got a girlfriend yet? Lu Xiu, you should keep an eye on him too."
Jiang's father asked, "Does Jiang Hong have a girl he likes at school?"
Jiang Hong: "!!!"
Lu Xiu found it amusing to see Jiang Hong's awkwardness and Jiang Hong added, "No... not yet! Stop asking, it's too embarrassing!"
Jiang's mother said, "Oh, do you not like talking to female classmates?"
Jiang Hong looked up, about to say something, but caught his father's gaze on him, strange and penetrating, reminiscent of his childhood when his father's eyes made it impossible for him to lie.
Jiang Hong's heart skipped a beat, thinking: Are they testing me again?
Lu Xiu took over the conversation, saying, "Let him be, fate will happen when it's time. Jiang Hong will have no trouble finding someone, if not in university, then after graduation."
"Ahahaha." Jiang's mother then laughed, and the atmosphere returned to normal.
"Jiang Hong mentioned the plan to drive out with Lu Xiu, and this time his parents didn’t put up much of a fight. It wasn't a dangerous route like the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, and since it was summer, they quickly agreed."
"Jiang's father took him aside and said, 'Dad will give you money, don’t always let your senior pay.'"
"'It's okay.' Jiang Hong had completely gotten used to being financially supported by Lu Xiu."
"'What do you mean it's okay!' Jiang's father exclaimed, 'He’s not related to you, and I see you hardly spent your living expenses for a semester. Have you been freeloading meals and drinks? That's not good.'"
"Jiang Hong realized he needed to be more restrained and hurriedly said, 'Dad is right, I understand.'"
"'He doesn’t have many friends,' Jiang's father said, 'He's very good to you. One must reciprocate sincerity with sincerity, you know?'"
"'I know… wow!' Jiang Hong was almost scared to death upon receiving a transfer of a hundred thousand yuan from his father, exclaiming, 'Dad! Is this much money okay?'"
"'Take it!' Jiang's father said with a wave of his hand, 'Don’t let your senior pay anymore.'"
"Jiang's father was clearly in a fantastic mood from earning a fortune with stocks and wanted to repay Lu Xiu. Giving direct dividends seemed too straightforward, but upon reflection, with Lu Xiu's stock-picking skills, how much money couldn't he earn? So, he just hoped his son would be sensible."
"After dinner, Jiang's mother went out to play mahjong. Jiang Hong saw that Lu Xiu was chatting with his father in the study and decided not to disturb them. On the first night back home, Jiang Hong’s parcel arrived, and he started assembling the 'foot' for Old Sun on the bed."
"Old Sun asked, 'What is this?'"
"Jiang Hong replied, 'It’s a robot vacuum cleaner. Have you seen it before? The dorm room next to ours has one.'"
"The 'foot' Jiang Hong prepared was a robot vacuum cleaner bought from JD.com during the 618 sale. After connecting it to the Tmall Genie via Bluetooth and pairing it on the display, it was ready to go, but navigating stairs was still risky."
"Lu Xiu, after showering and drying his hair, came in and sat on the bed, joining Jiang Hong in examining the robot vacuum cleaner."
"What were you and my dad talking about?" Jiang Hong asked curiously.
Lu Xiu: "We discussed his company's structure and directions for restructuring."
Jiang Hong had initially been very skeptical about Lu Xiu's expertise in management, but after several occasions of hearing him speak so eloquently, he went from doubt to shock to acceptance and finally to admiration.
"He wants to hand over the company to you," Lu Xiu said, "but you don't like management, so he's looking for a successor."
"I'm just a lazy bum," Jiang Hong said self-deprecatingly, "Actually, my parents have always had pretty low expectations for me."
Lu Xiu watched Jiang Hong's actions as he finished setting up Old Sun to control the robot vacuum cleaner, turning it on and off, then connecting the charging base and securing it firmly.
Jiang Hong was also very clear about his father's aspirations.
"But he's still quite young," Jiang Hong said, "Not even fifty yet, why the rush? In Japan, people can be company CEOs even in their eighties."
Lu Xiu said, "Maybe he wants to start grooming someone early, but there's no candidate yet."
Talking about this, Jiang Hong felt something was slightly odd; his father had indeed seemed a bit anxious in the last two years.
"What are you doing?" Jiang's mother returned from playing mahjong, bursting with energy, and asked as she pushed open the door, "Snack time?"
"Mom! You didn't knock!" Jiang Hong said, displeased.
"Alright, alright." Jiang's mother laughed, closed the door, knocked, then re-entered, asking, "Snack?"
"No thanks," Jiang Hong said with a laugh, "We just ate two hours ago."
Jiang's mother then brought in some fruit, asking, "What's this?"
Lu Xiu replied, "His elective course design."
"Oh..." Jiang's mother seemed in a good mood, likely having won some money, but Jiang Hong remained slightly paranoid—were they just trying to probe him and Lu Xiu? Conducting a surprise check for any intimate behavior?
After Jiang's mother left, Lu Xiu added, "She also asked about your love life."
Jiang Hong gave a noncommittal "Oh" and didn't say anything, glancing at Lu Xiu from the corner of his eye. Lu Xiu continued, "Your parents are most concerned about your future wife."
"Ugh, so annoying," Jiang Hong said, feeling guilty, while thinking: What does Lu Xiu mean by this? Is there some kind of hint?
Lu Xiu lay on the other side of the bed and asked, "So when do you plan to get a girlfriend?"
Jiang Hong: "???"
Jiang Hong didn't understand Lu Xiu's question, feeling confused, unable to decipher the complex implications, or maybe there were "no implications," and Lu Xiu's words were just literal... But why would he say that? Aren't we... in a romantic relationship?
Was I the one who misunderstood everything before?
Jiang Hong felt upset and glanced at Lu Xiu again, who was now busy with his phone.
Still unclear about his thoughts, Jiang Hong decided not to respond to Lu Xiu's question, changing the subject, "Alright. Old Sun, try moving a bit."
Old Sun: "He asked you..."
"Shut up," Jiang Hong whispered.
A camera was attached to the Tmall Genie, connected to a robot vacuum cleaner below, making the combination quite bizarre.
The robot vacuum made a noise, attempting to turn, then bumped into the wall twice. Old Sun said, "Not quite used to it yet, but I'll gradually get the hang of it."
"Make sure to call me when going downstairs," Jiang Hong said, "Definitely don’t go down rashly; it could get damaged, and that would be a lot of trouble."
Old Sun said, "Thank you, Jiang Hong, you're a kind-hearted kid. You'll achieve your heart's desires."
Jiang Hong: "..."
Lu Xiu glanced at Old Sun, his expression very calm.
Jiang Hong stretched, lay down, turned off the light, and didn't say anything, preparing to sleep. Lu Xiu also put away his phone, and the two lay in silence in the dark.
Jiang Hong couldn't sleep, mulling over the meaning of Lu Xiu's words, but Lu Xiu remained silent. After some time, the door was pushed open again, still by Jiang Hong’s mother, who didn't knock, making a surprise entrance.
"Eat... oh, you're asleep?" Jiang's mother, using the light from the doorway, saw Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu on opposite sides of the bed, each in their own space.
Outside, Jiang's father and mother exchanged a few words, faintly audible comments like "the child just came back today, must be tired," before Jiang's mother closed the door. Jiang Hong reached for his phone, noticing it was already half past midnight.
He turned to look at Lu Xiu on the other side of the bed, who was quietly lying in the dark, facing away.
Jiang Hong felt an urge to go over and hug him. Previously, he simply used him as a human-shaped pillow, finding it comfortable to wrap himself around him; now, he had strange desires, like wanting to bury his head in the shoulder and chest of someone he liked, embracing their waist.
But when did this feeling start? In the silent night, Jiang Hong gazed at Lu Xiu's back, recalling mixed feelings – was it when Lu Xiu appeared again in Chongqing, teaching him in Starbucks, or on the day in the village after new snow at Yamdrok Lake, both wearing Tibetan robes, holding hands?
Or was it in the alternate dimension of the Qingyu Golden Cup, when he called out his name with the last hope, and the meteor-like water flame arrived on cue?
When did I start feeling my heart race while holding him?
Jiang Hong vaguely remembered it seemed to start the first time Lu Xiu rode the Kawasaki H2, taking him racing along the mountain roads of the Qinling Mountains, hugging his waist tightly, his heart racing uncontrollably.
Was all this born from love, or from that day on, has life been racing uncontrollably off the rails?
Or is it a bit of both?
On this ordinary night, Jiang Hong once again clarified his feelings.
But what did that sentence mean?
Jiang Hong didn't know when he fell asleep that night. When he woke up the next day, it was already noon. Lu Xiu was up, drinking coffee downstairs and working on a spreadsheet on his computer.
Still groggy, Jiang Hong washed up and then leaned over the table, asking, "What are you doing?"
"Helping your dad with a cost accounting sheet," Lu Xiu replied.
Jiang Hong asked, "Where did you learn to do this?"
Lu Xiu answered, "Administrative management? I learned it in school, it was part of my graduate courses."
"Jiang Hong," Old Sun called from upstairs, "Take me downstairs!"
Jiang Hong had to take Old Sun down to the first floor, saying, "Don't wander off, just roam around the house for now."
Lu Xiu asked, "When are we planning to leave? I need to get Chen Zhen to arrange visas for Outer Mongolia and Russia, and to get a government vehicle license plate."
Jiang Hong yawned and said, "How about we go rent a car today? I liked the one we had last time. We also need to buy supplies."
Jiang Hong opened the map given to him by Zhu Jinling—it had seven spiritual energy gathering points marked in red. Lu Xiu glanced at it and said, "These are the intersections of the Earth's meridians, like the Big Dipper formation of the divine land of China."
"Oh really?" Jiang Hong looked at the map from all angles, realizing it indeed resembled a Big Dipper constellation. The closest to Chongqing was in Xiangyang, Hubei, followed by Shaoxing in Zhejiang, then Longmen Mountains in Luoyang, Xi'an, and then heading north to the central part of Yinshan in Jining District of Ulanqab City, Inner Mongolia. Next, it would leave China.
After entering Outer Mongolia, the next location was southwest of Ulaanbaatar, near the ancient site of "Dragon City."
The last location was Lake Baikal in Russia.
"What exactly are you planning?" Lu Xiu asked doubtfully, "With the spiritual energy from these seven meridian points, you could summon a great demon beast if used properly."
"Hehehe," Jiang Hong said, "I won't tell you."
Lu Xiu: "???"
When Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu arrived at the car rental, the receptionist said, "Oh, the lovely couple is back! Were you satisfied with your last rental?"
Jiang Hong intended to say "We're not," but suddenly feeling a bit expectant, he remained silent and sneaked a glance at Lu Xiu.
True to form, Lu Xiu neither admitted nor denied, focusing on filling out the form and saying, "It performed well, except for a minor issue towards the end."
The receptionist smiled, "We've just got two more luxurious models. Where are you planning to go this time?"
Lu Xiu replied, "We're going abroad. We'll temporarily switch to a foreign license plate, which we've already applied for. We'll need the vehicle registration details, which will be faxed over tomorrow. Please help us with the paperwork then."
"Wow," the receptionist said, "That sounds so romantic. Come, I'll show you the cars."
Jiang Hong instantly liked the new model of the RV, which featured an advanced hydraulic expansion system to increase the interior space by nearly 50%, a wider bed, and a larger refrigerator.
"Perfect!" Jiang Hong exclaimed, "Let's take this one."
"It's a large bed model," the receptionist added, "I won't bother showing you the other models."
Jiang Hong gave the receptionist an affirmative look, Lu Xiu paid, and Jiang Hong didn’t argue over the bill this time. They then went to buy supplies.
From his last trip, Jiang Hong had learned to buy plenty of snacks, especially puffed food, as Lu Xiu had a big appetite. A Sam's Club-sized bag of chips, which could feed the whole of Africa, was perfect for him.
As they shopped, Lu Xiu pushed the cart while Jiang Hong picked the items, feeling they really resembled a couple.
Suddenly, Jiang Hong couldn't resist the urge to test Lu Xiu again.
"My dad said," Jiang Hong stated calmly, "that I shouldn’t always spend your money."
Lu Xiu, initially distracted, immediately focused when Jiang Hong spoke, asking, "What?"
Jiang Hong repeated himself, and Lu Xiu replied, "My money is your money. You can spend it on whatever you like."
Hearing this, Jiang Hong felt incredibly happy, his slight unease from the night before completely vanishing.
"Then set up an intimate payment for me," Jiang Hong added.
"What's that?" Lu Xiu asked, puzzled.
Jiang Hong explained, "It's like... for someone you’re close to... they can pay directly from your account."
Lu Xiu: "Oh, how do you set it up? I’ve never used it before," saying this as he handed his phone to Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong, delighted, used Lu Xiu's phone and suddenly realized something. Lu Xiu seemed completely unconcerned about handing over his phone.
"Can I use your phone for a bit?" Jiang Hong asked again.
"Sure," Lu Xiu said, "Is yours out of battery?"
Jiang Hong: "Um... yes, I guess?"
Jiang Hong thought: Would he get angry if I checked his WeChat messages? But that wouldn't be right. He suppressed the urge, understanding that a relationship shouldn't need such controlling actions to prove its validity.
So, he handed the phone back to Lu Xiu, who looked puzzled.
"Why are you even handling my dad’s company affairs," Jiang Hong said with a smile, "Are you planning to take over his company?"
Lu Xiu was distracted again, this time by the large bags of chips in the shopping cart, but he was listening.
"No," Lu Xiu answered.
Jiang Hong had thought about asking Lu Xiu if he'd consider interning or working at his father's company if he ever stopped being an exorcist, but then he thought better of it, realizing that neither the Exorcism Committee nor Tsangqiong University would want to lose Lu Xiu to a mundane life.
"Right, you're going to be a teacher," Jiang Hong said.
"I’m not coming because there isn’t an opportunity," Lu Xiu replied.
Jiang Hong said, "They all like you a lot, you know."
Lu Xiu: "Who are 'they'?"
Jiang Hong: "The principal, the big boss. Maybe they want you to take a position at the school?"
Lu Xiu casually said, "Only Principal Xiang and my master really value me."
Jiang Hong: "So, will you stay at the school indefinitely?"
Lu Xiu: "Just until you graduate, if I'm lucky."
Jiang Hong: "???"
Jiang Hong looked at Lu Xiu, the two sharing a silent gaze. Lu Xiu slightly leaned forward, resting on the shopping cart, one foot steadying the wheel. He looked effortlessly cool, especially with his exceptionally handsome face. When he looked up at Jiang Hong, his eyes carried a touch of melancholy, making his entire demeanor irresistibly charming.
Jiang Hong's heart began to race again. Recently, he found himself increasingly moved by Lu Xiu, sometimes in just an instant, feeling his affection for him.
After a moment of silence, Lu Xiu suddenly asked, "Why are you buying so many chips?"
"You like them," Jiang Hong said, "Didn’t you keep eating them last time?"
Lu Xiu paused, then explained, "That was because I had nothing else to do."
Jiang Hong: "Oh, alright... then let's get something else."
While paying, Jiang Hong turned around and noticed that Lu Xiu had been staring at him thoughtfully ever since they discussed the company and school matters.
Jiang Hong: "?"
But as soon as Jiang Hong made eye contact with him, Lu Xiu quickly averted his gaze, only to look back at Jiang Hong whenever he turned away.
Jiang Hong could see from the corner of his eye, even intuitively feeling the gaze from Lu Xiu.
"Okay," Jiang Hong said, placing the items back in the cart, "I'll use the intimate payment feature."
"Sure," Lu Xiu responded, unconcerned.
"Why are your eyes a bit red?" asked Jiang Hong.
Lu Xiu: "Are they?"
Lu Xiu quickly rubbed his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair, saying, "Maybe it's my hair poking me."
What's wrong with him? Jiang Hong sensed something amiss. Lu Xiu's mood sometimes suddenly dropped, like that day on Mount Hua when he unexpectedly started giving Jiang Hong the cold shoulder. Although such instances had become rare, Lu Xiu would occasionally fall into silence.
It seemed every time they talked about the future, Lu Xiu would become like this.
Was he thinking of something? Becoming depressed? Can dragons even get depressed? But since a large part of depression is genetic, do dragons inherit depression?
Are dragons hatched from eggs? Then, do dragons lay eggs? If dragons reproduce by laying eggs, would Lu Xiu lay eggs? Jiang Hong couldn’t help but wildly speculate.
"How about we get a haircut before we leave?" suggested Jiang Hong.
Lu Xiu nodded, and they went for haircuts that afternoon. Lu Xiu’s hair was trimmed shorter on the sides, making him look even more handsome and mature, almost like a CEO. Jiang Hong, however, felt his own haircut was silly, saying, "Why does his haircut look so cool? Mine makes me look like a high school student."
"Aren’t you a high school student?" the hairdresser asked.
"I’m in my second year of university!" Jiang Hong argued, "Why didn’t you give me a haircut like his? He looks way cooler."
The stylist, known for his sharp tongue, said, "The effectiveness of a hairstyle also depends on the person."
Jiang Hong: "......"
"You're naturally quite young, with a baby face," the hairstylist said nonchalantly.
"Very cute," Lu Xiu touched Jiang Hong's head, comforting, "I really like it."
"Really?" Jiang Hong's mood improved a bit.
That night.
"Ah, leaving so soon?" Jiang's mother muttered non-stop, her son's heart had wandered though he had been home for less than a week, but she felt reassured with Lu Xiu accompanying him.
Jiang's father said, "You go out during the day, and I have to work. It's boring for two young people to be at home, so let them go."
For dinner, Jiang's mother cooked homestyle dishes. Recently, her ladies' group was planning a ten-year anniversary, and she was busy with preparations. She was also planning a vacation to Yunnan with Jiang's father in early July, with a fully packed itinerary.
Jiang Hong said, "We'll be back soon, in less than a month. We won't go out in August."
Only then did Jiang's mother relent, and Jiang's father turned to Lu Xiu, "Young Lu, don't spoil Jiang Hong too much, don't just agree to everything he says."
Lu Xiu smiled and did not respond.
Jiang Hong's heart skipped a beat, thinking, not again, are they testing us?
Jiang's mother said, "Exactly! Baby, you only spent a little over three thousand on living expenses for a semester, I don't believe you're that frugal, it's not even enough for meals!"
Lu Xiu glanced at Jiang Hong.
Jiang's father then said to Lu Xiu, "It's good to have a strong relationship, but you should also cultivate his sense of independence."
Lu Xiu replied, "Our teacher's cafeteria card is always more than enough, and there's a monthly allowance. We often mixed our money before, but I understand. I'll make sure he manages his own finances properly from now on."
Jiang's mother was observing Lu Xiu's expression as he spoke, and Jiang Hong really noticed this time, thinking that his mother must have sensed something.
After hearing Lu Xiu's explanation, both Jiang's father and mother nodded, refraining from further inquiry and shifting the conversation to their upcoming trip to Yunnan. Lu Xiu recommended a few places he had visited before, and the atmosphere lightened again.
That night, Jiang Hong felt like hugging Lu Xiu but was afraid his mother might come in again.
Instead, it was Lu Xiu who turned slightly, asking, "Do you want to sleep in my arms?"
"Never mind." Jiang Hong felt awkward. Previously, he was carefree, treating Lu Xiu like some godly elder brother, but now, with many cautious thoughts in his heart, he felt uneasy. It was as if there was a thin layer of paper between them that couldn't be pierced. Jiang Hong had wanted to muster the courage to ask him several times, but the words just wouldn't come out.
This left him feeling somewhat petulant, his emotions fluctuating, happy one moment and frustrated the next.
The next day, Jiang Hong woke up to find himself unknowingly holding onto Lu Xiu all night. He got up, blushing, and sat up, trying to cover his natural morning reaction.
Lu Xiu, in silence, got out of bed, scratched his head, glanced at Jiang Hong, and said nothing.
"Oh. Good morning..." Jiang Hong said, somewhat foolishly.
Lu Xiu: "I... I'll go wash my pajama pants."
Jiang Hong had prepared pajamas and pants for Lu Xiu at his house, but Lu Xiu seemed particularly embarrassed today.
"Ah!" Jiang Hong immediately understood, sat on the bed, and laughed out loud, saying, "Don't worry about it, just throw them in the washing machine!"
Lu Xiu, with his head down, took the pants to wash. Jiang Hong recalled a time, not long after they met, when Lu Xiu took him to Xi'an and washed his clothes, showing a peculiar side of himself.
"How's it going?" Jiang Hong approached, draping an arm over Lu Xiu's shoulder, peeking from behind him.
Lu Xiu, with his handsome face turning red to the ears, didn't react as wildly as Jiang Hong expected, answering, "I don't know."
Lu Xiu, holding the pajama pants, pretended to smear them on Jiang Hong's face. Jiang Hong immediately dodged, saying, "Pervert! You're such a pervert!"
"How is that perverted?" Lu Xiu asked. "Haven't you read 'The Chronicles of Rare Treasures'? A dragon's yang essence is one of the six great heavenly materials."
"Oh, is that so?" Jiang Hong returned, continuing to lean on Lu Xiu's shoulder. "Then, how much is this pair of trousers worth?"
Lu Xiu: "..."
Jiang Hong: "Really?"
Lu Xiu: "Yes, really. It's used for refining immortal elixirs, which can preserve youth forever."
"Can it really grant eternal youth?" Jiang Hong was astonished.
Lu Xiu: "Preserving youth and immortality are two different concepts. Let's drop this subject... Move aside, I need to shower. Aren’t we supposed to go out today? Stop dawdling."
At ten in the morning, Jiang Hong put on sunglasses, took the driver's seat, while Lu Xiu sat in the passenger seat.
"Alright, let's go!" Jiang Hong was ready to start their East Asia tour.
Chapter 76: Flavors
"In late June and early July, Chongqing is so hot it makes one question life itself. Jiang Hong, having grown up in Chongqing, could barely cope, but after a trip to the Qinling Mountains and returning, he found Chongqing unbearably hot!"
"Are you a warm-blooded or cold-blooded creature?" Jiang Hong asked.
Lu Xiu, wearing sunglasses, sized up Jiang Hong and replied, "I'm a dragon, not an animal."
Jiang Hong: "Are you cold-blooded or warm-blooded?"
Lu Xiu: "I'm amphibious."
Jiang Hong: "I mean, aren't you hot? I'm about to die of heat."
Lu Xiu casually cast a spell, surrounding Jiang Hong with a mist of water, ah, instantly more comfortable. So that's it, but no matter, there's air conditioning at home.
"Ah, Jiang Hong is back! Lu Xiu! Long time no see! You've gotten even more handsome!"
"How can someone be so handsome," Jiang's mother was increasingly fond of Lu Xiu, having prepared a full table of dishes even before Jiang Hong's arrival.
Lu Xiu was coming to Chongqing for the whole summer vacation, and both Jiang's father and mother showed warm hospitality, with only Jiang Hong feeling a bit uneasy, fearing his parents would notice his relationship with Lu Xiu.
But we haven't defined our relationship. Jiang Hong himself didn't know what he and Lu Xiu were to each other, but it was definitely more than just a master and summoned creature.
Jiang's father said, "The stocks you recommended last time were really powerful, Xiao Lu, they soared!"
"I've prepared it, Uncle." This time, without waiting for Jiang's father to hint, Lu Xiu took out a stack of papers and said, "I did a detailed analysis last week..."
"No way!" Jiang Hong exclaimed, "A written report?!"
Jiang's father was overjoyed, receiving the stock analysis report from Lu Xiu.
Jiang's mother added, "Auntie cleaned the guest room for you, and the bedding has been aired. You don't have to always squeeze in with Jiang Hong..."
Jiang Hong said, "I want to sleep with Lu Xiu."
Suddenly, Jiang Hong realized, could his parents have noticed something? His request lacked confidence, and he guiltily added, "We can talk at night."
Upon hearing this, Jiang's father gave Jiang's mother a knowing look.
"Oh no! Having lived with his parents for eighteen years, Jiang Hong could instinctively sense what his father was about to say. Had they figured it out?"
Lu Xiu casually replied, "It's fine, we often share a bed in the dormitory."
"Ah," Jiang's mother laughed, "then it's up to you guys. I just didn't want Jiang Hong's bad sleeping habits to disturb anyone."
"Huh? Why did their guard suddenly drop?" Jiang Hong thought, wondering if Lu Xiu's frank answer had dispelled his parents' suspicions.
Shortly after, Jiang's mother asked, "Has baby got a girlfriend yet? Lu Xiu, you should keep an eye on him too."
Jiang's father asked, "Does Jiang Hong have a girl he likes at school?"
Jiang Hong: "!!!"
Lu Xiu found it amusing to see Jiang Hong's awkwardness and Jiang Hong added, "No... not yet! Stop asking, it's too embarrassing!"
Jiang's mother said, "Oh, do you not like talking to female classmates?"
Jiang Hong looked up, about to say something, but caught his father's gaze on him, strange and penetrating, reminiscent of his childhood when his father's eyes made it impossible for him to lie.
Jiang Hong's heart skipped a beat, thinking: Are they testing me again?
Lu Xiu took over the conversation, saying, "Let him be, fate will happen when it's time. Jiang Hong will have no trouble finding someone, if not in university, then after graduation."
"Ahahaha." Jiang's mother then laughed, and the atmosphere returned to normal.
"Jiang Hong mentioned the plan to drive out with Lu Xiu, and this time his parents didn’t put up much of a fight. It wasn't a dangerous route like the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, and since it was summer, they quickly agreed."
"Jiang's father took him aside and said, 'Dad will give you money, don’t always let your senior pay.'"
"'It's okay.' Jiang Hong had completely gotten used to being financially supported by Lu Xiu."
"'What do you mean it's okay!' Jiang's father exclaimed, 'He’s not related to you, and I see you hardly spent your living expenses for a semester. Have you been freeloading meals and drinks? That's not good.'"
"Jiang Hong realized he needed to be more restrained and hurriedly said, 'Dad is right, I understand.'"
"'He doesn’t have many friends,' Jiang's father said, 'He's very good to you. One must reciprocate sincerity with sincerity, you know?'"
"'I know… wow!' Jiang Hong was almost scared to death upon receiving a transfer of a hundred thousand yuan from his father, exclaiming, 'Dad! Is this much money okay?'"
"'Take it!' Jiang's father said with a wave of his hand, 'Don’t let your senior pay anymore.'"
"Jiang's father was clearly in a fantastic mood from earning a fortune with stocks and wanted to repay Lu Xiu. Giving direct dividends seemed too straightforward, but upon reflection, with Lu Xiu's stock-picking skills, how much money couldn't he earn? So, he just hoped his son would be sensible."
"After dinner, Jiang's mother went out to play mahjong. Jiang Hong saw that Lu Xiu was chatting with his father in the study and decided not to disturb them. On the first night back home, Jiang Hong’s parcel arrived, and he started assembling the 'foot' for Old Sun on the bed."
"Old Sun asked, 'What is this?'"
"Jiang Hong replied, 'It’s a robot vacuum cleaner. Have you seen it before? The dorm room next to ours has one.'"
"The 'foot' Jiang Hong prepared was a robot vacuum cleaner bought from JD.com during the 618 sale. After connecting it to the Tmall Genie via Bluetooth and pairing it on the display, it was ready to go, but navigating stairs was still risky."
"Lu Xiu, after showering and drying his hair, came in and sat on the bed, joining Jiang Hong in examining the robot vacuum cleaner."
"What were you and my dad talking about?" Jiang Hong asked curiously.
Lu Xiu: "We discussed his company's structure and directions for restructuring."
Jiang Hong had initially been very skeptical about Lu Xiu's expertise in management, but after several occasions of hearing him speak so eloquently, he went from doubt to shock to acceptance and finally to admiration.
"He wants to hand over the company to you," Lu Xiu said, "but you don't like management, so he's looking for a successor."
"I'm just a lazy bum," Jiang Hong said self-deprecatingly, "Actually, my parents have always had pretty low expectations for me."
Lu Xiu watched Jiang Hong's actions as he finished setting up Old Sun to control the robot vacuum cleaner, turning it on and off, then connecting the charging base and securing it firmly.
Jiang Hong was also very clear about his father's aspirations.
"But he's still quite young," Jiang Hong said, "Not even fifty yet, why the rush? In Japan, people can be company CEOs even in their eighties."
Lu Xiu said, "Maybe he wants to start grooming someone early, but there's no candidate yet."
Talking about this, Jiang Hong felt something was slightly odd; his father had indeed seemed a bit anxious in the last two years.
"What are you doing?" Jiang's mother returned from playing mahjong, bursting with energy, and asked as she pushed open the door, "Snack time?"
"Mom! You didn't knock!" Jiang Hong said, displeased.
"Alright, alright." Jiang's mother laughed, closed the door, knocked, then re-entered, asking, "Snack?"
"No thanks," Jiang Hong said with a laugh, "We just ate two hours ago."
Jiang's mother then brought in some fruit, asking, "What's this?"
Lu Xiu replied, "His elective course design."
"Oh..." Jiang's mother seemed in a good mood, likely having won some money, but Jiang Hong remained slightly paranoid—were they just trying to probe him and Lu Xiu? Conducting a surprise check for any intimate behavior?
After Jiang's mother left, Lu Xiu added, "She also asked about your love life."
Jiang Hong gave a noncommittal "Oh" and didn't say anything, glancing at Lu Xiu from the corner of his eye. Lu Xiu continued, "Your parents are most concerned about your future wife."
"Ugh, so annoying," Jiang Hong said, feeling guilty, while thinking: What does Lu Xiu mean by this? Is there some kind of hint?
Lu Xiu lay on the other side of the bed and asked, "So when do you plan to get a girlfriend?"
Jiang Hong: "???"
Jiang Hong didn't understand Lu Xiu's question, feeling confused, unable to decipher the complex implications, or maybe there were "no implications," and Lu Xiu's words were just literal... But why would he say that? Aren't we... in a romantic relationship?
Was I the one who misunderstood everything before?
Jiang Hong felt upset and glanced at Lu Xiu again, who was now busy with his phone.
Still unclear about his thoughts, Jiang Hong decided not to respond to Lu Xiu's question, changing the subject, "Alright. Old Sun, try moving a bit."
Old Sun: "He asked you..."
"Shut up," Jiang Hong whispered.
A camera was attached to the Tmall Genie, connected to a robot vacuum cleaner below, making the combination quite bizarre.
The robot vacuum made a noise, attempting to turn, then bumped into the wall twice. Old Sun said, "Not quite used to it yet, but I'll gradually get the hang of it."
"Make sure to call me when going downstairs," Jiang Hong said, "Definitely don’t go down rashly; it could get damaged, and that would be a lot of trouble."
Old Sun said, "Thank you, Jiang Hong, you're a kind-hearted kid. You'll achieve your heart's desires."
Jiang Hong: "..."
Lu Xiu glanced at Old Sun, his expression very calm.
Jiang Hong stretched, lay down, turned off the light, and didn't say anything, preparing to sleep. Lu Xiu also put away his phone, and the two lay in silence in the dark.
Jiang Hong couldn't sleep, mulling over the meaning of Lu Xiu's words, but Lu Xiu remained silent. After some time, the door was pushed open again, still by Jiang Hong’s mother, who didn't knock, making a surprise entrance.
"Eat... oh, you're asleep?" Jiang's mother, using the light from the doorway, saw Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu on opposite sides of the bed, each in their own space.
Outside, Jiang's father and mother exchanged a few words, faintly audible comments like "the child just came back today, must be tired," before Jiang's mother closed the door. Jiang Hong reached for his phone, noticing it was already half past midnight.
He turned to look at Lu Xiu on the other side of the bed, who was quietly lying in the dark, facing away.
Jiang Hong felt an urge to go over and hug him. Previously, he simply used him as a human-shaped pillow, finding it comfortable to wrap himself around him; now, he had strange desires, like wanting to bury his head in the shoulder and chest of someone he liked, embracing their waist.
But when did this feeling start? In the silent night, Jiang Hong gazed at Lu Xiu's back, recalling mixed feelings – was it when Lu Xiu appeared again in Chongqing, teaching him in Starbucks, or on the day in the village after new snow at Yamdrok Lake, both wearing Tibetan robes, holding hands?
Or was it in the alternate dimension of the Qingyu Golden Cup, when he called out his name with the last hope, and the meteor-like water flame arrived on cue?
When did I start feeling my heart race while holding him?
Jiang Hong vaguely remembered it seemed to start the first time Lu Xiu rode the Kawasaki H2, taking him racing along the mountain roads of the Qinling Mountains, hugging his waist tightly, his heart racing uncontrollably.
Was all this born from love, or from that day on, has life been racing uncontrollably off the rails?
Or is it a bit of both?
On this ordinary night, Jiang Hong once again clarified his feelings.
But what did that sentence mean?
Jiang Hong didn't know when he fell asleep that night. When he woke up the next day, it was already noon. Lu Xiu was up, drinking coffee downstairs and working on a spreadsheet on his computer.
Still groggy, Jiang Hong washed up and then leaned over the table, asking, "What are you doing?"
"Helping your dad with a cost accounting sheet," Lu Xiu replied.
Jiang Hong asked, "Where did you learn to do this?"
Lu Xiu answered, "Administrative management? I learned it in school, it was part of my graduate courses."
"Jiang Hong," Old Sun called from upstairs, "Take me downstairs!"
Jiang Hong had to take Old Sun down to the first floor, saying, "Don't wander off, just roam around the house for now."
Lu Xiu asked, "When are we planning to leave? I need to get Chen Zhen to arrange visas for Outer Mongolia and Russia, and to get a government vehicle license plate."
Jiang Hong yawned and said, "How about we go rent a car today? I liked the one we had last time. We also need to buy supplies."
Jiang Hong opened the map given to him by Zhu Jinling—it had seven spiritual energy gathering points marked in red. Lu Xiu glanced at it and said, "These are the intersections of the Earth's meridians, like the Big Dipper formation of the divine land of China."
"Oh really?" Jiang Hong looked at the map from all angles, realizing it indeed resembled a Big Dipper constellation. The closest to Chongqing was in Xiangyang, Hubei, followed by Shaoxing in Zhejiang, then Longmen Mountains in Luoyang, Xi'an, and then heading north to the central part of Yinshan in Jining District of Ulanqab City, Inner Mongolia. Next, it would leave China.
After entering Outer Mongolia, the next location was southwest of Ulaanbaatar, near the ancient site of "Dragon City."
The last location was Lake Baikal in Russia.
"What exactly are you planning?" Lu Xiu asked doubtfully, "With the spiritual energy from these seven meridian points, you could summon a great demon beast if used properly."
"Hehehe," Jiang Hong said, "I won't tell you."
Lu Xiu: "???"
When Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu arrived at the car rental, the receptionist said, "Oh, the lovely couple is back! Were you satisfied with your last rental?"
Jiang Hong intended to say "We're not," but suddenly feeling a bit expectant, he remained silent and sneaked a glance at Lu Xiu.
True to form, Lu Xiu neither admitted nor denied, focusing on filling out the form and saying, "It performed well, except for a minor issue towards the end."
The receptionist smiled, "We've just got two more luxurious models. Where are you planning to go this time?"
Lu Xiu replied, "We're going abroad. We'll temporarily switch to a foreign license plate, which we've already applied for. We'll need the vehicle registration details, which will be faxed over tomorrow. Please help us with the paperwork then."
"Wow," the receptionist said, "That sounds so romantic. Come, I'll show you the cars."
Jiang Hong instantly liked the new model of the RV, which featured an advanced hydraulic expansion system to increase the interior space by nearly 50%, a wider bed, and a larger refrigerator.
"Perfect!" Jiang Hong exclaimed, "Let's take this one."
"It's a large bed model," the receptionist added, "I won't bother showing you the other models."
Jiang Hong gave the receptionist an affirmative look, Lu Xiu paid, and Jiang Hong didn’t argue over the bill this time. They then went to buy supplies.
From his last trip, Jiang Hong had learned to buy plenty of snacks, especially puffed food, as Lu Xiu had a big appetite. A Sam's Club-sized bag of chips, which could feed the whole of Africa, was perfect for him.
As they shopped, Lu Xiu pushed the cart while Jiang Hong picked the items, feeling they really resembled a couple.
Suddenly, Jiang Hong couldn't resist the urge to test Lu Xiu again.
"My dad said," Jiang Hong stated calmly, "that I shouldn’t always spend your money."
Lu Xiu, initially distracted, immediately focused when Jiang Hong spoke, asking, "What?"
Jiang Hong repeated himself, and Lu Xiu replied, "My money is your money. You can spend it on whatever you like."
Hearing this, Jiang Hong felt incredibly happy, his slight unease from the night before completely vanishing.
"Then set up an intimate payment for me," Jiang Hong added.
"What's that?" Lu Xiu asked, puzzled.
Jiang Hong explained, "It's like... for someone you’re close to... they can pay directly from your account."
Lu Xiu: "Oh, how do you set it up? I’ve never used it before," saying this as he handed his phone to Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong, delighted, used Lu Xiu's phone and suddenly realized something. Lu Xiu seemed completely unconcerned about handing over his phone.
"Can I use your phone for a bit?" Jiang Hong asked again.
"Sure," Lu Xiu said, "Is yours out of battery?"
Jiang Hong: "Um... yes, I guess?"
Jiang Hong thought: Would he get angry if I checked his WeChat messages? But that wouldn't be right. He suppressed the urge, understanding that a relationship shouldn't need such controlling actions to prove its validity.
So, he handed the phone back to Lu Xiu, who looked puzzled.
"Why are you even handling my dad’s company affairs," Jiang Hong said with a smile, "Are you planning to take over his company?"
Lu Xiu was distracted again, this time by the large bags of chips in the shopping cart, but he was listening.
"No," Lu Xiu answered.
Jiang Hong had thought about asking Lu Xiu if he'd consider interning or working at his father's company if he ever stopped being an exorcist, but then he thought better of it, realizing that neither the Exorcism Committee nor Tsangqiong University would want to lose Lu Xiu to a mundane life.
"Right, you're going to be a teacher," Jiang Hong said.
"I’m not coming because there isn’t an opportunity," Lu Xiu replied.
Jiang Hong said, "They all like you a lot, you know."
Lu Xiu: "Who are 'they'?"
Jiang Hong: "The principal, the big boss. Maybe they want you to take a position at the school?"
Lu Xiu casually said, "Only Principal Xiang and my master really value me."
Jiang Hong: "So, will you stay at the school indefinitely?"
Lu Xiu: "Just until you graduate, if I'm lucky."
Jiang Hong: "???"
Jiang Hong looked at Lu Xiu, the two sharing a silent gaze. Lu Xiu slightly leaned forward, resting on the shopping cart, one foot steadying the wheel. He looked effortlessly cool, especially with his exceptionally handsome face. When he looked up at Jiang Hong, his eyes carried a touch of melancholy, making his entire demeanor irresistibly charming.
Jiang Hong's heart began to race again. Recently, he found himself increasingly moved by Lu Xiu, sometimes in just an instant, feeling his affection for him.
After a moment of silence, Lu Xiu suddenly asked, "Why are you buying so many chips?"
"You like them," Jiang Hong said, "Didn’t you keep eating them last time?"
Lu Xiu paused, then explained, "That was because I had nothing else to do."
Jiang Hong: "Oh, alright... then let's get something else."
While paying, Jiang Hong turned around and noticed that Lu Xiu had been staring at him thoughtfully ever since they discussed the company and school matters.
Jiang Hong: "?"
But as soon as Jiang Hong made eye contact with him, Lu Xiu quickly averted his gaze, only to look back at Jiang Hong whenever he turned away.
Jiang Hong could see from the corner of his eye, even intuitively feeling the gaze from Lu Xiu.
"Okay," Jiang Hong said, placing the items back in the cart, "I'll use the intimate payment feature."
"Sure," Lu Xiu responded, unconcerned.
"Why are your eyes a bit red?" asked Jiang Hong.
Lu Xiu: "Are they?"
Lu Xiu quickly rubbed his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair, saying, "Maybe it's my hair poking me."
What's wrong with him? Jiang Hong sensed something amiss. Lu Xiu's mood sometimes suddenly dropped, like that day on Mount Hua when he unexpectedly started giving Jiang Hong the cold shoulder. Although such instances had become rare, Lu Xiu would occasionally fall into silence.
It seemed every time they talked about the future, Lu Xiu would become like this.
Was he thinking of something? Becoming depressed? Can dragons even get depressed? But since a large part of depression is genetic, do dragons inherit depression?
Are dragons hatched from eggs? Then, do dragons lay eggs? If dragons reproduce by laying eggs, would Lu Xiu lay eggs? Jiang Hong couldn’t help but wildly speculate.
"How about we get a haircut before we leave?" suggested Jiang Hong.
Lu Xiu nodded, and they went for haircuts that afternoon. Lu Xiu’s hair was trimmed shorter on the sides, making him look even more handsome and mature, almost like a CEO. Jiang Hong, however, felt his own haircut was silly, saying, "Why does his haircut look so cool? Mine makes me look like a high school student."
"Aren’t you a high school student?" the hairdresser asked.
"I’m in my second year of university!" Jiang Hong argued, "Why didn’t you give me a haircut like his? He looks way cooler."
The stylist, known for his sharp tongue, said, "The effectiveness of a hairstyle also depends on the person."
Jiang Hong: "......"
"You're naturally quite young, with a baby face," the hairstylist said nonchalantly.
"Very cute," Lu Xiu touched Jiang Hong's head, comforting, "I really like it."
"Really?" Jiang Hong's mood improved a bit.
That night.
"Ah, leaving so soon?" Jiang's mother muttered non-stop, her son's heart had wandered though he had been home for less than a week, but she felt reassured with Lu Xiu accompanying him.
Jiang's father said, "You go out during the day, and I have to work. It's boring for two young people to be at home, so let them go."
For dinner, Jiang's mother cooked homestyle dishes. Recently, her ladies' group was planning a ten-year anniversary, and she was busy with preparations. She was also planning a vacation to Yunnan with Jiang's father in early July, with a fully packed itinerary.
Jiang Hong said, "We'll be back soon, in less than a month. We won't go out in August."
Only then did Jiang's mother relent, and Jiang's father turned to Lu Xiu, "Young Lu, don't spoil Jiang Hong too much, don't just agree to everything he says."
Lu Xiu smiled and did not respond.
Jiang Hong's heart skipped a beat, thinking, not again, are they testing us?
Jiang's mother said, "Exactly! Baby, you only spent a little over three thousand on living expenses for a semester, I don't believe you're that frugal, it's not even enough for meals!"
Lu Xiu glanced at Jiang Hong.
Jiang's father then said to Lu Xiu, "It's good to have a strong relationship, but you should also cultivate his sense of independence."
Lu Xiu replied, "Our teacher's cafeteria card is always more than enough, and there's a monthly allowance. We often mixed our money before, but I understand. I'll make sure he manages his own finances properly from now on."
Jiang's mother was observing Lu Xiu's expression as he spoke, and Jiang Hong really noticed this time, thinking that his mother must have sensed something.
After hearing Lu Xiu's explanation, both Jiang's father and mother nodded, refraining from further inquiry and shifting the conversation to their upcoming trip to Yunnan. Lu Xiu recommended a few places he had visited before, and the atmosphere lightened again.
That night, Jiang Hong felt like hugging Lu Xiu but was afraid his mother might come in again.
Instead, it was Lu Xiu who turned slightly, asking, "Do you want to sleep in my arms?"
"Never mind." Jiang Hong felt awkward. Previously, he was carefree, treating Lu Xiu like some godly elder brother, but now, with many cautious thoughts in his heart, he felt uneasy. It was as if there was a thin layer of paper between them that couldn't be pierced. Jiang Hong had wanted to muster the courage to ask him several times, but the words just wouldn't come out.
This left him feeling somewhat petulant, his emotions fluctuating, happy one moment and frustrated the next.
The next day, Jiang Hong woke up to find himself unknowingly holding onto Lu Xiu all night. He got up, blushing, and sat up, trying to cover his natural morning reaction.
Lu Xiu, in silence, got out of bed, scratched his head, glanced at Jiang Hong, and said nothing.
"Oh. Good morning..." Jiang Hong said, somewhat foolishly.
Lu Xiu: "I... I'll go wash my pajama pants."
Jiang Hong had prepared pajamas and pants for Lu Xiu at his house, but Lu Xiu seemed particularly embarrassed today.
"Ah!" Jiang Hong immediately understood, sat on the bed, and laughed out loud, saying, "Don't worry about it, just throw them in the washing machine!"
Lu Xiu, with his head down, took the pants to wash. Jiang Hong recalled a time, not long after they met, when Lu Xiu took him to Xi'an and washed his clothes, showing a peculiar side of himself.
"How's it going?" Jiang Hong approached, draping an arm over Lu Xiu's shoulder, peeking from behind him.
Lu Xiu, with his handsome face turning red to the ears, didn't react as wildly as Jiang Hong expected, answering, "I don't know."
Lu Xiu, holding the pajama pants, pretended to smear them on Jiang Hong's face. Jiang Hong immediately dodged, saying, "Pervert! You're such a pervert!"
"How is that perverted?" Lu Xiu asked. "Haven't you read 'The Chronicles of Rare Treasures'? A dragon's yang essence is one of the six great heavenly materials."
"Oh, is that so?" Jiang Hong returned, continuing to lean on Lu Xiu's shoulder. "Then, how much is this pair of trousers worth?"
Lu Xiu: "..."
Jiang Hong: "Really?"
Lu Xiu: "Yes, really. It's used for refining immortal elixirs, which can preserve youth forever."
"Can it really grant eternal youth?" Jiang Hong was astonished.
Lu Xiu: "Preserving youth and immortality are two different concepts. Let's drop this subject... Move aside, I need to shower. Aren’t we supposed to go out today? Stop dawdling."
At ten in the morning, Jiang Hong put on sunglasses, took the driver's seat, while Lu Xiu sat in the passenger seat.
"Alright, let's go!" Jiang Hong was ready to start their East Asia tour.
