Chapter 48: Can't You Tell? I'm Trying to Soothe You

On the other side of the wall was a sky scattered with broken stars.

Shen Jixing’s slender back was pressed against the cold surface, his body hemmed in tightly by a hard, burning presence, leaving no space between them; the mingling of heat and chill sent his mind spinning, blank and dizzy.

Until his lips were bitten, hard and deep.

Shen Jixing’s brows knit suddenly, his cool eyes shrouded with mist, and as he resisted, a warm, soft hum escaped him.

Zhou Yili’s body stiffened abruptly.

He must have enjoyed the sound.

The tense lines of his figure slowly relaxed, the dangerous hand released the captive, beautiful chin, sliding down the fine neck to rest gently at the nape.

He cradled the throat of this proud, top-tier idol, nearly tender now, soothing him with a kiss.

“How are you so delicate, Shen Jixing?”

His voice, low and hoarse, carried a hint of moisture, sensual as it brushed through the night wind.

Shen Jixing turned his head away, a faint flush tinting the cold edge of his eyes.

He spoke coolly, his voice slightly rough, “If you won’t talk, then leave. Who gave you permission—”

The soft, rosy corner of his mouth was gently brushed.

Zhou Yili casually wiped away the moisture that had overflowed, his tone lazy and indifferent, “Who was it that held me back, refusing to let me leave?”

The young master seemed pleased, as if he’d tasted sweetness and was now docile, no longer cold and indifferent, circling his fragrant prey with a languid, mocking sneer.

“Do you take me for some good person, Shen Jixing?”

Abandoned again and again.

Was Zhou Yili some pathetic fool, always coming running when beckoned, just to be patted on the head?

Shen Jixing knew what he was thinking; his sharp, pale features quieted.

“Perhaps I am simply different from you all.”

Zhou Yili neither agreed nor disagreed, “No one is as ruthless and heartless as you.”

Shen Jixing looked up at him suddenly.

In the dim light, those eyes were clear and cool, devoid of emotion, shimmering like water glass.

For a moment, Zhou Yili thought he seemed aggrieved, almost on the verge of tears.

A noble and pure bird—should it be forgiven for its transgressions?

Damn, it really should.

Zhou Yili was too weary to argue further; after all, he knew what kind of person this was.

“Fine, let’s go—”

“We’re not part of the program,” Shen Jixing lowered his gaze, his tone calm and detached. “To us, it’s just a trivial game. Why demand it adhere to its original programming, endlessly searching for a lover that doesn’t exist?”

The topic was inevitably broached.

Zhou Yili stood in the flickering darkness of night, the wind streaming past his dark brows and eyes, a mocking sneer in his gaze, “How can you be sure it doesn’t want to keep those memories?”

“When you act so stubbornly, have you ever thought to ask what others want?”

That was clearly overstepping.

The design of the game’s world rested in Shen Jixing’s hands; the mermaid had no right to choose.

The one Zhou Yili wanted to defend was himself, from the past.

Shen Jixing was silent for a moment, a touch of helplessness in his indifferent voice, “Zhou Yili, I just think it’s unfair.”

If he truly were the Creator, he would never let his lover endure millennia of loneliness, searching and parting again and again.

Zhou Yili stood sideways, his expression unreadable—tall and proud, never bowing to anyone.

“So, abandoning everything, resetting the program to its original path, that is your choice?”

Shen Jixing was always cool and rational, calculating the optimal solution at every moment.

Zhou Yili let out a cold laugh, “I understand now.”

The kiss he had sought, the comfort it brought, seemed never to last long; the indifferent mask inevitably closed over him once more.

At the last moment, Shen Jixing caught his sleeve, “Zhou Yili, they will meet again.”

His voice remained calm and clear, detached as ever.

But he meant—

Even in a cold digital world, when numbers are born, they gain life. Every code is unique, even if the program is halted and restarted.

If they love deeply enough, they will meet again within the program.

When there is no pain or sorrow.

“This is the best ending I could imagine.”

It was rare for Shen Jixing to explain himself so much to one person. He didn’t know if Zhou Yili could understand, but that was all he could say.

Choice is always a double-edged sword.

Just as Xiongxiong said, whatever he chose, the outcome would be condemnation.

Shen Jixing lowered his gaze calmly, smoothing his disheveled shirt, “Let’s go.”

Passing by Zhou Yili, he seemed to hear him say something.

“What about us?”

After meeting again, would they have a happy ending?

At ten, fireworks bloomed above the night-view restaurant, their thunder drowning out his voice, and Shen Jixing did not hear what he said.

He turned to ask, “What did you say?”

Zhou Yili’s Adam’s apple slid as he gazed at that cool, ink-wash face.

Brilliant, dazzling fireworks exploded behind him, and those eyes, thin as frost, seemed to have no room for anyone.

“Why tell me all this?” Zhou Yili asked.

Shen Jixing looked at him, a hint of confusion in his gaze, then returned to calm indifference.

“Can’t you tell?”

“I’m trying to comfort you.”

…

Memories whisked him past the radiant fireworks, carried him to another cool, summer night swept by a long wind.

“Give me a title, Teacher Shen.”

The youth rested his chin in his hand, watching him lazily, the long night falling behind him, his eyes bright with a smile, “We can’t keep kissing like this forever, can we?”

Shen Jixing was responsible for his cultural studies, and had extended the tutoring until eight at night.

Zhou Yili tossed his test paper in front of him, and as Shen Jixing took it to check, Zhou Yili circled behind, resting his head on him.

He bent down and lightly pecked his ear, “Hm?”

This person always carried the scent of white sandalwood, his skin pale as freshly fallen snow.

Just a glance at him was enough to stir Zhou Yili’s heart.

Shen Jixing’s gaze paused for a moment, avoiding his breath without a trace, then calmly lowered his eyes to mark the paper with a red pen.

“No titles. Go sit down.”

At that time, Zhou Yili was still young and raw, exuberant and bold, but also lazy and prone to cling and act spoiled.

“You think confessing like this is too hasty, don’t you?”

Zhou Yili wrapped his arms around Shen Jixing’s thin shoulders, his tousled hair brushing the man’s chin, like a pampered little lion.

“I’ll buy flowers tomorrow, rings, gifts, all your favorites, decorate the place, and then confess again—”

“Zhou Yili.”

Shen Jixing cut him off, the tip of his pen tapping the paper, ink blooming into a small stain.

“Go sit down.”

His tone was cold and impassive; the little lion on his shoulder froze, then slowly released him.

Zhou Yili returned to his seat across from him, idly playing with the ring in his hand.

He laughed at himself, “You don’t like me, do you?”

Shen Jixing didn’t answer.

Zhou Yili’s gaze lowered, his expression always mild, “If you don’t like me but agree to my request, is it just for the money?”

Shen Jixing resumed grading the paper.

No matter how earnest Zhou Yili was, the sheet was covered in red crosses.

After watching for a while, Zhou Yili slipped off the ring and tossed it onto the table with a clack, then went into his room without a word.

Shen Jixing finished marking, then finally looked up at the ring on the table.

Its pattern bore a carved six-pointed star.

After Zhou Yili finished his game, he heard the faint sound of piano from outside and went out to see Shen Jixing still there.

He sat at the piano, playing the piece Zhou Yili had just learned.

“Why haven’t you left?”

Still playing his stuttering score—was this a show of superiority?

Shen Jixing’s profile was lonely and quiet in the long night; it seemed he didn’t want Zhou Yili to sleep in anger. His slender fingers rested on the piano, letting the last note fall.

He turned his head, “To comfort you.”

Zhou Yili: “…”

What kind of comfort was that?

But in the end, Zhou Yili was soothed; Shen Jixing only needed to say the word “comfort” to make it so.

Back then, Zhou Yili thought, if he doesn’t like me, so be it.

It’s enough that I like Shen Jixing.