Chapter 24: Reunion (Part One)

After a journey that lasted two hours, the gateway out of the province finally came into view. As expected, troops were already stationed at the bridge, letting people through one by one. Unfortunately, there was no more time.

Mo Yu drove the car into a deserted corner of an empty street, woke the two half-asleep passengers, then took out several packs of bread and cans from under the seat, putting them into a backpack and handing it to Lingzi. She filled Li Jun’s backpack with a few bottles of water.

The two looked at her hesitantly.

“Mo, are you really not coming with us?” Lingzi glanced at the crowded bridge, her worry evident. “It looks like they’ll close the provincial gate soon. Are you sure you want to go looking for that friend of yours?”

“Don’t worry about me. Just make sure you stay safe. And take good care of Little Dou.” Mo Yu ruffled the little boy’s hair as he gazed up at her.

Li Jun carefully reached out and squeezed Mo Yu’s hand, a warmth spreading through his chest.

Lingzi gave her a long, worried look, full of reluctance. Then she took Li Jun’s small hand and turned toward the bridge. Mo Yu watched their backs—so strong yet fragile.

“Wait!” Mo Yu called after them.

Lingzi turned, her eyes saying, “You’ve finally come to your senses.” Mo Yu coughed awkwardly and walked over.

“Li Jun, remember, don’t use your powers in front of others,” she said, slow and serious, making Li Jun freeze. “Do you understand?”

Obediently, Li Jun nodded.

Lingzi knew her friend’s stubbornness well and gave up hope of convincing her. “We’ll find a place to stay near the bridge and wait for you. Watch for clothes hanging out the window—if you see them, that’s us. If you don’t come in three days, we’ll leave and won’t wait anymore.” Her eyes grew moist as she spoke.

“Alright, I understand. But you must both stay safe.”

Lingzi shot her a glare, then dragged Li Jun away. “Just remember what you said!”

Mo Yu shook her head in resignation, but a small smile crept onto her lips. Only when she had covertly placed a mental tracking mark on them did she finally feel at ease.

After scanning the area with her psychic sense and confirming no one was around, Mo Yu stored the car in her space and disappeared inside herself.

Arriving at the door of the M-constitution gate, Mo Yu squatted down and drew circles on the ground with a little stick she didn’t know where she’d found.

Shall I go in or not? Not? Go in? Go in!

She charged in decisively, muttering, “I still owe him a kick for last time!”

Mo Yu landed hard on the jelly-like floor, bouncing slightly with the impact. She stared blankly at the scene before her.

What met her eyes was pale skin, a naked body, curled up like an abandoned little beast, pressed tightly against the jellied, warm wall. His delicate brows were furrowed, teeth worrying his lower lip, dried blood forming a bright crimson thread on his chin.

This was the first thing Mo Yu saw upon bursting in. She had come to settle the score for that kick—

But suddenly, she couldn’t bring herself to do it...

“Hey!”

Mo Yu stepped closer and nudged him.

Qing Xuan’s brows furrowed, then slowly, slowly opened. His eyes, bright and clear, lit up at the sight of Mo Yu, only to dim again almost immediately.

Mo Yu watched wordlessly as he closed his eyes and turned away.

I’m the innocent party here, aren’t I? What’s with the sulking? She forced herself to stay calm and gently nudged his smooth back again.

“Hey, get up.”

“What do you want?” His voice sounded aggrieved.

“Get up. We’re leaving.” Impatience crept into Mo Yu’s tone.

The body before her stiffened, then began to tremble slightly.

It was almost as if...

He was sobbing.

A sudden flare of anger surged in Mo Yu’s chest. Leave if you want. Why is a grown man crying like this? What an aggravating personality.

Without another word, she stood and made to leave, only to be caught off balance as the man flung himself into her arms.

His arms clung tightly to Mo Yu’s waist.

“Master, I was wrong.”

Because of the contract bond, Qing Xuan could feel his master’s emotions. Just now, he had sensed anger, rejection, even disgust. That realization made him ache.

It was as if someone had seized his heart so tightly he couldn’t breathe. He was terrified of being abandoned, terrified of being hated.

He was desperately afraid...

So all he could do was hold his master tightly, refusing to let her go, refusing to let her escape. Hatred or disgust—anything was better than being abandoned. No one could understand what it felt like to be apart from his master for these dozens of hours. The pain was enough to kill him.

Mo Yu looked down at the man in her arms and sighed softly, feeling his grip tighten around her waist.

He was, after all, just a little snake that had been born only a few days ago. Why had she ever thought of him as a grown man? He had an adult’s body, but the heart and mind of a child. Just like her little brother, Chi Chi—he loved to cling to her.

Mo Yu gently comforted Qing Xuan, stroking his soft hair, hugging him tightly. To her surprise, all her irritation melted away.

Qing Xuan peeked up at her, then buried his head in her embrace.

“Don’t cry so easily from now on, alright?” Mo Yu murmured as she petted him.

“Mm?” So warm, so happy.

“You’re a man now. You can’t cry over every little thing. Real men don’t cry.”

“Alright!” As long as you say it, it must be true. As long as you don’t leave my side.

Mo Yu ruffled his soft hair again before pulling him upright.

She pinched her nose, telling herself to behave, but her gaze kept darting sideways—oh my, such a clean, pretty little body; oh my, that pert little backside; oh my, that exposed, red little tip; oh my, those dark, wild woods; oh my, and that...

“...Are you alright, Master?” Qing Xuan stared in surprise as bright blood trickled crookedly from beneath Mo Yu’s pinched nose.

And then...

Why could he sense his master’s feeling of... unfulfilled desire? Surely he must be mistaken.

Yes, he must be mistaken.