Archive of Our Own

Work Text

The house next door that had been on sale for years finally had new tenants coming in. Surprised that someone actually bought that house, Xue Yang peered out of his window to see who the unlucky tenants are. For one, that house was super-duper haunted, hence the reason why it had been left vacant for years. And secondly, to be buying a landed property in the midst of Beijing? Damn…the tenants must be super-loaded. Not like Xue Yang was not rich himself – he was what you called a Fu Er Dai – children of the nouveau riche in China. His parents became rich doing some business two decades ago; but coming from a poor background before, they had wanted to instill some ‘humility’ in their only child. Hence, they only paid him a minimal allowance but gave him basic necessities like a house, and a decent education.  Then they went on their way – travelling and doing business in other cities leaving Xue Yang all alone. It always annoyed Xue Yang that he was unable to flaunt his ‘richness’ like those other kids in college. He hissed at the thought of his friend – Jin Guang Yao – who, despite being a bastard child, was able to own a freaking Ferrari…but Xue Yang was only given a bicycle, a fucking bicycle! Not that Xue Yang needed the car, because his college was only a three minutes walk away, and all the basic necessities were also of a walking distance. But still…it was so unfair. As Xue Yang was watching through the window, his breath hitched all of the sudden and the hair on the back of his hands rise. The temperature of the room also dropped drastically. “Hehehe~” An eerie laugh echoed throughout the room. Xue Yang rolled his eyes as he turned to see a faceless lady in red standing about ten feet away from him. Rolling his eyes and cracking his knuckles, Xue Yang roared, “How many times do I have to say this? Leave me the fuck alone!” The lady vanished into smoke. Xue Yang let out a long sigh. Living next to a haunted house did have some side-effect on someone like Xue Yang. Despite having hired a ‘Dao Shi’ – a Taoist priest to draw seals and talisman around the house to barricade the area, it didn't do much for Xue Yang.  Those ‘things’ or Xue Yang would call them ‘Hao Xiong Di’ / ‘good friend’ would always be drawn towards him. It had always been like this since young. Xue Yang was what you would call a person with Sixth sense…or possessed the ‘YinYang’ eyes in Chinese terms. It was a curse really, and it brought about terrible bullying when he was in primary school. The kids around his age shun him when he told them that there was a man hanging on one of the toilet cubicle stalls. The bullying got so bad that he almost lost his fingers when a bunch of bullies pinned him down and smashed his fingers with the classroom door. Till now, the pinky on his left hand was not very responsive compared to his other fingers. He was only seven when that happened. They had rushed him to the hospital. However the main culprit responsible had only been given verbal warning and let off easy – money talks from where they came from. And Xue Yang's parents did not pursue the entire matter - being a rising business at that time…they couldn’t risk offending the richer family of the Chang. “Waa, it’s so huge!” Exclaimed a girl’s voice from outside the house. “Ge ge, are we really moving in here?!” Xue Yang went back to his task of peering through the window, after the nuisance was gone. “Wha-?” His eyes widened when the ‘Ge Ge’ turned and Xue Yang could get a view of the man’s face. Said ‘Ge Ge’ patted the younger girl on her head and was all smiles. “Yes, A-Qing. From today onwards, this will be our new home.” That face…that face…Xue Yang felt his heart racing as he recalled the dreams he had been having ever since he was thirteen. In his dreams, he was always embracing a man who had bandages around his eyes. ‘DaoZhang…DaoZhang…’ He remembered calling out to the man in his dreams. The dreams alternated between bloody and bittersweet…And whenever he woke up, Xue Yang would feel a throbbing ache in his heart. It was also one of the dreams that made Xue Yang wake up in the middle of the night and sneakily ran off to wash his pants from the stains…and embarrassment. He could never understand why he kept having dreams of this blind stranger. Xue Yang had suspected that the blind man was a ghost of some sort – a mere figment of his imagination. He left it at that as the time went by. Though, the man standing outside the house was not blind – unlike the one in his dreams; but Xue Yang could never mistaken that face for anyone else’s. Xue Yang jolted out of his bed and rummaged through his closet. He found an outfit which he thought would make a first good impression. Donning it, the man rushed out of his house to greet his new neighbours. Smile. Smile… Xue Yang reminded himself. “Good morning.” Xue Yang greeted the neighbours in his chirpiest voice. “Oh, hello there.” The man greeted. The younger girl just turned and stared at Xue Yang with a bored look on her face. “A-Qing, this must be our new neighbour.” He smiled as he proceeded to introduce himself, “My name is XingChen, Xiao XingChen, and this is my sister A-Qing. And you are…?” “Xue Yang.” Xue Yang replied. “Or you could just call me A-Yang.” He flashed them both a smile, canine teeth showing. As they were chatting,  the corner of Xue Yang’s eye caught something moving among the bushes at the neighbour’s house. He quickly ignored it. Though, the hair on the back of his hand was already rising simply from being closer to the haunted house. “I must say, this house is a beauty. And with the price, I wonder why it has been left abandoned for year.” XingChen exclaimed as he admired the beauty of the newly bought house. Xue Yang faked a laugh, “Beats me.” He shrugged, “So, need a hand? I’ve pretty much nothing to do the entire day.” Before the man could reject him, Xue Yang quickly continued, “Though I take payment via food.” Xiao XingChen laughed, surprised by the bold demand after just a first meeting. “Sure. I would need you to show me around this area. I just moved to this city and am unfamiliar with the shops and eateries.”    A-Qing had never heard her brother laughed so much before. Sipping orange juice from the glass in her hands, she observed the two men talking about some random topic in which she had no interest in. They were at a hot-pot shop – one that Xue Yang had recommended. Xue Yang was talking about the happenings in his college which made the older man laugh. A-Qing felt irritated. Ge Ge…seriously, that is not funny at all.  Xue Yang found out that the other man was only two years older than him, and was a freelance graphic designer. Xue Yang concluded that the man must have come from a wealthy background to even survive as a freelancer…and being able to buy a house in this neighbourhood. “Hahaha…did your lecturer really ask you to do that?!” Xiao XingChen asked, surprise and curiosity apparent in his tone. “What happened then?” “It’s a social experiment really…” Xue Yang begun to narrate the entire incident which elicit more laughter from the older man. Though, the man did try to lower his volume as much as possible as he did not want to disturb other customers. The trio left the place around 11pm, XingChen was still laughing as they walked home. Xue Yang felt a warmth in his heart as he kept stealing glances at the man’s face. Then, reluctantly, Xue Yang bid his new neighbours goodnight.  3A.M. Xue Yang’s eyes opened to greet a figure standing by his doorway. Groaning, the man pulled a pillow and covered his face with it. 
DING DONG
 “Dear Good Friend… please stop. I need sleep…” Xue Yang muttered, hoping that the noise would stop. It didn’t. Groggily, Xue Yang crawled out of his bed and exited his bedroom. The dark figure standing at his doorway was still there, but Xue Yang was too tired to even be bothered. He walked past the thing who stood, unmoving and went downstairs. The glass panel on the door showed a silhouette of a man. “Who’s there?” Carefully, Xue Yang approached the door. “Ah, it’s me.” A voice said. “I’m so sorry to bother you in the middle of the night, but…” Xue Yang knew that voice, having heard it just a couple of hours ago. He quickly unbolted the door. He was greeted by the sight of Xiao XingChen in his pyjamas, hair dishevelled and a panic look written on his face. “What happened?” “I…” Xiao XingChen’s brows furrowed, “I can’t find my sister.” He bit his lip, “I woke up suddenly when I heard a scream coming from her bedroom. And when I got there, I don’t see her.” He shook his head. “I’ve searched the whole place…but…” “Whoa, calm down.” He touched the man on his shoulders. The man was soaked in sweat. Poor guy must have been running around searching for his sister. “I’ll help you look, alright? She shouldn’t have gone far.” Xue Yang’s eyes lingered on the man’s white pyjamas which seemed almost translucent. He gulped as he shook the thought off his mind. Fuck. I did not just… “Ahhhhhhhh!” A loud shriek cut through the air.  Both men immediately ran towards the direction of where the noise was coming from. They found A-Qing at the front porch of the house next door, hugging her knees and trembling with her eyes closed. “A-Qing…” Xiao XingChen’s concerned voice reached her. Her eyes snapped open and Xue Yang was taken aback. White pupils? He watched as Xiao XingChen patted the girl and soothed her, not noticing anything out of the blue in regards to those white pupils. After a while, Xiao XingChen scooped up the girl and carried her upstairs. Xue Yang stood in the living room awkwardly, thinking if he should leave or stay to check out if everything was alright. “Hehehe~ you are here. You are here~” Voices echoed throughout the house. “Tsk...” Just as Xue Yang was about to turn to leave, Xiao XingChen emerged at the top of the stairs walking down. “Sorry for the trouble caused.” He smiled wearily. Xue Yang waved a hand. “It’s nothing.” “About A-Qing…” Xiao XingChen begun, “Could you please pretend you didn’t see that?” “Huh? You mean about her white pupils?” Xiao XingChen nodded. “She is very self-conscious about that.” He motioned the younger man to take a seat on the sofa. “So we got her coloured lenses to hide them. Xue Yang sat down as Xiao XingChen went to the kitchen to get them both a drink. “What would you like?”  “You have anything sweet?” “Oh…” XingChen paused. He looked around the fridge and decided to get one of the sweet juices reserved for A-Qing, making a mental note to replenish it before A-Qing finds out. He emerged from the kitchen and passed the younger man his drink. Xue Yang took it. His eyes caught sight of the drink in XingChen’s hand as he winced at the label. It was some sort of bitter tea and being one who despised bitter taste, he could not comprehend how someone could actually drink that.  Xue Yang sipped on his juice as he watched XingChen gulped down the bitter tea. The older man gave a relieved gasp as he placed the bottle down. Xue Yang’s eyes suddenly darted towards something at the end of the table – a hand that was slowly reaching out towards the bitter tea. He shot that ‘thing’ a glare when suddenly the hand just disappeared. Being in this house at 3AM was not good for Xue Yang and he knew that. The hair on the back of his hand had already stood up for god knows how long that he was somehow numbed by the whole thing already. Noticing the silence and awkward glare into thin air, Xiao XingChen looked at the younger man, “Are you alright?” Just as the words left his mouth, Xue Yang noticed a bloodied face begun to appear right next to the man. He subconsciously reached out to swat it away. This gesture surprised Xiao XingChen as he stumbled back. “What is it?!” “Ahahahaha…mosquito.” Xue Yang suddenly stood up and bolted towards the door. “Look at the time!” And then he was gone, leaving a confused XingChen in the house.   That night, Xue Yang’s dreams got more vivid. It was no longer those wet dreams that he was familiar with, but dreams of just simply walking alongside the blind man. Xue Yang noticed that there was another person with them – that girl with white pupils. A simple dream but his heart ached so much when he woke up around noon. Thankfully it was the golden week holiday hence there was no class. Xue Yang yawned as he strolled into the kitchen, ready to rummage through whatever was left in the fridge and cook something simple. 
Ding Dong. Ding Dong. 
 Xue Yang closed the fridge and groaned before dragging himself to the door. The sleepiness and bad mood left him the moment he saw Xiao XingChen standing there, a bowl in his hand, his hair tied up into a neat ponytail. The taller man was wearing a V-neck white shirt today which really showed his collarbone. Xue Yang had to mentally slap himself from staring too long. “Oh, is that for me?” Xue Yang asked shamelessly as he pointed at the bowl in XingChen’s hands. XingChen gave a chuckle, “Yes. I’ve cooked too much so I’ve decided to pass you some.” He passed the bowl over to Xue Yang whose eyes sparkled when he took a whiff of the steaming bowl of pork noodles. Watching the happiness in Xue Yang’s face, XingChen reached out to give the man a pat on his head. “Eat slowly.” He said. Xue Yang looked at him, slightly baffled by the gesture. A realization dawned on Xiao XingChen’s face as he quickly pulled back his hand. “Sorry about that.” He wanted to find the words to explain his sudden gesture but was at lost. “Oh, it’s alright.” Xue Yang smiled. Deep inside his heart was racing but he maintained a calm composure. “So you want to come in?” He asked. XingChen shook his head, “A-Qing is waiting for me.” “Oh…” For a brief moment, the younger man looked disappointed. Xiao XingChen caught that and quickly said, “If you are alone, why don’t you come over and join us for lunch?”   A-Qing despised their new neighbour. Annoying… She thought to herself as she ate her noodles quietly. She eyed the neighbour who only don pyjamas and getting way too comfortable in someone else’s house. XingChen was laughing so much from Xue Yang’s witty talks. The girl rolled her eyes as she proceeded to drink the soup. “I’m done.” She then took the bowl and walked towards the sink. She was deep in thought as she did the dishes. Wondering how did the two men even get to familiar with each other? Her brother had always been a trusting person, hence he was not as wary as A-Qing when it comes to meeting strangers. “Need help?” A voice spoke suddenly and A-Qing almost dropped the chopsticks she was in the midst of washing. Xue Yang flashed her a smile. He looks like a dog with his canine teeth showing. A-Qing remarked inwardly. “Yes, sure.” She put down the sponge, washed her hands and then turned to walk away. “A-Qing!” Xiao XingChen was a little surprised by his sister’s cold attitude, “He’s our guest.” “He’s been eating our food.” Ah Qing rationalized. “It’s just a little washing.” She then tugged on her brother’s sleeve. “Ge Ge…you said that you are going to go shopping with me.” “Oh, right.” Xiao XingChen suddenly realized the time that he had lost track of when he was chatting with the neighbour. “I’ll go get ready” He patted her on her head and dashed upstairs. Xue Yang was still washing the dishes when A-Qing suddenly spoke. “You.” “Hmm?” “What is your motive?” A-Qing questioned. “Huh???” Puzzled by the question, Xue Yang turned. “What are you saying?” A-Qing sighed. “Don’t act dumb. I see the way you look at my brother.” She seethed as she walked up towards the man. “And acting all familiar with him when you’ve only just met.” Shit…was I that obvious? Thought Xue Yang. But he maintained a calm composure as a smirk appeared on his face. “Do you…have a brother complex or something?” A-Qing’s face flushed red, “No! What the…Hmph!” She stopped abruptly when she heard footsteps coming down from the stairs. “I’m ready, A-Qing.” Xiao XingChen declared. He looked at Xue Yang who was mid-way doing the dishes. “A-Yang, why don’t you join us too?” A-Qing froze as she glared at Xue Yang, giving him the ‘You’d better say no’ look. To her disdain, Xue Yang replied in a cheery tone, “Sure thing.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Xue Yang should had been home, memorizing his script and rehearsing for his upcoming play. Instead, he was spending time at the mall with his new neighbours, not that he was complaining. But damn, A-Qing was really getting on his nerves with her indecisiveness as she dragged her poor brother from shop to shop. She definitely has a brother complex. Xue Yang thought as he eyed the girl who had her arms looped around XingChen’s arm. Ting! Xue Yang glanced at his incoming message. It read: WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN’T COME OVER FOR PRACTICE?! It was from his classmate – Jin GuangYao. Xue Yang quickly typed a reply. Sorry, something came up. You know how Lecturer Yu is!? My grades are hanging on a line here. Please don’t fuck it up. Came the reply. He was talking about their very strict lecturer who was currently monitoring their second-year project. Till now, she had nothing but bad remarks when overseeing their rehearsals. Jin Guang Yao had always been one of the star actors from their batch in their college’s Performing Arts course. However to Lecturer Yu ZiYuan, his acting was nothing more than cheap gimmicks and exaggeration. “No soul.” She remarked coldly to him and hence, Jin GuangYao had never gotten anything more than a B- for her classes. Xue Yang however didn’t really give a damn about his grades; for him a passing grade would be more than enough. It was by sheer bad luck that the lecturer decided to assign roles for them for their second-year project. It was a play adapted from a novel written by a mysterious writer who went by the penname Bǎi Tóng Shào Nǚ (White Pupil Girl) titled “The story of Yi City”. Despite its popularity in book sales, it had never been adapted into any screenplay or movie due to the author’s refusal. It was a miracle that Lecturer Yu had even managed to convince the author to allow their college to use it for their non-profit performance. The conversion from novel to script was done with the help from one of the literature students from the language faculty – a student by the name of Lan Zhan. It was quite a huge collaboration hence the performing arts students were under immense pressure to pull the play off perfectly, especially under the watchful eyes of Lecturer Yu ZhiYuan who was also a big fan of the book. At first no one wanted to fill in the role of the director, and in the end their ever self-sacrificing classmate – Wei Ying had to take up the role. However during the Golden Week holiday, their director had turned off his phone and disappeared off the radar. All rehearsals were halted. So the two main actors – Jin Guang Yao and Xue Yang, took it to themselves to rehearse privately. “Is everything alright?” XingChen asked when they were both sitting by the sofa and waiting for A-Qing who had been in the dressing room for the past half-an-hour. Xue Yang put his phone on mute and flashed the older man a smile, “Ah, it’s nothing.” Xiao XingChen gave a sigh, “You must be bored, right?” He looked towards the direction of the changing room, A-Qing still nowhere in sight. “Sorry for selfishly dragging you along. It’s just that…” He paused, thinking of how to say it, “I wanted some company, I guess.” He gave Xue Yang an apologetic look.Xue Yang wanted to say ‘it’s alright’. But then some inner voice inside him told him otherwise. “Ah…then…” He smile widened, “What say you compensate me by treating me to desserts later?” His tone childish as he made the shameless request. There was a pause as Xiao XingChen looked at him before letting out a chuckle. “Alright, alright.”  The new intruder was really getting on A-Qing’s nerves. She watched Xue Yang ungracefully munched on the cakes as he chatted away with her own brother. It was supposed to be a tranquil ‘my brother and I’ time…but this…this annoying pest had to come in and ruin it all. This was supposed to be an escapade after the traumatic incident last night. A-Qing was still shaking from the thought of it. She remembered bits and pieces. The girl recalled being asleep in her room when suddenly her blanket fell off the bed. Groggily, she picked it up before wrapping herself in it. As she was about to fall asleep again, the blanket was yet again forcefully yanked away. The girl jolted up, fully awake as she peered through the darkness. The street lights were casting silhouettes through the curtains. She was able to make out the interior of her room – the closet, the desk, and the doll that was sitting on the desk. 
The doll that was sitting on the desk.
 A-Qing froze. She did not have a doll. As she was staring intently at the doll, cold sweat started to seep through her pajamas. PLOP! The doll dropped to the floor. A-Qing’s breath hitched. Her heart was beating fast as her eyes were glued on the doll laying on the ground. The next thing she knew, someone or something was breathing down her neck… She did not remember anything after that…until Xiao XingChen found her at their house’s front porch. “Are you really not eating?” Xue Yang’s voice broke A-Qing out of her reverie. Though the question was not directed towards her. XingChen merely smiled and shook his head as he took a sip of his tea. Apparently Xue Yang had shamelessly ordered a whole table full of desserts, wanting to share with everyone; but he and A-Qing were the only ones actually eating. “Ge Ge doesn’t like anything sweet.” A-Qing replied in Xiao XingChen’s stead. Xue Yang swallowed the cake. “Really?? But…that’s like missing out eighty percent of your life!” He exclaimed. Xiao XingChen laughed awkwardly. “Ah…I really can’t take any sweets. My parents tried to give me a candy once. I actually barfed.” Xue Yang looked at him with pity in his eyes. XingChen was already shifting uncomfortably in his seat from the topic. “I know it’s weird.” A-Qing glared daggers at Xue Yang, hoping that he would drop the topic. But the younger man seemed oblivious to it. Xue Yang sighed. “That’s just sad. I can never imagine living without having sweets.” He said. “Though, look at the bright side. It’s harder for random strangers to lure you in with candy and kidnap you when you were a kid.” XingChen laughed, a genuine laugh – somehow finding the statement amusing. A-Qing rolled her eyes as she took another bite from her strawberry shortcake. “Though you need to stop drinking all those bitter teas.” Xue Yang pointed at the beverage in XingChen’s hand. “That is just nasty. If you were to kiss me right now, I bet I would cringe from the bitter taste.” Xue Yang froze suddenly realizing the words that left his mouth. Fuck…did I just say that? A-Qing stabbed on her cake HARD and glared at Xue Yang. “As if my Ge Ge would want to even kiss you in the first place. You shameless thing.” “Oh? You jealous, Bro-con?” Being one who liked to have the final say in everything, Xue Yang couldn’t help but shot back. “Wh-what did you just call me?!” “Alright. Alright.” Xiao XingChen quickly cut in. “I believe A-Yang was only joking. Hahaha…” From the corner of his eyes, Xue Yang noticed that Xiao XingChen’s ears were pinkish. It was really obvious because of his already pale complexion. There was an awkward silence afterwards. Xue Yang tried to break the silence by telling his new neighbours about a play that was coming up in his college in two months’ time. He noticed a grin on XingChen’s face as the older man looked excited upon hearing the title of the play. He gave his sister a knowing look. “Who are you playing as?” Ah Qing asked in a bored tone. “Oh, I see the both of you read the novel as well.” Noticing that there was a mutual topic to talk about, Xue Yang continued, “Well, my lecturer was the one assigning the roles. I play the blind DaoZhang. Huge role. Haha. I hope I can play him well.” “I’m sure you’d be able to once you put your heart into it.” Said XingChen. A-Qing felt her brow twitch. “What? Is your lecturer blind or something?” She took another bite of the cake. “You would suit more as that scum villain Xue ChengMei.” She smirked, “You even have his surname.” “Hey, this is acting – we are supposed to play as someone else. Not stay comfortable playing a staple role.” A-Qing rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath as she continued eating her cake. Xue Yang and XingChen were still talking about the topic. “Do come if you have time. I’ll reserve the best seats for you.” Offered Xue Yang. XingChen smiled. “Do tell me when it’s on sale.” “Will do.” He then added in a cheeky tone, “Though you’ll need to bring me a bouquet. It’s actually my first big role. Show me some support.” “Hahaha.” XingChen laughed. “Sure thing.”  It was already evening when the trio walked home. Throughout the journey, Ah Qing was still complaining about her brother having to foot the bill for the desserts. She glared at Xue Yang. “You! Hmph! Leeching on our food, and even making my brother pay for the desserts! How shameless can you be?!” “A-Qing, it’s alright. A-Yang was kind enough to show us around.” “B-but!” Realizing that there was no point arguing, she quickened her pace as she left both men behind. “Sorry about that.” Came Xiao XingChen’s voice. “She isn’t usually like that.” “Haha, guess I must’ve been really despicable then.” Xue Yang said nonchalantly. “Don’t say that.” Xiao XingChen interjected. “You are a nice person.” “Pft…” Xue Yang looked at the man straight in the eye. “Of all the words… ‘Nice’ is not something anyone would associate me with.”  Xue Yang arrived home to find a car parked at his driveway. It was a freaking gold Ferrari. His brows twitched. Said car was a four-seater Ferrari that didn’t receive as much love as its two-seater counterpart…but still a Ferrari nonetheless. It’s better than a bicycle, thought a bitter Xue Yang. The owner of the car stepped out. He was all smiles…fake smiles as he greeted Xue Yang and his new neighbour. Xue Yang internally cringed at all the fakeness oozing out of this individual that no one else seemed to notice. Xiao XingChen was already shaking the man’s hand and smiling at him while introducing himself. Jin Guang Yao had always had this ‘good-boy’ look to him; compared to Xue Yang who despite having childish features –had a more mischievous look. “Oh my, that sounds tough.” Exclaimed a concerned Xiao XingChen. Xue Yang wasn’t really listening to their conversation. When suddenly XingChen shot him an apologetic look. It took Xue Yang aback. “Oh…I’m so sorry, I didn’t know you were supposed to rehearse today.” Wait…what?! Baffled, Xue Yang shot Jin GuangYao a glare. Just what did you say to him?
 
 Xiao XingChen had left with guilt, thinking that he had selfishly impose on Xue Yang. The main culprit who planted the idea in XingChen’s head was none other than Jin GuangYao. Said culprit was currently sitting on the floor in Xue Yang’s living room rummaging through his notes. Jin Guang Yao always had a way with words and getting what he wants – a true manipulative bastard literally and figuratively speaking. Xue Yang yawned as he held a pen in his hand, unable to concentrate on his task. Xue Yang was supposed to have dinner at his neighbour’s place…after finally convincing XingChen with a sob story that he had been eating instant noodles for the past weeks as his parents didn’t send him enough money. It was a lie obviously…well, half-lie. The allowance his parents gave him was actually sufficient to last him for a month if he didn’t accidentally depleted it by spending on snacks and console games. “You feeling hungry?” Asked Jin GuangYao as he took a glance at his classmate who was staring into space. “I could ask XiChen and MingJue to-” “No.” Came the reply. “Don’t you dare invite them over.” Jin GuangYao gave out a sigh. “All because of that?” Xue Yang nodded. “Yup. Because of that.” That was an incident that happened months ago. Xue Yang and Jin GuangYao were supposed to be working on their assignments when GuangYao decided that it would be easier if they invited their seniors – Lan XiChen and Nie MingJue to help them out . It ended pretty late, hence the three of them had slept over in Xue Yang’s living room. Xue Yang went upstairs to sleep. In the middle of the night he was woken up by a wandering ‘Good Friend’ as usual and was feeling thirsty as well. He ignored the ‘Good Friend’ in his room and came downstairs to get a glass of water. And there it was, Jin GuangYao stripped naked and was going at it with his two ‘buddies’ right on XueYang’s favourite sofa. The sofa in which XueYang would laze around playing his Nitendo Switch…or take an afternoon nap in. Xue Yang pondered setting the sofa on fire…along with the shameless trio. But in the end, decided it was wiser to sell the sofa for a cheap price to some unsuspecting junior back in college. “I lost my favourite sofa because of that.” Xue Yang shot him a glare. “I was stressed out that time. You know how assignments could be.” Explained GuangYao. Just as Xue Yang was about to speak, the doorbell rang.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

From the corner of her eyes, A-Qing watched her brother took out a container from the kitchen cabinet. Curious, she watched as he scooped in some rice and stuffed some vegetables and meat into it. “Ge ge, what are you doing?” Xiao XingChen froze – like a deer caught in the headlight. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain but A-Qing didn’t let him, “It’s for that leech, right?” she eyed the food and didn’t say anything anymore as she turned back to her task at hand – washing the dishes. Before that, A-Qing did notice that Xiao XingChen had cooked a bit too much than usual that night. She let it slide, thinking that her brother probably wanted to keep some leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch. Strange…Ge Ge always likes his food fresh.  Her tingling suspicion was confirmed the moment XingChen started packing the leftover food into a container that belonged to her. It was a cute little lunchbox that had fox patterns all over it. A-Qing could feel her brows twitch as jealousy boiled inside of her. “I’m going out now.” Said XingChen, holding the lunchbox and the soup container that were neatly packed in a bag. With that, he was gone. Leaving A-Qing alone in the house. A-Qing let out a sigh as she went upstairs for a shower. In her mind she was still cursing that no-good neighbor of theirs. She did not understand what drew her beloved brother to a brat like that…to the point of having XingChen cook for him. Xue Yang was just a stranger to them one day ago…and now it seemed that he had somehow wormed his way into their life. Annoying… She thought as she closed her eyes, enjoying the hot shower. She let herself think about other positive stuff instead of harping on the same issue, things like should she write another book? Or…maybe it’s alright to give the greenlight for that movie adaptation for “The Story of Yi City” but with a few conditions? Just as she was getting comfortable in the showers…she felt something touching her hair – like fingers making scratching motions as if washing her hair. Her eyes snapped open as she turned around. There was no one there. Nervously, she eyed her surroundings. Still, no one. She quickly turned off the shower and stepped out with her towel wrapped around her. The mirror in the bathroom was all fogged up and words started to appear…  Xue Yang delightedly munched on the rice that was prepared for him as he scrolled though his phone with another hand. Jin GuangYao had been staring at him for a while now. “It’s not for you~” Xue Yang said nonchalantly as he continued eating. Jin GuangYao rolled his eyes. He had a copy of the script in front of him, but was not reading it. He was more distracted by his friend’s unusual behavior. Did he finally get possessed?  Jin GuangYao had been Xue Yang’s only friend since they were in primary school. Back then, GuangYao had just transferred to a new school after his mother passed away and his father decided to bring him into the family. He used to be known as Meng Yao, following his mother’s surname. His mother was an A-list actress and Meng Yao had been following her around since he was young. She loved him very much and doted on him whenever she had the chance. Meng Yao had thought that it would remain the same…until one day she passed away in an accident. The plane she was boarding crashed. Meng Yao was still young that time and he could not understand what had happened. His mum was supposed to go to Hollywood for a movie role, finally hitting the international market. She had been telling little Meng Yao about it, about how excited she was for the role. And then…she was gone. The movie world wept at the loss of their beloved actress. But no one would be able to understand the lost that Meng Yao had felt. His mother who had meant the world to him was no more. He never knew his father, did not bother to because he had his mother and that was all he ever needed. A man just appeared out of nowhere and claimed to be his father after his mother’s funeral. Meng Yao suddenly found himself moving into a new place, enrolling into a new school, having siblings he had never known of, and an abundant of toys to play with. But it was never the same without his mother. From then on, Meng Yao became Jin GuangYao – a name given to him by the Jin family. Always smile no matter what. He remembered that his mother would say to him, and so he smiled. He learnt the ways of surviving in this world putting on a mask – just like his mother did before him. He remembered accidentally stumbling upon her crying herself to sleep once, and the next day she would be all smiles just for him – just for the world to see. GuangYao learned how to get along with his half-siblings and even his stepmother. Smile…be the good boy they want you to be.  He met Xue Yang in his new school being seated next to him on the first day. The boy was always stealing glances in his direction. It puzzled and annoyed GuangYao at the same time, but he did not confront him about it. He got along with his other classmates pretty quick due to his natural charismatic skill. One day during lunch break, Xue Yang suddenly spoke to him. “Th-that lady over there told me to tell you to eat your vegetables.” The boy was looking all nervous and his gaze was not at GuangYao, it was hovering somewhere above the boy. “Beautiful lady in a white dress.” Jin GuangYao froze. His friends who were gathered around him during lunch break burst out in laughter. “Oh, Ah-Yao. Don’t listen to ghost boy over there.” Said a girl as she shot Xue Yang a dirty glare as if telling the boy to scram. Xue Yang ignored her and merely sat in his seat, quietly eating lunch. “Ghost boy?” GuangYao was curious. “Oh, that Xue Yang is such a creep.” One of the kids said. “He likes to scare us with ghost stories. Hahahaha.” GuangYao stared at the boy who sat in his seat while meekly stealing glances at him. Xue Yang suddenly said, “Ah…she said thank you for the good luck bracelet. And sorry that she couldn’t tell you that because you were asleep.” GuangYao gasped. “H-how…” The never-faltering smile on his face disappeared. The kids sitting around probably felt his darkening aura. GuangYao abruptly rose up from his seat and took a few strides towards Xue Yang. “Sorry that I ate the last cookie and told you that it was taken away by the rats.” Xue Yang continued. “Sorry that I can’t make it to your sports-day…” GuangYao was shaking. “STOP!” Jin GuangYao suddenly yelled. The façade of the calm good boy he was wearing all along was gone in that instant. He grabbed Xue Yang by his collar. Their eyes met. “S-she said that she has to go now.” Xue Yang continued as he looked at the apparition next to GuangYao. She was a lady dressed in white with a colorful bracelet in her hand. She smiled and she looked almost similar to GuangYao. “Smile…” She mouthed her words. “Always smile…” Xue Yang conveyed her final message as he watched her dissipated into the air. Jin GuangYao learned more about Xue Yang after that incident as they were usually stuck together in school, much to the dismay of the other classmates. Soon, both of them became the target of bullying. Jin GuangYao would sometimes find his desk written with words such as “BASTART” – yes… ‘bastart’ because the kids probably could not spell right. GuangYao would merely erase the words while scoffing at their below-average IQ. He would look at Xue Yang who usually had it worse –dead cockroaches would be stuffed into his drawer and whatnot. Xue Yang really was a meek and honest boy back then, before a particular incident. On the day of the incident, Jin GuangYao was absent from school as he was running a high fever. Xue Yang kept to himself as usual, not bothering anyone. However seeing that Jin GuangYao was not around to back him up, one of their classmates decided to teach him a ‘lesson’ for constantly scaring them with nonsensical ghost stories. “Xue Yang, the teacher’s calling you.” Said one of the classmates. Xue Yang got out of his seat and walked towards the entrance of the classroom. It was during lunch break and the teacher was nowhere in sight. He peered out of the door, thinking that the teacher might be outside of the classroom when suddenly he was grabbed by a bunch of classmates. They held him down and placed his hand at the hinge of the door. Xue Yang watched in horror as the door slammed right onto his fingers. He let out a scream but it was drown out by the surrounding laughter. “AGAIN!” One of the boys said. Xue Yang recognized him – he was one of the Chang boys who had been leading the bullying all this time. The door slammed right on his fingers for the second time. He screamed again as tears rolled down his cheeks. It was so painful. They only stopped when one of the girls got really scared and ran to get the teacher. Since then, Xue Yang had never been the same again. The honest-to-god boy had become a volatile brat who would trash someone for petty reasons. Jin GuangYao was surprised by his friend’s sudden change but nonetheless stood by his side…helping him out of sticky situations. It would seem that GuangYao had to play the role of the ‘babysitter’ and mediator whenever Xue Yang got into trouble.  Xue Yang finished his meal, satisfied. That sweet and sour pork definitely hit the spot. A lazy grin was on his face as he closed the container. GuangYao who had been observing his friend felt irritated somehow. He picked up an eraser and hurled it at Xue Yang. It hit the man on the head. “The fuck was that for?” GuangYao was smiling his usual fake smile. “My hand slipped.” Xue Yang rolled his eyes. “Shall we?” Asked GuangYao as he held out Xue Yang’s copy of the script. The other man took it and sat down next to him. “So let’s try script-reading again?” Xue Yang asked. “I think at this point, we need to really analyze it word by word.” GuangYao replied as he passed the man a pencil. “Jot down whatever comes to your mind. What the character is feeling-” “Blah-blah.” Xue Yang read the script, going through it word by word. He must really say that the literature student did quite an impressive job converting the novel into a script. He could feel the intensity from reading the dialogues. “Let me go…” Xue Yang read that line over and over again. “Like…what do you think was going through his mind?” He asked GuangYao who was also focusing on his lines. “I’m sorry, what?” “Let me go…” Xue Yang pointed at the line. “I know he’s feeling despair and all but…” He paused, thinking of what to say. “Like why didn’t he just kill the scum villain and die together with him or something? You get what I mean?” GuangYao pondered for a while. “Hmm…well, I don’t think I have an answer to that as well. The characters are complex in their own way. Guess you’ll just have to figure out how to portray him best?” Xue Yang rolled his eyes. “Not helpful.”   The entire ordeal took another three hours and by then Xue Yang had a feeling that his brain had probably fried as the words started to look gibberish to him. “Can we continue this tomorrow?” He said tiredly. Even popping in another candy didn’t seem to work anymore. “I’m dead.” He announced as he laid on the floor and covered his face with the script. Jin Guang Yao rolled his eyes and then laid down next to him. “This is unproductive.” He sighed. “You don’t say?” “We are fucked. Aren’t we?” GuangYao asked. “Nah…you are fucked. I seriously do not-” Before he could finish his sentence, GuangYao landed a punch on his stomach. Coughing, he rolled to the side. “Fuck! What was that for?!” GuangYao just smiled and did not reply. Xue Yang flashed him the middle finger as he continued to lie down on the floor. “I’m seriously dead. Please show yourself out of the door once you are done here.” He muttered. It had been a very long day. At first he was dragged around shopping…then came the script analysis which totally fried his brain. Xue Yang didn’t even have any energy left to crawl upstairs and sleep in his own bed. “I’m sleeping over tonight.” GuangYao announced. “Get out.” Was the reply. GuangYao ignored him as he scooted closer to his friend and laid down next to him. “No way. We have no time left to lose. I’m staying and we begin our practice in the morning.” Xue Yang didn’t have any strength left to argue as he let himself doze off, with his friend sleeping close by.   That night, Xue Yang had a dream. He was in that same dingy room again with the blind man who always haunted his dreams. The blind man has the face of his neighbor – Xiao XingChen. In Xue Yang’s dream, said man was tied up and Xue Yang was violating him. Xue Yang remembered feeling aroused but at the same time he could feel a sort of ache in his heart throughout the act. “Please…let me go…” The man pleaded. Xue Yang found his hands moving by themselves. The dream was so vivid that Xue Yang was able to smell the blood tears seeping through the bandages of the blind man. He licked the blood trickling down the man’s face, savoring the metallic taste. “Shh…” Xue Yang cooed. “Please…let me go…” “DaoZhang, DaoZhang…Don’t leave…” Xue Yang heard himself say. The dream cutoff to the scene where the man held a sword and aimed it straight at his own throat. Xue Yang felt his heart stop. 
No. No. No. No.
 But alas, the sharp edge of the sword pierced through the man’s throat.     Xue Yang’s eyes snapped open and he was sweating profusely. His friend was sleeping soundly next to him, legs tangled around his. Ugh…that bad habit of his. He roughly pushed his friend away as he got up. The room was still brightly lit since none of them bothered to turn off the lights before passing out. The digital clock on the wall read – 3:00AM. Fuck. Xue Yang sighed inwardly, knowing that the spiritual happenings tend to be more rampant at this time of night. Just as he was cursing, the lights started to flicker. He rolled his eyes, very much numb to this whole ordeal as he strolled over to turn off the light switch. Just as his hands were about to reach the switch, the doorbell rang. The sound was crisp as it echoed through the whole house. GuangYao was still very much asleep, snoring. Xue Yang looked at his friend – pondering if he should take a video and upload it for GuangYao’s mini-fanclub to see. After all, the man had value maintaining a squeaky-clean reputation above all else. It would be fun to see. Then again, GuangYao would probably kill him for that. So nah… The doorbell rang again. He made out the silhouette from the tainted-glass door – it was a figure of a girl. Xue Yang felt a sort of dread in the pit of his stomach as he carefully made his way to the door. The hair at the back of his hands were already rising and he felt a chill upon getting closer to the door. He opened the door slightly as he peered out to see a girl – standing with her back towards him. She was dressed in a white pajamas. Xue Yang was able to identify the person even without seeing her face. “Bro-con?” He called out. A-Qing turned. Her white pupils staring straight at him as her lips curled up into an eerie smile. Then she started walking towards Xue Yang with her back facing him. Fuck… Xue Yang quickly turned and ran into the kitchen, leaving the front door ajar. The most-definitely-possessed A-Qing entered the house and kept walking until she found Xue Yang in the kitchen. He was with his hands hidden behind his back. Then without a warning, something sprinkled through the air – salt, as Xue Yang dashed forward and pinned down the girl. She growled at him. Xue Yang quickly rammed the bottle of salt into the girl’s mouth. A-Qing started to make choking noises as she struggled to free herself. Xue Yang quickly grabbed the chopsticks tucked in his back pocket and dived in to clip them on the girl’s fingers, pressing the chopsticks in tightly. A-Qing spat out the salt bottle and let out a scream so loud enough to burst Xue Yang’s ear drums. He also prayed that his friend would not wake up and find him in this compromising situation in which he would need to explain to avoid any misunderstandings. Despite the whole mayhem happening around him, Jin GuangYao remained asleep. A-Qing’s entire body shuddered for a while before falling limp. Xue Yang gave a sigh of relief. He got up and was suddenly met with a pair of eyes – looking at him in shock. “XingChen…” Xue Yang felt his heart stop.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“XingChen…” Xue Yang did not expect to see XingChen in his house. It was the worst possible scenario to be caught in – him being on top of his neighbour’s sister, ramming a bottle of salt into her mouth, and clipping her fingers with a pair of chopsticks. Xue Yang quickly got up – removing himself from the awkward position. A-Qing had already fallen unconscious. XingChen’s eyes were still looking at him in shock as his hands were balling into fists. As a former delinquent, Xue Yang knew how this would go. So he immediately dashed towards XingChen and locked his hands. “I can explain this!” He screamed but XingChen did not want to listen to him. “What did you do to my sister?! You pervert!” XingChen roared as he struggled to free himself. “It’s not what you think it is!” Xue Yang screamed, pressing in even harder. He was feeling very frustrated from the accusations coming out of XingChen’s mouth. He pushed the taller man towards the wall and pinned him there, hoping that he would calm down and listen to him. Xue Yang’s grip was surprisingly firm and after a while, XingChen finally stopped struggling. He glared at Xue Yang, still huffing from the unreleased anger. “When did it start?” His voice was icy-cold. “Huh?” Xue Yang was puzzled by the question. “You…and my sister.” XingChen finally got one of his hands free and he took no time to slap the smaller man across his face. “When did you…” He was seething with rage and unable to continue his words. Just fifteen minutes ago… 
Xiao XingChen was blissfully asleep in his own room when the sound of the front door to his house was slammed shut. It echoed throughout his house and had jerked him awake. Worried that there might be a break in, he had went to check on his sister. Alas, A-Qing was not in her room.

Panicky, he quickly dashed out of the house only to find A-Qing walking into the neighbor’s house. He didn’t have his contacts or glasses on, hence he was unable to see clearly from afar.

He followed to find the front door to his neighbour’s house opened. XingChen hesitated for a moment, thinking it was quite rude of him to just walk into someone else’s the house, but then A-Qing’s screams echoed through the house and all thoughts left him…
 In XingChen’s mind, Xue Yang was probably a pedophile luring in his innocent sister – which explained why A-Qing had followed Xue Yang home… to end up being brutalized – or so it was assumed. XingChen felt his heart ached at the thought as his entire body shook in rage. With a roar, he mustered all his strength and threw off the smaller man. Xue Yang almost lost his balance as he stumbled back, only to see a fist coming at him. It hit him at the side of his face. The pain triggered a self-defense mechanism in Xue Yang – one he had developed over his delinquent years, his leg move by itself as it landed on XingChen’s knee. “Ah!” XingChen stumbled forward. Caught by the adrenaline rush, Xue Yang took no time in grabbing the man by his hair and was about to slam his knee into his face – but stopped halfway through. Fuck…what did I just do? Xue Yang realized that his body had moved subconsciously from the muscle memory from his delinquent days. “Ugh…” Xiao XingChen winced in pain from the injury on the knee. Oh…his knee! The anger subsided in Xue Yang and was replaced by fear and worry. XingChen was glaring at him, sweat begun to form on his forehead as he was panting furiously. He certainly had not expected the smaller man to possess such strength to almost dislocate his knee! Xue Yang was trembling as he let go of the older man’s hair and kneeled down in front of him, his hands clumsily touching XingChen’s wounded leg. “Right! Icepack!” Xue Yang was talking to himself. “Right…we need an icepack! Icepack…icepack…” He repeated the words over and over again as he stumbled towards the fridge. Xiao XingChen was stunned for a while seeing Xue Yang in a frenzied state. He knew he had no time left to lose. Enduring the pain, he staggered towards where A-Qing was lying. A-Qing was still passed out with traces of salt at the side of her lips. XingChen dreaded at the thought of how she had been treated by this…monster. “Wh-wha-?” XingChen gasped suddenly when he felt arms suddenly wrapped around his waist and before he could react, he found himself sitting on a stool which had somehow magically appeared behind him. He was baffled Xue Yang had managed the whole thing without him noticing anything. Then Xue Yang was kneeling in front of him as he pressed the icepack onto XingChen’s swollen knee. “Cold…” XingChen winced. He reached out, wanting to push away the hand. “Let go of me!” He flailed around, almost kicking Xue Yang in the face with his uninjured leg. Xue Yang caught XingChen’s leg, pressing in his fingers. XingChen froze. “Stay still!” He gritted his teeth as he shot the older man a glare. “The fuck is your problem?!” “Excuse me?” XingChen wasn’t sure he was hearing him right. He opened his mouth and was about to speak when Xue Yang cut in. “Can’t you just fucking listen?!” His voice came out almost like a roar – his patience already tipping over. “Fuck! Can’t you at least let me explain myself before punching me in the face?!” His fingers digging in deeper as XingChen let out a yelp. Xue Yang’s eyes widened, realizing what he had done as his grip loosened. He stood up and looked at XingChen in the eye. “That house of yours…” XingChen waited for him to continue. Xue Yang took in a deep breath “Do you know that it’s haunted?” XingChen blinked once. “Huh?” Xue Yang snorted as he continued. He pointed at A-Qing who was still left lying about the kitchen floor. “Your sister, she was being possessed.” XingChen shoved the younger man. “Rubbish! You expect me to believe that?!” He looked at Xue Yang straight in the eye. “I’ll ask you again. When did you…” He paused, trying to think of the words to say. “How did you lure my sister here?” Xue Yang felt like he was about to burst. “I. DID. NOT.” His hands curled up into fists. “Why won’t you believe me?!” He slammed his fist onto the kitchen counter. “Do you think I have the hobby of stuffing salt into someone’s mouth? Or using chopsticks to clip on someone’s fingers?!” His sounded strained, almost at his wits end trying to convince XingChen to trust him. Xue Yang was frantic when he picked up the salt bottle lying on the floor. “Salt has repelling elements to it! And chopsticks are used as…” He stopped talking once he looked at XingChen’s disbelieving face. He chuckled, defeated. “Why do I have to explain myself? None of you would believe me anyway.” He was talking to himself now as he slammed the salt bottle to the wall, it cracked open. “Each one of you think that I’m some weirdo freak anyway.” Then, he was laughing all of a sudden, showing his canine teeth. Xiao XingChen felt a chill down his spine looking at the man in front of him. He’s insane…At that moment, XingChen wanted to flee, but he could not leave A-Qing here. Xue Yang stopped laughing as her turned to look at the taller man. “Xiao XingChen. Of all the words… ‘Nice’ is not something anyone would associate me with.” He was closing in on a terrified XingChen who could only stare at him with wide-eyes. “Do you remember me telling you that?” XingChen looked away, vaguely remembering the conversation that evening. Xue Yang continued, “I’m actually a very very bad person.” He was grabbing Xiao XingChen by his shoulders suddenly. The taller man struggled, trying to stand up but the sting on his knee stopped him. Moreover, the shorter man was pressing down really hard on his shoulders, preventing him from escaping. “Xiao XingChen, do you know that I’ve really really wanted to this the moment I set my eyes on you.” Xue Yang said with a smile – a smile that made him looked almost maniacal. XingChen’s eyes widened when Xue Yang without warning pressed their lips together. His brain froze as Xue Yang was biting and sucking on his lips roughly. It took a few seconds for XingChen to realize what was happening as he struggled hard, staggering backwards which caused the stool that he was sitting on to topple over. His injured leg gave way as he fell backwards, pulling Xue Yang down with him. Xiao XingChen landed onto the floor with a loud thud –hurting his back in the process. He bit on his own tongue, drawing blood when Xue Yang crashed down onto him, pressing their lips closer in. The slight pain had somehow jolted Xiao XingChen out of his blur as he flung his hands forward, slapping Xue Yang across his face hard – finally breaking out from the forceful kiss. Rage boiled inside him as he frantically tried to shove away the man. “Ge Ge!” A-Qing’s voice reached Xiao XingChen. She was sobbing, finally regaining consciousness as she sat up slowly. “Whe-where?” She looked around to find Xue Yang pinning her beloved brother onto the ground. “A-Qing!” XingChen exclaimed, relived that she had finally awakened. “Ge Ge! What is going on?!” She was in shock at the scene in front of him. Xue Yang looked at her for a while, before slowly crawling off XingChen. The taller man took no time to rush to his sister’s side. “A-Qing, how are you feeling?” He asked. “I…I don’t know.” A-Qing bit her lips. “I just…” She tried recalling but felt a throbbing pain on her head. “I…where are we?” XingChen hugged her tightly. “It’s alright. It’s alright. We’ll go home soon.” Xue Yang did not move, merely sat there watching the two of them. He noticed XingChen shooting him a glare, but he was too tired to respond. Xiao XingChen didn’t say a word to him, his attention was fully focused on the white-pupil-girl. Xue Yang didn’t even move from his spot – merely sitting on the floor watching XingChen walked out with A-Qing. His thoughts were in disarray – a mixture of sadness and anger as he sat there silently for a long time.   A-Qing was shivering in XingChen’s arms even when they got home. She held onto her brother close, “Ge ge…” XingChen was seated on the sofa with A-Qing still in his arms, comforting the girl. “Everything is alright now.” He said soothingly, patting the girl on her head. “Ge Ge…there’s…” A-Qing felt her heart racing, clenching onto her brother’s sleeves. At the corner of her eyes, she saw a girl standing very closely – the girl had no eyes, no nose, only a mouth which was smiling – the sides of her mouth seemed to be torn from smiling too wide. “Th-there’s something in this house…” Her fingers dug into XingChen’s hands. “Ge Ge…” XingChen was oblivious to what his sister had seen as he looked around the house – there was no one in sight. “Don’t worry. I’m here.” He tried comforting her. A-Qing was frantically clinging onto her brother as she turned her face away while shutting her eyes but she could still feel the chill down her spine as the ‘girl’ seemed to be nearing her. “Ge Ge! Ge Ge! Gh-ost...Waaaaaaa....” A-Qing was trashing and tossing in XingChen’s arms. Her words incoherent as she was crying. “Nooooo!!! Go away! Go away!” “A-Qing, what’s wrong?!” XingChen was panicky as he held her sister closer. “Gho-st…ahhhhhh!!!!” A-Qing said between sobs. “Let’s get away from here, Ge Ge!” “A-Qing! A-Qing! Look! There’s no one here!” The girl finally stopped sobbing as she opened her eyes slowly, peering out – the girl with the broken mouth was nowhere in sight anymore. She gave a sigh of relief as she slowly sat up, still cautiously looking around the house. “She’s…gone.” A-Qing said. “A-Qing, who’s gone?” “Ge Ge…I…” She looked at her brother in the eye. “I think our house is ‘unclean’.”   “A-Yao, do you believe in past lives?” Xue Yang asked suddenly, still staring into space. “Hmm?” GuangYao was puzzled by to be asked a question like this out of the blue. He was silent for a while, contemplating before opening his mouth to speak. “Well…there’s existence of ghosts. So I don’t see why not?” “Hng…” Xue Yang snorted without saying anything. GuangYao rolled his eyes. The heck is your problem. You are the one asking. Xue Yang’s mind was all muddled up, thinking about the incident that happened a while ago. The anger he felt when he was being distrusted…and the frenzied kiss that tasted like blood. Xue Yang did not know what had gotten into him when he forced himself on the taller man. Perhaps the dream he had earlier might have something to do with this. Or…maybe he was just slowly going mad.   Xue Yang knew that all rationality had gone out of him the moment he saw XingChen standing outside his house - the man who haunted his dreams standing there in the flesh. Xue Yang did not know why he had put up an act – an act to make the other man like him. He did question himself why did he even need to do that, and he knew the answer – he just can’t bear to be disliked by this man. “Hahahahahahahaha…” Xue Yang begun to laugh suddenly to the surprise of his friend. “Oi, what has gotten into you?” GuangYao stared at him. “You are…unlike yourself. Was it because of…” He didn’t continue when Xue Yang suddenly glare at him. The shorter man was taken aback and was at lost with words when an eerie smile begun to form on Xue Yang's face.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Xiao XingChen did not sleep at all for the entire night. He waited until A-Qing finally calmed down. It was already morning when A-Qing finally fall asleep. XingChen laid her down gently on the sofa before turning on his laptop to clear whatever task he had. He found himself staring at the screen, hands unmoving as a headache was building up. It had only been two days, but way too much had happened ever since they moved into this house. He turned to look at A-Qing, still sleeping soundly at the sofa. XingChen let his mind wander, coming up with theories that might be the cause of A-Qing's breakdown last night. It must have been the abuse. Or so he thought. The way A-Qing had screamed about non-existent ghosts was worrying. 
Perhaps…I would need to send her for psychiatric help.
 XingChen sighed, taking off his glasses as he pinched on the bridge of his nose. He stood up, still limping from the injury last night, as he made his way into the kitchen. Turning on the coffee machine, he let himself relax as the aroma of coffee invaded his nose. Feeling rejuvenated somehow, he soon went back to his tasks at hand – checking through his emails and working on his project.

“Why won’t you believe me?!”
 XingChen was suddenly reminded of the despaired look on the younger man's face. His hand movement paused as he sighed deeply, trying to shake off the invasive noises in his mind. 
“Xiao XingChen, do you know that I’ve really really wanted to this the moment I set my eyes on you.”
 Xiao XingChen shook his head hard, willing himself to eradicate those irrelevant memories – but it seemed futile. His lips still ache slightly from the bruising kiss. And what horrified him the most was that despite his mind telling him that he should feel disgusted, angry - he was feeling something else instead. It was a sort of nostalgia that he could not put his fingers on. His heart ached...yearning for something... XingChen took in a deep breath, disappointed at himself for even letting his thoughts hijacked by something so...inappropriate. He should be working right now! Or at least be feeling more concerned for his sister's wellbeing. He wanted to slap himself across the face, but instead his hands moved and slammed on the table hard.  “Ge Ge! What is it?!” The white-pupiled girl was jolted up as she looked around, panicky. “Ah, sorry…I was just…” XingChen paused as he waved his hands. “Just…go back to sleep. It’s nothing.” A-Qing nodded obediently as she laid back down. Sleep took over soon enough as she was very much exhausted from the event that happened the night before. XingChen looked at the time. Without knowing it, they had skipped breakfast. Well, time to make lunch then. He thought as he made his way into the kitchen. Cooking always has a calming effect on him as he let his mind wander while his hands moved – making dishes after dishes – almost mechanically.  “Ge Ge…you cooked too much again.” A-Qing’s voice broke him out of his reverie. “Ah?” He looked at the amount of food laid on the table. It was a portion for three. XingChen turned towards A-Qing and flashed her a weary smile, “Guess you should eat more then?” A-Qing was slightly taken aback, looking at her brother’s worn-out face and listless eyes. She turned away, putting down her chopsticks. “Ge Ge...Could you tell me what happened last night?” XingChen paused, contemplating for a while before asking, “What do you remember?” A-Qing looked around the house – feeling a little uneasy. “I remember that I was in the shower and then…the mirror fogged up…and words begun to appear on the glass…” Just the memory of the event was giving her goosebumps. “It said...‘Help me’. And then…Then…I don’t remember. I just woke up and saw you and that…” Evil thing. She lowered her gaze as she clenched her fists. “What happened between you and that–” XingChen wasn’t really listening as he interrupted her, “A-Qing, I think you are stressed out from moving to a new place. It coul-” “No!” A-Qing shot back. Raising her voice all of a sudden. It was the very first time she had raised her voice against her brother. “Ge Ge. Please trust me. This place is ‘Unclean’. From the first night…until…” She was almost breaking into sobs from the fear. “A-Qing…” “No! Listen to me! Stop acting like those …ugh!” She rolled her eyes, “Stupid white people from those Hollywood horror movies!” Xiao XingChen was in a dilemma – a part of him wanted to trust his sister, but another part of him – the logical one was telling him that there is no such thing as ghosts.  XingChen took a deep breath as he placed his chopsticks down. “A-Qing…what can we do to help you?” A-Qing was almost glaring. “You don’t trust me, do you?” Frustrated, she looked at XingChen straight in the eye. “Ge Ge…let’s move out of this place. Or…get someone to cleanse this place.” XingChen pondered for a while before speaking. “We don’t have enough money to move away.” XingChen reasoned, using a gentle tone to soothe his sister. “If getting someone to cleanse this place will help ease your worry. Then, we’ll do it.” He smiled, reaching out a hand to pat his sister on the head. “For now…let’s use some salt to cleanse this place, alright?” Well…if it works as placebo. Then why not? XingChen had thought “We could ask ZiChen-Ge for help.” A-Qing intercepted. “I’m sure he would be willing to help us financially.” XingChen winced, “ZiChen? No…we shouldn’t.” “Why not?” A-Qing asked. She already had a tingling feeling that their move to this new place was partly because of XingChen’s friend – Song ZiChen. “Ge Ge, I’ve been wanting to ask you for a long time. What happened between you and ZiChen-Ge?” “A-Qing. Please.” XingChen looked stern all of a sudden. “I do not want to talk about it.” He tried to divert the topic. “Speaking of which…I need to know…” Know what? What is your relationship with Xue Yang? No…wait…that would be too… What if it causes her to relive the trauma? XingChen’s mind was running wild, thinking of what to say. “I mean…could you promise me that you are not to go near Xue Yang again?” “Har?! Why do I even want to go near that…that Evil Thing?!” A-Qing blinked, puzzled, “Besides…why is he suddenly in our topic?” She suddenly remembered something, “Right…why were we even at his place last night? And why is he…” on top of you? She didn’t say those words out loud. “Ge Ge, what is your relationship with that Evil Thing?” “Huh?” It was XingChen’s turn to be taken aback. “What?! No…I…” Memories flashed across his mind – that frenzied kiss and the misery in those eyes looking at him. He shook the thoughts off. “A-Qing…did you know that you…” He took a deep breath as he rephrased himself, “Do you remember ever going to his place?” “Like I said, the last memory I had was when I was in the shower.” A-Qing sighed, defeated. “Hence why I asked you what happened after that? But you are not telling me…” Deciding that this was going nowhere, XingChen decided to finally take the dive. He grabbed her sister by her hands, squeezing them tightly. “A-Qing. Whatever I’m about to tell you.” He looked at her in the eye, “Could you promise me that you would stay calm?” Slightly taken aback by the sudden movement, A-Qing nodded slowly. Her brother then began to narrate the whole story...starting from the part where he awoken in the middle of the night to see her gone. He made sure to omit the part about the forceful kiss. It's not a relevant point. XingChen had always been really bad at narrating. Everything came out in bits and pieces. A-Qing listened quietly, trying to picture the scenarios, fixing the puzzles, trying to get a better picture. She felt goosebumps when it came to the part where she was outside of Xue Yang's house - I don't remember this at all... She gulped, looking at her hand. A dreadful feeling sunk in. Something had definitely taken control of her body.  After XingChen was finally done, A-Qing furrowed her brows, in deep thought. Slowly digesting the information. The long silence worried XingChen. Was this too much for her? He was about to speak when A-Qing looked at him suddenly, “Ge Ge…don’t you think it’s weird? XingChen clenched his fist, “I know, that person is a perv-” “No!” A-Qing shook her head. “I mean. Don't you think it's strange? Why would he do that?” She raised her hand. “It’s not like I want to defend that Evil Thing. But seriously…Ge Ge, don't you think I might've been possessed?” She truly believed that it was possible - being an author who behind a popular cultivation-themed novel, A-Qing had spent her time researching about the Chinese occult. Hence, she was very much receptive with the information her brother had provided her. Especially when he mentioned about the salt and chopsticks huh?  Her brother, however was a man who does not believe in ghosts and all those 'mumbo-jumbo' - to him, what he can't see or feel is not real.  “A-Qing, that’s non– ”  XingChen was about to rebuttal with his 'rational theories' when A-Qing suddenly tightened her grip on his hands, cutting him mid-speech. “Ge Ge. Listen to me. I know you mean well and all…but let’s go meet him to clarify things.” She said with a serious look on her face. “I know you don’t believe in ghosts but I know what I’m seeing. And I think that Evil Thing knows something that we don’t.” Despite really really not liking Xue Yang, A-Qing still managed to make herself analyze the information given rationally without a shred of prejudice. I need to get to the bottom of this before it's too late. She thought, worried for her and her brother's lives.   Xue Yang woke up in his living room with a terrible headache. He stared at the ceiling fan for a while before turning to the culprit responsible for the headache. “The fuck did you do to me, Shortie?” GuangYao was just sitting on the floor, a few feet away from him, with a script in his hand and a pair of reading glasses almost sliding down his nose. “Oh, you are awake.” “Did you fucking knock me out?” “Why yes, I did.” GuangYao replied nonchalantly, tilting his reading-glasses back in place. Xue Yang flashed him the finger as he rubbed on his temples gingerly. “The fuck did you hit me over with?” He tried to remember what had transpired after he broke into fits of laughs, but nothing came up. GuangYao patted on a thick book that laid next to himself as he flashed his friend a knowing smile. Xue Yang winced. “Oh, fuck you!” GuangYao chuckled, “No, thank you.” He stood up and walked towards the kitchen to get himself a glass of water. “Say, do you think we should order takeout?” “Only if you are paying.” “Tsk. Cheapskate.” GuangYao muttered. Xue Yang heard that but he chose to ignore as he continued lying on the floor and looking at the ceiling fan. He was still feeling giddy and memories of the past night flashed across his mind – he felt a pang in his heart. He touched his lips lightly as a bitter smile appeared on his face. Well…at least I got something out of it. He tried comforting himself. The doorbell to his house rang suddenly. “Who is it?” He was still feeling groggy. “A-Yao…open the door!” “Alright…” A-Yao looked at him for a while before proceeding to open the door. “Oh, good afternoon.” GuangYao flashed the visitors a smile. He then turned towards Xue Yang, “Your neighbours are here~ should I let them in?” In a flash, Xue Yang was suddenly standing next to GuangYao - pushing him out of the way. It happened so fast that GuangYao didn't even have the time to roll his eyes. The shorter man felt an urge to hit him over the head again. He really did not know know which was worst – seeing Xue Yang breaking down into an almost-homicidal maniac…or this love-struck who-the-fuck-are-you Xue Yang? Though the latter seemed much more harmless, so GuangYao decided to ignore him for now. Xue Yang tried smiling – but it came out very awkward. “Hi…” XingChen looked away, clearing his throat, “There’s something we wanted to ask you. May we come in?” Xue Yang opened the door wider and motioned the siblings to come in. GuangYao who was watching by the side, raised a brow. “So, what do you want to talk about?” Xue Yang asked in his childlike tone as he flashed XingChen a smile. XingChen shifted his gaze, purposely avoiding Xue Yang. It caused something in the younger man to snap - his face turned icy.  “About last night…Do you know anything?”A-Qing was the one who spoke first.  Xue Yang snorted. “Why yes, you mean about you being possessed and strolling into my house?” He was smiling but his eyes were not. “You gave me quite a lot of trouble, you know that?” Voice still maintaining that cheerful tone. A-Qing felt very very uncomfortable looking at Xue Yang. Instinctively, she reached for her brother and grabbed his hand, squeezing in. XingChen turned and finally met Xue Yang’s eyes. “Finally looking at me, huh? Mister Xiao.” Xue Yang asked, tone sardonic. Finally dropping the polite act from days before. “I’m…sorry –” “Oh no no no.” Xue Yang interjected. “After all, I am a mere lowlife pervert.” His tone venomous, “I don’t need someone like you to apologize to me.” He then turned toward A-Qing. “So Bro-con, what is it that you want to know?” “Ghosts…” A-Qing clenched her fists. “Do you believe in them?” Xue Yang raised a brow, amused. “Oh? Why? Did you see something?” He turned to look at XingChen, trying to read the man’s expression. “Hmm?” He continued, “Perhaps…a girl in red, no eyes…no nose…” A-Qing’s eyes widened as she looked at Xue Yang. All this while the man’s gaze was on XingChen who was looking the other way. Xue Yang turned back to A-Qing, “…with only a mouth, right?” He flashed his canine teeth. “Am I correct?” A-Qing gulped as she nodded. She tugged on XingChen’s hand. “Ge Ge…” “But there’s no such thing as ghosts,” Xue Yang shrugged. “Right, Mister Xiao?” He asked, emphasizing on the man’s surname – creating a sort of rift between them. He was still very very bitter about the entire ordeal last night. “I saw that girl.” A-Qing said, her voice soft. “Do you –” “Like I said, there is no such thing as Ghosts.” Xue Yang interrupted her. “So if you are done here. Please show yourself out of the door.” “Xue Yang!” Xiao XingChen abruptly did a ninety-degree bow with his head down. “I am truly sorry for what happened last night.” He closed his eyes, letting his ego down. Xue Yang stood there dumbfounded by the turn of event. Even Jin GuangYao who was watching from the side was surprised. A-Qing stood watching with her mouth agape. “I should not have attacked you without firstly clarifying the situation.” XingChen’s voice was earnest. “Please accept my sincerest apology.” He said with his head still bowed. Xue Yang was not used to this at all. No one had ever apologized to him in his whole life – well, not in this manner. The sincerity in the entire act was making everyone in the room uneasy. More-so for the former delinquent. Xue Yang was at lost trying to say something – anything to reduce this awkward tension. But the words that blurted out of his mouth was, “How was your knee?!” He then proceeded to laugh awkwardly, “Ahahahaha…” He mentally slapped himself. Fuck! That's not what I wanted to say! He had meant to say something mean but somehow was at lost with words. The bitter anger inside him had miraculously vanished – washed away by this awkwardness. “Ah?” XingChen looked up suddenly. “Oh…it still hurts a little. But I was at fault for hitting you first. So it was reasonable for you to retaliate.” The thought that ran through Xue Yang’s mind at that point. Is this guy an idiot?!

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Moving out of the house won’t change anything.” A-Qing’s eyes widened as she listened on, waiting for Xue Yang to continue. Her brother remained silent next to her, dark circles visible underneath his eyes as he looked paler than usual. The three of them were seated on the tall stools along the kitchen counter while Jin GuangYao was out in the living room, sifting through his notes – totally ignoring the trio in the kitchen. “You’ve been marked.” Xue Yang explained. Fists curled, A-Qing gave a sigh. “Is there anything I can do?” Xue Yang shrugged. “Go to a temple or something.” His gaze fell onto XingChen. “What happened to you?” “Ah?” XingChen blinked, looking at the younger man. “You look like a wreck.” Xue Yang winced. “Go back and take a rest.” “Har?! But…but…” A-Qing’s eyes widened. Xue Yang rolled his eyes. “He’ll be fine. The spirits seems to be attracted to you only.” He recalled a Chinese saying, “They say, if you don’t do anything bad, you won’t have to be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door at midnight~” Waving a hand nonchalantly, he continued, “Nothing will happen to your GeGe. However…” Raising a brow, he looked straight at A-Qing, “You really need to get this sorted out. Else it’ll affect everyone around you.” He flicked his hand “Too bad the only contact I have lives all the way in Taiwan.” A-Qing pursed her lips as she furrowed her brows. A hand was placed gently over the girl’s shoulders. She turned to see her brother smiling at her. “It’s going to be alright. We’ll figure something out.” He turned towards Xue Yang, “This…contact of yours.” He paused for a long while, “…is there anything he could do in long distance?” Perhaps a long-distance exorcism? Of course he did not say it out-loud, knowing how outrageous it sounded. XingChen was still very much skeptical about the whole ordeal – being a staunch believer of logic and science. However, he had tried to let himself understand with an open-mind. Wanting to support his sister, and also the fact that there are somethings that he himself was not able to explain. A-Qing also did not seem ‘traumatized’. That’s a good sign. XingChen thought. Could it be…ALIENS? Hahaha…He inwardly laughed at his own absurd thoughts. Xue Yang who was seated at the end of the kitchen counter had pulled out his phone, browsing through. “Let me get her contact…hmm...” He said, “She’s…strange, however she is really good at what she does. You can ask Shortie over there. She saved his life.” He purposely voiced it loud enough so that Jin GuangYao was able to hear. “Ah…I see…” XingChen waited patiently. The man in the living room rolled his eyes, annoyed by the fact that Xue Yang had brought up this particular incident that he wished no one would find out. Thankfully Xiao XingChen wasn’t a person who liked to pry. “A-ha!” After sifting through his phone, Xue Yang finally managed to find the contact and was about to type in a message. But then the ‘someone is typing a message’ flashed at the bottom corner of the screen. ‘I’ll be in Beijing tomorrow.’ The message appeared shortly after. “Oh?” Xue Yang raised a brow. That’s convenient. His lips curled upwards. “Well, guess we’re in luck~” Xiao XingChen blinked, tilting his head to the side. “Hmm?”   Jin GuangYao left the place after dinner. Xue Yang invited his neighbours to stay over that night. “Don’t worry, you can have my room. I’ll be sleeping in the living room.” He offered. A salt circle was made around A-Qing’s bed. Xue Yang original intention was to provide the guest room but sadly ALL of the guests rooms in his house had been fully occupied with piles of stock his parents had left - having been too stingy to store them in a warehouse. “A-are you sure it’s ok?” Xiao XingChen had felt troubled, not liking the fact that the host had to be sleeping in the living room which had no bed. “A-Qing, perhaps you could have the room and I-” “No!” A-Qing grabbed hold of her brother’s arms, pouting. “I’m scared GeGe…” As if she would let that Perverted Thing and her beloved brother spend the night alone, not after what she had just witnessed the night before - her beloved brother pinned beneath this...this...pervert. ARGHHH!!! “Alright then…” Xiao XingChen patted her on the head. Xue Yang wasn’t listening to the siblings’ conversation as he busied himself bringing in the pillows from the closet. “Good night~” The former delinquent left, closing the door behind him.   Xiao XingChen covered his mouth, stifling the yawn escaping his mouth as he felt himself almost dozing off while standing in the midst of the arrival hall. He had been plagued by strange dreams the night before. In his dream, everything was dark. With no sight, he could only hear sounds and feel his way in the dream... 
"DaoZhang, do you realize? I've tricked you into marrying me?" Sultry voice sent shivers down XingChen’s spine. He felt kisses peppered all over his body, the touch of calloused hands...he felt his entire body heating up...
 Xiao XingChen jolted up, feeling all sorts of guilt - his pants would need washing. However he was not at his own home, and to be dreaming such...obscene dreams in someone else’s house and leaving ‘evidence’ on their blankets, Xiao XingChen wanted to crawl into a hole and die. He glanced towards the bed, A-Qing was still fast asleep. Carefully, Xiao XingChen got up from the floor, picking up the soiled blanket and exited the room as silent as possible. He made his way down the stairs. The house was barely lit - as the nearsighted man struggled his way through. As Xiao XingChen passed by the living room, he could not help but wince as he stumbled upon his neighbour who was snoring loudly with the blankets bunched up around his feet. 
Such bad sleeping habits. What if he catches a cold?
 Xiao XingChen’s motherly instinct kicked in as he picked up the abandoned blanket and covered the young man. The corners of his lips curled upwards as he shook his head watching the younger man sleep. 
Such a kid…
 It was then his brain began to register how creepy his actions were before he quickly shifted his gaze away. What in the world are you doing, Xiao XingChen?! He mentally scolded himself before making his way out of the house. Xue Yang did not ask about the missing blanket from his house, much to Xiao XingChen’s relief. He vowed to sneakily return the ‘stolen’ blanket one day...without being found out. But for now, they need to meet this person who could help with A-Qing’s problem. Xiao XingChen was still skeptical about this ghost thing but since A-Qing fervently believed this, as a brother he had a duty to support her. Though...if this gets out of hand. I’m pulling her out of this. "She's gonna be here anytime soon." Xue Yang said. "I gotta warn you...she’s a bit...peculiar.” Turning, Xiao XingChen noticed Xue Yang had looked… nervous. Huh? Who are we fetching from the airport? Xue Yang had only mentioned that the person’s name was BaoShan… What a strange name. The airport was especially busy since it was nearing the end of their Golden week holiday. Xiao XingChen let his eyes wander even though he would not know who to look for, when suddenly he saw a woman with silvery white hair. Xiao XingChen felt a pang in his heart as he watched the woman make her way out of the automated glass doors. The sunglasses covered her eyes but Xiao XingChen swore that the woman was looking straight at him. “Ah! There she is.” Xue Yang suddenly announced. The silver haired woman made her way towards the group, took off her sunglasses and met Xiao XingChen’s gaze. “It’s been a long time. How have you been?” She spoke in a tranquil voice, eyes not leaving Xiao XingChen’s.  The young man felt an overwhelming sadness engulf him and he could not understand why. He most definitely had not seen this woman before in his entire life but there was a sense of familiarity that he couldn't quite put his fingers on. “Aunty BaoShan ~” Came the former delinquent’s voice. “This is the one who’s having the ghost problem.” He pointed at A-Qing who smiled meekly at the ethereal looking lady. “Good day, JieJie.” The girl greeted politely, wondering why that Perverted Thing had called such a young looking sister ‘Aunty’. How rude! This JieJie looks like she’s only in her twenties!  “Ah, hello.” The woman took a glance at A-Qing before turning her attention towards Xiao XingChen again. “Erm, good day.” The taller man flinched and smiled sheepishly in return. “Why are you looking at him like that!?” The annoyance in Xue Yang’s voice was unmasked. “Anyway, are we gonna stand here all day or are we going to-” Aunty BaoShan moved her luggage towards Xue Yang, “Help me take this to the car.”   Xue Yang borrowed Guang Yao’s ride for the occasion and it took no time before they were all strapped in and ready to leave. The atmosphere in the car was awkward at best, Xue Yang kept glancing at the rear-view mirror while driving with A-Qing in the passenger seat while Aunty BaoShan sat next to Xiao XingChen. “Can I take a look at your palm?” Xiao XingChen turned towards the woman, “Eh?” The woman did not wait for a reply as she grabbed onto the man’s hand - flipping it over so that the palm was facing upwards. Xiao XingChen did not withdraw his hand - curiously watching as the woman traced the lines on his palm. “Wh-what is it?” “Hmm...two lifetimes and yet you still bicker.” She glanced upwards and caught Xiao XingChen’s gaze. “You should really talk to your friend, instead of letting things boil out of control.” “Huh?” The image of an estranged friend flashed across XingChen’s mind, yet the statement the woman made was vague, so Xiao XingChen did not want to assume too much. The woman smiled and somehow Xiao XingChen felt like it was a sorrowful smile. “But at least, that red-thread of fate seemed to be knotted tightly this time.” Xiao XingChen looked baffled, not understanding half of what the woman had just said. BaoShan turned, catching Xue Yang’s gaze from the rear-view mirror. “Keep your eyes on the road, please.” Xue Yang shifted his gaze away, muttering incoherencies as he continued driving. A-Qing had her earphones plugged in as she pointedly ignored the weird adults around her. They finally reached home after an hour or so. Stepping out of the car, Aunty BaoShan took one look at the double-storey building that was supposedly haunted. “Hmm…” She turned towards Xiao XingChen, “You seriously did not do your survey before purchasing this place, huh?” Xiao XingChen merely smiled awkwardly, not saying anything. “It’s...that bad, huh?” A-Qing spoke suddenly. Aunty BaoShan looked at her for a while before turning towards Xue Yang who was taking out the luggages from the boot. “Thank you.” She took the bag and headed straight to the house belonging to the siblings. Everyone followed behind her. “Huh…” She pulled out a talisman from her pocket and watched it crumble into ashes the moment she placed it on the door. Xiao XingChen’s eyes were wide open at the sight. A-Qing flinched a little and turned to look at her brother. Xue Yang merely yawned, seemingly uninterested. “So, are we going in? Or we just gonna stand here?” “We are going in. But…” She turned towards the teenager. “Not her. Do you have any friends you could go out with?” “Huh...I…” “We just moved here. So…” Xiao XingChen quickly interjected. “Xue Yang, call your friend. That talkative one with a disgustingly fake smile.” BaoShan said. “Shorty? Why?” Xue Yang raised a brow, but he pulled out his phone nonetheless. “Tell him he owes me three favors. And I’m claiming one right now.” BaoShan did not give any further explanation. “He’ll get it. Now, just make sure the girl stays out until tomorrow, and both of you, follow me into the house.” “Wait...you want Shortie to babysit this brat?” “Who you calling a brat!” A-Qing hissed at him before clinging onto her brother. “GeGe...what is going on?.” “I…” Xiao XingChen was at lost with words as he looked at the Taiwanese lady, hoping for an explanation. “She’ll be fine.” Xiao XingChen did not know why, but he somehow believed this woman he had just met an hour ago. There was a sort of familiarity to her that made XingChen feel like he could trust her. “It’s going to be ok, I promise.” he comforted A-Qing who reluctantly yielded. Jin GuangYao came by half-an-hour later to pick up his car and his babysitting task. He still wore his trademark smile when he greeted the DaoShi. “Ah, it has been a while Aunty BaoShan. Still looking as young as ever.” Aunty BaoShan smiled back - a courteous smile void of any feeling as A-Qing left with the shorter man. Xiao XingChen wore a worried expression when she left, the overprotective side of him was not willing to let his sister leave with a complete stranger. “Don’t worry...A-Yao only dates men.” Xue Yang somehow noticed the worry in the taller man’s expression. Xiao XingChen looked at him. And only then did Xue Yang notice how awkwardly he had phrased the whole thing. “Err...I mean, your sister will be fine. I trust Shortie. He’s a good man.” The trio made their way into the house as BaoShan scanned around each room, her hand fingertips brushed against the sofa. Closing her eyes, she muttered something inaudible. The two men merely stood behind her awkwardly glancing at each other. “XingChen, do you remember almost drowning when you were nine?” Xiao XingChen blinked, head tilting sideways as he looked at the woman. Perplexed that she had brought up an unwanted memory that no one in this room except himself knows about it. Unknowingly, his body had trembled. He felt a hand touched his forearm and turned to meet the gaze of the younger man. “Hey, you ok?” “I…” “What did you hear?” Came BaoShan’s voice. “I’m sorry…?” Xiao XingChen felt his head began to throb. Memories flashed by - he remembered skipping school with his friends that day to go swim by the nearby lake. “What did the voices say?” “I...voices…?” Xiao XingChen’s breath hitched. Voices...voices…Ah yes...he remembered now. There was someone else there - someone who was also drowning. Or so he thought - he had told the adults that there’s someone there with him, but they did not believe him. 
It hurts. It hurts. Make it stop.
 
“There’s someone in the lake. Screaming for help.”
 But the adults wouldn’t listen. Several days later the police found a body in the very same lake. Xiao XingChen was totally creeped out by the coincidence that he casted away that piece of memory. “Xiao XingChen, why did you go into the lake?” “Because there’s someone there.” 
Xiao XingChen remembered it being a hot afternoon, he and his friends were sitting by the lake, merely soaking their feets in the water. The adults had told them not to go swimming in the lake - that it was dangerous. There was even a signboard warning. So, being the smart kids - albeit not so good because they were all skipping school that day - they did not go into the water.
 
It was then, Xiao XingChen heard a scream and a head of a child emerged in the middle of the lake. “Hey guys...someone’s drowning!” Without a thought, Xiao XingChen had plunged himself into the water and swam across it.
 
It was then something terrible had happened. He felt something tugging onto his feet, pulling him deeper and deeper into the lake. He lost consciousness after that. And when he woke up, he was already in the hospital.
 “A human has 3 spirits and 7 souls.” BaoShan began. “Xiao XingChen, you lost one of them in the lake that day.” She did not elaborate further, as she turned towards Xue Yang. “He’s the one the spirits are after - not the sister. She was merely a vessel for their means.” “Ah…” “Tsk…” BaoShan rolled her eyes, getting impatient. “And to think you’d be more perceptive than this.” She muttered. “Anyway, I will be doing a ritual here.” She walked up the stairs. “Come on up, we don’t have all day.” The two men followed her up the stairs. She pointed at a room. “Stay in this room.” She handed  a stack of talismans to Xue Yang  “I trust you know how to use this.” “Uh…” Xue Yang stared at the stack of yellow paper in his hand. BaoShan glared at him. “You owe him this much. Now get to work.” He watched as the shorter man went about the room, sticking the talismans around. Xiao XingChen merely stood there - dumbfounded at the bizarre situation. His once neat room was soon filled with talismans - it almost looked like one of those haunted houses he had went to during his college years. “A woman is a Ying - so your sister is an easy target.” BaoShan explained. “But it was never her that they are looking for.” “Huh?” Xiao XingChen could not wrap his mind around this at all. “Can’t you see, it has been you all along.” BaoShan continued, “You were the one who saw this house for sale, you made the purchase. Sometimes fate is an unexplainable thing.” She took a glance at Xue Yang who was still diligently sticking the talismans. “But you are always at where you are supposed to be. It’s the inevitable.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“All done~” Xue Yang exclaimed after sticking the final talisman on the door.
 
The room had a completely eerie vibe now, Xiao XingChen was having a headache just looking at his room.
 
“Ah, right.” Aunty BaoShan seemed to have remembered something as she pulled out a paper cutting that looked like a human, she turned towards Xiao XingChen. “Give me something personal of yours.”
 
“What?” Xiao XingChen blinked.
 
“A piece of clothing? Anything will do, as long as you have a personal attachment to it.”
 
Seeing that Xiao XingChen was still idle on his spot, Aunty BaoShan sighed impatiently as she turned towards the cabinet. Sliding the doors open, she picked one of the handkerchiefs and unfolded it. 
 
“I’ll be borrowing this.”
 
“Ah...this…”
 
“It was a gift from a friend, wasn’t it?” 
 
Xiao XingChen nodded meekly.
 
“Perfect.” Without wasting a beat, Aunty BaoShan then placed the paper-human onto the handkerchief, folded it and muttered something.
 
“Hey Aunty, what is this actually for?” Xue Yang yawned, sitting on the bed next to Xiao XingChen.
 
The soothsayer paid no heed to the question when the fire suddenly erupted from the handkerchief before turning into dust.
 
Xiao XingChen gasped and Xue Yang looked fairly amused.
 
“Give me your hands.” She said suddenly.
 
The two men looked at each other.
 
Aunty BaoShan rolled her eyes as she grabbed hold of both men’s hands. Xiao XingChen’s eyes widened when words began to form on his hand, he looked to his right and noticed the same thing happening to Xue Yang.
 
Aunty BaoShan finally let them go. “Now go prepare anything you need. And come back here by…” She muttered, calculating with her fingers, “...noon. Then you shall not leave this room until I say you can.”
 
“What?” Xue Yang almost yelled. “You want us to stay here doing nothing for the whole day?”
 
Aunty BaoShan narrowed her eyes, “I'm sure you'll be able to find something to do.” 
 
She almost wanted to tell these ungrateful brats that they should feel privileged to be born in an era where everything is in abundance — electronic gadgets and whatnots.

When I was your age, I had none of these.

Hence, Xiao XingChen went to the kitchen to prepare some food for the three of them, he even packed some snacks to bring along for their ‘confinement’ period.
 
They went in at noon as Aunty BaoShan sealed off the door from the outside with a talisman. “Stay in there no matter what sort of noise you hear from outside.” She reminded them again.
 
---
 
“Pft…. Hahahahaha!” Xiao XingChen rolled on his back, making the bed bounce slightly. The laptop almost bounced off at the impact.
 
“Whoa!” Xue Yang grabbed hold of the device just in the nick of time. “Tsk...what’s with you?”
 
“Hahahahaha! I can’t- HAHAHAHAHA!!!” Clutching onto his stomach, Xiao XingChen almost rolled off the bed.
 
Xue Yang stared at the man whose locks had fallen over his face as he pulled it out of his mouth while still laughing uncontrollably. 
 
It made Xue Yang’s lips curl upwards just by simply watching the man — how those lips parted to let out each laughter. As if spellbound, Xue Yang leaned closer until their faces were merely inches apart.
 
Xiao XingChen had stopped laughing at that moment, both wide-eyed as they caught themselves staring into each other’s eyes.
 
Xue Yang gulped, quickly shifting his gaze as he pulled away. “F-finally you stopped laughing.”
 
“Mmm… I laugh too easily. Sorry if it annoys you.” Xiao XingChen explained.
 
The Cantonese comedy movie continued playing on the laptop screen showing the scene where the protagonist pulled out five cigarettes and was now making a pun.
 
“Pft…” Xiao XingChen almost laughed again when he felt a pinch to his arm. “Hey!” His breath hitched when he was yet again staring eye to eye with the former delinquent — their faces only inches apart. Xiao XingChen gulped, “Wh-wha?”
 
Xue Yang blinked, breaking eye contact. “Say...do you believe in past lives?” He blurted out.
 
Xiao XingChen did not reply. Of course his usual answer would be a big fat “No” — there was no scientific evidence backing the entire theory, just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo to romanticize the mundane life.
 
However, the words were caught up in Xiao XingChen’s throat, and he found himself shifting his gaze away. There was just too much familiarity with the man he had just met a few days ago.
 
“I…” Xiao XingChen felt the bed shift, he glanced up to see that the man had pulled away.
 
Xiao XingChen swore he caught a glimpse of a forlorn smile on the younger man’s face before it disappeared into a playful smirk.
 
“Guess it's time for me to take a shower~” The former delinquent announced before waltzing towards the connecting bathroom. He turned around and winked, “Don’t peek~” 
 
“Pft…I can’t see through doors.” Xiao XingChen chuckled as he shook his head.
 
“Aunty BaoShan said we shouldn’t close any doors or windows else it’ll break the barrier.” Xue Yang reminded him.

Right...there’s that.

“Ahem, don’t worry. I won’t look at you.” Xiao XingChen reassured the younger man.
 
“Alright then...though if you want a show, all you have to do is ask.” The younger man winked. “No need to go sneaking around.”
 
Xiao XingChen’s face flushed as he lowered his gaze. Sudden memories of the incident two nights before flared up in his mind...of the forceful kiss and in the midst of it all, Xiao XingChen vaguely remembered pushing against those rock hard abs when he struggled.
 
It felt somewhat…nice to the touch. Not like Xiao XingChen was a pervert or anything. He was merely attracted to men, so it was normal for him to appreciate the aesthetics of a male body.

Xiao XingChen came to terms with his own sexual orientation years ago. The only person who was supportive was his own sister. His parents tried to brush it off as a ‘phase’, trying to get him to date women…
 
Even his best friend — Song ZiChen seemed very much against the idea of it. Hence, why the falling out of their friendship when one too many times Song ZiChen tried to meddle in XingChen’s business, by inviting random women to their lunch outings in hopes to ‘cure’ XingChen out of his gayness.
 
It did nothing to cure the gay of course, and in the end it only pushed XingChen further away.
 
“ZiChen, I really thought we were friends. That you would at least accept me.” Xiao XingChen had told the man who looked at him in disbelief. “Guess it'll be better if we lessen our meetups...or perhaps you'll feel more comfortable if we don't meet again?”
 
...and he was met with a lecture again. It was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Xiao XingChen cut off all contact with the man and moved away.

Deep in his thoughts, Xiao XingChen did not notice the sound of the shower had halted. 
 
Xue Yang’s head peered out of the doorway. “Erm…XingChen, could you pass me a towel please?”
 
Those drenched locks framed the younger man’s face, adding to his already alluring features; his lips slightly redder from the hot shower and there was a pinkish glow on the man’s skin.
 
Xiao XingChen’s breath was caught in his throat at the sight. Even though it was only Xue Yang’s head that was showing, but the thought that the man was fully naked caused something to stir inside XingChen.

Calm down. Calm down.

Xiao XingChen told himself before averting his gaze as he got out of bed and strolled over to the cupboard to get a towel for the man.
 
He handed it to the younger man while keeping his gaze elsewhere the entire time. Xue Yang noticed that the tip of the man’s ears were pinkish.
 
“Thank you~”
 
“Y-you are welcome.” Xiao XingChen quickly turned away and walked back to bed where he continued watching the comedy.

Quick! Think...what is one hundred times thirty-three plus sixty nine?

He calculated some random numbers, trying to distract himself from those improper thoughts, when suddenly, he felt the bed shift.
 
Xiao XingChen looked up to find the younger man with one knee pressing onto the bed, trying to climb up. Xiao XingChen almost had a heart attack when he noticed the younger man was only wearing a T-shirt and a pair of briefs. 
 
“Wh-what are you doing?!” The older man gasped.
 
“Finding someplace to sit?” Xue Yang replied nonchalantly as he shifted his entire body onto the bed.
 
“A-at least put on some pants!”
 
Xue Yang blinked. “I would, if only my pants had not gotten wet in the bathroom.” He explained.
 
Xiao XingChen kept his gaze away as he quickly got on his feet, almost sprinting towards the closet. He pulled out a pair of pajama pants and tossed it towards Xue Yang.
 
“Oof!” Xue Yang flinched when the pants landed on his face. Grabbing onto the pants, Xue Yang let out a chuckle, “Aiyo, why such a huge reaction? Don't you see this all the time when you were in military service?”
 
Xiao XingChen’s face flushed red. “I don't look at them.”
 
“Huh??”
 
“I-I mean I will avert my gaze...away.” He was starting to not make sense, feeling his head growing hotter. “A-anyway wear your pants!”
 
“Pft…” Xue Yang tossed the pants aside, the playful side of him kicked in, fueled by Xiao XingChen’s awkward reaction. He approached the older man, standing merely inches apart.
 
Xiao XingChen’s shoulders tensed up, and he was forced to come face to face with the younger man. “Wh-what are you doing?”
 
“Just standing here~” Xue Yang chimed. “Hmm… Are you having a fever? Your face looks really red.” He casually brought a hand towards Xiao XingChen’s forehead.
 
Xiao XingChen froze.
 
“Aiyo! You are really burning up.” Xue Yang’s voice reached Xiao XingChen’s ears, finally breaking him out of his shock.
 
The taller man took a step back, his back was against the closet. “P-please stop messing around.”
 
“Hahahahaha! But you look so cute getting all flustered. It makes me want to bully you more.” Xue Yang said teasingly.
 
Xiao XingChen frowned, “Please stop. I'm not here for your amusement.”
 
“Alright, alright.” Xue Yang finally backed off. Whistling a tune, he walked towards the bed and picked up the discarded pajama pants.
 
Xiao XingChen’s eyes couldn't help but steal a glance of the younger man’s back when the latter was busy wearing the pants.
 
Xiao XingChen gulped as he quickly shifted his eyesight the other way.
 
“Your turn to take a shower.” Xue Yang said. “Before the heater runs out of hot water.”

Xiao XingChen took a cold shower that night...

After they both had their shower, they continued watching another movie on the laptop. This time, there was a visible space between them — separated by a bolster pillow.
 
They were no longer watching a comedy but a romance fantasy series that Xiao XingChen had been wanting to binge watch for a long time but simply did not have the time to do so.
 
Xiao XingChen was drawn in immediately by the vibrant colors and the storyline. He was so engrossed that he did not notice the bolster next to him being moved away and replaced by the delinquent.
 
“Your screen is too small. It's easier to watch if we stick closer.” Xue Yang made up the lie all too easily when Xiao XingChen finally noticed the lack of personal space.
 
“...alright.” Almost immediately after he said that, Xiao XingChen felt the younger man shifted even closer to him, sticking both their bodies together side by side. He let out a sigh as he reached out to pause the series.
 
“What's with you?” Xiao XingChen sat up. “Why do you keep…” He pondered for a while, “Toying with me?”
 
“I’m not.” Xue Yang denied, looking at Xiao XingChen with a complicated expression. He recalled that very afternoon before they were locked away… Aunty BaoShan had pulled Xue Yang aside to talk to him while Xiao XingChen busied himself in the kitchen.

“

Xue Yang, I need you to do something.

” The soothsayer said with her usual calm expression. “

Do you remember when you were younger, you used to ask me about those dreams?”

Xue Yang raised a brow, he was getting interested now. He nodded, urging the woman to go on.

“

It is tied closely with your past life.”

The woman spoke slowly,

“You were not supposed to be born in this lifetime. Your karma has not been paid in full, you see.”

The soothsayer explained. “

But because your souls are linked to one another; once one of you is birthed in this world, the other will follow closely behind.

”

Xue Yang frowned, not really understanding a word the woman had said. “

Aunty, get to the po-”

The woman shook her head, “

As impatient as ever. Very well then, let me tell you a story: Once upon a time, there lived an evil man beyond redemption. Then one day, he fell in love with a DaoShi. But because of his evil ways, the man eventually pushed the DaoShi to death

.”

Xue Yang blinked. “

And then?”

“

The evil man died as well

.”

“

Huh? The story moved too fast. And wait… Why does this sound similar to the plot of ‘The Story of Yi City’? Are you even trying?”

The woman shot him a glare, “

This story is not for your amusement, Xue Yang

.

Listen well to what I'm about to tell you, whether you believe it or not is up to you…

”

Xue Yang nodded, hands crossed in front of his chest as the woman continued.

“

You were that wicked man…

”

Despite Aunty BaoShan’s terrible narrative, Xue Yang was somehow still visited by the flashes of scenes in his dreams of the blind DaoZhang who looked eerily similar to Xiao XingChen.

Xue Yang’s mind boggled, absorbing all the information…

“

The wicked man had tried mending the DaoShi’s soul with part of his own. Hence, why when he reincarnated, he was left with one part of his soul missing, thus making him prone to spiritual attacks.

”

Then the woman requested something of him…

“

The souls must resonate again. Two must become one

.”

Xue Yang remembered responding with a, “

Aunty, if I didn't know better. I would've thought you wanted me to fuck that man. Hahahaha.”

...but Aunty BaoShan wasn't laughing.

“

That's a crude way of saying it. But yes, something along those lines. We’d call it dual-cultivation back then.

”

...and Xue Yang’s jaws dropped.

“

What if I do not want to?

”

The soothsayer stared at him, “

You need to.

” She smiled faintly, “

Else this will not end well.

”

“You've been acting strangely today…” Xiao XingChen begun. “I mean you were pretty peculiar the first time we met… But…” The older man furrowed his brows, “...you weren't that touchy-feely…”
 
Xue Yang let out a gasp. “You thought I was a weirdo when you first met me?!”
 
“I didn't say that. I was just-”
 
“And to think that I had taken you for this good-looking man who's non-judgemental!”
 
“I di-”
 
Xue Yang did not let him explain, as he interrupted the man. “I guess you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, huh?” He said, faking a sob.
 
“Pft… Hahahaha.” Somehow the younger man’s antiques at that very moment with his fake sob noises tickled the funny bone inside Xiao XingChen. Xue Yang stopped the act as he stared right back at the older man.
 
His throat was running dry, but he managed to let out a, “Say XingChen...wanna fuck?”
 
Xiao XingChen stared at him, wide-eyed. “Is this another attempt at a joke?” He wasn’t laughing this time, despite the ridiculousness of the situation.
 
“I’m serious.”
 
“Oh…” Xiao XingChen shifted his gaze away. “Erm, I…” His heart raced, “I...uh…”
 
Xue Yang watched the man’s face turned tomato-red and the sadistic side of him wanted to bully the man more. The dreams he had overlapped the scene before him, he felt his breath hitched too. This had felt too familiar. As if in a trance, Xue Yang leaned in and kissed Xiao XingChen on the lips.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

He wasn't the same after that day when he almost drowned. Perhaps it was like what Aunty BaoShan had said, maybe a part of him was indeed lost. He could not recall exactly what was the change…he was still the good boy who helped around the house, who scored decently for his school exams. Yet there was something he could not quite put his fingers on...the voice inside his head was loud and cynical, whenever he did a good deed…it got louder, questioning him even. 
What are you doing this for? Who are you doing this for? What are you trying to prove? 
 That noise at the back of his head constantly gnawing at him was probably the reason he was not able to have lasting friendships. It got worse when he hit puberty. Hence he resorted to drastic measures to drown out those noises. He thought pain would suffice at first, little cuts on his thighs where no one could see…yet it did little to help. It was during the third year of secondary school, a transfer student came – Song Zichen, the stoic boy who Xiao Xingchen somehow found a sort of camaraderie with. They clicked really well, discussing their goals and dreams. Well, mostly Xiao XingChen was the one doing the talking;  Song ZiChen was sparse with his words, practical with his points. The noises simmered down a little in the boy's company. He had even stopped hurting himself soon after. That was the time when Xiao XingChen came to terms with his own sexual orientation. He had kept it a secret from his family, laughed it off with the boys in his class when they talked about girls, he tried, pretended to blend in. It went on even after he graduated. It took him years to finally confide to someone about his secret, and the person he chose to come out to was none other than his best friend. Surely he would understand, right? But the strange look in Song ZiChen’s eyes made Xiao XingChen immediately regret his decision. “XingChen, perhaps you got confused because your father left when you were very young?” was what Song ZiChen said to him after a long pause. “ZiChen, I know what I am. Please…” Don’t patronize me.  Their friendship began to strain from then on. Even though the two of them did put on a front that everything was alright, that they were still best friends. It managed to fool even A-Qing. However, Xiao XingChen finally snapped one day when Song ZiChen had yet again tried to hook him up with a ‘nice lady’, trying to ‘cure’ him of his confusion. “Let’s not meet again.” Xiao XingChen had told his friend sternly.  And within that very year, he brought along his sister as they moved to another city, ending the nine years of friendship.   Xiao XingChen drowned in the kiss that was rough and very inexperienced, also those canines were beginning to hurt his lips.  Placing a hand on Xue Yang’s chest, he pushed the younger man away, finally breaking from the kiss. He was blushing furiously, and so was Xue Yang. “Uh…I…Why so sudden?” Xue Yang’s eyes widened at the question and before his brain could come up with a proper answer, his mouth ran, “Because I'm bored.” Xiao XingChen’s eyes widened for a fraction before easing back to normal again. “Oh?” He glanced away, fists clenched. “I...see…” Xue Yang stared at him, Crap… He opened his mouth again, “I mean, you look pretty hot.” “You too.” “Whut?” Xue Yang winced. The room fell into an awkward silence, except for the movie blasting from the laptop. “I mean, I do find you attractive from the moment I met you.” Xiao XingChen said, casting his gaze away. Xue Yang’s eyes were wide, staring straight at the man. He swore he could hear his own heart beating rapidly. Fuck... They were still lying on the bed, and Xue Yang found himself at a loss for proper words to say. “Me too.” he blurted.. Xiao XingChen looked at him, surprised. “Ah...I see.” There was another awkward silence before Xue Yang finally hauled himself up to pause the film they were watching. Xiao XingChen watched as he moved the laptop away and placed it on the table before joining him in bed again. “I-it’s still too early, isn’t it?” Xiao Xingchen said in an almost whisper. “I agree...should we wait till night time to, you know…” Xue Yang shrugged. “No!” Xiao XingChen plopped himself up. “I mean, I barely know you. We barely know each other…” He continued, “It’s just too fast...I, I’m not into flings.” “Neither am I.” Came the reply. Xiao XingChen stared at him. “Wait a minute…” Xue Yang narrowed his eyes. “On top of thinking I’m a weirdo, did you just assume that I’m a Fuckboy as well?!” “N-no! That’s not what I meant!” Xiao XingChen retorted. “I...I mean…” “Tsk Tsk, I’m so disappointed in you, Xiao XingChen.” Xue Yang shook his head, faking a sigh. “You looked like such a good person, who would’ve thought that deep down you are so judgemental.” He said, smirking. “I’m not! I...I…” Xiao XingChen almost bit his own tongue, trying to find the proper words. “I...I mean, you kind of look the part?” Xue Yang raised a brow. “Oh?” He moved closer, standing over the bed where Xiao XingChen was lying in. “Is it because of my handsome face? Or is it because of my hot body?” “Pft...what?!” Xiao XingChen couldn’t help but laugh. “N-no! It’s because you are too…” “Friendly?” Xiao XingChen nodded. “I mean, you were being a little overly friendly to someone you just met?” He casted his gaze away. “Like, people would normally feel iffy about having some stranger cook for them.” Xue Yang gasped, “Did you just call me a shameless leech?!” “Wh-wha?  No! I didn't–” Xiao XingChen’s face flushed red. “Tsk tsk… Even though you were the one who offered to cook for me.” Xue Yang added, staring with puppy eyes. “I…I…” “Now that you’ve mentioned it, I should think that you are the strange one. Offering to cook for a random stranger you just met.” The corner of Xue Yang’s lips curled upwards, his heart beating fast seeing the taller man so flustered. So cute.  Xiao XingChen grabbed onto a pillow, holding it against his chest and squeezing it tightly. He nodded slowly. “In-indeed I'm weird… S-sorry.” Narrowed eyes examined Xiao XingChen’s expression. “Why are you apologising?” Xiao XingChen shrugged, smiling sheepishly before casting his gaze downwards. “...I guess I'm acting weird, huh? It's just…” He took a long pause, “I don't know…this will make me sound even weirder, but you seem…familiar.” He glanced up at Xue Yang, reading the man’s expression. “I mean…I felt like I've known you or something.” He squeezed the pillow harder. “Oh…” Another bout of awkward silence. “Would it be strange if I told you, ‘Me too’?” Xue Yang blurted out. He rustled his own hair, feeling his throat run dry. “E-ever since I was young, I kept having these...dreams. Ahaha…” He looked away, fidgeting awkwardly, “Hey...you still haven't answered me if you believe in past lives?” “Hmm…well a few days ago I would've said ‘no’ but then with so many things happening. I guess… There are things beyond my understanding.” “Ah…” Xue Yang sat back on the bed, “The thing is…I believe we might've met each other in a past life.” His tone changed, it was almost solemn, “Which might explain why I have been dreaming of you for almost eight years of my life.” Xiao XingChen stared at him, eyes wide. “I thought you were some sort of ghost though.” Xue Yang shrugged. “I mean…in my dream, you were always wearing a white hanfu, your eyes covered with bandages that turned red with blood sometimes.” “Th-that sounds...scary.” “Yea. In the past, I used to wake up screaming from time to time.” Xue Yang chuckled. “But don't you see ghosts all day long?” Xiao XingChen questioned, head tilted sideways. “Yeaaa… But you know dreams. You are not really in control. It's just the feeling it leaves you, ya know.” Xiao XingChen furrowed his brow, “Yea, I guess so…” as he recalled his own nightmare when he was younger – of how his childhood hero turned into a scary monster in one of his dreams.  Then there were dreams where everything was dark…but it left him feeling so happy, so happy that he woke up laughing. The corners of his lips curled upwards subconsciously as he recalled what those dreams had made him feel. The dreams were filled with warmth and love…so much love that it made Xiao XingChen yearn for it when he was awake. Those were the dreams that made Xiao XingChen come to terms with his own sexuality in his adolescent years. He could not remember what those dreams were about, but he was pretty sure he had a similar dream just last night at Xue Yang’s place… “Xiao XingChen? Are you OK?”  “Huh?” Xiao XingChen blinked as a hand came up to touch his forehead. “Your face is red.” “I uh…” Xiao XingChen wanted to crawl into a hole and die there as he recalled what he had done the night before...where Xue Yang’s blanket was currently hung up to dry at the back of XingChen’s house. He gulped, “I–I'm fine! Ahaha...” Xue Yang lay down next to him. “So, enough about me. Your turn~” Xiao XingChen winced, giving a ‘What-do-you-mean?’ look at the younger man. ”Is this some sort of Q&A session?” “Err…more like a ‘get to know each other’ session.” Xue Yang shrugged. “Heyyy, I told you about my nightmares, that's pretty personal. So~” He smirked, “You need to tell me something about yourself as well.” “Pft…” Xiao XingChen shook his head, “Alright then…erm...what would you like to know?” Xue Yang cocked a brow, “Do you have a habit of sleeping naked?” Xiao XingChen slapped him on the arm. “Ow! Just kidding!” “Pft…. Hahahaha. No, I don't sleep naked, in fact I prefer wearing oversized pajamas so it's more comfy.” He narrowed his eyes, “So, is it my turn to ask a question?” “No. That one doesn't count~” Xiao XingChen chuckled. “Then what does?” Xue Yang smiled brightly. “Well then…” He moved in closer to the taller man. “What is my blanket doing at the back of your house?” He watched as the older man’s eyes grew wide. Xiao XingChen opened his mouth, "I…err...thought to clean it before returning it to you.” He shifted his gaze away. “I'm sorry. I wasn't stealing. It's just… It's just…I might've gotten it a little dirty.” “Whoa whoa. Calm down. It's alright.” Xue Yang grabbed hold of the man’s flushed face, “I'm not accusing you of anything.” only to regret it when he felt the heat underneath his palms and a pair of dark eyes staring at him innocently. Xue Yang gulped. “S-say… Do you do this to everyone?” Xiao XingChen winced, “Do what?” “Acting cute.” “......” Xiao XingChen pulled back his head and with an annoyed tone, said, “I'm not cute. I'm a man!” “Men can be cute too~” Xiao XingChen sighed, “Xue Yang…let's just watch another movie.” “Alright…” Xue Yang said after a long while. “But can we cuddle?” “What?” “What?” Xue Yang raised a brow nonchalantly. Xiao XingChen shifted uncomfortably. “Erm…” “I mean...that’s a start?” Xue Yang tried pushing a little, Auntie Baoshan’s words still ringing in his mind. ‘ We call it dual-cultivation back then ’ was what she had said to him. It translated as : “ You need to fuck Xiao XingChen.” in which wasn’t really a problem...since Xue Yang did indeed find his neighbour fuckable, but still… ...to lose his virginity over something like this?! No one knows, but Xue Yang was actually...quite a romantic when it comes to this, despite not having dated anyone before in the 21 years of his life...he still pictured his first time to be in a hotel room with red roses sprinkled all over the bed. It was something no one would expect from him...not even his best friend would know of his...secret fantasies. Gosh, he was such a sap deep down…  Ugh ... what the fuck, Xue Yang?! He mentally scolded himself. He was snapped out of his reverie when the bed shifted as Xiao XingChen scooted closer. A tint of pink visible on his cheeks. “I-is this ok?” Xue Yang felt his heart stop. “Y-yea…” He could feel the man’s body heat sipping through his shirt. “I...still need to get us the laptop. Ahaha…”  “Right…” Xue Yang slid off the bed, almost tripping on his feet before scurrying to get the laptop. Xiao XingChen sighed softly, fingers digging into his own palm. Xiao XingChen! What are you doing? Have you no shame?!  “Say...can I pick a movie this time?” Came Xue Yang’s voice, when he got back into bed. “S-sure…”  DRIP… DRIP… “A-Yang haa...” Xue Yang opened his eyes groggily. His breath hitched when his vision cleared, allowing him to take in the scene before him. He gauged that he was in a cave. Droplets dripped down the Stalactites and into a pool underneath it.  There he was — the man in white that haunted Xue Yang’s dreams, with a blindfold covering his eyes that was now tainted red. The man, the Xiao XingChen lookalike was sandwiched between two men in an act of debauchery. He had his head snapped back, mouth slack with drool trickling down his chin as the two men were all over him. The man in front had his face buried in his chest; whereas the man at the back was planting kisses on Xiao XingChen’s neck.  “X-Xiao XingChen!” Xue Yang screamed, feeling his blood boil. However the trio did not seem to notice his presence as they continued. Xue Yang’s breath hitched when one of the men on Xiao XingChen suddenly looked up and stared right at him. The man had XueYang’s face.  What the...this must be a dream. Xue Yang tried to move yet his limbs felt so heavy, locked to the spot.  “Hehehehe~” The voices of a hundred men rang in Xue Yang’s ears, he winced, feeling his head throbbed. Yet despite it being a cave, the cackles did not bounce off the walls and instead made a ripple against them. “Well well~ we meet again.” The voice was so close, Xue Yang could feel the chill from his ear travelling down to his spine. “I’ve waited for so so long, dear cultivator~” “W-who are you?” Xue Yang turned his head — yet the being eluded him, disappearing into smoke. “Ngh...ah! A-Yang!” A loud moan caught Xue Yang off guard as he turned back to the trio in front of him. He gulped, eyes glued on the blind man’s flushed face. This had been the first time he had seen the man in his dreams looking so real, so... alluring. Needless to say, it was beginning to have an effect on Xue Yang’s body. “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” The voices came back. “Oh such joy it would be to finally take him away from you.” Xue Yang looked around, trying to find the source of the voices. The soundwaves rippled against the cave walls. “Or perhaps, I should take you instead?”  “Xue Yang?! Xue Yang?!” Xiao XingChen ran his hand over the younger man’s forehead, feeling coldness. “H-hey...you alright?!” He shook the man’s shoulders yet the man did not show any sign of waking up. Xiao XingChen’s first instinct was to grab his phone, ready to call for an ambulance but before his fingers could touch the screen, he was suddenly visited by the little conversation he had with the mysterious woman by the name of Madam BaoShan.  “ Hold him. ”    Xiao XingChen had looked at her, letting the water run through the plates. “ Excuse me?”    “ Just call his name and hold him. ” The clarity in the woman’s eyes sent a jolt of nostalgia in Xiao XingChen’s heart. “ No matter what happens, just hold him and call his name repeatedly. Can you do that? ”   “ I... ”   “ Can you do that, Xiao XingChen? ”   “ Yes, Shi— ” Xiao XingChen widened his eyes, biting back his tongue. What was he about to call her?  The thing she told him was starting to make sense now as Xiao XingChen was left in the room with his new neighbour seemingly about to die in his arms. Dramatic … yet, this was what it looked like. The younger man had snoozed off mid-movie and the next thing Xiao XingChen knew, Xue Yang had let out a loud scream before going very still. Xiao XingChen dropped his phone. He took in a deep breath before wrapping his arms around the shorter man. “H-hey...wake up, Xue Yang…” The contrast of the man’s body temperature sent an uneasiness at the pit of Xiao XingChen’s stomach. “Xue Yang...hey…” He patted the man’s cheek repeatedly. “Heyy….Xue Yang…” The man’s breathing was getting slower as the time went by… The sun had just set, casting the room in darkness, except for the light from the laptop. Xiao XingChen gently placed the man down onto the bed before turning on the lights. His eyes lingered on the man’s face that was all scrunched up. A low groan vibrated from Xue Yang’s throat. “Hey, Xue Yang...Xue Yang…” He held onto the shivering man, closing his eyes as he repeatedly called his name. It was crazy, illogical. He was supposed to call for help, yet deep down Xiao XingChen had a lingering feeling that he needed to listen to the woman’s advice, if not something bad would happen. Something irreversible. “Xue Yang...Xue Yang…” Xiao XingChen did not dare to squeeze too tightly, afraid that it would make it difficult for the man to breath. “Xue Yang...please wake up.” “A-Yang, please wake up…”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Xue Yang opened his eyes the moment the chipped teacup in his hand glazed across his thumb, drawing blood. He hissed.“Friend? Are you alright?”Xue Yang looked up to see Xiao Xingchen...the Xiao Xingchen who haunted his dreams with his bloodied bandages. Xiao Xingchen smiled at him, reaching out a hand to grab his. Instinctively, Xue Yang moved his left hand out of reach.It was then, Xue Yang realized that he was not in control of his body.He was but a mere spectator in his own body...or was it his own body? This Xiao Xingchen was definitely different from the one he saw moments ago — it wasn't just the outfit or the hairstyle, the aura just felt different as well.Was he now in a dream?“Hehehehe, do you really think you can defeat a god?” A voice rang in Xue Yang’s head.‘ Who? ’Everything came to a standstill at that point. Xue Yang came face to face with…himself?‘ Who are you? ’Xue Yang knew that whatever the thing before him was definitely a non-human entity. It was not a ghost either, he’d been used to ghosts all his life; and none of them had managed to evoke such a dreadful feeling. The indescribable hollowness.That thing smiled at Xue Yang. A big smile, straining to tear the corners of its mouth.“I told you before that I would make you pay.”Xue Yang shouldn’t have known what the being was talking about, but deep down a puzzle fell into place. He understood what it was telling him and dread washed over him. He remembered a cave, a cave he saw in his multiple dreams along with the Daozhang in white…“Do you think you can escape the wrath of God after what you have done?” The being spoke. This time his voice was different, it was an echo of a hundred men. In a flash, the being was inches away from Xue Yang with that unsettling smile. “That lying tongue. I’m going to pluck it out.”Xue Yang found himself unable to control his body as the being reached into his mouth. He felt the searing pain when the being did what he said it would do. Xue Yang could not even scream.BaoShan SanRen stared at the tea leaves spiraling downwards, sinking to the bottom of the cup. The liquid mysteriously vanished into thin air, leaving an empty cup with damp tea leaves.“Now what will you do, XingChen?”The house had become eerily quiet when the clock stopped at exactly 3AM.Meanwhile, a frantic Xiao XingChen was shaking his friend’s body that was slowly turning colder and colder.“A-Yang! Wake up!” He tried again and again.It seemed like hours had passed yet the man in his arms did not show any signs of waking up. Xiao XingChen finally laid the man down before turning to get to the door.…but where was the door?Xiao XingChen froze. When did he turn off the lights? Why had he no recollection of this. Where were the talismans? Where was he?The man lying on the bed… was that even Xue Yang?The hairs on the back of his hand were rising as he felt an inexplicable cold washed over him. Through the corners of his eyes, he could see a figure moved, making its way off the bed.“Xue… Xue Yang?” Xiao XingChen called out, unsure why his heart was beating so so fast. He was not one to believe in these sorts of things, but yet…“Yes, DaoZhang?” A voice spoke sweetly, but Xiao XingChen heard the poison hidden beneath it.Xiao Xingchen turned quickly as he was face to face with the man who was now smiling at him. “Who are you?” He managed out.“Me? I’m you. Of course.”Xiao XingChen did not know when he had blinked, but when he opened his eyes again the man before him was no longer Xue Yang. Xiao XingChen’s eyes widened, staring at his own reflection.A strange sense of familiarity came over Xiao XingChen all of a sudden. Something inside his mind finally clicked — that was the man behind the voice, the voices in his head for all those years.“It’s you…”The immense pain and agony, the doubts and poisonous words started to make sense now… it wasn’t Xiao XingChen, it was this… this being residing inside of him. The one who had awakened somehow when he had almost drowned all those years ago.It felt like him, yet Xiao XingChen had always had an inkling feeling that it was never part of him.“Who are you?” Xiao XingChen tried again, this time firmer. His fists clenched as he glared.The being did not say anything and merely smiled that sinister smile.Hundreds of years ago, BaoShan SanRen had a visitor – a fierce corpse bringing along two spirit trapping pouches.“Ah… You are back.” She said sorrowfully, casting her gaze down at one of the pouches. “Each and everyone of you are so stubborn.”She reached out to the pouch, taking it gently into her hands. “And you, you are not supposed to be here.” She said, staring right at the pouch.The fierce corpse did not understand what she had said. He just stood there with a soundless plea. Please save them. Please save Xiao XingChen. This student of hers would really be the death of her. BaoShan SanRen thought to herself.
Xue Yang could not scream as darkness engulfed him. The pain of the severed tongue was too immense. He could taste the blood, smell it even. Everything was too real, yet this was supposed to be a dream… right?He was not sure anymore.“Look~” The being spoke again, and Xue Yang’s eyes snapped open. He did not know when he had closed them.He was now back in the room with Xiao XingChen looking at him with fear in his eyes.
Wh-what?
Xue Yang wanted to ask, “What happened” but yet again, his body was not in control. He could feel each and every muscle forming a movement — to reach out to Xiao XingChen; every single clasp of the fingers around the taller man’s neck. STOP!!!  Xue Yang could feel the pause, the hesitation; yet the trajectory of action did not stop.
STOP it!!!
Xiao XingChen stared blankly at him, not even fighting back as the life was slowly snuffed out of him.“STOP IT!” Xue Yang screamed out.His fingers finally loosened but Xiao XingChen’s face had already turned pale.“Too late~”Xue Yang let out a pained wail as he reached out to capture the falling body but it slipped through his fingers and Xue Yang found himself once again back in the coffin house. Xiao XingChen’s lifeless body lay in an array.Meanwhile, Xiao XingChen stared right at his doppelganger. “Xue Yang?” He didn't know why, but the words slipped out.Everything began to make sense, yet didn't – Xue Yang was inside him all along; throughout his entire life. This fragment of Xue Yang was inside him, entwined with his own soul.Now then, Xiao XingChen never believed in spirits or ghosts; but the puzzle piece fell into place – like something so natural.The doppelganger glared at Xiao XingChen before taking the form of Xue Yang again.“It's all your fault! If only he did not meet you!” Xue Yang growled. “If only…”“Let's go home?” Xiao XingChen said suddenly, not knowing why there was an uneasiness gnawing at him. Home…  He needed to go back. This was not his world, and someone was waiting for him; waiting to be saved. Xiao XingChen hastily grabbed onto Xue Yang’s hand. It was missing a finger.Then he woke up.Xue Yang was next to him, running a high fever.“Xue Yang!” Xiao XingChen jolted up. “Wake up!” He ran a hand over the younger man‘s forehead. It's all your fault!  That voice in Xiao XingChen’s head spoke again.“Damn it! Just tell me what I need to do?!” He yelled at it, half-expecting a response.
A broken contract with a God is not something trivial.
Before Xiao XingChen could be all surprised that someone was actually responding to him deep inside his head. The voice spoke again. 
You are so stupid. I don't get what he sees in you, neither in that life or this life! Ugh, but nevermind, just save him. If he dies, I die too. 
“B-but–”
Ugh! Just get to where he is and pull him out from there!
“Huh? I–”
Are you seriously that Bright Moon and Gentle Breeze Xiao XingChen – THE esteemed Taoist?! Connect to him and–
Xiao XingChen kissed Xue Yang right on the lips,  despite the screaming at the back of his mind of how improper and illogical this whole situation was.Xiao XingChen opened his eyes and he was in a worn down room. There was a coffin in the middle of the room, and Xue Yang was there as well.“Xue–” Be quiet! The voice inside his head stopped him yet again. Open your damn eyes and look. You are not blind this time right? So look. Xiao XingChen looked properly and finally noticed a dark shadow looming over Xue Yang and the coffin.Before Xiao XingChen could ask, “ what's the plan?” the voice spoke again. We are going to kill God.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It had been at least two years since Xiao XingChen disappeared from the world, Song Lan’s search for his friend had not halted ever since he left BaoShan’s mountain.

“Are you truly sure you want to leave?” The sage had asked him those years ago. Her voice neutral, seemingly lacking in emotions, yet Song Lan could see — could see through his newly obtained eyes — Xiao XingChen’s eyes; the sorrows hidden behind her stoic facade.

He remembered bowing deeply, bidding his farewell; and giving his word — that he would bring Xiao XingChen back to the mountains. It was after all the only place that Xiao XingChen belonged, Song Lan had come to that conclusion throughout the months spent recovering in the mountains — Xiao XingChen was not meant for the world of mortals.

Song Lan was not about to give up now, going to nighthunts, asking around just to get any scrap of intel about his friend’s whereabouts. However as Xiao XingChen emerged spectacularly in the world all those years ago; his disappearance was a complete deafening silence.

But someone like Xiao XingChen — no matter if he were to hide his brilliance in coal and dust, it’ll still shine through.

“Oh, the nighthunt a few months back was spectacular. That blind DaoZhang just slayed the monster in one fell swoop!”

A lead.

Song Lan followed it, until he was at a crossroad…

Xiao XingChen stared at the shadows, unblinkingly. The air seemed stuffy in the room – the smell of rot hidden beneath the scent of ointments.

Hey. Focus!

The voice spoke again.

What do you want me to do?

Xiao XingChen asked back.

Whatever the thing before him, did not seem to notice him…yet.

It’s not here.

What’s not? What do you mean??

Xiao XingChen replied to the voice in his head.

The thing. That’s just a shell. Its real form is not here.

BaoShan SanRen poured more tea into a cup, as she glanced up at a figure sitting right in front of her. The figure which took the form of a man was faceless — a shadow. It grabbed the cup when BaoShan SanRen slid the cup across the table.

“You know how deals work, don’t you? Hermit.” The shadow spoke —  an ensemble of voices in a room full of men and women. “I’m only here to take what’s mine. So do not try to stop me, Hermit!”

“It’s rude not to drink what has been offered to you.” BaoShan SanRen said nonchalantly, “Also, I believe that poor human have been short changed from that deal all those centuries ago.” She took a sip of her tea, “Didn’t you cause enough havoc already? It’s more than enough for—”

“Silence, Hermit!” The being roared. The cup that was placed in front of it, slid across the room and smashed against the wall. “That vermin! That dishonourable lowlife dare make a fool out of me! I will not stand for this!”

BaoShan SanRen let out a sigh, “What do you want?” She placed down her tea. “You do know that you are never leaving this place. So why not I offer you a new deal?”

The being was silent for a long while, its shadowlike figure fizzled for a bit followed by chattering noises, “Yes.” “No.” “But what if—” of men and women and children.

“State your deal, Hermit. We don’t have all night.”

A wisp of smoke fizzled out of a rock, it blended in with the ominous energy of that city — where death permeated in the air. It was just the nature of the place, the fengshui of the land was only suited for such businesses of paper offerings and coffins.

Song Lan stood at the junction of the road, one that led to the bigger city ahead, and another to this almost-unknown city where visitors wouldn’t even stay a night for fear the bad luck would rub off on them.

He made his choice, a tingling feeling telling him that his search would soon be over…

Xiao XingChen was panicky like any normal person would in a situation like this. He wasn’t sure if he was in a dream or an illusion or whatever this place was? He did pinch himself once or twice, it did sting, but still… he was unsure.

What are you standing there for?!

The voice spoke again.

B-but you said—

Xiao XingChen wanted to retort but was cut off.

Ugh! Just go get him!

Xiao XingChen was about to ask for clarification but the voice spoke again, with more annoyance.

HIM! Xue Yang! Do I have to spell out everything?! Why are you so stupid?!

Xiao XingChen was so

so

tempted to argue, but even he knew this was not the time for that. He quickly approached Xue Yang, who stood unmoving — as if time had frozen for only him in the room. Xiao XingChen moved cautiously, his eyes strayed and glanced into the coffin.

He almost let out a gasp, but quickly composed himself and remembered his task at hand. Without any hesitation, he grabbed onto Xue Yang’s shoulders. Xue Yang’s body jerked and he let out a groan, “Wh-wha-?”

“We need to go.” Xiao XingChen said in a whisper.

“DaoZhang?”

Okay?? Now what do I do?? Where do we go??

Xiao XingChen realised that the voice in his mind had gone quiet all of a sudden.

“DaoZhang!” Xue Yang grabbed Xiao XingChen by the shoulders, his grip hard and Xiao XingChen winced. “You are back!”

“I—mmph!!!” Xiao XingChen’s eyes widened as he was unexpectedly caught up in a fervent kiss. His back knocked into the coffin behind him and his wide-opened eyes yet again caught a glimpse of the occupant inside.

The man had white bandages covering both eyes and neck — yet Xiao XingChen and perhaps anyone in the whole world would recognize their own partially-covered face if they were to see it. So yes, Xiao XingChen was shocked and equally confused as to what in the world was going on.

Mustering his strength, Xiao XingChen managed to shove Xue Yang off him. “Snap out of it!”

Xue Yang was wide-eyed as he fell back.

“Look, I don't know what is happening. But I know we need to go.”

Xue Yang just stared at him with narrowed eyes, seemingly reading him. Then after a long while, he said, “Alright.”

Xiao XingChen let out a sigh of relief as he grabbed hold of Xue Yang’s hand. It was then he realised that Xue Yang was missing a pinky.

Eh?

But he didn’t have time to think as he dragged Xue Yang along to… to…

WHERE AM I SUPPOSED TO GO?!

The realisation finally hit him. That guiding voice inside of him was silent, just when Xiao XingChen needed it the most.

Xue Yang was oddly quiet the whole time, just tightly holding onto Xiao XingChen’s hand, watching how the man frantically looked around the house before deciding the only way… was out the door.

Just one foot out the door and suddenly Xiao XingChen felt his head hurt.

“A spirit trapping pouch. I need a spirit trapping pouch.”

Xiao XingChen let out a groan before falling back. Xue Yang caught him.

“DaoZhang!”

“W-wha-... did you hear that?” Xiao XingChen’s breath was ragged as the headache worsened.

SNAP OUT OF IT!

That guiding voice came back. Xiao XingChen felt a little relief yet the headache did not ease as the overlapping of voices kept playing in his head. The —  “

Please, I need a spirit trapping pouch.

” “

Fix him!

” “

I only wanted to make him a fierce corpse!

”

Those were all Xue Yang’s voices — at different times after he— after

that ‘

Xiao XingChen’ was dead. Yes, it all began to make a little sense now, after he saw his other self in the coffin. However, Xiao XingChen did not know how or why that happened…not yet. The crucial part of the story seemed to elude him.

Damn! That thing is good. Hey, Xiao XingChen! Listen to me, you need to—

“You need to

what

?” A voice said — no, the choruses of voice, emanating throughout the whole space.

A sudden cold swept through Xiao XingChen’s body. The headache suddenly went away. He felt the grip in his hand tightened, and he looked up to see Xue Yang glaring into the distance. There was nothing in the room, yet it felt like that entity was everywhere…
 
BaoShan SanRen let out a sigh as she watched the wisp of smoke remain from the chair across her. The entity had left, that much was clear. Well, she did what she could. The rest was all up to them.

The affairs of the mortals were truly troublesome, messy even; and she was right to have stayed in the mountains. She would’ve stayed forever; if it weren’t for the soft spot she had for this disciple of hers.

She recalled the rituals that lasted for 49 days, for a hundred days after that. The mountain hidden for centuries lit up; all so she could salvage this broken fate — mend the red string; liberate the souls that were damned — so that they would have another chance in the far future.

She did not have to do all that, if her student were to listen to her and stayed; but alas, who was she to fight fate?

Her mountain was soon swarmed by mortals, as they brought their ailing loved ones at her doorsteps, begging for help. Her disciples back then were instructed to aid them; and BaoShan SanRen knew very well that her peaceful mountain top would no longer be the same anymore.

Once she laid the fierce corpse of Song Lan to rest, and all the broken souls had been sent into the cycle of reincarnation, BaoShan SanRen finally left the mountains…
 
“Let him go!” Xiao XingChen screamed as Xue Yang was being lifted up like a ragdoll and tossed across the room by a shadowy figure. Xiao XingChen was scared, reasonably so. “Please…”

The Xue Yang who was tossed across the room was in bad shape, spitting out blood from his mouth. It was the kind of throw that would normally knock out someone but Xue Yang seemed to be still standing.

Xiao XingChen knew that wasn’t normal, but then again nothing in here made any sense anyway. He felt lost, and very very afraid.

Ring~

He heard the soft chime of a bell.

Ring~

Neither the entity nor Xue Yang seemed to notice it.

Ring~

It sounded oddly familiar, Xiao XingChen somehow knew the sound was something that connected to him, to his past self. An image flashed across his mind — he was taking off the bell from the side of his belt and placing it atop a wooden table.

“

This disciple is eternally grateful for ShiZun’s teachings.

”

Oh…

He remembered now. Bits and pieces, things started falling into place. He was Xiao XingChen — a difference in the character “Chen” from his current name — his name used to be written as the earthly “Dust”; whereas his current one was the word — “Daybreak”, complementing the star.

“STOP!” Xiao XingChen said to the entity, the weight of his voice stopped the entity in its tracks.

Meanwhile, Xue Yang had probably been tossed around one too many times and was in a terrible shape; but still surviving somehow. “DaoZhang! Run!”

“Oh? What have we here?” The voices echoed, completely intrigued by Xiao XingChen. All of a sudden, the shadow loomed over the taller man.

Xiao XingChen stared right at it unwaveringly, he could vaguely see the tear across the shadow — seemingly mimicking a smile. Xiao XingChen could see the red orbs that were supposed to be the entity’s eyes.

“Release us.” Xiao XingChen said to it.

“Now now, human. That won’t do. Your friend there, he belongs to me.”

“Also~” A woman’s voice chimed in from amongst the chaotic chorus.

“Also~” Came a man’s voice.

“Do you really want to save him?” The voices came together.

“After~”

“After what he did. Hehehe~”

“You don’t remember, do you?”

“No, he doesn’t. He doesn’t.”

Xiao XingChen was starting to feel uneasy, but his stern expression did not falter. Though he was already clenching his fists.

“Let’s make him.”

“Let’s make him remember.”

“Yes we should.”

“Yes. Yes.”

The shadow engulfed Xiao XingChen all of a sudden.
"DAOZHANG!!!" Xue Yang launched forward but it was too late, the shadow was gone, and in its place was a huge black orb. Xue Yang's fists slammed against it, repeatedly trying to break it but to no avail. "DAOZHANG!!!" He kept screaming, frantically, but his only reply was silence...

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Xiao XingChen woke up surrounded by darkness. Even so, he knew perfectly well that he was conscious.

“Shh…Don’t cry.”

What?

Xiao XingChen recognised the man’s voice. That was….that sounded like….

Xue Yang? Wait, but the tone is different.

It didn’t take long for him to realise that he was not in control of his own body. He was assaulted by a myriad of feelings — arousal, sorrow, anger… but mostly disgust.

“DaoZhang… DaoZhang…” The voice came closer to Xiao XingChen’s ears, and he could feel the kisses trailing down his neck. Xiao XingChen bit down on his own lips hard, not wanting to make a sound. “DaoZhang, please don’t be so cold to me.”

STOP! PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!

The memories came rushing back to him like waves, and Xiao XingChen could only scream in his head for everything to stop. He remembered now. He remembered that nameless man who brought him so much joy yet was also the one who brought him to the depths of despair.

The pain was unbearable. He wanted to disappear, to simply not exist.

Why… Why won’t they let him rest in peace?

Xiao Xingchen did not know how long it had been. The same scenario repeated itself over and over. He felt the same anguish; the same pain should’ve been numb to Xiao XingChen, but no. It felt even more vivid the more he re-lived it.

Dao—Zhang! DaoZhang! Xiao XingChen-Daozhang!

A voice. It was that very same voice that tormented him, but somehow this voice was calming. Xiao XingChen did not know why it had such a different effect on him despite sounding the same.

Snap out of it!

Xiao XingChen’s eyes snapped open. He was somewhere else, and he could see. However, he could feel the darkness lingering, crawling under his skin. The memory of the touch and disgust etched into his bones.

He was somewhere different, a hazy place where everything seemed surreal. His hands moved, uncontrolled by his mind. Was he…scooping up soup into a bowl?

But why?

“Come on, we don’t get all day. It’ll be bad if they miss their turn.” Someone spoke.

Xiao XingChen turned to see a woman doing the same thing he was doing — preparing soup bowls. Then he tilted slightly to his right to find a row of faceless people standing in line before a bridge. His hands moved automatically, giving the soup he had just scooped up to one of the faceless figures before him.

He repeated this over and over, but the people waiting in line did not seem to diminish in number. They took the soup and crossed the bridge. Rinse and repeat. It took Xiao XingChen a long while before his mind adjusted — Ah, those people were waiting for their turn into the reincarnation cycle…

The soup he was preparing for them was the Forgetful Soup — meant to make the souls forget their past as they entered into their next lives.

The question, though… why was he here? Why was he doing this?

Xiao XingChen did not get an answer to those questions when he was suddenly struck with a deep sadness when a faceless figure stood before him. The figure looked no different from the ones in the line, but somehow Xiao XingChen knew. He knew that this figure was different from the rest.

“You really are not going to drink this?” Xiao XingChen asked.

He knew he had asked this before, more times than he could count. He knew what the answer would be, but he would still ask. The figure — the man, shook his head, pushing away the bowl from Xiao XingChen’s hand.

What a strange man.

Xiao XingChen thought to himself. It would’ve been terrible to remember everything still, especially when condemned to lives reincarnated into animals. The man must’ve done something dreadful in his past life, that much Xiao XingChen was sure.

How many lives has it been already? Without knowing it, Xiao XingChen was keeping track of the lives of this mysterious soul — a beetle that was crushed to its death, a snake slaughtered for its gall, livestock sent for slaughter… each life short-lived and full of suffering.

Xiao XingChen met that bizarre soul again and again — the exact faceless figure capable of evoking a strange feeling deep inside Xiao XingChen. Who was the man? Xiao XingChen could not remember.

The memory of his past life was hazy and incomplete. At that point, Xiao XingChen did not care. He was just moving through this cycle — preparing the Forgetful Soup for the souls of the dead. When would it be his turn to go into the reincarnation cycle? Xiao XingChen wasn’t told… up till the moment the strange man appeared before him again.

This time, the man accepted the soup. It was then that the man had a face again — it was a handsome face. Before Xiao XingChen had time to think, the man pulled him in and shared with Xiao XingChen the soup from those lips that tasted of candy…

When they pulled away, the man smiled and said, “You’d better not forget about me~”

Xiao XingChen caught a glimpse of the man’s eyes reflecting a life — a past life beyond the one he knew. It was of a time far beyond his life in this coffin house. It was life before the physical realm even existed.

This soul — Xiao XingChen had known since the beginning of time. They were tangled by a cruel fate written in the cosmos. Xiao XingChen knew they would meet again, but those vivid memories blurred as the soup took effect.

Xiao XingChen, it’s time to wake up.

Xiao XingChen woke up in the coffin house again. The shadowy figure still loomed, and Xue Yang was nowhere to be found. It didn’t matter…none of this was real anyway. It was an elaborate illusion, a dimension of sorts — a dream.

Xiao XingChen took a deep breath — the scent of the coffin house was just as he remembered, musty. It was impressive that the entity managed to replicate this place to the minute detail, but an illusion was still what it was, and Xiao XingChen must break out of it.

“

So he remembers now.

”

The chorus of voices began.

“Yes he does.“

”What will he do?”

“Indeed, what will he do?”

“So what will you do, human?”

“Yes, yes. What will you do?”

“Will you give him to us now?”

“He’s despicable, isn’t he?”

“Disgusting.”

“No.” Xiao XingChen cut through the chorus, his voice firm. “Let him go.” The palm of his hand began to glow, and in it, a sword emerged.

The entity gasped. The noises echoed throughout the room.

“T-that’s—”

“Impossible!”

“How is that—”

“Why do you have that?”

The sword was black, emitting a dark aura, and the words engraved on it glowed red. “I don’t like to repeat myself. Let him go.”

CRACK! A line appeared in the air, and the space broke into pieces, revealing another dimension beneath it.

“DAOZHANG!” Xue Yang was still frantically slamming his fists against the dark orb that swallowed Xiao XingChen whole just moments ago.

“Xue Yang!” Xiao XingChen called out, successfully attracting the other’s attention. The younger man turned. Their eyes met, and there was a look of disbelief on Xue Yang’s face.

The shadow swept in, wrapping around Xue Yang and lifting him into the air. Xiao XingChen dashed forward, slashing the shadowy entity in one fell swoop.

It let out a loud screech.
 
.

.

.
 
Then Xiao XingChen woke up.

The shadowy figure hovered in the room. The loud screeches echoed throughout the space as the entity tried to escape, but every inch of the room was covered in talismans that glowed bright whenever the entity neared it.

Xiao XingChen bolted upright, watching its every move. Xue Yang still laid unconscious next to him. “Let go of him.” Xiao XingChen spoke again, a warning. The same dark sword materialised in his hand as he pointed it at the entity.

It was wounded, that much Xiao XingChen knew, but it still had Xue Yang’s soul, and it was trying to make its escape with it.

“He’s ours!”

“Ours!”

The entity hissed. “We got him fair!”

“It was a proper trade!”

“He was the one—”

“—the one who did not honour his part of the deal!”

“Dishonorable!”

Xiao XingChen listened to the entity sputter off, his brows furrowed.

“But wait!”

“Yes, yes. Wait.”

“Are you sure you want him too?”

“Isn’t he despicable?”

“Disgusting?”

“Why do you still want him?”

“Yes, why?”

“Isn’t he unforgivable?”

Xiao XingChen sighed, “Will it do if we strike a new deal?”

That made the entity go silent for a bit, seemingly contemplating before it burst into a sputtering of words.

“Deal?”

“Deal?”

“Yes, but what can he—”

“—can he offer

that

?”

“Yes. Yes. He must. That’s only fair!”

“Very well then, mortal. Give it to us that which ties you to him.” The entity said, “That fate. Will you offer it to us?”

“What?” Xiao XingChen stared right at the entity. He understood what this entailed — the entity would take away the fate that ties their future lives, their red thread of fate. It would not have been a bad deal since what they had was cursed. It was puzzling why the entity would want such a thing.

The being that fed on souls, what good will it gain from taking that?

Give it to them.

That voice spoke again in Xiao XingChen’s head.

Eh? But—

Xiao XingChen wanted to retort but was cut off.

Trust me. Won’t you?

Xiao XingChen pondered for a bit before opening his mouth to speak, “It’s a deal. Now release him.”

The entity broke into chortles of glee and suddenly engulfed Xiao XingChen.

Time stilled.
 
.

.

.
 
A bright light erupted throughout the room. Then silence.

BaoShan SanRen sighed as she looked out the window at the sun that had just risen moments ago. “So it’s finally over.” A wisp of smoke emerged from the empty tea cup before her. It hovered in the air for a moment before being sucked into a pouch BaoShan SanRen had taken out.

“Now, it’s time to check on those children.” BaoShan SanRen said to herself. She passed the faceless girl standing by the stairs who bowed to her and a string of other spirits dwelling in this house. One by one, they were liberated from this plane in glimmers of light, into the cycle of reincarnation again.

When she finally reached the room, she was greeted by the sight of Xiao XingChen sitting on the bed with Xue Yang lying on his lap, fast asleep. Xiao XingChen was running his fingers through the younger man’s hair and was humming a tune. He glanced up at BaoShan SanRen and smiled.

“ShiZun, it has been a long while.” He smiled, “Are you well?”

“Very much so.” BaoShan SanRen replied. “XingChen, you remembered?”

“Yes. Thank you ShiZun. For everything.” Xiao XingChen said. He needn’t elaborate; there was no need to. They both knew what the words had meant — what the “thank you” was for.

“Back then, you could’ve ascended, you know? You had the potential and the fate laid out for you.” BaoShan SanRen added, “Was it worth it?”

Was it worth it to descend the mountains all those years ago? Chasing a doomed fate.

Xiao XingChen smiled, looking at the sleeping figure. “Without a doubt.”

BaoShan SanRen shook her head and sighed. The affairs of the higher gods were not for her to meddle with. She knew they would meet time and again, as proven by their past lives — like waves crashing against the shore beckoned by the moon.

One would not be complete without the other — hence why Xiao XingChen had descended the mountains all those years ago, searching for his other half. BaoShan SanRen was powerless to stop it. She could only divert, to direct the direction of fate to mitigate the damage…

…but now it was finally over. The cursed shackles were finally broken. It was all thanks to the entity that plagued them in their previous life. It took BaoShan SanRen a little manipulation and, of course, the entity’s own greed to fully destroy it.

It was fun, being able to rile up that silly boy. BaoShan SanRen thought to herself with glee — of how Xue Yang’s reaction was priceless when she told them they should dual-cultivate. Alas, in the end, her own disciple was the one doing the heavy lifting while Xue Yang slept through it.

She was about to suggest they wake Xue Yang up when the younger man finally decided to wake up from his slumber, still groggy.

“You are finally awake.” BaoShan SanRen remarked. “Had a sweet dream?”

It took a while before Xue Yang finally adjusted as he jolted up, eyes wide. “Xiao XingChen!”

“I’m here.” Xiao XingChen replied and was about to say something more before he was wrapped up in a tight hug.

“DaoZhang…” Xue Yang muttered, “H-how….” He had so many questions. “You are alive….”

“Yes.” Xiao XingChen returned the hug.

Oh…

He was trembling. The boxed-up emotions became overwhelming all of a sudden. With each memory came clarity. He loved this man with all of his soul and hated him with the same ferocity. These emotions were part and parcel of the human experience. 
Like Xue Yang, Xiao XingChen too had questions. The one eating at him the most was that one question left unanswered all those centuries ago. Was I so hated by you? Do you still hate me?
“Do you still feel disgusted by me?” Xue Yang broke the silence.

“N-no. I—” Xiao XingChen was at a loss for words.

It wasn’t you that I’m disgusted with.

He wanted to say, but it wasn’t exactly the whole truth. He did hate Xue Yang then, but mostly he hated himself for his uncontrolled feelings towards his nameless housemate, despite knowing his identity. He hated his weak self for the denial — that the one he loved could not have been Xue Yang.

He was grasping at straws that burned in the heat of truth until nothing was left….

“You know what? I don’t care.” Xue Yang suddenly said. “At least you are alive. You are here, breathing, talking, thinking. At least I know I am still in that corner of your heart, evoking something strong.” He chuckled almost bitterly, “I lied. Dead is not better, not one bit. And I don’t need you to be obedient.”

Xiao XingChen’s heart skipped a beat; he panicked and looked at the doorway to find BaoShan SanRen had left. Thankfully so. Else it would’ve been awkward.

“X-Xue Yang, erm…let go of me.” It was getting uncomfortably warm with how long they were hugging each other.

“No.” Xue Yang said in an almost whisper, right in Xiao XingChen’s ear.

It sent a pleasant shiver down Xiao XingChen’s spine, and he bit back a moan. “X-Xue Yang…please…we need to talk.”

“We are talking just fine.” Xue Yang retorted, hands sliding underneath Xiao XingChen’s shirt suddenly.

Xiao XingChen did not know if he hated or liked this version of Xue Yang more. It was a drastic 180-degree turn from the blushy virgin just a couple of hours ago, yet this version felt nostalgic. He shuddered when those familiar yet foreign roamed across his body.

“Ngh…Laogong, n-no.” Xiao XingChen let slip the words before he froze. Realisation dawned upon him, and his face burned.

Xue Yang was caught off guard as well, and his movements stopped just a fraction of a second; before a huge grin appeared. He practically growled as he pushed Xiao XingChen down into bed and dove in for the attack.

“What did you call me?” He gave Xiao Xingchen’s ear a lick. “I want to hear it again.”

Xiao XingChen bit down on his own lip and pouted.

NO!

He was practically a tomato now, and he wanted to just bury himself alive.

Xue Yang let out a chuckle before kissing Xiao XingChen on the forehead. “I’ve missed you so much.”

Xiao XingChen’s heart throbbed. “Me too.” This, he did not have to lie about. He did miss Xue Yang in this lifetime. From the moment he was born, Xiao XingChen had always been searching for that missing part — the void in his heart and soul.

Xue Yang kissed him again. This time on the lips, Xiao XingChen let himself reciprocate — kissing back more fervently. The love, hate, pain, and pleasure all narrowed down to this point. Hands roamed, removing the fabric that was between them. They were ravenous, so caught up in feeling everything about each other — drinking in on the little moans and pants that escaped the other’s mouths.

“AAHHHHHHH!” A sharp shriek suddenly snapped them out of whatever they were doing. In the doorway stood A-Qing with her big round eyes staring right at them in a mixture of shock and disgust.

Then she quickly closed her eyes and turned away.

Whatever hot and steamy mood had vanished. Xue Yang let out a long groan and flopped down on Xiao XingChen, who breathed out an “Oof!” Xue Yang was visibly glaring at the interrupter, which caused Xiao XingChen to panic a little. He suddenly grabbed hold of Xue Yang’s arm and squeezed in.

The memory of the past life overlapped with this one. Xue Yang seemingly noticed as well, the worry in Xiao XingChen. He felt a jab in his heart, a little one, but he still smiled, wordlessly reassuring Xiao XingChen that he would not harm A-Qing. He had no reason to.

They were new people now. Whatever happened in their past lives stayed in the past. The desolated Yi City was no more; the same went for the people of that time…the world had changed, shaping new lives.

“I-I’ll be downstairs!” A-Qing announced loudly before running off, not even shutting the door.

Xiao XingChen let out a chuckle that broke into an unstoppable laugh. It infected Xue Yang as well, and before long, the room was filled with peals of laughter. They were just two naked men rolling on the bed and laughing.

Oh well, whatever they were doing could wait. 
 
One month later…

Xiao XingChen and A-Qing were at the premiere of the “Story of Yi City”. Thankfully they had front seats, or else Xiao XingChen would not know what to do with the massive bouquet of flowers that now lay next to his feet.

A-Qing looked visibly annoyed — probably how an author would feel whenever their work got adapted. She was so ready to criticise the performance. Xiao XingChen, on the other hand, was just sitting there with a huge grin, simply excited about being able to watch his boyfriend on stage.

He stretched a bit just to adjust himself to a better sitting position when suddenly he felt that little ache in his back. He felt his face burn up, thinking about the ‘happenings’ just the night before. He quickly dismissed the thought as the show was about to start. He needed to focus on the play.

When the curtains opened, Xiao XingChen was immediately drawn toward the set placement and the ambience. It evoked a sort of nostalgia in him. When Xue Yang emerged on the stage with a blindfold on, Xiao XingChen almost gasped. His eyes were locked on the man, moving about the stage — acting… exactly like how Xiao XingChen would have acted during that lifetime. His mannerisms and his speech were so on point that it seemed uncanny — it was like watching himself.

The actor who played “Xue ChengMei” was… alright. He guessed? A little overdramatic. But not like Xiao XingChen was paying much attention to him anyway. His eyes were glued to his boyfriend.

Then came the climax, in which Xiao XingChen could feel tears welling in his eyes as the memory of their past lives overlapped with the stage play. With every line exchanged, it felt like cuts were made on Xiao XingChen’s heart, and he remembered every bit of it until the part the “Xiao XingChen” on stage offed himself.

There was a long silence. The curtains did not roll, and Xiao XingChen watched that part of the story unfold — the part after he died in his previous life…

There was screaming and madness, and despite Xiao XingChen not really ‘feeling it’ with how this Jin GuangYao actor’s over-the-top portrayal of his Xue Yang, Xiao XingChen could somehow grasp the bits and pieces of the aftermath.

By the end of it, Xiao XingChen was a sobbing mess. When the curtains finally rolled and the actors came out to bow, Xiao XingChen handed Xue Yang the bouquet of flowers he had prepared and remarked how outstanding an actor Xue Yang was.

Xue Yang smiled slyly before leaning in to kiss him on the cheek while whispering something that washed away the sadness Xiao XingChen had felt moments before. He almost wanted to smash the bouquet into Xue Yang’s face, but instead, he reacted with a blush and a pout.

Meanwhile, A-Qing was busy giving her feedback to Lecturer Yu.

In the end, the only student that emerged with an “A” for their grade was Xue Yang, which caused Jin GuangYao to behave somewhat passive-aggressively toward Xue Yang. It lasted for a week or so until the new semester rolled in.

As for Xiao XingChen and Xue Yang, they were catching up on lost times by being very clingy and behaving like that annoying couple you would definitely hate to see in your friend group.

A-Qing was annoyed that her brother kept going to the neighbour’s house. And Ugh… she really needed to invest in noise cancelling headphones due to the sound pollution that managed to somehow find its way to her house, despite the ‘activities’ being done next door.

Thus, A-Qing secretly wished something terrible would happen to the annoying creature next door. She let her imagination run wild and the hands on keyboard to run wilder. In return, it gave her a new book — “That Annoying Neighbour Next Door”, obviously loosely inspired by a true story of all the misfortune that befell said neighbour…