HEIFEIGU -Chapter 48

So much had happened today. During tense moments, no one noticed; once relaxed, everyone felt a bit sleepy.

Though the sky hadn’t fully darkened, everyone decided to return to the cabins to rest.

The small cabins arranged by the production had no lights. They could use the remaining daylight for a proper hot shower, freshen up, and prepare for tomorrow.

After Xia Letian withdrew, Meng Zezhou got a single room automatically, while Qian Shuyun and Xie Jixing ended up being the only ones sharing a double room.

Their house was at the innermost part of the area; the light from the campfire didn’t reach it at all.

Qian Shuyun seemed to have something to discuss with Meng Zezhou. He appeared briefly in the house and then left.

Xie Jixing took advantage of the light to take a shower, and on a whim washed his clothes as well. He dried everything using the hidden fire—no need to be stingy at this moment, save where you should, spend where you must.

Finished, he crawled into his sleeping bag, leaving only his head exposed, serene.

When it was completely dark, he heard the sound of the door opening—Qian Shuyun had returned.

The room was pitch black. Seeing that Xie Jixing was already asleep, Qian Shuyun took off his coat and went to the bathroom for a hot shower.

He washed the short-sleeved shirt he had worn underneath, but the production team hadn’t provided any drying equipment—not even a hairdryer. There was no way to dry the clothes quickly, so he had to hang them in the most ventilated spot in the bathroom and walked out with his upper body bare.

The room was so dark that even if Xie Jixing woke up, he probably wouldn’t see what Qian Shuyun’s body looked like.

He stood by the tatami mat, slowly drying his hair. The self-disgust he had felt that afternoon began to surface again.

From behind, a soft voice drifted, “How long has this been going on?”

Qian Shuyun’s hand paused mid-dry, and Xie Jixing noticed it.

Would he be scared, or disgusted?

The negative emotion hit fast and fierce. In that instant, Qian Shuyun even felt short of breath.

Would Xie Jixing immediately leave the room—or even leave the show—gradually distancing himself, never coming near again?

But the Xie Jixing in the sleeping bag didn’t move. Qian Shuyun only felt a gaze slowly sweeping over his back.

Or was he… worried about him?

After two deep breaths, Qian Shuyun calmed himself and decided to take a gamble. “About… three years, I guess…”

“Can Doctor Xie fix it?” he teased lightly.

The room had poor sound insulation and was empty; not wanting to disturb the neighbors, Qian Shuyun lowered his voice deliberately.

The words “Doctor Xie” were spoken in a roundabout, ambiguous way that made Xie Jixing’s ears heat up and turn red.

Not serious at all!

He cursed quietly in his mind, deliberately sulking: “No cure. Prepare for the worst.”

Qian Shuyun chuckled softly. Good—he hadn’t left, hadn’t been scared, and was willing to stay here.

Even though Xie Jixing had buried his face entirely in the sleeping bag, his deep, melodious laughter still wound its way into Qian Shuyun’s ears, warming his cheeks and neck.

He stared at the person in front of him. The slightly ashen skin and swollen joints made him feel a twinge of sympathy.

Because Qian Shuyun had seemingly never shown others how much he suffered, Xie Jixing naturally assumed that Qian Shuyun and the source of yin energy in his body were getting along harmoniously.

But his body told a different story—in reality, Qian Shuyun had been silently enduring the erosion and torment of the yin energy.

“Come here,” Xie Jixing said, crawling out of the sleeping bag.

Qian Shuyun didn’t hesitate and sat down on the tatami beside him.

Xie Jixing grabbed his hand, and a continuous warmth flowed through their clasped hands. Qian Shuyun felt as if he were soaking in a pool of warm water; his whole body relaxed, drowsy and slightly sleepy.

Xie Jixing’s brows furrowed tighter and tighter. He tried to locate the problem on Qian Shuyun, but all he saw was a misty gray—he couldn’t find it.

The little red mole became increasingly strange-looking, but Qian Shuyun found it beautiful. He focused most of his attention on the mole, caring less about his own condition.

“I can’t see him,” Xie Jixing withdrew his hand and opened his eyes, looking at Qian Shuyun. “He’s not on you.”

This made the situation even more troublesome. Without finding the root of the problem, it would be difficult to solve.

“Is there anything that makes you particularly uncomfortable?”

Qian Shuyun idly rubbed his fingertips, not answering, but instead asked an unrelated question: “Is this how you usually help people find their problems, Doctor Xie?”

Xie Jixing felt uneasy. Should he tell Qian Shuyun this was his first case since arriving in this world?

It felt like going to a company interview. The company thought you were a big shot, but your work experience section was completely blank.

He turned his head, mentally pep-talking himself: The world is just a makeshift troupe—I’m the best!

Facing Qian Shuyun again, he smiled: “So… Qian, you don’t trust my abilities?”

The little red mole puffed up in indignation. How could it still make someone ask in anger?

“I don’t mean that. I just think this method is… novel,” Qian Shuyun said, taking the blanket and spreading half of it over Xie Jixing’s sleeping bag. “Of course, I trust your ability, Doctor Xie. If you can’t solve the problem on me, then perhaps no one in this world can.”

It’s already being “blown over,” Qian Laoshi.

Xie Jixing buried his hands in the blanket, blushing, gently ruffling the soft fur, puffing his cheeks like a lizard, pretending to be fierce: “Good that you understand.”

“This blanket wasn’t meant for you—why is it over here?”

“It’s windy,” Qian Shuyun glanced at the trees swaying outside, arranging his sleeping bag. “It’s chilly tonight. Doctor Xie, do you mind if I sleep closer to you?”

Xie Jixing slid back into the sleeping bag with a slurp. Who could resist a blanket? So cozy.

They’re brothers anyway, a little closer doesn’t matter. He nodded. “Fine.”

Qian Shuyun pulled his sleeping bag next to Xie Jixing’s and covered half of it with the blanket, slipping inside. “Facing the camera makes me particularly uncomfortable.”

This was his answer to Xie Jixing’s earlier question.

Xie Jixing turned his head. “The camera? Like a recording lens?”

Ghosts did love living in mirrors. The first time he met Yue Qinyao, she was hiding in a vanity mirror.

But now, Sister Yue had gone to Xuan Caiyan’s room to offer her “heartfelt support.” Maybe he should call her back.

“Yes. At first, it was intermittent headaches, sometimes stinging pain in the temples or the back of my head. Over time, it worsened. Whenever I see the camera, the pain becomes extreme, sometimes even causing vomiting…”

Qian Shuyun described the disasters occurring in his body calmly, but Xie Jixing’s heart ached. “Ah, then why did you still come to the show with so many cameras?”

“The GoPros are fine, but when I entered, the production team didn’t notify me. They set up cameras specially. I almost couldn’t make it through such a short path. I nearly collapsed from the pain,” Qian Shuyun said, turning to Xie Jixing. “If you hadn’t come to shake my hand, who knows what could have happened.”

“And why did I come on the show? Because Meng Zezhou told me there was someone who might help me.”

“So, interacting with me can ease your pain?” Xie Jixing thought he was just free-riding on the yin energy, but actually it was mutually beneficial. “Any other symptoms?”

“Yes. Doctor Xie can alleviate my pain.”

Yue Qinyao, who had been crawling through the wall, overheard that.

Weren’t they supposed to ask her something serious? This atmosphere seems anything but serious!

She was halfway through the wall, about to fully pull herself out, when she heard Qian Shuyun say:

“Also, sometimes when I see you… I feel really hungry.”

Sister Yue: !!!

What are you saying? What kind of tiger-wolf words are these? Can I even hear this?

She quickly floated over, glanced at the two people lying side by side, wrapped in a blanket.

She pulled the unlucky ghost who was already asleep at the corner out.

Child, leave this dangerous place. You’re too innocent to hear such things!

“Hungry?” Xie Jixing raised an eyebrow, a hand stretching out from the sleeping bag. A small ghostly blue light appeared at his fingertip. “Now?”

Qian Shuyun stared without blinking, eyes fixed either on the light or the pale fingertip. “Very hungry.”

Xie Jixing pinched the tip, extinguishing the light. He concluded, “I can’t completely solve your problem for now, but I can alleviate your symptoms.”

“Didn’t Meng Zezhou tell you before, my services…”

“Are expensive,” Qian Shuyun cut in with a stifled laugh. “But the production team confiscated all personal items. I have no money—what now?”

“Pay later,” Xie Jixing rolled his eyes lightly. “Can you even run away?”

He had always thought Qian Shuyun was a calm, serious, taciturn, and rigid big shot. Now he realized he was wrong.

This person talks a lot.

“You can’t run, but Doctor Xie charges interest,” Qian Shuyun drawled. “Nine out of thirteen back… what if I can’t pay?”

“Then you pay in flesh!” Xie Jixing gritted his teeth. He would find Sister Yue a few companions and sell you in a ghost marriage. “Shut up. Rest!”

Qian Shuyun slowly closed his eyes. Finally, he could have a good sleep, but he didn’t want to.

He lay on his side, listening quietly.

The person beside him breathed more shallowly and evenly; Xie Jixing seemed to have fallen asleep.

Qian Shuyun opened his eyes again. He was sleeping soundly, his cheeks puffed slightly, looking very soft to the touch.

Probably because he was tired, Xie Jixing’s lips were slightly pursed, soft snores blending with the sounds of the waves outside, rising and falling.

So cute, Qian Shuyun smiled gently and kept watching.

Xie Jixing, asleep, seemed to sense his gaze and let out a small whimper from his nose, as if protesting.

Then he rolled over completely, leaving Qian Shuyun with a smooth, round back of his head.

Qian stared at that head for a long while. Seeing that he had no intention of turning around, he finally shifted his gaze toward the window.

The elegant tree had quieted down, and a full moon hung not far above the sea.

The moonlight slanted perfectly onto Xie Jixing.

Qian Shuyun smiled and closed his eyes.

The wind had stopped, and the moonlight was beautiful.