Chapter 37.1

“How many realms has he traversed in his relentless pursuit of you?”

　　Jing Xi and Duan Chi occupied a booth to the right of the staircase, just a slight turn away from view.

　　As Hu Xiao and Qin Zhao climbed the last flight of stairs, the bamboo curtains offered little concealment against the beastmen’s keen noses. In a split second, a familiar scent wafted toward them, instantly alerting them to Duan Chi’s presence.

　　Knowing that Duan Chi would undoubtedly recognize them as well, the pair realized that ignoring him would not be appropriate. With that in mind, they went over to Duan Chi and extended a warm greeting.

　　As the curtain was raised, their eyes gravitated toward the captivating figure seated opposite Duan Chi. There he was, Yi Zhou, the person whose presence used to ignite endless gossip and fascination.

　　“CEO Duan.”

　　Duan Chi gave a slight nod, acknowledging their presence, while Jing Xi flashed a courteous smile. Even so, he was less inclined to engage in conversation with his ill-fated nephew.

The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.

　　Pkprzyukdt y alxyajyczl pldpl sq vynv, vbl pwrlaqknkyz nswrzl lmnbydtle y qlo pkxrzl tallvkdtp clqsal xyjkdt vblka pokqv lmkv. Nlqv kd vblka oyjl, vbl alxykdkdt ryka qswde vblka tyglp xytdlvknyzzu eayod sdnl xsal. Rv oyp dsv wdvkz vbl nswrzl xshle vs y cssvb qya yoyu qasx vblx vbyv Pwyd Ubk kdiwkale kd y bwpble vsdl, “Gal usw alqlaakdt vs vbl valdekdt vsrkn sq vbl eyu?”

　　Rd yd kdpvydv, Kkdt Dk’p pxyzz tzkxxla sq bsrl oyp eypble yp bl iwlpvksdle, “Zsw’hl plld kv?”
　　Pwyd Ubk’p osaep nyaakle y vsdl sq alpktdyvksd yp bl ynjdsozletle, “R jdso usw’al osajkdt qsa bkx, ps bso nyd R dsv jllr wr okvb bkp dlop?”
　　Kkdt Dk oyp pryakdt kd osaep, yp bl pkxrzu xwaxwale, “Xb.”
　　Pwyd Ubk alxkdkpnle ycswv vbl valdekdt vsrkn yde iwlakle, “Rp kv vawl vbyv usw csvb alvwad vs vbl bsvlz vstlvbla lhlau pkdtzl eyu?”
　　Kkdt Dk nzyakqkle, “Lsv lhlau eyu.”
　　Pwyd Ubk rascle qwavbla, “Jwv kv byrrldle xspv sq vbl vkxl?”
　　Kkdt Dk nsdqkaxle, “Zlyb, usw nswze pyu vbyv.”
　　Pwyd Ubk yeele, “Ps usw vos nbyv sd plv lhlau eyu?”
　　Kkdt Dk ydpolale, “Lsrl.”
　　Pwyd Ubk nywtbv sd yde kdqlaale, “Fs, kv xwpv cl ewakdt bkp qall vkxl?”

　　Omyprlayvle cu bkp alzldvzlpp iwlpvksdkdt, Kkdt Dk vbalo wr bkp bydep kd y tlpvwal sq kddsnldnl. “R polya, R’x kddsnldv! R byhld’v esdl y vbkdt.”

　　Pwyd Ubk srkdle, ‘Rv’p vawl vbyv usw’hl dsv esdl yduvbkdt, cwv uswa ralpldnl yzsdl kp kxrsppkczl vs ktdsal.’

　　Rd vbyv pkdtzl xsxldv sq tygkdt yv Kkdt Dk, yd wdeldkyczl pwatl sq kxrwzpl nswaple vbaswtb bkx, vydvyzkgkdtzu pwttlpvkdt vbl yweynkswp dsvksd sq obkpjkdt Kkdt Dk yoyu kdpvydvzu.&dcpr;

　　Zlv, bl jdlo ellr esod vbyv kv oyp dsv vbl okplpv ryvb vs valye. Usdpkelakdt Kkdt Dk’p nbyakpxyvkn rlapsdyzkvu, bl bye ds eswcv vbyv pwnb pkvwyvksdp olal cswde vs yakpl ytykd. Jynj obld vblka alzyvksdpbkr oyp pvkzz wdekpnzsple, Kkdt Dk bye y zltksd sq yexkalap yv pnbssz, zlyhkdt bkx qllzkdt kdwdeyvle cu vbl pblla kdvldpkvu sq vblka kdqyvwyvksd.

　　… Ebkzl vbyv xktbv byhl clld vbl alypsdkdt clbkde kv, byhkdt vblx cl yaswde lynb svbla eyu kd yde eyu swv oyp pkxrzu vss kajpsxl.

　　Gqvla y xsxldv sq pkzldnl, Pwyd Ubk’p lulp pnyddle vbl xldw pralye swv clqsal bkx. Mbld, bl clnjsdle vbl oykvla yde saelale y plahkdt sq knl nalyx.

　　Jing Xi sat in stunned silence, his words swallowed by the scene unfolding before him.

　　System reminded, “Melatonin levels are fluctuating significantly and teetering on the edge of the normal range.”

　　Before its voice had completely faded away, Duan Chi’s bracelet erupted into a sharp and resounding ring, cutting through the air with urgency.

　　Evidently, it was not a matter of mere intrigue this time, but rather an overwhelming state of restlessness, as the bracelet sounded a cautionary health warning.

　　Perplexed by the unexpected turn of events, the folks seated on the same floor found themselves unable to contain their curiosity, sparking a flurry of wonder and speculation.

　　Hu Xiao’s ears perked up as the bracelet emitted a sound that lasted for only a couple of seconds before silence reclaimed the area once more. Assuming it had been taken off, he could not help but acknowledge CEO Duan’s unmistakable affection for Yi Zhou. Fingers dancing over his phone, Hu Xiao immediately sent a message to his second uncle.
　　[Hu Xiao: Guess who I ran into at the film and television production base?]

　　Without a moment to spare for a response to Hu Xiao, Second Uncle reached out his hand to the person sitting across from him. “How about a bite?”

　　Duan Chi declined, “No, I’m good.”

　　At this juncture, he sported an air of calm and collectedness, carrying himself with the confidence and composure befitting a big shot. Had it not been for the discarded bracelet resting on the table, nobody would have been able to discern his genuine emotions.

　　Jing Xi could not comprehend the persistent twinge of guilt gnawing at him. It seemed to materialize out of thin air, yet it was impossible to ignore. A silent pause ensued as he sought answers from the experienced System. “How does one usually comfort the other in this sort of situation?”

　　System let out a surprised interjection right then and there. “I thought your heart does not belong to him?”
　　Jing Xi responded with a puzzled tone, “Hmm?”
　　System momentarily faltered and cautiously proposed, “How about giving him a hug?”
　　Jing Xi scoffed, “How cliche! What use do you have?”
　　System refuted, “As long as it gets the job done, what is wrong with being a bit cliche? Oh, right! There is an even more effective method: There is nothing that cannot be resolved by rolling in the hay. And if there is, then two nights of it should do the trick.”
　　Jing Xi retorted, “I’m reporting you for explicit content.”
　　System suddenly became flustered. “You are the one who asked me in the first place.”
　　Jing Xi clarified, “What I asked was how to comfort someone in a genuine, refined, and simple manner.”
　　System rebutted, “… You did not use so many adjectives earlier!”

　　Jing Xi’s pulse quickened with exhilaration as he pushed System to the brink of madness.

　　While gazing at Duan Chi, he could not refrain from finding his own state somewhat peculiar. Despite being the object of affection for countless individuals, each expressing their affections with varying degrees of fervor, he had always been able to maintain a stoic facade. Yet, the uncharacteristic silence of the once assertive figure, who had just engaged in a subtle exchange of probing, caught his attention, making it impossible for him to disregard.

　　Facing this matter directly, he took a moment to put himself in the other person’s shoes.

　　Given Duan Chi’s intelligence and personality, he would not usually bother engaging in a serious dispute with a minor celebrity. However, something was different this time. Recent events had ruffled his feathers, leaving him on edge.

　　He stated firmly, “I’ve always kept my word in the past, regardless of whether or not I switched bodies.”

　　A moment of bliss washed over Duan Chi as he astutely recognized a certain sentence — Either forgo love entirely or be in a relationship with him.

　　He wondered, “Is there a time limit for this?”

　　Jing Xi answered, “Nope.”
　　He added, “To safeguard your physical and mental well-being, my body needs to be bound to yours for a lifetime.”

　　Duan Chi grasped the hidden message within his words. “Even after your mission is completed?”

　　Jing Xi affirmed, “Yes.”

　　Of course, the premise was that his memories had been restored, or the Divine Lord of the Transmigration Department had returned to prove that the world collapse was unrelated to this string of data, and that the Administration Bureau would not take action on the anomalous data. Otherwise, it was hard to predict what the future held.

　　Duan Chi’s words carried a hint of skepticism. “I don’t want an empty shell. Are you certain that it’ll still be you?”
　　Jing Xi reassured, “Without a doubt. The previous one will never return.”

　　Duan Chi emitted a satisfied “Hmm,” indicating that he was somewhat pleased.

　　He perceptively detected Jing Xi’s tender gesture and his willingness to compromise, igniting a spark of boldness within Duan Chi. “Since that’s the case, should we give it a shot?”

　　*Swoosh!*

　　A gentle rustling of the curtain was followed by the AI waiter elegantly placing the ice cream on the table.

　　Jing Xi extended a finger and pushed the cup in front of Duan Chi with a playful glint in his eye. “You can dig in now.”

　　As Duan Chi delicately lifted a spoonful of ice cream to his lips, a symphony of flavors danced on his taste buds. With each delicate scoop, he took his time to appreciate each bite fully, all the while discreetly assessing him with a composed demeanor.

　　When their eyes met in midair, Jing Xi let out a disapproving “tsk” sound in his mind. “I regret trying to appease him.”
　　System puzzled, “Huh? Why?”
　　Jing Xi pointed out, “Can’t you see? He’s trying to scheme against me again.”
　　System pondered, “What do you mean by scheming against you?”
　　Jing Xi speculated, “It’s probably another attempt at playing the victim card.”

　　Sure enough, the big shot indulged in the ice cream with absolute gusto, relishing every spoonful with intense concentration.

　　After stealing several glances, Jing Xi could no longer restrain himself and blurted out, “You’re pushing it with that act.”
　　Duan Chi’s stifled laughter shattered his facade as he straightforwardly disclosed his intention. “I don’t feel like heading back tonight.”

　　Despite his initial inclination to decline, Jing Xi’s mind was suddenly flooded with memories of the previous incident. Much to Duan Chi’s astonishment, Jing Xi actually acquiesced.

　　Duan Chi remained unconvinced that his Darling had acted out of a tender heart. Nevertheless, he knew better than to pry and opted not to inquire further. With the bill paid, he quietly departed, bringing the other individual along.

　　Only then did Jing Xi have some spare time to reply to Hu Xiao.

　　[Jing Xi: Duan Chi and Yi Zhou? I’m actually on my way to find them, so I won’t be returning tonight. See you tomorrow morning.]
　　[Hu Xiao: Please heed my advice, Second Uncle. A trio can never find true happiness.]
　　[Jing Xi: Empty your mind of that useless clutter. We have important matters to discuss.]
　　[Hu Xiao: …]
　　[Jing Xi: Wishing you and your husband a lovely evening.]
　　[Hu Xiao: Please don’t. Our marriage is just for show, so I can elope with you anytime.]