Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Go away!” I shouted as I stood in front of my friends who were leaving while Wen Xiao didn’t move.

“Ying Lei take her!” I said before he came back and forced her to follow them.

I then looked back in front of me before seeing Li Lun chuckle lightly.

"So you really protect vulgar humans Zhu Yan? Even to the point of having a human name and an identity to live among them. But that doesn't change anything, just like me they hate you deep down even they who know your identity hate you. Don't be stupid." He said before starting to attack me.

And as we were far from each other again after each receiving a blow, as he was going to attack me again a white light appeared between us two preventing him from advancing and preventing me from seeing.

...

Then I lost consciousness and when I woke up I was in a dark place.
Suddenly lights came on and I heard people fighting, I stood up and narrowly avoided a blow and when I stood up the person who had attacked me was no longer there.

I went out of the place where I was and I saw two bodies, I leaned over and seeing the wounds of one of the two people I knew that he was dead . And just as I was about to look at the other person's body a sword was placed against my neck. Then I received a blow and I fainted.
When I woke up I was locked in a place with a woman who was also tied up.

"Who are you ?" she asked me.

"You're not part of Wufeng, or at least I've never seen you there. So who are you ?" She asked again.

But before I could answer I heard someone coming towards where we were. Then the next moment the person came back in.

"Who are you and where are you from ? You come from Wufeng, right ?" This person asked.

"I came from there, you had already caught me but I had run away. And I managed to kill the sword bearer and his eldest son." She replied with a smile.

The person then looked at me before threatening me with his blade, I laughed seeing his blade before sighing.

"It's not with your little toy that you'll be able to hurt me." I said, looking at his sword.

“Answer ! Are you also from Wufeng ?” he asked me as he brought his sword closer to my throat.

"What is this name Wufeng ? And where are we ?" I said as I looked around.

"Don't pretend your friend confessed everything just now. You are here in the residence of the Gong family and the sword bearer you killed !" The person suddenly shouted.

“I’m really not lying. I don’t even know who this Gong family is, I’ve never heard of them.” I said while sighing again.

And as he continued to yell at me, I suddenly smelled a faint scent of blood and I turned to the woman next to me and I immediately understood.

"She's dead." I said, pointing at her with my head.

The guard looked at me strangely before approaching her, he then jumped when he noticed that she was really dead and he ran away, closing the door behind him.
Right after he left, I took off the handcuffs before rubbing my wrists and approaching her, I opened her mouth seeing blood flowing from her. And when I opened it I saw that her tongue was no longer there, she tore it off by biting it.

"The people here are really macabre. But where am I ? This guard said that I was in the Gong residence, this family seems influential, but I don't know this family at all. And yet I have been alive for a long time, I know everything about this world. What could this mean ? Have I arrived somewhere else ?" I said out loud while still locked in the room.

Then I heard the guard come back but he seemed to be accompanied.

"This way young master Gong, I don't know how but she died and the other prisoner found in the sword bearer's room is not answering my questions but his asking me questions instead." The guard said, which made me laugh.

I then sat in a corner of the room in the dark, and then saw the guard enter the room with someone behind him.

"Uh, he was here when I left, especially since the handcuffs are still on." The guard said and I couldn't help but laugh.

Hearing laughter behind him, the man accompanying the guard didn't even move as the guard jumped before drawing his sword, pointing it in my direction.

"I told you already, you can't do anything to me with that. And handcuffs can't hold me either. And she died from biting her tongue, she choked on her own tongue." I said before getting up.

And as I stood up the man still with his back to me, whom the man called "Young Master Gong", moved his hand and threw a needle at me.
The needle stuck in my thigh and I laughed before suddenly losing my balance and finding myself kneeling on the ground.

“What’s happening to me ?” I said as I struggled and tried to get up.

"I'm just giving you a mild sedative, which I created myself." The voice replied.

"You will lose all your strength, even if it is only for a short time, you will have no strength and you will faint," he added.

And as he started to turn around I actually lost consciousness.
But something about this person disturbs me, I feel like I'm familiar with this voice, as if I know it, but I don't know from where, not even knowing what this person looks like.

I don't even know where I am and I know even less where my friends are... Are they okay? Where did Li Lun run away to? I hope so and that I'll manage to join them again...
I miss you, there I was chased and many wanted me dead because of who I was, and here they also want to hurt me for some reason, they didn't let me talk...

I just want to go back to where I came from and die in peace, I refuse to die in a place I don't know at all, and where I don't know anyone.
I miss Wen Xiao, Ying Lei, Pei Si Heng, Pei Si Ting, Bai Jiu and even Zhuo Yichen, I might even miss Li Lun that much.

...

When I woke up, my hands and feet were tied again, but I was in a position twice as uncomfortable as before.
And as I started to move to free myself from the handcuffs I heard a voice in the dark corner of the room.

"Do you want me to stick a needle in you again, maybe ?" That voice said, and then the person stood up.

Then he started walking towards the light and when I saw him, I immediately rolled my eyes.

“Yichen ?” I said looking at him and the person laughed before pulling a needle out of his sleeve and throwing it right next to my face.

"I don't know who "Yichen" is, but it's not me, my name is Gong YuanZhi, I'm the young master here in a way. At least especially when it comes to poisons." He said as he got even closer.

And the closer he got to me, the more I could confirm that this was not the Yichen I knew, but this man looked like him.

"Now you're going to answer my questions." He said as he pulled out another needle while threatening me with it.

"Okay, I will." I said before I managed to pull myself out of whatever was binding me, making him look at me strangely.

"Where are you from ?" he asked me, taking my wrist in his hand.

“I come from Tiandu, but I spent a good part of my life at the Kunlun Mountain Temple.” I said, looking at his face.

"I don't know any town by that name, same for this mountain. Are you lying ?!" He said to me, squeezing my wrist tightly.

"I'm not lying. My name is Zhu Yan, but my first name when I'm among humans is Zhao YuanZhou. I'm a demon !" I said before he finally let go of me and burst out laughing. He clearly doesn't believe me.

"Demons don't exist, you're crazy. You clearly don't come from Wufeng." He said.

And as he was about to leave I quickly walked past him before looking at him.

"Close." I said and the prison door closed and he tried to force it open.

“What have you done ?! Let me out !” he said, shouting.

And as he screamed, guards came running up and I knocked them to sleep before turning back to him and leaning against the wall behind me.

"Do you believe me now ? Or do I have to do more than that ?" I said looking at him and smiling.

And as I looked at my hand, I suddenly felt a dagger against my neck and then a slight cut.

"You won't be able to hurt more than that with your dagger. Even if you stick it deeper or even if it's poisoned." I said before putting my hand on his and planting the dagger in my chest.

He then backed away with his dagger and my neck and torso wound healed immediately.

"So, is that it ? I'm done with the interrogation ?" I said, smiling.

"Yes, you're done. Follow me." He said with a smile before starting to walk again.

I followed him and as he was leaving he took me to sit in a corner and offered me tea.

"I need you, regarding what was done last night. If you did nothing, perhaps you saw everything ?" he asked me, serving me tea.

"I unfortunately didn't see much, I only saw this woman while trying to get up from where I was, then I saw the two bodies. One was dead for sure but-"And as I was talking I heard someone say that someone was coming in and this Gong YuanZhi got up running before pulling me with him by the wrist while starting to smile.

We arrived in front of a large door which opened and a man on a horse came in.

“Ge !” YuanZhi said as he looked at the man who smiled before dismounting his horse and approaching him.

“YuanZhi Didi, how are you ?” he asked while rubbing his head as YuanZhi pushed his hand away.

"I'm not 8 anymore Ge, I'm 15." He said with a sigh before focusing back on me.

"Who is it ?" the man asked.

"Someone who witnessed the murder of our uncle, and in your absence Gong ZiYu was appointed as the sword bearer." He said angrily.

"He has no merit in being so.How old are you?" he asked me and I thought for a moment not knowing what to say and YuanZhi pinched me before smiling at his brother.

“He is 21 years old Ge, and his name is Zhu Yan.” He said about my age when even he doesn’t know it.

Then his brother had to go see their cousin apparently and YuanZhi took me with him to their residence before assigning me a room.

"You can sleep here, but first I'm going to give you a little lesson on what's going on here. And especially regarding our family and Wufeng. "He said, forcing me to sit down in front of him.

"First of all, the Gong family is a pretty special family, we run 4 clans in a way, some live at the back of the mountain and some on this side, and my brother runs one of the clans, I just create poisons and such. And secondly, the Wufeng is an assassin organization. They have been trying to get in here for years to find out what we are hiding at the back of the mountain. The one who was with you was part of it, sorry for my mistake about you. Tell me more about yourself." He suddenly asked while smiling at me.

"Um, I grew up in the temple on Mount Kunlun, I'm a White Ape Demon. I'm over 36,000 years old. I currently live in a city I'm from called Tiandu and this may sound silly but I work with people who sort of hunt demons. Whoever runs this place needs to kill me." I said looking at him as I saw him shake his head.

“Why do you want to die ?” he asked me.

"I have done many bad deeds that I regret very much and my only way to die is this man named Zhuo Yichen." I said with a smile.

"You called me by that name when you saw me in the prison, why ?" He said, coming closer to me.

"You look like him, but not that much in the end. You may not show much emotion, but you show more than him. He only wants to avenge his family, who I accidentally killed." I said and he punched me in the shoulder before smiling.

"I certainly wouldn't seek revenge. Because after all, we never really know why a person acts like this. The only ones I seek revenge on are those of Wufeng, Gong ShangJue, is not really my brother... My father and mother were killed by Wufeng when I was 9 years old, ShangJue lost his mother and his little brother who was a little older than me... After the death of my parents, he did not cry and many told me inhuman... But ShangJue Gege took me under his wing and took care of me... Now he is the most important person to me... But... I know that I will never replace his brother." He said before finally shaking his hand.

"Let's forget about it. You're welcome here. You don't need to worry about anything. I'll protect you and you'll help me investigate Wufeng." He said before cutting his hand with his dagger, then do the same with mine before gluing our wounds together.

"It's a promise you have no choice but to accept." He said, smiling then.

I just smiled as I felt and saw the blood dripping down both of our hands and then onto both of our arms.
This man is really not Yichen, compared to him Yichen is calm and always thinks before acting while he only does what he pleases and acts as he wants when he wants.
I like his character, and it makes him funny and interesting. I want to learn more about him and his abilities.

Chapter Text

Just after he sealed our promise, he got up and grabbed a bandage from the bag hanging around his waist but I stopped him and took his hand which had a cut before squeezing it in both of my hands.

"What are you doing?" he asked me, letting me take his hand.

"I'll heal you little idiot." I said before a red glow surrounded his hand.

Right after I took one of my two hands away before seeing just a trace of blood and I showed him his hand as well as mine.

"No one will know like that." I said before turning around and sitting down in front of him as he stared at his hand again with his mouth wide open.

"So you can heal others as well as yourself ?" he said as he stood up and tap the table which made me jump but also laugh.

"Yes, I can, only if I want to." I said looking at him and resting my head in the palm of my hand.

Then someone came in and made us jump.

“Didi, I’m looking for you. Gong Ziyu will have to go through the trials in the back mountain right after choosing a future wife, just like I have to.” ShangJue said as YuanZhi’s face immediately lost its smile.

"You're going to have to choose a woman in all this ?" he said as he stood up.

“But we don’t even know if there are any spies left from Wufeng !” He said, clenching his fist and getting angry.

...

Several days have passed since I arrived here, and as I was watching the stars shine in the sky, I heard a rather faint cry.
I went to where I heard slight screams and arrived in front of YuanZhi's room.

I hesitated before finally opening the door, I went inside before going to his side, he was holding the duvet tightly in his arms, clenching his fists and sweating.
I sat on the edge of his bed before wiping his forehead with my sleeve before gently patting one of his hands.

“It’s okay, you’re not alone YuanZhi.” I whispered as I continued to pat his hand.

The next morning I saw him slowly wake up and when he opened his eyes he seemed surprised to see me sitting on his bed looking at him.

“What are you doing Zhu Yan ?” he said, looking me up and down.

"I heard screams yesterday, so I came to comfort you. And when I wanted to leave because you seemed to be doing better, you held my hand really tight." I said, lifting my hand that he was holding.

"I'm sorry, you shouldn't have come." He said, letting go of my hand while continuing to apologize.

I moved closer to his face as he quickly got up and was now sitting in front of me. And I looked at him before laughing and touching the tip of his nose while smiling.

"You're kind of cute when you babble like that." I said before getting up.

"Were you able to sleep ?" he suddenly asked me and I stopped before shaking my head.

"No, I think about my friends, and I wonder if they are okay. And even there I slept very little. Don't worry about me. Don't have any more nightmares, and if you do, expect to see me next to you the next day when you wake up."I said before walking out of his room leaving him alone.

Once outside I came across his brother who looked at me before trying to attack me, an attack that I quickly dodged before jumping onto the roof behind me.

“Hello to you too Gong ShangJue. I’m fine and you ?” I said before sitting down.

“What were you doing in my brother’s room so early ?!” he said, pointing his sword at me.

"Let's see what could I do in the room of such a handsome young man ? I'll have fun with him. Do you know that your brother likes to have his hand held when he sleeps ?" I said smiling which annoyed him and as he was going to speak again YuanZhi and left his room before sighing.

"Aren't you going to go a single day without arguing !? Especially since Gege you're supposed to be preparing the room for Shangguan Qian, your fiancée." YuanZhi said already dressed before looking at me on the roof and sighing.

"And you come down from up there, you monkey !" He said, laughing slightly.

I went down before standing behind him looking at his brother.

"We have to break up, your brother is refusing our relationship." I said, pretending to wipe away an invisible tear.

He turned towards me before kicking me in the ass and hitting my chest.

“Don’t listen to him ShangJue Gege, we were just talking about Wufeng.” He said as he pinched my arm very hard.

I held back a little cry and ended up leaving him and as I was leaving the residence I saw a young woman who smiled at me straight away.

"Hello, I'm Shangguan Qian, ShangJue's fiancée, I don't really have any baggage other than that." She said as she threw something into my arms.

I threw it back into her arms before dusting off my clothes and looking at her.

"You got the wrong person, I live here too. And for longer." I said, and I smelled something coming off her, the same as the girl in prison that day.

Could she be from Wufeng like this woman ?
She chuckled lightly before excusing herself and walking back inside, looking around.

"It's beautiful here, do you feel good here ? Do you live here as a prostitute ?" She told me and I looked at her surprised before letting out a laugh.

"You don't really care about life." I said, moving closer to her.

“Zhu Yan ! Get away from her !” I heard ShangJue shout before coming up to me and pushing me away from her.

Then YuanZhi came after him, looking at us before looking again to see if she was okay, seeing her holding her bundle tightly.

"I'm fine... He... He just scares me..." She said as she started to cry.

"Zhu Yan, please ask my cousin for another place to sleep, I don't want her to spend the night in the same residence as you." ShangJue said as he started walking holding her close to him.

“Ge !” YuanZhi began but he quickly shut up when he saw his brother’s gaze.

“He’s leaving ! Not another word !” he said and I smiled before stepping back.

"Goodbye then and good riddance !" I said before leaving.

"Zhu Yan !" YuanZhi said trying to stop me but I kept walking.

I then headed to where their cousin lives and when he arrived he greeted me and was also accompanied by someone. She also has the same smell as the other girl.

"Zhu Yan, I didn't expect to see you. What brings you here ?" he asked, motioning for me to sit down.

"ShangJue threw me out. And who is it ? "I asked when I saw this woman sitting next to him.

"My fiancée, and future leader here with me when she is truly my wife." He said, smiling again.

"He can stay here. You can call me Yun Wei Shan. And I welcome you here, I'd be much less bored with company." She said, smiling at me.

...

Wei Shan kept me company and I kept her company when ZiYu was not there but at the back of the mountain.

"Why did you live in the two brothers' residence until now ?" she asked me.

"YuanZhi kind of saved me. And he's the only one I can count on. Now I'm the one asking the questions." I said before stopping her by holding her wrist.

"What does Wufeng really want, Yun Wei Shan ? But is that even your real name ?" I said before letting go of his wrist and moving forward again.

"How did you know?" she asked me as she caught up with me.

"Your smell, I was locked up with a Wufeng member before living with the brothers. You, her and Shangguan Qian had the same smell. "I said smiling before smiling twice as I smelled a scent I knew all too well.

"I'll leave you. I have to meet someone who is going to his little laboratory." I said before quickly disappearing from her side.

"What are you going to do today ?" I suddenly said in YuanZhi's ear, who jumped before turning around and directly hugging me.

“Zhu Yan ! I didn’t hear from you anymore, I thought ZiYu had thrown you out !” He said before to back away from me with a smile.

"So you missed me." I said smiling and when he answered yes my heart skipped a beat.

"Of course, ShangJue only cares about Shangguan, I almost don't exist anymore." He said, so he only misses me because I bring him attention.

“I know there are still Wufeng spies.” I said and he shook his head.

"Impossible, Ge investigated all the fiancées there were, everyone recognized them in their hometown. Why do you say otherwise ?" He asked me while still hanging on my neck.

"Their scent. I recognized their scent. Just like I recognized yours from afar." I said before making him let go of me.

“Don’t come complaining later. But be careful of Shangguan.” I said before leaving without even looking back.

...

Days passed and one night while I was still looking at the sky, I heard doctors running past.

“Why is Gong ShangJue asking us so late at night ?” one of them asked.

"You don't know ?! He injured Gong YuanZhi by mistake and he called all the doctors possible to save him, he sent a piece of glass right into his heart after thinking he was being attacked. "Another answered.

Hearing this, I headed straight to the Gong residence to go to YuanZhi's room and get all the doctors out and keep the door closed with a spell.
I then slightly lifted YuanZhi up before placing my hand on his chest and propping him up on me as I got behind him.
I finally managed to close the wound and save him and he eventually opened his eyes again before gently holding my arm that was around his waist as I still held him against me.

"Is ShangJue okay ?" he asked me, and I let the door open and ShangJue come in before seeing YuanZhi in my arms, the injury closed and already awake.

“YuanZhi, are you okay ?” he asked as he tried to take his hand but YuanZhi held my arm with one hand and my hand with the other.

“I’m fine, what about you ? The soup was poisoned Ge.” He said, gently squeezing my hand.

"I checked, there was nothing. I was so scared. But you ! You're not supposed to set foot here anymore !" He said, pointing at me.

"If he leaves, I'm going with him this time Ge. Without him I would be dead. I need to rest. Please go out." He told him, and ShangJue got up and started to approach the exit but turned around looking at me.

“Come out too.” He said but YuanZhi shook his head before clinging to my arm even more.

"No, he's staying." He said and ShangJue walked out, closing the door.

"I'll leave you to it, rest." I said trying to get up, but he wouldn't let go of my arm and hand.

“Stay like that, I feel good like this.” He said before interlocking our fingers and tightening my arm even more around his waist.

"You need some rest." I said and as I lowered my head I noticed that he was already asleep and I just smiled before cuddling him up against me and eventually falling asleep.

...

The next day when I woke up I was completely lying in bed with YuanZhi's head resting against my chest, my hand still around his waist and the other still in his hand.
He is so handsome, even asleep.

I suddenly felt him move and he opened his eyes before smiling at me and coming closer to me and kissing the tip of my nose and not seeing me react he was going to kiss me, but I got up before looking straight ahead.

"I... I thought you loved me because of yesterday... You don't love me ?" He asked me suddenly, slowly approaching me.

"Why did you fall in love with me YuanZhi ? I'm not from here, there's bound to be a day when I'll end up going back there... I'm from there... You should forget about these feelings..." I said as I started to get up, but he stopped me before forcing me to sit back down before kissing me.

Then he finally walked away after 2 minutes before resting his forehead against mine.

"Even if you leave again, let me love you. Who knows maybe I'll find you in your world ?" He said laughing lightly before kissing me again and I responded this time pulling him against me and I felt him smile as he climbed on my legs.

And as we kissed his brother suddenly went back and YuanZhi froze in place before laughing slightly, he moved away from me before sitting in front of me preventing his brother from looking at me.

“YuanZhi ! He’s way older than you ! You’re only 15 and he’s 21 !” He said angrily as he approached us.

“I love him Ge.” He said looking at him.

"You don't know anything about love, you're just a child, 6 years separate you !" He said, pointing at me.

"No, not just 6 years old... He... He's not human Ge..." YuanZhi finally let out as he stood up and stood in front of his brother.

"He's right, you're just a child, you don't know anything about love... You must be confusing love with admiration... I'm sorry for taking advantage of his innocence... I'm going to go..." I said before getting up and avoiding the hand he had reached out to grab me.

You really have to forget me YuanZhi, you are still young, you are a human and while you will grow old, I will never grow old... I can't imagine losing you, so it is better to hurt you so that you no longer love me, rather than getting attached even more... Losing you will give me one more reason to die when I return... I can't live with you, I can't grow old by your side, and I refuse even more to see you die.... I just love you too much already...

Never forgive me YuanZhi, forget me and live a new life...
I would never blame you if you were happy without me, in fact I would be quite happy.
Live well YuanZhi, even if I don't disappear now, it will be just like, you won't see me again... Until I disappear or not... But I will never appear in front of you again...

Chapter Text

“Zhu Yan !” I heard a girl’s voice say and when I turned around I saw Wei Shan.

I waited for her and she finally joined me before pulling me by the wrist.

"You're engaged and you're sticking with another man this much, that's not very good for my little reputation." I said before she finally stopped.

"It's about the Wufeng.... They... They plan to attack.... But ZiYu wants me to go to trap them.... Because that day... He wants to create a marriage for him without me.... To trap the Wufeng... I don't know what to do..." She finally said.

"Become one of the brides to fight alongside them... I'm asking you to betray Wufeng, after all, you love Ziyu. So prove it to him... I'll be there that day too... I'll protect you." I said to reassure her.

"Thank you, but even though I accepted my feelings, there is one person who still hasn't." She said looking at me.

“Who is this ?” I said as I started walking with her following me.

“You idiot, you love Gong YuanZhi. Why protect me that day but not him ?” She said as she hit me.

"Because I can't let him see that." I said as I raised my hand and she looked directly at it before moving closer to me.

"What's wrong with you ?" she asked me, worried.

"I'm disappearing, or so I think." I said and then my hand went back to normal.

"Apart from you disappearing, you didn't deny loving him. So you really love him ?" She asked me, grabbing my hand.

"Oh shut up." I said before I saw him further away.

“What’s wrong ?” she said before turning around and seeing YuanZhi.

She then turned back to me before smiling and pushing me in YuanZhi's direction.

"Go ahead... If you don't do anything, he'll be sad if you disappear without him knowing. At least let him know that you love him. Love him without holding back." She said before leaving.

Then she left me standing there with YuanZhi in the distance, he looked at me and started to backtrack, and at first I didn't do anything before going very quickly to him.

"I'm sorry YuanZhi... For that day... For everything... But I really don't have much longer to be here... I'm afraid I have to go home soon..." I said and he didn't move anymore.

“Do you want to leave ?” he suddenly asked me.

"No, I don't want to... Here I want to live... I finally want to live... And that's thanks to you... Since I've been here, an event that happens there has never happened... I'm much better here by you're side, and especially... By your side." I said before making him turn around to me

Then I saw the tears in his eyes and I pulled him against me, nestling his head in my neck, wedging one of my hands in the small of his back and the other in his hair.

"I don't want you to leave... I need you Zhu Yan... I really love you..." He said, hugging me tightly as if I would disappear if he let go.

I hugged him even tighter before kissing his head and smiling.

"I don't want to leave either... But I won't have a choice when the time comes... I will never forget you YuanZhi... Because... You are really very important to me." I said before pushing him away from me.

And as YuanZhi was about to speak, I saw ShangJue coming in the distance and I motioned for him to be quiet before smiling.

“I'll come see you tonight. I promise.” I whispered before leaving.

...

In the evening, I came to the brothers' residence before going to YuanZhi's room without being noticed.

Once inside, I saw his brother talking to him so I stayed where I was and as soon as his brother came out, I quickly approached him, putting my hands over his eyes and the other around his waist.
He jumped at first before laughing.

“You're being childish Zhu Yan.” He said and I removed my hand from in front of his eyes before placing it around his waist like the other one.

"Maybe I'm acting like that because you're still young." I said, laying my head on his shoulder and smiling.

"I'm not young, you're just super old." He said as he came to caress my cheek.

I just chuckled at his words before kissing his cheek and holding him closer to me.

"But it's your choice to love someone so old. I never forced you." I said before turning him towards me while still holding him by the waist.

"On the day of that stupid wedding, where did ZiYu ask you to go ?" He asked me, looking straight into my eyes.

“With the Xue in the back mountain. The most dangerous ones should be there normally.” I said, touching the tip of his nose.

"We'll see each other again at the end of this day, won't we ?" he asked me.

"I hope so with all my heart. I refuse to leave without seeing you again. "I said, smiling at him.

"Then you won't have a choice but to do it. You absolutely must be with me when you disappear." He said before slowly approaching me to kiss me.

I smiled at him before kissing him softly, I then moved away a little before coming to bite his neck. He jumped before putting his hand on his neck just after.

“You bit me ?!” he said, hitting me lightly and I laughed before affirming.

"You will always feel me at your side with this bite. A demon like me only has one partner in his life and this is how we prove it. Even when I am no longer here you will always feel me there by your side. And by being close to me you will feel it even more." I said looking at the bite on his neck.

"So... With this you're trying to show me that you love me ?" He said as he started to smile and he smiled even more when I affirmed it, then he jumped into my arms hooking his legs around my waist and his arms around my neck.

"Even if you didn't say it directly you proved it to me, and that's enough for me to be sure of that makes me so happy. I also love you more than anything in the world Zhu Yan." He said looking into my eyes before kissing me chastely while smiling widely before hugging me again.

I really love you so much YuanZhi... Knowing that I will one day be separated from you breaks me inside... How am I supposed to live without seeing that sweet smile on your beautiful lips again ?
I love you so much Gong YuanZhi, you are truly the human who deserves to be happy the most, and you are also the only one who deserves my love. You are mine and I am yours... And that forever

...

"This is where we part ways Zhu Yan. Take care of yourself, and don't forget that someone is waiting for you tonight." Jin Fan told me before leaving on his own.

I then continued on my way before arriving in front of 2 people, including a child who reminded me of Bai Jiu.

"You must be Zhu Yan ?" Bai Jiu's lookalike asked me.

"Yes, it's me." I said.

I then followed them and we were attacked by someone other than the person who was supposed to attack us, so that means than the one who attacks the brothers his the one who killed ShangJue's family.

After our hard battle all day, very few deaths were caused on our side, only one of the heads of a family from the back mountain families died, I was able to save his son.

...

I then helped Yue regain her strength by losing some of my own and as I tried to regain energy Wei Shan came to my side before taking my hand and showing it to me.

"Your hand Zhu Yan... You... Even your neck is half translucent..." She said as she picked me up.

"Go ahead, hurry up, he was slightly injured so he's fine, but you promised him you'd be by his side. So go !" She said before I went to join him.

Once in the Gong residence, I felt weak and one room was still lit... YuanZhi is waiting for me...

I suddenly saw Gong ShangJue in front of me and he held me by my arm as I was almost about to fall.

"What's wrong with you Zhu Yan ?" he asked as he himself looked unwell.

"You won't have me around soon... I'll be going home soon... Let me see him one last time..." I said, grabbing his hand.

"I hate you. But he loves you more than anything... YuanZhi !" He shouted suddenly and I saw YuanZhi come out of a room before seeing me next to his brother.

I stood up slightly before starting to walk towards him alone while he approached me. And when we were less than 3 meters apart I fell back down.

"Don't come ! Neither of you." I said as I lay on the ground.

"Gong ShangJue, sorry for making your brother fall in love with me..." I said with a smile as my strength left me.

"And you YuanZhi... I love you so much! But really... When I arrived here all I wanted was to go back home, but I quickly changed my mind... I fell in love with you... And I will never regret it... Loving you... It was my best decision..." I said and I raised my head before meeting his tear-filled gaze.

"I love you too Zhu Yan... Let me come to you..." He said and I reached out my hand to him and he started to approach me as a bright glow suddenly appeared and I understood.

"YuanZhi I love you... And I will always love you, I will never forget you." I said and I felt a hand grab me then a kiss being placed on my lips.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back home...
I'm where I disappeared last time, so in Li Lun territory.

And as I stood up holding my head I relived all my memories with YuanZhi...
It's been less than a minute, but I already miss him so much...
I then heard footsteps behind me and turned around I saw Li Lun.

"Zhu Yan ! I'm was looking for you, old Ying Zhao noticed that you were gone and got worried." He told me before approaching me and picking me up with a smile.

And when I got up, I noticed that my hair was only gray and no longer black with a gray streak.
What's going on ? Am I going back in time by coming back here ?

"Li Lun, how old am I ?" I asked, holding my head, which still hurt as if I had been hit by a huge rock.

"Did you take such a big hit Zhu Yan ? You're 36,991 years old, idiot." He said to me before hitting me on the head while laughing.

So I did go back in time, I haven't killed Zhuo Yichen's family yet and I've never been to the YuanZhi world...

Why go back in time and above all how ?

And as I continued to wonder Li Lun grabbed me by the arm and took me back to old Ying Zhao...
If only I could have stayed there with him... Even if it was just as a human.
I miss him so much and love him so much.

...

Then years passed I ended up hurting Li Lun because of that damn curse, my adoptive sister died, I ended up killing Yichen's family and I saved Wen Xiao again... Now all I know is that you can't change the past or the future...

But since I relived all of this without change, does that mean I would see him again too ?
On one hand I hope so much and on the other I tell myself that this can only be an impossible dream to achieve...

I miss him so much...

Today is the day I go to the demon hunting office to surrender and help him after promising to the emperor.

Here I am in front of the office, my umbrella closed as the rain falls on me and as I was about to go inside and open the door, when I felt someone cover my eyes as well as the sound of crying...

"Where are you going little demon ? I'm right here and you're looking to meet my doppelganger ?" That voice said and I dropped my umbrella.

Then the hands removed themselves from my eyes and as I turned around I came across someone wearing a mask and a hood, but I recognized him immediately and he ended up removing his mask before pulling me into his arms, nestling his head in my neck.

"I missed you so much Zhu Yan... I was lost when I arrived here... Everyone called me Zhuo Yichen... I thought it sounded familiar, then when I asked where I was and they told me Tiandu, everything went round in my head before I understood that I was at your place. "He said before walking away and finding himself face to face with a YuanZhi much older than when I left him 9 years ago.

I finally ended up hugging him too, smiling before walking away from him and suddenly someone was talking behind my back.

"You're finally back Yichen. Um, who is this ?" Asked a voice that I recognized as Wen Xiao.

"Yichen ?" I said as I looked at him and he scratched the back of his head before motioning for Wen Xiao to come inside.

"I am indeed Yichen here, it's as if our resemblance has linked us. I have all his childhood memories up until I arrived here 5 years ago. So I'm Yichen here, but don't call me that when we're alone." He said as he looked at me and pulled my hand inside.

He answered that question, but how did he get here ?
Will he eventually disappear and return to his world and Yichen will be himself again ?
Or is it all just a dream ?

If that's the case I refuse to wake up, I'm much better with him than anywhere else.

Chapter Text

Once inside he sat across from me and told me everything that had happened since I left, but never anything before I left.

I don't know why, but I can't feel the mark I left on him, I even have the impression that it's not YuanZhi in front of me, and even less Yichen.

"Tell me, what was the last thing I said to you before I disappeared ?" I said, smiling and grabbing his hand.

"It's been so long, but I'm sure you told me you loved me before you disappeared." He replied, squeezing my hand gently.

"And what did I get you that was very precious ?" I said, taking his hand and pulling it towards me before placing a soft kiss on it.

Please answer more precisely and correctly this time.

"Easy idiot. How could I forget. You gave me your love, I was young and ignorant, but you still let me love you." He said smiling at me proud of himself.

Wrong... I marked you by biting you, and right now, I was able to confirm that my scent was not on you.

Then Wen Xiao came, apologized for cutting us off and pulled me with her.

"Who are you?" she asked me.

"My name is Zhao YuanZhou and I'm 29, or so I say. My real name is Zhu Yan, I'm the great demon, as well as a white monkey demon." I said and she quietly looked behind us before writing and continuing to talk nonsense.

She wrote on the paper:
-I don't know who this person is, but he's not my nephew.
-Do you know who it is ? If yes, say Yichen, if not, shake your head.
-We have to find Yichen and bring him back.

I smiled slightly before looking at her and shaking my head before laughing.

"You tell many anecdotes about your nephew, but Yichen must not like it." I said, making both choices.

I don't know who he is exactly, but I know he's a shapeshifting demon.
She smiled and thanked me before joining me in my laughter and as we approached him, she threw powder in his face which immediately tired him out and prevented him from moving.

"Who are you ?" she asked, threatening him with her dagger.

"How did you both know ? I thought I had played the role of Yichen and YuanZhi well for you, my dear Zhu Yan. I saw that these two people were there. But one ran away, and the other is still in my lair." He said laughing before disappearing, leaving Wen Xiao and I perplexed.

"Who is YuanZhi ?" she asked, looking at me.

"A... A friend of mine... Who looks a lot like Zhuo Yichen..." I said, looking away.

...

Then we tried to find out where this demon's lair could be, when a person came to mind... Li Lun should know.

So we went there with Wen Xiao, who clung to me like his life depended on it, and we arrived.

"Zhu Yan and so holds the new goddess Bai Ze. What do I owe your visit to ?" He said, spinning his drum.

"We're looking for a shape-shifting demon's lair, even a face-shifting one to be precise. He's holding his nephew, and... a friend." I said, looking at him.

"Don't say any more stupid monkey, let's go, I'll take you there." He said to me before coming closer and tapping my shoulder.

My relationship with him is the only thing I managed to change, so he doesn't really hate me anymore.

Then we arrived at a place with the demon, Li Lun took care of him then we arrived at Yichen, we freed him before returning to our lair thanking Li Lun.

As the carriage was almost there I smelled a familiar but distant smell at the same time.
We then went back to the office and saw a child sitting on the steps. There you are Bai Jiu just at the right time.

"Come help us little doctor, Zhuo Yichen needs you." I said, lifting him up by the arm as I passed.

...

Yichen then woke up and told everything to Wen Xiao who then came to see me and smiled a little.

"So there's good news and bad news. Your friend who Yichen said looked exactly like him, like a "double" he told me, managed to escape. But bad news, no one saw him so he might have gotten lost... Or... He might have died." She said trying to grab my hand but I moved away from her as I stood up.

"He wouldn't have died so easily... Not YuanZhi... You say that because you don't know him... I... I'm going to go for a walk..." I said before walking out of the office and going for a walk in the streets of Tiandu.

As I was walking around, I saw a merchant selling headbands, and I saw one that looked like the ones YuanZhi wore...
I wonder if he's okay, and if it was really him in that hole, or if Yichen saw wrong... Because I didn't smell any familiar scent there...

I ended up picking up the headband and buying it before holding it firmly in my hand.
I then continued to walk around before seeing people holding lanterns of various shapes... And a memory of YuanZhi came back to me.

~~~

"Zhu Yan ! Happy Holidays of Lights !" he said to me before handing me a monkey-shaped lantern.

"Seriously ? Where did you find it ?" I asked looking at him and he just smiled at me before grabbing my arm and starting walking.

"I made this at the same time as the one I gave ShangJue. I made one for my two favorite people." He said as he stopped and looked at me.

"I.." he started but I silenced him by placing a finger over his mouth.

"Shut up... Don't ruin the silence... I like silence, even more when you're the one with me." I told him, smiling at him despite everything and putting my hand on his.~

~~~

But all that and in the past, he... he will never be by my side for this party again... He must be with his brother or arguing with Ziyu or Jin Fan.... I miss my boyfriend... I miss the person I love...

"What are you doing all alone, you stupid monkey ?" a voice suddenly asked me from a small alley next to the lantern stand.

"It's too dark, you can't see me can you ?" The person said before lighting a lantern in his hand.

And seeing his face a little damaged but smiling and his eyes shining, and finally that smell so familiar again... The same smell as before... It was him... It was really him... He is really here in front of me...

"YuanZhi..." I said before I started to cry which made him smile before he approached me before gently trying my tears.

Once in front of me, I felt his presence even more, and I saw the mark on his neck, still present and forever...

"It's me this time Yan'Er... It's me, I'm your YuanZhi not an evil double or that Yichen..." He said as he placed his forehead against mine.

I then hugged him, reversing the roles because this time I was the one who rested my head on his neck, starting to cry even more.

"It's been 10 years... 10 years since you disappeared... I searched again and again to get information... Then one day I was hunting and a bright light appeared and I arrived here... I was completely lost and this damn faceless demon attacked me believing that I was Yichen before bringing back the real Yichen 4 days later... I managed to escape and he followed me here and wanted to take Yichen's place, as well as mine, because I had to tell information about myself to save Yichen... Torture even from a demon has little effect on me." He said while wiping the tears on my cheeks again.

“But your face… What happened to you ?” I said, caressing his cheeks and wiping away some dirt from his face.

"Life here is harder than back home. You turn your head for 2 seconds and you have to avoid a new demon. Luckily my satchel was always with me, so I used poisons to slow them down... I didn't think I'd see you again one day Zhu Yan." He said, smiling at me.

“How did you get here?” I suddenly asked.

"A friend of yours apparently... I was lost early in the afternoon and a certain Li Lun drove me back to Tiandu before telling me "You smell like Zhu Yan." And I understood that you knew each other." He replied before grabbing my chin and lifting it towards his face, smiling even more.

"Although I missed you a lot, I missed your lips and kisses too." He said before kissing me, pulling me against him.

He pulled me into the alley and I managed to turn off the lantern which ended up at our feet while he continued to kiss me. Then he suddenly stopped before holding his back which had hit a wall.

"It's nothing. I fell in the mountain before I met your friend... With some rest I'll be better." He said, and I suddenly picked him up making him cling to me before also picking up the lantern and taking it with me to the office.

"Come home with me. The demon hunting office is sort of a second, maybe even third home to me." I said and he smiled slightly before resting his head on my shoulder.

...

Once I arrived at the office, I saw Wen Xiao with Bai Jiu and seeing me coming, she ran towards me before stopping when she saw that I was carrying someone.

"Who is this ?" she asked.

"I present Gong YuanZhi... But please don't be shocked when you see his face... YuanZhi, I present Wen Xiao and Bai Jiu." I said and the latter then turned his head towards them and Bai Jiu jumped back before seeming fascinated.

"So doubles really exist, do I have one too ?" Bai Jiu said and YuanZhi looked at him strangely which made me laugh.

"Where he comes from a young boy does indeed look like you. But that's it, only you and Yichen look like someone there." I said while still holding YuanZhi in my arms.

“Zhu Yan… Your lips… They’re swollen…” Bai Jiu suddenly said, causing YuanZhi to laugh and Wen Xiao to blush as she didn’t know how to explain this.

“Let go of me, I can still walk, don’t be afraid.” YuanZhi told me before I let go of him.

"My lips are a little swollen too, let's say it's because it was a little cold outside.. You'll understand later otherwise." He said before holding his back.

“What’s wrong ?” Wen Xiao asked suddenly worried.

"I just broke a rib from a fall. Nothing too serious, a little rest and I'll be fine. I'm strong." He replied before grabbing my arm.

“I'm taking you to rest.” I said, gently holding his hand before starting to walk towards my room.

...

"Sit there slowly." I said as I helped him sit on the bed and I saw him smile as I took off his shoes before putting him on the bed better.

"It reminds me of when my brother hurt me and you healed me. So your way of taking care of me will never change. And that way of taking care of me is part of the reason why I love you." He told me as he reached out his hand to my cheek and caressed it.

Then someone knocked and I stood up before going to open it and seeing Bai Jiu.

"I want to see that your friend is okay." He said.

“He’s kind of a doctor too.” I said without moving and I heard YuanZhi laugh on my bed before I motioned for him to come inside.

“I can hear another expert’s opinion. But I’m not just his friend, I’m his boyfriend.” He said with a smile before sitting up better so Bai Jiu could examine him better.

After checking, Bai Jiu ended up with the same answer as him, lots of rest and he'll be fine.

I then sat down next to him, taking his hand.

"I relived all my mistakes... After reappearing here... I was a little younger again... I hurt Li Lun again but he forgave me this time, I killed Yichen's entire family again and I saved Wen Xiao again... So I was thinking that if I didn't see you again directly, I would have ended up going back to your place and this time I would have loved you directly even if I had to chase you." I confessed while smiling and laughing slightly.

He then laughed as well before holding his side and sighing.

“Come to my side.” He said, tapping next to him, and I did.

I sat down next to him and he gently laid his head against me, nestling himself in my arms and crossing our fingers together.

"At first I hesitated... Wondering if it was the right city, the right time... And then I felt your presence in a really strong way... And I told myself that it could only be you... That you weren't far away... But when I tried to follow your presence, it disappeared all of a sudden... But I ended up finding you... And now I'm afraid... Afraid to go back to my world, just like you did." He said, gently squeezing my hand as I began to caress the top of his.

"In that case, know that if that happens, even if I have to live again and again, I will always come back to your side, because there is only you that I love and those forever Gong YuanZhi... I only love you.." I said before kissing his forehead.

And after a while he finally fell asleep against me and I lay down taking him with me being careful not to hurt him before I held him in my arms and kissed the top of his head.

"Sleep well my love." I said before falling into the world of dreams me too.

Chapter Text

The next day when I had just left my room forcing YuanZhi to stay in bed and telling him that I would bring him something to eat.
I saw Wen Xiao who asked me for help in supporting Yichen to the room where they were going to eat.

So I helped him before putting food in bowls and starting to backtrack.

“Aren’t you staying Zhu Yan ?” Wen Xiao asked me as Yichen still couldn’t believe the fact that I had saved him.

“I’ll eat with you when YuanZhi can, and when Yichen stops looking at me like that.” I said before running off with my bowls.

And when I came back into the room I saw a YuanZhi standing looking outside.

“YuanZhi, come eat.” I said before placing the bowls on the table and gently making him sit down.

"I'm injured, not dying Zhu Yan." He said, smiling at me but still accepting my help.

I back smiled at him before kissing his forehead and sitting down across from him.

“What took you so long?” he asked me as he started eating.

"Wen Xiao wanted to help Yichen walk, because he is very stubborn and refuses to stay in bed. At least you listen to me." I said, smiling and grabbing his hand.

“So you prefer me because I’m more obedient? Or for some other reason?” He said looking at me and I chuckled slightly.

"I just love you for who you are. I love everything about you, from your personality, to the way you act, and who knows how much I love your smile." I said and he ended up smiling as he stroked my hand and sighed all the same.

"Stupid monkey. I love you too for your personality, even just for the person you are. You're almost perfect, even too much at times." He said before laughing slightly at the head I was doing.

After eating he wanted to visit the place where I lived before I met him, so the office. So I helped him up and made him hold on to my arm and he followed me without saying anything and just watching me tell some anecdotes.

"You make me so happy to talk about your friends like this, it's a change from when you usually said you missed them." He told me before I made him sit on a chair so he could rest a little.

"Even if they're not all here yet, you're here too. And how happy I am to have you by my side. You'll be able to meet all my friends and discover more about my world. The roles are reversed , I inform and you listen." I said before reaching out my hand to caress his cheek.

"Zhu Yan... You and I both know that I'm not likely to be here forever..." He finally said, holding my hand on his cheek and leaning more against it.

I stood up before sitting down next to him before putting him right in front of me and kissing him.

"Even if you're not here forever, I'll find you YuanZhi. Even if when I manage to find you you don't remember me, I'll do anything to make you love me again. I can even give up everything it takes to be just a human and grow old by your side, even if it makes me weak. Because as long as I'm by your side the rest doesn't matter to me." I then said as I walked away and pressed our foreheads together.

"I love you so much Zhu Yan... Don't even let me forget you. Even if when you see me again you can kiss me directly and even if I don't remember you, do it anyway. And who cares about my brother, I don't need him to dictate my life. He said before planting a quick kiss on my mouth and then hugging me while laughing.

...

Days then passed and Yichen and YuanZhi both got better, Yichen still looks at me with hatred but less than before knowing that I saved him. And today we go on a mission.

Once we arrived at the place we saw absolutely nothing except ourselves.
I felt a hand grab mine and then move closer to me before seeing YuanZhi hanging on to me with Bai Jiu hanging on his arm.

So Bai Jiu likes both, whether it's Yichen or YuanZhi. YuanZhi smiled at me before crossing our fingers before continuing to walk before we all stopped.

“There’s someone on the rooftops.” I said, already knowing who it was.

The next moment Bai Jiu let go of YuanZhi and an arrow was fired in our direction and I pulled YuanZhi towards me while dodging the arrow then Pei Si Ting came down from the roof before threatening me with another arrow.

"Calm down miss. He may be a demon but he is with us" Wen Xiao said before coming to us and YuanZhi did not move from against me clearly taking advantage of the situation.

I just smiled seeing him clinging to me who only had one arm around his waist while he was also holding me by the waist but with both arms.

"Not that I don't love you YuanZhi, but we're going to have to move forward again. And in front of us is Pei Si Ting." I said whispering in his ear and he looked at me before smiling and walking away from me.

“Who are you ?” Yichen asked, finally coming closer to us.

"Pei Si Ting, I'm looking for my brother who was sent on a mission here recently, but I haven't heard from him anymore." She said.

“And when do you plan to say that you are from ChangWu Camp ?” I said, holding only YuanZhi’s hand again.

"You ! How do you know ? It doesn't matter anyway. I'm not part of it anymore." She said, looking at me coldly.

"I know that. But they didn't know that." I said before starting to walk again with YuanZhi following me and laughing slightly at the situation.

"Stop laughing, even though I love your laugh a lot, we have to avoid drawing more attention than we already have." I said before smacking a kiss on his forehead and starting walking again with a silent YuanZhi.

I just hope he doesn't disappear anytime soon, holding his hand in mine already seems so unreal, and I hate to have to let him go... So I will protect him until the end and as soon as he disappears, even if he forgets me, I will find him and do everything to stay by his side for life... I love him more than anything in the world and I can't live without him...

...

As we continued to advance into the city I suddenly saw YuanZhi put his sleeve over his mouth before forcing Bai Jiu to do the same.

“There’s something heavy in the air.” Wen Xiao said suddenly before fainting in my arms.

“Yichen, Pei Si Ting, cover your nose quickly !” I said as I picked Wen Xiao up before quickly walking with the others.

We then arrived at a place where the smoke was not and I laid Wen Xiao on the ground before approaching YuanZhi who was taking care of Bai Jiu who had inhaled some smoke.

"The smoke isn't deadly, but it is soporific. Don't move for now, so that the effect wears off. Wen Xiao should wake up in an hour or two." YuanZhi said as Si Ting and Yuchen took care of Wen Xiao.

He came closer to me before looking at me and taking my wrist.

"I'm fine Zhi'er. I'm not human, remember." I said, smiling at him.

"But some of my poisons had an effect on you..." he said, puzzled.

"Don't ask me more. I never understood why either."I said before I better put back his hair which was all disheveled because of our race.

"Besides, why do two of you look alike ? Are you twins ?" Pei Si Ting said as she looked at Yichen in front of her and then at YuanZhi in front of me.

"Not in the least. I'm not from here in a way. It's long and hard to understand." YuanZhi replied with a smile as he looked at me.

"Which one of you are Zhuo Yichen in this case ?" She asked, still seeming to confuse them.

"It's me. This is Gong YuanZhi, he kind of saved my life. That's one of the reasons why I don't do anything to Zhu Yan." Yichen said while sitting next to Wen Xiao.

"You wouldn't have time to touch him , you will be dead before." YuanZhi said as he stood in front of me while holding my hand behind his back.

"Calm down. You can act tough in front of them, but that image doesn't work in front of me anymore." I said, stroking his hand and pulling him closer to me.

...

A few minutes passed before we were attacked, Wen Xiao was protected by Yichen and Pei Si Ting while YuanZhi protected Bai Jiu who was still a little slow.

And as we had just finished fighting another shadow approached before falling in front of us and I recognized Li Lun.
Yichen ran to him followed by me before he was picked up and taken to YuanZhi.

YuanZhi saw injuries and slightly removed Li Lun's clothes before seeing big injuries on his back.

“Can you help him ?” I asked worried for my friend and YuanZhi said yes before getting up and pulling me with him.

"I need a herb that I saw coming here, but I can't go alone and neither can you, because you wouldn't know what herbs it is. Do you think that together they can protect them ?" He asked me while looking behind us at Yichen next to Li Lun, and Pei Si Ting next to Wen Xiao as well as Bai Jiu.

"Believe me, both of them fight very well. And I think our "wounded", will be fine alongside them." I said as I saw Yichen gently hugging Li Lun. While he hated him last time.

...

So we left before coming back 5 minutes later and YuanZhi treated Li Lun under the admiring eyes of Bai Jiu who was finally feeling better.

YuanZhi then put Li Lun back on Yichen's legs who gently stroked his hair.
This side of Yichen, I had never seen it even for Wen Xiao.

YuanZhi came closer to me before putting himself in my arms too, settling in well before smiling and kissing me.

"I feel so good. Here, in your arms." He said, leaning closer against me, and so I sat him directly on top of me, hugging him.

“Should we light a fire ?” Pei Si Ting asked as night fell.

"We should do, to take care of our wounded." I replied as YuanZhi nodded as did Yichen who had better propped Li Lun's head on his knees.

Did something happen between these two that I don't know about ?
Li Lun would have told me, and YuanZhi would have made a remark about Li Lun's reaction when they met.

...

The next day, Wen Xiao was awake, but Li Lun wasn't, so YuanZhi took a second look at his injuries before looking at me in a bit of a panic.

"He's poisoned. It's not too late yet, but we'll have to hold him tight, because it might hurt, the method I'm going to use to extract the poison." He said as we all got together to hold him except for Bai Jiu who was going to assist him.

Yichen held his head tightly against him, Wen Xiao and Pei Si Ting held his arms and I held his legs alone.
What happened to him in the soporific fog of this city for him to come to us in this state ?

While YuanZhi was extracting the poison, I felt myself looking into the shadows, until I saw two blue eyes shining in the fog. Then I recognized those eyes as well as a very fine smell coming from that person. It was Pei Si Heng, at least what he is for the moment, that is to say a living puppet.

We had a hard time keeping Li Lun in place and once we did, I chased Si Heng through the fog saying I was coming back.
I followed him to a dark forest with twisted trees. Then I saw a very familiar smile on his back, that old demon is still alive.

"Here you are finally Zhu Yan, it's been a long time. Last time you thought that Li Lun was your sister's murderer when he was just a puppet and not even really him. But this time it's really the little brother of that girl by your side. What would that man who looks like Yichen do if he discovered that hidden side of you that you hate so much ?" He said to me before starting to laugh.

"He wouldn't do anything Xiang Liu. You're just a damn viper. Even if you told him everything, it wouldn't change anything at all. He knows everything, even the fact that I don't always control all my powers. He doesn't care how I am, all he cares about is that I'm by his side." I said before seeing Xiang Liu being attacked by a dagger.

Turning around, I saw him, a mask made of torn fabric on his face, as he quickly approached me.

"Don't even dare to attack him. And don't even think about getting out of there. On this dagger, there was flower powder that grows in the city, but not here. I quickly understood that the real culprit could not enter the city because of these flowers. I wonder what the effect will be" He said before laughing while grabbing my hand with his other hand.

You will never disappoint me YuanZhi, you always think about everything way too quickly, even if you don't necessarily like to think about what you do and you often act without thinking, all this makes you the person I love.

Chapter Text

Then sure enough, that damn demon collapsed and I caught Pei Si Heng before he hit the ground.
YuanZhi then came to my side before continuing to look towards Xiang Liu.

“What’s wrong?” I said as I lifted Si Heng onto my back.

"What I just said is wrong. It was a tranquilizer. He will wake up. Let's leave quickly and we will find a solution with the others." He said before holding out his hand to help me up after putting Si Heng on my back.

"That might not be wrong. Those flowers might really be his weak point. But let's go anyway, getting him away from here will do Si Heng some good." I said as I kept YuanZhi's hand in mine and held Si Heng on my back with my other hand.

...

We then arrived with the others and seeing me with Si Heng, Si Ting came running before helping me get him off my back.

“Is he okay?” she asked me, looking at her brother.

"He will wake up soon, I cast a spell on him to keep control of his mind. He was controlled by a vile demon." I said as YuanZhi took off his mask before coming to hit me.

"You idiot! If I hadn't arrived who knew what would have happened! I was scared!" He said before I hugged him smiling and kissed the top of his head.

"Sorry, I won't do it again, I promise. I'll be careful next time and I'll warn you of what I'm going to do. And if I leave and don't come back after 5 minutes, you have the right to come after me. Because I will never stay away from you for more than 5 minutes." I said before this time kissing the tip of his nose before smiling at him again.

Then I looked towards Yichen, who had fallen asleep, and saw Li Lun with his eyes open and not daring to move.

"Finally woke up Li Lun !" I said as he looked at me evilly before Yichen woke up with a start and met Li Lun's gaze who still had his head on his knees.

"You...are you okay ?"Yichen asked him while looking at him and Li Lun just responded with a nod before trying to slowly get up but YuanZhi threw a needle at him so that he couldn't move anymore and Li Lun glared at him badly.

"No moving for now. Yichen you can take it away from him and if he moves again he'll get another one." YuanZhi said before approaching Si Heng's sleeping body.

“He should wake up soon judging by the speed of his pulse.” he reassured Si Ting before sitting down on the ground and sighing.

I came to sit next to him before gently pulling him into my arms while holding one of his hands.

“Li Lun, it’s Xiang Liu who is behind all this.” I said and he just laughed.

"I know, it's because of him that I was in this state not because of his henchmen. With all of you there would be an easier way to kill him." He said trying to stand up but Yichen stopped him forcing him to stay lying on his knees.

"He can move a little, sitting down he should be able to, but with help." YuanZhi said as he went to stand up but I stopped him and Yichen gently lifted Li Lun up to help him sit down.

“How come you seem to know each other ?” Wen Xiao asked as he looked at them.

"He tried to save me. At the time the face changer got me, but he didn't succeed." Yichen said after he had Li Lun firmly anchored.

"That's how I knew where he was, but I couldn't get inside. Shifters like this demon create barriers for demons like me, so I took the opportunity to take you to him." Li Lun said before closing his eyes and leaves began to swirl.

“What is he doing?” YuanZhi asked me as he came closer to me.

"He's healing himself. He's also a demon, I remind you, my dear." I said, whispering in his ear and he pushed me before hitting me.

"Don't do that." He said, looking away, his cheeks slightly red.

“By the way, YuanZhi, how old are you ?” Wen Xiao suddenly asked, which caught him off guard.

"Me ? Yan'er, how long have we known each other ?" he asked, turning to me.

"You dare to test me at this time ? That was 9 years ago, you were 16, so you're probably 25." I said proud of myself and he affirmed before smiling.

“So you’re older than Yichen. He’s only 24.” She said as she looked towards Yichen.

"Probably. But..." He said looking at me and Li Lun chuckled lightly before opening his eyes again.

"But not really at the same time. It was 9 years ago, but the 9 years that have passed, Zhu Yan has already lived them once. So YuanZhi is younger in reality. He has just lived 9 years that you have spent reliving what has already passed." Li Lun suddenly said which made YuanZhi's eyes widen.

"He's my best friend, of course he noticed that something was wrong. And I had to explain everything to him." I said while looking at YuanZhi which made Li Lun laugh.

"So, what we're experiencing now, have you experienced it before ?" Pei Si Ting asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, everything has changed. Li Lun is no longer our enemy, and YuanZhi is here. So nothing is the same as before. Before, there were things that existed that no longer exist and there were things that did not exist that exist now." I said while caressing YuanZhi's hand who smiled before resting his head on my shoulder.

"You would have done everything to kill me before, but not now. I'm on your side." Li Lun said, glancing at Yichen who looked away.

"I had I wouldn't have done it this time. I like you quite a bit. " Yichen muttered, but as a demon I could hear him and I saw from Li Lun's smile that he had heard it too.

When I think back to how Li Lun believed me so easily, one could believe at times that he himself remembers everything that happened during that time.

And as I looked towards him I met his gaze and his eyes shine golden and I understood, I saw the truth there.... Li Lun remembers everything, but how ? I was sent elsewhere, but what happened to him for his gaze to be so tender in contrast to Yichen ?

"I'll tell you everything, when the time comes you'll know everything." He murmured before turning his gaze back to Yichen at his side who was struggling to fall back asleep.

...

I was in the forest near where Xiang Liu is, as bait. I hate Li Lun for this idea. They are all not far from me, but have camouflaged their presence thanks to Li Lun.
I suddenly felt a huge taste of wind before having my foot pulled by Xiang Liu's snake tail.
When I got to him, he was still holding me by the foot so that I was upside down.

“You better let go of me. Are you really afraid of these flowers ?” I said before smiling and blowing some powder on him that YuanZhi had given me to slow him down and make him let go of me.

I landed on the ground, back first before standing up with a grimace. I then looked at Xiang Liu before taking a flower out of my coat and he flinched away.

“Don’t come any closer ! Stay away !” He said before covering his face with his hands.

“It’s not your weak point, but you’re afraid of it !” I said, shaking the flower as I approached him.

I then hid the flower before laughing and sitting down in front of him.

“I don’t have it anymore. Be good and don’t move anymore. Why are you doing all this, Xiang Liu ?” I said with a slight sign.

"A woman betrayed me... She used me... And those flowers... I hate them... She gave them to her lover... I was nothing to her..." He said as he sat down in front of me.

"Not all humans are the same, you know. The human of yesterday is far from being like the others, just like my other friends. They are not humans like the others.
YuanZhi, he is adorable and would do anything to make sure those he loves are okay even if he has to risk his life for them.
Yichen may be someone who doesn't know how to express himself, but when you look closely, there are these little gestures that don't fool anyone.
Wen Xiao, although she is the goddess Bai Ze, she protects both humans and demons. She makes no distinction between us.
Pei Si Ting, a little cold and distant, but she would do anything for her friends.
Pei Si Heng, your former puppet now turned into a demon because of you, he's a bit of an idiot, but he's super nice.
And Bai Jiu is still a child, but he worries about everyone despite his young age.
So I decided to give all humans their space... Don't be like that Xiang Liu." I said, looking at him straight in the eyes, as his body took a more human appearance.

"I will return to the demon world... And I will receive my punishment..." He said before getting up to start leaving.

"Remember, they are not all the same. I found some good humans. You will find some too when you come back." I said before seeing him disappear has he walk away.

Soon after the others arrived and they looked around me before YuanZhi noticed the ripped bottom of my pants.

“What happened Yan’er ?” he said as he lifted my pants to get a better look.

"Nothing, calm down. He went back to the demon world to receive his punishment." I said as I removed YuanZhi's hand and pulled down my pants.

"Why are your pants torn then ?" He said as he sat down opposite me.

"Because he dragged me here like this. But he apologized... He acted like that because of a human who deceived and used him in the past." I said as I took YuanZhi's hand in mine, and I noticed at the same time, his hand became blurry.

He followed my gaze before simply smiling at me and pulling me into his arms.

“You must never forget that I only love you Zhu Yan.” He said, whispering in my ear.

I didn't say anything and just gently would be in my arms.... We both know, that from now on our time together is numbered.

"Let's go back before it gets too dark." Wen Xiao said as she helped Pei Si Ting carry his still sleeping brother, while Bai Jiu and Yichen helped Li Lun who was leaning on Yichen with a smile, and Yichen said absolutely nothing.

"Yes, let's go back." I said before getting up while holding YuanZhi's hand again.

...

Then weeks passed and we now had Ying Lei with us, who was enjoying teasing Yichen as well as YuanZhi. Because I quote "You are both in love with a demon." YuanZhi didn't deny it, but Yichen was running away directly and even more so when Li Lun was unfortunately sitting in the room at the same time.

We have such a good time together, but no one knows yet, that YuanZhi is not here for long....
We were sitting down to eat when YuanZhi and Ying Lei came in with two dishes. Ying Lei put hers on the table, and the one YuanZhi was holding ended up on the floor, due to his hands.

I stood up straight away before carrying him and sitting him down next to me and everyone else seemed to be waiting for an explanation.
YuanZhi gently removed his hand from mine before showing it by shaking it slightly...

“What’s wrong with you ?” Bai Jiu asked worriedly as he looked at his hand.

"He disappears... Just like... Zhu Yan 9 years ago almost 10..." Li Lun said.

"When you disappeared that day, I was there. I saw your body disappear when there was only this bright light that appeared. And nine years ago, in the forest, you were still looking at your hand when I arrived. I finally understood when I saw you often hiding YuanZhi behind your back after looking at his hands." He added, looking away.

"So you're going to leave ? But to go where ?" asked Ying Lei, who was also aware that he was not from this world.

"I don't know... Probably at home, in my world... The time given is so small... I feel like only a few days have passed and not almost 4 months... I will miss you all... If only there was a way for nothing to change I would do anything to stay... But... There isn't..." He said before gently pulling my hand with his while smiling at me.

And I saw him say "I love you" with his lips, before taking me in his arms still smiling... But I know that behind this smile hides an enormous worry and a desire to stay by our side.

"I will find you YuanZhi, no matter how, and even if you don't remember me, I will court you again, and I will love you more, and my love, will never diminish, on the contrary, it will always become stronger and stronger."I said, whispering in his ear before nestling my head in his neck, while the others didn't know what else to say.

I could just see from here, Li Lun grabbing Yichen's hand, who was standing next to him, and Yichen smiled slightly. Li Lun, a great demon that everyone fears, finds himself holding the hand of a human he once hated.
Hatred can apparently turn into love, even in cases where one party tried to kill the other in the past.

Chapter Text

I walked out of the room after YuanZhi fell asleep to get some air and saw Li Lun sitting on the steps further away looking at the sky.
I approached him, touched his shoulder and sat down next to him.

“How did you know ? Do you really remember everything ?” I asked, looking up at the sky as well.

"I knew it because I simply remember it. After you disappeared last time, the office was attacked by the ChangWu camp. The others had managed to escape thanks to Yichen. I'm there, to see the extent of the damage. He was on the ground, at first I thought he was dead, but he wasn't. I wanted to leave him there... But I couldn't, as soon as I saw him so weak, I then took him with me and saved him. I had to give him some of my powers to save him. We had gotten closer with difficulty but quite quickly at the same time... I ended up dying, protecting him and protecting them too, that's what you would have done and that's what he was going to do. Before I died, he had time to reach me and he told me "I love you", before I could answer anything I was dead. Then I woke up, in the forest, I quickly realized that I was in the past. And even if I have to save him again, I will do it again." He said with a smile, and at the same time I heard light footsteps in the hallway and turning around, I saw Yichen.

“I’ll leave you two alone.” I said as I stood up and tapped his shoulder.

...

The next day we decided to stop everything by destroying the ChangWu camp and we easily succeeded. But then we learned that their leader was not there and we chased him into the woods with everyone after leaving Bai Jiu, Pei Si Ting and Wen Xiao at the office safely with Mr.Fan.

With Li Lun we had finally managed to stop him and kill him, when we saw Ying Lei running towards us and he seemed panicked.

“Who’s got it ?” I said, walking towards him.

“YuanZhi... He... He is...” He said before I ran following the bond between me and YuanZhi.

I then arrived and Si Heng and Yichen were at his side.
I ran up to YuanZhi before gently picking him up in my arms.

"Everything will be fine, you did it right ?" he asked looking at me.

"Yes, he's dead. Hold on." I said, trying to tend to his wound while holding him in my arms.

"Yan'Er, it's no use... I'm not dying... The injury is light... I... I'm disappearing.... Just like you that day... You've arrived to me once again..." He said, smiling and holding my hand.

I gently squeezed his hand in mine, smiling at him as tears streamed down my cheeks.

"I love you so much YuanZhi... I can't let you go... I can't..." I said as I pressed my forehead to his.

"Everything will be fine... I'm sure we'll meet again Yan'er... I feel it deep inside me... We'll see each other again Zhu Yan... My great demon, my only love..." he said before smiling.

I moved closer to him before kissing him and feeling him smile even more... Then I gently pushed him against me.

“I’ll find you Zhi’er… Wait for me…” I said, caressing her cheek.

And as he smiled at me a bright light appeared and the next moment when the light had disappeared he was no longer there.

I stayed sitting where I was, without moving, staring into space... YuanZhi... Come back...

The next moment I saw Li Lun's gaze darken and he protected Yichen, Si Heng and Ying Lei as I felt all my energy suddenly explode and surge forth.

...

When I woke up, I was in bed and felt super weak... I tried to get up and suddenly saw old Ying Zhao come in.

"Stay lying down Zhu Yan. You have no strength left. When you hurt Li Lun 8 years ago, I thought you would never be the same again. And I was right, you are not the same anymore... You are not a demon Zhu Yan, you are human." He said to me as he got closer to me.

He then helped me up, and I really didn't feel anything inside me anymore, nothing except... except emptiness...

“A human ?” I said and he affirmed before looking at me.

The next moment, the others came in and there were even Si Ting, Wen Xiao, and Bai Jiu.

“Zhu Yan !” Wen Xiao said before coming to hug me and I saw Li Lun come back in, and I saw from his look that he knew.

"You're human... You became like this because I couldn't do anything to help you... Sorry Zhu Yan..." He said as he walked closer to all of us.

"You don't need to apologize. Maybe it's better this way... At least I don't have that damn curse anymore at least... But... He's not here anymore either..." I said, really not feeling anything anymore, that connection is gone....

"We'll leave you alone, friends." Yichen said before leading everyone out before gently holding Li Lun's hand and walking out.

"Are you okay other than that ?" Li Lun asked as she sat down on a chair next to my bed.

"I feel empty... That's how humans feel so... But I hurt at the same time... So much..." I said, clutching my chest.

"I...I'll leave you alone for a bit too...I'll be back as soon as you call me..." He said before patting my shoulder and walking out.

YuanZhi.... You couldn't leave me like this... Love hurts so much...

...

"Zhu Yan, I'll leave the food at the entrance, eat whenever you're hungry especially." Ying Lei said before leaving without even trying to get into my room.

3 years... 3 years that I've been like this... I haven't even managed to find a way to reach you...
I get up from the ground where I was sitting, before feeling my head spinning, just as I was starting to fall Li Lun came back in and I closed my eyes seeing the light outside...

...

When I opened my eyes again, I came across a white wall, and I saw lights on and when I got up I heard the sound of blades as if people were fighting.

And when I got up, I came across a scene that was not unfamiliar to me...
Then I felt something... A connection... I know where I am.
I'm back. I'm back YuanZhi !

I got closer to the bodies and managed to avoid the sword on my neck before smiling.

"No need for that. I'll follow you." I said before that asshole knocked me out anyway.

...

When I woke up, I was locked in that fucking prison again with that girl next to me.

"I'm not from Wufeng, and there's no point in biting your tongue, they'll find out the truth by themselves. "I said without opening my eyes.

I just heard her sigh before tapping her foot.
Shortly after the guard arrived and as before did not believe a single word I said.
The girl choked on her own tongue again, but this time I couldn't get free, and my wrist hurts so bad in this position.
Seeing that I wasn't responding and that she was dead, he ran away before coming back 10 minutes later.

Beside him I saw YuanZhi and a smile formed on my lips, before disappearing seeing an indifference towards me in his eyes.
He doesn't remember me?

Then he tortured me again and again for hours, and I didn't even react to the pain anymore.
The next day I was woken up by a bucket of water being thrown in my face and I saw the guard looking at me before running away.

A few minutes later, I saw Gong ShangJue enter the room before unfastening the handcuffs on my wrists and releasing me before catching me and helping me walk.

“Welcome back house to you Zhu Yan.” He said and I looked at him.

Why does he remember me but YuanZhi doesn't ?

He then took me to their residence and we met YuanZhi there, I moved away from ShangJue to walk on my own, but I had no more strength and I fell to the ground.

“Zhuyan !” ShangJue said before running to me, but YuanZhi qji was already at my side, helped me up and ShangJue stopped.

“Do you know the prisoner Gege ?” he said as he picked me up as I immediately moved away from him and almost fell back but he held me.

"Yes, but I haven't seen him for a long time." He said, but YuanZhi didn't seem to want to let go of me.

“I have something to do Didi, you can take him to a bedroom and treat him.” ShangJue said before leaving.

I still hate you as much ShangJue knows that. The next moment YuanZhi sighed before holding me better and coming to stick me against him.
He then took me to a room, which used to be kind of my room.

When I got to the room, he almost threw me on the bed and when he saw me make a face, he seemed surprised.

“I tortured you for hours yesterday and you showed no pain, and now I lay you on the bed like that and you wince ?!” He said looking at me and suddenly moving closer to me.

“Shut up !” I said before rolling on my back and putting my hand on my chest.

"I'll be right back, I'll get something to treat you, after all, it's my fault." He said before leaving.

After five minutes he still hadn't come back, asking me if I hadn't disappeared again or him, I tried to get up, but I fell to the ground with a dull noise without even screaming, but the pain was there, and it was unbearable.

A minute later he came back and seeing me on the ground, he ran to me before picking me up and I couldn't help but smile when I saw him.

"You're crazy ! You could have hurt yourself! Why did you try to get up ?!" He said before putting me back on the bed and bringing close to him what he was going to use on me.

“Can...Can I?” he said suddenly, rather shyly, pointing at my outer dress.

“How do you plan on healing me if you don’t take it off ?” I said, chuckling slightly as he seemed to blush a little.

“Shut up !” he said before gently removing my outer dress before only opening the second one.

After he finished he looked at my clothes before getting up and leaving.
A few minutes later he came back with some clothes in his arms and handed them to me.

"To change. I also asked for help washing you, so someone should be here to take you there." He said before leaving just as quickly.

...

I was in that damn room alone, not wanting anyone's help, and after a while I managed to take off all my clothes before finally getting into the water, also with difficulty.

And as I was washing and finally resting I heard the door open before I heard someone approach.

"You sent them all out and told them not to come in ! You're not..." But he didn't finish his sentence and it was silent when he got to me. Still the same reaction to my bruised back.

"What's wrong ? They're just injuries." I said, laughing slightly.

"But ....They seem so deep..." He said and I heard him move closer to me before I finally felt a hand touch a scar on my back.

“Did it hurt ?” he asked as he continued to touch my scars.

"Not that much... These pains are nothing, just a small stage of my life..." I said before moving away from him so he would stop touching my scars.

And just as he was about to answer, ShangJue's voice was suddenly heard from outside.

“Zhu Yan, is YuanZhi with you ?” he said and YuanZhi looked at me before motioning for me to be quiet.

“Oh, master. Who are you looking for ? The young man or the young master ?” A maid asked ShangJue.

"My brother." He replied.

"He's inside, your friend refused our help to wash himself, so the young master got angry and then he went back inside." She said and I heard ShangJue laugh.

"It's okay, I just wanted to know if Zhu Yan was okay. Take care of him YuanZhi, he shouldn't push his injuries too hard. You have to be hard on him so he understands." He said before apparently leaving.

“You heard ShangJue, you have to take care of me.” I said while winking at him.

I then stood up suddenly and he threw a towel at me before looking away.

"You pervert !" he said.

I then got out of the bath and started drying myself off and then started getting dressed again and he ended up turning around before helping me.

"Don't move too much. You'll hurt yourself." He said as he helped me dress better before closing my inner dress and then helping me put on the outer one.

YuanZhi do you know how much you make me love you more and more, even by acting like this ?
You don't remember me, but I do, and your brother remembers me.
I love you so much YuanZhi.

And as I looked at him, I felt a pain in my chest and he held me before wedging me against him.

"Let me take you back to your room, you need to rest afterwards." He said as he started walking while his hand was around my hip and the other was holding my arm which he had put over his shoulders.

You're the young YuanZhi I knew 9 years ago again, but at least you're still as handsome.

"You're handsome." I thought as I looked at him and it was when I saw him blush that I realized I had said it out loud.

Chapter Text

He then took me back to my room before leaving straight away after calling me a pervert again.
Shortly, ShangJue came before looking at me as I was sitting. He then grabbed my wrist before looking at me in shock.

“Where did all your power go Zhu Yan ?” he said to me while still holding my wrist.

"I have nothing left. All I have is that I can still fight, but I have no power anymore." I said as I removed my wrist from his hand.

"What happened to you ? And why doesn't YuanZhi remember you ? While I clearly do, but nothing else." He said as he sat down not far from me.

"I don't have an explanation ShangJue. He just forgot about me. I'll do anything to help you when I'm better." I said before sitting on the edge of the bed.

“What are you going to do about it ?” He said, looking at me suddenly, probably wondering what I was talking about.

“All you have to know is that I will help you all.” I said, holding my chest.

He wanted to get up but I moved for him to stay seated. I then stood up, leaning on the bed.

“Do you still love him, my Didi ?” he asked when he saw me get up.

"Even if he forgot me, he is still the one I love. So sorry, but yes I still love him and I always will." I said before feeling even more pressure in my chest.

"I think I'm still okay with it. He cared about you a lot, to the point of going against me just for you. He was happy with you, fight to have him back." He said looking at me.

...

Then 2 months passed and ShangJue gave me a sword to train with, and while I was training I felt a pain in my chest again and I sat down putting my hand on my chest and at the same time I heard someone running towards me.

“Are you okay ?” YuanZhi asked me, a little worried.

“I feel better as soon as I see you.” I said before he lightly hit my shoulder before taking my wrist and my heartbeat returned to normal as soon as he touched me.

"You seem fine. You should rest, overtraining is bad." He said before sitting down next to me and his hand brushed mine before he placed it on him looking away at a little.

“You know you’re cute ?” I said looking at him and he tried to hit me but I grabbed his wrist and pulled him against me before kissing his forehead.

“You’re even more so.” I said, smiling and putting one of his locks of hair back in place while he was red and didn't say or move anymore.

"Zhu Yan, let him go, he's all red, poor thing. And people might come out of nowhere and rumors might spread about you." ShangJue said as he arrived with Shangguan Qian.

"I don't care, he's so cute. I can't resist hugging him." I said before feeling him hit my shoulder and managed to escape from my hold.

“You pervert !” he said before leaving.

After that ShangJue told Shangguan that he would join her and leave without him which she did and he came closer to me before sitting next to me.

“Is he finally falling for you ?” He said, smiling and putting one of his hands on my shoulder.

"If loving me means running away every time I try something then yes." I said with a slight laugh.

"Today is the festival of lights. Why don't you prepare a little something for him ?" he said and at the same time an event came back to me.

"I'll do it." I said before getting up and walking to my room.

Today is the day ShangJue is supposed to hurt YuanZhi.
I have to save him so he doesn't get hurt.

...

That same evening I stayed not far from where ShangJue was without him even knowing.
As I looked away, I suddenly saw YuanZhi coming running, so I ran after him and just as the piece of glass was about to hit him I got in front of him and took it right in the back.

I held YuanZhi in my arms before coughing up some blood and YuanZhi held me back by hugging me as well.
ShangJue then ran up to us before looking at me and looking at YuanZhi who was safe.

"Zhu Yan ! You're crazy !" YuanZhi shouted at me as he was still holding me and when ShangJue wanted to help him hold me, YuanZhi pulled me away from him before leaving with me, ShangJue right behind us.

He took me to my room before gently setting me down on my bed and removing my clothes except for my bottoms, and ShangJue arrived with YuanZhi's briefcase.

“Go out Ge, I need some silence and space.” YuanZhi said and then ShangJue left.

...

After healing me YuanZhi gently laid me on my back before hitting me on the arm and I saw tears running down his cheeks.

“Are you crazy ?! You could have died !” He said before I took his hand and smiled.

"As long as you're okay, I don't care what happens to me." I said before wiping away his tears with my other hand.

“You idiot.” He said before gently leaning over and hugging me, crying into my chest.

"It's okay, I'm still alive." I said as I gently rubbed his back and managed to kiss the top of his head before smiling and gently hugging him close.

"Don't ever do that again." He said, still having his head on my chest.

"I can't promise you that. I love you, so I will always do everything I can to protect you." I said and he looked up before looking at me shocked at what I just said.

"You love me ? I thought you were just acting like that to annoy me." He said and I chuckled lightly before wiping the tear stains off his cheeks.

"I would never act like that just for fun. Even more when that concerns you. You could say it was love at first sight." I said and he chuckled slightly while his eyes were still red from the recent tears.

"I tortured you when we first met, and you say you love me since that day ? You're really crazy Yan'Er." He said looking at me and laying his head on my chest.

"Yes I am. At the same time how could I resist you ?" I said caressing his cheek and he blushed before lowering his head and hiding his face on my chest.

I chuckled slightly before stroking his hair while smiling. Finally I hug you again, but this time it's you who takes care of me and not the other way around. After all now I'm just a simple human, but I'm still very fast and good with a sword.
I just hope that this time I won't leave you again my love, but I have nothing to regret, I told you that I love you this time and not almost at the last moment.

I love you Gong YuanZhi, you are younger than before but at the same time not really, and I am not that grumpy old demon anymore. Now I am only Zhu Yan, the one who loves you and will love you forever and ever.

...

He stayed with me for the next few days, forbidding me to get up.

"Stay lying down Yan'Er, if you get up I won't talk to you anymore." He said forcing me to stay seated by putting his hands on my shoulders and sitting on me.

“I’ll stay seated, but get off me Zhi’Er.” I said pushing him a little, and he smiled before moving closer to my face.

“Why ?” he said, smiling even more.

“You’re playing with fire.” I said as I continued to push him.

“What if I like playing with fire ?” He replied as he continued to move closer to me after forcing myself to put my hands above my head while he held them.

I didn't say anything and managed to free one of my hands from his grip and put it behind his head before pulling him to me before kissing him.
He jumped at first before smiling and deepening our kiss.

He then released my second hand and I took the opportunity to reverse our positions and he found himself below me.
I then broke the kiss before resting my forehead against his while smiling and I felt my heart beating very fast, but differently than usual. Because this time it didn't hurt me, this time it was joy to finally really find the one I love.

“Zhu Yan, didn’t you see YuanZhi ?” ShangJue said as he came in before turning around.

"I didn't see anything, I'm not here." He said as he left and I laughed as Yuanzhi lightly hit me.

"Idiot." He told me before hiding his face with his arm.

"Yes I am an idiot, but only when it comes to you." I said removing his arm before kissing him again and moving to his side before gently pulling him against me and he rested his head on my chest.

“Why do you love me so much like you’ve known me for years ?” He said to me, playing with the edge of my hanfu.

"One day you will know and understand why I love you so much." I said, caressing his cheek very gently as if making a sudden movement would make him disappear.

He just smiled slightly before he lifted himself up slightly and kissed me again.

"You never told me how old you were, by the way." He suddenly said to me, lying back on my chest.

"I don't really know, probably 20 or 21. I haven't had a birthday in a long time, maybe never." I said, thinking back to all the years I've lived.

"Let's change it then. Tomorrow will be your birthday from now on. And I will spend all your future birthdays with you." He told me as he touched the tip of my nose.

I just smiled before taking him in my arms.

"Okay, let's do this then. Just you and me." I said looking down at him in my arms and touching the tip of his nose as well.

...

Today I sit with ShangJue, YuanZhi and their cousin Ziyu, as he talks about the infamous marriage to trap the Wufeng.

"They will take advantage of this to attack that day, Wei Shan confirmed it to me herself." Ziyu said with a smile, surely thinking of this one.

“Are we really sure about this ?” ShangJue asked and his gaze ended up on me.

"Yes. I'm sure, but, I'm sure they know that Wei Shan is no longer on their side. They might change their minds and not be where they were supposed to be according to Wei Shan." I said and ShangJue sighed as he realized that I knew what had already happened.

"How can you be sure ?" Ziyu told me while the two brothers seemed convinced because of what I said.

"Wei Shan actually likes you, so they must have lied to her, because they won't trust her anymore knowing she has feelings for you." I finally said.

...

"You're crazy Yan'Er, it's risky to go there, what if something happens to you ?" YuanZhi told me before taking me in his arms as if he never intended to let go of me again.

“Zhu'Er, I promise you that I will come back. I will not leave and I will not disappear.” I said as I stroked his back.

...

"See you tonight YuanZhi. I'll get back to you soon." I said before kissing him as he refused to let go.

"Didi, we have to go or they'll suspect our plan." ShangJue said before dragging her along with him.

This time I hope I don't disappear and stay here, I refuse to leave again.
I then went to my meeting point with Xue Chongzi, Bai Jiu's lookalike.

Then everything was exactly like last time, except this time I could only heal them with the few tricks YuanZhi had taught me.

“Zhu Yan, you’re bleeding !” Wei Shan said as he approached me and placed his hand on the wound on my chest.

"I know, YuanZhi will take care of it. I promised him I'd meet him. Take care of them, I have to find him." I said before getting up and leaving.

...

I then arrived at the brothers' residence, but what differed from the last one was that it was YuanZhi who welcomed me and caught me in his arms.

“Yan’Er !” he shouted as he caught up with me and started crying.

"I'm here." I said, smiling and wiping away with what little strength I had left the tears that were rolling down her cheeks.

"You promised me you wouldn't abandon me this time... You don't have the right to do to me like last time... You have to stay, I forbid you to disappear again !" He ended up yelling at me and I smiled when I realized what he had just said.

"You finally remember me Zhi'Er. My little idiot." I said before passing out and hearing him scream.

I then felt myself being surrounded by a gentle warmth, it's so soft and peaceful... So different from last time... Am I dead ? Will this time I not even come back from the past letting me relive this hell again ? Or am I really dead and that's for real ?

Then suddenly, I saw all my memories with YuanZhi flash before my eyes, from our many meetings, to our many kisses and hugs... And the worst part of all... Our many separations...

But while that warmth was still there, I felt like someone was shaking my hand, while feeling a kiss being placed on my cheek... Is YuanZhi saying a final goodbye to me ?
He never had time to tell me he loved me this time... He must regret it so much...

"Zhu Yan ! Zhu Yan ! You have to wake up ! Pull yourself together you idiot ! I forbid you to abandon them so easily ! This bond you created with him, he keeps you here, follow him and go back to his side and never come back you STUPID WHITE APE !" I heard a familiar voice, a voice that seemed to me to be Li Lun's... But how can I hear him ? Am I dead or have I returned to my world again ?

Chapter Text

I finally opened my eyes before getting up, grimacing, it hurts. I then looked around and saw a room, my room!
And the next moment I heard something fall to the ground and looking up I saw YuanZhi with an overturned tray at his feet.
I smiled when I saw him and he started running before taking me in his arms gently so as not to hurt me while crying.

"I was so scared of losing you again you stupid demon." He said before pulling away from me and looking at me.

"I'm still here, but how much time has passed ? I'm a little cold." I said as I felt a shiver run down my spine and YuanZhi smiled before taking a quilt and putting it on me better.

"4 months have passed, it's winter Yan'Er, that's why you're cold." He said before sitting down next to me, taking my hand.

"4 months ?!" I said looking at him and he just affirmed while caressing my hand.

"I've been taking care of you for 4 months by resting and staying by your side." He said I then slowly moved closer to him before putting my hands on his cheeks while smiling.

"The most important thing is that I'm still here. Did I seem to disappear at certain times ?" I asked and he shook his head.

"No, never. You never once turned translucent or anything." He said, smiling at me.

I didn't say anything and just gently brought his face to mine before kissing him smiling, this man is driving me crazy looking at me like that.

He smiled into our kiss before deepening it by putting his hands on my neck, then he deepened it even more by adding his tongue into our kiss. This gesture surprised me at first coming from him, but I quickly got into his game and joined his wild dance.
He eventually broke the kiss due to lack of air before resting his forehead against my forehead while smiling.

“I love you Gong YuanZhi, so much that I would go crazy.” I said and he chuckled before kissing my forehead and pulling away from me while caressing my cheek.

"You were already crazy before you loved me, you old monkey." He said and I chuckled slightly before feeling a slight pain.

"Easy, idiot. The wound hasn't completely healed yet despite all the time that has passed. How come you're so weak ? It's like you ....As if you were human..." He said, seeming to finally realize what was happening.

"It's not like I am. I am. I'm not an old demon anymore. I'm just a human. A human who only wanted to find the one he loves." I said, caressing his cheek while smiling.

“But how ?” he asked, looking at me a little surprised.

"When you disappeared last time, all my energy left my body because of sadness according to old Ying Zhao. The suppression of all my demonic energy therefore made me become human. And 3 years later, I arrived here again." I said before sticking our foreheads together.

"So it's my fault... You lost everything that defines you..." He said, closing his eyes.

"No, by losing you I had lost what defined me, not after. Your existence was what defined me before, so by losing you I was nothing anymore." I said, pushing him away from me and smiling at him.

"I love you so much YuanZhi. I don't even know how I managed to last 3 years there without breaking down." I added before kissing his forehead, his cheek, his nose, then his lips, each time saying how much I loved him.

...

“Zhu Yan ! Hurry up, idiot !” YuanZhi said as he ran towards various stalls on the streets outside the Gong residence.

It's been 5 years since I've been here, and 3 years since Yuanzhi decided that we were married, even though no real ceremony has been held since then.
But what he doesn't know is that we were able to go out today because Ziyu, Wei Shan, ShangJue and Shangguan (who ended up coming back to our side with her child), are preparing our wedding at the Gong residence.

...

We were walking back to the two brothers' residence with some purchased goods when YuanZhi suddenly stopped upon seeing wedding decorations hanging in front of the residence.

"What is this ?" he asked me as he held onto my arm and the next moment his brother came along and pulled him along and I was pulled by Ziyu and Wei Shan.

“Here Zhu Yan, go change.” She said, handing me a red hanfu with a smile.

So I went back into the room before changing and once done Wei Shan was kind enough to do my hair before leading me to the altar.
Soon after I heard ShangJue's voice and as I turned towards his voice, I saw YuanZhi wearing a red hanfu as well and then he understood.

I walked up to him before holding out my hand which he quickly took with a smile and then I accompanied him to the altar.
We then greeted the sky and the earth, the family and then each other.

"Kiss each other ! You're not usually shy so let go !" Wei Shan said shouting which made everyone laugh, even the 5 year old.

YuanZhi then pulled me by the collar while smiling.

"I love you my stupid monkey and that forever." He said before kissing me while running his hands down my neck while smiling.

I responded to his kiss with a smile, you could say that today is the happiest day of my life.

...

We then all ate together, before Yuanzhi and I ended up in the same room and I saw him smile before reaching out to me.

"Let's celebrate our marriage properly, all that's missing is the wedding night." He whispered in my ear once I had him in my arms and I smiled before carrying him to bed.

That night, we slept very little, and in the night, I dreamed of my friends, Wen Xiao was smiling and was stuck to Si Ting as if her life depended on it. Ying Lei was running away from Si Heng who was chasing him before catching up with him and kissing his neck while smiling while Ying Lei blushed and laughed at the same time .Bai Jiu made seem despair of all these couples surrounding him.
And then I saw Li Lun who was smiling while looking at everyone before seeing Yichen arrive behind him before coming to sit next to him and kissing him while smiling before resting his head on his shoulder.

And as I looked at Li Lun, I suddenly felt him look over to where I could see everything and smile before lightly laughing and I saw his mouth say the words "I see you Zhu Yan. We're fine don't worry."

When I woke up I hugged YuanZhi gently before kissing his forehead while smiling and he woke up before grimacing and sticking his head in my neck.

“I love you YuanZhi.” I said and I felt him smile against my neck before feeling a kiss against it.

Since the day he remembered me, I never had chest pain again, as if this pain only existed to remind me that Yuanzhi no longer remembered me.
But now he remembers me and we are actually married.
I can't be happier than that, especially since even my friends there are doing well and managing to be happy.
Everything is fine for everyone, so everything is perfect, and everything will always be, especially since I wake up next to the person I have loved for 5 years already.

Gong YuanZhi, you made me crazy about you again and again. And I never let go of you, and I will never let go of you, you are the love of my life.

---
Yuanzhi POV

I was in my room drinking tea while trying to think of what to do about the murder that happened last night.
Especially since my brother was not there, the elders of the clan designated him as sword bearer.
Especially since he, like me, has not yet passed the tests of the 3 clans at the back of the mountain, but for me it is because of my age, for him it is because of his irresponsibility.

And as I continued to think about this, I suddenly heard someone calling me.
I walked out of my room before seeing a guard arrive.

“Young Master Gong, we have a problem with the two people who were found at the crime scene last night.” He told me and I sighed.

So the guards don't know how to do anything without the others.

"What's going on ?" I said as I started walking towards the residence where the dungeons are.

"The man doesn't answer any questions and... And the woman is dead. She committed suicide," he said.

"Which way is it ?" I asked when I arrived at the dungeon.

"This way young master Gong, I don't know how but she died and the other prisoner found in the sword bearer's room is not answering my questions but his asking me questions instead." The guard said, which made What makes me angry is that they are really incompetent. .

We then arrived at the dungeon and once inside, I only saw one person and not two. Where is the man ?

"Uh, he was here when I left, especially since the handcuffs are still on." The guard said and and I suddenly heard a laugh coming from behind me.

I didn't even move when I heard the laughter, because I was trying to figure out where he was standing roughly but the guard jumped before drawing his sword, pointing it in that man direction.

"I told you already, you can't do anything to me with that. And handcuffs can't hold me either. And she died from biting her tongue, she choked on her own tongue." He said before getting up.

When I heard him get up, I quickly grabbed a needle from the bag hanging from my waist before throwing it at his thigh.
The needle stuck in his thigh and he laughed before suddenly losing his balance and finding himself kneeling on the ground.

“What’s happening to me?” He as je struggled and tried to get up.

"I'm just giving you a mild sedative, which I created myself." I replied with a smile.

“You will lose all your strength, even if it is only for a short time, you will have no strength and you will faint,” I added.

And as I started to turn around he actually lost consciousness.
This man is quite charming, as is his voice.

“Get out. I’ll take care of this.” I told the guard.

"But young master..." he began.

“I said get out !” I yelled before pulling him out of there.

I then approached this man before taking his face between my fingers and lifting it up.

"It's a waste to be attacked by someone so handsome, the Wufeng know what they're doing." I said to myself before going to get some chains and handcuffs and putting them on him leaving him on the ground.

...

Then later he finally woke up and I smiled as I saw him trying to remove the handcuffs and I suddenly spoke to let him know I was there and he seemed disturbed that he didn't feel it.

"Do you want me to stick a needle in you again, maybe ?" I said, and then I stood up.

Then I started walking towards the light and when he saw me, he seem to be shocked.

“Yichen ?” He said looking at me and I laughed before pulling a needle out of my sleeve and throwing it right next to his face.

"I don't know who "Yichen" is, but it's not me, my name is Gong YuanZhi, I'm the young master here in a way. At least especially when it comes to poisons." I said as I got even closer to him.

And as I approach, he looks at me, and I can tell that this man awake are more handsome.

"Now you're going to answer my questions." I said as I pulled out another needle while threatening him with it.

"Okay, I will." He said before he managed to pull himself out of what was binding him, making me look at him strangely.

"Where are you from ?" I asked him, taking his wrist in my hand.

“I come from Tiandu, but I spent a good part of my life at the Kunlun Mountain Temple.” He said, looking at my face.

"I don't know any town by that name, same for this mountain. Are you lying ?!" I said to him, squeezing his wrist tightly.

"I'm not lying. My name is Zhu Yan, but my first name when I'm among humans is Zhao YuanZhou. I'm a demon !" He said before I finally let go of him and burst out laughing.

"Demons don't exist, you're crazy. You clearly don't come from Wufeng." I said.

And as I was about to leave he quickly walked past me before looking at me.

"Close." Je said and the prison door closed and I tried to force it open.

“What have you done ?! Let me out !” I said, shouting.

And as I screamed, guards came running up and he knocked them to sleep before turning back to me and leaning against the wall behind him.

"Do you believe me now ? Or do I have to do more than that ?"He said looking at mr and smiling.

And as he looked at his hand,I managed to get out and silently walked up to him before putting my dagger against his neck and a slight cut appeared at the same time.

"You won't be able to hurt more than that with your dagger. Even if you stick it deeper or even if it's poisoned." He said before putting his hand on mine and planting the dagger in his chest.

I then backed away with my dagger and his neck and torso wound healed immediately.

Chapter Text

“So, is that it? I’m done with the interrogation?” He said, smiling.

"Yes, you're done. Follow me." I said with a smile before starting to walk again.

He followed me and as I was leaving I took him to sit in a corner and offered him tea.

"I need you, regarding what was done last night. If you did nothing, perhaps you saw everything?" I asked him, serving him tea.

"I unfortunately didn't see much, I only saw this woman while trying to get up from where I was, then I saw the two bodies. One was dead for sure but-"And as he talking was I heard someone say that someone was coming in and I got up running before pulling him with me by the wrist while starting to smile.

We then arrived at the entrance of the residence and I saw my Gege coming back on horseback.

“Ge !” I said as I looked at ShangJue who smiled before dismounting his horse and approaching me.

“YuanZhi Didi, how are you ?” he asked while rubbing my head as I pushed his hand away.

"I'm not 8 anymore Ge, I'm 15." I said with a sigh before focusing back on him.

“Who is it ?” ShangJue asked.

"Someone who witnessed the murder of our uncle, and in your absence Gong ZiYu was appointed as the sword bearer." I said angrily.

“He has no merit in being so. How old are you ?” he asked him and he seem for a moment to not know what to say and I pinched him before smiling at my brother.

“He is 21 years old Ge, and his name is Zhu Yan.” I said about his age when even I doesn’t know it.

Then my brother had to go see our cousin apparently and I took him with me to our residence before assigning him a room.

"You can sleep here, but first I'm going to give you a little lesson on what's going on here. And especially regarding our family and Wufeng. "I said, forcing him to sit down in front of me.

"First of all, the Gong family is a pretty special family, we run 4 clans in a way, some live at the back of the mountain and some on this side, and my brother runs one of the clans, I just create poisons and such. And secondly, the Wufeng is an assassin organization. They have been trying to get in here for years to find out what we are hiding at the back of the mountain. The one who was with you was part of it, sorry for my mistake about you. Tell me more about yourself." I suddenly asked while smiling at him.

"Um, I grew up in the temple on Mount Kunlun, I'm a White Ape Demon. I'm over 36,000 years old. I currently live in a city I'm from called Tiandu and this may sound silly but I work with people who sort of hunt demons. Whoever runs this place needs to kill me." He said looking at me as I shake my head.

“Why do you want to die ?” I asked him.

"I have done many bad deeds that I regret very much and my only way to die is this man named Zhuo Yichen." He said with a smile.

“You called me by that name when you saw me in the prison, why ?” I said, coming closer to him.

"You look like him, but not that much in the end. You may not show much emotion, but you show more than him. He only wants to avenge his family, who I accidentally killed." He said and I punched him in the shoulder before smiling.

"I certainly wouldn't seek revenge. Because after all, we never really know why a person acts like this. The only ones I seek revenge on are those of Wufeng, Gong ShangJue, is not really my brother... My father and mother were killed by Wufeng when I was 9 years old, ShangJue lost his mother and his little brother who was a little older than me... After the death of my parents, he did not cry and many told me inhuman... But ShangJue Gege took me under his wing and took care of me... Now he is the most important person to me... But... I know that I will never replace his brother." I said before finally shaking my hand.

"Let's forget about it. You're welcome here. You don't need to worry about anything. I'll protect you and you'll help me investigate Wufeng." I said before cutting my hand with my dagger, then do the same with his before gluing our wounds together.

"It's a promise you have no choice but to accept." I said, smiling then.

He looked at me strangely before smiling as he looked at our hands now bound in a blood pact.

Just after I sealed our promise, I got up and grabbed a bandage from the bag hanging around my waist but he stopped me and took my hand which had a cut before squeezing it in both of his hands.

"What are you doing ?" I asked him, letting him take my hand.

"I'll heal you little idiot." He said before a red glow surrounded my hand.

Right after he took one of his two hands away before seeing just a trace of blood and he showed me my hand as well as his hand.

"No one will know like that." He said before turning around and sitting down in front of me as I stared at my hand again with my mouth wide open.

"So you can heal others as well as yourself ?" I said as I stood up and tap the table which made him jump but also laugh.

"Yes, I can, only if I want to." He said looking at me and resting his head in the palm of his hand.

Then someone came in and made us jump.

“Didi, I’m looking for you. Gong Ziyu will have to go through the trials in the back mountain right after choosing a future wife, just like I have to.” ShangJue said as my face immediately lost is smile.

"You're going to have to choose a woman in all this ?" I said as u stood up.

“But we don’t even know if there are any spies left from Wufeng !” I said, clenching my fist and getting angry.

I hate this system that forces you to love someone you don't know... As I clenched my fist, I felt someone gently hold my other hand before turning around and seeing Zhu Yan holding it while smiling.
He tries to calm me down... This man certainly did not leave Wufeng, far from it in fact.

...

Several days have passed since he arrived here, but he is often where I am and his presence for some reason soothes me, but my nightmares never go away.

I was having a nightmare, when suddenly I felt a reassuring presence at my side and my nightmare disappeared, giving way to a peaceful dream.

The next morning I slowly woke up and when I opened my eyes I was surprised to see Zhu Yan sitting on my bed looking at me.

“What are you doing Zhu Yan?” I said, looking at him up and down.

"I heard screams yesterday, so I came to comfort you. And when I wanted to leave because you seemed to be doing better, you held my hand really tight." He said, lifting his hand that I was holding.

"I'm sorry, you shouldn't have come." I said, letting go of his hand while continuing to apologize.

He moved closer to my face as I quickly got up and was now sitting in front of him. And he looked at me before laughing and touching the tip of my nose while smiling.

"You're kind of cute when you babble like that." He said before getting up.

“Were you able to sleep?” I suddenly asked him knowing very well that it is a problem to sleep, and he stopped before shaking his head.

"No, I think about my friends, and I wonder if they are okay. And even there I slept very little. Don't worry about me. Don't have any more nightmares, and if you do, expect to see me next to you the next day when you wake up." He said before walking out of my room leaving me alone.

Then I suddenly heard him jump on my roof before I heard him talking to ShangJue.

“Hello to you too Gong ShangJue. I’m fine and you?” Zhu Yan said.

“What were you doing in my brother’s room so early?!” ShangJue said.

And once again, an argument will break out between them.

"Let's see what could I do in the room of such a handsome young man? I'll have fun with him. Do you know that your brother likes to have his hand held when he sleeps?" He said which probably annoyed ShangJue and I walked out of my room with a sigh while I was already dressed.

"Aren't you going to go a single day without arguing!? Especially since Gege you're supposed to be preparing the room for Shangguan Qian, your fiancée." I said already dressed before looking at Zhu Yan on the roof and signaling.

“And you come down from up there, you monkey!” I said, laughing slightly.

He went down before standing behind me looking at my brother.

"We have to break up, your brother is refusing our relationship." He said, pretending to wipe away an invisible tear.

I turned towards him before kicking his in the ass and hitting his chest.

“Don’t listen to him ShangJue Gege, we were just talking about Wufeng.” I said as I pinched his arm very hard.

He seemed to hold back a scream before suddenly leaving and as I was about to follow him ShangJue stopped me.

“I don’t like him didi, why are you so protective of him?” he said, holding me by the wrist.

"Because... I like him..." I said, realizing how I felt about this stupid monkey.

2“He’s a man who’s older than you!” He said to me and as I was about to reply, two maids talked about Zhu Yan talking to a woman at the entrance and seemed to get upset.

ShangJue left directly and I followed him in order to defend Zhu Yan knowing that this woman must be Shangguan Qian.

“Zhu Yan! Get away from her!” ShangJue shout before coming up to him and pushing him away from her.

Then I came after him, looking at them before looking again to see if she was okay, seeing her holding her bundle tightly.

"I'm fine... He... He just scares me..." She said as she started to cry.

“Zhu Yan, please ask my cousin for another place to sleep, I don’t want her to spend the night in the same residence as you.” ShangJue said as he started walking holding her close to him.

“Gee!” I began but I quickly shut up when I saw my brother’s gaze.

“He’s leaving! Not another word!” He said and Zhu Han smiled before stepping back.

“Goodbye then and good riddance!” He said before leaving.

“Zhuyan!” I said trying to stop him but he kept walking.

...

After that day, I didn't really talk to my brother anymore, holding a grudge against him, while continuing to investigate Wufeng.
I saw Zhu Yan very rarely, although he is still here but in another residence, at least I hope so.

And as I was heading towards my little lab, I suddenly felt a presence behind me before feeling a breath on my ear and a more than familiar voice in it.

“What are you going to do today ?” Zhu Yan suddenly said in my ear, I jumped before turning around and directly hugging him.

“Zhu Yan ! I didn’t hear from you anymore, I thought ZiYu had thrown you out !” I said before to back away from him with a smile.

"So you missed me." He said smiling and when he answered that my heart skipped a beat, hoping he missed me too.

"Of course, ShangJue only cares about Shangguan, I almost don't exist anymore." I said, with a big smile, holding myself back from doing anything inappropriate to the man standing in front of me. Because I know that smile makes me want to kiss him and let myself go.

“I know there are still Wufeng spies.” He said and I shook my head.

"I2mpossible, Ge investigated all the fiancées there were, everyone recognized them in their hometown. Why do you say otherwise?" I asked him while still hanging on his neck.

"Their scent. I recognized their scent. Just like I recognized yours from afar." He said before making me let go of him.

“Don’t come complaining later. But be careful of Shangguan.” He said before leaving without even looking back.

He... He recognizes my scent just like he recognizes the scent of these people... Does he love me too ?
I wanted to grab his wrist and beg him not to leave me alone anymore, but it was too late, he was already gone.

Chapter Text

Several days have passed and Zhu Yan avoids me like the plague. I had just finished making two lanterns for the festival of lights when I saw someone enter my room, one of the cooks.

“Young master, as you requested, I have been monitoring Miss Shangguan Qian and I have here the ingredients she will use to prepare a meal for your brother tonight.” He said as he handed me some bags.

"Leave them there." I said as I placed the lanterns at my feet as he set everything down before leaving.

I opened the bags and some of the ingredients were basic, but I realized that using them together was deadly.
So I ran out of my room before running to my brother.

He was going to take a sip of soup, but I threw a dagger at the bowl which exploded and suddenly I saw a piece of glass coming towards me and I didn't have time to dodge it and it landed right in my chest.

I collapsed to the ground and ShangJue came running to me before taking me to my room and calling for various doctors.
I ended up passing out from the pain but I smelled a familiar scent at one point, then I felt the person gently hugging me at the same time as feeling an energy invade my body.

I then suddenly opened my eyes again before gently holding Zhu Yan arm that was around my waist as he still held me against him.

“Is ShangJue okay ?” I asked him, and the second after the door open and ShangJue come in before seeing me in Zhu Yan arms, the injury already closed and me awake.

“YuanZhi, are you okay ?” he asked as me and tried to take my hand but I held Zhu Yan arm with one hand and his hand with the other.

“I’m fine, what about you ? The soup was poisoned Ge.” I said, gently squeezing Zhu Yan hand.

"I checked, there was nothing. I was so scared. But you ! You're not supposed to set foot here anymore !" He said, pointing at Zhu Yan.

"If he leaves, I'm going with him this time Ge. Without him I would be dead. I need to rest. Please go out." I told him, and ShangJue got up and started to approach the exit but turned around looking at Zhu Yan.

“Come out too.” He said but I shook my head before clinging to Zhu Yan arm even more.

“No, he’s staying.” I said and ShangJue walked out, closing the door.

“I’ll leave you to it, rest.” He said trying to get up, but I wouldn't let go of his arm and hand.

“Stay like that, I feel good like this.” I said before interlocking our fingers and tightening his arm even more around my waist.

...

I felt Zhu Yan moving and it make me wake up so I opened my eyes before smiling at him and coming closer to him and kissing the tip of his nose and not seeing him react I was going to kiss him, but he got up before looking straight ahead.

"I... I thought you loved me because of yesterday... You don't love me ?" I asked him suddenly, slowly approaching him.

"Why did you fall in love with me YuanZhi ? I'm not from here, there's bound to be a day when I'll end up going back there... I'm from there... You should forget about these feelings..." He said as he started to get up, but I stopped him before forcing him to sit back down before kissing him.

Then I finally walked away after 2 minutes before resting my forehead against his.

“Even if you leave again, let me love you. Who knows maybe I’ll find you in your world ?” I said laughing lightly before kissing him again and he responded this time pulling me against him and I felt him smile as I smile and climbed on his legs.

And as we kissed my brother suddenly went back and I froze in place before laughing slightly, I moved away from Zhu Yan before sitting in front of him preventing my brother from looking at him.

“YuanZhi ! He’s way older than you ! You’re only 15 and he’s 21 !” He said angrily as he approached us.

“I love him Ge.” I said looking at him.

“You don’t know anything about love, you’re just a child, 6 years separate you !” He said, pointing at Zhu Yan.

"No, not just 6 years old... He... He's not human Ge..." I finally let out as I stood up and stood in front of my brother.

"He's right, you're just a child, you don't know anything about love... You must be confusing love with admiration... I'm sorry for taking advantage of his innocence... I'm going to go..." He said before getting up and avoiding the hand I had reached out to grab him.

Why are you doing this to me Zhu Yan ? I really thought you loved me but you were just using me ?

The next moment, I felt a pain in my heart and I fell to my knees and Shangqjue came closer to me trying to touch me but I backed away from him before ending up against my bed.

"Don't touch me ! I hate you ! It's because of you ! He left because of you ! Why can't I be happy too ?!" I said crying as ShangJue didn't move anymore and just walked out slamming the door behind him leaving me alone with my pain.

I kept crying for I don't know how long... And every time I saw Zhu Yan, I avoided him and turned back before he saw me, hoping that he wouldn't recognize my scent anymore...

If love hurts so much, I don't want it... I don't want it anymore... But I love him and I want him by my side... But it doesn't seem like a dream anymore...
Zhu Yan will never let me love him, and ShangJue will never let me be by the side of the person I love...

The only thing I can do is love him from afar and in silence, even if it hurts so much....

...

I was walking in the residence when I heard someone shouting Zhu Yan's name not far away, I hid behind a wall, closing my eyes, I don't want to see him... At least I can't... It hurts so much to see him.

“Zhu Yan !” I heard a girl’s voice say and I know it was Wei Shan.

"You're engaged and you're sticking with another man this much, that's not very good for my little reputation." Zhu Yan said.

"It's about the Wufeng.... They... They plan to attack.... But ZiYu wants me to go to trap them.... Because that day... He wants to create a marriage for him without me.... To trap the Wufeng... I don't know what to do..." She finally said.

"Become one of the brides to fight alongside them... I'm asking you to betray Wufeng, after all, you love Ziyu. So prove it to him... I'll be there that day too... I'll protect you." He said to reassure her.

"Thank you, but even though I accepted my feelings, there is one person who still hasn't." She said.

“Who is this ?” He said and even I wanted to know who she was talking about, so I didn't move and I continued to listen to them, hearing their voices getting closer to where I am. .

“You idiot, you love Gong YuanZhi. Why protect me that day but not him ?” She said a Zhu Yan and my heart skipped a beat hearing this.

"Because I can't let him see that." I heard him said I walked forward a little and I stuck my head out and I saw his hand that he raised and she looked directly at it before moving closer to him.

"What's wrong with you ?" She asked him, a little worried.

"I'm disappearing, or so I think." He said and then his hand went back to normal.

"Apart from you disappearing, you didn't deny loving him. So you really love him ?" She asked him, grabbing his hand.

"Oh shut up." He said before he saw me further away, because I had completely gone out wanting to go see him, but now I no longer had the strength.

“What’s wrong ?” She said before turning around and seeing me.

She then turned back to Zhu Yan before smiling and pushing him in my direction.

"Go ahead... If you don't do anything, he'll be sad if you disappear without him knowing. At least let him know that you love him. Love him without holding back." She said before leaving.

Then she left him standing there with me in the distance, I looked at him and started to go away, and at first I think he wont do anything before going very quickly to me.

"I'm sorry YuanZhi... For that day... For everything... But I really don't have much longer to be here... I'm afraid I have to go home soon..." He said and I didn't move anymore.

“Do you want to leave ?” I suddenly asked him.

"No, I don't want to... Here I want to live... I finally want to live... And that's thanks to you... Since I've been here, an event that happens there has never happened... I'm much better here by you're side, and especially... By your side." He said before making me turn around to him.

Then he saw the tears in my eyes and he pulled me against him, nestling my head in his neck, wedging one of his hands in the small of my back and the other in my hair.

"I don't want you to leave... I need you Zhu Yan... I really love you..." I said, hugging hom tightly as if he would disappear if I let go.

He hugged me even tighter before kissing my head and smiling.

"I don't want to leave either... But I won't have a choice when the time comes... I will never forget you YuanZhi... Because... You are really very important to me." He said before pushing me away from him.

And as I was about to speak, I heard ShangJue coming and he motioned for me to be quiet before smiling.

“I'll come see you tonight. I promise.” He whispered before leaving.

...

I was in my room when ShangJue came in before sitting down next to me.

“Can I talk to you YuanZhi ?” he said looking at me.

“Go ahead, you have 5 minutes.” I said as I stood up and turned my back to him and saw Zhu Yan sneak into my room and I smiled.

"I just wanted to know why you like him." He told me and I turned to him before just smiling and coming to whisper in his ear why I like him.

"He makes me feel and discover new things Ge, I love him because he is different from others. He didn't criticize me when he knew my past and he stayed by my side whenever he could. I love him and he loves me too. Can I be happy with him ?" I finally whispered and when I moved away from him he smiled before saying yes and leaving.

Once my brother left, I felt a hand over my eyes and another around my waist before feeling myself being pulled against a chest. , putting my hands over his eyes and the other around his waist.
I jumped at first before laughing.

“You're being childish Zhu Yan.” I said and he removed his hand from in front of my eyes before placing it around my waist like the other one.

"Maybe I'm acting like that because you're still young." He said, laying his head on my shoulder and smiling.

"I'm not young, you're just super old." I said as I came to caress his cheek.

He just chuckled at my words before kissing my cheek and holding me closer to him.

"But it's your choice to love someone so old. I never forced you." He said before turning me towards him while still holding me by the waist.

"On the day of that stupid wedding, where did ZiYu ask you to go ?" I asked him, looking straight into his eyes.

“With the Xue in the back mountain. The most dangerous ones should be there normally.” He said, touching the tip of my nose.

"We'll see each other again at the end of this day, won't we ?" I asked him.

"I hope so with all my heart. I refuse to leave without seeing you again. "He said, smiling at me.

"Then you won't have a choice but to do it. You absolutely must be with me when you disappear." I said before slowly approaching him to kiss him.

He smiled at me before kissing me softly, he then moved away a little before coming to bite my neck. I jumped before putting my hand on my neck just after.

“You bit me ?!” I said, hitting him lightly and he laughed before affirming.

"You will always feel me at your side with this bite. A demon like me only has one partner in his life and this is how we prove it. Even when I am no longer here you will always feel me there by your side. And by being close to me you will feel it even more." He said looking at the bite on my neck.

"So... With this you're trying to show me that you love me ?" I said as I started to smile and I smiled even more when he affirmed it, then I jumped into his arms hooking my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck.

"Even if you didn't say it directly you proved it to me, and that's enough for me to be sure of that makes me so happy. I also love you more than anything in the world Zhu Yan." I said looking into his eyes before kissing him chastely while smiling widely before hugging him again.

Even if he doesn't say it directly, this proof of love is enough for me, I am more than fulfilled to have him by my side.
Now I can say it loud and clear, this demon belongs to me.

Chapter Text

Today is when Wufeng attacks us, Zhu Yan must have already reached his position by this time.

"Didi, are you ready ?" ShangJue asked as he watched me put my glove on better.

"I am. Let's go." I said as I walked out of my room.

"You've changed Didi, and for the better. You'll see him again tonight, don't worry." He told me before joining me.

Everything happened very quickly, we were attacked and not by the person who was originally planned, but by the one who killed ShangJue's mother and little brother.

"You want revenge for your family, kid ?" He said, looking at ShangJue.

"I don't just want it, I'm going to do it. You're going to die today." He said before starting to attack him.

ShangJue ended up injured and I managed to kill the bastard before I approached him and started screaming his name because he didn't wake up. I then dragged him with difficulty to a room and to heal his wounds.

...

ShangJue was awake and doing better, he went out to get some air while I bandaged the wound on my hand.
And as I was bandaging my hand, I suddenly heard ShangJue shout my name and I quickly stood up.

"YuanZhi !" He shouted suddenly and I go out before sawing Zhu Yan with him.

Zhu Han stood up slightly before starting to walk towards me alone while I approached him. And when we were less than 3 meters apart he fell back down.

"Don't come ! Neither of you." He said as he lay on the ground.

"Gong ShangJue, sorry for making your brother fall in love with me..." He said with a smile as he seem to loose all his strength.

"And you YuanZhi... I love you so much! But really... When I arrived here all I wanted was to go back home, but I quickly changed my mind... I fell in love with you... And I will never regret it... Loving you... It was my best decision..." He said and he raised his head before meeting my tear-filled gaze.

"I love you too Zhu Yan... Let me come to you..." I said and he reached out his hand to me and I started to approach him and a bright glow suddenly appeared and I came faster to him.

"YuanZhi I love you... And I will always love you, I will never forget you." He said and I grab him before placed a kiss on his lips.

Then when the light disappeared Zhu Yan was no longer there and ShangJue slowly came closer to me before taking me in his arms and I cried even more while hugging him.

"Why ? Why did he leave ?" I said hugging him as he rubbed my back.

"I'm sorry YuanZhi, if I left you alone you would have spent more time together... It's my fault..." He said while continuing to apologize.

...

"Young Master Gong, there is a book here that talks about Tiandu City." Yue said to me as he approached me with a book.

I picked up the book before looking at its contents.
Then I saw familiar names written in the names of people who had lived there.
Ying Lei, Pei Si Heng, Pei Si Ting, Wen Xiao, Bai Jiu, Zhuo Yichen... Then lastly Zhao YuanZhou...

Zhu Yan... You are present in a book....

"Young Master Gong, there is one here who only talks about Zhu Yan." Xue ChongZi said to me as he approached me and placed a book in front of me.

Seeing the drawing of Zhu Yan, tears escaped from my eyes as I read a word....
"Zhu Yan was killed by his friend Zhuo Yichen, to save all his friends."... He sacrificed himself... He saved everyone there too....

I started crying even more before closing the book...

"Tiandu City apparently still exists, but it has become a ghost town, everyone has left... Do you want to go there, Young Master Gong ?" Yue asks me, handing me a map with the layout of Tiandu.

"I'll go there... I want to see where he lived..." I said, touching Tiandu on the map.

...

9 years passed quickly and I was still around Tiandu, I also stayed for a while at Mount Kunlun where I found a tomb with Ying Zhao written on it, and I know that he was in some way a father for Zhu Yan...

I was walking in the woods when I suddenly saw a bright light appear and when I opened my eyes, the ground was covered in snow....
And as I turned around I saw a blurry face before I got a neck slap and passed out.

...

When I woke up I was tied up in a cave and there was another man with me who looked like me.

"Which one of you his Zhuo Yichen ?!" said the person who previously had a blurry face but now looks like me and that man.

"I don't know what you're talking about or anything, but there's no point in torturing us just for that. I'm Zhuo Yichen or maybe not. How do I know after all..." I said and he then proceeded to torture me instead of that man and then he left.

I managed to break free and approached him before putting a leash on his wounds to treat them and as I went to free him he looked at me.

"I don't know who you are but I'm Zhuo Yichen... Go and get help...." he said.

"I am Gong YuanZhi, I will come back I promise you." I said before leaving.

I then got lost in the forest and injured myself, while I was walking I was suddenly stopped by a man who came towards me before taking me in his arms.

"They came to rescue you, you took advantage of it to flee..." He told me and I pushed him away from me before laughing slightly.

"Sorry, but I'm not Zhuo Yichen... Has anyone gone to help him ? Anyway, can you take me to Tiandu ?" I said and he apologized before taking me there and holding my arm once there.

"Are you injured ? And why did you want to come here ?" He told me and I just smiled before making him let go of me while holding my injured arm.

"It's a minor injury... I came here to find a... a friend..."I said and as I was about to leave he held me back before smiling at me.

"I'm Li Lun, I know Zhu Yan, he hasn't come back yet, but he shouldn't be long and you have to know that, you smell like him." He said and I looked at him in surprise before smiling.

"I heard about you Li Lun. I have to go..." I said before walking away leaving him there without even giving him time to answer me.

I had been walking around the city for some time when I suddenly felt the connection between Zhu Yan and me vibrate and as I tried to follow the connection, it suddenly disappeared and I felt nothing anymore....

I will find you Zhu Yan... You are there somewhere... And I know that one way or another we will find each other sooner than we think....
I love you my little white ape demon....

...

I was walking around Tiandu after better dressing my wounds, I endured my rib pain while continuing to walk and hoping to see Zhu Yan.
And as I was walking I saw among many stands, one that sold lanterns and I saw one in the shape of a white monkey.
I took it straight away and as I walked around, I felt the bond between me and Zhu Yan grow stronger and closer.

I felt a pain take over me and I went into an alley before holding myself against the wall. Then I looked up and saw Zhu Yan in front of me buying a head ornament.

I smiled as I looked at him and tried to hold back the tears that flowed.

"What are you doing all alone, you stupid monkey ?" I suddenly asked him from my small alley next to the lantern stand.

"It's too dark, you can't see me can you ?" I said before lighting the lantern in my hand.

Zhu Yan then looked at me and I thought he would fall if he continued to look at me like that. I am here Zhu Yan you are not dreaming and neither am I dreaming, I found you my love.

"YuanZhi..." He said before he started to cry which made me smile before I approached before I gently wipe his tears.

Once in front of him, I felt his presence even more, and he saw the mark on my neck, still present and forever...

"It's me this time Yan'Er... It's me, I'm your YuanZhi not an evil double or that Yichen..." I said as I placed my forehead against his.

He then hugged me, reversing the roles because this time he was the one who rested his head on my neck, starting to cry even more.

"It's been 10 years... 10 years since you disappeared... I searched again and again to get information... Then one day I was hunting and a bright light appeared and I arrived here... I was completely lost and this damn faceless demon attacked me believing that I was Yichen before bringing back the real Yichen 4 days later... I managed to escape and he followed me here and wanted to take Yichen's place, as well as mine, because I had to tell information about myself to save Yichen... Torture even from a demon has little effect on me." I said while wiping the tears on his cheeks again.

"But your face... What happened to you ?" He said, caressing my cheeks and wiping away some dirt from my face.

"Life here is harder than back home. You turn your head for 2 seconds and you have to avoid a new demon. Luckily my satchel was always with me, so I used poisons to slow them down... I didn't think I'd see you again one day Zhu Yan." I said, smiling at him.

"How did you get here ?" He suddenly asked.

"A friend of yours apparently... I was lost early in the afternoon and a certain Li Lun drove me back to Tiandu before telling me "You smell like Zhu Yan." And I understood that you knew each other." I replied before grabbing his chin and lifting it towards my face, smiling even more.

"Although I missed you a lot, I missed your lips and kisses too." I said before kissing him, pulling him against me.

I pulled him into the alley and he managed to turn off the lantern which ended up at our feet while I continued to kiss him. Then I suddenly stopped before holding my back which had hit a wall.

"It's nothing. I fell in the mountain before I met your friend... With some rest I'll be better." I said, and he suddenly picked me up making me cling to him before also picking up the lantern and taking it with us to the office.

"Come home with me. The demon hunting office is sort of a second, maybe even third home to me." He said and I smiled slightly before resting my head on his shoulder.

...

Once we arrived at the office, I saw two person and seeing him coming, the girl ran towards him before stopping when she saw that he was carrying someone.

"Who is this ?" She asked.

"I present Gong YuanZhi... But please don't be shocked when you see his face... YuanZhi, I present Wen Xiao and Bai Jiu." He said and the latter then turned my head towards them and Bai Jiu jumped back before seeming fascinated.

"So doubles really exist, do I have one too ?" Bai Jiu said and I looked him and he also at me strangely which made Zhu Yan laugh.

"Where he comes from a young boy does indeed look like you. But that's it, only you and Yichen look like someone there." Zhu Yan said while still holding me in his arms.

"Zhu Yan... Your lips... They're swollen..." Bai Jiu suddenly said, causing me to laugh and Wen Xiao to blush as she didn't know how to explain this.

"Let go of me, I can still walk, don't be afraid." I told me before he let go of me.

"My lips are a little swollen too, let's say it's because it was a little cold outside.. You'll understand later otherwise." I said before holding my back.

"What's wrong ?" Wen Xiao asked suddenly worried.

"I just broke a rib from a fall. Nothing too serious, a little rest and I'll be fine. I'm strong." I replied before grabbing Zhu Yan arm.

"I'm taking you to rest." He said, gently holding my hand before starting to walk towards his room.

...

"Sit there slowly." He said as he helped me sit on the bed and he saw me smile as he took off my shoes before putting me on the bed better.

"It reminds me of when my brother hurt me and you healed me. So your way of taking care of me will never change. And that way of taking care of me is part of the reason why I love you." I told him as I reached out my hand to his cheek and caressed it.

Then someone knocked and Zhu Yan stood up before going to open it and seeing Bai Jiu.

"I want to see that your friend is okay." He said.

"He's kind of a doctor too." Zhu yan said without moving and I laugh on his bed before Zhu Yan motioned for him to come inside.

"I can hear another expert's opinion. But I'm not just his friend, I'm his boyfriend." I said with a smile before sitting up better so Bai Jiu could examine me better.

After checking, Bai Jiu ended up with the same answer as me, lots of rest and I'll be fine.

Zhu Yan then sat down next to me, taking my hand.

"I relived all my mistakes... After reappearing here... I was a little younger again... I hurt Li Lun again but he forgave me this time, I killed Yichen's entire family again and I saved Wen Xiao again... So I was thinking that if I didn't see you again directly, I would have ended up going back to your place and this time I would have loved you directly even if I had to chase you." He confessed while smiling and laughing slightly.

I then laughed as well before holding my side and sighing.

"Come to my side." I said, tapping next to me, and he did.

He sat down next to me and I gently laid my head against him, nestling myself in his arms and crossing our fingers together.

"At first I hesitated... Wondering if it was the right city, the right time... And then I felt your presence in a really strong way... And I told myself that it could only be you... That you weren't far away... But when I tried to follow your presence, it disappeared all of a sudden... But I ended up finding you... And now I'm afraid... Afraid to go back to my world, just like you did." I said, gently squeezing his hand as he began to caress the top of mine.

"In that case, know that if that happens, even if I have to live again and again, I will always come back to your side, because there is only you that I love and those forever Gong YuanZhi... I only love you..." He said before kissing my forehead.

And after a while I finally fell asleep against him and I feel him lay me down and being careful not to hurt me before he held me in his arms and kissed the top of my head. And I also heard him talk to me before he fall asleep

"Sleep well my love." He said before falling into the world of dreams too.

Chapter Text

When I woke up, Zhu Yan wasn't there, so I got up while he was away before looking outside.
He then came back with food and looked at me as he put down bowls before approaching me.

“YuanZhi, come eat.” He said before placing the bowls on the table and gently making me sit down.

"I'm injured, not dying Zhu Yan." I said, smiling at him but still accepting his help.

He back smiled at me before kissing my forehead and sitting down across from me.

“What took you so long ?” I asked him as I started eating.

"Wen Xiao wanted to help Yichen walk, because he is very stubborn and refuses to stay in bed. At least you listen to me." He said, smiling and grabbing my hand.

“So you prefer me because I’m more obedient ? Or for some other reason ?” I said looking at him and he chuckled slightly.

"I just love you for who you are. I love everything about you, from your personality, to the way you act, and who knows how much I love your smile." He said and I ended up smiling as I stroked his hand and sighed all the same.

"Stupid monkey. I love you too for your personality, even just for the person you are. You're almost perfect, even too much at times." I said before laughing slightly at the head he was doing.

After eating I wanted to visit the place where he lived before he met me, so the office. So he helped me up and made me hold on to his arm and I followed him without saying anything and just watching him tell some anecdotes.

"You make me so happy to talk about your friends like this, it's a change from when you usually said you missed them." I told him before he made me sit on a chair so I could rest a little.

"Even if they're not all here yet, you're here too. And how happy I am to have you by my side. You'll be able to meet all my friends and discover more about my world. The roles are reversed, I inform and you listen." He said before reaching out his hand to caress my cheek.

"Zhu Yan... You and I both know that I'm not likely to be here forever..." I finally said, holding hus hand on my cheek and leaning more against it.

He stood up before sitting down next to me before putting me right in front of him and kissing me.

"Even if you're not here forever, I'll find you Yichen. Even if when I manage to find you you don't remember me, I'll do anything to make you love me again. I can even give up everything it takes to be just a human and grow old by your side, even if it makes me weak. Because as long as I'm by your side the rest doesn't matter to me." He then said as he walked away and pressed our foreheads together.

"I love you so much Zhu Yan... Don't even let me forget you. Even if when you see me again you can kiss me directly and even if I don't remember you, do it anyway. And who cares about my brother, I don't need him to dictate my life." I said before planting a quick kiss on his mouth and then hugging him while laughing.

...

Days then passed and Yichen and I both got better, Yichen still looks at Zhu Yan with hatred but less than before knowing that he saved him. And today we go on a mission.

Once we arrived at the place we saw absolutely nothing except ourselves.
I mive forward and grab Zhu Yan hand and then move closer to him before he see me hanging on to him with Bai Jiu hanging on my arm.

So Bai Jiu likes both, whether it's Yichen or me. I smiled at him before crossing our fingers before continuing to walk before we all stopped.

“There’s someone on the rooftops.” Zhu Yan said.

The next moment Bai Jiu let go of me and an arrow was fired in our direction and Zhu Yan pulled me towards him while dodging the arrow then someone came down from the roof before threatening him with another arrow.

"Calm down miss. He may be a demon but he is with us" Wen Xiao said before coming to us and I did not move from against him clearly taking advantage of the situation.

Zhu Yan just smiled seeing me clinging to him who only had one arm around my waist while I was also holding him by the waist but with both arms.

"Not that I don't love you YuanZhi, but we're going to have to move forward again. And in front of us is Pei Si Ting." He said whispering in my ear and I looked at him before smiling and walking away from him.

“Who are you ?” Yichen asked, finally coming closer to us.

"Pei Si Ting, I'm looking for my brother who was sent on a mission here recently, but I haven't heard from him anymore." She said.

“And when do you plan to say that you are from ChangWu Camp ?” Zhu Yan said, holding only one of my hand again.

"You! How do you know? It doesn't matter anyway. I'm not part of it anymore." She said, looking at Zhu Yan coldly.

"I know that. But they didn't know that." He said before starting to walk again with me following him and laughing slightly at the situation.

“Stop laughing, even though I love your laugh a lot, we have to avoid drawing more attention than we already have.” He said before smacking a kiss on my forehead and starting walking again with a me completly silent .

I didn't expect him to kiss my forehead suddenly, but at least he doesn't hide me from his friends, he proves that I am his to everyone.
And how I love this possessive side of Zhu Yan. It makes me love him more and more.

Even though I'm not here forever, I'm discovering more about him, his life, his friends. I'm discovering even more things about him and I like that.

...

As we continued to advance into the city I suddenly put my sleeve over my mouth before forcing Bai Jiu to do the same.

“There’s something heavy in the air.” Wen Xiao said suddenly before fainting in Zhu Yan arms.

“Yichen, Pei Si Ting, cover your nose quickly !” Zhu Yan said as he picked Wen Xiao up before quickly walking with us.

We then arrived at a place where the smoke was not and Zhu Yan laid Wen Xiao on the ground before approaching me who was taking care of Bai Jiu who had inhaled some smoke.

"The smoke isn't deadly, but it is soporific. Don't move for now, so that the effect wears off. Wen Xiao should wake up in an hour or two." I said as Si Ting and Yuchen took care of Wen Xiao.

I came closer to Zhu Yan before looking at him and taking his wrist.

"I'm fine Zhi'er. I'm not human, remember." He said, smiling at me.

"But some of my poisons had an effect on you..."I said, puzzled.

"Don't ask me more. I never understood why either."He said before he better put back my hair which was all disheveled because of our race.

"Besides, why do two of you look alike ? Are you twins ?" Pei Si Ting said as she looked at Yichen in front of her and then at me in front of Zhu Yan.

"Not in the least. I'm not from here in a way. It's long and hard to understand." I replied with a smile as I looked at Zhu Yan.

"Which one of you are Zhuo Yichen in this case ?" She asked, still seeming to confuse them.

"It's me. This is Gong YuanZhi, he kind of saved my life. That's one of the reasons why I don't do anything to Zhu Yan." Yichen said while sitting next to Wen Xiao.

"You wouldn't have time to touch him , you will be dead before." I said as I stood in front of Zhu Yan while holding his hand behind my back.

"Calm down. You can act tough in front of them, but that image doesn't work in front of me anymore." He said, stroking my hand and pulling me closer to him.

...

A few minutes passed before we were attacked, Wen Xiao was protected by Yichen and Pei Si Ting while I protected Bai Jiu who was still a little slow.

And as we had just finished fighting another shadow approached before falling in front of us and I recognized Li Lun.
Yichen ran to him followed by Zhu Yan before he was picked up and taken to me.

I saw injuries and slightly removed Li Lun's clothes before seeing big injuries on his back.

“Can you help him ?” Zhu Yan asked worried for his friend and I said yes before getting up and pulling him with me.

"I need a herb that I saw coming here, but I can't go alone and neither can you, because you wouldn't know what herbs it is. Do you think that together they can protect them ?" I asked him while looking behind us at Yichen next to Li Lun, and Pei Si Ting next to Wen Xiao as well as Bai Jiu.

"Believe me, both of them fight very well. And I think our "wounded", will be fine alongside them." He said as we saw Yichen gently hugging Li Lun.

...

So we left before coming back 5 minutes later and I treated Li Lun under the admiring eyes of Bai Jiu who was finally feeling better.

I then put Li Lun back on Yichen's legs who gently stroked his hair.

I came closer to Zhu Yan before putting myself in his arms too, settling in well before smiling and kissing him.

"I feel so good. Here, in your arms." I said, leaning closer against him, and so he sat me directly on top of him, hugging me.

“Should we light a fire ?” Pei Si Ting asked as night fell.

"We should do, to take care of our wounded." Zhu Yan replied as I nodded as did Yichen who had better propped Li Lun's head on his knees.

Did something happen between these two that we don't know about ?
Li Lun seemed worried about him when I met him, while Zhu Yan had told me that Li Lun had a difficult relationship with them.

...

The next day, Wen Xiao was awake, but Li Lun wasn't, so I took a second look at his injuries before looking at Zhu Yan in a bit of a panic.

"He's poisoned. It's not too late yet, but we'll have to hold him tight, because it might hurt, the method I'm going to use to extract the poison." I said as we all got together to hold him except for Bai Jiu who was going to assist me.

Yichen held his head tightly against him, Wen Xiao and Pei Si Ting held his arms and I held his legs alone.

What happened to him in the soporific fog of this city for him to come to us in this state ?

While I was extracting the poison, I felt like someone looking at us into the shadows.

We had a hard time keeping Li Lun in place and once we did, Zhu Yan ran away, chasing the person who was watching us, and I followed after making sure that Li Lun was okay.
Arriving shortly after him, I hid behind a tree and listened to their conversation.

"Here you are finally Zhu Yan, it's been a long time. Last time you thought that Li Lun was your sister's murderer when he was just a puppet and not even really him. But this time it's really the little brother of that girl by your side. What would that man who looks like Yichen do if he discovered that hidden side of you that you hate so much ?" He said to Zhu Yan before starting to laugh.

"He wouldn't do anything Xiang Liu. You're just a damn viper. Even if you told him everything, it wouldn't change anything at all. He knows everything, even the fact that I don't always control all my powers. He doesn't care how I am, all he cares about is that I'm by his side." Zhu Yan said before seeing Xiang Liu being attacked by my dagger.

Turning around, he saw me, a mask made of torn fabric on my face, as I quickly approached him.

"Don't even dare to attack him. And don't even think about getting out of there. On this dagger, there was flower powder that grows in the city, but not here. I quickly understood that the real culprit could not enter the city because of these flowers. I wonder what the effect will be" I said before laughing while grabbing his hand with my other hand.

I was so scared that something would happen to him. Even if I had to risk my life to save him I would do it, because his safety comes first... Just like my love for him, which is more important than anything else.

As long as he's by my side and he loves me I don't care about the rest of the world, all I care about is having him by my side and I dare to hope forever, even if I have to relive everything again and again, I know that I would only love him.

Chapter Text

Then sure enough, that damn demon collapsed and Zhu Yan caught Pei Si Heng before he hit the ground.
I then came to his side before continuing to look towards Xiang Liu.

“What’s wrong?” Zhu Yan said as he lifted Si Heng onto his back.

"What I just said is wrong. It was a tranquilizer. He will wake up. Let's leave quickly and we will find a solution with the others." I said before holding out my hand to help him up after putting Si Heng on his back.

"That might not be wrong. Those flowers might really be his weak point. But let's go anyway, getting him away from here will do Si Heng some good." He said as he kept my hand in his and held Si Heng on his back with his other hand.

...

We then arrived with the others and seeing Zhu Yan with Si Heng, Si Ting came running before helping him get him off his back.

“Is he okay?” she asked Zhu Yan, looking at her brother.

"He will wake up soon, I cast a spell on him to keep control of his mind. He was controlled by a vile demon." He said as I took off my mask before coming to hit him.

"You idiot! If I hadn't arrived who knew what would have happened! I was scared!" I said before he hugged me smiling and kissed the top of my head.

"Sorry, I won't do it again, I promise. I'll be careful next time and I'll warn you of what I'm going to do. And if I leave and don't come back after 5 minutes, you have the right to come after me. Because I will never stay away from you for more than 5 minutes." He said before this time kissing the tip of my nose before smiling at me again.

Then Zhu Yan looked towards Yichen, who had fallen asleep, and saw Li Lun with his eyes open and not daring to move.

“Finally woke up Li Lun!” Zhu Yan said as Li Lun looked at him evilly before Yichen woke up with a start and put Li Lun's gaze which still had his head on his knees.

"You...are you okay?" Yichen asked him while looking at him and Li Lun just responded with a nod before trying to slowly get up but I threw a needle at him so that he couldn't move anymore and Li Lun glared at me badly.

"No moving for now. Yichen you can take it away from him and if he moves again he'll get another one." I said before approaching Si Heng's sleeping body.

“He should wake up soon judging by the speed of his pulse.” I reassured Si Ting before sitting down on the ground and sighing.

Zhu Yan came to sit next to me before gently pulling me into his arms while holding one of my hands.

“Li Lun, it’s Xiang Liu who is behind all this.” Zhu Yan said and Li Lun just laughed.

"I know, it's because of him that I was in this state not because of his henchmen. With all of you there would be an easier way to kill him." He said trying to stand up but Yichen stopped him forcing him to stay lying on his knees.

"He can move a little, sitting down he should be able to, but with help." I said as I went to stand up but Zhu Yan stopped me and Yichen gently lifted Li Lun up to help him sit down.

“How do you seem to know each other?” Wen Xiao asked as he looked at them.

"He tried to save me. At the time the face changer got me, but he didn't succeed." Yichen said after he had Li Lun firmly anchored.

"That's how I knew where he was, but I couldn't get inside. Shifters like this demon create barriers for demons like me, so I took the opportunity to take you to him." Li Lun said before closing his eyes and leaves began to swirl.

“What is he doing?” I asked Zhu Yan as I came closer to him.

"He's healing himself. He's also a demon, I remind you, my dear." He said, whispering in my ear and I pushed him before hitting him.

“Don’t do that.” I said, looking away, my cheeks slightly red.

“By the way, YuanZhi, how old are you?” Wen Xiao suddenly asked, which caught me off guard.

"Me? Yan'er, how long have we known each other?" I asked, turning to him.

"You dare to test me at this time? That was 9 years ago, you were 16, so you're probably 25." He said proud of himself and I affirmed before smiling.

“So you’re older than Yichen. He’s only 24.” She said as she looked towards Yichen.

"Probably. But..." I said looking at Zhu Yan and Li Lun chuckled lightly before opening his eyes again.

"But not really at the same time. It was 9 years ago, but the 9 years that have passed, Zhu Yan has already lived them once. So YuanZhi is younger in reality. He has just lived 9 years that you have spent reliving what has already passed." Li Lun suddenly said which made my eyes widen.

"He's my best friend, of course he noticed that something was wrong. And I had to explain everything to him." Zhu Yan said while looking at me which made Li Lun laugh.

“So, what we’re experiencing now, have you experienced it before?” Pei Si Ting asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, everything has changed. Li Lun is no longer our enemy, and YuanZhi is here. So nothing is the same as before. Before, there were things that existed that no longer exist and there were things that did not exist that exist now." He said while caressing my hand and I smiled before resting my head on his shoulder.

"You would have done everything to kill me before, but not now. I'm on your side." Li Lun said, glancing at Yichen who looked away.

Then I saw Zhu Yan smile as well as Li Lun, who gently reached out his hand and grabbed Yichen's who jumped before smiling and letting him take his hand.

Then I myself felt Zhu Yan squeeze my hand in his again and I smiled before letting my head rest on his shoulder while smiling. Apparently our thing is loving demons, because we may not be that much alike, but we both have a big demon that belongs to us, even if their gestures towards the other are very discreet they are still there.

...

Zhu Yan was a little ahead of us while we were further away.
This is all Li Lun's idea and I hate him for it, because it makes me waste time with the one I love, while I know I don't have much time left here, my hand is starting to act up...

“Move faster !” I said and got a kick in the ass from Yichen who looked at me evilly.

"Excuse us for carrying the wounded, I prefer to take my time than to hurt him." He said, putting Li Lun better against him who smiled widely.

“He’s a demon, he’s already cured!” I said and Li Lun motioned for me to be quiet, while Wen Xiao laughed.

Then suddenly I stopped feeling the connection between me and Zhu Yan and I stopped before looking at the others.

“Something’s wrong. We really need to hurry !” I said and as I was about to run away Li Lun spoke.

"Don't worry too much about him, I was hurt, but because I don't know how to use words like he does. Nothing will happen to him." He said before motioning for Yichen to start walking again.

Soon after we arrived at Zhu Yan and we looked around Zhu Yan before I noticed the ripped bottom of his pants.

“What happened Yan’er ?” I said as I lifted his pants to get a better look.

"Nothing, calm down. He went back to the demon world to receive his punishment." He said as he removed my hand and pulled down his pants.

"Why are your pants torn then ?" I said as I sat down opposite him.

"Because he dragged me here like this. But he apologized... He acted like that because of a human who deceived and used him in the past." He said as he took my hand in his, and he noticed at the same time, my hand that became blurry.

I followed his gaze before simply smiling at him and pulling him into my arms.

“You must never forget that I only love you Zhu Yan.” I said, whispering in his ear.

He didn't say anything and just gently would be in his arms.... We both know, that from now on our time together is numbered.

"Let's go back before it gets too dark." Wen Xiao said as she helped Pei Si Ting carry his still sleeping brother, while Bai Jiu and Yichen helped Li Lun who was leaning on Yichen with a smile, and Yichen said absolutely nothing.

"Yes, let's go back." Zhu Yan said before getting up while holding my hand again.

...

Then weeks passed and we now had Ying Lei with us, who was enjoying teasing Yichen as well as me. Because I quote "You are both in love with a demon." I didn't deny it, but Yichen was running away directly and even more so when Li Lun was unfortunately sitting in the room at the same time.

We have such a good time together, but no one knows yet, that I am not here for long....

They were sitting down to eat when me and Ying Lei came in with two dishes. Ying Lei put his on the table, and the one I was holding ended up on the floor, due to my hands.

Zhu Yan stood up straight away before carrying me and sitting me down next to him and everyone else seemed to be waiting for an explanation.

I gently removed my hand from his before showing it by shaking it slightly...

“What’s wrong with you ?” Bai Jiu asked worriedly as he looked at my hand.

"He disappears... Just like... Zhu Yan 9 years ago almost 10..." Li Lun said.

"When you disappeared that day, I was there. I saw your body disappear when there was only this bright light that appeared. And nine years ago, in the forest, you were still looking at your hand when I arrived. I finally understood when I saw you often hiding YuanZhi behind your back after looking at his hands." He added, looking away.

"So you're going to leave ? But to go where ?" asked Ying Lei, who was also aware that I was not from this world.

"I don't know... Probably at home, in my world... The time given is so small... I feel like only a few days have passed and not almost 4 months... I will miss you all... If only there was a way for nothing to change I would do anything to stay... But... There isn't..." I said before gently pulling Zhu Yan hand with mine while smiling at him.

And he saw me say "I love you" with my lips, before taking him in my arms still smiling... But I'm sure he know that behind my smile hides an enormous worry and a desire to stay by they're side.

"I will find you YuanZhi, no matter how, and even if you don't remember me, I will court you again, and I will love you more, and my love, will never diminish, on the contrary, it will always become stronger and stronger."He said, whispering in my ear before nestling his head in my neck, while the others didn't know what else to say.

No one can know what I would be willing to lose to stay by his side. I love him so much and yet, we have already experienced 1 separation and we both know that it will not be the last.

I wish so much that I could stay by his side forever, but I know that it will never happen and that I would probably lose him again and again for who knows how many times.

This demon is truly the person I have loved the most in my entire life, even if I care a lot for my brother, I care even more for Zhu Yan.

I refuse to let go of him once again, I promise you Zhu Yan, to always love you and that one day, I will succeed in staying by your side forever.

Chapter Text

I pretended to be asleep and saw Zhu Yan coming out, got up and walked to the door and heard him talking with Li Lun.
5 minutes later he left Li Lun before coming back inside. Once inside I surprised him by pulling his hand before kissing him while pushing him towards the bed.

"I love you you stupid monkey." I said before sitting on top of him, who had ended up lying on the bed and he gently placed one of his hands on my hips and the other on my neck to pull me towards him before reversing our positions.

"I love you too Gong YuanZhi." He said before kissing me again and that night, we let our love express itself with many kisses and caresses while making love.

...

The next day we decided to stop everything by destroying the ChangWu camp and we easily succeeded. But then we learned that their leader was not there and we chased him into the woods with everyone after leaving Bai Jiu, Pei Si Ting and Wen Xiao at the office safely with Mr.Fan.

Zhu Yan and Li Lun had chased their leader into the woods while I was further away with Yichen and Ying Lei killing common soldiers when suddenly I fell and Ying Lei came straight to me.

“What’s going on YuanZhi ?” he asked me before seeing my hand completely disappear.

“Go get Zhu Yan, he should be by my side.” I said and Si Heng came to my side before gently picking me up.

“Go ahead Ying Lei, you’re faster than both of us. Come back quickly with Zhu Yan.” Si Heng said before Ying Lei ran away.

He then arrived and saw that Si Heng and Yichen were at my side.
He ran up to me before gently picking me up in his arms.

"Everything will be fine, you did it right ?" I asked looking at him.

"Yes, he's dead. Hold on." He said, trying to tend to my wound while holding me in his arms.

"Yan'Er, it's no use... I'm not dying... The injury is light... I... I'm disappearing.... Just like you that day... You've arrived to me once again..." I said, smiling and holding his hand.

He then gently squeezed my hand in his, smiling at me as tears streamed down his cheeks.

"I love you so much YuanZhi... I can't let you go... I can't..." He said as he pressed his forehead to mine.

"Everything will be fine... I'm sure we'll meet again Yan'er... I feel it deep inside me... We'll see each other again Zhu Yan... My great demon, my only love..." I said before smiling.

He moved closer to me before kissing me and feeling me smile even more... Then he gently pushed me against him.

“I’ll find you Zhi’er… Wait for me…” He said, caressing my cheek.

And as I smiled at him a bright light appeared and The next moment I felt nothing, I first appeared in a place where I was alone, before seeing a small mass approaching me, but this mass remained blurred.

"You're going to forget it and go home." Said that little voice.

"I hate to forget him and live without him, I need him to live, I...I can't be without him...Let me remember him..." I said as I started to cry and I suddenly heard the little voice laughing.

"He will come back to you, and you should save him this time, you will end up remembering him. But he will not really be himself anymore. And this time, if you save him, he will be by your side forever." She said before gently bending down in front of me and touching my forehead.

"You will see each other again soon, live well while waiting for him Gong YuanZhi." Then again this very white and bright light.

...

"His father and mother are dead, but he didn't even cry, this child is not human, he doesn't even have feelings. He should have died too." Said the people who passed by me.

I got up and walked through the rest of the Gong residence. I ended up in front of a residence, whose door was open, and I saw a young man practicing his sword. He suddenly saw me and stopped before approaching me.

"What are you doing here all alone ? And who are you ?" he asked me before kneeling down in front of me, taking one of my little hands in his.

“I have no family anymore… My parents are dead… I am Gong YuanZhi…” I said and he smiled slightly before putting down his sword and taking my second hand.

"I don't have any family anymore either, what would you say about becoming my little brother ?" He said and I smiled before accepting and he got up, picking up his sword again while still holding my little hand in his before starting to move forward.

“Then from today on, I, Gong ShangJue, will be your Big Brother and your only family, YuanZhi Didi.” He said.

...

A few years later

"Young Master Gong! Something went wrong, your brother just left a while ago, and...." a panicked guard began.

“What ?!” I said, standing up slightly angry and tense.

"The sword bearer and his heir were killed. We found two people at the scene of the murder. A woman who fought before being caught and a man who pretended to surrender, probably to better kill us." He said, suddenly standing stiffly.

“And where are they now ?” I said with a sigh.

"Locked in a dungeon." He said, smiling.

"Ask them then you bunch of idiots !" I said and he ran off and I sighed again before sitting back down, these men are super stupid.

...

As I was leaving my room another guard arrived and asked me to follow him urgently.
So I followed him and once I got to the dungeon, I saw that the woman was dead and seeing the man a feeling of déjà vu took hold of me, but nothing more.

This man smiled when he saw me before suddenly losing his smile and his eyes seemed to fill with tears.
The guard then left and I dealt with the man hoping to get him to talk.

Then I tortured him again and again for hours, and he didn't even react to the pain anymore.
So I gave up and left, later I was in front of his dungeon again and seeing him asleep, I went back in before looking at the injuries I caused him and my heart tightened again and I quickly left wondering why my heart was acting like this.

...

I was inside my residence when I suddenly heard the maids talking about ShangJue... How come he's already back ?

I went out of my room and as I walked forward I saw ShangJue with the prisoner, the prisoner moved away from ShangJue to walk on his own, but he seem to had no more strength and he fell to the ground.

“Zhu Yan !” ShangJue said before running to him, but I was already at his side, helped him up and ShangJue stopped.

“Do you know the prisoner Gege ?” I said as I picked him up as he immediately moved away from me and almost fell back but I held him.

"Yes, but I haven't seen him for a long time." He said, but I was not able to let go of the prisoner for some reason.

“I have something to do Didi, you can take him to a bedroom and treat him.” ShangJue said before leaving.

I hate you ShangJue knows that. The next moment I sighed before holding him better and coming to stick him against me.
I then took him to a room, that we don't use.

When he got to the room, I almost threw him on the bed and when I saw him make a face, I was surprised.

“I tortured you for hours yesterday and you showed no pain, and now I lay you on the bed like that and you wince ?!” I said looking at him and suddenly moving closer to him.

“Shut up !” He said before rolling on his back and putting his hand on his chest.

"I'll be right back, I'll get something to treat you, after all, it's my fault." I said before leaving.

After five minutes I still hadn't come back.
I was coming back when I heard someone fall and when I got to the room I saw him on the floor and a feeling of worry came over me and I ran to him before lifting him up and I saw a smile on his face and I couldn't help but think that he was beautiful when he smiled despite the many injuries present on him.

"You're crazy ! You could have hurt yourself! Why did you try to get up ?!" I said before putting him back on the bed and bringing close to me what I was going to use on him.

“Can...Can I ?” I said suddenly, shyly, pointing at his outer dress. Why am I suddenly so shy around him ?

“How do you plan on healing me if you don’t take it off ?” He said, chuckling slightly as I blush a little.

“Shut up !” I said before gently removing his outer dress before only opening the second one.

After I finished I looked at his clothes before getting up and leaving.
A few minutes later I came back with some clothes in my arms and handed them to him.

"To change. I also asked for help washing you, so someone should be here to take you there." I said before leaving just as quickly.

...

I looked for him somewhere after learning his first name which seemed familiar to me but nothing more, when I saw all the toilets in front but none inside. He plans to wash himself when he can't even walk. What an idiot he is !

I went inside without even announcing my presence before advancing towards him screaming because he doesn't even take care of his injuries.

"You sent them all out and told them not to come in! You're not..." But I didn't finish my sentence and it was silent when I got to him. He has so many scars on his back, some of which are so deep... It must have hurt so much.

"What's wrong ? They're just injuries." Je said, laughing slightly.

"But....They seem so deep..." I said and I move closer to him before I finally reach my hand out tl touch a scar on his back.

“Did it hurt ?” I asked as I continued to touch his scars.

"Not that much... These pains are nothing, just a small stage of my life..." He said before moving away from me so I would stop touching his scars.

And just as I was about to answer, ShangJue's voice was suddenly heard from outside.

“Zhu Yan, is YuanZhi with you ?” he said and I looked at me before moving to signal him to be quiet.

“Oh, master. Who are you looking for ? The young man or the young master ?” A maid asked ShangJue.

“My brother.” He replied.

"He's inside, your friend refused our help to wash himself, so the young master got angry and then he went back inside." She said and I heard ShangJue laugh.

"It's okay, I just wanted to know if Zhu Yan was okay. Take care of him YuanZhi, he shouldn't push his injuries too hard. You have to be hard on him so he understands." He said before apparently leaving.

“You heard ShangJue, you have to take care of me.” He said while winking at me.

He then stood up suddenly and I threw a towel at him before looking away.

“You pervert !” I said. Because this idiot was naked but he still got up.

He then got out of the bath and started drying himself off and then started getting dressed again and I ended up turning around before helping him.

"Don't move too much. You'll hurt yourself." I said as I helped him dress better before closing his inner dress and then helping him put on the outer one.

I moved closer to him to put on his clothes better, but my heartbeat accelerated and I felt so close to him at the same time. Then I heard his heart beating quite quickly.
And he held his chest and I help him before wedging him against me.

“Let me take you back to your room, you need to rest afterwards.” I said as I started walking while my hand was around his hip and the other was holding his arm which I had put over my shoulders.

And as we approached the exit I felt his gaze on me and he suddenly spoke and saw his expression without realizing it.

“You’re handsome.” He said as he looked at me and he realized he had said it out loud when he probably saw my red cheeks.

Chapter Text

I then took him back to his room before leaving straight away after calling him a pervert once again.

And as I wanted to go back having forgotten something I stopped and stayed in front of the door hearing ShangJue talking with Zhu Yan.

“Where did all your power go Zhu Yan ?” ShangJue said to him.

"I have nothing left. All I have is that I can still fight, but I have no power anymore." Zhu Yan said.

"What happened to you ? And why doesn't YuanZhi remember you ? While I clearly do, but nothing else." ShangJue said and I listened all more, because I wondered what he was talking about and what I didn't remember.

"I don't have an explanation ShangJue. He just forgot about me. I'll do anything to help you when I'm better." Zhu Yan said and I felt a pain compress my chest and at the same time I felt like crying .

“What are you going to do about it ?” ShangJue said.

“All you have to know is that I will help you all.” Zhu Yan said.

And as I was about to leave to try to calm the pain in my heart, ShangJue asked a question that made me stay.

“Do you still love him, my didi ?” He asked to Zhu Yan.

"Even if he forgot me, he is still the one I love. So sorry, but yes I still love him and I always will." Zhu Yan said.

"I think I'm still okay with it. He cared about you a lot, to the point of going against me just for you. He was happy with you, fight to have him back." ShangJue said.

Then I left, when ShangJue said he was going to leave and I went back to my room with many questions in my mind.

...

Then 2 months passed and I was walking around when I saw Zhu Yan training before suddenly sitting down and appearing to be in pain, so I ran over to him extremely worried.

“Are you okay ?” I asked him, a little worried.

“I feel better as soon as I see you.” He said before I lightly hit his shoulder before taking his wrist and his heartbeat returned to normal quickly enough .

"You seem fine. You should rest, overtraining is bad." I said before sitting down next to him and my hand brushed his hand before I placed it on me looking away at a little. I often feel awkward when I'm around him but I don't know why and my heart beats so fast when he's around me.

“You know you’re cute ?” He said looking at me and I tried to hit him but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me against him before kissing my forehead.

“You’re even more like that.” He said, smiling and putting one of my locks of hair back in place while I was red and didn't say or move anymore.

"Zhu Yan, let him go, he's all red, poor thing. And people might come out of nowhere and rumors might spread about you." ShangJue said as he arrived with Shangguan Qian.

"I don't care, he's so cute. I can't resist hugging him." He said I hit his shoulder and managed to escape from his hold.

“You pervert !” I said before leaving.

I then went to my room and tried to calm my breathing and my heartbeat, I hate you Zhu Yan for putting me in this state every time.

...

That same evening I realized that Shangguan wanted to poison ShangJue, so I left my room before running to ShangJue and I broke the bowl he had in his hand and while I thought that I was going to take the shard of glass, I saw Zhu Yan intervene and take it in the back.

He then held me in his arms before coughing up some blood and I held him back by hugging him as well.
ShangJue then ran up to us before looking at him and looking at me who was safe.

"Zhu Yan ! You're crazy !" I shouted at him as I was still holding him and when ShangJue wanted to help me hold Zhu Yan, I pulled him away from ShangJue before leaving with Zhu Yan, ShangJue right behind us.

I took him to his room before gently setting him down on his bed and removing his clothes except for his bottoms, and ShangJue arrived with my briefcase.

“Go out Ge, I need some silence and space.” I said and then ShangJue left.

...

After healing him I gently laid him on his back before hitting him on the arm and I feel tears running down his cheeks.

“Are you crazy ?! You could have died !” I said before he took my hand and smiled.

"As long as you're okay, I don't care what happens to me." He said before wiping away my tears with his other hand.

“You idiot.” I said before gently leaning over and hugging him, crying into his chest.

"It's okay, I'm still alive." He said as he gently rubbed my back and managed to kiss the top of my head before smiling and gently hugging me close.

"Don't ever do that again." I said, still having my head on his chest.

"I can't promise you that. I love you, so I will always do everything I can to protect you." He said and I looked up before looking at him shocked at what he just said.

"You love me ? I thought you were just acting like that to annoy me." I said and he chuckled lightly before wiping the tear stains off my cheeks. I'm lying because I already knew it, but I will never admit to listening to his conversation with ShangJue several months ago.

"I would never act like that just for fun. Even more when that concerns you. You could say it was love at first sight." He said and I chuckled slightly while my eyes were still red from the recent tears.

"I tortured you when we first met, and you say you love me since that day ? You're really crazy Yan'Er." I said looking at him and laying my head on his chest.

"Yes I am. At the same time how could I resist you ?" He said caressing my cheek and I blushed before lowering my head and hiding my face on his chest.

He chuckled slightly before stroking my hair while smiling. I think I'm in love with him... And I think I always have been... I was so scared right now, scared that he wouldn't get over it or that it was worse than that...

I was afraid of losing this idiot, I blame myself for making him go through all that in the dungeon, he must be so angry with me, especially since according to the conversation he had with ShangJue Gege, we knew each other before and we loved each other, so if I loved him how could I have forgotten him ?

...

I stayed with him for the next few days, forbidding him to get up.

"Stay lying down Yan'Er, if you get up I won't talk to you anymore." I said forcing him to stay seated by putting my hands on his shoulders and sitting on him.

“I’ll stay seated, but get off me Zhi’Er.” He said pushing me a little, and I smiled before moving closer to his face.

“Why ?” I said, smiling even more.

“You’re playing with fire.” He said as he continued to push me.

“What if I like playing with fire ?” I replied as I continued to move closer to him after forcing himself to put his hands above his head while I held them.

He didn't say anything and managed to free one of his hands from my grip and put it behind my head before pulling me to him before kissing me.
I jumped at first before smiling and deepening our kiss.

I then released his second hand and he took the opportunity to reverse our positions and I found myself below him.
He then broke the kiss before resting his forehead against mine while smiling and I felt my heart beating very fast, but differently than usual. Because this time it didn't hurt me, this time it was joy to finally find that I really love him.

“Zhu Yan, didn’t you see YuanZhi ?” ShangJue said as he came in before turning around.

"I didn't see anything, I'm not here." He said as he left and Zhu Yan laughed as I lightly hit him.

"Idiot." I told him before hiding my face with my arm.

"Yes I am an idiot, but only when it comes to you." He said removing my arm before kissing me again and moving to my side before gently pulling me against him and I rested my head on his chest.

“Why do you love me so much like you’ve known me for years ?” I said to him, playing with the edge of his hanfu.

"One day you will know and understand why I love you so much." He said, caressing my cheek very gently as if making a sudden movement would make me disappear.

I just smiled slightly before I lifted myself up slightly and kissed him again.

"You never told me how old you were, by the way." I suddenly said to him, lying back on his chest.

"I don't really know, probably 20 or 21. I haven't had a birthday in a long time, maybe never." He said.

"Let's change it then. Tomorrow will be your birthday from now on. And I will spend all your future birthdays with you." I told him as I touched the tip of his nose.

He just smiled before taking me in his arms.

"Okay, let's do this then. Just you and me." He said looking down at me in his arms and touching the tip of my nose as well.

...

Today I sit with ShangJue, Zhu Yan and our cousin Ziyu, as he talks about the infamous marriage to trap the Wufeng.

"They will take advantage of this to attack that day, Wei Shan confirmed it to me herself." Ziyu said with a smile, surely thinking of this one.

“Are we really sure about this ?” ShangJue asked and his gaze ended up on Zhu Yan.

"Yes. I'm sure, but, I'm sure they know that Wei Shan is no longer on their side. They might change their minds and not be where they were supposed to be according to Wei Shan." Zhu Yan said and ShangJue sighed as he realized that Zhu Yan seemed to knew what had already happened.

"How can you be sure ?" Ziyu told me while the ShangJue and I seemed convinced because of what he said.

"Wei Shan actually likes you, so they must have lied to her, because they won't trust her anymore knowing she has feelings for you." Zhu Yan finally said.

...

"You're crazy Yan'Er, it's risky to go there, what if something happens to you ?" I told him before taking him in my arms as if I never intended to let go of him again.

“Zhu'Er, I promise you that I will come back. I will not leave and I will not disappear.” He said as he stroked my back.

...

"See you tonight YuanZhi. I'll get back to you soon." Zhu Yan said before kissing me as I refused to let go.

"Didi, we have to go or they'll suspect our plan." ShangJue said before dragging me along with him.

Then everything happened very quickly and I was healing my hand when I heard ShangJue come into my room smiling.

"How did you know I was going to get hurt like this if you didn't do something ?" He said as he sat down in front of me before taking my hand and finishing bandaging it.

"I don't know, it's like I've been through this before." I said and suddenly a horrible headache came on.

Then many images appeared in my mind and I saw Zhu Yan in those images, then his friends and I remembered everything.... I already knew Zhu Yan and I loved him more than anything, I was forced to forget him and now I finally remember him.

I got up and ran out and ShangJue stopped me.

"Where are you going Didi?" he said to me.

"I have to find Yan'Er, I want to see him." I said and he smiled before letting go of me.

...

And as I was about to leave, the door opened on Zhu Yan and I caught him in my arms before slightly panicking.... I refuse to lose him once again... He must stay by my side this time I beg you.

“Yan’Er !” I shouted as I caught up with him and started crying.

"I'm here." He said, smiling and wiping away with what little strength he had left the tears that were rolling down my cheeks.

"You promised me you wouldn't abandon me this time... You don't have the right to do to me like last time... You have to stay, I forbid you to disappear again!" I ended up yelling at him and he smiled when he realized what I had just said.

"You finally remember me Zhi'Er. My little idiot." He said before passing out and I scream.

I lifted him up with ShangJue's help and carried him to a room hoping not to see any light appear.
Then I treated those wounds before looking at my blood covered hands, I cleaned them before coming back to his side and sitting next to him.

I then leaned slightly towards him before kissing his cheek and taking his hand against me and letting the tears escape and roll down my cheeks.

"I beg you Zhu Yan, you must survive, you can't abandon me... I forbid you... I didn't even tell you I love you this time, so you must not die... I need you by my side..." I said, crying more and more while squeezing his hand against my chest...

I need you Zhu Yan, even more now than before... Your friends are fine I'm sure, so stay by my side this time... If you go back you'll die again...

Chapter Text

It has been 4 months since Zhu Yan showed no signs of recovery, he is still sound asleep.
I went out of the room to get something to eat and when I came back I saw him sitting on the bed and I dropped the tray I was holding at my feet.
He smiled when he saw me and I started running before taking him in my arms gently so as not to hurt him while crying.

"I was so scared of losing you again you stupid demon." I said before pulling away from him and looking at him.

"I'm still here, but how much time has passed ? I'm a little cold." He said as I smiled before taking a quilt and putting it on him better.

"4 months have passed, it's winter Yan'Er, that's why you're cold." I said before sitting down next to him, taking his hand.

"4 months ?!" He said looking at me and I just affirmed while caressing his hand.

"I've been taking care of you for 4 months by resting and staying by your side." I said he then slowly moved closer to me before putting his hands on my cheeks while smiling.

"The most important thing is that I'm still here. Did I seem to disappear at certain times ?" He asked and I shook my head.

"No, never. You never once turned translucent or anything." I said, smiling at him.

He didn't say anything and just gently brought my face to his before kissing me and smiling, this man is driving me crazy looking at me like that.

I smiled into our kiss before deepening it by putting my hands on his neck, then I deepened it even more by adding my tongue into our kiss. This gesture seem to surprised him at first coming from me, but he quickly got into my game and joined my wild dance.
I eventually broke the kiss due to lack of air before resting mu forehead against his forehead while smiling.

“I love you Gong YuanZhi, so much that I would go crazy.” He said and I chuckled before kissing his forehead and pulling away from him while caressing his cheek.

"You were already crazy before you loved me, you old monkey." I said and he chuckled slightly before feeling a slight pain.

"Easy, idiot. The wound hasn't completely healed yet despite all the time that has passed. How come you're so weak ? It's like you ....As if you were human..." I said, seeming to finally realize what was happening.

"It's not like I am. I am. I'm not an old demon anymore. I'm just a human. A human who only wanted to find the one he loves." He said, caressing my cheek while smiling.

“But how ?” I asked, looking at him a little surprised.

"When you disappeared last time, all my energy left my body because of sadness according to old Ying Zhao. The suppression of all my demonic energy therefore made me become human. And 3 years later, I arrived here again." He said before sticking our foreheads together.

"So it's my fault... You lost everything that defines you..." I said, closing my eyes.

"No, by losing you I had lost what defined me, not after. Your existence was what defined me before, so by losing you I was nothing anymore." He said, pushing me away from him and smiling at me.

"I love you so much YuanZhi. I don't even know how I managed to last 3 years there without breaking down." He added before kissing my forehead, my cheek, my nose, then my lips, each time saying how much he loved me.

...

“Zhu Yan ! Hurry up, idiot !” I said as I ran towards various stalls on the streets outside the Gong residence.

It's been 5 years since he've been here, and 3 years since I decided that we were married, even though no real ceremony has been held since then.
But Zhu Yan seems to be hiding something from me, because I have learned to know all his expressions and now I know that he is hiding something from me but I don't know what, and I really want to know what it is.

...

We were walking back to the our residence with some purchased goods when I suddenly stopped upon seeing wedding decorations hanging in front of the residence.

"What is this ?" I asked him as I held onto his arm and the next moment my brother came along and pulled me along and Zhu Yan was pulled by Ziyu and Wei Shan.

ShangJue took me to my room before giving me wedding clothes and I smiled before trying to hold back tears.

"Don't cry Didi, it's a surprise from Zhu Yan." He said before putting the red dress on me outside himself while smiling.

Then we left once prepared and hearing the voice of ShangJue Zhu Yan as turned towards his voice, and he saw me wearing a red hanfu as well and then I clearly understood.

He walked up to me before holding out his hand which I quickly took with a smile and then he accompanied me to the altar.
We then greeted the sky and the earth, the family and then each other.

"Kiss each other ! You're not usually shy so let go !" Wei Shan said shouting which made everyone laugh, my 5-year-old nephew. .

I then pulled him by the collar while smiling.

"I love you my stupid monkey and that forever." I said before kissing him while running my hands down his neck while smiling.

He responded to my kiss with a smile, you could say that today is the happiest day of our life.

...

We then all ate together, before Zhu Yan and I ended up in the same room and he saw me smile before reaching out to him.

"Let's celebrate our marriage properly, all that's missing is the wedding night." I whispered in his ear once he had me in his arms and he smiled before carrying me to bed.

Last night I dreamed of Yichen, who seemed happy alongside the others. And I saw him smile even more when I saw Li Lun coming towards him before he was lifted up by him and he kissed him before taking him in his arms. Then I had the impression that he saw me and he smiled at me.

I first felt the sun on my skin, before I felt anyone kissing my forehead while smiling and I opened my eyes before grimacing and sticking my head in his neck.

“I love you YuanZhi.” He said and I smile against his neck before kissing his neck.

Since the day I remembered him, I never had chest pain again, as if this pain only existed to remind me that I no longer remembered him.
But now I remembers him and we are actually married.
I can't be happier than that, especially since even that his friends there are doing well and managing to be happy.
Everything is fine for everyone, so everything is perfect, and everything will always be, especially since I wake up next to the person I have loved for 5 years already.

Zhu Yan, you made me crazy about you again and again. And I never let go of you, you are the love of my life.

Chapter Text

Li Lun POV

I was fighting everyone when Zhu Yan asked them to leave, they all left without looking back except Zhuo Yichen.

I then fought with Zhu Yan, when suddenly, a bright light appeared and Zhu Yan was no longer there when it disappeared.

...

Then weeks passed and I heard that the ChangWu camp had attacked their office.
So I wanted to go there to look at all this and when I got there, I saw an arm sticking out of a pillar.
I got closer and as I walked around, I saw Zhuo Yichen.
At first I thought he was dead, then as I was about to leave, I heard him moaning in pain.
I was going to leave him there but seeing his face contort from the pain, I backtracked and gently picked him up in my arms before carrying him to my house.

Once I arrived I put him in my bed before realizing that he was too weak and that if I didn't do anything he was going to die.
So I lifted him up slightly before settling behind him and transferring some of my internal energy to keep him alive.

...

A few days had passed but he didn't wake up despite the energy I was transmitting to him. And as I entered my room again, I saw him sitting looking around.

"Finally wake up the sleeping beauty." I said at the entrance of the room and hearing my voice he jumped at first before looking for his sword.

He then managed to find it and point it at me before wincing again and dropping his sword due to the pain.
In less than a minute I was already at his side checking his pulse and he jumped when he felt my touch.

"What are you doing ?" He said to me as he tried to move away but couldn't because of my grip on his wrist.

"Don't move, my energy is still trying to get used to your body." I said and he stopped moving.

“Your energy ?” he said, looking at me a little puzzled.

"I saved your life, you made me feel sorry for you out there all alone." I said before getting up.

"You ? Save me ? I'd be surprised... What do you want from me ?" He said and I laughed before coming back to him and easily blocking him using my power that hasn't fully recovered yet.

"If I wanted to do something to you, I would have done it sooner. I saved you without meaning to, so think a little more before you speak." I said before releasing him and leaving.

I came back a few minutes later before putting food on the table for him and he looked at me strangely and I left again.

...

The weeks then passed quickly and he didn't leave, he stayed by my side and day by day we got a little closer to each other.
I had just put some food on the table and was about to leave when he stopped me before smiling slightly and motioning for me to sit down.

"Eat with me, it's boring to eat alone." He said and I just sat there smiling without eating.

“You’re not eating ?” He finally asked me and I laughed before seeing a piece of meat held out in front of me and a smile on his face.

"Eat, it's good, you're a very good at cooking." He told me before I finally took the piece of meat he handed me.

He was waiting for my reaction and I just laughed before wiping some sauce off the corner of his mouth before smiling at his reaction.

...

I was outside, when I felt presences that I know well on my territory, I went back to my cave and I saw Yichen just sitting and he smiled when he saw me before coming to me and pulling me by the hand.

"Let's eat, I was waiting for you." He said before making me sit down and he slid down and ended up sitting on me.

"You're clumsy Yichen, what will you do when you have to leave with your friends ?" I said, holding him without helping him get up, but on the contrary keeping him sitting on me.

"They must have thought I was dead. And besides, I'm fine here with you." He said. I wanted to smile, but I held myself back and just pulled his face to mine before kissing him and quickly letting go when an arrow almost hit me.

"Yichen ! You were really here !" Wen Xiao said as she ran to him before helping him up because I had made him fall while moving.

“You ! What were you doing in Yichen ?!” Pei Si Ting said and I just laughed before getting up.

"I'm having fun and you guys are ruining it." I said as I sat on my bed and as she threatened me with an arrow Yichen suddenly spoke.

"Stop ! He saved me !" He said before coming in front of me and I laughed before getting up.

"I did save you. But it was for fun. After all, Zhu Yan disappeared. I had nothing else to do." I said before approaching him.

"To me you're just a human who's of no use to me. Go away while I'm still nice." I said before turning my back to them and closing my eyes, Yichen go... There's nothing here that I can offer you...

...

They then forced Yichen to follow them and I found myself alone again.

A few days passed before I heard from some demons that Yichen and the others were being chased by those from the ChangWu camp.

I quickly joined them before pulling Yichen out of danger before he ended up in my arms.

“Li Lun ?” He said to me and I just smiled before kissing his forehead and helping them.

And while we were defending ourselves well, I saw the others being surrounded and while Yichen was going there, I rushed in instead and saved them.

Their leader was also dead and I fell to my knees holding on... Poison... The blade was poisoned...
And just when I thought I had no regrets, I saw Yichen running up to me before throwing his sword and hugging me.

"Li Lun.... I'm here everything will be fine..." He said as tears flowed from his eyes.

“Even when you cry you're beautiful.” I said smiling as I wiped a tear from his cheek.

"You can't leave Li Lun to me..." He said, crying even more.

"Why can't I ?" I said before spitting blood on him and he hugged me even tighter.

"Because I love you, damn it!" He said and I could only smile and not answer, because all my strength suddenly left me...

And then suddenly I woke up in the woods with a horrible headache before feeling Zhu Yan's presence... And seeing my outfit, I understood... I went back in time...
I will save you Yichen...

...

Many years passed and everything that had happened happened again except this time I didn't hold it against Zhu Yan anymore.

And while I was in the forest, I saw someone attacking another person and I quickly recognized Yichen.
I quickly went there before trying to help him but this damn demon had more than one trick up his sleeve.
I followed them for several hours and every time I managed to rescue him, this damn demon came back to the charge.

"Leave me... but in exchange, you have to promise to come and rescue me." He said and I agreed before letting go of his hand and the next moment he was dragged away by this demon.

...

I was trying to find a way to help him, when suddenly Zhu Yan came to me for help. I took them to the cave, and when I turned back, I saw someone injured and realized that it was Yichen.

I ran to him before realizing it wasn't him. I then took him to Tiandu and smelled Zhu Yan's scent on him... Zhu Yan is related to a human ? When and how did this happen ?

...

I then spent my days wandering alone, I miss Yichen so much but how would they react if I showed up at the office like this ?

I had arrived in a town when I was attacked and looking at the person who had attacked me I recognized a very old friend.

"Hello to you too Xiang Liu. Saying hello is better than attacking." I said before feeling myself weaken and he laughed before starting to walk away from me.

"Still as weak as before. My poison will kill you Li Lun." He said.

I then left before seeing several silhouettes and smelling a scent that I know... Yichen... When I got to them I fainted and I felt Yichen's scent getting closer to me... Here you are again Yichen.

I felt them holding me several to heal me, and when I woke up there was a slight pain, but it quickly disappeared, when I saw Yichen above me when I woke up...
I have my head on his lap and he seems to be resting after a long time. Seeing him so calm and resting does me good.

"Finally woke up Li Lun !" Zhu Yan aid as I looked at him evilly before Yichen woke up with a start and met my gaze with my head on his knees.

"You...are you okay ?"Yichen asked me while looking at me and I just responded with a nod before trying to slowly get up but YuanZhi threw a needle at me so that I couldn't move anymore and I glared at him badly.

"No moving for now. Yichen you can take it away from him and if he moves again he'll get another one." YuanZhi said before approaching Si Heng's sleeping body.

“He should wake up soon judging by the speed of his pulse.” he reassured Si Ting before sitting down on the ground and sighing.

“Li Lun, it’s Xiang Liu who is behind all this.” Zhu Yan said and I just laughed.

"I know, it's because of him that I was in this state not because of his henchmen. With all of you there would be an easier way to kill him." I said trying to stand up but Yichen stopped me forcing me to stay lying on his knees.

"He can move a little, sitting down he should be able to, but with help." YuanZhi said as he went to stand up but Zhu Yan stopped him and Yichen gently lifted me up to help me sit down.

“How come you seem to know each other ?” Wen Xiao asked as he looked at them.

"He tried to save me. At the time the face changer got me, but he didn't succeed." Yichen said after he had my firmly anchored.

"That's how I knew where he was, but I couldn't get inside. Shifters like this demon create barriers for demons like me, so I took the opportunity to take you to him."I said before closing my eyes and leaves began to swirl.

“What is he doing ?” YuanZhi asked Zhu Yan as he came closer to him.

"He's healing himself. He's also a demon, I remind you, my dear." He said, whispering in his ear and he pushed him before hitting him.

"Don't do that." He said, looking away, his cheeks slightly red.

“By the way, YuanZhi, how old are you ?” Wen Xiao suddenly asked, which caught him off guard.

"Me ? Yan'er, how long have we known each other ?" he asked, turning to him.

"You dare to test me at this time ? That was 9 years ago, you were 16, so you're probably 25." He said proud of himself and YuanZhi affirmed before smiling.

“So you’re older than Yichen. He’s only 24.” She said as she looked towards Yichen.

"Probably. But..." He said looking at Zhu Yan and I chuckled lightly before opening my eyes again.

"But not really at the same time. It was 9 years ago, but the 9 years that have passed, Zhu Yan has already lived them once. So YuanZhi is younger in reality. He has just lived 9 years that you have spent reliving what has already passed." I suddenly said which made YuanZhi's eyes widen.

"He's my best friend, of course he noticed that something was wrong. And I had to explain everything to him." Zhu Yan said while looking at YuanZhi which made me laugh.

"So, what we're experiencing now, have you experienced it before ?" Pei Si Ting asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, everything has changed. Li Lun is no longer our enemy, and YuanZhi is here. So nothing is the same as before. Before, there were things that existed that no longer exist and there were things that did not exist that exist now." He said while caressing YuanZhi's hand who smiled before resting his head on his shoulder.

"You would have done everything to kill me before, but not now. I'm on your side." I said, glancing at Yichen who looked away.

"I had I wouldn't have done it this time. I like you quite a bit. " Yichen muttered, but as a demon I could hear him and I smile hearing that.

And as Zhu Yan looked towards me, he met my gaze and my eyes shine golden and he seem to understood, he saw the truth there.... I remembers everything. He was sent elsewhere, and I was still here.

"I'll tell you everything, when the time comes you'll know everything." I murmured before turning my gaze back to Yichen at my side who was struggling to fall back asleep.

So I gently laid his head against my shoulder and he smiled slightly before letting me and falling asleep on my shoulder, grabbing my arm.

...

Several days had passed, Yichen avoiding me a bit because of Ying Lei's bullshit, even though sometimes I hope it's the truth and that Yichen likes me too.

I was sitting on some steps looking at the sky, when I heard footsteps approaching me before recognizing Zhu Yan's presence.
He approached me, touched my shoulder and sat down next to me.

“How did you know? Do you really remember everything?” He asked, looking up at the sky as well.

"I knew it because I simply remember it. After you disappeared last time, the office was attacked by the ChangWu camp. The others had managed to escape thanks to Yichen. I'm there, to see the extent of the damage. He was on the ground, at first I thought he was dead, but he wasn't. I wanted to leave him there... But I couldn't, as soon as I saw him so weak, I then took him with me and saved him. I had to give him some of my powers to save him. We had gotten closer with difficulty but quite quickly at the same time... I ended up dying, protecting him and protecting them too, that's what you would have done and that's what he was going to do. Before I died, he had time to reach me and he told me "I love you", before I could answer anything I was dead. Then I woke up, in the forest, I quickly realized that I was in the past. I said with a smile, and at the same time I heard light footsteps in the hallway and turning around, I saw Yichen.

“I’ll leave you two alone.” He said as he stood up and tapped my shoulder.

Right after Yichen slowly approached me before sitting down next to me and resting his head on my shoulder.

“So you remember everything too?” He said and I turned to him and he just chuckled lightly before pulling me by the collar and coming in to kiss me.

"I still love you Li Lun. Whether in my previous life or this one I will always love you." He said and I smiled before telling him I love you too.

...

Then months and years passed after YuanZhi's disappearance, Zhu Yan was no longer the same already because he had become human, and because he had lost the one he loved...
So when he disappeared again, I hoped with all my heart that this time, he could stay with the one he loves and those forever.

...

I was sitting on the steps watching everyone else, when I felt Yichen's hand on my shoulder, before he sat down next to me, hugging me and smiling at me.

“What are you doing smiling like that ?” he said to me, laying his head on my shoulder.

“I watch my family blossom and hope my friend is okay.” I said before taking his hand in mine and smiling. Before bringing his hand to my mouth and dropping a kiss on his hand.

"As long as he's with YuanZhi I'm sure he's happy." He said, smiling at me even more.

“Having you by my side pleases me greatly too, and having them adds more happiness to me.” I said and he smiled.

Then I looked at the stars and I felt like I was observing, but with a benevolent gaze... Zhu Yan I'm sure it's you my friend.
I smile before lightly laughing and I say the words "I see you Zhu Yan. We're fine don't worry."

Then a star disappeared and I smiled, now I'm sure, my friend is fine and he's still with the person he loves and he too seemed to worry about us... But now he doesn't need to worry anymore I'll take care of everyone for him.

Because now they have become my family and that forever and ever.

Zhu Yan, Yuanzhi you will always be part of our family even if you are no longer by our side, you are always present in our hearts.