QHM Chapter 90 – Part 2

Why care so much about the affairs of a stranger?

The famous CEO of Shixing Group, Yan Shixiu, must be extremely busy every day, right?

He often heard Lu Shixing complain—complain that his brother was never around, always in meetings, traveling every month.

Someone like that—why furrow his brows so deeply over the matters of a stranger?

Just like that day at the bar.

Why stop for the sake of a stranger?

Xu Yin couldn’t help but chuckle.

He said softly, “It doesn’t matter.”

The man stared at him steadily.

Xu Yin smiled and said, “I don’t care about them, or what they say, so it doesn’t matter. It’s okay.”

A fierce wind blew past.

Xu Yin looked off into the distance.

As long as one doesn’t care in their heart, they won’t be bothered.

If they’re not bothered, they won’t feel sadness or pain.

All Xu Yin wanted was peace.

The man looked at him for a long time without saying a word.

At a certain moment, he suddenly asked, “Why didn’t you ask us for help that day?”

Xu Yin turned to look at him.

“If we had left, and that guy attacked you again, would you have been able to protect yourself?” the man asked slowly.

Xu Yin was a bit surprised… He hadn’t expected this man to suddenly ask such a question.

After thinking a bit, he replied, “Yes. Although I’m not as strong, if I really needed to fight back, I could use the surroundings and objects nearby to strike back.”

Xu Yin answered seriously. The man: “…”

Seeing his expression, Xu Yin let out a soft laugh.

The man: “…………”

Xu Yin laughed so hard his shoulders trembled.

The man slowly put on a stern face.

Really getting cuter by the second.

Xu Yin smiled and said, “Why care about something like that?”

After a moment of silence, the man said seriously, “Not asking others for help—that’s not good.”

After a pause, his tone softened, “Also, it’s fine to not care about bad people, but you can’t stop caring about everything.”

Stop caring about everything.

Xu Yin’s smile froze slightly.

Ah. He’s been seen through.

Xu Yin let out a light sigh.

Not liking to ask others for help, not wanting to trouble others with his own issues—at the root of it, it was because Xu Yin had grown used to it. Used to keeping a distance from others, even from people like Lu Shixing, with whom he maintained appropriate space.

Xu Yin was used to being alone. Over time, he was able to maintain a calm attitude toward the outside world, able to treat everything with… indifference.

The initial desire to reach that state, of course, had to do with his parents. But gradually, chasing that state became instinct.

Now, if Xu Yin were to reflect on whether that pursuit was “bad,” or “wrong,” he couldn’t come up with an answer. Rather, it was as if his entire world didn’t have a lighthouse to guide him in any direction.

Of course, Xu Yin didn’t think it was that serious of a problem.

But clearly, this Mr. Yan didn’t think so.

Xu Yin didn’t know how to respond. After thinking for a moment, he said, “…We don’t know each other.”

This wasn’t to say that Xu Yin rejected the things the man had said.

In fact, the man’s attitude was very polite. Even though his voice was cold, his words were extremely gentle.

For a moment, Xu Yin was actually touched.

It was just that these issues had existed within him for so long, he really… didn’t know how to answer.

The man pressed his lips together.

He suddenly straightened up, looked intently at Xu Yin, and said in a low voice, “My name is Yan Shixiu—Yan as in ‘language,’ Shi as in ‘time,’ and Xiu as in ‘cultivation.’”

Xu Yin thought, I know.

Although you don’t know me, I’ve already heard plenty about you from your younger brother.

The man’s gaze darkened slightly as he looked at him. “Can I know your name?”

Thump.

Xu Yin froze.

In that moment, he was acutely aware—or perhaps both he and Yan Shixiu were aware—that something subtle had quietly shifted.

The way people meet is truly mysterious.

Xu Yin knew that, with his usual manner, at this moment he should smile and divert the topic.

But every second he spent with this man felt so strange and intriguing.

So, drawn in by the man’s focused gaze, Xu Yin spoke without thinking.

He murmured, “…My name is Xu Yin.”

At the moment he heard his name, Xu Yin saw Yan Shixiu’s eyes grow darker.

And in that same moment, Xu Yin’s heart couldn’t help but tighten.

It felt as if his heart had been wrapped in something—gently yet firmly held.

The man looked at him deeply, parted his lips, as if to say something—but was abruptly interrupted.

The rooftop door suddenly opened, and a middle-aged woman walked in. She glanced around, her gaze landing on the man, and complained, “Shixiu, I knew you were here. Why didn’t you reply to my messages? We’re about to leave. Are you coming with us or heading back to the office for a meeting?”

She then noticed Xu Yin and asked in confusion, “Is he your friend?”

Xu Yin snapped out of it. He glanced at Yan Shixiu, and before the man could reply, he smiled and said, “Then I’ll go first. If fate allows, we’ll meet again, Mr. Yan.”

With that, Xu Yin turned and left.

He felt like he needed to calm down.

Xu Yin did calm down.

He began to quietly reflect on every moment of his two encounters with Yan Shixiu. The more he thought, the more he felt a strange shift in his heart.

Xu Yin had known for a long time that he liked men, but he had never truly fallen for anyone.

He hadn’t even planned to fall in love.

…Much less fall in love with his roommate’s older brother.

Ugh.

Fortunately, no one else knew about his thoughts. Lu Shixing certainly didn’t.

Because he had fallen into a crisis of his own. When he went home for the weekend, he accidentally let his parents find out about his sexuality, and it turned into a big fight.

The other two roommates had gone out partying with classmates, so only Xu Yin picked up Lu Shixing’s call. Lu spoke with a stuffy nose, sounding aggrieved: “What era are we even living in? So what if I like men? No matter how angry they get, I just can’t like girls!”

While changing his shoes and clothes, Xu Yin asked, “Were your parents really that adamant?”

“Yeah, probably. They yelled at me just now, and my dad even grabbed a mop. I ran out right away…” Lu Shixing sniffled pitifully and said, “Anyway, just come out and keep me company tonight…”

“I know,” Xu Yin replied gently. As a fellow gay man, he was probably the only one who could be Lu Shixing’s safe space right now. “Where should I meet you?”

“I’m at a club opened by someone I know. I’ll ask my friend to come pick you up. Wait for him at the XX Road bus stop, okay?”

Xu Yin said softly, “Okay. Alright, don’t cry anymore.”

“Mm…” Lu Shixing whimpered.

Xu Yin didn’t bring much. After walking to the bus stop and waiting for a while, his thoughts drifted off and on again, and he couldn’t help thinking: Lu Shixing’s parents really do react strongly to this sort of thing…

Suddenly, the phone vibrated twice.

Xu Yin glanced at it and froze.

Lu Shixing: “My friend had something come up and can’t make it. I asked my brother to pick you up instead. Just wait where you are.”

Xu Yin lifted his phone, fingers twitching—he wanted to ask if that guy had told his brother exactly who he was picking up…

Right then, a luxury car pulled up in front of him.

The rear window rolled down. Yan Shixiu looked out, pausing in surprise when he saw Xu Yin.

Xu Yin: “…”

Right. Clearly, Lu Shixing hadn’t told his brother.

After getting into the car, the atmosphere became very awkward.

The driver, evidently, knew nothing.

Xu Yin tried to speak a few times but held back. In the end, it was Yan Shixiu who broke the silence first.

He said, “…You’re Shixing’s roommate.”

Xu Yin: “…Yeah.”

Yan Shixiu: “…Did you recognize me the first time we met?”

Xu Yin: “…Yes, sorry.”

Silence. More silence.

Xu Yin thought about it, then tried to explain:

“There really wasn’t a good chance to introduce myself at the bar… and then at the hospital…”

…He hadn’t found the right moment before leaving either.

Awkward.

The man’s gaze on him was deep and quiet.

Xu Yin felt a little guilty.

In a soft tone, he said again, “Sorry.”

Yan Shixiu continued staring at him and asked, “Why did you run away last time?”

Run away…

That phrase…

Although Xu Yin didn’t like it—and had never done such a thing before—he had to admit, last time, he had run away.

The reason was simple:

He felt he couldn’t afford to stay in such a vulnerable state and risk making a decision or saying something irrational.

But now, that avoidance had led to this moment, where everything was out in the open.

Now that he was in Yan Shixiu’s car, running away was no longer an option.

What came next was way beyond what Xu Yin had emotionally prepared for.

Yan Shixiu: “I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”

Xu Yin: “…I’m sorry.”

Yan Shixiu: “I went back to both the hospital and that bar.”

Xu Yin could hear the accusation in that. For the first time in his life, he felt truly guilty:

“Sorry.”

Yan Shixiu continued quietly:

“I still don’t know which ‘Yin’ your name is.”

Xu Yin, even more guilty:

“It’s the ‘Yin’ from music.”

Yan Shixiu’s voice softened:

“That’s a very beautiful name.”

Thump.

Xu Yin curled his fingers tightly.

This was terrible.

Why did Lu Shixing’s brother have to be such a menace?

Yan Shixiu spoke again, “Can we continue the conversation we didn’t finish last time?”

Xu Yin: “…Okay.”

The man said in a low voice, “Can I have your contact information?”

Xu Yin’s curled fingers gently brushed the back of his phone.

The man looked at him intently and said, “Next time… may I ask you out?”

Xu Yin opened his mouth slightly.

“To wherever you want to go, doing whatever you like to do,” the man’s voice was low and gentle, “I’m up for it all.”

Xu Yin was momentarily speechless.

After a while, his body relaxed slightly.

He smiled helplessly and said, “I heard that when Shixing came out, your parents’ reaction… was very intense.”

Yan Shixiu thought seriously for a few seconds, then earnestly said, “Everything takes a process. It’s fine once they accept it.”

Xu Yin: “…………”

He let out a laugh: “Do your parents know that’s how you think?”

Yan Shixiu still replied with complete seriousness: “I just came from the company. I only heard a brief version of the story from Shixing. I haven’t had a chance to talk to my parents yet. When I get home, I’ll sit down and have a proper talk with them.”

Xu Yin couldn’t help it anymore. He laughed and shook his head: “You’re so cute.”

The man froze. In an instant, his ears turned even redder.

He looked unconvinced: “I’m older than you…”

Xu Yin just kept smiling, smiling as he looked at him. Yan Shixiu stopped talking too, and slowly, the corners of his lips began to lift.

Xu Yin didn’t know what would come from accepting this man.

They had only met three times in total.

Everything happened so suddenly, and things had progressed so quickly.

Could a relationship like this really work? How long could it last?

Xu Yin gazed at Yan Shixiu, and Yan Shixiu gazed back at him.

The driver couldn’t help glancing repeatedly at the rearview mirror.

But outside the window, night had already fallen.

The light in the car was dim, only occasionally illuminated by the rapidly flashing streetlights.

Xu Yin asked softly, “Why do you like me?”

In the darkness, the man seemed momentarily stunned.

The glow of the streetlight flashed by, and Xu Yin saw that the man’s face had turned red.

In his dark eyes, it seemed like starlight was scattered, drawing Xu Yin’s gaze in.

He parted his lips again and began to say something…

But the next second, the entire car was struck hard!

In the dizzying chaos, Xu Yin was tightly held by the man. In his mind, what replayed was the man’s shy face and gentle words.

Ever since I met you, I’ve never forgotten you.

That day on the rooftop when we met again, I realized I didn’t like the look on your face.

At that moment, I understood.

…

Xu Yin’s view of family was always indifferent.

Or rather, before meeting Yan Shixiu, he was indifferent to all forms of affection.

He lived alone, never expecting someone to pull him out when he was stuck in the mud, and never believed anyone would.

Of course, when he found himself in a vast, white space, facing a system created by a being from another dimension, Xu Yin finally started to reflect seriously.

When he was tightly embraced by Yan Shixiu and realized that this warmth, even though it had come quickly and felt almost unreal, was still something that truly existed, he suddenly understood—

All this time, maybe he didn’t need to shut himself off so much.

Warmth… maybe it really could be that simple.

As long as he was willing to accept it, he could have it.

At that moment, Xu Yin even thought, if Lu Shixing knew what he had always believed, that guy would definitely be very, very angry.

Too bad, no matter how angry that guy might be, he wouldn’t be able to throw a tantrum anymore.

Because both he and his brother were already dead.

But the balloon-like system in front of him said: “Wait, don’t think about death just yet. If you follow me and complete missions, you can be resurrected! You really can be revived! You and that soul following you can both come back to life!”

Xu Yin was stunned: “The soul following me?”

“Yeah,” said the system called 018, “It’s rare, but not unheard of. Let me take a look… Looks like it’s a relative of yours? The one who was in the accident with you? He seems really determined to protect you, which is probably why he followed you all the way here.”

Wanting to protect his loved ones?

The words hit Xu Yin like a heavy blow. His eyes instantly stung with a sudden ache.

Wanting to protect his loved ones…

God.

Xu Yin thought to himself, Yan Shixiu, how long have we even known each other? We’ve only met three times in total…

How could someone go this far for him?

Or maybe, that’s just how this man is?

Maybe it’s simply in his nature—so pure, so gentle…

Xu Yin closed his eyes. A warm current surged from his chest, flooding up to his mind.

Loved one…

He chewed on those words over and over, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Ah, that’s right.

A lover could become family, couldn’t they?

His fingertips trembled slightly.

After a moment, he opened his eyes and asked, “If I complete the missions, can both of us come back to life?”

018 replied, “Yes! But because his soul was severely injured, he won’t be able to help you with the missions. He needs to rest and recover in the mission worlds, so it’ll be all on you…”

“That’s fine,” Xu Yin said with a smile. “I’ll take on the missions.”

This man had already protected him once.

Now, it was his turn to guard that soul.

——

The scenes slowly faded away.

Chaotic noises gradually returned.

Xu Yin heard people shouting for a doctor, the hurried sounds of footsteps. When he slowly opened his eyes, doctors and nurses were gathered at his bedside. Lu Shixing, red-eyed, was crying and laughing at the same time. “Xu Yin, you’re finally awake… My brother’s been awake for two days already—you took forever!”

Xu Yin shifted his gaze to the man standing beside Lu Shixing.

The man looked at him gently, opened his mouth, and silently mouthed a sentence:

Yinyin, we’re back.

We’ve finally come back.

All those adventures were merely a pause in the long journey of life.

In that pause, Xu Yin learned to embrace the world. The fog had all been blown away, and this man, 018, along with each of those mission worlds, had together built him a lighthouse.

From now on, the lights would shine bright, and he would never be lost again.

---

End

 

Author’s Note: The main story is now complete!

To sum it up… the gong was completely wrapped around Yinyin’s finger from beginning to end, hahaha!

I’ll be updating some extras next—tying up the loose ends and sharing some sweet daily moments! I’ll take a break tomorrow, and extras will begin the day after. Muah 💋

Now let me plug my upcoming and pre-saved novels—click into my author page to find all my works and follow me! There are already lots of completed stories there~ Love you all!