After Marrying the Lord of the Underworld

One should know that hairball was a Tao Tie in its juvenile form. How could a Tao Tie ever be full?

 

Just think about how much it must have eaten.

 

Lu Yingjiu thought about all the odds and ends that Jing Xian had fed hairball.

 

He also remembered a saying that if you see a small cockroach in your house, there is actually a large nest of cockroaches in your house. The same principle applies to Jing Xian’s feeding. If Lu Yingjiu saw him feed randomly dozens of times, then in the corners he didn’t see, Jing Xian must have fed countless things!

 

Maybe there are hundreds of skulls!

 

And tonight, Jing Xian let it gnaw on hundreds of sheets of white paper.

 

That was the last straw!

 

Lu Yingjiu quickly picked up hairball, rubbed its soft head, and asked, “Are you full?”

 

Hairball shook its head desperately. “Awooo! Burp! Awoooo! Burp!”

 

It’s more than just being full, it sounded like it’s about to vomit.

 

Lu Yingjiu was at a loss, and shot a sharp look at Jing Xian.

 

Knowing that he was in the wrong, Jing Xian was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to get into bed tonight. He quickly rummaged in his four-dimensional backpack and said, “Don’t worry, don’t worry, I brought a bottle of digestive tablets.”

 

“Will it work if it eats this?” Lu Yingjiu asked suspiciously.

 

“No problem.” Jing Xian patted hairball, and hairball opened its mouth wide at him, showing its sharp tiger teeth.

 

Lu Yingjiu thought Jing Xian would take out five or six tablets.

 

Unexpectedly, Jing Xian didn’t stop his hand and directly poured the whole bottle down!

 

Gulp-gulp-gulp!

 

Hairball didn’t refuse anything that came, and instantly ate all the hundred or so tablets of medicine, without much chewing, and swallowed it directly.

 

Lu Yingjiu: ??

 

Lu Yingjiu: “Jing Xian, are you raising a Gu?!”

 

This seems to make the situation worse!

 

Jing Xian said, “It ate so much that it definitely needs a strong medicine. It’s okay, maybe it will grow up after eating this time.”

 

“Beasts can’t grow up so quickly.” Lu Yingjiu lifted hairball again and saw that its usually wagging tail had wilted, and its belly was round. He observed it over and over again before confirming that the hundred digestive tablets did not have a counterproductive effect.

 

It doesn’t seem like something’s going on, it should just be fine later.

 

After all, it’s a Tao Tie, and it’s talented in this respect.

 

But next, Lu Yingjiu won’t feed it anymore.

 

Hairball nestled in his arms, watching him and Jing Xian eat other things with wide eyes.

 

It was so wronged that it was about to drool. It couldn’t eat, and it saw Jing Xian feed Lu Yingjiu a few bites.

 

“Awooo awooo burp!” It protested.

 

This time, even Jing Xian didn’t indulge it. Every time it opened its mouth, he poured a little digestive tablet into its mouth. In this way, as they walked all the way, Jing Xian successfully fed another bottle of tablets.

 

This medicine was much more useful than Lu Yingjiu imagined.

 

By the time they turned the third corner of the night market, hairball had stopped burping.

 

When he and Jing Xian sat by the roadside and opened two coconuts to drink the coconut water, hairball was lively again.

 

Jing Xian picked it up and put it on the table, saying to Lu Yingjiu, “See, isn’t it better?”

 

“It’s also thanks to it being a glutton.” Lu Yingjiu sipped his coconut juice leisurely.

 

“Maybe it really is about to grow up.” Jing Xian rubbed its fur.

 

“Impossible,” Lu Yingjiu said, “Its lifespan is so long, maybe it won’t even…”

 

Bang!

 

A loud noise!

 

Their table collapsed, and the coconut juice spilled all over the floor. Lu Yingjiu’s vision was pitch black – to be precise, his field of vision was full of black fur. Something half a person tall crushed the table.

 

Lu Yingjiu took a closer look –

 

In front of him was… a super big hairball!!

 

Hairball: “Awoo awooo awoo!” Waving its tail madly.

 

The voice had dropped by eight degrees.

 

Lu Yingjiu: ??

 

Other people couldn’t see Mao Tuanzi, they just saw their table suddenly collapse, and they all looked sideways. The waiter hurried over to see if they were injured.

 

It was impossible to get hurt.

 

It’s just that Mao Tuanzi chewed a big mouthful, crushed the coconut shell that fell on the ground, and swallowed it in one gulp. The more it ate, the happier it became, and it leaned towards other people’s tables following the scent of food.

 

Lu Yingjiu wanted to hold it and take it away.

 

But the mass of the big hairball had increased too much, he grabbed a handful of fluffy fur, but couldn’t lift it up. Seeing hairball about to run off like a runaway dog to snatch other people’s coconuts –

 

“Awoo?”

 

Hairball was suspended in the air in confusion.

 

Jing Xian lifted it up with one hand, and with the other hand, he simply took out his bank card to pay the bill, and then left with Lu Yingjiu under the stunned gaze of everyone.

 

The two of them and hairball came to a corner.

 

Only then did Jing Xian put the big hairball on the ground, patted it and said, “See, hasn’t it grown up?”

 

Lu Yingjiu: “…”

 

Lu Yingjiu said, “I’m feeling very complicated right now. Do you know that some people keep mini pigs as pets?”

 

“I know.” Jing Xian nodded.

 

Lu Yingjiu continued, “Some people bought the wrong breed, some unscrupulous merchants deceived people, and they raised and raised them only to find that the mini pig was getting bigger and bigger, and finally became a big pig.”

 

He looked at hairball with a complex expression and said, “Now, my feelings are subtly similar to theirs.” He squatted down to rub hairball and said, “I originally thought that when it grew up, it would be a formidable beast. Isn’t it recorded in the ‘Classic of Mountains and Seas’ that ‘it looks like a sheep with a human face, its eyes are under its armpits, it has tiger teeth and human claws’.”

 

He didn’t expect that hairball would still be hairball when it grew up.

 

Jing Xian disdainfully said, “If it really grows like in the record, it won’t be as cute as it is now.”

 

“That’s true.” Lu Yingjiu laughed and rubbed its head.

 

Jing Xian added, “This size is just right for a lazy sofa.”

 

Lu Yingjiu: “…”

 

Lu Yingjiu: “………”

 

Jing Xian continued to imagine the future, “In the future, we will sit on it when we watch a game, and we can feed it by throwing the peel of the fruit we have eaten down. It’s so convenient, smart and environmentally friendly.”

 

Then he got a hard hit on his head from Lu Yingjiu.

 

Unfortunately, hairball was not easy to hold after it grew up. Lu Yingjiu thought to himself that he couldn’t let Jing Xian hold it all the way like this.

 

He was just worrying. Unexpectedly, haiball shook its tail, its body hair moved like waves, and with an “awooo!” it returned to its original size and jumped back into his arms.

 

It turned back into a portable hairball.

 

Lu Yingjiu couldn’t help but smile and scratched its chin.

 

They continued to walk down the long street.

 

The aroma of food was everywhere, and there were rounds after rounds, which made people dazzled and couldn’t pick them all. Fortunately, hairball regained its appetite, and all the food that Lu Yingjiu couldn’t eat was thrown to it, without any waste.

 

Lu Yingjiu originally had no interest in food, but somehow he had an appetite while wandering around with Jing Xian. They stopped and went, and they almost tasted all the snacks.

 

Near ten o’clock, they finally walked to the end of the night market.

 

Jing Xian looked at his watch and said, “There will be fireworks here at ten o’clock tonight.”

 

“What’s the celebration?” Lu Yingjiu asked.

 

“It seems to be the 30th anniversary of this night market.” Jing Xian answered.

 

He was right, and the tourists who left during this time were fewer. Everyone either sat in the open seats or found a good place to stop and chat, waiting for the fireworks.

 

Jing Xian pulled Lu Yingjiu up to the second floor of a bar.

 

The second floor was street-facing and open-air, with delicate flowers and plants, and vines climbing up the birdcage-like plant climbing frame, outlining delicate shapes.

 

Lu Yingjiu ordered a juice, and Jing Xian ordered an iced beer.

 

Hairball only got a cup of boiled water, and it protested with a whimper.

 

The evening breeze was cool, and a sip of cold drink, full of food and drink, was so comfortable that people could squint their eyes.

 

Lu Yingjiu slowly stirred the straw, and a grape in the cup burst open. The sweet juice mixed into the tea, and the watermelon and orange both had attractive colors.

 

The street was bustling with people, but the second floor was very quiet. He yawned lazily.

 

He said, “Jing Xian.”

 

“Hmm?” Jing Xian looked at him.

 

“You said we have a predestined relationship.” Lu Yingjiu said, “But can only wait for myself to recall.”

 

Jing Xian’s eyes lit up. “Did you remember?”

 

“…No.” Lu Yingjiu somehow laughed, “It’s just that after I drank the divine water of the peacock, I dreamed of my previous life.”

 

He dreamed of a vague and magnificent snowstorm, where he lit a bright lamp and stepped forward in the snow, his white clothes fluttering.

 

He was leading a young man in a black robe whose face was unclear.

 

The young man spoke, asking cautiously, “…Will you die?”

 

—The answer to the young man was only the howling wind.

 

The dream was very vague, but when Lu Yingjiu recalled it, he felt that the young man was like Jing Xian.

 

He just said, “I dreamed of a snowy field…”

 

He recounted the dream to Jing Xian, and then said, “That young man should be you, right?”

 

Jing Xian was silent for a while, and then hummed in agreement.

 

Somehow, his face no longer had the joy and anticipation from before, as if he had remembered something unpleasant. But his expression quickly relaxed, almost making Lu Yingjiu feel that the gloom just now was his illusion.

 

Jing Xian’s tone was relaxed. “Then didn’t you remember a bit? Wait a while, we’ll have more exchanges in bed, and maybe when you’re deep in the emotions, you’ll remember everything?”

 

“Where is this crooked reasoning coming from?” Lu Yingjiu laughed.

 

“You work hard to recall.” Jing Xian encouraged him, “Recall our love that is stronger than gold! The ups and downs of the story! And the touching past! You used to like me, running after me every day, asking me to date you.”

 

Lu Yingjiu: “……”

 

Although he didn’t remember the past, he was 100% sure that Jing Xian was talking nonsense.

 

He was too lazy to refute, and Jing Xian got up with his beer glass and sat shoulder to shoulder with him.

 

There were two minutes left until ten o’clock, and there was a slight restlessness in the crowd. Everyone was excitedly whispering to each other.

 

Hairball was arching around on the table, trying to steal a sip of Lu Yingjiu’s fruit tea. Lu Yingjiu looked down, poured out the tea to share with it, and casually rubbed its fluffy fur.

 

One more minute.

 

The cool breeze blew up the hair, and Lu Yingjiu looked at the bustling street.

 

The street was brightly lit, and the snack shops were still cooking delicious food in full swing. He took a light sip of the fruit tea, the tea was cool and sweet, and it mixed with the aroma of Jing Xian’s beer, giving off a unique and pleasant smell.

 

He was watching the pedestrians, and Jing Xian was watching him.

 

—He stared intently, as if wanting to say something, but in the end he didn’t speak, just smiled.

 

He leaned against Lu Yingjiu and said, “It’s almost time for the fireworks.”

 

“Yes.” Lu Yingjiu said, “It’s almost time.”

 

The countdown began, and the crowd became restless.

 

There were ten seconds, nine seconds, eight seconds…

 

Three seconds, two seconds.

 

One second.

 

Whoosh! Boom!

 

Boom! Boom boom boom!

 

Large chunks of colorful fireworks exploded in the night sky! Goose yellow, begonia red, bright blue… The sky was originally blue-black, but now it seemed as if paint had been splashed on it. The light was bright and dim, illuminating everyone’s faces. They looked up to see the magnificent colors exploding in their black, joyful eyes.

 

The sound of explosions rang in their ears, and the colors bloomed freely. Sparks with long tails fell towards the horizon, their light gradually dimming. But before they could all extinguish, a new round of fireworks began, their light never ceasing.

 

After an unknown amount of time, Lu Yingjiu said softly, “It’s so beautiful.”

 

“Yes,” Jing Xian looked at his profile, “It’s really beautiful.”

 

Lu Yingjiu turned his head and met Jing Xian’s gaze, immediately understanding what Jing Xian meant by “beautiful.”

 

Just then, five or six fireworks burst open together.

 

The night sky was bright, and the flickering light fell on Jing Xian’s face, his affection as deep as ever.

 

Lu Yingjiu couldn’t help but laugh.

 

He reached out and put his arm around Jing Xian’s shoulder, tilted his head slightly, and kissed him.

 

A huge firework exploded behind them, casting their figures into black silhouettes. It seemed like a celebration, like cheers, like applause and blessings.

 

On this quiet second-floor rooftop, Jing Xian quietly and passionately kissed him back.

 

This moment was like a dream.

 

A section ended, and the light gradually dimmed. The crowd erupted in applause like a tide.

 

The two were still entwined in a kiss.

 

After an unknown amount of time, they reluctantly parted.

 

Lu Yingjiu whispered, “I tasted the flavor of ice beer.”

 

Jing Xian smiled and said, “Then you taste like watermelon and peaches today.” After saying that, he kissed his forehead again.

 

Hairball: “Awooo!”

 

Their gaze shifted to it.

 

The beer and fruit tea on the table were all gone, and hairball was shaking its tail contentedly next to it.

 

Lu Yingjiu: “…”

 

Jing Xian: “…”

 

The two looked at each other and couldn’t help but laugh.

 

****

 

When they returned to the hotel, they still called a taxi.

 

Chen Xiaoling, it was unknown where she had been drinking, was full of alcohol. As soon as she got in the car, she fell asleep in the passenger seat, and nothing could wake her up.

 

Lu Yingjiu thought she would sleep all the way to the hotel and was worried about how he and Jing Xian would carry her back to the room.

 

But just after a traffic light intersection, Chen Xiaoling suddenly sat up straight.

 

Lu Yingjiu: ?

 

Lu Yingjiu said, “Are you awake?”

 

Chen Xiaoling didn’t answer him – if Lu Yingjiu looked at her from the front, he would find that she hadn’t opened her eyes at all. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small bottle of setting spray, spraying it all over her face.

 

Then she lay down straight again and continued to sleep.

 

Lu Yingjiu: “…”

 

The car was quiet. After a whole day of visiting the museum and night market, it was indeed tiring. He leaned back, ready to rest for a while.

 

Jing Xian leaned closer to him, and they were intimately close.

 

Lu Yingjiu mumbled, “You’re not afraid of the heat.”

 

“Why would I be?” Jing Xian raised an eyebrow.

 

As usual, Lu Yingjiu let him be.

 

He was also sleepy, so he leaned on Jing Xian’s shoulder, finding the most comfortable position like a sleepy cat.

 

The car passed through the bustling streets and countless neon lights.

 

Half asleep, Lu Yingjiu thought of the night market and fireworks just now.

 

A sense of illusion and unreality surged in his heart.

 

Just like the day they went to buy furniture together, the time was peaceful, and it was so beautiful that it seemed like an illusion.

 

—Is this an illusion?

 

At this moment, Lu Yingjiu did have a little doubt.

 

But he soon calmed down.

 

Because Jing Xian was by his side, with a fresh and cool scent, and all the smells he knew well.

 

Jing Xian also whispered in his ear, “Can we get to know each other more deeply tonight? Will you turn my tablet tonight? I’m waiting for you to pamper me.”

 

This was unmistakably Jing Xian.

 

Lu Yingjiu was too lazy to open his eyes, hooked the corner of his mouth, and mumbled something.

 

Jing Xian didn’t hear clearly, so he got closer until their breaths mingled together. Then he heard Lu Yingjiu’s voice, “…okay.”

 

With sleepiness and gentleness.

 

Jing Xian’s breath hitched, and his heartbeat quickened as if it was about to jump out of his chest. If it weren’t for the driver present, he would have probably kissed Lu Yingjiu already.

 

Lu Yingjiu knew his thoughts well. He opened his eyes and was about to say something with a smile, but suddenly stopped–

 

Outside the window, the traffic was endless, the traffic lights alternately lit up, and the pedestrians were in a hurry.

 

Behind the countless bright lights and neon signs of the city, in the distant suburbs, under the deep blue sky where the fireworks had just exploded, thick clouds rolled and dark tides surged.

 

A giant eye slowly opened.

 

Fine talismans with a metallic luster rotated like a dazzling kaleidoscope, endless. They combined and separated in an instant, changing in a myriad of ways.

 

The taxi stopped in the middle of the road.

 

The entire city fell silent at this moment.

 

At some point, all the people on the street stopped. They tilted their heads at strange angles and stared straight at Lu Yingjiu through the car window. The changing neon lights illuminated their expressionless faces. Even the spokesperson on the billboard, the office workers working overtime in the high-rise buildings, the stray cats and dogs on the street, their gazes were all focused on him.

 

Lu Yingjiu felt a chill on his back.

 

He intuitively felt that a huge force was sweeping over the wilderness, over the city, over the towering buildings and the high-altitude overpasses, and was rapidly approaching him.

 

It was like an invisible bird, like a dark light, like a hidden arrow representing fate.

 

It was aimed at him, never deviating.

 

Jing Xian reacted faster than him, and had already protected him in his arms, ready to summon thousands of fierce ghosts–

 

But the next second, he felt a heavy push and was pushed away!

 

Jing Xian’s attention was all on the eye, and he was caught off guard. His hand was empty: Lu Yingjiu took advantage of this gap to break free from his embrace!

 

Jing Xian turned his head sharply.

 

All was silent.

 

He saw Lu Yingjiu’s calm and determined gaze.