Reborn as a succubus - Chapter 40

After thinking things over, Chu Yan became convinced that Xi Che was hiding something from him — something serious enough that he would rather smear his own image than let him find out.

He still remembered when he disguised himself as Chu Qi: Xi Che’s body had gone into heat, yet even while they were doing it, he had kept cursing him. He clearly wasn’t as carefree as he claimed, boasting that he had lovers all across the Three Realms. If that were true, why had he been so unwilling?

So what exactly was he hiding? Why insist on pushing him away?

Chu Yan knew Xi Che’s temperament well. Once he decided to hide something, he would never confess — not even if it killed him. The only way to uncover the truth was to find it out himself. So Chu Yan decided to keep his own identity secret and stay by Xi Che’s side as Chu Qi. That way, he could both protect him and learn what was really going on.

He took Xi Che to a small inn near Xiaoyao Mountain. To make the act look convincing, he bought a few simple sets of clothing and daily necessities, booked a room under their names, and settled them in. If they were doing business nearby, renting a room was only natural. The inn’s surroundings were peaceful too — after all they’d been through, a short rest wouldn’t hurt.

Hmm… what excuse should he make up? Those two demons earlier had mentioned a “Golden bell lord.” That would do — he could say his family sent him to seek refuge under the Golden bell lord. It sounded quite reasonable.

Chu Yan was very pleased with this explanation of “Chu Qi’s chance encounter with Asa.” Since Asa planned to stay here, it made sense that they would continue traveling together.

Xi Che, meanwhile, was completely drunk. After mumbling a few incoherent words, he lost all ability to respond — no matter how Chu Yan called him, he didn’t stir. Chu Yan carried him to the bed. Xi Che whimpered faintly, his brows tightly furrowed, clearly uncomfortable. The man was not only suffering from a hangover but had also fallen asleep outside in the cold, and now he had a fever.

Chu Yan lay down beside him and drew him into his arms. He took the little golden qilin from his chest and tucked it inside Xi Che’s robes, holding both man and creature close. The qilin, comforted by Chu Yan’s familiar aura, finally stopped making noise and quietly settled on Xi Che’s chest.

The moment was peaceful, yet the earlier events still left Chu Yan shaken. He stared blankly at Xi Che’s face — Asa was always like this, reckless and careless with himself. What if Chu Yan hadn’t come back tonight? What would have happened? Even if no one else bothered him, sleeping drunk on the street like that — he would have caught a serious illness.

“Chu Yan…”

Still simmering with anger, Chu Yan’s emotions slipped into his expression. Perhaps sensing the shift, the man in his arms suddenly murmured his name, voice trembling and weak, as if he were pleading in a dream.

Normally, Chu Yan’s cold expression was enough to keep others at a distance; when angry, he was even more intimidating. He lowered his gaze, wanting to hear what Xi Che would say next — but the man only curled up smaller, clutching Chu Yan’s chest like a frightened child.

And just like that, Chu Yan’s heart softened.

He ran a gentle hand down Xi Che’s nape and spine, trying to soothe him. Xi Che’s whole body was burning up; he was clearly ill.

“Asa,” he murmured quietly, “what am I supposed to do with you?”

Always like this — saying nothing, only making him ache with worry.

Chu Yan sighed and pressed a kiss to his forehead, then another to his closed eyelids. “Sleep well,” he whispered.

But Xi Che didn’t sleep peacefully. After about ten minutes, he began trembling all over, his fever growing worse. Realizing he couldn’t just let it run its course, Chu Yan quickly filled the bathtub with hot water, stripped Xi Che, and lowered him into the bath — climbing in himself as well.

Holding him against his chest, Chu Yan cast several heating spells to keep the water warm, then gripped his hands and began transferring spiritual energy into him. He had only meant to dispel the chill and hangover, but to his surprise, he found a mass of icy energy coiled around Xi Che’s dantian, freezing his entire spiritual core.

His eyes snapped open in shock. No wonder the man was still shivering even in hot water — the cold poison inside him was severe. And it felt strangely familiar, just like the cold toxin Chu Yan himself had once suffered after falling into the icy pool.

Fortunately, Xi Che’s case was lighter — it hadn’t penetrated his meridians. With Chu Yan’s help, it could be easily dispelled.

Still, it was strange. How had he gotten like this? Why hadn’t he said anything? Their relationship was no longer what it used to be; he should’ve trusted him by now. Treating it early would only help him.

Chu Yan wasn’t slow — he remembered how Xi Che had refused his help when he tried to remove that yellow talisman before. The thought connected: so this was what he had been hiding? To conceal it, he’d first distracted him with seduction, then tricked him into leaving. Such elaborate schemes…

“Ugh…”

A low groan pulled Chu Yan back. He quickly restrained his energy — he had been too hasty, and Xi Che’s body couldn’t bear it. Gradually, Xi Che’s expression eased as the icy energy left his body in wisps of white steam, evaporating from his skin.

After several cycles of energy flow, the trembling finally stopped. Chu Yan brushed back his damp bangs and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

He figured he’d better take him out of the bath before he woke up — if Xi Che found himself naked in his arms, he’d probably think Chu Yan was some kind of pervert and refuse to travel with him.

He had never been this humble in his entire life…

By the second half of the night, Xi Che still hadn’t woken up, but the fever had subsided. His lips were dry and cracked, and when Chu Yan saw him licking them in his sleep, he fetched a cup of water.

Since Xi Che was unconscious, Chu Yan leaned in and passed the water mouth-to-mouth. Xi Che, parched and unaware, swallowed instinctively, even following Chu Yan’s tongue as if chasing the moisture.

Chu Yan chuckled softly and kissed him again, his touch gentle but shameless.

He’d long since lost the capacity to feel guilty about such underhanded things.

After this long night, Xi Che finally slept soundly. Chu Yan lay beside him, listening to his even breathing, and at last felt at peace.

The price of getting drunk was steep — drinking felt carefree, but the aftermath was agony. Xi Che only vaguely remembered hearing Chu Yan’s voice before blacking out completely, unaware of anything that had happened.

So when he opened his eyes the next morning and found himself lying in someone’s arms, his pounding head grew even worse.

…He’d passed out on the roadside, hadn’t he? Damn it — had someone picked him up?

A wave of despair hit him. Damn it, how had his life sunk this low? Ever since becoming a succubus, he didn’t even have the right to sleep off a hangover — for all he knew, he’d wake up in some stranger’s bed. Then came the anger. Hell, why was he blaming himself? It was those bastards who couldn’t keep it in their pants!

Just as he was about to cast a binding spell on whoever was holding him, the other person spoke first:

“Trying to kill your savior the moment you wake up? Quite the temper you’ve got.”

Xi Che froze. Looking up, he saw a plain but familiar face staring back at him from very close.

“Chu Qi…”

Xi Che blinked, then sat up abruptly. “Why are you here?”

Chu Yan glanced at him calmly, pulling on a coat from the bedpost. “I came to find the Golden bell lord. I hope to become his disciple.”

Xi Che frowned. Something about that didn’t sound right, but his head hurt too much to dwell on it. He looked around and realized they were in an inn — and there was only one bed.

…So they’d slept in the same bed last night?

Seeing through his thoughts, Chu Yan said evenly, “This is where I’m staying. You passed out drunk on the street last night. It wasn’t safe, so I brought you back.”

Xi Che sat down, still suspicious. Then he noticed his clothes were different. Before he could speak, Chu Yan added, “Your clothes were soaked in wine — unwearable. I changed them for you.”

He said it so matter-of-factly that Xi Che couldn’t even get angry. And really, this was better than waking up to an actual assault. He sighed inwardly, accepting it.

A small movement on his chest caught his attention — the little golden qilin was burrowing against him. Xi Che pressed it back gently, not even remembering how he’d brought it along.

He wasn’t an unreasonable person. The man had saved him, after all. “Thanks,” he said simply.

“No need,” Chu Yan replied. He glanced out the window. “But this is demon territory. You shouldn’t drink that much and fall asleep outside — it’s dangerous.”

Xi Che thought about it. Back then, even if he’d passed out in the most chaotic demon market, no one would have dared touch him. He’d said he was used to his powerless self, but in truth, many of his old habits hadn’t changed. After a pause, he lowered his head and muttered, “I know.”

They fell silent for a moment. Then Chu Yan suddenly asked, “What’s with the cold poison in your body? You were fine when we parted.”

He figured Xi Che would realize soon enough that his cold poison was gone.

Xi Che blinked, checked himself, and realized the cold energy he’d transferred from Chu Yan before was gone. “You helped me?”

Chu Yan nodded.

Xi Che’s feelings tangled instantly — saved again, by the same man. “…It’s a long story. But I guess I owe you another favor.”

Chu Yan felt both disappointed and oddly relieved. He wanted to know Xi Che’s secret, but he also didn’t want him to reveal it so easily to “another man.” If Xi Che couldn’t open up to Chu Yan but did to someone else, that would sting, wouldn’t it?

“Don’t mention it,” he said lightly. “We were classmates once. How could I ignore you if you’re in trouble?”

He wasn’t wrong — whether as Chu Yan or Chu Qi, they had been classmates.

The man really knew how to talk. Xi Che couldn’t stay cold toward him and smiled faintly.

Chu Yan was about to suggest they head into Xiaoyao Mountain together when his stomach suddenly growled loudly.

Xi Che blinked, then laughed and rubbed his stomach. “Ah, guess I’m hungry. How about we eat first?”