Chapter 9

The moment the news spread that the Water Ghost case had finally been solved-
The entire Demon Investigation Bureau erupted into chaos.
“We survived?!” Bai Jiu shouted.
Then promptly slipped on the wet stone beside the courtyard-
And fell directly into the pond.
A huge splash echoed through the bureau.
Wen Xiao burst into laughter instantly.
Pei Sijing pinched the bridge of her nose.
“…Hopeless.”

Wen Xiao leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, watching Zhao Yuanzhou from a distance.
Her expression was still complicated.
Zhao Yuanzhou noticed immediately.
“…You’re angry.”
“Yes,” she replied bluntly.
Bai Jiu blinked between them nervously.
Wen Xiao pointed directly at him.
“I supported you in front of Zhou Yi Chen!”
Zhao Yuanzhou looked mildly guilty.
“…I know.”
“And all this time,” she continued dramatically, “you were hiding that identity?”
She gestured vaguely.
“Ancient demon. Zhao Waner. Masks. Tragic past. Secret suffering.”
Bai Jiu whispered to Pei Sijing,
“That sounds kind of cool.”
“It isn’t,” Pei Sijing replied flatly.
Zhao Yuanzhou sighed softly.
“Then let’s start over.”
Wen Xiao narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“Start over?”
He nodded calmly.
“As trustworthy colleagues.”
A pause.
Then Wen Xiao suddenly remembered something.
“…Wait.”
Her face twisted slightly.
“Our contract.”
Zhao Yuanzhou blinked once.
Then looked genuinely disappointed.
“…Right.”
Wen Xiao immediately pointed at him.
“See?! You remembered too slowly! Suspicious!”
Bai Jiu climbed out of the pond dripping wet.
“I still don’t understand what’s happening.”
“No one does,” Pei Sijing said.
Not far away-

Zhou Yi Chen stood beside Zhao Yuanzhou silently.
The demon still looked pale from the injury caused by Yun Guangjian.
Too pale.
His breathing was slower than usual.
Zhou Yi Chen frowned deeply.
“You’re still injured.”
“It’s manageable.”
“That sword was made to kill demons.”
Zhao Yuanzhou smiled faintly.
“And yet I’m still alive.”

Before Zhao Yuanzhou could react-
Zhou Yi Chen grabbed his arm and pulled him closer instinctively.
Supporting him.

The movement was so natural that everyone nearby went silent.

Zhao Yuanzhou glanced down at the hand holding him.

Then up at Zhou Yi Chen.
“…You’re worried about me.”
“I’m making sure you don’t collapse in the middle of the bureau,” Zhou Yi Chen replied coldly.
But he didn’t let go.
Not immediately.
Then suddenly-
Something clicked in Zhou Yi Chen’s mind.
His eyes narrowed…

“…Wait.”
He frowned sharply and grabbed Zhao Yuanzhou’s robes near the wound.
“What are you doing?” Zhao Yuanzhou asked lightly.
Zhou Yi Chen pulled the fabric aside slightly-
And froze.
The wound was already healing rapidly.
Skin knitting itself back together.
Zhou Yi Chen stared.
“…You.”
Zhao Yuanzhou looked mildly amused.
“It’s almost gone.”
Zhou Yi Chen immediately shoved him away.
“You absurd creature.”
Wen Xiao snorted loudly.
“I knew it.”
“You made it look worse on purpose!” Zhou Yi Chen snapped.
“I was injured.”
“You were acting weak!”
“I was weak.”
“You literally regenerated in front of me!”
Zhao Yuanzhou looked entirely unashamed.
“…I enjoyed being taken care of.”
Dead silence.

Zhou Yi Chen looked ready to stab someone.
Probably Zhao Yuanzhou.
The demon only smiled softly.
Then-
The smile faded slightly.
Because Zhou Yi Chen’s expression changed too.
More serious now.
More distant.
“…Li Lun said something.”
The courtyard quieted.
Zhao Yuanzhou stilled.

Something sharp flashed through Zhao Yuanzhou’s eyes.
Pain.
Guilt.

But before he could answer-
Zhou Yi Chen winced suddenly.
His hand pressed against his temple.
“…Tch.”
“Yi Chen?” Wen Xiao frowned.
Another sharp pulse hit him-
Images flashing briefly in his mind.
Blood.
Snow.
A crying child.
A masked figure standing in darkness.
His breathing became uneven.

Zhao Yuanzhou stepped forward immediately.
“Don’t force yourself.”
Zhou Yi Chen grabbed his wrist sharply.
“Tell me the truth.”

Their eyes locked.
For once-
Zhao Yuanzhou didn’t joke.
Didn’t evade.
Didn’t smile.

“You promised me something first.”
Zhou Yi Chen frowned weakly.
“…What?”
Zhao Yuanzhou’s gaze gentled slightly.
“The date.”
Wen Xiao made a strangled noise in the background.
“YOU’RE BRINGING THIS UP NOW?!”

Zhao Yuanzhou ignored her completely.
His eyes never left Zhou Yi Chen.
“You said you’d go.”
Zhou Yi Chen looked exhausted.
“…You’re unbelievable.”
“Probably.”
A pause.
Then Zhao Yuanzhou leaned slightly closer and murmured quietly-
“I’ll tell you everything there.”

✨✨✨❄️❄️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️🗡️

Moonlight washed over Tiandu like silver silk.
For once-
There were no screams.
No blood.
No demons.
Just quiet streets glowing beneath lantern light.
And Zhou Yi Chen standing awkwardly beside Zhao Yuanzhou like he already regretted agreeing to this.
“…This is ridiculous,” he muttered.
Zhao Yuanzhou looked at him-
And forgot how to speak for a moment.
Tonight, Zhou Yi Chen looked different.
His usual dark robes had been replaced with lighter layers that rested softly against his waist and long legs, the fabric flowing every time he moved.
His hair was loosely tied back.
A few strands framed his face beneath the moonlight.
Beautiful.
No-
Dangerously beautiful.
Even the night seemed softer around him.
And the scent surrounding him-
Sweet.
Warm.
An omega’s natural fragrance hidden beneath cold snow-like spiritual energy.
Zhao Yuanzhou stared openly.
Zhou Yi Chen immediately frowned.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re radiant,” Zhao Yuanzhou answered honestly.
Zhou Yi Chen’s ears reddened instantly.
“Shut up.”
Zhao Yuanzhou laughed softly.
Then abruptly-
“I need jade.”
Zhou Yi Chen blinked.
“…What?”
“Jade,” Zhao Yuanzhou repeated seriously. “To look good.”
Silence.
Then-
“What does that even mean?”
“Demons mix jade essence into alcohol sometimes,” Zhao Yuanzhou explained lazily. “It improves appearance.”
Zhou Yi Chen stared at him like he had lost his mind.
“…Buy it yourself.”
“But this is our date.”
“You planned nothing?!”
Zhao Yuanzhou looked thoughtful.
“…I planned you.”
Zhou Yi Chen nearly choked.
“You shameless dog.”
“Mm.”
“And what kind of alpha are you?” Zhou Yi Chen continued mercilessly. “Can’t even arrange a proper date?”
Zhao Yuanzhou only smiled faintly.
“You’re very harsh tonight.”
“You deserve it.”
A pause.
Then Zhou Yi Chen crossed his arms and muttered,
“…I don’t even like places like this.”
The bustling street nearby was crowded with couples, music, and glowing lanterns.
Too noisy.
Too exposed.
Zhou Yi Chen looked uncomfortable.
Then he added coldly-
“You’re a complete zero.”
The words hit Zhao Yuanzhou like lightning.
For a split second-
The world blurred.
Another voice.
Another lifetime.
A beautiful man laughing softly beneath starlight-
“What kind of alpha are you?”
Warm fingers brushing against his sleeve.
“You’re hopeless.”
Zhao Yuanzhou stopped walking.
His breath caught sharply.
Zhou Yi Chen frowned.
“…What’s wrong with you?”
The memory vanished instantly.
Gone before he could hold onto it.
Zhao Yuanzhou slowly looked at him again.
Moonlight reflected in those familiar eyes.
Too familiar.
“…Nothing,” he said quietly.
But his voice sounded strange.
Distant.
Then suddenly-
He stepped closer.
Zhou Yi Chen immediately became alert.
“…What are you doing?”
“I’m going to hold your waist.”
Dead silence.
“…What?”
“To take you somewhere.”
“Why do you need to hold my waist for that?!”
“Because you’ll fall.”
“I won’t-“
Too late.
Zhao Yuanzhou’s arm slid around his waist smoothly.
Warm.
Firm.
Zhou Yi Chen froze instantly.
“…You-“
“Don’t move.”
And then-
The world blurred around them.
Wind rushed past.
Moonlight shattered into streaks of silver.
Zhou Yi Chen instinctively grabbed Zhao Yuanzhou’s shoulder tightly.
When they stopped-
They were standing inside a quiet cave deep within the mountains.
Above them-
A massive opening in the ceiling revealed the night sky.
Thousands of stars glowed overhead.
Clear.
Endless.
Beautiful.
Zhou Yi Chen slowly looked up.
His expression softened without realizing it.
“…Oh.”
Zhao Yuanzhou watched him instead of the stars.
“There,” he said quietly.
“No crowds.”
“No noise.”
“Just us.”
The cave glowed faintly beneath silver moonlight.
And for the first time that night-
Zhou Yi Chen stopped looking like he wanted to leave.
A soft breeze moved through the cave.
His fragrance drifted closer again.
Zhao Yuanzhou closed his eyes briefly.
Dangerous.
After all these years-
Still dangerous.
Zhou Yi Chen noticed his silence.
“…Why are you staring again?”
Zhao Yuanzhou opened his eyes slowly.
Because for one impossible moment-
It felt exactly like before.
Like fate had cruelly returned something he lost long ago.
“…You really don’t remember me,” he murmured softly.
Zhou Yi Chen frowned slightly.
“…What?”
But Zhao Yuanzhou only smiled faintly.
“Nothing.”