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This post contains a detailed spoiler for a MQ that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~
✧ Because of Love | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
"But the weather forecast says it’ll be rainy in Loveland City for the next few weeks, so what can we do?"
"Maybe we could make a few teru teru bozu and hang them up?"
"It’s over. All the rationality and logic of my great scientist have slipped away. That won't do, I've got to catch them and bring them back."
"Just let them go. Right now, all I want is to have a sweet dream with you."
Translation under the cut!
[Guide on Important dates and stories to read before Kite Date]
What I love most about this date is that it's not a standalone story, but rather the culmination of seven years' worth of growth. Before diving into this translation, I highly recommend reading or brushing up on his past dates, or at least checking out the ones in the guide I've put together. Each one is either directly referenced, emotionally echoed, or (at least in my opinion) thematically important to this story~
👉 See the complete guide here: [Date + Stories Guide]
At the very least, if you’re a casual reader from the global server, I really recommend checking out Sharinluna’s Fireflies Date Analysis, along with the 7th Anniversary, Bound to Love SP, Heartfelt Love Date, Deepening Love Date, and Binding Knot Date.
[Video-Turn On CC!]
YouTube link in case the embed doesn't work [Link]
I'd really appreciate it if you could check out the YouTube video—the dubbing and BGM choice are just perfect accompaniment to the tears. And no need to head back to Tumblr for the T/N this time since I've added them directly into the video!
[Transcript]
—[Chapter 1]—
Lucien: You will encounter your luckiest day of the year this month.
Lucien: [his expression turns into a smile] .....When you feel that a certain action needs extra good luck and support, please heed the voice of your heart and enjoy the energy of the universe.
Withdrawing his gaze from the phone screen, Lucien looks toward me with a smile.
Lucien: [chuckles] Looks like our answers are the same.
MC: …Really? So magical!¹
I delightfully hold my phone and move closer. The two connected screens clearly display the same deck of cards with the same guiding words.
Lately, several colleagues at the company have been keen on looking into metaphysics, so I pulled Lucien along to have some fun after dinner today.
Even though I know I should regard public fortune-telling with rationality, the "mutual understanding" born out of random probability still brings a sweet delight to my heart.
I shift into a more comfortable position and nestle up to his side, even shaking my head in satisfaction.
Lucien: [chuckles] Does this make you so happy?
MC: Because it's a coincidence, it's very easy for this kind of just-right sense of destiny to hit you right in the heart~
Lucien: Then I'd rather understand it this way. It's because we're becoming more and more alike now that we've made the same choice.
Lucien: Rather than fate's arrangement, I'd rather attribute it to you.
MC: Professor Xu's 'theory' indeed sounds more reasonable, I especially resonate with it~
I smile as I rest my head against his shoulder, my fingertip unconsciously tapping at the screen.
MC: [smiles softly] But no matter how I look at it, this set of cards is just too perfect. It kinda feels like I've already been hit by good luck, and that just makes me look forward to it even more.
Lucien lets out a thoughtful 'mm', but it doesn’t feel like a response. I turn my head in puzzlement, seeing him looking back at the text on the screen as if he's scrutinizing it.
I just made a casual remark, this person wouldn't actually be seriously studying it now, would he?
MC: Lucien, I...
A sudden kiss completely devours the words I haven't yet spoken.
His broad palm cradles the back of my head, pulling my lost balance back into his arms.
Our pressed skin stirs up a faint, restless heat, and his unbroken kisses surge like the tide, leaving me only fleeting moments to catch my breath.
It isn't until it suddenly starts raining outside, its soft patter mixing with the hum of the air conditioner, that he finally puts some distance between us.
Rainwater covers the condensation on the windows once again, a scene that seems to repeat countless times throughout this rainy season.
As if he notices that I am about to 'call him out'², Lucien innocently blinks his eyes and taps on the screen with righteous confidence, bringing up the previous page—
"Don't be stingy in expressing your love to your partner."
Lucien: I just wanted to experience the feeling of being struck by good luck too.
MC: Pfft, now you're the one getting superstitious.
Lucien: After all, I also have things I want to look forward to.
As we chat, the phone screen dims, and only the heart-shaped lamp on the bookshelf remains lit, blending the two of us curled up on the sofa into its dreamy, romantic glow.
Trivia: The heart-shaped lamp is their gift from 7th anniversary! If you haven't read it yet, please do bc their theme are connected 🥺
As the rain beats noisily, I suddenly feel like teasing him and brush my foot lightly against his.
MC: But Professor Xu, we're facing a real-world problem right now.
MC: According to the card reading, to enjoy the energy of the universe, we need to experience nature and soak up plenty of sunshine.
MC: But the weather forecast says it’ll be rainy in Loveland City for the next few weeks, so what can we do?
Lucien: Maybe we could make a few teru teru bozu³ and hang them up?
When he finishes speaking, he starts laughing first, which makes me laugh too as I cup his face in my hands and gently knead it.
MC: It’s over. All the rationality and logic of my great scientist have slipped away. That won't do, I've got to catch them and bring them back.
Lucien: Just let them go.
Lucien takes the opportunity to hold my hand and pulls me down onto the sofa, wrapping me fully in his embrace.
Lucien: Right now, all I want is to have a sweet dream with you.
As he speaks, he tightens his arms around me, making me nestle my head even more snugly against his chest.
In my haze, I hear Lucien speak.
Lucien: MC, your anticipation won’t be in vain.
Lucien: Though I don't know what exactly will happen then, I believe the entire universe will come to help you.
Lucien: And when that time comes, do remember to give me good luck and support too.
✂———————–
—📝[Translation Notes and Insights]
¹: 神奇 (shén qí) is the key term of this story; it is a two-character compound word made up of two words: 神 (shén - literally "god" or "divine”) and 奇 (qí- literally "strange," "rare," "unusual”). It refers not just to unexpected phenomena, but to events and maybe even presence that feel uncannily perfect, fated, or deeply moving, almost as if the universe has ✨aligned✨ just for you. In this translation, I will translate 神奇 as words like magical, wondrous, or miraculous, depending on the context, and I will color the word purple wherever it appears to emphasize its thematic significance.
²: The idiom used for that description is 兴师问罪 (xīng shī wèn zuì), which literally means "to mobilize troops to question a crime." 兴师 refers to raising an army, while 问罪 means to hold someone accountable for wrongdoing. Compared to just accusing sb, it's more dramatic and has that sense of righteous authority LOL. Here, it's used playfully as she’s about to pretend to make a big deal and confront Lucien for kissing her without warning~
³: "Teru teru bozu" (てるてる坊主) or known in Chinese as 晴天娃娃 (qíng tiān wá wa-literally means clear sky/sunny day doll) is a small handmade doll crafted from white cloth or paper and hung by windows to pray for sunny skies. For someone like Lucien, who typically relies on data and logic, his willingness to hang some not only shows the care he puts into preparing even the smallest details beyond his rationality for her happiness, but also reveals a growing, softer side of him that's learning to embrace wonder and hope no matter how irrational it may seem 🥺
P.S. Did you know LovePro also has a teru teru bozu avatar frame? It's a reward from a general event, but I just had to mention it-
✂———————–
[Exclusive Radio- Lucky Day]
—📝[Context Notes]
The person he is speaking to is the same Zeng Shu (曾抒) from last year's summer 海不再遥远 SP (The Sea No Longer Far Away/Seaside at Last SP- Official Translation | My Translation) Exclusive Radio. Though in the official localization, there was a mistranslation where Lucien asks him, "Aren't you a recent graduate?", whereas in the original, Xu Mo actually said that Professor Zeng isn't a recent graduate, which is why he was confused about why such a senior professor with extensive experience would suddenly want to withdraw from the project.
As for now, from the CN Server 2024 100 Days Countdown Event, Xu Mo's diary revealed that he eventually returned to the project.
Anyway, since the official localization refers to him as Joshua, I’ll stick with that naming convention. Similar to how I translate Xu Mo as Lucien Xu in my own translation, I’ll translate his name into Joshua Zeng.
✂———————–
Lucien: Professor Zeng? Is something the matter?
Joshua: My apologies for disturbing your rest.
Joshua: I called because I have some good news to share with you.
Joshua: First, the project I've been working on made a major breakthrough today. I believe the following steps will go much more smoothly.
Lucien: That's great. Everyone must be really happy, right?
Joshua: Yes, we were even afraid it might be a false reading, so we specifically ran multiple rounds of cross-verification.
Joshua: We've been running calculations since midnight, and it's only now that we’re certain that there's no issue.
Joshua: Looking back now, I realize it really has been a long time since this project was first launched…
Lucien: Mm, this is the project you brought into my lab.
Lucien: Just counting the time at the Bioscience Research Center, it's been about three years.
Lucien: If we factor in the time you spent doing independent research beforehand, it's roughly been… about seven years?
Joshua: Seven years and eight months.⁴
Joshua: There was a time I thought I might have to wait a few more years before I could see any progress in the experiment.
~~Note: I felt the same way about flying a kite, but here we are.~~
Joshua: It seems I'm still quite lucky after all.
Lucien: Congratulations to you.
Joshua: [Laughs] Thank you for your congratulations. After all, maybe in a few more years, we’ll be able to publish papers under the name of the Bioscience Research Institute!
Joshua: In any case, let's organize the data again.
Joshua: When you come to the research center next week, we will discuss the specifics in more detail.
Lucien: Alright. If there's no rush over the next few days, let the researchers in the team take some appropriate time off as well.⁵
Lucien: Everyone has been working hard lately.
Joshua: Will do. I noticed that while we were waiting for the data just now, a few of the young folks were already planning to go see the sea.
Lucien: [chuckles] Then I'll be waiting to approve everyone’s leave applications.
Lucien: But you said "some" good news just now. Is there any other good news?
Joshua: So here's the thing. Didn't you submit two papers?
Joshua: I got the news today that both papers were accepted.
Lucien: Hm? I thought the reviewers would raise a few more rounds of feedback.
Joshua: Yes. So as soon as the news came in today, Xiao Luo was overjoyed; he even asked if I wanted to go with him to fulfill his vow.⁶
Joshua: I don't have the energy to run around with him, and I'm not much of a believer in that sort of thing…
Joshua: Still, today really is worthy of being called a 'lucky day.'
Lucien: [murmurs] Lucky day…
Joshua: What did you say just now?
Lucien: Ah, it's nothing.
Lucien: It's just that I think people occasionally do need a little bit of good luck.
Joshua: [laughs] After all, most of the time, aren't our preparations and efforts precisely about waiting for that tiny bit of luck to come knocking?
Lucien: Then it seems today is the day luck comes knocking.
Joshua: Sure is!
Joshua: Oh, and also, we're planning to have dinner together next Wednesday to celebrate.
Joshua: If you have time, feel free to bring your significant other with you.⁷
Lucien: Alright, I'll ask her about it later.
Joshua: Then I won't bother you any further.
Joshua: Wish you a pleasant weekend. Goodbye.
✂———————–
—📝[Translation Notes and Insights]
⁴: By July 2025, when the Kite SP card was released on the CN server, “seven years and eight months” is exactly how long the game has been out since the server’s initial launch, so it also marks seven years and eight months since we first met Lucien according to the in-game timeline, seven years and eight months… since the start of his study of love (5th Anniversary). This little detail makes it feel as if this date had been planned from the very beginning ;-; or at the very least, it's a touching callback to the long road we've shared and how we've finally arrived at this point together🥲 Just as he said in the card’s line:
"When we arrived, we walked a long way to get here, so there's still a long way to go."
It’s been a long road, and there’s still a long way ahead~
⁵: Aww, I love it when growth from earlier stories carries over and shows up in later ones. Look at this guy’s development compared to 海不再遥远 SP (The Sea No Longer Far Away/Seaside at Last SP). He went from someone who didn’t understand the value of rest (for himself or others), to someone who not only understands it now but even suggests it for his team🥺
The Sea No Longer Far Away/Seaside At Last SP
⁶: If you ask a god for help or make a wish to them, you're expected to return to that god's temple or statue to express your thanks once the wish comes true. This act is called 还愿 (huán yuàn), which means fulfilling a vow or repaying a spiritual promise.
⁷: While 家属 (jiā shǔ) literally means family member, it's different from 家人 (jiā rén) as 家属 (jiā shǔ) often implies a legal or formally recognized familial relationship, someone legally acknowledged as part of their household, such as a spouse or dependent listed in official records. That said, it's vague enough in spoken Chinese to refer to a long-term, committed romantic partner. "Significant other" is the best translation here because it captures both the formal implication and the romantic intent (still, if you introduce someone as your 家属, people will likely assume you're cohabiting or married, or soon to be).
✂———————–
—[Chapter 2]—
The air after the rain carries a touch of dampness, overlaying the lush greenery with gentle hues.
I steal a glance at Lucien beside me. He gazes calmly into the distance, but the relaxed curve of his brows and eyes quietly gives away the particularly good mood he's in.
My heart suddenly softens, as if delicate ripples spread over its innermost core, making it feel both warm and ticklish.
An hour ago, I received a call from Lucien saying he'd pick me up, and then he drove me to a park on the outskirts of Loveland City.
Lucien didn't explain much on the way. He didn't say whether he happened to be passing by or came on purpose, only mentioning casually that there was a place he wanted to go.
But I'm vaguely certain that this probably isn't a spur-of-the-moment act.
=[Flashback Start]=
Be it his unintentional sigh at a red light or the slight acceleration of the car, all of it told me he was racing against time.
The world flowed between clarity and blur with the sweep of the windshield wipers. My curiosity gradually coalesced into anticipation.
I hope whatever he's so urgently trying to do will come true.
As the car came down from the overpass, layers of green flooded into my view. In a trance, it felt as if I could hear nature breathing.
I think I know what Lucien is going to do.
=[Flashback Ends]=
As if to confirm the somewhat vague guess lingering in my heart, the rain stops five minutes after we park the car and walk into the park.
The coincidence guided by invisible hands feels especially romantic, and the instigator, too, seems satisfied with this outcome, making me unable to resist curling the corners of my lips.
MC: This almighty professor can even control the weather now.
Lucien: If I want to reach that level, I'm afraid I still need to make further efforts.
Lucien: But winning the race against the clouds does make me happy.
He speaks frankly, the tail end of his tone brisk, with even a hint of childlike satisfaction as he gently rubs my fingertips.
Seeing him like this, all I feel is fondness, and I feel happy too.
So I simply don't want to ask or to probe how he has done all of this.
It doesn't matter whether he's using scientific theory to run simulations and make predictions, using some powerful Evol, or really making a teru teru bozu in secret.
This brief period of clear sky that he has cherishingly placed in my hands is the only thing that matters.
Thinking this, I firmly clasp his hand.
MC: So it turns out my 'universe' is right here. Then I have to hold on tight and enjoy the energy he brings.
Lucien: Is it that exaggerated? Then I can't help but feel proud.
MC: It absolutely isn't an exaggeration, I'm just really happy.
Lucien: Being the reason for your happiness is the best thing that could happen to me.
Lucien: Since the weather is so nice, let's walk a bit more.
Sunshine streams through the gaps in the heavy clouds. Yet, I feel an inexplicable profound fullness, as if I’ve been thoroughly bathed by the sun.
The fresh fragrance of grass brushes past my face, mingling with the scent on Lucien’s body. As it flows along our interlocked palms, it feels as though I’ve also been dyed with the same scent.
We just keep chatting like this as we circle around the park in a big loop. It’s only when we reach the far end opposite the entrance that the rain starts to fall again in a fine, steady drizzle.
While considering whether to have dinner nearby and wait until the evening rush hour ends before slowly heading home, two slightly hurried footsteps suddenly emerge through the patter of rain.
I reflexively look toward the sound and see two red figures swaying into view, like vermilion bleeding through a patch of mist.
A couple dressed in wedding attire walks briskly past us, arm in arm under an oil-paper umbrella, and enters an inconspicuous stone-step path off to the side.
Despite their hasty steps and the way their fragmented conversation dissolves into the rain, I always feel as if I can see their smiling faces and hear their beautiful prayers.
In that fleeting moment of trance, it feels as if two similar figures cross time and overlap before my eyes.
I belatedly withdraw my gaze, turn my head, and notice that Lucien's line of sight also stops at the end of the verdant expanse.
Lucien: Looks like… we've walked to the vicinity of the Yue Lao Temple (Matchmaker Temple).⁸
Lucien: It's just that we usually take the main road over there.
Following the direction of his finger, I take a closer look. At last, I catch a glimpse of something familiar and catch a faint whiff of sandalwood, dampened by the summer rain.
Lucien: The temple should still be open at this hour. Want to take a walk around?
MC: Eh?
Lucien: I think a certain young lady would like this kind of coincidence.
That pair of beautiful brows and eyes curves up slightly; the way he says this sentence makes it feel more like an invitation.
MC: Mm, I like it.
MC: But it’s not just the coincidence that I like.
I smile as I extend my pinky and hook it around his fingertip.
MC: Maybe Old Man Yue Lao missed us, so he guided us along this invisible red thread and brought us here.
There aren’t many visitors on rainy days. After lining up to make an incense offering and pay respects to the Matchmaker God, we find a pavilion and sit down.
Dense drizzle trails along the edge of the eaves and drips onto the stone steps, while bronze bells hanging from the pavilion corridor seem suspended in ethereal silence.
Time slows down. In the distance, blue-gray smoke merges into the rain mist, casting a hazy shadow beneath the pale daylight.
I sit side by side with Lucien, listening to the rain and watching the little orange cat sleeping soundly in the corner.
MC: I wonder what the kitten is dreaming about.
Lucien: Maybe it's chasing a butterfly.
As if it hears the humans talking, the little cat suddenly twitches its ears. Then it shifts its position, squints its eyes comfortably, stretches out its paws, and sprawls its belly open.
Lucien: [chuckles] Looks like it caught it.
While speaking, he naturally interlocks his fingers with mine, making my eyes curve in fond amusement.
A branch of the peach tree in the backyard peeks into view. The wind stirs the red silk ribbons at its tip. Though they make no noise, I seem to hear countless beautiful and romantic sounds.
MC: Lucien.
A sudden, slightly out-of-the-blue question comes to mind, and I gently scratch his palm.
MC: Do you think the red ribbons we tied to the tree before are still there?⁹
As if not expecting me to ask this, he hesitates for a few seconds before speaking.
Lucien: I'm curious too. [chuckles] Let's go, who knows what kind of answer the world will give us.
✂———————–
The peach tree is as tall as the one in my memory. It gently holds up countless red ribbons, overlooking these stories and participating in their happening.
There are people closing their eyes and devoutly making wishes. Some are tiptoeing toward the tips of the branches to tie red ribbons, and others are solemnly putting pen to paper at the nearby wish-writing table.
Time moves forward in silence, giving birth to countless changes, yet it also seems to leave behind some things that never change.
How strange, I've clearly been to the Matchmaker Temple several times before, but standing under the tree like this, it feels like it was already a long time ago.
I can't explain why it's today of all days, perhaps I simply want to take a look.
The peach tree, along its swaying shadows, still sheds unceasing water droplets. They glide along the ribbons, falling one after another as though in reply.
The rain has stopped again without our noticing. Fluttering ribbons replace sunset light buried in the clouds, lifting a heart-stirring flush of red.
Pulling Lucien along, I tilt my head up and circle the tree back and forth, my whole vision filled with swaying red.
Vivid red, hazy red, faded red—these are the heart-pounding colors on lovers' cheeks as they offer prayers and wishes.
After looking for a long time, it feels as though an afterimage has been seared onto my retina. I rub my eyes, and when I turn my head, I bump into a gaze that’s been fixed on me the whole time.
I feel embarrassed under his stare and reach out to poke the tip of his nose.
MC: Do you think I'm being a bit childish?
Lucien: Of course not.
Lucien: I was also seriously looking just now. It's just that...
He leans down, pressing close to my ear, and whispers.
Lucien: The elderly gentleman at the wish-writing desk seems to have taken us for strange folks. He's been glancing our way on and off several times.
Lucien: Honestly, I was just thinking about how I should explain to him if he got really curious and came over to us.
I blink and peek out from beside Lucien. Sure enough, I see the old gentleman he mentioned watching us with a cautious look on his face.
Imagining how we must look to others, I smile embarrassedly.
MC: Let's just say we're making a TV show and doing on-site research? Or maybe gathering material?
Lucien: [chuckles] Do we really need such a formal reason?
Lucien: I rather think the Matchmaker God would prefer our most genuine intentions.
Lucien smiles as he tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.
Lucien: My beloved has a heart that is both pure and romantic. She wishes to take hold once more of the happiness and destined bond that belong to us.…¹⁰
Lucien: And I hope her wish will be fulfilled.
His voice is not loud, yet it carries a certain weight of cherishing care and heartfelt earnestness. Heavily it lands upon my heart, slowing and magnifying everything.
Thump-thump—a sound.
Thump-thump—another follows close behind.
I instinctively look back into those deep eyes and see all the colors in the world merging within them. Even the swaying, flowing red is wholly dyed in his color.
Through those eyes, I seem to have found what I have been searching for all along.
✂———————–
—📝[Translation Notes and Insights]
⁸: It’s the same Matchmaker Temple they visited years ago in 不负相思意 SP (Bound by Love SP) Mind Quest. This temple is dedicated to Yue Lao (月老), also known as the Old Man Under the Moon, a deity in Chinese folklore who presides over love and marriage. The myth of the red thread of fate originates from him. He is said to connect destined couples with an invisible red thread, binding their fates together. Though the thread may stretch, tangle, or twist, it is said to never break, symbolizing a bond that defies time, distance, obstacles, and even death~
⁹: In temple tradition, couples tie red silk ribbons onto sacred trees, symbolizing the red thread of fate used by Yue Lao to bind destined lovers. This act is a prayer for eternal union and divine blessing. Lucien and MC follow this custom at the Matchmaker Temple in 不负相思意 SP (Bound by Love SP) Mind Quest. In traditional belief, when two people tie their red silk ribbons together on a sacred tree, it signifies “以树为媒，天地作证” — taking the tree as matchmaker, with heaven and earth as witnesses to their union. This transforms their simple act of tying ribbons into a sacred vow, witnessed by the universe and divine worlds.
A Love Not In Vain/Bound by Love SP MQ
¹⁰ : The original line is 我的爱人有一颗纯粹又浪漫的心,她想回握住一份属于我们的幸福和缘分...…There are three terms that I want to highlight:
我的爱人 (wǒ de àirén) literally means "my loved person"/"the one I love" (我的 = my/mine; 爱人 = love + person). From the 1950s to the 1990s in Mainland China, 爱人 was the common word for spouse. Today, it may sound somewhat old-fashioned and sentimental in daily speech, but it still conveys a long-term commitment, carrying the sense of 'the person I'll love for my whole life.' It can be translated as 'my beloved' in emotional contexts, but if you use it to introduce your partner (as Lucien does in other dates), people will assume you mean a spouse or at least a lifelong partner.
While I translate 幸福 (xìng fú) as 'happiness', it carries a deeper nuance than momentary joy. Unlike other happiness-related words such as 高兴 or 开心, which describe fleeting emotions, 幸福 refers to a lasting sense of fulfillment, contentment, or well-being, often tied to love, family life, or long-term emotional fulfillment. So the 'happiness' that MC wishes for leans closer to 'a blessed, fulfilling, and content life' rather than a temporary happiness🥺
缘分 (yuán fèn) is a concept rooted in a synthesis of Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian thought. It refers to a predestined affinity that brings people together, yet also implies personal effort to maintain and deepen that bond. Linguistically, it consists of 缘 (yuán)— the karmic condition or circumstantial force that allows people to cross paths; not decreed by gods, but arising from causes and conditions (including past actions even in past lifetimes), and 分 (fèn)—which signifies voluntary effort, personal choice, or one's 'share' of the relationship. Unlike the passive Western notion of 'fate', yuánfèn encompasses both cosmic serendipity and human agency. I think translating it as 'destined bond' better captures its layered meaning: a relationship brought forth by unseen forces, but sustained through mutual intention and care.
✂———————–
—[Memory Sillhouette-Tailored Luck]—
Even though he had already sat down in the driver's seat, Lucien still couldn't help but take another glance at the tablet screen before starting the car.
The tablet had been remotely connected to the computer in the laboratory and was currently transmitting radar echoes, short-term forecasts, and various meteorological data to him in real-time.
He specifically applied for temporary access from the meteorological research department, obtained partial data, and used it in combination with the Meteorological Administration’s technology to create a simple climate simulation model.
Considering that the closer it is to the target time, the more accurate the weather forecast becomes, he further increased the frequency of data refresh.
In fact, Lucien's goal was simple: to do everything possible to ensure he could truly 'capture' that brief window of clear sky during this extended rainy season.
That way, he could naturally share what felt like a destined bit of 'good luck' with her.
But when it came down to it, his 'Sunny-Weather Capture Plan' had actually been in effect for three or four days.
The last time he predicted the rain would stop, he had just gotten ready to head out when the weather suddenly turned against him, and the plan had to be called off.
The time before that, he had caught a window between rain clouds, but was unfortunately held up by an unexpected meeting.
If he missed the chance again this time, the next brief spell of sunshine wouldn’t arrive until the following week.
He had to admit, tailoring luck in a field he wasn't very familiar with turned out to be a bit more troublesome than he had imagined.
The lingering drizzle wouldn't stop, and of all times, a red light brought him to a halt again.
After a fleeting glance at the tablet and confirming the model again, Lucien's eyes drifted toward the low-hanging clouds, and he let out a soft sigh.
Lucien: [sighs] ...I should still make it in time.
He had always considered himself fairly patient, yet now, he found himself lightly tapping the steering wheel again and again.
The image of the girl’s smiling eyes flashed through his mind, followed by the plans he had prepared.
Lucien tried to tell himself that even if he didn't make it in time for the sunny weather, it didn’t matter. He had made thorough preparations anyway—
If it still rained, there was an umbrella with a jellyfish pattern in the trunk, which would most likely make her light up with delighted surprise.¹¹
Or he could simply turn the car around and take her to the plum garden he had booked to taste the freshly brewed plum wine.¹²
If all else failed… he could still pretend that he merely happened to be passing by because of some coincidence.
He would just drive her home, listen as she shared glimpses of her workday, and then, together, choose a movie suited for a rainy day.
He had crafted every possible contingency plan; each one certain to please her. But...
Lucien: [murmurs] If only the sky would clear up for a little while.
Lucien: Just a brief moment would be enough.
When it comes to things related to her, he always wants to be a little greedier.
Even this elusive luck, he longs to grasp it in his hands, polish it into a glittering gift with his heartfelt intentions, delicately adorn it with surprises, wrap it all up, and hold it out before her eyes.¹³
And receive in return her eyes instantly lighting up as she beams and throws herself into his embrace.
He smiled and sighed, not knowing whether this was the hundredth time he had gazed at his tablet during this stretch of time that was neither long nor short.
The model's predicted result remains unchanged; it still indicates that the overcast rain will briefly pause in an hour and a half.
This time, he didn't wait any longer. He lit up his phone and dialed her number.
Lucien: It's me. Is the shoot going well?
Lucien: Actually, I'm currently on my way to the set. I'll be there in a bit…
The green light turned on, and Lucien stepped on the accelerator again, moving forward along the lane.
Heading toward the clear sky belonging to him.
✂———————–
—📝[Translation Notes and Insights]
Look at it moving gently and slowly, just like his-
¹¹: This is more of a trivia than a serious insight, I just find it really cute that jellyfish is one of the animals associated with him~ It appears as… ahem… euphemistic imagery during his 2023 flower banner. They also appear in the 2022 Lovepro X Shining Nikki Collab, his 2024 White Day R karma, and the 2023 summer event, where he purchased three Moon Jellyfish for their summer café. It is also creatively used again in euphemistic writing, as they do ‘this and that’ in the said café.
¹²: The plum wine is not just a sweet random idea and rather a direct callback to 山野之约 (Wilderness Date) - Official Translation | Fan-Translation, the one date where they pick green plums and taste sweet, spicy, and sour homemade plum wine in the summer of 2021 🥺 Probably just a small detail, but I want to point it out, because it makes it feel like every moment from the past matters, like all those memories, no matter how small they seem, shape who he is today, and how he continues to treasure them.
¹³: The way that line strongly echoes what MC said back in Sweet Dream Date (which, in the CN server, takes place in summer 2024) makes me want to cry (இ﹏இ`｡) He’s really someone who pays such tender attention, quietly cherishing every little fragment of her, even things that she doesn't say, polishing them with his heart then treasures them, and present them back to his beloved as if the universe itself had a hand in them. Every gift from him carries special meaning, and they are the very proof of his sincerest love for her🥺
[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - Entangling Date - English Translation
⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️
This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~
[Warning]: The content of this date is currently the most explicit compared to other SSR dates and may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 17 (CN server). It is recommended that those who do not meet this age requirement refrain from proceeding beyond this point.
// ⚠️ cw v*re-ish theme, (not heavy) blood, dubious consent, (magic) bondage, strangulation you'll never guess who. Please proceed with caution if you are sensitive to these topics
[Translation Notes]
In here, both MC and Lucien are Snake Demons (蛇妖). Demons (妖 yāo) – (which is sometimes left untranslated as “Yao” or alternatively translated as Monsters) are born when an animal, plant, or even an inanimate object absorbs spiritual energy over a long period and then gains spiritual awareness. They're not necessarily evil and are different from 魔 (Mó)/Evil Spirits. Still, their identity as such beings in this AU is important to remember because it means that both MC and Lucien are indifferent to human standards of morality.
Also in this date, there's a concept of cultivation or "修炼" (xiūliàn), which is a central concept in many Chinese fantasy genres, particularly in xianxia (仙侠) literature. It involves the practice of refining one's body, mind, and spirit to achieve higher levels of power, enlightenment, or immortality. As for other terms… I'll add T/N if there are more specific terms ahah-
And, let me explain a bit about the v*re theme... So, in some Chinese fantasy literature and cultivation stories, consuming others can be a method of cultivation. This practice might involve eating parts of these beings to gain their powers or absorb their essence, which is believed to advance their cultivation level. Although I’m also kind of convinced with what Chuverall said that ‘hunger’ here is a metaphor for another kind of desire or Lucien just genuinely confuses lust with hunger😂
[Pre-evolve call - Wandering Ballpoint pen]
[Subbed Video]
I highly recommend watching the subbed video! I SWEAR I never heard him moan and pant so much on one date or heck, even in ASMR.
In case YouTube decides the date is too explicit, I also upload it on Twitter.
Also, to avoid the video getting deleted by youtube, I age-restricted it u.u
✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
[Transcript Ver]
—[Part 1]—
I'm starving.
I swallow a pile of random 'food' expressionlessly, yet the intense emptiness and hunger are not satisfied in the slightest.
Immense power courses through my body, but it seems as if it is confined within an earthen jar, desperately trying to find an outlet, yet unable to find a way out.
I am well aware that, after four hundred years, I have once again encountered the opportunity to break through the Primordial Spirit stage.
Back then, I devoured the crocodile demon that had occupied the deep pool for hundreds of years, and only after digesting its entire Primordial Spirit did I successfully achieve the breakthrough.
[T/N: Primordial spirit or 元神 (yuán shén) is typically regarded as a higher, more refined level of consciousness or spiritual essence within a being. If cultivated enough, a primordial spirit can gain some consciousness and you can project yourself outward (important for the later part ;)]
[T/N: A breakthrough in cultivation refers to a significant leap in spiritual or martial progress, often leading to enhanced abilities or a higher level of power. It can happen several times.]
I feel the surge of power within me, and now I only crave for more.
Half a country's worth of humans is probably not enough. I still need to find a way to concentrate on cultivation, or perhaps consume another powerful being.
The harsh, blazing sunlight pierces through the cave entrance, casting a bright circle inside the cave.
I squint my eyes, lazily stretching my snake tail towards the patch of light.
The cautious tip of my snake tail ventures only an inch into the light but is instantly pierced by the scorching heat, causing it to shudder and quickly recoil back into the shadows.
MC: …So hot.
MC: I'll think about it later.
The chilly and damp stone cave dispels the scorching heat of the sun. I close my eyes and adjust my position for greater comfort, half my body submerged in the pool water.
There's no need to rush. After all, this scorching summer heat that could kill a demon is a mysterious demon-slaying technique in itself.
??: …
Suddenly, I sense something entering my cave.
It's just that the little creature's demonic power is too weak to stir even a sliver of my interest.
Perhaps because of my indifference, "it" seems to be growing bolder, venturing closer and even approaching my pool.
Slightly displeased, I open my eyes, only to meet with a pair of unfamiliar eyes—deep and brimming with smiles.
??: So hot. May I borrow a corner of your abode, My Lord?
The man's clothes hang loosely on his frame, barely concealing his broad, sculpted chest in a manner that seems almost deliberate as he leans casually against a nearby rock.
[T/N: The use of 欲盖弥彰 😂 This idiom literally means "trying to cover up but only making it more obvious." This implies that his attempt to ‘dress modestly’ is actually drawing more attention to his physique and carrying a subtle hint of deliberate seduction LOL]
Who is he?
Countless lesser monsters inhabit this mountain, and I never pay attention to those I can crush with half a finger.
But perhaps it's because I'm so bored, or perhaps because he carries the scent of my own kind, that I can't help but stare at him for a long while.
Lucien: My Lord, my name is Lucien.
Perhaps sensing the reason for my silence, he smiles gracefully and bows his head respectfully.
Lucien: I have been living in this mountain for many years, always relying on your protection, My Lord.
Lucien: I have expressed my gratitude to you many times before, My Lord, but it seems...
He pauses, his deep and bright eyes settling on me.
Lucien: ...those sentiments have not reached you.
Hearing him say this, I try to recall the countless memories I've accumulated over the years on this mountain, but I can't possibly remember the face of every insignificant lesser demon.
Seeing that I still show no reaction, the lesser demon's face seems to stiffen for a brief moment.
But a seductive curve quickly forms on his lips as he steps into the pool.
His body bends gracefully in the pool as water laps over his waist and abdomen, leaving him glistening wet.
He extends his arms into the pool, seemingly sensing and finding my tail as if guided by instinct.
His cold fingertips gently caress my scales, then encircle my tail and draw it towards his chest.
Water droplets run down his hair, trace the contours of his jaw and cascade onto his chest, mingling with the water dripping from the tip of my tail. Together, they seep through his semi-transparent garment, disappearing into the curve of his waist.
The uncomfortable warmth faintly spread over me, yet his audacious behavior piqued my curiosity. I wonder what intriguing actions this lesser demon can do.
But my somewhat arrogant and silent scrutiny doesn't seem to instill any fear in him.
He nuzzles my snake tail with his face, his lips gently pressing against my scales. After a moment of delicate caressing, he—
Suddenly bites down hard.
MC: …!
A tingling numbness quickly spreads from the tip of my tail. The venom is manageable, and it will take me less than a moment to neutralize it.
Yet, in that fleeting moment, a particularly hazy, green-colored figure forms in my mind.
MC: Are you that little green snake who bit my tail decades ago and then fainted?
—[Part 2]—
=Flashback start=
One autumn many years ago, the sunlight was still pleasant, and I was coiled idly in the mountain, feeling bored to death.
The autumn light stretches endlessly, the entire forest suffused with a lingering pleasant fragrance that makes me coil my body even more lazily.
My demonic aura permeates the entire mountain, utterly unrestrained. The lesser demons cower in corners, none foolish enough to dare disturb my tranquility.
Suddenly, a burst of very weak stings prickled the tip of my tail.
Puzzled, I lifted my tail, only to find a small green snake clinging to it.
It must have tried to feed on my energy but was overwhelmed by the backlash of my demonic power. The little snake has already fainted, but its tiny fangs are still tightly embedded in me.
It's natural for creatures to have a predatory instinct, but such a bold and greedy little thing might eventually develop even greater desires.
I observed it for a few more moments with interest before casually tossing it away.
=Flashback ends=
That blurry green shape in the daylight unexpectedly coalesces into the face of the person standing before me.
Turns out it really transformed into a demonic form.
My tail instantly coils around his entire body, tightening around his neck, and pulls him towards me.
MC: What did you say your name was?
Lucien: [his sexy gasps and breathless voice?#(#+-$(asdfghjkl] My Lord, my name is Lucien.
The venomous fangs in his mouth remain unretracted as if deliberately left exposed to provoke.
I grip his upper jaw, my fingertips sliding into his parted lips, caressing the delicate tips of his fangs.
As I gradually apply pressure, a pale yellow liquid slowly trickles down my fingertips.
A fascination stirs within my heart, and I drive the venom to flow uncontrollably until it overflows my palm.
The labored breath escaping his lips doesn't bring even a hint of fear to the face before me. Those eyes, like mysterious deep pools, draw me in completely.
MC: I remember you.
I lick the venom on my fingertips and then lightly lean toward his lips.
MC: Perhaps devouring you wouldn't be such a bad idea.
Lucien: [x2!] It would be my honor to become a part of you, My Lord.
Venom from his fangs spills to the corner of his lips, adding an inexplicable allure to his serene expression.
Lucien: [X3!!] However... to you, my lord, my demonic power is very weak. Even after appearing before you many times, I never caught your attention.
Lucien: [X4!!!] I'm afraid I can't help you achieve your breakthrough, my lord.
[T/N: Throughout this date, he used a "您" (nín) to address MC instead of the usual “你” (nǐ), which is the formal and polite way to say "you" in Chinese. It is used to show respect, deference, and admiration to the person being addressed.]
His face even bears a hint of hidden bitterness, as if silently reproaching me.
MC: How did you know I wanted to breakthrough?
Lucien: Because in my eyes... all I see is your figure.
Lucien: In the corners you never noticed, I've always been watching you.
Through those deep and unfathomable eyes, I see a reflection of a slender white figure, and her face is filled with disdain and inexplicable emotion.
Lucien: You've protected this place for many years, providing us with a safe haven. So, I also wish to contribute my humble efforts to your cause.
Lucien: I have found a group of remarkable humans who might be able to help you break through your cultivation, My Lord.
Half a country wouldn't even suffice.
I form this sentence in my mind but don't say it out loud.
Facing my silence, he gently smiles, as if he had expected it.
Lucien: What do you think, My Lord... about the 361 demon-slaying cultivators of the Qingping Sect, including the Sect Leader—what should be done with them?
His hushed whispers are carried on a breathy exhale and reach my lips. Sinking into the depths of his dark eyes, I curl my lips into a smile.
MC: Is there more to this than meets the eye?
Lucien: In the past two years, many demon hunters from this sect have repeatedly disturbed the peace in the mountain, and many lesser demons have fallen at their hands.
Lucien: My Lord, you have cast spells in this mountain, clearly not wishing to be disturbed. I merely volunteered to ease your worries.
MC: But those bugs always manage to get in, do you know why?
Lucien: A sophisticated formation like yours, My Lord, is naturally beyond the comprehension of a lowly demon like myself.
Lucien: The Qingping Sect is also a great sect with a hundred years of history; [chuckles] Perhaps there are some mysterious and powerful humans there.
Lucien smiles modestly and looks at me obediently.
I close my eyes, pondering his words over and over.
The Qingping Sect people have been coming to the mountain to hunt demons in summer and winter for the past few years. They must have observed my movements.
When I'm dormant, I'm usually too lazy to bother with such trivial matters. But if it's delivered to my doorstep, there's certainly no reason to refuse.
But with Lucien's cultivation level, it should be very difficult for him to handle such a large sect.
I think for a moment, then fling him away.
MC: So, in a place where the talented and powerful people hide, how are you going to offer them to me?
Lucien: I'm just using a few little tricks. You can inspect it now, My Lord.
His words barely leave his lips when the scene before me abruptly blurs. In a flash, I conceal my demonic form.
✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
An unfamiliar Taoist temple comes into view. We are already standing in the shadows of a corner.
I glance around, slightly raise my fingertips, and strangle Lucien's neck.
MC: Lucien, I don't like being controlled by anything else.
[T/N: MC actually called him 小许 (Xiao Xu) here which can be translated into ‘Little Lu' but that sounds odd in EN-]
Lucien: [gasping for breath and hoarsely says-] Perhaps… I was just too eager, hoping I could be of some help to you.
Lucien: [still with his hoarse voice-] I really long to see you happy.
His eyes curve into a gentle arc, showing a certain beauty that is both pleasing to the eye and delightful to the heart.
I let out a cold snort, dismissing him, and step out of the shadows, releasing my hold on his neck.
The scorching sun beats down mercilessly, making me irritable. Just as I'm about to turn around and warn that little creature to make it quick, I sense an unusually strange and mysterious Qi in the air.
In the shadows, Lucien stands still, his deep, dark eyes hiding a gleam.
Interesting.
A spark of interest ignites within me, and I swagger down the road.
Several demon hunters who look quite delicious pass by me. They appear numb, like puppets, and show no sign of panic in my presence.
??: Ah, it's Mr. Lucien!
Suddenly, a young Daoist Priest seems to regain his senses and runs towards me.
Lucien, who is already standing beside me, responds gently.
Lucien: Greetings, Daoist Priest.
Lucien's eyes shimmer with an emerald green light. As his voice trails off, several nearby demon hunters eagerly gather around, engaging him in conversation.
MC: "Do they know you?"
I glance at Lucien and use a spell to transmit the words directly into his mind.
But he merely smiles faintly, and under the gaze of those empty eyes, he leans down and whispers in my ear.
Lucien: [whispers] Some things are easier to erode from within.
Lucien: After all... I'm just a little green snake.
✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
—[Part 3]—
Abundant power surges within me. After absorbing and dissolving the last remnants of the primordial spirit, I open my eyes, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
While there's still a long way to go before my primordial spirit breaks through, I won't force it.
The blazing sun overhead reminds me of the day I parted ways with Lucien, leaving me to wonder how many days and nights have slipped by since.
The vastness of time has long since lost its meaning for me.
=Flashback start=
MC: Some of these are for you.
Lucien: …?
Upon hearing my words, he seemed to freeze for a moment, his eyes darkening slightly.
Lucien: If I wanted to keep it all for myself, I wouldn't have invited you, My Lord. All of this is my offering…
MC: You're so long-winded.
MC: Rewards are given for merit; take it if it's given to you. Those are my rules.
I was too lazy to listen to his long-winded speech, so I stood on the steps and looked down at him.
MC: Lucien, I have only one question for you right now.
MC: Aren't you hungry?
Lucien: ….
He stood in my shadow, deeply gazing up at me.
After a long pause, he curled his lips into a bewitching smile, his gaze locked intently on me. He extended his tongue, lightly licking his lips.
Lucien: [the long licking noises!??+$+*+$+] Very hungry, my lord.
=Flashback end=
I stand up and stretch, ready to take a stroll in the mountain and see how Lucien's cultivation is progressing.
He's very clever. In just a few decades, he's not only cultivated into a demon form but also amassed considerable power and even dealt with the entire Qingping Sect.
Perhaps in a few more decades, he could be the final piece I need for my breakthrough.
Just as I am about to leave the cave, I sense an extremely familiar pheromone nearby.
Its owner is cleverly masking their scent within my demonic aura, but it seems they're struggling to maintain the disguise, and faint traces are still leaking through.
I raise my head to gaze at the colossal Buddha statue before me, and then with a swift movement, I stand atop the entwining vines that encircle it. A quick glance reveals a familiar figure—
sexy bgm playing
Lucien: ...!
His dark green outer robe has slipped down to his arms, revealing a large expanse of his back. The slanting rays of the sun illuminate the faint snake scales on his skin.
Gold dust spills from the cracks in the Buddha statue, scattering around him. One of his hands, unable to contain the surging power, has fully transformed into its demonic form.
His broad and supple snake tail is fully exposed, writhing restlessly against the stone statue, creating a subtle rustling sound as it rubs against the surface.
Fine beads of sweat emerge on his forehead, gradually dampening his hair, which clings stickily to his flushed skin and trails downwards.
Lucien seems surprised by my arrival, turning around with a guarded look, his fingers reaching for his shoulder as if wanting to cover up more.
Lucien: [panting as if he's in a freaking heat] My Lord, how could you...?
MC: Lucien, you're really good at finding places, aren't you?
I examine the area around the Buddha's Hand. Lush bushes cover most of the cave entrance, providing him with ample shelter along with my demonic aura.
A small white snake then slithered into the opening of his clothing, making its way up to his face.
[T/N: Remember what I mentioned about how powerful cultivators can project themselves outward—so this white snake is indeed MC but she has projected her soul outward]
Lucien: [x2] I'm fortunate to have your protection.
He pants lightly, his eyes never leaving even for a moment, fixed firmly on my figure.
Lucien: I understand that you needed to focus on your cultivation and didn't want to be disturbed.
Lucien: [while slightly panting] But I haven't experienced many breakthroughs before. I need to focus all my energy on refining my spirit. Last time, I almost got eaten by other lesser demons…
Lucien: [with more panting and huskier voice] Being by your side, My Lord, I feel more at ease and can also help guard against potential dangers for you.
His husky voice sends tingling sensations through me, making me inexplicably feel a bit hungry.
Lucien: [man literally panting with each sentence?!$+($+$asdjfjdkd] I just didn't expect you to be so powerful, absorbing so many spirits in such a short time…
He furrows his brow in what seems like frustration, which looks a bit cute.
MC: Those are still far from enough, but your breakthrough speed is also faster than I thought.
Lucien: [still with the sus panting as if in heat] It's all… thanks to you, My Lord.
He forces a weak smile, seemingly still struggling to suppress the surging power within him.
I know that feeling, the unbearable heat from the inside out, the frantic surge of Qi sweeping through the body again and again, as the soul drifts between fullness and emptiness.
I've always been on my own, so it's quite interesting to witness someone else going through this for the first time.
Lucien's fingertips continue to tighten, revealing an attractive white color.
He seems to be waiting there, waiting for me to disappear. But I don't.
I wiggle my fingers, and the little white snake glides along his burning skin. Every inch closer elicits a heavier, instinctive gasp from the depths of his throat.
The increasingly prominent snake scales seem to be burning, and his long tail coils around the Buddha's hand over and over while continuously trembling.
MC: Is it hard to bear?
He knows she's laughing.
Through his hazy gaze, he sees the girl perched on a nearby branch, like a wisp of delicate white gauze, overlooking him completely.
He can feel the cold little snake mischievously exploring all over his body as if her fingertips were stroking him.
This makes him feel even more messed up.
The power surges within him, more violently than he anticipated, and it's taking longer than expected.
He overestimated her greed, and at the same time, underestimated his own.
A tremendous sense of emptiness drowns him in an instant, magnified infinitely under her wicked gaze.
At that moment, it's as if he forgets everything.
He instinctively follows that surge of intense force, returning to a darker place, where he finds some form of primitiveness and liberation.
A surge of heat courses through him from his chest to his lower body, carrying him from the heights of the clouds to the mist below.
He is obviously filled with a momentary sense of satisfaction, yet a greater emptiness is born. Amidst the lingering white mist, her eyes always remain clear.
Bright, vile, and charming.
As if shining into his greedy soul, allowing him to see the reflection of his face so clearly.
Lucien: [breathing heavily after some kind of ‘release’...but obviously haven't ‘satisfied’ yet-] ….
Suddenly, I see Lucien smile.
He leans against the Buddha's palm, his entire body sprawled out and clothes in a mess. It's as if he's completely submerged in water.
The tense snake's tail trembles as it lifts, gently and intimately coiling around my wrist.
People say snake demons are masters of seduction, but perhaps they are not even one ten-thousandth as good as the person before me.
Lucien: [panting, whispers hoarsely] Teach me... My Lord.
MC: Aren't you afraid that I'll really eat you?
I laugh and tease him. The moment my toes touch the Buddha's hand, a scorching hot snake's tail wraps tightly around my waist, coiling down to one of my ankles.
With a gentle tug, he pulls me into an even hotter embrace.
Lucien: [moans and pants as he whispers hoarsely] Then just eat me.
Lucien: [x2] From the very beginning, I didn't mind becoming one with you, My Lord.
His breath is hot, and so is his gaze. This kind of temperature, which usually makes me uncomfortable, fills me with some kind of pleasure now.
I gently caress his chest, feeling the surge of Qi within him, and can't help but smile even wider.
MC: If you want to be eaten by me... you're still too weak.
Infusing my power into my palm, I gather his power into one place.
At this moment, I realize that I might have left Lucien with too much force. It's no wonder he hasn't fully absorbed such a massive force. It's also fortunate that he has exceptional abilities.
If he were an ordinary demon, his meridians would have ruptured long ago.
[T/N: Meridians (经脉) are the channels through which Qi/vital energy flows in the body, if it ruptures it can lead to death]
MC: Luckily, you've been able to hold on until now.
MC: But... you still need to work harder.
I push my palm forward, dismantling that power and sending it into his primordial spirit.
I feel myself being hugged tightly, his whole body trembling uncontrollably. His snake fangs bite hard into my shoulder and release his venom with a force that feels like a torrent.
The venom he secreted is like sweet honey, devoid of any threat.
When he raises his head again, I see that his deep eyes have become even brighter, as if they have swallowed a thousand surging tides.
MC: How do you feel?
Lucien: [x3] My lord... your body is so cold and feels so good.
His tail coils tighter around me, and his scorching breath falls on my neck.
He seems to have coiled his entire body around me, enveloping me in his center.
Lucien: [x4] You... are very beautiful.
His wet tongue slides again and again across my throat and neck. I feel like his whole body is exuding a delicious scent.
I'm so hungry.
I can't resist the urge to bite his lips. His strong essence is absorbed into my body through our intertwined lips and tongues.
Lucien doesn't resist at all and just hugs me tightly as if devoutly offering his entire being to me.
In an instant, I push him away, meeting his gaze, which seems to hold an air of expectation.
Lucien: [gasping weakly] Are you not going to eat me anymore?
He looks a bit tired, but his lips still rest against mine, like the instinctive nuzzling of an animal.
I don't respond to him, only glancing at him for a moment before covering his captivating eyes with my hand.
MC: Go to sleep.
Just a little longer. If I wait a bit more, he'll be even more delicious, and it'll help me break through even further.
✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
[T/N: Fun fact: In real life, snakes intertwine their tails and bite each other when they mate. Why do I mention this? Well you'll see :)]
✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
—[Part 4]—
Over a month later, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the evening breeze brings a chill. I stretch and head down the mountain, holding up my skirt as I walk.
I quite enjoy human festivals. Every year, during these times, the lively and interesting rituals make this frail race seem a bit more endearing.
Bathed in the soft glow, a familiar figure dressed in green appears in my sight.
Lucien: My Lord, it seems quite lively down there. Is that the human "temple fair" they speak of?
MC: You've been in human form for decades, and you know quite a few demon hunters from the Qingping Sect. Haven't you ever been to a temple fair?
Lucien: I'm just a lowly demon, so I wouldn't dare.
Lucien: But if I go with you, I'm sure I'll be able to experience some of the fun.
MC: [smiles softly] Are you a fool?
With a grand sweep of my hand, I lead him into the warm and dazzling sea of lights.
I turn to face him, a smile playing on my lips as I tilt my chin up in a challenge.
MC: Since you're already a demon, you can afford to be even more bolder sometimes.
His pupils dilate sharply. The gently swaying lanterns cast a soft, flickering light as Lucien gazes deeply into my eyes. Then, in a surprising turn, he reaches out and takes my hand in his.
Lucien: I will certainly heed your teachings, My Lord.
We make our way through the bustling crowd. Though Lucien seems a little curious about everything around him, he still walks steadily by my side.
Suddenly, he stops in his tracks.
I turn back to see him carefully wiping a jade bracelet on one of the stalls.
The bracelet is a vibrant green throughout, its color rich and translucent, with a subtle, warm glow. At a glance, it's clearly a piece of exquisite jade.
I don't know why, but that captivating shade of green reminds me of his original appearance.
He quickly pays for it, and amidst the vibrant spectacle of festive lights, gently places the bracelet on my wrist.
MC: What are you doing?
Lucien: I saw that other humans seem to do this. Do you like it?
In that fleeting moment, he seems to be imbued with the essence of the human world. His eyes curve into gentle crescents as he smiles tenderly.
In the vast and endless expanse of time, I can no longer remember if the last person who smiled at me like this was also so soul-stirring.
Perhaps, there has never been such a person before.
MC: Though I can't say whether I like it or not...
MC: But you seem to have become even more delicious.
Lucien seems to smile even more happily. For some reason, I think I see the same emotion of mine reflected in his eyes.
But that's probably just my imagination. Despite his greed, he's ultimately just a weak lesser demon.
As we stroll along, the distant voice of a storyteller drifts towards us.
Storyteller: “Continuing from where we left off, the battle between the thousand-year-old white snake demon of Baihua Mountain and the crocodile demon has been at a standstill for a full hundred days…”
Groups of young boys and girls walk together, their faces flushed with shy smiles. An elderly woman calls out, advertising her steaming hot meat buns. Red firecrackers explode, welcoming a bride from some unknown family.
The festive atmosphere surrounds us. Perhaps influenced by the surroundings, I hear Lucien's curious voice.
Lucien: My Lord, are you also interested in human love?
MC: That's the most impermanent thing in this world.
I take a bite of the candied hawthorn he's holding and gaze at the ordinary faces around us.
MC: It might be interesting, but as demons, we live for far too long. So long that...
MC: Such fragile things can't nourish our parched and greedy souls.
MC: But if you're interested, you could always find a human and experience it a little.
I smile and playfully bop his nose.
MC: [teasingly] But be careful, don't let any bad woman trick you, Lucien.
Lucien: You worry too much. I have no interest in those.
Lucien: Because I've already encountered and tasted something far more delectable.
His dark inky eyes hold my reflection captive, as if drawing me into their hidden depths.
Lucien: Lord MC has taught me everything I wanted to know…
Lucien: As one of the same kind.
Later, Lucien takes the initiative to show me around several places. After we've explored the town extensively, fireworks illuminate the deep night sky.
Lucien: Do you know where we can enjoy the most beautiful fireworks?
MC: You've asked the right demon.
With a flick of my finger, I whisk him away to an ancient pagoda that's been sealed for many years.
The airtight walls keep the interior pitch black. The air is filled with the scent of sandalwood, and the faint sound of fireworks echoes like distant bells.
Lucien: It seems... we can't see any fireworks here.
MC: Just wait.
I turn my palm, and in the blink of an eye, the surrounding stone walls suddenly become transparent, as if they were never there.
I pull Lucien to sit at the center of the circular platform. Suddenly, a profusion of vibrant fireworks bursts forth all around us, their carefree beauty so close as if within reach.
The vibrant colors of the fireworks paint Lucien's figure, layer upon layer. For the first time, someone is here with me to enjoy the fireworks, and my heart can't help but fill with a touch of joy.
MC: Humans are so rigid. They think a tranquil place can't also be lively. What a waste of a good spot.
MC: Might as well let these Buddhas enjoy the show too.
Lucien: [softly] Indeed… incredibly beautiful.
As he speaks, it's hard to tell if his eyes are fixed on me or the fireworks behind me.
But beautiful scenery is always fleeting. Soon, the fireworks display comes to an end.
And as I try to stand up, I suddenly realize that I can't move.
Just as I'm about to summon my power, a piercing pain shoots through my entire body. It feels as though some invisible ropes in the air are binding me in place.
While I'm still puzzled, I hear Lucien's surprised voice—
Lucien: ...I didn't expect it to succeed on the first try.
I lift my head, and our gazes collide. His eyes are full of smiles.
His index and middle fingers pressed together, their tips shimmering with a faint light as he swiftly forms an intricate seal in the air.
The instant I see the strikingly familiar gesture, my eyes widen in shock.
MC: ...Why do you know a sealing spell used only by demon hunters?!
Lucien: Humans are rigid, thinking a tranquil place can't be lively. And you demons are just as rigid. Who says...
Lucien: ...a demon can't learn the arts of eliminating demons?
His lips form a triumphant and seductive curve as his cold fingertips caress my cheek.
Lucien: Don't worry, I know my own capabilities.
Lucien: The formation I've set up across the entire town, combined with the second layer of formation at the heart of it, will only restrain you for a short while.
Lucien: [whispers] However, this short time will be enough.
His voice softly weaves into my ears as he holds me tightly in his embrace.
MC: Those places you took me to earlier... were they all part of setting up this formation?
Lucien: That was merely just a test.
Lucien: [chuckles] It was you who said, I could be a bit bolder.
His delicate breath steadily brushes against my neck, making me feel lightheaded that maintaining my human form takes almost all of my strength.
MC: This… this is a Qingping Sect ancient text... You couldn't possibly have had the chance to…
A shockingly unbelievable thought suddenly pops into my mind. I clutch his lapel tightly, my whole body trembling.
MC: So it was you... You found the weakness in the mountain formation and led the Qingping Sect to hunt the demons.
Lucien: Yes, it was me.
All pretense vanishes from his eyes, revealing utterly raw and unbridled greed and desire.
Lucien: Those humans are so easily deceived. As long as I help them kill a few demons, they think I'm a talent worth cultivating.
Lucien: So I had the chance to plant the poison. In just over a decade, they would be completely under my control.
Lucien: And My Lord, you are my best reward.
Lucien: I finally found the opportunity to gain your trust. And with your help, I also obtained the ancient text.
[T/N: I think, her ‘help’ refers to her ‘eating’ the most Sect member which was his offering. Now that the whole sect was gone, he was able to gain access to the Sect's sacred ancient text, which allowed him to learn how to create this formation to trap her-]
His words are incredibly gentle, yet devoid of any warmth. He meticulously plans every step, taking small risks for greater gains. In the end, he uses the entire town as a formation, waiting for me to walk into the trap myself.
MC: Have you been wanting to eat me all along?
Lucien: [whispers hoarsely] I've never lied to you.
He smiles as he presses his cold lips against my brow and eyes, tenderly caressing my lips.
Lucien: [his whispers become increasingly obsessive-] I told you, from the moment you appeared in my life, in my eyes... all I see is your figure.
Lucien: [x2!] A snake wanting to eat another snake… that's normal, isn't it…?
Lucien: [x3!!] I've always, always... wanted to eat you.
*sexy bgm playing-*
Along with his voice, a slippery tail coils around the tip of my own.
As if fearing I might escape, it coils around me tightly from the start. Our scales rustle as they rub against each other, and I feel inexplicable suffocation.
Lucien lowers his gaze to look at me, his eyes filled with undisguised desire. He bares his fangs, teasingly grazing my skin before swiftly sinking them in with a sharp bite.
After a slight sting, a cold liquid is injected into the bite mark. My skin grows hotter and hotter, making the coldness even more alarming.
He probably knows that this bit of venom can't harm me, so he indulges in "tasting" me to his heart's content.
His sharp fangs expertly latch onto the easy-to-bite spots, biting down hard as if he really intends to devour me.
He leans toward me, pressing closer and closer. Our tails are already entwined inseparably; the tips of our hair and the sashes of our clothes are in complete disarray.
I can't summon any power to resist the venom's encroachment. I can only feel the burning heat spreading through my limbs and bones, my whole body trembling uncontrollably.
Lucien: [moaning and panting] I know I can't completely devour you yet, but it doesn't matter…
Lucien: [x2!] I will leave my mark inside your body, on every inch of your skin.
Lucien: [x3!!] Let our breaths entwine... until yours carries the essence of mine.
He bites my lip, his mouth devouring every bit of my moan and wet sounds. His tongue, laced with venom, forcefully swirls over mine, compelling me to swallow every drop.
Lucien: [hisses and groans] Until... the day I eat you.
My head is swimming, all I can feel is his snake tail coiling tighter around me, a tingling heat flowing through my body as something is being poured inside me again and again.
The feeling is too arousing, making me instinctively tighten my body, but also wrapping him even tighter.
The air is heavy with erotic scents, and the sound of our entwined scales rubbing against each other creates an ambiguous symphony of slick and moist noises, intensifying my hunger step by step.
MC: [laughs] The one who should be eaten... is you, isn't it?
MC: Given time, I will cleanse your weak poison completely.
MC: Great, you already look delicious.
Unfamiliar yet pleasurable waves surge rapidly within me, hitting me again and again, causing me to instinctively bite him back.
The cloyingly sweet blood, mixed with venom and clear bodily fluids, fills our mouths, necks, and entire bodies.
Lucien: [groans and breathlessly says] …Then let's see how this plays out.
Scalding sweat trickles down his jaw, blending into my clothes that are already soaked with sweat.
Lucien pushes deeper into me as if even the deepest part of my soul is being imbued with his essence.
Lucien: [moans and gasps] No matter the outcome… we will… become one.
———————Fin——-—————
[Lux's afterwords]
Not much analysis here, this date is pretty much just ‘fast food’ LOL. So, while his obsession towards MC definitely gets amped up in this AU, I do like how it still retains his core like his greediness, curiosity, and obsessiveness/stubbornness though 👀 and the details of them mirroring each other's desire are always so!!!
Although the ending is fairly predictable given his character, this date introduces a fresh element with its unique dynamic where the power balance shifts in favor of MC 😂 It conveys a similar dynamic of the ‘God x mortal’ trope, where the mortals yearn for the love of their God. And despite all the things he did, I really can't help but think that he really is just a hardworking yet stubborn/obsessive little snake HAHA.
His final line! I think… it's the biggest proof that he never really lied to her. His final line on this date reveals that his ultimate goal is to become one with her, whether through her eating him or vice versa, the method or outcome doesn't matter to him. Since he is much weaker than her, it's easier for him to be consumed (which is why he keeps asking her to eat him). However, in case she doesn’t want to eat him, he also has this backup plan. Whether he is to be consumed or to consume her, both scenarios require decades of deceiving humans to first gain her attention. While his methods may not be entirely honest, it is undeniable that he has worked very hard for her and it's a bit endearing🤧 or maybe it's time for me to admit that atp i'll forgive any shits he pulled *kicked*
[CN] Li Zeyan’s Candlelight Date (Eng Translation)
⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 烛火之约, that is yet to be released on the global server! ♡
[Translation Under the Cut]
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
【Subbed Video】
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【Chapter 1】
After being stuck in traffic for over forty minutes on the way to the airport, I slam on the brakes once again, staring in despair at the unmoving stream of cars ahead.
The weather outside is gloomy, the sky overcast with heavy dark clouds, and the wind howls through the crevices of the car windows.
Even though the evening has barely fallen, the sky is already darkened completely.
MC: Feels like it’s gonna be pouring hard...
MC: I don’t know if Li Zeyan’s flight has been affected.
Just as I am about to look up the flight information, his call comes in.
LZY: I’ve arrived.
MC: That’s great! It looks like there’s gonna be a heavy downpour outside, so thank goodness you landed on time.
MC: On the downside, though, I’m stuck in traffic...
LZY: Given the weather, I could guess that already.
LZY: Don’t rush, safety first. Turn on your headlights and take your time.
MC: Don’t worry, I promise to follow the traffic rules~ So, I must apologize to CEO Li and ask him to wait for me a little longer~
LZY: No worries, I’ll just take this time to think about what to make for Pudding.
The day Li Zeyan is returning from his business trip also happens to be Pudding’s birthday, and we’ve planned to have a small celebration at home.
As I picture Li Zeyan making a birthday cake for the little kitten, the corners of my lips involuntarily curl upwards.
MC: Pudding’s parents are so thoughtful! The little birthday boy is blessed with the luck of tasty treats today.
MC: Rest assured, I’ll definitely get you to Pudding safely and in one piece.
LZY: With a certain someone “braving the wind and waves” to come pick me up, I’m already luckier than those who can’t get a cab.
MC: Hehe, this time it’s my turn to be the prince who cuts their way through thorns and thistles to rescue the sleeping princess!
LZY: Well, it seems like I’ll have to wait a hundred years then.
MC: ...you just told me to take my time.
A soft chuckle transmits from the other end of the phone, and carried by the car’s stereo, it spreads through the entire space, giving me the illusion as if he is right next to me.
LZY: It’s not contradictory.
LZY: Even if it takes you a hundred years, I’ll still wait.
–
──────
[Tidbits]: This conversation here is a reference to one of Li Zeyan’s earliest ASMRs, “Sleeping Beauty,” where LZY said in response to MC’s question that if he were the prince, he wouldn’t let the girl he loves wait a hundred years. Whereas, in the reverse scenario here, he tells you that if he were the sleeping princess and you the prince, he would gladly wait a hundred years (இдஇ; ) though, for a man who literally did wait 17+10000(*n) years for you— a hundred years is, well, still unbearable to think about ahah (ﾉಥ益ಥ)
–
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
【Chapter 2】
I park the car near the exit, and as soon as I look up, I see Li Zeyan walking towards me, dragging his suitcase.
I immediately push open the car door and run up to him, throwing myself into his arms as hard as I can. Both his hands are occupied by luggage, and I collide against him so hard that he staggers back a few steps.
His familiar scent wraps around me securely, instantly dispelling all the tension and fatigue from the road. I nuzzle against his chest contentedly, earning a soft chuckle from above my head.
LZY: Why the lack of courtesy right off the bat?
MC: I haven’t seen you for days, and I’ve made our big busy person wait so long. I can’t afford to be polite anymore.
Li Zeyan smiles, lets go of the luggage, and draws me into his arms, lowering himself to rest his head on my shoulder.
A soft sigh sounds next to my ear, and I sense how exhausted he is. I put aside my playful thoughts and stroke the back of his head.
MC: I hoped you could get some rest after getting off the plane, but I didn’t expect this weather…
MC: I’ll head out earlier next time!
LZY: You already got here much faster than I expected.
LZY: Let’s go, there’s a birthday boy waiting at home. It’s raining hard outside; I’ll drive on the way back.
┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✄ ┈┈┈┈┈┈
As we head home, rain begins pouring down in torrents. Even with the wipers operating at their highest speed, the visibility only clears for a fleeting moment.
Through the impenetrable curtain of rain, the emergency lights of nearby vehicles flicker faintly. The water pooling on the ground reflects the surroundings like mirrors, and the streets have transformed into an utterly bizarre kaleidoscopic labyrinth.
I hold up my phone to record the scene outside the window when suddenly, a blinding flash of lightning splits the sky not far away, followed by a rolling thunder approaching from the distance, pressing closer and closer.
I can’t help but shrink my neck and set my phone down.
MC: This weather is just ridiculous… I’m sure today’s Moments posts are gonna be flooded with candid shots of the rainstorm.
LZY: A certain someone has made significant strides.
LZY: A few years back, you would get so nervous in this kind of weather that you’d grab onto other people’s clothes. Now, you'd just make a fuss about it on Moments.
MC: Huh? When did I grab onto your clothes?
I turn my head to look at him with a puzzled expression. Li Zeyan glances at me, and before he can even speak, a smile creeps onto the corners of his lips.
LZY: That time when you asked me if I dared to like you.
I freeze for a second, the familiar feeling of nervousness and anticipation surging to the forefront of my mind.
Memories flood back along with the warmth of my cheeks, as I’m reminded of a similar night in the past mirroring this raging storm.
The pitch-black darkness that descended after the power outage was so thick that one wouldn’t even be able to make out their own hand in front of them. I felt like danger, and the unknown would swallow me whole at any moment. But he was there with me, accompanying me for what felt like an eternity on that apocalyptic night.
Back then, I felt like I couldn’t handle it on my own, so I wanted to cling to a straw, to hold onto this steady and exceptionally gentle person beside me.
Snapping out of the reminiscence, I clear my throat to dispel my embarrassment.
MC: Y-You don’t need to remember such things so clearly!
MC: But come to think of it, ever since I met you, I don’t seem to have gotten rained on much.
MC: Even if I forget my umbrella or can’t catch a ride, you always manage to “scoop” me up right on time.
LZY: So, as a result, a certain someone has developed the bad habit of not checking the weather forecast before going out?
MC: …It clearly taught me the good habit of how to “scoop” people up in crucial moments!
The car stops at the intersection, waiting for the traffic light. Li Zeyan casts a glance my way, his lips curving into a smile as he strokes my head.
LZY: Given that the person “scooping” me up is also the one I want to see, it does feel pretty good.
His warm palm rests on my head for a moment before sliding down to my cheek with yearning. A small sense of satisfaction leaps in my heart, and I smile, poking his cheek.
MC: I think I can understand why the prince braves countless perils to reach the princess.
MC: For this moment right now, I’m willing to endure any hardship~
–
──────
[Tidbits]: The call-back of the apocalyptic night is from one of Li Zeyan’s earliest dates, “Doomsday Date,” where MC asks him if he’d dare to like her and if he’d dare to be by her side even if doomsday arrived – and the rest, as they say, is history, quite literally in this case ahah~ (இдஇ; )
–
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
【Chapter 3】
“Bzzz!”
As I step through the doorway and flip the switch for the pendant lamp, to my surprise, the light flickers and then abruptly goes out.
The inside of the house is instantly taken over by the dimness from outside the windows. Pudding, who was originally crouching at the door to welcome us, lets out a yelp and scurries under the table.
My mind automatically starts concocting a horror movie scenario, and I immediately step back a few paces.
MC: What did the power suddenly go out? It was perfectly fine before I left...
My words are barely out of my mouth when a series of extremely bright streaks of lightning flash outside the window.
The howling gale rattles the window frames, while the water pipes exposed to the downpour on the side of the building, pelted by large raindrops, are making peculiar noises.
The continuous flashes of lightning project the wildly swaying shadows of the trees onto the floor, making the storm outside seem even more terrifying.
Li Zeyan sighs and steps forward, taking hold of my hand that is frozen in mid-air.
LZY: Are there any spare lights or flashlights in the house?
MC: Yes, there are, in my room...
While saying this, I clutch Li Zeyan’s arm and carefully start walking towards my room. A hand reaches out and pulls me into a familiar embrace.
LZY: Wasn’t a certain someone “scooping people up” pretty amazingly just now? Why are you so nervous now that we’re home?
MC: ...I guess I’ve been overdoing it with the horror movies lately, and the after-effects are still a bit strong.
I laugh awkwardly and, relying on the dim light of the flashlight, dig out a large, bulging bag from the storage box.
MC: Rechargeable desk lamps, some decorative fairy lights, and lanterns.
MC: They should work if we plug them into the power bank.
LZY: ...That’s it?
MC: They can provide light and serve as tools to set the ambiance. Isn’t that wonderful?
Li Zeyan turns on a palm-sized rechargeable desk lamp and releases a small sigh.
LZY: In that case, the gift I brought you can also be included to make up the difference.
MC: Huh? What gift?
Li Zeyan rummages through his suitcase, takes out an exquisitely wrapped box, and gestures for me to open it.
I lean in closer and find a very charming candle holder with a glass cover nestled inside.
MC: It’s so beautiful! As expected, CEO Li’s eye for things can never go wrong.
LZY: Simultaneously doing the job of adding flowers to the brocade and delivering charcoal in snowy weather一 it definitely seems to be maximizing its value.
LZY: Come on, let’s go and light up all the lamps that we can use first.
┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✄ ┈┈┈┈┈┈
With me “lending a hand” by holding the flashlight through the entire process, dinner and Pudding’s salmon cake are soon prepared.
Pudding, who had been hiding in the corner this entire time, also forgets his fear under the temptation of delectable food and begins prancing around again.
After eating and drinking to our fill, I sit on the carpet with another small blanket, light a scented candle, and carefully set it in the candle holder Li Zeyan gifted me.
Li Zeyan then casually plops down at the foot of the bed where I’m leaning, naturally stretching out his arm for me to use as a pillow.
I look at Pudding grooming his fur not far away and can’t help but sigh with emotion.
MC: Time sure flies! Pudding has grown another year older. I wonder what progress he’ll make this year.
LZY: He wasn’t very brave when he was younger, but now he, too, looks after the house on his own and appears to be fairly calm and composed.
MC: Why did you use “too“? I suspect you’re insinuating something about someone else.
LZY: Just stating facts.
LZY: The way a certain someone acted when she walked into the house earlier didn’t exactly resemble the “prince“ who came to pick me up.
I glance again at the flashes of lightning and thunder rolling outside again, scratching my cheek awkwardly.
MC: The house just went dark all of a sudden; I wasn’t mentally prepared.
LZY: What about now?
LZY: Are you still scared?
I turned sideways to watch him. The dancing candlelight paints his side profile in a warm glow, and the subtle fragrance of the scented candle melds into his calm gaze, making me gradually relax.
I hug his arm and pull him into my arms, beaming a wide smile at him.
MC: I have my “fragrant princess“ in my arms now, and I fear neither getting swept by wind nor being battered by rain any longer. [3]
LZY: Are we sure about who’s in whose arms?
MC: Does it really make a difference who’s in whose arms?
Li Zeyan gives me a look that says “whatever you say,” and I smile victoriously at having my way before turning to glance at the pitch-black darkness outside the window.
The small lights in the room were mirrored on the glass, reminiscent of stars, blurring into a cluster of halos by the unrelenting rain.
Serenity and turmoil are separated by only a wall. I grasp his wrist and tilt my head, pillowing into his palm and nuzzling against it.
MC: Luckily, you came back today. Otherwise, I would have definitely dragged you into “simmering a pot of telephone congee” with me all night long. [4]
LZY: That wouldn’t have been too bad either.
MC: Well, that’s true, but it would have made me seem like I haven’t grown at all...
I raise my head and look into his slightly puzzled gaze, feeling a little embarrassed as I lower my voice.
MC: I’m clearly not a child anymore, and many of the things I used to fear shouldn’t be a big deal now.
MC: Yet when running into situations where I’m not entirely confident, I can’t help feeling a little afraid.
MC: For instance, a pitch-dark empty house, not being able to find the kitten, and a thunderstorm that I don’t know when will end.
MC: I still can’t seem to be like you, to be able to keep myself from thinking the worst regardless of the kind of situation I’m confronted with...
I soliloquize in a whispered tone, and the palm I’m resting my head on suddenly moves. I look up, and my fingers are immediately swept up in a reassuring warmth.
Li Zeyan is pillowing himself on my bolster, covered by a blanket that is clearly not big enough for him, creating for a rather comical scene. Yet, I find myself solely captivated by his extraordinarily serious gaze.
He quietly watches me like this for some time before finally opening his mouth to respond.
LZY: Then just be afraid.
MC: ...Huh?
LZY: Building courage doesn’t mean you should be absolutely fearless.
LZY: If you have no reaction to the unknown and uncontrollable, that, on the contrary, is dangerous.
LZY: For a dummy, knowing how to dodge in the right direction at a critical moment is also progress.
He strokes the back of my hand meaningfully, and I clasp his fingers even more tightly in tacit understanding.
In moments of fear and anxiety, I always want to hold onto something, to reassure myself that I’m not facing it alone.
And this man in front of me, as fortune would have it, always happens to be within my reach, catching my insecurities and leading me along slowly.
I think back to the first time I “grabbed onto” him, the gentleness in his tone that I had rarely seen, and I can’t help but laugh.
MC: Well then, it seems I’ve been making progress since the first time I grabbed onto your clothes.
LZY: Mm-hmm, it hasn’t been easy.
MC: But I can only advance a little bit at a time. I’ve kept you waiting for so long.
The corners of his lips curl up slightly, and his eyes, sparkling with a smile, gently embrace me.
LZY: This isn’t work; nobody is asking anything from you.
LZY: If you’re afraid, just light up a lamp.
–
──────
[Tidbits]
[3] LI ZEYAN WRITERS!!! CRIES AT THE SACRIFICE I HAD TO MAKE AND HOW THE BEAUTY OF THE WORDPLAY JUST GETS LOST IN TRANSLATION HERE 😭 anywho, as you might’ve already noticed, “rescuing the sleeping princess“ theme and the “seeming“ role reversal has been one of the running themes of this date. The term used here is 软香 (lit. meaning soft fragrance), which is usually used to refer to the delicate scent of a woman or a woman in general and, in the context of the times, a palace beauty. The full term MC uses here is 软香在怀 (lit. meaning having ‘soft fragrance’ in one’s arms), which also conveys a deep emotional closeness, a sense of security and comfort as scent is something very sensitive. What the writing does here is kill three birds with one stone— (i) conveying MC’s “prince and princess role reversal“ quip, while also delivering the emotions of the candlelight monologue two sentences prior, i.e., (ii) the fragrance melding into his calm gaze, the vivid imagery of her sensitivity to his presence itself, (iii) the reassuring effect of his being.
[4] I’m gonna cry; this is such an adorable expression haha 😭 the term MC uses here is “煲电话粥,” which really does mean “simmering telephone congee.” The idea of it is to have a marathon phone call with sb, but it’s more intimate— similar to how simmering sth can take a long time and porridge essentially is a comfort food 😂
–
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
【Chapter 4】
The night is dark, and the rain seems to have weakened a bit. I hug the blanket and squeeze onto the small bed with Li Zeyan. No matter in which position we lay down, most of our bodies are pressed against each other.
I watch the person beside me becoming a part of the scene I’ve been familiar with since my childhood days, and for a long time, I find myself unwilling to close my eyes.
MC: It feels so surreal to have you and Pudding together at my place.
MC: It’s like having guests at home, but at the same time, it feels like welcoming new members to the family.
LZY: So, which one do you hope I am?
MC: I’ve long regarded you as the latter in my heart, obviously.
MC: However, this situation makes me seem like I’m not being a gracious host...
MC: Having to deal with the bad weather is one thing, but who knew the electricity in the house would be unstable at a critical moment, and now my bed isn’t big enough either.
I look up at the small pink pillow under Li Zeyan’s head and sigh softly. Li Zeyan, however, just smiles calmly and brushes aside the hair falling over my face.
MC: Be careful when you roll over. If you’re afraid of falling off, just hug me a little tighter~
LZY: [i’m cRY at how he just plays along with you haha] It’s certainly something to be afraid of.
Li Zeyan says this as he gets up to turn off the lights, and the room is plunged into darkness once again.
I reach out my arms towards him and am immediately swept back into his arms.
MC: Thank you, CEO Li~ How about I repay you with a goodnight kiss?
LZY: That’s it?
MC: Then what else do you want?
I blink my eyes at him, and suddenly, he lifts his hand to cover my sight.
A soft warmth captures my lips, swallowing my confusion.
He holds me too tightly in the square of his arms, and his broad palm accidentally presses on my nose, causing my already erratic breathing to become even more difficult to maintain.
I punch him indignantly, and Li Zeyan finally moves his hand away, his fingers cradling my face.
LZY: Didn’t you say you wanted to repay me?
MC: T-This isn’t what I had in mind!
LZY: Is this not good?
His warm finger pads caress the side of my face in a back-and-forth motion, leaving me with no refuge to escape but to gaze into his smiling eyes.
LZY: Instead of letting your imagination run wild every time you’re scared, why not think about something that can put your mind at ease?
LZY: For example, me.
LZY: So, consider this as collecting a tip in advance to cover your memories.
A soft chuckle drifts from above me, and he lifts my face again. With the last hint of light also overlaid, I close my eyes, welcoming this novel memory pertaining to the night’s darkness.
┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✄ ┈┈┈┈┈┈
The next morning, the sky finally clears up.
The entire city looks as if it has taken a bath. Under the early morning sunlight, there are glittering lights refracted by water droplets everywhere.
I summon every bit of my self-control and more to extract myself from Li Zeyan’s warm embrace and rise early to make breakfast.
Originally, I planned to have him take the day off and recover from jet lag, but as soon as he gets out of bed, he receives a call from LFG, saying there is an urgent matter that needs to be dealt with in person.
I watch as a certain someone at the dining table finishes his breakfast with a sullen look on his face and can’t help but burst into laughter.
MC: Who knew even CEO Li could show such a “rebellious” expression about having to work overtime.
LZY: ...It’s just that I haven’t gotten over the jet lag yet.
MC: Who told you not to sleep obediently last night?
I stand up with a laugh before he can glare at me and push his suitcase to the door for him. Li Zeyan dons his coat, seems to hesitate for a moment, and then turns back to look at me.
MC: What’s wrong?
LZY: Nothing.
MC: It doesn’t seem like you’ve left anything behind, have you?
I look around to check while speaking, but I realize that Li Zeyan has kept his gaze trained on me, with no intention of searching for anything.
I blink my eyes, and an adorable guess bubbles up in my heart.
MC: Could it be that... CEO Li is unwilling to leave?
Li Zeyan grips the handle of the suitcase, averts his eyes, and smiles.
LZY: Let Pudding stay at your place for one more day.
MC: No worries, we’ll get along perfectly.
He doesn’t give a direct answer to my question, so I take it as his tacit assent and continue along with his words.
LZY: He ate quite a lot last night, so feed him less cat food today.
MC: Understood~
LZY: Be careful with the electricity today, and if you run into any issues, reach out to me right away.
MC: Uh-huh, anything else you want to remind me of?
I stare at him, smiling giddily. Li Zeyan opens his mouth, but in the end, he just displays a helpless expression and says nothing.
The rare instance of not being able to find the words to say, the rare moments of being dumbstruck and not knowing how to reply, the rare scenario of dragging his feet about going to work...
All of this shows that he is really unwilling to leave.
I smile even happier and tiptoe up to lock my arms around his neck.
Li Zeyan seems a bit puzzled, but he promptly supports my waist and arches an eyebrow, waiting for me to continue.
MC: Hehe, consider this as a tip you’re paying in advance.
MC: This way, whenever you feel overwhelmed in the future, you will think of only me.
I mimic his words from last night, and even reach up to muss his hair.
LZY: Little copycat.
Li Zeyan seems to want to resist this “childish” act subconsciously, but his arms betray his honest feelings and draw me in even tighter.
He looks at me with a silly smile on my face, about to say something when I suddenly feel a tickle on my ankle, as if something furry is rubbing against it.
Just as I’m about to look down, my face is pinched by someone.
I’m compelled to raise my head and see the sunlight falling on Li Zeyan.
The locks of hair hanging over his forehead and eyelashes are all bathed in dazzling, golden-bright luster. He reminds one of a big cat who has just woken up, making people irresistibly want to get closer to him.
And he does exactly as I wished, taking the initiative to bring this warmth to me.
The distance between us is reduced to zero, and I naturally close my eyes, welcoming this kiss infused with the warmth of the sunlight.
Even if a person grows accustomed to the humidity of this city, they will still rejoice when the sky clears and the sunshine beams down.
Even for those who can see the person they love every day and kiss them whenever they want, they will still find that any small separation feels too long.
The meow of the kitten rises from our feet, as if it also wants to participate in this wordless goodbye. I gently bite Li Zeyan’s lips, and he, rather reluctantly, pulls back just a bit.
MC: Mr. Customer, you’re being too generous with your tip.
With his eyes cast down, he continues to gaze at me, his breath still lingering at the edge of my lips.
LZY: Because I’ve already fulfilled the conditions you set.
LZY: Now that I’ve paid double the tip, I’m asking for an upgrade on the terms.
He raises an eyebrow, as if he is genuinely negotiating with me.
At such proximity, my mind is already a muddled mess, yet I still manage to capture the answer he desires from the look of yearning in his eyes.
I strive to muster my willpower, rise on tiptoe, and kiss his lips again.
MC: Then you must work diligently and clock out early...
MC: And who knows, perhaps I’ll suddenly appear when you’re missing me?
⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 依靠之约, that is yet to be released on the global server! ♡
⚠️ Additional Warning ⚠️ while the entire date is not spice-themed, but the steamy parts are borderline dangerous and highly not recommended if you don’t qualify for the 17+ age rating (CN server). so, the call is yours~ :>
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
【Chapter 1】
MC: [on the call] …We need to find some local media outlets that we can potentially partner with for our ad campaign ASAP.
MC: [on the call] Also, email me a copy of the revised design proposal for the main exhibit booth.
As soon as I hang up the phone, a flurry of work notifications causes my phone to vibrate again. I roll over on the soft couch and can’t help but heave a sigh.
MC: Sigh…
[MC’s Company Name] has undertaken several major projects this year, and all of them have been executed very successfully. The company’s reputation is also gradually expanding beyond Loveland City.
Last month, our company bid for a large-scale project in collaboration with Copenhagen City Council and Loveland City, and I worked overtime for over a month for this.
However, just as we were about to secure the project smoothly, we were maliciously intercepted by the competing company Shuanjian Media. In the end, it was due to LFG stepping in that we were able to resolve the situation with a narrow escape.
Even though the project has been secured, a lingering sense of defeat from being backstabbed and making critical errors remains with me, refusing to dissipate from my mind.
Perhaps because of this, I’ve recently spent the majority of my time being on top of all kinds of tedious work, afraid that if I don’t handle them in time, it will lead to further consequences.
The sound of steady footsteps gradually draws near, and I turn my head to see Li Zeyan walking towards me. He places a cup of hot Longan tea on the coffee table next to me.
LZY: This is already the eighth time a certain someone has sighed tonight. What’s so thorny about the project that got you on edge?
I put my phone down and, somewhat coquettishly, open my arms toward the person in front of me.
MC: We’re planning an exhibition for the project in Copenhagen. Just finalized the venue today and now ironing out the details.
He readily responds to my cue and enfolds me in his arms. His fingers trace their way up my neck, massaging the skin there in a soothing manner.
LZY: If I remember correctly, the preparation period for this exhibition is quite long, and there’s no need for your recent overtime to catch up on the schedule.
MC: You’re right, but the coordination needed for various aspects of a multinational project is quite intricate. Starting earlier allows more elbow room…
MC: Plus, the reason I’ve been working overtime isn’t just for this project. The business interview you’re starring in will also be recorded tomorrow.
MC: It’s the final episode of the year, so I cannot afford any slip-ups!
LZY: You’ve already confirmed the program sequence with me three times today. What could possibly go wrong?
While speaking, Li Zeyan sits down next to me and draws me into his arms.
MC: After all, the external press would absolutely kill to have their names in the show where the CEO Li of LFG is making an appearance. So, I definitely need to be 200% cautious.
Nestled in his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent, I make a conscious effort to relax my somewhat tired brain.
LZY: If you encounter any difficulties, reach out to me at any time.
MC: I’m facing difficulties right now, and I’m in urgent need of CEO Li’s encouragement!
I pucker my lips and lift my head to approach him. The corners of Li Zeyan’s lips curl up slightly, and he lowers his head–– a soft, warm touch descends before leaving just as quickly.
Though fleeting, the tenderness of the moment washes over my heart. I nuzzle his chin with the tip of my nose, feeling perfectly content.
LZY: [chuckles indulgently] Dummy, you’re so easily satisfied.
MC: Why wouldn’t I be? What could be more soothing than a kiss from CEO Li?
MC: As for work matters… CEO Li has already helped me a lot, so I’ll work hard and handle the rest on my own!
LZY: We’ll talk about the “working hard” part later. But if you keep dawdling like this, the bathtub is gonna need a refill of hot water.
MC: Hehe, right now, you should say something like, “Honey, it’s bath time~”
LZY: …
Ignoring the speechless look in his eyes, I lazily shift my position and nuzzle his neck, then stand up with a smile.
MC: Would you like to join me for some relaxation time?
I notice that his fingertips seem to tense up for a moment. Before he can really come and “arrest” me, I make a face at him and dash into the bathroom.
—
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
—
【Chapter 2】
Soaking in the warm bath, I feel the fatigue in my body dissolving into the water.
Just as I’m about to use my phone to find a drama to watch and completely clear my mind, work messages begin popping up one after another on the screen, and I subconsciously click on them.
MC: [to herself] So, the collaboration partner we agreed on before has backed out…?
As part of our tourism project with Denmark, we are planning to establish recreational and promotional zones in both cities, and we have found an experienced collaborator in the relevant field to partner with.
MC: [to herself] Everything was already talked through and all set, so why are they bringing up issues with the company’s capital chain at this critical juncture?
I feel my insides somewhat burning with rage, so I give Anna a call. She also sounds just as angry and swiftly catches me up to speed on the situation.
Anna: [on the call] I did some digging, and it turns out one of the shareholders of this company has a very close personal relationship with the owner of Shuangjian Media.
MC: [on the call] Shuangjian Media?
Isn’t that the black-hearted company that tried to sabotage our tourism project?
Anna: [on the call] We initially partnered with them because of their experience in cross-border tourism projects, but now wrangling with them is more cumbersome than it’s worth. I think it might be better to take this opportunity to switch to another company.
MC: [on the call] …let me think about it.
I release a sigh and hang up the phone, then bury my face in the water, blowing bubbles as a mild head throbbing creeps over me.
The perfect company… As I ponder on this matter, a face flashes through my mind.
As a matter of fact, I have casually mentioned this project to Li Zeyan before, but he didn’t show much interest in it.
Should I… go ask him?
Even though I know in my heart–– LFG is the ideal choice that can’t go wrong, for some reason, I can’t seem to bring myself to voice my thoughts.
I can’t always turn to Li Zeyan to help resolve my problems every time I run into one.
No longer in the mood to soak in the warm bath, I reach for the shampoo and press the nozzle, intending to wash up as quickly as possible.
I press down hard twice, but the bottle only emits a sputtering sound, and the last remaining bit of shampoo drips pitifully into my palm.
MC: …
Akin to a sudden spark explosion, it instantly triggers a denotation of all the built-up frustration inside me.
I take a deep breath, jerk myself up from the water and throw on a robe, intending to head for the cabinet to find a new bottle of shampoo.
Little did I know, the moment I step onto the tiled floor, I feel my feet slip out from under me, and my body uncontrollably begins to topple forward––
With a loud thud, the immediate sensation of pain shoots up my knee.
MC: [in pain] Hiss…
The pain causes my eyes to burn hot, and I slide down onto the bathroom floor, rubbing my knee.
A flurry of somewhat anxious footsteps echoes outside the door. Moments later, the door is flung open, revealing Li Zeyan’s face, tension written across his entire countenance, an expression that is rarely seen on him.
LZY: [panicked af] What happened?
The blast of cold air from the open door causes me to shiver. Noticing this, he closes the door before squatting down beside me.
MC: …I slipped and banged my knee.
As he looks at my slightly reddened knee, a hint of helplessness crosses his expression.
LZY: [sighs with infinite indulgent resignation] Restless.
His warm thumb massages the area around my reddened knee, causing the jumble of fretful emotions in my heart to instantly turn into a surge of grievances and pour out.
I blink, trying to dispel the mist clouding my vision. The finger caressing my skin pauses for a moment before suddenly landing at the corner of my eye, catching me unawares.
LZY: [even more indulgently] Crying because it hurts too much?
MC: …no, it’s not that!
MC: It’s nothing serious, just that I got a call from Anna earlier. There’s been… a minor hiccup with the tourism project.
Pouting my lips, I recount to Li Zeyan the “bad news” I’ve just received.
LZY: Do you need my help?
This seems to be the second time he has asked this question. I struggle with myself for a moment before shaking my head.
MC: There’s… no need for now, but if I can’t handle it myself, I’ll definitely reach out to CEO Li.
Hearing me respond this way, Li Zeyan doesn’t press further, and he simply places his palm on the side of my knee.
LZY: Does it still hurt?
Listening to his tender tone, I can’t help but gently hook my finger around his.
MC: It hurts… I can’t get up.
LZY: [laughs helplessly] When a certain stubborn someone fixates on something, there’s no stopping her, but she’s oddly honest when it comes to being afraid of pain.
MC: I’m just being a little persistent, is all. I can’t always have you be my safety net every time there’s an issue… ouch!
My knee twitches slightly, and a dull ache once again surges through my knee, reminiscent of spreading out along silken threads.
LZY: You can’t solve two things at once, so take them one at a time.
LZY: Do you want to take care of your knee first, or deal with the work matters?
MC: …knee.
The air in the small bathroom with thick with white steam, and even Li Zeyan’s faint sigh seems to blend into the steaming hot vapor.
LZY: [lets out a complex laugh; it’s of sb who is all-knowing of all happenings but is infinitely indulgent towards you] Then listen to me.
MC: [confused] What…
–
Before I can finish my sentence, Li Zeyan has already shown me through his actions how I should “listen.”
A soft touch imprints on my skin, and a burning sensation spreads from my knee along my skin to my entire body.
I jolt slightly and freeze for a moment. The patch of skin kissed by that softness tingles, and it seems like even the pain is slowly dissipating.
LZY: Don’t fidget; it might make the pain worse.
The deep, slightly hoarse tailing note of his voice, accompanied by the sound of running water, causes me to subconsciously draw my leg back a little, only to have it restrained in place by that hand again.
A gentle sensation, carrying with it a slight chill, seems to pepper its way over my knee, and the painful spot feels as if it’s being licked with cherishment and care.
All the senses in my body seem to be concentrated on that one spot, and I can’t help but take a light breath.
MC: Li Zeyan…
LZY: [SO SOF– but you can also hear he’s THERE–] Hm?
MC: …It’s nothing, I just wanted to say your name…
The fingers supporting my knee tighten slightly, and a surge of scorching breath sweeps over me, swallowing my trailing notes.
I follow his breath and, bit by bit, probe deeper, my heart in my chest pounding in synchronization with his increasingly rising body heat.
Warm water continues to gush from the showerhead, soaking both Li Zeyan’s clothes and mine without distinction.
A body temperature hotter than mine gradually closes in, and I feel as if I’m drowning in this steamy heat swirling in the air.
The lingering colorful bubbles from the shower gel float into the air, then burst open with a pop, leaving behind a soft chime drowned out by the sound of water.
—
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
—
【Chapter 3】
Even though I gave up on the bubble bath halfway, ended up having to take a second shower, and by the time I went to bed, it was already the middle of the night, I still woke up early today.
[MC’s Company Name] annual business interview program is scheduled to shoot its final episode today, and Li Zeyan will be appearing as the heavyweight guest in this installment.
I have postponed all my other work and arrived at the studio early to ensure every detail of the shoot is absolutely flawless.
The soft white light from the softbox projects onto the light gray background wall, dimly reflecting the shadows of people hurrying around.
Standing in front of the filming equipment, I direct the production crew to adjust the set.
MC: This table needs to be moved a bit more. It doesn’t look well-positioned at the moment.
MC: Turn the reflector on the front left a little more to the right… there, perfect!
MC: The set is almost ready. I’ll go and check on the guest first.
—
After saying hello to the supervisor, I head to the dressing room.
Li Zeyan, clad in a suit, sits in front of a vanity mirror, his bangs swept up, causing his somewhat piercing eyes to be enhanced with an even deeper intensity.
The moment I walk in, those eyes precisely capture me from the reflection in the mirror.
MC: How is the preparation coming along, CEO Li?
LZY: Not bad. Is everything taken care of on the set?
Detecting a hint of jest in his tone, I walk over with a smile.
MC: Yup, that’s why I’m here to check in on this side of things–– CEO Li is our important, esteemed guest after all, so we can’t afford to be negligent.
MC: Therefore, today, my entire day belongs to you, CEO Li.
I wink at him through the mirror and catch a subtle smile playing at the edge of Li Zeyan’s lips.
I sit down on a stool nearby and watch the makeup artist styling Li Zeyan.
From this angle, his ocular orbit and the bridge of his nose appear even more defined, accentuating the depth of his eyes all the more.
MC: CEO Li’s side profile could outshine many stars on the cover of fashion magazines without competition.
LZY: [laughs in spite of himself] …always laying it on thick.
Even though he says this, the slight arch at the tip of his brows betrays a hint of delight.
Spellbound, as I continue to watch him, my phone suddenly vibrates twice, and a message from Kiki pops up––
Kiki: Boss, great news!!
In the chat window, a push notification jumps into my sight, and a few familiar words grab my attention.
MC: [reading the news] “Shuangjian Media Faces Major Crisis! Multiple celebrities under its banner are implicated in tax evasion scandals, and the investigation is underway. The amount of tax evasion has reached up to…”
Upon seeing the number below, I take in a sharp breath of air.
With such a large amount of tax evasion being investigated, it’s sure to land them in serious trouble.
Although I have caught the wind of some rumors before, suddenly so many people being exposed at once seems more like a deliberate action…
A vague idea surfaces in my mind. I instinctively look towards the man not far away, only to lock eyes with him directly.
LZY: MC.
I haven’t even noticed when, but his styling is already complete, and the makeup artist has left the dressing room, leaving only the two of us.
The slightly slim-fitted suit highlights his already tall and straight stature, and his slender fingers unhurriedly adjust the cufflinks. He looks in my direction, lifting his head slightly.
LZY: Help me out.
I raise my eyes and see a rose gold collar pin loosely hanging from the collar of his light gray shirt.
I walk up to him and carefully fasten the collar pin. My fingertips inadvertently graze against the skin of his neck, eliciting a slight quiver of the Adam’s apple beneath the collar.
A somewhat scorching breath caresses my bangs, leaving a tickling sensation.
LZY: [laughs in amusement] Why are you zoning out?
His warm fingertips are on my neck, gently grazing the skin there intermittently.
MC: Just saw some good news that came as a relief for body and mind, that’s why I was a little distracted.
MC: Shuangjian Media, the company that intercepted [MC’s Company Name] before, has hit a roadblock… I wonder who “played the hero to uphold justice.”
I smile and wink at him, trying to discern any inkling of a clue from his expression that would confirm my guess.
However, he simply lowers his eyes slightly and looks at me, a barely perceptible arc forming on his lips.
LZY: [chuckles softly, but that’s a mastermind chuckle i tell you lmao] That’s quite nice.
MC: Li Zeyan, you…
A knock on the door cuts me off, and the voice of my assistant comes from outside.
Assistant: Boss, CEO Li, it’s almost time for the shoot to begin.
MC: Got it, we’ll be right there.
I purse my lips, suppressing my urge to inquire further, and loosen my hands, intending to escort Li Zeyan to the filming studio.
To my surprise, the pair of arms holding me within show no intention of letting go. He lowers his eyes, his gaze intent upon me.
LZY: Given the importance of this shoot, there ought to be an additional step in the preparation process.
With his head lowered, Li Zeyan leans in towards me slightly. A gentle and familiar breath assaults my senses, and his soft finger pad presses between my lips and teeth, hinting at something ambiguous.
I cradle his face and lift myself up on my toes.
Our breaths intertwine for a brief moment, but a gentle ripple is left in my heart, reminiscent of a dragonfly lightly touching the water’s surface.
MC: So, even CEO Li needs a little encouragement before stepping in front of the camera?
LZY: I learned it from a certain someone.
The light in those deep eyes remains locked onto me, shimmering slightly, radiating a glow that seeps into my heart.
LZY: And it’s very effective.
—
Such scenes are run-of-the-mill for Li Zeyan. His tone remains steady throughout and devoid of any trace of tension.
LZY: The economic situation this year isn’t conducive to expanding the business scope or making risky investments, but there are more opportunities in the lower-tier markets compared to previous years…
As I watch Li Zeyan through the camera lens, the soft light, which leans more on the cooler tone, accentuates the depths of the man’s countenance all the more.
He speaks at a measured pace, but each word is uttered with an inexplicable sense of certainty.
Host: Although CEO Li mentioned just now that this year isn’t favorable for expanding business extern, LFG seems to be steadily venturing into new fields this year.
LZY: As a matter of fact, LFG has not been as stable this year as it may seem from the outside. On the contrary, we’ve encountered more crises than in previous years.
LZY: The failure of some investments has even put us under the preying eyes of many industry peers.
LZY: But fortunately, I’m not alone in holding up LFG, and LFG is not an isolated island––
As he speaks, his gaze seems to subtly shift towards me behind the camera. In that brief second our eyes interlock, the corners of his lips curl upward into a small smile.
But when I focus and take a closer look again, it’s as if that fleeting smile was never there.
LZY: LFG was able to weather this year’s storms without any mishaps not only due to our decisions but also thanks to the countless colleagues who worked tirelessly day and night to recover the company’s losses, as well as to the support of our subsidiaries.
LZY: Especially the companies that LFG has invested in. Without them, LFG would’ve encountered even greater challenges this year.
Li Zeyan’s straight-from-the-shoulder remarks leave even the host a little taken aback, an expression of surprise settling on their face.
Host: It appears that even LFG, regarded as the lion king in the eyes of the others, has times when it rides the waves to advance.
LZY: That’s inevitable; no one walks a solitary path in this society.
LZY: Having your own plans and making decisive choices is important, but choosing the right people to move forward with is equally important.
I am slightly taken aback.
This was not in the script; it’s obviously an impromptu remark from Li Zeyan.
I’m not sure why, but these words suddenly make me think of those eyes gazing into mine in the bathroom last night.
The unnecessary persistences in my heart seem to quietly start to disintegrate. I tightly clench my fingers and pull my attention back to the show.
Host: We can tell that CEO Li is speaking from the heart. It seems that not only for the company but also for you, CEO Li, personally, do you have someone who can be considered as your exclusive “valued person”?
This time, I clearly see the smile in his eyes. I hold my breath slightly, waiting for the answer that I may have already known for a long time, yet can’t help eagerly anticipating––
LZY: [while looking at you] I do. It’s a well-spring that will never run dry, even in the desert. No matter what trouble may arise, I know without a doubt––
LZY: [while looking at you] She will be by my side forever.
—
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
—
【Chapter 4】
After the interview concludes, the filming crew and I head to the Central Grand Hotel.
To celebrate the completion of year-end work and the official wrap-up of the show, [MC’s Company Name] is holding a team-building celebration party here.
Perhaps because the end of the year is drawing closer, a festive atmosphere gradually begins to permeate, filling the banquet hall with laughter.
Being spurred on by this pure joy, I also end up having a few extra drinks.
I find myself feeling a little woozy, until, finally, Li Zeyan takes the wine glass from my hand and escorts me all the way to the lounge of the suite.
—
Inside the room’s bathroom, I turn on the faucet–– the cool water flows over my hand, washing away the slight tipsiness from the alcohol.
After the buzz from the alcohol has worn off a bit, I exhale and push open the bathroom door.
—
The lights in the room are not lit, and a familiar voice can be heard drifting from near the window. He seems to be on the phone with someone.
LZY: …got it. Email it to me.
The high heels under my feet tread on the soft carpet, barely producing any sound as I walk quietly to the floor-to-ceiling windows––
Outside the glass windows of the high-rise, thousands of lights spread out into the distance like a dazzling mosaic of stars.
Li Zeyan is lying on the carpet, the neon lights falling upon him in soft, colorful specks.
I sit down by the freestanding panoramic bathtub not far from him, watching as he hangs up the call.
MC: Was that about work?
LZY: Mm. I heard [MC’s Company Name] is looking for new partners for the Denmark project. I’ve asked the marketing department to draft a proposal. Once it’s finalized, I’ll send it over to you.
MC: But… weren’t you not very interested in this project before?
LZY: It’s true that the profit margins of this project are finite for LFG. However, if we approach it strategically, it could be a breakthrough in the Nordic market.
Seeing my somewhat baffled expression, he raises an eyebrow.
LZY: Since a certain someone has been dragging her feet, I have no choice but to take the initiative and propose it myself.
LZY: Or perhaps you already have other choices in mind?
MC: Of course not!
I don’t shy away from meeting those deep eyes of his squarely. My heart skips a beat, and I’m reminded of the question I’ve been holding back all afternoon.
MC: Before I give you my formal answer, I also have something I’d like to ask CEO Li––
MC: Shuangjian Media artists were found to have engaged in tax evasion. Helping [MC’s Company Name] vent some frustration this way… that was CEO Li’s doing, wasn’t it?
LZY: After all, a certain someone has been frowning and being glued to her phone even during meals for the past two weeks because of the troubles this company has stirred.
LZY: It’s best to take care of it early on, so it doesn’t take up more of your energy.
I’m momentarily stunned, and as I reflect on the recent events, a surge of emotions suddenly intertwines in my heart.
MC: So, CEO Li, what you are subtly reminding me is that I’ve been too occupied with work recently and have been neglecting you?
LZY: [you can’t hear me, but I’m screaming––] I simply want to have the share that’s rightfully mine.
His understated words convey a hint of tenderness that’s impossible to miss, and it sears into my heart, making the swaying toes of my feet pause mid-motion.
MC: Li Zeyan, thank you. Even though it may sound very formal, I still want to say thank you.
LZY: I wonder who was the person that said before that, you and I, we are one identity?
I’m slightly taken aback for a moment–– I did seem to have said those words not too long ago.
At the time, FengZhen Group was making moves against LFG, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be the one who could stand by his side.
–
[Tidbits]: It’s a call-back to Li Zeyan’s 2024 CNY UR: Burning Imprints~
–
MC: [teasingly] I believe I said “and LFG” at the time.
LZY: [confidently shrugs off LOL] Same thing.
LZY: Both LFG and I are enmeshed in many complicated relationships, and more and more branches and leaves are slowly growing outward.
LZY: So there’s no need to be so anxious. You’ve long been the sharpest blade capable of breaking the siege for LFG.
The lingering haze that has been weighing on my mind for the past half a month suddenly clears up. In its place, there arises a kind of sweet and surging fluttering sensation, and it’s overwhelming enough to fill my entire heart.
I did seem to be a little too anxious, so anxious that I overlooked the fact that I didn’t need to be in a hurry to rush forward. The unshakable position by his side will always belong to me and me alone.
I lower my eyes, my gaze tracing the contours of his outline obscured by the darkness.
MC: Li Zeyan… you will forever be my first choice.
–
As the words leave my lips, my ankle is suddenly clasped by a warm, dry palm.
Followed by a sigh that almost blends into the night, a twinge of pain shoots through my calf––
My eyes widen, watching as Li Zeyan’s lips meet my skin and nip me gently. He raises his eyes to interlock with mine, and I can see a hint of dissatisfaction swimming in their depths.
LZY: [GOSH THAT SULKY YET SEXY TONE] You’ve hesitated for too long.
Warm fingertips trace upward along my calf little by little, as if offering a kind of appeasement.
The worries haunting me every now and again, concealed in the darkest recesses of my heart, are set alight and burned to ashes.
MC: …I didn’t take that long.
LZY: Since I am your first choice, don’t hesitate.
His fiery breath snakes slowly up the inside of my knee, accompanied by comforting words tinged with a layer of inexplicable rosy hue, causing one to become addicted.
The soft touch rests gently agains the bend of my knee, causing me to shiver involuntarily. I chuckle softly and look at him with a semi-playful gaze.
MC: Um… Mr. “First Choice,” could you help me with something––
MC: Tell me, what can I do to make you happier?
Not waiting for me to finish my sentence, the pressure on my thigh increases slightly, and suddenly my body feels lighter.
The cry of exclamation hasn’t even left me before I find my entire person already wrapped in strong, solid arms.
LZY: You knowingly ask the question.
His deep eyes are so close to me, almost within reach. I can clearly see countless sparks surging beneath them, stirring up an ambiguous and inexplicable heat.
LZY: [chuckles softly] Also, while I said I would help you, it doesn’t mean you won’t have to pay the price.
LZY: After all, I don’t do business at a loss.
LZY: You still have time to think about… what you can give to pay me.
My heart is filled to the brim. I wrap my arms around his shoulders, bury my face in the crook of his neck, and release a sigh of contentment.
The throbbing and undulations of his chest pound against my body again and again, and even the depths of my very soul seem to be trembling along with the motion––
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