Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 402 : A Night At Wushan Temple (1)

Chapter 402: Chapter 402 : A Night At Wushan Temple (1)

Qiao Wei’s return from death had been a triumphant feat, yet the victory tasted hollow on his tongue.

While the rest of the Wushan Temple Sect celebrated their hard-earned victory at the Spiritual Mountain Competition with a lavish feast, Qiao Wei chose to distance himself from the crowd and sat in the garden to admire the full moon up high in the sky.

Bai Ling, who caught a glimpse of Qiao Wei’s retreating figure, felt a pang of worry grip her heart. The raucous celebration faded into a muffled backdrop as she followed him, her steps hesitant yet determined.

The full moon hung heavy in the sky, yet its light seemed to cast Qiao Wei in an even deeper shadow.

Qiao Wei’s eyes were akin to pools of fathomless shadows, his face an unreadable mask. Each joyous shout from the feast seemed to amplify the emptiness he felt within.

Bai Ling couldn’t bear to see Qiao Wei lost in his silent contemplation. With gentle resolve, she moved towards him, hoping to offer both her delightful presence and a listening ear.

"Wei Wei, are you hurt somewhere?"

Qiao Wei turned to look at Bai Ling and answered curtly.

"No, I am fine."

He was clearly not fine.

Bai Ling bit into her lower lip.

Men, she thought to herself. She was not only a woman, but his future wife. Why couldn’t he speak to her openly about his problems?

"But you fought against such a scary beast... It must be a terrifying experience, right?" Bai Ling tried again, hoping to coax some information out of Qiao Wei.

"It’s alright," Qiao Wei said.

"..."

Bai Ling sat next to Qiao Wei and looped her arm around the man’s arm intimately. Instead of smiling at Bai Ling as usual, Qiao Wei’s body stiffened and his face grew tense.

"..."

Hurt by the subtle but distinct reaction, Bai Ling’s lips fell open slightly.

Qiao Wei did not remove Bai Ling’s arm from his own, but his discomfort increased gradually, until Bai Ling could not take it anymore.

"Wei Wei...?" She called out to Qiao Wei, the tremor in her voice betraying the dejection in her heart.

"I am sorry," Qiao Wei forced himself to smile at Bai Ling, but it was not the smile that Bai Ling wished to see.

The young woman loosened her grip and rose to her feet abruptly.

"Wei Wei, don’t you love me anymore?" She demanded to know.

"I..."

The words were stuck in the man’s throat. He did not know what to say.

Qiao Wei’s inability to confirm his love for her greatly disappointed Bai Ling.

"I... I am going to get you your bowl of medicine," she said, using the excuse to leave the garden on the spot.

Qiao Wei quickly grabbed Bai Ling’s wrist before she took off.

"Little Ling, I am feeling unwell," he lied. "I don’t want any medicine. I just need to go to bed."

"Is that so?" Bai Ling asked without turning around to face Qiao Wei. "Okay. I am sorry for disturbing you."

Bai Ling left, and Qiao Wei headed to his bed chamber.

Once Qiao Wei found himself in the solace of his private sanctuary, he flung himself onto the bed out of gnawing frustration. The ceiling beams, once familiar, now seemed mockingly intricate, mirroring the tangled mess of his thoughts.

He was not Qiao Wei.

He was Xie Jianyu.

And Xie Jianyu was supposed to be in Fuxi Palace with his husband and two adorable children.

Qiao Wei buried his face into his palms and groaned.

How was Zhang Fengxi doing?

How was Xie Junjie doing?

And Zhang Mingrui?

Did Zhang Fengxi manage to coax the boys in his absence?

Was Xie Junjie still crying?

Was his fever gone?

Even with eyes closed, Qiao Wei was unable to erase his little boy’s distraught face from his mind.

Oh, his darling boy Junjie...

His boys had grown up so big.

Qiao Wei raised his arms above his head and imagined himself holding the boys in his arms. Having their tiny hands clutching at the front side of his robe and his arms.

Five years had passed, but they were so small and fragile.

Like two little baby birds.

Oh, his babies...

His heart longed for them, but he had to stay true to his decision.

He had to live out his life as Qiao Wei in the Human Realm, gathering enough karma for this life, to return to his family’s side as soon as possible.

Though a storm raged within him, threatening to spill over in torrents of grief, Qiao Wei held himself still. This was all he could manage, a silent tribute to the pain he couldn’t express.

Despite his anguish, physical exhaustion took a toll on his body, and Qiao Wei soon fell asleep.

Sometime at night, a gust of wind blew through the bed chamber, startling him awake.

It brought to Qiao Wei the person who occupied his mind and heart for days.

Unable to accept the abrupt separation so soon after their reunion, his dearest husband, the mighty Supreme General of the Heavenly Empire, took the arduous journey between realms to be with him.

"Fengxi..."

Qiao Wei called out to Zhang Fengxi, his heart aching from the overflowing longing he harbored for the alpha.

"Jianbao..."

They rushed into each other’s arms. Their hands collided, fingers twisting with the urgency of vines seeking sunlight. Arms locked around waists, chests colliding in a silent roar of relief. Tears, hot and silent, mingled on their cheeks, as their lips met in an all-consuming kiss.

The two men tumbled toward Qiao Wei’s bed, kissing and rubbing each other’s bodies with unspoken passion.

And then, Qiao Wei broke the kiss and asked, "How are the boys? Is Junjie alright?"

A gentle smile traced Zhang Fengxi’s lips. He caressed Qiao Wei’s jaw and answered, "The boys are fine. Junjie’s fever went away as soon as he stopped draining his star energy. I waited until they fell asleep before I came here to see you."

Qiao Wei breathed out in relief.

"Thank heavens," he said.

Zhang Fengxi bumped their foreheads together in an intimate manner.

"Baby, can I spend the night here?" He asked in a childlike voice that was quick to melt Qiao Wei’s heart.

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Author’s note :

Mini theater 1!

Zhang Fengxi : I am a man of my words. What I promise, I give.

Xie Jianyu : You often give too much *gives stink eye*

Zhang Fengxi : I always go beyond the bare minimum! When my wife wants a child I give him two!

Xie Jianyu : *rawrs* *smacks indecent husband* You hopeless delinquent!!!

Mini Theater 2!

Zhang Fengxi : Boys, be brave. We must patiently wait until Mommy returns.

Also Zhang Fengxi : Wife, I can’t sleep without you. Please let me hold you until I fall asleep!