When the Wild Beast is Trapped in the Nightmare Cycle (BL)
Chapter 397: Why The Long Face?

Chapter 397: Why The Long Face?

"Jin Jiuchi—!"

Jin Jiuchi’s ears perked up as that distant voice reached his ears, muffled as he was submerged deep in the water. He mischievously held his breath and kept himself still, and when Shen Nianzu came near, he abruptly burst out of the surface and exclaimed, "Nian’er, you’re here!!"

The veins on Shen Nianzu’s forehead throbbed as water splashed all over his clothes and hair. He looked thoroughly unimpressed, but Jin Jiuchi couldn’t afford to care about it because he was extremely excited right now!

"Nian’er, come and join me! The water is lukewarm, it feels so nice!" He waved his limbs around, creating a joyful mess of splashes.

Shen Nianzu finally couldn’t bear it anymore and reached out to pinch his cheeks – hard. "You... why are you so excited? It’s not like this is the first time you’ve been in the water!" He sounded both annoyed and helpless in equal measure.

What Shen Nianzu said was correct. Jin Jiuchi had been to the sea that surrounded the Shen Family’s private island, and hell, he had even navigated Atlantis which only existed in myths and fantasy movies. Against them, the beach seemed pale in comparison!

However, Jin Jiuchi still tutted and shot him a reproachful look as though Shen Nianzu was a stubborn and misbehaving child. He seized Shen Nianzu’s hand and pressed his lips on the inside of the jade doll’s wrist, biting gently in admonishment.

"Jin Jiuchi!" Startled, Shen Nianzu reflexively tried to yank his hand back, but Jin Jiuchi wrapped his arm around his waist and pulled him closer instead before he could get away. Shen Nianzu gasped, his pale purple eyes widening in surprise.

Jin Jiuchi did not think he could ever get enough of them. "What? Are you afraid of being seen, Nian’er? But no one is around, or..." he pouted. "Is Nian’er embarrassed to be seen with me?"

Shen Nianzu sputtered, "Y–You’re talking nonsense! How could I—"

A sly grin spread across Jin Jiuchi’s face, knowing that he had managed to grab ahold of Shen Nianzu’s weakness. "Well, you said it yourself, Nian’er. Let’s swim deeper, shall we?" He began to move backward still with the beautiful jade doll in his arms. Recalling Shen Nianzu’s earlier question, he added, "Also, how can I not be excited when I’m together with you? Is it not the same for you, Nian’er?" Again, he jutted his bottom lip into a pout and put on the most pitiful look he could muster, fully aware that it would make Shen Nianzu’s heart soften.

And sure enough, Shen Nianzu released a helpless sigh and conceded with faux annoyance, "Fine, you win, shameless bastard."

Jin Jiuchi’s eyes lit up and his grin widened impossibly brighter. A second before his feet could no longer touch the bottom, he leaned in and whispered something into Shen Nianzu’s ear, painting the jade doll’s cheeks in a light flush.

Gulu gulu...

Bubbles formed on the surface of the water as their bodies delved deeper into the aquatic expanse, until eventually their heads vanished within the depths. Jin Jiuchi’s arm remained around Shen Nianzu’s waist as they continued to swim deeper, reaching a secluded area impossible for another person to intrude.

The first thing Shen Nianzu did was to summon his divine prop, Aqua.

"Here we are," he said, bubbles stringing out of his mouth. "I kept my word."

Aqua squealed in delight. She rushed forward to hug Shen Nianzu around the neck before zooming around, her nimble tail leaving a string of bubbles in its wake. Under the dazzling sunshine, her entire body seemed to shimmer, sprinkling a trail of glitter wherever she went.

Shen Nianzu could feel her pure joy and happiness through their connection, and it brought a smile to his face as well. Even though he had regularly dipped Aqua into the bathtub and also released her into the swimming pool, it certainly couldn’t compare to the feeling of being in the open sea, where the water was full of life force, natural plants and small fishes swimming about.

A demanding squeeze around his waist drew his attention away from the palm-sized mermaid, reminding him of a certain husky he had neglected. And unsurprisingly, when he turned, he found Jin Jiuchi glowering at Aqua with eyes that seemed as if he was looking at a dead fish. If he wasn’t holding onto Shen Nianzu, he might have pounced on the divine prop and hurled her as far away as possible. It was a sight that had not failed to amuse Shen Nianzu every time he saw it.

He had keenly observed that after Jin Jiuchi’s return this time, he seemed to have become more... possessive, especially toward those who intruded on their private time. The one who made him realize this was none other than Assistant Qing Mo, who always had the most impeccable timing.

And it wasn’t mere jealousy or displeasure. Jin Jiuchi really exuded murderous intent as if he would have torn the other person to shreds if he hadn’t held himself back. He loathed those who robbed him of his jade doll’s attention without exception.

This was, undoubtedly, the characteristics of the savage black-eyed Jin Jiuchi.

Yet Shen Nianzu couldn’t find even an ounce of annoyance within him. On the contrary, there was just something so exhilarating about how Jin Jiuchi constantly demanded his attention and starved for his affection. It soothed his controlling tendencies and filled him with an unprecedented sense of satisfaction that exceeded even his grandest achievement. This might not be normal, but who cares? It’s not like there was anything remotely normal about their relationship to begin with.

With an amused huff, Shen Nianzu captured Jin Jiuchi’s chin and turned his head so that their eyes met. He batted his long lashes, his delicate fingers tracing the sharp line of the man’s jaws.

"Why the long face?" He mused. Underwater, his voice contained a magical lull that sought to snare and bewitch. "Am I not here with you?"

Jin Jiuchi’s eyes darkened and his hold around Shen Nianzu’s waist tightened, pulling him even closer until there was nothing separating them. Shen Nianzu could guess what the man wanted to say from his eyes alone, and he rolled his eyes in response, "You’re so needy, do you know that?" Despite the complaint, the fondness that colored his tone was undeniable.

He hooked his arms around Jin Jiuchi’s neck and pecked him lightly on the lips. "Fine, let’s dance," he conceded to the man’s earlier request, or else the damned husky would keep sulking until the end. "But only for a little while, okay?"

Jin Jiuchi’s sullen expression immediately cleared up like the first ray of sunshine piercing through the dark clouds after a heavy downpour.

Why was he so easy to please?

Helpless yet amused in equal measure, Shen Nianzu opened his mouth and sang just like he did back in the City of Atlantis. As if resonating with the melody, colorful fishes swam closer, bringing them back to the moment when their relationship took a major leap.