When the Wild Beast is Trapped in the Nightmare Cycle (BL)
Chapter 557: Snowball Fight

Chapter 557: Snowball Fight

The three of them recovered from their illness the day after, their complexions bright and rosy once more.

The speed at which they bounced back to health surprised even the doctor himself, but under Assistant Qin’s firm insistence, they ended up staying under observation for a few more days.

The poor assistant had truly been frightened out of his wits this time. He resisted the pressure from Shen Nianzu and demanded to know what the three of them had been up to— even going as far as saying how he would report this accident to the Master and Madam Shen. Not only that, he also asserted that he would keep Shen Nianzu in the hospital until he received a reasonable and satisfactory answer!

Shen Nianzu was left utterly helpless. He had to admit that Qin Mo’s threats worked effectively on him— too effective, even.

The ironclad rule against revealing the existence of the Nightmare Cycle was one thing, but more than that, he did not wish to make his parents worry. He hated it whenever they treated him with extreme caution as though he was a porcelain doll who would break at the slightest force. The way they forced a smile in front of him while secretly wiping their tears whenever they thought he was not looking was unbearable for him. Shen Nianzu felt distressed for his parents. They had gone through difficult times when he was little, and it truly wasn’t easy for them to let go, to put down their concern and enjoy their own lives like they were doing now. Shen Nianzu would hate to shatter their peace.

And so, he was forced to use his illusion skill on Qin Mo.

This was the first time he had ever used his power in the real world – on a non-player to boot! – and hence Shen Nianzu couldn’t help but feel fairly nervous, unsure if this would leave any significant effects on his assistant.

The moment he carefully extended a tendril of his mental power over, weaving a vivid illusion into the other person’s mind, Qin Mo’s eyes immediately rolled to the back of his head as he fainted away on the spot.

Gu Luoxin clasped a hand over his mouth, barely stifling a terrified gasp. "I-I-Is he dead...?!"

Jin Jiuchi crouched down to place a finger under Qin Mo’s nose, stating in a cheerful tone, "Nope, still alive and breathing. Nian’er, I think your method works!"

Hearing that, Shen Nianzu let go of the breath he was holding, his erratic heartbeat calming down a little. Still, the faint sheen of perspiration on his forehead betrayed the anxiety he was feeling inside. "It’s good that nothing happens to him..." he rubbed his aching temple, sighing. "Just place him on the sofa. We will monitor his condition for the time being."

Yet as it turned out, Shen Nianzu’s fears were unfounded.

Qin Mo woke up as usual the next day and expressed his deep shame, disbelief and apology for having fallen asleep in the middle of working hours. Shen Nianzu had to spend nearly an hour reassuring him that no, he wouldn’t be fired and his salary would be deducted either, before Qin Mo was relieved enough to drop the topic.

Since then, Qin Mo no longer haunted them for answers all day long, much to the trio’s delight.

Therefore, they managed to get themselves discharged and shake off the nosy assistant off their backs before the year changed.

The day they stepped out of the hospital, the whole city was blanketed in a layer of snow, creating a pristine and breathtaking scenery that was very pleasant to the eye.

This was the first time in his life Jin Jiuchi had ever witnessed snow, and he became so hyperactive that Shen Nianzu couldn’t keep him under control.

"Woo-hoo~~! So much ice, so much ice! I love winter!!!" he skipped around in circles, the exhilarated smile never leaving his face. Following a sudden impulse, he scooped up a chunk of snow with both hands before burying his face on it. "Haa... it’s so cold! How refreshing!" he laughed out loud with flakes of snow clinging to his hair and the bridge of his nose, while wisps of white vapor billowed out of his mouth with every exhale.

"Check this out, Nian’er!"

Jin Jiuchi gathered a fistful of snow in his hands, a gleam of mischief sparkling in his eyes. Seeing that, Shen Nianzu’s eyelid twitched as an ominous foreboding filled his heart. "Wait—"

But it was too late to stop Jin Jiuchi. With a swing of his arm, Jin Jiuchi threw the snowball, striking the unsuspecting Gu Luoxin square on the face!

Gu Luoxin, who was peacefully minding his own business: "..."

Sputtering, Gu Luoxin fumbled to wipe the cold snow off his face before shooting up to his feet with a furious roar, "I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!!"

Jin Jiuchi stuck out his tongue in a mocking gesture, twisting his body left and right to avoid the snowballs flying his way. "Come ah, come! I’d like to see you try!"

As such, the two of them engaged in a fierce snowball war right in front of the hospital building, inviting strange and curious glances from onlookers and alarm looks from the security guards.

Shen Nianzu: "..."

Feeling a throbbing headache, Shen Nianzu palmed his forehead and suppressed the strong urge to walk away. He badly wanted to ignore the two of them and pretended they didn’t know each other, but it was not possible because firstly, they were his teammates, and secondly, as reluctant as he was to admit, one of them was his boyfriend. As such, he could only flash an impeccable smile tinged with the perfect amount of shame and embarrassment while apologizing profusely, "I’m sorry, I’m so sorry for the disturbance. I will take the two of them away now..."

As a result of this impulsive snowball fight, Jin Jiuchi and Gu Luoxin each bore three swollen lumps on their forehead akin to dango skewers, courtesy to Shen Nianzu’s ruthless chops.

They were forced to sit together on the back seat of the car, yet they opted to stick their bodies to the opposite corners while turning their faces away, vehemently unwilling to acknowledge the other.

On the other hand, Shen Nianzu leisurely slipped behind the wheel, closed the door, and started the engine, feeling relaxed now that he had vented his anger. When he adjusted the rearview mirror, he caught sight of their sullen faces and found it somewhat funny.

The corner of his lips twitched in amusement. "Still want to fight?"

Sniffling, Gu Luoxin wiped the tears on the corner of his eyes away, feeling extremely aggrieved. "I didn’t want to fight in the first place... he’s the one who provoked me..."

"Hmph!" Jin Jiuchi huffed with his bottom lip jutting out into a pout.

"Okay, okay, stop arguing. Do you guys realize that you’re adults? Why are you still so childish?" Shen Nianzu clicked his tongue, both helpless and exasperated.

When a subtle look of shame crossed their faces, Shen Nianzu shook his head and decided to drop the matter here, focusing his gaze on the road in front instead. "You must have been sick of the hospital food, right? Come on, I will take you to a hotpot restaurant. It’s all-you-can-eat." After saying that, he shot a scathing glare toward Jin Jiuchi, cautioning, "But don’t think you can eat as much as you want. Keep it in moderation, do you hear me?"

The mention of piping hot and spicy food in the middle of freezing winter caused the duo’s eyes to brighten in an instant, excitement colored their voices,

"Boss, I, Gu Luoxin, will follow you for life!"

"Nian’er, you’re the absolute best! Muah!"

Throughout the whole day, not even once did they check the forum in the Nightmare App, displaying a nonchalant attitude towards the gossip and rumors flying all over the place. At a time like this, it seemed like all the trouble seemed so far away, giving them the blissful taste of a mundane and ordinary life. There were no treacherous Cycles, no life-and-death battles, and more importantly, no Damocles’ sword hanging over their heads in the form of the Nightmare...

Just three close friends having a hearty meal together.

It would be nice if such days could go on forever.