Life-Saving Days by the Husky’s Side

This question was too easy. Professor Xia was able to give the answer in its entirety in just a few words.

Because he was worried Zhou Li would use that piece of jade to commit suicide, he also specifically included Zhou Li’s various thoughts, down to the very detail, requesting Ji Shaoyan to pay careful attention to the boy for sometime after their conversation now so a tragic event won’t take place. 

Ji Shaoyan was silent for a long time before slowly verifying, “You’re saying…he asked if he came across a new jade petal, could he use it to return to this world?”

Professor Xia didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Yes, his thoughts are far too whimsical. Even if he can return, he’ll be coming back to a dead body, and it’s impossible to reverse time. Besides, these are concepts imagined by the people of the Tiansang tribe based on the gods they believed in, there is no scientific basis at all.”

Ji Shaoyan nodded. “I see.”

Professor Xia heard that he had no more questions, so he asked him to wait for a while more and quickly ran off to finish the scanning so the teenager could take the book home along the way.

Ji Shaoyan had no objections. He went to the floor-to-ceiling window in his wheelchair, quietly watching the busy traffic below.

Five minutes later, he managed to slightly regain his previous mental state. He took out his phone and opened a webpage, then typed several titles in the search bar, word by word.

The song《Little Leaping Frog》gave no results.

The story《Pirates of the Caribbean》gave no results.

The lyrics “was the love I gave too overwhelming, love until death parts us”, also gave no results.

He turned off the phone and lightly closed his eyes.

Going by Zhou Li’s personality, there really was a reason for him to suddenly become so attached to a piece of jade.

The sudden change in personality, the alienated attitude towards this world, the godawful songs, the emptiness under the tree and the red eye sockets… In an instant, everything had an explanation.

Professor Xia finished scanning the ancient book and carefully nestled it in a box before handing it to Ji Shaoyan. He saw that although the teenager was smiling, the smile did not reach the corners of his eyes. Professor Xia was taken aback.

However, before he could sound out any answers, Ji Shaoyan reached out to take the box and politely left the hotel.

The car left the hotel and quickly drove into their neighbourhood.

The sky was getting dark and the setting sun only had a faint red outline. There were no pedestrians on the road and the surroundings were very quiet. Ji Shaoyan said, “Pull over to the side, let me go out.”

The driver stopped the car as per order and was surprised when he heard the young master say he will be going back in his wheelchair by himself.

In his impression, his family’s eldest young master has never been so headstrong.

Although the security in this neighbourhood was well equipped, he didn’t dare to really let his young master stay outside by himself in this state. Of course, he wouldn’t have the same concerns if his legs were good, but now that the young master was injured, what will he do if something really happens?

Maybe it was because he thought the weather was good so he suddenly wanted to go on a walk, or perhaps he encountered something that made his mood plummet while at school.

The driver made several guesses in his heart but ended up locking the car in park, planning to push the young master back before walking back himself to drive the car back to the residence. 

Ji Shaoyan didn’t reject his offer and was pushed forward by the driver. Sitting in his wheelchair, he slowly pinched each of his fingers.

After more than twenty minutes of walking, they came across the dog-walking Zhou Li.

Zhou Li went home and first dealt with matters concerning the little brothers.

Their parents and caregivers agreed to this decision and, to not have things be delayed, felt it was best to bring their children over tonight. The following day, they will take the little brothers to rent an apartment and find a job in a one-stop service.

He sent out a voice message in the group chat, with a tone that seemed to be especially considerate of them: “I’ve thought things through lately, and I feel that I can’t force you guys to make up for classes because I want you to. You all should have your own choices and lives, so I asked my dad to find you a job delivering takeaway. You guys should trial this line of work first, then we’ll let you decide whether to continue your studies or graduate high school and go straight to money-making. Your parents have been persuaded by my family and they said they’ll go to school tomorrow to ask for your leave. Come over tonight and tomorrow I’ll take you guys to your rented place. Since you’ll be living together, go ahead and play whatever you all feel like.” 

The little brothers slowly digested this news. After confirming that he was not pulling on their legs, they instantly became excited. They almost couldn’t believe it.

Er-ge: Fuck, is this for real? Living together?!

Lao San: Did you really tell my mum and dad? They actually agreed?

Fa Cai 7: Will we be paid during the trial period?

Zhou Li smiled and said into the microphone, “Yep, you’re paid for every delivery. After talking to your parents, they decided to give you guys a chance to prove yourself, so they can’t reject you off the bat. If you don’t believe me, ask them yourself.”

The little brothers were half-believing and half-doubtful, briefly turning away to sound out their parents. Finding that it was really true, they were moved in an instant.

The parents stared at their foolish sons who were about to get their taste of the real world* and quickly packed up their belongings, throwing them into the car that came to pick them up when it arrived. 

[T/N: literally, 社会洗礼/social baptism]

Zhou Li saw them cry incessantly in the group chat and encouraged, “Jiayou, make your debut* and show them!”

[T/N: 闯出一番天/break open the sky]

The little brothers chorused: “Hell yeah we will!”

Zhou Li logged off WeChat and went to the dining room to eat dinner.

Father Zhou and Madam Zhou had to attend a dinner party today so only the three brothers were present at the table. After silently eating through his meal, he took the little golden retriever and went out for a walk.

After belting out songs all afternoon, his mood had calmed down by this point, but he still needed time to properly think about what to do in the future.

Furthermore, he still didn’t understand a few things. The first thing was how the two pieces of jade were almost guaranteed to have a connection, otherwise he wouldn’t have fallen into a coma and have that dream on the day he made contact with the jade petal. If that’s the case, how did the jade from his grave fall into his world? The second thing was why he was stuck in the coma for three days; did this jade give any side effects? The third thing was that he didn’t physically hold the jade when he died, it had been buried with him after his death.  According to how the jade was said to work, it shouldn’t have been activated in that case, so then, how did he traverse worlds so smoothly?

However, he also knew he’s only found one of the two ancient books. When he gets his hands on the other book, he might get the answer he’s looking for.

Previously, he was worried that he wouldn’t last for another month, but now it seems that he no longer had to worry about a time limit, so he only needed to wait for the engagement banquets of the Wei family’s grandchildren, where he will be able to meet Grandpa Wei and ask to borrow the books.

Thinking of the ‘future’, he began to turn his focus on what to do for his future here.

The main major problem at present was: Ji Shaoyan.

He originally thought that because he would be leaving soon, and since Ji Shaoyan’s heart was only starting to be tempted, the young master should be fine after he disappears.

But now he had no way out, and as Ji Shaoyan sinks deeper and deeper, he may do something because of his terrifying possessiveness.

This white-shell-black-soul person already had both brains and brawn at his calling. He was strong in every aspect. If Zhou Li were to go up against him, he had absolutely zero confidence that he could win against the young master. Unless his own heart is tempted by the other, he will have to go against this opposition for the rest of his life.

As soon as this thought appeared, Zhou Li was abruptly taken aback. He subconsciously entertained the possibility of him and Ji Shaoyan being together, but before this train of thought came to a destination, he looked up and saw Young Master Ji approaching him in his wheelchair. He took the little golden retriever forward to say hello.

The next second, he had a faint feeling that the young master’s state was off.

When they see each other at school, Ji Shaoyan smiles were as comfortable as drinking cup of warm water, but right now, the gentle smile carried a chilling edge. He saw the young master pinching his fingers from time to time and guessed that something must’ve come up.

If it were Liang Jingxiu who saw Ji Shaoyan in this state, he would definitely not take one more step forward.

But Zhou Li didn’t know. Ji Shaoyan in the original novel didn’t pinch his fingers. He only knew that for Ji Shaoyan to perform these small movements to distract himself, he feared that the young master had encountered some difficulties.

He asked, “What’s wrong?”

Ji Shaoyan stared at him and faintly smiled. “Nothing’s wrong.”

Zhou Li didn’t believe him.

But the young master stayed with him for an entire afternoon and he felt that it wasn’t right to just sit idly and ignore him, so he wanted to go over and chat with the young master.

Ji Shaoyan’s smile became even more gentle. The darkness in his eyes deepened.

If he was left alone in silence for a while, today’s affairs would’ve been temporarily suppressed in his mind, but Zhou Li really picked a good time to appear. He felt the suppressed emotions whistle with the speed they broke through his mental barriers, drowning his emotions in an instant.

It was like his heart was being choked. He motioned for the driver to stop and stepped off the wheelchair, deliberately making his body waver unsteadily with the motion.

With perceptive eyes and quick instincts, Zhou Li hurriedly supported his body. Before he could speak, the other party reached out and grabbed his collar. In one movement, the young master closed in on him. Something soft touched his lips, then there was a stinging pain——Ji Shaoyan had bit down on his lips.

Zhou Li: “……”

The driver: “……”

Ji Shaoyan used his good leg to force himself forwards and jumpscared Zhou Li with the sudden movement. Suddenly losing his balance, the two fell into the grass together. There was a lake next to this area and the grassy land happened to be on a small slope. Their bodies entangled and they rolled down the hill in a daze. 

During this tumble, Ji Shaoyan never let go. It was not so much a kiss as it was him trying to gobble him up and swallow him whole. The metallic taste of blood instantly took over Zhou Li’s tongue. Just as he was about to struggle, his opponent quickly grasped his hands and pressed them down firmly into the ground, both arms raised above his head.

His anger exploded. “What the hell are you doing?”

Seeing its owner in trouble, the little golden retriever hurriedly bounded over to them and barked erratically.

Ji Shaoyan turned his head and levelled a stare at it.

With blood painting the corners of his lips, he bared a spine-tingling smile. “Scram.”

The little golden retriever was so frightened that it took two steps backwards. Enduring the increasing urge to run off and in visible fear, it cried out without any imposing threat: “…ao.” 

Zhou Li: “……”

Thank you ah.

At this time, the driver also returned to reality and quickly stepped forward to help them up.

Before the man could pull him up, Ji Shaoyan interjected first and said, “Throw this eyesore of a thing back to the Zhou house for me. You can go back to the car. I need to discuss something with him.”

This was the driver’s first time seeing his good-tempered eldest young master in such a state. He was scared to the point of cowardice and did not dare to refuse, dragging away the little golden retriever that was crying for its owner.

Now, there were only the two of them left by the lake.

Ji Shaoyan pressed Zhou Li down with one hand and caressed the boy’s face with his other. He said with a smile, “I just came back from speaking with Professor Xia.”

The enraged words about to come out were suppressed in his throat. Zhou Li was shocked to a still.

Going by Ji Shaoyan’s intelligence, the young master has most likely guessed everything with a 70 to 80 percent accuracy.

“If you get a jade petal in the new world, can you use it to go back, en?” Ji Shaoyan stared into him. “Zhou Li, I like you. You know this, right?”

He didn’t wait for the other person to answer, continuing to speak for the two of them, his tone the softest it’s been since they’ve known each other. “You know this, but you still found me to borrow that book. If there truly is a way for you to go back that is written in the book, then I would have sent you away with my own hands. I will have no way of ever seeing you again, even if I dig out Qian Liye’s brain. Very good, very ruthless.”

Zhou Li knew his actions were inexcusable. He stayed silent. 

Ji Shaoyan leaned in close and laughed lightly. “But you can’t go back. And don’t even think there will be a way for you to leave written in the other book, because it’s useless. I will go to Grandpa Wei and get the book, then I’ll return and burn it in front of you.”

Zhou Li’s eyes widened and he gripped the other boy tightly. “Wait.”

Ji Shaoyan’s smile became even more handsome. “There’s no waiting, baby*. I can’t bear to see you in such a panic, it pains my heart.”

[T/N: 宝贝儿/baobei-er 0w0]

Zhou Li: “……”

The novel did not deceive the readers. This white-shelled, black-hearted person was indeed deranged*.

[T/N: 病娇: yandere]

He helplessly clarified, “I fell into a coma that time because I came in contact with the jade. If this thing has side effects and something happens in the future, even if you want to cry, you will have no one to cry to.”

Ji Shaoyan withdrew his smile and looked at him coldly.

Zhou Li said, “I’m not lying to you this time.”

Ji Shaoyan still didn’t say a word and his eyes continued to bore into him.

The two faced each other for a while. Zhou Li moved his wrist and Ji Shaoyan loosened his grip, letting him go. 

The two of them didn’t get up from the ground, sitting side by side on the small sloped field, immersed in the unbroken silence.

After Ji Shaoyan vented his onslaught of emotions, his reason gradually returned. He knew that Zhou Li was not to blame for everything that happened to him. If he was the one who had travelled into a strange world, he would also want to go back to his original home, and he would definitely be more unscrupulous in his methods than Zhou Li.

Of course, everything is determined on the basis of whether he is still alive in this world.

He glanced at the person beside him and asked, “Are you dead or alive?”

Zhou Li straightforwardly admitted, “Dead, by a car accident.”

The anger pushed Ji Shaoyan to suddenly laugh and the fire in his heart almost couldn’t be repressed again. He grinded his teeth slowly, thinking about where to start, finally landing on asking, “And yet you still want to go back? You want to be a ghost?”

Zhou Li said, “Because I will never have peace of mind. Rather than be forced in the dark on whether I’ll need to make room for someone else in the future, I might as well take the initiative.”

Ji Shaoyan admitted to himself that this plan was indeed in line with Zhou Li’s character but was still discontent. He said, “Give me that jade petal.”

Zhou Li reminded him, “It was gifted to me by someone else.”

Ji Shaoyan: “Burn the book or hand over the jade; pick one.”

Zhou Li looked at him silently.

Ji Shaoyan: “I won’t break it. We can store it in the bank and use our fingerprints or retina scans to lock it up. It won’t open without us, so no one can have access to the jade even if they plan behind our backs.” 

Zhou Li knew this con-man was already being the most generous he could be.

Although the jade petal belonged to him, Ji Shaoyan was completely prepared to duplicate the book and bring the original copy to burn right in front of his eyes. He will be helpless no matter what he does when that time comes, so he conceded, “Fine.”

Ji Shaoyan felt a little more reassured and withdrew the icy aura from his body, asking, “Apart from the jade, what else should I know?”

Zhou Li looked at him.

This young master’s condition today was already very awful, but he didn’t want to conceal his matters all that much now that things have come to this, so he honestly revealed everything else.

Ji Shaoyan didn’t speak for five minutes straight, choosing to quietly stare at him.

Zhou Li observed his expression and couldn’t help but lay out his analysis. “So you see, I knew of the plot in advance, that’s why I treated you so well. If I didn’t know, I might not have treated you that way, and you wouldn’t have any strong feelings towards me either…” 

Ji Shaoyan heard the hidden meaning behind his words and interrupted with a sneer, “You are who you are. I like you, what’s wrong with that?”

Zhou Li: “……”

What can he do? This guy is indeed a pervert. If it were someone else who found out that everything was a scam, they certainly would not ask this type of rhetorical question so calmly.

Ji Shaoyan: “You knew, and you still called me Eggy?”

“……” Zhou Li: “Isn’t this name pretty cute?”

Ji Shaoyan: “You also deliberately threw me into a cage.”

Zhou Li: “…I was afraid you would run out and meet danger.”

Ji Shaoyan chuckled. “Heh.”

Zhou Li: “……”

Yep, relapsed into insanity once again.

Just… He suddenly missed the weekdays where this young master would meet him with his gentle appearance.

However, for Young Master Ji, ‘Zhou Li knew the truth from the beginning’ was far less serious than ‘I almost sent him away with my own hands’, so everything settled down after a short while. He even stretched out his arm to wrap around Zhou Li’s waist, turning the two of them around so they were face to face. With a soft voice and a soft smile, he said, “You know the plot. Since you raised me in place of the heroine, I will be yours from now on.”

Zhou Li: “……”

You accepted this way too quickly!

Ji Shaoyan saw the driver coming back from his peripheral vision and completely concealed his ‘inherent qualities’. Standing up with one hand firm on Zhou Li’s arm, he found that the other boy was walking with a slight limp and asked, “Is it sprained?”

Zhou Li said, “No, I just hit my ankle on something, it’s nothing that’ll hurt the bone.”

Ji Shaoyan hummed “en” and they got into the car together.

When he saw they were approaching the Zhou villa, he raised the soundproofing board and finally came to a serious conclusion of what happened today and their relationship in the near future. “Zhou Li, you can’t go back anyway, so just stay here ba. You know what kind of person I am. Go back and think about our possibilities.”

Zhou Li glanced at him, not giving an answer.

Ji Shaoyan said, “Just say what you want. With things being as they are, what can’t you say?”

Zhou Li’s mouth hurt as soon as he opened his mouth. “Your kissing skills are horrible.”

Ji Shaoyan: “…I was angry.”

Zhou Li threw the young master’s words back at him: “Heh.”

Ji Shaoyan: “Then, want to try again?”

“You’re even taking this seriously? I’m just playing.” Feeling the car come to a stop, Zhou Li waved goodbye and left through the opened door.

Zhou Lubo and Zhou Luwen sat in the living room, having not yet returned to their rooms.

When the driver came to drop off the little golden retriever, the two understood that Zhou Li was out with Ji Shaoyan. They originally thought the two boys were just going on a casual walk, holding hands and kissing or something like that, but when they looked up, they were met with Zhou Li’s untidy clothes and split lips, walking into the house with unnatural movements.

Zhou Lubo: “……”

Zhou Luwen: “……”

Like an unplanned appointment, the two of them started pondering about the places in their neighbourhood that could be used as a battlefield. No matter where, they both felt it was lacking a bit too much moral integrity.

[T/N: 哪些地方能供人打野战，都觉得太掉节操了: not really sure how to translate this fluently. ‘Unplanned appointment’ means they both arrived at the same thought. ‘Battlefield’ is literally, a plain field where people can fight. Second half is basically ‘thinking [ZL and JSY] have no sense of shame’, so yes, the Zhou brothers thought they were having ‘fun’ outdoors]

Although they were at the beginning stages after falling in love, you’re still in the puppy love period ba? Are you guys seriously this impatient?

The author has something to say:

Ji Shaoyan: How unlucky. I was too angry; never got to savour the opportunity.