Life-Saving Days by the Husky’s Side

“Bang bang bang”

Fireworks exploded one after another and half of the night sky illuminated with each burst. Ji Shaoyan stared at the person in front of him unblinkingly, suddenly feeling that he had gone deaf.

Zhou Li looked back at him and kissed him again. “A-Yan…”

Ji Shaoyan grabbed the back of his head and kissed back hard.

Except for the first bloody kiss they shared when he was slightly deranged, his subsequent kisses have always been gentle and considerate. After staying together for half a year, this was the second time his loving action held a hint of ‘cruelty’, as if he wanted to swallow the other person whole.

Zhou Li had an inkling that the oxygen in his lungs was being sucked away. At some point, once he recovered his senses, he found himself leaning all the way back against the chair.

When he was released, Ji Shaoyan was already leaning over in front of him, the papers on their faces all torn off.

One of Ji Shaoyan’s knees was propped on his seat. His body towered over Zhou Li as he pinched Zhou Li’s chin, murmuring, “Say that again.”

Zhou Li looked into his eyes, calm and collected. “I like you.”

Ji Shaoyan’s heart was on fire. He felt that this sky full of flourishing beauty wasn’t such a rare sight anymore.

He had been waiting for this day from the moment they confirmed their relationship, but fortunately, this silly fool didn’t make him wait too long. He stood up, pulling the other boy with him, and walked into the bedroom.

Zhou Li: “You don’t want to watch the fireworks?”

Ji Shaoyan: “No.”

Zhou Li knew what he wanted to do, but he still couldn’t hold back. “Ever since I searched for firework shows, I have thought about several scenarios where I could confess to you. Let’s sit together and watch the fireworks.”

Ji Shaoyan paused in his steps and looked back at him.

This silly fool turned out to have a rare romantic cell in his body. He supposed watching a firework show didn’t take up much time anyway, so walked back and moved the round table elsewhere, pushing the two chairs next to each other. They leaned against each other and viewed the fireworks.

The firework show lasted for twenty minutes before finally ending.

Zhou Li felt complete. He was just about to give his thoughts when he heard a WeChat notification. He switched on the phone and saw that Er-ge had texted him.

Er-ge: Are you and Dasao* still in Yawan now? When are you guys going back?

[T/N: big sister in law]

Zhou Li: Our plane is for tomorrow morning.

Er-ge: Oh, what are you guys doing?

Zhou Li: Just finished watching the fireworks.

Er-ge: Wa, is it fun there? What hotel are you staying in?

Zhou Li: It’s fun. We’re at the Maple Leaf Hotel, I’ll take you all here next time to play.

Er-ge: Okay!

He seemed to be excited for a while, sending a voice message: “Is that the famous sea view room? What room are you living in ah? I also have money, you know? Next there, I’ll go live there myself, look at the scenery you’re seeing now.”

Zhou Li burst into laughter, replying casually.

In the past six months, although Er-ge and Lao San only live streamed on weekends, they had personalities that made people laugh as well as overwhelming luck. There was a popular anchor who liked them very much and played a few games with them over multiple streams. Their popularity rose and they made a profit. If they focus on their work, they won’t be far from earning one million a year.

He was dragged into the room by Ji Shaoyan and briefly exchanged a few words with the person on the other end of the call, then threw the phone away and embraced Ji Shaoyan while they kissed.

The two of them fell on the bed, but before they had time to take off their clothes, they heard a knock on their door. At this time, the visitor was definitely not room service. Ji Shaoyan got up and answered the door, asking, “Who is it?”

The person outside: “Hello, we have a small gift from the hotel!”

When Ji Shaoyan heard this voice, he said without a second thought, “Leave it at the door, you can go ba.”

The person outside: “……”

Zhou Li happened to pass by behind him and was stuck between laughing or crying, before finally taking the initiative to open the door. Sure enough, he saw Er-ge standing outside their room, accompanied by Lao San.

The two people wore beach pants and floral shirts, carrying beer, beverages, and barbecue in their hands. They called out in unison, “Surprise!”

[T/N: ‘surprise’ in English]

Zhou Li: “……”

Ji Shaoyan: “……”

These stupid teenagers didn’t even know what they had disturbed.

From their standpoint, these two have been together for a long time. After playing here for nine days, it wasn’t a stretch to assume that they’ve already passed their period of intimacy. Moreover, it was currently only half past 8, which was rather early for things to escalate. Just in case, he even asked what they were doing earlier on before arriving at their door with confidence.

The two were all smiles and sunshine as they happily entered the room without waiting for an invitation.

Zhou Li took a glimpse of Ji Shaoyan’s expression and felt that he wasn’t far from turning into a cannibal. While the little brothers’ attention were not on them, he quickly swooped in and kissed him.

Ji Shaoyan glanced at him, enduring.

Zhou Li closed the front door and asked, “Why are you two here as well?”

Er-ge smiled and said, “The management chose this place for a company event.”

Although they were newcomers, they had better momentum, so the live broadcast platform also sent them invitations.

When the two saw the destination location, they remembered that their Dage and Dasao were here on holiday, and happily came along. They got off the plane earlier that evening and wanted to surprise their Dage. Once learning that there will be a firework show and thinking that couples might enjoy watching that sort of thing, they waited for the fireworks before contacting Zhou Li and found that they were staying at the same hotel. The little brothers came over with their things, thinking that if their Dage and Dasao hadn’t come back yet, they would wait nearby. Thankfully, their luck was good; the other two happened to be in their room.

The two put their food and drink on the table and asked, “Have you had dinner yet?”

Zhou Li: “We had dinner a while ago. What about you two?”

Lao San: “We had food on the plane. It was so gross.”

He raised the barbecue in his hand. “Let’s eat some more?”

Zhou Li smiled and walked over to sit down, passing a skewer to his boyfriend while he was at it.

Ji Shaoyan held back the urge to throw these two things out of the room and reached out to take it, accompanying Zhou Li to eat.

The stupid little brothers were extremely incompetent when it came to observing people’s expressions. After eating, they kicked up a ruckus while playing cards.

The boys played until half past ten, and although the two light bulbs wished to stay longer, they still left reluctantly. Ji Shaoyan glanced at the time and thought about how they would have to wake up early to head to the airport tomorrow. Reluctant to toss Zhou Li around, he tidied up their belongings after washing up and fell asleep with his person in his arms.

The next day, they boarded the plane and returned to Qinglian City.

Once they sent back their luggage, the first thing they did was to drive straight to the bank and take out the jade pendant. They examined every detail for hours and Zhou Li even brought out a magnifying glass, yet they were still unable to see the problem, so he guessed it was another mysterious feature.

The pit in his brain expanded slightly. “What if we need to bite our finger and drip some blood on it ba?”

Ji Shaoyan thought to himself that this method was sceptical; who knew if this thing had any other side effects.

He didn’t dare to let Zhou Li try, and returned the jade back to the vault.

When he returned home again, Zhou Li found a familiar car parked in the yard.

The trunk was lifted open and the interior was packed with a pile of boxes. A tanned man followed the bodyguard to move things. When the man saw him, he seemed to be taken aback, and then he showed a smile.

Zhou Li was similarly stunned. He realised this was the long-since-seen Qian Duoshu.

He stepped forward, surprised. “You’re back.”

Qian Duoshu smiled and said, “En, came back for the New Year. I bought you all some things.”

He had tanned and lost weight. Unlike the forced smile he displayed before left, his whole person gave off an optimistic and cheerful air.

In the short 6 months, in addition to keeping contact with them by phone, he would send them some trinkets from time to time. Although they were nothing expensive, they were artfully made. Each time, he would send 3 of the same presents; one for him, one for Zhou Luwen, and one for Qian Liye.

[T/N: ah makes me kinda sad..]

Zhou Li looked at the box. “What is it?”

Qian Duoshu said, “Special products for the New Year, most of it is food.”

While he spoke, he looked at the teenager following behind Zhou Li, giving a nod and a smile. He asked Zhou Li, “Your friend?”

Ji Shaoyan simply returned a faint smile.

Although he hadn’t been beaten by Qian Duoshu before, he still didn’t have a good impression towards this man.

Zhou Li calmly answered, “My boyfriend.”

Crash.

Qian Duoshu had a split moment of inattention and the box fell to the ground.

But after all, he has been to many places and has met many people, and had seen and heard about this community. If it was before, he might feel uncomfortable, but now he would just have a moment of shock before returning to normal. Seeing that the Zhou’s family members were not opposed, he only had blessings to give.

Zhou Li said, “Why don’t you celebrate the New Year here ba?”

Madam Zhou had also mentioned this option earlier on. Qian Duoshu agreed.

Because it will be cold and lonely if he went home. Even if Zhou Luwen also went back to Xiangman Town with him to celebrate the New Year, the two of them would at most watch the Spring Festival Gala. It was better to celebrate the festival with a lively bunch of people.

Zhou Li realised that he had really gone through a lot of change. He smiled and helped him move the luggage, but Qian Duoshu quickly pulled him away.

Even if he didn’t go home for New Year, he still had to go home to clean up the house and give Uncle Qian and the others some souvenirs along the way.

Zhou Luwen and Zhou Li didn’t want him to work alone, so they decided to go back with him. When Ji Shaoyan heard this, he knew that they would at least spend a night there, which meant Zhou Luwen would sleep in the same bed as Zhou Li again. He was immediately dissatisfied and wanted to follow along.

[T/N: dude they’re brothers calm down]

Zhou Li naturally didn’t refuse and pulled him into the car before setting off to Xiangman Town.

The house hasn’t been lived in for a long time so Qian Duoshu didn’t take them back there. Instead, he had made an appointment with a housekeeper prior to their arrival. He went upstairs to open the door for the housekeeper, then took them to Uncle Qian to deliver the New Year goods.

After they made their rounds, they found a restaurant for a meal. During the meal, they talked about Qian Duoshu’s experience in the past six months, and he kept them up to date on what he was up to.

“I joined the Domestic Violence Relief Association.” He said, “When the Chinese New Year is over, I will start working with them.”

Many of the members were people who were victims of domestic violence, and only he was an offender.

In the past, everything he did was wrong, and he could only make up for it as much as possible. He didn’t want his family’s tragedy to happen to others. After drifting for a few months, he finally found what he wanted to do.

Zhou Li looked at him, feeling a little emotional.

The cowardly man who only knew how to escape in the past, finally looked to have a little humanity.

After they peacefully finished the meal, their small group went home and put up paper cuttings and door couplets*. Zhou Li noticed that the market was on today and took Ji Shaoyan downstairs.

[T/N: Chinese New Year decorations]

This was the first time Ji Shaoyan visited Xiangman Town after returning to his human body. He looked around, feeling that after changing perspectives, everything was a little different.

Zhou Li said, “How does it feel?”

Ji Shaoyan smiled and said, “Makes me remember how you carried me for a walk every day.”

Zhou Li said, “I can also carry you now.”

Ji Shaoyan said, “Let’s switch; I’ll carry you ba.”

Zhou Li considered the image of himself in a princess carry, ultimately refusing, “No thanks.”

They both conversed and wandered, but when they entered the market, they instantly regretted their choice.

It was the end of the year; both sellers and buyers were not lacking in numbers. Everywhere they looked, it was a sea of people. Zhou Li turned to Ji Shaoyan. “You want to go shopping?”

Ji Shaoyan was very considerate. “I’ll listen to you.”

Zhou Li: “The truth.”

Ji Shaoyan: “I don’t want to.”

Zhou Li was very satisfied. He thought about how this wasn’t because he didn’t take the guest to go shopping, but because the guest didn’t want to shop*, so he just bought some fruit before they hurried back.

[T/N: not quite sure what this means; maybe a politeness thing? Since if he went back early it would seem impolite because it meant he didn’t take their guest (JSY) to go sightseeing, but if the guest didn’t want to go sightseeing in the first place it wouldn’t mean he had no manners since he offered]

Their group stayed in the house until the evening, then gathered at the chosen restaurant with the Qian family to have a large reunion dinner.

Aunt Qian finally saw the two children again. She pulled Zhou Luwen and would not let go. She jabbered on and on with a smile, even giving Qian Duoshu a few words, trying to persuade him to turn over a new leaf and come back to do some small business. It’s a pity that none of them took these words to heart, letting the speech enter their left ears and out their right. 

Aunt Qian wasn’t aware and soon changed the subject. “Right, the second master and his lot were caught.”

Qian Duoshu was surprised. “En?“

Aunt Qian: “It was confirmed not too long ago. I heard that the police have always been collecting evidence; now that the evidence is conclusive and can be judged, their whole group is being sent to jail.”

Uncle Qian: “Didn’t we hear that Master Lin ran away?”

Aunt Qian: “Right, I also heard that two managed to get away. Was Master Lin one of them?”

Zhou Li and Ji Shaoyan looked over.

Uncle Qian hummed in confirmation. “He seems to have fled to somewhere else; a wanted man.”

Aunt Qian proceeded to sigh that a man who once held such great power still fell to his doom, so everybody ah, you must not commit acts that violate the law; education is key.

Zhou Li knew she was saying this for him to hear, so he pretended not to listen and patiently sat through the meal, then went home to rest.

With one more person in their group, Zhou Luwen naturally wanted to sleep in the same room as Qian Duoshu. Ji Shaoyan was finally able to lay on the bed he slept on in the past. After seeing Zhou Li lying on his side and staring at him, he asked, “What is it?”

Zhou Li said, “Thinking about Eggy*.”

[T/N: ​​想蛋蛋 can also mean ‘I miss Eggy’]

Ji Shaoyan: “……”

Zhou Li looked like he was deeply grieving. “Did you know that my Eggy used to sleep here? Right where you’re sleeping.”

Ji Shaoyan didn’t know what kind of illness had overcome Silly Fool’s brain. He stretched out his arms. “Come here, I’ll hold you.”

Zhou Li felt that he had enough of his fun and shifted over to hug him.

They only stayed in Xiangman Town for one day, returning to the city straight after breakfast the next morning. They had to prepare for the New Year.

Ji Tianyang came back only three days before New Year’s Eve, bringing along several pieces of jade, saying that since it was the Chinese New Year, he wanted to go on a trip to buy something for them. Madam Ji was very touched, and even Grandpa Ji, who wanted to scold this stupid boy, calmed his anger, only leaving him a few sentences of teaching.

Ji Shaoyan took a look and saw that the boy’s acting skills were still in play. He couldn’t see the slightest anxiety or irritability. He smiled and accepted the gift his little brother handed over while he took up the posture of a good bit brother, warmly thanking, “It’s kind of you, I like it very much.”

Ji Tianyang scratched his head embarrassedly. “It’s good as long as you like it, Dage.”

Ji Shaoyan voiced “en” in agreement, watching him go upstairs before calmly retracting his eyes.

New Year’s Eve arrived soon. Zhou Li and Ji Shaoyan celebrated the New Year in their own households. During celebrations, they only exchanged video calls, not meeting until the evening of New Year’s day.

There was a light scattering of snow falling from the sky. Zhou Li went out to walk the dog and after Ji Shaoyan messaged WeChat, he grabbed an umbrella and also came out to look for him.

After six months, the little golden retriever has already grown into a big golden retriever, but for some reason, it was always scared witless whenever it saw Ji Shaoyan.

When it saw the snow, it wanted to play around, but when Ji Shaoyan came to a stop in front of them, it immediately squatted silently at the feet of its master, motionless.

Ji Shaoyan glanced at it, holding an umbrella above Zhou Li’s head. He smiled. “Happy New Year.”

The darkness settled in early. At this time, the sky had already darkened.

Zhou Li looked at him under the streetlamp. The young master was wearing a dark overcoat, with a light-colored collar peeking out. Under the snow, his whole being was gentle and proper. He was absolutely beautiful. Zhou Li replied “Happy New Year”, and after seeing Ji Shaoyan clasping his hands and kneading them to warm him up, he suddenly called out, “Egg.”

Ji Shaoyan glanced at him.

Zhou Li said, “Shall we open a room?”

Ji Shaoyan: “……”

Young Master Ji felt that he was growing immune to the silly thoughts that came up in Silly Fool’s mind from time to time because right then, he couldn’t help asking, “On New Year’s Day? Are you sure?”

People of the older generation were still more particular with manners. On the first day of the new year, his grandfather definitely won’t let him stay outside overnight.

Although the Zhou family won’t stop Zhou Li, it still wasn’t a good show of courtesy.

Zhou Li understood his concerns. “Then let’s treat it as an hourly room ba.”

[T/N: room that charges an hourly rate; common rooms with this rate include motels and love hotels]

Ji Shaoyan: “……”

Does this mean he’ll leave after sleeping around?

[T/N: 这意思是让他睡完就走: if anyone has a way to make this sound funnier in English, please tell me]

He thought about the pit in Silly Fool’s brain and asked with uncertainty, “What do you want to do?”

Zhou Li spoke as if he were stating the obvious, “We’re adults now. Shouldn’t we do something that adults do?”

Ji Shaoyan said, “No other meaning?”

“The literal meaning.” Zhou Li stared at him. “Shall we go? I’ll go home and drive.”

Ji Shaoyan thought about it for two seconds. “Let’s go.”

On the first day of the New Year, the two ran to a five-star hotel as if they had lost all reason and opened an ‘hourly room’, hitting all the bases the moment they opened the door. Afterwards, Ji Shaoyan hugged Zhou Li to sleep for a short while before the two of them returned home, because doing something like leaving right after finishing… No matter how unique Ji Shaoyan was, he really couldn’t do such a thing.

[T/N: I feel like it’s important to note, no it wasn’t for one hour only, they probably paid for a few hours or so…]

It was already past ten o’clock when the two arrived back at home.

The two families thought they were wandering about outside and did not think much about their disappearance at all. Zhou Li felt a little sore in the waist, so he only had some short conversations downstairs before going back to his room to rest.

After the new year celebrations ended, relatives returned to their own homes.

Both Ji Shaoyan and Zhou Li have both come out of the closet, so they naturally wanted to move about. Zhou Li has already been to the Ji family’s household several times before and was already a familiar addition; every encounter was very peaceful. Ji Shaoyan has grown more sticky towards him even since he had a taste*, openly proposing to get engaged at the dinner table.

[T/N: shortened it from ‘taste of the meat’ because… I’m shy]

Grandpa Ji knew his nature, and agreed with a single “en” without objecting.

Madam Ji glanced at her husband and, seeing how he didn’t say a word, understood that this matter was already settled.

Earlier, she thought that Grandpa Ji would give Ji Shaoyan the scolding of a lifetime, and in the best case scenario, become disappointed with his grandson. But looking at things now, if he turns away the Zhou family as a backer, there is a chance that his son will no longer have a standing in the future.

She let out a stiff laugh for a while and in private, told her own son to work hard.

Ji Tianyang didn’t want to bother with her.

With the excuse of “traveling with classmates to relax”, he went back to Nancheng on the tenth day after New Year. Even when it was nearing the beginning of the school term, he still couldn’t find any clues about the jade pendant. Not only that, but his luck was bad enough that his phone was stolen.

He hasn’t been robbed in years. He silently cursed his back luck, planning to buy a new one.

At this moment, his feet stopped in its path. He felt as if his head had been doused with cold water.

He has always been alert, how can his belongings be so easily stolen?

What’s more, he transmigrated with the jade lotus pendant. He was favoured by the jade pendant.

Although the situation was tragic when he first arrived, according to common sense, everything should proceed smoothly afterwards. Things like this should be rarely encountered, yet it is happening now.

Thinking back to the lead up, it seems that from the moment he expressed his wishes to buy the jade, he became unfavoured. He was always meeting bad luck.

He carefully set up traps for Xiao Zhao and found that it was a fake jade; it took him so much time and effort to come and investigate in Nancheng, but he gained absolutely nothing out of it.

This showed that he was, once again, standing in the opposite camp from Zhou Li.

In other words, there was a high chance that the jade petal was in Zhou Li’s hands.

The author has something to say:

The closing stage is a bit stuck, it’s pushed back even further, forgive me.