NEBM Chapter 65: Soul Dream

At this time, Shen Zhixian was not the current Shen Zhixian; he was just the high spirited youth of that year.

His originally noble and easy-going youth was cut short when his splendid life became fate’s big joke, convincing him that he never was himself. That the young man Sui Xian wasn’t him.

After so many years and after experiencing so many things, he’d finally regained his complete youth.
But this young man, Sui Xian, could no longer be as easy and unrestrained as he once was. He’d lost too many things and, under the surface of his calm return, he was riddled with scars.

Shen Zhixian felt his nose go sour. His eyes were hot, and all kinds of emotions billowed in his chest, causing him to be unable to stay calm.

 Yan Jin froze for a moment, then reached out and pulled him into his embrace.

Just like, long ago, when Sui Xian had embraced Little Yan Jin.

Shen Zhixian hooked his arms around Yan Jin’s waist and buried his face in his arms, listening to his strong heartbeat. He held back tears, trying to calm his emotions.

Yan Jin didn’t say a word. He’d never been good at talking and couldn’t say interesting words like what Sui Xian had spoken to Little Yan Jin. He could only do his best to give Shen Zhixian a warm hug.

Shen Zhixian didn’t know how long they stayed like that. Eventually, he drew back and was about to loosen his hold on Yan Jin and straighten up. But, at that moment, Yan Jin lowered his head and  raised his hands to cup Shen Zhixian’s face and turn it slightly upward. Then, he placed a gentle kiss on each damp corner of Shen Zhixian’s eyes.

Shen Zhixian was caught off guard. He felt Yan Jin’s hot breath on the corner of his eyes and subconsciously lifted his head. Yan Jin’s lips fell on his cheek.

His ears instantly turned red, and he hoped that, in the dim light, Yan Jin wouldn’t be able to see too clearly. He leaned back slightly, reached out to hold Yan Jin’s hands on his face, and asked, “What are you doing?”

His tone was calm, with a slight nasally sound. But Yan Jin didn’t speak. His hands went down, one arm wrapping around Shen Zhixian’s waist while the other hooked under his knees. Then, he pulled him closer and lifted him up.

Being suddenly carried princess-style, Shen Zhixian was startled and let out a sound of surprise. He subconsciously wrapped his arms around Yan Jin’s neck. “Put me down…”

Yan Jin carried him to a spot not far from the cliff and set him down there, one arm still wrapped tightly around his waist.

Shen Zhixian gazed out into the distance. Although his memory had been restored, it didn’t negate the fact that he’d tripped down the stairs and fallen to his death. He was still somewhat apprehensive of height. He glanced once down the seemingly bottomless cliff’s edge and leaned back into Yan Jin’s embrace.

He could guess what Yan Jin wanted to do. Before, he’d said that he wanted to see the scenery here, but he was afraid of heights. Yan Jin probably wanted to accompany him and help him realize his little wish.

Although the dark night was fading, the stars were dim, and there was nothing much to look at, Yan Jin’s heartfelt intentions made Shen Zhixian feel a lot better.

Yan Jin raised his hand and spread his palm.

A cloud of green light emerged from his palm. Shen Zhixian froze, watching as the familiar little grass bud materialized in Yan Jin’s palm. He said, “This is also…Soul Tracing Grass?”

Yan Jin said, “mmn,” and softly added, “I’ve only recently found out.”

The meaning of his words were unclear. Shen Zhixian couldn’t tell whether he’d recently just discovered that Xiao Caoya was a Soul Tracing Grass or that he’d just recovered his memory and knew something.

Xiao Caoya was asleep for a long time and had just recently woken up. It happily jumped from Yan Jin’s palm to Shen Zhixian’s shoulder and used a strand of his hair to slid down. “Chirp! Chirp!”

When Xiao Caoya left, Yan Jin’s palm closed and opened again. This time, a peach branch appeared in his palm.

There were still three or four peach blossoms on the flowering branch, one of which was blooming and was preserved by some technique to stay at the most beautiful moment.

When Shen Zhixian saw this flowering branch, he hesitated and said, “This is …”

“This is the flowering branch that Sui Xian gave me in the secret realm,” Yan Jin said softly. There was a faint smile in his voice. “I’m very happy and like it a lot.”

Shen Zhixian also remembered. This was indeed the small peach blossom branch in the secret realm. He’d turned the branch into a sword, and he later gave it to Yan Jin.

The small peach blossom branch was far from perfect, especially since he’d used it to kill those little ghosts. He’d given the branch to Yan Jin, not taking it to heart. He thought Yan Jin would throw it away, but who knew that he would preserve it like a precious treasure and keep it for so long.

Shen Zhixian suddenly felt a little regretful. He grabbed Yan Jin’s sleeve and said seriously, “This flower is not good. I’ll gift you a more beautiful one.”

Yan Jin didn’t speak. He merely pull the branch in front of him and gently inserted the end into the soil. He whispered, “Xiao Caoya.”

Xiao Caoya let out a loud chirp and reluctantly swung from the end of Shen Zhixian’s hair. He spun around the flower branch, turning in circles. A faint, green light gradually merged onto the branch.

That branch grew taller and taller and eventually became a sturdy peach tree. Peach blossoms emerged and burst open, some blooming while others in half-bloom. A breeze drifted past, scattering the soft petals across Shen Zhixian’s eyes.

Shen Zhixian was stunned. A moment later, he looked at Xiao Caoya, who was sitting on the ground tiredly, panting. He sighed, “…Xiao Caoya is really amazing.”

Xiao Caoya heard this and became excited. It jumped up again, proudly throwing out its leaves and twisting its body.

Shen Zhixian saw its triumphant gesture and laughed. He light-heartedly pulled Yan Jin to sit under the blooming tree, saying teasingly, “This seems like such a romantic setting. Too bad there’s no moon.”

This scene was very good, taking his mind away from the previous troublesome things and allowing him to laugh and joke. He cherished this moment of joy.

Yan Jin glanced at him and said, “If Sui Xian wants it, then he shall have it.”

He pointed his finger and wrote a strange incantation. Shen Zhixian didn’t know what spell Yan Jin casted but he faintly felt a barrier rising from the ground and turning the tree into a shroud.

The surrounding scenery suddenly became hazy, and then little by little, small star-like lights gradually appeared in the air, bright amidst the darkness. These lights gathered into a luminescent round moon, which slowly rose up into the night sky.

Shen Zhixian raised his head to look at the bright moonlight. With a gentle smile, he raised his hand to catch a ray of moonlight. With a sigh, he said, “A’jin is all grown up and can make people happy now.”

As he looked at the bright moon, Yan Jin looked at him intently, as if looking at the rarest treasure. “Sui Xian, are you happy?”

“Happy.”

Shen Zhixian replied with a grin. When he turned his head to talk to Yan Jin, he found that Yan Jin was too close to him. As he turned his head, his lips almost brushed against Yan Jin’s lips

He leaned back slightly, instinctively trying to avoid contact. But, Yan Jin placed his hand on his back, making him unable to withdraw.

Yan Jin’s gaze fell on his lips, and Shen Zhixian immediately guessed what he wanted to do. Normally, he would allow him to, but…

Shen Zhixian’s eyes shifted to Xiao Caoya, who was no longer shaking its leaves. Instead, it was staring at them intently. He reluctantly said, “…Xiao Caoya is watching.”

Yan Jin supported his back with one hand, while the other hand stretched backward. The outer coat  was still lying on the jade bed. Yan Jin raised his hand slightly.

The wind brought the coat over, along with the peach blossom petals that had landed on it. As the coat drifted over their head and gently settled over them, petals showered down on them.

Just as a petal brushed against Shen Zhixian’s lips, Yan Jin leaned in slightly and pressed his mouth against Shen Zhixian’s mouth, holding the petal in place.

Covered under the coat, Shen Zhixian fell into darkness.

He lifted his head and the slight confusion in his eyes turned into a gentle smile as he silently caved under the onslaught of Yan Jin’s mouth.

Hot breath. The scent of peach.

At this moment, these sensations became his entire world.

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