Chapter 55 I Kissed the Snow Mountain

The female ghost outside had stopped scratching at the door at some point; after all, she was a working person and still had to scare the other two teams of players. Eerie music filled the haunted house, and a cool breeze seeped in everywhere. Fu Yanle gradually lost interest in playing around, and his slight fear dissipated.

He looked at Yu Jingchen with concern, "Brother Chen, don't stay silent, are you frozen in fear?"

“…No,” Yu Jingchen said. “I’m not afraid of ghosts, I’m just afraid of the dark.”

“I’m afraid of the dark, but—” Fu Yanle suddenly stopped, remembering the lights that burned all night in the corridors on the first and second floors of the Yu family home, and Yu Jingchen’s overly bright lounge. He bit his lip, reached out and touched Yu Jingchen’s forehead, and found cold sweat.

"Why didn't you say you were afraid of the dark earlier?" Fu Yanle stammered. "This isn't some haunted house you can go to."

Yu Jingchen gently rubbed his palm reassuringly and said, "It's okay, Yanle. It's just a haunted house. Maybe after one trip, I won't be afraid of the dark anymore."

"Are you kidding me? If haunted houses were that versatile, hospitals could go out of business." Fu Yanle then remembered that he had said he really wanted to play there.

"It's really nothing." Yu Jingchen reached out and hugged Fu Yanle, gently patting his back. "You look so pitiful, anyone who didn't know better would think I scolded you."

“I noticed before that the lights on the first and second floors were always on, but I thought you just had too much money to spend, so I didn’t think much of it. You weren’t very active on the way here, and I didn’t think much of it either, and I even dragged you around for so long.” Fu Yanle snuggled against Yu Jingchen’s neck. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not blaming you. Besides, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s my fault for not telling you this, and it’s also because I promised to play with you. You don’t need to apologize to me.” Yu Jingchen sighed softly and pinched Fu Yanle’s waist lightly. “If you keep talking nonsense, I will really get angry.”

Fu Yanle trembled in his arms, tickled, then looked up and quickly took off her scarf.

The scarf is the perfect width of a palm, and it's made of soft material, making it very comfortable to wear.

Fu Yanle held up the scarf and said, "Brother Chen, put this on, just like wearing an eye mask. I'll hold your hand as we walk later."

Upon hearing this, Yu Jingchen bent down slightly, standing at a height that would be convenient for Fu Yanle, and jokingly said, "If you were frightened by a powerful ghost, would you abandon me and run away by yourself?"

Fu Yanle paused, not taking it as a joke, and said seriously, "No, I will hold your hand and protect you until we go out."

His hand went around the back of Yu Jingchen's head, and Yu Jingchen lowered his head and obediently let the scarf be tied around his head.

The scarf obscured Yu Jingchen's eyebrows and eyes. His high, straight nose resembled a secluded snow-capped mountain in the dim light, and the fine, soft downy hairs curled up obediently, like small white flowers on a snow-capped peak.

Fu Yanle's hand was still on Yu Jingchen's face. Like a sudden mountain climber, he curiously caressed every visible inch of the snow-capped mountain.

Climbing over towering cliffs and gliding across a suspension bridge suspended by a single thread, Yu Jingchen's breath was like the wind on the snow-capped mountain.

Fu Yanle felt a slight warmth on his fingertips, removed his mask, cupped Yu Jingchen's face, and kissed him.

Fu Yanle noticed Yu Jingchen's momentary daze and smiled slightly, kissing his lips gently like pecking snowflakes.

In the few deep kisses they had, Yu Jingchen had always been in complete control, and Fu Yanle was already doing her best to endure them. But now Yu Jingchen was just standing there obediently, like a snowman willingly being melted.

Fu Yanle patiently kissed all the red plum blossoms blocking his path, then carefully pushed aside the snow and ventured in. After several explorations, he finally found the hidden shore of Qingshui Lake. He began to get excited, frolicking in the lake both actively and clumsily, delighted to see the lake surface ripple and swell with his presence.

Yu Jingchen couldn't help but take half a step forward, and Fu Yanle's hand slid to his Adam's apple and pressed it gently. He immediately chose to obey, once again abandoning the initiative that could have been easily regained, letting himself melt away in Fu Yanle's youthful and sweet comfort.

The sound of snowmelt dripping through the air could be heard.

Fu Yanle moved his face back slightly and looked at Yu Jingchen intently. This man was shy and moved by him, and he became obedient and adorable because of him.

Fu Yanle's face flushed with heat, and he leaned in again to kiss the moisture on Yu Jingchen's lips.

“You prevented me from continuing to fight ghosts, so I demand compensation from you. I caused you trouble and frightened you, so I offer you compensation.”

Yu Jingchen's lips darkened, like red plum blossoms splashed with snow. He said, "I like this compensation."

“…I think it makes a lot of sense too.” Fu Yanle rubbed his ears. “Brother Chen, why are you afraid of the dark? If you don’t mind, I’d like to know why. If you don’t want to tell me, I’ll just consider it a little secret I’ve discovered.”

“I don’t mind. I was kidnapped when I was six and spent more than thirty hours in a dark basement. I was young then, so it would be a lie to say I wasn’t scared. Besides, that was the only time I was ever kidnapped, so the memory is quite vivid.” Yu Jingchen said calmly, “It’s been almost twenty years, and I’m no longer afraid, but the shadow still follows me.”

Fu Yanle didn't know what to say, so he could only boast in a low voice, "I've never been kidnapped."

"Luckily not." Yu Jingchen rubbed Fu Yanle's head. "Actually, for a long time after that, I had nightmares, and even suffered from insomnia and anxiety. I resisted hearing anyone pacing in front of my door because it reminded me of the kidnapper who was watching me always walking around outside the basement door."

Fu Yanle instinctively grabbed Yu Jingchen's sleeve.

Yu Jingchen paused, without withdrawing his hand, and said, "My mother was very worried about me at the time. She suggested that I see a psychologist, but I refused. I didn't want to recall that basement with anyone. Later, I grew up and many years passed. I can recall the scene like an outsider, but I don't like letting anyone pry into my heart and mind. You can think of this as my psychological safety valve, so I still haven't seen a psychologist."

"I have a small, albeit immature, idea," Fu Yanle said seriously and cautiously. "Do you think I have a chance to become a psychologist if I start studying psychology now?"

Yu Jingchen said directly, "Your idea is very cute."

"I'm very serious!" Fu Yanle said, pulling at the cufflink on his sleeve in dissatisfaction.

Yu Jingchen said, "I know, but Yanle, I don't think I need treatment. Actually, many people are born afraid of the dark. I'm just two or three degrees more afraid than the average person. It's within my control, and I can tolerate it being my weakness."

"But! But what if you encounter danger one day? If you're trapped in darkness and there's no one around to help you, you'll be scared, your fighting ability will decrease, and you'll get a good beating! You might even get your kidneys removed by bad guys and sold for money." Fu Yanle felt more and more immersed in the thought. "My idea is very wise!"

Yu Jingchen chuckled and said, "First of all, not many people know this little secret. Secondly, very few people would put me in danger. Finally, if I have no one around to help me, I will only become stronger. Just like now, perhaps it's because I know you're here with me, that you're reliable, that I amplify my fear."

“I am indeed a reliable tough guy.” Fu Yanle scratched his hair in frustration. “But where are the people who kidnapped you before? Will they come back? What deep-seated hatred do you have? Are they trying to extort the Yu family with you? You sons of bitches, a bunch of cowardly thieves, kidnapping a child, you're not even worthy of being called animals!”

Yu Jingchen restrained the agitated Fu Yanle and said, "They are all thugs, there is no hatred between them, they are just taking commissions. The people behind them are my nominal uncle and fourth uncle, so they don't even dare to go back to Nancheng now."

"So you weren't just after power, you had this other reason for dealing with them too." Fu Yanle finally understood, then couldn't help but spit out a curse and raise his fist. "You two old bastards, don't show your faces in front of me, or I'll definitely give them a good beating!"

Yu Jingchen scratched his chin and said, "Alright, I've told you the little secret. Let's continue playing."

"Ding, your Dark Cane is now online!" Fu Yanle reached out and grabbed Yu Jingchen's hand, pulling him inside. "Actually, in this situation, it's really auspicious that you can't look. This room is too sweet and disgusting. You probably don't know, but just a second ago we walked under the crotch of a doll corpse."

Yu Jingchen said, "You can look in the mirror and wash your eyes when you go out later."

"Oh my!" Fu Yanle was greatly amused. "Half of your face can save my eyes!"

Yu Jingchen smiled. "It seems my face is quite useful."

"Of course." Fu Yanle walked to the podium and carefully felt around on it.

Yu Jingchen stood behind him, stepped forward, wanting to help him search, but his foot kicked something. A lump of unidentified material, neither soft nor hard… He paused, then said, “Yan Le.”

"Huh?" Fu Yanle touched the key.

Yu Jingchen said, "There's something down there."

Fu Yanle was so frightened that he pulled him back three steps and shouted, "What the hell are you? Get your grandpa out here right now, or I'll break your ghost legs and send you to hell on your knees!"

A white figure slowly emerged from under the podium under Fu Yanle's gaze. He brushed his long hair aside, revealing a pair of large-diameter contact lenses, just like those worn by the red-clad female ghost, and gave the two of them a shy smile.

"Heh...hehe."

"..." Fu Yanle questioned, "How long have you been here?"

His conversation with Yu Jingchen just now, wasn't it all overheard?

The white-clad male ghost took out his phone from his clothes, glanced at it, calculated carefully, and said, "It's been about three hours."

Fu Yanle was immediately filled with respect, "You are truly dedicated."

"Hehe." The white-clad male ghost scratched his head sheepishly. "Actually, I stayed up all night until eight in the morning, so I couldn't hold back when I was at work just now. I just fell asleep while hiding here. Luckily, this customer kicked me just now, otherwise I would definitely have slept until the end of the workday, and I would have had my pay docked again this month."

Fu Yanle immediately praised him even more, "You are a working person with your own opinions and thoughts. I have high hopes for you."

"Thank you." The white-robed male ghost glanced at the two holding hands and smiled knowingly. "You two are a couple, right? We have small gifts for couples in our shop."

Fu Yanle, caught up in the drama, said, "No, he is my brother."

The white-clad male ghost froze for a moment, then chuckled, "That's even more exciting!"

Author's Note:

Good morning~