It's a kissing monster
The six people looked at each other, their eyes filled with barely concealed smiles.
"Who was it again?" Nie Chuiying asked.
Shi Yunshan looked at her, took off the thin blanket, and then used it to cover Nie Chuiying, saying, "Yes, it's us."
"I don't know, For 8? Who is it?" Chu Yiqi joined in the fun.
Xi Ai: "Oh, it's us."
“That’s the one, don’t you guys know?” Yu Nianxi smiled, following Chu Yiqi’s steps ahead. “It’s the one who said when the group was formed that they would include their fans in the group, and changed it from For 6 to For 8.”
Several people went up on stage one after another, holding each other's hands, and let the captain and the group's favorite stand in the middle, while Xi Ai and Chu Yiqi, Nie Chuiying and Shi Yunshan stood on the side - afterwards they called this "protecting the rare creatures in the team".
But that was later. As for now, they are celebrating the end of the year amidst applause.
But they still have many years left, until...
Forever.
On the afternoon the album recording ended, Xi Ai and Chu Yiqi returned to their apartment on Luzhou Island.
Chu Yiqi rested his head on Xi Ai's legs, sat on three cushions on the carpet, and slowly changed the clothes of the little hamster doll.
The cat brought back from the villa came up and tried to bite the hamster's ear, but Chu Yiqi grabbed it by the neck and pulled it away.
"If you brush against your mom, she'll kick you away in a panic."
Chu Yiqi's threat was half true and half false. Xi Ai smiled, her gaze still fixed on the screen, but unconsciously softened with a gentle tenderness that came with her outside of work.
"I'm not that fierce."
"You're afraid of cats."
"No!"
"All right."
I'm not really afraid of cats, I just can't get close to them.
In the last two years, she has been going to Xuan Yanyue's cat cafe bookstore quite often.
As for being afraid of cats, that was just a little trick to get closer to Chu Yiqi.
Chu Yiqi might know a little, but she didn't think it was anything important.
Some of them were even useful.
What are your plans for the Spring Festival?
“Darling, even if the whole world is on holiday, we still have things to do, okay?” Xi Ai looked up from her email, just as Chu Yiqi leaned in and kissed her lips.
Xi Ai didn't react in any particular way, but in that instant, she realized that Chu Yiqi had eaten candy, white peach flavored, and it was especially sweet.
Why do you always like to be so affectionate?
Chu Yiqi leaned against the edge of the sofa, almost in a position to encircle Xi Ai in his arms, but the kisses went from bottom to top.
"I like."
Xi Ai said nothing more, but when Chu Yiqi leaned forward again, she leaned back slightly, and her kiss missed.
Chu Yiqi raised his hand to put it on Xi Ai's shoulder in dissatisfaction, but Xi Ai grabbed his wrist and pulled him towards her.
Slightly taken aback, Chu Yiqi smiled, took the opportunity to sit on the sofa, put his arms around Xi Ai, and said, "But I want to go back to Qin City."
"You didn't give a notice?"
Chu Yiqi was prepared: "Yes, we also received an invitation from the Qin City Culture and Tourism Bureau."
Xi Ai immediately changed her tune: "See? I'm quite relaxed."
"You're busy—" Chu Yiqi's tone trailed off several times, his tone unmistakably sarcastic.
Xi Ai smiled and replied, "Oh, you don't want me to go."
"No."
Chu Yiqi had his chance. As soon as his lips touched Xi Ai's, before she could pull away, Xi Ai leaned forward and gave him a kiss that smelled of tea mixed with the scent of peach.
"I'm going to Changling Temple this afternoon to fulfill a vow. Will you come with me?" Xi Ai picked up her laptop and looked at the person who had already picked up a book.
Chu Yiqi had somehow found these glasses, which she had ordered at some unknown time. They had pink and gold frames and a decorative chain adorned with butterflies. She deliberately pushed up her glasses before answering, "Hmm, guess what?"
"You've really got it right!"
Chu Yiqi nodded, his pride evident: "Honey, I've already heard about your splendid achievements at the investment promotion conference."
“Oh, then you didn’t do it right.” Xi Ai leaned closer to Chu Yiqi, reached out and took off her glasses, put them on herself, and demonstrated, “You have to look at the other person without any emotion, then lower your tone and make your eyes a little colder.”
Chu Yiqi put his hand on Xi Ai's leg and said, "But what should we do? Why don't you cover your head?"
"?"
"If we absolutely have to include a live performance, then that's a bit of a challenge."
Xi Ai chuckled softly, but changed the subject: "Your book is folded at the corner."
"!"
Chu Yiqi hurriedly lowered his head to check, finding nothing missing. After a subtle silence, Chu Yiqi reached out and took off Xi Ai's earphones, generously giving them to himself.
Xi Ai had only worn half of it to begin with, and she watched with a leisurely air as Chu Yiqi's expression changed from smugness to embarrassment, and then to helplessness.
Are you out of your mind?!
Chu Yiqi's demo from some time ago was not only posted on Weibo, but also had audio extracted, and Xi Ai exported every single one.
My own voice came through the headphones, and it was related to the person next to me...
The headphones were also snatched from the side...
It perfectly matches the line, "Pink stars fall, it is the dawn and dusk tilted by the gods."
—From "Pink Sea".
Not content with Chu Yiqi's lack of speechlessness, Xi Ai continued, "Actually, I prefer 'Heartbeat Lies'."
"Don't say anything more." Chu Yiqi refused to speak to the source of inspiration for the piece when it had just been expanded and completed.
Unfortunately, the headphones came from Xi Ai, and they were more compatible with each other.
The next moment, the music of "Heartbeat Lies" plays.
"My heart, say, I love you."
"They saw the signs before I did."
"Learn to love you."
Xi Ai smiled, her eyes crinkling. Chu Yiqi met her gaze and gave in.
Chu Yiqi caught up with the tune, synchronized with the audio, and also matched Xi Ai's lip movements.
"Overcome the instinct to escape."
But my nerves are screaming to escape.
Having started with that sentence, Chu Yiqi was quite frank and open, and he lowered Xi Ai's eyes a little.
"Please wait a moment."
"Waiting for you to love me."
"Until the heart stops."
Xi Ai asked her, "Have you waited yet?"
"When you say it, I'll tell you I've seen you." Chu Yiqi smiled brightly, like the warmth of spring.
Chu Yiqi's embarrassment came and went quickly, but he was vengeful and determined to settle scores.
Seeking revenge is more like whining.
"You know what? These fluffy pajamas with cat ears will look out of place on you."
"..."
Xi Ai sneered and said, "Honey, you're so childish."
"So give me back my pajamas."
"Then give me back my fox."
Chu Yiqi laughed, leaned back against the coffee table, and said unreasonably, "The fox is mine too."
"That's fine then." Xi Ai suddenly paused. "Do you remember we still have one more question? So please tell me now, Teacher Chu, are you willing to stay with me?"
"When the emperor heard this, he said, 'Approved.'"
After they had each been busy for a while, Chu Yiqi inexplicably straddled Xi Ai's lap.
Xi Ai also finished her work and browsed Weibo for a while.
Chu Yiqi was playing a match-3 game when Xi Ai suddenly pinched her cheek.
Just as Chu Yiqi was about to complain, she heard Xi Ai jokingly ask her, "Didn't we really see each other a couple of years ago?"
Chu Yiqi glanced at the screen and said, "I've seen you before, I see you."
Xi Ai was somewhat surprised: "Really?"
"Look at my photos after each event."
Xi Ai clicked into a category in the photo album, flipping through it as she asked, "What's wrong?"
"Look," Chu Yiqi said with a hint of a smile, leaning on Xi Ai's shoulder and playing with her hair.
Teacher Xi recently dyed her hair a gradient blue.
Every time Chu Yiqi saw Xi Ai dye her hair blue, she would think of a pair of gloves she had knitted. She bought gradient blue hand-knitting yarn and started crocheting from both ends. However, because she didn't calculate the length correctly, she couldn't use any of the gradient areas in the end. As a result, Xi Ai ended up with a pair of gloves that were one dark and one light.
Chu Yiqi smiled and heard Xi Ai say, "Am I supposed to sit here for this show?"
That was where a beam of light had fallen. Chu Yiqi glanced at it and said, "Guess."
That's the default.
Every time Chu Yiqi takes a photo after an event, a beam of light falls on the direction of Xi Ai's seat, followed by some shimmering butterflies, slightly dimmer, all flying towards the light. As for the lower right corner, there is always a watermark, which Xi Ai drew for Chu Yiqi a long time ago, depicting small butterflies.
Changling Temple has always been a popular place of worship, so Xi Ai and Chu Yiqi could only go there at dusk.
The purple smoke spread, filling the air with a serene and fragrant Buddhist incense.
The smoke obscured Chu Yiqi's vision as he suddenly asked Xi Ai, "Have you heard that rumor?"
Which one are you referring to?
Chu Yiqi kept them in suspense: "Tell me what you know."
Xi Ai thought for a moment and said, "It is said that in the pool of eternal lamps in the main hall, there are two lamps that enshrine two close friends, Qin Shuyan and Luo Xianshuang."
Chu Yiqi smiled, blinked, but maintained a calm tone, as if this could conceal the fact that they were discussing historical anecdotes in a temple: "In our Qin City, there's a particular legend. Would you like to hear it?"
Xi Ai chuckled, bowed respectfully, then adjusted her trench coat, deliberately saying, "This is a pure Buddhist place; it's not appropriate to talk about these things."
"Amitabha." Chu Yiqi bowed three times guiltily, muttering, "For the sake of Xi Ai donating half of her acting income and commercial income to medical aid abroad every year, don't hold it against her."
Why don't you ask for help from your own?
“Someone prayed for me, and the Buddha said that one should not be too greedy.”
"In that case, guess what vow I've come to fulfill?"
The Buddha said, "It cannot be spoken."
Whether it's said or not, it doesn't make much difference; it's all for Chu Yiqi's sake, and for the wishes of everyone except Xi Ai herself.
Whether he answers or not doesn't matter. Chu Yiqi has been visiting the church and even attending prayers from time to time over the past two years. It's not really a religious belief; it's just a way to find peace of mind.
Speaking of which...
"Xi Ai." After leaving the temple, the two walked along a less crowded mountain path. Through his sleeve, Chu Yiqi took Xi Ai's wrist.
Xi Ai turned and grasped that slightly cool hand, responding casually, "What's wrong?"
Do you know?
Xi Ai sighed: "You know, a song can't be broken into half a sentence, and a sentence can't be split into half a sentence either."
Chu Yiqi smiled, leaning against Xi Ai, and said, "I once saw a couple when I was feeding the white pigeons at the church. It looked like a farewell kiss, and it was very beautiful."
Church, dusk, light and shadow, long dress, suit, flock of pigeons.
Is it a goodbye kiss, or a wedding?
Xi Ai thought for a moment and said, "You said the day you left was a snowy night with exceptionally beautiful winter cherry blossoms. I thought it was a date, but who knew..."
"Please, don't say it anymore." Chu Yiqi covered Xi Ai's mouth.
Actually, there wasn't anything particularly sad or touching. It's as if at this point, even these memories could be veiled in a gentle mist.
Xi Ai made a condition: "If you kiss me."
Are you a kissing monster?
"The pot calling the kettle black."
The kiss was brief, lasting only briefly, leaving the scent of sandalwood lingering on their temples.
As the neon lights illuminate the night, it becomes another day.
The crab roe noodles were placed in front of Chu Yiqi, from where he could see the city center at night.
Chu Yiqi finally finished telling the anecdote he hadn't finished: "In our Qin City, people generally say that the two were lovers who met when they were young. Later, one's family was persecuted, the other's family was full of loyal martyrs, one went into hiding and became a female official, and the other became the nominal empress."
"Then, after the palace coup, Gu Xiwen and others rebelled, so Qin Shuyan secretly went to the western border to lead troops?"
"Hmm, it is said that Qin Luo and the other person have very similar styles. In the end, after they succeeded, the two of them chose to retire and travel."
"Teacher Chu."
"What's wrong?"
Xi Ai hinted, "I want to write a suite, but I'm missing a co-arranger."
"Let me hear the name and think about it."
"It's purely instrumental music, maybe we can just call it a series like 'High Walls,' 'Spring Mountains,' and 'Temple.'"
After a moment of silence, Chu Yiqi smiled: "So efficient?"
"Didn't your demo also expand on the whole song? Aren't you planning to release it?"
"Yes, it's going to be released, but it's not finished yet. I plan to release it as an album."
"A love diary?" Xi Ai laughed, took a bite of the steamed pork ribs, and asked her, "Have you thought of a name yet?"
“It’s called… ‘Treading on the Moon’.”
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