Along the way
Xu Youling sensed that Pei Zhi was leaving almost the moment he left the store.
The guide's spiritual tentacles are like an overly delicate and sensitive net, detecting the movements of every node captured along the way with crystal clarity, especially when that node is the first person you love, or the sentinel after your first intimacy.
Therefore, when Pei Zhi left, Xu Youling was the first to know. Even though he still had his eyes closed at the time, there was still a wet mark of Pei Zhi's kiss on his forehead. The fact that he was separated from his sentinel almost immediately invaded his mind as a thought, making him shudder.
However, at the same time, what remained in Xu Youling's mind was the message of comfort and consolation that Pei Zhi had deliberately placed there.
Pei Zhi's kiss and hug before leaving were not unintentional, but a sentinel's natural protection for his guide. He used this to impose mental suggestion on Xu Youling's mind, making him like a cookie soaked in milk, soft and fluffy, with every pore filled with sweet fragrance, so he didn't want to wake up.
So she just kept sleeping, peacefully waiting for Pei Zhi to finish what he wanted to do and then return to Xu Youling. Just like Xu Youling did before, quietly.
But Xu Youling felt it.
The confusion and attachment to the sentry's departure, and the spiritual cues left by Pei Zhi, intertwined and pulled each other, neither giving in, vying to take away Xu Youling's entire will. Xu Youling had a very difficult time sleeping, and her body seemed to be heating up, forced to indulge in two completely different emotions.
Stay, stay, stay.
Catch up, catch up, catch up.
There is no answer that leads to a path of undoubted happiness. Pei Zhi would probably want him to stay so that he can deal with the excessive concealment, while Xu Youling himself would probably prefer to catch up, because -
They will always be together.
Whether they stay in this world or meander towards somewhere else, they will always be together.
But Xu Youling couldn't wake up.
The sentinel's mental power gently yet violently suppressed his mind, forcing him to remain. Xu Youling wanted to open his eyes, but he couldn't. He could only watch in horror as the node representing Pei Zhi grew further and further away.
He walked out of the glass door, he walked onto the street like a boat steadily crossing the water, he looked straight ahead and concentrated his attention, his spirit followed him on his way, he comforted his guide and let him sleep safely in the bed where they once embraced each other.
Xu Youling felt as if his own soul was floating nearby, watching Pei Zhi lose all his smile and gentleness, transforming once more into a conifer covered in snow. He wanted to speak but couldn't, realizing then that the bond between sentinel and guide was actually a benevolent curse that could never be severed.
Until a small group of sharp teeth grabbed his hanging wrist and bit it lightly twice.
Seeing that there was no possibility of Xu Youling waking up, he turned from light biting and licking to full-force penetration.
“!”
Xu Youling sat up abruptly, his eyes still filled with the vibrant colors. He lifted his wrist in disbelief, seeing two deep red teeth marks. Then, looking up a little, he saw the ginger cat whirling anxiously around.
"Meow!" The orange cat pounced onto Xu Youling's bed and nearly tripped over its own belly. Xu Youling grabbed it by the waist and before the orange cat could even cry out, it was lifted into the air, struggling with all four legs paddling like water.
"How far has he walked? He hasn't walked very far!" Xu Youling buttoned his short-sleeved shirt casually and whispered to the orange cat he was holding in one hand, seeking approval.
"Meow meow meow meow!" How should I know!
"Aren't you a spiritual being? Your senses are much more sensitive than mine." Xu Youling knew that no one could match the tsundereness of this cat.
But now is not the time to coax it. Xu Youling hurriedly tied his shoelaces, picked up the bag (and cat) beside his pillow, and rushed down the stairs.
When we arrived at the station, ticket checking was almost over.
There is a section of the train to the border that has always been reserved for the expeditionary force and soldiers from other units. It is always filled with various types of military uniforms and unbridled, arm-in-arm banter.
Xu Youling didn't have time to buy a ticket at all. He rushed to the platform regardless of anything, holding the chubby orange cat that was shaking all over. There was a panic scream behind him. He looked at the beautiful guide who came out of nowhere in surprise. The buttons of her shirt were out of place and her hair was messy.
In reality, his eyes were red because he had just woken up, but to others, it looked like he was crying or had just cried, looking very sad and pitiful. Not to mention that he was running and shouting, "Pei Zhi! Pei Zhi!"
Holding her naughty little son in her arms, she called out to her husband who had apparently abandoned her and her child, looking like a truly lovable abandoned woman.
Due to various factors, when Pei Zhi looked at Xu Youling through the glass window, the surprise on his face was completely difficult to conceal.
"Pei Zhi!" Xu Youling called out happily when he saw him.
Pei Zhi was very sure that Xu Youling was really happy to see him, but because his current image was too deeply rooted in people's minds, the moment Xu Youling shouted, all the eyes in the car immediately stared at Pei Zhi with condemnation.
“…”
Pei Zhi leaned over the car window, patted the glass quickly, and yelled at Xu Youling, "Go back."
Xu Youling, the guide, acted as if she hadn't heard anything. She looked around for the way to get on the train, expertly holding the butt of the orange cat, who had a sour face when he saw the German Shepherd sticking out its tongue and breathing. The train was about to depart. The attendants were whispering at the junction of the carriages, and the whistle blew.
Xu Youling spread his legs and strode towards the nearest carriage door!
"What are you doing!" Pei Zhi jumped up.
The train had already begun to move slowly, sparks flying from the axle to the track. No, Xu Youling might fall, his unbuttoned shirt might get caught in the axle, the weight of the orange cat in his arms might make him very tired, his... no, no.
Pei Zhi was running in the middle of the aisle towards the carriage door. Other soldiers were standing and chatting, and when they saw him, they also dodged in panic, just like when Xu Youling was running, there were passengers on other trains dodging his reckless behavior.
The attendant was about to close the door and the whistle was almost over. Pei Zhi saw the orange cat struggle hard for a few times and jump out of Xu Youling's arms. It fell to the ground, spread its four short legs, and did a few pull-ups to get on the bus. This bad cat... Xu Youling staggered and Pei Zhi's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't help but call his name, and then he realized why his voice sounded so fierce.
"Xu Youling!"
The train was already moving, and the orange cat struggled to climb into the carriage, meowing loudly. Pei Zhi happened to rush to the carriage door at this time, and Xu Youling also... The train was moving in the opposite direction of his running. He got very close, patting the window again and again, chasing the carriage door that was getting closer and closer.
Then, before the train fully accelerated, Pei Zhi, with half of his body sticking out of the door, grabbed him by the waist and pulled him into the carriage!
“!”
Xu Youling gasped, feeling his ankle nearly snapped by the wrong-way train. Pei Zhi practically lifted him up into the air, his head higher than him, his toes barely touching the tops of his shoes. The man before him had a sullen expression, his large hands gripping his waist tightly, making it almost difficult for him to breathe. But the ecstasy of catching up overwhelmed everything, and Xu Youling happily called out, "Pei Zhi!"
However, what came first was not Pei Zhi sharing this ecstasy with him, but overwhelming scolding.
"Xu Youling, what are you doing? Do you know how dangerous this is? What if you fall? What if you get caught in the tracks? Didn't I tell you to wait for me, wait for me? Why did you follow me? Do you know how difficult life is at the border? Can you please let me rest assured?"
Pei Zhi spoke harshly, knocking Xu Youling dizzy and losing his balance. For some reason, everyone in the car looked vaguely toward the door, but Xu Youling didn't care for the moment. He hugged Pei Zhi's neck in a flattering manner, his voice still breathless and soft, coquettish, "I'm fine, don't be angry, okay, Pei Zhi..."
He wanted him to let him go, but Pei Zhi refused to let him go. He turned around and glared at the soldiers in the carriage with a warning look, then turned his back to them and said in Xu Youling's ear with gritted teeth: "Nonsense!"
Having said that, he still put the man down steadily on the ground, and supported his waist in time to prevent his legs from giving out and falling. His military boots and sneakers were very close to the ground nearby.
Only a little bit of Xu Youling's hair was exposed on Pei Zhi's shoulder, trembling slightly with the movement of the carriage, because he had pressed Xu Youling's face against his chest, like a dragon guarding jewels.
Xu Youling finally realized that he was guilty: "Pei Zhi..."
"Don't talk. Let me hold you for a while." Pei Zhi said angrily, "I'm worried to death, do you know that?"
Xu Youling then stopped talking and quietly let him hold her. Only when she calmed down did she realize her heart was beating so fast. She didn't know if it was because she had just run so fast, or just because she had seen Pei Zhi.
Just like Pei Zhi's heartbeat at this moment, heavy and steady.
Pei Zhi had hugged him enough, and picked him up without any hesitation like a kitten. Xu Youling was a little scared and screamed, but was glared at by Pei Zhi again.
"Behave yourself." Pei Zhi patted him on the butt.
Xu Youling's face suddenly turned red, and she stammered quietly without saying a word.
Pei Zhi turned around and glared at the orange cat again, so the German Shepherd took the initiative to pick up the orange cat by the scruff of the neck and took the cat to the punishment station at the junction of the carriages.
"As bad as you." Pei Zhi said viciously.
The other soldiers watching the excitement in the carriage immediately looked away, pretending nothing had happened. Pei Zhi, with a sullen face, carried Xu Youling back to his seat, put him down, sat down first, and then patted his thigh.
Xu Youling: "I suddenly want to stand for a while."
"Sit down." Pei Zhi stared at him intently, his face sullen. "If you're capable, chase the car with that pig in your arms. If you're not, sit on your husband's lap."
Xu Youling's blush spread to her neck and ears. She looked around for help, then sat down slowly with a sad face: "Pei Zhi, could you please not say such things..."
"Did I say something wrong?" Pei Zhi thought Xu Youling was moving too slowly, so he grabbed his waist without any hesitation, pressed him on his legs, crossed his hands over his lower abdomen, and even lifted him up to make him sit steadily. Xu Youling's face turned even redder.
"I know I was wrong..." Xu Youling tried hard to turn his head, and acted pitifully, "Pei Zhi, Pei Zhi..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
