A corridor with soft red carpet and bright lamps with a warm orange color. The interior of this residence tilts on the lavish side. With expensive painting, vases, and statuettes. Every furnishings presented screams loudly of profligate wealth.
And within this villa hallway, heavy footsteps resound across the hall as a figure crosses through. With barely a glance towards the glittering scenery laid out before him, the man pushed open the door with force. "Didn't I tell you not to call me unless necessary?"
The sound of an angry Fu Xi boomed throughout the empty room. Standing at the entrance with his back to the light, his gaze swept over every corner of the chamber. Unable to find the person he was looking for, his breathing soon smooth to a normal rhythm.
Entering with leisure steps Fu Xi went directly to the resting fireplace. Plucking the box of matches from the stand, a fire soon awoke with a swipe of his fingers. Before long, the warmth of its blaze gradually encased the room in comfort.
Standing in front of the fire with a meaningful expression, his hand unconsciously rubs the area around his arm. The strength of his fingers increased with every passing second as darkened pupils narrowed in pain. Paling digits sunk further into his clothing almost with the desire to tear them off the next juncture.
Just as his state of mind dips deeper into oblivion, a voice brimming with mirth broke his concentration. "I really like that expression of yours."
Instantly, every lighting within the enclosure illuminated brightly following the sound of snapping fingers.
Turning away from the burning fireplace, Fu Xi gaze directly into a pair of purple pupils glowing with mysterious attraction. A man with broad shoulders leaned against the french window with his head tilted slightly to the left. Mischievous purple irises locked onto him with a charming glint, adding to his devilish aura. Perceiving the irritation emitting from the person in front of him, the man traverses across the chamber. Reaching the target of his focus within a few long strides.
Looking down on the uncomfortable Fu Xi with a light smile, the man lowered his body to him.
"What are you doing?" Vigilance caused the young daoist to take a step back, bumping onto the wall behind.
Slender fingers reached for the golden rimmed glasses, calloused skin rubbed upon soft cheeks as they slid them away.
Losing his clear vision in a matter of seconds, Fu Xi's panicking voice shouted out with anger, "Give them back!"
Aimless hand grasp out towards empty air when another hand clasped around his own. Cold fingers entwined against his very own as it sent a chill traveling from their fingertips up to his heart. Causing him to shiver uncontrollably.
Feeling the resistance from under him, the man chuckled in a low tone. Body pushing down even further until fully encasing Fu Xi inside his embrace. He gently removed a strand of long hair plastered on his little daoist's face while starting a simple conversation. "What wind blew you here tonight?"
Hearing this shameless question directed at him, Fu Xi eyes blaze with anger as they look up at the fiend before him. "Duanxian Yu! You're the one who told me to come!"
"Oh? Did I?" Apparent playfulness displays itself on Duanxian Yu's face as his smiling eyes inspect the prey under him. Upturned chestnut colored eyes flaring with displeasure as thin lips pressed into a fine line. Long strands of dark brown hair clung onto the side of his flushed cheeks and long eyelashes. Provoking his thoughts to associate him with a vexed cat, so cute and endearing.
Duanxian Yu's eyelashes fluttered like the wings of a butterfly as his sight lowered to Fu Xi's pinched lips. His remaining free arm wraps around the lithe waist resting on the wall, pulling it towards his direction. The mole under the corner of his right eye dyed a reddish hue due to the fire burning on the side. Purple pupils whirl with a hazy mist as he drew closer, warm breath caressing Fu Xi's skin as crimson lips landed on a rosey neck. "I do seem to recall something similar to what you said. Perhaps I'll remember more if you stay here a little longer..."
___________
"Say Luochen, I think the method we used just now isn't correct and I deeply regret the decision to use it."
Xie Luochen's expression stiffened for a second before returning to normal. Acting oblivious to Lei Lin's words, he asked in nonchalance. "What makes you say that?"
What makes me say…..
Lei Lin's sight moved from the off-white wall down to his knees. Under them is a well polished piece of wood with grooves created in the middle. Legends said that this miraculous item has many unaccountable uses. People who have witnessed its full glory cannot help but sigh with tears in their eyes.
He had always been curious about the rumors surrounding this must have for numerous households. And today he finally has the opportunity to experience it himself. After tonight, he can go about proudly crossing out one of the many points in his bucket list. Kneeling on a washing board.
Tears forming on the corner of his eyes, he answered, "from the pain in my knees."
"........" Although he can understand his pain to a certain point. Xie Luochen's mind can only focus on himself currently as he adjusts the strength around his arms. Carefully positioning the tilting winter melon, he released a breath of relief when he prevented it from tumbling.
Unlike Lei Lin, although he still has to kneel, the pressure is not focused on his knees. But rather, on his pitiful arms. Raising a 10 pound winter melon over his head, droplets of sweat began to form on his back. Afraid of dropping this hefty burden, shaky arms struggle to uphold its weight.
He also regrets it very much.
"Do you think big sis will let me off if I told her everything is your idea?" Receiving a penetrating glare from Xie Luochen, Lei Lin could only shrug. "Fine, fine, I won't say anything."
Turning his attention away from Xie Luochen, fingers brush over the darkened screen of his phone. Sulking under his breath, neatly trimmed nails tap impatiently over the screen "he didn't pick up my calls."