Although the plan was set into motion, Ru Yijing was a little unconfident.
Objectively speaking, happiness could not be defined in one absolute way. The concept of happiness differed for each set of person - for one, they might only achieve happiness if they could plunder and force themself towards the top of the world, but for some, happiness could be in the form of minuscule gestures. For someone like An Shirong, who had lived through a millennium years, it was even more elusive.
From the viewpoint of someone who read the novel, you could only infer An Shirong's source of happiness in one way.. and it was the protagonist shou. So, was his most ideal way of completing the mission to act as a love bridge between An Shirong and the protagonist shou?
Ru Yijing ruminated thoughtfully. His train of thoughts were intercepted by the mechanical voice within his head.
[ By the way, host, the person who knocked at your door previously is the protagonist shou. ]
Upon discovering this piece of news, Ru Yijing was very surprised.
'Do you mean that this original body and the protagonist shou were close enough like that?' Ru Yijing inquired curiously, but the system debunked him with the utmost cruel rationality.
[ I don't know. ] So simple, just raising a white flag in the face of a question. Ru Yijing could not help but think that the system attached to him was more so employed as a voice of reason, or a babysitter, then an assistant with a golden finger that would provide him with utility. Alas, his situation varied a lot from the usual protagonists that were unlucky to find themselves transmigrated into strange settings.
Other protagonists might find themselves occupying the body of the natural foe of the protagonist, chopped up and filtered into human mincemeat, or undergoing troublesome ordeals that challenged one's morality, limits and determination. In comparison with the woes they faced, Ru Yijing judged his situation with coolness and surmised... his was very peaceful! Just like taking the weekend off your job to go on a trip to Hawaii. He just had to act as an aid in a character's love life. What was so difficult about that?
Soothing himself with these meaningless excuses, Ru Yijing found himself easing more and more into feigned calmness.
No matter what, his mission seemed comparatively heaps and miles easier.
Self-assured, Ru Yijing began to move. Initially, it was not easy to move his limbs that felt as though they had been turned immobile, but with enough strain, he was able to slowly force the tendons and muscles into motion, just enough for him to sit up on the bed. Even doing so, his entire body felt like it was sitting atop a thousand needles that pricked him all over. Ru Yijing was panting by the end of this strenuous exercise, and originally being quite an athletic person, he was unused to this lethargy that attacked him through every opening of his veins and arterioles that begged him to lay rest and act like a mindless rock.
'This is very exhausting, system. What happened to the body for it to react so strangely?'
Every movement and minuscule shift was excruciating, as though a mantis had sank its claws into him, lodged deeply within the skin.
[ It seemed like the original body suffered a qi deviation, and ended up falling victim to his heart demons, and willingly forfeited his soul. ]
'I wonder.. what kind of scenery was the original owner greeted with, to be so infatuated and taken, that he could give up his entire being to indulge in it for a little longer?' Ru Yijing pondered out loud. Surely, the sight must've been irresistible.
In the end, Ru Yijing didn't spare much concerns. After all, the original's body past tribulations and consequences weren't affiliated with him.
Mustering enough strength to hold himself upright, Ru Yijing was now able to stand on both feet. With an agonizing, begrudging pace, he was able to prepare a humble basin of water to prepare himself. He lowered his face and stared deeply into the tranquil surface. Reflected on the mirage was a clean and neat face. A pair of almond eyes that were astute and clear, holding no kinds of malicious thoughts. The monolids served to make the affable appearance look a little sharper, more strict, but the way the corners of the eyes took a slight downturn made him appear helplessly lenient.
Looking at this unfamiliar face, Ru Yijing only came up with one thought: An Average Chinese citizen.
There was nothing gaudy about his appearance. He just looked ordinary and harmless - just like your average joe. But, being a celestial person himself, he was a little more good-looking than the normal person, but that was it. No earth-shattering beauty that could hook and entangle souls. He looked like the textbook example of what immortal cultivators would usually be described in novels.
Long, wispy, inky locks that separated into two paths of black streams, flowing down his face, down to his torso. His eyebrows were dark and bushy with an air of heroism and goodwill. When neutral-faced, the person shown had a set of colourless lips that made the face wilt, evoking a sense of coldness. Even when the corners curved up a little, the overall vibe was clearly expressed — this person was concerned with the matters of humane trifles, but was still detached.
Expressionlessly, Ru Yijing bowed his head and dunked his face into the bowl of ice-cold water.
After pampering himself early in the morning, Ru Yijing was ready to venture out into the unknown world crafted for him.
He put on a pair of exquisite apparels, all fabric that seemed to carry a faint luster of affluence. It was perfectly sewn for the original body, seemingly resting upon his skin like a a second membrane layer. The sleeves of the robes were long enough to encompass and conceal his hands, but just wide enough for it to roll down his wrist, revealing the patch of pale skin. It was quite easy to move in; efficient and appealing, though its one and only drawback was that.. it really was too white.
It was unanimous that the righteous cultivators were obsessed with the colour white. White represented pious faith, altruism, a complete devotion to cleansing all malevolence in the world — which made it a perfect counterattack to the darkness that existed simultaneously. After all, Yin could not survive without Yang. If there was goodness, there should also be wickedness to balance the two.
Ru Yijing was not very interested in the in-depth lore of the cultivation world, since his own mission did not consist too much usage of his skills, except for one that relied in coddling. He exited the door, finding out that his was amongst many others. Laid out in his vision were appearances of wooden doors separated from each other at a comfortable distance. In one singular hallway, there must've been at least twenty doors.
Just as he came out of the door, a pair of classmates walked by, and they happened to make direct eye-contact. Ru Yijing had not yet opened his mouth when they cautiously passed him. Although they seemed graceful like swans flippantly rowing around a lake, their hurried pace betrayed their real thoughts. Ru Yijing immediately sensed that he was being avoided.
This theory of his was compounded upon when he stepped out beyond the residence, and onto a cobblestone path, bypassing numerous picturesque scenes of great willow trees, and decorated ponds. However, wherever he traveled, as if sharing one braincell, the others tactfully cleared out a path for him.
Ru Yijing: ....
Did the original body murder someone from the same sect? Why was he being so heavily avoided like he just got released from prison?
Ru Yijing would come to know that there was indeed a reason for this defensive behaviour.
Just as soon as he arrived at the doorsteps of a holy building, somewhat resembling a Chapel in its monotonous decorations—none to be exact, on the outer at least. There was no sign, no vibrancy, just a pair of grandiose double doors measuring above ten feet that were peeled open for the crowded exchange of students that either exited or entered the premise. Ru Yijing relied on the original body's past memories, and judged correctly that this must be the headquarters.
The protagonist shou that previously knocked upon his door graciously announced that it was breakfast. So, all these righteous disciples gathered in this one large hall to share a hearty feast together. But, upon catching sight of Ru Yijing's billowing sleeves, their faces turned ashen and they took a direct U-turn in the opposite direction.
Ru Yijing had been hated before, but not so blatantly to this extent that he was at a loss for what he should do next.
A gloomy cloud loomed over Ru Yijing's head. His future seemed too bleak...
Just then, he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. Turning around, Ru Yijing was.... Flashed. Yes. Before he even had time to react, he was slapped and spat in the face. In two blinding words in bold, with a vivacious light that could rival that of the Sun, pasted: Protagonist Shou.
Wow, you really wouldn't be able to tell. Ru Yijing had to cover his eyes with his right hand before the piercing light faded, dying down into monotony. Now, it was only two black words in bold. Ru Yijing had to blink several times to adjust his eyesight back to the normal frequency of rays. All of this outlandish action fell into the eyes of the protagonist shou.
The protagonist was speechless at what this senior brother of his was doing, but as expected of the protagonist, was able to recollect his wits in a matter of seconds. With an added kindness that was more akin to sparing bread crumbs to starving pigeons, the young boy took a few steps back to let Ru Yijing breathe.
"Senior brother, are you still feeling unwell?" The voice that asked him was youthful and crisp, surely, it was really that voice that greeted him through the door.
Ru Yijing did not know what to say, but reacted accordingly, perfunctorily replying. "I'm fine." Short, and straight to the point, leaving no face for the other person locked in the conversation.
The protagonist shou was a little bit awkward, unknowing how to face this distant and unfamiliar senior of his, and only smiled as he felt. Incredibly awkward. Their conversation immediately grew stagnant, like still water. Either party were inexperienced, and naturally fell into silence.
'What is the protagonist shou's name again?' Ru Yijing questioned. The bias of a fanboy was really evident - he only knew of An Shirong's name, and no others'.
[ Xun Yongdi. ]
It was a very good name, befitting of the protagonist status. Xun meaning crimson; Fu meaning brave; di meaning flute. Crimson, brave, flute. One's name was already evidence enough that the protagonist was bound to walk down a flowery, uninhibited, glorious path.
'What is the timeline right now, exactly?'
The mechanical voice was very thorough in its explanation. [ Currently, we are in the midst of the beginning point of the story, where An Shirong has not completely fallen in love with Xun Yongdi, but the flag has already been raised. An Shirong was piqued by the protagonist, whom, regardless of his senior brother suffering from qi deviation, continued to treat him respectfully. ]
'And I'm that senior brother who is suffering from qi deviation...'
Ru Yijing did recall a hazy memory of this scene. It was when Xun Yongdi approached his qi deviated senior brother, and even ate breakfast together with him. Unfortunately, that senior brother had not completely recovered from the trauma. Because of the suffering he underwent, his pure and chaste heart was corrupted, causing him to turn blackened with evil intent. It was then that when everyone sought to destroy the possessed senior brother with explosive means, Xun Yongdi stepped up, and tearfully sent the senior brother into the afterlife pleasantly. A swift and painless death was probably the most lenient punishment for a ghost.
That should probably be now. Don't tell me.. fuck, he was that senior brother who got killed by the protagonist shou!? The senior brother who didn't even get a word in, or a name across, who acted as a foil to pique An Shirong's interest in the protagonist shou?
All of a sudden, Ru Yijing felt quite bitter towards the smiling-faced youth in front of him. After all, no one would want to treat their killer with decency, even if it was out of benevolence from deep within their heart.
Ru Yijing seriously examined the youth before him.
The protagonist shou was unlike what he expected from reading the passages. Of course, the actual thing couldn't be compared to the fictional, but Xun Yongdi was a lot standard than the image Ru Yijing envisioned inside of his head.
He was shorter than Ru Yijing by a head, probably because he was still a young child in the crucial development phase. He had a face that was more cutesy and endearing, rather than someone charming that you couldn't tear your eyes away from him. The apples of his cheeks were plump and rosy, like a pair of apricots that enticed you to pinch them. The philtrum above the upper lip was pronounced with a deep shape, drawing closer attention to the curve of the Cupid's bow, giving the boy a natural pouty and spoiled look. But, at odds with his appearance that suggested a young master, Xun Yongdi was not arrogant, but diligent and polite.
Even after Ru Yijing's attitude was noticeably reserved towards him, the boy's charming face maintained a radiant smile. Looking at him, you could tell the kind of heartthrob that he would become in the future.
"How old are you?" Ru Yijing suddenly questioned.
"Fifteen, senior." Xun Yongdi replied without a pause, then tilted his head, a well-mannered smile still plastered on his face, but with a touch of hidden curiosity. He was not really close to this senior, nor did the senior ever approach him in the past, so it was clear the senior did not hold much interest in him.
'Really.. fifteen! An Shirong, what kind of beast are you to be laying your eyes on a fifteen-year-old! You might as well be robbing the cradle!' Ru Yijing scolded his favourite character furiously inside of his head.
Fifteen was a little bit too young for Ru Yijing to fathom. But, the author seemed to retain some of their moral high ground, and the true capture romance only began once Xun Yongdi matured past eighteen, but oh god, to plant a romance flag this early on into An Shirong just made him seem nothing short of a predator!
Ru Yijing flipped through many tempers all at once. At first, he was cold, then more cold, now he was sweating all over the place listlessly like a dog who was trying to find a comfortable place to shit in. Even until now, the manner Xun Yongdi treated him was very courteous. Regardless of Ru Yijing acting like a bipolar disorder patient, Xun Yongdi, that young brat, had patience like Buddha! Truly, the protagonist was a spineless doormat. No wonder he was easily tossed back and forth between the gongs, going from the hands of a righteous master that was in love with him, to a demonic cultivator heir infatuated with him.
The fifteen year old boy that smiled innocently in front of him wouldn't be aware of the disastrous future he walked, wherein he never returned to the overflowing affections directed towards him with reciprocal. You would have never inferred such an amicable fellow like him would have a heart as immovable as a stone.
"So.. Xun Yongdi-shidi, I understand that I underwent qi deviation.. but why is it that I sense that everyone is currently avoiding me right now?"
Perhaps, it was because his inquiry came off as pitiful, Xun Yongdi's kind gaze took on a sadder undertone.
The good kid responded in a deferential tone. "Well, after retrieving senior's body from seclusion, when it was found that senior actually fell into qi deviation.. Senior began to.. began to..." Xun Yongdi could not continue his sentence. He lowered his face towards the ground with a hint of bashfulness, and the tips of his ears were dyed a faint red. This only instilled a feeling of despair into Ru Yijing.
Ru Yijing forced a cordial smile onto his face, but the words were practically forced past his gnashed teeth. "Tell me, junior brother, what wrongdoings have this senior committed?"
Xun Yongdi looked a little troubled, but after a few minutes of coaxing, he finally relented, and said with a sigh. "Senior brother fell into qi deviation and was possessed by an old homosexual ghost, which made senior brother target your junior brothers and tear off their clothes in a frenzy. Eventually, the master tried to stop you, but then you said 'I also like old men with beards!' and tore off his clothes. Well..."
Even without Xun Yongdi continuing, you could fill in the gaps and assume what took place.
No wonder those who mostly avoided him seemed to be the younger junior brothers.... but, even the aged masters that met him along the way looked at him with a slightly fearful gaze.
Ru Yijing couldn't scold himself, but slandered the original body to death. Good, good! So, the soul left the body, and in his place, left Ru Yijing a humiliation feast! Wherever that soul flitted off to, Ru Yijing only hoped the worst.
Ru Yijing turned his complicated gaze towards the protagonist and wondered why he wouldn't be scared out of his wits. The original body just recovered from his qi deviation, and it was uncertain whether he'd fall into it again and become possessed by that homosexual ghost once more, and proceed onto a clothes-tearing rampage. He couldn't help but open his mouth and ask a question.
"Are you not scared I might go into a frenzy and start tearing off your clothes as well?"
"It can't be. I heard senior brother is impotent!" Xun Yongdi expressed with great surprise.
Hearing the word spoken with so much passion, Ru Yijing staggered backwards. Just exactly what kind of colourful life did this 'senior brother' live!?
'...I'm not so shameless as to touch minors!'
Ru Yijing coughed and tilted his head to the side, finding that standing side-by-side with the protagonist with an unfiltered, unabashed mouth to be quite embarrassing. As though Xun Yongdi released a nasty fart, Ru Yijing quickly turned around.
"Then, I'll see junior brother at brunch." He left a mutter and hurriedly escorted himself into the grand entrance.