( purple = my thoughts )
chapter 3. I dive straight in. We meet Ah Nian and XC. YSQ tell us and WXL that they are gods. There is a huge contrast in behaviour between the 2n new characters.
Ah Nian : many scene show her in a very disgusting light . here are some :
- when I accidentally bumped into a lady. I apologized to her and offered to pay for the damage but the lady’s maid yelled that I couldn’t afford it. My dad got nervous and a few words were exchanged and then fists went flying. Ma Zi tried to protect my dad and got beaten.”
- The girl was like toying with a monkey the way she danced around Lao Mu, with a veiled girl standing on the stone steps next to her. The girl was laughing as she watched and would call out an order “Hai Tang, I want to see him fall on his butt.” and the girl indeed caused Lao Mu to fall on his rear end. The young girl giggled and clapped “Hopping, I want to see him hopping like a toad!”
- The young girl looked at Xiao Liu “My rule is whomever offended me must die! Xuan gege won’t let me hurt anyone so I won’t hurt anyone, but I’ll make him perform tricks.”
- Ah Nian glared at Xiao Liu “Want my servant girl to bow in apology to your elder brother, are you sick of living?”
- Nian whined “Xuan gege, you see! They came looking for trouble. I didn’t hurt them and was just toying a bit but they responded by trying to kill us.
- Ah Nian mocked Xiao Liu “You’re this useless and you dared to oppose us?”
- Ah Nian wanted to strike but Xuan stopped her “Since the poison has been cured, let’s just go home.”
- Ah Nian looked back and silently mouthed the insult “Lowlife loser!”
She is a piece of shit let's be honest She is rude, hasn't no respect for people older than her. She has no compassion. She enjoy hurting and humiliating people who she consider have offended her. If she had it her way she would kill those people -She doesn't not care if the person is old or weak- but thanks to her gege she doesn't . She is cruel and full of herself. hasn't no empathy it seems and looks down on people she considers below her status. She is all this wrapped in her lady appliance. She is young and is a spoiled brat. I feel so sorry for XC knowing that she will become his empress. lol. so sorry for him.
in contrast we have her gege:
- The man bowed to Xiao Liu “I am Xuan and this is my cousin Ah Nian. Our servant girl Hai Tang has been poisoned by young master you so I came personally to ask young master to give us the antidote.”
- Xiao Liu was struck by Xuan and collapsed. Xuan was surprised that Xiao Liu was so weak since he appeared so brash and quickly held back his power “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you……” He picked up Xiao Liu to check his injuries and it was a relief that Xuan never intended to hurt him so Xiao Liu appeared just dazed.
- the prostitutes were happy to give him business not because he was very handsome, but because he paid no heed to his own looks or the prostitutes.
CX is respectful of others regardless of his status and theirs. He does not look down on people and show empathy. thats all I will say about these 2.
XL shows up again he is intrigues by WX past and more about him. He drink her blood by force without asking the permission to do so. he does it in a despicable way to me anyway.
- Xiao Liu suddenly couldn’t open his mouth anymore.
“Nnnnngggg…….nnnnngggg……”
Xiang Liu took the cooked fish and slowly started to eat it and Xiao Liu could only stare. After he finished the fish he stared at Xiao Liu “I actually like eating people the best. Your size is perfect so that each of my heads can take a bite.”
His hand stroked Xiao Liu’s face and he leaned in and grabbed Xiao Liu’s neck. Xiao Liu’s body shook and he shut his eyes. Xiang Liu’s tongue tasted blood and a realization thundered through his mind. He slowly sucked a few times before raising his head “Do you dare say anymore nonsense?”
Xiao Liu wildly shook his head. Xiang Liu released him and Xiao Liu scrambled as far away as he could. Xiang Liu climbed on the white condor and crooked his finger towards Xiao Liu. He didn’t dare get close and instead backed up a few steps. Xiang Liu stared with a smile “Do you want me to go over there?” Xiao Liu quickly shook his head and docilely came over and climbed on the back of the condor.
- You were cursing me just now?” Xiang Liu smiled and crooked his finger. Xiao Liu step by step walked up to him “Don’t hit the face.” Xiang Liu didn’t use his hands and instead used his mouth, he bit down hard on Xiao Liu’s neck and sucked his blood. Xiao Liu closed his eyes and this wasn’t like last time meant as a warning. Xiang Liu really was drinking his blood.
After some time he released Xiao Liu but his lips remained on his bite mark “Scared?”
“Scared!”
“Liar!”
Xiao Liu candidly said “That night I knew you discovered the secret with my body. I thought you would think of ways to eat me, but tonight you came and all you want is my blood. I’m not scared anymore.”
Xiang Liu said with a half-smile “Maybe I currently want your blood, but one Winter I may want to stew you to nourish myself fully.”
Xiao Liu laughed and opened his hands “I belonged to my lord you already. My lord can do whatever you want with me.”
“You’re lying again
Here XL has lost the power he had over WXL. She is not scared of him any more after realising that he wants her blood to heal himself. `she say that he can do what ever wants with her but XL knows that she is lying about that.
Again we see XL imposing himself. Rolling my eyes lol.
-Xiang Liu took off his outer robe and laid down comfortably “Borrowing your pallet to sleep.”
“Then where will I sleep?”
Xiang Liu glanced at him and Xiao Liu immediately squatted. He understood, he could sleep sprawled anywhere.
Xiao Liu glared angrily – that’s my blanket, Shi Qi took it out and aired it under the warm sun all day and beat it until it was nice and fluffy. Xiao Liu wrapped himself up in a blanket and curled into a ball in the corner of the pallet and resentfully fell asleep.
We see that during the night WXL felt extremely at ease within XL . So much so that she even enjoy herself at his expense and saved his handy work in his gorilla mirror as a funny memory to keep. WXL also show some worries over him being hurt after all he is a healer at heart. There is no love here as we can see. Just concern and fun from WXL. XL does not mind . Why would he? He needs WXL more than WXL needs him. We also see that WXL is not that upset or angry at XL
- In the middle of the night, Xiao Liu climbed on top of Xiang Liu’s body and he opened his eyes. Xiao Liu grabbed his neck and laughed wildly “You’re using your power to heal yourself, right? Don’t interrupt and stop now otherwise you’ll exacerbate your injury and may even lose all your powers and lose all thought.” Xiang Liu closed his eyes.
Xiao Liu slapped his left cheek “How about I whip you 40 times?” Xiao Liu slapped his right cheek “You stupid demon, you’re not afraid of pain. If I cut off your left arm you’ll probably roast it with your right arm and eat it.”
“Hee hee…..” Xiao Liu jumped off the pallet and ran to the kitchen to grab some coal from the stove. He slithered back to the room and jumped on the pallet and hooted “Even you have a day like this! Don’t be angry and focus on healing your injury, don’t let me distract you!” Xiao Liu grabbed the coal and started carefully drawing over Xiang Liu’s face.
After Xiao Liu was done and approved of the results, he grabbed his precious mirror and put it in front of Xiang Liu’s face “Take a look but don’t get mad and ruin your healing energy flow.” Xiang Liu opened his eyes which were sharper than knives but Xiao Liu was on a roll “Look!”
Inside the mirror, under Xiang Liu’s left eye was three more eyes, under his right eye was three more eyes, and there was one more eye on his forehead. Xiao Liu counted “One, two three……….a total of nine.”
Xiao Liu used his blackened fingers to rub those eyes until it became heads and he turned nine eyes into nine heads. Xiang Liu stared at him and Xiao Liu furrowed his brows “I really can’t imagine what nine heads looks like. One of these days you have to show me your true form!” Xiang Liu’s lips moved and he wordlessly mouthed “I am going to devour you.”
Xiao Liu used his dirty fingers to rub on his lips “If you don’t mind it being so dirty then go ahead and eat!”
Xiao Liu flipped off the pallet and cocked his head to stare at Xiang Liu “I’m leaving, no need to come look for me. I’m going to disappear for a few days until your temper dies down. When you remember my good side then I’ll be back.” Xiao Liu grabbed some snacks from the kitchen and was about to leave when he saw Shi Qi.
Xiao Liu just finished tormenting Xiang Liu and was in a very good mood.
she still goes and hide from him though fearing he would kill her - " Xiao Liu left without waiting for Shi Qi to respond, thinking to himself where to hide so that the big demon couldn’t find him........
Xiao Liu hide in the wine cellar for three days and on the fourth day sneaked into the kitchen for some snacks."
" Like a cat, using the gentlest voice to cajole an owner’s forgiveness, hoping Xiang Liu would remember his ability to make poisons and also that his blood was healing, then perhaps he wouldn’t be beaten half to death.
-"Xiao Liu’s heart was pounding furiously"
(Next chapters, I will not. write so much about XC and XL unless their actions affect. XIoaJing one1 way or another)
Now on to our precious love birds in the making WXL &YSQ on their journey to TOGETHER FOREVER NEVER TO BE PARTED .
( finally in can add colour lol) I love that they have their. 1rst disagreement. bless them.
SQ want to please WXL too much lol. He should have said no. lol. he learned the hard way how long XY can be angry at him. Served him right.
- "Xiao Liu sat in the front salon while Shi Qi stood off in the corner in the shadows. Xiao Liu toyed with a cup of wine and chattered in his usual way “Lao Mu, Ma Zi, Chuan Zi, they all think I’m the nicest person. But in truth I’ve killed people since I was very young…….I haven’t killed anyone in a long time but today I wanted to kill them.”
“They are Gods.” Shi Qi suddenly spoke out.
“What of it?” Xiao Liu looked unafraid.
Shi Qi was silent. Xiao Liu glanced at him “Will you help me?” Shi Qi nodded. Xiao Liu smiled and suddenly didn’t feel killing anyone anymore.
I like how this simple "Yes" from YSQ affected WXL mood. it is like a balm in a way. All went pears. shape of course since YSQ broke his promise because he went to hide from Nian. WXL took it extremely hard . They way she tried to release her disappointment shows it. It show us again how much this abandonment issue she has been carried all. This years still weight a lot on him/her. She so want someone she can trust to be there for her. She has decided that that someone was maybe YSQ. instead of arguing, stating how she feel, WXL accepts defeat( not expressing myself clearly here) .
- "Xiao Liu noticed that Shi Qi didn’t hide from the pretty boy which meant the person he knew was Ah Nian
-" Xiao Liu walked into the courtyard and sat down on the stone step and Shi Qi walked behind him. Xiao Liu smiled at the sunset and loudly sighed. He was wrong, he should never rely on another.
-" Shi Qi kneeled beside Xiao Liu and handed him the basket of snacks. Xiao Liu asked “You know them?” Shi Qi nodded. “They are the young lady and lord of a noble family in the God tribe?” Shi Qi paused for a moment before slowly nodding. “You were afraid they would recognize you so you hid? Or you thought I shouldn’t have messed with them so you hid so they could get the antidote?”
Shi Qi lowered his head and Xiao Liu flipped the basket over and a plate of goose necks and claws fell on the ground. Xiao Liu walked out the door when when Shi Qi tried to get up “Don’t follow me!” and Xiao Liu’s order caused him to stop.
Xiao Liu walked to the edge of the river and watched it rumble past. He wasn’t angry that Shi Qi let Xuan take the antidote. He was angry because when he relied on someone it was to turn around and discover that person wasn’t there. He was angry at himself for having this pathetic hope. Xiao Liu jumped into the river and swam upstream. The river got wider and wider and the current stronger and stronger.
The icy cold river rushed past everything, night and day, it never stopped. Xiao Liu allowed the current to batter him and feel the sense of powerlessness.
YSQ does try to make amends and patch thing but WYX shows a side of her that will years later affect their relationship : she let things be instead of meeting him 1/2 way and discuss what is wrong. She also pretend everything is fine. ( the black highlighted parts)
- " He quickly took off his wet clothes and dried his body before climbing under the covers naked. The normally cold covers were not cold and instead there was a warm incense ball inside that made it warm and fragrant. ( YSQ TLC lol) Chuan Zi and Lao Mu clearly were not the considerate thoughtful type. Xiao Liu smiled and flipped over before falling asleep, his body so weary he didn’t even have a dream left. " lol she like that little attention YSQ is giving her though.
.- " Shi Qi handed the snack basket to Xiao Liu and he grabbed a few duck feet. Shi Qi’s eyes lit up. Xiao Liu politely smiled “Thank you” and Shi Qi’s eyes dimmed. Xiao Liu munched on a duck foot and walked into his room kicking the door shut. Shi Qi held the basket and stood there with his lead lowered.
-"Xiao Liu stepped out and Shi Qi followed so Xiao Liu said “I’m going to the pretty boy’s wine shop. Just to see, not to fight.” Shi Qi halted and Xiao Liu smiled and kept on walking. Moments later Shi Qi was back following this time wearing a hat. Xiao Liu glanced back at him and said nothing.
- " Shi Qi washed dishes while Xiao Liu wiped down the stove, not a word spoken. Shi Qi glanced at Xiao Liu a few times but Xiao Liu smiled as he did his chores and even when he met Shi Qi’s glance he didn’t look away and would instead make a goofy face with a smile. After Shi Qi finished with the dishes and reached out for Xiao Liu’s rag, Xiao Liu held on “I’m almost done, you go rest.”
Shi Qi quietly stood there. After some time he spoke “Xiao Liu, you are still angry.”
“Huh?” Xiao Liu pretended not to get it “No, Lao Mu is now all buddies with him and is willing to accept Ah Nian like a little sister and let her win this time, what reason would I have to still be angry?” Shi Qi knew he was avoiding the topic and stared at him “You are not talking to me.”
“How so? I talk to you every day. Am I not talking to you right now?”
“I….want…..you to be like before. I want to hear you talk.”
Before?” Xiao Liu acted stupid “How was I different now than before? Don’t I treat you the same as I do Ma Zi and the others?”
Shi Qi lowered his head and didn’t have the glib tongue to counter. He could only use his silence to endure it all, his voice lingering of loneliness. Xiao Liu hung up the rag and wiped his hand on his shirt “Okay, all done. Time to rest.”
Xiao Liu hurried back to his room, the hard shell around his heart already sealed shut again. It was his moment of softened pity that caused him to be confused for a while but now he was back to thinking clear again. Every person arrived alone on this Earth and would depart alone. There was no one to rely on. How much hope and reliance one had today, was how much pain and suffering one would endure down the road. Rather than that happening, it was better to not have it to begin with.
Since Shi Qi temporarily couldn’t go back, then he’ll let him stay for now. A temporary companion, and this brief period in what was a long life would one day be forgotten.
From the above, YSQ could have tired harder to make her talk to him but this is not his style in guess He let her be. As we can see WXL was opening her heart to YSQ but shut the heard shell again due to this incident. I feel for her here. she is trying so hard to justify why she cared and lie not herself about what she wants.
We see below how again YSQ feels toward WXL. He has feelings for her not just care but much more.
-"Xiao Liu just finished tormenting Xiang Liu and was in a very good mood so waved a greeting to Shi Qi with a bright smile. Shi Qi hurried up his footsteps and there was a twinkle in his eye until he noticed the teeth mark on Xiao Liu’s neck. For all intents and purposes it looked like a mark left by a kiss. Shi Qi’s eyes darted to Xiao Liu’s room and the twinkle disappeared from his eyes. Xiao Liu told Shi Qi “Xiang Liu is in my room. Don’t bother him and let him rest. He’ll leave when he wakes up.
{on another note. I laught at this from m WXL thoughts "But Xiang Liu was fine – he was just a demon, and a hideous freakish nine-headed demon at that." }
The misunderstanding here breaks my heart :
- He pointed at Shi Qi and wagged his finger “You….you…..how come it’s you?” Shi Qi’s face was ashen and he voice despondent “I’m sorry you were disappointed.”
“What are you doing in my room?”
Shi Qi bit his lip and lowered his head and turned to leave. Xiao Liu quickly tried to apologize “I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else. That….that….my tone of voice was harsh but don’t feel bad. I’m not forbidding you from entering my room.”
“It’s my fault.” Shi Qi moved past him and walked out, closing the door tightly behind him.
{ he look defeated like he will never open this door again}
Xiao Liu hadn’t sleep comfortably in days so quickly took off his clothes and burrowed in the covers. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths – clean, warm, the faint scent of soap and sunshine. The comforter had been laundered and dried under the sun. (YSQ TLC) Xiao Liu laughed and reminded himself not to get used to it. All people will leave and he can’t get coddled, his life was to sleep in a cold blanket, in a dirty blanket. Xiao Liu finished reminding himself before turning around and falling fast asleep.
I love all the little things YSQ did for WXL to make amend in this chapter. They look like nothing much but they are. She will miss them even though she said she will forget him and them when he will leave. She never once rejected the blanket/ cover he prepared for her on the contrary she smuggle herself in it and was pleased by this special attention. As we saw before when XL made her sleep on the floor and took her blanket ( bad treatment) she had told him indirectly , that YSQ has been taking care of her blanket aka taking care of her.
-"Xiang Liu glanced at him and Xiao Liu immediately squatted. He understood, he could sleep sprawled anywhere.
Xiao Liu glared angrily – that’s my blanket, Shi Qi took it out and aired it under the warm sun all day and beat it until it was nice and fluffy.
She sure likes this from YSQ even though she is still dismissing him in a way. she could have just said "this is my blanket " but noooo lol. She is pissed that XL dares use her special blanket.
What I love in this chapter above all, is the level of intimacy YSQ and XY are sharing unbeknown to them during their 1 st disagreement. I have highlighted them in Bold red. It is so sexy it remind me of when a girl smuggles in her boy friend shirt and find comfort in it. This is a hint to where this relationship of their might lead to in the future.
That's my 2 cents finally.
( have not reread hopefully there are no mistake and it all make sense lol)
Winny Aye:
Symbolika1:
