Chapter 70: The Unseen Pursuit

Days bled into weeks, and Night Xuehui remained unseen.

Ever since his last encounter with Ouyang Xiyue, he had vanished as if into thin air, neither returning to school nor appearing in any public sphere.

Ouyang Xiyue, concerned, repeatedly sought him out at his home, gently knocking and inquiring of Night Jia about her brother’s recent state.

Night Jia, however, could only relay her brother’s strict prohibition: he had forbidden her from disclosing anything about him to Ouyang Xiyue, threatening to disown her as a sister should she disobey.

Night Jia, in turn, cautiously questioned Ouyang Xiyue.

A bitter, resigned expression settled upon Ouyang Xiyue’s face as he shook his head.

“Ah, Little Sister Night Jia, you are still so young,” he lamented.

“You will truly understand once you reach our age.

What a tangled web this is, truly.”

Concealed within his own room, Night Xuehui would stealthily observe Ouyang Xiyue through a narrow crack in the window whenever he came inquiring.

Each glimpse of Ouyang Xiyue’s presence at the doorstep below would involuntarily prompt Night Xuehui to touch his own lips, his mind replaying the faint, sweet fragrance of the young woman.

With a surge of frustration, Night Xuehui crumpled the drawing paper he held and tossed it to the floor.

Ouyang Xiyue’s mere arrival invariably triggered a cascade of memories from that fateful day, along with the vivid image of Chi Congyu’s brazen arrogance.

‘Fiancée! Fiancée! Fiancée!’ he fumed.

‘A fine fiancée, indeed! Even if Ouyang Xiyue is currently betrothed to you, you yourself admitted it’s merely an engagement.

People marry and still divorce; I will never surrender!

And judging by the events of that day, it seems I still hold more significance in Ouyang Xiyue’s heart than Chi Congyu, wouldn’t you say?

Perhaps, yes, a girl’s intuition, if you will.’

A gentle rap, rap, rap echoed from beyond Night Xuehui’s door, signaling Night Jia’s presence.

“Brother, oh, Brother,” Night Jia’s voice drifted through the door.

“Sister Xiyue was just here.

I did exactly as you instructed and didn’t reveal a thing.

This marks her ninth visit in such a short span, Brother.

When do you intend to see her?

Although Sister Xiyue mentioned I’m still too young to understand and that I’ll know when I reach your age, I assure you, Brother, I am well aware.

I even keep up with your school’s forum.”

Night Jia continued to prattle on, then entered Night Xuehui’s room, beginning to clear away the scattered refuse from the floor.

Her gaze fell upon the numerous crumpled sheets of drawing paper, each one covered in scribbles.

Night Jia pouted, realizing there were no actual drawings, only Ouyang Xiyue’s name, scrawled and rewritten countless times.

The words ‘Ouyang Xiyue’ and ‘fiancée’ filled every available space, penned again and again until the pages were saturated, only for the cycle to begin anew.

Night Jia could only shake her head in weary resignation.

His brother, typically so cold and unfeeling, had undergone a profound transformation since meeting Sister Xiyue, becoming utterly unlike his former self.

Having lived alongside him for so long, Night Jia had never witnessed her brother behave this way over anyone, not even their own father.

She mused, ‘Truly, Sister Ouyang Xiyue is something else.

Is this what the elders mean by a ‘beauty that spells disaster’?’

“Brother, I’m telling you,” Night Jia chided, “stop wasting paper and pens!

No matter how many times you scrawl Sister Xiyue’s name, it won’t alter a thing.

Since Sister Xiyue is now betrothed to another, you, too, must strive, Brother.

You cannot simply languish at home in despair.

You’ve been confined to this house for nearly a month!”

Night Jia’s frustration was palpable.

Since his last return, her brother had plunged into a long period of self-neglect.

Though he had shown signs of normalcy recently, Night Jia’s concern for him persisted.

“I’m sorry to have worried you, Night Jia,” Night Xuehui replied, a slow, unsettling smile spreading across his lips.

“Next time Ouyang Xiyue arrives, do not open the door immediately.

Instead, come and inform me first; I shall go myself.

You are entirely correct: wallowing in self-pity changes nothing at all.”

****

Saint Sea Academy…

“Good day, Senior Ouyang Xiyue,”

One after another, students passing by offered their greetings, to which Ouyang Xiyue responded with a courteous smile and a reciprocal nod.

“Senior Ouyang Xiyue!” A remarkably loud voice suddenly boomed from a short distance ahead of Ouyang Xiyue.

Ouyang Xiyue focused his gaze and realized he recognized the individual.

If his memory served him right, this person was a member of the student council, purportedly one of Night Xuehui’s subordinates, whom he had seen beside Night Xuehui on several occasions.

“Hello,” Ouyang Xiyue began, observing the student’s hurried approach.

“May I ask if you require my assistance with something?” The urgency in their movements suggested a matter of utmost importance.

“Senior Ouyang Xiyue,” the student blurted out, their voice laced with desperation, “our president hasn’t been seen for an entire month!

We, the members of the student council, have attempted to reach him countless times, yet all our efforts have proven futile.

Numerous pressing matters now demand the president’s attention, but we are utterly helpless.

We’ve even visited his home, only to be turned away, and not even the teachers can establish contact.

If this continues, our student council will descend into utter chaos.

Thus, as a final, desperate measure, I could only seek you out, Senior Ouyang Xiyue.

Please, you must help us!

Our student council is teetering on the brink, a scattered, leaderless mess!”

The frantic student bowed deeply and respectfully to Ouyang Xiyue, his earnestness so profound that it rendered refusal almost impossible.

“Please rise, student,” Ouyang Xiyue urged gently.

“There is no need for such formality.

Is there anything I might be able to assist you with?”

“We are aware that your relationship with our president, Senior Ouyang Xiyue, is quite exceptional,” the student pleaded, “so we implore you, Senior Ouyang Xiyue, to help us get in touch with him.

We are truly, truly, truly grateful!”

With those words, he bowed profoundly once more, and Ouyang Xiyue swiftly helped him upright.

“Very well, I will do my utmost,” Ouyang Xiyue conceded, shaking his head with a sigh of resignation.

‘Am I not also struggling to see him myself?’ he mused inwardly.

Having bid farewell to the student, Ouyang Xiyue departed the academy, soaring through the air on his sword.

In short order, he arrived once more at Night Xuehui’s residence.

His hand hovered momentarily before the door, then gently rapped against it.

Hearing the knock, Night Jia furtively peered through the peephole from her room.

Upon seeing the stunning Ouyang Xiyue, resplendent in a beautiful dress, she swiftly relayed the news to Night Xuehui.

“He’s here, is he?” Night Xuehui murmured with a smile.

“Even sooner than I anticipated.

So eager to see me?” With that, he descended the stairs.

Ouyang Xiyue waited patiently outside the door.

Minute by agonizing minute, time slipped away, yet no sound emanated from within.

He released a resigned sigh, concluding that Night Xuehui remained unwilling to see him.

What Ouyang Xiyue could not have known was that, within the room, Night Xuehui had been observing him through the peephole for a considerable time, deliberately refraining from opening the door.

From his vantage point, Night Xuehui watched Ouyang Xiyue turn to depart, a subtle smile playing upon his lips.

Night Jia, witnessing this familiar sight, felt a prickle of déjà vu; her brother’s smile of that particular nature invariably portended mischief.

Just as Ouyang Xiyue turned to make his exit, the crisp click of a door opening suddenly resonated from behind him.

Before he could fully process the sound, a familiar presence seized his hand, drawing him into a tight, possessive embrace.

Ouyang Xiyue remained momentarily frozen, then offered no resistance, allowing himself to be held.

Inside the room, Night Jia covered her eyes with a hand, peeking through a narrow slit between her fingers, her face alight with the delightful, almost palpable ‘shipping’ energy radiating from her brother and sister.

A long silence ensued…

“Have you had your fill of embracing?” Ouyang Xiyue finally spoke, his voice slightly muffled.

“There are matters I need to discuss with you.”

Night Xuehui offered no verbal response.

He slowly released Ouyang Xiyue from his embrace, only to then take his hand and lead him directly upstairs, pulling him into Night Xuehui’s own room.

Night Xuehui closed the door to his room, securing it with a decisive lock from within.

Ouyang Xiyue’s face registered pure astonishment, his expression a silent, adorable question: ‘Night Xuehui, what exactly do you intend to do to me?’

“Night… Night Xuehui,” Ouyang Xiyue stammered, a tremor in his voice.

“What… what are you planning?” He appeared utterly flustered, a blend of anxiety and fear, like a small white rabbit caught in a snare, its throat constricted by terror.

Night Xuehui remained silent, advancing step by deliberate step towards Ouyang Xiyue.

In response, Ouyang Xiyue retreated, one hesitant step after another, until he suddenly stumbled against the edge of Night Xuehui’s bed, toppling backward and landing squarely upon it.

Ouyang Xiyue felt the luxurious softness of the bed beneath him, accompanied by a refreshing surge of mint, a scent that soothed his racing mind.

Night Xuehui, having reached the bedside, stood looking down at Ouyang Xiyue, who lay sprawled on his bed, an undeniable curve gracing his lips.

“You ask if I’ve had enough of holding you?” Night Xuehui purred, his voice low.

“You ask what I intend to do?

My answer is simple: I haven’t had enough.

I want you.”

No sooner had the words left his lips than he pressed himself against Ouyang Xiyue, whose face was etched with sheer terror, his hand gently caressing Ouyang Xiyue’s cheek.

Ouyang Xiyue’s heart hammered ferociously within his chest, his face flushed with an intense heat, and a dizzying sensation enveloped his entire being.

“Night… you… you must calm down!” Ouyang Xiyue gasped, a tremor in his voice.

“I have a fiancée… You…?

This is a crime!

Please, calm yourself… Xuehui!” He was a whirlwind of terror and mortification, struggling with all his might to push Night Xuehui away.

Yet, to his utter disbelief, he found himself unable to budge the other man.

‘How could this be?

My own strength… what has become of it?’

“Hah,” Night Xuehui chuckled, a predatory glint in his eyes.

“Do you feel utterly drained of strength, longing to push me away?

My bed has been preemptively prepared with a formation; the first person to land upon it is bound by its magic, rendered completely powerless.

Hah, ‘crime’?

What crime could possibly be committed?

You are not wed to anyone, nor do you belong to anyone.

Once I possess you, I refuse to believe that Chi Congyu fellow will remain so stubbornly devoted to you.

You are mine, Ouyang Xiyue!”

Night Xuehui gazed down at Ouyang Xiyue, who quivered like a terrified white rabbit, and found himself on the verge of laughter.

Naturally, he harbored no true intention of harming him; it had simply been too long since their last encounter, and he merely wished to give Ouyang Xiyue a fright.

Despite his initial intention to merely startle Ouyang Xiyue, Night Xuehui found himself unable to resist as he looked upon the exquisite, captivating ‘little white rabbit’ beneath him.

He swallowed hard, then gently stroked Ouyang Xiyue’s thigh with one hand, slowly caressing the skin.

With his other hand, he tilted Ouyang Xiyue’s chin upward, then descended fiercely, capturing his lips in a deep kiss.

Ouyang Xiyue weakly attempted to push Night Xuehui away, but his efforts were in vain.

The other man remained utterly unyielding, his actions unwavering.

After a prolonged moment, Ouyang Xiyue felt as though he might suffocate, as Night Xuehui continued his fervent, sucking kisses.

It was a considerable time before they finally separated.

Night Xuehui observed Ouyang Xiyue, who was now gasping for breath, his face flushed crimson, and felt an insatiable desire for more.

He lowered his head once again, pressing his lips to Ouyang Xiyue’s neck, kissing with powerful intensity, marking one spot after another.

Night Xuehui finally pushed himself up and off Ouyang Xiyue, who felt utterly broken.

He surveyed the array of ‘love bites’ adorning Ouyang Xiyue’s neck, a satisfied smile gracing his lips.

Ouyang Xiyue, still weak, slowly managed to sit up on the bed.

Though consumed by shame and fury, he found himself utterly helpless.

“Are… are you appeased now?” Ouyang Xiyue asked, his voice still faint.

“Hmm, quite so,” Night Xuehui responded, his gaze filled with pride as he looked at the Ouyang Xiyue he had just playfully tormented.

All his previous displeasure and gloom instantly dissipated.

“Ouyang Xiyue, even though you are engaged to Chi Congyu, I will not surrender.

Furthermore, I believe I am no less capable than he.

You are ultimately destined to be mine.

Now, what was it you needed to see me about?”

Ouyang Xiyue dared not meet Night Xuehui’s eyes.

His gaze drifted to his thigh, the area Night Xuehui had just touched, feeling a lingering, tingling sensation.

And what Night Xuehui had just said—wasn’t that an outright declaration of love?

That very statement seemed to bore directly into his soul.

“I will handle it,” Night Xuehui declared.

“As for you, this formation’s effects will last for six hours.

Night is approaching, so you will obediently stay here and sleep tonight.

I’ll sleep in another room.

Be good, and don’t think about secretly escaping; I’ll be right next door.

My obedient little white rabbit.”

With that, Night Xuehui rose and departed.

Ouyang Xiyue, still weak, collapsed back onto the bed, a profound sense of relief washing over him, as if he had narrowly escaped death.

It was finally over.

When Night Xuehui indulged his madness, he was terrifying, his fierce possessiveness far surpassing even Chi Congyu’s.

Meanwhile, in the other room, Night Xuehui smiled.

“Ouyang Xiyue, you will eventually be mine.

Just you wait, Chi Congyu, just you wait. Heh.”