A Confidante’s Secret and a Chuunibyo’s Touch

After that conversation, for some unknown reason, they seemed to become inseparable companions.

Pei Nishang would seek out He Suosi for chats quite often. Their discussions ranged from the dynamics of the inner residence to intricate cultivation methods, and from there to the nuances of elixirs and talismans.

Before long, they regarded each other as true confidants. He Suosi even entertained the fleeting thought, ‘Perhaps my transmigration was just to meet her.’

‘It must be an illusion,’ he quickly realized. During their conversations, He Suosi had already discovered that Pei Nishang was exceptionally fond of Yuan Zhigong—and, conversely, she absolutely loathed He Suosi.

But she didn’t know that she was currently speaking to the very person she hated. Thinking this, He Suosi found a sliver of hope that perhaps her hatred could be resolved.

Finally, the day arrived when He Suosi could no longer suppress his curiosity and asked Pei Nishang why she disliked his original self so much.

“Don’t others say he’s the Immortal Monarch’s sworn enemy?” Pei Nishang idly poked the tea leaves in her pot with a tea needle. “How could anyone in this world be worthy of being the Immortal Monarch’s sworn enemy?”

What a ridiculous reason.

‘He doesn’t want to be, either, you know,’ He Suosi muttered under his breath.

Pei Nishang heard him. Her eyes widened slightly, and she tried to project an imposing air. However, her naturally downturned, puppy-like eyes made her look more like she was pouting playfully.

“Whether he wants to or not is his business. My disliking him is my business.”

He Suosi, ever quick to understand, nodded repeatedly.

“And…” Pei Nishang’s voice suddenly dropped. She stood up, turned her back, and walked towards a nearby plum tree. Leaning against its black, iron-like trunk, she left He Suosi with only her delicate back.

“And, he and I truly have a grudge.”

“Hm… hm?” He Suosi watched Pei Nishang’s now somewhat desolate back with surprise.

“My father… and my elder brother. He killed them both.” As she spoke, her voice became choked with emotion.

“How could such a thing happen?” He Suosi exclaimed. “Who were your father and brother?”

Pei Nishang had turned around by then, her eyes downcast. Her thick lashes concealed her tear-filled gaze, and then crystalline tears began to fall in large drops. Her desolate and fragile expression made He Suosi’s heart ache.

“They were merely insignificant nobodies. Back then, if I hadn’t become the Immortal Monarch’s concubine, I would likely have become someone’s cultivation cauldron.”

He Suosi slammed his hand on the table, rising to his feet. “Who would dare!”

Tears still clung to Pei Nishang’s eyelashes, but she managed a smile. “If I had known you back then, they wouldn’t have dared.”

Seeing her forced smile, He Suosi’s heart softened. He couldn’t help but walk over and gently pat her head.

“Everything will pass,” He Suosi said.

“Yes, everything will pass,” Pei Nishang echoed.

After learning of this past, He Suosi felt a surge of guilt and pity for Pei Nishang, despite being certain he had never wantonly taken an innocent life. At the same time, his longing to return to his own body intensified.

‘Once I return to my true form and meet Pei Nishang again, she will surely understand that I am not that kind of person. Her misunderstanding of me will be dispelled.’

Holding onto this beautiful hope, He Suosi made extensive inquiries and finally received a piece of news: during the Cloud Terrace Assembly, Guangyu Immortal Monarch might bring a concubine to participate.

The reason it was only a “might” was because, although such a spot existed, it had never been utilized. Even Pei Nishang, once the most favored concubine, had never had such an opportunity.

When He Suosi inquired about the reason, Pei Nishang replied, “There’s nothing to be done about it. The Immortal Monarch doesn’t mention it, and I wouldn’t presume to. I don’t truly have the qualifications, after all…”

When she learned He Suosi wished to go, Pei Nishang looked surprised. “Actually, there’s not much to it. It’s just fighting, left and right, and we might not even be allowed to watch.”

He Suosi scoffed at such a lack of basic human rights. He had never realized before just how miserable it was to be a female cultivator in this world. He had always thought those beautiful immortal ladies were celebrated like stars, revered by all. Now, it seemed they were often treated as inherently inferior.

As his pity for Pei Nishang grew, so did He Suosi’s desire to return to his own body. Though surrounded by beauties vying for attention, he had truly had enough of these suffocating, freedom-less days. If he could attend the Cloud Terrace Assembly, he might encounter old acquaintances. With a stroke of luck, he might even learn about the current state of his original body.

So, the next time he saw his nominal husband, He Suosi, with a deliberately soft and tender voice, said, “Immortal Monarch, please take me to the Cloud Terrace Assembly.”

Yuan Zhigong subtly revealed a hint of surprise. “Why do you wish to go there?”

He Suosi sat on a nearby chair with exaggerated affectation, pouting sweetly, “It’s so dull, always staying in the inner residence.”

Yuan Zhigong glanced at him. “Speak properly.”

Only then did He Suosi realize that in his eagerness, he had broken character. He quickly cleared his throat and, in a fawning tone, said, “Just this once. I promise I won’t cause any trouble.”

Yuan Zhigong frowned slightly. “It’s not about causing trouble. In truth, there’s nothing interesting there, and you wouldn’t be able to act freely anyway.”

His words were identical to Pei Nishang’s, making He Suosi suspect that Pei Nishang had simply repeated Yuan Zhigong’s words—perhaps she had never even asked him, only to be fobbed off with such an excuse later. Thinking this, He Suosi quickly reaffirmed his stance.

“I’m not going for fun. I… I just want to be with you.”

Yuan Zhigong’s head snapped up abruptly, the movement so sudden that the tea in his hand sloshed out, splashing onto He Suosi’s sleeve.

He Suosi was startled. ‘Did I perhaps hit a soft spot?’ he wondered.

Then, Yuan Zhigong suddenly asked, “You no longer like He Suosi?”

‘Why this question again?! Will my request today be ruined because of this?’

Fuming inwardly, He Suosi nonetheless replied immediately, “Of course I don’t like him anymore.”

He put on an expression of righteous indignation, but the object of his theatrical display seemed entirely unmoved. Yuan Zhigong merely gave a cold “Oh,” then lowered his head. His long hair fell forward, obscuring his face and making his expression unreadable.

He Suosi felt a sudden sense of foreboding. “You don’t believe me?”

Yuan Zhigong suddenly stood up.

It was so abrupt. His tall figure instantly loomed over He Suosi. He Suosi jumped, wanting to retreat, but Yuan Zhigong grabbed him, cupped his face, and leaned in close.

‘He… he’s… he’s going to kiss me?!’

Yet, there was no touch on his lips. Yuan Zhigong’s face stopped just inches from He Suosi’s. Though incredibly close, their skin did not meet; only their breaths intertwined.

“Indeed, you are different from them,” Yuan Zhigong said softly.

“Wh-what?” The other man often spoke in cryptic ways, but this was the first time he had acted so inexplicably. He Suosi felt his heart pounding rather fiercely, but quickly told himself it was only because he had been startled.

“A feeling.” Yuan Zhigong’s eyes gazed directly into He Suosi’s, seemingly shimmering with undulating light under the lamplight, deep and hazy. It gave He Suosi the unprecedented urge to avert his gaze. “Your feeling is very similar to his. Is it because it’s equally comforting?”

‘Is he a chuunibyo?’ He Suosi found it utterly bizarre.

Before he could make sense of it, Yuan Zhigong had already released him, mumbled, “My apologies,” and left the room.

‘Strange man,’ He Suosi thought, watching Yuan Zhigong’s retreating back.

The next day, He Suosi inadvertently told Pei Nishang about the incident. His original intention was to highlight Yuan Zhigong’s strangeness to Pei Nishang, and perhaps even vent a little. He mimicked Yuan Zhigong’s face-cupping gesture on Pei Nishang, but the young woman’s face, so close to his, instantly revealed an expression he had never seen before.

“The Immortal Monarch cupped your face?”

Because of that fleeting expression, He Suosi didn’t even feel like he was touching Pei Nishang’s face anymore. For a second, she looked less like a gentle girl and more like a stone statue—cold and ominous. The alluring warmth and softness vanished, and He Suosi instinctively released her, staring blankly.

Pei Nishang clutched her sleeves tightly. Her expression was now grim and pained. While He Suosi pondered her reaction, he heard Pei Nishang say, “The Immortal Monarch has never touched me.”

He Suosi blinked. “I know. Me neither.”

“It’s not the same!” Pei Nishang shrieked. “He’s never touched me! Not even a single finger! Not even a strand of hair!”

He Suosi’s eyes widened.

“The Immortal Monarch doesn’t touch me, nor does he touch anyone else in the inner residence. Why would he touch you?”

Though she clearly tried to hold back her tears, they streamed down her face. Her fair complexion flushed crimson, and the girl, usually doll-like, revealed a more genuine, raw self. Pei Nishang bit her lip so hard she eventually drew blood.

He Suosi immediately forgot about the strange expression from earlier. He reached out to pry open Pei Nishang’s mouth to stop her from hurting herself, but she opened it instead and bit his finger.

Pain instantly surged through his brain. Just as he thought his finger might break, the bite gradually loosened. Pei Nishang suddenly collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I was just jealous, I’m sorry…”

She buried her face in He Suosi’s embrace, apologizing profusely.

Though tooth marks and blood still stained his finger, He Suosi’s heart softened. He patted her head gently.

“It’s not your fault.”

If anyone was to blame, it could only be the chuunibyo, Yuan Zhigong.