As lunchtime approached, Liang Zheng bid farewell to Su Ran and Ji Chun before heading home. Ji Chun emerged from the east room and went into the kitchen to prepare a meal. With nothing else to do, Su Ran followed to help wash vegetables. After eating, the two retired to their room for a nap.
In the afternoon, Ji Chun rose and went up the mountain to tend to the vegetable fields. He pulled weeds, watered the crops, and hurried back before sunset. On his way home, he stopped by Xiao Liehu's house to buy wine and meat, thinking of making a special dinner for Su Ran to vary their usual fare. As he returned, a villager intercepted him, handing over a letter. Puzzled, Ji Chun accepted it with gratitude before continuing home, wine and meat in hand.
Su Ran was bathing in the inner room, so Ji Chun didn't disturb him. Seeing that it was still early, he stored the provisions in the kitchen, sat at the table, and opened the letter. It was from Shaolin—his master's handwriting sent a pang of guilt through his heart. The letter contained no urgent matters, only his master's affectionate words, expressing concern for his well-being after months away from the temple. His master's kindness only deepened Ji Chun's remorse. He had committed so many wrongs without his master's knowledge, even deciding to leave Shaolin behind. Yet here was his master, unaware of his betrayal, treating him with unwavering warmth. The contrast filled him with sorrow.
His life was now bound to Su Ran. After last night, he could no longer abandon him. But Shaolin… his master… He had betrayed them all, failing to live up to their teachings and care. The weight of his choices pressed on him like a boulder, leaving no room for peace. He loved this Demonic Sect Leader, forcing him to sever ties with Shaolin, yet his master's kindness made the choice agonizing. He couldn't reconcile the two, and the pain of hurting one side tormented him.
If given the chance, he would return to Shaolin someday to face his punishment. Whatever his master decreed, he would accept it without complaint. For now, he would follow his heart and be true to himself. Once Su Ran obtained the Di Mang, perhaps… he would no longer hold significance in the man's life. As for Shaolin, he would submit to their judgment.
He tucked the letter into a hidden spot on the bookshelf, stepped outside, and took a deep breath, trying to ease the heaviness in his chest. Fetching water, he returned to the kitchen to wash the meat and vegetables. His mind wandered as he chopped, stir-fried, and seasoned the dish. When he tasted it, the flavor was good, so he plated the food—only to freeze in realization. Without noticing, he had grown accustomed to this mundane life, breaking countless monastic vows. What right did he have to call himself a Shaolin disciple? How could he face his master's concern?
The burden grew heavier. Lost in thought, he didn't realize how grim his expression was until he set the food on the table. Su Ran, fresh from his bath, noticed immediately.
They washed their hands and sat down to eat.
"What's wrong?" Su Ran asked, pleased by the lavish meal but unsettled by Ji Chun's solemn demeanor.
"It's… nothing," Ji Chun murmured, avoiding his gaze. He didn't want to trouble Su Ran or risk angering him, so he forced himself to act normally.
Su Ran frowned but didn't press further, eating in silence while resolving to ask again later. The meal passed quietly. Ji Chun barely touched his food, lost in his thoughts. Noticing this, Su Ran—still in high spirits—made sure to serve him portions of his favorite dishes. Mechanically, Ji Chun ate whatever was placed in his bowl, his mind elsewhere.
By the end, he had eaten his fill without realizing it. Coming back to himself, he flushed and whispered, "Thank you."
Su Ran smirked, patting his shoulder playfully. "No need. You're my husband."
The teasing eased some of Ji Chun's gloom, though embarrassment replaced it. He cleared the table and retreated to the kitchen while Su Ran stepped outside to walk off the meal.
That night, after washing up, they laid in bed. Ji Chun, weighed down by his master's letter, remained silent. Su Ran, having napped earlier, was wide awake. Recalling Ji Chun's mood at dinner, he propped himself up and nudged the brooding monk.
"Tell me," he demanded. "What's bothering you?"
Ji Chun glanced up, his pulse quickening at Su Ran's proximity. He averted his eyes. "It's nothing. Go to sleep."
Unconvinced, Su Ran leaned over him, pinching his chin to force eye contact. "Since when do you disobey me?" he chided, looming above him. "Out with it. Did someone upset you?"
Considering Ji Chun had been fine before dinner, the issue must have arisen while Su Ran was bathing. Had someone in the village dared to trouble him? As Ji Chun's… wife, Su Ran wouldn't let that slide. The monk might be a martial arts master, but his gentle nature made him an easy target.
When Ji Chun heard this, he realized Su Ran had misunderstood—but the misunderstanding itself warmed his heart. For someone who had grown up without family or friends to rely on, Su Ran's protectiveness was deeply touching. Especially coming from him… Ji Chun's chest swelled with quiet happiness.
Yet he hesitated. He didn't know how Su Ran would react to his lingering ties to Shaolin. The last thing he wanted was to anger him, so he'd kept silent. But now, under Su Ran's insistent gaze, the urge to confide overwhelmed him.
"I… received a letter this afternoon," Ji Chun said slowly, meeting Su Ran's eyes.
"A letter?" Su Ran frowned. "Who knows we're here?"
"From my Shifu. When we were at the old doctor's house, I asked a traveler to inform Shaolin of our whereabouts—in case the divine physician needed to reach us. Someone must have relayed it to him."
Su Ran's expression darkened. His fists clenched unconsciously. "What did it say?"
"Just… well wishes. A reminder to be careful on the road." Seeing Su Ran's tension, Ji Chun reached for his hand, holding it firmly. "I've made my choice. I won't regret it."
Su Ran studied his face, searching for doubt. But Ji Chun's gaze never wavered. Satisfied, Su Ran smirked, leaned in to brush their lips together, then pulled back with a haughty tilt of his chin. "Betray me, and I'll drag you into hell myself."
The threat should have chilled him. Instead, Ji Chun's heart soared. In that moment, he understood what drew him to Su Ran—his ruthlessness, his arrogance, the way he loved and hated without apology.
"Never," Ji Chun vowed. Then, softer: "It's just…"
Su Ran didn't need him to finish. He knew this monk too well. Kind to a fault, yet last night had shattered his world. The guilt toward Shaolin, toward his master—Su Ran had never felt such things, but he recognized their weight. Comfort wasn't in his nature, yet something primal stirred in him now.
Without thinking, he cupped Ji Chun's face, biting his lower lip gently before murmuring against his mouth, "I'll protect you. Once we reach the Demonic Cult, I'll give you power second only to mine. Want to chant sutras? I'll build you a temple with golden Buddhas. Ask for anything—it's yours, if you stay by my side."
His voice, low and rough, curled around Ji Chun like smoke. Unable to resist, Ji Chun pulled him closer, their bodies flush. He caught Su Ran's lips in a desperate kiss, pouring everything into it—his devotion, his fear, the dizzying love for this man who claimed him so fiercely.
Su Ran stiffened in surprise before seizing control, deepening the kiss until they broke apart, breathless. The earlier gloom between them dissolved, replaced by something sweeter, something warmer.
When Su Ran shifted, his swollen belly pressed uncomfortably against Ji Chun. He grunted, rolling onto his back with a satisfied sigh. Having his favorite monk nearby—to tease, to touch—was more pleasing than he'd ever admit.
Ji Chun, noticing his discomfort, remembered the unspoken topic. He propped himself up on one elbow. "There's something else…"
Su Ran, still riding the high of their intimacy, turned to face him. "Mm?"
"I know you dislike mentioning the child, but—"
A flicker of irritation crossed Su Ran's face, though he kept his tone even. "Go on."
Author's Notes: Thank you so much for the monthly votes. I'm on third place.
PS: I really enjoy it when they kiss.