Chapter 122: Blending, A Luxurious Lineup
The sun outside had completely sunk below the horizon.
A dark-blue night spread across the city sky. Inside the spacious living room, with only a single warm lamp on, the faint light and shadows seemed to melt into each other.
Xiao Huang knowingly hopped off the sofa and padded lightly toward the balcony. With a casual swipe of her paw, she pulled the curtain down, leaving the living room even dimmer.
On the soft sofa.
Two figures, one tall and one small, sat so close their shadows overlapped. Only the sound of quick, heavy breaths filled the space.
The boy's short black hair began to shift into silver-white, strands glowing faintly as they draped over his shoulders. They blended with the woman's long, dark hair, black and white tangled together like the light and shadow in the living room—inseparable, indistinguishable.
Xi Nian's fingers hold dearly onto his aunt's show-white nape as he pushed his body forwards, clinging like a greedy child who wanted nothing more than to merge with the woman he had always loved.
They only wanted to savor the sweetest taste of the forbidden fruit. They wanted to spent every little moment together before the world decided to break them up.
No one knew how long the moment lasted.
Perhaps only seconds. Perhaps minutes. Or even longer.
After all, with the bodies of demigods, even without breathing, they wouldn't suffer.
Neither wanted to stop, both indulging in the fleeting moment of ecstasy that came from crossing a forbidden boundary.
Until—
The sound of a key turning at the front door broke through.
"Is nobody home yet?"
A sweet, soft voice rang out as a crimson-haired girl stepped inside, carrying a heavy schoolbag and a bag of groceries.
She set her things down and reached to flip on the main light switch.
In that instant—
One of the figures on the sofa reacted instantly, like lightning, darting into the bathroom and closing the door behind them.
The very next second, the living room lights blazed on, turning dusk into bright noon.
And so—
When Wanda looked up, what she saw was Xi Nian lying face-down on the sofa as if he just fell, his hair once again silver.
He looked like a corpse.
"Master, what's wrong with you?" Wanda asked curiously.
"Don't mind me. I just need to calm down and think… there's a homework problem, too difficult." Xi Nian waved weakly.
"Alright then." Wanda blinked, changed into slippers, and noticed the sound of running water coming from the lit bathroom.
"Miss Diana's back too?" Wanda's doll-like face lit up with joy. "That's wonderful!"
Xi Nian lifted his head. "What? Is eating with just me really that bad?"
"No! It's just…" Wanda bit her lip, then puffed her cheeks and cried out, "Master, you big dummy!" before running off toward the kitchen.
She was actually happy for Xi Nian.
Because deep down, Wanda knew Xi Nian hadn't shared dinner with Diana in a long while. He must have felt lonely.
…
Dinner time.
Xi Nian helped Wanda carry steaks and dishes to the table.
Soon, Diana emerged from her room, wearing a loose white silk nightgown. Her damp dark hair curled faintly, cascading casually over her smooth neck and defined shoulders.
Xi Nian couldn't help but be even more allured than he already was.
His gaze lingered on her lips. They looked the same as always, but at the corner, barely noticeable to most, was the faintest mark. A mark he left.
Diana seemed to sense his look. Her exquisite face gave nothing away as she sat down gracefully.
But when Wanda turned to fetch the last plate, Diana lightly tapped Xi Nian on the forehead with her finger. On her calm face flashed a moment of fluster and reproach, her heart pounding faster than when facing Doomsday himself.
Only Xi Nian…
Only he could put Diana into such an impossible situation, the first time she'd ever fled in embarrassment.
Xi Nian rubbed his forehead, the sting lingering, but the corners of his lips curved upward. He almost laughed aloud.
But he knew if he laughed now, he'd be dead.
"Master, should I bring dessert?" Wanda called from the kitchen.
"No need," Xi Nian said with a content smirk. "I've already had something sweet."
Thunk!
Diana's finger flicked his forehead again.
…
After dinner.
The three sat on the sofa watching TV.
Wanda, cuddling Xiao Huang, sat quietly on one side, her small feet dangling above the floor. Diana, with a dense book in hand, sat elegantly on the other side, her long legs crossed neatly.
Xi Nian sprawled in the middle, silver hair scattered across the cushions.
At that moment, Xi Nian remembered he hadn't replied to his messages. He'd already decided: tomorrow, Gwen's house. The day after, Kara's. Early death, late death—either way, better to face it head-on.
He pulled out his phone.
A new message popped up.
Not Gwen. Not Kara—they'd use Twitter. This was a private text.
His circle was small. Who would text him?
Xi Nian opened it, his expression hardening.
No name. Just a detailed address in New York.
And at the bottom, a single word:
Stars.
The sender was obvious.
Xi Nian glanced at Wanda beside him. She was absorbed in the TV, absently stroking Xiao Huang's fur.
"Ahem. Time for bed," Xi Nian announced suddenly.
Wanda checked the clock—it was only nine. But thinking Xi Nian was tired, she obediently nodded.
Diana noticed his odd behavior and quietly closed her book.
Later, when the lights went out, Xi Nian slipped into Diana's room. He told her about the message.
"So. That girl is asking for your help?" Diana asked thoughtfully.
"Seems so. With her personality, she wouldn't send this without reason. She's Wanda's sister, and she's helped me before. No matter what, I need to check it out," Xi Nian said seriously.
"I'll come with you," Diana said.
"No need." Xi Nian shook his head with a smile. "I have the same powers as you now. And if you leave too, Wanda will worry."
"But…" Diana began, when suddenly, through the door crack, padded a small orange cat.
Trailing behind, Xiao Huang carried a glass jar with her tail. Inside was Jarro, the rainbow starfish.
"Meow," Xiao Huang called softly.
"Need me to relay the message?" Jarro asked with a psychic pulse.
"No," Xi Nian laughed, scooping them both into his arms. He turned to Diana. "See? Now you can rest easy, Aunt."
"Alright. Be careful." Diana nodded softly. With such a luxurious lineup, even Steppenwolf couldn't threaten Xi Nian's life.
It was time to let the child test his wings.
"At least take my equipment," Diana offered.
Xi Nian scratched his head, then decided firmly. "Forget the armor. For weapons—just one is enough!"
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