Working separately was indeed efficient.

Late at night, Xi Xianqing and Zhu Ming exchanged the information each had gathered, piecing together a nearly complete storyline.

“A once-close friend suddenly vanishes without a word, and the next time they meet, it turns out she’s the daughter of their competitor.”

Wearing sensor gloves, Zhu Ming looked down and patted Dish Soap’s butt. “If I were in her shoes, I’d feel tricked too. No wonder the poor girl was so mad she started shedding fur like crazy.”

The information was quite a lot to process, and Xi Xianqing furrowed his brows tightly. “But why did Shen Ying go to such lengths to conceal her identity and join a small bakery, only to leave abruptly and return to the life and social class she originally belonged to?”

Zhu Ming also found it puzzling. “Running away from home? Experiencing life? Only she herself would know the real reason.”

Regardless, Shen Ying’s past at least provided Xi Xianqing with a major creative direction.

Art isn’t just about beauty and perfection; the angles, cracks, regrets, and struggles—these imperfections are precisely what created the majority of heartfelt and profound storytelling.

The green peac0ck shook its legs and pecked at its chest feathers. Xi Xianqing hesitated for a moment before asking, “Then how do they feel about each other now? Is it resentment, or have they moved on?”

Zhu Ming shook his head and removed his gloves. “One gets furious at just the mention of the other’s name; the other remains tight-lipped about it. These are all extreme forms of avoidance, each in their own way. Which means…”

Xi Xianqing said after a long time, “They still care about each other.”

Zhu Ming exhaled lightly and couldn’t help but chuckle. “What a strange situation. How does treating spiritual manifestation abnormalities always end up uncovering emotional wounds? I might as well switch to being a therapist.”

In the next few days, Xi Xianqing entered a burst of inspiration.

Of course, he didn’t deliberately tell Zhu Ming about it—he was simply holed up in his study for days, barely moving from his spot. Only Ye Lu and the craftsmen came and went during this time.

Occasionally passing by, Zhu Ming glimpsed through the crack in the door. Dish Soap was perched by its owner’s hand, its beautiful feathers cascading elegantly from the desk like a waterfall. Its tiny eyes were slightly squinted, radiating contentment and relaxation.

Zhu Ming knew this must be a key moment in the artist’s creative process, so he refrained from interrupting.

Zhu Ming’s progress on his side didn’t fall behind either.

After working for several days inside the experimental lab pod, he finally completed the first batch of medicine designed to address Xi Xianqing’s display abnormalities.

The pale blue liquid was contained in a small centrifuge tube, carefully placed in the center of a temperature-controlled box.

Xi Xianqing studied the medication for a moment. “Toilet Cleaner?”

Zhu Ming sometimes found artists’ words to be really over the top.

“It’s medicine,” Zhu Ming explained. “Theoretically, this drug enhances your neural sensory abilities and improves your neural interaction with your spiritual manifestation.”

“I’ve adjusted the dosage in advance, but there might still be potential side effects. I suggest you find the time when your work is over such as before bed.”

Zhu Ming said, glancing at Xi Xianqing’s cluttered desk. “That way, it won’t interrupt your progress.”

Xi Xianqing nodded and placed the potion in the drawer at hand.

Curious, Zhu Ming picked up one of the sketches on the desk and propped his chin on his hand to examine it. “Is this just a draft? Even at this stage, the level of detail is incredible ah.”

Xi Xianqing’s hand paused briefly as he organized his sketches. Without looking up, he gave a quiet “Mm.”

Zhu Ming then picked up another sketch and scrutinized it for a moment. The white fox’s tail swayed leisurely on the table beside him. “Aiyaya, this one’s gorgeous too oh. As expected of the future representative artist of District Six.”

Xi Xianqing glanced at him indifferently. “That’s nearly identical to the one you just saw. It’s an early draft that was discarded.”

Zhu Ming: “…”

With one hand delivering medicine and the other doling out exaggerated compliments again, Xi Xianqing wasn’t a fool. Continuing to draft calmly, he asked directly, “What exactly are you after?”

Zhu Ming who was caught red-handed, showed no embarrassment. Instead, he smirked.

His fingers slowly climbed onto the edge of the workstation, hooking onto the other end of Xi Xianqing’s pen.

His gaze softened with a playful light, and his voice took on a teasing intimacy. “When you finish drawing this diamond, let’s go on a date.”

The sketching pen abruptly stopped, and Xi Xianqing even forgot to correct him that he was drawing an agate, not a diamond. “What—”

“Date photos ah. You promised me. Zhu Yingying has already messaged several times asking for them, and I’ve run out of suitable pictures to send.”

Zhu Ming silently jerked the pen out of the opposite person’s hand while explaining, “The fireworks photos are all used up. You said you’d take three more with me.”

“The resort is so big, and there are still plenty of interesting places we haven’t explored.” He winked as he spoke.

Half an hour later, Zhu Ming stared at the person standing in front of the villa, lost in thought.

Zhu Ming had only mentioned taking pictures, yet Xi Xianqing never treated any event requiring an appearance casually.

The loose, comfortable clothes he had worn while sketching were swapped for a more refined vacation look: a beige, open-weave linen jacket with intricate patterns, paired with a thin wooden bead necklace dr4p3d elegantly over his chest. The look was understated but sophisticated.

Xi Xianqing noticed his gaze, “What’s wrong? Where are we going?”

“Nothing, it’s all good.” Zhu Ming exhaled quietly, then nonchalantly averted his eyes. “Let’s go.”

Five minutes later, Xi Xianqing stared in disbelief at the scene before him. He abruptly turned to face Zhu Ming, who was seated in his wheelchair. “The interesting place you mentioned at the resort is the swimming pool?”

Zhu Ming rubbed his nose and looked at the sky, showing a hint of guilt. “You didn’t ask me for specifics ah.”

Xi Xianqing gritted his teeth. “Why didn’t you mention this before I changed? Now I’ve—”

He’d gotten dressed up for nothing.

“You didn’t give me a chance to interject ah.”

Zhu Ming coughed lightly. “Besides, since you were already dressed, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. You look great, by the way—lots of people were staring at you on the way here.”

Xi Xianqing declared bluntly, shutting the discussion down. “Not swimming.”

Zhu Ming pursed his lips, “But you promised me.”

Xi Xianqing replied, turning his face away in frustration. “…I don’t have swim trunks,”

Zhu Ming smiled, clearly prepared. From a hidden compartment behind his wheelchair, he produced a brand-new pair of swim trunks.

He courteously handed them to Xi Xianqing with both hands, “You needn’t worry. I reached out to Li Shun, who welcomed us when we arrived, and had him prepare these for you in advance.”

In a coastal district, skipping a swim would indeed be a waste.

The resort in District Two, the largest and most luxurious of its kind, prided itself on exclusivity. Boasting serene mountain seclusion, it emphasized privacy and tranquility.

The outdoor pool was designed to mimic the pristine charm of a natural spring. The edges were crafted from mountain rocks, adorned with expensive greenery and blooming flowers—a flawless atmosphere.

Zhu Ming bought two fruit juices from the adjacent bar, then picked a photogenic spot by the pool to stage a lively, vacation-themed photo shoot.

Before long, Xi Xianqing emerged from the changing room in swim trunks, his face clouded with displeasure.

Zhu Ming commanded, “Please enter the water.”

Xi Xianqing frowned, crossing his arms as he looked at Zhu Ming. “Weren’t we taking a photo together?”

“You don’t get it. When we’re always face-to-face in photos, it comes off too staged.”

Zhu Ming lifted his glass, ensuring the frame captured Xi Xianqing while faintly showcasing his wrist. “This is called the ‘boyfriend point of view’—a unique and intimate feel. Just swim, and don’t worry about the rest.”

Entirely treated as background material, Xi Xianqing was speechless. With a blank expression, he entered the water.

Zhu Ming: “Swim naturally, and try to look like you’re enjoying yourself ha.”

It seemed Xi Xianqing took a deep breath before submerging himself.

Satisfied, Zhu Ming snapped a few shots and sent them to Zhu Yingying with the caption: “Hehehe, a little holiday getaway for two ^_^～”

When he put his phone down, he noticed that Xi Xianqing had silently swum to the edge of the pool. With just his head and a coldly aloof profile visible above the water, he glanced faintly in Zhu Ming’s direction.

Zhu Ming held up his phone. “It’s a very cool shot. Wanna take a look?”

Xi Xianqing immediately turned his face away, “Not interested.”

As he reached the pool’s edge, his arms resting on the rim, he ruffled his hair with a slight frown.

Zhu Ming rarely had the chance to look down on Xi Xianqing, so he seized the opportunity, unabashedly taking it all in.

—His damp hair was swept back, revealing strikingly defined brows, nose, and cheekbones. The lean and toned muscles of his back and arms were flawlessly sculpted. En, as for further down…

Xi Xianqing noticed the gaze and his Adam’s apple moved slightly. “And you? Just going to sit there and watch?”

“What else?” Zhu Ming replied, perplexed. “In my condition, isn’t playing in the water no different from self-harm?”

Xi Xianqing subconsciously frowned, “There’s a safe way for you to join in.”

Zhu Ming: “Huh?”

Five minutes later.

Zhu Ming sat on the edge of the pool, staring at his rolled-up pant legs and his feet soaking in the water. Deep in thought, he finally asked, “Good idea, but how is this different from soaking my feet at a spa?”

Xi Xianqing, standing back in the pool, glanced at him. “Compared to sitting idly on the sidelines, at least this way you can photograph your legs and make your little aunt believe you’re enjoying the holiday too.”

Zhu Ming pondered, “Makes sense.”

The next moment, he flicked his hand aggressively through the water, creating a massive splash. “But if we’re going to enjoy ourselves, let’s go all in! Time for some interaction!”

Xi Xianqing, now drenched with water splashing all over his face: “…!?”

Wiping his face, Xi Xianqing’s vision cleared. The moment it did, he spotted Zhu Ming sitting by the shore, his crescent-shaped eyes brimming with a radiant, crystalline smile.

Xi Xianqing paused for a few seconds before abandoning any pretense of politeness and retaliating.

Their combat skills weren’t even on the same level. Zhu Ming’s clothes were instantly soaked as he dodged while awkwardly trying to counterattack by bending down to scoop water with his hands. “Hey, hey. Do you seriously not hold back ah?”

Their supposed act of playing a loving couple quickly escalated into a rivalry that resembled mortal enemies.

The two dove headfirst into a full-fledged elementary school-style water fight, hellbent on making the other lose face.

In keeping with the vacation resort’s return-to-nature theme, the edge of the pool was made of uneven and non-slip-resistant mountain rocks.

Zhu Ming was in high spirits, leaning forward slightly to scoop water with his hand to splash Xi Xianqing. But just as he reached out, his body suddenly slipped, and he silently tumbled downward!

Zhu Ming: “…!”

Xi Xianqing was also startled. Acting quickly, he reached out and grabbed Zhu Ming.

The crippled fox that had fallen into the water was utterly terrified, petrified by his fear of water, and unable to stand up.

“…Xi Xianqing!” Zhu Ming flailed wildly in the water before clinging tightly to Xi Xianqing’s neck, refusing to let go. His voice, distorted by panic, rose in pitch. “I’m begging you, don’t let go! I can’t swim ah!”

He was so frightened that he even called out his full name.

Xi Xianqing exhaled helplessly. “…The water isn’t even deep. Relax.”

Zhu Ming froze and barely stopped struggling.

Clinging to Xi Xianqing like a koala to a tree branch, Zhu Ming gasped for air, glanced down briefly, and instantly clung even tighter. “You lied to me! It’s clearly very deep!”

The water’s buoyancy introduced too much uncertainty. In his panic, Zhu Ming’s left leg reflexively lifted and pressed against Xi Xianqing’s well-defined abs.

Xi Xianqing’s pupils trembled. “Your leg—”

Zhu Ming suddenly realized something and lowered his head in disbelief.

“Did my legs… just move?”

He raised his eyes, half-doubtful, and asked urgently, “Was it my imagination?”

Everything happened in an instant, leaving Xi Xianqing momentarily dazed. After a brief pause, he shook his head. “It wasn’t your imagination.”

Their eyes met, filled with mutual surprise, both breathing heavily.

Zhu Ming’s sense of feeling in his waist had never entirely disappeared. He could feel the water’s coolness and the searing warmth of Xi Xianqing’s palm—a contrast of hot and cold that made his muscles involuntarily contract.

At such a close distance, their noses were nearly touching, water droplets from their hair falling silently. Even the faintest breaths seemed to intertwine, subtle and ambiguous.

It was too close.

And too quiet.

The sound of the water mingled with their breathing as their bodies pressed together for those fleeting seconds. An indescribable tension spread between them. Their smiles faded almost simultaneously as they stared into each other’s eyes, panting.

Moments later, almost in unison, they averted their gazes, both visibly uneasy.

Xi Xianqing’s voice was slightly hoarse. “Do you still feel… anything in your leg now?”

“It seems like there’s not much movement again.”

Zhu Ming realized their current posture wasn’t exactly appropriate. Taking a deep breath, he awkwardly pulled one hand away from Xi Xianqing’s neck and struggled to grab onto the rocks at the edge of the pool. “In that case, let me just climb up first—”

He was a bit flustered, but the rocks at the edge of the shore were as slick as if they had been oiled. Just as his hand managed to grab hold, he slipped right back down again.

Zhu Ming’s eyes widened in panic, and in his desperation, he blindly grabbed for something to stabilize himself—

Then heard a muffled groan of pain from Xi Xianqing. “You…”

Zhu Ming froze, looking down at where his hand had landed. His face turned red as he realized the support he had found.

Quickly removing his hand from Xi Xianqing’s chest, he stammered, “… S-sorry about that ha.”

While he apologized verbally, his fingers hesitated for a moment after leaving the firm muscles, lingering as if reluctant. In the end, he cautiously hooked his fingers onto the necklace hanging from Xi Xianqing’s chest to use it for leverage instead.

Avoiding direct eye contact, Zhu Ming fixed his gaze on a distant point, mumbling softly, “Could you do me a favor and help me get to the shore?”

Xi Xianqing seemed to take a deep breath.

“Don’t just grab anything. Wrap your arms around my neck,” he ordered. “And don’t move.”

Zhu Ming obediently complied, opening his eyes slightly to steal a glance at his feet before holding on even tighter. “Hurry up, then.”

By now, Xi Xianqing had become quite adept at carrying Zhu Ming. With the help of the water’s buoyancy, he slid an arm securely around Zhu Ming’s waist. Applying just a little force, he easily lifted him out of the water.

The moment he safely sat back on the shore, Zhu Ming let out a long breath.

A subtle sense of awkwardness crept up on him belatedly.

He lowered his head and wiped the water droplets off his phone screen, pretending to keep himself busy for a while. Only then did he speak with a lighthearted tone, “I think I’ve captured enough shots.”

Xi Xianqing propped himself up on the edge of the shore with his arms and with a small exertion, flipped himself up easily.

His chest still bore faint red marks from Zhu Ming’s earlier grip. He looked at the thoroughly soaked Zhu Ming for a moment before slightly averting his gaze. “I’ll go get a towel.”

Zhu Ming responded with an “Alright.”

The phone screen lit up, displaying a reply from Zhu Yingying: “Aiyaya, now this feels like a proper vacation! You and Xiao Xi should take it easy and enjoy yourselves!”

Another message popped up right after ah: “But don’t blame me for nagging ah. With your legs, you really need to be extra careful when playing in the water ha.”

“Don’t push it too far.” She finally sent over four words.

Zhu Ming: “…”

With a ‘pa’, he flipped his phone face-down on the shore.

The water was sparkling, and Zhu Ming enjoyed the pool for one last moment.

The slight movement in his leg earlier might have been an involuntary reaction to the scare, or perhaps it was the effects of the experimental medication he had been trying. Either way, he made a mental note to report the incident to Dr. Wu during his next rehab session.

Still, he reminded himself not to hold out too much hope—there was a high likelihood that this was just a one-off occurrence.

Xi Xianqing took longer than expected to retrieve the towel. Zhu Ming glanced in the direction where he had disappeared.

From afar, he saw Xi Xianqing standing near the poolside bar, holding a towel in his hand.

Opposite him stood a fashionable woman with a striking figure.

She wore a strapless, vacation-style maxi dress, and her long tassel earrings swayed gently with her movements. On her shoulder, a purple iris spiritual manifestation bloomed lazily and vibrantly.

Zhu Ming was stunned at first.

The corners of his lips twitched slightly, only feeling that it made sense.

With Xi Xianqing’s status and appearance, being approached like this was entirely expected.

However, what made Zhu Ming somewhat surprised was actually Xi Xianqing’s reaction.

Xi Xianqing had always been a person with a strong sense of boundaries and propriety.

But now, as the woman leaned closer mid-conversation, her lavender-painted fingernail lightly tapped his shoulder. He merely furrowed his brows and moved back slightly, an expression of mild helplessness on his face. Yet, he didn’t verbally stop her.

Zhu Ming quickly caught on.

They were acquainted.

It was an old acquaintance catching up, and by the looks of it, Xi Xianqing wouldn’t be returning anytime soon.

Zhu Ming’s eyelashes fluttered as he turned back toward the shimmering water with a small smile. He gazed quietly, lost in thought for a moment.

His damp clothes clung to his skin, and as a breeze swept past, he started to feel a chill creeping in.

The water fight earlier had drained a significant amount of energy, probably because he had been sedentary for too long. Now that his adrenaline had faded, he felt an inexplicable sense of fatigue washing over him.

“Hello.”

In the next moment, a young and slightly tentative voice sounded from behind, “Excuse me… are you Professor Zhu?”

Professor Zhu, not Doctor.

Zhu Ming was slightly stunned and raised his eyes.

Author’s Notes:

The little fox who fell into the water clung tightly to the firm, solid chest muscles of the big peac0ck!