The first rays of the morning sun slipped through the gaps in the curtains, painting the room with soft golden light. Shudu stirred, his brows furrowing as the brightness nudged him awake. He groaned quietly, bringing a hand to rub his sleep-heavy eyes while attempting to free his other arm. But it didn't budge.
It was trapped.
He glanced down, and a small, amused smile played on his lips. Xue Tuzi, true to his habit, had abandoned his usual cocoon of blankets and nestled himself against Shudu during the night. His slender frame was curled into Shudu's side, his cheek resting on Shudu's broad shoulder. The sight was tender, Xue Tuzi's serene expression betrayed a hint of the sharp tongue he wielded when awake.
To complete the picture, Jiao Jiao was sprawled across Shudu's muscular bare chest, blissfully snoring. A tiny snot bubble expanded and deflated with every breath, the rhythm almost hypnotic. The little one's tiny nubs clutched the edge of Shudu's blanket as if clinging to an anchor of warmth and safety, shielded by both parents.
Shudu let out a soft chuckle, his deep voice reverberating in the quiet room. Carefully, he shifted his free hand to brush a stray lock of hair from Xue Tuzi's face. His fingers lingered, trailing down to caress a cheekbone before his thumb landed on the man's lips, brushing the delicate mole beneath them.
"Hmm," Shudu murmured, his voice low and teasing, "you call me disgusting, yet here you are, snuggled up in my arms like a kitten seeking warmth. So, which is it?"
Xue Tuzi didn't respond, his breathing slow and even in the depths of sleep.
Shudu's smirk deepened, his thumb tracing along the curve of Xue Tuzi's jaw before his hand slid down to rest on the man's waist. "You're lucky I'm a gentleman," he continued in a hushed tone, leaning closer until his lips nearly brushed Xue Tuzi's ear. "If I weren't, I would've had my way with you a thousand times by now."
As if to punctuate his words, Shudu's hand traveled lower, his fingers settling on Xue Tuzi's bottom with a firm, possessive squeeze. The sleeping beauty let out a soft, involuntary moan, his body instinctively shifting closer to Shudu's warmth.
Shudu let out a deep sigh, his playful smirk softening into something warmer. "Hopeless," he muttered, shaking his head. Carefully, he began to extricate himself from the tangle of limbs.
He moved Jiao Jiao first, cradling the little Gu worm and gently placing him on the mattress. Jiao Jiao let out a tiny whimper before curling into a ball, his face burrowing into the discarded pillow.
Next was Xue Tuzi. Shudu maneuvered the man off his chest with practiced ease, laying him down on his side. Xue Tuzi instinctively curled into himself, his hands clutching the edges of the blanket as if searching for Shudu's body heat.
Watching him, Shudu couldn't suppress the affectionate smile creeping onto his face. He reached down, brushing his knuckles against Xue Tuzi's temple one last time before rising from the bed. The warmth of the two sleeping forms lingered on his skin, and for a fleeting moment, he hesitated, gazing at them bathed in the morning light.
Shudu extended his hand, and Xiao Zongzi scuttled gracefully down from the canopy above, her delicate spider legs clicking faintly against his skin. She climbed effortlessly onto his shoulder, her weight so light it was almost imperceptible. Her many eyes blinked in unison, and Shudu could feel her quiet disapproval even without a word.
"He wants me," Shudu said with a smirk, his voice low and teasing. His fingers deftly buttoned the crisp blue shirt he had just slipped on. He glanced over his shoulder toward the bed, where Xue Tuzi lay in a cocoon of blankets. The sleeping beauty had buried his face in Shudu's pillow, clutching it tightly as though it were a lifeline.
"He's just too stubborn to admit it," Shudu murmured, his tone laced with amusement.
The sight of Xue Tuzi, so vulnerable and unguarded, stirred something in Shudu. He crossed the room with a quiet, predatory grace, his footsteps barely making a sound on the wooden floor. Standing over the bed, he gazed down at the man tangled in the folds of warmth, his sharp features softened by sleep.
He leaned down, his lips brushing against the corner of Xue Tuzi's mouth in a featherlight kiss, more a stolen indulgence than a gesture of affection. A satisfied smile curved his lips as he pulled back, his eyes lingering on the man's serene face.
Xiao Zongzi, perched on his shoulder, rolled her eyes she shifted her tiny body, one of her legs flicking in a gesture that spoke volumes of her exasperation. Her master's obsession with Xue Tuzi was undeniable, but she couldn't help but feel wary.
Several hours had passed, and the once-quiet courtyard was now alive with activity. Xiao Zongzi, ever industrious, had spun a labyrinth maze of intricate webs, her silken threads forming a shimmering obstacle course in the morning light. Shudu moved through the maze with fluid grace, his movements precise and controlled as he weaved between the webs, careful not to disturb even a single strand. This game was a frequent exercise, a way for Shudu to hone his agility and keep his martial prowess sharp.
Across the courtyard, Li Zhameng was immersed in his own training. Dozens of kites soared above him, their colorful patterns swirling in the sky. With a gun in hand, he sprinted across the yard, taking aim and releasing bullets at the targets attached to the kites. His focus was unwavering, each shot a testament to his growing skill.
The creak of a door interrupted the morning's rhythm. Xue Laohu stepped outside, stretching his arms above his head as he let out a long yawn. His sharp eyes scanned the courtyard, taking in the scene before him. A frown quickly crept onto his face as he noticed one glaring absence.
"Where is A-Tuzi?" he demanded, his tone sharp with irritation.
"Shizun, he's probably still sleeping," Li Zhameng replied, pausing his practice to cup his hands and bow respectfully.
"At this hour? And he's still sleeping?" Xue Laohu's voice rose in disbelief. His brows twitched, a sign of his mounting frustration. While he had always been lenient with Xue Tuzi, the looming Disciple Showdown, scheduled in just two weeks, left no room for indulgence. Discipline was paramount, and this was no time for sloth.
Before he could voice his thoughts further, Sect Leader Mao sauntered over, his arm settling heavily on Xue Laohu's shoulder. The older man stroked his beard thoughtfully, his voice laced with a sly tone. "A disciple," he said, "is but a reflection of his Master."
Xue Laohu's eyes narrowed, annoyance flickering across his face. He knew the comment was a jab at his own tendency to oversleep. But this wasn't about him—it was about Xue Tuzi. His irritation deepened as he muttered, "I may have slept in, but not like him!"
Meanwhile, Shudu had noticed the commotion and paused his drills with Xiao Zongzi. He approached the group, his steps measured and deliberate. Bowing respectfully, he addressed them with a calm yet mischievous tone. "It is this venerable one's fault," he said smoothly, his lips curling into a predatory smile. "I have been keeping him up all night." His teeth gleamed as he spoke, the sharp points of his canines catching the light.
Sect Leader Mao's eyes widened in shock. The whiskers on his lips quivered as he stared at Shudu, appalled. "You're allowing a demon to bed your disciple?" he barked, his sharp brows furrowing as his gaze shifted to Xue Laohu.
"Huh?" Xue Laohu stammered, caught completely off guard. He waved his hands nervously, his mind racing. But then a thought struck him like a lightning bolt: Wait a minute. If Shudu has been bedding Xue Tuzi all this time… why hasn't their relationship blossomed? Unless…
His eyes sharpened as he spun on Shudu, grabbing him roughly by the collar. "Bastard! Have you been violating my disciple?" he shouted, his voice trembling with fury.
Shudu didn't flinch. Instead, his predatory smile only widened, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. "And if I have?" he said coolly, his voice a silken challenge. "What will Grandmaster Xue do?"
Xue Laohu's grip tightened, his eyes blazing. For a moment, he faltered, his thoughts tangling. What could I do? he realized bitterly. The Gong ML is entitled to the Shou MC… But the thought of a forced relationship made his stomach churn. His voice dropped, heavy with resolve. "I'll kill you," he growled. "And then I'll kill myself."
Shudu's expression softened slightly, his hand moving to gently rest atop Xue Laohu's trembling fists. "If it means that Grandmaster Xue would take his own life," he said quietly, "then let me assure you—I have not touched a single strand of hair on your disciple's head."
Xiao Zongzi, perched on his shoulder, scoffed audibly. She crossed her thin legs, her eyes rolling in a dramatic display of disbelief. Shudu's gaze darted to her, a sharp, menacing look that silenced her instantly. Sure, he had groped and kissed the beauty more times than he could count—but there were lines he would never cross.
Xue Laohu's eyes narrowed, suspicion still clouding his face. "Not a single strand of his hair?" he echoed, knowing all too well Shudu's inability to keep his hands off Xue Tuzi, even in front of him.
Shudu hesitated, his smirk faltering for the first time. "Alright," he admitted with a shrug, "maybe I've touched several strands of hair… but I would never—" He stopped himself, realizing they would never trust the word of a demon. Clenching his fists, his voice took on a rare earnestness. "I would NEVER cross that line."
Xue Laohu groaned, running a hand down his face in frustration. "Then why would you say that?" he barked, his brows still knitted in irritation.
Shudu, ever calm and unbothered, knelt gracefully before him, his piercing gaze unwavering. "Allow this venerable one to retrieve him so that Grandmaster Xue may question him directly," he offered, his voice smooth and deferential.
Xue Laohu let out a weary sigh, his hand falling to his side. "Very well," he said, flicking his wrist dismissively. His robes billowed in the breeze as Shudu stood, turned on his heel, and strode away toward Xue Tuzi's room, his movements swift and precise.
Watching him go, Sect Leader Mao stepped closer, his hands clasped firmly behind his back. His face was dark with disapproval, his frown deepening as he spoke. "You trust him?"
"I do," Xue Laohu replied, though his tone carried a trace of uncertainty.
Sect Leader Mao's frown only deepened, his stern gaze boring into Xue Laohu. "Humans and demons should not mingle intimately with one another," he said, his voice cold with disdain.
"And why is that? Is it against the rules?" Xue Laohu asked, raising a brow as he turned to face Sect Leader Mao.
The elder man's nostrils flared, and his face flushed an angry red. "Relationships between demons and humans only end in tragedy," he snapped. "Demons are creatures of greed. They may play the role of a lover, but their hunger always takes over in the end. They devour their prey—physically and emotionally. It's inevitable."
Xue Laohu rolled his eyes, his exasperation obvious. His mind drifted to the absurd title of the novel they all seemed bound by: Bound by Darkness, Yet Drawn by Love: The Demon's Eternal Curse and the Mortal's Unbreakable Heart in a World That Shouldn't Let Them Be Together but Somehow Against All Odds, They Copulate.
He snorted at the memory, pulling out his folding fan with a flick of his wrist. The exaggerated melodrama of it all never failed to irritate him.
Shudu arrived at the bedroom, the soft morning light still filtered through the thin curtains. Xue Tuzi was still sprawled across the bed, his face buried in Shudu's pillow, clutching it tightly for comfort. His serene expression betrayed no sign of waking anytime soon. Shudu growled low in his throat, irritation flashing in his crimson eye. "You damned rabbit, got me in trouble," he muttered under his breath.
"Master's tongue got him in trouble," Xiao Zongzi interjected, raising one of her thick, bushy brows as she perched on his shoulder. Her small frame shifted slightly as if to emphasize her point.
Shudu shot her a sidelong glare. "On whose side are you, anyway?" he whined, his tone borderline irritated.
He reached for the edge of the blanket, attempting to yank it away from Xue Tuzi, but the beauty only curled tighter beneath the layers, clutching them as if his life depended on it. Shudu huffed in frustration, his lips forming a pout.
"Master," Xiao Zongzi began, crawling down his arm toward the bed, "are you sure Second Master will speak truthfully when questioned?" Her eyes glimmered with skepticism as she climbed onto the bed.
Shudu paused, his hands mid-tug on the blanket. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice cautious.
Xiao Zongzi crawled onto Xue Tuzi's hair, her legs lightly brushing against his soft locks. "Second Master despises you," she said matter-of-factly. "It would benefit him greatly if he were to claim you've violated him."
Shudu frowned, his expression darkening at her words. "No way. He wants me," he countered, though his tone carried a hint of uncertainty.
Xiao Zongzi let out a soft, exasperated sigh, crawling up to the headboard where she settled herself like a queen surveying her court. Her many legs folded primly beneath her as she looked down at her master with something akin to pity.
Shudu turned his attention back to Xue Tuzi, leaning down to whisper softly in his ear, his deep voice coaxing, "Wake up." But his words elicited no response; Xue Tuzi remained blissfully asleep, his grip on the pillow unwavering.
Patience wearing thin, Shudu began to pinch the beauty's soft body, his neck, his hips, his thighs. the faintest smirk playing on his lips as he watched for a reaction. A muffled groan escaped Xue Tuzi's lips, his face scrunching up as he recoiled, flinching from the gentle assault.
Suddenly, a small, furious blur shot out from beneath the blankets. Jiao Jiao, the loyal Gu worm, sprang to life, his little bug eyes blazing with righteous fury. With a loud chirp, he launched himself at Shudu, slapping his face with his tiny tail before planting himself protectively over Xue Tuzi.
"Oh, come on," Shudu drawled, barely suppressing a laugh as Jiao Jiao began ramming his fat head into his torso with determined, albeit ineffective, force. Each thud barely registered against Shudu's muscular frame, as he watched the worm's efforts with open amusement.
"Hey, there's no need to be so angry," Shudu said, reaching out to pat Jiao Jiao's round head. "I just need your mama to wake up."
Jiao Jiao wobbled in place, his eyes spinning into dizzy little swirls from his repeated collisions. He gave one last chirp before collapsing back onto Xue Tuzi in defeat, his stubby legs flailing slightly.
Shudu leaned closer, his body pressing against Xue Tuzi's, his lips brushing dangerously close to the beauty's ear. "If you don't wake up," he murmured, a wicked smile spreading across his face, "I'm going to fuck you."
The words were just sharp enough to break through the haze of sleep. Xue Tuzi's eyes flew open, wide and startled, as he gasped, his chest heaving from the sudden shock.
Shudu straightened, his grin smug as he surveyed his handiwork. "There you are," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "Good morning, little rabbit."