Forcefully Doting On You - extra5

 

Chapter 134

The Little Priest of the Gods (End)

Note: This is the end of this novel. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and supporting it here and on Ko-Fi! 

In the dead of night, Cross silently moved through the long corridor lit by flickering candles on either side.

The young monarch's eyebrows furrowed, his face taut, and the slight tremor of his hands at his sides betrayed his anxiety.

Witnessing the pure and beautiful Oracle Priest fainting on the day of the decisive battle nearly froze Cross' heart. What's more, hearing Themis grit his teeth and reveal that Mu Cai had been beguiled and possessed by a demon had felt like a raging torrent of blood rushing to his head.

From the first day that young Cross saw his destined Oracle Priest, he nurtured affection for the priest - pure, beautiful, noble, and kind-hearted. This silent affection was akin to wine brewing, growing richer and more profound as he came to understand Mu Cai with each passing day.

So, when Cross learned that his Oracle Priest now belonged to someone else, his heart roiled like a tempest. Jealousy and rage nearly wore a hole in his heart, depriving him of sleep as he restlessly tossed and turned in his bed at night.

Cross yearned to see Mu Cai. He wanted to be with him immediately, to claim and mark him as his own. He wanted to make Mu Cai forget the demon and ensure he occupied the priest's heart wholly from that point forward!

With these tumultuous emotions, Cross quickened his pace. As he neared the Royal Bedchamber, he heard sounds of struggle and harsh whispers of reprimands and pleas from within.

Alarmed, fearing the demon had returned to the human world, Cross immediately pushed open the door.

Blessed with divine strength since birth, he effortlessly managed tasks that even adult warriors struggled with. In his eyes, the frail door barring the bedchamber was as good as non-existent.

The next moment, Cross, the young city lord, widened his eyes, nearly warping the door handle.

On the soft bed belonging to the Oracle Priest, Mu Cai was pinned down by Themis. Half of his garments were torn away, revealing his porcelain-like skin. His smooth black hair sprawled over the bed, and his slender arm grasped in Themis' hand, jerked around like a fish out of water as he struggled.

Interrupted, Themis clicked his tongue in irritation. His upper half was bare, and he glared menacingly with his golden eyes.

Hearing the sound at the door, Mu Cai immediately appealed for help, "City Lord! Save me! Themis isn’t himself!"

Having said this, the Oracle Priest expected immediate assistance.

However, it didn't come forth.

The young monarch stood at the entrance, his veins bulging from his arm, muscles rippling, the door nearly broken in his hand. Under the candlelight, Cross's face turned a heated crimson, his expression decidedly unnatural.

Seeing this, Mu Cai felt a bubble of unease raise in his heart for an unknown reason.

The monarch did not rush to help him. Instead, he seemed lost in thoughts, as if struggling to restrain himself.

The Oracle Priest's immediate thought was that something had befallen Cross. As a priest, he had been trained since childhood to respond to diverse cries for help, guided by his teachers to always extend compassionate assistance to every person in need.

At this moment, he completely forgot he was at another's mercy and urgently addressed Themis, his face blazing white, "Themis, stop this. The City Lord might be in trouble; let me go so I can check on him."

Seeing the anxiety in his teacher's eyes, which were as bright as the Milky Way on a summer night, Themis couldn't help but tenderly cup the man's chin with his free hand. He chuckled, "Teacher, even though you've been tainted by the demon, your heart remains so pure."

After his cruel-edged words, his golden, lively eyes shifted towards Cross, "Cross, do you wish to share our teacher?"

At Themis's words, Mu Cai's eyes dilated, while the door panel in Cross's hold cracked into two.

Finally confronting his own feelings, the young city lord croaked, "No."

Raising an eyebrow, Themis looked down on him and barked, "Then get out!"

Even though priests and other clergy technically belong to the city-state, and are superficially under the city lord, the temple exists independently of the secular world, accepting offerings from the populace and not bound by secular laws.

Themis's courtesy towards Cross on a day-to-day basis was due to protocol and respect for Cross's position as the monarch, but now that Cross had interrupted his personal affairs, Themis, inflamed, would naturally not present a friendly countenance.

Especially when Themis noticed Cross's gaze had been fixed on Mu Cai's exposed shoulder. Without making a show of it, Themis nudged his teacher behind him, only leaving one hand firmly holding Mu Cai's slender wrist.

The figure whom everyone's gazes converged upon was obstructed, and Cross seemed to awaken from a slumber. He clenched his fist tightly, speaking in a deep voice, "My not wanting to share Mu Cai with you doesn't mean I don't want him."

Having said this, Cross met Themis' golden eyes head-on without backing down.

Both of Mu Cai's hands were tightly held, and he felt like he was about to pass out again. He felt helpless as Themis was not listening to reason. Mu Cai originally thought the monarch would be the reasonable one, but now it didn't seem to be the case.

Just as the two were at a deadlock, footsteps were heard from outside the chamber.

Mu Cai immediately tensed up.

The number of priests living in the temple was limited, and each room was situated considerably distant from the others, making it hard to hear any noise.

Who could be coming at this time?

If such a scene was witnessed, the reputations of Themis and the monarch would be utterly destroyed!

Themis and Cross temporarily ceased their face-off, both turning their heads towards the door.

The footsteps grew louder, finally reaching the door.

Upon seeing the intruder, Mu Cai couldn't help but exclaim, "Patro?!"

The latter had been unconscious for the entirety of the preceding incidents. Had he finally awoken?

But why did the Purifier Priest's condition look so wrong? Mu Cai knew that Patro was always accustomed to enduring hardships and living an ascetic lifestyle. Now, Patro's face was creased with worry and looked ferocious; he probably couldn't bear it any longer!

At this time, he must have come to seek help, right?

As Mu Cai thought of this and tried to get up, Themis stopped him: "Master, wait, something is wrong with him."

Patro raised his eyes, which were surprisingly bright. Despite the pain on his face, he was still persistently gazing at Mu Cai, his voice hoarse: "Mu Cai, go...hurry, leave!"

Just as his words fell, a deep, eerie laughter echoed throughout the room.

"The one who summoned my avatar, do you think you can stop me? Who do you think commanded you to come here? Moreover, can you really bear to let Mu Cai go?"

The voice was deep and magnetic, filled with tempting offers from the demonic realm, causing the expressions of everyone in the room to change.

It was that demon!

Patro's face immediately flushed bright red.

The person kneeling on the bed, his hands held tightly with his white robe hanging down, exposed his slender and pale shoulders. In his eyes were shock and pity as he looked at Patro.

Suddenly, a tearing pain came from within his body. Patro was clear that the demon he had summoned was about to emerge!

In the instant Perseus retreated into a different space, he understood one thing.

Why could this human easily summon him, who hadn't set foot in the human realm in tens of thousands of years? Why did the city-state monarch and priest possess powers that originated from him?

Because all of them were fragments of his divine soul that had fallen to the mortal world after being seriously injured in the battle of the three realms that he had participated in all those years ago.

All of them were him, and this time, the evil god had returned from the different space using his own avatar.

To retrieve his Mu Cai.

In the eyes of the other three, Patro suddenly knelt on the ground, emitting a painful howl. Immediately thereafter, the image of the demonic god behind him began to crystalize.

At the same time, Themis, Cross, and Patro all suddenly found a sequence of memories in their minds that did not belong to them.

Starting from the great battle of the three realms tens of thousands of years ago, with the ancient gods, demons, and humans entangled in conflict. The evil god was seriously injured, the divine soul was shaken, split, and scattered, falling into the human realm.

And they were part of it.

By the time the shadow had fully materialized, the demon god spread his enormous bat wings, revealing a somewhat evil smile, "Why are you all fighting and scrambling like this?"

"Since you all are merely parts of me, why don't we all love our Mu Cai together?"

The other three hesitated for a moment, remaining silent.

However, they all turned their heads, the look in their eyes as they gazed upon Mu Cai was fanatic.

Thinking of the horrible scene in his mind, Mu Cai couldn't bear it any longer and passed out.

________________________

Mu Cai jolted awake from the dream.

The air conditioner in the room was running, the temperature had been turned down quite low, but it still couldn't block the surging heat. The person holding him was like a furnace, with a heavy arm resting on his waist.

In such a summer night, it was practically a torture.

As Mu Cai thought of the dreamscape, he angrily pounded on the person beside him several times after looking at the freshly awoken Mu Qing, "What are you doing! How can you, how could you do this?!"

He had agreed to love just in the spirit of being old and married, thinking that spicing up their relationship could be interesting. Who could have thought that after reading several novels, the other would create such a world for him?!

Mu Cai still remembered the feeling of helplessness and despair from the dream; he wished he could beat this guy up right away!

The planet ruler let his beloved pummel him with tiny fists.

To him, this amount of force felt just like tickling, and since he had indeed done something wrong, Mu Qing decided to let Mu Cai vent his frustrations first before he tried to placate him.

When Mu Cai had vented all his anger and stopped panting in rage, the planet ruler hurriedly sat up, with one arm around Mu Cai's shoulders and one hand holding the other's fair hand, coaxing, "Don't be angry, Mu Cai."

His body was unbearably hot, a 16-degree air conditioning unit was useless, it was like sitting in a furnace. As Mu Cai was still angry at the moment, he immediately pushed Mu Qing away with strength, "Go away! You're too bad! Don't come near me!"

Mu Qing immediately put on a pitiful face, "It's because you've been so cold to me lately, not letting me hold you, touch you, or even hug you. I felt so bad, that's why I came up with this script."

Mu Cai’s hand, poised to push him away, halted mid-air.

This indeed was his problem.

Although Mu Cai had to act this way solely due to the unbearable heat, his actions had indeed hurt his lover's feelings.

He didn't want to verbalize the reason initially; after all, it wasn't Mu Qing's fault that his body temperature was so high. If he spoke out, the issue wouldn't be solved, and it might even lead to a forced cooling-off period for the whole summer. Perhaps Mu Qing would even feel that he was being too utilitarian: hugging him in the cold winter, but kicking him away in the hot summer.

Therefore, Mu Cai subtly distanced himself from Mu Qing, assuming he wouldn't notice. Only when he was truly unable to bear the heat did he find something else to do to break free from Mu Qing's embrace.

However, being a man he spent every day with, the planet ruler still quickly sensed his unusual behavior.

When he saw that his evasion couldn't be concealed anymore, Mu Cai had no choice but to tell the truth, "Because... because you're just too hot. When I was hugging you and sleeping with you before, despite having the AC on, I couldn't sleep at all for the whole night, it was too uncomfortable."

After he finished speaking, Mu Cai’s long eyelashes drooped, and his pale face was full of grievance, "You don’t feel it, but I'm really uncomfortable!"

Mu Qing’s hand paused mid-air.

He really hadn't considered this.

As the planet ruler, an embodiment of will, a few-degree rise in the surface temperature of the planet was inconsequential to him. Not to mention that Mu Qing's orbit was closer to the sun than Earth's, with a higher temperature, so the summer heat was nothing to him; he didn't regard it as significant.

But he hadn’t considered his little lover's situation at all, he had been so inconsiderate!

At this realization, Mu Qing hurriedly cooed his lover in his arms, "I'm sorry, Mu Cai, it's my fault for not considering this. But don’t worry, I'll cool down very soon!"

Upon seeing his lover apologize sincerely, Mu Cai felt that his previous action of hitting him was somewhat excessive. Lowering his eyes, he extended his fair hand to touch Mu Qing's arm, and said rather shyly, "Alright, stop apologizing. I'm also at fault. I should have spoken up earlier."

"I shouldn't have hit you," with that, Mu Cai raised his eyes, solemnly declaring, "No more allowing such situations to happen!"

Mu Qing quickly embraced him, "Yes, yes, absolutely! Are we going to see Father today?"

Thinking of his father in the hospital, although it was just a minor surgery, Mu Cai still felt somewhat worried. He quickly replied, "Yes! I must accompany him for the surgery today."

Mu Qing extended a hand to stroke his lover’s cheek, smiling, "Don't worry too much. Mom, Dad, elder brother, elder sister, and I have all said — we will always love you."

Mu Cai’s family was really great. As early as when they were together, when he and Mu Cai shared a life, they solemnly exclaim,

No matter life or death, across time and space, we will always love you, always.

On that night, people all around the world witnessed history, as the Dawn jumped out of its previous orbit and moved into a sun-distant one.

And on that very night, Mu Cai finally managed to have a comfortable sleep in the arms of his lover.

Without even switching on the air conditioner.

－－End－－

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Forcefully Doting On You - extra4

 

Chapter 134

The Little Priest of the Gods (Part 4)

Mu Cai woke up from a deep sleep, feeling a little sore around his waist and a soft weakness throughout his body. He didn't want to move at all while lying in the comfortable bed.

Thanks to this unusual feeling, Mu Cai instantly recalled what had happened last night.

Late at night, the flickering candlelight by the bath, the rippling waves, the arms wrapped around his waist, and the sound of heavy breathing in his ears.

A light blush immediately spread across Mu Cai's pale cheeks.

Last night, when the god's actions toward him became more and more presumptuous, Mu Cai finally understood. Although he had very little exposure to such things since childhood and was slow to catch on, it didn't mean he didn't know what was going on.

Mu Cai originally thought that God only wanted to relieve his desires and asked if he needed to call for a consort.

A consort is a type of priest, usually performed by women, but also by some handsome young men. They usually serve higher-ranking priests in temples. Some of them maintain their purity and marry warriors of the city-state or symbols of the gods as spouses.

After Mu Cai made this suggestion, the god, who had been fooling around on him, stopped but did not let him go. Instead, he hugged Mu Cai even tighter and whispered in his ear:

"You have offered yourself to me, and I have granted your wish. You are mine. Why would you hesitate to commit to such an act with me, then suggest someone else instead?"

"After enduring more than two months of drought, the abundant rainfall will speed up the emergence of locusts from underground. When the devil's messenger crosses, the life-saving grains that your people have painstakingly grown will soon disappear. If you're willing, all these can be solved."

"All I want is you."

"..."

His deep, coaxing voice sounded like a demon tempting humanity to offer up their souls in exchange for a deal. Mu Cai thought about his own status as a divine sacrifice while worrying about the impending locust plague.

Under this dual shock, he agreed to the divine will in a stupor, forcing himself to hang onto the edge of the bath, issuing a broken groan.

Now, recounting the scene from last night, Mu Cai felt a hot blush on his face, the coolness brought by the downpour unable to cool him down.

He didn't give thought to the whereabouts and actions of the other person involved.

The oracle priest was struggling to calm his emotions. Outside the sleeping quarters, the sound of hurried footsteps approached.

Mu Cai turned his head to see a seemingly frantic divine servant dash into his bedroom. The servant's face was one of urgency, trying hard to articulate, "Honorable Oracle Priest, the lord has commanded the army. Master Themis is heading toward the temple with them! They claim the deity is a demon and must be exorcised!"

________________________

Perseus's mood was extremely bad at the moment.

He had been by his beloved Cai Cai’s side, watching his peaceful sleeping expression, anticipating the moment when his beloved would open his eyes to see him first thing. But no sooner had he heard the rumble of hooves echoing from afar, he knew they were coming for him while he still waited in the innermost chamber of the temple.

The direction pointed directly at this temple named 'The Chaste Maiden'.

One could tell they didn't have good intentions.

And it seemed they were coming for him.

Perseus sat by the bed framed by light gauze curtains, listening from miles away to the unified shouting of the huge army:

"Slay the demon, protect the priest!"

"Slay the demon, protect the priest!"

"..."

Listening to this ground-shaking and passionate outcry, the demon god Perseus only found it laughable.

This rabble intended to separate him and Cai Cai? How could the power of mere mortals be compared to that of the gods!

The sounds grew ever closer, nearly reaching the temple, and Perseus' massive bat wings fluttered.

They were so close now that even the weak humans could hear their voices. The demon god did not want his beloved, who had been overly fatigued the previous night, to be woken. Hence, he made a decision.

He would go out and meet these presumptuous humans.

And he would see who had the ability to see through his disguise.

However, now, Perseus paid the price for his arrogance.

Hovering in the air, his long horns rose from his head and his large bat wings fanned wide, nearly blocking the sun.

Despite appearing imposing and awe-inspiring in his true form to the humans below, he knew that he was forced to reveal his true form because he couldn't maintain his disguise.

Only at this moment did the demon god admit that he had indeed underestimated these two humans.

Themis grasped the priest's staff firmly, his eyes, like molten gold under the sunlight, fixed on the demon god in the sky. He struck the ground heavily with his staff and loudly commanded, "Attack!"

The soldiers on the ground immediately mounted their horses, surging forward like a flood. They launched a volley of arrows, each aflame, from different directions toward the demon god in the sky.

Perseus couldn't help but laugh.

It seemed that not only was he struggling, the humans below were also in a predicament. What harm could their wooden arrows cause him? They weren't even as damaging as the spell cast by the golden-eyed human who coveted his Cai Cai.

Demons are not gods because they usually represent a certain original sin. Perseus' original sin was pride; he had stumbled several times in the past because of it, yet he still hadn't learned his lesson.

Perseus' bat wings whipped up a violent wind, instantly knocking down all incoming arrows. Some even flew back at high speeds, knocking the archers off their horses. Silently, they fell to the ground.

When the violent wind subsided and the dust settled, the demon god in the sky looked at the ground with his dark pupils. Raising his hand, he prepared to end this confrontation with these unimpressive humans.

Although this time Perseus was quite injured, he also discovered some problems.

For example, the golden-eyed human below possessed a power that obviously should not belong to human beings. When he was fighting this human, he noticed that while the power seemed very different from his, it actually originated from the same source.

What was going on?

Perseus pondered for a while but couldn't figure it out, so he stopped thinking about it.

Anyway, once the two people below fell, he could freely investigate.

After all, corpses cannot fight back.

With arrogant thoughts, Perseus prepared to strike them down with the final thunderbolt, his bat wings flapping behind him.

However, just as he was about to raise his hand, he found himself bound by a powerful force.

It was then that Perseus realized he was entangled in intricately woven golden threads, so fine they were barely visible to the naked eye. They wrapped around him, encasing him in a golden cocoon.

Infuriated, he looked down and saw that the humans he had previously scattered were now forming a magical array that emitted a golden light.

It was that golden-eyed human!

A part from the staff in hand, Themis held the priest's rod, his pupils flowing like liquid gold. He stepped upon a glowing circle, constantly transmitting his magical power to the golden formation before him.

Themis was young—only sixteen—and it was his first time participating in such a massive battle. Supplying the massive magical array with his power alone, his face reddened from the strain.

His golden eyes were glowing as he gritted out through clenched teeth, "Your Majesty! Now is the time! Aim for the demon's brow—it's his weak point!"

The demon god never expected the golden-eyed human to see through his weaknesses so easily. Turning his eyes back to the ground, Perseus saw the human monarch raising his bow.

The bow was mighty and vast, and the arrow on the string made Perseus shrink back.

The arrowhead gleamed brightly like gold, and on the snowy tail feathers, a bundle of ever-burning fire was kindled. On closer look, it resembled a phoenix enveloped in flames.

Perseus recognized this arrow.

It was none other than the God Slaying Arrow!

It was once used by a brave warrior to cause the downfall of a high-ranking deity and was eventually sealed away.

Who would have thought it would end up in the hands of this human king!

Perseus would never simply accept his fate without a fight.

Cross chose his angle and drew the bow.

The young monarch’s arm muscles bulged as he drew the bow, and when the bow was fully drawn, the golden arrowhead shone brilliantly under the sun. It illuminated an eye-catching ray of light, darting towards the demon bound by golden threads.

The God Slaying Arrow whistled through the wind, aiming precisely at Perseus' brow.

The people on the ground held their breath at this moment, their eyes rigidly following the fiery arrow as it sped forward.

However, just as the golden arrowhead was about to pierce the demon king’s brow, Perseus, who was nearly cocooned by the golden threads, suddenly smirked.

The next moment, the demon god, with his long horns and huge bat wings, vanished from the sight of the crowd.

The sudden transition happened too swiftly, leaving the people yet to react.

Themis had never imagined that this demon had a contingency plan in place, furiously slamming his staff on the ground.

However, even a demon couldn't dissipate into thin air without trace, unless he was forced to retreat back into the demon world.

This thought somewhat relieved Themis.

As long as the other party was gone, he would have a chance to reapproach his teacher. He'd have ample time before the demon returned.

With that in mind, Themis looked up, only to see Mu Cai standing not too far away, his face pale and shaking.

________________________

When Mu Cai woke up again, he still found himself in his own bed.

But by now it was already nighttime, candles were lit up in the chamber. His head felt a bit groggy as he just woke up and before he could adjust, he heard the young boy's clear voice beside the bed, "Teacher, you're awake."

That was Themis.

The teenager sat by the side of the bed, his priest's rod beside him. A pair of eyes, flowing like liquid gold, were focused on him.

Mu Cai's emotions were quite mixed right now.

Today, he saw his own student collude with the city-state's ruler to suppress a God.

No, perhaps 'God' was no longer the correct term.

When the Oracle Priest hurried to the scene, he was unwilling to admit what he saw. Despite the face bearing a striking resemblance to a God, the entity had horns and bat wings like a demon.

In Mu Cai's understanding, demons are usually nefarious. However, the Oracle Priest had never seen Perseus, the supposed demon, do harm. In contrast, this entity solved the drought in the city-state and even promised to address the potential locust plague.

The Oracle Priest couldn't help but be confused.

Should such a demon also be exterminated? Can such an entity even be considered a demon?

The aforementioned priest was sat on a soft bed, half of his body illuminated by candlelight. His long eyelashes cast downwards, and the brilliance in his eyes akin to the silver galactic river in the summer night shimmered as if holding back tears.

Themis clenched his fist.

Was his teacher upset? Was he crying?

Was he crying over that demon?!

Just as Mu Cai was grappling with his shaken faith, he suddenly felt the light in front of him fade. Lifting his head, he found Themis had climbed onto his bed, kneeling before him. Themis' hands rested on his shoulders, and his eyes, golden like flowing honey, were firmly fixed on him.

A dangerous signal.

"Teacher, are you worrying about the demon?"

Mu Cai found himself at a loss for words.

However, it seemed as if Themis didn't expect an answer.

"You are the Oracle Priest, revered by the people, my guiding beacon. You shouldn't worry about a demon! The only reason you're having these thoughts is that you've been deceived by the demon!"

As Themis spoke, he gripped Mu Cai's shoulders tighter, a fervor burning in his eyes. "The demon has left impurity inside you, which is why you fainted on the battlefield and only just woke up. You need to be exorcised."

Upon hearing these words, the previously dazed Mu Cai woke up from his stupor. A red flush spread over his snow-white cheeks. "How...how do you know...no, you can't...I'm your teacher..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he saw his carefully nurtured student rip off his usual polite disguise. The expression on Themis' face became somewhat frantic: "Why?! Why can the demon touch you, and I can't?! Just because I'm your pupil?"

Looking at Themis' twisted expression and wild eyes, Mu Cai tenderly cupped his student's face. "Themis, you're lost."

However, the young pupil would not heed his teacher's words of caution. Instead, he retorted, "Then, I need your help even more."

With those words, Themis bowed down and kissed the wide-eyed man before him. Overcoming the man's struggles, he pushed his teacher onto the bed.

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Forcefully Doting On You - extra3

 

Chapter 133

The Little Priest of the Gods (Part 3)

The words and actions upon meeting seemed somewhat frivolous.

From the moment Mu Cai was enlightened, he was sent to live and learn sacrificial knowledge from his teacher, longing single-heartedly for divinity and rarely encountering such flirtatious words from a romantic libertine. His soft lips had only kissed the cheeks and foreheads of children, and his thin arms had embraced many: the city-state's departing warriors, crying children, and adults in need of comfort.

They were all children of the gods. He was deeply concerned about the drought damaging the city-state. Combined with these circumstances, in the eyes of the deity behind him, was he not just as urgent a child in need of comfort?

Mu Cai turned around and saw the deity that suddenly appeared behind him.

The deity was very handsome, almost as if cast from gold and ivory like the statue. Tall and muscular, he fluttered his unsullied wings against the backdrop of dark clouds and a raging wind, and at this moment, he had his arm around Mu Cai’s waist, looking down at him with a smile.

The first drops of rain fell to the ground and were swiftly followed by more, pouring from the sky, seeping into the split, dry earth, and cleansing the parched river beds. The sun-scorched people fell to their knees in amazement at this abrupt rainfall, their prolonged aridity vanished, and they started cheering.

Mu Cai had initially thought that the dark clouds and raging wind were catastrophes resulting from a failed sacrifice. But with the peoples' cheers and the sound of rain infiltrating his ears in the mist, this rainfall must be a blessing from the gods. A surge of gratitude filled Mu Cai's heart. His slender hand resting on the deity's broad chest, he was about to kneel in thanks to the god who had rescued his people.

However, a strong arm tightly wrapped around his waist, halting Mu Cai’s actions. The deity in front of him caressed Mu Cai's soft cheek and said with a coaxing voice, "Are you offering your thanks to me just for a little rainfall? I don’t appreciate such displays of gratitude."

The undeniably pure and beautiful high priest asked without hesitation, "Oh Divine One, what do you prefer? Mu Cai is willing to acquire it for you within his capacity."

The deity laughed, his eyes revealing a slyness and cunning that should not befit a merciful god. But the hoodwinked priest failed to notice this and earnestly waited for the deity's demands, full of gratitude, "As I said, I only appreciate you as a gift, no one else. I will linger in the human realm for a long time, and if I ever need anything, I will come directly to you. I only hope that you won’t decline."

The poor divine priest didn’t realize he had made an unwitting pact with a devil. His heart remained immersed in the elation resulting from relief from the drought, regarding the deity in front with a gentle and firm gaze, "Any reasonable demand of yours, Mu Cai will unquestionably meet!"

Pleased with his offering's obedience, the deity nodded. He swept away the white fog on the altar with his hand, revealing himself to the crowd. The people watching from a distance observed that:

Their pure, beautiful high priest was held tightly in his arms. The deity's tall, muscular stature made their high priest to appear particularly petite, making his slender hand resting on the deity's rugged arm appear exceedingly frail.

The man holding Mu Cai was blond and blue-eyed, with giant, powerful wings spanning his back. Only a few noticed that these wings slightly differed from the ivory ones seen on the temple's statues. The edges seemed blurred, as if dispersing wisps of faint black smoke.

Yet, this so-called deity never glanced in the direction of his people. His eyes, which could be described as feverishly greedy, fixated on the figure in his arms. Ironically, their high priest did not notice this either. Instead, he turned to his people, his beautiful snow-white face full of joyous smiles.

Compared to the so-called deity, their high priest showed more concern for them, embodying true divine compassion and love.

Despite their confusion, they couldn't ignore the rain that fell from the sky. After all, how could one bear to burst the bubble of the high priest whose face was radiant with satisfaction? Thus, everyone prostrated themselves on the ground, suppressing their doubts, and thanking the deity and their priest for his service.

The priests around the altar who had been chanting spells also bowed in worship. The only exception was Patro, whose eyes revealed shock as he stubbornly faced the dazzling display.

Of course, Patro knew that the humanoid creature on the altar was not a deity at all, but a demon he had intentionally summoned, disrupting the ritual and offering himself as a sacrifice! Despite careful confirmation of the recorded texts, following each step meticulously, using his own blood and incantations as a medium, why wouldn't this demon obey his command?!

As this realization hit Patro, his emotions clashed. The pain he had been repressing could no longer be contained, causing a wave of bloody, metallic tasting vomit to surge up his throat and be expelled from his mouth.

The fresh blood that spread on the ground quickly dulled and seemed to ripple subtly as though something was squirming underneath. Patro strained his eyes to see, but his vision promptly blurred.

The episodes of vomiting blood made him dizzy. The next moment, he collapsed to the ground, his eyes vacant and motionless.

Just before his eyes closed, he saw a slender figure clad in a pure white robe rushing towards him. A voice, as melodious as a celestial lute echoed, "Patro, what's wrong with you?!"

An instinctual thought surfaced in Patro's incapacitated mind:

How wonderful, his beloved high priest saw him again.

With that final thought, Patro completely lost consciousness.

________________________

Night fell.

The bath filled with ripples, floating with crimson rose petals, held a distracted Mu Cai.

"What's wrong, my little priest? What in the world has you so troubled?"

A deep, magnetic voice resonated, drawing Mu Cai back to reality. Hastily, he rose from the bath and bowed in the direction of the voice, saying, "My Lord, you've arrived."

The sheer curtain fluttered, the candlelight flickered, illuminating half of the figure's body standing in the glistening water. His black, wet hair hung down to his slender waist, the entirety of his skin as white as the finest mutton-fat jade from the East, glowing softly in the warm candlelight.

Rounded droplets of water trailed down his elongated neck, over the shoulder, gliding past silky-smooth skin before merging into the rippling bathwater, heading towards a place that sparked imagination.

Swallowing reflexively, the demon's body tingled with anticipation. The innocent sacrifice under his gaze was oblivious, his eyes twinkling with joy and gratitude, reminiscent of a galactic summer night.

Savoring delicious desserts required patience, it must be enjoyed slowly. Especially, he loved this beautiful and pure offering and didn't want to frighten him at all.

Thus, the demon squatted down and asked again with a rare patience, "What troubles you so much, can you tell me?"

Deities possess the power to turn the world upside down.

Recalling the weather's drastic shift from the scorching sun to a downpour during this morning's sacrifice, Mu Cai humbly spoke with a plea, "My Lord, can you..."

A finger gently pressed against his rosy lips akin to rose petals. The deity shrouded in shadow squatted down, cupped the high priest’s cheek, with a low voice, slightly husky and alluring, "Don't address me so formally. When we're alone, just call me Perseus."

As much as the demon desired to address his little sacrifice so intimately in public, their true names were the source of their power and their shackles. If the little sacrifice were to call his true name aloud in front of others and that was overheard by people with ill intentions, even his formidable powers might fall prey to unexpected conspiracies.

Perseus had ascended to the rank of a demon lord. Mere human conspiracies could not harm him. Even if someone invoked a true deity to battle with him, he had a fair chance of victory. But if the plot involved forcing Perseus back to the demon realm, that could be problematic.

Transitioning between the two realms was not easy, and the demon lord didn't want to leave his little sacrifice.

Not even for a single day.

Such a pure, beautiful, and helpless little sacrifice should be sheltered under his wings, properly cherished and loved.

When Mu Cai heard the request of their deity who saved them, he immediately agreed and changed his address, "Perseus, do you think Patro will get better? How many days will it take for him to wake up?"

He then unintentionally clenched his hand and the look in his eyes strayed from gazing at the deity onto something distant, "I'm really worried about him."

A human had captivated the attention his little offering and preoccupied his mind.

Jealousy surged in the demon's heart, bordering on breaking through his chest. He remained silent, reached out and brusquely pried open the little offering's hand, interlocking his fingers with his own.

Seeing the man in the pool finally came back to his senses and did not resist his hold, the demon felt content. With a smile on his face, he said, "That human isn't going to die, don't worry."

Although Perseus was annoyed by Patro, he had to admit that he was the one who brought him to his beloved little sacrifice. Even though the insignificant human overestimated his influence, attempting to control Perseus' thoughts and actions, his suffering from the backlash could be seen as punishment.

As a demon who stepped into the realm of the divine, Perseus didn't enjoy wanton killing as lower demons would. When Patro suffered the backlash, he received some of Perseus' powers as well, resulting in his current slumber while absorbing said power. Naturally, he would awake once the absorption was complete.

Though he didn't get an exact recovery time, the deity provided answers, allowing Mu Cai to relax. His face broke into a smile, saying, "Perseus, do you need me to bathe you?"

As a high priest, Mu Cai had waited by the pool for this very purpose. Deities' arrivals required a ceremonial washing. According to the rules, such a task naturally landed on him as the highest-ranking priest in the city.

The pure little sacrifice raised his head, innocently inviting the demon god through intimate words, nearly driving Perseus mad with desire.

His eyes deepened, and a faint crimson flashed within, as he grabbed Mu Cai's shoulders and whispered, "Of course I need that, but I also need you to do something else for me."

As the demon god finished his words, he descended into the warm bath, gently kissing the perplexed little sacrifice's rosy lips.

________________________

The corridor from the bath to the bedroom was dim, with warm yellow candlelight flickering along the walls.

A tall and robust man carefully cradled the sleeping high priest, whose face still held traces of blushing.

The man in his arms breathed steadily, his fair cheeks resting against his chest and his delicate hand softly curled up. He was covered with an oversized white robe and slept peacefully in his arms.

The demon god felt triumphant, and his mood was unusually bright at present.

Therefore, he chose to be more tolerant towards the figure obstructing their path at the end of the corridor, who seemed utterly unaware of the situation.

Themis held his ritualistic staff tightly.

He was only sixteen; he was not yet adept at managing his facial expressions. His dark eyes were filled with blatant jealousy, greedily looking at the high priest cradled in the demon's arms.

Compared to the robust figure of the demon god, his teacher seemed so small, quiet and obedient. It was eerily similar to a scenario Themis had once dreamed of when he first matured.

Now, his dream was being occupied by this demon!

Yes, a demon indeed!

Themis was born with the "Golden Eye" and an extremely high sensitivity, which was why he was chosen by Muses to be the successor of the high priest. The divine being who appeared to others as golden-haired and green-eyed, with pure white wings, has nowhere to hide before Themis' sight.

A demon with horns on its head, bat wings on its back, black hair and eyes, and a lightning-like tail was holding his pure and beautiful teacher. The once rich and fragrant scent on his teacher had been tainted with a detestable smell.

His teacher, the guiding light of his life, the person he had admired and adored since childhood and ultimately became infatuated with, had mingled with this disguised demon!

Whenever Themis thought of this, his grip on his staff tightened uncontrollably.

His heart was filled with unspeakable resentment, but he could only pretend to be ignorant. His teacher was still in the demon's hands; he had to endure. Otherwise, if the demon detected any sign from him and discovered that he knew its identity, his teacher's life would be in danger!

The demon could see right through the young man's thoughts.

Look at that restrained expression, and the white knuckles clutching the staff.

It was clear he had unspeakable feelings for the little sacrifice in the demon's arms.

But what did it matter? The person in his arms had already given himself under the demon's coercion and seduction. With Muse's temperament, he would never have done such a thing if not for the demon's unique identity and sweet words.

This young man had no chance or ability to separate them!

The demon arrogantly held his beloved and strode away with his head held high.

The young man left at the corner was trembling with rage. However, the angrier he was, the calmer he became.

His teacher was being deceived by the demon and was waiting for him to save her. He couldn't just let it be!

Upon this, Themis went back to his room and changed into a set of black night-clothes. He quietly walked through the main hall of the temple, the front hall, and the long corridor, heading towards the direction of the city-state palace all the while.

________________________

Author's Note: 

The secret is out - there are four gongs in total! I just don't know why everyone thinks the king doesn't seem like a gong. _(:зゝ∠)_

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Forcefully Doting On You - extra2

Chapter 132

The Little Priest of the Gods (Part 2)

Patro once again traversed the corridor intertwined with lights and shadows, making his way to the main shrine lit by flickering candles.

He walked with a humble bow of his head, holding an earthenware tray brimming with aromatic stewed lamb, soft bread, and fresh fruits, all of which the High Priest loved to eat.

But this time, before Patro could step into the main shrine, he noticed that there was more than just the High Priest present. In front of the golden and ivory statue of their god, the handsome, young city-state leader held the slender shoulder of the beautiful priest, his voice filled with pain and struggle: "Cai Cai, must you really do this?"

The person he held remained calm, his delicate white hands resting on the muscular arm of the man. He lifted his head to meet the other's gaze, carrying a hint of pity: "My Lord, for the sake of the city-state, this is what I must do."

"Our drought has been ongoing for a long time. The poor people barely have food to eat and must endure the scorching sun. The land is split with giant cracks, and evil locusts are stirring under its surface. Soon, they will hatch and roam, gnawing off every bit of vegetation on our remaining fields."

The young ruler's eyes were red: "We've been making sacrifices! We've offered cattle, sheep, fruits, and pristine water to the gods! The gods will help us! There's no need for you, no need for you…"

His words were cut short when a pair of cool, gentle hands cupped his cheeks. The man nearly held in his embrace looked tenderly at the young king: "We've been offering sacrifices to the gods for two entire months, yet the drought persists. Let's not waste food any longer, distribute it among the people instead. I believe the gods need something different."

The ruler's hands unintentionally tightened then quickly relaxed, fearing he might hurt the young man in his embrace. He gritted his teeth almost to the point of chipping them: "What kind of god requires a human as a sacrifice? He is merely..."

A delicate, white finger pressed against his lips. The beautiful and pure priest's face cooled, sternly admonishing: "My Lord, be careful with your words."

The young ruler's preceding momentum seemed to deflate instantly, leaning further into the priest: "But Cai Cai, even if a human sacrifice is required, it doesn't have to be you..."

As Patro stepped inside the main shrine carrying the porcelain tray, he tactlessly interrupted the tense atmosphere: "Great High Priest, your meal is ready."

The ruler's words abruptly ended. He turned his head, his face twisted with anger, and his eyes, akin to those of a young wolf king on the plains, stared menacingly ahead.

However, all he received in response was a Purifier’s bowed head and reverently offered food.

It was then that the ruler realized, belatedly, that it was time for Cai Cai to eat. His High Priest was skinny, his silhouette even more delicate than the most beautiful young girl in the city-state. His meals weren't something that could be delayed.

Upon thinking about this, Cross's resentment towards the Purifier who had disturbed his conversation with Cai Cai lessened. The young lord immediately ceased his discussion, changing the subject instead: "Cai Cai, you should eat first."

The bare feet of Mu Cai were graceful and as white as snow, making no sound as they touched the ground. Adorned in a symbolic white robe, he moved nimbly like a cat. He glanced at the tray in Patro's hands, sighing quietly, a distraught expression crossed his face: "At a time like this, I'm still able to enjoy such a fine meal."

While speaking, his captivating eyes flicked over to the lord alongside him. His black and shiny pupils were as if washed in water: "My Lord, see. I am not involved in production, but I am beloved and revered by the people all year round. They eat coarse bread, drink bland broth, gnaw on sour fruit and leaves, but they offer me the softest bread made from the finely sifted wheat, the best cut of mutton stewed until it's fragrant, and the sweetest, juiciest fruits."

"I'm constantly treated so well, so in times of crisis, should I not step up as the sacrifice, rather than letting the hard-working children of God offer their lives? If I, as the High Priest, cannot protect my people, what is the purpose of my existence?"

Upon hearing this, Cross became impassioned: "You have many reasons to exist! You practice astrology, create calendars, manage the congregation, oversee the construction..."

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by the High Priest in front of him: "My student, Themis, is intelligent and talented. Having studied under me for four to five years, he has already grasped the essence of astrology. He also has ventured into other areas of learning. I believe he can learn from the books of his predecessors and decipher my notes by himself."

"After I dedicate myself to the gods, Themis will take my place. The high council of the Senate has already agreed on this."

When Mu Cai finished speaking, his eyes, as beautiful as the Milky Way in the night sky, were filled with determination. He lowered his voice, leaving no room for doubt: "My Lord, please leave."

Upon hearing this, Cross looked into the eyes of the man in front of him and realized that the matter was irreversible. He felt both resentful towards Mu Cai, who conspired with the elders in hiding this from him, and his own powerlessness.

Standing there, he was at a loss for words and unable to express his emotions, eventually leaving in a hurry.

Mu Cai watched the young lord flee until his tall and strong figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, then calmly returned to sit on his cushion.

Patro approached and placed the tray in his hand on the small table before the cushion, then silently stood by.

Mu Cai reached out with his delicate white hand, took a bite of the soft, wheat-scented bread. His lips, as red as a rose, gently brushed against the coarse bread, taking away a small piece, leaving behind only shallow and fine teeth marks.

He slowly chewed the bread, swallowing it before raising his shiny black eyes to look at the silent Purifier standing by. With a gentle voice, he said: "Thank you for saving me, Patro."

Mu Cai had been serving as a priest for seven or eight years since he entered his teacher's house to study. Although he did not understand worldly affairs, he was quite familiar with this Purifier, who had always been by his side.

The other party was loyal to the gods, usually quiet, doing more than saying, and hardly ever uttering an unnecessary word. Just now, Patro deliberately spoke up, most likely because he saw Mu Cai being restrained by Cross and decided to intervene on his behalf.

Although priests were not subject to the king's jurisdiction, both sides usually complemented each other, and there would inevitably be checks and balances between them, sometimes even restraining each other. Patro was willing to offend the lord for his sake, and Mu Cai naturally appreciated it.

The candlelight illuminated the somewhat dim main hall, casting a warm yellow hue on the pure white robe and black hair of the oracle priest. His eyes flickered with a pair of small, lively sparks, and he looked at Patro with a gentle, grateful expression.

Patro's throat moved slightly.

In fact, he was not as good-hearted as the pure and beautiful priest in front of him thought he was. The reason he spoke up to stop the lord's behavior was only because the scene of the two almost embracing each other annoyed him.

As a Purifier serving the gods and the oracle priest, he did not appear as desireless as he seemed on the surface. Patro knew very well that deep in his heart, desire surged wildly, even worse than ordinary believers.

He yearned for the gaze of the oracle priest, even if it was just a gentle glance for all living beings. He also longed for the care of the oracle priest, even if it was just the way he treated those around him.

What he desired most, however, was the body hidden beneath the priest's pure white robe.

When Mu Cai bathed, no one knew what images appeared in Patro's mind as he stood outside the curtain holding a towel. If the priest in front of him would glimpse even a moment of that scene in Patro's mind, Mu Cai's face and rounded toes would probably turn a shade of pink.

So, Patro would not just stand by and watch as his beloved oracle priest walked towards the altar. However, he wasn't foolish like Cross; he wouldn't directly ask the altruistic priest to halt the ritual.

These thoughts occupied Patro as he observed Mu Cai's gaze deepen while he ate the stewed lamb.

Everything would be resolved in the coming days at the sacrificial ceremony.

________________________

Days later.

The fervent sun scorched the earth, its intense light so blinding that it was nearly impossible to open one's eyes. It felt like being torched with flames. However, even in such scorching weather, numerous people gathered under the sun, kneeling on the burning ground without a care, even if their palms and knees were scorched red.

Because they knew, the oracle priest they've been adoring and worshiping would offer himself as a sacrifice on the altar today, praying for the lifesaving rain.

When they received this news, the populace was shocked.

Since the establishment of this city-state, even in the biggest disasters, there had never been a case of the priest offering himself as a sacrifice to the gods. The usual sacrifices were young boys and girls from amongst the city-state's populace.

The city-state's citizens, who have children of the appropriate age, have been mentally preparing for their children's sacrifices as the drought continued for over two months, and was expected to last for two more years. It never occurred to anyone that their beloved oracle priest would be the one to make the ultimate decision.

They originally wanted to cry, but the longstanding scarcity of water and food nearly depleted their tears. They could only prostrate themselves to offer their gratitude and affection to the noble priest.

When the Senate released the news, a young girl, orphaned and fostered in another family, had intended to replace their beloved Oracle priest on the altar before today's rites. She hoped to preserve his life but was ultimately persuaded to return home by the priest, his hand comforting on her head. Nobody knew what the priest had said to her. The citizens could only watch as the girl was escorted home by the clergy in tears.

Mu Cai, wearing a wreath woven of vine and a white robe symbolizing purity, cast aside his staff - a symbol of the Oracle priest's power. He walked to the sun-scorched altar under the watchful eyes without it.

Several priests surrounded the altar, some old and some young.

Patro was one of them.

Under the escort of the clergy, Mu Cai lied down on the altar. Contrary to his expectations, the altar was only warm despite its prolonged exposure to the scorching sun. To him, it only felt a little hot, not burning.

Perhaps it was a gift from the gods.

That was what the Oracle priest thought. As he pondered about the events to unfold, he felt even more confident that the gods would help them overcome the difficulties. A hint of a smile appeared on his face.

Seeing their beloved priest smiling at this moment, the officiant of the ritual turned away, his voice trembling as he announced,

"Begin!"

Instantly, a uniform, humming chant echoed around the altar. The priests sitting around started to whisper spells to call upon the gods.

The rite had begun, and it could not be stopped midway. Otherwise, the goal of the ceremony would not be met, and it could even provoke the wrath of the gods.

So, despite their helplessness, the people around had to set everything aside.

Except for Patro.

The silent Purifier was usually solemn and meticulous in his work, seldom making mistakes. However, now the expression on his face was increasingly fanatic, and the volume of his spell casting was also rising.

The priest sitting next to him even heard a completely different spell from Patro's mouth!

The people sitting around the altar, disturbed by the wholly inconsistent voice, faltered in their chanting for a moment. An error following the previous major mistake caused everyone at the altar to feel a sudden jolt in their hearts!

At that moment, unexpected changes escalated. The scorching sun gradually hid behind the clouds, with lightning flashing and thunder rumbling in the center of the sky. Instantly, a violent wind picked up within the city-state, stirring up dust and stones.

It was as if a storm was about to come.

Mu Cai had no idea what was happening

The altar was large, and the people sitting below it were a bit far from him. The sound of the chant was low, and he could only perceive that the collective voice seemed to pause for a moment. Mu Cai was intending to observe when the sky started to change.

However, as the sacrificial object, he did not feel anything unusual. He only felt that the surface of the altar gradually became hot, which made Mu Cai who was shivering unconsciously from the strong wind feel vaguely warm.

A disturbance in the middle of the ceremony, an unusual meteorological phenomenon like this, might not bring about the desired result. Perhaps the gods would punish them by transforming the drought into a flood.

Since the ceremony had already failed and the signs were changing, Mu Cai wanted to stand up urgently, urging everyone to hurry home and prepare. However, just as he stood up, he felt a white mist suddenly rise from the altar, blocking his sight.

From afar, there seemed to be screams and shouts, but Mu Cai didn't have the mind to listen.

A strong arm encircled his waist tightly, and the sound of flapping wings echoed beside him. A fluffy head leaned against his shoulder from behind, and a deep, magnetically attractive voice sounded in his ear: "Are you the sacrifice given to me?"

Then, Mu Cai felt something slightly damp touch his cheek: "So beautiful. I love it."

________________________

Author's note: 

This extra story is not very long, it's probably about four or five chapters.

It's a playful world of a little white rabbit spirit and carrot spirit. Guess who is the gong, and how many are there?

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Forcefully Doting On You - extra1

Chapter 131

The Little Priest of the Gods (Part 1)

Patro carried a tray of clean food and water, bowed his head, and climbed the long steps leading up to the majestic temple with the utmost reverence.

Dozens of Doric columns, cast out of marble, formed this grand, resplendent edifice. Patro traversed the interplay of light and shadow in the vestibule and the long corridors, sidestepping clusters of flowers gently hanging from trailing vines; he finally arrived in the main sanctuary, lit by the glow of candlelight.

At the center of the main sanctuary stood a ten-meter-high statue cast in gold and ivory. The statue's golden robes and wings were splendid with their color, the gem-studded eyes shimmered and shone. Yet, such an intricately carved work of art failed to steal Patro's attention. His eyes, consumed with fervor, were entirely fixated on the individual kneeling in front of the statue.

It was their Oracle Priest, Mu Cai.

The man kneeling on a cushion wore a robe symbolizing purity. His long dark hair cascaded gently, resting against his slender waist. A loosely tied blue silk band circled his waist, accentuating the curvature of his hips beneath. Further down were his legs, made bare due to his kneeling posture.

His feet were elegantly shaped, their skin as white as snow, making the robe he wore seem dim by comparison.

Perhaps hearing Patro's footsteps, the oracle priest turned his head. His face was delicate and fair, his lips as crimson as roses, and his sparkling eyes seemed to shimmer like the stars in the sky.

When the other party saw Patro coming, he rose from the kneeling mat, welcoming him with arched eyebrows and a natural, gentle smile on his face. "You're here. I appreciate the food you've brought for me."

Mu Cai acts as the oracle priest in this city-state, taking the highest rank among all priests, and is in charge of astrology. Like other priests, he stays in the temple three times a year, each time for a month. During this period, priests cannot consume impure food or wear impure garments. Thus, Mu Cai's current diet and clothing are provided by designated individuals.

His slender, soft fingers rested on the edge of the porcelain tray. The oracle priest in front of him looked at the food on the plate and smiled. "It's my favorite stewed mutton and fruit. Thank you, you're thoughtful."

Patro, looking at his gentle and beautiful face, suppressed the fanatic feelings in his eyes. Quietly taking a deep breath, he respectfully asked: "Honorable priest, the monarch asked when you are going to start the divination?"

As the new sowing season is about to arrive, the priest in charge of divination needs to schedule farming times according to the calendar. The year's calendar requires the oracle priest, Mu Cai, who is in charge of astrology, to design. Simultaneously, he needs to make rough predictions about major events that might occur in the upcoming year using astrology, such as possible coups, floods, and so on.

The cold season had passed; the spring wind swept across the land. Mu Cai was already prepared to commence with the divination. Hence, he was not taken aback when he heard the question but smiled and said, "Please convey my message to the monarch, Priest Patro. Tomorrow evening, when the morning star appears, I will perform divination at the observatory on the top of the temple."

Patro was also a priest, but his status was significantly lower than that of the Oracle priests. He did not oversee major disciplines like sundial studies or astrology which had significant impact on the city-state. Rather, as a clergyman, he served the Oracle priests, assisting them in fulfilling their duties of devotion and sacrifice.

So when he heard what the person in front of him was saying, he simply lowered his eyes and bowed respectfully, saying, "Yes."

Mu Cai carried the porcelain dish to a small table next to the cushion and ate his meal in a disciplined manner. Once he had nearly finished eating, he then handed the tray back to Patro, who had been waiting patiently nearby.

As Patro was handed the tray, however, he inadvertently touched the cool, soft tip of Mu Cai's fingers. He quickly pulled back his hand and lowered his head even further.

Unaware of Patro's reaction, Mu Cai continued to express his gratitude and left instructions, "Tomorrow night, before I evoke my astrology art, I will have to trouble you again."

Patro's hand trembled, and he almost dropped the porcelain tray.

Before Oracle priests perform their duties, they often engage in a thorough cleansing bath. Although bathing was a regular occurrence — any priest residing at the temple was required to bathe three to four times daily to maintain cleanliness — Patro had long learned to hold the towel while standing by, keeping his eyes firmly ahead.

However, the task of "purification" wasn't something he could avoid through self-deception or willful ignorance.

As a "Purifier" amongst the priests, he was required to pluck some of the body hair from the Oracle priests.

Before Mu Cai entered the temple this time, Patro had already undertaken the task of removing hair from the beautiful priest's arms and lower legs. He still remembered the moment when he held that slender and pale leg, the skin beneath his palm was extremely smooth. Even though there were hardly any hairs visible, he still held a small knife deceiving himself, gently shaving off the tiny bit of fuzz.

At the time, the beautiful, pure priest was somewhat shy, his rounded toes curling on Patro’s knee. His slender arms were supported by cushions. His long, white neck was slightly raised, and the sun behind him turned his black hair a light yellow.

He was reminiscent of a vulnerable lamb sacrificed to the gods on the altar.

Thinking about this scene, Patro's fingers tightened around the edge of the porcelain tray, almost shattering it. Even his body began to straighten up instinctively. His dark eyes flashed crimson, but he could only lower his head even further to conceal the turmoil within his heart, saying, "The Oracle priest doesn't need to be so polite. It's my duty to serve."

After Mu Cai finished eating, he continued his prayers before the statue of the god, and their exchange came to an end.

Holding the porcelain tray, Patro left. He passed through the front hall filled with interweaving light and shade, striding down the long aisle. As he passed by tendrils of gentle vines, his ears seemed, momentarily, to elongate.

A cluster of hanging flowers swayed at the brush of the sharp, devilish ears. But in a blink of an eye, the sharp ears vanished. With an expression of solemnity, Purifier Priest Patro emerged from the corridor, handing the porcelain tray to the awaiting temple attendant who had been standing there for a long time, not daring to lift his head.

Only that cluster of softly swaying flowers remained within the long corridor.

________________________

The following evening, many townfolk flocked near the temple, prostrating themselves on the ground, looking up in hope of witnessing the much-revered Oracle Priest perform his astromancy.

The Oracle priest was pure and beautiful, noble and kind. A couple of years ago, he had prophesied a plague, prompting the ruler to order the cleaning of every corner of the town and strict control of its entry and exit points. He had also instructed the healing priests to be on high alert. He himself, dressed in a white robe, went down to the slums to distribute food and medicine to the poor. He even accepted a flower wreath from a small, skinny child, placing it atop his own head.

As prophesied, the plague did break out. Its origin was another town, and nearly all the surrounding towns were affected. But thanks to the Oracle priest's prophecy and the effective measures taken as a result, the spread of the plague was promptly controlled in their town, resulting in minimal casualties.

Therefore, all the townsfolk deeply admired the Oracle priest. Even though they knew he was not in need, they would often bring fresh bread, meat, and fruit to Mu Cai's door. When they heard that the Oracle priest would be performing an astrological reading in the evening when the morning star rose in the east, they came voluntarily to witness the event, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who had stayed secluded in the temple for many days.

Mu Cai, dressed in his white robe, flower-crowned, and holding a scepter symbolizing the power of the Oracle priest, stood under the setting sun. His long, black hair blew in the evening breeze. His face, pale as snow, was now painted warm yellow by the sunset. He nodded slightly to the monarch of the city-state before him and said, “Your Highness, I shall ascend to the observatory now.”

The young monarch, tall and immersed in the silhouette of the quiet yet stable sunset, was captivated. Before he could grasp the priest’s hand to encourage him, Mu Cai was already heading toward the observatory tower.

It was almost time for the morning star to rise in the east, an opportune moment for divination. Mu Cai, unconcerned by the monarch’s reaction, hurried toward the observatory tower. Fresh flowers were spread across the top of the temple. Barefoot, he walked along the silk-covered path to the observatory.

By the time the morning star had completely risen, the sky had darkened. Mu Cai arranged the astrolabe on the observatory, waiting for the guidance of moonlight and starlight.

The practice of astromancy involved continuously observing the astrolabe and celestial phenomena, often ending only by midnight. After studying the astrolabe for a while in the growing dark of night, noticing the prostrating crowd below who hadn’t left, Mu Cai delicately descended from the observatory tower.

Patro, who had been patiently guarding the Oracle priest, turned his head. He saw Mu Cai, treading steps bathed in starlight, approaching from beneath the moonlight. Adorned with a crown of fresh flowers, half of his body illuminated by the full moon, his exquisitely handsome facial features and slender figure were being showcased.

This scene was like a hazy dream.

Upon seeing a gentle smile on the Oracle priest’s face directed at him, Patro heard Mu Cai say, “Patro, it’s quite late. Let the townsfolk go home first. Prolonged prostration on the ground can result in catching a cold.”

After saying his piece, he paused for a moment, his captivating eyes conveying a hint of worry, "Patro, are you okay? If you feel tired or cold, go and rest for a while in the inner temple. There's not much to do here — I will watch the astrolabe."

After Mu Cai finished speaking, he thought he caught a fleeting flash of red in the solemn eyes of the loyal cleanser standing at the bottom of the stairs. Before he could take a better look, Patro looked down. His deep voice reached Mu Cai, carried over by the evening wind, "My Lord, I will convey your wishes to the people."

He paused before adding, "As for myself, I will forever guard you."

His voice was deep and magnetic, as if coming from his chest – a voice filled with strong emotion.

Mu Cai was taken aback, and before he could respond, the purifier had turned around and started descending through the top of the temple to pass on the message.

Unable to force Patro to leave if he did not wish to, Mu Cai had no choice but to return to the observatory and continue observing the astrolabe.

Through the relay of numerous priests and temple attendants, the people below finally heard that it was the Oracle priest's wish for them to leave. One by one, they prayed devoutly before departing. Patro stood at the turning point of the staircase, gazing through the temple wall's window, watching the townspeople disperse. Only then did he return to the top of the temple along the stairs.

At this moment, amidst the ever-changing stars, Mu Cai watched the shifting celestial patterns, his face gradually paling.

According to the signs in the sky, the region where their city-state is located would suffer a severe drought for three years.

________________________

Author's Note: 

The small world involves the white rabbit and the carrot spirit in their marital harmony

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Forcefully Doting On You - v6c5

 

Chapter 130

Note: This is the end of the main text.  

Mu Cai was in the kitchen with Mu Qing, busy tidying up the dishes.

They had prepared a lot of food. Some of the plates, with significant leftovers, were placed in the fridge. The rest, practically empty, needed to have the remnants of sauces and broth emptied. Then, each dish was given a wipe with kitchen paper before being put into the dishwasher.

Although Mu Cai was not skilled in the kitchen, he had been meticulous when selecting these appliances during the refurbishment. This dishwasher was large, even able to handle pots, saving them a lot of trouble at the moment.

As he cooperated tacitly with his lover - their fingers brushing against each other, exchanging smiles - there came a noise from outside the kitchen.

The sound of soft but firm footsteps approached. Turning back, Mu Cai saw his older sister leading his young nephew. When Mu Ru saw the two in the kitchen, her gaze calmly appraised the man next to her younger brother. A smile played across her face as she said straightforwardly, "You are washing the dishes? I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to ask Mu Qing something. Is this a good time?”

Her speech suggested concession, but her dazzling eyes stubbornly stared at Mu Qing, not seemingly intending to provide an opportunity for refusal. Having experienced many of humanity's scripts, the planet ruler had now learned to read the room.

He knew that this conversation was inevitable. Therefore, he remained composed. Mu Qing nodded towards her, removing his apron before turning to Mu Cai with a smile, "I'll go over there for a bit, I'll be back soon."

Upon finishing his words, the planet ruler turned and proceeded forward.

Of course, Mu Cai knew why his older sister had come at this moment. He didn't want his lover to face Mu Ru's questions alone. As he was untying his apron intending to follow, he suddenly felt a weight on his leg.

Looking down, he saw his little nephew clutching at his leg. Despite barely reaching his waist in height, the little boy looked up at him with effort. His chubby cheeks trembled slightly as his soft, childish voice pleaded, "Uncle! Uncle, you haven't played with me in a long time! I... I want to play with you!"

The tender, warmly attached little creature clinging to his leg, peering up with adorably big eyes filled with a careful longing made Mu Cai's heart tremble with endearment, tinged with a hint of upset. Reflecting on it, due to his tasks, he indeed hadn't spent time with his nephew in over a year.

Feeling guilty, Mu Cai picked up Mu Hongye, immediately inundated with a strong sense of fulfilling happiness. His beloved was already out of sight, having gone with his sister. Mu Cai felt somewhat helpless, yet chose not to pursue.

Mu Qing was not clueless, the planet being newly introduced to the human world was even more adaptable to this complex society than him. Mu Cai originally didn't want his lover to face his sister alone, but with his nephew displaying his cuteness, he opted to stay and accompany the little boy.

Based on the psychic energy field, he expected that Mu Qing would not falter before his sister. If things did become uncomfortable, he would offer him comfort once he returned.

With these thoughts, Mu Cai cheerfully kissed the pudgy cheek of his nephew.

Better to accompany his pitiful little nephew first!

________________________

Mu Ru lead Mu Qing to the balcony.

Her face no longer held the smile she had when Mu Cai was present. Her beautiful eyes, like a harsh winter wind, scrutinized the person standing before her.

Judging by appearance, this person could barely be considered a match for her brother. Yet the identity was a tricky issue. If Mu Qing had been an ordinary person, their family's wealth could make anyone give pause.

But he was a planet.

Mu Ru's thoughts were similar to those of Mu Guang and Wen Ruixue. None approved of their relationship. However, she thought more profoundly and long-term about matters of love, which gave her more leverage in the negotiation:

"Mu Qing, your name is Mu Qing, right? Do you truly like our Cai Cai?"

The planet ruler nodded without hesitation, "Of course, I love him very much."

Mu Ru was Cai Cai's family member, and the affection she showed while conversing with them at the dinner table was genuine. It was obvious that she had a close relationship with Cai Cai and had been loving her brother for many years. Therefore, Mu Qing treated the person in front of him with great respect and took her questions seriously.

Because whatever Mu Ru said, it was undoubtedly for Cai Cai's sake.

Mu Ru seemed reasonably satisfied with the man's response. He answered quickly, his expression sincere, and it didn't look like a fleeting infatuation. She had dated several boyfriends and had been involved in the business world for years, so she had the ability to judge people.

But no matter how sincere he was, it wouldn't change Mu Ru's thoughts. Her usual smile appeared on her face, "I can see that you do like Cai Cai. However, you may not fully understand the rules of human society. Sometimes, even if you like someone, it doesn't necessarily mean you need to be together. You should notice that we, Cai Cai's parents, are not quite satisfied with your relationship."

Her tone was gentle, but her words were very straightforward.

Of course, the planet ruler had noticed this long ago. However, he knew this but didn't care in his heart.

No matter how much Cai Cai's family opposed, he would never let go of Cai Cai's hand easily. Dealing with Cai Cai's family was just an attempt by Mu Qing to spare his young lover the trouble of being caught in the middle.

Therefore, his face remained calm, even with a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth, and his expression was respectful, "I indeed know that the elders are not very satisfied, but I don't know why."

This was exactly the topic that Mu Ru wanted to steer the conversation to. Seeing how well Mu Qing understood, she was quite satisfied and directly stated, "Our family watched the livestream this morning and we all know that you are the Dawn. Well, even though you are in love with Cai Cai at the moment, you need to know that our Cai Cai is just an ordinary human."

"He is young and handsome now, but one day he will age and grow old. I don't know how deep your feelings are for each other at the moment. All I know is that you are a planet, and relatively immortal when compared to human lives. When you two live together for a long time, he will see your appearance unchanged and then see himself gradually aging. Won't his heart be uncomfortable, in pain?"

"And if you fall in love with someone else because of your youth, he can only give his blessings. This will only intensify Cai Cai's inner suffering. Losing his youth and not being able to hold onto his lover. Even though you two are in love now, no one dares to guarantee the future. Since you love Cai Cai, you should consider more for him."

"A moment of pain might lead to half a lifetime of stability. Once Cai Cai has thought things through, there will be other people who will love him. And you, with your long life, will meet many people."

After saying all this, Mu Ru looked straight into his eyes.

She was indeed a master negotiator. Instead of discussing Mu Guang and Wen Rui Xue's considerations, she took a different approach. After all, the person in front of her was deeply in love with Cai Cai now. If she bluntly stated that there was no guarantee in their relationship, probably neither of them would be able to accept it, leading to a stronger bond in the face of opposition.

From their perspective, Mu Ru used the name of love to slightly "sow discord", which was bound to create a crack between them.

After all, what she said was extremely reasonable and wasn't just shooting in the dark. Ageing and death are indeed the usual course of human life, and unlike the variable of "Mu Qing might change his heart", no one can refute it.

Mu Ru spoke so clearly that one would expect the master of this planet to change his expression somehow. However, unexpectedly, he showed no anger but smiled, his expression seemed even more relaxed than before, "So that's how it is."

"In that case, you can rest assured. As long as Cai Cai is willing, he can share immortality with me at any time."

________________________

After Mu Cai’s parents and siblings went home after dinner, Mu Cai finally had the time to enjoy the world with his lover.

He had already taken a shower and was lying in his bed with his head resting on Mu Qing's thigh, remote control in hand, switching channels on the TV. The master of the planet's fingers were running through his hair, stroking it so comfortably that Mu Cai, with his eyes half-closed, asked in a relaxed tone, "What did my elder sister say to you today?"

Mu Qing touched his lover's hair, watched Cai Cai rub against his palm like a lazy cat, his gaze inevitably softening, "She was trying to advise me to break up with you, saying that you will eventually age, and by that time, being with me would bring pain to both of us."

Upon hearing this, Mu Cai did not show any sadness on his face, but instead revealed a relaxed smile, "My elder sister really worries about me. But these things, I've thought about them. How could I have agreed to you without careful consideration?"

The young man lying in his embrace looked up at him, his bright eyes shining under the light overhead, like a brilliant galaxy, "Now that we are mutually in love, I will naturally strive to break free from all restraints to be together. When the time comes that we are no longer suitable, parting without regrets would also be a good choice. And by that time, everything between you and me will become beautiful memories, forever in my mind."

His words were so natural and open-minded, even the face which was exquisite and pale showed a charming radiance.

"However, talking about these things now still makes me sad. If you love me, you're not allowed to speak of this to me right now." Mu Cai, lying on the legs of the planet's master, shot him a glance from under his long eyelashes, his lips slightly pouted, and cheeks blowing puffs of air out.

He looked like he was coquettishly throwing a tantrum.

Mu Qing absolutely loved his appearance.

The lover in his arms even reached out and gently touched his cheek. That soft, cool finger had just touched when it was caught by the planet ruler.

He put these fingers to his lips and began to passionately kiss them, mumbling somewhat through gritted teeth while he kissed, "You are so open-minded, but I will absolutely not give you this opportunity."

After saying this, the planet ruler leaned down and kissed the lips of the person in his arms.

"My love, please be the only one who can share eternity with me."

The sounds of a spring night filled the room.

________________________

Many, many years later, in the sky above the Dawn, the planet ruler was strolling in space, holding his lover who was dressed in a spacesuit.

From their angle, they could gaze upon a beautiful blue star that was their Earth.

Mu Cai had accompanied his lover through countless springs, summers, autumns, and winters, and seen many vicissitudes of life. When he had nothing left to worry about, he accompanied Mu Qing to the Dawn, spending an extended length of time on this green planet with him.

Looking at his former home, Mu Cai felt a little nostalgic.

Although the Dawn was fine, it was too quiet and not as lively as Earth.

Reading his thoughts, the planet ruler suggested, "There are quite a lot of people on Earth. If you want some company, why not invite some of them over? That way, you'll never be bored, no matter where you go."

Upon hearing this, Mu Cai's eyes lit up with excitement, "Really? Is that possible?"

Mu Qing kissed his little love through the spacesuit's helmet, "Of course, as long as you're happy."

So, in the not-so-distant future, the second planet inhabited by humans appeared.

________________________

Author's Note:

The main story is complete! The little white rabbit Cai Cai and the crafty black-hearted carrot will live happily ever after~~~

Up next, there will be extra chapters to unwind! However, the author will take a break for a couple of days (:зゝ∠)

The extra chapters will include a short, small world plus two or three daily life episodes after the wedding, which should have some interesting settings =w=

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Forcefully Doting On You - v6c4

Chapter 129

Note: I apologize for the delay. I meant to finish translating this book last weekend, but real life got in the way. Anyway, enjoy the last few chapters! ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ ) Thank you again, Sakuradahl, for the Ko-Fi donation! 

Upon hearing the request of his beloved, Mu Cai agreed without hesitation. His partner wanted to carry his name, to be intimately entwined with him in everything — this idea filled him with immense joy.

Who wouldn't want to be a little closer to the person they love?

Thinking about this, Mu Cai's worries about his family arriving in the evening diminished. He excitedly reached for his lover's hand and led him upstairs towards his study.

His room housed dictionaries that could definitely aid in choosing the best name for his beloved!

The planet ruler felt his hand being taken by Mu Cai. Mu Cai's hand was soft and noticeably smaller compared to his own. The moment their palms brushed together, the ruler took the initiative and firmly clasped Mu Cai's hand.

Hand in hand, they headed to the study. Mu Cai helped his lover sit down and took a thick, brick-like dictionary from the shelf, pushing it towards the planet ruler.

Mu Cai's eyes curved into smiles, flashing his small, sharp canines from behind his rosy lips, "Just about every character is in here. Check to see if there are any you like - pick a couple and combine them, and that can be your new name!"

The planet ruler didn't immediately open the dictionary, instead gazing at the face of his partner. Suddenly, he broached the subject, "Do you recall the world where I was called Li Yu?"

Mu Cai wasn't sure why his partner brought that up and was left a bit puzzled. Regardless, he obediently nodded.

The planet ruler smiled and said, "I remember in that world, the name I initially saved for you on my phone was 'Mu Cai'. 'Mu' is from 'admiration'."

Upon hearing this, the young man sitting across him froze for a moment. Soon after, a blush climbed up his fair cheeks, "Why bring that up all of a sudden?"

He looked a bit bashful, but his sparkling eyes gave away his happiness, putting an enchanting glow on his face.

Resisting the urge to pull him close and shower his partner with kisses from head to toe, the ruler of the planet simply lifted Mu Cai's delicate hand to his lips, lightly pressing a kiss, "I want to choose a similar name. 'Mu' (穆) is a homophone of 'Mu' (慕), showing my admiration for you. How about 'Mu Qing'?" (穆卿)

Given the profound richness of Chinese characters, 'Qing' (卿) could mean a term of endearment between spouses. It could also mean 'you' in ancient Chinese.

Regardless of its meaning, both definitions were quite explicit, making Mu Cai feel shy. He couldn't help but try to withdraw his hand, only to have it held more firmly by his partner.

In the end, Mu Cai could only surrender. He lifted his gaze to meet the other's and said, "Since you've already made up your mind, why bother asking me?"

As he spoke, his slightly reddened cheeks seemed puffier, making him appear as if he was feeling particularly coquettish.

The planet ruler, known as Mu Qing, could no longer resist. He extended his hand and directly pulled his young lover onto his lap. Given that he was the planet itself, even though Mu Cai was an adult male, lifting him seemed effortlessly easy.

Surprisingly, Mu Cai did not resist. He moved over willingly, even wrapping his arms around Mu Qing's neck for more stability.

As he was adjusting his own seated posture, he felt a breath fan over his ear. As Mu Cai subconsciously turned his head, he heard his lover laugh and say, "If anything, your surname will be added to my name. One day, I'll join your family's graveyard too. Even though I've already decided on the name, I still need your agreement."

At these words, Mu Cai felt a pang in his heart.

Meanwhile, a sense of nervousness stirred within him. Although he had no objections — was even quite pleased — about Mu Qing wanting to adopt his surname and join his family's graveyard, it was different for the current head of his family.

His older brother was already fuming. His older sister, although friendlier, was not necessarily easier to deal with.

Both of them had been in power for a long time and were not ones to easily change their minds.

The thought of his family coming to dinner that evening sent Mu Cai's mind into a whirl. He didn’t want to upset his lover nor hurt his family's feelings. For the moment, he couldn't think of any viable solutions — he figured he would just have to adapt to the situation as it evolved.

The person nestled in his arms creased his brow, resembling distant mountains, revealing a hint of distress on his face.

Mu Qing, a bit discontented with his lover's distracted state, lightly bit the younger man's small earlobe.

The slight pain in his ear snapped Mu Cai back into the moment. Before he could fully react, the person holding him nuzzled his head into his chest. It was as if a big dog was attempting to recapture its owner's attention, prompting a gentle petting.

His lover whined, his voice laced with grievances, like an eternal child: "What are you thinking about? Why aren’t you paying attention to me?"

Mu Cai found his lover's actions slightly adorable and couldn't resist stroking Mu Qing's head. He pondered for a moment before tactfully saying, "I’m not thinking about much. You know, the family is coming over for dinner tonight. They are coming to check on us. I was just thinking about what to prepare for dinner so that they can enjoy the meal. And then we can talk about us."

In the end, he decided not to mention his brother's attitude to Mu Qing. If his lover learned about his family's disapproval, Mu Cai felt that it would upset him. Perhaps he would foster some resentment towards his family. This wouldn't contribute positively towards their transition in the long term.

Listening to these words and recalling Mu Cai's previous expression, Mu Qing could hazard a guess of his little lover's thoughts.

It was clear that his family was unhappy about their relationship.

It was like in their small world, with Mu Cai's elder brother.

However, regardless of how much they opposed, he wouldn't let go of Mu Cai's hand. He suggested, "Why don't you tell me what they like to eat, and I’ll cook the meal?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Cai was surprised. "You know how to cook?"

He, himself, could only muster up the skills to cook noodles and eggs, and he could barely manage to fry an egg, let alone being mindful of the fact that his lover was a celestial entity that hadn't likely ever even touched a pot or stove before.

Mu Qing chuckled, "I've cooked for you so many times in the dream world, does it mean I can’t cook in reality?"

Mu Cai figured this made sense.

Even though his lover was a celestial body, this celestial body was capable of engaging him in fluent conversations and could also extort a large sum of wages from shrewd officials.

So, perhaps the ability to cook in the dream world could be carried over to reality?

If Mu Qing really prepared a full table of food for the approaching family members, his elder brother and sister’s attitude would certainly soften, or at least, they would not openly display their displeasures.

As long as they both worked hard, with an initial step towards easing the tension with his family would surely lead to more progress. The day when he and Mu Qing would receive the blessing from his family surely wouldn’t be far off!

Embracing this thought, Mu Cai cheerfully said: "I’ll order some food for delivery right now! We can cook together!"

Even if the cooking plan fails, it didn’t matter, he could always order more food!

________________________

That evening.

Six people suddenly showed up at Mu Cai's house. There were his parents, his elder brother, sister-in-law, nephew, and his newly engaged elder sister.

Fortunately, Mu Qing had moved the foldable dining table from the warehouse. Otherwise, the dining room wouldn’t have been able to accommodate everyone.

As Mu Cai had guessed, faced with a table full of lavish dishes, and his declaration that it was the result of his and Mu Qing’s efforts, his big brother's stern expression indeed relaxed. He started eating without saying anything.

After all, it was food that his younger brother had personally made!

As for Mu Qing, his presence was selectively ignored by his big brother.

Contrarily, his elder sister, parents, and sister-in-law started bubbling with questions for Mu Qing. They had watched the live broadcast in the morning and knew that Mu Qing was a celestial entity. Therefore, they didn't ask about his parental or familial background. Instead, their inquiries revolved around Mu Qing's experience of meeting Mu Cai and his adjustment to human society.

This kind of familial questioning and harmonious atmosphere were common during family meals, apart from Mu Guang, who remained silent while eating his meal.

Once the meal was finished, Mu Cai and Mu Qing both went to the kitchen to clean up the dishes, leaving the remaining seven people conversing in the living room.

Mother Mu was the first to show signs of softening: "Although Mu Qing is not a human, he does have a sense of human warmth, and he seems to quite like Cai Cai. This is the first time I've seen Cai Cai in a relationship and he seems happy. Maybe we should just let him be."

Father Mu nodded: "Indeed, and since Mu Qing is a planet with a long lifespan, he can look after Cai Cai indefinitely without any accidents. They won't be able to have children, but as long as someone can care for Cai Cai consistently, I would feel at ease."

Upon hearing this, Mu Guang's expression became more solemn. His brows furrowed as though he could crush a fly between them: "No way! Precisely because he is a planet, I can't agree! My assistant has done some research. This Dawn can negotiate with countries; it's extremely astute and doesn't seem to be good news. This is only when he first enters human society. What more when his knowledge expands in the future? With Cai Cai being so naive, how can he play by his rules? The laws of human society are irrelevant to him, and our family holds no importance in his eyes! He won't have any reservations, and if he changes his heart, he won't show mercy towards Cai Cai! I disagree!"

Wen Rui Xue rarely saw her husband saying so much in one breath, which caused her to frown as well: "Actually, I also disagree, just like what Mu Guang said. The relationship between the two lacks security. The planet is not bound by law, morality, and various rules; what if he mistreats Cai Cai? Cai Cai is so naive. If he gets hurt physically or emotionally, recovery won't be easy! However, our disagreement is pointless at this moment. It might even put Cai Cai in a difficult position. We need to find a way to make this Dawn withdraw voluntarily."

Upon hearing the opinions of their son and daughter-in-law, Father Mu and Mother Mu also found it tough to make a decision. As such, everyone turned their attention towards Mu Ru who had been off to the side.

Mu Ru, with her curly hair and upright posture, had a serene facial expression. After a brief contemplation, she said, "I'll meet him alone."

As a powerful businesswoman known for her negotiation skills, everyone trusted her capabilities, including Mu Guang, whose emotions had begun to stabilize. He nodded at Mu Ru and said, "I'm leaving it to you."

Mu Ru nodded back at Mu Guang and then flashed a smile at Wen Rui Xue, saying, "Sister-in-law, could I borrow little Hongye for a bit?"

Upon realizing Mu Ru's intention, Wen Rui Xue picked up her son and said, chuckling, "At last, it's time for my little Hongye to contribute, go ahead."

The little nephew looked at his aunt with wide eyes.

Wen Rui Xue squatted down and said, smiling, "Hongye, shall we go play with your uncle?"

Thinking of his handsome uncle whom he hasn't seen for more than a year, Mu Hongye nodded eagerly, "Yes!"

He felt aggrieved that his uncle, sitting with another person today, didn't say much to him.

That's the response Mu Ru needed. She took her little nephew by the hand and marched towards the kitchen, like a female general about to head into battle, "Hongye, when you see your uncle, just rush up and hug his leg. Then, aunt will create an opportunity for you two to play alone, does that sound good?"

The little nephew puffed out his chest and lifted his chin. His chubby cheeks even quivered, making him look like a soldier on the battlefield hearing orders:"Okay!"

________________________

Author's Note: 

Little white rabbit, charge on! Protect Uncle! Rescue Uncle from the clutches of those awful carrot devils.

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