Saving the Heartthrob Frenemy-Chapter 536: Vultures

Qie Xieling was so satiated and couldn’t help but fall asleep the moment he lay in Luo Muchen’s arms. He was breathing softly holding onto Luo Muchen for dear life lest he disappeared while he was asleep.

Luo Muchen ran the tips of his fingers on Qie Xieling’s shoulder and upper back while staring at him. He didn’t know why but he had a feeling that something would change soon and he wouldn’t be able to hold Qie Xieling like this. It was an intense feeling that he couldn’t make sense of before but now he understood it. It was an intense fear that they would separate and wouldn’t be together.

Luo Muchen tried to ignore it but he couldn’t shake off the feeling. His gut was telling him that this feeling was real and his gut was rarely wrong. If his premonition was true then he was unwilling. He wanted to be with him forever and for their love to last more than a lifetime.

He gently brushed Qie Xieling’s hair with his fingertips before whispering a question he knew he wouldn’t get an answer to since Qie Xieling was sleeping.

"You will always love me, right?" he whispered but of course, what followed was silence. Luo Muchen sighed while drawing him closer. He could only wait till Qie Xieling was awake to ask him that question.

***

The second round of the martial arts competition was only beginning in four hours, but the arena was already packed with eager spectators. They had heard of Qie Xieling’s impressive performance in the first round, where a ger defeated multiple opponents in a row and defeated multiple beasts. They wanted to see him in action again and witness his legendary skills for themselves.

The person they were eager to see was yawning while lying on his bed. He was so grateful that the competition was starting late morning otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to wake up early. Luo Muchen helped him up to get dressed but Qie Xieling was throwing a fit. He lay limp on the bed while mumbling ten more minutes. Luo Muchen had to coax his lover out of bed. After all, it was his fault for waking up Qie Xieling this morning for a midnight snack.

Meanwhile, in the arena, the crowd was getting restless. They had been waiting since morning for the competition to start. As a pass time, they looked for other means to entertain themselves. Other competitors who weren’t going to compete in the second round used this opportunity to settle disputes. They decided to fight each other, while the audience placed bets on the outcome. They shouted and cheered, and threw money and tokens into the air.

***

After convincing him to finally get up, Luo Muchen helped Qie Xieling wear the black robe that he would wear in the martial arts competition. The robe was simple and elegant, with gold embroidery on it.

Qie Xieling stood in front of the bronze mirror as Luo Muchen wrapped the golden belt around his waist. The belt was the only accessory that Qie Xieling wore, and it had the Crest of the late Grand King. Luo Muchen adjusted the belt carefully, making sure that it was not too tight or too loose. He could barely use his other hand but he was doing an excellent job. He looked at Qie Xieling’s reflection in the mirror.

Qie Xieling met his gaze through the mirror and felt a wave of gratitude and affection. He knew that Luo Muchen was worried about him which was why he wasn’t saying much. He smiled softly and reached out to touch Luo Muchen’s cheek. Luo Muchen leaned into Qie Xieling’s touch and kissed his palm. He then asked him to sit down on the chair and he picked up a comb.

He began to brush Qie Xieling’s long hair, which was as smooth as silk. He combed it gently and gathered it into a half-up up half-down style. He secured it with a jade pin, and let the rest of the hair cascade over Qie Xieling’s shoulders.

He admired his wife’s handsome face and kissed the top of his head. "If you have something to say just say it," said Qie Xieling while looking at him through the reflection of the bronze mirror.

Luo Muchen lowered his head and whispered into his ear, "Be careful in the arena, my love. I’ll be watching you, and cheering for you."

Qie Xieling smirked his eyes staring straight into, Luo Muchen’s in the mirror. "When I win what will I get as a reward?" he asked and Luo Muchen nozzled against his cheek while replying,

"I will give you anything you want."

Qie Xieling was more than satisfied with this answer. He got up and grabbed his sword eager to finish this and get his reward.

***

The moment Qie Xieling stepped into the arena the atmosphere changed drastically. It seemed Qie Xieling had received a lot of fans overnight. The crowd erupted in jeers as Qie Xieling walked into the arena.

He moved with unhurried domineering steps as if he owned the place. He looked delicate yet handsome and ethereal like a fairy descended from the heavens. His long hair blew with the breeze as he stepped on the platform to join the other champions. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he glanced up.

He met Master Zi’s gaze as though taunting him. Master Zi glared at Qie Xieling with contempt and anger.

Qie Xieling smiled cockily and sneered at Master Zi. Today he was going to finally end this and hopefully, he wouldn’t throw up during the competition.

"I can’t believe he let you go through with this. If you were my ger I would never," suddenly said Bi Yize who had approached him at some point.

Qie Xieling didn’t even look at him as he responded, "But I am not your ger," his voice devoid of emotion.

Bi Yize felt regretful but it was useless crying over spilt milk. He clenched the hilt of his sword before saying, "I won’t go easy on you."

Qie Xieling sneered before saying, "Neither will I."

"Wah, the wife goes to war while the husband stays behind to have a love affair with his mistresses. How fascinating," said Lee Ya before pointing towards where Luo Muchen was sitting. Like vultures, Zi Mixen and Bi Yu were circling around Luo Muchen eagerly waiting for Qie Xieling to fall.