Chapter 90: Final (2)

Noticing the ghost coming out of his room and looking over at him, Cheng Zhi Chu’s heart jumped. He uncomfortably avoided the youth’s line of sight but he also couldn’t help but look directly at Qin Ji’s face. The other party smiled, rubbed his hair and casually dropped another kiss on his face.

“You……you come in first.”

Cheng Zhi Chu’ s face was stained red. Worried that the others would see, he glanced guiltily at the other rooms before quickly pulling Qin Ji into his room.

The ghost followed behind them and seemingly also wanted to go in. Cheng Zhi Chu originally didn’t want to let him in as it was too burdensome dealing with two fragments at the same time but, when he is faced with a pleading look on Bai Yi’s youthful face, he could only give in and let him in.

The moment he entered the room, before he even had the chance to say something, Qin Ji had hugged him from behind. With his waist tightly held onto, he felt a warm touch at his ear. Qin Ji was kissing his ear.

“Don’t…..”

Cheng Zhi Chu’s ears were also completely red. He pushed away Qin Ji’s arm that embraced him but Qin Ji was too strong and it didn’t budge.

The ghost watched their intimate actions and his beautiful eyes turned dim. But soon, he moved in front of Cheng Zhi Chu. With fingers that are trembling slightly, he placed it onto Cheng Zhi Chu’s face and asked:

“……..Can I kiss you?”

Caught between the two of them, Cheng Zhi Chu had nowhere to escape. His face and ears were bright red and he was at loss for words. All he could do was nervously squeeze his eyes shut. He felt a warm breath on his face. His forehead was very gently kissed.

The young teenager also looked very nervous and shy. Qin Ji saw this and gently shrugged. He stepped back and sat onto the bed. Supporting his chin, he watched the teenager carefully touch Cheng Zhi Chu. With a smile that was also not quite a smile he said: “You can be a little bolder.”

“Qin Ji……….!”

Cheng Zhi Chu exploded in anger and embarrassment. He angrily glared at him. The young ghost also stepped back in surprise. He had always had Zhou Luo Chen’s appearance and didn’t want others to see his face. With Qin Ji mocking him, he felt helpless.

“Sure enough, my kissing skills are better?”

As if he didn’t notice Cheng Zhi Chu’s mood, the handsome man gently chuckled. He hooked up his lips and looked at him: “Zhi Chu, you should tell us. Whose kiss feels the best? Who do you like more?”

Cheng Zhi Chu stared at the man with wide eyes. He couldn’t believe that he would ask this kind of question. He was so ashamed he started to sweat. He heard the man continue speaking.

“It’s fine. That’s just a pointless question. After all, we are all the same person.”

Qin Ji smiled: “Although I don’t understand why I am only a part of ‘Bai Yi’. I’m clearly more suitable for you than him. But…….It doesn’t matter. It’s not bad this way too.”

His eyes that contained a hint of a smile fell over to Cheng Zhi Chu.

“No matter who you like more, I can always take it as you liking me.”

“………..”

Cheng Zhi Chu didn’t say anything. His eyes looking over at Qin Ji was a little complicated. In fact, he didn’t like Qin Ji very much before. Because Qin Ji was the first instance boss that he had encountered, the ttrauma that he had brought to him was very strong. He was also both afraid and disgusted of Qin Ji after witnessing the mutilated corpses at the slaughterhouse and only thought that that man was a crazy psychopath.

But now that Qin Ji is looking at him with a very gentle look without even attempting to hide any of his feelings for him, and with him acting well-mannered and graceful in front of his family, he found it hard to continue hating him.

“It’s about time for me to go back.”

Qi Ji hooked up his lips. Sitting on the bed, he spread open his arms. His eyes had a hint of teasing as he said to Cheng Zhi Chu with a smile: “Here Zhi Chu. Sit on my lap and kiss me.”

Cheng Zhi Chu: “………”

He was wrong. This guy is a complete and utter bastard!

“Not kissing?” Qin Ji raised his eyebrow. “Then I’ll leave?”

“……….Don’t move.”

Cheng Zhi Chu slowly breathed out and said this a little grievously. He slowly approached him and pressed down on Qin Ji’s shoulders. He leaned over to kiss his lips, but Qin Ji took the lead and pressed him down. Forcing him to sit on his lips, he held both his cheeks and kissed him deeply on the lips.

Qin Ji’s kiss was both hot and aggressive. His tongue and lips entangled with Cheng Zhi Chu’s and he stole away all his breath and sight, making him completely breathless.

But very soon, Qin Ji’s body started to glow. Little by little, he was absorbed into the photobook.

He moved back a little and caressed Cheng Zhi Chu’s cheek with a look of longing. He said with a smile:

“After the soul is merged, you just have to like ‘Bai Yi’ more.”

“This way, as part of him I will also get more of your love.”

Finally, his body completely turned into light and it scattered in the air.

The pages in the book flipped and it stopped on the page belonging to Qin Ji. Just like how it was when he was initially sealed in the photobook, he looked at Cheng Zhi Chu and mouthed the same words.

“I love you.”

“………….”

Cheng Zhi Chu’s mood at this moment however was completely different to the mood at that time. At that time, he only felt flustered and horrified but now he felt a faint heartache.

The room fell into silence.

The young ghost stood quietly to the side watching Cheng Zhi Chu’s stunned look. He then walked over and sat down next to him. He gently stroked Cheng Zhi Chu’s hair.

“Don’t be sad.” The ghost whispered.

“Thank you………..”

Cheng Zhi Chu smiled at him. He originally wanted to say that he wasn’t sad but his heart did go through some ambiguous feelings so he couldn’t say that sentence.

“I don’t know what they’re thinking but….. I am happy to be able to fuse together with the main soul.”

The young ghost lowered his eyes and said: “Anything is fine. I don’t want to continue existing with Zhou Luo Chen’s appearance. At that time, I didn’t even dare to meet you. I was afraid that you would treat me as him, and hate me……”

“I won’t. How could I hate you?”

Cheng Zhi Chu hugged him. He gently comforted him: “I know you are Bai Yi. No matter what appearance you have, you are still Bai Yi.”

“……….” The ghost hugged him back. With a voice that was slightly choked up, he said. “Can…….Can you call my name again?”

“Bai Yi.”

“Bai Yi.”

“You are not anyone else. You will always be Bai Yi……”

Cheng Zhi Chu said this over and over again.

“Thank you Zhi Chu…….I’m really happy.

The teenager raised his slightly red eyes and smiled at him. He leaned over and kissed Cheng Zhi Chu’s lips.

“Even now and in the future, I will always like you.”

Silver light filled up the room and the ghost’s body started to glow. He was slowly absorbed into the photobook.

When the ghost was initially sealed in the photobook, his name was a question mark. The description for him was also “It’s best that you forget about him”. This time, it had changed.

【ID: 039】

【Name: Bai Yi】

【Source: Horror Variety】

【Difficulty: ?】

【Note: He hopes to be remembered by you.】

The ghost who had his back turned to Cheng Zhi Chu had also turned around. Retaining the appearance of Bai Yi’s younger self, he showed him a gentle smile.

“Of course, I won’t forget you……..”

Cheng Zhi Chu softly whispered. His fingered brushed over the text on the page.

“What about me?”

A pale and slender hand pressed down onto the back of Cheng Zhi Chu’s hand and it grabbed onto his finger.

Cheng Zhi Chu’s line of sight moved up. Appearing in his eyes was Xie Yuan Hua’s cold and handsome face.

He realised at this point that he had forgotten to close the door behind him earlier. His mind was also on the photobook, so he didn’t know when Xie Yuan Huai had come in and whether or not he had seen anything earlier.

Xie Yuan Huai looked into his eyes seriously and asked: “After the souls are merged, will you always remember my appearance?”

Being looked at by those deep and beautiful eyes, Cheng Zhi Chu was in daze for a few seconds before replying: “Of course I won’t forget you……”

“Let’s take a photo.”

Xie Yuan Huai picked up Cheng Zhi Chu’s phone from the bedside table and sat down next to Cheng Zhi Chu. He turned on the selfie mode and angled it so that the two of them appeared in the frame.

Before he pressed the capture button, he said to Cheng Zhi Chu: “Promise me that you won’t lose the photo. Look at it when you have time okay?”

“I promise.”

Cheng Zhi Chu couldn’t help but feel a little sad inside. He nodded his head hard.

Xie Yuan Huai showed a faint smile. His gaze softened and he looked adoringly at Cheng Zhi Chu. His arms hooked around Cheng Zhi Chu’s shoulder and he pressed the capture button.

After taking the photo, he checked the photo and appeared to be satisfied with the result. He then threw the phone onto the bed and clasped his hand onto the back of Cheng Zhi Chu’s head. He pulled him over and placed his lips onto Cheng Zhi Chu’s lips and kissed him deeply.

When his body began to change, Xie Yuan Huai dropped a final kiss on Cheng Zhi Chu’s forehead. He said softly:

“You will always be my one and only.”

“Don’t forget me.”

“I hope that you can live happily, my Xiao Chu.”

As the last of his words fell, his body was engulfed in light. He was then also absorbed into the book. The pages flipped over and revealed his picture.

At this moment, the screen on his phone had not yet darkened. It still showed the photo that they had just taken together. Cheng Zhi Chu looked at it for a while until the screen darkened and then he looked away with a bit of disappointment.

In fact, he should have also taken photos with Su Ling and the others. Why didn’t he think of it before………

【It’s okay, you don’t need to be sad. I have already helped you record it. As long as you want it, you can take it out to watch.】

The system spoke up: 【Especially the kissing scenes. I shot it from eight different angles at the same time. I’ll give it all to you if you want!】

Cheng Zhi Chu: …….Just leave me with some photos of them.

【Don’t be like this. I took all that effort taking it for you so you should at least have a look. I will always keep it for you.】

I really don’t need it……….!

Cheng Zhi Chu who was originally a little down was distracted by the system. He tried to convince the system to delete those useless things.

At this moment, a loud noise was heard coming from the corridor. After a moment, the door that was not closed tightly was pushed open. Joshua stepped in while pulling the groom along by his bow tie.

“Dammit. Let me go!”

The groom was pulled along to the point that he was almost about to asphyxiate. It had been a long time since he had felt this kind of sensation and he felt extremely uncomfortable. He could only be dragged along by Joshua.

“Did you think that I will let you escape?”

After entering Cheng Zhi Chu’s room, Joshua released the groom and patted his hand. His smile was cold: “You must go into the photobook and go through with the soul fusion.”

“You’re not even the original body. Why are you cooperating to this extent?”

The groom rearranged his collar and looked at him with a dark expression. He said: “It’s your choice if you are willing to die but I don’t want to. Why should I fulfil the wish of others?”

“Die? Who said that we will die?”

Joshua raised his eyebrow: “Did you think that after fusing, we would be completely destroyed and will cease to exist?”

The groom stalled: “Is it not?”

“Of course not.”

The golden-haired youth hooked up his lips.

“Us soul fragments have become different individuals and are already independent existences. Even if our souls are fused, all our memories and experiences will still be kept. The difference in personalities will also have an impact on the original body.”

“Why else would it be called ‘fusion’? It’s not because it is destroying us, we’re getting integrated into one instead.”

“And as the soul’s main body, Bai Yi has to bear a lot of risks. If he cannot support it, he would then need to transfer this risk to the other fragments…….So, it isn’t guaranteed who will end up being the main controller of the body.”

How can this be?

Cheng Zhi Chu’s expression changed when he heard this. The system however spoke up in a timely manner: 【Don’t worry. We won’t let this happen. We guarantee you that Bai Yi will be returned to you in his original state. You just need to let the souls agree to fuse.】

When it said this, Joshua also looked at Cheng Zhi Chu and winked to indicate that he was just saying those words to coax the groom.

Sure enough, the groom became hesitant. At this time, Joshua added: “Your wish is to marry Zhi Chu. After the soul is fused, you can hold a proper ceremony with Zhi Chi in the future and Zhi Chu will also truly love you……….”

“I want to undergo soul fusion.”

The groom’s attitude suddenly changed. He walked quickly over to Cheng Zhi Chu. Before Cheng Zhi Chu was able to react, he found himself being kissed.

“Don’t forget your promise Zhi Chu. You must marry me.”

As the groom was also absorbed into the photobook, Joshua softly laughed. He spoke with a hint of amusement: “Was it because he had lost his head before? He’s really easy to fool.”

He then said to Cheng Zhi Chu: “Don’t worry, I was just lying to him. I know myself very well. My original body won’t let anything go wrong during soul fusion.”

Seeing the smiling golden-haired youth, Cheng Zhi Chu was a little doubtful. He asked a question that was similar to those of the groom’s: “If it’s like this, then why would you be so cooperative? It doesn’t seem to benefit you…..”

“I don’t think so.” Joshua smiled and walked over. He stroked his face, “You like the original body so this would mean that you will also like me after I fuse together with him, right?”

Seeing that Cheng Zhi Chu didn’t appear to be convinced, he paused and stored away the smile on his face. He explained in earnest.

“I just want to be with you. It doesn’t matter in what form.”

“As for the act of trying to kill you in the instance, I’m very sorry. I did that because I didn’t think that there was a chance for the souls to fuse together again. If you left the instance, I would never be able to see you again. After finally meeting you, how can I let you leave me?”

“So, I could only use whatever means I had to keep you there. The only way was to kill you and keep your soul.”

“But I was too selfish. Sorry, Zhi Chu. Right now, I really want to do something for you. Even if it’s something trivial.”

His beautiful face revealed an upset look. He hugged Cheng Zhi Chu and kissed the top of his head.

“But I believe that even after the soul is fused, all my memories would be retained. Like this, it can be considered as still staying by your side. That in itself is enough.”

Cheng Zhi Chu was stunned. He unconsciously called out his name: “Joshua….”

“For the last time, don’t call me that Zhi Chu.”

Joshua pressed down onto his lips with his index finger: “Think about it. What should you be calling me?”

After a moment of silence, Cheng Zhi Chu reopened his mouth and called out softly.

“………….Bai Yi.”

“Good boy.”

The golden-haired young man smiled and kissed him. He placed his hand over Cheng Zhi Chu’s eyes.

“Close your eyes. Don’t look at me disappearing. It’s not very good looking.”

“I will always be by your side.”

Hearing his words, for some reason Cheng Zhi Chu had the urge to cry. He kept his eyes closed until the very end – until the sensation of something covering his eyes disappeared. When he opened his eyes again, he no longer saw Joshua.

“Swoosh……….”

The pages of the black photobook turned faster and faster. It began to faintly glow and it gradually became more and more dazzling.

【The photobook’s power is getting stronger. It’s starting to absorb the soul fragments from the other instance!】

The system sounded very excited: 【The speed is very fast. Faster than I expected. If you find “Winter Branch” and seal him as well, it will be even———】

【Oh? What will happen?】

While the system was talking, another voice appeared in Cheng Zhi Chu’s mind. “Winter Branch” had appeared. It was then followed by the system’s nonstop screams: 【Don’t come over! Don’t come here!!】

“Winter Branch” appeared to be amused by it. He said: 【Don’t worry, I don’t plan on doing anything to you this time. Zhi Chu, go stand in front of the dressing mirror. I have something to say to you.】

“What do you want to say?”

Cheng Zhi Chu stood in front of the mirror and looked at the reflection inside.

At this moment, the ripples travelled through the reflection and it was replaced with appearance of a young man who had the same face as Bai Yi’s. but for someone to appear in it, it could only be “Winter Branch”.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have a body in the real world and can only appear in front of you like this.”

The man looked at Cheng Zhi Chu’s complicated expression. He laughed and said: “What’s wrong? Weren’t you always looking for me? Why are you looking at me with that expression?”

“………Why did you come out?”

Cheng Zhi Chu didn’t think that “Winter Branch” would actually show up. He had thought that “Winter Branch” would hide away and occasionally sneak up on him when he is caught off guard. This was something that was more “Winter Branch”’s style

“Actually, I have been here the whole time and have been watching you.” The man smiled, “Now that they’re back in the photobook, the next one is me right?”

“You’re willing to go back into the photobook?” Cheng Zhi Chu couldn’t help but ask.

“I don’t want to go back, and I don’t want to undergo soul fusion.” The man spread open his hands and replied honestly, “I am very free in in this state so why would I want to be contained inside a body and even need to become a part of someone else?”

But before Cheng Zhi Chu was able to say anything, he changed the topic and said: “Although that was what I thought, I couldn’t do it. I didn’t want to be hated by you.”

“If any one of them refused to merge, I would also refuse but unfortunately there were none…..They all voluntarily entered the photobook. If it was just me left, you will definitely hate me a lot.”

“Compared to being sealed and merged, I don’t want to be hated by you even more.”

Having said that, he smiled bitterly: “Zhi Chu, you have held onto my weakness and I have no choice but to compromise.”

“Not just me, it’s the same for them. It is because they love you that they are willing to go through it it.”

“Now then, you can go ahead and kiss me.”

The man in the mirror waved at Cheng Zhi Chu to indicate for him to move closer. With the cold mirror between them, their lips touched at the same place. Soon, the man’s body also glowed and quickly disintegrated. The light travelled through the mirror and entered the photobook along with lights coming from other worlds.

“I hope you don’t hate me?”

Before he disappeared, the man continued to smile casually. The question that was asked however was spoken very cautiously.

“No……..” Cheng Zhi Chu placed his palm on the mirror and overlapped it with the man’s hand. “I will never hate you. After all, you are Bai Yi.”

“Just hearing those words is enough.”

The man smiled and sighed softly: “Unfortunately the requirements for collecting the fragments is too loose and you only need to kiss me once. If you can kiss me a hundred times……….”

The figure in the mirror gradually disappeared and the image once again changed back to Cheng Zhi Chu’s reflection.

“Swoosh——-”

The black book suddenly floated in mid-air. Countless light spots scattered in the air and it looked like stars in the sky. They frantically poured into the pages of the book and one by one dark silhouettes became dyed with vivid colours, taking the form of various figures with different appearances.

When the last spot of light was also absorbed into the book, the photobook suddenly flew out. Shedding its book appearance, it turned into a pure and dazzling stream of light and it passed through the wall into the room where Bai Yi stayed.

Cheng Zhi Chu immediately chased after it. He felt very nervous and excited. Just when he was about to knock on the door, the door was opened from the inside. Bai Xi Xing revealed a look of joy. He said to him: “Earlier……Earlier, some lights————”

“That’s Bai Yi about to undergo soul fusion!”

Cheng Zhi Chu hurriedly replied. They both rushed into the room and saw Bai Yi who had his eyes closed and was wearing a bathrobe shrouded in light.

After a moment, the light gradually dimmed back down. Everything had returned to its original state.

Bai Yi slowly opened his eyes.

At this moment, Cheng Zhi Chu’s breathing stopped. He watched Bai Yi without even blinking his eyes.

Bai Yi opened his eyes and took in the figure before him. His lips formed a gentle smile and he said softly:

“Zhi Chu.”

“I’m finally back by your side.”

…………

【Congratulations on clearing “Infinite Escape”.】

Bai Yi’s Diary (Part 90)

It’s a new world.