Lantern: Reflection of the Peach Blossoms Chapter 1   33 Oct 17, 2018

Volume 1: Incident of H City's Earth-born Fetus

Chapter 1 – All the races have stated their dislike towards fox-spirits.

Midsummer afternoon. Jinmao Tower.

A red Ferrari whizzed down the street like lightning, followed by a beautiful drift. Amidst the shrill "Screech—" of its tires, it came to a complete and solid stop in front of the main entrance. A young man wearing jeans and a baseball cap got off the car, idly twirling the car keys on his finger. Bathed in the onlookers' curious and envious gazes, he strode past the revolving doors with his long legs.

The commerce building located at a bustling downtown area was a dazzling sight. Right as he entered the lobby, cold air surged forward as if AC was free. The young man stood in front of the security gate, feeling around in his pocket a few times, then at the goose bumps on his skin. He turned his head, asking the girl at front desk, "Hey, beauty! I forgot my card. Come and swipe it for me."

The girl at the front desk was obviously new. She stared blankly at him and replied, "I'm sorry, sir. Guests need to register first. May I ask who you are looking for?"

The young man pulled his sunglasses halfway down, glancing at her with the hint of a smile.

He was very tall, definitely over 180cm, and was fairly handsome. His face was not entirely revealed, but those half-raised eyebrows and deep eyes were already enough to make one's heart race.

The girl at the front desk couldn't help but blush a little. Before she could say anything, he had already turned around and taken out his cellphone, "…Hello, brother? I came to see you and forgot my card. Tell that little beauty at your front desk to swipe it for me!"

He hung up as soon as he was finished, not even waiting for the other end to reply. Then, he directly lit up a cigarette.

"S-sorry, sir. Smoking is prohibited inside the lobby…"

The young man answered nonchalantly, "Just a few puffs. Relax, Beauty."

"B-but…"

Right at this moment, the elevator arrived with a "Ding". A man in a black suit came out as the doors slowly opened.

The girl looked back, turning pale at once. "B-Boss!"

Despite being called the "boss [1]", Chu He was actually quite young, seemingly in his early thirties. His body was slender, yet fit — the result of working out. He was dressed in a tailored black suit and a white dress shirt. Unlike his brother, who had a touch of sharpness in his handsome appearance, Chu He was slightly paler, and duller. When he wasn't talking, he was even more low-key, and one wouldn't be able to tell at all that he was in fact at the head of an illustrious corporation listed on the wealth ranking board.

He swiped his card, went through the glass security gate, and stood before his little brother.

After a moment of eye contact, Chu He took away the cigarette in his brother's mouth and handed it over to the receptionist.

"Smoking is prohibited in the lobby," he said dryly. Then, he instructed the girl, "This is Zhang Shun, my younger brother. Just let him in next time."

What didn't match his plain looks was his nice voice. It was deep, yet extremely smooth — with the hint of his unbreakable composure. The receptionist was too nervous that she even forgot to blush. She took over the cigarette and bowed repeatedly. "Yes, Boss! I'm sorry. I'll remember!"

Chu He nodded at her, then turned and left for the elevator.

Zhang Shun followed him, waving goodbye at the girl before he left, "Sorry, beauty! I'll invite you to tea later!"

The front desk girl stumbled. She looked around in a flurry. After making sure that no one was around, she immediately ran into the attendant's office and pushed awake her colleague who was taking a nap back there. "Sister Wang! Sister Wang! Our Boss has a little brother? Did you know that?"

Her colleague lifted her head, her eyes still drowsy, "Ah, that's second young master Zhang. He's here again? Don't forget to swipe him in…"

The girl couldn't hold back the excitement in her voice, "But isn't our Boss's last name Chu? How does he have a brother with last name Zhang? Also, he's so handsome, enough to look like a movie star! Sister Wang, did you know?!"

Her colleague immediately signaled her to be quiet. "You little girl! You wanna die? Are you afraid that the others can't hear us?"

The colleague was two years older, after all. She raised her head, and seeing that no one was around the front desk, she finally lowered her voice and continued, "Our former chairman's family name was Zhang. Second young master Zhang is his only son —— our current Boss inherited his mother's family name. They say that the new Mrs. Zhang brought him with her when the old chairman remarried her…"

***

The elevator went up steadily. Its mirrored wall glistened under the magnificent lighting.

They were the only two people in this narrow space. Zhang Shun took off his sunglasses and stared almost provokingly at Chu He's face in the mirror —— his older brother had no intentions of speaking at all. He was simply staring ahead, his face as still as water, and completely expressionless.

"You're not going to ask me what I came for?" Unable to hold it in for any longer, Zhang Shun spoke up first.

"For money."

"Hey — So I can't come to visit my dear brother?"

"How much?"

Zhang Shun's expression became stiff. After a long time, he answered, "… 5 million."

Chu He finally turned his head and threw his brother a glance. "For what?"

His skin was extremely pale, almost translucent under the light. His thin lips seemed cold and heartless. Unlike Zhang Shun's lovably handsome face, the kind of countenance he had should have made it difficult for others to come close to him.

In those years, how was a person like him able to find people who would give their lives for him, so that he could seize power over the corporation from his dad's hands?

Mulling over this question, Zhang Shun answered thoughtlessly, "Well, for fun. That cellist from the Central Philharmonic Orchestra, the car I gave her last time costed all of my money so that I don't even have anything left for the New Year. This time, she insisted again on going to some kind of auction. Mayor Huang's nephew and several other people will also be there. I'd say that anything less than a couple million wouldn't cut it…"

Chu He asked flatly, "What about Fu Ya?"

"Who?" It took Zhang Shun a moment to realize, "Oh, that professor's well-bred daughter you've introduced — damn, there must be something wrong with her head. She carries a book wherever she goes, doesn't know how to have fun, and holds onto herself way too tightly. I can't handle this type. I'd say she probably suits you the best. You two can bundle in the same blanket and talk about your life and ideals every night! Hahahahaha…."

Chu He gazed at his brother, motionless. Under the light, his eyes were transparent like glass beads.

Zhang Shun still hadn't sensed the danger. He sloppily rested his elbow on Chu He's shoulder and grinned, "No offense, big brother. Judging by the way she is, don't tell me that you sent her to me from your own bedroom? Then you should have mercy on me and take her back as soon as possible. Your brother really isn't in need of someone serving him — Oh right, you can't say that I don't respect you. I haven't touched a single hair on that girl, I saved her for you, hahaha!"

Chu He raised his hand, pushing away his brother's arm.

At this moment, the elevator stopped at the floor of the financial department. The door opened, and Chu He walked out, his face was as dark as a murky pond. Even so, Zhang Shun still didn't realize to stop before going too far. Chasing after his brother, he continued to tease him, "You two must have a lot to talk about! If talking alone doesn't get you high, as your brother, I can lend you a couple of educational movies! If even those can't help, we can still go see a doctor. You're still so young, yet you already look like you have kidney deficiency [2] all the time…"

Chu He arrived at the financial office. He didn't pay attention to the various amusing expressions on the faces of the accountants outside, and went straight to knock on the financial manager's door, saying, "Get him 500 thousand. Under my name."

The manager immediately got up. "Sure, boss. Check or bank transfer?"

"Check."

Zhang Shun happened to come in sloppishly. He asked immediately upon hearing it, "Didn't I say 5 million? How come it became 500 grand?"

Chu He didn't answer. The manager felt the atmospheric pressure in the room dropping rapidly. As if a dagger was pressed against his back, within the short time of making the check, his back was already soaked in layer after layer of sweat.

After a short moment, Chu He took the check and threw it at his brother's chest.

"I'll keep 4.5 million to see a doctor." He replied coldly, "Are you not aware how expensive it is to go to a hospital nowadays?"

Ten minutes later, Zhang Shun came down humming. He whistled at the girl as he passed by the front desk.

"Hey, Beauty. Didn't get much today. I'll invite you next time!"

The front desk girl had no good impression of this slick and frivolous youngster. But he was indeed good looking, so her inexperienced face couldn't help but blush. She was about to stay away from him, but Zhang Shun had already strolled out with his long legs.

***

When Chu He returned home that night, he could already hear the deafening music coming out of the villa from far away.

He took off his suit coat and handed it over to the butler, asking, "What is second young master doing this time?"

For the past many years, the old butler had watched Zhang Shun growing up in this residence, therefore he somewhat leaned towards his side. He answered carefully, "Second young master and his friends… are having a party together…"

Chu He shook his head, probably finding it laughable or amusing, as he repeated softly, "…Friends."

He was wearing a white shirt, black dress pants, and no tie as he unbuttoned the collar of his shirt while walking toward the lounges. The butler intended to divert his attention, he followed him at his heels and said, "Oh, by the way, eldest young master. About the results of that rumor you asked me to investigate this morning — Auntie [3] Liu got up last night and saw a white shadow wandering outside of second young master's bedroom, so she got scared and screamed…"

Chu He rolled up his sleeves as he asked, "What did she see?"

The old butler didn't dare to mention anything supernatural, so he answered cleverly, "Auntie Liu's old. Her eyes aren't so good now, and it's normal for her to mistake things. I'll go over to the servants' quarters and give them a few words, to make sure that no one will pass it around anymore."

Chu He nodded and said, "I know what it is." They passed by the hall as they talked. Chu He leaned on the handrails and saw the small dance floor downstairs. The area was filled with dazzling neon lightings. A few young men and women were wildly shaking their heads on the dance floor, indulging in a life of luxury and dissipation. Zhang Shun was lazily sitting on a small sofa. A delicate boy with snow-white skin was next to him, cuddling in his arms like a little bird.

Chu He put his head out, and shouted, "Zhang Shun!"

Several people down there looked up. Chu He scolded, "Who did you bring back to stay over last night? Don't run around naked in the hallways at midnight!"

As soon as he finished, he left.

The pack of fair-weather friends instantly turned their eyes onto Zhang Shun —— A bucket of dirty water named 'running naked at midnight' splashed Zhang Shun out of nowhere. After a long time, he finally uttered in complete bafflement, "…But I didn't?"

Chu He returned to his study. After ordering a bowl of sweetened water through the inter-phone, he took down <bao>from his bookshelf, whose pages had already yellowed, and started reading.</bao>

He hadn't been reading for long before someone knocked twice on his door.

Chu He turned over a page, and said, "Come in."

The door was pushed open with a 'click', followed by the light sound of footsteps as someone walked in, and closed the door behind them. The person seemed to be very prudent. It took them a long time to walk up to the large office table, to then say in a voice radiating tenderness, "Eldest young master, your sweetened water."

Chu He lifted his head. In front of him was that young boy from downstairs who was cuddling next to Zhang Shun a moment ago.

No wonder even someone like Zhang Shun, who had met with countless people since he was young, would bring him home. This boy sure was pretty. His big eyes were so charming that they appeared to be brimming with water and, his figure was like the soft, almost boneless bodies of immature young girls. Just by standing there, he was already emitting an unending stream of seductive charm, enticing people until they fell into ecstasy.

Chu He's eyes returned to the book, "Put it down."

The boy put down the bowl. He hesitated for a moment, then gently knelt down on the ground. Walking several steps on his knees, he came next to the armchair, looked up and softly said, "Eldest young master."

Chu He's face showed neither welcome nor unwelcome, he didn't even spare him a glance from the corner of his eyes.

The boy made a resolution in his mind, while saying, "Eldest young master. I'm Xiao-Hu [5]. I've been with second young master for only a few days and have come to pay my respects to you."

The way he phrased it was quite interesting. At least he had taken care of several points  — First of all, I did not come to bother you, but rather to pay respect in a courteous and indirect way; Secondly, my greetings were not too late since I hadn't been with second young master for long, yet I had already come, which meant I highly respected you.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Chu He's mouth, "You know who I am?"

"I don't."

"And you knelt anyway?"

Xiao-Hu flashed him a toothless smile, "Even though I don't have sharp eyes, and I can't  recognize your Real Body [6], but I can at least recognize the demonic energy in you. You are already above us monsters and are about to cultivate into a demon, do you not deserve being kneeled to?"

This time, Chu He really found him a little interesting. He put down the book and slightly leaned forward, staring into Xiao-Hu's big, soul-alluring eyes. He asked with quite some interest, "Speaking of your fox race — I know one of your seniors. He wasn't that much prettier than you. But how come his mouth isn't as sweet as yours?"

Xiao-Hu giggled, "If you're interested in my dull and plain appearance, then of course, I am willing to attend to young master with my heart and soul…" As he spoke, he moved a half-step closer. A fair, soft hand gently covered Chu He's chest, slowly groping downwards and unbuttoning the buttons on the expensive piece of clothing one by one.

Chu He didn't stop him. He didn't even move. He just leaned against the wide back-piece of the armchair, watching the fox-spirit [7] busying himself. After a while, he finally let out a sigh. It was hard to tell whether it was more of a mocking or emotional sigh. "You foxes all have such distinctive personalities, almost exactly like humans. There are ones who are obedient and thoughtful like you, and ones who are wild and intractable, with no control over their mouths…"

Xiao-Hu smiled sweetly, "I wonder which senior has upset you in the past?"

Chu He said slowly, "Oh, that was before I had fallen as a demon… Do you know Hu Qing?"

Xiao-Hu paused.

In the next second, his face suddenly turned ghastly, as if all of the blood in his body was drained.

Right at this moment, a cloud of red-and-black gas slowly soared up behind him. It quickly solidified in mid-air, vaguely showing a human's figure. The shape became clearer and clearer, and in the end, a foot stepped out of the air mass. A man wrapped in black came out of thin air as if he had torn apart space!

Xiao-Hu trembled as he turned around.

The oppressive feeling that was as heavy as a mountain forced him to bow down. It was exceptionally difficult even for him to raise his head. The oxygen in the room was sucked out almost instantly. Out of the extreme suffocation, the fox-spirit even forgot his instinctive seduction arts. All he could hear was the booming in his ears, his eyes almost popping out from their sockets —

He saw the charm-like red pattern on the side of the man's face.

"Demon…" He clearly heard his teeth chattering, "Demon Lord…"

Chu He straightened out his lapels as if nothing had happened. "I forgot to tell you. If you want to become a demon too, asking me would be useless. It'd be faster to ask him."

Translator's Notes:

[1] Boss: The Chinese word for ‘Boss' contains the character which means ‘old'.

[2] Kidney deficiency: Chinese medicine believes that kidney is in charge of a person's spirits. A kidney deficiency will lead to people feeling exhausted, having low spirits and low sex drives, etc….

[3] Auntie: A polite way to call mid-aged woman. She's not their real aunt.

[4] <bao>: Title of a book. I will use < and > to indicate book titles since some of them might not be clear enough in italic only. The title literally means “embracing the corpse”.</bao>

[5] Xiao-Hu: Adding ‘Xiao' in front a person's last name is a more intimate way to call others with lower social status. ‘Xiao' means ‘Little' in Chinese. So it literally means ‘Little Hu', where ‘Hu' is the boy's last name.

[6] Real Body: The real body/shape/form of a creature. Some kind of beings can cultivate into human forms, while others often appear in human forms for convenience.

[7] Fox-spirit: Foxes who have gained intelligence through cultivation and can take up human forms. They are well-known for their ability to seduce others, and it's commonly believed that they can cultivate through sex.