Longing

"You have so many cars, yet you always show up without a ride," Weisheng complained as the two walked inside the house, "Guilty of scamming, much?" 

Xiaoling gasped, "How dare you accuse me?" She asked, "I'm just worried my babies might get dirty if I bring them out on the roads!" 

…

"But you have so many cars! Just use one! Do you even know how to drive?!" He complained while dragging his luggage across the hallway. 

"Keep it down! If my Godmother found out where I spent last month's salary, she might disown me!" Xiaoling whispered scornfully. 

"You literally bought so many cars as decoration?" 

"Cars are a piece of art, Weisheng. Someone as dry as you would never know the glory of sitting in a room full of cars! Keep your Law School eyes off my cars, you evil-doer!" 

"What do you even do with so many cars?" 

"I take pictures with them, admire their beauty, and listen to their beautiful engine sounds every morning." 

…

Weisheng had nothing to say to that. He quietly went to his room to unpack his luggage. Xiaoling had told him to show up in her room for their 'experiment' after freshening up. He didn't know what to feel about that. He looked out the window to see how the sun was slowly setting. Xiaoling's residence was quieter than usual. 

Ru was still in the Heaven Realm. 

Hai was sleeping with his new friend, the cat he rescued. 

Qiang was out with Xiaodan, teaching her what to say if her brother asked about Weisheng.

Xiaoling's Godmother, Lady Ren, never left the lounge. So, the residence was quiet. 

Weisheng washed his face before leaving his room. He knocked at the door of Xiaoling's room. Xiaoling opened the door and let him in. She was back in her regular clothes, a flowy hanfu, and tons of hair ornaments. 

Weisheng cleared his throat, "What are we doing again?" 

Xiaoling walked to her desk and sat down to write on the remaining talismans. Weisheng walked closer to observe her. 

"Stick these on each wall," She finished writing and handed them over to Weisheng. 

Weisheng stuck each talisman on the walls before walking back to Xiaoling. She stood up from her table and walked in front of him. 

"I'm going to undo my suppression from you," She told him while putting her hands over his eyes, "Ready?" 

Weisheng gulped, "Please remember to be careful." 

"Don't worry," Xiaoling smiled, undid her suppression spell, and took a few steps back. 

She quietly observed him as he clenched his eyes shut, putting his hand over his eyes as if in pain. He pulled his hand away and opened his eyes. Xiaoling narrowed her eyes upon seeing his pink eyes. The curse took over quicker than she imagined. 

He slowly raised his eyes to look at her and scoffed, "Xiaoling?" 

Xiaoling's eyes widened slightly. His tone was completely different from his usual self. She could confirm that Weisheng wasn't conscious. 

"I should've known this was your doing," He half smiled in sarcasm, talking to her as if he knew her. 

"What do you mean?" Xiaoling kept her cool and tried to communicate with the alleged Supreme Demon Lord. 

His expression dropped as he tucked his hands into his pants' pockets. He slowly walked closer to her, alarming Xiaoling. Her instincts told her to step away, but she wanted to remain cool and observe his actions. 

He stopped and leaned forward, matching his face to her height, looking straight into her eyes. Her instincts told her to look away, but she kept her head straight. 

"Xiao Hua forgot me already?" He smiled sarcastically, "That hurts, you know?" 

Xiaoling scoffed, "Am I supposed to know you? Is that what you're going for?" 

He suddenly pulled his hands out of his pockets and cupped her face, startling her. She stretched her arms with her palms out in front, trying to push him away. 

He clicked his tongue, "Stop it." 

Xiaoling frowned, "Who are you?" 

"You already know who I am," He smiled, "And if you think your little Internal Energy is enough to keep me away, you're wrong. I'm simply not appearing by choice." 

"You know, you could say that without harassing me," She frowned. 

He paused for a moment before chuckling. He quickly retreated his hands, stepping away from her. 

"You're the same as ever, Xiao Hua," He murmured, "Don't try so hard. You can't do anything about me, anyway." 

"Why are you doing this to Weisheng?" Xiaoling asked, "Who asked you to do this?" 

He chuckled, "Oh, sweetie. Don't jump to conclusions. If I didn't adore you, I wouldn't even bother showing up to warn you," He said softly, "No one can dare ask me to do these things. Weisheng isn't as pure as you think, so stop trying so hard for him. Save your energy for later." 

"L-Later?" Xiaoling asked hesitantly. 

"You'll find out," He smiled, "Now, if you'd excuse me." 

"Wait!" She pleaded in hopes of asking more questions, but he disappeared as Weisheng's eyes turned back to brown. 

He grabbed his eyes once again, grunting in pain. 

"Weisheng? Are you back?" She asked while keeping her distance. 

Weisheng looked up with narrowed eyes, "Yes, and what the hell was that?" 

Xiaoling frowned in concern, "You recall what just happened?" 

Weisheng nodded, "Not only that… I could kind of feel his feelings…" He murmured, "How do I put it into words?... Longing?" 

Xiaoling's shoulders dropped in disbelief, "... Longing?" 

"He definitely knows you. Whenever he looked at you, I could feel this sensation of longing I've never felt before." Weisheng murmured, "Shifu, are you sure you don't know the Supreme Demon Lord?" 

"Do I look like someone alive before the Tian War?" Xiaoling scoffed, "That happened thousands of years ago, Weisheng!" 

Weisheng rubbed his earlobes in frustration, "Then why does he know you?" 

"How would I know that?" 

Their conversation was getting nowhere. The 'experiment' turned out to be a failure.