"Shuyue..." Feeling Shuyue's tight embrace, Shuyao wanted to offer some words of comfort, but was silenced by a suppressed and deep voice.
"Daddy, do you know how hard it was for Shuyue to find you? Why are you so naughty?" It sounded like he was helplessly scolding a child, but his tone was so gentle that even Shuyao felt deeply guilty.
"I'm sorry, Shuyue. I made you worry again." He apologized, his words muffled in the broad shoulder. His hands wrapped around the slightly trembling back.
The warm breath on his neck and the silent sigh fully revealed the other's helplessness and exhaustion.
Shuyue finally let him go. Looking down at the face that seemed even younger and more handsome than his own, Shuyue suddenly felt that Daddy was truly a child who gave him endless headaches.
The next moment, he scanned Shuyao from head to toe, grabbed his hand and spun him around a few times, looking him over carefully. "Are you hurt? Did anyone bully you?"
Shuyao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "What, do you wish someone would bully me?" He grabbed the anxious Shuyue, motioning for him to relax. "You can rest assured. I just wanted to find you, but I got lost later."
This reason seemed quite reasonable. Shuyao thought it should convince Shuyue.
However, he saw a layer of unwarranted indifference on that face. The deep eyes narrowed slightly, cold and sharp. "Really?"
Shuyue was indeed suspicious, but Daddy seemed to be telling the truth. There was nothing but truth and calm in his eyes.
If he were lying, there would surely be some tell - tale signs of nervousness, but why was he still half - believing?
Shuyao nodded repeatedly. His clear eyes showed no sign of unease. "Of course it's true. How could I lie to you?"
After another scrutinizing look, Shuyue finally dispelled his doubts. "Fine. I believe Daddy wouldn't lie. But if Daddy wants to go down the mountain again, Shuyue won't take you."
After saying that, he walked forward on his own. Shuyao quickly followed behind, asking, "Why not?"
"Because Daddy is too good - looking. Taking you down the mountain means I have to be on high alert all the time. Instead of being so tired, it's better to just enjoy the idyllic life on this mountain. Isn't that the best?"
"Shuyue, explain to me clearly. What do you mean by 'too good - looking'?"
"Daddy is so smart. Figure it out for yourself."
"Shuyue, wait for me. Don't walk so fast..."
One in front and the other in pursuit, Shuyao trailed after Shuyue like a shadow.
This situation made him feel like a child in front of Shuyue.
To ensure Shuyao's safety in the future, Shuyue taught him some ways to distinguish good people from bad.
When he was talking about those who seemed gentle and refined on the surface but were actually scoundrels, Shuyao turned his eyes to the eloquent Shuyue.
Sensing a gaze, Shuyue turned around and saw Shuyao looking him up and down with a skeptical look.
That look, though it passed over him like a gentle breeze, made him feel as if thousands of needles were pricking his body.
This feeling made him turn his eyes away awkwardly. He touched his face and asked doubtfully, "Daddy, is there something on my face?"
Seeing Daddy shake his head seriously, he said, "No."
"Then why are you looking at me like that? It's creepy, like you're going to eat me."
"Shuyue, you told me to be careful of those scoundrels. Then how can I recognize someone like you?"
This question left Shuyue speechless. He stared blankly at Shuyao, trying to digest the meaning of this sentence.
Then he touched his well - defined jawline. His long fingers twirled thoughtfully. "I don't quite understand. What kind of person does Daddy mean by 'someone like me'?"
"Someone who is two - faced, just like you described."
There was a hint of playfulness in the upturned corners of Shuyue's eyes. He squinted slightly, still pondering Shuyao's words. "Does Daddy compare me to such people?"
It seemed that Shuyao had classified him as a scoundrel!
"You can think so if you like."
After hearing this, Shuyue felt like his heart had been hit a thousand times!
Then he grabbed Shuyao's hand, leaned his head on his shoulder, and kept acting coquettishly. "Daddy, what you said really hurts my feelings. Have you ever seen someone as innocent and harmless as me?"
A black line appeared on Shuyao's forehead. Innocent and harmless? How could he have the nerve to say that?
He knocked on this guy's head speechlessly, gave him a disdainful look, and sneered. "Oh, I really can't see that you're innocent and harmless. Shouldn't it be evil and scheming?"
Speaking of evil, there was an invisible charm in Shuyue's eyebrows and eyes. A smile or a raise of his eyebrows would add a touch of handsome and unrestrained charm.
"But Daddy shouldn't classify me with those people. I'm your child. How can I be compared to those philanderers?"
"I'm just giving an example. You don't need to take it to heart."
"Without this example, you won't meet someone like me."
Shuyao frowned and looked at him. "How can you be so sure?"
Shuyue smiled enchantingly. "Apart from me and Daddy, who else in the world has such good looks?"
Shuyao's face darkened. This guy really had an incredibly thick skin!
But in fact, it might not be the case. Until now, he still remembered another face that was unbelievably beautiful, charming, and arrogant.
With extraordinary beauty and charm, it could switch perfectly between handsomeness and coldness.
"Daddy, what are you thinking?"
"Oh, nothing. Where were we just now?"
Coming back to his senses, he put on his calm look again, but Shuyue had already seen through his thoughts.
After teaching Shuyao about the ways of the world, he stared at Shuyao, filled with tenderness. He was serious and determined, but hesitant to speak.
Finally, he summoned up his courage and asked tentatively, "Daddy, as a demon, do you believe that there is everlasting love in this world?"
It seemed like he was hinting at something. Shuyao felt a sudden jolt in his heart. There was a hint of panic in his eyes. He forced a smile awkwardly. "Why do you ask this?"
"Daddy wants to understand the mortal world. Love and hatred in the mortal world are indispensable."
Shuyue looked calm, but he also used his peripheral vision to catch Shuyao's changing expression.
He didn't expect Shuyao to give a perfect answer. He just hoped to have a glimmer of hope in his heart.
"Everything in the world is changeable. Who knows? One second you're still being affectionate, and the next second, it's all over."
This voice was calm and indifferent, as if he was just talking about the weather. His expression was natural, without a ripple.
An answer without an answer. Shuyue finally gave in.
He smiled bitterly to himself. He should have known that with Daddy's slow - warming personality, it would be difficult for him to give a definite answer.
But then again, so many people are trapped by love in this world of ups and downs, joys and sorrows...