25: Stuck with You

Student x Teacher

meets

Demon x Human

———

As Shen Qingqiu and Binghe stood at the top of the hill, lost in the serene beauty of the city lights, neither of them noticed the figures walking up the path toward them until it was too late.

"Watch out!"

Shen Qingqiu suddenly shouted as he stepped backward to avoid tripping over a loose stone.

But in his haste, he bumped into Binghe, who, startled, instinctively grabbed his shoulder to steady him.

The two of them collided with a force that sent them stumbling toward the edge of the hill.

Shen Qingqiu's heart leaped into his throat as he threw his arms out, trying to catch his balance.

Fortunately, the ground beneath them was firm, but they still ended up in an awkward tangle, both of them flailing to maintain their footing.

The moment was interrupted by a voice, one that was far too familiar and entirely unwelcome at this precise moment.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"

The voice dripped with mock sweetness.

Shen Qingqiu froze, and when he looked up, there stood Mo Beijun, the ever-present source of annoyance in his life, smirking from ear to ear.

Beside him, Shang Qinghua was frowning, looking mildly irritated, but his eyes glinted with a quiet amusement.

"Mo Beijun…"

Shen Qingqiu muttered under his breath, pushing himself away from Binghe, his heart still racing from the collision.

He quickly straightened his robe, trying to salvage some of his dignity.

"What are you doing here?"

Mo Beijun gave him a languid,

almost predatory smile.

"Well, what aren't we doing here? The night is young, Shen Qingqiu. And from the look of it,"

he glanced at Binghe with a sly grin,

"it seems like you and your little… companion were enjoying a romantic moment?"

Shen Qingqiu's face flushed, but he quickly recovered. "We were simply taking a walk, Mo Beijun. And I didn't expect to have to deal with you tonight."

"Careful, careful."

Mo Beijun's smirk deepened as he stepped closer, clearly enjoying the discomfort in Shen Qingqiu's expression.

"Don't go getting all defensive. I just find it… interesting, how you've managed to change so much since last time. Not to mention, you look... unusually relaxed tonight. You two don't mind if we join, do you?"

Shang Qinghua, clearly done with his friend's antics, sighed and muttered under his breath.

"We weren't planning on interrupting your date, but Mo Beijun can't seem to keep his mouth shut."

"Don't act like I'm the only one at fault here,"

Mo Beijun shot back, not at all offended by Shang Qinghua's words.

"I simply wanted to enjoy the night with our dear Shen Qingqiu and his lovely little... Binghe."

Shen Qingqiu gritted his teeth, feeling his face flush in a mixture of irritation and embarrassment.

The last thing he wanted was to be stuck in a conversation with these two, especially with everything so delicate between him and Binghe.

"Can't you just leave us alone for one night?"

Shen Qingqiu muttered,

"Oh, come on,"

Mo Beijun teased, glancing between them.

"Don't tell me you're ashamed of your little rendezvous."

He wiggled his eyebrows dramatically.

"Should I leave you two alone? Or—"

He paused for dramatic effect, leaning in closer,

"—would you prefer a bit of company?"

Binghe, whose patience had long since worn thin, crossed his arms and glared at Mo Beijun, unamused.

"If you're done making a scene, we'll be on our way. But you know, Mo Beijun, we're not really in the mood for your games."

Shang Qinghua raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you both a little... tense?

Surely you two have been spending more time together than you let on, huh?"

"Shut up, Shang Qinghua."

Shen Qingqiu said in a voice that was far too calm, given the circumstances,

Mo Beijun laughed,

clearly unfazed by their irritation.

"You two really are a fun couple to tease.

Fine, fine. We won't ruin your evening.

But don't expect us to be far away."

Shen Qingqiu shot them both a weird look,

then turned away,

clearly done with the interaction.

He reached for Binghe's hand,

feeling a bit of comfort from the connection.

"Let's go."

But before they could take more than a few steps away, Mo Beijun's voice called after them once more, "Remember, Shen Qingqiu—no running away. We'll be watching."

Shang Qinghua smirked at the exchange but didn't say anything else as they turned and disappeared down the path.

"I swear, every time I think we're finally alone, they show up." Shen Qingqiu mumbled.

Binghe chuckled softly, his fingers gently squeezing Shen Qingqiu's hand.

"I think you might be cursed, Shizun.

Maybe it's the universe's way of reminding you that no matter how far you try to run... you're stuck with me."

Shen Qingqiu shot him a frustrated look but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips.

"Don't tempt me, Binghe. I'm starting to think that's exactly what you desire."

"I'm not going anywhere, Shizun."

Binghe said, his voice suddenly serious,

though the glint in his eyes remained playful.

"And I'm not going to let anyone take you away."

Shen Qingqiu turned to him, feeling a heat in his chest at the weight in Binghe's words. "You're a handful, you know that?"

Binghe smiled softly, his gaze fixed on him. "Maybe. But I think you like it."

Shen Qingqiu chuckled, his heart a little lighter despite the earlier interruption.

"Maybe I do. Maybe I do."

And with that, they continued their walk, the tension between them easing once more.

Even if Mo Beijun and Shang Qinghua couldn't leave them alone, it didn't matter.

For tonight,

Shen Qingqiu could let go of his worries—

if only for a little while—

and enjoy the evening with the one person who, despite everything,

still had the power to make his heart

beat just a little faster.