countdown // beefleaf

7.

the grand spectacle wouldn't start in the next few hours, so the two of them strayed around in the streets. he xuan took on his mortal form and tucked his hair into the classic ponytail as he showed him around. while walking past stalls selling candied fruit and cakes, he xuan suddenly became invisible, and when he appeared again, his arms were filled with food.

shi qingxuan's jaw landed on the ground as he whispered in conspiracy, "did you even pay for it?"

"why would i?"

"because... because! ah, okay. did you at least thank the sellers?"

he xuan looked at him weirdly and repeated, "why would i?"

shi qingxuan had no answer for that. they kept sightseeing as he xuan munched on his snacks and spoke his usual minimum, while shi qingxuan would blurt out random things carelessly. it really felt like those past days, but this time shi qingxuan couldn't shape himself into a female and annoy the sizzling shit out of his companion.

soon after, the spectacle has started. while it was utterly shocking seven years ago, now it seemed more like a glimpse into melancholy. he xuan was actually watching it all bored and triggered as he scoffed and grunted,

"they hired this witless lickface again."

"what?"

he pointed at the actor who was currently depicting himself, running after someone with a rake, "this man. he's the son of the current big-shot official, and he gave up business in order to become an actor. he shouldn't have, he's nothing but an eyesore."

he sighed, then scoffed again.

"they get more and more creative every year. a fucking rake, do i look like a joke?"

shi qingxuan wanted to laugh as much as he felt it wouldn't be appropriate in the slightest. instead, he pointed at the actor and asked, "isn't he a bit... drunk?"

he xuan nodded, "he told them that if he drank a jar of wine before the play, he would be way more realistic or something."

"uhm, why?"

"i think they want him to stumble artistically and make the crowd laugh."

so turns out it has now became a comedy instead of gruesome spectacle supposed to teach a lesson. shi qingxuan supposed nothing could really teach mortals anymore. he remembered his own days as a god when his brother and him were designed to be a pair of married gods just because it suited their worshippers' taste.

he xuan watched the other he xuan get beated up and couldn't help from criticising everything. in the end, he stood up with an ugly expression on his face. for a moment, shi qingxuan thought he was going to approach the actors and lecture them, maybe even present the proper way of slaughtering the crew.

"are you staying?" he asked.

shi qingxuan shook his head, "i only told you one reason why i came. there are two more."

he xuan seemed like he wanted to check his fever, but he didn't say much. once again, they moved past the crowd and towards something more quiet. it happened to be he xuan's yard again.

this time they sat on the ground, leaning against the tree trunk. shi qingxuan closed his eyes for a moment before he spoke up, "you know, i... wanted to ask you something as well."

"is this the second reason?"

"yes."

"then ask."

he hesitated for a while, "why did you follow me?"

he xuan sighed; so they were having this conversation now? the truth was, his answer wouldn't fit in words. there wasn't a single way to explain what pushed him towards it, just how there wasn't a way to explain his previous rage and need for payback. he simply felt like his whole existence was being tormented even more, so for the sake of his goddamn mind shutting up, he descended to find shi qingxuan.