To Raise a Soul 17

by cerberustranslates · November 24, 2019

Restrained

Ba-dump-ba-dump-ba-dump.

By the time the two men left the mall, the sun was starting to set and the sky was getting dark.

Yin Yan drove the car with his usual calm expression, while Yu Zhen teased a kitten with a similar face of calm. One man was in the driver’s seat and the other sat in the back seat, on the right side. The span of a galaxy stretched between the two men.

“Meow ~”

Xu Wu stood up in Yu Zhen’s palm and, with some small amount of difficulty, pressed its front paws onto Yu Zhen’s face. As if suspicious of Yu Zhen’s expression, it stretched its neck to sniff at the man.

Yu Zhen indulgently moved it closer to his face, allowing it to continue sniffing. He stared at the kitten’s ears, which were twitching as it sniffed around. The fondness in Yu Zhen’s eyes was almost overflowing.

“Xu Wu,” Yin Yan suddenly said.

The kitten stopped. It obediently removed its paws and meowed at Yu Zhen before swishing its tail. Suddenly, it disappeared.

“…”

Yu Zhen lowered his hand. He fixed a look at the back of Yin Yan’s head but did not speak.

Yin Yan explained, “Xu Wu is still too weak. He can’t stay outside for too long.”

Yu Zhen feigned deafness, but frowned and looked out of the window. After a few seconds, he suddenly turned back. He adjusted himself to an angle where he could see Yin Yan’s face and said, “Thank you.”

Yin Yan had packed up the old boxes, spared no effort to help him accumulate strength, and found reasons to buy clothes for him… Although Yin Yan was always expressionless and, sometimes, bizarrely kept his distance from him, Yu Zhen felt that the other party was really good to him. He was treated like family and there was a comfortable and warm feeling.

Yin Yan didn’t seem to show any reaction. He didn’t look back and even his rhythm of driving was unchanged. Until Yu Zhen inadvertently noticed that the man suddenly blinked twice.

“This identity, Yin Yan, is part of my fate. Buying clothes for you is paying back what this identity owes you. You have been burdened by me. You don’t have to thank me, I should be the one apologizing instead.”

As he spoke in a serene tone, a car drove by, its light blurring Yin Yan’s expression.

Yu Zhen leaned against the car window and suddenly felt the itchiness in his heart again. He couldn’t resist asking the question he previously hadn’t dared to ask, “What’s your name?”

Another car drove by. Yin Yan didn’t answer the question immediately. After a quiet moment, he said, “Yin Yan.”

“I mean your real name.” Yu Zhen raised his head from the window.

The car turned in to the hotel where the Yin family was staying and stopped steadily. Unbuckling his seat belt, he returned Yu Zhen’s look and said, “Yin Yan. In this world, I have only one name, Yin Yan.”

As he said this, he pointed to the darkened sky.

Yu Zhen was stunned for a moment, but soon understood what he meant.

It can’t be said. He can’t tell anyone his real name, or heavenly law will discover him.

With an inexplicable sense of sadness in his heart, Yu Zhen left the car and followed Yin Yan into the hotel. While they were standing still in front of the elevator, waiting for its arrival, he couldn’t help but step forward and grasp Yin Yan’s sleeve. He asked, “When can I know?”

Yin Yan turned his head to look at Yu Zhen. He abruptly raised a hand to cover his own eyes, and replied, “When you become powerful enough, I will be able to borrow your power and my soul will also become stronger and complete. That day, heaven will not be able to stop me…”

Ding. They entered the elevator and slowly ascended.

Outside the elevator, two steps away from the door and out of sight of the two men, stood Han Ya, rooted to the spot.

That handsome man in the elevator with the tender smile, gentle eyes, and sense of pride was Yin Yan? The Yin Yan who exuded the air of a filthy rich but good-for-nothing man? The Yin Yan who had always displayed a lovesick but cowardly look?

No… How could Yin Yan look like that? How could he show that kind of expression? No. It’s definitely not him.

“Xiao Ya!” Wu Xuan ran over quickly. His eyebrows were furrowed and his eyes showed signs of impatience. He suppressed his temper and advised, “The Yin family made it clear that they don’t want to see you. Why are you chasing after them to apologize? Isn’t it just some blocked goods? I’ll find another channel to transfer new inventory to Uncle!”

Han Ya finally heard what she wanted to hear from him, but for some reason, she didn’t feel happy about it.

“Sorry, I’ve been quite willful.” She bowed her head. Her long, soft hair slid off her shoulders, making her appear weak and delicate. She spoke quietly, “I’m afraid. My father only has one daughter, but I’m useless…”

Wu Xuan’s frown loosened. He looked at her with helplessness and love. With a sigh, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her outside. In a soft voice, he said, “You’re too filial. Don’t worry too much. It’s almost the new year and Uncle is waiting for you to go home.”

…

The Yin family had no idea that they had been chased around all over H Province for a chance to apologize. At that time, they were having a lively meal. Qiu Feiqian selfishly arranged for Yu Zhen to sit beside her.

When Yin Yan returned with Yu Zhen, she almost didn’t recognize him. When she finally recognized him, she almost died from happiness.

She had known that Yu Zhen was good-looking; even in his oversized, cotton-padded clothes, he hadn’t looked ugly. But she didn’t expect that Yu Zhen would clean up this well! His appearance did not even lose out to newly-debuted “fresh meat” who relied solely on their appearance to survive in the entertainment circle.

When Yu Zhen took off his coat and stood to the side with his white sweater showing, he gave off a sweet and fluffy appearance, making all who laid eyes on him feel soft and warm in their hearts.

Since the car accident, my son’s tastes have made an exponential leap forward.

“This sweater is nice, and your hair has been nicely cut. Mom will buy you more clothes later. We don’t need to wear the same style every day!”

The cold-faced woman in the business world transformed into a warm, nagging mother. She praised Yu Zhen every once in a while, and looked at him every now and then.

Embarrassed, the tips of Yu Zhen’s ears remained red throughout the meal. He was unable to eat calmly and he almost forgot how to hold his chopsticks properly.

Yin Le, who sat opposite his new brother-in-law, had to constantly suppress his laughter, causing him to drop food on the table.

“Next year, Xiao Le is of the age to take the GaoKao*. Mom, Dad, have you decided whether to send him abroad or have him take them?” Yin Yan asked. As he spoke, his hand moved Yu Zhen’s plate away. Then, with a slight thud, a ‘meatball’ fell into Yu Zhen’s bowl.

GaoKao = National College entrance examinations. Tests that you need to pass to get into most Chinese universities.

Hurriedly, Yu Zhen scooped up the ‘meatball’ and stuffed it into his mouth. Afraid Qiu Feiqian would notice, he carefully peeked in her direction.

The attention of the entire Yin family had been shifted by Yin Yan’s question and everyone looked at Yin Le.

Yu Zhen sighed in relief. Tasting the familiar medicinal flavor in his mouth again, and feeling the lowering temperature of his ears, he was finally able to feel more comfortable.

“Stay in the country! Study at B City’s university!”

Qiu Feiqian immediately set down her ruling. At the same time, she stared at her husband who wanted to object. She leaned over and whispered, “In the past, how did Xiao Yan meet Han Ya? You should understand the situation. I don’t want Xiao Le to become entangled with someone bad while abroad and decide to bring them back.”

Hearing this, Yin Hexiang decisively shut his mouth. He looked at his youngest son who had let out a big sigh, and he didn’t raise any disagreements.

After dinner, Qiu Feiqian went to book a room for Yin Yan and Yu Zhen. She booked a double bedroom for the two, but Yin Yan unexpectedly appeared and stubbornly tried to change it into two rooms.

“Silly child! You wanted to be married! What’s this fuss about!?” Qiu Feiqian was very angry but kept a low voice as she scolded him.

“We have to wake up early tomorrow to catch the plane to B City. He needs a good rest tonight,” Yin Yan explained with faultless logic.

Qiu Feiqian’s thoughts immediately went the direction of the gutter. She eyed him from head to toe, and then glanced at Yu Zhen who was speaking with Yin Le not far away. Decisively, she stuffed the double room’s key into his hand. Not meeting his eyes, and with the face of a sagely and knowledgeable woman, she said, “So you do know that you’re young and full of vigor. These past few years, because of Han… because of that disaster, you’ve been restraining yourself. But Xiao Zhen is a man. You-you should be gentle. Even if you’re newlyweds, you can’t be too unrestrained.”

“…” For the first time, the pure and honest gentleman did not know how to reply to this mortal.

“Anyway, take it easy! I like Xiao Zhen very much. Don’t you dare torment him so much that he runs away!”

Embarrassed by the subject, Qiu Feiqian quickly walked away after having the last say. Yin Yan stood silently for a long while with his eyes lowered. Eventually, he slowly lifted his eyes to Yu Zhen, who was smiling attractively a short distance away. Then, his eyes moved downwards and landed on the area below the waist.

Ba-dump, Ba-dump…Ba-dump-ba-dump-ba-dump.

Yu Zhen’s words stopped, he pressed a hand to his chest and frowned in confusion.

“Is something wrong, Yu Ge?” Yin Le asked.

Yu Zhen shook his head. From the corner of his eyes, he spotted Yin Yan stepping into the elevator with a few large strides. Yu Zhen quickly grabbed Yin Le as he sought to catch up. He shouted, “Wait, let’s go together -“

Ding. The closed elevator door did not hesitate to ignore him.

Confused, Yin Le scratched his head and said, “That’s strange. Why didn’t Brother get us to go with him if he was heading up? And he clearly heard us call after him.”

Blankly, Yu Zhen replied, “Maybe it’s his ‘mysophobia’ flaring up.”

‘Mysophobia’ ? When did Big Brother have this condition?

At nine o’clock the next morning, everyone boarded the plane. Yu Zhen was arranged by Yin Yan to sit by the window. Yin Hexiang and Qiu Feiqian sat in front, while Yin Le and Weng Xiping sat behind them. From his seat placement, Yu Zhen felt a strong sense of security.

After he sat down, he pulled off the scarf around his neck. He had just turned to speak with Yin Yan when he noticed that the Yin family members had all mysteriously stopped chatting.

“What’s the matter?” He wondered out loud.

Yin Yan looked up at the two figures walking down the aisle. Wordlessly, he massaged the ring on his finger.

Han Ya didn’t expect that after looking for the Yin family for several days, she would meet them on the plane back to B city. Fortunately, she was even coincidentally in the same row.

To be more specific, she and Yin Yan were in the same row, but were separated by the aisle.

She did not immediately recognize Yin Yan.

Yin Yan wore a grey, medium-length coat with a high-collared, black sweater on the inside. His lower body consisted of black trousers and black leather shoes. Other than a brooch on his coat, there were no colorful items in his outfit.

The clothes were of a simple style, but when Yin Yan wore them, there was an air of nobility and elegance about him.

Yin Yan’s expression was calm; his head was tilted to one side and his eyes were lowered. He reached out a fair, slender hand and took hold of the camel-colored scarf that contrasted with his outfit. The contrasting warm and cool colors brought forth an understated, luxurious quality. It gave off the look of a top-tier photograph where everything was arranged meticulously and succeeded to be eye catching and difficult to look away from.

It was dazzling. The whole person appeared to be shining.

The Yin Yan before Han Ya’s eyes was familiar, but his expression and bearing were completely unfamiliar to her.

Han Ya had not gotten over her shock, as if it were the first time she’d seen his face. Her eyes were glued to his face and slender fingers. Unconsciously, she stepped forward and called, “Yin…”

Wu Xuan, standing beside Han Ya, frowned. Qiu Feiqian, who sat in front of Yin Yan, erupted in anger.

Translator(s): Epsea
Editor(s): Miiya
Proofer(s): Avalie

Miiya:

Ready for some pre-flight entertainment!

Epsea:

Can I call attention to the fact that Yin Yan is a respectable gentleman? He’s holding himself back even though he (probably) wants to give the cute and fluffy Yu Zhen a big ol’ glomp (and more). 10/10. He’s a good man.

Avalie:

“That day, heaven will not be able to stop me…” Get stronger quickly, Yu Zhen!!!