"Bai Gege, you're replacing me just because I'm absent in your life," Han Shun stated. His emotion started to build up again as he got frustrated and sad by the idea that he had been replaced. That tormenting feeling had been eating him up for four years.

He couldn't just let go of this problem. 

Of course, he couldn't say that he had been spying on Bai Gege with a mysterious man in a black-golden robe. 

"Am I that forgettable to you? That you will replace me so quickly?"

Bai Shijue never thought that the anxiety in Han Shun's heart would be so big just because he brought Han Min into the residence. Maybe what Pupa said was correct. Han Shun wasn't grown up yet. His body might've matured, and his cultivation had indeed reached a milestone that nobody— not even the most talented cultivator in Shijue's realm could achieve. 

But because he spent half of his life training to be a martial artist and now to be a cultivator, his emotional growth got stunted. 

[You know, he might remind me of Han Ye Gege. His face is literally the exact copy of Han Ye Gege from my real world.]

[But I still have no intention of romancing him. I just know it will be a disaster.]

[Pupa: I won't forbid you from romancing him if you want to, he is the male lead and also part of your real husband.]

[Pupa: But I reckon you still have a trauma of what happened in your real world, right?]

[Yeah, I'm still scared that he will beat the hell out of me like what Han Ye Gege did. Though, I feel like Han Shun is more like an insecure kid rather than a monster with a big ego.]

[Pupa: They are the same person, all of their feelings are valid and have reasons.]

[Including Han Ye Gege?]

[Pupa: He went overboard and became a maniac, but there is something that influenced him from behind.]

[Gee, Pupa. You seem to know everything that I don't after we got separated. Why don't you tell me instead?]

[Pupa: Then the book would be too short. My favorite author needs to build up for that grand finale, you know.]

[Aish, if this is a real book, your spicy chicken author has to apologize to me for giving me a hard life! At least an ending where I'm surrounded by many naked handsome men would be suitable!]

Bai Shijue sighed and continued combing Han Shun's hair, "Do you think I've replaced you just because I took him? Did you pay attention to how he addressed me?"

…

Truthfully, Han Shun didn't know what Bai Gege was talking about. Obviously, he was addressing Bai Gege as 'Bai Gege' just like him!

"I bet you're so emotional that you don't even listen to what he said, right?" Bai Shijue said. "He addressed me as Master Bai, just like he addressed you as Young Master Han Shun. He doesn't address me as Bai Gege because that's exclusive only for you."

"He works here as a servant. He knows the clear line that he will not work here as a boy toy of mine. It would also keep his dignity as a man," Bai Shijue explained. "I want him to be able to defend himself after we leave. That's why we need time to teach him first."

…

Han Shun knew what Bai Gege said was probably 100% true. Bai Gege wouldn't lie about something like this, nor that he ever lied to Han Shun.

But Han Shun still couldn't accept it. Call it childish jealousy. But he just couldn't bear to see Bai Gege taking care of someone other than him.

"As long as Bai Gege promised never to take anybody else in your life, I will be happy. There is no room for a new person, Gege…."

Han Shun leaned in and rested his head on Bai Gege's shoulder. He saw that Bai Gege was staring straight instead of looking down at his body, "Bai Gege, why don't you look at me? Am I unfortunate looking for you?"

"Han Shun, you're my disciple and my only family member in this world. I just don't want to ruin our initial bond," Bai Shijue said. He pushed Han Shun carefully to the bathtub and got up.

"You should clear your mind for a bit. We will head to the Forest of Lost Mist after you finish bathing."

He left Han Shun so the young man could calm down. 

Bai Shijue wasn't blind to Han Shun's attraction, but he still wanted to make a clear line between them as well.

Han Shun saw Bai Gege's back as he left the bathroom. Han Shun clenched his fist underwater the whole time. Because he was angry at himself for being too weak, that was why Bai Gege could still deny him. 

Just like that mysterious man in a black-golden robe said, Bai Gege was high above all. No matter what Han Shun did, Bai Gege would be the one to decide in the end.

"Bai Gege, I know that I'm being ungrateful and childish right now, but I refuse to be obedient to all of your choices. I want to make choices for us too, whether you like it or not."

"Just like how you make decisions that I don't like, but you deemed necessary. I want to make a decision that you might not like, but I deem necessary."

Han Shun's golden eyes slowly dilated as he kept thinking of a way to ensure that Bai Gege wouldn't leave him. No matter what, he refused to let Bai Gege go.

**

Han Shun heard someone knocking on the door when he was wearing the new robe. He was 18 years old, taller and bigger than Bai Gege, so his robes were tailored to fit him. 

Han Shun thought it was Bai Gege until the one behind the door opened his mouth, "Young Master Han, Master Bai told me to bring you the new leather boots."