Chapter 13: The Koi
Ao Chen: “…”
Ao Chen pondered for a moment, and then, adhering to the principle of “Once my things are given to you, they’re yours; you can do whatever you want with them,” he simply ignored Wang Ming’s actions.
“Thank you very much. I’m going to sleep now. Goodnight.” Wang Ming said, playing with the water balls.
“You’re welcome. Goodnight.” Ao Chen nodded, watching Wang Ming happily return to his room. This time, he didn’t peek out again, seemingly captivated by the seawater balls.
This gentleman seems very easily satisfied, Ao Chen thought.
After this thought, Ao Chen was startled.
He seemed to be analyzing someone’s personality.
This wouldn’t usually happen between acquaintances, because acquaintances are familiar with each other, and generally have a good understanding of each other’s personalities.
It had been too long since he’d met someone new, so much so that he even felt unfamiliar with this subconscious mechanism of creating a personality profile for someone he’d just met.
Ao Chen: “…”
This is just a coincidence, Ao Chen thought.
Meanwhile, Wang Ming didn’t think that much about it. Perhaps his memory wasn’t large enough, or perhaps he simply didn’t think about it at all.
Wang Ming was currently engrossed in playing with his pair of ocean balls.
Wang Ming: Rolling, rolling, rolling…
No wonder the old men who always gather under the old tree in our village to play chess all have these exercise balls, it’s really addictive to roll them, Wang Ming thought as he rolled the balls, realizing he’d become a little wiser.
I’m one step closer to becoming a mature and reliable young man, Wang Ming thought.
——
Because he’d spent the night playing with the exercise balls, Wang Ming woke up a little late the next morning.
Although he hadn’t found a job yet, the diligent and brave Wang Ming wasn’t planning on sleeping in. After the alarm went off, he sprang out of bed.
Wang Ming hastily opened his bedroom door, walked into the outer room, and realized he seemed to still be dreaming, and a beautiful dream at that.
This must be a dream, Wang Ming thought, otherwise, no real-world scene would be this beautiful.
Before Wang Ming’s eyes was the sight of Ao Chen sleeping within a mass of water.
Perhaps because of the seawater illusion, Ao Chen looked different than usual.
His hair, floating in the illusory seawater, shimmered with a metallic luster. Two jade hairpins were inserted into his hair, but upon closer inspection, they looked like naturally grown dragon horns.
Underneath the wide sleeves of his clothes, shimmering dragon scales could be vaguely seen.
Wang Ming: “…”
Whoa, Wang Ming thought for a long time, only managing to come up with this word.
Wang Ming: “…”
Looks like I need to learn to be resourceful, Wang Ming thought, suddenly realizing his need to self-educate.
——
Ao Chen slept well.
He could choose not to sleep, he could use his inner energy to replenish his energy. But this time, enveloped in the illusory seawater, he slept very soundly, something he hadn’t done in years.
However, sensing someone nearby, Ao Chen immediately woke up.
He saw a minimalist-style altar in front of him.
It would be more accurate to call it a cardboard box, because it was a cardboard box.
On top of the cardboard box were several bowls that appeared to be used as incense burners.
Most notably, the bowls were disposable.
They were marked with the words “Deep-fried Stinky Tofu.”
Ao Chen: “…”
Beside the disposable bowl “incense burners” were two somewhat dilapidated plastic bottles, looking like scavenged trash.
The bottles contained a murky liquid with two blades of dog grass sticking out of them.
Ao Chen: “…”
Ao Chen stretched out a little to expand his field of vision.
He then saw someone lying down below the makeshift altar.
Even more absurdly, that person was performing a ritualistic bow.
Even more fatally, Ao Chen recognized that person.
It was his earthly fiancé – a god – Wang Ming.
“Please bless me with great wealth and smooth sailing.” Wang Ming was bowing to Ao Chen, muttering these words.
Ao Chen: “…”
“Wang Ming.” Ao Chen said.
“Huh?” Wang Ming looked up, seeing his earthly fiancé had woken up.
Contrary to Ao Chen’s expectations, Wang Ming didn’t seem embarrassed at all.
His lack of embarrassment is making me embarrassed, Ao Chen thought awkwardly.
“What are you doing?” Ao Chen asked Wang Ming.
“I’m worshipping you,” Wang Ming got up from the floor and frankly explained his actions to his fiancé.
Ao Chen: “…”
“I remember you said… you don’t believe in this sort of thing,” Ao Chen said.
“Oh, I don’t,” Wang Ming nodded matter-of-factly.
“But just now, I was worshipping you as a koi,” Wang Ming said innocently.
Ao Chen: “…”
“Is… there a difference?” Ao Chen really wanted to know the distinction.
“I don’t mind worshipping various gods of wealth,” Wang Ming said pragmatically.
“When it comes to koi, I have more flexible choices in my beliefs.” Wang Ming said.
Ao Chen: “…”
“I want to know, what is the necessary connection between me and a koi?” Ao Chen asked.
Wang Ming: “…”
“Don’t we both live in the water?” Wang Ming gave an answer that Ao Chen couldn’t refute.