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Their relationship began with a perfect misunderstanding. It wasn't love at first sight, as the legends suggest; instead, a blank-slate deity pursued love in a human manner. He happened to catch the eye of another deity who was lonely and bored, mistaking him for a wayward soul. And so, the world gained one more couple.
It could be considered rather hasty.
At that time, Fu Ming Ye didn't understand what love was; he simply found the young man appealing and wanted to be near him. Qi Bai Cha had no intentions of maintaining a long-term relationship with this playboy; after a three-month trial period, he would promptly leave if Fu Ming Ye initiated a breakup.
Qi Bai Cha had no plans to establish a physical relationship with a mortal. He simply wanted to experience what it felt like to be in a relationship. Still, he couldn't bring himself to be intimate with someone with whom he had no emotional foundation.
If the other party demanded such intimacy, he would refuse; if the other party insisted, he would break up.
Qi Bai Cha had prepared for all contingencies, except for one: Fu Ming Ye never brought up the subject at all.
This defied logic; how could a man who loved to sleep—a certified womanizer—never even suggest sleeping together?
In reality, this eternally homebound deity had no idea that such interactions could occur between people. He had even consulted the internet for courting strategies and dating advice, considering himself a genius for learning how to use the internet at all.
The malevolent deity didn't understand human affection, but he wanted to get closer to Qi Bai Cha and thus diligently researched ways to improve their relationship.
Such as sending flowers, diamonds, cars, and houses.
Qi Bai Cha was utterly unmoved by these gestures.
It all felt like the typical strategy of a wealthy womanizer using money to win someone's heart—a futile effort when dealing with a deity for whom worldly possessions mean nothing.
A month into their defined relationship, they still courteously referred to each other as Mr. Fu and Mr. Qi. They had not moved in together, held hands, or even shared a kiss, acting more like well-mannered strangers conducting formal business than like lovers.
Qi Bai Cha grew increasingly bored, finding the taste of love to be rather dull and failing to understand humanity's obsession with it.
Just as he was preparing to end this tedious affair, Fu Ming Ye suddenly changed his approach.
The malevolent deity was naive but not dull; he knew that the young man he admired had no interest in material wealth. Hence, he sought to win his heart in a different way.
Initially, he wanted to offer Qi Bai Cha everything that humans considered to be the best, but the young man seemed disinterested. This left the malevolent deity puzzled and uncertain about how to proceed.
The clever deity decided to consult a relationship advisor. He remembered that a certain employee, Little Li, had a happy relationship with his girlfriend despite their modest means. The couple seemed incredibly close and content, making the deity wonder why that was so.
When Li was summoned to the CEO's office, he was nervous and jittery, fearing he had committed some error. Upon hearing Mr. Fu's question, he almost doubted his own hearing.
The usually stoic Mr. Fu was actually asking him earnestly why his relationship with his girlfriend was so successful?
Li cautiously responded, "Well, it's because we genuinely like each other..."
The emotionally clueless deity-in-disguise, Mr. Fu, queried, "You're not particularly handsome, and you're not wealthy, so why does she like you?"
Li: "…"
He couldn't, this was his boss. Hitting him would mean instant termination.
Li racked his brain and explained, "Maybe it's because I take her out to have fun—to amusement parks, aquariums, zoos, we go shopping, dine out, watch movies, and I even cook noodles for her with my own hands…" He grinned foolishly as he spoke, "She was moved, and so she accepted me, heh heh."
The perplexed deity countered, "We don't need to walk around when shopping; I can just buy him an entire mall. We also watch movies, but I reserve the whole theatre so it's just the two of us, undisturbed. We always dine in high-end restaurants, served by an entire line of waiting staff. Why is he still not moved?"
Li's smile gradually faded.
Okay, sour much?
It's his boss; can't punch him!
Li nailed it, "You're going about it the wrong way. Despite the luxury, your approach lacks warmth and humanity. It feels more like a business transaction than a date. The essence of dating is about feeling lively; what's the point in clearing out public spaces? The same goes for shopping, dining, and movies. What we pursue is not the material wealth, but the emotion of doing something together. My girlfriend and I often eat at street stalls; maybe it's not as refined as what you do, but we're happy and comfortable. If there's someone you like… why not try a back-to-basics approach?"
The deity nodded earnestly, taking diligent notes.
Exiting the office, Li was still in a daze, as though what had just happened was surreal.
What on Earth had he just said in front of Mr. Fu?
Meanwhile, the deity in disguise had already begun to execute his new love manual faithfully.
He had just learned a new term called "materialism" and realized that what he had been giving Qi Bai Cha was overly superficial. He should also offer emotional care and companionship.
On this day, Fu Ming Ye did not arrive in his multi-million-dollar Ferrari to pick up Qi Bai Cha.
He rode a bicycle instead.
The man who always looked ready to attend a formal gala in his tailored suits was now wearing a simple white shirt, enjoying the summer breeze under a banyan tree while waiting on his bicycle.
As Qi Bai Cha descended from the residential building, he paused his steps, "What's this about?"
Fu Ming Ye responded, "Back to basics."
Qi Bai Cha: "…How poetic of you, Mr. Fu."
He obligingly sat on the back seat of Fu Ming Ye's bicycle.
Fu Ming Ye said, "If you're not stable, you can hold onto my waist."
Qi Bai Cha lowered his eyes, "That won't be necessary."
He wasn't fond of physical contact with others.
Fu Ming Ye didn't insist. With a push of the bike pedal, he rode off sprightly.
This time he didn't take Qi Bai Cha to any of the high-end, sophisticated museums, art exhibits, or concerts, nor did they head to a golf course.
Astonishingly, they ended up at an amusement park.
Qi Bai Cha was unsure why Fu Ming Ye brought him to a place ostensibly meant for human children to play. Although he had been curious about human entertainment, he had never participated—only observed.
...Mainly because as an adult, he would look out of place among children accompanied by their parents.
What's the fun in going it alone?
To borrow a phrase from the literati, the merriment belonged to others; he had none of it.
"Let's start with the carousel!" Fu Ming Ye was quite excited by these novelties. Unlike Qi Bai Cha, who had seen it all, he was still naïve to the ways of the world. He harbored a curiosity born of eons spent listening to prayers but remaining detached from earthly matters.
Qi Bai Cha: "...Is that really appropriate? We'd stand out among the kids."
"Just give it a try," Fu Ming Ye looked at him, eyes shining with anticipation. "I've never been on one before."
Qi Bai Cha thought, a rich kid without even a childhood.
How pitiful.
Softening, the Snow God relented.
A minute later, Qi Bai Cha sat on the carousel, his eyebrows knitted as the nursery rhymes played around him. He began to question why he agreed to this childish endeavor.
Fu Ming Ye didn't care; once off the carousel, he was eager to drag him to the roller coaster next.
Being a deity who could actually traverse the skies, Qi Bai Cha found this unappealing, "I don't think—"
Fu Ming Ye turned his head, his expression still cheerful, "What did you say?"
Qi Bai Cha: "...I think it's fine."
He's just a pitiful child without a childhood. The Snow God thought that compensating for his past lack of joy wouldn't... be too much of an issue.
They both sat on the roller coaster. Amidst the screams of all the other tourists, their faces remained as impassive as ever—quite an unconventional sight.
After dismounting, they looked at each other, both suddenly aware that their reactions were far from typical human behavior.
Everyone else was screaming in a contorted frenzy, revealing their true selves would be all too easy.
Fu Ming Ye hurriedly explained, "Actually, I was paralyzed with fear; I'm not as brave as I seemed."
Qi Bai Cha hesitated, "Then I must have been... struck speechless from the fright."
As he concocted such a ludicrous excuse, a chuckle almost escaped his lips, but he managed to hold it back.
He had to admit, amusement parks were genuinely joyous places.
The feeling of frolicsome companionship was delightful—something the Snow God had always yearned for but never openly expressed.
Together they explored every ride and attraction in the amusement park until nightfall. A long-lost sense of ease, happiness, and relaxation returned to him, leaving Qi Bai Cha somewhat wistful as they wrapped up their day.
"Back to basics"—it was a beautiful phrase. In these fleeting hours, Qi Bai Cha felt as if he had forgotten his identity, his responsibilities. As if he had returned to those snowy mountains of eons ago where he slept under the snow, still a child ignorant of worldly matters, with a group of playmates who often sought his company, without a care in the world.
Over time, he grew up with this world. Slowly, those companions one by one disappeared, leaving him the sole deity.
Solitude drew a cage around him, confining him for countless years.
At night, the amusement park teemed with people; neon lights flickered in myriad colors.
Walking shoulder to shoulder through the throng, they were practically being pushed along. Suddenly, Fu Ming Ye pivoted and sheltered Qi Bai Cha in his arms, protecting the back of his head from the jostling crowd behind them.
The man's breath was warm and close, and for a moment, Qi Bai Cha was struck still.
"Oh my!" A woman's voice exclaimed, "I'm so sorry for wetting your shirt!"
A cup of cold beverage had splashed on the back of Fu Ming Ye's shirt, instantly soaking the fabric. Had he not shielded Qi Bai Cha, it would have been him who was splashed.
Without looking back, Fu Ming Ye grasped Qi Bai Cha's hand and said curtly, "Let's go."
It was their first embrace, their first hand-holding.
Qi Bai Cha forgot to pull away.
Once they were out of the crowd, the clamor of the amusement park faded into a distant murmur. They returned to where the bicycle was parked.
Qi Bai Cha gently withdrew his hand, "You should go change your shirt."
"It'll dry soon enough," Fu Ming Ye said, not the least bit concerned, as he mounted his bike. "You must be hungry after all that fun. Let's go eat."
Qi Bai Cha sized him up, "The restaurant we usually go to requires neat attire for entry."
"We're not going there tonight; time for something different," Fu Ming Ye nodded towards the bike with a grin, "Hop on."
Today he showed no trace of his imposing CEO aura, rather he was like an unrestrained, exuberant youth.
It was a genuine performance of his devil-may-care self.
And suddenly, Qi Bai Cha found it rather likable.
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