LABMY CH69

This was an art exhibition with tickets that were nearly impossible to get. Many people racked their brains but couldn’t get a single ticket, all because this was the solo exhibition of the most brilliant rising star in the art world, Jian Yuanbai.

After Jiang Tang took his revenge, the two of them rejected the Celestial Master’s Association’s invitation and attended university as ordinary students. Jian Yuanbai randomly chose a fine arts major, and the only reason he was able to get into the school was because he used the “Ghost Eye Obscuration” technique.

Unexpectedly, as he studied, he actually developed some interest in painting. After graduation, he naturally became a painter.

Jian Yuanbai possessed a talent that left people in awe. What fascinated people the most was that he only began studying art in university, yet within just a few years, he achieved such remarkable success. It was hard not to describe him as a genius.

Jian Yuanbai, known for his painting of a starry night scene, had a well-known quirk—he painted everything except people.

No matter how high the price offered, no one could persuade Jian Yuanbai to paint a person. It was said that someone even offered ninety million, promising to buy the painting no matter how it turned out, but Jian Yuanbai still refused.

Human curiosity is boundless. After Jian Yuanbai’s repeated and ruthless refusals, people began speculating that he might suffer from face blindness and couldn’t paint people, or perhaps he was terrible at painting portraits and didn’t want to embarrass himself.

But these speculations did nothing to stop the public’s fanatical pursuit of his art.

As the artist hosting the exhibition, Jian Yuanbai showed little interest in mingling with the guests. He simply held a glass of wine and stood on the second floor, looking at his phone.

Fortunately, most people didn’t mind, believing that artists were naturally aloof.

“Jiang-ge, why are you hiding here alone?”

Jian Yuanbai’s assistant anxiously found him and said, “A big client wants to buy one of your early works. Do you still have it?”

“I’ve already negotiated the price. It just depends on whether you still have the piece.”

The assistant had been working for Jian Yuanbai for many years, handling all the sales and logistics. Jian Yuanbai trusted him completely and let him handle the pricing. It wasn’t due to any particular reason—he was simply lazy.

Jian Yuanbai replied, “I still have it. They’re all at my house. After the exhibition, you can come with me to get it.”

The assistant was stunned, “You mean… I’m going to your house?”

“Yeah,” Jian Yuanbai replied casually. Noticing the assistant’s shock, he asked, “What’s wrong? Is it inconvenient for you?”

“No, no, not at all.”

The assistant had worked with Jian Yuanbai for so long but had never been to his house. He always thought Jian Yuanbai was the type who strictly separated work from personal life and disliked people intruding on his private space. So, despite his curiosity, he never asked.

With a strange mix of excitement and nervousness, the assistant followed Jian Yuanbai to his home.

Upon arrival, he was greeted by a three-story villa with a garden. The flowers in the garden were well cared for, and there was even a swing in the yard.

The assistant couldn’t help but silently think to himself, “So, the cold and distant Jiang-ge actually has such a warm and cozy home… and even grows flowers.”

Following Jian Yuanbai into the living room, the assistant was instantly stunned.

Right on the wall opposite the entrance hung a massive painting.

It was of a man dancing. His eyes were closed, and he reached out gracefully with one hand. His performance costume was luxurious and exquisite, highlighting his slender waist and long legs.

His long hair was half-tied at the back of his head, and his delicate Adam’s apple and elegant side profile were revealed as he tilted his head upward.

A beam of light seemed to shine down from the heavens, while countless stars surrounded him, dim and dull in comparison. Only this dancer glowed brilliantly in the darkness.

A painting often reflects the emotions of the artist. By looking at the artwork, one can catch a glimpse of the artist’s love and sorrow.

This painting, which occupied the most prominent spot in the living room, made the assistant feel the deep reverence and tenderness the artist had for the person in the painting.

In front of this dancer, even the stars seemed to lose their brilliance.

When Jian Yuanbai came downstairs with a pile of paintings, the assistant finally managed to find his voice, “Jiang-ge… Did you paint this?”

Jian Yuanbai glanced at the painting, his gaze softening slightly. He simply replied, “Yeah.”

The assistant was confused, “But… Jiang-ge, I thought you couldn’t paint people?”

“I can,” Jian Yuanbai replied indifferently, “I just don’t want to.”

The assistant asked curiously, “This dancer looks amazing. Is he some famous performer?”

“Where can I watch his performance? I want to buy a ticket.”

Jian Yuanbai smiled faintly, “He’s not a famous performer. Just a dance instructor.”

“Oh…” The assistant scratched his head awkwardly. “Then… where is he now?”

Thinking the assistant was asking about the dancer’s whereabouts, Jian Yuanbai replied, “He took his students to another province for a competition. He’s a busy man.”

The assistant was certain he heard a hint of bitterness in Jiang-ge’s tone.

Not wanting to overstay his welcome, the assistant quickly wrapped up the business discussion and selected a few paintings to take with him.

After sending the assistant off, Jian Yuanbai estimated the time and made a video call to Jiang Tang.

The call rang for a while before it was answered. Jiang Tang, still dripping wet, appeared on the screen.

“Are you showering?” Jian Yuanbai asked.

Jiang Tang propped up his phone and began drying his hair with a towel. “Yeah. How was the exhibition?”

Jian Yuanbai replied, “It went fine. Your hair seems to have grown longer.”

Hearing this, Jiang Tang complained, “Isn’t it because you told me to grow it out? It’s such a hassle to dry after showering.”

Jian Yuanbai chuckled softly, “Long hair looks beautiful when you dance. If it’s too much trouble, I’ll help you dry it.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Jian Yuanbai appeared behind Jiang Tang in the video and took the towel from his hands.

Jiang Tang was startled and turned around, “Didn’t we agree to live like ordinary people? What kind of ordinary person can instantly cross two provinces in a second?”

Jian Yuanbai stood behind him, gently drying his hair. “Ordinary people also miss the ones they love.”

He threw a fastball straight at Jiang Tang, leaving him dizzy. Jiang Tang pressed his lips together and said nothing more, but the person drying his hair began to move more and more dishonestly.

Jian Yuanbai’s eyes burned as he gazed at the red mole near the back of Jiang Tang’s ear. The mole, soaked by water, appeared especially vivid.

He remembered that Jiang Tang had this same red mole in the previous world as well.

Slowly, Jian Yuanbai’s hand stopped moving. He leaned down and kissed the red mole, his tongue lightly and heavily tracing over it, then repeatedly sucked on it with his lips, making the already red mole even more vibrant.

Jiang Tang trembled the moment he felt the licking on the side of his neck. The unpredictable, light and heavy kisses made him even more sensitive, causing his face to flush.

Unable to resist, he reached out to push Jian Yuanbai away. “I just took a shower, you…”

He wanted to say, “Stop messing around, or the shower will be wasted,” but Jian Yuanbai interrupted him, deliberately twisting his words, “You took a shower and waited for me? So obedient?”

Jiang Tang’s face turned a deep red from shame. No matter how many times it happened, he would always blush and have a racing heart when it came to these intimate moments. His shy and innocent reaction made Jian Yuanbai even more infatuated with him.

“My wife is so cute.”

The air in the room seemed to grow thick and ambiguous, flowing slowly as the temperature rose. Jiang Tang’s eyes were misty and dazed, his long, dark hair wet and sticking to his smooth back.

Jian Yuanbai leaned down to kiss him, pressing his lips to Jiang Tang’s beautiful collarbone through the damp strands of hair, causing Jiang Tang to tremble slightly.

Jiang Tang, with his long hair draping over his pale skin, looked stunning in an indescribably seductive and fragile way.

This was the real reason Jian Yuanbai coaxed him to grow out his hair. It had nothing to do with looking better while dancing.

As for whether Jiang Tang, who knew that as a dance instructor he rarely actually danced, believed Jian Yuanbai’s excuse or simply indulged him, that was another story.

…

The two had lived together for many years. Occasionally, they would quarrel, but they would always make up quickly. In the later years, Jian Yuanbai never argued with Jiang Tang again. He tolerated him in every way, but his heart grew heavier by the day.

Jiang Tang was human, and the damage to his body from forcibly unlocking the Ghost Taming Technique became more and more apparent over time. Even though Jian Yuanbai protected him in every way and held him like a warm stove every night as they slept, Jiang Tang’s hands and feet remained cold.

His body withered away day by day, and Jian Yuanbai was powerless to stop it.

Jian Yuanbai grew more silent, while Jiang Tang began to talk more.

“The West Lake melon seeds tonight tasted salty,” Jiang Tang said as he lay on the bed. “Let’s order from another restaurant next time. Not this one.”

Even after so many years, Jian Yuanbai never learned how to cook. When Jiang Tang could no longer cook, they would order takeout from restaurants.

Jian Yuanbai hummed softly in response, turned off the light, and climbed into bed, pulling the ice-cold Jiang Tang into his arms.

Jiang Tang felt smaller and smaller in his embrace, as if he would slip away if Jian Yuanbai wasn’t careful.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Tang suddenly said, “I know… you’re a ghost. Ghosts don’t age.”

As he spoke, he slowly reached out and touched the white hair on Jian Yuanbai’s head. Though Jiang Tang himself was no longer young, he could still act spoiled in front of Jian Yuanbai, just like in the past. “Change back, okay? I want to see.”

Jian Yuanbai said nothing. The pale white hair faded away like a tide, replaced by the black hair of his youth. He was still as handsome as he had been decades ago.

In Jiang Tang’s eyes, there was reluctance and longing. He looked into Jian Yuanbai’s pupils and saw his own reflection—aged and fragile.

He reached out to cover Jian Yuanbai’s eyes and murmured, “Don’t look at me. Don’t look at me.”

Jiang Tang blocked Jian Yuanbai’s vision, but he himself couldn’t stop staring. Tears blurred his vision, and he hurriedly wiped them away, but the tears kept falling, making it impossible to see Jian Yuanbai’s face.

His lover was still beautiful and youthful, while he himself was slowly losing his vitality, like a decaying, dying tree.

Reluctance and unwillingness filled his heart.

Jiang Tang didn’t know how long ghosts could live, but he guessed it was an eternity. He wanted Jian Yuanbai to remember him forever, to never forget that he once had a lover named Jiang Tang.

He slowly leaned against Jian Yuanbai’s chest, still covering Jian Yuanbai’s eyes. His posture was awkward, yet full of attachment and dependence. He felt the endless warmth radiating from Jian Yuanbai’s body and let out a soft, almost inaudible laugh.

He said, “Forget me.”

Jiang Tang spoke of forgetting, but his laughter was filled with sorrow and bitterness.

Jian Yuanbai didn’t speak, nor did he move. For the first time, he hated his identity as a fierce ghost. Because of his ghostly sensitivity, he could immediately sense that the person in his arms had stopped breathing, even though his eyes were covered.

The hand that covered Jian Yuanbai’s eyes slowly slipped down and was caught by Jian Yuanbai.

His icy palm was soaked with Jian Yuanbai’s burning tears, but the owner of the hand could no longer respond.

Jian Yuanbai tightened his embrace around the cold body in his arms, veins bulging on his hands, but his touch was as gentle as ever, as if he feared hurting Jiang Tang.

He buried his head in the crook of Jiang Tang’s neck and spoke in a calm voice that revealed no sorrow.

“I will find you… again and again.”

No matter how many separations they had to endure, he would find him. Until the day they never had to part again.

They would stay together, not for the fleeting lifetime of a human, but for all of Jian Yuanbai’s eternity.

Jian Yuanbai’s voice was calm, but the cold skin on Jiang Tang’s neck seemed to be warmed by his burning tears.

…

After the famous painter Jian Yuanbai passed away, strangely, no one ever found his body. It was only known that he had purchased a burial plot.

In his home, countless paintings were discovered, and among them were endless portraits of the same person.

When these paintings were revealed to the world, the rumors that Jian Yuanbai couldn’t paint portraits were shattered. The paintings depicted the same person in various scenes, mostly in everyday life. The most famous piece was of a beautiful young man drying his hair, with each strand meticulously detailed, down to the water droplets on the tips.

The painting of him dancing under the starlight amazed everyone.

People dug into the identity of the man in the paintings and discovered he was a dance instructor named Jiang Tang. Jian Yuanbai and Jiang Tang had spent their entire lives together, and their relationship was self-evident.

The tombstone in the plot Jian Yuanbai purchased bore the name of his lover, Jiang Tang. Many believed that Jian Yuanbai’s body, which was never found, might have been buried there as well.

When people found recordings of Jiang Tang’s dancing, they were astonished to discover his incredible talent.

He could have shone brightly on the stage, yet he chose to become a dance instructor.

A genius painter who refused to paint anyone else spent his entire life painting only his lover.

Blatant favoritism and unwavering devotion—such love stories transcend time and are forever spoken of.

As for the dazzling star that could have graced the stage, he was stolen away by the painter, hidden within the canvas, for only himself to admire. No one else was allowed even a glimpse.