[QT] Loving an Alien Isn't That Bad at All

Shen Yuan reached Liang Road after half an hour of leisure walk. There were fewer people compared to other areas of the city and most of them wore formal working clothes, most likely governmental workers. There were also hardly any shops around, only a couple of taverns and tea houses.

He walked around the area until he stumbled across a public park. A handful of benches lined the paved path while several gazebos stood amidst the lush grass lawn, distanced from one another for privacy.

It was there his eyes caught the conspicuous white hair under one of the gazebos. His back faced him, but he couldn't see how many diamonds he had with him wearing his guard uniform.

What luck.

He snapped his fan close and approached the gazebo. "Excuse me."

Zhou Yi peeled his eyes off his papers and they fell on the owner of the gentle voice.

His heart throbbed. An image flitted in his mind only to disperse into jumbled fragments, too quickly for him to make sense of it.

Why did it feel like he had seen this person somewhere before?

"…Yes?"

"Apologies for disturbing your work, but it seems like I'm rather lost. I'm looking for Shanzu Temple. Does kind sir perhaps know where it is?"

"Shanzu Temple is at Sheng Road up north." Zhou Yi saw the mark on Shen Yuan's chest and added, "You might want to consider taking a carriage or palanquin. It's not within walking distance."

"I see. And where can I purchase such a service?"

"It's a bit difficult to explain." Zhou Yi tidied his papers and stood up. "Let me escort you there."

Shen Yuan waved his hands in a hurry. "Oh, no. I didn't mean to impose on you. I can just ask people around."

Zhou Yi let out a small laugh and showed the metal crest hanging on his waist. "You're not imposing. I'm a guard here. It's my job to help."

"But your work…"

"It's nothing urgent, truly," Zhou Yi reassured. "May I know how I should address you?"

"Ah, right. Where are my manners?" Shen Yuan saluted and lowered his head. "This one's name is Shen Yuan, a traveler. May I also know the name of your kind soul?"

"Zhou Jingchen, at your service." Zhou Yi returned Shen Yuan's salute and gestured the way. "Please, follow me."

With a nod, Shen Yuan walked next to Zhou Yi and left the park together. Unlike the hustle and bustle on other roads, the area didn't have much noise. Everything was pensive and orderly.

Some people nodded in greeting when they encountered Zhou Yi while other guards stopped in their tracks to lower their heads until he walked past.

As he thought, this was Zhou Yi's territory. He doubted any of Ji Zhixuan's business was here.

"Do you travel alone, Young Master Shen?" Zhou Yi inquired.

"Yes. At times like this, I'm truly grateful towards kind people such as Sir Zhou."

"It's fortunate if nothing unpleasant has happened during your journey, but Young Master Shen must always be careful and not trust people too easily."

"I've traveled long enough to see through ill-intention." Shen Yuan smiled in apology. "I suppose I have to apologize for choosing Sir Zhou in my predicament. I couldn't help but be drawn to your hair. Might I ask what caused it? Of course, Sir Zhou doesn't have to answer if it's a sensitive matter."

"It's nothing of the sort. It's simply genetic. It helps that people in need can easily recognize me."

"Doesn't that go the same with those who wish to harm Sir Zhou?"

"I'm more than grateful if they deliver themselves to me. Saves me the trouble."

Shen Yuan chuckled. "How fierce. I must be careful not to cause any trouble during my stay then."

Zhou Yi's heart skipped a beat from the radiant smile. He couldn't help but feel embarrassed by his words now and cleared his throat. "Of course, guards don't unnecessarily harm people and there are protocols to everything. Be rest assured."

Passing by a drink stall, Shen Yuan stopped and pointed. "May I buy a drink for a short moment? I've been walking for a while and the thirst is catching up to me."

"Take your time."

"Let me buy Sir Zhou one as well. Please don't refuse," Shen Yuan promptly added before Zhou Yi could say a word. "It's the least I can offer."

"Alright." Zhou Yi nodded with a helpless smile. "I'll gratefully take it."

Shen Yuan went to the stall and feigned ignorance to the owner's bulging eyes from seeing Zhou Yi.

Before he could show courtesy, Zhou Yi stopped him with a raise of his hand. The owner looked between him and Shen Yuan and quickly caught on. He welcomed Shen Yuan with the widest smile. "Hello, hello. Welcome to this humble stall. We offer a variety of refreshing juice here, and Young Master will get a free cup to take away with you upon purchase. Perfect to have while strolling. What would Young Master like to drink today?"

"What would you like, Sir Zhou?" Shen Yuan looked back at Zhou Yi.

"I trust Young Master Shen's choice."

"Then, one watermelon juice and one orange juice, please."

"Right away!" The owner rushed to the back of his stall and prepared the order at full speed.

Curious, Shen Yuan craned his neck to see what the owner used in place of a blender and found he simply used a fruit squeezer. He couldn't help but feel disappointed.

What was interesting though, was the box he used as an ice container. It seemed like a normal bronze box with a yellow paper seal plastered on its lid, but when the owner closed it, the drawings on the paper glowed for a brief second before dimming back.

Magic? It didn't seem like the owner did anything though.

"That's a charm," Zhou Yi answered his curiosity.

"A charm?"

"They are made by a special kind of activator who can imbue a catalyst's energy to an object. They are few and rare in between and each of them is a precious asset to the country."

"Is such an item not expensive?" Shen Yuan asked the owner as he returned with their order.

"It's expensive. That's why I can only afford this humble stall after purchasing it. My wife kicked me out of our house when I went home with it that night." The owner laughed without regret. "But more than that, it's an investment. There's no one else here that can sell cold juice and it keeps my fruits fresh. Soon enough, I will have enough savings to purchase a small shop."

"Where can you buy these kind of items?"

"They're…uh…" The owner cast a hesitant glance at Zhou Yi.

Seeing Shen Yuan's inquisitive eyes on him, Zhou Yi struggled for a while before answering with heavy reluctance, "There is a specialty shop in the commercial district, but I don't recommend Young Master Shen purchasing anything from there."

"Are the products bad?"

"No. But the person behind the shop conducts deceitful deeds to have those activators work for him. Unfortunately, he's a slippery one and managed to work through the loopholes, so we haven't been able to make him take responsibility yet."

"Are there no other shops?"

Zhou Yi shook his head in regret. "That person made sure he had control over the market. As soon as a new shop appeared, he would either destroy or acquire it in less than a month. Even those outside the capital."

"I see. That's too bad…"

Shen Yuan didn't need to guess who Zhou Yi was talking about from how the owner didn't even dare to say a word about it.

He accepted the drinks from the owner to find the disposable cups were made out of folded banana leaves, their shape secured by thin wooden toothpicks. He gave the orange one to Zhou Yi and paid for them before thanking the owner and continuing their walk.

"If I may ask, what business does Young Master Shen have at the temple? I don't recall the temple being a tourist attraction." Zhou Yi asked.

"It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but I wish to pray for good luck."

"What is there to be embarrassed about? With Young Master Shen traveling alone, there is no harm in asking for protection."

"Ah, no… It's not for that." Shen Yuan scratched his cheek. "It's for my love life."

Zhou Yi raised his eyebrows. "I can't imagine someone as beautiful and courteous as Young Master Shen doesn't have any pursuer."

"Thank you for the flattery. But that's not the problem." Shen Yuan shook his head with a light laugh. He eyed the person walking towards their way and shifted his position as they got near. "It's—"

"Careful." Zhou Yi grabbed Shen Yuan's arm just before the collision and pulled him away.

Shen Yuan timely tilted the cup in his hand and splashed his drink onto his clothes. The juice trickled down his chest, smudging some of the concealing powder off.

Thinking it was his fault, Zhou Yi fetched out his handkerchief in a fluster. "Forgive me. I didn't control my strength."

"W-Wait—"

Zhou Yi wiped his handkerchief across Shen Yuan's chest, erasing what was left of the powder. Seeing 2 additional diamonds revealing themselves to him, he paused in place.

3…4…5 diamonds…?

He had only taken a second glimpse of them before Shen Yuan shoved him away and snapped his fan open to cover them. Vigilance overtook the previous friendliness in his eyes, like a scared, wounded animal.

Zhou Yi's chest tightened.

What kind of horrible things had Shen Yuan experienced for him to have such a look?

"I think I can find my own way from here. Thank you for your help, Sir Zhou. I will excuse myself first." Shen Yuan didn't give any chance for Zhou Yi to react and paced away.

"Young Master Shen!"

Zhou Yi tried to stop Shen Yuan but was too late. He could only watch the smaller back vanish into the crowd and clenched his fists.

He must find him and keep him safe before malicious people discover him.

Especially that man.