My Supernatural Exes Are Desperate to Win Me Back - Chapter 18 - Teacher Wen and the Childhood Friend Clash...

on three sides, their majestic peaks stretching endlessly, resembling a pack of black beasts lurking under the moonlight. Their jagged ridges cut sharply through the night sky like swords and axes.

Xu Xining was familiar with this mountain, often dragging Zhan Xingye along for hikes.

Though rebellious and daring, she was confident in her abilities and wouldn’t easily fall into a trap.

In fact, she didn’t fall into a trap by accident.

A lurking Spider Demon had set a trap, ensnaring her in its web and injecting venom that robbed her of sight and sound, leaving her helpless.

She felt dizzy, suspended in the air by the web, as the massive spider spun its silk, its legs crisscrossing around her, wrapping her into a cocoon.

Every year, about a million people go missing, falling prey to Exotic Species. Xu Xining was supposed to be one of them.

However, she didn’t know Zhan Xingye had been following her.

At that time, Zhan Xingye was undergoing a metamorphosis, similar to a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. After this phase, he would fully mature into a formidable predator.

Yet, the metamorphosis was an excruciating and vulnerable process, typically protected by elders in the species… but Zhan Xingye was alone.

He had no idea what was happening to him, whether he was sick or dying, only feeling an endless burning pain, unable to maintain human form, with only his tentacles twisting and struggling in agony.

So when Xu Xining asked him to watch the meteor shower together, he had to refuse.

But he couldn’t let Xu Xining go alone, so he followed her secretly.

…

Fortunately, he followed her.

Zhan Xingye charged at the Spider Demon like a madman, engaging in a fierce battle.

Under normal circumstances, he could easily crush such a man-eating demon, but at that time, he was too weak to protect himself.

After a brutal fight, both sides were severely injured, and when Zhan Xingye crawled off the spider’s corpse, he was left with only a few battered tentacles, barely clinging to life.

He carefully crawled to Xu Xining’s side, peeling her out of the cocoon, anxiously waiting for her to wake up.

He couldn’t take human form, appearing as a hideous monster, so he couldn’t take Xu Xining down the mountain without being seen.

Xu Xining couldn’t see or hear, unable to find her way, leaving them trapped in the mountains.

Zhan Xingye tried to find fruits and water in the mountains to feed Xu Xining.

While she slept, he secretly absorbed the venom from her body, hoping she would recover in a few days and be able to descend the mountain herself.

The girl, no longer her usual fierce self, was astonishingly docile, curled up in the cave Zhan Xingye found, her beautiful eyes reflecting the surroundings like mirrors or glass.

Once, when Zhan Xingye returned with water, he saw those glass-like eyes silently crying.

At that moment, despite having no heart, Zhan Xingye felt as if his heart shattered.

He rushed over in panic but dared not touch her, seeing his filthy tentacles against her fair skin was worse than death.

He gathered all his strength, forming a human hand from his tentacles, gently holding Xu Xining’s hand.

The girl froze, gripping his hand tightly, asking, “Can you take me home?”

Zhan Xingye couldn’t speak, lacking the energy to simulate vocal cords, and even if he did, she couldn’t hear.

-He simply squeezed her hand lightly.

…

Later, a man with golden hair and blue eyes hurriedly found his way up the mountain, surrounded by glowing butterflies that seemed to guide him along the path.

He saw the sleeping girl curled up in the cave, surrounded by countless glowing butterflies, resting on her eyelashes and nose.

The man quickly took off his coat, wrapping her up as if handling a precious treasure, gently holding her in his arms.

Hearing footsteps, Zhan Xingye remembered he couldn’t be seen by ordinary people, desperately hiding himself in the filthy crevice, like a creature of darkness.

He watched in endless pain as Wen Nansen carried the girl away, his silhouette merging into the brilliant daylight outside the cave.

Later, the girl dyed her hair a dazzling gold on a whim.

By then, Zhan Xingye had been avoiding her, but Xu Xining, in her own oblivious way, didn’t mind his absence at the hospital or his coldness, still coming to find him, excitedly asking if her hair looked good.

Zhan Xingye couldn’t evade her, nodded, and said it looked good.

Xu Xining, blushing, leaned closer, grabbing his sleeve, whispering in his ear, “Xingye, I have a secret to tell you, just you, don’t tell anyone else.”

Her breath was light and sweet, like Lemon Candy.

Zhan Xingye leaned back slightly, as if afraid of being burned by her radiance.

Xu Xining laughed, “I think I have a crush! Does my hair color remind you of him?”

…

So of course he remembered Wen Nansen.

In his most desperate moment, Wen Nansen descended from the heavens, taking away everything he wanted but dared not touch.

Now, Zhan Xingye looked coldly at the man, unchanged from seven years ago.

The warm sunlight bathed him, time astonishingly leaving no trace on him.

Seeing Zhan Xingye hesitating to shake hands, Wen Nansen naturally withdrew his hand, smiling casually, “I guess I don’t understand young people; they don’t do this anymore.”

Old Xu joined in, “Xingye isn’t as outgoing as Xining; it’s normal for him to be reserved. He’ll warm up. Let’s fish!”

The four lined up along the riverbank, Old Xu, Wen Nansen, Xu Xining, and Zhan Xingye, their fishing rods dipping into the river, colorful umbrellas like mushrooms dotting the shore.

The clear river flowed gently, the warm breeze carrying the fragrant scent of flowers.

Xu Xining rested her chin on her hand, staring at the water, sometimes struggling to understand the hobbies of the elderly. Can’t they just buy fish at the market?

The man beside her lightly tapped her umbrella.

Xu Xining lifted the edge of the umbrella, her face drooping, “What?”

Wen Nansen opened his palm, revealing a handful of round candies, speaking softly, “Strange brand released some filled gummies…”

Xu Xining wanted to say no, go away.

But when did their family start making gummies?

Xu Xining looked at the candy, then at him, like a wild cat wanting fish but reluctant to approach.

Wen Nansen continued, “Seems like they’re limited edition…”

Xu Xining didn’t hesitate, decisively snatching the candy from his hand, retreating under the umbrella, the sound of candy wrappers rustling.

As long as she snatched it, it wasn’t Wen Nansen giving it to her!

Wen Nansen smiled, watching the shadowy figure under the umbrella, while Old Xu murmured, “Xu Xining, manners.”

The girl paused, reluctantly muttering, “Thank you, Teacher Wen.”

Wen Nansen chuckled, turning his head, “Why bother her? It’s no big deal.”

Old Xu grumbled, “No respect, all because of your spoiling.”

Old Xu respected his daughter but didn’t let everything slide; basic manners were necessary.

He’d noticed Xu Xining at the Wen Family, often lounging on the sofa like a queen, asking if they had yogurt, and Wen Nansen would bring it for her to choose from. Then she’d ask if cherries were in season, and Wen Nansen would go downstairs to buy them, wash them, pit them, and serve them with a silver fork.

Spoiled beyond belief.

Xu Xining often called out while eating, “Nansen…”

Old Xu would knock her head, “You can’t call him Nansen! Call him Teacher Wen!”

Xu Xining would pout, making faces at Wen Nansen, who would smile indulgently, telling Old Xu, “It’s fine, I let her call me that.”

…

Tap tap.

Xu Xining’s umbrella was gently tapped twice on the right.

Xu Xining peeked out like a cat, seeing Zhan Xingye silently pulling out a picnic cloth from his massive backpack, neatly laying out tuna and egg mayo rice balls, potato salad sandwiches, spicy rice cakes, fried chicken bento, lemon yogurt, hazelnut chocolate, and sugar-free sparkling water.

Xu Xining’s silence was deafening, “…Did you rob the convenience store manager yesterday?”

Zhan Xingye’s jawline was tense, seemingly upset with someone, “What do you want to eat?”

Xu Xining felt he seemed a bit aggrieved, as if saying she wasn’t hungry would lead him to rob more store managers.

Xu Xining took the yogurt, saying, “I thought you had a tent in that huge bag.”

Zhan Xingye seemed to understand, immediately pulling out a folding tent from the bag.

Xu Xining, “Wow… Are you Doraemon?”

On either side, the two seemed to be competing, Wen Nansen offering her water, Zhan Xingye wanting to fan her, Wen Nansen adjusting her fishing rod, Zhan Xingye setting up the tent.

…Xu Xining, after all these years, hadn’t turned into a spoiled princess, thanks to Old Xu’s timely intervention.

Old Xu, with idle time while fishing, naturally started chatting.

He picked a topic parents love, “Xingye, have you dated anyone at school?”

Zhan Xingye, suddenly addressed, replied quietly, “No.”

Old Xu wasn’t surprised; Xingye wasn’t talkative, finding a girlfriend would be unusual, “What about someone you like? I think Xining is quite skilled in romance; you could ask her for advice.”

Zhan Xingye panicked, stiffly starting to count his fingers.

Xu Xining protested, “Hey! How am I skilled?”

Honestly, all her romantic endeavors were disasters, her exes all peculiar.

Old Xu laughed cunningly, “I know you’ve dated a few, but never told me, always keeping secrets.”

Xu Xining thought, If I told you, you’d be shocked; the person next to you is one of them.

Old Xu asked, “Do you have any criteria for a partner?”

Xu Xining noticed Wen Nansen’s gaze, her nonsense flowing effortlessly, “I like black hair, younger, no glasses, preferably quiet, doesn’t smile, not highly educated, not very wealthy.”

Just the opposite of Wen Nansen! That’ll annoy him to death!

“It sounds like you’re describing a poor fool…” Old Xu grimaced, “Isn’t there something wrong with your criteria for choosing a partner?”

Zhan Xingye paused for a moment after hearing this, then turned to look at Xu Xining. The breeze lifted his dark hair, and his black eyes were both quiet and intense.

Xu Xining realized something and quickly lowered her voice as she leaned in, giving him a friendly pat, “Don’t worry! I wasn’t talking about you!”

Zhan Xingye: “…”

He adjusted the brim of his hat, murmured a quiet acknowledgment, and turned away, choosing silence.

“And what about you, Teacher Wen?” Old Xu suddenly shifted his focus, chuckling, “Don’t underestimate me; I know quite a few people. I could help you find someone.”

“Thank you, Teacher Xu, but I don’t have any criteria,” Wen Nansen replied with a gentle yet firm smile, “There’s only one person I like in this world.”

Xu Xining coughed twice, pressing her fist to her lips, “That’s a lie!”

Old Xu: “???”

The blonde girl shielded her eyes with her hand, gazing up at the sky, “Whoa! God is speaking!”

After a while, as everyone stood up to stretch their legs, Xu Xining couldn’t resist pulling Old Xu aside to whisper, “Why did you invite Teacher Wen?”

Initially, because Wen Nansen had saved Xu Xining during her summer vacation in junior high, Old Xu held him in high regard and respect.

Later, when Wen Nansen settled in Huai River, Xu Xining frequently visited his home, and Old Xu felt he was imposing on him, often bringing gifts to his door.

Wen Nansen was incredibly knowledgeable, and Old Xu, once a prodigy himself, was a professor at Q University who feared no one. They often chatted about everything from the Yanomami people in the Amazon rainforest to Alzheimer’s and academic fraud. When they were particularly pleased, Old Xu would slap Wen Nansen’s shoulder and laugh heartily, feeling a kinship akin to finding a kindred spirit.

However, Old Xu was unaware that Xu Xining and Wen Nansen had been together back then.

After all, Old Xu always considered Wen Nansen a friend, not realizing that his friend saw him as a father-in-law.

Xu Xining sensed that this revelation would be far more shocking to Old Xu than her dyed blonde hair, so she planned to reveal it gradually…

But just as she began to ease into it, they broke up.

Old Xu sighed, “You don’t know, but Teacher Wen is quite the fisherman. Whenever I fish with him, the fish we catch are as thick as my thigh…”

Seeing Old Xu start to measure his thigh circumference, Xu Xining stomped her foot in frustration, “Haven’t you been out of touch for a while? How did you suddenly reconnect?”

“Teacher Wen was abroad for the past two years, so it was hard to keep in touch. He just returned to the country.”

“He was abroad for the past two years?” Xu Xining questioned suspiciously, “I didn’t know that. How did you?”

Old Xu: “Isn’t it normal for you not to know? My relationship with Nansen is great, hahaha…”

Old Xu laughed heartily, wrapping his arm around his daughter.

Xu Xining: Sure, sure, your relationship with my ex is great. You’re so proud, so noble.

Old Xu continued, “Even while Teacher Wen was abroad, he often had people send me rice and oil…”

Old Xu lived in Li Hua Lane, an old-style neighborhood without elevators, with narrow stairways that made moving heavy items difficult.

“Once, when it was snowy and slippery, I fell while pushing a cart onto the curb, and Teacher Wen happened to pass by…”

Xu Xining’s eyes widened, and Old Xu realized he had let something slip, quickly shutting his mouth.

Xu Xining, exasperated, shouted, “When did this happen? Where did you fall? Was it serious? Why didn’t you tell me?!”

The girl fired off questions like a machine gun, and Old Xu, like a cornered criminal, retreated, unable to defend himself, “It was nothing, I was fine after a couple of days. Why would I tell you? You’re not a doctor…”

Xu Xining glared at him, puffing up in anger.

Old Xu sincerely apologized, “I’m sorry, I’ll definitely tell you next time.”

He thought for a moment and added, “If you really don’t want to be with Teacher Wen, I can cover for you later, and you and Xingye can go somewhere else for barbecue, okay?”

Xu Xining touched her nose, feeling awkward, “It’s not that serious…”

Old Xu smiled, “That’s good. Actually, I’m not particularly keen on fishing; I just wanted Teacher Wen to get out and relax because he’s been having a tough time these past two years.”

Xu Xining: Oh, he’s been having a tough time?

An ex having a tough time-could there be better news?

Xu Xining’s eyes lit up as she lowered her voice, “Tell me more?”

Old Xu hesitated, “I only overheard a bit and pieced together the rest…”

Xu Xining: “What secrets can’t you share with your closest daughter?”

Old Xu had no choice but to whisper, “Did you know Teacher Wen had a lover?”

Xu Xining: I knew that sudden relationship inquiry was definitely up to something!

“Because of a misunderstanding, it seems his lover left him. Teacher Wen was deeply affected, and he went abroad for two years because of that lover and got injured. When I saw him for the first time after two years, he was so haggard I barely recognized him.”

Xu Xining: “I don’t see any change in him.”

“You’re still young; you don’t understand,” Old Xu patted her, “You have to look at people’s eyes. I kept asking him about fishing because I was worried he might suddenly do something rash.”

Xu Xining muttered, “It’s not that serious.”

Old Xu was puzzled and regretful, “You’d think someone as worldly and mature as Teacher Wen wouldn’t let a woman affect him so much. What kind of person could she be?”

Xu Xining coughed, holding her fist with dignity, “Darn, she must be incredibly beautiful.”

Old Xu disagreed, “What’s the use of beauty? Someone like Teacher Wen is sought after everywhere. I can’t imagine anyone worthy of him.”

Xu Xining: ???

Do you know what you’re saying?! Are you still my dad? What happened to no one being good enough for your daughter?!

Old Xu was still immersed in his indignation, “I don’t know how many people want to marry Teacher Wen, yet she didn’t appreciate him. That girl must be a bit ungrateful…”

Xu Xining: ???

Twenty years of father-daughter relationship-it’s over! Completely over!

Old Xu: “Teacher Wen should move on and find someone better, let her regret it…”

“Hah?! Let him dream on!” Xu Xining’s voice cracked with anger, wishing she could jump up and punch the air, “The ungrateful one is him! Even if you give him twenty years, he won’t find anyone better! A primitive who can’t even use a phone deserves to be alone forever!”

She vented her frustration and stormed off like an angry bird, leaving Old Xu clutching his heart in confusion, disoriented by the wind.

Old Xu: She definitely knows something but won’t tell me.

Old Xu: Young people’s views on love are indeed different from us old folks.

Old Xu: It’s a pity Teacher Wen doesn’t have a son; if he did, maybe I could become in-laws with Nansen.

With that thought, Old Xu laughed heartily once more.

Only Old Xu’s world remained cheerful.

Meanwhile, since Xu Xining and Old Xu were whispering alone, Wen Nansen and Zhan Xingye were forced into solitary company.

Though outwardly calm, both of them, with their keen hearing, listened to the father-daughter conversation clearly.

Wen Nansen lowered his long, golden lashes, flipping through the pages of his book, while Zhan Xingye quietly peeled apples for Xu Xining with a small knife.

They had been fishing all morning without catching a single fish scale.

For Wen Nansen, this was nearly impossible.

Spirits are the most harmonious beings with nature; even if he threw in an empty hook without bait, fish would compete to be caught.

Yet now, the waters below were empty, as if the entire area had been wiped out.

Lower life forms have a much keener sense of danger than humans; almost all fish and shrimp avoided the area they were in.

Wen Nansen could sense the emotions of animals… and all he felt from the water was fear, a dark, instinctive fear.

They were afraid of Zhan Xingye.

The tall boy sat on a folding chair by the riverbank, his long legs casually bent, his black jacket tied at the waist, revealing a simple white T-shirt and the muscular lines of his arms.

His elbows rested on his knees, the knife pressed against his fingertip, and the thin apple peel slowly fell in spirals.

He seemed anything but dangerous, almost overly reserved, yet the aura he exuded was worlds apart from his appearance.

Like a blade so sharp it could cut a single hair, even sheathed, it couldn’t hide its overwhelming killing intent.

Wen Nansen frowned slightly; he couldn’t discern what species Zhan Xingye was.

It was as if he didn’t belong to this world.

From afar, the girl’s angry voice echoed from the hillside: “…a primitive who can’t even use a phone deserves to be alone forever!”

Both men’s gazes softened slightly.

Wen Nansen looked up, watching the blonde girl storm down the hill, her golden hair bouncing like a rabbit.

She hurried down, unexpectedly tripping on the steps.

Wen Nansen instinctively reached out, his lips barely moving.

A gust of invisible wind swept from his fingertips, across the flower-filled lawn, rushing upward to gently support the girl’s body.

She steadied herself and continued her angry descent.

Wen Nansen withdrew his gaze, and in the next moment, the blade was upon him!