September had arrived, but while the blazing heat of midsummer had faded, the refreshing breeze of autumn had not yet truly settled in.
Even at night, staying outdoors for more than half an hour would cause a layer of hot sweat to break out, sticking clothes tightly to one’s skin and trapping the irritating, humid heat with nowhere to escape.
Despite this, lifelong friends walking in groups and hopelessly close couples practically glued together could be seen everywhere along the streets, refusing to give up their right to enjoy the nightlife.
Inside a thoroughly air-conditioned Bentley, Shi Jiufeng wore a pristine white shirt and trousers, the top button fastened meticulously all the way to the top meticulously. His face, half-hidden in shadow, remained completely expressionless as his cold, jade-like eyes stared unblinkingly out the window.
Through the privacy glass, he caught sight of several pairs of awestruck and envious eyes.
Shi Jiufeng lowered his eyelids, his slender fingers smoothing out the wrinkles on the hem of his shirt, and turned his gaze toward the cardboard box sitting beside him, a cryptic, melancholic smirk touching the corners of his lips.
If they knew what he was actually being sent to do, they wouldn’t be envious at all.
That minuscule curve, which barely counted as a smile, was captured entirely by Wu Chang’an, who had been keeping a close eye on the movements in the back seat.
Wu Chang’an sighed inwardly. Probably not a single person in the entire world was more pitiful than Mr. Shi.
He had been married to his husband for nearly two years, yet the number of times they actually saw each other could be counted on one hand. It was tragic that Mr. Shi possessed a face more striking than any celebrity’s, only to be reduced to living the life of a widow in all but name.
The wealthy elite truly ran deep.
How much longer until we arrive?
Noticing Wu Chang’an’s gaze, Shi Jiufeng spoke up.
Wu Chang’an checked the traffic conditions on the navigation system and apologized, I’m sorry, Mr. Shi. There’s some roadwork ahead, and it’s a bit jammed. I’m afraid…
Shi Jiufeng glanced at the time. Take another route.
The backstreets did not have many cars, but they were narrow and difficult to navigate, making it easy to scrape the vehicle if one wasn’t careful.
Wu Chang’an was just about to pull his attention away from Shi Jiufeng when the partition between the front and rear seats slowly began to rise. He hurriedly pressed the button to lower it again.
Wu Chang’an said apologetically, Mr. Shi, I can’t.
Not allowing the partition to be raised was a rule set down by Ling Xiao’s mother, Shen Biyun, just as monitoring Shi Jiufeng was.
Shi Jiufeng turned his gaze back to the car window once more, slowly clenching his palms shut.
As the weaker party in this transactional relationship, Shi Jiufeng possessed no right to resist.
He had only visited his younger brother earlier that day.
The six-year-old boy had tubes running all over his body, his face so pale it lacked a single trace of color, unable to even speak. Yet, during his brief moments of clarity, he would still offer Shi Jiufeng a reassuring smile.
Shi Jiufeng slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, though the stifling tightness in his chest failed to ease. Despite the seat being a custom ergonomic model, Shi Jiufeng felt as though his spine was being painfully pressed against by something hard.
Shi Jiufeng closed his eyes.
Streetlights flashed past one after another, and amid the alternating light and shadow, an algae-like exhaustion blanketed his skin, which was so pale it was nearly transparent.
So tired.
He missed his bed at home.
It was a very comfortable large bed, with a mattress custom-made according to his sleeping habits, topped with two soft blue and green pillows, and a four-piece bedding set made of soft, skin-friendly raw silk.
If he could just lie down on it and sleep, would all this exhaustion vanish?
Unfortunately, the day when he could finally return home had not yet arrived.
Just bear it a little longer.
In a state between waking and sleeping, the passage of time was difficult to perceive clearly. It felt as though a century had passed, or perhaps only the length of a single song, before the Bentley finally stopped in front of a luxurious hotel.
Wu Chang’an turned back. Mr. Shi, we’ve arrived.
Shi Jiufeng opened his eyes. Having managed to catch a bit of sleep, his mental state was much better than before. The lingering warmth remained in his golden-brown pupils, and beneath his gentle temperament, an aura of natural approachability radiated from him.
Shi Jiufeng replied, Good.
He picked up the cardboard box, opened the door, and stepped out.
Wu Chang’an called after him, Mr. Shi, should I wait for you to come out, or should I come pick you up tomorrow morning?
Shi Jiufeng paused mid-motion as he closed the door. Wait for me to come out.
Wu Chang’an couldn’t help feeling a wave of sorrow for Shi Jiufeng, but lacking any words of comfort, he could only nod heavily.
Shi Jiufeng knew what Wu Chang’an was thinking, but he was already ten minutes late past the agreed time and could spare no energy to soothe the driver.
This was a hotel with glittering, opulent decorations, occupying a prime location that offered a pocket of tranquility amidst the bustling city. The young masters and socialites coming and going were all individuals of distinguished status.
Someone waiting in the lobby happened to recognize Shi Jiufeng, let out a scornful scoff, and snapped a photo of his profile.
Hearing the shutter click, Shi Jiufeng walked straight into the elevator without looking sideways.
The moment the elevator doors closed, the previously dormant chat group suddenly surged with activity.
Hey, hey, hey! Guess who I just saw?
Isn’t that Madame Ling?
What’s he doing at Guanguan?
Ling Xiao: I’m the one who called him over.
As soon as these words appeared, no one sent a new message for quite a while.
Ling Xiao let out a click of his tongue, mentally cursing this group of people for lacking basic situational awareness.
Dozens of seconds later, messages began updating like snowflakes one after another. A gossip discussion targeting Shi Jiufeng officially kicked off.
No way, Young Master Ling? Have you turned over a new leaf?
Ling Xiao: I asked him to bring me condoms.
Holy shit, hardcore.
As expected of Young Master Ling, he knows how to play.
Even Shi Jiufeng agreed to that?
I bet if Young Master Ling told him to go die, he’d do it.
Everyone knows Shi Jiufeng is head-over-heels in love with Ling Xiao.
Whether it was a specific phrase or just random coincidence that struck a nerve, Ling Xiao let out a proud, light laugh and tossed his phone onto the nightstand.
Clang,
The young man kneeling between Ling Xiao’s legs raised his head, his excessively flushed eyes brimming with moisture as he asked blankly, Young Master Ling, what is it?
Before Ling Xiao could speak, a rhythmic knock echoed at the door, three evenly spaced raps that brought a smirk to Ling Xiao’s lips. He pinched the boy’s chin and gave his cheek a casual, ungentle pat.
Go take a shower.
The boy wanted to say he had already washed up, but seeing that the amusement in Ling Xiao’s eyes failed to reach the surface, he had no choice but to stand up and slip back into the bathroom.
Ling Xiao waited until the sound of running water started up inside the bathroom, stalling for another ten or more minutes before getting up. He lazily wrapped a bath towel around his waist, too lazy to put on slippers, and walked barefoot to the door.
The heavy door swung open halfway. In the deep of night, the surrounding environment was exceptionally quiet, making the sound of the indoor shower stand out with striking clarity.
The main lights of the room were left off, leaving the upper half of Ling Xiao’s face completely concealed in shadow, while his body, marked with ambiguous love bites, stood out vividly under the glow of the hallway light. The towel around his lower half was loosely wrapped, and a slightly parted corner revealed traces of suggestive wetness.
Anyone witnessing this scene would inevitably guess whether their significant other had just been bathing together with someone else inside.
Shi Jiufeng turned a blind eye to all of it, simply pushing the moderately heavy cardboard box forward with both hands.
All the emotions that had lingered in Shi Jiufeng’s eyes before entering the elevator vanished entirely, his voice flat and lifeless like a wooden puppet: The things you wanted are in here.
Ling Xiao lowered his chin, his gaze as gloomy and ruthless as a boning knife as it carved over Shi Jiufeng’s body, yet the corners of his mouth tilted upward in a distorted smile.
Ling Xiao: You’re late.
Shi Jiufeng offered a brief explanation: Traffic jam.
Ling Xiao glanced down at the box: What’s in the box?
Shi Jiufeng knew he was deliberately humiliating him.
If he showed even a sliver of non-compliance right now, Ling Xiao would instantly message Shen Biyun, and his brother’s medication would be cut off.
Shi Jiufeng’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed the bitterness filling his mouth, speaking mechanically, Condoms.
Ling Xiao smiled, then asked, Do you know what size I wear? What if you bought the wrong ones?
Shi Jiufeng: I bought every single size.
Ling Xiao: What about flavors?
Shi Jiufeng: I took every kind available on the shelf.
Ling Xiao: Did you check them? What if there’s a hole in one?
Shi Jiufeng fell silent.
Amusement dripped unmasked from Ling Xiao’s eyes: Then check them right now. Unpack them, blow air into them, and prove they’re fine if you can blow them up like balloons.
Shi Jiufeng stared back at him rigidly, every single pore of his body overflowing with reluctance, yet his mouth, the one organ that needed to express it, refused to cooperate.
Ling Xiao loved watching Shi Jiufeng forced into submission by him. Acting like a benevolent benefactor, he accepted the cardboard box and tossed it backward onto the floor inside: You still haven’t learned how to listen to your husband’s words; I still have to baby you. What’s wrong with you?
Shi Jiufeng turned to leave, but Ling Xiao called out, Stop right there. Did I tell you to leave?
Shi Jiufeng’s steps stuttered. Beneath his pristine white shirt, his slender frame, devoid of an ounce of excess fat, trembled slightly. The organ beating inside his chest tightened violently, and a sense of humiliation spread across his limbs, making even breathing difficult.
He turned back to look at Ling Xiao. Is there anything else?
Ling Xiao: How does it feel to deliver condoms to your husband and his mistress? Happy?
To any married individual, this was the deepest form of humiliation.
Even though there was only a contract between Shi Jiufeng and Ling Xiao, being cast in the role of the spouse meant he couldn’t possibly feel nothing.
Ling Xiao clicked his tongue and forced the issue: Say you’re happy.
Shi Jiufeng repeated: Happy.
Ling Xiao: That’s more like it. Don’t pull that stinking face in front of me; I don’t owe you anything. You were the one who agreed to get married first. Isn’t this all your own fault?
You are…
Shi Jiufeng took in Ling Xiao’s words. Clearly, they were standing close enough to touch, but the voice sounded as though it came from the edge of the world, unclear and distant. He could only decode another round of humiliation from the movement of Ling Xiao’s lips.
Yet he had no choice but to reply, forcing himself to say, I understand.
Ling Xiao felt a sudden surge of physical and mental satisfaction. Recalling what he had just seen in the chat group, the corners of his lips curved into a smile. Speaking of which, I still owe you a bridal night. Come inside; your husband will make it up to you tonight.
Ling Xiao didn’t rush Shi Jiufeng to make a decision. Crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame, he watched Shi Jiufeng’s expression as if enjoying a silent film.
To be honest, Shi Jiufeng’s face was top-tier.
Arched brows, almond eyes, a high bridge of the nose, pale red thin lips, and skin as white as snow. His waist was visibly slim enough that a pair of hands could easily span it. Every inch of skin was hidden beneath layers of fabric, making one want to take a pair of scissors and shred the clothes right off him.
Wasn’t that the exact reason he buttoned his shirt up to the very top button?
Too much of a pity that someone with a face like that was nothing more than a block of wood. They had been married for nearly two years, yet Shi Jiufeng still hadn’t learned how to read the room or butter up his husband.
Clearly, his family was on the verge of bankruptcy, yet he still put on airs in front of his benefactor, acting all high and mighty right in front of him. Did he honestly think he still had something like self-respect left?
Shattering every single bone of his pride with his own hands, turning him into the exact shape he liked, and then enjoying him through every possible means, the taste of that would undoubtedly be even more exquisite.
Ling Xiao wanted Shi Jiufeng to understand that once he stepped through the doors of the Ling family, he, Ling Xiao, was Shi Jiufeng’s heaven and earth.
Right in the middle of this stalemate, a timid voice suddenly drifted from inside the room.
Young Master Ling…?
Ling Xiao turned back to see that the pretty boy was now dressed and prepared. He let out a soft laugh and said to Shi Jiufeng, The Jin family is returning soon, and invitations have already been sent out. Day after tomorrow at the Jin Mansion, you’re coming with me.
Shi Jiufeng: Okay.
Ling Xiao: Say thank you.
Shi Jiufeng: Thank you.
Ling Xiao: Go back, look in the mirror, and practice how to smile properly. Don’t show up wearing that dead-man’s face. If you dare embarrass me, you know the consequences yourself.
Bang.
The door shut right in front of him.
Shi Jiufeng let out a breath, his stiff body walking back into the elevator.
The enclosed, narrow space gave him a sliver of safety. He leaned into the corner, closed his eyes, and regulated his emotions through deep, measured breaths.
A stray draft of cold air blew down from the top of the elevator, making Shi Jiufeng shiver.
When he stepped out of the hotel and met the warm night air, that bone-deep chill failed to ease even slightly.
The phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated. Shi Jiufeng pulled it out to check and saw that a long-abandoned social media account had received a new direct message.
I’m coming back home tomorrow to see him. Will he remember me?
Inside the cabin.
Melihat Jin Cixu saw that his sent message showed as Read, and his heart instantly melted into warmth.
His Ah Feng was truly wonderful. He had spent nearly ten years continuously sending direct messages to harass him, yet he still hadn’t been blocked.
This proved that he still had a very high chance of successfully taking over.