The ball hadn’t started yet, and the nobles were scattered around in groups of two or three, chatting about various topics. Cheng Min wasn’t interested in engaging with them, so he found a corner to sit down, picked up a plate of exquisite pastries, and took a small bite. He hadn’t had time to eat dinner before coming, and his stomach was empty, making him feel a bit hungry. The pastry was soft and delicious, with a strong cocoa flavor exploding in his mouth. The remaining half of the cookie was quickly swallowed, and he immediately picked up another one, no longer holding back as he devoured it in one bite. One after another, the plate of small cookies quickly disappeared, leaving only some crumbs behind. Cheng Min then picked up the watermelon juice in front of him, took a sip, and finally felt somewhat full.
“Xiao Min.” Shen Shaoye sat beside him, placing a plate of cut fruit in front of Cheng Min. “Have some fruit to help digest, or else how will you dance later?” Cheng Min didn’t respond to him but picked up a fork and started eating the cherry tomatoes.
“Xiao Min.” He pointed to someone not far away and asked Cheng Min, “Do you know who that person is?” Cheng Min focused on eating the fruit, not even sparing him a glance. It was rare to have a chance to be alone with Cheng Min, and Shen Shaoye seemed to have opened a floodgate, talking non-stop, completely oblivious to Cheng Min’s increasingly dark expression.
“Shut up.” Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore, put down his fork, and glanced at Shen Shaoye. Shen Shaoye immediately fell silent.
“Shen Heng.” Cheng Min intended to tell him one last time, “You actually know very well.” “What do you want to say again?” The smile on his face disappeared. “Is it that you don’t like me, or…?” Cheng Min didn’t look at him, his gaze falling forward, the words on the tip of his tongue about to spill out, “Obvious…” His actions paused, looking incredulously at that figure.
Xiao Chi was wearing a well-tailored suit similar to his own, with a light golden sun-shaped badge pinned to his chest. He was standing on the second floor, arms crossed, coldly watching him and Shen Shaoye beside him. “No way.” Cheng Min rubbed his eyes, and when he looked again, Xiao Chi had already disappeared, as if everything he had just seen was just his imagination. Indeed, how could a lowly human like Xiao Chi have the qualifications to attend a social ball hosted by noble elves? It was simply unimaginable.
“Xiao Min?” Shen Shaoye’s face returned to its usual expression, his tone gentle as he asked, “Are you okay?” “I’m fine.” Cheng Min really wanted to go home, but due to his father’s reasons, he could only continue sitting here with Shen Shaoye, and even dance together.
As the clock struck the hour, the host of the ball officially appeared. After a brief speech, the social ball officially began. Although Cheng Min had never attended such a social ball, he knew that the first item was to dance the first dance with his partner. Sure enough, as expected, the elves present took their partners and entered the dance floor. Cheng Min rubbed his temples, the urge to escape through the window growing stronger, but unfortunately, an oblivious guy still wanted to touch his bad luck.
“Xiao Min.” Shen Shaoye extended a hand, “Come.” Knowing this would happen, Cheng Min took a deep breath, suppressing the irritation in his heart, stood up, and walked to the edge of the dance floor first. It would be easier to leave later. Shen Shaoye slowly walked over, and the two stood facing each other. To be honest, his dancing skills weren’t bad, and Cheng Min didn’t need to move at all, just follow his rhythm.
He was absent-minded, always feeling like something was staring at him from behind. Taking advantage of a turn, Cheng Min looked in that direction, and Xiao Chi’s face suddenly appeared before him. Instantly, Cheng Min felt a darkness before his eyes. This mad dog was truly haunting, no matter where Cheng Min went, Xiao Chi could find him and ruin his good mood.
“I’m not feeling well.” Cheng Min pushed Shen Shaoye away, interrupting the dance, and quickly left the dance floor, ignoring the strange looks from others. “Xiao Min” Behind him, a series of hurried footsteps sounded, chasing after Cheng Min relentlessly. To shake off Shen Shaoye, he directly ducked into the bathroom.
Looking at his disheveled self in the mirror, Cheng Min turned on the faucet, letting the cold water touch his face, trying to clear his mind. Clearly, the cold water was effective. Cheng Min wiped the water droplets off his face, tidied his collar, and took deep breaths to slowly calm down.
Without warning, a large hand appeared at his waist, and then a man’s face appeared in the mirror, wearing a sinister smile. “Wife.” He hugged Cheng Min from behind, burying his head in his neck, sniffing continuously. “Do you remember what I told you?” Cheng Min was about to go crazy, frantically questioning him, “Do you have to keep pestering me?”
“You are my wife.” He looked up, staring at Cheng Min in the mirror, answering without hesitation, “So, you belong to me for the rest of your life.” “Xiao Chi.” Cheng Min bent his arm, hitting him hard, “You’re dreaming.” “What do you think would happen if I did you here?” His arm was grabbed, and Xiao Chi’s words pierced Cheng Min’s heart like a sharp blade. He continued, “Wouldn’t they find it interesting? After all, seeing the young master of the Cheng family in such a scandal, if it were me, I’d definitely take pictures and record it.”
“Bastard.” Cheng Min’s chest heaved, fists clenched, nails almost digging into his flesh. “Be good.” He kissed Cheng Min’s cheek, “Come find me in the lounge in ten minutes.” He paused, then continued, “Otherwise, I’ll be sad, my dear wife.” Cheng Min’s expression froze.
“You don’t want to make me angry, do you?” He released Cheng Min, saying. This time, Cheng Min didn’t respond to him, staring at himself in the mirror until Xiao Chi turned and left, leaving him alone in the bathroom once more.
“Bang.” A crack appeared on the glass in front of him, surrounded by splattered light blue liquid. Cheng Min kicked a broken perfume bottle on the ground, contemplating his next move. Xiao Chi was too difficult to deal with, and Cheng Min had already witnessed his methods. Moreover, he was his soul mate, unable to harm him. If he didn’t obediently meet him, in the end, he’d be the one to suffer.
All sorts of unheard-of tricks were used on Cheng Min, and thinking about the torment he was about to face made him shiver, unable to bear it. So, no matter what, Cheng Min had to go to the meeting. But there were ways to deal with it. Thinking of this, Cheng Min lowered his head, his gaze falling on the light blue liquid at his feet, and an idea formed in his mind.
Ten minutes later, Cheng Min went to the address Xiao Chi had given, stood at the door, tidied his clothes, and knocked. “Knock knock.” “Wife.” The next second, the door was pushed open, revealing Xiao Chi’s extremely ordinary face. Cheng Min sighed inwardly, feeling his fate was too bitter. To be entangled with such a lousy person, even as a soul mate, a lifelong bond. Anyone else would be unfazed hearing such a thing.
Just as he was thinking, he was pulled into the room by Xiao Chi, the door slamming shut, completely cutting off the outside world and Cheng Min’s only escape route. Cheng Min glanced back. “So obedient.” He pinched Cheng Min’s face, picked up the beautiful elf, and sat down on the sofa.
This lounge wasn’t big, but the soundproofing was excellent. It was obvious what it was used for, but Cheng Min hoped Xiao Chi didn’t know. Otherwise, Cheng Min would suffer. They had only been apart for half a day, yet Xiao Chi acted like someone with skin hunger, tightly controlling Cheng Min in his arms, constantly touching his body.
He didn’t mention Shen Shaoye, and just when Cheng Min thought it was over, Xiao Chi slapped his butt, his tone full of dissatisfaction, “Who was that wild man you came with?” “Just a low-level elf.” He answered slowly. “Do you like him?” He leaned in, biting Cheng Min’s earlobe, continuing to ask, “I saw you dancing with him earlier, you must have been happy, right?”
“How could I like a low-level elf?” Cheng Min frowned at him, his tone full of dissatisfaction with Xiao Chi’s misunderstanding of his choice of spouse, “And I definitely wouldn’t like a lowly human, like you.” “What does it matter if you like him or not?” Xiao Chi pinched his face, “My dear wife, the choice was never yours. Just be obedient.”
As he spoke, Xiao Chi seemed to notice something, his hand pausing, then quickly pulling a bottle of blue liquid from Cheng Min’s pocket. He stared at the bottle in his hand, frowning. Cheng Min knew he had fallen for it, feeling a surge of joy, but he still held back, not showing any abnormality, fearing Xiao Chi would notice.
“Don’t touch.” He pretended to be anxious, “Give it back to me?” “Did that wild man give it to you?” Xiao Chi dodged his hand, sternly questioning Cheng Min. “It was given by the host of the ball.” He frowned, continuing to grab, “Get your dirty hands off it.” After getting the answer, Xiao Chi’s expression slightly improved. He pulled out the stopper and directly poured a mouthful into his mouth. Cheng Min watched this scene, feeling extremely happy.
This bottle of alcohol was very strong, and Xiao Chi wouldn’t be able to drink much before collapsing, drunk and unconscious. By then, Cheng Min could settle him down, and the soul contract would no longer be able to bother him. Just as he was thinking, Xiao Chi suddenly leaned in, pinched Cheng Min’s chin, and kissed him roughly. The alcohol flowed from their connected lips and teeth into his mouth.
Cheng Min felt a bit dizzy, some of the alcohol he hadn’t swallowed dribbling from the corner of his mouth, soaking the fabric on his chest. Xiao Chi released Cheng Min, holding his now limp body in his arms, the smell of alcohol wafting over. Cheng Min looked at him in a daze. “Wife, you’re so beautiful.”
“Knock knock.” Their actions paused, and Cheng Min clearly felt the arm around his waist tighten. “Xiao Min, are you in there?” Shen Shaoye’s voice sounded from outside the door. The alcohol-numbed brain briefly cleared, and Cheng Min struggled desperately, trying to escape Xiao Chi’s embrace.
“Wife.” He was held tightly, Xiao Chi’s voice whispering in his ear, “Do you want that wild man to come in and see this scene?” Cheng Min quickly shook his head, covering Xiao Chi’s mouth with one hand, trying to speak calmly, “Don’t come in, I’m a bit drunk, just resting for a while.” His palm felt a bit ticklish, as if something was crawling over it, but he clearly couldn’t care about that now. The urgent task was to get rid of the guy outside the door.
“Okay.” Shen Shaoye continued, “Then rest well, and I’ll take you back when you sober up.” “Mm.” He replied. Retracting his gaze, he noticed it was Xiao Chi licking his palm. “So disgusting.” He quickly withdrew his hand, wiping it vigorously on Xiao Chi’s clothes.