“How did Big Brother Tang end up here? Have you had break—cough, lunch yet?”
The youth glanced at the high sun, his pale cheeks flushing with a touch of embarrassment, looking quite self-conscious.
Tang Zhen was no ordinary man; he was a fox whose eyes could pierce through smoke. From the youth’s subtle expressions alone, he had already guessed most of the truth. Moreover, with the youth’s face full of pure innocence and a complete lack of any attempt to hide his feelings, the truth was essentially written in bold across his forehead.
Tang Zhen smiled, his gaze sweeping over the excessively exquisite food on the stone table, and he began to calculate further.
He teased, “Didn’t I mention it before I came here? Could it be that A-Ling didn’t take Big Brother Tang’s words to heart? That would make me quite sad.”
By the end of his sentence, he pressed his lips into a thin line, looking utterly despondent, causing the naive youth to wave his hands in a panicked explanation.
“No, no! I just… I didn’t think Big Brother Tang would actually come looking for me…”
True, it had been mentioned, but only in the context of having business with Brother Ji.
Tang Zhen’s lips curled up again. “Then it is my fault. Sigh, I should penalize myself with three cups of wine.”
Having said that, he lowered his gaze to the array of food but found no extra cups. There was only the exquisite wine cup in front of the youth, which seemed to have been used, containing only a shallow layer of pale green liquid.
Without a word, he reached out and snatched that very cup. Simultaneously, his other hand grabbed the wine jar beside it. Before the youth could stop him, the jar tilted, and a clear, thin stream of liquid gurgled out, filling the cup to the brim.
He tilted his head back, his throat bobbing as the liquid—milder than fruit wine—entered his stomach, yet it seemed to spark a hint of fiery heat.
He downed three cups in a row without a single pause. When he finally finished, Tang Zhen set the empty cup down gracefully and looked at the youth, whose face had suddenly turned a deep crimson. The scene was breathtakingly vivid.
“Big Brother Tang, you…”
The youth murmured, unable to find the words. He wanted to stop him, but the wine was already gone. He stared at the cup still held in Tang Zhen’s hand, realized he had just used it, and felt his cheeks begin to burn again.
Opposite him, Tang Zhen acted as if he had just discovered something, suddenly saying in surprise, “Eh? This cup… was the one A-Ling just used, wasn’t it? My apologies, my apologies, I only just noticed… But A-Ling won’t mind, right?”
He looked at the youth with a mix of chagrin, apology, and a smile. Chu Ling’s inner thought was simply: …Emm.
As expected of a sinister and cunning fox. He says it like it’s the truth. If the performance wasn’t a bit too polished, I might have actually believed it.
However, Chu Ling still had some doubts, recalling the man’s previous actions…
[System, this Tang Zhen… he wouldn’t be hitting on me, would he?]
The system replied coldly: [Host, remember the three great delusions of life.]
Chu Ling: [Fine, say no more, I get it.]
Chu Ling could only sigh and give up on this “gentle-yet-wicked” Male Lead Number Two who seemed so suitable for marriage.
Tang Zhen’s words and actions were airtight. Even though he realized he had used the wrong cup “belatedly,” he apologized sincerely, so the youth naturally couldn’t say he minded. Thus, aside from his face getting redder, he only shook his head gently.
Seemingly wanting to end this embarrassing atmosphere, the youth tilted his head and instructed the attendants outside the pavilion: “Bring another set of bowls and chopsticks.”
When the stranger used the cup their master had drunk from, a hint of indignation had appeared in the eyes of Zijin and Zipei. Not only did this man barge in, but he was also so shamelessly bold!
Tang Zhen ignored the two boys completely. In the depths of his smiling eyes, only the shy and moving image of the youth was reflected. Even the way he tried to divert attention was so charming; he really wanted to… snatch him away from Ji Wuyuan.
Tang Zhen suddenly froze. The thought seemed to start turning slowly, as if he were re-evaluating that subconscious impulse…
Suddenly, he let out a low laugh, his eyebrows arching.
Quite interesting, isn’t it?
Zijin added a new set of chopsticks, but Zipei was nowhere to be seen. It was unclear where he had gone.
Tang Zhen’s gaze shifted slightly, noticing the silhouette of the boy disappearing outside the courtyard, and his eyes narrowed.
With a new wine cup, the burning temperature on the youth’s cheeks finally subsided, and his radiant smile returned. He took the initiative to clink glasses with Big Brother Tang, inviting him to taste the pastries he liked. His eyes sparkled like a boundless galaxy, dazzling and bright.
Tang Zhen’s lips curved into a smile. He suddenly reached out—while the youth was slightly dazed—and gently brushed a stray lock of hair away from the youth’s forehead, tucking it behind his ear. The movement was so tender it felt like an intimate gesture between lovers.
Before the youth could react, Tang Zhen leaned in, whispering close to the boy’s white, jade-like cheek: “A-Ling, do you want to know… the secret of your Big Brother Ghost?”
Suddenly—!
A blurred shadow struck toward Tang Zhen, forcing him to dodge away.
When he steadied himself, he saw it was a stone. Infused with powerful internal energy, it had roared past his previous position and struck the pond outside the pavilion, sending water splashing everywhere.
Tang Zhen turned his head to see Ji Wuyuan with a smile on his face, though deep in those narrow eyes, there was a bone-chilling, sinister coldness.
Ji Wuyuan spoke softly: “Didn’t the Third Prince take his leave? Why are you still in my sect, and even more… in my Ling’er’s courtyard?”
Ji Wuyuan’s thin lips curved slightly into an exceptionally gentle smile. It was even sweeter and more cloying than the warmth on Tang Zhen’s face. He just stared at Tang Zhen quietly.
Tang Zhen… a drop of cold sweat slid down his forehead. He finally felt that things were getting a bit thorny.
However, he suddenly laughed aloud. “Brother Ji, why the formality? I just couldn’t bear the regret of not seeing little brother A-Ling as I wished, so I took the liberty of seeking him out.”
As he spoke, he looked back at the slightly bewildered youth and sighed deeply. “I didn’t expect Brother Ji to refuse my request to see A-Ling. Out of necessity, I had to resort to this inferior tactic…”
With a few words, he shed the label of a trespasser and placed himself in the position of a victim who had no choice, implying that he did ask to see A-Ling, but he only acted this way because Brother Ji hadn’t agreed!
After sighing, Tang Zhen smiled warmly again. “I’m sure A-Ling was also very happy to see me. Brother Ji, don’t be a hindrance. Isn’t that right, A-Ling?”
The question was thrown to the youth. He hesitated slightly. From Tang Zhen’s words, he understood the context. No wonder Big Brother Tang’s way of entering was so different; there was this underlying factor.
But if he denied wanting to see Big Brother Tang, it would put Tang’s actions in an unjust light.
For a moment, the youth’s face was filled with distress and indecision, unsure of what to do.
He didn’t realize that his hesitation made the smile on Tang Zhen’s face even brighter, while corresponding to that, Ji Wuyuan’s eyes darkened instantly.
“Ling’er, come here.”
The youth looked at the radiantly smiling Tang Zhen, then at the “Big Brother Ghost” outside the pavilion who seemed a bit off. His feet faltered.
Ji Wuyuan narrowed his eyes, a glint of extreme icy malice swirling in his gaze. He spoke again in a deep voice, but his tone carried a hint of sadness.
“Does A-Ling no longer trust Big Brother Ghost?”
This tone moved the youth. No longer hesitating, he ran out of the pavilion to Ji Wuyuan’s side. At that moment, it was Tang Zhen’s smile that froze.
His gaze swept over the youth’s eyes, which held pure trust in Ji Wuyuan. He moved his gaze slowly, finally landing on Ji Wuyuan’s handsome, smiling face, realizing that stealing this person would be a long and arduous journey.
However, as if remembering something, Tang Zhen narrowed his fox-like eyes. He felt this wouldn’t be too difficult. After all, the youth’s “Big Brother Ghost” was not honest at all…
For now, the days are long—
Tang Zhen withdrew his smile and resumed his usual persona of a refined gentleman. Watching the youth being naturally pulled into Ji Wuyuan’s embrace—an assertive act of claiming ownership—he couldn’t help but smile again, though his eyes darkened slightly.
“Third Prince, see the guest out.”
Ji Wuyuan signaled with his other hand, showing zero intention of asking him to stay. The dismissal was blunt.
Behind him, a graceful figure suddenly appeared. Those silk-like beautiful eyes glanced briefly at the youth in the Leader’s arms. Then, she stepped forward elegantly and bowed to Tang Zhen with a smile: “Master Tang, this way, please—”
With Zhao Shiniang, the Master of the Vermilion Bird Hall, personally escorting the guest, it was unlikely this guest would “disappear” halfway and wander into places he shouldn’t be.
Tang Zhen glanced at her and nodded slightly. But before leaving, he suddenly turned his head and tossed an object. It landed precisely in the youth’s hand.
“If A-Ling misses Big Brother Tang, just blow this whistle. I can hear it even from a great distance away.”
The youth subconsciously gripped the exquisite whistle. Hearing this, he nodded with a bit of joy, though the face of the man beside him seemed to grow even darker.
Once Tang Zhen and Zhao Shiniang had completely vanished from the courtyard, Ji Wuyuan, seemingly unable to hold back any longer, pinched the youth’s slender chin and forced him to look up.
“Was A-Ling having a pleasant conversation with Big Brother Tang?”
He lowered his gaze, his abyssal eyes sliding over the youth’s white face. Beneath that small nose, those perfectly shaped pink lips seemed to be tempting him. His Adam’s apple bobbed almost imperceptibly.
“Does A-Ling miss Big Brother Tang very much? Hmm?”
He suddenly lowered his head and captured those enticing lips. Amidst the youth’s complete shock, he pried open the boy’s teeth and deepened the kiss.
It began as a punishment fueled by anger and jealousy, but he gradually became lost in the sweet kiss. The softness and sweetness made him want to swallow the boy whole… until he was unexpectedly pushed away.
“Big Brother Ghost! You… how could you—!”
The youth’s face exploded with red, and he couldn’t even speak clearly. He backed away straight, but for some reason, his face seemed momentarily pale.
Ji Wuyuan stood in place and slowly looked up, letting out a low, magnetic laugh. He gently wiped a trace of moisture from his lip with his thumb. His long, narrow eyes were full of pleasure. It was unexpectedly… very delicious—
“Why can I not?”
Faced with Ji Wuyuan’s raised eyebrow and counter-question, the youth shook his head violently, speaking incoherently: “No… it shouldn’t be like this…”
Ji Wuyuan took a few steps forward, closing in on the youth who had nowhere left to retreat. The curve of his lips slowly deepened.
“Oh? It turns out A-Ling doesn’t understand? From the first moment Big Brother Ghost saw you, my feelings for you…”
He sighed. “Even if the world refuses to accept it, I still find it sweet… A-Ling, don’t reject me so quickly. You can consider it carefully. Big Brother Ghost will always be behind you… alright?”