The night was still, and a bright moon was hanging in the sky outside the window.
Lin Chen, slightly tired after his shower, lay back on the bed, planning to give his boss a good talking-to tomorrow. He wanted extra compensation for any bleeding incidents plus nursing fees, and emotional distress damages. The thought of another large sum of money coming in made the money-devouring beast’s brow relax slightly.
What could be more enjoyable than squeezing money out of the Duke? Nothing.
Before turning off the light, Lin Chen glanced at Joe, who was lying nearby, seemingly asleep. Joe’s head was resting on his strong arm, looking handsome yet somewhat adorable.
This further refreshed Lin Chen’s impression of him.
Lin Chen yawned and whispered, “Goodnight, Joe.”
He assumed Joe was already asleep, his voice barely audible, but to his surprise, Joe opened his eyes, looked up at him, and there wasn’t a trace of sleepiness in his eyes.
Lin Chen asked apologetically, “Did I disturb you?”
He was about to say, “It’s okay, you can go back to sleep,” when he saw the black panther suddenly get up and walk towards him with elegant, languid steps. It paused briefly at the bedside, then lightly leaped onto the bed.
The scene was quite pleasing to the eye, making Lin Chen smile broadly. While he was still admiring the handsome panther, Joe was already close to him.
Since that was the case, Lin Chen patted his blanket, welcoming it warmly.
Joe looked at him, and gently licked the corner of his still-reddened eye. It was a strangely tender gesture.
“I’m fine,” Lin Chen said instinctively, meeting Joe’s eyes. Though he didn’t know if Joe was concerned about him, he’d assume he was.
“Your master and I were just playing around, not fighting,” he explained earnestly.
Joe stared intently at Lin Chen, then lay down in the spot where Wenzel had been lying. It seemed it would sleep there tonight. Lin Chen didn’t stop it. He leaned down and kissed Joe’s forehead, then used voice control to turn off the light.
In the dim light, the black panther’s eyes still gleamed beautifully. It nestled its head affectionately against Lin Chen’s neck. It smelled not only the familiar, pleasant scent of its beloved young man but also its master’s fragrance.
Animals aren’t completely ignorant, they understand complex things like reproduction and mating. Animals are perhaps more sensitive to these natural behaviors than humans.
At least when Joe saw its master and Lin Chen embracing and rolling around on the bed, it naturally recognized it as a reproductive act.
Now, smelling its master’s scent on Lin Chen, it perceived him as its master’s mate.
Joe didn’t seem to object to this relationship. In its eyes, its master was powerful, and it submitted to its powerful master, while Lin Chen was weak and vulnerable to being bullied at any time, which worried it greatly.
Now that Lin Chen had acquired its master’s scent, he was essentially included in its master’s territory, meaning he was protected and safe, which put Joe at ease.
This psychology aligns well with the laws of nature. In the animal world, survival and reproduction are paramount. To put it more realistically, their lives revolve around these two things.
To become a companion beast to a human might be a form of ascension.
Having a master essentially solves their survival problem, but in their extended lives, they seem to lose interest in ordinary reproduction.
Ordinary animals are no longer what they desire while their master is merely an object of submission and loyalty. Their ‘disappeared’ desires may not have truly vanished but simply had nowhere to go.
Lin Chen was always more perceptive of these things. He turned and gently embraced Joe, intimately close to him.
“I love you, goodnight.”
Next door, Wenzel, having just activated his synesthesia, heard Lin Chen’s tender confession to Joe.
Unexpected, yet perfectly logical, Lin Chen truly loved Joe.
Through Joe, Wenzel felt ‘himself’ being embraced in an embrace filled with love, pure and passionate. He could feel it, and Joe naturally felt it too. He was filled with joy, and lost in that embrace.
This joy, which should have been solely Joe’s, pulled Wenzel in like a whirlpool, and drew him in involuntarily.
Joe fell asleep nestled in Lin Chen’s neck, utterly adorable as Lin Chen lovingly lulled him to sleep.
For a naturally wary leopard, this was unusual. It could only mean the leopard was relaxed.
The next day, Lin Chen didn’t wake until late morning. He was somewhat annoyed, having missed dining with the Duke and seeing him off to work. It was a lover’s professional duty and even if he wasn’t a lover in the true sense, the emotional support he provided was still necessary.
Lin Chen had already decided to set an alarm clock from now on.
He got up, washed, and changed. Looking at his skin, he realized it was even more horribly damaged after a night’s sleep as if he’d been subjected to ten or eight perverted acts of humiliation.
“Young Master Lin Chen, you’re awake. How are you feeling?” Butler Amber attentively cared for him, asking, “Should we call a doctor?”
Lin Chen couldn’t help but wonder if Wenzel had said something to Butler Amber.
He glanced around at the servants working nearby. Perhaps because his mental strength was slightly stronger than theirs, he sensed something different. It was as if the entire manor knew that the Duke had been quite rough with him last night.
Lin Chen composed himself: “I’m fine. No need for a doctor. Thank you, Butler Amber.”
“That’s good.” Butler Amber looked at him with exceptional affection.
After breakfast, Lin Chen, arranged by Butler Amber, met a beautiful and elegant lady named Aisie, a skincare expert.
Lin Chen wasn’t even surprised and calmly accepted the arrangement.
After last night, he had a profound understanding of Wenzel’s obsession with skin. Even if the other party went to great lengths for it, he wouldn’t be surprised.
Aisie, hired by the Duke at a high salary, brought a mountain of expensive skincare products.
These skincare products, favored by noble ladies, were all bought by the Duke for his lover.
As a working-class woman, Aisie was incredibly envious. That was Duke Howard—such a handsome, charming, and noble ideal lover.
If it were her, even without Duke Howard’s wealth and status, she would still be willing to have a relationship with him.
From their conversation, Aisie learned that Lin Chen’s background was similar to hers, and she felt even more envious.
When she was demonstrating to Lin Chen how to use the skincare products, her standing posture caused her to accidentally glimpse into Lin Chen’s collar, and she saw something shocking.
Those were… hickeys?
More than that, there might also be bite marks. Aisie’s fleeting glance revealed a conspicuous area that appeared to be swollen and congested.
The scene was too shocking. Aisie’s romantic mind instantly snapped back to reality. No wonder her employer had asked her to prepare some products to reduce swelling and bruising, the kind specifically for hickeys. She’d been choked by the display of affection back then—was it really okay to provoke a single young woman like this?!
Now, seeing it with her own eyes, she realized how naive she’d been.
Aisie’s idealized view of Duke Howard shattered instantly. Her mind was filled with sexual oppression, and a universally acknowledged feudal remnant. She believed that in relationships, whether with opposite-sex or same-sex partners, one should be gentle and gentlemanly.
Aisie never imagined that Duke Howard, whose private life had always been impeccable, could be so brutal and cruel in bed.
Of course, there’s another possibility, such as Duke Howard and his lover having complementary tastes.
Lin Chen: Yes, very complementary. He gets pleasure, and I fill my pockets.
After learning skincare from Aisie, Lin Chen received a large amount of expensive skincare products as well as a bunch of products to reduce swelling and bruising. She told him to heal the bruises first before using skincare products.
It seemed Aisie had been instructed beforehand, so Lin Chen didn’t mince words and asked, “Teacher Aisie, what if the bruises persist?”
This was a very real question.
Aisie: “…”
She was just a lowly skincare teacher and found it difficult to answer this question!
She swore that when she entered this profession, she never imagined she would have the opportunity to participate in Duke Howard’s bedroom affairs.
Aisie snapped out of her reverie and found that Duke Howard’s lover was still earnestly awaiting her answer.
“Excuse me.” Aisie took a small breath, as if making a decision, and asked, “Before answering your question, may I ask you a rather personal one?”
Lin Chen: “Please.”
Aisie asked softly, “Do you enjoy the process of having bruises left?”
Lin Chen was unaware that Aisie had inadvertently seen the tip of the iceberg. Naturally, he wanted to maintain the Duke’s image, so he smiled flawlessly and said, “Of course, I enjoy it.”
Hearing this, Aisie genuinely breathed a sigh of relief; at least it wasn’t sexual coercion.
“You can’t have both,” she subtly indicated. “Of course, you can use medication locally, and skincare products on the less serious areas.”
Lin Chen was taken aback. Aisie seemed to know the seriousness of the situation. Could it be that Wenzel was so shameless as to confess all his misdeeds to Aisie?
He was certainly frank.
“Okay, thank you for the advice, Teacher Aisie,” Lin Chen said with a smile.
After Aisie left, he used the medicine on himself. As for the pile of skincare products, he didn’t plan to use them for the time being.
Besides the skincare expert, Wenzel also sent him a lot of clothes. There were so many things that Lin Chen couldn’t help but want to resemble a femme fatale.
In addition, his tailor and image consultant also came to the mansion.
Lin Chen didn’t object. Standing next to Wenzel, these things were necessary. If his appearance was too sloppy, it would embarrass his boss.
Butler Amber sweetly praised, “Young Master Lin Chen, your new look is stunning, and more dazzling than many noble young masters.”
“Is that so?” Lin Chen smiled and thanked him.
Perhaps Butler Amber didn’t know that Lin Chen was actually of noble birth but it’s best not to mention it.
The other party nodded: “Of course, you can be very confident.”
To be honest, Lin Chen’s appearance wasn’t striking; his features were too soft, and his three-dimensionality certainly couldn’t compare to those mixed-race individuals with high brow bones and deep-set eyes. However, with a little makeup, he was surprisingly photogenic.
In any case, just by winning over the Duke’s heart, Lin Chen had already surpassed many others.
Lin Chen: “Hmm…”
Butler Amber was actually worried that he lacked confidence. He had dared to make such a deal with Wenzel so how could he lack confidence?
Butler Amber couldn’t wait for Lin Chen to meet the Duke, and asked with a smile, “Are you going to help welcome the Duke home today?”
“The Duke seemed a little regretful that he couldn’t say goodbye to you this morning.”
Lin Chen thought to himself, and must have misjudged him.
However, the suggestion was excellent, and he naturally wanted to go along as providing emotional support to his boss was his duty.
That afternoon, the helicopter transporting the Duke slowly landed on the helipad, and Lin Chen stood among the group welcoming Wenzel home.
His attire today was crisp and well-tailored, accentuating his tall and slender figure, and his unusually dark hair made him particularly striking.
Wenzel, still inside the cabin, saw Lin Chen through the window.
He didn’t seem surprised by Lin Chen’s change; after all, he was the one who recruited those people, and the selection process had taken him considerable time and effort. Now it seemed the return had met his expectations.
To actually commute by helicopter, Lin Chen was amazed. He figured the Duke’s wealth wasn’t much less than the Si family’s.
Seeing the Duke’s imposing figure descend, his dazzling golden hair striking, Lin Chen greeted him with a smile, “Your Grace, welcome home.”
Given that Wenzel disliked people getting too close, his previous welcoming party always stood still. Lin Chen, however, had never consciously maintained a distance from Wenzel. After last night’s experience, the idea that Wenzel preferred close contact was deeply ingrained in him.
So why avoid him? Wenzel definitely liked him taking the initiative to approach.
Sure enough, Wenzel gave him a gentle look and commented on his new appearance, “You look even better like this.”
Lin Chen’s eyes crinkled into a smile, “I completely agree with your taste.”
Hearing the young man’s roundabout self-praise, Wenzel glanced at him, and maintained a faint smile as he continued walking.
Joe, who had somehow appeared beside Lin Chen, noticed that Lin Chen’s eyes were only on his master, seemingly ignoring him. It wagged its tail resentfully, and brushed against Wenzel’s leg to assert its presence.
“Joe, you’ve had a hard day.” Lin Chen looked down and enthusiastically bent down to pet the large black cat.
It took him a while to remember that his purpose for coming here was actually to provide emotional support to Wenzel, and not to covet Wenzel’s companion beast.
He deserved to die.
Lin Chen suppressed his urge to play with Joe, straightened his clothes, and quickly caught up with Wenzel, asking with concern, “You’ve had a hard day. Were you busy with work and social engagements? Are you tired?”
Wenzel glanced at him. When he made this gesture, there was always a stern, cold air about him, perhaps a habit ingrained from years of being in a high position. The naturally emanating sense of oppression was chilling.
The Duke, driven by self-interest, shook his head and said, “Darling, these words are meaningless to me. If you truly care about me, you should think about how to please me with concrete actions, and not just superficial gestures.”
The other party’s pragmatism left Lin Chen speechless.
He called him “darling” repeatedly, but all he wanted was profit. He was trying to manipulate him into making sacrifices.
“Okay, I understand,” Lin Chen replied earnestly.
Wenzel said, “Then I’ll wait and see.”
Lin Chen thought to himself, “Fine, just you wait.”
That day will never come. Who would genuinely change after being criticized by their boss? It’s just social niceties.
“Are you feeling alright?” Wenzel asked with concern, noticing the young man’s silence.
“Not so good…” Lin Chen answered honestly, but then added understandingly, “Of course, I completely understand how troubled you’ve been for so long and how much you desperately need relief.”
“I suppose things won’t be like they were last night?”
At this moment, the servants trailed far behind, and Lin Chen deliberately lowered his voice so no one could hear their conversation.
Wenzel said apologetically, “I’m sorry, thank you for your understanding.”
However, he didn’t give Lin Chen a clear answer about what he would do next.
“And you, did you sleep well last night?” Lin Chen asked with a smile, seemingly unconcerned.
Hearing this, Wenzel’s voice softened: “If possible, I hope to meet you sooner.”
The Duke, quite reservedly, answered Lin Chen’s question indirectly.
Lin Chen joked, “It can’t be too early, two years at most. Otherwise, I’m still a minor, and you’ll be condemned by the whole society.”
On Earth, touching a minor is a very serious crime.
Wenzel: “Really? Then I’m completely innocent.”
They walked side by side through the garden, bringing the chill of winter into the house, and continued their conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.
“My desires for you are pure, aren’t they?”
Even though Wenzel had left Lin Chen covered in marks, even with blood and swelling, he was simply seeking inner peace without any other sordid thoughts.
On the contrary, Wenzel actually felt a deep aversion and resistance to having these symptoms.
He vividly remembered how, in his less rational childhood, he had broken down many times because of this. In short, the marks of his past were unbearable to recall, and if he could, he wouldn’t want to be this kind of person.
No one knew that he had frantically studied psychology on his own, accumulating such a wealth of knowledge that he could easily become a professional psychology expert.
Unfortunately, all his struggles and self-rescue were futile, far less helpful than meeting the right person.
His earlier words, “I hope to meet you soon,” were heartfelt. However, he was also genuinely relieved for Lin Chen. Fortunately, they had met today, and he was mature and rational enough to minimize the harm to Lin Chen.
Pure?
Lin Chen thought, “You probably have a huge misunderstanding of purity.”
He believed Wenzel didn’t want to harm him, but the other’s behavior had nothing to do with purity. He was essentially a pervert whom Lin Chen was oblivious to.
Of course, as long as that matter wasn’t brought up, he found the Duke easy to get along with.
After everyone in the castle left, Wenzel visited Lin Chen’s room again, speaking softly, and asked to see him.
“What did Aisie say?”
This gentleness was truly irresistible; no wonder he offered his lover such heartfelt advice.
Lin Chen had personally tested it, and it was indeed very necessary.
Lin Chen obediently lifted his bathrobe, letting his unscrupulous employer see his misdeeds. He hadn’t applied any medicine yet, so he spread himself out in a starfish shape: “Your Grace, could you help me apply some medicine?”
“Of course.” Wenzel’s gaze swept over Lin Chen’s scarred skin, and he readily took the medicine box.
Aside from that, there was no other reaction.
Lin Chen wasn’t surprised at all. Just thinking about Wenzel’s background, he knew that the other party must have experienced countless situations, big and small; his threshold was probably as high as the Himalayas. Why would he care about such a small scene?
Lin Chen replied, “Teacher Aisie said that medicine and skincare products can’t be used at the same time.”
“So they suggested we be gentle, otherwise I’ll just have to endure these bruises every day.”
“I guess you wouldn’t be able to bring yourself to do it, do you think?”
While listening, Wenzel picked up a small amount of creamy ointment with his fingertips and gently applied it to the more severely affected areas of Lin Chen’s body. The touch during this process also gave him a certain satisfaction, so he was happy to help.
Couldn’t bring yourself to do it?
He immediately imagined it and affirmed, “No, I can do it.”
Whether it was skin covered in his own hickeys or flawless skin, it seemed that as long as it was Lin Chen’s, it was fine.
What could Lin Chen say?
He absolutely couldn’t tell his boss, “You’re a pervert.”
“Scared?” Feeling Lin Chen’s body tremble under his fingertips, Wenzel gently circled him while leaning down to kiss Lin Chen’s cheek.
Seemingly enamored with the skin, his kisses and fingertips danced in circles: “Don’t worry, I’ll give you ample recovery time.”
Lin Chen’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he involuntarily raised his chin, while Wenzel, unable to resist his invitation, naturally traced his jawline.
Noticing the other’s unconscious use of his teeth again, Lin Chen snapped back to reality, opening his eyes and saying, “Your Grace, how about we try something else tonight?”
Wenzel paused, stopping his actions, looking at Lin Chen with a dark and unreadable expression, asking suspiciously, “Something else? What?”
Lin Chen had no idea that the Duke was once again suspecting his motives; he was truly innocent.
He really wasn’t!
Lin Chen put his hands behind his head, saying mysteriously, “Please finish applying the medicine for me first; you’ll definitely like it.”
Wenzel raised an eyebrow and continued applying the medicine for Lin Chen.
He’d used more than half of the expensive box of medicine, and only then did he realize he might have been a bit too harsh on Lin Chen.
“Excuse me, do you want a house?”
Wenzel said, “I can give you one.”
Wenzel wouldn’t promise to be gentler in the future so he could only think of this way to compensate Lin Chen, hoping he’d accept it.
Give him a house?
Lin Chen was taken aback, then secretly delighted. It seemed having the Duke apply the medicine to him was indeed a clever choice.
Lin Chen exclaimed in surprise, “Really? You’re so generous!”
“Of course I want one, thank you, Your Highness.”
Actually, his initial intention in playing the victim was just to evoke guilt in the other party; he hadn’t expected to directly gain a house.
Since the other party was willing to give it to him, why shouldn’t he take it?
“You’re welcome.” Wenzel untied his bathrobe, and snuggled close to Lin Chen without any resentment at the smell of medicine on him.
“Alright, can you tell me your plan now?” He looked at Lin Chen’s face.
“Hmm.” Lin Chen raised his hand and moved his fingers. “I want to touch you, is that alright?”
Upon hearing this, Wenzel immediately understood Lin Chen’s meaning: “You want to treat me like I treated you last night?”
Because he was so surprised, his sentence was full of emphasis, and for some reason, his voice was terribly low and hoarse.
Lin Chen: “…”
No, he just wanted to touch him with his hand to see if it would have the same effect.
He wasn’t a pervert and he didn’t want to bite.
Since it was just touching, he figured whether Wenzel touched him first or he touched Wenzel, the effect would be the same.
Before Lin Chen could explain, Wenzel eagerly said, “Sure, you try it.”