“Lu Xiao! What did you do?! How dare you fall asleep?! Get up and explain yourself!”
Lu Xiao had his back to Qian Jinye, holding back laughter until tears came out, his whole body shaking. Anyone with eyes could tell, Lu Xiao wasn’t asleep at all. He was just teasing Qian Jinye on purpose.
Infuriated by his shamelessness, Qian Jinye climbed up and flipped Lu Xiao over. Lu Xiao finally burst, laughing loudly. Seeing Qian Jinye’s flushed face made him absurdly happy, this was the first time since arriving at the Qian residence that Lu Xiao had felt this joyful.
“Hahaha, good brother, I was wrong. Please, be merciful and spare your little brother.”
Qian Jinye looked down at Lu Xiao. Lu Xiao leaned casually against the pillow, smiling up at him. Those seemingly innocent puppy eyes, now they just looked utterly infuriating. Qian Jinye ground his teeth in anger but there was nothing he could do about him.
Technically, they were only so called contract lovers but neither of their hearts was clean. What was wrong with secretly taking a bit of advantage? Lu Xiao was happy, too happy and in his happiness, he had forgotten exactly what he’d done.
Now, as it belatedly returned to him, the sensation of lips touching replayed in his mind again and again. He unconsciously licked his lips. It seemed… a little sweet.
That had been Lu Xiao’s first kiss too. He didn’t even know why, suddenly, he’d grown bold enough to do something like that. Fueled by adrenaline, his eyes were bright, as if once wasn’t enough, as if he wanted to bite at Qian Jinye a little more.
“Spare you? How am I supposed to spare you? Did you even ask me? You, you just, you just kissed me. You bastard.”
Qian Jinye wasn’t buying Lu Xiao’s act. He was still angry. He had never seen anyone as shameless as Lu Xiao, not only unrepentant but even daring to savor it.
Lu Xiao’s expression was far too blatant. He usually hid himself well, never revealing his edge but now, it was obvious. Sima Zhao’s intentions were laid bare for all to see.
The softness of the memory brought a flush to Lu Xiao’s face, along with even more excitement. There was an instinctive thrill, like a hunter chasing prey. Qian Jinye’s manner, wanting to push him away yet not rejecting him, was utterly captivating.
“Does, Ge really not like it? Hmm?”
Qian Jinye was already close to surrender yet Lu Xiao kept pressing. He desperately wanted a response, not just the absence of rejection but for Qian Jinye to move toward him.
But Lu Xiao overestimated him. Qian Jinye was just a straightforward fool. Faced with Lu Xiao’s relentless words, he couldn’t handle it at all. He turned away, presenting his back to Lu Xiao, ignoring him completely. He buried his ears and face under a pillow, pretending he couldn’t hear anything.
“Ge, ge… Don’t hide. Tell me. Is it really that hard to say you like me?”
The other continued to play dead. Lu Xiao pulled him into his arms, resting his chin on Qian Jinye’s shoulder. Even without seeing Lu Xiao’s face, Qian Jinye knew this man was up to no good, pretending to be pitiful, waiting for his prey to take the bait, only to strip away the disguise.
“Ge~”
“Ahhh! Lu Xiao, shut up! How can that kind of thing be so easy to say?! You’re really thick skinned like a turtle shell, your mouth goes off like fireworks, whether it hits or not! Didn’t you say we were here to rest? Then rest properly, damn it!” As he spoke, Qian Jinye turned back around, pulled the pillow away from his ear and in one swift motion flung it straight at Lu Xiao’s face, telling him to quiet down.
As if Lu Xiao would ever do as he wished. He was completely carried away by now. Qian Jinye throwing a pillow at his face could still be interpreted by him as sharing a bed together. Grinning, he tossed the pillow aside and scooted a little closer in Qian Jinye’s direction.
“Of course I can say it. Jinye gege, I really, really like you. Do you like me too?”
Qian Jinye had no choice but to cover Lu Xiao’s eyes with his hand. He simply couldn’t face those bright, sparkling eyes directly. He knew full well that Lu Xiao had ulterior motives yet those eyes were blazing with such intensity that Qian Jinye felt like a moth drawn straight toward a flame.
Every time he covered them, Lu Xiao would pull his hand away. Every single time was a devastating blow of charm, like a loyal big dog wagging its tail as it played with its owner. How was anyone supposed to refuse that?
The last time, Lu Xiao even caught Qian Jinye’s hand and gently placed a kiss in his palm. Afterward, he smiled at him with curved brows and bright eyes.
“I like you too much, brother. I couldn’t help it. Please forgive me. I don’t plan on changing anyway, if you want to run, now’s still your chance.”
Qian Jinye jerked his hand back as if he’d been electrocuted. Lu Xiao really dared to take advantage of anything and everything. His face had already been red but now even the tips of his ears had turned pink, March peach blossoms couldn’t compare to his color.
That said, for all his teasing, Lu Xiao wasn’t faring much better himself. The heat and flush on his face made him look like he’d drunk too much, of the strongest liquor at that.
The two of them sat there with flushed faces, staring at each other. Neither was willing to give in, simply locking eyes like that. In the end, it was Qian Jinye, thinner skinned, who looked away first. Heat practically radiated from the top of his head, he really did feel like he was burning up.
“Run, my ass… once you’ve latched onto me, where would I even run to…”
“Hm? What did you say, Ge?”
Qian Jinye had said it softly, never intending for Lu Xiao to hear it. He hadn’t expected Lu Xiao to push his luck and chase after the words. Left with no choice, Qian Jinye flicked him on the forehead. It hurt enough that Lu Xiao recoiled, clutching his head.
“I said it was nothing. Nothing at all. Can’t you understand human speech? Go play somewhere else and stop bothering me. I’m trying to rest.”
This was Qian Jinye lashing out in embarrassment. Lu Xiao felt innocent enough but now that Qian Jinye had gotten physical, who knew what might happen next? He immediately put a little distance between them, just in case he became a convenient outlet for Qian Jinye’s temper.
“Alright then. I just wanted to know what my Ge said.”
He didn’t forget to put on a pitiful act, making it look as though Qian Jinye were the big bad villain, when it was clearly Lu Xiao who had started all this nonsense in the first place.
“Oh? You want to know what I said?” Qian Jinye suddenly turned back. “I’ll tell you. I said, “I like you.”
“I knew it, ge, wait, what? Jinye, you, you say that again?”
Lu Xiao hadn’t heard clearly before but now he has. Still, he suspected something was wrong with his ears. Like him? Who said that? Qian Jinye? He didn’t quite believe it. Maybe he was just too tired and hallucinating.
“If you didn’t hear it, then forget it. Pretend I never said it. I only say things once. If your hearing’s bad, go see a doctor.”
Qian Jinye was decisive. He turned over immediately, just like Lu Xiao had earlier and pretended to sleep. It made Lu Xiao anxious. He’d learned all of Lu Xiao’s little tricks and used them against him. It was maddening. Now Lu Xiao finally understood exactly how Qian Jinye had felt before.
He tried hard to pry at Qian Jinye but the latter was like he’d swallowed a weight, completely unmoving. Fine. As expected of a martial artist. When he decided to ignore Lu Xiao, he could really ignore him. So domineering and unreasonable!
“I know it. You said you like Lu Xiao the most. When you can’t see Lu Xiao, you miss him like crazy. You wish you could stick to him every day, like glue, the kind that won’t come off without tearing off a layer of skin, never separating. Isn’t that right?”
He slandered shamelessly. Qian Jinye pretended not to hear but Lu Xiao knew he wouldn’t be able to endure it much longer. His fists were slowly clenching, veins standing out. It wouldn’t be surprising if those fists landed on Lu Xiao’s face in the next second.
But Lu Xiao was shameless and felt it still wasn’t enough.
“Ge, you like me so much, won’t your brother beat me to death if he finds out? He’s so fierce. Brother, you should be the one to dote on me.”
“Ge, Xiao Xiao still wants a kiss. Kiss me once, okay?”
“Hey, brother, look! I learned how to cross my eyes! Look at me, brother, turn around and look at me.”
Qian Jinye was truly driven to the brink. He turned around and glared fiercely at him. His usual sharp, clever look was completely gone, leaving only exhaustion behind.
“If you keep talking nonsense with that mouth of yours, get down on the floor and sleep.”
The moment he said that, Lu Xiao immediately fell silent. He obediently tugged the blanket over himself and curled up underneath it, leaving only a pair of eyes peeking out, fixed firmly on Qian Jinye. Even with his eyes closed, Qian Jinye could feel that blazing anticipation.
With a helpless sigh, he opened his eyes again and looked at Lu Xiao’s innocently feigned face. Lu Xiao blinked a few times, saying nothing yet somehow saying everything.
“What exactly do you want now? What do you want me to do? I’m begging you, just rest properly.”
“Ge, kiss me.”
“Anything but that. Pick something else. Hurry, I’m sleepy to death.”
“Brother, kiss me.”
No matter what Qian Jinye said, Lu Xiao kept repeating the same four words over and over, as if unless Qian Jinye kissed him, he would just stare at him like that while he slept. If Lu Xiao weren’t absolutely no threat to him, Qian Jinye would have run away by now.
Qian Jinye really was getting sleepy. He recalled that kiss Lu Xiao had initiated, soft, warm. It hadn’t been bad at all. Another kiss… probably wouldn’t be a problem either.
As he thought that, the face that had only just regained its fair color flushed red again. He started avoiding Lu Xiao’s expectant gaze.
Without making a sound, he leaned slightly toward Lu Xiao and cupped his face.
Just think of it as kissing a dog, Qian Jinye told himself silently. Looking into Lu Xiao’s damp, glistening eyes, he really did resemble an innocent big dog. Shamefully, Qian Jinye’s heart began to race.
“Ge? Are you going to kiss me?”
Lu Xiao smiled, sweet as winter sunlight. Qian Jinye covered his eyes. He really didn’t want Lu Xiao to see how red his own face had become.
“Shut up.”
He was still hesitating. Even though Lu Xiao’s eyes were covered, he believed in him with unwavering devotion. The corners of his lips curved into a beautiful arc, silently telling Qian Jinye just how much he was looking forward to it.
Qian Jinye’s eyelashes fluttered as he tried to steady his emotions. He took a deep breath. The hand covering Lu Xiao’s eyes was still trembling as he slowly leaned down, inch by inch, drawing closer to him.
He brushed lightly against Lu Xiao’s face, lips meeting lips. A fleeting touch, like a dragonfly skimming the surface of water, then he tried to pull away but Lu Xiao suddenly reached up and clasped the back of his head. Lu Xiao’s strength was nowhere near Qian Jinye’s yet at this moment, Qian Jinye found himself unable to break free.
Hot breath intertwined, lingering and entangling, like a nimble little snake slipping into a warm nest. Overwhelmed with excitement, it moved restlessly, lacking any technique at all, only proclaiming its presence, leaving the other with nowhere to hide.
Qian Jinye was overwhelmed by Lu Xiao’s advance. The kiss left him tight in the chest, short of breath, his head spinning. His legs went weak, his body lying awkwardly on the bed, desperate only to escape.
“Lu Xiao!”
✦ ✧ ✦
Nycreth
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
(づ｡•́‿•̀｡)づ ☕ — coffee for the hardworking translator
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · The beginning of the tragedyChapter 2 · Don’t forgetChapter 3 · Look at it directlyChapter 4 · Whom are you trying to seduce?Chapter 5 · TeaseChapter 6 · Sleeping in the same bedChapter 7 · Internal locksChapter 8 · Tampering The rules…Chapter 9 · Black LotusChapter 10 · FledglingChapter 11 · There are no horses in the stable.Chapter 12 · Water-oil separationChapter 13 · The cost of backtrackingChapter 14 · It got biggerChapter 15 · Was it a mouse?Chapter 16 · Too fieryChapter 17 · Administer medicineChapter 18 · Tracing the PearlChapter 19 · A KissChapter 20 · Ge, Kiss meChapter 21 · Ten Thousand Deaths Without RegretChapter 22 · Endless CorridorChapter 23 · CowardChapter 24 · GoodbyeChapter 25 · Back toChapter 26 · It’s is me, Not MeChapter 27 · VictimChapter 28 · Crossed CupsChapter 29 · IntuitionChapter 30 · ChangeChapter 31 · DifferentChapter 32 · ErrorChapter 33 · Mind Your Own BusinessChapter 34 · WanderingChapter 35 · EmbraceChapter 36 · LoveChapter 37 · UnrestrainedChapter 38 · Asking Over a DrinkChapter 39 · As BeforeChapter 40 · SatiatedChapter 41 · A Change in the WindsChapter 42 · A’SuChapter 43 · Welcoming the BrideChapter 44 · GossipChapter 45 · WeaknessChapter 46 · Wedding NightChapter 47 · Brother QingChapter 48 · FadingChapter 49 · Lying LowChapter 50 · CaressChapter 51 · OnceChapter 52 · The Hidden PassageChapter 53 · MotherChapter 54 · FlawlessChapter 55 · ProphecyChapter 56 · EtherealChapter 57 · DecipheringChapter 58 · The TrapChapter 59 · Stone StatueChapter 60 · ChessChapter 61 · AssassinsChapter 62 · The National Preceptor?Chapter 63 · Please return my belongings to me.Chapter 64 · I’m not that desperate.Chapter 65 · No wayChapter 66 · No turning backChapter 67 · I told you, get out of the wayChapter 68 · Still became a monsterChapter 69 · Let’s end thisChapter 70 · Why do you look so much like him?Chapter 71 · One wanted to kill, two stopped himChapter 72 · Unless, the people at Mingzhu Academy are keeping it from himChapter 73 · FraudChapter 74 · Don’t look back, Lu XiaoChapter 75 · It’s coldChapter 76 · Kill MeChapter 77 · We are even marriedChapter 78 · Gege… I Love YouChapter 79 · “It” had arrivedChapter 80 · Wake Up!Chapter 81 · How Nostalgic….Chapter 82 · You already Promised meChapter 83 · Their TerritoryChapter 84 · Jokes were JokesChapter 85 · What you dream was realChapter 86 · Did you cry?Chapter 87 · What’s wrong, young Master?Chapter 88 · No, I only ever said it to youChapter 89 · Honey, Please let me go.Chapter 90 · What are you pretending to be, a gentleman?Chapter 91 · It’s just a shoddy trick to fool people, but I like it anywayChapter 92 · Ge, I did it voluntarily, it’s no useChapter 93 · You little BratChapter 94 · Gege~ please have mercyChapter 95 · Hearing Lu Xiao come in, he patted the seat next to himChapter 96 · Stop fooling around, let me kiss youChapter 97 · “I want…” “Want what?”Chapter 98 · Gege, watch closely how I get youChapter 99 · Little Eleven, how about we talk to ‘it’ first?Chapter 100 · Had it gone mad?Chapter 101 · I will make my decisionChapter 102 · Tsk, how indecentChapter 103 · You are the creator of my original worldChapter 104 · The world is not your toy, go back to where you came fromChapter 105 · He was a boy with snow-white hair and a handsome faceChapter 106 · Haven’t seen you for a long timeChapter 107 · TYRBL Extra: 1Chapter 108 · TYRBL Extra: 2Chapter 109 · TYRBL Extra: 3Chapter 110 · TYRBL Extra: 4