Chapter 25

After the initial shock, Jiang Chu Ting felt a trace of panic in his heart. He tried to get up immediately, but just as his lips were about to part, Lin Zhi’s arms held him down again.

Their lips inevitably met once more.

Their breaths intertwined, and Lin Zhi, seemingly unconsciously, began to kiss him. When Lin Zhi’s soft, warm tongue touched his lips, Jiang Chu Ting felt a tingling sensation spread from the back of his neck to the top of his head. His mind buzzed louder and louder. He opened his eyes wide, struggled to sit up, and quickly and deftly freed himself from Lin Zhi’s grip, finally managing to escape from his embrace.

Lin Zhi, reeking of alcohol, groaned a few times in discomfort, his hand went limp, and he fell back onto the bed, turning over and continuing to sleep soundly.

Jiang Chu Ting quickly turned his body away, his gaze wandering in the air, his breathing still a bit unsteady, unable to recall the scene just now.

After the chaos, he calmed down a bit, and the most important thought in his mind was that when Lin Zhi woke up tomorrow, he must not let him know about this incident.

Lin Zhi had always been very averse to matters between men, and usually, when he was close to him, it was just like a child being affectionate with an elder. But if it were something more intimate with a different meaning, even if it was unintentional, he would probably find it hard to accept.

Jiang Chu Ting looked back at the back of Lin Zhi’s head. He was drunk, so he probably wouldn’t remember, right?

After taking a bath, Jiang Chu Ting looked at the motionless person on the bed from a few steps away, thought for a moment, and finally walked over to lie down on the edge of the bed, with his back to him.

Whether it was at the Lovesickness Cottage or during this time outside, he had always slept with Lin Zhi, but tonight, the awkwardness of the first time sleeping with Lin Zhi returned.

Jiang Chu Ting sighed silently. In the future, it would be better to let him drink less.

Perhaps because he was thinking about drinking while awake, he also dreamed about it after falling asleep.

In the dream, he was still a young and inexperienced boy, drunk and lying on the bed, with Zi Que taking care of him, wiping his face.

“I told you not to drink too much, and you didn’t listen. Now you’re drunk, aren’t you?”

“You’re usually so serious, but you’re so obedient when you’re drunk.”

“What are you mumbling about?” Zi Que chuckled softly, leaned in to listen, and said gently, “I’m here, let me wipe your hands again.”

After tidying up, Zi Que held his hands and kissed them, his expression noticeably different from before, looking at his face with a complex gaze.

“Chu Ting… you have no idea how important you are to me.”

“I’ve been in a dark place for so long, I’ve lost hope in life. My parents, my relatives, the people around me, they’re all crazy, not a single one is normal.”

“Until I met you.”

“Meeting you and being with you is the greatest fortune of my life. Thank you, really, for giving me the warmest and most carefree times.”

“I feel like I’m truly alive for the first time.”

“Chu Ting, if I could hold your hand like this forever, how wonderful it would be.”

“I really want to completely break free from them.”

“But…”

Jiang Chu Ting opened his eyes, the dream dissipated, and Zi Que’s figure and voice vanished instantly.

He slowly raised his hand holding the wooden hairpin, feeling as if the warmth from the dream still lingered on the back of his hand.

His gaze was dazed, roughly understanding the scene he had dreamed of. That time, after he got drunk and woke up, Zi Que had teased him, saying he was especially enthusiastic when drunk, hugging and kissing him, acting all serious, but Jiang Chu Ting didn’t believe it. Because Zi Que always thought he was young but always so serious and proper, he couldn’t help but tease him and then laugh heartily.

Such a cheerful and laughing person, Jiang Chu Ting had no idea at the time that he actually had deep and repressed worries.

It was only after having this dream that he realized Zi Que had hidden all his bitterness and melancholy when he couldn’t see or hear.

Jiang Chu Ting was lost in thought for a long time, then rubbed the wooden hairpin with his fingers.

Was it really Zi Que sending him a message in his dream?

Jiang Chu Ting murmured, “Are you afraid that over time, I’ll forget you?”

How could I forget? You forced me to kill you with my own hands…

After Jiang Chu Ting got up, Lin Zhi also woke up, rubbed his head, sat up, looked around, and found Jiang Chu Ting already drinking tea at the table. He gave him a bright smile, “Chu Ran, morning.”

“Morning.” Jiang Chu Ting replied calmly with a smile, “Headache? Get up, wash up, and have some hangover soup, it’ll help.” Seeing him smile, it seemed he really didn’t remember last night’s events, which made him secretly relax a bit.

Lin Zhi squinted his eyes and hummed in response, then asked, “By the way, Chu Ran, did I cause you any trouble when I got drunk yesterday?”

Jiang Chu Ting replied, “No, you just went to sleep.”

Lin Zhi’s eyes flickered, staring at him intently. His calm demeanor made it impossible to find any trace of abnormality.

Lin Zhi pursed his lips, lifted the quilt, got out of bed, put on his shoes, and with a seemingly disbelieving smile, asked, “Am I really that well-behaved? Didn’t do anything else? Like, did I throw up on you?”

Jiang Chu Ting shook his head, patiently answering again, “No, you were very quiet.”

Lin Zhi murmured, “Is that so?” and said no more.

Mr. Huang originally intended to personally show them around the mansion that day, but Lin Zhi politely declined. The two of them were enjoying their time together and didn’t want any outsiders to spoil the mood.

Mr. Huang said, “Then please feel free, and if you need anything, just instruct the servants.” And then he sensibly didn’t disturb them.

After lunch, Jiang Chu Ting and Lin Zhi were strolling near the garden when they inadvertently noticed a frail young man retching under a tree by the lakeside pavilion, sounding very uncomfortable.

Judging by his attire, he didn’t look like a servant, but he certainly wasn’t one of the Huang family’s young masters either. Scanning the area, there was no one else around for the moment, so Jiang Chu Ting asked from a distance, “Are you okay?”

Even though Jiang Chu Ting’s voice wasn’t loud, the young man was startled, turning his head abruptly. He was slender, with big eyes and fair skin, looking very delicate, and at this moment, his eyes were filled with tears.

He looked at Jiang Chu Ting and Lin Zhi timidly, “I-I’m fine, thank you.”

Seeing him instinctively cover his stomach with his hand, Jiang Chu Ting asked gently, “Is your stomach upset? Do you need a doctor?”

The young man widened his eyes and quickly shook his head, “No, no, I-I know a little bit of medicine myself. It’s nothing, just ate something bad.” He stammered, then lowered his head and turned to run away.

An hour later, when Jiang Chu Ting went to the front hall to see Mr. Huang, he happened to catch Huang Yu holding a delicate young man affectionately. The young man kept his head down, but Jiang Chu Ting recognized him as the one he had encountered in the garden.

It seemed he was one of the beautiful young men Huang Yu kept.

Needless to say, Huang Yu was scolded harshly by Mr. Huang again. Huang Yu casually stroked the young man’s face, unconcerned, “Anyway, let me enjoy a few more days of freedom. I’m not going to live much longer, so why are you still giving me a hard time, Dad?”

Mr. Huang, hearing this, instantly turned from anger to sorrow, letting out a long sigh and sitting down dejectedly. Although he had invited Jiang Chu Ting and Lin Zhi for help, and the authorities would assist, he still felt uncertain. After all, the experts he had previously hired with a lot of money had all failed to protect his son. Seeing that time was running out, he didn’t know what the outcome would be.

In less than three months, the whole family would be ruined.

Jiang Chu Ting and Lin Zhi took their seats, and Huang Yu gently pushed the young man, “Shao Jun, you can go back now.”

So his name was Shao Jun. As he bowed and retreated, Jiang Chu Ting noticed him covering his stomach again. Sensing someone watching him, Shao Jun quickened his pace.

Jiang Chu Ting’s lips moved, but he didn’t speak. Lin Zhi, however, noticed his gaze and leaned in to ask softly, “What’s up? Why are you so focused on him?”

Jiang Chu Ting replied quietly, “It’s nothing.”

Previously, Mr. Huang had said that although he was in business, he always valued harmony and tried not to offend anyone. Even if he unknowingly offended someone, it shouldn’t be serious enough to warrant buying his entire family’s lives. So he couldn’t figure out who harbored such malice against his family. Moreover, the killings weren’t all at once but one by one, which was even more terrifying.

Jiang Chu Ting thought that focusing on business might be the wrong direction, so he asked if anyone in the family had done anything excessive enough to provoke hatred.

Mr. Huang shook his head, repeatedly saying no. His wife had a kind heart, and although his son and daughter had their shortcomings, they never did anything harmful. Huang Yu, aside from having a sharp tongue and a penchant for men, kept his male companions well cared for in the courtyard, without beating or scolding them, which wasn’t considered bad.

Huang Yu, sipping tea, suddenly interjected, “Our family now hasn’t done anything, but before the family split, my grandmother and second uncle did some despicable things. Back then, they…”

Mr. Huang, hearing this, coughed heavily, probably still feeling that family scandals shouldn’t be aired, signaling Huang Yu to stop talking.

Mr. Huang insisted, “That was many years ago. My second brother is no longer alive, and any grudges should have dissipated. Besides, logically, it shouldn’t be directed at us. It should have nothing to do with this matter.”

Huang Yu shrugged and didn’t continue.

Since they were unwilling to talk, Jiang Chu Ting couldn’t force them. After sitting for a while, he got up and left with Lin Zhi.

On the fourth day, Jiang Chu Ting and Lin Zhi moved into Huang Yu’s courtyard. Previously indifferent, Huang Yu finally showed a hint of tension and didn’t call for his male companions.

Perhaps to ease the tension, Huang Yu started chatting with them, “Hey, you two experts, tell me honestly, are you two together?”

Lin Zhi glanced at Jiang Chu Ting, but Jiang Chu Ting didn’t look at him, only saying to Huang Yu, “Young Master Huang, you misunderstood. We’re not what you think. He’s my junior.”

Lin Zhi continued to stare at him.

Huang Yu clicked his tongue, peeled a peanut, tossed it into his mouth, and chewed, scanning them with a knowing look, “Let me tell you, I’ve had a keen eye for people since birth! You two may not be together now, but I guarantee you will be in the future. I can even tell who’s on top and who’s on the bottom.”

For the first time, Jiang Chu Ting felt too embarrassed to respond, lowering his eyes in silence.

Surprisingly, Lin Zhi didn’t get angry, only letting out a cold snort, probably at a loss for words as well.

Then, Huang Yu continued his endless chatter.

Suddenly, there was a barely audible sound from the roof. Huang Yu, who didn’t know martial arts, didn’t hear it and continued peeling peanuts.

Jiang Chu Ting’s eyes sharpened, and he quickly stood up, gripping his sword. Lin Zhi also stood up.

Huang Yu, startled by their reaction, froze, dropping the peanuts on the ground.