Editor and proofreader: Oceanblue

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Gu Shenyuan’s blunt admission left Ye Qingyun at a loss for words. He stared blankly at Gu Shenyuan, whose eyes had softened from their previous anger.

Looking into Ye Qingyun’s bright eyes, always firm and persistent but now filled with a vulnerability caused by him, Gu Shenyuan felt the urge to tease him further. He reached out, lightly touching Ye Qingyun’s trembling eyelashes, and said softly, “Afraid of me? No need to be. I won’t do anything to you.”

The gentle touch on his lashes calmed Ye Qingyun down. He silently praised Gu Shenyuan’s directness, like a wolf exposing itself. If Gu Shenyuan hadn’t confessed, he might have been suspicious for a long time.

However, Gu Shenyuan’s refusal to keep pretending probably had something to do with him pushing too far.

It shocked Ye Qingyun that Gu Shenyuan liked him, but now, his priority was figuring out how to remove the mark, not dwelling on why Gu Shenyuan was fond of him.

“So, what do you like about me? My face?” Ye Qingyun asked.

Gu Shenyuan nodded, then shook his head.

“Such a shallow person!” Ye Qingyun scolded. “I don’t like you, and you’re not allowed to like me either! Now tell me the solution so we can break up. Don’t use your special abilities to guilt-trip me!”

Gu Shenyuan had anticipated Ye Qingyun’s resistance, but hearing him say he wanted to sever ties still hurt him.

After a pause, Gu Shenyuan spoke again.

“I can’t,” Gu Shenyuan said flatly. “You don’t understand our kind. Even if love turns to hate and I no longer have feelings for you, as long as you were my first love, you will be my responsibility for life. If you don’t believe me, you can go check the facts.”

Ye Qingyun felt utterly hopeless. “So there’s no way? What about removing the tattoo?”

Gu Shenyuan turned off the bathroom light, plunging the room back into darkness.

“That won’t work either. Don’t secretly try to do things like this again,” Gu Shenyuan said. “It will only make you suffer, and it won’t change anything. Even if you peel off all the skin, my feelings won’t change at all.”

“What? So it’s fake?” Ye Qingyun was shocked.

Gu Shenyuan pushed Ye Qingyun forward, summarizing in a few words, “Fake.”

Ye Qingyun returned to bed, hearing Gu Shenyuan lie down on the other bed. He asked, “You don’t regret it? Being bound to someone as awful as me? If you’re scared, just ask me, and I’ll begrudgingly help you find a way out of this!”

Gu Shenyuan: “No regrets. There’s no way out. Stop wasting your energy. Sleep, and don’t stay up late.”

“How is this wasting energy!” Ye Qingyun yelled angrily.

Gu Shenyuan didn’t respond.

Fuming, Ye Qingyun curled himself into a ball.

This wasn’t right! Gu Shenyuan didn’t seem to realize how serious this was. Liking him would only bring countless problems!

Ye Qingyun thought it over. After this confrontation, he stopped relying on the forum’s solutions and began thinking about handling it himself.

Could he research a way to break Gu Shenyuan’s family’s curse of only loving one person?

Although Gu Shenyuan claimed there was no solution and that no one had ever developed a cure for this bloodline curse, Ye Qingyun thought he was clever enough. Maybe he could find one!

The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. He started brainstorming ideas.

He would need Gu Shenyuan’s data for his research, which meant Gu Shenyuan’s cooperation.

But right now, if Gu Shenyuan knew his thoughts, he wouldn’t cooperate at all, and he would be guarded to the point of not even giving a strand of hair.

Gathering materials for research under Gu Shenyuan’s watchful eyes was going to be incredibly difficult. Gu Shenyuan wasn’t easy to fool, and he was likely to see through any odd behavior.

After much thought, Ye Qingyun came up with a brilliant plan.

He would pretend to be spoiled and arrogant, acting in the most obnoxious way Gu Shenyuan disliked, wearing down his affection over time.

Once Gu Shenyuan no longer liked him and only stayed out of obligation, Ye Qingyun could then propose developing a cure to set Gu Shenyuan free. By that point, Gu Shenyuan would eagerly help him in every way!

Genius!

————

Ye Qingyun began observing what kind of people Gu Shenyuan hated most and mimicking their behavior.

But he quickly discovered that no matter what type of person Gu Shenyuan encountered, his face remained indifferent. He never gave anyone a second glance. And if he did, it was only because they were blocking his path.
This won’t work! Gu Shenyuan was already so cold and distant at such a young age. How was he supposed to observe him like this?

Ye Qingyun, having failed to find the type of person Gu Shenyuan hated by analyzing the environment, decided to turn to observing himself instead.

If Gu Shenyuan liked his type, then maybe what he hated would be the opposite.

So, what kind of image did he present in front of Gu Shenyuan?

Vicious, sharp-tongued, clever, always sarcastic, and barely ever saying anything nice. He was indifferent to Gu Shenyuan.

Ye Qingyun pondered over these personality traits he’d summarized about himself and found himself deeply confused.

Aside from being smart, what exactly did Gu Shenyuan like about him? Could it be that Gu Shenyuan was someone who enjoyed being treated with disdain?

Even though he didn’t understand it fully, Ye Qingyun made a list of opposite personality traits.

In the end, the list looked something like this: Stupid, soft-spoken, overly clingy, and saint-like selflessness that bordered on the absurd.

These qualities, he reasoned, would most likely provoke the deepest dislike in Gu Shenyuan.

Combining these traits, Gu Shenyuan must despise the traditional overly delicate and clingy type, the so-called “damsel in distress” personality.

Of course! How hadn’t he thought of this earlier!

Ye Qingyun slapped his thigh in realization.

As a highly independent and self-sufficient cold-hearted figure, it made perfect sense that Gu Shenyuan would hate the opposite—someone who only knew how to cry and act helpless.

Perfect, now that he had a target, he knew exactly what to do.

——

That day, Ye Qingyun, feeling thoroughly prepared, began his new challenge.

In the morning, unlike usual, Ye Qingyun didn’t get up early. Instead, he stayed in bed, boldly sleeping in.

Gu Shenyuan, likely puzzled, walked over and touched his forehead.

Seeing that Ye Qingyun wasn’t running a fever, Gu Shenyuan asked, “What’s wrong? Do you feel unwell?”

Ye Qingyun, having mentally prepared himself, recalled the novels he’d recently read where the protagonists were all delicate little flowers. He opened his eyes and said in a coquettish tone, “You’re so annoying! I’m just trying to sleep in, and you’re waking me up? How mean of you!”

As soon as Ye Qingyun said this, he got goosebumps all over. Half-squinting, he looked at Gu Shenyuan’s expression and saw the rare shock on his usually stoic face, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

To describe it more vividly, it was like he’d been scared stiff, utterly disbelieving that this was reality.

Ye Qingyun was overjoyed. Clearly, Gu Shenyuan hated this type! His analysis had been spot on!

Turning away and pretending to be hurt, Ye Qingyun said, “Since we’re already bound together, I don’t feel like pretending anymore. What, now that I’ve shown my true nature, you can’t handle it? But we’re already tied together, so no matter how much I act up, you still have to like me. So what if I’m a bit spoiled? What’s wrong with that?”

Gu Shenyuan stared at him for a while before finally speaking. “…Nothing’s wrong. I like it. Get up and have some food.”

Ye Qingyun didn’t believe a word of it. He could already sense the tension building in their relationship.

The change between pre-marriage and post-marriage behavior was a classic issue that had broken many relationships.

Gu Shenyuan might not escape this challenge either.

Next came even more shameless lines. Ye Qingyun mentally rehearsed them a few times, then buried his face in the blanket and said, “You’re waking me up the wrong way! You should be picking me up, brushing my teeth, washing my face, carrying me to eat, and feeding me! Got it?”

Gu Shenyuan’s voice tightened slightly. “…Are you serious?”

Ye Qingyun gave a small “hmm” in response. After a moment, strong hands pulled him from the blanket and into a firm embrace, carrying him toward the bathroom.

The arms were warm and steady, like the safest harbor.

Ye Qingyun had no idea what expression Gu Shenyuan was wearing, nor did he dare look. He just knew that he was dying of embarrassment but still had to keep playing the clingy, delicate role.

…Good thing the person he had to act this way for was Gu Shenyuan, who was both handsome and kind. If it were anyone else, he definitely wouldn’t tolerate being carried like this.

But he had to admit, Gu Shenyuan had an amazing body. Those muscles, that strength—it was exactly the kind of physique he dreamed of. He liked it.

——

Gu Shenyuan was in a daze, every step feeling like he was walking on clouds of happiness.

Ye Qingyun had always been cold toward him, and Gu Shenyuan had mentally prepared himself for Ye Qingyun’s permanent resistance, ready to silently protect him from the sidelines.

But now… Ye Qingyun was acting spoiled toward him.

Ye Qingyun was allowing him to hold him, was opening up, and expressing his desires.

Was all this really happening… or was he dreaming?

The person in his arms was light, soft, and emitted an irresistible scent, so perfect it felt like an illusion.

If this were a dream, he hoped it would last long enough for him to gather memories he could savor.

——

Ye Qingyun enjoyed the face-washing service provided by Gu Shenyuan but quickly snatched the toothbrush away when he saw that Gu Shenyuan actually intended to brush his teeth for him.

No, he wasn’t thick-skinned enough for that. It was still too embarrassing.

System: “This won’t work, host. You’re not going all out, and as long as you stay within his tolerance, none of this will have any real effect!”

System: “Losing face now is nothing. Who will even remember once your identity changes?”

Ye Qingyun knew the system was right. If he didn’t push things to the extreme, the plan would fail.

So what if he had to shamelessly act like a spoiled brat? He could do it!

After washing up, Gu Shenyuan brought out breakfast: Ye Qingyun’s favorite—white fruit juice and soft bread.

Gu Shenyuan, with his usual cold and distant expression, carefully tore the bread into bite-sized pieces and held them up to Ye Qingyun’s mouth.

“Eat,” Gu Shenyuan said.
Gu Shenyuan’s tone was rather strange. It seemed both like he was suppressing something and trying to maintain calm, while another emotion was reaching its peak.

Ye Qingyun had never heard Gu Shenyuan speak like this before. Combined with Gu Shenyuan’s expressionless face and what appeared to be a kind of restraint, Ye Qingyun thought Gu Shenyuan’s attitude toward him had shifted. It seemed like Gu Shenyuan was barely holding back the urge to punch him.

Wow, this method is working way too well!

Ye Qingyun took a bite of the bread Gu Shenyuan fed him and continued his act, being even more dramatic and whiny: “What is this? It’s awful! This rough food is going to destroy my delicate stomach. You don’t care about me at all, do you? You don’t love me anymore, do you?”

Gu Shenyuan’s fingers trembled slightly as he held the bread, but he didn’t feed him another bite.

“…So, what do you want to eat?” Gu Shenyuan asked.

Ye Qingyun glanced at the bread in Gu Shenyuan’s hand. To be honest, it was good food—definitely not rough at all. It tasted fine, providing enough energy for the whole day without causing weight gain, perfect for someone like him who barely moved around all day.

But Ye Qingyun wasn’t going to let logic stop his tantrum: “I want to eat at the most expensive restaurant, made by the best chef. You’re so capable, aren’t you? This little request shouldn’t be a problem for you, right?”

His words were full of attitude, and considering Gu Shenyuan’s meticulous nature, he should have seen right through Ye Qingyun’s act.

Gu Shenyuan stared at him for a long time, his gaze complicated. After a while, he slowly said, “Fine, let’s go. I’ll take you.”

Ye Qingyun beamed. Great, judging by Gu Shenyuan’s reluctant expression, if he kept this up, his plan would succeed soon!

Gu Shenyuan stood up, watching the happy smile on Ye Qingyun’s face, feeling his mood grow heavier.

He had been too careless. He hadn’t considered Ye Qingyun’s needs enough. Ye Qingyun had suffered alongside him, and he hadn’t realized it until Ye Qingyun’s stomach was hurting so much that he finally spoke up.

Was he really so incapable of providing for Ye Qingyun that he let him suffer like this?

Ye Qingyun was different from others who wanted to use him for power and riches. Ye Qingyun was simple, pure, his gaze never tainted by schemes.

And here he was, forcing Ye Qingyun to endure hardships, unable to even give him the best.

Ye Qingyun deserved the best—royal treatment, the highest status, so that no one would dare look down on him or covet him.

Gu Shenyuan wanted to conquer this empire—no, the whole galaxy—and offer it to Ye Qingyun.

He was willing to be Ye Qingyun’s weapon, his loyal protector.