Editor and proofreader: Oceanblue

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Gu Shenyuan gripped the bottle tightly, its cold surface seeping into his palm, draining the warmth from his body.

“Gu Shenyuan? Are… are you unhappy?” Ye Qingyun asked cautiously, alarmed by Gu Shenyuan’s dark, fearsome expression. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”

Could he have misunderstood? Based on his reasoning, hadn’t Gu Shenyuan come to him precisely to seek this antidote?

Gu Shenyuan lowered his gaze, took a deep breath, and then held the antidote back out to Ye Qingyun. “I don’t want it. Take it back.”

Ye Qingyun anxiously asked, “Why don’t you want it? Drinking it would be so great! If you drink it, you’ll be free from all those messy bindings and be able to do whatever you want.”

Gu Shenyuan silently watched him. In Ye Qingyun’s amber eyes was genuine concern, as though he truly cared for him. Even someone as perceptive as Gu Shenyuan couldn’t see any hint of Ye Qingyun wanting to leave.

This made sense. Ye Qingyun was a good person. Even if he wanted to leave, he would still make an antidote for him instead of just walking away.

Gu Shenyuan gave a bitter smile.

But he didn’t need the antidote. Sacrificing a bloodline bond to keep Ye Qingyun by his side was the most worthwhile deal he’d ever made, and he would never reverse it.

Ye Qingyun continued to persuade him of the benefits of drinking the antidote, trying to sway him. “Think about it! Right now, you have to do whatever I tell you to. You have no freedom, no dignity! What if I told you to go… end yourself? Would you do it?”

Gu Shenyuan didn’t reply. He looked back at Ye Qingyun, his gaze dark and intense, silently conveying a message.

If Ye Qingyun wanted his life, he couldn’t resist.

Ye Qingyun felt touched but also a bit annoyed by his disregard for his own life. He turned away and grumbled, “Hmph, fine then. When you’re gone, I’ll find another man to heal my broken heart. No more of you telling me what to do—it’ll be so relaxing.”

The moment he finished speaking, Gu Shenyuan stepped forward, pressing a hand on his shoulder, his face growing darker as he said coldly, “No.”

“This isn’t allowed, that isn’t allowed—are you forgetting your place? Right now, I’m the one in charge of you!” Ye Qingyun said, pretending to be fierce, trying to provoke him. “Unless that bloodline bond is lifted, what can you say against me?”

Gu Shenyuan stayed silent, his lips pressed tight as he looked at him.

After a long pause, Gu Shenyuan finally said, “You wouldn’t tell me to die. As long as I’m alive, I won’t let you find another man.”

Ye Qingyun: ‘.…’

He had such a sound, logical argument that Ye Qingyun couldn’t even refute it!

Ye Qingyun took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

Since being firm wasn’t working, maybe he could try a softer approach to persuade Gu Shenyuan.

What would make Gu Shenyuan soften?

Ye Qingyun bit his lip as an idea popped into his mind.

Originally, he’d planned to confess his feelings after Gu Shenyuan took the antidote. But now, it seemed it might be better to be honest with him and express his concerns. Maybe that would convince Gu Shenyuan to drink it.

Ye Qingyun had never confessed to anyone before, so he felt a little shy. But he mustered up the courage, removing Gu Shenyuan’s hand from his shoulder and then gently holding it.

Gu Shenyuan’s hand was cool to the touch. Ye Qingyun whispered, “Shenyuan.”

Gu Shenyuan looked a bit surprised. Ye Qingyun lowered his gaze and softly continued, “If you refuse to drink it and keep that binding, it will hurt not only you but also me.”

He felt Gu Shenyuan’s hand stiffen in his grasp. After a long silence, Gu Shenyuan said, “…Why would it hurt you? It doesn’t affect you directly.”

Ye Qingyun: ‘…’

What a straightforward, clueless response.

Wasn’t his hint obvious enough? How could Gu Shenyuan still not understand?

Ye Qingyun gritted his teeth and said outright, “Of course, it would hurt because I like you, and I want you to be well.”

After he said this, he noticed Gu Shenyuan’s hand tense up again.

Ye Qingyun looked up, meeting his gaze with a serious expression. “Drink the antidote, regain your freedom, and then let’s give this a try, okay?”

A hush fell over them. Gu Shenyuan looked at Ye Qingyun, whose face held a mix of hope, a smile, and worry as if this moment were a dream.

Slowly, Gu Shenyuan tightened his grip on Ye Qingyun’s hand.

So this was how it felt to have Ye Qingyun look at him like this.

It felt as though his entire body were soaking in warm spring water, every cell delighted, making him want to remain in this gaze forever and fulfill every wish of its owner.

If only this were real… how wonderful that would be.

Closing his eyes, Gu Shenyuan stayed silent for a long time. When he finally opened them, he said, “Alright. Let’s go to the bedroom, and I’ll drink it there. Is that okay?”

Ye Qingyun blinked, then beamed with joy. “You finally understand! Anywhere is fine as long as you’ll drink it.”

Gu Shenyuan gave a faint smile, pulling Ye Qingyun toward the bedroom.

As Ye Qingyun’s excitement began to settle, he thought over the reason for going to the bedroom.

Why the bedroom? There wasn’t anything special there—just a bed. So… after drinking it, would they…

Was he ready for things to escalate so quickly?

Ye Qingyun had always taken things step-by-step. In his ideal sequence, they’d confess, hold hands, talk through their feelings, spend time together, and then move on to physical closeness.

He had thought Gu Shenyuan would be the same. But apparently, Gu Shenyuan was more direct.

Oh well, direct was fine. He wasn’t that rigid, after all. He knew that love could come before or after marriage, and since he and Gu Shenyuan were already in sync emotionally, taking things further wasn’t unreasonable.

Ye Qingyun followed Gu Shenyuan into the bedroom, with Gu Shenyuan entering right behind him. Once they were both inside, Gu Shenyuan closed the door behind them.

With a faint click, the door was firmly locked.

Ye Qingyun glanced at the door and asked suspiciously, “Why did you lock it?”

“It’s nothing. Come over and sit,” Gu Shenyuan gestured toward the bed.

Ye Qingyun blushed, grabbing onto Gu Shenyuan’s sleeve in annoyance. “Wow, I never realized you were this kind of person! So eager! Where’s that aloof image of yours?”

Gu Shenyuan chuckled, offering no explanation. He guided Ye Qingyun over to the bed and had him sit down.

Still holding onto Gu Shenyuan’s sleeve, Ye Qingyun reminded him, “I did everything you asked. Now, isn’t it time for you to fulfill your promise?”

Gu Shenyuan didn’t respond, and for a moment, Ye Qingyun felt something unsettling in his gaze.

“…Gu Shenyuan?” Ye Qingyun sensed something wasn’t right.

A familiar dark mist appeared in the air, quickly forming into long strands that wrapped around his wrist and tied it to the headboard.

Ye Qingyun: ‘…???’

What was happening? Weren’t they supposed to be getting closer now that they’d confessed their feelings? Why had the mood taken such a 180-degree turn?

He looked up at Gu Shenyuan in shock, noting the slight paleness on his face, though his eyes were gentle and seemingly pleased with the scene before him.

“Are you crazy?” Ye Qingyun exclaimed. “Is this some kind of kink?”

“If you were willing, I’d want to experience everything with you. But unfortunately…” Gu Shenyuan looked at him and sighed lightly, “You’d even lie about loving me just to get away.”

Ye Qingyun: ‘…???’

“Are you insane?” Ye Qingyun tried to break the tie around his wrist, exclaiming angrily, “I’m genuinely confessing to you! And this is how you treat me?”

Gu Shenyuan stayed silent and knelt to gently massage his bound wrist.

Of course, he wanted to believe him, but he couldn’t take the risk. If there was even a one percent chance that Ye Qingyun was lying, simply trying to get him to take the antidote and then leave, he couldn’t afford to be careless.

Ye Qingyun knew convincing him now would be difficult, so he decided to use his last resort. Putting on a serious expression, he commanded, “I order you to release me and drink the antidote I made for you!”

It was the first time he had spoken to Gu Shenyuan in this tone, and he didn’t know if the bloodline bond would work.

Based on what he’d researched, Gu Shenyuan should be compelled to obey or else face intense pain.

And indeed, Gu Shenyuan’s face visibly paled. But he still didn’t release Ye Qingyun.

“Not giving your confession the response it deserves, and making you sad—this is my punishment to bear,” Gu Shenyuan said. “But as for the antidote…”

Ye Qingyun watched as he picked up the vial of antidote and removed the stopper.

Could it be that he was finally willing to drink it? If so, then his goal would be achieved.

But to his surprise, Gu Shenyuan tilted the bottle, letting its contents pour onto the floor. He then used his powers to evaporate the liquid in a matter of seconds, leaving no trace.

“I don’t need the antidote.” Despite his growing discomfort, Gu Shenyuan’s gaze held only possessiveness and affection as he looked at Ye Qingyun. “The other side of this bond is you… It was given to me by you, and no matter if it brings me joy, pain, or even death, I’ll accept it.”