They returned to the courtyard, preparing lunch.

QQ squatted on a small stool, staring eagerly at the little stove, starving. Hugging his bowl, he refused to move away. As the porridge in the pot began bubbling, he scooped some into his bowl. He held the bowl close and sipped down half of it, slurping eagerly.

He used a small jade bowl, different from the adults’, small and delicate, held perfectly in his tiny fingers—he looked utterly adorable.

They spent the entire afternoon in the courtyard playing chess. QQ pestered Yue Lin to make him a toy. So, Yue Lin carved a wooden bird and infused it with spiritual energy, making it chirp and sing on the branches. Later, as evening approached, they went to the study to write talismans to sell at the market the next day.

In the middle of the night, Chu Hanjin gently touched QQ’s little face. Just as QQ’s breathing became steady, the beaded curtain separating the rooms was lifted.

Yue Lin looked at him. “Ah Chu.”

“…”

Chu Hanjin knew what he was after, feeling a bit awkward, but tried not to show it. He walked into the study and asked calmly, “What’s up?”

Yue Lin took his hand, smiling. “You’re still pretending.”

“… Pretending what?” Chu Hanjin’s ears turned hot as Yue Lin pulled him into his arms.

Yue Lin’s gaze held deep intent, his voice slow and deliberate. “Guess what I want to do?”

Chu Hanjin glared at him. “How would I know?”

Yue Lin asked, “What time is it now?”

“…”

“Is it late at night?”

“…”

With a soft laugh, Yue Lin grabbed his wrist and pulled him close, leaning in to press against his soft, reddening lips, tilting his chin forcefully.

As soon as Chu Hanjin raised his eyes, his lips were captured in a passionate kiss.

Chu Hanjin’s fair fingers clenched, intending to push him away. But Yue Lin’s hand brushed the back of his neck, sending a tingling sensation through him, making his fingers go limp.

It was quiet all around. Chu Hanjin was pressed against the gap between two bookcases, with no escape, being kissed so intensely that his breath became erratic, his pale, jade-like face flushing deep red.

“Yue Lin…” he gritted his teeth.

But just as Yue Lin moved away from his lips, his earlobe was immediately captured by a wild tongue, licking it, making it wet and soft.

The dampness, the tingling sensation—it was too much, too wild, too aggressive. It went beyond boundaries, but Chu Hanjin felt his body going weak, unable to muster any resistance.

…And to his own surprise, he even felt himself getting caught up in the moment.

“Mm?” Yue Lin’s voice was hoarse, as if tortured by desire. “Ah Chu, can I?”

As if Chu Hanjin had any real choice.

He clenched his teeth, refusing to answer. But his failure to shake his head gave Yue Lin all the signal he needed, like a hungry wolf who had caught the scent of meat, lunging at him even more fiercely.

The bookcase shook, the scrolls nearly falling to the floor. Sensing they were about to crash down with a loud thud, Chu Hanjin stretched his arm out to catch them, clutching them tightly, as if grabbing a lifeline in a storm.

…

…

…

“Mm…”

The scrolls eventually fell to the floor. He was dragged into the center of a stormy sea, with no way to escape.

Once Yue Lin’s fit of lustful aggression passed, he cradled the now-exhausted Chu Hanjin, who lay nestled in his arms, gently licking the faint bruises he had left.

Compared to last night, where Yue Lin finished and immediately wanted to leave, Chu Hanjin had now gotten slightly more accustomed, though just barely. He didn’t avoid Yue Lin’s embrace, but he turned his delicate face away, avoiding looking into his eyes.

His fingers brushed against Yue Lin’s chest, his voice hesitant. “Are your wounds better?”

Yue Lin, like a lion that had just gorged on its prey, replied, “Almost, but still a little to go.”

Chu Hanjin muttered, “No wonder you had the strength to fool around.”

After saying this, he felt his ears burn and quickly shut his mouth.

He realized he’d given away too much with that hint.

Looking like a newlywed bride experiencing intimacy for the first time, Chu Hanjin seemed just like he had before his memory loss. Who would have thought he’d end up walking the same path twice? Yue Lin leaned down and kissed him again, smiling.

Chu Hanjin opened his eyes. “Again?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t go any further, just a kiss.”

Chu Hanjin looked at him with some doubt, reluctantly accepting Yue Lin’s kiss.

It wasn’t as frantic as before, more playful now, as Yue Lin’s tongue slipped into the gap between his lips, teasing the softness inside.

Chu Hanjin had naturally beautiful lips—thin and pale, usually an indifferent light pink. But after being ravaged, they were now full and red, blooming with a rich, vibrant hue.

Yue Lin deepened the kiss, causing Chu Hanjin’s eyes to mist over, gazing at him with a mix of shame and frustration, yet still, he accepted the intimate game.

Yue Lin’s tongue slid to the root of his tongue, gently biting down, causing a stifled gasp to escape from Chu Hanjin’s throat. He turned his head, trying to escape to catch his breath.

But Yue Lin firmly held his wrist, showing no sign of letting up, continuing the relentless kiss.

“Mmph…” Chu Hanjin was forced to endure this playful torment.

Yue Lin could turn a simple kiss into such a variety of tricks.

Chu Hanjin hadn’t realized until now that, aside from the raw, devouring lust, there were also playful games that toyed with the edges of danger, yet could be reeled back by rationality at any moment.

The night was silent, with only the rustling wind outside the window and the soft, nearly imperceptible sounds of wet, intimate kisses inside the study.

“Still at it?” Chu Hanjin asked, slightly surprised.

“We only get time alone in the middle of the night. What’s wrong with a bit more closeness?” Yue Lin gently stroked his chin.

Chu Hanjin had nothing more to say. Just as Yue Lin kissed his cheek again, footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the door.

Who could it be?

Yue Lin turned his head, and Chu Hanjin pushed him away.

The room fell silent as Chu Hanjin wiped his lips, eyes filled with alertness, his gaze fixed on the direction of the sound outside the window.

Although Yue Lin was clearly disappointed, he said, “Let’s stop for now and see who’s here.”

They waited quietly, and the footsteps stopped at the neighbor’s courtyard. They heard voices, “The Master just got a couple of fine jars of wine. He invites you over for a drink.”

Another voice replied, “Drinking this late at night?”

“Who knows? The Master just told me to invite you. I don’t know anything else.”

With that, the footsteps gradually faded away.

“What a nuisance, can’t a person get any sleep…” The neighbor grumbled as the sound of locking the door could be heard. Soon after, the footsteps grew distant, presumably heading off to the invitation.

The dim candlelight flickered in the room. Yue Lin raised his eyebrows and sighed. “This Yushui City really is under the control of demon cultivators.”

For good reason.

The “Master” just mentioned was a higher-ranking figure in the rebellious demon cultivation faction that had taken over Yushui City. They had ousted the city’s guardians and formed their own system of governance, establishing close ties with the local population.

Chu Hanjin’s neighbor was well-off and likely had connections with these people. Being summoned for a late-night drink probably meant they were building rapport and discussing matters.

It had nothing to do with them, so Chu Hanjin relaxed.

Yue Lin, now at ease as well, grabbed Chu Hanjin’s wrist and leaned in to kiss him again. “They have their business. Ah Chu, we…”

“…”

Chu Hanjin pushed his hand away.

The mood had been interrupted, and after the earlier scare, Chu Hanjin couldn’t continue, especially with someone intruding—it left him feeling embarrassed.

Chu Hanjin glanced at him and said, “Forget it.”

“Forget it? But we were just getting along so well…”

“Some other time.”

Leaving behind these indifferent words, Chu Hanjin turned and walked into the bedroom, pulling up the covers and lying down to sleep.

“…”

Yue Lin stood by the bedside, lifting the mosquito net with one hand, watching the already fast-asleep Chu Hanjin. He pursed his lips and sighed softly.

Now that they had a child, spending intimate time with his wife felt like sneaking around.

But there was no helping it. Climbing into bed, Yue Lin adjusted the blanket and pulled Chu Hanjin close into his embrace, closing his eyes.

Though he slept late, he woke up surprisingly early the next morning.

QQ was still asleep, but Yue Lin had already woken. Feeling discomfort from the early morning, he couldn’t help but pull Chu Hanjin closer, messing up his clothes.

Chu Hanjin woke up, glanced at him, and his expression immediately darkened with irritation. “Yue Lin!”

Yue Lin pressed against his back and sighed softly. “Ah Chu, have pity on me.”

The way he spoke was like an actor begging for affection on stage or a patron flirting in a brothel. Chu Hanjin got out of bed without waking QQ, intending to go to the courtyard to draw a bucket of cold water. But instead, he was dragged back into the study by Yue Lin.

During the whole ordeal, Yue Lin coaxed and teased, making Chu Hanjin so frustrated that he punched him hard several times, nearly making Yue Lin cough up blood.

But when they finally came out of the room, Chu Hanjin’s eyes were slightly red, his lips swollen and red beyond recognition, and his clothes disheveled. His pale fingers rubbed at his lips harshly.

He went to the well, scooping up a handful of water to rinse his mouth, repeating the process several times.

He stared blankly at the clear water.

His ears were red.

His eyelids were red.

His face was red.

It was obvious that what had just happened had left him feeling utterly embarrassed.

Yue Lin followed him out a step later, intending to offer some comfort, but Chu Hanjin shot him a fierce glare, so he obediently headed to the kitchen to cook porridge instead. As he lit the fire, he counted a few copper coins, waiting for the tofu vendor to pass by so he could buy a piece to cook.

Unexpectedly, the vendor stood at the door and said, “Did you hear? Your landlord died last night!”

Yue Lin, still holding the copper coins between his fingers, blinked and replied, “Hmm? What?”

“The landlord who rented you this courtyard—he lived right next door. He died last night! This morning, his body was found in the river, all swollen and pale. His feet had been chewed to the bone by fish!”