After she finished speaking, Jiang Peipei looked at Bai Rui smugly, as if she was certain he would agree to her request. In her mind, once she became Xiao Zhan’s wife, she would have plenty of ways to make him focus entirely on her. By then, with Feng Ruiran out of favor and no longer useful, wouldn’t she be able to crush and manipulate him at will?

Bai Rui let out a cold laugh and was just about to speak when he suddenly heard Xiao Zhan’s voice, laced with suppressed anger.

“I don’t think so!”

Bai Rui turned his head and, sure enough, saw Xiao Zhan walking over from the hallway corner, his expression ice-cold. Jiang Peipei was also taken aback—she hadn’t expected Xiao Zhan to appear so suddenly.

Jiang Peipei didn’t feel she had done anything wrong. Marriages in elite families had never been about love; they were about benefits. Speaking to Bai Rui like this might seem calculated, but how could someone aiming to be the household’s mistress afford to be naive? However, Xiao Zhan’s next move left her utterly stunned.

Xiao Zhan walked up to Bai Rui and, with overwhelming possessiveness, wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him into his embrace. Then, completely ignoring the woman still standing there, he frantically kissed Bai Rui.

Bai Rui didn’t resist such intimacy, but the problem was that Jiang Peipei was still standing beside them, and he had unfinished business with her. He tried to push Xiao Zhan away, intending to handle Jiang Peipei’s matter first, but the moment Xiao Zhan felt his resistance, he only held him tighter.

Xiao Zhan forcefully bit down on Bai Rui’s lip, his tongue aggressively exploring Bai Rui’s mouth, sucking on his tongue with such intensity that Bai Rui’s entire mouth felt numb; it was as if Xiao Zhan wanted to swallow him whole.

Unswallowed saliva trickled from the corners of his lips, painting an indecent scene. Bai Rui’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and with his breath completely stolen away, he could only lean weakly into Xiao Zhan’s arms.

Seeing the young man in his arms displaying such a breathtakingly seductive appearance, Xiao Zhan’s eyes darkened. He shifted slightly to the side, shielding Bai Rui from view.

An unruly lover needed to be punished, and Xiao Zhan did enjoy seeing his beloved lost in pleasure because of him. But he absolutely refused to let anyone else witness Bai Rui looking so captivating.

His overwhelming possessiveness surged up. Only after kissing Bai Rui deeply for a full fifteen minutes did Xiao Zhan finally let go, taking the opportunity to lick away the suggestive silver thread lingering at the corner of Bai Rui’s lips.

Satisfied, Xiao Zhan watched as his lover could only lean limply against him, gasping for breath. His cold gaze finally softened just a little.

Without sparing a single glance at Jiang Peipei—who stood there in a daze, not knowing how to react—Xiao Zhan effortlessly lifted Bai Rui into his arms and walked away.

However, having just witnessed the entire intoxicatingly intimate scene, Jiang Peipei felt not a single trace of romantic excitement. Instead, an icy chill ran through her body.

Because the way Xiao Zhan looked at her—it was as if he were staring at a dead person. The sheer intensity of his presence just now had been so overwhelming that her hands and feet trembled involuntarily.

But what followed was an even greater surge of excitement. Jiang Peipei’s gaze hardened with resolve. A man this powerful was the only one truly worthy of being conquered.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan quickly carried Bai Rui into a guest resting room. As soon as he locked the door, he threw Bai Rui onto the bed and pressed down forcefully.

He tore at Bai Rui’s shirt, and the sharp sound of buttons popping off yanked Bai Rui out of his daze in an instant. He remembered the importance of tonight’s banquet and hurriedly grabbed Xiao Zhan’s hands, shouting,

“What the hell is wrong with you?!”

But the moment he finished speaking, Bai Rui was stunned by what he saw.

Xiao Zhan’s eyes were bloodshot, filled with an intense mixture of fear and murderous intent.

Bai Rui had no idea who that killing intent was directed toward—Jiang Peipei… or himself.

He could feel that his lover had just been deeply agitated, seemingly driven to madness by rage. If he tried to stop Xiao Zhan now, it would only make things worse.

With a quiet sigh in his heart, Bai Rui loosened his grip and let go of Xiao Zhan’s hands.

Yet, seeing Bai Rui surrender without resistance only made Xiao Zhan even more frenzied.

He had heard everything just now. Every word Jiang Peipei had said. He knew this path they were walking wasn’t an easy one.

The young man in front of him was still so young. Perhaps his feelings for Xiao Zhan were nothing more than a fleeting infatuation.

Maybe one day, when faced with the judgmental stares and ridicule of others, he would wake up.

Deep in his heart, Xiao Zhan had always been afraid.

Afraid that one day, Bai Rui would grow tired of their relationship.

Afraid that he, too, would start longing for a child of his own.

But Xiao Zhan could never allow that.

He couldn’t bear the thought of Bai Rui being with someone else, nor could he tolerate the idea of Bai Rui having a child that carried another woman’s blood.

He had been running away from these thoughts, deliberately avoiding them. He never let Bai Rui dwell on them either, as if ignoring the obstacles would make them cease to exist.

But today, Jiang Peipei had laid everything bare. She had stripped away that illusion and forced Bai Rui to confront the reality of their situation.

Would Xiao Ran wake up now?

Would he realize that their relationship would never be accepted or blessed by others?

That in the eyes of the world, they were nothing but a joke?

Xiao Zhan admitted it—at that moment, he was afraid.

Terrified that Bai Rui would listen to Jiang Peipei’s words.

Terrified that he would agree with her.

Terrified that he would say something cruel, something that would shatter Xiao Zhan’s heart completely.

He couldn’t wait any longer—he had to step forward; he had to forcibly claim the young man with a possessive kiss, declaring his sovereignty.

But the moment he felt the resistance in Bai Rui’s body, Xiao Zhan felt as though his heart was being torn apart.

Bai Rui was rejecting him.

He didn’t want to be kissed.

Did that mean… He didn’t want him anymore?

And now, looking at Bai Rui’s current expression that showed he had given up resistance entirely—was this complete disappointment?

But, Xiao Ran… I truly… I can’t let go anymore…

If you really can’t stand it and want to leave… then we might as well go down together!

Rip!

With a harsh tearing sound, Xiao Zhan ripped open Bai Rui’s shirt, stripping him completely with rough, unrestrained movements. His scorching lips and tongue trailed over every inch of skin, as if branding Bai Rui with an inescapable mark.

A faint sting spread across his skin, a dull ache settling in as deep purple-red marks covered his entire body—even down to the tops of his feet.

Bai Rui’s mouth twitched.

Lao Hei had always mocked Xiao Zhan, saying his territorial instincts were too strong, and Bai Rui now realized those words weren’t an exaggeration at all.

After careful preparation, Xiao Zhan became one with his lover, and as soon as Bai Rui adjusted, he began moving with relentless intensity.

Something was wrong.

Bai Rui could feel it.

Their encounters were usually intense, but never like this.

Tonight, it was as if Xiao Zhan was trying to break him apart completely.

Xiao Zhan held Bai Rui tightly by the waist, locking him in his embrace. Their limbs tangled together as if trying to fuse into one. Bai Rui felt like his waist might snap from Xiao Zhan’s grip.

But then—suddenly—a burning heat landed on his cheek.

Hot, damp, unmistakable.

Tears.

Xiao Zhan was crying.

That powerful man—who always acted as if he was invincible—was crying.

Bai Rui felt his throat tighten, his heart clenching violently.

He was willing to let his lover vent his desires to calm himself down, but only on the condition that Xiao Zhan wasn’t overthinking things. Right now, it was clear that Xiao Zhan had gone down a spiral of self-torture, his own mind driving him to the edge.

Bai Rui found it a little ridiculous—his lover was being quite stupid right now.

But even so, he couldn’t deny it.

His heart ached.

It ached terribly.

He grabbed a fistful of Xiao Zhan’s hair, forcing him to look at him. As expected, Xiao Zhan’s face remained icy cold, but his bloodshot eyes were silently shedding tears.

It was obvious he didn’t want Bai Rui to see him like this, so he turned his head away in embarrassment.

And yet—despite all this—his movements didn’t stop.

If anything, they became even more aggressive, as if the stronger the physical sensation, the deeper the pain in his heart.

Bai Rui raised an eyebrow.

Seeing Xiao Zhan’s normally expressionless face streaked with tears was certainly… novel.

But spoiled brats couldn’t be indulged.

Without hesitation, he lifted his hand and slapped Xiao Zhan across the face.

The sharp crack echoed in the room, stunning Xiao Zhan completely. His movements finally came to a halt.

For a moment, Bai Rui thought he had gone too far—especially when he saw that Xiao Zhan’s tears were about to spill even more furiously.

He quickly pressed his lips together, a hint of unease flashing across his face before he spoke in a soft, trembling voice.

“…Do you not want me anymore?”

Xiao Zhan froze.

Bai Rui’s lips quivered, his eyes glistening with unshed tears as he choked out his next words.

“Is it because of what Jiang Peipei said? Are you planning to break things off with me?”

“Are you really going to marry another woman?”

“But Xiao Zhan, I can’t take it. I can’t lose you, and I refuse to share you with anyone else—not even in name! If that happens, I’ll die. I really won’t be able to live!”

Tears welled up in Bai Rui’s eyes as he trembled in Xiao Zhan’s embrace.

At that moment, all of Xiao Zhan’s pain and fear melted away in an instant.

So… it wasn’t just wishful thinking on his part?

So Xiao Ran had been furious too—furious enough to reject Jiang Peipei outright.

Xiao Ran even said that losing him would kill him!

Bai Rui looked up and saw that Xiao Zhan was still frozen, seemingly too shocked to respond. Without hesitation, he bit down hard on Xiao Zhan’s shoulder, only releasing him when the taste of iron filled his mouth.

The sharp pain snapped Xiao Zhan back to reality.

The stinging sensation was so real—it wasn’t a dream. The sorrow that had been suffocating him was swiftly replaced by joy and warmth.

Xiao Ran had chosen him.

Xiao Ran loved him just as deeply.

Xiao Zhan gazed intently into Bai Rui’s eyes, wanting nothing more than to tell him—

You’ve got it all wrong.

I’m the one who wouldn’t survive without you.

“Xiao Ran, my Xiao Ran… Don’t ever leave me; never, ever leave me! There will never be anyone else. It’ll always be just the two of us, okay?”

Hearing Xiao Zhan’s desperate plea, Bai Rui knew he had finally soothed him. Without hesitation, he nodded firmly and pressed gentle kisses along Xiao Zhan’s cheeks and brows, letting him feel his affection and joy.

Xiao Zhan’s heart melted into a puddle.

He didn’t even know when it had happened—when his feelings for this young man had grown so deep.

For years, his life had felt dull and lifeless. But now, with Xiao Ran in his arms, everything had changed.

In the heat of their near-separation, he had nearly lost control, ready to burn everything to the ground. But now, as he held Bai Rui close, he finally understood—this person in his arms had long since become more important to him than his own life.

As he claimed his lover with both tenderness and urgency, Xiao Zhan whispered a silent apology in his heart.

I’m sorry, Xiao Ran. Even if you regret this in the future, I will never let you go.

Bai Rui had no idea how the banquet outside was progressing.

Or rather, he didn’t have the energy to care.

Xiao Zhan’s relentless demands left him utterly spent, unable to tell night from day. His body ached; his waist felt like it was about to break, yet he still did his best to respond to Xiao Zhan, to give him everything he wanted.

Such absolute surrender—such complete trust—finally erased the last traces of fear in Xiao Zhan’s heart.

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TN:

my face throughout this chapter: 😐😏🤨😱🤭