Chapter 21
Night fell, and it was time for bed.
Wen Linyu was in the bathroom. Gu Chi hadn’t followed him in, nor had he offered to bathe him. Yet, alone in the steamy bathroom, Wen Linyu’s face flushed crimson.
His memory was always excellent. Although he had tried to suppress them, now that he knew Gu Chi was his teacher, the memories resurfaced with vivid clarity.
Undressing under his teacher’s gaze; his teacher’s hands on his body; his teacher holding his hand, his waist, his foot, even kissing it…
And following him invisibly to school, whispering in his ear, pulling him close, sitting on his lap…
The more he thought about it, the hotter his face became. He had never imagined his teacher would be so…
Well, still a pervert.
But it didn’t matter. He was too.
The steam couldn’t cool him down. His eyes and skin were damp, his body warm. But the “gentleman” Gu Chi wouldn’t be joining him tonight.
After a while, Wen Linyu finally calmed his racing heart and cooled his heated body, his mind turning to more practical matters.
He was a coward. Despite the ten years, despite Gu Chi’s teachings, when faced with something he truly cared about, his instincts were to retreat. He hadn’t had the courage to confess his feelings before leaving.
But his feelings had grown unchecked, like weeds, impossible to contain.
Now, his teacher was in his world. He had no reason to back down. He should be even more greedy, as this opportunity was too precious.
His teacher had taught him this too. If you want something, use any means necessary to obtain it.
He pushed his wet hair back, his eyes now clear and determined, a hint of excitement in their depths.
He didn’t understand why his teacher had initially concealed his identity. Knowing his teacher, it was probably a whim. And upon arriving in his world, instead of explaining, he had resorted to threats and coercion. Perhaps he had been angry.
His teacher hadn’t known about the ten-year agreement with 998. His sudden departure must have angered him.
It was my fault, Wen Linyu thought.
As for his teacher’s actions towards him, was he angry? Of course not. It was his teacher. How could he be angry?
Besides—
Wen Linyu wiped the steam from the mirror, studying his reflection. He smiled faintly. Perhaps that first night, his teacher had simply been acting on impulse, choosing a random way to punish him.
He might not actually like him.
But it didn’t matter. At least it showed his teacher was interested, that he wanted something.
This was an advantage. He needed to utilize it, utilize his body, to strengthen his position. He wanted Gu Chi to stay, not just as a temporary punishment for a disobedient apprentice, but forever.
“Little Tong, can you open your store? I suddenly want something.” He turned off the shower, carefully dried himself, and put on a bathrobe, leaving his hair wet, the droplets tracing a path down his neck.
“Pfft—” 998 spat out its cyber soda. With Wen Linyu clothed, the censorship was gone, and it had a clear view of his unusually alluring appearance in the mirror.
“Damn it! Why does that demon get such a good deal?! Such a tempting wife actively seducing him!”
998 was indignant, but then it remembered how long the host had pined for his teacher, surrounded by malice, with only Gu Chi to guide and empower him. Interfering would be a betrayal.
It opened the store. It was rich now, thanks to Wen Linyu. It generously offered him anything he wanted, even recommending a few bestsellers from other systems.
Thinking about the items was one thing, but seeing their names still made Wen Linyu blush.
Gu Chi had been pacing outside the bathroom. What was taking so long? Had he fallen asleep in the bath?
He wanted to go in and check, but he glanced at his phone, reading the expert’s latest advice, and reluctantly knocked on the door.
The door opened before he could even speak.
He instinctively looked at Wen Linyu. As a powerful cultivator, his eyesight was exceptional.
He saw Wen Linyu’s flushed collarbones, the glimpse of his chest revealed by the loosely tied bathrobe, the damp skin of his neck, and the water droplets tracing a path down his temple and disappearing beneath the fabric.
Once again, Gu Chi froze, his body rigid.
His little apprentice had captivated him again, even more intensely than before.
A surge of desire coursed through him, overriding the expert’s advice about respect and personal space. He wanted to…
Do what? What was he supposed to do?
He didn’t know, his forehead beaded with sweat, his throat dry, a strange heat consuming him.
Wen Linyu, seemingly oblivious, calmly dried his hair with a towel, walking past Gu Chi, leaving a trail of the scent of his shower gel.
The scent was ordinary, but Gu Chi followed it instinctively.
When Wen Linyu sat on the edge of the bed, Gu Chi’s gaze was fixed on him.
His eyes were dark, like pools of ink, giving him an air of mystery despite his current bewildered state.
Wen Linyu, after drying his hair for a while, finally spoke, his voice carefully neutral: “Aren’t you coming?”
Gu Chi didn’t reply, but he moved, getting into bed and sitting beside Wen Linyu.
Their hands brushed against each other. Wen Linyu’s heart pounded. His teacher’s hand was burning hot.
He exhaled, his voice still calm: “Do what you want.”
Gu Chi, seemingly speechless, his hand moving as if with a mind of its own, pushed Wen Linyu down onto the bed, his hot breath against his neck.
Wen Linyu’s heart hammered against his ribs, his eyelashes fluttering. Just as he closed his eyes, Gu Chi pushed him away.
Gu Chi slapped himself, snapping out of his desire-fueled haze: “No!”
He hadn’t redeemed himself yet, hadn’t apologized. Forcing himself on Wen Linyu would only push him further away. The expert had said to maintain physical distance, to avoid any actions that might cause further resentment.
Wen Linyu was stunned: “What?”
998 leaned back, thoroughly entertained. This wasn’t my doing! He had the chance, and he blew it! Consulting that stupid expert, serves him right!
