It felt better than before.
In theory, this should be the last wave of his heat. The lingering effects of Peach Fragrance were far less intense than in the past, and his mind was clearer too. Wen Jiang sat on the sofa, slowly scanning the unfamiliar room, still with enough presence of mind to wonder where in the amusement park he was.
He had half-jokingly thought before that as long as his heat didn’t hit him outside, it would be a win—and sure enough, he’d caught right at the tail end of it. Normally, in a situation like this, one would find the nearest bathroom to handle it, but Xie Qi clearly aimed higher, dragging him to an empty room instead.
The nearest hotel was outside the park anyway, and it hadn’t felt like they’d walked that far. There was no bed here, but there was a sofa, a table, a TV—like an independent lounge. Xie Qi had spoken a few words with someone at the door, giving Wen Jiang a strong sense of deja vu.
“This is a new rest area; it hasn’t opened to the public yet.” Xie Qi shut the door and returned, dropping to one knee in front of Wen Jiang as he spoke. Wen Jiang hummed in acknowledgment and casually kicked Xie Qi’s calf. Xie Qi paused, then obediently went down on both knees.
Seeing Wen Jiang staring at him, Xie Qi took his hand and asked, “You okay?”
Wen Jiang blinked slowly, thinking, Kneeling quite proficiently.
Is this the result of my training?
“Fine.” Feeling it warranted a little reward, Wen Jiang reached out and ruffled Xie Qi’s hair as he spoke.
The gentle touch on his head—it had been a while since Xie Qi had been petted like this. His face flushed even as a restless heat stirred within him. He took this as an “opportunity,” but the preparations here were rushed, and it wasn’t as comfortable as home.
There was no familiar environment for Wen Jiang here, no favorite body pillow, no bed he’d grown accustomed to sleeping in. No post-care bath to soak in comfortably afterward. Xie Qi gazed at the somewhat languid Wen Jiang, hesitated, then asked, “Do you… know what might happen at a time like this?”
This line sounds so familiar too. Wen Jiang understood what Xie Qi meant and replied matter-of-factly, “You should show your health check report first.”
It was a matter of principle—one that couldn’t be compromised. The physiological health manual emphasized that partners needed to take basic safety precautions too.
Xie Qi: …
Fine! Xie Qi let out a sigh laced with admiration, ending in a chuckle. He stopped dwelling on it, lowered his head, and gently kissed the smooth back of Wen Jiang’s hand. “Alright, next time I’ll bring it for you.”
For now… Xie Qi dipped his head again, pausing just before his teeth caught the waistband of Wen Jiang’s pants. His throat bobbed as he pulled back and looked up at Wen Jiang. “How about a different way this time?”
Wen Jiang blinked, silently questioning the reason. Xie Qi answered honestly, “Otherwise, I won’t be able to kiss you.”
This logic… Wen Jiang mentally ranked the priorities—or rather, the “cleanliness” levels of the acts. He knew that last time at dinner, Xie Qi rinsed his mouth before using it down there, so that ranked above food. And after using his mouth down there, they couldn’t kiss right away, so kissing ranked higher still. And by common sense, the mouth was for eating anyway, so…
Oh, I see. In Xie Qi’s mind, the three form a neat little cycle.
Wen Jiang had a sudden realization, only to think in the next second, My head really isn’t clear yet.
He lowered his gaze and saw Xie Qi still gazing at him eagerly. His hand brushed against Xie Qi’s Neck Collar.
His usually warm fingertips lightly grazed Xie Qi’s throat, startling him into a flare of heat, like dropping a spark into an oil jar. Then those fingers slid along the collar, hooking the edge below. Thanks to the Suppressor‘s special elastic material, Wen Jiang’s index and middle fingers easily slipped between the skin and the collar.
No collar tag this time, but it would do. Wen Jiang tugged the collar, pulling Xie Qi to his feet. Xie Qi’s breath hitched, fully submitting to the pull on his neck as Wen Jiang drew near. From kneeling, he shifted, half his body squeezing onto the sofa with him.
“Okay.” Wen Jiang’s voice was a bit lower than usual as he gave permission, his fingers withdrawing without lingering—like a dragonfly skimming water. All that remained was the soft snap of the collar rebounding against Xie Qi’s neck.
Fuck. That faint sound snapped Xie Qi back to himself. He dove in immediately, capturing Wen Jiang’s lips. One arm snaked around from behind to hold him close, the other hand sliding down his abdomen, unceremoniously shoving his other half onto the sofa too.
He kissed fiercely, tongue plunging into Wen Jiang’s mouth to stir and plunder greedily. Perhaps because Combat System students excelled at kinesthetic memory, Xie Qi had grown adept at kissing. In terms of technique alone, no one would guess he’d given his first kiss just last night.
Wen Jiang casually draped a hand over Xie Qi’s shoulder, going along with it. He had always been an excellent student—quiet and receptive when learning something new. Otherwise, he wouldn’t observe Xie Qi’s “theoretical reserves” through practice.
This indulgence and tacit permission made Xie Qi lightheaded with elation for a moment. His hand grew bolder, primal urges kicking in. The image of Wen Jiang in his mind—always a duality of strength and weakness—had its boundaries blurring from Wen Jiang’s recent compliance, unconditionally tilting toward the soft, alluring butterfly. Like sweet poison, a tempting trap.
Maybe— Xie Qi deepened the kiss, pressing Wen Jiang down onto the sofa. Maybe he could have even more—
A sudden yank from behind on his Collar, ruthless as punishing a disobedient dog. Xie Qi was forced to lift his head. The fact that it came from Wen Jiang instinctively erased any thought of resistance. And so the S-Grade Combat System esper was hauled back. In the next breath, he’d lost his dominant position, reduced to lying atop Wen Jiang and gazing up at him.
Those indifferent eyes locked onto Xie Qi from above. Wen Jiang gripped him steadily and suddenly reminded him, “The doctor said no doing this for the next few days.”
Little indulgences were fine, but nothing major. So more rewards and punishments shouldn’t enter this foregone game of dominance. They should be deployed now instead. Wen Jiang said softly, “This time, you be the obedient one.”
Don’t let anyone do things against doctor’s orders.
Xie Qi’s breath caught, his vision pulling back. He saw Wen Jiang’s disheveled collar, his lips gradually flushing red. His throat bobbed again. He couldn’t possibly quench his thirst for Wen Jiang, but those words held some magic, chaining him like a lock, unable to stray beyond the boundaries Wen Jiang had set.
A question from long ago resurfaced in his mind: Were all his actions born from pure desire to claim more, or from instinctive submission?
If he did poorly, Wen Jiang would punish him.
If he did well, Wen Jiang would reward him.
“…Sorry.”
Xie Qi submitted, his voice hoarse almost to the point of instinct. Under Wen Jiang’s silent permission, his hand slid down again. The rustle of fabric followed, and scorching heat pressed together.
His movements were gentle and careful, serving solely for Wen Jiang’s comfort. Xie Qi turned his head to kiss Wen Jiang’s soft earlobe, coaxing, “Like this… okay?”
