Chapter 26: Arrogant Big Star

Ji Xingci gave Lin Wu a rough explanation, mainly to recreate the situation from last time.

To play it safer and draw things out, he decided to check himself into the hospital directly.

After all, Ji Xingci refused to accept what had happened. If only he’d been prepared last time, he definitely could have caught that bastard!

This time, he was absolutely steering clear of all stick-like weapons…

He was determined to redeem his honor.

Lin Wu listened intently, nodding occasionally. Then he carefully wrapped his arms around Ji Xingci.

“But you’re just pretending to go to the hospital, right? You won’t actually have surgery… will you?”

Ji Xingci shot him a glance and furrowed his brow.

“So what if I do the surgery?”

“It’s none of your damn business anyway.”

Lin Wu clearly wasn’t offering help out of the goodness of his heart! Ji Xingci was still nursing his grudge, fuming at the mere thought of it. With that, he shook off Lin Wu and stormed into the bedroom.

Lin Wu paused for a moment, then hurried after him.

“Let me come along, okay? If you’re stuck in the hospital waiting for that attacker to show up, I’ll be worried sick. I won’t be able to eat or sleep.”

Lin Wu draped himself over the edge of the bed, negotiating with Ji Xingci. In the end, he simply scooted closer and hugged him, his voice coaxing and sweet.

“Ji Xingci…?”

Ji Xingci didn’t agree outright, but he didn’t refuse either—and he certainly didn’t push away Lin Wu’s embrace.

The next day, sure enough, he brought Lin Wu along.

Lin Wu breathed a sigh of relief.

Logically speaking, now that Ji Xingci had tipped him off that it was a trap, Lin Wu could have just stayed away.

But in reality, Ji Xingci had only confided in him. If Lin Wu ignored it completely, it might look like he already knew the plan ahead of time. There was no telling if Ji Xingci would read too much into that.

Besides, to sell the ruse, Ji Xingci had genuinely booked an abdominal surgery at the hospital.

What if Lin Wu didn’t tag along and Ji Xingci ended up heading straight to the operating room?

Task completion was non-negotiable for Lin Wu. He couldn’t afford even the slightest risk.

So he had to go.

At the very least, he could assess the situation on-site and play it by ear.

The VIP ward in the private hospital was outrageously luxurious.

To keep nosy patients from wandering by in hopes of spotting the celebrity—and to make it easier to station bodyguards discreetly—Ji Xingci had booked out nearly the entire floor.

He’d even installed extra surveillance cameras outside, with special guards posted in vehicles nearby.

The window blinds were angled just so: outsiders could make out vague shapes inside without seeing anything clearly. He needed the attacker to think he had a shot.

Ji Xingci changed into a patient gown and idly flipped through a book in the room.

Lin Wu threw himself into the role of devoted bedside companion, even peeling an apple for him to eat.

From the corner of his eye, Ji Xingci kept watching Lin Wu.

The young man’s side-swept bangs draped over his temple, his hair pulled into a neat little ponytail at the nape of his neck. His long, pale fingers clutched the apple and paring knife; even his casual movements made those hands look stunning.

Yesterday, when he’d been mad, he hadn’t…

But damn it all, Lin Wu was acting like nothing had happened.

The more Ji Xingci dwelled on it, the more irritated he got…

“Hey.” Ji Xingci pressed his lips together. “Come here.”

Lin Wu set the apple aside and obediently stepped up to him.

“Do something with me.”

Lin Wu froze. “…Huh?”

It took him a moment to catch on, and his face flushed as he glanced back at the door.

“We’re in a hospital…”

Medical staff occasionally passed by outside.

“That’s exactly why. We need to get caught.”

Ji Xingci laid it out. “That creep who attacked me? He’s obsessed with me—probably some deranged sasaeng fan.”

“He’s got eyes everywhere in this hospital. The second he spots you getting cozy with me, jealousy will drag him right out into the open.”

Lin Wu blinked.

“Oh… I see.”

“But if he’s that jealous, won’t he come after me?”

“Idiot! Of course I’d protect you.”

Lin Wu grinned.

“What are you smiling at?” Ji Xingci felt his cheeks heat inexplicably. “So… do something.”

Lin Wu was already leaning in to kiss him.

Ji Xingci had figured he’d go for something bolder, more heated…

But Lin Wu simply cradled his face, kissing him slow and deliberate, inch by inch. And somehow, that left Ji Xingci lightheaded, convinced this was precisely what he’d craved.

He loved how Lin Wu poured every ounce of focus onto him—every touch gentle, intent, reverent. As if he truly adored him…

The hem of Ji Xingci’s patient gown lifted suddenly.

Lin Wu murmured, “Did you express the milk yourself this morning?”

Ji Xingci: “…”

Lin Wu bit his lip. “Why didn’t you call me?”

“You said it grossed you out.”

Ji Xingci dredged up the grudge once more.

Lin Wu looked utterly wounded. “How can you say that? I’ve never once…”

He didn’t get to finish. A commotion erupted outside.

“Is Ji Xingci really in there?”

The bodyguards blocked them. “Sorry, miss, no unauthorized visits.”

Lin Wu started toward the door to check it out, but Ji Xingci yanked him back.

“Don’t go near the door. Hide. Fans can’t catch us sharing a room.”

“…”

He’d talked a big game about getting seen, but now that actual fans had shown up, Ji Xingci wanted zero chance of anyone clocking his sexuality.

In the original text, he’d never come out publicly anyway.

Lin Wu’s smile turned strained. He had no choice but to retreat to the room’s corner, discarded like yesterday’s tool once more.

…

That evening, to bait the attacker, Lin Wu was sent to rest in a separate room. All the obvious bodyguards pulled back.

Ji Xingci waited alone.

He’d been caught off guard last time. Not this time—he was ready for anything.

A custom wrist guard hugged his forearm, lined with slim, razor-sharp blades.

On the table sat a German tactical pen, its tungsten-steel tip sharp enough to punch through glass. His pocket held a compact strobe flashlight and a canister of high-pressure pepper spray.

Ji Xingci settled onto the bed, phone in hand, looking for all the world like he was about to doze off.

In truth, his screen displayed the external surveillance feed.

His pulse stayed even, breaths deep and measured—but his senses were dialed to eleven, attuned to the faintest whisper from the hallway.

Seconds ticked by.

The rumble of a nurse’s cart rolled past in the corridor, then faded into the distance.

Silence fell, absolute.

Then—

Ji Xingci’s face hardened. Every camera he’d planted had gone to static.

His muscles coiled like springs, fingers clamping silently around the blade on his arm.

What kind of tricks did this guy have up his sleeve??

No matter. If he showed, that was enough.

Word of Ji Xingci being alone in the hospital again would draw him out, just as planned.

Ji Xingci held his ground, ears straining for any hint of movement outside.

Faint footsteps—agonizingly soft—crept closer.

Footsteps halted right outside his door.

Ji Xingci gritted his teeth and decided to take the initiative. He yanked the door open, only to find pitch blackness beyond it—no one in sight.

How could that be?

His brows furrowed. He had just taken a single step forward when something felt terribly off.

A nimble shadow flitted past like a ghost, leaping from the doorframe to land behind him.

Ji Xingci didn’t even have time to react before he was slammed flat onto the floor.

His finely crafted steel dagger flew from his grip, clanging against the wall before ricocheting back into the intruder’s hand in an instant.

The icy blade rose high, then plunged into the ground with a resounding bang.

Ji Xingci’s breaths came in ragged gasps as cold sweat drenched his body.

Somehow, a handcuff had snapped around his wrist, pinning it firmly to the floor with the dagger.

The man whose face he couldn’t make out straddled him, letting out a cold sneer.

“You wanted to see me that badly, huh?”

“All this effort, just for a glimpse of me.”

Lin Wu paused for a beat before continuing.

“Your hole aching for me that much?”

Ji Xingci’s face flushed crimson in an instant. He thrashed in fury. “You—bullshit—”

But the man didn’t hesitate, pinching his chest hard. With that kind of force…

Ji Xingci shuddered in pain, his hospital gown growing damp.

He panted heavily, humiliated by his body’s traitorous response, and clearly heard the man’s mocking laugh.

The shame burned through him. Ji Xingci couldn’t stop his eyes from reddening.

“You bastard!”

“Who’re you calling a bastard?”

With Ji Xingci’s hands securely cuffed to the floor, he was helpless.

Lin Wu stood up leisurely, hoisted Ji Xingci’s ankle, and sent the items tumbling from his pants pocket flying with a casual kick.

Then he stomped down right in the center.

“Urgh!”

“Say it—did you miss me?”

Ji Xingci huffed in rage, his neck and forehead flushed red. “You… you dare…”

“I’m asking you a question.” Lin Wu wanted to end this quickly and applied a bit more pressure.

Sometimes, he truly admired Ji Xingci’s resilience. Even under his foot, it wasn’t going soft.

Lin Wu pursed his lips. “Do you think about me every day? Hole so needy it itches like crazy?”

“You! Urgh…” Ji Xingci had never endured such treatment. Rage made his head spin, his face burned scarlet, and his teeth ground together audibly.

But Lin Wu could feel it… growing even more spirited beneath his sole.

“…”

“Urgh! Stop—no, enough… enough already!” The handcuffs rattled as Ji Xingci yanked at them.

“Yes, I… I wanted to see you!”

Lin Wu froze. Ji Xingci wouldn’t swallow his pride like this for no reason.

If he was yielding so easily, something had to be wrong.

He glanced up—and an arrow streaked straight toward his heart. Lin Wu twisted aside in a frantic dodge, but it still grazed him.

Faint sounds echoed from the end of the corridor—likely Ji Xingci’s bodyguards arriving.

Lin Wu had only intended a quick appearance before slipping away. Without hesitation, he abandoned Ji Xingci and bolted.

Ji Xingci was livid. As Lin Wu fled, he wrenched the dagger free and sprang up to give chase.

“Stop right there!”

But Lin Wu didn’t head for the elevator or stairs. Instead, he shouldered open a door in the corridor disguised as a utility closet.

Ji Xingci rushed after him and flung it wide.

It wasn’t a closet at all, but the entrance to an abandoned, narrow medical equipment passage.

Damn it—this was a hidden part of the hospital layout he hadn’t known about!

The intruder had vanished.

Ji Xingci punched the wall in frustration. The handcuff still dangled from his wrist, leaving it raw and red.

The bodyguards were already sweeping the floor.

Ji Xingci considered his options and decided to check on Lin Wu first.

To make sure he was safe.

He’d sprinted like mad during the chase, but now, climbing the stairs, he lagged behind. Only then did he register the full-body ache. His legs felt unsteady, and he had to rub at his sore chest.

His ears turned red as he muttered curses under his breath.

Even so, it only took a few minutes to reach Lin Wu’s room.

Inside, Lin Wu had just changed into fresh clothes. He pressed a hand hard against his lower back.

A sheen of cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Just below his right shoulder blade, the bleeding had fully stopped, but an ugly red streak remained—a stark reminder of that arrow.

A normal wound like this would take weeks to heal.

Yet right before Lin Wu’s eyes, a timer ticked down.

【Emergency repair application approved. All other functions temporarily disabled.

Estimated remaining repair time: 1 hour, 58 minutes, 21 seconds.】

Lin Wu closed his eyes.

Still too slow.

By now, Ji Xingci stood at his door.

“Open up.” Ji Xingci’s voice was weary, then turned puzzled.

“Lin Wu?”

Lin Wu exhaled slowly and opened the door as if nothing were amiss. The moment he saw Ji Xingci, he pulled him into a tense embrace.

“Are you okay?”

Ji Xingci stiffened.

“What were you just doing?”

Lin Wu blinked. “Huh?”

Ji Xingci touched his hand. “You’re breaking out in cold sweat?”

Lin Wu replied, “Yeah, I was so worried about you.”

“Then why was the door locked?”

Ji Xingci’s gaze drifted instinctively toward Lin Wu’s back.

Lin Wu could calculate the peril with crystal clarity. He was in deep trouble.

Not only did he have that back wound, but a torn black outfit and a bloodstained cloth lay hidden under the bed, untouched.

Unless he could distract Ji Xingci for the next two hours and keep him from inspecting closely…

He’d be exposed for sure.

Ji Xingci’s frown deepened as he strode inside. “Didn’t I tell you not to open the window?”

He headed straight for it, but Lin Wu suddenly clasped his hands and pressed them to his own face.

“Xingci… let’s do it.”

Ji Xingci halted, eyes widening.

“Huh?”

Hot tears fell into his palm. “You have no idea. I’ve wanted you so badly all along. Every day has been torture.”

“I held back because I was scared I’d hurt you like that guy did. But it only made you misunderstand me. You don’t know how wronged I feel.

“And today, that bastard hurt you again, didn’t he? It kills me…”

Dazed, Ji Xingci found himself backed against the wall. Lin Wu’s lips brushed his ear, tears trailing down his neck.

“He’s awful for bruising you like that. Let me comfort you, okay?”

Ji Xingci’s face flamed red, his ears tingling. “But yesterday you…”

“You’re misunderstanding me again! How could I ever dislike you? I’ve always thought your little tummy was so sexy… and yours… I crave a taste every day. Just thinking about it…”

Lin Wu watched him sidelong, guiding his hand. “I’m terrified you’ll think I’m some kind of pervert…”

Ji Xingci gripped him tight, and his legs instantly went weak, his head spinning.

“But it feels so uncomfortable, Ji Xingci… I can’t wait any longer.”

Lin Wu’s body was warm and carried a pleasant scent. Every word from his lips was exactly what Ji Xingci longed to hear, and every movement was precisely what he craved. It left Ji Xingci dazed and flushed with surging desire.

Ji Xingci’s hands were still cuffed, and with them, he looped his arms around Lin Wu’s neck.

The two of them came together in a heated kiss.

But Ji Xingci’s phone kept ringing nonstop.

The bodyguards outside were searching for him.

Damn it—he was supposed to direct them to review the surveillance footage again.

Ji Xingci was torn, practically dying inside, but he had no choice except to push Lin Wu away first.

“Wait… just wait a moment. We’ll do this tomorrow.”

He had to take care of business first.

Lin Wu’s eyes flickered with a subtle gleam, almost imperceptible. He stood obediently in place, watching as Ji Xingci left.

But halfway to the door, Ji Xingci’s steps slowed to a crawl. Gritting his teeth, his face burning hot, he couldn’t take it anymore. He spun around, flung the door open, and stormed back.

Damn it, he couldn’t hold out even for a second!

Lin Wu had moved to stand by the bedside. He turned with a dazed expression, looking at him.

Ji Xingci locked the door. Into his phone, he barked, “Pull back! Guard the perimeter outside.”

Then he tossed the phone aside and strode over in three big steps, shoving Lin Wu down onto the bed.

Lin Wu froze in shock.

…

Before long, sweat slicked both their bodies.

Ji Xingci was burning with impatience and had wanted to take him right then and there. But he was too big, and with no preparation…

It simply wouldn’t work.

Lin Wu had been lying on his back, which tugged painfully at the wound there. With no other choice, they switched positions.

“Lie still.”

Lin Wu’s hair, tied up in a ponytail, had come slightly undone, with a stray lock of bangs falling across his face. It framed his sparkling eyes, black as night with whites pure as snow. The defined lines of muscle in his arms stood out sharply.

Ji Xingci stared at him like this, and his heart suddenly pounded wildly.

“Lin Wu…”

The handcuffs still bit into Ji Xingci’s wrists, leaving them red and raw. Bruises marked his body. But in that moment, he cared only for Lin Wu’s face. He raised his hands above his head, gripping the headboard tightly without thinking.

Lin Wu helped ease him first. The fierce beast he’d been melted away in his hands, soft and pliant as if simmered to tenderness.

Finally, as they aligned… a lifetime of spotless missions flashed before Lin Wu’s eyes like a montage.

Lin Wu’s ears burned red. He pressed his lips together and hesitated for a moment.

Ji Xingci’s voice came out hoarse and thick, words slurring together.

“Quick… hurry…”

Lin Wu squeezed his eyes shut. Sweat dripped from his brow. He steeled himself, and he thrust in.