Chapter 17
Lu Mian was completely stunned.
What was Lu Lin doing?
The warm breath and the other’s clean scent enveloped him, and Lu Mian’s already hazy mind stopped functioning altogether.
Lu Lin’s dark eyes stared at the dazed expression on the face he was holding, his heart softening. He pulled back slightly, his hand caressing Lu Mian’s chin. “I should really lock you up.”
That way, he wouldn’t always hurt himself and make him worry.
This thought was sudden, yet reasonable, as if he had wanted to do this for a long time.
Lu Lin had very few possessions in his life, and even fewer things he cared about. Yet, this silly, clumsy, and foolish boy had somehow walked into his heart, making him unable to let go.
Since he couldn’t let go, why not hold on tight?
Even if he couldn’t hold on in the end, he would…
His thoughts abruptly stopped, and Lu Lin bit his tongue. A sharp pain spread through his mouth, the metallic taste of blood filling his senses, his eyes flashing crimson, dark emotions brewing.
A soft cry came from beside him, and the darkness in Lu Lin’s eyes instantly dissipated. He looked down.
Lu Mian had just recovered from Lu Lin’s shocking act, his body recoiling as if startled, his eyes watery, the panic in them evident.
Lu Lin stopped himself from reaching out to catch him. “Did I scare you?”
His voice was very low, as if afraid to startle him further. His gaze softened, but a knot of unease tightened in his chest.
Lu Mian covered his flushed face, trying to suppress the rising embarrassment. He was a boy, and so was Lu Lin; there was nothing to be shy about, but it felt strange.
But Lu Lin was even stranger.
Why would he do such a thing? Lu Mian curled his fingers slightly, his eyelashes fluttering. He suddenly remembered the descriptions of Lu Lin in the book, but then quickly recalled that he had denied liking men.
Lu Mian rubbed his cheeks with his hands.
Seeing his conflicted expression, Lu Lin held his breath, as if enduring something. Then he heard the boy softly ask, “Lu Lin, are you a dog?”
After much deliberation, Lu Mian decided to trust Lu Lin for now. As for his previous actions… he would think about it later.
Lu Lin waited for a while, not expecting this response. Seeing him injured again, and then seeing the fear in his eyes after his own impulsive act, the complicated emotions swirling in Lu Lin’s heart suddenly dissipated.
He looked at Lu Mian and chuckled softly.
After a moment, Lu Lin reached out again, unable to control himself. This time, Lu Mian didn’t dodge, just looked at him with a questioning expression.
Lu Lin’s palm rested on his forehead, slowly moving upwards. His slender fingers threaded through his dark hair, his wrist bones slightly protruding, the veins on the back of his hand clearly visible, conveying a sense of possession.
“Shall I make you some honey water?”
His husky voice reached Lu Mian’s ears, and he couldn’t help but rub them, shifting slightly. “Make more,” he replied.
Lu Lin chuckled and stood up, withdrawing his hand. “Okay.”
After the door opened and closed, leaving Lu Mian alone in the room, he suddenly fell back onto the bed, a sharp pain shooting through the back of his head.
Lu Mian cried out, “Ow, ow, ow!”
He had almost forgotten about his head injury.
Thinking of this, Lu Mian started to worry about how he would sleep tonight. He had to try not to toss and turn, or he would aggravate the injury on the back of his head. But knowing himself, he knew he was a restless sleeper. What if he accidentally…
Just imagining the scene made Lu Mian wince. It would be so painful. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t hear the door open until Lu Lin appeared beside the bed.
Lu Mian was startled and looked at his empty hands.
“Not that fast,” Lu Lin chuckled. “It’s still brewing.”
Lu Mian stared at him.
As if understanding his unspoken question, Lu Lin said, “I wanted to come back and check on you.”
“Check on me?” Lu Mian finally spoke.
“Yes,” Lu Lin replied, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at him. “Check on you.”
Lu Mian paused, frowning slightly, lost in thought.
Just then, Lu Lin said, “I’ll sleep here tonight.”
His voice was soft, his gaze fixed on Lu Mian, his eyes dark.
Lu Mian was instantly alert, forgetting his pretense, his eyes meeting Lu Lin’s. “Sleep what? Sleep where?”
Lu Lin looked at his round eyes, his own reflection clear in their depths, as if they held another ‘Lu Lin,’ his gaze calm and gentle.
Lu Lin raised his finger and lightly touched the side of his head. “I’m afraid you’ll fall out of bed and get hurt again.”
His soft murmur resonated in Lu Mian’s heart, making it skip a beat, a sudden warmth filling the unease.
“You don’t understand!” Lu Mian quickly said, breaking the unsettling eye contact and interrupting the strange emotions blossoming within him.
Lu Lin naturally replied, “Is this your arrangement?”
That’s my line! Lu Mian glared at him, then pouted. “You talk too much.”
He fell silent again, shifting slightly on the bed. Lu Lin tilted his head, not waiting for him to speak, but continuing to ask, as if seeking his approval.
“Is it okay?” he asked again.
Lu Mian’s heart skipped a beat. Now, not only was Lu Lin acting strange, but he himself seemed to be malfunctioning as well.
He felt like he couldn’t think straight, as if he really had suffered brain damage.
Sleeping together.
Brothers could sleep together. Lu Mian had seen roommates sharing beds in his school dormitory before.
As if sensing his hesitation, Lu Lin said softly, “We’re brothers, there’s nothing wrong with sleeping together.”
Besides, this room had been prepared for both of them.
Lu Mian seemed convinced.
He couldn’t let Lu Lin keep sleeping on the tables; that would be too cruel. So he slowly nodded. “Alright then.”
Lu Lin’s lips curved upwards, a smile flashing in his deep-set eyes.
Lu Mian had readily agreed, but when it was actually time for bed, he sat on the bed, pressed against the wall, watching Lu Lin undress.
The young man wore an indigo inner garment. Now that his living conditions had improved, the faint outline of his muscles was visible beneath the thin fabric. As he raised his arms, the firm, smooth lines of his arms exuded strength.
Lu Mian watched, first with envy, then he swallowed nervously.
He felt they could probably settle a fight with a 30/70 split. Lu Lin three punches, him seven head injuries.
When Lu Lin turned around, and he saw the faint outline of his abdominal muscles through his slightly open collar, Lu Mian sighed again.
No wonder he could reach such a high position; Lu Lin was a true overachiever.
They were both scholars! And he had abs!
Lu Mian stared intently, unaware that the person he was watching was also looking at him, his gaze first on his face, then lingering on a particular spot.
Lu Mian was also only wearing an inner garment, a white silk one that draped loosely over his slender frame. Perhaps for comfort, it was a bit large, the neckline dipping slightly, revealing a delicate collarbone.
However, it wasn’t his collarbone that was most captivating.
Lu Lin’s gaze fixed on the hollow of the boy’s neck.
There, nestled between his collar and his hair, was a small, round cinnabar mole.
This was the first time Lu Lin had seen it.
He hadn’t known Lu Mian had such a small mark. He found it incredibly endearing.
His dark gaze lingered on the spot, as if licking it inch by inch, reluctant to leave.
Lu Mian suddenly shivered and hunched his shoulders.
Although the weather was getting warmer, the nights were still cool. Lu Mian wiggled his toes under the covers and burrowed deeper. When he looked at Lu Lin again, the latter had already adjusted his collar and walked over.
Lu Lin: “Going to sleep?”
Lu Mian nodded, echoing his words, “Sleep, sleep.”
Lu Lin got into bed, the mattress dipping under his weight. Lu Mian shifted further back, his back pressed against the wall.
He was going to sleep… with the villain.
Lu Mian’s heart was in turmoil. This was his first time sharing a bed with someone.
After a few seconds of thought, he said seriously, “I do exercises in my sleep, you can’t disturb me.”
Lu Lin looked at him for a moment, as if trying to understand what he meant, then nodded. “Mm, I won’t disturb you.”
Hearing this, Lu Mian slowly burrowed under the covers, turning his back to him.
Lu Lin glanced at him, then lay down as well.
Silence filled the room, only the sound of their breathing audible. The slightest movement could be detected by the other. Lu Lin lay still, his hands at his sides, his eyes half-closed.
After a while, Lu Mian wanted to turn over, but there was no movement beside him; Lu Lin seemed to be asleep.
He carefully turned over, then started tossing and turning. The back of his head ached faintly. He moved a few more times, then heard a soft groan beside him.
“Ah, you woke me up,” Lu Mian said, reversing the truth.
Lu Lin chuckled, his eyes still closed. “Did I?”
Lu Mian hummed, feeling that his head wasn’t as painful anymore. He quickly settled down, ready to sleep. His erratic breathing quickly evened out, then he turned over again.
Lu Lin opened his eyes just as he was about to turn, one hand gently pressing against the back of his head, the other pulling him closer, so that he was facing him.
The candle outside was still burning, a few rays of light illuminating the boy’s face. His usually lively eyes were now closed, his lips slightly pursed.
Lu Lin traced Lu Mian’s features with his eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing, his gaze unconsciously moving downwards a few inches.
The small cinnabar mole he had seen earlier was now close at hand, adding a touch of allure to the sleeping boy, like a night fairy, tempting him to fall into an abyss.
As he watched, Lu Lin suddenly froze.
He frowned, his gaze unable to leave the boy’s face. The more he looked, the more restless he became.
Lu Lin’s breathing deepened. After a moment of silence, he reached under the covers and pinched Lu Mian’s side, using a bit of force.
After the brief pain subsided,
Lu Lin continued to gaze at Lu Mian, as if he could stay awake like this forever.
After a while, he pinched him again.
He repeated this throughout the night.
