Chapter 18
After a few days at the General’s residence, Old Madam’s birthday banquet arrived as scheduled. Noble families from the capital came bearing gifts, and Tao Rouxuan also arrived with Lu Hongzhi.
“Injured again?” Tao Rouxuan was surprised to see her son injured again after just a few days. She looked at Lu Lin inquiringly.
Before Lu Lin could speak, Chu Bai Xu, who had come over while Madam Chu was entertaining guests, explained what had happened at the training grounds. “Mother didn’t want to worry you, so she didn’t send anyone to the Lu residence.”
The distress in Tao Rouxuan’s eyes hadn’t faded. Lu Mian had always been under her meticulous care, and she couldn’t help but hold his hand, which he had placed on her cheek, and softly say, “It doesn’t hurt.”
His simple response brought tears to Tao Rouxuan’s eyes. Her son, despite being injured, had become more sensible, making her feel a mix of emotions. “Mother knows, my Mian Mian has suffered.”
Lu Mian shook his head. After comforting Tao Rouxuan, he glanced at Lu Lin, whose gaze was fixed on him, his eyes deep and unreadable.
The look reminded him of the mornings they had shared recently. Because of his head injury, Lu Lin had been sleeping with him.
Strangely, though, Lu Mian always slept against the wall, but would wake up in Lu Lin’s arms the next morning, not knowing when he had rolled over.
Lu Mian lowered his head in shame.
He was such a restless sleeper, and only Lu Lin didn’t complain. It was a good thing he hadn’t tried sharing a bed with his roommates before, or he didn’t know how much they would have disliked him.
“Let’s go to the banquet,” Chu Bai Xu said, then went to greet the guests, glancing at Lu Lin before leaving, entrusting his younger brother to his care.
Lu Lin: “Let’s go.”
He extended his hand naturally. Lu Mian lowered his head and instinctively reached out, his hand enveloped by Lu Lin’s larger one, held securely.
Lu Mian: OoO!
In full view of everyone, only the two of them were holding hands. It felt strange.
Just as Lu Mian was about to pull his hand back, Lu Lin’s grip tightened, and his shoulder was embraced.
Lu Lin pulled him closer. “Be careful.”
The General’s residence was crowded with guests today, and the courtyard was full of people. Just as Lu Mian was pulled closer, he heard an apology. A servant carrying ornaments hadn’t seen him and almost bumped into him. Fortunately, Lu Lin had pulled him aside.
“It’s fine, be more careful next time,” Lu Lin said to the servant.
Despite his words, the servant sensed his displeasure from his cold tone and hurriedly nodded before leaving.
Lu Mian thought, I was overthinking it again.
After Old Madam’s birthday banquet, he would be returning to the Lu residence with Tao Rouxuan.
After they were seated, Chu Bai Xu came over.
“Younger Brother.” After spending time together these past few days, he felt closer to his younger brother. There was a hint of reluctance on his face. “Remember to visit the General’s residence often after you go back, come and see Older Brother.”
Lu Mian nodded.
Chu Bai Xu was delighted. His efforts these past few days hadn’t been in vain, although he had accidentally caused another head injury…
He was feeling quite touched when a mischievous glint flashed in Lu Mian’s eyes. “Come and see Grandmother, come and see Aunt.”
Chu Bai Xu looked at him expectantly. After Lu Mian finished mentioning Old Madam and Madam Chu, he closed his mouth and met his gaze.
Their eyes met, and Chu Bai Xu choked.
Sometimes he really felt that his younger brother was even more mischievous than before, only appearing foolish on the surface, while secretly plotting something.
Lu Lin glanced at Chu Bai Xu, whose cheeks were starting to redden with anger, then at Lu Mian, who was sitting quietly and behaving himself. A strange feeling stirred within him. He wanted Lu Mian to turn around and look at him.
Chu Bai Xu was exasperated. “What was the point of all my efforts these past few days?”
Lu Mian hadn’t intended to provoke him, but he couldn’t help but reply, “You were being a good boy.”
A soft chuckle came from beside him.
Chu Bai Xu glared at Lu Lin and angrily turned to leave.
Lu Mian watched him go, his back radiating anger, and laughed inwardly.
Then Lu Lin asked, “Happy now?”
Lu Mian’s gaze darted around.
He didn’t understand what he was talking about.
Lu Lin glanced at him, then suppressed his smile and turned his head.
Lu Hongzhi was frowning at him. Their eyes met for a moment, then Lu Hongzhi snorted and muttered, “Becoming more and more unruly.”
Lu Lin’s eyes darkened slightly.
Sitting at the same table, Lu Mian also heard this, but he didn’t understand what Lu Hongzhi meant and frowned at his attitude.
Ultimately, Lu Hongzhi was the main cause of Lu Lin’s suffering in the first half of his life. If he had shown Lu Lin even a little bit of care, he wouldn’t have been reduced to such a state in the Lu residence, bullied even by lowly servants.
The more Lu Mian thought about it, the more unfair it seemed.
He had been well taken care of by Lu Lin these past few days and already considered him a roommate. Now, seeing his roommate being bullied, he couldn’t just sit there and do nothing.
Lu Mian’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly picked up his chopsticks, pretending to struggle. Before Lu Lin and Tao Rouxuan could help, he flicked his wrist, and a green pea flew through the air, landing directly on Lu Hongzhi’s hair.
Instantly, the entire table fell silent.
Lu Hongzhi was momentarily stunned, then his face turned livid.
Tao Rouxuan paused, then offered him a handkerchief. “Mian Mian was injured recently, please don’t blame him, my lord.”
Lu Hongzhi glanced at Lu Mian, then suppressed his anger and took the handkerchief. “Madam is right.”
Lu Mian, under Lu Hongzhi’s gaze, felt his blood run cold. He had forgotten that, compared to the villain, Lu Hongzhi was the truly vicious cannon fodder.
Originally, the entire Lu family, except for Lu Lin, who later became the villain, were all vicious cannon fodder, designed to cultivate the villain’s dark psyche. Now, Lu Mian was a different person, and because of him, Tao Rouxuan no longer made things difficult for Lu Lin.
But Lu Hongzhi was different; he was vicious to the core…
Lu Mian’s lips paled slightly, and his hand, resting on his knee, was held.
Lu Lin looked at him intently, his voice barely audible. “Don’t be afraid.”
Lu Mian lowered his eyes, the back of his hand gently caressed by Lu Lin’s fingertips, the touch calming him slightly. He reassured himself, “Not afraid, not afraid.”
With so many people present, Lu Hongzhi wouldn’t dare do anything to him.
Lu Mian hadn’t experienced much hardship in his life. Although he grew up in an orphanage, he hadn’t encountered much malice. On the contrary, the people around him had treated him with great kindness. Lu Hongzhi’s look had almost broken his defenses.
It was a look even more vicious and terrifying than Lu Lin’s on the first day they met.
Just then, Chu Bai Xu suddenly came over, Tao Rouxuan, who had left the table at some point, following him. He smiled and reached out to pull Lu Mian up. “Younger Brother, Grandmother is calling you.”
Lu Mian glanced at him, then at Lu Lin.
It was an unconscious glance, but it almost broke Chu Bai Xu’s heart. He said, slightly annoyed, “If it’s convenient, Eldest Young Master Lu can also come over.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Lin stood up and pulled Lu Mian away from the table. The group headed towards the main table.
Sitting at the main table, Lu Mian felt more at ease.
He had a feeling that Lu Lin’s gaze hadn’t left him throughout the meal.
Whenever he looked over, Lu Lin would be looking at him.
“Not eating?” Lu Lin placed a peeled shrimp in his bowl, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Why are you staring at me?”
Lu Mian picked up the shrimp and popped it into his mouth, wondering if he had oil on his face.
If that was the case, Lu Lin was too mean!
He had just stood up for him, and now he had something on his face, but Lu Lin didn’t say anything.
Thinking this, Lu Mian grabbed a handkerchief and wiped his mouth. Nothing.
He breathed a sigh of relief and started wondering again why Lu Lin was looking at him.
But this thought only lasted for a second; after all, it wasn’t the first time Lu Lin had done this.
Lu Mian finished his meal peacefully.
Old Madam held his hand. “Why don’t you stay for a few more days? The timing is just right.”
Lu Mian was wondering what timing she was referring to when Madam Chu smiled. “Yes, Mian Mian’s birthday is coming up soon. It’s a coincidence; your birthdays are only three days apart.”
So it was his birthday.
Lu Mian mentally counted on his fingers. Not only did he share the same name and appearance with the original owner, but even their birthdays were the same.
Just then, Tao Rouxuan came looking for him, and Old Madam had to let him go.
Lu Mian followed her. Before leaving, he turned back and walked towards Chu Bai Xu, who looked puzzled, took off a jade pendant he had been wearing since he transmigrated, and handed it to him.
Chu Bai Xu held the jade pendant, his eyes tearing up. “Mian Mian.”
As Chu Bai Xu looked at him with gratitude, Lu Mian raised his hand. “Pat, pat, little puppy head, no more worries or dread.”
Chu Bai Xu’s emotions froze. “…”
Chu Bai Xu, who had inexplicably become a puppy, turned and left with the jade pendant.
Lu Mian grinned and turned to leave, meeting Lu Lin’s gaze.
Lu Mian: OnO.
What was going on? Why had Lu Lin’s expression changed?
They left the residence one after another. Tao Rouxuan and Lu Hongzhi rode in one carriage, while Lu Mian and Lu Lin rode in the one behind.
Lu Mian glanced at Lu Lin, feeling uneasy, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask.
He felt that something was off about Lu Lin, and the thought of being alone with him in the carriage made his neck prickle with unease.
Perhaps his fears were about to come true.
For the first time, Lu Lin ignored him and got into the carriage first. Just as Lu Mian got in, he was scooped up and pulled over.
Lu Mian: OoO!
He was shocked to find himself sitting on Lu Lin’s lap.
Pervert!
And you said you didn’t like men!
Lu Mian panicked. Before he could struggle, a head buried itself in his neck. He looked down, confused, and saw Lu Lin leaning against him.
His collar was pulled down.
The bright red cinnabar mole was exposed.
The next second, Lu Mian cried out in pain, pushing Lu Lin’s head away. “Ow… it hurts! Why did you bite me!”
Lu Lin didn’t answer and didn’t move.
Lu Mian’s strength was nothing to him. He felt his neck being held, teeth grazing his skin. He felt like prey caught by a wolf, sharp teeth sinking in slowly.
“Lu Lin… Lu Lin!” Lu Mian was on the verge of tears.
This Lu Lin was truly crazy.
He had seemed fine during dinner.
No, something had been off during dinner; he had been staring at him.
Lu Mian’s voice was tearful. “Lu Lin, are you a dog?”
Only a dog would bite like this.
The person biting his neck finally stopped. Lu Lin pulled back slightly and looked at him, the ferocity in his dark eyes undisguised, his voice hoarse. “Yes, I am a dog.”
Lu Mian was stunned by his answer.
Lu Lin’s fingertip touched the teeth marks on his neck, the small cinnabar mole encircled within, now a brighter, more vibrant red.
Then, Lu Lin slowly parted his lips, his fingertip applying a bit more pressure, each word distinct. “And only I can be.”
Lu Mian stared at him, unconsciously repeating, “Only you…”
Lu Lin affirmed his words. “Yes, only me.”
Then, as a reward, he lowered his head and licked the mark with his tongue.
Tracing it carefully.
