Chapter 19
Lu Mian, caught completely off guard by Lu Lin’s second “attack,” felt a tingling sensation on his neck. This time, it wasn’t a bite.
Realizing what the other was doing, Lu Mian quickly pushed him away. This time, Lu Lin was easily pushed back.
“Let me go!” Lu Mian pulled up his collar, trying to suppress his panic.
Lu Lin’s eyes were dark as he stared at him for a moment, then released him.
Lu Mian immediately slid off his lap, clutching his collar, and retreated to a safe distance. His first words were accusatory, “You said you didn’t like men!”
He had trusted him wrongly.
Last time, it was licking the tears off his face, this time biting his neck. Lu Mian’s inner turmoil was indescribable; he even felt a little embarrassed, but Lu Lin was clearly the one at fault!
Lu Lin met his gaze, his answer the same as before. “I don’t.”
The distrust in Lu Mian’s eyes was almost palpable, until he heard Lu Lin’s next sentence.
“I only like you, because it’s you.”
He liked him, regardless of whether he was male or female.
Lu Lin looked at Lu Mian, his eyes filled with undisguised possessiveness.
That predatory gaze trapped Lu Mian, making him feel restless. It was as if something deep within him had been struck, a burning, intense affection overflowing from those narrow eyes, locking onto him, binding him, directed solely at him, impossible to ignore.
This was the first time Lu Mian had been looked at like this.
Since transmigrating, he had gained a family – a mother, grandmother, aunt, and cousin – but they all cared for him because of his identity.
But now, Lu Lin’s gaze seemed to see right through him; it was a look meant only for him.
Lu Mian’s heart trembled, and he instinctively wanted to escape, to pretend he didn’t understand.
But Lu Lin reached out and grabbed his wrist.
Lu Mian looked down; slender fingers intertwined with his, holding tight.
Lu Lin: “Don’t be afraid of me.”
I’m terrified of you, Lu Mian thought.
He tried to pull his hand back, but Lu Lin held on tight. Lu Mian said angrily, “You’re not a dog.”
The light in Lu Lin’s eyes dimmed instantly.
Lu Mian’s cheeks puffed out slightly as he said angrily, “You’re a pervert, a rogue!”
The storm brewing in Lu Lin’s eyes subsided, replaced by a faint smile that gradually deepened. He admitted, “I am.”
Lu Mian was stunned by his shamelessness. He couldn’t win against him, nor was he as thick-skinned.
Just then, the carriage stopped; they had arrived at the Lu residence. Lu Mian seized the opportunity, pinched Lu Lin, and slipped away before he could react.
Lu Lin glanced at his empty palm, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes, followed by an uncontainable smile.
He hadn’t been met with disgust or even aversion.
So… he could take his time.
Thinking this, Lu Lin got out of the carriage and saw the figure running ahead. His head injury had just healed, and he was already acting up. He was about to follow when he heard a voice, “Unfilial son!”
Lu Lin stopped and turned around.
Lu Hongzhi’s expression was cold, a flicker of disgust in his eyes as he looked at him. “If you want to become an official, then control your temper.”
Lu Lin’s expression also turned cold. He met his gaze for a moment, then curled his lips. “The same goes for you, Master Lu.”
He hadn’t called him Father, and he hadn’t even acknowledged him at the General’s residence today. Lu Hongzhi was furious and was about to reprimand him when he saw Lu Lin turn and leave, his hands trembling with rage.
“Stop right there!” he roared.
Seeing that Lu Lin didn’t even pause, Lu Hongzhi’s face contorted with anger, his veins bulging. As the figure disappeared from sight, a vicious look appeared in his eyes.
Lu Mian, unaware that Lu Lin had been stopped by Lu Hongzhi, thought he had escaped successfully. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he ran into his room and slammed the door shut.
“No one is allowed to come in!” Lu Mian shouted towards the door.
A-Qing and A-Ping, standing outside, exchanged glances. “Yes, Young Master.”
Lu Mian, hearing their reply, brought a small stool over and sat down. Soon, he heard them stopping Lu Lin.
Lu Lin looked at the closed door, his voice calm and unhurried as it reached the person inside. “Don’t want me to come in?”
Lu Mian didn’t answer.
After a while, he heard Lu Lin say, “I’ll come back later.”
He wouldn’t open the door later, not for anyone.
He had to protect himself; boys were vulnerable when they were out and about, Lu Mian thought to himself.
When Lu Lin returned later, Lu Mian indeed wasn’t planning to open the door, but then he heard Tao Rouxuan’s worried voice. “Mian Mian, open the door? It’s Mother.”
Lu Mian immediately stood up.
Ahhh, that cunning Lu Lin!
He had actually brought Tao Rouxuan.
Lu Mian had no choice but to open the door and let them in, but he didn’t even glance at Lu Lin, who had followed Tao Rouxuan inside, because he was still angry.
As soon as Tao Rouxuan entered, she cupped his face in her hands, her voice full of concern. “Mian Mian, what’s wrong? Why are you hiding alone? Can you tell Mother what happened?”
Meeting her caring gaze, Lu Mian didn’t want her to worry, so he shook his head and mumbled, “I’m fine.”
Tao Rouxuan talked to him for a while longer before feeling slightly reassured. But before leaving, she instructed Lu Lin to take good care of him.
Lu Mian: TvT.
Mother, you’ve entrusted him to the wrong person!
As soon as Tao Rouxuan left, Lu Mian stepped back, looking at Lu Lin warily.
Lu Lin didn’t approach him, his eyes deep as he looked at him. “If you don’t like it, I won’t touch you.”
Lu Mian: “Really?”
Lu Lin replied, “Of course.”
Lu Mian hesitated, then slowly relaxed after Lu Lin reassured him again.
They returned to sleeping in separate beds, and Lu Lin seemed to keep his word, maintaining a distance. After a few days, Lu Mian finally felt less uneasy, although a strange, undefined emotion lingered in his heart, which he didn’t dwell on.
That day, Lu Lin didn’t return home at the usual time.
Lu Mian sat at the dining table, wondering if he should start eating, but it didn’t seem right to eat before him. As he was thinking, he heard hushed voices outside and walked towards the door.
“Are you sure?”
“Eldest Young Master failed?”
“I didn’t expect that even with Old Master Ji’s guidance, Eldest Young Master still…”
A-Qing and A-Ping sighed. Eldest Young Master’s status in the residence had risen recently because of Young Master, and the servants had become more respectful towards him, so they naturally paid more attention to him.
Moreover, it was the palace examination; everyone in the capital was watching, and they hadn’t expected…
They were about to continue when A-Qing suddenly stopped. “Y-Young Master.”
Lu Mian looked at him, his lips twitching slightly.
If he could, he really wanted to cure A-Qing’s stutter.
A-Qing was startled, then relaxed, remembering that their Young Master wasn’t quite right in the head. He changed the subject to something their Young Master could understand. “Young Master, shall we serve the meal?”
Lu Mian pursed his lips and didn’t answer.
So he had failed, just like in the original plot.
He had thought Lu Lin would pass the palace examination this time.
Lu Mian felt a pang of disappointment and quietly returned to his room.
Lu Lin didn’t return until almost nightfall. As soon as he entered the residence, he heard A-Qing and A-Ping whispering by the courtyard wall.
“Why do you think Young Master refuses to eat?” A-Ping asked anxiously.
Lu Mian was their master; if their master wasn’t well, they, as servants, were also worried.
A-Qing replied, “Perhaps… because Eldest Young Master isn’t here?”
A-Ping paused, the more he thought about it, the more sense it made. “No wonder. He usually eats with Eldest Young Master. Should we tell Madam?”
A-Qing was about to speak when he saw a figure in the distance. “Eldest Young Master!”
A-Ping turned his head.
Lu Lin approached. “He’s not eating?”
The two stiffened, knowing that Eldest Young Master had overheard their conversation. Fortunately, they hadn’t said anything inappropriate, so they nodded.
Lu Lin walked past them towards the room, and through the slightly open door, he saw the figure slumped over the table.
Listless and dejected.
Lu Lin’s throat tightened, and he slowly walked in.
Lu Mian, hearing the movement, thought it was A-Qing and A-Ping trying to persuade him to eat. “Not eating.”
Lu Mian didn’t know why he was worried about Lu Lin.
Even if he failed this time, according to the plot, Lu Lin would still be able to re-enter officialdom and rise to the top, eventually becoming the Chief Grand Secretary.
But before, he had been just a villain in a book, a fictional character. After transmigrating, Lu Lin was no longer a cold string of words, but a living, breathing person.
A clear voice came as the door closed. “Not eating?”
Lu Mian’s whole body trembled, and a tall, straight figure came into view. He suddenly opened his eyes wide.
The candlelight flickered, and the person’s eyes seemed to hold stars, shining brightly.
Lu Lin’s heart ached, then a wave of joy and affection washed over him.
“Why aren’t you eating?” he asked, his voice low, as he slowly approached.
Lu Mian was still happy about Lu Lin’s return. Hearing the question, he paused. He didn’t know why he was happy, and likewise, he didn’t know why he wasn’t eating.
He was starving, his stomach almost growling in protest.
Lu Mian slowly lowered his head, a familiar scent enveloping him. A tall figure loomed over him, seemingly oppressive, yet restrained.
“Mian Mian,” Lu Lin called softly.
Lu Mian’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.
“Tell me,” Lu Lin said slowly, each word distinct, like a prisoner awaiting his sentence, “okay?”
Silence filled the air, a long, heavy silence.
“Mian Mian?”
The pleading tone made Lu Mian acutely aware of Lu Lin’s persistence. It was as if he wouldn’t stop asking until he answered.
“Just don’t want to eat,” Lu Mian replied softly.
Lu Lin fell silent.
Lu Mian waited for a moment, wondering if he had left. Then, a warm breath approached, and he was suddenly enveloped in a warm embrace, the warmth gradually intensifying.
A voice came from above. “I can’t wait any longer.”
Lu Mian was confused and slightly embarrassed. Why was he suddenly hugging him?
Hadn’t he promised not to touch him…?
Before Lu Mian could speak,
Lu Lin said again, “I’m going to kiss you.”
