Chapter 12: Dark-Skinned Rugged Honest Man 12

Jiang Rang got the alpha settled and made it back to the Li Family Villa just shy of ten at night.

His smartphone had stayed dead silent the whole time—no messages at all, same as every other day that week.

Betas were naturally a bit slow on the uptake. Even when the butler had hinted that he should check in on Qi Yu, Jiang Rang hadn’t dared press the issue. He’d just sent a few stiff, polite messages of concern and reminders, and when there was no reply, he’d let it drop.

Jiang Rang used the towel around his neck to wipe the water droplets from his face. He was wearing a tight white sleeveless undershirt that hugged his muscular frame, and his steps were heavier than usual as he emerged from the communal bathroom at the back of the first floor.

It had been a long, exhausting day. After picking up medicine for the alpha, he’d swung by the night market. With the little fridge and kitchenette in his low-rent apartment in mind—and aside from some ready-to-eat food for tonight—he’d grabbed some discounted meats and veggies, planning to cook up a nourishing meal for the badly injured Chen Jingxu during tomorrow’s lunch break.

Bathing and applying medicine to the alpha had been a real workout too. Chen Jingxu had been completely uncooperative, showing a drowning-like terror at the very idea of getting in the water.

It had taken Jiang Rang ages of coaxing to calm the man down—like wrangling a child—and now he was utterly spent. With a helpless sigh, the young beta rubbed his forehead.

“Creeeak…”

The intricately carved dark wooden doors of the grand hall swung open.

In strode a long-haired man dressed in a sharp black suit and slacks. His face was pale and weary, shadowed by heavy dark circles under his eyes. All the weight he’d managed to put on over the past week seemed to have melted away, and a gloomy aura clung to him like wisps of black mist.

The moment he spotted Jiang Rang, the omega’s expression softened a touch. But then, as if he couldn’t hold it back any longer, the man pressed his slender fingers to his lips and let out a few low coughs.

The beta hadn’t changed a bit—he was still as caring as ever toward his male master. Hearing the coughs, he immediately fussed over the man with anxious questions. Once he confirmed it wasn’t anything serious, he hurried off to pour some tea. Finally, with utmost sincerity, he told the omega, “Mister, your health comes first. You really need to drink more hot water.”

The man gave a soft “Mm,” and actually drained the entire cup. Under the lights, his pale cheeks gained a faint flush, his long lashes fluttering slightly as the damp chill around him eased.

Qi Yu set the cup down and let his gaze drift over the appealing lines of Jiang Rang’s physique. Slowly, he said, “Why are you washing up so late? I heard from the butler that today…”

He seemed about to say more, but trailed off midway, his interlaced fingers tightening just a fraction.

Innocent as ever, the beta had no clue about these half-spoken undercurrents. He just blushed shyly and replied, “Mister, it was payday today. I asked Mr. Butler for the afternoon off, went out to buy some things for Dad and A Liu, and sent them the money while I was at it.”

Qi Yu leaned back halfway onto the sofa, idly stroking the faint scars protruding along his knuckles. His lowered face was mostly obscured by his thick black hair, leaving only a sliver of pale skin visible.

After a long pause, with his eyes still downcast, he asked flatly, “Who’s A Liu? I don’t think you’ve mentioned him much before.”

It was an intrusive question, way beyond the bounds of their simple employer-employee relationship.

But Jiang Rang, straightforward as a board, just pursed his lips in a bashful smile and answered honestly, “He’s my fiancé back home.”

Qi Yu fell silent for a moment, then lifted his gaze to the young beta. Mist swirled in his pitch-black eyes as he murmured softly, “You like him a lot?”

Jiang Rang nodded. The beta was endearingly guileless, wearing his feelings right on his sleeve, and he grinned dopily. “Yeah, A Liu’s always been really good to me.”

“Mm.”

The man said nothing more. The flush faded from his face entirely, and he seemed once again like a body possessed by a ghost—hollow and lifeless.

Truth be told, he knew he had no business asking.

Over the past week, he’d pored over every detail of Jiang Rang’s relationship with that beta named Hang Liu at least a hundred times.

What a heartwarming romance. What a perfect match they made. It left him looking like some filthy sewer rat, skulking around the edges of their happiness.

Qi Yu couldn’t bear to dwell on it any longer. The pounding in his head was making it hard to keep a neutral expression.

He didn’t want to lose it in front of the young beta—not when even his one decently presentable feature was already being warped by jealousy and neurosis.

So when his phone rang, the man snatched it up eagerly and rose to leave.

“Mm, no need to bother with Chen Jingxu. I have zero interest in taking in a cripple.”

~~~

Hearing those words made Jiang Rang’s chest pound fiercely. He couldn’t make sense of what Qi Yu meant—and suddenly, he found himself agonizing over whether he should get involved at all.

Inopportunely, the indecisive beta thought once more of the alpha’s pitiful, dependent expression—the way he whimpered even in his sleep—and in the end, his heart softened anyway.

~~~

Jiang Rang did not see Qi Yu the next day. Even the master bedroom was impeccably clean, making last night’s conversation feel like a dream. The beta even wondered if he had imagined the whole thing.

During his lunch break, Jiang Rang hurriedly changed his clothes and headed out.

Before leaving, one of the servants teased the young man. “You and Mr. Qi finally made up?”

The beta did not understand. He scratched his head. “Made up? Has Mr. Qi been mad at me lately?”

The servant paused. “Isn’t that the case? Mr. Qi used to act like he couldn’t bear to be away from you, but lately he hasn’t been coming back to the villa much.”

Jiang Rang suddenly understood. He smiled. “No, Mr. Qi has just been really busy lately. He hasn’t even had time to reply to my messages. How could it have anything to do with me? You’re overthinking it.”

In the end, Jiang Rang hurried away from the villa under the servant’s complicated gaze.

The low-rent apartment was in a remote location. To save time, the young man jogged the entire way there.

The weather was still quite warm. By the time Jiang Rang climbed up to the third floor, the back of his short-sleeved shirt was soaked with sweat.

He turned the key in the lock. After entering, the beta immediately shut the door behind him.

Jiang Rang casually wiped the sweat from his forehead. The low-rent apartment was dim and poorly lit. At first glance, he could not even spot where the alpha was.

But Jiang Rang quickly sensed that something was wrong.

The air was thick with white tea pheromones laced with bitterness. The emotions wrapped within them were sharp enough to cut, brimming with terror and helplessness. And mixed in was a faint, strange fishy smell.

Jiang Rang’s heart lurched. He fumbled for the light switch in a hurry, calling out anxiously, “Xiao Xu, it’s me—I’ve come.”

Silence. In the shadowy corner by the kitchen fridge huddled a trembling, curled-up figure.

Terrified of startling him, Jiang Rang steadied his breathing and lightened his footsteps. He slowly approached the man, murmuring softly, “Xiao Xu, I’m back.”

The fishy smell grew stronger. He was not sure if it was his imagination, but the young man thought he heard a strange, sticky chewing sound.

Just as the beta was about to touch the alpha’s shoulder, Chen Jingxu suddenly whipped his head around.

The moment Jiang Rang saw him clearly, his pupils contracted sharply.

The man was actually kneeling on the floor, clutching a chunk of raw, bloody meat in both hands. His pale, damaged cheeks—especially around the lips—were smeared bright red.

Chen Jingxu’s expression was dazed. His ink-green eyes brimmed with raw craving and hunger. His lips still moved mechanically as he chewed, his cheeks bulging with the effort. His bloodstained teeth resembled jagged saw blades at first glance, inspiring an instinctive dread.

For an instant, the beta lost control of his emotions and took an involuntary step back.

Confusion and fear flickered in the man’s eyes, like a child dreading a beating. He seemed unsure whether to drop the “food” in his hands, so he froze in place, staring warily at the young man.

Jiang Rang quickly regained his composure and pieced it together. He had not come that morning, and after starving all morning, the alpha could not hold out any longer. He must have spotted the meat Jiang Rang had left in the fridge the night before and assumed it was for him, so he had dug it out and eaten it raw.

Little Dog did not think there was anything wrong with eating raw meat. He was simply hungry.

A pang of sourness twisted in Jiang Rang’s heart. He regretted his negligence. Softening his tone, he said gently, “Be good, Xiao Xu. The meat is raw—we can’t eat it. I’ll make you something delicious right away, okay?”

Chen Jingxu stared at him for a moment, as if he understood. Remarkably obedient, he tossed the chunk of meat aside. Then he tilted his head up toward Jiang Rang, offering a stiff smile. He let out a soft “woof” and lifted his head even higher.

In that instant, inspiration struck the beta. He bent down gently, running his broad palm softly over the man’s fluffy hair.

Chen Jingxu let out a soft whine, his face showing pure enjoyment.

Just as he parted his lips to lick the young man’s wrist, Jiang Rang pursed his lips. “Not now.”

The alpha cocked his head, as if a pair of little dog ears had perked up atop it.

The young man could not help but chuckle. In a warm voice, he said, “Xiao Xu’s lips are dirty. We have to rinse your mouth first.”

The alpha nodded as if he understood, letting out another “woof” to show he got it.

The beta gently took the man’s hand. With great patience, he said, “We need to wash your hands too.”

Chen Jingxu stared intently at their clasped wrists. Jiang Rang’s hand was long but not delicate—it bore faint calluses—yet it was very warm, conveying an overwhelming sense of security.

But at that moment, the young man’s hand had gotten dirty too.

The alpha suddenly let out a soft woof and yanked his hand back. Looking anxious, he stubbornly rubbed it against his body, clumsily trying to scrub away the slippery, foul-smelling bloodstain on his wrist.

Jiang Rang chuckled and cleared his throat lightly. He said to the alpha, “It’s fine for today—you can get me dirty. Xiao Xu’s a smart one. Once he learns how to wash his hands later, he can help me out, okay?”

Chen Jingxu stared blankly at the young man’s smiling face. After a long moment, his ears gradually turned pink, and he nodded vigorously.

The beta took hold of the alpha’s wrist again and pulled with all his strength, but the man on the ground stayed dazed and didn’t budge an inch.

Jiang Rang realized what was happening—the other probably couldn’t stand and walk upright in his current state.

With a sigh, the young man half-squatted down. He guided the other’s arms around his neck, then gripped his buttocks and heaved.

He was an alpha, after all. Even so, Jiang Rang still found it a struggle to lift him.

The two of them finally shuffled over to the sink in this awkward yet intimate position.

The alpha proved obedient, mimicking every step perfectly as he gargled and washed his hands.

Just as they finished cleaning up as best they could, the alpha leaned in close and buried his head in the young man’s neck. He sniffed for a moment, then gave a light lick.

Jiang Rang’s neck was terribly sensitive. He couldn’t hold back a burst of laughter.

A flush crept across the young man’s face. His wheat-toned skin glowed with an open, handsome charm as he smiled. Drawing in a breath, he scolded, “No more licking—it’s too ticklish.”

Chen Jingxu laughed too, his gaze fixed on Jiang Rang as peals of laughter escaped him. All the while, he responded with soft woofs.

Time was getting on, and Jiang Rang was eager to start cooking. Half-embracing the alpha, he guided him to a stool in the living room and told him firmly not to wander off.

Chen Jingxu nodded with perfect obedience, his ink-green eyes sparkling with starlit dependence.

Jiang Rang paid him no further mind. Casually, the young man peeled off his blue short-sleeved shirt, baring a solid frame etched with beautiful honey-colored muscle.

Bloodstains marred the shirt. To avoid any awkward questions from others, Jiang Rang gave it a quick scrub first and hung it on the rack by the window.

He had no reason to be shy about it. Back in the countryside, he’d grown used to working bare-chested—it felt cooler and freer that way.

What the beta failed to notice was the way the alpha in the room fixed his gaze on that broad, bulging chest. The look in his eyes grew increasingly fervent.

The little dog’s innate oral fixation kicked in, compelling the alpha to grind his teeth ever so slowly.

Evidently, the little dog yearned desperately to explore and savor every inch of his master with lips, tongue, and teeth.