Chapter 25: “Let me have some fun.” [Koeyle, 22%]…
The rain outside finally stopped. Sunlight was precious in the cold, damp weather, both warm and gentle.
He Yue moved the easel outside, dabbed a few strokes of paint, and then simply lay down on the single-seater sofa to bask in the sun. The sunlight made his skin glow, even the fine hairs on his face faintly visible.
He was curious about what Koeyle would do. The indicator light on the remote, which had been lit until noon, was now off.
Tsk…
He Yue chuckled softly.
This clumsy tactic was like a child trying to attract a parent’s attention by resorting to breaking things.
However, the only progress was that previously, this naughty little dog’s disobedience stemmed from instinct and pride, but this time, it was driven by provocation, a desire to gain his attention.
The best approach, of course, was to ignore him.
So, He Yue neither pressed the remote to call him nor sent him any messages, peacefully enjoying his own time. He needed to cultivate this anxiety and rebelliousness further before capturing it in one fell swoop.
It wasn’t until nightfall that the indicator light on the remote suddenly lit up.
Koeyle awkwardly stepped through the door, looking up to see He Yue leaning against the railing, chin resting on one hand, watching him.
His long hair slid forward over his shoulder as he leaned, some of it plastered to his back. He was fiddling with the open remote control in his hand, looking down at Koeyle, whose face was flushed, either from the cold wind or the vibrations of the bamboo node, his eyes holding the familiar playful glint that Koeyle knew so well.
It made him feel more at ease than yesterday’s indifference.
“Has the colonel been instructing the new recruits recently?”
“…Yes.”
He Yue chuckled lightly. “Do those new recruits watching your demonstrations know that the colonel is hiding this kind of thing on him?”
The bamboo node itself was a completely different experience. The branch pressed against his imprint point, and even though it wasn’t sharp, its thinness made it feel like a needle prick, especially with the vibrations. Moreover, Koeyle couldn’t help but recall the events of the morning under He Yue’s teasing, his legs clamping together. He averted his gaze, not daring to meet the discerning eyes looking down at him.
He had been on edge all afternoon and evening, bracing himself for something to happen, but nothing did. Now, he was utterly exhausted. He waited for judgment like a lamb to the slaughter, only to be met with He Yue’s “Get some rest, Colonel,” a reprieve, and the now-still bamboo node.
He couldn’t understand this Master’s thoughts any better.
And so, the next day, the day after… He Yue made no moves. He watched as the dark circles under the increasingly late-returning colonel deepened, the pressure from the nuclear hole and the anxiety-inducing bamboo node constantly weighing on his mind.
Meanwhile, He Yue was working on his relief sculpture in the studio, completely at ease.
He wore a mask, applying plaster to the wall, then shaping it bit by bit according to his vision.
The wooden frame had been reinforced, and now, no matter how much he swung his legs while sitting on it, the ladder wouldn’t creak. Thus, he stayed in the warm, comfortable room, wearing comfortable, simple clothes, painting what he liked, completely indifferent to the colonel’s mental and physical torment.
In fact, he wanted the taut string in Koeyle’s mind to be stretched even thinner.
Until finally, the indicator light on the remote control didn’t even light up in the morning.
The time was ripe; it was time to cast the net.
(Is he still training new recruits?)
[It can be confirmed that the bamboo node is currently located at the new recruit training ground.]
He Yue, who hadn’t gone out for a long time, put on a well-fitting winter coat, tucked the remote control into his pocket, and left.
The sky outside was overcast, thick clouds blocking the sunlight, making everything look gray. The air was cold, and the damp, chilly wind seeped into his collar, quickly chilling his face.
He Yue wouldn’t have gone out if it weren’t for something important.
The scenery along the road to the training ground had changed drastically. The once lush trees were now bare branches after the storm, a scene of lifelessness. He Yue heard the listless chants as he walked past the training ground fence.
Then, he heard Koeyle’s powerful reprimands, audible from a distance, though he couldn’t make out the words.
He Yue walked along the path outside the training ground, the sound of Koeyle’s voice gradually fading. He entered the nearest building beside the training ground, swiped his card, and entered a single-person lounge on the second floor.
The lounge was well-lit, the window offering a clear view of the entire open-air training ground. Standing by the window, he could see the new recruits on this side of the fence and Koeyle standing in front of the formation.
He Yue pressed the remote control, aiming it at Koeyle.
Koeyle’s voice clearly paused. However, no suspicious blush appeared on his face. Although he froze, it was clearly not due to the bamboo node.
He unconsciously touched the pocket of his uniform jacket.
He pretended to be calm, instructing his subordinates, taking out his optical device and typing as he walked.
Soon, He Yue received a message: {Master, are you in the studio? I’m inspecting the new insects at the open-air training ground. I’ll come over now.}
He had even copied the previous message to save time.
He Yue was both amused and exasperated. The thought of this insect’s carefully crafted plan being exposed was incredibly entertaining. He replied:
{Bring the jade in your pocket and get your ass to the third lounge on the second floor of Building 3.}
The items the system had prepared according to He Yue’s request were all placed in this single-person lounge. It had thoughtfully prepared a wooden box to hold the blush-inducing items.
He Yue flexed his wrist. It had been a while since he had played a game of dominance, and his hands were itching.
The knock came soon after. The person who entered was panting, his forehead damp with sweat from running.
He leaned on his knees, catching his breath as he looked at He Yue, who was leaning against the closed window.
He Yue had taken off the bulky coat and was wearing a fitted outfit, the open collar of his shirt revealing his elegant collarbones, his long, slim pants accentuating his tall figure, and his polished leather boots gleaming. He tilted his head and chuckled softly, the smile not reaching his cold eyes.
“Colonel, including today, I gave you five days, but in the end, you didn’t make a wise choice.”
Koeyle understood and walked over, kneeling at his feet.
He had long anticipated this inevitable storm. The waiting only made him more anxious, and when the moment finally arrived, a strange sense of… excitement… welled up within him, dispelling the coldness.
He looked up at the beautiful yet sharp man and smiled.
“I was waiting for you,” he said, each word deliberate. “Please punish me, Master.”
[Koeyle, 22%]
Before anything even started, Koeyle’s value increased.
“Are you looking forward to it?”
He Yue’s voice was dangerous yet alluring.
“Don’t disappoint me, Colonel. Let me have some fun.”
…
