Chapter 31

Lin Zhi resolutely dialed Song Mian’s number. Once the call connected, he squatted on the ground and tentatively called out, “Song Mian?”

“Mm?”

The low response came, but Lin Zhi couldn’t tell if he remembered anything. “Call my name?”

“Lin Zhi, having another episode?” Song Mian’s clear voice mixed with English voices from his end and reached Lin Zhi’s ears.

Lin Zhi was satisfied. He changed from squatting to sitting on the sofa, saying comfortably, “That’s more like it. Curse me out one more time!”

Song Mian: “……”

Lin Zhi seemed to hear Song Mian’s ellipsis and grew even more pleased. “Are you busy right now?”

Song Mian: “Mm.”

Lin Zhi thickened his skin: “Ugh… brothers or work—which is more important?”

Song Mian corrected him, “Quasi-boyfriend.”

Lin Zhi’s ears turned bright red. He suddenly flung himself onto the sofa and whispered conspiratorially into the phone, “Am I more important or is work?”

Song Mian’s tone lightened. “You.”

Lin Zhi buried his head in the sofa, his voice muffled. “Then can you ditch work and come back to keep me company?”

There was a pause of several seconds on the other end before he asked, sounding somewhat surprised, “Are you acting coquettish?”

Lin Zhi immediately refuted, “No.”

Song Mian’s tone turned flat. “Hanging up.”

“Wait!” Lin Zhi hurriedly shouted. “Will you come back?”

Song Mian was quite heartless. “No, you’re not acting coquettish.”

Lin Zhi: “Ugh! Ugh! I am acting coquettish!”

Song Mian made a demand now that he had him pinned. “Act coquettish for me to hear?”

Lin Zhi, the tough guy, acted coquettish. “Come back and keep me company~~~”

Song Mian: “Who should come back and keep you company?”

Lin Zhi sensed something off. He asked sincerely into the phone, “You’re doing this on purpose.”

Song Mian admitted without hesitation. “Mm. Say it or not? If not, I’m hanging up.”

Lin Zhi acted coquettish in frustration. “Hubby! Hubby, come back and keep me company.”

Song Mian chuckled lowly. “Alright, coming back right now.”

After ending the call, Lin Zhi’s face flushed bright red. A straight guy like him was going all out like this for his life! Lin Zhi, respect yourself!

As for Song Mian—Song Mian’s true nature was just wicked!

Once the mission was done, they’d cut ties!

Half an hour later, the sound of a keycard swiping came from the hotel door. Lin Zhi waited at the entrance. The moment Song Mian entered, Lin Zhi instinctively recalled everything Song Mian had done to him when he was a doll. His eyes turned timid.

Song Mian furrowed his brows and pinched Lin Zhi’s face. “You called me back just to make this expression at me?”

When he was a doll, Song Mian only ravaged him— this pinching felt incredibly gentle by comparison. It was just a face pinch; Song Mian was capable of far worse.

Lin Zhi looked up. The Song Mian before him… wasn’t much different from the one when he was a doll! Same face; the only change was a bit more expression. Who knew if the wicked Song Mian was just pretending not to remember!

Lin Zhi thought it over and cleverly probed, “Did you… customize a mini plush doll that looks just like me?”

Obvious surprise flashed in Song Mian’s eyes.

Lin Zhi observed closely. This reaction was like being caught off guard—clear proof that Song Mian had no memory.

Lin Zhi declared loudly, “Throw it away!”

Song Mian continued rubbing his face without agreeing to toss it, only asking lowly, “How did you know?”

Lin Zhi hugged his arms, acting cold. “Guessed! I bet you still want to do all sorts of excessive things to me!”

Song Mian: “Mm.”

Lin Zhi’s eyes widened. “You’re admitting it?”

There wasn’t a shred of guilt in Song Mian’s eyes. “Why not admit it? Aren’t we mutually in love?”

“We’re not…” Halfway through, Lin Zhi stopped. He still had a mission. He pushed Song Mian’s hand away, not daring to look at him, and suddenly pressed his head against Song Mian’s chest.

Song Mian hadn’t even rubbed his face red, but this alone made Lin Zhi’s face heat up rapidly, the flush spreading to his slender neck.

Song Mian’s eyes darkened. He reached out to steady Lin Zhi’s waist, his lips curving. “Acting coquettish?”

Lin Zhi didn’t speak. Instead, he rubbed against Song Mian’s chest like a tough guy acting coquettish, then tilted his face up—steaming red—and asked, “How long will your seven times take?”

Such an ambiguous tremor in his voice made it impossible for Song Mian not to think impure thoughts. Gritting his back teeth, he cupped Lin Zhi’s face. His thumb explored the soft flesh of his cheek, casually brushing his nose tip. Lin Zhi’s warm breath sprinkled on Song Mian’s fingertip. Song Mian impassively pinched his face again, his voice hoarse. “Teasing me?”

Lin Zhi’s eyes darted evasively, but he amplified his voice for courage. “Yes, teasing you!”

Desire gradually intensified in Song Mian’s eyes. “Not sure. Never done it. Want to try?”

Of course he had to try.

Lin Zhi clenched his fists, steeled himself, and cast aside his straight-guy baggage. “We need to finish seven times before seven tomorrow night.”

Eight was too tight; better leave an hour buffer.

The words had barely left his mouth when Song Mian’s breathing grew heavy. He gripped the back of Lin Zhi’s head and kissed him.

This time, Song Mian’s kiss was exceptionally rough. Lin Zhi pushed frantically, but Song Mian held him tighter, occasionally letting him breathe while saying, “Breathe deeper. Let me hear it.”

Lin Zhi was no match for Song Mian at all. This man was incredibly seductive.

Lin Zhi practically melted in Song Mian’s arms. When Song Mian came at him again, he stubbornly pushed. “No kissing.”

Song Mian pinched his face. “Treating me like a gigolo?”

Lin Zhi shook his head innocently and pushed harder. Song Mian looked at Lin Zhi, whose eyes were reddening from the bullying, and obligingly pulled back. Lin Zhi scrambled to the bed and sprawled out, his voice muffled. “C-come on.”

Lin Zhi faced it like a hero going to his death, but then his whole body trembled. He kicked his feet but couldn’t budge, glaring at Song Mian like a little beast. “Don’t touch me there.”

The scorching, large hand still gripped his ankle, even sliding higher. Then Song Mian released him. Just as Lin Zhi sighed in relief, Song Mian stood and said, “I’ll go buy condoms.”

Lin Zhi: “Ugh.”

Blushing furiously, Lin Zhi pulled Song Mian back and resumed his position on the bed. “Just keep touching me instead.”

“Not even letting me wear a condom?”

Lin Zhi was at his limit! What kind of talk was this!

“I-I can’t get pregnant anyway. Condoms cost money!” Lin Zhi yelled super loudly.

Song Mian chuckled lowly, reminding him, “The hotel walls aren’t that soundproof.”

Lin Zhi buried his head again, mumbling softly, “R-really no need to buy. We should save where we can.”

Song Mian’s voice was hoarse. “Fine, as you say.”

Lin Zhi: “Ugh.”

Song Mian pressed his ear to Lin Zhi’s chest, as if listening to his heartbeat and the vibrant pulse of life in his veins.

Lin Zhi grumbled, “What? Think I’m dead or something?”

A sudden chill emanated from Song Mian. Upon seeing Lin Zhi’s indignant face, he calmed. He kissed Lin Zhi’s eyes, nose, and lips, cradling his cheeks with both hands. His thumbs couldn’t resist pressing again as he said earnestly, “I still like you like this.”

Lin Zhi frowned. “Like what?”

Vibrant and full of life.

Song Mian pressed his forehead to Lin Zhi’s. “What do you think?”

Lin Zhi feigned composure. “My handsome look, probably.”

Song Mian smiled. “Mm.”

Lin Zhi felt a bit shy. Song Mian not teasing him felt strangely off.

That night.

The hotel room was a mess, clothes scattered on the floor. Lin Zhi lay like a fish dying of thirst, motionless as Song Mian fed him water.

Once his dry throat eased, Lin Zhi refused when Song Mian tried to carry him to bathe, even when Song Mian warned that leaving it unclean would cause fever and discomfort.

Lin Zhi curled vigilantly in Song Mian’s arms and closed his eyes. After he fell asleep, Song Mian checked his breathing and heartbeat for a while before finally drifting off reassured.

The next morning past nine, Lin Zhi finally woke. He was dazed at first. Moving even a second later made his body ache like it had fallen apart. But then he discovered something terrifying.

He was super clean.

Damn!

System bro hadn’t mentioned this kind of emergency.

Lin Zhi looked around—no Song Mian. He called for the Romance Survival System to ask about the current status, but it didn’t appear.

Last night, system bro said it was avoiding the scene in case of witnessing the crime, so as long as Lin Zhi survived until eight, the mission was complete.

Unreliable! So unreliable! How to handle this special situation now!

The keycard swiped again, and footsteps in leather shoes approached. Song Mian returned from outside to see Lin Zhi huddled in the bed corner, wrapped in the blanket, glaring at him resentfully with a wrinkled expression.

Song Mian suppressed his amorous thoughts and walked over. “Afraid I’ll put on pants and run? Went to buy breakfast.”

Lin Zhi: “You—”

He startled himself with just one word from his throat. Wh-what duck voice was this??

Lin Zhi’s expression turned weird.

Song Mian had bought light porridge, which Lin Zhi hated most.

Song Mian set the thermos aside, wrapped Lin Zhi up, and propped him against the bedhead. He touched Lin Zhi’s forehead. “No fever now. You had a slight one when you woke earlier; I fed you fever meds. So we can’t skip cleaning. Want to burn up in bed?”

Lin Zhi was about to complain but fell silent at Song Mian’s serious expression.

Feeling awkward again, Lin Zhi buried his face in the blanket. After hesitating forever, he mumbled, “R-replenish it for me.”

Song Mian’s brow arched slightly. He sat beside him, opened the thermos unhurriedly, and asked, “Replenish what?”

Lin Zhi gripped the blanket tight, pushed himself up with effort, and glared at Song Mian, his voice trembling. “Wh-what you took from me.”

Song Mian’s eyes darkened.

Lin Zhi flopped back down, face burning red, and urged bluntly, “Hurry, hurry. I don’t want porridge or food. I just want to do it with you.”

Song Mian’s gaze burned so hot Lin Zhi couldn’t lift his head.

Lin Zhi whispered, “Ugh.”

Song Mian’s Adam’s apple bobbed hard. His palm enveloped Lin Zhi, voice hoarse. “Do you know what you’re saying?”

Lin Zhi bit his lip. “I-I know! Ugh.”

**

When he woke again, it was already dark—7:43. Only seventeen minutes left. Lin Zhi was completely clean again. He despaired utterly.

Did Song Mian have some obsession? He never got fevers or sick! Now they were back to square one.

Song Mian leisurely sliced carrots at the coffee table. Glancing at Lin Zhi’s gaze, he said, “The carrots you wanted. Cut small so your throat doesn’t hurt when you eat.”

Did he want them? He vaguely remembered asking Song Mian to go easy, but he hadn’t. He’d just wanted carrots, that’s all.

Lin Zhi was heartbroken. He ate the small pieces Song Mian fed him absentmindedly.

Tasteless. He checked his wristwatch repeatedly. At 7:59, his anxiety peaked.

He suddenly hugged Song Mian tight, trembling. Song Mian lowered his lashes and gently stroked his head, soothing him.

Time ticked by. Song Mian was still there; Lin Zhi too. Lin Zhi looked up. Song Mian’s other hand held the plate as he gazed down. “Clung enough?”

Lin Zhi released him and checked the time. 8:03!

Lin Zhi was thrilled. He snatched the plate, shoving carrots into his mouth rapidly.

Delicious!

After finishing, he casually handed the plate back, chin lifted arrogantly as he turned hostile. “It’s over.”

“Eh?” Song Mian was puzzled.

Under those pitch-black eyes, Lin Zhi’s gaze flickered, then he deemed himself the innocent victim. Staring firmly and righteously at Song Mian, he declared boldly, “We’re not dating, so no breakup. Song Mian, we’re cutting ties!”

Song Mian paused, his gaze sweeping over Lin Zhi’s exposed skin. His eyelids lifted slightly, voice dangerous. “Looking like this, covered in my kiss marks, and you say we’re cutting ties?”

Lin Zhi said deeply, “Mm!”

Song Mian chuckled lightly and gently pinched his cheek, eyes deepening. “Keep dreaming, baby.”

B-baby?

Lin Zhi’s eyes widened. He clutched the blanket tight, alert. “Y-you… you have memories?”

“What do you think, baby?” Song Mian gazed at his watery eyes, lips curving in amusement. “I said I’d give you seven times all day tomorrow.”

“But we’ve already gone over.”