Chapter 29: Yaoxing Academy 29 Part 3

The tears dripping onto his face burned hotter than breaths. Xun Ji felt he was gradually getting used to Lu Zhou’s habit of crying whenever he felt like it in front of him.

“I know.”

Up on the Bell Tower, dangling in midair, Lu Zhou had once wanted to fall to give Xun Ji even a sliver more chance of survival. Xun Ji could think of no other reason besides Lu Zhou liking him to explain such behavior.

Once he understood Lu Zhou’s feelings, looking back on everything, Xun Ji could hardly believe how dense he had been.

On the eve of the Winter Sports Meet, Lu Zhou had said he had a wish—probably planning to confess after winning gold.

Later at the Xun Mansion, Lu Zhou had said he had something important to tell him upon return—likely a confession too.

But both times had failed.

Until today.

Lu Zhou would not let go of Xun Ji’s lips, repeating “I like you” lowly over and over, as if he had recited it silently in his heart thousands of times. The Little Dog did not bite this time, but the sensation of lips being nipped and licked felt too strange; Xun Ji turned his head away uncomfortably.

Lu Zhou stiffened, his reddened eyes widening slightly before squeezing shut fiercely. Then chaotic kisses and teardrops rained down like a storm.

“Don’t reject me… Xun Ji, even if you’re tired of me, you can’t abandon me… you can’t… you mustn’t…”

“I didn’t.” Xun Ji reached out, pinched Lu Zhou’s chin to create some breathing room, and said hoarsely, “I’m not rejecting you, so can you kiss properly?”

It was either biting or licking—clearly, the Little Dog had zero kissing experience.

Lu Zhou breathed raggedly, fearing Xun Ji would push him away next second. He mumbled a hasty “Okay” and leaned in again.

This time, Xun Ji did not let him mess around and met him halfway.

Lips and teeth met. Xun Ji’s palm slid from the chin along Lu Zhou’s neck, frowning slightly at the cold Magnetic Collar. He pulled out the Small Degausser he had prepared from his pocket and pressed it against the Collar.

With a click*, the Collar loosened. Xun Ji yanked it off and tossed it aside.

Lu Zhou’s mind cleared for an instant. “You can’t…”

A warm palm pressed against his neck. Xun Ji gently pulled him closer by the throat, tongue pushing past teeth and delving in.

Lu Zhou’s clarity lasted only that instant.

Sticky wet sounds rose and fell amid the rustling grass. Xun Ji’s thumb constantly rubbed the prominent Adam’s apple. As the kiss deepened, that Adam’s apple bobbed like rain-pelted fruit on a branch, teetering.

Xun Ji pitied it and suddenly tightened his grip, thumb pressing down hard.

“Mm!”

Numbness shot straight to the head. Lu Zhou choked slightly, mouth opening uncontrollably as saliva spilled from the corners.

Xun Ji plunged in deeply, coiling Lu Zhou’s tongue to lick and suck, grinding slowly and heavily against the sensitive palate with his rough tongue.

“…Mm… ha…”

Lu Zhou’s fingers twitched nervously. He grabbed Xun Ji’s forearm, as if to push away yet reluctant.

The hand on his neck mercifully released its hold, moving to the nape to stroke back and forth soothingly and densely.

“…Xun… Xun Ji… mm… don’t… don’t touch…”

Lu Zhou trembled lightly, tears spilling endlessly from his eyes. He could not tell if it was from too much discomfort or too much pleasure.

Xun Ji obediently released him, voice low and breathless. “No more kissing?”

Lu Zhou’s dazed eyes slowly focused, meeting the amber gaze beneath him.

This was a Xun Ji he had never seen.

Golden hair disheveled, sunk in mud and grass ash. His cheeks should have been pristine, lips soft—now stained with Lu Zhou’s tears and saliva, like a sweet peach of perfect ripeness maliciously crushed in a palm, pulped and ruined, unfit for any shelf.

A secret thrill rose in Lu Zhou’s heart.

He should get up immediately, restore him to the pristine Little Young Master of jade and gold. But he only pressed his scorching body tighter, seamlessly against him.

“Just a bit longer, okay…”

Lu Zhou licked ingratiatingly, shamelessly sealing any refusal with action.

Xun Ji laughed helplessly, grabbed Lu Zhou’s nape, and flung him aside before standing to straighten his disheveled clothes.

“No, we need to leave this place.”

Disappointment surged in Lu Zhou’s heart. He forced his numb limbs to move, quickly tidying himself.

He picked up the Magnetic Collar from the ground and hesitated. “But the Hunting Shadow Game isn’t over yet. Quitting now…”

“You’re right, Lu Zhou.” Footsteps suddenly sounded from the shadowy bushes as a figure approached slowly.

“Didn’t Young Master Xun say he wanted to play the Hunting Shadow Game? How come the game isn’t over, and you’re already quitting?”

The newcomer wore no Black Mask on his face, no Magnetic Collar on his neck. He simply donned the Yaoxing Academy uniform and gave them a familiar smile.

“It wouldn’t waste all my effort in restarting the Hunting Shadow Game, would it?”

In the midnight Botanical Garden, shrouded by foliage and dim light, Lu Zhou still recognized him at a glance. His face blanked for an instant before darkening rapidly.

“So it was you.” Xun Ji spat out a name expressionlessly:

“Luo Xunan.”