Shi Jin experienced the true meaning of “reaping what you sow” with his own body.

Of all the items he had bought, none of the boxed ones were used— he hadn’t gotten the chance, Lian Jun genuinely didn’t like using them, and the size wasn’t quite right anyway. However, as for the bottled items, Lian Jun had used every single one of them on him… Those were clearly meant for Lian Jun, yet they ended up being used entirely on Shi Jin himself!

Oh well, dwelling on those details was useless now. On the bright side, he had finally gotten what he wanted and taken things further with Lian Jun, which was a major step forward for both of them. As for the downside…

<JinJin, are you okay?> Xiao Si asked with concern, its voice strangely floaty.

Shi Jin lay sprawled on the bed under a thin quilt. His exposed shoulders and back were densely dotted with ambiguous marks, making for a distinctly sensual sight. He remained motionless with his eyes tightly shut, looking as though he was still asleep, but inside his mind, he was fully conscious. Facing Xiao Si’s inquiry, he immediately retorted in a gloomy tone, “You saw everything, didn’t you?”

Xiao Si immediately played dumb, replying, <N-No, of course not! I shut down my consciousness back when you and Darling were still in the car. I don’t know a thing about what happened between you two afterward. You didn’t hear a single squeak from me yesterday, right? If I had seen anything, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to keep quiet!>

Because Lian Jun had launched his offensive so suddenly yesterday, and Xiao Si had remained quiet the entire time, Shi Jin had completely forgotten that there was a little voyeur staying inside his head. It wasn’t until Lian Jun’s meticulous and thorough preparation left his body stiff and his nerves frayed— to the point where he almost threw in the towel— that Shi Jin remembered Xiao Si’s existence. He had vaguely felt his body suddenly grow a bit softer and more sensitive, as if a strange buff had been cast on him…

“You really don’t know anything?” Shi Jin asked back in an eerie tone.

Xiao Si almost squawked like a duck at his tone, but managed to hold it together and replied, <Y-Yeah, I really don’t know anything.>

“Then who cast that buff on me yesterday? Do you think I’m dead and can’t feel anything? You liar, Xiao Si!” Shi Jin suddenly exploded. “You definitely saw everything!”

This time Xiao Si actually shrieked, raising its voice: <No! I didn’t! I didn’t see anything! Right after I cast the buff and before Darling even went in, you locked me in the dark room! I really didn’t see a thing!>

Shi Jin’s head felt like it was going to explode from sheer embarrassment, and he yelled, “You even wanted to see him go in?! You did see it! You saw me in that state! Forget it right now, you’re not allowed to remember!”

<I don’t want to! I just wanted you to feel more comfortable, it’s not like I watched on purpose! Besides, I didn’t even watch the whole thing… I missed the most crucial part, sob sob… Jinjin, why are you being so mean…> Xiao Si started crying.

“You even wanted to watch the cru—” Interrupted by its crying, Shi Jin couldn’t hold onto his anger anymore. Stopping mid-sentence, he recalled that after the buff kicked in last night, his body really had felt much better. Besides, forgetting to lock Xiao Si in the dark room was ultimately his own fault. Feeling a surge of guilt, he softened his voice to comfort it, “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have yelled at you… Stop crying, I’m sorry. I was just feeling embarrassed.”

Xiao Si was easily coaxed and stopped crying, asking with a sniffle, <Th-Then tell me, how many times did you and Darling do it yesterday?>

The warmth on Shi Jin’s face vanished instantly, and he growled in a low voice, “Xiao Si.”

Xiao Si resumed crying, even louder than before.

With a splitting headache, Shi Jin buried his head under a throw pillow and collapsed completely onto the bed, looking like a salted fish that had lost its soul.

After a ten-minute deadlock, Xiao Si was the first to compromise. Stopping its crying, it asked cautiously, <Th-Then Jinjin, are you happy? What about Darling— is Darling happy? I was just worried about you two. If couples aren’t compatible in bed, issues easily arise, and life is long…>

Hearing this, Shi Jin’s intense embarrassment subsided slightly. Frowning, he asked, “Xiao Si, what’s wrong with you? Why do you sound like that?”

Xiao Si stopped crying, but it didn’t speak either.

Shi Jin realized something, so he fell silent as well. Turning to look at the partially drawn floor-to-ceiling curtains, he waited a long time before plucking up the courage to check the progress bars in his head that belonged to him and Lian Jun.

Ever since his initial reconciliation with Fei Yujing, he had never checked the progress bar values again. Xiao Si likely shared his unspoken feelings, as it no longer constantly reminded him of the fluctuations in the bars as it used to. But calling it “fluctuations” was generous— in truth, during this recent period, the progress bars for him and Lian Jun had only decreased, never increased.

For the very first time, he felt fear and resistance toward the drop in the progress bars.

The last time he checked, his progress bar was at 40 and Lian Jun’s was at 350. But this time…

20 and 200— these two numbers appeared before his eyes, glaringly clear. Even though Shi Jin had mentally prepared himself, seeing those two numbers in reality still made his heart panic.

Lian Jun’s recovery speed was too fast, and the speed at which his own emotional knots were being untied was also too fast.

All of Lian Jun’s dangers stemmed from his health and his identity. Regarding his health, Uncle Long had mentioned that Lian Jun would only need medication seven or eight more times— meaning in seven or eight months at most, his body would fully recover. As for his identity, storms were brewing in the underworld. Although Shi Jin hadn’t been directly involved in official affairs recently, he knew that Annihilation had already completed its business divestments and internal integration, fully prepared to fight a hard battle against the four major organizations.

A war fought with the intent of total destruction likely wouldn’t drag on for too long; it would be over in a year at most. By then, once Lian Jun shed his old identity and settled things with the authorities, he would be completely safe.

As for his side, with only 20 points remaining on his progress bar, there was no way it could last another year. Out of his five brothers, the only knot left was the one regarding Shi Weichong. And after Shi Weichong had done so much for him— nearly driving himself insane in the process— Shi Jin didn’t really hate him that much anymore. He had a premonition that this last bit of progress bar would likely disappear rapidly the next time he saw Shi Weichong.

“Life is so long, yet the time left for me and Xiao Si to be together is truly running short.”

“Lian Jun said that once I graduate, he’ll marry me. Won’t you attend our wedding?” he asked softly, carrying a trace of hope and plea.

Xiao Si gave no answer.

Shi Jin clenched his fists, buried his face in the pillow, let out a long breath, and closed his eyes again.

Click— the sound of the door opening came, followed by the fragrant aroma of food wafting into the room.

Shi Jin shifted, pulled his head out from under the pillow, and turned to look toward the door.

Wearing only a bathrobe, Lian Jun walked over holding a tray. On his exposed neck and collarbones were a couple of ambiguous marks, and near his shoulder was a clear bite mark. Seeing this made Shi Jin’s face flush deep red, and he quickly snapped his head back, unable to stop his mind from recalling certain explicit scenes.

Lian Jun had always been serious in everything he did, a trait Shi Jin knew well. But Shi Jin hadn’t expected Lian Jun to be just as serious when doing that kind of thing— and extraordinarily gentle and enduring to boot.

During their intimacy yesterday, Lian Jun had deliberately prolonged the foreplay and preparation out of fear that Shi Jin might get hurt or be left with a psychological shadow. This, however, had been torment for Shi Jin. He was tough and full of energy, getting excited easily when touched. To soothe him during preparation, Lian Jun had continuously kissed and caressed his sensitive spots, keeping Shi Jin’s body in a constant state of high arousal. He had been thoroughly “played with” single-handedly, so by the time Lian Jun felt the preparations were sufficient and was ready to officially begin, Shi Jin was already limp as a dead fish.

When they actually did it, it was even more agonizingly sweet. Lian Jun was extremely considerate of him and his feelings, being gentle when appropriate and passionate when needed. Consequently, Shi Jin had ended up feeling a bit too overwhelmed with pleasure, and in his moments of lost rationality, he couldn’t help but bite Lian Jun a couple of times.

It wasn’t that he had any inclination toward mistreating his partner in bed; rather, Lian Jun was being too accommodating. Shi Jin had felt a little frustrated and wanted Lian Jun to let loose and enjoy himself more. Yet, once Lian Jun actually started enjoying himself, Shi Jin felt like he was going to die.

Last night Lian Jun had only done it twice, but from the perspective of release, Shi Jin had been brought to completion four or five times by Lian Jun.

It was terrifying— he was going to suffer from kidney deficiency at this rate! Even now, his legs still felt weak, and his waist was quite sore.

Seeing Shi Jin turn his head away the moment he spotted him, Lian Jun assumed he was upset. He quickly set the food down, sat by the edge of the bed, leaned over to wrap his arms around him, kissed his shoulder, and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?” As he spoke, his hand was already sliding down his shoulder, trying to reach under the quilt.

After they finished yesterday, despite Shi Jin’s protests, Lian Jun had carefully cleaned him up and applied ointment. But since it was their first time, Lian Jun couldn’t help worrying that he hadn’t taken care of Shi Jin thoroughly enough, fearing Shi Jin might get hurt or fall ill.

The moment Lian Jun touched him, Shi Jin’s body shivered sensitively. The memories from yesterday were so deeply etched— his body and soul alike remembered that wild, maddening pleasure. Reacting instinctively, he rolled away wrapped in the quilt, exposing only the upper half of his face as he warned Lian Jun, “Don’t touch me for now! And where are my pajamas? I want to put clothes on.”

Surprised by Shi Jin’s dodge, Lian Jun paused before withdrawing his hand. Looking at his wary eyes, Lian Jun’s heart softened. Instead, he leaned lightly over him, bracing his arms on either side of Shi Jin’s head, and asked softly, “Are you angry?”

“No,” Shi Jin replied, pulling the quilt up tight over the lower half of his face, afraid that smelling Lian Jun’s scent would make his body react inappropriately again.

“You talked in your sleep last night,” Lian Jun suddenly changed the topic.

Shi Jin was instantly distracted and asked, “What did I say?”

“You said, ‘Darling, do it again,'” Lian Jun answered with an entirely righteous tone.

Shi Jin froze, and then his mind exploded with a bang. Throwing off the quilt, he reached out to cover Lian Jun’s mouth, raising his eyebrows as he snapped, “Nonsense! I never talk in my sleep! You’re definitely lying to me!”

Quick-handed, Lian Jun caught his wrists, pinning them to the sides of his body, and then leaned down to capture his lips. His tongue pried open Shi Jin’s teeth, stealing his breath away.

“Mmh… you cheated… Nngh…”

The two gradually intertwined. Bit by bit, Lian Jun coaxed Shi Jin out of the quilt, drawing him into a kneeling position on the bed. Wrapping his arms around Shi Jin’s torso, his hand stroked down Shi Jin’s back, sliding lower.

Snap.

Shi Jin caught Lian Jun’s hand, pulling back slightly as he adjusted his breathing, asking, “Where are you touching?”

“Here… Although I applied ointment to the reddened area yesterday, we still need to be careful. I want to check on it.” Letting Shi Jin hold his hand, Lian Jun gently pressed the dimple at the base of his spine, leaving light, scattered kisses on the corner of his mouth and cheek as he soothed, “Don’t worry. For at least a week, I won’t touch you again.”

Shi Jin felt the implication behind those words was ominous, and asked warily, “And what about after a week?”

Looking at his prey-like, defensive expression, Lian Jun’s lips curled slightly. Leaning close to his ear, he whispered, “I just called Aunt Lu. She agreed to lend us her resort villa.”

Shi Jin trembled all over, once again tasting the bitter fruit of his own actions. He quickly shook his head, saying, “No, no need! The sanatorium is perfectly fine, there’s nothing fun up on the mountain anyway.”

“The hot spring pool is actually quite nice,” Lian Jun cupped his head, kissing his brow tenderly with a contented smile as he said, “Shi Jin, I am very happy.”

Shi Jin had never seen him smile with such pure satisfaction and happiness before. Frowning briefly, he gave in and relaxed his expression, reaching up to touch Lian Jun’s face: “If you’re happy, then I’m happy too.”

The smile on Lian Jun’s face deepened. He leaned in to hold him tight, kissing his ear.

Shi Jin wrapped his arms around him in return, resting his head on his shoulder. Spotting the bite mark on Lian Jun’s skin, he intentionally flicked his tongue against it. Sensing Lian Jun’s body stiffen instantly, Shi Jin couldn’t help laughing softly, closing his eyes in deep contentment.