Chapter 165: Reality: The Conclusion

Chapter 165: Reality: The Conclusion

Ming Yiyang pretended to be asleep.

In this small basement, he had deliberately created his own domain.

As long as he wished, he could simulate any state, and even someone as powerful as Yan Qiling would be unable to discern his true condition.

The moment he chose to feign sleep, he had already prepared himself for the possibility of being strangled by Yan Qiling or the consequences of the man taking the opportunity to escape.

He was ready.

Yet, when that person's hand lifted, he still felt a cacophony of sorrow resonating within his chest.

The man's cold fingers traced the outline of his brows and smoothed away the creases between them. Following the contours of his skin, they moved downward with a gentleness akin to a stream flowing through the night.

Ringing sounds echoed as it landed on his neck.

Ming Yiyang's breath remained steady, but inwardly, he silently acknowledged with a calm resignation: So, Yan Qiling still wants me dead after all.

Yet, that finger traced his neck without lingering for too long. Instead, it continued downward, transforming into a gentle caress of his arm.

The man treated his limb like a precious artwork or a beloved porcelain vase, handling it with utmost care and a tender affection.

His heart, which had plummeted to rock bottom, was suddenly lifted to great heights by this unexpected surge. The uncontrollable desire made the young man abruptly open his eyes.

He did not miss the fleeting, faint emotion in those twin phoenix eyes that failed to be concealed.

Though subtle, it was indeed... a liking tinged with pity.

This time, Yan Qiling didn't hide it.

With an unprecedented sincerity, he leaned down, planting a kiss on the corner of the youth's lips. He whispered softly:

"Sleep."

The young man gazed intently at him before abruptly pulling the person closer, rolling over fiercely to pin his prey down like a vigilant leopard.

His eyes transformed into translucent purple, resembling a nocturnal predator silently assessing its target.

However, the prey in his embrace seemed oblivious to the danger, still smiling as they exposed their neck, docilely offering themselves for slaughter.

The urge to devour turned into a violent yet restrained tenderness when it actually touched the person's skin.

Leaving crimson marks on the porcelain-white skin, the young man staked his claim with fierce possessiveness.

The one gasping beneath him, accepting him, gently ran icy fingers through his silver hair.

Snow-silver tresses weaved through those alabaster digits, like meteors diving into an opalescent ocean, finding tranquility in their descent.

-

Yan Qiling heard the sound of rain.

Nestled in a white plush blanket, he felt impossibly warm.

He sat up slowly, gazing at the garden outside the floor-to-ceiling glass window, where the pomegranate flowers had withered under the assault of wind and rain.

Winter was no longer a season for any plant to flourish.

Yet, after the downpour, the red camellia would still stand tall.

Amidst the storm, someone was wearing gloves and weeding out the overgrown weeds in the flower bed. The weeds were placed in a bamboo basket.

The young man worked diligently, clad only in a black tank top, going about his task in the cold rain.

He seemed impervious to the chill. Despite his drenched hair, he merely wiped it casually before continuing to pull out the intrusive weeds by their roots, tossing them into the basket.

As Yan Qiling sat up, the white blanket slid off his bare shoulder, revealing a hot water bag that tumbled out and landed with a thud on the carpet.

Staring at the scattered marks of kisses on his body, and realizing he was naked, he froze for a few seconds.

Then, he looked around, belatedly realizing that he had returned to Xinhepu Road.

After a moment's contemplation, he wrapped himself in the blanket and walked over to the glass door.

The young man weeding the grass sensed something and turned his head. Seeing him standing behind the floor-to-ceiling glass, he rose and stepped onto the balcony. He gazed at him through the glass for a few seconds before sliding the door open.

Yan Qiling: !

With water still dripping from his hair, the young man leaned in and pressed a chilling kiss to his lips.

As their lips entwined, the youth ended the kiss with a restrained tenderness, his low voice laced with a hint of desire:

"Rest a bit more. I'll cook later, think about what you'd like to have."

The entire exchange was seamless, as if such intimacy between them was the most natural thing in the world.

"…Mm."

Upon receiving the man's response, Ming Yiyang pecked his cheek once more before sliding the glass door closed again and resuming his gardening.

Yan Qiling stood there, gently touching his moist lips. A faint, detached smile graced his face, which was reflected in the glass before him, mirroring his unblemished emotions at that moment.

The warm current that once brought him pain surged forth from his heart again.

The desire to warm others had reconquered the part of him that was once obsessed.

But this time, he no longer felt fear or pain.

Whether it was love or giving,

it all found a stable anchor now.

His heart no longer wandered aimlessly in the world.

Table of Contents Previous Chapter