Chapter 86: At Your Mercy

Chapter 86: At Your Mercy

Tan Xing blinked slowly, still somewhat disoriented from the situation, until Liang Xigui pinched his chin, causing him to sit up straight as if waking from a daze.

"So sleepy?"

"I can't make sense of it, naturally feeling a bit dizzy," Tan Xing whispered in his defense.

Liang Xigui raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "What kind of books is Star interested in?"

This question truly stumped Tan Xing; he rarely took interest in reading, which was why he seemed like a brute who couldn't read a single character in front of those eloquent princes.

"I, I like military strategy books."

This answer surprised Liang Xigui. He had expected Tan Xing to prefer design-related books, given his field of study, or perhaps a variety of novels.

Glancing at the bookshelf behind him, Liang Xigui found an ancient book explaining military tactics. This was a gift from a friend who owned a bookstore, which he had left untouched on the shelf.

Tan Xing took the book and opened it, reading with considerable interest. Liang Xigui sat beside him, handling documents. There was no verbal exchange between them, yet the atmosphere was harmonious.

As noon approached, Liang Xigui took a break from his affairs and looked over at the quiet Tan Xing, who had already fallen asleep on the book, his hair in a wild mess.

Liang Xigui watched for a moment before reaching out to pinch Tan Xing's nose, making the air he breathed increasingly thin. Tan Xing subconsciously furrowed his brow.

Just before reaching the limit, Liang Xigui lifted his hand away, and Tan Xing woke up groggily, wondering why his breathing was so rapid. He didn't remember having any nightmares.

Liang Xigui chose to keep his good deed hidden, not revealing what he had done.

"Star, do you know how teachers usually punish students who don't like to read?"

"Spanking?"

"China doesn't advocate corporal punishment on students."

Tan Xing couldn't think of any other methods; he had always been punished physically. The tutor said that only pain could leave a deep impression.

"They make them stand," Liang Xigui added calmly.

Tan Xing was unconvinced by this punishment; it was just standing, hardly a punishment.

"How about this afternoon, Star, we play a game? If you read seriously, I'll grant you a wish. But if you fall asleep again, you'll be at my mercy for punishment."

Tan Xing weighed the pros and cons of this game. The reward was indeed tempting, but what if he lost and this person tormented him again?

Seeing his hesitation, Liang Xigui said, "The punishment will involve keeping Star in one position, but under the condition that during this time, Star must obediently accept the punishment according to my requirements."

Tan Xing happily agreed to the game. Liang Xigui, meanwhile, was thinking about what props he needed to properly decorate his cat, after all, this was a rare opportunity.

Together, they left the study. Aunt Song had already prepared lunch. Tan Xing went to the living room first to serve the puppy a fragrant lunch before heading to the dining room.

In the scorching summer heat, Aunt Song had specially prepared several refreshing cold dishes, paired with slippery cold noodles. Tan Xing ate a lot, showing great appreciation for the meal.

Perhaps because he had napped too much in the study in the morning, Tan Xing didn't feel sleepy after lunch but instead became more energetic, playing with the puppy in the living room.

Liang Xigui had a solution for this situation. He led Tan Xing to the bedroom and somehow produced a thick English book.

"Star, let's read together."

Tan Xing indicated that he couldn't understand these foreign languages. Liang Xigui didn't mind, saying that listening and memorizing would help develop a sense for the language.

"Alright then."

The simple-minded Tan Xing was once again fooled. Leaning against him, he listened to the elegant and magnetic English accent, the slight vibrations on his back serving as the best sedative.

As expected, Tan Xing began yawning quietly a few minutes later, his eyes unfocused on the pages before him. The lines blurred and merged, gradually turning dark.

Liang Xigui listened to the steady breathing of the person in his arms, casually tossing aside the English book and lifting Tan Xing into the large bed in the bedroom.

To deal with a student who disliked reading, one must use the methods of a scholar to subdue them. In terms of mental capacity, Tan Xing found it hard to overcome a battle-hardened businessman.

Tucking him into the blankets, Liang Xigui didn't immediately join him in bed. Instead, he turned to open the wardrobe behind him and pulled out a small black leather case.

He carefully selected the props he would need from inside. These were little toys he used to pass the time during his high school days when he was bored. This was the first time he would experiment with them on a human body, so he was particularly cautious.

After selecting the necessary props, he placed them in a paper bag and took them to the study, where he made some preparations before returning to the bedroom.

Lifting a corner of the blanket, he lay down, and with a slight gesture of his arm, Tan Xing moved into his embrace.

Tan Xing even burrowed further in, feeling enveloped by the familiar scent before ceasing his wriggling.

Liang Xigui kissed Tan Xing's eyelids, knowing that they would spend countless ordinary moments like this, snuggled together.

After a long nap, Tan Xing stretched his arms and yawned, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes from the physiological response.

The prolonged sleep had left his throat uncomfortable and dry. Instinctively, Tan Xing got out of bed to find something to drink.

Liang Xigui emerged from the bathroom to see the rumpled Tan Xing, his clothes wrinkled, his hair tousled, and his expression impatiently crumpled.

"Star, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Tan Xing pointed to his throat. Liang Xigui guessed what might have happened and poured a glass of warm water from the water dispenser nearby, handing it over.

"Gulp gulp—"

Tan Xing drank it almost without pausing. Liang Xigui refilled the glass twice more before Tan Xing waved his hand to indicate he didn't need any more.

Liang Xigui set aside the blanket and said, "The bedroom has the dehumidification mode on, so the air is a bit dry."

Having drunk several glasses of water, Tan Xing's drowsiness was completely gone. "No wonder my throat felt so strange."

After a brief tidying up, Liang Xigui returned to his study to continue his work, while Tan Xing sat aside, found an interesting picture book, and was earnestly "studying" next to him.

In the privacy of their silent game of strategy, Tan Xing declared his unwavering determination to see his studies through to the end, vowing never to allow the villainous Liang Xigui to prevail.

Liang Xigui, on the other hand, was completely unfazed. He faced the computer screen and tapped the keyboard at a leisurely pace. The study was very quiet, and a thick sense of drowsiness slowly crept up on Tan Xing.

Upon reopening her eyes, Tan Xing was met with the sight of Liang Xigui, his lips curved into a smile as he gazed at her, his eyes flickering with a dangerous glint.

Tan Xing felt as if he were rooted to the spot, like a helpless prey awaiting the butcher's knife, meekly preparing for the inevitable bloodletting and cooking.

"Mr. Liang."

"Xing Xing, you have lost."

Tan Xing curled his lips with a hint of discontent, but recognizing the principle that a gentleman's word is his bond, he accepted the loss with grace. Mimicking what he had seen on television, he brought his wrists together and presented them forward.

"Alright, alright, I admit defeat. I leave myself at Mr. Liang's mercy for punishment."