Chapter 109: Branding the Mark

Chapter 109: Branding the Mark

Under Liang Xigui's initiative, the investment matter was successfully pushed to the back of Tan Xing's mind.

But Tan Xing was genuinely bored, secretly seeking something to do; yet, what he excelled in were activities that required jumping around and expending much energy.

Liang Xigui, considering his health, never felt at ease letting him wander outside freely, thus doing his best to spend time by his side.

"Xingxing, are you sleepy?"

"Not sleepy, I want to watch a movie."

Liang Xigui picked up the tablet from the coffee table in the room, selecting films of interest together with Tan Xing.

He had recently been considering purchasing a projector, and the wall opposite the bed was conveniently undecorated, capable of satisfying Tan Xing's movie-watching needs.

"Mr. Liang, let's watch this one." Tan Xing pointed at one of the options with his finger.

"Alright."

Only a small nightlight illuminated the room, the soft glow providing a sense of security. A long-bodied kitten lay before Liang Xigui, clinging tightly to him.

Their legs, of two different skin tones, intertwined, their skin intimately touching. One of Liang Xigui's arms pressed against Tan Xing's chest, while the other rested on his waist, firmly holding him in place.

Tan Xing couldn't help but discuss the plot with Liang Xigui at critical moments, insisting on knowing how the story would unfold beforehand.

"Mr. Liang, do you think the murderer who killed this person is his father or his son?"

"Neither, it's his daughter."

Tan Xing wore an expression of disbelief, but as the plot unfolded, the revelation confirmed that indeed, the murderer was this man's daughter.

"Mr. Liang, how did you know?"

"This is a cinematic technique. The true murderer is usually the least likely person. Xingxing, you can gradually summarize patterns after watching more."

Tan Xing shifted his body, resting his head on Liang Xigui's shoulder, pressing the back of his hand against the other's nape, drawing him closer.

Liang Xigui turned his head, pinching his chin, forcefully taking the air from his mouth, teasing his tongue in a dance.

"It was Xingxing who initiated it first, why are you now acting like a timid little quail?"

Tan Xing angrily covered his mouth, forbidding him from saying such things.

"That was just a regular goodnight kiss," Tan Xing defended himself, his neck flushed red.

From Liang Xigui's perspective, Tan Xing's round eyes were moist, his lips still glistening slightly, looking rather vulnerable.

Though his mouth was covered, his hands were free, fingers exploring under Tan Xing's shirt, touching his delicate skin.

Tan Xing's resistance was nothing more than child's play in his eyes, instead igniting his desire to conquer.

It wouldn't be bad to add some decoration here, preferably red, to accentuate Tan Xing's paleness even more.

Tan Xing was unaware of the whimsical thoughts brewing in the man's mind, only knowing that a certain part of him was numb with pain.

"Mr. Liang, I'm sleepy, I want to sleep."

To convince him, Tan Xing feigned a yawn, moving his body to escape from the other's grasp.

"Does Xingxing want a gift?"

Tan Xing sensed an ominous foreboding. This question was not simply asking what gift he wanted.

"I don't want a gift, my birthday has already passed."

Liang Xigui seemed somewhat regretful as he released his hold, Tan Xing quickly rolling off him, his chest still throbbing faintly.

"It's already late, let's go to sleep quickly, Mr. Liang."

Tan Xing swore he would never again provoke the other party, each time leaving him "scarred."

Liang Xigui held him close, tenderly kissing his forehead, as if everything that had happened was merely an illusion.

The next morning, Tan Xing was awakened by a sudden sharp pain. Without opening his eyes, he subconsciously reached for the painful spot on his chest.

Before he could touch it, another hand caught his. Irritated, he opened his eyes to see Liang Xigui holding a cotton swab, his own upper clothing pushed up to his collarbone.

"Xingxing, don't move around."

Indeed, old wounds unhealed, new ones added. Liang Xigui seemed to have an obstinate fixation on his body, always pushing to the limit before relenting.

"Be gentler, I wouldn't have to suffer this way."

Hearing the resentment in Tan Xing's tone, Liang Xigui neither explained nor apologized, merely saying indifferently, "Hold your clothes yourself. I've just disinfected the area, next, I'm going to apply ointment."

To hasten his release, Tan Xing obediently followed the other's instructions.

The ointment was applied in circular motions around the bruise, feeling cool and comfortable.

Tan Xing let out a few cat-like moans, then hastily bit his lower lip upon realizing, refraining from making any further sounds.

Liang Xigui freed his lip from between his teeth, "It's alright for Xingxing to make sounds, don't hurt yourself."

This ointment application became prolonged due to Liang Xigui's intentional delay, causing Tan Xing's eyes to redden with frustration, tears welling up.

"I'm going to work, Xingxing."

"Mm, be careful on your way, Mr. Liang."

Tan Xing collapsed onto the bed, taking a long moment to himself as he waited for the surging tide within him to gradually recede until the lake of his emotions returned to calm.

The secretary, waiting downstairs, naturally stepped forward to open the rear door of the car upon seeing Liang Xigui emerge from the elevator doors.

"Good morning, President Liang."

He couldn't help but notice a prominent bite mark on Liang Xigui's neck, which the latter seemed to have no intention of concealing, instead displaying it openly for all to see.

As they entered the company, employees who had been closely observing Liang Xigui didn't miss this spectacle, causing an instant uproar in their small group chat.

This repressed and sultry iron tree had finally blossomed, and without any warning at that.

Everyone in the group chat was tagging the secretary frantically, hoping to get firsthand information from someone close to Liang Xigui.

The secretary merely sent an "awaiting good news" emoji, revealing nothing else, leaving everyone to wildly speculate.

Some even boldly guessed that the person in question could be the secretary himself, only to be swiftly disproven by evidence of the secretary's married status and children.

So, who could it be? The Public Relations Department, usually at the forefront of gossip, remained silent this time, huddling together in their own little bubble.

Such explosive gossip couldn't be shared with everyone, and the PR department shed tears as thick as noodles, feeling wronged.

Liang Xigui was well aware of all this, deliberately allowing the gossip to escalate.

In due time, someone would inevitably leak Tan Xing's name, ensuring that when Tan Xing returned to work, it would effectively deter any minor nuisances from bothering his beloved.

Beasts disliked anything that disturbed their loved ones; they wanted to keep them caged and marked, indelibly branded with their own imprint.