Chapter 359: Nightmare’s 18 Sleep-Inducing Techniques (7)

Chapter 359: Nightmare's 18 Sleep-Inducing Techniques (7)

Song Chuyi had to admit that Jiang Zhuxiu had the power to charm people.

The word "baby" made his heart skip a beat, and the warmth of being held close to his heart in that instant left him somewhat dazed.

He couldn't help but marvel in his heart that Jiang Zhuxiu would definitely be very popular if he became a sleep aid streamer.

Perhaps sensing Song Chuyi's distraction, Jiang Zhuxiu's eyes dimmed for a moment.

"Not sleepy?"

Song Chuyi came back to his senses, blinked his eyes, and was wide awake.

"Not sleepy at all!"

Jiang Zhuxiu: ...

He released the hand that was around his waist, letting him sit on his lap while he began to focus on managing his work.

Human work was intricate, and if he wanted to avoid raising suspicion, excellent work ability was essential.

Song Chuyi sat in his arms, watching him manage his work with skill and precision, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

True to his role as a villain, he was much more adept at passing as human than he was.

When he first passed as human, he couldn't handle such complex work, let alone handle it at such a high intensity.

Song Chuyi stayed in his arms for a while but soon grew bored and went to play games on the sofa nearby.

He muted the game, and the sofa was facing away from the desk, so Jiang Zhuxiu didn't know he was playing games.

He thought he had finally fallen asleep.

Jiang Zhuxiu stopped working, a faint smile playing on his lips.

A shadow loomed over Song Chuyi's head, lingering.

But in an instant, it disappeared abruptly.

Jiang Zhuxiu frowned.

Still awake.

For the first time, Jiang Zhuxiu felt a feeling of helplessness towards a human.

It seemed he still needed to find a way to get him to sleep.

————

After work, Jiang Zhuxiu took Song Chuyi out for a lavish meal.

When they got home, Song Chuyi found that the lights in the house had turned to a soft yellow.

Soundproofing panels had been installed on the wall next to the neighbor's house.

In the bedroom, it was utterly silent, a perfectly quiet space.

By the computer, there was a speaker playing the soothing sound of rain.

The sound of rain was so realistic it made you feel drowsy.

Song Chuyi sat on the edge of the bed, hands propped on the mattress, his legs swinging idly.

“Minister, what’s going on?”

Jiang Zhuxiu sat on the chair, his expression cool.

“The sound of rain helps me concentrate.”

Song Chuyi thought: Yeah, right.

But he didn’t call him out on it. Instead, he brought up the gossip he’d heard from his colleagues that day.

“Minister, you’re not actually the heir to some wealthy family, are you?”

He smiled brightly.

“Then if I stick with you, won’t I be set for life?”

Jiang Zhuxiu paused for a moment, recalling the company chairman escorting him downstairs...

He had a vague memory of it.

It was just a warning to the other Nightmares not to give the chairman nightmares.

The chairman believed the excuse he’d casually given and was deeply grateful, thinking it had helped him sleep well.

He wasn’t interested in the chairman’s dreams—he’d probably been sleeping well lately.

Having pieced it together, Jiang Zhuxiu replied indifferently, “No.”

“I’m just an ordinary person.”

Song Chuyi nodded with mock seriousness, “Right, right, you’re just an ordinary person.”

A Nightmare playing the role of an ordinary person—he got it.

Seeing his disbelief, Jiang Zhuxiu’s tone grew firmer.

“I’m not some wealthy heir, just an ordinary person. I can’t make you rich.”

Song Chuyi tilted his head back slightly, his swan-like neck catching the light.

The warm, dim yellow light cast a soft glow on his fair skin, making it seem even more delicate.

Jiang Zhuxiu’s gaze lingered, a strange feeling flickering in his chest.

Humans all looked the same to him, after all.

But the young man before him was almost too dazzling.

His brilliant soul radiated a fierce, scorching vitality—so intense it drew in the monster lurking in the shadows.

He stood up almost involuntarily, his consciousness feeling detached from his body.

He walked over to Song Chuyi and knelt down halfway.

He lowered his head, took Song Chuyi’s hand, and cradled it in his palm.

"If you desire riches and success, I can assist you."

For a Nightmare, wealth is effortless to obtain.

But wealth means nothing to a Nightmare.

If Song Chuyi desired it, he could grant it to him.

As long as he slept soundly, letting him enter his dreams and experience the intense burn of fear, even if he wanted the wealth of the world, he could offer it to him.

But Song Chuyi just shook his head softly.

"I don’t care for riches or success."

He leaned in, deliberately closing the distance to Jiang Zhuxiu.

His stunning eyes mirrored Jiang Zhuxiu’s image.

His stare was intense and unwavering.

"All I want is for the Minister to always be happy."

His slender, pale finger gently brushed Jiang Zhuxiu’s chest.

"Minister, do you understand what happiness means?"

Jiang Zhuxiu lifted his gaze, locking eyes with Song Chuyi.

In those captivating eyes, he saw himself reflected.

Not his human guise, but the terrifying shadow of a Nightmare.

He unfurled his unseen shadowy wings, poised to engulf him.

How vile, how loathsome, like a creature that flees the light, trying to chase the searing warmth before him.

Jiang Zhuxiu’s lips curved into a sudden smile.

"It’s getting late."

He stood up, then lay down.

His large hand encircled Song Chuyi’s slender waist, pulling him into an embrace.

He gently patted his back, softly stroked him, and hummed an unfamiliar melody.

It felt as though tides rose and fell around them.

His body grew light, drifting into the clouds, enveloped in tranquility.

Song Chuyi’s eyes fluttered shut.

The unfamiliar melody continued, growing even softer.

Jiang Zhuxiu simply hummed, yet the sound seemed to surround them, not only entering Song Chuyi's ears but also permeating his body.

Drowsiness crept into his body.

Yet Song Chuyi’s mind stayed sharp.

It felt like his body and mind were torn apart. Jiang Zhuxiu's soothing touch made his body drift off uncontrollably, but his mind stayed sharp, true to his nature.

Too bad—Jiang Zhuxiu could only enter a dream if the mind was asleep too.

So today, he was bound to miss out on this dream.

Eyes shut, Song Chuyi’s lips curved into a faint smile, like he was lost in a sweet dream.

Jiang Zhuxiu’s gentle patting ceased, and his soft humming trailed off.

He gazed down at the young man, his smile radiating happiness, and his fingertips brushed the upward curve of his lips.

He pressed down lightly, trying to flatten the smile.

But instead of succeeding, his pressure only made the pink lips flush red.

Jiang Zhuxiu’s throat tightened, his icy eyes flickering with a hint of confusion.

"Happy?"

He whispered the word, his gaze locked on Song Chuyi’s lips.

What did he know about happiness?

He only knew fear. He only knew desire.

And now, for the first time, he—a Nightmare—felt desire for a human.

The desire to kiss.