Chapter 112: Jiang Huizhou is Acting Up Again

Chapter 112: Jiang Huizhou is Acting Up Again

Shen Zhixue couldn’t be bothered to argue with Jiang Huizhou and turned to leave.

Jiang Huizhou caught up to him: "What are you doing?"

"We’re done eating, so naturally, we’re heading home," Shen Zhixue said. "You’re not planning to keep loitering outside, are you? You’re now the young Duke Fidel. It’s not fitting for someone of your standing."

"I still had something I wanted to do earlier," Jiang Huizhou sighed, sounding somewhat regretful.

"Hmm?" Shen Zhixue raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"I wanted to have sex outside," Jiang Huizhou said without a hint of embarrassment. "That way, you’d feel tighter and hotter."

Shen Zhixue stopped in his tracks, taking a couple of seconds to process Jiang Huizhou’s lewd remark. He sighed helplessly: "Can’t you dial it back a bit?"

"I’ve been restraining myself," Jiang Huizhou said pitifully. "Since we arrived in the Federation, you’ve been sleeping in a different room. Zhi Zhi, I can’t take it anymore."

Shen Zhixue made a stopping gesture: "If anyone finds out about us, it’s dangerous for both of us. So please, just hang in there a bit longer."

"So, if no one finds out, it’s okay, right?" Jiang Huizhou said with a meaningful tone.

Shen Zhixue flushed and stayed silent. Jiang Huizhou chuckled lightly and followed him into the nearby hovercar.

When they got back to the Duke’s place, it was already evening. The Duchess, in her nightgown, was sitting in the living room. When she saw Jiang Huizhou and Shen Zhixue return, she hurried over, her voice filled with concern: "My dear Fidel, why are you so late?"

Jiang Huizhou glanced at Shen Zhixue and replied indifferently: "We just went out for dinner."

"How worrying..." the Duchess murmured. "It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back. By the way, what did you have for dinner? I made your favorite herb-crusted beef at home. I made it myself, adding extra herbs to suit your taste. Would you like to try it?"

"No need, we’ve already eaten."

Seeing the Duchess’s expression dim, Shen Zhixue quickly stepped forward and took her hand, smiling as he said: "You’re so considerate, Madam. He didn’t eat much earlier, so he’s probably hungry now. He’d love to try your herb-crusted beef, right?"

Jiang Huizhou frowned, but Shen Zhixue gave him a look and pinched him subtly.

Reluctantly, Jiang Huizhou forced a smile: "Yes, Mother."

The Duchess was so thrilled she nearly jumped for joy. She practically skipped like a child to warm up the food for Jiang Huizhou: "Young Fidel, wait a moment. I’ll warm it up for you."

As Shen Zhixue changed his shoes, he patted Jiang Huizhou’s back and whispered: "The Duchess truly cares about you. Why are you always so distant? She’s a pitiful person. Don’t you have any sympathy?"

"She’s good to young Fidel. What does that have to do with me?" Jiang Huizhou said pitifully. "I’m also a pitiful person. I’ve been stuck sleeping alone for over a month. When will the Duchess take pity on me?"

Shen Zhixue rolled his eyes at him: "Aren’t you usually great at faking it? Why can’t you just humor her?"

"Yes, yes," Jiang Huizhou nodded. "Whatever you say."

After changing their shoes, Jiang Huizhou put on a polite smile and walked into the kitchen.

The Duchess brought out a beautifully prepared dish and placed it in front of Jiang Huizhou and Shen Zhixue, smiling warmly: "Young Fidel loves my herb-seared steak the most."

Jiang Huizhou picked up his fork and elegantly finished the beef on his plate, then said politely: "It tastes wonderful. Thank you, Mother."

The Duchess picked up the plate: "I’m glad you liked it, my young Fidel. Can you stay home for dinner tomorrow?"

"Of course," Shen Zhixue stepped on Jiang Huizhou’s foot as he was about to refuse and quickly agreed: "The young Duke enjoys dining with you too."

The Duchess smiled contentedly. After washing the dishes, she took Shen Zhixue’s hand: "You’re so beautiful. You’re the most beautiful omega I’ve ever seen."

This was already the umpteenth time the Duchess had repeated that Shen Zhixue was a beautiful omega.

Shen Zhixue touched his face. Naturally, a face that could thrive in the entertainment industry was naturally attractive, but no one had ever repeatedly praised his looks.

"Thank you, Duchess," Shen Zhixue said, looking at her. She had an innate gentle temperament, the epitome of a graceful lady from a good family, and Shen Zhixue couldn’t help but feel drawn to her.

According to Duke Fidel, the Duchess had become deranged after Young Fedel's sacrifice.

But at least in her world, Young Fedel still existed.

Shen Zhixue glanced at Jiang Huizhou, who stood with his eyes downcast.

Shen Zhixue chatted with the Duchess for a while until Duke Fidel came downstairs. "It's late, Duchess, you should get some sleep."

The Duchess reluctantly took Shen Zhixue's hand and said, "You are beautiful, truly beautiful. Can I sleep in your room tonight?"

"No!"

The same word came simultaneously from two men’s mouths.

Jiang Huizhou said, "Zhi Zhi isn't comfortable sleeping with others."

"Duchess, given his status, it's inappropriate for you to share a room with him. I think you’re confused," Duke Fidel said, taking the Duchess's hand. "Even though his secondary gender is omega, he's still a man."

Shen Zhixue was stunned for a moment before realizing how inappropriate it was.

He could only watch Duke Fidel lead the Duchess away.

"Why did you talk to her so much?" Jiang Huizhou frowned. "Do you think she’s better than me?"

"Are you crazy? She's an omega. Are you really jealous of an omega?" Shen Zhixue retorted.

"I just don’t like how close you get to others," Jiang Huizhou snorted. "You don’t talk to me that gently."

Shen Zhixue rolled his eyes, ignored him, and turned to walk to his room.

Jiang Huizhou grabbed his wrist and said softly, "Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you, Zhi Zhi. This is the Federation; it’s always better to be cautious."

"But she’s just a poor woman," Shen Zhixue said. "Her sincerity towards you is something I can even feel!"

"Many things in this world can’t be judged by intuition," Jiang Huizhou murmured, rubbing his wrist. "Forgive me, but I have to be cautious because I promised to protect you."

Shen Zhixue pursed his lips. "I understand."

With that, he pulled away from Jiang Huizhou’s arm and walked off.

Maybe Jiang Huizhou was right, but Shen Zhixue found such a life suffocating and oppressive.

Unable to trust or commit, even a sincere gesture from others had to be scrutinized and guarded against.

It was exhausting.

Shen Zhixue lay on the bed and took a deep breath.

When would such a life end?

He was lost in thought when he heard a knock on the window. He looked up to see Jiang Huizhou crouched at his window, gazing at him pitifully under the moonlight.

Shen Zhixue: "..."

Jiang Huizhou's pajamas were puffed up by the night breeze, as if they might fall off at any moment.

Shen Zhixue got up, walked to the window, opened it, and glanced outside: "What are you doing? This is the third floor."

A fall from here could kill or at least break an arm.

"Sorry," Jiang Huizhou perched on the windowsill: "I know you're mad at me again. I came to apologize."

Shen Zhixue leaned on the windowsill: "Oh? Just to apologize?"

"And," Jiang Huizhou extended a finger: "Let’s do it once."

Shen Zhixue let out a cold laugh and was about to close the window.

Jiang Huizhou quickly grabbed the window and whined: "You said, as long as no one finds out, it's okay."

"Oh?" Shen Zhixue raised an eyebrow: "Did I say that? I don't remember."

"Zhi Zhi," Jiang Huizhou lowered his eyes: "That’s too cruel."

Shen Zhixue said coldly: "Not in the mood today, you should leave."

"What about tomorrow? Will you feel like it then?"

"No."

"What about the next day, or the day after that?"

"Can’t you just get rid of all those wild ideas in your head?" Shen Zhixue couldn’t help but say: "Were you like this before?"

"I told you, it’s only with you that I’m like this," Jiang Huizhou said: "If you don’t agree, I’ll jump from here."

Shen Zhixue crossed his arms: "Go ahead and jump."

Jiang Huizhou widened his eyes: "Don’t you care about me at all?"

Shen Zhixue nodded: "So what? Jump if you dare. It’s not my arm that’ll break—"

Before he could finish, Jiang Huizhou actually let go!

Shen Zhixue never imagined Jiang Huizhou would actually jump!

Just because seduction didn’t work, there’s no need to jump off a building?!

He immediately rushed over, trying to grab Jiang Huizhou.

But he was too late. Jiang Huizhou plummeted down, landing with a thud in the flower bed.

Shen Zhixue shouted: "Jiang—"

Then he suddenly realized he couldn’t shout his name here, and hurried downstairs.

Jiang Huizhou’s fall caused quite a stir. The entire Duke’s mansion came alive with lights.

The patrol team quickly arrived at the scene, only to see their young Duke sitting in the flower bed, his eyes downcast, deep in thought.

The Duke and Duchess were also roused from sleep.

The Duchess exclaimed: "Young Fedel! Are you okay? What are you doing in the flower bed?"

Shen Zhixue gritted his teeth and said, "Help the young Duke up."

Jiang Huizhou muttered, "My leg's broken, it hurts like hell, Zhi Zhi."

Shen Zhixue clenched his fist, "Isn't this exactly what you deserve?"

"It is what I deserve," Jiang Huizhou's voice came from the flower bed, "Then just leave me alone."

Shen Zhixue felt a headache brewing.

Jiang Huizhou was cunning, but dealing with him always took the most childish tricks.

"Get out here and see a doctor."

"Not unless you say you love me."

Shen Zhixue snapped, "You!"

"Do you love me, Zhi Zhi? Say it, and I'll come out."

Shen Zhixue held his head, "I love you, I fucking adore you."

"Will you be up for it tomorrow?"

"Yes, totally, absolutely."

"...Come help me up, I think both legs are broken."