Chapter 26 Jiang Fengmian, You Can Only Look at Me, Touch Me, the Bite Mark…

Chapter 26 Jiang Fengmian, You Can Only Look at Me, Touch Me, the Bite Mark...

Huo Zong froze, his fingers on Jiang Fengmian's back moved upward, gently caressing his head with utmost tenderness.

"Sorry, if there's anything particularly upsetting next time, just call my name, I'll be there right away."

Jiang Fengmian sniffled and hummed in agreement, slowly withdrawing from Huo Zong's embrace. He gazed through the curtains at the pitch-black sky outside, his mood still deeply somber.

Raindrops connected into sheets, and the fierce wind slammed against the windows, creating a clattering noise.

Jiang Fengmian poked at the dimple on the corner of his mouth, forcing a slight smile. He straightened his disheveled clothes and knelt beside Huo Zong.

"Brother, my eyes hurt."

He had been crying almost the entire night, his eyelids swollen to the point where his double eyelids were blurred, his eyes bloodshot, and the tip of his nose bright red.

"Wait a moment."

Huo Zong fetched the eye drops he had used on him last time and also brought a small ice pack.

"Jiang Fengmian, lie down on my lap."

Jiang Fengmian obediently lay down, placing his hands folded on his abdomen, opening his eyes wide, and looking upward, waiting for the eye drops to fall in. He rolled his eyes before slowly closing them.

The ice pack on his eyes caused Jiang Fengmian to shiver suddenly. He moved his head, finding a more comfortable position to lie in.

"Jiang Fengmian, bear with it."

"Hmm."

A muffled voice came through, the burning pain on his eyelids subsided, and the buzzing tinnitus gradually faded away.

Jiang Fengmian felt as if he was still in a dream, carefully tracing Huo Zong's features, suddenly realizing he was still wearing his work clothes. His cheek pressed against Huo Zong's thin trousers, feeling a faint warmth.

Huo Zong, who was always so meticulous about cleanliness, hadn't even changed his clothes after coming in, just to stay with him.

"Brother, that's enough."

"Hmm, go back to sleep, it's still early."

Jiang Fengmian reflexively grabbed Huo Zong's wrist, turned over, and with teary eyes, pleaded, "Huo Zong, don't go, please."

After a long gaze, Huo Zong's fingertips brushed past Jiang Fengmian's crimson lips, traces of blood staining his fingertips. The sweet, metallic scent made it hard to tell if the blood was his or Jiang Fengmian's.

"I won't leave, don't bite your lips."

"Lie down and sleep."

Jiang Fengmian, feeling utterly insecure, unconsciously moved closer to Huo Zong, stubbornly staring at him, as if he wouldn't lie down unless Huo Zong did too.

Click.

Huo Zong turned off the bedside lamp, he held Jiang Fengmian by the waist, tucking him into the blanket, and lay down himself, keeping a small distance.

"Jiang Fengmian, good night."

"Good night."

The rapid raindrops became endearing at that moment. Jiang Fengmian lay on his side, quietly inching a bit closer to Huo Zong, greedily inhaling his scent, his tense nerves finally relaxing bit by bit.

After that, the night passed without dreams.

***

"Huo Zong, I checked all the surveillance footage yesterday, and currently, there are a few suspects."

"Huo Qilin, Wang Chao, and Zhou Zhiyong."

"When I mentioned the elevator malfunction to the maintenance technician yesterday, Huo Qilin was in the restroom, just a wall away. He couldn't have not heard it. He was also the last one to leave after work, but later I saw him return in another surveillance footage, coinciding with the time of the elevator incident."

"Moreover, it wasn't just the elevator that lost power yesterday; three consecutive circuit breakers were tripped. It's very likely that he didn't know which one was connected to the elevator, so he just cut off all three nearby."

Chen Chen took a breath; all of this was his speculation. He added regretfully, "But that person happened to be in the blind spot of all the surveillance cameras, so he wasn't captured at all."

"Wang Chao and Zhou Zhiyong were the ones who worked the latest overtime, but from the existing surveillance footage, they didn't come to the machine room, so they couldn't have accessed the circuit breakers."

"So..."

Actually, after all that buildup, Chen Chen's point boiled down to one thing: Huo Qilin is still a member of the Huo family, and he's Huo Zong's nephew. The idea of a nephew trying to kill him is a big deal, so it's best to be as tactful as possible.

"Got it. Chen Chen, go back and rest. Is Wang Hu back? Arrange for him to keep an eye on Huo Qilin. We'll discuss it further tomorrow when I get there."

"Okay, I've already arranged for Wang Hu to keep watch."

"Huo Zong, how is the young sir doing?"

At this, Huo Zong instinctively touched his neck. He paused before saying, "Much better."

"Chen Chen, don't alert the enemy. Just say that I'm seriously injured and need to rest."

"Understood."

Luring the snake out of its hole, the murderer might return to the scene of the crime to admire their handiwork.

Ding dong, ding dong.

As soon as Chen Chen hung up the phone, the doorbell rang again.

"Hello there."

Huo Zong stared expressionlessly at Su Yanchu, who was dressed in a flamboyant manner, his shirt collar almost down to his crotch, seemingly unafraid of catching a cold.

"Hey hey hey, don't close the door."

Su Yanchu pushed the door open and squeezed in. He shook the gift bag in his hand and quickly explained, "I'm here to deliver the mechanical butterfly to your little one. If you kick me out, aren't you afraid your little one will cry?"

Seeing Huo Zong step aside, Su Yanchu took out a pair of slippers himself, changing his shoes while teasing.

"Huo Zong, where's your little one? Is he really hiding upstairs crying?"

"He's not up yet. Just leave the stuff and go."

Tsk tsk tsk.

Su Yanchu closed the door and glanced at the time on his watch. Huo Zong was starting to adopt the "king doesn't attend morning court" routine.

"Go where? I have nothing to do. I'll have lunch here."

As Su Yanchu turned to pour water, Huo Zong had already started unpacking the gift box. He leaned slightly, his shirt collar open, revealing faint marks.

Snap.

Huo Zong suddenly slapped the back of Su Yanchu's hand, his disdainful expression overflowing.

"What are you doing? Just drink your water, no need to get handsy."

"Huo Zong—"

Su Yanchu wore a look as if the sky had fallen. He pointed at Huo Zong's neck, stammering for a while, his face blank, before finally gritting his teeth and saying, "You beast!"

"Huo Zong, no, you..."

"Do you even know what you're doing? Jiang Fengmian doesn't understand anything. Is he not up, or can't he get up? You're twenty-eight, how can you be like this?"

Su Yanchu was indignant, almost pointing at Huo Zong's nose to scold him.

Who would have thought? Huo Zong is so two-faced, how could he do something like this.

"Are you done?"

"You've delivered the stuff, you can leave now."

Su Yanchu snorted lightly and plopped down on the seat. He wanted to see how Huo Zong would explain himself when Jiang Fengmian woke up later.

"Huo Zong."

From afar, Jiang Fengmian's tearful voice came through.

He hurriedly ran down from upstairs, barefoot, and threw himself into Huo Zong's arms with teary eyes.

"I thought you left me."

"No, Su Yanchu is here."

Great, now he's the villain, the one who broke up the intimate couple.

"Jiang Fengmian, put on your shoes."

Jiang Fengmian let out an "oh," tiptoed slightly, and then jumped up, wrapping his legs around Huo Zong's waist, hugging his neck and saying, "Brother, carry me, it's cold."

Huo Zong uncomfortably hummed in agreement, carried Jiang Fengmian to the sofa, took out a couple of tissues, and carefully wiped Jiang Fengmian's ankles.

After cleaning his fingers, he then pulled out a pair of cat-head slippers from the shoe cabinet and put them on Jiang Fengmian.

Su Yanchu watched intently, marveling.

Huo Zong must have been possessed, or perhaps by a love-struck demon.

Just as he thought, a black suit jacket was thrown over his head. Su Yanchu let out an "eh," but before he could get angry, the clothes were already in Jiang Fengmian's arms.

"Huo Zong, the clothes are mine."

Oh ho, that possessive little look, could it be that Jiang Fengmian's feelings for Huo Zong are genuine?

"That's right, Huo Zong, what's going on with you, throwing clothes around so carelessly."

Hmph.

Huo Zong now found Su Yanchu's outfit extremely displeasing. During Huo Qing's birthday banquet, he was a bit more restrained, but now he's not even pretending, just outright flamboyant.

"Su Yanchu, aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"

The shirt outlined his excellent physique, and Su Yanchu was stared at by two pairs of eyes without any hint of embarrassment.

He whistled at Jiang Fengmian, raising his eyebrows with a provocative air.

Hmm, he wanted to see how long Huo Zong could remain calm.

"Fengmian, take a look at how my abs are doing. Compared to Huo Zong's, aren't mine more beautiful? Do you want to touch them? They feel pretty good."

Just as Jiang Fengmian's curious gaze shifted over, in the blink of an eye, it was replaced by Huo Zong. He turned sideways, completely blocking Su Yanchu, and stared expressionlessly at Jiang Fengmian, as if he had caught evidence of Jiang Fengmian's potential "infidelity."

Wow, his Huo Zong still had a few tricks up his sleeve.

"Jiang Fengmian, if you're not afraid of getting a sty, go ahead and look. That's a pervert, remember what Dr. Li said?"

Hmph, Huo Zong was really something, starting to spread rumors right in front of him.

"Not looking, not looking, brother, I only look at you."

Huo Zong paused for a moment, thinking of the eager Su Yanchu, and reluctantly grunted in agreement, as if he had no choice but to comply.

"Fengmian, don't listen to Huo Zong. Huo Zong is just jealous of me. The boys in the capital who want to have a spring fling with me are lined up from the west to the south of the city."

"Ow."

Huo Zong couldn't stand it anymore and gave Su Yanchu a jab. What nonsense was he spouting? Did he think he was in his own little world where he could say whatever he wanted without anyone caring?

"Su Yanchu, if you have nothing to do, get out. Next time you come dressed like this, see if I open the door for you."

Seeing Huo Zong's face as dark as a pot, Su Yanchu shrunk his neck. He was really afraid of Huo Zong going crazy.

Once he went crazy, no one could stop him.

"Alright, alright, I won't dress like this when I come over next time."

Su Yanchu looked around, picked up an apron from the kitchen shelf, and put it on, muttering, "You're clearly out of touch with the times. You don't understand fashion. If you're all wrapped up like that, Fengmian might not like it."

"Fengmian, do you think Huo Zong's clothes are better, or mine?"

Jiang Fengmien hooked Huo Zong's finger and smiled softly, his bright eyes staring straight at him, saying hoarsely, "Huo Zong is better-looking."

Su Yanchu, who hadn't even gotten a glance from Jiang Fengmien: "..."

He was really asking for trouble, wasn't he?

"Fengmian, then do you think Huo Zong looks better with clothes on or off?"

Jiang Fengmien's ears turned slightly red. Of course, he looked best in special uniforms!

"Ah, Huo Zong definitely looks good no matter what, but I've never seen him without clothes."

That time Huo Zong got drunk, he didn't take off his clothes either. He had only seen Huo Zong's abs once in a while.

Slurp.

He was tempted to touch them, but it was just a thought.

"What's that?"

Su Yanchu looked at the bite mark Huo Zong was now covering tightly. He rushed over to Jiang Fengmien and asked, "What's this?"

"I'm not feeling well, I bit it."

Su Yanchu looked at Huo Zong, his eyes filled with accusation, as if to say, look at your wife, aren't these words too ambiguous?

However, Huo Zong didn't want to meet his gaze at all, pushing his shoulder to drive him out.

Got it, Huo Zong and Jiang Fengmian are still just lip friends for now.

Su Yanchu felt relieved, but not entirely, always feeling that Huo Zong might be about to fall.

"Hey, Huo Zong, I still have serious business, I'll leave after eating, I promise not to mention anything, not to say anything, okay?"

"You better have serious business."

Su Yanchu sat down with lingering fear, pushing the gift box Huo Zong had opened in front of Jiang Fengmian.

"Fengmian, see if it's the same as before?"

The wings of the mechanical butterfly flapped up and down, with blue wings like silk embedded with sparkling diamonds.

Jiang Fengmian carefully touched it, his mouth slightly open, somewhat incredulous.

"Brother, I thought it was gone."

"I picked it up, do you like it?"

Jiang Fengmian nodded vigorously, "I like it, I like it, even more than the one you gave me last time."

"Thank you, brother, I'm so happy."

Huo Zong hummed, quickly raising his hand to brush the red corner of Jiang Fengmian's eye, then casually putting his arm behind his back.

"Fengmian, I fixed this, spent several nights on it. To be honest, I'm the only one in the capital who can fix it, and it's only because Huo Zong asked me, I wouldn't do it personally for just anyone."

"Hmph."

Huo Zong sneered, thinking, there's no need to grab credit at this time, he's really getting carried away.

"Thank you too."

Alright, Jiang Fengmian is also quite perfunctory.

"Is there anything else, show-off repairman?"

Su Yanchu was helpless, his eyes glancing at Jiang Fengmian, hesitating whether to say it in front of Jiang Fengmian, but seeing Huo Zong's tight defense now, he was afraid he had to say it.

"It's like this, you asked me to find someone to test the drug residue on Fengmian's clothes, it's indeed a potent drug that could induce madness in dogs, working in conjunction with the drugs in the dogs, there's no other way but to control the dogs."

"This kind of drug is not easy to sell, I used some tricks, and after some twists and turns, I found out the recent seller, it's a black market deal after all, they wouldn't reveal the buyer's information. Anyway, they provided a surname."

Huo Zong probably had a guess, almost speaking in sync with Su Yanchu: "Jiang."

"Right, you have an idea in your heart, but there's nothing we can do about it, their business has been fine for so many years, it must be something extraordinary, and we haven't found any evidence, so let's just take the loss this time."

"By the way, Huo Zong, did you already guess it was him?"

"That day Jiang Fengmian said Jiang Fengqiu deliberately caused him trouble, and even brushed against his waist, a very abrupt action."

Jiang Fengmian nodded along, he thought the matter was over, but didn't expect Su Yanchu had been investigating all along.

As Su Yanchu said, even if we know it's him, there's nothing we can do without solid evidence. We'll learn from this loss, and Jiang Fengqiu isn't foolish enough to use the same method twice.

"Well, I'll head back now. That's all there is to it. Just stay vigilant about Jiang Fengqiu. He's recently poached a lot of people, and it seems he's determined to secure the cultural tourism bureau's project."

"Mm."

Huo Zong reviewed Dong Li's draft and wasn't worried about the design anymore. Now, it's just about refining the concept and keeping an eye on Huo Qilin. There shouldn't be any issues.

The team he selected consists of long-time employees who have deep affection for Huo Corporation. They wouldn't leak confidential information.

"Su Yanchu, weren't you staying for dinner? Aunt Wang can make hand-pulled noodles for you."

"Sure, then I won't stand on ceremony. Fengmian, you don't mind me intruding on your couple's time, do you?"

"Not at all."

Jiang Fengmian has a good impression of Su Yanchu. As Huo Zong's only friend, his character is quite commendable. He's all talk, though—according to the books, he's never even been in a relationship, quite innocent.

Outwardly reserved but inwardly righteous, he keeps his distance from those who pursue him, not unlike Huo Zong's emotional detachment.

Fortunately, Su Yanchu knows his place. He left right after dinner without lingering.

[Huo Zong: Did you take the wrong medicine today? What's gotten into you?]

[Su Yanchu: Indeed, I took the wrong medicine. I never expected you to carry such an ambiguous bite mark so nonchalantly.]

[Su Yanchu: I was deeply shocked. I never thought, Huo Zong, I wanted to ask you, what's going on with you?]

[Huo Zong: It was an accident. Jiang Fengmian had a claustrophobia episode and bit me unconsciously.]

[Su Yanchu: Wow, what a surprise. I'm so surprised too.]

The conversation ended abruptly. Huo Zong sat in silence, his draft paper filled with Jiang Fengmian's name. He crumpled the paper and threw it into the trash, exhaling deeply, his mind filled with the moment Su Yanchu showed off his abs.

Night fell.

Jiang Fengmian posted today's update and sat cross-legged on the sofa, pondering how to lure Huo Zong into his bedroom tonight.

After spending a night in the same bed with Huo Zong, Jiang Fengmian couldn't hold back his longing for him, for the sharp woody scent of his body.

Time ticked by. Jiang Fengmian gritted his teeth and went to knock on Huo Zong's bedroom door.

After knocking a few times, the room remained quiet. Just as Jiang Fengmian was about to leave, the door suddenly opened.

Huo Zong seemed to have just finished showering, his hair still dripping wet, water sliding down his neck to his collarbone, pooling in a shallow hollow.

Jiang Fengmian unconsciously swallowed, his lashes fluttering like crow feathers. He gently closed the door and said in a trembling voice, "Brother, I want to help you dry your hair."

"If it's not okay, forget it. I just feel like I only cause trouble and can't help with anything. I want to help you."

Jiang Fengmian lowered his head in disappointment, taking a few steps back, only to have a hairdryer thrust into his hand.

"Go ahead."

Huo Zong sat down, secretly observing Jiang Fengmian through the mirror.

Jiang Fengmian's movements were very clumsy, his fingertips brushing against Huo Zong's scalp, the warm air blowing his hair in all directions. Jiang Fengmian was very focused on drying every strand.

"Huo Zong, is it too hot?"

Jiang Fengmian's voice mingled with the roar of the hair dryer, pleasant yet muffled. Huo Zong stared at him through the mirror, momentarily entranced.

It took him a while to hear his own voice.

"Just right."

Putting away the hair dryer, the two of them faced each other in silence.

Jiang Fengmian twisted his fingers, feeling completely normal, but the words "Can you stay with me a little longer?" just wouldn't come out.

He could only endure the awkward silence.

Jiang Fengmian's vision seemed to blur, and Huo Zong drew closer, so close that his neck was gently grasped by Huo Zong, the rough fingertips brushing against his fair skin, causing Jiang Fengmian to shiver involuntarily.

"Brother."

"Hmm."

The inexplicably hoarse voice reached Jiang Fengmian's ears, and he couldn't help but look up, directly meeting Huo Zong's deep, dark eyes.

In his gaze was an emotion Jiang Fengmian couldn't decipher, something suppressed, a thick sense of possessiveness.

"You like Su Yanchu's abs."

The rising tone carried a hint of accusation.

Jiang Fengmian shook his head frantically, saying he hadn't even seen them clearly. The first time he saw Huo Zong's clothes, the second time he saw Huo Zong himself. There was no liking involved.

"I like brother's, not his."

"I didn't see, I don't like."

"Oh, so if you saw, you might like."

Huo Zong narrowed his eyes, undeniably, Su Yanchu had a way with words. He was feeling dizzy, afraid Jiang Fengmian might fall for it.

"Su Yanchu is not serious, don't get too close to him. He's fickle, liking one person today and another tomorrow. Keep your distance from him."

Huo Zong's expression remained unchanged, even his breathing was normal. If Jiang Fengmian hadn't read the original work, he might have been fooled.

But why was Huo Zong saying all this?

"I don't like him. He's brother's friend, so he's my friend. First Huo Zong, then Huo Zong's friend."

These words pleased Huo Zong greatly, even the hand on the back of his neck began to warm slightly.

His gaze lingered on Jiang Fengmian's cheek, and after mustering enough courage, he squeezed out a sentence from his throat: "Jiang Fengmian, you're not allowed to look at his, only mine. And you're not allowed to touch his, he's not serious."

Now it was Jiang Fengmian's turn to be shocked. He responded mechanically, as if he hadn't heard clearly: "What?"

His heart pounded, and Huo Zong repeated the words. Jiang Fengmian's heart melted completely.

His head was spinning, still not quite believing that Huo Zong would say such things.

"Huo Zong, I only look at yours, only touch yours."

So, when will you let me touch? Talking big is nothing.

Huo Zong's arm slid down, slowly moving to Jiang Fengmian's wrist, encircling it and pulling it forward, pressing it against Huo Zong's abs through the thin pajamas.

"Jiang Fengmian, do you want to touch it?"

"Yes."

Jiang Fengmian's swallowing motion was caught by Huo Zong, who seemed to curl the corner of his lips, exuding an air of boldness and flamboyance.

"Hmm, I'll satisfy you."

Through the hem of his shirt, Jiang Fengmian's warm palm rested on Huo Zong's firm abs.

His cheeks flushed red, blinking rapidly, and with Huo Zong's tacit approval, he moved slightly.

Mmm.

It was Huo Zong's low, muffled groan.

So strange, Jiang Fengmian felt his whole body heating up, his toes curling against the floor, his round eyes sneaking a glance at Huo Zong.

Huo Zong's expression was indescribable, Jiang Fengmian thought for a long time before finally coming up with a word: restrained.

Huo Zong's breathing became rapid, he narrowed his eyes, gripping Jiang Fengmian's wrist and moving it upwards, his fingertips hidden under the pajamas, leaving only the sensation.

Even so, Huo Zong was still driven to the brink of madness.

"Jiang Fengmian, how are my abs?"

"Good, very good, I like them."

"Huo Zong, I like them."

"Hmm."

As soon as the words fell, Huo Zong pulled Jiang Fengmian's hand away.

"Jiang Fengmian, it's late, go back and rest."

Jiang Fengmian, who inexplicably appeared at the door, was still dazed.

That's it, that's it!

Convinced, Huo Zong is no good!