Chapter 33: The Mark of Loving Dogs Jiang Fengmian, please, don’t be scared of me…

Chapter 33: The Mark of Loving Dogs Jiang Fengmian, please, don't be scared of me...

Huo Zong's head was buried in his neck, his warm breath brushing against his collarbone, Jiang Fengmian's legs trembled uncontrollably.

Jiang Fengmian tentatively placed his palm on Huo Zong's back, gently stroking it a few times, his eyebrows lowered, it was difficult to imagine Huo Zong being so vulnerable.

Like a winter plum that cannot be reached, weighed down by the wind and snow, resisting desperately, yet inevitably bowing down.

Jiang Fengmian's heart ached, he softly called Huo Zong's name, as he had done countless times before, depending on him completely.

"Huo Zong, I'm here, always here."

"No matter when, no matter what happens, I stand with you."

A soft tap.

Jiang Fengmian's skin was scalded, his eyes widened in disbelief, as if... tears.

"Huo Zong."

Jiang Fengmian's voice trembled, he frantically cupped Huo Zong's face, his eyes were bloodshot, only slightly damp, not at all as if he had just cried.

From those dark, ink-like eyes, Jiang Fengmian seemed to see two words, coldness.

"Brother."

Huo Zong replied in a muffled voice, according to his expectation, he should have already driven Jiang Fengmian out of his bedroom.

But the reality was, he couldn't bring himself to be harsh with Jiang Fengmian, even more so, he couldn't bear Jiang Fengmian's gentle touch.

A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, as if those unspoken, dark thoughts had been noticed by Jiang Fengmian at this moment.

Huo Zong gently nuzzled against Jiang Fengmian's palm, just like Jiang Fengmian had done countless times, his downcast eyes filled with possessiveness, wanting to mark Jiang Fengmian with his scent, wanting Jiang Fengmian to truly belong only to him.

It was as if he had taken an invisible chain, binding Jiang Fengmian to the core of his heart, allowing no one else to interfere.

"Brother, are you still feeling very unwell, let Doctor Uncle take a look."

On the bedside table, several medicine bottles were crookedly lying, some for treating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, some sedatives, and some that Jiang Fengmian couldn't name, only glimpsed in the list of psychiatric drugs.

Now Huo Zong's state was very much like after taking a large amount of medicine, with various emotions suppressed on the surface, but the heart was still in a state of collapse.

After several tugs, a split situation appeared, Huo Zong didn't even know what he was doing.

"No need."

"I'm fine."

His lips were as pale as a ghost, all his strength drained, listlessly drooping his eyelids, with a faint smile, where was he fine, clearly on the verge of madness.

Jiang Fengmian could only weakly hook Huo Zong's finger, somewhat guiltily saying, "Brother, is it because of me?"

Huo Zong stiffened for a moment, his blood froze, really thinking he had hidden it well, without any abnormality throughout, when and how did Jiang Fengmian realize it was because of him.

In an instant, Huo Zong's throat seemed to be stuffed with cotton, stuck in his throat, his hand behind his back nervously clenched into a fist, barely stabilizing his mind, shaking his head as if nothing was wrong.

"Jiang Fengmian, don't overthink it."

"I'm not overthinking, brother, it's because I forced you to do something you didn't like, that's why you're unhappy, right?"

Huo Zong's anxiety and OCD had gotten so bad that even medication couldn't help anymore. Bath time was his designated reading time.

They clearly weren't close enough to be comfortable seeing each other naked. Huo Zong felt awkward but couldn't bring it up, mindful of his injuries and condition. His patience wore thin, leading to a relapse.

Huo Zong blinked, caught off guard by Jiang Fengmian's sudden shift in conversation.

He thought Jiang Fengmian had caught a glimpse of his hidden, insatiable desires.

Thank goodness he hadn't, thank goodness.

"No, Jiang Fengmian, being with you isn't forced or unpleasant. Don't overthink it."

As long as it's you, everything feels better.

"I just remembered—when Huo Qilin pushed me into the water, Huo Qing seemed to have seen it all along."

Huo Qing had seen it from the start. People gossiped about how tough he was, taking a beating from Huo Qing without a word. That wasn't it—he just hated.

He hated that Huo Qing saw Huo Qilin push him in but still protected and favored him. He hated that even then, he wished he'd drown.

Huo Zong thought Huo Qing wouldn't have shown up if he hadn't shoved Huo Qilin into the water so hard.

It'd be better if he died and kept Huo Qing's beloved company in the afterlife.

Jiang Fengmian felt helpless, fumbling for words to comfort Huo Zong, instead just rubbing his lips, trying to wipe away the blood.

"Brother, it's different now. You've got me, and I'll protect you, just like you protect me."

Huo Zong will live a long, full life.

"Brother, how about another hug? Don't be sad—the bad guys will get what's coming to them."

Huo Zong glanced up, and with just one look, Jiang Fengmian dove into his arms, wrapping his arms around his neck, kneeling on the bed.

Warm fingertips pressed against his brow, Jiang Fengmian traced his sharp brow bone down to his burning ear, as if discovering something fun.

"Huo Zong, you're turning red."

Huo Zong pursed his lips, brow furrowed. "No, it's just the light."

"Hmph, you're definitely blushing. Here, take a look."

"How to look..."

Jiang Fengmian suddenly leaned in, his face inches from Huo Zong's lips, mouth moving, but Huo Zong didn't catch a word.

"Huo Zong, you're spacing out again."

"Take a good look, the you in my eyes, are you blushing?"

Huo Zong didn't look into Jiang Fengmian's eyes, just glanced over the small mole on his nose, stopping at his slightly swollen lips.

Upon closer inspection, Huo Zong could still see the tooth marks on the lower lip. Jiang Fengmian liked to bite his lips when angry, a little secret only Huo Zong knew.

Such moist, swollen lips, what would they taste like when kissed? Probably sweet, from the entangled tongue, all the way to the tip of the heart.

"Brother, is it? My neck is sore."

"Jiang Fengmian, why don't you just use a mirror?"

Jiang Fengmian: "..."

Of course, I didn’t recall.

Jiang Fengmian bit his lip again, let go of Huo Zong's neck, pushed him onto the bed, half-sitting on Huo Zong, and pouted while pinching his nose.

"Brother, why are you bullying me? Go look in the mirror then, I’m leaving."

Jiang Fengmian pretended to leave, got off Huo Zong, and lingered for a few steps. Huo Zong still had no intention of stopping him. He took three steps forward and two steps back, but even so, the clueless Huo Zong still didn’t get it.

"Ahem, I’m really going now."

"Huo Zong—"

Jiang Fengmian pouted. Huo Zong, you’re so mean.

At the moment Jiang Fengmian turned away sadly, an arm suddenly snaked around his waist. Huo Zong held his waist with one hand, drawing him into his arms.

Their eyes met, and Jiang Fengmian was burned by Huo Zong's gaze, instinctively looking away. It seemed like he was back in the steamy bathroom, the steam rising, Huo Zong holding his full attention, claiming it as his own.

"Brother, what are you doing?"

"Look at me through your eyes."

The stare lingered a little too long, making Jiang Fengmian feel as if he was being peeled layer by layer, placed on a stove by Huo Zong, being roasted.

Jiang Fengmian was slightly off the ground, unable to find solid footing, so he had to settle for stepping on Huo Zong's feet.

His slippers must’ve slipped off when Huo Zong picked him up, his toes brushing against the warmth of Huo Zong’s foot, his legs going weak.

"Brother, are you still not done looking?"

After a moment, Huo Zong’s lips quirked slightly.

"Beautiful."

Two simple words, Jiang Fengmian blurted out: "Who's beautiful?"

"My cat."

Cat, Huo Zong's cat.

Jiang Fengmian gasped, his face flushed, feeling dizzy from those words, his heart pounding, nearly breathless—oh no, he couldn’t take it!

Jiang Fengmian racked his brains to flirt back, his face clearly saying, ‘Don’t disturb me, I’m thinking hard!’

Well, he couldn't think of anything.

"Brother, the pretty kitty wants her head rubbed."

Huo Zong put him down, scratching Jiang Fengmian's chin, listening to him purr happily, then moved to the top of his head, ruffling Jiang Fengmian’s hair playfully.

"Hey, that's not right, brother, I'm a puppy."

"Grr, I’m fierce—scared yet?"

"Hmm, you're a cute little cat-dog, a kitten for short. Scared? Come on, let the kitten take a bite and see."

Huo Zong bent his knuckle and pressed it against Jiang Fengmian's lips, his eyes filled with teasing laughter.

"Hmph, a puppy can bite, but a kitten or puppy can't."

"Alright, alright, my puppy, try biting me."

Huo Zong coaxed Jiang Fengmian to bite his fingertip, letting out a sigh of satisfaction as every cell in his body thrummed with contentment. He narrowed his eyes, even tempted to push his fingertip into Jiang Fengmian's lips and tease his soft tongue.

"Look, a bite mark."

Jiang Fengmian unconsciously licked his lips, holding Huo Zong's finger and proudly tilted his head to show it off.

"Mmm, I like the puppy's mark."

"Huh?"

Jiang Fengmian was completely baffled. Was a shower really this powerful? It had transformed Huo Zong from being reserved to being unrestrained, a completely wild vibe.

His Huo Zong was just too charming. What should he do if he couldn't handle it?

"Um, brother, are you feeling okay?"

Jiang Fengmian worriedly pressed his hand to Huo Zong's forehead, checked his temperature several times against his own. No fever, so what was wrong with Huo Zong?

He hadn't been drinking either. It was strange; the usual Huo Zong wouldn't say such things.

"Brother, cut back on the pills."

From Jiang Fengmian's loving gaze, Huo Zong completely lost it.

"Heh, just assume I have a brain problem."

Since he was said to have a brain problem, it was normal for him to do anything.

"Huo Zong, you shouldn't take too many pills at once. It's dangerous. Is your stomach still hurting?"

It had been excruciating, but somehow, Jiang Fengmian's fussing had miraculously lessened the pain.

"It hurts."

Huo Zong's long lashes cast shadows beneath his eyes as he whispered, "Jiang Fengmian, it's late. Go get some rest."

"How can I? You're still sick. Let me look after you."

"Don't trouble yourself. Your hand isn't doing well either. I'll just lie down and press on my stomach."

Jiang Fengmian disapprovingly looked at Huo Zong. This was too reckless. He angrily pulled Huo Zong back to bed, poured him a glass of warm water, and made the bed, urging Huo Zong to lie down quickly.

"Brother, go to sleep. I'll leave once you're asleep."

Huo Zong responded with a low hum, not as insistent as usual about sleeping together. Did he really think Huo Zong had a brain problem?

A few minutes later, the pain surged intensely, as if all his organs were twisted together, a disorienting agony. Huo Zong drank the warm water, turned to his side, and adjusted his breathing, feigning sleep. When he heard Jiang Fengmian tiptoe out, he finally exhaled.

It was a soul-crushing pain. Huo Zong felt as if his soul had left his body, leaving his form on the bed, unable to move.

He suppressed the gasps in his throat, letting out a self-mocking laugh. Three pills of each kind were no longer effective. It had only been an hour, and the somatization had started again.

The pain in his stomach dragged all his organs along. Huo Zong didn't even have the strength to get up and take another pill.

Huo Zong rubbed the faint bite mark on his fingertip, barely lifting it to his lips. He gently nibbled on it, his mind recalling Jiang Fengmian's face, like a misplaced kiss.

The night grew heavier and heavier, and Huo Zong was wide awake. He stared at the dark ceiling, his thoughts in turmoil, and feelings of disgust came rushing back.

The words Huo Qing had spoken were like nails piercing his heart. Every time Huo Zong tried to pull them out a little, they were forcefully pushed back in an instant, repeating over and over until his heart was riddled with holes, leaking from every corner.

Ding!

[Dear customer, your package has arrived in the imperial capital and is expected to be delivered at 8 o'clock sharp.]

Huo Zong’s muddled mind struggled to remember what this package was.

He made himself close his eyes, massaged his temples, adjusted his breathing rhythm, and drifted off to sleep.

***

"Huo Zong."

The curtains in Huo Zong's bedroom billowed in the breeze. Jiang Fengmian scanned the room but didn’t see any sign of Huo Zong.

The window was wide open. Had Huo Zong...

Jiang Fengmian’s feet seemed nailed to the ground. He felt a jolt run through him and froze for a moment before slowly moving forward.

Blurry-eyed, he leaned out the window to look down at the garden. Seeing no sign of Huo Zong, he let out a sigh of relief.

He must’ve just gone to work. It’s nothing, it’s nothing.

"Jiang Fengmian, come here."

"Where did you go?"

Jiang Fengmian slipped an arm around Huo Zong’s waist. Huo Zong still looked drained, his mood low, and his movements robotic.

"At the door. Don’t lean out the window; it’s dangerous."

"Okay, I was just watching the little bird."

Jiang Fengmian didn’t dare admit he’d thought Huo Zong had jumped. That would be too embarrassing.

"Mm, let’s eat first."

"Brother, don’t drink soy milk. Have some porridge instead; your stomach hurts."

Jiang Fengmian traded his porridge with Huo Zong and sipped the soy milk using Huo Zong’s spoon, his eyes crinkling with satisfaction.

Huo Zong suspected Jiang Fengmian just wanted them to swap utensils, but he had no proof.

In the moment Huo Zong was lost in thought, Jiang Fengmian offered him a clean spoon.

"Brother, I haven’t used this one; it’s clean."

Hinting that the one he’d used was dirty.

Huo Zong looked steadily at Jiang Fengmian. He didn’t take the new spoon but instead lowered his head and nonchalantly used the spoon Jiang Fengmian had used to eat his porridge.

"Aw."

Jiang Fengmian was so excited he almost jumped up. He held his face, somewhat in disbelief.

Huo Zong, who insisted on washing his utensils seven times and sterilizing them, didn’t mind using his spoon. What an honor! Jiang Fengmian wanted to announce to the whole world that Huo Zong didn’t hate him, didn’t find him disgusting.

"Puppy, what are you 'aw'-ing about?"

"When I'm happy, I just have to shout it out, Huo Zong! I'm so happy!"

Huo Zong's lips curled slightly, his face showing a subtle, smug expression.

"Bro, aren’t you going to work? It’s almost nine."

Huo Zong was still in a thin white shirt, collar open, showing off his sharp Adam’s apple and tempting collarbone.

Jiang Fengmian hid his flushed face, swallowing hard. Huo Zong was being so bad, openly tempting him like this.

"The office is closed today."

"Why?"

"Because I’m spending Children’s Day with my little one at home."

The little one at home was so thrilled he could barely contain himself. He gasped dramatically, kicking himself for not bringing the watch he wanted to give Huo Zong.

"Come here, little one, and check out your gift."

Huo Zong handed Jiang Fengmian a gorgeous box, adorned with celestial designs and the Milky Way.

Jiang Fengmian held the box, puzzled, unable to guess what was inside.

"Huo Zong, I’m opening it now."

"Go ahead, open it and see if you like it."

What greeted him was a mountain of paper stars. The box was packed with stars, each one nearly identical.

Jiang Fengmian’s nose prickled, his voice cracking as he asked, "Brother, did you make all these?"

"Yeah, they’re not perfect. Do you like them?"

"I love them! They’re so good, so beautiful. I really, really love them. Bro, when did you make these?"

"While a certain someone was fast asleep, not paying attention. Keep looking, there’s more."

Jiang Fengmian sifted through the stars and found a certificate at the bottom.

It was the deed to name a star.

The Jiang Fengmian & Huo Zong Star.

"What’s this?"

"It’s your star, Jiang Fengmian. The one you wanted. It’s all yours."

Huo Zong had hesitated whether to add his own name, but remembering Jiang Fengmian's look that day, he felt that adding his name would make Jiang Fengmian even happier.

"Happy Children’s Day, my little one."

"Tonight, I’ll show you how to use the telescope to see your star. It’s stunning."

"Sounds good."

Jiang Fengmian wiped his eyes. They both knew this wasn’t an official naming, but more of a claim—something uniquely theirs.

But for Jiang Fengmian, it was Huo Zong who really, really wanted to give him a star. Regardless of external recognition, in Huo Zong's eyes, he now possessed a star.

"Thank you, brother. You're so mean, just trying to make me cry."

Just the act of folding each star for him was touching enough, but to also give him the naming rights to a star, and most importantly, it was both of their names.

Huo Zong gently rubbed the corner of Jiang Fengmian's eye, teasing, "So, are you going to cry?"

"No, I won't."

Jiang Fengmian carefully tucked the certificate back into the box and picked out what he thought was the most beautiful paper star to hand to Huo Zong.

"Huo Zong, now you also have a star."

A star named Jiang Fengmian.

Huo Zong gazed at Jiang Fengmian with an incredibly tender look, soft to the extreme, "Alright, my star."

"Brother, actually, I have a gift for you too, wait a moment."

Jiang Fengmian quickly ran back to his bedroom and took out a small box hidden under his pillow.

When he returned, Huo Zong only saw a red velvet box, his heart skipped a beat, instinctively thinking it might be a ring.

Huo Zong's heart raced, he nervously looked at Jiang Fengmian, unsure where to put his hands and feet.

"Huo Zong, Happy Children's Day."

With a click, the box opened to reveal an elegant and luxurious wristwatch.

"Huo Zong, this watch is for you."

Huo Zong's fingers instinctively touched the cracked dial of his wristwatch. Ten years after receiving the watch that Huo Zong didn't want, he now had a watch that was uniquely his own, not Huo Qilin's.

"Why did you think of giving me a watch, Jiang Fengmian?"

Huo Zong's voice was very hoarse, his fingers trembled as he picked up the watch, examining it carefully.

The watch was engraved with Jiang Fengmian's name and a string of numbers, 8023. Huo Zong didn't understand the meaning of the numbers, but he gently stroked them, his eyes brimming with indescribable joy.

"Your watch was broken, from now on this is Huo Zong's watch, only Huo Zong's watch."

Not something picked up from someone else's discard, but something he had carefully selected, saved up for, and put a lot of thought into, a watch for Huo Zong.

Jiang Fengmian pointed to the string of numbers, "Brother, this is the watch's serial number, it's unique to you, Huo Zong."

"Thank you, I really like it."

"Jiang Fengmian, where did you get so much money for this?"

"You gave it to me, you gave me a lot of money, this watch is beautiful, and it looks even better on you, Huo Zong."

Jiang Fengmian took the wristwatch, slowly approaching Huo Zong, he whispered, "Huo Zong, let the past be past, we need to start a new life."

What was slowly breaking wasn't just Huo Zong's wristwatch, but also his heart. Jiang Fengmian could only try his best to piece it together, standing firmly by his side, telling him that Huo Zong was never alone.

At the very least, he was there.

Huo Zong watched Jiang Fengmian, his heart in a tumult. During his most anxious times, Dr. Li had suggested he throw away the watch, but he had never been able to bring himself to do it. Now, Jiang Fengmian had appeared, telling him that they were going to start a new life.

What's done is done.

"Jiang Fengmian, this is the first gift that's just for me, and it's also my favorite."

Jiang Fengmian covered Huo Zong's mouth with his hand, troubled, "It can't be your favorite just yet. I plan to give you many more in the future. What will you do then?"

Mmm.

Jiang Fengmian's palm felt wet for a moment, as if Huo Zong's tongue had lightly brushed over it, sending a shiver down his spine.

He secretly clenched his fist, holding onto that warmth forever.

"In the future, it will be the absolute favorite, the super-duper favorite."

"Alright."

Jiang Fengmian held Huo Zong's wrist with one hand, his eyes sparkling as he looked at him, pleading, "Brother, let me put it on for you, okay?"

Noticing the firm grip on his wrist, Huo Zong's expression turned panicked. He gently pushed Jiang Fengmian's hand away with the watch, pursing his lips, silently refusing.

"Brother, you clearly like it. Why won't you let me help?"

"Jiang Fengmian, I can do it myself."

The more Huo Zong resisted, the more curious Jiang Fengmian grew about what secret lay beneath the watch Huo Zong always wore.

Jiang Fengmian stubbornly pressed on, gently prying, and something from the long-broken watch face fell to the floor with a sharp, clattering sound.

His gaze fell on the skin beneath Huo Zong's watch and he froze in place.

The next moment, Huo Zong's trembling hand covered his eyes.

"Jiang Fengmian, please, don't be afraid of me."

Jiang Fengmian's eyes welled up with tears. Beneath the watch were crisscrossing scars, long and short, overlapping. Just one glance and he felt his heart ache unbearably.

Huo Zong, how could he do this to himself?