Chapter 49: I Am Whole, Belonging Only to Jiang Fengmian. Huo Zong craves physical touch…

Chapter 49: I Am Whole, Belonging Only to Jiang Fengmian. Huo Zong craves physical touch...

Jiang Fengmian collapsed onto the plush bed, propped himself up, and crawled forward a bit before Huo Zong grabbed his legs and pulled him back.

With a thud, Jiang Fengmian fell straight into Huo Zong's arms, rubbing his slightly sore nose, the corners of his eyes turning red.

"Brother," he called out in a soft, hoarse voice, inexplicably tinged with a hint of grievance.

"Sweetie, don't give me that look."

Huo Zong covered Jiang Fengmian's eyes with one hand, leaning down to gently kiss his earlobe.

"Honey, I'm a bit scared."

His heartbeat was unmistakably loud. Jiang Fengmian clutched Huo Zong's collar, buried his face in his neck, and sniffled, his eyes filled with fear of the unknown.

Jiang Fengmian knew nothing about these things. The most explicit content he had ever seen was a comic with partially disrobed characters, not the kind of explicit material Huo Zong imagined.

He poked Huo Zong's side, muttering worriedly, "It's too much, I can't handle it."

Huo Zong's hands stopped moving. He bent down closer to Jiang Fengmian, gently comforting him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't consider your feelings. You stay here, I'll go to your bedroom."

As Huo Zong stood up, Jiang Fengmian gently grasped his wrist.

Jiang Fengmian smiled softly, the dimple at the corner of his mouth deepening as he hummed, "Please, don't leave."

Loving someone means you can't keep doing this over and over.

"Brother, I love you, I want to be with you..."

"Huo Zong, do you love me?"

Huo Zong knew what Jiang Fengmian was hinting at. His body suddenly grew hot, his feet rooted to the ground, unable to move.

Huo Zong couldn't bear to make Jiang Fengmian sad. He sat back down, saying word by word, "I love you, more than anything."

He bent down and pulled out a large, overflowing box from under the bed. When he opened it, Jiang Fengmian's jaw nearly dropped.

"Brother, you didn't mention there would be so many when you bought it."

The boxes were neatly stacked, looking quite overwhelming. In that moment, Jiang Fengmian almost regretted pulling Huo Zong back.

"I didn't expect this either. I must've messed up the order. No worries, we'll use it daily and it'll be gone in no time."

Jiang Fengmian: What the...???

What the hell? Every day? Huo Zong is going to be the death of me.

Jiang Fengmian timidly suggested, "Huo Zong, maybe you should sleep in my room."

Yes, he was backing out!

Huo Zong gave him a dangerous smile, tilting Jiang Fengmian's chin, "Sweetie, you can't take it back now."

"Please, brother."

Jiang Fengmian nuzzled Huo Zong's neck, not realizing how risky it was.

Huo Zong's eyes were half-closed, his desires at their peak, yet Jiang Fengmian kept teasing him like this.

"Good kitty, don't worry, I'll be gentle."

Jiang Fengmian lay down, glancing at the bright outdoors where the sun was high.

"Brother, isn't it a little inappropriate in broad daylight?"

At Huo Zong's command, the curtains closed automatically, and the room gradually darkened.

"Kitty, it's nighttime now."

Well, well, well, lying through his teeth—it seems there's no escaping today.

Jiang Fengmian wrapped his arms around Huo Zong's neck, giving his lips a light kiss. "Brother, take it easy."

"Hmm."

When the moment finally came, Huo Zong slowed down, as if someone had hit the pause button, each moment felt like slow motion, heightening all of Jiang Fengmian's senses.

"Kitty, pick one."

Jiang Fengmian's vision was blurry, barely able to make out the words above, and he picked one randomly.

Huo Zong raised an eyebrow and whispered, "Kitty, you picked a good one."

Starting with the most intense one.

"Brother, if you don't talk, no one will think you're a mute."

Huo Zong chuckled softly, using his teeth to tear open the packaging. He nodded casually, his fingers pressing on Jiang Fengmian's collarbone.

"Good kitty, if it hurts, just bite me."

"Hmm."

Jiang Fengmian's teeth dug into Huo Zong's shoulder, his eyes curved with a proud smile as he said, "Brother, I'm not scared."

"Huo Zong, you're mine and only mine."

"Yes, I belong only to you, entirely and completely, only to Jiang Fengmian."

Huo Zong's voice lowered, the room was filled only with the sounds of their lips and teeth mingling.

In his twenty-eight years, he had loved only one person, someone who was a bit spoiled and adorable, yet incredibly strong-willed.

Beyond his mesmerizingly beautiful exterior, he fell in love with his unique soul.

The sky gradually darkened, the moon hanging high on the treetops, sometimes visible, sometimes hidden.

Jiang Fengmian was held by Huo Zong as if boneless, leaning softly against him, letting him carry him to bathe.

Warm water flowed over, Jiang Fengmian half-closed his eyes, shivering slightly at Huo Zong's touch.

"Brother, I can't anymore."

Huo Zong's hand paused, he chuckled hoarsely, his fingers rubbing over Jiang Fengmian's eye corners. "Kitty, sleep, I won't touch you anymore."

Jiang Fengmian mumbled an agreement, covering his mouth to yawn, moving like a puppet with Huo Zong's actions, lifting and lowering. He kicked Huo Zong's chest lightly, pouting angrily.

"Huo Zong, let's sleep in separate rooms tomorrow."

"Kitty, I won't let you."

"Jiang Fengmian, you can't be so cruel."

"Kitty, speak."

Huo Zong was utterly distraught, while Jiang Fengmian, who had dropped the bombshell, was already sound asleep.

No matter what Huo Zong said, all he heard was Jiang Fengmian's snoring.

Huo Zong carried Jiang Fengmian to the bedroom, laid him on the bed, and carefully dried his hair.

"Goodnight, my kitty."

Huo Zong, with a look of deep contentment, held Jiang Fengmian close, his fingers brushing over the red marks on Jiang Fengmian's collarbone, and fell asleep contentedly.

***

The next morning.

The sun was high in the sky, and Huo Zong didn't dare move, as his kitten was still curled up on his arm. Huo Zong glanced over, his heart melting with affection.

His kitten was so well-behaved and adorable, he couldn't help but want to...

Huo Zong's mind began to wander, but he gently ran his fingers through Jiang Fengmian's hair and held back.

It seemed his skin hunger had lessened a bit.

Ah, his kitten was truly his angel.

"Mmm, brother, I can't take it anymore."

As Huo Zong listened to Jiang Fengmian's mumbling, he chuckled softly. Just how excessive had he been that his kitten was still saying these things in his sleep?

"Kitty, I won't do anything, just sleep well."

Jiang Fengmian whimpered, trying to turn slightly, but the stiffness pulled him back.

"Huo Zong," he said hoarsely.

Jiang Fengmian coughed dryly, his hoarse voice making it seem like he'd been mistreated.

"Here, kitty, have some water."

Huo Zong helped Jiang Fengmian sit up, holding the cup for him to take small sips.

"Cough, cough, I'm okay, brother."

Jiang Fengmian half-leaned on Huo Zong, poking his Adam's apple with an accusing look.

"Huo Zong, are you a dog? Look at what you've done."

Jiang Fengmian didn't dare look; his body was covered in dense hickeys from head to toe.

His Huo Zong had gone wild, kissing him all over.

"Good boy, I'm not a dog, I just love you."

As he spoke, Huo Zong removed his shirt and pointed at his eyes, gazing at Jiang Fengmian.

"Jiang Fengmian, care to explain this?"

Huo Zong's back was covered with scratches, all from the little cat's claws, and there was a row of neat bite marks on his shoulder, also from the little cat's teeth.

Jiang Fengmian guiltily poked at them and pulled his clothes tighter, "I worked hard for that too."

He fumbled to get dressed, looked Huo Zong up and down, and couldn't figure it out, so he just kept staring at him.

"Jiang Fengmian, do you want to ask me something? Ask away, or if something's off, I'll fix it immediately."

"Sorry, it's my first time too; I'm clueless. If you're uncomfortable, tell me anytime."

First time, huh? With all those moves, Jiang Fengmian didn’t even want to comment.

"Huo Zong, did you sneak some reading behind my back?"

Jiang Fengmian was puzzled, how could that be? They should be on the same starting line, right?

"Good kitty, maybe I’m just a quick learner."

No way in hell!

"I don't believe it. And Huo Zong, what’s there to be happy about? You still need practice."

It’s all love, zero technique.

It was pure affection; otherwise, Jiang Fengmian wouldn’t have kissed him.

"What?" Huo Zong instinctively retorted, his face blank for a rare moment.

"Bro, you need to practice more."

Huo Zong suddenly thought of a phrase, "If you suck, practice more." Does that mean he's bad?

The sky is falling, no joke.

"Kitty, work with me here, I’ll do my best."

Jiang Fengmian shook two fingers, "Not today, thanks."

Energy is limited, but not for Huo Zong.

He’s twenty-eight, cut him some slack.

"Huo Zong, I still want to ask, are you really that emotionally detached?"

Curious eyes locked onto Huo Zong, sweat soaking his back. His face went ghostly pale, and he tried to stay calm, but his trembling fingers betrayed him.

The room fell silent. Originally, Jiang Fengmian just said it casually, but seeing Huo Zong's expression, it was clearly not the case.

His heart plummeted, and he gently hooked Huo Zong's icy fingers, leaning in to brush his lips.

"Brother, don’t freak me out, okay? Is it something serious?"

Jiang Fengmian was really scared. His fingertips touched the scar under Huo Zong's wristwatch. If it was a serious heart issue, he was at a loss.

"Kitty, don’t be mad, okay? You say it first—tell me you’re not mad."

Jiang Fengmian rubbed Huo Zong's earlobe with his fingers, his sparkling eyes fixed tightly on Huo Zong.

"I'm not angry, gege, as long as it's not something more serious, I'm not angry, I won't be angry with you."

Huo Zong was still extremely anxious. He hugged Jiang Fengmian, closed his eyes, and whispered in his ear, "Mao Mao, I don't have emotional detachment disorder, it's skin hunger disorder."

"What?"

Skin hunger disorder, how could it be skin hunger disorder.

The author clearly said it was emotional detachment disorder, how could this be.

"I'm sorry, I've been lying to you. The first time we met, when you grabbed my wrist, I almost couldn't control myself. Am I strange? The outside world says I'm cold-hearted, that I have emotional detachment disorder, but in reality, it's skin hunger disorder."

Jiang Fengmian opened his mouth, his heart was heavy. He silently tightened his arms and said with heartache, "Huo Zong, how have you been all these years?"

Everyone knew that Huo Zong's germophobia was so severe that he would wash his hands seven times just from a touch. At a previous drinking party, someone accidentally brushed against the back of his hand, and he immediately left the table, scrubbing his hand until it turned red and peeled.

He was always careful, always cautious, just because he had skin hunger disorder.

"Actually, it's okay, Mao Mao. I despise everyone's touch, except yours."

"That day we met, I wanted to make you leave, but you grabbed me, and the satisfaction from the depths of my soul was felt through my skin. I not only didn't dislike it, I really liked it."

"The person holding my fingers was soft, with wet eyes looking at me. My mind told me to shake it off, but I couldn't bear to."

"Jiang Fengmian, have you seen my book, 'Restraining Desires'? Before I met you, I had no desires to restrain. After meeting you, every moment with you required extreme restraint."

"My gaze falls on your neck, I like that little red mole of yours, I like when you cling to my arm when you act spoiled, and I love your hugs."

"It seems like I only started to come alive after meeting you."

The Huo family was so ungenerous they wouldn't even give a word of encouragement, let alone give him a hug from time to time.

He envied Huo Qilin for receiving everyone's love, and even more for his carefree life, being able to choose what he liked.

Now it's fine, he has Jiang Fengmian, he doesn't need to envy anyone anymore.

"Jiang Fengmian, don't be afraid of me. Before, I didn't know you weren't foolish, I never had any inappropriate thoughts, I just thought, silently liking you would be enough."

"My Jiang Fengmian, deserves the most perfect love in the world."

Jiang Fengmian bit his lip, his eyes filled with tears.

No wonder, no wonder, last night Huo Zong was clearly out of control, but in that situation, he didn't realize it.

Out of control to the point of kissing his skin countless times, out of control to the point of his eyes turning red, only able to take deep breaths while clinging to him.

Jiang Fengmian felt nothing but heartache. The book said Huo Zong rejected everyone's touch, he locked himself in an emotionless cage, he was a complete cold-blooded animal.

But, clearly Huo Zong longed for those touches, longed for love more than anyone.

Jiang Fengmian sniffled, he placed his hand on Huo Zong's lips, and murmured, "Stupid Huo Zong, if you had told me sooner, I would definitely have stuck to you more."

He thought it was just his own wishful thinking, that he had the chance to stick to Huo Zong by pretending to be foolish, but he didn't realize that every step was within Huo Zong's tacit consent.

If it wasn't because he was Jiang Fengmian, if it was someone else, he would have been pushed away long ago.

"Sorry, I was afraid you'd think I was strange. Since you came, I've rarely taken the medicine for skin hunger disorder, only sometimes when I miss you too much, I secretly take one."

A blush appeared on Jiang Fengmian's cheeks, he glanced at Huo Zong, quite the smooth talker.

"Brother, are you just saying this to make me happy? Is it really only me?"

"Only you." Huo Zong was on the verge of swearing. "You must have heard what people in the capital say about me—emotionally cold, heartless, venomous, tyrannical, not normal."

Jiang Fengmian nodded in agreement, because that’s exactly how the author described him. Only Jiang Fengmian saw past those words, recognized Huo Zong’s unique charm, and fell for him without hesitation.

"Brother, those are just rumors. That’s not how I see you."

Only he knows how truly good Huo Zong is.

"Huo Zong, I believe you. It’s okay to have skin hunger; we can cuddle more. Are you happy when we cuddle?"

"Happy, really, really happy."

Jiang Fengmian covered his mouth with a soft laugh, kneeling on the bed as he gently held Huo Zong’s back to comfort him.

"Huo Zong, everything’s in the past now. I’ll take good care of you from now on; you’re not alone anymore."

Jiang Fengmian, who’s been lonely for so long, finally has someone to walk through life with.

His memories of his parents are hazy; he was too young when they died. Those tragic memories seem to have been partly erased by his brain, leaving them unclear. But now, holding Huo Zong, he faintly recalls the sensation of being locked in the attic by his uncle and then bursting out into the sunlight.

Warm and gentle, utterly captivating.

Jiang Fengmian isn’t sure what causes skin hunger, but it must stem from a lack of love in childhood, just like him, who loves cuddling with Huo Zong.

"Kitty, as long as you’re not mad, I was worried you’d be mad, and I wouldn’t know how to make it up to you."

Huo Zong is so clumsy, terrified that Jiang Fengmian might hate him.

"I won’t, brother. I’m starving. Can you carry me to the bathroom? I’m too lazy to walk."

"Sure."

In the mirror, Jiang Fengmian caught a glimpse of the marks on his body, layer after layer, covering him densely.

Jiang Fengmian shyly adjusted his clothes, spat out the toothpaste foam, and said, "Brother, I can’t go out like this."

"Don’t go out. Stay home and rest."

Huo Zong stayed up all night, cramming in a lot of information. In the morning, he asked Aunt Wang to prepare all light meals, worried Jiang Fengmian might feel unwell after eating.

Before sitting down, Huo Zong quickly placed a soft cushion on the chair, handling it as if it were something fragile.

Jiang Fengmian awkwardly looked away. Luckily, Aunt Wang didn’t notice. He coughed lightly and slowly sat down, taking small sips of porridge.

"Kitty, have a pan-fried bun. Be careful, it’s hot."

"Okay."

Full and content, Jiang Fengmian lay on the sofa, lost in thought. Since Dong Li's identity was already exposed, he openly logged into Dong Li's account to update.

After posting the last chapter, the story came to an end, and the comments were filled with reluctance.

Jiang Fengmian felt a bit reluctant too. Having drawn it secretly under Huo Zong’s nose, it held extraordinary meaning.

"Kitty, I mean it, you should sell the copyright to me."

Jiang Fengmian shook his head. If he wanted to sell it to Huo Zong, he wouldn’t have gone to Silver Fox Entertainment in the first place.

"Brother, we should earn money from others. If you buy from me, it’s still my money, that’s not cost-effective. Besides, Huo Corporation doesn’t have projects in the entertainment industry. If you buy it, you can only resell it. Don’t tell me you’re going to hold onto it; there’s no need. It was created to make money."

Huo Zong let out an "oh," hugging Jiang Fengmian’s waist, still trying to argue, but was cut off by Jiang Fengmian’s look.

He really wanted it, thinking that if it was Jiang Fengmian’s, it should be his.

"Brother, that Yi Huo talked to me again. Let’s see what Silver Fox Entertainment has to say."

[Yi Huo: Honestly, I didn’t expect that, you’re actually the genius from the Jiang family. Truly a genius, casually creating a top-tier manga, we can’t even compare.]

[Yi Huo: Don’t take my comments about Jiang Fengqiu seriously, it was just casual talk.]

Awkward, badmouthing someone’s own family.

[Dong Li: No, Jiang Fengqiu is no good, a real beast; you went too easy on him.]

[Yi Huo: Can I ask, did you recover eventually? Haven’t heard any news.]

[Dong Li: A bit better, still not back to how I was before. Please keep it confidential, I don’t want my identity exposed.]

[Yi Huo: Got it, got it.]

[Yi Huo: My uncle was so shocked he didn’t even have a proper conversation with Mr. Huo. He asked me to greet Mr. Huo.]

[Dong Li: Hmm, hello.]

With just a brief sentence, Yi Huo immediately realized it was Huo Zong.

[Yi Huo: Hello, Mr. Huo. Still want to ask if Dong Li’s copyright is for sale, it really meets Silver Fox Entertainment’s needs, the price is negotiable.]

[Dong Li: His work, he decides. He doesn’t want to sell it to me.]

For some reason, Yi Huo picked up on a hint of grievance in Huo Zong’s words.

No, no, too scary, must be wrong; Huo Zong was just stating a fact, nothing more, definitely not.

[Dong Li: Still negotiable, I need to wait, the Sheng family has also inquired.]

Jiang Fengmian poked Huo Zong’s waist, blinking innocently, "Brother, you’ll help ask Xiao Yi, won’t you?"

"This might need to ask my second brother, the Sheng family is managed by him, the entertainment industry might be Xiao Yi’s area, I’m not entirely sure."

[Yi Huo: Sis, the Sheng family is wealthy, might offer more than what Silver Fox Entertainment can. I’ll tell my uncle, if you consider multiple options and still prefer Silver Fox, feel free to contact me.]

[Dong Li: Okay, thanks.]

[Yi Huo: No problem, no problem, we’ll talk later.]

Jiang Fengmian really knows nothing about the entertainment industry of this world; everything he knows comes from the author’s descriptions. The author said the Jiang family could rival Silver Fox Entertainment, Jiang Fengmian didn’t see it.

The author said Yi Huo has no connections, socially awkward and lazy to defend rights, but in reality, he has a vice president of Silver Fox Entertainment as his uncle.

The author said Huo Zong has emotional indifference, wouldn’t like anyone, but in reality, Huo Zong has skin hunger and only likes him.

Hmph, still need to explore it himself.

"Brother, as far as you know, which is better, Silver Fox Entertainment or the Sheng family?"

"Still Silver Fox Entertainment, they have a dedicated adaptation module, their dramas do well, especially the fantasy ones. Xiao Yi is inconsistent, in the entertainment industry he’s more like a financier, investing money, without successful adaptation experience of his own."

"If you have to choose one, I suggest you go with Silver Fox Entertainment, especially if they can offer more money."

Jiang Fengmian nodded, deciding to leave the Vice President of Silver Fox Entertainment hanging for a bit. Who knows, if he learns that the Sheng family is also inquiring, he might raise the offer.

"Brother, contact Xiao Yi and have him get a quote from the platform, preferably in a way that the Vice President of Silver Fox Entertainment finds out."

"Alright."

Huo Zong called twice, but no one picked up. He frowned; Xiao Yi always kept his phone close, so it was odd that he didn’t answer.

He then dialed Bao Jiu’s number, but again, no one answered.

Huo Zong had no choice but to call his uncle, but again, no one answered.

This was odd. His uncle should have finished his workout by now. It was strange that none of the three calls were answered.

"Maybe they’re tied up. They’ll get back when they see it."

Jiang Fengmian wasn’t bothered; he wasn’t in a rush. At worst, he could just sell it to Huo Zong.

"Kitty, is your back hurting? Want a massage?"

"Yes."

Jiang Fengmian curled up on Huo Zong’s lap, half-lying with his eyes closed, waiting for the massage.

Through the thin fabric, the warmth spread, and Jiang Fengmian let out a soft moan. He hadn’t realized Huo Zong could be so intense, almost as if he wanted to consume him entirely, which was a bit scary.

"Brother, with your skin hunger disorder all these years, does anyone besides Dr. Li know about it?"

"Hmm. Kitty, that’s how it is for the ignored. The Huo family wants me dead; they wouldn’t care about my illnesses."

Dr. Li was his only psychiatrist. Huo Zong hid it well; most couldn’t tell he had mental issues, except Su Yanchu, who spent a lot of time with him.

He first met Dr. Li through Su Yanchu. Dr. Li frowned and scolded Su Yanchu for not bringing him in earlier.

That year, Huo Zong was just seventeen.

He had just made his first cut, savoring the rush of blood loss and the thrill of near-death.

By then, it was so bad he couldn’t interact normally. He had to disinfect himself and even the air around him.

After long treatment, he finally broke out of his shell and slowly opened up to Dr. Li.

Dr. Li, a psychiatrist, mastered clinical medicine to treat him. After Huo Zong joined the Huo Corporation, Dr. Li became his personal doctor, managing all his illnesses.

"Huo Zong, things are getting better now."

Jiang Fengmian’s cheek brushed Huo Zong’s thigh. He looked up, gazing into Huo Zong’s eyes, as gentle as a spring breeze.

"Brother, I’m your cure. If you don’t get tired of it, we can stay close forever. I love your embrace; it feels so safe."

Huo Zong’s lashes fluttered. His kitten was deeply insecure, clinging to his clothes even in sleep. Despite exhaustion, he still curled up in his arms.

At this, Huo Zong paused, "Kitty, is your back feeling better?"

"Way better."

Huo Zong hummed, thinking he should find a way to get Jiang Fengmian to open up about his condition. He couldn’t live in fear forever.

"Mimi, if you're tired, just rest. I'll go to the study to work. Take my phone. If Xiao Yi or Second Brother calls, you can pick up."

"Okay."

Huo Zong didn’t get a reply from Sheng Zhiyi until the next day.

It was a voice message that went on for dozens of seconds. Upon opening it, for a long time, all that could be heard was Sheng Zhiyi's sobbing.

"Uncle, Grandpa hit me and Second Uncle, and he got so mad he made himself sick. Can you come to our house?"

Jiang Fengmian, who had been sketching, shot to his feet. He looked at Huo Zong nervously, "Brother, what's going on?"

"Not sure. I’m heading to the Sheng family now. You coming?"

"Yes."

After all his big talk, Jiang Fengmian, who was changing clothes, suddenly realized that this was Huo Zong's only family in the world. Did that mean... he was meeting the family?