Chapter 371: If: Ye Wang Captures Jiang Qi 4

Chapter 371 If: Ye Wang Captures Jiang Qi 4

The night before going to the hospital, Jiang Qi prepared a meal.

He had already gotten familiar with the commander’s stove, and while his cooking wasn’t gourmet, it was decent. He even went through Ye Wang’s wine cabinet and opened a bottle of red wine.

Ye Wang held the wine glass, watching as Jiang Qi leaned over to pour the wine. The deep red liquid cascaded into the glass, glowing like a gemstone.

He raised an eyebrow slightly. "What’s the occasion?"

Jiang Qi lowered his gaze. "I never properly thanked you, sir."

Ye Wang chuckled. "Thank me for what? Just following Federation protocol."

Jiang Qi: "I know. You didn’t have to bring me back."

As he spoke, he raised his glass. "A toast to you, sir."

Seeing his rival acting so compliant, Ye Wang was in high spirits, already imagining boasting to his deputy later—how the Empire’s living weapon had became as tame as a housecat under his care, even learning to pour wine and toast.

So he raised his glass and drank it all, obligingly. The wine had a slight tartness, but it wasn’t too noticeable, so Ye Wang paid it no mind.

He continued eating, making small talk with Jiang Qi. He wanted to ask about his plans—where he intended to live, whether he needed some cash. Ye Wang could lend him money first, to be repaid once Jiang Qi started working.

But before he could ask, Ye Wang suddenly felt something strange.

First, his arms went numb, then his entire body began to tingle. His muscles relaxed uncontrollably, and he could no longer support himself, slumping forward.

Immediately, a pair of hands reached out. Jiang Qi’s face filled his view, his clean-cut features appearing directly before him.

Ye Wang: "?"

His mind was clear, but his body refused to obey. He could only watch helplessly as Jiang Qi carefully dragged him over and gently laid him on the sofa, like he was moving a mannequin.

"What’s going on?" The commander’s warning bells went off. "Torture me? Humiliate me? Kill me out of spite?"

He was utterly bewildered. "I didn’t do anything that terrible—just teased him a little. And Jiang Qi’s about to be released. Would he really throw away his bright future just to get back at me?"

"Hey, Jiang Qi." Frustrated by his own carelessness, Ye Wang desperately wanted to speak, but his throat tightened, and no words came out.

Then, the sofa dipped slightly. Ye Wang managed to glance over and saw Jiang Qi sitting beside him.

"Sorry, sir." Jiang Qi kept his eyes downcast, sitting obediently. From Ye Wang’s angle, he even looked a little pitiful.

Ye Wang: "?"

*You’re the pitiful one? I’m the one who got drugged here! What the hell are you planning? If this is about negotiating, this isn’t the way!*

Ye Wang couldn’t respond, but Jiang Qi didn’t seem to mind. He continued speaking on his own. "Thank you, sir, for letting me experience so many things I’d never tried before. The bed was soft, the blankets warm, the milk delicious, the cake sweet, and the afternoon sunlight beautiful. These things truly made me feel… alive."

Ye Wang: "?"

*Isn’t that a good thing? I gave you a soft bed, blankets, milk, and cake—and your way of thanking me is drugging me?*

He thought bitterly, his brow furrowing slightly.

Since arriving at Ye Wang’s home, Jiang Qi had always been quiet. This was the first time Ye Wang had heard him speak so much—it sounded almost like goodbye.

After a pause, Jiang Qi continued, "You don’t know this, but during my time in the Empire, these ordinary things became everything to me. I never imagined I’d one day live like a normal person."

He chuckled and continued, "Of course, people are always greedy. I kept wanting to try more—a normal routine, normal meals, a normal life. In the end, I realized even that wasn’t enough. I wanted to experience what it’s like to be truly..."

The last few words trailed off into silence, lost in his throat.

Ye Wang sensed those unspoken words held the truth behind Jiang Qi drugging him. He listened hard but heard nothing.

Is it a life without surveillance?

But after tomorrow, Jiang Qi would finally have that—the normal life he’d always dreamed of.

What else could there be?

Jiang Qi gave another soft laugh. "Sir, I’m really sorry. But I couldn’t help it. If I left without doing anything, I’d regret it forever. Please forgive me."

Ye Wang said nothing.

He desperately tried to convey his desire to negotiate, but Jiang Qi had already stood up, drawn the curtains, and turned off the main lights.

The room went dark.

The commander blinked, blind in the darkness. Then, he felt hands gripping his collar.

For all Jiang Qi’s docility, he was still the Empire’s living weapon. Effortlessly, he adjusted the commander’s position, pulling him closer by the collar.

In the dark, Ye Wang could only make out Jiang Qi’s lean outline—the angle of his nose, the arch of his brow.

Something soft pressed against his lips.

Ye Wang’s eyes widened.

It was an awkward, fumbling kiss. The one initiating it clearly had no idea what he was doing—no parting lips, no teasing tongues, just lips stubbornly pressed together.

The darkness amplified sensation. The other man’s scent, sharp with alcohol, flooded his senses. Ye Wang’s throat moved, but no sound came out.

He wasn’t sure if he felt more baffled or exasperated, the emotions twisting into a strange mix of annoyance and amusement.

—So this was what Jiang Qi wanted to try?

He didn’t know how normal people loved or kissed, but from the novels in the commander’s study, the romance films on the living room TV, the couples embracing in malls—he’d learned it was supposed to feel good.

Jiang Qi thought, it did.

Ye Wang’s taste was comforting. Pressing closer, Jiang Qi remembered there might be more to kissing. Tentatively, he licked, making the commander’s lips shine.

Like a cat with its prize.

The commander nearly laughed out of sheer exasperation.

So all this—drugging him, taking such a risk—was for this messy, clumsy kiss? This wasn’t even proper kissing, just like a kitten lapping milk. Ye Wang wasn’t catnip. If Jiang Qi wanted to learn, he should’ve just asked.

Unfortunately, the drug hadn’t worn off. The commander lay motionless, stuck playing a ragdoll.

Then, Ye Wang watched helplessly as Jiang Qi’s hands moved to his shirt.

Jiang Qi seemed unsatisfied with just kissing. One by one, he undid the buttons.

Ye Wang was lean in clothes but toned underneath—firm chest, tapered waist, muscles firm yet soft to the touch, dimpling where fingertips pressed.

Jiang Qi’s fingers paused at Ye Wang’s collarbone, hesitating.

—The novels and TV shows at the Commander's house clearly weren't enough to tell him what to do next, so he froze in shame.

Ye Wang: "..."

Jiang Qi was sitting right on his hipbones, the full, fleshy softness distinctly palpable, rising and falling slightly with his rapid breaths.

If Ye Wang could speak, he would’ve said, "Stop rubbing, please."

Unfortunately, his vocal cords still refused to cooperate. Ye Wang summoned every ounce of strength and barely managed to twitch his fingers—

—clutching the sofa cover.

The movement was faint, but Jiang Qi, enhanced with heightened senses, immediately stiffened, goosebumps erupting across his back. He froze for a moment before scurrying back in a flurry, hastily retreating from the Commander’s thighs.

Ye Wang: "..."

—What happened to that nerve you had when you drugged him?

The moment he moved, Jiang Qi’s courage deflated by half. He lingered in the shadows for a long while before finally reaching out, carefully laid the Commander flat on the sofa, then acted as if nothing happened as he retreated to his own room—

—and sheepishly locked the door behind him.

Ye Wang was so angry he almost laughed.

His stiff muscles made it impossible to manage anything more than a strained smile—just an awkward spasm at his lips.

Two hours later, the Commander, no longer a lifeless doll, regained control of his body.

He sat up, left the sofa, and headed to the kitchen for water, deliberately stomping his steps loudly. Satisfied, he heard the person behind the bedroom door slow their breathing, as if frozen stiff.

Ye Wang thought, *Oh, so now you’re scared, Jiang Qi?*

He deliberately carried his water to Jiang Qi’s door, paused in front of the firmly shut entrance, and let out a cold, deliberate scoff.

Then, without doing anything else, he turned and returned to his own room.

—Spelling it out would ruin the fun. Leaving things unresolved was far more unnerving. After being forced to play mannequin for two hours, the Commander decided on a small act of revenge. With that scoff, Jiang Qi was doomed to spend the entire night on edge, unable to sleep properly.

The next day, Jiang Qi dutifully rose to prepare breakfast.

Ye Wang leaned against the doorway, watching him flit around the kitchen like a diligent house fairy, even spreading butter on Ye Wang’s toast for him.

By now, Jiang Qi’s courage had long since evaporated. Meek and submissive, he forced out, "Sir, breakfast is ready."

Ye Wang strolled to the table, sat down, and scrutinized Jiang Qi.

The sight of him in an apron, docile and silent with his head bowed, was oddly endearing.

The Commander took a slow bite of his buttered toast.

Jiang Qi, thoroughly uneasy, pulled out a chair and sat across from him. Not a word passed between them as they quietly finished breakfast.

Afterward, Ye Wang took Jiang Qi for his last physical examination.

The ride passed in heavy silence, neither saying a word.

Upon landing, Ye Wang led Jiang Qi into the hospital, secured the medical monitor around his wrist, and jerked his chin forward. "I’ve arranged a doctor for you. Go on."

Jiang Qi nodded slightly. He took two steps forward, then turned back, lingering wistfully, and murmured softly, "Goodbye."

Ye Wang arched a brow but didn’t say goodbye.

The light in Jiang Qi’s eyes visibly faded.

He trailed the doctor into the waiting area, glancing back once more as he passed the corner. Seeing the commander rooted in place, he halted and stared at him for a long while.

Jiang Qi only managed a weak smile when the medics nudged him.

Two hours later, the medics all but shoved Jiang Qi back at Ye Wang.

Jiang Qi: "..."

A staring contest ensued.

Ye Wang’s brow shot up, while Jiang Qi backpedaled, guilt written all over his face before he hastily averted his eyes.

A nurse flipped open the chart. "The patient is in good condition now, with the physical damage from the electric shocks fully recovered. But some lab levels are still out of whack, likely due to the aftereffects of prior overdevelopment. He’ll need to take it easy for a while. I’ll send you the remaining precautions later... Oh, about those extra tests—who’s footing the bill?"

Ye Wang yanked a shell-shocked Jiang Qi behind him. "I will."

He bulldozed through the paperwork, while Jiang Qi stared dumbly as the commander stamped, paid, and scribbled signatures before heading out of the hospital.

Ye Wang turned back. "You just gonna stand there? Get in, we’re going home."

"...Oh." Jiang Qi blinked back to reality.

He hurried to catch up, walking side by side with the commander. After chewing on it for a beat, he finally asked in a small voice, "Home?"

Ye Wang chuckled. "Yeah, home. You got somewhere better to be? Mr. Jiang, let me be frank—your monitoring period is over. You’re technically a free agent now, but..."

Jiang Qi pressed, "But?"

Ye Wang went for a noogie, mussing his hair roughly. "But since you pulled that stunt last night, your sentence is extended. So, you’re still coming home with me."

Jiang Qi short-circuited for a second, but by the time he boarded the aircraft, his eyes had curved slightly.

And so, the ex-nemesis got hauled home yet again by the commander.

With the monitoring period over, Jiang Qi was allowed to work and accumulate contribution points. Due to his special status, no dice on gigs like teaching at the military academy. After browsing through job listings, he found a florist shop where he had once bought delphiniums.

The previous salesperson had resigned, and the shop urgently needed a new employee—someone with good looks and a pleasant demeanor. Jiang Qi went for an interview and was hired on the spot.

Thus, the Empire’s once-formidable human weapon began living a peaceful nine-to-five life selling flowers in the Federation.

Ye Wang started picking him up after work.

The Imperial Star’s razor edge had dulled into something domestic. Jiang Qi had settled into the vibe of your average neighborhood guy, fitting seamlessly into his role as a salesperson. Every time Ye Wang visited, he’d pick a bouquet to take home.

Soon enough, the commander’s balcony was drowning in blooms.

Life was warm and peaceful. Finally, Jiang Qi saved up enough contribution points to transition fully from a prisoner of war to a naturalized citizen.

Ye Wang said, "I need to take you to complete one last procedure."

Jiang Qi asked no questions, simply nodding.

He trusted the commander completely.

And so, on that quiet evening, armed with yet another bouquet and a little mystery box, Ye Wang took him in the aircraft to the marriage registry.

Seeing Jiang Qi's suddenly widened eyes, the commander asked with a frown, "We've already kissed. What, not gonna take responsibility?"

Jiang Qi: "No, Commander, I—"

Before he could finish, Ye Wang reached out and pulled his distracted lover, yanking him straight inside.

Thus, that very day, Jiang Qi received a marriage certificate and a wedding ring.

He turned them over, touched and examined them, even held them up to the sunlight, completely dazed. Ye Wang couldn’t help himself, he tugged him closer and planted a kiss on his cheek.

He ruffled his lover's hair, thinking smugly to himself, *Hmph, payback for drugging me—now I can get even fair and square.*

Jiang Qi shivered for no reason, but he dismissed it, still fiddling with the ring, the corners of his lips curling up in a rare smile.

But that night, the smile was long gone.

Though the commander lacked practical experience, years of theoretical knowledge had made him a total expert in theory. Against the inexperienced and clumsy Jiang Qi, it was all too easy.

He kissed him until he was dizzy, thoroughly teaching his lover what a "comfortable kiss" was, until Jiang Qi was gasping, then slowly peeling off his rival’s clothes.

Countless kisses trailed downward—soft caresses before taking charge.

Jiang Qi lost track of how many times he whimpered "no."

But Ye Wang was determined to exact his revenge, like a ruthless dictator who refused to heed any objections. He pinned Jiang Qi’s hands above his head and whispered in his ear, "Weren’t you so bold when you drugged me?"

His breath tickling Jiang Qi’s ear, Jiang Qi’s ears burned with unbearable itchiness—of course, he couldn’t utter a single word.

They kept at it well past midnight.

A complete mess, Jiang Qi felt that, even on the Empire’s experimentation tables, he had never cried so hard in his entire memory.

When the storm finally subsided, Commander Ye, gazing at his tearful, red-eyed lover, finally felt a rare twinge of guilt. He wondered if he had gone too far—what if Jiang Qi ignored him afterward? How would he coax him back? Lost in thought, he sat up awkwardly, intending to make a cup of milk to replenish his exhausted lover’s strength.

But before he could leave, a hand clamped around his wrist.

Ye Wang froze—then Jiang Qi pressed close.

He clung to the commander’s neck, burying his face against his chest and murmured, barely a whisper, "Stay."

So Ye Wang pulled him tighter, stroking his back in reassurance. "Alright, I won’t."

Jiang Qi nuzzled into his embrace, greedily soaking in the commander’s warmth. Only after he had his fill did he whisper, even softer, "I like you."

Ye Wang was speechless.

He tilted his head and captured Jiang Qi’s lips in a lingering kiss, leaving him breathless again before smiling against his mouth. "I like you too."