Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Kane turned his head to observe Ning Chan's expression, seeing he wasn’t just humoring him. The emotions he had barely suppressed surged back like a tidal wave, overwhelming all reason.

He lowered his head, pressing his forehead against Ning Chan’s, holding the person in his arms tightly. His response carried a hint of a sob. "Mm."

At least Kane remembered that things should be properly concluded. Before leaving, he instructed Ai Mi and Lefevre, "Take care of the rest. When dispersing the crowd, ensure everyone’s safety."

While everyone was still gazing at the giant red lanterns hung in the square, Kane took Ning Chan back to the palace.

Since it was rest time, Kane didn’t keep any attendants in his chambers, leaving only him and Ning Chan in the vast bedroom.

Night had grown late, and without fireworks, the sky had returned to darkness. A gentle breeze brushed past, pushing aside the clouds veiling the moon, allowing its clear, silvery light to spill through the window into the room.

His golden hair glittered like sprinkled gold flakes, faintly glowing as they swayed. Beads of sweat had gathered at the tips, trembling on the verge of falling.

A pair of jade-smooth hands pressed lightly against the golden hair, fingertips trembling slightly as if losing strength, brushing aside a few damp strands before slipping weakly to the side.

"Chan Chan, look at me."

"How can you be so sweet?"

"That mole on your back is adorable."

"You’re crying… you look so pitiful."

"What should I do? I’m so happy I could go mad."

"I want to carve you into my bones, brand you onto my heart, so I’ll remember you in this life and the next."

"Go easy on me… just once more?"

"Please… just one last time, okay?"

"Sorry, I broke my promise."

......

"Chan Chan, I love you."

Amidst the gasps and murmurs, the fragrance of flowers outside the window grew richer. The night-blooming flowers quietly unfurled in the silent garden. A night-awake butterfly, intoxicated by the scent, clung hungrily to the blossoms, drinking their nectar until the flowers trembled, nearly falling from their stems.

At the heart of the garden, two saplings had mysteriously twined together, their slender branches bearing stone plaques that swayed gently in the wind, tinkling faintly. The plaques bore names on the front and the owners’ wishes on the back. The red silk ribbons hanging below had, without notice, tangled into knots, impossible to undo.

By the time the moon set and sunlight spilled into the room, soft stirrings gradually broke the once-silent space.

When Ning Chan opened his eyes, he swam in disorientation, unsure of where he was. He instinctively shifted, but the ache radiating through him froze him in place.

The unfamiliar sensation behind him brought back memories—everything that had happened the night before resurfaced. Clutching the thin blanket covering him, he hesitated to lift it. Recalling where those lips and tongue had wandered, he doubted there was a single patch of unmarked skin left on his body.

This was no tame pup—it was a wolf, a starving wolf skilled in disguise.

Faced with Kane’s beautiful, pleading eyes, Ning Chan, utterly enchanted, had given in to his demands again and again. With just the slightest coaxing, his refusals turned into half-hearted resistance.

Ah, this body was too inexperienced, too quick to catch fire. He’d been helpless, unable to resist!

Ning Chan thought that if not for his superpower aiding his rapid recovery, he might’ve been done for.

From Kane, he had learned what it meant to be a heaven-sent talent. How could someone be this obscenely good when it was both their first time? That’s just cheating!

"You’re awake. Are you still uncomfortable anywhere? Should I apply more medicine? I’m sorry—I was too greedy." Kane, bearing breakfast, stepped inside. Barely hiding his delight, he put on a contrite frown at the sight of the person on the bed.

Although I had already cleaned and applied medicine this morning, the thought of my reckless behavior throughout the night still left me uneasy. I had truly acted too impulsively, but thankfully Ning Chan wasn’t injured.

Ning Chan looked at Kane, who seemed to glow with vitality, and his waist ached inexplicably. Well, here he was, lying limp on the bed like a salted fish, while this man, like some life-sucking spirit, radiated life from the tips of his hair.

“So you admit you were wrong? Last night, I told you to stop, but not only did you ignore me, you… kept going—it was too much! I actually passed out in the end!” Ning Chan couldn’t even bring himself to describe the scene. He wanted to sit up and protest, but his sore body made him curl up like a boiled shrimp.

Helpless, he had to use his Superpower again to ease most of the discomfort before propping himself up on the bed.

Honestly, it had been years since he’d felt this miserable. This easy life had made him soft. Back before the apocalypse, he could battle through zombie hordes covered in wounds, but now, a little discomfort made him want to lie still.

Seeing Ning Chan’s struggle, Kane quickly set down what he was holding and placed a pillow behind Ning Chan’s back to help him sit up. “Yes, it’s all my fault. It was my first time with someone I love, and I got carried away. I didn’t listen—go ahead, hit me.”

Kane didn’t make any excuses, like how Ning Chan hadn’t stopped him. Instead, he hung his head, sincerely admitting his mistake while massaging Ning Chan’s sore back.

Seeing Kane like this, Ning Chan couldn’t stay mad. He knew that if he had truly wanted to refuse, he could have used his vines to push Kane away—but he hadn’t. So wasn’t this partly his own doing?

“Mm, as long as you know. Next time… you can’t do this again. Don’t take advantage of your youth and stamina—overdoing it is bad for your health.” Ning Chan pinched Kane’s cheek, silently vowing not to be seduced next time.

But in matters like this, could he really control himself? The two of them, new to this, spent many nights—and sometimes even days, avoiding prying eyes—in wild passion.

Fortunately, they both had enough real work to attend to, keeping them too busy to cling to each other all the time.

One day, while Kane was discussing new trade laws with several ministers, Fa Bo came to report, “Your Majesty, His Holiness says the Artisan Workshop has completed the locomotive and invites you to test it.”

“The locomotive? That fire-powered vehicle His Holiness helped develop?” The Minister of Commerce, who had heard snippets of the project, looked at Kane excitedly. Whenever the Artisan Workshop produced something new, it always passed through their department first.

Perhaps this would be another great source of revenue for the kingdom.

Thank God for sending a genius like the Pope to our nation.

“Testing it? That thing was just finished—what if something goes wrong? Maybe someone else should go first. Your safety comes first,” the Director of Inspection said sternly, eyeing Fa Bo with disapproval.

“With His Holiness present, nothing will go wrong. Why don’t we all go take a look? Your Majesty, may we?” The Minister of Propaganda’s heart had already flown to the Artisan Workshop—he was dying to see this magnificent creation.

Hearing that Ning Chan had invited him, Kane’s eyes softened. He was about to say “yes” when his subordinates chimed in. Glancing at their eager faces, he reluctantly nodded.

*Damn it. If they all tag along, they’ll bombard Ning Chan with questions, leaving me no time to talk to him.*

With mixed thoughts, the group hurried toward the Artisan Workshop, where Fa Bo led them to a large building nearby.

“Wow, it’s *this* big? It looks so heavy—how does it even move?”

At the sight of the massive locomotive in the center of the workshop, the ministers nearly reached out to touch it but hesitated, afraid of damaging it.

They had thought the steam-powered loom was a marvel, but now, faced with this iron beast, they could hardly imagine what it would look like in motion.

“Go ahead, you can touch it. Don’t worry—it’s not that fragile.” Amused by their hesitation, Ning Chan demonstrated by patting the locomotive’s body, showing how sturdy it was.

“Oh, heavens! Please be gentle!” Before the ministers could react, the craftsmen of the Artisan Workshop clutched their chests in distress. This precious creation, painstakingly built, deserved care—they usually didn’t even dare to dust it too hard.

Look at those intricate gears, those elegant lines, that beautiful paint—it was a masterpiece! How could anyone treat it so roughly? Have some respect!

“We’ve tested it many times already—no need to be *this* careful. Alright, alright, my bad for not treasuring it enough. Anyway, wasn’t today supposed to be the official launch? Let’s not delay. It’s almost time—everyone board first. You can ask questions on the train.” Under their disapproving gazes, Ning Chan could only rub his nose and step back, then shoot Kane a look to take the lead.

“It’s been tested? Nothing will go wrong, right?” Faced with this iron monster, the thought of sitting inside it filled them with both excitement and nervousness, their fists clenched tight.

“Yes, tested thoroughly. It’s perfectly safe.” During the trial phase, Ning Chan had personally inspected it multiple times to ensure safety before approving its operation.

With His Holiness’ assurance, they suppressed their trembling legs and slowly boarded the special carriage in the middle. The moment they saw the interior, their eyes lit up.

This was beautiful—was it really meant for regular people?

The warm yellow carriage had sliding glass windows, and the sunlight streaming in danced across the furnishings, lifting their spirits.

Between the two facing seats was a foldable wooden board, perfect for placing food or working.

They all sat down to try it, sinking into the plush cushions and leaning back against the soft pillows, not wanting to move.