Chapter 41: Will You Die If You Don’t Flirt?

Chapter 41: Can't You Stop Teasing Me?

"Mmph... ah..."

Under the moonlight, the late-night mountain woods were anything but silent, filled with the chirping of crickets. Yet, to the two people locked in embrace, the only sounds that registered were their own heavy breathing and the soft murmurs that escaped their lips.

Chu Yan was pinned roughly against the tree by the man, quickly overcome by the kiss until his breathing grew rapid and erratic. The mingling sensations of suffocation and heart palpitations left him struggling for breath. His entire body went weak, utterly powerless to push the man away.

"Relax," Fu Junhang murmured against his lips when he noticed Chu Yan's ragged breathing, pulling back slightly to breathe into his ear. "Breathe, dummy."

Fu Junhang's voice was so tender and teasing that Chu Yan, who had been full of questions, found his mind going blank. He instinctively obeyed, parting his lips to gasp for air—only for his mouth to be captured again the next second. This time, the man invaded deeper, ravaging his mouth like a beast seizing its prey, leaving no room for resistance as he conquered every inch.

Chu Yan was kissed so intensely that his legs nearly gave out. Thankfully, his back was braced against the tree, though his hands instinctively pressed against the man's chest until their breathing grew ragged once more.

Finally, Fu Junhang released his lips, his voice now low and rough, his exhales searing hot.

"What a teasing little patron."

Fu Junhang chuckled against Chu Yan's shoulder, his hot breath fanning over Chu Yan's neck. The man was clearly restraining something, but his restraint only made him more alluring.

It took Chu Yan several deep breaths to steady himself before he gave a light smack to the head resting on his shoulder.

"Who's tormenting who here? Besides, I'm not your patron anymore."

The man let out another low laugh before lifting his head to meet Chu Yan's eyes. "Fine, fine—my bad."

His eyes were deep and unfathomable, like a bottomless lake, yet so tender that one could drown in them with a single glance. His voice oozed affection, making Chu Yan inexplicably shy, unable to meet his gaze as he turned his head away.

*Goddamn male model, way too good at this.*

Seizing the moment, Chu Yan shoved the man away and crossed his arms defensively. "You went too far. We agreed we’re not in that kind of relationship anymore. Who said you could kiss me? Former patrons are like exes—no casual kissing allowed."

*How can my little patron be this adorable?*

Fu Junhang smirked as he closed the distance again, tilting his head slightly to meet Chu Yan's panicked eyes. "But what if I just lost control?"

The amusement in his gaze made Chu Yan’s head spin. The man was unfairly handsome, and when he smiled? Absolutely deadly. It felt like his soul was being bewitched by some siren—he knew it was dangerous, yet he couldn’t resist.

*Stay calm. Must stay calm.*

"That’s your problem," Chu Yan pressed a finger to the man’s chest as he inched closer. "Control yourself. We agreed—just sex, no strings. And now we’re not even in that arrangement anymore. No obligations."

Fu Junhang let out a helpless laugh. "You cold-hearted brat."

His smile softened. "But I *want* you to take responsibility. You took my body and my heart, then dumped me. Is that fair?"

He sounded pitiful, as if he were some poor guy ditched by the cruel Chu Yan.

Chu Yan’s heart pounded wildly, the man’s deep, magnetic voice drowning out everything else. *Took his body and his heart?* Wait—was he saying what Chu Yan thought he was saying? But could a male model’s words even be trusted? Ugh, no difference between a male model’s sweet talk and a man’s bedroom talk—utterly unreliable.

*Must not be seduced by this damn model. Stay rational. Lose your wits, and you’ll be eaten alive.*

But the man before him was just too much—even his voice left Chu Yan defenseless.

Those deep, mesmerizing eyes were now slightly red-rimmed, the faint redness only adding to their intensity as they gazed at Chu Yan with an inexpressible fondness. The man was dangerous, the kind who could effortlessly make anyone fall.

Too afraid to meet his eyes, Chu Yan quickly deflected.

"I haven’t even asked—what are you doing here? Sneaking to my bedside in the middle of the night like a stalker?"

Fu Junhang knew he was dodging the topic. A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes before he leaned in again. "I told you—I missed you. Wanted to hold you. Even if I’m a creep, I’m only your personal stalker."

Chu Yan’s ears flamed red instantly. "Do you *have* to flirt like this?"

"Can’t help it when it’s you."

"Ugh, you’re impossible!"

*Since when was he this shameless? Did ending the contract unleash his true colors?*

Wait—Chu Yan suddenly noticed the man’s outfit. Fu Junhang usually wore deep-V suits or shirts, exuding sex and wildness. But tonight, he was dressed in all-black combat gear—like a bodyguard?

Chu Yan narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What’s with the outfit? What are you really here for?"

His probing gaze made Fu Junhang’s heart stutter anxiously.

*Shit.* He’d forgotten—this was the combat uniform provided by the special forces during his mission at the border. After wrapping up, he’d rushed back without a second thought, too consumed by the urgency of his newfound clarity to change. Now, the stark difference from his usual attire was impossible to ignore.

*What now?* The kid could be clueless sometimes, but sharp when it mattered. Had he figured something out? If he learned Fu Junhang wasn’t just a male model, but a bloodstained madman—would he recoil in disgust? What if he realized he’d been lied to all along?

For the first time in his life, Fu Junhang felt fear—genuine fear.

But then, Chu Yan suddenly blurted out a crazy thought.

"Wait… are you one of the show’s security guards?"

The production team had arranged extensive safety measures, especially since the guests included celebrities and even wealthy heirs. A team of skilled bodyguards had been discreetly shadowing the group throughout the trip—something everyone knew. Chu Yan had even spotted a few.

And they dressed exactly like this—black clothes, caps, and sunglasses, blending in with the crew by day and patrolling unseen at night to ensure everyone’s safety.

*Ohhh.* It all clicked. *That’s why I felt someone watching me earlier—it was him!*

But Chu Yan couldn’t wrap his head around one thing. If Fu Junhang was so desperate for money that he’d stoop to being a male model, why take up a bodyguard gig? Unless… the pay was better than what *he* had offered?

*No way.*

Fu Junhang hadn’t expected his little patron’s mental leaps to land on such an absurd conclusion. But since he hadn’t figured out how to explain himself yet, he decided to go along with it.

"Yeah."

"Seriously?!" Chu Yan was floored. "How much are they paying you per day?"

Fu Junhang hesitantly held up three fingers.

"*Three hundred?! That's it?!*"

Chu Yan’s jaw dropped.

"You told me you were *expensive* when we were together! I paid you *three million* a month—that’s *one hundred thousand* per day! And now you’re doing jobs for *three hundred*?!"

He was fuming. The sheer *waste*—trading a five-figure daily rate for chump change? What kind of self-destruction was this?!

Fu Junhang blinked. He’d actually meant *thirty thousand*.

But even that would’ve earned him a scoff. *A bodyguard making thirty grand a day? In your dreams.*

Three hundred was already pushing it—hell, it was *above average* for this line of work.

"Ahem." Fu Junhang coughed nervously. "Because… you’re here."

Chu Yan was dumbfounded, his anger suddenly fizzling out completely. What started as changing the subject had come full circle.

So, the reason he was willing to demean himself like this was for him—because he was here, he took this job.

What now? Even though he was still angry and confused, why did he feel a little happy and touched?

"T-that… you still shouldn’t do this," Chu Yan’s voice grew quieter. "Aren’t you in desperate need of money? What's this about?"

Chu Yan was acting bashful, and Fu Junhang quickly explained, "With the six million you gave me, I’m not that strapped for cash anymore."

"Really?"

"Really."

Chu Yan thought about it and realized it made sense. After all, their initial contract was for three months, meaning the nine million was enough to solve his problems within that timeframe. The only difference now was that their arrangement had ended early because of him, but he hadn’t taken back the remaining six million.

That explanation—reasonable.

"But… three hundred is still too little."

Chu Yan squirmed, feeling like the man in front of him was top-tier. Three hundred a day was downright insulting for someone like him.

Fu Junhang’s eyes lit up. "Then rehire me as your sugar baby."

Chu Yan’s ears burned crimson. He remembered the kiss earlier—if they were still in that kind of relationship, would that kiss have led to more…?

"Ahem, no way. I don’t have the money to keep you now."

"No need for money. Our contract still has two months remaining anyway."

Chu Yan eyed him suspiciously. Who in their right mind would be eager to be kept for free?

"No, I’m a man of my word. That money is yours, no takebacks."

Fu Junhang: …He couldn't even give himself away for free. What else could he say?

Perhaps sensing the man’s dejection and questioning his life choices, Chu Yan guiltily prodded him.

"Even if I can’t be your sugar daddy anymore, I can hire you as my personal assistant." He tapped Fu Junhang’s toned physique and added, "And part-time bodyguard."

Though he couldn’t splurge like before, Chu Yan still had some disposable income. Most importantly, at least for these two months, the man wasn’t in dire financial straits. And if Chu Yan ended up facing dire circumstances because of the Chu family’s retaliation, Fu Junhang could leave anytime without being dragged down.

Though it was a shame they weren’t in a sugar baby arrangement, Fu Junhang was just happy to stay by his little benefactor’s side. He readily agreed, "Deal."

"Just so we’re clear, I can’t pay you three million a month now. Only… uh, one hundred thousand. Yeah, one hundred thousand a month. Take it or leave it."

In Chu Yan's previous life, one hundred thousand a month would’ve been an exorbitant salary—he wouldn’t have offered that much to anyone else.

"I’ll take it," Fu Junhang grinned, flashing a perfect set of white teeth. "I’d love to."

Why did that sound so off?