Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Dr. Wang diagnosed Chen Mo with dissociative identity disorder, while 996 insisted it was all an act orchestrated by Chen Mo himself. Finding both arguments plausible, Li Jingtang resolved to uncover the truth through his own means.

Li Jingtang lay face down on the sofa, deliberately resting his smooth calf against Chen Zui. What seemed accidental was, in fact, a silent yet palpable act of intimacy and provocation. Clad only in a short towel, his prone position accentuated the alluring curves of his buttocks, drawing an undeniable gaze.

Suppressing his embarrassment, Li Jingtang murmured, "Sorry to trouble you." He then deliberately touched his lower back. "It’s right here—I twisted it."

Chen Zui held the ointment, his eyes fixed on the man’s lean, firm waist. The two dimples seemed to invite fingers to press and circle, lightly or firmly. He didn’t believe Li Jingtang had actually hurt his waist; even if he had, it hardly warranted such a seductive pose just for ointment. Could it be that, having tasted desire, he couldn’t resist the urge to seduce with his newfound free time?

It wasn’t that Chen Zui was overly confident; it was simply that the other’s behavior left little room for doubt.

He squeezed the bruise-healing ointment onto the spot Li Jingtang had indicated and placed his hand there. The moment their skin met, Li Jingtang’s body visibly tensed. Chen Zui slowly spread the ointment over the man’s smooth skin, the area gradually expanding under his touch. The living room fell into a profound silence.

Chen Zui's expression was one of intense concentration.

Li Jingtang bit his lip as an unexpected sensation began to rise within him under Chen Zui’s hand. He remembered those hands gripping his waist fiercely, burning like two vices controlling him…

But now, the hand applying the ointment was gentle.

"Done," Chen Zui said, his tone neutral, as if completely unaffected by the seduction, merely performing a simple act of applying medicine.

Li Jingtang snapped back to reality—was that it?

His eyes darted. Clearly, he hadn’t been seductive enough. Tonight, he would definitely test him. He turned over on the sofa, lifting one leg and resting it on the back of the couch, avoiding Chen Zui. Once turned, Li Jingtang couldn't quite bring himself to look directly at Chen Zui, well aware of how provocative his posture was.

He placed a hand near his navel. "I twisted it here too."

Chen Zui’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses. What was the towel even hiding? Especially with Li Jingtang practically putting a leg on his shoulder. He didn’t need to do anything to see…

In the original work, Li Jingtang was portrayed as someone deeply indulgent in that area.

But he hadn’t expected him to try to seduce even Chen Mo. Chen Zui was feeling distinctly annoyed. He squeezed more bruise-healing ointment and applied it with a cold expression.

Their minds were on different wavelengths, creating a strange scene under the light: Li Jingtang, flushed, stealing glances at Chen Zui, trying to discern any reaction, while Chen Zui, wearing a mask, remained stern and detached, like an emotionless medicine-applying machine.

Despite this, Li Jingtang’s imagination was running wild. Men were creatures of instinct, and soon an obvious bulge appeared between them, barely concealed by the towel.

Chen Zui curled his lips into a cold, mocking sneer.

Li Jingtang could no longer continue the test. He scrambled up at top speed. "Thanks, I’m going back to rest now." Without looking back, he fled upstairs.

Downstairs, Chen Zui tossed the ointment onto the coffee table. Such a lewd body. He removed his mask, took a cigarette from the table, and lit it, his expression dark.

Ao Tian: "Wow, Host, you’re amazing. You actually resisted that."

Chen Zui: "There’s a difference between a top and a male dog."

Upstairs, Li Jingtang covered his burning, crimson face. Ah! So embarrassing!

996: "He really is Chen Zui."

"Bullshit!" Li Jingtang wished he could strangle 996. If it weren’t for him spouting all that nonsense, he would never have thought of such a stupid and humiliating test!

"He is definitely not Chen Zui!"

That reckless punk Chen Zui would always come on strong with him every time—there’s no way he’d hold back if it were really Chen Zui, especially after what he just did!

After all, even he himself was almost unable to resist.

996 was still trying to persuade him, but Li Jingtang blew him off and went to take a cold shower instead.

—

The room was pitch black. Li Jingtang, who had fallen asleep, was frowning tightly, clearly restless. Faint murmurs escaped his lips, as if he were mumbling under his breath.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and he sat up gasping.

Staring into the terrifying dark before him, Li Jingtang hurriedly turned on the light. Only in the brightness could he barely catch his breath, his pale face gradually regaining some color.

He had a nightmare—he was trapped again in a sunless place, robbed of his freedom to move or speak.

He thought that since he already knew Chen Zui’s personality had disappeared, he wouldn’t fear the darkness anymore and tried sleeping with the lights off. But unexpectedly...

Li Jingtang took out a cigarette. The scent of roses lingered as he bit the filter and chuckled. At least Chen Zui is gone...

Although he had noticed he felt something slightly different toward Chen Zui, he wasn’t so smitten that he would accept all of the other’s actions.

That Chen Mo survived was for the best.

He turned to look at the darkness outside the window. He’d get over this eventually.

—

Chen Zui tailed the car ahead to the bar where Yuan Man worked. He pulled over and watched as Li Jingtang got out of the car and entered the bar. He must be here to find Yuan Man—so was he trying to continue the plotline and develop a relationship with Yuan Man?

He let out a scoff. After all, this guy was practically flaunting himself to seduce him just last night.

Really, never a dull moment.

Chen Zui didn’t get out of the car.

Inside the bar, Li Jingtang casually found a seat. He was indeed here to follow the plotline. With Chen Zui gone and the matter of Chen Mo settled, there was no need for him to take risks by deviating from the plot.

It wasn’t a big deal—just sleeping with Yuan Man.

If not for Chen Zui’s sudden appearance, this should have happened long ago.

He watched Yuan Man dancing on the table. Though he thought this way, there was clearly little interest in the man’s eyes.

Yuan Man, once again confronted by Li Jingtang, scowled in annoyance. Why was this guy sticking to him like glue?

Li Jingtang: “Name your terms.”

Yuan Man: ?

Leaning against the doorway, Li Jingtang drew himself up, standing half a head taller than Yuan Man, his looks ruggedly handsome.

“Name your condition for being willing to sleep with me.”

“You’re insane.”

Yuan Man tried to shove past him to leave. He had promised his Great Benefactor, and he would absolutely keep his word. Besides, he’d said it a hundred times—he was straight! He didn’t like men! Even if he did, it would be someone like his Great Benefactor!

Although he bumped into Li Jingtang, Li Jingtang grabbed him firmly and roughly slammed Yuan Man against the wall.

"We can discuss this properly. Think about it again."

Li Jingtang was extremely overbearing.

Ao Tian remarked, "He’s off doing forced love again. Shouldn’t we make our move now?"

Chen Zui, watching from the best seat, replied, "No rush."

Yuan Man glared at Li Jingtang with disgust. "Don't you understand human language? I’d rather die than sleep with you!"

He struggled free from Li Jingtang’s grip. "If you’re sick, go get treated! If you keep bothering me, I’ll make you regret it!"

Yuan Man stormed off angrily.

996 urged, "Chase after him! If it comes to a fight, he’s no match for you!"

Li Jingtang leaned against the wall, looking completely listless. Of course, he knew Yuan Man couldn’t beat him—he just found the whole situation dull.

Forcing someone…

Li Jingtang sighed, "Forget it. It’s pointless."

996 retorted, "Forget it? Pointless? I think you just can't get it up! Are you only capable of relying on the backdoor now—"

Li Jingtang snapped, "Shut up!"

It was the umpteenth argument between the two.

Chen Zui, watching the spectacle, followed Yuan Man with his eyes as he walked away before turning his attention back.

Such a pushover.

Just then, Li Jingtang stormed back into the bar, and Chen Zui finally got out of the car.

Chen Zui said, "Please activate optical camouflage for me. I want a big chest."

Ao Tian replied cheerfully, "Sure thing! What’s the plan~"

Chen Zui entered the bar. Li Jingtang had failed with Yuan Man because of his rejection. But what if someone who met his tastes and didn’t reject him showed up?

He was looking forward to Li Jingtang’s reaction.

Li Jingtang scanned the room like a hawk. "I’ll just find someone else to sleep with and show you whether your damn dad’s still got it!"

996 responded with a scornful snort.

Li Jingtang noticed the man who had just entered the bar—his chest was even more exaggerated than Yuan Man’s, and his face wasn’t bad either.

Him, then.

Chen Zui had just taken a seat near Li Jingtang when the fish took the bait.

Good, very good.

Li Jingtang offered him a drink. "Care for a glass?"

Chen Zui reached out, pressed Li Jingtang’s hand holding the glass, and pushed it away. "Alcohol affects driving. Should we go somewhere else?"

Pleased with his straightforwardness, Li Jingtang’s mood improved slightly. "Don’t mind if I do."

Hotel.

Chen Zui said, "I’ll take a shower first."

Li Jingtang sat on the sofa, listening to the sound of running water. Soon, he would prove he still had what it takes. Suddenly, he felt a bit nervous and took a large gulp from a water bottle.

It’s fine. Even though he hadn’t done it before, he could just think about how Chen Zui operates sexually…

The thought of Chen Zui suddenly darkened Li Jingtang’s expression.

The water stopped. He collected himself and looked up, shocked to see the other man step out completely naked.

Li Jingtang: "…"

Chen Zui walked toward Li Jingtang, step by step, a smile not quite reaching his eyes. He knelt in front of Li Jingtang and reached for his belt.

"I like them unprocessed," he said.

Li Jingtang’s pupils dilated. As the belt was about to be undone, he shoved Chen Zui away and stood up, flustered.

"Sorry."

Once again, Li Jingtang fled in defeat.

Chen Zui chuckled, getting up from the floor in a good mood. If Li Jingtang had dared to agree today, he would have fucked him up. Though Chen Zui wasn’t particularly driven by desire, his possessiveness was intense.

Unaware he had narrowly escaped disaster, Li Jingtang returned to his car, looking as wilted as a frostbitten eggplant.

He couldn’t do it.

When he looked at that person’s face, it felt completely wrong.

996 taunted, "So this is how you prove yourself? How laughable."

For once, Li Jingtang was speechless.

996 added, "You’re useless. Expecting you to… Hmph! A gong reduced to this state—working with you is a disgrace."

Already irritated, Li Jingtang exploded, "Fuck! So what if I’m a gong? Are gongs goddamn superior? I’ll be whatever the hell I want!"

996 coldly stated, "You’re beyond saving."

Li Jingtang shot back, "Who asked you to save me? What even are you?"

996 fell silent in his mind.

Li Jingtang slammed the steering wheel in frustration and rage. "Damn it!"

He just couldn’t do it…

—

When Li Jingtang returned home, he found Chen Mo still waiting in the living room. At the sound of the door, Chen Mo hurried to the entrance, looking drowsy.

"Jingtang gege, you’re back."

Li Jingtang felt a pang of guilt, regretting his messy affairs and late return, which had made Chen Mo wait for him.

"Yeah, you look so sleepy, you should go get some sleep now."

He reached out to ruffle Chen Zui's hair, and Chen Zui leaned drowsily against him: "I couldn't relax until I knew you were home."

Li Jingtang felt a warmth in his chest, and his mood improved a bit.

Two weeks had passed in the blink of an eye. 996 never appeared again, while on the other side, the affection meter detected for Chen Zui had only increased by 1% over the past half month.

Ao Tian: "Don't get discouraged, Host. There must be a way. I believe in you."

Chen Zui smiled: "Having you here, I won't lose heart."

He wasn't one to be discouraged so easily. As a mercenary, he needed patience to hunt his prey.

Li Jingtang came home a little drunk tonight, but not too drunk.

Chen Zui was right there to greet him, helping him to the sofa: "You've been drinking."

"Just a little." Li Jingtang collapsed onto the sofa. Over the past half month, his mood had been pretty down. He had no interest in other men; just looking at their faces felt wrong. In the lonely depths of the night, what he truly desired was to be taken from behind...

He was a lost cause.

He had completely become a bottom.

And only for that damn guy. His eyes glazed with drink looked at Chen Mo, trying to see through the mask to the face he hadn't seen in so long.

Chen Zui held his hand and sat down beside him: "Brother Jingtang, if I take off my mask, will you be scared when you see my face?"

This question hit Li Jingtang right in the feels.

"No, absolutely not."

Chen Zui blinked, nervous, and tentatively asked, "Then... can I take off my mask? I want Brother Jingtang to know what I look like."

Li Jingtang excitedly grabbed his hand: "Yes, yes!"

Chen Zui slowly raised his hand, keeping his eyes on Li Jingtang, took off the mask hesitantly, and lowered his eyes, afraid to see Li Jingtang's reaction.

Li Jingtang: Fuck! This face is really good-looking!

He sobered up almost instantly.

He raised his hands to hold Chen Zui's face: "Beautiful, really beautiful."

Only then did Chen Zui look up, then bit his lip: "There's one more thing I need to tell you."

"Go ahead."

Li Jingtang stared, mesmerized, at that face.

Chen Zui said, both serious and shy: "Brother Jingtang... I... I like you."

Li Jingtang's hand, which had been stroking his cheek, stopped moving. What did he say?

Chen Zui slowly leaned closer. His eyes held no aggression but were instead like a puppy begging for attention.

"I like Brother Jingtang."

"I really like you."

"Now no one will steal you away from me."

Li Jingtang's mind went totally blank. Chen Mo liked him? To be honest, him confessing with this face was totally unfair, especially when he himself had been drinking.

Before he realized it, they were so close their noses were almost touching, breaths mixing, making his brain short-circuit.

No one could refuse when being looked at by those dark eyes.

"Brother Jingtang, can I kiss you?"

Chen Zui asked softly.

Li Jingtang felt he should refuse. Chen Mo was his younger brother, after all. But facing this face...

Not answering was as good as saying yes.

Chen Zui gently, slowly pressed his lips to his. At that moment, Li Jingtang's head filled with the sound of fizzing champagne.

Anyway, he couldn't accept other men. He couldn't stay alone forever. Besides, it was this same body that had had him before. He didn't need to stay faithful to Chen Zui's memory. Chen Mo was obedient and well-behaved, always waiting for him with the lights on, cooked delicious meals, and was like a complete innocent—he could teach him.

Li Jingtang thought this as he closed his eyes, lost in the sensation.

Chen Zui kept his eyes open, calm and collected, watching the man responding passionately. In his mind, Ao Tian reported that the affection meter had gone up by another 1%, reaching 54%.

The kiss ended.

Chen Zui: "Brother Jingtang, was I good?"

Li Jingtang swallowed hard: "You could be more aggressive."

Hearing this, Chen Zui's mouth quirked up slightly.

They embraced, making out all the way to the bedroom, stumbling, tongues tangled.

Clothes were dropping all along the way.

As Li Jingtang fell onto the bed, he opened his eyes, looked at Chen Zui's face, raised a hand to caress it, and secretly peeled off the small prosthetic scar on his face.

Chen Zui was a bastard.

He had no reason to keep thinking about him.

Li Jingtang thought this, eager for what came next.

He closed his eyes, ready.

Then he heard Chen Mo say, "Brother Jingtang, I don't know how."

Li Jingtang opened his eyes again, thought he was adorable. Pushing himself up on his elbows, he moved towards Chen Zui: "I'll teach... uh..."

His neck was suddenly gripped tightly, cutting off his words, forceful and rough.

Startled, Li Jingtang grew calmer. He saw Chen Mo lift his head. The world seemed to slow down like a lagging frame, the pressure escalating to its peak. He felt as if he had returned to the endless darkness, but this time he could see the person before him. The obedient face was gone, replaced by those ambitious eyes, almost devouring him.

His instinctive reaction to danger made Li Jingtang break out in goosebumps.

He saw Chen Zui's lips part and heard him say—

"Surprise~"

"Baby, I'm back."

Chen Zui said with a deep thrust.

Li Jingtang was too overwhelmed by pain and shock to think straight, and a system voice rang out in his mind: "System unbound."

He probably knew why the system had unbound—it must have deemed him, the so-called lead protagonist, hopeless.

He couldn't dwell on that. Chen Zui! How could it be him?!

Ao Tian: "Favorability at 60%!"

Ao Tian: "Oh my god!"

"You..." Li Jingtang's voice broke off. He frantically pushed against Chen Zui, "How is it you? What did you do with Chen Mo? Where is he?"

Chen Zui lifted him up, manhandling him like a toy, raising and lowering him, then raising again...

"Chen Mo," he laughed, tilting his head to look at Li Jingtang's panicked face. "There's no Chen Mo. It was all a lie I made up."

He didn't show a shred of guilt.

Ao Tian, who had turned off his visual input, was so nervous he went silent. Can you just say that?!

Li Jingtang was stunned. No Chen Mo...

"You like Chen Mo, so I can call you Jingtang Gege too."

"Jingtang Gege, am I doing this right?"

Chen Zui wasn't angry. The favorability rating showed who he liked more. He used his own voice to mimic Chen Mo's obedient tone.

An indescribable sense of creepiness made Li Jingtang both uncomfortable and furious. He'd been tricked. He remembered what 996 said...

The hot-tempered man swung his fist at Chen Zui: "You bastard! Why did you do this to me?!"

Chen Zui caught his fist and kissed it, his captivating eyes fixed intently on Li Jingtang.

"Because I love you."

The clenched fist immediately went limp.

Li Jingtang seemed to have heard the most unbelievable words in the world and was completely dumbfounded.

Only Ao Tian was busily, excitedly reporting.

"63%"

"65%"

"67%"

"If I had known just saying 'I love you' would complete the mission, I would have said it sooner," Ao Tian mused.

Even though Li Jingtang was unwilling to admit it, he did prefer the bad guy who bullied him.

Li Jingtang's heart raced because of Chen Zui's appearance, he felt excitement because of his eyes, and because of his confession...

It took Li Jingtang a while to snap out of it: "Stop talking nonsense! Do you think I’d believe your lies? Let go of me!"

Chen Zui chuckled lightly and innocently raised both hands: "Baby, I'm not holding you."

Li Jingtang’s eyes widened, and he looked down.

Fuck!

All this time, it was actually him who was actively...

The man turned completely red.

"I’m not done with you!" Li Jingtang spat out this threat and shoved Chen Zui away.

With a "pop," like a cork leaving a wine bottle, Li Jingtang ran out of the room.

Chen Zui didn’t chase him. Soon, he heard a door slam. He chuckled, leaned back against the headboard, lit a cigarette, and soon his excitement cooled down.

Chen Mo’s return from the dead had made Li Jingtang’s favorability soar in immense joy.

And this time, Chen Zui’s permanent disappearance and reappearance made him realize who he really liked.

The man calmly exhaled smoke.

Ao Tian: "Amazing! Host, you’re really amazing!"

—

Li Jingtang, flustered and anxious, returned to his own home after a long time.

He paced back and forth in the living room.

Chen Zui is back...

It was all his own show. There was no split personality, no obedient Chen Mo—only that bastard Chen Zui.

"Ha—"

Li Jingtang was so angry he laughed. He really put on an act! Someone like Chen Zui actually managed to play the role of Chen Mo!!!

Li Jingtang was so furious his head felt like it was on fire. So from the very beginning, he was just toying with him, and even spent over half a month with him as Chen Mo. He must have been laughing behind his back at how stupid he was!

He stopped in his tracks.

"And he even had the nerve to say..." Li Jingtang was too embarrassed to say the word. This guy really has no shame.

Li Jingtang threw himself onto the sofa. The slight discomfort as he sat down reminded him of the unfinished business...

Fuck!

He should have finished before leaving.

Anyway, he was the one doing the work; he just had to enjoy it. Hiring an escort costs money, but using him was free.

Li Jingtang laughed at himself.

He leaned back against the sofa, looking up at the ceiling light.

Chen Zui is back.

—

Chen Zui was sleeping at night.

Ao Tian: "Favorability at 72%."

Ao Tian: "Wow, we finished the mission—"

Chen Zui opened his eyes and checked the time—it was just a little past three in the morning.

He sent a message to Li Jingtang: "What are you doing?"

Li Jingtang, who had been unconsciously reminiscing about Chen Zui saying "I love you," jumped up with a start like a caught thief, almost even throwing his phone away.

"It's none of your business!"

"I know everything about you, I'm telling you!"

"You've bound yourself to some crappy system—you think I’d believe what you say? You obviously got close to me with an agenda! I won’t let you succeed!"