Chapter 6 Cousin’s Forcible Seizure of You

Chapter 6: The Cousin Who Takes What He Wants

The phone pinged softly. Lou Han looked down at his pocket. His fingers were slender and fine-boned, with neat, rounded nails. He fished the phone out with two fingers and glanced at the screen.

He tapped to open it.

A message from "Serenity" had popped up. Lou Han's long eyelashes fluttered slightly. He pursed his lips, his thoughts stalling for a second, a flicker of confusion crossing his face.

Why was Xiao Jing still sending him messages?

The strands of hair falling over his forehead swayed gently. His fair cheeks looked slightly pinched from his pursed lips, giving him a somewhat wronged expression.

Truth be told, Lou Han hadn't taken perfectly to everything in this virtual world. Perhaps influenced by his younger physical age, his emotions had become more volatile than before... and thus more prone to fluctuation.

The system had even complained. Other hosts who transmigrated to different worlds usually went a little crazy at first, then dawdled before getting on with their tasks.

Only Lou Han, upon discovering he disliked the mission and even the "mission's love interest"—the so-called "cousin"—had simply ignored the task entirely. He hadn't even bothered to see what this "cousin" looked like. He was single-mindedly determined to conquer this world on his own terms.

He acted swiftly, quickly finding his direction. It all seemed effortless. These past few days had passed without a single hitch, everything progressing naturally.

But perhaps only Lou Han himself knew he was actually quite tired.

Lou Zimin was still yammering noisily beside him, his arrogant face flushed from the drinks he'd had at the bar.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you to meet my company's arch-rival, that Young Master Bai. Did you see him today? He's always screwing me over. Now that you're on my team, you've got to help me save face tomorrow."

Lou Zimin's meaning was clear: he was bringing Lou Han into his fold.

They had visited many places today. Lou Han had met many people with Lou Zimin.

He'd discovered that once this guy got familiar, he was an idiot.

Lou Han ignored him, calming himself down.

He looked at his phone with anticipation, wondering what interesting thing Xiao Jing had sent him today.

Xi Jingqi had sent him many things before.

And he always maintained a perfect sense of propriety. Through those messages, one could almost picture a graceful, gentle, mature man speaking in soft tones.

"Lulu learned to nuzzle necks today. She tried to run outside again; it seems she still wants to go find you."

"The weather is lovely today. I hope you and the roses you're planting are happy ^^"

"Roses have a long blooming period. I hope you're careful when planting them. Lulu and I were thinking we could visit you more often next time."

However, Lou Han hadn't replied to any of them. The only one he had responded to was when Xiao Jing asked, "Do you need the leash returned?"

Lou Han had replied that he didn't. It might have seemed a bit cold.

Xi Jingqi had also asked him if he had a girlfriend, but after typing and deleting the question on his phone's keyboard, Lou Han ultimately hadn't answered.

Perhaps his hesitation was noticed by the person on the other end of the chat, as such private questions were never asked again.

Xi Jingqi shared snippets of his daily life.

The jewelry he liked, the flowers he favored, a pine tree he was growing himself, and various photographs of the starry galaxy—all incredibly romantic, sparking endless daydreams upon gazing at them.

Xiao Jing seemed to be living quite leisurely now.

The white glow of the phone screen lit up Lou Han's face.

He smiled faintly.

This message, like the ones on previous days, briefly pulled him away from all the new and unfamiliar things he had just encountered in this world.

Still, Lou Han did not reply.

-

Lou Han changed direction, not heading towards their shared quarters, seemingly going somewhere else instead. The young man's figure was tall and slender, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. He walked with the upright posture of a sturdy pine tree.

Lou Zimin did a double take. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to check the backyard. Suit yourself." Lou Han couldn't be bothered to explain further. Truthfully, he didn't much care for those bustling places and was already feeling somewhat weary, though he didn't show it.

Lou Zimin, probably still riding his high from excitement, blurted out without thinking, "I'll tag along!"

"It's just a stroll anyway. Consider it us bonding. Aren't we going to be partners from now on?"

Lou Han was disgusted. "Unnecessary."

"Hey, Lou Han, don't be like that. You gave me the plan, you want to work with me. That makes us partners. Can't we be a bit more polite?" Surprisingly, Lou Zimin wasn't angry. His arrogant face was plastered with a foolish grin.

Lou Han remained silent. Lou Zimin followed along on his own accord.

Perhaps he had discovered that Lou Han simply had a strong personality.

If Lou Han acted this way only towards him, he might have been offended. But he noticed today that among all those elite young masters, Lou Han deferred to no one and didn't even drink a single glass of wine at the bar.

Instead, everyone found his character compelling.

Moreover, the more he looked at Lou Han's face, the more familiar and pleasing it seemed. How was it that Lou Han grew more handsome the longer he looked? Even Lou Han's bad temper started to feel endearing.

Look at this kid, so handsome.

His nose was high and sharp like a lightning bolt, his features so superior. Although their blood relation wasn't particularly close, they were still somewhat connected. How did he manage to grow up so good-looking all by himself?

Among their group, Lou Han was undoubtedly the best-looking.

They had even called him a pretty boy before.

Now it seemed he had been too shallow. This pretty boy wasn't just handsome; his personality was cool, and his abilities were impressive.

"But Lou Han, why do you want to partner with me? What's your goal in doing all this?"

"Money." Lou Han's reply was curt. His hair, dark and thick, swayed gently in the breeze. "I want money. A lot of money. Partnering with you can help me get the Lou family's money faster."

Lou Zimin winked at Lou Han, suddenly lowering his voice. "Hey, about that... is it true that cousin really wants to, you know, have that kind of relationship with you in private?"

"Huh?" The topic shift was too abrupt. Lou Han, looking down and re-reading the message from Xiao Jing, hadn't quite heard him.

Lou Zimin paused, stammering awkwardly. "I mean, that cousin... didn't he send someone to talk to you about... keeping you..."

"What?!" Lou Han immediately turned his head, his gaze turning sharp. "Say that again?"

Lou Han's gaze was icy cold, his presence imposing. Unaware of how serious he appeared—tall and graceful like fine jade—in Lou Zimin's eyes, he just seemed like a beautiful younger brother acting up. After all, Lou Han was genuinely very good-looking.

And young, looking very youthful.

Even with an expressionless, somewhat angry face, it carried a languid, melancholic beauty.

Lou Zimin was momentarily stunned, but he didn’t get angry.

“With so many elite young masters around, any of them would be a great connection. Why pick me?”

It was quite dark out as they arrived together in the backyard.

Lou Zimin knew there were many gardens behind the house, and that their food was grown by dedicated staff, but he hadn’t expected Lou Han to be gardening too.

Lou Zimin had been drinking and his head was fuzzy, so what he had just said immediately slipped his mind.

“Oh, I remember now, Grandfather gave this to you, right?” The yard was fenced off. Although there was a gate and it wasn’t closed, Lou Zimin didn’t go in. He just stood outside, peering in.

Inside the fence, he could see a mass of dark vegetation. Lou Zimin reached out to touch it.

“Damn.” As soon as he touched it, he felt a sharp prick. He pulled his finger back and blew on it hard. “What is this?”

“Roses.” Lou Han turned to look at the rose that had pricked Lou Zimin.

He didn’t say anything, just touched that rose.

Lou Han’s patience with the drunk and muddled Lou Zimin had run out, and he finally frowned, saying, “You should go.”

“What the hell.” Lou Zimin, already incoherent from drinking and acting like an idiot, dramatically clutched his heart, no longer blowing on his hand, and looked hurt. “Is this how you treat me? You care more about these roses you planted than your business partner?”

His voice practically brushed against Lou Han’s ear.

“Stay away from me.” Lou Han frowned, annoyed, and let go of the rose. “Yes, I planted them.”

“Holy crap, you just arrived at the Lou family, and you’re giving me assignments while gardening? Impressive. My brother Han is really something.” Instead, he moved even closer.

“Don’t mess with my roses.” Lou Han forced a smile. “You should really go. See you tomorrow.”

To an outsider, the scene of the two playfully bickering took on a different, more suggestive color.

Lou Han, as one of the parties involved, didn’t notice.

But others didn't necessarily see it that way.

In the eyes of others, it looked like playful mischief between young boys. Lou Han’s tall figure and his handsome face, which always carried a certain aloofness, now wore a dazzling smile. They leaned in close, joking. The boy’s eyes, clear and deep like lake water, seemed to hold a touch of gentleness in the evening breeze.

Lou Zimin left.

Lou Han entered the yard and then stopped.

He saw Xiao Jing.

He had forgotten about this complication. This anomalous presence.

His figure had just been at the gate, playfully bickering with someone else. Like a couple flirting.

But upon seeing Xi Jingqi, he instantly became reserved, noticeably cooling down. If he were a flower, it would be like meeting someone he completely disregarded, with the bud closing up.

Lou Han’s expression turned to ice. His reaction was faint, showing little change, as if even the light had vanished from him.

He didn't even seem surprised or puzzled; his brows and eyes remained straight and calm.

He slowly walked in.

His entire demeanor was composed. His eyes were very clear.

“Hello.” Lou Han thought for a moment, then gave a cool, polite nod in greeting before rolling up his sleeves.

He began watering the roses he had planted that morning.

Xi Jingqi maintained his graceful, poised appearance and also smiled at him.

Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold.

For a moment, Xi Jingqi’s expression completely changed. He leaned lazily against a wooden plant stand on one side of the yard, suspecting that Lou Han was doing this on purpose. He had been very restrained lately, not visiting Lou Han even once, merely sending him a few messages.

But it was one thing that Lou Han hadn’t replied to a single one.

He was also completely different from how he had been during their first meeting.

“I’m sorry.” Xi Jingqi walked over. The mature man carried a lot of charm, every inch meticulously groomed.

“I originally wanted to be friends with you. But since I didn’t get a reply, I came to see you.”

But Lou Han didn’t seem reclusive at all. In fact, he had quickly made a new friend.

In his eyes, the boy’s actions were as simple as a blank sheet of paper; he could see his intentions clearly at a glance.

All of this was just for Lou Han to gain entry into the Lou family.

He wanted to get involved in the Lou family’s affairs. The best way was to stand out in the old master’s eyes and then secure the right to take over the Lou family from him.

So, he had to make the old master see him.

The old master still hadn’t chosen a successor for the family assets. It likely meant he wasn’t satisfied with any of the current candidates.

Therefore, Lou Han had to make him see his own existence.

Lou Han needed him to know that he was someone who could be entrusted.

To hand the family assets over to him.

But he had no starting capital, so for now, Lou Zimin was his best choice for a partner because, unlike Lou Han, he already held shares in some of the Lou family’s companies. He had money.

And Lou Zimin was around the same age, so they could communicate.

“Lou Han.”

“In four days, it’s the family banquet, you understand?” Lou Zimin leaned in close to him, speaking excitedly. “We can present our plan then, make a big splash. When the old master sees it, who knows how highly he’ll think of us.”

He heard that idiot outside saying this to Lou Han.

Lou Han accepted it all without refuting.

But facing him, every micro-expression on Lou Han’s face was one of avoidance.

As if he really didn’t welcome his arrival.

Did he dislike him?

Like a child who didn’t know how to refuse, so he simply ignored him?

What a pity, what a pity.

He didn’t know what kind of person he was dealing with. He didn’t know what he was getting himself into.

What he was facing.

Was a behemoth.

He didn't realize he was forsaking what was near for what was far.

Like a prince seeking wealth, who spurns a dragon sitting on endless gems and gold to venture out for elusive silver across a grueling journey—all while this dragon, to please him, has disguised himself as a knight.

Yet he chose a farmer instead.

"Sorry."

He had been wrong about some things. He shouldn't have pretended, shouldn't have played it soft. He should have been direct from the start; then, he could have simply seized what he wanted in his own hands.

He shouldn't keep up the act any longer.

Author's Note:

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It's already Chapter 6, no more beating around the bush. Let's get right to the imprisonment.