Chapter 8 Cousin’s Forcible Seizure of You

Chapter 8: The Cousin's Ruthless Takeover

Lou Han stared blankly at Xi Jingqi for a long while, his expression still dazed.

The man stood there in his pajamas looking back at him, the black silk accentuating his lean waist. A closer look would have revealed that Xi Jingqi had likely just showered. He was damp all over, his black hair still dripping, the water trickling down his sturdy chest.

He held a cigarette in one hand, standing with his long legs, his body relaxed and at ease as he watched Lou Han. The other two servants exchanged bewildered glances.

"If you don't like this color, here is the full collection meticulously crafted by Vanna's top designers..."

Lou Han stood there frozen, listening to their endless spiel. Since the master hadn't told them to stop, they of course continued.

He slowly raised his head, looking at the array of luxury items.

His expression was both confused and flustered.

The youth's pale lips were pressed tightly together, exuding an aloof coolness. The line of his slender neck was graceful, his Adam's apple moving slightly with each breath.

He was young to begin with. Although he already looked as slender and straight as a young white poplar, his skin was fair. At this moment, his long eyelashes trembled like cicada wings. His silence made people worry he was in shock, appearing as pitiful as pear blossoms wet with rain.

The servants felt a twinge of pity for him as they spoke.

Was this child too young to understand their master's intentions?

The master wanted to take him as a kept boy! By the looks of it, whether he agreed or not, the master would force his compliance.

But at such a young age, how was keeping him appropriate? And how long would the master desire him?

Xi Jingqi gradually let out a derisive snort.

At that, Xi Jingqi snapped his fingers, signaling the two to stop talking.

They instantly fell silent.

Xi Jingqi looked at Lou Han. He leisurely blew out a smoke ring. Deep within those lifeless pupils held no emotion, nothing more than a beast observing its prey.

The sweetness of the dream was addictive enough.

He was eager to taste it.

But whether it would go as smoothly as the dream, he didn't care at all.

He knew Lou Han wouldn't accept it. Xi Jingqi, from their brief encounter, knew he wasn't the soft, obedient type who would willingly let himself be played with.

But he didn't care.

Like a beast lying in wait before the hunt, because the disparity in power was obvious, the outcome was clear. The process was just watching how the prey would struggle before being devoured.

The worst-case scenario was the prey fighting for its life, sacrificing itself in a final, desperate act to resist the beast, bringing the hunt to a close in a weave of pain and despair.

But none of that mattered to him in the least.

What he wanted to taste was just a taste of that dreamlike sweetness.

As for the prey's life or death...

Thinking of this, the corner of Xi Jingqi's mouth lifted slightly, but his eyes held not a trace of a smile.

"There's more than just these things. If you agree, there will be more waiting for you, including the Lou family's assets," Xi Jingqi said lazily, his tone full of nonchalance and ease.

At the same time, he smiled at Lou Han, his eyes sharply boring into him. "...You'll want even more."

"And you, you have to offer me something as a stake. You should know what it is?"

He emphasized the word "stake." Although he suspected Lou Han might not understand what he was saying at all, his lips curved into a smile and he raised an eyebrow. "Do I need to make it more obvious? If not, you can agree."

But Xi Jingqi knew in his heart this wasn't enough. Xi Jingqi thought, Lou Han wouldn't accept it so easily. Otherwise, for so long, he wouldn't have ignored the financial offers his subordinates had proposed.

However, at this moment, Xi Jingqi still held a certain expectation.

Even if it was struggle, he anticipated more reaction from Lou Han, rather than the usual indifference he faced.

...

His hair hung loosely by the side of his face. His voice held a slight, teasing lift. He pressed his fingers down in a commanding gesture. His voice, with a hint of casual nonchalance, wrapped around lowly, teasing Lou Han's ears until they began to burn. "Speak."

Lou Han didn't speak, just turned his face to look at him.

After a moment, that coolly beautiful face slowly formed a panicked expression. He was actually panicked. His bangs naturally fell down, covering his dark, clear eyes.

Finally, he started to move. He kept backing away.

His first instinct was actually to turn and run for his life.

Xi Jingqi's smile froze.

He said, "...S-sorry, I have something to do now, I n-need to be alone for a while..."

But halfway through running, Lou Han realized his phone wasn't on him. His clothes hadn't been changed; they were still what he wore before he fainted. So, while backing away, he quickly searched around the room for his phone in front of everyone.

He finally found it on the table by the bed. With his hands clasped together, the youth whispered "Sorry...", while dodging eye contact, deliberately avoiding Xi Jingqi's eyes, and softly asking others to move aside.

Then, he strode out with his long legs, quickly running out of the room through the door.

...Fleeing in panic.

There wasn't even a fierce struggle. He merely ran away, without saying much more to Xi Jingqi.

Xi Jingqi hadn't expected him to react like this.

Now it was the servants' turn to be stunned.

The servants instinctively made way for Lou Han, then looked at Xi Jingqi.

Xi Jingqi suddenly remembered a previous meeting. He had someone bring him over, but the first time they could have met, he turned and ran halfway. Did he have the same expression on his face then?

This extremely handsome man. Xi Jingqi smoked indifferently and laughed.

His tongue pressed against the inside of his cheek. Laughter gradually spilled from his mouth, incredibly soft, as if he had encountered something very pleasant. How interesting.

Drip. Drip.

"You may leave."

He said to the few people. Although he was smiling, his face was so gloomy it seemed about to drip water, his eyes cold. Seeing the atmosphere was off, the servants hastily pushed the cart to a corner, bowed, and left.

Before leaving, they gently closed the door.

Xi Jingqi paced to the window and suddenly realized it had started to rain. Looking outside, across the vast expanse, dark clouds rapidly gathered, shrouding the whole world in a dim, gray hue.

Suddenly, without warning, raindrops as large as beans poured down, splattering against the glass.

He glanced down at the time.

Just as Xi Jingqi pulled out his phone, about to call the security guards outside—

A sudden *clatter* sounded from behind.

“So, I’m back.”

Lou Han coughed lightly. Before returning, he had deliberately straightened the clothes that had become somewhat disheveled while he slept, buttoning them back up so he now appeared much more presentable.

Lou Han had just run outside and used his phone’s GPS to confirm his location—he was still in the suburbs of City A, where the Lou family resided.

Then he frantically tried to ping his system.

This guy. Because things had been so calm these past few days, Lou Han hadn't noticed it had been silent for so long.

But when Lou Han really wanted to know what exactly had happened, how things had reached this point, and what he should do now—

No matter what he tried, Lou Han couldn’t connect with it!!

He still hadn’t realized that his Xiao Jing was actually his cousin.

He just felt the situation had unfolded too bizarrely.

He had originally planned to follow the career path, striving to grow stronger and bigger, quickly clear this world’s “dungeon,” and then leave.

But now, how had he ended up blocked by Xiao Jing, who was far more powerful than him???

Outside, Lou Han tried desperately to contact the system but never heard its voice in his mind.

However, to keep Xiao Jing from waiting anxiously, Lou Han decided to hurry back inside.

Now, seeing Xiao Jing and thinking about what he had said, Lou Han felt his eyes welling up.

Lou Han watched as Xi Jingqi, holding his phone, turned around and looked at him with utter astonishment.

Lou Han sniffled, his eyes sparkling as he rushed up to him, grabbing his cigarette-holding hand—the hand with distinct, well-defined knuckles. It was warm; a light touch sent a jolt like an electric shock through him, but he didn’t let go. His light laugh was as gentle as a drifting feather. “Forget it, I agree!!”

Xi Jingqi slightly parted his lips, as if puzzled, and asked him, “What did you say?”

Lou Han’s attitude had completely transformed, as if under a spell.

The young man, with narrow eyelids, a high nose bridge, pale lips, and sharp eyebrows—his features had always given Xi Jingqi a sense of distance, aloofness, and unapproachability.

But now, he was holding his hand, wearing a white shirt with his deep collarbones exposed, soft short hair hanging by his ears, dark and glossy, with faint bluish veins visible behind his ear.

The muscles in his arms stood out due to the force, along with the prominent, smooth curve of his neck.

Thinking Xi Jingqi hadn’t heard clearly, Lou Han repeated himself, his mind racing as he tried to express himself. “I mean, I thought it through outside. If you really want to help me take over the Lou family, then I’ll agree to all your demands. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it.”

Lou Han thought to himself: So, in this world, Xiao Jing has inexplicably fallen madly in love with me. And he’s so rich too. Well then, why not be with him? It could even help me conquer the world!!

So absurd…

Everything that followed felt like a dream, a return to a dreamlike state.

What he had originally wanted to obtain…

Lou Han also told him that since it was getting late, he would come back tomorrow, but for now, he needed to go home.

Xi Jingqi almost sneered, feeling Lou Han’s motives were laid bare too crudely. But Lou Han insisted he immediately prepare a contract to sign. The contract mainly stated that as long as Xi Jingqi gave him some money each year, Lou Han would unconditionally comply with all of Xi Jingqi’s demands.

Then, he asked him to see him home…

-

Xi Jingqi gently rubbed his left hand—his left hand was clean and elegant, with distinct knuckles.

And his right hand was being held by Lou Han.

He couldn’t find the words to describe what he was feeling.

On the way back, Xi Jingqi had originally called a car. His estate near the Lou family was vast, so he had the car come directly to the front of the castle to pick them up. But Lou Han said—he wanted to walk with him.

Though young, the boy was tall, not shorter than him, and clung to his hand with earnest determination.

Xi Jingqi casually held Lou Han’s hand with his right hand, while his left hand held a cigarette. He took a drag, his eyes cold and piercing.

The servants obediently didn’t follow, and Xiao Jie and the others seemed to have vanished without a trace.

Lou Han seemed to steal several glances at him.

He knew.

But he paid no mind.

His cold, pale lips pressed against the cigarette were frequently glanced at by Lou Han, who seemed on the verge of saying something but held back, unsure what to say. Yet Lou Han felt an indescribable sense of danger, like the calm before a storm.

As for why Xi Jingqi was acting this way, Lou Han clearly knew the “what” but not the “why.”

But ever since they signed the contract, Xi Jingqi had been like this—not saying a word to him, acting indifferent and dismissive. Lou Han spent a few minutes failing to figure it out, then let it go. After all, with the contract signed, even if Xiao Jing regretted it, he’d still have to give him the money.

They reached a secluded spot deep within a garden.

Xi Jingqi finally stopped.

Xi Jingqi stood still, and Lou Han looked at him.

Without a word, he pulled Lou Han closer. Surprise flashed in Lou Han’s eyes as Xi Jingqi gripped his wrist and lowered his head—it was a silent kiss. His restrained, husky voice pressed close to Lou Han’s ear: “I know I’m forcing you, but even if you’re unwilling, let me kiss you, okay?”

Lou Han instinctively turned his head away to avoid it.

Xi Jingqi let out a low laugh. In his heart, he felt a sense of “as expected.”

But the next second—

“Can you not smoke anymore from now on?” Lou Han said softly.

Though he had been very cold to him before, now he spoke in an inquiring tone, looking up at him with dewy eyes. Seeing Xi Jingqi remain silent, he sighed, his expression turning pitiful, yet he still said, “Alright then, how about just one cigarette per week?”

The smile on Xi Jingqi’s lips suddenly vanished, none of his previous composure remaining. He stared intently at the young man, his gaze fixed.

He could hear his own heart pounding wildly.

He didn’t know if he had agreed to Lou Han or not.

Xi Jingqi realized he had been wrong about more than one thing.

Lou Han held an immense attraction for him.

If he didn't believe in gods or fate, then he shouldn't believe that Lou Han was the fated one from his dream. If he did believe, then he had made an even greater mistake.

—Lou Han was not his prey; he was.

He had come to the Lou family initially just to handle one matter. But he had become the prey. His heart raced under the hunter's manipulation, and what was terrifying was that the hunter was protean, capable of disguising himself at will. If Lou Han wished, he could be as sweet as honey, and perhaps in the future, he would keep him firmly in his grasp.

He sent Lou Han back to the Lou family home.

This time, it was Lou Han's turn to wave goodbye to him.

Then, Lou Han turned and left once again.

Xi Jingqi watched his retreating figure from the car, his heart sinking into an abyss. A tempest of emotions churned within him.

Lou Han must be putting on an act. Why... why... was he pretending so effortlessly in front of him?

---

Lou Han walked into the Lou family home, crossing the front yard with a light heart before entering his building.

Fortunately, he didn't run into any other members of the Lou family.

Suddenly.

A flat, mechanical voice echoed in his mind as the system materialized like a ghost.

"Task Three: Accept Cousin's Kiss—Rejected."

"Tasks One and Three have both been rejected by the host. According to detection, the host's performance has shown significant inconsistencies, causing the cousin to become suspicious, with a risk of a dark, violent transformation."

Lou Han: ????

Cousin, wife?????

Author's Note:

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It's a bit different from the synopsis now, mwah mwah.