Chapter 14 Cousin’s Forcible Seizure of You

Chapter 14: The Cousin's Aggressive Advance

—So... you know what to do?

Lou Han froze.

Ah.

Internally, his expression shifted in a flash. In that moment, he understood Xiao Jing's meaning—the nature of his current blunder. Looking down, his eyes met Xi Jingqi's gaze, those pitch-black eyes.

His pale fingers were still resting on Xi Jingqi's clothes. His entire body trembled slightly, pausing, but his mind seemed to suddenly clear. As if struck by inspiration, he said:

"I—Cousin," he heard himself call Xi Jingqi that way, his voice lowering, "I'm already an adult; of course I know you have to get close for a kiss."

...Actually, that wasn't what Xi Jingqi meant; it was that he was too practiced at it.

But obviously, he should pretend not to understand now!

Thus, Lou Han originally intended to pull back from the intimate moment, but soon—his chin was caught by Xi Jingqi.

Huh?!

Lou Han's ears perked up instantly. In the quiet space, he blinked, wondering if he should just play coy.

But his chin suddenly—the force increased. Held by that slender hand, he couldn't move, and his face was guided slightly from side to side by Xi Jingqi. At such close proximity, he suddenly lost that thought.

He could only stare, at a loss for words, into Xi Jingqi's black eyes, which were like clear, colored glass—

Xi Jingqi's scent lingered around Lou Han's nose, a faint perfume. He didn't know what Xi Jingqi was looking for on his face, but this restraint felt somewhat uncomfortable. Moreover, that faint perfume was very unfamiliar, not like the scent from his familiar memories.

A hint of resistance began to stir within Lou Han's body.

And they were almost face-to-face, pressed close. When Xi Jingqi's intentions were unclear, the pressure from his expression was palpable.

Wait.

As the atmosphere froze, Xi Jingqi laughed, letting out a soft "pfft."

Even when he usually smiled, it was a light smile, a slight curve of the lips.

But at this moment, his smile was like spring flowers bursting open, blooming freely, filled with immense joy and warmth, clear and bright. The surrounding atmosphere seemed infected by this smile, becoming more relaxed.

He also gently tapped Lou Han's chin with his index finger—a very subtle movement, not much, but for two people whose relationship was already ambiguous but whose bodies should have been "unfamiliar," such an action made the atmosphere more charged than if they were about to kiss or if Xi Jingqi covered Lou Han's eyes. It drew them closer in that instant.

It made that resistance, which hadn't even fully formed in Lou Han, melt away instantly.

Thinking of the Xiao Jing from the real world, Lou Han's heart softened.

Xi Jingqi, with a smile, gently shook his head: "I was joking. You're not a child anymore."

He spoke with a paternal air.

Hearing Xiao Jing say this, Lou Han immediately felt that he was about to shift gears in how he interacted with him.

His feeling was right.

Xi Jingqi released his hand, covering his forehead. "I'm pretty tired today myself, Lou Han. This is the first time I'm calling you by your name, right? Do you remember our first meeting? It was in the garden your grandfather gave you."

His tone carried a hint of weariness, like melting ice in spring, lacking the haughty pride and noble air he displayed outside.

Lou Han immediately thought about it and nodded.

"I want to talk to you about some things next," Xi Jingqi said to Lou Han, his gaze very sincere.

Lou Han knew Xiao Jing well. In truth, Xiao Jing was someone whose heart was hard, whether his surface was warm or cold, at any time or place. His true self was heavily guarded; his smile might just be a mask he wore for the outside world.

But now, looking at him with such sincere eyes, Lou Han actually felt that in this world, this time, he seemed to have let down his long-standing defenses and was about to show him his soft, true inner self.

Lou Han even suddenly felt a sense of happiness and honor.

His mind wandered again, wondering if he had just provoked Xiao Jing?

"But you also know, that wasn't the first time I saw you. I came to the Lou family half a month ago and saw you then too. At that time, I was just intrigued by you. Aren't you curious about why I came to the Lou family? This is just between us: actually, your grandfather asked me to come. He had a favor to ask of me. I was unfamiliar with the place then, and because of this matter, I needed to start evaluating the people in your family. At that time, I took a liking to you."

Hearing this, Lou Han didn't expect Xiao Jing to bring up these things he didn't care about at all.

He almost wanted to yawn because he was sleepy.

Xi Jingqi spoke unhurriedly, his voice like a long-flowing clear stream.

When he looked up, he found Lou Han gazing at him intently, as if listening to his words.

A corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. "You must have guessed it. This matter is related to your Lou family's assets. Your grandfather had long known that your third uncle was cruel and crazy, single-mindedly seeking to monopolize the family assets but lacking the ability to manage them. Whether he is such a person, you saw today. And everyone in the Lou family was fearful for their own safety, not daring to stop him.

So your grandfather contacted me. Because I am the grandson of an old friend your grandfather trusted, he asked me to come as an outsider with the impartial perspective of an external relative to assess who in your family is most suitable to inherit these assets. Then he asked me, after he passes away, to manage the Lou family's industries together with that person, so that the family's century of prosperity wouldn't be ruined overnight."

As Lou Han listened, he easily understood.

His gaze shifted imperceptibly to the air—System, come out quickly!

Then he looked down at Xiao Jing's eyes, quietly listening to him without voicing his opinion, like a very good listener.

...Because Lou Han once again felt that the related settings of Xiao Jing in this world were quite well-defined.

This implied many things behind it.

Lou Han's first feeling was that "well-defined" meant there were still many things unknown to him, and his task probably only revealed a small corner.

From a broader perspective, what awaited Lou Han was likely far more than this.

Xi Jingqi's casual, languid voice sounded somewhat plaintive. Lou Han was startled, suddenly remembering.

...He remembered his first day in this world, just going downstairs, and everyone giving him strange looks upon seeing him, plus the experiences of these past days.

So... it was because, in the setting, after his cousin contacted him, he spread rumors behind his back that his cousin had taken a fancy to him? Until everyone knew.

However, Lou Han's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and his gaze towards Xiao Jing immediately changed.

He felt somewhat awkward, his legs going weak, but facing Xiao Jing's "sincerely aggrieved" face, he couldn't say:

"Cousin, but the system said you originally had taken a fancy to 'him,' right?"

After Xi Jingqi finished speaking, seeing the youth merely gazing calmly at him without speaking, his eyes darkened, and he said hoarsely:

"I was originally very angry. I didn't expect Lulu to get lost. When I found her, I saw you. The first time we met face to face, I realized I had fallen for you."

He suddenly buried his head in Lou Han's shoulder, his voice filled with such thick guilt.

Lou Han smelled the mature man's perfume on him, saw Xiao Jing leaning against him, and heard him say so much. Regardless of whether it was true or not, the Xiao Jing before him overlapped so much with the one in his memories.

Lou Han's heart softened further.

"Although you didn't blame me afterward, I had some misunderstandings about you at that time and didn't reveal my identity right away. I've always felt bad about that. Later, when I tried to contact you multiple times, you were always distant, which confused me."

"I'm sorry," he said, burying his face in Lou Han's shoulder, finally uttering the words he'd long wanted to say to him. "Last time, I disregarded your wishes and had you brought to my room privately because I truly wanted to see you."

"But you still didn't blame me and agreed, which made me very happy." After Xi Jingqi finished speaking, he held Lou Han, looking completely sincere.

Lou Han was left speechless. He felt an indescribable warmth spreading between him and Xiao Jing.

"Do you know what those people say about me behind my back?"

He was so lost in thought that when Xi Jingqi easily pushed him onto the bed, he didn't even react.

Xi Jingqi pinned him down on the bed—an incredibly suggestive position.

"Today, I moved heaven and earth to stop Third Uncle from harming the old master. But seeing his condition at the scene, it still chills me. Why would they harm their own precious family for the sake of profit?"

Xi Jingqi said, "My heart goes cold for the old master, but having you by my side makes me feel much better. Lou Han, can you comfort me? We don't know each other well; let's start physically, okay?"

He saw Lou Han's clear, liquid eyes.

Without overthinking it, despite his offensive words, Lou Han still just looked at him obediently with those clear eyes, like a mountain spring.

He'd painted himself as the kind, family-loving good guy.

Lou Han didn't even challenge him.

Lou Han understood.

—If he didn't have the system and hadn't known everything in advance, he might have actually believed it.

Lou Han nearly laughed. He hadn't realized Xiao Jing had a talent for acting. It's a shame this was just a virtual world, so nothing Xiao Jing did here would ever truly be real.

But Xiao Jing saying these things did have its benefits. It made Lou Han think of the real Xiao Jing, making him feel more and more that the person before him was the one he knew.

Actually, no matter what, Lou Han had still been somewhat distant from this world's Xiao Jing until now.

So these words were still useful. He genuinely felt they were bringing the distance between them closer and closer.

The system watched from its vantage point in the air, feeling utterly bewildered.

It felt there were major issues with Xi Jingqi's words—full of lies. Good lord, how terrifying such a person was.

To everyone else, he was aloof and taciturn, yet here in private, he said so much to Lou Han. The system felt uneasy.

But it discovered Lou Han's train of thought was bizarre; he didn't feel that way at all. Unbelievable.

Lou Han let himself be led to bed so easily by Xi Jingqi.

Xi Jingqi was a natural leader. In moments like these, he guided him on what to do, and Lou Han obediently followed.

He was like an experienced captain guiding a ship through the vast ocean towards the correct course. He patiently explained every step, from the macro direction down to the finest operational details, all with thorough clarity.

And Lou Han was the crew member.

The room was well-prepared.

Their bodies became entangled.

But at the final step, Lou Han gazed up at Xi Jingqi innocently. Xi Jingqi asked in a husky voice, "You want to be on top?"

Lou Han stared at him and nodded seriously.

"..." Xi Jingqi pushed his hair back, revealing his noble, haughty features. He looked at him, paused for a few moments, then gave a low chuckle, "Okay."

Like a suppressed wave released by the sea.

Xi Jingqi actually experienced that the newly adult youth was very—very strong, unexpectedly skilled.

He had originally thought Lou Han was like ice and snow, but just beneath the surface lay spring water.

As a loyal crew member, Lou Han listened intently to his every word. Once given an instruction, he acted swiftly without hesitation.

In the end, amidst the scorching tide of passion, even Lou Han's usual cool demeanor completely melted away. Lying on top of him, the youth's lean muscles pressed against him, Lou Han's eyes shone like stars in the night sky, his cheeks flushed like pink evening clouds, and he kissed him.

"...Xiao Jing." His voice carried the boundless vitality of youth.

Xi Jingqi's breath fanned Lou Han's face. "Last night... you said... the thing you wanted me to do... did I complete it?"

*I gave you the family assets. Are you satisfied?*

"Very good..."

Lou Han could only mumble in response then.

He thought, tasks and such—he wasn't sure if that even counted as courtship back then. Whatever, let the system decide.

"I hope you'll also talk about yourself in the future. I want to understand you more in the days to come."

"...Okay."

A person who had descended into his dreams before they'd even met, appearing in his dreams—he thought he was a spirit. And now, the scene from his dream was recurring. How could this not be considered a supernatural marvel?

Xi Jingqi hoped to weave a net, to envelop him completely.

And Lou Han, within his net, would gradually feel dizzy.

As if captured.

-

"Detected that host has established a clear relationship with cousin. Entering new mode."

Like a video game notification. The system popped up to speak, accompanied by a soft yet piercing mechanical sound that rang out from thin air, followed by the unfolding of a pale blue light screen.

"Actually, I forgot to tell you, host. The worlds in our series are not simple worlds.

The tasks are very simple, but the completion process triggers hidden storylines."

"Host, you have pulled back the first curtain of the first world. Navigate your cousin's pursuit of you. At the same time, you currently do not trust cousin; you've caught the lies in his words. You decide to probe cousin's secrets."

"And the feelings established between you and him are, in fact, very fragile, as fragile as a paper wall."

【You easily agreed to go to bed with cousin, but did not actually give him your true affection. Instead, this left an impression of being "wanton" in cousin's mind.】

"And in the hearts of other world characters and NPCs, because you allied with your cousin so quickly, your favorability has greatly decreased.

You have become a 'despicable scoundrel' that everyone is wary of."】

...

Lou Han's eyes widened in disbelief, wondering if he was hearing things.

What did you say?

Author's Note:

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Hehe, yesterday's midnight update (good evening, haha). Have you noticed my update times are all quite unearthly? ~[shy]