Chapter 24: A Du, Don’t Bite…

Chapter 24: A Du, Don't Bite...

'A person only gets a few tens of thousands of days to live. If you worry about this and that, isn't that just too exhausting?'

'Chu, listen to Uncle Tian's advice. Living here is already oppressive enough—why not just live a little? Don't stress about what A Du might turn into down the road. Right now, he's by your side, and that's all that matters.'

On the way home, Chu Lanting rubbed the bridge of his nose for the third time.

Uncle Tian's words were still echoing in his ears.

But he and Pei Du...

"Wife, are you feeling unwell?"

He could feel Pei Du's eyes on him the whole way home.

Chu Lanting thought of what Uncle Tian had told him, and his head, already aching, throbbed even more.

He shook his head, stopped at the courtyard gate, then reached out to push it open: "Whatever Uncle Tian said to you earlier, don't take it to heart."

He stepped into the small courtyard and pushed the main door wide open. Not hearing footsteps behind him, he turned, confused: "A Du, what's... wrong?"

Ever since he'd learned about mental strength from Uncle Tian and Uncle He, Chu Lanting knew Pei Du had to be someone important.

As someone of high standing, even if he'd lost his original memories and spent his days in a daze trailing after him—

He could still sometimes pick up on an unusual aura from him.

Like right now.

Seeing Pei Du standing at the gate, head down, Chu Lanting frowned, shoved his keys in his pocket, and walked forward: "A Du?"

A loud *bang* rang out in the small courtyard.

The old wooden gate was shoved hard against the wall, creaking in protest.

Chu Lanting's eyes widened as he looked up at him. At the sight of his bloodshot eyes, Chu Lanting swallowed hard: "A Du, what's... are you feeling unwell?"

The young man, a head taller than him, wore a grim expression, his dark eyes clouded and unreadable.

It reminded Chu Lanting of that evening—the Pei Du who wasn't himself.

His hands, which had been resting on the other man's shoulders, clenched into fists. He moved his wrists slightly, trying to look meek as he spoke softly.

"A Du, let's go inside first, okay? Like this... I can hardly breathe."

Chu Lanting glanced around and realized he was pressed against the wooden gate.

There wasn't a single gap between his body and Pei Du's.

Even though Pei Du always held him in his arms at night—

This was broad daylight...

"It's so red and hot right here."

A warm finger gently pinched his ear, the one hidden under his hair.

Chu Lanting's eyes were already wide, but now his refined face was overtaken by shock.

Pei Du must have trained all year round—he wasn't soft like the nobles. Not only was he muscular, but even his fingers had thin calluses.

The second that hand caught his earlobe, goosebumps broke out all over Chu Lanting's body.

He wanted to push him away, but he was way too weak to do it.

"Let go. A Du, let's go inside—someone might see us."

It was too weird—being cornered like this and having his ear touched.

But Pei Du ignored his pleas. After he spoke, the man kept gently rubbing his earlobe.

"Your face is red too. Wife is so beautiful."

The second a soft touch met his cheek, Chu Lanting's mind went blank.

He stared dazedly at him, his pushing motions frozen as if someone had hit pause.

It wasn't until a sharp sting hit his already-bitten lower lip that he sucked in a deep breath, forced down the strange pounding in his chest, and his expression turned serious in an instant.

"A Du, stop messing around."

"I'm not messing around," Pei Du said, his expression even more serious than Chu Lanting's. "Uncle Tian said if I stick close to my wife, she'll like me too."

"But you told me not to listen to Uncle Tian. Why? Because he's right? You don't want to like me."

This surprisingly clear-headed speech almost made Chu Lanting think he'd gotten his memories back.

Suppressing his surprise, he said softly, "A Du, have you remembered something?"

"Is there something I should remember? If I remember something, will you find a way to send me away?"

A low, hoarse voice echoed through the small courtyard.

Chu Lanting blinked at the words, then let out a soft sigh: "Eavesdropping on other people's conversations is rude."

"So wife really is going to send me away."

The fingers pressed against his cheek suddenly tightened. The moment his cheek was pinched in pain, a soft gasp escaped Chu Lanting's throat.

Just as he was about to tell the man to calm down, he saw him lower his head, inching closer and closer.

A faint woody fragrance gradually intensified until it pressed fully against the tip of his nose. The instant he instinctively held his breath, another sharp sting struck his freshly bitten lower lip.

Pei Du had no idea how to kiss.

Even though Chu Lanting had no experience either, he'd occasionally caught glimpses of kissing scenes between protagonists on TV.

The protagonists on screen kissed gently—not like Pei Du, who was like a dog gnawing on something...

"Enough... enough, A Du... don't bite—"

Until a faint taste of blood spread through his mouth, the stinging pain on his lips made Chu Lanting gasp repeatedly, and the oxygen in his lungs was nearly depleted—

Only then did the young man, who had been biting down relentlessly, finally release him, panting heavily.

With fresh air restored, Chu Lanting leaned back against the door, catching his breath.

After a long moment, when he felt strength return to his limp limbs, he once again raised his hand to push the man away.

Crazy!

This world has gone completely mad!

Pei Du, as the protagonist, even with his memory gone, still keeps a certain level of rationality.

How could he possibly kiss someone like me, a nobody who barely even counts as a bit player?

Chu Lanting sat on the bed, running his hands through his soft short hair, his head hung low, hiding his expression and his thoughts.

Should he send him away?

If he just sent him over to Uncle Tian and Uncle He's place, he'd definitely come running back.

If he sent him to another small town, it would have to be far enough away, right?

But then, would Pei Du be able to adapt to life there? His memory hasn't recovered yet—would people pick on him?

He'd messed up his own short hair completely.

When a knock came at the door, he didn't get up to answer it.

This place was small, and just two people lived here.

He didn't have to guess who was knocking.

Precisely because he knew, he didn't want to open the door.

Flopping onto the bed, Chu Lanting grabbed the folded blanket at the bedside, spread it out, and pulled it directly over his head.