Chapter 264
Lin Qingyang woke up again in the night, but the location had changed.
He should have been on a soft bed, but he couldn’t feel any comfort at all. His whole body was in pain.
Yuan Ran had been excessive at times, but this experience was really… Lin Qingyang felt a surge of grievance after realizing what had happened.
The fear of being mistreated by a stranger in the darkness, followed by the realization that it was Yuan Ran, yet without any gentle experience.
Even though his instincts had completely overshadowed other emotions later on, Lin Qingyang still felt very upset once his rationality returned.
Suddenly, he felt a pain in his wrist. Opening his eyes, he saw an unexpected scene, which made him feel even more aggrieved.
Yuan Ran was not in the room, and the pain was because someone was examining his wrist.
“Ah, Big Brother Lin, you finally woke up. If you hadn’t, Senior Brother would have gone crazy. It’s clearly his own fault.” Mu Huichun’s complaining voice came.
“Mu Huichun?”
“Just wait a moment, drink this medicine first. You had a fever earlier. Senior Brother really went… too far.” Mu Huichun remembered how Lin Qingyang had been carried in wrapped in red robes, looking miserable. He felt like scolding Senior Brother hundreds of times.
Lin Qingyang realized his throat was hoarse only after speaking.
He tried to sit up but felt weak all over, likely from the fever he had just experienced.
“Where is he?” Lin Qingyang asked, his tone carrying a hint of grievance as he inquired about Yuan Ran’s whereabouts.
Mu Huichun brought the medicine over, supporting Lin Qingyang to drink it before saying, “Senior Brother is dealing with some matters outside and will be back soon. You wouldn’t believe how complicated things have become. I can’t explain it all myself. Let Senior Brother explain when he returns. For now, just lie down. You… are injured there. But don’t worry, I applied the medicine left by our master. As long as Senior Brother’s application technique is correct, you’ll be healed by tomorrow morning.”
Lin Qingyang blushed at the mention of his injury, feeling a bit embarrassed. But at the same time, he felt a bit annoyed. It turned out he really had been injured by Yuan Ran, which explained the excruciating pain he had felt at the time.
“Senior Brother has already treated the other injuries on your body. I just checked to see if your hand was sprained.”
Following Mu Huichun’s gaze, Lin Qingyang looked at his wrist. Apart from the red marks, there was also a silver-white chain tied to his left wrist. The chain was delicate, resembling a beautiful bracelet, with its other end trailing outside the room, stretching about twenty meters away. Miniature bells adorned the chain at regular intervals. It was unmistakably the chain that had bound his hands last night!
Lin Qingyang was dumbfounded.
That scoundrel Yuan Ran hadn’t untied him from the chain the whole night, and now he was still tied to it by one hand.
Lin Qingyang looked at Mu Huichun in astonishment.
Mu Huichun awkwardly shifted his gaze. “Don’t look at me like that. This is called the Silver Rainbow. It’s a type of weapon that Master collected, invincible and impervious to water and fire. When binding someone, it’s tied with inner energy, and only the user can untie it. It was originally used by Master to restrain Senior Brother. But now…”
“He… What is he doing?” Lin Qingyang exclaimed in shock.
“Senior Brother… He’s a bit abnormal now,” Mu Huichun said discreetly.
Lin Qingyang immediately felt angry. “After scaring me like that last night, he’s definitely not normal!” But as he finished speaking and saw Mu Huichun’s expression, he realized it was more serious than just a simple complaint. In an instant, his heart tightened. “What’s going on exactly?”
Mu Huichun sighed and recounted what had happened.
“Blame my lack of skill, and blame Master for not showing up in time. At that time, Senior Brother’s body became extremely unstable due to the failure of the Tianxuan Pill, his inner energy was imbalanced, and he was in a state of turmoil, exacerbated by his existing mental illness. And since you weren’t by his side, he thought you didn’t want to be with him, which became a trigger.”
“How could that be? Didn’t you explain to him?”
“We did, but it didn’t work. He’s so smart, he understood right away. You could leave, it was your choice not to.”
“I…” Lin Qingyang suddenly found it hard to argue.
“Anyway, regardless of the reason, his memory from your near-death experience suddenly escalated when he realized you two were separated, and, oh, it seems… he even had hallucinations. He imagined seeing your heart pierced, right in front of him. When he woke up that time, he went completely insane.”
Lin Qingyang’s heart skipped a beat at that moment, immediately questioning the system in his mind. The system couldn’t provide a clear answer, after all, being the protagonist, there’s always something different.
Lin Qingyang cursed the system for its lack of principles. He didn’t want Chu Lishu to know any of this.
The imagery, recalling it in his worst state, was strange not to be triggering.
“Later, Lu Yi came back and said it was your own decision not to leave, but it seems he lost your letters. Then, right after, came the news of Empress Dowager Xu wanting to arrange a marriage between you and Xu Wenze, and… it just made things even worse.”
Lin Qingyang’s heart throbbed with pain, feeling unlucky, like he had drawn the short straw.
“Even though Master helped stabilize his sanity, the effect was minimal, only reaching a temporary balance. To fully recover, he’ll have to rely on slow rehabilitation on his own. Master said… Senior Brother’s madness hasn’t completely subsided, he’s just managed to control it. Do you understand what that means? He’s not the typical kind of crazy, he’s…”
“I understand,” Lin Qingyang interrupted. How could he not understand? This was like going back to square one, and it seemed like Yuan Ran was on the verge of becoming the lunatic described in the original plot.
“Senior Brother’s behavior now is often illogical, driven entirely by his emotions. Don’t… don’t be too angry. When you two returned, he regained his sanity. He looked deeply remorseful when he saw you. When you had a fever, he held onto you the whole time, cleaning and medicating you, staying by your side without leaving until your fever subsided.”
Lin Qingyang’s heart softened even more upon hearing about all that Yuan Ran had been through. How could he still be angry? He was filled with nothing but compassion.
It turns out that the Silver Rainbow on his wrist was actually used by his master when Yuan Ran lost control.
As they were talking, suddenly the Silver Rainbow, which had fallen to the ground, was lifted up by a force. Accompanied by the faint sound of small and crisp bells, the silver rainbow was pulled straight, and Lin Qingyang could even feel his wrist being tugged.
Lin Qingyang was stunned for a moment.
Mu Huichun smiled helplessly. “Every now and then, it’s Senior Brother pulling at the other end.”
Lin Qingyang’s heart skipped a beat. Was this to make sure he was still there?
Lin Qingyang directly grabbed the silver rainbow and pulled it back.
The other end immediately stopped.
Soon, as if a gust of wind had swept in, a red figure stood in front of the bed.
Mu Huichun quickly vacated his position. “Senior Brother, please speak nicely. Don’t bully people. Big Brother Lin is still not well.” With that, he slipped away.
Lin Qingyang looked up at the figure in red, still feeling surreal. The most obvious difference was that in the past, he didn’t need to strain his neck to see his lover’s face.
Yuan Ran was indeed tall, towering a full head above the past Chu Lishu’s height. He was taller than Qi Ci and Huo Luo, with a slender figure and perfect proportions. In a daze, Lin Qingyang remembered seeing Yuan Ran’s figure when the morning light shone through the curtains, revealing his form beneath the red robe.
His broad, square shoulders, evenly distributed muscles, not exaggerated but clearly defined contours—each piece tightly fitting against his bones, without an ounce of excess fat, yet exuding the irresistible charm of masculine power. Lin Qingyang had touched him, and the sensation was truly different from when he touched Chu Lishu. Chu Lishu’s body was like soft jade, but Yuan Ran’s body was like hard jade—different, yet equally irresistible.
Taking a closer look at his face, one could only say that he was truly worthy of being the protagonist of this world. The divine creator seemed to have bestowed upon him all the best features of male beauty.
His facial features were well-proportioned, expansive, and majestic, exuding unparalleled beauty yet retaining a dignified and resolute air. Even the most skilled modern artists would struggle to carve such proportions. It was as if any light shining on his face would be absorbed, unable to escape.
Unfortunately, a translucent red veil still covered his eyes, preventing Lin Qingyang from meeting his gaze directly. He could feel the substantial gaze firmly fixed on him, but he couldn’t engage in a direct stare.
Lin Qingyang stared blankly.
Yuan Ran’s gaze was fixed on him, his expression tense, his full lips pressed into a thin line, exuding a cool aura.
He had once fervently imagined that if he were to see him again, regardless of what he said or did, he wouldn’t soften his heart. He would get angry, be mad, feel furious.
He would punish him for not listening, teach him a lesson to make him realize his mistakes, no longer give him a good face, let him understand that there was no room for bargaining in front of him. In the past, it was his own soft-heartedness, his lack of principles, that allowed himself to be deceived repeatedly by his promises.
Yuan Ran didn’t want to be so indecisive anymore; he just wanted to find peace in his own way.
He decided to forever keep Lin Qingyang by his side, truly committing to being together through thick and thin, never to be separated.
However, upon waking up and seeing Lin Qingyang’s body covered in red and white, Yuan Ran immediately regretted his actions.
While he might have been angry, how could he have hurt him like that?
But… this was punishment, so making him bow his head was absolutely out of the question.
“You…”
“How’s your wound? Is it still hurting?” Lin Qingyang suddenly spoke up.
Yuan Ran paused, thinking… he expected Lin Qingyang’s first words upon seeing him to be angry questions, tearful complaints, or demands for him to unlock the chain.
“I think I saw you… injured,” Lin Qingyang pointed to his chest. During that time, he couldn’t stop Yuan Ran at all, and his own rationality was also overwhelmed by impulse. In a daze, it seemed like his chest was actually bandaged with medicine, but with the violent movements, blood seemed to seep through. He hadn’t had a chance to ask Mu Huichun just now.
Lin Qingyang was filled with worry, wanting to sit up and check, but he couldn’t move.
The eyes behind the veil slowly closed, and the determination to confront dissipated within moments.
As if with just one gentle word from this person, one caring look from their eyes, he would surrender willingly, even gladly becoming a captive.
“I’m fine… it’s you who got hurt. How’s your body?” Yuan Ran knew all his previous imaginings were shattered the moment his hoarse, awkward voice came out, so he could only surrender.
Blushing, Lin Qingyang replied, “You still have the nerve to ask? But… didn’t you give me medicine? What’s my situation? You should know better than I do.”
“I…” Yuan Ran hesitated, his tall figure stiffened as if he were a giant, tamed beast being scolded obediently.
Lin Qingyang patted the bed, “If you have time now, then sit down or lie down, keep me company, let me get used to your face again.”
Yuan Ran’s hand unconsciously tightened around the silver rainbow, his voice tense, “No, you rest, I’ll watch over you.”
Lin Qingyang hesitated for a moment, then firmly scooted over in the bed. “Come up, I’m not afraid. I missed you. Stay with me.”
Yuan Ran snapped out of his thoughts and sidled closer, lying down beside Lin Qingyang with a smile on his face.
Lin Qingyang reached out to pull away Yuan Ran’s veil, but Yuan Ran quickly caught his hand. Through the thin red fabric, Yuan Ran gazed at Lin Qingyang… he didn’t need to look through it when Lin Qingyang was unconscious, but now…
“It’s like this…”
“No, we are each other’s lovers, aren’t we? Is there anything you can’t show me?” Lin Qingyang insisted.
Yuan Ran still held onto Lin Qingyang’s wrist. “It might scare you.”
But Lin Qingyang reached forward anyway. Yuan Ran hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn’t stop him, and the veil was removed.
In that moment of true eye contact, Lin Qingyang felt like his breath had stopped.
A pair of mixed eyes, resembling the phoenix and peach blossom, were perfectly presented before him. The eyelashes cascaded down, forming a subtle arc at the corners of the eyes, accompanied by full lower lids, creating a naturally deep effect. The most striking feature was undoubtedly the red irises, akin to the most understated rubies, enchantingly beautiful. With every shift of the gaze, they sparkled, captivating anyone who met their gaze. At the same time, there was a firmness in the eyes, conveying both tenderness and determination.
Especially when Lin Qingyang’s gaze intertwined with Yuan Ran’s, it felt like focusing on the scorching heat of the sun, like flames burning bright. The warmth in those eyes could surely sear the soul, making it hard to stare directly, yet irresistibly drawing one in like a moth to a flame.
With just one deep gaze, Chu Lishu and Yuan Ran merged seamlessly, pulling Lin Qingyang back into their captivating embrace, unable to break free.
After a long moment of staring, Yuan Ran eventually lowered his eyelids. But in that instant, a gentle kiss landed on Yuan Ran’s eyes.
“It’s beautiful, Lishu… Yuan Ran, I…”
Before Lin Qingyang could finish his sentence, Yuan Ran suddenly lost control. He rolled over and hugged Lin Qingyang, kissing him passionately, filled with wild love.
After kissing for a while, Yuan Ran finally released the breathless Lin Qingyang.
Lin Qingyang looked at Yuan Ran with a smile and asked, “Were you afraid I’d see those red eyes when you covered my eyes last night? They’re actually quite stunning.”
“Only you would say it’s good-looking.”
“Really handsome,” Lin Qingyang’s smile was pure, even Yuan Ran felt shaken by it. Lin Qingyang was indeed skilled at coaxing him, despite the fact that this was a sign of his madness. How could he still find it good-looking? But he still didn’t learn his lesson and was easily deceived.
Lin Qingyang patted Yuan Ran’s body. His body wasn’t the same as before, constantly pressing on him without any support. Lin Qingyang couldn’t stand it.
Yuan Ran was about to roll off, but then they heard a jingling sound. It turned out the Silver Rainbow was entangled between them as they moved.
After they loosened it, Lin Qingyang couldn’t help but glance a few times at the Silver Rainbow on his wrist. Feeling it was really inconvenient, he said, “Let’s untie it first.”
But Yuan Ran suddenly became firm, saying, “No.”
Lin Qingyang looked up and saw Yuan Ran’s eyes had changed, full of vigilance.
Lin Qingyang fell silent for a moment.
But Yuan Ran persisted, “If you don’t leave my side, does it make a difference whether you’re bound or not?”
Lin Qingyang suddenly smiled, “Alright, let’s keep it bound. How and for how long, it’s up to you.”
Lin Qingyang knew that in this emotional state, it was better to go along with Yuan Ran. Being stubborn wouldn’t help.
Yuan Ran indeed froze, growing nervous instead. “I… I won’t untie it.”
“I know, I’m willing to be bound by you,” Lin Qingyang continued with a smile. “But, I still need to make something clear to you first, about why I couldn’t leave with you back then.”
Yuan Ran’s brow furrowed gradually.
Lin Qingyang lay on the pillow, looking at Yuan Ran, earnestly explaining the cause and effect to him, but he had to be vague to circumvent the system’s restrictions. However, Yuan Ran seemed to understand.
At first, Yuan Ran’s expression was blank, then it filled with deep regret. Although he knew there must be a reason and had considered this one-in-a-million possibility, he couldn’t believe it was true. He thought it was more likely that Lin Qingyang stayed behind to protect someone else, or to protect him. This wasn’t what he wanted to see. He only wanted Lin Qingyang to be with him all the time. He regretted everything, his face contorted with anger at last. “Damn heavens… why does it want to arrange my fate like this?”
“It’s not about prophecy… it’s about wishing you well,” Lin Qingyang hurriedly explained.
“You being with me is what makes things better,” Yuan Ran insisted urgently.
Lin Qingyang smiled, “Okay, I’ll be with you.”
In fact, after witnessing how Yuan Ran was treating Lin Qingyang, Lu Shi quickly stepped in to speak up for Lin Qingyang and explained some things. However, he didn’t know about the system’s restrictions, so he could only talk about what happened in the palace. He couldn’t explain why Lin Qingyang couldn’t leave. It wasn’t until Lin Qingyang finished speaking that Yuan Ran learned the whole truth.
Yuan Ran held Lin Qingyang tightly, his expression somewhat dazed. “I know you’re not wrong. I know I shouldn’t have gotten angry with you, but I…”
“It’s okay, I don’t blame you, really. The fact that we’re both fine now is the best outcome,” Lin Qingyang reassured gently.
However, Yuan Ran suddenly sat up, reaching out to tug at Lin Qingyang’s clothes.
“Tell me the truth, that time in Qin Zheng Palace, did we…?”
After Yuan Ran finished speaking, he didn’t see any wounds. Of course, they had been together all along, so he knew there were no injuries. But that memory was etched deeply into his mind.
“Tell me the truth,” Yuan Ran looked at Lin Qingyang, who was about to speak.
Lin Qingyang hesitated for a moment but still said, “It didn’t happen.”
Yuan Ran’s eyes flickered, and finally, he released the Silver Rainbow. He knew it had indeed happened.
Lin Qingyang looked at his freed wrist and couldn’t help but feel warm inside. He took the initiative to interlace his fingers with Yuan Ran’s.
“Don’t worry, I’m here.”
Lin Qingyang thought he had reassured Yuan Ran, and Yuan Ran seemed to return to his normal self, just like when he was Chu Lishu.
But he was mistaken. Despite taking medicine, eating, and talking for a long time, Lin Qingyang soon fell asleep.
Until the morning light shone again, accompanied by the clear sound of silver bells, and the more obvious sensation that made Lin Qingyang feel like he was experiencing an unbelievable dream, the sudden surge of feeling was suffocating, waking him up abruptly. In his confusion, he opened his eyes and was shocked by the scene before him. He instinctively reached out to push away someone.
Yuan Ran raised his body, a trace of residue lingering on the corner of his mouth, his eyes deep red, and the silver chains reappeared on both of their wrists, with the curtain falling over the bed.
There was honesty in the air.
“Yuan Ran…”
“Lin Qingyang, you’re here…” Yuan Ran seemed to be talking to himself, his eyes fixed firmly on Lin Qingyang like a predator. Despite Lin Qingyang’s startled expression, he approached slowly, his breath overwhelming, yet his movements cautious.
Lin Qingyang knew what he wanted to do, but he had just recovered. This… he wanted to curse, but seeing Yuan Ran’s uneasy and agitated expression, Lin Qingyang could only sigh, “I’m here, right here, so… don’t rush.”
Yuan Ran’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if his spirit had been reassured. This time, he didn’t lose control. He also realized that his physique was different from Chu Lishu’s in the past. It’s just that the Silver Rainbow almost acted as his accomplice in various ways, causing Lin Qingyang to lose himself again. He didn’t expect gentleness and dominance to be so deadly.
Lin Qingyang’s world was spinning, as if he was trapped in a maze of illusions, only able to follow Yuan Ran. However, Yuan Ran seemed to be determining something, and only when he was sure did he stop. But by then, Lin Qingyang had already passed out.
Two days of exhaustion left Lin Qingyang feeling like his body wasn’t his own anymore. He was so angry he wanted to curse, but looking at the Silver Rainbow on his wrist, he felt like crying. Yuan Ran indeed… wouldn’t recover easily.
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