“Young Master Jiang?”
Chi You stepped forward with a faint, teasing smile, and in the blink of an eye, he was right in front of Jiang Luo. Before Jiang Luo could react, his vision spun, and he was suddenly pinned down by Chi You onto an old-fashioned, elegant bed.
The bed canopy fluttered gently; the intricate wood carvings surrounded them. Jiang Luo, in a familiar position on a bed exuding the distinct charm of the Republic era, was half-pressed against the wall by Chi You.
Chi You gripped Jiang Luo’s wrists tightly, his breath hot as it fanned across Jiang Luo’s face, making his skin erupt in goosebumps.
What the h*ll…
Jiang Luo tried to break free from the younger Chi You’s hold, but it was like tossing a stone into the sea—completely ineffective. Pressing his lips together, his expression grew annoyed. “Get up.”
Chi You said nothing, though his hands trembled slightly as they held Jiang Luo.
Jiang Luo thought he was imagining it, but in the next moment, Chi You leaned in closer, his trembling more obvious.
Delicate kisses fell across Jiang Luo’s face, from his forehead to between his brows. Chi You’s handsome face was flushed with an eerie red; his chest filled with excitement and shyness. Though his body shook, the fire of ambition in him burned urgently and wildly.
Jiang Luo, whose face was kissed all over before he could even make sense of things: “…”
“Get the h*ll off,” he growled, furrowing his brows. “Don’t you f*cking kiss me without permission.”
Why the h*ll was he getting kissed out there and kissed in here too?
Chi You really was a d*mn menace.
Chi You paused in the middle of kissing his nose, then used black mist to hold Jiang Luo’s arms down. He freed one hand to gently lift Jiang Luo’s chin, carefully studying his face.
“Your grown-up appearance doesn’t look much different from before,” Chi You’s fingers were burning hot. He suddenly laughed. “Didn’t you say you’d gouge out my eyes? Didn’t you forbid me from ever seeing you like this again? It’s been so long—Young Master Jiang, have you forgotten all that? Forgotten me?”
No one knew just how excited Chi You was to see Jiang Luo again. His neck was flushed, the tips of his ears completely red. Veins stood out along his back—not just from embarrassment, but from a barely-contained, surging desire.
Jiang Luo snorted coldly, “Why should I remember who you are?”
Chi You: “Because I married you.”
Being taken advantage of by someone who looked like a teenager made Jiang Luo feel unbearably ashamed. He forced himself to remain calm. “So what? Whatever you do, I’ll only be here for three minutes.”
“Right, you’ll only stay here for three minutes.” Chi You sighed. “In three minutes, I can’t do anything.”
Still, he dropped another hot, trembling kiss at the corner of Jiang Luo’s lips, his breath heavy. “Why can’t I ever make you stay?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, there was a knock on the door behind them.
“Someone’s coming,” Chi You glanced toward the door. “I’m guessing it’s the guys from the other three doors. You’ll only be here for three minutes—anyone can have these three minutes with you.”
Jiang Luo: “…There’s no need to be so ceremonial.”
Terrifying.
One Chi You was already scary enough. If all four versions of him surrounded him at once, he’d probably break out in hives.
Please let the three minutes be over already!
Chi You spoke brightly, “That’s why—since you’ll only be here for three minutes, why not give them all to me?”
With that, he dropped a light kiss like a dragonfly skimming water on Jiang Luo’s neck, then awkwardly nibbled at his Adam’s apple.
Jiang Luo couldn’t help swallowing, then gave Chi You a sideways glance. “Already so young and you’re pulling stunts like this—no wonder you’re such a pervert when you grow up.”
Chi You asked curiously, “How was I perverted with you?”
Jiang Luo smiled faintly. “I’m not telling.”
“If you don’t tell me, I still know. After all, I am Chi You,” Chi You chuckled. “You’re stalling for time.”
Jiang Luo’s face didn’t even twitch. “So what if I am? There’s probably only half a minute left. What can you even do in half a minute?”
Chi You sighed with a smile. “You’re right, half a minute isn’t enough for anything.”
He leaned in slowly and brushed his lips lightly against Jiang Luo’s again.
Just that simple touch made his breath catch in his throat. Jiang Luo felt like he’d become some kind of aphrodisiac—doing absolutely nothing but still able to drive this person mad.
His eyelid twitched. Is he really that into me?
As the kiss ended, time was nearly up. Chi You stroked Jiang Luo’s cheek gently. “Goodbye.”
This time, there was no desperation, no madness. He was polite, his eyes filled with reluctant sorrow. He even let go of Jiang Luo calmly, like a true gentleman.
But just as Jiang Luo was about to leave, Chi You grabbed his hand again. “Young Master Jiang, if you ever come see me again, I’d be very happy.”
There was a flash before Jiang Luo’s eyes, and when he opened them again, he was back inside the car.
The handsome face of the malicious ghost was suddenly very close. “Why did you zone out?”
Jiang Luo stared at him for a moment before realization struck. “He was pretending to be pitiful…”
The malicious ghost: “Who?”
Jiang Luo gave him a long look. “Someone with no d*mn shame.”
Chi You stared back at him in silence, his expression very clear: Isn’t that you talking about yourself?
Jiang Luo snorted twice, moved to the driver’s seat, and started the car. “Let’s go home and train.”
They sparred in the training room at home—then ended up “fighting” in a very different way. When it was all over, Jiang Luo fell fast asleep. No dreams, just peace. He woke the next day refreshed, only to find it was already eleven in the morning.
“Sh*t,” Jiang Luo instantly snapped awake. “I’m late?!”
He got up and dressed in a hurry. His flight was at 9 a.m.—he was definitely late, and the plane had long since taken off.
Why hadn’t anyone come to wake him? Why hadn’t the airline called?
He could understand others not bothering, but what about Chi You, who was supposed to go on the mission with him?
Jiang Luo yanked on his pants and rushed out, looking around the house. “Chi You?”
The house was dead quiet. There was no one else inside.
Jiang Luo searched room after room, but still no sign of Chi You. The whole villa was unnervingly silent, and the unease began to creep in.
He turned and hurried back to the bedroom, grabbing his phone to call Chi You. The call rang for a long time, and just as Jiang Luo’s heart sank to rock bottom, someone picked up.
“You’re awake?” the malicious ghost chuckled softly.
Jiang Luo let out a long breath of relief, like he’d come back to life. “Where are you?”
“Almost home,” Chi You caught the tone of his voice and, for once, didn’t tease him. “I caught Lisa and handed her over to the Research Bureau. What do you want to eat? I’ll bring it back.”
There was a pause. Chi You opened the car window, and the wind carried a rare softness in his voice. “What’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?”
From the driver’s seat, Liao Si glanced at the rearview mirror and was so startled by Chi You’s genuinely gentle expression that he shivered.
To think his master could show real tenderness—Liao Si almost didn’t believe his own eyes.
“No,” Jiang Luo denied immediately, finally relaxing as he sank into the couch. “You already handed Lisa over to the Bureau? When did that happen? So fast.”
“This morning,” Chi You replied. “You looked tired, so I let you sleep in.”
Jiang Luo chuckled. “You really move fast. I open my eyes and you’re already on your way back. Impressive, Comrade Chi You. I’ll give you a commendation this time. As for food…”
He stretched lazily. After such a rare good rest, Jiang Luo was actually in the mood to cook himself. “Go buy some groceries at the supermarket. I’ll cook.”
Chi You asked, “What do you want?”
“Pork ribs, lobster, pork belly…”
After hanging up, Chi You said to Liao Si, “Pull over at the supermarket up ahead.”
“Yes, sir,” Liao Si replied.
A few minutes later, Chi You got out of the car and entered the supermarket alone. Twenty minutes later, Liao Si saw him walking out with two big bags of groceries, calm and composed.
A bundle of green onions stuck out from one of the bags.
“…,” Liao Si quietly closed his jaw.
Love—what a terrifying thing.
***
Jiang Luo waited less than an hour before Chi You returned with two big bags in hand. Jiang Luo was squatting at the doorway with an apple in his mouth, inspecting the ingredients. He nodded approvingly. “Not bad, not bad. Everything’s fresh.”
Confirming they didn’t need to go back to the supermarket to rebuy anything, Chi You entered the house and followed Jiang Luo into the kitchen. Chi You took out the groceries and, with interest, rolled up his sleeves. “What are you making?”
“Boiled shrimp, sweet and sour ribs, braised pork with potatoes,” Jiang Luo’s mouth was watering as he spoke. “These three are my specialties—especially the braised pork and potatoes. The potatoes soak up all the meat juices and end up even tastier than the meat. I can finish a whole plate by myself. Good thing you don’t eat —you won’t be fighting me for it.”
Chi You said firmly, “I’ll eat.”
Jiang Luo looked at him in surprise. “You’ll eat? I thought you always said non-humans don’t need to eat.”
Chi You replied calmly, “I’ve never eaten your cooking before.”
Jiang Luo’s heart softened a little. He waved his hand. “Then help prep some ingredients.”
An hour later, the two of them sat down to eat. Watching Chi You pick up food with his chopsticks, Jiang Luo tried to act nonchalant, but his eyes were fixed on him, even a little nervously. “Well?”
Chi You’s lips curved slightly, and he picked up another bite. “It’s delicious.”
Jiang Luo beamed. “Of course—it’s me who made it.”
Both of them had healthy appetites—far beyond that of an average grown man. Jiang Luo had steamed an entire big pot of rice, and astonishingly, barely any was left. All the dishes were wiped clean, leaving only the fragrant sauces behind.
Jiang Luo slumped comfortably into his chair, stretching out his legs and giving Chi You a lazy kick under the table. “There’s an unspoken rule in this house: whoever cooks doesn’t wash the dishes. The one who washes doesn’t cook.”
Chi You immediately picked up his phone and tapped on it.
Jiang Luo asked curiously, “What are you doing?”
Chi You replied in an unhurried tone, “Buying a dishwasher.”
Jiang Luo: “…Get lost. Until that dishwasher arrives, you’re still doing the dishes.”
As the freeloader, Chi You obediently went into the kitchen to wash up.
But those elegant and refined hands of his clearly lost all their finesse when faced with greasy dishes. Not long after, the sound of shattering plates echoed from the kitchen.
Chi You froze for a second, then glanced toward the kitchen door—no one was there.
He let out a subtle sigh of relief, tossed the broken dishes into the trash, and resumed washing without showing any reaction.
But just a few seconds later, the all-powerful Mr. Malicious Ghost broke another plate.
Chi You: “…Heh.”
Jiang Luo had at some point come to lean against the doorway, silently laughing at Chi You’s clumsy movements.
Wasteful, yes—but somehow very entertaining.
It really was a lighthearted day.
Jiang Luo stretched lazily and returned to the living room, pretending not to notice Chi You quietly cleaning up the shattered bits.
A moment later, Chi You emerged from the kitchen with a bag of garbage in hand, his face expressionless. Jiang Luo’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he asked deliberately, “What’s that?”
Chi You didn’t show any sign of guilt. “Kitchen waste.”
Jiang Luo said, “You’d have to go outside to throw that away. Do it tomorrow.”
Chi You had already reached the door and was calmly changing his shoes. “It’s no trouble. Just a small thing. Don’t you want any fruit?”
Jiang Luo held back a laugh and let him go. “Bring me back a tub of ice cream.”
Chi You put his hand on the doorknob. “Anything else?”
He was surprisingly thoughtful today, so Jiang Luo didn’t hold back and listed off a pile of snacks. Chi You listened patiently and then left.
Jiang Luo blinked, looking at the closed door, and lazily dialed the research bureau. “Hello, how’s the blood eel incident in the midstream of the Jiang River?”
Upon hearing “It’s been resolved,” Jiang Luo closed his eyes, seeming thoughtful.
What exactly was Chi You after?
Jiang Luo didn’t come out for the rest of the afternoon. That night, just as they were about to sleep, he suddenly leaned close to Chi You’s ear and said darkly, “What exactly are you up to?”
Chi You feigned ignorance. “What do you mean?”
Jiang Luo bit his ear.
Chi You let out a low laugh. “What do you think I’m doing?”
Jiang Luo said quietly, “If I knew, would I still be asking you?”
Chi You wrapped his arms around Jiang Luo’s waist. “You’re overthinking.”
“I approached the research bureau because their team and I are now openly working together,” Chi You said. “You’ll be at the bureau for years. During those years, I don’t want our relationship to stay hidden underground. My people know already. Yours should start getting ready.”
Jiang Luo asked, “Just because of that?”
Chi You replied, “Just because of that.”
Jiang Luo was silent for a while, then turned over and lay back on his own pillow.
Beneath the covers, two hands slowly found each other and clasped.
Chi You suddenly said, “I know I’m not your ‘lover.’”
Jiang Luo glanced at him.
Chi You continued, “We should be calling each other ‘spouse.’”
Jiang Luo teased, “Didn’t expect you to understand this one day. What changed?”
“Saw an old couple at the supermarket when we were buying groceries,” Chi You said casually, then added, “Aren’t I your spouse?”
Jiang Luo finally burst into laughter. His voice was light, cheerful, and full of amusement. “You are, you are, you are. Spouse, good night. Now go to sleep.”
In the darkness, Chi You couldn’t help but smile. He leaned in and kissed Jiang Luo lightly on the lips, then whispered, “Good night.”
