“Punish you by kissing me! Kiss me now!”
The voice deliberately carried a hint of ferocity, as if attempting to express cruelty.
Yet to Gu Tingshen’s ears, it sounded only adorable, every syllable was full of temptation to him.
Gu Tingshen’s breathing instantly grew heavier for a moment, then he could no longer restrain himself, lowering his head to capture those lips in a kiss.
Jing Li’s lips still retained the lingering aroma of red wine. As soon as Gu Tingshen’s lips touched them, he proactively flicked his tongue across the other’s lips.
Gu Tingshen’s originally sober mind was instantly intoxicated into a muddled daze. His breathing grew even harsher, and the hand grasping the back of the other’s head tightened, deepening the kiss abruptly.
The night of deep winter was clear, cold, and desolate. The dim lights stretched the car’s shadow into an elongated shape, yet the air inside the vehicle gradually heated, ultimately melting into a cabin filled with sweet, ambiguous warmth.
An unknown amount of time passed before Gu Tingshen suddenly felt the head in his palm grow heavier. He paused, then pulled back slightly and glanced down to see the person in his embrace with an even redder face than before, swollen lips, and closed eyes, though their breathing had gradually steadied.
He had actually kissed him until he fell asleep in a daze.
Gu Tingshen: “……”
Gu Tingshen felt both amusement and helplessness, his heart aching at the sight of them sleeping uncomfortably in the seat.
He quickly went to the driver’s seat, started the car, and turned on the air conditioning. Then he went back, coaxed Jing Li into his arms, and carried him to the back seat, allowing him to rest his head on his shoulder for a more comfortable sleep. Afterward, he messaged the driver to come and take over. He sat quietly, watching the sleeping face.
The driver arrived and drove them back to the hotel. Throughout the journey, Jing Li remained asleep, and Gu Tingshen carried him straight to the room.
Once in bed, Jing Li obediently slept on, perhaps truly exhausted, immediately sinking into a deeper slumber against the pillow.
Jing Li slept through until the next morning, waking to find the sky already bright.
Still dazed, he opened his eyes and instinctively reached for his phone to check the time.
However, as soon as he moved, he felt a warm body pressed against his back and a weight around his waist, as if someone had wrapped their arms around him from behind, pulling him into an embrace.
Jing Li’s face still bore the haze of having just woken up. Although the situation seemed off, he was too sluggish to fully process it at first.
He slowly looked down at his waist, confirming an arm was indeed draped across it. Following the arm upwards, he finally tilted his head back to see a familiar handsome face.
“Awake, baby?”
Feeling the movement of the person in his arms, Gu Tingshen also woke up. His voice carried the lazy huskiness of having just woken, sounding even deeper and sexier than usual.
He leaned down to kiss Jing Li’s lips, his voice still lazy, “It’s still early, want to sleep a bit more?”
Upon hearing Gu Tingshen’s voice, Jing Li was fully awake from his dream. He first stared at Gu Tingshen, then instantly struggled to break free from his embrace.
But as soon as he moved, he heard Gu Tingshen let out a muffled groan, and the arm around his waist tightened abruptly.
“Don’t move, baby.” Gu Tingshen’s breath grew heavier, his voice even huskier, “Let me calm down first.”
Anyone would find it difficult to remain composed waking up with their beloved boyfriend in their arms, especially when said boyfriend looked adorably dazed and unwittingly fanning the flames.
Jing Li naturally felt it too, causing his whole body to stiffen instantly.
Although he knew this was a perfectly normal morning reaction, facing this side of Gu Tingshen for the first time still brought a hint of embarrassment.
Gu Tingshen held Jing Li until the urge within subsided, then he released Jing Li and sat up slightly, leaning back against the headboard, gazing down at him.
“Why are you here?” Jing Li also sat up, leaning against him side by side, making conversation.
Of course, it was because after escorting his boyfriend back, seeing him sleeping so obediently was too adorable. Entranced, he ended up embracing and falling asleep beside them before he realized it.
But Gu Tingshen obviously had no intention of revealing that.
“You got drunk last night. After I brought you back, you clung to me stubbornly, refusing to let me leave, so I stayed to keep you company.”
Gu Tingshen lied shamelessly, his tone playful as he arched a brow at Jing Li. “Xiao Jing, you didn’t forget everything, did you? Or are you planning to pretend you don’t remember so you can use me and discard me?”
Jing Li: “……”
It was true he didn’t quite remember, but he had no intention of disowning responsibility. However, it seemed any response would leave them at a disadvantage now.
But clinging to his boyfriend after getting drunk and not letting him leave did sound a bit shameless.
So Jing Li cleared his throat, feeling a bit embarrassed, and said, “How could that be? Am I that kind of person?”
“Besides, what’s wrong with clinging to my own boyfriend? Even if I didn’t, you couldn’t just abandon me alone, could you?”
By the end, Jing Li had somehow indignantly mustered a sense of self-righteousness, turning to Gu Tingshen. “You tell me.”
Gu Tingshen was almost overwhelmed by the adorable sight of his boyfriend questioning him with such self-assured indignation. Unable to resist, he let out a low laugh. Seeing Jing Li’s brow arch and about to lose his temper, he quickly leaned in to kiss the corner of their mouth, smiling reassuringly. “I won’t leave. Even if you chased me away, I wouldn’t go.”
“Besides, how could I bear to leave when my precious baby sleeps so obediently?”
Jing Li froze for a moment, then caught the implication in his words, immediately glaring at him. “You dare lie to me?!”
With that, he pretended to pounce on him to tickle him and give him a lesson.
Gu Tingshen laughed, pulling him into his embrace as they playfully tussled on the bed for quite a while, only separating when Jing Li’s phone suddenly rang.
The call was from Hu Li. Seeing the caller ID, Jing Li remembered the matter he had entrusted to him for investigation. It seemed that Hu Li had found something, so he immediately put on a serious expression and answered the call.
Sure enough, as soon as the call connected, Hu Li said, “I did find some leads regarding what you asked me to investigate. A major explosion recently occurred at the northern border region, but there were no substances present that could have caused the detonation. The official human explanation is a terrorist attack by criminals, but nearby supernatural beings claimed to have sensed an immense spiritual pressure accompanied by formidable demonic qi, as if caused by a powerful demon.”
“And it’s not just the northern border – the southern, western, and eastern borders have all experienced varying degrees of chaos.”
“I suspect a demon is deliberately behind this, like they’re secretly plotting something.” Hu Li’s tone grew solemn. “Did you notice something that made you suddenly ask me to investigate? Is it the Dark Forest that old tree spirit from Green Forest mentioned before?”
“I’m telling you, whatever caused such a huge commotion can’t be anything good. Not to mention that group has been lurking for so long, their strength is unfathomable. Don’t rashly provoke them!”
“Even if you don’t consider it for yourself, don’t you think about your brother? And Gu Tingshen – you two are together now, right? Aren’t you afraid he’ll be dragged into danger if that group gets provoked?”
“Now is the time to be afraid, but it might be too late.” Jing Li muttered softly, although he did not let Hu Li hear clearly. Instead, he said, “Alright, I got it. You also take care of yourself.”
After some casual chat and agreeing to meet up later, Jing Li hung up.
“What’s wrong?”
Gu Tingshen had been listening beside Jing Li during the call and vaguely heard his name mentioned along with something about demons and danger—clearly, this was not good.
Seeing him hang up, Gu Tingshen leaned over. “I heard you two mention demons?”
“Yeah.” Jing Li glanced at him. After the sneak attack outside the hotel, he saw no point in hiding it now. “Remember that man I asked you to investigate before? He’s actually a subordinate of a demonic organization who approached me, trying to recruit me.”
“Can you show me the information you found during your investigation first? I’ll explain everything after looking it over.”
Gu Tingshen frowned but nodded. “I’ll get it from the car,” he said, putting on his coat and heading out.
Jing Li used this chance to get up and wash up, catching sight of a small red mark on his neck in the mirror’s reflection.
But with his current cultivation level, very few marks could remain on his skin for so long without fading. However, he thought it was just a result of playing around with Gu Tingshen earlier and didn’t think much of it. After washing his face, he went out to change clothes.
When he returned to the living room dressed, Gu Tingshen was also back, holding a leather document folder – the same file cover Jing Li had seen last night.
Jing Li had his assistant order two breakfasts from the hotel restaurant. Then he and Gu Tingshen sat on the couch, poring over the contents together.
The file contained extensive, detailed records that basically traced the black shadow Wang San’s entire activity trail.
From his movements, it was clear that this Wang San had visited many places, frequently traveling between a place called Xiaoyu Village and another called Xina in recent days – coordinates that matched the eastern and southern borders precisely.
Coupled with Wang San’s condition when he was last seen, Jing Li was convinced he had likely suffered grievous injuries while carrying out a mission for his master at those two borders.
Remembering Wang San’s previous remarks about “waiting for his master to free his hands,” Jing Li grew more certain this group was plotting something, but obviously, it had not succeeded and they had suffered heavy losses once again.
“This Wang San’s behavior is clearly problematic, especially his frequent appearances at these two locations.” Gu Tingshen pointed at the names Xiaoyu Village and Xina in the file. “Since you say he’s a subordinate of some organization, it’s likely he visited those places with a specific purpose in mind.”
“Plus, there were reports of chaos in those two areas recently. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”
Jing Li paused for a moment, then couldn’t help but smile at him. “You always seem particularly clever at times like this.”
“They were indeed plotting something, but since I haven’t agreed to join them yet, I currently don’t know what their exact plans are.” Jing Li affirmed his point before continuing, “However, it’s clear they failed and likely suffered significant losses.”
“Can demons among your kind absorb each other’s demonic qi to restore or even increase their strength? Is that why Wang San recklessly attacked me?”
Gu Tingshen tapped his fingers lightly, frowning. “But last night outside the hotel, that person was clearly targeting me. Why is that?”
Seeing him instantly make such insightful connections from the clues made Jing Li even more impressed by his intellect, though it also made his expression turn serious.
“Shen-ge, what I’m about to say may sound outrageous, but I don’t mean it as a joke.” Jing Li turned to face Gu Tingshen, gripping his shoulders as his expression grew solemn. “You’re possibly an extraordinary figure with an exceptionally important identity.”
At least, that’s what that group seemed to believe.
Gu Tingshen froze, clearly not expecting the matter to suddenly involve him personally. For a moment, he forgot how to speak.
Seeing his dumbfounded look, Jing Li thought his words had frightened him and immediately felt sympathetic.
Recalling the protective talisman he had prepared earlier, he was about to take it out and reassure Gu Tingshen, expressing his determination to protect him and make sure he wasn’t afraid.
But then the black jade pendant in his pocket suddenly trembled before slowly emitting black mist.
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