Chapter 60

Chapter 60

It was a very brief kiss, lasting no more than two or three seconds. Ning Qiuyan didn’t even realize it was a kiss at first.

He had never imagined that Guan Heng would kiss him.

But Guan Heng had sketched his portrait, left Du Island by boat, and attended a banquet he detested.

It seemed that starting from this “Camellia Night,” Ning Qiuyan had-incredibly-glimpsed a deeper thread hidden within Guan Heng’s unfathomable heart.

Ning Qiuyan’s reaction to Guan Heng’s toxins was particularly strong, and his blood held a great deal of temptation for Guan Heng.

A human’s soft, full lips carried a powerful suggestive weight.

Guan Heng had not originally intended to go any further.

In the dim backseat of the car, their foreheads rested against each other, their noses nearly touching.

Ning Qiuyan’s regained breath swept hotly against Guan Heng’s lips. He knew his heart was racing frantically, and he knew Guan Heng could hear it. He even suspected that if this continued, he would eventually develop an arrhythmia.

However, he was completely unable to look away from Guan Heng’s face.

And so, the second kiss began.

Guan Heng tilted Ning Qiuyan’s chin up and kissed him again.

Ning Qiuyan closed his eyes as shifting patterns of light and shadow pierced through the treetops and the car window, making his eyelashes cast trembling shadows. Guan Heng kissed his lower lip and gently pried his teeth apart. He obediently opened his mouth, his hand moving to Guan Heng’s face, fingers clutching Guan Heng’s cold hair.

The quiet environment amplified everything.

Music immediately began to play in the car, drowning out all other sounds.

Ning Qiuyan wrapped his arms around Guan Heng’s neck, slumping weakly against Guan Heng’s shoulder. His heartbeat hammered against his eardrums, so loud he couldn’t even hear the music.

A sharp sting hit the side of his neck.

Guan Heng’s snow-white fangs pierced his skin and blood vessels.

Ning Qiuyan’s body suddenly tensed. He stared blankly at the hazy night outside the rear window. For a long time, his physical sensations were submerged in a complex whirl of feelings.

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

The sound of his own heartbeat faded, replaced by the sound of Guan Heng’s rapid, barely audible breathing in his ear.

By the time Ning Qiuyan regained consciousness, the car had already entered Sujing’s city center. They were passing the brilliantly lit Sujing Tower, heading toward the hotel.

He was curled up on the back seat, his head resting on Guan Heng’s lap.

Guan Heng was looking out the window, his hand resting on Ning Qiuyan’s chest, holding Ning Qiuyan’s palm.

Sensing he was awake, Guan Heng withdrew his gaze and looked down at him. “Lie there a little longer.”

After several months apart, the tolerance his body had built up had vanished. The toxic reaction had not yet fully subsided, and Ning Qiuyan felt weak all over, so he obediently stayed still. He noticed that the partition in the car had been raised at some point, turning the back into a small, private world.

The music in the car was still playing-a very soothing piece of light music.

Guan Heng’s fingers lightly brushed past the Ruby Earring, reaching the upper edge of the earlobe, stroking it absentmindedly.

Ning Qiuyan knew that Guan Heng was reflecting on the blood-feeding that had just occurred.

Guan Heng was restraining his desire for his blood. With the added weight of hunger, it must have been difficult to stop halfway, but Guan Heng had indeed stopped before causing him any real harm.

No matter how much Dr. Ling had lectured him about the dangers, Ning Qiuyan had never truly been afraid that Guan Heng would lose control. So, to say something that would make Dr. Ling despair over his lack of self-preservation: he actually didn’t mind being fed upon by Guan Heng.

The person he liked was a Vampire. Other than blood, what else could he give?

Ning Qiuyan withdrew his hand from Guan Heng’s palm and touched the back of the other man’s pale, cool hand. He moved upward, touching the skin that felt like cream, sensing the texture with a light, flickering touch.

Further up, his fingertips pressed against the pulse on the inside of the wrist.

One beat, two beats.

It seemed to take a very long time before a faint, slow pulse was transmitted to Ning Qiuyan’s senses.

Neither of them spoke. In that moment, a quiet warmth flowed between them in the car.

After arriving at the hotel, Guan Heng opened the car door for Ning Qiuyan.

Ning Qiuyan guessed Guan Heng was afraid he might fall over.

However, he still carried his down jacket himself. He only reached out his hand when Guan Heng offered his, and they walked up the hotel steps hand-in-hand, passing through the revolving doors. The shirt stays he had previously forgotten about became noticeable again due to the motion of walking; every step was quite uncomfortable, so he walked a bit slowly.

“Is it very uncomfortable?” Guan Heng asked, glancing sideways.

“…Mm, a little,” Ning Qiuyan answered vaguely. When he looked up, his gaze landed right on Guan Heng’s lips.

Guan Heng’s lips were on the thinner side and very pale, making him look very cold and detached.

It was hard to imagine him kissing.

Ning Qiuyan’s face suddenly flushed hot, feeling as though he were about to start steaming.

The two of them walked through the lobby toward the elevators.

Just then, Ning Qiuyan saw the elevator doors open, and an unexpected person walked out-his roommate, Rong Qi.

Ning Qiuyan quickly realized what was happening. Rong Qi had mentioned twice that he was temporarily staying near the school and had even invited Ning Qiuyan to stay with him. Given Rong Qi’s family background and generous personality, he would definitely choose the best possible place to stay.

The best hotel in the vicinity of the school could only be this one; he should have realized it sooner.

Rong Qi also saw Ning Qiuyan. He was startled at first, then shouted in disbelief, “Hey! What are you doing here?”

He strode over.

Ning Qiuyan’s footsteps faltered. Guan Heng noticed and asked, “A friend?”

“Yes,” Ning Qiuyan replied. “He’s my roommate.”

While they spoke, the three of them drew close and stopped in the hall to talk.

Ning Qiuyan answered Rong Qi, “I’m staying here too.”

“What a coincidence!” Rong Qi said, then looked at Guan Heng. “And this is…”

Guan Heng didn’t care for putting on airs, especially toward such a young human. He merely gave Rong Qi a faint nod.

Even from a distance, Rong Qi had felt the other man’s elegant and extraordinary aura; seeing him up close, he felt the man was even more unapproachable.

His first impression was that this man did not seem to belong to the same world as them. It was like the difference between 2D and 3D-they weren’t in the same dimension. He was someone to be looked up to, someone untouchable.

Rong Qi noticed their joined hands. He also noticed that Ning Qiuyan was slightly flustered, yet had no intention of letting go.
In an instant, Rong Qi grasped an important piece of information. He reined in his casual demeanor and said with a smile, “If I’d known you and your friend were staying here too, I wouldn’t have been so bored sitting in my room by myself.”

Rong Qi was straight, and though they had lived together for several months, Ning Qiuyan hadn’t told him about his sexual orientation yet.

Naturally, Ning Qiuyan couldn’t mention Guan Heng either.

“Are you going out now?” Ning Qiuyan asked.

“I’m a bit hungry, so I was thinking of heading out to grab some barbecue or something,” Rong Qi said. “Do you guys want to come along?”

“No, thank you.” Ning Qiuyan didn’t even dare to look at Guan Heng’s expression. “We just got back and were planning to head to the room to rest.”

Rong Qi had only asked in passing and didn’t really expect Ning Qiuyan and his friend to go. Before leaving, he told Ning Qiuyan, “By the way, the dorm move starts tomorrow. When are you coming? I’ll wait for us to go together.”

So soon.

Ning Qiuyan told Rong Qi to go ahead, saying he still had some things to take care of. “I’ll be there on Wednesday.”

Guan Heng’s flight was the night after tomorrow, and Ning Qiuyan didn’t want to go anywhere before then.

Once they entered the elevator, Ning Qiuyan-who had been tense and worried that his roommate might be prejudiced against his sexual orientation-finally let out a soft sigh of relief.

Looking up, he saw Guan Heng watching him.

Guan Heng likely had little interest in the interactions of two young humans, only asking, “You’re still going to live in the dormitory?”

Ning Qiuyan nodded. “Yes, the school has already made the assignments. I went to see it with Rong Qi this morning.” Knowing Guan Heng was concerned, he explained further, “The old dormitory needs renovation, and the building we’re moving into temporarily has been inspected in advance. The school issued a notice strictly forbidding the use of small appliances and space heaters, so another fire shouldn’t happen.”

If he had to complain, it was a bit cold because the temporary dorm still didn’t have central heating.

But the good news was that the air conditioning was in working order.

Guan Heng didn’t say anything else after hearing the explanation, only stating, “Fine.”

At this moment, Ning Qiuyan didn’t stop to think about why Guan Heng had suddenly asked about this; his entire mind was occupied by the shirt stays. As they neared the hotel room, he was already fantasizing about the first thing he would do upon entering: rush to the bathroom and take them off immediately.

However, he was not given that opportunity.

After opening the door, Guan Heng did not let go of his hand, leading him directly toward the sofa.

Ning Qiuyan was already reaching his limit. Although he wanted to be held like this forever, he still tried to pull his hand away.

Guan Heng asked him, “What are you in such a hurry to do?”

Ning Qiuyan said, “I want to go to the bathroom.”

Guan Heng: “You may not.”

Ning Qiuyan: “…”

“Sit.”

A few seconds later, Guan Heng spoke.

“Lower.”

Ning Qiuyan did as he was told and sat on the carpet, positioned lower than Guan Heng on the sofa. Just like the first time he had gone to Guan Heng’s bedroom on Du Island, Guan Heng leaned over him, gazing down from above.

Ning Qiuyan knew that Guan Heng had something to say to him, but he was in a real hurry right now.

“Now, answer me, Ning Qiuyan.” Guan Heng used the same opening line, tilting Ning Qiuyan’s chin up. “What did we say here?”

Guan Heng’s tone sounded cold, but his dark phoenix eyes were still laced with tenderness.

The intimacy from the back seat of the car continued in the hotel room.

Ning Qiuyan’s eyes flickered as his lips moved. “I gave myself to you.”

Guan Heng increased the pressure of his fingers. Seeing that Ning Qiuyan was in slight pain, he quickly let go and asked, “Did you achieve that today?”

Ning Qiuyan suddenly understood. He must have done something wrong today; otherwise, Guan Heng wouldn’t be asking this.

He racked his brain, recalling every single thing that had happened today.

It certainly wasn’t in the morning, and in the afternoon he had only been with Qu Shu and Li Tang. There was nothing wrong before going to the banquet in the evening either. The only possibility was at the banquet. But he and Guan Heng had only been apart for a short while-could it be because he spoke with Sheng Huan? Thinking of this, the reason suddenly hit him, and he pulled Mr. Jones’s business card out of his pocket.

“…I don’t think I did.” He tossed the card onto the table and looked at Guan Heng. “Should I not have accepted someone else’s business card so casually? If I want to associate with someone, should I ask for your permission?”

A lock of Guan Heng’s long hair fell forward as his expression turned serious. He said to him deeply, “No. It is your freedom to make friends with whomever you choose. I will not deprive you of your rightful privileges because your life should be lived brilliantly-though, Wagner is indeed not a suitable candidate for a friend.”

*Your life should be lived brilliantly.*

These words struck the depths of his soul, coinciding perfectly with what Lu Qianque had said-“We all hope you live a happy and joyful life.” It was enough to prove how much Guan Heng valued this.

Ning Qiuyan was dazed and nodded subconsciously.

“I will not force you to do anything, nor will I control any of your freedoms,” Guan Heng said. “You have the right to speak up about what you don’t want to do or what you don’t like, no matter the time or place.”

Ning Qiuyan nodded again.

Guan Heng said, “All you need to do is trust me enough to give yourself over completely, without any burden.”

Ning Qiuyan answered almost involuntarily, “I trust you…”

Ning Qiuyan’s styled hair was already messy. His posture sitting on the carpet looked upright, but it was actually quite awkward. This display of silent obedience was too submissive; Guan Heng’s gaze darkened slightly as he reached out to ruffle the top of the boy’s head.

“Are you still uncomfortable?”

Finally, Guan Heng asked this.

Ning Qiuyan wasn’t stupid. By this point, he slowly began to understand that Guan Heng wouldn’t actually restrict him in the way the words of their agreement suggested.

A flush rose to his face as he answered honestly, “It’s very uncomfortable… the straps seem to have slid up.”

He should have listened to Guan Heng and taken them off in the car from the start.

“Mm,” Guan Heng said. “Take them off.”

Right here.

He could trust Guan Heng completely; there was no longer any need for concealment.

Because he belonged to Guan Heng.

There was no doubt about that.