Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Si Yan discovered that he had one bad habit when he kissed.
In dreams and in reality alike, he liked holding her firmly in place, never allowing her to turn away.
Whether she could bear it or not, he would not stop until he was satisfied.
Perhaps possessiveness ran in his bones, usually wrapped tight beneath his cool indifference.
The moment he kissed her, it all burst free, impossible to contain.
Beyond the bed curtains, the candlewick popped. Light and shadow leaped, then dimmed again.
At last, Jiang Youze moved his lips, giving her a chance to breathe. He tilted his head and took her earlobe into his mouth.
His hot breath brushed her ear, seeming to travel straight through it into her heart.
Si Yan gasped in his arms as the unfamiliar feeling at her earlobe spread through her body.
“Jiang Youze…”
The small sound she made was soft and hoarse, less a refusal than a plea for affection.
His kisses slipped from her earlobe to the side of her neck, his breath hot enough to scorch.
His hand left her wrist and slid down the inside of her arm.
His Qingqing was beautiful even in tears.
Like a crabapple blossom wet with spring rain, so delicate and lovely he wanted to crush her, yet could not bear to.
He watched her for a long time, taking in every detail of her face.
The feeble candle flame sputtered, and the room fell dark.
He glanced toward the candle stand.
Never mind. He would let her sleep.
Jiang Youze lowered his head and kissed her forehead, lingering no more than a breath before drawing away.
He gently slipped out his arm and sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at her.
Moonlight filtered through the half-open window and spread over her bare skin.
Little red marks dotted the skin below her collarbone, all his handiwork just now.
So delicate.
He had only sucked lightly, and it had left a mark.
If he truly did anything more, she might cry all night.
A hint of a smile rose at his lips, only to vanish when he looked down at his own lower body.
He was no longer the Jiang Youze of seventeen.
After castration, he could no longer respond in even the most basic way a man could.
In the heat of desire just now, he had distinctly felt his blood rushing downward, his chest burning as though it would catch fire.
Yet his body had given no response.
However hot his heart, however fierce his longing,
however much he wanted to give her himself whole, this damaged body remained cold.
He lowered his lashes, drew up the fallen quilt, and covered her bare shoulders.
Then he rose, went to the window, climbed out, and gently closed it behind him.
The next morning, Linghe stood outside the door with a copper basin, hesitating for a long time.
Last night, her mistress had said she would put out the lamp herself, so Linghe had gone to sleep in the outer room.
In the middle of the night, she had vaguely heard something in the inner room.
Half asleep, she had turned over, assuming her mistress was kicking off the quilt again.
Now, standing at the door and recalling those sounds, she felt something was not quite right.
It was almost time for lessons, but there was still no sound inside.
“Miss?”
She knocked softly and pressed her ear to the door, venturing in a low voice,
“Are you awake?”
No answer.
Hearing the sounds outside, Si Yan opened her eyes groggily.
She instinctively turned toward the place beside her. Empty. Then she lifted the quilt and looked down.
That bastard!
All he cared about was enjoying himself. He had not even put her clothes back on!
Linghe called again, a note of urgency entering her voice.
“I’m awake! I’m awake!” Si Yan answered, discovering how terribly hoarse she was.
She picked up the underbodice beside her pillow and put it on, then fastened her nightclothes and rose to open the door.
Linghe hurried in with the copper basin, set it on the stand, wrung out a cloth, and handed it to her.
“We must hurry with your washing, Miss, or you’ll be late.”
Si Yan nodded. The cool dampness of the cloth drove away some of her sleepiness.
As they changed her clothes, Linghe noticed a red mark below the collar and reached to lift it for a closer look.
“Miss, has an insect bitten you?”