X
Join our Discord server and get release updates for every novel you follow.
Join the ServerLi Xiao’s expression was earnest, his eyes filled with pure concern, devoid of any teasing or ambiguity.
“…Mm, a little better.”
Jiang Yu said quietly, but his heart inexplicably began to race again.
Li Xiao’s hand rested lightly on his cast, not moving.
A subtle, intimate connection formed between them.
After a moment, Jiang Yu suddenly spoke, his voice very soft:
“Aunt Liu said… that you hired her specifically to prepare nutritional meals for me.”
Li Xiao turned his head to look at him, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth:
“Mm. I sought her out deliberately. She needed to understand nutritional balance and adjust recipes according to the recovery phase.”
Jiang Yu’s lashes fluttered:
“So the meals you’ve been delivering to my house every day…”
“Were all made by Aunt Liu.”
Li Xiao’s thumb gently stroked the edge of the cast:
“I wanted you to get proper nutrition and recover quickly.”
Jiang Yu’s throat tightened.
He looked at Li Xiao, at the undisguised concern in his eyes, and felt as if his heart were being soaked in warm currents, aching and swelling.
“…Thank you.”
Jiang Yu said quietly.
Li Xiao grinned, a hint of slyness in his smile:
“Don’t thank me. I’m doing this for myself too.”
Jiang Yu blinked:
“…What?”
“So you can get better faster—”
Li Xiao leaned in, their noses almost touching, his voice lowered with a breathy laugh:
“And I can sooner do what I want to you.”
Jiang Yu’s face flushed crimson, the color spreading to his neck.
He glared at Li Xiao, his eyes both embarrassed and indignant:
“You can’t stay serious for even three seconds!”
Li Xiao chuckled deeply, his chest vibrating.
He didn’t retort. Instead, he suddenly tilted and leaned his head against Jiang Yu’s shoulder.
“Hey—”
Jiang Yu tensed, instinctively wanting to pull away.
“Don’t move.”
Li Xiao’s voice was muffled:
“Too tired after working out. Just resting.”
He nuzzled further into the crook of Jiang Yu’s neck, his cheek nearly pressing against Jiang Yu’s jugular.
Warm breath sprayed against sensitive skin, and Jiang Yu froze completely.
He could feel Li Xiao’s sweat-damp hair brushing his neck, smell the strong scent of perspiration and pheromones, mixed with the heat of a post-workout body.
Li Xiao took a deep breath, his voice even lower:
“You smell so good…”
Jiang Yu’s heart pounded, his cheeks hot enough to fry an egg:
“…It’s just the shower gel.”
He tried to make his voice sound normal, but the slight tremor betrayed him.
Li Xiao chuckled softly, said nothing more, and simply leaned quietly on Jiang Yu’s shoulder.
Time passed slowly.
In the home gym, sunlight slanted through the window, casting bright patches on the floor.
Jiang Yu remained rigid, allowing Li Xiao to lean on him.
He could have pushed him away.
But for some reason, he didn’t.
Maybe it was the genuine fatigue in Li Xiao’s words, maybe it was the natural dependence in his posture, or maybe… it was something else.
Jiang Yu gradually relaxed.
He lowered his eyes, looking at Li Xiao’s hand resting by his thigh.
It was a large hand, with distinct knuckles and faint veins on the back, still flushed from exercise.
His nails were neatly trimmed, fingertips rounded.
It was a hand full of strength, yet… very gentle.
“Jiang Yu.”
Li Xiao spoke suddenly, his voice still muffled in the hollow of Jiang Yu’s shoulder.
“…Hm?”
“Your heart is racing.”
Jiang Yu stiffened.
Li Xiao let out a low laugh, lifted his head, and turned to look at Jiang Yu’s flushed cheeks and ears:
“What are you nervous about?”
“I’m not…”
Jiang Yu looked away, his voice weak.
Li Xiao stared at him for a few seconds, then abruptly straightened up.
Jiang Yu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he was about to get up.
But instead, Li Xiao suddenly leaned in and pressed a kiss to the side of Jiang Yu’s neck.
Very light, very quick.
Yet the warm touch of his lips and his breath were clearly imprinted on the skin.
Jiang Yu was completely stunned.
He stared wide-eyed at Li Xiao, his face reddening almost to the point of bleeding.
“You… you kissed me again without warning!”
Jiang Yu’s voice trembled with indignation and shame.
Li Xiao had already stood up, a triumphant smile on his face, his eyes gleaming brightly.
“Couldn’t resist. Too tempting.”
He reached out and ruffled Jiang Yu’s hair, his tone light:
“Won’t happen again.”
“I’m going to take a shower.”
With that, he turned and walked toward the door of the gym, pausing halfway to look back at Jiang Yu, who was still frozen on the bench, and winked:
“It’s not the shower gel. It’s your natural scent. Very clean, very fresh, and… a little sweet.”
He pronounced the word “sweet” lightly and ambiguously, like a feather brushing against Jiang Yu’s heart.
Jiang Yu’s lashes trembled violently.
The door clicked shut.
Only Jiang Yu remained in the gym.
He sat on the bench, raised his hand, and touched the spot on his neck where he’d been kissed.
The skin there still retained the warmth of the touch, as if Li Xiao’s lips were still pressed against it.
Jiang Yu’s cheeks burned even hotter.
He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his heartbeat, but with little effect.
That Li Xiao…
He really is…
Jiang Yu bit his lower lip, ultimately unable to find the right words to describe him.
He stood up and walked out of the gym.
The aroma of food was already wafting from the living room.
Aunt Liu was arranging dishes in the dining room. She smiled when she saw Jiang Yu:
“Mr. Jiang, dinner is ready! Where’s Mr. Li?”
“…He’s taking a shower.”
Jiang Yu’s voice was still a little unnatural.
“Then please sit. The soup will be ready in a moment.”
Aunt Liu said, then turned and went back into the kitchen.
Jiang Yu sat down at the dining table, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward the guest bedroom door.
He could hear the faint sound of running water.
An image of Li Xiao showering involuntarily surfaced in his mind…
Jiang Yu shook his head abruptly, forcing himself to look away.
He picked up his phone, pretending to check messages.
A few minutes later, the guest bedroom door opened.
Li Xiao emerged.
He had changed into clean loungewear—dark gray cotton pants and a matching loose T-shirt. His hair was still wet, water dripping from the ends.
He walked toward the dining room, drying his hair with a towel.
The fresh scent of shower gel drifted over with his approach, mixed with his own unique, clean fragrance.
Jiang Yu’s ears began to heat up again.
Li Xiao sat down across from him and casually draped the towel over the back of the adjacent chair.
Aunt Liu came out of the kitchen carrying a large steaming bowl of soup:
“Mountain yam and pork rib soup—good for bone recovery. Please enjoy. I’ll head off now. I’ll be back at five to prepare dinner.”
“Thank you, Aunt Liu.”
Li Xiao nodded.
Aunt Liu untied her apron, packed up her things, and left the apartment.
The moment the door closed, the two of them were alone in the dining room.
Li Xiao ladled a bowl of soup and placed it in front of Jiang Yu:
“Drink the soup first.”
Jiang Yu picked up the spoon with his left hand and took small sips.
The soup was delicious, at just the right temperature.
“How is it?”
Li Xiao asked, ladling a bowl for himself.
“…Very good.”
Jiang Yu said quietly.
Li Xiao smiled:
“Aunt Liu’s cooking really is excellent. I tried out several before choosing her.”
Jiang Yu paused in his motion and looked up at him:
“You tried out several?”
You’ve got to see this next! After Transmigrating into a Book, I Was Marked by the Crazy Villain O. will keep you on the edge of your seat. Start reading today!
Read : After Transmigrating into a Book, I Was Marked by the Crazy Villain O.
If You Notice any translation issues or inconsistency in names, genders, or POV etc? Let us know here in the comments or on our Discord server, and we’ll fix it in current and future chapters. Thanks for helping us to improve! 🙂