Chapter 25: The Scholar’s Captor: A New World’s Beginning

Black Cat clung tightly to his leg, refusing to be shaken off.

Ji Xiao frantically shook his leg. “Go! We’ll definitely complete the mission in the next world!”

Black Cat snorted. “Hmph! You said it yourself, let’s go!”

****

Amidst the dizzying headache and feverish heat, soft jade and warm fragrance filled his embrace. He couldn’t help but pull them closer, pressing in.

In a daze, something seemed to be speaking.

His clarity lasted only a moment before he plunged into an even deeper abyss.

****

Ji Xiao opened his eyes, gazing at the soft, golden bed curtains. After a moment of bewilderment, he fully awoke.

He turned his head, looking at the sleeping figure beside him, a headache beginning to throb.

“Stupid cat, what happened?”

Black Cat replied, “You fell into a trap the moment you arrived. I called out to you, but you couldn’t hear me.”

Ji Xiao fell silent.

Ji Xiao sat up, the brocade quilt sliding down as the absurdity of the previous night flooded his mind.

“While he’s still asleep, give me the report.”

“This is an ancient world.”

“I can see that.”

“You are Chen Xiao, the son of Ancheng’s richest man…”

Chen Xiao, the only son of Ancheng’s wealthiest merchant, was known for his arrogance, extravagance, and lecherous nature.

He spent his days frequenting pleasure houses.

Then, he set his sights on a scholar who had already earned the title of *Juren*.

This young man, Wei Xiuyuan, had passed the imperial examination at a young age, hailing from their very own Ancheng.

Wei Xiuyuan came from a poor family but possessed exceptional intelligence. He was a true genius, yet also incredibly diligent.

At twenty, he had already become a *Juren*, seemingly destined for success in the imperial examinations.

However, Chen Xiao dragged him back to his mansion, ruining his innocence.

He then used both threats and inducements to force Wei Xiuyuan to become his.

Presuming that the aloof Wei Xiuyuan would never speak of his humiliation, Chen Xiao oppressed him relentlessly, time and again.

He secretly hid Wei Xiuyuan’s mother and sister, on one hand deceiving them into believing he was Wei Xiuyuan’s friend entrusted with their care, and on the other, using them to coerce Wei Xiuyuan into submission.

Chen Xiao indulged his desires without restraint, making endless demands.

The night before Wei Xiuyuan’s imperial examination, he forced another encounter, causing Wei Xiuyuan to collapse during the exam and lose his qualification.

Unable to bear the blow, Wei Xiuyuan threw himself into the lake.

Upon learning this, Chen Xiao was furious. He truly loved Wei Xiuyuan, which was why he was so obsessed with him.

While searching for Wei Xiuyuan in the lake, Chen Xiao accidentally fell in himself, thus meeting his demise.

Black Cat lightly coughed. “The mission is to protect Wei Xiuyuan, prevent his death, and ‘do him’ every day until your own death. Moreover, Wei Xiuyuan must willingly stay with you for a lifetime.”

Ji Xiao stared. “?”

Black Cat explained, “Chen Xiao’s original grievance was that he felt he hadn’t had enough of Wei Xiuyuan before he drowned. It was utterly shameless.”

After a long pause, Ji Xiao uttered a single expletive.

Black Cat tried to appease him. “This shouldn’t be too difficult, right? You don’t want to play the field; this time you only have to focus on one. Isn’t that better?”

Ji Xiao remained silent.

The person beside him stirred slightly.

Ji Xiao turned his head.

Wei Xiuyuan happened to open his eyes.

His usually aloof gaze still held a trace of redness at the corners, as if he had been crying.

His voice was slightly hoarse. “Young Master Chen, can you… release me now?”

It was then that Ji Xiao remembered something, and he silently untied Wei Xiuyuan’s hands from the bedpost.

The red marks on his pale wrists were shocking.

His body was in no better condition.

Ji Xiao’s eyes darkened a few shades.

The scenes from the original host’s memory replayed vividly in his mind.

Chen Xiao had never been intimate with another man. To embolden himself, he had taken a potent aphrodisiac.

He had just frantically tied the man down and was about to begin when Ji Xiao arrived. It was fortunate that it was Ji Xiao.

Aside from his wrists being somewhat injured from the intense struggle against the bindings, Wei Xiuyuan had experienced nothing but extreme pleasure throughout. This was unlike the original plot where Chen Xiao had nearly taken his life.

Ji Xiao watched him dress, his voice deep. “It’s not that I won’t let you go; my heart simply won’t allow it.”

Wei Xiuyuan did not avoid his gaze, rising directly to dress, seemingly deaf to Ji Xiao’s words.

“Wei Xiuyuan, my heart desires you.”

Wei Xiuyuan fastened his belt, his slightly hoarse voice returning to its usual coolness. “Get out.”

Seeing him about to leave, Ji Xiao reached out and grabbed his arm.

Wei Xiuyuan turned back, met with Ji Xiao’s unwavering gaze.

It no longer held the superficiality and possessiveness of the early night, nor the dark, cold intensity of the latter half. Instead, it carried a hint of pitifulness.

“I truly desire you. Last night, I was drugged…”

‘He did seem to be drugged.’

Wei Xiuyuan shook off his hand, scoffing, “Drugged? Why didn’t you seek out your maids or concubines, or visit a pleasure house? Why have someone abduct me?”

Ji Xiao stared intently at him. “I heard you passed the imperial examination and wanted to invite you over for a celebration. Who knew those scoundrels would misunderstand my intentions and abduct you instead!”

Wei Xiuyuan’s clear, cold eyes blazed with anger. “You and I are strangers. Why would Young Master Chen want to celebrate for me?”

📚 Also on NHV Novels

My Disciple Grants Me a Year’s Worth of Cultivation Every Day

ComedySlice of LifeTransmigration

Read Now →
Not interested