Chapter 34: The Price of Obsession

On their journey back, Ji Xiao, with unyielding persistence, found new ways to entice Wei Xiuyuan into their nightly intimacies.

With Ancheng barely a day’s journey away, Wei Xiuyuan lowered his voice, a hint of amusement in his tone. “Look at your insatiable desire. What will you do if your parents lock you up once we return home?”

Ji Xiao pulled him closer, his voice a soft murmur against Wei Xiuyuan’s ear. “I am utterly captivated by you. I crave you every single day. Should a day ever pass where I don’t seek you out, it can only mean I’ve died.”

“What absurd nonsense are you spouting!”

“I speak the truth,” Ji Xiao insisted, lightly nipping at his ear. “If I couldn’t have you one day, I truly would die.”

Wei Xiuyuan was left speechless, a mix of exasperation and laughter bubbling within him.

Could this man truly be so infatuated with… his body?

“What if I grow old and my looks fade?”

“I’d still want you.”

Wei Xiuyuan stirred slightly, pressing a kiss to Ji Xiao’s lips, his gaze deep and profound. “You’re the one who said it.”

“I said it.”

Wei Xiuyuan gently stroked Ji Xiao’s cheek. “Chen Xiao, you were the one who provoked me, the one who clung to me. If you ever marry, I will marry too, and then cast you from my mind. I…”

“Never,” Ji Xiao interrupted, catching his hand and bringing it to his lips for a tender kiss, his eyes filled with warmth. “In this lifetime, I want only you.”

Wei Xiuyuan embraced him tightly. “One more time.”

“…” He wouldn’t back down now! He couldn’t be a coward!

****

Black Cat contacted the Leader: [Can you advance me some points?]

Leader: [?]

Black Cat: [I’m a little worried about my host’s kidneys. I want to get him some supplements.]

Leader: [Yes, but you have to promise me something.]

Black Cat: [Tell me.]

Leader: [When your host completes all tasks and you return, you must promise me one thing.]

Black Cat: [What is it?]

Leader: [I’ll tell you then.]

Considering how his host hadn’t rested a single day in years, Black Cat grit their teeth and agreed.

****

The following day, they arrived in Ancheng.

Ji Xiao first escorted the Wei family trio back home before returning to the Chen Residence.

Upon entering the estate, Ji Xiao was immediately led by Steward Chen to the main courtyard, where his parents resided.

Father Chen sat on a chair, cradling a small bundle of joy and playfully teasing them.

Mother Chen sat opposite, gazing at her husband and child with a gentle smile, occasionally reaching for a grape on the table and popping it into her mouth.

Ji Xiao bowed respectfully. “Father, Mother, your son has returned.”

Steward Chen quietly withdrew.

Father Chen remained engrossed in doting on the child, offering Ji Xiao no immediate reaction.

It was Mother Chen who beckoned to him. “Xiao’er, you’re back. Come quickly and see your younger brother.”

Ji Xiao approached.

He clearly saw the child nestled in Father Chen’s arms.

The child, just over a year old, was adorably plump and fair-skinned. They would occasionally tug at Father Chen’s long hair, which had fallen forward, then giggle with delight.

“Brother is very cute.”

Mother Chen’s smile was tender. “Indeed, he is. His name is Chen Jin.”

Ji Xiao: “…” He felt a pang of embarrassment that his younger brother was already over a year old, and he was only just learning his name now.

“A wonderful name,” Ji Xiao said. “I hope Brother’s future is as brilliant as brocade.”

Father Chen finally looked up and cast a cold glance at him, letting out a dismissive scoff. “I don’t know what your brother’s future holds, but at least he won’t be unfilial like you, abandoning your old father and mother for three years without a single visit.”

“Father, Mother, you are still young, not old at all.”

Mother Chen covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

Father Chen merely snorted again.

Chen Jin seemed tired from playing, raising a tiny fist to cover a yawn.

Father Chen rose to his feet. “I’ll take Jin’er inside to sleep.”

Mother Chen gestured. “Xiao’er, come sit here.”

Ji Xiao settled into the chair Father Chen had just vacated.

Mother Chen picked up a grape, slowly peeling it, her voice unhurried. “You’ve been playing for three years, and you’re no longer young. I’ve found a good girl for you to consider for marriage.”

“Mother,” Ji Xiao said, taking the grape from her hand, peeling it, and offering it to her lips. “Your son doesn’t wish to marry.”

She paused, a hint of disdain in her voice. “Did you wash your hands?”

Ji Xiao: “…” He silently popped the grape into his own mouth.

Mother Chen picked up a handkerchief and wiped her hands. “Not marrying? Is it because of that Wei Xiuyuan?”

Ji Xiao: “…”

“Do you truly believe you’ve kept your affair with him a perfect secret?” Mother Chen’s gaze turned cold. “All these years, your father and I have never strictly disciplined you. We let you do as you pleased, only wishing for you to live a carefree life. But this one matter, we *must* intervene.”

“Mother…” Ji Xiao began.

“Do you even remember I’m your mother?” Mother Chen slammed her hand on the table. “You can play around, but refusing to marry for his sake? That is absolutely unacceptable.”

“I only want him,” Ji Xiao stated.

Mother Chen retorted, “Fine, if you only want him, then don’t bother with this family! Not marrying? If you refuse to marry, then get out of the Chen family! From now on, we’ll pretend we never had a son like you! All those years of raising you, wasted!”

Ji Xiao sighed helplessly. “Mother, I was born to like men. This is not an illness I can cure. I am not attracted to women, so why should I marry one and harm another person?”

“Not attracted?”

Mother Chen sneered. “Very well. Tonight, you will drink the medicine I give you. I will arrange a maid for you. If you truly are ‘not attracted,’ then we will stop forcing you.”

Ji Xiao gave a bitter smile. “Mother…”

“Guards! Take the Young Master away!”

“…”

Ji Xiao was confined to his room.

The door was locked, and guards stood watch outside the door and windows, ensuring no one could pass.

Black Cat wailed, “Oh no, oh no, oh no! Your mother is going to drug you!”

Ji Xiao merely sighed. “Alas.”

Black Cat pressed on, “Once you’re drugged, you’ll be in a daze, acting purely on instinct. Won’t that be disastrous?”

Ji Xiao sighed again.

Black Cat suggested, “Why don’t you just ask to be disowned?”

Ji Xiao: “…”

As evening approached, Mother Chen’s maid brought a meal into the room. “Young Master, Madam instructed me to watch you eat.”

Black Cat warned, “The food is drugged!”

Ji Xiao calmly sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and ate slowly, savoring each bite. In the end, he even commented, “It’s delicious.”

The maid smiled. “It’s still the same cook. Perhaps Young Master has been away from home for so long that he’s forgotten the taste, and thus finds it especially delicious now.”

Ji Xiao offered a faint smile, eating until he was about eighty percent full before setting down his chopsticks.

The maid collected the dishes and promptly left, the door closing once more.

Outside, Qiu Zhi gazed at the room, which was now fortified like an iron barrel. Recalling the information he had gathered, his face grew heavy. He slipped out of the residence and hurried directly to the Wei family home in Liuyang Alley.

****

At the Wei Residence.

*Bang, bang, bang—*

Wei Xiuqin opened the door. “Qiu Zhi, what’s the rush? You’re out of breath.”

“Where’s Master?”

“He’s in his room.”

Qiu Zhi rushed towards Wei Xiuyuan’s room. “Master!”

Wei Xiuyuan opened his door. “What is it?”

Qiu Zhi gasped for two breaths, then urgently blurted out, “My young master has been locked up by Madam! She’s even given him medicine, and soon she’s sending a maid into his room!”

Wei Xiuyuan’s pupils contracted slightly, but his voice remained calm. “If that’s the case, why have you come to me?”

“My young master only has you in his heart!” Qiu Zhi’s eyes were red with anxiety. “My young master has never liked anyone so much. If he truly does something, he’ll regret it to death when he wakes up!”

“If he truly likes me that much, what are you worried about?” Wei Xiuyuan questioned.

“But he’s been drugged!”

“If he genuinely doesn’t want to, what difference does a drug make?”

“It’s a potent aphrodisiac! Master… haven’t you tried it too?”

“…”

Wei Xiuyuan’s hand subtly clenched into a fist. “That’s your Madam’s order. What can I do?”

Qiu Zhi’s face paled.

Yes, what could he do?

Even if he could secretly bring Wei Xiuyuan into the residence, could they possibly fight off those guards and rescue his young master from the room?

Qiu Zhi couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow. “I’m worried about the young master…”

“I’m worried too,” Wei Xiuyuan admitted.

****

At the Chen Residence, the medicine had begun to take effect.

Ji Xiao remained seated at the table, his head slightly bowed, lost in thought.

Black Cat paced frantically, once again seeking help from the Leader.

The room door creaked open.

A beautiful maid entered, and the door closed behind her once more.

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