Chapter 36: The Shamelessness of Old Age

The Black Cat huddled deep within Ji Xiao’s consciousness, shivering as it recalled his madness.

‘He must have suppressed it terribly.’

‘To forcibly suppress it for half an hour—he’s a ruthless one.’

Just then, a message arrived from the Leader: [I was dealing with something and didn’t see your message. Should I transfer the points to you now?]

The Black Cat replied indifferently: [No need. My host resolved it himself.]

After sending it, it couldn’t help but recount the entire incident to the Leader, posing a question: [Can someone drugged still control themselves? Is that even possible?]

The Leader responded: [Not ordinary people. Perverts can.]

The Black Cat retorted angrily: [You’re the pervert! My host isn’t perverted at all!]

The Leader conceded: [Alright, alright, I’m the pervert. An erection occurs because of desire, and by suppressing that desire, one can naturally suppress *that*. Your host’s self-control is truly extraordinary.]

The Black Cat insisted: [I still don’t think so. When he saw the mission target, he was like a mad dog.]

The Leader replied: [……]

****

As the drug’s effects dissipated, Ji Xiao had hot water brought in and personally attended to Wei Xiuyuan’s bath.

Wei Xiuyuan, too lethargic to move, comfortably enjoyed the pampered service from the young master.

Watching him change into his own clothes, Ji Xiao lightly ruffled his hair. “You’re not going back today, are you?”

Wei Xiuyuan yawned, a hint of languor surfacing in his clear, cool eyes. “No, I won’t. Mother and the others know I came to find you.”

“We’ve essentially made our relationship public,” Ji Xiao declared, kneading Wei Xiuyuan’s waist to soothe his aching muscles, his tone darkening. “If you ever think of running away, I’ll break your legs without hesitation.”

Wei Xiuyuan lay comfortably, his voice laced with a smile as he asked, “Are you truly unable to be intimate with women?”

Ji Xiao lowered his head, his gaze both deep and tender. “I am only capable with you.”

In recent days, the inner turmoil that had plagued Wei Xiuyuan gradually receded, and a warmth began to bloom in his clear, cool eyes.

He had endured being forced to this point, and now, with Ji Xiao’s profound affection, what more was there to overthink? He would simply return that deep devotion.

He would never tell Ji Xiao what he would have done if Ji Xiao had touched another woman, or if he had followed his family’s arrangements to marry and have children.

****

The next day, Wei Xiuyuan was summoned by the Emperor.

Father Chen and Mother Chen, wishing to avoid any sight that might vex them, left Chen Jin with Ji Xiao and departed on another journey.

Ji Xiao stared at the small bundle lying on his bed. “?”

‘That’s it?’

‘They had a child late in life; shouldn’t they be a little more attentive?’

‘Is a world for just the two of them really more important?’

Wei Xiuyuan, having just returned from a promotion, heard Ji Xiao’s complaints and chuckled. “As his elder brother, what’s wrong with you looking after your younger sibling?”

Ji Xiao shot back, “I’m his brother, not his father.”

“Perhaps I could have my mother look after him for a bit?”

Ji Xiao’s eyes lit up, and he immediately went next door to dismiss his cousin.

Chen Yu protested: “This is my room…”

“Scram, scram, scram. I’ll give you another room.”

“Cousin!”

“Two rooms of the same size, for you.”

“Three.”

“You and that scholar, what’s his name? Ziyan’s classmate? He…”

“Two. Just two. I’m leaving today and won’t leave anything I shouldn’t.”

“Hmph.”

Ji Xiao flicked his sleeve and departed.

****

Another day passed.

Ji Xiao welcomed Wei Mother and Wei Xiuqin into the adjacent mansion, hanging a sign with ‘Wei Residence’ over the main gate.

Wei Mother initially declined, but upon hearing that Father Chen and Mother Chen were traveling far away, leaving behind a child over a year old—and that neither Ji Xiao nor Wei Xiuyuan knew how to care for a child—she reluctantly stayed to help.

Staying in Liuming Alley was simply too far.

Wei Xiuyuan proved to be an excellent official. After another promotion two years later, he married his sister to one of his colleagues.

His career subsequently soared.

When he returned to the capital and met the Emperor, he had already confessed his relationship with Ji Xiao, stating that they would never have children, nor would they adopt any.

The Emperor observed that he and Ji Xiao truly did not marry, year after year.

Wei Xiuyuan excelled in his official duties, known for his integrity and lack of pedantry, while Ji Xiao was exceptionally kind-hearted, constantly donating to disaster relief.

The Emperor greatly trusted Wei Xiuyuan, who, at merely thirty years old, was appointed to the Grand Secretariat.

Many sought to marry their daughters to him, but he gracefully declined every proposal.

His relationship with Ji Xiao was subtly speculated upon, yet no one dared to openly acknowledge it.

After all, their statuses were far from ordinary.

Father Chen and Mother Chen only returned occasionally for the New Year, then continued their distant travels. When Chen Jin turned fourteen, they even took him with them to conduct business across various regions.

Wei Mother felt some regret, but fortunately, Wei Xiuqin’s husband’s family treated her very well, often bringing their child to visit Wei Mother, ensuring she was never too lonely.

Wei Xiuyuan’s life, in this regard, could be described as exceptionally smooth.

Except for one thing…

He gazed helplessly at the white-haired Ji Xiao. “You can barely move; can’t you just…”

“I told you, I want you every day.”

Wei Xiuyuan replied, “…” ‘As if you even can anymore.’

Ji Xiao insisted, “Just go inside. I won’t move.”

“Can you even move?” Wei Xiuyuan snapped, annoyed. “Even in old age, you’re still so shameless.”

Ji Xiao sighed, “…” ‘This is too hard for me.’

The Black Cat watched with profound melancholy, yet dared not speak, silently binge-watching shows or occasionally chatting with the Leader.

In these subsequent decades, Ji Xiao had truly become utterly shameless.

The Black Cat mused: [Even with me replenishing him and providing medicine to maintain the mission target’s physique, old age truly makes it impossible.]

The Leader reminded it: [Those were *my* points I lent you.]

The Black Cat retorted: [If you lent them to me, aren’t they mine now?]

The Leader replied: [……] ‘No argument there.’

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