HE With the Cold Male Protagonist C38

Chapter 38 – Losing Control, Biting Kiss

“Lizhi…” A voice, hoarse yet filled with longing, sounded lowly by his ear, brimming with suppressed desire that finally burst forth in a desperate call. “Lizhi, hm?”

The moment Lu Lizhi suddenly heard his own name—spoken with such gentle urging—his entire body trembled, the tip of his heart tingling with a numb, intoxicating sweetness. Heat quickly rose from his neck to his face.

He truly was drunk beyond reason.

Jiang Baiye looked at the man before him, seemingly frozen stiff in the darkness, unable to move. Though separated by nothing more than a mere breath of distance, he still could not resist leaning in again.

Lu Lizhi snapped back to his senses and instinctively retreated, only to be pressed back against the table in one swift motion. His arms braced behind him knocked over the cups and dishes atop it, the sound of shattering glass echoing as Jiang Baiye’s searing breath swept across the sensitive skin of his neck.

“Lizhi, what are you afraid of?” Along with that deep, resonant laugh, the two of them seemed like mandarin ducks crossing their necks, bodies brushing faintly together in the dark of night, inhaling one another’s breath in ambiguous intimacy.

A tremor struck Lu Lizhi’s heart. He instinctively pushed back against the body bearing down on him. Jiang Baiye, sensing that stern rejection, slowly straightened—yet just as Lu Lizhi quietly sighed in relief, he was suddenly hauled back in, robes and all, into a crushing embrace!

Lu Lizhi gave a muffled groan, unable to sort through the chaos of his racing pulse and scrambled thoughts, when his already loose garments were unceremoniously stripped away by a broad, forceful hand.

“Mm…” Lu Lizhi, startled and furious, let out a soft protest, one that even he himself did not realize carried an undertone of grievance and panic.

Then pain seared across his bare shoulder!

Jiang Baiye had wanted to sink his teeth deep, to make him feel the turmoil and ache in his own heart. But he could not bear to truly hurt him. Instead, his teeth lingered, grazing and nibbling at the cool, delicate skin, before he pressed down with a kiss—tender as water, fervent as fire.

And then—no further.

Jiang Baiye abruptly turned, stumbling away without a shred of his usual boldness, mumbling incoherently, “I’m drunk, I must be drunk…”

Lu Lizhi stared after his retreating figure, confusion and suspicion twisting within him. Yet the lingering heat and tingling pain at his shoulder reminded him all too clearly of the moment that had just shattered their boundaries and upended the order between them…

A sudden thud! rang out.

Lu Lizhi’s hand, clutching at his robe, stilled. After a pause, he stepped out and found the man sprawled on the ground. For a long while, he merely stood and looked before finally stepping forward and giving him a kick, venting the anger of being toyed with and humiliated.

Though he knew it was drunkenness, fury surged within Lu Lizhi—never before had anyone dared treat him this way. Especially that bite mark… who knew how long it would take to fade?

He gave him another kick—though softer this time, unwilling to cause real harm.

Jiang Baiye did not stir, fast asleep.

Lu Lizhi returned inside and bolted his door, pressing his hand to his pounding chest, unable to untangle his muddled thoughts. To kiss him? Was that some kind of joke between friends, or…?

He thought of Jiang Baiye’s usual careless manner, his lack of decorum, his habit of eating whatever was fed to him, his easy familiarity in throwing an arm around someone’s shoulders. And yet—he also spent time with girls.

What exactly was he thinking? Lu Lizhi slapped his own flushed face, shocked at the fever burning beneath his skin…

His hand curled into a tight fist. The voices of academy scholars ridiculing him rang again in his ears. Though the Great Ning permitted same-sex marriages, how many truly accepted them?

How many recoiled in disgust, how many dismissed such bonds as abhorrent?

How many truly had the strength to defy the world and remain together?

Lu Lizhi went out and knocked on the Jiang family’s door. No answer came. Madam He and the others had worked for two days straight, and with the wine from earlier, they were surely fast asleep.

Thinking of Jiang Baiye lying out in his courtyard, his head throbbed, and he kept pounding on the door.

Inside, Da Huang barked eagerly from behind the gate, as though pleading with him to drag the nuisance away.

Back in his own house, Lu Lizhi wondered—should he just let the fool sleep out on the ground?

And yet, moments later, he emerged with a quilt in his arms to cover him. When he checked again, sure enough, the man had already kicked it aside.

If he woke to find himself abandoned on the ground, uncared for… would he be hurt?

Resigned, Lu Lizhi dragged him back inside, straining his injured shoulder where the bite throbbed, and nearly tossed the bastard aside.

Jiang Baiye… what am I to do with you?

He sat by the bed, gazing at the restless face of the sleeping man. His fingers lifted, meaning to smooth away the furrowed brow—only to draw back as though shocked by lightning.

That midnight, wind rose, rain poured fierce.

Lu Lizhi, slumped asleep on the table, felt a chill creep in. Yet soon, a broad embrace pulled him close, laying him upon a warm bed and tucking him beneath a shared quilt.

Even in dreams, he faintly knew who it was. But the sense of peace outweighed his hesitation—or perhaps it was his subconscious yielding to its truest yearning—

That in this cold night, he wanted an embrace. To be wanted, to be protected. To be held so tight it ached even in slumber—yet only to feel safe and content.

The next morning, Jiang Baiye awoke, dazed at the unfamiliar beams above. As memories trickled back of the night before, a heavy darkness fell over him, nearly choking his breath.

And yet—when he glanced down to see that pure, ethereal figure curled in his arms, clinging to his robes with slender fingers, sleeping soundly and peacefully—he no longer knew what had happened after.

All he felt was a rush of overwhelming satisfaction that lasted barely three seconds before embarrassment set in.

This was Lu Lizhi’s bed. The man lay right in his arms, completely unguarded. His serene sleeping face shone with a saintly purity.

Nothing could tempt Jiang Baiye more. His Adam’s apple bobbed.

So… how had his drunken self tricked him into bed?

Did Lu Lizhi know, did he consent? Jiang Baiye recalled his stern resistance from last night, and his gaze darkened. He tilted the man’s head slightly, and madness surged through him—he wanted to do it anyway.

He couldn’t hold back…

Breath ragged, chest heaving, his eyes locked on those pale lips, parted slightly, hiding unknown delights. He was about to press down when the man stirred, brows furrowing awake.

Jiang Baiye panicked, and without a word, crushed his lips against his.

The instant their mouths met, numbness shot through his limbs. Lu Lizhi’s amber eyes flew open, stunned by the burning, forceful pressure of that kiss. His mind roared blank, the world plunged into silence.

He devoured him, stormy and unrelenting, fiercer with each second…

Breath mingled, sounds urgent.

Lu Lizhi’s chest heaved wildly, his body limp and unresisting until he jolted back to himself and shoved him aside!

The man fell onto the bed, unconscious, unaware of the monstrous “crime” he had committed.

Lu Lizhi leapt from the mattress, away from that scorching embrace. Cool air surged, bringing him clarity.

But his lips—always pale and cold—were now burning, branded with another’s warmth and breath. The sensation was too real. Lu Lizhi’s thoughts unraveled entirely.

Did he know what he was doing?

Or was this only the remnants of drunkenness?

Hearing him stir, Jiang Baiye touched his lips in a daze, staggering up, shame and sweetness colliding chaotically within him.

“Madness, this is madness…” To think he had done such a thing to the story’s destined protagonist. Surely the one thing Lu Lizhi could never tolerate was this.

When Jiang Baiye finally steeled himself to confess, to apologize in hopes of preserving their friendship, Lu Lizhi appeared with his parents—as though to remove him altogether.

Feeling guilty and sorrowful, Jiang Baiye feigned sleep, only to be smacked by Madam He. “You damned child, troubling him again! I thought you were in your own room, but you’ve gone and pestered him here!”

She laughed awkwardly, not mentioning how they’d heard the knocking last night but had been too exhausted to move.

Lu Lizhi nodded, expression unreadable, though his eyes flickered with complex emotion when they passed over the man. He himself could not tell if it was fury flaring high or despair sinking low.

He had been kissed. Kissed until his lips were swollen and numb, nearly forced open… and yet, helpless against it.

Otherwise, not even friendship would remain.

Jiang Baiye saw him pretending nothing had happened, no intention of questioning. Darkness welled in his chest. After returning, he doused himself in cold water, the fire and drink finally ebbing. He let out a bitter laugh.

He must have been insane, to think of bending the story’s protagonist. A man who refused even women, who kept no concubines—love and desire scarcely existed in his heart.

No wonder his only response had been rejection…

“Chang Sui, from now on, you must trouble Lizhi less. His exams are soon.” Over lunch, Madam He remembered to remind him.

Jiang Baiye’s expression turned solemn. The imperial examinations were everything to Lu Lizhi. He himself had to rein in his overflowing emotions, refocus on business.

The workshop had yet to officially open, with much work to do. Thankfully, besides Ding Yue, He Lin could recommend two or three skilled craftsmen. Their budding cooperation with Huichun Hall also provided some support.

Of course, any good medicinal herbs he found must go first to Huichun Hall. With both Sun’s pharmacy and Huichun Hall as outlets, he had no worry of stockpiles.

But money flew like water. His purse was nearly empty again.

Jiang Dazhu carried down from the loft his woodwork of recent days: folding chairs, stools, ladles, spoons, even ornate comb boxes and brush holders carved with simple artistry.

There were also chests, tables, vessels, and wardrobes—some designed per Jiang Baiye’s suggestions, some even crafted for Lu Lizhi’s home.

Unknowingly, Jiang Dazhu was no longer the idle man he once was. He had found his passion.

“I was thinking… maybe these could fetch some silver? Better than just sitting idle.” He didn’t understand Jiang Baiye’s workshop, but he figured if he couldn’t help there, perhaps this hobby could earn money.

Jiang Baiye, of course, agreed wholeheartedly, already planning to grow it into a proper trade. His father had both talent and persistence. With innovative designs unseen in this era, custom furniture would surely sell.

Besides, Mount Daheng boasted precious timbers: ebony, rosewood, beech, wenge, agarwood, sandalwood. If they could harvest them, that alone would be profit.

Afterward, Jiang Baiye continued delivering meals to Lu Lizhi as always. He accepted them as if nothing had happened. Only Jiang Baiye’s gaze occasionally lingered upon his left shoulder.

The bite mark there began to itch and throb.

Bastard, Lu Lizhi thought, taking advantage and leaving him nothing to say.

“Forgive me—drank too much that day, must have troubled you, hm? I almost feel as though I… did something improper.” Jiang Baiye feigned puzzlement.

At once, the chaotic images he had been suppressing flooded Lu Lizhi’s mind again, undoing his hard-won calm.

He looked at the smiling, unruffled man drawing close.

Jiang Baiye lowered his eyes, unconsciously holding his breath. The closer he came, the stronger that crisp, clean scent—his scent—wrapped around him, mingling with his own, boundlessly intimate…

What was he about to do?