MMLDU Chapter 55

In a luxurious presidential suite of a hotel in Nanfeng City, Pei Ziqing stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a pure white bathrobe. Freshly showered, he carried a faint mist of moisture around him. His soft, damp eyes exuded a delicate and fragile aura. The loosely tied belt of his bathrobe left the curve of his upper thighs faintly visible.

Emerging from the bathroom, his slow, measured steps were laced with an unintentional allure.

It had been a long time since he had last seen Yan Xiuyuan. Ever since their engagement party, his fiancé had been deliberately avoiding him. The man who once would come running at his call, who treated him like a treasure and couldn’t bear to see him suffer, who had loved him so deeply, was now a completely different person. The lingering, tender gazes had disappeared, replaced by fleeting and indifferent looks that were hard to pin down.

The soft words and gentle affection had vanished, supplanted by impatience, irritability, and coldness.

Yan Xiuyuan had become someone else entirely—someone who drove Pei Ziqing to despair and fear, as though he was on the verge of losing him. Though they were engaged, there was no set date for the wedding. Even the bride price list that had been proposed remained untouched, stalled entirely on Yan Xiuyuan’s end.

Pei Ziqing didn’t know that the man who had once proclaimed to the world his intention to make him his wife had already had a change of heart, becoming a madman consumed by unattainable love.

Today, Pei Ziqing finally managed to get Yan Xiuyuan to meet him. He booked a hotel room, showered, and walked slowly to Yan Xiuyuan’s side, looking pitiful as he said, “Xiuyuan, have you been busy lately? It’s been so long since you came to see me.”

Yan Xiuyuan’s expression was grim. He had been in a dark mood all day after leaving his grandfather’s place. Even Pei Ziqing’s attempts at seduction failed to stir him. What he once found endearing now seemed overly dramatic and utterly irritating. “I’ve arranged a role for you. Focus on your work,” he said curtly.

The role he mentioned was for a production being filmed out of state, with a lengthy shooting schedule. He planned to keep Pei Ziqing away for as long as possible, preferably forever.

Pei Ziqing was thrilled, his face lighting up with a smile. “I knew you cared for me the most, Xiuyuan. I’ll give it my all.”

Yan Xiuyuan’s expression remained cold. Pei Ziqing cautiously sat down beside him. “Xiuyuan, are you troubled by something? I know I might not be able to help much, but seeing you like this makes my heart ache. Maybe talking about it will make you feel better. We’re going to get married and spend our lives together. Your worries are my worries, too. I want to share the burden with you.”

Pei Ziqing had crafted an image for himself as a kindhearted angel, a persona that Yan Xiuyuan had always fallen for. Every time Pei Ziqing displayed his so-called kindness, Yan Xiuyuan would tenderly claim that he was too good-hearted, too naive about the evils of the world, and vow to protect him for life.

But tonight, this tried-and-true tactic failed.

All day, Yan Xiuyuan’s mind had been consumed with the fact that Pei Lang and Yan Han had slept together. Pei Lang’s words from the morning had pierced his heart like a dagger, leaving him riddled with holes, each breath a painful reminder of what he had lost.

He was furious and regretful.

He convinced himself that Pei Lang’s initial advances had been a ploy to spite Pei Ziqing. Pei Lang’s deliberate act of playing the fool and hiding his true beauty only fueled Yan Xiuyuan’s remorse. If only he hadn’t been blinded by prejudice and had instead seen Pei Lang for who he truly was, he wouldn’t have let him slip away.

Now, having been captivated by Pei Lang’s stunning transformation yet unable to possess him, Yan Xiuyuan found no appeal in the obedient and accommodating Pei Ziqing by his side. Instead, his presence irritated him—even though he knew Pei Ziqing was blameless. Yan Xiuyuan could scarcely believe it himself: the love that once made him want to hold this person close every waking moment had utterly vanished, like smoke dissipating into thin air.

“My affairs are my own to handle. You don’t need to worry about them,” Yan Xiuyuan said coldly. Not wanting to talk to Pei Ziqing further but aware that he bore no fault. Yan Xiuyuan suppressed his irritation and clenched his teeth. His words were brief, fearing that saying more might cause him to lose control and explode.

Despite his restraint, his tone came across as harsher and more impatient than usual.

Pei Ziqing’s eyes instantly filled with tears, reddened and brimming with grievance as he looked at Yan Xiuyuan with a mix of pity and gentle reproach. For a moment, Yan Xiuyuan froze, his thoughts wandering. If only it were Pei Lang looking at him like this instead.

Last night, they had been together. Yan Xiuyuan knew Pei Lang’s private life was simple. His uncle wasn’t exactly experienced either.

Pei Lang had said he initiated it. Of course, with his uncle’s legs in that condition, taking the lead wouldn’t have been an option.

Two inexperienced people coming together must have been awkward and clumsy. Yan Xiuyuan could picture Pei Lang, perched on his uncle’s lap, caught between pleasure and pain, his tears streaming from both sensations—his expression an alluring mix of seduction and charm…

The more Yan Xiuyuan thought about it, the angrier he became—and the more it stirred something within him.

Pei Ziqing, ever observant, noticed this immediately. His tears fell faster, but inside, he was elated. As expected, his tactic still worked—his fiancé was clearly affected. “Xiuyuan, you’re holding it in, aren’t you? Should I help you?”

They’d done it before, after all. Even if Yan Xiuyuan was now infatuated with Pei Lang, it didn’t matter; in his eyes, Pei Ziqing was already tainted. One more time wouldn’t change anything. Why should Pei Lang get to share intimacy while Yan Xiuyuan was left to suppress himself?

Yan Xiuyuan yanked Pei Ziqing roughly, throwing him onto the bed and pinning him down. His actions were harsh and fast, more like an act of vengeance. He bit and marked Pei Ziqing without concern for the pain he caused. There was no preamble, no tenderness—he simply plunged forward. Yet, because the person beneath him wasn’t Pei Lang, he couldn’t find release. He continued relentlessly for hours, exhausting Pei Ziqing until he passed out from the pain. Only then did Yan Xiuyuan pull away, his expression wild and oppressive.

In the end, he had to imagine Pei Lang to finally find release by himself. Spent and drained, Yan Xiuyuan lay on his back, panting, his chest heaving with exhaustion. His mind was a storm of confusion, anguish, and helplessness.

He hadn’t always been like this. He had once been polite and composed, a man of grace and refinement. Though he had always carried darkness within, he had never let it consume him so completely. But ever since sending Pei Lang to the detention center, it felt as though something deep within him had snapped, propelling him into an abyss.

That night, as Yan Xiuyuan lay in torment, others fared differently.

Yan Han, having spent the night lying beside Pei Lang, felt a joy unlike anything he’d ever known. Although they’d only slept innocently side by side, it had left him yearning for more. He’d fallen in love with this feeling—“tasting the marrow” of it—and tonight was no different.

This second time lacked the nerves of their first night. While the atmosphere was just as wonderful, Yan Han found himself increasingly frustrated. A certain part of him was uncomfortably tense, yet the person beside him was blissfully unaware, sleeping soundly and adorably.

Unable to fall asleep, Yan Han switched on the dimmest setting of the bedside lamp, just enough to illuminate Pei Lang’s peaceful face. The sight was enchanting—a lazy, beautiful little fox nestled in the covers, sleeping comfortably and contentedly. Yan Han felt an overwhelming urge to pull him into his arms and savor the moment.

But he didn’t dare.

Pei Lang had no romantic feelings for him at all. Yan Han felt like a failure. If he tried to force something and ended up being rejected or resented, it would be even worse.

Sigh… This is so hard to endure.

“Anyway, you’ll be mine sooner or later. Taking a little interest now shouldn’t be a problem, right?” Yan Han murmured to himself. His fingertips lightly brushed against Pei Lang’s soft, smooth face. Seeing that Pei Lang didn’t wake up, he found himself intrigued. Using his nail, he gently scratched at the tips of Pei Lang’s curled eyelashes. Though he didn’t touch his eyelids, it was likely ticklish enough that, even in his sleep, Pei Lang buried his face in the pillow and rubbed against it, only to return to his original side-lying position moments later.

So this is what it feels like to like someone, Yan Han thought. You miss them, you want to tease them, and you want them all to yourself. Even their most ordinary little movements become adorable and fascinating.

Thinking this way, Yan Han realized Pei Lang was the first person to make him feel this way.

Suddenly, he understood why the domineering CEOs in those romance novels often ignored the perfect, wealthy, well-matched women to chase after someone unexpected. He had power, he had money—but finding someone who truly captured his heart was rare. At 30-something years old, meeting his first true love, how could he let them go?

The “guide to wooing” that Qi Shaoheng had shared with Yan Han consisted of instructional materials and romance novels. Qi Shaoheng had carefully selected stories that suited Yan Han’s elite status, focusing on tales of domineering CEOs pursuing their love interests. Most of the narratives involved a gray little Cinderella capturing the heart of a wealthy, powerful CEO, with second leads who were childhood friends and wealthy socialites being completely ignored by the male lead.

While Yan Han couldn’t entirely understand the logic at first, he was deeply intrigued and studied it earnestly.

Tonight, it finally made sense.

When you like someone, you just like them. Only they can enter your heart.

Convinced that as long as he followed the “guides”, Pei Lang would eventually be his, Yan Han felt it was only fair to collect a little “interest” in the meantime.

But a simple touch didn’t seem satisfying enough. So, Yan Han leaned closer and quickly planted a kiss on Pei Lang’s cheek.

Inexperienced as he was, the kiss was a bit forceful, making a loud “smooch” that sounded especially conspicuous in the quiet of the night.

Yan Han startled himself, nervous and afraid that Pei Lang might wake up. He held his breath for a few seconds before calming down. He had worried too much—Pei Lang was sound asleep. The great Yan Han, a domineering CEO, sneaking around doing something like this? His ears turned red in embarrassment.

But the feeling was too wonderful. The soft sensation of Pei Lang’s cheek lingered in his mind. Yan Han licked his teeth, craving more. So, he leaned in again, quickly planted another kiss, and then smiled, feeling triumphant. His smile was more radiant than ever—if anyone had seen it, they would’ve been stunned. The man who usually wore a perpetually cold expression looked like a rising sun breaking through the ice, dazzling and brilliant.

I wonder what his lips taste like.

Initially, he thought another kiss on the cheek would satisfy him. But instead, it only deepened his longing. His gaze fell on Pei Lang’s beautifully shaped lips, softly pressed together.

Suddenly realizing what he was about to do, Yan Han’s heart pounded wildly. Nervous but unable to resist, he inched closer, lips trembling as they met Pei Lang’s. The moment their lips touched, Yan Han felt a rush of electrifying pleasure coursing through his body—even his impaired legs seemed to tingle with life.

He remembered reading descriptions of kissing: there’s sucking, licking… Hesitantly, he parted his lips, gently taking Pei Lang’s lower lip and licking it softly.

Initially, he intended to pull back after a brief kiss. But the sensation was too intoxicating, too perfect. He couldn’t bring himself to stop, sinking deeper into the moment.

Pei Lang’s lips were soft and warm, like jelly. Yan Han found himself licking, nibbling, and playing to his heart’s content. Unfamiliar with proper kissing etiquette, he didn’t know to close his eyes. As he kissed, his gaze remained fixed on Pei Lang’s peacefully closed eyelids.

Then, he saw it—a faint movement beneath the lids. Pei Lang’s eyelashes fluttered like a slumbering black butterfly, suddenly awakening and preparing to take flight.

Pei Lang slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was hazy, unfocused, and confused. It was unclear if he understood what Yan Han was doing or if he simply hadn’t processed it yet.

Caught!

Yan Han panicked internally, but years of practiced composure kept him from showing it. Their eyes met, both blinking in sync. Yan Han’s teeth were still gently biting Pei Lang’s lower lip, frozen in place, afraid to move.

Pei Lang, however, seemed unbothered. He slowly closed his eyes again and drifted back to sleep.

Only then did Yan Han pull away abruptly. He stared at Pei Lang for a long moment, ensuring he was truly asleep before his racing heart began to slow.

Yan Han wasn’t sure if Pei Lang had noticed and pretended not to, or if he genuinely hadn’t noticed at all. All Yan Han knew was that he felt like he was about to explode.

To calm himself, he began mentally listing every unfortunate memory he could recall. Slowly, the fire within him subsided.

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Moonlit: I bet Pei Lang, at that moment, was thinking, “Oh, this is just a dream. Let’s go back to sleep.”

(˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵) ꉂ (´∀｀)ʱªʱªʱª