Chapter 56 – Tranquilizing Incense

Bian Ji’s hand was held tightly by Yan Ankuo, gradually constricting. He didn’t dare to apply more force; instead, he followed his partner’s lead, pulling him forcefully towards himself.

Yan Ankuo lost his balance, stumbling over, their chins colliding.

Bian Ji instinctively released his grip, turning to support him.

A deep amusement flickered in Yan Ankuo’s eyes, asking, “No punishment?”

“I want to punish you,” Bian Ji confessed honestly, “but I want to kiss you even more.”

Yan Ankuo raised his eyebrows slightly, as if appraising a rare and exquisite piece of porcelain, asking knowingly, “Kiss here?”

Bian Ji shook his head, “No.”

Not here, yet unable to wait for a more secluded place, Yan Ankuo knew where he wanted to go. Without delay, he grabbed Bian Ji’s wrist forcefully, leading him towards the darkness beyond the neon lights.

A half-floor of the bar was designated for restrooms, each door leading to an independent space.

With a strong pull, Yan Ankuo brought Bian Ji inside, then pressed him against the wall.

“There’s no one here,” Yan Ankuo tried to steady his breath, which had quickened from running, his voice still betraying a tremor, “We can kiss.”

Bian Ji felt a rush of blood to his head, as if he’d heard a loud buzz, clarity becoming a joke. His words were disjointed, “Then you need to lower your head a bit.”

Yan Ankuo didn’t understand his meaning but obediently bowed his head, only to be met with sudden pain.

Bian Ji suddenly took charge, pinning Yan Ankuo against the wall, biting down hard on his chin.

Yan Ankuo laughed and sighed, “What’s this? Punishment?”

Bian Ji’s eyes were glazed over with half-drunkenness, looking at him hazily, saying, “Don’t talk.”

Such a Bian Ji was rare, and Yan Ankuo reveled in it, obediently shutting his mouth.

Bian Ji softened his fierce expression, like a child discovering sweetness for the first time, exploring Yan Ankuo’s mouth with curiosity. He began with light pecks, wetting it, then parted his lips gently to taste before pressing harder, his fingers instinctively gripping Yan Ankuo’s arm for support.

Yan Ankuo was kissed into submission, the clear pain on his arms providing a strange sense of clarity. In this clarity, he relished the fierce bites and scratches even more.

However, Bian Ji’s strength proved to be more accurate than military strategy predicted — twice weakened, thrice exhausted. In the end, he could only cling to Yan Ankuo, lazily tilting his head back, passively accepting.

Yan Ankuo showed him the bruises and marks on his arms and shoulders, laughing bitterly, “How come I never noticed how strong you are before?”

Bian Ji was rather proud, “There’s plenty you haven’t discovered.”

Unable to withstand the provocation, Yan Ankuo picked him up and set him on the sink counter, trapping him with arms on either side and speaking humbly, “Then I hope Teacher Bian can show me more.”

Perhaps due to a higher threshold of excitement under the influence of alcohol, Bian Ji unexpectedly lasted longer than usual this time. His legs, having been hanging in mid-air for too long and tensed up, had little strength left.

As for Yan Ankuo, his jaw and collarbone were scraped, unsure how he would explain this to the law firm tomorrow.

When Bian Ji stepped down from the sink counter, he nearly stumbled, but the culprit caught him steadily with his arm, his hands hovering behind him, asking, “Do you want to go home now?”

Exhausted and sleepy, Bian Ji nodded blankly.

Yan Ankuo said, “Let me wash my hands then.”

Something he could easily do himself, he insisted on doing in front of Bian Ji, as if intentionally reminding him of something.

Fortunately, Bian Ji wasn’t someone with a thin skin, especially not when drunk. Indifferently, he stared at Yan Ankuo’s hands, leaning on his shoulder.

Yan Ankuo felt like his tricks were falling flat, frustrated yet amused, saying, “Drinking despite poor tolerance.”

Bian Ji said dazedly, “I just want to drink.”

Yan Ankuo pointed to his neck and arms, accusingly, “Look what you’ve done to me.”

Bian Ji chuckled, not responding verbally, “Hehe.”

Yan Ankuo quickly dried his fingers, deciding to find the car in the garage first, waiting for the designated driver to arrive.

Whether due to alcohol or the exhaustion from earlier activities, Bian Ji’s eyelids were heavy, closing his eyes to rest as soon as he got into the car.

Yan Ankuo asked him, “Which home do you want to return to?”

Bian Ji’s mind moved slowly, staring blankly, “Huh?”

Yan Ankuo turned his head, worried that Bian Ji was too drunk to climb the stairs alone, but remembering that Bian Ji didn’t like entering other people’s homes, he chose to seek his opinion.

“Can we go to the riverside?” Yan Ankuo looked at Bian Ji unusually tenderly, his question evoking the same nervousness he felt during his graduation defense.

The riverside, Yan Ankuo’s home.

Outside, light rain started to drizzle, making the inside of the car damp and stuffy. Bian Ji undid a button.

Alcohol and high temperatures made his nerves sluggish after excitement, and he took a moment to recover, unsure if he had successfully processed Yan Ankuo’s invitation. He gave a hasty response, “Oh.”

Yan Ankuo was full of surprise and anticipation, feeling even the driver’s engine start was faster than usual.

By the time they arrived home, Bian Ji had fallen asleep. Fortunately, the elevator was right outside, and he lifted him gently, pressing the elevator button.

Bian Ji usually didn’t sleep well, but tonight, with the alcohol, he was dizzy and muddled, having done some absurd things. He was at the point of extreme exhaustion and sleepiness, yet he didn’t wake up even when carried into the house.

Yan Ankuo helped Bian Ji take off his outer clothes and pants. Just as he was about to carry him to bed, the man suddenly woke up, mumbling, “I haven’t taken a shower, I can’t get on the bed yet.”

Yan Ankuo was amused, finding it incredibly adorable that he was still so tidy-minded, even in his state of exhaustion, “Do you have the energy to wash up?”

Bian Ji raised his hand, “Yes.”

Yan Ankuo asked, “Do you need help?”

Bian Ji closed his eyes, “No.”

Yan Ankuo had to gently remove another layer of his clothing, adjusting the water temperature before placing him in the bathtub and leaving.

Bian Ji’s body was paler than his complexion, turning red when exposed to steam. There were several fresh, long red marks on his arms.

Yan Ankuo’s fingertips brushed over these marks, his breathing gradually becoming heavier, yet his touch remained gentle, as if afraid of breaking a precious white porcelain vase.

Bian Ji splashed around in the water like a child, once his skin softened, he happily called out, “Done.”

“Drunkard…” Yan Ankuo complained helplessly, taking out a brand new towel from the cabinet, draping it over Bian Ji’s shoulders, “Can you get out yourself?”

Bian Ji’s brain processor had crashed, trying to demonstrate his capability without answering, he stood up with a splash, forgetting that Yan Ankuo had only covered half of him.

Yan Ankuo was exasperated, “…Wait a moment.”

Bian Ji asked sluggishly, “Hmm?”

Yan Ankuo fetched a new robe, tying it tightly around him, not forgetting to tease, “At least dress like this before coming to see me again.”

Bian Ji asked bluntly, “Why?”

Yan Ankuo answered with seriousness, “For the sake of your body.”

Bian Ji’s current brain couldn’t process the meaning of this sentence, only knowing to answer, “Oh,” then walked towards the bedroom on his own.

The layout of Yan Ankuo’s home was vastly different from the apartment Bian Ji lived in, so the first time, Bian Ji directly entered the wrong room. Yan Ankuo pulled him back helplessly, “The bedroom is this way.”

Bian Ji paused, asking, “Strange, my bedroom isn’t on this side.”

Yan Ankuo was both amused and exasperated, “Because you’re currently at my house.”

Bian Ji didn’t hear this sentence, walking straight into the room, flopping onto the bed with a thud.

After all the tossing and turning, Yan Ankuo was also extremely tired. After settling Bian Ji, he quickly lay down beside him.

This wasn’t the first time they shared a pillow, but it was the first time Bian Ji stayed overnight at Yan Ankuo’s home.

For some reasons, Bian Ji’s understanding of “home” differed from the norm; he wouldn’t easily intrude into others’ private domains. If not for tonight’s drunkenness and extreme sleepiness, he wouldn’t have stumbled through this door in a haze.

On the other hand, Yan Ankuo was like a wolf wanting to mark his territory, wanting to take the initiative in both emotions and work. Sharing personal spaces was akin to sharing social circles for him, a symbol of closer intimacy.

Therefore, having Bian Ji in his bedroom made Yan Ankuo feel exceptionally secure, yet the sedative himself was restless due to the unfamiliar environment.

Bian Ji tossed and turned, fighting the nightmares that had haunted him since his teenage years.

The blackout curtains were too effective, making the room pitch black.

In the middle of the night, with most of the alcohol evaporated, Bian Ji lay unprotected, dreaming in a deep darkness. Cold sweat covered him as he curled up helplessly, hugging his knees and shivering.

But there was an incense stick placed by the bedside to calm the mind and promote rest. Therefore, in the recurring dreams that plagued young Bian Ji, there was now the familiar woody scent that only Lucky Mr. Bian would know.