40 : Do that after married

 The night was cold, but perhaps because the campfire was burning too brightly, or perhaps because the man's body temperature was too high, Yin Luo felt like he was melting.

He thought it would only be a kiss, but who knew it would go on like this.

He even tried to push away, but Duan Muze was very strong. Not only could he not push him away, but the other man held him even tighter.

It was as if he wanted to meld him into his body.

The two were pressed tightly together, and the back of Yin Luo's head was pressed down. He couldn't escape even if he wanted to. He could only weakly utter a few words when Duan Muze relaxed slightly: "...It hurts."

"Stop kissing..."

But Duan Muze, like a stray dog, had finally caught a chance to taste a bone, and he wasn't about to let go so easily.

What's more, there were two rivals watching.

Duan Muze had deliberately spread the word to these two that he was coming here. Of course, he knew that they would also realize that he was doing it on purpose. But even if they knew, they would definitely come.

This was Duan Muze's purpose. He wanted to declare his ownership in front of these two.

—He was Yin Luo's only dog.

Declaring his ownership was one thing, but he didn't want the two of them to see Yinlu being kissed, so he used his broad body to block the boy's figure.

But from the flickering shadows of the flames, it was clear they were intertwined.

Especially with the ambiguous sound of water.

...

Yinlu didn't know how long he was kissed; after being deprived of oxygen, he was finally released. He could feel the other person gently wiping away the tears that had involuntarily spilled from the corners of his eyes, his wet chin, and his slightly swollen lips with a wet wipe.

So sleepy...

Yinlu turned his head away, annoyed and not wanting to talk to anyone.

Duan Muze sensed this, wiped his face clean, and then helped him put him in his sleeping bag. Because of his sleepiness, Yinlu was incredibly obedient, even exceptionally cooperative.

This feeling of being completely relied upon almost drove Duan Muze crazy.

He was madly infatuated with this feeling of being needed by Yinlu.

He took the initiative to kiss him, and when he was kissed, he didn't resist, obediently letting him wipe his face and adjust his sleeping bag... Duan Muze had known for a long time that he was a very insecure person.

He had been called a bastard by many, knowing it was a form of abandonment—abandoned by his own father.

He had been verbally abused and beaten by his mother, never receiving a day of the love his peers deserved; he knew that was also a form of abandonment.

Holding the sleeping boy tightly in his arms, Duan Muze stared at the boy's face. A beautiful, gentle profile, completely unguarded. After a moment, he placed a kiss on that fair forehead.

Would Yin Luo abandon him?

Even if he didn't abandon him now, would he later? Would he despise him?

The gap between them was so vast; would Yin Luo's parents agree to their being together? Duan Muze frowned and began to calculate his assets.

Of course, money alone was far from enough; he needed a respectable status to marry his boy.

The man who had grown up wildly now increasingly craved power.

Give him a little more time, and he would desperately climb up to bridge this class divide.

*

Yin Luo woke up very early on the first day, finding himself alone in the tent.

He glanced at his phone; it was eight in the morning.

"So early..." Yin Luo slowly lay down again, having already woken up once and finding it hard to fall back asleep. Especially since his lips hurt at the slightest touch.

He remembered.

Last night, Duan Muze had asked him to kiss him, and then... he didn't know how long they kissed...

[Forty minutes.]

The system's sudden mechanical voice startled Yin Luo, his face burning: [I don't remember?]

System: [Host, you were kissed unconscious.]

Yin Luo: [...]

Too embarrassed to continue the conversation, he took off his sleeping bag and left the tent.

Duan Muze happened to be coming from nearby, placing the toiletries next to Yin Luo: "Breakfast will be ready soon."

The warm sunlight outside cast a soft glow on the man's profile.

He looked nothing like the fierce man he'd been when kissing him last night.

Yin Luo glanced at him, said nothing, and left with the washbasin.

Duan Muze chuckled.

Looks like he was angry with him.

The man followed the boy like a large dog, squeezing toothpaste and preparing hot water whenever he could, practically brushing his teeth for him.

Yin Luo couldn't believe that the once aloof and unapproachable male lead had become so clingy.

She could almost see his tail wagging like a propeller behind him.

Terrifying.

Yin Luo felt a chill run down her spine from the sweetness and finally couldn't help but speak up: "I can do it myself, you go make breakfast!"

He

certainly looked like a haughty, spoiled young master, but with the lingering bite marks on his lips, he looked more like someone being bullied and acting spoiled.

Duan Muze's heart melted, and naturally, he obeyed Yin Luo's every whim.

So he willingly went to make breakfast.

After Yin Luo dismissed him and dried her face, a voice suddenly appeared behind her: "Your clothes are up."

Yin Luo's shoulders twitched, and she turned around to see Lu Ran staring at her waist.

Why hadn't he left yet?

His gaze was too exposed, and Yin Luo found it strange. She quickly straightened her clothes and asked, "Aren't you going back to school?"

Lu Ran had faint bruises under his eyes, and his expression was cold. He looked like he hadn't rested well, and even his tone wasn't as gentle as usual: "You really want me to leave?"

He seemed to be in a bad mood. Yin Luo thought it best not to push her luck for now, so she put her toothbrush and other things back in the basin, preparing to leave.

But Lu Ran stopped her.

The eighteen-year-old freshman seemed to have grown quite a bit taller than before. Yin Luo looked up at him, her tone becoming sharp: "What are you doing?"

Lu Ran's eyes were filled with complex emotions. He stared at her face for a long time before lowering her voice and saying, "Do you like him that much?"

Yin Luo was completely confused. Was

the "him" Lu Ran was referring to Duan Muze?

Probably.

He pursed his lips, hesitating for a long time, unsure how to answer.

In Lu Ran's eyes, this was tantamount to an admission. A few pangs of pain and resentment flashed in his eyes, but more than anything, there was the disappointment of not having his love accepted.

"Yeah, you must really like him. I'd heard you liked him before, but I didn't believe it."

He leaned down, staring at Yin Luoyan's red, ripe lips: "Otherwise, you wouldn't have taken the initiative to kiss him, and you wouldn't have opened your mouth for him to kiss you."

So... you've been found out?

Yin Luo's ears burned instantly, her lips parted slightly, and she looked at Lu Ran with a mixture of anger and embarrassment.

Lu Ran, of course, noticed.

In such a quiet environment, it was impossible not to notice. Moreover, his thoughts were entirely focused on the two people sharing the tent.

He could even hear Yin Luo's soft, gentle breathing, and the whimpering she made when she couldn't bear the kiss any longer.

His body stiffened completely.

Looking at their intertwined shadows reflected in the water, he didn't dare breathe.

He thought that

Yin Luo's kiss at the swimming pool that day meant she liked him, but this morning he met a boy who told him what had happened—Yin Luo had indeed been giving him CPR, without any personal feelings.

So, he had been deluding himself all along?

But…but…he really, completely fell in love with Yin Luo.

Although only eighteen, Lu Ran felt he would never meet someone as good as Yin Luo again.

Yet, she already had someone she liked.

The once spirited boy, because of the person he liked, had a weakness, becoming dejected and depressed. After a moment, his voice was hoarse as he said, "Don't worry, I definitely won't bother you."

"If we break up in the future, come find me anytime."

He was willing to be a backup option as long as Yin Luo said the word.

*

By the time Yin Luo realized what he meant, Lu Ran had already left with his bag.

System: [Host, your bullying value has increased a lot. There's another man in this world who's heartbroken because of you.]

Yin Luo: [He's only eighteen, he'll forget me soon.]

Then he pretended to be mature and said, [He'll grow up.]

System: [...]

The system exposed him: [Host, you're actually happy that he won't kiss you in the future, right?]

Yin Luo coughed, ignored the words, and continued to leave with his toiletries. However, after walking a few steps, he ran into someone again.

This time it was Shang Chengnin.

The man's spirits were also not very good.

The glasses hanging on his nose and the open shirt added to his listlessness.

System: [Wow. Host, guess what's wrong with him?] Yin

Luo: [...]

Of course, he could guess, and fearing to hear some strange words from Shang Chengning's mouth, he took the initiative to ask, "Are you here to wash up too?"

"I'm already done washing up and getting ready to leave." Shang Chengning leaned down and stared at Yin Luo. After a moment, he couldn't help but ask, "Does your mouth hurt?"

Yin Luo knew what he was asking and lowered his eyes without speaking.

He thought Shang Chengning would say something else, but the other party only said, "I'll tell your aunt it's my fault."

After a moment,

the man raised his hand and ruffled the boy's obedient light hair: "Actually, I got a rose garden in the suburbs, but it was just planted and hasn't bloomed yet."

"Remember to come and see the flowers when they bloom."

Yin Luo hummed in agreement.

The hands didn't linger on his head any longer.

The system looked at the man's back not far away: [Another heartbroken person has been added to this world.]

Yin Luo thought for a moment: [Actually, this fits the plot development. The male lead and the third male lead shouldn't have liked me in the first place.]

Although there was a mistake in the middle, it seems to have been smoothed over.

System: [Host, we need to hurry up and complete the mission. We only need to finish the male lead's storyline now.]

Yin Luo hummed in agreement.

There was less than a month left until the mission deadline.

*

After returning to school, Lu Ran greeted him as usual, but without any further intimate gestures.

To others, it seemed the same.

That evening, Yin Luo packed his clothes and found a bank card that didn't belong to him in his backpack: [Could this be my brother's allowance? My brother really loves me.]

System: [Host, this is the male lead's card.]

Yin Luo: [I haven't even given him the gold card yet, and he's already given me a card.]

Yin Luo took a picture of the bank card and sent it to Duan Muze: [Is this your card? I left it here.]

Duan Muze quickly replied: [The PIN is on the back.]

Yin Luo: "..."

Yin Luo: [Why did you give me a card?]

Duan Muze: [I've seen other couples where the wife manages the money.]

Yin Luo suddenly felt a bit awkward.

From that day on, Yin Luo pondered what kind of suitable opportunity to dump Duan Muze, but every time he went out and saw Duan Muze's expression, he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Or, perhaps a phone breakup...

System: [The breakup scenario is described in detail in the book; a phone breakup might not count as completing the mission.]

So difficult.

Days passed, and the deadline grew shorter.

System: [I read in the "Playboy" book that before breaking up, you can leave the other person hanging for a while. If the male lead contacts you, wouldn't it be better if you turned him down? That way, he'd be mentally prepared.]

Yin Luo thought the system's words made sense; even a jerk needs time to develop.

So, he began to selectively reply to Duan Muze's messages, mostly with perfunctory "um" or "oh."

Duan Muze wasn't stupid; he clearly sensed his attitude. But he assumed it was because he was busy fighting with those old foxes at the company and didn't have time for him, which was why he'd

angered him.

He didn't dare slack off, compressing his sleep time and trying to free up as much time as possible for Yin Luo.

Sometimes, he'd work overtime until the early hours to bring Yin Luo breakfast, meet him briefly, and then rush back.

Yin Luo felt this was even more torturous. The night before he was about to decide to dump her, an unexpected event occurred—Duan Muze's mother passed away.

The next day was Duan Muze's birthday.

Yin Luo had planned to meet her on her birthday and dump her, but this unexpected event made him hesitate.

*

When he received the hospital's notification, Duan Muze had just finished a meeting with several board members.

He hadn't shown any extra emotion throughout, handing over the remaining work before driving to the hospital.

Then, he was informed by the doctor that she was dead, went through the procedures, signed documents… the tedious process felt mechanical, like a job.

Only when he saw the hospital bed covered with a white sheet being wheeled out by a nurse did a wave of dizziness wash over him—

he took two steps back, his vision went black, and he realized he hadn't slept for two days.

His assistant, seeing this, immediately brought him a chair. After regaining his strength, Duan Muze opened his phone and opened his chat with Yin Luo.

Scrolling up—

it was all messages he had sent to Yin Luo.

He received almost no replies.

He became incredibly sensitive, his fingertips trembling slightly as he sent another message to the other person.

【I want to see you.】

*

The winter rain was long and drawn out.

Dark clouds hung in the sky for a while, and as evening approached, the raindrops

began to fall slowly. Gradually, the rain intensified.

Yin Luo had no classes and had been staying home to avoid Duan Muze. He pulled up a chair and sat in the sunroom in the garden, watching the outside world gradually blur.

After a long while, Yin Luo took out his phone,

staring at the text message sent two hours earlier.

A moment later, just as he stood up, the system said: 【Host, are you going to break up with him?】

Although Yin Luo was spoiled, he wasn't without empathy, and absentmindedly replied: 【…Yes.】

Before leaving, he went back to his room and took a small box with him.

The system knew it was a birthday present the host had bought for the male lead, purchased a few days ago. It suddenly felt that if the host didn't break up with him today, the consequences would be severe.

*

Duan Muze's house is near his company, about forty minutes from the Yin family's villa. Yin Luo had been there a few times.

The car pulled up to the building, and Yin Luo went downstairs with an umbrella: "No need to wait, I'll go back myself later."

After saying that, he opened the umbrella and stepped into the rain.

The rain was heavy, and there weren't many people on the road. Yin Luo walked for a while when the system suddenly notified him: [Host, the male lead... is right in front of you.]

Yin Luo froze.

He raised the umbrella higher, and the next moment, Duan Muze's rain-soaked face gradually came into clear view.

Yin Luo's heart skipped a beat.

Some indescribable emotions welled up from the bottom of his heart. He didn't dwell on what those emotions were and almost immediately walked over quickly.

"What are you doing standing here without an umbrella?"

Yin Luo wanted to get angry, but seeing Duan Muze's appearance, he didn't say anything, only frowning and lowering his voice.

At this moment, Duan Muze was truly pitiful.

The rain soaked him completely, raindrops streaming down his face. In the vast rain, he looked like a lost, abandoned stray dog.

Thankfully, his owner had returned.

"I thought I'd never see you again."

Because I was afraid you wouldn't come, I insisted on waiting here.

That way, if you came, you might pity me.

Yinlu didn't mention the breakup, only standing on tiptoe to hold the umbrella over the man's head: "Couldn't you have waited at home?"

He knew the man was feigning helplessness, but facing Duan Muze like this, he couldn't bear to say anything hurtful.

"You're so stupid. Come over here."

It was cold, and Duan Muze was even colder. He didn't dare touch Yinlu casually, only saying, "My clothes are all—"

Yinlu interrupted him: "If you don't come closer, I'm going home right now."

This trick worked on Duan Muze; the soaked man immediately took the umbrella, but mostly used it to shield the boy.

Their arms were close together.

He could feel the warmth emanating from the boy.

Unbelievably warm.

Just like this person. After entering the room,

Yinlu

urged Duan Muze to take a shower. He obediently took his clothes and went inside.

The man showered quickly, as if afraid of disappearing.

Yinlu noticed his

hair was still wet and worried he might catch a cold: "Do you have a hairdryer?"

"Yes." Duan Muze brought the hairdryer from the bathroom.

Yinlu: "..."

So he was waiting for him to dry his hair?

Oh well.

Consider it compensation before the breakup. Yinlu took the hairdryer and pointed to the thick blanket next to the sofa: "Sit there."

Duan Muze sat down.

Yinlu turned on the hot air. He'd never done this before, so he was a little clumsy, occasionally getting his hair tangled in the other person's hair.

But Duan Muze didn't say a word.

Yinlu could sense his bad mood.

After drying his hair, Duan Muze dared to hug him. His body returned to normal temperature, and he tightly wrapped his arms around Yinlu's waist.

His voice was low: "She finally left today."

Yinlu was stunned. He knew Duan Muze was talking about his mother.

“But I’m not sad at all. On the contrary, I feel that she’s finally gone, that person who despised and hated me is finally gone.” Duan Muze buried his head in Yin Luo’s neck and took a deep breath. “Don’t you think I’m heartless?”

Yin Luo could feel the vibrations coming from his chest as he was being held.

“I don’t want to pay for her medical expenses. I actually hate her to death. But I feel that if she leaves, my world will be empty, and I’ll feel like I have no value.” Duan Muze raised his head slightly and kissed Yin Luo’s neck tenderly and gently. “Do you hate me like this?”

Would you hate me like this?

Duan Muze felt like he was torturing himself.

In fact, he was far less heartless and cold-hearted than he said, but he just had to show Yin Luo these unpleasant aspects.

On one hand, he wanted these dark sides to scare her away, and on the other hand… he hoped that Yin Luo would accept him as he was.

Accept him as he was, crawling out of the damp and dark corners.

A moment later.

He felt a gentle pat on his back. Yinluo pushed him away, then took a bag from the entryway. He didn't answer the question, but handed the bag over: "For you."

"Happy birthday."

Duan Muze was stunned.

He couldn't remember how many years it had been since he celebrated his birthday.

All day today, the Duan family had mocked him, and everyone around him had pitied him.

They were like a group of huge, blurry shadows, clinging to him,

tormenting him with sarcastic words.

But only Yinluo wished him a happy birthday.

Duan Muze thought that he probably could never let go again.

*

[Affection +5, the male lead's affection has reached 100%.]

Yinluo heard the system voice: [I understand, I will definitely break up with him in a couple of days.]

System: [...]

It didn't dare tell the host that the higher the affection level, the higher the blackening value after the breakup.

After drying Duan Muze's hair, Yinluo went to the bathroom to take a shower herself.

Duan Muze found him pajamas, which were loose on the boy, revealing some smooth skin.

Duan Muze couldn't resist and hugged and kissed the person for a while.

The man's kisses fell softly and persistently on Yinluo's face, cloyingly sweet. What

began as light kisses grew increasingly strange towards the end. Duan Muze's breathing became heavy, and he pressed Yinluo down onto the sofa without Yinluo realizing it.

Feeling his clothes being lifted, Yinluo trembled with fear. His face, blurred with tears from being teary-eyed, he pleaded softly, "No..."

Duan Muze stopped.

He saw the young man biting his lip, "Only after we're married."

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