Chapter 26: Lock You Up
At first, Duan Ke was afraid of waking Qin Huai, not daring to breathe loudly.
But Qin Huai didn’t move even after being licked several times. Only then did Duan Ke confirm that the other party was truly sleeping deeply, and his movements became slightly more unrestrained.
He pushed Qin Huai’s mountain-like, solid body very, very lightly to the side, extended his fangs, and pressed them against the back of Qin Huai’s neck.
A second before biting down, he suddenly felt a subtle sense of incongruity. He paused hesitantly and sucked gently again.
Duan Ke’s amber pupils contracted abruptly. This wasn’t the result of being bitten once; these were scars caused by being bitten repeatedly by the same person.
Could it be that Qin Huai was previously…?
Duan Ke’s heart pounded wildly. He felt like fragmented scenes were about to be reconstructed in his mind, but they were always just out of reach.
Just as he was dazing, a very low, deep sigh sounded in Duan Ke’s ear.
Caught off guard, Duan Ke didn’t have time to dodge before his slender waist was pressed down by the person beneath him with absolutely no restraint in strength.
Qin Huai used real strength this time. Duan Ke was completely defenseless; with a splat, his whole body was plastered onto Qin Huai, unable to get up.
Night raid on a private residence.
Caught in the act.
Duan Ke felt awkward enough to evaporate on the spot.
He lay stiff as a little wooden board on top of Qin Huai, eyes closed, playing dead.
If not for the need to hide the fact that he was a succubus, Duan Ke probably would have shrunk into Duan Ke Ball right now and woosh, flown out the window to escape.
The two remained locked in a stalemate. Qin Huai knew Duan Ke was awkward enough to scratch the wall, so he didn’t speak. He just lay lazily looking at him, his hand pressing slightly on Duan Ke’s lower back, not letting him move.
This silent war ended with Duan Ke waving the white flag. He stiffly hugged Qin Huai, rubbing his fuzzy head against the crook of Qin Huai’s neck twice, as if begging for mercy.
“Brother.” Duan Ke’s voice was muffled. “I was wrong.”
“Hm? Wrong about what?”
Qin Huai really didn’t immediately realize why Duan Ke was suddenly apologizing. He briefly recalled the events of the past few days, understood, and gently patted Duan Ke’s lower back.
“You didn’t do anything wrong, don’t apologize randomly.” Qin Huai coaxed him. “Get up first.”
Duan Ke’s eyes drooped. He gave an “Oh” and obediently cooperated with Qin Huai to sit up, his hands resting on Qin Huai’s broad shoulders.
Qin Huai briefly checked Duan Ke’s condition to ensure he hadn’t been stifled in the wardrobe earlier, then gently rubbed the back of his neck.
“Duan Ke, I wasn’t angry.”
“Work was busy these past two days.” Qin Huai lowered his head and rubbed the tips of Duan Ke’s slightly long curls. “So I didn’t come home.”
“Liar.” Duan Ke instantly switched to ‘figure-eight eyebrows’. “Busy enough that you could only reply with a few words?”
“You didn’t invite me for dinner again either.” Duan Ke hesitated but couldn’t help muttering, “…Takeout isn’t as good as what you cook.”
“…”
Qin Huai didn’t know how to explain to Duan Ke, or perhaps he couldn’t even convince himself this time, so he could only remain silent and hold him.
As the two fell into silence, Duan Ke suddenly became anxious, reflecting on whether his tone just now was a bit too heavy.
It wasn’t that he possessed low self-esteem or was sensitive, but he wasn’t human. He really couldn’t grasp Qin Huai’s thoughts and couldn’t think of what to say to resolve the situation.
His keeper, however, didn’t let him struggle for long. Just as he sensed Duan Ke’s emotions, he spoke.
“Sorry. It was my problem, don’t overthink it.”
Qin Huai didn’t pause. He pulled that piece of paper from the drawer next to him and handed it to Duan Ke. “You left this with me.”
Duan Ke took it and looked.
It took him a few seconds to remember what this thing was. He let out an “Oh” of realization, looking at Qin Huai with bright eyes.
“So you were angry because you thought I was looking for another keeper?” Duan Ke licked his lips. “Is that it? Is that it?”
Duan Ke asked too directly, causing Qin Huai to choke slightly, not answering immediately. Frankly speaking, he was very unaccustomed to this kind of communication; it felt like an insecure dissection of his inner self.
But Duan Ke asked.
Qin Huai gave a low “Mn.” “Sorry I didn’t tell you frankly.”
Duan Ke also apologized. “Sorry, I didn’t tell you about this matter and let you misunderstand.”
Duan Ke scooted closer, holding Qin Huai’s shoulders with both hands, his small face full of seriousness. He spent five minutes explaining the ins and outs of this paper.
Except for the identity of himself and the little black ball as succubi, he didn’t intentionally hide anything, hoping this would reassure his keeper.
“Look, that’s how it is.”
Duan Ke squeezed Qin Huai’s fingers, like a kitten playing with a toy. “I mesh with you very well. I won’t need to look for anyone else in the future.”
Duan Ke spoke with utmost seriousness, as if terrified Qin Huai wouldn’t believe him.
He looked well-behaved to begin with. In the eyes of an interested person, this appearance really looked like a kitten who had learned a new skill and couldn’t wait to show it off to its owner.
Qin Huai said nothing more. He lowered his head to rest against Duan Ke’s collarbone and gave a deep, low laugh.
Duan Ke thought this meant he believed him and was just about to cock his tail proudly when he heard Qin Huai speak again.
“What if you do find someone else?”
Qin Huai’s voice was lazy, making it impossible to tell if he cared or was just asking casually. He lightly bit Duan Ke’s collarbone teasingly. Duan Ke trembled from his touch and tried to dodge in panic, but was held down.
“If you do…” Qin Huai leaned close to Duan Ke’s ear, his voice carrying a muffled laugh, “I’ll lock you up.”
Before Duan Ke could react to what he said, he was jolted by the sinking pressure around Qin Huai, pulling away in astonishment to look up at him.
The terror from yesterday returned. Duan Ke’s heart raced, filled with anxiety.
But Qin Huai’s expression was completely calm, allowing Duan Ke to scrutinize him, as if he hadn’t just said something shocking.
So he was joking.
Duan Ke felt relieved again, squeezing Qin Huai’s fingers with both hands.
“…I won’t.” Duan Ke whispered a promise. “Don’t lock me up.”
Qin Huai: “Uh-huh.”
Duan Ke couldn’t tell what he meant—did he believe he wouldn’t look, or did he agree not to lock him up? But Qin Huai didn’t give him a chance to say more; he simply picked Duan Ke up and placed him gently on the floor.
“It’s good now that we’ve talked it out. Go home.”
Duan Ke glanced at the wall clock. Indeed, it was very late. If he stayed any longer, neither of them would rest well.
Duan Ke bid Qin Huai goodnight and went to his door to find his key to open it.
But he felt around for the key for a long time and couldn’t find it.
Duan Ke turned all his pockets inside out and sadly confirmed that he had either lost it or forgotten to bring it. He turned back to seek help from Qin Huai, only to find Qin Huai standing at his door, door open, watching him quietly with lowered eyes.
“Is the key lost?” Qin Huai asked considerately.
“Mhm.” Duan Ke nodded helplessly.
Qin Huai turned sideways to signal Duan Ke to come in. “Then make do at my place for tonight? If you still can’t find it tomorrow, you can ask the landlord to open the door.”
Duan Ke tilted his head and thought about it. Since he had stayed in the room for so long just now anyway, staying overnight didn’t seem inappropriate, so he agreed.
Duan Ke walked in, but Qin Huai didn’t enter immediately.
After confirming Duan Ke couldn’t see, Qin Huai lowered his eyes lazily, glanced at the key in his hand, and then at Duan Ke’s oblivious back.
…Twice a week is also a bit insufficient.
The thought popped up out of nowhere. Qin Huai was slightly surprised, yet felt it was only natural. He didn’t try to find unwarranted reasons to convince himself.
Without hesitation, he casually tossed the key into the vase by the door and followed Duan Ke into the room.
[Author’s Note]
Little Ke: Why does my back feel chilly? O.o
Entering VIP tomorrow!!! Thank you to everyone who read this far! [Let me see]
There are lots of fragrant plots coming up. Buy it to see three times a day [Heart] Bad dog identity reveal [Heart] Lethal dose of couple snuggling [Heart]
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