Chapter 81: The Cannon Fodder in a Dogblood Novel (81)
Li Qiulan’s fingertips trembled slightly against Shen Tangqing’s palm. Even his breathing became very light.
He lowered his eyes, his eyelashes casting fragmented shadows beneath them. His Adam’s apple rolled several times before he spoke in a hoarse voice, “Is… is that true?”
As soon as he asked, he felt it was superfluous. No matter how many schemes Shen Tangqing was hiding, he couldn’t bear to puncture this clumsy lie.
Before Shen Tangqing could respond, Li Qiulan suddenly leaned forward, flipping his hand to grasp Shen Tangqing’s, and gently pressed it against his own forehead. His voice carried an imperceptible tremor.
“Brother can’t go back on his word. I won’t force Brother anymore…”
Shen Tangqing’s hand froze in place. Looking at Li Qiulan like this, a trace of inexplicable irritation rose in his heart. He didn’t know what mood drove him, but in the end, he didn’t pull his hand back.
At night, just as Shen Tangqing was drifting into a groggy sleep, the bedroom door was gently pushed open.
Li Qiulan walked in. He must have just showered; his hair was still a bit messy, with a few strands sticking to his forehead, giving his whole demeanor a softness.
Shen Tangqing lifted his eyelids to glance at him, his expression somewhat sleepy. “Get out, I’m going to sleep.”
Li Qiulan sat by the bed, looking at Shen Tangqing pitifully. “Brother, can I sleep with you?”
Shen Tangqing: …
“No. Get out.” He rejected him without hesitation.
“My bed collapsed…”
“Do I look like a f*cking idiot to you?”
“No, but I want to sleep with Brother. I want to see you the moment I open my eyes.”
After saying this, Li Qiulan tried to take Shen Tangqing’s hand ingratiatingly, but was stopped by a sharp look from Shen Tangqing. He resentfully retracted his hand halfway.
“Brother, I promise I won’t do anything.”
Shen Tangqing’s face turned black. What the f*ck else do you want to do?
“I’m not used to sleeping with someone else. Go back to your own room.”
Li Qiulan remained silent for a few seconds before speaking. “Brother, the days ahead are long. Some things need to be gotten used to slowly. You said you would try to accept me… was that lying to me?”
Li Qiulan spoke the last sentence very lightly, but it landed heavily on Shen Tangqing’s heart, carrying a sense of oppression.
Shen Tangqing looked at Li Qiulan. Their gazes met, and in the end, Shen Tangqing was the first to look away. Who asked him to have a guilty conscience?
In the end, Shen Tangqing reluctantly shared half the bed with Li Qiulan.
The mattress sank slightly. Shen Tangqing uncomfortably scooted toward the edge of the bed. The next second, he was scooped into Li Qiulan’s arms. Just as he prepared to struggle, Li Qiulan let him go.
“Brother, don’t fall off the bed.”
Li Qiulan’s slightly teasing voice annoyed Shen Tangqing for a moment, and he gritted his teeth. “Then go back to your room to sleep…”
“Brother, I’m so sleepy. Going to sleep now.” Li Qiulan shut his mouth silently after speaking, afraid Shen Tangqing would get unhappy and kick him off the bed. Actually, being kicked off the bed was fine, as long as he wasn’t kicked out of the room.
Shen Tangqing didn’t turn back. He heard the soft rustle of fabric behind him, followed by the sound of even breathing. However, the breathing was too close; every rise and fall seemed to land on the back of his neck, making him extremely uncomfortable.
Unknown how much time passed, just as he was drowsy, Li Qiulan quietly scooted up. He didn’t do anything, just gently pressed his cheek against Shen Tangqing’s back. Through the thin sleeping robe, Shen Tangqing could feel Li Qiulan’s warm breath landing on his spine, creating an inexplicable itch.
This itch sobered his chaotic brain for a moment. Just as he was about to move further away from Li Qiulan, he heard Li Qiulan speak in an extremely low voice.
“Brother, even if you are lying to me… please lie to me for a little longer, okay?”
The voice was very light, like a murmur, or perhaps sleep-talking.
Shen Tangqing’s breath hitched, and his fingertips resting by his side couldn’t help but curl slightly.
In the darkness, his gaze fell on the window. After a long time, a mocking smile pulled at the corner of his lips.
…
For the next half month, the two really acted like a dating couple. Every day after meals, they would walk in the garden, soak in the hot springs together, watch movies, play games… and occasionally, they would even kiss.
Shen Tangqing felt that habit was truly a terrifying thing. From the initial psychological rejection where he would vomit as soon as they kissed, to later… after vomiting enough, he actually got used to it. He could now kiss Li Qiulan expressionlessly.
The happiest person was undoubtedly Li Qiulan. He felt that Shen Tangqing was beginning to truly accept him psychologically. Apart from not letting Shen Tangqing leave, he was obedient in almost everything else. Just as he said himself, he was willing to be Shen Tangqing’s dog, and he enjoyed it.
But Shen Tangqing felt no ripples in his heart. What he wanted was not to stay here as Li Qiulan’s plaything or prisoner; he wanted freedom.
However, these days were not completely without gain.
At least… Shen Tangqing had figured out where Li Qiulan kept the car keys. They were in a drawer in the study.
As for the password to the main gate, Shen Tangqing wasn’t sure if it was 0926, but the side door to the garden didn’t have infrared detection installed; it only required a key to open.
And that key… was in the pocket on the right side of Li Qiulan’s wheelchair.
…
After dropping the white pill into the milk, Shen Tangqing stared tightly at the liquid in the glass, watching the pill slowly dissolve. Only then did his suspended heart relax slightly.
He had accidentally discovered this bottle of strong sleeping pills two days ago in the bottom drawer of Li Qiulan’s study, mixed in with two types of medication for mental illness.
He had actually long suspected that Li Qiulan had mental issues; after all, he was too crazy to be a normal person. This bottle of sleeping pills was tantamount to giving Shen Tangqing hope of escape.
As for why he chose tonight… Because every Wednesday, Li Qiulan would give the bodyguards in the villa a rotating break, leaving only one to guard the main gate.
It had been this way for two consecutive weeks. Shen Tangqing had figured out the pattern; this was the only chance to bypass the dense surveillance and bodyguard patrols.
Wait until midnight, when the bodyguard was asleep. He would get the side door key, then go to the study to get the car keys, and he could flee this place.
…
“Why do you suddenly want to drink hot milk today?”
Shen Tangqing’s expression was unnatural for a split second. He pursed his lips. “It’s for you to drink. Didn’t you sleep poorly last night? Drink some milk to help you sleep.”
Li Qiulan didn’t take it. Instead, he stared fixedly at Shen Tangqing.
Shen Tangqing felt a bit creeped out by his stare. He had been so secretive; surely he couldn’t have been discovered?
But in the next second, Li Qiulan smiled. His eyes looked at Shen Tangqing as if they held light, beautiful enough to make one’s heart tremble.
He reached out and pulled Shen Tangqing to him, making him sit on his lap.
“I can drink it, but I want Brother to feed me…”
Shen Tangqing’s body stiffened for a moment, and his hand holding the glass tightened unconsciously.
Li Qiulan lowered his head and touched his forehead against Shen Tangqing’s, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness. “Brother seems a little nervous?”
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