Chapter 57: Granting You Any Wish
Xie Shibai gazed at Lu Ciheng. His pale finger hooked the black leather choker, which glowed with a pearly white sheen against the contrast. His finger applied slight force, as if he could control the person before him. His mind moved, and his finger tightened a few degrees more. The corners of his lips curled into an arc, and he dragged out the end of his sentence slowly. “I’ll grant you one wish.”
Lu Cihengās neck was strangled a bit tight, but his breathing was short more from the ensuing excitement. He was nearly dizzy from such a generous gesture. His dark eyes burned with excited light, wishing he could start the game right now and catch the man.
He pressed the tip of his tongue against his canine tooth. His dark eyes looked dangerous. “Anything at all?”
Xie Shibaiās gaze lingered on him. After a few seconds: “Anything.”
Lu Ciheng grew even more excited. His Adam’s apple rolled, and his lips hooked up. “You said it yourself. No taking it back.”
“I always keep my word.” After saying that, Xie Shibai released the hand hooking the choker. “Now move out of my sight. Don’t block the way.”
Such a big lump blocking his view was annoying.
The bullet screen in the livestream scrolled endlessly.
[Ahhh granting one wish, Dog Lu, your life is getting good too.]
[What wish (Yellow Heart)]
[We’re all adults, what wish could it be (Face entirely yellow)]
[Brother Xie, I don’t allow you to spoil him like this!]
[I’m dying of jealousy, how can Dog Lu have such good luck?]
[Does no one think pulling the choker is so sexy? I can already imagine if they wear this while doing it, Brother Xie gets pounded until he can’t take it and pulls the choker to make Dog Lu stop, but Dog Lu goes crazy and maybe bangs even harder (Yellow Heart).]
[How is this different from a dog leash!]
[Who was laughing at LCH for being a simp before? Happy now? He’s really licking, and the clown is actually me.]
[Teacher Xie is really so spicy, hiss hiss.]
[I declare Dog Lu the winner of the Cat and Mouse game. Hurry up and do it now for us to see!]
[I’m a VIP, I want to see! If you don’t show me, I’ll appeal! I’ll sue all the way to the Central Government!]
[Calm down sister, if you sue to the Central Government, we really won’t be able to watch.]
[LMAO hell joke.]
[They are really so shippable. Indeed, Dog Lu can only be a simp because Xie Shibai indulges him; anyone else wouldn’t stand a chance.]
[Dare not imagine how delicious it must be after they turn off the cameras at night. If they can play like this in front of the lens, they definitely do plenty in private!]
[Fainted from the fragrance, the Queen and his dog (Heart).]
Lu Ciheng obediently stepped back. Noticing Xie Shibai pick up the cheese necklace, he immediately eagerly said, “Teacher Xie, I’ll help you put it on.”
The necklace was hard to clasp. Xie Shibai didn’t refuse; he handed the necklace to Lu Ciheng and turned his back to make it easier for Lu Ciheng to clasp it.
Upon contact, the necklace felt slightly cool against his neck. The chain was shorter than a standard collarbone necklace, resembling a thin version of a choker, though much looser than a tight-fitting one. The cheese pendant had a strong presenceāneither big nor small, but very conspicuous. It could be yanked off with force. It was designed to be convenient for Cats to obtain, and it looked like it might fall off during intense exercise, so he would have to pay extra attention to the cheese during the game.
Lu Cihengās fingertips grazed the side of Xie Shibaiās neck. The warmer-than-average palm with thin calluses had a very intense presence when touching the pale skin.
Xie Shibaiās eyelashes trembled lightly. He felt as if scorching breath was sweeping across the back of his neck. The act of bowing his head slightly exposed his defenseless nape to the other party, and a clear sense of crisis spread down his spine. “Not done yet?”
Lu Cihengās movements were slow. His gaze fell on the back of Xie Shibaiās neck, and he couldn’t help pressing his tongue against his itching canine teeth. He had overestimated his endurance; he really wanted to take a bite and leave a red bite mark on that pale skin.
He suppressed his Adam’s apple and whispered, “Not yet, this metal clasp is hard to fasten.”
Xie Shibai could feel Lu Ciheng fastening the clasp. The necklace tightened and loosened as if the clasp had closed but was undone again. He frowned. “Are you really fastening it?”
Lu Ciheng chuckled low. “Of course. Be patient, Teacher Xie.”
[I report him! He’s not putting it on properly!]
[Didn’t eat? So slow!]
[It’s too obvious he’s doing it on purpose. But Teacher Xie’s neck looks so biteable, slurp slurp!]
Lu Ciheng unhurriedly and patiently adjusted it to a suitable length. “Is it too tight like this?”
Xie Shibai: “No.”
Lu Ciheng gave an “Oh.” After fastening it, his callous fingertips ground against the skin of Xie Shibaiās nape, reluctant to part with the contact. “Done.”
Xie Shibai pursed his lips and subconsciously touched the back of his neck where it had been rubbed. It had been itching terribly since just now.
Before his fingers could touch the mouse ears, a hand beside him was a step faster and grabbed the mouse ear headband first.
Lu Ciheng smiled and said, “Look up, Teacher Xie. I’ll help you.”
Xie Shibai was just about to say he would do it himself when his jaw was touched by Lu Cihengās hand, tilting his face up slightly.
Their posture was intimate. Face to face, it seemed their breaths could tangle together, and he could see the joy in the depths of Lu Cihengās eyes clearly.
Xie Shibaiās fingertips curled. The desire for fingertip contact was nearly hooked out by these few touches. Looking at the cat ears on Lu Cihengās head, his mood suddenly became surprisingly patient, and the craving for skin contact calmed down quite a bit. He looked away and said coolly, “Hurry up.”
Clingy and annoying, but he had cat ears.
It wasn’t unbearable.
Lu Ciheng was in a happy mood. He carefully put the mouse ears on him, his fingertips touching the headband as he patted his head, moving naturally to tidy Xie Shibaiās somewhat messy hair.
When Lu Ciheng touched his head, Xie Shibaiās fingers suddenly tightened. His body stiffened imperceptibly, suppressing the urge to step back.
“I’m going to change clothes.”
Lu Ciheng looked thoughtful. He keenly noticed Xie Shibaiās resistance to head petting. Considering they hadn’t formally carried out 90% of the desensitization, and the bedroom livestream was on, he held back his questions.
Xie Shibai took the mouse outfit into the bathroom. After he changed and went downstairs, the other groups also finished changing one after another.
Once everyone was gathered, the production team’s car took them to the game location. The potato puppy also boarded the car with them, though it would be handed over to staff for supervision during recording to prevent it from getting lost in an unfamiliar place.
Due to its chubby body, the production team set up a separate collar-camera for it, which could switch to the dog’s first-person perspective. Hung below the main livestream room, its popularity was surprisingly good.
Netizens attracted by the fame of the livestream:
[First time being a dog, so nervous.]
[Rounding up, I am also Teacher Xie’s dog!]
[Legs look quite short, but it runs pretty fast.]
The game location wasn’t far from the cabin. On the way, they could see a vast expanse of the sea.
Although factions were divided, everyone got along harmoniously before the game started, discussing the cat and mouse clothes and props. Su Xingran even pulled off the cheese and couldn’t put it back, running around trying to find a solution, causing a ruckus in the car.
Xie Shibai and Lu Ciheng sat in the front, avoiding the chaotic back row. By contrast, they seemed much quieter.
[LMAO, it’s already a pot of porridge. Drink it while it’s chaotic.]
[Like elementary schoolers on a spring outing. The atmosphere is much better than last season.]
[After all, the abnormal people in this episode are all out.]
Lu Ciheng was more concerned about whether Xie Shibaiās fever had returned. Although he had taken cold medicine, the intensity of the upcoming game was relatively high, and he worried Xie Shibaiās body couldn’t take it.
Without a thermometer, he could only touch his forehead to check his temperature.
Xie Shibai was staring at the seascape, zoning out and pondering his situation with Lu Ciheng. The next second, a hand pressed against his forehead, tirelessly confirming his temperature.
“Teacher Xie, drink some water.”
Once or twice was fine, but Xie Shibai got annoyed. When Lu Ciheng leaned in again, he swatted the man back and whispered, “Good puppies aren’t this noisy.”
Lu Ciheng, having been touched on the face neither too lightly nor too heavily, instantly fell silent and behaved, his mood joyous like a puppy that had been rewarded.
The potato puppy, hopping around in the car, got bored after a lap. It ran back to the front row and burrowed under Xie Shibaiās feet with a whine.
Hearing the sound, Xie Shibai picked the puppy up. Noticing the small camera hanging around its neck, he reached out, avoiding the camera, and scratched its chin.
This scene instantly caused a buzz in the livestream.
[How is this different from scratching my chin!]
[It’s fine bran (high-quality treat)!]
[XSB didn’t look bad even from this angle. What a killer face.]
[Feels like being held in Brother Xie’s arms. So excited.]
[Moved in, not leaving!]
However, before getting out of the car, the puppy on Xie Shibaiās lap was grabbed by Lu Ciheng.
“Tsk, how did it get fat again? Crushed Teacher Xie’s legs numb.”
[???? Who are you talking about!]
[Starting to hate Dog Lu from this angle.]
[Let go! I haven’t stayed in Teacher Xie’s arms enough! Detestable Dog Lu!]
The puppy struggled with its short legs and let out a howl. After landing, it ran off to play.
The game venue was a large warehouse. The sheet metal looked a bit rusty, and the walls were somewhat dilapidated, adding an unwarranted sense of horror.
The production team explained the rules in advance. Cats and Mice entered separately. Cats won by collecting all the Mice’s cheese. The Mice had a heavy workload; they needed to find the cat bells hidden by the Cats, but each bell safe required a key, which the Mice had to find on their own.
After the Cat team of three went in to hide the bells and keys, the game officially began.
Before entering, Mu Zhenzhen said, “Stick to the plan we discussed earlier.”
Su Xingran: “…Alright.”
Wouldn’t he be doomed if he went to stall Lu Ciheng?
Each member of the Mouse group entered separately, led in by staff while blindfolded.
Lu Ciheng frowned. Just as he was about to communicate with the director to change the method, he saw Xie Shibai extend his hand and hold the staff member’s hand. His movements were natural, as if he could do without Lu Ciheng.
Xie Shibai did some mental preparation. A brief handshake was within his body’s acceptance range. Moreover, he wanted to confirm a few more times: was it really only Lu Ciheng he could have physical contact with?
Perhaps it was only hugging that didn’t work, but small-area contact like holding hands was fine.
But the moment he held the hand, Xie Shibai fell silent. Unlike contact with Lu Ciheng, as the duration of contact increased, a sense of irritation gradually grew in his heart. Even holding hands could only be done with Lu Ciheng.
Meanwhile, Lu Cihengās eyes were pitch-black, and his face turned cold. He looked as if he had been soaked in a vinegar jar, bubbling with acid. His possessiveness acting up, he didn’t want Xie Shibai to have contact with anyone else at all.
After entering the venue, Xie Shibai took off his blindfold.
The surrounding environment was horror-themed. Eerie and terrifying oil paintings hung high, and the color impact of the wall paper reached a weird level. Under the flickering lights, the gloominess doubled, looking extremely like a haunted house in a horror game.
Perhaps to facilitate hiding, much of the furniture was designed somewhat strangely, taking American horror to the extreme.
The start wasn’t very tense. Xie Shibai leisurely inspected the surrounding furniture for hiding spots. He was very at ease even in the horror atmosphere, appearing somewhat tranquil under the camera lens.
[Teacher Xie isn’t afraid, eh.]
[Great, I fled from other livestreams. Their constant screaming almost scared me to death.]
Five minutes after the Mice entered, the Cats entered.
Lu Ciheng took off his blindfold, turning a blind eye to the terrifying surroundings as he searched with a clear goal.
[Why is he in a rush? Wasn’t he unhurried when drawing lots just now?]
[Can he not be in a rush? With his wife and a rival staying together, he’s dying of anxiety.]
[Can’t wait to see Dog Lu find Teacher Xie!]
[Can you do it, Dog Lu? Hurry up and catch Teacher Xie to do it big time!]
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