Chapter 366: The Ninth Day in the Struggle for Supremacy World

Chapter 366: Day Nine of Transmigrating into a Hegemony-Building Novel

Bai Ji came in carrying a red lacquered tray, upon which sat a celadon lidded bowl, steam curling from the rim, carrying the unmistakable smell of milk.

He made a point of walking softly as he approached the desk, setting the tray down quietly in an empty corner so as not to disturb An Yi.

"Lord, it's late. You should get some rest soon," Bai Ji said softly. "We've still got a long ride tomorrow."

Only then did An Yi look up from the dense writing, his gaze shifting toward the source of the voice.

Bai Ji was already standing not far from the desk, holding a small red lacquered tray with a celadon lidded bowl upon it, white steam rising from the rim, carrying the rich, sweet scent of milk.

He'd clearly just gotten out of the bath.

He wore only a moon-white fine cotton undershirt, soft and hugging the skin, subtly showing off a build that was lean but far from weak.

Over that, he'd thrown on a loose, thin silk robe in a pale grey-blue. The material was so light and thin it flowed like water. The sash was loosely tied in a loose knot at his waist, and the top half of the robe hung wide open, showing off his neck and collarbone, plus the faint hint of his chest under the collar of his undershirt.

His long black hair hung loose, damp and spread over his shoulders and back, with water still dripping from the tips.

The droplets caught the candlelight, glistening with a damp shine, some sliding down his hair to disappear silently into his open collar, others soaking into the thin silk robe, leaving small, darker damp patches on the moon-white undershirt.

This look made his already pale skin seem almost translucent, even his pale lips losing what little color they had. That carefully cultivated vibe—somewhere between bookish frailty and delicate vulnerability—was dialed up to the max in this moment.

Wet black hair stuck to his cheeks and neck, softening the usual sharpness of his features. The warm, flickering candlelight cast a golden glow over his pale skin, giving him an indescribable vibe... a mix of fragility and an unconscious sexiness.

An Yi's eyes lingered on him for a second.

A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes, barely noticeable.

Ha.

Just "messy clothes" and "wet seduction," nothing more.

Just a subordinate bringing water late at night, dressed a little too casually.

What kind of proper subordinate or advisor brings their lord a drink at midnight looking like this—fresh out of the bath, hair down, robe half-open, still dripping wet?

On purpose, huh, little bro?

An Yi thought it was funny, but didn't let it show on his face. His face stayed perfectly calm, as if the guy had just dressed a bit more casually than usual, no big deal.

"Mm, almost done." An Yi closed the last file in his hands, set his brush back on the rest, then raised a hand to rub his slightly furrowed brow with his fingertips.

He looked up, turning back to Bai Ji, and asked casually: "Ruzhi, you're not asleep yet either?"

"Just sorting out some paperwork for the trip—finished a minute ago," Bai Ji replied, his voice still soft.

As he talked, he kept a subtle eye on An Yi's reaction.

When he saw that An Yi didn't react to his look at all, a flicker of disappointment passed through Bai Ji's eyes.

He blinked, thinking: This move didn't work too well. Gotta try something else next time.

His gaze then dropped to An Yi's fingers, still resting on his brow.

Those fingers were long and pale, with well-shaped, even knuckles, and nails trimmed neat and clean. In the flickering candlelight, they looked like they were carved from fine white mutton-fat jade, giving off a warm, delicate glow.

These hands could write beautiful prose with a brush, could dominate the board when placing a stone. Now, gently rubbing his temple, they had a different kind of beauty—one that was hard to look away from.

Bai Ji's eyes lingered on those pretty fingers for a second, then quickly moved back to An Yi's face, his tone getting even softer: "My lord carries so much weight on his shoulders; you should take better care of yourself."

"I'm in great health." An Yi smiled suddenly at that.

The smile wasn't his usual warm, patient one. The curve of his lips held a hint of mischief, like he'd just thought of something funny.

He said slowly: "So healthy... that I could pick you up with one hand."

As he talked, he reached out, picked up the bowl of milk Bai Ji had set on the corner of the desk, lifted the lid, blew gently across the top to clear the foam, and took a sip.

The temperature was perfect—a little sweet but not too much. Clearly, it had been timed just right.

Bai Ji: "..."

Really? He didn't buy it.

His eyes unconsciously swept over the part of An Yi's wrist sticking out of his sleeve, then compared it to his own.

By any standard, his own arm looked more solid, right?

But then...

That thought flashed by, and Bai Ji leaned in a little, closing the gap between them in an instant.

He tilted his head a bit, damp hair sliding off his shoulder as he moved. Those deep brown eyes sparkled with a strange light in the candle's glow, and his tone had a deliberately slow, slightly challenging drawl: "Is that so, my lord?"

The word "lord" ended on a rising note, with some kind of unreadable undertone.

An Yi raised an eyebrow at him, a sly smile on his face. He set down the milk bowl, the bottom hitting the desk with a crisp click: "Oh? Want to try it?"

Bai Ji's eyes lit up with amusement at that, even showing a hint of eager anticipation.

Instead of backing off, he spread his arms wide in a gesture that was almost "do whatever you want," his tone light, even playfully challenging: "I'd love that."

His half-open robe gaped even wider with the motion, wet hair falling forward as water droplets rolled into his collar, casting subtle shadows in the candlelight.

An Yi watched him standing there with his arms out, and a hint of understanding flickered in his eyes.

So he thinks I'm gonna "lift" him how? Carry him? Grab him by the waist and hoist him up?

In his dreams.

The smile at the corner of An Yi's mouth deepened, getting a mischievous edge.

Without another word, he stood up, walked around the desk, and stopped in front of Bai Ji.

They were now extremely close. Bai Ji watched An Yi, his heart skipping a beat, but kept up his smiling, relaxed pose on the surface, even straightening his back a little in cooperation.

Then he saw An Yi reach out his hand.

Not for his arm. Not for his back.

That finger went straight for the knot of the pale grey-blue silk sash tied loosely at his waist.

Bai Ji: "?!"

His mind went blank. The smile on his face froze, his pupils shrank, and his whole body locked up, forgetting to even breathe.

What... what the hell is he planning to do?!

He's undoing my belt?!

Th-this... isn't this moving a little too fast? I'm so pumped?!

However, the expected feeling of the belt coming undone never came.

An Yi's fingers merely hooked deftly around the middle section of that smooth silk belt, his fingertips not even grazing his body.

Then—

Bai Ji felt a sudden tightness around his waist!

A force way beyond what he expected shot through the hooked belt and slammed into his midsection!

Before he could even let out a gasp, the world spun around him, his feet suddenly lifting off the ground, the candlelight, the bookshelves, An Yi's smiling eyes... everything spun and flipped in a blur!

An Yi had actually hoisted him into the air horizontally, using just one finger hooked on his belt!

Like picking up a feather-light piece of clothing—so easy it was unreal!

Bai Ji: "...!!!"