Chapter 271: This Life—The Beginning (XII)

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Chapter 271: This Life—The Beginning (XII)

After returning home, Wei Xun did not immediately go looking for Shang Ke. Instead, he went straight to J Province, where his father, Wei Xingye, was stationed.

The moment they met, Wei Xun had not even opened his mouth before Wei Xingye pointed at his nose and cursed, “You still have the nerve to come see me? Get out. Get out and take that pretty-boy lover of yours as far away as possible!”

Wei Xun knew Shang Ke had met with his father, but he had no idea what exactly they had discussed. Judging from his father’s current expression, though, he had clearly suffered a loss at Shang Ke’s hands.

Shang Ke had actually managed to make his father eat a loss? Wei Xingye had fought in dozens of wars and had never hesitated to kill. His temper had become somewhat more restrained after the country entered peacetime, but he was hardly a law-abiding model citizen. Otherwise, he would never have done something as filthy as dumping an innocent person overseas and leaving him to fend for himself.

In that respect, Wei Xun had clearly inherited quite a bit from him. He did whatever he pleased—but before doing so, he generally made sure not to leave anything that could be used against him. Shang Ke had been able to dig up so much illegal material as leverage precisely because Wei Xingye had held power for many years. His network of relationships was complicated and far-reaching, and by following one thread after another, Shang Ke had eventually assembled a relatively complete file.

“Dad, I came today to tell you that the ‘sweet potato’ you sent to Country E has already been dealt with for you.”

Wei Xingye froze, then his expression abruptly changed. “What did you do to him?”

“Exactly what you did to Shang Ke,” Wei Xun replied coldly. “Don’t worry. He’s an adult. Being penniless in a foreign country where he doesn’t speak the language shouldn’t be enough to kill him. Shang Ke came back safe and sound, didn’t he?”

Fire blazed in Wei Xingye’s eyes. He pointed at Wei Xun, unable to speak.

“If you ever dare touch one of my people again, I won’t mind continuing to clean house for you.” Wei Xun turned away. At the doorway, he paused. “And one more reminder: Mom seems to have noticed something.”

Wei Xingye’s expression stiffened. A moment later, he grabbed the elaborately carved pen holder sitting on his desk purely for decoration and hurled it viciously at the closed door.

Those two had come threaten him one after the other. Their damned coordination really was impressive.

Shang Ke did not believe for a second that Wei Xingye had truly compromised. People who lived inside that system rarely said everything they meant; who knew what calculations were still running through his head? Shang Ke had confronted him not because he expected one decisive victory, but because he wanted to make Wei Xingye wary enough of the consequences that he would not dare move against him again so casually.

With that breathing room secured, Shang Ke could focus on his own affairs.

Shang Ke had just returned from his morning run when he looked up and saw a tall figure standing at the door, staring fixedly at him with a pair of dark eyes.

Without saying a word, Shang Ke walked over, opened the door, and allowed the man to follow him inside.

They entered the living room. Shang Ke had just turned around to speak when Wei Xun suddenly pulled him into his arms.

Shang Ke had thought the man might offer a heartfelt confession or at least a serious self-criticism. Instead, Wei Xun said nothing at all. He simply held Shang Ke tightly with two iron-hard arms, while the strong beat of his heart and the heat of his breath quietly tugged at Shang Ke’s emotions.

Shang Ke raised his hands, then ultimately stopped himself and did not return the embrace.

“We need to talk.” Shang Ke pushed at his chest.

Wei Xun did not resist and obediently stepped back. Inwardly, he had already decided that no matter how Keke hit or cursed him, he would take it. But if Keke wanted to leave him, then he would have no choice but to deploy the legendary tactic feared by every virtuous woman: cling until the end of time.

“I met your father,” Shang Ke said.

Wei Xun immediately gathered his thoughts and prepared himself for battle.

“What happened this time caused enormous physical and psychological harm.” Shang Ke spoke calmly. “So I demanded five million in compensation for bodily injury, emotional damages, and hush money.”

Wei Xun: You… are definitely joking seriously, right?

“He said he didn’t have the money.”

Wei Xun: …Seriously joking?

“So I told him a son should repay his father’s debts and asked him to put his son up as collateral.”

Wei Xun: …Joking?

“And he very readily mortgaged you to me.” Shang Ke looked at him with unmistakable regret. “I truly never expected that, in your father’s eyes, you’d only be worth five million.”

Wei Xun: “…”

“Wei Xun.” Shang Ke stood, crossed his arms over his chest, and looked down at him imperiously. “From today onward, I’m your boss.”

That arrogant expression looked strangely familiar. After a moment, Wei Xun realized why: it was an expression that appeared on his own face all the time. The raised brows, half-narrowed eyes, lips pressed into a thin line, chin slightly lifted—Shang Ke had imitated him perfectly. Without Wei Xun’s aggressive forcefulness, however, the effect became less intimidating and much more adorably haughty.

Before coming here, Wei Xun had imagined every possible outcome, yet he had still underestimated Keke’s generosity and breadth of mind. Keke had not blamed Wei Xun for his negligence. He had brushed over the father’s wrongdoing, relied on his own ability to win himself breathing room, and extracted concrete benefits at the same time. Anyone else subjected to that kind of persecution would either have gone straight to the police or fled as far away as possible to preserve themselves. Shang Ke alone had dared sit down and negotiate with Wei Xingye—and, even more absurdly, had succeeded.

Wei Xun suddenly realized that, apart from taking advantage of Shang Ke, he did not seem to have provided him with much actual help.

“He really ‘mortgaged’ me to you?” Wei Xun asked quietly.

“Of course.” Shang Ke answered with certainty. “If you don’t believe me, go ask him yourself.”

“I believe you.” Wei Xun sat upright with a solemn expression. “Then, Boss, how may I serve you?”

So cooperative? Shang Ke glanced at him and raised one finger. “First, I want my laboratory separated into an independent unit. I personally develop and control all core technology.”

“Fine.” In reality, Wei Xun already planned to redistribute the equity and make Shang Ke the largest controlling shareholder.

“Second, except on matters of principle, my opinion takes priority in everything else.”

Wei Xun nodded. “No problem.”

Mm. The child could be taught.

Taking advantage of Wei Xun’s guilt, Shang Ke continued. “Third, you are not allowed to enter my room whenever you feel like it without my permission, and if we disagree, you are absolutely not allowed to just… force yourself on me.” This point directly concerned their future domestic harmony and had to be made explicit. Their previous three-rule agreement had effectively collapsed; this was the real contract.

“…” Wei Xun hesitated for three seconds before answering with three words: “I’ll try.”

He had agreed so readily to everything before this, yet the moment sex came up, he became evasive. Some people’s inborn lust really was incurable.

“We’ll stop at these three for now. If I think of anything else, we can add it later.” Overall, Shang Ke was satisfied. He still had one more heroic death ahead of him. Rather than spend his remaining time living cautiously and timidly, he might as well live freely and enjoy himself.

“I’m very happy, Keke.”

“About what?”

“You chose me as your ‘spoils of war.’” Wei Xun slowly stood. At nearly two meters tall, he looked exceedingly sincere as he declared, “I will conscientiously fulfill all responsibilities of being your spoils of war and serve you wholeheartedly.”

Serve him wholeheartedly? Shang Ke almost believed him.

Reality soon proved that Shang Ke had not acquired an obedient trophy he could order around at will. He had acquired a personal bodyguard determined to make his presence felt at every moment—plus another mouth that needed feeding.

Wei Xun seized the opportunity to move into Shang Ke’s villa. Every day he woke earlier and slept later than Shang Ke, brought company work home, and remained beside him almost constantly. He rarely interrupted Shang Ke’s work and kept his promise not to force him again, but small gestures of intimacy never stopped.

Wei Xun said nothing about it, but Shang Ke could more or less guess the reason: he was afraid his father might try to move against Shang Ke again.

At the sound of footsteps, Wei Xun turned toward the staircase. Shang Ke, wearing pajamas, passed around the corner and went straight into the kitchen. Before long, the sounds of boiling water and cooking drifted out.

Recently, Wei Xun had developed the habit of quietly observing Shang Ke. He discovered that even without verbal communication, every look, every smile, and every movement carried a wealth of information.

When Shang Ke was happy, he would take the initiative to hug Wei Xun. When thinking, he unconsciously played with his own fingers. When sleepy, his entire body seemed to go soft. When angry, he had an impressive variety of methods: producing dark cuisine, carving monsters out of radishes, ordering piles of bizarre plant seeds online, or joining forces with Unit One to crush Wei Xun in hopelessly one-sided battle games…

Having someone like this freely and happily making himself at home beside him… Wei Xun had to admit it felt remarkably good.

At that moment, Shang Ke came out of the kitchen holding an iPad. Pointing at two images on the screen, he asked, “These are two exterior designs for the latest pet robot. Which one do you like?”

Weren’t you cooking? Why did you suddenly run out to ask me about robot design?

Wei Xun studied the screen and selected the version on the left.

“This one? Okay.” Once he had his answer, Shang Ke happily floated back into the kitchen.

Half an hour later, he brought lunch to the table, untied his apron, and grandly announced, “Today’s lunch is the XI005 Robot Set Meal.”

Two robot-shaped arrangements sat on the plates. Each robot’s body could be separated like building blocks, with different dishes packed into every layer and rice at the top. The colors transitioned from dark to light as the structure rose in a neat tower, making the entire meal both attractive and novel.

This was another of Shang Ke’s habits: he constantly integrated his technical research into everyday life, filling even ordinary routines with strange and imaginative ideas.

After living with Shang Ke for several dozen days, Wei Xun felt that the life he had lived before was so embarrassingly crude that he could hardly bear to remember it.

In a public square, Shang Ke sat on a bench playing with his phone while waiting for Wei Xun.

“Shang Ke?” A voice suddenly came from nearby. Shang Ke looked up and saw several young men and women walking toward him. He recognized the one in front: Ji Mingzhe, who had once eaten lunch at his home.

The bodyguards hidden among the crowd silently moved closer, taking positions from which they could intervene at any moment.

Shang Ke wore casual clothes, but his bearing was exceptional and his appearance striking. Even another man could not help being impressed. No wonder Wei Xun had fallen for him; Shang Ke genuinely possessed the kind of qualities that could make someone’s heart stir.

“Hello, Mr. Ji.” Shang Ke reached out and shook his hand.

“What are you doing here? Wei Xun isn’t with you?” Ji Mingzhe asked.

“He has something to take care of. He’ll be here in a little while.”

“Mingzhe, who’s this handsome guy?” A girl beside Ji Mingzhe looked Shang Ke over with obvious interest.

“Ah, let me introduce everyone.” Ji Mingzhe introduced the group one by one. Shang Ke took particular note of one name: Wang Qinya, the pianist who had studied abroad and had once been arranged as Wei Xun’s blind date.

Wang Qinya had apparently heard of Shang Ke as well. The way she looked at him was difficult to read.

Ji Mingzhe inwardly smacked his forehead. How had he forgotten Wang Qinya was here? The two might not know one another, but that hardly guaranteed there would be no conflict later. One was Wei Xun’s same-sex lover who could not be publicly acknowledged; the other was the prospective daughter-in-law favored by the Wei family.

“Next time we get the chance, we’ll all go out together. We should get going now.” Ji Mingzhe waved and prepared to leave.

Wang Qinya spoke up. “Since we happened to run into each other, why don’t we wait for Wei Xun and ask whether he wants to play golf with us?”

“Yeah, let’s wait,” another girl, Xiao Tian, agreed.

Ji Mingzhe had no choice but to stay.

The group chatted casually. Most of the conversation was between Xiao Tian and Shang Ke; it was obvious she found him very interesting.

Before long, Wei Xun strode over from across the square. His model-like build combined with the blood-edged aura trained into him by years in special forces, creating a dangerous and distinctive kind of charisma. Countless people around him turned to look and instinctively opened a path.

Ji Mingzhe and the others smiled and stepped forward to greet him, but Wei Xun walked straight past them as though he had seen nothing and went directly to Shang Ke.

“Finished?” Shang Ke asked.

“Mm.” Wei Xun habitually wrapped an arm around his waist.

Ji Mingzhe was speechless. Did he really have to make it this obvious? They were all standing right there.

“Wei Xun.” Wang Qinya stepped forward with a smile. “I heard you went abroad some time ago. When did you come back? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Wei Xun turned and let his gaze rest on her face for a moment. Why would he need to inform an unrelated woman that he had returned?

The look in Wei Xun’s eyes made Wang Qinya suddenly feel as though she had been imagining a closeness that did not exist.

“Wei Xun, we’re going to play golf in a bit. Do you two want to come?” Ji Mingzhe quickly extended the invitation, breaking the awkward silence.

Wei Xun looked at Shang Ke, silently asking what he wanted.

Shang Ke said softly, “I still have experiments to finish. If you want to go, go ahead. You don’t need to worry about me.”

Wei Xun looked up at the others. “We still have experiments to finish. We’ll meet another time.”

What was with this absolute obedience to Shang Ke? You’re not seriously in love, are you? Ji Mingzhe felt a flicker of alarm.

Wei Xun did not linger. After saying goodbye, he left with Shang Ke.

Someone muttered sourly, “Master Xun really is Master Xun. People like us aren’t worth associating with.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Wei Xun has never liked crowds.” Ji Mingzhe glanced at Wang Qinya and relaxed slightly when he saw no obvious change in her expression.

In truth, Wang Qinya was angry. She had gone on several dates with Wei Xun, and the elders in both families had tacitly approved of the match. Plenty of people in their social circle already regarded them as a couple. Yet Wei Xun had not given her even a shred of face. In front of everyone, he had left without so much as a proper greeting.

“Mingzhe, I’m not feeling well. I won’t go today.” Wang Qinya gave him an apologetic smile, called her driver, and left.

On the way home, Shang Ke kept sneaking glances at the man beside him.

“What are you looking at?” Wei Xun asked.

“I’ve suspected this for a while. Are you bad at recognizing people?” Shang Ke asked.

Wei Xun pressed his lips together and stared straight ahead without answering.

Shang Ke took out his phone and waved it in front of him. “Even if you don’t tell me, I can find out.”

By now Wei Xun had seen more than enough of Shang Ke’s computer skills to know that he absolutely could.

After a moment of silence, Wei Xun finally gave the answer: “Prosopagnosia.”

“How severe?”

“I can’t see faces clearly. I can’t identify people by them.”

Surprise flashed in Shang Ke’s eyes. Then he leaned his face directly in front of Wei Xun and patted his own cheek. “So all this time, I’ve been a faceless man to you?”

Wei Xun stared deeply at him. Shang Ke’s face was reflected with perfect clarity in those bright, dark pupils.

“Then how exactly did you fall for me?” Who fell in love at first sight with someone whose face they could not even see, then became as feverishly passionate as though drugged? Had Shang Ke’s charm reached the level where one glimpse of his silhouette alone was enough to make a man lose control?

Amusement flashed through Wei Xun’s eyes, though nothing showed on his face. He answered with two words: “A feeling.”

“A feeling?” Shang Ke asked incredulously. “What if I were hideously ugly? Ugly enough to make ghosts cry and wolves howl?”

“Didn’t Unit One say something before?”

“What?”

“‘I may be ugly, but I’m gentle.’” Wei Xun gave him a calm look. “I like your gentleness.”

Shang Ke: “…You usually recognize me using something as vague as ‘gentleness’?”

“Your gentleness isn’t vague at all.” Wei Xun described it seriously. “It’s like an angel’s wings constantly flapping in front of my eyes, feathers flying everywhere. It would be difficult not to notice.”

Shang Ke: Your eyes definitely come with some bizarre special-effects filter.

Thinking back over the time they had known each other, Wei Xun really had never mistaken him for anyone else. Had he genuinely recognized Shang Ke by nothing more than ‘feeling’?

Shang Ke was immediately touched. Perhaps he should loosen some of those restrictions after all?

Seeing him lost in thought, Wei Xun quietly slid an arm around his waist and pulled him into his embrace. Shang Ke went soft without resisting, so Wei Xun added his other arm, wrapped both around him, and naturally rested his chin on Shang Ke’s shoulder.

Shang Ke only felt his body sink as a certain man leaned most of his weight onto him. He endured it for a moment and did not reject the intimacy.

Given an inch, someone immediately reached for a mile. Wei Xun’s lips and tongue brushed deliberately and accidentally over Shang Ke’s earlobe and neck, his breathing gradually turning rough. The period of abstinence had been difficult every single day; now that he had finally been given a chance to get close, how could he possibly let it pass?

Wei Xun buried his face against Shang Ke’s neck, his hot tongue tracing across Shang Ke’s throat and slowly moving upward.

“Don’t…” Shang Ke finally began to give way, leaning backward, only to be trapped firmly by two powerful arms.

“Keke…” Wei Xun captured his soft lips and kissed him deeply, sucking and tasting with heated intensity.

Shang Ke was crowded into the corner, his body pressed tightly against Wei Xun’s. Through their trousers, he could feel the hard length rubbing suggestively against his thigh. His body suddenly slid lower, and Wei Xun hooked one of Shang Ke’s legs over his arm… Dark tinted glass separated them from the outside. In the dim interior, their bodies entwined in the narrow space, the air thick with sex. Their joining moved deep and shallow in a restrained, heated rhythm. This time, Wei Xun carefully controlled his strength and kept a patient pace, allowing Shang Ke to adapt gradually until he could take him completely.

The car continued driving slowly. In the front seats, the driver and bodyguard both wore expressions of profound suffering and were forced to pretend they had noticed nothing.

“How long are you planning to keep circling this road?” the bodyguard in the passenger seat asked his colleague expressionlessly.

The driver answered with equal blankness, “Depends on Master Xun’s stamina.”

“What if we run out of fuel?”

The driver checked the gauge, calculated for a moment, and replied, “We should have another three hundred kilometers. I think that’ll be enough.”

How long could car sex possibly last? Even if Master Xun was extraordinarily gifted, surely two hours was the absolute maximum.

And yet by the time they finally drove home, the fuel tank was almost completely empty…

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