Chapter 353 Good Impression

Chapter 353: A Good Impression

Cheng Ge felt like a fish stranded on the shore, his only source of life and oxygen coming from Cui Ji.

He could only rely on instinct, tilting his head back slightly, offering up his more vulnerable parts like a sacrifice.

Cui Ji's kiss indeed followed the momentum, searing into his arched neck.

A low whimper escaped from the depths of his throat as he unconsciously called the name of the man above him: "Cui Ji..."

His lashes fluttered violently, like the wings of a dying butterfly.

The hand that had been braced against Cui Ji's chest had slowly slid down, now clutching the other man's lean waist and back.

Just then, a slightly rough hand radiating startling heat quietly pressed against the skin of his waist.

Cheng Ge's eyes were misty, the corners of his eyes flushed a vivid red, like smudged rouge.

He panted, mouth slightly open, his chest rising and falling unevenly, each breath burning with heat.

Cui Ji's palm felt like a branding iron, and wherever it touched, it spread like wildfire.

Cheng Ge gazed up at Cui Ji through hazy eyes, his vision blurring with desire.

He could only make out the other's taut jawline and those eyes still gleaming startlingly bright in the dark.

His lips were parted, swollen and wet from repeated kisses, glistening—like crushed crabapple blossoms in early spring, gorgeous yet fragile.

"Cui Ji..." He called out again, his voice laced with a faint sob and an indescribable need, the last syllable trembling.

Then, as if seeking something deeper, he breathed the other's more intimate courtesy name in a voice that was almost a breathless whisper, achingly tender: "Cheng Xiao..."

That single word was the final catalyst.

Sweat plastered the stray hairs at Cheng Ge's forehead to his flushed skin.

His look—overwhelmed by desire, utterly trusting, yet helpless—combined with his stunning beauty, was enough to drive even a saint mad.

Cui Ji's breathing turned ragged. He leaned down, and with his fingertip, firm and unyielding, he traced over Cheng Ge's thoroughly kissed lips once more.

His voice was hoarse, barely recognizable, barely suppressing a surging desire, as he asked in a low tone: "May I?"

Those three words were a question, yet also a final confirmation, carrying ultimate restraint and tenderness.

He didn't wait for an answer, instead gently kissing Cheng Ge's flushed eyelids. The kiss was soothing, yet it stoked an even deeper flame.

Cheng Ge's mind was a total haze. His whole body felt like it was being roasted over a fire, his sweat-slicked skin pressed against Cui Ji's equally burning body.

His hand slowly moved up, threading into Cui Ji's thick black hair in unmistakable invitation.

Cheng Ge gazed at Cui Ji through misty eyes, still not fully focused.

Cui Ji's hand settled on the back of his neck, scorching hot.

His fingertip slowly circled that delicate skin, his voice hoarse with restraint as he confirmed once more: "May I?"

A faint whimper escaped Cheng Ge's throat—breathy, subtle, yet clearly an assent.

That response was like the last shackles falling away.

But just as Cui Ji was about to move, in a dizzying twist, Cheng Ge flipped the unprepared Cui Ji over!

Before Cui Ji could react, the power had already shifted.

Cheng Ge leaned down, his long hair cascading, brushing across Cui Ji's cheek.

His soft lips first brushed Cui Ji's brows and eyes, like a butterfly's touch, carrying a sense of cherishing.

Then they traced the straight bridge of his nose, slowly moving down, until finally they pressed against those thin lips, always tightly pursed but now slightly parted.

He felt the other's breathing grow ragged and heartbeat race.

Then the delicate kiss drifted from his lips, sliding toward his ear.

He let out a low, triumphant laugh, his hot breath flooding the other's ear.

Finally, he paused at the sharp collarbone, leaving a damp mark.

Cheng Ge slowly raised his head, looking at Cui Ji in the dim light.

Those deep eyes were now dark as undiluted ink, churning with a desire that threatened to swallow him whole.

Cheng Ge met his gaze, a hint of provocation and seduction curving his lips.

Then he lowered his head, gently biting the tie of Cui Ji's inner garment at his chest.

Under such deliberate teasing, the thin strap gradually came loose, revealing a patch of wheat-colored chest, rising and falling with each breath.

He raised his eyes, shimmering with moisture—lingering desire mixed with a newfound, cunning urge to take control—silently asking Cui Ji how he felt.

Cui Ji's hand gripped Cheng Ge's waist tightly, that slender waist seemingly ready to snap with the slightest pressure.

Their breathing had long since fallen into disarray, sounding especially loud in the silent tent.

Cheng Ge leaned down, catching Cui Ji's already loosened collar between his teeth and pulling it aside, exposing more of his chest to the cool air.

His movements were clumsy yet stubbornly aggressive, his fingers hesitantly resting on Cui Ji's waistband.

A strange feeling crept over him.

When Cheng Ge's hand began restlessly tugging at that tie, the strange feeling grew stronger.

Until—

As if suddenly remembering something, Cheng Ge reached out, fumbling on the bed beside him.

The next moment, his hand closed around a small, cold porcelain bottle.

Cheng Ge held up the little bottle, still cool from the night air.

He looked at Cui Ji, his eyes still misty with desire, and also a hint of... eager anticipation?

Cui Ji: "..."

Cheng Ge clutched the cold little bottle, ready to talk Cui Ji into submission.

But the moment his fingertips touched Cui Ji's waistband, a hand seized his wrist.

Cheng Ge: "...???"

One hand still planted beside Cui Ji's head, the faint candlelight flickered across their faces, making Cui Ji's sharp features flicker between light and shadow.

Cheng Ge looked into those dark eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily, his voice going rough with want: "You... backing out?"

He truly didn't understand—the man who moments ago had seemed ready to eat him alive now wore such a tense expression.

This sudden stop right at the finish line sent half his blood running cold.

*Dude, if you weren't down, you should've said so! This is a total boner-killer!*

Cheng Ge's hand slowly moved to Cui Ji's neck, his fingertips rubbing against that jutting Adam's apple a couple times.

He swallowed hard and whispered in a low, coaxing tone, "Don't be scared."

Cui Ji: "..."

He sucked in a deep breath, his chest heaving, and for a second he didn't know what to say.

Cheng Ge took his silence as a yes, relaxing a little—though his palms were still sweaty with nerves.

This was his first time, and his first time being on top at that. He really wanted to make a good impression.

But before he could make his move, Cui Ji's low voice cut in, with a hint of... concern?

"I had someone pick up some top-shelf goji berries. I'll have them make you soup tomorrow—good for replenishing your blood and qi."

At that, Cheng Ge froze mid-move, his fingers on Cui Ji's neck curling in.

Like someone dumped ice water on him, he snapped right out of his lusty fog.

Carefully, barely breathing, he turned away.

In the dim light, he quickly peeked down at himself.

Well... still standing at attention, more or less.

But... he knew himself—after all those injuries and blood loss lately, his body really wasn't what it used to be.

What if... halfway through, right at the critical moment...

Cheng Ge instantly pictured that mortifying scene that'd make him want to crawl into a hole, and the disappointed look Cui Ji might give him?

His brain went blank, heat rushing to his face.

*No way! This is the first time! I gotta make a good impression!*

*I gotta keep my tough-guy image! Otherwise, won't Cui Ji laugh at me forever? How can I ever wear the pants in this relationship after that?*

*No way! Absolutely not!*

Cheng Ge made a snap decision, spinning back around so fast he almost threw his back out.

He swallowed hard. *Just wait till I'm back in top shape—I'll eat this kid alive.*

Cheng Ge coughed twice, avoiding Cui Ji's eyes, and started scrambling off him, hands and feet going everywhere.

"Uh... so... I'm suddenly kinda hungry. I'll go grab some late-night snacks. You want some? I-I'll bring you something too?"

The excuse was painfully lame, his breathing still ragged and uneven.

Cui Ji turned his head, his profile cutting sharp in the dark.

He watched Cheng Ge's guilty, breathless, about-to-bolt expression, and couldn't help the slight curl of his lips, letting out a low chuckle.

The laugh was soft, rumbling slightly in his chest, like a feather tickling Cheng Ge's eardrums.

Cheng Ge was so close he could almost count Cui Ji's trembling lashes, catching that brief smile crystal clear.

He felt his heart skip a beat, his throat going tight as he swallowed hard, over and over.

*Damn... this guy... when he smiles... he's ridiculously hot!*

His heart was going crazy even as a surge of indignant "anger" welled up in him.

*Just wait till I'm back in top shape, my body fully recovered.*

*I'll have my way with this guy—every which way, over and over, eat him alive! Show him who's the real man!*

That was the plan, but for now... he needed to cool off.

Cheng Ge crawled to the edge of the bed, planning to give them both a minute to chill.

But the second his feet hit the floor, the world spun, and he was yanked back into the middle of the bed by some unstoppable force.

Cheng Ge: "!!!" *What the hell! A sneak move!*

"Mm—w-wait! I think I'm not that hungry after all..." Cheng Ge struggled weakly, his voice getting cut off.

Cheng Ge was shoved down into the soft brocade bedding, sinking in, his heart pounding like crazy, his mind a total blank.

*What's Cui Ji trying to do?! What does he want?!*

A thought hit him like lightning, his head buzzing—*Cui Ji isn't thinking of... getting on top, is he?!*

*No way!!! A real man stands tall between heaven and earth—how can he let himself be on the bottom!*

*Sure, you're hot, but that's no reason for me to be the bottom! I've got my pride!*

But he was clearly no match for Cui Ji—his wrists pinned, his legs trapped, and after a few useless struggles, he was totally overpowered.

*Great... I came to sleep Cui Ji into submission, and now I'm the one getting slept into submission.*

At the thought of what might happen next, Cheng Ge couldn't help but flinch, his body tensing up a little.

Cui Ji clearly felt him go stiff and pull back, and his forceful moves paused.

The only sound in the tent was their tangled, messy breathing.

After a few seconds, Cui Ji lowered his head and pressed a feather-light kiss to his forehead, his voice low and rough: "Scared?"

Cheng Ge didn't say anything, his mind a warzone.

*Maybe... just tough it out? We're already this far—stopping now might mess Cui Ji up somehow...*

He steeled himself, squeezing his eyes shut, though his lashes trembled like crazy—the picture of a man walking to his execution.

Cui Ji looked at that look of doomed resignation, watching him in silence for a moment.

Then, out of nowhere, he just brushed his lips softly against the corner of Cheng Ge's mouth.

Then he released his grip on his hands and began to carefully, piece by piece, straighten the clothes he had rumpled, drawing the lapels closed.

The anticipated "storm" never came.

Cheng Ge, waiting for further action, felt his heart pounding with nerves. He couldn't help but slowly open one eye and look at Cui Ji with confusion.

Cheng Ge: "???" That's... that's it?

Cui Ji smoothed the last corner of his clothing, his knuckles brushing inadvertently across his collarbone.

His voice was already back to its usual steady tone, though it carried a faint, barely-there hoarseness: "Another time."

He got up, bent down to pick up the outer robe that had fallen to the ground, and said offhandedly, "What would you like to eat? I'll go get it for you."

Cheng Ge was still reeling from the sudden turn of events, staring at Cui Ji's calm profile.

Then, belatedly, a strong wave of guilt and... a strange, hard-to-name remorse surged up.

He rubbed his nose, his gaze shifting away: "Wh-whatever."

Cui Ji said nothing more, only carefully tucking the blanket around him.

As if the person who had forcefully pulled him back moments ago wasn't him at all.

Then he turned, stepped down from the bed with steady steps, and headed out of the tent, his figure quickly swallowed by the night outside.

Cheng Ge lay alone on the vast bed, staring at the gently swaying curtain, a big question mark in his mind.

Why did Cui Ji suddenly stop? That momentum just now—there was no way it could have been reined in...

Could it be...

Cheng Ge's eyes flew wide open as he suddenly recalled Cui Ji's state back in the capital.

Back then, Cui Ji's face had carried a weary pallor, though he had carefully nourished him with medicinal meals for a while.

But now, after so long in the northern frontier, with heavy military duties and rough food, maybe his body had deteriorated again!

The more Cheng Ge thought about it, the more it added up—he himself was "willing but unable" due to injury and blood loss, while Cui Ji was clearly outwardly strong but inwardly weak, with a depleted constitution!

No wonder he had been so tense, no wonder he had suddenly brought up the goji berry soup!

This wasn't concern for him—it was... shared affliction, and maybe Cui Ji's problem was even worse than his? He just couldn't say it outright due to pride?

A strange feeling of "fellow sufferers in the same boat" welled up.

It instantly diluted the earlier resentment and unfulfilled ambition, replaced by an indescribable... resonance.

And even a subtle comfort that he wasn't the only one.