Don't You like Little Dogs? Now that I'm Taking Liberties, You're Suddenly Reluctant? - Chapter 53

The morning light filtered through the gaps in the heavy curtains, casting a long, narrow streak of brightness across the dim bedroom floor.

Jiang Si woke first. The moment his consciousness returned, his physical sensations sharpened; specifically, a distinct ache in his lower back served as a vivid reminder of what had transpired the night before. He frowned slightly, then felt the weight of an arm draped across his waist. The grip was tight, almost stiff, as if the person holding him feared he might vanish in his sleep.

Clutching so tightly.

Pei Ye’s face was buried against the nape of Jiang Si’s neck. His warm, steady breaths brushed against his skin. Though still deeply asleep, the way he held Jiang Si, almost trying to embed himself into him, betrayed a profound sense of insecurity. Jiang Si did not move; he simply looked down at the arm across his waist. The young man’s arm was sleek and powerful, the muscles slightly tensed from the force of his hold.

He remembered the end of last night, how Pei Ye had held him just as tightly, his body trembling like a stray puppy that had finally been allowed near a fire but still feared being burned.

An insecure little fellow.

Jiang Si felt no irritation, only a strange sense of helplessness. It seemed he still had many things to teach his puppy. For starters, he needed to tell him just how important he was to him.

As Jiang Si attempted to move slightly to relieve the stiffness in his back, the arm around his waist instantly tightened. Pei Ye woke up almost immediately.

“Master?”

His voice was thick with sleep and an instinctive tension as he leaned closer to Jiang Si’s ear. “Did I wake you? Or is your back uncomfortable?”

“Mhm,” Jiang Si replied lazily, answering the second question. He relaxed his body, leaning back into Pei Ye’s embrace with a tone of casual command. “It is a bit sore.”

There was no hint of displeasure in his voice, only a sense of total closeness and indulgence. The weight in Pei Ye’s heart instantly lifted, replaced by an overflowing softness. He carefully adjusted his position to make Jiang Si more comfortable, placing his warm palms precisely over his lower back to apply a steady massage. His technique was somewhat unrefined but exceptionally earnest, as if he had practiced alone for a long time just to finally perform the task.

“Is this pressure alright, Master?” Pei Ye whispered, his lips nearly touching the curve of Jiang Si’s ear.

“It is fine,” Jiang Si answered softly.

After a moment, as if just remembering something, Jiang Si added with his eyes still closed, “There is nothing to do today. What I mentioned before about going shopping together, we can do that now.”

The hand massaging his waist paused for a fraction of a second as a wave of warmth washed over Pei Ye. He had not expected his Master to remember that, a comment he thought had been made in passing. His Master remembered, and he had brought it up himself during the intimacy of the morning.

Does this count as a date?

Pei Ye lowered his head, affectionately nuzzling Jiang Si’s hair. His voice carried an unmistakable joy. “Okay. Whatever Master says.”

“Mhm.” Pleased by the affectionate gesture, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Jiang Si’s mouth. He reached back and patted the hand working on his waist. “That is enough. I am hungry.”

“I will go prepare breakfast right away,” Pei Ye replied immediately. He stopped the massage but carefully helped Jiang Si sit up and draped a robe over his shoulders before nimbly sliding out of bed. He stood by the bed, looking at Jiang Si, who sat on the edge with his robe slightly open, exuding an air of lazy satisfaction. Pei Ye’s gaze was soft enough to melt.

Master is so beautiful.

Sensing the intense stare, Jiang Si looked up. Long accustomed to such blatant admiration, he simply tilted his chin toward the door. “Go on.”

“Yes, Master,” Pei Ye said with a smile in his eyes, hurrying toward the kitchen.

Jiang Si watched his back, then slowly stood up to stretch his back, which felt significantly better. Suddenly, his movements paused as his gaze landed on the mirror opposite him. He narrowed his eyes at a prominent, faint red mark on his collarbone.

So obvious.

Recalling a certain puppy with red-rimmed eyes pleading with him the night before, a smile he did not even notice spread across his face.

“Quite possessive, are you not?”

Two hours later, the black sedan came to a halt in the underground parking lot of a high-end shopping mall in the city center. Pei Ye stepped out first, habitually scanning the area for safety before opening the door for Jiang Si.

“Master.”

He naturally assisted Jiang Si out of the car and closed the door gently. The air in the garage smelled of tires and engine oil, a scent familiar to them both.

“Let us go,” Jiang Si said without ceremony, taking Pei Ye’s hand and leading him toward the elevators.

Pei Ye followed obediently, his gaze fixed on their joined hands. His earlobes turned a soft red. Master initiated the hand-holding.

I am so happy.

The mall was bustling with people for the weekend. Inside the shopping area, the lights were bright to the point of being dazzling. Soothing background music played everywhere, and the aroma of coffee beans mingled with various perfumes.

This was a sharp contrast to the world of shadows Pei Ye usually inhabited. He had never been to a mall before. Until now, his world consisted only of training, missions, and Jiang Si. This was his first time in a place where people came to rest and relax. He was here for the first time, and he was with his Master, like family. No, like a couple.

As they entered the shopping zone, he instinctively moved half a step closer to Jiang Si. It was less like a date and more of an instinct to seek an absolute coordinate in an unfamiliar environment.

“It is okay,” Jiang Si said, sensing his unease. He lightly patted the back of Pei Ye’s hand to reassure him.

Feeling the comfort, Pei Ye nodded and gripped Jiang Si’s hand tighter, their bodies nearly brushing against each other. Just as a puppy instinctively stays close to its owner, Pei Ye clung to him.

Seeing the reaction, Jiang Si let out a very faint laugh and pulled him toward a lifestyle store. “See if there is anything you like.”

“Okay,” Pei Ye replied, his face flush with red as he followed closely.

Walking ahead, Jiang Si glanced back occasionally to ensure the other was following, even teasingly squeezing Pei Ye’s palm. These intentional touches caused the flush on Pei Ye’s face to spread even further. At the same time, a sense of inexplicable satisfaction surged within Jiang Si, his eyes brimming with amusement.

How is my puppy this cute?