I Faked My Death After Choosing the Wrong Protagonist - Chapter 16

Qi Ye was very tall, and with the added height of the bed, Shen Qingzhuo had to lean toward him to apply the medicine comfortably.

The two were currently very close. Shen Qingzhuo’s movements were light delicate as a passing cloud yet Qi Ye showed signs of struggle. Catching the faint scent lingering on Shen Qingzhuo’s body, he instinctively tried to shrink back.

However, he did not dare move too much, fearing he might anger Shen Qingzhuo. Shen Qingzhuo had already been so kind to him. “Can you… not touch my head?” he whispered.

Shen Qingzhuo, of course, would not be angry with him, but he was puzzled. “Why?”

Qi Ye said softly, “It’s ugly…”

Shen Qingzhuo pulled the boy’s hand away, coaxing him as one would a child. “It’s not ugly. When you are injured, you must apply medicine. Once the wounds heal, you will look fine again.”

“Don’t be afraid, no one is watching. I’ll be gentle.” Shen Qingzhuo felt that the youth was not only cute at times but also quite delicate. He deserved to be raised in luxury, pampered and loved by all, rather than living like this.

However, regardless of what the protagonist was like, Shen Qingzhuo liked him.

Shen Qingzhuo gently unwound the gauze he had used to wrap the boy’s head the previous night, revealing two deep gashes. They weren’t “ugly,” but they looked incredibly painful.

He could feel the youth’s tension; Qi Ye’s body flinched slightly, and he held his breath throughout the entire process.

Shen Qingzhuo didn’t understand why Qi Ye was so anxious about his head, so he said, “If you’re scared, just hold onto me. It will be over soon.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Ye looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Then, leaning slightly toward Shen Qingzhuo, the youth wrapped his arms around the man’s waist and held him tightly.

Qi Ye no longer cared whether the wounds on his head were ugly or if they made him look like a monster. His heart pounded wildly as he buried his face in Shen Qingzhuo’s shoulder.

This was his first time truly holding Shen Qingzhuo.

So this is what it feels like. So fragrant, so comfortable.

Qi Ye was immersed in the joy of holding Shen Qingzhuo, greedily breathing in the scent of the person he loved. After a long while, Shen Qingzhuo patted him gently.

“It’s done.”

Qi Ye reluctantly let go and moved out of Shen Qingzhuo’s embrace.

He touched his head. The layer of gauze was gone, and the wounds he had inflicted upon himself seemed to have scabbed over. They felt hard to the touch and smelled of the grassy scent of the herbal ointment.

Shen Qingzhuo pressed his hand down, pulling it away. “Don’t touch it. Wait until it is fully healed.”

Qi Ye did not dare touch it again and nodded obediently.

They did not go downstairs for dinner that evening; Shen Qingzhuo ordered food to be delivered to the room. This time, Qi Ye took the initiative to place food in Shen Qingzhuo’s bowl. Unsure if Shen Qingzhuo would like the gesture, he began to withdraw his chopsticks in a fluster.

Then, he saw Shen Qingzhuo eat it all.

Delighted, Qi Ye added even more food to his bowl, a little bit of everything. It occurred to him then that Shen Qingzhuo had never rejected him. No matter what he said or did, the man always followed his lead with a good-natured temperament.

He couldn’t help but wonder: Is Shen Qingzhuo like this with everyone? Or only with me?

As Qi Ye continued to pile food into the bowl, a pair of chopsticks suddenly blocked the rim.

Startled, Qi Ye quickly looked up, only to see that the eyes watching him were smiling, devoid of any impatience.

Shen Qingzhuo said, “If you add any more, I won’t be able to finish.”

Feeling a bit guilty, Qi Ye’s gaze darted away. He didn’t know what to say or do, freezing in place before muttering, “I’m sorry…”

Shen Qingzhuo moved his chopsticks away, thinking the boy was truly heartwarming and cute. “One last piece,” Shen Qingzhuo said.

Qi Ye’s face lit up with joy, and he hurried to place the food into Shen Qingzhuo’s bowl. Only then did he realize the bowl was already full; any more and it would have overflowed. No wonder Shen Qingzhuo had stopped him.

Qi Ye felt his injuries were mostly healed. He hadn’t been too seriously hurt, and this level of pain was nothing to him. However, Shen Qingzhuo had said he would stay here with him for a few days. Qi Ye was more than willing even if it meant suffering worse injuries, he would gladly accept them.

They didn’t go anywhere all day, but Qi Ye didn’t find the time long. In fact, he wished it would pass even slower. It all felt so surreal.

That night, Qi Ye had a dream. In the dream, Shen Qingzhuo was going to marry Qi Anning. Overwhelmed, Qi Ye went to find him, only to be pierced through the heart by Shen Qingzhuo. The weapon was a frost-blue sword inlaid with beautiful sapphires, looking very much like that particular dagger.

In the dream, Shen Qingzhuo’s gaze was exceptionally cold, filled only with loathing. No matter how Qi Ye begged, Shen Qingzhuo never looked at him again.

Qi Ye woke up with a start.

“What’s wrong? A nightmare?” There was only one bed in the room, which Shen Qingzhuo had left for Qi Ye. Hearing the youth’s sudden, heavy breathing, Shen Qingzhuo came over and saw him staring blankly with wide eyes, having thrown back the covers.

Tears were streaming down the corners of the youth’s eyes.

Shen Qingzhuo reached out to wipe them away. “It’s alright. Dreams are fake. Go back to sleep.”

Qi Ye gripped his sleeve and wouldn’t let go. “Don’t leave…”

Shen Qingzhuo had originally intended to pull his hand away, but upon hearing those words, he changed his mind. “Do you want me to sleep with you?”

The youth did not speak, his gaze hollow as he looked into the distance, tears falling incessantly.

Shen Qingzhuo took off his outer robe and shoes and lay down beside the youth. He gently patted the boy’s lower back, his voice tender. “I won’t leave. Sleep.”

Qi Ye turned over and buried his head in Shen Qingzhuo’s chest. Smelling that familiar scent, he finally calmed down and drifted off again.

This time, Qi Ye had another dream.

He dreamed he had become incredibly powerful the Great Demon Lord whom everyone feared. He imprisoned Shen Qingzhuo in a dark palace. When Shen Qingzhuo tried to escape, he used chains to bind his hands and feet.

In the dream, Shen Qingzhuo was very quiet. He didn’t cry, he didn’t laugh, and he didn’t love him. Finally, taking advantage of a momentary lapse in Qi Ye’s attention, Shen Qingzhuo lifted a sword and expressionlessly plunged it into his own heart.

Shen Qingzhuo died.

Qi Ye woke up with a start once more, his tears soaking the pillow.

Shen Qingzhuo patted him gently, pulling him into his arms. “What is it? Another nightmare?”

Qi Ye hugged him back and nodded.

“What did you dream about?” Shen Qingzhuo asked.

“You,” Qi Ye replied.

Shen Qingzhuo laughed and tapped his forehead with a finger. “You dreamed of me and got scared like this? Am I that terrifying?”

Qi Ye shook his head. “I dreamed that you died.”

As he spoke, he began to cry even harder.

Shen Qingzhuo froze for a moment. Looking at the head rubbing tears onto his chest, he tightened his embrace. “Dreams are fake. I won’t die. Don’t cry anymore.”

With Shen Qingzhuo holding him, Qi Ye didn’t dream again and slept until dawn.

When he woke up, he saw Shen Qingzhuo was still asleep. Contentedly, he snuggled deeper into the man’s arms. Still not satisfied, he eventually picked up Shen Qingzhuo’s hand and gave it a soft kiss on the knuckles.

At that moment, Shen Qingzhuo moved and opened his eyes.

Qi Ye let go of his hand in a panic. “I didn’t do anything!”

Shen Qingzhuo looked dazed. “Hmm?”

If you didn’t do anything, why are you so nervous?

However, Shen Qingzhuo indeed hadn’t noticed anything unusual, so he asked, “Do you want to sleep more?”

Qi Ye shook his head. “No.”

Qi Ye’s mind was racing, wondering if Shen Qingzhuo had noticed just now. But if he had noticed and allowed it, did that mean…

Qi Ye shook his head. No, Shen Qingzhuo wouldn’t like someone like me. He probably didn’t see anything. From the looks of it, Shen Qingzhuo had clearly only woken up because Qi Ye disturbed him.

Qi Ye felt a bit dejected, but remembering the embrace from the night before, his mood lifted. Even if Shen Qingzhuo wouldn’t marry him, at least he didn’t hate him.

Seeing Shen Qingzhuo return after washing up, Qi Ye offered, “Let me tie your hair for you!”

They stayed at the inn for another three days. During this time, they sometimes went down to eat and sometimes ate in the room; occasionally, they strolled through the nearby markets together.

However, after that night, Shen Qingzhuo never slept with him again. On the second night, Qi Ye looked slightly disappointed; on the third night, he remained disappointed.

Despite this, Shen Qingzhuo continued to treat him exceptionally well. Even the innkeeper assumed they were a pair of lovers. Shen Qingzhuo never explained away the misunderstanding, merely brushing it off with a smile each time.

This led Qi Ye to greedily imagine if they could truly become lovers one day.

That day, Shen Qingzhuo received news from his household.

During the days he was away, Huangfu Ying had come to his door with gifts, once again requesting his hand in marriage.

Of course, while Shen Qingzhuo had been staying by Qi Ye’s side every moment, he hadn’t been idle. He knew a fair bit about what was happening outside.

For instance, the Qi Family, led by Qi Anning, was making a grand show of searching for the suddenly missing Qi Ye. Meanwhile, Huangfu Ying seemingly spent all his energy on the proposal and accompanying the Empress Dowager, but in reality, he was also secretly investigating Qi Ye’s whereabouts.

Shen Qingzhuo didn’t understand what kind of threat Qi Ye posed to Huangfu Ying to warrant such a commotion. Was it truly just to marry him?

If so, Huangfu Ying was barking up the wrong tree. Even if there were no marriage contract between him and Qi Ye, it was impossible for him to ever become Huangfu Ying’s Crown Princess.

Before leaving the inn, Shen Qingzhuo asked, “The Qi family is looking for you. Did you know?”

Qi Ye shook his head. He didn’t care about them at all. The Qi family held no affection for him; if he could, Qi Yannian would have killed him long ago.

“Then, do you want to go back?” Shen Qingzhuo asked.

Qi Ye shook his head again. “That is not my home. I have nowhere else to go.” Qi Ye was becoming increasingly aware of when Shen Qingzhuo would soften his heart, playing the part of the pitiable youth to perfection. “You said you would take me with you from now on.”

Shen Qingzhuo didn’t know what the boy was plotting, but his face showed admiration. Decisive and straightforward, not lingering on the past—he is someone destined for greatness.

“Fine. From now on, you follow me. I will give you a home.”

Qi Ye nodded several times in succession. Thinking of the letter Shen Qingzhuo had destroyed after reading, a flash of something unreadable crossed his eyes.

“Are you going back to the Shen residence?” Qi Ye followed closely behind him, clutching a corner of his robe as if afraid of being abandoned.

The gesture was somewhat discordant between the two. When Qi Ye had no expression, his face was habitually stern and cold; it was only when speaking to or looking at Shen Qingzhuo that different emotions surfaced. To an outsider, Qi Ye clearly possessed the more imposing aura.

Yet Shen Qingzhuo loved this feeling. The way the youth held onto him made him feel truly needed.