The Beloved Guide Was Forced in a Love-Rival Shura Field - Chapter 15

He scooted a little closer to Xiao Lin, the soft sofa sinking slightly under his movement.

Before Xiao Lin could react, Ning Ning stretched out his arms and suddenly hugged the man’s solid arm. He rested his fluffy silver head against it, soft strands of hair brushing against the stiff, straight fabric of the military uniform.

“Xiao Lin,” his voice was sweet and soft with contentment, carrying a touch of intimacy and dependence he himself didn’t even notice, “you’re so nice.”

Boom—

Xiao Lin’s entire world exploded.

In that instant, his body went rigid; every muscle from his fingertips to his spine pulled tight like a bowstring.

The soft touch on his arm and the warm breaths brushing against him felt like an unstoppable surge of electricity, tearing through every last line of defense and self-control, striking straight into the depths of his soul. His mind short-circuited under the overload of bliss and went blank.

Lowering his head, his vision was filled only with the crown of the boy’s silvery hair, and the small patch of pale, delicate nape revealed as he nuzzled closer. A faint, sweet fragrance unique to Ning Ning, mingled with the laurel scent of his spirit beast, invaded Xiao Lin’s senses, drowning every inch of him.

Ning… Ning Ning hugged him…

He hugged him of his own accord…

That realization was like the strongest liquor, making Xiao Lin drunk on the sudden happiness. He didn’t even dare to breathe, didn’t dare to move—terrified that the slightest disturbance would scare away this rare closeness. The heart that had been tempered on countless battlefields, harder than steel, was now soft beyond recognition, madly yearning to pull this little thing into his arms, into his very bones and blood, and never let go.

Yet Ning Ning was completely unaware.

He simply thought Xiao Lin’s arm was firm, comfortable, and made him feel safe. He rubbed against it, found a more cozy position, then tilted up his exquisitely beautiful face. His clear violet eyes shimmered as he looked up at the man’s taut jawline, like a kitten that had found the perfect pillow, utterly content.

Just as the atmosphere turned so warm it almost felt unreal—

The dormitory’s doorbell suddenly rang.

“Ding-dong—”

Xiao Lin, who a moment ago had been floating in bliss, instantly recovered his sharp, icy gaze. The gentleness that had softened him a second earlier vanished, replaced by the hostile aura of a wolf defending its territory.

He turned and glared coldly at the door’s surveillance screen.

On the display appeared a refined face with a faint smile.

Gu Qingfeng.

He wore a perfectly tailored white instructor’s uniform, his black hair neatly in place. Behind the gold-rimmed glasses, his dark eyes carried just the right amount of warmth and concern. In his hand, he carried a delicate incubator, standing at the door as though he were arriving for afternoon tea rather than visiting someone under strict “protection.”

Xiao Lin’s expression darkened to the point of dripping ink.

The arm Ning Ning had just been clinging to—at the sight of the man on screen—was immediately released. Ning Ning’s eyes lit up, and he broke into a sweet smile:

“Professor Gu!”

The lingering warmth on his arm evaporated instantly with that crisp “Professor Gu.”

Xiao Lin pressed his lips together tightly and went to open the door.

As the door swung open, two of the Empire’s most formidable men stood face to face. The air seemed to freeze, the temperature dropping several degrees. Xiao Lin’s tall figure blocked nearly the entire doorway, exuding an oppressive aura like a wall of ice.

Gu Qingfeng, however, appeared utterly unbothered. With a calm smile, his gaze slid past Xiao Lin’s shoulder and landed directly on the boy seated on the sofa.

“Ning Ning, I came to check on you.” His voice was warm like spring water, soothing and reassuring, instantly diluting the frost Xiao Lin radiated.

For a moment, Xiao Lin truly wanted to slam the door in his face.

But in the end, he stepped aside. Shutting the Empire’s second prince outside would be scandalous.

Gu Qingfeng walked in at a composed pace. His eyes swept over the luxurious dormitory, lingering briefly on the high-end security and comfort features. A faint, mocking glint flickered beneath the lenses.

Then he went straight to Ning Ning, placing the incubator on the coffee table.

“It seems the Marshal takes good care of you,” he said softly, as though praising, though his tone lacked sincerity. “Though it’s like a fortress here—don’t you find it a bit stifling?”

With that, he opened the box.

Out popped a tiny snow-white creature, fluffy all over. Barely the size of a palm, it resembled both a cat and a puppy. Its round, glistening eyes blinked curiously, and it let out a soft “chirp,” its voice sugary sweet, like spun candy.

“Wow!” Ning Ning’s attention was instantly stolen. He reached out carefully, brushing his fingers against the creature’s velvety head.

“This is a ‘Cloudfur Beast,’” Gu Qingfeng explained with a smile. “They’re gentle by nature and calm the mind. Even the royal family breeds only a few. I chose this especially—the friendliest one—for you.” He lifted the little thing out and placed it into Ning Ning’s arms. “If you ever feel bored or lonely, let it keep you company.”

The Cloudfur immediately curled up comfortably in his embrace, nuzzling his palm. Ning Ning’s heart melted on the spot. Holding the soft, warm bundle, his violet eyes sparkled like starry skies, his expression full of pure delight. He completely forgot the silent battle waging between the two men beside him.

Watching him, Gu Qingfeng’s smile deepened. He sat naturally at Ning Ning’s side—right between him and Xiao Lin, forming a gentle but unyielding barrier.

Every movement of the dark-haired prince radiated innate nobility and composure.

Like performing a trick, he produced from his space button a porcelain plate of exquisitely arranged desserts. They glistened like translucent crystal, each piece encasing faint pink petals, as if sealing blossoms in glass.

Gu Qingfeng’s eyes flicked toward the lopsided apple Xiao Lin had clumsily peeled on the table. His voice dropped low, intimate, just audible to the three of them—carrying a subtle, cutting tease:

“It seems Marshal Xiao only knows how to protect with hard methods. Even his apple… looks positively murderous.”

Xiao Lin’s hand clenched hard on the sofa armrest, knuckles pale, veins standing out.

Gu Qingfeng ignored him, sliding the plate toward Ning Ning instead. His voice was warm, coaxing:

“Try this. ‘Dew-Crystal Delight,’ a royal specialty, made with morning dew and gentle herbs. It’s good for your mental sea.”

The implication was plain—Xiao Lin only knew how to build a cage of steel and force, while he truly cared for Ning Ning’s inner self, nurturing him with gentleness.

Ning Ning, of course, heard none of the undertones. He only thought the sweets looked too beautiful to eat, delicate and translucent. Bringing one close, he inhaled the subtle floral fragrance that instantly relaxed him.

With one hand holding the furry little Cloudfur, he used the other to pick up a piece and cautiously took a bite.

The treat melted instantly, light and sweet, leaving him sighing with bliss. He closed his eyes and murmured in delight:

“So good.” Then he looked at Gu Qingfeng with sincere gratitude. “Thank you, Professor Gu.”

One had gifted him an adorable pet to ease his loneliness.

One had gifted him soothing confections for his spirit.

And the other… only glared fiercely and offered a lopsided apple.

The difference was obvious.

In his heart, Ning Ning silently gave Gu Qingfeng a thumbs-up.

Meanwhile, Xiao Lin sat watching Ning Ning cuddle the pet Gu Qingfeng had brought, nibble the sweets Gu Qingfeng had offered, and smile at him so sweetly. His chest burned as though soaked in acid, eaten away by jealousy and pain.

Like a wolf robbed of everything, he radiated a dangerous, suffocating aura, his gaze so dark it seemed ready to spill over.

He didn’t understand the games and subtleties, didn’t know how to win favor with pretty gestures. All he knew was to pile up the safest, strongest things in front of Ning Ning.

But now… it seemed his way had lost.

And that realization filled the Empire’s Marshal with an unfamiliar sense of defeat—and… grievance.

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