The Paranoid Male Lead’s "White Moonlight" Has Reborn - Chapter 11

After that last attack, Jiang Chaoyun rested for five days before his spirit finally recovered a bit.

When there was finally a touch of sunlight outside, Jiang Chaoyun sent Bixin to get a shuttlecock; he wanted to play. Although his body was weak, he was actually quite good at kicking the shuttlecock—he just lacked stamina. After a short while, he would be gasping for breath and drenched in sweat.

The doctor said he needed quiet rest and shouldn’t overexert himself. But if a person is cooped up in a room every day, even if their body is fine, their mind will grow ill. So, Jiang Chaoyun still practiced a little bit of rebellion.

Currently, he wore a warm padded jacket with a white fox fur cloak draped over it. On his head was a tiger-skin hat—the embroiderer who made it was ingenious, leaving two fluffy paws at the sides that reached down to his chest. When he jumped, the two furry paws would wave about, looking quite majestic.

The tiger-skin boots he wore while kicking the shuttlecock were even more flamboyant. The embroiderer had made them in the shape of tiger paws; though they weren’t actual paws, they looked real. They didn’t show off his slender feet but instead made them look chubby and round. The soles were stuffed with cotton, making it feel like he was walking on clouds—soft and very warm, but not very convenient for kicking a shuttlecock.

Even so, Jiang Chaoyun kicked exceptionally well. It never fell, and he could even do tricks—kicking it from front to back, catching it from behind, and tossing it toward his shoulder, only to catch it again in front. Such skill left Bixin and Mao’er dazed; they couldn’t kick nearly as well as he did.

Holding up his heavy cloak, Jiang Chaoyun had only kicked fewer than twenty times before sweat broke out on his snowy forehead and his breathing grew ragged. Bixin hurried over to wipe his sweat. Because she was short, she had to stand on her tiptoes to reach his forehead. Jiang Chaoyun cooperatively lowered his head to make it easier for her.

This scene was ordinary enough—any respectable family would avoid doing things themselves if they could—but in Han Jiangmu’s eyes, it was exceptionally piercing.

Han Jiangmu’s expression grew even colder. His eyes were icy, almost piercing a hole through Bixin’s hand. Bixin, being carefree, felt nothing, but Mao’er felt an inexplicable chill and couldn’t help but shrink his neck. He was the first to see Han Jiangmu and called out quite warmly: “Guard Han.” However, once his eyes took in Han Jiangmu’s expression, he froze, vaguely sensing where that chill was coming from.

This Guard Han is truly cold, Mao’er thought.

Jiang Chaoyun also felt Han Jiangmu’s gaze and looked over. The face that had just been smiling at Bixin immediately turned stern. “What are you doing here?”

The words were a bit harsh, but in Jiang Chaoyun’s tone, there was a clear hint of complaint. Even Bixin, who had served him since childhood, couldn’t tell if Jiang Chaoyun actually liked Han Jiangmu or not, let alone Han Jiangmu himself.

Han Jiangmu walked over and, under everyone’s gaze, grabbed Bixin by the collar and tossed her back—with his height, he could easily do so. Then, he pulled out his own handkerchief and, without a word, wiped Jiang Chaoyun’s sweat.

Jiang Chaoyun: “…”

He could feel the cold intensity in Han Jiangmu’s eyes. The man didn’t hide it at all. That icy stare made the fear hidden in Jiang Chaoyun’s heart surface again, so he didn’t dare speak. Instead, he slightly tilted his head up to let Han Jiangmu wipe the sweat better.

Such a submissive posture clearly pleased Han Jiangmu. The corners of his lips curled slightly, and he said in a deep voice, “Young Master, haven’t you heard the saying that men and women shouldn’t touch?”

Jiang Chaoyun said dryly, “I… I’ve heard it.”

Han Jiangmu said, “Have you not studied the Precepts for Men (Nan Jie)?”

Jiang Chaoyun: “??” Confusion filled his eyes. “What Precepts for Men? Is there such a book? I’ve only heard of the Precepts for Women (Nv Jie).”

Han Jiangmu said, “There is. It is a masterpiece among books, teaching you the principles of being a man.”

Jiang Chaoyun humbly asked, “What principles?”

Han Jiangmu said, “Young Master only needs to know these ‘Three Don’ts’: don’t contact women, don’t expose your body, and don’t touch female charms. Only then is Young Master a true man.”

Jiang Chaoyun instinctively nodded, but quickly reacted. “Nonsense! What kind of ‘principles for being a man’ are those?”

Han Jiangmu suddenly lowered his head, his face almost pressing against Jiang Chaoyun’s—only a finger’s width away from touching his nose. “Young Master, I have a question to ask you. You must answer truthfully.”

His pure black pupils were full of pressure and a strange attraction. Being stared at by such eyes, Jiang Chaoyun held his breath, and his cheeks instantly burned. A magnificent, dazzling flush like the morning glow appeared on his face, and his eyes flickered with moisture. He didn’t speak, but his entire aura radiated a vibe that made one want to bully him.

Han Jiangmu moved even closer, a dark light flowing in his eyes. His voice seemed to turn husky as he asked, “Have you ever touched a woman?”

Jiang Chaoyun’s face turned even redder—a flush mixed with anger. He reached out to hit him, but halfway there, he chickened out and retracted his hand—He’s a Prince, I can’t hit him, can’t hit him.

Jiang Chaoyun let out a breath and noticed Han Jiangmu blink; the thick eyelashes fluttered slightly. He suddenly realized the distance between them was too close. His breath was spraying all over Han Jiangmu’s face, and… Bixin and the others were watching!

Jiang Chaoyun hurriedly retreated several steps, looking at Han Jiangmu with wariness—He really isn’t an ordinary person; he has the power to manipulate hearts! Otherwise, it couldn’t explain why his heart was beating so fast, even making shame retreat before him.

Jiang Chaoyun withdrew his gaze and turned to run into his room, his back looking quite a bit like he was fleeing in panic.

Han Jiangmu’s voice had been low; Bixin, who had been tossed aside, only heard a few blurry words. Mao’er was further away and couldn’t hear a thing. But from his angle, he could clearly see Han Jiangmu standing very close to Jiang Chaoyun. That distance, even for someone inexperienced in worldly matters, felt instinctively too dangerous and intimate—as if their mouths were just a hair’s breadth from touching.

But Mao’er only thought it was strange; he wouldn’t overthink it. Bixin only saw the young master rushing back to his room. She was confused but knew her priorities; she didn’t care about Han Jiangmu. Her only job was to serve Jiang Chaoyun, so she lifted her skirt and quickly followed him inside.

Han Jiangmu hadn’t received the answer he wanted, and seeing Bixin enter the bedroom so casually, his expression turned dark again. This maid who had served Jiang Chaoyun since childhood now looked extremely eyesore to him.

If he followed his mad and reckless nature, he would want to remove everyone he disliked. But he hoped to be perfect in Jiang Chaoyun’s eyes; he wouldn’t leave hidden dangers for himself. Just like Jiang Zuoling—if he wanted, he had a hundred ways to kill him, but Jiang Chaoyun needed a father and a home.

Han Jiangmu hid the violence deep in his heart bit by bit and turned to leave.

Jiang Chaoyun threw himself onto the bed, feeling his heart beat heavily and fast with every thud. His body felt hot, but his brain was in a daze. After quite a while, he slowly calmed down.

Bixin ran in and asked, “Young Master, what did that Guard Han say to you?”

Jiang Chaoyun covered his face. “Nothing.”

Bixin saw him on the bed with his tiger-skin boots still on, so she knelt down to take them off. Jiang Chaoyun took the opportunity to climb into bed and burrow under the covers.

Bixin sat on the steps by the bed and asked, “Young Master, I see your attitude toward Guard Han is hot and cold. What exactly is your opinion of him?”

Before he could speak, she continued: “If you don’t like him, then I won’t like him. If you do like him, then I’ll like him too. He’s so handsome; it’s hard for me to suppress my liking for him. You have to give me a straight answer.”

Jiang Chaoyun poked his head out and said profoundly, “Bixin, you don’t understand. My feeling toward him is a ‘Third Feeling’ somewhere between liking and disliking.”

Bixin asked, “What feeling? Is there a third feeling besides liking and disliking?”

Yes. It’s called being “chicken” (scared).

Jiang Chaoyun couldn’t say it; he was ashamed to face the version of himself that fled from Han Jiangmu’s single look and question.

That night, when Han Jiangmu came for the night watch, Jiang Chaoyun asked with feigned composure, “Since you can teach me ‘Precepts for Men,’ surely you are well-versed in this? You haven’t touched female charms at your age, have you? Even my youngest cousin has chambermaids already.”

Han Jiangmu sat on the chaise longue watching him. “Is Young Master’s body feeling better?”

Jiang Chaoyun tilted his chin and said impatiently, “Hurry and answer my question.”

Han Jiangmu said in a deep voice, “Young Master has yet to answer mine.” He watched Jiang Chaoyun with dark, deep eyes. “Have you ever touched a woman?”

Jiang Chaoyun was again intimidated by that gaze. His heart suddenly pounded fiercely, and a surge of shame and anger rose in him. He didn’t understand why Han Jiangmu asking such a question could provoke such a strong reaction in him. Thus, he let out a heavy “Hmph” and whispered, “Of course I have! How could someone of my age in our family have not touched one!”

Han Jiangmu’s gaze turned cold. He asked, “Who?”

Jiang Chaoyun stammered, “W-what?”

Han Jiangmu: “Who did Young Master touch?”

Jiang Chaoyun asked, “Why are you asking that?”

Han Jiangmu didn’t speak. Jiang Chaoyun suddenly felt a bit apprehensive. “Why aren’t you talking? Say something!”

Han Jiangmu stared at Jiang Chaoyun, the corners of his lips pulling into a cold smile. He whispered, “Young Master, I heard from the doctor that your body cannot touch women at all. Can you even… get it up?”

Jiang Chaoyun’s cheeks flushed a bright red instantly. “P-p-presumptuous!!”