The Sickly Beauty Can’t Escape the Obsessive Lover - Chapter 36.1

Thick steam slowly rose within the bathroom.

As the mist dissipated and grew thin, Jing Yuan’s flustered gaze collided head-on with Ji Yan’s bold one.

Jing Yuan’s delicate Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.

He had to admit—Ji Yan’s physique was truly perfect.

Water droplets clung to the well-defined lines of his lower abdomen, his muscle tone elegant and symmetrical, radiating a potent yet understated masculine allure.

His legs were long, lean, and straight, without an ounce of excess flesh.

Jing Yuan silently marveled—so even Ji Yan’s skin was this fair all over.

Not daring to let his eyes wander further, he discreetly averted his gaze.

“Done looking?” Ji Yan lifted a towel and wrapped it around his waist.

Snapping back to reality, Jing Yuan hurriedly lowered his head. “Sorry, I thought this was my room. I didn’t know you were…”

His voice grew softer and softer as Ji Yan approached, step by step, cornering him against the wall.

“It’s fine if Yuanyuan wants to look. I’ll let you.”

Ji Yan deliberately blocked his escape route, wearing nothing but the towel.

Jing Yuan timidly tried to avoid looking, yet his eyes were still drawn to the captivating chest muscles before him.

He was utterly weak for Ji Yan’s physique.

If his future boyfriend had a body like this, he’d be one lucky man.

A sudden blush spread across his cheeks, like a snow bunny with a hint of strawberry filling—tempting enough to pinch, knead, and devour in one bite.

“I don’t want to look. I’m not some pervert.”

Out-argued, Jing Yuan resorted to his usual tactic of feigning illness. He immediately began coughing weakly and slowly crouched down.

Ji Yan knew he was faking and remained unmoved. Leaning casually against the damp tiled wall, he continued teasing Jing Yuan, “So you do know you were acting like a pervert.”

“It wasn’t on purpose.”

Jing Yuan thought Ji Yan was being petty. He’d only unintentionally glanced five or six times—why was he making such a big deal out of it?

“So stingy.”

In the past, Jing Yuan would never have dared to talk back to Ji Yan like this. But perhaps as their relationship grew closer, he’d become bolder, even daring to bicker with him now.

“I’m stingy?” Ji Yan casually slid the movable glass wall shut, grabbed Jing Yuan, and pulled him toward his own room.

Naturally, Jing Yuan resisted, but he was no match for Ji Yan’s strength. Helpless, he allowed himself to be led away like a delicate doll.

Stepping into Ji Yan’s room, Jing Yuan’s vision was instantly filled with shades of deep black. The further he went, the more oppressive the atmosphere felt.

The dark, classical maximalist decor showcased the castle’s opulence at every turn. Exquisite carvings and gold leaf adorned the corners of tables, walls, and every piece of furniture.

Jing Yuan mused that whoever slept in this bedroom must be nothing less than a king.

Noticing Jing Yuan’s captivated stare, Ji Yan gave him a light toss, sending him tumbling onto the soft bed, where he rolled over once.

Just as Ji Yan prepared to lean over him, Jing Yuan suddenly exclaimed in awe at his new discovery, “What a beautiful blue luminous pearl!”

The bed’s canopy was styled in deep blue and gold, with two rare luminous pearls embedded at the foot. A design inspired by the bedchamber of Louis XIV, the so-called Sun King.

Sinking into the plush mattress, Jing Yuan couldn’t resist caressing the luminous pearls, then quickly grew fascinated by the golden swan motif at the foot of the bed.

That scoundrel Ji Yan—hoarding such a luxurious room all to himself. Jing Yuan hadn’t even held it against him, and yet Ji Yan had the nerve to accuse him of peeping at him in the shower.

Believing he had found Ji Yan’s weakness, Jing Yuan began to act boldly. Sitting on the vast, dark sea-like bed, he confronted Ji Yan with an accusatory tone: “How dare you sneak into such a luxurious room? Does the night pearl glow brightly at night?”

Hearing Jing Yuan’s sarcastic remarks, Ji Yan calmly leaned forward, bracing his arms on either side of Jing Yuan’s legs. “Does Yuan Yuan like it?”

Jing Yuan: “Of course.”

Didn’t Ji Yan know he was just a simple soul who adored gold, silver, and treasures?

Ji Yan smiled faintly, his hand caressing Jing Yuan’s defiant face. “Then I’ll indulge you. Tonight, we’ll sleep together.”

“Uh—”

“Wait—”

Before Jing Yuan could finish, Ji Yan swiftly removed his shoes, his other hand gripping Jing Yuan’s ankle as he lifted him gently upward.

In an instant, Jing Yuan was rolled to the center of the enormous bed.

A flicker of suppressed excitement crossed Ji Yan’s usually calm face as he tossed the towel from his waist to the floor and changed into a black silk robe.

Jing Yuan swallowed nervously and quickly shut his eyes.

“Yuan Yuan just accused me of being stingy.”

“Now that I’m offering to show you, why aren’t you looking?”

Jing Yuan: “I’m afraid I’ll get a sty.”

Ji Yan choked back a retort, his gaze turning cold.

Jing Yuan’s fair skin stood out starkly against the black bedsheets, his exposed wrists resembling fine porcelain resting in the night. He wriggled slowly toward the edge of the bed like a caterpillar, ready to seize an opportunity to slip away.

Unfortunately, Ji Yan gave him no chance, pressing close and firmly encircling Jing Yuan’s waist.

“Darling, where are you trying to go?”

Jing Yuan, too afraid to turn around, shivered all over. “I need to use the bathroom.”

With a light tug of his arm, Ji Yan sent Jing Yuan tumbling into his embrace like a flailing little shrimp.

Jing Yuan grew anxious.

Would Ji Yan have any improper intentions toward him tonight?

Though his mindset wasn’t conservative, he still wanted to preserve his most precious innocence for his future boyfriend.

Frowning, Jing Yuan curled up in Ji Yan’s arms like a silkworm, preparing to feign sleep.

If he fell asleep, Ji Yan probably wouldn’t do anything, right?

“Yan Yan, goodnight.”

Jing Yuan lifted his right leg, and the silk-textured quilt instantly covered them both. Soon after, the faint sound of fake snoring echoed from beneath the covers.

Ji Yan stared at Jing Yuan’s fully clothed form, his tone hardening. “Yuan Yuan.”

Jing Yuan mumbled drowsily, “Hmm?” Would Ji Yan take this chance to make some inappropriate demand?

“Perhaps you should go back to your own room to sleep.”

Jing Yuan offered the excuse he had prepared earlier: “Yan Yan, I’m not feeling well today. It’s not really suitable for me to—”

“Wait—”

Jing Yuan’s eyes snapped open. “Go back to sleep?”

Ji Yan was leisurely propping his head up, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Mm-hmm.”

Jing Yuan was bewildered.

Was he being rejected?

Ji Yan had seemed so eager just moments ago.

“Yan Yan, you don’t want me anymore?”

Jing Yuan had never felt such profound disappointment. His eyes welled up as if he were about to cry, and he rubbed them fiercely.

They weren’t even married yet, and Ji Yan was already tired of him.

Thank goodness he had never given his heart to Ji Yan.

Otherwise, in that tomb-like marriage, he would have lost himself and drowned in tears.

As Jing Yuan stewed in resentment, he grew increasingly upset.

“I do want you. But—” Ji Yan smiled inexplicably. “I’m a germaphobe. I can’t sleep in bed with someone wearing outside clothes.”

Jing Yuan paused, lowering his gaze to inspect his outfit.

He was, indeed, wearing a set of white thermal underwear.

Although they were clean, someone with severe germaphobia would never understand.

It was rather impolite.

“Then I’ll just take it off.” Jing Yuan didn’t think much of it and lifted his shirt.

Suddenly—

Ji Yan stopped him.

Jing Yuan, who had already stripped halfway, frowned. “What? I can’t even take my clothes off?”

Ji Yan said gently and considerately, “Yuan Yuan, we should respect your habits in such matters. Don’t force yourself.”

“I’m not forcing myself.” Jing Yuan defiantly took off his shirt and thermal pants one by one, leaving only a pair of boxer briefs. “Let’s sleep.”

Jing Yuan burrowed back under the covers and closed his eyes.

Ji Yan’s gaze turned into a turbulent wave, slowly eroding every inch of Jing Yuan’s skin, finally settling on the pair of porcelain-like legs beneath him.

He lay back on the pillow. “Going to sleep?”

Jing Yuan replied irritably, “Mm.”

Ji Yan lifted his arm and rested it near Jing Yuan’s head. “Do you need to use my arm as a pillow?”

“No, thank you.”

Jing Yuan only wanted to stay here to prove a point.

The ideal situation for him would be for both of them to sleep without disturbing each other.

Ji Yan turned off the light, and the only illumination in the room came from the moonlight slipping through the curtains.

Suddenly, he lowered his voice. “Yuan Yuan, if you need to use the bathroom at night, make sure to wake me.”

“Why?”

Sure enough, Jing Yuan lifted his head, his messy bangs falling over his forehead, his bright, clear eyes looking utterly innocent.

Ji Yan leaned closer. “This is a medieval castle. It’s normal for some supernatural phenomena to occur here. Your health isn’t great to begin with, and your energy is weak. I’m worried you might get scared.”

In the darkness, Ji Yan’s deep, magnetic voice carried an indescribable allure.

Instantly, Jing Yuan’s mind conjured up classic scenes from supernatural novels.

It seemed like this kind of castle was the perfect setting for paranormal events.

His voice trembled. “Ji Yan, if I call for you, will you wake up?”

Ji Yan: “Possibly.”

Possibly? Then what was the point of Ji Yan saying all that?

Jing Yuan rolled his eyes inwardly and said weakly, “Then I’ll just hold it in and not go.”

Ji Yan suppressed a laugh. “That works too.”

Time passed slowly. Jing Yuan wrapped himself tightly in the blankets, afraid that vengeful spirits from the castle might come for him.

But no matter how he curled up, he still felt a lack of security.

In the pitch-black room, he opened his eyes and could only make out the outline of Ji Yan’s face.

Ji Yan’s breathing was steady and even—clearly asleep.

After struggling with himself for a long time, Jing Yuan rested his head on Ji Yan’s arm, occasionally glancing at him, afraid of waking him.

Seeing that Ji Yan remained still, he grew bolder, clinging to him like a koala—his arms, legs, and stomach pressed against Ji Yan one by one.

Finally feeling secure, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

That night, he had a long dream.

It contained scenes from his current life, as well as his past.

His past life was dull, monotonous, and lonely—all the images were gray.

His only hobby had been reading novels.

In the dream, he saw his former self.

He looked exactly like Jing Yuan.

The next day, when Jing Yuan woke up, he was alone in the room.

The deep blue bed curtains formed a secluded space, with faint light filtering in from outside.

Just then, he heard voices outside.

He lifted the curtain and peeked out, his slender neck exposed and completely bare.

It was Ji Yan and Chen Tian.