Ruan Qing glanced at the cushion, and tears welled up in his eyes as he quickly shook his head, his voice panicked and trembling. “…No, please don’t…”
“Don’t want to?”
This time, Miao Ciyu didn’t force him to sit. Instead, he gave a small nod.
“Alright.”
Just as Ruan Qing breathed a sigh of relief, Miao Ciyu suddenly picked him up. Before he could react, he was pulled and seated on Miao Ciyu’s lap, while Miao Ciyu himself sat on that cushion.
This position was even worse than sitting by himself.
Ruan Qing’s eyes widened, his entire body stiffening. Instinctively, he tried to close his legs, but because he was sitting on Miao Ciyu, he couldn’t bring them together at all.
Instead, his attempt to squeeze them only pressed him closer to a certain part of Miao Ciyu. A strange sensation instantly shot through him, making him freeze even more.
He didn’t know whether to struggle or stay still, so he just sat there stiffly, completely at a loss.
Miao Ciyu showed no restraint. With one hand wrapped around Ruan Qing’s slender waist and the other pressing against the back of his head, he tilted his head up and kissed him, claiming Ruan Qing’s lips without hesitation.
Even the hand on Ruan Qing’s waist slid slightly lower, settling at the base of his spine.
It was a dangerous and sensitive spot. The stimulation made Ruan Qing’s eyes widen further. Just as he was about to struggle, the sound of footsteps echoed from nearby.
This small thicket was too close to the main path—close enough that any noise could be heard.
Ruan Qing didn’t dare struggle anymore. Even though his clothes were perfectly neat, not a single button undone, his position with Miao Ciyu was undeniably intimate. Anyone would know exactly what they were doing.
Miao Ciyu also heard the footsteps, but he didn’t stop. He continued exactly as he was.
The footsteps grew closer—close enough to distinguish their rhythm and weight.
It was… Miao Li.
Ruan Qing’s face instantly paled, his eyes widening in panic. The moment he recognized the footsteps, he instinctively tried to break free.
The person he loved was walking right past them, yet here he was, sitting on another man’s lap, doing things that should only be shared with his beloved.
Even worse, it was happening on the cushion he had meant to give to Miao Li.
Guilt and self-loathing crashed over him, followed by a surge of fear. If anyone found out about him and Miao Ciyu…
Just thinking about the consequences made his heart ache so badly he could hardly bear it.
He couldn’t lose Miao Li.
Suppressing the urge to struggle, Ruan Qing didn’t dare make a single sound.
Miao Ciyu couldn’t identify the person from their footsteps, but he knew exactly who it was. The only time the gu inside him grew restless was when Miao Li approached—as if encountering its natural nemesis.
What’s more, the reaction of the person in his arms already said it all.
A shadow flickered in Miao Ciyu’s eyes as his movements grew rougher. His hand landed on one of Ruan Qing’s vulnerable spots, as if trying to force a sound out of him.
Ruan Qing’s face paled further, his eyes reddening once again. He looked at Miao Ciyu in panic, his beautiful gaze filled with pleading—and upon closer inspection, fear and terror.
Miao Ciyu’s hand paused. In the end, he lowered his eyes darkly and, as Ruan Qing wished, made no sound himself nor forced any from Ruan Qing. But he still didn’t let go. Instead, he gently kissed the corner of Ruan Qing’s lips, soothing him with tender motions.
As if trying to ease all his fear away.
But Ruan Qing couldn’t relax at all. The sound of footsteps grew closer—so close it felt like they were right beside them.
He was terrified that if he looked up, he’d see Miao Li standing right in front of them.
Ruan Qing’s body stiffened, his entire focus locked onto the footsteps. He was like a frightened young animal, trembling slightly at the slightest disturbance.
Fortunately, the footsteps didn’t pause at all and moved away at a steady pace, disappearing into the distance within half a minute.
Whoever was walking seemed completely unaware of what was happening behind the bushes—unaware that the person they were about to marry was currently in another man’s arms.
Ruan Qing let out a quiet sigh of relief, only then realizing his whole body was trembling lightly, his palms damp with sweat. But before he could recover even slightly, he was subjected to even more merciless treatment. “Mmn…”
Both their clothes remained perfectly neat, not a single thread out of place, yet there was no innocence between them. There never had been.
The alternating gentleness and cruelty against his vulnerable spot forced Ruan Qing to bite down hard on his lower lip. He clung to Miao Ciyu’s neck, his body taut with tension.
He didn’t know how much time had passed—maybe a long while, maybe just half an hour.
In the end, Ruan Qing collapsed weakly into Miao Ciyu’s arms, his beautiful eyes dazed and unfocused.
Miao Ciyu caught him as he fell, their bodies pressed so close he could feel the other’s heartbeat—pounding, nerve-wracking.
He couldn’t tell if that frantic rhythm came from overwhelming emotion, from affection for him… or from the terror of nearly being discovered by Miao Li.
He had thought this person loved him—or at least felt some degree of fondness. But in reality, that wasn’t the case at all.
He agreed to be his "side piece" (mistress), and he’d agree to other men being his "side piece" too.
It was all just his own wishful thinking.
Yesterday, he had secretly rejoiced over the young man calling him "side piece," but today, it felt like nothing but blatant mockery—as if taunting him for his naivety.
Miao Ciyu tightened his embrace, his grip so fierce it seemed he wanted to crush the person in his arms into his very flesh and blood.
"Mmm..." Ruan Qing winced in pain, the discomfort bringing more tears to his eyes. Just as he was about to speak, a hoarse voice whispered in his ear.
"If I die, will you die with me?"
The words caught in Ruan Qing’s throat. His lashes fluttered slightly, and he pressed his pale, thin lips together, refusing to answer.
Miao Ciyu’s heart sank to the depths. The air around him grew heavy, his eyes darkening with fury.
He didn’t want to. Silence was answer enough—not only did he refuse, but he wouldn’t even lie to spare his feelings.
Of course. He was just his "side piece," someone who could never stand openly by his side. Worse, he had allowed other men the same role.
Even as a mistress, he wasn’t unique.
Miao Ciyu’s gaze turned icy. He looked down at the man before him, gently caressing Ruan Qing’s cheek with a lover’s tenderness, but his words were cruel and chilling.
"If I die, I’ll drag you down with me."
