Blazing Armor

Ren Yi wished he could just disappear on the spot.mgzSYefmrwTpUWoYwEmqSupQfAWNSq

This wasn’t the first time Gong Yingxian had said something shocking. In fact, he often uttered words that clashed starkly with his icy exterior, the kind that set people’s hearts and minds ablaze. Probably because Gong Yingxian didn’t give a damn about his social rating—whatever he wanted to say, he’d just say it and throw the burden onto others.TWmHFknOWqmxytfKiRRLXPzRSnYYDa

Ren Yi felt a bitterness he couldn’t put into words. He hadn’t even figured out what to say right now.gnaKaEaQMdJxHSzefSaIPBxqIVKIoI

Gong Yingxian, relentless, kept his gaze fixed on Ren Yi. “Why won’t you look at me? Do I make you uncomfortable?” He deliberately tugged at his bathrobe.VLSQcfMtnjklHIVnFlzOFNQmXgCbYx

Instinctively, Ren Yi took a step back. “What exactly are you trying to say?”qkaCIvVhoAhxdontSdbRDhpLdebMmU

“I’ve always been saying exactly what I want to say.” Gong Yingxian stared straight at Ren Yi, giving him no room to breathe. “Have you ever fantasized about it?”eSXGUFYhbqYuNHitmxwBzxUnwdabAR

Ren Yi flushed with anger. “What’s your purpose in asking this? Trying to humiliate me?”xQJOfnHofeQpYVQQmtgklQJsdpMzDD

“I have a right to know things that involve me. You’ve been hiding it from me all this time. Don’t you think you owe me some truth now?” Gong Yingxian narrowed his eyes slightly. “Stop lying to me.”GwKNhgeMuYqtmBHRNMsbCeIWFOgFCn

Annoyed, Ren Yi raked his fingers through his short, cropped hair, finding it hard to speak.lHJwCwvuvWyTycBHtYcORtOmESJQVI

To say he hadn’t? In the world of adults, that kind of lie held zero credibility.FNuLMezjJGKMhgMRSMObLgSqWEfYJU

To say he had? He didn’t dare imagine how Gong Yingxian would react.GBulJYUrdkirLLExIQrWFwAFoqCIhm

So Ren Yi did something rather cowardly—he decided to flee. “I don’t want to discuss this. You should rest.” With that, he strode toward the door.OVffvnGHjeLNqMRHdQoZznErjJGBay

His hand had just touched the doorknob when he felt a gust behind him. Suddenly, the door, which he’d barely opened, was slammed shut by a strong hand with a loud bang, sealing it firmly.InXzRTDPsGezhplrzQssBmidftMDHo

Ren Yi’s heart began to race. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the hand pressing against the door beside him—a pale, slender hand with clean, rounded nails, the kind of hand that looked suited for elegant writing. Yet, in reality, its marksmanship was exceptional, its strength immense. He noticed that the knuckles on that hand were not as pronounced as a normal person’s, flattened from years of boxing training that had deformed the joints.tbQAYrRcqsWjzbzLkwAzEihemCraaP

Sometimes, when Gong Yingxian was angry, Ren Yi genuinely felt a bit intimidated—like now. He could feel Gong Yingxian’s presence right behind him, his warm breath grazing the back of his neck. Just from the fast, heavy breathing, Ren Yi could sense the depth of Gong Yingxian’s anger.puwOmLcSzeSqnjRyevCRXySXurdFGJ

So he didn’t dare move an inch.fIUtIYkbktlkYSaUQpHDbPbfUCVlax

Gong Yingxian placed his other hand against the door, trapping Ren Yi between his arms and towering frame. Leaning close to Ren Yi’s ear, he whispered, “Trying to run?”DuLkETzJQmbeAYpYMPPepAEMVOhSbi

Ren Yi’s heart skipped a beat.OLbRwWrjYhwfaVPvLnFlgebVFzYfjA

“Answer my question.”HuMlBBLPPxjAsIhOnsdcdaAqrOOTKv

Ren Yi took a deep breath. “A normal man, when he sees a beautiful woman, might have certain thoughts—it’s just an instinctive reaction. It doesn’t mean he’ll act on it.”TyDvJzsUzrlZNrUriKBqZSbhDBXtxx

“So that means you have.” From behind, Gong Yingxian watched Ren Yi’s ears flush red, feeling a light tickle in his heart, like a small paw brushing against it. He barely touched his lips to Ren Yi’s earlobe. “Turn around.”MtSSEtAHDURDRbhhxQGtwxMTOMGQIv

Ren Yi was so nervous his palms were sweating.HdtxXlmwYXfEOVjyxalMgxWTEtAinf

“I said, turn around.” Gong Yingxian commanded, slowly enunciating each word.RfsfmNpvflUzsLhZJYMgOifxCERhBV

Ren Yi closed his eyes briefly, resigning himself as he slowly turned. Even as he shifted his body, he tried his best to keep his distance, yet inevitably brushed against Gong Yingxian’s frame.CdHKOGgLsQJWMhunOxuGzSKbEBYrox

Forcing himself to stay calm, Ren Yi mustered up the courage to meet Gong Yingxian’s gaze, though the depth in his eyes was unreadable.bQvJNkVyfnxsFAmIXUbxGHXjakxNoa

“What kind of fantasies?” Gong Yingxian pressed on.XqbevqOLhUaPbOUhAxYhMtXCnoBUQR

Ren Yi felt his head was about to explode. He gritted his teeth. “I don’t remember!”QgZXSYDxyervlyDpohUAbBMkFedkvK

“Were they like the ones you had with Qi Xiao?”WoKkqDjlnstiRyNgDvWCEEvUDMimIp

“I don’t know, I don’t remember…” Ren Yi felt utterly at a loss.liVKDOqYXvnwkvRigQgfeltIZugTNl

“Did you fantasize about me kissing you, holding you, or…”QuZwDEjvWTtEMUVjDQYKkYviWEfUEW

“Enough!” Ren Yi shot his hand out, trying to push Gong Yingxian away.KOlcMTHhkAdvnPhAFOOgCDxgksLFwN

Gong Yingxian seized his wrist and pinned it against the door, his sharp gaze locking onto Ren Yi’s eyes, piercing like a predator’s. He spoke coldly, “Didn’t you say you had no feelings for me? How many more lies are you planning to tell?”. UBpzucQzLTsxhiKNKWuiTbNsJVPDHd

(Kipzi oh.. OH MY GOD IS IT FINALLY GOING TO HAPPEN!???)LozNJLumCPVwLWAdrKolLoBNkjtCym

Ren Yi growled, “What exactly are you trying to prove, Gong Yingxian? That I’m some disgusting creep with filthy thoughts about you? I’ve already told you, it’s just instinct, instinct! You’re a man too—when you wake up hard in the morning, is it because you’re lusting after the air? Let me tell you, I don’t like you. I’ve always liked someone like Qi Xiao. You don’t have to worry about me having any improper thoughts about you, and you definitely don’t have to worry about me harassing you. Don’t you think you’re being a little too… too self-absorbed?”eFfFYDfRiRawpDmJnOkZvBAtIRKgNJ

After shouting all of that in one breath, Ren Yi felt his entire heart trembling, his body cold, as though his blood had been drained in an instant. Even though he had thrown Gong Yingxian off balance, there was no satisfaction, no sense of victory in his heart. All he felt was sadness and self-mockery. He didn’t even know whether his desperate denial was for the sake of a friendship that had long ceased to exist or for the shred of dignity he still clung to in front of Gong Yingxian.HYBWAwALkzbpYhlkiFKeJHIhzARWMg

What was he even after? What hope did he still hold on to? If his last line was merely for Gong Yingxian not to hate him, then after all he’d said, even that line was likely obliterated.efPHZXxcxzLsftgigByJKgQKTCqPdB

Gong Yingxian’s expression darkened visibly, his gaze turning ever colder, his demeanor fierce and ruthless. He spoke softly, “Fine, very well. I’m the one who’s been self-absorbed.” He practically spat out the words self-absorbed, each one feeling like a blade stabbing into his own heart.fBtDHFsDAAmdMOaKfOyesxybBeCylT

Ren Yi took a sharp breath, regretting instantly. “I-I didn’t mean it like that, I…”zheHtUoEDDGkfElnYbRdEOHeqRCcBL

“I just wanted to make sure—to confirm that you didn’t have any improper thoughts about me.” Gong Yingxian’s eyes glinted with frost. “After all, you once said we were friends, yet you hid so much from me behind my back.”actrQrAcKSBtmOeQuvLXABLcWXgVjO

Ren Yi clenched his fists, his voice hoarse. “Then, can you be at ease now?”BtVNeDzlTOGVGOztFNpkfAIegdSMbB

“I am.” Gong Yingxian’s expression shifted into a smile, but it was a smile that made Ren Yi’s skin crawl.RsuJjRcwSWZtBqsHrzZTQVRcPeEelI

“Can you let me go now?” Ren Yi whispered. “Captain Qiu should be arriving soon. We have official business to attend to.”VKlEYuewqoSzFlIebbbwmaRciSROCp

But Gong Yingxian didn’t release him. He leaned forward slightly, bringing his gaze level with Ren Yi’s. “I’m curious.”IOikvsNOTvQVCRkKnlEMPhrrpEdNyy

“…Curious about what?”eMSFqFMHBSeOXtzUgKgPQAKcWxRxPt

“That thing. Most people say it feels good.”TaCuDzIAxXaWxtxYprWNsIiKyvRJGh

Ren Yi caught his meaning immediately. “I thought you found it repulsive…”youuLJJMJrmTANGnWvDRjKZkTHSoTw

“Why would I find sex repulsive? Sex is a means of reproduction, as natural as eating and sleeping—an instinct. It’s also an indispensable aspect of studying criminal psychology. It’s not sex I find repulsive, it’s people.”cUPLnQbuHFcwfogotWyqZUDpZdqzAs

Now Ren Yi was lost. He didn’t understand Gong Yingxian’s intentions behind these words.YbGMjndXdHaAiOjpGXrjGPedKmSGgT

“Considering…” Gong Yingxian’s cold eyes bore into Ren Yi, his tone equally unyielding, “that you just happen to have a body I don’t find repulsive, I’d like to try it.”qTWytZoZhGxjCFjdjpgUXrKxhAKTUQ

Ren Yi’s eyes widened, his mind blank with shock.BEsMUJUsIIsabxtHkNRsfRtpiUcpLc

What was Gong Yingxian saying? What was he even implying?!LGBNvnzHDMfOpFapEZfpdoFYfDtMAj

“What’s the matter? Haven’t you fantasized about it too?” Gong Yingxian sneered. “Did you think lying wouldn’t come with consequences? This is what you owe me.”PXFqaTFyLnZuBEoLGUiHVViXbzeLqo

Ren Yi’s voice shook. “You—you want…”jqOefvwKKWjFiJvAqycKlbNkgpwBJl

“You don’t like me, and I won’t ever like you. That simplifies things. I’m a man; I just want to know what it feels like.”TTTzLJcwwSYVuORhlJYLHzCEyWQcIJ

A sharp pain twisted in Ren Yi’s chest.YYaxNNKbeSmfOMinqRXFNCYLAAgNBQ

(Omg he has to be screwing with him) mkGtaoYWyWSyDMCpchUBqPRKfAwZyH

If Gong Yingxian had made such a request months ago, Ren Yi might have been thrilled. But now? No. When you truly love someone, the only belief worth holding onto is mutual understanding and connection. But Gong Yingxian would never love him.oulziyutQjqOqoBXCCeLdfnHBtXoxP

Was it Ren Yi’s fault that Gong Yingxian had such thoughts? He recalled what Qiu Yan once said—had he, by maintaining their friendship, somehow given Gong Yingxian the wrong impression?wpjveQYboLCUMZxMxsQEHbvXhGzRCD

What had he done? How had things spiraled into this mess?!jYxWKGbSEhAqqrHzuDIXuXtDbRjILm

Gong Yingxian’s eyes reddened, his vision of Ren Yi blurred, then sharpened, over and over, intensifying his headache. He was enraged, hurt, but he hid it all. His desire was consuming him; he wanted Ren Yi at any cost, even if Ren Yi had plainly said he didn’t love him. Yet he still craved him with a reckless intensity.dOyZjSamfBkvLntgZZbHrBnwkTFoYv

Ren Yi nodded. “Fine.” He forced a casual smile, as if it didn’t matter. “What’s the issue? I’ll let you… try.”uQMMEGYcXoeRBupIwnfVkRDIrgPiTe

Gong Yingxian’s expression remained cold. “You could flirt with others while you had a boyfriend. For you, it really isn’t a big deal.”iObuAzIDoucXEKYemudAlGHKPzkRXm

Ren Yi gave a bitter laugh, too exhausted to argue. “Welcome to the adult world.”GvmFPVGecjLBnNFoQFDCAinmzPyCkM

Gong Yingxian released him.MGDXatYstiiAWuofpjKlHlgwDSlLFJ

Ren Yi wiped his face, turned, and walked out the door.qVGsahoYyarasmkQWErgENPTgTyzsx

Gong Yingxian stood there, frozen for a long time, then suddenly swung his fist, slamming it hard against the door.HudeCjLRNLtMUVUyrOUKogLVanfcPq

A deep dent was left in the thick, solid wood, splinters scraping bloody marks across Gong Yingxian’s hand.JAPNtFPyQYuqcSKUfnQiGGGZHMXAgu

—jmnzCxfJUXsVevMYdJpqpTAnpoewRR

When Qiu Yan arrived, it was already late.xWfuBYbiupgWWFRrrRNEvpJBMqjOnT

The three gathered in the study, which was filled with evidence. Each wore a mask of calm.mKhvgyZRYPsRgySHYquVzLOSxuDWjv

Qiu Yan greeted Ren Yi with composure; Ren Yi exchanged a quiet, composed glance with Gong Yingxian. Even when he noticed the bandage on Gong Yingxian’s hand, he held back his usual concern.UhxPPrzgcIUEZAWgqePuGgCYDVmuQW

Everything seemed peaceful, but beneath the surface, who could see whose waters ran with hidden, turbulent currents?omPcOzmCUNqsPfPBOEqFxjErLLLPmm