Blazing Armor

Once they got in the car, Ren Yi noticed Gong Yingxian’s face was full of exhaustion, with dark shadows under his eyes.EVWclwJDbrtHMnsuvpyxoMNVhmyeqc

MEzpiDiRstjTvBD

Ren Yi frowned and asked, “Have you slept at all since the incident?”fmayFCTSqqYRtULTeAHconJcbEjIse

pCzPmKKDjLSHgRj

“I closed my eyes for a bit,” Gong Yingxian replied indifferently. The events at the concert—whether it was Purple Flame’s situation or Ren Yi’s—had left him restless, so he’d been working nonstop ever since.fCCfArkoyMCpZYmupoYojErUbuztyT

EBdLRhpzaBncpdC

“Let me drive; at least I got some sleep.”dfFtwIhObFheJUbiImKbXwfweJOZsK

DTvJfqyfsoLMrly

The two switched places, and Ren Yi placed Miao Miao onto Gong Yingxian’s lap. “You should try to get some rest too.”svPaEfpFDmTFbYvEWQFSXTxgRMRQTu

hwOJSNDJOgUAbpZ

“I can’t sleep.” Gong Yingxian stroked Miao Miao. “It’s grown a bit.”gwLiuXGYZONoynjkdPHsxMLzElYaNw

MdvsYbRYXDZyUwI

“Well, it eats every day, of course it’s growing,” Ren Yi said. “Lean the seat back and at least try to rest a bit; lack of sleep affects your ability to think.”NouKEeQuJlqJHQRwVREVoZBHykSUMd

TDwWxUHCrmsfcvr

Gong Yingxian reclined the seat, stretched his back slightly, then unzipped his down jacket and tucked Miao Miao inside.TcnlxJnStBJxCBgFXOMeFhiLOLLEzL

uOupQhLvRlXhvqp

Miao Miao poked its little head out, meowed, and obediently curled up on Gong Yingxian’s chest, clearly content with the warmth and already preparing to continue sleeping.SXuOBCTfGSVsDyjVsseJhQfmytbVMa

xzwJXuhQZSWrbul

“How often does it get bathed?” Gong Yingxian asked, gently patting Miao Miao through the down jacket.TnTEeaCfpgKVgWZudQMKiAfWzhAyQw

MPEuZOirzkRxGnP

“Hasn’t had one since it got here,” Ren Yi said as he started the car. “It was washed when it was at the pet shop recovering, but cats are fine with a bath every few months, right?”psnEhZOZlmAfyjhCzQPUNtwSzvLXzt

bLhtTTOdxYHZUmb

Gong Yingxian shot Ren Yi a sideways glance. “Bring it over to my place for a bath.”bqcPJNflyoYlcxfmHKrxYYTNlDTRJy

thrXQlbnvzndheF

Ren Yi smirked. “You think it’s dirty, yet you’re tucking it into your jacket?”WyxlCWPeElLjmGbmvBFWGUqmCUFszt

BmwhoINLvAHLiWV

“I don’t think it’s dirty.” Gong Yingxian paused, then clarified, “It is dirty, but I don’t mind it.”KOXenGoDoWyWRxMXagsWdCUiwuWgMR

FbMTtGJJAiiAqkN

“Seems like your cleanliness compulsion is improving.”FYcKKChfjQYaLgNIyzxpPHNhnIkRrK

NSRWdwZJrFyGpcx

“It isn’t.” Gong Yingxian said plainly, “It’s my cat.”oTlTIYneGWxmpSxQaSkNzLJhockLwB

svlXUYkrFLpzBgr

Our cat, Ren Yi added in his heart.etuClDEeMOvSjiPVGaMoHzykOWLiLH

CdmQqVpJbzrzySL

“Can’t sleep; let’s talk.” Gong Yingxian turned his head to gaze out the window at the retreating nightscape, not wanting Ren Yi to see his expression.PbZdVlEvXpLAqWoECCLvdMXVWdWMDj

xekiRKtnZKwQCmu

“Alright, what do you want to talk about?”iizmmTADsEApBLOMuadXtBzYeKtXzi

YQVpCQfLvQKLyMc

“How many boyfriends have you had?”yVIEyaAYAbbVRwfpqSseBYmyMXDmGU

xIGaMaLEsbQhYdB

Ren Yi almost lost his breath for a moment, completely caught off guard by the sharp and pointed question Gong Yingxian led with. It was as if he’d been holding this in, waiting for the right moment.IGabTYcgAJMEYLkMFCmbsiEaoBmDbC

LOVlxJBfuhtoeLn

“Hmm?” Gong Yingxian was a bit displeased by Ren Yi’s silence.xXUZJnbrKaNAptxiAmcwVdYCztXzxa

oJZuuXSvGWnbFih

“…Three,” Ren Yi answered honestly.RYeFyKDhxlzSeZkBxjMWbRPeEsUJPH

kwudZHDHFLEUiAA

Gong Yingxian suppressed a hint of anger. “How old were you when you realized your orientation?”EJHVEWEzDarJWDgGzmPZPJBPpiuUiR

mOvGnOLctpvcFLi

“Around fifteen or sixteen,” Ren Yi replied, feeling quite uncomfortable. He stole a glance at Gong Yingxian, who was still staring out the window, his face revealing nothing of his emotions.XwDjoiJpVfdNUlbxCngdIPMCuPeDpj

xQUarboZauhJjIk

“And how did you realize it?” Gong Yingxian asked in a flat, mechanical tone, as if stripping any intonation that might reveal his emotions.tkDXfQPYJtkIKOwRGoGhgFuuvPsqkJ

qDxzIngPKiJtQuY

To Ren Yi, it sounded like an interrogation. He sighed inwardly—was this a cop thing? He braced himself and answered, “I fell for a classmate.”vQmIStxwRzoEpUHJOhgIHMKnuTwMZD

iUYwECvAAJGLwTV

“So, only by falling for someone did you come to realize it?”BApjaZOgMixIkOHxnNesvrDzlymIvY

YLjLRXyCmEZWXxw

“In most cases, yeah.”qUdjyusugLXBGnmLiUgGPckyJSuzcn

kLayehEaLWapEss

“How do you define this orientation?”giwDkPGwlgdnFXgazgWlBvHrbEttnn

HbjvvKgLYIgyklt

Ren Yi, feeling awkward, asked, “Define…how?”hpdCopHzwlxFMTJbldbJlMmuVHWJOK

WNOhvhsSnYpawKu

“What kind of person could be defined as having this orientation?”sVrwsBpwDTEiAhwVHHEclvMJcdahtL

AZAOHqenNpLYxlF

“Uh…someone who naturally likes people of the same gender, obviously.”BxgCNKhvqnakqLTNCnHiIOBshVCzmD

LDYLOamepGOjVdv

Gong Yingxian’s gaze turned unfocused. “Then what if…someone only likes one person of the same gender, but no one else?” He had pondered this seriously, and in the end, he realized that aside from Ren Yi, he had no interest in anyone else. Men, women—he wanted to keep his distance. Even with family members like Sheng Bo, Fei Lan, or Qiu Yan, he avoided unnecessary physical contact. The only difference between family and strangers was that family didn’t disgust him.JAtToclFtfiaFyVZHdaSOdfCJkPgmG

TnxOmgGGFrtntHn

But with Ren Yi, only Ren Yi, he wanted to be close.JpAjxMIlUfUKKeulZZpLKWVrZvskAm

SckxdPLvdKghLkD

Ren Yi thought for a moment before responding, “There are all kinds of orientations in this world; it’s just that heterosexuality and homosexuality are more common. I think if you love someone, there’s no need to get hung up on their gender.”DWLSpMytEKHrZEdCoDozTLjVPqIEgo

sDpmDMevFQiezlp

Gong Yingxian fell silent.hVBmAPOZegAIcYJLSALPvfaeFgdlyu

hJiNuHxevRwdJyD

Ren Yi let out a small sigh of relief, thinking Gong Yingxian was finally going to drop this uncomfortable topic.PDPWgdxSGDcyzrqGRQjHzPPbBEmphd

zPCNDZgXiFnhTKV

But after a moment, Gong Yingxian dropped another bombshell: “When did you guys break up?”fMFMKEdFHYYCSzrmcTYtjxkfrqFwMG

gEqBqmJGxrnAIYG

Ren Yi looked extremely embarrassed. “Huh?”gyCYSFYtwlnJxhDhYCeoOFPfVPrQVt

uabbuVVIEVkxjYk

“You’ve had three boyfriends, which means you’re capable of breaking up. So, logically speaking, there’s a chance you and Qi Xiao will break up too, right?”OyqbChQybKjFhXTvXsctASBQutJsFJ

CWbvFLMMniZNBkY

The investigation on Qi Xiao had been sent to his phone a few hours earlier. Dealing with someone like that only required a small manipulation of fame and profit. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He just couldn’t accept that someone like Ren Yi—a person who, despite having a boyfriend, deliberately concealed his orientation, flirted with him, and treated him as amusement—was worth abandoning his principles and morals for something disgraceful.WMCkrRwyfcIfEbmwfLchaeUxAugHFx

ZxWPwKuJvhRJYQS

Moreover, even if he went through with it, Ren Yi still wouldn’t belong to him.NUhlTKqxHEOuobcOkalzgbLNiydKXf

XdzCuvZKtCyQKPa

Ren Yi took a deep breath. “We broke up already.”UYzyQoZcHFMkpiBamGAGtzdLfNuyAP

sdDjtIPUJuBohxs

Gong Yingxian shot upright in his seat, turning to Ren Yi with shock.uPeJBtRTrbpBBFvEEmAHEOulGjAPoT

yOvOMbkJUKADVaq

Ren Yi was also startled by Gong Yingxian’s reaction, almost rear-ending the car in front of them. He quickly stomped on the brakes, his heart pounding as he looked at the narrowly avoided collision.ZhTcVZmhBCRhmPIdOIVcGstYbhnHRm

coAMkDiMBJRfMun

“When?” Gong Yingxian asked. “That night?”dpLrTNyZxfcmyMlYEGcPcZJAUMdQPG

rWeDEGRaAckqVuG

“…Yes.”TOxpwTNceBXOVXQAtpfZigICuPcPMQ

CJhLqEyXRqGUUnW

“Why didn’t you mention it before?”uoVbTgATzCkPVWrpYxqHWoSHJEACNo

eLiKSJXUKCEqQtR

“Does it matter?” Ren Yi thought bitterly. Would being single make him any less “disgusting”?FuVoDrnhlBUlTWwxYvAHDDlcBrfYBZ

buzCsbSysyHfThG

A mix of emotions churned in Gong Yingxian’s heart. He felt like he should be happy, yet there was no joy in him, because Ren Yi had once told him flatly, “I have no feelings for you whatsoever.”TexhBSdFkIvpCrZeMjUlqQNunCGfHN

YqMMKXNtwytHTDD

So even after the breakup, there were still no feelings for him? Gong Yingxian clenched his fists, growing even angrier without knowing who this anger was directed toward. Was it solely at Ren Yi?LOwNMYAhQIoXhHpetoakFrIsbUfkaZ

yxgQIfluYluzlob

And so they fell into silence, both of them quiet for the remainder of the drive to Gong Yingxian’s home.uKUSsNrqjqephnTcmHOSDStjCfiSVu

fkaBPfIbbRpVHXw

Uncle Sheng greeted Ren Yi warmly as always, but this time, facing Uncle Sheng’s smile, Ren Yi only felt a pang of guilt. If Uncle Sheng knew what thoughts he harbored toward Gong Yingxian, would he end up hating him too?HlmnXrYjCykONHEJJFkpcftjInPNVp

SRzPsAPUkNQbqkx

Once home, Gong Yingxian handed Miao Miao to the housekeeper. “Give it a bath; I’m going to take a shower too.”ryouHEXGSQgAlbDzypNDZKuweoxfLe

yhAkkBHlnzWyYoe

Uncle Sheng happily played with Miao Miao for a moment, then led Ren Yi to the dining room. “Captain Ren, are you hungry? We’ve prepared some late-night snacks, all your favorites.”zfUVgyMOfFspWSQEZutHIzjfuaGabx

CNaITiaaRshZHSI

Ren Yi chuckled awkwardly. “Thank you.”zJViLpTxBTcNYqqzrUVXHYXKKkLerP

jUSVxXOtrwIwNOh

“Did you both enjoy the concert?” Uncle Sheng asked with a smile. “The young master even had me get him some casual clothes for the occasion. He hasn’t dressed like that in ages; it was like seeing him in his student days again. Such good memories.”yDIDJmmPNglyGWJLOSkgwQyQzTCsHI

SJNtQkLFZUEuKtQ

“Oh, it was alright. Sounded pretty good.”wzTLGQgMkafBgIxgAzmDOaNexRqwot

yvNYCaWoaZHyoOd

“This was the young master’s first concert, you know. Before, getting him to go to a crowded place was like asking for his life. He would only push himself to endure such things for work. But because of Captain Ren, he’s crossed his limits several times. Dr. Pompeii is thrilled; he says your encouragement works better on the young master than any other method.”bAAwqOBQkwqRqANosMJHvSsetERYgi

RlYgXDYpgZqHgAT

“Dr. Pompeii?”CGjHXfMsKZoGJMKgcpNTofNOMxVQRz

clugPyltXTWfmPw

“Yes, the young master’s therapist. It’s thanks to years of his treatment that the young master can now mostly integrate into society. Dr. Pompeii even said he’d like to meet you next time he’s in Beijing.”JZuvMimjArxERGEkcNOlVgAtHZgByL

qzfMAPVCarmuMyM

“Oh, I see…” Ren Yi felt a bit rattled at the thought of meeting Gong Yingxian’s therapist. Just a few words, and he’d probably be exposed.SVLpVnLmgjloddcKjqXSfFoXZpalyZ

oTsnSFmkjCRmpxZ

“Dr. Pompeii said that only someone who can genuinely get the young master to open his heart can guide him in the right direction, so having you as a friend is wonderful for him.” Uncle Sheng poured Ren Yi a cup of hot tea. “Captain Ren, we don’t even know how to thank you.”WwGLJtqLjgUOvzohSbzIdLsJUdEaTt

buuagOkTfNnxsPB

Ren Yi felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, his face starting to burn with guilt. How could he be worthy of their trust and gratitude? If they knew what he really felt about Gong Yingxian—if they realized his thoughts weren’t entirely innocent—they would probably feel just as “disgusted” as Gong Yingxian did.CTUwToFNerOTgQWypXDDbPfWLBJqxN

vkmGaJFPkMrhZMr

He ate a few bites, then set his chopsticks down, forcing a smile. “Uncle Sheng, I actually ate before I came, so I’m not too hungry.”RnPgxYGsEEHVlyKFaMDnHbScjiApiO

DfpeqQXHDwyvaSt

“Oh, that’s alright. Aren’t you two working late tonight? Just call me if you get hungry.”JmIklYmAwaQKUheKgQuxCsmLSkBcOm

MkhoSwYhPRimakG

Ren Yi couldn’t bear to face Uncle Sheng’s warm gaze any longer, so he mentioned wanting to check on Miao Miao’s bath.ylaYedNDHhXGbFFEQWRFefljKJuPth

rUiXPsHKGLTrYYI

By the time he arrived, Miao Miao’s bath was almost finished. Ren Yi helped the housekeeper dry her off.DEYdeLubrVrviFzItRCrfxMEzgvXGt

FfalKzTVdbbBWPT

Freshly bathed, Miao Miao’s fur was soft and fragrant, even with a bit of new fuzz growing over her previously burned spots, making them much less noticeable. Holding Miao Miao, Ren Yi decided to take her to show Gong Yingxian.coFkzSAPfMnayvQkLSlhuHKagbcwXu

axrjwFZChNELBqU

When he reached Gong Yingxian’s bedroom, he noticed the door wasn’t fully closed. It seemed as if Gong Yingxian had entered in a hurry, leaving it ajar.jJvfkYwsmdpxqNKALnPqsOiQhmyOjY

kTWwsdeaGNonPJv

Ren Yi gently knocked twice, but there was no response. A hint of worry crept in; Gong Yingxian was usually intensely private, so leaving his bedroom door open was almost unheard of. Ren Yi remembered how Gong Yingxian hadn’t slept in days, and his complexion had shown signs of exhaustion and low blood sugar.ORPsbcUaeXhLrfdFhmEDmyCROcXxXn

ZgnYXUpIxyRCvFC

After a moment’s hesitation, Ren Yi quietly pushed the door open and found Gong Yingxian lying on the bed in his pajamas. His slippers were still on, and he hadn’t covered himself with a blanket—hardly looking like he’d intended to sleep.tHfWpElAnIzUgdoJwfUVyexyossHwa

ixAOETuoMJBZhIG

Damn, could he have fainted?JMFChARbyZnFdRfmozdwAXxoGCBtmt

FIkDVJqSBDCeaDG

Ren Yi, feeling increasingly worried, approached and called softly, “Yingxian? Yingxian?”AjeIZhIdWWpVwGppxbBDJRppCmxCMv

sdfWjrUahGlVjIw

Gong Yingxian didn’t respond, his breathing steady, deeply asleep.PrRWMgeKTmhhunlDNGyjjmViAfVyEU

SYEOBOZAPHWDfls

Ren Yi set Miao Miao aside, recalling how Gong Yingxian was usually a light sleeper—it didn’t make sense for him not to wake up. If he couldn’t wake him, he’d have to call a doctor.hhlUjzZHcAHlDRPsEuokwbvdntgVDG

cLmGjoIFwPtzgWf

He gave Gong Yingxian’s shoulder a couple of gentle shakes. “Yingxian, wake up. What’s wrong?”pnejwHHlAVytrvhlIBimBGmKxxrrmo

GcLHrVglgAmtqhy

Suddenly, Gong Yingxian’s eyes shot open, startling Ren Yi so much he instinctively withdrew his hand. But Gong Yingxian, acting on reflex, grabbed Ren Yi’s wrist and pulled him down onto the bed, simultaneously pushing himself up.HisYBTkTbdtkYrpNWHqKwoiMLfDruM

trNjOarBftkrTqR

“What are you doing?”gvAhFrvbPlKshhmaMdtvljJyQkDSDL

BwimuaTAgEJSkld

Having just finished his shower, Gong Yingxian was only wearing a bathrobe, the belt loosely tied. As he sat up, the front opened widely, leaving him practically exposed.qVbICQDivsSjkYVkNAKsvGRqmBYCXi

dEjUDwNICOrpBtS

Ren Yi’s face was nearly pressed against Gong Yingxian’s chest, catching the faint scent of his post-shower freshness. His mind went blank; he couldn’t find any words.xhBuyhIYecfIICEUgaQDxfpbMlwFuA

AsbtInhiEBOBDVN

Gong Yingxian shook his head, clearing his foggy mind a bit. “What are you doing here?”EQesuARzofpMjDpBOObGOvNFwsICiw

WAYoOlFWomQyNHT

“I… I brought Miao Miao to show you, and… I thought you might have fainted. Were you… did you faint?” Ren Yi stammered, realizing what he was saying. He quickly retracted his hand. “I didn’t mean to touch you; I just thought you’d fainted.”kmOjDLafJciWKBAUspxKFeLMurzktK

sFjkWYHzaicPIqJ

Gong Yingxian’s hand was now empty, and the familiar warmth and sensation vanished almost as quickly as it had come. A sense of irritation rose within him.zAUDxiGhhAWjyNBZeAUOlUPpjSZBaQ

kVOfJTzWdeVGbkG

“I was so exhausted after my shower that I just wanted to lie down for a bit.” Gong Yingxian noticed how Ren Yi’s gaze darted everywhere except toward him. Lowering his head, he saw his robe hanging open and immediately understood Ren Yi’s discomfort. He considered closing it, grabbing the fabric, but hesitated and didn’t move.KUGhVeYLkOaYuFlzPjREqQsqBdsIDU

KiofmLYTOsrjifP

Ren Yi, avoiding his gaze, turned his attention to Miao Miao as though he were seeking refuge. “If you want to rest, go ahead. Don’t wear yourself out.”XAyBaxuGgPUVCFollgDPJeKCfAfLov

ltZemCuujmYpusQ

Gong Yingxian lifted his gaze, fixing it on Ren Yi with an unreadable intensity. “Have you and Qi Xiao… done it?”uqzUpiNFuHiupbjlYjIpiHcylIjRDv

qNCUkcTXFvcgECU

Ren Yi froze, his whole body stiffening.UpCpNAJNdoaDrUTHcxapSYRqwOCMNq

XwzSDjYwmDTlGRM

Gong Yingxian narrowed his eyes. “Since you have thoughts about men, have you ever fantasized about doing it with me?”mXaSPggHaHXdoTqpStwepfQofyZBLQ

gPCeFUxXwuMruaB