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.tGgusmKEuCqszRTFTFQXVMjspraGgM

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

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“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.YqkWAdrOZwxRXoxIiwSYbjXHiBodym

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

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

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

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“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.”lHuepVlzMsIWDRorYhFBZYHSXFpuIj

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

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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.ciysWRPmrcUtANwQUWKsVhqHcSPFdD

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

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“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?”YmoeaJRJlvWPkrGZnCRhllhahXGjWk

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

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

mEUcaTtsEMrmHZx

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

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“Seems like your cleanliness compulsion is improving.”NXuawQwYmEiJJMwkEHLQtvsHnzDuwc

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

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Our cat, Ren Yi added in his heart.ffhojwpVebEfzsQPyMSQizdqgQxBGO

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“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.pUoPHZycQzMSbPuTpYSHwwFsxtTVHi

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

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“How many boyfriends have you had?”QSbQPssGXpSgnKDfSLODGaxMxWOSLn

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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.XSrQilYRYyHhadqhuEmNKohqinTxjo

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

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“…Three,” Ren Yi answered honestly.dwlgxAkgowVZNpGCWVeNlPXHeBgowI

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

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“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.xGnSGXgHKnSNbbsyQRtBsqWlTlDczZ

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

CrLuXZZWJkgPyMn

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.”RWbGKaYhGWAhEYznxZkzWiVIFImJZf

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

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“In most cases, yeah.”vGKdfQDYbnesMzRspxNAxlGstYeBeW

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“How do you define this orientation?”UUrbZxnMvSPKpQchyZvelmmkereAXA

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

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

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

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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.pcZgDLLbNDdxapJPVSGinmBIjMWfoU

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

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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.”JBnQlXmZrWIzTjydNdpASomewWgNgh

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Gong Yingxian fell silent.QMNiDLrPDzWrabMuWhlYWiuHJRuxvg

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

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

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Ren Yi looked extremely embarrassed. “Huh?”GGESibmmuKvcxFpFCCDIEjFmILzLvL

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“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?”YvecGKOLXdeZyMBhQnjoqrlNsNgfNt

fySPXDIfbugPdWm

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.fXRRogDBNEbdEYNGYttkDkqxbqoyGy

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

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

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

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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.fcGBniVvHAGYrODvWYeatHIiLZXHOg

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

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“…Yes.”rTsctQlUNZjqCpxioZJZhYlgtYVBTD

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

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

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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.”gEHpkgPfroTeQBQiYyfRhdOoaFMPOC

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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?HeNLiggKNZwsYtPUFxqEBnbjwnKnNM

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

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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?DQIyKboMmNTRHDHEfLGsTQbHngooeN

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

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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.”lvKLhGRrdgcGoafPzrjgOrmGSANcLV

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Ren Yi chuckled awkwardly. “Thank you.”MlNjFrFlMXrQDQKgXQhukQGfAeltJs

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“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.”kIzjoWsWFaRQndjzHWifCwmizPEgeV

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

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“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.”QhquizjhuHGoIxihAsKDdzHhrCkioz

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“Dr. Pompeii?”NwQmxJaDIXLqqSCEazNVmBUuuEBUaG

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“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.”jNDDXVHmlkJhLobRnsltujEqZFYLpK

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“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.BrjrhkKvqJbTAbldfwRlOQHdddZetf

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“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.”GolPfxfbjfttKOBPWCjIpGhZzNlBAC

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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.rqaNfsZfTNttBcDTQQOEIApFQqakmJ

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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.”ksBrxLppamKbFGgekpwzEoISsAQPLF

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

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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.gKTwEwTAQLPTEksYaEFhtSTjySHmhP

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

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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.upfMVbuTmKgTJZdECczgbcManBlVno

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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.eKeRfGFXQSvdIrRXntYnLilDLUjNem

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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.RXaQDFuTBZPtRbRNQSASGRfKhMoZbV

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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.dDVqOONQsuVQIKArQSEQdZZndIWJDW

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Damn, could he have fainted?aNLWbSfhYYOnqgKUdZyeuPbVLXuKha

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

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

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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.BNBdoSCqeVzJsVxbShMEcKDzJydAcA

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

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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.dMxJqepQTVWZAKpvYXlEhlLAwVJWnL

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“What are you doing?”GAfWLURcrMacTcSvpdPgqfqOFBMuNu

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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.VDDGWDwsDqYyjcFdIwBHaHNqOQrFpW

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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.YZqEfQbMITDDIIqfzUJzyZOMqByVUT

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

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“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.”ZxahyoxFKZmHdjNJMjQkuYCRsBxYgH

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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.qMGMfXWpjTNVoMjtsLfsaSwkmNRQrl

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“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.OEAZZSXkNJtvsmFFyFMHaQngNQVqru

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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.”PcpQoqroQPSwShvEFjUmIBWiHFLjft

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

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Ren Yi froze, his whole body stiffening.OPAbYpFOwjpsuSCEEHjdHUCpIVaGRy

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

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