Chapter 52: Castle Exploration (Part 10)
In the photograph, everything remained frozen in place—only the bridegroom's face had changed. The handsome visage revealed beneath the black fog was striking beyond compare, with sword-like brows and star-bright eyes. From his outward appearance, he seemed more invincible than anyone else. Every feature could be considered a masterpiece of divine carving, sharp and angular. Yet beneath his right eye lay a tear mole, which softened this imposing impression, adding a touch of allure to his countenance.
The bridegroom twisted his neck at an odd angle, precisely positioning his gaze to lock firmly onto the young man's face. His eyes were peculiar—appearing black at first glance, but the longer one looked, the more one sensed red light swirling within them.
It was precisely this action by the bridegroom that immediately disrupted the harmony of the photograph. The neck-twisting motion was jarringly突兀, divorcing the bridegroom from the entire scene.
In truth, he truly was breaking free.
A bulge gradually emerged on the photo's surface. It shifted, like a hunter stalking prey—before formally extending its claws and fangs, it would first attempt to lower the quarry's alertness. Upon discovering no unusual reactions, the protruding mark grew increasingly pronounced.
The outline of a body became increasingly distinct and three-dimensional.
Finally, a person stepped out from within.
The bridegroom from the photograph walked out, wearing the same style of clothing found in the wardrobe. His face was heavily made up, his gaze locked intently on Qi An as he strode toward the location of the double bed.
Yet the young man being watched appeared utterly oblivious to this intense scrutiny, continuing to rest peacefully on the crimson-covered double bed. His eyes were tightly closed, dark and thick lashes casting暧昧shadows on his pale skin beneath the lamplight.
He lay there so quietly, so serenely on the bed, entirely unaware of the ill-intentioned person drawing near.
The man's shadow under the lamplight seemed enormous, like storm clouds capable of shrouding the entire sky, pressing down upon the earth with a suffocating weight. The black shadow resembled some kind of囚笼, consuming everything it encompassed. As the man drew closer to the bed, the light on the young man's face gradually faded away.
When the man reached the bedside and sat down tightly beside the young man, the warm light on the young man's face vanished entirely. A shadow completely concealed his sleeping countenance.
The man's body, emerging from the photograph, appeared normal like any person's—yet seemed to have no weight whatsoever. When he sat on the bed, there was not even the slightest indentation in the mattress.
Then Qi An witnessed the man extend his broad palm and sensually stroke the young man's fair cheek.
Perhaps due to the calluses on his palm, a faint flush quickly appeared on the young man's delicately nurtured, tender skin lying on the bed. The man seemed momentarily startled, then swiftly let out a soft laugh.
The man murmured something in a familiar yet hoarse voice.
"Knock knock knock."
Qi An, eyes half-closed while watching the video the system had recorded, was suddenly startled awake by a burst of knocking. This forceful knocking was chaotic but showed no panic—only that the person on the other side seemed rather impatient.
Si Mao stood outside the door, his clear-cut features阴沉沉的. Regardless of whether the person inside was resting, he hammered on the door until it resounded.
After a flurry of hurried footsteps, Si Mao watched as the door gradually opened from the narrow gap within. Through the small opening, Si Mao caught a glimpse of a boy shorter than himself. The person's figure was tall and thin, and since shadows behind the door obscured his features, Si Mao crossed his arms and waited for him to step out.
His lazy gaze wandered aimlessly before suddenly fixing upon the other person's hand gripping the door handle, and then—as if glued there—his sight adhered to it.
Slender and powerless, the dark blue blood vessels hidden beneath the skin were clearly visible.
The hand's owner seemed extremely feeble, his fingers hanging limply from the door handle, as though simply opening a door had drained much of his energy. Five translucent white fingertips formed a stark contrast against the dark-colored door, perfectly displaying the contours of those fingers.
Delicate and fragile, like the neck of a swan.
Si Mao had never seen such hands—so powerless, so utterly capable of making one's heart... tremble violently.
Hands like these that appeared completely unable to perform any labor were clearly meticulously tended, deserving to be cradled in someone's palm and cherished.
"Is there something you need?"
This炽热的 gaze attracted the young man's attention. His hand trembled slightly, and Si Mao watched with disappointment as the other person hid his hand behind his back.
"You're a transmigrator, right?" Si Mao's voice unconsciously softened. Upon seeing the other person's eyes widen, he continued, "Don't worry. You were with Gao Lijun in the previous world, right? She and I know each other—your identity is what she told me."
"...Are you one too?" Qi An's voice was as languid as his appearance.
"Yes." Si Mao nodded. The other person's guarded expression immediately eased considerably. Si Mao was just about to say what he had originally intended when he noticed the latter's expression suddenly shift.
The latter's breathing grew labored, emitting light panting sounds. His cheeks flushed a vivid red for some reason. Si Mao saw the other person lower his head as if suffering, beads of晶莹的sweat appearing on his brow, causing his disheveled hair to cling tightly to his skin.
The other person's hands gently clenched together, as if suppressing something.
"What's wrong with you?" Si Mao's voice dropped lower.
"...Nothing."
Qi An's voice seemed to carry a different quality, becoming ethereal and distant.
Si Mao's gaze was immediately drawn to the young man's pitch-black pupils. His usually clear eyes seemed to suddenly deepen and grow profound. He seemed to glimpse an immovable sheet of ice and snow.
Cold and unapproachable.
But in that brief moment, the young man's eyes returned to their original state.
That video hadn't been closed. Qi An watched as the man lowered his head and kissed the young man lying on the bed.
Even though this had already passed, upon seeing this scene, Qi An felt the sensation of being kissed himself...