Chapter 90
It was as if he wasn’t waiting for the man to take the red thread he was holding in his mouth, but rather for the man to kiss him.
The man drew closer, so close that Wang Jin could see the fine hairs on his face… His heartbeat grew faster, so fast it felt like it would burst out of his chest and crash into the man.
Just as the man was about to close the distance, Wang Jin abruptly shut his eyes, as if by not looking at the man, his frantic heartbeat would calm down.
The kiss finally landed—light as a dragonfly skimming water, fleeting and delicate.
The warm, damp sensation lingered faintly on Wang Jin’s lips. The man seemed to be deliberately teasing him, fully aware of his anticipation yet refusing to deepen the intimacy. It was like brushing a feather against Wang Jin’s heart, tickling him until he was unbearably restless.
Wang Jin pursed his lips, his lashes fluttering as he opened his eyes. His cheeks were flushed, his expression full of dissatisfaction as he stared fixedly at the man’s pale lips…
Yuan Heng’s heart lurched, thrown completely off rhythm.
The little ger’s pout of discontent made him look like a small, clingy beast seeking affection, eagerly waiting for his master to indulge him…
The man’s fingers trembled, so much so that he could barely hold the red thread he had just taken.
Wang Jin stared at him for a while, but when the man showed no further reaction, he couldn’t hold back—he puckered his lips, silently asking for another kiss.
“!” Yuan Heng’s heart pounded even faster. The ger’s pleading expression conveyed one clear message: he wanted him… desperately.
This realization filled the man’s chest with warmth, a sense of satisfaction so overwhelming it threatened to spill over. Nothing was more thrilling than knowing his ger desired him so intensely…
But…
Yuan Heng flexed his fingers, tightening his grip on the nearly dropped red thread before lifting it and offering it to Wang Jin.
“Little ger, will you tie this red thread for me?”
The sudden interruption made Wang Jin flinch, taking a small step back. His gaze dropped to the red tassel dangling from the man’s wrist—it seemed awkward for him to tie it with just one hand.
This red thread served as a token of a ger’s acknowledgment of a beastman. The beastman would treasure it, wearing it until marriage as proof of his devotion… and sensible gers would avoid pursuing him once he wore it.
Only after marriage would the beastman remove it and store it away.
As Wang Jin stared at the tassel, a strange thought struck him—if the man wore this, he would belong to him. It was a feeling he hadn’t even experienced during their actual wedding.
His heart stirred, and his fingers reached out almost instinctively.
The ger’s delicate fingers touched the red tassel, the stark contrast between his pale, slender digits and the vibrant thread creating a striking visual. Though he was merely tying a simple knot, to the man, the sight was inexplicably alluring.
Yuan Heng’s heart hammered as if someone were pounding on a drum. His entire body burned as he watched the soft, obedient ger before him, fighting the urge to pull him into his arms, to make him pliant and sweet, drenched in his scent.
His ears burned hotter the more he thought about it. Unable to restrain himself, his fingers tightened, trapping Wang Jin’s hand in his grasp.
The man’s palm was broad and warm, enveloping Wang Jin’s hand completely, making it feel snug and comfortable…
But the man seemed feverish. The heat of his skin soon made both their hands damp with sweat.
Their slick, clinging palms felt sticky, like the aftermath of certain intimate acts.
At that thought, Wang Jin’s heart skipped. His face flushed as his fingers twitched slightly, lightly scratching the man’s palm.
“…” Yuan Heng stiffened, his grip involuntarily tightening to stop the teasing.
“Little ger…” The ger’s eyes were hazy with desire, like a blooming flower just waiting to be plucked. If Yuan Heng wished, he could take him so easily…
His gaze darkened. After a pause, he murmured, “There’s another place in Danmu Tribe that couples like to visit. Little ger… are you interested?”
Wang Jin looked up, blinking his dewy eyes, and nodded. “Yes.”
Yuan Heng squeezed his hand, pulling him closer. “I’ll take you there.”
Unlike the other romantic spots, this place was a graveyard.
Mounds of varying heights were densely packed together, the desolate area bordering the outskirts of the tribe where the roars of fierce beasts could still be heard.
Almost as soon as they arrived, Wang Jin clutched the man’s arm, shrinking behind him in fear.
The little ger’s face had gone pale, his body trembling, his bright eyes dimmed with fright.
Yuan Heng’s heart twisted with regret. He wrapped an arm around him. “Let’s turn back.”
“Wait…” Wang Jin glanced around, tugging at the man’s sleeve. “Why… is this a place for couples?”
Yuan Heng followed his gaze. The place was eerie, devoid of anything remotely romantic. Usually, it was only used to bury the tribe’s dead… hardly a lovers’ destination.
After a pause, he explained, “Couples come here for two reasons. First, to introduce themselves to the departed, letting them know the tribe thrives. Second…”
He hesitated before continuing, “It’s a bit frightening. Some gers get scared, and the beastmen want to prove they can protect them, to make the ger choose them.”
“…” Wang Jin blinked. Wasn’t this just another version of the hero-saving-the-beauty trope?
His eyelid twitched. These beastmen were quite cunning with their tricks!
Yuan Heng added, “I brought you here because… I wanted the former leader to meet you.”
Wang Jin stiffened, then mustered his courage. “Then… let’s keep going.”
He nudged Yuan Heng forward, stepping ahead despite his shaking hands.
As if for the man’s sake, he’d brave even the most dangerous places.
Yuan Heng’s chest warmed. He pulled him close. “No need. We’re already here.”
Wang Jin froze, glancing around. None of the mounds had markers—he couldn’t tell which was which.
The Danmu Tribe didn’t seem to have grave-visiting customs. Their burials were simple, likely a remnant of their nomadic past.
Yuan Heng pointed to the nearest mound.
Wang Jin’s knees buckled, and he knelt, bowing three times respectfully. Yuan Heng joined him.
After tidying the grave slightly, they left.
Yuan Heng then took Wang Jin to all the other romantic spots in the tribe.
The rest were unremarkable—just scenic locations—but with the man by his side, Wang Jin enjoyed himself.
However, these places were all meant for couples still testing the waters, every activity laced with tentative exploration…
Now Wang Jin understood why Yuan Heng had never brought him here before. They had already lived together—they didn’t need these cautious steps. Even during their ambiguous phase, the man wasn’t the type to play such games.
And honestly, Wang Jin didn’t care for them either.
By the time they returned, night had fallen. The man escorted him to his room before leaving for his own.
Exhausted, Wang Jin half-dozed as he stripped off his outer robe and collapsed onto the bed. In his drowsiness, he felt like he’d forgotten something important.
Then it hit him—he had wanted to get closer to the man, but after an entire day of outings, there had been no intimacy at all!
He suddenly recalled why the man had insisted on separate rooms the night before. He groaned, pounding his chest in frustration.
He was doing this on purpose! Was he really so afraid of crossing the line before things were official?
Wang Jin remembered how, even when they’d shared a home before, the man had waited until after marriage to touch him.
Here he was, a ger so bold, yet the man still…
Annoyed, Wang Jin huffed—but beneath the frustration, a sweet warmth lingered. He knew the man was doing this for his sake.
But the more he couldn’t have him, the more he craved him. The itch was unbearable—he was practically a wolf in ger’s clothing!
If not for his respect for the man’s intentions, he would’ve pounced already!
How many days had it been since they’d last been intimate?!
Creak…
The door slid open a crack. Wang Jin’s hair stood on end.
“Who’s there?” he demanded, then softened his voice hopefully. “…Brother Heng?”
Thud.
The footsteps faltered, then the room’s lamp flickered to life.
Cheng Bai stood there, his expression sour. “You little brat. Always thinking about your ‘Brother Heng.’”
“Cheng Bai?” Wang Jin yanked the blanket over himself. “What are you doing here so late?”
“…” Cheng Bai didn’t answer. He stepped forward silently.
“?” Wang Jin watched him, puzzled.
Then Cheng Bai reached into his robe and pulled out a small paper package. Unfolding it, he revealed its contents—golden-brown pastries, slightly rough but fragrant.
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