Chapter 19 — Fu Xingchen Returns to the City
Fu Xingyan looked at Shao Leyan, her whole body flushed and trembling from the torment of the crystal core inside her. Pretending concern, he asked a question he already knew the answer to.
“Are you alright?”
Shao Leyan’s cheeks were red enough to bleed. Her lower abdomen was pulled tight, waves of scorching heat surging endlessly from deep within as if she were being roasted over a fire.
Her entire body was being tortured—pain even Fu Xingchen had never inflicted on her.
As Fu Xingyan said, releasing all forms of the crystal core only took fifteen minutes. Compared to most experiments, that was already extremely short.
Shao Leyan was drenched from head to toe, as if she had just stepped out of a bath. But this was only the first experiment of the day; there was still a long way to go.
She didn’t know what had gotten into Fu Xingyan today.
He spoke noticeably less, and his tone was much colder. Yet none of the experiments were the type that would cause actual harm to her—
they were simply excruciating.
Every time one ended, Shao Leyan was weak all over and dripping with sweat; she had already showered five times.
Her skin was naturally delicate. After so many washes, Fu Xingyan’s large hands had almost rubbed a whole layer off.
Fortunately, he remembered that Fu Xingchen was returning today, so he ended the experiments an hour early and carried her back to the City Lord’s manor.
Just before Shao Leyan fell asleep, Fu Xingchen finally returned to the underground city.
He rushed back, legs moving so fast they left shadows behind, unable to stop for even a moment—his desire to see her washed away all reason.
He pushed open the unlocked door, and the person he had thought about constantly was lying right there on the bed.
Moonlight from outside covered her like a thin veil. Her skin was fair and immaculate, like the finest porcelain.
Her bright, delicate face gained an almost divine glow under the moonlight—pure and ethereal, stirring one’s heart.
Fu Xingchen’s heart melted completely, his gaze soft beyond measure.
Not wanting to disturb the beautiful scene before him, he stepped lightly and approached her. The closer he got, the more breathtaking she appeared.
最终, he succumbed to the overwhelming love and longing. He bent down and placed a reverent kiss on her forehead.
“I’m back.”
In her half-asleep haze, Shao Leyan faintly heard Fu Xingchen’s voice.
But she was far too exhausted. She couldn’t open her eyes, couldn’t move; with a small whimper, she drifted back to sleep.
The Next Morning
Shao Leyan, for once, woke naturally.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Fu Xingchen’s smiling gaze. Her heart lifted with delight; her freshly awakened, slightly hoarse voice held a soft, affectionate tone.
She lifted her arms, wrapped them around his neck, and when he leaned in, she raised her chin and kissed his full, warm lips.
Fu Xingchen was intoxicated, thrilled by her initiative after a few days apart. He parted his lips to savor her soft warmth.
Their lips and tongues, long since familiar with each other, tangled instantly. Breathless, intoxicating sounds slipped between them like wildfire, igniting deeper, primal desire.
Just as they were on the brink of taking that final step—
Bang, bang, bang!
A sudden knock shook the moment apart.
Shao Leyan’s hand, which had been roaming over Fu Xingyan’s body, froze. Shame flooded her late, turning her face a vivid crimson.
Fu Xingchen reluctantly brushed a kiss over her dewy lips, the faint wet sound reigniting the ember between them.
But he forced himself to stop. With a soft sigh, he ruffled her hair, then got up, straightened his clothes, and went to open the door.
He had many guesses about who would interrupt him at this hour, but he never expected the visitor to be Fu Xingyan, who usually immersed himself in experiments so deeply he couldn’t pull himself out.
His twin brother now stood at the door, smiling pleasantly. They only met eyes for a second before Fu Xingyan rose on his toes to peek past him into the room at the bed inside.
“Brother, I’m not here for you. I’m here for Leyan.”
The words hit Fu Xingchen like a hammer.
His brows snapped together, and his expression instantly darkened.
“I said no one is allowed to disturb Leyan. If you have something to say, say it to me.”
The bright refusal only made Fu Xingyan smile wider, but to Fu Xingchen, it only made his presence heavier and more threatening.
To those who didn’t know him, Fu Xingyan’s warm smile could easily deceive—
they would mistake him for a gentle, noble man who was cold outside but warm inside.
Only Fu Xingchen knew the truth:
His younger brother was someone whose smile meant the opposite—
the happier he looked, the colder and darker he truly felt.
He was cold outside, and even colder within.
Fu Xingyan’s eyes curved as he spoke in a cheerful, almost boyish tone, like someone inviting a girl he liked to an amusement park.
“Brother, Leyan is my experimental subject. That’s something you can’t take her place for.”
“What?”
Fu Xingchen’s eyes widened in shock.
He had gone to such lengths—guards, restrictions, even confining her inside the manor—just to prevent Fu Xingyan from getting his hands on her.
Yet a single moment of carelessness, while he was away, allowed his brother to slip in.
No wonder when he came home last night, Leyan seemed so exhausted. He should’ve noticed.
If only he hadn’t left for Central City, none of this would have happened.
Regret crushed his breath; his heart twisted painfully.
On the bed, Shao Leyan heard their conversation and felt complicated.
Fu Xingchen had limited her freedom to protect her—his intentions were good.
But Fu Xingyan had told her that studying her ability could help her grow stronger faster and also contribute to advancements that would benefit all ability users.
And she…
she had an insatiable need for pain.
Their cooperation was mutual—something they both wanted.
Thinking of this, Shao Leyan made her decision and called out loudly:
“Xingchen, let the director come in.”
Fu Xingchen’s tall, lean body trembled at her clear voice. Bitterness rose in his throat, washing away all sweetness from earlier.
Fu Xingyan threw a proud glance at his silent brother, lifted his chin, and strode past him in quick, light steps straight to the bed.
“Leyan, I’m here to pick you up. Come with me.”
Wrapped tightly in the white blanket, Shao Leyan slowly sat up and said softly:
“Go back to the lab first. I’ll come on my own later.”
Fu Xingyan’s smile collapsed instantly. A sharp glint burst into his eyes.
“Why? Before this, you always—”
He didn’t even finish before Shao Leyan raised her index finger and pressed it lightly against his lips.
