LABMY CH68

The Celestial Master Association finally arrived, albeit late, and brought out Qiu Leshan and others who had accidentally entered this place, endlessly looping within the hotel and unable to escape, on the verge of mental collapse, as well as several courtesans who had been controlled to lure people in.

Xu Hu, who had also participated in the Celestial Master examination but went missing after parting ways with Jian Yuanbai and Jiang Tang upon entering the hotel, was also found.

With his tall and burly figure, Xu Hu kept rubbing his joints and muscles, hissing in pain as he inhaled sharply. He looked at Jiang Tang, who stood nearby, and asked after recalling his name, “Hey, Jiang Tang, do you know what happened to me?”

“Why am I in so much pain?” Xu Hu was quite puzzled. “It feels like someone smashed all the bones in my body.”

Jiang Tang looked at the deep imprints on Xu Hu’s face left by the wooden mask and his burly physique. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t connect this man with the hunched and shriveled figure Xu Hu had turned into earlier.

However, he didn’t say anything and simply replied, “Maybe you were tied up by a ghost?”

At that moment, Li Sui walked over, his eyes filled with hidden concern as he looked at Jiang Tang. “Are you alright?”

Jiang Tang shook his head, “I don’t remember anything. If it weren’t for Jian… Jian Yuanbai, I wouldn’t have made it out.”

Standing to the side, Jian Yuanbai raised an eyebrow and chuckled, stepping forward to naturally drape his arm around Jiang Tang’s shoulder, subtly creating distance between Jiang Tang and Li Sui. He even teased, “Not even a thank you? How insincere.”

Jiang Tang pressed his lips together, took a step back to avoid Jian Yuanbai’s arm, and looked up at him seriously, “Thank you.”

“I’ll treat you to a meal someday.”

Jian Yuanbai glanced at his now empty hand and felt a little dissatisfied with Jiang Tang’s overly formal and distant attitude. However, just as he was about to say something, he noticed Jiang Tang’s delicate, flushed earlobes.

For some reason, seeing the serious and upright Jiang Tang with his reddened ears made Jian Yuanbai’s heart itch. Any dissatisfaction he had vanished, replaced by something more subtle.

“Ahem.” Jian Yuanbai coughed awkwardly. “You’re welcome.”

Their eyes met. A few seconds later, Jiang Tang’s long lashes trembled slightly as he shifted his gaze, like a startled butterfly.

Both were being overly polite and distant, like strangers who had just met. Yet, the atmosphere was so delicate that no one else dared to interrupt.

“Hahaha.”

An awkward laugh broke the strange tension between them. An elderly man with a white beard approached and said, “Young friends, there was a small issue with this Celestial Master examination.”

“As for the results, they cannot be counted. Don’t worry, the Celestial Master Association will provide appropriate compensation. However, you’ll have to retake the exam.”

Though he was addressing all three of them, his gaze was mostly fixed on Jian Yuanbai. This man was the president of the Celestial Master Association and the grandfather of Yin Lengchun.

Before approaching, the president had already heard about Jian Yuanbai’s strength. Based on the reports from other Celestial Masters, he was deeply impressed and wanted to recruit Jian Yuanbai. However, he still needed to maintain the dignity of the association.

He thought Jian Yuanbai had merely eliminated some low-level ghosts and a couple of higher-level evil spirits in the clearing. If he had witnessed Jian Yuanbai facing the Ghost Mask and the old man, the president would have immediately treated him as an honored guest without hesitation.

Xu Hu, who had stumbled in and out in confusion, naturally had no objections. Jiang Tang hesitated for a moment before saying, “I want to withdraw from the exam.”

Faced with the president’s surprised expression, Jiang Tang explained, “I only joined the exam for a personal reason. Now that it’s resolved, I’m no longer interested in becoming a Celestial Master. I’m sorry, President.”

Jian Yuanbai immediately followed up, “I’m withdrawing as well.”

The president was stunned and tried to persuade them with a kind smile, “We can discuss this. The retake is not mandatory. Everything can be negotiated.”

He patted Jian Yuanbai’s shoulder warmly. “My granddaughter thinks highly of you, young man.”

The president turned around and waved to Yin Lengchun, “Come, come, we didn’t get a chance to properly introduce ourselves. How about this, I’ll host a meal as an apology for the mishap.”

Yin Lengchun approached with a cold expression and immediately saw through the president’s “future grandson-in-law” gaze toward Jian Yuanbai.

Without showing any respect, Yin Lengchun coldly said, “There are still many female ghosts left in the hotel that haven’t been dealt with. All the available Celestial Masters are busy.”

“If you have nothing better to do, President, you should help deal with the situation instead of just holding a title and doing nothing.”

He nearly threw the phrase “occupying a position without doing any work” right in the president’s face. The president’s smile stiffened, but he was already used to Yin Lengchun’s sharp tongue and soft heart. He could only smile helplessly.

Yin Lengchun nodded at Jian Yuanbai and said, “Goodbye.”

Then, he turned and left.

The president was truly surprised this time. However, Jian Yuanbai’s determination to quit was firm, and no matter how much the president tried to persuade him, he wouldn’t change his mind.

Annoyed, Jian Yuanbai took the opportunity to lean close to Jiang Tang’s ear when the president turned to talk to other Celestial Masters and whispered, “Tell me, if I just told the old man I’m actually a ghost and can’t be a Celestial Master, would he stop pestering me or flip out on the spot?”

Jiang Tang glared at him warningly and forcefully grabbed Jian Yuanbai’s wrist, politely bidding farewell to the president.

The president couldn’t make them stay, so despite his frustration, he had his men drive them down the mountain.

Jian Yuanbai smiled as he allowed Jiang Tang to drag him away and into the car. He didn’t mind Jiang Tang’s occasional show of dominance.

As they neared the foot of the mountain, Jiang Tang spotted Qiu Leshan and the others who had descended earlier. “Eh.”

His body reacted faster than his brain as he called out instinctively. He almost asked if they were alright, but he quickly remembered that he “lost his memory” and wasn’t supposed to know they had been involved.

His voice wasn’t loud, and the driver didn’t stop the car. Jian Yuanbai turned his head and looked at him questioningly.

Jiang Tang said, “I just saw Qiu Leshan and the others. I wonder how their murder mystery game went.”

Jian Yuanbai chuckled with hidden meaning, “Probably an experience they’ll never forget.”

And soon enough, Jiang Tang found out exactly how it went.

When class was about to end, while the teacher told them to organize their notes, Qiu Leshan pulled Jiang Tang aside and poured out his grievances, “Tang Tang, you have no idea. That murder mystery game was the most thrilling experience of my life.”

Jiang Tang was also curious about how the Celestial Master’s Association explained it, so he asked, “What happened?”

“We were just playing a murder mystery game and actually encountered a psychopathic killer. The incense in the hall was laced with hallucinogens, making us lose our senses.”

Qiu Leshan cursed, “Do you know how I led everyone out, only to open the door and realize we hadn’t actually left? I thought I had encountered a ghost.”

“Because of the hallucinogens, we even went to get IV drips,” Qiu Leshan said, then suddenly grinned. “But it seems like a blessing in disguise. I might be falling in love.”

Jiang Tang was genuinely surprised this time. “With who?”

“With Little Bamboo,” Qiu Leshan smiled, visibly happy.

Jiang Tang didn’t immediately realize who “Little Bamboo” was. When the bell rang, he and Qiu Leshan walked out of the classroom and saw Liu Zhuqing, holding books and smiling as she greeted Qiu Leshan.

Liu Zhuqing wasn’t shy when she saw Jiang Tang and said openly, “I’m here to have lunch with Qiu Leshan. Do you want to join us?”

Jiang Tang tactfully shook his head and watched the two leave.

A hand landed on his shoulder. When he turned around, he saw Jian Yuanbai, who had come to pick him up after class.

Jian Yuanbai asked, “Are they together now? Does Liu Zhuqing not like you anymore?”

Jiang Tang glared at him, “What nonsense are you talking about? They’re probably about to get together.”

“That guy is warm-hearted, considerate, loyal, and has a great character. It’s no surprise Liu Zhuqing likes him,” Jiang Tang said as he subtly moved to the side, causing Jian Yuanbai’s hand to fall away.

No matter how natural Jiang Tang’s movement seemed, Jian Yuanbai still looked at his empty hand.

Jiang Tang quickened his pace. Without looking back, he couldn’t see the expression in Jian Yuanbai’s eyes, only noticing that he wasn’t following. Confused, he turned and asked, “Aren’t you coming?”

Jian Yuanbai raised his eyebrows and smiled, “I am. What are we eating for lunch?”

He was tall, speaking to Jiang Tang with a gentle and calm tone, but his eyes ahead were cold, like a predator locking onto its prey.

A bird soared freely across the sky, briefly reflected in Jian Yuanbai’s eyes, but he didn’t follow it. His prey was right beside him.

Right now, the frightened little animal seemed to be avoiding him.

Jian Yuanbai couldn’t understand why Jiang Tang was avoiding him—unless…

He decided to test it out.

Since Jiang Tang had no preference for food, Jian Yuanbai took him to an upscale restaurant.

“No classes in the afternoon, so let’s enjoy a good meal to pass the time,” Jian Yuanbai said as he selected a few dishes on the tablet menu and handed it to Jiang Tang. “See if you want to add anything.”

Jiang Tang glanced at the dishes he ordered and shook his head. “This is enough for the two of us.”

A tuxedo-wearing pianist played the piano in the restaurant filled with fresh flowers. The guests were few, and all sat in pairs.

It was only then that Jiang Tang realized they’d come to a couple’s restaurant.

Seeing Jian Yuanbai’s calm expression, Jiang Tang chose not to mention it and quietly waited for the food to arrive.

When they reached dessert—a brownie cake—Jian Yuanbai suddenly leaned over and used his calloused thumb to wipe the cream off Jiang Tang’s lips.

The warmth of the hand brushing over his lips felt scorching, making Jiang Tang flinch backward in shock, dragging the chair with him. The sound of the chair legs screeching against the floor echoed sharply.

“What are you doing?”

Many people looked their way. Jiang Tang realized his reaction was too extreme. He didn’t know how to face the curious gazes of others, let alone Jian Yuanbai’s surprised expression.

He steadied himself and asked again, “What are you doing?”

Jian Yuanbai flipped his finger, revealing the cream on his fingertip. “Wiping the cream off your lips.”

Jiang Tang felt awkward and randomly made an excuse, “I’m going to the restroom.”

Without waiting for Jian Yuanbai’s response, he rushed to the restroom.

The restroom in the high-end restaurant was clean and spacious, with a large mirror.

Jiang Tang turned on the faucet and used some water to wipe the cream off his lips. As he wiped, his hands suddenly paused.

Staring at himself in the mirror, Jiang Tang’s hand brushed over his lips, his gaze dazed as his ears turned red.

His heart pounded rapidly, and his face grew hotter. The sound of footsteps behind him startled him.

Seeing a stranger enter, Jiang Tang snapped out of it. He cupped water in his hands and splashed it onto his face, letting the cold water cool him down.

“What am I even thinking about?”

The more he tried to suppress his thoughts, the clearer the memories became. The breathless gasps, the burning heat, the searing touch—Jiang Tang took a deep breath and leaned against the cold wall, silently reciting Marxist theory in his mind to calm down.

In the corner, Jian Yuanbai had silently witnessed everything. The corner of his lips curved up as he leisurely returned to his seat, patiently waiting for Jiang Tang to come back.

Jian Yuanbai acted as if nothing had happened. After finishing the meal, they returned to the apartment they rented together.

As Jiang Tang changed shoes and prepared to head back to his room, Jian Yuanbai stopped him. “It’s still early. Let’s watch a movie together.”

“Now?” Jiang Tang asked.

“Yeah, I want to test out the new projector I bought,” Jian Yuanbai replied.

He quickly set up the projector and pushed Jiang Tang onto the couch. “Wait here. I’ll get some fruit.”

Since the living room’s TV made it inconvenient to set up the projector, they were now in Jian Yuanbai’s room. The beanbag chair they sat on was small, barely fitting two people, forcing them to sit extremely close.

When Jian Yuanbai returned with the fruit and sat down, Jiang Tang immediately stood up. “I won’t watch it. You enjoy it.”

He turned to leave but was pulled back by Jian Yuanbai.

Jian Yuanbai’s hand was still wet from washing the fruit, dampening Jiang Tang’s wrist.

Jian Yuanbai was sitting while Jiang Tang stood. Despite having the higher position, Jiang Tang felt an overwhelming sense of danger from Jian Yuanbai’s gaze.

“You’re avoiding me,” Jian Yuanbai said.

“…I’m not.”

Jiang Tang’s heartbeat quickened.

Jian Yuanbai didn’t let go. Instead, he tightened his grip, pulling Jiang Tang closer.

“Then why are you running?”

Jian Yuanbai lifted his eyes to look at him, speaking with absolute certainty.

Jiang Tang unconsciously swallowed and forced himself not to avoid his gaze. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Nonsense?” Jian Yuanbai chuckled. He stood up and approached Jiang Tang. “Is it me who’s talking nonsense, or is it you who has avoided my hand countless times?”

He reached out, his large hand gripping Jiang Tang’s shoulder, causing him to shudder. “Just like this, a simple touch on the shoulder, yet you’ve dodged it again and again.”

Jian Yuanbai’s step-by-step approach made Jiang Tang instinctively retreat until his calf hit the edge of the bed, causing him to fall onto Jian Yuanbai’s bed.

Jiang Tang tried his best to remain calm. “You’re being too sensitive. I didn’t avoid you.”

“You haven’t forgotten what happened at the Fengqing Hotel, have you?”

Jian Yuanbai’s calm words struck like thunder, making Jiang Tang’s heart race. “What… what are you talking about?”

“You remember,” Jian Yuanbai said with a low laugh.

He squatted down, getting closer to Jiang Tang, who was sitting on the edge of the bed. He grabbed Jiang Tang’s hand and slowly guided it to his lips. “You remember how I kissed you.”

Jian Yuanbai applied a bit of pressure, pressing Jiang Tang’s fingers against his own lips and teeth. “Do you remember how that piece of thin gauze was pushed into your mouth? The gauze was soft, but against the delicate flesh inside your mouth, it felt a bit painful, didn’t it?”

Jiang Tang tried to struggle, but his hand was firmly held. He was forced to feel the warmth of his own mouth and recall the faint sting of the gauze brushing against his tender mouth.

“Don’t…” When Jiang Tang opened his mouth, his own trembling voice startled him.

Jian Yuanbai chuckled and slowly pulled Jiang Tang’s fingers out, brushing his wet fingertips against Jiang Tang’s lips. “You remember, right? You remember how you held me here.”

“Right, baby?” Jian Yuanbai leaned his forehead against Jiang Tang’s, gazing at him tenderly yet domineeringly. “I saw you… in front of the mirror…”

Jiang Tang’s body trembled violently. He looked as if he was about to cry, his voice filled with shame and softness. “Stop… stop talking.”

“Why are you pretending not to remember and avoiding me?” Jian Yuanbai stopped speaking but began to question him instead.

With one hand supporting the bed and the other tightly holding Jiang Tang’s hand, Jian Yuanbai trapped him in this confined space. Jiang Tang couldn’t escape, nor could he find the words to speak. His face flushed red, and he avoided Jian Yuanbai’s gaze.

Jian Yuanbai asked, “Are you shy? Is that why you’re avoiding me?”

These unspoken truths… Why did he have to say them out loud?

Thinking this, Jiang Tang glared at him. But with his watery eyes and flushed face, he lacked any intimidation.

Jian Yuanbai wasn’t angry when he was glared at. Instead, he laughed softly. “When people who love each other do intimate things, there’s nothing to be shy about, baby.”

Hearing this, Jiang Tang glared at him again. “I don’t like you.”

Jian Yuanbai said, “You do.”

Jiang Tang retorted, “Shameless.”

The two of them bickered like elementary school kids. Jian Yuanbai laughed at Jiang Tang’s childishness and at his own. He reached out and hugged Jiang Tang, resting his chin on his shoulder with a sigh. “Shameless? Then I’ll shamelessly want you.”

As he spoke, his warm breath brushed against Jiang Tang’s pale neck, making him want to escape. But he was trapped in Jian Yuanbai’s embrace, like a helpless little deer caught in a hunter’s trap.

Jian Yuanbai leaned against Jiang Tang’s neck, breathing in his scent. He lifted his head, his eyes filled with deep, unsatisfied longing. “Can I kiss you?”

Jiang Tang looked at him without saying a word but slowly closed his eyes.

Seeing Jiang Tang obediently closing his eyes with a flushed face, Jian Yuanbai’s heart burned with desire, but he didn’t kiss him right away.

When Jiang Tang felt no sensation on his lips after a long wait, he nervously opened his eyes, only to meet Jian Yuanbai’s scorching gaze. He felt utterly humiliated but was too embarrassed to ask.

Noticing his confusion, Jian Yuanbai said, “You haven’t said yes yet. I’m afraid you’ll reject me.”

In the past, Jian Yuanbai would always forcefully kiss him, but now he wanted permission.

Jiang Tang blushed to the point of trembling, his long lashes fluttering, exposing his nervousness.

Jian Yuanbai lowered his head and kissed Jiang Tang’s hand softly, like a dragonfly skimming the water. “Don’t avoid me anymore, baby.”

He sighed, “No one in this world will love you more than I do.”

Jiang Tang remained silent. Jian Yuanbai pretended to be fierce and threatened, “Now, say ‘yes.’ Hurry up.”

Looking at this version of Jian Yuanbai, Jiang Tang’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. His heart pounded so loudly that he couldn’t hear himself softly whispering, “Yes.”

The next second, Jian Yuanbai eagerly kissed him.

In that moment, Jiang Tang suddenly realized that Jian Yuanbai’s composure and confidence were just a facade. He was just as nervous as him.

This thought made Jiang Tang’s heart burn. When Jian Yuanbai’s tongue tentatively swept across his lips, Jiang Tang obediently opened his mouth and welcomed him in.

The invading tongue brushed against the soft membrane inside his mouth, wandering around and leaving traces of its presence. It even shamelessly teased the base of Jiang Tang’s tongue, violating his sensitive mouth.

Jian Yuanbai entangled their tongues but only teased lightly before letting go, instead licking the smooth surface of Jiang Tang’s tongue.

Jiang Tang was forced to open his lips wide. The excess saliva he couldn’t swallow trickled down the corner of his mouth and dripped onto his chin.

Too much…

Jiang Tang’s eyes filled with tears. He trembled as he endured Jian Yuanbai’s excessive kiss.

On the wall, the projection screen played a scene—like a story of a patient hunter slowly capturing a fragile little deer.

The hunter and the deer were locked in a silent battle of patience. The hunter feared scaring the deer away, while the deer was afraid that running would expose its weakness.

Finally, the hunter made his move. The deer panicked and tried to escape, only to stumble and fall.

The hunter approached, grabbed the deer’s fragile legs, and restrained it.

The hunter, feeling the deer was too thin to satisfy him, decided to keep it captive and feed it. Yet the deer resisted, refusing to eat.

Out of frustration, the hunter dipped his finger in sticky honey and forced it into the deer’s mouth.

One finger wasn’t enough, so he fed a second, then a third, stuffing the deer’s mouth with honey until it was about to bite him.

In desperation, the hunter used his gun barrel instead, relentlessly feeding the deer.

He longed for the day the deer would grow strong enough to satisfy his hunger.

Jian Yuanbai groaned, his voice hoarse and seductive. “See? It swallowed it all.”

He grabbed Jiang Tang’s chin, forcing him to watch the scene on the screen.

Jiang Tang almost cried out of pity for the poor deer. “Stop… stop this…”

Jiang Tang was soft-hearted, his voice choked with tears. “It can’t eat anymore… It really can’t…”

Jian Yuanbai kissed him, coaxing and luring him, “You can, baby. Stick out your tongue.”

Jiang Tang tried to use obedience to make Jian Yuanbai let him go. He trembled and obediently stuck out his soft tongue.

Before the cold air could touch it, Jian Yuanbai sucked it into his mouth, gently biting and sucking, indulging in the sweet taste.

“Good boy,” Jian Yuanbai whispered between kisses, “My baby is so good. Let your husband kiss you.”

Jiang Tang’s obedience didn’t earn him mercy. Instead, it sparked an even more intense desire.

His teary eyes and flushed face painted a beautiful scene that made Jian Yuanbai unable to stop.