| The Paternity Guard (PATERNITY) |
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Ying Qi's tightly clenched fist appeared to contain tremendous power. Borocidoro's legs were trembling slightly but before he could even cry for help, the fist came down, causing him to shut his eyes tight in fear.
"Stop! Spare his life!" a loud shout came from the crowd and in an instant, the person appeared at the scene of the fight. Ying Qi looked at the person and finally understood how this foreigner had such skillful footwork. With the current Leader of the Martial Arts World as his Master, it's no wonder he could hold his ground against Ying Qi for so long.
Lin Canghai glared at someone in tears in the corner of his eye and clasped his fists towards Ying Qi. "I apologize deeply. This person is the son of an honored guest in my house, a person from the Shuoyun Clan. He's ignorant of Central Plains etiquette and has offended unintentionally. Please, for the sake of my face, forgive him. And you unreliable fellow, apologize quickly!" Lin Canghai kicked Borocidoro down, who broke free from Ying Qi's hold.
Ying Qi withdrew his hand and glanced at Lin Canghai, pretending not to know and smiled.
"Leader Lin!" Wu Enci saw someone she knew and felt a mix of anger and amusement. "This scoundrel was harassing decent women on the street and even tried to take this young lady to Chunfeng Pavilion. A simple apology won't suffice. Even if you're acquaintances, you can't let him off so easily. He even mentioned that benefactor…”
But what did he say? Something about being a mature lady? Wu Enci was dumbfounded.
Was this person a fool? Clearly, the benefactor is a man, isn't it obvious?"
"Young Lady Wu?"
How could she be here?
Wasn't the Blood Demon Sect's case closed?
What benefactor was she talking about?
Lin Canghai suddenly felt a chill down his spine as he sensed an impending doom.
He looked at the person standing next to Wu Enci. Although most of his face was hidden by a fluffy collar, it was still evident that it was the person who seemed very intimate with Xing Beiming. Lin Canghai smiled and turned away. "What a coincidence….Lord Xing..."
As the crowd dispersed, a few people walked in from outside with Xing Beiming leading the way and followed by Cheng Bo.
"Master." Shi Qi and Ying Qi called out together. Lin Canghai's cold sweat dripped down completely.
"Leader Lin, it seems we need to discuss the matters we just talked about in more detail." Xing Beiming glanced at Shi Qi, who was close to Wu Enci before signaling him to come over.
"Don't, Lord Xing, the matter is settled. In a couple of days, I will await your arrival at my residence. As for this kid, you handle him as you see fit, but just leave him some dignity." He was just an honored guest's son a moment ago, now it's about leaving him some dignity. It seems Borocidoro isn't well-liked by anyone.
"In that case, let him keep his eyes this time, so he won't offend the wrong person again." Xing Beiming said indifferently.
Borocidoro was desperate as he cried out, "Hero, spare me. I didn't know the Lady was your wife. I just touched her once. Look, both my arms are broken. The Lady should have vented her anger. How about you break one of my legs, and I'll crawl back home?"
Somehow, something he said touched Xing Beiming. The ice-covered face softened slightly. "Very well, for Leader Lin's sake, I'll spare you this time. For the next three days, you only need to keep the streets of Yueming City clean. I detest disorder."
Watching the figures of several people in the distance, Borocidoro collapsed completely on the ground. Lin Canghai looked at him with an expression of ‘You deserved that’.
"Alas, there's nothing I can do now. Get your arms treated and then pick up a broom to work. I'll explain to your father and ask him to wait for you for a few days."
Borocidoro lay on the ground while wailing, he even kicked one of his men with his foot.
This was worse than losing a leg because Yueming City has three main streets and many small alleys. But he needs to clean those in three days!
One day would exhaust him! What's more if it's three days?!
"Damn it, why aren't you helping me to see a doctor quickly? This is really unlucky!"
Xing Beiming glanced at someone who came up behind him and said coldly, "Where did this thing come from?"
Everyone fell silent. Wu Enci saw Cheng Bo's eyes looking at her, seemingly seeking an explanation. She immediately understood the meaning behind Xing Beiming's words and felt a mixture of anger and amusement. Pointing angrily at Xing Beiming's head, she said, "You, you're going too far! How can this young lady be a thing? Oh no, this young lady is not a thing... I, ah—I'm going crazy!"
Wu Enci squatted on the ground while grabbing her head with people passing by to look at her with pity or disdain.
This girl wanted to intervene between her lover and his wife but it was probably impossible now, given how affectionate they were! These are the thoughts of people who are disdaining her.
While these are the ones pitying her; Ah—this Young Lady just came to visit her benefactor and say thanks, why did it turn out like this?
A pair of black boots appeared in front of her. Looking up, she saw a young guard standing in front of her, smiling. "Miss, Master has ordered me to take you to the station to catch a carriage, to avoid further entanglements. Please—"
Wu Enci was completely stunned.
Looking up again, everyone was gone.
Why did she feel forcibly detained? She hadn't even had a chance to talk to her benefactor properly.
————
Yunxianju had already reserved a private room. Xing Beiming led everyone to the table and casually said, "Sit down, everyone. Today is New Year's, so there's no need for formalities."
Cheng Bo bowed respectfully. "Master, it's not suitable to be outside. How about we gather at home tomorrow? I'll accompany a few guards to have a good meal first. What do you think?"
"That's fine." Xing Beiming nodded, fitting his intentions perfectly.
People gradually left, leaving only Xing Beiming and Shi Qi. Xing Beiming stared at the person in front of him for a while and then said calmly, "I had someone send that woman away earlier."
"That woman?" Shi Qi pondered for a moment. "Was it Young Lady Wu? Master, that foreigner's conduct is improper. Leader Lin actually knows him and even pleaded for him. Wouldn't this action undermine Leader Lin's reputation?"
Shi Qi's thoughts didn't dwell on Wu Enci for long
Poor Wu Enci.
Xing Beiming's lips curled up slightly before he called for a waiter to order dishes. They were all dishes that suited Shi Qi's taste, showing that Xing Beiming had put in some effort. "He's just a playboy, no different from the Central Plains people. His father and Lin Canghai's father are old acquaintances, and he's half a Central Plains person. It's not a big deal."
As they ate halfway through, Xing Beiming suddenly asked, "Shi Qi, how did you usually spend New Year's before?"
Shi Qi was taken aback. "Is Master referring to the years after I joined the Shadow Guard? It's similar to usual. Sometimes accompanying the Master outside, watching fireworks, or having a meal with Brother Qi and the others. It's quite simple. Because I didn't spend many New Year's as a child, I don't think too much about it."
Not thinking much? Shi Qi's eyes were filled with smiles.
The meal was quiet, as they occasionally listen to the noise of drinking in the next room. Shi Qi sat there while feeling warm all over.
After the meal, is the dessert. Due to Yunxianju's high altitude, they could clearly see the fireworks outside through the window in their private room. As the night fell, the temperature dropped sharply but it didn't dampen anyone's New Year spirit.
People were out enjoying the Yueming lake, the lively atmosphere and the sound of fireworks bursting in the air after they were lit.
Shi Qi stood by the window and looked up at the colorful bursts of fireworks in the sky. The same scene, but the mood was different now. With a charcoal brazier in the room, he removed the bulky cloak and revealed a visibly slender waist, which was gently encircled by a pair of arms. A low voice sounded in Shi Qi's ear and said some words that made him feel like he was in a dream: "From now on, I'll spend New Year's with you."
"...And with Brother Qi and the others." Shi Qi blurted out this sentence, as he did not know what else to say.
"Shouldn't I teach you what romance is? So that the next time at such moments, you won't think of anyone else?" Xing Beiming gritted his teeth before leading Shi Qi to climb down from the window to prepare to go back and educate someone properly. Thus, when the nearby people were full and satisfied and ready to resume their duties, they found the room empty.
————
The night was quiet with the city still bustling, yet at the outskirts in the East Lake Villa, there was only silence. The central courtyard, dark without a single light, echoed with faint gasps and moans, tempting anyone to explore further.
The door was tightly closed, and the room had already been prepared by the servants for warmth, so there was no chill in the air. The canopy bed inside had its curtains drawn with scattered clothing on the floor, indicating the urgency of its occupant. As one approached closer, the gasps became more enticing, mixed with unknown liquid sounds and the impact of bodies, becoming increasingly lascivious.
Suddenly, a hand reached out to tightly grab the edge of the bed to cause the veins to be visible with glistening sweat appearing faintly. Then came a burst of intense shaking, gasps turning into shouts and the impact sounds ceased, leaving behind only ambiguous heavy breathing and occasional kissing sounds.
"Why do I feel like you're breathing particularly heavily today? Are you tired?" On the soft bed, Xing Beiming embraced the still panting Shi Qi with his hand resting on their chest, feeling the fluctuating heartbeat.
Shi Qi shook his head lightly, almost unable to speak. He was unsure why, but tonight was especially intense.
Towards the end, he almost forgot himself and entangled his stomach, still remembering the astonishment in his Master's eyes, causing him to feel embarrassed! Feeling the Master's probing fingers moving behind him, Shi Qi gathered his courage to look up at Xing Beiming's face. "Master... do you still want more?"
Xing Beiming almost couldn't resist pinning the person down again.
After confirming the person wasn't injured with his exploring fingers, he struggled to retract them. "You're tired."
However... with surprise, his eyebrows raised as the fingers that were about to retract felt the lingering heat at a certain place. Xing Beiming lowered his head to look at the person in his arms. Shi Qi’s face flushed with embarrassment.
He thought of the words from the book, that pregnant people sometimes have intense desires but it's normal and they need to be satisfied, or their temper can become volatile. (Pure nonsense!)
Understandingly, he smiled and kissed the flushed earlobe. "Still want more? I'll satisfy you~”