CH 91

“No way, Little Uncle.” Si Di grabbed Xiao Zhenyun’s chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. His black wolf tail drooped to the ground, swaying restlessly. “Don’t give me that look like you’ve been cooped up at home too long and are itching to go out. The mission is dangerous, I won’t agree to you going.”

“It’s not dangerous, not dangerous at all.” Hedgehog seemed to have taken a liking to sitting on the bathroom countertop. Despite there being plenty of chairs in the room for him to lounge on, he insisted on perching on the table, his long, light brown snake tail coiling around his legs, the tip resting against his calf.

“Black Wolf, you’re over-worrying. I’ve never seen a bonded sentinel go solo on a mission.” He said, “Since you’re the team leader, your guide is bound to go with you on missions. Giving Xiao Zhenyun this moderately dangerous mission to practice on seems just right to me.”

“Who said he has to go on missions with me?” Si Di replied coldly, “I never planned for that.”

“Only with Xiao Zhenyun can you fully unleash your S-class sentinel abilities.” Hedgehog continued, “Otherwise, with a spiritual domain that’s wide open, you’re already half-disabled. Do you expect to pair up with guides other than Xiao Zhenyun during combat? That would be an insult to him. It’d be like if you were crippled and Xiao Jingfeng ordered Xiao Zhenyun to assist other sentinels, merging his spiritual power with theirs to help control their senses.”

Si Di stayed silent, Hedgehog’s analogy making his blood boil just at the thought. He felt an urge to cut Xiao Jingfeng down on the spot.

Initially, Xiao Zhenyun didn’t think much of it, but seeing the barely contained anger on the sentinel’s face beside him, he realized the extraordinary possessiveness among these special individuals. A regular guide would’ve probably protested against Si Di’s actions long ago, upset at the idea of the sentinel working with other guides even after being marked.

But he was laid-back, fully aware of his C-level spiritual strength, and embraced the philosophy of avoiding trouble whenever possible. He would love nothing more than to never work a day in his life.

“Alright then, let’s do it.” He made his decision. “Hedgehog’s right. As long as you’re the captain of the Storm Team, we’ll eventually be colleagues. On the battlefield, I’m your unbreakable shield, and you’re my unstoppable spear.”

“Zhenyun…” Si Di grasped Xiao Zhenyun’s hands with emotion, then the next moment, Xiao Zhenyun turned to Hedgehog and said, “He agreed. When the time comes, I want him to wear a dog collar with a dog tag engraved with Si Di, and also to be leashed… I’ll send you the specific style I want, I bought one before, but it was too fancy, this time I want a simpler one… Can you take care of purchasing these props?”

“I’ll take care of it.” Hedgehog waved his hand, taking everything upon himself. “I’ve thought about our roles. He’s your loyal dog, and I’m your proud cat. I’ve prepared a white collar for myself, with a bell and a bow tie on it.” He clenched his fist with flair, striking a pose. “Meow~ Master loves me~”

“Master loves you.” Xiao Zhenyun, not so young but still effortlessly having both ‘cat’ and ‘dog,’ was very satisfied.

Si Di: “…”

He had a lot to say, but because there was too much, he didn’t know where to start. It seemed meaningless to scold Hedgehog; the minds of most Dark Sentinels were not quite normal, and the one in front of him definitely fell into that category.

But if he wanted to scold Xiao Zhenyun… After much deliberation, Si Di picked out the least important and most inappropriate thing he could think of saying. After uttering it, he wished he hadn’t opened his mouth:

“If you like dogs so much, why not just get one? Why involve me?”

An awkward silence descended in the room, filled with a hint of bitterness. Two pairs of eyes turned to Si Di in unison. There was a layer of surprise in Hedgehog’s eyes, followed by a hint of satisfaction. His brother, who was as insignificant as dust in love, actually dared to confront Zhenyun head-on? On the other hand, Xiao Zhenyun’s expression was also peculiar, vaguely bewildered. He couldn’t understand why, in the year 2202, Si Di was still entangled over the issue of the little dog.

Si Di covered his face with one hand in pain. “Let’s just pretend I didn’t say that.”

“How can we pretend you didn’t say that?” Hedgehog patted Xiao Zhenyun’s shoulder. “Right?”

Xiao Zhenyun sensed there was more to Hedgehog’s words, but he didn’t delve deeper. Instead, he carefully chose his words and quietly connected through the spiritual link with Si Di, explaining in his heart: Human nature is always very contradictory. They want wildness, yet they also desire taming. So, for me, the best is still a tamed beast… like you.

It sounded like a confession, yet not quite, but Si Di reluctantly took it as one.

Xiao Zhenyun: I have no interest in little dogs.

Si Di: Got it, got it.

Xiao Zhenyun: Really got it or just saying that?

Si Di: I really get it. I know you like me, only me. Even if Xiao Chu stripped in front of you, you wouldn’t be tempted.

Xiao Zhenyun: …

Si Di: Hm?

Xiao Zhenyun: Not tempted, not tempted.

Si Di: Really not tempted or just saying that?

Xiao Zhenyun: Where would I even be tempted?

Watching the two of them exchange silent glances, Hedgehog knew this was the telepathic communication between highly compatible sentinel-guides, a form of communication he, as a Dark Sentinel, would never experience in his lifetime. He yawned; aren’t these two on good terms? Then why does Xiao Zhenyun always seem to provoke Si Chu? Playing both sides?

As a blank slate in the realm of love, he couldn’t understand, so he decided not to dwell on it: “So, is there anything else? If not, I’m going to sleep. I have to get up early tomorrow to approach that little peacock.”

“Don’t forget to disguise yourself. Si Chu knows your face.” Si Di said. The two had met during the previous MP kidnapping incident; there was no telling whether Si Chu’s sometimes sharp, sometimes dull mind could figure out that the snake sentinel who knocked him out and carried him into Xiao Zhenyun’s basement was the same person.

In Xiao Zhenyun’s mind, ‘disguise’ at most meant changing his hairstyle or sticking on a beard, like the self-deception of cross-dressing in TV dramas. But what he didn’t expect was that the next noon, when Hedgehog appeared at the door again, carrying lunch for three, Xiao Zhenyun didn’t recognize him at all. He furrowed his brows, wondering who this unfamiliar man was.

It wasn’t until Hedgehog spoke, his familiar accent echoing, that Xiao Zhenyun exclaimed his name in surprise.

“Didn’t recognize me?” Hedgehog proudly adjusted the thin-framed glasses on his face. He had even changed his facial structure; he was completely someone else. Seeing Xiao Zhenyun nodding honestly, Hedgehog was even more pleased. The reddish-brown snake silently climbed up Xiao Zhenyun’s waist but was interrupted midway by Si Di’s hands, who lifted him up and placed him on Tai Ji’s back.

Tian Lu immediately jumped out of his spiritual domain, curious as he approached Tai Ji’s side, staring at the snake with big eyes.

It was evident that the stag wanted to slurp up the snake like a noodle, but alas, it was vegetarian.

Although Hedgehog had never been in love or pursued anyone, he seemed to have some insights into creating encounters and sparking topics. While discussing the details of their plan over coffee with Si Di, he bluntly stated that he didn’t need any advice from Si Di, only instructing him to seize the opportunity to divert Si Chu’s attention.

For today’s plot, Xiao Zhenyun extended his room reservation with the hotel. Unfortunately, despite having such a long vacation, he hadn’t even soaked in a proper hot spring yet, nor had he had the chance to dine at a restaurant. Every day, he ordered takeout from outside his room.

“Don’t you like coffee?” Hedgehog gestured towards the paper cup in front of Xiao Zhenyun.

Xiao Zhenyun wasn’t accustomed to drinking coffee. Even a bit of caffeine would make him visit the restroom frequently and suffer from insomnia. He shook his head. “I prefer tea.”

“It’s the new flavor from the shop, hazelnut.” Hedgehog looked at Si Di. “It’s pretty good, isn’t it?”

Si Di put down his half-drunk coffee cup. “It’s alright.”

Xiao Zhenyun still insisted on shaking his head. Hedgehog sighed. “Alright, I should’ve asked about your taste before buying.”

After clearing up the leftovers from the meal, Hedgehog and Si Di sat for a while to finalize the timeline before leaving the room one after the other. Once again, Xiao Zhenyun became the most idle person. He suggested to Hedgehog that he could disguise him too, making it easier for him to participate in the operation. However, Si Di thought it was unnecessary for all three of them to be involved in such a minor matter.

After feeding Tian Lu a carrot and an orange, Tian Lu still wanted to eat strawberries, but Xiao Zhenyun refused. He looked up and saw a cup of hot tea emitting wisps of steam on the table.

Was it brewed by Si Di before leaving?

The sentinels’ protective instincts seemed a bit exaggerated; he even had to brew him a cup of tea before leaving… Xiao Zhenyun got up and walked over, picking up the cup. He gently blew away the floating leaves on the surface and took a sip. The temperature was just right, but it was a bit too strong.

Actually, he should have realized something was off when he tasted the overly strong tea with the first sip. However, at that moment, he was clouded by the ‘sweetness of love’ and failed to notice the anomaly.

Si Di had brewed tea for him before. Most of the time, it was just right, occasionally a bit lighter, but never too strong, because sentinels tended to subconsciously prefer mild flavors.

Only a certain Dark Sentinel, in order to stand out from the rest, would go overboard to show off and deliberately pursue spicy and stimulating flavors. Only he would brew such a bitter cup of strong tea.

Since he didn’t need to go out, Xiao Zhenyun wasn’t wearing his prosthetic limb. He leaned back in the recliner, flipping through the terminal to pass the time. He sipped the bitter tea while enduring its taste, adding hot water a couple of times, and finishing the whole cup.

After about two hours, he finally felt something was wrong. Xiao Zhenyun loosened his collar, irritatedly opened the window beside him, letting the cold winter air dissipate the heat steaming from his body. From his line of sight, he could just catch sight of the mirror above the washbasin. In the mirror, where his face usually lacked color, there were now two blushes floating, and his lips were as red as cinnabar, with fine beads of sweat covering his forehead.

He wasn’t stupid, and in this situation, even a fool could tell what had happened.

He had been drugged.

Xiao Zhenyun reached out to grab his prosthetic limb by the chair, but now he was too hot and disoriented. There was a suffocating feeling pressing against his throat. He urgently needed to vent, but everything was blurry before his eyes. He tried several times to put on the limb but failed.

He had no choice but to abandon the idea of moving, lying back and unzipping his pants.

Unfortunately, even though Xiao Zhenyun’s body felt like it was on fire, ready to explode, he had no way to relieve himself.

His flaccid member lay there, unresponsive.

Xiao Zhenyun closed his eyes, trying to stimulate himself. The antlers and the deer tail gradually appeared, but because of the lack of satisfaction, the antlers grew uncontrollably larger, causing his head to tilt back involuntarily.

“Beast, bastard…” He cursed between breaths, giving up and letting go. He then continued to curse with increasing frustration, finding no relief.

He thought it should be throbbing and aching by now, but in reality, it still lay there, motionless and asleep.

This was the first time Xiao Zhenyun had personally experienced the agony of a frustrating impotence.

With no other choice, he summoned his spiritual body.

The stag trotted over lightly, nibbling on Xiao Zhenyun’s sweat-drenched hair. His sticky eyelashes fluttered open, revealing misty blue eyes filled with moisture. Xiao Zhenyun chuckled softly, “If you keep biting my hair, I’ll let you experience what I’m feeling right now.”

Tian Lu, sensing his master’s anger, stepped back, his hooves tapping crisply on the ground.

“Go get me the medicine, in the suitcase.”

“Yo.” Tian Lu buried his head in the suitcase, tossing it into a mess before lifting his head with a bag of cold medicine in his mouth.

“Do you know what medicine it is?”

Tian Lu spat out the cold medicine and lowered his head, not lifting it for a long time. Xiao Zhenyun waited impatiently, listening to the faint sound of chewing.

“…” This silly deer, completely ignoring his master’s plight, was secretly eating strawberries.

The author has something to say:

Tian Lu: Seize the opportunity while he’s sick and eat up.

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