Chapter 2338: S-Rank Guide Forced Love 23

The lobby on the twelfth floor was solemn and stern.

The high-ranking officials who had once stripped him of everything now sat in the observation seats, their expressions complex and unreadable.

After nearly two hours of complicated procedures, the review finally ended.

The stern sentinel instructor Chen Yan stepped forward, holding in his hand the metal ID card symbolizing the status of a High Tower Special Sentinel.

He kept a stern face and handed the card to Yu Zan.

"Identity verification passed, permissions restored." Chen Yan's voice was rigid, "Whether to move back into the sentinel-exclusive residence is your free choice."

"But please note, the next seven days are special forces team training, preparing for the waste‑land resource mine mission."

"It is advised to return to the unit for coordinated action."

The cold ID card landed in his palm, its familiar metal edges pressing into his skin, heavy and weighty.

Yu Zan gripped it tightly, as if he had regained the dignity he had lost.

He lifted his gaze, sweeping over the scrutinizing or wary eyes in the observation seats, finally landing on Chen Yan's expressionless face.

"Understood." He replied briefly, giving no clear choice, and neatly slipped the ID card into his pocket.

Yu Zan gave Chen Yan and the high‑ranking representatives a standard sentinel salute, the motion crisp, bringing back a long‑missing sharpness.

Under the complex gazes of the crowd, he turned, strode out of the review hall, and headed for the exclusive elevator that led to the top floor.

In the slight weightlessness of the rising elevator, Yu Zan opened his palm and looked at the brand‑new ID card.

Freedom was within reach, yet a lingering hesitation deep inside silently shrouded him.

The Black Swamp Cat curled around Yu Zan's shoulder, its paw tapping the ID card.

"You don't want to move? Fine… but I still need to think." Yu Zan flicked its claw.

——

"Hey, then that's settled!"

Ling Gun Gun let out a restrained sigh, "Sure enough, we still need the Pixiu to step in."

Jin Chen: "If you don't do it right, you'll lose this month's snacks."

"……Hmph!" Ling Gun Gun twitched, making an unsavory hum, pretending not to hear.

Yu Zan entered, and a familiar aura enveloped him.

In the living room, soft light bathed the space as Jin Chen leaned against the sofa, eyes closed, resting.

He supported his forehead with one hand, weariness rare in his brow, his silver‑gray uniform coat casually draped over the armrest, the collar slightly open.

Yu Zan's steps halted at the doorway.

He knew Jin Chen had been busy restoring his identity, suppressing the infection, and dealing with the undercurrents from the higher-ups—none of it easy.

Jin Chen never mentioned the hidden hardships to him; at most, late at night, half‑command, half‑coaxing, he would ask Yu Zan to lie down and sleep together.

That complex feeling made Yu Zan's heart tighten.

Jin Chen seemed to sense his presence and opened his eyes.

Upon seeing Yu Zan clearly, the fatigue in his eyes quietly faded, restoring his usual calm.

He patted the sofa beside him, signalling Yu Zan to come over.

Yu Zan walked over and sat down, deliberately keeping his posture straight.

He twitched his fingers; the High Tower Special Sentinel ID card he had just obtained slid halfway out of his pocket as if unintentionally, the mark indicating restored residence permission clearly visible on its face.

Jin Chen's gaze fell on the card, the corner of his mouth lifting in an extremely faint, inscrutable smile.

"Not bad efficiency." His fingertip tapped Yu Zan's hand back, his tone casual, "Want to move back to your old residence? Of course, after all you never wanted to stay."

Yu Zan turned his head and glared at Jin Chen, "You want to kick me out?!"

"What does Jin Chen mean!"

Jin Chen leaned in, staring into Yu Zan's eyes, "Then do you want to leave?"

Yu Zan's throat tightened.

Unbidden, memories of this period flooded his mind, and… after each spiritual guidance, that brief peace that made his soul sigh.

At his feet, his spiritual beast the Black Swamp Cat seemed to sense his master's intense inner struggle, anxiously circling his ankles, emitting low whimpers laced with pleading.

It even gave a light leap, landing straight on Jin Chen's leg, its fluffy head rubbing against his firm abdomen, emitting soft purrs, its beast eyes pleadingly fixed on Jin Chen, utterly ignoring his master's stubborn resistance.

Yu Zan: "……"

Jin Chen lowered his eyes, looking at the little creature nuzzling his leg; his long fingers reached out, skillfully scratching the Black Swamp Cat's chin, his fingertips gently combing its smooth, glossy fur.

The soothing touch also traveled along the spiritual link, faintly reaching Yu Zan's tense mental realm, causing a subtle tingling deep within his body.

Yu Zan forced himself to look away, unwilling to see his spiritual beast in such a pathetic state.

He stared at the coffee table, his voice somewhat muffled, tinged with spite, "We have training, we have missions."

It sounded more like he was convincing himself.

Jin Chen's gaze lifted from the Black Swamp Cat and settled again on Yu Zan's side profile, which he was forcing to stay calm.

That faint smile on his face deepened slightly as he grasped Yu Zan's wrist.

Yu Zan trembled slightly but did not pull away.

Jin Chen slipped the identity card back into Yu Zan's palm.

"Do what you want to do." Jin Chen said, "In the seven‑day training, you can move back to live here."

He paused, his fingertip lightly rubbing the inner side of Yu Zan's wrist, sending a faint electric sensation, "Here, you can always come back."

Yu Zan's heart jumped, as if soaked in a hot spring, warm and soothing, dispelling his earlier irritation and chill, making his eyes feel a little sore.

Driven by instinct, Yu Zan grabbed Jin Chen's slightly open shirt collar and pulled him hard toward himself.

The distance between them instantly closed, their noses touching.

Jin Chen was suddenly embraced around the waist.

"Kiss me." You Zan stared at Jin Chen's eyes, his voice carried a commanding fierceness, but his breathing was somewhat rushed.

Rather than a request, it's more like something he himself doesn't even clearly understand, an urge stemming from deep within his soul.

He craved the touch that could calm him.

Jin Chen gazed at him, leaned in to lightly kiss his slightly parted lips, and couldn't help caressing the just-right muscle lines on You Zan's back.

In their past kisses, You Zan always tried to seize the lead, even if he rarely succeeded.

But today's You Zan was especially obedient, like a wild cat that's been petted.

As the kiss deepened, You Zan pressed against his numb mouth corner, unable to resist going to nibble and kiss Jin Chen's neck, almost wanting to rip off his clothes.

He wanted the Guide Substance, badly.

Jin Chen pressed You Zan's head into his embrace, allowing him to nibble, but after a while still no mental thread appeared, touching the mental landscape.

You Zan was puzzled, lifted his eyes to look at Jin Chen, a misty haze in his gaze.

But he heard Jin Chen say: "Sentinel, what do you want? Say it out."

"……" You Zan's Adam's apple rolled violently once, reliance and possessiveness continually growing.

"Guide Substance…"

The voice was too low to hear, but Jin Chen still heard it.

This is good.

Jin Chen leaned back, letting You Zan straddle him, raised a hand to rub his earlobe, and softly coaxed.

"Be good, close your eyes."

You Zan's gaze unfocused, his lashes trembling as they lowered, he arched his waist and back to press into Jin Chen's body, against his shoulder licking and nibbling.

Within the mental landscape, the reconstructed heavens and earth were vast, the swamp infected by mutated bodies was frozen shut, gradually dissolving.

Past ailments also faded away, leaving only the mental power Jin Chen brought, faintly revealing an even earlier form.

Here, Jin Chen could glimpse You Zan's memories before he joined the high tower.

As a Guide who had undergone deep soothing, as long as Jin Chen wished, he could share memories without hindrance.

But when the mental thread touched his memories, You Zan had a moment of resistance.

Jin Chen then stopped when it was enough, and resumed exploring other scenes within the mental landscape.

The Guide Substance, released with the mental power, wrapped You Zan in an airtight embrace, the agarwood scent rich.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +10, total 56!】