Chapter 2454: Another Me 23

Tonight there seems to be some event; not only the courtyard, but the main hall is also lively, with a resident singer performing folk songs, singing the story of this mountain, singing of wandering souls.

Li Chi, affected by the emotions from just hearing the story, also ordered a cup of wine and sat down to listen.

Jin Chen kept him company in his consciousness for a while, confirmed the surroundings were safe, then diverted part of his mind to carefully consider how much spiritual power would be needed to create a new identity.

Waiting for Jin Chen to come to his senses.

He discovered that this unlucky child had already drunk half a bottle of wine.

Li Chi propped his flushed cheek with his hand, his eyes glazed and moist as he stared out the window.

……

Jin Chen silently inhaled.

"Little Chi." he called.

"Huh?" Li Chi turned his face slowly, his focus somewhat difficult, his cheeks flushed, his voice soft from drunkenness.

"Brother, what's wrong?"

"Li Chi," Jin Chen said, "you're drunk, go back to your room."

Jin Chen tried a consciousness shift, and found Li Chi's current mental state like being soaked in warm water, soft and limp, making a smooth switch impossible.

What else could he do but coax him?

Fortunately, Li Chi's first-time drinking turned out to be surprisingly good-natured.

Hearing Jin Chen's words, though his reaction was slow, he still obediently answered, staggered to his feet, and walked back to his room with unsteady steps.

The room's main light was off; only a dim hallway light at the entrance was on.

Li Chi didn't go to the bed; he moved to the large dressing mirror in the corner of the room and plopped down on the carpet.

He just sat there hugging his knees, staring blankly at his blurry reflection in the mirror.

He tried hard to sober up a bit.

Not long after, he pressed his scorching forehead against the cold mirror surface, his voice muffled.

"Bro… I feel a bit unwell."

"How unwell, do you want to vomit?" Jin Chen asked immediately, carefully sensing his physical condition.

Li Chi frowned, tried to feel it, and shook his head.

"It seems… not."

He raised his hand to pinch his equally hot earlobe, his breathing a little rapid, "It's… itchy… and a bit hot…"

He shifted his body uneasily.

Jin Chen fell silent.

He recalled the mountain-style lunch; Li Chi had found that bowl of mushroom mutton soup especially delicious and couldn't help drinking two bowls.

Now, stimulated by that half bottle of wine, that slight irritant property was fully brought out.

Li Chi only felt the itch and heat growing increasingly unbearable.

He instinctively whined, "I feel awful, help me."

Jin Chen sighed, also finding this little one's dazed yet honest demeanor rather amusing.

"Whoever comes here, I can't control them, huh?"

"The soup was so fresh he drank two servings, the wine was tasty so he downed half a bottle; now he feels awful, who's to blame?"

Li Chi felt even more wronged by his words, muttering in protest, his body unconsciously pressing against the cold mirror to draw out coolness.

"Let you manage it, what should I do?" His cheeks and ears reddened as if about to bleed, his whole body like a shrimp steamed in hot vapor.

Jin Chen softened his voice, "Be good, close your eyes and try to sleep."

Li Chi obediently answered, striving to close his eyes.

But less than a minute later, that heat and heart-itch surged back, worse than before.

He frowned uncomfortably, opened his eyes, his gaze wet and accusatory.

"Can't sleep, still feel awful."

Jin Chen also had no idea what to do.

But seeing his own little one tormented by that bit of mushroom soup and alcohol, pitifully curled on the ground, how could he not care?

He thought for a moment, and his magnetic voice echoed in Li Chi's consciousness, guiding him more slowly than usual.

"Little Chi, brother will teach you, okay? Close your eyes."

Li Chi was dazed at the moment, his brain almost ceased thinking, only instinctive obedience remained.

He obediently closed his eyes, his lashes trembling uneasily, and unconsciously bit his own finger, the tip becoming damp.

The youth was naturally handsome; now, with intoxication and heat intertwined, any hint of color linked to emotion became stunningly breathtaking.

He had completely lost the ability to think, merely acting awkwardly and stiffly in response to Jin Chen's low, clear commands.

His consciousness was drawn into a warm yet unfamiliar vortex; his body tensed slightly at Jin Chen's command, then uncontrollably relaxed, stretching his neck upward.

After an unknown period, the tormenting heat finally receded like a tide.

Li Chi had exhausted all his strength, his breathing rapid and scorching, coming in gasps.

Jin Chen soothed him in time, his voice also a little strained, "Guabao, go take a hot shower, then sleep."

For some reason, upon hearing those two words at the end, Li Chi always felt Jin Chen was a bit gritting his teeth.

But he was utterly exhausted, the alcohol not yet worn off, and obediently complied.

The warm water flow washed away the stickiness, also carrying off the last trace of discomfort.

He buried himself in the soft blankets, and almost the moment his head touched the pillow, he fell into a deep sleep.

Logically, being this exhausted and drunk, Li Chi should have slept through the night without dreams until morning.

But… his earlier alluring, take-it-or-leave-it demeanor had stirred the Jin Chen deep in his consciousness enough to provoke him.

So this matter isn't over yet.

Li Chi was dragged into a new dream.

In the dream, the light was dim and ambiguous.

Li Chi blinked open his eyes in a daze and saw Jin Chen standing before him; instinctively he reached out, wanting a familiar embrace.

What greeted him, however, was a series of deep kisses.

Li Chi fell back again, his tongue tip going numb from suction, bringing a faint sting.

"Little Li Chi." Jin Chen bit the tip of his nose, "You naughty child."

Li Chi offered no resistance, actively meeting him, wishing he could open himself completely and sacrifice himself to the person before him.

Everything in the dream was scorching and intense, as if to doubly compensate for the desire left unfulfilled while awake.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +5, total 64!】

——

Morning sunlight streamed through the cracks of the wooden window.

Li Chi's consciousness woke first, dazedly recalling last night; once he remembered, he curled up in a corner, refusing outright to come out and take control of the body.

It seemed as if, as long as he didn't open his eyes, those things had never happened.

Jin Chen chuckled a few times, trying to coax him with a few words.

"It's time to get up."

But Li Chi insisted on turning into a little turtle today, and no amount of coaxing or teasing could get him to come out.

Jin Chen saw that enough was enough, knowing that if he teased further, his little turtle would likely retreat into its shell for the whole day.

He got up briskly, washed up, and changed into clean clothes.

He pushed open the window; the mountain morning air carried the fresh scent of plants, refreshing heart and spleen.

Jin Chen went downstairs alone, avoiding the still-quiet hall, and strolled to the ancient street at the mountain's base.

The ancient street in the early morning was very quiet, with only a few breakfast stalls open, steaming white vapor.

Jin Chen entered the small shop that looked fairly clean and ordered a bowl of steaming hot wonton noodles.

The noodles were smooth, the wonton filling delicious, the broth clear, and the warmth settled comfortably in his stomach.

After finishing the noodles, he walked slowly back along the bluestone path.

Passing by an antique-looking jade shop, Jin Chen's gaze lingered slightly on the warm, moist jade displayed in the window.

Ling Gun Gun popped out, 【Delicious……】

The auspicious beast must eat many precious things that could overwhelm the host!

Jin Chen pressed it back, 【No eating before the new body emerges.】

【?】

Ling Gun Gun leaned forward, 【Are you really the one speaking? How could you say something so cold.】

Jin Chen thought that he and Li Chi needed a token, preferably something visible and tangible.

He softened his voice and said to the shy little turtle pretending to sleep, "Little Chi, how about I buy you a jade to wear, big brother?"

In the depths of consciousness, Li Chi's response lacked enthusiasm, obviously not interested.

Jin Chen leisurely added, "A couple's set."

At the moment his words fell.

Li Chi didn't need a second to consider, responding eagerly, "Okay!"