Chapter 2736: Transmigrated to the Aristocratic Academy as a Special Recruit 21

After an unknown amount of time, Jin Chen suddenly stopped.

Ling Yao was slow to react, then blankly lifted his gaze, looking at him with a dazed look, water vapor misting his pupils, a charming red tinging the corners of his eyes, his breathing disordered.

His dependent, somewhat pitiful appearance was enough to arouse anyone's pity.

Jin Chen rubbed the back of his head, saying, "Someone's coming."

Ling Yao was dazed by the kiss, not yet grasping the meaning of those words, when Jin Chen shoved him into the thick blanket.

Fortunately the hospital blanket was fluffy enough; Jin Chen hid him in his arms, and from the outside it was impossible to see that someone was hidden inside the blanket.

Suddenly darkness fell before his eyes; Ling Yao blinked, his cheek pressed against Jin Chen's warm abs, the calloused fingers lightly stroking the soft flesh of his cheek, his mind still a bit foggy.

He didn't really think about why Jin Chen had hidden him.

But that thought only flashed through his mind.

Ling Yao was enveloped by the familiar scent on Jin Chen's body, much stronger than usual, leaving him somewhat dazed.

Jin Chen's fingertip tapped his lower lip, and Ling Yao instinctively opened his mouth, allowing Jin Chen to find the tongue stud and gently play with it.

Ling Yao then relaxed, sucking on the mischievous finger, and dazedly listened to the voices coming from outside the blanket.

Jin Chen half-leaned against the headboard, his expression calm and composed, even showing a hint of irritation at being disturbed.

"General Lin, as someone who saved people, why am I being interrogated over and over again?"

His voice came through the blanket to Ling Yao's ears, somewhat muffled, the coldness in his tone quite obvious.

Lin Baiyu's voice sounded, helpless yet probing: "I'm puzzled, Jin Chen."

"You turned down the military's early recruitment offer, so why also reject Bai Yu's invitation? He can represent the Lin family, and his terms are certainly no worse than the military's, with resources and platforms far beyond your imagination."

Jin Chen's gaze fell on a slight bulge in the blanket; his fingertip moved lightly, conveying a damp softness, yet his tone grew ever colder and more aloof.

"I'm just an ordinary student who wants a few quiet years, not to be dragged into these conflicts prematurely."

"General Lin, thank you for your and the Lin family's appreciation. But right now, I think it's more important to quickly uncover the mastermind behind this accident than to discuss my future."

Inside the blanket, Ling Yao swallowed the excess saliva, suddenly remembering.

Lin Baiyu's partner, back then, had been by his side as a personal knight during their academy days.

Now Lin Dage is so eager to recruit Jin Chen; besides valuing talent, he probably also harbors some matchmaking intentions, wanting to arrange for his younger brother an equally powerful and reliable 'one of our own'.

That thought sent Ling Yao's possessiveness soaring.

Ling Yao carefully gripped Jin Chen's finger, a hint of displeasure, lightly nibbling at his fingertip—not hard, more like a coquettish gesture, trying to pull his attention back and deny him any chance to think about agreeing to the Lin family.

Jin Chen's eyes darkened slightly, a quick smile flashing in their depths.

"General Lin." He spoke, cutting off Lin Baiyu's persuasion.

"Never mind." Lin Baiyu also saw Jin Chen's resolve, fell silent for a few seconds, sighed, and said, "Some things need to be said by Bai Yu himself."

"Rest assured, I will personally oversee the accident investigation, swiftly find the culprit, and give you an answer."

The footsteps gradually faded away, and the hospital room door was gently closed.

Jin Chen immediately reached out and pressed the headboard's control button, locking the door from the inside.

Only then did he lift a corner of the blanket, letting warm light spill once more onto Ling Yao's face.

Jin Chen's palm rested on Ling Yao's slightly sweaty nape, his fingertips sensing an elevated temperature.

"He's gone." Jin Chen asked softly, his tone somewhat teasing, "Are you hot?"

Ling Yao drew deep breaths of fresh air; the sweat-dampened hairs at his forehead clung to his skin.

Upon first contact with the cool air, he let out a comfortable sigh, yet also noticed that the thick, heady incense that had clouded his consciousness had faded considerably.

Ling Yao's throat suddenly felt parched; he lifted his face, and the corners of his eyes glistened with moisture under the light.

He almost docilely stretched out both arms, embracing Jin Chen's neck, burying his heated cheek in the crook of his neck, greedily breathing, as if only thus could his racing heart calm down.

His whole being soaked in a warm, lazy atmosphere.

Jin Chen lazily held him, his palm lightly patting his back intermittently, then suddenly asked in a low voice, his breath brushing Ling Yao's sensitive ear, "Young master, why won't you let me be your personal knight?"

Ling Yao was unusually obedient right now, lifting his wet eyelashes to gaze into his smiling eyes.

"... Mm, I want that too."

He paused, a hint of hopeful anticipation, looked up at Jin Chen, and asked, "Do you agree?"

Jin Chen chuckled low, his hand gripping his waist tightening slightly, as if playing with warm jade heated by body heat, smooth and delicate.

"Ah…" He drew out the syllable, as if seriously considering, yet mischief sparkled in his eyes, "We'll have to think about what tempting reward our Young Master Ling can offer."

Ling Yao shook his head; he hadn't considered this question and didn't know what to give.

Immediately afterward, as if an idea struck him, he snuggled into Jin Chen's embrace, grabbed one of his hands, and guided…

Then he stopped.

He lifted his face, lingeringly brushing his lips against Jin Chen's, his eyes shimmering with watery light, and whispered.

"I'll let you play… with what you like, okay?"