Chapter 2805: The Stand‑In Was Abducted by the Bandit

Gu Fanghe's eyes rippled, meeting Jin Chen's gaze; he suddenly laughed, his brows and eyes relaxing, revealing a hint of the unrestraint that had not yet been worn away.

He reached out to push aside the chessboard; the white jade pieces clattered across the table. He leaned in, his eyes still holding laughter and interest.

His intention was obvious.

Gu Fanghe lowered his head, about to kiss him.

Jin Chen, however, raised his hand and pressed it against his lips.

Gu Fanghe's motion paused; he lifted his eyes to look at him.

Jin Chen smiled, his fingertips lightly pressing on his lips: "Gu Fanghe, you don't know how to kiss—it hurts."

Gu Fanghe had never been a law‑abiding good sort; he'd fought on the battlefield for seven years and been a bandit for seven, his nature deceitful, obstinate, and unreasonably brutal.

What he wants, he must obtain; what he sets his sights on, he must grasp in his hand.

How could he let it go now?

The young master before him had glimmering eyes, speaking reproachful words, yet his fingertips carried a teasing intent.

Gu Fanghe, using the finger Jin Chen had pressed to his lips, pecked at the fingertip, coaxing, "Young master, teach me how?"

Jin Chen's lips curled; he withdrew his hand, cradled Gu Fanghe's cheek, and leaned in to kiss him.

His tongue gently parted the lips, unhurried, the kiss delicate and entwining… leaving Gu Fanghe dazed.

Gu Fanghe relaxed his body, leaning back against the edge of the stone table, letting him continue; his hand unconsciously rested on Jin Chen's back, stroking slowly.

Only then did he realize what a kiss truly was.

Gu Fanghe's predatory nature was innate; his ability to learn was astonishing. In moments he grasped the rhythm, instinctively drinking in all that Jin Chen gave—like a traveler tasting sweet rain for the first time, once he knew the flavor he sank into it, unwilling to leave.

The sun was warm, the spring breeze gentle, bamboo leaves rustling.

The kiss was long—so long Gu Fanghe almost forgot time.

Until the sun slanted, shadows lengthened; until the spring breeze cooled, the evening wind began to rise.

Until their breathing grew uneven, Jin Chen pulled back slightly, their lips still touching, breaths mingling.

Gu Fanghe opened his eyes, a tightness in his chest; he came to, startled to find himself dazed from the kiss, nearly breathless.

He panted, his lips reddened from the kiss, while the fury surging in his heart vanished completely, leaving only a soft, tranquil peace.

Jin Chen licked his slightly numb lower lip, his voice weary: "No more kissing."

Gu Fanghe felt his whole body go limp.

He had trained in martial arts for years; even fighting three days and nights straight wouldn't leave him this—this deep‑to‑the‑bone, sated, weightless softness.

【Villain Heartthrob Value +8, total 30!】

The evening wind rose, lifting Jin Chen's cloak, strands of hair brushing his cheeks.

Gu Fanghe smoothed the cloak for him, drew it closer around his shoulders, and used his own body to shield him from the wind.

"This courtyard is no good—too remote and desolate. Tomorrow I'll get you a different place to stay."

Jin Chen hummed lazily, lifted his gaze to him, twilight reflected in his eyes, and brushed Gu Fanghe's cheek.

"Well… Chief, when do you plan to let me go down the mountain?"

Gu Fanghe's smile faded slightly.

The faint satisfaction and gentleness in his expression withdrew; his brows furrowed as he brushed aside Jin Chen's wind‑tousled hair—an unconscious gesture of tenderness, yet his tone held confusion and displeasure:

"Why leave the mountain?" he stared at Jin Chen's eyes. "Is it that you don't like living here, or has someone slighted you?"

"Your food, clothing, and daily needs, the people serving you—all are arranged to your liking. If you have any complaints, just tell me."

Jin Chen: "I've been missing for days; the Jin Family must have sent people to look. What do you think, Chief?"

Gu Fanghe had thought Jin Chen was worried about his parents' anxiety, but seeing his expression now, it was actually wistful, even forlorn.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, thumb tracing the furrow between Jin Chen's brows: "Do you want them to find you, or not?"

Jin Chen locked eyes with him for a moment, then shook his head. "Forget it—if you won't let me go, then I won't go."

But it was clear he had something on his mind, yet he refused to speak of it.

Gu Fanghe felt even more that something was off; he wanted to press further, but seeing Jin Chen's lowered lashes—clearly unwilling to discuss—he swallowed the words rising to his throat.

He hated guessing people's hearts most of all, yet with this person before him, those hard‑line interrogation tactics seemed unusable.

In the twilight, the locust tree's leaves and branches swayed gently in the wind.

Jin Chen picked up a locust leaf that had fallen sometime onto the stone table, took Gu Fanghe's hand, placed the leaf in his palm, then brushed his cheek, grazing the old dark‑red scar.

The original idea was merely to have Gu Fanghe investigate the Jin Family, perhaps seeing if those two guards of Ruan Shutong were involved; he left it at that.

The corner of his mouth curled again, a smile blooming in the dusk: "Tomorrow I want to eat the wontons from Southern Province— the broth must be fresh. Remember to bring them for me."

Gu Fanghe replied: "…All right."

He clasped the leaf in his palm together with Jin Chen's fingers.

"But as for leaving—don't even think about it."

Jin Chen let him hold his hand, his smile undiminished: "Understood."