Chapter 40.1 – Green Light

Ji Ling's eyes filled with horror as he watched the man ferociously kiss down. He tried to struggle desperately, but the man’s grip was like iron; cold, merciless and dominating, making him feel small and weak. There was no chance for him to resist or escape.

Ji Ling said to himself, ‘Noooooo. Am I just going to be f*cked like this?’

His thousands of defenses and evasions had helped him escape from Jing Sui, but not Carlos…

The man kissed and moved down to his neck. Cold waves of water gently lapped over him, making his blood feel as if it was frozen.

It was like he’d returned to last life. At the time, this terrifying man appeared before him from out of nowhere, and walked over step by step. On his body, there was still fresh blood that hadn’t dried yet. His eyes were ice cold, lacking any trace of warmth.

In that moment, Ji Ling was very aware that he might die, because he had been in the wrong place and saw someone he shouldn’t have seen. At this critical junction, he put all his eggs in one basket, and chose to take the initiative to approach… He had bet right that time.

Ji Ling's body trembled slightly. Tears moistened his eyelids, and he cried out in a low voice: "Uncle Carlos …"

This call carried with it a slight tremor, and made the man pause slightly. He looked up with a pair of aggressive and merciless eyes.

The youth’s blue eyes shimmered as tears flowed down his cheeks. He looked sad and helpless, like a child at a dead end who’d lost every last person he could rely on and trust in. However, he wasn’t willing to accept it, and put all his last hopes into his gaze as he said: “You’re the person I trust the most, so why… do you have to treat me like this too…?”

The words were clearly said very lightly, but they fell onto Carlos’ ears with the weight of a thousand tons. His violent jealousy and lust was instantly suppressed in his chest, tearing out a heart-wrenching pain in its wake.

Carlos stared fixedly at the boy.

It was as if he’d returned to last life… to that lonely and desolate planet where the boy stood in the darkness, and looked at him sadly, asking: “Was it really you, Uncle Carlos…?”

This scene was one he never forgot his whole life, even accompanying him in his moment of his death.

What had he been doing just now?

He had vowed to take good care of the boy this life and never let him get hurt again. He had painted lies to lure the youth to his side to better love him, not to cause him pain and heartache.

He should’ve been more patient.

But because the boy had completely denied him just now, he no longer wanted to endure anymore. He wanted to take advantage of him…to hurt him and break apart all the trust and dependence the boy once had in him…

To think, such cruel thoughts had actually stirred within him…

for who knows how long…

Carlos slowly loosened his grip. Covering up the pain in his eyes, he said in a low husky voice: "I'm sorry, I just love you too much.”

Ji Ling didn't answer. He appeared to be pained and disappointed to the max. Staggering out of the lake, he climbed up extremely disturbed and turned to leave.

Carlos took one step forward, wanting to support the youth by the hand. However, the boy who had always been docile and obedient before, now avoided him. The youth bit his lip hard and refused to give him so much as a glance.

Carlos stared at his hand which had grasped nothing. After a while, the corners of his mouth lifted into a self-ridiculing smile.

………………

The whole journey, Ji Ling sat curled up in the corner and didn’t make a peep. He just let his wet, see-through clothing stay plastered on his body, and closed his eyes, not saying a word to Carlos. Even when they returned to the house, he didn’t look back even once, and locked himself inside his room.

What happened today…was too dangerous!

Ji Ling took a deep breath and paced back and forth in his room, extremely anxious.

He originally thought that this fake engagement with Carlos was a layer of protection for himself. Only now did he realize that he was like a sheep walking into a wolf’s den. Carlos also didn’t have any good intentions towards him! Plus, the man wanted to do those kinds of things to him, even if it meant tearing apart his facade. This world where everyone was bent was driving him crazy!

Ji Ling: [Why do all the men in this world want to bed other men? 🙂 ]

The system gave a weak reminder: [This is the world of a ** story…]

Ji Ling: [So what garbage author wrote this trashy novel?】

The system didn’t dare say anything.

This was probably one of those ‘straight male host transmigrates into ** story and despairs’ type of novels.

Ji Ling stayed behind the closed doors of his room all day. He didn’t even eat with Carlos. Actually, he wanted to go home, but if he lived back at his place, he’d probably be obstructed by Jing Sui. That option was equally dangerous. Jing Sui had blackened so much the night of the engagement party that just thinking about it brought up lingering fear of him. As for other possible places to go, there still wouldn’t be any way to protect himself. What if these two powerful perverts went and intercepted him?

Thinking back and forth, Ji Ling realized that besides Jing Sui and Carlos, he actually had no other available routes!

This world was too depressing.

It was like choosing between a rock and a hard place. Which one would give him an easier death?

Ji Ling: [I really don’t think I can finish this mission. I’d like to request a new one! 】

System: [But there has never been a precedent where the host’s mission was changed before …]

Ji Ling: [And you guys have a precedent where all the mission targets were reborn? 】

System: […]

Ji Ling: [The world has already collapsed to this state. Don't you think you guys carry some responsibility for this? 】

System: […]

Ji Ling: [Either change my mission or request compensation. You can choose! 】

The system went silent for a good amount of time. He hesitated, and said: [Then I'll go back and try to help you request a change. 】

Ji Ling waved his hand: [Yes, go, go.]

System: [But I can't guarantee that I’ll be successful. 】

Ji Ling flashed a vicious smile: [That’s fine. How could anything be worse than my current situation, right? 】

System: […]

Ji Ling: [Remember to come back ASAP. 】

System: [Then I’m really going now. Be careful by yourself when I'm not around. 】

Ji Ling: [Hurry off and hurry back. Then you might still be able to see me before my final moments. 】

System: […]

He remembered that day two months ago very clearly. He often held banquets at his house, and countless young rich kids were in attendance, so he didn't care to remember each and every insignificant person. If His Majesty hadn't discovered Ji Ling and shouted out to him, he wouldn't have noticed the boy at all.

At the time, he watched as His Majesty and Archduke Carlos wrestled fiercely for Ji Ling’s affections, and felt it was all quite absurd. He’d believed that His Majesty and His Excellency were just using the boy as a pretense to contest against each other. Who could’ve imagined that they really had deeper affections for a garbage rich kid? He had fully believed Ji Ling was just a pawn in their game of chess against each other.

However, Earl Gerard had no such thoughts now. His Majesty wouldn't make a public confession to a mere pawn. Archduke Carlos wouldn't get engaged to a chess piece either. It was impossible for the two of them to tear off their false pretenses and destroy the fake peace they’d pretended to have for so many years over an insignificant pawn. They even made such big moves to obtain him!

Although no one saw the scene at the engagement banquet that night with their own eyes, the noise was incredible and a great many people heard it.

News of this completely shocked the empire’s upper class nobles to its core. No matter how unbelievable it all was… The truth was right in front of them, so they had no choice but to accept it.

This garbage rich kid who only had his looks going for him had a complete grip on His Majesty and His Excellency’s hearts. His status was now higher than that of any noble here, and his influence should not be underestimated. No one dared to snub him ever again.

They gave Ji Ling cautious glances, and cried inside.

Who could possibly know that Ji Ling, who was still with His Majesty last time, would suddenly become Carlos’ fiancee in the blink of an eye? The world was really unpredictable.

Ji Ling had long been accustomed to the curious and fearful glances these people gave him as they tried to feel him out. Although he was a little embarrassed at first, he’d gradually figured out the trick to deal with things here. If he wasn’t good at something, then the best thing to do was not face it. He didn’t care what these people thought of him at all. Anyway, it didn’t matter what his attitude towards them was or whether what he said was right or not, because who dared to have an opinion against him?! Even if he said something to make a fool of himself today, everyone else had to support him, and praise Young Master Ji’s jokes.

It was kind of lonely at the top…

Ji Ling sat there lazily, listening to others flatter him. He was generally too lazy to respond. When he was in a good mood, he’d give an ‘Uh-huh,” and then they’d feel flattered.

However, most of the time, Ji Ling wasn’t listening closely to what the others said. He couldn't even remember what they looked like.

This was so ridiculous…

But it was still better than going back and facing Carlos…

Right as Ji Ling was in the middle of zoning out, he suddenly heard a clamor in the front. Subconsciously, he looked up and found a young man in an ordinary military uniform being pushed in front of Earl Gerard.

The young man looked completely ordinary. From his uniform, he was probably a low-leveled corporal soldier. Judging from his manner and disposition, he looked to be a civilian-born. In front of all these well-dressed, high-ranking nobles, he appeared to be very out of place.

The youth flushed red on the spot. His eyes burned with fury as he looked at Earl Gerard.

Behind him was a beautiful aristocratic girl who came running with tears stricken on her face. She knelt on the ground, with imploring eyes, as she plead to Earl Gerard saying: "Father, just let him go. I’m begging you"