Chapter 44: Yin Buqi’s Biting Habit is Impossible to Change

“Who are you calling uneducated?” Yin Ci’s voice rose in anger, reacting to Song Shi’s mocking tone.

“Whoever feels offended,” Song Shi replied indifferently, not bothering to argue further as he walked back toward the inn.

Yin Ci wanted to say more, but Jiang Niannian stepped in to calm him down.

“Enough, it’s late. Let’s go rest.”

“Niannian, let’s go,” Yin Buqi clicked his tongue and wrapped his arm around her, preparing to leave.

Behind them, Yin Ci’s awkward voice called out, “I don’t know why, but you give me a feeling like an older brother. We’re both surnamed Yin… maybe… should I call you brother?”

Yin Ci had been doted on and spoiled since childhood, always proud and headstrong.

This was the first time he inexplicably felt goodwill toward someone, setting aside his usual arrogance to express it.

Yin Buqi stopped in his tracks, his face expressionless and calm as he spoke, “Young Master Yin is of noble birth, a favored child of the heavens, admired by all. I dare not presume such familiarity.”

Jiang Niannian, understanding Yin Buqi better than anyone, knew the pain he harbored.

Though they were brothers by blood, their lives were worlds apart.

She couldn’t help but feel a pang of injustice for him.

She gently squeezed Yin Buqi’s hand, trying to offer some comfort.

Seeing Yin Buqi’s cold and distant demeanor, Yin Ci felt a sting in his heart.

If it were anyone else, he would have lashed out, but now he found himself choked up.

“Actually, I… I used to have an older brother…”

Yin Buqi froze at his words.

His breathing became heavier, more labored.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice laced with bitterness, “Brother? How laughable. What brother? That useless brother of yours, born with ill fate, died long ago… It’s better for him to die so as not to disturb others ‘peaceful and quiet’ lives.”.

“Shut up! I won’t let you speak ill of him!”

Yin Ci’s voice was filled with tears and rage.

Though he disliked when others mentioned how brilliant and talented his brother had been, he despised even more when anyone spoke ill of him.

After all, he had never even met that legendary brother.

Yin Buqi’s hand clenched tightly within his sleeve.

“Why bother putting on this hypocritical act?”

“Buqi…” Jiang Niannian’s eyes welled up as she looked at him, her heart aching.

“Niannian, let’s go.”

By the time Yin Ci looked up again, Yin Buqi had already pulled Jiang Niannian away, leaving him no chance to respond.

Late at night, the wind howled outside, producing a soft rustling sound.

Jiang Niannian, half asleep, suddenly felt a warm, wet sensation brushing against her lips, then slowly trailing down her neck.

She jolted awake, meeting a pair of blood-red eyes, a mix of bloodlust and seductive allure interwoven within them.

Her heart skipped a beat.

“Buqi, you… why aren’t you asleep?”

Yin Buqi’s pale lips, against his blood-red eyes, appeared as if they had just tasted blood, contrasting sharply against his sickly white skin.

His white inner robe hung loosely from his shoulders, revealing fair skin now adorned with a large, vivid Red Spider Lily flower pattern, which seemed to pulse with life as it spread across his body.

Jiang Niannian stared in disbelief at the flower.

“What… what’s happening?!”

She reached out to touch his chest, but the moment her fingers brushed against the pattern, Yin Buqi shuddered, letting out a muffled groan.

His usually sharp and intense eyes were now glazed, his voice a murmur, “I need… I need…”

Jiang Niannian leaned in closer, worried.

“What do you need?”

“Niannian, it hurts… I need… Niannian, you smell so good.”

He buried his head in her neck, inhaling deeply, and then pressed her wrists above her head, his entire being exuding a cold, eerie aura.

“Buqi, what’s wrong with you?”

Before she could finish her sentence, Yin Buqi’s lips were already on her neck.

His body, unusually cold, was in stark contrast to the searing heat of his mouth, making Jiang Niannian shiver.

“Let go! You’re going to rip off my skin!”

“Yin Buqi, you’re biting me again! Were you a dog in your past life?!”

When he finally released her, a distinct blood mark remained on her neck.

Yin Buqi, looking like a bloodthirsty demon, had lips now even redder, vibrant with a wild, almost maddening beauty—like a poppy flower blooming in a wasteland, dangerously addictive.

He seemed to calm down, gently licking the wound on her neck before nuzzling her cheek, the red spider lily flower pattern gradually fading from his skin.

Minutes later, Yin Buqi became still, his breathing steady.

He rested his head in the crook of her neck, apparently asleep.

After being bitten, Jiang Niannian couldn’t fall asleep again.

She stared at the ceiling for a while, then gently pushed him off, got out of bed, poured herself a cup of tea, and downed it in one gulp.

Only then did her pounding heart start to settle.

“Ow,” she muttered, touching the bite mark on her neck, grumbling to herself, “this little ingrate.”

The next morning, as the rooster crowed and the bustling sounds of the market filled the air outside the inn, Jiang Niannian was still asleep.

Yin Buqi sat by her side, staring at the bite mark on her pale neck; his expression conflicted, and his red eyes darkened.

He remembered everything from last night, crystal clear.

It was the first time something like this had happened.

He had lost control and hurt Niannian.

He was filled with self-loathing.

Even in his confused state, Niannian’s scent had calmed him and enchanted him, driving him to kiss, to bite, desperate to consume her whole.

He stroked her silky hair, the texture like fine silk slipping through his fingers, stirring a deep itch in his heart.

“Buqi…” Jiang Niannian’s sleepy eyes fluttered open, looking at him.

Freshly awakened, her voice was soft, almost inviting teasing.

“I’m here, Niannian.”

“What happened to you last night?”

“I… I don’t know either. Niannian, I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”

Even though she was right beside him, it wasn’t enough. He buried his face in her neck, the heat of his tears spilling over.

In the countless dark days of his past, Jiang Niannian had been like a light that pierced through his world.

The thought of losing control and hurting her made his heart ache as if it were being torn apart.

His shoulders trembled, and his lips quivered, “Niannian…”

Desperate, he held onto his light even tighter, as if afraid she would disappear.