Winning the male lead

“You don’t have to worry too much,” Xu Tao comforted. “Le Tian really cares about you.”

Yu Miao blurted out, “He doesn’t…” But as soon as the words left her mouth, she immediately bit them back.

Xu Tao noticed something but, being considerate, didn’t ask further.

Since the day he returned, Shen Le Tian had gone back to his previous state of confinement, like being imprisoned. He couldn’t take a single step away from the Shen family mansion.

What was worse, Shen Lixing had become even more physical with him, touching, kissing, and hugging him without regard for time or place. Like now, during dinner, Shen Lixing appeared to be sitting properly at the table, but his restless long legs were constantly brushing against his feet under the table.

Le Tian could only blush deeply and avoid it, his brow furrowing as he occasionally glanced up, using his eyes to reject Shen Lixing’s advances. But he didn’t even glance at him, sitting straight-backed, seemingly oblivious, as if nothing was happening.

Le Tian couldn’t take it anymore and pushed the cutlery aside. “I’m done eating.”

Just as he was about to stand up, Shen Lixing stopped him. “Sit down.”

He half stood, hesitated for a moment, then sat back down.

After these days of slow but relentless pressure from Shen Lixing, he was like a frog in warm water, gradually losing the courage to openly resist him.

Each small act of resistance only led to more intense invasions by Shen Lixing. Le Tian, already fearful of him, was even more terrified now, his mind stuck on just delaying the inevitable, not knowing when it would finally end.

After dinner, Shen Lixing surprisingly allowed him to return to his own room, without dragging him to the study for more kisses.

Le Tian let out a long sigh of relief, hurried upstairs, and locked the door behind him. He had already gotten used to locking the door at home.

Once inside his room, he didn’t waste any time. He quickly ran a bath, pouring in essential oils. Something seemed off, and he suspected that after so long, Shen Lixing must be planning to make a move on him tonight.

He undressed and sank into the bathtub, humming a song, the faint fragrance of jasmine filling the air. He took a deep breath and mused, “The first time I clapped my hands was in a bathtub.”

System: “…” It didn’t want to hear this! When would the alliance’s active blocking program finally be approved?! Save the children, Orz.

Le Tian reminisced, “I was only two hundred years old back then, still a child.”

System interrupted, “Thanks, I get it, no need to continue.”

Le Tian curiously asked, “Do you systems clap?”

The system sharply denied it, “…No!”

Le Tian was surprised, “You guys are such advanced code, and you can’t even clap?”

The system was on the verge of losing it. “Why would we need to clap?!”

Le Tian raised his hand out of the water and started clapping, singing, “You clap once, I clap once, let’s play a game, you don’t know how?”

Shen Le Tian was in shock, “Then who’s clapping? Could it be that? Your thoughts are too dirty.”

The system was once again left speechless and frustrated. This person, who always had such thoughts, was now accusing it of being dirty?

Forget it. After all, this person was about to be mentally exiled. The system chose to remain silent for now.

After washing up and making himself look soft and delicate, Le Tian put on a snow-white silk nightgown, which was subtly seductive, and could tear easily. The system thought he might be trying to flirt, but worried it couldn’t argue with him, so it simply stayed quiet.

Le Tian didn’t go to bed after putting on the nightgown. Instead, he climbed onto the windowsill, hugged his knees, and looked out at the bright moon and the scattered stars.

He had studied the angle of his face when facing the door, which he considered the most attractive, delicate yet melancholic, like a cute little rabbit. Shen Lixing wouldn’t be able to resist.

In the dark room, only the gentle moonlight from outside illuminated the space, casting beautiful shadows on the floor. The young man sat on the windowsill, barefoot, tightly holding himself, his soft black hair covering his delicate, pale features. The silk nightgown slightly revealed his uneasy, bright eyes.

The sound of a key turning startled him, and he trembled slightly, not daring to look back.

The door opened, and the night wind rushed in, making him shiver even more.

Shen Le Tian, self-deceiving, buried his head in his arm.

Soon, the man approached. His large hand rested on Le Tian’s foot, the rough palm brushing against his tender skin, sending ripples through him. Le Tian still trembled, curling up like a worm, allowing the man’s hand to move over his body.

When Shen Lixing picked him up, he remained silent. He grabbed the front of his nightgown, taking a faint breath. He didn’t know how far Shen Lixing would go today, only that any resistance would be in vain.

During this time, he had learned one thing—resistance was futile; submission was better.

But today, Shen Lixing wanted more than just a light touch. Le Tian struggled as much as he could, but he was no match for him. He coaxed and manipulated him, forcefully pushing forward.

Although Shen Lixing had prepared thoroughly, after it was over, Le Tian couldn’t even move. His face was pale, his eyes dazed, and he muttered, “It hurts…”

Shen Lixing, with his muscular torso exposed, leaned against the headboard of the bed. His body was marked with bite marks of varying intensity. He ran his hand through Le Tian’s messy short hair, satisfied, and kissed his face. Le Tian’s eyes barely moved. He wanted to pull away, but his body was too weak.

“Le Tian, in this world, you are the one I care about the most,” Shen Lixing said, his large hand caressing Le Tian’s flexible waist. “We are connected.”

He had said something similar before—back then, he loved him because they shared the same blood. Now, he still loved him, and his love had always been devoted to this child.

Le Tian’s ears moved slightly, and he turned his face, burying it into the pillow. His slim back rose and fell slightly as he breathed. Shen Lixing adjusted the blanket for him, then lay down beside him, pressing his face against Le Tian’s beautiful shoulder blade and sighed, “Good night, my darling.”

Le Tian remained motionless, his pale face buried in the soft pillow. He seemed resigned to his fate.

The system, having triggered a passive block earlier, immediately realized what had happened as it returned. Considering Shen Lixing’s large frame next to Le Tian, the system couldn’t help but hope for a sliver of doubt. It asked, “What did he do to you?”

“Played a game,” Le Tian replied casually. “The one where you clap one time, and I clap one time.”

The system asked, “Clap?”

Le Tian playfully responded, “Yes, yes, exactly, clap, ‘pa-pa’.”

The system, pretending not to understand but unable to avoid the truth, was silent for a long time before it mechanically responded, “You were fucked.”

Le Tian didn’t deny it. He suddenly asked, “How about Xu Tao and Yu Miao?”

The system replied, “They’re just one step away from breaking through.”

Le Tian said, “I need to help them.”

The system warned, “You’re putting your effort in the wrong direction. Even if Yu Miao gets together with Xu Tao, you won’t complete your task. His value is lower than yours.”

Le Tian turned his face and looked at Shen Lixing’s face. He was truly handsome. No wonder he was recommended by the system as the strongest male character—impressive and alluring. “I have a plan, just wait and see.”