It's Hard Being the Bad Guy

Chapter 27

(Warning: This chapter contains content that some readers may find disturbing.)

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The afternoon rain poured heavily, and Zuo Yiqing was afraid Wen Ai might catch a cold, so he came to check on him.

Wen Ai was sound asleep with his eyes closed, covered by the blanket, hiding most of his face.

Zuo Yiqing pulled down the blanket, exposing Wen Ai's entire face, and lightly tapped his nose, "If I hadn't come, would you have slept with your nose stuffed all night?"

Wen Ai obediently showed no response, his cheeks tinged with a faint pink, looking like a tender little pig.

Zuo Yiqing touched his forehead, making sure there was no fever. As he was about to retract his hand, he couldn't resist and trailed it down his cheek, gently cupping the soft flesh of his cheek in his palm, caressing it affectionately.

"Mmm..." Wen Ai unconsciously nuzzled the palm beside his face. Zuo Yiqing's heart was stirred by the sensation, and he sat on the edge of the bed, pulling Wen Ai into his arms. Wen Ai nestled softly against his chest, sleeping defenselessly.

Zuo Yiqing lowered his head and kissed Wen Ai gently, his lips touching his forehead, eyes, cheeks, ears, lingering on his neck. He slipped his hand into Wen Ai's collar, carefully exploring the back of his neck, smooth and delicate, without the slight bulge of a gland.

"You cunning little thing," Zuo Yiqing's voice was husky as he lightly nibbled Wen Ai's earlobe, "You're good at hiding secrets."

Wen Ai could wake up at any moment, so Zuo Yiqing refrained from making any further moves. He gave Wen Ai a quick hug, placed him back on the bed, tucked him in, and left.

The next morning, a sharp crow pierced through the bamboo house, startling Wen Ai awake from his dreams. Rubbing his eyes, he walked out of the room and saw Zuo Yiqing squatting in the courtyard, holding down a colorful big bird. The bird's sharp beak emitted piercing crowing sounds as it struggled vigorously.

Wen Ai rubbed his eyes, "What's this about?"

"Did I wake you up?" Zuo Yiqing quickly tied the bird's legs together with hemp rope. "This is a mountain chicken. It probably got caught in yesterday's heavy rain and sought shelter in our woodshed overnight. I just found it when I went to fetch firewood."

"It looks like a bird," Wen Ai curiously observed the mountain chicken's feathers. "It has all sorts of colors and looks quite skinny."

"That's how it runs so fast," Zuo Yiqing stood up, holding the rope. The mountain chicken, suspended in the air, flapped its wings vigorously. "This thing can still fly. It almost got away when I wasn't paying attention, flew right into the courtyard."

Wen Ai: "I want to touch it."

Zuo Yiqing held the mountain chicken's head to prevent it from pecking: "Go ahead."

Wen Ai's hand stroked the mountain chicken's back a few times. "It's so smooth," he remarked. Suddenly, he paused, "Is this a male or female?"

Zuo Yiqing quickly lifted the chicken's bottom and examined it. "Female," he replied curtly.

Wen Ai's eyes lit up. "Then let's keep it! It can lay eggs in the future!"

Zuo Yiqing shook his head. "No, we're not keeping it."

Wen Ai was surprised by his straightforward refusal. "Why not?"

Zuo Yiqing glanced at him. "Because I'll end up feeding it and cleaning up after it."

Wen Ai pledged, "I'll help."

Zuo Yiqing raised an eyebrow. "Alright, then go build a chicken coop first."