AMBTICBPIB Chapter 41

Shen Jin woke up early.

The first thing he did upon opening his eyes was look at Chu Yi, who was nestled in his arms.

On the wide bed, the two slept embraced under a single blanket, completely naked.

Bath towels and Chu Yi’s pajamas lay scattered haphazardly on the floor.

Though daylight had already broken, the curtains blocked out the bright sunlight, leaving the room in a dim twilight.

Even in the dim light, Shen Jin could see the marks on Chu Yi’s shoulder and collarbone—just the tip of the iceberg. The marks hidden beneath the blanket were more numerous and pronounced.

Shen Jin first touched Chu Yi’s forehead. Finding no fever, he pressed his forehead against Chu Yi’s to check again, finally feeling reassured.

Chu Yi remained sound asleep, exhausted from Shen Jin’s relentless demands throughout the night.

Shen Jin gazed quietly at Chu Yi’s sleeping face. His long lashes drooped, his expression serene and docile. A faint, sweet fragrance still lingered on his neck. Last night, Shen Jin had meticulously savored that pale neck. As he continued to watch, he found himself involuntarily aroused again.

Shen Jin quietly got up, casually tied his bathrobe, and took his phone to the bathroom to make a call.

About ten minutes later, a soft knock came at the door. The villa’s housekeeper had brought the items Mr. Shen had requested. Having long witnessed Mr. Shen’s formidable presence, the villa staff were now adept at reading the room. When Shen Jin opened the door, they didn’t peek inside or ask unnecessary questions.

Shen Jin returned to Chu Yi’s side with the items. Even as he shifted Chu Yi into a different sleeping position, Chu Yi didn’t wake, only murmuring softly in his sleep.

Gently separating Chu Yi’s legs, Shen Jin frowned with concern. The area was red and swollen—he had completely lost control last night.

After applying the ointment, Shen Jin carefully laid Chu Yi back on the pillow, letting him continue his peaceful slumber.

He pulled the blanket up, tucking Chu Yi’s exposed arm back under the covers.

Only then did Shen Jin begin to slowly savor the memories of the previous night. He vividly recalled every detail of their passionate entanglement, every moment of their intimacy.

He remembered Chu Yi’s tears, the crimson flush at the corners of his eyes, like rouge delicately brushed across his skin. It was entirely different from how Chu Yi’s eyes usually reddened when he cried. Last night, his tearful expression had been extraordinarily alluring.

Shen Jin’s fingertips gently traced Chu Yi’s soft, tender lips. He pursed his own, as if still savoring the lingering taste of Chu Yi.

The thought of Chu Yi’s unusually obedient demeanor made him want to tease him again.

Unable to resist, Shen Jin leaned down and pressed a light, reverent kiss to Chu Yi’s lips.

He could never get enough of the person before him. Shen Jin felt deeply grateful for having met Chu Yi. If Shen Chunhan had ever done anything good in his life, it was probably suggesting the marriage alliance with the Chu Family and spreading rumors of his own ferocity and terror far and wide.

Around noon, Chu Yi finally woke up.

The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was Shen Jin sitting by the bed, seemingly having been watching him the entire time.

“Are you okay?” Chu Yi asked, his voice hoarse and his throat parched.

Shen Jin held a cup of warm water to his lips, which Chu Yi drained in a few gulps. The water soothed his throat, bringing him much-needed relief.

“Are you feeling better now?” Chu Yi asked again. “Are you alright?” He still remembered Shen Jin’s distressed state from the night before—a side of him he had never seen before.

Shen Jin’s gaze burned intensely. Chu Yi’s first words upon waking were about him, filled with concern.

“I’m fine,” Shen Jin said gently, stroking Chu Yi’s hair. “If you feel any discomfort, you must tell me. I lost control last night.”

These few words brought back memories of the previous night, and Chu Yi suddenly realized he felt a slight discomfort in his lower back. It wasn’t too bad, though, not very painful.

He didn’t know that Shen Jin had already applied medicine to him while he was still asleep, and the medication had taken effect before he even woke up.

Just thinking about what happened last night made Chu Yi’s cheeks flush. He lowered his head, shook it shyly, and whispered, “No.”

Shen Jin said, “If you feel even the slightest discomfort, you must tell me. Don’t be embarrassed, okay?”

Chu Yi nodded, and then his stomach rumbled loudly. He was hungry.

It was already noon. After expending so much energy the previous day, Chu Yi was bound to be starving. In fact, hunger had partly woken him up.

Shen Jin had anticipated this and smiled. “I’ve already asked them to prepare a meal.”

Soon, a lavish lunch was brought into the room.

As Chu Yi got up, he glanced at himself and realized he was completely naked. “My clothes…”

Shen Jin had already brought over his own clothes. “Wear mine for now.”

*Wear Shen Jin’s clothes?*

After a few seconds of eye contact, Chu Yi accepted the clothes and put them on. He couldn’t very well ask Shen Jin to go to his room and fetch his own clothes.

The shirt was far too large and long for him, and Shen Jin helped him roll up the sleeves.

Ever since Chu Yi had woken up, Shen Jin had been carefully observing his expression. Most of Chu Yi’s emotions were reflected on his face, and seeing him eat normally reassured him.

As Chu Yi ate, Shen Jin sat beside him, picking out dishes and placing them on his plate with meticulous care. This attentiveness made Chu Yi feel a little embarrassed; Shen Jin didn’t need to feel obligated to do this.

“I told you I would take good care of you,” Shen Jin said.

As he spoke, Chu Yi noticed the tenderness in his eyes—a gaze filled with deep affection that made his heart flutter.

With his stomach full, drowsiness returned. Chu Yi yawned and buried his face in the pillow. Just before drifting off, he suddenly wondered if he should go back to his own room to sleep.

But he was too tired to move. After only a few seconds of hesitation, Chu Yi fell into a deep sleep again.

Shen Jin stayed by his side, having canceled all his appointments for the day.

In the afternoon, Gu Jin called Shen Jin to “apologize.” He had gone to Shen Jin’s company that morning, but his secretary said President Shen hadn’t come in today.

Gu Jin could guess why Shen Jin hadn’t come to work. He suspected Shen Jin had ultimately chosen to harm his own body.

After hanging up, Gu Jin found it odd that Shen Jin’s voice sounded surprisingly cheerful.

Chu Yi didn’t wake up until the afternoon.

This time, he was fully awake. Though his body still ached slightly, he felt refreshed and clear-headed. Chu Yi noticed he didn’t feel sticky or uncomfortable at all, but rather clean and refreshed.

As he walked back to his room wearing Shen Jin’s clothes, he ran into a maid in the hallway who greeted him warmly, “Mr. Chu.”

Chu Yi awkwardly hurried back to his room, while Shen Jin, who was following behind, chuckled softly.

*He was so bold yesterday, and now he’s suddenly shy,* Shen Jin thought.

Chu Yi’s initial thoughts were simple. Yesterday had been an exceptional circumstance; he hadn’t wanted to see Shen Jin in such distress. Besides, they were technically married, so intimacy between them wasn’t inappropriate.

He knew, of course, that Shen Jin didn’t love him. Shen Jin could never love him, Chu Yi told himself. Shen Jin was just a good person, so he treated Chu Yi well. He shouldn’t be ungrateful.

He acted as if nothing had happened the night before, as if it were as commonplace as eating or drinking—something not worth dwelling on, nor should it be.

Chu Yi tossed and turned in bed for a while before finally falling asleep.

While he snored soundly, a certain man lay awake.

Shen Jin gazed at the empty expanse of the king-sized bed, a pang of loneliness tugging at his heart. Once you’ve experienced something wonderful, you can never forget its sweetness.

This feeling was like tasting the marrow and knowing its flavor.

Yet Chu Yi still didn’t seem to understand Shen Jin’s feelings, remaining so shy. Shen Jin felt a twinge of worry.

Zhou Huaixiao’s birthday was in two days, and Jiang Xu asked Chu Yi to help him pick out a gift.

Chu Yi was puzzled. “Why do you need my help choosing a gift?” He admitted he wasn’t very good at gift-giving.

Jiang Xu replied, “Because you have a boyfriend.”

Chu Yi still didn’t understand. “But you’re giving the gift to Zhou Huaixiao, right?” What did his having a boyfriend have to do with it?

Jiang Xu stammered, “Well, he’s a friend. I’m just getting a gift for a friend.”

Jiang Xu asked the saleswoman to show him a wallet and turned to Chu Yi. “What do you think of this wallet? I really don’t know what to get him. If he didn’t play games with me every day, I wouldn’t even bother. Just give me your opinion, okay? What do you think?”

The wallet was simple, elegant, and quite attractive. Chu Yi said, “It’s nice.”

Jiang Xu agreed and decided to buy it, thinking that if Zhou Huaixiao didn’t like it, he’d never get him another gift again.

Chu Yi stopped in front of another wallet. Jiang Xu’s reminder made him realize he hadn’t given Shen Jin any gifts either, while Shen Jin had given him so many.

Chu Yi wondered if Shen Jin would even use a wallet, but this one seemed to suit him perfectly.

Speaking of which, Chu Yi had sold off many of the gifts Shen Chunhan had given him last time, keeping only what he needed. He still had a lot of money left over from the sales.

“Excuse me,” Chu Yi said to the shop assistant, “may I take a look at this wallet?”

After spending the morning shopping for gifts, Jiang Xu treated Chu Yi to lunch.

While waiting for their food, Jiang Xu suggested, “We’ve known each other for so long, but we’ve never taken a photo together.”

Shen Jin glanced at his phone and immediately saw Chu Yi’s latest post on WeChat.

The post featured a photo of Chu Yi and Jiang Xu standing very close, Jiang Xu’s arm draped casually over Chu Yi’s shoulder. Their heads were tilted together, both smiling brightly at the camera.

Though Shen Jin knew Chu Yi and Jiang Xu were close friends, the photo stirred a pang of jealousy. They were standing far too close—their cheeks were practically touching.

*Too close.*

When Dr. Meng arrived, Shen Jin was still staring at his phone, his brow furrowed in concentration.

Dr. Meng had quickly devised a treatment plan for Shen Jin, drawing on extensive research, domestic and international case studies, and Shen Jin’s specific medical history.

Today marked Shen Jin’s first day of treatment.

“Mr. Shen, are you ready to begin?” Dr. Meng asked.

Shen Jin put away his phone. “Yes.”

Dr. Meng took out silver needles and began sterilizing them while explaining to Shen Jin that today’s treatment would start with a few needles in his head and wrists. Treatment needed to progress gradually, and later sessions would involve needles in other parts of his body.

Shen Jin nodded. Dr. Meng was highly skilled in traditional Chinese medicine, and he trusted his expertise.

As Dr. Meng inserted needles into Shen Jin’s wrist, he noticed faint scratch marks. Shen Jin had always been meticulous about avoiding injuries, making it clear these scratches were from a direct confrontation.

Dr. Meng glanced up, meeting Shen Jin’s gaze, then continued inserting needles as if he hadn’t seen anything.

As the silver needles pierced Shen Jin’s skin, Dr. Meng observed his reaction, gently twisting the needles and asking if he felt anything. Shen Jin consistently replied that he felt nothing.

This outcome was exactly what Dr. Meng had anticipated. Shen Jin’s sense of pain couldn’t be restored immediately; it would require a long and gradual process. Still, this was an excellent start.

While packing up the needles, Dr. Meng informed Shen Jin that he would schedule regular acupuncture sessions every few days.

Just as Dr. Meng finished putting away the needles, Chu Yi returned.