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They had known and accompanied each other for so long, and with the soul contract between them, no relationship in this world could be more intimate than theirs. Even if Jinbai devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivation, he was not one of those sword cultivators who practiced the Emotionless Dao. Even those who practiced the Emotionless Dao sometimes switched paths in the end. What Jinbai valued most was him, not money, right? Definitely him!

Xuan Yu thought that it had to be him.

There was no way he ranked below money in Jinbai's heart.

Probably?

Xuan Yu was plagued by gains and losses. The more he thought about it, the less certain he became.

Before he could think any further, he had already angered himself, his brows drawn tightly together.

By the time Cai Jinbai finished blow-drying his hair, told him to get up, unplugged the dryer, and was about to stand, Xuan Yu suddenly made a move. With one long arm, he wrapped his arm around Cai Jinbai's waist and pulled him forward.

Caught off guard, Cai Jinbai stumbled straight onto Xuan Yu's lap. He was held in Xuan Yu's arms as if being carried bridal-style, staring blankly without having processed what had happened.

Xuan Yu even had the leisure to adjust his sitting position so Jinbai would be more comfortable.

Cai Jinbai came back to his senses and glanced at the hair dryer still in his hand. He truly wanted to smack it over Xuan Yu's head. "What are you doing?"

"Jinbai, in your heart, which is more important, me or money?"

"Huh?" Cai Jinbai made a puzzled sound.

Are you okay? Why are you suddenly asking that?

Of course money was more important.

"You. You're important," Cai Jinbai said.

Xuan Yu did not doubt the sincerity of his words. Seeing that he had answered without hesitation, he immediately beamed. "Just as I thought. I knew I was more important to you than money. Jinbai, you're also the most, most important person in my heart. Nothing compares."

"Uh, yeah." Seeing Xuan Yu like this, Cai Jinbai felt rare guilt.

He had answered without hesitation because he knew this dragon's personality. If he had been even a second slower, Xuan Yu would have suspected that he was lying.

Fine. Money might be the most important, but Xuan Yu could be tied with it.

Cai Jinbai said, "Can you let me go now?"

Xuan Yu had just been about to release him, but after getting the answer he wanted, he suddenly noticed their current position—so, so intimate. They were so close.

The tips of Xuan Yu's ears turned red, and his chest rose and fell sharply for an instant.

How could Cai Jinbai, sitting directly on Xuan Yu, not feel that change?

His face and ears flushed at once. He sprang off Xuan Yu, glanced downward behind him, and cursed, "You perverted dragon, what are you thinking about?"

Xuan Yu gave a dry cough, stood up, and said softly with his back to Cai Jinbai, "What could I be thinking about... You."

The last three words were as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Even though Cai Jinbai had not heard clearly, he knew what Xuan Yu had said.

At that moment, it was as though some silence-inducing gas had been released into the room. Neither spoke, and the atmosphere was awkward yet ambiguous.

After a long while, Cai Jinbai took a deep breath. "I-I understand. You're a dragon, after all. Maybe it simply hadn't been time before, but now that your instincts have awakened, you've... entered your rut. You should find a partner. Otherwise, why don't you go back? There are plenty of female dragons in the dragon clan—beautiful ones, heroic ones, cute ones. There'll definitely be one you like. Once I finish my training here, I'll call you to come pick me up..."

Xuan Yu abruptly turned his head, his tone darkening. "You're saying I'm like this because of my rut?"

"Jinbai, you're comparing me to those vile demon beasts that can't control their instincts?"

But Cai Jinbai did not turn around. "Xuan, some things need to be thought through. What if it's just an illusion?"

"Let's leave this matter here for now. Don't bring it up again. I'm going to take a shower first. You should calm down too."

He headed toward the bathroom.

But it had been said before: Xuan Yu was domineering by nature and possessive to the extreme. If something did not go according to his wishes, he would use every possible method to make it go his way.

So when Cai Jinbai entered the bathroom with his thoughts in turmoil, he heard the lock click. When he turned around, he saw that the lock on the previously locked bathroom door had been twisted apart by Xuan Yu, who pushed the door open and entered with a terrifyingly dark expression.

Cai Jinbai: "..."

Damn it, this dragon was going to lose his mind again.

His thoughts were a complete mess. How had he forgotten that Xuan Yu's temper was both foul and stubborn?

He should not have said those harsh things. Softness overcame hardness—that was the right approach. Now Xuan Yu's anger had been lit, and he...

Just as Cai Jinbai was regretting it, Xuan Yu stepped forward and pulled him into an embrace. Ignoring his struggles, he restrained both his arms and said in a low voice, "I've already thought it through enough, Jinbai. You're the one avoiding this, yet you say it's my illusion. Then I'll show you whether this really is an illusion—whether I mistook my feelings for you for a rut."

At the end, he spoke each word slowly into Cai Jinbai's ear, a wicked smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"Xuan, calm down first..."

"I'm very calm, Jinbai." Xuan Yu interrupted him, slipping a hand beneath the hem of his clothes and stroking his back.

Cai Jinbai's eyes widened. He could not help arching his chest to avoid him, only to find another hand waiting in front, undoing his buttons.

"Let's wash together, Jinbai. I don't mind washing again. You were right that my dragon instincts have awakened. I had wanted to endure it, but you really made me unhappy."

"Jinbai, after a hundred years together, do you really not understand me?"

"No, you know perfectly well who I have this kind of reaction to. I won't allow you to avoid it. If you aren't willing, then..."

Cai Jinbai's entire body was forced against Xuan Yu's chest. The heat radiating from Xuan Yu seemed enough to steam him dizzy, and his clothes had nearly been undone. Though he struggled, how could he break free from Xuan Yu's strength without using other means?

Hearing that, he asked, "Then what?"

Xuan Yu removed his shirt and undid his pants. "Then use the soul contract's power to backlash against me. I won't resist. You won't be hurt."

But the consequence of doing that was that Xuan Yu might be weakened so severely that he could not even maintain human form.

Cai Jinbai: "..."

He was so angry he nearly laughed.

At first, he had raised Xuan Yu as a pet. After Xuan Yu took human form, he had regarded him as a companion, his only friend. Once they signed the soul contract, Xuan Yu became the person he trusted most. If there was anyone left in this world whom Cai Jinbai cared about, it was none other than Xuan Yu.

So even though Xuan Yu had a terrible personality, Cai Jinbai was willing to indulge him.

Even now, he had not realized that he was not resisting very fiercely at all. Otherwise, how could Xuan Yu have stripped him so quickly?

He wanted to avoid it, but this hot-tempered dragon would not even give him five minutes to do so.

Cai Jinbai said softly, "Xuan, I used to devote myself wholeheartedly to cultivation, but that does not mean I know nothing of romantic matters. If you want to dual cultivate with me, it isn't impossible. If I ever needed dual cultivation to assist my cultivation, you're the only one I could think of. I don't want anyone else. But as for feelings... you still have to give me some time to think."

"Sorry, I said the wrong thing earlier. I know you value me most, too. Telling you to go find those women from the dragon clan was wrong of me. So, Xuan, don't be angry anymore, okay?"

This dragon really did respond to soft words.

As soon as Cai Jinbai said that, Xuan Yu's expression visibly brightened.

After a pause, he said, "Hmph. At least you know you said the wrong thing. I'll forgive you, but there can't be a next time."

"Ahem. As for dual cultivation, of course I'd only do that with you too, Jinbai. You're absolutely right about that."

His mood went from stormy to sunny, and he lowered his head to rub against the top of Cai Jinbai's head.

Cai Jinbai said, "So, Xuan, could you go out first? I can wash by myself."

Xuan Yu paused, then straightened. "No. Since I'm already in here, I have no intention of leaving."

He hugged Cai Jinbai, rested his head on his shoulder, and muttered softly, "I can't hold back..."

Cai Jinbai: "..."

It seemed he would not get any peace tonight. Sigh.

Chapter 45

Early the next morning, Cai Jinbai was exhausted and kept sleeping, while Xuan Yu got up refreshed. He kissed Jinbai's forehead and went out to bring him breakfast.

When Cai Jinbai woke up, he saw Xuan Yu's sparkling eyes and received another kiss, this time at the corner of his lips. "Jinbai, I'll carry you to wash up."

"...No need. I can still walk." Cai Jinbai said expressionlessly.

He could not deny that he had enjoyed himself last night too, but Xuan Yu was indeed a dragon. His stamina was no joke. His waist felt as though it was about to break.

They had not even fully clarified their feelings, yet they had already slept together?

Sure enough, it was all because he had spent too long with Xuan Yu. He could not even refuse him.

Did that mean he had no principles either?

Or... had he actually had those feelings for Xuan Yu long ago? He had simply been too focused on cultivation and valued wealth too much, so he had overlooked it.

Cai Jinbai's thoughts raced. On the surface, he calmly finished washing up and ate breakfast, then said, "We've played enough here. It's time to go back."

There would be plenty to do after returning. Also, the microfilm competition was ending, and he needed to go back to present the awards.

The top ten contestants in the microfilm competition would all receive prizes, while the first-place prize was especially generous.

After returning, Cai Jinbai presented the award to the champion, Xu Jing. Xu Jing also received the first installment of startup funds paid by Cai Jinbai.

Many people online had also been following this competition. In their eyes, the best work had been the one directed by Xu Jing, so they all felt his first-place win was well deserved. After all, this was a competition hosted by President Cai, so fairness was guaranteed. The question was, what was President Cai's purpose in holding a microfilm competition?

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