Page 48

They had known and accompanied each other for so long, and they even had a soul contract. No relationship in this world could be more intimate than theirs. Jinbai might be devoted to cultivation, but he was not one of those sword cultivators who practiced the Emotionless Dao. Even those who did often switched paths in the end. Was money or Xuan Yu more important to Jinbai? It had to be him!

Xuan Yu thought that it had to be him.

There was no way he could matter less than money in Jinbai's heart.

Probably?

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

Before he could think any further, he had already managed to anger himself, his brows tightly furrowed.

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 his move. Stretching out an arm, he wrapped it around Cai Jinbai's waist and pulled him toward himself.

Caught off guard, Cai Jinbai stumbled straight onto Xuan Yu's lap. He was cradled in Xuan Yu's arms as though being carried bridal-style, looking dazed and unable to react.

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

Coming back to himself, Cai Jinbai looked at the hairdryer still in his hand and truly wanted to smash 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 baffled sound.

Are you okay? Why are you suddenly asking that?

Of course money is the most 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 than money in your heart. Jinbai, you're the most important thing in my heart too. Nothing can compare."

"Uh, yes." Seeing Xuan Yu like this, Cai Jinbai felt unusually guilty.

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 he was lying.

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

"Can you let go of me now?" Cai Jinbai asked.

Xuan Yu was just about to release him when, having received 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.

How could Cai Jinbai, sitting directly on Xuan Yu, possibly fail to feel that change?

His face and ears immediately flushed as well. He abruptly sprang off Xuan Yu, glanced downward behind him, and cursed, "You lecherous dragon! What are you thinking about?"

Xuan Yu gave a dry cough, stood up, and turned his back to Cai Jinbai as he said quietly, "What could I be thinking about... You, of course."

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

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

At that moment, it was as if some silencing gas had been released into the room. Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere was awkward yet ambiguous.

After a long while, Cai Jinbai took a deep breath. "I-I understand. You are a dragon, after all. Maybe the time simply had not come before, but now your instincts have awakened, and you've... entered your mating season. You should find a partner. Otherwise, you could go back. There are plenty of female dragons—beautiful ones, heroic ones, cute ones. There will definitely be someone you like. Once I finish my training here, I'll call for you to pick me up..."

Xuan Yu abruptly turned his head, his voice darkening. "Are you saying I'm like this because of mating season?"

"Jinbai, you're comparing me to those filthy beasts that cannot control their instincts?"

But Cai Jinbai did not turn around. "Xuan, some things have 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 shower first. You should calm down too."

He headed toward the bathroom.

But as had long been said, Xuan Yu was domineering by nature and possessed an intense desire to possess. If something did not go as he wished, he would use every possible means to make it happen.

So when Cai Jinbai entered the bathroom with his thoughts in turmoil, he heard a crack from the lock. When he turned around, he saw that Xuan Yu had directly twisted the lock off the previously locked bathroom door. Xuan Yu pushed the door open and entered, his expression frighteningly dark.

Cai Jinbai: "..."

Damn it. This dragon is going crazy again.

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

He should not have said those harsh words. Softness overcame strength; that was the right approach. Now Xuan Yu's anger had been ignited, 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, Jinbai. You're clearly the one trying to avoid this, yet you call it my illusion. Then I'll let you see whether this is truly my illusion—whether I mistook my feelings for you for mating season."

At the end, he enunciated each word beside Cai Jinbai's ear, a wicked smile curling his lips.

"Xuan, calm down first..."

"I'm very calm, Jinbai." Xuan Yu cut him off, 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 evade him, only to find another hand waiting in front of him, unfastening his buttons.

"Let's bathe together, Jinbai. I don't mind washing again. You were right about one thing: a dragon's instincts have awakened. I had intended to endure it, but you really made me unhappy."

"Jinbai, after a hundred years together, do you still 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're unwilling, 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 completely undone. Though he struggled, how could he possibly break free from Xuan Yu's strength without using other methods?

Hearing that, he asked, "Then what?"

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

But the consequence would be that Xuan Yu might be too injured to even maintain his human form.

Cai Jinbai: "..."

He was so angry he nearly laughed.

At first, he had raised Xuan Yu as a pet. Later, when Xuan Yu took human form, Cai Jinbai regarded him as a companion, his only friend. After they formed the soul contract, Xuan Yu became the person he trusted most. If there was anyone in this world whom Cai Jinbai could truly care about, it could only be Xuan Yu.

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

Even now, Cai Jinbai had not realized that his resistance was not fierce at all. Otherwise, how could Xuan Yu have stripped off his clothes so quickly?

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

Cai Jinbai said softly, "Xuan, in the past, I devoted myself wholeheartedly to cultivation, but that does not mean I knew nothing of love. If you want to dual cultivate with me, it isn't impossible. If I ever need dual cultivation to aid my training, you're the only person I can think of. I don't want anyone else. But as for feelings... you still have to give me some more time to think."

"Sorry, I said the wrong thing earlier. I also know that I'm the one you value most, yet I told you to go find those dragon women. That was wrong of me. So, Xuan, don't be angry anymore, okay?"

This dragon truly responded well to gentle 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 cannot be a next time."

"Ahem. Of course you're the only one I would seek out for dual cultivation too, Jinbai. You were absolutely right about that."

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

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

Xuan Yu froze, then straightened up. "No. Since I'm already in here, I don't intend to leave."

He hugged Cai Jinbai and rested his head on his shoulder, muttering quietly, "I can't hold back anymore..."

Cai Jinbai: "..."

It seemed he would not be getting any peace tonight. Sigh.

The next morning, Cai Jinbai was exhausted and continued sleeping, while Xuan Yu got up feeling 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 one landed on the corner of his mouth. "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 it last night too, but Xuan Yu truly was a dragon. His stamina was no joke. His waist felt like it was about to break.

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

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

Did that mean he had no principles either?

Or... perhaps he had already harbored those kinds of feelings toward Xuan Yu. He had simply been too focused on cultivation before, and placed too much importance on money, which caused him to overlook it.

Cai Jinbai's mind was in turmoil, but outwardly, he calmly finished washing up and ate breakfast. Then he said, "We've played around here long enough. It's time to go back."

There would be plenty to keep him busy after returning. Besides, the microfilm competition was ending, and he needed to return to present the awards.

The top ten 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.

Quite a few people online were following the competition as well. The work they considered the best had been directed by Xu Jing, so they all felt his first-place win was well deserved. After all, this was a competition organized by President Cai, so fairness was guaranteed. The question was, what was President Cai's purpose in holding a microfilm competition?