SDS: Chapter 19

"So Soft to the Touch"

[My head hurts… my hands hurt too…]

[So tired… just want to sleep…]

Qin Zhiyan could tell at a glance that Tang Keyi had drunk too much. 

Annoyed, he said, 

"Didn’t I tell you to drink less?"

Tang Keyi pouted. 

"I didn’t drink much. And my alcohol tolerance is great."

[Qin Zhiyan is so mean.]

Qin Zhiyan was baffled: 

How am I being mean this time?

[I didn’t even provoke him. Why is he suddenly scolding me?]

Considering that the pampered Tang Keyi had indeed been wronged—

and that he was the one who’d brought him to the event, 

making this his responsibility—Qin Zhiyan sighed inwardly and asked, 

"What’s wrong with your hand? Let me see."

Tang Keyi hesitated before obediently holding out his palm. 

"It hurts."

Under the car’s interior light, Qin Zhiyan examined it closely. 

There were a few scrapes, likely from the broom, 

and what looked like tiny wood splinters embedded in his skin.

Tsk. 

So delicate.

"Just minor scratches. We’ll deal with them when we get back."

Tang Keyi withdrew his hand dejectedly, not daring to say another word.

[But it hurts now.]

A vein pulsed at Qin Zhiyan’s temple. Finally, he told the driver, 

"Find a pharmacy or clinic nearby and stop."

Once Tang Keyi’s injuries were treated, he finally settled down. 

Tipsy and exhausted, he soon dozed off against the seat.

Qin Zhiyan thought he’d finally have some peace—

but he’d underestimated a sleeping Tang Keyi.

Tang Keyi, who tossed and turned in bed, was no different in a car.

As he slumped sideways, his head thumped directly onto Qin Zhiyan’s thigh—

specifically, a certain sensitive area.

Qin Zhiyan’s face flushed with pain.

Had he not been able to hear Tang Keyi’s thoughts, 

he’d have suspected this was deliberate.

How could he aim so accurately…?

Oblivious, Tang Keyi began sliding off Qin Zhiyan’s lap. 

Qin Zhiyan hauled him back up, pinning his upper body firmly against his thighs.

Finally "lying down," 

Tang Keyi found a comfortable position and slept soundly on Qin Zhiyan’s lap.

Tsk. 

Such a troublemaker.

Qin Zhiyan looked down at Tang Keyi’s sleeping face and, 

on impulse, reached out to stroke his soft hair.

Not satisfied, he glanced again—

Tang Keyi’s cheeks looked just as soft.

His hand moved on its own.

Hm. 

Very soft indeed.

His neck is nice too.

And his ears.

When Tang Keyi let out a faint whimper, 

Qin Zhiyan froze and yanked his hand back.

What am I doing?

Even the driver sensed the shift in atmosphere and silently raised the partition.

The usually decisive Qin Zhiyan was momentarily at a loss.

Meanwhile, Tang Keyi, drunk and oblivious, slept peacefully, 

unaware of Qin Zhiyan’s internal turmoil.

Forcing himself to calm down, Qin Zhiyan sorted through his emotions.

He had to admit—his actions tonight had been impulsive, even childish.

He hadn’t thrown a punch in years, let alone in public.

By nature, he’d have ensured Chen Zhudong suffered after the fact 

(which he still planned to do). 

And with a single word, countless others would’ve done the dirty work for him.

So why had he acted himself?

Qin Zhiyan realized: 

the moment he’d heard of Chen Zhudong’s intentions toward Tang Keyi, his rage had skyrocketed.

He hadn’t felt like this in a long time.

Gazing at Tang Keyi in his lap, Qin Zhiyan fell into thought.

When had Tang Keyi—originally just an amusing distraction—started affecting him so deeply?

Qin Zhiyan knew his own possessiveness. 

What he claimed, no one else could touch.

So… did he feel possessive of Tang Keyi?

His eyes darkened as his fingers trailed over Tang Keyi’s skin.

The pleasure and reluctance to let go confirmed it: 

Yes.

Noticing a small red mole behind Tang Keyi’s ear, 

Qin Zhiyan rubbed it absentmindedly.

A ripple of satisfaction spread through him.

Perhaps from the moment he’d first heard Tang Keyi’s thoughts, 

a seed had been planted—quietly taking root, 

now sprouting vibrant green shoots.

Qin Zhiyan wondered just how far Tang Keyi’s influence would go.

The corners of his lips curled into a meaningful smile.

How interesting.

I’ll be watching.

Tang Keyi.

---

Tang Family Residence.

Grandma Tang studied the unconscious Tang Keyi in the car, 

then turned her scrutinizing gaze to Qin Zhiyan, silent and unreadable.

Qin Zhiyan broke the silence. 

"Madam Tang, Young Master Tang is drunk. Someone will need to carry him inside."

A knowing smile crept onto Grandma Tang’s face—

her kindly eyes glinting with mischief unbefitting her age. 

"Then I’ll trouble you, Zhiyan."

Qin Zhiyan’s brow arched. 

Her matchmaking intentions were obvious.

When he didn’t move, she added, 

"An old woman like me can’t possibly carry Keyi. Might I ask you to help?"

As if the Tang household lacks servants strong enough to carry him.

But since he didn’t mind the physical contact, he’d play along—

one last act of mercy.

It escaped his notice that he’d been "merciful" quite often lately.

With that, Qin Zhiyan bent into the car and effortlessly lifted Tang Keyi.

At least he’s easy to carry.

Still fast asleep, Tang Keyi nuzzled into Qin Zhiyan’s warm embrace.

Grandma Tang nodded subtly, hiding her satisfaction. 

"This way, Zhiyan. Keyi’s room is upstairs."

"Of course." 

Qin Zhiyan followed her to Tang Keyi’s room.

At the door, Grandma Tang stopped. 

"Please take him inside."

Qin Zhiyan carried Tang Keyi into the spacious, sunlit room—

warm and inviting, much like its owner.

---

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