Chapter 50: Innocent Landlord and Black Tenant 18 Kiss.

As night fell, the opening dinner of Ye Ling's themed painting exhibition lit up at the top art gallery in the city center.

The crystal chandeliers are dazzling, guests are coming and going, elegantly dressed, and drinking and chatting.

Ye Ling wore a well-fitting custom-made dress and moved among the guests with a forced smile, accepting compliments that were either true or false.

His eyes would occasionally drift towards the figure in the crowd who stood out like a crane among chickens - Shao Ye.

The perfectly tailored black suit makes Shao Ye's posture more upright and his temperament more cool and noble.

He didn't deliberately approach Ye Ling, but simply moved among the crowd, wine glass in hand, attending to the trivial matters of the dinner. However, his gaze was like an invisible thread, always lingering on Ye Ling.

[Host! Target Shen Yuqiu appears at three o'clock! Quick! Drop the 'evidence' near him! Move naturally!] 778's weak but urgent command echoed in Ye Ling's mind.

Ye Ling's heart was pounding and his palms were covered in cold sweat.

He took the opportunity of clinking glasses with a gallery owner to stagger slightly, and a small object disguised as a USB keychain slipped out of his sleeve and fell at the feet of Shen Yuqiu who was walking towards him.

"Mr. Ye? Are you okay?" Shen Yuqiu hurriedly stepped forward, supported Ye Ling with concern, and bent down to pick up the "key chain" for him.

[Good! Contact successful!] 778's encouraging voice.

Ye Ling's heart suddenly rose to her throat, and she looked at Shen Yuqiu nervously.

Shen Yuqiu held the small USB drive, a hint of doubt on his face, but when he looked up at Ye Ling, his eyes were still gentle and friendly: "Mr. Ye, your..."

At this moment, a cold and powerful feeling of oppression suddenly descended. Shao Ye came to their side silently without anyone noticing.

"Senior Shen." Shao Ye took the small USB flash drive from Shen Yuqiu's hand, his movements as natural as if he were retrieving his own belongings. "It's just a small accessory. Don't worry about it, Senior."

Shen Yuqiu was stunned by Shao Ye's rude interception and possessive attitude. He looked at Shao Ye, then at Ye Ling, who was obviously in a bad state and evasive. He seemed to understand something and could only nod politely to Ye Ling: "Mr. Ye, the exhibition is a success, congratulations... I'll excuse myself first."

After saying that, he turned around and left tactfully.

Only after confirming that Shen Yuqiu's back had disappeared into the crowd did Shao Ye slowly withdraw his gaze.

He pinched the small USB drive and casually put it into the inner pocket of his suit.

[Damn it! I got intercepted!] 778 screamed in Ye Ling's mind, [Host! Plan B! Must...]

778's voice suddenly stopped.

Because the real storm has already been stirred up by another person impatiently!

"Everyone! Quiet! Please be quiet!" An excited voice was infinitely amplified through the microphone, drowning out the music and conversation in the venue.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the small temporary stage in front of the banquet hall.

Zhao Mingxuan had somehow snatched the emcee's microphone and stood under the spotlight. His face was thick with flesh, filled with a twisted excitement and the pleasure of revenge. In his hand, he held a tablet computer high in his hand!

"Before everyone gets carried away by Mr. Ye Ling's artistic lies!" Zhao Mingxuan shouted excitedly, "Please allow me to expose the disgusting true face of this 'genius' painter!"

The whole audience was in an uproar. Flashbulbs instantly lit up into a sea of ​​stars, flashing alternately between Zhao Mingxuan and Ye Ling.

"This sanctimonious Mr. Ye Ling!" Zhao Mingxuan pointed at Ye Ling in the audience. "He's not only a hypocritical artist! He's also a completely disgusting, perverted voyeur!"

As he spoke, he opened the tablet, and several clear photos were projected on the huge screen behind him - they were scenes of Shao Ye's daily life in the basement!

The angle was tricky, clearly a candid shot. There was even a blurry, but recognizable, surveillance video clip of Shao Ye typing code at his desk.

"Look! This is the evidence!" Zhao Mingxuan's voice was filled with incitement. "Ye Ling, he installed more than a dozen hidden cameras in his mansion! They monitored the daily life of his innocent tenant, Mr. Shao Ye, around the clock and without blind spots! For months!"

The whole audience immediately exploded!

"What?"

"Really? How could Mr. Ye Ling possibly..."

"Actually, Ye Ling's artistic skills aren't that great, are they? He just used his family's inheritance to package himself well!"

"Come to think of it... the model for the 'New Life' series does look a lot like this tenant?"

"So Ye Ling not only peeped, but also made her her own mannequin without her knowledge?"

“This is too perverted!”

Countless gazes, some of them shocked, some contemptuous, and some curious, rained down upon Ye Ling. Like sharks smelling blood, the reporters were filled with excitement, their cameras locked onto him.

[Host... Mission... Accomplished!] 778's voice was weak but excited.

Ye Ling felt dizzy.

Ruined... Mission accomplished... But why... am I not happy at all?

Especially when his gaze, across the chaotic crowd, met Shao Ye's eyes that were filled with indistinguishable emotions...

Zhao Mingxuan was even more pleased when he saw Ye Ling's pale face. He turned to Shao Ye, who was also the focus of attention. Could he just let Shao Ye, who had repeatedly challenged his dignity, go? Of course not!

"As for our Mr. Shao Ye? Tsk tsk, living under the same roof with such a perverted peeping Tom for so long... is he really just an innocent tenant? Or... for the sake of low rent, or something else... he has to endure it, or even... cooperate?"

He deliberately drew out his tone, hinting at some dirty deal.

Just then, Shao Ye moved.

He ignored Zhao Mingxuan and walked towards the small stage through the crowd that automatically parted with a powerful aura that looked down on the entire audience.

He stopped beside Ye Ling and didn't say any words of comfort. He just stretched out his arms, half-embraced the helpless little golden retriever in his arms, and protected him firmly by his side.

This action itself is the strongest declaration.

Then, he walked onto the small stage, facing the audience, and slowly swept his eyes across the audience, finally fixing on Zhao Mingxuan, whose expression changed slightly.

Without saying a word, he snatched the microphone from Zhao Mingxuan's hand.

"Photos?" Shao Ye's voice was clearly heard in every corner through the speakers. "I allowed Mr. Ye to take these photos."

The first sentence was earth-shattering.

"He said..." Shao Ye tilted his head slightly, his eyes falling on Ye Ling's pale face. His cold gaze instantly melted into a pool of gentle water, and his voice became low and tender. "...My appearance, the state of my life, no matter how boring or ordinary it is, are all worth recording. He wants to draw it."

He was an expert at confusing right and wrong, glorifying dark voyeurism as a privilege between lovers.

Before anyone could digest the information, he continued, "As for the surveillance... I requested it be installed."

"Ye Ling..." Shao Ye's eyes became sharp again, and he changed his address from the respectful "Mr. Ye" to Ye Ling's full name. "He is too simple, too timid, and too easy to be coveted by some people with bad intentions."

His eyes swept coldly over Zhao Mingxuan and several handsome men and beautiful women in the audience who had expressed interest in Ye Ling. The cold murderous aura made those who were scanned feel cold all over.

"His past experiences have made him feel insecure. So I need him to know where I am and confirm whether I am safe. That's all."

He took full responsibility for the surveillance and portrayed Ye Ling as a victim who needed his close protection.

"Mr. Zhao," Shao Ye's gaze pierced Zhao Mingxuan, whose face began to turn pale. "Your so-called 'evidence' is nothing but the product of taking things out of context and malicious speculation. As for those dirty deals you hinted at..."

He gave a cold and contemptuous smile. "If you want to make up some insults to us, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. In my opinion, even if you call your performance a clown, it's pretty boring."

Zhao Mingxuan was left speechless by his flawless counterattack, his face turning pale and blue.

Shao Ye retracted his gaze, exerted a little force, and hugged Ye Ling tighter in his arms, who was still in great shock.

Then, he lowered his head and gave Ye Ling a gentle yet possessive kiss on the forehead.

This kiss was placed on Ye Ling's skin, but it was also like the most powerful declaration, imprinted in the sight of everyone in the audience.

Then, Shao Ye took the microphone, his eyes scanning the silent audience, his voice low and slow, clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"Now, listen to me carefully."

"Ye Ling, she is my little painter."

"His eyes can only look at me."

“His canvas can only have me.”

"His world—"

He paused deliberately, each word weighing like a hammer.

“—It can only be me.”

He lowered his head slightly, put his lips close to the microphone, his three-dimensional eyebrows and eyes were cast into heavy shadows, and his voice became even lower.

"As for the so-called 'true face' you see..." He tightened his arms, forcing Ye Ling's cheek to press against his chest, showing this possessive gesture to everyone, "This is Ye Ling's truest appearance. And..."

He looked around the room, his eyes as sharp as a knife.

"It only belongs to me, Shao Ye."

"Who dares to take another look or say another word..."

Shao Ye slowly glanced at every person in the audience who was holding their breath, and finally glanced at Zhao Mingxuan, who looked as pale as death.

Dead silence.

A long period of dead silence.

In the huge banquet hall, the only sounds left were the intermittent gasps and the crazy clicking of flashbulbs.

The next second, Shao Ye no longer gave anyone a chance to react.

He threw away the microphone, and under the gaze of countless shocked and astonished eyes, in front of the camera that flashed like a sea of ​​light, he hugged Ye Ling and walked off the stage.

Ye Ling almost tripped and screamed in surprise.

Shao Ye glanced at him, and the coldness and murderous intent that he had just shown to the whole audience were no longer in his eyes. Instead, there was only an intense possessive desire.

He hugged his little golden retriever as if it were his most precious trophy, ignoring the huge waves behind him and the uproar that was about to sweep the entire art circle. Amid the flashing lights, he strode away from this place of "disgrace" that belonged to Ye Ling.

[Warning! Warning! Worldline anchoring has shifted dramatically! Target favorability/possessiveness index has exceeded critical point! Logical conflict! Mission…mission cannot be determined…Core protocol…suffering…unknown energy…backlash…sizzle…sizzle…]

The final alarm of 778 sounded intermittently, and was eventually completely obliterated in a chaotic stream of data.

Shao Ye was incredibly familiar with the layout of the banquet venue. He avoided the swarming reporters and the chattering crowd, walked through several employee passages, pushed open an inconspicuous small door, and brought Ye Ling in.

"Bang." The door closed gently behind him.

The compartment was small, arranged like a small lounge, with only a sofa and a coffee table. There seemed to be something hanging on the wall, but the light was dim and I couldn't see it clearly. The air was filled with the familiar, faint smell of turpentine.

"This... is a temporary exhibition hall converted from a warehouse." Shao Ye's voice rang out in the small space. He loosened his grip on Ye Ling's hand, but didn't move away. His shoulder gently rubbed against Ye Ling's shoulder. "I used to work here, helping to arrange the exhibits. I'm pretty familiar with the foreman, so I'll borrow it for a bit."

Because of the previous incident, Ye Ling's heart was still beating wildly. Shao Ye's words seemed to come through a layer of mist. He raised his head blankly, his eyes wandering in the dim space.

"Here..." Shao Ye paused, a rare hint of nervousness creeping in. He groped for the wall and pressed a switch.

“Pah.”

Soft light poured down, illuminating the wall opposite the door.

There is an oil painting hanging on the wall.

The brushstrokes are raw, even clumsy, and the use of color isn't particularly masterful, but the figures in the painting exude a vibrant energy that seems to burst through the canvas.

His short golden hair shone like the sun, his features were delicate and handsome, especially his bright hazelnut eyes, which seemed to be filled with starlight, with the clarity and innocent curiosity unique to youth...

It’s Ye Ling.

But it wasn't the infamous "young artist" Ye Ling. The painting showed him looking much younger, closer to...his appearance as a high school student in his previous quick-transmigration world!

Ye Ling covered her mouth in shock, her eyes wide open, looking at the painting in disbelief, then turned to look at Shao Ye beside her.

The strong sense of familiarity was like a surging tsunami.

Jiang Lian...

That's right, it was Jiang Lian. The one who had held him in her arms on the rooftop, saying, "I'm here, aren't I?" And... Shao Ye, who had rushed into the studio that night and soothed him, "I'm here."

Shao Ye... Why would Shao Ye do this?

This is the 18-year-old boy "Ye Ling", not the "Ye Ling" of this world.

A huge wave of shock washed over Ye Ling. He looked at Shao Ye's exceptionally deep features under the light, his features increasingly resembling Jiang Lian's... and the rare, adolescent nervousness on his face at the revelation of his "clumsy work"...

Ye Ling was completely stunned.

It’s better to...stay here.

Stay in this world.

Let Shao Ye...Shao Ye who looks very much like Jiang Lian...become his master?

Living with Shao Ye, there are no more tasks, no more deception, no more separation...

Once this thought arose, it was like a prairie fire, igniting all of Ye Ling's desires.

This was too good... so good that it felt like a luxurious dream. He could even imagine that warmth - the morning sun, Shao Ye's profile as he concentrated on reading, the peace of mind of him dozing off on his shoulder...

However, after the ecstasy, the cold reality was like a bucket of cold water poured over one's head.

What did he do? He cheated, spied on, and even tried to humiliate Shao Ye with money! He was a liar manipulated by the system, a "pervert" who approached Shao Ye with a purpose.

How could Shao Ye, so proud and perceptive, accept him like this? How could he be willing to become the master of a tainted little liar like him?

The huge gap dimmed the light in Ye Ling's eyes. He lowered his head and his shoulders slumped slightly.

"What's wrong?" Shao Ye's low voice sounded. He took a step forward, lifted Ye Ling's chin, and forced those hazel eyes to look at him. "What are you thinking about? You look so ugly."

Shao Ye's eyes, as deep as the night sky, clearly reflected Ye Ling's entanglement and desire. Locked by that gaze, he seemed to be bewitched, and the most secret wish in his heart blurted out uncontrollably:

"If...if only you were my master...it would be great..."

The air suddenly froze.

Shao Ye's pupils suddenly shrank, and the fingers pinching Ye Ling's chin tightened.

"Master?" His voice was icy, brimming with uncontrollable rage. "That damned system! What kind of twisted things did it instill in you? What has it turned you into? What has it turned you into?!"

He was practically mad with rage! Even though the lingering ghost 778 had been severely damaged and taken offline, its poison was still there!

What kind of PUA had it done to his golden retriever? It actually made him humbly say "I want a master"?

Although... although Ye Ling's fragile and dependent look at this moment, as if she had entrusted her whole body and soul to him, was damn tempting... he had to severely condemn that damn program! Damn it, this was a matter of principle.

"No..." Ye Ling shrank back in fear, still subconsciously trying to defend 778, "Actually, 778..."

But when he met Shao Ye's eyes burning with anger, all his words of defense were stuck in his throat.

He felt an instinctive fear, like a bird being stared at by a raptor, even the tips of its feathers trembling. He stammered, repeating in a low voice, "...I'm sorry."

...scare him again.

Shao Ye grabbed his hair suddenly, forcibly suppressing the boiling anger and the dark possessiveness aroused by the word "master".

He couldn't scare his bird.

"Tell me, Ye Ling," he slowed down his tone, trying to sound gentle, "Why do you... want a 'master'?"

Ye Ling blinked blankly, as if she didn't understand why Shao Ye asked this.

He tilted his head, like a small animal trying to think about its master's instructions, and then answered honestly with the innocent desire of a small animal:

"Well... because my master... gives me food, plays with me, and protects me." His eyes sparkled, as if describing a beautiful dream he had imagined countless times, "Just like... just like before..."

He almost said the name "Jiang Lian", but fortunately he quickly bit his lip.

Shao Ye's Adam's apple rolled violently.

Just that? Food? Companionship? Protection? A desire so pure, so... criminal.

A strong impulse rushed from his lower abdomen to his brain, making him want to crush the defenseless little bird in his arms immediately.

He struggled to maintain the last bit of his sanity, his voice becoming even hoarseer and deeper due to repression, with a gentle and persuasive trap:

"Reciprocity is human nature. You know, feelings are never one-sided. If you want me to do this for you..." He leaned closer, his voice low and dangerous, "Then, what can you do for your 'master'?"

This question really stumped Ye Ling.

He frowned and thought seriously.

Yes, what can this little bird, a lovebird that is as small as it can be, do for its owner?

In people's eyes, lovebirds seem to have little to offer besides their beautiful appearance. Their aggressive nature has earned them the nickname "flying vise." While their temperament is relatively mild, they are a stark contrast to the versatile cockatiel.

Singing? He's tone-deaf. Dancing? Not even close. Hunting? ... Never mind. It seems... only...

Acting cute?

Ye Ling muttered something uncertainly, then felt that this answer was too unkind. He couldn't help but feel a little frustrated: "It seems... I can't do anything right..."

Shao Ye's heart felt like it was scratched by a feather, making it itchy and numb.

Looking at Ye Ling's expression of serious thinking and extreme frustration, he couldn't bear it any longer.

"No, you can do it..." He stretched out his hand, his fingertips brushing Ye Ling's soft golden hair, "A lot."

Without the constraints of 778 and the shackles of his "abnormal personality", Ye Ling's bird-like nature was completely released at this moment.

Feeling the warmth of Shao Ye's fingertips and the touch that seemed to carry encouragement, an instinctive sense of closeness arose spontaneously.

He forgot his previous frustration, his fear, and the complicated proposition of "reciprocity".

He followed the most primitive impulse deep in his heart, like a little bird that finally found a reliable branch, raised his face slightly, and took the initiative to offer his soft cheeks and golden hair.

Then she rubbed Shao Ye's warm palm gently and lovingly.

The action was full of complete trust and intimacy, showing his dependence and desire at the moment without reservation.

“!!!”

The string called rationality in Shao Ye's mind completely broke.

"Ye Ling——"

He suddenly stretched out his hand, no longer touching Ye Ling gently, but grabbing Ye Ling's wrist fiercely.

At the same time, the other hand suddenly grabbed the back of Ye Ling's head, preventing any possible retreat.

The next second, in front of Ye Ling's dilated pupils of astonishment, Shao Ye's hot lips fell over her irresistibly.

“Hmm!”

All of Ye Ling's exclamations and confusion were blocked.

This kiss was domineering, powerful, and predatory.

It wasn't some charming temptation, but a storm that was conquering the city. Ye Ling's lips and teeth were violently pried open, and Shao Ye's unique, clear and hot breath poured in.

Ye Ling felt like a fallen leaf swaying in a storm, and could only passively endure this sudden invasion.

In the small compartment, the air seemed to be ignited and the temperature rose rapidly.

No one spoke for a long time, only the sound of rapid breathing and the ambiguous sound of lips and tongues entwined.