Chapter 50: Half-cooked and Fully Cooked.
Having received tacit approval, he began to set fires with impunity.
He had imagined countless times what Ami's body was like. He had held her and kissed her, but there were always layers of fabric between them, and he could only sketch a rough outline in his mind. Today, he had never had such an opportunity before. He took each step carefully, and she couldn't bear to be harsh. So, things had progressed to this point, and he was finally able to find out for himself.
He thought she actually loved him too; only then would she tolerate his unbridled arrogance. He lingered on her chest, feeling her, seeing her. She only blushed and frowned; the slap he had anticipated never landed on his face.
The heart placed inside the leather pouch began to pound violently. Through the thin veil, he couldn't describe the breathtakingly beautiful scene before him. His puppeteer, like a dewdrop resting on a petal, trembled gently, crystal clear. He dared not make any greater movements, not even dared to breathe deeply, for fear that the slightest sound would disturb her, awaken her.
But it was just too tempting. He couldn't resist wanting to get close, as if he were afraid she would melt in his mouth. She got angry and raised her hand to hit him, but he quickly grabbed it. "You promised that even if I was abrupt, you wouldn't blame me."
Shi Mi had no choice but to withdraw his hand helplessly, angrily accusing him, "What are you doing? This is ridiculous..."
It was absurd; she simply didn't understand the implications. He didn't argue, but kissed her again, teasing and seducing her until the naive young woman was completely captivated.
Perhaps it was because of the pulling that her clothes were all disheveled. In her hazy state, she could feel that the other person's body temperature was incredibly hot. It turned out that at some point, their skin was already touching.
Having barely regained some of his senses, Shimi raised a finger as a warning: "Alright, that's enough, no more..."
Before she could finish speaking, he cut her off, his nimble fingers brushing across her side of her leg, sending a shiver of pleasure through her. He sighed dejectedly, "I'm a cripple, what's there for you to be afraid of?"
He couldn't play the victim; if he did, she'd feel guilty. If he were simply useless, that would be one thing, but he was good at everything and strong in every way, except for this one thing... She remembered that she had carefully sculpted him back then, but it was a complete failure; she had ruined the sculpting.
"Let me try, okay?" he suddenly said. "I want to be your real husband and wife, but I'm powerless and unwilling... I should have been able to give you happiness."
Shi Mi was horrified. "You still want to try this in the middle of nowhere?"
He said shyly, "Precisely because it's in the middle of nowhere, it's different from being in the bedroom. Although I know it's probably impossible, I still hold onto a sliver of hope." He looked at her sadly, "Is it possible?"
I'm so confused by this. Is it even possible to discuss this openly? What should I do? Besides, he wants to be her husband, but what about me? Do I want that too?
She hesitated, "I haven't decided yet whether I want to spend my life with you..." Sure enough, she still had the possibility of running away, and the more she did, the more he had to hold on to her tightly.
But he still feigned weakness, taking her hand and saying, "I am not a selfish person. If it is truly not possible, I will not hold you back. Bai Yujing is full of talented men. You can find someone who suits your heart in the future and spend your life with children and grandchildren. You don't need to mention this to your master. I will write a divorce agreement when I get back. Our fate ends here. From now on, we will have nothing to do with each other except for life and death."
Having said all that, he wouldn't give up unless he tried. Since he was likely to fail anyway, as a compassionate puppeteer, I'd rather risk it and fulfill his dream. Once he's done trying and let go of the past, I can meet someone I like and officially begin my wonderful life.
He stared at her with a sorrowful expression, making her feel awkward, but also giving her a sense of righteousness. She reached under his clothes and touched his strong waist, then relented, saying, "You can't go back on your word."
He gritted his teeth inwardly, so at this moment she was still thinking of a way out. Her cunning schemes were meant to be used on others; her heart was truly despicable!
He verbally agreed, "A true man never breaks his word." His fingertips, meandering freely, climbed mountains and traversed valleys.
A clear-headed person is not easily fooled; he needs to kiss her until she is oblivious to the world before he can act.
Through her hazy vision, Shi Mi saw his face, his expression alluring, and she thought to herself that he was truly the most handsome man in the world. Back when she was Xiao Wu, she had marveled at his appearance more than once; it was something he was born with, unrelated to her creation. Later, when she changed his body, it was as if she had possessed an extremely beautiful puppet doll. Because he was so handsome, she always felt she could postpone dealing with him, after all, beauty is paramount.
She was the type to treat people differently based on their appearance. Since he sincerely wanted to "give it a try" with her, considering he hadn't completely committed any evil deeds, she couldn't set the conditions too rigidly. What happened yesterday couldn't be undone; she hoped he would treat the surviving Yu people well in the future, and also provide a proper arrangement for the 80,000 survivors in the army. For her, risking her life was worthwhile.
Anyway, there's no harm in trying. She's a twenty-year-old woman; she should be worldly-wise. He's already done most of the things couples do with each other thanks to his repeated unreasonable demands. There's probably only a few things left to do, and most of those will likely fail… Just as he said, there's no need to be afraid. As long as she's prepared, she can comfort him gently afterward, without hurting his pride.
He approached her hesitantly, but his enthusiasm was still high. She noticed the fine beads of sweat on his forehead and thought to herself how pitiful he was, so anxious; even a skilled cook can't cook without rice.
He frowned in response, and said in frustration, "Ami, I'm afraid I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."
The astute man said it was alright, “There is so much to be done in life, don’t be so attached to this.”
He blinked slowly, his eyes filled with sadness. "How can I not be persistent? I insist on achieving fulfillment in this life."
Before she could understand what he meant, he suddenly burst in. She screamed in pain, "How...how..."
He gently stroked her, arched his eyebrows and smiled, "I knew I was going to disappoint you."
But it wasn't over yet. He was extremely patient, stopping whenever he couldn't resist, just like a cunning old hand.
The realization struck her like a bolt from the blue; she couldn't believe she'd just confessed like that. It turned out he'd been acting all along; he must have overheard her conversation with Madam Yang and deliberately misled her.
That cunning and treacherous minister was just putting on an act. She was so angry she wanted to punch him, but he leaned down to meet her and thrust in with all his might, swallowing her screams.
She now deeply regretted her past act of kindness. She felt that such a perfect puppet must have dimensions to match his beauty, so she deliberately added to his appearance. She never imagined he possessed such divine power that he didn't need her good intentions at all. Now that his perfection was being bestowed upon her, she realized what it meant to face a long and arduous journey.
Having finally reached the end of the path, they both breathed a sigh of relief. He kissed her, "Shall we finish?"
Shi Mi was furious. "How can this end?"
He laughed, “I like your unpretentious side, and how you’re my equal.”
Of course, being evenly matched doesn't mean one can be reckless or lack gentleness. He became very different from before, not at all impulsive, and always putting her preferences first. Although he nearly suffered defeat several times, he had strong self-control and could remain at ease even when walking on the edge of a cliff.
At this point, the rules of the sect—that a puppeteer cannot develop feelings for another puppet—have to be thrown to the winds. Shi Mi has her own interpretation: he's not a puppeteer anymore; he used to be a half-puppet, but now he's a living puppeteer, so she hasn't disobeyed her master's orders. The crucial point is that she's been deceived, and regret is too late. Even if she withdrew halfway, what good would it do? Half-cooked and fully cooked are only a step apart; regret can wait. For now, she should enjoy herself.
However, there was little enjoyment in the first time; the important thing was the immersion in the experience, the chaotic completion of a wondrous game. Lu Min got what she wanted, and finally succumbed to temptation. Until she was completely desperate, she refused to admit that she had always liked him.
He was gentle, his movements slow and deliberate, softening whenever she frowned. But even with his skillful control, it was still an initial attempt. Suddenly, he tensed, burying his face in her neck and letting out a soft moan, accompanied by a series of trembling sounds. Then came a tender, sweet kiss, and he said with relief, "Ami, I succeeded."
Confused and bewildered, people perceive life and death as not being far apart.
Hearing him say that, she wanted to scold him but didn't have the strength to open her mouth. She passively accepted his overwhelming love and could only catch her breath by forcefully slapping him away.
So never believe a man's lies. She's a fool; she was completely taken advantage of, leaving not even a bone. Now she's both his food source and his den of iniquity. At this rate, she'll have to pawn her underwear.
“My promising young man…” she murmured bitterly, “My first spring in life, just like that, is gone!”
He was displeased and brought his face close to hers. "I'm in my prime, holding great power. Shouldn't I be your first love?"
Shimi felt resentful, "You treacherous villain, you deliberately tricked me. What do you mean 'try'? You're perfectly fine, why are you trying anything!"
He sounded a little guilty about it, but he could still find an excuse: "Ultimately, it's because you don't trust your own skills enough."
Shi Mi was so angry he was speechless. "That's right, I regret it now!"
She actually said she regretted it, which was absolutely unacceptable. He grabbed her shoulders and asked, "Why? Do you think I haven't done enough? Any talented man you meet along the way can't compare to the one I know so well. You can trust me completely; I will only love you for the rest of my life and will never look at any other woman. If you go with someone else, do you know how fickle men are in this world? They won't cherish you; they'll just take concubines and keep mistresses one after another. They'll even bring back illegitimate children and make you take care of their food and daily needs, just like the Six Guards General. You are an exceptionally intelligent woman; you can't possibly not understand such a simple truth, can you?"
If we're talking about the Six Guards Generals, then we can certainly say forget about them. Although Lu Min is eccentric, the fact that he's still a virgin at twenty-seven years old makes him far superior to those other men.
However, realizing she had been tricked, she felt an inexplicable surge of anger and pointed at him, saying, "You've violated human ethics; this is immoral!"
He listened to her complaints and accusations, nodding as he gently wiped her clean. "Go ahead and rant if you want. I'll explain everything to you after you're done. This isn't immoral or immoral. You've just done a good job for yourself, that's all."
Shi Mi was stunned; it seemed it was all his fault?
Although I was very dissatisfied with his constant attempts to find loopholes and whitewash himself, the fact that he said one thing and did another made him seem less annoying.
A strange feeling washed over her, and she curled up her toes. "I can do it myself."
He smiled warmly, "Are you embarrassed? What's there to be embarrassed about? Husband and wife don't distinguish between 'yours' and 'mine'."
However, amidst his lavish attention, he couldn't help but take advantage of her. When she was at a loss, he would cling to her and nag, saying softly, "Ami, I can't live without you anymore. Now that the ceremony is over, you'll never leave me again, right?"
Shi Mi tried to remain calm and said in a gruff voice, "That's not necessarily true. Divorced women are everywhere."
He said no, “Unless you are willing to let me die, I will make sure that nothing grows within ten feet of you.”
He meant what he said, and Shi Mi, annoyed, slapped him twice. "Does that mean I have to revolve around you from now on? What about the other Yanren?!"
He lingered on the matter, saying, "You're not going to run a puppet shop, so if you can streamline things, then do so. I'm worried about you losing too much blood and harming your health; you should take care of yourself."
She wanted to retort that this selfish man only thought of himself, but just as she was about to speak, she realized he was back again. She was immediately terrified, "Even if you're a donkey, you should take a break."
But his enthusiasm remained undiminished. "Once we meet up with them, we can't be so reckless. While there's still time, don't you want to give yourself a few more chances?"
Good heavens, this opportunity is just a personal celebration for him, how can it be described as mutually beneficial!
Instead of making excuses, he said, "Let's fight another day."
He couldn't say for sure, "The arrow is on the string, and it has to be released."
She simply couldn't resist him. Despite his advanced age, he was shameless enough to do such things—cheating, acting weak, and feigning helplessness. She remembered she was seven years younger than him; why should she let him exploit her? Perhaps it was because she had created his body, making her a generation older than him by birth. Shouldn't an elder accommodate a younger one?
"This is the last time, it's a deal."
He hummed in agreement. "I did it softly."
Whether it was light or heavy was a matter of opinion. Wandering through the mud, every step was crisp and decisive; Shimi felt he had poured half a lifetime of decisiveness into her. At first, the feeling wasn't pleasant, like rubbing a knife blade with bare hands, almost getting cut. Later, she gradually savored the experience, that painful yet pleasurable sensation that she couldn't resist.
The cold stars in the sky are blinking; they must have all seen it. Gradually, the stars exploded into the lanterns of the Lantern Festival. She couldn't help but murmur, thinking to herself that this villain actually had some use after all.
The second time was much more enjoyable than the first time; once you've had your fill of fun, you won't complain anymore.
The two huddled together, the campfire burning, and their body heat made the mountain wilderness feel less cold.
After a long silence, Shimi, barely able to speak, said, "What should we do now?"
Lu Min slowly stroked her hair. "We've been married for a long time. No matter where you are in the world, you'll still be my wife. When I see my master, I'll apologize to him. Whatever punishment you face, I'll accept it. Just put everything on me and say that I forced you and you had no choice but to comply."
Shi Mi scoffed, "Are you joking? I was raised by my master. If he had known I was someone who was willing to suffer losses, he wouldn't have allowed me to leave the mountain in the first place."
He sighed, "Couldn't you let me stand in front and protect the lady? And what about the Yan Dynasty that has lost its master... Your status is higher than mine. You can issue orders through the Yan people, and I will continue to be your subject, leading the people to expand your territory."
Shimi looked up at him and asked, "You really don't want to be emperor?"
“I do want to, but the court officials don’t recognize me. If they all rise up against me, it will inevitably lead to rivers of blood. I’ve fought for over a decade and I don’t want to fight anymore.” He kissed her forehead and said sincerely, “After much thought, maintaining the status quo is the safest option. If I can build a strong and prosperous country and successfully help my child ascend the throne, I can retire gracefully with this half-dead body.”
Shimi sighed, "You really think ten steps ahead for every one step you take. The eight characters are barely in the beginning and you're already thinking about having a child."
He hesitated for a moment, "Are you afraid you won't be able to get pregnant? Then I'll try harder..."
She quickly stopped them, "Let's talk about other things... If you have a child who doesn't have the surname Xie or Lu, are you willing to accept that?"
He resumed his nonchalant tone, speaking slowly and deliberately: "My grandfather poisoned me, so my surname is no longer important to me. Your surname can be used as a child's name. Although it cannot be used to openly acknowledge one's ancestors, the bloodline of Qianyu has inherited the world, which can at least comfort the spirits of your parents."
After thinking for a long time, Shi Mi finally remembered that Emperor Sheng Yuan's surname was Zhongsun. "Zhongsun Jie? What a coincidence!"
“Indeed,” he said with a smile. “It was ordained by heaven that this surname would suit us perfectly. The only regret is that I can’t show off my talent in naming my child, but I can give him nice-sounding nicknames. If one isn’t enough, I can give him two, and if two aren’t enough, I can give him three. That will be enough to satisfy this old father’s desire to show off.”
If we actually implement what he says, it seems too perfect...
Shimi looked up and scrutinized him closely. "Why do I feel like you're plotting against me again? No matter how well you speak today, will you keep your word tomorrow? You're not trying to trick me into having a child, so you can treat us, mother and child, the way your father treated you, are you?"
He had been calm and collected, but upon hearing her words, his face turned pale. "You can doubt me, but please don't insult me. I'm not a beast; don't compare me to him."
She knew she had misspoke. He had just broken ties with his father, and if asked who he hated most now, he would undoubtedly answer Lu Xuanzhou. She had compared him to his father, which he couldn't accept, but she had only done so to test his reaction beforehand.
The response was good, which put her at ease. After all, the banquet had already been held, and she needed to prepare to welcome her guests from afar. Although a half-human's reproductive ability might not be as good as a living person's, every individual is different. What if Lu Min, this monster, was exceptionally strong in this area? Wouldn't she have to consider her own future?
Fearing his words might offend her, he softened his tone and squeezed her hand again. "You're a puppeteer, you know my weaknesses. If I really did that, you could destroy me with ease. Besides, you already said that a child's blood is useless to me, so why would I lie to you? In the end, I just want to experience the joys of family life. If I can't be a son loved by his parents, I'll be a father who loves his own flesh and blood."
This was his sincere inner monologue, which moved Shimi deeply. Even if it was a lie, she chose to believe him at that moment.
She reached out and hugged his neck tightly, biting his ear. "If you dare to lie to me, you're dead."
He pulled her close to his chest and said no, "I've already gained both power and sex, I have no other desires. Of course, it would be even better if I could have two more times to savor the experience."
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