Becoming Puppet Emperor of a Paranoid Eunuch - Chapter 133

Wu Jing was eating something delicious, but his small mouth could barely hold much food. If he really had to do something like this, he might not even be able to take in the tip.

If he forced himself, the corners of his lips would surely crack.

Ning Qinghong stroked the boy’s lips and gently kissed his neckline, “Wuwu, you really are brave.” He paused in his kissing, his breath barely perceptible as it hovered over Wu Jing’s neck and chin, and he said softly, “If Brother were a bit more ruthless, Wuwu’s throat would likely be swollen for days. Even swallowing water would be painful, and if Brother were even more ruthless, while still inside, Wuwu would be coughing and choking constantly.”

The experience would be far from pleasant and would cause him considerable suffering.

Whenever Ning Qinghong used his methods on Wu Jing, he always tried to make sure Wu Jing was as comfortable as possible. Even when he was a bit cruel, using a wooden ruler or slapping him, it was never too painful—one day of applying medicine would make it all better.

When had he ever really made him suffer?

Wu Jing was frightened by his words, his eyelids trembling, his throat and neck being lightly stroked by Ning Qinghong’s fingertips. Truly scared now, he could only shrink back and shake his head.

Ning Qinghong continued to kiss him, gently coaxing, “Is Wuwu sleepy?”

Wu Jing quickly nodded, “Sleepy, sleepy…” Before he could react, he whimpered and stammered, “You’re going to sleep like this again.”

It was like being killed without the mercy of a quick death.

It was truly too cruel. These past few days, Wu Jing’s sleep had become much more well-behaved because if he moved too much in his sleep, he would unknowingly whimper and be unable to move anymore.

Ning Qinghong gently patted his back, soothing him with a soft voice.

Wu Jing’s eyes grew watery, but soon, nestled in the warmth and comfort of Ning Qinghong’s arms, sleepiness overcame him. Even the words he was trying to say became incoherent, almost like the mumblings of a dream, “Brother, don’t you really want to see the place where I grew up… and meet my family and friends…?”

Ning Qinghong paused, then kissed Wu Jing’s brow and eyelids, “Sleep.” He seemed normal in front of the boy now, despite being ill, but he still lacked energy.

Wu Jing quickly drifted off into a daze, and the next morning, his internal clock, set by the routine of waking early for his daily medicine, naturally nudged him awake. Though still sleepy, he forced his eyes open.

In his drowsiness, he saw that the person beside him seemed to have already woken up. Seeing Wu Jing’s eyes open, Ning Qinghong gently coaxed, “Wuwu, sleep a little longer.”

Wu Jing was still half-asleep when Ning Qinghong wiped the damp area on his body and helped him change into new nightclothes. Even though Ning Qinghong looked tired, his expression remained cool as he changed into his outdoor clothes and, after washing up, donned a cloak.

He then lifted Wu Jing into his arms, allowing the palace servants to change the bed linens.

Though Wu Jing had been a bit fussed over, he wasn’t really that sleepy anymore. Still, he closed his eyes in fatigue. Before long, he found himself back in the bed, clean and fresh, tucked into warm, dry sheets.

Ning Qinghong gently stroked Wu Jing’s hair, then his expression cooled as he walked out the door.

The medicine was all used up. Today, he would need to get more.

After Ning Qinghong left, Wu Jing rolled around in bed for a while before quickly falling asleep again. He hadn’t slept this comfortably in days, with no one tormenting him even in his dreams. He dreamt of nothing and felt as if he was floating, his entire body light as a feather.

Something seemed to pull him downward, sinking deeper and deeper, as if he might never wake up again.

Suddenly, he snapped his eyes open, and the bright light from the ceiling stabbed at his eyes, making them tear up. Wu Jing instinctively closed his eyes, curling up and burrowing deeper into the blankets.

…Wait!

Why was the light so bright?

Wu Jing was momentarily stunned, unable to believe what he was seeing. He pulled down the blanket and looked up at the familiar ceiling. He… he had come back?

Realizing this, he immediately began fumbling under the covers for his phone. When he found it, the screen automatically unlocked. The first thing he noticed was the dangerously low battery level.

The second thing was the time.

He remembered… the last time he fell asleep at home, it was after lunch, during a nap, right? Now it was—Wu Jing glanced at the time again—it was already past one.

Had he only slept for half an hour?

Wait a minute, something seemed off…

Wu Jing took a moment to assess how he felt and realized that he felt far too well-rested for just an hour of sleep. Looking at the time again, he stared blankly for a long while before suddenly noticing that the date had changed.

He had slept for an entire day?!

Wu Jing suddenly sat up. He shook his head, then slowly lay back down, rolled over, and abruptly widened his eyes, sitting up again with a start. “Wait! You, you, you… why are you here?”

In the boy’s dark eyes was reflected a figure dressed in a snow-white robe with crane patterns intricately woven into it, sitting quietly at his gaming and study desk. The figure leaned back slowly, flipping through something in his hands with unhurried motions.

Wu Jing couldn’t believe his eyes. He rubbed them, suddenly realizing something. He jumped off the bed barefoot and ran over, “You’re not allowed to read my diary!”

He threw himself at the figure, and when he landed in his arms, he didn’t care if he might fall. Frantically, he grabbed the diary and held it tightly against his chest.

Ning Qinghong caught him easily and sighed softly. Wu Jing was only so bold because he knew he’d always be caught.

It was his diary from elementary and middle school. Back then, his Chinese teacher had made them write 100 to 200 words daily to practice their writing skills.

Wu Jing used to write about anything and everything back then. Looking at it now, every word made him want to bury himself in a hole, but he couldn’t bear to throw it away. He had kept it on the top shelf of his bookcase, never imagining that one day someone else would see it.

The boy mumbled softly, “…You’re messing with my stuff.”

He grumbled, but not too loudly, afraid to scold him too harshly.

After all, he had gone through Ning Qinghong’s study before.

Wu Jing carefully looked at the person in front of him, wondering if he was still dreaming. “Brother?”

Ning Qinghong responded with a soft “Hmm?”

Wu Jing pinched his own face and winced from the pain. “…It’s really Brother?”

As he spoke, he reached out to touch Ning Qinghong’s hand. When he felt the solid warmth of his body, smelled the familiar scent of his fragrance, and realized he was truly sitting in his warm embrace, feeling the pressure of the body beneath him, he could hardly believe it. He leaned in closer, carefully brushing his lips against Ning Qinghong’s cheek, finding that even the sensation of kissing him was real.

Wu Jing was completely stunned. He glanced around at his familiar bedroom where he had grown up: the bookshelf filled with all sorts of things, the carpet in the corner littered with plush toys, the large computer desk, the walk-in closet, and the bathroom.

He was sure he wasn’t seeing things.

Holding his breath, he looked at the person right in front of him. “Brother really came?”

Ning Qinghong lowered his eyes to look at him and softly answered. He half-embraced the boy’s waist, who was only wearing a short-sleeved shirt, and frowned slightly as he noticed Wu Jing’s bare arms and legs, dressed so lightly, and his hair, which had been trimmed shorter.

He had slept in a messy, careless way, his hair especially disheveled.

Though compared to most boys these days, it wasn’t particularly short, it was definitely much shorter than it had been when he was there.

Wu Jing stammered, “How… how did you get here? How could you come here?”

This was so sudden.

Ning Qinghong’s voice was very soft as he explained, “Brother went to get some medicine, and when I came back, Wuwu was gone again.” He added, “After waiting for over a month, I could only come find you myself.”

Wu Jing, still groggy, said, “Shouldn’t you have sent me back?”

How… how could it be—

He recalled the words spoken in the dream. To Wu Jing, it had only been this morning, but to Ning Qinghong, more than a month had already passed.

Wu Jing thought for a moment and then grew a bit happier. “Does that mean Brother can treat his illness here?”

Ning Qinghong sighed softly, “I can only stay with Wuwu for three days at most. Without me, the court can only be kept in the dark for three months at most.”

Wu Jing remembered something and grew curious, “How did Brother come here himself? It’s so amazing…”

He looked Ning Qinghong up and down, inspecting his clothes. After confirming everything was real, his eyes widened. Just as he was about to say something, the bedroom door was knocked on.

“Xiao Jing… Xiao Jing?”

Wu Jing instinctively responded, “Yes?”

“The housekeeper said you’ve slept for a whole day. You didn’t respond when we called you for lunch. Your mother also called you several times during lunch, but you didn’t answer.” The voice outside was anxious, “Xiao Jing, are you okay?”

“Can Mom come in and check on you?”