Winning the male lead

Does it hurt?” Shen Lixing had already heard him crying out in pain last night.

Shen Le Tian clung to his back, his voice trembling with sobs. “Little Uncle, please have mercy on me.”

Shen Lixing, however, only commented, “So delicate.” He merely slowed his movements but didn’t actually let him go.

After a long bout of entanglement, Shen Le Tian’s fingers were so weak he couldn’t even lift them. He was carried to the bathroom by Shen Lixing to be cleaned up.

Before leaving the house, Shen Lixing stood at the top of the staircase and beckoned for Le Tian to help him adjust his tie. Le Tian was terrified of him, so he obediently stepped forward and reached out to carefully redo the tie.

Shen Lixing saw him dressed in his pajamas, hair messy, his fair little face still looking sleepy and dazed. His heart stirred, and right in front of the servants, he pulled Shen Le Tian into his arms and placed a light kiss on his lips.

Shen Le Tian was utterly frightened, his hands trembled as he fumbled with the tie, his voice shaking, “L-Little Uncle…” Panicked, he quickly let go and lowered his head, not daring to meet the questioning gazes of the servants.

Shen Lixing, however, was in a good mood. “I’ll be home for dinner tonight.”

Shen Le Tian kept his head down and barely made an audible “Mm.” The moment Shen Lixing walked downstairs, he immediately fled back to his room and locked the door, not giving the servants any chance to exchange questioning glances.

He supported his waist as he slowly collapsed onto the bed, letting out a long sigh. “Shen Lixing is too rough—he’s practically screwing me to death.”

The system pretended to be on mute.

Le Tian lay there like a corpse for a while before reaching out for his phone to call Xu Tao. As always, he picked up immediately.

“Hello?” his voice came through.

Le Tian’s voice was hoarse and weary, as if he were seriously ill.

Xu Tao asked, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Le Tian was silent for a moment before asking a completely unrelated question. “How is Miao Miao?”

Xu Tao didn’t know how to answer.

Le Tian had once entrusted him with taking care of Yu Miao. Because of his friend’s request, he had been very attentive, but gradually, his concern for her began to change.

Yu Miao was unlike any other female celebrity he had encountered in the entertainment industry.

She was kind yet independent, hardworking and ambitious. Despite being in such a murky, corrupt environment, she refused to go with the flow or compromise her principles. Xu Tao realized that, unknowingly, he had developed feelings for this unfortunate woman—the fiancée of his own friend.

He felt ashamed of his own emotions and replied awkwardly, “She’s doing well. You haven’t been out in a long time. When will you come see her?”

Le Tian’s current situation was practically that of being under house arrest. Xu Tao’s words hit a sore spot, but what had happened between him and Shen Lixing was something he could not bring himself to talk about. Struggling, he could only say, “I… I have some things to deal with. Please take good care of her and her family. Don’t let them suffer. I… I owe her too much!”

With that, he abruptly hung up the phone.

The system snickered, “Heh, you really do owe her.”

It still couldn’t understand why Shen Lixing would be interested in someone like him.

Maybe it was because this “elephant” was incredibly good at pretending to be a little white rabbit—truly disgusting.

Le Tian rubbed his waist and muttered, “Just because she’s the female lead, does that mean she has to end up with the world’s designated male lead? Don’t you think your system alliance is being unreasonable? Forcing couples together? Can’t she choose someone she actually likes?”

The system retorted, “And Shen Lixing being with you is reasonable?”

Le Tian chuckled. “Actually, it does seem kind of reasonable, doesn’t it?”

If the system had eyes, it would definitely be rolling them right now. 

That evening, Shen Lixing returned home early as promised, but the house was unusually quiet. The only ones present were the servants, and the dining table was completely empty.

He frowned. “Where is the young master?”

A servant replied, “he hasn’t left his room since this morning.”

Shen Lixing’s expression darkened, and he quickly went upstairs.

The door was locked again.

He took out the spare key and unlocked the door.

The room was completely dark, with the curtains drawn shut, blocking out all light. He turned on the lamp and found a curled-up figure on the bed.

Shen Le Tian was lying on his side, wrapped in a blanket, hands tucked under his face. His complexion was a little pale.

Shen Lixing’s heart tightened. He stepped forward and touched his forehead—it was cold, not feverish. He leaned down and kissed his cheek.

“Sleeping Beauty, wake up. Come eat dinner.”

Le Tian had actually woken up the moment Shen Lixing opened the door.

He was on edge, always on high alert. The slightest sound was enough to startle him.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, but he avoided looking directly at Shen Lixing. Shrinking back slightly, he murmured, “I’m not hungry.”

Shen Lixing was still wearing the suit he had worn to work, its subtle patterns making him look refined and elegant.

Le Tian thought to himself: Damn, he’s way too handsome. Just looking at him is enough to fill me up.

Shen Lixing, however, knew he had a history of “hunger strikes” when he was upset. Worried he was doing it again out of defiance, he reached out, gently cupping Le Tian’s face.

With uncharacteristic patience, he said, “Be good.”

Le Tian was actually starving, but according to Shen Le Tian’s persona, he had to put on a little act after being doted on. Now that Shen Lixing had “threatened” him, he immediately teared up, looking pitiful as he got out of bed, softly whining about the pain.

“Still hurting?” Shen Lixing took the initiative to hold him, letting him lean against him.

Le Tian was afraid of being seen and tried to pry Shen Lixing’s arm away. Although the servants had already witnessed Shen Lixing kissing him in the morning, he still wanted to continue deceiving himself. However, Shen Lixing’s arms were long and strong—not something the “delicate” Le Tian could push away. He had no choice but to look up at him pleadingly. “Little Uncle, I can walk by myself.”

Shen Lixing: “Didn’t you say it hurts?”

Le Tian blushed, stammering, “It’s not that painful…”

Shen Lixing knew he was just worried about being seen, so he let go, not wanting to push him too hard.

Limping, Le Tian followed him. After a few steps, he realized his posture was far too awkward and obvious, so he stopped in place, refusing to move. “Little Uncle, I’m really not hungry… I… I’m a bit sleepy. I want to sleep.”

“Sleep?” Shen Lixing turned back, effortlessly scooping him up in his arms. Le Tian yelped in surprise, instinctively clutching onto his collar. Shen Lixing remained expressionless. “Eat first, then sleep. Sleep however you want afterward.”

The implication made Le Tian’s face go pale. He quickly buried himself against Shen Lixing’s chest, mumbling, “No, really… it hurts so much…”

Shen Lixing ignored him, carrying him downstairs in silence.

The servants in the hall remained unfazed, their expressions unreadable. The maid, Amin, who had witnessed their kiss that morning, approached with a bright smile. “Sir, shall I serve the meal?”

Shen Lixing gently placed Le Tian on a chair. The chair was soft, yet Le Tian still gasped when he sat down.

Shen Lixing told the servants, “Serve the food.”

He wasn’t entirely clueless—everything the kitchen had prepared was light and easy to digest.

Except for one bowl of soup, placed conspicuously in front of Le Tian, its color a striking red.

Le Tian picked up the spoon and stirred it, frowning. “What is this? It smells weird.”

Shen Lixing lifted his own bowl of porridge and replied flatly, “Brown sugar egg soup. Amin said it’s good for you.”

Amin secretly made a heart gesture at Le Tian.

The system in his mind: “…Isn’t this what women eat after giving birth?!”

But under Shen Lixing’s intimidating presence, Le Tian hesitantly took a sip… and—damn—it was delicious!

After eating and drinking his fill, it was time to sleep. As the saying goes, a full stomach leads to thoughts of pleasure. Le Tian was secretly looking forward to playing games with Shen Lixing that night. Of course, he had to maintain his persona, so he put on a panicked expression. “It hurts! No way! I don’t want to!”

Shen Lixing simply pressed him down over his lap.

Le Tian thought he was about to engage in some playful mouth-related activities, but instead, Shen Lixing was gently applying medicine to him. His movements were surprisingly tender.

He had mixed feelings. Honestly, he wasn’t afraid of pain at all. Shen Lixing was incredibly skilled, and the pleasure far outweighed the discomfort.

Shen Lixing’s long fingers moved in and out, and the process of applying the medicine nearly aroused Le Tian. He bit down on his fist, trying desperately to hold back.

When Shen Lixing finished, he noticed Le Tian had bitten his own hand hard enough to break the skin. Seeing his twisted expression, he assumed he was still struggling to accept their relationship.

Frustrated, he held him down and kissed him deeply.

Le Tian resisted fiercely—Bro, stop kissing! If you keep this up, I really won’t be able to hold back!

Even though Shen Lixing had already possessed him, his resistance left him feeling powerless.

Le Tian, what will it take for you to have only me in your heart, just like I do for you?