Futile Devices Scans

The not-so-sturdy door slammed against the wall with a reverberating crash. Startled, Xue Bao Tian and the girl both turned toward the doorway.

The inn was dim, and the corridor outside was unlit, but Xue Bao Tian recognized the newcomer instantly from nothing more than the dark silhouette.

Yan Ye!

Leaning slightly forward, the man standing outside slowly emerged from the darkness into the light.

His face was exceptionally cold and stern, his expression as still as deep water. Sharp features pressed aggressively forward, killing intent flickering in his eyes. His lips were compressed into a straight line. Rather than anger, his expression bordered on indifference.

A man known for his good temper usually softened the natural sharpness of his features with a gentle smile. Now that smile was gone, and he was unavoidably intimidating.

He stepped into the room at an unhurried pace. The air inside seemed to tense the moment his foot crossed the threshold. His hands, capable of explosive force at any moment, hung loosely at his sides. Veins bulged beneath the skin, as though power was already coiled within them.

Yan Ye tilted one shoulder slightly. A black backpack slid down from it and into his right hand. He casually set the bag at his feet, straightened up, and looked toward the two people on the sofa in their suggestive posture.

His gaze moved from the girl, to the cigarette, and finally settled on Xue Bao Tian. They silently held each other’s eyes for a moment before he lowered his gaze, severing the connection. Then he reached back and closed the door.

Fuck, it’s Yan Ye!

The sound of the closing door finally snapped Xue Bao Tian back to his senses. He quickly knocked the cigarette from the girl’s hand, stood up from the other side of the sofa, and hurriedly said, “Yan Ye, listen to my explanation.”

The girl also stood up straight. The shock gradually faded from her eyes, replaced by an openly appreciative gaze as she looked Yan Ye up and down. Nudging Xue Bao Tian with her shoulder, she cut him off. “Big brother, who’s this? He doesn’t have any bedroom problems, does he? If not, can you introduce us?”

Xue Bao Tian gripped her shoulders and pushed her toward the door. “Baby, don’t make things worse. Go on, hurry home.”

Amid the pushing and shoving, the battered door was pushed open again. Having heard the loud crash, the innkeeper stood outside glaring furiously at the shattered lock.

Before the man could complain, Yan Ye stepped forward. First he guided the girl out of the room, then looked at the innkeeper and said gently, “I’ll compensate you three times the value of the door. For now, please bring me some tape. I’m still using this room, so I’ll tape the door shut temporarily.”

Although Yan Ye’s words were polite, the chill in his eyes was unmistakable. Anyone could see that a tall, powerfully built man like him was not someone to provoke. The innkeeper choked back his complaints and turned to fetch the tape.

The girl, now outside the room, didn’t leave. Leaning against the wall, she kept admiring the smooth lines of Yan Ye’s muscles. Pulling out a cigarette from her pocket, she offered one to him. “Want one, handsome?” Then she jerked her chin toward the room and invented a story in her head. “Here to catch your brother-in-law cheating for your sister? He never mentioned having a family. I’ve got principles—I never break up marriages. You don’t have a family, right? How about we add each other on WeChat?”

Yan Ye glanced at the cigarette but didn’t take it. Leaning slightly closer, he delivered his utterly flat response directly into her ear. “I do have a family. The one inside is my family. And yes, I’m here to catch someone cheating—for myself.”

The girl’s eyes widened more and more. The cigarette slipped from her lips. It took several seconds before she fully understood what he meant.

“Ri nong bao! (You idiot!)” she exploded. Shoving Yan Ye aside, she stormed back into the room. “You’re a freaking gay guy and you’re still out here looking for hookups?!”

The backpack that had been hanging from her shoulder now repeatedly smacked into Xue Bao Tian. Yan Ye watched coldly from the side without saying a word.

Xue Bao Tian never hit women. Grabbing the backpack strap, he clenched his jaw and said, “Listen to me, I’m—”

“I’m what?” the girl cut in. “Answer me this. Have you kissed him or not? Slept with him or not?” She pointed at the silently observing Yan Ye. Seeing Xue Bao Tian freeze guiltily, she snatched her backpack back and swung it hard. “Liar! You freaking idiot!”

Having vented her anger, she turned to leave. As she passed Yan Ye, she fanned the flames one last time. “He wanted to look at my boobs just now, and he kept calling me baby. Go screw him to death!”

When had the Ruixiang Crown Prince ever suffered this kind of humiliation? Damn it, the rule about not fighting with women had been established way too early!

“I’m a straight man!”

Xue Bao Tian wanted to argue further, but Yan Ye shot him a casual glance. Instantly remembering the position he was in, Xue Bao Tian swallowed his anger and switched to appeasement. “Yan Ye, it’s mealtime. You must be hungry, right? Come on, let’s go home. I’ll borrow the guesthouse owner’s kitchen and cook something for you.”

“No rush.” Yan Ye slowly closed the inn room door. With a ripping sound, he stretched out a strip of tape and began sealing the door panel to the frame.

Xue Bao Tian’s fingers stiffened. His voice grew weak. “Why are you taping up this crappy door? We still have to go home.”

Arranging the tape into a cross pattern, Yan Ye firmly sealed the door shut. Then he turned and looked at Xue Bao Tian.

“Master Xue,” he said calmly, “what kind of embarrassing bedroom problem do you have that you’re too ashamed to talk about? How about I help you treat it?”

Step by step, Yan Ye advanced, and step by step, Xue Bao Tian retreated. Eventually, his heel struck the sofa. There was nowhere left to go.

“No need. I’m not sick. I’m just hungry. How about we go eat that mushroom hotpot you like?”

Yan Ye continued closing the distance as he walked. “I don’t actually like mushroom hotpot. I only acted like I liked it because you do.” Stopping in front of Xue Bao Tian, he gently pushed him down into the sofa. Mimicking the girl’s earlier posture, he braced himself against the sofa and leaned down, firing off a series of questions. “You like… treating illnesses on the sofa? Why was she trying to burn you with a cigarette? Are cigarette burns some kind of kink you just can’t let go of, Master Xue?”

Yan Ye’s build was powerful, and when he pressed forward, the pressure he exerted was far sharper and more dangerous than the girl’s had been. Xue Bao Tian’s breathing grew shallow. Realizing how serious the situation had become, he immediately switched forms of address.

“Brother Chi, that woman and I didn’t do anything. She tried to take her clothes off several times and I never let her.” His survival instincts were in full force now, and he carefully chose words Yan Ye would like hearing. “Besides, with you around now—good-looking, great body, stamina like you’ve got springs wound into your waist—where would I even find the energy or interest for anyone else?”

Yan Ye’s expression did not improve. Pulling over a chair, he sat opposite Xue Bao Tian. Tilting his head slightly upward, his gaze remained steady and cold. His lightly pressed lips looked restrained and repressed. His voice was as calm as ever, but the warmth and indulgence were gone. “Then let me ask you something, Xue Bao Tian. What exactly were you planning to do with that woman when you came here?”

“I…” Xue Bao Tian could not come up with a suitable excuse. Fuck. Whether I answer or not, I’m dead. Better to keep my mouth shut.

Yan Ye’s gaze was heavy and cold. Emotions Xue Bao Tian could not decipher churned in those deep eyes. Finally, the tightly pressed corners of his mouth curved into a faint smile. “Sometimes, Xue Bao Tian, I spoil you too much.”

With a ripping sound, he tore off another strip of tape and suddenly slammed Xue Bao Tian’s right hand onto the wooden sofa armrest. Under the other man’s shocked stare, he wrapped the tape around his wrist and the armrest again and again, binding them together!

“Yan Ye, what are you doing?!” Xue Bao Tian hurriedly reached out with his left hand to stop him, only for Yan Ye to seize that hand as well and pin it to the opposite armrest.

Xue Bao Tian was no match for Yan Ye. After a few more loops of tape, both hands were firmly secured.

“Holy shit, Yan Ye, what the hell are you doing?!” Xue Bao Tian struggled uselessly. “Have you lost your mind? Fuck, why are you tying me up?!”

Seeing that Yan Ye paid him no attention whatsoever, Xue Bao Tian—who always folded the moment he encountered real danger—could only lower himself and plead. “Brother Chi, I was wrong, alright? Let me off this once. If I act like an idiot again, you can deal with me however you want.”

Yan Ye ignored him and simply spun the tape in his hand while eyeing his ankles.

At last, Xue Bao Tian fully understood how helpless his situation was. He knew there was no escaping tonight’s reckoning, so he drew his feet back and tried bargaining for better treatment. “Brother Chi, let’s go to the bed. You don’t even have to tie me up. I’ll do whatever you want today.”

Yan Ye shook his head cleanly and laughed coldly. “Not interested in sleeping with you today. Didn’t that girl just say Master Xue has some embarrassing bedroom problem? I’m going to take a look and see if I can cure it.”

“Don’t listen to her nonsense—mmph! Yan Ye! Mmph!”

Those attractive lips were gradually sealed shut with strips of tape. Xue Bao Tian glared furiously at the expressionless man.

“Xue Bao Tian, you’re too noisy.” Through the thin layer of tape, Yan Ye kissed his lips once. “Now it’s quiet. We can start treatment.”

A sharp light flashed through Yan Ye’s eyes. Gripping Xue Bao Tian by the body, he pulled him downward. The man on the sofa ended up half reclining, half sitting, exposing the important area that needed no explanation.

With a flick of his fingers, a zipper slid down. A few rustling sounds followed, and Xue Bao Tian immediately became aware of the cool air.

Yan Ye patted him lightly. “Don’t be nervous, Master Xue. It’s only treatment.”

Taking Xue Bao Tian’s phone from his pocket, he navigated through it with practiced familiarity. Finding a video, he tapped the screen.

A flood of voluptuous imagery immediately appeared.

Watching Xue Bao Tian’s eyes widen, Yan Ye grabbed his jaw and forced him to look at the screen. “Straight man. Today you’re going to watch this and prove it. If you can’t, then we’ll have to find another solution.”

Xue Bao Tian shook his head in panic. Yan Ye leaned down and brushed his lips again, his deep voice carrying the edge of a threat. “Doesn’t Master Xue love watching these? Then watch your fill today.”

Ignoring the anger slowly rising in Xue Bao Tian’s eyes, he held the phone directly in front of him. The sounds continued endlessly as the progress bar crept forward. Yet Xue Bao Tian remained entirely unaffected.

Several videos later, several different women later, Yan Ye glanced downward and sneered. “Not a single reaction. Looks like our straight Master Xue really is sick.”

Like an executioner offering a condemned prisoner a choice of deaths, he gave him options. “Keep watching, or let me help you? Shake your head if you want more time with your goddesses. Nod if you want me to help.” His voice grew low and firm. “But think carefully, Master Xue. Once you ask me for help, you don’t get to call yourself straight anymore.”

Xue Bao Tian made a few muffled sounds through the tape, his eyes blazing with fury. Yan Ye merely shrugged and switched to another video. “Master Xue’s private collection is quite extensive. Then let’s keep watching.”

Outside, the shifting light stretched the shadows longer and longer across the floor.

The sounds continued without end.

After a very long time, Xue Bao Tian finally lifted his bloodshot eyes. He stared at Yan Ye for several moments before nodding resentfully.

Yan Ye turned off the screen and tossed the phone aside. Leaning down until their noses touched, he asked, “Master Xue wants my help?”

Xue Bao Tian turned his face away and nodded again. Immediately, Yan Ye’s hand clamped onto his jaw and forced him back. Meeting those dark eyes, he heard Yan Ye ask, “Not calling yourself straight anymore?” His thumb brushed against the skin of his jaw. “Since you want my help, then beg me. Beg me to help you stop being straight.”

Bound to the sofa armrests, Xue Bao Tian’s hands clenched into fists. His eyes were filled with grievance, anger, and reluctant surrender.

Yan Ye’s fingers rested on the tape sealing his lips as he reminded him gently, “Master Xue, once I take this off, no swearing. There’s plenty of tape left, and I won’t mind silencing you again.”

The tape was slowly peeled away.

Xue Bao Tian’s expression twisted instantly. Moments ago, he had mentally dug up Yan Ye’s ancestors and tortured them all over again, but now he dared not let a single curse slip out. He knew that bastard never made empty threats. When Yan Ye said something, he meant it.

“Beg me,” the bastard said.

Xue Bao Tian glanced at his bound hands and then at the cold-faced man before him. Looking away, he muttered quietly, “Please.”

“Please what?”

“Please…” His bloodshot eyes were full of humiliation and resentment. “I’m not straight anymore. Please help me.”

“Good.” Yan Ye kissed his hair and stood up. Walking to the door, he picked up the backpack he had left there. The sound of glass clinking came from inside. When he unzipped it, Xue Bao Tian saw three bottles of liquor.

Three glasses were arranged side by side on the table next to the sofa. Yan Ye opened the bottles and slowly poured. “How about Master Xue experiences Life of Drunken Dreams for himself today?”

“Yan Ye, that stuff will literally drink me to death!”

The hand pouring the alcohol did not even tremble. “That might be for the best. Then there won’t be so many troubles left to worry about.”

Xue Bao Tian refused to drink, keeping his mouth tightly shut and avoiding him. Yan Ye simply took a mouthful of liquor himself, then leaned over and kissed him, forcefully feeding it to him.

“Fuck you, Yan Ye! What the hell are you trying to do?!”

The mixed liquor made Xue Bao Tian cough violently. Before he could recover, his legs were lifted, and an unfamiliar intrusion suddenly entered him.

“What am I doing?” A cold light flashed in Yan Ye’s eyes. “Making sure you never forget today’s pleasure.”

Yan Ye’s hands were large, his fingers long and distinct-jointed, faint blue veins visible beneath the skin. Years of training and knife work had left calluses on his fingertips. Wherever they touched, numbness and tingling spread.

His movements were relentless, powerful as mountains splitting and seas overturning. When advancing, there was no pause; when retreating, the empty space was filled instantly again. His wrist strength surpassed even the power of his waist. In the increasingly dim light, all that seemed visible were afterimages.

“Don’t touch there!” Xue Bao Tian’s feet tensed tight. His bound hands struggled desperately. Throwing back his head, he cried out, “Don’t keep—”

One knee pressed against the chair, Yan Ye leaned down and kissed his ear. “Why not?”

Already slightly drunk, Xue Bao Tian lifted misty eyes that made him look like a shattered doll bullied beyond endurance, begging for mercy from its owner. “Zhang Chi… please… let me go. I want to hold you.”

Yan Ye lowered his eyes and looked at him. His gaze scraped inch by inch across Xue Bao Tian’s skin. “I never should have picked you up in the first place. All I did was create a massive problem for myself. Xue Bao Tian, you’re far too full of yourself.”

The additional fingers took turns tormenting the place that left Xue Bao Tian unable to endure yet drowning in pleasure. Finally, amid the increasingly blinding white brightness filling his vision, he let out a long sigh and dragged the reckless man down to him, meeting those deep eyes reflecting the faint light.

“Yan Ye, even if I turn gay, I still wouldn’t want a bastard like you!”

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