Chapter 4.1

Chapter 4.1 \n<h1>Chapter 4.1 – Restraint</h1>\n

The sound of the wine glass breaking immediately attracted everyone’s attention.

Rhodes and Saunter turned their heads when they heard the noise. The hands they had on the females accompanying them froze, and the shock turned them to stone: "……"

Were they hallucinating?!

The hall was previously full of noise, but all that could be heard now was the sound of breathing.

It was surprising that Carlos appeared at Ji Ling's coming of age banquet, but still somewhat understandable. However, Carlos appearing today in this vulgar entertainment complex that only rich playboys like them came to… was completely incomprehensible, and too out of place.

Ji Ling also couldn’t understand. His eyes were wide with shock and disbelief as he looked at the man who suddenly appeared.

He really couldn't convince himself that this was just a chance encounter.

Carlos adjusted his cuffs gracefully, and lowered his eyes looking down on Nie Tianqi from a high position. He raised his thin lips and sounded in a low voice: “You still haven’t left yet? Are you waiting for me to ask you to go?”

Clearly, he had spoken in a calm and almost mild tone, however, Nie Tianqi could only feel a chill go through him to his heart. The next moment, he crawled away from Ji Ling, shaking and saying: “I…I’m going!"

As soon as he said that, he rushed out stumbling. He didn’t even dare ask for forgiveness!

All that was left beside Ji Ling was a figure leaving in haste…

Ji Ling: "……"

Carlos saw Nie Tianqi leave and withdrew his glance to look around. His brows wrinkled slightly.

In fact, he received notice as soon as Ji Ling went out. His boy was so beautiful and attractive. Who knew how many people coveted him? The messy private affairs of the aristocracy made him worry even more. Fearing that other people would come onto the youth…He decided to come in person after thinking about it.

He never expected to see such a scene. That Nie punk was really bold, daring to use such despicable means on his boy. He must be looking to die.

Last life, he neglected to look after him, and didn’t know if the boy was bullied and taken advantage of by others. 

Thinking of this point, Carlos’ anger surged inside. He looked back at Ji Ling’s shocked and confused appearance, suddenly realizing that his expression may have frightened him, and hurriedly masked the frosty depths of his eyes.

After a pause, a gentle doting smile slowly emerged, and Carlos raised his hand to gently brush the soft hair on Ji Ling’s forehead. He jokingly said: “What, is it so surprising to see me? "

Ji Ling: "…" Not only was it surprising, but also very scary! It’s so terrifying when you smile.

As for Rhodes and the others, they could only shiver beside him for the moment, and try to reduce their presence. 

They came here to have fun, but now they regretted it. What kind of bad luck had they been cursed with to meet this kind of boss when they only came out to drink and have a good time? This was much more oppressing than even having their own fathers there. After all, Archduke Carlos was much more terrible than their dads…

Who in the whole empire didn’t know Archduke Carlos was someone you absolutely couldn’t offend? Hidden under an elegant appearance was a terror and ruthlessness that made countless people tremble…\n

Ji Ling remained silent for a moment, but he sucked it up and boldly said, "What did you come here for?”

Carlos looked at him gently and said, "It's very late. I came to take you home.”

His tone was flat, as if he and Ji Ling had always been closely interacting like this, completely unaware of how earth-shattering these words were!

Ji ling: "!!!”

Are we that close? I call you uncle, but do you really think you’re my uncle?

That’s just me being polite, you understand?

When Carlos said this, everyone changed the way they looked at Ji Ling to a mix of both envious and complex expressions. No one expected that Ji Ling was so loved by Archduke Carlos.

Now it seemed that… Carlos was quite close with the Ji family, and he even came to pick Ji Ling up himself. This kind of doting treatment wasn’t even given to any of the younger generation that was related to him by blood!

Everyone’s views continuously changed. It would be a good idea to treat Ji Ling better later, and also more carefully. Nobody wanted to repeat the crime Nie Tianqi committed previously!

Ji Ling also recovered from the shock. At first, he thought Carlos was out of his mind, but he soon realized that this was probably one of Carlos' schemes.

First, he’d pretend to be very familiar with Ji Ling, then he’d show kindness to him in public. That was all in order to let everyone misunderstand that he and the Ji family were in the same boat, making it a known fact so nobody could refute it… This was really too sinister and despicable!

But Carlos was capable of doing these kinds of things!

Fine…

Aren't you supposed to pretend to be an amicable elder? I'd like to see how long you can keep it up. Don't think I don't know. You despise rich kids like me the most.

Ji Ling originally wanted to go home, but he suddenly changed his expression and refused willfully, "But I don't want to go back yet."

Everyone gasped. Unexpectedly, there was someone who dared to refuse Carlos!

Rhodes' hand trembled uncontrollably. Although he was used to Ji Ling acting willful, today was the first time he was worried about that attitude. Bro, can you look at who you’re refusing before you refuse?

Ji Ling didn’t receive the brain waves Rhodes' sent at all.

He finished speaking and looked at Carlos, waiting for him to show displeasure. As a result, even though he waited half a day, Carlos didn’t show any such signs. Instead, he sighed helplessly: "You ah…"

Then he raised his hand and touched Ji Ling's head, like he was touching a cute little animal. Very naturally, he sat down beside him and smiled, “Then I’ll stay with you."

Ji ling: "???”

Rhodes and Saunter: “!!!”\nWhy don't you play according to the rules?

Ji Ling was dumbfounded. Seeing that Carlos was really going to stay with him, he involuntarily shivered inside. What was this?

But would he just give in now? No way!

With Carlos like this, Ji Ling got bolder and bolder. He was going to tear a crack in Carlos' facade. Unhappily, he said, "But with you here like this, nobody can act freely. I can just go back by myself later… And why did you scare Nie Tianqi away? He’s my good friend! You went too far. "

When the words came out, he saw Carlos’ ever gentle eyes suddenly turn cold. The temperature around them instantly dipped!

Ji Ling was startled, but quickly raised his head, and stubbornly looked into Carlos' eyes.

Hmph, I thought you could take it, but you already can’t keep it in anymore!

Carlos pursed his lips, and the anger, which he had suppressed with a lot of effort, resurfaced. If I hadn’t stopped Nie Tianqi just now, do you know what would’ve happened afterwards? And now you blame me for not driving him away? So… even if it happened, you wouldn’t have cared, would you?

He lowered his eyes slightly and looked at the young man's face as he remembered it; fresh and alive, pure and innocent…

He hadn’t seen him so openly willful like this in a very long time. Carlos’ heart slowly filled with warm fuzzies, and his eyes expressed a nostalgic longing. 

No, Ji Ling didn’t know anything. He just didn’t know how to guard against others. He had no idea how dangerous those who got close to him were. He didn’t understand how they schemed, or how they could hurt him…

Just like how Ji Ling had always believed in him, and never doubted that he might hurt him…

Ji Ling was never at fault.  The blame all lied with those who had ulterior motives…

Including his own ruthless self.

The chill in Carlos' eyes slowly dissipated. He looked around and asked lightly, "Am I making you uncomfortable by being here?"

Rhodes and Saunter: "……"

After a moment of silence, the hall suddenly rang with enthusiastic voices.

"How! How could that be?!"

"We’re all very happy that you came here."

“Carlos, Your Excellency, my father often tells me that you’re the one he respects the most."

"It’s a great honor to meet you!"

"Please enjoy your time and don't mind us."

\nThis boy was unlike anyone else. His willfulness was so unrestrained that it seemed to be ingrained in his body.

Carlos' expression gradually turned to a peculiar one. Seeing that Ji Ling was becoming intoxicated, he finally raised his hand to cover Ji Ling's glass. His voice was low and hoarse: “You’re drunk."

But drunk people often felt that they weren’t drunk.

Ji Ling glared at Carlos with a faint red tint at the corner of his eyes, and exclaimed: “I’m not. Let go!"

Carlos looked at him deeply.

Ji Ling saw that he refused to let go, and unhappily pushed him. However, a powerful hand suddenly grabbed his wrist, and he was pulled into a pair of broad and strong arms. He cried out in alarm.

Carlos took the young man's shoulder in one hand, lowered his head slightly, and whispered in his ear, “Don’t drink anymore.”

His hot breath fell on Ji Ling’s ear. Ji Ling twisted anxiously, and said gloomily while struggling: “Why do you care? Let go. I want to continue drinking!"

Carlos’ expression didn’t change. He looked up at Rhodes and the others, saying lightly, "He drank too much. I'll take him back first."

Rhodes and the others were both scared and flattered. They didn't expect Carlos would talk to them. How could they dare say more? They nodded repeatedly: “Oh, okay, we’ll leave him to you!”

Carlos gave a slight nod, and then gazed down in his arms at the little fellow who looked like a small restless kitty. A smile flashed in his eyes, then he stretched out his hands and picked Ji Ling right up.

Ji Ling was dizzy, and his head bumped against Carlos’ neck. He rubbed his nose, only to find that Carlos had actually picked him up. Who said he was leaving? He hadn't yet forced out this old bastard’s true self, so he shouted, “What’re you doing?!”

But Carlos simply ignored him, and held him while he strode out. 

He got onto the hover car and ordered the AI: “We’re going home.”

Ji Ling refused to settle down the whole way, and his fingernails inadvertently scratched across Carlos’ cheek, staying shocked for a bit after… Although he was drunk, he still instinctively felt there was something wrong.

Carlos’ winced slightly from the pain. He lowered his head, and his gaze fell to the young boy’s vacant eyes.

Ji Ling stared at him, and subconsciously said what he was thinking: “Aren't you angry?"

Carlos looked at him with a smile and said calmly, “Why would I be angry? You haven't done anything wrong. "

Ji Ling's eyes glazed over. He made a scene all night long and even scratched his face. How could he say that he didn’t do anything wrong? Was Carlos such a good-tempered man before? How come he was so different from how he remembered?

He wanted to think more on it, but he really was a little drunk and tired from the fussing about. His eyelids began to fight him involuntarily.

Carlos folded his arms slightly to make Ji Ling more comfortable in his embrace. His lips evoked a doting smile and he whispered: “Sleep. I'll take you home."

This low magnetic voice suddenly fell into Ji Ling's ears. Clearly, it was from a terrible villain, but it seemed to have some magic quality to it that calmed him and made him sink into his weariness. He might actually have been really drunk today.

Ji Ling could no longer resist, and leaned into Carlos’ arms, soon falling asleep.