The Villains All Fell in Love with Me After Rebirth : Chapter 46 - Escape
Chapter 46: Escape
Jing Sui looked at the young man’s frightened, pale face and listened to his tearful pleas, feeling as if his heart had taken a heavy blow.
After a long while, he took a slow, deep breath. His golden eyes softened, and he spoke gently, “It’s me. We’re back now; no one will hurt you again.”
But the young man remained visibly terrified, forcefully pushing Jing Sui’s hand away and letting out a piercing scream, “Don’t touch me!”
Jing Sui froze, his expression finally turning rigid.
Ji Ling looked at Jing Sui’s face, as if suddenly realizing what he had done, and his expression immediately shrank in fear. He huddled closer to the foot of the bed, tears streaming down his face, and murmured, “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…”
Jing Sui watched the scene in front of him, feeling a pain that seemed to tear mercilessly at his heart, making it almost impossible to bear. But he forced himself to stay calm and replied hoarsely, “It’s okay.”
After hesitating for a long time, he lifted his arm once more and gently embraced the trembling boy.
This time, the boy didn’t flinch or scream; he simply shut his eyes tight, his body stiffening the instant Jing Sui touched him, but he remained still and obedient.
Jing Sui let out a sigh of relief, soothingly stroking the boy’s back and allowing him to lean into his embrace. “It’s all right now…”
The boy’s thin frame quivered slightly in his arms, his eyes tightly closed, and tears clung to his long lashes, while his bloodless lips trembled faintly.
Jing Sui had to lower his head to catch the barely audible whisper, so soft it was almost silent.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry… I won’t dare again… please, I’m begging you… I’ll be good, I won’t resist anymore…”
At that moment, an overwhelming sorrow crashed down like the weight of the heavens, nearly shattering Jing Sui’s world.
He felt an uncontrollable rage, a desire to destroy everything!
His pure, innocent boy, as untarnished as a blank page—so shy, even about a kiss, never exposed to any such intimacy—what kind of torment did he have to endure there? Jing Sui didn’t dare imagine it, because even a moment’s thought made it hard for him to breathe.
Those despicable beings, unwilling to face him openly, didn’t dare strike at him directly, yet hid in the shadows to harm an innocent child like this.
Even though this child had never harmed anyone, simply because of his noble status, he was treated with such cruelty…
Jing Sui once hadn’t cared about the rebels, even thinking he could use their actions to his advantage. After all, pushing forward with reforms inevitably meant blood and sacrifice.
The noblemen who were killed were merely sacrifices on this blood-stained road.
But now, for the first time, he questioned everything he’d stood by for two lifetimes. Was he really in the right?
Did those despicable, lowly creatures truly deserve his mercy?
Perhaps Carlos had already seen it all clearly, understanding that these people were unworthy of pity. They didn’t understand gratitude or restraint… like a pack of savage beasts, cruelly plundering everything within reach, willing to destroy anything to achieve their goals.
Jing Sui closed his eyes, feeling the trembling young man in his arms, who was clearly terrified but didn’t dare struggle. After a long pause, he reluctantly released him.
He turned and left.
Ji Ling listened as the man’s heavy footsteps faded, then cautiously opened his eyes.
Jing Sui was gone.
He waited a while to make sure Jing Sui wouldn’t return, then finally relaxed and let out a sigh of relief.
It seemed his performance had succeeded in softening Jing Sui’s heart!
After seeing how miserable he appeared, surely Jing Sui wouldn’t harbor those kinds of thoughts toward him anymore, right?
Ji Ling sat up in bed and looked down at his wrist. His pale skin bore not only faint kiss marks but also bruises from Jing Sui’s grip.
Gabriel had always been gentle with him, stopping just short most of the time. This was the first time he’d been so rough. He’d been scared and angry at the time, but thinking back, it almost seemed as if Gabriel had intentionally created the illusion of harm to give Ji Ling an excuse to reject others.
Ji Ling paused, then pursed his lips. That scoundrel wouldn’t be so kind. He only wanted to make a fool of him.
Besides, Ji Ling would never forget how Gabriel had used Ning Yu to threaten and coerce him.
He would never forgive him, humph!
……………
Unable to leave the palace, Ji Ling fell into his usual slump.
This time, he was determined to play the role thoroughly, making Jing Sui give up entirely.
You’re the emperor of the empire—surely you have your pick of people? I’ve already been used and discarded like an old rag, and I find you repulsive… Surely, you won’t be so keen to pick up someone so damaged?
With hopeful thoughts, Ji Ling eagerly awaited the moment Jing Sui would lose interest in him, so they could each go their separate ways in peace.
But how could he convincingly show that he was ‘scarred and despondent’?
Ji Ling pondered this carefully and decided to start by refusing food.
He was naturally an optimist, with an appetite that never wavered, even in hard times. Plus, here in this unfamiliar galactic empire, he could try new foods from across the universe—things Earth had never known. For Ji Ling, so far from home, it was his favorite thing and his only comfort.
So, yes, he loved to eat…
But…
Now Ji Ling sat at a garden table, looking sadly at the array of delicacies before him with a pained, struggling expression.
He had just rejected Jing Sui yesterday. Wouldn’t it seem… a bit fake if he were already eating happily today?
How could he show his deep sorrow? Maybe he could hardly stomach food?
With all the palace attendants around, each watching him attentively from every corner, it was clear that Jing Sui had arranged them to keep an eye on him. So sneaking a bite was out of the question…
Ji Ling felt the pressure of their eyes on him from all sides.
He looked at a delicacy on his right—a shimmering Cloud Pudding from the Mohr Galaxy—and swallowed carefully, clenching his hands tightly under his sleeves.
Hold back!
Ji Ling glanced at the delicate, snow-lotus-like blossom on his left, its petals glistening and bursting with flavor. Freshly picked, it melted in the mouth with unparalleled taste.
Hold back!
Finally, he looked down at the bowl of creamy, aromatic fish soup in front of him.
Hold, just hold back!
This was pitiful—why did he have to suffer like this?
Once, it had only been acting, at worst forced to endure a kiss. Now he couldn’t even eat properly, like a helpless child being robbed of his last toy.
At this thought, Ji Ling’s sorrow welled up, his eyes dazed and face pale.
Life was unbearable.
But he had committed to the act, so he had to see it through no matter what. Ji Ling restrained himself, pitifully sipped the soup, and, putting on a lack-of-appetite expression, set down the bowl and chopsticks.
No one knew how much resolve it took to set those chopsticks down!
It wasn’t just a bowl—it was his life!
He didn’t swallow that mouthful immediately; he held it in his mouth for a while before reluctantly swallowing. He was truly starving…
Sitting before a table of exquisite dishes yet unable to eat, Ji Ling began to regret his actions from the day before. If he’d known it would lead to this ongoing performance, he might have hesitated and thought of another way…
But what was done was done, and regret was pointless.
Ji Ling’s steps were weak as he walked back.
Not having eaten all day left him feeble, and hunger even made it hard to sleep at night. Curled up under the covers, he let out soft, heartbroken sobs—he really wanted to eat…
Suddenly, he heard a faint click by the door. Ji Ling immediately froze, pretending to be asleep.
Jing Sui pushed open the door quietly. His sharp, handsome features were deep and solemn in the dark. He took slow, heavy steps toward Ji Ling’s bed.
The youth lay curled under the covers, only half of his face visible, with a few stray hairs across his forehead.
Jing Sui gently brushed the hair from Ji Ling’s brow, seeing the traces of tears on his face.
Clearly, he wasn’t asleep, just hiding under the blanket, crying.
He wanted to kiss those tears away, to tell him it was alright and that no one would hurt him again. But… he didn’t dare break the fragile calm of the moment.
He didn’t want to face the youth’s frightened, helpless gaze.
Ji Ling, for his part, didn’t want to face Jing Sui either. Embarrassed, he forced himself to keep pretending to sleep, nervously wondering what Jing Sui might do. But after a while, Jing Sui just turned and left.
Ji Ling breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he’d succeeded in scaring Jing Sui off for now!
The cost, though, was immense… QAQ
………………
Ji Ling continued, starving himself every day, only taking a small bite here and there, hoping he’d soon appear thin and fragile. But… why was the weight loss so slow? After all this time, he’d barely shed any pounds!
Staring into the mirror, he finally understood how hard it must be for people who try to lose weight. It was unimaginably tough!
His cousin had always wanted a slim figure. Even though she wasn’t particularly heavy, she skipped dinner and only ate an apple each night to maintain her weight. Back then, he’d only made a passing remark, but now, experiencing it himself, he realized the incredible strength and willpower it took to skip meals just for weight loss! Such determination would surely accomplish great things; in wartime, she could have marched through all the Red Army’s 25,000 miles!
But the ordinary Ji Ling felt like he couldn’t hold on much longer…
Eating so little every day barely alleviated his hunger, leaving him on the verge of fainting from starvation.
One day, he sat by the garden pool, staring blankly at the fish swimming within.
Images of grilled, steamed, braised, and sweet-and-sour fish filled his mind…
Food within reach but forbidden made him lose hope in life.
If he’d known it would be this bad, he might not have gone so overboard with his acting. Maybe a kiss from Jing Sui… wasn’t that big a deal compared to starving?
Brandon entered the palace to discuss matters with Jing Sui. Worried about Ji Ling, he stopped by first to catch a glimpse of him from afar.
The youth wore a loose robe, his face pale and hollow, cheeks sunken, and his chin sharper. His exposed wrists were thinner than before, his whole figure like a lifeless shell.
Not even during his exile in the previous life had he looked like this…
Though he’d once been down and out, no hardship could extinguish the spark in his eyes, nor could desperation dampen his hope. Resilient, determined, like a small, unquenchable flame—small but unyielding.
Now, however, that light was gone.
His eyes were ashen, lifeless as burnt-out embers, as if he had lost all hope for the world.
Why did things have to come to this?
Brandon’s gaze turned pained. He suddenly spun around, slamming his fist against a tree. He lifted his head as Jing Sui approached.
Jing Sui looked much as usual, but his golden eyes held a dark, somber weight as he spoke in a hoarse voice. “You saw everything.”
After a long silence, Brandon said, “Is there really no way?”
Jing Sui’s mouth twisted into a bitter smile. “He doesn’t accept anyone approaching at all. He flinches and begs if I come near. I’ve kept my distance for days to avoid frightening him, but he still refuses to eat.”
Brandon’s fists shook, his chest roiling with pain and anger.
The two men stood in silent anguish, the air around them thick with tension.
At last, Jing Sui broke the silence. “How is your investigation into Ning Yu coming along?”
He simply couldn’t believe this was all a coincidence.
Given Ning Yu’s position, he had no reason to meet Ji Ling, yet he invited him out, and the two were conveniently captured together… If it weren’t for Ji Ling’s concern for Ning Yu, Jing Sui would have interrogated him ruthlessly from the start.
This person was very likely connected to the rebel and might be a key figure.
The only thing that puzzled him was why Ning Yu dared to return. Was he certain that he wouldn’t be targeted, or was he truly innocent?
Brandon remained silent for a moment, his feelings toward Ning Yu somewhat conflicted. Ning Yu had been his comrade in his previous life; he trusted his character and integrity. Some qualities were hard to fake. Most importantly, Brandon believed Ning Yu wasn’t someone who would be cruel or ruthless.
In their last life, Ning Yu had truly been provoked countless times by Ji Ling and had always brushed it off with a smile, never taking it to heart. In this life, Ji Ling hardly interacted with him, and thus, he had even less reason to harm an innocent young man.
However, the circumstances around this incident were undeniably suspicious.
Brandon said, “I used a collaboration investigation as an excuse to keep him within the military department and haven’t allowed him to leave. He answered all questions with composure, showing no signs of guilt, and we have no concrete evidence against him.”
Jing Sui's gaze darkened. “Keep a close watch on him. Don’t let him slip out of your control.”
Currently, they couldn't take action against Ning Yu. Ning Yu was crucial to Ji Ling and was a national idol. Without solid evidence, it would be unwise to act against him.
Brandon understood this as well and brought up another issue. “Carlos remains persistent. He denies all accusations against him and continues to pressure you to hand over Ji Ling, given that Ji Ling is still technically his fiancée.”
Jing Sui scoffed. “So what? No matter how displeased he is, he wouldn’t dare storm the palace to take Ji Ling. Doing so would allow me to openly accuse him of treason and launch a full-scale attack. He wouldn’t risk that.”
Brandon nodded. As long as Jing Sui kept Ji Ling hidden within the palace, Carlos would have to hold his grievances in check unless he was prepared to rebel outright.
Brandon thought of the boy’s frail state and sighed heavily. “I’m heading out; please take care here.”
Jing Sui nodded.
In truth, he was the one most anxious about the situation. Things couldn’t go on like this indefinitely. He had to find a way to help Ji Ling come out of his shell.
………………
Ji Ling returned to his room in low spirits. This couldn’t continue—how could he keep eating whatever he wanted without worry?
Even though Jing Sui hadn’t come by for days, he was still under constant surveillance. Unless he left the palace, there seemed to be no way to break free from the situation.
Just as Ji Ling was racking his brain, an unexpected visitor arrived.
Madam Saman had heard about the recent events. She knew that Ji Ling had been rescued, but since Jing Sui had taken him, he’d been kept hidden in his palace, and no one was allowed to see him. Every time she inquired, Jing Sui would only say that Ji Ling was fine and refused her entry.
That was until yesterday.
Her usually strong and proud son, who never showed vulnerability, came to her with a worn and weary expression, pleading with her to come and comfort Ji Ling.
It was only then that Madam Saman learned the truth. Shocked and angry at first, she then felt an overwhelming sadness. She understood Jing Sui’s reason for keeping the matter hidden. If the truth were to be exposed, it would tarnish Ji Ling’s reputation, making him the subject of malicious rumors and prolonging his suffering. Jing Sui was trying to protect him by concealing the truth and refusing visitors, but now—he was left with no other choice.
So he came to her for help.
With a heavy heart, Madam Saman arrived at Jing Sui’s palace and finally saw the boy who had endured so much pain.
Ji Ling was surprised to see Madam Saman but quickly realized that Jing Sui had likely asked her to comfort him. Though he felt slightly resistant, Madam Saman had always shown him care and concern, both in this life and in the previous one. This made him feel somewhat embarrassed and uneasy. Not wanting to overdo his act, he looked down and softly said, “Aunt Saman.”
Madam Saman looked at Ji Ling’s pale face. His blue eyes were dull, and his collarbone and neck appeared so frail he looked like he was all bones, utterly lifeless.
Despite all he’d been through, he still sweetly addressed her as Aunt Saman, which made her heart clench painfully as if it might shatter.
She couldn’t fathom how anyone could bring themselves to harm such an innocent and kind-hearted child! That would take a truly heartless beast!
Fighting back her anger, Madam Saman gently took Ji Ling’s cold hand, trying to warm it with her own.
Ji Ling felt a bit uncomfortable, but he couldn’t treat Madam Saman as he did Jing Sui. After a moment of hesitation, he kept his head down, saying nothing.
Madam Saman took a deep breath. She wouldn’t bring up anything that might upset him, pretending nothing had happened. “It’s been so long since I last saw you, and I missed you terribly. You’ve been back for so long, yet you forgot to come see me. I’m very hurt, you know.”
Ji Ling thought about it, realizing she was right, and felt a bit guilty. “I’m sorry, I…”
Madam Saman patted his head with a smile. “Forget it. I won’t hold it against you, you little ingrate. But since you’re back, have a meal with me today, and I’ll forgive you. How about that?”
A glimmer of light appeared in Ji Ling’s downcast eyes. So, she came here to get him to eat? That was such perfect timing!
Thinking this, he showed a pale smile, nodding faintly.
Madam Saman, secretly anxious, feared he might resist and was relieved to see him accept. She immediately ordered servants to bring food, setting out a spread of all his favorite dishes.
She pretended not to notice his condition, placing a piece of fish in his bowl. “This was always your favorite—eat up!”
Soon, his bowl was piled with food.
Ji Ling glanced at Madam Saman’s hopeful gaze. Smelling the delicious aroma, he almost lost control and began devouring the food. But he knew he couldn’t do that! Fighting hard to restrain himself, he slowly took a small bite.
He ate with great restraint, each bite painstakingly slow.
Madam Saman, pretending not to notice, kept sneaking glances at him, adding more to his bowl whenever he took another bite.
What a poor child, forcing himself to eat despite his lack of appetite just to spare her worry! She almost couldn’t hold back tears.
After much effort on both sides, each with their own motives, the meal finally came to a close.
Ji Ling managed to eat a few more bites than usual, and although he wasn’t full, it was still quite an accomplishment. He’d been on the brink of fainting from hunger!
Madam Saman was fairly satisfied—considering Ji Ling had hardly eaten in recent days, even eating a little more today was a big step forward.
Ji Ling set down his chopsticks, his head lowered as his mind raced with thoughts.
Though he could finally eat a bit more today, this situation couldn’t continue. Staying in the palace meant constantly putting on an act, and in recent days, he hadn’t been able to see anyone. Now that Madam Saman had appeared, if he could convince her to help him leave the palace, he could finally escape this situation.
Thinking of this, he bit his lip and looked up, calling softly, “Aunt Saman…”
Madam Saman, hearing Ji Ling call her, immediately replied, “What is it?”
Ji Ling looked at her timidly, hesitating before he finally gathered his resolve and softly pleaded, “I… I want to leave the palace…”
Madam Saman grew immediately concerned. Leaving the palace was too dangerous for Ji Ling. Outside, Carlos was still watching closely, along with the threat of the treacherous rebels. Only the palace could protect Ji Ling from Carlos and keep him safe. Besides, given Ji Ling’s condition, who would feel secure letting him go? She quickly asked, “Why?”
Ji Ling’s eyes misted slightly, his pale face filled with sorrow. He lowered his head again and whispered, “I’m not worthy of His Majesty… I don’t want to stay here anymore.”
Madam Saman’s heart broke once more!
Oh, her poor child—what must he have gone through? Once so confident and spirited, he was now saying such dispirited, self-doubting words! Was this the same lively, bright young man she had known?
Her eyes reddened, and she said emotionally, “If you’re not worthy of him, who could be?”
Ji Ling:?
I’m like this, and you’re still not giving up on setting us up?
Madam Saman gazed tenderly at Ji Ling and spoke firmly, “It’s all because of those vile scoundrels. They will pay for this! You are the best child in the world, and you don’t need to blame yourself for others’ mistakes, understand?”
Ji Ling: …
Even more despair.
Could she be any more biased?
Seeing the despair on Ji Ling’s face, which hadn’t been comforted in the slightest, Madam Saman’s heart grew heavier. She lifted a hand to her eye, trying not to cry, and said, “Rest well. I’ll come to see you again tomorrow.”
She really couldn’t stay any longer.
Madam Saman turned and left the palace, taking out her handkerchief outside to wipe her tears. She’d held them back inside, not wanting her sadness to affect Ji Ling and make him feel worse.
After crying for a bit and steadying her emotions, she looked up to see her son quietly standing by, as silent as a statue.
Madam Saman, eyes red, said, “He ate a little more today. I’ll come back tomorrow to have a meal with him again.”
Jing Sui nodded and replied hoarsely, “Thank you.”
Madam Saman wrung her handkerchief, angrily saying, “Those damned rebels! They ought to be shown who’s in charge, or they’ll think we’re powerless!”
Jing Sui nodded again, “Yes.”
Lady Shaman paused, seeing the dark intensity in her son’s golden eyes, and sighed. She knew Jing Sui was even more upset than she was; she had become certain during this time that her son deeply cared for Ji Ling.
After some thought, she reassured him, “Take your time; there will be a way.”
At this, Jing Sui forced a faint, bitter smile. “Yes.”
………………
Since that day, Madam Saman has come every day to dine with Ji Ling.
Though Ji Ling wanted to leave the palace, since he couldn’t for now, he at least had a chance to eat properly. With this as an excuse, he didn’t have to go hungry every day, and he found some comfort in that.
As a result, Ji Ling cooperated fully, obediently eating everything that Madam Saman served him each time.
Madam Saman noticed him eating only because he didn’t want to trouble her, which made her heart ache even more. The once cheerful boy was now quieter than ever, like a ghost, causing her deep sorrow.
Although he was finally eating something, this still wasn’t a long-term solution. She had to find a way to help him come out of this darkness.
After dinner, Madam Saman sighed heavily and left the palace.
Jing Sui, though he never appeared, always waited outside to hear about Ji Ling’s condition from her.
Madam Saman sighed again, her brow furrowed with worry. “He’s been hurt so deeply that he’s shut himself inside his own little world, fearing everyone and keeping them at a distance. I really don’t know what else to do…”
This time, Jing Sui was silent for a long while. Finally, he looked up, his gaze resolute and cold as he hoarsely replied, “I understand.”
By now, he knew that doing nothing would achieve nothing.
Those painful memories had taken root too deeply. If they weren’t forcibly broken, Ji Ling would never escape them.
He would forever remain trapped.
………………
Several days later, Ji Ling was close to becoming a couch potato.
Apart from eating, sleeping, and acting miserable, he had nothing else to do.
But surprisingly, tonight, Madam Saman didn’t come to join him for dinner.
Ji Ling stared at the table full of delicious dishes and felt anxious again. Without anyone gently urging him to eat or serving him, should he eat, or should he not?
What a difficult choice!
Ji Ling sat there blankly for a while, finally lifting his bowl to take a dignified sip of soup, his eyes darting as he thought.
After so many days, Jing Sui still hadn’t appeared. Today he’d only eaten a few extra bites—surely that wouldn’t raise suspicion, right?
Thinking this, Ji Ling took a quick sip of soup, but to avoid suspicion, he only ate half a bowl before putting it down and returning to his bedroom to shut himself away.
It was so boring—too boring!
He collapsed onto the bed, exhausted from having to act like he had no appetite every day. With no chance to go out and play, he was either sleeping or sleeping, and he was starting to feel like he’d slept himself senseless!
But tonight, it seemed unusually warm. His sleep was uncomfortable, so he kicked off the blanket and tugged at his collar, but still felt unbearably hot, unable to fall asleep.
Strange. The Star Empire’s technology was very advanced, and the entire palace was controlled by an intelligent, temperature-regulated system that kept it comfortably spring-like year-round. He’d never felt this uncomfortable before. Right now, he felt like he was back on Earth in the middle of a stifling summer with a broken air conditioner—so hot he nearly considered getting up for a cold shower to cool down.
Could it be that the palace’s temperature control system had broken?
That would be incredibly unlucky.
Frustrated and irritated, Ji Ling was debating whether to go out for some fresh air when suddenly the door opened. The tall man with black hair and golden eyes appeared once again at the doorway.
He walked toward him, step by step.
Ji Ling froze. Why had Jing Sui suddenly come here? Had he come specifically to tell him the temperature control system was broken?
While Ji Ling was still dazed, the man leaned down, gazing deeply into his eyes. In the dim light, those golden eyes shone with a deep, unwavering warmth yet held an intense, piercing resolve.
Ji Ling instantly felt something was wrong. His expression changed, and his acting instincts kicked in as he tried to back away in fear, but this time, the man didn’t let him escape. Jing Sui seized his wrists and pinned them above his head, leaning down close enough for his hot breath to fall by Ji Ling’s ear.
W-What are you doing? I’m already this miserable, and you still find this appealing?
Ji Ling was completely dumbfounded, teary-eyed as he whimpered, “D-Don’t come any closer…”
The man’s grip was strong, holding him firmly in place, unmoved by his plea. A soft, cool kiss fell on Ji Ling’s neck.
The kiss was cool, like a mountain spring, bringing a wave of heat that faded into a comforting coolness.
Unexpectedly, infuriatingly… pleasant.
Ji Ling couldn’t help but pause, staring blankly at Jing Sui, his eyes filled with confusion.
Jing Sui’s eyes were filled with unprecedented gentleness and determination. His lips parted, his typically cold voice softened by the night, sounding distant and hazy. “I’ll make you feel very good…”
Ji Ling felt his mind go blank.
The man bent down, gently touching the corner of his lips, both forceful and tender. “Forget everything else; just remember me.”
Ji Ling finally snapped back to reality, realizing exactly what Jing Sui was planning, and he was utterly stunned.
With a genuine cry, he burst into tears!
He’d truly dug his own grave! Who could’ve guessed Jing Sui would come up with such a plan—to help him ‘erase painful memories’ in this way?
He’d overdone his act; he’d really messed up!
Would it still be possible to tell him he was fine now?
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