Because Si Di was being stubborn, Hedgehog went out overnight to get a thicker collar and leash, something even a Tibetan Mastiff couldn’t break.
If it weren’t for Xiao Zhenyun thinking it was too heavy, he would’ve gotten a wrist-thick iron chain to tie up this troublesome wolf.
The gathering was in a neighboring province, at a luxurious European-style palace estate. By the time the sun was setting, the circular plaza in front of the mansion was buzzing with activity. Luxury cars drove up the white stone road, and by nightfall, the fountains, lit with blue lights, reached their peak, marking the official start of this exclusive yet grand party under the vast starry sky.
Hedgehog wore a white V-neck sweater, his coat wide open, showing off a bit of his collarbone and part of his chest. A golden bell hung from a bow tie collar around his neck, tinkling crisply, matching the sound of his high-heeled shoes clicking on the tiles. His low-rise pants were so low that bending over revealed a bit of his back, and he even had a floral tattoo on his tailbone that read ‘Fxck me.’ He called this outfit ‘The Gift.’
To put it plainly, he looked quite provocative.
Like a flamboyant butterfly, he clung affectionately to Xiao Zhenyun’s arm, constantly striking poses since getting out of the car. A small, contrasting-colored leather bag hung from his elbow, containing disguised drugs and lipstick pistols.
Si Di’s attire was the complete opposite of his, meticulous in every detail with a coat, suit, and tie, every inch of skin was tightly wrapped in clothing except his face, which was partially disguised. His high collar hid the collar around his neck, a dark green shirt under a low-neck cashmere sweater, and a charcoal gray overcoat that reached his knees, paired with a dark scarf.
Silent, cold, and ascetic, he was like a nocturnal animal moving in the shadows, keeping half a step behind Xiao Zhenyun.
As for Xiao Zhenyun, he wore a half-mask and an ordinary face, dressed in a very warm casual outfit. His fleece-lined cargo pants were tucked into his boots, hiding the metal prosthetic that aided his walking.
In his view, Hedgehog’s attire and behavior were already quite exaggerated, but when the three of them got out of the car, handed the invitation to the gatekeeper for security check, he realized it was nothing compared to what others were wearing.
A man directly crawled out of the car on his knees, while a stylishly dressed woman stepped on his back to get off the car, her fingertips painted with bright red nail polish gently spinning, as she casually handed over the invitation behind Xiao Zhenyun’s back.
Noticing Xiao Zhenyun’s gaze, the woman curved her lips into a smile and nodded in greeting. The man kneeling by her feet rubbed his face against her legs while waiting. She immediately hooked his chin with her hand and tugged him up by the leash, “What’s wrong, baby?”
The man didn’t speak, only whimpering softly and nuzzling her palm. The woman let him nuzzle her hand, smiling gently, “Acting up again, bad doggy, behave.”
“Woof woof,” the man barked excitedly, licking the back of her hand, and then knelt quietly without further movement.
“The invitation is fine, please go in,” the guard respectfully returned the document. Xiao Zhenyun withdrew his gaze at the right moment, silently leading Si Di and Hedgehog forward.
“Did I lose?” Hedgehog gritted his teeth.
“Stop acting up, save some energy for the party inside,” Xiao Zhenyun muttered. Then he turned to look at Si Di, who quickly stepped forward, bending an ear to Xiao Zhenyun’s lips. Si Di thought Xiao Zhenyun had an important instruction, but instead, the guide whispered with a hint of amusement, “That guy’s moans don’t sound as good as yours did back then.”
Si Di: “……”
Xiao Zhenyun started coughing softly after speaking, while Si Di kept a straight face and didn’t move. Instead, Hedgehog exaggeratedly patted Xiao Zhenyun’s back, “Master, master, are you okay?”
“You’re about to slap his lung nodules out.”
“…You don’t deserve any sympathy.”
Ahead of them, two masked people seemed to know each other well, standing by the roadside, and talking eagerly. Behind each of them stood a man and a woman. In the midst of their talk, the masked individuals suddenly turned to untie their submissives’ shirts. As Xiao Zhenyun walked by, he could see the red marks where the shirt had dug into the skin. The masked masters were apparently arguing about whose technique was superior, and the displayed submissives proudly held their heads high, showing off their masters’ handiwork to the passing crowd.
Inside the mansion, on the smooth wooden floors and plush carpets, there were many people kneeling and crawling like pets. Groups of masters gathered in small clusters, chatting, while some submissives quietly talked in corners.
At the party, there were no waiters; drinks and snacks were self-served. Several masters, unconcerned about revealing their identities, had already removed their masks, but all the submissives still wore their wristbands.
Unable to find hot water, Xiao Zhenyun poured himself a glass of warm red wine to soothe his throat. After a few sips, he began munching on the apple slices in it.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a crowd gathered around one spot. Curious, he approached and found a sentinel kneeling in the center, with gray-brown rounded ears and a long, fluffy raccoon tail curled by his legs. He wore a sensory inhibitor and submissively endured the countless gazes directed at him. Gradually, he lowered his head shyly but then straightened up on his master’s command, showcasing his muscular physique.
A special individual indeed…
From what Xiao Zhenyun observed, this sentinel was the only one of his kind at the party, making him the focal point of attention.
“Can I pet him?” a young man in a mask asked.
The sentinel’s master, a mature and gentlemanly middle-aged man, looked down to seek the sentinel’s consent. Only after the sentinel nodded bashfully did he agree to the young man’s request.
The young man merely petted the sentinel’s ears and tail.
“A special individual submissive,” he remarked, rubbing his fingers together thoughtfully. “A rare find, indeed. I’d love to have one too.”
His comment drew several nods of agreement, with many expressing a keen interest in the special individuals. One master even joked that if a special individual master asked him to be a submissive, he’d happily kneel.
Having seen enough of the spectacle, Xiao Zhenyun turned and found a comfortable spot to sit and eat. He had just picked up his fork when another masked man plopped down beside him.
“Hello, a new face. Not from around here?” The man, appearing very sociable and elegant, greeted Xiao Zhenyun. “I’m known as Da Feng in the circle. You seem pretty young, much younger than me, I’d say.”
“Hmm, from the neighboring province,” Xiao Zhenyun replied unhurriedly, setting down his fork and plate, accepting the ‘young-looking’ comment with a calm demeanor. He then warmly addressed him, “Brother Feng.”
Afterwards, he coughed lightly, “Sorry, bit of a cold.”
Hedgehog was sitting between the two. When the man sat down, his leg brushed against Hedgehog’s. Hedgehog immediately felt uncomfortable and leaned closer to Xiao Zhenyun’s shoulder. Eventually, he got up, pushed Si Di aside, and sat on the other side, clinging to Xiao Zhenyun’s shoulder, lost in thought.
Si Di didn’t hold back either; after standing up, he secretly punched Hedgehog, nearly knocking him to the ground.
The jealousy and competition dynamic was now firmly established. Hedgehog quickly complained, “Master, did you see what he did~”
Xiao Zhenyun glanced at Hedgehog with narrowed eyes. Hedgehog, true to his word, squinted his eyes into a thin line, making it almost impossible for Xiao Zhenyun to see properly.
He didn’t respond to Hedgehog’s complaint, just looked up coldly at Si Di and said, “Open your collar.”
Si Di pressed his lips together, hesitating for a moment before loosening his tie and unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing a thick collar without studs. It was black, matching Si Di’s silver hair and green eyes, giving him a wild and eye-catching look.
Xiao Zhenyun pulled a leash from his pocket and gestured for Si Di to fasten it. After hearing the click of the lock, he yanked the leash hard, forcing Si Di to bend down. Then he brought the end of the leash to Si Di’s lips and said softly, “Hold it in your mouth.”
Si Di’s breathing became heavier. As someone used to being in a position of power, he seemed humiliated by the command but couldn’t refuse. After a long moment, he grudgingly opened his mouth and bit the end of the leash.
Da Feng watched the interaction between Xiao Zhenyun and Si Di intently, not missing a single detail. When Xiao Zhenyun turned his gaze back to him, Da Feng’s attention followed.
“Just got him; he’s not trained yet,” Xiao Zhenyun said casually.
Da Feng smiled but remained silent. Hedgehog, on the other hand, clung to Xiao Zhenyun’s shoulder, protesting, “Master shouldn’t have brought him out. He’s so shameless, acting all pleased but refusing to admit it. It’s disgusting.”
“Your manners are impeccable?” Xiao Zhenyun smiled, pinching Hedgehog’s cheek. Hedgehog immediately assumed a spoiled and proud look, “Of course, Master. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do.”
“Interrupting Master’s conversation is bad manners,” Xiao Zhenyun said sternly, withdrawing his hand from Hedgehog’s embrace. Hedgehog’s eyes widened in frustration, and he sulkily moved to the side, distancing himself even more from Si Di.
Da Feng laughed heartily, “No worries, your cat submissive is interesting. Most in the circle are dog submissives because they’re easier to train and obedient. Cats are harder to manage, more unruly but less dull. Yours is proud and spicy, quite unique.”
“……” This was so straightforward that if Xiao Zhenyun didn’t catch the subtext, there would be something seriously wrong. It seemed this Da Feng was specifically coming over to strike up a conversation because he had an eye on Hedgehog?
Wasn’t Si Di supposed to attract attention while Xiao Zhenyun played along and Hedgehog quietly ‘faded into the background’? How did Hedgehog end up being the first one noticed?
“Overpraise,” Xiao Zhenyun could only respond nonchalantly, hiding any trace of emotion.
Hedgehog, fitting his cat persona perfectly, snorted and shot Da Feng a glance, smiling, “You’ve got good taste… but no matter how much you praise me, my heart belongs to my master.”
Da Feng continued to chat idly with Xiao Zhenyun, but before long, a middle-aged man who had been observing for some time strode over and handed Xiao Zhenyun a business card. He bluntly asked, “Is your submissive available for transfer?”
And he was asking about Hedgehog.
Xiao Zhenyun glanced at the business card. He didn’t recognize the name, Cody, nor could he understand the foreign job title and workplace. It seemed to translate roughly to a private studio, vague and unclear about its exact business. However, Xiao Zhenyun quickly deduced from Da Feng’s suddenly altered expression that this middle-aged man likely held some status in the circle, someone whose name carried weight.
Transfer? Of course, he’d transfer, and he’d throw in a viper for free if it meant getting rid of Hedgehog.
“There aren’t many cat submissives in the circle,” Cody loosened his wrist, “If you’re interested, we can make a trade.”
He gestured behind him, and a beautiful long-haired woman walked over, graceful and alluring, like a refined and lazy Ragdoll cat. “Her name is Dai. She’s been my submissive for five years. If you like cat types, you’ll definitely like her.”
Dai was indeed a beauty hard to refuse, and a few onlookers who had been watching the scene cheered, “Mr. Cody is being so generous, even willing to trade Dai?”
But Xiao Zhenyun quickly found an excuse, “Sorry, I don’t like female submissives.”
Cody looked visibly disappointed. Xiao Zhenyun thought he might push further, but Cody simply took Dai’s arm and left, though not before giving Hedgehog a meaningful glance.
It was clear to Xiao Zhenyun that Cody had hoped to tempt Hedgehog directly, expecting that his offer would sway him. Cody’s plan was to bypass Xiao Zhenyun and lure Hedgehog to switch sides secretly. Unfortunately for Cody, this plan was destined to fail. If he were the target of Hedgehog’s mission tonight, Hedgehog would have already drawn his gun.
After Xiao Zhenyun’s straightforward rejection, Da Feng also decided not to waste any more time. He exchanged a few polite words and then left.
“Tsk, people just can’t resist my charm,” Hedgehog bragged, flicking his snake tail with pride. “I’m popular wherever I go.”
Si Di, playing along, waited until Xiao Zhenyun took the leash before speaking. “Clearly, you didn’t research the preferences in this circle. They prefer obedient and proactive ones, not hard-to-handle types.”
“That makes sense,” Xiao Zhenyun said. “Who wouldn’t prefer a little green tea schemer who tries everything to win your favor over a cold, haughty one?”
“…” Si Di placed a hand on Xiao Zhenyun’s shoulder. “Then let’s switch personas, immediately. Who says I can’t play a schemer?”
Hedgehog clung to Xiao Zhenyun’s arm smugly. “No switching. Master is mine.”
Just then, Si Di felt someone deliberately bump into him from behind. He quickly sidestepped, avoiding the dirty hand trying to grope him. It took all his self-control not to break that hand right then and there.
Hedgehog and Xiao Zhenyun’s faces darkened instantly, though the hand’s owner remained oblivious to the shift in mood, laughing as he hugged his submissive. “Quick reflexes, kid. New here, huh? Your dog’s not well-trained, baring his teeth like that. Be careful he doesn’t bite you.”
“No need for your concern,” Xiao Zhenyun replied coldly.
“How about this,” the man continued, eyeing Si Di’s body intently, “Give him to me for a month. I guarantee he’ll come back well-trained, obedient as can be.”
“No need, I prefer training him myself.” Xiao Zhenyun tugged on the leash, pulling Si Di to his side. Si Di, understanding the cue, knelt down beside Xiao Zhenyun’s leg, placing his hand on his knee in a show of loyalty.
“Tsk,” the sleazy man was about to say more when Si Di suddenly stood up, his cold, fierce eyes locking onto the man like an eagle ready to strike. “Please leave,” he demanded.
The man felt the danger but his pride as a master wouldn’t let him back down easily. His submissive, however, gave him an out, repeatedly urging him to leave. With a sneer and an angry huff, the man finally walked away.
Hedgehog sheathed the blade he had hidden in his palm and sighed, “Not bad. At least someone’s interested in you, though their quality isn’t up to par. Unlike the ones interested in me—wealthy, polite, and clearly skilled.”
“Do you have to boast even now?” Si Di knelt back down on the plush carpet by Xiao Zhenyun’s leg.
Both Hedgehog and Xiao Zhenyun noticed this move. Xiao Zhenyun chuckled, leaning down to whisper, “Enjoying kneeling?”
Si Di didn’t reply verbally, instead, he gestured towards a young submissive not far away. The young man seemed tired, kneeling by his master’s leg with his head resting on the master’s knee, peacefully asleep. The master was gently stroking the young man’s hair and had even draped his coat over him.
“You want that?” Xiao Zhenyun asked. Si Di nodded immediately.
Hedgehog, ever the instigator, excitedly suggested, “If you’re already in that position, sleeping is boring. Why not cover your head with a coat and give your master a little fun instead? Much more thrilling!”
Xiao Zhenyun and Si Di: “…”