After Transmigrating, I Saved the Saintly Male Lead
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Just after driving Ouyang Yechen away.
There was another knock at the door.
Knock knock knock.
Ji Anche ordered "Xiao Zhou, go open the door. If it’s that lunatic from earlier, just chase him away."
"Okay." Gu Hanzhou walked over and opened the door.
Ji Anche lay on the bed and lazily asked, "Who is it?"
"Che Ge, it’s me, Duan Qiran."
Gu Hanzhou’s voice was icy. "Why are you here again?"
Duan Qiran’s smile was bright and sunny. "I forgot to give these gifts to Che Ge earlier."
Gu Hanzhou’s expression remained blank. "Oh."
Seeing Duan Qiran, Ji Anche’s eyes curved into crescents. "Xiao Ran, you’re here."
Duan Qiran placed the gifts on the wooden table. "Che Ge, these are gifts I brought on behalf of others."
The gifts were clumsily made blessing bracelets, looking childish yet endearing.
Ji Anche asked in confusion, "On behalf of others?"
"Yes." Duan Qiran continued, "I brought them for the kids at the orphanage."
Ji Anche didn’t recall when he had met children from an orphanage.
Noticing Ji Anche’s puzzled expression, Duan Qiran explained, "I’m close with the kids at the orphanage. I told them about how Che Ge bravely helped out at the KTV. After hearing about it, they made these little gifts and wrote thank-you letters."
Ji Anche was stunned.
"It was just a small favor, you didn’t have to take it so seriously. These gifts are too precious."
"It’s just the kids’ way of showing their gratitude. They’re not worth much. Che Ge, please accept them."
Duan Qiran took out a colorful group photo from his backpack, his face glowing with warmth.
"This is a photo of me with the kids from Sunflower Orphanage. They’re all so adorable. I usually volunteer there, and every week I cook for them. That’s how I improved my cooking skills."
Looking at the children’s innocent, cheerful smiles in the photo, Ji Anche felt a wave of warmth in his heart.
The last time he ran into Duan Qiran, the boy was working as a waiter at a KTV. Even though his own life was difficult and financially strained, he still made an effort to help others.
It was truly admirable.
"Che Ge, this is the thank-you letter the kids wrote for you." Duan Qiran handed the letter to Ji Anche.
Ji Anche unfolded it.
The letter was decorated with colorful crayon doodles, featuring a little figure with eight-pack abs defeating a villain. The handwriting was crooked and childlike, full of charm.
[Thank you, Gege, for helping Duan Gege chase away the bad guy! Gege is so amazing! Gege must be a superhero who saves the world. When I grow up, I want to be as awesome as Gege…]
Reading these praises, Ji Anche’s face flushed.
Deeply moved, he asked, "Is there a way to donate to the orphanage?"
Duan Qiran gently suggested "Che Ge, you could visit the orphanage first before deciding on a donation. Here’s the director’s contact information. She handles all donation matters."
Ji Anche asked, "Could you take me with you next time you go?"
"Of course."
Duan Qiran’s lips curled into a dimpled smile, bright and clear. "Then next time I go, I’ll message Che Ge in advance so we can go together."
Suddenly, Ji Anche grabbed Duan Qiran’s wrist.
Duan Qiran froze, his cheeks turning slightly red as he stammered, "Che Ge, what’s wrong?"
Ji Anche couldn’t help but sigh. "You’re such a good person."
Caught off guard by the 'good person' label, Duan Qiran stifled a laugh. "Why do you say that so suddenly?"
"Just a heartfelt thought."
Ji Anche patted Duan Qiran’s shoulder affectionately, then pulled him into a half-hug.
"If you ever run into trouble, you can come to me anytime."
Fingers curling slightly under his sleeve, Duan Qiran’s ears turned pink as he nodded.
"Okay."
While Ji Anche wasn’t looking, Duan Qiran stole a cautious glance at the boy on the hospital bed.
That day at the KTV, a disgusting middle-aged man had harassed him relentlessly, even threatening to ruin his job. The harassment had gone on for an entire week.
At his breaking point, he had even considered taking that man down with him.
But his father still needed expensive medical treatment. He couldn’t afford to go to jail.
If he were imprisoned, what would happen to his father?
Drowning in despair, Duan Qiran had prayed for someone—anyone—to save him.
Perhaps heaven had heard his plea, because someone did come to his rescue.
A person so kind it made his chest ache.
Duan Qiran buried his secret affection deep in his heart. Just as he was about to look away—
He suddenly sensed a chilling gaze.
Turning his head, he met the eyes of Gu Hanzhou, who stood beside the hospital bed.
Gu Hanzhou’s dark eyes bore into him, as if seeing right through him.
A cold sweat broke out on Duan Qiran’s back.
He scrambled to his feet, stammering, "Che Ge, I—I have something urgent to do. I should go."
Ji Anche waved. "Alright, take care on your way."
After Duan Qiran left, Ji Anche noticed that the male lead seemed unusually sullen.
"Gu Xiao Zhou, what’s wrong?"
Without a word, Gu Hanzhou walked over and hugged him.
"Hey, don’t lean on me like that."
Ji Anche pressed a hand against Gu Hanzhou’s shoulder, trying to push him back, but Gu Hanzhou’s larger frame pinned him firmly to the bed.
"?"
"Gu Xiao Zhou, are you rebelling?"
Ji Anche urged, "You’re heavy, get off me."
"Ge."
Gu Hanzhou tightened his arms around the boy.
His voice was muffled, like he was sulking.
"Did someone upset our Gu Xiao Zhou?" Ji Anche lay on the bed, amber eyes soft with amusement.
Gu Hanzhou buried his face in Ji Anche’s neck and let out a quiet.
"Mm."
"Who’s got the nerve?"
Ji Anche patted the male lead’s back, teasing, "Tell me, and I’ll beat them up for you."
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Xia Bingzhen walked in, dressed in a delicate pastel pink JK skirt, looking pretty and polished.
When she saw the two tangled together on the hospital bed, her expression froze—then lit up with excitement.
"What are you two doing?"
"In broad daylight, isn’t this a bit inappropriate?"
Ji Anche kicked Gu Hanzhou off him.
Clearing his throat, he replied calmly, "It’s nothing."
"Just messing around. What brings you here, Xia?"
"I heard you injured your knee. I was worried, so I came to check on you after class."
"Thanks for your concern. I’m fine now."
Ji Anche thought back to the doctor’s estimate. "I’ll be discharged in a few days."
"That’s good." Xia Bingzhen pulled two movie tickets from her purse. "I managed to snag two tickets for Dawn of War next week."
"Wow, you actually got them?" Ji Anche sighed. "I tried too, but they were impossible to grab."
Xia Bingzhen’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Are you free next week? We could go together."
"I am." Ji Anche smiled. "I’ll be out of the hospital by then."
"Perfect!"
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Xia Bingzhen turned to Gu Hanzhou. "I’ll be going with Ji Xuezhang. Surely Gu Xuezhang, being so magnanimous, won’t mind?"
"I wanted to invite you too, but unfortunately, there were only two tickets left. The movie’s really popular right now—I barely got these two after fighting for them."
"Gu Xuezhang, I’m really sorry about that."
Xia Bingzhen glanced tentatively at Gu Hanzhou, lowering her eyes with a fragile, pitiful expression. "Gu Xuezhang, you really don’t mind?"
Gu Hanzhou’s lips curved into a gentle smile. "Of course not."
"Whether you two go to the movies is your own business. What does it have to do with me?"
"I certainly don’t mind."
Xia Bingzhen’s lips twitched upward. "I’m glad Gu Xuezhang doesn’t mind."
It was already late. After staying for about ten more minutes, Xia Bingzhen went home.
Once she left, Ji Anche went to the next room to change into clean clothes.
He had originally planned to take a shower, but then remembered his injured knee—how was he supposed to wash up?
Ever since he could remember, he had always bathed alone. No one had ever helped him.
But he and Gu Hanzhou were both guys—it wasn’t like there was anything to be shy about. If it came down to it, he could just ask Gu Hanzhou for help.
Stepping back into the room, Ji Anche was about to put away the movie ticket for safekeeping when he realized it had mysteriously vanished from the desk.
"Hey, Xiao Zhou, did you see the movie ticket that was here?"
Gu Hanzhou asked, "What movie ticket?"
Ji Anche explained, "The one Xia Xue Mei gave me."
Gu Hanzhou paused what he was doing, his expression unchanged as he replied softly, "I didn’t see it."
"That’s weird. I could’ve sworn it was right here."
Ji Anche scratched his head in confusion. "Did I misremember?"
"Ge, think carefully. Are you sure you left it here?"
Ji Anche searched around the desk, even checking under the bed, but still couldn’t find the ticket.
Exhausted, he collapsed onto the bed with a sigh. "Ah, whatever. If it’s gone, it’s gone."
"It’s just a shame I can’t go with Xue Mei now."
Gu Hanzhou’s fingers stiffened slightly. His voice was strained as he asked, "You wanted to go with Xia Bingzhen?"
"Yeah, I really wanted to see that movie." Ji Anche frowned, sinking into gloom. "I was looking forward to it so much. I wonder if I can still get tickets."
Gu Hanzhou chuckled lightly. "Ge, let me check. I might be able to find some."
Ji Anche’s eyes lit up with hope. "Okay, hurry and look!"
Gu Hanzhou ran a pre-set script on his computer, quickly scanning for remaining tickets across all platforms.
"Ge, I got them."
Gu Hanzhou smiled, eyes crinkling. "We can go together another day."
Ji Anche cheered, "Xiao Zhou, you’re amazing!"
Gu Hanzhou shut down the computer. "Ge, I’ll step out for a moment. I’ll be right back."
Once outside the hospital, in an empty area, Gu Hanzhou took out a movie ticket—the very one Xia Bingzhen had given.
His pupils darkened with cold intensity as he flicked open a lighter.
The flame slowly consumed the ticket, turning it to ash.
The flickering crimson light reflected in his pitch-black eyes, filling them with icy ruthlessness.
He turned and walked away, his shoe crushing the charred remnants beneath his sole.
After washing up that night, Ji Anche prepared to sleep.
"Ge, can I hold you while we sleep?" Gu Hanzhou stood by the bed, his voice quiet.
Ji Anche blinked up at him. "Wh…why?"
Gu Hanzhou said, "I don’t like leaving you alone in the hospital. I want to stay with you."
Ji Anche swallowed. "What does that have to do with hugging me while we sleep?"
Gu Hanzhou: "There’s only one bed."
"Ge, or I could sleep on the floor."
"The temperature at night is around five degrees. Sleeping on the floor would probably make me catch a cold. But it’s fine. I’m healthy—it wouldn’t be a big deal."
"Even if I get sick, it’s okay."
"Even a fever wouldn’t matter."
Gu Hanzhou forced a weak smile. "I’ll manage."
Hearing Gu Hanzhou’s increasingly dire predictions, Ji Anche quickly interjected, "No no no, just sleep on the bed."
"But it’s a small bed. Two people won’t fit."
The hospital bed was designed for one person. It was spacious enough for a single sleeper, but squeezing in two guys over 180 cm tall would be a tight fit.
"It seems there’s no better solution."
Gu Hanzhou’s ears tinged faintly pink.
He lowered his head and murmured, "Then I’ll have to hold Ge while we sleep."
Seeing the male lead blush, Ji Anche couldn’t resist teasing, "Tonight, you shall rest upon your father’s broad chest."
"Let the warmth of paternal love embrace you."
Gu Hanzhou’s expression froze.
Ji Anche washed up briefly before flopping onto the bed.
Gu Hanzhou followed closely, lying down beside him.
In the darkness, those unspeakable desires seemed to find an outlet.
Gu Hanzhou’s eyes were shadowed, turbulent emotions churning in his chest.
"Ge, there are so many annoying flies around you."
Ji Anche was baffled. "What flies?"
He glanced around but saw none.
His gaze happened to land on Gu Hanzhou’s sleeve, where a faint red stain seeped through the white fabric.
Ji Anche frowned, propping himself up on his elbows. "What’s wrong with your clothes?"
Gu Hanzhou looked down at the crimson mark on his right arm. "Ge, maybe the wound reopened. I’m not sure."
Ji Anche’s eyes widened. "How can you not know if your wound split open?"
"Can’t you feel the pain?"
Gu Hanzhou’s expression was docile. "I’m used to it. It’s been hurting for days."
"Why didn’t you say something earlier?"
Ji Anche was exasperated. He wanted to scold Gu Hanzhou, but the sight of his obedient face made it impossible to stay angry.
For the past few days, Ji Anche had been changing Gu Hanzhou’s bandages. But with everything going on, and since the wound was nearly healed, he’d told Gu Hanzhou to handle it himself. He never expected it would worsen at the last moment.
Ji Anche peeled back the gauze. The half-healed cut had split open again, fresh blood staining the surrounding skin. Just looking at it made Ji Anche wince in sympathy.
Yet the male lead showed no reaction at all.
Ji Anche snapped, "You’re usually so talkative. Why stay silent now? Were you planning to wait until it got infected?"
Gu Hanzhou bowed his head meekly. "Sorry."
"I didn’t want to trouble Ge. I thought it would heal on its own."
Ji Anche’s face turned cold. He tossed clean gauze and ointment onto the bed. "Since you want to tough it out, bandage it yourself. I can’t be bothered."
He made as if to walk away.
Gu Hanzhou lunged forward, wrapping his arms tightly around Ji Anche. The sudden movement tore his wound further.
Blood dripped from his pale arm, splattering onto the floor like grotesque petals.
"Ge, I was wrong."
Gu Hanzhou buried his face in Ji Anche’s neck, nuzzling gently like an overgrown, well-behaved dog. His voice was soft with pleading. "I was wrong. Don’t be mad."
Ji Anche looked down and saw fresh blood still oozing from the embrace.
He urgently warned, "Your wound is bleeding! Let go!"
"I’ll listen to you from now on."
Gu Hanzhou’s voice trembled. "Ge, don’t leave."
Ji Anche didn’t dare struggle too hard, afraid of worsening the injury.
A vein throbbed at his temple. Through gritted teeth, he repeated, "Gu Hanzhou, are you listening?! Your wound is open! Let me go so I can bandage it!"
Gu Hanzhou’s eyes were dark and stubborn. "Ge, promise you won’t leave first."
Since when was the male lead this obstinate?
Ji Anche sighed in defeat. "Fine, I promise. I won’t leave."
Gu Hanzhou softened, his gaze brimming with devotion. "I’ll be good."
Ji Anche ruffled his hair. He grabbed tissues to wipe away the blood.
"Good. Now let Ge treat your wound."
"If it hurts, say something."
Ji Anche unscrewed the ointment cap and gently applied the medicine.
The salve covered the nearly scabbed flesh, the torn skin revealing how gruesome the wound had originally been.
Ji Anche's hands trembled slightly as he spread the ointment.
Just what kind of resolute determination had the male lead possessed to take that blow for him?
He had promised to protect Gu Hanzhou, yet in the end, he had still let him get hurt this badly.
Ji Anche carefully smoothed the ointment over the wound.
"Does it hurt?"
Gu Hanzhou pressed his forehead against Ji Anche's shoulder blade, his slender back tense and trembling slightly.
His face was pale, beads of cold sweat rolling down his cheeks. "Ge, it hurts a lot."
Ji Anche picked up a pale purple lemon candy from the fruit tray.
He unwrapped it and brought it to Gu Hanzhou's lips.
"Here, eat this. It'll make the pain go away."
Gu Hanzhou took the candy between his teeth.
A damp sensation brushed against his fingertips. Ji Anche paused.
Had Gu Hanzhou just… licked him?
Ji Anche glanced up, but Gu Hanzhou's expression was as calm as ever, showing no difference.
He shook his head to himself.
Must have been his imagination.
"Does it feel better after eating the candy?"
Gu Hanzhou, still pale, shook his head. "Ge, it still hurts."
"Then what should we do?"
Ji Anche quickly racked his brain for solutions. "Should I ask the doctor for some anesthetic? If it hurts this much, numbing it might help."
"Ge, I don’t want medicine." Gu Hanzhou wrapped his arms around Ji Anche's waist, leaning against his shoulder intimately.
Ji Anche sighed. "If not medicine, then what?"
"Ge…" Gu Hanzhou's voice hesitated.
"Hm?" Ji Anche looked up, puzzled.
Gu Hanzhou's voice was tentative. "Can I kiss you?"
Ji Anche froze, not immediately processing the words. "Huh?"
"Why would you want to kiss me?"
Gu Hanzhou's eyes were damp, his lashes fluttering slightly, making him look fragile and pitiful. "A kiss would make it hurt less."
Ji Anche blinked in realization.
The male lead had indeed said something like this before.
During the sports festival, when Ji Anche had scraped his knee on the track, the pain had been so intense he nearly passed out.
Gu Hanzhou had kissed his cheek to comfort him.
At the time, Ji Anche had been too shocked to react, but the stabbing pain in his knee had indeed dulled somewhat.
Maybe this method actually worked?
If Gu Hanzhou could comfort him like that, why couldn’t he return the favor?
Friendship was always a two-way street.
Ji Anche’s heart softened. Blushing, he asked, "Uh… do you… do you want me to kiss you?"
Gu Hanzhou's eyes widened slightly.
Soon, a glimmer of amusement flickered in his gaze.
"Either way is fine."
The scent of ointment lingered in the air.
The midsummer night breeze brushed gently against the curtains.
Moonlight spilled across the polished floor.
Ji Anche braced his hands on Gu Hanzhou's shoulders, leaning forward nervously.
He pressed a soft, comforting kiss to the right side of Gu Hanzhou's cheek.
The warm, damp touch of lips against skin was like spring rain falling on parched desert sand—tender green shoots sprouting, blooming into vivid roses.
Gu Hanzhou lowered his lashes, hiding the dark desire in his eyes.
"Was… was that okay?" Ji Anche sat back, his ears and cheeks burning. This was his first time doing something like this, and he couldn’t help but feel flustered.
When Gu Hanzhou didn’t respond, Ji Anche pretended to be composed. "How do you feel now?"
"…Do you need me to kiss you again?"
A faint blush colored Gu Hanzhou's cheeks.
His eyes held a hidden anticipation as he nodded pitifully. "It still hurts, but it’s better."
"If Ge kisses me again, it won’t hurt anymore."
Hearing this, Ji Anche leaned in once more, pressing another light kiss to Gu Hanzhou's cheek.
Gu Hanzhou’s skin was cool to the touch, his cheek smooth and slightly cold. The sensation reminded Ji Anche of the ice cream he used to eat as a child.
Thinking of the boy before him as a sweet dessert helped ease some of his embarrassment.
Ji Anche's heart clenched with worry. "Do you feel better now? Or does it still hurt?"
Gu Hanzhou smiled softly. "Thank you, Ge. I feel much better."
Ji Anche let out a relieved sigh. "That’s good."
Suddenly, a soft touch brushed the corner of his eye.
Ji Anche's amber eyes widened in surprise. "Why did you kiss me?"
The heat he had just suppressed came rushing back, staining his cheeks pink. "I’m not the one in pain."
Gu Hanzhou’s gaze lingered on the flushed, glistening corner of Ji Anche’s eye—something he had longed to kiss for a long time. Now, he finally had a legitimate reason.
"Reciprocity," Gu Hanzhou murmured.
Reciprocity. That sounded reasonable enough.
But something still felt off.
Ji Anche decided not to overthink it. If he couldn’t figure it out, he’d just let it go.
"Be careful not to touch the wound when you sleep tonight."
"I’m so tired. Let’s go to bed early."
Ji Anche took off his outer clothes and slipped under the warm covers.
"Goodnight." He patted Gu Hanzhou’s hair and closed his eyes.
Heat radiated from the body beside him. Ji Anche wanted to turn over, but the bed was too narrow, they were practically pressed together, limbs entangled.
"Ge."
Ji Anche yawned tiredly. "What?"
Fingers undid the buttons of his shirt, slipping inside to press against his warm stomach.
The cool touch made Ji Anche shiver.
Gu Hanzhou’s eyes were like polished obsidian, glistening with something unreadable.
His gaze was dark, filled with restless desire. "Ge. Your skin is so smooth. It feels nice."
Flattered by the praise, Ji Anche accepted it without protest.
"I know my skin is good."
He pulled Gu Hanzhou’s hand out of his shirt and placed it back on the boy’s own body, scolding lightly, "Stop moving around. Sleep properly."
He had never met someone as clingy as Gu Hanzhou—demanding hugs during the day, insisting on sharing a bed at night.
Not that Ji Anche minded. They were both guys, after all. There was nothing to be shy about.
The problem was that Gu Hanzhou couldn’t even sleep peacefully, always groping and nuzzling against him.
"Gu Hanzhou. You’re so clingy, I should just call you Gu Sticky Rice Cake instead."
"Do you have some kind of skin hunger syndrome?"
A few seconds later, Gu Hanzhou replied softly, "I can have it."
Ji Anche nearly laughed.
What kind of answer was that?
"Ge, do you dislike me?"
Gu Hanzhou’s expression dimmed, his voice low. "If you dislike me, then you must hate my touch."
"Hey, stop right there." Ji Anche sighed. "I don’t dislike you. Touch me if you want."
He gave up entirely, adding, "Five yuan per touch. Remember to pay up."
"Okay."
Ji Anche closed his eyes, trying to force himself to sleep.
But the wandering hands at his waist were impossible to ignore.
A tingling sensation spread from every point of contact.
The temperature in the cramped space rose rapidly.
An unfamiliar warmth pooled in his body, staining his ears pink. The feeling was strange yet intoxicating—something he had never experienced before.
But unfamiliarity also brought fear.
Ji Anche wasn’t used to such intimate contact. Just as he was about to snap at Gu Hanzhou, he turned his head and met the boy’s eyes, only to see a look so pitiful it seemed like he was on the verge of being abandoned.
All his sharp words died in his throat, leaving only a weak protest.
"Stop moving!"
Gu Hanzhou lowered his lashes sorrowfully. "Ge, did I do something wrong?"
"I’m sorry. I must have made you hate me again."
"Enough, enough. Stop talking."
Ji Anche exhaled in resignation. He truly had no way to deal with Gu Hanzhou.
He could only grit his teeth and suppress the unfamiliar sensations.
But the more he tried to ignore it, the more intense the feelings became.
Heat surged through his nerves, coloring his fair skin a delicate pink. His long lashes trembled slightly, his breathing growing uneven.
What was happening to him?
Why was he reacting like this?
Like an ostrich burying its head in the sand, Ji Anche ducked under the covers, hoping to escape reality through pretended sleep.
Under the cold moonlight,
Gu Hanzhou watched as the boy’s ears turned red, his nape flushing a soft pink. His body trembled slightly, as if desperately holding something back.
Seeing this, Gu Hanzhou didn’t stop. Instead, he grew bolder, his fingers tracing pale skin, leaving faint marks like blooming roses. They lingered at his waist, teasing the delicate dip of his hip.
He had only meant to test how much intimacy Ji Anche would tolerate, to find the limits of his patience.
But now,
he had discovered something interesting.
Ge seemed to indulge him unconditionally, there were no limits.
No matter what he did, Ji Anche would always relent in the end.
Realizing this, Gu Hanzhou’s lips curled in amusement, a soft chuckle escaping his throat.
What should he do?
He wanted to bully Ge even more now.
Gu Hanzhou buried his face in the crook of Ji Anche’s neck, inhaling deeply. His pale skin flushed with a feverish hue.
The crisp scent of lemon filled his senses.
It was Ge’s scent.
o0o