GTAS Arc. 2 Ch. 3

“As long as you behave, I’ll ensure you live a life free of worries…”

Behave and listen? Not happening. In this life, Gu Jinlin—no, now his name is Ji Yichen—he, Ji Yichen, will never behave and listen. 

Ji Yichen lay on the soft bed, letting the doctor apply medicine to the bruises on his back. Some areas had broken skin, and the stinging sensation made him whimper involuntarily. 

“Go gentler with the medicine. Didn’t you hear him cry out?” 

The deep and authoritative voice sounded like a question, but it carried an undeniable command. 

There were three people in the room: Ji Yichen, the military officer who gave him his new name—Ji Linchen—and the doctor, Lin Huai, who was currently treating him. 

When the stinging cotton swab finally left his skin, Ji Yichen sighed in relief. Lin Huai, who had been sitting by the bed, abruptly stood up, handed the medical tools to Ji Linchen, and removed his gloves. Under Ji Linchen’s confused gaze, Lin Huai also removed his mask, revealing a strikingly handsome face. 

“Master Ji, I’m a medic, not a vet. My skills are meant to save dying soldiers on the battlefield, not pampered little pets on the verge of being played to death. Do it yourself.” 

With that, Lin Huai shed his white coat, revealing the military uniform underneath. The three stripes on his shoulder indicated his lower rank compared to Ji Linchen—he was Ji Linchen’s subordinate medic. 

“You…” 

Ji Linchen’s eyes widened. What’s gotten into Lin Huai today? He was acting like he’d swallowed gunpowder, speaking so sharply. 

While the two argued, Ji Yichen slipped off the bed, snatched the tools and the medicine from Ji Linchen’s hands, and headed for the bathroom. 

“I’ll say it once more—I’m not some newly weaned child or a caged pet. I can handle my own injuries, thank you very much.” 

With that, Ji Yichen disappeared into the bathroom, leaving the two stunned men behind. 

Bang! The bathroom door slammed shut. Only then did Lin Huai’s expression darken—this was the first time anyone had ever talked back to him. No, not a person—a pet. A ghost doctor [1] like him, put in his place by a pet… 

Ji Linchen, of course, didn’t miss the chance to gloat over Lin Huai’s frustration. His mood brightened instantly. He patted Lin Huai’s shoulder, grinning. “Medic, looks like you pissed off my little lion cub. Be careful next time, or he might bite your head off.” 

Lin Huai’s expression grew even darker. With a cold snort, he turned and left for his own guest room. 

Ji Linchen wasn’t in a hurry either. He picked up the half glass of brandy from his desk and downed it in one go. The burning liquid slid down his throat into his stomach, then rushed through his veins back to his brain. A flush of red appeared on his chiseled face, and his deep brown eyes took on a drunken haze. 

He casually loosened the top two buttons of his white shirt, revealing his collarbone. Listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom, Ji Linchen set down the empty glass and strode toward the door. 

Inside the bathroom, Ji Yichen stood with his back to the mirror, twisting awkwardly to inspect the crisscrossing bruises on his back. The sight was appalling—each whip stroke had landed with full force. 

With a sigh, he tried to apply the medicine himself, but it hurt too much, and he couldn’t quite reach. Eventually, he gave up and just stared at his reflection. 

His slightly curly hair, now damp, stuck to his delicate brows. His clear phoenix eyes shimmered with moisture, his petite nose was tinged pink, and his soft lips were slightly swollen. His pale, slender body carried an unexplainable allure. 

He reached up to touch the faint tear mole at the corner of his right eye, tracing it gently. That mole always gave him an odd sense of familiarity. 

【Host, do you need Little Six to help with your injuries?】 

Ji Yichen shook his head internally and focused back on his reflection, muttering under his breath, “Tsk, why am I stuck with such a weak, frail body again?” 

He paused, suddenly catching on—again? Why did that word slip out so naturally? Strange… 

A knock sounded at the door, followed by Ji Linchen’s commanding voice. “Ji Yichen, come out. I’ll apply the medicine for you—I promise it won’t hurt.” 

Ji Yichen rolled his eyes. Yeah, right. Like he’d believe that! This was the same man who had cruelly stuffed a glove into his mouth, covered his lips to stop him from spitting it out, and only carried him back to his room once he’d gone quiet. 

Still, the injuries needed treatment—he didn’t want any permanent scars marring his fair skin. That would be too unsightly. 

Just as Ji Linchen prepared to force his way in, the bathroom door swung open. The once fierce little creature now obediently handed over the tools and padded barefoot to the bed, flopping onto his stomach. 

When Ji Linchen didn’t move right away, the brat even huffed at him in annoyance. “Didn’t you say you’d put on the medicine? Hurry up! If you hurt me, I’ll bite off your ear!” 

Ji Linchen smirked. What a feisty little thing I’ve picked up. 

“Hiss…” 

Even though Ji Linchen was being much gentler, Ji Yichen still gasped from the sting. 

Damn it! I knew this guy’s promises were worthless. I actually believed him—how stupid can I be? 

“Wait—are all these bruises from Yan Zhi? That bastard—he went way too far! By the way, which family owned you in the slave market?” 

Ji Yichen frowned and muttered softly, “I don’t know.” 

Ji Linchen’s hand froze. “What do you mean you don’t know?” 

Because Ji Yichen genuinely had no clue. This trashy novel? He hadn’t even flipped through it. How could he know the plot from just glancing at the cover? Ridiculous! 

【Host, just say the Bai family. I’ll transmit the original host’s memories to you right after.】 

Ji Yichen gave a mental “mm-hmm” and softly said, “The Bai family.” 

Hearing that, Ji Linchen resumed applying the medicine, his touch growing even lighter, as if handling a fragile piece of porcelain. 

“Even the supposedly upstanding Bai family is involved in the slave trade now… The world really is falling apart.” 

Ji Yichen opened his mouth but decided not to respond. After all, he’d just arrived in this world—better to keep quiet than say the wrong thing. His earlier behavior had already been risky enough. If Ji Linchen found out which slave market he came from, it’d be obvious he was a slave meant for sale. There’s no way he’d admit to biting off that bastard Ji Yanzhi’s flesh. 

Dying before completing the mission? Not worth it at all. 

The system had already chimed in earlier, informing him that his scum abuse value had increased to 10 after biting Ji Yanzhi. Just 10 for such a big chunk of flesh? This mission was going to be tough. Without knowing the plot, any move could backfire, leaving him at a disadvantage. 

Just like now—after the medicine was applied, Ji Yichen was wrapped in a pale yellow silk nightgown and promptly scooped into Ji Linchen’s arms. Before he could react, Ji Linchen planted a kiss on his cheek, the scent of alcohol making Ji Yichen’s nose itch. 

Watching the little guy wrinkle his nose in discomfort somehow put Ji Linchen in a much better mood. With escalating battles at the frontlines and a crumbling regime at home, the young major general was already weighed down by internal and external crises. 

The fall of the nation could come at any moment… 

Ji Linchen absentmindedly ran his fingers through Ji Yichen’s still-damp hair, his deep eyes clouded with thought. In a softer-than-usual voice, he said, “Don’t be scared. You’re safest in my arms. Sleep.” 

Tired from all the chaos, Ji Yichen did feel a little sleepy. Seeing Ji Linchen already dozing off, he unclenched his fists. If Ji Linchen had dared try anything funny, he’d have punched him hard enough to regret it. 

As Ji Yichen drifted off, the system’s voice echoed in his mind. 

【Host, transmitting original memories now.】 

In his dream, he saw two boys playing in a garden, a flower crown, and a promise of marriage. Then, a bloodstained slave market, and Ji Yanzhi watching from the VIP seats. 

“Brother Yanzhi, I came to find you…”

Meanwhile, Ji Linchen, who closed his eyes pretending to sleep, opened his eyes and looked at the little one in his arms, with sparkling tears still hanging on his nose. His deep eyes showed a complex expression as he wiped away the tear and then hugged Ji Yichen tighter, closing his eyes again and drifting into dreamland.

[1] 鬼医 (guǐ yī) – Literally “ghost doctor,” used metaphorically to refer to someone skilled in medical practices, particularly unconventional or secretive methods.