The Little Succubus's Hypnosis Manual - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Bath Time – Take Off Your Clothes

Zhou Qiyue didn’t grab Xie Nanxing by the scruff of his neck like he would a stray cat, because Xie Nanxing was incredibly obedient—he followed right behind Zhou Qiyue like a little tail.

That put Zhou Qiyue in a slightly better mood.

“Take your clothes off,” Zhou Qiyue said as he led Xie Nanxing into his own bathroom, which had a large bathtub.

He turned on the faucet and rummaged through a cabinet for new toiletries. When he turned around, he saw that Xie Nanxing had already stripped completely, standing there bare and unashamed under Zhou Qiyue’s gaze.

He was on the shorter side, with a youthful, ambiguous charm somewhere between adolescence and adulthood. His limbs were long and well-proportioned—especially his legs, not an ounce of fat on them—and under the white marble light, his skin was practically glowing.

Zhou Qiyue quickly averted his gaze and pointed at the tub. “Sit.”

As Xie Nanxing walked, his slim, nude body was completely exposed. Zhou Qiyue’s breath hitched for a second before he firmly looked away.

It was Xie Nanxing’s first time using something like this. The water temperature was just right, but the bathtub itself felt cold. He gripped the edge with both hands and gave Zhou Qiyue a silent nudge, urging him on.

Zhou Qiyue finally walked over and sat on a small stool next to the tub. He squeezed some shampoo into his hand, lathered it into Xie Nanxing’s hair, and gently massaged his scalp.

Xie Nanxing stared at Zhou Qiyue without blinking. It was his first time being bathed by someone else. Zhou Qiyue’s hands were so gentle, it felt more like a massage than washing. A low, contented purring sound rumbled from Xie Nanxing’s throat.

Zhou Qiyue kept telling himself not to look, but his attention was constantly being drawn to Xie Nanxing.

“Turn around and lean back here,” Zhou Qiyue said, eyes dodging. Xie Nanxing’s skin, already pale, had turned a warm pink under the steam—like a freshly ripened peach.

Confused, Xie Nanxing tilted his head, but upon seeing Zhou Qiyue’s expression, he obediently turned around, revealing his smooth, bare back.

Zhou Qiyue didn’t dare look again and focused on rinsing the shampoo from Xie Nanxing’s hair.

Xie Nanxing kept trying to peek back at him. Zhou Qiyue’s scent—a subtle, woody cologne—lingered near his nose. More importantly, the precious energy Xie Nanxing craved was flowing continuously from Zhou Qiyue’s body.

Sensing the constant fidgeting, Zhou Qiyue pressed down lightly on Xie Nanxing’s head and warned, “Stop moving.”

Xie Nanxing immediately stilled, utterly obedient. Zhou Qiyue gave a tiny smile and rinsed off the foam.

Xie Nanxing was by far the most well-behaved “pet” he’d ever cleaned—stand when told, turn when asked. But every time they faced each other, Xie Nanxing would stare at him without blinking.

If looks could pierce, Zhou Qiyue figured he’d already be riddled with holes.

“Stop staring at me,” he said lazily. His tone didn’t sound irritated—if anything, it carried a hint of enjoyment, like he didn’t actually mind being looked at like that.

For once, Xie Nanxing didn’t listen. He tilted his head and continued to watch him intently.

Finally, Zhou Qiyue was annoyed. His hand trailed down his chest. “Want me to wash here too?”

“…No.” Xie Nanxing quickly covered himself, belatedly realizing he should be embarrassed. He grabbed the bath sponge from Zhou Qiyue and started scrubbing himself, while Zhou Qiyue tactfully turned away.

But the tips of his ears were red.

Fortunately, Zhou Qiyue had already cleaned Xie Nanxing’s body yesterday, so it didn’t take long. He tossed him a towel and went to fetch a clean set of pajamas.

“The underwear isn’t your size. Just use mine for now.”

Xie Nanxing nodded, holding the clothes with slight unease. But soon, he began dressing right there in front of Zhou Qiyue without hesitation.

Ironically, Zhou Qiyue was the one flustered by the sound of rustling fabric and chose to leave first.

The pajamas were Zhou Qiyue’s. The top hung down to Xie Nanxing’s thighs, and the pants dragged underfoot. Even the underwear was loose, sagging around his waist.

Xie Nanxing hopped out of the room to find Zhou Qiyue waiting at the door. Standing in front of him, he raised his arms to show off the overly long sleeves.

“So troublesome,” Zhou Qiyue muttered, exasperated. But he crouched down and rolled up the pant legs, then folded the sleeves.

Water dripped from Xie Nanxing’s hair, sliding down his collarbone and disappearing deeper inside his clothes.

Zhou Qiyue clicked his tongue. “How did you even grow this big? You still look underage.”

Before Xie Nanxing could protest, he continued, “Do you know how to use a hairdryer?”

Xie Nanxing shook his head, clutching the hem of his shirt.

Zhou Qiyue sighed. Of course not. He probably didn’t know anything about this world. Who knew where this person had come from—like he’d crawled out from under a rock.

Zhou Qiyue distractedly dried his hair until Xie Nanxing hissed from the heat. That snapped him out of it, and he quickly turned the dryer off.

He felt guilty, but years of being in power made it difficult for him to say “sorry.”

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then Xie Nanxing gently tugged on his hand, his big, bright eyes full of warmth. He lightly rubbed his half-dry head against Zhou Qiyue’s hand, as if to say, “It’s okay.”

“Keep drying,” he said, blinking up at him.

Strands of hair brushed over Zhou Qiyue’s hand. Looking at this fragile person—who couldn’t even manage basic survival skills—he thought: if he went to the welfare center, he’d definitely be bullied.

Might as well keep him here, Zhou Qiyue thought. That way, only I get to “bully” him.

It’s just one more pair of chopsticks, after all. He wasn’t that helpless kid anymore who couldn’t even protect a dog.

He could even get Xie Nanxing an ID. That way, he wouldn’t have to go to a shelter. He could stay in society—no, stay with him.

As Zhou Qiyue ran his fingers through Xie Nanxing’s hair, the thought wound through his mind like a snake:
I can raise him into my own exclusive pet.

“All done,” Zhou Qiyue said, putting the dryer away and resting his palm on the back of Xie Nanxing’s neck, feeling the delicate curve of his spine.

“Mm.” Xie Nanxing shivered slightly. The warmth of Zhou Qiyue’s palm spread down his neck, and energy seeped slowly into his body.

He turned to look at Zhou Qiyue, licking his lips and swallowing hard.

Touch alone only gave him enough energy to survive. What he really needed was Zhou Qiyue’s… essence.

If he could gather enough energy, he could hypnotize Zhou Qiyue with charm magic. Then he could ask for as much as he wanted.

The thought made him even hungrier.

He shifted slightly, trying to press his neck further into Zhou Qiyue’s hand to absorb more energy.

But Zhou Qiyue suddenly withdrew.

The warmth was gone. Xie Nanxing let out a disappointed whimper, but Zhou Qiyue had already left the bathroom.

Xie Nanxing quickly followed.

Unseen, Zhou Qiyue rubbed his fingers together. Unlike touching cats or dogs, Xie Nanxing’s neck was firm, full of life, bl00d pulsing beneath the skin.

Humans aren’t pets, Zhou Qiyue reminded himself.

He should be in a company meeting right now, but one phone call from Xie Nanxing had dragged him back home. This guy was like his kryptonite.

Rubbing his temples, Zhou Qiyue realized it was too late to head back. Might as well work from home.

As he entered the study and tried to close the door, he saw a hand on the frame—Xie Nanxing had followed him again.

He almost slammed his hand. Zhou Qiyue stopped just in time.

“Are you stupid?” he scolded, annoyed.

Xie Nanxing quickly pulled his hand back and mumbled, “I… want to stay with you.”

“What for? I need to work,” Zhou Qiyue said, trying to shut the door.

Anyone else would’ve picked up on the hint and backed off. But Xie Nanxing didn’t understand human etiquette. He blinked and asked, “Can’t I… stay?”

Zhou Qiyue was speechless. After a moment, he sighed, “Fine. But you have to be quiet.”

Xie Nanxing nodded. Zhou Qiyue opened the door, then felt like he was inviting him in and turned away without another glance.

The study was spacious. Xie Nanxing stared in awe at the towering bookshelves filled with books. His respect for Zhou Qiyue soared.

Zhou Qiyue was already seated and working. Xie Nanxing remembered the rule and even controlled his breathing.

There was only one chair besides Zhou Qiyue’s, but by the window was a tatami mat. Xie Nanxing sat on it. It was soft and cozy, the sun warm through the window—perfect for a nap.

But he didn’t sleep. He kept watching Zhou Qiyue. The distance was a problem—he couldn’t touch him from here.

Fortunately, the tatami mat wasn’t heavy. He tested it—it could be moved.

So began his slow migration. Inch by inch, he scooted closer. Every time Zhou Qiyue looked up, he’d freeze and look innocently out the window.

Before long, the distance between them was cut in half.

Zhou Qiyue looked focused, but his attention was entirely on Xie Nanxing.

“President Zhou?” His assistant’s voice came through his earpiece, snapping his focus back to the meeting.

While Zhou Qiyue paid attention to the screen again, Xie Nanxing grew more eager. He longed to just latch onto him.

The tatami was low—Xie Nanxing’s head just reached Zhou Qiyue’s armrest.

He carefully reached out and pinched the hem of Zhou Qiyue’s shirt. Energy flowed into him slowly, and he smiled.

But the next moment, his hand was caught.

“You snuck over just to touch me?”