Fingertips smeared with white ointment pressed against the young man’s back.
Lin Qiye stiffened uncomfortably.
“Relax,” An Qingyu’s soothing voice sounded.
Lin Qiye took a deep breath and relaxed his muscles.
An Qingyu carefully spread the ointment across the boy’s back, feeling the smooth texture of his skin beneath his fingers.
His gaze darkened, thick desire churning in the depths of his eyes.
Lin Qiye did not notice the undercurrent surging behind him. He only felt that after the cool ointment melted into his skin, it was very comfortable.
The fingers on his back carried a massaging motion, helping his skin fully absorb the medicine.
Before long, Lin Qiye felt the faint soreness on his body disappear.
He had no idea what kind of insect had bitten him, it had truly hurt.
First it had been mosquitoes, and now that he was at the Fasting Institute, he was being bitten by bugs again.
Lin Qiye silently lamented his bad luck. He really did seem to have a constitution that attracted insects.
An Qingyu lowered his eyes, watching the expressions shift across the face of the young man before him, at one moment relaxed and at ease, the next irritated and restless.
So adorable, Qiye.
You must be annoyed because of those insects.
After finishing the application, An Qingyu screwed the lid back on the ointment.
“Qiye, since you’re awake, let’s go see Doctor Li and have your condition checked.”
He put the ointment away in the bedside drawer. It would still be useful, best to keep it properly stored.
Lin Qiye dressed with somewhat clumsy movements. After lying down for a year, his limbs had grown a bit stiff.
With effortless familiarity, An Qingyu adjusted Lin Qiye’s collar. “Let’s go.”
Led by An Qingyu, Lin Qiye entered Doctor Li’s office.
Doctor Li set down the documents in his hand, glanced at Lin Qiye, and said evenly,
“You’ve recovered well. As long as you stay another year, you can be discharged.”
Doctor Li spoke lightly, as if a year were as brief as ten minutes.
“A year?” Lin Qiye was astonished. “That long?”
An Qingyu’s expression remained unchanged, as though he had already expected all of this.
Doctor Li cast a discreet glance at An Qingyu.
The latter keenly sensed his gaze and gave him a shy smile.
Doctor Li frowned slightly.
“Lin Qiye, your condition still needs to be observed.”
“However, at designated times and in specific areas, you may move about freely with the other inmates.”
Lin Qiye’s expression clearly dimmed.
An Qingyu placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Qiye, I’ll stay with you.”
Lin Qiye felt much better.
“Thank you, Qingyu.”
Fortunately, he still had a good brother by his side. Otherwise, Lin Qiye felt he really might have broken down.
They called it observing his condition, but it was no different from being in prison. If he had to stay another year, it would be pure torment.
If they were to break out…
Lin Qiye looked at An Qingyu and found the other man looking at him as well.
Their eyes met, and they understood each other without a word.
One after the other, Lin Qiye and An Qingyu left the office.
Doctor Li took in their interaction from beginning to end.
Daxia needed to establish a special task force. He only hoped Lin Qiye would not disappoint them.
Doctor Li took a sip of tea and examined an experimental report on his desk.
Not long ago, An Qingyu had used his laboratory to develop a kind of ointment.
Curious, Doctor Li had tested the residue left in the experimental container.
“Interesting.” After reading the report, a faint smile appeared in Doctor Li’s eyes.
This kind of ointment had a unique side effect, it increased the physical sensitivity of the person using it.
However, this effect only worked on someone who had already engaged in intimacy.
Doctor Li closed the report.
If he had guessed correctly, Lin Qiye’s physical sensitivity would only heighten when he was with An Qingyu.
“It seems the agent of the two gods has been completely wrapped around his finger.”
Doctor Li could vaguely guess that Lin Qiye was still unaware of An Qingyu’s feelings.
But he had no interest in interfering in the relationship between the two of them.
ᘻᘿᓍᘺ
After Lin Qiye and An Qingyu returned to the hospital room,
Lin Qiye glanced down the corridor and, after confirming no one was there, locked the door from the inside.
An Qingyu leaned against the wall and teased,
“Qiye, why are you acting like a thief?”
Lin Qiye turned halfway around and pressed his index finger to his lips, signaling him to be quiet.
“Since we’re planning to break out, we naturally have to be careful. The walls have ears.”
An Qingyu’s attention fell on Lin Qiye’s full lips, and a trace of desire flickered in his eyes.
“Alright. I’ll listen to you.”
Under the effect of the ointment, the swelling on Lin Qiye’s lips had already subsided.
Desire that could not be concealed filled An Qingyu’s gaze. He wanted to bully the young man in front of him until he was unable to speak—
Best if he could make him cry.
“Hey, An Qingyu, I’m talking to you.”
Lin Qiye stepped half a pace closer and waved a hand in front of An Qingyu’s eyes.
An Qingyu suddenly came back to his senses and spoke as if nothing were amiss.
“Sorry, I’m a bit tired. I didn’t catch what you were saying just now.”
Thinking about how An Qingyu had taken care of him for a full year, Lin Qiye frowned slightly at his words.
“Qingyu, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” An Qingyu gestured for him not to worry.
“We’ll just turn in early later. Go on.”
What kind of approach should he try with Qiye tonight?
His thoughts drifted to Lin Qiye’s lips, the swelling now gone.
Lin Qiye pulled out a chair and sat down.
“Tomorrow, during free activity time, how about we get a clear sense of the layout of the Fasting Institute and then look for a chance to escape?”
An Qingyu considered it seriously.
“That works. But we should rest early so we can conserve our energy for tomorrow’s plan.”
Lin Qiye felt that made sense.
“Alright. Let’s get ready and go to sleep. Tomorrow we start the breakout plan.”
He glanced around the room. There was only one double bed.
It seemed that over the past year, An Qingyu had been sleeping in the same bed as him.
Lin Qiye didn’t think much of it. They were good brothers, sharing a bed was perfectly normal.
He picked up a change of clothes, preparing to take a shower.
“Qiye, how about…” An Qingyu suddenly spoke.
Lin Qiye paused and turned back to look at him.
“What is it?”
An Qingyu smiled. “Qiye, wash up quickly.”
Lin Qiye made an OK gesture.
“Got it. After all, you’re still waiting in line behind me.”
An Qingyu watched as Lin Qiye entered the shower room, his fingers curling into his palm.
He had originally wanted to suggest that they shower together.
But he was worried he wouldn’t be able to control himself and that Lin Qiye would notice something unusual about his body.
So he forcibly swallowed the rest of his words.
The sound of running water soon came from the shower.
A dark tide churned wildly in An Qingyu’s eyes. Those droplets must be sliding over Qiye’s body right now.
Tsk, he even felt a little jealous.
The water droplets could openly kiss every inch of Qiye’s body, yet he could not do the same.
Until he could turn Lin Qiye’s brotherly affection for him into something more, he couldn’t act rashly.