“I’m straight, I definitely won’t take advantage of you.”
“You can bite anywhere, your strength doesn’t seem much.”
“I’ve always been healthy, maybe some muscle.”
Message after message flooded in, leaving Shu Ci completely stunned.
…
Lu Xianyan stayed in the bathroom for a long time.
He took his usual cold shower, yet the sweet scent of orange lingered around him. After all, the whole house carried Shu Ci’s scent.
The living room light was on. Shu Ci lay on the sofa, his thin, loose pajamas clinging to his skin, the curve of his waist clearly visible.
His delicate legs rested on the sofa armrest, toes round and ankles slender, seemingly light enough to be lifted effortlessly.
From Lu Xianyan’s angle, he could see Shu Ci’s side profile, focused intently on something.
Who was he messaging so seriously?
Fu Zhiheng?
What were they talking about?
Did he still like him?
No.
He couldn’t like anyone else.
Lu Xianyan repeated firmly in his mind.
A swirl of complex, heavy emotions gathered in his eyes.
So cold…
Shu Ci shivered, sensing someone watching him from behind.
Turning around, he saw Lu Xianyan shirtless.
Droplets ran down the smooth lines of his chest.
Shu Ci froze.
Lu Xianyan always dressed neatly at home—what was different today?
Perhaps sensing Shu Ci’s gaze, Lu Xianyan spoke first: “My clothes fell on the floor, sorry.”
Shu Ci’s attention was caught by the necklace around Lu Xianyan’s neck.
The pendant was a pearl, looking like a woman’s piece, oddly contrasting with his broad, adult frame.
Did Lu Xianyan like jewelry?
Shu Ci had never seen him wear a necklace before.
Considering it a personal preference, he didn’t ask further and looked away: “It’s fine.”
Then he reminded him: “Don’t catch a cold.”
He grabbed his phone and returned to the bedroom, worrying about how to reply to Fu Zhiheng’s messages.
Hearing the door close, Lu Xianyan finally turned his gaze away and returned to his room with a dark expression.
He then weighed and measured himself carefully, as always, but still felt it wasn’t enough.
He hadn’t yet captured Shu Ci’s heart completely.
What type did Shu Ci like?
Someone like Fu Zhiheng?
Lu Xianyan didn’t know and couldn’t ask directly; he could only read Shu Ci’s expressions and try to improve himself accordingly.
But he was truly afraid.
Afraid that before he became good enough, Shu Ci would be taken away by another man.
Too foolish…
And Shu Ci still said, “Fu Zhiheng is straight.”
Straight men wouldn’t stare so directly.
He needed to observe more.
Thanks to Lu Xianyan, Shu Ci’s routine improved considerably.
Regular meals and nightly walks helped reduce his biting urges, and he even gained some weight.
But the condition wasn’t fully cured; the two were still undergoing treatment together.
Earlier… Shu Ci had wondered why Lu Xianyan was watching him.
He didn’t know what expression he had made just now.
It probably wasn’t flattering—neck tilted, mouth unconsciously open, face all sweaty and sticky.
Embarrassed, Shu Ci frowned and pushed him away.
Lu Xianyan stepped back slightly, his eyes intent, fingertips brushing over him.
Droplets fell to the floor.
So wasteful…
They probably tasted sweet.
Shu Ci had no idea what Lu Xianyan was thinking, nor that his slightly bent waist made him easy to hold from behind.
He stood defenseless by the sink, washing off the dirt from his hands with mild annoyance.
Looking up into the mirror afterward, he was startled—he had never seen himself like this.
Cheeks flushed like a cooked shrimp, eyes watery, lips bright red.
What… what was happening?
He tried to maintain a serious face: “Remember to wash your hands—”
But turned to see Lu Xianyan sniffing his fingers.
Boom—his mind exploded!
Shu Ci wished he could vanish into the floor from embarrassment.
Fortunately, Lu Xianyan didn’t do anything further; after a small “Oh”, he obediently washed his hands.
Shu Ci returned to his room, back sticky with sweat, uncomfortable in his clothes. But remembering Lu Xianyan’s cleanliness habits, he let him have the bathroom first.
About half an hour later, once it was quiet outside, Shu Ci cautiously entered the bathroom.
He felt soreness in his waist, with finger marks left from earlier.
Frowning, he wondered: Was it normal for guys to help each other like this? Or was he too conservative?
No point in regretting it now.
After considering everything, Shu Ci finally regained a bit of self-respect, satisfied he had endured Lu Xianyan’s gaze.
Back in bed, he played games until midnight. Just as he was about to sleep, several WeChat messages popped up.
Usually, only Zhou Mingran contacted him at this hour.
Opening them, Shu Ci froze.
Lu Xianyan: “Sorry, I used too much force earlier.”
Lu Xianyan: “How’s your waist? I have some medicine, I can apply it for you.”
Looking at the messages, an outsider might think there was something going on between them.
Shu Ci awkwardly replied: “It’s okay.”
Instantly, Lu Xianyan: “Thank you, you really are amazing. I felt so good just now.”
Only Lu Xianyan could say something like that.
Shu Ci imagined his tone—calm, serious.
Yet, the words “really amazing” still flattered him.
His cheeks flushed, but he had to play humble: “Just… normal.”