Ji Tan drank a few sips of warm water to replenish his fluids. With slender, white fingers, he grabbed the hem of his blue sweatshirt. With a waist as flexible as a willow, he arched his body, and the heavy fleece-lined sweatshirt slipped off Ji Tan’s thin back.
Zhou She was dazzled by Ji Tan’s skin, which was as white and transparent as snow, like the softest glaze on jade porcelain. It made one feel that if they were to brush against it, a mark would appear, revealing sweet, fresh juices. Zhou She’s fingers tightened. He grabbed the thin blanket nearby and strode over to Ji Tan, wrapping him tightly and completely.
“Do you call that undershirt a layer of clothing?” Not to mention his bare, smooth arms, the undershirt was so sheer that one could see his skin through it. Zhou She’s brow was furrowed tightly.
Ji Tan struggled vigorously, trying to make Zhou She see clearly. “What undershirt? Why does it sound so ugly? I am wearing an undershirt.” It did not sound any better.
Zhou She gripped Ji Tan’s sweaty, soft little arm and forced him back into the cocoon. “Be quiet. It is easy to catch a cold when you are hot one moment and cold the next.”
Ji Tan unhappily grabbed Zhou She’s fingers in return. “I am not cold, being wrapped in a blanket is very uncomfortable.”
Zhou She’s fingers were wrapped in Ji Tan’s soft palms; he didn’t pull away immediately. “…That is still not allowed.”
“Let go.” Zhou She shook the fingers that Ji Tan was holding. “There is a menswear store next door.”
Ji Tan slowly let go and asked tentatively, “Can you buy it for me?”
Zhou She narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on Ji Tan’s face as he waited for a response. Seeing that Zhou She’s expression was not good, Ji Tan whispered a defense for his act of taking advantage of him, “My allowance for this month is spent; I cannot buy clothes.”
Zhou She finally realized what was wrong with Ji Tan.
“Did you recognize me?” For the first time, Ji Tan recognized him as Zhou She.
Ji Tan nodded. “I recognized you.”
Ji Tan pointed to the mottled, fresh red marks on Zhou She’s arm below his short sleeve. “I scratched them; the marks have not disappeared yet.”
Zhou She looked down subconsciously, glancing at the arms that still had a few faint marks left behind. His heart was occupied by something strange. Ji Tan could not distinguish between him and Zhou Wenbai, yet he could recognize these shallow marks he had created himself at a glance.
Zhou She said vaguely, “Your eyes—when you are blind, you are truly blind; when you are good, you are comparable to Zhou Wenbai.”
Ji Tan did not think that sounded like a compliment.
“You still have allowance?” The word Ji Tan used was very strange. Usually, it was given by elders to juniors, and Ji Yuan had already passed away.
Zhou She asked, “Who gave it to you? Zhou Wenbai?”
“Mom arranged it.” Ji Tan said honestly. “Mom does not let me use the inheritance indiscriminately; I can only spend five thousand per month.” Ji Yuan was very strict about arranging Ji Tan’s life. She was afraid that Ji Tan would not be guaranteed a life, and she was also afraid that Ji Tan would be swindled by others or spend money recklessly. Ji Yuan hired someone to manage her inheritance; Ji Tan didn’t need to worry about the villa’s various expenses, and the servants would also be paid on time. The tuition fees were also reserved by Ji Yuan. Five thousand yuan was just Ji Tan’s pocket money. Ji Tan was very obedient; Ji Yuan told him he could only use five thousand per month, and Ji Tan did not use a single cent more.
“What about Zhou Wenbai?” Zhou She lifted his eyelids, his dark pupils deep. “Does he spend your five thousand yuan with you after you marry?”
Ji Tan’s face became visibly worried, and he asked cautiously, “Is two thousand five hundred not enough for both of us?”
He was already struggling to make ends meet with five thousand a month.
Zhou She asked, “What do you think?”
“I think… can I spend Dr. Zhou’s money?” Ji Tan’s beautiful, glass-like eyes lit up with hopeful little lights.
Zhou She cruelly extinguished them. “Do you have the nerve?”
Ji Tan nodded uncertainly and said cheekily, “Well… is it okay?”
Zhou She watched Ji Tan quietly, then suddenly stood up. “I am going next door to buy you clothes. Keep the blanket wrapped, do not move around.”
Having been forced to talk about money with Zhou She for a long time, Ji Tan deeply felt that Zhou She was a miser just like himself, and whispered a promise, “I will pay you back when I have money next month.”
Zhou She did not take Ji Tan’s words, turning instead to ask, “What did you buy that cost so much?” It was the middle of the month; Ji Tan seemed very satisfied with the five-thousand-yuan quota Ji Yuan gave him, so he should not have exceeded it now.
Ji Tan stealthily poked his hand out from the blanket and pinched his thumb and index finger together, “A little luxury item.”
Zhou She scanned the plastic bag leaking from Ji Tan’s backpack; it looked very new, so it must be that. He just did not know what Ji Tan had bought. Five thousand yuan could barely buy luxury goods, but Zhou She did not have the habit of getting to the bottom of it and left after hearing that.
Zhou She went next door and bought Ji Tan a thin sweatshirt. He was back in five minutes and threw it to Ji Tan. “Put this on.”
Ji Tan crawled out of the blanket, put on the newly purchased sweatshirt, and asked, “How much did it cost?”
“Why are you so thin?” It was clearly the smallest size, but it was still a bit big on Ji Tan. “I should have bought you children’s clothes.”
Ji Tan did not feel offended and defended himself logically, “I cannot wear children’s clothes.” Ji Tan lifted his little face and smiled brightly. “My arms are longer than theirs.”
As Ji Tan said this, he stretched his arms to gesture in the air. Zhou She scanned Ji Tan’s slender, well-proportioned figure; not only were his arms long, but his legs were also long.
With clothes on, he could leave the blanket and choose rings. The waiter handed Ji Tan a tablet to choose his favorite ring style. Ji Tan did not have too many requirements for the ring style. “Can this have words engraved on the inner ring?”
The waiter looked and smiled, nodding. “Yes. What would you like to have engraved?”
“Initials, just ZWB and JT.”
“No problem.” The waiter hesitated. “However, if there are too many words, the production period may be extended. Are you in a hurry?”
“Half a month?” Ji Tan gave a deadline.
The waiter looked embarrassed. “That is only enough to make this pair of rings.”
Ji Tan began to struggle again.
“If you only engrave one letter, the time should be enough.” The waiter suggested, “Engraving only one letter is also very meaningful, for example, the first letter of your name and the last letter of your lover’s name?”
Ji Tan tried hard to think and make a choice. Zhou She’s deep voice let out a faint, almost imperceptible laugh. Ji Tan looked over like a bristling little cat, curious. “What are you laughing at?”
Zhou She coughed twice and turned his head away. “Nothing.”
He clearly heard it.
“Forget it, I will wait for Dr. Zhou to come over.” Ji Tan rarely made any decisions himself, always worrying about one thing or another. “What if he does not like it? Whether to engrave or not, and what to engrave, let him decide.”
The waiter showed no impatience. “Very well.”
Zhou She looked at Ji Tan again for no reason. Ji Tan was unaware, muttering that Zhou Wenbai had spent too long admitting the patient—it had been over two hours. Ji Tan prepared to call Zhou Wenbai.
Beep, beep, beep…
The phone was hung up, and Ji Tan was stunned. Zhou Wenbai had never hung up on him. Ji Tan, like a kitten soaked in rain, showed both confusion and disbelief. He turned to Zhou She and said, “He actually hung up on me.”
Zhou She had never received a complete phone call from Zhou Wenbai. Ji Tan’s appearance was clearly spoiled by Zhou Wenbai, unable to bear even the slightest bit of grievance.
“Think on the bright side, what if he had a car accident?” Zhou She said perfunctorily. Ji Tan did not believe it, but after making five or six phone calls in a row and failing to get through, Ji Tan started to panic.
Clear, light-colored eyes filled with moisture; his curled eyelashes were damp, and round, rolling tears pooled at the bottom of his eyes, about to fall.
“Why are you crying?” Zhou She frowned and pulled out a few tissues, pressing them against Ji Tan’s well-developed tear glands. “I was just talking nonsense. I will call him, do not cry.”
Ji Tan pouted, trying hard to hold back his tears, and nodded obediently. Ji Tan’s emotional collapse came after Zhou She’s phone call to Zhou Wenbai was also hung up. Ji Tan’s tears fell like beads from a broken string—hot, burning, and continuous—hitting the back of Zhou She’s hand and causing him sharp pain. Zhou She couldn’t catch them all.
“Do not cry.” Zhou She pinched Ji Tan’s wet, slippery face and wiped his tears. “I will go find him.”
Ji Tan nodded, his soft cheeks pressing against Zhou She’s hot palm, having the illusion that his tears were being evaporated. Ji Tan looked at Zhou She’s dark, deep eyes, tried again and again, and held back his tears. Zhou She glanced at Ji Tan’s well-behaved, pitiful face, and his heart was pinched hard. “Behave yourself.”
“Tuan Tuan?” Another identical voice chimed in.
The tears Ji Tan had just managed to control spilled over like a floodgate as he heard the familiar voice. Zhou She’s fingertip, which was pinching Ji Tan’s fair, delicate chin, was brushed by Ji Tan’s soft, tender lips, like a butterfly landing briefly.
Zhou She subconsciously looked toward the sound. Ji Tan rushed toward Zhou Wenbai, who had appeared at the door, like a swallow returning to its nest, while his own fingertips were still stained with Ji Tan’s hot, damp tears.
“Zhou She said you had a car accident.” Ji Tan hugged Zhou Wenbai’s neck and sobbed, complaining, “And you hung up on me.”
Zhou Wenbai glanced at Zhou She, who was walking toward them not far away, withdrew his extra gaze, and kissed the heart-shattering little treasure in his arms with affection. “I should not have hung up on Tuan Tuan. It was not intentional, so do not be angry.”
A gentle, warm touch came to Ji Tan’s forehead. Having finally stopped crying, he poked his small face out from Zhou Wenbai’s neck and nudged Zhou Wenbai’s jaw.
“Do not worry, I just could not answer the phone during surgery.” Zhou Wenbai picked up Ji Tan with one hand and lowered his head, pressing against Ji Tan’s soft lips. “It will not happen again.”
Ji Tan sat firmly in Zhou Wenbai’s arms, his legs, which Zhou She felt were long, wrapped around Zhou Wenbai’s waist. When Zhou She passed by Zhou Wenbai, who looked unscathed, he returned Zhou Wenbai’s words back to him: “You have a sense of accomplishment in making someone cry?”
Zhou Wenbai had never found Zhou She this annoying, and smiled: “Do you not have work to do? Go ahead.”
Zhou She stopped for a moment, then said to Ji Tan, who had almost stopped crying: “Fifty-two hundred, remember to pay me back.”
Ji Tan forgot how to cry. “Fifty-two hundred?”
What kind of clothes did Zhou She buy, and why was it so expensive?! Then, not only would he have no money next month, but he also wouldn’t have any the month after that. However, his creditor left behind a massive debt and walked away, leaving Ji Tan with no chance to bargain.
“When did Tuan Tuan owe Zhou She money?” Zhou Wenbai put Ji Tan down and wiped the tears off Ji Tan’s face with one hand. “It is fine, husband will pay it back for Tuan Tuan.”
Hearing this, Ji Tan was happy. His clear, glass-like beads were filled with tears, and his crimson, tender lips bloomed into a smile, like a bright lotus washed by rain and dew.
He smiled, looking sweet and soft. Zhou Wenbai felt his heart flutter, picked up Ji Tan, and walked to the lounge inside the shop. Ji Tan was startled and instinctively wrapped his arms around Zhou Wenbai’s shoulders and back.
Zhou Wenbai took him into the enclosed space, as if he had drawn out a private pool to keep this beautiful little lotus flower, which belonged only to him. Zhou Wenbai’s noisy, clamoring heart gradually calmed down. Zhou Wenbai held Ji Tan’s supple waist, captured Ji Tan’s tender lips, and kissed him slowly, whispering lures, “Tuan Tuan baby, let husband kiss you for a while.”
Ji Tan lifted his bright, beautiful little face, obediently opened his lips, and was licked by the tip of Zhou Wenbai’s tongue, which had taken the opportunity to enter, making his speech blurry. He said obediently, “I will let husband eat the little pearls in my mouth.”
Zhou Wenbai pressed his palm against the back of Ji Tan’s neck, pressing him harder toward himself. His movements became aggressive and impatient as he sighed, “Do not hook me anymore, Tuan Tuan.”
One sound after another, he murmured unsatisfiedly, “Why are you so obedient, baby? I want to eat Tuan Tuan.”
Ji Tan blinked his gradually moistened lashes; his breathing was entirely stolen, his mind was chaotic, and he instinctively moved himself closer to Zhou Wenbai.
Zhou Wenbai took the clumsy little tongue in Ji Tan’s mouth into his own, sucking on it closely. “Tuan Tuan baby’s mouth is so fragrant, the little tongue is so soft, and your saliva is sweet.”
Ji Tan was so embarrassed by Zhou Wenbai’s words that his ears turned completely red. His soft, tender tongue was sucked until it was scarlet and swollen. He opened his crimson lips and exhaled slightly, his amber eyes filled with pitiful and dazed watery mist.
Zhou Wenbai retracted his tongue, which had been wantonly wreaking havoc in Ji Tan’s mouth, licked away the silver thread overflowing from the corner of Ji Tan’s lips, and rolled his Adam’s apple. He watched Ji Tan’s vacant state for a while and pressed down his Adam’s apple heavily.
“Tuan Tuan has been kissed until he is broken by husband, what should we do now?” Zhou Wenbai rubbed against Ji Tan’s hot lip meat and sighed.
Such outrageous words.
Ji Tan’s ears inevitably burned red, and he couldn’t take it anymore as he kissed Zhou Wenbai’s jaw. “Husband, do not say anymore.”
Zhou Wenbai’s chest vibrated with a soft chuckle, enjoying Ji Tan’s ingratiating intimacy. “I will listen to Tuan Tuan; let us choose the ring.”
The waiter delivered the tablet and left. Zhou Wenbai, as if suffering from skin hunger, kept Ji Tan on his lap, unable to stop kissing the tender flesh behind his ears.
“Did you choose one before? Is there one you like?” Zhou Wenbai asked Ji Tan.
Ji Tan dodged from Zhou Wenbai’s tickling; Zhou Wenbai pursued and pressed against him, unwilling to be separated for even a second. Ji Tan shrank his neck and showed Zhou Wenbai the ring he had selected on the tablet. “Do you like it?”
Zhou Wenbai’s hot lips left Ji Tan’s skin for a moment and swept across the tablet Ji Tan held with both hands. “I like whatever Tuan Tuan chooses.”
Ji Tan was encouraged by Zhou Wenbai’s approval and couldn’t help but open the floodgates. “The waiter suggested I have words engraved on the inner ring; the first letter of my name and the last letter of your name can shorten the production time.”