After breakfast, the two of them, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, set off for work. During breaks in his training, Shen Huaiyun kept fiddling with his earring, feeling that the piercing had fully healed. He decided to check on Shen Tangmo’s condition once they got home.
He really wanted to see what the young man, who usually wore no accessories, would look like wearing the earring he had chosen.
Perhaps he could even take the opportunity to ask to see his mental landscape and spiritual form. The little schemes in his mind were clicking away.
Unfortunately, that day Shen Tangmo was unexpectedly pulled into a business dinner and had to ask Shen Huaiyun to go home first, telling him to make something he liked to eat.
Before leaving, Shen Tangmo leaned close to Shen Huaiyun’s ear, his lips almost brushing against the earlobe. “There are a few higher-ups present, so I’ll probably have to drink and socialize. I’ll try to come back as early as possible. Don’t leave the lights on for me.”
Even if it was to avoid others overhearing him gossiping about the higher-ups, there was no need to get this close, Shen Huaiyun grumbled inwardly.
The young man leaned back slightly to create some distance, his earlobe tinged a faint pink from the warm breath. “Alright. Do you want me to pick you up?”
He didn’t dare look at the other’s face, unaware of the triumphant, sly expression on the young man’s face. He only heard a soft chuckle. “You don’t have a driver’s license yet. Taking a taxi back and forth would be a waste of money. I can get back on my own, don’t worry.”
“Oh, then be careful.”
Shen Huaiyun felt a pang of frustration: I’m almost an adult I’ll get my driver’s license this summer!
Once home, he initially intended to follow his sworn brother’s advice and cook a couple of dishes himself. But as he crouched in front of the vegetable basket selecting ingredients, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. With only himself at home, cooking and eating alone seemed flavorless. In the end, he put the vegetables back, walked out of the kitchen, and ordered takeout.
As long as he threw away the packaging before Shen Tangmo got home, it wouldn’t matter even if he found out. The young man felt emboldened.
But the business dinner dragged on for far too long. After finishing his takeout, Shen Huaiyun washed some fruit several times and sat by the coffee table eating it. To pass the time, he picked up the little game “Snake.io” again. Watching the time tick from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., he still hadn’t heard the sound of the door opening.
He had sent a message half an hour ago saying he was almost home, why wasn’t he back yet?
Growing uneasy, Shen Huaiyun tried calling, but no one answered. He immediately got up and went out to look for him, only to find Shen Tangmo sitting like a statue in the “Thinker” pose at the entrance of their building.
Shen Huaiyun didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He walked over and poked Shen Tangmo’s shoulder with his phone. “Why are you just sitting here?”
Seeing him, the young man looked pale and sickly, speaking slower than usual with a weak, floating voice. “That car I don’t know what kind of air freshener they used. I felt nauseous the whole way.”
“Ah…” Shen Huaiyun tucked away his phone and helped him up, utterly exasperated. “I thought Never mind. Let’s go home, go home. I’ll make you some sobering soup.”
“Honey water. That’s faster.”
“Alright. I’ll make you honey water first, then cook the sobering soup.”
Shen Tangmo leaned his head against Shen Huaiyun’s neck, breathing in the familiar scent. Feeling his throat relax a little, he let himself be supported as they walked forward.
After settling this “big boss” on the sofa, mixing a cup of honey water and placing it in his hand, and gathering ingredients to simmer in a pot, Shen Huaiyun finally set a timer to remind himself before sitting down beside Shen Tangmo.
“How much did you drink?” he asked, the smell of alcohol lingering heavily in the air the whole way.
The young man slowly drank half a glass of honey water, staring at the rim of the cup as he recalled, “I think there was half a bottle, maybe a whole bottle of white liquor, and some wine.”
Shen Huaiyun frowned. “Why so much? How are you feeling now? Do you need to go to the bathroom and throw up?”
“No need for that.” He downed the remaining half in one gulp and leaned into Shen Huaiyun. “My alcohol tolerance is actually not bad.”
“Not bad, my foot.” Shen Huaiyun quickly propped up his head and shoulders with one arm, swiftly pulled a cushion from behind his waist, placed it on his lap, and gently laid him down on it. “The alcohol’s kicking in now, isn’t it? You’re so dizzy.”
“Mhm. I hate drinking parties.” Shen Tangmo admitted honestly. He turned sideways, reaching for the small trinket hanging from Shen Huaiyun’s clothes. “Next time, let’s make some drinks together.”
Lying like this, his upper body was almost nestled in the young man’s arms, his gaze shifting from the trinket to Shen Huaiyun’s face.
Shen Huaiyun’s breath hitched for a moment. He reached out to touch Shen Tangmo’s earlobe. “Looks like it’s healed? Your ear piercing.”
Seeing Shen Tangmo’s hand also let go of the trinket and reach upward, he tilted his head to make it easier for him to touch. “Mine is almost healed too.”
“Want to try earrings then?” The young man’s gaze was gentle, his fingertips lightly brushing.
“Sure, I remember they’re in.”
A soft chime of flowing water and birdsong rang out the alarm Shen Huaiyun had set for the hangover soup. He hurriedly lifted the cushion and Shen Tangmo slightly to free himself, placed them back on the sofa, and quickly walked into the kitchen.
Shen Tangmo seemed a little disappointed. He got up and headed to their room, returning with two small jewelry boxes in hand.
Once the hangover soup was ready, Shen Huaiyun ladled it into a bowl and brought it to the coffee table. Seeing Shen Tangmo sitting there fiddling with a pair of puppy paw earrings, he leaned in and lightly patted his thigh. “Drink the hangover soup first, Mr. Drunkard.”
Shen Tangmo gently bumped his head against him, his voice tinged with laughter. “Yes, Mr. Butler.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as Shen Tangmo quickly finished the soup, set the bowl down, wiped his lips with a tissue, and handed one of the jewelry boxes to Shen Huaiyun with his other hand. “The pair you picked help me put them on.”
Shen Huaiyun didn’t respond, but he had already shifted closer, reaching for Shen Tangmo’s earlobe. His fingertips trembled slightly, his breath unconsciously lightened as he carefully removed the healing earring, wiped it clean, placed it in the box, and picked up a small fox earring.
His gaze was intensely focused, fixed on the tiny hole. He aligned the earring post and inserted it, then secured the backing.
His movements were gentle, precise, and swift.
As his fingertips withdrew, the teardrop-shaped red crystal swayed slightly, refracting a dazzling light.
Shen Tangmo deliberately slowed his turn, looking directly into Shen Huaiyun’s eyes, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth. “How is it?”
The young man’s eyes sparkled like stars, and his expression alone was enough to convey his admiration without words.
Shen Tangmo raised his hand to show the earring between his fingers, gesturing for him to come closer. “One good turn deserves another. Let me help you put yours on too.”
Shen Huaiyun obediently leaned in, feeling the warmth of Shen Tangmo’s fingertips against his earlobe, his breath once again brushing against his skin.
After removing the healing earring, Shen Tangmo’s hands steadily threaded the earring post through the piercing but seemed to struggle with the backing. His fingertips repeatedly brushed against the back of Shen Huaiyun’s earlobe with the tiny round piece but couldn’t quite secure it in place.
Whether it was psychological or not, Shen Huaiyun felt a growing itch, and the skin there grew increasingly warm.
Shen Tangmo watched as his entire ear began to flush red. Finally aligning the threads, he screwed it in and withdrew his hand. “All done.”
The crystal-clear, bright little dog paw, paired with Shen Huaiyun’s eyes he believed those eyes were even more precious gems.
“Does it feel uncomfortable?”
He reached out to gently twist the small plum blossom paw, and the young man shook his head. “No.”
He then reached over to pinch the other earlobe. “Once we exchange and put on the other one, it’ll be like marking you.”
“Everyone will know our earrings are a pair. Even when I’m not around, you’ll remember the connection between us.”
Everyone will know we are a pair.
Ahem, what am I thinking? Shen Huaiyun cut off his train of thought and nodded.
“Why haven’t your mental tentacles come out today?”
“The alcohol’s too strong. My mental energy is all limp and can’t gather together.”