Hearing Wu Yan’s clearly coquettish words, Pei Jin froze for two seconds. Meeting those shimmering eyes, he finally parted his lips to utter two words: “Suit yourself.”
Seeing Pei Jin look away, Wu Yan circled back in front of him and held out his black room keycard. “My room key.”
Pei Jin looked down at the card, his expression turning serious. “Keep things like this yourself. Don’t go giving them out to people.”
“Brother isn’t ‘people’…”
Seeing Pei Jin wouldn’t take it, Wu Yan didn’t force the issue. Instead, he drooped his head with feigned sorrow. “My health is so poor; if I faint in my room, no one will know. By the time I’m found, my bo—”
Before he could finish the word, the keycard was snatched from his hand.
Pei Jin gripped the card, his voice flat and somewhat cold. “I’ll keep it for now. Stop talking nonsense.”
“Okay!” Wu Yan’s voice brightened. He knew playing the “weak card” worked on Pei Jin. He stepped back and waved a thoughtful goodbye. “Then I won’t disturb Brother’s rest. See you tomorrow.”
Pei Jin fell silent for a few seconds before swiping his own card. With a soft beep, he pushed open his door and entered. Wu Yan let out a yawn, his eyes moist, and turned to head into his own room.
Xu Yike might have questionable character, but his efficiency was high. The people he hired had already finished unpacking. They stood in a row, awaiting further instructions.
“Young Master, they’re staying on the floor below. If you need anything, call them. I’m staying in…” Xu Yike was cut off.
“I got it. I’m tired.” Wu Yan sat on the sofa and hugged a pillow, looking lethargic.
Once everyone left, the room became quiet. Outside, the world was being silently painted white by the falling snow. Bitter winds howled like a wild horse.
That evening, Wu Yan ordered several signature dishes from the hotel. He curled up on the sofa eating chips while watching an animated show about a yellow sponge and a pink starfish. The laughter from the TV broke the silence.
After dinner, he headed to the bathroom. Warm, humid steam filled the air as hot water flowed from the shower. After rinsing off, he looked at himself in the mirror. His pale face was flushed like cherry blossoms, and his lips were a deep red. His neck and collarbone were elegant, but a few faint red marks likely from rubbing too hard while washing stood out against his skin, adding an unintentionally suggestive touch.
“I just used a little force; how did it leave marks…” he murmured, drying his hair. He didn’t notice his phone vibrating on the counter over the noise of the hairdryer.
In the room across the hall, Pei Jin stared at his glowing phone screen. His brow was knit, and his lips were pressed in a thin line. Since there was no response from the other side, his anxiety grew. He sent several more messages, but they remained unanswered.
He recalled Wu Yan’s words about “fainting in his room.” After a few seconds of hesitation, he headed out. He knocked on Wu Yan’s door. One second, two seconds, three…
On the fourth second, Pei Jin used the keycard Wu Yan had given him. He pushed the door open to see a coffee table cluttered with food and clothes scattered about—a bit of a mess. He frowned, his eyes falling on the TV still playing the cartoon.
He walked to the bedroom, but it was empty. His gaze shifted to the fogged-up glass of the bathroom, where a blurry silhouette was visible.
Did he faint mid-shower? The thought flashed through his mind.
Just then, Wu Yan opened the door and walked straight into a warm embrace. He froze, then smiled as he looked up. “Brother, why are you here?”
Pei Jin stiffened and stepped back to create distance. “Your mother said she couldn’t reach you. I came to check.”
Wu Yan blinked. “I was showering and didn’t hear. Brother, why aren’t you looking at me?”
A sweet citrus scent likely the shower gel filled the air. Pei Jin looked up to see Wu Yan’s captivating face and elegant collarbone. Lower down, a bathrobe was tied loosely around a supple waist. His legs were long and straight.
“Put some clothes on first,” Pei Jin said.
Wu Yan nodded. He untied the belt and began to change by the closet with leisurely movements. He noticed Pei Jin had turned his back to him, his ear tips turning red.
Just changing clothes; why is he so shy? Wu Yan wondered.
Once the rustling of clothes stopped, Pei Jin turned back. Wu Yan stepped closer and tilted his head. “Brother, are you hot?”
“No.” The standard answer.
“Then why are your ears so red?” Wu Yan reached out to touch him, but Pei Jin retreated again. Wu Yan withdrew his hand, feeling a bit rebuffed.
Pei Jin, seeing that he was fine, gave a few polite remarks and prepared to leave. Watching the man’s hurried retreat, Wu Yan found it amusing.
“Pei Jin!” he called out. Pei Jin stopped and looked back. “What is it?” “Can’t you stay and keep me company for a bit? I ate well today,” Wu Yan said, as if reporting an achievement.
He knew eating was for his own good, but he used anything to bridge the gap. He tried to take the man’s hand. “I’m so bored alone…”
Pei Jin looked at him with a helpless gaze. He withdrew his sleeve and looked at the dark sky outside. “I need to go back and read the script.”
Wu Yan’s lashes fluttered, casting shadows. “I won’t disturb you. Bring it here, or I’ll go to your room.”
Unable to win the argument, Pei Jin agreed to stay in the living room. Under the warm yellow lights, Pei Jin sat on the sofa focused on his script while Wu Yan leaned lazily nearby, hugging a pillow and staring at him.
Wu Yan felt a bit thirsty and took several sips of water. In the quiet room, the sound of swallowing was exceptionally clear. Pei Jin, usually focused, found his mind wandering. He closed the script.
“What is it?” Wu Yan asked, blinking dazed eyes.
“Wu Yan, are you that thirsty?” Pei Jin looked at the empty glass and then at Wu Yan’s glistening, red lips.
Wu Yan gripped the glass until his knuckles were white. He set it down and said, “I’m not drinking anymore. Continue.”
A moment later, Pei Jin reopened the script. Wu Yan sighed in relief and slipped into the bedroom. He went to the closet and intentionally chose an oversized shirt, one that perfectly revealed his collarbone. He smoothed the wrinkles, took a deep breath, and walked back out.
Pei Jin didn’t notice the outfit change at first. Wu Yan sat in his original spot, leaned over the coffee table, and picked up a grape-flavored lollipop. He gently peeled the plastic, revealing a purple sphere that shimmered under the light.
Smelling the grape scent, Pei Jin looked up. His gaze was instantly trapped. His throat moved.
Wu Yan sat diagonally across from him, his pink lips moistened by the candy, carefully extending the tip of his tongue to lick the lollipop. It was a scene that invited endless imagination.
Pei Jin felt he could almost hear the wet sounds. A flash of panic crossed his eyes. His voice was hoarse as he stood up: “I’m leaving.”
Wu Yan stood up and pressed down on the man’s shoulders, forcing him back onto the sofa. He leaned over, staring directly into Pei Jin’s eyes like an innocent child. “It’s still early. Why is Brother leaving again? Did I do something wrong?”
His voice trailed off like a hook meant to snag a heart.
Feeling the heat of the proximity, Pei Jin’s heart raced. He tried to back away. “Don’t get so close. Stand up.”
Wu Yan sighed and stood straight. As Pei Jin grabbed his script and rushed out, Wu Yan pouted, his eyes full of laughter.
“You clearly had a reaction…” he whispered softly.
Pei Jin’s figure paused at the door, his movements stiff as he closed it behind him. Wu Yan stretched and sat on the sofa, turning the TV to a documentary channel.
The narrator’s steady voice filled the room: “As winter ends, the season of rebirth begins. It is the season for breeding…”