If this hadn’t been inside a movie theater, Jiang Zao would probably have jumped straight out of his seat.
“Are you insane?” he hissed, giving Zhou Yuchi an indignant kick.
All that happened was a simple brush of their hands while reaching for popcorn, just a light touch, a tiny scrape of fingers. Yet somehow, from Zhou Yuchi’s mouth, it sounded indecent, almost scandalous.
Seeing the smug satisfaction on Zhou Yuchi’s face, Jiang Zao was sure of it, this guy was teasing him on purpose. He always did. Ever since they were kids, Zhou Yuchi’s favorite hobby had been watching him get flustered.
Jiang Zao refused to give him the satisfaction this time. He set the popcorn aside, face faintly flushed, pale skin now tinged with soft pink, smooth and warm like steamed milk.
Fuming, he sipped his cola in silence. Sometimes he really wanted to give all straight men a lecture, just so they’d understand how dangerous it was to play with a gay man’s nerves.
Zhou Yuchi noticed the younger man’s irritation and, for once, decided to behave. He quietly set the popcorn bucket between them, as if offering a peace treaty.
Jiang Zao snatched a handful and muttered under his breath, “There, Happy? Once the movie’s over, we’re even.”
Zhou Yuchi’s tone was slow, unhurried. “Even for what?”
“You’re asking me?” Jiang Zao snapped.
“I never said you owed me anything.”
“Then why did you drag me here to watch a movie?”
“I just felt like it.”
Jiang Zao stared at him, speechless. Of course Zhou Yuchi would find the gentlest, most infuriatingly calm way to get back at him.
By the time the credits rolled, Jiang Zao was emotionally exhausted.
The movie itself wasn’t bad, it was actually quite good, meeting most of his expectations. A bit outdated, a few scenes dull and predictable, but the leads had chemistry, and that made it worth watching.
He didn’t wait for Zhou Yuchi when they left the theater. He walked straight out, the other man following at a steady pace behind him.
Once they got to the car, Zhou Yuchi took the driver’s seat, Jiang Zao the passenger side, his face turned toward the window, clearly unwilling to talk.
Experience had taught Zhou Yuchi that this was the time to stay quiet. Any word from him now would only make things worse.
The drive home was silent. When they arrived, Zhou Yuchi followed him inside, closing the door behind them.
Jiang Zao bent down to change his shoes, his loose hoodie slipping just slightly as he moved. His lashes trembled when he blinked, long and dense, shadowing his eyes just enough.
For a moment, Zhou Yuchi’s gaze lingered. He didn’t mean to stare, but something about the way Jiang Zao bent down, his movements casual yet precise, made it hard to look away.
Then, just as he was about to glance elsewhere, Jiang Zao lifted his head. Their eyes met, Jiang Zao’s expression open, almost innocent, though his tone carried a teasing edge.
“Enjoying the view?” he asked.
Zhou Yuchi froze.
He had looked before, always casually, never ashamed but this was the first time Jiang Zao had caught him and called him out so bluntly.
Jiang Zao straightened, brushing off his clothes, a faint smirk curving his lips. His eyes were clear and bright, the corners lifting playfully.
He took a step forward, voice soft but lazy, the kind of southern drawl that slid smooth as honey.
“Then keep imagining it.”
Zhou Yuchi stared, momentarily at a loss for words.
Jiang Zao saw his face, equal parts shocked and conflicted, and grinned in triumph. That’ll teach you, you straight menace.
Satisfied, he turned and darted into his room, slamming the door shut.
Zhou Yuchi stood frozen for a long moment. His jaw tensed, a vein showing faintly at his temple.
He pressed his fist to his lips, exhaled, and finally went to his own room.
He sat down on the bed, restless. The movie they’d just watched was already a blur, all he could think of was the way the dim theater light had outlined Jiang Zao’s profile, the curve of his shoulders, the faint sheen of cola on his lips when he drank.
He tried to distract himself, even reached for a lollipop, biting down on it until it cracked between his teeth.
His gaze landed on the desk. A computer, a few scattered books… and a small glass jar full of folded lucky stars.
The moment he saw it, his face darkened. His expression turned cold, eyes shadowed. After a long pause, he reached forward and opened the jar.
Jiang Zao slept like a baby that night.
Waking up the next morning, his mood was excellent, after all, teasing Zhou Yuchi had been incredibly satisfying.
Stretching, he opened his door and found the apartment quiet. Zhou Yuchi’s room was open, but empty.
“Zhou Yuchi?” he called. No answer.
“Mad dog?” Still no answer.
He crouched near the trash bin and tried again, “Hey, idiot straight guy?”
Perfect. Silence.
Delighted, Jiang Zao skipped toward the kitchen, only to find a sandwich and a glass of milk neatly set on the table. A small sticky note was attached to the milk carton.
[At the lab.]
It was Zhou Yuchi’s handwriting, sharp, clean, a little arrogant.
Jiang Zao peeled off the note and sighed. He really can’t pass up a chance to show off, huh?
Just then, his phone buzzed.
[MadDog(▽皿▽#): Awake yet?]
[ZaoZaoSleep: What, are you spying on me? How do you know that?]
[ZaoZaoSleep(▽皿▽#): …]
[MadDog(▽皿▽#): Saw the sandwich? Eat it.]
[ZaoZaoSleep: You didn’t poison it, did you?]
[ZaoZaoSleep: I’ll think about it if you didn’t.]
[MadDog(▽皿▽#): Yeah, totally poisoned. Already ascended. Waiting for you in the underworld.]
Jiang Zao burst out laughing and sent a flood of stickers back, fingers hovering over the keyboard before he decided not to ask when Zhou Yuchi would return.
His eyes drifted back to the sandwich, egg, ham, lettuce, with a touch of yolk sauce and Thousand Island dressing. His favorite.
When he was younger, Yang Yu used to make these for him all the time. But later, when work got busy, she stopped.
He’d tried to make them himself, but he was hopeless in the kitchen, terrified of oil splatters and allergic to effort.
So Zhou Yuchi had learned instead.
He could still remember him, back then school uniform, apron tied crookedly, a lazy smirk on his face. He looked completely out of place, yet surprisingly good at it.
Jiang Zao washed up and decided he’d eat later. After all, if someone made you breakfast, you’d be a fool not to enjoy it.
His phone buzzed again, a message from Cheng Jiamin.
[Boss, don’t forget to bring back that batch of clothes tomorrow〜〜〜]
Oh right. The quality check.
He smacked his forehead, he still hadn’t finished checking the new designs. All because of Zhou Yuchi’s nonsense yesterday.
He went back to his room, pulling out a box from the shelf. Inside were a dozen or so garments, delicate pieces, new prototypes from their partner factory. Each needed to be checked carefully for fabric strength, comfort, and fit.
He picked one at random, a bold black and white lace set with ribbons and cross-tied straps.
Jiang Zao blinked, speechless for a moment, then chuckled softly. Well. That’s… eye-catching.
He examined the seams, tested the stretch, took notes on the materials. His tone of concentration was all business or so he told himself.
After all, he was a professional. Just because the designs were a little daring didn’t mean he wasn’t taking his job seriously.
Still, he couldn’t help but appreciate the craftsmanship. Beautiful things were meant to be admired, right?
He tried on a sample to check the sizing, only to realize it was a bit too loose around the waist. The cut, however, was exquisite, with intricate patterns that caught the light just right.
He scribbled down a few notes: replace zipper with elastic band, easier to adjust; smoother fit recommended.
After going through a few more items, he finally leaned back, satisfied and very hungry.
Time for that sandwich.
Still half-dressed from the fittings, he glanced toward the kitchen. The apartment was quiet. Zhou Yuchi was still out, so… it should be fine.
He grabbed a robe, wrapped it around himself, and crept out, careful as a cat.
But fate had other plans.
Just as he reached the kitchen, sandwich in sight, the sound of a key turning in the front door made him freeze.
“…Mm, yeah, I’ll handle it,” came Zhou Yuchi’s voice from outside, deep and steady, clearly mid-phone call.
Not a burglar. Not a deliveryman.
Just the one person Jiang Zao absolutely did not want to see right now.
Jiang Zao stood there, eyes wide, breath caught halfway. Why is he back already?!
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The chapter is finished. The chaos is not.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · The BossChapter 2 · Childhood FriendChapter 3 · Settlement of AccountChapter 4 · Button UnderwearChapter 5 · Open The DoorChapter 6 · (O△O)!Chapter 7 · Woe to himChapter 8 · Break The JarChapter 9 · Keep your promiseChapter 10 · MovieChapter 11 · Try on clothesChapter 12 · Hide! Hide! HIDE!Chapter 13 · ShameChapter 14 · ProtocolChapter 15 · TraceChapter 16 · What are you nervous about?Chapter 17 · Physical TestChapter 18 · Protect One’s OwnChapter 19 · MassageChapter 20 · BiteChapter 21 · Bring him homeChapter 22 · True LoveChapter 23 · After drinkingChapter 24 · MarketChapter 25 · Temporary TattooChapter 26 · Shooting GameChapter 27 · Escape GameChapter 28 · Terrifying dreamChapter 29 · ExhibitionChapter 30 · Pocky GameChapter 31 · TeasingChapter 32 · Pure scoundrelChapter 33 · Straight menChapter 34 · Gay BarChapter 35 · Lip lickingChapter 36 · Doesn’t seem like a good personChapter 37 · AddictionChapter 38 · Reporting videoChapter 39 · Rough LanguageChapter 40 · Wow!Chapter 41 · Hot spring resort～～Chapter 42 · It looks good!Chapter 43 · Hot SpringChapter 44 · HonestyChapter 45 · VinegarChapter 46 · I’ll keep you companyChapter 47 · Rocking ChairChapter 48 · VileChapter 49 · Losing ComposureChapter 50 · A Guide to Identifying Gay MenChapter 51 · Going HomeChapter 52 · KissChapter 53 · PeckChapter 54 · Pearl Wedding AttireChapter 55 · For No ReasonChapter 56 · Stop CalculatingChapter 57 · HandcuffsChapter 58 · Too FarChapter 59 · The MuzzleChapter 60 · Taking It FurtherChapter 61 · Does kissing feel good?Chapter 62 · HmmChapter 63 · GuidanceChapter 64 · VideoChapter 65 · No ProblemChapter 66 · Come DownChapter 67 · Is That All?Chapter 68 · HmphChapter 69 · Applying MedicineChapter 70 · ToysChapter 71 · BathroomChapter 72 · PlacementChapter 73 · WaitingChapter 74 · LoveChapter 75 · StarsChapter 76 · RoommateChapter 77 · BoyfriendChapter 78 · MouthChapter 79 · MidsummerChapter 80 · Aeroplane ChessChapter 81 · Ice CubesChapter 82 · All Night LongChapter 83 · SleepChapter 84 · The Alt AccountChapter 85 · End of the Main StoryChapter 86 · Extra 1Chapter 87 · Extra 2Chapter 88 · Extra 3Chapter 89 · Extra 4Chapter 90 · Extra 5Chapter 91 · Extra 6Chapter 92 · Extra 7Chapter 93 · Extra 8Chapter 94 · Extra 9Chapter 95 · Extra 10Chapter 96 · Extra 11