“…” Jiang Zhao was completely bewildered. Somehow, stepping into that room felt like walking into a wolf’s den. He quickly said, “No, don’t. Come out, we’ll talk in the living room.”
Zhou Yuchi didn’t argue. He followed Jiang Zhao into the living room and casually sat down beside him.
Jiang Zhao set his laptop on his lap, frowned, and gave him a small push. “Don’t sit so close. Sit over there.”
Zhou Yuchi shrugged with an amused expression and obediently shifted to the couch across from him.
Jiang Zhao cleared his throat. “Since you’re so stubborn about staying here, we need to make a few things clear. Some rules about living together.”
Zhou Yuchi watched him quietly.
Jiang Zhao turned his laptop toward him. On the screen was a large title that read ‘Shared Apartment Agreement, Three Articles’.
“I’m kindhearted, generous, intelligent, and incredibly handsome,” Jiang Zhao said proudly. “Not like someone who’s annoying and always playing tricks. Anyway, the draft’s only halfway done, take a look and tell me if you have questions.”
Zhou Yuchi rested his chin in one hand, posture relaxed, his gaze lowered slightly. The lazy composure in his expression carried a faintly dangerous charm.
His eyes traced Jiang Zhao’s lips as they moved, small, soft, naturally red, opening and closing as he spoke. Such a pretty face. That little mouth kept chattering on and on, unaware of how distracting it was. When Zhou Yuchi’s eyes slid downward to the pale line of his collarbone, his gaze darkened just a little.
Memories from last night flickered through his mind, the sight of delicate skin under soft light, the faint marks left behind by a robe that had slipped too loosely over smooth shoulders. He caught himself thinking about how easily that image had burned itself into his mind.
“Hey!” Jiang Zhao’s voice snapped him out of his daze. “I’m asking you to read the agreement. What are you daydreaming for?”
He shoved the laptop into Zhou Yuchi’s hands. Zhou Yuchi gave a small, amused exhale and began to scroll through it.
After a moment, he said blandly, “You’ve got quite a few demands here.”
“Demands? These are mutually beneficial responsibilities, thank you very much.” Jiang Zhao leaned forward, pointing to one clause. “Like this one, ‘Always remember to close doors, and after 11 p.m., no loud calls or music that disturb the other person’s rest.’ Perfectly reasonable.”
Zhou Yuchi flipped further. “This one, ‘Each keeps their own space clean, but Zhou Yuchi is responsible for the shared areas: living room, kitchen, balcony, etc.’ You call that reasonable?”
Jiang Zhao muttered, “You’re the one who’s good at cleaning. It’s called putting talent to good use.”
“So this is revenge,” Zhou Yuchi said dryly. “I thought grown men could at least clean up after themselves.”
Jiang Zhao hesitated, then looked away. “…Yeah, it’s revenge. Got a problem? We can suffer together!”
Zhou Yuchi chuckled and lowered his gaze again. A particular line caught his attention, and his brow lifted slightly. “‘Each tenant must notify the other if returning home outside normal commuting hours.’ What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” Jiang Zhao explained, “If you’re staying late at the lab or coming home late for any reason, just text me in advance. Let me know roughly when you’ll be back. That way I don’t get surprised if I’m working on something.”
Zhou Yuchi was silent for a moment. Then, with a faint smile that carried teasing undertones, he said, “Oh, so you just want me to report in.”
“Huh?” Jiang Zhao blinked, not getting the point.
Zhou Yuchi’s lips curved a little more. “Since when did you get this clingy?”
Jiang Zhao: “…”
He wanted to protest but couldn’t find the words. This wasn’t clinginess, it was basic communication!
The rest of the clauses were fairly normal,
2. No leaving trash in shared areas to prevent odor or pests.
3. No disturbing the other when coming home late or waking up early.
4. No smoking in public areas.
“I don’t smoke indoors,” Zhou Yuchi said.
“It’s just a reminder,” Jiang Zhao replied.
Zhou Yuchi’s eyes half-lidded lazily. “Still unnecessary.”
Jiang Zhao leaned over to glance at another line.
6. If one party begins dating, they may not bring their partner home without the other’s consent.
“This one’s important,” Jiang Zhao said seriously. “We’re roommates. It wouldn’t be right for you to bring someone over.”
“I won’t,” Zhou Yuchi replied flatly. His tone was low and even, but there was a faint chill underneath it. After a pause, he added, “I don’t date. Not anyone outside.”
Jiang Zhao looked at him, surprised by the hardness in his voice. Normally, Zhou Yuchi carried a cool, teasing air that lightened everything around him. But now, that casual mask has slipped.
A memory flashed in Jiang Zhao’s mind, years ago, when a group of girls had begged him to ask Zhou Yuchi what kind of person he liked. It had been a stifling summer night. Zhou Yuchi’s face that evening had been cold, detached, unreadable.
There was a hint of disdain, a trace of sadness he hadn’t understood at the time. It was as if he’d already liked someone for a long time but didn’t want to admit it.
The living room fell silent. The stillness stretched so long that Jiang Zhao could hear both their faint breaths. The air felt heavier than before.
He wanted to tell Zhou Yuchi to forget about it, to stop touching on old wounds, but before he could, Zhou Yuchi spoke again, “Are you planning to date?”
“Ah?” Jiang Zhao blinked in confusion.
Zhou Yuchi rested his hand on the laptop, eyes steady and unreadable. The look in them was so calm it almost felt cold.
Jiang Zhao brushed his hair back nervously. “I’m so busy with work lately, I don’t even have time to sleep. Who has time to date?”
Zhou Yuchi studied him for a moment, then his lips curved into a familiar smirk. “Right. Just graduating and already managing to hold down a job, that’s a miracle in itself.”
“…” Jiang Zhao was speechless and to think he had almost felt sorry for him earlier.
“Enough nonsense,” Jiang Zhao said irritably. “The most important part is here. Pay attention.”
He reached over, turning the laptop toward Zhou Yuchi and pointing to the last clause:
8. Under no circumstances is Zhou Yuchi allowed to enter Jiang Zhao’s room.
“In other words,” Jiang Zhao straightened up, his expression solemn, “My room is off-limits. A forbidden zone.”
Zhou Yuchi raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth curling slightly.
Jiang Zhao sat back down. “I’ll give you a chance. You can add two clauses if you want. Only two.”
The screen’s glow reflected softly on Zhou Yuchi’s face. He seemed indifferent, yet there was amusement in his eyes, this whole “agreement” thing clearly entertained him.
“In that case,” he said slowly, “First one, you can’t block me again.”
“What?” Jiang Zhao frowned. “That’s my right. You’re annoying. What does that have to do with our living arrangement?”
“If you block me, how am I supposed to send you those little reports you want so badly?” Zhou Yuchi said smoothly. “You can’t have it both ways, Zhao Zhao.”
Jiang Zhao: “…”
“Fine, fine,” he said with exasperation. “Add it yourself.”
Zhou Yuchi’s hands moved gracefully over the keyboard, long fingers tapping lightly. For a moment, Jiang Zhao found himself distracted watching them.
“I’ll save the second one for later,” Zhou Yuchi said. “If any new problems come up, we can add them then.”
After finalizing the agreement, Jiang Zhao actually felt a little more at ease, though the whole process had left him slightly embarrassed. Still, he had to admit his quality of life had improved.
To his surprise, Zhou Yuchi really did take care of all the housework. Even breakfast appeared on the table every morning before Jiang Zhao left for work. It was almost unsettling how reliable he was.
Every weekday morning when Jiang Zao wakes up, Zhou Yuchi has breakfast on the table, he’s even more like a fairy godmother than the fairy godmother.
‘He who eats another’s food is bound to him; he who takes another’s money is bound to him.’ Jiang thought for a moment. Although Mad Dog was sharp-tongued, he was indeed a very good cook. He should repay the meal he owed him as soon as possible.
So Jiang Zhao sent him a message asking if he was free that evening. Zhou Yuchi didn’t reply immediately; he was probably busy.
At work, the day was hectic as usual. The company had a big meeting. Jiang Zhao had submitted a detailed proposal for the next season’s KouKou Apparel project, it was creative, bold, and had gained unanimous approval from the team.
One concept he’d explored in it was based on flow theory, the psychological idea of complete immersion. People lose themselves when they’re deeply engaged in something, like crafting, drawing, or designing alone. The same principle applied to designing clothes that created emotional immersion.
Compared to everyday outfits, QQ-style clothing is often designed for romantic moments between lovers. The key to making such clothing more than just attire and turning it into a way to deepen intimacy and emotional connection, is to set a clear intention and create a strong sense of immersion.
A quick way to build that immersion is by setting a scene, inviting your partner into a vivid, shared story.
For instance, imagine seeing someone wearing a simple shirt clip. At first glance, it’s nothing special, just an accessory. But if you add a story behind it, the meaning changes completely.
Suppose that person is your usually cold, overworked boss, and you’ve just uncovered his hidden secret. Suddenly, that small shirt clip becomes a symbol of vulnerability and tension between you, transforming a mundane object into the center of a charged, unforgettable encounter.
That’s the power of a good scenario.
Jiang had long wanted to design something like that, to build a setting where the clothing itself became part of the story, each buckle and strap in the new series helping to draw his partner deeper into the moment.
“Alright,” said Director Bei, “our first collection is confirmed. The theme is ‘Campus Pure Desire.’ The first prototype will be a sports gym uniform. Chen Jiamin has prepared some sketches, let’s vote on them.”
Jiang Zao looked up at the large screen displaying the design sketch.
The model Cheng Jiamin used was a youthful, handsome boy, fair skin with a faint rosy tint, soft hair curling slightly at the ends, and a naturally playful, charming look.
The outfit was inspired by Japanese-style sportswear. The top was form-fitting, outlining a clean, slender waist, while the shorts were made from light cotton and cut very short. There was even a more daring version featuring thinner straps for a bolder silhouette.
For accessories, Cheng had paired the look with white socks in several variations, some reaching up to the knee, others short enough to leave the curve of the calves uncovered. Each design gave off a different kind of youthful energy.
The first top was simple, basic enough that it looked like it could wrinkle with the slightest touch.
The second design, however, was far more intricate. The back featured a wide opening around the waist, with both sides drawn inward to accentuate shape. Yet the fabric didn’t fully separate; if you looked closely, you could see a fine layer of translucent mesh connecting the pieces.
When touched, the subtle tension of the fabric revealed a trace of movement underneath, soft yet responsive, crafted perfectly to create a gentle, pampered aesthetic.
Jiang Zao studied both options carefully, then spoke up, focused as ever. “Isn’t the second one more stylish?”
Cheng Jiamin grinned. “Right? I thought so too! I actually got the idea from a movie I watched recently, hang on, here it is.”
She pulled up a video clip and handed it to him.
Jiang Zao took one look and frowned. The footage was grainy and old-fashioned. “This quality is terrible. Couldn’t you find a higher-resolution version?”
Cheng waved dismissively. “Doesn’t matter. Ever since I learned what 3P means, I’ve been terrified of anything in 720p or 1080p.”
Jiang Zao: “…”
The rest of the team burst into laughter.
“I’m voting for the second one.”
“Same here, the second design is definitely better.”
“Number two gets my vote too! count me in!”
The room was filled with cheerful voices, and Jiang Zao couldn’t help but smile faintly, quietly saving the final draft on the screen.
Everyone laughed, cast their votes, and decided on the second design. Director Bei wrapped up the meeting, handing the draft to production and encouraging everyone to brainstorm ideas for the campaign setting.
When Jiang Zhao stepped out of the conference room, he finally checked his phone. Zhou Yuchi had replied.
[Mad Dog(▽皿▽#): I’m free...]
He smiled faintly and was about to type a response when his colleague Qi Yiran hurried over. “Boss, there’s another batch of samples for you to check today.”
“What kind of samples?” Jiang Zhao asked.
Qi handed him a few small boxed products. “Some of the new sensory devices! A sucking toy, a classic beginner model, the kind that allows for external sucking.”
Jiang Zhao picked one up and curiously turned it in his hand. “How do you even use this? Where’s the switch?”
“Oh, like this.” Qi pressed a button and, before Jiang Zhao could react, gently touched the device to his neck.
The toy was warm, first gently brushing against Jiang Zao’s skin, then seemingly opening its mouth and sucking on the soft flesh of his neck, sending a tingling, uncomfortable sensation through his body.
“Wh… what is that?” He stammered, covering his neck.
Qi chuckled. “Don’t worry, it’s harmless. Think of it as a gentle reminder of intimacy. But, uh…. usually people don’t use it on their necks.”
“Other places?” Jiang Zhao’s voice wavered.
“Mhm,” Qi said, straight-faced and professional, as expected of a top salesperson, spoke with extraordinary righteousness, “After all, a person’s genitals are more sensitive and more likely to produce pleasure
Jiang Zhao felt his ears burning as he stared at the harmless-looking little gadget. He suddenly had the urge to crawl under a table.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The translator promises nothing except gratitude and possibly more chapters.
☕ 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