The bar’s background music thumped with a deep bass, weaving itself around the live singer’s voice until the sound tangled thickly in the air.
Zhou Yuchi stood above him, looking down at Jiang Zao from a higher angle.
His fringe fell loosely against his forehead, accentuating sharp brow bones that carried an almost predatory aggression.
He didn’t speak. He didn’t move. He simply stood there, silently locking Jiang Zao in a battle of stillness.
After a moment, for no discernible reason, Zhou’s palm brushed against the back of Jiang Zao’s hand, grazing over it with a slow drag before changing position.
He then caught both of Jiang Zao’s wrists with one large hand, pinning them together easily, while his other hand hung lazily by his side, casual, dismissive, provocative, as if this entire action was just something he did in passing.
Jiang Zao: “…”
The man’s hand was broad, veins bulging faintly across the back as the tendons shifted under the skin. His grip was strong, powerful, almost crushing.
And this position, Jiang Zao had only ever seen it in novels.
The type where the gong pinned the shou to the bed, their wrists pressed together above their head, completely restrained before…indescribable things happened.
The realization made Jiang Zao instantly unhappy.
His delicate features twisted into a scowl, brows scrunching together with clear irritation. He tilted his chin upward, glaring fiercely as he snapped:
“Let go.”
But perhaps because he had always looked obedient and proper, even his attempt at being fierce carried no real threat.
His apricot-shaped eyes rounded out, clear and bright, so transparent they reflected the lights around them. His angry little scowl only deepened the shallow dimple at the corner of his cheek.
Zhou Yuchi stared at him with obvious interest. Almost teasingly, he reached out with his free hand, smoothing out the frown lines between Jiang Zao’s brows as if he were offering comfort. His tone dropped low, a feigned gentleness curling around the edges:
“Not happy to see me?”
Not just “not happy.”
Jiang Zao wanted to punch him right now.
Because Zhou Yuchi was Jiang Zao’s sworn nemesis.
They had known each other since they were young. There was no particular grudge or defining incident, but the two of them had always been natural-born enemies.
Jiang Zao was the quintessential good student, obedient, polite, excelling in both academics and conduct. Teachers adored him, classmates admired him; he was the star pupil placed carefully at the top of the pedestal.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yuchi was every parent’s nightmare, a delinquent who smoked, drank, fought, and even had tattoos. A thug in every sense of the word… except for the small fact that his grades were just as excellent as Jiang Zao’s.
Every time a teacher blew up at Zhou Yuchi, they’d eventually look down at his nearly perfect test papers and be forced to swallow half their anger.
Jiang Zao hated that the most.
He hated that Zhou Yuchi, who lived so carelessly, still managed to tie with him for first place. He hated how their rivalry turned every exam into a silent battleground. Just thinking about it made his blood pressure spike.
And there was another reason.
Jiang Zao was gay. Zhou Yuchi was straight.
The day Jiang Zao became aware of his own orientation, he found Zhou Yuchi even more unbearable.
Because Zhou Yuchi was exactly the type of “boundary-less straight guy” that made his skin crawl.
He hated how Zhou would casually sling an arm over his shoulders like they were brothers.
He hated how Zhou would call him by that infuriating childhood nickname in such an intimate tone.
He hated his crude jokes, his casual closeness, his constant presence.
No matter where he went, school events, competitions, extracurriculars, Zhou Yuchi was always there. Even if they weren’t in the same major, Zhou somehow always managed to end up in the same place, like some eternal shadow determined to compete with him.
Jiang Zao truly believed Zhou Yuchi was born to ruin his life. The person he hated most, bar none.
So when he tried to struggle again, he realized with frustration just how wide their physical difference had become as they grew older.
Zhou now stood more than half a head taller than him, broad-shouldered and muscular. Against that strength, Jiang Zao’s slim wrists and arms were nothing. He couldn’t escape at all.
The sight of Zhou’s tall build, the hard outline of muscle beneath his shirt, only made Jiang Zao angrier, “Let me go! You’re hurting me!”
What kind of shameful posture was this?
Who just grabbed someone like this for no reason?
Did he have no shame?!
“You ran away first.” Zhou Yuchi lowered his eyes, his gaze sliding down over Jiang Zao’s tense body. His grip tightened fractionally, his careless smile vanishing.
His voice carried a cold seriousness now, low and intimidating, “Why are you here?”
Jiang Zao blurted: “Didn’t you see me just… ”
Halfway through, realization hit. His words cut off abruptly, swallowed back in panic.
Wait. Zhou Yuchi didn’t know about his internship.
And even though Jiang Zao didn’t care much about the nature of his job at the adult toy company, the thought of Zhou Yuchi finding out made his skin prickle with unease.
What kind of expression would Zhou make if he learned the truth?
Just imagining it made Jiang Zao’s scalp tingle with dread.
“…Just wandering around.” Jiang Zao forced down his nerves, darting his eyes up and down over Zhou before snapping back, “What about you? With your wide range of ‘businesses,’ what are you here for? Don’t tell me you’ve gone into modeling now?”
Zhou Yuchi didn’t even blink. His voice came out lazy, listless, but cutting straight through, “If you want to sleep with me, I’ll give you a discount.”
“…”
Insane. Absolutely insane.
“Project team celebration banquet,” Zhou added flatly, finally giving a real answer. His tone didn’t rise or fall, as if this was simply fact. “I told you already.”
Jiang Zao frowned. “? When?”
Zhou Yuchi: “After you blocked me.”
Jiang Zao shut his mouth instantly.
Damn it. So he’d been waiting for him here.
The truth was, Jiang Zao had blocked Zhou Yuchi about a month ago. The exact reason had long slipped his mind, but he was certain it was because Zhou had once again said something outrageous, so he blocked him on impulse.
Usually, Jiang Zao would calm down after a while and eventually unblock him. But a month ago, he had just started working at the toy company, and he was drowning in work.
He had completely forgotten about Zhou’s existence.
He had even thought it was strange, how quiet it had been lately. Could it be the mad dog finally learned to behave?
Turns out, he just hadn’t unblocked him.
And now Zhou Yuchi was standing here, expression unreadable.
His half-lidded eyes dragged slowly over Jiang Zao from head to toe, his gaze heavy, deliberate.
Like a predator circling its prey. A beast that had been watching patiently, savoring the anticipation, and was now ready to devour yet still paused, enjoying the sight of its cornered quarry first.
Jiang Zao’s entire body stiffened.
How did he end up getting caught?
And here of all places at a bar.
Was Zhou planning to retaliate against him?
Damn it. If he’d known Zhou Yuchi was coming here for a celebration banquet, he would never have followed Qi Yiran here to do this stupid survey.
“Zao Zao.”
That nickname again.
Too intimate. Too ambiguous. Coming from a man standing over 190 centimeters tall, the sound was jarring, improper. Yet when spoken in Zhou’s deep, magnetic voice, it carried a kind of oppressive weight that made it impossible to ignore.
Zhou Yuchi lifted his gaze, his lips quirking in that mocking, not-quite-smile. The singer’s soft crooning echoed around the dim bar, weaving with the warmth of alcohol and smoke.
Against that backdrop, Zhou’s tone slipped into a lazy drawl,“Who did you come with?”
The tail of his words tilted upward, languid and careless, but the way they clung low in the air made them feel far more intimate than they should.
The tips of Jiang Zao’s ears prickled with heat.
Who did I come with? With my hardworking employee, obviously.
What kind of question was that? Why phrase it like he was interrogating a cheating spouse?
Jiang Zao ground his teeth, shoving Zhou Yuchi’s chest with one hand.
“Get lost! None of your damn business!”
It was like music to Zhou Yuchi’s ears.
He hadn’t heard that familiar curse in so long. The insult landed sharp, but Zhou only looked amused, lips curving slightly, “Sounds pretty nice, actually.”
“…”
This bastard! This absolute bastard!?!
Jiang Zao was certain that if he stayed here another thirty seconds, nothing good would come of it.
Whether it was Zhou Yuchi beating him half to death for blocking him for a month, or Zhou discovering the real reason he was here, neither outcome was survivable.
The fact that he was the boss of an adult toy company…
Jiang Zao’s gaze flicked to Zhou Yuchi’s bare forearm, good lord, those muscles were obvious, smooth lines carved with training, easily twice the size of his own arms.
Jiang Zao immediately surrendered.
“If you’re here to fight, I’m not fighting you. I’m a peace-loving citizen.” Jiang Zao said seriously, trying to sound righteous.
Zhou Yuchi gave a mocking snort. “You, with that scrawny little body, actually thought about fighting me?”
Jiang Zao: “……”
What the hell! Who are you looking down on?!
The bar was crowded and noisy, and the two of them standing there deadlocked like this wasn’t a good idea. These two faces were already way too eye-catching.
Jiang Zao forced a smile, bit his teeth, and suggested: “How about we save this for later? Think of it like a checkpoint. Next time, we pick a proper time and place and settle the score, okay?”
Zhou Yuchi arched a brow.
After a moment, he finally released Jiang Zao’s wrists.
Jiang Zao, finally freed, let out a breath of relief. He shook his reddened wrists, immediately grabbed his bag, and bolted, “I’m leaving, I’m leaving! bye!”
Escape mode! Run for your life! Never see him again!
Zhou Yuchi watched him dive head-first into the crowd without a single glance back. He knew there was no dragging him back tonight.
He stood there, watching that fleeing little rabbit vanish into the dark. Then he pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it with a tilt of his head.
Smoke curled around him as he held the butt between his lips and turned lazily toward the cat-ear boy who’d been watching the whole time.
“The drinks he knocked over, put them on my tab.”
The cat-ear boy couldn’t help himself. Facing this tall, broad-chested, muscled man, he blurted out: “No need, handsome. Just give me your contact info instead~”
Zhou Yuchi lowered his eyes, glanced at him indifferently. Smoke blurred his sharp profile, his expression completely flat, gaze distant and cold. “Do we… know each other?”
Cat-ear boy: “?”
Cat-ear boy: “Uh… probably not?”
“Exactly.” Zhou Yuchi’s long fingers tapped ash from the cigarette, and he made a casual sound. But in that moment, his attitude was nothing like before.
It was like he had become another person entirely. Cold. Detached. Untouchable. His aura was so overwhelming it drove people back a step.
His voice came out flat, icy: “I don’t want to know you, either.”
Jiang Zao rushed back to the other side of the bar.
This area was far more raucous than the lounge he’d just been in. Heavy with smoke and alcohol, the music was blazing hot, the crowd moving with the beat.
After searching around, he finally spotted Qi Yiran in a booth.
That guy had already blended in with the clients, looking perfectly at home, and was of course, zealously pitching their company’s products.
“This one is a three-in-one model. You can use it manually or automatically, whichever you prefer,” Qi Yiran was saying, showing the packaging.
“Normally, when you buy one of our products, we’d also have a demonstrator explain the functions. But since that’s inconvenient in this setting, we’ll skip that step for now…. ”
“Excuse me, sorry to interrupt.”
Jiang Zao rushed over, clutching the booth rail for balance as he patted Qi Yiran’s shoulder.
“Boss.”
Qi Yiran looked up at the flushed, panting Jiang Zao and blinked in realization.
“Ohhh. You want to personally demonstrate the product for this client, right?”
“?” Jiang Zao steadied his breathing.
“No, no, I mean you can hold off on the introduction for now.”
“I’ve got something urgent to take care of, so I’ll have to leave early. The follow-up work might have to trouble you.” Jiang Zao added, “I’ll handle the reports and data analysis myself later, so… sorry, and thank you.”
“No problem, Boss. Leave it to me.” Qi Yiran smiled. “Honestly, you didn’t have to come with me to begin with. You’re the boss, after all. You’ve been working so hard these days already.”
Jiang Zao felt a little touched but then Qi Yiran kept talking: “Still, are you really leaving because of urgent business? Could it be… you ran into an ex? Or did you get caught handing out surveys to someone you know?”
Jiang Zao: ……
This guy should just shut up.
But… he had a point.
Thinking of that, Jiang Zao hurriedly pulled out his phone and opened the blacklist.
He’d saved Zhou Yuchi under the remark “Zhou Dog,” because Zhou Yuchi wasn’t human.
The moment he tapped into the thread, his screen exploded with rows of red exclamation marks.
Jiang Zao scrolled and scrolled, sucked in a sharp breath. The more he scrolled, the more suffocated he felt, until he nearly stopped breathing altogether.
Holy crap, this lunatic had sent so many messages during the time he’d been blocked.
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Blocked me again】
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Fine】
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Unblock me tomorrow】
……
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Business trip】
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Don’t miss me too much】
……
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Still ignoring me?】
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): One week】
……
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Two weeks】
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Where are you】
……
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Not at school】
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Don’t want to see me?】
……
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Three weeks】
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): I’ll see how long you can keep this up】
……
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): 30 days, 11 hours, 23 minutes, 04 seconds】
And then, the most recent one from yesterday, its red exclamation mark glaring like a death omen:
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Zao Zao】
【Mad Dog (▽皿▽#): Don’t let me catch you】
Cold sweat broke out across Jiang Zao’s back.
Psycho. Demon. Was this guy here to kill him?
His mind flashed back to countless summers in Rong City.
The stifling heat, a cloudless blue sky.
The rebellious boy dragged to the dean’s office, body covered in cuts and bruises, knuckles still bloody, sweat dripping into his lashes, his school uniform filthy beyond saving. But even then, his arrogance never dimmed.
His eyes were always unfocused, lazy, careless like nothing mattered, not even when the dean scolded him to his face.
It always felt like Zhou Yuchi was capable of anything. He was right there, but somehow you could never see through him.
Jiang Zao snapped back to reality.
Well… maybe he should take some responsibility too. After all, it wasn’t impossible to try taming a rabid dog.
With that thought, he unblocked Zhou Yuchi and carefully selected a cute sticker to send over.
The pedestrian street outside was bustling and bright. Night had fallen, the air chilly with the coming of autumn.
The temperature difference between day and night was sharp; at this hour, the breeze bit cold against the skin.
Jiang Zao left the bar, stood by the roadside, and booked a ride home.
After waiting about a minute, the platform still hadn’t assigned him a driver. Instead, it tossed him into the waiting queue.
He looked.
Over a hundred people ahead of him.
Jiang Zao was speechless.
What the hell? Did he forget to check the astrology before leaving home today? Of course Zhou Yuchi cursed his luck!
Just then, his phone rang.
“Boss, are you still doing field research?” It was Cheng Jiamin, the company’s art designer.
“I already came back, Jiamin-jie. Ugh… things went badly tonight.” Jiang Zao sighed.
“Let me guess, you ran into a classmate, didn’t you?” Cheng Jiamin chuckled. “Hahaha, don’t worry! In our line of work, awkward run-ins are inevitable. You’ll get used to it.”
“Not a classmate. An enemy.” Jiang Zao groaned. “Forget it. The real problem is I can’t get a ride. Over a hundred people are queued up before me. The subway’s already closed. And my place is ten kilometers away, I can’t walk that far.”
“Ohhh, perfect timing then. While you wait, why don’t you review the drafts I sent? The factory wants a sample tomorrow, they’re rushing me.”
Jiang Zao: “.”
Of course. In this world of capitalism, no one really cares about you.
Even being the boss meant he still had to work overtime. Truly upside-down.
Squatting by the roadside, he opened his laptop and pulled up Cheng Jiamin’s drafts.
It was a design for erotic men’s lingerie.
The model was drawn with wild masculinity, broad shoulders, narrow waist, muscles honed to perfection. The setting seemed to be post-shower, chest glistening with droplets, loose shorts clinging to the hips.
As for the garment itself, better not describe too much. Let’s just say it was… breezy. Restrictive in some places, suggestive of certain tastes. Very much a “mama’s boy POV” piece.
Cheng Jiamin was practically gleeful: “Isn’t it amazing? I even drew a spicier version, but I think a few straps here and there really make it pop.”
Jiang Zao, however, felt no joy. He just squatted there expressionless, phone wedged against his shoulder, scrolling through the drafts.
“But seriously. If a kind stranger shows up right now to take me home, I’ll gift him the very first sample we make from this batch.”
After a pause, he upped the stakes: “I’ll even throw in our store’s crown jewel, the Devil Violet with a bow, top tier in pressure sensitivity and temperature control. And…. ”
He hadn’t even finished speaking when a sleek Maybach rolled to a stop right in front of him.
Jiang Zao: “?”
Wait, what? That wish got granted a little too fast! He was just venting!
Stunned, Jiang Zao lifted his head.
And instantly stopped smiling.
Because the man in the driver’s seat was the last face he wanted to see.
Sitting there lazily, tall nose, thin lips, a lollipop dangling from his mouth
Zhou Yuchi.
He looked at Jiang Zao, who was crouched on the pavement with his laptop hugged in his arms, face frozen in shock.
Zhou’s expression was unreadable, his rare calmness giving him a truly distant air.
“Get in.” His voice was low, steady, just loud enough to be heard. He nodded slightly, tone faint.
“Time to settle accounts.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
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← 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