Zhou Yuchi’s breath caught in an instant.
Inside the restaurant, the grill sizzled loudly, steam curling upward in soft white curls, yet for a heartbeat the entire room seemed to fall unnaturally silent.
Jiang Zao stood before him with the corners of his lips lifted high, his eyes curved into bright crescents. Laughter shimmered within those clear pupils, and with those cherry-red lips and white teeth, he looked radiant, bright, bold, and terribly charming.
“Hehehe, serve you right for always picking on me.” With the smug satisfaction of someone who had finally gotten his revenge, he reached out and patted Zhou Yuchi’s face again and again, grinning victoriously. “See? Retribution~”
Zhou Yuchi: “…”
Their four coworkers, who had been watching the entire scene unfold, smacked each other excitedly. “Aiya, aiya!!”
Jiang Zao was still patting Zhou Yuchi’s cheek, drunk to the point of foolishness. His beautiful eyes were unable to focus, glazed with a hazy sheen, the upward tilt of his outer corners making him look hopelessly flirtatious.
Zhou Yuchi didn’t mind being slapped around, but what he truly feared was that once this kid sobered up tomorrow, he would remember that he’d not only gotten drunk and bitten someone, but had done so in front of their coworkers, only to end up so mortified he’d start avoiding him again.
Under the warm restaurant lights, Jiang Zao’s eyes gleamed brightly. He tilted his head up, his soft cheeks dimpling with two deep dimples, and happily draped himself over the man.
And Zhou Yuchi… he could still feel the ghost of Jiang Zao’s lips on the tip of his nose.
Soft, damp, small.
His teeth weren’t sharp at all, when he bit down, it was a weak, cotton-soft nibble, and the way he held on with his mouth looked inexplicably pretty.
The boy’s tongue, flushed red from the alcohol, was warm and slick like honey, carrying the faint, heated liquor-tinged breath of someone slightly feverish.
They were close, so close that Zhou Yuchi could clearly see the slight plumpness of Jiang Zao’s cupid’s bow, that tiny fullness softening his otherwise thin lips, making them look tender, enticing, intoxicating.
Heat prickled under Zhou Yuchi’s skin. And now, being stared at so directly, so openly, by a rarely straightforward Jiang Zao, he felt the burning rise to the point of suffocation.
His Adam’s apple bobbed faintly. Then he reached out and gently covered Jiang Zao’s eyes, lowering his voice. “Don’t look at me like that.”
Jiang Zao frowned unhappily and tugged at his hand. “Why can’t I look at you? Stingy. You’re the one touching me everywhere.”
Zhou Yuchi: “…”
Their coworkers became even more thrilled.
Zhou Yuchi was helpless.
Tomorrow, when Jiang Zao remembered this, he’d better not blame him, after all, he was the one saying these things.
The little grudge-holder wasn’t any easier to deal with. Instead, he became even more stubborn, clinging to Zhou Yuchi relentlessly, as if determined to compete with him in sheer persistence.
Zhou Yuchi had no choice. He let Jiang Zao tug at his clothes and hair, then reached out with his other arm, sliding a hand under the boy’s hips and lifting him up with one arm.
Because he was drunk, Jiang Zao didn’t register much discomfort. Instead, he let himself be carried obediently, though his hands still refused to let go of Zhou Yuchi.
To prevent Jiang Zao from embarrassing himself further, Zhou Yuchi grabbed the boy’s coat and bag from the stool with his free hand, then looked back at everyone. “Sorry, he’s had too much to drink. I’ll take him home first.”
Cheng Jiamin was already laughing herself silly. “Okay, okay, go ahead, hard worker, hard worker. Take your time!”
“My kid has thin skin.” Zhou Yuchi offered a perfectly polite smile, the kind that made him look impeccably proper, then draped the coat over Jiang Zao’s shoulders. “Please, don’t tease him too much tomorrow.”
Director Bei was perceptive, those who understood, understood. He immediately nodded. “Of course. We completely understand.”
Ge Xiao: “Don’t worry, don’t worry, hehe, we definitely won’t say too much, handsome.”
“Thank you, really.” Zhou Yuchi didn’t place much hope in that. Besides, Jiang Zao’s coworkers were… strangely open.
He shifted Jiang Zao’s weight higher, adjusted his hold, and after bidding everyone farewell, headed out with the boy in his arms.
Only when the two of them disappeared entirely from view did the four coworkers look at one another.
A beat later,
“Yooooooooooooooooo!”
“I told you it was spicy! Didn’t I say it was spicy?!”
“Boss’s childhood-friend roommate is this hot? Why didn’t anyone say so earlier?! I fully approve of them getting together!”
“Hey hey hey! Suddenly I have a new product concept! I’m gonna write a new proposal! Move, move, get me the laptop!”
When Jiang Zao slowly blinked his eyes open, he realized he was lying draped across a broad, solid back.
Outside, the rain had just passed. The ground was littered with fallen leaves, and the damp air mingled with the dove-grey sky, mist clinging to the world, sometimes clear, sometimes blurred.
They were on the road leading back to their apartment complex. Everything was quiet, the wind cool as it blew through, but the body carrying him shielded him from the chill. When he came to his senses again, all that remained was the dry, enveloping warmth of two bodies pressed entirely together.
He didn’t feel very sober. His limbs were weak, yet he could feel himself moving forward, carried effortlessly.
The alcohol surged again. The night breeze was a little cold, making him shrink back instinctively, but the heat from his drink flushed beneath his skin, raising his temperature. The hands gripping his thighs on both sides felt hot, almost scalding.
Uncomfortable, he shifted slightly, trying to adjust his position.
But before he could move properly, a large hand at his right thigh pinched him hard in reprimand.
Jiang Zao froze.
A moment later, the man carrying him spoke, voice low and muffled from restraint.
“Zao Zao. Stop rubbing around.”
Jiang Zao opened his eyes wider.
The path ahead was long and dim, disappearing into a stretch of endless black.
Zhou Yuchi walked steadily beneath him, step by step.
“Zhou Yuchi?” Jiang Zao called out hoarsely, his voice scratchy. “Why are you carrying me?”
He was too lazy to even straighten his back. Leaning completely against Zhou Yuchi, he turned his head slightly, cheek nearly brushing the man’s neck as his hazy gaze traced the lines of his jaw and the slant of his cheekbones.
His breath, warm and sweet with alcohol, spilled softly across the nape of Zhou Yuchi’s neck.
The heat of his body pressed firmly against Zhou Yuchi’s back, soft and pliant, smelling sweet and drunken, like a feather teasing repeatedly at the heart.
Zhou Yuchi’s breathing grew heavy.
When he lifted his eyes, they looked darker, deep as the night sky itself.
“Lost your memory already?” he answered after a long moment. “If you didn’t want me to carry you, I’d have left you on the ground.”
Jiang Zao rested fully against him, the man’s back broad and strong, wrapped in a warm scent of oud mixed with dragon-musk. Solid, secure, enveloping him completely.
And suddenly, memories surfaced, Zhou Yuchi had carried him before, many times.
Once when he fell asleep playing outside as a child, Zhou Yuchi brought him home on his back.
Once during sports day, when he twisted his ankle, Zhou Yuchi carried him all the way to the hospital.
Once when they were playing some sort of team game, where Zhou Yuchi had to carry him through obstacles…
There was another time too, and that time was now.
Jiang Zao’s vision blurred, but through his haziness he felt that Zhou Yuchi had… truly grown up. So tall, so solid, so unbelievably strong. Carrying him seemed to require no effort at all, light as holding a pillow.
Annoying. Truly, infuriatingly annoying.
He had to make use of him. Milk him dry.
“No. You have to carry me. You’ve got too much strength anyway…” Jiang Zao murmured, his cheek pressed against Zhou Yuchi’s shoulder. His warm breath, tinged faintly with alcohol, brushed the curve of Zhou Yuchi’s ear, an intermittent tickle that made one’s bones itch.
Zhou Yuchi didn’t answer.
He walked slowly at first, dragging those few hundred meters into what felt like a long journey. Only when the boy on his back shivered from the night chill did he lengthen his strides and quicken his pace.
The sky stretched deep above them, sparse stars drooping low. Raindrops, left behind on leaves after the earlier shower, slid down and fell with tiny sounds across the quiet night.
Zhou Yuchi pressed the elevator button, went upstairs, unlocked the door, and stepped into the apartment.
Once inside and the door clicked shut, Jiang Zao finally felt something real beneath him. His head cleared a fraction.
Zhou Yuchi placed him on the shoe-changing bench in the entryway. Jiang Zao’s cheeks were flushed, his eyes half-lidded as he stared downward at the man kneeling to remove his shoes.
From this lowered angle, Zhou Yuchi’s jawline was sharply defined, his nose straight, his eyes shadowed by the overhead light, his features all symmetry and strong bone.
Someone who usually carried a hint of arrogance, an idle laziness that made people want to argue with him… was now kneeling on the floor, removing his shoes.
Jiang Zao stared at him for a long time.
Watching those long fingers wrap around his ankle, slipping off his shoes… then pulling off his socks.
Those hands were warm, the heat of them visible in the faint blue veins beneath the skin.
It felt good to be taken care of by Zhou Yuchi.
This, this was what he deserved.
Zhou Yuchi noticed his little ancestor sitting there in a daze, blinking at him with glossy eyes that shimmered every time he blinked.
Lifting his gaze slightly, seeing that the boy clearly had no intention of standing up on his own, he could only sigh inwardly and lift the corners of his lips in resignation. Then he rose and scooped Jiang Zao back into his arms.
This time, Jiang Zao had just enough clarity to struggle. “Don’t carry me…”
He felt he really shouldn’t be carried like this. Who got picked up so easily, so casually? What kind of gay man let a straight guy carry him around like this?!
But Jiang Zao had no strength. He couldn’t even push properly, his resistance was no more threatening than a kitten pawing helplessly.
Then, giving up entirely, he mumbled, “Zhou Yuchi, I want water.”
“I want to watch TV.”
“My stomach’s uncomfortable… this alcohol tastes terrible…”
“Zhou Yuchi, I’m hungry. I didn’t even eat dinner…”
Zhou Yuchi felt both exasperated and amused.
The boy clung to him like sticky rice cake, muttering non-stop with that faint, soft nasal tone. His hot breath landed right on Zhou Yuchi’s Adam’s apple.
At first, it felt cool.
Then it turned into a scorching burn, making his heartbeat quicken and his skin itch.
Zhou Yuchi let out a breath and tightened his arm around Jiang Zao’s shoulders.
His eyes were pitch-black, unfathomably deep, and he spoke in a low, rough voice. “Do you really think I’m a good person?”
Alcohol made Jiang Zao fearless. He giggled. “What nonsense. You’re awful.”
Zhou Yuchi: “…”
He refused to argue with a drunk idiot. Jaw tensing, he hoisted Jiang Zao up over his shoulder.
“Hey! What are you doing?!” Jiang Zao yelped in alarm.
“Sending you to your room to sleep,” Zhou Yuchi replied flatly.
Jiang Zao watched in horror as Zhou Yuchi started walking toward his bedroom.
At first he felt nothing of it, but step by step, something was wrong. Very wrong.
Then, like lightning striking, he remembered.
His room. His bed. His work-related… little toys. The little underwear. Scattered everywhere.
Nothing had been cleaned up!
Zhou Yuchi absolutely could NOT enter his room!
“No no no no! I’m not going back!” Half his drunkenness evaporated instantly. Jiang Zao thrashed, grabbing at Zhou Yuchi’s shirt. “Zhou Yuchi! I’m not going back!”
Zhou Yuchi held him securely by the thighs, worried he’d fall. Seeing Jiang Zao flail without explanation, he shifted him again, pulling him back into his arms.
Jiang Zao clung to his neck like a drowning man, refusing to let go, their cheeks pressed together.
His face was burning hot, much hotter than usual, eyes red-rimmed, his thin shoulders colliding weakly with Zhou Yuchi’s chest.
Zhou Yuchi stilled, exhaled a deep breath, and clamped his hands tighter around the boy’s waist, forcing down the turmoil surging through his chest, holding back, again and again.
After a long moment of silence, he opened his eyes. “What are you trying to do now?”
Jiang Zao tightened his arms, using his hold on Zhou Yuchi as a restraint, keeping him from moving.
His drunken brain, though sluggish, was forced to search for an excuse.
After hesitating, he leaned heavily onto Zhou Yuchi’s shoulder, cheeks flushing even redder as he bit his lip. “Zhou Yuchi, I… I want to sleep in your room…”
Zhou Yuchi: “…”
Outside, the lingering drizzle tapped softly along with the autumn wind. Inside, the closed walls sealed the warmth between them.
Even a drunk like Jiang Zao could sense the heavy silence. Scared, he raised his head to look at Zhou Yuchi.
But he had no idea how to explain himself.
What was he supposed to say? That his room was too messy? Zhou Yuchi would never believe something like that.
A low scoff escaped the man.
He brushed a hand back through his hair, and a dangerous air spread around him, an oppressive sense of dominance as he looked down at the boy in his arms. “Zao Zao… are you messing with me?”
“I’m not,” Jiang Zao blurted, panicked. “Why would I mess with you? I just don’t want to go to my room. I want to sleep in yours. You can’t go in mine!”
Seeing the look in Zhou Yuchi’s eyes grow darker, Jiang Zao’s voice shrank softer and softer. “Didn’t you say I could go into your room whenever I wanted…? How did that become me teasing you? So… can I or can’t I…”
The apartment lights weren’t all on. Just the warm orange glow from the hallway lamp spilled across the floor, casting their shadows faintly beside them.
Jiang Zao swallowed hard. He couldn’t make out Zhou Yuchi’s expression in the dim light, only the sharp outline of his profile, unreadable and severe.
“You can.”
Finally, Zhou Yuchi spoke. His voice was low, almost whisper-soft. Jiang Zao’s heart fell in relief.
But before he could breathe out fully, he saw Zhou Yuchi raise a brow. His dark eyes narrowed lazily, slow and dangerous, as he said,
“Kiss me once.”
Jiang Zao: “?”
Half of Zhou Yuchi’s face was hidden in shadow, his gaze cold and predatory. He leaned against the wall like a languid beast watching its prey, the air around him thick with dominance.
Oh heavens.
Was Zhou Yuchi insane?
Was he drunk? Sleepwalking? Dreaming? Had he fallen asleep hours ago and was still not awake?
Jiang Zao’s brain spun uselessly, dizzy and slow.
He couldn’t understand why Zhou Yuchi would say such a thing. But it definitely felt like being flirted with by a straight guy, for real, and shame rushed up his neck, turning his ears bright red.
“You crazy man,” Jiang Zao sputtered. “Why would I, a grown man, kiss you? What’s wrong with you?! Are you sick?!”
Zhou Yuchi remained completely unfazed. His expression was natural, even calm, as he said lazily, “You bit me earlier like it was nothing, but kissing is suddenly too much for you? Zao Zao, that’s not how negotiation works.”
Jiang Zao: “…”
He was doomed. He must have been truly, thoroughly drunk.
Because for a split second… he actually felt like Zhou Yuchi made sense.
Looking at Zhou’s expression, he was certain, the man was getting revenge for that bite earlier.
Jiang Zao couldn’t even remember why he bit him. Probably just because he didn’t like him at that moment. Something like that.
Zhou Yuchi narrowed his eyes.
Finally, the drunk troublemaker went quiet, clearly intimidated by his words.
Good. A little scare wouldn’t hurt. Then he could get the boy into bed and end this nonsense.
But the next second,
Soft lips pressed against his cheek.
With a clear, unmistakable “muwah.”
Like a spark of electricity, brief, tender, a wet brush of warmth, light as a dragonfly skimming water.
Jiang Zao actually leaned forward and gave Zhou Yuchi a kiss on the face. Then, looking both embarrassed and annoyed, he muttered, “There. Happy now? Seriously, did you… did you take a course on how to be irritating?”
He lifted his head afterward, wanting Zhou Yuchi to honor his promise.
But when he saw the man’s expression, Jiang Zao froze.
Zhou Yuchi’s face was blank with surprise, his usual lazy, indifferent black eyes filled instead with something indescribable, a deep, heavy emotion sharpened by the half-shadow, half-light around him.
The moment their gazes locked,
It felt like being caught in a predator’s sights.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
One coffee for the translator. One less excuse for them to disappear. 😌
☕ 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