Zhou Yuchi reached out and gently steadied Jiang Zao by the waist, then pressed a cup into his hand before turning to open the cupboard above. He pulled out a packet of oatmeal, his movements unhurried and casual.
Jiang Zao blinked himself back to awareness, his round apricot eyes fluttering open like he’d just woken from a dream. He poked at the strong arm raised in front of his face, just to check if it was real.
It was.
And… It felt harder than yesterday.
“Like what you see?”
The man’s lazy voice came from behind him, low and deep, his breath brushing past Jiang Zao’s cheek in faint, warm strands like seaweed winding around him, soft and sticky.
Jiang Zao jolted in surprise, nearly dropping the kettle he was holding. He jumped away, putting distance between them. “Y-you… why are you still here?”
His hair was messy from sleep, sticking up in soft tufts, and his wide-eyed expression was somewhere between startled and flustered.
Zhou Yuchi leaned leisurely against the counter. The young man’s loose sleepwear was a little rumpled, his fair skin still faintly flushed from warmth under the blanket.
His frame was slender, collarbone and wrist bones sharp, no excess flesh anywhere yet the joints of his fingers were dusted faintly pink. The overall impression he gave was soft, almost fragile.
Zhou Yuchi finally withdrew his gaze from that glimpse of pale skin showing through the oversized pajama collar. “Good morning, Zao Zao,” he said lightly. “If I’m not here, where else would I be?”
How was he supposed to answer that!
“Wait! You’re not seriously planning to stay here, are you?” Jiang Zao stammered. “I haven’t even agreed to that!”
Zhou Yuchi took the kettle from him and poured water into his cup, calm as ever. “That’s fine. I can wait until you do.”
The man’s easy agreement threw Jiang Zao off. “Uh… well, in that case, you can move.. ”
But Zhou Yuchi raised a hand and pointed toward the room he’d stayed in the night before. “I’ll be waiting there.”
Jiang Zao was speechless. He was being toyed with again.
Frustrated, he glared at the man, his lips pressed together in irritation. Maybe punching him once would help. He clenched his fists, took a breath, and aimed but before his fist could even touch him, Zhou Yuchi caught it effortlessly.
The man’s hand was large and warm, the palm rough in places, fingers long and firm. His grip wrapped completely around Jiang Zao’s slender white hand, the calluses brushing against smooth skin.
“Working out?” Zhou Yuchi asked softly, glancing down at him. His fingers slid slightly inward, interlacing between Jiang Zao’s as he added in that unhurried voice, “That’s good.”
The seamless movement sent a jolt through Jiang Zao. His voice tripped over itself. “C-could you maybe stop touching me all the time…”
Zhou Yuchi’s black eyes stayed calm, a faint smile curving at the corner of his mouth. “So sensitive.”
He spoke slowly, teasingly, his tone mild but intimate enough to make Jiang Zao’s ears turn red.
Seriously! Who holds hands like that between two men?!
Jiang Zao struggled to pull free, but the grip was firm; Zhou Yuchi could probably lift him off the ground without effort. Finally, he huffed, “I don’t want to live with you!”
Zhou Yuchi didn’t seem offended. Instead, he tightened his hold slightly, drawing Jiang Zao closer.
The sudden tug made Jiang Zao stumble forward, crashing right into the man’s chest.
A warm breath brushed against his neck, barely there, yet it set off a prickling heat across his skin. When he looked up, the first thing he saw was Zhou Yuchi’s clean, sharply defined jawline, just a little too close.
“There it is again,” Zhou murmured, voice low, “That same temper.”
Jiang Zao froze.
“Need me to remind you?” Zhou’s gaze softened, a faint amusement in his tone. “You used to spend summers at my place back in elementary school. Every time it thundered, you’d freak out and refuse to sleep until I told you stories.”
Jiang Zao’s mouth opened, but no words came out.
“And in junior high,” Zhou continued leisurely, “we shared a room during that week-long field trip. You couldn’t sleep after hearing that ghost story in the mountains and kept asking me every half hour if I was awake. You nagged all night.”
“….”
“And in high school,” Zhou went on with a chuckle, “during the physics training camp, you challenged me to a speed quiz contest. The loser had to call the winner ‘Dad.’ Guess who lost?”
“Okay, okay! I get it!” Jiang Zao groaned, mortified, his face bright red. He lunged forward and covered Zhou Yuchi’s mouth with his hand. “Please stop talking. Can’t you just… keep those memories buried forever?”
His palm was warm against Zhou’s lips, and Zhou didn’t resist. He simply stood still, eyes steady on Jiang Zao’s face, letting him cover his mouth.
The quiet stretched between them until Jiang Zao became painfully aware of how intimate the gesture was. He quickly pulled his hand back, awkward and flustered.
Zhou didn’t grab him again, simply watching as the boy’s eyes flickered downward, toward his own palm, remembering the soft texture he’d just felt.
Since when were lips that soft…? Wait. Why was he even thinking about that?
Jiang Zao frowned, trying to shake off the thought. Before he could say anything more, Zhou Yuchi had already stepped back, his expression returning to calm indifference.
He walked toward the dining table, his tone even. “Stop standing there. Wash up and eat.”
“Eat?” Jiang Zao blinked.
“Breakfast,” Zhou said.
When Jiang Zao turned, he was stunned. There was actual food on the table, real breakfast. Steam curled above a bowl of small wontons, the fragrance of seaweed soup rising in gentle white wisps.
He swallowed back the words he’d been about to use to kick Zhou out.
Was Zhou Yuchi… secretly some kind of house spirit?
“…Fine,” Jiang Zao muttered. He could always eat first and deal with him later.
He tried to look reluctant, but his body betrayed him within moments he was washed, dressed, and sitting at the table, eyes bright as he dug into the steaming bowl.
It was delicious. He had to admit, after all these years, Zhou still remembered exactly what he liked. And compared to the sad convenience store meals he usually grabbed while rushing to work, this felt like heaven.
Zhou sat across from him, silent, watching.
“What are you staring at?” Jiang Zao muttered, turning away. His cheeks puffed slightly as he chewed, like a sulky hamster.
“Does it taste good?” Zhou asked.
Jiang Zao huffed. “All wontons taste the same.”
Zhou’s lips curved.
Something about that smile made Jiang Zao’s stomach twist. He had a bad feeling.
The man leaned forward slightly, voice dipping lower, the words stretching at the edges. “That bowl’s filled with my love, you know.”
Jiang Zao froze, chopsticks halfway to his mouth. “…You’re seriously insane.”
“Still not done messing with me, huh?!” he burst out, slamming the empty bowl down and wiping his mouth.
Zhou immediately straightened, tone calm again, “Alright, I’ll stop.”
“I mean it!” Jiang Zao said, face flushed. “That was the past. We were kids. It’s not the same now. I’m not living with you.”
Zhou nodded, easygoing as ever. He didn’t argue, though his dark eyes lowered, lashes shadowing something unreadable.
Under the table, his hand curled slightly, fingers making a small, quiet motion like grasping air. His thoughts were a slow burn of warmth and haze.
You still look small now, he thought.
“Hey! Are you even listening?” Jiang Zao slapped the table, snapping him out of it.
Zhou looked up, expression mild. “I’m listening.”
“Then pack your stuff and move out.” Jiang Zao made a decisive gesture. “We’re not living together.”
Zhou leaned back, unbothered, posture lazy as if he hadn’t heard a thing. He didn’t even look like he planned to move.
Jiang Zao was about to drag him up himself, when suddenly, the doorbell rang.
They both froze.
“You ordered food delivery?” Jiang Zao asked.
“No.”
Jiang Zao frowned. “Then who?”
He peered through the peephole and froze. Standing outside was Bai Yunfan.
Bai Yunfan?!
He slapped a hand over the peephole, panic rising. Dashing to his bedroom, he grabbed his phone and opened WeChat. Sure enough, several unread messages waited for him.
【Bai Yunfan: Should I come over tomorrow? I’ll bring my manga.】
【Bai Yunfan: Are you asleep, Zao?】
【Bai Yunfan: Okay, I’ll just head over. We can talk when I get there.】
So the person outside right now, was his manga buddy. His manga buddy carrying an R-19 book.
Jiang Zao’s blood ran cold.
And meanwhile, in his living room sat Zhou Yuchi, perfectly composed, sipping coffee like he owned the place.
There was no way to explain this.
If Bai Yunfan saw him here, saw this scene, two guys in home clothes, both clearly just woken up, and his own face still flushed! it would look very wrong.
Jiang Zao rushed over to Zhou Yuchi and whispered frantically, “Can we make a deal? My friend’s outside. Please, can you just hide in the room for a bit?”
Zhou took another sip of coffee, unhurried. “Am I something that can’t be seen?”
Yes, you are! Jiang Zao screamed internally.
The doorbell rang again, several times.
Outside, Bai Yunfan was calling out, “Zao! You home?”
Jiang Zao nearly lost it. He tried to pull Zhou up by the arm. “Please! Just go in there for a while, I’m begging you! If he sees you, I have no idea how to explain it!”
Zhou arched his brow. “But isn’t it inappropriate to enter someone else’s room? Especially since I don’t live here.”
“…What?”
He met Jiang Zao’s frantic eyes, completely calm. “It’s fine if he sees me. You’re kicking me out soon anyway. Even if I did sleep here last night, you can just pay me later. No hard feelings.”
Jiang Zao’s soul nearly left his body.
For the love of god, don’t say things like that! He’ll think we had a one-night stand!
Zhou stood up, moving toward the door. “Don’t keep your friend waiting.”
“Stop! Stop! I give up!” Jiang Zao blurted. “You can stay, alright? You can live here!”
Zhou turned his head slightly, one eyebrow raised.
The knocking grew louder, faster. Jiang Zao groaned, desperate. “Fine, fine! This is your home too, okay? Just please! Get back to your room and don’t come out! Not until he’s gone!”
Zhou’s tone was mild, but his voice dropped an octave, smooth and deep. “So you’ve agreed to live with me.”
“Yes, yes! Whatever! Just please, I’m begging you, he’s going to knock the door down!”
Zhou’s lashes lowered, his gaze dimming like ink spreading in water. Finally, he let Jiang Zao push him toward the room.
Jiang Zao braced a hand against the doorframe. “Stay inside, got it? Don’t come out until I say so.”
Zhou paused as he stepped in, looking at him quietly for a moment before murmuring, “But you said something wrong just now.”
Jiang Zao blinked, exasperated. “What now?”
Zhou’s lips curved faintly. “You should’ve said, our home.”
Jiang Zao was stunned for two seconds then nearly exploded.
Please. Just shut up already!
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The Realm accepts offerings. The translator specifically requests coffee.
☕ 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