Author: hoenimochi (Page 9 of 95)

MTL and currently learning HSK

Chapter 4

April 4, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       Zhao Jinchuan left the apartment and returned home.

       As soon as he stepped through the door, he heard Zhao Dongsheng’s furious voice coming from the study on the second floor, “What a bastard you raised! What else can he do besides causing trouble? A worthless piece of shit!”

       Zhao Jinchuan paused in his steps, a vicious chill flashing in his eyes. He had inherited his mother’s looks, which were naturally refined and handsome. Unfortunately, after spending too long indulging in debauchery, he had picked up a certain air of wantonness. Although he still gave off a sinister and ruthless vibe when he was stern.

       He slowly ascended the stairs and heard his mother, Fang Huiyun, softly pleading beside Zhao Dongsheng, “Why do you get so angry? Jinchuan is still young; everyone makes small mistakes. Why get so worked up over this?”

       “Small mistakes?” Zhao Dongsheng was furious, “Idiot! The Eldest has been struggling for so long with that Shen family over a position, and he’s finally about to make it—do you have any idea how many eyes are on the Zhao family right now? And at such a critical moment, your good-for-nothing son actually dared to hire someone to commit murder! Absolutely lawless!”

       Perhaps because they knew the topic was confidential, all the servants in the house had been sent away, and only Zhao Dongsheng’s personal secretary Yue Zhong was waiting at the door. Zhao Jinchuan pushed the door open and walked in. Fang Huiyun was afraid he would face Zhao Dongsheng’s wrath. She rushed forward and said, “There’s food downstairs, you should…”

       “I’m not hungry,” Zhao Jinchuan plopped down on the sofa, brushing his still damp hair back, “You called me back just to scold me, right? Go ahead.”

       This attitude choked Zhao Dongsheng so much that he threw a teacup from the table at him in anger, spilling tea all over Zhao Jinchuan. The cup rolled to the ground and broke into pieces.

       “Oh!” Fang Huiyun exclaimed in shock, wiping the tea off her son while glaring at Zhao Dongsheng with teary eyes, “It was freshly brewed tea! What if he gets burned?”

       Zhao Dongsheng scolded, “Look at his arrogant attitude! I’ve warned him repeatedly—running a company requires discretion, and the formula of health care products must be carefully examined. You assured me nothing would happen, but how many times has this been now?”

       Zhao Jinchuan brushed off his trousers nonchalantly and said slowly, “You’ve seen the annual report. For my first venture into business, this profit is pretty good. Health supplements go into people’s stomachs; it’s normal for a few with weak constitutions to react badly. That old man wouldn’t let go, so I just gave him a lesson. If he can’t take a hit, that’s his own bad luck, not my fault.”

       “Bullshit!” Zhao Dongsheng cursed, “Do you even know what time it is? The whole family has to think twice before moving a finger, and here you are, causing such a huge mess! Look at all the messed-up news online!”

       Zhao Jinchuan gave a disdainful laugh, “Those who jump around online are cowards who didn’t dare to even fart loudly in real life. Have the cyber police arrest a couple, and they’ll quiet down. As for impact, don’t worry about it. They’re like fish, one second they’re all for justice, the next they forget it all for some celebrity gossip. If you scatter some fish food, it will spread from one person to ten, and then to a hundred, and they’ll chase it around for a while. What waves can they make?”

       Zhao Jinchuan said dismissively, “I’ve already dealt with the guy who did the hit-and-run. The police won’t catch anyone, nor will it trace back to the Zhao family. Since it’s already happened, if you find it troublesome… what was that phrase? Oh, ‘sacrificing personal relationships for the greater good’. You can just send me to jail, earn a good reputation for being law-abiding, and help my uncle out. The Zhao family won’t miss me.”

       He extended his arms as if ready for handcuffs.

       Zhao Dongsheng snorted coldly, “So you’re playing the part of the broken jar now?”

       “Aren’t I just a broken jar? The old man can’t stand the sight of me, and neither can you. You both think I’ll never measure up to the one she gave birth to. I heard you even needed a paternity test before acknowledging me—am I wrong?”

       “What nonsense are you talking about!” Fang Huiyun quickly tried to stop him.

       Zhao Jinchuan leaned back on the sofa and tilted his head to avoid her hand, “I know exactly which shameless cowards have been egging you on behind the scenes for today’s scolding. This isn’t a big deal—I can handle it myself, which is why I didn’t bother coming to report it to you. If you still feel like yelling, go ahead and yell a bit more. If not, I’ll be on my way.”

       “You…” Zhao Dongsheng’s anger flared up again.

       Fang Huiyun poked her son’s head hard and said preemptively, “Don’t always talk back to your dad. He’s just worried about you. Go change your pants, they’re wet.”

       Zhao Jinchuan stood up, looking at Zhao Dongsheng.

       Zhao Dongsheng didn’t say anything, his face stern.

       He turned and left.

       Zhao Dongsheng was still angry, and scolded Fang Huiyun, “You make a great shield!”

       Fang Huiyun glared back, “What else should I do? Let you scold him, let those two belittle him? He’s my son, if you won’t cherish him, I will. I might not have taught him well, but who told you to keep him hidden for so many years?” Her eyes reddened before she finished, murmuring, “If you had spent more time with him when he was young, he wouldn’t be causing trouble all the time.”

       “Alright,” Zhao Dongsheng rubbed his brow in frustration, “Every time I say something, you have a pile of words waiting.”

       “You provoked me,” Fang Huiyun wiped her eyes and refilled a cup for him, “Jinchuan is still young, inexperienced. He’ll mature with more experience. Don’t always scold him in anger; he respects you the most, it’ll hurt him.”

       “Respect my ass,” Zhao Dongsheng cursed and took the the teacup, “You spoil him too much, and it’ll lead to trouble.”

       “He’s straightforward and wears his heart on his sleeve—out of all the kids, isn’t he the one most like you?” Fang Huiyun touched his temples, “Don’t get upset over these small things; you’ll get more wrinkles. How about I stew some ginseng for you?”

       “If your precious son doesn’t cause more trouble, I’ll stay young,” Zhao Dongsheng’s anger was finally dissipated by Fang Huiyun. “Call xiao Yue in, I have some things for him to do.”

       Fang Huiyun knew this meant her husband was going to help their son clean up the mess, and she felt relieved, smiling as she opened the door for Yue Zhong.

              After Xiao Chengzong’s death, a self-operated news account broke the story of ‘The mysterious poisoning case of Baolijian and the plaintiff’s lawyer dying in an accident’, which quickly went viral, garnering significant media attention. 

       Baolijian already had a bad reputation, and now it was linked to a premeditated murder. It didn’t take long for indignant netizens to uncover the identity of Zhao Jinchuan’s identity as a major shareholder, exposing the Zhao family’s extensive influence across politics and business.

       However, this wave of outrage was soon quietly quelled by an invisible net.

       Comments were prohibited, reposts were rendered invalid, topics disappeared, and hot searches were removed.

       In just three hours, all information related to Baolijian and Kuangmu evaporated, leaving only a few brave self-media outlets stubbornly keeping the issue alive, like small waves in an ocean after a stone has sunk.

              Qin Mu arrived in J City by ten in the morning. It had just rained, leaving the ground wet. Gangzi rented a car, navigating to the address in the old city district in the east.

       The houses here were built in the 1980s. They were generally low and cramped, making the area feel crowded. Because a leader was due to visit a key project in the eastern suburbs and might pass through, the district had spent considerable effort painting the walls white near the road. These old buildings looked like painted ghosts with pink faces but gray backs, which looked quite bizarre.

       Zhang Wenhua lived in one of these mismatched tube-shaped buildings. Going up the stairs to the second floor, there were torn Spring Festival couplets pasted outside the iron door, and the ‘0’ in the doorplate ‘205’ was leaning weakly to one side.

       Qin Mu knocked, but there was no answer. Calling led to a message that the phone was off.

       He furrowed his brows.

       Uncle Zhang lived alone. His wife had passed away long ago, and he only had a daughter he rarely saw. He was not very mobile and seldom left home, yet he had proactively contacted Qin Mu earlier to sign the power of attorney. Now, his phone being off was clearly a sign of trouble.

       Gangzi leaned against the door and listened. He then checked outside the corridor window before agilely climbing out, using the wall for support.

       Qin Mu was startled, peering out to watch.

       Gangzi climbed the external water pipe, stepping on the protruding edge of the wall to peer into the window of room 205, then climbed back in. His movements so silent for such a big man. Qin Mu now understood why Chu Yu insisted he bring Gangzi; his skills were indeed impressive.

       Gangzi typed ‘there’s someone’ on his phone to show Qin Mu, but loudly said, “No one’s here, let’s go. We’ll come back once we contact him.”

       Qin Mu understood, replying, “Alright.”

       They went downstairs, left through the front, then circled back from behind. They hid at the corner of the third floor of the building opposite to watch.

       Soon, they saw three people in suits emerge from room 205, talking as they left the courtyard and got into a black Audi.

       Gangzi took photos with his phone, saying, “I’ll send these back for checking.”

       “No need,” Qin Mu said, “They’re either from Baolijian or Kuangmu, here to silence him.”

       “Then we…”

       “Wait.”

       They waited a bit longer. Qin Mu’s phone received a message saying the number he had called was now in service. He called again, and it was answered after two rings.

       “Lawyer xiao Qin…” Zhang Wenhua’s voice was weak, like a flickering candle in the wind, “I’m not doing this lawsuit anymore.”

       Qin Mu showed no particular emotion and seemed surprisingly calm. He said slowly, “Uncle Zhang, I’m not here to force you into the lawsuit. Regardless of whether we proceed, I wanted to see you because Teacher Xiao was working tirelessly for you right up until his accident; he was always very concerned about you.”

       A series of coughs came from the other end, the old man struggling to speak, “I am very sorry for him.”

       Qin Mu said, “I want to see you. Can I?”

       The old man was silent for a while before agreeing.

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Chapter 3

April 4, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       Qin Mu sat in Xiao Chengzong’s room until dawn.

       Before his death, Teacher Xiao had been handling a case commissioned by an elderly man in his sixties named Zhang Wenhua, who had developed organ damage after long-term use of a nutritional supplement produced by ‘Baolijian’* under the banner of the Kuangmu Group. A month ago, he was diagnosed with liver cancer.

       This was not a first case incident. Since it was launched five years ago, there have been numerous reports of adverse effects on the products, which boasted ‘strengthening the body and rejuvenating youth’ and claimed to be ‘the culmination of traditional Chinese medicine, absolutely safe with no side effects’.

       ‘Baolijian’ contained a traditional Chinese herb with trace amounts of SBXD*, which could accumulate in the liver and increase the risk of cancer. Yet, the company never altered the so-called ‘secret traditional Chinese medicine formula’ and instead ramped up its marketing efforts, quietly settling the few lawsuits that arose.

       Last September, Xiao Chengzong represented a patient with liver cysts in a compensation case against Kuangmu Corporation. Although the compensation was kept low, it was the first time the lawsuit was won with difficulty. Following this, many others affected by ‘Baolijian’ sought Xiao Chengzong’s help for their rights. Xiao Chengzong began to gather evidence, consulting with famous experts in medicine and pharmacology to analyse the product and case studies, preparing extensive groundwork.

       The old man did this not for fame or fortune but for justice. Like a fearless needle, he wove together a thread of suffering, about to pierce through the glossy facade to expose the ugliness beneath. At last, Baolijian Company could no longer sit still.

       Afterwards, Xiao Chengzong received threatening letters written in blood, silent midnight calls, and was even pushed down a staircase. The police never found valuable leads and treated these incidents as pranks. The old man was afraid that his relatives and friends would worry and get involved, so he kept silent about it.

       Although the old friend had gone, the work remained. The neatly stacked materials and open notebooks on the old wooden desk seemed to await the old man’s return quietly. This was the brightest spot in the room, where the old man had worked long hours, smoothing the edges of the desk. Qin Mu slowly traced the wood’s grain with his fingers, as if silently communicating with the deceased. He sat there for a long time until his phone rang, then he packed up all the materials and left.

       He booked an early morning flight to J City to handle the change of attorney for Zhang Wenhua. Before leaving, he met with Chu Yu and obtained some information.

              The person in charge at Baolijian was Zhao Jinchuan, one of the famous ‘Four Young Masters’ of J City. There were many scandals and rumors about him, from drunk driving and hitting people, to beating a cohabitating actress to disability, to drug use and debauchery at parties… These evil acts that would land an ordinary person in jail for life had no effect on him.

       Because his last name was Zhao.

       The Zhao family was deeply rooted in J City. With General Zhao laying the foundation, the younger generation naturally could enjoy the shade. The Zhao family had numerous branches, extensive marriages, and intertwined business and political interests. It was like a giant spider entrenched in J City, stretching out its slender legs in the giant web, sensitively detecting the vibration of each silk thread.

       Among these many spider legs, the thickest belonged to Zhao Dongsheng. Zhao Dongsheng, Old Zhao’s youngest son, was sharp-minded and cunning from a young age, unlike his two older brothers. He leveraged the resources from his well-positioned father and brothers to make a name for himself in business. He later married Song Min, the daughter of a dairy industry magnate, to establish the powerful Kuangmu Empire.

       Their marriage was purely a business arrangement with no real affection. Song Min, who detested his philandering ways, moved to the US for recuperation after bearing twins. Having spent his life among countless women, Zhao Dongsheng eventually let one slip into his arms—Fang Huiyun. She was a folk singer who was reserved for grand occasions. She was more than ten years younger, had a pretty appearance, a keen mind, and the ability to adapt to any situation. Their fateful encounter led to the birth of a child.

       However, Old Zhao was vehemently against it, causing constant conflict. Zhao Dongsheng didn’t dare acknowledge the child, keeping the mother and child away for seven to eight years. Fang Huiyun waited patiently until Song Min passed away to bring Zhao Jinchuan into the family.

       The illegitimate child suddenly became a young master, but his inherent temper and character were extremely difficult to change. Zhao Jinchuan was both inferior and conceited, sinister and extreme. He could not tolerate any criticism from others and was very ruthless in doing things.

       Old Zhao disliked this grandson and never invited him to family dinners. Zhao Dongsheng was annoyed by his troublemaking nature but couldn’t disown his own blood, especially with Fang Huiyun’s constant persuasion. Zhao Jinchuan refused a nominal position in the corporation, demanding to start something big, so Zhao Dongsheng gave him startup funds. With some dubious health supplement formula, Zhao Jinchuan built Baoli Jian, beginning his path of making money through harmful means.

       J City’s complex web of interests included the Golden Eagle’s hidden lines. As its leader, Chu Yu couldn’t act openly but could assist Qin Mu privately. He provided detailed information, including relationship charts of key figures, distribution of interests, and other data. For Qin Mu’s safety, he assigned a capable bodyguard, disguised as an assistant, to accompany him.

       While waiting at the airport, Qin Mu received a message from Zhou Yi:

       —Arrived at the airport?

       —Arrived.

       —No new developments from the police. Teacher’s widow is in stable condition, and some classmates are helping with the funeral arrangements, don’t worry. Take care of yourself.

       Qin Mu replied with an ‘OK’ and rubbed his brow after taking off his glasses. He hadn’t slept for a day and night. His nerves stretched thin, showing signs of fatigue.

       Outside the glass wall, a massive airplane roared into the dawn sky, like an unruly bird disappearing into the horizon. The bodyguard, Gangzi, reminded him, “Lawyer Qin, it’s time to board.”

       Qin Mu packed his laptop into his bag and headed towards the boarding gate.

              At the same time, the bizarre night in J City was just ending.

       Zhao Jinchuan reached out from under the covers to silence the incessantly ringing phone, pulling the naked body beside him close, sucking at her breasts. The guest was woken up by his antics and caressed his head playfully, “So early in the morning! You wore me out last night.” Her voice was soft and sweet; it was the popular singer Yang Xue.

       Zhao Jinchuan, still playing with her nipple, moved his hand downwards, touching something that made her cry out. He chuckled, “Why are you squeezing so tight? Spread them, let me see if I’ve swollen you up.”

       “Ah, Young Master Chuan, I beg for mercy… Can I beg for mercy? I have a schedule today. If you do it again, I won’t be able to get up.”

       As they tangled in the sheets, the phone rang again. Yang Xue caught a glimpse of the caller ID and was filled with jealousy, “Oh, which ‘great beauty’ is this?”

       “My mom, why are you jealous for no reason?” Zhao Jinchuan slapped her buttocks hard, snatching the phone and answering it. After a couple of sentences, he grew impatient, “Alright, alright, I’m coming back.” The call killed his mood, and he was ready to leave after a shower.

       Yang Xue handed him a warmed cup of milk, “Have some, you drank so much last night…”

       Zhao Jinchuan pushed it away with a cold face, “Mind your own business.”

       He was an extremely emotional person. One moment he was in a sunny mood, the next stormy. It was obvious that he was in a bad mood at the moment. The milk spilled over Yang Xue’s hand, burning her. She placed the cup aside without saying anything, laughing it off, “It’s raining outside, let the driver pick you up.” She knew he had drunk a lot yesterday and was probably still over the limit. However, she didn’t dare advise him directly, only suggesting indirectly.

       Zhao Jinchuan caught on, raising an eyebrow, “Why? Afraid I’ll get arrested for drunk driving and won’t be there to support you?” He slapped her face a few times, “Don’t worry, your man can handle anything. Be good, don’t give me a headache.”

       The slaps were hard. Yang Xue’s face was tilted to the side, but she smiled good-naturedly, “I was worrying for nothing.” She owed it all to this man’s money, from being an unknown member of a girl group to a top-tier idol. She would rather endure his drunken beatings, rough sex, and sudden mood swings than fall from fame to obscurity. This was the path she chose.

       After seeing Zhao Jinchuan off, Yang Xue went to the bathroom to wash. Last night, in the heat of the moment, he had been rough with her at the table’s edge. She had a large bruise on her lower back, purple bite marks on her chest, and her lower body was sore. It stung when water touched it. She finished her difficult shower and stood in front of the mirror. Her reflection blurred by steam, like a nameless shadow. She wiped the mirror, revealing her reddened eyes. Her phone rang; her assistant was urging her downstairs. She quickly wiped her tears, responding, “I’ll be right there.”

 

*Note: All companies, cases, drugs, and characters mentioned in this text are fictional and do not allude to any real entities or individuals.

T/N:
Sorry for the long update lol
I’ve been quite busy and honestly the first few chapters have heavy scenes (not smut heavy but content heavy) so I took longer time to process things lmao

I planned to release a few chapters to compensate for the absence of new chapter the past few weeks ><

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Chapter 37

April 2, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       Qian Xiaoke wasn’t a stranger to kissing—he wasn’t that inexperienced.

       Take last time, for instance. When he and Jiang Tongyan had just met, on that big hotel bed, they were kissing pretty passionately.

       But later, Qian Xiaoke thought it over and figured he might’ve still been buzzed from the alcohol. Otherwise, how could he have done something so bizarre?

       Yes, he’d reflected on it. He knew he was odd.

       He was a reserved and pure person—when his head was clear, he wouldn’t just hop into bed with anyone.

       That said, it was exactly because of that time that the two of them ended up with this messy fate.

       But to be honest, kissing Jiang Tongyan was still pretty… comfortable.

       It was like steaming in a sauna. Sure, he only went once a year during company outings—since it was kinda pricey—but that weird, wonderful feeling stuck with him.

       His pores opened, limbs went weak, and he felt pure bliss—he wanted to hit the sauna again.

       Qian Xiaoke felt comfortable like he had turned to little ball of cotton, letting Jiang Tongyan knead and shape him however he pleased.

       As for Jiang Tongyan, he felt like he wasn’t kissing Qian Xiaoke’s mouth but drinking some secret brew Qian Xiaoke had stashed away. No—Qian Xiaoke was the brew, a high-proof liquor that hit hard with one sip.

       Jiang Tongyan was drunk on it.

       Kissing boosts blood circulation—there’s science behind it. Jiang Tongyan wasn’t making it up to trick Qian Xiaoke.

       With better blood flow, his whole state perked up. What started as a ‘treatment’ slowly turned into something tender and sweet.

       Jiang Tongyan had always felt his current problem wasn’t physical. He knew his body—robust as hell! It was purely psychological, sparked by Qian Xiaoke pissing him off back then, leaving him with a mental block.

       A heart ailment needs a heart cure.

       The one who tied the bell must untie it.

       Now, the heart ailment was healing bit by bit, and the person who tied the bell was in his arms. Jiang Tongyan was getting a little c0cky.

        Kissing was really comfortable, but only with someone you liked.

       Of course, Qian Xiaoke didn’t have this awareness. He was just feeling it, while Jiang Tongyan was the only one overthinking and getting all worked up.

       What treatment?

       What doctor-patient relationship?

       Bullshit.

       Jiang Tongyan got it—he was messing around with Qian Xiaoke every day because he liked this little bastard!

       Because he liked this little bastard, kissing became extra meaningful.

       At some point, rain started falling outside, and the sky darkened. Raindrops pattered against the glass window—outside, the temperature must’ve dropped, but the two in the room were burning up.

       The ears were burning.

       The cheeks were burning.

       Qian Xiaoke said, “Jiang Tongyan! You…”

       “Don’t speak,” Jiang Tongyan said, one hand covering his mouth, the other resting on his soft hair. “I’ll ask you a question—just nod or shake your head.”

       Qian Xiaoke’s heart was racing, his brain barely functioning.

       He hadn’t expected that after all his research and prep, none of his tricks would matter—just kissing Jiang Tongyan, and this guy… seemed fine!

       Maybe he was fixed.

       He wasn’t sure.

       Qian Xiaoke’s eyes darted to Jiang Tongyan, waiting for the question.

       “Do you want it?” Jiang Tongyan hadn’t meant to ask this—confessing outright would’ve been way cooler!

       But he was scared, afraid of rejection. A CEO getting rejected? It’s a major loss of face!

       Wanna date me?

       Or wanna do that thing?

       Qian Xiaoke, figure it out yourself—Jiang Tongyan could only get this far with words.

       Jiang Tongyan, this guy, had taken too many emotional losses. He had failed in every relationship he pursued. Anyone would end up with psychological trauma.

       He was already a proud guy, but after constant setbacks, and now with Qian Xiaoke, after being limp for so long, some things just couldn’t be said out loud.

       Jiang Tongyan hoped Qian Xiaoke could read minds, picking up his truest feelings from this simple ‘Do you want it?’

       But obviously, Qian Xiaoke was just an ordinary 27-year-old broke corporate slave. If he could read minds, he would have struck it rich ages ago.

       When Jiang Tongyan asked, Qian Xiaoke hesitated.

       He was torn, unsure what to choose.

       Qian Xiaoke saw himself as a pure and innocent boy.

       Sure, his age didn’t quite fit ‘boy’ anymore, but emotionally, he was still pure.

       Okay, maybe not emotionally pure either—a pure innocent boy wouldn’t have hooked up with a hot stranger he had just met while still tipsy.

       Back then, he could blame the lingering buzz, but now he was stone-cold sober.

       Rationally, Qian Xiaoke knew he shouldn’t.

       But humans are emotional creatures!

       He craved a taste of adult happiness too!

       In those few seconds, Qian Xiaoke was overwhelmed, like he was back in the college entrance exam hall, unsure whether to follow the judgment of reason or the call of emotion.

       Seeing him waver, Jiang Tongyan got nervous. He was terrified his freshly improved state would crash again. He leaned down, kissing Qian Xiaoke through his own hand—basically kissing his own hand back.

       It actually came off pretty romantic and pure, straight out of a BL novel.

       Jiang Tongyan gazed at Qian Xiaoke with tender eyes, but his words were cold and ruthless.

       He said, “I’ll count down from three. If you don’t answer, I’m leaving.”

       He barely got ‘three’ out before Qian Xiaoke threw his arms around his neck. “Gege, hurry up already!”

       Humans are emotional animals—why overthink it? Just go for the joy!

       Later, Qian Xiaoke wrote in his diary:

       I think it’s worth reminding all my friends and family that there are risks and you need to be cautious. When picking partners, be careful—choose someone you really know, don’t be reckless.

       That was his rational takeaway, meant to tell everyone he didn’t endorse one-night stands.

       Beyond the rational summary, he added a deeply emotional line: Jiang Tongyan’s condition improved, and this attending physician felt a tiny bit of joy and relief today.

       Just a tiny bit, because while Jiang Tongyan’s condition was improving, they still couldn’t go all the way.

       The scene had turned super awkward.

       They had scrambled to find a KY substitute in Qian Xiaoke’s place, managed a friendly ‘deep exchange’ before Jiang Tongyan went soft again, and just when it seemed they’d reach an understanding, at the last second, Jiang Tongyan wilted.

       So close.

       After, Jiang Tongyan sat on the bed’s edge, staring at the cold rain outside, smoking a cigarette called ‘sorrow’.

       Meanwhile, Qian Xiaoke, the ever-thoughtful ‘little doctor’, patted his shoulder gently from behind. “Healing takes time—can’t rush it. A little progress each time, and one day, you’ll fire all cannons here with me.”

       Fire all cannons?

       Jiang Tongyan looked at him.

       “Fire all cannons,” Qian Xiaoke said, grabbing his hand, cheering him on firmly. “Keep going—you can do it!”  

       ========

       When Jiang Tongyan left Qian Xiaoke’s place, he felt a bit off.

       His condition had improved, and under his whatever, Qian Xiaoke had even let out little cat-like mewls.

       But he still couldn’t fully satisfy the other, and besides smoking, he didn’t know what else to do.

       It sucked.

       It hurt his pride.

       As Jiang Tongyan stepped out, the rain kept falling. Qian Xiaoke offered to see him off, but he shoved him back inside.

       Qian Xiaoke asked through the door, “Should I send you off to the airport tomorrow?”

       Jiang Tongyan felt something lodge in his throat. He would love for Qian Xiaoke to see him off, but he also felt too ashamed to face him.

       Funny thing—Qian Xiaoke messed up first and caused this, yet now Jiang Tongyan felt he couldn’t hold his head up around him.

       Where’s the justice in that?

       “No need,” Jiang Tongyan said. “Cheng Sen’s sending a car.”

       “…Oh,” Qian Xiaoke said, standing inside, pursing his lips.

       Yeah, true—what could he do if he went? Without a car, it was just a hassle.

       Qian Xiaoke could clearly sense Jiang Tongyan’s mood swings today—starting off happy and excited because things were better, then steadily sinking. It felt rough.

       He didn’t know how to comfort Jiang Tongyan. For the first time, he felt his mouth was too dumb.

       Qian Xiaoke’s nose stung—he genuinely felt bad for the guy.

       After Jiang Tongyan went downstairs, Qian Xiaoke stayed at the door, frozen, like someone had hit his pressure points.

       Meanwhile, Jiang Tongyan stood at the building entrance, watching the pouring rain, thinking he had been a bit rash. In such heavy rain, he would inevitably get wet if he went to the entrance of the community to take a taxi.

       He sighed, feeling impulsive.

       But it was already like this—going back to borrow an umbrella would be even more humiliating.

       Jiang Tongyan pulled out his phone, sent another message to his therapist to confirm their meeting, and even considered a full physical checkup. After sending it, he sighed long again and stepped out.

       The rain was heavy and cold, kinda like that day Lu Yiping1from Romance in the Rain drama went to her dad for money.

       A few steps out, someone called him.

       This idol-drama-like?

       Jiang Tongyan turned—yep, it was.

       Qian Xiaoke ran out with an umbrella, and stepped into a puddle. He slipped in his flip-flops, and nearly fell flat. Lucky Jiang Tongyan reacted fast, grabbing him into his arms.

       “What are you doing?” Jiang Tongyan frowned at him. “Filming an idol drama?”

       “Yeah,” Qian Xiaoke said, feet and pant legs wet. Since Jiang Tongyan was taller, he had to hold the umbrella high. “It’s pouring—I’ll walk you out.”

       Under the umbrella, they were like a little safe haven.

       Qian Xiaoke looked up at Jiang Tongyan, pulling neatly folded tissue from his pants pocket.

       He wiped the rain off Jiang Tongyan’s face. “So pitiful.”

       Jiang Tongyan looked down at him, and the longer he looked, the harder it was to hold his emotions.

       It sucked, but Qian Xiaoke somehow moved him too.

       The cold autumn rain had chilled Jiang Tongyan, but Qian Xiaoke warmed his heart.

       “A CEO can’t look this lost,” Qian Xiaoke said, realising he really pitied Jiang Tongyan. “People would laugh if they saw.”

       Just as he finished, Jiang Tongyan pulled him into a hug.

       Now it was straight-up idol drama.

       Qian Xiaoke froze, then held the umbrella with one hand and patted his back with the other.

       “There, there, I know you’re upset,” Qian Xiaoke said, coaxing him like a kid. “Sorry—it’s all my fault.”

       As he spoke, Qian Xiaoke’s eyes reddened. He was so mad at himself—it was his fault Jiang Tongyan ended up like this.

       Qian Xiaoke comforted Jiang Tongyan but ended up crying himself. “Sorry… it’s all because of me… don’t be like this… it hurts to see…”

       Both of them were hurting.

       Neither of them felt okay.

       Jiang Tongyan was already down about his body issues, and Qian Xiaoke crying doubled it.

       “Don’t cry,” Jiang Tongyan said. “People might think your husband died.”

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Chapter 36

April 1, 2025 / / 1 Comment

       Qian Xiaoke had known from the start that Jiang Tongyan would leave, but because they met almost every day and talked nonsense every time they met, he had come to see Jiang Tongyan as a colleague, a neighbor, a random somebody—a constant presence in his life. So he had automatically ignored that this person would actually leave, and leave far away.

       He had even overlooked that Jiang Tongyan wasn’t from here at all. This man’s home was in distant New York, America—a place he had never been to and might never go in his lifetime.

       What was New York to Qian Xiaoke?

       To him, it was a place that only existed on a globe or in the news. Before meeting Jiang Tongyan, he had never thought he would have any connection to someone living there. If he had to force a link, it’d be something like ‘we all live in the global village’.

       “To…tomorrow?” Qian Xiaoke was completely unprepared, hit with a feeling of ‘you think there’s plenty of time ahead, but in a flash, it’s goodbye forever’.

       His grip on Jiang Tongyan’s hand tightened unconsciously.

       Jiang Tongyan noticed the change and was secretly pleased. He suddenly felt that Qian Xiaoke might not want him to go.

       “Well,” Jiang Tongyan said, “what’s wrong?”

       Qian Xiaoke’s eyes were dull and lifeless, his head slightly lowered as he looked at their clasped hands, his face full of disappointment.

       “It’s so sudden,” Qian Xiaoke said. “I thought it would be a long time.”

       Jiang Tongyan saw the fluffy bunny’s ears droop. It was cute, but a little heartbreaking. He wanted to comfort him, but then he suddenly glanced at Qian Xiaoke’s pot. “Hey, hey, hey! Water, water, water!”

       Qian Xiaoke hurriedly turned back, lowering the heat.

       His wontons were almost done. This might be the last meal he would eat with Jiang Tongyan.

       Qian Xiaoke couldn’t quite describe how he felt—a sour ache at the tip of his heart.

       He carefully stirred the wontons in the pot with a spoon while thinking it over.

       “Jiang Tongyan,” Qian Xiaoke muttered, “why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

       “…Are you unhappy?” Jiang Tongyan said. “I thought you knew.”

       He really thought Qian Xiaoke knew, since the hotel he stayed at was arranged by Cheng Sen’s company. He had assumed an employee like Qian Xiaoke would have his whereabouts very well.

       “I didn’t know,” Qian Xiaoke said. “I’m in the administrative department. They only tell me things when they need me to run errands.”

       His position was important in a way, but not really—there was a lot about the company he didn’t actually know.

       Qian Xiaoke felt his current mood might be because Jiang Tongyan’s departure was so sudden, leaving him no time to prepare.

       What kind of person was he?

       The type who, once he got close to someone, quickly bared his heart to them.

       Truth be told, Qian Xiaoke had been pretty lonely since starting work. His old close friends were in different cities. Here, his colleagues had their own lives and friends—he hadn’t met anyone he really clicked with. The only person he had stayed decently close to, Zhou Mo, was busier, caught up with career and love, leaving him all alone.

       Qian Xiaoke was someone who liked liveliness, being forced to be alone like this was tough.

       Jiang Tongyan’s appearance had cheered Qian Xiaoke up a lot. Sure, their meeting was a bit indescribable, and every encounter since had been awkward, but Qian Xiaoke really liked hanging out with Jiang Tongyan.

       Taking a clueless rich guy to eat snacks and drink beer had suddenly made his after-work hours way more fun.

       With Jiang Tongyan leaving out of the blue, Qian Xiaoke would be alone again, and it was hard not to feel down.

       Jiang Tongyan stood diagonally behind him, watching him fiddle with the wontons.

       Qian Xiaoke was a simple guy—his joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness all showed right on his face. Jiang Tongyan wasn’t truly heartless; he could see Qian Xiaoke didn’t want him to go.

       He poked Qian Xiaoke’s shoulder with a finger. “Just say it if you’ll miss me.”

       “A little,” Qian Xiaoke said honestly, at least more honest than Jiang Tongyan. “When you’re gone, I won’t have anyone to hang out with after work.”

       Jiang Tongyan thought: Well, damn, so in your mind I’m just a playmate!

       But fine, a playmate then—Jiang Tongyan accepted it.

       Mainly because he had no choice; it wasn’t up to him.

       But thinking it over seriously, Jiang Tongyan actually felt he could be happy about this. At least Qian Xiaoke had him in his heart.

       “I didn’t expect that,” Jiang Tongyan said, his mouth incapable of sweet words. “You’ve actually got a heart and would miss me.”

       Qian Xiaoke sighed, pouring the cooked wontons into a big bowl. “Chairman Jiang, is this dinner tonight our farewell dinner?”

       “…Can’t you say something lucky? Farewell what? It’s not like I’m never coming back.” But then it would be months before he could return.

       Jiang Tongyan calculated with his fingers—at least over two months.

       It was only late September now. The soonest he could be back was late November or early December. By then, this city might even be snowy.

       Two months.

       Jiang Tongyan suddenly worried—after two months, would Qian Xiaoke forget him?

       “You’ll come back?” Qian Xiaoke was surprised. “I heard Chairman Cheng say your home’s in New York!”

       Jiang Tongyan eagerly carried the big bowl of wontons to the table, nearly burning his hands into roasted pig hooves.

       “Who says living in New York before means I can’t come back later?” Jiang Tongyan said, twisting his words eight hundred ways. “I didn’t sell myself to America.”

       Qian Xiaoke laughed, grabbing chopsticks and a spoon as he walked to the table, asking weakly, “So when will you come back?”

       “End of the year, probably,” Jiang Tongyan said, glancing at him sideways. “What? Have you secretly fallen for me, counting the days ‘til I’m back?”

       “No,” Qian Xiaoke answered flatly. “I just think you’re pretty fun, and there’s still lots of good food I haven’t taken you to eat.”

       What to say? Jiang Tongyan should’ve rolled his eyes at that ‘no’, but the follow-up sentence somehow moved him a little.

       Liking someone meant wanting to take them to eat all the world’s best food.

       Of course, Qian Xiaoke might not have the money or brains for that—he just saw Jiang Tongyan as a ‘food buddy’.

       “And our treatment’s not done yet,” Qian Xiaoke said, most concerned about this. “If you’re not better, I won’t rest easy.”

       That made Jiang Tongyan awkward.

       He coughed lightly, rubbing his hot ears.

       “Let’s try again later—maybe it’ll work,” Jiang Tongyan said, coming over today with his sneaky little thoughts.

       A bit sleazy, a bit crude, a bit shameless.

       But he really wanted to try—give himself something to hold onto for the next two months. He was leaving soon, gone for two months—couldn’t he snag a little sweetness before going?

       “En,” Qian Xiaoke sat down to eat, saying seriously to Jiang Tongyan, “I checked today—impotence means you should eat more kidney-tonifying, essence-boosting foods, like bull’s pen-s, sheep’s pen-s, ginseng, or deer antler.”

       Qian Xiaoke ate a big wonton, not seeing Jiang Tongyan’s expression, chewed, swallowed, then continued, “The good stuff’s too expensive. I’ll save up to buy some for you—don’t rush.”

       “…Cough, no need,” Jiang Tongyan said, torn between laughter and tears. How did this guy manage to be both maddening and cute?

       Jiang Tongyan took a deep breath to calm down, then mumbled, “Just touch me—that’s fine.”

       Though it was probably useless.

       Jiang Tongyan felt Qian Xiaoke’s touches didn’t actually do anything. He kept coming every day, honestly, because he was sleazy, crude, and shameless. He was just taking advantage.

       He had reflected and decided he couldn’t keep this up. It wasn’t something a gentleman would do.

       Jiang Tongyan had resolved—today was the last time. After this, he would wash his hands of it, go back to New York, and see a doctor properly.

       Truly, the righteous path was the hard road.

       Qian Xiaoke sighed. “Well, touching is a must, but you’ve got to have some supplement too.”

       He was worried—worried about everything. So worried he could only eat more wontons to ease the gloom.

       Qian Xiaoke was a little out of shape that night.

       After dinner with Jiang Tongyan, they both showered. They were clean and comfy, then went to the bedroom together.

       The bed was cozy, and after a shower, he should’ve felt good, but Qian Xiaoke couldn’t perk up.

       Jiang Tongyan leaned on the bed while Qian Xiaoke petted him, his touch lifeless.

       Jiang Tongyan asked, “What’re you thinking about?”

       Qian Xiaoke snapped back, muttering, “Nothing, just anxious.”

       Jiang Tongyan licked his lips and said, “I saw a science fact today.”

       “Hm? What fact?”

       “It said… kissing boosts blood circulation,” Jiang Tongyan started setting his trap. “When kissing, the brain releases dopamine and serotonin, triggering lots of adrenaline.”

       Qian Xiaoke said, “Just say it straight.”

       “Though it’s a bit embarrassing, wanna try kissing?” Jiang Tongyan’s ears were not the only ones red at this time; his whole body turned red. “Don’t misunderstand, I don’t mean anything else—just treating a dead horse like it’s alive. What if it works?”

       Qian Xiaoke knelt on the bed, looking at him. His blinking eyes seemed to see everything but were really full of question marks.

       Seeing no response, Jiang Tongyan thought he would refuse, so he quickly explained, “If you don’t want to, it’s fine—I won’t force you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not—”

       “Let’s try then. It’s not like we haven’t kissed,” Qian Xiaoke said. After all, the day they met, they had done this and that. Without the later mishap, their relationship might’ve gone a whole different way.

       Qian Xiaoke licked his lips. He was serious, like he was doing research, and asked, “How do we kiss? Does it need to be one of those sticky French kisses?”

       Jiang Tongyan was shocked. “You know French kissing?”

       “Read it in novels, but never tried.”

       “…What novels do you read?”

       “Various,” Qian Xiaoke answered solemnly. “After we’re done, I’ll recommend some I’ve liked lately. Remember to download a reading app for the legal versions—if you like them, toss the authors some votes.”

       Jiang Tongyan had no interest in those novels and didn’t get the reading app or thunder stuff—he’d just sighed casually.

       “Shall we start now?” Qian Xiaoke said. “Should I chew gum first?”

       Jiang Tongyan was annoyed—this guy was too talkative. It was just a kiss, yet he had so many questions.

       While Qian Xiaoke wondered if he had brought gum when he moved, Jiang Tongyan pulled him into his arms, flipped him over, and pinned him to the bed.

       Qian Xiaoke sank into the soft bed, blinking innocently up at Jiang Tongyan.

       “You got a bit of that domineering CEO vibe,” Qian Xiaoke said, wrapping his arms around Jiang Tongyan’s neck. “Let’s start, I… mmph…”

       Shut up, Qian Xiaoke!

       To stop him from talking, Jiang Tongyan had no choice but to reluctantly block his mouth with his own.

T/N:
Lmao author is subtly saying to not read in non legal site (ᵔ́∀ᵔ̀)
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Chapter 35

March 19, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       Qian Xiaoke didn’t know how he had upset Jiang Tongyan again. However, since the other party told him to shut up, shutting up was the best choice. After all, listen to advice and you’ll eat your fill1It implies that taking good advice from others will benefit you.

       The two stood in the elevator. Qian Xiaoke did not say anything more, focusing instead on observing the elevator in his new home.

       He had to admit. The new place… Even the elevator outside looked high-class!

       Tears welled up again. Qian Xiaoke bit his sleeve and felt like he was truly a lucky little boy.

       Jiang Tongyan sulked beside him, inwardly grumbling that Qian Xiaoke had no taste.

       What was so great about a poor kid?

       So many people wanted to marry into wealth and never got the chance!

       He had figured it out—Qian Xiaoke’s brain wasn’t just off; it wasn’t merely a missing screw anymore!

       Leaving the complex, Qian Xiaoke asked considerately, “Chairman Jiang, want to go to the company with me?”

       It seemed like an invitation to travel together, but in fact, he was thinking if Jiang Tongyan was heading to their company too, he could hitch a ride again.

       Qian Xiaoke had plenty of little tricks up his sleeve!

       In the end, he was coldly rejected.

       Jiang Tongyan hadn’t planned to go in the first place, and now, wearing wrinkled clothes with nothing under his pants, he definitely couldn’t. Plus, Qian Xiaoke had just pissed him off—angry people don’t work!

       So they parted ways at the neighbourhood’s gate. Qian Xiaoke said, “See you tonight then.”

       Jiang Tongyan, still unhappy, didn’t respond and walked off.

       Watching Jiang Tongyan’s retreating back, Qian Xiaoke worriedly thought: Tonight’s treatment—I wonder if it’ll work!

       Doctor Qian was really dedicated!

       ===========

       Qian Xiaoke went to work, while Jiang Tongyan returned to his hotel. He took another shower, changed clothes, and called Cheng Sen to get busy with work.

       He was flying back to New York tomorrow, and the project here would be finished today.

       In the end, there wasn’t much important left to do—most things had been handled. Cheng Sen visited him at the hotel and casually suggested celebrating tonight, but Jiang Tongyan made up an excuse about rescheduling.

       Though Jiang Tongyan didn’t say it, Cheng Sen guessed what he was up to.

       A date, obviously—with Qian Xiaoke.

       Valuing romance over friendship—that was Jiang Tongyan for you.

       Cheng Sen asked him, “How’s it going?”

       “I’ll handle the paperwork when I get back, but I won’t be here until year-end.”

       “Who’s asking about that?” Cheng Sen said with a gossipy look on his face. “You and Qian Xiaoke—things going alright?”

       He smiled and said, “You’re leaving—didn’t he cry and beg you to stay?”

       Hearing Qian Xiaoke’s name, Jiang Tongyan instantly turned red from his ears to his neck. “Qian Xiaoke? Who’s that? Progress with what? Why would he cry?”

       Cheng Sen laughed heartily. He waved his hand dismissively and left. “No idea who that is—just some unimportant extra, I suppose.”

       An unimportant extra?

       Better not let Qian Xiaoke hear that.

       But after Cheng Sen left, as Jiang Tongyan packed his bags, he did feel some reluctance.

       Would Qian Xiaoke be reluctant to be apart from him?

       If he knew he was leaving, would he have broken down and cried?

       If he did cry, what then?

       He got serious stuff to handle back there—no matter what, he had to go!

       Did Qian Xiaoke even have a passport?

       Getting him a visa now… he’s so poor—could he even get a U.S. visa?

       Jiang Tongyan packed while his mind ran wild. Meanwhile, Qian Xiaoke was at work, full of energy, sneaking off to the bathroom to study on his phone.

       Studying how to treat impotence.

       So diligent, it could move heaven and earth.

       Near the end of the workday, Qian Xiaoke started thinking about what to eat tonight. Since he and Jiang Tongyan had agreed to meet earlier at his place for the treatment, why not cook at home?

       No instant noodles this time—maybe wontons.

       He was mulling it over when Cheng Sen stepped out of the elevator.

       “Hello, Chairman Cheng!” Qian Xiaoke flashed his pretty eight-tooth smile.

       Cheng Sen glanced at him and casually asked, “Any plans tonight?”

       “Huh? Overtime?”

       “Nah, just asking.” Cheng Sen sauntered back to his office and left him with, “Leave quickly after work—don’t linger around here.”

       Qian Xiaoke didn’t get it. Confused, he sat down, pondering his boss’s words.

       Could it be that… he was going to fire me?

       Qian Xiaoke succeeded in scaring himself to death again.

       After the work ended at six o’clock, Qian Xiaoke didn’t dawdle this time—he left right on time. He had to follow the boss’s orders, after all.

       As soon as he stepped out of the office building, he saw Jiang Tongyan standing there with a bag of fruit, waiting for who-knows-who.

       Pretty handsome.

       “Chairman Jiang!” Qian Xiaoke greeted him politely.

       Jiang Tongyan turned at his voice and glanced at him. “Rushing out the second work ends—if I were your boss, I would be mad at you.”

       Qian Xiaoke pouted, ignoring him.

       Jiang Tongyan wanted to say more but hesitated, switching to, “Let’s go—what’s for dinner?”

       “Huh?”

       “Didn’t you say earlier today?” Jiang Tongyan said. “I came specially for you—don’t tell me you’re bailing on me!”

       “You were waiting for me?” Qian Xiaoke was surprised. “I thought you were here for Chairman Cheng.”

       “The project’s done—why would I need him?” Jiang Tongyan shoved the bag of fruit into Qian Xiaoke’s hand. “Too heavy—you carry it.”

       It wasn’t until they were in the taxi that Qian Xiaoke realised Jiang Tongyan had said, “You carry it.”

       You.

       “Chairman Jiang, you bought this for me?”

       The bag had some apples, a few bunches of gr4p3s, and a couple of gorgeous pomegranates.

       “For a pig.”

       Qian Xiaoke burst out with a ‘pfft’ laugh.

       “Chairman Jiang, I can’t accept gifts without merit.”

       Jiang Tongyan sat in the front passenger seat and was too shy to look back. However, his ears were red like they’d been soaked in chili oil.

       “I said it’s for a pig—you’re owning up to it?”

       “You’ve called me a pig before,” Qian Xiaoke said, holding back laughter as best he could.

       He realised Jiang Tongyan was actually pretty fun—the classic type who says one thing but means another, giving gifts but too embarrassed to admit it. On closer thought, it was kinda cute.

       Qian Xiaoke sat in the back, hugging the big bag of fruit, and heard Jiang Tongyan ask, “So, uh, when I call you a pig, you don’t get mad?”

       “Nope, I’m not angry,” Qian Xiaoke said. “Pigs are pretty cute too.”

       What kind of logic was that?

       Jiang Tongyan was stunned.

       But then he thought, fair enough—nothing Qian Xiaoke said was surprising anymore.

       “So it’s really for me?” Qian Xiaoke poked at the pomegranates, practically drooling. “But I…”

       “Don’t give me that ‘no merit, no reward’ line,” Jiang Tongyan said. “It’s for you; take it. If you don’t want it, toss it when we get out.”

       The driver, who’d been eavesdropping and snickering, couldn’t hold back anymore.  “Don’t toss it!”

       He looked at Qian Xiaoke in the rearview mirror. “Hey, kid, if you don’t want it, leave it in the car—I’ll take it home for my son tonight.”

       Jiang Tongyan shot a glare—not at the driver, but at Qian Xiaoke, the subtext being: Dare to toss it, and I’ll toss you out first!

       Qian Xiaoke obviously couldn’t throw it—nowhere was an option.

       Hugging the fruit, he grinned at the driver. “No way! Chairman Jiang bought this for me—it’s precious!”

       That one line cheered Jiang Tongyan right up, his mood soaring. He was so easy to please!

       They went straight to Qian Xiaoke’s place, stopping at the supermarket downstairs to grab a bag of frozen wontons.

       “Is this okay?” Qian Xiaoke said. “I feel like eating it.”

       “If you want it, eat it,” Jiang Tongyan said. “If you like it, buy a few more packs.”

       Qian Xiaoke laughed. “Almost twenty yuan a pack! Why buy so many?”

       Jiang Tongyan followed him home, muttering, “Don’t be so stingy. Eat what you want—don’t be too hard on yourself.”

       Once inside, Qian Xiaoke told Jiang Tongyan to rest while he changed and ran into the kitchen.

       Jiang Tongyan followed anyway, watching Qian Xiaoke boil water for the wontons, suddenly feeling a bit sentimental.

       “Qian Xiaoke.”

       “Hm?” Qian Xiaoke, in his Pikachu T-shirt, turned to look at Jiang Tongyan.

       “Um… if I left, would you miss me?”

       “Leave? Where are you going?”

       “Back to New York,” Jiang Tongyan said. “Once the project here’s done, I’m heading back.”

       Qian Xiaoke puffed out his cheeks, looking like a little squirrel.

       He thought for a moment and said, “I would really think about you a lot.”

       Jiang Tongyan almost smiled, but then Qian Xiaoke added, “If you leave and I haven’t fixed your problem, wouldn’t that hold you back?”

       “…That’s the only reason you’d think about me?” Jiang Tongyan frowned.

       Qian Xiaoke carefully poured the wontons into the boiling water, suddenly feeling a bit melancholic.

       “Chairman Jiang, I’m really sorry.”

       It was rare for Qian Xiaoke to apologise so seriously, his tone so downcast that it pinched Jiang Tongyan’s heart.

       “Why the sudden apology?”

       “I just feel like it’s all my fault,” Qian Xiaoke said, head down, gently stirring the wontons. “I was the one who made the mistake in the beginning.”

       His sudden seriousness threw Jiang Tongyan off balance.

       Qian Xiaoke had always wanted to apologise to Jiang Tongyan properly but never knew how to say it.

       He had no brain, was dumb, and couldn’t handle anything well.

       Qian Xiaoke pursed his lips. “Chairman Jiang, I know I made a huge mistake, turning you into this. Sometimes I wake up from nightmares about it.”

       Jiang Tongyan sighed, thinking: You’re not the only one.

       “I’ve thought about how this must affect your future relationships.”

       Jiang Tongyan wanted to roll his eyes.

       Qian Xiaoke sighed. “I’ve considered that if you don’t mind, I’d be willing to be with you—I don’t care if you can’t get it up.”

       That line left Jiang Tongyan unsure whether to laugh or cry.

       Jiang Tongyan wanted to say he didn’t mind and that he’d definitely get it up eventually!

       But before he could, Qian Xiaoke muttered to himself, “But then I think, nah, how could you not mind? Who am I? Ugly, poor, uneducated—how could I ever climb up to someone like you?”

       “Huh?”

       “Ugh, if this were a BL novel, I’d be the cannon fodder bottom who never gets love,” Qian Xiaoke said woefully. “Not to mention this is real life—turning into a phoenix from a branch2climbing social status like how Cinderella did? That kind of thing doesn’t exist. I’d better not dream.”

       He turned and held Jiang Tongyan’s hand.

       “Chairman Jiang, I promise I’ll do everything I can to help you regain your confidence as a man before you leave. You’ll go back to New York and shine. Don’t worry—I won’t hold you back!”

       Jiang Tongyan’s hand was squeezed hard, and for a moment, he couldn’t tell if this guy was joking or serious. He really wanted to crack open Qian Xiaoke’s head to see what kind of wiring let him stage an entire drama by himself.

       “Qian Xiaoke.” Though Jiang Tongyan had been mentally roasting him, he somehow got swept into the act too, frowning dramatically as he said, “It’s too late—because tomorrow I’m heading back to New York.”

Support the author by buying the author’s works and/or throw some bombs~
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Chapter 34

March 12, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       Qian Xiaoke hadn’t slept this soundly and comfortably in a long time.  

       Even though he had been living in his previous place for over a month, he still couldn’t fully relax and rest, constantly feeling anxious and on edge.  

       In fact, Qian Xiaoke really envied those who could afford to buy a house. He knew that owning a home wasn’t everything, but for people like him who worked and lived away from their hometowns, renting always came with a sense of drifting, as if nowhere was truly home.  

       But he also understood that, let alone buying a house, with his current financial situation, even being able to rent a decent place was already fortunate. Thankfully, he was lucky enough to have met a good boss.  

       Qian Xiaoke slept soundly, completely unaware that it wasn’t because of his good boss, but because…  

       Jiang Tongyan was woken up by Qian Xiaoke’s alarm—a cheap, old-fashioned alarm clock he had bought online for 12 yuan, with a sound so loud it could practically take a person’s life.

       The moment the alarm rang, Jiang Tongyan jolted awake in shock, almost sending his skull flying up to the ceiling. He sat up abruptly, nearly knocking Qian Xiaoke, who was in his arms, onto the floor.  

       Qian Xiaoke had long been accustomed to the alarm and didn’t react much. The only reason he got startled was because of Jiang Tongyan.  

       “What are you doing?” Qian Xiaoke frowned, his little face scrunched up in confusion.  

       Jiang Tongyan was also in a daze, his nerves frazzled by the alarm.  

       It was Qian Xiaoke who came to his senses first and turned off the alarm.  

       “Why didn’t you leave last night?” Qian Xiaoke tilted his head at him, then raised a hand to rub his eyes vigorously.  

       After he finished rubbing his eyes, he accidentally caught sight of a certain part of Jiang Tongyan’s body. Instantly, he let out a soft ‘Hya~!’ and shyly turned away.  

       “What are you ‘Hya’-ing about?” Jiang Tongyan got out of bed, calmly straightening his clothes and pants. “You’ve already touched it, what’s with the innocent act?”

       “That’s different,” Qian Xiaoke chuckled. “That was for treatment. We were in a doctor-patient relationship back then. How can it be the same now?”  

       Jiang Tongyan also laughed. “Then what’s our relationship now?”  

       Qian Xiaoke turned slightly and glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. Only when he confirmed that Jiang Tongyan had put his pants on did he turn back around.

       “A debtor-creditor relationship,” Qian Xiaoke said. “You still haven’t paid me for crashing at my place before, and now you’ve slept in my new home and on my new bed. I need to calculate exactly how much you owe me!”  

       Jiang Tongyan rolled his eyes where he stood, too speechless to respond.  

       Qian Xiaoke sniffed. “I need to take a shower. I have work later.”  

       He felt like he smelled like stinky tofu. Plus, when he woke up just now, it seemed like his hand had been gripping Jiang Tongyan’s… unspeakable part.  

       Ugh, it was a complicated feeling.  

       “I need a shower too,” Jiang Tongyan shamelessly said. “You got your stinky tofu all over me last night.”  

       “How dare you say that? Who was the one insisting on eating it?!”  

       “I don’t know.” Jiang Tongyan walked out. “I’m showering first!”  

       A new home, a new bathroom, and yet the first person to use it wasn’t the owner, Qian Xiaoke, but the freeloading Jiang Tongyan!  

       Qian Xiaoke was a little unhappy, but in the spirit of being a ‘kind and considerate person’, he lowered his head and let it slide.  

       Jiang Tongyan was secretly pleased and even called out to Qian Xiaoke, “What am I supposed to wear after my shower?”  

       He remembered that Qian Xiaoke should have some of his clothes here. After their first failed attempt at doing it, Qian Xiaoke had left wearing Jiang Tongyan’s clothes.  

       “I’ll look for them,” Qian Xiaoke said. “Hurry up and shower, I need to get to work.”  

       Jiang Tongyan obediently turned and went into the bathroom.  

       Qian Xiaoke really did find the clothes Jiang Tongyan had given him to wear before, but they had been stuffed at the bottom of a box all this time. Though they had been washed, they were a bit wrinkled.  

       He felt a little embarrassed. Not only had he not returned them, but he had let them become like this.  

       Even though he knew full well there was no iron in his house, he still wandered around, hoping to find something to use instead.  

       Before he could find anything, Jiang Tongyan came out.  

       “What are you rummaging around for?” Jiang Tongyan stood there with only a towel wrapped around his waist. “Why don’t you even have a bath towel in your house?”  

       Qian Xiaoke, holding Jiang Tongyan’s clothes in his arms, turned around to look at him. “They’re expensive, and there’s no real use for them. A regular towel is good enough.”

       Jiang Tongyan could not refute it.  

       Their lives were simply too different—they were people from completely different worlds.  

       At that moment, a thought suddenly crossed Jiang Tongyan’s mind: If he and Qian Xiaoke got together one day, would it be Qian Xiaoke accommodating him, or would he be the one accommodating Qian Xiaoke?  

       Could two people from entirely different worlds trying to be together really lead to a good outcome?  

       Jiang Tongyan felt a little lost.  

       But now was clearly not the time to dwell on such thoughts.  

       He said, “Let me put on some clothes first.”  

       Jiang Tongyan covered his important parts with a towel and walked toward Qian Xiaoke. He then asked wickedly, “Why aren’t you feeling shy?”  

       “Why should I be shy?” Qian Xiaoke remained completely unfazed by the so-called ‘macho man stepping out of the shower’ scene. He casually shook out Jiang Tongyan’s shirt and commented, “It’s a bit wrinkled.”  

       His voice dropped toward the end of the sentence—feeling a bit guilty. The shirt was honestly in an embarrassing state, and it was his fault, though not entirely.  

       After parting ways that day, Qian Xiaoke never expected to see this man again. Besides, his own clothes were all cheap market buys. His T-shirts cost twenty or thirty yuan and weren’t anything precious. He could toss them on the sofa without worrying about wrinkles. But Jiang Tongyan’s clothes? Couldn’t touch, couldn’t fold, couldn’t even look at them the wrong way.  

       So this was what brand-name clothes were like? Like this?  

       Having never owned any, Qian Xiaoke was bewildered.  

       Jiang Tongyan glanced at the shirt Qian Xiaoke handed over—wrinkled beyond belief, making his head hurt. But in the end, he reluctantly decided to wear it.  

       He didn’t have much of a choice anyway. It was clear there were no other options.  

       And so, the refined and polished Jiang Tongyan transformed into the scruffy and unkempt Jiang Tongyan.  

       The shirt issue was settled, but another problem arose.  

       “Qian Xiaoke, do you… have large-sized underwear?”

       Now, that was a soul-searching question.  

       Qian Xiaoke pursed his lips and glanced at a certain part of Jiang Tongyan’s body.  

       “You wearing mine… doesn’t seem appropriate.”  

       Jiang Tongyan thought: No way. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t fit into them!  

       With his nearly 1.9-meter height compared to Qian Xiaoke’s 1.75 meters, their sizes weren’t even remotely compatible. If he tried wearing Qian Xiaoke’s underwear, it’d probably cut off his circulation.  

       “Then I don’t have any,” Qian Xiaoke said. “You’ll just have to go without.”  

       Fine, I’ll just accept my fate.  

       Ever since meeting Qian Xiaoke, Jiang Tongyan had been through all kinds of situations. His life experience had definitely been enriched. He figured that one day when he was old and flipping through the memories of his life, the most exciting chapters would all be written by Qian Xiaoke.  

       Qian Xiaoke—what a legend.

       After dealing with Jiang Tongyan, Qian Xiaoke rushed into the bathroom for a quick shower. Since he had no idea where to find a good breakfast stall near his new place and didn’t want to take any chances, he took the initiative to invite Jiang Tongyan to have breakfast at his place.  

       Jiang Tongyan asked, “Do you even have ingredients?”  

       Qian Xiaoke shook the pack of instant noodles in his hand.  

       Jiang Tongyan really wanted to refuse. However, his mouth completely ignored his brain’s protests and blurted out, “Sure.”  

       Excited, Qian Xiaoke rubbed his hands together—finally, a chance to showcase his cooking skills.  

       “Do you have a pot?”  

       Of course, Qian Xiaoke did!

       He had a small cooking pot—worked like a charm, but it was a pity he couldn’t use it at his previous place.  

       Fresh out of the shower, Qian Xiaoke’s hair was still dripping wet as he grabbed the instant noodles and dashed into the kitchen. Jiang Tongyan stood there watching him move around, watching the droplets from his hair slide down onto his shoulders and soak into his shirt. Without realising it, he started to smile.  

       All those thoughts about lifestyle differences.

       All those concerns about coming from different worlds.  

       Suddenly, they didn’t seem so impossible to overcome.  

       Qian Xiaoke’s world was actually kind of interesting. At least right now, Jiang Tongyan didn’t feel like he was accommodating anyone at all.  

       And so, on this fresh and pleasant morning, the two of them shared a bowl of instant noodles—boiled and eaten with spoons because all of Qian Xiaoke’s noodles had been crushed to bits.  

       Qian Xiaoke’s apartment had a small dining area with a modest square table. The two of them sat across from each other.  

       Jiang Tongyan found the whole scene a bit ridiculous—he had never seen anyone eating instant noodles with a spoon before.  

       “What are you laughing at?” Qian Xiaoke looked up at him.  

       “I’m laughing at you,” Jiang Tongyan said. “Laughing at how dumb you are.”  

       “Why are you picking on me first thing in the morning?!” Qian Xiaoke pouted. “Can’t you say something nice for once?”  

       Jiang Tongyan suppressed a smile and looked at him. “What’s there to compliment?”  

       Qian Xiaoke pursed his lips and thought about it. It seemed that there was really nothing.  

       He fell silent, looking dejected as he continued eating his breakfast.  

       Jiang Tongyan hated seeing him like that. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Your cooking skills are actually pretty good.”

       “Huh?”  

       “Huh what?” Jiang Tongyan said. “I just complimented you.”  

       Qian Xiaoke froze for a second, then broke into an arrogant grin. After laughing to his heart’s content, he said, “Jiang Tongyan, you’re such a tsundere!”  

       Jiang Tongyan frowned. “Of course. I’m excellent—why wouldn’t I be proud?”  

       “Not proud1jiāo’ào! It’s Tsundere2àojiāo!” Qian Xiaoke said. “Don’t you know what ‘Tsundere’ means?”

       Even if Jiang Tongyan didn’t, he wasn’t about to admit it. He couldn’t let Qian Xiaoke think he was an idiot.  

       If a fool thought he was a fool, then what did that make him? A double fool?  

       What kind of nonsense was that?  

       Swiftly changing the subject, Jiang Tongyan asked, “What time should I come over tonight?”  

       “Huh?” 

       “What do you mean by ‘huh’? Don’t think you can get out of this,” Jiang Tongyan said. “Last night, you fell asleep halfway through—I’m keeping track of that debt.”  

       “Oh!” Qian Xiaoke suddenly understood. “Last night was an accident. Let’s start earlier tonight so that I won’t fall asleep again out of boredom.”

       Bored?

       Jiang Tongyan instantly caught onto the key point.  

       “You were bored? While you were touching me?”

       Qian Xiaoke knew he had said something wrong and hurried to coax him. “Ahh, no, that’s not what I meant! I misspoke. You can scold me!”

       He blinked his big eyes at Jiang Tongyan. “If scolding me isn’t enough, you can hit me too!”  

       Faced with this version of Qian Xiaoke, Jiang Tongyan was utterly helpless.

       He was done for. Completely and utterly done for. He had been completely wrapped around this careless idiot’s little finger.  

       For what?  

       What was the appeal?  

       His poverty?  

       His sharp tongue and lack of brain cells?  

       Jiang Tongyan was filled with regret. He should have hooked up with that flight attendant at Zhou Mo’s birthday party. If he had, Qian Xiaoke wouldn’t have had the chance to take advantage of him.  

       But it was too late for regrets. Not only had Qian Xiaoke taken advantage of the situation, but Jiang Tongyan had also sunk into this mess so deep he couldn’t get out.  

       Qian Xiaoke watched the man sitting across from him, whose face was twitching weirdly as he ate. He wondered if something was wrong with him. Should he suggest that Jiang Tongyan go to the hospital for a check-up?  

       Did Jiang Tongyan even have domestic health insurance?

       The two of them sat across from each other, eating breakfast, each lost in their own thoughts—completely out of sync.  

       Once they finished eating and Qian Xiaoke cleaned up, they left the apartment together.  

       As they stepped out, Qian Xiaoke casually mused, “I wonder what kind of neighbour I would have. Hopefully, they’re easy to get along with.”  

       “What kind of neighbour do you hope for?” Jiang Tongyan asked deliberately as they entered the elevator.  

       Qian Xiaoke pursed his lips, seriously considering it. The more he thought about it, the redder his ears became.  

       Jiang Tongyan raised a brow. “What are you thinking about?”  

       His ears were red—surely, it wasn’t something decent! Probably something dirty.  

       Qian Xiaoke smiled shyly. “I’m thinking about my neighbour.”  

       Jiang Tongyan chuckled. “Thinking what about your neighbor?”  

       “I was just thinking… it’d be great if my neighbour were a hot guy,” Qian Xiaoke mumbled, fidgeting with the hem of his T-shirt. “I read a novel once where the protagonist ended up with his neighbour.”  

       Jiang Tongyan instinctively straightened his back.  

       “I like younger tops,” Qian Xiaoke continued. “Ideally, someone in their early twenties, a bright and sunny type. Someone who could go out and set up a street stall with me at night to make money!”  

       Jiang Tongyan’s smile instantly vanished.  

       “Why?” he demanded. “What’s wrong with a mature, successful man? Wouldn’t that save you at least fifty years of struggling?”  

       “That’s not for me,” Qian Xiaoke said matter-of-factly before launching into complete nonsense. “Marrying into a rich family sounds great, sure, but I could never handle the life of a wealthy housewife. Too much pressure! What if they expect me to have kids? I definitely can’t deal with that! I’d much rather be with someone I can struggle and grow with—supporting each other, facing hardships together, and weathering every storm side by side! Chairman Jiang, don’t you think I’m absolutely right?”  

       Jiang Tongyan was so furious he nearly saw red. The urge to strangle this little bastard surged through him.  

       He snapped, “Qian Xiaoke, shut the hell up!”

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Chapter 2

March 10, 2025 / / 2 Comments

       Lu Cheng never called him by his name directly, yet he had silently recited those two words in his heart countless times. If he were a devout monk, chanting scriptures with such sincerity every day, he might have already attained enlightenment. Unfortunately, he had never been able to achieve true fulfillment.  

       He and Qin Mu had a contractual relationship. Every right and obligation laid out clearly in black and white. But emotions—those could never be written down with such clarity.  

       Lu Cheng had been introduced to a BDSM Club named ‘East Coast’, and upon stepping inside, he was instantly captivated by Qin Mu’s exceptional ropework. Rashly, he rushed over to flirt and strike up a conversation, only to be rejected. It was only then that he learned the man was a well-respected figure in the scene—known as ‘Pharaoh’. From that moment on, Lu Cheng did everything he could to get close to him, exhausting all his connections until he finally secured a favour from Fang Mingyan, which allowed him to become Qin Mu’s sub.  

       Qin Mu was a nearly perfect dom—highly skilled, versatile, professional, and trustworthy, with an impeccable sense of boundaries in their sessions. By the second time Lu Cheng underwent his training, he was already thinking about establishing a long-term intimate relationship. But he knew that Qin Mu had only taken him in as a favour to a friend. For Lu Cheng, their weekly Friday meetings were soul-stirring dates; for Qin Mu, they were probably nothing more than routine obligations.

       Lu Cheng was well aware of the principle that to spark a man’s desire, one must first capture his interest. But no matter how much effort he put in, he failed time and time again. Qin Mu remained unmoved—he adhered strictly to their contract, vanishing after every Friday session, ignoring Lu Cheng’s advances in real life, and never once crossing the line during their scenes. Frustrated, Lu Cheng began to doubt his own attractiveness. Only after asking around did he learn that ‘Pharaoh’ was famously abstinent—he rarely engaged in actual sexual relations with his subs.  

       Faced with such an unyielding man, Lu Cheng had no idea where to even begin. He hung his whip on the wall and let out a heavy sigh.

                     The days in late autumn were growing shorter, and by the time Qin Mu returned to his apartment, the sky had already turned completely dark. As he pushed open the door, the motion-activated lights gradually flickered on. Hearing the noise, two cats peeked out from their climbing frame. The white-haired, blue-eyed ragdoll leaped down gracefully; it walked up to him and let out a soft meow in greeting. The other cat, a chubby ginger tabby, lazily flicked its tail before flopping back down.

       Qin Mu changed into his indoor slippers and hung his suit on the coat rack by the entrance. After washing his hands, he grabbed a handful of cat food and poured it into their bowls. The ragdoll approached, its tail brushing lightly against his leg. Qin Mu reached down to stroke its head, eliciting a low and contented sound from its throat.

       Its name was Beiwei—North Latitude. It had been a gift, and he had raised it for five years. Affectionate and friendly, it loved human company. The ginger cat, Dongjing—East Longitude—had been a stray he had rescued a year ago. Back then, it had been nothing but skin and bones. Its left ear was torn from a fight with other strays, and its body was covered in scabs and patches of ringworm. Now, its skin disease had long since healed, and its orange fur was sleek and shiny, though it had grown absurdly fat. Likely a victim of human abuse in the past, it was wary of people and only got along with Beiwei. It barely acknowledged Qin Mu, not even bothering to look pleased during meals.

       Fortunately, Qin Mu was a laid-back owner. He let the cats roam freely and rarely forced interaction, allowing them to do as they pleased. Because of this, they got along harmoniously.  

       With the cats fed, it was time to take care of his own dinner.  

       Qin Mu tied on an apron and rolled up his sleeves. He took out ingredients from the fridge and began prepping.

       His stomach was sensitive, so even though he lived alone, he never skimped on proper meals. He diced button mushrooms, onions, and bacon, then sautéed them with peas and tomatoes into a thick and rich sauce. He poured it over perfectly cooked spaghetti, topped it with a layer of mozzarella, and slid it into the oven.

       220 degrees Celsius. Fifteen minutes.

       A piping hot and fragrant baked pasta emerged from the oven. The delicious aroma drew Beiwei over. It jumped onto the table and curled its paws in front of the bowl. Then, it watched him eat in silent expectation.

       Qin Mu lived in the heart of K City, in a spacious two-hundred-square-meter apartment on the fifteenth floor. His open balcony faced the river, where the dark waters of the Jialan River divided the city’s glittering skyline into two shores. The scattered lights from boats on the water looked like fallen stars from the heavens.  

       He ate dinner and browsed the news. He then went through case files sent by his legal assistant and secretary and reviewed the legal provisions and cases. After that, he exercised for an hour at the gym, took a shower, and was in bed before ten-thirty. He read before sleep, and when he had time, he played video games.

       On nights without court cases or social engagements, Qin Mu lived with a strict routine—like a train steadily moving along its tracks, neither fast nor slow, everything in its proper place.

       To him, solitude meant complete control over his life. There was no need to deal with unnecessary social interactions and no need to consider others’ thoughts or emotions. He felt relaxed and comfortable.

       Just as Qin Mu was reading with a cat in his arms, his phone rang. A familiar client was calling to consult about acquiring a private equity investment firm. By the time he had analysed the matter from the perspectives of cost, transition period, and regulatory review and had tactfully advised against the acquisition, more than half an hour had passed. The client trusted him and decided to put the proposal on hold.

       During the call, several missed calls had come through—all from Zhou Yi, his business partner. Qin Mu called back, and the call was answered almost instantly. Zhou Yi’s voice was tangled in chaotic background noise and was trembling slightly. It felt that even through the phone, Qin Mu could feel the barely suppressed panic.

       “Teacher Xiao had an accident. He was just sent to the ICU. His skull is fractured. It doesn’t look good.”

       Qin Mu’s mind went blank for several seconds. He shot up from his seat, knocking over his coffee cup. Brown liquid spilled onto his pants, but he had no time to care. Grabbing his coat, he rushed out the door.

              Xiao Chengzong was his and Zhou Yi’s professor—a renowned legal expert at K University. He was sixty-eight years old and had no children. His wife had suffered a stroke two years ago, leaving her with lasting impairments, unable to walk without assistance. The old man was a man of integrity and humility, and he was highly respected in the legal field. In addition to teaching and educating people, he devoted himself to pro bono legal aid, helping those who couldn’t afford lawyers seek justice. Qin Mu had received much guidance from him during his studies and frequently visited to check in on the elderly couple, helping with whatever he could. Just days ago, the old man had been laughing and chatting with him—and now, he had suffered such a terrible accident. Anxiety gnawed at Qin Mu as he rushed to the hospital, barely waiting for the car to stop before leaping out and striding toward the elevator.

       The Second Municipal Hospital was one of the best in K City. Even at night, the place was crowded with patients seeking treatment, their faces etched with exhaustion and pain. Qin Mu couldn’t afford to wait for the slow-moving, packed elevator and instead took the stairs two at a time. As he neared the emergency room, a gut-wrenching cry pierced through the air.

       His scalp tingled, and his steps halted abruptly.  

       “Old Xiao! Old Xiao…!”

       A woman with graying hair was nearly collapsing in her wheelchair. Her face was streaked with tears, and her voice was trembling and raw with grief. Several relatives knelt beside her, murmuring words of comfort. Zhou Yi stood nearby, gripping a sheet of paper, his face ashen as he spoke with a doctor. Two police officers stood beside him.

       Qin Mu felt like all the oxygen had been sucked from the room. His chest tightened painfully, and he couldn’t breathe. It was only when someone tapped him on the shoulder that he finally managed to surface from the suffocating haze.

       “He’s gone,” Zhou Yi said, his eyes red.

       Qin Mu stared at him and asked, “What happened?”

       “Car accident. When they brought him in, he was covered in blood. The main injury was to his head. I asked the best neurosurgeon here to operate…but they couldn’t save him.”

       “What about the perpetrator?”

       “They fled the scene. The police checked the surveillance footage—it was a CRV with a fake license plate. Last known direction was toward the southern suburbs, but pinpointing its location will take time.” Zhou Yi pressed a hand to his temple, suppressing his grief, then patted Qin Mu’s shoulder. “Go… check on Teacher’s wife.”

       Qin Mu nodded. Every step he took toward the wheelchair felt unbearably heavy.

       He knelt down in front of Teacher Xiao’s wife, taking her frail hand in his. His voice was soft. “Madam.”

       The woman who had once been so strong, who could still joke with him even after her stroke, now seemed to have aged all at once. Her words quivered with sorrow. “Xiao Qin… he didn’t even leave me a single word.”

       Resentment. Grief. Sorrow. Heartbreak. Despair.

       All those emotions were tangled within that one sentence, slamming into Qin Mu’s heart with unbearable force.

       It felt as if the mountains had collapsed and the world was caving in.

       The most painful thing about loss wasn’t just losing someone—it was watching the people left behind suffer and being unable to do anything to ease their pain.

       Behind his glasses, his eyes burned red, but he kept his voice steady. He gently squeezed her hand. “Teacher didn’t say anything, but you know… he would want you to take care of yourself. You have to stay strong. You still have us.”

       Tears streamed down her face. “I want to see him. Let me see him.”

       “Alright.”

       Qin Mu accompanied her to see Teacher Xiao one last time.

       The old professor, who had dedicated his entire life to teaching and nurturing students, now lay pale and still in the cold morgue. The bloodstains on his face had been carefully wiped away, leaving him looking as if he were merely asleep—peaceful and at rest.

       Qin Mu stood in silence, saying nothing.

       He temporarily arranged for Madam Xiao to stay with relatives, instructed his assistant to find a caregiver overnight, and handled all the necessary arrangements. Afterward, he headed to the police station to meet Zhou Yi and review the results of the investigation.

       By the time they stepped outside, the night was deep. Clouds drifted across the sky, shrouding the moon, leaving no stars, no light.

       Qin Mu didn’t get into the car. Instead, he asked, “Got a cigarette?” He had quit smoking long ago and didn’t carry any.

       Zhou Yi fished a Marlboro out of his pocket and handed it to him.

       Qin Mu held it between his lips and leaned in, lighting it against the flame of Zhou Yi’s lighter. He took a deep drag, coughed slightly, then exhaled a swirl of smoke.

       The two stood in silence for a while. Zhou Yi hesitated before finally speaking. “I know what you’re thinking, but… this could really just be an accident.”

       “Three days before trial. A car with fake plates. A hit-and-run driver who’s nowhere to be found. And that threatening letter left at his doorstep. There’s no way this is just a coincidence. They wanted him dead.”

       “Qin Mu—”

       “I won’t be around for a while. Keep an eye on my cat for me.”

       “Qin Mu!” Zhou Yi’s brows furrowed tightly. He lowered his voice and said, “That’s J City. The forces behind Kuang Mu run deeper than we can imagine. Don’t get yourself involved.”

       Qin Mu tilted his head back, gazing through the smoke at the vast, pitch-black sky. His eyes were as cold as ice. “Remember what’s carved at the entrance of our department? ‘With the law as our sword, we defend the land of justice.’”

       He stubbed out his cigarette and said calmly, “I will fight the case that Teacher Xiao took.”

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Side Story – Hot Spring (3)

March 9, 2025 / / 1 Comment

       Zhan Weiyang’s gaze kept following Pei Qing. Even though the room was now dark, Pei Qing could still feel Zhan Weiyang looking at him.

       “What’s wrong, Yangyang?” Pei Qing asked

       Zhan Weiyang thought for a moment and asked him, “Who sent you a message so late?”

       Pei Qing smiled silently and answered him in a serious tone, “Weiguang.”

       Zhan Weiyang was silent for a while. He fumbled to find Pei Qing’s hand, held his fingers together, and said, “Don’t pay attention to him; it’s already too late.”

       Pei Qing replied, “Okay.”

       Zhan Weiyang turned his face and rubbed against Pei Qing’s shoulder.

       Pei Qing raised one hand to touch his face and asked him, “Yangyang, do you want Qing ge to kiss you?”

       Zhan Weiyang was very happy, “Can I?”

       Pei Qing stroked his lips with her fingers, “Of course.” After that, he lowered his head and kissed him.

       Zhan Weiyang opened his eyes and kissed Pei Qing happily.

       Zhan Weiyang and Pei Qing were both very busy throughout Zhan Weiyang’s second semester of senior year. He was admitted to a second-tier university, which might not sound like a big deal to others, but to him, he had already exhausted all his energy.

       He knew that his brain was not very good. Chen Youyou could understand the same course after the teacher explained it once, but he had to ask Chen Youyou to explain it to him several times after class. He had to do the same type of questions repeatedly so that he could find the pattern the next time he did it.

       Pei Qing was also busy during this period. He had just started working and had no support from his family. He had to rely on himself for everything and had to work overtime almost every night.

       They had no time to meet each other. They could only have a short video chat for ten minutes at night and then say goodbye in a hurry. This state lasted until Zhan Weiyang finished the college entrance examination. On the day after the exam, Zhan Weiyang wanted to spend the night at Pei Qing’s place but was stopped by Zhan Pengcheng. Zhan Pengcheng stared at him very closely. It had been a while since the holiday, and he had to go home and sleep every day. Pei Qing was busy with work, and they had little time to eat together, let alone such intimate contact.

       Zhan Weiyang was immersed in Pei Qing’s gentle kiss, and then gradually felt that Pei Qing’s kiss was more intense than before.

       Pei Qing had always been very restrained towards him and would let him go after a kiss and a hug. Zhan Weiyang had never tried such a kiss. He felt that Pei Qing was a little fierce, as if he wanted to bite him and eat him. The hand that pinched his arm was also very strong, so he subconsciously stepped back.

       Pei Qing didn’t chase him but asked him in a deep voice, “What’s wrong, Yangyang?”

       Zhan Weiyang said, “Are you upset?”

       Pei Qing gently stroked his lips with his thumb, “Why am I upset?”

       Zhan Weiyang said uncertainly, “I don’t know, I think you are not very happy.”

       Pei Qing smiled, his voice low and deep. He hugged Zhan Weiyang tightly in his arms, lowered his head against the soft skin of his shoulder, and said, “I’m not upset; I’m very happy.”

       Zhan Weiyang breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s great.”

       Pei Qing asked him, “If I’m upset, what will you do?”

       Zhan Weiyang answered without thinking, “Make you happy.”

       Pei Qing asked, “How do you want to make me happy?”

       Zhan Weiyang said, “Comfort you in any way you want. Anyway, don’t be upset with me, I want you to be happy all the time.”

       Pei Qing held him like a child and shook him left and right, saying, “My silly Yangyang.”

       Zhan Weiyang then smiled and reached out to hug Pei Qing’s neck.

       Pei Qing said, “Since Yangyang is willing to do anything for me, I can agree to anything you want. Is there something you want me to do?”

       Zhan Weiyang was suddenly surprised and asked, “Can we make love?”

       Pei Qing held back her smile and whispered in his ear, “Are you dumb?”

       Zhan Weiyang admitted with his head down embarrassedly, “I think a little bit.”

       Pei Qing said, “If you hadn’t avoided me just now, I would have done it with you.”

       “Hmm?” Zhan Weiyang didn’t quite react to what he meant.

       After Pei Qing finished speaking, he kissed Zhan Weiyang’s lips again. This time, even if Zhan Weiyang avoided again, he would not let him go.

       …………

       Afterwards, Zhan Weiyang was sweating all over, and Pei Qing carried him to the bathroom to take another shower. When he came back to bed, Zhan Weiyang was so tired that he couldn’t open his eyes. He found Pei Qing beside him, hugged his waist tightly, and said, “Can we do it often?”

       Pei Qing turned off the lights, hugged him and asked, “Does Yangyang like it?”

       “Yeah,” Zhan Weiyang said, “I like it very much.”

       Pei Qing said to him, “Then, when you graduate from college, we will live together, okay?”

       Zhan Weiyang tried to open his eyes, “Are we going to get married?”

       Pei Qing said, “Qing ge will work hard to make money, buy you a house and a ring, and then propose to you, okay?”

       Zhan Weiyang was not shy just now but suddenly became shy when he heard the proposal. He lowered his head and buried his face in Pei Qing’s arms, whispering, “Keep your word.”

       Pei Qing smiled slightly and said, “When did I lie to you?”

       Zhan Weiyang thought for a while and said, “Can Dad and Grandma live with us?”

       Pei Qing replied, “Of course.”

       Zhan Weiyang was very happy and asked, “What about Zhan Weiguang?”

       Pei Qing Qing thought momentarily and said, “I think he might not want to live with us.”

       Zhan Weiyang yawned, and he could hardly hold on any longer. He mumbled the last sentence, “But he can’t find a girlfriend. I feel sorry for him…” After saying this, Zhan Weiyang fell into a deep sleep.

       Pei Qing kissed his forehead and whispered, “Good night, baby.”

 

       The next day, when Zhan Pengcheng checked out, he found an extra charge. With tears in his eyes, he drove the kids back home.

Notes:
This is the end!
I think the extra charge is because some hotel might have some stain policy where the *ahem* stain get charged, lolol
I don’t think I will get attached so much to the story because it started so slow, and I keep wondering if things gonna get interesting. But as always JGQ always proved me wrong >X<
Thank you so much for the recommendation!
There are some JGQ titles on my list and I hope it’s not translated yet, lol
There’s someone in CG who is translating other JGQ works too, please head there and give some love to JGQ works! ( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡)

Support the author by buying the author’s other works and/or giving some jades here~
(note that there are several guides to manoeuvre in Changpei, or you can google translate the page. Payment can be made with the Apple Pay method)

We have a discord server for those who want to receive an update ping and various announcements~
Join here ^^

Check out bean’s new ABO novel here!
Check out another novel about sentinel x guide here~
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And please buy me some kofi if you like the translation~

Also leave some ratings if you like this series here~

Side Story – Hot Spring (2)

March 6, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       Zhan Pengcheng booked two standard rooms. After Zhan Weiyang finished his shower and returned to the bed by the window, he picked up his phone and sent Pei Qing a message: “Have you gone to bed?”

       Pei Qing quickly replied: “Not yet; Weiguang is taking a shower.”

       Zhan Weiyang looked at these words and felt very unhappy.

       After a while, Zhan Pengcheng came out of the shower and wiped the water off his face and neck with a towel while saying to Zhan Weiyang, “Yangyang, stop playing with your phone and go to bed early.”

       Zhan Weiyang silently put his phone aside.

       Zhan Pengcheng turned off the lights in the room and lay down on his bed. After soaking in the hot spring all night, he yawned and felt that his body was very tired, so he asked, “Are you tired, Yangyang?”

       Zhan Weiyang was actually quite tired, but his mind was very active. He had been waiting for Zhan Weiguang to change rooms with him, so he pulled up the quilt and only said ‘En’ softly.

       He lay quietly, listening to Zhan Pengcheng’s breathing gradually getting louder on the bed beside him. He looked up secretly and thought that Zhan Pengcheng might have fallen asleep.

       Just then, Zhan Weiyang’s mobile phone suddenly rang.

       In the quiet environment, the sudden ringing sound was particularly loud. Zhan Weiyang was startled. Zhan Pengcheng also woke up and asked in a daze, “Who called so late?”

       Zhan Weiyang fumbled his mobile phone from under the pillow and saw that it was Zhan Weiguang who had called. He thought it was already hard to wait for his father to fall asleep, but Zhan Weiguang called again to wake him up. He felt angry and answered the phone angrily, “What are you doing?”

       Zhan Weiguang asked him, “Is Dad asleep?”

       Zhan Weiyang was very angry, “Dad was woken up by you!”

       Zhan Weiguang said, “It’s okay, come over, let’s play cards.”

       “Huh?” Zhan Weiyang was stunned for a moment.

       Zhan Weiguang said, “Let’s play Dou Dizhu1Dou dizhu is a card game in the genre of shedding and gambling. It is one of the most popular card games played in China., come on, hurry up!”

       Zhan Weiyang suddenly reacted and said, “I’ll go.”

       Zhan Pengcheng heard him getting out of bed, reached out, turned on the reading light at the head of the bed, and asked him, “What are you doing so late?”

       Zhan Weiyang said, “I’m going to find them to play Dou Dizhu.”

       Zhan Pengcheng couldn’t open his eyes. He rubbed his forehead, “Why play Dou Dizhu so late?”

       Zhan Weiyang reached out to turn off the light, grabbed his phone and door card, walked out in the dark, and said, “Dad, you go to bed first.”

       He opened the room door and saw Zhan Weiguang standing at the door with his phone, so he asked, “Are you waiting for me?”

       Zhan Weiguang said, “Hurry up.”

       Zhan Pengcheng heard the sound outside and shouted, “Aren’t you guys tired?”

       Zhan Weiguang replied outside the door, “We are still young, not tired. Dad, you go to bed first.” After that, he raised his hand to help Zhan Weiyang close the door.

       The door of the next room was open. Pei Qing stood at the door in pyjamas and said helplessly, “Stop making trouble. Uncle will be angry if he finds out.”

       When Zhan Weiyang heard Pei Qing’s words, he suddenly became nervous. He asked, “Should I go back?”

       Pei Qing laughed and said, “At least play a few rounds of Dou Dizhu before returning.”

       None of them brought poker cards with them, so playing Dou Dizhu was not easy at this time. Finally, Zhan Weiguang thought of a way to open a room using the game app on his mobile phone. The three of them played Dou Dizhu on their mobile phones.

       There were two beds in the room. Zhan Weiguang occupied one. Zhan Weiyang lay next to Pei Qing. The two were too close, so Zhan Weiyang couldn’t help but look at Pei Qing’s cards.

       Zhan Weiguang played two rounds and threw his phone aside with a ‘tsk’. “Zhan Weiyang, do you still want to play?”

       Zhan Weiyang lowered his head embarrassedly and said, “Sorry.”

       Pei Qing smiled and touched the top of his head.

       Zhan Weiyang immediately raised his face and rubbed it in Pei Qing’s palm.

       Zhan Weiguang suddenly felt that his presence in this room was too unnecessary. He stood up from the bed and said, “I’m going to sleep.”

       Zhan Weiyang was a little nervous, “Dad might not be asleep yet.”

       Zhan Weiguang grabbed his mobile phone and saw Zhan Weiyang throw the room door card on the bedside table. He walked over to pick it up together and said as he walked outside, “He can fall asleep as soon as he touches the bed. It’s probably almost time.”

       Pei Qing asked, “Do you really want to change?”

       Zhan Weiyang didn’t say anything. He looked at Pei Qing and then at Zhan Weiguang.

       Zhan Weiguang said, “He worked hard for the whole year to get into college. Dad is watching him too closely. It’s unnecessary.” He looked at Pei Qing and said it in a low voice. After he finished speaking, he walked out in slippers.

       Zhan Weiyang still seemed a little uneasy. He sat cross-legged on the bed and looked at Pei Qing with wide-open round eyes.

       Pei Qing reached out to touch his head, pressed his palm on the back of his neck to make him bend over, kissed his lips and said, “Let’s go to bed then.”

       Zhan Weiguang walked to the next room, swiped his card to open the door, and heard Zhan Pengcheng’s familiar snoring when he stood at the door. He walked in and gently closed the door, stood in the dark to adapt for a while, and walked towards the empty bed.

       Just as he was about to climb onto the bed, Zhan Pengcheng, on the bed next to him, turned over and suddenly woke up, calling out in a vague voice, “Yangyang?”

       Zhan Weiguang stopped moving, not knowing whether he should make a sound for a moment.

       Zhan Pengcheng felt strange and called out again, “Yangyang?”

       Zhan Weiguang couldn’t help but say, “It’s me.”

       “Weiguang?” Zhan Pengcheng sat up suddenly and fumbled to find the light switch, “Where’s your brother?”

       Zhan Weiguang climbed onto the bed, lifted the quilt and lay down, saying, “He sleeps next door.”

       Zhan Pengcheng had already turned on the light. The sudden light stimulated him to squint his eyes. He couldn’t adapt for a long time and said, “How can you let him sleep with Pei Qing?”

       Zhan Weiguang said, “Dad, he has graduated from high school and will go to college soon.”

       Zhan Pengcheng frowned, “But his mental age is still a child.”

       Zhan Weiguang felt a little helpless and pulled up the quilt to cover half of his face, almost covering his eyes. “He isn’t. He’s going to board at school once the term starts. What’s the point of keeping such a close eye on him while on vacation? Are you planning to follow him to school and stay there with him then?”

       “But—” Zhan Pengcheng subconsciously wanted to refute but didn’t know how to refute for a while.

       Zhan Weiguang said, “He has been living in the same room with Pei Qing for a long time. You don’t know if he will stay overnight at Pei Qing’s place in the future. Since we are out to play, just let him be.”

       Zhan Pengcheng was a little dazed. After a long while, he said, “I know, I just can’t let go.”

       Zhan Weiguang said, “Haven’t you made up your mind to let him go and give him to Pei Qing?”

       Zhan Pengcheng sighed deeply, turned off the light and lay down again. He turned over in the dark and felt that he was not sleepy at all. He turned over again.

       Zhan Weiguang was still awake. He whispered, “Zhan Weiyang had planned to live with Pei Qing in the future, and he will take you and Grandma with him.”

       Zhan Pengcheng asked, “He told you that?”

       Zhan Weiguang said, “Well, he thinks that he and Pei Qing will definitely be able to live a lifetime.”

       Zhan Pengcheng sighed again at this time, “Pei Qing is a good child.”

       Zhan Weiguang picked up his mobile phone and sent a message quickly.

       In the next room, Zhan Weiyang and Pei Qing were squeezed on the same bed. He rested his head on Pei Qing’s arm and gently called him, “Qing ge.”

       Pei Qing said, “Go to sleep, Yangyang.”

       Zhan Weiyang felt a little disappointed. He kept his eyes open and struggled for a while but still said, “Oh.”

       Pei Qing’s mobile phone suddenly lit up on the bedside table. He turned around and saw a message. He clicked it and saw that it was sent by Zhan Weiguang: “Dad knows that Zhan Weiyang went to sleep there, and he didn’t object. Don’t worry.” He stared at the message for a while, locked the phone and put it back on the bedside table.

 

To be continued…

Support the author by buying the author’s other works and/or giving some jades here~
(note that there are several guides to manoeuvre in Changpei, or you can google translate the page. Payment can be made with the Apple Pay method)

We have a discord server for those who want to receive an update ping and various announcements~
Join here ^^

Check out bean’s new ABO novel here!
Check out another novel about sentinel x guide here~
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And please buy me some kofi if you like the translation~

Also leave some ratings if you like this series here~

Chapter 1

March 5, 2025 / / 2 Comments

       As the sun sank in the west, the afterglow dyed the clouds red and gilded the edges of each yellow ginkgo leaf with a golden red, freezing it into a colorful painting on the second-floor window.

       It was deep autumn already.

       Lu Cheng tilted his head back, staring at a leaf near the window in a daze. The leaf was trembling and seemed about to fall because of the wind, but stubbornly, it refused to part from its branch.

       He watched for a long time, and his body started to stiffen. He subtly shifted his weight unconsciously and slightly relaxed his already numb legs from kneeling. Suddenly, a sharp crack of a whip sounded behind his ear, striking his bare back with a searing pain.

       He suppressed a cry of pain and let out a series of heavy breaths. He straightened his back to maintain his kneeling posture, not daring to move. He lowered his eyelids, saying, “I was wrong, Master.”

       “What did you do wrong?” The deep male voice carried a hint of coldness.

       “I moved without your permission.” Lu Cheng answered politely.

       The man’s leather shoes stepped silently in front of him on the thick carpet. The hard handle of the whip gently lifted his chin, forcing him to look up.

       His gaze moved from the man’s long legs encased in tailored trousers to his well-fitted suit, highlighting an imposing and full physique. The deep colours exuded a sense of solemnity and restraint.

       Lu Cheng couldn’t help but imagine what this man looked like naked—broad shoulders, narrow hips, well-proportioned muscles, and when those strong arms pressed him down… The vivid picture surged into his mind like waves, making his breath hot.

       In just a moment of distraction, the tip of the whip pressed lightly against his Adam’s apple, making him gasp. Lu Cheng gave a bitter smile in his heart, obediently tilting his head back, exposing his vulnerable neck.

       At this moment, he was kneeling, utterly naked, with his hands folded behind his back. He was like a devout believer looking up to a deity.

       This was a gesture of giving up submitting his bodily autonomy, expressing total submission to handing over everything to the other party. It is the attitude that a Sub should have when facing a Dom in the game.

       Yes, they were playing a BDSM game.

       The dominant person set the rules and controlled the punishment, and the submissive person obeyed the rules and offered their body. In this way, both parties satisfy each other’s desires and gain pleasure.

       The decadent light of the setting sun filled the room, outlining the curves of the two people’s bodies.

       Standing and kneeling. Whip and flesh. Intact clothes and naked. Dominance and submission formed a stark, sharp, painful, and cruel beauty.

       Lu Cheng loved this game. He had long lost interest in mundane sex. As a pure Sub, he had tried many Doms, but none had captivated him like this one. Just being close to this man could make him inexplicably excited.

       He looked in fascination at the man who had ensnared him—handsome features, an air of elegance, calm demeanor, and the oppressive aura usually kept in check was unleashed with the whip. It was a strong, sharp, and irresistible presence, like a cool woody scent. It was deep and calm yet distant, driving him to addiction. He willingly knelt at this man’s feet and placed himself in a humble position, offering both his body and soul.

       “You are easily distracted.” The man bent his knuckles and gently pushed the glasses on his nose, looking down at him condescendingly.

       “Please punish me, my Master,” Lu Cheng said. His throat was dry, and he needed something to relieve it.

       The man glanced at him indifferently, the whip handle sliding down from his neck to his chest, teasing one of his nipples as it slowly turned.

       Lu Cheng trembled slightly and took a deep breath.

       He mustn’t move.

       In the game, the Dom set the rules with commands, and the Sub must abide by the rules; or else, he would be punished. While pain could bring Lu Cheng some pleasure, he particularly enjoyed the feeling of being dominated, kneeling at another’s feet, begging for mercy, and becoming someone’s slave, pet, or object. This strange pleasure sprang from his core. It was suppressed for so long it had become an abyss in his heart—what he gazed into, also gazed back at him.

       BDSM games gave him fulfillment and release.

       His nipples were ravaged, causing both pain and itchiness, with a tingling sensation that could not be ignored. His body sensitively experienced the intermittent stimulation from this mixed feeling, and everything that happened next made him even more excited.

       The man lifted his foot and casually teased Lu Cheng’s genitals with the tip of his leather shoe. The alternating friction of the stiff leather made him groan. Lu Cheng didn’t dare dodge at all, allowing the other party to treat his most vulnerable part roughly. He was controlled and toyed with at will, yet still shamelessly desired more. The shame hidden deep inside his heart acted like a catalyst, making his already semi-hard c0ck fully erect. It felt like a fire had been lit within, and the fire spread beneath the skin, burning the flesh inch by inch.

       The man lightly kicked his scrotum. He heard the expected low whimper and mocked, “In heat, are we? Just a couple of kicks and you’re this hard.”

       “Master…” Lu Cheng called out hoarsely. His expression was one of desire and fear. He yearned for an outlet for his desires, the mercy of his Master and greater stimulation, yet he feared the powerful control, unknown methods and harsh punishment.

       The man stroked his Adam’s apple absentmindedly, “Tell me what you are.”

       “I am my Master’s dog.” Lu Cheng replied.

       This answer seemed to satisfy the other party, and he raised the corner of his lip, “Since you’re a dog, act like one.”

       Lu Cheng stretched out his tongue like a pet dog and wanted to lick the man’s fingers, but his head was pressed down. He obediently bent over the ground and licked the man’s spotless shoe tips.

       “Do you smell your own arousal?” the man asked.

       Long before the man’s arrival, Lu Cheng had washed himself clean inside and out. There was clearly nothing on the shoe surface, but the teasing words made him feel an indescribable lewd taste. He lay prone on the ground with his chest pressed against the ground and rubbed his face against the man’s legs as he said, “This worthless dog has soiled Master’s shoes. Please punish me.”

       “Go fetch what’s in the box by the door.”

       Lu Cheng crawled over on his knees, tore open the packaging tape with his mouth, and pushed open the white box lid.

       Inside was a ‘tail’.

       A half-meter long yellow fur tail with a silicone di-do at its front end, and the top of the column was a curved and convex shape. Lu Cheng knew that it could just press against the sensitive gland and make him feel like he was dying, and his body became uncontrollably excited. He crawled back with his ‘tail’ in his mouth. He knelt at the man’s feet and raised his head.

       “A gift for you, do you like it?” the man asked.

       Lu Cheng had something in his mouth and couldn’t speak, so he nodded.

       “Put it on yourself,” The man sat down on the only single sofa in the room and gave the order, “in a way that pleases me.”

       Lu Cheng hesitated for a moment, a flush of embarrassment on his face. He clenched his teeth and slowly lifted one leg backwards, making the same posture as a dog peeing. Then he inserted his wet fingers into the hole hidden between his buttocks and began to expand it.

       The man watched him quietly.

       The feeling of shame quickly fermented under such a gaze, and Lu Cheng’s whole body turned slightly red. That gaze seemed to have heat, igniting him bit by bit, burning him from the inside out. His breathing became disrupted, and his body tensed up uncontrollably, making the process more difficult and lengthy. He had already spent too much time and was afraid that his master would become impatient, so he hastily placed the di-do against the hole’s opening. He heard the order just before it entered.

       “Come over.”

       Lu Cheng stopped moving, looking a little panicked. He didn’t know what he had done wrong and didn’t dare to ask. He could only slowly crawl over with his tail in his mouth. The man stood up and grabbed his hair to force him to look up.

       It didn’t hurt much, but there’s a kind of pleasure in being tortured.

       “You didn’t even expand properly. So eager to fill your little hole?” The man’s voice was cold, “Why don’t you change to a thicker one so you can have a good time?”

       Lu Cheng admitted his mistake tremblingly, “This foolish dog was too stupid. Please punish me, Master.”

       “Show me that hungry little hole of yours.”

       Lu Cheng lay on the ground and turned around, with his pale buttocks raised high. He used his hands to spread his buttocks apart to expose his hole, showing the most humiliating posture to his master. There was a slight sound behind him, but he didn’t dare to look back. He just knelt down nervously and listened with his ears perked up.

       Unexpectedly, a slightly warm and slippery object pressed against his hole and then slowly entered.

       It was the man’s lubricated finger.

       Lu Cheng couldn’t help but groan when his sphincter was stretched. The human body instinctively resisted the invader, and his hole suddenly tightened. Then he was slapped on the buttocks, with a crisp ‘pats’ sound.

       “Relax, my patience is limited.” Although the words were firm, the movements were gentle. He carefully expanded his hole to accommodate three fingers before inserting the di-do. The entire di-do was inserted into Lu Cheng’s hole as he gasped, leaving only the furry tail hanging behind him.

       “Crawl around with your new tail on.” The man sat down again. He removed his medical gloves and threw them aside, and added slowly, “If it falls out, you won’t have a chance to climax tonight.”

       “Yes, Master.” Lu Cheng replied.

       The room had air conditioning and carpet, so his knees weren’t too painful when he crawled. However, executing the command was challenging. The tail had weight and kept swaying with each movement, making the di-do likely to slip out. This forced him to clench his hole tightly and caused the tip of the di-do to press repeatedly against his prostate. It sent electric shocks up his spine, causing full-body tremors. To make matters worse, when the long and dense fur of the tail swung, it would brush against his lower body, making him feel both numb and itchy. Before he could even crawl halfway, he was already sweating, and his erection prominent, with clear fluid leaking from the tip.

       The man watched calmly on the sofa as Lu Cheng struggled with desire, with dark and ambiguous light in his eyes.

       The desire in Lu Cheng’s body was boiling, but he couldn’t reach the climax. He stopped impatiently and tried to catch his breath when the device in his hole suddenly vibrated. The strong stimulation made him cry out, his muscles tensed, and his legs trembled. The electric shock-like feeling kept coming, almost destroying his sanity. “Master, ah ah… Master, please…” He fell to the ground and begged, his voice changing in tone.

       “Remember what punishment you received the last time you ejaculated without permission?” the man asked, fiddling with the remote control in his hand.

       “Twenty… twenty lashes.”

       “If you don’t want that again, don’t provoke me.”

       “…Yes, Master.” Lu Cheng replied breathlessly. He was almost on the verge of crying. The pleasure gathered in his lower body was about to burst out at any moment, but he could only endure it. He crawled on the ground like a dog with its tail between its legs and moved forward bit by bit.

       Amidst the torture was ecstasy. The moment he got permission to ejaculate, a dizzyingly intense pleasure suddenly exploded. His body suddenly relaxed, and he fell down softly.

       When Lu Cheng regained consciousness, he was held in the man’s arms. He nestled into the embrace, quietly enjoying this moment of peace. The pleasant cedar scent on that person and the body temperature that came through his clothes made him extremely greedy. He seemed to have found a sense of security in this embrace, like a baby returning to the mother’s womb.

       “Are you okay?” the man asked.

       Lu Cheng nodded, met those dark eyes, and couldn’t help but whisper, “Master.”

       The man touched his face soothingly, “Lu Cheng, we just played a game. All my insulting words and actions towards you were based on the game’s needs. You understand, right?”

       Lu Cheng’s eyes flickered.

       Yes, the game between them was over.

       The man and he were back on equal terms again.

       Hearing his name from the man’s lips filled Lu Cheng with disappointment and pain. He wished to always be a dog to this man, to be petted, punished, protected, and abused, as if that was the only way they truly belonged to each other.

       Lu Cheng lowered his gaze, hiding the many emotions hidden in them, and smiled, “Yes, I understand.”

       The man helped him up and gently put a bathrobe on him. The cold and strong feeling of oppression just now was subdued, and now he was similar a gentle lover.

       But it was just ‘similar’.

       “Don’t you need me to… do something?” Lu Cheng glanced at the man’s crotch, and there seemed to be no movement there. He was disheartened but used a teasing tone, “You have no interest in me at all? It’s really sad.”

       The man smiled but did not answer.

       “Let’s have dinner together tonight? I heard that there’s a new Cantonese chef in Nande Building, making Buddha Jumps Over the Wall1Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, also known as Buddha’s Temptation or Fotiaoqiang, is a variety of shark fin soup in Fujian cuisine. This dish has been regarded as a Chinese delicacy known for its rich taste, and special manner of cooking.…” Lu Cheng tried again. However, under the man’s calm gaze, he couldn’t continue. He then reluctantly changed his words, “Then I’ll… see you off.”

       “No need.” The other party declined.

       Lu Cheng stood by the door, watching the GLS500 disappear in the shadow of the trees in the villa before returning to the room he had just stayed in with a sense of loss. He picked up the whip that had fallen on the ground and stroked it.

       He had this whip custom-made by a craftsman and gave it to that person as a birthday gift last year—to punish himself. The whip was one meter long and was made of three strands of soft sheepskin and one strand of gold thread. The ebony handle was engraved with the word ‘rule’ in fancy writing, and at the end was engraved with a small golden seal with the seal script of the word ‘Mu’.

       Mu of Qin Mu.

Notes:
So, Qin Mu’s name is written as 秦穆, with the Mu meaning solemn/reverent/calm.
The word ‘rule’ was written as it is (in English).

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