The clone of a lover who eventually became a real lover
The emotional turmoil continues

“Hey Yunxiao, what do you think?” His colleague waved a hand in front of him.

Tan Yunxiao snapped back to the present from his thoughts.

“Ah, I just suddenly remembered that I had something to rush back to. I’m going to go out for a while, could you cover the rest of my shift for me? My full attendance this month lies on your shoulders now, please?” Tan Yunxiao smiled at his colleague as he held both her hands in his’. Without a second thought, his colleague just agreed to his whims.

Turning back to take a look at Tan Yunxiao’s departing figure, the colleague held her reddening ears and smiled shyly.

Tan Yunxiao strung the windbreaker around himself tightly, but it wasn’t enough to keep the wind and cold out. “This damn weather, I knew that this morning’s warmth wouldn’t even last for more than just a few hours at best.”

He walked into a narrow alley with a few people before looking around and quietly dipping into one of the stores.

“I want to check on some news articles from roughly three years ago.” Tan Yunxiao lowered his hat a little and asked in a calm voice.

On planet F, the news tends to be controlled information and only people with a certain amount of authority can simply obtain information of past happenings as they wished. This was also one of the reasons why Tan Yunxiao decided to come to some shady place to obtain what he needed to know.

“Oh? Looking for this news article again? You sure are persistent, kid.” The man who was seated behind the counter had said casually.

Tan Yunxiao stated his identification number and asked him to find out what he knew pertaining to this three years ago. After he finished specifying his details of investigation, he took out a fat envelope from his pocket and placed it on the counter.

“This is the deposit.”

Tan Yunxiao immediately left the place after, running as though he was escaping from there.

Pitter-patter, Tan Yunxiao’s fingers subconsciously tapped on the table as he watched second after seconds go by on the wall clock which currently read six o’clock. 

He closed his eyes and counted down from five to one, to which another’s hand had reached for Tan Yunxiao’s shoulders just as he finished counting. “I’ve been dismissed from work, my dear.” Feng Sheng, who had a charming smile on his face, appeared.

Tan Yunxiao’s heart sank but as soon as he caught himself, quickly returned his expression to one of a gentle and calm look.

“Well then, let’s go now Feng.”

Sitting in the car, Tan Yunxiao turned to face the window and watched as huge billboards passed them by. There was an advertisement that showed a couple holding each other as they gazed into the other’s eyes tenderly. The woman had a bouquet of flowers in her arms and the name of the movie was written next to her in a large font – “Confession”

“Confession, huh…?” It was summer now, though it should be noted that the words spring, summer, autumn and winter no longer express the temperature or actual climate. On F planet today, the weather was always consistent all-year long, be it spring, summer, autumn or winter. They were just nouns and nothing more.

One summer evening, Tan Yunxiao and Feng Sheng had decided to watch a movie together but Tan Yunxiao could no longer remember what they had watched. After watching the movie, they walked outside on the streets for a while when Feng Sheng suddenly suggested that they should visit the planetarium.

Although the two often spent time together, they have never been to the planetarium so Tan Yunxiao readily accepted his idea.

In the planetarium, Feng Sheng was explaining to Tan Yunxiao about how many solar systems made up one galaxy. Using the most humorous metaphors to describe the distant star systems to Tan Yunxiao, he even brought him to a simulation map where Tan Yunxiao could experience what it was like to cross the stars.

“Fufu, this is all very nice, but Feng, to bring me here just to show off your knowledge… don’t you think I already know how smart and brilliant you are?”

Feng Sheng was stunned for a moment, before beginning to stammer. “Y-you know all about it?”

“Of course, We’ve known each other for so long. I’d obviously know a little bit more about you.”

Feng Sheng’s face grew more and more red. “Turn your back to me.” Somehow he still managed to squeeze out a few more words between his lips. “Close your eyes too.”

Tan Yunxiao closed his eyes obediently.

“Okay! Now, open them.”

“This… are those lilies? You even managed to cultivate the one that’s been long extinct?” Tan Yunxiao touched the petals in surprise. After all the changes that have happened on F planet’s environment and greenhouse gas levels, this kind of flora has not appeared in a long time.

“Yes, and I knew that you liked this. So I’ve been trying at this for quite some time now. This is the first time I have succeeded.” Feng Shang lowered his head as he felt embarrassed.

“You’re such a genius, I love you so much!” Tan Yunxiao excitedly kissed Feng Sheng’s cheek.

“No, I… um…” Rubbing his burning cheeks, Feng Sheng started again. “Will you be my lover?”

Tan Yunxiao’s eyebrows were upturned. “Of course! Yes! Did you not hear my answer just now?”

Under the blessing of the sky’s thousands of stars, the pair of newlyfound lovers embraced each other, clutching the flowers between them.

Thankfully Feng Sheng had already made a reservation for the hotel near the planetarium in advance or else who knows what wild things might’ve happened to the enthusiastic, lovey-dovey pair that night.

“What are you thinking about honey?” Feng Sheng asked.

Tan Yunxiao turned his head to see Feng Sheng’s strong facial features and the upturn of the corner’s of his mouth which eased him into an easy-going smile. The wrinkles on his face seemed more prominent than he had remembered, which brought forth a burst of bitterness in his heart.

“En, it seems that you haven’t given me lilies in a long time now.” Tan Yunxiao had tried to swallow down the bitterness rising in his throat, as he murmured.

“Aha, Xiao Xiao is still so old-fashioned. It’s only because I haven’t thought about it recently. How about allowing me to make it up to you by letting me satisfy you tonight?”

Tan Yunxiao only nodded absent-mindedly.

Times have changed since then, and the precious lilies of before are now a commonplace consumable that’s easily purchasable anywhere on the street. Just like how the previously shy and dazed Feng Sheng has become such a wonderful and exquisite adult now. The passage of time that changes everything is just like the new waves that will inevitably crash onto shore, thus replacing the older waters that have arrived before them. No matter how technologically-advanced your oar is, to steer the waters in the direction of your liking… just how can one go against the flow of nature? And what sort of vain yet solemn comfort can be obtained in the end?

Looking at the jubilant and lively expression on his lover, Tan Yunxiao couldn’t help but let a pitiful smile seep from the corners of his mouth. How good can it feel to make love to a mechanical machine he’s created himself? He couldn’t help but ridicule the other in his heart. Could that thing belonging to a man even get erect when facing a machine, let alone at a face that looked so uncannily similar to his lover?

Tan Yunxiao turned his head to the side as he trembled, and unexpectedly came face-to-face to their graduation photo on the bedside table. In the group photo, the two had been hugging each other intimately, smiling from the bottom of their hearts at the camera. The rays of the sun had hit them both just right, and the two looked perfect for one another.

He squeezed his insides tightly, earning a satisfying hiss from the person on top of him. Wrapping his legs tighter around Feng Sheng’s waist, Feng Sheng couldn’t help but begin to kiss Tan Yunxiao’s fair chest with ferver.

In his heightened arousal, Tan Yunxiao raised his neck before moaning as he raised his hands to stroke his lover’s hair – while also knocking the photo by the bedside table so that it was faced down. It was not like he was a pervert who got off to voyeurs peeping at their private affairs.

This special moment was only for the two of them, to only be shared between them.

Tan Yunxiao wholeheartedly devoted herself to their lovemaking, lifting his body to meet with Feng Sheng’s. The two kissed long and deep that it was hard to separate. When they eventually did, the tip of his tongue managed to snag the silver thread that had been shared between them. Tan Yunxiao used his fingers to trace a circle on Feng Sheng’s chest, rubbing his small and hard nipples from time to time, causing him to shudder in delight.

“Am I no good today? You seem far away.” Feng Sheng trapped Tan Yunxiao’s playful hands against the bed and gritted his teeth as he whispered into his ear.

Tan Yunxiao didn’t answer, only intertwining his hands with Feng Sheng’s bigger ones. Feng Sheng’s eyes darkened.

He swallowed down and started to lick Tan Yunxiao’s earlobe with his rough tongue. He felt his face heat up following the lewd noises that reached his eardrums. Tan Yunxiao could only think of his c0ck that felt so hard whilst pre was dripping from it, there was no need for this annoying teasing anymore. He felt like a fish out of water, gasping non-stop. Just then something broke in the man above him.

Feng Sheng looked at the delectable appearance of the man under him with much satisfaction. After doing it for a long time, Tan Yunxiao’s soft moans turned into shaky cries which Feng Sheng placated by spoiling his lover with thoughtfully placed kisses, even as he vigorously continued his other ministrations. After a particularly heavy round, he could feel his stomach involuntary spasming which led him to also spill from the front. His lover followed soon after, releasing himself inside his warm and tight passageway.

Feng Sheng is a considerate lover who knows the next half an hour would serve as a good time to deepen their love. Hooking an arm around Tan YunXiao and feeling his trembling body from time to time, he endearingly laughed out loud a little.

“What are you smiling at?” The petite lover in his arms raised his head and tried to put on an angry look. At the gesture, a feeling of compassion and love filled Feng Shen, provoking him to kiss his lover’s forehead.

At this moment, the lover shrank back into his chest like a kitten, and Feng Shen felt that his heart could be filled for a long time, just off this feeling his lover had given him. Just how could this feeling be described? Feng Sheng couldn’t comprehend it either, but it was better than the real cat from before, so he came to a conclusion.

“My dear, I really wish this could be eternity.” Feng Sheng sighed.

“… I also hope your wish comes true.” His lover’s voice seemed dull.

Just what should I do, my darling? How can I reach that eternity you speak of? After I found out that the owner of the storage room had been you, and after I discovered the old news of my death about three years ago. How should I face you from now on? The you who is so affectionate and worlds apart from me. Just how should I face myself, my love?

Tan Yunxiao’s heart was restless, but Feng Sheng who had just been physically and mentally refreshed, quickly fell asleep so he did not feel the coldness of his lover by his chest.

Someone has to pay, for the tears that were shed.

 

T/L notes: Doesn’t it feel strange to know that the shady store owner already recognized our Yunxiao when he walked inside? Perhaps it really wasn’t the first time he’s been there to scrounge around for any info he could get on his past life. Welp, part of my mind just kept thinking: What if Feng Sheng were to find out about Yunxiao’s suspicions- What if he already knew the places he would go to find out more because it’s already happened countless times, where Yunxiao seeks out the truth and it ends with him having his memories wiped.

Ack- which would make this a horror story. It’s not something I can stomach, so don’t worry when I say that all’s well, ends well because ugh, the amount of sweetness the two had and have for each other in this chapter would just be such a waste if everything were to end. I felt like my single-dog was gonna drown as the author showed off their love, but I still hoped that they would find their own happy ending.

Gyah, also… I’m a total sucker for small tidbits of sci-fi elements, especially when the writer mentioned some details about the climate and flowers. Hmm, I guess I’ve said too much so this is it! See ya in the next chapter ehe 🙂

Consider liking the writer’s work or buying a kofi for me <3
https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

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