Month: December 2025 (Page 2 of 3)

       Everything unfolded beyond Shen Liu’s expectations. Before he even had time to feel startled, the intense stimulation from the tip of his c0ck squeezing into that narrow entrance spread through his body like a snake slithering in all directions. He instinctively tensed his entire body and drew in a deep breath.

       Shen Liu usually loved to play the rascal in daily life, yet in matters of intimacy, he was always gentlemanly, exceedingly attentive to Qin Mu’s feelings. Whenever Qin Mu showed any desire to take the lead, he would enthusiastically cooperate. When Qin Mu acted as the Dom, he possessed a unique kind of sensuality; merely holding a whip was enough to make Shen Liu’s blood boil. Tonight, he had intentionally planned to yield the initiative, even performing an enema and dilation while showering, but who could have known that Qin Mu would completely deviate from the script.

       The ‘little rascal’ between Shen Liu’s legs was truly impressive when aroused, and even though Qin Mu had prepared in advance, it was still extremely difficult. His soft intestinal walls were gradually stretched open by the thick and hard c0ck, bringing a teeth-aching discomfort. The sensitive prostate received pressure, creating an unstoppable butterfly effect throughout his entire body. A tingling pleasure arose from it, like an uncontrollable electric current—drilling mischievously toward his groin on one path, making his erection swell even higher, and crawling upward along his spine like a gecko on another, coursing through his limbs and bones. Qin Mu’s legs lost their strength; he braced his hands on Shen Liu’s waist and began breathing rapidly.

       In matters of passion, he was always restrained, rarely letting go so proactively like this; his movements were clumsy, almost like those of an adolescent boy. His furrowed brows as he endured, his trembling Adam’s apple, his heaving chest, the deliberately softened curve of his waist… The sight of an abstinent man breaking his restraints was no less than a potent aphrodisiac in Shen Liu’s eyes, causing him to become fully aroused beyond control. The erect c0ck between Shen Liu’s legs grew even thicker and more ferocious.

       It had already been difficult to enter down there, and now it became even more challenging—truly a situation where one could neither advance nor retreat. Qin Mu could not help but emit a sound of pained endurance. That sound was different from usual; the moan mixed with gasps, making it ambiguously provocative. He grew embarrassed, his eyelashes trembling lightly, his face already burning red, and even the passage below tightened. Shen Liu, beneath him, was nearly brought to climax by this, enduring with extreme difficulty.

       Once that tormenting c0ck was fully buried inside, sweat had already broken out on Qin Mu’s back. He rested for a good while before tentatively moving, lightly lifting and slowly lowering his hips, swaying his body back and forth, allowing the upright c0ck to thrust shallowly inside him.

       Pleasure continued to layer upon itself, rising and falling like tides crashing against the flesh. The man actively offering himself before him wore a shy expression that contrasted fatally with the licentious movements of his body. It was like a finely detailed ink painting of an erotic scene—romantic and sensual, with every stroke at the brows and corners of his eyes exuding allure. Shen Liu smiled bitterly; in his mind at that moment, it seemed as though countless wild beasts were relentlessly battering their cages, roaring, craving, and venting their most primal desires—

       Not enough, still not enough…

       He wanted to pin that man beneath him, to thrust vigorously into that soft, tight depth, to ravage him fiercely until he could not help but cry out…

       But he could not. The rules of the game superseded everything; as the submissive party, he had to do his utmost to obey his master’s commands—he could not move, was not allowed to come, and was even forbidden from begging for mercy. Qin Mu held the sword over his vital point, leaving him in agonising torment yet utterly helpless. 

       In his entire life, Shen Liu had never submitted as a sub to anyone else; only Qin Mu could torment him like this. Yet he was willing because he knew that only in front of him would Qin Mu lower all defences and reveal his most genuine desires.

       Lust surged and steamed between their two bodies. Qin Mu’s hip movements grew wider in amplitude; more than half the c0ck withdrew from his body before plunging back in, each time penetrating deeper than the last. The lubricant overflowing from the passage soaked the place where they joined, producing embarrassing sticky sounds amid the thrusting and stirring. He half-closed his eyes, tilting his head back slightly to gasp, the mist in his gaze flickering beneath the shadow of his lashes. The constantly stimulated prostate caused clear fluid to seep from the tip of his erect c0ck. Sweat trickled down along the lines of his muscles, dripping onto Shen Liu’s body.

       The body’s pleasure brought ecstasy, while the forced endurance inflicted pain. Shen Liu no longer knew whether he was in heaven or hell at that moment; he could only tightly interlock his hands that were pinned beneath him, forcing himself to maintain the last shred of clarity amid the surging waves of desire. In their entanglement, Qin Mu suddenly lost balance and sat down hard; the rigid organ plunged fully into the depths, and both men let out a muffled groan simultaneously.

       “Who permitted you to make a sound?” Qin Mu’s voice was somewhat hoarse. He stopped moving, deliberately clenching his buttocks, and trailed his fingers over Shen Liu’s firm chest, toying with his hardened nipples as he asked, “Do you want to cum?”

       Shen Liu remained motionless, allowing the torment, his eyes tinged with suppressed red as he answered, “Yes, Master… I want it very much.”

       “Beg me.”

       “Please grant it to me.” His gaze held desire, attachment, and devotion.

       Qin Mu curved the corners of his lips, hooked the red cord around his neck, and tugged it. Shen Liu abruptly arched his waist and sat up. The two faced each other; the angle of penetration shifted with the movement. Qin Mu trembled, resting his forehead against Shen Liu’s as he panted, then undid the knot at his back, pulled out the cord, and tied a butterfly knot around his neck, saying, “You belong to me.”

       Shen Liu gazed at his face as if entranced and repeated, “I will always belong to you, Master.”

       Qin Mu closed his eyes briefly and said, “I’ll give you a chance to satisfy me. If not, you won’t be allowed to cum tonight.”

       The restraint was lifted.

       The cage shattered into dust, and the frenzied beast of desire burst forth in full force.

       Before the words “Yes, Master” could fully leave his lips, his mouth had already sealed over the other’s. Teeth and tongues entangled, saliva mingled; the actions were rough and unrestrained. His newly freed hands finally found their purpose—one wrapped around Qin Mu’s waist, the other cradling the back of his head.

       The kiss deepened; it felt as though the air in their chests had been sucked dry. Qin Mu even felt dizzy from lack of oxygen. When their lips finally parted, he realised he had already been pressed beneath the other man.

       Shen Liu leaned down, kissing along Qin Mu’s neck; the bell tinkled crisply, adding an ambiguous, erotic tone. He took the small bud on Qin Mu’s chest into his mouth, licking, biting, and sucking as he asked, “Does Master like it when his slave sucks here?”

       Qin Mu was already deeply aroused and could not withstand such stimulation; his face flushed as he commanded in a low voice, “Enter me.”

       “Does Master want me to enter from the front or from behind?” Shen Liu asked.

       Qin Mu knew he was deliberately coaxing him into saying shameful things; embarrassed, he covered his eyes with his arm and said, “From the front.”

       The man chuckled softly, pulled over two pillows to elevate Qin Mu’s hips, lowered his head to kiss the base of his thigh, and said, “Please, Master, spread your legs so this slave can thrust inside.”

       Under his gaze, Qin Mu slowly parted his legs, closing his eyes in shame. Shen Liu knelt between them, grasped his ankles, and pulled his legs open to an even wider angle, deliberately exposing the wet entrance completely. He pressed his c0ck against the opening, feeling the light tremor of the man beneath him, and said softly, “Master’s little mouth down here is so beautiful; it makes one unable to resist filling it completely, fvcking it hard until it can’t close.”

       “Shut up.” Qin Mu’s ears burned red; he gritted his teeth and said, “Hurry up…”

       Before he could finish, the thick, scorching c0ck thrust in fiercely, plunging straight to the hilt without any gentleness. Qin Mu whimpered, arching his back and tensing his waist.

       “Is that fast enough, Master?” Shen Liu savagely pounded into the warm passage, his movements growing heavier with each thrust. The desire that had accumulated for so long now surged like a flood breaching a dam, crashing through the walls of reason. The ferocious beast within him roared with red eyes, intent on devouring the beautiful body beneath him.

       Such fierce assault was hard for Qin Mu to withstand; he instinctively clenched his rear passage, only to be stretched open again by the man’s savage thrusts. Pleasure whipped densely across his body like lashes, making him crave both life and death. He could only clutch the sheets beneath him tightly, like a survivor adrift at sea clinging to a lifeline, his uncontrollable moans taking on a sobbing tone as he curled his toes in agony.

       For a time, overlapping gasps, the shaking bell’s tinkles, the sticky sounds of lubricant, and the sharp slaps of sac against buttocks mingled together, weaving a net of love and desire within the room that ensnared the two men tightly, inseparable.

       “Does it feel good?” Shen Liu asked amid his vigorous movements, his voice even deeper and sexier when aroused. “Master looks so beautiful right now—should your slave fvck you even deeper?”

       Qin Mu submitted without resistance to his invasion, his gaze falling upon him through hazy and watery eyes.

       Their bodies intertwined, their gaze locked. In this moment of merging, their soul and flesh became one. Shen Liu clearly saw the emotion in Qin Mu’s eyes—it was an uncontrollable, unmasked, naked love. His heart trembled, and his movements softened instantly. He supported himself on his arms beside Qin Mu, leaned down to kiss his eyes and cheeks, and finally took his earlobe into his mouth, softly mimicking a cat’s meow.

       “Master, I will always be your cat.”

       Even if eroded by storms, ravaged by cannon fire, and having endured pain and hardship.

       The Sphinx would forever stand guard here, generation after generation, protecting the Majesty Pharaoh and his sleeping soul.

       His long-drifting heart seemed finally filled—heavy, solid, and warm. Qin Mu raised his arms to embrace his back, tilting his face up to kiss him.

       This bout of lovemaking lasted a long while. When the two climaxed together, they felt each other’s heartbeats through their tightly pressed chests. One heart so close to another—like spotting a wisp of cooking smoke in a boundless desert, like seeing a fisherman’s light on a lonely sea, like hearing a distant echo from the starry universe—soothing the innate loneliness they were born with.

       The next day, when the two woke, they were still embracing in sleep. Shen Liu kissed his forehead and said, “Sleep a bit more; I’ll go make breakfast.”

       “When are you returning to J City?” Qin Mu asked.

       “…” Shen Liu put on an aggrieved expression. “Wasn’t I attentive enough last night? You’re chasing me away first thing in the morning?”

       Qin Mu leaned against the headboard and said, “I’m asking seriously. What are your plans going forward?”

       Shen Liu poured him a glass of water and handed it over. “That depends on you.”

       Qin Mu looked at him.

       “I said before that I want to live the life you want to live, and I truly meant it.” Shen Liu met his gaze. “So, Log, in the life you’ve imagined, is there a place for me?”

       Qin Mu fell silent for a moment, then stood up, took something from the bedside drawer, and tossed it to him. Shen Liu caught it—it was a small velvet box containing a silver ring, its inner band engraved with the value of π and two English letters: S.L.

       The ring was still very bright; it was clear its owner had kept it well preserved.

       Shen Liu stared in stunned silence. The ring seemed to carry warmth, burning hot in his palm. He saw Qin Mu extend his hand toward him; his eyes suddenly grew hot. He slipped the ring onto Qin Mu’s ring finger and could not resist lowering his head to kiss it.

       At that moment, something moved around his neck. Qin Mu snapped the red cord, removed the ring that had always hung there, and similarly placed it on his ring finger, kissing it lightly as he said, “The contract takes effect. From this moment on, I belong to you.”

       In that instant, the car lights in the snowy night, their first kiss in the apartment, the heavy rain in Tingyun Town, the embrace in the secret room, the farewell under the small building… Countless past fragments scattered like snowflakes, blown by the wind, fluttering away toward the distant past. Amid the wind and snow, there seemed to be two small snowmen standing shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand.

       This reunion had come too late, trapping them in lonely cages for far too long. Shen Liu’s eyes were red, his voice carrying a slight tremble, “I love you, Qin Mu. You are the person I’ve loved in this lifetime, the one I love now, and the one I will love forever.”

       Qin Mu looked at this uncharacteristically emotional Shen Liu and glimpsed in a trance that ray of light from their youth that had once made his heart flutter. He smiled and said, “I know.”

       He knew.

       He had always known.

       Many years ago, they had entrusted their true hearts to each other and grown apart across mountains and rivers. Many years later, upon reuniting, although their appearances had changed, and their positions had shifted, the hearts in their chests remained as fervently hot as in those days. Those feelings that could not be erased even across vast distances, those lingering attachments that persisted amid the entanglements of love and hate, those unspoken yet deeply hidden understandings—they were the inescapable fate and tribulation of this lifetime.

       They had forged through thorns and thistles all the way, never submitting to destiny, unwilling to submit to power and desire, yet willingly surrendering to each other. The two hands wearing rings finally clasped together, like two incomplete circles that had found their own π, complete at last.

       I love you.

       From this day forward, I will whisper these words of love to you for the rest of my life.

 [The End]

Author’s Note:

As is customary with publication, there will be two side stories included. For specific details, please follow my Weibo—墨青城—for details.

Thank you to the readers who liked this story, to those who left comments, and to friends who sent gifts and rewards. Though mountains are high and waters far, we shall meet again on the road ahead.

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       Qin Mu symbolically ate less than half a bowl before setting his chopsticks down. He was not actually hungry; he had cooked it specifically for Shen Liu. Shen Liu understood this perfectly and ate with great relish.

       Dongjing meowed from beneath the table. After Qin Mu lifted it up, it sniffed the bowl and promptly lost interest, lazily flopping down. When Qin Mu touched its paw, it pressed its soft pads against his fingers. One person and one cat went back and forth, clearly enjoying themselves.

       Shen Liu watched them through the rising steam and felt his whole heart warm through. Even his pulse seemed livelier, and without realising it, the corners of his lips lifted.

       Seeing that he had stopped eating, Qin Mu said, “If you don’t want any more, just leave it.”

       “I do. It’s ridiculously good,” Shen Liu said, stuffing a big mouthful in. It was a bit hot, and he hurriedly puffed cool air through his mouth.

       Qin Mu leisurely stroked the cat while Shen Liu buried his head and finished the bowl down to the last drop. Satisfied, he let out a sigh and said, “You go rest. I’ll wash up.” Qin Mu did not push and let him do it. After feeding the cats, he picked a movie and sat on the sofa to watch.

       Shen Liu tidied up the kitchen and then sat down beside him, naturally resting an arm along the back of the sofa.

       The posture looked as though he were holding him. Qin Mu kept his eyes on the screen and did not move.

       It was a science fiction film. The interstellar scenes were spectacular, and although the male lead wore heavy special-effects makeup, his eyes were extremely expressive.

       “This is… Zhuo Yue?” Shen Liu only recognised him after watching for a while.

       “Yes,” Qin Mu said. “Fang Mingyan directed the film. He invited me to the premiere, but I was too busy at the time to go.”

       “I didn’t expect him to shoot this kind of genre. Did it do well at the box office?”

       “Pretty well. It even won awards overseas.”

       They watched until the scene where the male lead was about to go into battle and kissed the female lead goodbye aboard the spacecraft. Shen Liu clicked his tongue. “Director Fang really knows the rules. The romance comes in fast. Doesn’t he get jealous of letting Zhuo Yue film kissing scenes?”

       “According to him, his professional ethics are so strong that jealousy is impossible. According to Zhuo Yue, after filming that scene, he was tormented so badly he could barely get out of bed. As for whose version is more credible, you can judge for yourself,” Qin Mu replied.

       Shen Liu laughed and said with evident experience, “Not getting jealous sounds easy, but it’s hard actually to pull off.”

       Qin Mu shot him a sideways glance. “Like you could say anything about it.”

       Shen Liu burst out laughing. “Oh no, you’ve got my weakness covered. You’ll laugh at me for a lifetime.”

       He said ‘a lifetime.’

       Qin Mu’s gaze flickered, but he did not respond.

       The room fell quiet. The two of them sat side by side watching the movie. Once the space battle began, the pacing quickened. Qin Mu was watching intently when he suddenly felt a faint itch in his ear. It turned out that someone, bored, was secretly teasing his earlobe with fingers looped around from behind.

       Once.

       Twice.

       Three times.

       Unable to take it any longer, Qin Mu turned to look at him.

       Shen Liu stared solemnly at the screen, as if the mischievous hand had nothing to do with him. Feeling Qin Mu’s gaze, the smile at his lips deepened, carrying the childish triumph of getting his way. “Am I more interesting than the movie?”

       “How old are you, still playing such childish tricks?” Qin Mu said disdainfully.

       Shen Liu smiled at him, then suddenly looked toward the dining area in surprise. “Beiwei is fishing the goldfish again.”

       Qin Mu turned to look.

       The fish tank sat perfectly intact on the dining table. There was not a cat in sight.

       Puzzled, he turned back—straight into Shen Liu’s closing face.

       Their noses brushed. The light, clean scent of Darjeeling tea quietly enveloped him, leaving him momentarily dazed.

       In that brief pause, the warm lips brushed lightly against his cheek. Shen Liu’s eyes were full of sly amusement as he teased him back. “How old are you? Still falling for something this childish?”

       Heat crept uncontrollably up the back of Qin Mu’s ears. He stiffened his face and said, “Are you asking for a beating?”

       “Yes.” Shen Liu pushed his luck, tilting his head to kiss along the side of his neck. His low voice grew thick with sticky ambiguity. “Whenever you want to lay a hand on me, I can strip naked and lie down anytime, letting you do whatever you want…” His voice grew softer and softer. His breath, along with the faint, almost imperceptible contact between their skin, turned into a subtle but undeniable tingling that slid down the spine like a slowly burning fuse leading toward some dangerous territory.

       Qin Mu felt his throat tighten and tilted his head slightly away. The other man refused to let him go. His tongue teasingly curled against Qin Mu’s earlobe, holding it for several seconds before he said softly, “I’ve been so well-behaved lately. Doesn’t Master want to reward me with something?”

       Qin Mu quietly drew a deep breath and lowered his lashes. “Go take a shower.”

       Shen Liu chuckled softly. “Alright.”

       Qin Mu’s apartment was quite spacious, with both the living room and the master bedroom having their own bathrooms. When Shen Liu finished showering and came out, he saw Qin Mu in the bedroom drying his hair, clearly having bathed as well.

       Qin Mu wore loose cotton sleepwear, looking relaxed and at ease. His hair hung damply, and he was not wearing his glasses. In the slightly dim lighting, he looked exactly as he had back then, and the sight made Shen Liu momentarily drift back into old memories—back when Qin Mu was still young, bullied by classmates and seen by him in that state. Shame and grievance had mixed together, and he had been unable to hold back his tears. Yet after nothing more than a shower, he had calmed down, displaying a maturity that made one’s heart ache. Shen Liu had never personally gotten into a fight before; that time had been his first exception. In a foul mood, he had struck hard, beating those handsy little bastards soundly, and had taken several hits himself as well. Afterwards, he had endured the pain and pretended nothing was wrong, playing the hero in front of the kid. Thinking back on it now, it had been truly foolish.

       But he did not regret it in the slightest.

       Being able to fight once for Qin Mu in this lifetime had been worth it.

       Seeing the expression on his face, Qin Mu asked, “What are you smiling about?”

       “Thinking about the past. You were especially cute back then. You would cry in front of me.”

       Hearing him bring up old matters, a faint redness crept up behind Qin Mu’s ears. He hung the towel aside and sat down at the edge of the bed.

       Shen Liu pulled off the bath towel dr4p3d over him and stood half-naked in front of Qin Mu. Beads of water still clung to his body, slowly sliding along the rise and fall of firm muscles and disappearing into the line of his waist. Qin Mu’s gaze was drawn to him, and it was not until his chin was tipped up and he met those deep, dark eyes that he came back to himself.

       Shen Liu forced him to lift his face and meet his gaze, his voice carrying a provocative ambiguity. “You’re even cuter now. Makes me want to make you cry.”

       Qin Mu’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. In the next moment, his fingers hooked the red cord around Shen Liu’s neck and pulled with a bit of force, making the other man bend down closer.

       Their gazes met, like a silent standoff.

       He spoke lightly, “In my place, a cat that casually lays its claws on its owner gets punished.”

       Shen Liu curved his lips into a smile, withdrew his hand, and slowly knelt down between his legs. The undercurrents in his eyes were like countless wandering spirits in the night, hiding threads of obsession that tangled without end. “I like everything Master gives me.”

       Positions shifted, perspectives reversed. They still shared an unspoken coordination. Between looking down and looking up, they confirmed each other’s roles and opened the night’s secret game of sex and desire.

       Qin Mu released the red cord and ordered, “Go to the bottom drawer of the wardrobe, pick a rope you like, and bring it back in your mouth.”

       “Yes, Master.” Without permission to stand, Shen Liu crawled over using both hands and knees, like a docile large cat.

       What he brought back was a thick red hemp rope, about a meter long, with small golden bells tied to both ends. With the slightest movement, they chimed softly.

       “Stand up with your back to me, hands behind you.” Qin Mu’s commands were always concise and clear. He crossed Shen Liu’s wrists behind his back and bound them, but only tied a very loose slipknot. “If the rope comes loose, thirty lashes.”

       This kind of binding imposed more psychological restraint than practical effect. Its essence was to require the slave to maintain constant self-restraint, keeping the hands under control with no large movements. Shen Liu understood this well. With his hands crossed and gripping his own wrists, he knelt again. “Yes, Master.”

       His kneeling posture was precise and beautiful. Whether in muscle lines or bodily form, it was pleasing to the eye. When such a man submitted beneath one’s feet, becoming a private plaything to be ravaged at will, it could stir almost every Dom’s deepest desires. Qin Mu was no exception. This time, he did not deliberately restrain himself and said in a low voice, “Slave, please me.”

       With his hands bound, the available methods were obvious. Shen Liu moved on his knees between Qin Mu’s legs, lightly biting and tugging down the edges of his pyjama pants and underwear, then tilting his head to lightly lick Qin Mu’s c0ck. The warm, soft, sensitive touch made Qin Mu draw in a sharp breath and close his eyes.

       Aside from Qin Mu, Shen Liu had never performed oral sex for anyone else. He slowed his pace, caring for every inch of Qin Mu’s most private places with the meticulous attention of a cat licking its food. His lips and tongue licked the small opening at the tip, sucked at the soft sac, kissed the dense hair at the base, and then took the hardened length into his mouth.

       The sensation was too intense. Qin Mu’s face flushed as he braced himself with his hands and leaned back slightly. This reaction made the man below him grow even more attentive. He deliberately grazed the coronal ridge with the tips of his teeth, pressed his tongue against the vulnerable opening and rubbed repeatedly, drawing Qin Mu’s breathing faster and faster. Suddenly, most of his c0ck was taken into the hot, wet mouth, and the tip was thrust deep into the throat. An almost overwhelming pleasure erupted with the pressure of repeated swallowing. Qin Mu groaned uncontrollably. His fingers buried themselves in Shen Liu’s hair and pulled back. “Enough. Stop.”

       Deep-throating could easily cause throat pressure and difficulty breathing. After withdrawing, Shen Liu coughed lightly. Knowing that Qin Mu was worried he would endure discomfort, he smiled and asked, “Doesn’t Master want to feed me some more?”

       “Did I allow you to speak?” Qin Mu lifted his foot and kicked him punitively between the legs. His bare toes, through the underwear, tormented the soft sac and shaft. Shen Liu’s c0ck had been hard since Qin Mu started panting, and now the teasing hurt so much that he could only obediently admit his fault. “I was wrong, Master.”

       “Lie down on the bed.”

       Shen Liu lay on his back. Qin Mu had already removed his clothes. He worked out regularly, his physique flawless, and paired with that calm, restrained face, he was all the more stirring.

       The link between flesh and desire stemmed from human instinct—primitive and rough, yet impossible to escape. Just looking at Qin Mu naked made Shen Liu feel unbearably hard.

       Qin Mu spread his legs and straddled him. He squeezed lubricant onto Shen Liu’s fully erect c0ck, and said, “Without my command, you’re not allowed to move, not allowed to make a sound, and not allowed to ejaculate.” Then he lowered his waist, aligned the fierce tip with his own hidden entrance, and slowly sat down. 

T/N:
Merry christmas hohoho  ༶･･༝﹡˖˟ ⸜₍⁽ˊ꒳ˋ⁾₎⸝ ༝﹡˖˟･･༶

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       The next day, Qin Mu woke up a little late. Even though his expression appeared calm, traces of embarrassment inevitably showed through in the small details. Shen Liu understood perfectly well and, to spare him any awkwardness, did not mention a single word about what had happened the night before.

       Qin Mu quietly let out a sigh of relief. He had never known how to define the relationship between the two of them. Over so many years, he had long grown accustomed to living alone. His work and daily life were orderly, his social interactions proper and regulated. Everyone had been placed by him in an appropriate position, with clear boundaries and a measured distance. Shen Liu alone was the exception.

       Rationally, he knew he should not allow this ambiguity to continue. When it was time to cut things off, he should do so decisively. Yet when it truly came to that point, he found he could not bring himself to act. When he should have been calm, he could not help but lash out at that man. When he should not have wavered, he instead softened again and again. The bottom lines he had drawn were revised repeatedly, until in the end even he himself no longer knew which one he was supposed to hold fast to. All he could do was play deaf and blind, tacitly allowing Shen Liu to draw closer time after time.

       Shen Liu was not in a hurry. He knew that Qin Mu had not yet figured things out. The entanglements of gratitude and resentment, love and hatred between them could not be explained clearly in a few words, nor could the knots in one’s heart be erased with a single stroke in just a few days. He was very satisfied with the current state of affairs. It was like a stubborn traveller braving a sky full of yellow sand in search of the lone city from his memories—he had walked too far and searched for too long, and the moment he finally glimpsed the city walls, he was so happy he was nearly driven mad. That magnificent spectacle from ten years ago, when the entire city bloomed like a dream, had only taken a single glance to bind him with longing for a lifetime. He was willing to wait. When it came to Qin Mu, he had always possessed more than enough patience.

       Thus, the two of them tacitly used ‘letting things take their natural course’ as a pretext, maintaining this vague yet delicate relationship. They lived together, slept in the same bed, exchanged familiar jokes, and had even shared certain special ‘interactions’, yet they strictly adhered to an unspoken boundary. With mutual understanding, they avoided explaining the current situation, did not interfere in each other’s private affairs, did not force the other to make changes, and did not rush to take things further. It was like two neighbouring countries on friendly terms; they benefited each other through exchanges, yet each retained complete sovereignty and refrained from interference. This was not their first time living together. They were well acquainted with each other’s habits, and getting along felt entirely natural. Only one thing was slightly awkward—Qin Mu had another sub.

       Some time ago, Lu Cheng had been busy dealing with matters at the medicinal herb base. Now that things had been resolved, he took the initiative to invite Qin Mu out. When Qin Mu received the message, he was sitting in the car Shen Liu was driving to take him home. He deliberated for quite a while before finally speaking. “Shen Liu.”

       “Hm? Have you decided what to eat tonight?” Shen Liu asked while driving. He had been staying for over half a month. He had not only figured out every street and alley in K City but also memorised a wide range of distinctive restaurants, bars, and cinemas, making him more useful than a navigation app. “I heard from the young lady at your front desk that a new Thai restaurant just opened on Fuxing Road. The environment is nice too. Interested?”

       “Lu Cheng asked me to have dinner, and I agreed.”

       Shen Liu froze slightly at the words and fell silent for a few seconds. He then said naturally, “Alright. Where are you meeting? I’ll drop you off.”

       “Beishan Street intersection.”

       The car turned right at the junction. Shen Liu stopped at the zebra crossing to wait for an elderly person with mobility issues to cross before slowly starting again. “Is it a Spanish restaurant?”

       “Yes.”

       “I think I’ve seen it before. That place has pretty good ratings. Try it first, and if it’s good, remember to take me there next time.”

       “Alright.” Qin Mu agreed, then thought for a moment and asked, “What will you eat tonight?”

       Shen Liu laughed. “Are you worried I’ll go hungry?”

       Qin Mu glanced at him and said nothing.

       When they reached the destination, Shen Liu asked, “Do you need me to pick you up later?”

       “No.”

       “Okay. You probably won’t be back very early, so I’ll make my own arrangements.” Shen Liu bid him farewell with a smile, not forgetting to add, “Have fun.”

       Qin Mu: “……”

       Between the two of them, that kind of well-wishing sounded awkward no matter how he listened to it.

       The restaurant was called Moustache. The servers were all international students from nearby universities. Their Chinese was somewhat halting, but they were extremely enthusiastic. The ingredients were carefully chosen, the plating refined, and the flavours were very good. This was the first time Qin Mu had agreed to meet him in a public place. Lu Cheng was especially happy and ordered a table full of dishes.

       Qin Mu seemed different from their previous meetings today. He appeared very relaxed. Two buttons of his shirt collar were undone, and he sat with one arm casually resting on the edge of the table. Perhaps it was the angle, but Lu Cheng felt that even the light in his eyes had softened, making him appear even more alluring. Unable to resist, he called out softly, “Master.”

       “In public places, you can just call me by my name,” Qin Mu said.

       Call him by his name directly.

       Lu Cheng suddenly felt inexplicably excited. He carefully drafted what he wanted to say in his head several times. When he finally spoke, his voice unconsciously softened. “Qin Mu.”

       The man curved his lips slightly, cut the braised beef tongue in front of him into neat pieces, and passed the plate over.

       “Thank you, Mas…Sir.” Lu Cheng felt flattered and overwhelmed. He still could not quite make the turn in his head and awkwardly corrected himself mid-sentence. He pushed the salad plate over. “This Iberian ham is pretty good. You should try it.”

       “Alright.” Qin Mu tasted a piece. The meat was fresh and tender, melting in the mouth, and paired with arugula and vinaigrette, it tasted light and refreshing.

       They discussed the renovation project at the medicinal herb base, the future prospects of the traditional Chinese medicine industry, and several business cases and disputes. During the conversation, Qin Mu’s extensive knowledge, incisive thinking, and measured yet engaging way of speaking utterly captivated Lu Cheng.

       After dessert had been served, Qin Mu set down his fork and said, “Our contractual relationship has lasted about a year and a half now. I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

       “To me, you’re a perfect Dom,” Lu Cheng answered sincerely.

       Qin Mu smiled. “Perfection is only a surface impression. In a scene, a Dom needs to take control of everything, so what I’ve shown you has always been a strong and composed side. In reality, I’m not always like that. I also have moments of hesitation and emotional impulsiveness.”

       This was the second time he smiled that evening. Lu Cheng found it hard to look away, like a poor scholar whose soul had been stolen by a spirit. Acting on impulse, he blurted out his true feelings. “I want to understand every side of you. If you’re willing to give me a chance… I mean, I really like you.”

       Qin Mu had not expected a confession at this moment and was slightly taken aback. Over the years, he had handled many situations like this, and his response was composed and solemn. “I’m very sorry, but I can’t reciprocate your feelings. I accepted you as a sub because of Fang Mingyan’s commission, and the contract clearly states that our relationship does not involve private emotions. According to the agreement, either of us may terminate this relationship at any time…”

       “I take back what I just said.” Lu Cheng panicked when he heard this and spoke with a hint of pleading. “I’ve never interfered with your private life, nor have I done anything that crossed the line. What I said just now was a moment of impulsiveness and poor judgment. Please forgive me.”

       “Lu Cheng, my decision to end the relationship isn’t because you haven’t done well. It’s simply due to some personal reasons.” Qin Mu’s tone was very gentle. “I hope you understand that a good emotional relationship should be one of equality. There shouldn’t be one person who is always dominant and another who is always subservient. You’re very good—whether in terms of personality, appearance, or ability, you’re someone worthy of being loved. Don’t keep compromising yourself for the sake of others.”

       Lu Cheng froze. A flood of emotions surged up inside him, impossible to suppress without losing control elsewhere. His eyes reddened as he lowered his head, steadying himself for quite a while before speaking. “I know I shouldn’t ask, but I can’t help it… Is your personal reason that the person called Shen Liu?”

       Qin Mu fell silent for a moment, then answered, “Yes.”

       “In your heart, I can’t compare to him.”

       “There’s no meaning in making that kind of comparison,” Qin Mu said slowly. “He appeared too early.”

       Lu Cheng understood.

       So Qin Mu’s years of restraint and emotional coldness were simply because someone had already taken up residence in his heart long ago. The old acquaintance had gone away, and so the lone city sealed shut. After that, every encounter could only ever be a passing one, and all affection was like drifting clouds and smoke.

       And he himself had merely been dazzled by a mirage, one of the countless ordinary people stranded outside the city.

       Lu Cheng felt utterly miserable. Forcing himself not to lose composure in front of him, he clung to a trace of faint hope and asked, “Will you still meet me in the future?”

       “Not in the near future.” Qin Mu paused, then smiled when he saw his crestfallen expression. “Once you’ve adjusted your mindset, we can meet again as friends. So I’ll pay for this meal today. Next time, it’ll be your turn.”

       He was willing to be his friend.

       Lu Cheng stood there in a daze, momentarily disoriented, and only nodded after a long while, saying yes.

       When they parted, he lingered in place, watching Qin Mu’s figure recede farther and farther away, until at last he let out a dejected sigh.

       Unrequited love was truly bitter.

       He had lost unwillingly, yet there was nothing he could do about it.

       When Qin Mu returned home and pushed the door open, he immediately saw the man sprawled on the sofa, lying on his back with a cat in his arms.

       Shen Liu had not expected him to come back at this hour and was startled. Like a naughty boy caught red-handed by a teacher, he reacted instinctively. He scrambled to his feet in a flurry, his long leg accidentally knocking over the beer cans beside him. Full and empty cans rolled all over the floor, startling both cats into stunned confusion.

       Qin Mu’s gaze moved from the carpet soaked with beer to the open bag of chips on the sofa, then to the flustered man, his eyes narrowing slightly.

       “Why are you back so early?” Shen Liu asked, wiping the carpet while putting on his signature smile to cover the awkwardness.

       “Your ‘self-arranged’ evening looks pretty eventful,” Qin Mu said teasingly.

       Shen Liu cleared his throat and showed a rare trace of embarrassment. “I wasn’t very hungry, and there happened to be a game on, so I thought I would just have some snacks to tide me over.”

       “Didn’t someone just yesterday lecture me very seriously about eating on time?”

       “I was going to order takeout, but then I thought… Without you here, eating alone would’ve felt too lonely.” There was a hint of grievance in his voice, awkward and restrained.

       The corner of Qin Mu’s mouth lifted imperceptibly. He had seen through it long ago—Shen Liu was nothing more than a stubborn duck putting on a tough front. On the surface, he spoke magnanimously and played the gentleman, but inside, he had already been pickled through with jealousy, drowning his sour mood here with alcohol.

       Childish and ridiculous.

       Shen Liu tossed all the empty bottles and chip packaging into the trash, then casually rubbed the side of his nose with a finger and asked, “You came back at this hour—did you not go with him to… that?”

       “That?” Qin Mu asked knowingly.

       “Didn’t you have a contract? Your Friday interaction?”

       “The contract was terminated.”

       Shen Liu froze for a moment, staring at Qin Mu in astonishment.

       Qin Mu looked back at him.

       They held each other’s gaze for several seconds.

       Shen Liu’s lips curved upward. This time it was a genuine smile, joy showing clearly at the corners of his eyes and brows. “So that means I’m your only sub now?”

       “Did I ever admit that?” Qin Mu shot him a glance that was half-smile, and walked into the kitchen. After washing his hands, he took out a pot and put water on to boil.

       “What are you making? You’re still not full?” Shen Liu followed him over.

       “Noodles. Want some?” Qin Mu busied himself without looking back, efficiently slicing the greens into fine shreds.

       Shen Liu thoughtfully helped him tie on an apron, but refused to leave. He leaned in close behind his ear and murmured suggestively, “Of course. Whatever you make down there, I like eating it.”

       Perfectly ordinary words, twisted into innuendo by him. Qin Mu’s ear went numb and itchy. Unable to stand it any longer, he raised the gleaming kitchen knife, his face stiff, and said coldly, “Get your ass back to the sofa.”

       “As you command.” Shen Liu flagrantly disobeyed by taking the opportunity to plant a kiss on the back of his neck before slipping away. 

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       Shen Liu could recite Qin Mu’s home address from memory—which street, which residential complex, which building, which unit, which apartment number—yet this was the first time he had actually stepped through this door.

       Hearing the noise, Beiwei came out of the cat bed as usual to greet. Upon seeing it was a stranger, it stopped two steps away, tilting its head to examine him warily. Dongjing let out a rough meow as well and stood up, glaring fiercely at this unfamiliar intruder. Its plump fur exuded a particularly imposing aura.

       One man and two cats stared at one another for several seconds.

       Shen Liu squatted down, crooked his finger at them, and called out with a smile, “Meow.”

       Qin Mu did not return until well past midnight. The sofa in the living room was completely occupied. The tall, long-legged Shen Liu was wearing Qin Mu’s T-shirt, cradling Beiwei in his arms, with Dongjing curled at his feet. Half the blanket was dragged on the floor, and he was sleeping soundly.

       Qin Mu smiled helplessly and gently tried to cover him properly with the blanket. Unexpectedly, the moment he moved, Beiwei woke up. Seeing that it was him, the cat wriggled free and leapt to the floor. Shen Liu was jolted awake, his foot bumping into Dongjing and provoking the chubby orange cat to shake its paw with a dark expression to protest.

       “What time is it?” Shen Liu squinted sleepily at his phone, still unable to resist mouthing off. “Why are you staying up so late at your age?”

       Qin Mu glanced at him. “You’re the oldest one in this house.”

       “…,” The old man Shen stood up and casually slammed the blanket down over Dongjing like Mount Tai pressing down, forcing the cat to struggle for a long while before wriggling free, letting out an indignant yowl.

       “You’re way too fat,” Shen Liu said without the slightest guilt, patting its backside. “Move around more. It’s good for body and mind.”

       Dongjing bristled, glared, rolled off the sofa, and retreated back to its nest.

       “You’re getting along quite harmoniously,” Qin Mu said as he took a bottle of mineral water out of the fridge.

       “They’re your cats. Of course we should love each other.” Shen Liu curved his lips in a smile, one hand in his pocket as the other plucked the bottle straight from Qin Mu’s hand.

       Qin Mu thought he was going to drink it and was about to grab another. Instead, Shen Liu found a cup, poured him some hot water, mixed in a small amount of cold mineral water, and handed it over. “Drink it warm.” After that, he leaned in to sniff and asked, “Was the case tough? Why did you smoke so much?”

       Qin Mu laughed. “Are you a cat or a dog?”

       “I’ll be whatever you want me to be.” Shen Liu smiled as he leaned against the fridge. “But let’s call it a night. We’re both getting on in years. We should focus on staying healthy; staying up all night indulging in debauchery isn’t good for you.”

       Qin Mu had not been thinking in that direction at all. He shot him a sideways look. “If that’s the case, then for the sake of both our health, you’ll sleep in the guest room.”

       “…,” Shen Liu, having hoisted a rock only to smash his own foot, hurriedly tried to salvage the situation, slipping smoothly into a pitiful act. “Then I’ll just sleep in the living room. At least I’ll have two cats for company.”

       Qin Mu knew he was playing his familiar retreat-to-advance trick again and deliberately did not indulge him. He curved his lips. “Suit yourself.” With that, he set the cup down, gently patted Beiwei on the head, and went to take a shower.

       Since his scheme failed, Shen Liu complained to Beiwei, “It’s bad enough he won’t let me into the bed, but we’re both cats. Why does he only pet you and not me?”

       Beiwei probably thought this man had something wrong with his head. It ignored him and walked away with a feline gait.

       When Qin Mu came out of the shower, he discovered that the someone who had claimed he would sleep in the living room had already seized his bed. He even curled up guiltily under the blanket, eyes shut, pretending to be asleep. Qin Mu did not expose him. He turned off the light, lay down on the other side facing outward, and silently began counting down in his head.

       “Ten, nine, eight… four, three…”

       Before he even reached ten seconds, the person behind him had already pressed close, an arm lightly dr4p3d around his waist, pulling him into an embrace.

       In the darkness, the corner of Qin Mu’s lips lifted slightly, and he closed his eyes in quiet contentment.

       After Shen Liu moved in, he showed no intention of leaving.

       Qin Mu was swamped with merger-and-acquisition cases to pay attention to and had no time to spare, so he simply let him be. With this tacit permission, a certain Mr Shen lived quite contentedly in Qin Mu’s home, not treating himself like an outsider in the slightest. Today he planted a row of flowers, the next day he raised two fish, and the day after he tinkered with discarded small appliances. From time to time, he went to the law firm to drop by, and before long, he had gotten familiar with everyone there. At first, people thought Shen Liu was coming by so often because he had his eye on one of the young women at the firm. After analysing it back and forth and seeing that he showed no particular attentiveness to anyone, they eventually began to sense something unusual—

       Whenever Shen Liu came, no matter how busy Qin Mu was, he would always carve out a bit of time to sit alone with him.

       When Qin Mu got busy, he often forgot to eat. No one else dared to urge him, but whenever Shen Liu brought food, he would eat every single meal.

       Whenever Shen Liu delivered food, Qin Mu’s portion was always packaged separately, with extra ingredients added.

       Whenever it rained, no matter how late it was, Shen Liu would come to pick Qin Mu up. It was said that Qin Mu had night blindness. Although it was not severe, he had trouble seeing clearly on rainy nights.

       When Shen Liu was around, Qin Mu’s normally austere and chilly presence seemed to soften a little. The younger staff who usually did not dare joke around in front of him occasionally found the courage to crack a few jokes.

       Combined with Lawyer Qin’s usual cold, distant demeanour and his complete lack of romantic rumours involving women, the onlookers arrived at a very bold conjecture. This conjecture was eventually confirmed by Lawyer Zhou letting something slip. Upon hearing that the two of them had fallen for each other in their youth and then been separated for a full ten years, the gossiping crowd sighed with emotion and began actively creating opportunities for Shen Liu, steering him right into Qin Mu’s path.

       Qin Mu said, “…Are you that free?”

       Shen Liu replied, “Mm. Very free.”

       Qin Mu said, “If you’re free, go find a job.”

       Shen Liu said, “That makes sense.”

       That afternoon, Shen Liu appeared again, holding a cup of coffee.

       Qin Mu frowned. “Why are you still here?”

       Shen Liu set the coffee beside his hand, tugged at his shirt, and revealed the badge on his chest that read Special Assistant. He smiled brilliantly. “I just started at noon. The badge was made on the spot. Does it look good? From today on, I’m your special assistant.”

       He even put extra emphasis on the word ‘special’.

       Qin Mu nearly snapped the pen in his hand. “…Call Zhou Yi in here.”

       Shen Liu’s job as a ‘special assistant’ lasted less than an hour before he was relieved of duty. In truth, he had only wanted to tease Qin Mu a bit and help him relax. He had no intention of actually disturbing him or diverting his attention.

       After more than a month of relentless work, the formal merger contract was finally signed. That evening, Zhou Yi treated the entire law firm to dinner at a unique restaurant. Hotpot and barbecue paired with ice-cold beer were served, and everyone drank themselves into high spirits. Qin Mu could not handle alcohol. He could not withstand the constant toasts, cup after cup, but out of courtesy, he had no choice but to keep up appearances, forcing himself to hold on until Shen Liu came to pick him up, at which point he finally allowed his drunkenness to show.

       Shen Liu dr4p3d Qin Mu’s arm over his own shoulder and wrapped an arm around his waist as they walked toward the parking lot. Qin Mu leaned his weight over softly, his steps swaying, walking in a crooked line. Seeing him this drunk, Shen Liu worried his stomach would feel unwell and gave him a punitive pinch at the waist, saying, “You’ve really gotten bold, drinking this much.”

       Qin Mu felt the pain, let out a sound, and threw a tantrum. “I can do it myself.”

       Shen Liu chuckled and loosened his grip. “Sure. Go back by yourself.” Though he let go, his hands still hovered protectively at Qin Mu’s sides.

       With the support gone, Qin Mu stepped forward only to feel the world spin. He staggered half a step backwards, his back pressing against Shen Liu’s chest.

       “Still talking tough?” Shen Liu asked.

       “Then just leave me here if you’ve got the guts.” Lawyer Qin, who usually convinced others with reason, was now throwing an unreasonable drunk fit.

       Shen Liu laughed and coaxed him into conceding. “I don’t have the guts. I wouldn’t dare. Lord Qin, I’ll take you home.”

       It took some effort to get him into the car and buckle his seat belt. Afraid that Qin Mu would feel dizzy and uncomfortable, Shen Liu drove very slowly. The air-conditioning was on inside the car, and a song was playing.

       “…Hot summer nights, mid-July,

       When you and I were forever wild,

       The crazy days, the city lights,

       The way you’d play with me like a child,

       Will you still love me?”

       Qin Mu tilted his head and leaned against the car window. Under the night curtain, the lights blurred his outline. His closed eyes hid their usual sharpness, making his entire face look unusually gentle. It was hard to tell whether he was listening or already asleep.

       When the car came to a stop, Shen Liu called him softly, “Log.” Qin Mu answered, opening his eyes. “Are we there?”

       “En.” Shen Liu supported him upstairs and brought him home. Qin Mu, however, refused to go straight to bed and stubbornly insisted, “I smell all over. I need to shower.”

       “Sure. Go wash.” Shen Liu curved his lips and directly scooped him up around the waist, carrying him into the bathroom.

       Before Qin Mu could recover from his dizziness, his clothes had already been stripped off. The showerhead overhead roared as water poured down, steam fogging everything before his eyes. The man pressed him against the wall, pinched his chin, and kissed him.

       “Mmh…” Qin Mu grew even dizzier from the kiss. His footing faltered, and he had to cling tightly to the other man’s body. Their tongues entwined, and the shameful sounds were masked by the rush of water, while desire rose brazenly and unchecked. His remaining shred of reason still resisted. Qin Mu struggled to push him away. “You’re taking advantage of me…”

       “How could I be? I’m just paying back what I owe.” Shen Liu poured shower gel onto his chest and gently rubbed it in, giving special attention to the two sensitive protrusions. His voice was exceptionally tender. “You kissed me while you were drunk. Of course I have to return the favour, right?”

       “Right my ass…” Qin Mu was dizzy but not completely out of it. He tried to grab the two misbehaving hands, but his willpower was not enough. His body swayed as Shen Liu pressed him and washed him from his upper body down to his lower. Unable to endure it any longer, he gritted his teeth. “Get out. I’ll do it myself.”

       Shen Liu caught his hand and pressed it against his half-hard c0ck, smiling ambiguously. “Sure. Do it yourself.”

       Qin Mu reacted sluggishly and tried to pull his hand back, but the man encircled him from behind. Shen Liu pinned him to the wall, licking and biting his ear as he threatened softly, “If you won’t do it yourself, I’ll help.”

       The weak resistance was subdued in moments. Shen Liu held Qin Mu’s hand, half forcing and half coaxing him to grip his c0ck and stroke back and forth, luring him little by little into the rushing current of desire. Qin Mu panted and tilted his head back. Water droplets fell like rain, sliding over his trembling Adam’s apple, taut neck line, solid chest…all the way down. When Qin Mu had sunk into desire, and the movement of his hand became instinctive, Shen Liu released his hold and lightly kissed the corner of his lips. “Good boy. Let me see you climax.”

       Pleasure shot forth like an arrow loosed from the bow, like a fire that burned through the body, already impossible to stop. Qin Mu stroked himself a few quick times and came with a low gasp, dizzy and dazed as he collapsed into Shen Liu’s arms, cursing weakly, “Bastard…”

       “I’m still hard.” Shen Liu thrust his hips forward and poked him in grievance.

       “Serves you right.” Qin Mu turned ruthless after the fact.

       “Mm, I deserve it. You’re the master. What you say goes.” Shen Liu kissed his damp forehead, dried his body, blow-dried his hair, and carried him to bed. Just as he was about to go back to the bathroom to clean up, his wrist was caught.

       “Sleep,” Qin Mu said with his eyes closed. “Hold me.”

       Shen Liu froze for a moment, then smiled. “As you command.”

Translator/Author’s Note:
The song is Young and Beautiful — Lana Del Rey

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       Shen Liu understood the meaning in those words and curled the corner of his lips. “I agree.”

       “Good.” Qin Mu said expressionlessly, “You understood your own physical condition, you were familiar with the rules of BDSM play, and you had the ability to foresee the intensity and risks of the activities I might have carried out last night. But during the routine pre-scene questions, you did not tell me you were tired or unwell, and during the scene, you did not take the initiative to call for a stop. Therefore, for the current result, you should bear the primary responsibility.”

       His reasoning for assigning responsibility was sound and well-founded. Shen Liu nodded. “En, it’s my fault…” He had wanted to hold back his cough but could not. He choked as he tried to cover his mouth, looking a bit dishevelled.

       Qin Mu silently waited for him to finish coughing. He half-lowered his eyes and said, “In a scene that requires cooperation between two people, failing to fully understand the sub’s physical condition and applying physical pressure beyond their tolerance is negligence and error on the Dom’s part. So I also share some of the responsibility. Besides that, I was under your care while in J City. Now that you have come all this way, I should fulfil my duty as host. All things considered, while you are ill, I will do my best to take care of you.”

       This turn was so sharp and sudden that Shen Liu’s sickly, foggy mind could not keep up. Before he even had time to react, Qin Mu had already stood up. He adjusted the head of the bed to a comfortable angle so Shen Liu could lean back, pulled the tray table into place for him, and then took a lunch box out of the paper bag he had brought.

       Inside was a soft and steaming hot plain congee paired with two light, palate-cleansing side dishes.

       Shen Liu froze, staring at him without blinking.

       Being looked at like that made a faint, suspicious flush appear at the tips of Qin Mu’s ears. His face remained stiff as he said, “I worked overtime today and didn’t have time to go home. I bought the congee on the way. Just make do with it.”

       He had come… to take care of him.

       Shen Liu felt dazed, overwhelmed by unexpected favour, as if he were in a dream.

       A beautiful dream he had waited far too long for.

       A gentle smile appeared in his eyes, growing richer and richer, like spring wind sweeping across a barren field and turning thousands of miles of emptiness lush in an instant. The heart inside his chest, numb for so long, fluttered like a fledgling learning to flap its wings, beating in chaotic bursts. The intermittent fever, the heavy drowsiness, the weakness, the agonising pain in his throat—all of it seemed to vanish, leaving only a faint sting at the tip of his nose.

       “Log…”

       “Eat quickly.” Qin Mu cut him off, his stiffness hiding a hint of shy embarrassment, as though afraid Shen Liu would say something that would embarrass him.

       Shen Liu dropped the subject. He picked up the spoon and tasted a mouthful. “It’s good.”

       It was nothing more than ordinary white congee. How good could it be?

       Qin Mu asked, “Did you burn your brain with fever?”

       Shen Liu laughed. The airflow tickled his throat, making him cough again.

       Just then, someone knocked. It was one of Chu Yu’s secretaries, the one surnamed Yang, whom Qin Mu had met a few times. She placed several large and small bags on the side table, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she said, “Our boss was worried that President Shen wouldn’t be used to the hospital’s nutrition meals, so he specially asked me to bring some food over. But he also told me, if I saw Lawyer Qin here, I should take all this back, because with you around, President Shen definitely won’t go hungry.” She deliberately paused and asked with a smile, “So should I… leave these, or take them back?”

       “Leave them.”

       “Take them back.”

       Qin Mu and Shen Liu spoke at the same time.

       “Eh?” Secretary Yang blinked. “The two of you don’t agree. Who should I listen to?”

       “Listen to him.” The ailing Shen immediately stepped back.

       “Then I won’t disturb you both. I’ll be on my way.” Understanding and efficient, Secretary Yang withdrew neatly.

       Qin Mu unpacked the various food boxes; inside were assorted pastries and abalone congee.

       “I’m only eating this.” Shen Liu did not even glance at the other food. He buried his head in his own bowl of white congee, gulping it down as if someone were about to snatch it from him.

       Qin Mu found it amusing. The corner of his lips curled up unconsciously, but he immediately forced it flat and turned his gaze aside as if nothing had happened. He stood up to refill the electric kettle with water, then placed the pillows and blanket from the cabinet on the sofa bed reserved for accompanying family members next to the hospital bed.

       Shen Liu froze. “You’re going to sleep here?”

       “En.”

       “No.” He grew a little anxious, speaking faster as he coughed and wheezed, “This thing is contagious. And I’m not sick enough to need someone accompanying me overnight. Even if I were, the hospital has caretakers. I’ll just sleep and be fine tomorrow. You should go.”

       “This isn’t your territory. You don’t get to decide.” Qin Mu pushed up his glasses and said calmly, “I’m giving you the treatment of a sub right now. Think it over. You only get this chance once. Don’t say I didn’t offer.”

       Shen Liu choked, calling out, “Log…”

       “Do you want it?” Qin Mu gave him no room to back out.

       Shen Liu admitted defeat helplessly. “…I want it.”

       “Then stop talking nonsense and keep eating your congee.”

       Obediently, Shen Liu lowered his head and finished all the congee and side dishes until the bowl was spotless. He wiped his mouth and said hoarsely, “I’m full.”

       “Do you need the bathroom?”

       “I can go myself.”

       Qin Mu placed the slippers neatly at his feet. Shen Liu got up and pushed the IV stand toward the bathroom. When he returned, he saw the bed had been tidied, and the window left open a crack for ventilation. He sat back down on the bed and switched to a roundabout strategy to persuade him. “You said you worked overtime today. You must have important cases on hand. If you catch the flu, it’ll delay things. And with you lying beside me, I won’t sleep well either. How about… moving to the outer room? Please, my dear Master?”

       This hospital suite had a small lounge with a three-seater sofa where one could sleep. Qin Mu glanced at him, considered it, then carried the blanket out.

       Shen Liu let out a breath of relief and finally lay down with ease. The little energy he had just been forcing out drained instantly. His high fever surged back with a vengeance, and he drifted into a heavy sleep. For half a year, he had been exhausting himself battling others, nearly wearing out what was left of his health. This time, the illness hit him like a collapsing mountain; he truly could not withstand it.

       His condition worsened at night, and his fever rose repeatedly without breaking. Every so often, Qin Mu checked his ear temperature. When it reached thirty-nine degrees Celsius, he fed him fever-reducing medicine and water. Seeing the heat still refuse to drop, he soaked a towel in warm water and wiped his body to cool him down.

       It was late at night, and the cicadas chirped outside. Inside the room, only the soft hum of the air conditioner remained. The nurse came to remove the IV needle, and the sleeping patient remained asleep. His face was flushed bright red, as if he had gotten drunk. Qin Mu suddenly remembered that night when he had received his admission letter from K University—he had thought Shen Liu was drunk beyond consciousness and, emboldened, had done something a bit out of line. Who would have thought this guy had not been drunk at all? He had been perfectly aware, pretending to be confused, quietly watching Qin Mu struggle in his secret crush. Later, Shen Liu explained that back then, he felt Qin Mu was still too young, had seen little of the world and of men, and he did not want him to be hung up on him. So even if he had been moved, he did not respond.

       That was exactly how he was—always making decisions ‘for his sake’ on his own. Over the years, he had done everything, whether he should or shouldn’t, and sometimes it really made one grit their teeth in frustration. Qin Mu had finally gotten the chance to torture him a little, yet now he had fallen sick and needed personal care. It was hard to tell who was torturing whom. After weighing between ‘giving him a proper beating’ and ‘taking naked photos to blackmail him’, Qin Mu noticed the ring hanging on Shen Liu’s chest. In the end, he could not bring himself to do either. Sullenly, he pressed a fever patch with a cartoon pig’s head onto his forehead.

       At dawn, Shen Liu’s high fever finally receded reluctantly. When he woke, he saw Qin Mu asleep, slumped over the edge of his bed. His heart felt as though it were soaking in sweetness to the point of bubbling, swelling with tenderness. Afraid that his cough would wake him, he carefully pulled the blanket up to cover half his face, leaving only his eyes peeking out to look at him.

       At seven-thirty, an alarm rang. Qin Mu woke in a daze, instinctively reached out to feel Shen Liu’s temperature, then withdrew his hand in slight embarrassment when he saw his eyes open. He straightened his collar and stood up.

       “I’m much better,” Shen Liu said. “You didn’t sleep well last night. Don’t drive today.”

       “Zhou Yi will pick me up on his way.” Qin Mu set down the hospital breakfast. “I’ll come back this evening. If you want to eat anything or need anything, message me.”

       “Finally took me off the blacklist?” Shen Liu laughed softly. “This illness was really worth catching.”

       Qin Mu ignored him and left. In the evening, he received a message from Shen Liu.

       Call Me Brother and I’ll Give You Candy: I asked Tao Ze to come. Don’t come to the hospital. Go home and rest.

       Given Shen Liu’s usual behaviour, who knew whether he was telling the truth? Qin Mu did not feel at ease, so he still went to the hospital. He pushed the door open quietly and saw Shen Liu inside, leaning against the pillow, talking to someone.

       It really was Tao Ze.

       Sick as he was, Shen Liu’s voice was thick with congestion, his tone lazy and languid. “Don’t ask me. I’m not handling anything right now. Let Shen Rong decide on his own.”

       “Oh.” Tao Ze responded, then after holding back for a long while, could not resist asking, “Boss… that thing stuck on your forehead… Do you know it’s there?”

       “Of course. Qin Mu put it on.” Shen Liu answered with complete calm, with even a hint of showing off. “It’s for fun. You wouldn’t understand.”

       Tao Ze was speechless, silently cursing him: sick bastard.

       At that very moment, outside the room, Qin Mu was also silently cursing: sick bastard. And he could not help wanting to laugh. Of course he was sick, he was in hospital after all. After confirming that Tao Ze was indeed taking care of him, Qin Mu quietly backed out.

       Shen Liu stayed in the hospital for four days and walked out lively and full of energy.

       That night, Qin Mu was buried in overtime work and lost track of time. The receptionist suddenly said someone was asking for him. No clients should be coming at this hour, so he stepped out in surprise. Shen Liu was leaning against the front desk with his hands in his pockets, chatting and laughing with the young receptionists.

       Qin Mu quickly looked him over and asked, “Why did you come?”

       “To deliver supper.” Shen Liu jerked his chin at the two delivery staff behind him, each carrying large bags of food.

       That night, the entire law firm ate an ultra-luxurious Japanese meal. Zhou Yi stuffed a sea urchin into his mouth with a grin. “Senior Shen, long time no see. You show up and immediately spend so much—how embarrassing.”

       “Don’t mention it. It’s nothing.” Shen Liu smiled and naturally placed a box of grilled eel rice in front of Qin Mu. He knew Qin Mu’s stomach was weak and could not handle raw or cold food, so he had chosen fully cooked dishes for him. Qin Mu accepted it, ate a few bites, then answered a phone call and said, “Take your time eating. I’m going to organise some materials to send to a client.”

       “I’ll go with you.” Shen Liu stood up as well.

       A few legal assistants under Qin Mu also tried to follow, but Zhou Yi tapped each one on the head with his chopsticks. “You guys eat your food.”

       Qin Mu’s office was not large, but everything was orderly. The pothos on the bookshelf grew lush, and there was a small fish tank on the desk. It was Shen Liu’s first time there. He did not disturb the work and wandered around on his own to look.

       Even though the man barely made a sound, Qin Mu still found it difficult to concentrate fully. Eventually, he issued an eviction order, “Aren’t you leaving?”

       “I’m waiting for you.”

       “You should go first. I’ll be a long time.”

       “I have nowhere to go.”

       Qin Mu raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

       “Staying alone in a hotel is too lonely. I just recovered from a serious illness and still need someone to take care of me. Could I trouble you to take me in for a few days?” Shen Liu slipped effortlessly into a pitiful act.

       “No.” Qin Mu refused without hesitation.

       “Sigh, then I’ll have to sleep here. Does the firm have any spare offices? If not, your sofa is fine. Considering our many years of history, you wouldn’t really make security throw me out, right?” Shen Liu looked at him with a bright, shameless fearlessness.

       A vein throbbed on Qin Mu’s forehead. “…What is your face made of?”

       “Love and sincerity.”

       He really…asking to be beaten up.

       The office door was made entirely of transparent glass. Any big commotion inside would definitely draw a crowd of people peering over. At a time like this, if he actually had security drag the man out, by tomorrow he would become the centre of gossip for everyone in the building.

       Qin Mu rubbed his forehead, suppressing the urge to beat him up, fished his access card out of his pocket, and threw it at him, gritting out, “Get lost.”

       Shen Liu slipped the card into his pocket and said softly, with a smile, “Dear Master, I’ll be waiting for you at home.” 

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       The light that fell into Shen Liu’s eyes was like the wavering shadows of trees, flickering bright and dim before his lowered lashes hid it away. That faint, dazed “Master…” sounded half like a plea for mercy, half like a confession of longing, carrying an indescribable emptiness and desolation, as if someone stood at the mouth of a dark alley, whispering into an impenetrable fog.

       The hand caging the back of his head withdrew without mercy, leaving behind only a trace of lingering warmth. “The game is over.” Qin Mu gave him a brief glance, then turned and stepped off the stage. He ordered the staff with an expressionless face, “Untie him. If you can’t, cut the ropes.” It was the first time in all his years as a Dom that he let someone else handle a sub’s aftermath.

       Shen Liu silently watched that departing back disappear through the door, then let out a soundless sigh under the mixed gazes of the crowd. This kind of full-body binding exerted intense pressure on blood circulation, leaving his limbs completely numb. Even after the ropes were removed, he couldn’t stand steadily for quite a while, like a robot that had broken down. Chu Yu supported him onto a sofa, asking, “Do you want me to help explain?”

       “No need.” Shen-the-crippled sprawled out on the sofa, long arms and legs half-reclined as he stretched out his joints. “I owed him.”

       Chu Yu curved his lips. “Repaying a debt like this to him will surely cause you a lot of suffering.”

       Shen Liu laughed, unbothered. “He held back. Otherwise, you would be looking for a stretcher to carry me out.”

       “What are you planning next?”

       “No rush. I still have most of my life ahead of me,” the man said with his eyes closed.

       The rain had stopped at some unknown time. Qin Mu walked alone along the river. He couldn’t drive after drinking, and he didn’t feel like talking to strangers, so he simply chose to walk back.

       Lu Cheng’s sudden departure had weighed on him. For the first time, he took the initiative to message Lu Cheng to ask what had happened—he wanted to know what Shen Liu had done this time. The other party was probably busy; there was no reply for a long while. Qin Mu slipped his phone into his pocket and continued forward, filled with speculations.

       The rain had subdued the daytime’s heat, and the oleanders by the road bloomed in full vigour. A thin crescent hung pale in the sky, and the clouds drifted lazily. Both water and sky were ink-dark, mingled with the haze of the mortal world. A faint mist hovered over Jialan River; blurred outlines of boats layered and hid within. Starlight and the boat lanterns were hazy, making it difficult to tell whether it was the Milky Way or earthly waters carrying the boats along. The river wind, damp with moisture, slipped into the night and brushed away the heat on his body, yet could not scatter the vexation in his heart.

       The streetlights were dim. Qin Mu wasn’t paying attention and stepped right into a shallow puddle left by the rain, soaking his shoes and socks. A little girl passing by must have found his startled expression amusing and laughed openly. Qin Mu also smiled, very gently. The young mother holding the child’s hand looked slightly embarrassed and pulled a tissue from her bag to offer him. Qin Mu accepted it, thanked her politely, and watched them leave.

       He didn’t bother with his wet shoes and socks. He tucked the tissue into his pocket and kept walking.

       Heracl-tus had said that one could not step into the same river twice, yet fate always enjoyed playing jokes with coincidences. Years ago, in heavy rain in Tingyun Town, his shoes had been soaked through; tonight, his feet were wet again from a roadside puddle. In this world, what one couldn’t escape included not only unexpected puddles but also men who went back on their word.

       No one knew that Qin Mu’s first instinct upon seeing Shen Liu had been to run.

       Because he didn’t know what attitude he should use to face him.

       That man was the one who had stolen heavenly fire to light his way, and also the one who had gripped his hand and forced him to face the darkness; the one who had wagered everything for him without counting the cost, and also the one who had drawn him into a web as a chess piece; the one who had silently guarded his steps all along, and also the one who had manipulated things in the shadows to shatter his principles; the one he had used all his strength to walk away from, and also the one whose single glance could make his resolve waver.

       He was the deity of his life, and also the heart-devouring demon he could not escape.

       Qin Mu had put in enormous effort to suppress the rising panic and helplessness, forcing himself to appear calm and composed. Yet that person had still brazenly laid hands on Lu Cheng. In that moment, a wave of immense disappointment roared through him like a violent wind, fanning the flames in his heart into an eruption.

       —What gave you the right to interfere in my life again and again? Have you ever respected my choices or my way of living? Do you think my life is a toy for you to manipulate at will?

       Qin Mu knew a Dom should not begin a scene under the influence of intense emotions, yet he still failed to hold back. He had wanted to teach Shen Liu a harsh lesson, but even that he had not managed to do. Not even the thin facade of cold composure he used to maintain appearances lasted to the end; he had been forced to flee in embarrassment. Those three questions—he dared to ask them of Shen Liu, but he did not dare to ask them of himself.

       Did he feel anything?

       He did.

       He hated this uncontrollable version of himself. But what should he do? What could he do?

       The rain from Tingyun Town had been falling in his heart for many years, and just when it had finally quieted, the snowy night of J City had come back into his dreams. Everyone said a tangled mess needed a swift blade to cut through. He had swung that blade twice, and each time he had split his own heart to pieces along with it. Now the knife in his hand had already dulled; he could no longer cut anything. All he could do was hold it and stand at one end of a dark alley, waiting for a dawn that he did not know when, or if, would arrive.

       Qin Mu returned home with a head full of thoughts. He fed the cats, took a shower, and lay down on the sofa. Beiwei probably liked the gr4p3fruit scent of his body wash; it burrowed into his arms of its own accord, finding a comfortable position to lie on his chest and watch him play tile-matching games. Dongjing sauntered over out of boredom to join the fun, and after some serious consideration of the sofa’s height and its own weight, sensibly chose to flop down on the carpet instead.

       One man and two cats, each in their own place.

       Qin Mu was focused on his game when a message from Lu Cheng arrived.

       Lu Cheng: Sir, I apologise for the late reply. There was a sudden landslide on Dongping Mountain. My medicinal herb plantation suffered significant damage, and some people were injured. It may take quite some time to handle everything. I’ll make an appointment with you again when I return to K City.

       Qin Mu stared at the lines for a moment before replying: Handle it properly. Stay safe.

       Lu Cheng replied quickly: Thank you.

       Qin Mu no longer had the mood to keep playing. He tossed his phone aside and stared up at the ceiling.

       This was a natural disaster, not human harm.

       He had misunderstood Shen Liu.

       And that bastard had simply let him misunderstand, offering not a single explanation, sitting tight and waiting for his guilt to come afterwards.

       …Bastard.

       He knew he had fallen into Shen Liu’s calculations again, yet strangely, the heavy stone pressing on his chest had suddenly vanished. His whole being felt lighter. Qin Mu rested his arms behind his head and thought of how that man, bound in five-flower rope, had been tormented until he begged for mercy. He murmured to himself, “Serves you right.”

       Beiwei stared at him with innocent sapphire-blue eyes. Qin Mu chuckled softly and lightly scratched its chin. “Not talking about you. I mean that bad cat out there—clingy, sly, full of tricks—not cute like you two.”

       Beiwei, satisfied, closed its eyes and remained still in comfort, purring generously as it forgave his treasonous mention of ‘a cat outside’. Dongjing looked jealous, propped its front paws on the sofa, and let out a rough meow. Qin Mu lifted it onto the sofa too and stroked it a few times. The two cats rested heavily and warmly on his chest, as if pushing away all the emptiness in the room.

       The next morning, Qin Mu rushed to the law firm to meet a client. He had been busy with pro bono cases recently, and Zhou Yi had threatened him that if he didn’t start making money, the firm would go bankrupt, and his phone number would be plastered all over the city on ads offering large sums for surrogacy. Qin Mu obeyed and ‘returned to proper work’. As soon as he came back, he landed a major cross-border corporate merger case, and the entire office had been spinning like tops ever since.

       Towards evening, he was buried in contract documents, working overtime, when he received a call from Chu Yu.

       “I thought I should let you know,” Chu Yu said directly. “Shen Liu is in the hospital.”

       Qin Mu’s heart tightened. He blurted, “What happened?”

       “Nothing too serious, don’t panic,” Chu Yu said. “He started running a fever last night. He forced his way through the day, but the fever never came down, so we just dragged him to the hospital. The doctor said it’s a viral infection with some signs of pneumonia. He needs rest. He came in such a hurry this time that he didn’t bring anyone with him, so I admitted him for now—it’s easier to take care of him.”

       Qin Mu was silent for a moment before asking, “Why did he come to K City?”

       “As far as I know,” Chu Yu said, “Shen Liu voluntarily resigned from his position as the group’s vice president during an internal Shen family meeting, which means he handed over real power. At the moment, he’s basically a wealthy idler, with only a few unfinished projects left in his hands. As for why he came to K City, I think you know very well.”

       Qin Mu was taken aback. His brows knitted tightly as he asked anxiously, “Is he insane, giving up power at a time like this?”

       He had been worried since the great war between Shen and Zhao. The Old Man Shen would never tolerate an heir who might lose control at any time. Even if he hadn’t acted back then for the sake of the family’s interest, he would inevitably settle scores later and suppress Shen Liu. Qin Mu knew that if he stayed, he would only be a burden, so once he received permission to leave, he did. He had believed that with Shen Liu’s abilities, he would stabilise the situation and hold his position firmly. Yet, he never expected that man to hand over his power so easily.

       “There was no need to worry about that,” Chu Yu said slowly. “On the surface, it looked as if Shen Liu had lost real power, but in truth, all the key positions in the corporation were held by his people, including the newly promoted vice president, Shen Rong. He had already laid out the entire arrangement before leaving. The Shen family’s lifeline remained under his control. If he wanted it, he could take everything back at any time; if he did not want it, no one would dare touch him lightly.” He paused. “Besides, he has me behind him.” These words were steady and forceful, carrying a kind of strength that settled the heart.

       Qin Mu stood before the floor-to-ceiling window and let out a faint breath. The thousands of city lights reflected in his eyes like scattered stars. He suddenly remembered that moment back in J City—the two of them sitting side by side in the back seat of the car. While he had rambled on with all those admonitions, what expression had Shen Liu worn then?

       Restraint, helplessness, bitterness, relief, and a hint of guilt.

       That man had never truly submitted to money, nor had he ever truly coveted power. He was like a lone traveller walking through the depths of night with a sword at his side, willing to stain his hands with blood and move mountains for a belief he could not speak aloud. Even if thousands looked up to him, he remained utterly alone.

       Only now did he truly understand him.

       “The message has been delivered. I’ve sent you the hospital address and his bed number. Whether you go or not is up to you,” Chu Yu said. After a short pause, he added, “You tied him up a bit too hard yesterday. It took him half a day to stand.”

       After hanging up, Qin Mu paced back and forth in front of the window with a stern face. The curious interns poked their heads around the doorway of his office, whispering among themselves.

       “I told you this case was tough. Look, even Lawyer Qin is getting anxious.”

       “Could it be that there’s something wrong with the opinion letter I submitted? I’m doomed. I’m going to get scolded.”

       “Lawyer Qin never scolds anyone, but every time I stand in front of him my legs turn to jelly. I don’t even know why—I just get nervous.”

       “My legs turn to jelly too when I see him. He looks so good in a suit, especially with those long legs…”

       “Aiya, look at you, acting like a lovestruck fool.”

       “No, really, I love Lawyer Qin’s whole cold and ascetic vibe. Especially when he looks at me from behind his glasses—my heartbeat shoots up to two hundred and eighty.”

       “You’re brave. I don’t even dare look him in the eyes. I would blush.”

       Just as their discussion was heating up, Qin Mu pushed the door open and stepped out. The room went silent at once. Qin Mu swept his gaze across the group with a solemn expression, and everyone swallowed nervously in unison.

       “Go clean up and get off work,” the icy Lawyer Qin said before striding out with his long legs. The others exhaled in relief and hurried to gather their things and go home.

       Chu Yu had arranged for Shen Liu to stay at Golden Eagle’s private hospital, in the largest single room—it was easy to find. When Qin Mu walked in, Shen Liu was leaning weakly against the bed, coughing. He froze for a moment upon seeing him, then couldn’t help coughing again as he rasped, “Why did you come?”

       Qin Mu set down the fruit basket and a paper bag on the bedside table, keeping a stern face. “You resorted to a bitter-meat ploy. I should at least show up to support your performance.”

       Shen Liu gave a small laugh and leaned back against the pillow with little strength, covering his mouth as he coughed. “Go back. It’s contagious.”

       Qin Mu glanced at him once, then turned and left.

       Seeing that he had actually left, Shen Liu felt his heart go hollow. He stared at the doorway in desolation—only for the man to push it open again moments later.

       Qin Mu was wearing a mask he had gotten from the nurse. He took a seat in the chair by the bed, as proper as when he was presenting an argument in court. “Last night I misunderstood you. Some of it was due to my own assumptions, and some of it was caused by your intentional concealment and inaction. I thought it over—let’s call it even. Do you agree?”

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       Shen Liu’s gaze shifted slightly, and a few seconds later, he stood up.

       He took off his clothes very quickly. He placed his shoes and socks neatly beside the sofa, unfastened his belt, and pulled down the zipper. His movements were smooth and efficient, without the slightest hesitation, as if he did not mind exposing his body to others. In fact, his physique was indeed impressive with tight, evenly proportioned muscles and a beautiful Adonis belt that disappeared beneath his jeans, stirring the imagination. When he reached for the waistband button, he heard Qin Mu’s voice.

       “Leave the pants.”

       The corners of Shen Liu’s lips lifted almost imperceptibly. He fastened the button back into its hole, then walked toward Qin Mu while casting a faint sideways glance at Chu Yu.

       Chu Yu understood and said, “The performance is about to begin. Let’s go sit near the stage.”

       Xu Ye was still immersed in gossiping, having already imagined a full tragic romance between ‘the pharaoh and his favoured concubine’. He was waiting to see what would happen next and muttered reluctantly, “There aren’t any high-level performers today. Nothing worth watching.”

       “If you’re not interested, we can always go play in one of the rooms upstairs for a while,” Chu Yu offered instead.

       Sensing danger, Xu Ye shuddered and instantly yanked Zhuo Yue up as if his seat were on fire. “I’ll go, I’ll go, let’s go. I just remembered something I need to talk to you about.” He took the lead, the others exchanging knowing smiles as they followed him out.

       The circular sofa area was left with only two people.

       Facing Qin Mu, Shen Liu slowly sank to his knees. He first lowered one knee, then both, his posture as solemn as if he were worshipping a deity. His body descended, his gaze shifting from level to upturned, and the infatuation in his eyes grew heavier and heavier. It was as if all disguise, all concealment, and all clothing had been shed together, leaving nothing but bare desire, direct, unrestrained, and burning hot. He was clearly in the submissive one, yet he radiated possessiveness, like a fierce animal crouched in tall grass, baring the most primal wildness toward its prey.

       “Master,” he said. His deep voice made the title even more seductive, like a teasing feather brushing across the heart, sending ripples through it.

       Qin Mu sat motionless, his gaze resting on the hollow between Shen Liu’s collarbones—a silver ring hanging from a red cord, glinting under the light. His expression was calm, his tone equally calm, as he asked with routine detachment, “Anything you can’t accept?”

       “With you, nothing,” Shen Liu answered without hesitation.

       Qin Mu looked at him for two seconds, then raised his hand and pressed the red call button beside the seating area. A server hurried over and asked, “Pharaoh, what do you need?”

       “Bring me rope number 4 from the second shelf of the cabinet in my room, and arrange the performance stage for me tonight.” Qin Mu handed him the black keycard.

       “Certainly, sir.” The server checked the program schedule and asked, “The first performance is ready to go on stage. Is it acceptable to place you second?”

       “That’s fine.”

       “We’ll prepare it immediately,” the server said, stepping away with professional composure.

       This meant it would be a public play. Tonight likely would likely not going to go easily.

       But Shen Liu did not care. Before coming, he had already braced himself mentally. Whatever Qin Mu chose to do to him did not matter. Humans, as social creatures, always imposed certain standards and boundaries in their interactions, yet Qin Mu was the one person for whom he had no standards at all. Shen Liu did not kneel to anyone, did not call anyone ‘Master’, and would never accept being trained or played with in public. But as long as it was Qin Mu, every boundary could shift. Even if the thing in Qin Mu’s hand were not a whip but a knife, Shen Liu would let him drive it straight into his heart without flinching or dodging.

       To submit was simply to offer up both body and heart, no longer belonging to oneself.

       “Slave.” Qin Mu took a sip of his drink and tilted the glass in his hand. “I need a table.”

       It seemed the waiting period before going onstage would not be dull. Shen Liu lowered his gaze. “Yes, Master.” He moved to the man’s side, leaned forward, and braced himself on his arms, keeping his back as flat as possible.

       Objectifying the submissive as a tool was part of the play, a way to more easily evoke the satisfaction of being ‘needed’ and the sense of being ‘possessed’. Qin Mu casually set his glass on the dip of Shen Liu’s spine between his shoulder blades and said concisely, “If it falls, ten lashes.”

       “Yes, Master,” Shen Liu replied.

       It was a crystal wine glass with a large bowl but a narrow base. Even a slight unevenness could throw off its balance. A human body was not a real table; it had natural curves and reflexive reactions. Shen Liu slowed his breathing, tensed his muscles, and tried to maintain as much stability as he could.

       But Qin Mu had no intention of letting him off that easily. He removed the leash from the collar Lu Cheng had worn earlier and hooked it directly onto the red cord at the back of Shen Liu’s neck. The leash pulled tight along his spine, slid down along his cleft, wrapped once around the root of his right thigh, and was tied off in a knot. The tightened red cord dragged the ring against his throat, forcing Shen Liu to tilt his head back. The reversed curve of his neck made the ‘tabletop’ unstable, and the leash’s movement nudged the glass stem, setting the bowl trembling. Shen Liu stiffened his back, doing everything he could to steady it.

       “If it breaks, the game ends,” Qin Mu’s cold voice drifted from above.

       Shen Liu’s gaze trembled.

       He understood very clearly that Qin Mu was referring to the red cord around his neck that held the ring. The cord was thin, and even the slightest force would snap it. And once it broke, the ring would fall away from his body.

       People were always good at using certain objects to express emotion, tucking their true feelings inside in subtle, implicit ways. In this moment, the ring and the red cord were no longer just themselves; they had been given meanings unspoken yet mutually understood. Qin Mu knew exactly why Shen Liu had come, and he had given an equally clear reply—this is my territory, and you must obey my rules, or nothing else will be discussed.

       His body was bound, his throat was restricted, and no movement was allowed. Obedience alone was the only truth. Shen Liu closed his eyes briefly and answered, “Yes, Master.”

       Time moved forward at an unhurried pace. Twenty minutes passed, and he still maintained the same motionless posture. His back, shoulders, and neck had gone stiff, and his breathing grew increasingly laboured.

       As the first performance was about to end, a server came over to notify Qin Mu to get ready. When the restraints were finally released, it felt as if his heart had settled safely back into his chest along with the ring. Shen Liu drew a deep breath and returned to a kneeling posture.

       “Does it hurt?” Qin Mu asked.

       “As long as it pleases you, everything is a reward to me.” A standard answer.

       Qin Mu’s lips curved faintly, neither acknowledging nor dismissing it. He raised his hand and tilted the wine glass slightly above Shen Liu’s head, saying, “Finish it.”

       The angle was awkward; kneeling, he could only reach the rim of the glass by stretching his neck and lifting his face. Shen Liu drank the remaining wine from this position, then licked his lips and said, “Thank you, Master.”

       Qin Mu set the glass aside, tugged lightly on the leash, and said, “Stand up. Follow me.”

       A pair of Master and slave who looked as striking as they did naturally drew attention. The stage lights cast a cool silver sheen over Qin Mu, adding to the quiet, sharp aura in his every movement. He unhooked the leash and commanded, “See that circular area? Go kneel over there.”

       “Yes, Master.” Shen Liu obeyed without question.

       After checking the rope bindings, Qin Mu pressed a button on a remote. The circular area began to rise slowly, lifting Shen Liu to an appropriate height. It turned out to be an adjustable display platform. Four cameras pointed at the two of them from different angles, projecting every detail onto the electronic screens.

       The Pharaoh was a major figure in the scene, and opportunities to see his performances were rare. This time, he had brought an unfamiliar new sub onto the stage, drawing even more curiosity. The seats beside the stage were packed. In the front row, Fang Mingyan let out a provocative whistle, eager for chaos.

       Qin Mu’s performance contained no unnecessary theatrics. He worked while explaining key points, like a guest professor, maintaining his usual precise and ascetic style.

       Tonight, he used a full-body rope bondage known as ‘bundled binding’. He first crossed Shen Liu’s wrists behind his head and tied them together, then secured the wrists to the upper arms to complete the lock. “This ‘hands-behind’ tie forces the slave to keep the chest open, with the elbows raised and unable to straighten,” he said, looping the rope around Shen Liu’s neck, crossing it over his chest, and winding it around his bare torso in a beautiful ‘tortoise armour bondage’ pattern. He deliberately tied two flat knots pressing over the nipples and said, “Knots placed on sensitive spots allow the slave to feel more stimulation, similar to friction or caressing.” Finally, he instructed Shen Liu to sit back on his heels, knees spread as wide as they would go, then used a rope passing beneath the crotch to bind his thighs and ankles.

       Qin Mu’s handling of the rope was exceptionally clean, with almost no superfluous movements, and the final result was beautiful. In his hands, the rope seemed to transform into something alive; every knot, every crossing, every line of tension moved according to his will. Shen Liu’s striking body became his canvas, and the red rope bondage became curved strokes painting a scene both cruelly violent and stunningly erotic.

       “Do your legs hurt?” Qin Mu adjusted the ropes’ tension again, his expression focused and meticulous.

       “They don’t hurt, Master,” Shen Liu replied. Maintaining such an unnatural posture for so long had left a thin layer of sweat on his back. The slightly long ends of his hair fell forward and covered his eyes, and his gaze looked even deeper beneath the shifting play of light and shadow.

       Performing in front of an audience tests not only skill, but also a Dom’s control over their sub. The more spectators there were, the easier it was for a sub to be distracted and drift away from the proper emotional state. Qin Mu’s steady stage presence was well known. What surprised people was that this newcomer sub, Sphinx, also behaved with remarkable composure, completely unaffected by outside influences. Throughout the entire tying process, he remained quiet and obedient, with excellent endurance.

       From a technical standpoint, this was a textbook-level bondage demonstration, impressive in every way. Yet it lacked emotional interaction. Sphinx’s gaze had followed the Pharaoh the entire time, but the Pharaoh never once gave him a response.

       Qin Mu finished the full binding and lowered the display platform until it was level with the stage. He examined his work at close distance and said slowly, “This type of full-body tie creates a strong sense of restraint and pain. Aside from the head, the slave can barely move at all, so it’s not suitable for long-term use. The interlacing rope strands affect one another; even a slight movement will pull on various parts of the body, tightening the throat and creating friction on the nipples and crotch. It can allow slaves who enjoy bondage to feel pleasure, like this…” As he spoke, he hooked a finger around the rope looped at Shen Liu’s neck and pulled lightly.

       The sudden tug caused all the ropes on his body to tighten at once. The knots at a few key points scr4p3d hard across sensitive areas, making Shen Liu shudder uncontrollably. A mix of numbness and itchiness blended with pain. He shifted, unable to endure it, attempting to adjust his posture.

       “Did I give you permission to move?” Qin Mu asked without expression.

       “Master, I was wrong.” Shen Liu knew how to bend and yield.

       Qin Mu pinched his jaw and lifted it, forcing his head back in a punitive arc. This movement bent Shen Liu’s arms, which were tied behind his head to their extreme limit. The stretched muscles pulled so tight that even the bones hurt. He started to gasp sharply, broken sounds spilling from his throat.

       “Does it feel good to be controlled?” Qin Mu looked at him through his lenses.

       Shen Liu’s arms and legs were already going numb. He forced himself to answer with difficulty, “As long as the one controlling me is you, I’m willing to offer everything with both hands.”

       “Your hands are already tied,” Qin Mu said, letting go of his jaw, unhurried. “Controlling someone really is addictive, especially when you watch them obey helplessly in your hands. It’s amusing, isn’t it?” As the last word fell, the hand that controlled everything slid to Shen Liu’s chest. Qin Mu picked out a rope and gently hooked it, as if flirting.

       Shen Liu’s whole body went rigid. He could clearly feel exactly where that rope led. Flustered, he said, “Master, I was wrong…”

       Last-minute apologies usually didn’t work. Even though Shen Liu wore jeans, Qin Mu still had ways to make him keenly feel the pressure and friction on his genitals deeply. The rope tugged again and again, like a web woven of numbness and pain wrapping around his entire body. The pleasure that appeared at some unknown moment tormented him until he was overwhelmed and falling apart. At first, it felt like tiny electric currents, pricking and wandering everywhere. Then it turned into little mice scurrying through him, occasionally leaping up to bite hard at a sensitive spot, making his body tremble uncontrollably from the stimulation. His nipples were already hard, scr4p3d raw by the rope, and something was beginning to stir between his legs. Shen Liu tensed, breathing unevenly and shallowly. A mist of tears gathered in his eyes as he begged, “Master, please…”

       The man who was usually lofty, forceful, and ruthless now showed rare vulnerability and submission—an extreme, contradictory kind of sensuality.

       “Your eyes look much prettier now.” Qin Mu used a finger to lift the hair from his forehead, his gaze half-lowered as he looked down at him. “Take a guess. Have you pleased me? Do I desire you? Or, rather, does training you give me pleasure?”

       Heaven always came full circle; no one escaped retribution. The three questions he had once used to crush Lu Cheng returned to confront him now. Shen Liu gave a bitter smile in his heart, his chest rising and falling as he answered in broken breaths, “As long as Master…give me a chance to take the initiative… I can do my best to give you pleasure.”

       A faint, mocking smile tugged at Qin Mu’s lips. He cupped the back of Shen Liu’s head with one hand and leaned in. Slowly, closer and closer. The movement made the bound man tense instantly, nerves stretched tight, his heart pounding wildly.

       “You thought I would kiss you?” Qin Mu stopped just a hair’s breadth before touching his cheek. His deliberately softened voice brushed his ear like a warm, blurred mist. “Sphinx, I don’t like people who assume too much. If you want to be my cat, you should at least learn to behave first.”

Author’s Note:
Sphinx: besides being a mythical creature, it is also a breed of cat — yes, the hairless kind.

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