Inside the room.
The long, unbearable wait had gradually worn away the light in Zuo Shihuan’s eyes. His pale brown pupils had gone dull and unfocused. He sat there hugging his knees, head tilted toward the door, staring blankly in that direction.
Like a delicate doll, glass eyes devoid of light, left forgotten in an empty room.
If left there too long, that doll, realizing it had been abandoned, would fill with resentment, turning an ordinary setting into a horror story.
At any rate, Zuo Shihuan swore to himself: If Gu Heng didn’t come back before midnight, he really would hold a grudge. He wouldn’t forgive him easily, no matter what the reason was.
Well… unless it was something truly unavoidable like an urgent assignment tied to Gu Heng’s special position in the Federation, one he couldn’t even take a moment to inform him about before leaving—
But the thought made Zuo Shihuan’s pupils darken. Even so, he couldn’t suppress his irritation. Where on earth had Gu Heng gone?
Then, suddenly—
Through the stillness of the soundproofed room came a faint, foreign noise. Not his breathing, not his heartbeat, not the ringing in his ears, something else was there.
Zuo Shihuan’s head shot up.
He turned toward the source of the sound.
It was coming from the door.
He froze, then in an instant, his eyes lit up.
Without even thinking, he jumped to his feet and ran toward it. Seeing the key turn and the door slowly open, he grabbed the handle, flung it forward, and called out, “Gu Heng, where did you—”
The moment the door opened—
Zuo Shihuan froze in surprise. Gu Heng stood there, drenched from head to toe, a half-open umbrella in his hand. Zuo Shihuan’s voice faltered as he asked, “Where did you go?”
Why was he soaked even though he had an umbrella?
Puzzled, Zuo Shihuan looked up at him. Gu Heng seemed equally surprised to see him standing there waiting.
“Why are you wet? Didn’t you have an umbrella?”
Zuo Shihuan brushed the droplets from Gu Heng’s coat, then reached up to touch his chilled cheek, his pale lips faintly pink, and his black hair stiff and cold from the rain.
Though Zuo Shihuan was angry that Gu Heng didn’t take good care of himself, his eyes were still full of worry as he hurriedly pulled Gu Heng into the warm room, urging him to warm up quickly.
He didn’t even stop to think. Turning around in haste, he went to grab a clean towel for Gu Heng to dry himself.
But when Zuo Shihuan returned, towel in hand, he saw that Gu Heng was still standing in the living room, holding the umbrella. He hadn’t put it down; his gaze followed Zuo Shihuan’s every move with unwavering focus.
Zuo Shihuan frowned in puzzlement and asked, “Why are you still holding your umbrella?”
Gu Heng lowered his eyes slightly, gripping the open umbrella even tighter and pressing it down, as if hiding something, saying nothing. His thick black lashes trembled faintly, and his thin lips pressed together in tension.
When Zuo Shihuan took a confused step closer—
Gu Heng suddenly moved the umbrella aside, revealing a huge bouquet of fresh, fully bloomed flowers.
In an instant, a burst of bright golden-orange light seemed to spill into the room. The bouquet shone brilliantly, like sunlight itself, flooding Zuo Shihuan’s eyes with warmth and color, surrounding him in a halo of light, fragrance, and radiance.
“These flowers are for you.”
Gu Heng furrowed his brows slightly, a little awkward and restrained. He held the bouquet out toward Zuo Shihuan, his deep black eyes filled with sincerity and focus, waiting for his reaction.
Zuo Shihuan stared in shock, eyes wide, suddenly realizing he must have not even used the umbrella, afraid that the rain would ruin the flowers meant for him.
How could someone be so foolish?
He was so afraid of getting the flowers wet but not afraid of catching a cold himself?
Truly…
Zuo Shihuan wanted to scold him properly, but he couldn’t deceive himself. His hands clenched tight; his body bent slightly forward as though his chest had been filled to the brim with something hot and swelling, an emotion so powerful that his small heart couldn’t contain it, expanding until it ached.
What was this feeling?
The heart he pressed his hand against—hurt.
But at the same time, he felt overwhelming happiness, excitement, joy. His wide eyes stared blankly as tears slipped from the corners of his dry eyes.
Were these tears of joy?
He didn’t know. He’d never been this happy before, so happy that it felt strange, almost unbearable. The happiness filled his chest so completely it turned into a kind of pain like his heart was swelling until it might burst.
He couldn’t tell if it was pain or happiness anymore.
He felt weightless, floating like a balloon that had risen too high, too full of air, stretched thin, about to pop.
His heart was so full of happiness it might explode.
It left him dazed and helpless.
Something so simple that Gu Heng did, just giving him flowers, was enough to make him feel loved. It made him feel that Gu Heng was truly holding him gently in his palms, cherishing him, loving him.
So this was what it felt like to be someone worthy of love.
To be loved by the person you like, such an unbelievable happiness that it filled his entire being, like a miracle he’d never even dared imagine.
He’d never experienced it before. He hadn’t known. He really hadn’t known.
Zuo Shihuan stood frozen in place, glancing from the flowers to Gu Heng’s nervous, serious face, tears still streaming from his eyes.
“…You don’t like these flowers?”
Seeing Zuo Shihuan still hadn’t accepted them, Gu Heng’s expression dimmed. He lowered his gaze, and his eyes darkened with uncertainty and disappointment. His lips twisted into a bitter half-smile.
“It’s okay. If you don’t like them, I can go exchange them for another kind.”
The moment Zuo Shihuan heard that—
He panicked, quickly clutching the bouquet tightly in his arms, wiping at his tears. “No! Don’t change them! I like them, I like them so, so much!”
So much it felt unreal.
So much it made his heart race.
So much that he knew he’d never forget this flower or the man who had given it to him, nervous and unsure.
“How could I not like flowers you gave me? I’ll treasure them for the rest of my life.”
Zuo Shihuan’s eyes softened, glistening with moisture as he gently cradled the bouquet of golden-orange blooms. He lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss to the petals, his gaze full of tenderness and love.
Seeing this, Gu Heng’s eyes lit up. He finally let out a quiet breath of relief, joy blooming in his chest, Zuo Shihuan really did like them.
But when he watched Zuo Shihuan kiss the flowers so gently, with so much affection, more tender, even, than when he kissed him, Gu Heng couldn’t help feeling a flicker of jealousy.
Even if the object of that kiss was a flower, a flower he himself had given, he still found himself envious.
“As long as you like them,” Gu Heng said quietly, his tone subdued, his lips pressing together.
Zuo Shihuan lifted his eyes slightly, immediately noticing Gu Heng’s tiny mood shift. Smiling, he rose on his toes and brushed a soft kiss against Gu Heng’s lips. His voice was full of affection as he whispered:
“I like the flowers but I like you, who gave them, even more.”
Gu Heng’s eyes lit up at once, a faint blush coloring his face. He rubbed his nose, pretending composure, though the smile tugging at his lips gave away his happiness.
“I like you too,” he murmured. “I just wanted to make you happy when you saw the flowers. When I first saw this kind, you came to mind immediately, the scent reminded me of you. I was going to pick another type at first, but I’m glad you like these.”
He didn’t even realize what he was saying anymore, just spoke from his heart, everything spilling out in a rush.
“I don’t need any other flowers,” Zuo Shihuan said softly, smiling. “This kind is perfect. I love them.”
He gazed tenderly at Gu Heng, whose face was still faintly red, then lifted the bouquet again, brushing the soft petals against his cheek, breathing in their light, elegant fragrance.
As he inhaled, Zuo Shihuan’s eyes flickered in mild surprise. The scent, it felt familiar somehow, though he couldn’t quite place where he’d smelled it before.
“What’s this flower called?” he asked.
Gu Heng replied, “It’s called Apple Country.”
Zuo Shihuan fiddled with the pretty tangerine-colored petals, lowering his head with a smile. “Where did you buy these? They’re so beautiful. I should get some too and put them in a vase at home.”
Gu Heng was silent for a moment before saying, “No need. If you want them later, I’ll buy them for you again.”
But he didn’t say what he was really thinking.
Because Gu Heng was planning to buy out all the flowers of this kind, he didn’t want anyone else to be able to buy them. These flowers were too much like Zuo Shihuan, even the scent resembled his pheromones.
Just the thought of other people buying this flower made Gu Heng’s possessiveness surge; jealousy rose so sharply he wanted to buy back even the flowers that had already been sold.
It was only that even he knew how ridiculous that sounded. In the Federation, he couldn’t just go around making a scene like that, and besides, flowers didn’t last long, their freshness faded quickly.
So he forced down the impulse. But after this, he decided he wouldn’t let these flowers appear on the market again. In the future, Zuo Shihuan probably wouldn’t be able to buy them anymore.
Zuo Shihuan nodded. “Alright then.”
He didn’t think there was any point in fighting over who bought what kind of flower anyway. If he happened to see them in a shop again, he could always just buy another bouquet.
Only, this fragrance…
For some reason, it felt increasingly familiar. Curious, he asked, “The scent is lovely, but I can’t shake the feeling I’ve smelled something like it before.”
Gu Heng cleared his throat lightly, lifted his gaze, and said, “It does smell familiar.”
Zuo Shihuan was surprised. “You think so too?”
Gu Heng suddenly realized how slow Zuo Shihuan could be sometimes. Pressing a finger to his lips, he hesitated, then told the truth: “It’s because the scent is the same kind as your pheromones like the smell of ripe apples.”
Zuo Shihuan lowered his head and sniffed the flowers. “……”
And, sure enough, it really was.
He couldn’t believe he hadn’t noticed until now, he wouldn’t even have realized if Gu Heng hadn’t pointed it out.
But it wasn’t exactly his fault.
After all, he had only recently differentiated as an Alpha, and wasn’t yet used to the fact that he carried his own Alpha pheromone scent. He often used pheromone blockers when going out, so he rarely smelled like anything at all.
No wonder Gu Heng had said that this flower reminded him of him…
A strange, complicated feeling welled up in Zuo Shihuan’s chest. He still liked the flower, but his feelings toward Gu Heng suddenly became… subtle.
Sometimes, he truly thought Gu Heng’s odd behavior made him seem almost like a pervert.
Zuo Shihuan tried hard to overcome that strange impression, convincing himself that maybe it was just because he’d never been in an intimate relationship before, never dated anyone, that ordinary couples simply behaved in ways that might look strange to outsiders.
Thinking about it that way—
Gu Heng giving him flowers was no different from couples exchanging perfumes.
Many Alpha and Omega partners gifted each other perfumes that mimicked their pheromone scents.
Especially when they were apart, during an Alpha or Omega’s susceptible period, when their partner wasn’t around, using a perfume that resembled their partner’s pheromone scent could provide psychological comfort, ease stress, and even help them sleep better.
So this kind of gesture was completely normal.
Zuo Shihuan thought about it for a while and concluded that this was typical couple behavior. Perhaps Gu Heng was subtly expressing closeness, showing that he was drawn to his pheromone scent.
Just like Alpha and Omega couples did.
Even though he and Gu Heng were an Alpha-Beta pairing, different from the usual Alpha-Omega dynamic, there should still be some overlap, right?
As an Alpha, he should make an effort to meet his partner’s needs.
Zuo Shihuan frowned slightly, hesitating, then bit his lip and asked, “Gu Heng, do you… really like the smell of my pheromones that much?”
Gu Heng instinctively tensed.
How could he not like it? He was obsessed, had lost control more than once, nearly exposing his hidden identity as an Alpha. There were times he wanted nothing more than to bare his fangs, sink them into the tender gland at Zuo Shihuan’s neck, and mark him completely.
The ripe, fermented-apple scent of his pheromones constantly lured him, making his throat dry and his Adam’s apple bob uncontrollably. So many times he’d almost lost himself, wanting to bite, to inject his own pheromones, to make Zuo Shihuan his completely.
But he didn’t dare show that side of himself. He had been holding back all along, afraid of scaring Zuo Shihuan.
Gu Heng tactfully asked in return, “Shihuan, why do you ask?”
Zuo Shihuan shook his head. “It’s nothing. I was just curious. My pheromone scent’s pretty ordinary anyway, what’s so special about it?”
“It’s not ordinary!”
The words burst out before Gu Heng could stop himself. Seeing Zuo Shihuan freeze, his ears flushed red, and he looked at him with complete seriousness. “It’s not ordinary at all. Shihuan, your pheromone scent is wonderful. I really, really like it.”
Zuo Shihuan frowned slightly, a touch troubled, his suspicions now completely confirmed.
So Gu Heng truly liked his pheromone scent. Even the flowers he gave him were tied to it.
Was that… like finding a substitute?
He shook his head. No, Gu Heng didn’t seem like he was looking for a replacement. It felt more like some subconscious craving he wasn’t even aware of.
If Gu Heng really wanted to smell it, he could just say so.
As an Alpha, Zuo Shihuan felt he should satisfy his partner’s reasonable needs. Even if Gu Heng’s needs sometimes felt a bit strange or hard to define, since they were already a couple, Zuo Shihuan would learn and try to meet them.
Speaking of which… could Betas even smell Alpha pheromones?
He hesitated.
Then he recalled that some Betas with sensitive noses could indeed distinguish Alpha or Omega pheromones, they just couldn’t release pheromones themselves or mark others. They could only tell whether the scent was pleasant or sharp.
“If you really like it that much, Gu Heng…”
Zuo Shihuan hesitated for a moment, then walked closer to Gu Heng. He slowly lifted a corner of his bathrobe, raised his innocent and shy light brown eyes, looked at Gu Heng, pursed his lips, and whispered shyly to him.
“You can smell my pheromones. I won’t use pheromone blockers at home anymore, so… Gu Heng, you should smell me even more easily now.”
Ambiguous and shy words.
It was as if he was inviting him.
Gu Heng tensed his arms instantly, clenched his teeth, and endured the sweat pouring down his forehead. His blood was surging, and his lower abdomen tightened immediately. He couldn’t control his ugly desires and revealed himself.
He was on the verge of a mental breakdown, screaming in despair.
Did Zuo Shihuan even know what he was saying? Did he even know how dangerous his actions were?
It just happened right in front of him.
He deliberately lifted a corner of his bathrobe, revealing his fair, pinkish-white skin, his alluring neck, his collarbone marked with hickeys, and the faintly visible glands on the back of his neck…
He smelled of minty shower gel.
In his home, after using his bathroom and his shower gel, he felt as if he had washed himself clean and was imbued with the unique scent of his shower gel.
He was actively seducing him.
Inviting him.
The pure white bathrobe slowly slipped off, and Zuo Shihuan raised his bewildered, moist, light brown eyes, seemingly curious as to why he wasn’t moving. Gradually, half of his pink shoulder was revealed, with soft, slightly damp black hair falling over his shoulder, and the budding glands were faintly visible. The faint, sweet scent of apple cider gradually intensified and began to evaporate.
Besides seducing him…
There are no other options, right?
He often looked at him with those innocent, light brown eyes, seducing him, revealing the glands on the back of his neck, and using alluring pheromones to hold his life in his grasp.
He was just toying with him, wasn’t he?
It’s like holding an invisible leash, controlling his lifeline, watching him with red eyes, tormented by surging desires, enduring…
In an instant, Gu Heng’s expression turned icy as he stared at the oblivious Zuo Shihuan. His dark, lustful pupils were deep, glowing red, and revealing his gleaming white canine teeth.
He really wanted to… F*ck him to death.
Pin him against the wall.
F*ck him until he cried.
He wouldn’t let Zuo Shihuan escape. Swallowing the tears that reddened his eyes, they would make love passionately until dawn, until his body was completely stained with his unique scent.
Gu Heng quickly calmed down, merely restraining himself by wrapping his arms around Zuo Shihuan’s waist, his tongue pressing against Zuo Shihuan’s eager canine teeth as he gazed at the bewildered Zuo Shihuan.
His gaze was incredibly deep, yet he asked with a faint smile, “Shihuan, where did you study?”
Zuo Shihuan didn’t answer immediately. He looked down at the large hand on his waist and said in surprise, “Wow, your hand is so hot.”
Through the bathrobe.
Zuo Shihuan felt a sudden burn from something, but when he looked down, he realized it was Gu Heng’s palm. How could his body temperature be so high?
Gu Heng was almost laughing in anger. Zuo Shihuan’s joke completely extinguished his anger.
He quickly gripped Zuo Shihuan’s slender waist, ignoring his shouts, and once again moved closer to Zuo Shihuan’s face, looking into his astonished light brown eyes.
Gu Heng licked his canine teeth and asked angrily in a deep voice, “Where did you learn your seduction techniques?”
Zuo Shihuan frowned and pouted, saying, “Where did I seduce anyone?”
Gu Heng laughed angrily: “Isn’t this considered seduction? You almost seduced me to death, f*ck you to death!”
Zuo Shihuan blushed and then turned pale, saying in embarrassment and anger, “You speak so crudely. I really don’t know who comes from a humble background anymore. Besides, what I did wasn’t seduction, was it…”
Gu Heng gave a cold laugh.
Zuo Shihuan narrowed his eyes unhappily, becoming even more determined in his decision, and said, “You like the smell of my pheromones, and although I don’t know what’s so good about them, as your boyfriend, if you want to smell them, I’ll let you smell them…”
Gu Heng scrutinized the situation carefully for a while and discovered that what Zuo Shihuan said was actually the truth from the bottom of his heart.
He really didn’t think that lifting his bathrobe to let him smell his pheromones was a provocative act, especially since Zuo Shihuan was genuinely letting him smell them, as innocent as smelling flowers, without any ulterior motives.
This left Gu Heng speechless.
Completely baffled by Zuo Shihuan’s thought processes sometimes, the slow-witted and clueless Zuo Shihuan was truly deadly when he tried to seduce people; he almost lost control and turned into a beast.
Zuo Shihuan said with a slightly aggrieved tone, “I really didn’t mean to seduce you. Isn’t this what ordinary couples do? We’ve already done kissing, holding hands, hugging, and so on. There’s nothing wrong with smelling pheromones, right?”
Gu Heng stared intently at Zuo Shihuan, who was speaking righteously in front of him. His canine teeth were pressed against his lower jaw, and he couldn’t help but grind them in anger, cursing under his breath.
And now it’s his fault?!
He couldn’t refute Zuo Shihuan’s words, and what angered him even more was that it seemed to be his fault. It seemed that he was really full of lewd thoughts, which was why he thought that Zuo Shihuan was seducing him.
Zuo Shihuan sighed and continued, “Besides, Gu Heng, you are a Beta. I thought you were just curious about my Alpha pheromones, which is why I let you smell them. But as a Beta, you don’t have to be so particular, unlike Alphas and Omegas who have a special sensitivity to pheromones and can’t release them indiscriminately.”
“Speaking of which, Gu Heng, you can actually smell my pheromones. That’s amazing. Your sense of smell must be one of the most acute among the Betas.” Zuo Shihuan praised Gu Heng, but Gu Heng immediately felt guilty and looked away.
“I usually spray pheromone blockers, so you shouldn’t be able to smell anything. How come you can smell it? Anyway, when I was a Beta, I couldn’t smell the pheromones of other Alphas and Omegas. At most, my nose would feel stuffy and uncomfortable.”
Gu Heng couldn’t explain why he could smell it, and could only cover his face, saying guiltily and ashamedly, “It’s alright, it’s alright…”
The misunderstanding was cleared up.
Zuo Shihuan smiled and asked again, “So, do you still want to smell it?”
This time, Gu Heng dared not have any more fantasies. He covered his burning, slightly red cheeks and glanced at Zuo Shihuan, who was smiling brightly, with puzzled dark eyes.
In the end, he couldn’t resist the temptation.
“Smell.”
Gu Heng gritted his teeth, then buried his face in Zuo Shihuan’s neck as if he were dizzy, hugging his waist and refusing to get up. He inhaled the delicate and alluring apple cider scent emanating from Zuo Shihuan, which was becoming increasingly rich, mature, and sweet, making him feel intoxicated.
He let Zuo Shihuan pat his wet hair and mutter under his breath that only an idiot wouldn’t use an umbrella, and he didn’t want to argue at all.
Let him drown in the fragrance of Zuo Shihuan’s neck, inhaling his boyfriend’s pheromones incessantly.
The scent was so pleasant that he didn’t even want to look up. He didn’t care about seduction anymore; just holding his boyfriend was enough, nothing else mattered…
That was what Gu Heng originally thought.
Until Zuo Shihuan suddenly leaned close to his ear, touched his head, and said something in a slow and casual tone, as if joking.
“Actually, I don’t mind… you f*cking me.”
This immediately snapped Gu Heng back to his senses. His pupils dilated in shock, his mind reeling, as if he were in a daze, unable to believe what he had just heard.
This is something he can be indifferent to.
Gu Heng kept doubting himself, thinking he must have misheard.
Was he just delirious, or was he hallucinating from a perverted thirst, that he heard a voice like Zuo Shihuan saying those absolutely impossible things?
Anyway, Gu Heng doubted himself, doubted all kinds of hallucinations, doubted all kinds of unnatural phenomena, but he never doubted that the usually serious and shy Zuo Shihuan had really said it.
“This should be considered seduction, right?”
Zuo Shihuan’s voice, tinged with laughter, rang out once again.
This time, Gu Heng was certain that he wasn’t hallucinating.
Looking up, Gu Heng saw Zuo Shihuan with a smile in his eyes, holding a bouquet of flowers and gently swaying it, revealing a dimple on one side of his cheek. He seemed to be very proud of himself for having shocked Gu Heng with his words.
Gu Heng stared in astonishment, speechless, his mind still reeling from the shock. He just stared blankly at Zuo Shihuan.
Zuo Shihuan was pleased with himself for turning the tables, his light brown eyes filled with a smug and delighted smile, which he merely concealed with the bouquet of flowers.
Who told Gu Heng to always play such mean tricks on him? Now he’s finally got a fright!
At first, he didn’t intend to tease Gu Heng, but as things unfolded, he couldn’t help but tease Gu Heng. However, he finally understood why Gu Heng always teased him; it was truly addictive.
Zuo Shihuan admired Gu Heng’s shocked expression for a while, still finding it amusing and not yet fully satisfying. He pinched Gu Heng’s surprised cheek and said…
“Are you that surprised?”
Zuo Shihuan tilted his head, looking at Gu Heng with slight puzzlement, and said, “I am a normal adult Alpha man. It’s not like I don’t know anything. Besides, I grew up in those low-level places, so I’ve been exposed to it and know a bit about it. I probably know more than you do.”
What kind of image does he have in Gu Heng’s heart?
Zuo Shihuan was really puzzled and speechless. Was it strange that he, who came from a humble background, would say those things?
Even though he has relearned etiquette and manners since being recognized by the Zuo family, and dresses in a suit and ties to behave politely, it doesn’t mean he will discard all the swear words, slang, and vulgar things he learned in the slums.
Those memories are filled with images of gray, dilapidated slum buildings. The thin walls couldn’t block out any noise. Sitting at home, you could hear the sounds of neighbors cooking, arguing, throwing things, swearing, and moaning in the middle of the night…
Even the most naive and ignorant child, growing up in such a corrupt environment, will learn the foul language and swearing of the slums.
However, Zuo Shihuan was busy making a living and had neither the energy nor the interest in those things, even though many people had invited him to have a casual fling.
But he rejected them all.
How could he possibly be completely ignorant, as Gu Heng thought?
He had enough of this at his usual places. His neighbors were constantly hurling insults and vulgarities, which always disturbed his sleep and affected his work the next day. It’s hard not to understand.
In fact, Zuo Shihuan didn’t really care who was on top or the bottom.
At most, it’s because in people’s minds, Alpha is usually in a superior position, and if he doesn’t follow worldly conventions and rules, Zuo Shihuan will feel uncomfortable and awkward.
Now that things have come to this…
Zuo Shihuan didn’t mind at all. To him, being in a top or bottom position was fine. If Gu Heng wanted him, he could be in a bottom position, just as if Gu Heng wanted to switch places, he could be in a top position.
For him, as long as it’s Gu Heng, that’s enough.
Or rather, he doesn’t want anyone but Gu Heng.
“Shocked for so long? Is it really that strange?”
Zuo Shihuan found it amusing and helpless. He playfully reached out and flicked Gu Heng’s sticking-up black hair, only to find that the rainwater and mud from the soaked hair had splashed onto his hand and bathrobe.
The moment the cleanliness-obsessed Zuo Shihuan’s expression changed, he withdrew his finger in disgust.
He thought he hadn’t been discovered.
The next moment, Gu Heng grabbed his wrist.
Gu Heng smiled meaningfully: “Since you, Shihuan, have invited me so warmly, how could I refuse?”
Zuo Shihuan suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He tried to pull his wrist away from the grip, and quietly moved his heel back a little, saying, “No need, Gu Heng, you’re all soaked. You should take a hot shower first.”
Unfortunately, the wrist couldn’t be pulled out.
Watching Gu Heng raise his eyebrows and approach step by step, he said with a smile, “I will definitely take a bath, but… since you, Zuo Shihuan, have invited me so kindly, how can I refuse? Why don’t you come with me to take another bath?”
Suddenly, Zuo Shihuan felt a major crisis approaching.
Sure enough.
Gu Heng lifted him up at the waist, smiling at him as he said, “No need to be polite. As your boyfriend, I’ll reciprocate properly and take care of you.”
“No! I’ve already showered once, I’m perfectly clean, I don’t want to wash again—”
Zuo Shihuan struggled with all his might, kicking his legs wildly, but there was no sign of breaking free from Gu Heng’s strong, steady arms.
“Shihuan, weren’t you just complaining that I was all wet from the rain, dirtying your hands? Well, now’s perfect. Another wash will make you even cleaner.”
Gu Heng smiled, exposing Zuo Shihuan’s earlier slight complaint for all to see.
Feeling guilty, Zuo Shihuan looked away for a moment, then quickly continued struggling: “You can’t blame me. I’ve already washed once, I don’t want to do it again. I’m tired… Actually, I’ve had a long day and need to sleep. I’m exhausted! Let me go to the bedroom!”
“Sleep?”
“Yes! Sleep! Put me down, I need to go sleep!”
Gu Heng let out a cold laugh. “Weren’t you sleeping in the bathroom just now?”
Zuo Shihuan was startled. “How did you know I fell asleep?!”
Gu Heng tugged at the corner of his mouth, giving no answer, and ignored Zuo Shihuan’s struggles. Holding him at the waist, he walked step by step toward the bathroom.
“I don’t want to wash again! I finally got clean! You, Gu Heng, go wash yourself—”
“Too late!”
Their bickering continued all the way.
Despite the struggle, one person never let go of the bouquet of flowers, golden-orange petals falling along the way.
***
Bathroom.
The door slammed shut.
Zuo Shihuan sat on the sink counter, arms crossed, the golden-orange bouquet beside him, glaring down at the unmoved Gu Heng.
Angrily, he kicked at him with his leg.
Unexpectedly, Gu Heng didn’t dodge. He allowed Zuo Shihuan to kick, knowing he wouldn’t actually hurt him.
Gu Heng’s calm tolerance softened Zuo Shihuan’s angry expression. Hesitant, he lightly kicked again and tested a step on Gu Heng’s thigh.
Seeing no reaction and a faint smile on Gu Heng’s face, Zuo Shihuan finally felt bored and withdrew his foot.
Now it was Gu Heng’s turn to settle the score.
Gu Heng raised an eyebrow, placed his palms on either side of Zuo Shihuan, and looked into his eyes with a meaningful smile. “You had fun teasing me just now, didn’t you?”
Zuo Shihuan, feeling guilty, looked away and crossed his arms defensively. “Same to you. You teased me like that before. I was just following your example!”
Gu Heng narrowed his dark eyes, not angry at all, and clapped lightly with a soft laugh. “Makes sense. Why don’t you continue learning? Tell me again exactly what you just said.”
Seeing Gu Heng’s sly, dangerous expression, Zuo Shihuan’s heart leapt. He dared not repeat the teasing words and quickly said, “I forgot! It’s been so long, I don’t remember what I said.”
“Forgot? Seems I can’t force you to remember.”
“Exactly! I forgot. Now move aside and let me out of the bathroom!”
Gu Heng had no intention of stepping aside. On the contrary, he pressed his hands against the sides of Zuo Shihuan’s body, blocking his escape.
With a sly smile, he said, “Then let me teach you something you can remember. Shihuan, did you just ask me where the shower controls are? I’ll show you, right here—”
Suddenly.
Bang.
Gu Heng raised one arm, pinning Zuo Shihuan against the sink, the other hand covering the large mirror behind him.
The mirror emitted a faint blue glow.
A robotic voice sounded:
“Bathroom access confirmed. Please select a shower mode: standard, half-coverage, full rainforest mode…”
Zuo Shihuan swallowed nervously, eyes wide, staring at Gu Heng above him. Seeing his calm, smiling black eyes sent chills down his spine.
He felt like a fish on a chopping board.
“Shihuan, which shower mode do you want?”
Gu Heng’s voice was magnetic and gentle, yet Zuo Shihuan felt even more uneasy. He clutched his robe, conserving all coverage, unwilling to provoke Gu Heng further.
“I don’t want any. I’ve already showered,” he said cautiously.
“Then how about rainforest mode? The whole bathroom will feel like it’s raining. Very fun.”
Gu Heng selected the rainforest mode, ignoring Zuo Shihuan’s protest.
Soon, the entire bathroom filled with warm mist.
Water cascaded from above, splashing everywhere, just like rain. Zuo Shihuan tried to block it, but in no time, his robe was soaked. He lowered his head, frustrated, glancing at Gu Heng with a resentful look.
“Wasn’t it supposed to be a shower?”
Gu Heng smiled warmly. He shrugged off his jacket and removed his tight black shirt, revealing his toned abs and defined torso, a display of masculine strength and beauty.
Zuo Shihuan was instantly flustered, unsure where to look.
Blushing, he turned his head away, yet he could still hear the sound of Gu Heng removing his clothes, zipper and all.
Finally, there were no sounds.
Zuo Shihuan’s face flushed red, but he dared not look at Gu Heng again.
Because at this moment, Gu Heng was completely nak*d, his strong arms bent down on either side of him, whispering something intimately and hoarsely in his ear.
“Why are you so timid now, not daring to open your eyes and look at me? Weren’t you just teasing me so boldly?”
Zuo Shihuan blushed, closed his eyes, and looked up, saying, “I…I’ll apologize to you, okay? I won’t do it again.”
Gu Heng sneered, “Too late!”
Zuo Shihuan knew he was beyond saving and had completely lost all hope. He stubbornly closed his eyes, determined never to open them again.
He realized Zuo Shihuan’s intention to rebel.
Gu Heng calmly embraced Zuo Shihuan. The moment Gu Heng touched Zuo Shihuan’s bare, smooth skin, Zuo Shihuan immediately shrank back in fear, keeping his eyes tightly closed.
“Shihuan, do you really think this will work against me?” Gu Heng said with a slight troubled expression, then laughed nervously twice the next second.
Zuo Shihuan could neither see nor hear it, but a chill ran down his spine, as if he had a terrible premonition.
As expected.
Suddenly, a pair of warm hands touched his waist.
It wasn’t doing anything, it was just tickling him.
Zuo Shihuan was initially relieved, thinking he could tolerate the tickling, but he soon realized he was very wrong.
They couldn’t resist Gu Heng’s tickling at all.
Zuo Shihuan’s face turned red, and he gritted his teeth, trying not to laugh. He endured it until he was bent over, but when Gu Heng tickled his skin, he finally couldn’t hold back and opened his eyes to laugh out loud.
“Hmm, hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha————”
Zuo Shihuan laughed until tears streamed down his face. He bent down and reached out to stop Gu Heng from tickling him, not even bothering to close his eyes. The tickling made him open his eyes wide and try to push Gu Heng away.
“Stop tickling me, hahahahaha, it tickles so much, you jerk! Let go of me, hahahahahaha—”
Clearly, Gu Heng wanted to teach Zuo Shihuan a lesson this time.
It didn’t stop.
It wasn’t until Zuo Shihuan, with red, teary eyes and a pitiful expression, apologized to Gu Heng while hiccuping from exhaustion, that Gu Heng seemed to finally be moved.
Gu Heng barely managed to stop. Hereached out and wiped away the tears from Zuo Shihuan’s red eyes, then gently kissed his lips and said, “I can’t bear to do anything too harsh to you, Shihuan, but this is still acceptable.”
Exhausted and too tired to speak, Zuo Shihuan looked up at Gu Heng, who was now as gentle as a devil, with a mournful expression, and finally leaned against Gu Heng’s chest as if admitting defeat.
“You are a despicable b*stard.”
Gu Heng, who was scolded, was not angry. He picked up Zuo Shihuan, who was leaning against him, and gently put him into the bathtub. He stroked Zuo Shihuan’s flushed face and said with a smile.
“So I’m a jerk you like, right—”
Zuo Shihuan blushed and couldn’t refute.
Finally, they were dragged into the bathtub.
He was kissed deeply.
His heart was filled with Gu Heng’s presence, as if he couldn’t escape anywhere. His waist was firmly gripped, and the water in the bathtub splashed and rippled as he struggled.
The bath towel was soaked.
It was taken off again.
Golden-orange rose petals fell one by one, merging into the bathtub of water. The juice from the petals was kneaded and seeped out, flowing onto smooth, fair skin.
He didn’t know how much time had passed.
Suddenly, he was picked up and taken out of the warm bathtub water.
Zuo Shihuan felt a chill run down his spine, and looked at Gu Heng, who was holding him, with eyes full of spring-like longing: “No… shall we continue?”
Gu Heng placed a kiss on his forehead and said gently, “I still hope that our first time will be in the bedroom, and I’m worried that you’ll catch a cold.”
Zuo Shihuan nodded in a daze, and Gu Heng carried him away.
But just before leaving.
He saw the bouquet of flowers Gu Heng had given him, left all alone in the bathroom.
Zuo Shihuan couldn’t help but shout, patting Gu Heng’s arm: “Flower—flower flower—”
Gu Heng quickly turned back and reassured him, “Okay, okay, I’ll go get it right away.”
***
Along the way.
It wasn’t enough that Gu Heng was holding the person in his arms; he also had to hold the flowers that someone wanted in one hand.
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