The hot springs inn was enormous and designed in a Japanese style. Each room was made of wood, with warm lanterns hanging by the doors. The long corridor was quiet; the courtyard was filled with blooming trees, and the paths were paved with smooth white pebbles.
Their two rooms were side by side.
A staff member led them in and opened the door. “This is your room. There’s a map inside. You’ve purchased the full-access pass, so you can visit any part of the inn.”
Following behind Shen Shi, Ye Ran entered the room. There was a small courtyard out back, a private hot spring pool, steam curling gently above it.
Inside, there were two beds — one by the wall, one facing the back door. The warm orange lighting gave the room a cozy atmosphere. Ye Ran had just sat down when his phone rang, a call from Little Fatty.
“Ye Ran! Let’s go soak in the hot springs!” came the excited voice.
“Right now?” Ye Ran looked toward Shen Shi, his tone slightly hesitant.
Shen Shi picked up a clean bathrobe from the chair and handed it to him casually. “Mm. I booked a private pool.”
Ye Ran took the robe and nodded. On the phone, Little Fatty was urging them, “Yeah! The staff said our pool’s ready, we can head over anytime.”
“I can’t wait!” he said eagerly. Brother Shu’s voice chimed in too: “D*mn! This beats a foot soak any day!”
“You were just bragging about how good foot baths are.”
“That’s different! Hot springs have health benefits: promote circulation, relax the body—”
Ye Ran laughed and hung up. Without delay, he took his bathrobe and went into the bathroom.
The robe fit just right, falling to his knees. When he came out, he looked up and saw Shen Shi standing in the center of the room.
Shen Shi had also changed. He was bowing his head slightly, tying his belt. Under the dim amber light, his tall, lean frame was sharply outlined; his dark eyes and tousled hair gave off a cool, unhurried aura. When he lifted his eyelids to glance over, his gaze deepened to an inky black.
Ye Ran froze a little under that look.
After a few seconds, he cleared his throat and carefully sidestepped around Shen Shi to hang his clothes on the rack.
“Let’s go,” he said when done, adding softly, “Little Fatty and the others are waiting outside.”
Shen Shi withdrew his gaze unhurriedly. “Let’s go.”
Outside, Little Fatty and Brother Shu were already in white bathrobes. Other guests passed in the corridor — families with children, young couples.
Once they gathered, Little Fatty led the group with the map in hand.
The private pools were on higher ground. The mountain air was cool, mist rising faintly from countless steaming baths. Even in the cold season, the warmth made it feel like spring.
Each pool was spaced apart for privacy. The one Shen Shi had booked was large enough to fit about ten people. They washed first, then slowly entered the water to adjust.
“Ahh…” Little Fatty leaned against the stone edge, hands splayed, eyes half-closed in bliss. “This is the life!”
Brother Shu had taken off his glasses and could barely see nearby. Two splashing sounds came from his side. When he turned, he realized Shen Shi and Ye Ran had drifted a bit farther away.
Ah, young couples. He understood.
Yawning, he started chatting idly with Little Fatty.
…
The soaked robes clung to their skin. The water was hot and soothing. Through the mist, Ye Ran tilted his head upward, the night sky above was clear and full of stars. He found himself subconsciously thinking about composition and color palettes.
“What are you thinking about?” came Shen Shi’s low, slightly hoarse voice beside him.
Ye Ran blinked and turned to look.
Shen Shi lounged lazily against the stone edge, both arms resting behind him. The steam had dampened his black hair; the sharp lines of his face seemed softened by the haze. He was watching Ye Ran quietly, waiting for his reply.
Ye Ran said, “The scenery here is really nice.”
The night sky in the city and the one in the mountains were worlds apart — the stars scattered like brushstrokes on a minimalist painting.
A tall old tree extended over the spring, its branches swaying gently in the breeze.
Shen Shi said, “If you like it, I’ll bring you here again next time.”
“No need,” Ye Ran smiled. “I’ve already memorized it.”
The spring water gurgled softly.
From the next pool over, separated by a screen, came the cheerful laughter of children, a sound that made the atmosphere even lighter.
Suddenly, Little Fatty said, “Hey, why don’t we play a game?”
“What game?” Brother Shu, half-asleep from the heat, closed his eyes in comfort. “Just soak quietly. Empty your mind. Feel the unity between body and spring, that’s how you achieve true harmony.”
Little Fatty: “?”
Little Fatty: “And what’s the point of achieving harmony with a spring?”
“It makes the ticket worth it,” Brother Shu said solemnly.
“…That makes so much sense.”
Little Fatty immediately shut his eyes. “You’re right, d*mn, these tickets cost four digits each.”
Brother Shu clicked his tongue. “Don’t curse. Let the spring cleanse the filth in your soul.”
Little Fatty, suddenly serious: “Okay.”
He slid lower into the water and kicked something.
“Sh*t!”
Before he could react, Brother Shu suddenly opened his eyes wide and glared at him. “What the h*ll did you kick me for?”
Little Fatty: “…”
“Sorry,” he muttered, retracting his foot, then added quietly, “Don’t swear, the spring can hear you.”
Ye Ran couldn’t help but laugh at them.
Beside him, Shen Shi tilted his head slightly, his gaze lowered, quietly landing on Ye Ran.
Just then, the wooden door slid open. A woman in a kimono entered gracefully, carrying a wooden tray filled with fruits and drinks. Without lifting her eyes, she placed the tray on the water’s surface and slipped out silently.
The tray floated toward the group with the current.
It was thick and sturdy, topped with a fruit platter chilled with crushed ice. Next to it sat three clear long-necked glass bottles, their openings releasing a faint, sweet aroma of alcohol.
“Plum wine and…” Little Fatty read the labels aloud. “Liqueur and a bottle of mineral water.”
All of them were low in alcohol, more like flavored drinks than real liquor.
The bottles were well chilled; when poured into the small glasses, they immediately frosted with a light mist.
Ye Ran took a sip of plum wine; it was sweet and mellow, not strong at all, and surprisingly good.
The cool liquid balanced the heat from the spring perfectly. Without realizing it, he had downed two glasses. Gradually, the chatter faded, even Little Fatty fell silent, sinking into rare tranquility.
Ye Ran felt light-headed, his vision hazy through the mist, his limbs loose and comfortably weak.
The spring water lapped gently around him.
He lifted the bottle, poured himself another glass, and added two pieces of ice from the tray.
He sipped slowly, each taste softer than the last. Moments later, when he looked down again, his glass was gently taken from his hand.
Through the hazy steam, Shen Shi’s dark eyes lowered. “You shouldn’t drink any more,” he said, his tone calm but firm.
Ye Ran blinked, then obediently murmured, “Okay.”
He wasn’t drunk, just slow to react, eyelids drooping sleepily.
After a pause, he watched Shen Shi set the glass back on the tray. Only then did he seem to process what had happened and ask softly, “Do you want to drink it?”
Shen Shi looked at him.
Ye Ran met his gaze. His eyes were flushed red from the steam, lashes wet and clumped together like damp feathers. His lips were rosy, his dark pupils bright and clear, so clear that one could see straight through them.
“If you don’t want it,” Ye Ran asked tentatively, “can I finish it?”
…
The atmosphere went completely still.
Shen Shi’s eyes lowered, unreadable emotions flickering beneath them.
After a brief silence, he lifted the glass and downed the remaining wine in one smooth motion. With a soft clink, he set it aside, then leaned toward Ye Ran. The air between them grew heavy with heat, his shadow falling over Ye Ran, close and solid, impossible to ignore.
Ye Ran looked up at him, dazed.
Then Shen Shi took his hand and pulled him up.
The water splashed loudly, ripples spreading outward, the wooden tray bobbing and drifting toward Little Fatty and Brother Shu.
Water streamed down Ye Ran’s legs, soaking the hem of his robe. Shen Shi stepped out first, picked up a clean robe from the side, and asked, “Do you want me to help you change, or will you do it yourself?”
Ye Ran, a beat slow, took the robe. “…I’ll do it myself.”
They both changed almost at the same time.
Ye Ran was still foggy-headed, but subconsciously didn’t want to trouble anyone. Once dressed, he let Shen Shi take his hand again and lead him out of the private pool.
It was only a little past eight. A timer by the pool entrance ticked steadily. Once their session ended, staff would come by to check.
The plum wine wasn’t strong, less alcoholic than cola for most people. But Ye Ran’s tolerance was low; two glasses were enough to make him tipsy.
When they returned to the room, his gaze immediately caught on the small hot spring in the backyard, steam rising softly from its surface, connected to the main spring outside, looking just big enough for two or three people. Warm and inviting.
Behind him, Shen Shi’s voice sounded. “If you want to soak again, go ahead.”
Ye Ran turned to look at him, hesitating. “…Are you coming?”
The room lights were off, the only illumination a faint yellow glow from outside.
Shen Shi’s face was half-hidden in the shadows. After a brief glance at Ye Ran, he said, “I’ll join.”
Only then did Ye Ran relax. Still in his bathrobe, he stepped into the backyard and tested the water with his hand.
It was perfect. He closed his eyes in contentment and slowly sank in.
A moment later, Shen Shi entered the water as well — the surface rippled gently.
Ye Ran opened his eyes and glimpsed, through the mist, a tall, lean silhouette.
…Shen Shi wasn’t wearing his bathrobe.
He realized it belatedly.
The familiar wooden tray floated toward them, identical to the one from before. Still a little dazed, Ye Ran picked up two ice cubes, dropped them into his glass, and took another sip of the sweet, chilled plum wine.
Time stretched softly.
His mind grew hazy, eyelids drooping; his inner double-lids evened out into single folds from the weight. The corners of his long eyes curved slightly upward, tinted red by the steam.
Gradually, he sank deeper into the water, until only his nose and eyes peeked above the surface.
Across from him, Shen Shi’s face was blurred by the mist. He took one glass after another, his gaze distant, posture relaxed.
After a few seconds of silence, Shen Shi broke it. “Ye Ran.”
Leaning lazily against the stone edge, he turned his head. “Want to play a game?”
A game?
Ye Ran stared blankly for two seconds before processing his words. Then, sluggishly, he nodded. “…Oh. Okay.”
The water rippled softly as waves spread through the pool.
A shadow fell beside him, Shen Shi had sat down. He was very close, one arm casually propped behind Ye Ran, his broad chest warm and firm, the lines of his muscles distinct, smooth, and powerful.
Ye Ran suddenly felt a wave of unease. Even with his head dizzy and fuzzy, he could still clearly understand Shen Shi’s body language.
At this distance… it felt like Shen Shi was going to kiss him.
He wanted to get up and leave. His instincts urged him to move, but Shen Shi’s calm voice came instead—unhurried and steady. “Then let’s play a riddle game.”
He turned his head slightly, looking at him as if asking for permission. “Okay?”
Ye Ran didn’t move, his voice barely audible. “…I—I don’t want to…”
Shen Shi asked patiently, “Don’t want what?”
“I don’t want to play.” He forced himself to say it, though for some reason, he didn’t dare look at Shen Shi.
It was like how herbivores are naturally afraid of predators.
Shen Shi, on ordinary days, would sometimes reveal a sharp, almost predatory dominance and back then Ye Ran could hardly handle it, let alone now.
Hearing him, Shen Shi gave a small nod. His eyes darkened—his pupils deep, pure black, cold and indifferent. His voice was even, almost factual. “Then what, you want me to just kiss you directly?”
Ye Ran froze, stammering, “N-no, I just don’t want to play—”
A shadow fell over his face.
Hot breath brushed against his lips, and the next moment, their mouths met. Ye Ran’s shoulders jerked as he trembled, his tongue caught and drawn into the kiss, sucked and teased again and again. The sound of it melted into the soft trickle of the spring nearby.
Shen Shi’s eyes were lowered, kissing him deeply. His Adam’s apple slid slightly, as though swallowing something down.
Every time Shen Shi kissed him, Ye Ran couldn’t breathe.
This time was no different. His breathing turned erratic, lashes damp from the mist that welled in his eyes, fluttering helplessly. His lips couldn’t even close properly, and when Shen Shi finally let him go, he sat there blankly, gasping one breath after another, his wet eyes unfocused as they stared at the water.
Shen Shi’s low, hoarse voice sounded again. “Want to play a game?”
Ye Ran closed his mouth. There was a faint taste of wine, Shen Shi had passed it to him. His fingertips still trembled. Obediently, he whispered, “…Play.”
Shen Shi reached out, ruffling his hair. “Good. First question, what can cats not eat?”
Ye Ran was stunned.
What cats can’t eat—what did that have to do with riddles?
He racked his already muddled brain, still foggy from that kiss. And then Shen Shi said, lightly, “If you get it right, there’s a reward.”
A reward?
Ye Ran went quiet for a few seconds, then glanced around the room and said guiltily, “They can’t eat… phones.”
Cats can’t eat phones.
Yes, that sounded right.
He gave himself a silent pat on the back. When Shen Shi didn’t respond right away, Ye Ran grew uneasy and lifted his eyes, only to see a faint smile flickering in Shen Shi’s gaze.
Shen Shi’s lips curved slightly. Looking down at him, he nodded. “That’s right.”
Ye Ran secretly let out a breath of relief.
“Then… what about the reward for—”
Before he finished, Shen Shi naturally picked up an ice cube from the wooden tray and put it in his mouth.
Ye Ran blinked. “…Are you thirsty?”
There was no answer. Shen Shi bent closer—his sharply defined features filled Ye Ran’s vision—and their lips met again.
The chill of the ice brushed against his swollen tongue. Ye Ran shivered, his lashes wet and trembling. He tried to pull back, but Shen Shi’s hand held his waist with just enough strength to stop him, forcing him to bear the cold, fierce kiss.
The sound of the kiss echoed clearly by his ear, and Shen Shi’s Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed.
When he was finally released, the corners of Ye Ran’s eyes were flushed, his lips parted slightly as he gasped for breath. His gaze was dazed and unfocused; the tip of his tongue was a deep shade of red—soft, delicate, as if it could be taken into that mouth again and savored.
“Second question,” Shen Shi’s voice came with a faint trace of laughter, making Ye Ran’s lashes tremble. “What can cats eat?”
Ye Ran: “……”
What… what can cats eat?
He squinted slightly, his mind already fogged from the wine and now completely muddled from the kissing. After a few seconds, his eyelids drooped weakly. “…Sorry, I don’t know.”
“Then I’ll give you a kiss.” Shen Shi’s voice was soft, deliberate.
The laughter at his ear grew clearer.
Shen Shi chuckled lowly.
“Splash—”
In the next instant, the water surged loudly.
Shen Shi had lifted him out of the hot spring, holding him in his arms.
Shen Shi’s voice brushed against his ear, gentle and low. “You can’t soak too long in the hot spring. We’ll come back tomorrow.”
Ye Ran slowly closed his mouth. His long, slender phoenix eyes were misty, tinted with a deep red at the corners. He swallowed, his fingertips still faintly tingling.
…No more soaking.
He stayed still, thinking carefully to himself—
Never again.
Shen Shi—
He’s nothing like the person Ye Ran once thought he was.
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