Are All You Straight Guys Like This Chapter 58

Ye Ran felt like he was drowning.

All around him was boiling, suffocating seawater.

His pupils were unfocused and dazed, long lashes soaked and heavy, moisture constantly seeping from the corners of his eyes, darkening his thick lashes to an inky black. His lips trembled faintly, parted but unable to close, as if he were biting down on something, unable to breathe, unable to speak. His lips, flushed and trembling, glistened with a sheen of moisture that slipped down his chin, drop by drop.

He trembled violently, gasping in shallow breaths, not daring to make a sound. His small throat moved as he swallowed, letting out a few stifled sobs and muffled whimpers.

The flush spread from his neck to the tips of his ears; sweat dampened his skin as though he were being completely submerged in seawater.

His fingers drifted weakly through the current, pale knuckles strained to the limit, until suddenly another hand caught his own, their fingers interlacing tightly.

His gaze jolted.

For a long moment he stared blankly into space, then slowly, very slowly, his lashes fell. His blurred vision landed on the dim glow of the digital clock.

—— 2:20 a.m.

He had only slept for half an hour.

Behind him, the man leaned against his shoulder, eyelids half-lowered. His breath was low and unhurried, the hoarse voice of someone half-asleep murmuring lazily, full of indulgent satisfaction:

“Good boy.”

“Baby, you were so good.”

***

The nightmare lasted until after three in the morning.

Ye Ran dozed fitfully in Shen Shi’s arms, sleeping straight through until nine o’clock the following night.

When he woke, the room was completely dark.

The hotel room was a mess. The air still held traces of something heavy. Through the half-drawn curtains, the city lights flickered. He stared at them blankly for a long while before his eyes burned, forcing him to look away.

Apart from the hum of the air conditioner, there was only the patter of rain outside.

The drizzle hadn’t stopped; streaks of rain blurred the glow of the city below.

As his senses slowly returned, Ye Ran’s breathing hitched. His swollen eyelids fluttered faintly as he drew a shaky breath. His voice was hoarse, so hoarse even he couldn’t bear to hear it as he pushed weakly at Shen Shi’s shoulder.

“…Let go.”

A low, husky laugh echoed by his ear.

Warm air brushed his earlobe. Shen Shi, who had clearly been awake, lazily lifted his hand, sliding it upward to rest on Ye Ran’s waist.

Ye Ran froze, burying his flushed face against Shen Shi’s shoulder, his breath trembling and unsteady. Muffled against his skin, he whispered, “You… stay away from me.”

Shen Shi lowered his head to kiss the curve of his ear. His half-lidded eyes were dark and satisfied like a satiated beast with its mate beside it.

“If I stay away, you’ll—” he said vaguely, not finishing the thought.

Ye Ran didn’t understand but still felt uneasy. When he looked up at Shen Shi, his waist suddenly gave out with a sharp ache. He bit his lip, flustered and indignant, eyes growing wet with restrained tears. In a soft, hoarse voice edged with accusation, he said,

“…I won’t!”

He felt deeply provoked.

Last night, Shen Shi had been merciless. Even after it was over, he’d held Ye Ran close all night, still holding him tight now, to the point Ye Ran could barely breathe.

After a pause, Shen Shi chuckled, his tone calm and gentle.

“It’s fine.”

He slowly drew back, his gaze never leaving Ye Ran’s face that flushed, dazed expression glowing faintly in the dark. His eyes were deep, as if engraving the image into memory.

A sheen of sweat glistened over Ye Ran’s face, blurring his brows and lips. His soft, red lips parted slightly, breathing out shallow, uneven air, sweet, like a fruit bursting with ripened juice.

“Baby,” Shen Shi murmured casually, lifting Ye Ran’s chin, and leaned in for a morning kiss.

….

Ten minutes later.

Ye Ran leaned weakly against the headboard, the shimmer of tears still clinging to his lashes. Shen Shi rolled out of bed, casually pulling on a pair of gray sweatpants from the messy carpet. They hung loosely around his waist, half-hiding the taut lines of his abdomen.

He glanced around the room but didn’t find a clean shirt. His eyes landed on the dress shirt Ye Ran had bitten all night, its fabric stiff where the saliva had dried from the heater’s warmth.

The corner of his mouth curved faintly, though he quickly hid it as a knock sounded at the door.

Ye Ran jolted upright, clutching the blanket around himself, eyes wide. “…Who is it?”

The blanket only reached his shoulders. His fair neck was covered in faint, uneven marks, traces of where Shen Shi had kissed him for too long.

Shen Shi’s throat tightened; he looked away quickly, forcing himself not to stare.

“Room check,” he said.

Ye Ran blinked. “Room check?”

“For people like us renting by the night. If the police ask who I am, just tell them the truth,” Shen Shi said casually.

Ye Ran froze for a good five seconds.

Then he gasped, clutching the blanket tighter in confusion and alarm. “…Police? There are police?”

What did that mean?

Was this hotel… involved in something illegal?!

“Yeah,” Shen Shi replied without much concern, walking to open the door. “Don’t worry. It’s fine.”

“…Wait—Shen Shi!” Ye Ran’s eyes flew wide as he immediately stopped him, staring in disbelief. “You’re just going to open the door like that?”

No shirt. Bare chest.

Anyone who saw would think him utterly shameless.

Shen Shi said, “I don’t mind.”

Who cares if you mind or not!

Ye Ran nearly saw black spots. “…No! Shen Shi, don’t—”

Before he could finish, Shen Shi leisurely opened the door.

With a crisp click, Ye Ran, dazed, could already picture tomorrow’s morning news headline:

—[Male university student flagrantly violates public decency; scandalous conduct shocks the city!]

The next second, a cheerful mechanical voice rang out.

“Ding——Guest, your two servings of rice porridge have been delivered! Can Little Mi get a five-star rating?”

Ye Ran: “?”

He blinked blankly toward the doorway. Standing there was a half-human-tall robot, its body made up of four stacked compartments, each with a built-in warming system. The display screen showed a big “^v^” face, with a line of bold text beneath it:

—Dear guest, please rate this service.

Shen Shi lifted a long finger and tapped five stars.

The little robot spun in delight, virtual confetti bursting across its screen, and replied in the same cutesy mechanical tone: “Thank you! Little Mi can earn a drumstick this month~”

Ye Ran: “…”

Expressionless, he watched Shen Shi close the door and return, carrying the two bowls of porridge.

Shen Shi set the bowls down on the bedside table but didn’t bother with them yet. Instead, he climbed onto the bed, pressing his legs against the soft quilt, and laughed lowly as he kissed Ye Ran’s brow and eyes.

“Get up and have some porridge. You can sleep again after.”

Ye Ran didn’t want to respond, but now that the drowsiness had lifted, hunger crept in.

His stomach grumbled twice. Shen Shi immediately got out of bed and opened the porridge containers.

“I’ll feed you.”

Ye Ran’s limbs felt weak and powerless.

He opened his mouth for a spoonful, then blinked. “It’s a little sweet.”

“I asked them to add some sugar,” Shen Shi said.

The sweetness soothed Ye Ran’s mood.

He quietly finished the entire bowl. Shen Shi poured the remaining bit into his own bowl and drank it all in a few gulps.

He ate fast.

Afterwards, he helped Ye Ran out of bed so they could wash up together.

By the time they finished showering, it was already eleven at night.

Shen Shi dried Ye Ran’s hair; the soft strands fell neatly across the pillow. Only a single wall lamp was on, casting warm golden light. Shen Shi leaned against the headboard, phone in hand, swiftly replying to messages.

His posture was relaxed, demeanor calm. One hand absentmindedly kneaded Ye Ran’s lower back, easing the tension in his muscles. Ye Ran felt comfortable and couldn’t help but close his eyes.

Then, a quiet chuckle reached his ears.

Shen Shi looked down at him, eyes dark and gentle, a faint mischievousness lurking beneath that calm. That face, for a brief moment, bewitched Ye Ran enough that he drowsily returned a short kiss.

After the kiss, Ye Ran’s heart grew heavier.

Last night, he’d been coaxed just like this from the window all the way to the bed.

The bed now had new sheets and covers. The housekeeping staff had changed them while they showered, leaving a faint chamomile scent in the air.

Ye Ran’s voice was soft, uncertain. “Shen Shi, when are we going back to school?”

It was already Saturday evening.

He had no class Monday morning, but Shen Shi did.

“Whenever you want,” Shen Shi said. “You decide.”

“Tomorrow morning, okay?” Ye Ran asked quietly.

“Okay.” Shen Shi turned off the light, set his phone aside, and slipped under the blanket. His hand still massaged Ye Ran’s waist gently, just enough pressure to be comfortable. As Ye Ran drifted toward sleep, he heard Shen Shi’s voice, light but clear:

“Then next Thursday, we’ll come again.”

Ye Ran instantly jolted awake, all sleep gone.

He swallowed. “Next Thursday… I might have to go home.”

“Home?” Shen Shi asked. “When will you be back?”

“Sunday night, maybe,” Ye Ran said, forcing the words out.

“Oh.” Shen Shi sounded utterly unconcerned. “Then we’ll come the Thursday after that.”

Ye Ran unconsciously curled up. From Shen Shi’s calm tone, he could still hear that thick, sticky undertone of desire.

Shen Shi wanted to sleep with him again.

Every week.

Ye Ran’s ears burned. The warmth beneath the blanket made him sweat. “…Don’t be like that.”

Shen Shi hummed softly. “Like what?”

Ye Ran couldn’t help glancing up and met Shen Shi’s gaze head-on.

Those eyes were deep, dark, impossible to read like still ocean water in the dead of night. They pinned him in place. Then Shen Shi smiled faintly and asked, almost teasingly,

“Baby, you’re not thinking of running again, are you?”

That word run  sent a pang straight through Ye Ran’s chest.

He almost flinched at the sound of it.

“I’m not.” He ducked under the blanket, his voice muffled.

In the darkness, Shen Shi also slipped under the blanket, finding Ye Ran’s face with uncanny precision. He brushed his nose against him, fingers gentle as they rubbed his waist just like the most tender moments of last night.

By his ear, Shen Shi murmured, “You’d better not.”

“You know,” his tone carried a soft laugh, “you can’t run away from me.”

Ye Ran fell silent for a moment, startled by the words.

But Shen Shi’s voice quickly returned to normal, smooth and tender as ever.

“Did I make you uncomfortable yesterday?” he asked.

Ye Ran’s thoughts were pulled away, and he nodded faintly under the blanket, gaining courage from the darkness to whisper in a small, hoarse voice,

“…Yeah. I’m uncomfortable.”

“Where is it uncomfortable?” Shen Shi asked patiently.

Ye Ran listed them one by one: “My mouth, my waist, and down there, everything hurts.”

“Then next time I’ll be gentler.”

Ye Ran was long past the age where he’d be fooled by a man. He would never again believe anything Shen Shi said in bed. Hearing that, he simply turned over silently: “I don’t believe you.”

Halfway through turning, Shen Shi pinned his waist and flipped him back: “Then what would make you believe me?”

Ye Ran was stumped. How were they supposed to talk about trust in matters like this?

Shen Shi asked seriously, “Want to try doing it again?”

Ye Ran: “……”

Ye Ran: “…………”

Ye Ran: “Be good. Sleep.”

Shen Shi let out a muffled laugh, unable to hold it in, kissing the dimples forming on Ye Ran’s cheeks.

Ye Ran’s cheeks were very soft, as delicate and flawless as white porcelain glaze.

When kissed, they would briefly turn red, and with a little suck, two tiny marks would appear, fading quickly, but Shen Shi never tired of it.

Ye Ran was kissed until he started laughing, warm and soft laughter muffled under the blanket as he hid from him.

“No more kissing.”

Shen Shi: “Just one.”

“Not even one.”

“Baby, good baby—” After he’d gotten a taste of things, Shen Shi could say anything. Before, he would at least hold back a little, murmuring low at Ye Ran’s ear. Now he could say it with a straight face, not too loud, not too soft: “Baby, give me a kiss.”

Ye Ran was both shy and softened by the way he was addressed. He tilted his head up and still let him kiss him.

He liked this kind of affection untouched by any lust. “I want to kiss you too.”

Shen Shi leaned in on his own: “Go ahead.”

His features were deep and sharply defined, his brow bones strong, his eyes set deep, an almost severe, untouched-by-dust kind of beauty. His lowered eyelids always looked a bit nonchalant, yet now they were filled with a smile.

Ye Ran’s eyes shifted. In the darkness, he deliberately pretended not to see him, letting his slender fingers explore Shen Shi’s face, from his brow bone down to his nose. His fingertips were soft and warm, kissed and bitten by Shen Shi before. Now they lightly pinched Shen Shi’s cheek as he said, “Fooled you. No kiss.”

Shen Shi raised an eyebrow slightly, letting him touch, and asked in a gentle voice, “Playing with me?”

Ye Ran sensed something off. The warm, gentle smile on his face grew even more obvious, and he pressed a messy kiss onto Shen Shi’s face, just happening to land on his high nose bridge. He then felt along Shen Shi’s nose again, his soft fingertips pinching the root of it. “Alright, kissed.”

Shen Shi’s voice was low, leaning in even closer. “Another one.”

Ye Ran turned his head, and immediately Shen Shi caught his lips, pecking at them lightly.

The kiss was gentle and meticulous, without much desire, just pure, uncontrollable intimacy, the kind one gave the person they liked.

Ye Ran felt dazed from the kissing, as comfortable as being wrapped in warm seawater, immersed in a soft emotion. He tilted his head up and kissed Shen Shi’s lips in return, hearing Shen Shi’s slightly hoarse laugh.

“Alright,” Ye Ran pretended to be calm, patting Shen Shi’s waist. “Sleep.”

Shen Shi cooperatively buried his head against Ye Ran’s chest. “Sleeping.”

Ye Ran secretly marveled at his own boyfriend power, closing his eyes.

Sure enough, if he wanted to top, it really was pretty easy.

A few seconds later, his chest suddenly felt cool, his shirt lifted then warm, followed by a trembling sensation.

“…Shen Shi!”

In the dark, the corners of his eyes instantly flushed red, misting over, the color spreading straight down to his neck, a sheen of sweat rising.

“Mm,” Shen Shi’s muffled voice came from under the blanket, slow and unhurried: “One more kiss.”