Evening.
Once the formations were dismissed, students scattered toward the cafeteria.
Inside, the place was packed, a sea of camouflage uniforms. Sophomore and junior students, weak and pitiful before the flood of freshmen, backed off helplessly and resigned themselves to ordering takeout.
Fang Ziyuan craned his neck, squinting for a long time before spotting Shen Shi standing in the long line for duck leg rice.
He hurried over, weaving through the crowd, catching snippets of conversation along the way — all about the new campus heartthrob, Dou Ran.
By the time he reached him, Shen Shi seemed to sense something and put away his phone, glancing over. “What is it?”
“Bro, I found out everything,” Fang Ziyuan said, wiping sweat from his forehead and lowering his voice. “Ye Ran and Shen Shi have been living together since their sophomore year, they’re renting a place at Lakeside Mansion.”
He hesitated, then added timidly, “You know Lakeside Mansion, right? That’s a joint development by the Shen family and the Jiang family. You can’t buy a place there without both money and connections.”
Shen Shi gave a mild “Oh,” and said indifferently, “Got it.”
But he definitely didn’t get it at all!!
Fang Ziyuan was silently losing his mind.
Brother, you’re trying to steal Shen Shi’s man — SHEN SHI’s!!!
Even though he’s mellowed a bit these past two years, this is still the same Shen Shi who once sent Lin Ziqian and Liang Feng to the hospital for half a semester over a disagreement!
Fang Ziyuan felt utterly miserable. As the most “perceptive” member of the Fang family’s younger generation, he’d been full of ambition going into college, only to end up running errands for someone like this.
If Shen Shi hadn’t been someone worth currying favor with, he’d never have taken on such a thankless, borderline suicidal job.
D*mn it… what kind of spell does that Ye Ran guy cast? Why does everyone fall for him?
Fang Ziyuan was about to keep persuading him when he looked up and saw Shen Shi’s profile: calm, composed, and faintly illuminated by the blue glow of his phone screen.
He seemed relaxed, but his gaze was fixed intently on the display, pressing the download button over and over, as if he couldn’t get enough.
Something about that look made Fang Ziyuan’s scalp prickle, he didn’t dare say another word.
And yet… something about that profile looked strangely familiar.
He wracked his brain, trying to place it and just then, someone walked up.
A refined-looking young man wiped his mouth, tossed a napkin into the bin, and clapped Shen Shi on the shoulder. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, “Shen Shi, what’s up with you? Didn’t you say you were having claypot porridge with Ye Ran at Hengkong Building?”
Yu Ting lazily scanned the area. Not seeing Ye Ran, he only spotted a chubby freshman staring at him in horror.
The chubby one gawked, wide-eyed, and Yu Ting found it amusing. He looked again and said casually, “What, Ye Ran didn’t want porridge? Don’t tell me you two aren’t sick of duck leg rice yet?”
Fang Ziyuan stammered, “S– Senior Y–Yu Ting?”
“What’s wrong?” Yu Ting asked, smiling as he gave Shen Shi another pat. “Who’s this, huh? One of your juniors from your department?”
Cute little guy, he thought.
But when Shen Shi still didn’t reply, Yu Ting finally sensed something was off. He turned to look and froze.
For a full minute, he just stared, dumbstruck, before sucking in a sharp breath. “Wait—what? You’re— you’re Dou Ran?”
“Yes, Senior!!!” Fang Ziyuan cried, nodding furiously, nearly in tears. “We came to get dinner together, you….?”
—— You seriously didn’t recognize your own best friend?!
He screamed internally.
So much for the forum rumors saying you two had known each other since childhood, total exaggeration, huh?!
“Sorry,” Yu Ting said awkwardly, pushing up his glasses. “I wasn’t wearing glasses. Mistook you for someone else.”
Yu Ting also felt awkward. He pressed down the strange feeling in his heart, quickly waved at them, and prepared to leave: “…Then you two continue eating, I’ll head back to the dorm.”
“Okay okay, bye, senior!” Fang Ziyuan couldn’t wait for him to leave, terrified he would stay and say something else that might trigger a bomb.
After all, Shen Shi was definitely not thinking anything good right now!
Once Yu Ting left, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. But when he looked back at Shen Shi again, that breath immediately stuck in his throat.
Shen Shi hadn’t lifted his head the whole time, only lowering his eyes to look at his phone.
Only when Yu Ting had walked far away did he raise his eyelids slightly, thoughtful. A moment later, he tossed the meal coupon for the duck-leg rice to Fang Ziyuan. With long strides, he walked off. In Fang Ziyuan’s bewildered stare, he nodded and said, “You eat. I’m heading out.”
“Huh? Bro, where are you going?” Fang Ziyuan froze, about to chase after him. Just then, the cafeteria auntie at the window shouted impatiently: “Number 153! 153? Where’s the person? Where are they?”
He glanced down at the coupon and quickly responded, “Here, here, auntie, I’m here!”
The window auntie passed him the fragrant duck-leg rice, sprinkled with cilantro and white sesame. The smell alone was mouthwatering, the duck bone crisp and aromatic.
Once the duck-leg rice was in his hands and he looked back again, Shen Shi’s figure was already nowhere to be seen.
***
At this moment, on the sidewalk outside the Hengkong Building.
Hengkong Building stood in the bustling city center, the evening being the busiest time. Ye Ran and Shen Shi had just finished dinner; hand in hand, they strolled leisurely.
Ye Ran hadn’t eaten much at dinner. Shen Shi, young as he was, already had health-conscious habits and cared deeply about Ye Ran’s wellbeing. Not only did he buy all sorts of supplements and ointments from abroad, he also bought medical of various kinds.
Ye Ran, half coaxed and half spoiled into using them, gradually developed a liking for them, discovering their benefits but he absolutely would never open his eyes while using them. Shen Shi pampered him, always laughing low by his ear, distracting him gently while softly easing them in.
Although Shen Shi always indulged him in bed matters, when it came to this specific issue, no matter how Ye Ran pouted or acted cute, Shen Shi never compromised.
There was even a doctor in France on standby specifically for him, ready to adjust things according to his physical condition.
On the school forum, people often posted saying they had run into the two of them in France while traveling. Every time he saw such posts, Ye Ran felt both embarrassed and flustered.
…Good thing no one knew they hadn’t actually gone there for traveling.
The evening breeze brushed gently across their faces.
Willow branches swayed gracefully by the roadside, and the shadows of the trees spilled across the sidewalk, flowing like water beneath the feet of the strolling couple.
Ye Ran walked along the curb’s raised edge. Shen Shi stayed beside him, unhurried, watching him carefully maintain his balance. Each time Ye Ran finished walking a segment, Shen Shi would look at him with a satisfied smile.
He looked beautiful when he smiled. After two years of Shen Shi’s meticulous care, his skin was smooth like white jade; his gaze clear, bright, and pure. A white shirt fit neatly on his slender frame, tucked at the waist by a black belt, outlining his narrow waist and long, straight legs.
Whenever he almost slipped off the curb, Shen Shi would quickly wrap an arm around his waist. Once he steadied him, he would silently signal him to continue.
After a few such times, Ye Ran simply stopped. Leaning down to look at him in that position, he pretended to be displeased: “Referee Shen Shi, how can you touch the contestant like that?”
Shen Shi’s expression didn’t change. “Did I?”
“Of course you did,” Ye Ran said mischievously, eyes bright. “Your behavior violates the rules, so I have to punish you.”
Shen Shi’s lips curved. His gaze, faint and teasing, rested on him. “Oh? How will you punish me?”
“Well…” Ye Ran looked around. The sidewalk was dim; the streetlights were mostly blocked by tall trees, with only faint light leaking through the branches. He lowered his voice, speaking very softly: “Tonight I don’t want to use—”
“No.”
Before he could finish, Shen Shi cut him off, neither harsh nor gentle: “The doctor said you need to use them every day for a month. After a month, you can switch to once a week.”
Ye Ran immediately reached up to cover his mouth, ears burning, brows tightening. “Keep your voice down.”
“I’m not saying never. I just don’t want to use them tonight…” Ye Ran hopped off the curb and snuggled into his arms, tilting his head up to plead pitifully: “Just tonight, okay?”
He knew exactly how to hit Shen Shi’s weak spots.
Once mild and without any temper, he now had learned, through Shen Shi’s silent indulgence, to fight for tiny benefits.
Like not doing it today, not wanting the sofa, and now, not wanting to insert the medication.
Shen Shi sighed, pulling an arm around his waist. Under the dim light, his eyes were deep and dark, yet gentle as he asked quietly: “Baby, you really can’t bear it at all?”
“Mhm.” Hearing the softness in Shen Shi’s tone, Ye Ran nodded, eyelids drooping weakly. “…It’s uncomfortable today.”
Shen Shi still seemed hesitant. Seeing this, Ye Ran pushed down his unease and embarrassment, hooked his arms around Shen Shi’s neck, and kissed him first.
Shen Shi’s eyes immediately softened into a smile. He swept Ye Ran up effortlessly, moving behind a thick tree trunk. Lowering his head, he kissed him deeply, greedily, hungrily.
“Baby, that depends on your performance.”
Ye Ran’s lashes trembled. Understanding what he meant, his eyes reddened slightly at the corners. He obediently opened his mouth, the soft red tip of his tongue emerging like a flower bud heavy with sweet nectar. With the lightest suck, a spill of warm saliva slipped out.
Shen Shi’s mind blurred, his control slipping. He tugged Ye Ran’s shirt out of his waistband with practiced ease. Just as his hand was about to slip inside, Ye Ran stopped him with soft, rapid breaths. Something made him uneasy, he felt as if someone were watching him. Instinctively, he hid further into Shen Shi’s arms, only exposing a pair of long, upturned, thin red phoenix eyes.
“Wait until we’re back…” Leaning against Shen Shi’s warm, broad chest, feeling safe, he whispered, “Shen Shi, I feel like someone is…”
“Mm?” Shen Shi suddenly snapped awake, pulling Ye Ran tighter into his arms. His cold, harsh gaze swept around, seeing no one, but he also had no intention of continuing to be intimate with Ye Ran here. He quickly helped Ye Ran tidy his clothes and coaxed him: “Baby, let’s go home.”
Ye Ran was also a little scared, uneasy in his heart, feeling like there was something dirty here.
“Okay.”
The two of them calmed down behind the tree for a while. Shen Shi was wearing black jeans today, the zipper area slightly bulging. Ye Ran was buried in his chest, his waist locked tightly by him, their bodies pressed close. His earlobes were so red they seemed about to drip blood. Only after a long time did Shen Shi finally let him go, slow and unhurried.
He pressed his lips together, wanting to throw a tantrum at Shen Shi, but Shen Shi had already skillfully scooped him up, kissed the hollow of his neck, and murmured, “Baby, I’ll take it out for you right away.”
Ye Ran’s eyes lit up. Coaxed like that, he wasn’t even afraid of the dirty thing anymore. His soft warm cheeks rippled with a little smile, and he obediently rubbed back against him: “Mm.”
Shen Shi’s heart softened at his nuzzle. He thought that once they got home, he’d have to call Andrei and get him to improve the formula, see if there were better, more comfortable products.
The two held hands and left from behind the tree, walking back in silence to the Hengkong Tower parking garage and getting in the car.
Just as the black G-Class pulled out of its parking space, a Mercedes by the roadside also started, the driver talking on the phone in a flat tone: “The Lakeside Mansion access card… You’ve informed the guard? …Alright.”
***
The public parking area of Lakeside Mansion was different from the underground one, these were individual small bays, each with a metal roller door at the entrance. The black G-Class drove in smoothly, passing the greenery and entering the silent garage.
Behind them, the Mercedes followed at an unhurried pace, only entering the garage about five minutes later.
The parking area wasn’t bright; countless roller doors were down, blocking off the spaces. Shen Shi parked the car, calmly took out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, sat in the driver’s seat, and looked toward the parking space diagonally ahead.
The roller door there was half-lowered.
It was fairly far, but strangely, he could clearly see what was happening inside the G-Class.
……
In the backseat, the tall, upright man was holding the person in his arms. A corner of the man’s shirt was stuffed into the young man’s mouth. The youth was obedient, his pure eyes moist like water, tinged with soft rosy wetness. His breath was clearly rapid, yet he still bit down on the fabric like he was told. His forehead rested on the man’s shoulder, his body curved, trembling as he stretched out his pale, slender arm, confused and pitiful as he begged for a kiss.
This bullied, soft, pitiful appearance made his heart, dead still for decades, thump wildly, moved beyond control.
He understood his own rotten nature far too well. Ye Ran looking like this was basically testing the edge of **.
** it is blurred so not sure what word
The cigarette tip glowed red. He took a deep drag, slowly exhaling smoke rings, ignoring the heat in his lower abdomen. Crossing his legs, he continued watching through half-lidded eyes.
…If Ye Ran were in his arms right now.
Tsk.
Who knows what flashed in his mind, an expression far too mature for his age appeared on his handsome face. He flicked the ash, then calmly, indifferently took another deep, restrained drag.
The G-Class had a spacious back compartment.
He saw the man’s long, jointed hand slide into the youth’s clothes, reaching downward.
Not long after, the shirt corner in Ye Ran’s mouth was damp. He breathed shallowly and dazedly, then the man suddenly turned his face and kissed him deeply.
Some saliva slipped from the corner of Ye Ran’s lips. His eyes narrowed, his body trembling. At some moment his pupils shrank sharply, his fingertips flushing with lingering red as he grabbed the man’s hair, yet the man didn’t catch his hand.
It took Ye Ran quite a while before he came back from the ocean that seemed ready to drown him. Eyes red, his hoarse voice accused, “Why did you…?”
Shen Shi gave a low laugh, tenderly kissing his eyelids: “Baby, didn’t I take it out?”
“But…” Ye Ran’s gaze blurred again. After a long time, a soft, hoarse whimper slipped from his throat. Uncomfortable yet strangely hazy, he clung to Shen Shi’s shoulder, tilting his head up dependently: “…Shen Shi, kiss me.”
Shen Shi’s gaze was unbelievably gentle, though his actions didn’t pause at all. He lowered his head to find the obediently parted lips, comforting him with patience and affection: “It’ll be over soon, baby, so good.”
Ye Ran sniffled softly: “…I’ve always been good.”
Shen Shi felt the tears he couldn’t control slipping down. “Mm, I’m the bad one.”
“As long as you know.” Ye Ran had little strength. Every so often he would blush and ask for another kiss. His lips felt almost chewed raw, swollen and soft, yet he still nestled obediently in Shen Shi’s arms, doing his best to cooperate. Shen Shi softened even more, wishing he could melt him into his bones. Forcing down the violence rooted in him, he coaxed softly, “Baby, I taught you, what should you say now?”
Ye Ran’s earlobes were red enough to drip blood. Even coaxed into near incoherence, he still pressed his lips together and didn’t speak.
Shen Shi narrowed his eyes, gave a short laugh, and finally lifted his hand. A moment later, Ye Ran’s eyes flew open, tears falling faster and harder. Sitting on Shen Shi’s lap, leaning on his shoulder, his voice was tiny as a mosquito, just a faint point of sound: “Husband…”
Shen Shi’s heartbeat nearly stopped. He couldn’t hold back. He really did lose control, grabbing his chin and kissing him fiercely yet devotedly, his gaze dark as ink, burning and smiling as he said: “So good, baby. Husband remembers everything.”
“Say it again.”
……
Sitting alone in the spacious driver’s seat of the Mercedes, his breath suddenly caught, as if he’d heard something. His loose sweatpants tightened; he unfastened both drawstrings entirely, letting them hang loosely at his waist.
His Adam’s apple bobbed dryly, his eyes deep and unsteady. The cigarette tip’s faint red glow blinked as smoke drifted up, harsh and choking. It wasn’t good tobacco, but it was strong, matching the extremity of what he was suppressing now.
He slowly closed his eyes and put out the cigarette. Both hands rested on the steering wheel, his pale, well-defined fingers hanging slightly, the joints tightening until they turned white.
After a long while, he lifted his eyelids, gaze dark and heavy like a wolf hunting in the night, gleaming with a cold, possessive light.
The garage ahead looked perfectly ordinary from the outside, but in his eyes, the black G-Class, with its excellent shock absorption, was shaking just enough to suggest the greed and satisfaction of the people inside.
He took out his phone and made a call.
“Hello?” He glanced at the contact name and said, his face unmoved, his tone natural: “Grandpa, I’m feeling a bit uneasy. I want to move out.”
“Yes,” he said mildly, making up an excuse as he went. “I heard Lakeside Mansion is pretty good. I’ll stay there.”
Author’s Note:
Big Shen: Dying of thirst, dying of thirst, dying of thirst.
Eyes glowing green.jpg
Little Ye: Feels like there’s something dirty here, quq…
Someone’s comment yesterday cracked me up — Big Shen didn’t have a wife in his own world, so he came to Little Shen’s world to steal one, orz.
