It was past nine in the evening in the most bustling commercial district of Yancheng.
Two figures emerged from the Western restaurant, one in a business suit and the other dressed in a casual style. It was Meng Xun and Lu Xingmian. Their expressions were as normal as when they went in, and both felt a sense of relief. They walked a short distance and then stood on the side of the road.
The weather in April was lovely. The evening breeze was no longer as sharp as in winter but was warm and carried the scent of spring.
Meng Xun asked, “Are you sure you don’t need me to drive you back?”
Lu Xingmian shook his head. “No, thank you.”
Meng Xun smiled. “Is he coming to pick you up?”
Lu Xingmian nodded, smiling shyly. Half an hour ago, Lu Shiran had messaged him to say he was on his way. Meng Xun rarely saw Lu Xingmian wear such an expression. It was a very sweet smile, but it wasn’t for him. It was a joyful and happy smile, a smile he had never been able to bring to Lu Xingmian.
Meng Xun smiled. “Then I’ll get going.”
“Goodbye, Meng Xun Ge.” Lu Xingmian said.
Meng Xun was stunned for a moment. The little Lu Xingmian had grown into a bright young man. He suddenly understood why Lu Xingmian no longer called him “Meng Xun Gege” like he used to. From the moment he moved away, it was destined that they would never have any future together. During the years they were separated, Lu Xingmian had grown up and was no longer the boy who used to trail after him, calling him “Meng Xun Gege.”
He felt a bit regretful, a little sad, and somewhat unwilling to let go, but there was nothing he could do.
The streetlights shone on Lu Xingmian, and his long, dark eyelashes cast shadows on his fair face. Meng Xun thought for a moment and made one last, somewhat presumptuous request. But he knew this would be the only time he could make it.
“Lu Xingmian, can I ruffle your hair?” Seeing the clarity in Lu Xingmian’s eyes, Meng Xun changed his words. He smiled. “Just an elder brother ruffling his little brother’s hair.”
Lu Xingmian blinked and nodded. “Okay.”
Meng Xun took two steps forward, and looking at the person who was now only half a head shorter than him, he felt a sense of unreality. Lu Xingmian had really grown up. He used to barely reach his chest in height, but time had flown by in the blink of an eye.
They were very close now, and he could even smell a faint scent on Lu Xingmian.
If he hadn’t left back then, if he had grown up with Lu Xingmian, if he had been there for Lu Xingmian during his most difficult times, would things be different now?
Lu Xingmian stood there quietly.
Meng Xun asked, “Do you love him?”
“Yes,” Lu Xingmian replied firmly. “I like him very much. I love him a lot.”
“Then how can you be sure that what you feel for him isn’t just because he showed up at a time that was similar to how I came into your life?”
“Meng Xun Ge,” Lu Xingmian said softly. “I’m not a child anymore. I can tell the difference between the two feelings. I love him. I love him very much.”
Meng Xun gently ruffled his hair.
Suddenly, a bright light shone on both of them. Lu Xingmian was so dazzled he couldn’t open his eyes, and Meng Xun also let go of him in the blinding light. A few seconds later, the high beams turned off. The two of them looked in the direction of the light and saw a black car stopped not far behind them. They could vaguely make out a man sitting in the car with half his face hidden in the darkness. The man seemed to be watching them, but his expression was unclear.
They didn’t know whether the high beams were turned on by accident or something else.
Meng Xun smiled. “Is that your boyfriend?”
Lu Xingmian recognized Lu Shiran immediately. “Yes.”
Meng Xun objectively stated, “He looks mad and jealous.”
Lu Xingmian replied, “I don’t think so.” He couldn’t recall a time Lu Shiran had ever been mad at him, and he definitely wouldn’t be jealous either. Besides, he and Meng Xun hadn’t done anything inappropriate.
Meng Xun offered, “Do you want me to explain things to him?”
Lu Xingmian smiled. “No need.”
From Lu Xingmian’s smile, Meng Xun could tell their relationship was very good and didn’t need his explanation.
After Lu Xingmian got into the car, Meng Xun watched through the window as a tall man quickly walked up to Lu Xingmian and anxiously pulled him into a hug. Meng Xun smiled. Lu Xingmian was only half right. His boyfriend wasn’t mad, but he was jealous.
Back at the restaurant, after Lu Xingmian had rejected him, he told Meng Xun about the last year of his relationship with Lu Shiran.
Lu Xingmian had said, “Meng Xun Ge, I don’t think you’re really in love with me. You just want to take care of me. In your heart, I’m still the little Song Xingmian who needed looking after. The person you want to care for is Song Xingmian, but I’m all grown up now. I’m not that kid anymore. You feel guilty for what happened when I was little, so you want to make it up to me now.”
“Meng Xun Ge, I’m doing really well now. You don’t need to feel guilty about me. You’ve never owed me anything.”
After hearing all of this, Meng Xun understood that he had truly missed his chance, completely. Perhaps Lu Xingmian was right. He had just wanted to take care of him because he felt it was his responsibility to do so.
Meng Xun leaned against the window and smiled. The boy he once knew had indeed grown up. He had been convinced.
By the roadside, Lu Xingmian was held tightly by Lu Shiran. Lu Shiran was squeezing him so hard that Lu Xingmian was struggling to breathe.
“Ge, it’s a bit hard to breathe.”
Lu Shiran loosened his grip slightly but still held him close, as if the person in his arms would be taken away by someone else the moment he let go. The mere thought made Lu Shiran’s whole body ache. He tightened his hold on Lu Xingmian again.
Lu Xingmian had never felt Lu Shiran so anxious before. He gently patted his back to comfort him. “Ge, what’s wrong?”
Lu Shiran said, “Zai Zai, I’m jealous.”
It took a moment for Lu Xingmian to process what Lu Shiran had said. Jealous? “Why? What are you jealous of?”
Lu Shiran replied, “I don’t want anyone else to be close to you. I don’t want anyone else to touch your hair.”
Lu Xingmian began, “You mean just now…” He wanted to explain to Lu Shiran that the hair ruffling was just a simple gesture and had nothing to do with desire or affection.
Before he could finish, Lu Shiran pulled him into the car and guided him into the passenger seat. After buckling him in, Lu Shiran got in himself.
Lu Xingmian didn’t know what he was doing. “Ge, where are we going?”
Lu Shiran simply replied, “Home.”
The car remained silent throughout the drive. Though Lu Shiran’s expression appeared calm, the tightness in his features betrayed his tension. Lu Xingmian thought about what he had just said. Lu Shiran had only said half of what he meant and didn’t continue. He was acting strangely today. Was Lu Shiran really jealous?
Was he really jealous of him? Was it possible that Lu Shiran had intentionally turned on the high beams? But his jealousy seemed so calm. Lu Xingmian shook his head. It couldn’t be jealousy.
While they were waiting at a red light, Lu Shiran suddenly reached over and took Lu Xingmian’s hand. His thumb moved back and forth over Lu Xingmian’s hand, the touch alternating between firm and gentle. Lu Shiran’s fingertips were very warm, and it felt like there was an electric current running through his hand. Lu Xingmian felt his entire body go soft.
He was a little thirsty and wanted to drink some water. He happened to see a bottle of mineral water in the car.
“You want water?” The silent Lu Shiran suddenly spoke, and the unique sound of his voice made Lu Xingmian’s heart tremble.
“En, yes.”
The red light turned green, and the car drove a short distance before slowing down and stopping on the side of the road with its hazard lights on.
Lu Shiran unbuckled his seatbelt, took the mineral water, and unscrewed the cap. Lu Xingmian thought he would hand it to him. But to his surprise, Lu Shiran started drinking it himself.
Lu Xingmian: ???
As he looked on in confusion, Lu Shiran leaned over, cupped the back of his head, and kissed him. In the quiet car, Lu Xingmian’s adam apple bobbed up and down, and the sound of him swallowing water was very noticeable. The cool water flowed down his throat, but Lu Xingmian felt even thirstier.
A moment later, Lu Shiran wiped the water droplets from Lu Xingmian’s lips and looked at him intensely. “Are you still thirsty?”
Lu Xingmian licked his lips. “No, no, I’m not thirsty anymore.”
With a hint of regret, Lu Shiran straightened up and sat back in his seat.
The car started up again. When Lu Xingmian glanced over, Lu Shiran was still calmly focused on the road ahead, yet the restrained intensity in his eyes revealed the emotions he was suppressing. It was as though nothing had ever happened.
The two drove all the way home.
In the elevator, Lu Shiran slipped an arm around Lu Xingmian, his right hand lightly brushing over his shoulder—a touch that felt oddly unfamiliar.
“Ge.” Lu Xingmian said.
“Mhm.” Lu Shiran responded.
Lu Shiran had been responding to everything Lu Xingmian said on the way home, just like he normally would, so everything seemed normal again.
The elevator ascended slowly, then stopped on their floor.
Lu Xingmian was carried out of the elevator by Lu Shiran, whose steps were steady yet urgent. Lu Xingmian could feel the strength and firmness in his arm, his entire body taut with tension, radiating a powerful, masculine energy. It was a side of Lu Shiran he had never witnessed before.
The closer they got to the apartment door, the heavier Lu Shiran’s breathing became. The hot air he exhaled on Lu Xingmian’s ear grew hotter. Lu Xingmian clutched tightly at the fabric of Lu Shiran’s shirt on his shoulder, leaving his once-neat suit crumpled and creased.
Lu Shiran practically kicked the door open and then kicked it shut again.
Before Lu Xingmian could react, Lu Shiran pushed him against the door and kissed him.
To keep Lu Xingmian from feeling uncomfortable, Lu Shiran rested his hand on the back of his head. Lu Xingmian’s hair was soft and smooth. When Lu Shiran lightly gripped his hair, Lu Xingmian was “forced” to look up.
Lu Shiran then nibbled at his adam apple. Lu Xingmian felt the gentle pressure of his teeth moving back and forth, like a powerful beast slowly gripping its prey, leaving no chance of escape. The adam apple is a very sensitive part of the body, but Lu Xingmian wasn’t afraid at all. He just felt a little pain and a little tickling.
Lu Xingmian was held tightly by Lu Shiran as their bodies pressed together. Lu Shiran forced his legs apart, causing Lu Xingmian to nearly lose his balance. Even through their clothes, he could feel the strength in Lu Shiran’s powerful thighs, as if he were doing it deliberately.
It was then that Lu Xingmian realized Lu Shiran’s strength was frighteningly immense.
Lu Shiran’s voice was deep, hoarse, and incredibly hot. “Zai Zai, I’m jealous.”
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