That evening, Lu Xingmian went online and saw a trending topic: the Lu Corporation announced the termination of all endorsement contracts with Yang Ming and stated that there would be no future collaborations with him.
The Lu Corporation is involved in many different industries with each having formed its own commercial empire. This announcement meant that Yang Ming had lost seventy percent of his resources.
This news instantly became a top trending topic.
However, what was strange was that the topic wasn’t “exploding” in popularity, but its heat wasn’t dropping either. It was as if someone was deliberately maintaining its high rank.
Netizens speculated about what had happened and why the Lu Corporation would suddenly end its partnership with Yang Ming. Some of Yang Ming’s fans were unhappy and left comments on the Lu Corporation’s official website.
Lu Xingmian was stunned for a moment when he saw the trending topic. The Lu Corporation’s efficiency was too fast. He had only heard Lu Shiran mention terminating the collaboration that afternoon and by the evening, it was already trending.
Lu Xingmian didn’t know that Lu Shiran was doing this to get revenge for him. The person Lu Shiran so carefully protected had been falsely accused and called a thief, Lu Shiran wasn’t going to let the matter go easily.
To make up for his own mistake, Lu Yu fanned the flames of this trending topic while also controlling its heat. Of course, this time he protected Lu Xingmian very well; the trending topic didn’t expose Lu Xingmian and there was no information about him online either.
Lu Xingmian watched for a while and then logged out. He wasn’t a fan of celebrities and had no interest in their affairs.
He also felt that those celebrities weren’t as handsome as Lu Shiran nor did they have a body as good as his, and their voices weren’t as pleasant to listen to either.
If Lu Shiran were to debut, he would be his number one fan. But then Lu Xingmian thought that if Lu Shiran really did debut, a lot of people would like him, so he decided against the idea. He didn’t want his Lu Shiran to be liked by so many people.
Just as he was thinking, Lu Shiran came out of the bathroom.
He had just showered and was wearing a loose white T-shirt. His hair, which was usually dark and stiff during the day, was now soft and casually rested on his face, looking very tempting to touch.
His nose was so straight while his lips were so well-shaped.
The elite president had transformed into the boy next door.
It made Lu Xingmian think of the first time he saw Lu Shiran, which gave him the same feeling—a crush at first sight.
Lu Xingmian walked up to him as he gazed directly at him with eyes full of adoration and infatuation.
Lu Shiran said dotingly, “What’s wrong?”
Without a word, Lu Xingmian burrowed right into Lu Shiran’s shirt.
Lu Shiran’s T-shirt was loose and with Lu Xingmian’s small frame, he easily slipped inside.
The white T-shirt enveloped both of them and the scent of Lu Shiran’s shower gel also wrapped around Lu Xingmian.
Lu Xingmian wrapped his arms around the man’s waist and took the opportunity to feel his abs, which were hard and hot to the touch. His fingertips drew circles on them.
Lu Shiran didn’t move and just watched him gently. The person in his arms became bolder, slowly reaching his hands farther back. Lu Shiran grabbed his hand, his voice low and deep, “You’re getting bold.”
Lu Xingmian had to pull his hand back but the man took his hand and guided it downward, “Zai Zai, here.”
Inside the same T-shirt, they were pressed tightly together. Lu Xingmian felt the man’s body temperature rising, making him feel a little thirsty so he licked his lips.
A drop of water fell on his rose-colored lips and Lu Shiran reached out to wipe it off.
Lu Xingmian let out an “Aww” as his index finger gently brushed against his lips and took it into his mouth.
The long finger paused, then slowly slid in, sending a hot, wet, and soft sensation from his fingertip straight to his heart.
“Zai Zai, you walked right into this trap.”
Lu Shiran kissed the person in his arms and carried him to the bed.
For a long time after that, no matter what they did, they both remained in the same T-shirt.
At some point, the T-shirt was now on Lu Xingmian while the one he had been wearing lay discarded on the floor, it was tossed aside by Lu Shiran. Lifting the corner of the T-shirt, the man said, “Zai Zai, bite this.”
Lu Shiran fed Lu Xingmian with a “feast.”
And Lu Xingmian barely fed Lu Shiran.
–
On the weekend, Lu Yu took Xiao Youzi to Lu Shiran’s house.
Xiao Youzi loves Lu Xingmian and was begging to go find her “little uncle” and play with him.
Since his wife was out shopping with a friend, the father and daughter duo headed straight to Shanglin Mansion.
Most importantly, they would get to eat Lu Shiran’s cooking.
As soon as Xiao Youzi entered the door, she wanted a hug from Lu Xingmian.
“Little Uncle, Xiao Youzi missed you so much.”
“Little Uncle, can we play a game together?”
In the living room, the two “big and little friends” sat cross-legged with game controllers in hand, fully absorbed in the big screen before them.
From behind, they looked very much like a pair of siblings.
The two Lu brothers were in the kitchen cooking.
Lu Yu was helping Lu Shiran. He looked around and asked, “Hey, you don’t have any cilantro?”
Lu Shiran replied, “Lu Xingmian doesn’t eat cilantro.”
Lu Yu said “Oh” and realized that Lu Shiran truly held Lu Xingmian in the highest regard.
They chatted as they worked.
Lu Yu said that the endorsement matter had been handled. A new celebrity had been invited and filming would be completed in the next two days. The sudden change of endorsers had a slight impact on the company but Lu Yu easily resolved it.
Lu Shiran said, “Thank you, Big Brother.”
The two brothers had a strong relationship since childhood; they didn’t need many words to understand each other.
At the kitchen doorway, Lu Xingmian poked his head in. “Ge, Yu Ge, let me help too.”
Lu Shiran almost never let him into the kitchen. “No need. You go play with Xiao Youzi.”
Lu Yu said, “Lu Xingmian, you can call me Big Brother just like Lu Shiran does from now on.”
Lu Xingmian looked at Lu Shiran, who smiled and nodded. Lu Xingmian then said, “Big Brother.”
From the living room came giggles and cheers as Xiao Youzi and Lu Xingmian played a racing game.
On the big screen, two race cars were chasing each other.
“Little Uncle, Little Uncle, you’re driving so fast! I can’t catch up to you.”
“Xiao Youzi, your drifting is amazing! You passed me.”
They chased each other and in the end, Xiao Youzi won by a single second.
“Little Uncle, I won!”
Lu Xingmian, like a child, refused to give up, “Let’s play another round.”
Through the game, the two forged an even deeper friendship.
At dinner, Xiao Youzi insisted on sitting next to Lu Xingmian. “I want to sit with Little Uncle.”
Watching the two of them, Lu Shiran knew that on this day, Lu Xingmian would again be oblivious to him.
Just as he was thinking this, a piece of sparerib was placed in his bowl. Lu Xingmian smiled sweetly. “Ge, the ribs are delicious.”
Lu Shiran’s heart instantly felt warm.
Xiao Youzi said, “Little Uncle, I want a sparerib too.”
Lu Xingmian used the serving chopsticks to grab a piece of sparerib for Xiao Youzi.
Xiao Youzi happily said, “Thank you, Little Uncle.”
Xiao Youzi ate more and with more enjoyment than usual, which almost brought Lu Yu to tears of joy. It was rare for her to eat so enthusiastically.
While cleaning the kitchen, Lu Yu watched the two in the living room and said with emotion, “Lu Xingmian and Xiao Youzi get along so well. He seems to really like children.”
Lu Shiran was startled and looked at Lu Xingmian in the living room. His smile was bright and radiant and the genuine fondness and happiness he felt toward Xiao Youzi were clear.
The first time he met Xiao Youzi, he was very patient and gentle and he’s been just as kind every time he’s seen her since. It really seems like he loves playing with children.
After the two brothers finished cleaning the kitchen, they found Xiao Youzi asleep in the living room and Lu Xingmian struggling to keep his eyes open.
Lu Yu carried Xiao Youzi to the guest room, and when he returned, he saw Lu Xingmian asleep as well with his head resting on Lu Shiran’s lap. His younger brother was watching Lu Xingmian with a tender expression.
It was a day that both Xiao Youzi and Lu Xingmian had truly enjoyed.
That night before bed, Lu Shiran looked at Lu Xingmian lying on his stomach and scrolling on his phone.
Lu Shiran asked, “Zai Zai, do you like kids?”
“Yeah, I do,” Lu Xingmian said, putting his phone down and looking at him. “Why?”
Lu Shiran smiled. “Nothing, it’s getting late. Let’s go to sleep.”
Lu Xingmian wanted to say something else but Lu Shiran was already pulling him into his arms. “Close your eyes and go to sleep, be boy.”
Smelling the scent of Lu Shiran, Lu Xingmian slowly closed his eyes.
He suddenly realized he hadn’t smelled cigarette smoke on Lu Shiran in a very long time. Lu Shiran hadn’t smoked in ages.
As he smelled the scent of Lu Shiran’s shower gel, Lu Xingmian’s mind wandered. Why would Lu Shiran ask that question so suddenly today? Lu Shiran must also really like children.
He must.
The first time he heard Lu Shiran tell Xiao Youzi a story, his voice was so gentle. Lu Shiran was always so kind to Xiao Youzi whenever he saw her.
Lu Xingmian sighed to himself for the first time. If Lu Shiran really liked children, then he and Lu Shiran couldn’t have any.
When Lu Xingmian sighed for the fourth time in his head, the arm around his waist suddenly tightened. Lu Shiran’s voice came from next to his ear, “Zai Zai, can’t sleep?”
Lu Xingmian was stunned. How did Lu Shiran know he wasn’t asleep?
He turned around and met Lu Shiran’s gaze, which were gentle and full of deep affection.
Lu Shiran’s voice became even softer. “The way you look when you’re asleep and when you’re not is different. Is there something on your mind? Do you want to talk about it? Should I sing you to sleep?”
For some reason, Lu Xingmian heard a different meaning in his words.
He felt that there were some things he and Lu Shiran needed to address.
Lu Xingmian pursed his lips. “Ge, do you like kids?”
Luckily, the lights were off, so Lu Xingmian didn’t notice that Lu Shiran freeze for a moment.
He lowered his head and kissed the top of Lu Xingmian’s hair. “Whatever you like, I like.”
Lu Xingmian fell silent and only their breathing could be heard in the darkness.
After a long while, Lu Xingmian looked at Lu Shiran. “Ge, but you and I can’t have our own children.”
Lu Shiran’s eyes suddenly lit up in the dark.
“Zai Zai, what did you say? Say it again?”
It wasn’t just Lu Xingmian who was restless that night; Lu Shiran was tossing and turning too.
Now hearing Lu Xingmian say this, he was ecstatic.
“Zai Zai, I thought you wanted your own child.”
Lu Xingmian was stunned. “Ge, how did you come to that conclusion?”
Lu Shiran said, “Because you like Xiao Youzi so much and you also said you like kids.”
Lu Xingmian suddenly understood why Lu Shiran had asked him that question earlier.
Lu Xingmian flipped over, pressing himself against Lu Shiran and quickly explained, “I like Xiao Youzi because she’s Big Brother’s child, your little niece. She calls me ‘Little Uncle,’ so of course I like her. But I don’t like kids. Kids are noisy. I… I only like you. I don’t like kids.”
In the darkness, Lu Xingmian heard Lu Shiran’s laughter. It tickled his ears and sounded wonderful.
Lu Shiran said, “Zai Zai, I don’t like kids either. Just like you, I only like Big Brother’s child.”
Lu Xingmian’s eyes curved into crescent moons shape.
Lu Shiran asked him, “Did you have trouble sleeping because you were thinking about this?”
Lu Xingmian rested his head against Lu Shiran’s chest and hummed in confirmation.
That simple sound broke Lu Shiran’s heart.
“Silly Zai Zai,” Lu Shiran hugged him tighter. “I don’t like children. I only like you. Taking care of one Zai Zai like you is enough for me.”
“But,” he added, “if we had one together, then I’d like them.”
Lu Xingmian said, “It’s impossible for us to have one together. I don’t have the right anatomy.”
Lu Shiran laughed. “Then I must not be trying hard enough.”
Lu Xingmian’s face turned bright red. “It’s impossible even if you try hard!”
Lu Shiran pinned him down. “Zai Zai, why don’t we try it?”
Lu Xingmian, of course, knew that Lu Shiran was just teasing him.
Lu Shiran looked at his boyfriend.
“Zai Zai, from now on, if anything is on your mind, you have to tell me right away, okay? Don’t keep it all bottled up.”
“Okay.”
