Chapter 28

Chen Ang hailed a cab for Xu Heng at the roadside. He opened the car door and gently said, “It’s fine. You go back first.”

Xu Heng sat there in a daze, not knowing how to respond. He could only nod, holding the gift box Chen Ang had given him in his arms, watching the door close and the taxi slowly drive off, leaving Chen Ang standing behind, growing smaller and smaller in the distance.

When Chen Ang turned around, only Chen Jing was still on the street. Her husband, Zhou Cheng’an, was gone.

“I already warned you,” Chen Jing sighed. “Have your fun, but don’t let it ruin you. You’re a grown man, don’t you know what you should and shouldn’t do?”

She was wearing a long coat that reached her ankles, perfectly made up and coldly elegant as always. She looked him over from head to toe, trying to brush off what she had just witnessed as nothing serious, her tone light on purpose.

Chen Ang was silent for a moment before saying, “I’m not playing around.”

A few passersby glanced curiously at them, making Chen Jing momentarily speechless. Chen Ang added, “Don’t tell the family. Don’t make things hard for him.”

Chen Jing, annoyed, started pacing in place. Her thin red heels tapped irritably against the pavement. She wanted to lash out and scold him but kept her voice low and fast. “Wake up, will you? What do you think will happen? You think Mom and Dad are gonna show up and toss him a two million dollar check to get him to leave you? Or you think I’m going to use my power to get your little lover kicked out of his Japanese class? Are you living in a soap opera, Chen Ang?”

Chen Ang was already a full head taller than his sister. He stood there, silent, head lowered.

The pedestrians passed. The street was empty again. Chen Jing raised her voice. “You either keep it a secret forever and make sure no one finds out, or the moment it’s out, it’s over. No one’s gonna stand there and call you a faggot to your face in 2018. They’ll just quietly exclude you and talk behind your back. Do you even care about your career anymore? You say it’s not a fling. What about him? Is it not a fling for him either? Then has he thought about you? Does he even care how this affects you..”

Chen Jing’s words hit nothing but a wall of silence, like pebbles thrown into the sea. She grew more and more frustrated. Pulling out a cigarette from her bag, she fumbled for a lighter but didn’t find one. Cursing under her breath, she watched as Chen Ang pulled his out and lit it for her.

Leaning against the railing, she took a deep drag and exhaled slowly. “Take my advice. Cut your losses while you still can.”

This wasn’t the first time someone had said “cut your losses” to Chen Ang. But so far, he hadn’t lost anything from his relationship with Xu Heng. If anything, what pain he felt came from possessiveness, from uncertainty, from never being able to truly have Xu Heng completely.

Chen Ang murmured, “I like him.”

Chen Jing gave a short laugh. “And how much is that worth?”

Chen Ang suddenly said, “In my barren land, you are the last rose. Do you remember that?”

Chen Jing paused. That was a line from a Neruda poem she’d written in her diary back when she was in love. Chen Ang had seen it and teased her about it. They’d nearly fought over it.

“I haven’t read poetry in a long time,” Chen Jing said, stubbing out her cigarette. Before leaving, she added, “I won’t say anything. I’ll make sure Zhou Cheng’an doesn’t either. Just think carefully.”

After she left, Chen Ang stood there for a while, staring into space, until the cold wind made him sneeze. Then he slowly started walking back. He hailed a cab to Xu Heng’s place. It was already past midnight. The streets were empty except for the occasional stray cat darting swiftly across the narrow alleys.

When Chen Ang rang the doorbell, Xu Heng opened the door almost immediately, as if he had been waiting the whole time.

Xu Heng tied the bouquet of glass hydrangeas with the ribbon from the gift box, made a neat bow, and placed it next to the dried flowers. Both looked beautiful.

Chen Ang asked, “Do you like it?”

Xu Heng nodded. “I do.”

Neither of them mentioned what had just happened, as if they had only come back from celebrating a birthday by the river and were now quietly returning home together. Chen Ang quietly shut the door behind them. Xu Heng turned on the air conditioner, letting the warmth slowly fill the room. Before either of them could speak, Chen Ang leaned down, searching for Xu Heng’s lips. Xu Heng didn’t move away. Their lips met in silence.

The kiss started slow but deepened quickly. Chen Ang pressed him against the door, his hand tightening around Xu Heng’s waist. His tongue pushed deeper, tasting every corner of Xu Heng’s mouth. The hunger in that kiss made Xu Heng’s legs feel weak. He held onto Chen Ang’s neck, breath growing short. There was no time to go to the bedroom. The cold from outside still lingered on Chen Ang’s clothes, but it was already being chased away by their rising body heat.

Xu Heng’s pants were yanked down in one swift motion. They bunched around his ankles as he stood barefoot, cock already swollen and aching. He stepped on top of Chen Ang’s polished shoes, raising himself slightly to keep their mouths connected. The kiss kept going, hot and endless.

Chen Ang slid both hands under him and lifted him off the floor, pinning him against the door. Xu Heng gasped, his back arching. Chen Ang fumbled at his belt, fingers trembling with urgency. The slick head of his cock pressed against Xu Heng’s entrance, leaving damp heat in its wake. Xu Heng clung to him, breath broken and messy, moaning into his mouth.

He could feel Chen Ang’s cock rubbing between his cheeks, thick and hot, twitching with need.

Chen Ang’s lips moved to his ear, breath coming in ragged puffs. “Let me grab a condom.”

Xu Heng didn’t let go. One arm held Chen Ang tightly, the other slid down to wrap around the base of that thick shaft. He whispered against his neck, voice hoarse. “Just come in.”

Chen Ang hesitated for a second, about to say something, but Xu Heng kissed him again and sealed his lips. Still holding him, Chen Ang pushed in slowly. The stretch burned, and Xu Heng trembled against him. This position forced every inch deep inside. His back slammed gently against the door as Chen Ang buried himself fully, groaning low against his skin.

Xu Heng could hardly breathe. He was completely filled, impaled on that hard cock, his body clinging to Chen Ang’s heat. Chen Ang held him close, grinding deeper, then pulled back and began to thrust. Slow. Controlled. But firm. The soft creak of the door and the wet sound of skin meeting skin echoed through the room. Not loud enough to alarm the neighbors, but enough to leave a trail of thoughts for anyone walking past.

Xu Heng was burning. His shirt was gone now, and every inch of his skin was flushed red. He clung to Chen Ang’s shoulders, completely naked in his arms, while Chen Ang remained fully dressed. His pants only unfastened at the waist, exposing just enough to thrust. The fabric of his suit brushed against Xu Heng’s bare skin, rough and hot, adding friction to every movement. Each thrust hit deep. The slap of hips against ass grew louder. The sound filled the room in rapid, wet slaps.

Xu Heng felt needed in a way that made his chest ache. Chen Ang kissed his cheeks, his jaw, his neck, biting and sucking as if he couldn’t get enough. His breaths came fast, hot against Xu Heng’s ear. Sweat dripped down his temple, and the muscles along his neck pulled taut. The way he moved was rough, desperate, almost wild. Xu Heng felt like he was going to be torn apart. He whimpered and begged, “Slower, please. Slow down.”

Chen Ang’s grip tightened. “No.”

He hooked Xu Heng’s thighs in his arms and drove in harder. His fingers dug into the flesh of Xu Heng’s ass, gripping until red marks appeared. He slammed in again and again, hitting the sensitive spot with every stroke. Xu Heng threw his head back, his body tensed, then spasmed as he came, ropes of cum splashing against Chen Ang’s suit.

Chen Ang came moments later, his cock pulsing deep inside as his climax tore through him. He buried himself to the hilt, hips trembling with the effort to stay still as his release spilled into Xu Heng. His face pressed into the curve of Xu Heng’s shoulder, hot breath washing over his skin, chest rising and falling in harsh, uneven waves. His arms didn’t loosen. They only tightened, as if afraid to let go, as if holding him was the only thing keeping him grounded.

Xu Heng raised his arms and embraced Chen Ang, gently patting his back.

Semen slowly dripped out of Xu his used hole, trailing down between his ass.

Dazed and lost in the moment, he whispered softly to comfort Chen Ang.

“It’s okay.”