ABOES 103: Go Easy Next Time

Chi Yunxing’s face flushed scarlet in an instant. He took a shallow breath, still trying to resist. “But…”

Duan Zhiyan rested his head against Chi Yunxing’s neck, his hot breath falling on bare skin, sending shivers down his spine. He murmured, “Yunxing, Yunxing…”

His voice was especially husky, the tone slightly rising as if he were coaxing.

Chi Yunxing’s face turned even redder, and the strength in his struggle weakened just a little.

Duan Zhiyan seized the opportunity and captured Chi Yunxing’s lips once again.

By the time the kiss ended, Chi Yunxing was drained of all strength, collapsing softly into Duan Zhiyan’s arms.

Duan Zhiyan carried him in his arms and brought him into the bathroom.

It wasn’t until they entered that Chi Yunxing noticed the tub was already full. Duan Zhiyan had turned on the heater, and the cramped room quickly became even warmer.

While taking off his own shirt, Duan Zhiyan also began removing Chi Yunxing’s thick coral fleece pajamas.

“I… I can do it myself,” Chi Yunxing reached out to stop him.

Unexpectedly, the man caught his hand and kissed it lightly. “Don’t be afraid.”

Chi Yunxing wanted to say he wasn’t afraid but facing the focused look in the man’s eyes, Chi Yunxing suddenly couldn’t say anything at all.

His naked body was exposed to the air, yet he didn’t feel cold. Instead, that roaming hand moved at will, making Chi Yunxing tremble uncontrollably.

“I…” Chi Yunxing pushed at Duan Zhiyan’s head weakly, shrinking back, tears forming at the corners of his beautiful eyes, his voice full of helplessness. “No, we can’t…”

“Don’t be afraid, Yunxing,” Duan Zhiyan whispered again.

Chi Yunxing took a deep breath, finally giving up his resistance.

Kisses landed one after another on the corners of Chi Yunxing’s lips, his cheeks, and every bit of exposed skin.

His trembling grew more intense. Duan Zhiyan reached out to cover his eyes, his voice low and full of temptation as he called Chi Yunxing’s name over and over, “Yunxing, Yunxing, Yunxing…”

In the end, all Chi Yunxing could remember was that spring water was churning fiercely, as if countless stones were sinking into the pool. No matter how much he resisted or struggled, he couldn’t climb out of it.

Not until the water grew murky did everything finally fall into silence.

…

Chi Yunxing seemed to sleep for a very long time.

When he opened his eyes again, he stared at the hazy night outside the window, momentarily dazed. Just as he tried to sit up, a wave of soreness came from somewhere, and his face instantly changed.

The bedroom door opened from the outside, and Duan Zhiyan quickly walked to the bed when he saw Chi Yunxing already sitting up. He reached out to feel his forehead and asked softly, “You’re awake? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

Chi Yunxing’s ears burned from the question. He shook his head. “I’m fine.”

Other than the soreness in his waist, weak limbs, and a certain uncomfortable ache, everything else felt normal.

Hearing that, Duan Zhiyan let out a small breath of relief and asked again, “Hungry? The food I ordered just arrived. I’ll go grab it. How about you eat in bed?”

Chi Yunxing originally wanted to say he would go downstairs, but when he tried to move in the covers, an indescribable soreness swept over him again. His waist gave out and he collapsed back into the bed.

Seeing this, Duan Zhiyan frowned slightly. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Chi Yunxing’s face turned red. He avoided Duan Zhiyan’s gaze and muttered, “Didn’t you say you were getting the food? Go on, I’ll wait.”

Duan Zhiyan looked at him uncertainly and hesitated. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I said I’m fine!” Chi Yunxing raised his voice slightly. “Just go already.”

Duan Zhiyan suddenly understood something, and his eyes filled with concern. He said softly, “I should’ve gone easier.”

“You’re so annoying!” Chi Yunxing’s embarrassment was completely exposed. He yanked the blanket over his head. “Duan Zhiyan, you’re the worst! Go get the food already!”

Duan Zhiyan didn’t budge. Instead, he got on the bed from the other side and pulled the covers off Chi Yunxing.

Chi Yunxing didn’t have Duan Zhiyan’s strength, and today he couldn’t use his full strength anyway. So it didn’t take long before Duan Zhiyan had him unwrapped from the blanket.

“Let me check.” Duan Zhiyan’s voice was deep. “I already checked when I cleaned you up earlier, there shouldn’t be any injuries. Why…”

Chi Yunxing turned even redder at his blunt words and reached out to cover his mouth. “Can you not say so much?!”

Duan Zhiyan knew Chi Yunxing was shy, but this wasn’t something that could be ignored just because he was embarrassed.

“Yunxing, I’m worried. Let me take a look.” Duan Zhiyan frowned, his eyes serious as he looked at him.

Only a small light was on in the room. In the dim lighting, Duan Zhiyan’s features looked especially defined. They were so close that Chi Yunxing could clearly see the deep concern in his eyes.

Chi Yunxing: “…”

=口=！

How the hell am I supposed to say no when you look at me like that?!!!

Chi Yunxing screamed internally.

Though still reluctant, he didn’t refuse again.

During the check, he buried his head under two pillows.

He really wished he could crawl into a hole right then and there!!!

So humiliating!!!

Duan Zhiyan finished quickly. Once he confirmed it was just some redness and no injury, he finally relaxed. “I’ll apply some ointment. It might be a little cold—just bear with it.”

At this point, Chi Yunxing had already resigned himself to fate and treated Duan Zhiyan’s words like background noise.

Still, the man’s gentle touch was impossible to ignore, and Chi Yunxing could only bury himself deeper into the blanket.

After applying the ointment, Duan Zhiyan washed his hands and went downstairs to get the food.

To make sure Chi Yunxing could eat comfortably, Duan Zhiyan didn’t let him do anything himself.

Chi Yunxing didn’t need to move at all. He just lay in bed while Duan Zhiyan fed him soup and food.

Once he was fed, Duan Zhiyan even had him lie on his stomach and gave him a simple massage.

Duan Zhiyan’s hands were wide and warm, and the massage was incredibly soothing, especially on his sore waist.

For the next two days, Chi Yunxing didn’t leave the house.

Or to be more precise, he didn’t even leave the bedroom.

The first day was because he still needed to recover. The second day, well… Chi Yunxing couldn’t resist trying again with Duan Zhiyan and that attempt earned him another full day in bed.

Afterwards, Chi Yunxing grumbled in shame and frustration, “Can’t you go a little shorter? Or do it fewer times?!”

His body wasn’t that weak. He didn’t work out often, but occasionally he did! If it weren’t for Duan Zhiyan tossing him around so much, he wouldn’t be suffering like this!

Duan Zhiyan knew he was angry. He gently kissed the corner of Chi Yunxing’s lips and took full responsibility. “My fault. I’m sorry.”

“I’ll go easier next time, okay?” Duan Zhiyan asked.

Chi Yunxing huffed and muttered, “There’s not going to be a next time!”

Duan Zhiyan chuckled lowly and pulled him into a tight hug. “Really?”

Chi Yunxing didn’t want to answer. He turned over and ignored him.

Duan Zhiyan stared at the red tips of his ears for a while, then wisely stopped pressing.

After all, if he kept going, there really might not be a next time.

…

They stayed home for four full days before going out.

Though, to be fair, this outing wasn’t for leisure. Tomorrow was Chi Xiwen’s birthday, and Chi Yunxing couldn’t put off going home any longer.

As Chi Xiwen’s close friend, Duan Zhiyan naturally had to join as well, so he went back with Chi Yunxing.

It happened to be the weekend, and both Chi Xiwen and Chi Ling were at home. Seeing Chi Yunxing and Duan Zhiyan walk in together, both their expressions changed subtly.

Tan Yao sipped her tea and gave a light cough.

Chi Ling looked like he wanted to say something but swallowed it back.

Chi Xiwen also tried to keep his expression in check.

Grandma Chi, acting as if she noticed nothing, smiled and said, “Oh, Yunxing and Zhiyan, you’re back?”

Chi Yunxing smiled and walked over to her. “Yeah, Grandma. I’m back.”

Then he turned to the others and greeted each of them with a smile. Duan Zhiyan also nodded and greeted everyone.

Grandma Chi looked at Duan Zhiyan and asked, “Why come back today? I thought you two would spend a couple more days having fun!”

Duan Zhiyan said, “Isn’t it Xiwen’s birthday tomorrow? We figured we’d better be here to celebrate.”

Chi Xiwen let out a cold snort. “How generous of you to even remember my birthday.”

Duan Zhiyan smiled, unfazed. “To be honest, I didn’t. Yunxing reminded me.”

Chi Xiwen: “…”

You damn dog, Duan Zhiyan!

Seeing Chi Xiwen’s chest rise and fall with irritation, Chi Yunxing quickly stepped in. “Zhiyan Ge didn’t forget. He even prepared a gift for you!”

“Who wants it?!” Chi Xiwen huffed loudly.

Duan Zhiyan replied calmly, “Alright, I won’t give it then.”

“You—”

“Alright, enough,” Grandma Chi spoke slowly, cutting him off. “You’re acting like some bitter husband lately.”

She picked up her cane and poked Chi Xiwen.

Chi Xiwen’s jaw practically dropped. He stared at her in disbelief. “Grandma, what do you mean ‘bitter husband’?!”

Grandma Chi glanced at him and said calmly, “Jealous of your brother and your friend being in relationships every day—what else should I call it?”

“Pfft—”

Tan Yao couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

Even Chi Yunxing, who tried not to laugh, couldn’t help it. Grandma Chi’s phrasing was just too funny.

Chi Xiwen panicked. “I’m not jealous! I’m—”

“Mhm, not bitter—just jealous,” Duan Zhiyan cut in at just the right moment.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA—” This time, it was Grandma Chi who laughed out loud.

Chi Xiwen: “…”

That’s it. He got the message loud and clear.

Being single in this house meant having zero status.

Fuming, Chi Xiwen snapped, “It’s just a relationship! I’ll find someone now! It’s not like I can’t find a partner!”

He refused to believe it. He would be twenty-eight tomorrow—was he really not able to find someone?

He immediately pulled out his phone to post on his social feed, asking his buddies to help set him up.

What he didn’t know was that as soon as his post went live, Grandma Chi shared it in a group chat with Yu Qiu, Duan Yu, Tan Yao, Chi Ling, Chi Yunxing, and Duan Zhiyan, and openly mocked him:

[Grandma Chi: Look at him—furious and flustered!]
[Yu Qiu: Looks like he’s really losing it.]
[Tan Yao: Furious, but still not a date in sight.]
[Duan Yu: Daily question—when will Chi Xiwen find someone? As of now, he’s the only single dog in the family.]