CTS 49

Shen Mo didn’t know how long he had been asleep. When he opened his eyes, he instinctively looked around for the man, then realized he was in the bedroom, lying in bed alone.

The living room was quiet. The lights had long been turned off. Through the faint moonlight, he could make out the silhouette of the man sleeping on the sofa. His breathing was steady. He looked like he was asleep.

Shen Mo sat there dazed for a while. He raised a hand and touched his temple. That spot still seemed to carry a trace of warmth, making him wonder whether that kiss had really happened or if it had just been a vivid, tender dream.

If it was real, why had Zhou Yang kissed him secretly?

If it was just a dream…

Well, after so long of seeing without touching, it would be perfectly normal to dream of something like that.

Thinking of all the strange excuses that man had used just to keep sleeping separately, Shen Mo sighed helplessly and pulled the blanket over himself again.

The weather grew colder as the end of the year approached. Everyone seemed to be getting busier, except for idle Shen Mo. That man’s work had become especially hectic. For several nights in a row, he didn’t come home at all. Still, he paid careful attention to Shen Mo’s rehab schedule. No matter what, he always made time to accompany him to his sessions.

He had told Shen Mo in advance that he would be spending the New Year with his family and could only celebrate Christmas together.

Shen Mo had no objections. He never cared much about holidays. Celebrate or not, it was all the same to him. But since the man had brought it up, he started putting in a bit of thought.

After all, only his right hand was injured. The rest of him worked just fine. It had taken so long to break through that outer shell. Wasn’t it time to finally taste what was underneath?

So on Christmas night, Shen Mo deliberately cooked a few of his best dishes and opened a bottle of red wine. He vaguely remembered Zhou Yang’s alcohol tolerance… actually, he couldn’t quite remember. Probably not great?

The man, as expected, came home early. When he saw the table full of food, his expression didn’t change much. He simply sat down and started eating, clearly intent on clearing every single dish.

Shen Mo poured him a glass of wine and asked, “When are you planning to leave?”

He had mentioned going abroad to spend time with his family.

“In a few days. Once I wrap up everything at work,” the man said as he kept picking up food with his chopsticks. He looked at Shen Mo and added, “You’ll be home alone…”

“It’s alright,” Shen Mo replied after thinking for a moment. “I was actually thinking of going back to my own place for a bit.”

The man nodded. “You should.”

Then he added, “I’ll have someone book your ticket.”

“No need. It’s just the next city over.”

While speaking, Shen Mo kept refilling his glass. He had fully intended to get someone drunk tonight, but things didn’t go as planned. After a whole bottle of red wine, that man’s face didn’t even flush. He looked perfectly fine, while Shen Mo himself started feeling a little tipsy. To make things worse, there was no atmosphere at all during dinner, since the man was completely focused on clearing every dish Shen Mo had made. He didn’t lift his head once. Shen Mo just regretted not preparing any antacids.

After dinner, the man took the initiative to wash the dishes.

Shen Mo, now quite buzzed, swayed his way to the kitchen and leaned against the doorway, watching him. The man had rolled up his shirt sleeves, and the sound of running water filled the kitchen. Droplets splashed onto his arms. He was tall, his posture straight, and the lines of his waist were especially striking.

Without realizing it, Shen Mo walked in. Emboldened by the alcohol, he reached out and hugged the man from behind.

The man froze for a moment and turned his head. “Stop messing around.”

But Shen Mo just held him tighter, pressing his cheek against the man’s back and whispering, “I missed you.”

The man seemed stunned, and stay still for a while.

Shen Mo moved to his side and tilted his face up for a kiss. Caught in a daze, he murmured, “Zhou Yang…”

The man’s body tensed. He suddenly turned his face away.

Shen Mo missed his lips and instead kissed the side of his neck. His lips brushed against the slight tremble of the man’s Adam’s apple. Shen Mo pulled back slightly but didn’t move away. His breath was a mess.

He gently kissed that same spot again.

The man let out a low, suppressed sound. “Shen Mo.”

Shen Mo’s heart was pounding. He kissed upward little by little, from his neck to his jaw, then finally to his lips.

The taste was even better than he imagined.

Shen Mo only gave a light kiss, then pulled back a little with a glint of pride in his eyes and said, “Zhou…”

Before he could finish the name, the man’s gaze darkened. He grabbed Shen Mo’s arm, pressed him firmly against the counter, and lowered his head to kiss him fiercely.