Chapter 27 – Private Domain

After the restaurant closed for the evening, Ye Zhou didn’t leave right away; instead, he sat at the bar for a while.

When Fang Ji arrived around eight o’clock, he saw Ye Zhou sitting at the bar counter. The relationship between the restaurant staff and the bar staff was quite good, so they often shared information. When Fang Ji learned that Ye Zhou was pursuing Guan Heng some time ago, he had a sense of confirmation. However, later on, when Fang Ji tried to find Ye Zhou, he couldn’t. Ye Zhou either left early or promptly at eight o’clock, as if every extra second spent might hinder his love life.

This time, seizing a rare opportunity, Fang Ji immediately walked over and draped his arm over Ye Zhou’s shoulder from behind, afraid he’d run off. “Why are you still here? Aren’t you looking for your Professor Guan?”

Ye Zhou turned to look at Fang Ji. “It’s the end of the semester, he’s been busy lately.”

Seeing a glass of alcohol on Ye Zhou’s table, Fang Ji quickly released his hold and sat down beside him. “How are things between you two? Are you together now?”

Ye Zhou pondered for a moment before shaking his head. “I’m not sure.”

Fang Ji was somewhat surprised. “How could you not know? Is he playing games with you?”

“No,” Ye Zhou denied instantly. “Don’t jump to conclusions, it’s just a bit complicated.”

Ye Zhou hadn’t told Fang Ji about Yue Shu before, as he thought there wouldn’t be any further intersection between himself and Guan Heng. But now that Yue Shu had returned, Ye Zhou was indeed feeling somewhat agitated. He avoided the parts he couldn’t disclose and simply explained the situation to Fang Ji.

Fang Ji watched as the alcohol in Ye Zhou’s glass slowly diminished, not engaging in arguments with him as he used to. Although Ye Zhou wasn’t drinking heavily, he usually didn’t touch alcohol much.

Ye Zhou may not have realized it himself, but each year during this month, his mood would inexplicably sink. Fang Ji, who had known Ye Zhou for over a decade, knew that the death of his parents had dealt him a significant blow. During high school, Ye Zhou would cause trouble every January, accumulating quite a few enemies, which led to the exposure of his sexual orientation. Fortunately, as he grew older, the frequency of his outbursts decreased, and none occurred after they started their business together. Ye Zhou probably also worked hard to regulate his emotions, so Fang Ji would never argue with him during this period.

Listening to Ye Zhou ramble on, Fang Ji occasionally responded and said, “Don’t drink too much, I’ll take you home later.”

Ye Zhou stayed until nine o’clock before planning to leave. Fang Ji instructed an employee to watch the place and said he’d be back soon. But when he put on his coat and was about to send Ye Zhou home, he saw Guan Heng standing at the door.

Ye Zhou hadn’t drunk much, not enough to lose his balance, but he was slightly dizzy. Still, Fang Ji draped one of Ye Zhou’s arms over his shoulder to prevent him from falling.

Guan Heng looked at the two of them indifferently, then stepped forward and swiftly pulled Ye Zhou over. “I’m here to pick him up.”

“Oh, okay.” Fang Ji was momentarily taken aback. Was it an illusion? Why did Guan Heng’s eyes seem cold just now?

“Guan Heng,” Ye Zhou straightened up immediately, looking sober except for his flushed face due to the alcohol. “You came to see me?”

Guan Heng smelled the alcohol on Ye Zhou. “You’ve been drinking?”

“Mmm…”

Was it Fang Ji’s imagination, or did Ye Zhou seem unusually obedient and well-behaved in front of Guan Heng? Perhaps it was just a trick of the eye, or maybe Ye Zhou was drunk. Ye Zhou’s emotions were typically unstable during this time, making him prone to outbursts.

Guan Heng looked at the still dazed Fang Ji and nodded. “I’ll take him home.”

“Okay, okay, thank you…” Fang Ji nodded mechanically, still finding it unbelievable. None of Ye Zhou’s previous partners could control him, and they couldn’t even help in situations like this.

This university professor was no simple man.

Fang Ji watched the two figures walk further and further away, stroking his chin. He suddenly had a bold idea—maybe Ye Zhou was more suited to someone who could handle him.

When Ye Zhou saw Guan Heng, he was mostly sober, but his mind was still a bit fuzzy, and his steps felt light as if he was elated. “Why are you here? Haven’t you been very busy lately?”

Ye Zhou had only wanted a small drink today, not intending to get drunk. He just hadn’t expected Guan Heng to come looking for him specifically, making his joy difficult to conceal.

Guan Heng maintained his arm around Ye Zhou, although it was Ye Zhou’s shoulder he rested upon. “I saw the lights off at your house when I got back, so I came to check.”

“Mm.” Ye Zhou found the position a bit strange, as if he was being protected by Guan Heng. But since it was rare to be this close, he didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere.

The two didn’t say much along the way, yet it didn’t feel awkward.

Arriving at the doorstep, Guan Heng took out the key and opened the gate to the courtyard. Ye Zhou watched his actions in silence for a moment before suddenly asking, “Can I go to your place?”

The door clicked open as Guan Heng turned to look at him.

Ye Zhou was clearly not drunk, but for some reason, he was feeling the effects of the alcohol. He realized how much he cared about this, eager to enter Guan Heng’s private domain but fearing it might put Guan Heng in a difficult spot. “Mm, I…”

Guan Heng didn’t refuse. “Once you step in, you might not be able to leave.”

“Mm?” Ye Zhou nodded first, then wondered if he had misheard, sounding puzzled.

Guan Heng smiled. “Just kidding.”

“Oh.” Ye Zhou was momentarily stunned before realizing what had happened. He actually felt a bit hopeful. So Guan Heng also made jokes like this, kind of cute.

Guan Heng had already opened the door to his house and turned on the lights. “Come in.”

Ye Zhou stood in place for a moment before following him inside. The living room was clean and tidy, filled with wooden furniture, likely high-grade teakwood. There was a faint, pleasant scent of wood in the air, similar to Guan Heng’s own fragrance. Ye Zhou couldn’t help but think of the kiss they shared that day, and the alcohol metabolizing in his body promoted blood circulation, causing his body to heat up inexplicably.

Guan Heng took off his coat and hung it on the hanger in the entranceway, then hung up Ye Zhou’s jacket. “Feel free to sit wherever.”

“Okay.” Ye Zhou wasn’t in a hurry to sit down, instead looking around curiously. He still felt a sense of unreality, wondering how it seemed easier than he imagined, making his previous stubbornness seem a bit laughable.

Guan Heng didn’t treat Ye Zhou like an outsider, casually entering the kitchen to pour him a glass of honey water to help with the alcohol.

Ye Zhou wasn’t actually drunk, but he wouldn’t refuse Guan Heng’s kindness. “Thank you.”

Guan Heng’s kitchen was empty, clearly not frequently used. As Ye Zhou drank the honey water, he observed the furnishings in Guan Heng’s house. The interior was all warm tones, with the majority being wooden furniture, different from what Ye Zhou had expected. He thought someone like Guan Heng would prefer cool or gray tones, fitting the characteristics of a mature man. But the wooden series was also nice, appearing natural and warm.

Guan Heng poured himself a glass of water and leaned back against the dining table. “Satisfied with what you see?”

Ye Zhou laughed. “Very nice.”

“Wanna take a look upstairs?”

Ye Zhou was visibly taken aback. Their houses had similar layouts, with the second floor being more private bedrooms. He couldn’t help but wonder what Guan Heng meant by this, was he overthinking it? But by the time he realized, his mouth had moved faster than his brain. “Yes.”

Guan Heng calmly set down his glass and pointed to Ye Zhou’s cup. “Finish your honey water first.”

Ye Zhou’s mind was filled with all sorts of nonsense, his Adam’s apple moving up and down as he felt inexplicably thirsty. He gulped down the honey water and followed Guan Heng upstairs. There were two rooms on the second floor, one being Guan Heng’s bedroom, and the other resembling a study. The door to the study wasn’t fully closed, leaving a gap through which Ye Zhou could vaguely see bookshelves and a desk, but the books on the table were completely obscured.

Ye Zhou merely glanced once, thinking that those seemed to be the pieces of furniture he had seen on the day Guan Heng moved in. He didn’t notice that Guan Heng, walking ahead, had stopped and turned around. Ye Zhou walked straight into him.

Ye Zhou was walking slowly, so the collision didn’t hurt at all. Instead, their distance suddenly shortened, their bodies almost touching. Guan Heng’s face was close, getting even closer. Ye Zhou smelled again the pleasant cedar musk scent on Guan Heng.

The alcohol lowered Ye Zhou’s judgment and self-control, or perhaps he was bewitched by Guan Heng’s fragrance. He tilted his head slightly, wrapped his arms around Guan Heng’s neck, and boldly initiated a kiss.

Guan Heng tasted the faint honey flavor on Ye Zhou’s lips.

With one arm around Ye Zhou, Guan Heng reached behind him and quietly shut the study door.