Chapter 48 – The Eve of the Minor New Year

On the day of the Minor New Year’s Eve, Guan Heng had some matters to attend to in the morning, so Ye Zhou decided to go out and buy some New Year’s goods since he was at home with nothing to do.

The closer they got to the New Year, the more intense the atmosphere became. The market was even more crowded than usual, with everyone carrying large bags filled with food. Many stalls were also selling Spring Festival couplets. Ye Zhou wandered around aimlessly, soaking up the festive atmosphere on the streets. He didn’t know what Guan Heng liked to eat, so he bought a little bit of every snack—dried squid strips, melon seeds, pistachios, meat jerky, and sweets.

On his way home, he passed by a supermarket and remembered that they were running low on cooking oil at home. Some seasonings seemed to be almost depleted too, so he planned to buy some to stock up.

The supermarket was packed with people, and the checkout lines were long. Since Ye Zhou wasn’t in a hurry, he slowly browsed around. When he reached the household items section, he noticed boxes of condoms neatly arranged on the shelves, available in various sizes.

He paused, remembering that Guan Heng had finished a box of condoms a few days ago. He wasn’t sure if there were any left at home and wondered if it was time to replenish their supply.

But wouldn’t it be too soon?

Ye Zhou hesitated, then finally reached out and grabbed a few boxes of the size he usually used, but one size larger. Then, he picked up a few lubricants as well, pushing the cart away as if nothing had happened, and joined the queue to pay.

When Ye Zhou returned home, it was still before noon, and Guan Heng hadn’t come back yet. He arranged the snacks he bought onto separate plates and then placed the condoms and lubricants in the drawer under the bedside table in the room. Suddenly, he remembered how Guan Heng had retrieved something from under the living room table last time. After some thought, he decided to take out some spare supplies from the room and put them back in the drawer under the living room table.

The living room…once in a while should be fine, right?

Ye Zhou patted his face, stopping himself from overthinking. He went into the kitchen to prepare the ingredients, simmering a soup on low heat, and then began cleaning the house.

Guan Heng had moved in less than a year ago, and he always kept things clean. The furniture was all new, so there wasn’t much need for cleaning. So Ye Zhou checked his own room to see if there was anything to tidy up. Half of the items that once had signs of life were now moved to the neighboring house, making this place look more like a warehouse.

Ye Zhou never imagined that his room would one day be in such a state of emptiness. He gave a wry smile. In the end, he threw the sheets and bedding into the washing machine, hung them out to dry on the rooftop, and wiped away the thin layer of dust on the table and floor, finishing the general cleaning.

While Ye Zhou was hanging the sheets and bedding out to dry on the rooftop, Guan Heng happened to walk back from outside.

Ye Zhou called out from the rooftop, and Guan Heng looked up. The weather had finally cleared up just before the New Year, no longer gloomy. The person on the rooftop wore a bright smile, warmer than the winter sun, and the sheets and bedding fluttered gently behind him in the wind, creating a simple yet beautiful scene of everyday life.

Guan Heng gazed at Ye Zhou, a faint smile on his lips. He opened the door and entered the courtyard, and Ye Zhou rushed down from the rooftop to welcome him home.

Although the Eve of the Minor New Year wasn’t the same as New Year’s Eve, Ye Zhou prepared a full table of dishes, creating a festive atmosphere. Since Guan Heng would be going home tomorrow and they wouldn’t see each other again until a few days later, they decided to celebrate early.

Guan Heng asked again, “Are you really not coming home with me?”

“No,” Ye Zhou replied as he served him a bowl of chicken soup. “We’ve only been together for a short time; it’s a bit too soon.”

Although the length of time didn’t necessarily mean anything, to others, it might seem unstable. Before Guan Heng could say anything, Ye Zhou asked, “Do your family know about us?”

“They do.” Although Guan Heng was busy, he still found time to call home occasionally, mentioning their relationship during those calls.

Ye Zhou smiled. “They might need some time to digest it. It’s a bit sudden for me to go, not to mention that I’m not mentally prepared, and they might not be ready either…”

Guan Heng could tell that Ye Zhou was somewhat reluctant and didn’t force the issue. “I’ll try to come back as soon as possible.”

“There’s no need to rush,” Ye Zhou said, looking at him. “It’s rare for you to go home, so spend quality time with your family. Anyway, you’ll be back in a few days, and we can celebrate the festival together then.”

Guan Heng couldn’t understand how Ye Zhou, who had lost his parents’ love since childhood, could be so considerate. He reached out and touched his head.

Ye Zhou was now quite accustomed to Guan Heng touching his head. “Let’s eat.”

“Mm.”

After dinner, Guan Heng helped clear the dining table and washed the dishes. They cuddled on the sofa and watched TV for a while, but Ye Zhou was somewhat distracted, frequently glancing at the drawer under the table.

Guan Heng habitually placed his left hand on Ye Zhou’s shoulder, feeling the person beneath his palm moving restlessly, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Ye Zhou made a sound and whispered, “Should we take a shower together?”

Guan Heng remained silent but slightly bent down to open the drawer under the table, discovering an unopened box of condoms and a bottle of lubricant, clearly newly purchased. He chuckled. “When did you buy these?”

Ye Zhou was surprised that Guan Heng had noticed and looked somewhat awkward. “This morning.”

Guan Heng finally answered, “Mm, let’s shower together.”

Once inside the bathroom, they kissed again, undressing each other. Ye Zhou boldly reached out to touch Guan Heng’s pectoral muscles, unable to stop once he started.

Although Ye Zhou always felt drained after each session, this kind of thing was truly addictive.

As Guan Heng was preparing Ye Zhou, he asked, “Should we use a condom?”

Although it was more pleasurable without one, Ye Zhou hadn’t fully adjusted to Guan Heng’s size yet. Using a condom would make it less uncomfortable for him. Ye Zhou hesitated for a moment before saying, “…Yes, let’s use one.”

Guan Heng asked again, “In the living room?”

“In the…room.”

Guan Heng quickly understood. “Did you also prepare the room?”

Ye Zhou: “…” He started to doubt whether he was asking for trouble. He, a former top, had now fallen to the point of buying someone else’s condoms.

However, once they started, he couldn’t think of anything else.

Guan Heng, as always, was dominant, thoroughly controlling all of Ye Zhou’s senses as if surveying his territory.

Although the night was deep, the people weren’t yet quiet. A few children were laughing and playing on the nearby empty ground, and the night sky echoed with the sound of fireworks welcoming the New Year ahead of time.