DABGBTF 21

Xie Zheng returned to Chen’an, and was immediately surrounded by countless drinking banquets and social engagements.

He had lived two months of leisurely days, and almost forgot that what he lived previously was this kind of life of wine and women.¹An idiom that translates to “flower sky and wine earth.” It vividly describes indulging in a life of debauchery, drinking, and womanizing (or in this context, partying and social excess).

Xie Jinde’s examinations continuously couldn’t yield any results so Xie Zheng arranged a hospital transfer for him, and used his connections to find him a doctor with a good reputation.

Xie Zheng also didn’t forget to find an intern to go over and water Song Qingyuan’s flowers.

The intern took pictures for Xie Zheng a few times, and Xie Zheng forwarded the photos to Song Qingyuan.

Song Qingyuan was very gratified by this. “They are raised so much better than you raised them.”

Xie Zheng: “…”

He felt that some people just deserved to be impotent.

Back and forth, more than half a month passed.

In the early hours of June 1st. After Xie Zheng finished a meeting, he sat in his office chair smoking with his legs crossed. He then suddenly remembered something.

He grabbed his phone and sent a message to Lu Lu.

[Xie]: Happy birthday.

Lu Lu quickly replied to the message.

[Stupid Deer]: Uh-huh! Thank you Uncle!

Pausing, there was another message: How has Uncle been recently?

Xie Zheng replied: Not bad.

After replying to the message, Xie Zheng casually clicked into Lu Lu’s WeChat Moments.

When the two had just added each other as friends, Lu Lu’s Moments only had one picture of petting cats in a cat cafe. Recently, he had posted two more. One’s accompanying picture was a tall, semi-finished skeletal Venus, with Lu Lu’s hand making a peace sign next to it. The distinct-knuckled fingers were completely covered in mud and ash, even bringing some onto his wrist and forearm.

The other one actually showed his face, but only half of it. The boy was dragging a grumpy-faced cat from who knows where in his hand, squatting on the ground with curving eyes to take a picture with the cat. He has a very big and sunny smile, revealing a bit of white teeth.

Xie Zheng had been successful in his career recently, but his body was a bit weird.

From presenting until now, his desires had always been very strong.

Yet now, he might not think of that kind of thing for several days in a row. Sometimes, the mood would come fast, fiercely, and frequently, needing to relieve himself several times a day and still feeling it wasn’t satisfying enough.

Lao Tian even probingly asked Xie Zheng if he wanted to find a new one, but was flatly rejected by Xie Zheng.

Chen’an wasn’t like Linyuan. No matter how you put it, it was still under his parents’ watchful eyes, and maybe someone you knew was a spy sent by rivals to dig for information. Even if not, with so many cooperative enterprises in Chen’an, if the news got out that an Alpha’s pillow talk partner²A poetic term for a bedfellow, romantic partner, or spouse. was also an Alpha, it wouldn’t do Xie Zheng any good.

Secondly, it was also very hard for Xie Zheng to find another person who suited his tastes as much as Lu Lu did.

Considering everything comprehensively, Xie Zheng was more inclined to solve it manually himself.

Yet fortunately, Lu Lu’s Moments weren’t hidden from him. Those few photos had already been examined by him to the point of developing a patina³盘到包浆 (Pán dào bāojiāng – Examined/rubbed to a patina): This is a fantastic bit of modern Chinese internet slang. “Pán” refers to the hobby of continuously rolling/rubbing walnuts or prayer beads in one’s hand until the oils create a smooth, glossy surface called a “patina” (bāojiāng). By saying he “rubbed” the photos to a patina, it means Xie Zheng has been staring at, zooming in on, and using Lu Lu’s photos so much for his “manual problem solving” that the digital images are practically worn out., being very useful material.

At the end of June, Xie Jinde, who had recuperated in the hospital until his complexion was rosy, was discharged.

Meng Haiying held a family gathering, inviting Xie Li’s family over for a meal.

The relationship between the two families had always been good. The two female Omega elders were even closer, like best friends.

Topics flew all over the sky like willow catkins—from the increasingly muggy weather to employment prospects to current political events.

It went in Xie Zheng’s left ear and out his right, drinking the red wine Xie Li brought while zoning out.

Meng Haiying suddenly asked Xie Li. “Is Xiao Li dating anyone?”

Xie Li coughed. “…No.”

“You learned bad habits from your gege.” Meng Haiying smiled. “Young people nowadays, one or two of them all refuse to get married—you and Xie Zheng really must do it as early as possible.”

As if suddenly remembering something, Meng Haiying said, “Jiancheng’s Lao Xu⁴Literally Old Xu in english., Xie Zheng, do you still remember him? I think his son is quite nice. A well-behaved and cute Omega—last time he saw Xie Zheng, his eyes went straight. Lao Xu’s wife even told me to let the two kids meet when they have free time.”

Xie Zheng placed his wine glass on the table. “Let’s not talk about this.”

“You child are just too stubborn.” Meng Haiying looked towards Xie Li. “Xiao Li, help me persuade your ge a bit.”

Xie Zheng: “…”

During this period since he returned home, he had been living in his own apartment. He occasionally returned to his parents’ house, and his parents had also never again rushed him to get married or find a partner.

Although he didn’t think he wouldn’t be rushed again, he didn’t expect this day to come so quickly.

The most disgusting thing was that Meng Haiying had actually learned to use a softer approach.

Tone slowed down, with a smile on her face—an expression of being forced into a corner by him yet remaining tolerant and magnanimous.

Xie Zheng touched the skeletal tattoo on his shoulder through his shirt.

He originally didn’t want to pay attention to it, but heard Mrs. Meng said to Xie Li, half-sighing, “I just want to let your gege live a normal and happy life.”

Xie Zheng’s movements paused.

The red wine he had just drunk and the food he had eaten suddenly churned in Xie Zheng’s stomach. It sharply and coldly pierced his internal organs, giving Xie Zheng an urge to vomit.

Xie Zheng didn’t show it on his face. He sat in place without batting an eyelid, but that feeling of wanting to vomit grew stronger and stronger.

Xie Zheng abruptly stood up, and walked quickly towards the restroom.

He propped both hands on the sink counter and dry-heaved a few times, but nothing came out.

It wasn’t until a few minutes later that the uncomfortable nausea finally faded. Xie Zheng washed his face, and finally felt a bit better.

He looked up and saw Xie Li standing behind him through the mirror with a very complex expression on his face.

Xie Zheng laughed. “What? Peeking at me going to the toilet?”

Xie Li: “…”

Xie Li’s face was instantly full of speechlessness. He asked Xie Zheng, “Are you okay? Body feeling unwell?”

“A little.”

“Is it because Aunt said those things?”

“It has nothing to do with my mom.” Xie Zheng indifferently said, “My stomach just suddenly felt uncomfortable.”

“What’s wrong with your stomach?”

“Where do you get so much curiosity?” Xie Zheng lit a cigarette. “I’m pregnant—happy now?”

Xie Li: “…”

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but finally left with a “I have nothing to say to you” expression.

Xie Zheng looked at his retreating back, unable to resist laughing, but he suddenly raised his voice. “Thanks.”

Xie Li didn’t look back, and waved his hand.

The next day, the temperature was outrageously hot. Even with the AC on in the office, people were sweating. Xie Zheng had a few assistants go buy ice cream to distribute to the employees.

Before long, ice cream emitting cold air was brought upstairs. The whole floor echoed with lively cheers, and the company group chat started constantly spamming “Long live President Xie!!”

An assistant also brought a bag over for Xie Zheng to choose from. Xie Zheng casually picked a chocolate-flavored one. Just after taking a bite, smelling the sweet scent of chocolate, he suddenly felt he had no appetite again.

This kind of thing happened a few more times over the next few days, either suddenly losing his appetite, or having strange cramps in his stomach. Xie Zheng intuitively felt it was weird, and upon mentioning this to Song Qingyuan, that guy even congratulated him. “Stomach problems are standard equipment for a domineering CEO. Congratulations on becoming more like a qualified domineering CEO.”

Xie Zheng planned to tag along and do a checkup during the company health examination in a few days.

That day, Xie Zheng returned from a social engagement and the time was already very late.

It wasn’t any peak hour time either but the road was very congested, moving bit by bit.

Xie Zheng wanted to lean against the back of the seat to sleep for a while but couldn’t sleep peacefully. His face was dark as he cursed several times in a row.

Lao Tian had a little girl in his family who was in high school. He smiled as he explained to Xie Zheng, “Ge, the students are on summer vacation these few days. They’ve all come out to play.”

Xie Zheng scoffed. “Wandering around randomly in the middle of the night—they will behave themselves once they meet a bad person.”

“Who says otherwise?” Lao Tian responded, and suddenly raised his voice. “Ge, isn’t that the kid?”

What kid? Which kid?

Xie Zheng opened his eyes. He looked across the road following the direction Lao Tian’s finger was pointing and unexpectedly saw Lu Lu.

The boy’s hair looked a bit shorter than before, but could still be tied up at the back of his head. Freshly and cleanly carrying a backpack, he held a piece of bread with both hands and gnawed on it. It was an eating appearance that gave people a good appetite. The people passing by him all had that kind of expression where they let out a little smile because they thought he was very cute.

Xie Zheng smiled. “Drive over there.”

There was no way to turn in this place. Lao Tian had to drive the car forward a distance before he could make a U-turn, wasting quite a bit of time going back and forth.

Fortunately, Lu Lu was still in the same place. That big bread had actually already been eaten and he was currently drinking water, his Adam’s apple rising, falling, and rolling. His whole person matched very well with tonight’s summer night—fresh and clean.

He rolled down the car window.

The sharp brows and eyes were exposed bit by bit in front of Lu Lu, followed by the bridge of the nose, and the thin lips carrying a hint of a smile.

Lu Lu was strange at first, as if not knowing why someone would suddenly stop a car right in front of him, and even took two steps to the side. However, along with the continuous lowering of the car window, he stopped moving. He pinched the emptied mineral water bottle and stood in place, blankly making eye contact with Xie Zheng.

Xie Zheng leaned against the car window, smiling very flirtatiously. “Are you on summer vacation?”

Lu Lu opened his mouth, and before speaking, his eyes first curved and he smiled.

Xie Zheng lifted his chin. “Parking isn’t allowed here, get in the car first.”

Lu Lu was still smiling, his eyes curving as he walked around to the other side. He pulled open the car door and got in.

Following Lu Lu getting in the car, Xie Zheng smelled a very fresh citrus-type scent.

The familiar pomelo scent.

The moment he smelled this scent, the color of Xie Zheng’s eyes darkened.

Those memories of being together with Lu Lu were successfully awakened. He remembered how he used to kiss Lu Lu inextricably in the narrow car, the bridge of his nose bumping against the bridge of his nose—even the simplest breathing and swallowing saliva became strenuous.

He asked Lu Lu, “When did you come to Chen’an? Why didn’t you contact me?”

“I came over just yesterday, together with classmates.” Lu Lu answered, “We came to look for jobs. I also wanted to contact Uncle Xie, but I thought I should wait until finding a job first before talking about it.”

“Only because of work?”

This car didn’t have a partition board. Lao Tian pretended to be a driver deaf in both ears, quietly driving the car.

Lu Lu pursed his lips and smiled.

Xie Zheng actually also couldn’t say for sure whether among Lu Lu’s reasons for coming to Chen’an this time there would be one that was to find him.

He again chatted idly with Lu Lu a few sentences of nonsense like “finished exams” and “how do you feel about your grades,” feeling that he should release a bit of a signal.

Lu Lu’s brain was very clever and would definitely understand his meaning. If he didn’t catch it, he wouldn’t force it either; if he did catch it, he also wouldn’t mind continuing to pay Lu Lu one or two months of salary.

Thinking like this, Xie Zheng shifted his seat a bit towards Lu Lu.

He asked again, “You came to Chen’an only because you want to work a part-time job?”

Lu Lu: “Also to come here to play a bit. There are many scenic spots here, and during summer vacation, many of them are open to students for free, so we can go sketching.”

Xie Zheng raised his eyebrows, feeling that he understood Lu Lu’s answer. “Where do you live? I’ll have Lao Tian take you back—”

Before the words were even finished, his face was suddenly cupped by someone using both hands. Lu Lu just kissed him like that, tongue hooking his tongue, teeth lightly biting on the tip of Xie Zheng’s tongue. The sucking force was very great, as if wanting to swallow Xie Zheng down.

The moment their lips met, Xie Zheng’s restlessness obtained satisfaction.

Lu Lu held back the urge to sigh.

He had wanted to contact Xie Zheng after settling down these few days, perhaps after moving to another city, the two of them could interact using a different identity from before. However, Xie Zheng’s words just now made Lu Lu wake up to reality. As long as he refused, Xie Zheng would disappear completely from his life, once again.

Subtle water sounds echoed in the narrow and quiet car cabin space. Lao Tian reached out and turned on the radio. The music immediately covered up all sounds, and he turned the car around, continuing to drive towards Xie Zheng’s apartment.

This kiss lasted for a long time, and in this kiss, Xie Zheng gradually thought of more things regarding Lu Lu.

He clearly recalled every detail more regarding Lu Lu. He remembered that every time the two of them went to bed, although Lu Lu’s expression was very fresh and clean, he also wasn’t without sweat—sweat dripped down along his fair body, smashing onto Xie Zheng’s body with obvious traces of exercise. It landed many times on his lower abdomen, where a certain shape would usually be revealed.

Just recalling those ‘little deaths’⁵A direct translation of the French idiom “la petite mort,” which is used as a literary or poetic term for the brief loss or weakening of consciousness that occurs after reaching orgasm. It signifies Xie Zheng recalling the intense sexual peaks they shared. time after time, Xie Zheng became involuntarily excited, the scent of smoked pepper swiftly filling the space of the sedan.

Lao Tian quickly sent the two back home. Xie Zheng was pinned against the door panel by Lu Lu and gently kissed. Xie Zheng really hated this kind of lukewarm kiss, pressing the back of Lu Lu’s neck wanting to take the initiative to deepen it, but after several times they were all dodged.

“F*ck… you’ve grown capable.” Xie Zheng bit hard on Lu Lu’s lower lip. “Xiao Lu cub, you’ve grown capable.”

Lu Lu’s lips pressed against Xie Zheng’s lips, and asked, “Does Uncle want it?”

“…Try talking nonsense with me again and see.”

Lu Lu asked, “Then does Uncle miss me?”

Xie Zheng smiled. “I do.”⁶In the previous section, Lu Lu asked “叔叔想我吗？”. This can translate to “Does Uncle miss me?” or “Does Uncle want me (sexually)?” Xie Zheng replies “想啊” (I do). I translated it simply as “I do” to capture that he is answering affirmatively to both interpretations.

This was the truth. His phone still saved those three photos Lu Lu posted on his Moments, and every now and then he had to savor them.

Lu Lu lifted him onto the flat surface of the cabinet by the door, and squatted down.

Xie Zheng, feeling Lu Lu’s warm mouth, was stimulated until his body was trembling. “…Xiao Lu, Xiao Lu, good Xiao Lu…”

Yet right when Lu Lu was about to enter, Xie Zheng suddenly started feeling uncomfortable again. 

He stopped all movements, clutching his lower abdomen with furrowed brows, trying to suppress that strange feeling.

Lu Lu keenly noticed Xie Zheng’s change. He reached out, his palm overlapping on the back of Xie Zheng’s hand that was clutching his lower abdomen. “…What’s wrong?”

Xie Zheng let out a breath. “My stomach, it’s been a bit uncomfortable lately.”

That bizarre sense of discomfort quickly faded away. Xie Zheng originally wanted to continue, but Lu Lu absolutely refused to agree.

“If Uncle is uncomfortable, then rest first.” 

Lu Lu endured it until his voice was a bit shaky, carrying a heavily lustful breathy tone. “I’ll do it myself.”

Xie Zheng: “…”

He was truly exasperated. How did he not know before that Lu Lu was such a massive stubborn mule⁷A colloquial term used to describe someone who is exceptionally stubborn, headstrong, and refuses to change their mind once it’s made up.? 

He had never seen someone with a buffet laid out right in front of their eyes who still insists on buying a boxed lunch to eat.

He mischievously nudged Lu Lu with his knee. “You really don’t want to do it?”

Lu Lu fell silent.

Of course he wanted to—he wanted it incredibly. For these past two months, he thought of Xie Zheng every day, and every day he would look at that highly improper selfie Xie Zheng took using his phone. 

Not only did he want to do it, he also wanted to mark Xie Zheng one more time. He wanted to see him feeling so good because of him that he couldn’t even stand steady, kneeling on one knee in the fast-food restaurant’s restroom, his entire face flushed, pants completely wet in a large patch.

—

Lu Lu’s Weibo

[Posted on June 5th]

@Deer: Better if he hadn’t sent a message, now that he sent one I keep wanting to look at my phone TT

• 1
  An idiom that translates to “flower sky and wine earth.” It vividly describes indulging in a life of debauchery, drinking, and womanizing (or in this context, partying and social excess).
• 2
  A poetic term for a bedfellow, romantic partner, or spouse.
• 3
  盘到包浆 (Pán dào bāojiāng – Examined/rubbed to a patina): This is a fantastic bit of modern Chinese internet slang. “Pán” refers to the hobby of continuously rolling/rubbing walnuts or prayer beads in one’s hand until the oils create a smooth, glossy surface called a “patina” (bāojiāng). By saying he “rubbed” the photos to a patina, it means Xie Zheng has been staring at, zooming in on, and using Lu Lu’s photos so much for his “manual problem solving” that the digital images are practically worn out.
• 4
  Literally Old Xu in english.
• 5
  A direct translation of the French idiom “la petite mort,” which is used as a literary or poetic term for the brief loss or weakening of consciousness that occurs after reaching orgasm. It signifies Xie Zheng recalling the intense sexual peaks they shared.
• 6
  In the previous section, Lu Lu asked “叔叔想我吗？”. This can translate to “Does Uncle miss me?” or “Does Uncle want me (sexually)?” Xie Zheng replies “想啊” (I do). I translated it simply as “I do” to capture that he is answering affirmatively to both interpretations.
• 7
  A colloquial term used to describe someone who is exceptionally stubborn, headstrong, and refuses to change their mind once it’s made up.