EIP 76

When Zhou Jun woke up, he was lying on the not so soft bed. The mattress smelled fresh, no longer carrying the scent of the one he had tangled with before passing out. Feeling the dry sheets beneath him, he buried his face into the pillow, rubbing against it with a silly, unconscious smile on his face.

The room was empty. He was now wearing a military shirt and underwear, but no pants. The shirt was slightly oversized, with sleeves that covered the backs of his hands. The weather had warmed, and the southern climate was even hotter. Wearing just the shirt, Zhou Jun got out of bed. The shirt didn’t cover his rear, but he figured no one would barge into Yong Jin’s room, so he got up, poured himself a glass of water, and wandered around the room after drinking it.

When Yong Jin entered with a tray of food, he saw Zhou Jun lounging lazily on the bed, legs crossed, smoking a cigarette. In his hand was a photo of himself. When Zhou Jun saw Yong Jin, he waved the photo at him and asked, “When did you sneak this?”

There was more he wanted to ask. The room, upon closer inspection, was filled with items that belonged to him. A handkerchief, a snuff bottle, even a moon-white robe with plum blossom patterns neatly folded in the cabinet. Zhou Jun picked up the corner of the robe between two fingers and gave Yong Jin an amused smirk. “You’re quite the gentleman. Pity you’re also a thief.”

But his teasing didn’t faze Yong Jin. Setting down the tray, he walked over. Zhou Jun didn’t move, letting Yong Jin loom over him before reaching up to wrap his arms around his back and pulling him into an intensely passionate kiss.

When the kiss ended, Yong Jin lingered, gently sucking on Zhou Jun’s lower lip, then brushing soft kisses against it repeatedly, as if reluctant to part. Zhou Jun ran his fingers through his hair and tugged him back slightly. “Did you sleep at my place before you left?” he asked. Yong Jin replied calmly, “Only for a few days.”

Not just one night then, Zhou Jun thought, momentarily stunned.

Yong Jin led him to the table and urged him to eat some porridge. Unlike the plain noodles Zhou Jun had noticed earlier, the porridge was hearty, with bits of meat and a few fresh side dishes. It wasn’t comparable to the meals back home, but in these circumstances, it was a generous spread. Zhou Jun took a few bites and said, “I can eat the same food as everyone else.”

Seated across the table, Yong Jin looked at him with soft eyes.“It’s fine. Tomorrow morning, a car will take you across the border. Once you’re out of danger, you can go wherever you originally planned.”

Zhou Jun froze. “Tomorrow morning? That soon?”

Yong Jin seemed to remember something. “You don’t need to worry about your companions. They’ve agreed to leave tomorrow as well and are already prepared. I’ve worked out the return route with Boss Xu. It shouldn’t be too dangerous.”

He added, “I also negotiated your payment with Boss Xu this time. It’ll be higher than originally agreed. He’s accepted.”

Zhou Jun gripped the spoon in his hand, unsure whether to feel happy or upset. Seeing that Zhou Jun’s brows didn’t relax and his expression remained tense, Yong Jin gradually withdrew his smile. After a brief silence, he said softly, “I don’t mean to interfere in anything. I just wanted to do something for you.”

Zhou Jun couldn’t bring himself to blame Yong Jin for his intentions. His earlier obstinate words were merely lingering grievances about the past. Besides, Yong Jin’s efforts had brought him considerable benefits. Still, it all felt a bit too rushed. They had only just reunited. The war had dragged on for so long. Who knew when they’d see each other again?

He stayed silent, leading Yong Jin to misunderstand his mood. Yong Jin fell into silence as well, seemingly pondering how to soothe his upset lover. Unexpectedly, Zhou Jun shook his head, his gaze deep and wistful as he looked at Yong Jin. “Can I stay a few more days? Boss Xu’s injury… it might not heal enough for him to leave so soon.”

His words were laced with longing and reluctance. Yong Jin hadn’t anticipated this answer and froze momentarily, staring at Zhou Jun, who stood and leaned closer. With no other chair around, Zhou Jun settled onto Yong Jin’s lap, their faces nearly touching as he whispered, “I can’t bear to part with you.”

All the tender words in the world couldn’t compare to the intimacy of this moment. They had shared the deepest of physical connections, but it was that single, heartfelt “I can’t bear to part with you” that struck deeper than anything else. Yong Jin wrapped his arms around Zhou Jun’s waist, tightening his hold bit by bit. If he could, he would’ve fused Zhou Jun into his very being.

Feeling Zhou Jun’s cool, bare legs and knees, Yong Jin reached to dress him. He picked out the moon-white robe with plum blossom patterns, fastening each ornate button one by one. The smooth silk clung to Zhou Jun’s body, evoking the elegance of a bygone era. With only his hair undone, Zhou Jun once again looked like the dashing young master he once was. Yong Jin’s hands, though not entirely practiced, were gentle and meticulous as he dressed Zhou Jun, even kneeling to put on his shoes as though tending to a beloved antique.

But Zhou Jun wasn’t an antique. He was mischievous and lively. He kept sneaking kisses, chuckling to himself each time he succeeded. The air grew thicker with sweetness, and Yong Jin, unable to resist, cupped Zhou Jun’s playful lips and leaned in for another kiss.

Before their lips could meet, an urgent knocking broke the moment. A soldier outside reported in a loud voice. Yong Jin pulled back, quickly issuing instructions: Zhou Jun could eat, drink, or meet his companions and should find Lieutenant Lin if he needed anything. The soldier outside would escort him.

Yong Jin left in a hurry, and the room grew cold and quiet. Zhou Jun had no appetite, though. After some searching, he managed to find a palm-sized mirror and began tidying himself up, checking for any hickeys on his neck. He didn’t want to tarnish Yong Jin’s reputation. Indulging in such moments of passion during wartime wouldn’t sound good, after all.

When he finally stepped outside, his high-collared robe tightly covered the marks on his neck, but he couldn’t completely conceal the traces of affection. His expression, softened by emotion, and his overly rosy lips revealed the intimacy he had just experienced. To make himself look more composed, he drank a few sips of cool tea and finished a bowl of porridge, finally appearing more presentable before leaving the room.

He found Lieutenant Lin, who guided him to the tent where Boss Xu and the others were being treated. Unlike Zhou Jun, who had been given the privilege of staying in the Major General’s quarters, his associates didn’t share the same fortune.

The tent was a makeshift hospital, filled with injured soldiers. Boss Xu and Big Foot were in relatively better condition compared to others. The air was thick with the stench of gunpowder, blood, decay, and burnt flesh. A nauseating combination that painted the gruesome reality of war. Zhou Jun’s heart pounded as he hesitated to glance at the other patients lying on the military cots.

Though he had always been aware of the brutality of war from newspapers, telegrams, and current events, none of it compared to the raw, visceral shock of witnessing it firsthand.

This time, it struck him harder because someone he cared about was part of this army. And because the men here, with missing limbs, disfigured faces, and lives hanging by a thread, were once someone’s sons or fathers. Seeing such devastation, with lives barely holding on, was almost unbearable.

Boss Xu, after being treated, was moved to a less critical area to sit, as the cots were prioritized for those in urgent need. Resources were scarce, and even Boss Xu had to settle for what little was available.

Despite the circumstances, Boss Xu’s spirits were lifted when he saw Zhou Jun. He grasped Zhou Jun’s hands tightly, his palms damp with sweat but his face radiant with relief and joy. Speaking softly, he expressed his gratitude, explaining that Zhou Jun’s efforts had convinced Major General Yong to release their medicine. Though not all of it was returned, most of the valuable and expensive supplies had been approved for their transport.

While Boss Xu appeared jubilant, Zhou Jun forced a smile. After finalizing their departure time for the following day, he exited the tent. Outside, he instinctively reached into his pocket for a cigarette, only to remember that it was gone. Having changed clothes earlier, he had left his cigarette box behind.

As he fidgeted with his fingers in frustration, he saw someone approaching. It was Xiao Ren. Sensing Zhou Jun’s craving for a smoke, Xiao Ren silently handed him a cigarette and lit it for him.

Xiao Ren’s expression was peculiar, his gaze sweeping up and down Zhou Jun as if sensing the lingering traces of pleasure on him. Feeling guilty, Zhou Jun said nothing and silently puffed on his cigarette. Xiao Ren, however, had clearly put the pieces together. From the moment Major General Yong appeared, to Zhou Jun’s unexplained absence for several hours, to his return now in a fresh, fitted outfit with a subtly altered posture, it all seemed to line up.

Sharp-eyed and experienced, Xiao Ren had seen enough in his time to recognize the nuances. He noticed the unusual dynamic between Zhou Jun and the Major General, and even caught the subtle signs, like Zhou Jun occasionally shifting his weight from one leg to the other or briefly pressing his hand to his waist. The implication was clear. He had slept with the Major General.