STIDM 25

The Beta woman sat beside Yan Lu. She was a warm and outgoing person, and Yan Lu had no resistance when it came to women. So even though Zhong Zong’s face had already soured beyond repair, there was no way Yan Lu could just say something like, “Hey, this one next to me is my wife, could you move over?”

All he could do was respond half-heartedly, answering here and there, until the Beta woman took out her phone and asked, “We’ve been talking for a while, but I still don’t know your name. I’m Zhu Gong. What about you?”

Before Yan Lu could speak, Zhong Zong placed a hand on his shoulder. His fingers brushed across Yan Lu’s face in a suggestive manner, and he looked at Zhu Gong with a gaze that seemed friendly on the surface but was clearly provocative.

“His name is Yan Lu. He’s my partner.”

Yan Lu turned his head in surprise. Zhu Gong sat there with her mouth wide open, stunned for a long moment before stammering out,

“But… but I thought Yan Lu was a Beta?”

Zhong Zong immediately wrapped an arm around Yan Lu’s neck and pulled him close. “So what if it’s an A-B relationship? Is there a problem with that?”

Zhu Gong awkwardly shook her head, quietly put her phone away, and changed seats.

Yan Lu shrugged off Zhong Zong’s hand and looked at him with curiosity in his eyes. He clicked his tongue and said, “Wow, that jealousy really reeks.”

Zhong Zong turned his face toward the window, pretending to enjoy the view, letting Yan Lu’s hands wander wherever they pleased.

As Yan Lu continued to touch him, he sighed.

“You don’t have to be so afraid I’ll get stolen. I’m still very much into your body. And your face.”

Zhong Zong turned back the moment he heard that. He grabbed Yan Lu, pulled him into his arms, and leaned in with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

“So you only like my face?”

“Y-yeah. W-what else would it be?”

Zhong Zong let out something between a sigh and a pitiful murmur. “I thought you liked me for who I am.”

The lingering sadness and disappointment seeped through his drawn-out tone.

Even though Yan Lu knew he was faking it, he still chose to go along with it. He could never bring himself to upset Zhong Zong.

So he reached out, wrapped his arms around him, and pulled Zhong Zong’s head into his chest. “I like everything about you. You have no idea how much I like you.”

Zhong Zong froze for a moment, then a wave of tenderness washed over him. As he listened to the steady beat of Yan Lu’s heart, he could feel the walls around him slowly crumbling.

Piece by piece, it collapsed, and he couldn’t stop it. He didn’t want to.

—

At the back of the car, Little Lemon sat curled up, noisily crunching on potato chips, his mouth covered in crumbs.

Qin Shu sat beside him with his eyes closed, earphones in, already dozing off.

Little Lemon munched away while sneaking glances at the man beside him, mentally muttering to himself.

So handsome. Those eyelashes are really long. His height is perfect. He’s probably super popular. Should I try flirting a little?

No, no, better not. Too shy.

He licked his lips, pulled out his phone, and opened Saw. He had been watching the Saw series since his second year of high school, and now he was in his first year of university and still hadn’t finished it.

Mostly because he was scared, but still couldn’t stop watching. Always hesitating, always peeking, but never able to look away.

Right now, he was trembling with fear all over, but still clutching his chip bag and watching intently with his earphones in.

Buzzing chainsaws. Screaming women. The squelch of spraying blood.

His hands shook as he fumbled for more chips but came up empty. Without looking away, he reached down for another unopened bag, grabbed it, and just as the music hit a screeching high…

Bang. A loud pop. The chip bag burst open in his hands.

Chips flew everywhere, landing all over him.

He scrambled to pull out his earphones and started apologizing profusely to the people around him.

When he turned his head, he found that Qin Shu had been startled awake. His expression was grim, eyes shadowed and dark as he looked at Little Lemon. A chip crumb stuck to his head adding an unintentionally comical touch.

Little Lemon didn’t dare laugh. Hands trembling, he whispered a soft apology and reached out to pluck the chip from Qin Shu’s hair.

But Qin Shu suddenly grabbed his hand.

Little Lemon’s eyes went wide. He didn’t even dare swallow his saliva. In his head, he was already preparing for the worst. If Qin Shu decided to hit him, should he fight back? Maybe pin him down in the corner of the car until he cooled off?

But nothing happened.

Qin Shu simply gave his hand a gentle squeeze, then brushed his fingers across his palm.

The way he did it was strange enough to make Little Lemon blush. Finally, Qin Shu spoke in a calm tone.

“Be more careful next time.”

Then he pulled out a tissue, cleaned himself up, and went back to sleep.

Little Lemon stared at his own hand, glancing over at Qin Shu, wondering to himself. Was this handsome guy into something weird? Like a hand fetish or something?

He opened his soft, chubby palm, shrugged slightly, and thought, probably not. His hands were way too ugly for that.

When they arrived at the scenic area, there was a large lake at the foot of the mountain. Along the lakeside were barbecue stalls, mahjong tables, and all sorts of amenities.

After taking some photos of the traditional-style buildings, Zhong Zong slung his DSLR over his shoulder and prepared to head up the mountain for more pictures.

The mountain was overgrown with wild grass, and many paths hadn’t been paved yet. It was still a partially undeveloped site.

There was no way Yan Lu would let him go up alone. He whispered a few words to Little Lemon before following Zhong Zong up the trail.

Little Lemon was crouched by the barbecue area, reluctant to leave. When he heard them, he blinked and also tried to join Yan Lu on the hike. But before he could even get up, Qin Shu grabbed him by the hood of his hoodie and dragged him back.

Little Lemon turned to glare at him, yanked his hood free, and snapped, “You… what are you doing?”

Faced with Qin Shu’s cold eyes, Little Lemon immediately lost his nerve and lowered his voice.

Qin Shu glanced at Zhong Zong, then shifted his gaze back to Little Lemon. While threading meatballs onto a skewer, he said, “Zhong Zong told me to keep an eye on you.”

“…”

So unfair. Little Lemon puffed up his cheeks in frustration. Jealous men lose points.

Up ahead, Zhong Zong walked with Yan Lu following behind. Bored, Yan Lu picked up a stick and lazily poked at the ground. Then he used it to prod Zhong Zong’s back.

After leaving a few muddy marks on his black tracksuit, Yan Lu grinned and asked, “Hey, are you still mad since earlier?”

“No.”

“Liar. Like I don’t know you.”

“…”

“Oh come on, are you jealous? You are, aren’t you? We’re both men, nothing to be shy about. I get it, I get it!”

Yan Lu was clearly enjoying himself. He was practically wagging an invisible tail with how smug he looked.

Zhong Zong focused on adjusting his camera. He found the right angle and captured the dappled light falling through the branches, flipping through the photos on the screen without sparing Yan Lu a glance.

But Yan Lu wasn’t about to be ignored that easily.

But Yan Lu wasn’t about to let himself be ignored so easily. He leaned over from behind, pressing against Zhong Zong, and whispered into his ear while nibbling at it.

“Tell me, that thing you said before.. does it still count?”

Zhong Zong looked at him, the corner of his eye lifting with a teasing glint that carried just a hint of something wicked. That single look made Yan Lu’s entire body go soft.

Feeling bold, Yan Lu started tugging at Zhong Zong’s clothes, murmuring softly, “You promised to come propose. I got into college, so now you’re mine.”

Zhong Zong glanced around, then grabbed Yan Lu’s hand and pulled him into a hidden spot. The surrounding mountain rocks and bamboo were layered so densely that it was impossible to see clearly from either direction.

Yan Lu licked his lips, eyes fixed on the pale collarbone peeking out from under Zhong Zong’s black tracksuit. His heart itched with desire.

While tugging at Zhong Zong’s pants, he leaned in to lick the spot that had him craving more, speaking like a scoundrel.

“Hey, we’ve never tried doing it outdoors, have we?”

“Classmate Yan, can you at least act a little reserved?”

“Not with you, I can’t.”

He didn’t even hesitate. Cupping Zhong Zong’s face, he leaned in and kissed him.

Wet licks. Heated pressing. Yan Lu was ravenous, overcome by a rush of unspeakable excitement.

Mark me!

Zhong Zong wrapped an arm around Yan Lu’s waist and pinned him to the rocky wall.
He barely pulled free from the feverish kiss and asked, “What’s got you so fired up?”

“You’re about to be mine.”

“Here?”

“You backing out now?”

Zhong Zong grabbed Yan Lu’s wandering hands and pinned them back. His breath fell hot against Yan Lu’s cheek, laced with teasing and a hint of laughter.

“Outdoor sex is fine, but no marking.”

What?

What the fuck?

Was he serious? Is this some kind of joke? What the hell is this!

Yan Lu exploded on the spot.