Lujing Shenâs breathing became more rapid. FÄngsì held the back of his neck and caressed it slightly.
FÄngsì lightly chuckled, âyou look cute when jealous Alexâ
He kissed Lujing Shen, first gently licking and rubbing his lips, then forcefully invading through the slightly parted lips, exploring every soft spot in his mouth.
FÄngsìâs kisses were always aggressive, and his breath and scent spread in Lujing Shenâs mouth, reaching deep into his throat.
That kind of kiss was like a raging fire, easily igniting Lujing Shen.
Between kisses, Lujing Shen struggled to open his eyes and stared at the pair of nearly close and slightly drooping narrow eyes in front of him, his heart pounding like a drum.
Suddenly, he recalled their first kiss. It was the same way back then, when Feng Si put out the cigarette and came over, catching him off guard. By the time he snapped back to reality, Feng Siâs bittersweet tobacco-scented breath had already invaded his nostrils.
Forceful and domineering, there was no room for him to refuse.
Back then, he willingly indulged himself, but now it was beyond his control.
âAre you daydreaming?â
Feng Si stopped and pulled back, licking his lips. â Thinking about some other wild guy?â
Lu Jingshen deeply furrowed his brows. He didnât quite like such jokes.
Besides Feng Si, he strongly rejected any form of romantic relationships with other men, so even if it was with childhood friends, he could cut them off mercilessly.
And with strangers, like the person who approached him at the sports club, he would just firmly reject them and walk away.
Even if it was teasing, he didnât like Feng Si saying such things.
He reached out and pulled Feng Si closer, passionately kissing him again.
This time, it progressed further than before, mixing desire into their lip and teeth collisions, and the heat within their bodies kept rising.
Feng Si kneaded Lu Jingshenâs earlobe, sliding down to his ear and gently caressing his neck. Lu Jingshen let out a low gasp, his hands wandering on Feng Siâs chest, skillfully unbuttoning his shirt.
Then came the sound of metal clashing, the belt hitting the floor, and one piece of clothing after another being stripped away.
Sitting face to face on Feng Siâs lap, Lu Jingshen held his face with both hands, fingers gently caressing his cheek. That position made them even more intimate.
That position was what they used on their last night in Africa. It was initiated by Lu Jingshen. That evening, he had turned on his phone after three months and received a message from Lu Jingqing, asking when he would come back and if he wanted to see a doctor.
That was when he finally realized that even a psychologist couldnât help him; he was unequivocally homosexual, but he didnât want to admit it or accept it.
Before he fell completely into it, he had to leave Feng Si, so he chose to quietly escape.
For the past seven years, he had lived peacefully. Occasionally, in the dead of night, he would think of those three months and Feng Si.
The shadows and nightmares from the past no longer haunted him, and even when his younger brother brought a boy home, though he found it hard to accept, he remained silent.
Other peopleâs affairs had nothing to do with him, as long as he himself wasnât involved.
But Feng Si appeared in his life again, and his self-deception proved to be futile.
He also knew that if he couldnât overcome his psychological barriers, Feng Siâs patience would eventually run out.
Just a little more time, thatâs all he asked forâ¦
Lu Jingshen clung to Feng Siâs neck, feeling his heat, his vision constantly shifting, keenly aware that he was being embraced and possessed.
If only this could continue.
He yearned for Feng Si with all his heart and soul, but he couldnât bring himself to admit it with a clear conscience. He loathed himself and despised this side of him.
He was a despicable person, and he had always known that, despite his proud and noble appearance, he had nothing but a despicable soul inside.
âAlexâ
Feng Siâs kisses trailed up his neck, nipping at his chin before returning to his lips. âStop daydreaming at times like this, just look at me.â
Sweat trickled down Lu Jingshenâs forehead, and Feng Si licked it away. Lu Jingshen stared at the man before him stunned, his eyes shining.
âDo you want it gentle or intense?â Feng Siâs voice was hoarse, the pause making it hard for him to endure.
Lu Jingshen struggled to speak, âwhichever you want.â
âNo, you have to choose.â Feng Si tempted him. âYou have to tell me what you want.â
Lu Jingshen responded with another kiss, no longer suppressing his desires. âIntense.â
Even if it hurt, it didnât matter. He liked being treated rough by Feng Si. Pain brought him more pleasure, and he wanted to feel dominated and possessed by him. He enjoyed that feeling.
Feng Si tightened his grip on Lu Jingshenâs waist, his voice tinged with raspiness. âHold onto me.â
Lu Jingshen gasped tightly, clinging to Feng Si. Any other sounds he wanted to make all turned into fragmented moans.
Midnight had passed, and the still image on the projection screen had frozen long ago. Faint noises from outside the window could be heard.
Feng Si picked up his phone and checked the time, then turned to the soaked Lu Jingshen, smoothing his sweaty forehead, kissing his forehead, eyes, and nose, their lips meeting in a soft whisper, âHappy New Year.â
That was the first New Year they welcomed together.
Lu Jingshen was stunned for a moment and instinctively asked, âIs it midnight already?â
Feng Si replied, âYes, itâs midnight.â
Seeing the brightness in Lu Jingshenâs eyes, he also said, âHappy New Year.â
Feng Si leaned down, rubbing their cheeks together. It was a rare moment without desire, and it felt pretty good.
Being with another person as they welcome the New Year was something Lu Jingshen had never thought of before, but today, it became a reality.
And that person was Feng Si.
After cherishing the moment, Lu Jingshenâs leg still hung around Feng Siâs waist. He rubbed against his waist and whispered hoarsely, âI want to take a shower.â
âWhatâs the rush?â Feng Si pressed him down again, his hands becoming restless. âItâs still early.â
Lu Jingshenâs breath was unsteady, and the blush on his face hadnât receded. âItâs enough.â
It had already happened three times; doing it again would be too much.
Feng Si pinched his calf a few times, chuckled for a while, and finally let him go.
Lu Jingshen propped himself up and didnât rush back to the bathroom. He picked up his phone and sent a WeChat message to Lu Chiexie.
Feng Si asked casually, âIs it your brotherâs birthday today?â
âYeah,â Lu Jingshen nodded, âHow did you know?â
âHe posted it on his Moments,â Feng Si replied, showing Lu Jingshen the Moments Lu Chiexie had just posted. âYour brother is quite interesting. Both he and his boyfriend are big stars, and they dare to flaunt their love so openly on Moments. Theyâre not afraid of it getting out and being exposed by the paparazzi. They just came out of the closet directly.â
Lu Jingshen replied, ââ¦Itâs just his nature, carefree and not concerned about othersâ opinions.â
Feng Si looked at him and said, âReally? Why are you and your brother so different? If you were just half as carefree as him, it would be great.â
Lu Jingshen didnât know how to respond, but Feng Si continued, âNever mind, you donât need to be like others. Youâre fine just the way you are.â
Lu Jingshen was taken aback, and the light from his phone screen suddenly brought his thoughts back. It was a reply from Lu Chiexie: âBro, youâre still awake at this hour. Did you have a change of heart? Mom said you went to the resort last night and ran away again overnight. What are you up to?â
Lu Jingshen didnât feel like replying, but Feng Si took his phone and sent a voice message on his behalf: âYour brother isnât up to anything. Mind your own business.â
Lu Jingshenâs expression changed slightly, and Feng Si handed the phone back to him. âI took the liberty, sorry if that bothers you.â
Feng Si seemed to be unbothered by any possible repercussions, leaving Lu Jingshen with no way to deal with him.
Lu jingshen simply walked away leaving Feng Si behind and heading back to the bathroom, with Feng Si following.
âAlex, do you have any new yearâs wishes?â Feng Si asked as they entered.
Lu Jingshen was brushing his teeth and glanced at him through the mirror before spitting out the toothpaste. He slowly said, âTo make more money.â
Feng Si chuckled, âIs that all? Your wishes are really practical and unpretentious, just like a capitalist.â
âWhat about you?â Lu Jingshen asked.
Feng Si thought for a moment and said, âTo find a wife.â
It wasnât a joke.
He meant it sincerely.
Lu Jingshen finished rinsing his mouth and turned around to peck Feng Si on the lips, saying earnestly, âI wish your wish comes true.â
As he turned to leave, Feng Si held him back and said, âAlex, you have to work a little harder for my wish to come true.â
Feng Siâs gaze was unusually sincere, with a hint of anticipation in his eyes. Lu Jingshen felt a bit uneasy under his stare and mumbled a vague âMm.â
Feng Siâs appearance always had a way of intriguing Lu Jingshen. He unconsciously said things that were both serious and flirtatious, doing things that unintentionally made his heart flutter. Amidst his seriousness, he exuded charm that made him unforgettable.
That was why Feng Si had been searching for this person for seven years, not just out of simple obsession but genuine affection. He really liked him, very much.
Pulling Lu Jingshen closer, Feng Si tilted his head and kissed his cheek hard.
â¦â¦.
The next day, Lu Jingshen got up early, finding himself alone in the house once again. The living room, which had been a mess last night, was now tidy, except for his laptop left on the coffee table.
Lu Jingshen looked around and realized belatedly that Feng Si had left without saying a word.
He picked up his phone and noticed that there were no new messages, not even a WeChat message.
âWhere did you go?â he messaged Feng Si, but before he could decide whether to send it, Feng Siâs call came in.
Feng Siâs smiling voice came through, âUp already? Youâre earlier than I thought. Looks like last night didnât tire you out too much.â
Lu Jingshen replied in a deep voice, âYouâre quite energetic too, going out for a âfriend gatheringâ so early.â
After Lu Jingshen finished speaking, there was laughter from the other end of the phone. âYour words are so sour, Lu Jingshen.â
âArenât you?â Lu Jingshen retorted, glancing at the snow outside, âEven the snow canât stop you from going out.â
âIf you want to come with me, just say so. No need to indirectly jab at me,â Feng Si said. Then he joked, âJust kidding, I only went out for a short run and to grab some breakfast.â
Lu Jingshen hesitated and was about to hang up the phone when Feng Si asked, âWhat do you want for breakfast? Buns, steamed buns, pan-fried dumplings, youtiao, or noodles and soup?â
âWhatever, itâs up to you,â Lu Jingshen said vaguely.
âYou canât be so indifferent everyday,â Feng Si reminded him, âDonât always say âwhateverâ to me. When I actually ask you what you want, you are always reluctant. Just pick what you want to eat.â
Lu Jingshen seemed to be deliberately difficult, âThen buy everything.â
Feng Si asked, âCan you eat so much?â
âYou asked me to choose, so I did,â Lu Jingshen replied.
âOkay, the bossâs word is final,â Feng Si said, no longer bantering with him. He hung up the phone and went into the breakfast shop to get some takeout.
As he came out, he saw a nearby flower shop that had opened early in the morning. He went over and casually bought a red rose.
Giving flowers between two men was actually a bit strange. Last time, he had offered flowers and was rejected by Lu Jingshen. But Feng Si felt that Lu Jingshenâs rejection wasnât because of the act of giving flowers itself.
Most likely, it was because the flower he had given last time was borrowed from someone else.
The shop owner chuckled, âYoung man, youâre just buying one flower? How are you going to impress your girlfriend like that?â
âItâs not for a girlfriend, itâs for my wife,â Feng Si said with a cigarette in his mouth. âOne is enough.â
Lu Jingshen returned to the room after showering, and when he noticed that Feng Si hadnât returned yet, he took his laptop.
New emails popped up in his inbox, which they received last night after going to bed.
Lu Jingshen drank his coffee and absentmindedly clicked on the email.
The photos slowly loaded, and they were taken secretly during the gay pride parade in France. It captured the moment when he and Feng Si were kissing in the crowd.
With a âclap,â the coffee cup in Lu Jingshenâs hand fell to the ground, splashing the hot brown liquid all over, even spilling onto his leg.
Lu Jingshen was unaware, staring fixedly at the photo, his heart stopping abruptly.