Pei Xi hadn’t slept so deeply in a long time. It was as if every bone and joint in his body had been overtaxed, every active cell exhausted after such extreme excitement.

He opened his eyes when the sun was directly overhead and stared at the ceiling in a daze.

He closed them again.

And opened them ten seconds later.

Dreams and reality slowly diverged, and he felt more hungry than sleepy. He sobered up, carefully and gently lifting the quilt to sit on the edge of the bed.

He was dressed in clean clothes – just a pair of white cotton underwear. A large area of skin was exposed to the air, and marks covered him from his neck to his feet.

Even in the trickiest places, he could find teeth marks that were neither too deep nor too shallow.

At the bedside, there were clean clothes prepared for him by He Chuzhou.

To say that it was clothing might be an overstatement, because when Pei Xi picked it up to take a look, there weren’t even pants, just a black shirt that was too baggy for him.

The passionate words of a certain person were embodied at this moment, rolling into his mind along with memories of the night before.

Pei Xi didn’t want to use the word ‘procrastinator’ to describe He Chuzhou, because the word was very much contrary to his nature.

But for the He Chuzhou who carried him into the bedroom, aside from this word, he couldn’t think of any other accurate description.

Unlike the urgency he had shown before, he had stretched the foreplay out so long, honing in on every detail that could help him relax and relieve discomfort. 

But overpreparing him was the opposite of torture.

Pei Xi’s shame prevented him from urging him on, and he gritted his teeth, keeping his thoughts to himself. At one point, he even wondered if He Chuzhou was a faint-hearted person hiding in the shell of a pervert.

Even the process of his advance was slowed down infinitely.

Time seemed to slow down at that moment, but his senses were infinitely magnified.

It couldn’t be called painful, nor could it be called pleasure. He just felt in an abstract way that their souls had become deeply enmeshed.

This feeling was very complicated and difficult to describe, and it easily emptied his brain.

Such was the case that when Pei Xi snapped out of his trance, he couldn’t tell exactly when the situation had spun out of control.

Waves that barely reached his ankles had become huge swells without him noticing.

His flimsy little boat swayed in the wind and rain, lifted up by huge waves one second and almost overturning the next.

A desk lamp lit the room that was originally shrouded in darkness. The orange-gold hue, similar to sunlight, cast a romantic glow across his body.

And as time went by, this layer of light was embellished by an underlying crimson.

Pei Xi struggled to turn off the light, but just as his finger was about to touch the switch, his wrist was clamped tightly and forced back to the pillow.

He Chuzhou completely put his words into practice and coaxed him patiently.

But his actions had nothing to do with tenderness. His voice got lower and lower, his words insincere and absurd:

“Be good. It’s okay, I’ll be a little gentler.”

“Baby, you’re so beautiful. How are you so beautiful even when you’re crying?”

“No, Baby, I really can’t help it. Can you hold on for just a while longer? Just a while…..”

The bed sheets were wrinkled all over. Pei Xi tried to escape, but was pulled back and nailed down to his original position.

His attempt backfired, and the soles of his feet could no longer touch the bed.

The neon lights outside the window would be on all night, but Pei Xi was exhausted before he could even watch half of it.

During his last moments of consciousness, he sat in He Chuzhou’s arms, leaning into his shoulder with eyes half open and grabbing the hair on the back of his head to vent his anger.

His grip was soft and weak, more like flirting than revenge.

He Chuzhou’s kisses and low laughter lingered in his ears. He called him his dear wife and asked him how he was feeling.

Tears rolled down from the corners of his eyes, and Pei Xi was unable to utter a complete word.

If possible, he hoped that He Chuzhou would be more single-minded and carry out his original plan from start to finish.

His stomach growled faintly. He looked down at the shirt in his hand and shook it out before putting it on. Standing up, he buttoned the shirt casually and walked a few steps to open the door.

He Chuzhou was in the living room, typing on his laptop. When he heard a sound, he clicked ‘enter’ and turned around.

Pei Xi had just come out. His body was slender and vulnerable beneath his meager clothes, his legs long and straight.

The marks had remained overnight. The black fabric also served as the best foil for his white skin, like private property that had been marked and monopolized. Fragile and beautiful, he easily aroused the urge to ravage in those who looked at him.

He Chuzhou admired him from the tips of his hair to his heels. His eyes darkened, and his lips curved silently.

Pei Xi saw him and walked closer without saying a word. There was a dull look on his features, as if he hadn’t quite woken up, or as if fatigue was pressing down on his eyelids.

He Chuzhou set the computer aside. When Pei Xi came to him, he hugged him around the waist and put him on his lap.

Positioned face to face, Pei Xi hugged him very naturally and buried his head in his shoulder with an attitude of strong dependence.

He Chuzhou encircled his waist and pressed him against himself tightly, stroking his back. His eyes were so soft that they were practically seeping moisture.

“Wife, you look really good like this.”

“I wanted to do this the night you came to see me on my business trip. I dreamed about it all night, but I didn’t dare tell you for fear of frightening you.”

“So you did it to me all night just like in your dream,” Pei Xi said in a hoarse voice.

“Not exactly.”

He Chuzhou pondered, then said as if reminiscing: “If I did, you probably wouldn’t be able to get up until tomorrow afternoon.”

He lowered his head and rubbed a mark on Pei Xi’s shoulder with the tip of his nose, indulging in the feel of his body temperature: “I was very restrained. Really.”

The person in his arms said nothing.

He Chuzhou tilted his head slightly and saw the tips of Pei Xi’s ears growing red.

He had a thorough understanding of Pei Xi’s character – he was tough when facing a strong opponent, and gentle when facing a weak opponent.

In the same way, Pei Xi was able to remain calm when he was clearly nervous, and when he was at ease, he was embroiled in the chaos and turmoil of war.

But he himself seemed to be unaware of this, which made it difficult for He Chuzhou to avoid feeling sorry for him always being at a disadvantage, so he let him off again and again.

“Are you hungry?” He changed the subject.

Pei Xi nodded weakly and asked: “Where did you put my pants?”

He Chuzhou held him and stood up, just like carrying a child: “I hid them so you couldn’t wear them.”

Pei Xi silently smacked him on the back.

He Chuzhou laughed loudly and pulled out a chair at the dining table. He sat with Pei Xi in his arms and made up an excuse for his behavior: “This chair is cold.”

Pei Xi couldn’t be bothered to fight him. Walking those few steps out of the room had exhausted all of the energy he’d mustered with great difficulty, and now he was sleepy again.

He finished his breakfast slowly, and before he could go back to the bedroom, he set down his chopsticks one second and fell asleep against He Chuzhou’s shoulder the next. 

The last time someone slept so well was when Xiao Yueliang was first brought back home. She’d put her head in the milk bowl and begun to dream, gurgling bubbles with every breath.

He Chuzhou’s heart practically melted. He tilted his head and kissed the tip of Pei Xi’s ear. For fear of disturbing his sleep, he sat there for a long while without moving.

When Pei Xi woke up again, the sun was setting outside the window.

He was still in a certain person’s arms, but they weren’t in the living room. Nor were they in the dining room or the bedroom, but rather in the study.

The computer displayed an online conference room where twenty-eight people were online.

He was a little confused about the situation. All of a sudden, he felt a pain in his shoulder.

He sucked in a sharp breath and looked up. He Chuzhou, who was making trouble on his shoulder, heard the sound and raised his eyelids to look at him. Upon seeing that his eyes were open, a slight curve appeared at the corners of his lips: “You’re awake?”

Pei Xi saw the lust in his eyes, and his fingertips curled up almost reflexively. He was too startled to dodge, and an eager kiss was pressed down on him, rudely obstructing his breathing.

“I just thought you smelled good, so I wanted to get closer and smell you more.”

“But you were so soft when I smelled you that I wanted to quietly kiss you while you slept.”

“Xinxin, I swear I had no intention of bullying you.”

He manipulated the person in his arms like a doll, pulling his hand to a certain place and holding it there with a pitiful look: “But then this happened.”

“The child has grown up to be rebellious. I can’t control it, so you should take care of it. It’ll listen to you the most.”

Pei Xi had no room to resist, and the small bit of strength he had regained through sleep was soon lost again. 

With his breathing forced into chaos, he could only struggle for his last shred of dignity: “The computer…..”

He Chuzhou bit the back of his neck and chuckled: “Don’t worry, Wife. It’s an audio conference. The camera isn’t on.

Audio…..?!

Pei Xi forced himself to swallow the groan that was about to escape his throat. He clenched his teeth tightly and refused to make any sound no matter what.

He Chuzhou sensed his intentions and deliberately played tricks. When he saw Pei Xi cover his mouth in a fluster, he grabbed his wrist and pressed it to the table.

It was unknown whether the keyboard or mouse was bumped by this movement, but the audio went from bluetooth to the external speakers. A voice unfamiliar to Pei Xi was making a summary report with clear logic and rigorous thinking.

Pei Xi was frightened and trembling. Choked sobs escaped the corners of his mouth, and the tips of his eyes were filled with moisture.

He Chuzhou instantly gasped, and a flash of scarlet seemed to appear in his dark pupils. He released Pei Xi’s wrist and kissed him with urgency.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.”

“I’m just kidding, the voice chat has been turned off on our side.”

“My wife’s voice is so beautiful that I don’t want anyone else to hear it.”

Pei Xi stared dazedly at the setting sun outside the window. All of a sudden, he lowered his head and bit down hard on the sweating neck in front of him, leaving deep teeth marks that made his vexation clear.

Men who had just started having sex in their thirties were truly frightening. Pei Xi often felt that the person next to him wasn’t a human being, but a hungry wolf that had been fed carrots for thirty years.

Once the wolf got a taste of meat, it could never return to its former ignorant and unaffected self.

It only took one sentence and one night to go from a peaceful life to unbearable misery.

After that night, Pei Xi’s life fell into dire straights.

His physical endurance and mental fortitude were far inferior to He Chuzhou’s, and when he really couldn’t bear it anymore, he considered ruthlessly refusing.

But it couldn’t be helped that He Chuzhou was so thick-skinned, and would lay on top of him, whining and acting like a spoiled child. He chattered mindlessly, calling him ‘gege’ and ‘husband’ in a plaintive voice.

The result of being soft-hearted was that the ‘last time’ turned into the last hundred million times, so that everything that could be sucked from him was vacuumed clean.

Pei Xi began to wish that He Chuzhou was a little busier than he was now. It would be best for Pei Xi to sleep at work, so that he could get a decent rest and give himself a way to survive.

But reality had a mind of its own.

Wu Qing had organized another party and enthusiastically called them out for drinks.

Pei Xi didn’t want to go. He had never been interested in such gatherings. The married He Chuzhou didn’t want to go either, as he was in his golden years and just wanted to be home with his wife.

Pei Xi gave him a lengthy stare: “You’re really not going?”

He Chuzhou: “Not going.”

Pei Xi nodded. He got up and walked to the entrance, then looked back and beckoned to him: “Come here, I’ll give you a surprise.”

He Chuzhou happily followed him: “Where?”

Pei Xi opened the door: “Outside.”

He Chuzhou had just taken a long stride out when he heard the door slam behind him: “Go drink, and don’t come back until you’re drunk.”

He Chuzhou: “……”

He Chuzhou rubbed his nose in dismay, then turned around and trudged down the stairs obediently. He dialed Wu Qing: “Give me the address, buddy, I’m coming. My wife kicked me out of the house. Your friend is homeless.”

Wu Qing enjoyed a lively scene. He had called many people over, including the foreign boyfriend with golden hair and eyes like glass beads, whom he had introduced to Pei Xi. When this person kissed him, he was so elated that he lost his mind.

“This time it’s for real. I think I’ve found true love. I have to marry him,” Wu Qing said in a low voice.

He Chuzhou gave a disinterested “oh,” busy texting Pei Xi.

Wu Qing: “You don’t want to give your blessing to your buddy?”

He Chuzhou: “Why are you in such a hurry? It won’t be too late to give you my blessing once you get the certificate. When the time comes, I’ll definitely give you a big red envelope to congratulate you on settling down and getting married……oh, you haven’t established a career. Ignore what I just said.”

Wu Qing was so angry that his teeth itched.

During the dinner conversation, someone asked about the riverside property. It was said that He Chuzhou’s former rival had now become his wife, so why bother fighting over the land? 

Some said they wouldn’t steal it: “Of course I wouldn’t steal it, ah. How shameless would a man have to be to steal something from his wife?”

Some said: “Even accounts between brothers should be settled clearly, let alone those with your wife. If you steal it, you deserve to kneel on a durian when you go home, and sleep in the study at night!” 

“Then I’ll have to disappoint you.”

He Chuzhou sighed pretentiously: “I definitely wouldn’t fight my wife for anything, but I couldn’t say no to him giving me something. He’s already given me that piece of land.”

“…..Fuck!”

“The president of He Group eats soft rice.”

“What’s wrong with eating soft rice? Soft rice is delicious. I love it. I’d eat it too, but I don’t have a wife.”

“Lao Liu has a wife. When he gets here later, ask him if he’d like to live off her.”

“Ai, what do you plan to do with that piece of land, He-ge? Build a shopping mall or apartments?”

He Chuzhou: “Nothing like that.”

“Have you not decided yet?”

“I’ve decided, ah.” He Chuzhou was focused on sending texts, and only occasionally took a brief moment to respond to them. “I’m building an aquarium. My wife likes them. I’m going to give it to him as a surprise later on.”

“……”

“……”

“…….tsk.”

“Would you look at that. Didn’t I say not to invite married people out for drinks? It’s just asking for trouble.”

The door to the private room was pushed open, and noise from the hall filtered in for a moment before it was quickly blocked out.

The person who came in was Lao Liu, so everyone continued the previous topic and asked him if he usually lived off his wife or husband at home, gossiping to the high heavens.

The focus had finally shifted from He Chuzhou. Wu Qing looked over silently to see what he was busy with, and happened to see Pei Xi’s two big words in reply to He Chuzhou’s screen-swiping behavior:

[Be quiet.]

“Hahahahahahaha!”

Wu Qing burst into laughter: “You’re that annoying? No wonder he kicked you out.”

“Put down your phone and stop pestering your wife. Leave him in peace for a while.”

He Chuzhou was a little wounded, but also thought his wife was really cute. As he put down his phone with mixed feelings, Lao Liu sitting opposite him was talking unrestrained nonsense.

“Soft rice, what soft rice? I don’t care what kind of soft rice it is, I’ll eat it all.”

“Nah, I don’t have any food to eat. I’m the one who feeds my wife. It’s my wife who eats my food, do you understand?”

“A man should be the master of his family, holding up half the sky. At home, if I tell my wife to go east, she doesn’t dare go west.”

“To make your partner obey you is called taming them. It’s a skill. Most people can’t do it.”

. . . . . 

A very strange phenomenon occurred – even though it was Lao Liu who was speaking, everyone wordlessly turned their eyes back toward He Chuzhou with an air of subtle inquiry.

He Chuzhou picked up his wine glass and took a sip, then set it down and looked up: “…..What are you looking at me for?”

Lao Liu naturally knew he was “married,” and happily invited his peer to chat: “He-ge, how about you?”

“Me?” He Chuzhou thought for a moment, then nodded: “Ah, yes. My wife is just as capable as you.”

“Then we’re the same, ah! Ah? No…..eh…..?”

Lao Liu stared blankly, scratching his head in confusion. How astonishing. Could this really be said?

As the party was coming to an end, the drunken Wu Qing shouted for a change of location.

Lao Liu received a call from his wife, who proceeded to scold him. Her voice was so loud that even without the speakerphone on, everyone around could hear it clearly.

Lao Liu changed his attitude and apologized repeatedly, nodding and bowing over his phone: “Yes, yes, yes, I won’t go, honey. I’ll go back to be with you.”

“I didn’t drink much, really. I won’t act crazy. I’ll come home right away. Would you like me to buy some fried duck clavicle for you to eat? Or I could get you a cup of milk tea?”

Lao Liu waited until his wife had finished scolding him before hanging up the phone. He heaved a sigh of relief and looked up, only to find a group of people who had long been standing there in silence: “What are you doing? It’s normal for a man to make himself look better outside. I didn’t do it well this time, so I’ll try again next time.”

As it happened, He Chuzhou’s phone also rang.

The person sitting next to him saw the ID and wanted to watch the fun, so he called for him to put it on speakerphone: “It’s noisy out here, you won’t hear clearly without the speakerphone.”

“Lao Liu-ge, don’t cry. Your fellow sufferer will keep you company soon, hahahaha.”

“Come on, He-ge. Let us take this opportunity to say hello to President Pei. Don’t worry, we’re all brothers here, and you’re just being scolded. We won’t laugh at you.”

He Chuzhou swiped to answer the call and turned on hands-free mode. The melon-eating crowd tacitly quieted down. One and all, they looked at He Chuzhou with gloating expressions, their grins stretching to their ears.

Unfortunately, the imagined scene didn’t play out. The voice on the other side of the phone was calm, cool, and pleasant to the ears: “Is it almost over?”

He Chuzhou leisurely leaned back on the sofa. At the sound of Pei Xi’s voice, the corners of his mouth automatically rose: “En, we just finished. I’m about to go back.”

Pei Xi: “How much did you drink?”

He Chuzhou: “Not much, I’m still not drunk. What’s the matter, honey? Are you coming to pick me up?”

Pei Xi replied affirmatively: “I’m just leaving, so I’ll be there soon. It’s drizzling outside and the wind is cold. You wait for me in the private room instead of coming out.”

He Chuzhou’s eyes curved: “Ai, okay. Thank you, wife-wife is so nice.”

After hanging up, He Chuzhou thought of something and raised his head: “Didn’t someone want to say hello to my wife? Why didn’t you?”

“……”

“I can’t go to the next place. It’s cold and rainy, and my wife is coming to take me home to sleep.”

He Chuzhou rubbed his temples: “Oh, right. What’s this talk about fellow sufferers? Who were you guys talking about?”

“……”

“……”

“……”

Lao Liu burst into tears: “Damn you, we’re not the same!”

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter 68 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 70