Huai Xu’s face burned like an iron rod held over a fire—glowing red and
steaming hot.
He glanced at the underwear hanging above, then at his childhood friend’s
utterly serious, earnest expression, before suddenly darting out of the
bathroom, yelling, "Are you insane?!"
Jing Zhengxuan chuckled softly, following him out—only to freeze at the sound
of a very explicit noise.
His gaze darkened.
Huai Xu was holding his phone, and the sound was coming from it.
The smile vanished from Jing Zhengxuan’s face. He took slow, deliberate steps
forward, deep in thought.
Huai Xu clutched his phone in panic.
He’d only watched it once! Just once! How had it come to this?!
He’d just wanted to open his phone to ask his advisor for leave—how had the
screen still been on that video?! And how had
he accidentally hit play?!
Bluetooth headphones were a mistake. Wired ones were safer.
He frantically tried to exit the video, but the damn thing kept playing in a
mini-window—and the sounds were getting even more intense!
Huai Xu wanted to die. He mashed the close button until,
finally, the cursed adult film shut down.
Taking a deep breath, he turned around with a strained smile. "Just a video of a kitten. The noises scared me."
For effect, he even patted his chest dramatically.
Jing Zhengxuan took another step forward, his expression unreadable but his
tone dangerously calm. "You watched it all night?"
Huai Xu: "..."
The shame of being caught was unbearable.
Damn it.
He quickly changed the subject: "Wait, I locked the door. How did you even get in?"
But Jing Zhengxuan wasn’t letting him off the hook. "You locked the door to watch this? Were you hiding from me?"
Huai Xu: "..."
Why are you like this?!
He pressed his lips together, widening his eyes in an innocent, pleading look,
fingers nervously fidgeting with his phone.
Jing Zhengxuan’s gaze softened slightly—but he still pressed on. "What? Did I hit the mark?"
Huai Xu: "..."
Just as he was scrambling for an escape, a
loud growl erupted from his stomach.
Jing Zhengxuan’s expression instantly gentled. "Hungry?"
Huai Xu bit his lip and nodded with a quiet "Mm."
Internally, he was punching the air in victory.
Stomach, you absolute legend! Perfect timing!
Jing Zhengxuan sighed, ruffling his hair before turning away. "I’ll make food."
"I’ll help!" Huai Xu hurried after him.
"No need." Jing Zhengxuan glanced back, his cool brown eyes dark
and intense. "You should think about how to explain why you stayed up all night
watching… kitten videos. I’m very concerned."
He emphasized "kitten" with deliberate weight.
Huai Xu: "..."
(I’m so dead.)
He hesitated, stepping back.
So he figured it out. What now?
Huai Xu paced around the room, racking his brain for a solution—until dinner
was ready.
At the table, he studied Jing Zhengxuan’s expression and decided honesty was
the best policy.
After all, sincerity was the ultimate trump card, right?
Sure enough, when Huai Xu explained that he’d been watching
videos purely to confirm his physiological functions were
normal—and had accidentally stayed up too long—Jing Zhengxuan’s expression
visibly softened.
"Don’t watch that stuff. It’s bad for you." He placed a few
peeled shrimp into Huai Xu’s bowl.
"Mm, I won’t ever again." Not only would he never watch, he
wanted to erase the memory entirely.
Huai Xu grabbed his phone and deleted his browsing history—along with his chat
logs with Shu Jinwei.
Dark history. Out of sight, out of mind.
Time flew, and Christmas Eve—a Friday—approached. A group of close classmates
planned a hot spring trip together.
Huai Xu was all for it. Lately, he’d been carrying too much on his mind;
he needed a break.
Where Huai Xu went, Jing Zhengxuan naturally followed, so the plans were set.
After class on Friday, Zhang Yilang, Chen Pan, Wu Ke, Shu Jinwei, Jiang Yuhan,
Huai Xu, and Jing Zhengxuan set off.
Huai Xu had considered inviting the Guqin Society members but worried the
girls might feel uncomfortable, so he dropped the idea.
Seven people, three cars.
Zhang Yilang gripped the steering wheel of the top-tier Continental GT,
exhilarated. "Holy shit! First time driving a luxury car in my life! This is
insane!"
Chen Pan, in the passenger seat, shot him a disdainful look. "Don’t get too excited. Focus on not crashing. One scratch and you’re
bankrupt."
Wu Ke, leaning forward from the back, grinned. "How many more luxury cars do you think Jing Zhengxuan owns?"
Chen Pan glanced back. "How many? You’re seriously underestimating him."
Shu Jinwei drove the diamond-wrapped Gran Turismo, glancing at Jiang Yuhan’s
stiff posture.
"Senior, nervous?"
Jiang Yuhan clutched the armrest, forcing calm. "No, just… the speed feels a bit… fast… is all."
Shu Jinwei tapped the accelerator, laughing. *"Senior, this is the
highway. We’re not even at 120 km/h."*
Jiang Yuhan turned his head. "...You always drive like this?"
"I usually go faster." Shu Jinwei checked the rearview mirror
and merged into the slow lane.
In the Phantom, the chauffeur drove smoothly.
Huai Xu dozed against Jing Zhengxuan’s shoulder, eventually sliding onto his
lap.
Jing Zhengxuan draped a thin blanket over him, gently stroking his hair, an
unconscious smile tugging at his lips.
The resort, located in the outskirts of Jin City, boasted not only various hot
springs but also stunning natural scenery and cultural attractions.
They planned to stay two nights, returning to campus Sunday afternoon.
Upon arrival, the group collected their room keys to drop off their luggage.
The moment Zhang Yilang stepped inside, he gasped. "How much does a night here cost?! Is this how rich people live? So…
casually extravagant?"
Chen Pan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the view. "What did you expect? Beyond our wildest dreams, obviously."
Wu Ke slung an arm around both of them. "Alright, three bedrooms. Which ones do you want?"
In another suite, Jiang Yuhan sat pale-faced on the couch.
Shu Jinwei handed him a bottle of water. "Senior, you okay?"
"Thanks." Jiang Yuhan accepted it weakly. "I just… never mind. I’m fine."
Shu Jinwei studied him, then offered, "Want to drive on the way back?"
Jiang Yuhan waved a hand. "Your car, you drive."
Next door, Huai Xu looked at the suite with only one bedroom and turned to
Jing Zhengxuan in confusion.
"There was only this one left," Jing Zhengxuan explained. "We couldn’t very
well make those two share a bed, could we?"
Huai Xu hesitated but nodded. That made sense.
He and Jing Zhengxuan were childhood friends, used to being together. Shu
Jinwei and Jiang Yuhan had only known each other for a short time—even if they
were both guys, it would still be a little awkward.
After settling in, the group had dinner together before heading straight to
the Christmas Eve carnival.
The resort had set it up to attract visitors—decorated with lanterns,
Christmas trees, wreaths, and all kinds of amusement rides.
The seven of them entered together.
The carnival path was lined with food stalls, the rich aromas filling the air
as they walked and snacked along the way.
Jing Zhengxuan took Huai Xu’s hand. "Cold?"
Huai Xu’s hands and feet always turned icy when the weather cooled, no matter
how warmly he dressed.
He shook his head, patting his lightweight down jacket. "I’m wearing this much—how could I be cold?"
Looking around, even though they were in the suburbs, Jin City’s low latitude
meant that even in late December, few people bundled up heavily. Wool coats
were the extreme, and no one else was wearing a down jacket like Huai Xu.
Jing Zhengxuan lifted Huai Xu’s hand to his lips, blowing warm air onto it
before rubbing it gently. "Your hands are always so cold."
"It’s not like you didn’t know. Why the fuss?" Huai Xu tried to
pull his hand back.
But Jing Zhengxuan didn’t let go, tucking their clasped hands directly into
his trench coat pocket.
Huai Xu’s hand was effortlessly enveloped in his palm, warmth spreading from
his knuckles up his arm until his whole body grew heated as they walked.
With his other hand, Huai Xu tugged down his zipper slightly, letting the cold
air seep in through the open collar to dispel some of the stifling warmth.
Behind them, Chen Pan whispered to Wu Ke, "Are they…?"
Wu Ke, busy eating his spicy potato skewer, didn’t respond immediately.
But Zhang Yilang overheard and glanced at Huai Xu and Jing Zhengxuan’s backs
with a knowing look. "Probably following doctor’s orders."
Wu Ke swallowed his food. "What doctor’s orders?"
Instead of answering directly, Zhang Yilang stabbed a piece of potato from Wu
Ke’s skewer with his own fork. "I wouldn’t hold hands with a bro while taking a stroll, that’s for
sure."
Wu Ke smacked his hand away. "Back off! Get your own!"
Meanwhile, ahead of them, Jing Zhengxuan speared a takoyaki ball and brought
it to Huai Xu’s lips. "Careful, it’s hot."
"Mm." Huai Xu parted his lips slightly, his soft, pink tongue
glistening under the warm golden lights, looking even more delicate and
tempting.
Jing Zhengxuan froze for a second, pressing his own lips together.
Huai Xu blinked in confusion, making a small "Ah?" sound.
Snapping out of it, Jing Zhengxuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he gently fed the
takoyaki into Huai Xu’s mouth.
"Just one." His gaze lingered on Huai Xu’s lips, but he still
reminded him firmly.
When it came to street food, Huai Xu had the cravings but not the stomach for
it. Years of careful conditioning only allowed him the occasional tiny
taste—literally just one bite, never more.
Jing Zhengxuan hated restricting him, but for the sake of his health, he had
to be strict.
Every time Huai Xu’s stomach ached, it terrified him. He never wanted him to
go through that pain again.
"Don’t worry." Huai Xu savored the takoyaki slowly in his mouth,
as if it were some rare delicacy.
Behind them, Jiang Yuhan stepped forward, scoffing. "You’re so stingy. It’s just takoyaki—what’s the harm in a few more?"
Jing Zhengxuan reluctantly tore his gaze from Huai Xu to shoot Jiang Yuhan a
cold look, not bothering to explain. He just set the remaining takoyaki on the
ground for a stray cat.
Shu Jinwei tugged Jiang Yuhan’s sleeve and gave him a quick explanation.
"Oh? Really? Sorry~." Jiang Yuhan scratched the back of his head
sheepishly.
He hadn’t interacted much with Huai Xu, so it was understandable he didn’t
know.
Jing Zhengxuan gave him an indifferent glance before slinging an arm around
Huai Xu’s shoulders and walking on.
Fireworks burst across the sky, colorful sparks soaring upward before drifting
down slowly.
Following the fireworks with his gaze, Huai Xu spotted the Ferris wheel.
His heart condition meant he couldn’t handle intense exercise or thrilling
rides. Since childhood, the Ferris wheel had been his go-to—slow and safe.
Noticing his gaze, Jing Zhengxuan leaned down. "Want to ride it?"
But Huai Xu shook his head. "A little tired of it."
Jing Zhengxuan stroked his hair gently, heart aching. "Then let’s try something else."
"Really?" Huai Xu lifted his chin, eyes sparkling with
excitement.
"Really."
At this, Huai Xu pointed at the swaying pirate ship nearby. "Then I want to try that."
Jing Zhengxuan eyed the violently rocking ride and hesitated before finally
saying, "Okay. But hold my hand tight."
All seven of them boarded the pirate ship together.
The vessel was large, so they spread out for balance.
Huai Xu and Jing Zhengxuan sat at the very front, a few rows ahead of Zhang
Yilang, Chen Pan, and Wu Ke, with Shu Jinwei and Jiang Yuhan at the very back.
The remaining seats were empty.
Huai Xu gripped the safety bar with one hand and interlaced his fingers
tightly with Jing Zhengxuan’s with the other.
It was his first time on such a thrilling ride, and he was genuinely nervous.
The ship gradually lifted before beginning to swing back and forth—gently at
first, like a large swing.
Huai Xu loosened his grip on the safety bar and relaxed his hold on Jing
Zhengxuan’s hand.
This isn’t scary at all. It’s just a bigger, taller swing.
Jing Zhengxuan, however, kept holding his hand tightly, turning to him with a
slightly alarmed expression. "You’re not scared?"
"You are?" Huai Xu looked at his childhood friend, then wrapped
an arm around his shoulders reassuringly. "Don’t worry, I’ve got you."
Jing Zhengxuan leaned against Huai Xu’s shoulder, the fear in his eyes
instantly vanishing as he murmured, "Mm."
Huai Xu patted his back, suddenly feeling guilty.
He hadn’t expected Jing Zhengxuan to be afraid—but thinking about it, it made
sense.
His friend had only ever ridden the slow Ferris wheel with him and never tried
anything else. Of course he wouldn’t know his own limits.
What about the others? Are they scared too?
Huai Xu turned to look—only to realize his concern was completely unnecessary.
Zhang Yilang was filming the view from above on his phone.
Wu Ke yawned, either bored or sleepy.
Chen Pan held up a selfie stick, recording a vlog.
Shu Jinwei and Jiang Yuhan chatted while posing for photos.
When they noticed Huai Xu looking, they all waved cheerfully, as if they were
on a sightseeing cruise rather than a pirate ship.
The distance and the wind made it impossible to hear each other, so Huai Xu
just waved back before turning around, guilt weighing heavily on him.
So it’s just Jing Zhengxuan who’s scared.
His impulsive request had left his friend weak and clinging to his shoulder.
Huai Xu tightened his arm around Jing Zhengxuan, gently patting his back the
way Jing Zhengxuan often comforted him.
From now on, I’ll stick to the Ferris wheel. After all, I have a timid
childhood friend to take care of.
At the very back, Shu Jinwei asked Jiang Yuhan, "Is this pirate ship… not normal?"
"Definitely not. Since when does a pirate ship rock this gently? It’s like
one of those kiddie rides outside supermarkets." Jiang Yuhan absentmindedly flashed a peace sign into Shu Jinwei’s
camera.
"Think it has something to do with that call Jing Zhengxuan made
earlier?" Shu Jinwei smiled for the camera while muttering under his breath.
Jiang Yuhan lowered his hand. "Obviously. Did you see how long the line was? Yet they only let the seven
of us in."
"Hmm…" Shu Jinwei glanced at the two figures at the front with a
complicated expression, pressing the shutter. "Don’t often see Jing Zhengxuan acting so… damsel-in-distress."
Jiang Yuhan: "..."
Since when is it rare? he thought.
Countless scenes flashed through his mind—Jing Zhengxuan dramatically flopping
onto Huai Xu’s shoulder at the drop of a hat.
One second, full of energy. The next, playing the delicate flower.
The transitions were seamless. What a waste of acting talent.
Once the ride ended, the group split up. Huai Xu and Jing Zhengxuan headed for
the Ferris wheel, while the other five wanted another round on the pirate
ship.
Watching the two walk away arm in arm, Jiang Yuhan eagerly turned to the
others. "Quick, quick! Let’s experience a real pirate ship this time!"
On the way to the Ferris wheel, Huai Xu patted Jing Zhengxuan’s back
worriedly. "You okay?"
Jing Zhengxuan shook his head, clutching his stomach with a small groan before
saying, "I’m fine."
Huai Xu’s guilt deepened.
He’s putting on a brave face.
At that moment, his heart melted completely.
Jing Zhengxuan had endured so much just to let him have fun.
His friend treated him so well—he had to repay him somehow.
Inside the Ferris wheel cabin, they sat side by side, Jing Zhengxuan still
slightly dizzy and leaning against Huai Xu’s shoulder.
"Sorry for worrying you." Jing Zhengxuan nuzzled closer.
"What’s there to apologize for? Between us, who even keeps score?" Huai Xu pinched the back of Jing Zhengxuan’s neck lightly, brushing it
off.
Jing Zhengxuan pulled Huai Xu’s arm around his shoulders, agreeing. "You’re right. There’s nothing we can’t do together."
Huai Xu: "..."
Hmm…
Why does that sound familiar?
He suddenly scooted away slightly. "Well… not anything though…"
Jing Zhengxuan followed him. "Like what?"
Huai Xu: "..."
Plenty of things! For example—
Was this even something he could say out loud?!
It’s like his brain was constantly flooded with dirty thoughts.
Huai Xu stayed silent.
Jing Zhengxuan studied him before suddenly frowning. "Still feeling a little off. Can I lie on your lap?"
"Huh? Still unwell?" Huai Xu immediately shifted to the edge,
patting his thighs. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up!"
Jing Zhengxuan slumped over, resting his head on Huai Xu’s lap.
Tall and long-legged, the cabin wasn’t spacious enough for comfort, but he
still stretched his legs out, bracing his feet against the floor as he gazed
up at Huai Xu.
The Ferris wheel climbed slowly, the brilliant fireworks outside brighter than
the cabin’s dim lights.
Huai Xu’s bright eyes and delicate features looked even more enchanting under
the sparkling lights—his dark irises gleaming like stars, his fair skin
translucent like fine porcelain.
Jing Zhengxuan lifted a hand, gently tracing Huai Xu’s cheek as he
murmured, "A-Xu… have you ever thought about the future?"
"The future…"
"Living another 19 years" was definitely not something he could
say to Jing Zhengxuan—it would only upset him.
After a pause, Huai Xu answered, "I’ll be a doctor. You’ll take over the Jing family. We’ll each get
marr—"
Before he could finish the word "married," Jing Zhengxuan
pinched his lips shut.
Huai Xu blinked in confusion, mumbling incoherently as he smacked Jing
Zhengxuan’s arm.
Jing Zhengxuan didn’t budge, only releasing him as the Ferris wheel neared its
peak.
Huai Xu smacked him hard. "Are you insane?!"
Jing Zhengxuan caught his hand, playing with the sandalwood bracelet around
his wrist as he muttered, "Mm."
Seeing his expression, Huai Xu’s heart softened again, rolling his
eyes. "Whatever. I won’t argue with a patient."
Outside, the fireworks grew even more dazzling, the Ferris wheel now at its
highest point—so close to the sky it felt like they could touch the stars.
But Jing Zhengxuan didn’t spare a glance for the view.
Gazing up at Huai Xu, he twisted the sandalwood beads solemnly. "A-Xu, you’ll live a long, long life."
Huai Xu, distracted by the fireworks outside, looked down and smiled, his
dimples showing. "Mm. I definitely will."
Whether it’s true or not—at least don’t let the people who care about you
worry.
After splitting up briefly, the seven regrouped for bumper cars.
Once everyone was exhausted, they headed to a board game club for a round of
script murder.
Time flew when they were having fun, and before they knew it, it was past
eleven. Huai Xu was still wide awake—when it came to brain games, he always
perked up.
The night he researched those videos had been the same.
Now, hunting down the killer in the game, he was fully alert.
He was thoroughly engrossed when Jing Zhengxuan checked his watch, his
expression darkening slightly.
He usually indulged Huai Xu’s whims, but sleep was non-negotiable when it came
to health. It was already late—time to wrap things up.
Subtly, he started dropping clues, accelerating the game until Huai Xu
successfully uncovered the murderer and won triumphantly.
Huai Xu jumped up, cheering with Zhang Yilang and the others.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yuhan and Shu Jinwei—on the opposing team—exchanged a glance
and stayed tactfully silent.
Jing Zhengxuan pinched the nape of Huai Xu’s neck. "Time for bed."
A group of them returned to the hotel.
The digital screen in the lobby displayed the number of
remaining rooms of each type, but Huai Xu didn’t notice it.
Once in the room, he quickly took a shower.
As soon as he came out, Jing Zhengxuan was already waiting
with a hairdryer in hand.
“I’ll do it myself,” Huai Xu reached out his hand.
Jing Zhengxuan pulled back, turning him to face the mirror.
“I’m faster.”
Huai Xu looked at his childhood friend in the mirror and
didn’t refuse again.
His slender fingers gently combed through Huai Xu’s hair.
The hairdryer was held at just the right distance—enough to
dry quickly, yet not too hot to burn his scalp.
Huai Xu felt a tingling sensation on his scalp, which
extended all the way down his spine, as if tiny electric
currents were zipping from his scalp to his tailbone.
In the mirror, Jing Zhengxuan’s focused face came into
view—completely absorbed in drying his hair, occasionally
glancing up at him.
Huai Xu’s face grew warm, his throat dry. That nameless fire
began to rise again. He let out a deep breath and lowered
his head to stare at the gold-plated faucet.
Soon, Jing Zhengxuan ruffled his hair with a soft “All done.
Go to bed.”
“Mm.” Huai Xu didn’t say his usual “Thanks” with a smile.
Instead, he fled the bathroom as if escaping something,
diving onto the bed like he was exhausted.
Jing Zhengxuan raised an eyebrow at his back before going to
shower.
Huai Xu fell asleep quickly. He even had a dream.
In the dream, Jing Zhengxuan was wearing a soft white
bathrobe, holding him tightly in his arms.
His warm embrace made Huai Xu’s mouth dry and his body heat
up. He had no choice but to loosen his robe.
Somehow, instead, he ended up pulling open Jing Zhengxuan’s
bathrobe—pressing his face directly against the other man’s
chest.
A sudden coolness washed over him, and the heat in his body
dissipated immediately.
Huai Xu jolted awake in shock!
Right in front of him were Jing Zhengxuan’s defined chest
muscles. Slowly, very slowly, he tilted his head upward. His
lashes fluttered nervously, betraying his guilt.
A strong jawline, sharp lips, a high-bridged nose...
Finally, his gaze met a pair of cold brown eyes—eyes that
shimmered with confused light, unexpectedly bright in the
dim room like starlight.
Shame and fury surged through Huai Xu. At that moment, he
truly wanted to burrow into the earth and let magma
evaporate him out of existence.
Damn!
Again…
Fuck!
But since his wish couldn’t come true, Huai Xu had to face
reality.
He averted his eyes, suddenly flipped over, and sat up at
the edge of the bed, forcing himself to sound calm. “Heh…
sorry, just a normal physiological reaction.”
Saying that, he tried to get up and rush to the bathroom—but
the man behind him suddenly wrapped an arm around his waist,
effortlessly pulling him back into bed.
Huai Xu struggled in a panic.
Jing Zhengxuan easily pinned down his arms and legs. “You
need help.”
His tone was flat, like an emotionless machine—but his eyes
burned with an overwhelming desire…
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