Lin Wushui carried a large bag back home.
The convenience store bags were all white, semi-transparent plastic, and every passerby who caught sight of the sizable bag of contraceptives in his hands couldn’t help but glance back in surprise.
Yet Lin Wushui seemed oblivious, his mind fully occupied with how he would use them once he got home.
When Lin Wushui arrived, Zhang Xianyu was taking a shower; faint water sounds came from the bathroom.
Lin Wushui placed the bag on the coffee table and sat down on the nearby sofa.
After just a couple of minutes, he felt hot and restless.
He loosened his shirt collar, unbuttoning two buttons, then got up to grab a bottle of chilled mineral water from the fridge and drank more than half of it in one go…but the subtle water sounds from the bathroom seemed to grow legs, intent on drilling into his ears.
The more Lin Wushui listened, the more anxious and restless he became.
He stood up, pacing in place for a few rounds.
Before Zhang Xianyu could come out, Lin Wushui couldn’t hold it any longer.
He walked to the bathroom door and lightly knocked.
The water sound softened, and Zhang Xianyu’s voice came from inside, “What is it?”
Lin Wushui cleared his throat softly, his face flushing red.
After a brief silence, he hoarsely said, “You’re not done yet? I want to shower too.”
Silence returned, with only the faint sound of water.
Lin Wushui stared at the closed door, waiting for a while before hearing Zhang Xianyu say, “The door isn’t locked.”
Lin Wushui’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, the heat inside him intensifying, and his throat inexplicably itching.
He cleared his throat again, grabbed the doorknob, turned it, and swiftly slipped into the bathroom.
The bathroom was spacious, with separate shower and washing areas.
Under the soft warm yellow light, Lin Wushui could even make out the tall silhouette faintly visible through the frosted glass.
His face flushed deeper.
Lin Wushui’s jaw tightened slightly as he stepped closer to the shower room.
Passing by the mirror, he could clearly see the reflection of the figure in the glass.
Just as Lin Wushui reached the door, the dripping water stopped.
Through the translucent frosted glass, he could vaguely see movements inside—the figure, Zhang Xianyu, seemed to be wrapping a towel around his waist.
Lin Wushui stood frozen at the door, waiting until Zhang Xianyu finished wrapping the towel and opened the door, locking eyes directly with him.
A fire seemed to ignite in Lin Wushui’s eyes.
Zhang Xianyu noticed, the exposed skin feeling as if it were being scorched by that flame.
Both were grown men—there was no misunderstanding here.
“Go ahead and shower,” Zhang Xianyu said, trying to keep calm.
“We…”
Lin Wushui grabbed his wrist.
Feeling how hot their skin was, his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down a few times before he rasped out, “Let’s shower together.”
He stepped forward, gripping Zhang Xianyu’s wrist and pulling him back inside.
The showerhead sprayed hot water, steam rising thick and warm.
The figures inside the shower were shrouded in misty steam, only faint outlines visible, like two vines entwined intimately…
The temperature in the bathroom rose with the water’s warmth, the steady sound of dripping water continuing…
Over an hour passed before the two finally stepped out of the shower.
Both were youthful and inexperienced in such matters, fumbling awkwardly, relying only on instinct.
Lin Wushui, at least, had done some last-minute cramming, while Zhang Xianyu had no theoretical knowledge at all, fully submitting to Lin Wushui’s lead.
Lin Wushui showed a natural talent and a stubborn sense of ritual.
After their time in the bathroom, he carefully wrapped Zhang Xianyu in a towel, carried him to the living room sofa, and then found a blow dryer to dry his hair.
Only after tidying him up thoroughly did Lin Wushui finally return to the bedroom.
They went to Lin Wushui’s main bedroom.
Zhang Xianyu shyly leaned against the bedhead, eyes lowered, pondering how two men were supposed to proceed.
While he was lost in thought, Lin Wushui went to the living room and brought in the entire bag of items. Various brands of condoms and lubricants were spread out on the bedside table.
Lin Wushui furrowed his brows as he picked up one box, clearing his throat, “Let’s try this one first.”
Zhang Xianyu: “…………………”
“So many?”
He craned his neck to take a look; indeed, it was a colorful assortment covering every type imaginable.
Lin Wushui hummed deeply, half-kneeling on the bed with one leg bent, leaning toward him.
“You have to try them to know which one’s best.”
Zhang Xianyu blushed, softly replying, “Okay…let’s try.”
Lin Wushui’s lips curled slightly as he bent down to kiss him…
They explored each other’s first experiences all night, stopping only at dawn.
Zhang Xianyu nestled lazily in the covers, unwilling to move, while Lin Wushui, boundless in energy, was starting to tire.
“I’ll carry you to shower.”
Full and warm, Lin Wushui resembled a beast in hiding, cautiously coaxing his beloved.
Zhang Xianyu just wanted to sleep.
Curling deeper under the blanket, he mumbled with his face down, “There are classes tomorrow…”
Seeing how exhausted he was, Lin Wushui didn’t want to disturb him.
He filled the bathtub with water, then came back to carry the sleeping Zhang Xianyu to wash.
Worried about aftercare, he hurried downstairs to the 24-hour clinic to buy ointment.
Returning, Zhang Xianyu was still soaking in the warm water, sound asleep.
After cleaning him, Lin Wushui carried him back to bed and carefully applied the ointment.
When everything was done, knowing Zhang Xianyu hadn’t slept all night, he used Zhang Xianyu’s phone to message Zheng Pang to help request a day off.
Only after finishing all this did he lie down contentedly, pulling Zhang Xianyu into his embrace.
The soft strands of hair fell across his arms and chest.
Lin Wushui closed his eyes, feeling his chest warm and full, as if a long-standing void had finally been filled.
Zhang Xianyu slept until 2 p.m.
He checked his phone and was startled wide-eyed.
Sitting up quickly, he accidentally pulled a muscle, letting out a sharp intake of breath.
Where there had been pleasure last night now lingered a dull soreness from overuse.
Zhang Xianyu exhaled softly and cautiously got up.
Lin Wushui was on the balcony handling work.
Hearing him come out, Zhang Xianyu immediately stood up.
“There’s porridge and soup warming in the kitchen. Do you want to eat now?”
“Not enough time. I have to go to class.”
Zhang Xianyu hurried to wash up, then poked his head out to complain, “Why didn’t you wake me? I have a full schedule today.”
“I had Zheng Pang get you the day off.”
Lin Wushui went to the kitchen and ladled the vegetable porridge and pork trotters soup onto the dining table, then grabbed spoons and bowls.
After Zhang Xianyu sat down, Lin Wushui looked like he wanted to feed him personally.
But Zhang Xianyu coldly refused the attentive feeding and picked up a spoon to eat on his own.
Lin Wushui had already eaten lunch.
Now he just stared at him. Zhang Xianyu wore casual clothes with a round neckline that revealed a small patch of collarbone and the little strawberry mark he had left on purpose last night.
Lin Wushui grew more and more fond, recalling last night, his body stirred again.
But considering Zhang Xianyu’s condition, he held back, thinking there would be time in the future.
Zhang Xianyu focused on eating porridge; after a night of exertion, he was indeed hungry.
He had no energy left to pay attention to Lin Wushui’s mood.
After eating half, he suddenly remembered something he hadn’t said yesterday before being interrupted.
“I need to go to Xishan Villa on Friday.”
Xishan Villa was where Luo Danqing lived.
It was a villa cluster in the suburbs, facing the river with a beautiful environment.
Many wealthy people would stay there briefly, but permanent residents like Luo Danqing were few.
“What for?”
Lin Wushui frowned.
The weekend was coming, and he thought they could stay home all day trying out the rest of those things.
Zhang Xianyu took a sip of his cooling soup before saying, “Danqing’s been acting strange lately. I suspect something’s wrong. I plan to go check on him after the holiday on Friday.”
Lin Wushui frowned in dissatisfaction, “Why not send someone else to follow him?”
Zhang Xianyu shook his head.
“I want to see for myself to feel reassured.”
Mentioning Luo Danqing always stirred a strange unease in him, like a warning.
He had to go himself to put his mind at ease.
“Then I’ll go with you.”
If he couldn’t leave him behind, then he’d go along.
This time Zhang Xianyu didn’t refuse.
After resting at home for a day, Zhang Xianyu went to class the next day.
Zheng Pang, concerned, came over to ask what was wrong.
Zhang Xianyu cleared his throat, his ears slightly red, and gave a vague excuse.
By Thursday, Zhang Xianyu had observed Luo Danqing for two more days.
When Friday afternoon arrived and the holiday began, the three left the school gate together.
After bidding farewell, Zhang Xianyu slowly walked toward the staff housing.
Halfway there, guessing that Luo Danqing wouldn’t notice, he turned back and got into Lin Wushui’s car.
Lin Wushui had said yesterday he wanted to come along.
He had arranged his work early and was waiting near the school.
They waited a little further from the school gate and soon saw Luo Danqing still standing there, seemingly waiting for someone.
Zhang Xianyu stared at him for a moment when a black car approached.
Luo Danqing got into the back seat, and the car quickly drove away.
“Follow them.”
Zhang Xianyu stared at the car ahead, feeling he’d seen it somewhere before.
Frowning in thought, he recalled that last time someone came looking for Luo Danqing, the black sedan parked across the street was the same one as now.
Sure enough, the same people were looking for Luo Danqing again.
But unlike last time, when Luo Danqing showed strong aversion, now he seemed willing to get close.
Zhang Xianyu’s suspicion deepened.
He fixed his gaze on the license plate, with Lin Wushui trailing not too far behind.