The car window slowly rolled down. The three locked eyes in silence.
An awkward tension filled the air.
Xiao Kesong hadn’t chosen a career path yet, but he already carried the commanding presence of a future law enforcement officer. His expression was stern as he looked at the two people in the back seat. Without a word, he stared at Chen Zemian for three full seconds.
Chen Zemian felt a chill run down his spine. Restless, he resisted the urge to pull his coat over his head, wishing he could disappear and disconnect from the world.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sneaked a glance at Lu Zhuonian—his partner in crime.
Lu Zhuonian remained composed, calm, unreadable.
A true male lead. That’s what it meant to keep a straight face while everything around you fell apart. Chen Zemian felt a mix of awe and self-loathing.
Why was he so weak?
They’d only been caught making out in an underground garage. They hadn’t even taken their pants off. What was there to be guilty about?
People kissed on sidewalks all the time. Some even flirted openly in public. He hadn’t seen his boyfriend in days and had wanted to sneak in a kiss or two. Totally normal.
Besides, Lu Zhuonian had only unbuttoned his collar to test the whitening effect of an essential oil bath ball. Zheng Huaiyu had been complaining nonstop about his tan since the trip. Chen Zemian just wanted a second opinion.
That’s all.
He had no reason to feel guilty.
With that, he straightened his posture and regained his confidence. Lifting his head, he met Xiao Kesong’s gaze, ready to defend himself. If questioned, he’d calmly explain they were just checking for a tan—nothing else.
But Xiao Kesong didn’t ask anything. He didn’t mention why Chen Zemian was there or why they were hiding in a parked car. Instead, like a cop stopping a drunk driver, he raised his hand and said, “Get out of the car.”
Chen Zemian: “…”
He opened the door and started to step out.
But as the door swung open, the scent inside the car escaped even faster than he did.
Xiao Kesong caught the unmistakable smell of rotten longan and reflexively asked, “Are you two done?”
Chen Zemian jumped out. “No, no, no! It hasn’t even started!”
Xiao Kesong: “…”
Lu Zhuonian gave him a flat, indifferent look.
A chill went down Xiao Kesong’s back. His confidence deflated. “Go back upstairs.”
The tension lingered in the elevator.
Xiao Kesong pressed the button for the 8th floor. “I ordered pizza and steak. Let’s talk at my place.”
Lu Zhuonian didn’t respond. He pressed the button for the 11th floor.
Xiao Kesong canceled his floor and tried again. “Fine. We can go to your place.”
Lu Zhuonian re-pressed 8. “Go home.”
Irritated, Xiao Kesong snapped, “I have something to say!”
Lu Zhuonian stared at the floor numbers rising. “Make it quick. You’ve got two floors.”
Xiao Kesong turned to Chen Zemian. “You showed up and didn’t even tell me—”
The elevator chimed.
Lu Zhuonian gestured toward the door. “We’re here. Out of time.”
As Xiao Kesong was pushed out, he clung to the elevator frame. “Chen Zemian, we haven’t seen each other in so long. You don’t miss me? You don’t care?”
Chen Zemian replied, “I’m not ignoring you. I’ll come down later.”
With hopeful eyes, Xiao Kesong asked, “So you’re just busy. Nothing else?”
Chen Zemian’s answer crushed him. “I can do it.”
Xiao Kesong flinched. “You’re not even going to pretend anymore?”
Chen Zemian, stubborn but resigned, said, “Nope.”
Lu Zhuonian’s lips curled slightly before flattening. He pointed to the elevator’s safety instructions. “No prying the door. Don’t lean on it. Let go.”
Beaten down, Xiao Kesong said softly, “He came all this way. Can’t you at least take him out? Ride the duck boats? Go to the gallery?”
Lu Zhuonian replied coolly, “This is what he likes.”
Xiao Kesong gasped. His head tilted back as he stared at his childhood friend in disbelief. “Lu Zhuonian?”
Lu Zhuonian lifted his eyes. “What?”
The elevator chimed again. Doors started to close.
Worried the doors would hit Xiao Kesong, Chen Zemian quickly said, “Go home first. I’ll be down soon.”
The word soon comforted Xiao Kesong—but he still glanced nervously at Lu Zhuonian.
Lu Zhuonian didn’t react.
Reluctantly, Xiao Kesong let go and suddenly asked, “Do you want me to prepare anything?”
Chen Zemian: “???”
Prepare what? For what?
He tilted his head, confused. His expression and body language revealed his robotic awkwardness once again.
Gritting his teeth, Xiao Kesong muttered, “You know—water, oil, umbrella covers… Should I call 911 now? You can’t go into this unprepared. There need to be safety measures.”
Chen Zemian looked at the sideways-leaning Lu Zhuonian, then gently patted Xiao Kesong’s shoulder. “Brother, what you need most right now is a better attitude.”
Xiao Kesong: “…”
Chen Zemian pressed the close-door button. “We’ll talk later. Bye, little bread.”
Xiao Kesong frowned and took a step forward. He stared at the closing elevator doors, lips parting—but in the end, he said nothing.
Just before they closed, Chen Zemian noticed the redness in his eyes.
The elevator climbed fast. Eight to eleven in seconds.
But even in that short time, Chen Zemian couldn’t figure out why Xiao Kesong had been crying.
Sure, Lu Zhuonian had a sex addiction, and sometimes he lost control. But it wasn’t life-threatening. Why was Xiao Kesong so afraid?
It felt less like Chen Zemian was being intimate with Lu Zhuonian—and more like he was walking into danger.
Xiao Kesong and Lu Zhuonian had been childhood friends. They were close. Even if he knew Lu Zhuonian had problems, didn’t he still trust his character?
It wasn’t going to kill him.
Chen Zemian couldn’t figure it out. He was absent-minded in the shower and distracted while kissing.
Lu Zhuonian hooked his chin and gently bit his neck.
Chen Zemian came to his senses and grabbed Lu Zhuonian’s hair. “Not there. Xiao Kesong will be even more upset if he sees it.”
Lu Zhuonian smiled. “You’re thinking about another man while kissing me, and you’re proud of it. You won’t even let me leave a mark—what is this, an affair?”
Chen Zemian apologized, then sighed. “I just don’t get it. He’s overreacting.”
Lu Zhuonian pulled the blanket over Chen Zemian’s shoulders and asked, “Is it his bossy attitude that’s bothering you? I can talk to him.”
“No.” Chen Zemian lifted the blanket and covered Lu Zhuonian too. “He’s not meddling. He just cares.”
Lu Zhuonian pressed his lips together, but the amusement in his voice slipped through. “Then what’s his problem?”
Chen Zemian, deep in thought, didn’t catch the bait. “I don’t get why he doesn’t trust you after being your friend for over ten years. He’s acting like you’re going to die. It’s too much.”
Lu Zhuonian’s mood improved. Hearing Chen Zemian stand up for him hit the right spot. “There’s more to it than that. He wasn’t just shocked.” He paused. “Do you remember Xiao Qiwu burning down the Xiao family’s ancestral hall?”
Chen Zemian nodded. “Why did he do that?”
“He had a boyfriend back then. The family didn’t accept it, so to ‘fix’ him, they tricked his boyfriend into going to a sex party—for addicts.”
Chen Zemian tensed. His fingers curled, and he wrapped the blanket tighter around himself. “And?”
Lu Zhuonian paused. “When he got there, the guy was already gone.”
Chen Zemian had guessed as much, but the confirmation still made him frown.
Lu Zhuonian didn’t reveal the rest—that the party wasn’t over when Xiao Qiwu arrived.
“When addiction hits, people turn into animals.”
Lu Zhuonian took Chen Zemian’s hand. “Xiao Qiwu held a wake for three days in the Xiao family home. Kesong saw the body.”
Chen Zemian lowered his eyes. “No wonder he freaked out.”
“Yeah. He’s scared.”
Chen Zemian leaned his head on Lu Zhuonian’s shoulder. “What happened after that?”
“As for those addicts? They’re probably locked up somewhere now, getting daily shock therapy.”
Chen Zemian thought he’d feel satisfied hearing that, but he didn’t. It left a heavy, bitter taste. “I thought sex addiction was rare. How did so many of them find each other and form a club? It’s disgusting.”
Lu Zhuonian’s eyes turned cold. “There are billions of people out there, and the internet makes everything easier to find—even the worst things. Some were sick, others just used it as an excuse.”
Chen Zemian sighed. “This whole thing is depressing. I wish I could punch those beasts across time and space.”
“We can still smash places like that. They still exist. I’ll take you if you want.”
Chen Zemian closed his eyes and lay on Lu Zhuonian’s legs. “This world is filthy. You’re rich, powerful, and sick, but you’ve never stepped into the shadows. That’s incredible.”
Lu Zhuonian combed through his hair. “Are you so sure I haven’t?”
“With your germophobia? You won’t even touch a tissue with your own mess on it. No way you’d go to a party like that.”
Lu Zhuonian laughed.
Chen Zemian turned over and hugged his waist. “Now I finally understand what you meant before.”
“What did I say?”
Chen Zemian recalled, “You said the reason people are different from animals is because we can restrain desire.”
Lu Zhuonian blushed at his own old words. He coughed and kissed Chen Zemian’s forehead. “Back then I thought I was righteous and wise. I had no shame.”
Chen Zemian raised a brow. “And now you’re ashamed?”
Lu Zhuonian smiled. “Now I have you.”
After hearing the truth about the Xiao family, Chen Zemian understood Xiao Kesong’s panic. He didn’t want to let him worry any longer.
Lu Zhuonian supported him. “Go. You won’t relax until you talk to him.”
Chen Zemian changed clothes and kissed Lu Zhuonian’s chin. “I’ll be back soon.”
Lu Zhuonian: “…”
Chen Zemian rode the elevator to the eighth floor in slippers.
Xiao Kesong opened the door, a little surprised. “So soon? The pizza just arrived. Come in.”
While eating, Chen Zemian explained that he and Lu Zhuonian had a healthy relationship. “You don’t need to worry about his addiction anymore.”
Xiao Kesong rolled cheese with a fork, eyes down. His face was unreadable.
Chen Zemian continued, trying to make sense of it all. “One, his condition isn’t that severe and has improved. Two, he’s got strong self-control. Even if he has an episode, he won’t lose it completely. Three, even if he does, I can handle it—hey, are you listening?”
“Yeah,” Xiao Kesong said, stabbing a sausage.
“So can you trust us a little more? He’s not careless. I’m casual, sure, but no one can make me do something I don’t want. I know you mean well, but you really don’t have to worry.”
Xiao Kesong put down the fork. “Okay.”
Chen Zemian had been bracing for a debate. The sudden surrender threw him off.
Xiao Kesong slumped over the table. “I was worried, but your speed was faster than express delivery. You’re probably fine.”
Chen Zemian: “…”
Xiao Kesong noticed the change of clothes and clean hair. It couldn’t have been more than a few minutes. He frowned.
Chen Zemian started to explain, but Xiao Kesong dragged him to the door.
“Whatever. I won’t get involved anymore. You don’t have to tell me this stuff.”
Embarrassed, he mumbled, “I’m meddling. Go back upstairs.”
Chen Zemian returned to the 11th floor.
Lu Zhuonian saw him and asked, “That fast?”
The word “fast” hit Chen Zemian like a headache. He winced.
“Did it not go well?”
He hesitated, then decided to lie kindly. “It went fine. He said he won’t get involved anymore.”
Lu Zhuonian sensed something was off. “What did you say to him?”
Chen Zemian’s eyes flickered. “Just… drop it.”
*****
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Author: LazyHermitGal
A Lazy Hermit Gal wondering in the void and falling into the translation abyss.
