Chapter 56: A Stirring from Below

Chapter 56: A Stirring from Below

The night wind blew forcefully, seeming to penetrate Shen Yao's heart. Holding Ying Li's hand and gazing at his face under the dim light, Shen Yao looked both teary and lost, as if that ball had indeed muddled his brain.

Someone scored on the basketball court, and the cheers drowned out Shen Yao's words. Ying Li asked, "What did you say you like?"

Standing straight, Shen Yao touched the back of his head again. The pain was gone, but it felt a little warm. "Never mind, let's go."

The amusement park had no entrance fee; each attraction was paid for separately. There were university students and many families with kids. Being the weekend, it was especially crowded, with long queues at almost every ride.

The two wandered around the park. Shen Yao wore a mask and a hat, avoiding recognition from fans. However, several people approached, asking for his WeChat.

After finally getting rid of them, Shen Yao asked Ying Li, "What do you want to try? I'll get the tickets."

"There are so many people; waiting in line must take quite a while."

Yi Li squinted, noticing that the roller coaster and drop tower he was most interested in had long queues forming.

Shen Yao said, "I think there's a jungle adventure over there with a shorter line. Want to check it out?"

The two went against the crowd to the entrance of the amusement park. Though called a "jungle adventure", it was merely a temporary plastic tent. On either side of the entrance were two shoddily made foam dinosaur sculptures, deterring most from queuing. The owner seemed to be nodding off from boredom.

"What about your friend? Is he still working overtime? What do we do if he arrives after we've entered?" Yi Li glanced at the "Jungle Rules" sign, estimating the whole tour would take about twenty minutes.

"I just checked with him, he said he'd be here in about half an hour. Let's go ahead and have some fun," Shen Yao said with a slight smirk. "My treat. Let's go."

Yi Li responded, "Alright."

Tickets were only ten bucks each. After purchasing, the owner opened the door for them to enter.

While the exterior seemed run-down, the inside was surprisingly well-decorated with artificial mountains, water features, and a mist from dry ice swirling around their feet. They first walked into the aviary with noisy bird calls, then into the predator section. The tigers and lions were clearly fake, but accompanied by roaring sounds from hidden speakers.

Shen Yao remarked, "No wonder there's hardly anyone here, everything is artificial."

Yi Li nodded in agreement, "The real ones are all in zoos."

As they went deeper, it became quieter. Shen Yao began to regret his choice, thinking he should have taken Yi Li on the Ferris wheel instead. It might have taken longer, but at least it wouldn’t have been this dull.

Noticing Yi Li had moved ahead, Shen Yao quickened his pace to catch up.

They had wandered into an unknown section with dim, flickering lights. The chill from the dry ice was palpable. Just as Shen Yao was about to ask Yi Li if he felt cold, a black snake dropped from an artificial tree onto his shoulder. The unexpected surprise nearly made him scream.

As a child, he'd been bitten by a snake, and the saying goes, "Once bitten by a snake, you're scared of ropes for ten years". But how could he forget there would be snakes in a jungle setting!

"Yi Li, are you scared of snakes?" Shen Yao asked, trembling, even though he was fairly certain the snake was fake.

"Snakes? I'm okay. Where's the snake?"

"On my shoulder."

Turning to look, Yi Li saw Shen Yao frozen in place, the snake on his shoulder moving as if it were alive.

As Shen Yao broke out in cold sweat, Yi Li quickly approached, grabbed the snake, and said, "Don't be scared, it's fake. There's a hook on the back; it must've fallen off the tree and just happened to land on you."

Shen Yao found himself quite ridiculous, being frightened by a mere fake snake. He chuckled and said, "I'm not scared. I thought you might be. You're braver than I thought..."

He was drenched in sweat. Though he claimed not to be scared, he unzipped his jacket to cool down.

The inside of the attraction was rather unimpressive. In less than twenty minutes, they left. Shortly after, Shen Yao's roommate arrived, calling them to meet at a barbecue place near the amusement park.

There were many people dining out for barbecue that evening. Stalls were set up everywhere along the road. They arrived a bit late, and after wandering around, they finally found a place that had a private room.

"Look who's out and about, the superstar..." As they settled down, the roommate eyed Ying Li with a scrutinizing gaze, "Hey, Da Yao, who's this? Your younger brother?"

Removing his hat and mask, Shen Yao glared at him, "Are you asking for a beating? Where would I get a 'younger brother' from?"

Ying Li also took off his mask and greeted, "Hello, I'm Ying Li, their assistant."

"Assistant?" The roommate looked Ying Li up and down, teasing, "With such good looks, why be an assistant? You should debut with them and become a superstar too."

Ying Li had heard similar comments countless times, and each time he was at a loss for a response. He could only vaguely say he had no such plans.

"Why are you talking so much? Let's order." Shen Yao waved the owner over, "Boss, two jin of white wine and two pitchers of beer, please."

"Mixing hard liquor and beer? You trying to get me wasted tonight? You might have someone to take you home, but I don’t," the roommate said, feigning fright, then changed his tune, "Boss, just the white wine will do. Beer gives me a belly. Sitting in the office all day, my waistline's expanded. Can't drink beer anymore."

Shen Yao then asked Ying Li, "What would you like to drink?"

Ying Li replied, "Just plain water is fine."

The roommate looked at him curiously, "You don't drink?"

Ying Li responded with a gentle smile, "Not really."

The roommate joked, "Don't know how to drink, huh? Want a bottle of Wangzai (a brand of milk) instead?"

Shen Yao snapped, "Cut it out, don't tease him."

Food and drinks were quickly served. Shen Yao's roommate was quite the conversationalist, talking about everything under the sun. At the moment, they were reminiscing about their college days.

"Damn, during that time, these guys would skip classes. They even dared to skip the dean's lecture! They had me sign the attendance for them. But the dean caught on, and the whole dorm was disciplined."

"There was also a time he came back late, and the dormitory was locked. He had no choice but to climb over the wall. His pants got torn on the fence, leaving a huge hole. He returned bare-bottomed. If I hadn’t told him, he'd have gone to class the next day wearing those torn pants."

Imagining the scene, Ying Li couldn't help but laugh, his eyes curving more beautifully than the crescent moon in the sky.

"Ying Li, don't listen to his nonsense," Shen Yao was thoroughly embarrassed, his face turning various shades of red. "Can you at least spare me some dignity?"

"Oh, you can actually get embarrassed?" His roommate laughed uproariously, clutching his stomach. "Didn't you always say that 'face' is the cheapest thing?"

Shen Yao shot him a fierce glance, lifting his drink, "So stuffing your mouth with skewers doesn't keep you quiet, huh? Drink up! If I don't get you drunk tonight, my name isn't Shen."

"No, no, I have to work overtime tomorrow. I can't go head-to-head with you." The roommate clinked glasses with Shen Yao and then suddenly asked, "How's your stomach? Is the gastritis better?"

Shen Yao took a sip of his drink and nonchalantly replied, "Same as always."

Ying Li turned to look at him, eyebrows furrowing slightly, "You have gastritis?"

Shen Yao nodded slightly, "Mhm. Didn't I mention before? I worked as a bartender. For every bottle I sold, I got a 200 yuan commission."

His alcohol tolerance had improved, but with it came gastritis.

The roommate remarked with a hint of concern, "Back then, you were downright reckless. You even drank until you vomited blood but still dared to drink with others."

Shen Yao scoffed, staring at his glass, "I was poor. If I didn't drink, where would the money come from?"

As he was about to take another sip, Ying Li couldn't bear it any longer. He snatched the glass away, placing it by his side, admonishing, "Now that you have money, stop drinking."

Shen Yao, still in the motion of lifting the glass, looked blankly at Ying Li.

Ying Li's brows furrowed even deeper, his face showing clear displeasure.

Their eyes met, the shimmering gleam in Ying Li's eyes made Shen Yao's heart flutter. Under the influence of alcohol, Ying Li's pale, delicate hands seemed particularly attractive.

Shen Yao reached out, intending to reclaim his glass. However, as soon as he touched the soft skin, he felt as if he were sinking into quicksand. His hands, rough with callouses that most would find unappealing, hesitated.

An electric sensation coursed through him, making his fingertips tingle. Fearing that he might hurt Ying Li's delicate hands, he only lightly held them, suppressing the urge to caress. In a hoarse voice, he asked, "Ying Li, are you trying to control me?"

They'd been drinking and chatting earlier, consuming quite a bit of alcohol. The deep emotions swirling in Ying Li's eyes resembled aged wine, overwhelming and intoxicating.

Ying Li was taken aback for a moment, then withdrew his hand, "I'm not controlling you. I just want you to drink less. Gastritis isn't a joke."

With an empty feeling in his palm and hearing Ying Li's words, Shen Yao felt both elation and disappointment. He was glad that Ying Li cared for him but disheartened that Ying Li wasn't trying to control him.

He actually longed for someone to control him. Ever since his grandfather passed away, no one had done that. He missed and craved that feeling of being taken care of.

"Alright, I'll stop after this drink."

"Promise?" Ying Li handed back his drink.

Shen Yao flashed a bold, piercing grin, "I might deceive others, but never you."

"Oh, look at Mr. Smooth Talker here," the roommate teased with a smirk, "Anyone would think you're sweet-talking your wife!"

Sweet-talking his wife?

Damn, Shen Yao's skin crawled, "Eat your food. When you're silent, no one mistakes you for a mute."

The business was booming at the restaurant, and in the midst of the rush, the chef made a mistake. The dish served to them was improperly seasoned and too salty. Upon tasting, Ying Li immediately felt the overpowering saltiness and took a huge gulp from his glass.

Something's off.

A fiery sensation shot up his throat, the intense burning making Ying Li cough violently.

Shen Yao, staring at his now-empty glass, quickly rubbed Ying Li's back, "Did you choke? Are you alright?"

The alcohol had already made its way to Ying Li's stomach, and no amount of coughing could expel it. Taking deep breaths, he exclaimed, "That was strong!"

He had never tasted spirits before. The split second it slid down his throat, he couldn't distinguish between cold and burning – it was utterly uncomfortable.

The roommate gasped, "You downed a double shot in one go? Drink some water to ease it!"

After downing two glasses of water, his stomach still felt uneasy. Ying Li, propping up his head, stared intently at one spot, appearing completely dazed.

In a whisper, the roommate asked, "His face is so red; is he drunk?"

"No," Ying Li heard them whispering. He just felt extremely lightheaded, barely managing to open his eyes, "Shen Yao, can you steady the table? Why's it shaking?"

His slightly coquettish tone made Shen Yao's breath waver, "The table isn't shaking, you are. You're drunk, and quite heavily at that."

They had almost finished their meal, and given Ying Li's condition, the roommate suggested, "You should take him home before he makes a scene."

"Got it." Shen Yao helped Ying Li up, "Let's head out."

Shen Yao hailed a taxi to the hotel. He first helped Ying Li into the back seat, then climbed in from the other side.

Ying Li, in his drunken state, was surprisingly quiet, leaning against the window with his eyes gently shut, appearing to be asleep.

The streetscape outside the car window rapidly receded, as playful beams of light danced on Ying Li's face like mischievous sprites. He was half-sunk into the seat, resembling a kitten awaiting its feeding.

Shen Yao quickly offered him another mask. For reasons unknown, he simply didn't want others to see Ying Li in this state.

With a soft thud, Ying Li opened his eyes in alarm. A sour sensation surged through his nostrils, and tears stained his eyelids red. He pouted pitifully.

Shen Yao's voice was elongated and soft as he inquired, "What happened?"

Rubbing his forehead, Ying Li lamented in a pitiable voice, "It hurts."

Damn, why did a drunken Ying Li look like this? There was a hint of moisture in every arch and curve of his eyes. His voice was soft, tender, scratching Shen Yao's heart like delicate feathers. Shen Yao felt overwhelmingly tender-hearted.

The jolt that Ying Li experienced was rather pronounced. The driver glanced back apologetically, "Sorry about that. There are many speed bumps around here. Did you get hurt?"

"Let me check if you got hurt." Shen Yao gently pushed away the stray strands of hair on Ying Li's forehead, inspecting closely. "No, no. Let me blow on it for you."

Ying Li tilted his face, feeling the gentle breeze brushing past. With his eyes closed contentedly, the blush from the alcohol spread from his earlobes downwards, reminiscent of a perfectly ripe peach. Shen Yao sneakily observed, noticing even Ying Li's fingertips were pinkish.

Distracting himself, Shen Yao whispered, "Lean on me if you want to sleep. We'll be at the hotel in a bit."

But Ying Li had already dozed off, resting his head even when propped up. Shen Yao hesitated for a moment before gently letting Ying Li's head rest on his shoulder.

Ying Li was petite, with a light head that barely weighed on Shen Yao's shoulder. It was the sweet scent that reminded him of Ying Li's proximity.

Shen Yao felt elated, a deep sense of being relied upon filling his heart.

Ying Li's breaths were faint. The next time Shen Yao looked, the mask had slipped off Ying Li's face, hanging by one ear.

From the side, Ying Li's nose and lips appeared especially enchanting, cheeks rosy and lips vividly red. Had he really not applied lipstick? Shen Yao was uncontrollably tempted to touch.

Ying Li was having a restless dream, his long eyelashes quivering. Shen Yao hadn't touched his lips. If lipstick was applied, why wasn't there a mark on the glass?

He only poked Ying Li's cheek, which felt soft and bouncy, like pudding with a sugary coat—so tempting to devour. Shen Yao also smoothed out Ying Li's hair, but eventually had to close his eyes. The agony of looking but not tasting was too much.

The short journey seemed to end in a blink. Reluctantly, Shen Yao had to wake up Ying Li.

The brief nap seemed to intensify the alcohol's effect. As Ying Li stepped out of the car, his legs wobbled, and he clutched Shen Yao's arm to steady himself.

"Why are you holding on so tightly? Afraid I'd run away?"

Those hands, delicate and pale, held surprising strength. Their neatly trimmed nails almost dug into the flesh. Shen Yao thought he might have a masochistic streak; he found the sharp pain oddly comforting. When Ying Li gripped him, Shen Yao felt a tingle on his scalp and his hanging hand immediately clenched into a fist.

He mused that if Ying Li wished, he would willingly detach his arm for Ying Li to play with.

However, once Ying Li stopped, he let go. Shen Yao asked, "Can you walk?"

"Yes." Ying Li nodded, a single tuft of hair on his head bobbing amusingly, looking both cute and comical.

Not only could he walk, but he also walked quite steadily. If it weren't for his flushed face, no one would have guessed he was drunk.

Nothing untoward happened until they exited the elevator. Ying Li even remembered his room number. With such clarity, Shen Yao began to think he had sobered up.

Then he saw Ying Li knocking on his own door.

"…" He wasn't sober; still intoxicated.

Shen Yao: "Where's your keycard?"

Ying Li, with a drooping head: "In my pocket."

"Which pocket?"

"Clothes pocket."

Shen Yao, now exasperated: "Inside or outside?"

Ying Li replied impatiently, "Just the clothes pocket!"

Realizing Ying Li wasn't thinking clearly and his answers were off, Shen Yao decided to search himself. He checked the outer pockets of the jacket first, then the inner ones.

"What's this?"

Instead of the keycard, Shen Yao found a peculiarly shaped item. Upon closer inspection, it was a triangle-folded protective amulet.

"You believe in these too? It looks brand new. When did you get it?"

"Huh?" Ying Li squinted at it, puzzled, "Qi Xie gave it to me. Did he grow legs? How did he get back here?"

Shen Yao's stroking motion paused, "Why did he give you this?"

Ying Li, his mind a foggy maze, replied, "I don't know."

Shen Yao stared intently at the protective amulet in his hand, pressing it so hard that his fingers left a deep imprint on its smooth surface. Why would Qi Xie give this to Ying Li? If buying medicine for Ying Li the last time could be brushed off as a friend's favor, was this amulet merely a casual gift?

A wave of jealousy surged within him. Shen Yao gripped the amulet as if he wished to crush it.

Ying Li frowned, "Don't crumple it. It'll get ruined."

He rescued the amulet from Shen Yao's grasp, smoothed out its creases, and carefully tucked it back into his pocket, protectively patting it.

Was a mere protective charm worth cherishing so much?

An urgent suspicion rose within Shen Yao. Licking his lips, he took a deep breath and asked, "Ying Li, do you have feelings for him?"

The alcohol made Ying Li's thoughts sluggish. He lowered his eyelids and asked, "Who?"

Shen Yao's gaze was piercing as he stared at Ying Li, "Qi Xie. Do you like him?"

Why bring him up all of a sudden...

Although intoxicated, Ying Li instinctively recoiled at the name. His elegant brows furrowed as he shook his head decisively, "I don't."

He doesn't. That's good.

Shen Yao's lips almost split into a grin. Joy exploded within him, like fireworks illuminating his chest. Suppressing his elation, he asked hesitantly, "Then, do you... do you like me?"

After uttering those words, Shen Yao's heart trembled violently. Cold sweat formed on his brow, and his warm, alcohol-scented breath made Ying Li feel even more inebriated. Ying Li looked up, dazed, at Shen Yao's face flushed with embarrassment and excitement.

Their eyes locked for what felt like an eternity. In the silent hallway, Shen Yao's dark eyes reflected only Ying Li.

Ying Li, gazing into his deep eyes, suddenly smiled. He reached out, caressing Shen Yao's stubble, and affectionately murmured, "Big wolfhound."

"Hmm?" Shen Yao was puzzled but played along with a playful, "Woof woof."

Ying Li's laughter brightened, his eyes shimmering with specks of light. Shen Yao felt as if he was melting, thinking that the question of affection hardly mattered anymore.

It took several more searches to finally find the keycard.

Upon entering the room, Ying Li removed his shoes, placing both hands on his thighs, sitting impeccably straight.

Noticing Ying Li's increasingly flushed cheeks, Shen Yao inquired, "Feeling dizzy? Need to throw up?"

Ying Li shook his head like an obedient child. "I don't feel dizzy, and I don't want to throw up."

Shen Yao couldn't resist patting his head again. "I've prepared the bathwater for you. Can you bathe on your own?"

Ying Li nodded. "Yes, I can."

Shen Yao smiled, "You're such a good boy. How can you be so well-behaved?"

He's unbearably adorable, his rosy cheeks tempting Shen Yao to impulsively embrace him and give a gentle bite. But Ying Li's skin was so delicate; a bite would undoubtedly leave marks.

Ying Li protested, "I'm not that good."

Shen Yao teased, "How are you not?"

Gathering his spirits, Ying Li said earnestly, "I can curse, you know. I use foul language."

"Oh? What kind of foul language?" Shen Yao squatted down in front of him. His tall stature allowed him to look directly into Ying Li's eyes. "Let's hear it."

Ying Li hesitated for a moment, then began counting off on his fingers. "Pervert, lunatic, psycho."

Shen Yao, expecting something more risqué, chuckled, "Is that all? Sounds more flirtatious than offensive. Who are these words for?"

"Don't mention him." Ying Li covered his ears, visibly agitated. "Don't talk about him!"

Shen Yao was taken aback by Ying Li's sudden outburst. He realized that for Ying Li to curse someone this way, that person must be someone he deeply despised, someone whose very name he couldn't bear to hear.

Gently, Shen Yao pulled Ying Li's hands away from his ears and comforted him, "Alright, we won't talk about it. You did well. Curse as much as you want."

Ying Li was so upset he was stepping on his own feet, even distorting the shape of his socks. Seeing this, Shen Yao separated his tangled feet and reminded him, "After your bath, don't forget to dry your hair or you'll have a headache tomorrow."

A little dazed, Ying Li looked up with a dreamy expression. "I got it. You can leave now."

Reluctantly letting go of Ying Li's delicate ankle, Shen Yao jokingly asked, "Are you kicking me out?"

Without a word, Ying Li stood up and began to pull at the hem of his shirt, preparing to undress.

A large portion of his pale, slender waist and stomach was revealed, reminiscent of a piece of high-quality mutton-fat jade—glossy, smooth, and with an unimaginable softness under the light.

Just as the shirt was about to unveil his chest, Shen Yao cursed under his breath and swiftly tugged it back down.

Ying Li, slightly off balance, took a moment to recover before asking, "What are you doing? I need to shower."

Shen Yao gritted his teeth and said, "I haven't left yet."

Ying Li was even more puzzled. What did his not leaving have to do with taking a shower?

Shen Yao's tone grew serious: "Do you always undress outside when you shower? Even when someone is present? Do you do the same in the dorm?"

If not for the fact that Ying Li was a man, Shen Yao would've suspected he was trying to seduce him on purpose.

He realized that ever since that dream, he couldn't look at Ying Li's body with indifference. Even a glimpse of exposed skin would make him shy away. If he stared too long, his heart would race, and strange thoughts would emerge.

It wasn't like this before! It's all because of those films!

Ying Li, already in a daze, felt even more overwhelmed by Shen Yao's barrage of questions. He looked up with misty eyes, his expression a mix of innocence and confusion.

Shen Yao's expression was inscrutable. He moistened his dry lips, and perhaps emboldened by the alcohol, made a bold request, "Ying Li, can I hold you?"

"No, I need to shower. I smell bad."

Ying Li frowned, the strong scent of alcohol making him feel as if he was still soaked in a vat of liquor, as if he'd been marinated in it.

"You don't smell bad. You smell wonderful," Shen Yao stepped closer, looking down at him. "Just for a moment. It'll be quick."

Ying Li huffed softly, "No."

Even after being rejected, Shen Yao showed no sign of backing down. Instead, he cheekily said, "I want to. What's the harm in a simple hug?"

With a swift motion, he wrapped his arms around the soft body in front of him.

It was just a simple embrace, full of desire and restraint.

Ying Li's back was so slender that Shen Yao could easily wrap his arms around him. Shen Yao buried his face in Ying Li's hair, nuzzling him. Ying Li was right; Shen Yao was like a big wolfhound, especially given how much he loved Ying Li's scent.

Shen Yao's grip was so tight that Ying Li felt as if he couldn't breathe. He dangled in the air, "Too tight, loosen up. And don't pull my hair."

"I didn't pull."

No matter how much he inhaled, it was never enough. He nuzzled Ying Li's head like a large dog, causing Ying Li discomfort. The pain sobered up the already intoxicated Ying Li.

He distinctly felt the arms around his shoulders tighten, holding him possessively.

"Shen Yao."

Ying Li's clear voice felt like a splash of cold water. Shen Yao instantly sobered up, meeting those lucid eyes, a sense of irrational panic welled up within him. He whispered apologetically, "I'm sorry..."

Ying Li, with a hint of resignation, said, "Can you let go of me?"

"I'm sorry. I'm a bit drunk too."

Shen Yao slowly released him. His arms trembled slightly. Even a whole day's exercise wouldn't do this to him.

Ying Li noticed his chattering teeth and asked, "Are you cold?"

Due to Shen Yao's tight embrace, Ying Li had to bite his lip to endure. His swollen lower lip looked temptingly moist. Who would be the one to kiss such beautiful lips in the future?

The thought "Kiss him, kiss him" kept looping in Shen Yao's mind. But he wasn't gay, and kissing another man felt wrong.

Shen Yao quickly halted these erratic thoughts. The unfamiliar touch made him both nervous and exhilarated. It felt like all the blood in his body was rushing to his head, causing a throbbing pain.

"I'm not cold. I'm burning up."

A warm liquid began to flow from his nostrils.

Ying Li remarked, "... You have a nosebleed."

Shen Yao wiped it off, "Maybe it's due to a heaty body. Go ahead and shower. I'll leave now."

Covering his nose, he made a hasty retreat.

After closing the door, Shen Yao felt numb all over, his heart racing. He leaned against the corridor wall, eyes closed, taking a while to compose himself. As his breathing began to stabilize, a teasing voice reached his ears.

"That was quick. Didn't take your chance, did you?"

Opening his eyes, Shen Yao saw Song Ji Mo standing nearby, arms folded across his chest, a finger tapping rhythmically on his arm, a playful smirk gracing his lips, looking particularly annoying.

What nonsense! Shen Yao rubbed his nose, the bleeding had stopped. "What are you doing here?"

Song Ji Mo: "Looking for Ying Li."

Shen Yao: "Why are you looking for him so late?"

"If you can seek him out, why can't I?" Song Ji Mo approached leisurely, a light laugh escaping his lips, "You had him all vulnerable and yet you didn't take advantage. You have quite the restraint."

Shen Yao was stunned. Snapping back to reality, he violently grabbed Song Ji Mo's collar, pinning him against the wall: "Damn you, Song Ji Mo! What did you say?"

The blood from his hand smeared onto Song Ji Mo's clothes. Seeing Shen Yao's furious expression, Song Ji Mo's laughter grew even more unrestrained, "Planning to hit me? Upset because I struck a nerve?"

"Ying Li and I aren't what you think!" Shen Yao pressed against his neck, menacingly warning, "Stop looking at us with those dirty eyes!"

Song Ji Mo glanced down, studying him for a moment. He seemed to find something amusing and laughed so hard tears nearly formed.

His eerie laughter unsettled Shen Yao, who spat out, "What the hell are you laughing at?"

Song Ji Mo paused, locking eyes with Shen Yao, the playful glint still present. He slowly remarked,

"You might not want him, but does the bulge in your pants agree?"

"Shen Yao, stop deceiving yourself."

"You and I, we're the same," Song Ji Mo said calmly, "Both easily swayed by desire, both filthy inside."

Shen Yao wasn't any more noble than him, possibly even more hypocritical. All of his intentions were clear, his interest in Ying Li was just that – interest. He never made excuses for himself, unlike Shen Yao who claims to be straight while secretly harboring lustful thoughts.

In an instant, a cold chill enveloped Shen Yao. He stared at Song Ji Mo, eyes bloodshot, "What the hell are you blabbering about? Who's like you?"

His fingers trembled slightly, veins protruding on his arm, and his clenched fist looked as if it would land on Song Ji Mo any second.

In the tense standoff, Song Ji Mo cast a glance to the side, inconveniently spotting a tall figure lurking around the corridor's corner.

With a smirk, Song Ji Mo inquired, "Captain, when did you return? Why not greet us?"

Shen Yao, slightly dazed, followed his gaze.

Qi Xie, wearing a hat, stood not far from them. It was unclear how long he had been there or how much he had heard. As he passed by them, he coldly commented,

"If you're going to brawl, take it elsewhere. Don't disturb his sleep."

Author's note:

Uplifting Qi Xie's position.

(No ten thousand words, I'm ready for your scolding.)