Chapter 67: I want to taste your saliva.

Chapter 67: I want to taste your saliva.

Shen Yao felt irritated yet was powerless to do anything.

Seeing Qi Xie holding shoes identical to his, a strange feeling welled up in Ying Li's heart.

They made numerous purchases in the store, and the saleswoman cheerfully gave them a discount.

[It's hilarious! They usually wear high-end brands, and now they're donning $15 wholesale tees and $50 shoes.]

[Finally, something affordable that an average girl like me can have!]

[Can someone share the link for that $15 tee? It looks like such good quality!]

[Those shoes were overpriced at fifty bucks; they're online for $29.9, including shipping.]

Everyone walked out of the store with two large plastic bags in hand, their shopping quite fruitful.

Shen Yao weighed his bags, finding them surprisingly heavy. "T-shirts, trousers, shoes... is there anything we haven't bought?"

Song Ji Mo did a quick check, "It seems we're missing some change of underwear and socks."

"We're buying those too?" Xie Wen appeared slightly embarrassed.

Shen Yao glanced at him, chuckling, "What do you propose? Wearing the same pair for four days?"

Xie Wen pouted, "If I'd known, I would've worn more to begin with."

[Who would've thought the director would be so mean as to confiscate your luggage?]

[Shock! A certain boy band discusses buying underwear on a live stream.]

[First, they're catching chickens barehanded; now, live underwear shopping.]

[I swear, I'll die laughing from this live stream.]

The group turned back to buy underwear. The store conveniently had some, and the saleswoman assured them, "Trust me, everything I sell is of excellent quality. If you buy a set, I bet it'll last you a year without wearing out."

To prove the quality, the saleswoman opened a pack, stretching and pulling at the waistband, causing varying degrees of redness to appear on all six faces.

Shen Yao found it decent and spoke up, "I'll take a set in red."

Xie Wen glanced at him, teasing, "Red, huh? You're quite daring."

Shen Yao, with playful eyes, retorted, "It's my zodiac year. Red is festive. Is that not allowed?"

Ying Li hadn't expected the director to confiscate their luggage, much less imagined having to buy such private items in front of the camera. Thankfully, the cameraman hadn't focused solely on him.

After choosing a red set for himself, Shen Yao turned to Ying Li, "Ying Li, which color do you want?"

Ying Li, still browsing, replied, "Any color works for me..."

His cheeks, either sunburnt or just flushed, looked endearingly rosy. Shen Yao felt an itch in his heart, wanting to reach out and pinch those cheeks. He cleared his throat, suggesting, "How about white? It suits you."

Clean and pristine, it'll surely look great.

Most of Ying Li's clothes were of light shades. His summer clothes were thin and could easily become see-through when wet. He nodded and said, "Alright."

To avoid confusion, everyone chose a different color.

After the major shopping spree, each person surprisingly had about a hundred yuan left.

By the time they returned, it was evening. The setting sun had dyed the entire sky a brilliant shade of gold and red, reminiscent of a vividly painted oil canvas. It looked as though a jar of paint had been spilled across the horizon, creating a dazzling, picturesque view. They hadn't brought their phones, so they urged the cameraman to capture the breathtaking scene.

The minivan had seven seats. Their belongings were crammed into the trunk. On the way back, Song Ji Mo took the wheel, with Ying Li and Xie Wen Shi sitting in the middle row, and the others in the back.

Ying Li had sweated a lot that afternoon. The sunburned spot on his neck now felt itchy. He didn't dare scratch it, opting to gently rub it with his fingertips instead.

"Is it very itchy?"

A voice from the back seat suddenly broke in, belonging to Bian Qiao.

Ying Li lowered his hand, rubbing his fingers, and said, "A little."

Bian Qiao gazed at the back of his neck, his eyes shimmering softly, "You've got sunburn. You're so fair-skinned."

Others had some sunburn too, but none as severe as Ying Li's. It was almost the color of the birthmark on his collarbone, as if scalded by boiling water.

"Would you like some aloe vera gel? I bought some," Bian Qiao's voice was soft, like a gentle drizzle.

Ying Li glanced back at the rear seats. Qi Xie was wearing a cap, covering his eyes, seemingly asleep. He whispered to Bian Qiao, "Let's apply it later tonight. If I put it on now, it might smear on my clothes."

Bian Qiao responded, "Alright."

"Brother Li, look! Doesn't that cloud look like a little dog?"

Xie Wen Shi pressed his face against the window, pointing excitedly at a curious cloud formation, calling Ying Li to have a look.

"Danger!"

Xie Wen Shi had stretched his arm out of the window. Ying Li's heart almost leaped out of his chest. He shouted and quickly pulled him back in just as a large truck sped past them.

The truck driver's cursing was carried into their vehicle by the wind.

Xie Wen Shi was stunned. Had he pulled his hand back a second later, it would have been severed.

The car that just sped by was going at least 60 km/h. If not for the quick reflexes of the babysitter, you would've been a bloody mess on the spot.

That was way too close, just a hair's breadth away.

Was it severed? It wasn't, right? I was so scared, I covered my eyes.

Having had a narrow escape, Xie Wen Shi's adrenaline surged to its peak, patting his chest exclaiming, "That was so close! I was terrified."

It was Ying Li who was truly shaken. His heartbeat still raced as he sternly said to Xie Wen Shi, "Why did you stick your hand out? Do you realize how dangerous that was?"

With a wronged expression, Xie Wen Shi replied, "I wanted to point out that cloud to you."

Shen Yao turned his head and shot them a glance, his tone sharp, "You're nearly nineteen and still don't know not to stick your hand out of the window? Maybe you should go back to preschool."

Xie Wen Shi sneakily looked up at Ying Li and noticed the serious concern on his face. Not only did he not get angry after being scolded, he felt warm and happy inside. Looking at Ying Li with his expressive blue eyes, he said, "I understand now. It won't happen again. Good thing you were there. Don't be mad, Brother Li. Did you see that adorable cloud? I just wanted to point it out to you."

Who can resist a golden retriever's charm?

"Brother Li, even if no one wants you, I do. Come into my embrace."

Sharing something beautiful with someone special surely signifies love. I'm totally shipping this.

Sister above is living up to her name “Random Shipper.”

Ying Li sighed and said, "I saw it, it looked like a little dog..."

For dinner, the director treated them to a meal at a renowned local restaurant close to the beach. Just a short walk from the restaurant was the sandy shore. Two tall coconut trees stood by the entrance, with the sea breeze carrying a faint salty scent.

It was peak dining time and many were there for a meal. The crew had reserved the entire restaurant. Cameras followed them, and their arrival caused quite a stir. Many took out their phones to capture the moment, and excited screams echoed around.

"Am I seeing things?"

"Holy cow, it's Number! Are they here to shoot a show?"

"Ahhhh! It really is Number! I saw them live-streaming from the Hai Cheng market this afternoon."

The production team had been waiting for them in the dining hall. A large round table that could seat eight was prepared, with several cameras set up in the corners, and the staff were huddled to one side.

Xie Wen Shi took the seat right next to Ying Li. Shen Yao gave him a glance and took a seat across from them. What surprised Shen Yao was that Qi Xie chose to sit next to him.

There was an empty seat on Ying Li's left. Shen Yao, with a cold expression, wondered if there was still time to switch seats.

Seeing the staff still filming, Ying Li inquired, "Aren't you all eating?"

The staff, somewhat flattered by his attention, hurriedly replied, "We take shifts. Someone will relieve us shortly."

Once they were seated, the owner came over to greet them: "You ordered the special set meal, right? The dishes will be served soon. We also have beverages. Would you like to order any?"

Shen Yao asked, "Director, do we have any activities later tonight? Can we drink alcohol?"

Li Changhong responded, "Yes, you can, but in moderation. After dinner, we'll be checking out your accommodations for the night."

"Our local coconut wine is a specialty here. It's said that a trip to Hai Cheng isn’t complete without trying it," the owner explained. "The wine is brewed in-house, and it's delicious."

Shen Yao glanced at the drink menu and suggested, "Let's order some then. Those who don’t drink can have coconut milk, perhaps?"

No one else objected.

Soon, the dishes and drinks arrived. The coconut wine was not crystal clear but had a milky-white hue, somewhat resembling coconut milk.

Shen Yao took a sip and commented, "Not bad. It has a rich coconut aroma. Anyone else wants to try?"

Xie Wen Shi eagerly raised his hand, "Me, me, me!"

Song Ji Mo shook his head, "I'm driving, so no drinking for me."

Bian Qiao chimed in, "I’ll have some."

Shen Yao raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, pouring a drink for him.

"Are you sure?" Ying Li asked subconsciously. He recalled that Bian Qiao didn’t drink at the bar last time.

Bian Qiao gently pressed his lips together, replying softly, "A little won’t hurt."

"This is delicious! Barely a trace of alcohol and quite sweet." In a blink, Xie Wen Shi had finished his glass. Smacking his lips, he turned to the camera and remarked, "Minors, please abstain from drinking. Adults, drink responsibly."

[Xie is always so considerate.]

[The coconut wine is truly delectable. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat!]

With only Song Ji Mo and Ying Li abstaining from the wine at the table, Shen Yao offered Ying Li, "It's indeed sweet and the alcohol content isn’t high – akin to beer. Want to give it a try?"

Given the lesson from his previous bout of overdrinking, Ying Li now maintained a respectful distance from alcohol, contentedly sipping on his coconut milk, saying, "No, you all go ahead."

His rose-red lips slightly pursed, they glistened moistly with a tender shimmer, appearing soft and lustrous.

Shen Yao suddenly felt a parched sensation, and the two glasses of coconut wine did nothing to quench it. His eyes intently fixed on Ying Li as he inquired, "Is the coconut milk good?"

"It's delicious. Want some?" Ying Li reached for the bottle to serve him.

"Just a taste."

From across the table, Shen Yao took Ying Li's glass, noticing the light sheen left where Ying Li had drunk from.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and subtly, he rotated the glass, taking a sip exactly where Ying Li had, before grinning, "Tasty."

Fluttering his lashes in mild bewilderment, Ying Li replied, "I drank from there."

Shen Yao was well aware, and perhaps it was because of Ying Li's prior sip that he found that particular mouthful even more fragrant and sweeter. Lost in this thought, his ears turned a faint shade of red.

"I just wanted to sample the taste. I'll finish the rest and get you a new glass."

Shen Yao cleared his throat, casually setting the glass on his side.

Ying Li nodded compliantly, "Alright."

But as Shen Yao began to rise, Qi Xie discreetly tugged on the tablecloth, causing the glass on Shen Yao's left to topple, spilling the remaining coconut milk all over Qi Xie.

With a clatter, the glass shattered upon impact with the floor.

Xie Wen Shi exclaimed, "Captain, your clothes!"

Qi Xie's eyelids gently shadowed his eyes, perfectly masking the intense possessiveness threatening to spill from his gaze, his demeanor as aloof as ever.

Frantically, Ying Li pulled out a couple of napkins and handed them to him, "Quick, wipe it off."

Qi Xie took them, wiping with a measured calm, as if indifferent to the stain on his attire.

Seeing the mishap, a waiter approached with cleaning supplies, advising, "The restroom is on the left side of the corridor; you can clean up there."

"Mm." Qi Xie stood up, heading for the restroom.

Upon his return, the lower half of his T-shirt was soaking wet, dripping and crinkled. The air conditioning in the restaurant was set low, and even Ying Li felt a bit chilly.

Ying Li asked him, "Do you need to change your clothes? Wearing wet clothes can make you catch a cold."

Bian Qiao also said, "Go back to the car and change, don't get sick."

There was no emotion in Qi Xie's deep black pupils. Just as he was about to decline, Ying Li said, "The clothes I bought haven't been washed yet. I have a jacket in my backpack. Would you like to make do with it?"

"Yours?" A slight relaxation appeared on Qi Xie's stern face for a moment.

"Yes." Ying Li lowered his eyelashes slightly, nodded, and continued, "But I've worn it before, so..."

Another voice abruptly interrupted him.

"Wear mine."

Shen Yao had a gloomy expression but said kindly, "You're slim. My jacket would definitely be too small for the captain."

However, Qi Xie didn't accept his offer. He walked over, picked up Ying Li's backpack hung behind the chair, and with his emotions concealed behind his lowered eyelashes, said flatly, "Thank you."

Watching Qi Xie's retreating figure, Shen Yao sneered inwardly. Qi Xie just wanted to wear Ying Li's clothes. He wasn't blind to that. He even suspected Qi Xie intentionally knocked over the cup to wet his clothes, feigning innocence to gain sympathy. Shameless.

Ying Li couldn't help but glance in that direction. His jacket was a size larger than normal, so it shouldn't be too small for Qi Xie.

In a short while, Qi Xie returned. However, he didn't come over but stood near the corridor and called out, "Ying Li."

Ying Li looked up, "What's wrong?"

Qi Xie's jacket was open, revealing his sculpted chest and abs, which moved with his breathing, as magnificent as a statue.

[What a sight! Captain, you're a real-life Adonis!]

[Why even wear it? It's so hot, just take it off!]

Ying Li was taken aback, feeling warmth on his face, and asked, "Why didn't you zip it up? Is it broken?"

Qi Xie lowered his eyes, his lips moved, "It's broken."

"How could it be..." It was fine when Ying Li wore it in the morning. He got up and walked over, "Let me take a look."

The private booths in the corridor were empty. Qi Xie had changed his clothes there. The soundproofing wasn't great, and they could still hear the conversations outside.

A thin layer of sweat clung to his skin, making his clothing stick to him. Ying Li bent his head down, intently checking the zipper for him. During this, his fingers inevitably brushed against Qi Xie's waist, sending a shiver through him.

Most of the physical contacts were initiated by Qi Xie. Ying Li rarely spoke to him, let alone touch him. The sensation of delicate fingers gliding on his skin felt surreal, and he relished it.

Ying Li hadn't noticed Qi Xie's subtle reactions. After zipping it up all the way, he sighed with relief, "It's not broken. It must've been stuck earlier. I'll head out now."

However, as he turned to leave, his wrist was suddenly grasped.

Qi Xie called his name, voice husky, "Ying Li."

Ying Li shuddered involuntarily. He could hear Qi Xie's heavy breathing, reminiscent of waves rolling tumultuously before a storm, waves that should be crashing against rocky shores but were now breaking on his flushed nape.

Being alone with Qi Xie in a confined space always made Ying Li anxious. Subconsciously, he feared Qi Xie might overstep boundaries. But this time, Ying Li didn't pull away, asking hesitantly, "Wha- What's wrong?"

With a dark and cold gaze, Qi Xie fixated on him, murmuring, "I feel so unwell."

Ying Li stared unblinkingly at him, "Why do you feel unwell?"

"Feel it. I'm not lying." Qi Xie quickly unzipped the zipper he'd just zipped, placing Ying Li's hand over his heart.

Ying Li felt it. Qi Xie's heartbeat was racing, as if his chest could barely contain it. Ying Li's own heart skipped a beat in response. The room's air conditioning wasn't on, and Qi Xie felt warm. Ying Li could distinctly sense Qi Xie's labored breathing.

Looking up, Ying Li noticed that from Qi Xie's neck up to behind his ears was flushed, and his forehead was slick with sweat. He looked as if he was running a high fever.

Ying Li took shallow breaths, "Do you feel unwell somewhere? I can fetch the director."

With a heavy head, Qi Xie spoke listlessly, "No need."

His body temperature was scorching, and his lips unnaturally red. Ying Li felt something was amiss, "Your face is so flushed. Are you sick?"

"No, I don't feel bad because of that," Qi Xie shook his head, a vein throbbing in his temple, as if about to burst.

Becoming even more perplexed, Ying Li patiently inquired, "Then what's the reason?"

After a long pause without a response, Ying Li uttered a soft, questioning, "Hmm?"

After another moment of silence, Qi Xie suddenly said, "Shen Yao tasted your saliva just now."

"What?" The topic shifted so abruptly that Ying Li's brain hadn't caught up.

With his mouth slightly agape, Qi Xie seemed to detect the hint of coconut milk from Ying Li's breath—a delicate sweet aroma that was enticing. The trembling tip of Ying Li's tongue was like a ripe cherry, promising sweet nectar with a single taste.

Qi Xie swallowed hard, repeating, "Shen Yao drank the coconut milk from your glass. Where you drank from. He tasted your saliva."

Ying Li now understood, but he didn't know what to say. Such an act might be considered ordinary between close friends, with many not finding it odd to share a drink from the same glass. Even fewer would find it strange. However, he hadn't even noticed that Shen Yao drank from the spot where he had taken a sip.

Ying Li didn't have an obsession with cleanliness, but he wasn't used to sharing a cup with others.

After some thought, he said, "… He probably didn't do it intentionally."

Qi Xie's tone was icy, "He did."

Ying Li had seen Shen Yao rotate the cup and sip from the spot where Ying Li had drunk. With Shen Yao's broad lips, he'd covered that section entirely, now wet with his saliva.

“……”

Ying Li wanted to argue but found himself without evidence, somewhat at a loss for words. Retrieving his hand, he remarked, "I should leave."

After jiggling the doorknob a couple of times with no success, Ying Li, puzzled if the door was broken, glanced aside and saw a distinctively articulated hand pressing against the door frame. No wonder he couldn't turn the handle.

Ying Li turned, almost colliding nose-first with the person behind him. He leaned back instinctively, his rigid back pressed against the cool door, sending a shiver down his spine.

Qí Xié towered over him, and Yīng Lí had to tilt his head up to meet his gaze. The depths of Qí Xié's eyes appeared ominously dark, as if brewing a storm.

Qí Xié leaned in, closing the distance between them, making the surrounding air feel compressed.

The warmth of his breath dampened Yīng Lí's face, wetting his eyelashes and making his eyelids heavy. Qí Xié's gaze remained fixed on his lips. As memories flooded in, Yīng Lí grew panicked, urging, "Calm down. There are many people outside. Don't lose it."

"I want some too," Qí Xié whispered, drawing out his words, "Will you let me?"

Although framed as a question, the dominant tone wasn’t seeking Yīng Lí’s approval. The raspy voice sounded alarms in his ear.

Yīng Lí's mind seemed to stall, dumbfoundedly asking, "Eat what?"

Qí Xié tilted his head slightly, the look in his eyes deepening with intrigue, his voice husky and weak.

"Your saliva. I want it."

Author's Note:

Kisses galore!