Chapter 21

Chapter 21

After moving out of the Tian family's home, Lu Yao found himself in a predicament. Although only half of the old house had collapsed, the kitchen lacked a bed, and while adults could manage sleeping on the ground, it was too cold for children.

Zhao Beichuan seemed to understand his concern. "Don't worry. You and Xiaonian and Xiaodou can stay at Grandma Zhao's place. I'll let them know later."

Grandma Zhao's house had only two rooms, similar in size to Zhao Beichuan's previous home, making it quite cramped for so many people.

Moreover, as a guy sharing a bed with a stranger would surely lead to gossip.

Tian Dazhuang's words from earlier still lingered in his mind, and although Lu Yao hadn't fully embraced his identity as a guy, such comments were never easy to hear.

"Let Xiaonian and Xiaodou stay there. I'll sleep in the back kitchen."

Zhao Beichuan hesitated. "Alright, I'll clear out the kitchen tonight and stay with you."

Lu Yao's face flushed red. He, he, he was going to sleep with him? Was this a hint?

Heaven above, earth below, was he finally going to lose his virginity? His mind was filled with the sounds of drums and firecrackers.

Zhao Beichuan took Zhao Xiaonian and Zhao Xiaodou to Grandma Zhao's place next door and explained the situation. "The kids keep fighting over there, so they'll stay here for a few days. It's still ten coins per day."

Grandma Zhao waved her hand. "No need for money. A few days don't warrant payment."

Zhao Beichuan didn't argue further, knowing he would repay her once the new house was built and he had more funds.

Some luggage was left for the children, while the rest was taken back to the old house. Lu Yao carried a quilt, following Zhao Beichuan closely.

His mind was flooded with unspeakable images, causing him to chuckle oddly from time to time.

Should he take a bath before anything happened? He had been sweating a lot lately; would he be rejected?

He heard the first time could be painful and required lubrication. Would cooking oil work?

Guys could get pregnant, but how exactly did that happen? Just as he was smiling uncontrollably, the person in front suddenly stopped.

"Ouch." Lu Yao bumped into Zhao Beichuan's back.

"Why did you stop?"

"I'm getting some straw to make your bed."

"Oh." Lu Yao went ahead to tidy up the kitchen.

Soon, Zhao Beichuan returned with a bundle of dry straw and laid it flat on the kitchen floor.

Lu Yao hesitated. "Won't it be too narrow if we only lay it on one side?"

"Isn't it enough for you alone?"

"Alone... I tend to toss and turn in my sleep, afraid I might roll off the bed at night."

"I'll add more straw for you." Zhao Beichuan then left to fetch more.

Lu Yao threw the quilt on the ground in frustration. His third uncle's wife's cousin didn't even want to sleep with him! He had been dreaming of something better!

Soon, Zhao Beichuan came back with more straw and widened the bed. "Sleep on this side tonight. If anything happens, just call me."

"What about you?"

"I'll sleep on the hay pile in the front yard."

Seeing no chance, Lu Yao rolled his eyes and started shooing him away. "Go on, I'm tired."

Zhao Beichuan hesitated. "Don't take what the kids said today to heart. I know you're not like that."

Was this an attempt to comfort him? Ha, Lu Yao thought sarcastically. If only you could comfort me with your body! I see through you, Zhao Beichuan; you just can't do it!

"Thanks."

"Good night." With that, he really left.

Lu Yao covered his head with the quilt, feeling a deep sense of disappointment, like all the dumplings were made only to be eaten by dogs.

Why was it so hard to experience life? Was he some kind of lowlife? Why did fate have to be so cruel?

Well, this must be his destiny...

Lu Yao hugged the quilt, lost in thought, and soon fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Zhao Beichuan, lying on the hay pile in the front yard, couldn't sleep. Staring at the stars, his mind was filled with thoughts of Lu Yao.

In the past few days, he had seen that Lu Yao was a kind and soft-hearted person. His voice and appearance haunted him, lingering in his mind.

He knew it wasn't right, that Lu Yao had someone he liked, someone he would risk his life for, yet his feelings for Lu Yao grew stronger every day.

Zhao Beichuan felt a bit wronged. After all, Lu Yao was his husband... How nice it would be if Lu Yao liked him instead.

Well, if Lu Yao still wanted a divorce after the house was built, they could go through with it. Otherwise, he'd pretend he didn't know about it. As he was lost in thought, a piercing scream suddenly came from behind!

Zhao Beichuan jumped up, ran over without shoes, and found Lu Yao standing on the stove, pointing at the ground. "There's a rat, there's a rat!"

Rats were common in the countryside, and Lu Yao had seen them before, but having one gnaw at his hair was a nightmare.

He had been half-asleep when he felt something tugging at his hair. Reaching out, he touched something furry, and his mind went blank. His face drained of color, and he screamed louder than ever.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Lu Yao, ignoring all dignity, leaped into his arms, clinging tightly, trembling.

"Zhao Beichuan, the rat was biting my head! It bit me!"

Zhao Beichuan held Lu Yao with one arm and patted his back reassuringly with the other. "It's okay, I'm here. It won't bite you."

Lu Yao clung to his neck, tears streaming down his face. "Please don't leave. The rats come back when you're gone."

Zhao Beichuan swallowed. "Okay, I'll stay with you."

After a long while, Lu Yao gradually calmed down. Realizing he was still clinging to Zhao Beichuan, he felt embarrassed and quickly let go, sliding down.

"That, that was just because I was too nervous."

"I understand."

"I didn't mean anything else. Rats can spread diseases when they bite. I was just scared."

"Hmm."

"Haha, I'm actually not that scared. It's fine now, go back and rest."

Beichuan gave him a deep look, turned to leave, but was stopped by Lu Yao, "Wait, you're really leaving?"

"I'll get some more straw over here."

Lu Yao's face flushed red as he quickly let go, "Go ahead, go ahead. With more people around, the rats won't be so bold."

A moment later, Zhao Beichuan brought another bundle of straw and laid it next to Lu Yao. The two straw beds were about a foot apart...

Lu Yao couldn't help but grumble inwardly, "Is he afraid I'll eat him? Is this guy even a normal man?"

"Get some sleep."

"Uh-huh." Lu Yao climbed into his bed, wrapping himself tightly in the blanket, even covering his head with clothes, fearing another rat bite.

Beichuan found this amusing, lying down on his side and closing his eyes.

After sleeping for a while, Lu Yao wasn't feeling sleepy anymore, especially with a fit man sleeping beside him. He hadn't experienced this since dorm life at school!

Recalling the strength with which he had held him earlier, Lu Yao bit his finger. Images from those restricted adult films flooded his mind, with the faces automatically replaced by him and Zhao Beichuan.

Ugh, this is torture.

If only he could be shameless and just crawl into Zhao Beichuan's bed. Unfortunately, despite his dirty thoughts, he was timid and had an extremely strong sense of self-respect.

Lu Yao remembered his past life, where his timidity cost him many opportunities.

He recalled how much he loved drawing when he first started elementary school and even won first prize in a children's painting competition.

But his parents, old-fashioned and set in their ways, believed drawing wouldn't put food on the table and crushed his dream of becoming an artist right from the start.

If only he had been brave enough to say he wanted to learn painting, would his life have been different?

In high school, he developed a crush on a sports student and watched him play basketball every day, yet never dared to say hello until graduation.

If only he had been brave enough to confess, he might have been rejected, but at least he wouldn't have any regrets!

In college, he chose a major he didn't like, graduated into an ordinary company, and worked there for years without making any significant progress. Although the salary was decent, the future seemed bleak.

His previous life had already been suffocating; did he want to repeat the same mistakes in this one?

A little voice in his head pointed at him, saying, "Lu Yao, be brave! This opportunity is right in front of you. If you don't seize it, your life will be lonely again!

Besides, you are legally married. What's wrong with touching? Not only can you touch, you can kiss and do other things..."

Perhaps fueled by adrenaline, Lu Yao mustered up the courage and slowly extended his hand towards the side.

His fingers inch by inch moved through the straw. The thirty-centimeter distance felt like a chasm, tormenting his fragile self-esteem. He feared Zhao Beichuan might suddenly wake up, push him away, and scold him for being inappropriate.

Lu Yao held his breath, finally touching Zhao Beichuan's clothes! He wasn't covered with a blanket, only wearing a thin shirt. Gently lifting the hem revealed smooth, firm abs...

Sigh, just a touch, just one touch, he won't feel it. Lu Yao cautiously lifted the hem, but the person beside him suddenly turned over.

Terrified, he quickly withdrew his hand, his heart almost leaping out of his throat. After waiting for a while and hearing no sound, he gathered his courage and reached out again.

His fingers slowly slid under the shirt along the waist, touching the skin. It felt just as imagined—firm and smooth, with a great texture!

Feeling the defined muscles on the abdomen, he counted eight blocks.

Lu Yao didn't dare touch for too long, fearing he might wake him up. After a brief touch, he quickly pulled his hand back.

He hugged his hand, smiling foolishly under the blanket. Indeed, the brave enjoy the world first. It was worth it! He had touched a man's abs!

No one noticed that the person beside him, with tightly closed eyes, had veins bulging on his hand, and sweat trickling down his temples.