Chapter 44

Chapter 44

The art of seduction is hard to put into words.

A breath, a movement, a fleeting glance.

Or simply a slight parting of lips in a cramped bathroom.

The man before him was clearly exhausted, as if the slightest touch could make him utterly compliant.

Fang Bingxue leaned languidly against the sink, a hint of challenge in his eyes. When Zhou Xu showed no reaction, he tilted his chin a little higher. "Hmm?"

The next second, a large hand cupped the back of his head. Before Fang Bingxue could even react, Zhou Xu began brushing his teeth with astonishing speed and efficiency, as if afraid he might change his mind. It was even more forceful than the last time he’d scrubbed Fang’s face.

Fang Bingxue grimaced, words slurring. "S-slow down!"

This guy was being utterly petty—this was pure revenge!

Moments later, Fang Bingxue was made to rinse, his neck firmly held, mouth full of foam. "Are you insane?!"

"You asked me to brush," Zhou Xu released him, his eyes narrowing with satisfaction. "Alright, go to sleep."

He’d initially worried about Fang Bingxue going to bed hungry, thinking he should eat a little something before sleeping. But after a few lychees, Fang waved it off, too sleepy to eat more. Zhou Xu tidied the room, retrieved something, then nudged him inside. "Sleep. Call if you need anything."

—It was the master bedroom.

Previously, when staying over, Fang had slept in the room across the hallway, separated by a corridor. Today, Zhou Xu didn’t even ask, leading him directly into the master bedroom. He didn’t leave either, watching Fang change, climb into bed, and pull up the covers before finally stepping out and closing the door behind him.

While Fang Bingxue slept inside, Zhou Xu ironed his clothes outside.

Casual wear was one thing, but shirts were different; they needed to be crisp and wrinkle-free to look good. Zhou Xu had learned early in life, while working odd jobs, that people judge by appearances first. He owned nice clothes and knew how to care for them, but rarely bothered with them, finding it too much hassle.

Now, though, the old bachelor was changing his ways. After ironing for a while, Zhou Xu stroked his chin and returned to the bathroom, examining himself in the mirror. Just as he pondered whether he should pay more attention to his own appearance, he spotted a tiny speck of foam in the corner.

It was clearly visible, a remnant from their earlier antics during Fang’s teeth brushing.

That’s how human emotions worked—reckless, irrational. Once you liked someone, everything about them seemed endearing, even a tiny speck of foam. Zhou Xu didn’t wipe it away with his thumb, just stared until a winding trickle of water slid down, washing the foam away.

It was truly tiny, no bigger than a fingernail, and gone in an instant.

Only then did Zhou Xu wet a towel and wipe the mirror clean. Yet, strangely, he felt an inexplicable pang of wistfulness.

Fang Bingxue, meanwhile, slept soundly, not a single dream disturbing him.

When he woke, he stretched languidly, feeling utterly relaxed and refreshed. Still not satisfied, he hugged the blanket and rolled around a few more times, drowsily wondering when Zhou Xu had aired the bedding—it was so incredibly soft.

Whatever. He’d nap a little longer. With the urgent matter resolved, he had the whole day off. Burying his face in the pillow, he stretched again, his voice thick with sleep. "Mmm—"

Mid-stretch, he froze—partly from realization, partly because of a knock at the door.

Zhou Xu’s voice came through. "Awake?"

After a brief pause, Fang Bingxue scrambled up. "Ah, yeah, I’m up."

The door opened a crack. Zhou Xu hesitated. "Then... I’ll come in?"

"Sure," Fang Bingxue instinctively wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Come in, it’s fine."

He had no idea what time it was—the room was still dark. Zhou Xu closed the door behind him. "Sleep well? Hungry?"

Fang Bingxue sat cross-legged on the bed, looking up. "Really well. Your bed’s huge."

Just woken up, his hair was a mess, pillow marks on his cheeks. He wore one of Zhou Xu’s oversized T-shirts, the collar slipping to reveal pronounced collarbones.

Zhou Xu smirked. "Yeah, so I need something to sleep with every night."

With that, he pulled out a fluffy little rabbit and set it on the bedside table. "Honestly, I can’t sleep without holding this now."

Last night, in his hurry to get Fang inside, Zhou Xu had hastily hidden the rabbit, afraid of being laughed at. Having shamelessly repaired a neighbor kid’s walker, he’d traded two pears for the child’s doll dress—which fit the rabbit perfectly.

A frilly maid outfit, lace-trimmed, with layers of tulle. Cute.

But fearing Fang would think him weird, he’d changed it back to the original before rearranging it. "Get up. I’ll make the bed."

Fang Bingxue hummed and stood up bare-legged without hesitation, helping tidy the bed while chattering about his current assignment—a temporary posting that would last until spring.

Mid-sentence, he suddenly remembered. "Shit, my dried apricots are still in the car!"

He turned to rush outside, but Zhou Xu pulled him back by the wrist. "You’re not wearing pants!"

"Almost ran outside naked," Fang Bingxue laughed. "Where are my clothes? I’ll get dressed."

"Hanging up. Just relax at home—I’ll find you some shorts."

"Will yours fit me?"

"Yeah." Zhou Xu was already searching through the closet. "Just tighten the drawstring."

Now, aside from his underwear, Fang Bingxue was dressed entirely in Zhou Xu’s clothes. His frame was slimmer, making everything look loose. The athletic shorts Zhou Xu found him fell just to the knees, comfortable and relaxed.

The slippers, though, fit perfectly—Zhou Xu had bought a spare pair in advance. Fang Bingxue shuffled out and soon returned with a bag. "Try these. I’ll go wash up."

A glance at the clock revealed it was already noon—he’d slept soundly and for a long time.

Just as he finished washing his face, Zhou Xu wrapped his arms around him from behind, kissing his cheek.

Fang Bingxue didn’t move. "Where did this dark mosquito come from, biting me?"

Zhou Xu said nothing, turned him around to face him before leaning in again—this time kissing his lips. When they parted, Fang Bingxue tilted his head, smiling. "This year’s dried apricots are... a little too sweet."

"Delicious," Zhou Xu murmured, slightly breathless. "I’ll buy more today."

"Can’t. My shiniang dried these herself. Fortunately the weather was dry—they didn’t get damp."

"Shiniang?"

"Yeah, I mentioned visiting a teacher..." Fang Bingxue paused. "My teacher brought them for me as snacks."

The bathroom was small, especially with two grown men standing face-to-face at the sink. Fang Bingxue pushed at Zhou Xu’s shoulder, trying to move past him, but Zhou Xu kept a firm grip on his waist. After a moment, he asked quietly, "Next year... will there still be some?"

Fang Bingxue fell silent.

Most misunderstandings had been cleared up, but the main question remained unanswered.

What were they now?

They’d hugged, kissed, touched—agreed to "see where this goes." But there had to be a limit.

If they got together, what then? Would Fang Bingxue stay in the northwest?

"...Impossible," Fang Bingxue's hand pressed against the counter edge, steady. "Xu-ge, I can't stay."

Zhou Xu studied him.

Fang Bingxue licked his lips, on the verge of saying, *I can’t ask you to throw away everything for me either. If you followed me, it’d mean leaving your own circle, and most of what you've worked for would mean nothing—that’d be such a shame.*

But he didn’t say it.

Because in that very moment, Fang Bingxue suddenly had a fleeting thought—*what if, what if Zhou Xu actually agreed?*

Never mind his traditional and conservative family, or the sideways glances from others. Just considering work alone, the nature of Fang Bingxue’s profession made it inconvenient for his personal life to be too "out of the ordinary."

Even though he knew this kind of feeling was just as valid, no different from any other love that could be blessed and acknowledged—

Zhou Xu took his hand and brought it to his lips, brushing his lips against it.

"Fang Bingxue, are you unhappy?"

"I… no."

"If I’ve made you unhappy," Zhou Xu lowered his lashes, voice deep, "just punch me right then. If someone else upsets you, I’ll unleash the hounds on them. We’re brothers—of course I’d help."

Fang Bingxue knew Zhou Xu was trying to lighten the mood and laughed, calling out, "Xu-ge."

Zhou Xu responded, "Mm."

After answering, he lifted his gaze to meet Fang Bingxue’s eyes. "Take your time. I won’t push you. You need to understand—*I’m* the one chasing *you*. You don’t owe me anything."

"Don’t say that," Fang Bingxue swallowed hard. "Xu-ge, hearing you talk like this twists me up inside."

Zhou Xu chuckled. "Then what should I do? Want me to make it better?"

Fang Bingxue lowered his head, silent for a long moment before murmuring, "No… I’m afraid if you try to comfort me, you’ll get too emotional again and turn into a whistling teapot out of embarrassment."

"You screamed too that day," Zhou Xu said seriously. "Your voice carried."

The topic shifted. Fang Bingxue scoffed, "Get outta here, I did *not* scream." Zhou Xu insisted, "You *did*." Fang Bingxue snorted, "Hah, you’re underestimating me. I was *completely* calm."

With that, he grinned and tugged Zhou Xu’s arm, pulling him along. "That Plum-Sauced Ribs you made before was really good. Do you think dried apricot could replace the plums? I’m craving it now."

Zhou Xu nodded. "Sure, they both help cut through the richness and add some sweet-sour flavor."

The sunlight in the yard was just right. The gardenias had been brought out too, placed alongside the roses—soft pink and snowy white, a sight to behold.

"Your skills are seriously impressive. You can make anything, huh?"

"Yep."

"So I can just make special requests?"

"Mm, order away."

Fang Bingxue paused under the eaves. When he turned back, the sun made him squint slightly, the peach fuzz on his cheeks visible. "Then I want barbecue!"

Zhou Xu didn’t hesitate. "Deal. Tonight, we’ll grill in the yard. I’ll set up a rack."

"How about lamb chops?" Fang Bingxue pushed further. "Fresh ones… The lamb in the northwest is *so* good!"

Zhou Xu played along. "Want me to butcher one fresh for you on the spot?"

Fang Bingxue covered his face, drawling dramatically. "*Oh my god*, you’ve slaughtered sheep before? I *knew* you weren’t a good person!"

His tone was deliberately exaggerated, like he was bouncing around putting on a show. Zhou Xu laughed for a while before reaching out to mess up his hair. "No need to comfort me. Really, it’s fine."

Fang Bingxue stilled, letting him do it quietly.

Zhou Xu continued, "But if you *do* want it fresh, that’s fine too. If others can’t clean the stomach properly, I’ll do it. Ever seen someone squeeze kidneys? Next time the restaurant processes a lamb, I’ll take you to watch… Ugh, never mind. You probably can’t handle it."

Fang Bingxue clicked his tongue, eyes challenging. "Do you even know what I do for a living? What, you think I can’t handle a little blood?"

"No, it’s the *smell*," Zhou Xu withdrew his hand, looking at him gently. "Especially when cleaning intestines—you have to squeeze out the dung pellets from inside. It’s *nose-curdling*."

Fang Bingxue: "..."

Zhou Xu chuckled and led him back inside, turning on the living room TV. "So just sit back and wait to eat. Leave it to me."

With that, he headed to the kitchen. Fang Bingxue rubbed his face, suddenly finding it all a little funny. Here was a man matter-of-factly talking about how to clean sheep intestines—none of it was refined, all raw—yet somehow, he found Zhou Xu incredibly reliable. Damn attractive, even.

Fang Bingxue knew, without a doubt, that he was gone for him.

The TV flickered on, tuned to a music program. The song playing was one Fang Bingxue recognized—*Cheers, Friend*. He’d liked it before, even sang it at a work event once. His boss had laughed so hard he clutched his stomach, saying that from then on, whenever they had to send someone off, they’d make Fang Bingxue sing it—*too hilarious, kills all the sadness*.

The slightly raspy voice filtered through from the screen.

*"Friend, today you’ll be leaving—let’s drink this glass of wine."*

*"May those days of freedom no longer be just a wish."*

*"Endless green fields roll on forever… Suddenly, I can’t stop the tears. Cheers, my friend."*

Fang Bingxue picked up the remote and turned off the TV.