Chapter 25

Chapter 25

It was perfectly normal for Lin Xingxian to move his studio into Wen Sinian's, given their close friendship.

Xu Yan didn’t overthink it, though his heart gave a slight flutter as he stepped forward and pressed the doorbell twice. The memory of delivering coffee here last time was still vivid. He told himself to be extra careful this time and avoid causing any trouble.

Quick footsteps approached from inside. Xu Yan braced himself, about to greet him—only for the syllable "Wen" to catch in his throat when the door opened to reveal not Wen Sinian, but Lin Xingxian.

"Junior!" Lin Xingxian greeted him warmly, pulling him inside and leading him toward the living room. "You got here fast. Come on in, let's talk inside."

"This is Wen Sinian’s place, but it’s quiet here, so I’m just borrowing it," Lin Xingxian explained as he showed Xu Yan around. "He has people clean every day—he’s a neat freak, and everyone in the studio is obsessively clean."

Xu Yan opened his mouth, wanting to mention that he’d actually been here once before, but back then, the living room hadn’t been nearly this immaculate.

The entire first floor looked like it had been thoroughly cleaned again. The scattered tools that had once littered the table were gone, replaced by a vase filled with fresh flowers. The jumble of wires on the floor was now neatly arranged. Five people sat at the desks—all members of the studio.

Lin Xingxian seemed familiar with them and made casual introductions. "This is my junior, here to model for me. He’s a real sweetheart, so behave yourselves—don’t scare him."

The group—four guys and one girl—waved at Xu Yan, who felt a little nervous with all those eyes on him. He raised a hand in a little wave. "Hi, I’m Xu Yan."

The guy sitting at the far end walked over and grinned at him. "No need to be nervous, junior. We might not be saints, but we don’t eat kids, honest."

So much for being on their best behavior.

Lin Xingxian knocked the guy’s hand away from Xu Yan’s shoulder. "Zheng Yao, you’re done for. Wen Sinian’s out, not dead! I’m telling on you the second he gets back."

Zheng Yao paled, quickly backpedaled. "No, no, my bad, Xian-ge! I was just joking with the junior! We’re good people, totally model citizens!"

He grabbed a box of chocolates from the table and pressed it into Xu Yan’s hands. "Here, junior, these are for you. Wen-ge brought them from overseas—super tasty. The whole box is yours."

Xu Yan barely had time to protest before Lin Xingxian tugged him upstairs by his backpack.

"Ignore them. They’ve got big mouths but no ill intentions."

Lin Xingxian had taken over an office on the second floor, turning it into his personal studio.

He had Xu Yan try out a few poses first before having him sit on a rug.

"Stretch your legs out a bit more. Tilt your head back."

Xu Yan obeyed. "Like this?"

Lin Xingxian’s eyes lit up. "Perfect! Exactly right!"

Xu Yan also recognized the pose—it was exactly the same one Shang Jia had asked him to strike for the mermaid photoshoot.

Except this time, he wasn’t wearing a skirt.

After spending the whole afternoon in Lin Xingxian’s studio, Xu Yan assumed the painting was done. But as he was about to leave, Lin Xingxian scheduled another session.

Lin Xingxian pleaded. "Inspiration’s elusive, and I only get a little of it from you. Just a little more help, junior?"

Having spent the afternoon modeling, Xu Yan hadn’t found it too hard and agreed.

"Great! I’ll send you the money now!" As if afraid Xu Yan might change his mind, Lin Xingxian immediately transferred him 2,000 yuan.

Xu Yan hesitated. "Senior, you sent too much."

Lin Xingxian waved it off. "Nah, next session might be more complicated."

When Xu Yan looked puzzled, Lin Xingxian gave his cheek a pinch and grinned. "You’ll find out next time."

Wen Sinian still wasn’t back by the time Xu Yan left the villa.

Back in his dorm, Xu Yan saw several messages from "year," asking if he was free that afternoon and whether he was in his room.

Xu Yan replied that he’d just gotten back from outside.

year: What were you doing?

Yan Yan: Just did a small favor for a senior. Nothing important.

year: Which senior?

Yan Yan: Just someone I met in class.

Not wanting to be questioned further, Xu Yan quickly changed the subject.

Yan Yan: What are you doing?

year: Thinking about you.

year: Thinking about you so much I can’t get anything done.

It had been days since their last video chat, and "year" had asked to see him twice since then—both times, Xu Yan had refused, saying it wasn’t a good time.

But "year" seemed hooked, as if he couldn’t go a day without seeing him.

year: Is anyone else in the dorm?

Yan Yan: Yes.

year: Do you think I’m easy to fool, baby?

Xu Yan was perplexed. No matter how he lied, "year" could always tell.

Like now—his roommates really weren’t around. He was alone.

year: Make me another video.

year: Wear a skirt.

year: I’ll buy you new ones after you wear them all.

Xu Yan recalled "year’s" earlier threat—that once he’d worn all the skirts, they’d have to meet. But now he was offering to buy more, which meant Xu Yan could delay that meeting even longer.

He felt pretty clever as he agreed.

Yan Yan: This is the last one.

Yan Yan: And no feedback from you.

The other man agreed easily.

year: Mm.

Xu Yan opened his wardrobe and pulled out a soft, butter-yellow dress from the bottom. Inside the packaging was a thin yellow ribbon—he recognized it instantly as another one meant for his thigh.

Almost all the frilly skirts that Year bought for him came with matching accessories, most of which were for the legs.

He first ran to lock the dormitory door before carrying the skirt into the bathroom.

After changing into the skirt, the poufy princess skirt made his skin appear flawless and fair. The hem was designed shorter in the front and longer in the back, adorned with delicate and beautiful ruffles all around. His slender legs were peeking out from beneath the swishing skirt.

Xu Yan placed his phone on the windowsill, aiming it at the little skirt he was wearing, then hit record. He didn’t make any exaggerated movements—just took a few steps back, stood still, and tucked his arms obediently behind the puffed-out skirt.

This should be enough, he thought, preparing to stop the recording.

But just then, the locked dormitory door was suddenly knocked on from the outside—two quiet knocks, enough to scare Xu Yan half to death.

He distinctly remembered that both Li Huaiche and Zhao Qingji had classes this afternoon. Could one of them have returned unexpectedly?

Xu Yan quickly stopped the video recording and frantically began removing the skirt.

He didn’t dare make any noise, hoping that if no one answered, the person outside might leave. But to his dismay, the knocking came again—two more gentle raps, ghostly and unrelenting.

The person outside seemed patient, waiting without urgency or impatience, neither urging the door to open nor showing any intention of leaving.

Just two knocks, spaced intermittently.

Inside the bathroom, Xu Yan felt as though he was hearing a final warning. In his haste, he fumbled like his hands were all thumbs, nearly tearing the skirt in his panic. After changing back into his own clothes, he hurriedly grabbed the skirt, rushed out of the bathroom, and without time to return it to the wardrobe, wadded it up and tossed it onto the bed behind the curtain.

Then, as another knock sounded, he scrambled to open the door.

To his surprise, the person outside was neither Li Huaiche nor Zhao Qingji, but Wen Sinian—who had only returned to the dorm twice before. This was the third time.

Xu Yan broke out in a cold sweat. Why did his luck have to be this bad? Every time, it had to be him.

Wen Sinian looked weary, his gaze drifting downward as he scanned the flustered boy standing by the door.

Xu Yan’s soft, light brown hair was slightly disheveled, a few strands clinging to his fair cheeks. He was breathing unevenly, as if he’d been doing something strenuous, his face flushed and his eyes shimmering with nervous tears. His long, thick lashes curled upward, following the lift of his delicate eyelids.

His lips were damp, clearly bitten or licked recently, red and temptingly swollen.

Despite being the one who had waited outside, Xu Yan looked as though he had been wronged somehow, his voice small and hesitant.

"Sorry, I was asleep and didn’t hear you."

As he spoke, he took half a step aside to let the other in.

Wen Sinian replied, "It’s fine."

But once inside, the previously empty dormitory suddenly felt claustrophobic.

Xu Yan pretended everything was normal as he returned to his seat, but the moment he sat down, he froze in place—his thighs felt a slight, odd constriction.

Oh no. He’d forgotten to remove the ribbon from his leg.

Even worse, the ribbon was now loosening, inching its way down his leg.

The silk tie was coming undone.

Xu Yan sat rigidly, not daring to move, paranoid the ribbon would come slithering out from his pant leg. He snatched up the nearest book and pretended to read, though his ears were pricked for the slightest noise from behind.

He peeked over his shoulder. Wen Sinian must have come back to retrieve something—surely he wouldn’t stay long.

Sure enough, after a short while, Wen Sinian picked something up from the desk and left with light footsteps, as if careful not to disturb Xu Yan’s "studying."

Hearing the door close softly, Xu Yan let out the breath he'd been holding and immediately bolted for the bathroom, death-gripping his pants.

He pulled them down to untie the yellow ribbon, but no matter which way he pulled, the knot only tightened into a hopeless snarl, impossible to slide off his ankle.

Frustrated, he pulled out his phone from his pocket and stabbed at the screen angrily.

"Yan Yan": It’s all your fault, all your fault, all your fault!

A reply came instantly.

"Year": What’s wrong, baby?

"Year": Are you filming the video?

"Yan Yan": The ribbon won’t come off, and my roommate came back earlier.

"Yan Yan": Did they see anything?

"Yan Yan": No, but it was close.

"Yan Yan": It’s still all your fault, all your fault!

"Yan Yan": [angry cat emoji]

After venting, Xu Yan with a defeated sigh, went back to picking at the knot.

Suddenly, he heard distinct shuffling sounds from outside—someone was still in the dorm. Then came a deep, knowing chuckle.

He gripped his pants tighter, his breath catching in his throat.

A soft but deliberate knock sounded on the bathroom door, followed by a concerned voice.

"You’ve been in there forever," Wen Sinian said from outside the door. "Need a hand there?"