Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Scalding water poured over them, instantly shrouding the two in billowing steam.

Xu Yan was still clinging to Wen Sinian's shoulder, his heart racing with lingering fear. Too scared to set his bare feet on the ground again, he let Wen Sinian rinse the soap suds off his body.

It wasn't like this was the first time Wen Sinian had bathed him. He held Xu Yan with one arm, still having free rein, and after washing away the slick soap from Xu Yan’s body, he guided him out of the shower stall.

He laid out a towel on the bathroom counter and placed the naked man on it, then began dabbing him dry—starting with his hair, shoulders, and slowly working down to his legs and feet.

The overhead light cast a glow on his alabaster skin, making it seem almost radiant. His smooth, porcelain skin sheathed ripe curves, while a rosy flush bloomed on his fair cheeks. His liquid eyes glimmered with a captivating gleam, shyly darting away yet silently alluring.

Before he could finish drying him, Wen Sinian suddenly tossed the towel aside, planted his hands on the counter on either side of Xu Yan, and leaned in close. Their breaths mingled as he brushed his nose along Xu Yan’s cheek.

"Are you drunk?" Wen Sinian breathed.

Xu Yan only felt his heartbeat racing, his body weightless, like he might drift off.

He shook his head slowly.

Wen Sinian bumped their noses together again, an unusually intimate gesture. His thin lips lingered just a breath away but didn’t descend. Instead, he slid his fingers into Xu Yan’s damp hair, kneading the nape of his neck with slow, deliberate strokes.

"Does your head hurt?"

Xu Yan shook his head again.

He waited, but no kiss came.

His heart felt as if it were being gently squeezed by a large hand, the pressure in his hair neither too light nor too heavy—as if deliberately teasing him.

Tempting him, yet refusing to give in.

In a small huff, Xu Yan suddenly leaned forward on his own.

With a soft *mwah*, he pecked the corner of Wen Sinian’s lips.

Wen Sinian immediately broke into a grin. "What are you doing?"

Xu Yan answered earnestly, "Kissing you."

Wen Sinian prodded, "Why?"

Xu Yan replied, "Because I wanted to."

Wen Sinian mused. "Oh, so if my baby wants to kiss me, he can. Does that mean I can do whatever I want too?"

Xu Yan, too smart to take the bait, shot back, "What do you want to do?"

Wen Sinian answered, "I want to kiss you too. Is that okay?"

One kiss each—tit for tat.

So Xu Yan nodded in agreement.

Only then did Wen Sinian cup his chin and brush a featherlight kiss to his soft lips.

The motion was tender, slow and exploratory.

This kiss was clearly different from the one Xu Yan had given earlier, but he sank into the sensation, soon closing his eyes in contentment. His arms automatically wound around Wen Sinian’s neck as his body went pliant in his arms.

Sensing his response, Wen Sinian deepened the kiss further.

He pressed Xu Yan’s upper body backward until his back arched into a beautifully pliant curve, pinned against the steamed mirror behind him.

The glass was still covered in condensation, and the moment his warm skin touched it, Xu Yan jolted at the icy contact, his eyes flying open.

He turned his face away, breath uneven, shooting a reproachful look at the man before him.

Wen Sinian’s clothes were already soaked through, plastered to his sculpted chest, rising and falling with each heavy breath.

Caught between the heat in front and the cold behind, Xu Yan’s freshly dried body was damp again. Uncomfortable, he pushed Wen Sinian away and sat up straight, his lips reddened from the kiss, sulking.

"You got me all wet again."

Wen Sinian grabbed a dry towel and began dabbing at his skin. "Sorry, baby."

Once dried, Wen Sinian handed him slippers to wear. Xu Yan hopped off the counter, wrapped himself in the towel, and muttered, "It’s fine."

"You brought clothes for me, right? Get them for me—I want to change."

Wen Sinian placed three paper bags on the counter and reminded him, "Dry your hair first before changing. I’m going to shower."

With that, he stripped right in front of Xu Yan and stepped into the shower.

Xu Yan accidentally caught a glimpse in the mirror and quickly averted his gaze.

As the sound of rushing water filled the room behind him, he stood dazedly in front of the mirror, blow-drying his hair.

Once his hair was about eighty percent dry, he reached for the paper bags. But the moment he opened them, he froze.

Was… was this what Wen Sinian had brought for him?

Even without taking them out, he could tell the fabrics were ridiculously skimpy—one red, one black, and one white.

Timidly, he hooked the red one between his fingertips and pulled it out for a closer look. It was a curve-clinging, open-back micromini with thin pearl-strung straps that glistened under the lights. The skirt was wrapped in sheer tulle, and a red satin bow adorned the chest—delicate and alluring.

But that wasn’t all. The bag also contained accessories: a matching red lingerie set, two leather thigh garters, a pair of silver handcuffs, and some small props of unclear purpose…

Mortified, Xu Yan tossed the dress back into the bag and shoved it away with his fingertips.

What fresh hell was this?!

Did Wen Sinian grab the wrong bags?

Just as he was dwelling on this, the sound of water behind him stopped, and footsteps approached slowly.

A wave of steamy heat washed over him as he turned around to see Wen Sinian, now wearing just a towel slung low on his hips, his hair slicked back, accentuating his piercing gaze locked intently on him.

"Why haven’t you changed?" Wen Sinian picked up the discarded shopping bag and placed it back in front of Xu Yan. Bracing his hands on the counter on either side, he boxed him in and asked in a low voice, "Don’t you like any of them?"

Cornered, Xu Yan realized this had been intentional all along. "I’m not wearing any of these."

Surprisingly, Wen Sinian agreed immediately. "Okay."

Xu Yan fisted his towel protectively. "Then what am I supposed to wear?"

Wen Sinian wiped away a stray water droplet on his shoulder, his large hand cupping the delicate skin as he purred, "Nothing."

Xu Yan’s eyes widened. "You didn’t bring me any other clothes?"

"No, these were bought earlier and have been sitting in the car unused. You can choose to wear these or go bare, baby. It's up to you."

Xu Yan bit his lower lip, pushing Wen Sinian away forcefully before running to the bed and cocooning himself in the blanket, only his face peeking out as he pouted, "I don’t want to choose either."

Wen Sinian walked over to the bed and reached out to touch his cheek. "Pick one and let me see you in it, okay?"

Xu Yan was firm. "No."

Wen Sinian cajoled him gently. "Just try it on, can’t you?"

Xu Yan shook his head. "No."

"You haven’t worn a dress for me in so long. Haven’t I been good lately? Can’t this be my reward?" Wen Sinian used both logic and sweet talk. "I’ll fulfill all your requests. Can’t you fulfill this one little request of mine?"

Xu Yan seemed to waver and didn’t immediately refuse.

Wen Sinian sat on the edge of the bed, pulling Xu Yan—still wrapped in the blanket—into his arms, holding him like a baby and swaying gently as he whispered in his ear, "Baby, sweetheart, we’ve made up, haven’t we?"

Under his gaze, Xu Yan could only nod very, very slowly.

"As good as before—no, even better than before, right?"

Xu Yan nodded again.

"I've been off my meds this whole time," Wen Sinian pressed a soft kiss to his flushed cheek. "Do this for your husband, won’t you?"

Xu Yan was almost convinced when Wen Sinian dangled an even more tempting offer.

"There’s a handcuff and a belt in the bag. If you're worried, you can cuff me to the headboard. Tie me up however you want, have your way with me—I’ll just watch. You can change into the dress yourself, okay?"

Xu Yan’s eyes sparkled at that. So that’s what the handcuff was for.

Usually, it was Wen Sinian who bullied him in bed. But if he cuffed and tied Wen Sinian up, rendering him immobile, wouldn’t that mean he could have his way with him instead?

The thought alone made Xu Yan feel exhilarated, like an underdog finally getting the upper hand.

Chances to dominate Wen Sinian didn't come often, so he asked cautiously, "Is that handcuff sturdy?"

Wen Sinian smiled. "Very sturdy."

Xu Yan smirked at the idea of what he could do. "Okay, I agree."

*

True to his word, Wen Sinian played along perfectly, his hands cuffed to the headboard with the silver handcuffs and his wrists tightly bound with the belt.

Xu Yan wrapped it around several times to ensure there was no way he could break free.

Only then did he take out the lingerie and dress, about to change in the bathroom.

But Wen Sinian, leaning against the headboard, said, "Do it right here."

Xu Yan hugged the dress to his chest, giving him a suspicious look. Wen Sinian tugged at his restraints, the silver chains jingling, demonstrating his helplessness.

"You’ve already cuffed me, baby."

Xu Yan thought it over and, after a moment’s hesitation, unfolded the dress and sat at the foot of the bed with his back to Wen Sinian.

He slowly unwrapped the towel, then held up the revealing panties with two fingers, his face flushing instantly—but he still slipped them on.

There were also two sheer pieces tied together with ribbons, which he struggled with for some time, unsure how to wear them.

He twisted his slender arms behind his back, fumbling with the ties.

It was Xu Yan’s first time wearing women’s lingerie, let alone this intricate style.

Working behind his back was nearly impossible. After finally managing a loose bow, the slightest shift made the ribbons slip down his smooth, pale back.

After multiple failed tries, Xu Yan grew frustrated, craning his neck to look back—only to accidentally catch sight of Wen Sinian leaning against the headboard.

Wen Sinian’s face was inscrutable, his dark eyes locked intently on the figure at the foot of the bed.

He had always known Xu Yan’s fair skin would look gorgeous in any shade, and the vibrant cherry red proved it.

Youthful, dainty, radiant—the exquisite dress clung to his slender frame, the translucent red fabric so delicate it seemed to tint the air with a sensual glow.

The red ribbons were finally tied into a haphazard bow, yet it drew the eye irresistibly. Soon, the dress was pulled up over his shoulders, the pearly chains draping over his delicate clavicles. The open back was crisscrossed with a red ribbon, the bow at the center like a scarlet butterfly landing on new snow.

Once finally dressed, Xu Yan gave himself a quick once-over.

The dress hugged his body tightly, and there were still the thigh bands to put on. As he reached for them, he accidentally sent one tumbling to the floor. Without thinking, he stood up from the bed and leaned down to retrieve it.

Only when he felt the cool air did he realize he was giving quite a show.

He quickly covered himself as he turned, not surprised to see Wen Sinian still staring at what his skirt revealed.

Those narrow eyes were slightly narrowed, inscrutable.

Blushing, Xu Yan commanded imperiously. "You’re not allowed to look."

Wen Sinian’s voice was rough. "I'm restrained—can't I at least look?"

Xu Yan picked up the thigh band, fastened it, then climbed barefoot onto the bed and walked over, arms folded imperiously.

"No. I decide when you can look because I’m your master now."

Wen Sinian’s gaze lingered on the faint indentation the band left on his thigh, but he agreed aloud. "Okay."

Inwardly, he thought: *Like a ripe, juicy cherry.*

Unaccustomed to the dress, Xu Yan simply knelt beside him, leaning in close.

When Wen Sinian shifted, he immediately pulled back.

Seeing Wen Sinian couldn’t reach him, Xu Yan felt a strange thrill of satisfaction.

Emboldened by the alcohol, his playful side emerged.

He poked Wen Sinian, bringing his face closer, his warm breath ghosting over him as he looked up and declared, "I’m your master, and you’re my puppy. Understand?"

Wen Sinian inhaled his scent, swallowing hard as if entranced. "Understood."

Delighted, Xu Yan pressed further. "Do you think I’m pretty?"

Wen Sinian: "Very."

"Prettier in the dress, or prettier as me?"

"You."

Xu Yan poked him again, hearing his stifled groan, and warned, "Puppies don’t lie to their masters."

"I'm not lying, you..." Wen Sinian's eyes darkened as he switched to a fawning tone, "You're the prettiest, Master."

Xu Yan felt satisfied. Tossing his slightly fuzzy head, he turned sideways to show Wen Sinian the back ribbons.

"This is hard to tie; I can't do it alone at all. You're not allowed to buy this style anymore."

Wen Sinian said, "I'll do it for you."

Xu Yan pointed at his bound hands, his eyes crinkling, "But you can't move."

Wen Sinian chuckled, "Is that so?"

Xu Yan nodded, recalling the times he had been "bullied" before, and resolved to get even in one go this time.

He lifted the skirt slightly before suddenly plopping down onto Wen Sinian's lap.

Feeling Wen Sinian stiffen beneath him, Xu Yan was pleased. Leaning in, he patted Wen Sinian’s cheek the same way he had been patted before, even leaving a smacking kiss at the corner of his lips.

The alcohol gave him guts—Xu Yan had drunk just enough to make him fearless.

He tugged at the belt binding Wen Sinian’s wrists and declared, "You used to bully me all the time. Today, it’s my turn."

Wen Sinian bent his knee slightly, digging into the small of Xu Yan’s back.

"How do you plan to bully me?"

Xu Yan struggled to think—he didn’t actually know how to bully someone.

Wen Sinian’s voice was low and hoarse as he offered, "Want me to show you, alright?"

He was indeed more experienced. Xu Yan nodded, "Fine, tell me."

Wen Sinian coached smoothly, "Lift the skirt a little higher."

"And then?"

Wen Sinian gave a few more commands, and Xu Yan followed each one.

It was his first time experiencing such a novel sensation—every nerve on fire, yet entirely under his own control.

He only played for a short while before growing tired. Noticing Wen Sinian’s tightly furrowed brows and his face twisted in restraint while he himself felt nothing but pleasure, Xu Yan realized what a kick bullying gave him.

He only untied one of Wen Sinian’s hands. "The other stays bound. I’ll free you tomorrow morning before we leave."

With that, he stepped off the bed, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

Glancing at Wen Sinian’s abdomen—where he had just been sitting—he hurriedly pulled a blanket over him.

Rubbing his sore waist, he turned and stumbled barefoot toward the bathroom.

His earlier shower had been wasted, and he wasn’t sure if there would still be bugs inside. If there were, Wen Sinian wouldn’t be able to rescue him this time. Xu Yan frowned at the thought.

Just as he reached the bathroom door, he heard a jangle of metal behind him. Turning, he saw that the man who should have been cuffed to the bed was gone.

The next moment, his body went weightless as he was flung over a shoulder and tossed onto the soft bedding.

Dizzy, Xu Yan struggled to sit up, but his wrists were pinned high above his head.

*Click!* The silver handcuffs were now around *his* wrists.

The looming figure pressed close, his mouth quirking in amusement as he whispered, "*Master*."

Xu Yan went rigid all over in shock.

Wen Sinian asked, "Had enough fun?"

Xu Yan kicked his legs, only for the thigh straps to be hooked onto the belt fastened to the bedpost.

"If you’re done," Wen Sinian drawled, "it’s *my* turn now."

*

They had originally planned to depart for Central Lake Park for boating at 10 a.m. the next day, but even Grandma was up while Wen Sinian and Xu Yan were nowhere to be seen.

Wen Sinian called to say Xu Yan wasn’t feeling well and suggested regrouping in the afternoon before heading back.

Shen Nanli found the situation eerily familiar, as if they had returned to Hong Kong.

After the call ended, Xu Yan was still nestled sleepily against Wen Sinian’s chest.

The other bed was wrecked, and the dress—now torn—had been used to wrap the stained underwear before being tossed into the trash.

Xu Yan slept until the afternoon and still didn’t feel rested. Wen Sinian kissed his cheek, pulled him from the blankets, dressed him in the casual clothes he had brought, and carried him to the bathroom to clean up.

Xu Yan let himself be maneuvered like a pliant doll, peeking through his lashes just enough to glance at Wen Sinian before squeezing them shut again.

Once Wen Sinian finished taking care of him, he murmured in his ear, "*Master*."

Xu Yan’s eyes flew open reflexively, his calves trembling.

He had been called that over and over the night before—each instance leaving him whining pitifully.

"Don’t call me that..." His voice was raw.

Wen Sinian wiped his face, taunting shamelessly, "If not 'Master,' then what? Aren't I your good dog?"

Xu Yan weakly raised a hand to cover Wen Sinian’s mouth, turning red with embarrassment. "Stop talking..."

Wen Sinian traced his thumb over Xu Yan's lips, feigning realization. "Ah, right. 'Master' doesn’t drool—only puppies do. Isn’t that so?"

Fragments of the previous night flashed through Xu Yan’s mind—how he had been a slobbering mess, dazed and mindless.

And yes, he *had* ridden high on Wen Sinian’s authority—quite literally.

Xu Yan sulked like a wronged child.

He would never start things with anyone again—especially not Wen Sinian.

The consequences would only leave him more wrecked.

At the agreed time, they regrouped with the others for the return trip.

Xu Yan was swaddled in layers, his cheeks still burning pink and his voice raw—genuinely appearing ill.

No one knew his clothes concealed a map of bruises and bites beneath.

Arms crossed, he melted bonelessly against the passenger seat.

Wen Sinian, worried he might be uncomfortable, grabbed a pillow from the back—only to earn a death glare.

After returning home, the others came to show concern for him, but Xu Yan couldn't muster the energy, yawning as he headed straight to his room to lie down.

No one bothered him after that, except for Wen Sinian.

When Wen Sinian entered the room, he found the figure on the bed curled up under the blankets again, not even his head visible.

Sliding a hand beneath the covers, he touched Xu Yan’s forehead to confirm he wasn’t actually feverish, then whispered his name softly and brought over a bowl of warm porridge to feed him.

Having eaten next to nothing all day, Xu Yan took a couple of sips before turning his head away, just wanting to sleep.

Wen Sinian persuaded him gently to drink a little more, helped him freshen up, and then let him go back to sleep.

Taking off his clothes and grabbing some ointment, Wen Sinian climbed into bed, drawing Xu Yan close to warm him.

It had been too long, and Xu Yan had been too irresistible.

Wen Sinian had genuinely intended only to let him try on the clothes, but things didn't go as planned.

While Xu Yan slept, he unscrewed the ointment cap.

Xu Yan remained deep in slumber, lips slightly parted, nestling obediently against him, instinctively seeking warmth with his limbs.

Wen Sinian let him be, watching his sleeping face for a while before finally lowering his head to capture those lips in a slow, tender kiss.

Xu Yan’s breathing hitched, his lashes dampening as he began to push weakly against Wen Sinian’s chest.

"Be good, don’t squirm."

Wen Sinian held him firmly, middle and ring fingers pressed together, his ring glinting coldly.

"Don't strain yourself. I’m just applying the ointment."