Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Nurturing someone is a truly fulfilling experience, especially when they are compliant.

Qi Jing had no idea he could ignite such desires. After finishing his drink, all he wanted was to go to bed; staying on Bo Chengyan’s lap for too long made him self-conscious.

It felt strange.

But before he could move an inch, he felt himself gently lifted and carried to the bathroom.

The young man was placed on the vanity counter.

Bo Chengyan subtly raised his gaze, observing him with a calm, appraising look.

"Let me see your teeth."

Qi Jing’s instep instinctively tensed slightly. The cold surface of the counter made him shift, ending up perched on the man’s hand.

Mmm…

The boy lowered his head a little, a warmth spreading through his body.

His breathing quickened.

Finally, he opened his mouth.

Qi Jing hadn’t grown his wisdom teeth yet; he had 28, all neatly aligned.

"Hmm."

Bo Chengyan seemed to simply be checking. He then gently lifted him down, his voice soft. "After something sweet, you should rinse your mouth."

Qi Jing let out a relieved breath, took his own toothbrush cup, and complied.

But just as he finished the last step, his cheek was gently pulled back, and he felt a soft cotton pad lightly wiping his lips.

Qi Jing tilted his head slightly, his hands dropping unconsciously.

This was the downside of being pampered for too long: always assuming everything would be taken care of.

Before bed.

"Aren’t you sleeping with me?" The boy burrowed his chin into the blanket, the patter of rain audible outside, his eyes shining brightly under the warm glow of the bedside lamp.

Qi Jing reached out from under the covers, intertwining his fingers with the other’s.

Anxious, yet hopeful.

"You sleep first."

Qi Jing sensed something was off and asked softly, "You’re not planning to sleep in bed with me?"

His words were so blunt that Bo Chengyan’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

"Don’t invite me."

The boy didn’t understand, burrowing deeper into the covers. "Why…? I want you to sleep with me."

Qi Jing genuinely thought he was simply asking.

Was he being rejected?

"I’m not tired yet. I still have work to finish. I’ll join you after." Bo Chengyan’s words came out somewhat haltingly, as if he’d just thought of them.

Even he could be flustered.

The person in bed was at the prime of youth, full of boundless imagination for the unknown.

Qi Jing could make any demand.

But Bo Chengyan couldn’t agree so casually.

Even surrender required reason.

"Alright then."

The boy seemed very understanding, releasing his fingers and snuggling back down.

He held the other’s gaze for a moment.

Bo Chengyan looked down at him.

"Why aren’t you going to work yet?"

"……"

Qi Jing’s expression was innocent, earnestly reminding him—until the other man finally looked back at him with a hint of exasperation.

The boy ducked his head again.

Only when Bo Chengyan leaned down and kissed his hair did he relent.

"Goodnight."

The rain softened from its earlier intensity, tapping against the window like a gentle knock on a heart.

Or perhaps, a symphony.

*

The next morning.

By the time Qi Jing woke, dawn was just breaking. A faint sense of being deceived settled over him as his hand reached across the bed—empty.

He hadn’t stayed—

His other hand was trapped. Turning his head, he saw Bo Chengyan sitting in a chair, eyes closed. The next second, sensing movement, his eyes opened.

Looking down at him.

"Awake?"

Their fingers remained interlocked.

Qi Jing didn’t understand why the other man hadn’t come to bed. He extended a foot to hook Bo Chengyan’s pant leg, opening his mouth to speak— "You… Hmm."

His ankle was caught.

And even pulled slightly.

Bo Chengyan gripped his ankle, frowning as he asked, "Where did you learn that?"

Qi Jing tucked his chin, trying to pull his calf back, but he couldn't free it.

The places where their skin touched felt increasingly hot.

His breathing grew slightly rapid.

Finally, he relented.

"From a movie…"

"They were playing footsie under the table."

Innocent yet explicit.

Just as Bo Chengyan was about to lecture him, Qi Jing invited again, "Why won't you sleep with me?"

"I… I'm an adult…"

Such childish behavior.

Also a sign of insecurity.

Qi Jing wanted to say more, but he was abruptly pulled forward, an arm slipping under his armpit as he was effortlessly lifted like a doll.

His legs parted as he straddled Bo Chengyan's lap, their eyes meeting in an instant.

His breathing quickened again.

The bad habit of biting his lips returned.

Qi Jing's teeth were gently parted as Bo Chengyan's fingers slipped inside, but this time they went deeper, touching the back of his tongue.

"Hmm… mm…"

They withdrew before he could feel discomfort.

"Don't bite."

Qi Jing, still in his pajamas, had his waist lightly supported, his cheeks flushed pink, slightly breathless.

His lips were still damp.

"Okay."

He looked utterly wronged.

The morning light was faint. Bo Chengyan held him securely with one hand and glanced at his watch—around five o'clock.

"Sleep a little longer."

He stood up, carrying Qi Jing back to the bed, then lowered his gaze to straighten his sleeves. "I got you excused yesterday, but you still need to go to school today. I'll drive you."

Qi Jing leaned against his shoulder, studying him intently, still confused. "Why won't you sleep with me?"

Back to that topic again.

As if he didn't understand, yet vaguely felt he was being underestimated.

Originally not very curious, but now a rebellious streak was stubbornly emerging.

Qi Jing felt his neck being grasped, the other's hand wrapping around it almost entirely like a scarf. Unaware of any danger, he blinked innocently.

Bo Chengyan’s expression darkened. "Inviting me to bed? Do you know what it's called when someone tries to take another to bed right after getting together?"

Still sitting on his lap, Qi Jing let his hands dangle slightly, fiddling with the buttons on Bo Chengyan's shirt.

"What's it called?"

"A one-night stand."

Outside, a gust of wind swept the water off the piled leaves.

Qi Jing's face flushed instantly. He pushed against the other's chest, his breath coming in short gasps.

"Do you know what 'taking it slow' means?"

Of course he didn't—after all, he had initially cast himself in the role of a kept boy, and his sex education came from porn.

Bo Chengyan released his grip to stroke Qi Jing's hair, tilting his warm cheek to make him meet his gaze.

"Did you like the pear soup last night?"

"It was good."

"That was made from pears the auntie bought for you—peeled, stewed, paired with snow fungus and red dates… not some instant mix."

Bo Chengyan lowered his eyes, casually tucking him in. "Love is the same. Some people prefer chasing instant gratification, unwilling to put in sincerity, so they choose…"

Qi Jing's fingers pressed against his, gripping his hand.

"A sugar arrangement?"

His heart fluttered slightly.

Qi Jing felt himself being lifted slightly but remained seated on the other's lap. His gaze drifted upward, landing on the partially unbuttoned shirt.

"That's one way to put it."

His soft fingertips brushed against the shirt, faintly feeling the vibration of the other's chest.

Qi Jing was momentarily confused until his hand was pulled away, his palm opened and laced through the other's fingers.

"You thought I was your sugar daddy before, didn't you?"

Bo Chengyan asked bluntly, noticing the tight grip and the eyes growing moist.

Now he knew the word carried shame.

As if finally getting the picture.

"Do you know what real 'keeping' looks like?"

Qi Jing looked down at their joined hands, sullen, opening his mouth to claim he understood.

His wrist was given a gentle pull, and he lost his balance entirely.

Landing squarely in the other's arms.

Like some kind of hushed whisper.

"It's me giving you money, and you letting me have my way."

"No emotions, no breaks, just a physical transaction."

"One's just a tool for the other to vent their desires."

Qi Jing's breathing quickened slightly, and he couldn't help but fidget with his fingers, his body reacting before his words could.

He was scared.

Bo Chengyan gently released his hand, letting him burrow back under the covers, and said softly, "I didn't do that, Xiao Jing."

After what felt like forever.

"But what you said was terrifying."

Qi Jing, oblivious, didn't notice Bo Chengyan was sitting by the bed, leaning slightly against the headboard, looking down at the person in his arms.

Young and impressionable.

Who made him think like this...

Since it was around five in the morning, Qi Jing snuggled into the blankets and soon grew drowsy again, dozing against his chest and closing his eyes.

Just one faint phrase reached him.

"I only admit to having raised you."

*

By the time he woke up, the rain had stopped.

Qi Jing was eating breakfast downstairs, still slightly on edge, until the house auntie came over and gently touched his hair.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes."

Those simple words melted his tension, like ripples fading on a lake’s surface.

Bo Chengyan came down the stairs, raising an eyebrow as he glanced over. The young man sat upright, eating properly.

"Morning, sir."

"Mhm, thank you for your hard work."

As Qi Jing finished the last sip of soy milk, Bo Chengyan took his hand—his wristband was different again.

"New one?"

Bo Chengyan paused slightly before explaining, "No, switched models."

"Okay."

Not an ounce of pushback.

But remembering something, Qi Jing added, "Well… a friend invited me to drink."

Bo Chengyan looked down at him.

"I see."

"I won’t drink anymore."

Bo Chengyan: "You can drink, but tell me first."

The rules felt like playthings, passed back and forth.

A reluctant compromise was reached.

By the time they reached the school gate, Qi Jing got out of the car and waved. "I'll head in now?"

"Yeah, I'll pick you up in the afternoon."

Only after watching him enter the school did the car window close.

Friend?

What 'friend'?

Ruan Hang was no friend.

"Where to, Boss Bo?"

"24 Nanhua Road."

*

Back in the dorm, Qi Jing sneezed, accidentally waking someone. He carefully returned to his seat and found some clothes on it.

He wanted to ask whose they were…

But everyone was asleep.

Qi Jing had to just take out his textbooks and leave the dorm again.

Dorm life was rough.

You had to put up with others' habits, but moving out of the dorm wasn’t something he could do immediately—he needed to submit a form.

Originally, he had planned to stay for the semester, but when Bo Chengyan noticed mosquito bites on his back that morning, he shot that down immediately.

Even the school district apartment was no longer an option.

In the end, it just meant daily rides—no more than a few extra hours.

By the time Qi Jing finished his errands, it was already noon. These days were mostly filled with class meetings, with military training starting in two days. He grabbed a coconut from the cafeteria.

Then he walked to the south gate to wait for his ride.

The security guard at the gate gave the kid a once-over before quickly averting his gaze.

Qi Jing, wearing a short-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a baseball cap, tilted his head questioningly.

"Mister, something on my face?"

"..."

"Nah, nothing. You bought a coconut?"

"Yep."

"Can you open it?"

"I guess so."

Waiting for the ride was dull.

The security guard opened the coconut for Qi Jing and stuck a straw in it. "Here you go."

But the young man didn’t drink it. He just held the coconut until an unassuming Cayenne pulled up.