Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Seeing Shen Muyun in low spirits, Lu Huainan couldn't immediately find a way to lift his spirits, so he quietly followed him back to the hotel.

As he opened the door, Lu Huainan reached for the card to activate the power, but Shen Muyun pulled him back. Only the faint, scattered light from outside illuminated their faces.

Shen Muyun tugged at Lu Huainan's belt, leading him step by step into the room. The dim light from outside cast shadows on their faces, making it impossible to discern each other's expressions. An ambiguous atmosphere hung heavy, as if something had just exploded between them.

Shen Muyun frowned in pain; there was nothing but agony. How could this unprecedented pleasure possibly ease his mood?

"Brother Yun, I've never been in a relationship before."

"Hmm."

"Um, I... I'm not very good at this."

"Hmm."

"Brother Yun, don't be nervous, try to relax."

"Hmm."

"Brother Yun—"

Lu Huainan's breath echoed in his ears, his body undulating like a drowning fish, constantly approaching and then retreating. The initial discomfort gave way to a stark contrast of later pleasure.

Shen Muyun gazed dazedly at Lu Huainan, following his every move. Yet, an unfamiliar sensation clouded his mind—uncomfortable, as if something was trying to break through his soul and forcibly occupy his body.

The scent of roses grew stronger, mingling with the intensity of raging hormones.

"Damn it, Lu Huainan, are you a dog or something? How am I supposed to face anyone now?"

Lu Huainan blinked, his hands firmly pinning Shen Muyun's restless ones. "Brother Yun, I really am born in the Year of the Dog. How did you know that? Oh, I see—you've been paying attention to me all along, haven't you?"

It was the first time Shen Muyun had felt this way—his body seemed to float among the clouds before crashing heavily to the ground, a feeling both euphoric and torturous. In the end, he had indulged himself. At this age, long past youthful restlessness, he had been so vividly stirred by Lu Huainan into feeling the shyness of a teenager.

"Lu Huainan, can you be gentler? Do you even know what you're doing? If not, maybe I should take charge."

Hearing this, Lu Huainan stopped immediately, propping his head on his hand, his bright eyes fixed on Shen Muyun's discomfort.

"Oh? How would you take over, Brother Yun? You haven’t been learning things behind my back and keeping them from me, have you?"

Shen Muyun couldn't muster any strength, leaving him helpless under Lu Huainan. Yet, his body seemed to gradually adapt, moving to Lu Huainan's rhythm as if adrift in the ocean, rising and falling until he lost consciousness.

When he woke again, it was gloomy outside. Shen Muyun glanced at Lu Huainan beside him, then at his own body—scratches, red marks, a complete mess. It was absurd how suddenly their relationship had reached this point. This wasn’t right; he needed to get a grip. But wait—when had he even agreed to this? How dare Lu Huainan do such a thing?

Holding his lower back, Shen Muyun slowly made his way along the wall to the bathroom. Aside from the soreness in his lower back, there was no other major discomfort.

"System, show yourself! Now!"

The system no longer held back, revealing its true form while yawning repeatedly, as if it had been up to something the night before, dark circles under its eyes.

"System, the main mission..."

The system glanced at its tablet, then took a look at Shen Muyun. Initially pleased, it shook its head after a moment. "Respected Host Master, well, when it comes to love, it doesn't have to happen all at once."

If not for the intense pain in his waist, Shen Muyun would’ve lost it. "System, what do you mean by that? 'Doesn't have to happen all at once'? Are you saying this had no effect at all?"

The system shook its head. Shen Muyun wondered if something had gone wrong. Logically, it shouldn’t be like this.

"Brother Yun, Brother Yun, where are you?"

Lu Huainan's voice came from outside, and the system vanished instantly.

Shen Muyun held his waist. How could it hurt so much? It wasn’t even that intense—wait, no. Shen Muyun jolted with realization. Did this mean they had... taken that step naturally?

After calling out for a while without a response, Lu Huainan grew anxious, afraid he’d been too rough the previous night and hurt Shen Muyun. His mind conjured up countless scenarios.

Shen Muyun leaving just like that, never to be found again.

Had Shen Muyun already returned to Jiangcheng, perhaps even given in?

At this thought, Lu Huainan could no longer hold back. He took off his clothes, preparing to change into something to go out.

"Lu Huainan, come here and see this. How am I supposed to show myself outside like this?"

Hearing Shen Muyun's voice, Lu Huainan's anxious heart instantly returned to its place. Thank God—it seemed he had overthought things. They could deal with Jiangcheng later.

Lu Huainan straightened his tie, steadied his emotions, and walked toward Shen Muyun, wrapping his arms around his waist from behind and daring to kiss his cheek.

"Brother Yun, why are you up so early? Shouldn’t you rest more? Your voice last night..."

Shen Muyun immediately covered Lu Huainan's mouth, shutting him up.

"Lu Huainan, I’m warning you—don’t mention this to anyone. This was mutual. You said it was just for fun, so let’s keep it that way."

Seeing Shen Muyun's reaction, Lu Huainan felt secretly pleased. Was that even a threat? He decided to humor him.

"Yeah, just for fun—though our idea of fun might be a bit different. Brother Yun, when are you planning to return to Jiangcheng?"

Shen Muyun rubbed his sore waist—the aching sensation was utterly unbearable.

"Once I’ve recovered. How can I face anyone hobbling like this?"

Lu Huainan scooped Shen Muyun up and carried him back to bed, gently massaging his lower back. "I can’t be blamed entirely—it was my first time, after all. I lacked experience. What could I do? Besides, Brother Yun, you lost your voice. I know you enjoyed it."

Shen Muyun kicked Lu Huainan in the chest.

"Stop talking!"

Suddenly, Shen Muyun's phone rang. Even while away, there was no peace. Seeing it was Shen Wenjin calling, he didn’t dare delay.

"Shen Muyun, where are you right now?"

Shen Muyun glanced at Lu Huainan beside him, motioning for him to be silent. Lu Huainan immediately covered his mouth.

"Father, I’m in Haicheng. There’s a conference here I need to attend."

"Shen Muyun, have some shame. Your photos are spreading all over Jiangcheng. The reputations of the Shen and Lu families have been tarnished by you alone."

"Father, that’s not quite right. Those are just the media’s biased reporting."

Shen Wenjin paused for a moment before sending over a photo of the two of them entering an elevator.

Shen Muyun looked—it was indeed a photo from the previous day, showing the two of them embracing near the elevator, with a close-up of them kissing.

"Shen Muyun, how do you explain this?"

Shen Muyun clutched his phone tightly, at a loss for words. Lu Huainan snatched the phone directly.

"Uncle, how are you feeling?"

Hearing Lu Huainan's voice, Shen Wenjin's tone softened slightly. "Lu Huainan? My health's about the same. Are you with Mu Yun?"

Lu Huainan chuckled, "Yes, Uncle. Is there something you need?"

Shen Wenjin hesitated to say more. "Uh, just have a good time. It's just that Mu Yun, though he's not young, still has a childlike mentality. Don't let him get away with too much—that wouldn’t be good."

"Uncle, don’t worry. My family knows about Brother Yun and I, and they think it’s fine. Besides, didn’t you say you hoped our families could get closer? With Liuyun and my sister... well, let’s not get into that. Things are fine as they are now, anyway."

"Lu Huainan, I know you’re a good kid, but Mu Yun, he..."

"Look, Uncle, there’s no need to worry. If I think it’s good, then it’s good. When we return, I’ll come talk to you in person. It’s hard to explain everything clearly over the phone."

Shen Wenjin’s expression darkened, but he couldn’t press further and had to agree for the time being.

The moment the call ended, Lu Huainan let out a sigh of relief. At least it didn't turn into an argument—that was a relief.

Shen Muyun lay on the bed as Lu Huainan continued massaging his lower back with just the right amount of pressure.

"Lu Huainan, my father obviously couldn't say much more."

"Really? Isn't that just Uncle showing he cares? When we go back, I’ll try to stay by your side. After all, I was the one who took the initiative, anyway—I can’t let Brother Yun suffer."

Shen Muyun reached for the cup on the bedside table but couldn't reach it.

Noticing Shen Muyun’s movement, Lu Huainan picked up the cup and brought it to his lips. "Brother Yun, if you need anything, just tell me. You should rest more—your health comes first."

Shen Muyun glanced at Lu Huainan. "And who got me into this state anyway?"

Lu Huainan just smiled and took out a tube of ointment from the bedside drawer.

When he opened the cap, a strong herbal smell hit him right away—it was pretty strong.

He squeezed some onto his hand, rubbing it gently until it warmed up. The warmth on Shen Muyun’s lower back made him feel drowsy—it was indeed soothing.

Lu Huainan applied the ointment evenly along Shen Muyun’s spine, from top to bottom, and the pain noticeably lessened.

"Lu Huainan, where did this ointment come from?"

"I asked the front desk for it yesterday afternoon."

"Hey, did you plan this? Was it intentional?"

Lu Huainan paused his movements. "Brother Yun, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

"Of course, the truth."

"Let’s start with the lie then. I thought since the sun was strong yesterday, we might get sunburned, so I got the ointment just in case. But the truth is, Brother Yun, you kind of experienced it already, haven't you? The moment I saw you, I got impulsive."

"You!"

Shen Muyun tried to sit up and hit Lu Huainan, but the pain in his back shot through his nerves, knocking the wind out of him and leaving him stuck.

"Brother Yun, don’t get angry. How about this—you can get me back later. It’s all my fault. I’ll make it up to you, okay? My birthday's the day after tomorrow. Brother Yun, you need to get better soon, alright?"