Chapter 5 Why Are You Touching Your Dick

Chapter 5: Why Are You Scratching Yourself?

"I'm allergic to the clothes."

"Allergic to clothes???"

"What's the big deal?"

"How can someone be allergic to clothes??"

"Why not? Just yesterday, a baby broke out in a rash, also because of clothes..."

Before he could finish, the doctor adjusted his glasses, glanced at the photo again, cleared his throat, and mumbled, "It's uncommon in adults."

Shi Zai was still full of questions.

The doctor wrote the prescription, handed him the ointment, and said:

"Try this. If the redness starts to fade by tonight, apply it for three days. If not, bring them back for another look, or go to the hospital."

"...Oh! Thank you, Doctor!"

Leaving the clinic, Shi Zai ran all the way home, slowly realizing that both of them would yelp at the slightest touch, especially Shu Yangkuo. The man looked tall, strong, and fierce, but he was actually both fussy and delicate—this couldn’t be touched, that couldn’t be patted.

Tch, allergic to clothes? The doctor said it was probably because the fabric was cheap and too rough.

Shi Zai rubbed his nose at the time but didn’t mention that he’d picked out the most expensive clothes in the store for them. Looks like he’d have to go buy new ones later.

Rushing into the bedroom, he found Yang Yun on the bed, butt in the air, clutching his head and squirming around, constantly rubbing himself and whimpering. Shu Yangkuo wasn’t moving much, lying stiffly on his back, but his brows were tightly furrowed, and a thin layer of sweat had broken out on his forehead from holding back.

It had to be said, though the old fossil was delicate, he was also well-behaved—if told not to scratch, he didn’t.

After just one glance at each, Shi Zai decided to apply the ointment to the younger one first:

"Xiao Yunbao, here’s an ice pop. Hold it in your hand to feel better. I’ll apply the medicine."

"So cold! Hurry up, hurry up."

"Don’t press it against your face, just hold it in your hand."

With that, Shi Zai stripped him down to his underwear and applied the ointment all over. The ice pop was bought on the doctor’s suggestion—when the itching gets unbearable, something cold can soothe and calm the skin. After finishing, Shi Zai paused, then still checked under Yang Yun’s underwear, eliciting a yelp. Fortunately, there was nothing wrong front or back—probably the underwear was good quality, pure cotton, costing over ten yuan apiece, while Shi Zai’s own cost only two.

As for the other one, Shi Zai had a headache. The old fossil was more like a silent "squeaky chicken"—every touch made him angry.

Unconsciously adopting a coaxing tone, Shi Zai tried again, but Shu Yangkuo still ignored him, eyes tightly shut, probably concentrating on fighting the itch. He didn’t take the ice pop offered to him either. Shi Zai sighed lightly, held the ice pop in his own hand for a moment, then placed his hand on the man’s forehead to cool him down.

Instantly, Shu Yangkuo opened his eyes, even relaxing enough to squint slightly. Shi Zai broke into a wide grin:

"Feels good, right? You hold the ice pop too. Once I finish applying the medicine, the itching will stop soon."

"......"

Taking advantage of the man’s daze, Shi Zai boldly used all his strength, quickly stripping off his clothes, leaving only his underwear. One look was enough—even his thighs were red. The underwear... was just too small, stretched so tight Shi Zai felt suffocated just looking at it—a large bundle, cramped and clearly uncomfortable.

Looking up, he found Shu Yangkuo half-sitting up, staring at him like an arrow ready to be fired, as if Shi Zai touching him would trigger something.

On the small bed, Yang Yun watched dumbfounded, then shouted, "Protect him! Protect him!"

Shi Zai ignored the nonsense, but when he looked up, Shu Yangkuo had already grabbed him by the waist and lifted him up, just like this morning. A tear fell from Shi Zai’s eye:

"Monk, you don’t trust me at all, do you?"

"......"

"Maybe you all think I have ulterior motives, but I don’t! I’ve been alone since I was little, pitiful all my life, dispensable in this world. Your appearance made me happy. Even if you’re ghosts, I accept it. I, I..."

Before he could finish, Shi Zai wiped his tears with his sleeve. He knew his emotions were running high—after all, they’d only known each other for half a day.

But to him, it didn’t feel like half a day. Especially that embrace he longed for every time he saw it—he wanted so badly to be held.

Might as well have stayed in the dream. The dream that had lasted almost two months.

He couldn’t help but let out a small, animal-like whimper. Immediately, he was set down, and Shi Zai found himself once again pressed against that warm, broad chest from so many dreams. His heart, suspended in mid-air, instantly settled back into place, warm and content. He nuzzled against it, heard the man grunt, and quickly wiped his tears and lifted his head. Why cry? Shu Yangkuo was probably suffering terribly. Shi Zai hurriedly put on a smile:

"Monk, I’ll apply it now. I promise not to touch randomly."

"......"

"I know you’re delicate—no, precious. I’ll take good care of you. Today was my fault for not looking after you well. Give me another chance..."

Mumbling to himself, under Shu Yangkuo’s inexplicable gaze, Shi Zai began carefully applying the medicine. He deliberately lightened his touch, afraid the man might suddenly get angry and lift him again. How could his hands be so strong?

As he applied, he noticed the man frowning again. Shi Zai held the ice pop against his arm with one hand while applying ointment with the other, which seemed to help.

When he reached the back, Shi Zai could feel him tensing up, as if he was trying his best to endure something. He had to make his movements even lighter, his fingertips like feathers gently brushing over the skin. Looking up, he saw Shu Yangkuo’s ears turning red again. Shi Zai couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly—the old fossil wasn’t just a squeaky chicken, but also a chameleon.

Or maybe a mimosa plant, shrinking at the slightest touch.

Moving on to the legs, Shi Zai’s ointment was snatched away by Shu Yangkuo. Fine, the old fossil’s lower half was the most untouchable.

He even half-turned away, facing the wall.

Shi Zai had no choice but to stop looking at him and turned away. Yang Yun was lying on his stomach again, butt in the air, even placing the ice pop on his back. Shi Zai almost laughed:

"Xiao Yunbao, why do you always stick your butt up?"

"...Because you made my tail disappear!!"

After a pause, Shi Zai burst out laughing:

"When I found you, you already had no tail!"

"Hmph."

The pink dumpling was too adorable. Shi Zai couldn’t resist going over and patting his butt cheeks, making the kid yelp again. But Yang Yun didn’t mind and soon started playing around with him. After fooling around for a bit, Shi Zai turned and saw that Shu Yangkuo had already finished applying the ointment and was now sitting upright facing the wall, meditating.

Shi Zai went to the bathroom, wet a towel, and wiped the monk’s hands clean of ointment. Meeting his gaze, he coaxed:

"I’m going out again to buy new clothes for you. Don’t wear the old ones, remember?"

"......"

"Nod if you understand me?"

Shu Yangkuo nodded.

Shi Zai’s heart itched at this obedient sight. He couldn’t resist kissing the hand he was holding, then ran off as the old fossil’s ears turned red.

There was only one small shopping mall in the town, a bit far away. For the first time in his life, Shi Zai took a taxi. After arriving at the mall, he asked for a brand-name men's store and picked out two sets of soft cotton t-shirts and shorts for each of them, regardless of the price. He also bought new underwear.

However, for Shu Yangkuo, he could only get briefs since the boxer shorts were out of stock in his size. Briefs it is, anyway, they're worn inside.

This trip cost Shi Zai two months of his earnings, fueling his desire to make more money. For now, he just wanted to take good care of them.

Pushing the door open, he found only Yang Yun in the living room playing with a bouncy ball, wearing nothing but a pair of small underpants, like a growing boy.

Shi Zai smiled and was about to head to the bedroom when he heard noise from the bathroom. He hurried over and called through the glass door:

"Monk, why are you showering? The medicated cream will wash off and won't work anymore!"

Splash, splash.

"Why are you still taking a cold shower?! I'm coming in!"

Splash, splash.

Worried that Shu Yangkuo might not know how to adjust the water temperature and freeze himself, Shi Zai pushed the door open in a panic, only to see…!!

He was instantly stunned. As Shu Yangkuo looked up with a frown, Shi Zai started shouting:

"What are you doing touching yourself?!"

"…"

"Kids shouldn't be touching themselves there! Oh no, adults shouldn't either!"

"…"

Shu Yangkuo had already let go. He, he wasn't… His entire face flushed red instantly. What's wrong with this boy?!

After a pause, he uttered one word:

"It's itchy."

He wasn't used to wearing this kind of clothing before, especially the underwear—it was tight and uncomfortable, rubbing and making him itchy. He had to take a cold shower to calm down.

Shi Zai froze for a moment. Itchy? Your… dick is itchy? Snapping out of it, he first turned off the cold water, then lowered his head to look. As he raised his hand, it was grabbed firmly—fine, he wouldn't touch. Shi Zai had already seen clearly; there was indeed a slight redness different from the skin around it.

"Then why didn't you say so? Monk, you should've told me first. Is your back still itchy? Is it better now?"

"Mhm."

"Then the medicine is working. Hold still, let me dry you off and reapply the medicated cream. This area needs it too—it'll feel better once applied."

Saying this, Shi Zai grabbed a dry towel from outside and stood on his toes to dry the man. He was so tall—in the morning, right after waking up, Shi Zai had guessed he was about 195 cm, but now he could tell it was more like 197 cm. This big man was now obediently letting him dry off, and Shi Zai felt happy, his eyes brightening again.

After drying the upper body, he handed him another dry towel to dry the lower part himself:

"Dry off down there too, water isn't good for applying medicine."

"…"

Immediately after, Shi Zai was pushed out of the bathroom by Shu Yangkuo. He hurriedly shouted, "Let me apply medicated cream to your back!" but the stubborn guy ignored him and slammed the door shut. Shi Zai waited outside, figuring he was probably done drying below, and opened the door again.

The man was already standing with his back to him.

Shi Zai smirked to himself and quickly applied the medicated cream to his back. Then he took the new clothes to the sink outside to wash them—he didn't want them wearing unwashed clothes. From the shirts to the underwear, he washed everything, taking advantage of the sun to dry them.

Looking up, he realized it was almost evening. It had been a day full of chaos, an experience he'd never had before, yet filled with a small feeling of satisfaction.

Walking toward the bathroom, he saw Shu Yangkuo still standing naked with his back to the door. Shi Zai immediately regretted it and felt bad for him. He had wanted to force the other to ask him what to do, but instead, the man had stood silently for nearly fifteen minutes without a word, reminding Shi Zai of his own childhood self.

Afraid of causing trouble for others.

Once, Xiao Shizai had gone hungry all night and morning. In the afternoon, he went to help out in a neighbor's field, but when lunchtime came, no one remembered him. He stayed by a haystack the whole time…

Thinking about the past was too painful. Every time, he felt sorrow for his younger self.

Shi Zai raised his arm to wipe the corner of his eye, wondering why he was so tearful today. He went into the bedroom, took a clean bedsheet, and decided to wrap the man's lower body for now. They could wear the clothes tomorrow morning once everything was dry.

Entering the bathroom, Shu Yangkuo turned slightly inward. Shi Zai took a deep breath, folded the soft bedsheet, and handed it to him:

"Monk, sorry for the inconvenience. You'll have comfortable clothes to wear tomorrow."

"…"

Shu Yangkuo paused, then took the sheet and wrapped it around himself.

Shi Zai didn't leave. He lowered his head, mentally mocking himself—he was really like a child. He shouldn't have said "sorry for the inconvenience," because saying it made it truly feel that way.

But it was true—why was he the least cared for among twelve children, like he was invisible?

He knew why he was acting unusual today. He wanted to compensate, to make it up to his childhood self by being good to them.

Forget it, it's all in the past. The current Shi Zai was capable, strong, and happy. Pushing those messy feelings aside, he took a deep breath and was about to look up when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Shu Yangkuo's arm move. The next moment, a rough thumb wiped the corner of his eye.

Instantly, tears started flowing.

Shi Zai buried himself in the man's chest, crying like a child and shouting:

"Why are you comforting me? I'll get used to it, I'll stick to you even more, I won't want to let you go, wahh…"

"…"

His chest was all wet again. Shu Yangkuo lowered the hand that was about to push him away, and after a long moment, raised it again.

Author's Note: