“Young Master Yan, I can’t believe you came to me on your own!” Qu Xiao was quite surprised to see Yan Mu at the bar and quickly signaled the waiter to bring over a drink with a lower alcohol content.
“Thanks.” Yan Mu didn’t drink. He wasn’t here for alcohol—he simply rubbed the rim of the glass back and forth with his thumb.
Qu Xiao didn’t need to manage this bar—his brother had already arranged the right people for that. As the second young master of the Qu Family, his only responsibilities were counting money and meeting girls. It was still early, and after making a round through the bar, he didn’t spot any girls that suited his taste. Feeling uninterested, he returned to the bar counter, only to notice that Yan Mu’s gaze had been fixed in the same direction the entire time.
“What are you looking at?” Qu Xiao followed his gaze in that direction—then froze.
—Yan Mu was actually looking at his love rival, the bartender.
Jiang Zhihuo had been acting strange these past few days.
The adjective ‘strange’ didn’t even fit.
He almost blatantly stuck to Bai Yujun’s side—after class, during PE class, at meals, and during lunch breaks.
Xie Qiu had complained sarcastically to Yan Mu countless times, saying, “Way too forward. The only thing missing is taking the school beauty home. So handsome and enthusiastic, the girl can’t resist.”
He had just finished saying this when, that very night, Jiang Zhihuo really did rush to Bai Yujun’s house.
Bai Yujun lived in a villa area, a single-family villa with a small garden. The villas were connected by several wide roads, allowing for easy access between them without disturbing one another.
The security system in that villa area was very strict, and generally, no one other than the owners was allowed to enter or exit. But that day, Jiang Zhihuo somehow managed to persuade the other owners using a keycard to get himself inside.
Once inside, he didn’t waste any time talking and immediately set up candles in front of the villa.
He arranged candles into two heart shapes and shouted, “Bai Yujun, I want to pursue you.”
The essence of humanity was to watch the drama unfold, and that included those who could afford to live in the villas.
Many people around came out to watch the excitement, and the younger ones even started cheering for her to accept him!
Whether she accepted it or not wasn’t really their business, but with the situation and atmosphere at the scene—this tall, handsome guy throwing aside all his pride to confess—it was definitely something others couldn’t resist joining in, teasing and making a scene.
At first, the security guards heard that an outsider had entered and were ready to chase him away with electric batons. However, when they saw the sincere and earnest expression on the face of the 18- to 19-year-old boy, despite his clumsy approach, it reminded them of their youth. Though they told him to leave quickly, they still gave him a little more time, lingering as they hesitated.
It was too direct and too intense. Jiang Zhihuo, not even knowing where he got a guitar from, plugged it into a speaker and said, “If you don’t come down, I’m going to start singing!”
Bai Yujun didn’t know what to do and ran back inside from the balcony. The young guy from the neighboring building laughed. “Looks like she’s coming out to see you.”
Jiang Zhihuo also laughed. “I hope so too.”
When the gate was opened, however, the person Jiang Zhihuo saw was Bai Yujun’s father.
Hearing that his daughter was being so persistently pursued, Bai Yujun’s father, wanting to save face and not wanting to have a crowd gather outside his door, eventually ‘invited’ Jiang Zhihuo inside after hearing from the driver that the boy had been pursuing Bai Yujun for some time.
What was said inside was unknown, but the onlookers guessed it was something like, “Stop chasing my daughter.” or “She could never date someone like you, a good-for-nothing troublemaker.” In any case, it wasn’t long before Jiang Zhihuo was escorted out.
This event had caused quite a stir, and over a week had passed, yet people on the school forum were still discussing it. At seventeen or eighteen, who wouldn’t want to be confessed to in such a grand way? Sure, the method was a bit tacky, but the key point was, the guy was handsome!
Originally, no one knew about this confession. Bai Yujun wasn’t the only high school student living in that villa area. Someone from the area posted about it on their school forum, sharing a photo. The guy confessing was so handsome that many people started asking who he was. Someone recognized Bai Yujun and knew she attended Lincheng No. 1 High School, so the post ended up getting shared on the school’s forum.
Some people praised Jiang Zhihuo, saying this was how a relationship at this age should be—bold and grand. Others, however, thought he was too impulsive, charging straight into someone’s home, and it wasn’t surprising that he was kicked out.
It was Yan Mu who came to pick up Jiang Zhihuo that day.
The weather was clear when they left, but soon after, a torrential downpour started. Jiang Zhihuo got stuck in the villa area and couldn’t make his way back.
When Yan Mu arrived, Jiang Zhihuo was tapping on his phone, as if he were sending a message to someone.
He was crouched under the eaves outside the security room, raindrops forming a line in front of him. His hair was soaked, hanging limp over his forehead, and his eyes reflected the faint, fragmented light from the phone screen.
Even though he had been kicked out of the house, there was no trace of dejection on his face.
It was hard to tell whether it was because he had no shame or if he had some other motive.
“You actually confessed this way.” Yan Mu tilted the umbrella towards Jiang Zhihuo.
“What’s wrong with this method? It may be cheesy, but it’s effective!” Jiang Zhihuo said casually. “At least I’ve been to Yujun’s house. You haven’t. You lost.‘
Yan Mu fell silent for a moment before speaking, “You went too far.”
The rain grew heavier, with the droplets falling in a dense rhythm, pounding against the surface of the umbrella. Though it was summer, the wind mixed with moisture still made one shiver when it hit their skin.
Jiang Zhihuo rubbed his shoulder, his tone still casual, but he only said, “Maybe.”
A few girls were sitting in front of the bartender.
They were dressed in revealing outfits, with their hair styled in big, puffy waves falling down their backs. Resting their chins on their hands, they watched the bartender’s movements intently, without blinking.
The girls were good-looking, the type of mature, confident women, not Qu Xiao’s preferred style, so he hadn’t thought about hitting on them. Instead, he asked, “Young Master Yan, which one do you like?”
Yan Mu: “……”
“The girls at school are too innocent; the older, sister-like ones are better at romance.” Qu Xiao, experienced and eager to share tips on how to hit on girls, continued, “Here’s the deal. I’ll recommend a drink for you. Send it over to them, and when they look over, just nod slightly to greet them. With your face, Young Master Yan, it’ll definitely work.”
Yan Mu: “…No need.”
The drinks were ordered by the girls sitting in front. Jiang Zhihuo pushed the prepared drink toward them. “Enjoy.”
The girl sitting in the middle smiled, her red lips curving slightly and her eyes shining brightly. “Shin, this drink is for you.”
It wasn’t the first time Jiang Zhiho encountered something like this. He responded smoothly, “Thank you for your kindness, but according to the bar’s rules, we’re not allowed to drink during work hours.”
His hand rested on the bar, and the girl lightly tapped it with her fingertip.
“…….” Jiang Zhihuo calmly withdrew his hand, took out a handkerchief, and carefully wiped the wine glass before placing it upside down on the bar counter, his gaze focused.
The girl asked again, “How about a drink after work?”
Jiang Zhihuo: “……”
He didn’t look up. The girl’s meaning was obvious—inviting him for a drink late at night; what else could happen after drinking?
“Sorry,” Jiang Zhihuo spoke up, “Even after work…”
He initially intended to say, “Even after work, I don’t drink,” rejecting her bluntly. However, just as he spoke halfway, a sudden wave of heat surged through him. His body temperature spiked, and his chest felt as if it were blocked by a lump of cotton, making it hard to breathe. His heart began to race faster as his body temperature rose—
Not this damn heat again?!
Has it been two hours?!
Jiang Zhihuo bit his lower lip. His acting was on point; aside from the slightly heavier motion when placing the glass down, not even the girl in front of him could notice anything unusual.
Qu Xiao was about to say something, but beside him, Yan Mu stood up and walked outside.
Qu Xiao asked, “Young Master Yan, where are you going?” No answer was needed; he clearly saw Yan Mu walk straight to the other side of the bar, grab the bartender’s wrist, and pull him toward the side door.
Qu Xiao: “!!!”
The girl was displeased. Shin hadn’t yet answered her question. Even though the word ‘Sorry’ came out, she knew it was mostly likely a rejection, but interrupting someone while they were speaking was very impolite.
“He’s going home tonight,” Yan Mu answered for Jiang Zhihuo; his tone was cold. “He can’t go.”
Several girls covered their mouths and exchanged glances.
It seems like this handsome guy is a bit angry?!
Could it be that they’re together?!
Has Shin got a partner?! And it’s a guy?!
There was no one at the side door. As soon as it was opened, Yan Mu pushed Jiang Zhihuo against it and kissed him deeply.
The heat came suddenly. Now, with their bodies pressed closely together, pheromones surrounded them, and their heartbeats were fast.
For some reason, Yan Mu kissed him particularly fiercely this time. Occasionally, he would do this, depending on his mood. Jiang Zhihuo couldn’t finger out the pattern, but he was already used to it. When Yan Mu was fierce, he could be fiercer because he couldn’t lose in taking the lead.
As they pressed closer, their breaths and heartbeats became unusually clear and distinct.
Three minutes later, as the kiss ended, Yan Mu bit down hard on the corner of Jiang Zhihuo’s mouth.
“Hiss–”
The skin on his lips was thin, and with just a bit more pressure, it was easy to break the skin. Jiang Zhihuo sucked in a cold breath and pushed Yan Mu away, pressing his thumb on the corner of his mouth where he had been bitten. He gasped and asked, “Are you a dog?!”
Yan Mu didn’t respond to the question. His gaze swept over Jiang Zhihuo’s face. “Time… It’s still too short.”
It was still a three-minute kiss. At first, it could be held for three hours. A little over a week ago, it was shortened to two hours, and today, it was shortened by another ten minutes.
“Mhm…” Jiang Zhihuo said, “We can’t drag it out any longer. Let’s try again tonight when we go back.”
Yan Mu: “……”
Jiang Zhihuo clearly saw the frown on Yan Mu’s face.
Jiang Zhihuo: “Do you have to make your disgust so obvious?!”
“No.” Yan Mu said, “What do you plan to do?”
No matter the situation, God of Learning Yan’s reasoning was always clear. Before this, they had only managed a three-minute deep kiss, and beyond that, only a few options remained.
“Extend the kissing time, kiss*, s*x.”
Yan Mu said these three words without changing his expression, “How far do you plan to go?”
Jiang Zhihuo: “……”
Jiang Zhihuo: “………………”
S*x.
Jiang Zhihuo’s ears turned red. “Hey, could you please give a warning before speaking? This is way too much!”
Yan Mu: “Oh.”
After a pause, Yan Mu added, “Aren’t you experienced?”
Jiang Zhihuo: “…….”
All those were just acts put on back then.
Jiang Zhihuo cleared his throat and quickly adjusted his expression. “That was for the ladies! You’re a man! A man!”
Yan Mu: “…….”
“Cough.” Not wanting to let this topic continue, Jiang Zhihuo decisively said, “Then let’s go with the first one; extend it a bit. As for the other two… I’m afraid I, I won’t even be able to stand up!”
**
By the time they got back to the place and finished showering, it was almost midnight.
Yan Mu was sitting at his desk, solving problems. Jiang Zhihuo walked up behind him and gently cleared his throat.
Yan Mu turned his head.
The person in front of him had a towel draped over his head, his gaze slightly downward. There was a cut at the corner of his mouth; it was from Yan Mu when he bit him at the side door of the bar earlier. Such a small injury would probably go unnoticed on someone else’s face, but Jiang Zhihuo’s skin was fair, and the small ring of redness around the cut was extremely eye-catching.
Yan Mu averted his gaze and set the timer. “Ten minutes?”
Jiang Zhihuo agreed. “Ten minutes is about right.”
Does extending the kiss actually work? Ten minutes was considered a middle ground and persuasive enough in duration—shorter and one couldn’t see any effect, longer… well, there wouldn’t be any difference between kissing and not kissing.
Yan Mu gave a hum of acknowledgement, set the time, and placed his phone to the side.
The corner of his mouth ached faintly, and Jiang Zhihuo reminded him, “Stop acting like a dog.”
The heat symptoms appeared again quickly.
Yan Mu only had time to press the timer button before Jiang Zhihuo, overwhelmed by pain, grabbed his collar.
The boy’s strength was great, and his movements were forceful. Their chests collided, and both of them fell onto the bed. Jiang Zhihuo propped himself up with one hand, his wrist resting near Yan Mu’s ear.
They were so close that it felt as if they could hear each other’s pulse beating.
Yan Mu took advantage of the position and placed his hand on the back of his neck.
Jiang Zhihuo hadn’t fully undergone his differentiation yet, so his glands weren’t so obvious. All that could be felt was the scrabbed-over bite mark.
Recently, Yan Mu often found himself touching this spot.
Ten minutes and three minutes.
It was only extended by seven minutes.
In the exam hall, he might even be able to solve a slightly difficult multiple-choice question.
But in this situation, the difference was like night and day.
At first, Jiang Zhihuo would arrogantly raise an eyebrow at Yan Mu, but later, his wrists were firmly held, pinned to the bed, with Yan Mu applying so much force that his fingers trembled. Eventually, Jiang Zhihuo didn’t even have the strength to open his eyes.
The alarm clock rang, and Yan Mu released his grp.
Jiang Zhihuo glanced at the time, then grabbed a pillow to cover his face—with or without a mirror, he knew his expression must appear terrible right now.
Though the air conditioning was on, the room still felt unbearably hot.
The light above was white and bright. Perhaps it was an illusion, but even the pillow blocking still felt blinding. Jiang Zhihuo wanted Yan Mu to turn off the light, so he nudged him with his foot and said, “Turn off the light.”
He was wearing loose-fitting sweatpants, and if he stayed still, no marks were noticeable—Jiang Zhihuo himself thought so.
However, what he didn’t know was that, once he moved, a faint outline would gradually appear.
Yan Mu seemed momentarily stunned. After a long pause, he slowly spoke; his voice was cold as usual. “Didn’t you say you can’t stand up?”
