MTY chapter 47

In a dim and narrow space, a person’s vision becomes especially sharp.

Lin Yu’s breathing almost stopped as he stared unblinkingly at the figure outside the door, the beautifully sculpted body.

Moonlight traced the contours of Lu Ziqing’s physique, highlighting lines that resembled the smooth curves of marble.

The low, controlled breaths added an indescribable sense of intimacy to the scene.

Lin Yu repeatedly told himself to close his eyes or look away—to focus on anything else: the bed, the blanket, the bedside lamp—anything.

But he failed.

His gaze was glued to Lu Ziqing as if bound by superglue, unable to shift away.

The scent of fir wood surged from the glands at the back of his neck, making him feel lightheaded.

The hotter his glands became, the more his eyes refused to move away from the man just beyond the door, as if Lu Ziqing’s presence was some kind of potent sedative.

No wonder Lu Ziqing worked out so often—Lin Yu thought dizzily—it would be a shame not to maintain such a great physique.

Lost in his fascination, Lin Yu leaned forward bit by bit until—thud—his forehead hit the bedpost.

“Ah—”

Hearing the noise, Lu Ziqing paused mid-motion, turning his head. “…Lin Yu?”

Lin Yu panicked and shut his eyes, pretending to be asleep.

Lu Ziqing took a few quiet steps toward the bedroom and whispered, “Are you awake?”

Lin Yu endured the stinging pain on his forehead, forcing his body to relax. His expression remained calm as he lay on his side, feigning sleep as if nothing had happened.

Seeing this, Lu Ziqing didn’t press further. He simply adjusted the door slightly and turned away to rest.

After Lu Ziqing left, Lin Yu opened his eyes and silently rubbed his forehead.

…Desire leads to downfall—ancient wisdom never lies.

Realizing what he had just done, Lin Yu’s face burned.

Lin Yu, oh Lin Yu, how could you lack so much self-control?

A gentleman should practice self-restraint. He should neither speak nor look at what he shouldn’t. Have you forgotten all that?

Lu Ziqing had merely stepped out of the shower without a shirt on. So what if he had a slightly better physique, slightly bigger pecs, or slightly longer legs? That didn’t mean he should be stared at.

Have you forgotten the virtues of integrity, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness? Have you forgotten that he’s actually younger than you by several years? Have you forgotten that he’s taking care of you out of pure goodwill?

Shameful!

…

The next morning, Lin Yu woke up with faint dark circles under his eyes.

He was woken by noise.

From outside came the clinking and clanking of dishes—Lu Ziqing must already be up.

It was no use. His mind had been replaying the image of Lu Ziqing’s bare upper body all night, like a computer infected with a virus—no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t erase it.

Under the torment of his overheated glands and those intrusive thoughts, he had only managed to fall asleep around two or three in the morning.

Lin Yu got dressed and trudged out of the bedroom.

“Awake?” Lu Ziqing was fully dressed and setting the table. “Your parents had the neighbors bring over some vegetables, eggs, and meat. I made some vegetable congee. Have a bit, and if you’re not feeling well, rest some more afterward.”

Lin Yu didn’t dare look at him. He sat down at the table and stared at the bowls and chopsticks. “…Thanks.”

Lu Ziqing suddenly leaned in close. “What’s up with your eyes? Your dark circles are so bad. Didn’t sleep well?”

His gaze was clear and focused, framed by thick, long eyelashes.

They were so close that Lu Ziqing’s breath brushed against Lin Yu’s cheek.

A faint, fresh scent of minty toothpaste.

Lin Yu hadn’t expected him to move so near. Startled, he stammered, “J-just some insomnia…”

“Then you should rest more today.” Lu Ziqing straightened up. “Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be outside in the yard.”

Lin Yu absentmindedly finished his bowl of congee, barely tasting it.

“How do you feel now?” Lu Ziqing asked. “Are your glands still swollen? Does it still hurt?”

Lin Yu hesitated. “…It’s okay.”

Lu Ziqing thought for a moment. “Let me take a look. You can’t see the back of your neck yourself.”

As he spoke, he reached over to check Lin Yu’s collar.

Lin Yu instantly shot to his feet. “N-no need! I’m going back to rest.”

And with that, he fled back into his room.

Lu Ziqing’s hand was still hovering mid-air.

“…”

…

Lin Yu curled up under the blanket, forcing himself to close his eyes.

Better to sleep than to let his mind wander.

But for some reason, even though he hadn’t rested well the night before and still felt tired, he just couldn’t fall asleep now.

Spacing out, he suddenly heard his phone buzz.

It was a message from Lin Rui.

[Ge, why didn’t you tell me you went back to the countryside?]

Lin Yu rubbed his flushed face, a result of his heat, and replied.

[Left in a hurry last night. You were still in school, so I didn’t have time to tell you.]

Lin Rui: [I heard from Mom and Dad that that Lu Ziqing went to take care of you?]

Lin Yu: [Mm, he had nothing else to do, so he voluntarily came with me.]

Lin Rui: [Why let an outsider take care of you? I can take time off to do it.]

Lin Yu: [Nonsense. What about your studies?]

Lin Rui: [Or I can hire a caregiver for you. I made quite a bit of money working last year.]

Lin Yu: [That’s just a waste of money. My friend is helping me for free, so why spend anything?]

Lin Rui fell silent for a long time.

Lin Yu felt a little guilty: [Besides, he’s also an omega, and he’s been working for me at the company for a while. He’s pretty efficient.]

Lin Rui replied flatly: [I never asked whether he was an alpha or an omega. Why are you so eager to explain?]

Lin Yu couldn’t figure out what was on her mind. He had the feeling there was something implied in her words.

Ah, teenage girls—so hard to read.

Lin Yu: [I just didn’t want you to worry…]

Lin Rui was silent again for a while. Seeing that he was firm in his decision, she finally said: [You won’t listen to me anyway. Get some rest, and call me if anything happens.]

Lin Yu sent a smiley face: [I’m a grown adult. What could possibly happen? Focus on preparing for your exams, don’t worry about me.]

After hanging up, Lin Yu wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Suddenly, he heard faint sounds outside.

He held back for a while, but boredom got the best of him. He wrapped himself in a blanket, quietly stood by the window, and looked outside.

Lu Ziqing was wearing a thin, gray, low-neck sweater, sitting in the courtyard picking vegetables.

His movements weren’t particularly quick, but he was very focused, carefully removing the roots and tearing off the spoiled leaves.

Sitting on a small stool, his elbows resting on his thighs, the veins on his toned forearms were faintly visible.

Lin Yu watched his clean-cut side profile and unconsciously swallowed.

This man… Even with such a strong physique, he somehow exuded a harmless, gentle calmness—a sense of security.

He was… quite husbandly.

That kind of warmth and kindness, combined with a dependable strength and sense of responsibility.

And… those veins on his forearms were kind of sexy.

The thought startled Lin Yu so much that he scared himself.

Lin Yu, oh Lin Yu…

Shameful!

He was about to scold himself like last night, but then he remembered how useless that had been. In the end, he had failed to snap himself out of it. So, he guiltily gave up on the idea.

Lin Yu, oh Lin Yu…

You…

Hmm…

You can think all you want, but for the love of God, don’t ever let it slip out in front of him.

…..

That night, Lin Yu took an early shower and got into bed.

He absentmindedly scrolled through his phone for a bit.

At around 9:50, he slid under the covers, shut his eyes, and pretended to be asleep.

Just past 10:00, he heard movement outside.

Like the night before, Lu Ziqing came into the entryway, shirtless, a towel wrapped around his waist as he dried his hair.

Lin Yu, ever the honest one, immediately opened his eyes.

Before going to bed, his mind had been repeatedly warning him to exercise self-discipline.

The moment he got in bed, his brain switched into anticipation mode.

…

He had to admit, he was a bit of a hypocrite sometimes.

Just a few meters away was the same breathtaking sight as last night—so stunning it made his heart race and his blood surge.

Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, long legs.

Even the damp strands of hair falling over his ears carried a hint of lazy sex appeal.

Lin Yu couldn’t look away.

He stared and swallowed, silent.

His skin grew hotter.

The back of his neck itched more and more.

…Certain parts of his body reacted as well.

And not just his glands.

Honestly, he had already struggled to hold back last night, forcing himself to suppress it by reciting ‘Memorial on the Expedition’ in his head.

But now…

It wasn’t working anymore. So he switched to reciting the Li Sao poem by Qu Yuan.

He forced himself to focus on poetry, trying to immerse himself in the poet’s emotions and aspirations.

After a while, his body finally started to cool down.

Knowledge truly is power!

Lin Yu let out a relieved sigh.

He recited it three more times until he felt his body return to normal. His mind settled, and he slowly opened his eyes.

And then.

And then.

…

Under the soft, pale moonlight, he saw Lu Ziqing lower his head and undo the towel at his waist.

[mfn][Author’s Note]
You little rascal, you’re definitely doing this on purpose.[/mfn]