That evening when Qin Han returned home, Xie Ling had said there was a sudden family matter and he couldn’t pick him up from the airport. After disembarking, Qin Han made several calls, but they all went unanswered.
A faint sense of disappointment stirred in his heart until he arrived home and saw the dining table laden with dishes—all of them his favorites.
The family maids had been on vacation for the past couple of days. Qin Huai had even told him earlier that, upon his return, he could either eat out or have a restaurant deliver. So where had all these dishes come from?
Qin Han was still puzzling over it when a pair of hands suddenly covered his eyes from behind.
“Guess who I am!”
The deliberately gruff voice drew a laugh from Qin Han. He seized those hands and pinned their owner against the wall, claiming their lips in a fierce kiss.
After more than a week apart, Qin Han’s kiss was even wilder than usual. His tongue plunged into Xie Ling’s mouth, stirring frantically until the other man was gasping for breath. Only then did he slowly draw back.
“You’re my baby,” Qin Han murmured, pressing his forehead to Xie Ling’s. Tenderness swirled in his eyes.
Xie Ling’s face flushed bright red. He laughed in accusation. “Who kisses someone right off the bat like that? You should’ve played along and pretended you couldn’t guess. Can’t you sweet-talk your boyfriend at all?”
Qin Han chuckled. “Sorry. I just missed you too much.”
As he spoke, he peppered Xie Ling’s face with soft, scattered kisses. “How’d you end up here?”
Xie Ling squinted in bliss from the affection, smiling. “To surprise you. Didn’t you say you wanted to try my cooking?”
Only then did Qin Han notice the apron tied around Xie Ling’s waist. He glanced back at the table full of dishes, warmth flooding his chest until it felt ready to burst.
Xie Ling tugged him forward. “Come on, taste it before it gets cold. Some of these are my first try, so even if they don’t taste great, pretend they do later, got it?”
“Anything you make is bound to be…” Qin Han trailed off midway, his gaze suddenly darkening.
Earlier, he’d been facing Xie Ling directly, and with the long apron in place, he hadn’t noticed anything amiss. Now, with Xie Ling stepping ahead of him, he saw it clearly: just a white shirt whose hem barely skimmed the curve of his ass. And below that…
“Part of the surprise?” Qin Han slid his hand along Xie Ling’s bare thigh, his voice turning husky.
Xie Ling shivered. In his excitement at seeing Qin Han, he’d nearly forgotten the other big surprise he’d prepared.
Blushing furiously, Xie Ling said, “This is the final big one. After dinner, we can… Mmph—”
Qin Han’s hand had already grown restless.
“Now that I’ve seen you dressed like this, you think I can eat in peace?” Qin Han murmured into his ear. “Baby, isn’t this shirt mine?”
Xie Ling let out a muffled sound.
“…Snagged from my room?”
“No.” Xie Ling hurried to explain. “I got caught in a bit of rain on the way here, so Brother Qin Huai grabbed some clothes from your room for me to change into. I remembered that video from the other day—the one where the Omega wore his Alpha’s shirt just like this—and then… Hey!”
In an instant, strong arms scooped him up and deposited him on the dining table. Xie Ling yelped in surprise and tried to slide down, but Qin Han’s grip locked firmly around his waist.
“Aren’t you supposed to be surprising me?” Qin Han tilted his head up, his smile brimming with delight as he drank in Xie Ling’s flustered expression. Desire kindled in his eyes.
Forget him—any Alpha would lose control when teased like this by their own Omega. Qin Han rested both hands on Xie Ling’s thighs. “I want a little appetizer before the main course.”
Xie Ling’s heartbeat skyrocketed. Qin Huai was at the Research Institute, and there was no one else home, but this position was just too…
His legs dangled emptily in the air. As Qin Han slowly sank to his knees, Xie Ling gritted his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut in mortified anticipation.
Right then, the sound of a car door opening echoed from the courtyard outside.
Xie Ling peered through the window and immediately flailed to stop Qin Han, leaping down from the table. “Your grandma’s back!”
Amused by his frantic state, Qin Han pulled him into an embrace. “What’s there to be scared of? She’s already approved you as her future grandson-in-law. She’ll be thrilled to see you.”
Xie Ling’s face burned crimson as he gnashed his teeth. “On the condition that her grandson-in-law isn’t sitting around bare-assed.”
Qin Han paused, then burst out laughing.
Fuming with embarrassment, Xie Ling snapped, “Who did all this for? And you’re laughing!”
“All right, all right, no more laughing.” Qin Han soothed him, aware that Ye Shuanghua couldn’t see him like this. “Are the pants in my room? Go throw them on.”
The living room and Qin Han’s bedroom lay on opposite sides of the entrance, north and south. Xie Ling bolted toward it in a panic, but he could already hear Xiao Chen, the secretary, opening the door for Ye Shuanghua.
Too late to make it now—he’d be caught for sure. In desperation, Xie Ling blurted to Qin Han, “I’ll hide in the bathroom first!”
No sooner had Xie Ling ducked inside than Ye Shuanghua entered. She chatted with Qin Han for a bit about his studies and the company, then eyed the full table of dishes. “Did Xie Ling make all this?”
Qin Han blinked in surprise. “You knew?”
Ye Shuanghua nodded. “Your second brother told me.”
Qin Huai had made a habit of singing Xie Ling’s praises in her presence, all to build her fondness for him.
Ye Shuanghua took a seat and sampled a dish with her chopsticks. She nodded approvingly. “Tastes good. Where is he? He should at least come out to say hello.”
Xie Ling’s shoes were still by the door, so claiming he’d left wouldn’t fly. Qin Han replied, “He wasn’t feeling well and went to rest in the room.”
Ye Shuanghua rose. “I’ll go check on him. Xiao Chen, call the private doctor.”
Qin Han hadn’t expected her to care so much. “It’s nothing serious, Grandma. He’s probably asleep by now. You don’t need to…”
A muffled thud suddenly came from the bathroom.
Xie Ling, who’d accidentally bumped the door handle while peeking out: “…”
Ye Shuanghua clearly heard it. She put on a stern tone. “If he doesn’t even want to see me, it’ll be hard for us to become family. I may have to reconsider your relationship…”
“Wait!” Xie Ling’s anxious voice rang out from the bathroom.
The door cracked open. Ye Shuanghua glanced over to see Xie Ling nodding at her from inside. “Hello…”
Then, steeling himself, he called to Qin Han. “Qin Han, could you grab my… pants? I want to come out and greet your grandma properly.”
Ye Shuanghua: “…”
~~~
After dinner, Ye Shuanghua retreated to the villa’s study to handle some work. Qin Han and Xie Ling holed up in the study doing their summer homework.
After Xie Ling botched three math problems in a row, Qin Han couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Still hung up on what happened at dinner?”
Xie Ling slumped dispiritedly. “Of course I am. Did you see your grandma’s face? She must think I’m some shameless Omega now. Ugh…”
“Be good—don’t overthink it. She didn’t say anything afterward, right?” Qin Han’s heart warmed at how much Xie Ling cared about his family’s opinion of him. He pulled Xie Ling into his arms, his voice turning soft and coaxing. “Besides, I love it when you’re shameless like that…”
As their bodies pressed together, their pheromones seeped out, intertwining in the air. It had been so long since they’d seen each other, and that brief makeout earlier hadn’t come close to satisfying two hot-blooded young men. Before long, they were tangled up in each other’s arms.
A knock sounded at the door just then.
Little Xie Ling, already jumpy from the earlier scare, shot out of Qin Han’s embrace like a startled bird.
Qin Han swallowed his frustration and called, “Come in.”
Xiao Chen pushed the door open. “Young Master, Madam asked me to tell Young Master Xie that his room is ready.”
Qin Han replied, “…Got it.”
Once Xiao Chen had left, Xie Ling sagged again. “Didn’t you say your grandma doesn’t bother with little details like this? We’re done for—she’s got a grudge against me now, arranging a separate room like that.”
“It’s nothing like that. She only fusses because she likes you.” Qin Han drew him back into his arms. “Sleep in my room tonight.”
Xie Ling hesitated. “…I’ll take the guest room.”
“We’ve been apart for days already. You really want to leave me alone in an empty bed tonight?” Qin Han lowered his eyelids, looking pitiful as he guided Xie Ling’s hand downward. “Feel it—it’s been missing you like crazy.”
Xie Ling: “…”
Qin Han pressed on with the pitiful act. “If not, I’ll go tell Grandma it was me who insisted on stripping your pants off. Then you won’t have to worry…”
“No way.” Xie Ling pulled his heated palm back and hugged Qin Han instead. “We can’t let her think you’re this wild when you’re with me. What if she changes her mind? Be good and hold out for tonight.”
~~~
That night, after Xie Ling showered and returned to his room, he’d planned to keep working on homework. But he couldn’t settle his mind.
In his original plan, tonight was when he’d put his lessons into practice and make Qin Han feel good. He never imagined things would go sideways like this. They were in the heat of young love, after all, and it had been ages since they’d seen each other. It wasn’t just Qin Han suffering from the separation.
Xie Ling sprawled over the desk, growing more restless by the second. Finally, he gave in and video-called Qin Han.
Qin Han usually picked up right away, but this time it took nearly a full minute.
He must be in the shower, Xie Ling figured.
He was about to hang up when the video connected.
Qin Han appeared on screen, the top two buttons of his shirt undone. Sweat beaded his face, and his skin held a flush.
Somewhat surprised, Xie Ling asked, “Were you just working out?”
Qin Han let out a soft hum. “Thinking of you while doing some solo exercise.”
His voice was hoarse, and with that kind of talk, Xie Ling quickly caught on. His face began to flush. “You want it that badly, huh?”
“I do,” Qin Han said without hiding his desire. “Don’t you?”
Of course Xie Ling did. But he knew that if he admitted it, Qin Han—true to form—might just barge right into his room.
It was still early in the evening, and Ye Shuanghua’s room was right between theirs. If Qin Han couldn’t hold back and came over, only to get caught by her…
For the sake of their long-term happiness, Xie Ling swallowed his urges and put on a smug front. “I’m totally hooked on studying. Haven’t given that stuff a single thought. Bro, your self-control could use some work.”
Qin Han chuckled. “Alright, you’re the best. So, would you help your bro out?”
Xie Ling hesitated. “…Fine. But we’re not doing this in your room.”
“No need to come here,” Qin Han said, his gaze burning into Xie Ling. “Just like last time—a nude video chat. Moan a few nice ones for me.”
“…Okay.” Xie Ling recalled their steamy video sessions from a few days back. His throat bobbed as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt. “Whatever you want.”
After two rounds, both their breaths were ragged and disordered. They were just about to go for a third when a knock sounded at Qin Han’s door.
“Sounds like my grandma’s here,” Qin Han said as he pulled his clothes back on.
Xie Ling hurried to reply. “Then go answer it. Air out the room before you open the door.”
Qin Han grinned at his flustered expression. “Little Ling, you know you’re adorable like this?”
The guy who was usually fearless—always teasing him right on the edge of disaster—was being so cautious now, just to avoid leaving a bad impression on his family.
Qin Han licked the back of his molars, his voice rough. “Little Ling, I want to fuck you.”
Xie Ling’s face burned crimson. Normally, he’d fire back at a straight shot like that, but the situation was different today. “Alright, alright. Once your grandma leaves, do whatever you want. Hurry up and get the door.”
Even so, those last words from Qin Han had ignited the fire of desire deep in Xie Ling’s heart.
Late that night, Xie Ling tossed and turned, his mind replaying their video chat earlier—the way they’d pleasured each other from afar.
The room filled with the restless scent of blooming roses. Xie Ling buried his flushed face in the pillow and rubbed against it. Moments later, he sat up.
If even a badass like him was this worked up, Qin Han had to be suffering even more…
It was so late now. Qin Han’s grandmother was probably asleep…
With that thought, Xie Ling slipped out of his room stealthily and made his way to Qin Han’s door.
What was this? They were boyfriends, weren’t they? Why did it feel like they were sneaking around for a fling?
Though… it was kind of thrilling.
Qin Han’s room was pitch black. Wanting to surprise him, Xie Ling didn’t turn on the light as he entered.
He’d only been in Qin Han’s room a few times, but he knew the layout by heart. Moving by memory in the dark, he headed straight for the bed. He was just about to reach the edge when his foot caught on something. He pitched forward, landing right on Qin Han’s bed.
“…Little Ling?” Qin Han’s hoarse voice came from the darkness.
Xie Ling laughed upon hearing it. “Holding out on you, huh, boyfriend?”
As he spoke, he reached out and ran his hand along Qin Han’s body. But after one touch, something felt off.
Huh?? Why was it so slick?? He’d been with Qin Han before—he knew the guy’s skin was smooth, but not like this…
In his confusion, Xie Ling flicked on the bedside lamp. When he saw what he’d been touching, he fell into stunned silence.
“This is…” He stared at the life-sized doll cradled in Qin Han’s arms, hesitating. “An inflatable doll?”
Qin Han clearly hadn’t expected to get caught. He sounded flustered for once. “Little Ling…”
He sat up on instinct. With the movement, the doll—which had been lying sideways in his embrace—rolled over, revealing its face.
Xie Ling: “…”
This silence stretched even longer than the last. Xie Ling took in the various straps and toys bound to the doll’s body, then glanced at its face. He spoke with difficulty. “…If I’m not seeing things, doesn’t this friend look exactly like me?”
