Chapter 48: “Software Hardening,” It’s Okay to Be a Little Naughty
A bright light shone through the crack in the door, a cloud of moist steam emerging, mixed with the fresh scent of shower gel.
Chen Shuo’s wet hair was slicked back, water droplets sliding down the contours of his fair face. Li Ge couldn’t see where they landed, but he had a picture in his mind. The water droplets fell on Chen Shuo’s firm pectoral muscles, slowly moving downwards, sliding over the red marks he had left last night…
“I said I’m a bit tired.”
The image was interrupted. Li Ge was aroused by Chen Shuo’s half-hidden, half-revealed spring scenery. Not only were his eyes and heart craving it, but even his backdoor was craving it. He couldn’t help but wonder, his body was almost hollowed out, why did he want another shot as soon as he saw the dog?
He really didn’t have that intention when he came over, at most he had some mischievous thoughts of tormenting him. He had come specifically to talk to Chen Shuo about the “software hardening” cooperation. No matter which side, as long as there was hardening, the other side had to cooperate.
And regardless of their relationship, they should both take a step back, grind down their tempers, and not have a big fight before every time they had sex. It was better to spend that time doing it.
Of course, Li Ge had that intention now.
He asked Chen Shuo, “Why are you back here, hiding from me?”
Chen Shuo suspected that his phone might be being tracked, but it didn’t matter whether it was or not. If Li Ge wanted to find him, he would definitely have the means to do so.
“I’m a bit tired.” He said.
The robot with the built-in repeater appeared. Li Ge couldn’t stand Chen Shuo’s pretentious appearance. He reached out and forcefully pushed the door open, quickly squeezing in. He found that he had overthought it, Chen Shuo wasn’t blocking the door, he was presenting him with a peerless scene of a handsome man emerging from a bath. Just as he had imagined, Chen Shuo’s firm muscles glistened, his hair still dripping water, the droplets falling one by one, sliding from his broad shoulders over the red marks he had left last night, so fucking sexy. Chen Erdi was also covered in water droplets, like a peach jade nourished by spring rain, the jade translucent, a top-quality treasure.
“Not tonight.” Chen Shuo dropped this sentence and turned back into the bathroom to continue his shower.
The bathroom door wasn’t closed. Li Ge wouldn’t miss the opportunity to look, so he stood at the doorway and admired, at the same time thinking about how to take down this stubborn and secretly horny person.
He had put in so much effort today, even cooking, trying so hard to give Chen Shuo the warmth of a home, and what did he get in return? The other’s disdain!
It was obvious that getting a hold of Chen Erdi wasn’t enough, it was only treating the symptoms, not the root cause. Li Ge was worried. He had been competitive since he was a child, good at studying, smart, good at making money, and capable. Besides losing to his cousin He Yan, he had few defeats. How did he become a despicable person who couldn’t get anything good in that Chen guy’s eyes?
Fuck.
Li Ge’s competitive desire instantly exploded. His naked, sharp gaze was locked on Chen Shuo, his eyes filled with irrepressible excitement, as if he wanted to penetrate his skin and flesh to dig out Chen Shuo’s elusive heart.
His gaze shifted downwards, and he suddenly understood. It was because he hadn’t put in enough effort. He had to change his angle, change his method. To cure the root cause, he had to start by treating the symptoms slowly, put in a little more effort to coax him, and then would he still worry about not being able to fuck him?
Li Ge’s presence was very strong. Chen Shuo was annoyed and suddenly realized that the development of the situation seemed wrong. The playboy was so persistent in pestering him, even possibly tracking his phone. Perhaps it wasn’t just about turning the tables, but more about enjoying being tormented by him. He thought of last night on the sofa, Li Ge crazily bit and kissed him, unbuckled his belt, but only verbally threatened to fuck him, then consciously straddled him, his actions completely inconsistent with his words. And that thing, it wasn’t that he refused to wear it at first, it was Li Ge who was eager to have it and didn’t give him a chance, but afterwards, he cursed and blamed him, although he really didn’t like wearing that thing.
Realizing that he might have given too much, causing Li Ge to become addicted and a clingy follower, Chen Shuo decided to abstain from sex. Yuan Feng’s course would end in the middle of next month. He would then ask He Yan for leave, sign up for a meditation class, and go to a temple for a while to clear his mind. Li Ge, with his unfulfilled desires, would probably find someone else.
It would end soon.
Chen Shuo somewhat believed that things would work out in the end, because Li Ge wouldn’t pester him for a lifetime.
Not for a lifetime, there would definitely be an end one day.
He raised his hand to wipe the water from his face, preparing to turn off the shower, when two arms suddenly wrapped around his waist, and then his entire back was covered, startling him.
“Don’t move, I just want to hug you and say a few words.” Li Ge hugged Chen Shuo from behind, one arm around his waist, the other holding the hand he had just used to wipe his face.
The water continued to flow. Chen Shuo looked down and saw Li Ge’s naked legs and feet, frowning and exposing his lie, “Do you need to take off your pants to say a few words?”
“What if the water splashes on me if I don’t take them off? I’m too lazy to take them off and put them on again. Isn’t it because I’m afraid you won’t hear me if I stand too far away? You see, I’m thinking of you.” Li Ge said righteously.
Chen Shuo: “…”
“What were you thinking about just now, you didn’t even hear me come over.” Li Ge’s chin rested on Chen Shuo’s shoulder, playing with his fingers like he was playing with walnuts, “Tell me, okay?”
Chen Shuo was in a state of false warmth, feeling a sense of temporal disorientation. More than a year ago, he had called Li Ge for the first time. When Li Ge learned that he was He Yan’s assistant, he only said a short sentence, “Wait for me at Bar Street at 6:30,” and then hung up in a hurry.
The second time he called Li Ge, he heard the same sound of running water. In the hour that he waited silently, Li Ge was busy having sex with someone else.
He had called at the wrong time, so the first time no one answered, and the second time he was hung up on directly. Li Ge at that time was probably holding someone else, just like he was holding him now, and he would hold different people in the future. The only thing that completely belonged to him would also be touched and possessed by others in the future.
So like also meant jealousy, and also hatred.
Chen Shuo didn’t want to admit that he was jealous, that he was hating, like a clown, secretly jealous and hating everyone who had ever had Li Ge.
Including Li Ge.
He hated Li Ge’s provocation, hated Li Ge’s promiscuity, not completely belonging to him. Li Ge’s casual “like” was just the kind of like one would have for a cat or a dog, cheap and casual, with an expiration date.
Unable to wait for the quiet one to speak, Li Ge didn’t wait any longer. The top priority was to treat the symptoms first. He released Chen Shuo, then held Chen Shuo’s shoulders and turned him to face him.
“Chen Shuo.” Li Ge looked at Chen Shuo with affectionate eyes, his tone much softer than before, “Today is the first time I’ve cooked for someone. I know you like shrimp, so I specifically made shrimp for you. In the future, tell me what you like. I’m telling you seriously, I’m doting on you like a wife now. I’ve never pursued anyone so eagerly before, you’re different. Don’t you think I’m tired from chasing you back and forth? Actually, I’m quite tired, my ass still hurts, it’s very uncomfortable to drive, but seeing you makes it all worth it.”
“…” Chen Shuo was in a daze. Reason told him that this was just one of Li Ge’s tricks, he couldn’t believe it, he didn’t even like shrimp. But he recalled the awkward four-person dinner, where he had been invited by his boss, He Yan. He had only symbolically taken a piece of shrimp, and had only eaten the three spoonfuls of shrimp Li Ge had insisted on giving him because he didn’t like to waste food, yet Li Ge had remembered it all this time.
“It’s okay if you don’t like me, I won’t force you. As long as you’re happy when you’re with me, it’s worth it.” After speaking, Li Ge pressed Chen Shuo against the wall, squatted down, and went all out for the sake of Li Erdi’s happiness.
Chen Shuo wanted to say something, but the figure in front of him suddenly squatted down. His blood instantly boiled, and his whole body felt as if it had been thrown into the clouds, his legs weak and unsteady, and then as if he had fallen into a deep abyss, making him panic. It was Li Ge’s strong hands that firmly supported him.
“You…” Chen Shuo’s heart pounded wildly, unable to speak.
It was the first time Li Ge had lowered himself to do such a thing. He originally thought he would be very resistant, but the object was the even cleaner and more beautiful Chen Erdi than peach jade. It didn’t feel bad, just a bit too strenuous, and he was a bit clumsy. When he heard Chen Shuo’s rapid breathing above him, he knew he had won. How dare this little thing fight with him, he was not just a little young, he was ten thousand miles away.
“…” Unable to push him away, Chen Shuo’s chest heaved violently, his breathing becoming more and more rapid, his wildly beating heart like a war drum, shaking his chest, making his whole body tremble. He looked down at Li Ge and couldn’t help but stroke his head, still unable to believe what he was seeing. This high and mighty man, going to such lengths to make him happy, could he really like him? Was he really different?
Reaching that point again, Chen Shuo once again had a strong illusion that his wandering soul had found a home, and he would no longer be lonely in the future.
His life, in fact, didn’t have to be so quiet.
It was okay to be a little naughty.
Like Li Ge’s naughtiness, it was just right.
The bathroom of the studio apartment wasn’t large, and the light diffused in the steam, casting a hazy and ambiguous glow. The mirror, covered in a layer of mist, reflected two intimate figures, leaning against each other, kissing passionately, gradually rising and falling, bumping and colliding…
“Ouch, fuck!”
Li Ge didn’t understand why Chen Shuo, who had been doing so well, suddenly went crazy again. He tried to turn around and scold Chen Shuo, but his neck was fiercely grabbed by the other’s hand, a sharp pain.
“You, I’m serving you like this, my throat is sore and you’re still fucking acting up with me—” Li Ge’s cheek was pressed against the steamy wall tiles, his flower almost rotting.
“Have you ever done this for anyone else?” Chen Shuo still couldn’t believe Li Ge’s nonsense and repeatedly confirmed.
“How many times do I have to say it, it’s only fucking you!” Li Ge was almost out of breath.
Chen Shuo: “Swear.”
Li Ge: “Swear on your grandpa!”
Chen Shuo: “So you have done it for others?”
Li Ge: “Ah… I swear, I swear, if I’m lying, I’ll die without descendants!”
Chen Shuo: “…You’re still lying to me.”
Li Ge: “You—”
Chen Shuo: “Swear again.”
Li Ge: “What nonsense are you talking about! If I’m lying, I’ll be struck by lightning, okay?”
Being struck by lightning seemed too tragic. Chen Shuo couldn’t accept such a poisonous oath and finally gave up, deciding to believe Li Ge this time.
Two hours later, Li Ge didn’t want to talk anymore. Such a big and strong man was carried from the bathroom to the bed by Chen Shuo like a child. Chen Erdi was still clinging to him, making him both love and hate him. He loved it because it was satisfying, and he hated it because it was satisfying. It was just too satisfying, and he never had a chance to turn the tables, letting the big, secretly horny Chen guy have his way.
Forget it, he would let the dog off the hook tonight.
The one-and-a-half-meter-wide single bed barely squeezed the two of them in. Chen Shuo gave Li Ge most of the space, lying on his side on the edge of the bed.
Seeing Chen Shuo huddled at the very edge, Li Ge immediately extended his arm, signaling for him to rest his head on it, and complained, “What’s wrong? You haven’t even put on your pants, and you’re already turning your back on your husband?”
“…” Just as Chen Shuo complied and rested his head on his arm, his chin was grabbed and lifted, and a kiss was planted on his lips.
Li Ge gave him a few simple kisses, looked at Chen Shuo with satisfaction, and stopped complaining, chuckling, “That’s more like it, so good. Will you still be difficult with me in the future?”
It wasn’t his fault, and Chen Shuo wouldn’t take the blame. He decisively denied, “I wasn’t being difficult.”
“Not being difficult?” Li Ge’s throat was dry and uncomfortable, but he had to say something, “Did you give me a cold shoulder when you came back from work today? You threw away the flowers I prepared for you, and then you said you were going downstairs to take out the trash and didn’t come back for a long time. I came to find you, and you said you were tired and didn’t want to do it tonight, but then you fucked me for two hours. If you were going to fuck me, why did you go crazy and slap me? Are you a psychopath?”
Chen Shuo was silent for a moment, then said, “I was infected by you.”
“…” Li Ge was bewildered and retorted, “Nonsense, I’m a good young man of the new era, I’ve never slapped you.”
“…” Chen Shuo reminded him, “You hit me today, four times.”
“…” Li Ge remembered, he had slapped Chen Shuo’s ass four times in anger in the evening, “Wasn’t it because you angered me? Besides, have you slapped me less? You hit me dozens of times in one go, if I wasn’t thick-skinned, I might have ended up in the ICU.”
Seeing Chen Shuo suddenly get up and get out of bed, Li Ge raised his voice, “Don’t mess with me again.” Just as he finished speaking, he saw Chen Shuo go to the kitchen and get a mug, pour a glass of water from the kettle, and then bring it to him.
Chen Shuo: “Drink it, talk less.”
Li Ge said “oh,” sat up and took the cup, and after a few sips of warm water, his throat felt a little better.
He raised an eyebrow at Chen Shuo and smiled, “Not bad, you’ve surprised me again, you’ve learned some common sense.”
After Li Ge finished drinking the water, Chen Shuo turned off the light and lay down again to sleep with Li Ge. They didn’t talk anymore, just leaning against each other like ordinary lovers.
Li Ge fell asleep first, Chen Shuo couldn’t sleep.
He gently hugged Li Ge, feeling his breath in the darkness, and fell into thought.
Should he upgrade this purely physical relationship to a partnership? Perhaps he was indeed different to Li Ge, perhaps Li Ge’s liking was real, just that he was used to being promiscuous and wasn’t used to it yet. He should listen to Yuan Feng’s advice and give Li Ge a little more trust and time.
This way, perhaps it would last.
The next day, Li Ge woke up naturally. When he woke up, he didn’t see Chen Shuo again. Sunlight streamed through the curtains into the room. He sat up and saw a set of folded clothes and pants on the pillow beside him, with underwear and socks also prepared.
After Li Ge got dressed and finished washing up in the bathroom, he was surprised to find a note on the countertop. The handwriting was strong and clear, just a short sentence.
“There are eggs, buns, and soy milk in the steamer.”
Li Ge lifted the lid of the steamer and saw two buns, a boiled egg, and a bag of soy milk inside. He casually picked up a cold bun, took a big bite, and felt extremely happy.
This dog, he was getting more and more considerate.
Afraid that he would be hungry, he even went downstairs to buy him breakfast, he had to be rewarded.
Chen Shuo was explaining a problem to Yuan Feng when his phone vibrated three times in his pocket. He regretted turning off the silent mode, the unread text messages were making him anxious, he wanted to read them but couldn’t, and his concentration was wavering.
He restrained himself and explained the problem-solving process clearly to Yuan Feng, which took twenty minutes. He used the excuse of going to the bathroom, quickly took out his phone, and saw three unread text messages from “Mr. Li.”
He opened them.
“My wife is so considerate, I’ve eaten all the breakfast.”
“I have to go to the company to deal with a project today, I’ll probably be busy all day, I’ll come find you after work.”
“Hurry up and add me on WeChat, a kiss.”
Chen Shuo’s anxious heart settled. He opened WeChat, added Li Ge as a friend, and after a few seconds of hesitation, changed Li Ge’s nickname to “Li Ge,” then long-pressed the small window and pinned it to the top.
After work, Chen Shuo first went to his rented apartment. The countertop was still a mess, and the burnt pot and blackened meat were still in the sink.
He changed his shoes and entered the apartment, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and started cleaning. After everything was tidy, he opened the washing machine and saw that the clothes and pants Li Ge had changed out of the night before were still inside, thrown in with his underwear, unwashed.
What a terrible living habit.
Just two pieces. Chen Shuo simply took them out and washed them by hand. While washing Li Ge’s underwear, he felt strange, speechless, helpless, and magical, and of course, a little happy, although his face showed no expression.
After hanging them out to dry, Chen Shuo straightened his wrinkled shirt, thinking that it needed to be ironed. The tools were at his own home, it would be more convenient to move back as soon as possible.
Gewu Media.
Li Ge worked all day, his back and butt aching. He turned his head and saw that the sky outside was getting dark, and he didn’t want to work anymore. He stood up and almost lost his balance. Just as he was rubbing his waist to recover, the office door was suddenly knocked open.
“Mr. Li, Director Liu is here.” Yu Rui inquired, “It’s about the TV series project you invested in before. He brought the novel and wants you to take a look. Will you see him?”
After several days of excessive indulgence, and a full day of meetings and dealing with projects, Li Ge had no energy to care about any TV series. He waved his hand, “Let him handle it himself, I’m only responsible for investing. Don’t bother me if it’s not important.”
“Okay.” Yu Rui quickly retreated.
Li Ge took out his phone and saw that Chen Shuo had accepted his friend request. The annoyance from work was swept away. Just as he was about to send a message, Qiao An’s call came again.
He answered and cursed, “Fuck, one after another, won’t you let me rest?”
Qiao An teased, “Mr. Li is so busy now, you have to take a number to make an appointment. Fei Fan has been neglected by you, he complains to me every few days, what are you so busy with?”
Anyway, He Yan knew, so Li Ge didn’t hide it and chuckled, “I’m with a little lover, I’ve been chasing him for almost a year, and I just got him last night.”
Qiao An: “I thought you were busy with something important, I’m impressed.”
Li Ge: “Fuck, what do you know, I’m not talking anymore.”
Qiao An: “Wait, you’ve already got him, aren’t you going out for a drink tonight? Don’t prioritize your lover over your friends, Aike is also coming, you have to accompany her to that party.”
Aike was Li Ge’s cooperative girlfriend.
Although he didn’t know why Aike wanted to attend the party with a partner, Li Ge also had to take Aike home for the New Year when necessary. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, so he couldn’t refuse.
“Alright then.” He had to agree. After hanging up, he sent a WeChat message to Chen Shuo.
“Wife, I have a last-minute appointment tonight, I might not be able to come over.”
Staring at the WeChat message from Li Ge for a full ten minutes, Chen Shuo didn’t reply, just returned to the main interface, long-pressed, and unpinned it.
