Chapter 55
Early morning. The first thought that popped into Jian Wu’s mind upon opening his eyes was: Oh no.
Last night, things escalated, and Song Shuci ended up sleeping in his bed. Even now, his back was still pressed against Song Shuci’s chest—both of them naked.
He glanced back at the still-sleeping man, carefully extracted himself from Song Shuci’s embrace, quietly climbed out of bed, quickly finished washing up, grabbed the suitcase he had packed before going out yesterday, and went to the door to change his shoes.
But as soon as his hand touched the doorknob, a voice came from behind: “Are you running away from home?”
Cold, yet with a low hoarseness from their lovemaking, instantly bringing back flashes of last night.
His hand froze. He turned around and said casually: “You’re the one who should leave. This is my home.”
Song Shuci stared into his eyes: “Where are you going?”
The man wasn’t even dressed yet, his body covered in bite marks he had left. Jian Wu couldn’t bear to look and turned his head away: “Out of town for a study trip.”
“Isn’t it summer vacation?”
“Who told you teachers get to rest during summer vacation?” He opened the door and said quickly, “Alright, I have to go now, I’ll miss my ride.”
He carried his suitcase out the door and, before Song Shuci could say anything more, slammed it shut.
After rushing into the elevator, his tense body finally relaxed.
It hurt.
Although the preparation had been thorough, he hadn’t had sex with anyone in four years, and last night had been a bit excessive, the cake almost completely ravaged by Song Shuci.
But what hurt more was Jian Wu’s mind. After all this, he really didn’t know how to face Song Shuci.
Hello, although we slept together, and I seemed quite into it, I actually don’t want to be with you?
That sounded really scummy.
He leaned against the elevator wall, wiped his face, and smiled wryly, then couldn’t help but slap himself.
Pain brought clarity.
He had been studying for over a month, during which Song Shuci had video called him, and he had hung up every time. He would selectively reply to some of his messages. This awkward situation continued until the day he finished his study trip and returned to City B. He hadn’t told Song Shuci which train he was taking, but Song Shuci still appeared at the exit.
The man, wearing a black shirt, stood in the middle of the crowd. His good looks and height made him stand out in the bustling station.
Jian Wu’s heart started racing the moment he saw him.
The study trip was a school arrangement. He knew Song Shuci could ask Ling Meng or He Yong for his itinerary if he wanted to, but he still hadn’t expected Song Shuci to come to the station to meet him.
He swallowed, braced himself, and walked towards him. Song Shuci, seeing him approach, took his suitcase with an expressionless face, didn’t bother with small talk, and said directly: “Let’s find a place to talk, where do you want to go?”
“Anywhere…”
“Are you hungry? Do you want to eat?” It was surprising Song Shuci was still being considerate.
“No need,” Jian Wu said, “I ate on the train.”
Song Shuci didn’t look at him, just walked forward: “Then follow me.”
Jian Wu pursed his lips and followed behind him. He thought Song Shuci would take him to a cafe or somewhere similar, but Song Shuci led him to the parking lot.
Seeing Song Shuci unlock a car, Jian Wu asked: “You bought a car?”
“Don’t ask that now.” He opened the back door for Jian Wu, and after Jian Wu got in, he also got into the back.
Jian Wu: “You…”
Song Shuci glanced at him: “Didn’t you say anywhere is fine? Then let’s talk here.”
Jian Wu looked out the window: “What do you want to talk about?”
Song Shuci turned his head back: “Tell me first, what am I to you now?”
As expected, Song Shuci came looking for a label.
Jian Wu rubbed his aching temples, lowered his eyes, and said: “We were both drunk that night… but since it happened, it’s not a bad thing.” He looked at Song Shuci: “When we broke up in City A, I left without saying goodbye, we should be able to part ways amicably this time.”
This should be fine, right?
Just like a breakup sometimes involved a final hookup.
After doing it, after enjoying it, they could move on.
Song Shuci seemed completely unprepared for this answer. He was silent for a long time, then gritted his teeth and said: “Is that why you were so proactive that night?”
“You think I can’t let you go because I want to sleep with you, you think I’ll leave you alone after you satisfy me. You think the thing you’re most sorry about is leaving without saying goodbye, and now you think you’ve paid your debt, you don’t owe me anything anymore, is that right?”
Not exactly.
He had been driven by desire, his emotions overwhelming his reason.
But if that’s how Song Shuci wanted to think… it was fine. Or rather, it was better for him to think that way, for them to have a clean break.
So Jian Wu remained silent.
Song Shuci stared at him for a long time. His grip was strong, but Jian Wu didn’t even flinch.
No reaction was more terrifying than a negative reaction.
“I thought… you at least felt something.”
Song Shuci’s sarcastic voice carried a subtle tremor, “I didn’t expect Teacher Jian to be willing to even sacrifice himself to get rid of an ex-boyfriend, such painstaking efforts, truly impressive.”
Jian Wu winced slightly and tried to pry Song Shuci’s fingers off his chin, but Song Shuci pushed him down onto the back seat.
“What are you doing?” he exclaimed.
Song Shuci looked down at him: “Why do you think I’ll be satisfied after just one night and won’t bother you again?”
The man’s hand gripped his waist, “Since you think I’m being clingy, that I’m bothering you, then I might as well live up to that reputation and be even more clingy.”
“Hiss…” Jian Wu couldn’t stand his touch and pushed him away, but Song Shuci pulled down his pants. He was wearing loose-fitting cargo pants with an elastic waistband, no belt to restrict them, so they easily came off.
“This is a parking lot!” he exclaimed in panic. Song Shuci’s hand caressed his leg, “I know.”
“Song Shuci, don’t do anything reckless.” Jian Wu was truly nervous now. He anxiously looked out the window, thankfully, no one was around.
“Let’s make a bet, Jian Wu,” Song Shuci looked at him, his eyes unreadable, “Before anyone comes, if you don’t cum, I’ll let you go and we’ll part ways amicably. If you can’t hold on… you get back together with me.”
He glanced down at Jian Wu’s thin underwear, “To be fair, I won’t take off any other clothes, and I won’t touch it.”
Jian Wu’s eyelashes trembled slightly.
This should be a sure win, but for some reason, he wasn’t confident.
“You don’t even dare to bet on this?” Song Shuci looked at him mockingly, “Teacher Jian is so sensitive to me, and you still want to break up with me?”
Jian Wu, provoked by his words, said in exasperation: “Fine, let’s bet.”
“Okay.”
Song Shuci cupped the back of his head, pushed him down onto the back seat, and kissed him. He kept his promise, not touching him below the waist or unbuttoning his shirt, just kissing him, caressing his chest and back through his clothes.
But Jian Wu hadn’t expected his reaction to be so intense.
He attributed it to his nervousness, the possibility of someone coming to the parking lot at any moment, or the friction of his clothes, making every touch overly stimulating.
He took deep breaths, trying to calm down, but Song Shuci, sensing this, covered his mouth, preventing him from breathing. The muscles in his waist, abdomen, and hips tensed, his breath hot and heavy. Jian Wu curled his fingers slightly, almost out of breath.
Song Shuci’s kisses were truly unreasonable. It was just a kiss, yet it always made him feel flustered and aroused. He tried to push him away, and Song Shuci took off his tie and tied his hands together.
“Can’t take it anymore?” Song Shuci asked him.
He bit his lip and refused to admit it.
So Song Shuci kissed his ear, bit his earlobe, and rubbed his Adam’s apple with the calloused part of his index finger.
Jian Wu could feel his body temperature rising, his senses heightened. He trembled with every touch from Song Shuci. He even thought he heard approaching footsteps, only to realize it was just his imagination after repeatedly asking Song Shuci for confirmation.
“Mm…”
A sudden coolness spread across his chest. He looked down with hazy eyes and saw Song Shuci pouring some water on his chest. The weather was hot, and his short-sleeved shirt was thin. Soaked through, it clung to his skin, even the small, red bumps were clearly visible.
Then, Song Shuci placed his hand on his heart.
His chest, which had just been cool, instantly became hot. He could feel his heart pounding under Song Shuci’s warm palm, and at the same time, he heard Song Shuci’s low, hoarse voice: “Jian Wu… I love you.”
Jian Wu’s body trembled, and he clung to Song Shuci’s shoulders, his chest wet.
…
After a long silence, Song Shuci tossed a set of clothes onto him: “I bought these for you, they’re clean, change.”
Jian Wu stared blankly, as if in a daze, until he heard him speak, then turned slightly and said: “Someone might come…”
Song Shuci then told him: “I put on a privacy screen protector.”
“Song Shuci, you really are…”
Jian Wu seemed to regain his strength, leaned back, his chest heaving.
“You’re insane,” he finally cursed.
“Mm,” Song Shuci watched him change, “It’s not like you just found out.”
Jian Wu angrily threw his clothes at his face, covering his eyes.
“Did anyone come?”
Song Shuci took the clothes, folded them neatly, and said: “No.”
So he lost the bet.
Jian Wu leaned back, a complex feeling in his heart.
Song Shuci looked at him and chuckled softly, “You came as soon as I said I love you, Jian Wu, you clearly still like me.”
Jian Wu looked down at the clothes Song Shuci had bought him. They still fit perfectly, well-matched, and looked good on him.
But he said: “Song Shuci… let’s just forget it.”
The smile on Song Shuci’s face gradually disappeared, “Forget it?”
“We really… aren’t suitable.”
“We can become suitable, I’m not afraid of compromising, what are you afraid of?” A rare, intense emotion flickered in Song Shuci’s eyes.
“You’re not afraid, but I am,” Jian Wu looked at him, “Okay?”
“Jian Wu, I don’t believe you didn’t feel anything these past few months. When I said I was staying in City B, can you honestly say you weren’t happy? You clearly want to be with me, what are you resisting, what are you so afraid of?”
“What am I afraid of?”
Whether it was Song Shuci’s questioning that triggered him, or whether he hadn’t calmed down from his intense physical reaction, Jian Wu suddenly became emotional: “I’m afraid of not being able to reach you on the phone, I’m afraid you’ll disappear when you’re busy, I’m afraid you’ll overwork yourself and vomit blood, I’m afraid you’ll control me and interfere with my life, I’m afraid we’ll argue and break up again, and be separated for another four years!”
His voice rose with each word, the last sentence echoing in the car.
And even more evident was the redness in his eyes.
He rarely raised his voice like this, whether because he was overly stimulated or because he wanted to cry.
Song Shuci, who had been assertive just a moment ago, froze, suddenly speechless.
