Had Tan Sizhe only uttered those two words, Ye Mingxuan might not have understood their meaning. But paired with the action, Ye Mingxuan knew. He tried to pull away, only to be yanked back by Tan Sizhe: “Or would you prefer to use somewhere else?”
The mere thought of Tan Sizhe’s thermos made Ye Mingxuan’s scalp tingle. The skin on the inner side of his thigh was tender, unable to withstand such friction.
He braced himself on the bed, shifting his weight from left foot to right, left foot to right. The soles burned, making him flinch as his toes curled. His feet clamped around the thermos, grinding it up and down, heels pressing against two ping-pong balls.
He’d seen others stomp on pickle jars, each step rhythmic and deliberate. Now it was his turn, yet he moved with no sense of rhythm whatsoever.
The man’s heavy breathing echoed distinctly in the room. Ye Mingxuan kept his eyes shut, yet he could feel the other’s burning gaze. Only when his feet grew numb and aching did a few drops finally fall.
Tan Sizhe turned on the faucet, took the showerhead, tested the water temperature, and adjusted it to a comfortable level. He began washing the cream off Ye Mingxuan’s feet. Cream filled the crevices between his toes, as if he’d stomped through a cream cake. Tan Sizhe used the showerhead to rinse it clean, bit by bit.
Now Ye Mingxuan’s feet carried his scent, and Tan Sizhe felt satisfied. Seeing the other’s face flushed like a ripe apple, he felt aroused again.
Ye Mingxuan scrambled into bed, creating a small mound. Tan Sizhe took a cold shower in the bathroom, followed by a hot one. Emerging thoroughly warmed, he climbed into the covers without freezing Ye Mingxuan.
Once the lights were off, Tan Sizhe pulled Ye Mingxuan close. The younger man was already asleep, murmuring incoherently.
Tan Sizhe gazed at his cherry-red lips in the moonlight, fighting the urge to kiss them before lying down to sleep.
…
Thanks to Tan Sizhe, Ye Mingxuan was excused from PE class. He’d managed to snag a spot in the soccer class, ending up in the same section as Lin Jiale and Zhang Shushu.
Lin Jiale and Zhang Shushu chased the ball around, panting. Aiming with his right foot, Zhang kicked hard—and missed perfectly.
Ye Mingxuan sat in the stands, holding their jackets and water bottles. Lin Jiale shouted, “I’m done practicing!” as he walked over to drink.
He sat beside Ye Mingxuan and asked with concern, “What happened to your foot? Why can’t you exercise yet? Is it that bad?”
Ye Mingxuan gave a vague nod and shared some snacks he’d brought from home.
Lin Jiale took the candy, recognizing it as imported. He immediately guessed it must be from that “boyfriend” and asked, “Did you see what I sent you yesterday?”
Ye Mingxuan: “I saw it.”
Lin Jiale: “Then why…”
He stopped himself. Thinking about how wealthy and powerful the man was, Ye Mingxuan surely couldn’t just walk away easily. Lin Jiale felt sorry for his good buddy. He glanced at Ye Mingxuan’s feet, which the latter had been massaging since sitting down in class.
A thought suddenly flashed through Lin Jiale’s mind: “Your injured feet… they’re not related to your boyfriend, are they?”
The words were barely out before Ye Mingxuan’s face flushed bright red. His eyes darted away as he lowered his head. “Pretty much.”
Sure enough, anger surged within Lin Jiale. Just yesterday, Ye Mingxuan had been perfectly fine. How could he suddenly be unable to run or jump after just one night?
Could Ye Mingxuan’s boyfriend be abusing him?! Beating him until his ankle was injured?! Damn it! What a disgusting piece of trash!
“Has Ye Mingxuan lost his mind?!” Lin Jiale couldn’t help but tap his forehead. “You’re with a guy like this?! He treats you like this and you don’t fight back?!”
Ye Mingxuan blinked dazedly, his face flushing even redder than before. He murmured softly, “Apart from this, he’s been pretty good to me otherwise.”
Damn it! His buddy had been PUA’d this badly and was still thanking the guy! Lin Jiale wanted to shake Ye Mingxuan’s shoulders right then and there, demanding he break up with that man!
But how could someone so deeply manipulated ever escape easily? Lin Jiale understood—he’d seen it all on TV.
Lin Jiale said, “Mingxuan, don’t be afraid. If he bullies you again, just call the police. Or call me—I’ll back you up.”
Ye Mingxuan fell silent for two seconds. Reporting something like this? How humiliating.
Seeing Ye Mingxuan’s hesitation, Lin Jiale knew immediately—that man had intimidated him so badly he couldn’t even bring himself to call the police. Damn it.
Lin Jiale was about to say more when Zhang Shushu rushed over, shouting, “Assemble!”
The conversation abruptly ended as they fell into line. After the teacher blew the whistle, the group dispersed. Lin Jiale still wanted to persuade him, but Ye Mingxuan stepped aside to take a call.
He faintly heard Ye Mingxuan say into the phone, “Saturday morning… no charge…” which confirmed his suspicions. Lin Jiale silently vowed to help Ye Mingxuan escape this misery.
…
After receiving his mother’s call, Ye Mingxuan felt a heavy cloud of gloom settle over him. What was bound to happen had finally arrived. The thought of seeing Zhao Dongxuan on Saturday made his stomach churn.
“Mingxuan.” Ye Mingxuan turned around as Lin Jiale handed him a cup of yogurt. “Here, have this.”
Ye Mingxuan took it, a faint smile touching his lips. “Thanks.” ”
Lin Jiale sat down, took a big gulp of yogurt, and her eyes darted around. “Do you go home every day?”
Ye Mingxuan warmed the yogurt with his hands, inserted the straw, and replied, “Yeah, why?”
Lin Jiale: “No reason, just asking.”
Ye Mingxuan: “Oh.”
After school that afternoon, Ye Mingxuan packed his bag to go home, unaware that Lin Jiale was sneaking behind him.
Lin Jiale secretly followed Ye Mingxuan out the school gate. When the latter got into the same car as last time, Lin Jiale hailed a taxi and instructed the driver to follow.
Tan Cize had hired a driver specifically to shuttle Ye Mingxuan. The driver drove in silence, so Ye Mingxuan sat quietly in the backseat, watching the scenery pass by. He wasn’t much of a talker either, his mind preoccupied with how he’d face Zhao Dongxuan on Saturday.
Watching the Audi pull into a residential complex, Lin Jiale rolled down his window to take a look.
Holy shit, wasn’t this the exclusive neighborhood only the super-rich could afford, like he’d read about on that website?
Yexingxuan actually lived here?! Wait, this probably wasn’t Yexingxuan’s home—it belonged to that man. That explained why they’d be conducting that kind of transaction tonight!!
Lin Jiale flung a hundred-yuan bill at the driver’s face: “Keep the change!” He jumped out and sprinted toward the community gate.
The security guard stopped him: “What are you doing? Non-residents aren’t allowed in.”
Lin Jiale: “I’m looking for a friend!”
Security guard: “Who’s your friend? Give me their name. I need to call and verify.”
Lin Jiale: “Um…”
The security guard: “Come on, move it. Or I’ll have to kick you out.”
Lin Jiale walked away grudgingly, glancing back several times in frustration. Looks like he’d have to come back and stake this spot on Saturday.
…
Saturday. Lin Jiale arrived at the community gate early. He paced back and forth, waiting for Ye Mingxuan to show up so he could intercept him and persuade him to stop his downward spiral.
But then he saw Ye Mingxuan coming out from inside. Lin Jiale: ?
Wasn’t Ye Mingxuan supposed to meet a man here for a transaction? Why was he coming out from inside? Did he live here? Where was he going now?
Lin Jiale was stunned. He instinctively followed Ye Mingxuan, determined to get to the bottom of this.
Ye Mingxuan first withdrew two thousand yuan from the bank, stuffed it into a tattered red envelope, then boarded a bus, transferring several times until he reached the residential complex where Liu Yan lived.
Lin Jiale followed by taxi the entire way. When Ye Mingxuan got off, he got off; when Ye Mingxuan entered the complex, he entered too. Ye Mingxuan dragged his backpack up the stairs. Just as Lin Jiale was about to stop him, he heard Ye Mingxuan call out, “Mom, Madam.” Lin Jiale covered his mouth.
Only after Ye Mingxuan entered did Lin Jiale slowly ascend the stairs. The old neighborhood had poor soundproofing, so he pressed his ear against the door to eavesdrop.
For some reason, Lin Jiale’s heart pounded wildly. He couldn’t shake the feeling Ye Mingxuan wasn’t just visiting his mother. Though his current behavior felt sleazy, he simply couldn’t control his curiosity. So, while inwardly scolding himself, Lin Jiale continued eavesdropping.
Ye Mingxuan entered the cramped living room. As usual, Zhao Dongxuan sat while Liu Yan poured her tea.
“Madam, you’ve come all this way to see me. It must have been exhausting.”
“Not at all, not at all. Nothing compares to Mingxuan’s hardship—he’s carrying the baby!”
Liu Yan bowed and scraped. “I never imagined Mingxuan would become pregnant. It must be thanks to your blessings, Madam.”
“I wouldn’t dare take credit. It’s all Mingxuan’s own doing. Hehe, who would’ve thought men could get pregnant?” Zhao Dongxuan gritted her teeth.
Ye Mingxuan lowered his head, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
“Madam told me back then that Mingxuan would live a life of luxury after marrying in. She was absolutely right.” Liu Yan smiled warmly as she took Mingxuan’s hand. “Mingxuan looks so much healthier now—she’s gained weight and seems to have even grown a bit taller.”
“…” Liu Yan’s offhand remark nearly drove Zhao Dongxuan mad with rage. But remembering her purpose for coming, she forced herself to endure.
Fortunes change over time. Once Ye Mingxuan gave birth, Tan Sizhe wouldn’t even glance at him. Then she’d see how Ye Mingxuan cried!
“Mingxuan, Auntie has something to ask of you. You and your son should sit down.”
Ye Mingxuan pulled Liu Yan down to sit beside him as Zhao Dongxuan continued, “Now that you’re pregnant, your standing with Tan Sizhe isn’t what it used to be. Use this chance to ask him if any of his company’s projects could collaborate with ours? Let Uncle Ye earn a little extra cash.”
Ye Mingxuan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Madam, you want me to…”
“Yes. I want you to whisper sweet nothings in his ear. Tan Sizhe will surely give you some face for the sake of your belly.”
Preferably a major project that nets them a hefty profit. Zhao Dongxuan has her eye on a thirty-million-yuan jewelry set. Once the money comes through, she’ll buy it and flaunt it in front of that clique of wealthy ladies!
“I can’t do it.”
“Fine, fine, that’s more like it—what did you say?” Zhao Dongxuan thought she’d misheard. “Say that again?”
Ye Mingxuan closed his eyes and shook his head. “I can’t do it.”
