Tan Sizhe froze for a moment. The fragrant kiss landed on his lips, the small tongue darting wildly twice.
Ye Mingxuan’s heart pounded so hard it threatened to burst from his chest. His mind was foggy; he couldn’t recall what he’d done to himself. All he knew was that Tan Sizhe had pinned him down on the bed, his mature male body pressing down on him.
His hands were pinned above his head, Tan Sizhe’s fingers forcefully slipping Sliding between his fingers, Ye Mingxuan felt himself swallow repeatedly.
After kissing for what felt like over ten minutes, Tan Sizhe finally released him just as Ye Mingxuan was about to suffocate.
Ye Mingxuan climbed off the bed, his eyes misty and the corners tinged with a faint flush.
His gaze fell on the lonely phone lying on the floor. The call had ended, the screen now black. Ye Mingxuan exhaled in relief, only for his face to be turned sideways the next second as Tan Sizhe kissed his jawline inch by inch.
Ye Mingxuan’s lashes fluttered. Tan Sizhe’s eyes were dark and bottomless. “Don’t get distracted. Is your phone prettier than me?” “
“Mm… Sir, mm…”
“Speak.”
“No, no one is as handsome as you, Sir…”
Hearing the answer he desired, Tan Sizhe curved his lips, wiping the droplet from Ye Mingxuan’s mouth as if rewarding him. “Such a good boy.”
Ye Mingxuan belatedly realized his master seemed to possess an intense desire for control in such matters.
Whatever his master wanted him to do—like parting his lips or sticking out his tongue—he had to comply. Refusal would only provoke his master’s anger, which would persist relentlessly.
As their lips touched lightly, a knock suddenly sounded at the bedroom door.
Aunt Fu’s apologetic voice rang out: “Are you two gentlemen still busy? I’ve been waiting downstairs for ages, but you didn’t come down, so I came up to call you.”
Ye Mingxuan: !!!
He hastily wiped his mouth. Tan Sizhe watched the scene, his expression darkening. After wiping, Ye Mingxuan fanned himself to cool down before rushing to open the door.
“Aunt Fu, we’ll be right down.”
“Alright, I’ll ladle out the soup. It’s best enjoyed hot.”
“Mm.”
After dinner that evening, Ye Mingxuan dashed to the study to call Yu Sen back.
“Brother Yu Sen.”
“Mingxuan, you didn’t answer my call earlier. Did something happen?”
Ye Mingxuan clutched his phone by the window. Wind-swept vines greeted him as he opened the window. “Nothing… nothing happened.”
Yu Sen chuckled. “Glad to hear it. I was wondering why you weren’t talking.”
“Brother Yu Sen, what did you need?”
“Nothing major. Just wondering if you’re free. I’d like to treat you to dinner.”
Ye Mingxuan felt terribly embarrassed. “Brother Yu Sen, I’m the one who should apologize for missing your concert last time. I should be the one treating you.”
Yu Sen chuckled: “Do you have to be so formal? I’ll treat you. I earn a salary now, while you’re still studying. Keep your money for living expenses. I’ll book a restaurant and send you the location later.”
Yu Sen was determined to host, and Ye Mingxuan couldn’t refuse: “Alright then… thank you, Brother Yu Sen.”
Just as they spoke, two knocks sounded on the door. Ye Mingxuan clutched his phone, his body stiffening.
“Mingxuan.”
“Mingxuan, who’s knocking?” Yu Sen heard a man’s voice—deep and magnetic, unlike any he’d ever heard before. “Aren’t you at the Ye residence?”
Ye Mingxuan’s mind raced. “N-no, I’m out having fun.”
The door thudded again, setting off alarm bells in Ye Mingxuan’s mind.
Yu Sen: “Is it a college friend?”
Ye Mingxuan turned around just as the doorknob turned. Seeing the door about to open, he blurted out, “Yeah, Yu Sen, I gotta go.”
“Mingxuan…”
Beep-beep—Ye Mingxuan hung up just as Tan Sizhe opened the door, carrying a plate of fruit inside.
“Who were you talking to?”
“A—a friend.”
“A friend?” Tan Sizhe chuckled. “Did you introduce me to him?”
Ye Mingxuan clutched his phone, flustered. “I’m sorry, sir. Not yet.”
Tan Sizhe set down the fruit, walked up to Ye Mingxuan, and lifted his chin. The setting sun bathed Ye Mingxuan’s profile in an orange-red glow, dazzlingly bright.
He knew full well that the Ye family had swapped brides to marry Ye Mingxuan off to him. Naturally, they wouldn’t let anyone else know about it, so Ye Mingxuan certainly wouldn’t be telling people about their marriage.
But that was fine. Tan Sizhe enjoyed this clandestine feeling. Playing at a secret romance with his little wife was quite thrilling.
Tan Sizhe released his grip and instead touched Ye Mingxuan’s forehead. “Eat your fruit.”
Ye Mingxuan murmured an “okay” as Tan Sizhe turned to leave, the door closing softly behind him.
Sir, he actually let me off that easily? Ye Mingxuan was a bit dazed.
–
Two days later, taking advantage of having no afternoon classes, Ye Mingxuan went to Liu Yan’s place. He had the household appliances he’d bought delivered and installed. Liu Yan stared at him in astonishment and asked, “Mingxuan, you bought all this? It must have been expensive!”
“The store had a sale. It was actually quite a bargain. Not expensive at all.”
“Oh dear, why did you buy all this? Mom doesn’t need it.”
“Mom, it’s so hot in summer. We can’t survive without an air conditioner.”
“We didn’t have one before either. Didn’t we just get by with an electric fan?”
“That was then. Summers are hotter than ever now,” Ye Mingxuan said. “Mom, just use it without worry. I have part-time income now to cover utilities. After I graduate, I’ll earn even more. By then, our contract with the Ye family will expire, and we can move out to live together.”
At the mention of the contract, Liu Yan’s expression shifted. “About the contract… the lady mentioned it to me last time.”
Ye Mingxuan felt an ominous foreboding. The next moment, he heard Liu Yan say, “The lady wishes to renew our contract.”
“Mom! We can’t renew it!” “
Ye Mingxuan felt an ominous foreboding. The next moment, he heard Liu Yan say, “The Madam wants to renew our contract.”
“Mom! We can’t renew it!”
“I… I told her that too, but the Madam said the new contract would offer a higher salary.”
Ye Mingxuan felt his heart being wrapped in thorny vines from all sides. “Mom, do you really believe that?”
Liu Yan blinked her cloudy eyes twice. “I don’t have to work now. Living here, I get paid, and it’s enough for food and clothes. You’ve married into the Tan family and live a good life. Mom thinks this life is fine. Besides, the Madam said she doesn’t want to let us go…”
“Mom!” Ye Mingxuan’s eyes welled with tears. For the first time, he raised his voice to Liu Yan, drawing curious glances from the air conditioning technician working in the room.
“Don’t be soft-hearted anymore! The mistress doesn’t like me at all!”
Liu Yan startled. “Mingxuan, what’s wrong? The mistress just has a quick temper, but she’s not a bad person. The Ye family took us in when we were at our lowest. By both reason and sentiment, we should repay them.”
Ye Mingxuan closed his eyes, feeling drained of all strength.
He and his mother had relied on each other for so many years. He would do anything for Liu Yan, yet she couldn’t see the heart he’d been torn apart by Zhao Dongxuan’s bullying. Blinded by Zhao Dongxuan, she still felt no guilt.
A sharp pain shot through his lower abdomen. Ye Mingxuan’s face paled as he clutched his stomach. Liu Yan grabbed his arm in alarm. “Mingxuan! What’s wrong?”
Ye Mingxuan squeezed Liu Yan’s hand tightly, fighting the pain. “Don’t sign the contract with Zhao Dongxuan, Mom. I beg you… At least not now…”
“Alright, alright!” Liu Yan helped Ye Mingxuan sit down and poured him a cup of warm water. “Mom won’t sign. I’ll stall for time. Don’t worry.”
The appliances were all installed. After saying goodbye, the technician left. Liu Yan carefully brought over a bowl of brown sugar water, blew on it to cool it, and handed it to Ye Mingxuan.
Ye Mingxuan had been in terrible pain and fear just moments ago. Now, after resting and drinking the brown sugar water, he felt much better.
He stared at the cup of brown sugar water in his hand and looked at Liu Yan. “Mom, I’m sorry. I got too worked up just now.”
But he knew that if he didn’t speak up, another decade would be spent under Zhao Dongxuan’s control.
Liu Yan gently stroked his hair with a pained expression. “Mom was wrong too. At the end of the day, it’s because Mom is useless and can’t give you a good life.”
“I’ll listen to you. I won’t renew the contract for now.”
“Really?”
“Mhm.”
Ye Mingxuan nodded and flashed his mother a smile. Seeing him smile, Liu Yan felt happier too. “Let me pour you another bowl of brown sugar water.”
Ye Mingxuan: “Mhm.”
As dusk approached, Ye Mingxuan hurried home. Since Liu Yan lived far away, he always took taxis to avoid jostling the child during the bumpy ride.
The high taxi fares stung his wallet, but Ye Mingxuan gritted his teeth and endured it. He told himself he’d earn this money back quickly. Thankfully, he had the part-time job at Wang Fang’s place; otherwise, he wouldn’t know what to do.
Sitting in the taxi, Ye Mingxuan gazed out the window at the passing scenery. The cool breeze brushed against him, dispersing the gloom in his heart.
He touched his lower abdomen, still feeling a lingering fear from the pain he’d experienced earlier. After today, he anticipated the child’s arrival even more.
If… if this child was born, he would strive to give it everything best, letting it pursue any dream it desired.
Just… just don’t be bound like him. Don’t live out his life.
The cab pulled up at the community gate. Ye Mingxuan carefully stepped out, closed the door, and walked forward step by step, slowly.
As he walked, Ye Mingxuan’s pace quickened, especially when he spotted the familiar house. A genuine smile spread across his face.
“…” Ye Mingxuan paused, standing in the wind and touching his own cheek.
He didn’t know when it had started, but he found himself looking forward to returning here more and more.
