Back at home, Bai Xiao quickly ran to the bathroom to wash up, trying to let the hot water not only cleanse her body but also calm her restless heart. She found it hard to convince herself that she had never had feelings for Liu Hao. She was addicted to the way he cherished and protected her, just like drinking alcohol—claiming she was getting drunk, yet continuing to down one cup after another, all for the fleeting moment of intoxication.
In the living room, Liu Hao anxiously prepared everything. He set the steaming fried chicken on the table, alongside beer and dried plums. He couldn’t quite understand his own emotions, just nervously sitting and waiting for Bai Xiao to join him.
After her shower, Bai Xiao, with her hair still damp, walked into the living room. She glanced at the snacks on the coffee table and casually remarked, “Oh, you’ve got everything ready, huh?”
Liu Hao looked at her in disapproval. “How old are you now? You don’t even blow dry your hair after washing it?”
Bai Xiao picked up a skewer of grilled chicken and eagerly took a bite, speaking with her mouth full, “Well, isn’t that… you know, that…”
Liu Hao paused for a moment, then realized—back then, Gao Ze had always been the one to blow dry her hair. He rubbed his eyes, took out some cotton gloves and hand cream, and said, “Put these on. It’s rare that you can have a day without touching water.”
Bai Xiao silently extended her hands, cracked from the chemicals she worked with, and let Liu Hao gently apply the cream, before he carefully put the gloves on her.
“Want to watch a movie? Which one?”
“Sleepless Town. Don’t you love Takeshi Kaneshiro?”
As they ate and drank, they became more engrossed in the movie, their bodies naturally inching closer to each other. When a steamy bed scene appeared, Liu Hao, feeling awkward, couldn’t help but get aroused. “Ah! Damn! I didn’t know Takeshi Kaneshiro would do this kind of scene.”
Bai Xiao, already a bit tipsy, giggled foolishly. “Idiot! The intro said it was rated R.” Suddenly, her hand reached out and touched his erection. Without thinking, she burst into laughter.
“When you were little, your little thing was like a tiny sausage! So small! When did it get so big? Is it true, what they say, that a long nose means handsome?”
For a brief moment, Liu Hao was embarrassed and annoyed. He retaliated by tickling Bai Xiao, “Oh, you dare laugh at me? I didn’t even tease you! Back then, you had fried egg boobs, and now they’re barely little dumplings! You should count yourself lucky I like you!”
Bai Xiao pretended not to hear his confession. Or maybe… even if she had heard it, she would’ve convinced herself she hadn’t. She twisted and turned, trying to avoid his tickling, one bare foot pushing against his chest. For just a moment, she felt the heat radiating from him—heat born from his desire.
Bai Xiao suddenly stopped moving, afraid that if they continued, they would both fall into an abyss from which they could never return. But while she stopped, Liu Hao couldn’t. He couldn’t pull the brakes. He had intended to ask her something, had practiced it over and over these past few days, but now, he couldn’t utter a word.
Liu Hao’s gaze darkened as he licked his lips and leaned in to kiss her.
Bai Xiao tried to resist, but he grabbed her wrists and pinned them behind her back. Gently tracing her lips, he whispered, “Be good. Don’t be naughty. I’ve missed you so much… just let me kiss you.”
Bai Xiao’s cheeks flushed red, and her long lashes fluttered, as though she didn’t understand what he was saying.
With a smirk, Liu Hao kissed her on the forehead and eyes, murmuring, “Close your eyes… listen to your heart… your heart will give us the answer…”
Bai Xiao closed her eyes, a boldness rushing over her as she stopped thinking about whether what they were doing was right or wrong. She could only feel the ache in her chest. Without hesitating any longer, Bai Xiao relaxed and wrapped her arms around him.
That night, the boy became a man… but the girl became a sinner.
Bai Xiao’s regret came too late. Now, she guarded this stolen love carefully. The two of them acted like a real couple, making their home cozy and warm each day, yet both silently agreed never to mention the future.
This life, however, came to an abrupt pause the moment Gao Ze returned home for the first time on leave.
Though Gao Ze was quiet by nature, that didn’t mean he hadn’t sensed anything. The house was filled with the traces of a life shared between lovers and brothers. His return felt almost unnecessary.
For the first time, he lied to Bai Xiao.
“I… need to head back early. I just came to bring you my paycheck, so don’t overwork yourself. Don’t worry about money… I’ve got you covered.”
Bai Xiao opened the envelope. There wasn’t much inside, but it was all Gao Ze had saved by scrimping and saving. Guilt gnawed at her heart. “Azhe, do you really have to leave so soon? You barely just got back.”
Gao Ze saw the reluctance in Bai Xiao’s eyes and thought back to the stiff embrace they had shared the night before… her tense, unyielding body.
“No, I really have urgent matters. Don’t overthink it.” As he said this, he couldn’t help himself and pulled her into a tight hug. Bai Xiao’s tears soaked his shoulder and neck, and all he could do was tenderly kiss her hair.
As he left home, Gao Ze had barely 2,000 NTD163 USD left after deducting his travel expenses. He still had three days before returning to his unit, but now, he felt homeless. His room wasn’t the only thing empty—his heart, hollowed out by longing, was just as vacant.
