LV Chapter 15

Translator: She.Wee

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Chapter 15: Tropical Fish

He stared at the screen in a daze when his phone buzzed again.

Feng Lulin’s reply was swift, just three words: “I miss you.”

Immediately after, a photo of a man’s hand appeared. It was black and white, with long, sculpted fingers, perfect veins like a carved masterpiece, and numerous small scars. A band-aid wrapped around his pinky like a ring.

Feng Tang could practically smell the hormones emanating from the screen, his heart pounding in his ears.

Feng Tang: Why are you sending me a picture of your hand?

Bubble Tang: To grab you.

Feng Tang understood the hidden and surface meanings of this word, feeling his face heat up. Feng Lulin sent another message: “I can do you too.”

Feng Tang: Do your head!

Bubble Tang: Come on.

Feng Tang was speechless. Why did he always lose to Feng Lulin in verbal battles?

The phone buzzed again, and Feng Lulin sent another message: “However, you’re quite talented at taking photos.”

Feng Tang’s mood lifted. He sent a voice message: “I swear, I’d love to invest a few million to shoot an adult film and watch it every day. My body is so good; it’d be a shame not to record it.”

Would he want to show it to others? No way. Feng Lulin had a lot of internal thoughts and a strong sense of control, but he didn’t say anything now. He replied: “Gold always shines. Have you ever considered pursuing your dream of making adult films?”

Feng Tang held the phone’s microphone, replying quietly: “I am gold, so will I shine?”

Liu Lizhu always practiced an “encouraging” educational method. Although she was absent during much of Feng Tang’s adolescence, their mother-son relationship remained harmonious once Feng Tang became more understanding. Feng Tang had deep feelings for Liu Lizhu; after all, she praised his stick figure drawings as masterpieces and his off-key singing as the best child’s voice in the city, greatly enhancing his childhood happiness. His young mother’s humor and generosity influenced Feng Tang’s personality a lot.

He was proud, but respectful. After experiencing so much, few could truly catch his eye. Feng Tang wasn’t annoying because his abilities were strong, attracting admiration instead. His confidence was compelling.

Feng Tang long-pressed the photo, intending to forward it to his computer but accidentally sent it to the Cen Qi group chat. He cursed and quickly retracted it, but everyone was tagging him asking who it was. Feng Tang was dumbfounded.

This shaky hand… he didn’t know if Feng Lulin saw it. Embarrassing.

But he forgot that Feng Lulin seemed to be at work now. Remembering the voice message he had just sent, Feng Tang worried it might affect Feng Lulin negatively. Feeling guilty and nervous, he asked: “Are you at work? Did you play it out loud?”

Feng Lulin replied: “Yes.”

Feng Tang: “…”

How could this person be so thoughtless? What if someone heard it? Even being called “son” would affect Liu Lizhu; Feng Lulin was a traffic police captain! Feng Tang was stunned. He couldn’t blame Feng Lulin for carelessness since it was his own oversight.

Before he could reply, Feng Lulin sent another message: “It’s okay, I don’t mind.”

Feng Tang: “Hmm. Be more careful in the future.”

That particularly obedient “hmm” softened Feng Lulin’s heart, and he comforted him: “I’m different from you. My life during work hours doesn’t belong to me. But for most people, work serves life, not the other way around.”

Feng Lulin held his phone, pondering for a while. He typed, “You’ve always been special. Now, I don’t want you to be special.” He hesitated, deleted it, retyped, and still couldn’t send it.

He was also special… not qualified to say this to Feng Tang.

Recently, the Cen Qi group chat started collecting money again. Feng Tang, unable to bear it, called Lanzhou to report an illegal fundraising. Refreshed the group chat, Cen Qi posted a hotpot picture, announcing a gathering. Feng Tang was puzzled, were they collecting money for a treat?

Cen Qi explained the hotpot restaurant in detail. Lanzhou privately messaged Feng Tang, saying it was an advertisement. Feng Tang was confused, could they post ads now? This time, Feng Lulin didn’t post a link to a card game in time, so Feng Tang seized the opportunity, posting two car ads in the group, offering everyone a thousand-yuan modification voucher.

Unfortunately, until the end of the month, Feng Tang’s car dealership hadn’t developed the “modification” function.

Feng Lulin stood guard in the city for a month, and his next shift involved strengthening road patrols.

Alongside other public security departments blocking fugitive criminals, their fourth squad assisted in cracking down on road crimes, exhausting them after a day’s run. They might have to be transferred to the highway for a while come summer.

Today was Feng Lulin’s last shift of the quarter, and Feng Tang arrived early to wait for him.

Feng Tang placed two bottles of mineral water in the car, the most expensive imported ones he bought. He wasn’t stingy, only concerned about the harsh sun occasionally reddening faces and necks with its spring heat.

This year, the transition from spring to summer came early. The southern weather warmed up, making the evening intersections stifling. Occasionally, elementary students waited obediently at the crosswalks. A little girl, scared by a suddenly appearing car, froze in the middle of the road, afraid to move. Feng Lulin, busy stopping a malicious traffic violator, found the intersection momentarily chaotic.

Feng Tang quickly got out of the car, didn’t even lock it, and rushed to the road, picking up the girl and carrying her across the street.

Feng Lulin, not far away, saw Feng Tang’s every move clearly. He breathed a sigh of relief, using his illuminated baton to stop subsequent violators, signaling other cars to proceed.

A driver, about to pass, turned pale seeing Feng Lulin and hurriedly tried to reverse. But on the road, everyone was moving forward; reversing caught Feng Lulin’s attention, and he approached with his baton.

First, Feng Lulin followed protocol by showing his police badge and saluting. After this, he asked the driver for his license. The driver handed one over, and Feng Lulin was stunned. The expiration date read “valid until 20210.”

It was undoubtedly a fake. This driver would need to live another ten thousand years.

He cleared his throat and said, “Your license is valid for quite a long time.”

The driver remained silent, looking down and fidgeting with his fingers.

Feng Lulin continued, “Driving without a valid license means I’ll have to impound your vehicle. You’ll also face detention and fines.”

The situation was so absurd that a few members from the fourth squad came over. By the time Feng Lulin had finished handling it, he was already an hour late getting off work.

After finishing his last shift, Feng Lulin had performed so well that Feng Tang practically wanted to give him a banner. Upon hearing about the ten-thousand-year license, Feng Tang laughed heartily and pinched Feng Lulin’s arm. Suddenly, he said seriously, “Actually, ten thousand years isn’t that long.”

“Not long,” Feng Lulin said with a smile as he mounted his motorcycle. “But I only want to look at the present.”

“The present?” Feng Tang replied. “Then look at me.”

Feng Lulin whispered, “I am looking at you. Who else would I look at?”

Feng Tang blushed and muttered a few incoherent words, standing resignedly in front of the motorcycle, carefully eyeing Feng Lulin’s sturdy lower back. He had been under a lot of pressure lately and asked Feng Lulin to take him for a ride, hoping to recapture some of the freedom he felt that winter night.

Feng Lulin was more than willing, so after his shift, he got his motorcycle ready. He rode his police motorcycle in front while Feng Tang followed in his Audi, sticking close like a little black tail, occasionally getting deliberately closer for a thrill.

However, their relationship was too ambiguous now, and Feng Tang still found himself mostly on the passive side, which he was not very comfortable with.

At the squad, Feng Lulin asked Feng Tang to wait while he went home to get his motorcycle. Feng Tang was displeased, saying, “What? You’ve been to my house, and you’re still not willing to take me to yours?”

He said this casually to tease Feng Lulin, not really believing they were that familiar. Little did he know he was digging a hole for himself.

Feng Lulin naturally replied, “Because I haven’t told my family I’m bringing a wife home.”

The motorcycle parking spot was just the two of them, and Feng Tang, still red-faced with anger, retorted, “If you’re a real man, then bring me!”

Feng Lulin laughed and said seriously, “Are you tempting me? I could grab a screwdriver, break into your house, and take your household registration book. Want to try?”

In this sort of banter, Feng Tang usually outmatched Feng Lulin, but now he was left speechless, his head spinning.

He grabbed Feng Lulin’s police badge on his shoulder and said, “Then hurry, I’ll only wait ten minutes.”

This was just a figure of speech since Feng Lulin would need at least half an hour to ride home and come back. First, he hid his motorcycle, then drove his car home. Riding his motorcycle back at a breakneck speed, it still took him nearly half an hour.

Feng Lulin wore only a helmet, barely fastened. When he parked in front of the squad, he saw Feng Tang still waiting, almost falling asleep. His short hair made his head look fluffy.

Feng Lulin approached and brushed the soft hair off Feng Tang’s forehead, saying, “Weren’t you only waiting ten minutes?”

“Why do you talk so much?” Feng Tang squinted back, “I never said how many ten minutes.”

Feng Lulin asked again, “How many did you wait?”

Feng Tang retorted, “None of your business.”

Initially, Feng Lulin thought Feng Tang was the type to apply face cream even for a bike ride, but this time, he came prepared, looking fresh. Feng Tang wore a cement-gray hoodie, a small stud in his right ear that glinted faintly in the light.

Once on the motorcycle, Feng Lulin habitually adjusted Feng Tang’s helmet. This time, Feng Tang didn’t resist and focused solely on how to “naturally” hug Feng Lulin’s waist.

The motorcycle roared to life, exhaust pipes puffing out dust. The silenced motorcycle wasn’t too loud, and Feng Tang took the opportunity to grip Feng Lulin’s waist, trying to make conversation, “Hey, your seat cushion is a bit hard…”

“Hold on tighter,” Feng Lulin said straightforwardly, “Hold my waist.”

Embarrassed at being seen through, Feng Tang said, “I’m talking about the seat cushion!”

“If it’s really that hard, sit in front. I guarantee the service you’ll get will be…”

Before Feng Lulin could finish his teasing, Feng Tang covered his mouth from behind, saying, “Have some decency!”

Afterwards, Feng Tang loosened his grip a bit and tried to bite Feng Lulin’s ear, but the helmet was in the way, frustrating him. He muttered, “Just ride carefully, don’t go too fast. Otherwise, I’ll stick to you like glue.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Feng Lulin sped off like an arrow. Just as they were about to enter a deserted alley, he suddenly braked hard, causing the bike to shudder. With the bike too heavy, they wobbled precariously.

Feng Tang, sweating from fear, clung tightly to Feng Lulin.

Once he regained his senses, he yelled, “Feng Lulin, are you fucking crazy?!”

The man didn’t respond, instead, his profile was illuminated by the streetlight, revealing a rarely seen depth in his eyes.

Feng Lulin said, “Hold tighter.”

Feng Tang closed his eyes and gave in.

He hugged tighter and all his senses went on alert mode.

The motorcycle slowly left the alley, then exited the city onto a ring road designated for motorcycles. Feng Lulin kept a steady speed, around eighty or ninety, leaning low with both of them nearly lying on the gas tank.

As the speed increased, Feng Tang felt the wind whipping his body like a whip, even with the helmet. His neck and chin ached, the airflow entering the helmet made him tear up.

With both of them feeling the strain, Feng Tang tried lifting himself slightly but was immediately told off by Feng Lulin, “Don’t move!”

Even that small lift made Feng Tang feel like he would be blown off. Scared, he clung to Feng Lulin like his life depended on it…

The wind roared around them, seemingly trying to tear them apart.

They crossed a bridge and rode along the riverbank. Feng Tang watched the shoreline disappear and reappear, feeling like a traveler just passing through with his lover, uncertain of what lay ahead.

After nearly twenty minutes of riding, with neither of them speaking, Feng Tang felt exhilarated yet exhausted. Not long after, it started to drizzle. The motorcycle’s front wheel cut through puddles like a knife.

Feng Lulin gradually slowed down, shouting, “I didn’t bring rain gear!”

Feng Tang laughed, yelling back, “Blame the weather forecast, you idiot!”

Feng Lulin laughed too, “It’s raining; we can’t go far. I’ll take you back.”

“I don’t want to go back! Just take me around the river slowly…”

“My bike’s becoming an electric scooter for you.”

With his vision blurred by the helmet, Feng Tang hugged him tighter, engulfed in wind and rain. He couldn’t see the road ahead.

Feng Tang had never felt so chaotic, but now he felt it acutely. On this rainy night, he was caught in a mix of sadness and excitement.

He remembered summers spent in a county town when Liu Lizhu had served as a county-level official. As a child, he would travel from the city to the county town every summer. The bus station was filled with the sound of cicadas and the smell of pineapple beer.

His parents were carefree, not sending anyone with him, just telling him which stop to get off at. Feng Tang would board the bus absentmindedly and get off just as absentmindedly. The whole trip, he played Super Mario, forgetting where to get off, only remembering where Mario needed to go.

Fortunately, he never got lost, always following the crowd. When he was in a bad mood, he’d ask the driver to stop in the mountains, hoping a wolf would take him, turning him into a werewolf who only came out during the full moon to scare He Qing and Lan Zhou.

He snapped back to reality, staring at the two cowlicks on Feng Lulin’s head, though not very noticeable, but known to signify mischief.

Staring at them, he chuckled. Feng Lulin, hearing him, asked without turning, “What’s funny?”

Feng Tang shook his head and asked, “Do you want to come to my place later?”

Feng Lulin replied, “Can we go through the front door?”

Feng Tang took a deep breath and smiled, “Sure. But I’d rather see you climb through the window.”

As he looked at the man leading him along the path, he thought of the bus. He was never afraid because he knew he was going to find his parents. Now, he was willing to be Feng Lulin’s “passenger” once again.

Searching for a home and searching for love, he thought both were possible.

The road by the river wasn’t far from the Feng family home. For the first time, Feng Tang bravely brought someone home and agreed with Feng Lulin that it was just a drop-off, no “business” at home.

Feng Lulin agreed quickly, but as soon as Feng Tang unlocked the door, the latter couldn’t resist. He turned around, wrapped his arms around Feng Lulin’s waist, raised his head to smell the mix of dust and rain on him, and then pulled him closer by the nape of his neck… faintly scented with sandalwood.

Both were already soaked, but they stayed at the entrance, kissing passionately. Feng Lulin bit him hard, causing Feng Tang pain. He tried to escape but was pressed against the shoe cabinet, panting heavily. With his height advantage, Feng Lulin overpowered him, kissing his ear until Feng Tang’s legs went weak and trembling. In a low voice, he said, “I’m all soaked due to the rain, not clean…”

Feng Lulin grunted, not caring much, and continued to nibble along his ear, whispering, “How many more photos like that do you have? Send them all to me.”

Feng Tang said there were still thousands. Feng Lulin’s breathing quickened, and he moved in for another kiss. Feng Tang turned his head away, his lips already red from the kisses, and said, “Data isn’t free, and Wi-Fi is expensive. Let’s see how you behave.”

Feng Lulin sneered, pinching his waist, causing Feng Tang to nearly collapse. He was half carried and pressed against the wall by Feng Lulin.

Only when they couldn’t stand anymore did Feng Tang get put down. He glanced at the home security camera, his expression unchanging. Feng Lulin put on his coat and hood, took a deep breath, and grabbed a tissue to wipe the rain off Feng Tang’s face.

As the tissue passed over his lips, Feng Lulin’s gaze lingered on that softness for a long time.

When he kissed him again, grinding their lips together, Feng Lulin finally said, “It looks better when it’s moist.”

Feng Tang was about to say something when he saw the elevator number flash by the living room and exclaimed, “Oh no, my mom’s back!”

Feng Lulin didn’t waste time, tightened his hood string, looked at the puddles of rainwater, and said, “Are you cleaning this up yourself?”

Feng Tang said, “No worries, I’ll just say I got caught in the rain. You should go.”

“Okay,” Feng Lulin said. As he was about to close the door, he took out a keychain from somewhere and handed it to Feng Tang, “Take this as a souvenir. I’m leaving.”

As soon as the door closed, Feng Tang carefully examined the keychain. It was a cartoon version of the motorcycle they had ridden earlier, silver with a transparent border, very pretty. Turning it over, he saw the engraving “FLL.” Feng Tang read it and thought of his horse named Ferrari. Quite the coincidence. But he didn’t know then that Feng Lulin’s motorcycle only had one keychain.

Receiving a gift from the one you love, it’s hard not to treasure it. After greeting Liu Lizhu, Feng Tang went to the dining room to pour her some tea, then secretly attached the keychain to his car keys, finding it very harmonious.

The road from the Feng family to the Feng family was quite far. By the time Feng Lulin left, the rain had almost stopped. Already soaked, he didn’t bother to avoid the rain.

[T/N: I was going to change it to Feng Tang’s home to Feng Lulin’s but I thought this looked kinda funny so I just left it as it is]

When he finally got home, he parked the car in the basement and found that his phone had barely gotten wet. Feng Lulin entered his home from the basement level. After changing his shoes, he smelled a familiar scent of meat in the air and walked toward the dining room, pulling open his collar.

As he approached, he saw the Filipino maid, Ali, standing in the open kitchen, holding some ingredients. The noodles had just been thrown into the pot, and Ali, looking serious, was working on the meat sauce.

Feng Lulin stood silently nearby. Ali, sensing someone behind her after a long while, turned around and said in surprise, “Ah, A-Lin, you’re back.”

The maid’s Mandarin wasn’t very fluent, but since the Feng father and son weren’t talkative, her language skills had only improved slightly. Small talk could be a bit challenging. Feng Lulin didn’t mind and nodded, saying, “Yeah, are we having this tonight?”

“Meat sauce noodles,” Ali said slowly, “Your father requested it. The ingredients are from your hometown.”

The familiar aroma reminded Feng Lulin of the alley he often ran through with a paper windmill in hand during his childhood, making his throat ache slightly.

He raised his hand to stop Ali’s words, “Got it. You can continue your work.”

He picked up the team materials laid out on the table, glanced at the remaining white noodles by the stove, and said to Ali, “Make more, cook it all.”

Ali was puzzled, “Can you eat that much?”

Feng Lulin nodded, “I want to eat more.”