ATD Chapter 1

“Hey, Qin Xuan, are you still messing around with that old man?”

“If you’re gonna play, might as well go all out. Haven’t you managed to get that old guy into bed yet?”

“Come on, don’t overdo it. Stop calling him an ‘old man’. He’s only 29, not even 30 yet.”

“Oh, is Young Master Qin feeling protective now?”

“Hey, don’t tell me… you’re actually… into him?”

“Screw you!”

“Then why are you still dragging this out? We’ve already blown through all our savings, and we’re just waiting on this last bit of fun.”

“What fun?”

“Don’t play dumb. Didn’t we agree that for your birthday, you’d invite him over and tell him the truth? You Chang, what kind of face do you think that stiff Teacher Zheng will make when he finds out?”

“No idea, but it’s gonna be priceless. Qin Xuan, what do you think? Tomorrow’s your birthday.”

“Stop with the nonsense! I’m not done having fun yet. If you guys want to look for some entertainment, go somewhere else and stop dragging me into it.”

“Oh, oh, oh! Looks like someone’s letting a little crush get in the way of friendship, huh? Tian Yang, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Absolutely.”

“Both of you, keep running your mouths, and you’ll see what happens…”

The “old man” they were talking about was none other than Zheng Yan, a teacher at A University. He was introverted and timid, but diligent in his work.

Qin Xuan and his friends were notorious rich kids, the kind that pretended to be harmless but were anything but. They had made a bet three months ago: Qin Xuan had to seduce Teacher Zheng within that time. If he succeeded, the other three would each fulfill one of his demands. As for who Qin Xuan was, with his looks, tricks, and powerful background, he could get anyone he wanted with just a crook of his finger—no matter if they were male or female.

What’s more, Qin Xuan had already pulled a few strings, and it wasn’t long before Teacher Zheng was head over heels for him. Less than a month and a half in, and it was clear that Qin Xuan had already won. The key dangling from Qin Xuan’s hand was proof enough. He had the whole thing in the bag.

But the one misstep Qin Xuan made was not realizing who was standing outside the door at that moment: none other than the very man he wasn’t done playing with—Teacher Zheng.

Zheng Yan quietly lowered the hand that was about to knock and slowly unclenched his fist.

From inside the dorm room came the rowdy laughter of the boys, and one voice in particular stood out. It was familiar, crisp, and clear, but only Zheng Yan knew how low and captivating that voice could be when it whispered sweet nothings. The very voice that once made his heart race uncontrollably now sent a torrent of blood rushing in reverse, leaving him feeling like he was sinking into an abyss.

The vulgar jokes and crass words continued, becoming more unbearable by the second. Zheng Yan’s face grew increasingly pale, yet his eyes remained calm, like a deep, ancient well—impossible to read.

Footsteps echoed from the stairwell, neither hurried nor slow. Zheng Yan listened for a moment, gripping the food container in his hands tightly, his knuckles turning white with strain. His eyes, normally so composed, began to fill with shock and pain.

The newcomer was a tall, handsome boy named Wu Wenli, one of Qin Xuan’s roommates, along with You Chang and Xu Tianyang.

“Hey, Teacher Zheng, you’re here! Did you bring food for Qin Xuan?” Wu Wenli greeted him warmly, though he seemed puzzled when Zheng Yan remained still. “Why don’t you come in and sit?”

As he spoke, the noise inside the dorm abruptly ceased. “Probably smelled the food.” Wu Wenli chuckled as he knocked on the door. “Hey, someone open up! The food’s here.”

Still, no one responded. Zheng Yan glanced at him, and Wu Wenli suddenly felt a chill. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head. “Not sure what’s going on, no one’s moving. Teacher, you don’t look so good. If you’re not feeling well, you shouldn’t have come. I already grabbed takeout for us.”

Wu Wenli’s initial concern was genuine, but under Zheng Yan’s dark gaze, his words turned stiff and clumsy, unintentionally adding to the awkwardness.

Feeling uneasy, Wu Wenli fumbled for his keys, but just as he reached for them, the door swung open, letting in a gust of disorderly wind. For some reason, his heart skipped a beat. He looked up and, with a nervous laugh, greeted the tall figure standing in the doorway. “Qin Xuan, why are you just standing there? Hurry up and invite Teacher Zheng in.”

Qin Xuan didn’t reply. He immediately reached out and grabbed Zheng Yan’s trembling arm. “Teacher, when did you get here?”

Zheng Yan flinched, his lips parting slightly but closing just as quickly, saying nothing. He desperately tried to pull his arm away. Qin Xuan held on tight; there was no way he was letting go. Zheng Yan remained silent, stubbornly tugging his arm back until a red mark appeared.

It was such a small, seemingly insignificant action, but it carried a weight of determination and sorrow that even Wu Wenli could sense.

What’s going on? Wu Wenli was completely confused. He was about to say something to break the tension when he noticed You Chang and Xu Tianyang frantically gesturing at him from inside the room. Then he glanced at Qin Xuan’s dark expression and decided to swallow his words.

Qin Xuan called out to him several times, but Zheng Yan didn’t respond. With a grim look on his face, Qin Xuan tightened his grip. “Teacher, you heard everything, right? We were just joking around. It’s not what you think. You Chang, Xu Tianyang, back me up here.”

The two boys exchanged confused glances, momentarily at a loss for words. Qin Xuan didn’t even bother turning around, his gaze locked on Zheng Yan’s ghostly pale face as he growled, “Say something!”

You Chang was the first to snap out of it. “Yeah, yeah! Teacher Zheng, we were just messing around. You didn’t take that seriously, did you? You know, just guy stuff…”

“Let go.” Zheng Yan finally spoke, his voice icy as he lowered his gaze.

You Chang fell silent, casting a helpless glance at Xu Tianyang.

“Teacher!” Qin Xuan looked down at Zheng Yan’s pale, almost translucent ears, the veins faintly visible. Seeing this, panic welled up inside him. His voice trembled. “I didn’t mean it. I wasn’t lying to you. I really do like you…”

“Shut up.” Zheng Yan’s voice shook as he cut him off. “Let go! I said let go!”

Qin Xuan was momentarily stunned by the forcefulness of the command, loosening his grip just enough for Zheng Yan to wrench his arm free.

With a loud clatter, the food container fell to the floor, the sound echoing in the hallway. The noise, combined with Zheng Yan’s harsh tone, struck Qin Xuan’s heart like a blow. His heart skipped a beat.

Wu Wenli nervously whispered, “Uh, Teacher Zheng is leaving… should you—”

Qin Xuan immediately chased after him, closing the distance in a few steps.

“Teacher, look at me.” He trapped Zheng Yan in his arms, forcibly lifting his chin. He was strong, and his grip left a bruise on Zheng Yan’s pale jaw. Zheng Yan struggled weakly, turning his head away, refusing to meet his gaze.

His bangs clung to his forehead, damp with sweat from his frantic escape, and his breathing was uneven. To Qin Xuan, it sounded like soft claws scratching at his heart.

His tone softened. “Teacher, listen to me. At first, I admit I was just… But later, I really did fall for you. Please, just look at me. I was just being playful. Please trust me one more time. I swear, I’m telling the truth…”

“Enough!” Zheng Yan interrupted sharply, his breath coming fast. He closed his eyes, trying to compose himself, and when he opened them again, his eyes were brimming with barely contained emotion. “Qin Xuan, you’re not done playing, are you? Is that why you’re making up another lie? Qin Xuan, tell me, is that it?”

Qin Xuan could only stammer, “I…”

“No need to explain.” Zheng Yan’s voice trembled with suppressed emotion. “Qin Xuan, you’re a bastard.”

Qin Xuan had always found him too emotional, but now, seeing the sadness and pain in Zheng Yan’s expression, his own heart twisted in agony. “Yes, I’m a bastard. Please, forgive me just this once. I swear I’ll never lie to you again.”

Zheng Yan didn’t respond, his hands trembling as he tried to push Qin Xuan away. But Qin Xuan held him tighter, desperately repeating, “Please, forgive me, just this once…”

“Let…” Zheng Yan had barely spoken the first word when Qin Xuan, overwhelmed with emotion, silenced him with a forceful kiss. His tongue invaded Zheng Yan’s mouth, rough and desperate. It wasn’t long before Zheng Yan bit down hard, the taste of blood spreading in Qin Xuan’s mouth.

Qin Xuan winced, pulling back slightly, only to be met with Zheng Yan’s tear-filled, furious eyes. Any anger Qin Xuan had melted away. He finally noticed the bruises on Zheng Yan’s jaw and immediately let go. “Teacher, does it hurt? I didn’t mean to be so rough…”

Zheng Yan slapped him hard across the face, his voice shaking as he enunciated each word clearly: “Qin Xuan, we’re done.”

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