CYNTM CHAPTER 49

“Next time you want to divorce and your partner doesn’t agree, I can lend you this video!”

“Go to hell! Lawrence Owen!”

Hunter watched the backs of the two guys who seemed to be on the verge of fighting, unable to calm down.

“Hunter, let’s go.” Winston’s voice came from behind him, close enough that Hunter couldn’t help but imagine him leaning in to speak right next to his neck.

Right… Winston had said he would strip for him earlier. But now, Hunter didn’t dare to turn around and look at him for some reason. Just then, his phone rang. The screen displayed Marcus’s name. For the first time, Hunter felt that Marcus’s phone call was perfectly timed.

“Hunter! Where have you gone? Do you know several sponsors who want to meet you? You’re the ace of our team, and now I can’t find our ace anywhere!”

“I… I just went out for some fresh air. I’ll be back right away!”

Hunter took a deep breath and turned to grin at Winston, “Marcus is going crazy! I have to get back! We’ll talk later!”

He was about to leave quickly when Winston extended his long legs and grabbed his arm.

“Winston?” Hunter turned back.

“Ciel doesn’t feel that way about me.”

“I… I know! Owen and Ciel’s reactions made that very clear…”

“If you don’t like mingling with the sponsors, we can leave and do something you enjoy.” Winston’s eyes were calm, with a hint of curiosity.

“You talk as if you want to run away with me…” Hunter laughed evasively, though even he wasn’t sure what he was trying to avoid.

“Is that not allowed?” Winston asked in return. His voice led Hunter’s thoughts around in a large circle, but he couldn’t find his way back to the starting point.

“Not today.” Hunter checked his watch. “Anyway, we only have to endure for another hour; this banquet should be over by then.”

Winston continued to look at Hunter, but his hand loosened its grip. Hunter watched Winston step back and leave, waving his hand suavely, “We can meet tomorrow! Hahaha!”

As he turned away, it felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest, and his palms were covered in sweat. He could still feel the grip of Winston’s hand on his arm. He had refused Winston. It was the first time since they had met that he had turned him down.

Hunter returned to the party, mechanically shaking hands with sponsors while his mind drifted elsewhere. Winston didn’t return until the party ended.

On the way back to the hotel, Marcus decided to throw a big celebration party for the team the next day because of Hunter’s outstanding performance at this stop and the substantial increase in sponsorship money.

“We even booked a strip show!” Marcus patted Hunter on the shoulder. “Sleep well tonight. Tomorrow we’ll party like crazy!”

“Oh…” Hunter looked out the car window. Owen’s words repeated in his mind—Winston will refuse the first, the second, the third time. But eventually, he will say yes.

Hunter had long accepted that no one would stay with him forever, not even Winston. But he wanted… really wanted to have that guy. Realizing what he was thinking, he took a deep breath.

He’s your friend! The one who’s always looked after you! Hunter, are you crazy?

His eyes stung.

One day, Winston will soak in hot springs, have breakfast, and travel with someone else. Even if you go with them, you’ll just be a third wheel and always feel awkward.

“Hunter? We’re here. What are you thinking about?”

“N-nothing…”

Back in his room, Hunter took a quick shower and jumped into bed, but he couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned, wishing he could knock himself out. He didn’t feel sleepy until three in the morning. In his drowsiness, Hunter found himself back at the Ferrari test track, having just blown the engine of Winston’s Ferrari.

“You knew my shortcomings… and even sacrificed your own Ferrari to tutor me. Why?”

Hunter looked at Winston sitting in the passenger seat. His gaze was deeper than the night, like a black hole extending infinitely in all directions, enveloping Hunter. Hunter felt like he was going to be bound by that gaze.

“Number one, you are the only person capable of becoming my rival in the future.”

Even now, I still haven’t been able to surpass you.

“Number two, I want to be friends with you.”

But… I don’t want to just be your friend…

“Number three, I want to hit on you. Which one do you think is true?”

Why didn’t I realize that from the first time we met, you spoke to me more gently than you did with others?

The words spoken and the decisions made cannot be undone. If this was just a fantasy, then Hunter wanted to let loose and see where it would take him.

“You want to hit on me,” Hunter responded, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

The next second, Winston, seated across from him, abruptly seized his collar and pressed his lips firmly against his. Hunter was left with no chance to speak as Winston’s tongue aggressively entered his mouth, entwining with his own and drawing away his breath as if it were choking him.

Yet Hunter didn’t feel afraid. He reached out and wrapped his arms around Winston, silently giving his consent and encouragement. His tongue met Winston’s, caressing and responding to the kiss.

“From now on, no matter who confesses to you, you can’t agree,” Hunter said with utmost seriousness, looking at the man.

“Alright,” Winston responded softly.

Hunter knew that when Winston agreed to something, he kept his word.

The phone rang, and Hunter frowned, reluctantly taking it out to check. It was already noon. His nutritionist insisted he eats lunch on time. Sitting up, he noticed his face was wet for some reason.

“Oh shit…”

Was it drool?

Hunter saw a message from Winston: Are you off today?

Hunter replied: Yeah, but Marcus is throwing a celebration party.

Winston: Let’s talk after the party. Didn’t we plan to go to Dubai after the race?

After a fleeting moment of happiness, a wave of disappointment quickly followed. Hunter replied: Let’s talk tomorrow.

Marcus had arranged a luxurious private room in an upscale bar for the whole team, including engineers, technicians, marketing, and PR staff, to relax and unwind.

It was the first time Shen Chuan and Shen Xi had seen such a scene. Watching the dancers twist around the poles, their clothes gradually lifting, Hunter smacked Shen Chuan on the shoulder and teased his flushed face, “This must be your first time seeing this, Dr. Shen! Enjoy it to the fullest, but try not to get a nosebleed!”

McGrady shot Hunter a disdainful look, “You talk like you’ve seen it many times. Careful not to get too aroused!”

Laughter erupted. Meanwhile, Shen Xi made her way to the stage, her eyes wide with amazement as she watched the dancers perform. When one of the performers twirled around, lowering herself and placing her hand on the ground before spinning again, Shen Xi exclaimed, “Wow!” and slipped a hundred-dollar bill into her outfit.

“OMG! Little Xi is quite the player! Growing up fast!” Hunter exclaimed in surprise.

The atmosphere turned electric as the dancers shed more clothes. After the intense race, everyone wanted to relax. Hunter held money in his hand, sitting beside the stage as the dancers surrounded him. Some rested their arms on his shoulders, others leaned against his back. Marcus took out his phone to snap a picture and sent it to Hunter. Hunter posted the photo on Twitter with the caption—I hope my boss will always be this generous.

Marcus grumbled, “Brat, when have I ever been stingy with you?”

Hunter laughed, “Hehe.”

After drinking too much water, Hunter went to the restroom. Just as he was flushing, he received a message from Winston: I’m waiting for you next door.

Hunter almost choked on his saliva and quickly dialed Winston’s number. The phone rang only once before it was answered.

“Where did you say you were?”

“I’m in the room next to the one your team rented.”

It was noisy outside, but Winston’s voice was incredibly clear.

“Is…is your team also having a party here?”

“It’s just me. You have three minutes, if you don’t come over, you won’t see this.”

“See what?”

The call ended without a response.

“Hey… hello? Winston?”

Realizing what was happening, Hunter stuffed his phone into his pocket and rushed out the door. The private room was crowded, and someone tried to stop him to chat. Hunter glanced at his watch anxiously: Half a minute had already passed.

“Excuse me, I need to get through, it’s urgent!”

“Hunter, where are you going?” After finally escaping the crowd, Hunter was seized by Marcus, who grabbed him by the collar from behind.

“I’m just stepping out for a bit, I’ll be right back!”

“You’re not sneaking off again, are you? You’re the main character today!”

“I’m not sneaking off! I’ll be right back!” Hunter yanked his collar free and continued to push through his overexcited, brainless teammates.

One minute had already passed, and Hunter had a layer of sweat on his back. He burst out the door and looked around. Winston said next door, but was it to the left or the right? Hunter ran to the left and pushed the door, but it was locked.

Not this room!

Hunter turned and rushed to the right, accidentally bumping into a waiter pushing a cart of beer.

“Sorry! Sorry!” Hunter quickly apologized, not even stopping to help the waiter before dashing to another room.

He shoved the door open. The private room was bright and quiet, almost like another world. Hunter let out a sigh of relief as he saw Winston sitting on the edge of the stage, dressed casually in jeans and a jacket. His legs, already too long, dangled there, giving Hunter the urge to break them.

Winston had a faint smile on his lips and leisurely turned his face, letting the light skim across it.

“Exactly three minutes.” His eyes, carrying a hint of a smile, were the most irresistible allure for Hunter.

Hunter walked over and stood in front of Winston, “Are you really going to striptease here for me?”

“Yeah.”

Winston leaned towards Hunter, making him gulp and take a step back.

Stay calm, Hunter. Stay calm. If you get nervous, you’ll lose.

Winston stood up, and Hunter’s eyes traveled up his legs, his waist, and his chest, all right in front of him.

“You’re the only audience. Do you want to sit in the front row or the back?”

“Duh! Of course the front!”

There were a few bar stools and a sofa in front of the stage. Hunter chose a high stool, sat down with his chin propped up on his hand, and put on an “I-will-watch-attentively” expression.

Winston put his hands in his pockets and looked down, “What song do you want?”

“To watch a striptease, it has to be something sexy!”

Winston took out his phone and tossed it to Hunter. The screen displayed a song with a title that seemed to be in French, which Hunter couldn’t read.

“Are you sure you don’t want to order a drink?” Winston asked, leisurely crossing his arms and leaning against the steel pole.

“Hahaha! With you here like this, should I order a glass of red wine? I might get drunk enough to pin you down!”

“I want you to observe me while you’re sober. If you pin me down, do it while sober.” Winston’s eyes never left Hunter, making Hunter more serious as well.

Hunter’s finger touched the play button on the screen, feeling as tense as if he were waiting for the starting signal at a race track. A myriad of thoughts swirled and boiled, searching for a crack to break through.

The slow, drawn-out music began to play, sounding like a blues song. The entire room seemed to be infused with a spirit that left people intoxicated, slowly moving through the air as if to drown Hunter.

Winston leaned against the pole, gently swaying. His eyes were cold, yet to Hunter, they seemed ready to boil over from zero degrees at any moment. Winston’s arm slightly pulled off his jacket, the motion not delicate like a woman’s, but showing a restrained maturity and strength that only a man could possess.

Hunter even felt that Winston was like a patient hunter, approaching him in a way that made him drop his guard, only to devour him whole the moment he relaxed.

Hunter suddenly felt a surge of tension as Winston’s fingers slid from the top button of his shirt to the bottom, allowing the fabric to slip off his shoulders and down his arms. It was the first time Hunter had seen Winston like this. Winston was always impeccably dressed, but now, his perfect exterior seemed to crack open, making Hunter unable to contain his desire. His throat felt constricted as if Winston’s presence alone was suffocating him, making even swallowing painful.

Winston’s waist moved upward in sync with the music, the powerful motion thrusting Hunter’s emotions to a peak, making him feel as if he were being pierced through. The jacket draped over Winston’s arm dropped to the floor with a soft “thud.”

Hunter instinctively shuddered and tugged at his own denim jacket, feeling as if he was the one being stripped, not Winston. Winston’s gaze remained fixed on him, and perhaps it was the music, but his previously emotionless eyes suddenly seemed seductive.

Hunter quietly exhaled, his fingers trembling slightly.

The man on stage smirked, a smile Hunter had never seen before. It wasn’t the mischievous grin Winston had when joking, nor the polite smile. This was a sexy smile that belonged solely to Winston. However, it quickly vanished and was restrained again.

Winston wrapped his arms around himself, stroking from his shoulders down to his wrists. His right hand slowly rolled up his left sleeve, revealing the beautiful contours of his arm. Hunter unconsciously clutched the edge of his chair. It felt as though Winston’s hand wasn’t just caressing himself but caressing Hunter.

Winston gripped the pole, arching his body and circling around it, making Hunter’s head buzz. Leaning against the pole, Winston slowly lifted the hem of his white T-shirt. His expression didn’t show desire, but as his firm waist gradually came into view, Hunter felt something inside him break free, filling the room and spreading out in all directions.

Hunter held his breath as he watched Winston slowly lift his T-shirt and squat down, the heat from his strong back transferring to the steel pole behind him. Winston raised his chin, stretching his neck, and as he turned his head, his hair fell across his eyes.

Something inside Hunter felt like it was about to explode!

He couldn’t keep watching… He really couldn’t keep watching. If he continued, he’d go crazy. Hunter regretted not sitting on the sofa; sitting here made it hard to hide anything.

Winston supported himself on one leg and slowly lifted his leg from a sitting position, his right hand reaching up to grip the pole behind him. If he were a woman, what man could possibly resist looking at him?

Winston was dangerously sexy. At that moment, Hunter just wanted to dash to the restroom!

The man on stage tilted his face, still looking into Hunter’s eyes. Hunter’s thoughts and reason were completely led astray by the other person. Winston’s fingers moved to his jeans, slowly tugging them down. Even though they clearly couldn’t come off, Hunter felt something inside him trying to spill out.

His throat was dry, and his knuckles gripping the stool turned white. Though he told himself he wished Winston would finish quickly, his inner voice screamed—give me more!

Winston’s fingers reached the first button on his jeans. Hunter craned his neck. Hiding his true feelings was hard… he just wanted to let loose and enjoy it fully.

But at that moment, the music on the phone on Hunter’s lap abruptly stopped. Winston, who had been leaning against the pole, bent down to pick up his discarded T-shirt and swiftly put it back on.

“Huh?” Hunter tilted his head and looked at him.

Winston casually grabbed his jacket and stepped off the stage, retrieving his phone from Hunter.

“Is it over?” Hunter’s eyes widened.

“Yes, five minutes and thirty seconds wasn’t enough?” Winston asked.

What? Five minutes already? Wait, that’s not the point!

“But you didn’t even take off your pants!”

Winston smacked Hunter on the head, “Didn’t I take off my clothes? Who said striptease means taking everything off?”

That actually made sense?

“I have to go. Aren’t you going back to the team’s party?” Winston raised his chin.

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes. My team has an event too.”

But Hunter couldn’t get up now! If he left this stool and his jeans rubbed against him, he wouldn’t be able to hold back!

“Still not going?”

“Uh…” Hunter deliberately turned his stool, getting off with his back to Winston. Carefully… don’t get aroused… you mustn’t get aroused… Hunter kept a straight face as he left the room after Winston, but it was unbearably stifling.

“I’ll go in!” Hunter opened the door of his team’s room, not waiting to see Winston’s reaction as he rushed inside.

As Hunter was engulfed by the loud music and his teammates’ cheers, his nerves finally relaxed, and the desire he had been holding back surged. Face flushed, Hunter bolted to the restroom.

As soon as he opened the door, he found McGrady making out with a dancer inside. In his heated state, seeing this inflamed Hunter further, he roared, “I need to use the restroom!”

McGrady froze, about to say something, but Hunter pointed behind him, “Go use one of the empty rooms across the hall!”

McGrady was about to get angry, but the dancer pulled him out.

Get out! Get out! Hunter screamed internally.

But McGrady moved slowly, while Hunter was about to explode. As soon as McGrady stepped out, Hunter slammed the door shut and leaned against it, head tilted back.

His mind was filled with images of Winston: his eyes, his fingers, even the way his hair fell when he spun, the curve of his shoulders and back—all of him locked Hunter into a confined space, making him desperate for release. He thought he was going crazy. Even when Winston wasn’t in front of him, he still felt like he controlled everything about him.

After finally finding release, Hunter could barely maintain control at the mere thought of Winston’s fingers gripping the edge of his jeans. It took him a long time to emerge from the restroom, and when he saw the stage and steel pole again, Winston’s image came rushing back. It was as if all the desires he’d harbored over the past year had erupted in a single day.

When Hunter left the restroom, he found that everyone in the room was thoroughly drunk. The only ones still sober were Shen Chuan, Shen Xi, and a few female assistants who didn’t drink.

“Hey, Hunter, are you okay?” Shen Xi uncharacteristically showed a surprised expression.

“I’m fine because I hid in time!” Hunter put on a smile, pretending nothing was wrong, “Where’s McGrady?”

“He just went out with a dancer.” Shen Xi pointed to the door.

“How are we supposed to handle all these people? How can we get everyone back to the hotel?” Shen Chuan sighed.

“Call for a pick-up service.” Hunter looked at Marcus lying on the sofa. “Anyway, Marcus will cover the cost.”

So, Hunter and Shen Chuan managed to get everyone from the racing team into a car. They sat side by side in the backseat, with Marcus slumped against Shen Chuan, and the PR manager in the passenger seat. Outside the window, the buildings of Abu Dhabi flashed by.

The early morning in Abu Dhabi was so quiet as if the city had a natural restraint over desire. Hunter found himself recalling that face.

“Hey… Shen Chuan…”

“Hmm?”

“Do you believe… Winston has been seducing me?” Hunter thought the words he just said were so unbelievable that even he found them funny. But once spoken, there was no taking them back.

“Vann Winston from the Ferrari team?” For the first time, Shen Chuan looked surprised in front of him.

“Yeah.”

Shen Chuan was one of the few who could chat with Winston, so what would his answer be?

“How is that possible? Everyone knows Winston is the epitome of an English gentleman. Isn’t he even nicknamed the ‘chaste nobleman’? Is something wrong with your brain?” Shen Chuan thought for a moment and added, “Fans are eagerly hoping for you two to become teammates. Many people want you to join Ferrari and race alongside Winston. Mr. Marcus has had quite a few headaches over this.”

“Hahahaha… really? I was just joking! Everyone envies how well Winston treats me! Why are you like Little Xi, unable to tell when I’m joking or serious?”

He laughed foolishly on the outside, but inside he felt empty. In truth… he really hoped Winston was seducing him under the guise of friendship. Such hope made Hunter feel like he was doomed.

When did this thought first appear? Perhaps it was because of that shocking “drunken confession” by Ciel… No, no, it was even earlier… that breakfast when he saw Audrey beside Winston, he felt uneasy… Or maybe even earlier, during their trip to Sapporo?

Thinking deeper, Hunter suddenly found everything terrifying. Owen’s reminder echoed in his mind: one day, Winston would agree to someone’s confession.

---

The author has something to say:

Winston: My Hunter seems to be acting up.

Hunter: I’m not!

Winston: Then why aren’t you replying to my texts?

Hunter: Then why didn’t you take off your pants during your striptease!

Winston: Oh.

Hunter: What are you doing? What are you taking off! Don’t pin me down! Get off!