Mo Ming focused on driving, the neon lights outside the car window casting a soft, ethereal glow on his clear, handsome profile.
He looked so good it made your heart skip a beat.
The alcohol had started to hit Han Shaozhou, turning his brain into a mushy mess. He reached out, trying to touch Mo Ming’s face, but Mo Ming gently reminded him, “Shao Ge, I’m driving.”
Han Shaozhou lowered his hand, smacking his lips. “Haven’t seen you in a month, really missed you.”
Mo Ming smiled, glancing at Han Shaozhou through the rearview mirror without saying a word.
Following the dazzling lights of the city streets, the car eventually drove into an underground parking garage of a high-end residential complex.
Mo Ming supported Han Shaozhou as they entered the elevator, with Han Shaozhou seizing the opportunity to wrap his arm tightly around Mo Ming’s waist, his face nuzzling against Mo Ming’s soft hair.
Finally back at the apartment, Mo Ming barely had time to take off his shoes before Han Shaozhou grabbed his chin and forced him into a deep kiss, pressing him against the entrance cabinet.
The strong scent of alcohol instantly enveloped Mo Ming.
When it came to being with Mo Ming, Han Shaozhou never held back.
Perhaps it was the alcohol, or maybe it was because they hadn’t seen each other in a month, but Han Shaozhou was a bit rougher than usual this time.
Mo Ming’s pleas for mercy didn’t work. He had to grab Han Shaozhou’s head, buried in his neck, and force him to look up.
“I have a magazine shoot tomorrow,” Mo Ming panted. “Don’t bite my neck.”
Han Shaozhou laughed. “Then should I bite your thigh?”
“…”
Han Shaozhou didn’t have any weird kinks in bed, but his stamina was terrifyingly strong. He kept going until past two in the morning before finally stopping. Afterward, he carried Mo Ming to the bathroom, and halfway through washing, almost lost control again.
A month without it made him really miss it.
He was quite fond of his little lover. Good looks, great body, and a personality as gentle as a lamb. Being with him seemed to calm any temper he had.
When they got out of the bathroom, Mo Ming fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed. He was utterly exhausted, even frowning in his sleep, which Han Shaozhou instinctively reached out to smooth.
Han Shaozhou wasn’t sleepy at all. If it weren’t for worrying about Mo Ming’s physical limits, he felt like he could have gone until dawn.
He got up and went to the balcony outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, lighting a cigarette. When he checked his phone, he noticed several messages Zhao Cheng had sent him hours ago.
[Zhao Cheng]: Han, am I seeing things, or does your little lover look a bit like someone we know? [Smirk]
[Zhao Cheng]: [I Get You · jpg]
[Zhao Cheng]: Honestly, he’s almost better than the original [Thumbs Up]
[Zhao Cheng]: Next time we go drinking, make sure to bring little Mo Ming along [Hehe]
Han Shaozhou: “…”
He had never mentioned Mo Ming’s existence to his friends before, partly because he didn’t see the need—after all, this kind of relationship could end as quickly as it started, not worth mentioning—and partly because he didn’t want people like Zhao Cheng figuring out the “truth” and teasing him.
Not being able to catch the person you like and then finding someone who somewhat resembles them as a stand-in—it was pretty pathetic, to be honest. But Han Shaozhou knew how his life was going.
Tonight, he casually introduced Mo Ming to Qin You and Jiang He because he felt like it didn’t matter. Whether Mo Ming was a stand-in or a lover, as long as Han Shaozhou felt comfortable in the relationship, it was fine. After all, he was at an age where his energy was still incredibly high, and he needed someone to relieve both his physical and mental pressures and needs…
Han Shaozhou took a couple more drags from his cigarette before replying to Zhao Cheng: [He’s planning to visit your place. Put it on my tab.]
Zhao Cheng, who ran the nightclub and was always up late, replied almost instantly.
[Zhao Cheng]: No problem. I’ll give him the highest level of service. Get ready for a big bill *[Hehe]*
[Han Shaozhou]: That’s fine.
[Zhao Cheng]: And I’ll say it again, little Mo Ming is really good-looking [Thumbs Up] [Like]
[Han Shaozhou]: Don’t even think about making a move on him.
[Zhao Cheng]: …
[Zhao Cheng]: Go to hell! I’m not gay, thank you very much! [Smile]
Han Shaozhou didn’t reply. The other side finally quieted down. Just as he was about to finish his cigarette and head back inside, Zhao Cheng sent another message.
[Zhao Cheng]: Han, you need to let go of Wen Ci. He and his partner are living a very happy life. They’re not getting divorced.
Han Shaozhou: “…”
Han Shaozhou ignored the message and switched his phone to Do Not Disturb mode.
Mo Ming didn’t like the smell of cigarettes, so Han Shaozhou made sure to brush his teeth again. It wasn’t that he was afraid Mo Ming would get mad—on the contrary, Mo Ming never got angry at him. But when Mo Ming wasn’t happy, he’d frown, and his whole face would look downcast and reluctant to speak.
Han Shaozhou couldn’t stand seeing Mo Ming make that face. It always made him feel like he’d done something incredibly wrong.
Returning to the bedroom, Han Shaozhou sat on the edge of the bed, gently pushing aside the strands of hair that had fallen across Mo Ming’s forehead.
Under the warm light of the bedside lamp, Mo Ming’s face was peaceful and calm as he slept.
He did look a bit like Wen Ci, but then again, not really. When Han Shaozhou first saw Mo Ming, he thought Mo Ming resembled Wen Ci by at least eighty percent. But at some point, that resemblance began to fade.
He hadn’t really thought about this for a long time. But tonight, thanks to Zhao Cheng’s teasing, memories of the past started resurfacing.
Speaking of how he met Mo Ming, it all started three years ago.
It was just a few days after Wen Ci’s wedding. Han Shaozhou was pathetically drinking alone at a nightclub. Occasionally, someone would try to strike up a conversation with him, but he was in a foul mood and glared at anyone who got too close.
He was the one who spotted Mo Ming first, sitting in a prominent spot directly in his line of sight. Alone, wearing a loose-knit sweater and jeans, the dim lights highlighted his clear, delicate features, even making the long shadows of his eyelashes stand out.
Han Shaozhou’s gaze was immediately drawn to him, almost thinking it was Wen Ci. Not only did Mo Ming’s brows and eyes resemble Wen Ci’s, but he was also wearing a similar two-piece linen sweater that Han Shaozhou had seen Wen Ci wear before.
If that face only gave Han Shaozhou a slight illusion, then the added clothing pushed the resemblance to eighty percent.
The young man seemed to casually glance up, and when his gaze met Han Shaozhou’s, he smiled softly.
Han Shaozhou’s expression froze, and the next moment, he found himself walking toward him.
On the table was a glass of Blue Hawaii, with ice cubes sparkling like waves in the blue liquid. The young man looked both beautiful and gentle as he softly greeted Han Shaozhou, “Hello.”
Han Shaozhou wasn’t the romantic type, and he had no patience either. Despite being the one who initiated the conversation, he spoke as if he were interrogating a suspect: “Where are you from? You look pretty young.”
“I’m a student at C University. I’m nineteen this year.”
“What’s your name?”
“Mo Ming. Mo from ‘end of the world’ and Ming from ‘Ming River.’”
His voice was soft, completely unlike someone who would be at ease in such a setting. But Han Shaozhou noticed the way he looked at him, like stars falling into the deep sea, sinking quickly.
Han Shaozhou trusted his instincts and concluded that this Mo Ming was interested in him, whether it was his status or simply love at first sight. At least, it indicated that if Han Shaozhou wanted, this guy would be open to getting closer.
Later, when Han Shaozhou thought back to that night, he realized they hadn’t had any particularly engaging conversations. After finishing his drink and getting ready to leave, Mo Ming hadn’t said anything but had gently tugged at Han Shaozhou’s sleeve: “Could… could you take me home?”
His cheeks were flushed, and there was a soft shimmer in his eyes. It was unclear whether it was the alcohol or the awkwardness of making such a request.
“Alright, let’s go,” Han Shaozhou agreed without hesitation.
In the car, Mo Ming gave him the address of his rental, but Han Shaozhou told the driver to head to a hotel instead, all the while quietly observing the person beside him.
Mo Ming pursed his lips, not asking any questions.
When they arrived at the hotel, Han Shaozhou led the way. At the revolving door, he turned back to look, and Mo Ming was quietly following him, not a step out of place. Han Shaozhou extended his right hand, and after hesitating for a moment, Mo Ming placed his hand in his.
Han Shaozhou pulled him close, and Mo Ming fell right into his arms.
Mo Ming wasn’t short, but compared to Han Shaozhou, who stood almost six feet two, he still fell short by a significant margin. Mo Ming looked up at Han Shaozhou and softly called out, “Shao Ge…”
As soon as they entered the suite, Han Shaozhou pushed Mo Ming against the door.
He kept calling out Wen Ci’s name, almost violently taking out his frustrations.
The person in his arms called him Shao Ge, occasionally trying to lift his head to kiss his face.
The next morning, Han Shaozhou woke up early. Before leaving, he took off the expensive watch on his wrist and left it on the bedside table.
In the days that followed, Han Shaozhou found himself thinking about Mo Ming from that night, especially that narrow waist of his that he could easily wrap his hands around, fitting perfectly in his arms.
Maybe it was an aftereffect of finally getting some action, but whenever Han Shaozhou thought about Wen Ci, Mo Ming’s image would flash through his mind. Whenever his body inexplicably heated up at night, he would think of Mo Ming.
A week later, he returned to that nightclub, feeling a strange anticipation in his heart. As soon as he walked in, he saw Mo Ming sitting at the bar.
Mo Ming was leaning against the bar, his gaze quietly wandering around the hall as if searching for something, with a Blue Hawaii beside him. His slender figure was a sight to behold.
Han Shaozhou walked over to him, resting his hand on the bar as he ordered, “I’ll have what he’s having.”
Mo Ming turned to look at him.
Han Shaozhou clearly saw that the moment Mo Ming’s eyes met his, a bright light like a shooting star flashed across them.
Han Shaozhou chuckled. “Were you waiting for me?”
Mo Ming blushed slightly as he looked at Han Shaozhou. His skin was fair, and any hint of color was easily noticeable. He wasn’t someone who could hide his feelings well.
Mo Ming pulled out the watch from his pocket and handed it to Han Shaozhou, speaking softly. “You left this at the hotel last time.”
Later, Han Shaozhou wondered if Mo Ming was genuinely interested in him or just setting a trap. But then he dismissed the thought. Even if Mo Ming was fishing, Han Shaozhou had taken the bait.
Ten minutes later, Han Shaozhou left the bar, with Mo Ming following closely behind him, just like last time.
The next morning, Han Shaozhou didn’t leave early. He waited for Mo Ming to wake up and then talked about the future.
Han Shaozhou didn’t use the word “kept,” but he did say that he was missing a companion and asked if Mo Ming would like to spend some time with him. If he didn’t want to, that was fine, but if he agreed, he’d have to get a health checkup and, if everything was fine, move in with him. Han Shaozhou would deposit 600,000 yuan into Mo Ming’s account every month.
“Whatever you want, I’ll try to get it for you,” Han Shaozhou said. “But I hope you understand that our relationship isn’t a romantic one. I won’t be responsible for any feelings you might develop. Got it?”
Han Shaozhou made many demands. It was his first time getting into something like this, and he didn’t want to deal with any headaches. He didn’t want the hassle of a crying, clinging partner if they were to break up later—it would drive him crazy.
At that time, Mo Ming agreed to all of Han Shaozhou’s conditions without hesitation, nodding seriously.
And Mo Ming did make things easy for Han Shaozhou. For the past three years, he had been gentle and obedient, almost like a good housewife. Han Shaozhou was generous with him too. Besides the substantial monthly allowance, he had given Mo Ming two houses and three cars over the years. When he learned that Mo Ming was studying acting at university and wanted to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, Han Shaozhou personally contacted the higher-ups at Xingci Entertainment and had them sign Mo Ming on the spot.
To be honest, Han Shaozhou never thought Mo Ming’s personality was suited for the entertainment industry.
He was too gentle, a bit too soft, and didn’t seem clever enough. He didn’t seem to understand how ruthless the industry could be. If Han Shaozhou didn’t protect him behind the scenes, this little white flower would have been trampled long ago. But it was good for Mo Ming to have ambitions. Han Shaozhou had no reason to force him to be a caged bird. As long as Mo Ming was his, he would protect him.
Early in the morning, Han Shaozhou was jolted awake by the sound of his phone ringing.
Still half-asleep, he fumbled for his phone and brought it to his ear. On the other end, his grandfather’s gruff, angry voice came through, “You arrived in Chuanhai yesterday and didn’t even think to come home?”
Han Shaozhou rubbed his temples, not even opening his eyes. “I know, I’ll come back today.”
“I had the kitchen make you breakfast. Come home right now.”
“I’m not hungry. I’ll come back around noon…”
Before Han Shaozhou could finish, his grandfather, Han Changzong, had already hung up.
Han Shaozhou furrowed his brows, tossing the phone aside and pulling Mo Ming closer in his arms before reluctantly getting out of bed.
Mo Ming was waking up too, struggling to sit up. His eyes were still half-closed as he looked at Han Shaozhou. “Shao Ge, are you leaving? Let me make you breakfast.”
“No need, I’ll eat at home.”
As Han Shaozhou finished getting ready and was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to the bedroom.
Mo Ming was also trying to get up, but his body was aching as if it had been pulled apart and reassembled. He was leaning against the headboard, trying to recover.
“I almost forgot this.”
Han Shaozhou walked over to the bed, holding a small black and gold gift box in his hand. He handed it to Mo Ming.
“I bought it while I was on business in the South Seas. It’s a multi-gem coral bracelet. It’s quite beautiful.”
Mo Ming took the gift box with both hands, his smile as warm and gentle as always. “Thank you, Shao Ge.”
Han Shaozhou cupped Mo Ming’s chin and kissed him. “Open it and see if you like it. I’m heading out.”
Mo Ming nodded. “Shao Ge, be safe on the road.”
Soon after, the sound of the apartment door opening and closing echoed from the bedroom.
Mo Ming tossed the gift box onto the nightstand, pressed his hand against his aching waist, and slowly got out of bed to freshen up.
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