This was Bai Yang’s second time visiting Shao Cheng’s home. Unlike the previous noisy crowd during the party, the entire villa seemed particularly empty and quiet.
“I’m really sorry to trouble you so much,” Bai Yang said as he entered the door, “You don’t need to take care of me. I’ll just sleep on the couch for the night. You go about your business.”
Shao Cheng glanced at him askance, “Did I say I was going to take care of you?”
Bai Yang felt awkward and stood still, not knowing what to say.
“I’m hungry,” Shao Cheng suddenly said, “You can cook, right? Use the kitchen to prepare a midnight snack for me.” With that, he went upstairs on his own.
He had just eaten dinner not long ago, so why would he be hungry? Bai Yang was puzzled, but he obediently followed Shao Cheng’s request and went to the kitchen. The fridge was well-stocked with ingredients, indicating that someone usually cooked here, probably a hired chef or housekeeper.
While Bai Yang didn’t possess the skills of a restaurant chef, he was more than capable of making some home-cooked dishes. Since it was already evening, he decided not to make anything too greasy. He looked at the ingredients, gave it some thought, and decided to make minced meat tomato and egg noodles.
Tomato and egg noodles were easy to make. As for minced meat, he had to chop it himself, which took quite some time. By the time the noodles were boiling, the aroma wafting from the pot made his stomach rumble. He realized he hadn’t eaten dinner yet, and he was indeed a bit hungry. So, he added the noodles into the pot once again.
“What are you making?”
Startled by the voice, Bai Yang turned around. Shao Cheng had somehow appeared at the kitchen doorway. He was dressed casually in home clothes, a stark contrast to his usual cold and distant appearance. His hair was still slightly damp from a shower, and he casually pushed it back, revealing his handsome features.
Bai Yang smiled, “I’m making noodles. Do you like noodles?”
“Average ,” Shao Cheng walked over, resting one hand on the countertop, and used the other to lift the pot lid and check.
Bai Yang was taken aback by the intimacy of Shao Cheng’s posture. It was as if he was… trapping Bai Yang in his arms.
He could even feel the warmth and moisture from Shao Cheng’s chest against his back. Bai Yang’s ears involuntarily turned slightly red, and he nervously stirred the noodles with his chopsticks until Shao Cheng softly reminded him that the noodles were about to be overcooked. Bai Yang hurriedly lifted the noodles out of the pot, his face flushing from the lingering warmth that had brushed against his ear, much like the tomatoes in the bowl.
Bai Yang brought two bowls of noodles to the dining table. Since he hadn’t accounted for his own portion while cooking, he had put all the minced meat tomato and egg mixture in Shao Cheng’s bowl. His own bowl of noodles was garnished with scallions and soy sauce, makeshift as scallion oil noodles.
Shao Cheng looked at the two bowls of noodles, reached for the one with scallion oil, and Bai Yang quickly clarified that it was his.
“I can’t eat that much,” Shao Cheng said lightly.
Indeed, the ingredients in the other bowl were a bit excessive. Bai Yang regretted not measuring properly. Since Shao Cheng didn’t want that bowl, he had to eat it himself.
After just a couple of bites, Shao Cheng put down his chopsticks and Bai Yang nervously asked, “Is it not good? Should I make something else for you?”
“No need, I’m full,” Shao Cheng said expressionlessly before heading upstairs.
Bai Yang felt a bit regretful. He finally had a chance to cook for Shao Cheng, and he messed it up.
After cleaning up the dishes, Bai Yang went upstairs quietly. He wanted to see if Shao Cheng was asleep, but to his surprise, the bedroom door was open and the light was on.
He lightly knocked on the door twice, and Shao Cheng’s voice came from inside, “What is it?”
Bai Yang entered the room. Last time he was in this room, Shao Cheng had questioned him at the door, so he hadn’t paid much attention. Now he noticed it was a suite – a study at the entrance with bookshelves, a computer, and a desk, and further inside was the bedroom.
Shao Cheng was sitting by the bedside reading, but when Bai Yang entered, he looked up.
“Thank you for letting me stay tonight,” Bai Yang said, “I’m sorry the late-night snack wasn’t good. What would you like for breakfast tomorrow? I’ll make it.”
Shao Cheng scoffed, “I want crab roe soup dumplings and Cantonese-style shrimp dumplings. Can you make those?”
Bai Yang awkwardly smiled and admitted, “I can’t.”
Shao Cheng snorted, “Then there’s nothing you can do for me.”
There’s nothing you can do for me.
Bai Yang felt like he’d been pricked by a needle, a sharp pang of pain. But it was true. Shao Cheng had people to do things for him. Someone like Bai Yang, who had neither money nor much ability, had no right to boldly offer to do things for him.
He was being too full of himself.
Bai Yang stood in front of the bed with a desolate feeling, pondering what he had to offer. The more he thought about it, the lower his head drooped. He had no real advantages, so why would Shao Cheng choose him as a sex partner? Wait a second, sex partner?
A sudden realization struck him. After a moment of hesitation, Bai Yang clenched his clothes and gathered his courage to take a step forward:
“Before, you said… you wanted to be with me. Do you still want that now?”
If Shao Cheng said no, he would immediately distance himself, never to humiliate himself again, never to bother the other person.
But Shao Cheng’s expression froze, and he closed the book, standing up. He walked in front of Bai Yang, exuding a pressing intensity that made Bai Yang’s heart race uncontrollably, his chest feeling like it was about to burst.
“Do you want to?”
Shao Cheng finally uttered those four words.
His deep, sharp gaze pierced straight into Bai Yang’s soul, as if trying to read his thoughts.
Bai Yang’s face heated up, and he nervously swallowed, meeting Shao Cheng’s scrutinizing gaze. He decided to go for it:
“Yes, I want to.”
Even if Shao Cheng had no feelings for him, even if Shao Cheng treated him badly, as long as it was Shao Cheng, he was willing.
Shao Cheng stared at him in silence for a long time, a gaze that made Bai Yang believe his words had angered him again.
“… Go take a shower.”
Shao Cheng finally spoke.
Bai Yang’s eyes widened suddenly, his heart beating uncontrollably. His chest felt like it was going to explode.
