Chapter 47
Lu Yao kissed urgently, like a wolf that hadn’t eaten meat for days, holding the meat with a sense of reluctance, wishing to swallow it whole for satisfaction.
Yu Le was dazed by the kiss, and once the initial shock faded, he couldn’t help but find it amusing.
He had just said he was calm, but it seemed some people didn’t take compliments well.
Yu Le was held tightly by Lu Yao, but it was still within the realm of what he could tolerate. Deciding to endure for the sake of his boyfriend’s enthusiasm, he raised his arms to embrace Lu Yao’s neck and tried to respond.
He wasn’t very skilled; his past kissing experiences were mostly passive, being kissed by Lu Yao. Now, whether he attempted to kiss his lips or cautiously extended his tongue, it was all rather clumsy.
However, this clumsiness caused Lu Yao’s movements to momentarily falter.
When he stopped, Yu Le was unsure how to proceed.
Hesitating for a moment whether to take this chance to turn the tables, the next second, a more intense assault came like a storm.
Yu Le was trapped in Lu Yao’s embrace, with the back of his head pressed into Lu Yao’s palm, his clothes lifted, and a rough, calloused hand gripping his waist tightly.
Yu Le realized how childish his previous thoughts had been.
His waist was squeezed painfully, the air in his lungs almost depleted, with breathless sounds escaping and then being tightly sealed again. Yu Le’s lips and tongue were numb, his mind a blur.
Lu Yao clearly noticed his condition and pulled back slightly to give him a moment to breathe. As soon as Yu Le managed to recover a bit, Lu Yao would resume kissing him immediately.
There was some humanity, but not much.
Finally, it took Yu Le biting Lu Yao’s tongue in frustration to save himself from the intense kiss.
“Feeling sorry for me and getting a bit overconfident, huh?” Yu Le angrily punched Lu Yao’s back, scratching lightly.
Lu Yao laughed softly into his shoulder.
Yu Le, feeling dizzy, complained, “And you still have the nerve to laugh.”
Lu Yao kissed his ear and said, “Didn’t you agree, Le Le?”
Yu Le shrank his neck, feeling ticklish, “When did I agree?”
Lu Yao replied, “You agreed to pay on credit.”
Yu Le couldn’t recall right away but vaguely remembered, “So now it’s—”
“Payback for conversation fees.”
Lu Yao was being cheeky.
Yu Le lost his right to speak again.
But unlike the ravenous kiss before, this time the kiss was tender, like the gentlest waves that follow the removal of strength, slowly eroding Yu Le’s consciousness, pulling him deeper and deeper.
By the time the hot kisses reached his neck, Yu Le had forgotten he could speak and also forgot what he wanted to say.
He tilted his head back, his sensitive nerves scorched by the warmth, sapping his strength, causing his legs to weaken and slowly slide down.
Noticing this, Lu Yao swiftly picked him up and placed him on the nearby cabinet. He held Yu Le with one arm and gently lifted his chin with the other, making him look at him.
With red eyes and a flushed nose, his slightly open lips gasped for air, and his beautiful eyes were unfocused, like a lake on a mountain top in the early morning, clear yet veiled by a layer of mist.
Truly, beautiful to Lu Yao’s heart.
Treating him like a rare treasure, Lu Yao pressed down the tumult of emotions in his eyes and lightly kissed the corner of Yu Le’s eyes, wiping away the overflowing tears, then slowly moved down. They kissed in the shade until the sunset vanished behind the mountains, taking the last trace of light with it.
The close proximity seemed to let every shift in mood of his beloved seep into the other’s body.
Yu Le leaned his forehead against Lu Yao’s, their breaths intertwined, and he seemed somewhat at a loss, not knowing how to handle such a sudden situation.
After a while, he tentatively asked, “Do you need my help?”
Lu Yao’s response was a forceful kiss on his face, then letting him go, his voice hushed and hoarse, “Good boy, go eat. I’ll be there soon.”
After Lu Yao returned to his room, Yu Le sat alone for a while.
Once his heartbeat calmed down, he jumped down from the cabinet and found his calves still weak, almost unable to stand.
Indeed, a reunion after a brief separation felt like a honeymoon—
During dinner, with everyone present, Yu Le had Aunt Zhang fry and heat up some crispy spare ribs he had brought, the aroma filling the courtyard, waking up the sleeping Shui Cai, who came out wagging its tail to join the excitement.
Yu Le picked out the four largest ribs for it.
Da Huang, who seemed to have hidden somewhere, got a bit as well, and the rest was plated and served on the table.
When Lu Yao came down, he had changed into different clothes. Wen Yuan greeted him, “Bro, taking a shower in broad daylight?”
Just as he spoke, he got a light tap on the head, and Yan Jia’s slow voice came, “Behave, let’s not interfere with the little couple’s matters.”
Wen Yuan frowned, moving away in distaste, “Don’t get too close to me.”
Yu Le, slightly distracted, pretended not to hear Yan Jia and served Lu Yao a rib, watching him eat, “How is it? My mom’s cooking is pretty good, right?”
Lu Yao nodded in approval, “Very delicious.”
Yu Le was satisfied and a bit smug.
Wen Yuan wasn’t as composed and directly gave a thumbs up, “Super tasty, Auntie’s awesome!”
Yan Jia commented, “Still as sweet-talking as ever.”
“Is being sweet-talking a problem?”
Wen Yuan shot back, “And can you not talk to me? I don’t want to bother with you.”
Yan Jia asked, “Don’t want to talk to me?”
Wen Yuan responded, “Yes!”
Yan Jia asked again, “Really?”
Wen Yuan replied, “Can it even be fake?”
Yan Jia teased, “You talked to me twice already.”
Wen Yuan fell silent, stubbornly munching on ribs, determined not to acknowledge him.
Yu Le, finding their interaction amusing, asked, “When did you two meet? I didn’t know.”
Wen Yuan: “I don’t know him. Who does?”
Yan Jia: “We went to a summer camp together in our sophomore year. We stayed in the same tent.”
Yu Le: “A subject camp?”
Yan Jia: “An adventure camp.”
Yu Le: “…”
Yan Jia smirked, “Don’t you know me? How could I attend those extracurricular activities for learning purposes? I have enough lessons at school.”
Wen Yuan huffed, “Peacock displaying its feathers.”
Yan Jia: “Yeah, just for you.”
Wen Yuan ground his teeth in frustration.
Yu Le had originally wanted to ask why, despite staying in the same tent, their relationship was still so poor, but it seemed unnecessary now.
Yan Jia was just a bit of a troublemaker who liked to tease people, much like his pet cat. The more he liked someone, the more he would provoke them, even if it made them angry. He still found the cat’s hissing and angry looks endearing.
But Wen Yuan was genuinely annoyed with Yan Jia. He quickly finished his meal, grabbed a rib, and left, not wanting to stay any longer.
Yan Jia had driven for over five hours and was now feeling dizzy and exhausted. After eating, he went upstairs to rest and recharge.
Yu Le saw Da Huang jump down from the wall and went over to feed it the ribs he had saved for it. Sighing, he felt a bit sorry for Wen Yuan, who ended up with a troublemaker after their trip.
Yet, he couldn’t help but think that the bickering between these two was quite entertaining.
Sorry, he felt even more sorry.
The bumpy mountain road had tired everyone out, both those driving and those riding. Yu Le had planned to discuss some things with Lu Yao in the evening, but as soon as he touched the bed, he passed out as fast as the light, sleeping until nearly noon the next day.
Yan Jia, feeling new to the area, wanted to explore. He originally wanted Wen Yuan to be his guide, but since Wen Yuan ignored him, the task fell to Yu Le.
After lunch, the two of them went out. Yan Jia wanted to explore the mountains but was called back to the inn by a phone call.
Yu Le overheard, “Aren’t you on vacation? Why are you still getting work calls?”
Yan Jia laughed and crossed his arms, “Young man, capitalism isn’t as wonderful as you might think.”
Yu Le sympathetically said, “Get lost.”
Back at the inn, Yan Jia went straight upstairs, while Yu Le stayed downstairs to talk to Lu Yao.
As the sun started to set, Lu Qin came to report that Grandma Lu’s surgery was very successful and brought some gifts to thank Lu Yao for his help during the process.
Hearing the good news made Yu Le feel happy. He asked, “Has Grandma Lu returned yet?”
“Not yet.”
Lu Qin looked a bit thinner, with dark circles under his eyes, indicating his exhaustion from the hospital, but his eyes remained bright. “The surgery was recent, so she needs to stay in the hospital for observation. But don’t worry, the doctor said she’s recovering very well.”
Lu Yao nodded, “That’s good. If you need any help, feel free to ask me.”
Lu Qin, looking embarrassed, said, “Brother Lu, our family has already troubled you too much.”
Lu Yao replied, “It’s no trouble.”
Lu Qin was back to get things for Grandma Lu and couldn’t stay long. Although Lu Yao didn’t want to accept his gift, Lu Qin was stubborn, so Lu Yao had no choice but to accept it.
The gift wasn’t very expensive, but it was given with sincere feelings, including a horse-riding sculpture carved by Lu Qin himself. The details were exquisite, and Yu Le took an immediate liking to it.
He seemed to wear his thoughts on his face, and Lu Yao handed him the wooden sculpture: “This size should be just right for your bookshelf in your room.”
Yu Le initially thought he meant the inn room but quickly realized he was referring to his own room at home, and remarked, “You noticed that?”
Lu Yao answered calmly, “I also know you have basketball star posters on the wall and a pair of black headphones hanging by your bed.”
Yu Le’s eyes widened, “Impressive observation skills, Boss Lu.”
“Has nothing to do with observation skills,” Lu Yao said, organizing the gifts. “I’m just interested in your living environment.”
“I should have given you a tour earlier,” Yu Le said. “Next time, definitely… no, forget the video call. I’ll take you to see it next time.”
Just as Yu Le finished speaking, a loud male voice called out, “Boss, checking in!”
Yu Le turned to see a burly young man with a buzz cut, dark skin, and a large travel bag, resembling a backpacker heading into the mountains.
Lu Yao didn’t immediately respond. He looked at the man’s face for a few seconds and then calmly said a name: “Shen Yu.”
Shen Yu.
Yu Le repeated the name in his mind, finding it a bit familiar.
Shen Yu was momentarily confused when called but stepped forward, put on his glasses, and recognized Lu Yao with surprise, “Brother Lu! What a coincidence!”
Lu Yao: “Fancy seeing you here. Are you traveling?”
Shen Yu smiled brightly, “Sort of. I had some business in the previous town and split from my friends. I’m meeting them tomorrow. I just wanted to find a place to rest before dark, and I didn’t expect to run into you.”
Lu Yao asked him to show his ID, “One night?”
“Yes!” Shen Yu wiped his forehead. “Brother Lu, is this your inn?”
Lu Yao confirmed with a nod.
“Great,” Shen Yu said. “The mountain environment is fantastic and so relaxing… Oh, wait, didn’t the squad leader say you were in the army?”
Lu Yao: “I’m retired.”
“Ah? Oh, right, it’s been quite a few years.”
Shen Yu was casual about it and didn’t think much more. “Brother Lu, you might not know, but back then, a few of us wanted to join the army too. Unfortunately, we all failed the physical exams.”
“You know, my eyesight was terrible in high school. I couldn’t even see where the C on the eye chart was opening. It made me so mad I didn’t eat for a few days.”
Yu Le, hearing about high school, suddenly remembered, “Are you a high school classmate of Boss Lu?”
“Yes, I am.”
Shen Yu nodded reflexively, about to ask who Yu Le was, when he heard Yu Le ask, “The person who warned Lu Yao on the forum not to be too arrogant, or he might lose his head?”
Shen Yu: “…”
Why?
Why does such a dark piece of history still get remembered now???
