The playing cards danced between Zhuang Hanxue’s fingers as he shuffled them smoothly, inviting the girl to draw one. She flipped over the card and exclaimed, “Wow, it really is the one I just mentioned!”
Qiu Zheyan had no idea that Zhuang Hanxue could perform magic tricks and was taken aback. There was a sparkle in Zhuang Hanxue’s eyes, shimmering with an unusual light that added a touch of charm to his presence. As he wandered through the gathering like a flower in full bloom, he seemed utterly at ease, as if he belonged there.
Qiu Zheyan recalled how Zhuang Hanxue had bragged a few times about being popular in his twenties, claiming that he would change girlfriends weekly after quarreling with his brother. He had always thought those were just empty boasts, mere jokes.
Now, it seemed there might be some truth to those claims.
Zhuang Hanxue chuckled, “Magic tricks are so outdated. Thanks for humoring this old-fashioned guy.”
A girl asked, “How about singing a song?”
Zhuang Hanxue replied confidently, “Sure, I have a few signature songs. I’m quite good, actually. I even considered pursuing a career in entertainment once. Haha.”
The girl teased, “You’re just bragging.”
But Zhuang Hanxue wasn’t bluffing. He chose the song “Li Bai1You can listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EtC63RlP4o” and sat down to sing:
“Most people want me to study and mind society’s views
I’ve studied those views diligently, till dawn breaks anew
Watched a foreign film, understood not a word
Realized at the end, it was all absurd
See how obedient, smart, and well-behaved I appear, how sly…”
His magnetic voice filled the room, causing others to fall silent and listen. While not quite professional caliber, his singing was far superior to the average person’s.
Zhuang Hanxue sang effortlessly, swaying gently to the rhythm. He cast a subtle glance at Qiu Zheyan amidst the crowd, his eyes twinkling with mirth. To Qiu Zheyan, that fleeting look conveyed a hint of diffuse affection, as if singing just for him. Yet Zhuang Hanxue’s gaze turned to the blushing girls as he continued, “At least I can write some poetry to stir emotions, to charm the ladies…”
Qiu Zheyan remained silent, his smile gradually fading. He had never known this side of Zhuang Hanxue existed.
Upon reflection, however, it didn’t seem surprising. This was quintessentially his style.
As the song ended, the girls applauded, “That was amazing!”
Zhuang Hanxue shamelessly boasted, “Of course. I won the Top Ten Singers competition in university, you know.”
“A little praise, and you’re already bragging,” Qiu Zheyan thought, bitter jealousy rising within him. He desperately wanted to tell them that Zhuang Hanxue wasn’t just his friend, but his boyfriend, the man he wanted to marry. Yet he hesitated to come out, unsure if Zhuang Hanxue would agree, and reluctant to expose his private life to his coworkers. “Why didn’t you tell me you could sing?” he asked instead.
Zhuang Hanxue looked innocent. “You never asked.”
After singing, they moved to a nearby bar for drinks and dancing.
Several drinks in, Zhuang Hanxue showed no signs of intoxication.
He grinned at Qiu Zheyan, “I can mix drinks too. I know many recipes. I’m telling you proactively this time. I’ll make you some when we get the chance.”
He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and began to smoke.
Women flocked around him like bees to honey. “Mr. Zhuang, let’s exchange WeChat contacts,” one suggested.
Someone remarked to Qiu Zheyan, “Boss, why haven’t you brought your friend out before? You should have introduced him earlier. Sure enough, handsome guys always have handsome friends.”
Zhuang Hanxue agreed readily, “Sure. You scan mine, or I scan yours?”
They exchanged contact information.
Qiu Zheyan felt a heavy weight in his chest, unable to breathe properly. He watched helplessly as Zhuang Hanxue obliviously opened the app.
This fool, exchanging numbers with women right in front of his lover.
Qiu Zheyan couldn’t take it anymore. He discreetly dialed a number from his pocket.
Before Zhuang Hanxue could add the new contact, his phone lit up with an incoming call: [My Emperor].
The friend request was interrupted.
Zhuang Hanxue glanced at his phone and smiled, “Just a moment.”
Qiu Zheyan, standing right beside him, kept his phone in his pocket, feigning ignorance as he sipped his drink. He hung up before Zhuang Hanxue could answer.
A woman’s sweet voice inquired, “Mr. Zhuang, what do you do for work?”
Zhuang Hanxue replied candidly, “Me? I’m currently unemployed.”
The woman pressed on, “Are you looking for a new job?”
With a smile, Zhuang Hanxue responded, “Not really. I’m basically a full-time kept man.”
The woman asked awkwardly, “… Mr. Zhuang, you’re joking, right?”
Zhuang Hanxue responded, his tone a mix of flippancy and sincerity, “Not at all, I’m serious. Don’t let my age fool you. Some people have a thing for mature guys too, you know.”
Qiu Zheyan choked on his drink, nearly spitting it out.
Zhuang Hanxue sat beside him, patting his back. “If you can’t handle alcohol, don’t drink.”
The women who had been surrounding Zhuang Hanxue quietly dispersed.
Qiu Zheyan discreetly pinched Zhuang Hanxue’s inner thigh, causing him to flinch like a shrimp. Qiu Zheyan said sourly, “You seemed to enjoy chatting with those women. If I hadn’t called, would you have added them on WeChat?”
Zhuang Hanxue looked bewildered, as if unaware of any wrongdoing. “Was I not supposed to? You should have told me earlier if that wasn’t allowed.”
Qiu Zheyan’s head throbbed. “Did I really need to spell that out for you?”
Zhuang Hanxue nodded obediently. “Oh, then I won’t add them.” He thought for a while, then added, “You’re right, a kept man shouldn’t flirt around like that. I get it. I won’t talk to them anymore.”
If not for Zhuang Hanxue’s characteristically oblivious nature, Qiu Zheyan might have thought he was being deliberately sarcastic. “I’m not saying you can’t talk to anyone. Just don’t call yourself a kept man. We’re in a relationship.”
Zhuang Hanxue’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, are we?”
What was there to be surprised about?
Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Qiu Zheyan felt particularly irritated tonight after bottling up his feelings all evening.
To make matters worse, someone added fuel to the fire.
A male employee from his company asked, “I’m thinking of renting a room to play mahjong. Anyone want to join?”
Zhuang Hanxue eagerly raised his hand. “Me! I want to go! It’s been a while since I played.”
He glanced back at Qiu Zheyan. “I can’t play with women, but it’s okay with men, right?”
Qiu Zheyan replied exasperatedly, “Is that really the issue here?”
Seeing Qiu Zheyan’s stern expression, Zhuang Hanxue shrank back a little. “If we can’t go, that’s fine. Playing games at home is good too.”
Seeing Zhuang Hanxue’s reaction, Qiu Zheyan felt he’d been too harsh and softened his tone. “I’m not saying you can’t go…”
Zhuang Hanxue’s eyes immediately lit up, pushing his luck. “So we can go? Great! I haven’t played in ages. I’m quite good at it, you know! I just stopped because it got too expensive when I ran out of money.”
He started to leave.
Qiu Zheyan felt inexplicably angry.
He regretted bringing Zhuang Hanxue out. He should have kept him at home, or better yet, in his pocket if possible.
Acting on impulse, he grabbed Zhuang Hanxue’s collar, like holding a dog’s leash, and started to leave.
“Boss, you’re leaving already?”
“Mr. Zhuang is leaving too?”
Qiu Zheyan forced a smile. “Yes, my friend and I are heading back. Enjoy yourselves, and happy New Year’s Eve.”
He dragged Zhuang Hanxue to the parking lot, his grip slightly rough from the alcohol.
Zhuang Hanxue took out his phone, suggesting, “We’ve both been drinking. Should we call a driver?”
Qiu Zheyan opened the car door, pushing Zhuang Hanxue inside.
Zhuang Hanxue fumbled, dropping his phone under the seat. As he reached for it, an arm wrapped around his waist.
Qiu Zheyan, reeking of alcohol, pressed against him, kissing him fiercely – more like biting – as if he wanted to devour him whole. Zhuang Hanxue could barely breathe.
Qiu Zheyan demanded, “You can do magic tricks, sing, mix drinks, play cards – why didn’t you tell me any of this?”
Zhuang Hanxue, aroused by the kisses, gazed at him with moist eyes, panting softly, “I never had the chance… Be gentle…”
“Why would I tell you? It’s nothing good.”
“I’m good for nothing but eating, drinking, and having fun.”
“Why else do you think I have no savings at my age?”
Qiu Zheyan leaned down, covering him.
He felt a mix of love and hatred for the man in his arms.
He thought he knew Zhuang Hanxue completely, that he was putty in his hands. But tonight mocked his arrogance. Even if the wind settled in his arms for a moment, once released, it remained free and elusive.
How much more about Zhuang Hanxue did he not know?
He thought he had explored every inch.
Despite responding so shamelessly to him, despite being trained this way, why did he still feel that this fool might be easily swayed by any woman who showed interest?
Was anyone who could support him enough? Man or woman, anyone would do?
How could someone be so infuriating?
He bit Zhuang Hanxue’s neck, leaving a mark of both love and hate.
Zhuang Hanxue passed out midway and woke up at home.
Qiu Zheyan had placed him in a warm bath and washed his body.
He felt sore all over, as if he’d been crushed and not fully reassembled.
They sat together in the tub, Qiu Zheyan holding him, now back to being a gentle, large dog.
Zhuang Hanxue wasn’t angry, just puzzled. “Why did you act like you had rabies? Were you jealous? I only chatted with those women briefly. You were scary.”
Qiu Zheyan mumbled, “I’m sorry. I hurt you.”
Zhuang Hanxue forgave him instantly. “It’s okay.”
Qiu Zheyan said gloomily, “Don’t say I’m keeping you. I’m in a serious relationship with you.”
Zhuang Hanxue avoided a direct answer, sounding troubled. “Hmm…”
Qiu Zheyan couldn’t hold back anymore. “Let’s get married. I want to marry you.”
He expected Zhuang Hanxue to at least hesitate or respond diplomatically. Instead, Zhuang Hanxue replied without hesitation, firmly, “I don’t want to.”
Qiu Zheyan felt blood rushing to his head.
The man who had just been intimate with him and was now sitting naked in his arms asked nonchalantly, “Can I still continue living at your place?”
His voice echoed hollowly in the bathroom, lingering in the rising steam, never quite settling.
Zhuang Hanxue turned his head, asking cautiously, “You won’t kick me out now, will you?”
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