Outside, a car drove past on the road, its headlights shining through the window and sweeping across the ceiling.

In the quiet night, the sound of tires rolling over the pavement was very clear. The soundproofing in this room was a bit… Zou Yang turned his head and glanced at Fan Jun.

Neither of their breathing had completely steadied yet. He could see the scar on Fan Jun’s left chest rising and falling.

He raised his hand and tapped the scar lightly.

“Hey.” Fan Jun caught his hand and pressed it back to his side. “We have business to do tomorrow.”

“…I just poked it,” Zou Yang said. “It’s not like I’m a machine gun that can just keep firing like this.”

“You…” Fan Jun turned to look at him, then sat up with a laugh. “Crazy… I’m going to wash up.”

“Me first,” Zou Yang said.

“Mm.” Fan Jun didn’t move from the edge of the bed.

Zou Yang didn’t move either.

“Do you want me to carry you over?” Fan Jun asked.

“Get lost.” Zou Yang smiled. “I just meant I’m done talking and don’t want to move.”

“I really can’t carry you right now, I can only haul you with one arm,” Fan Jun said, getting up and walking toward the bathroom. “Like hauling a sheep…”

Zou Yang watched his retreating back. A very nice back, a very nice waist, a very nice… ass.

“Aren’t you going to wrap something around yourself?” Zou Yang asked, keeping his voice down.

Fan Jun stopped, turned around, and walked back.

“What are you doing?” Zou Yang watched him.

Fan Jun grabbed his T-shirt off the bed, wrapped it around his waist, then turned and walked back toward the bathroom.

“Damn you, Fan Jun, you’re the crazy one!” Zou Yang couldn’t help but laugh.

He had been feeling a bit too lazy to move, but after that laugh, the laziness faded. He also needed to… wash up.

However, just as he sat up, he heard Fan Jun coughing dryly from the bathroom.

“What’s wrong?” He hopped out of bed and ran into the bathroom in a few quick steps.

Fan Jun was leaning against the sink, waving a hand at him. “It’s nothing.”

“If it’s nothing, why are you coughing?” Zou Yang grabbed his chin and checked his face. He didn’t actually look like he was feeling unwell…

“Just a bit of a reflex while rinsing my mouth,” Fan Jun said.

“Why…” Zou Yang stopped mid-sentence.

Fan Jun looked at him.

“Alright, I get it, don’t say it,” Zou Yang pushed his face back toward the sink. “Keep spitting.”

“I wasn’t spitting, I was coughing,” Fan Jun said.

Zou Yang clicked his tongue. Although he felt very embarrassed, he still couldn’t resist asking, “Did you poke the back of your throat?”

“Hey,” Fan Jun smiled, turning his head to look at him again. “No, I’m just a little unaccustomed to it.”

“With my face like this, I didn’t even…” Zou Yang remembered halfway through his sentence, quickly turned around to throw the tissue from beside his pillow into the trash can, and returned to the bathroom.

“You wash,” Fan Jun said, stepping aside.

Zou Yang didn’t move, clicking his tongue again.

“…Then you keep it,” Fan Jun said, turning off the faucet.

“Get lost.” Zou Yang went over, shoved him aside, turned on the faucet, and washed his face.

When he straightened up, Fan Jun hugged him from behind and lowered his head to kiss his shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” Zou Yang looked at the two of them in the mirror. It looked a bit… erotic, so he quickly glanced down. Ah, the sink blocked it. That was good.

“Nothing, just wanted to hold you for a bit,” Fan Jun said.

“Mm,” Zou Yang responded. He didn’t say anything else, just leaned back a little.

The two of them stood there in front of the mirror for a long time.

“Sleep?” Fan Jun asked, his mouth pressed against Zou Yang’s shoulder.

“At least let’s lie down,” Zou Yang said. “I’m tired just standing here.”

Fan Jun smiled, hugged him, turned him around, and pushed him forward out of the bathroom.

“Let’s sleep in the other bed,” Zou Yang said.

“Mm,” Fan Jun let go of him, went over to pull back the covers, then grabbed his bag and rummaged through it. “Is this a set of pajamas?”

“Yeah.” Zou Yang yawned, took the clothes, and put them on.

He didn’t really want to wear them—sleeping skin-to-skin was very comfortable—but this was just a small-town inn, after all…

He sighed and lay down on the bed.

Although Fan Jun had stuffed his bag full of snacks, someone who wore bear pajamas at home would naturally bring pajamas when traveling. This time, he didn’t bring a cute style, but a set of floral pajamas that looked very vacation-y.

“You should wear that to go sunbathe by the lake,” Zou Yang said. “Put on some sunglasses.”

Fan Jun smiled, lay down beside him, and pulled the covers over them. “Behave yourself when you sleep tonight.”

“Do I not behave?” Zou Yang asked.

“When you slept on the sofa at my place,” Fan Jun wrapped his arms around him, gripping his wrist and rubbing back and forth over the scar, “your legs were never actually on the sofa.”

“That’s because the sofa was too narrow,” Zou Yang said.

“This bed isn’t very wide for two people either,” Fan Jun said.

“I might not even be able to fall asleep.” Zou Yang stared wide-eyed at the ceiling light.

“Forgot to turn off the lights.” Fan Jun sat up and pressed a series of switches by the headboard like he was playing the piano, turning off all the lights in the room.

The curtains in this inn looked like they hadn’t been washed in a long time. Neither of them wanted to touch them, so they had only drawn the sheer curtains. Now, even with the lights off, the streetlamps and moonlight outside filtered through the sheer fabric, filling the room with a pale brightness.

“Do you want to draw the curtains?” Zou Yang asked.

“Do you?” Fan Jun asked.

Zou Yang hesitated. “Let’s not.”

“Mm.” Fan Jun buried his face in Zou Yang’s neck. “If you’re not used to squeezing into bed with someone, then…”

“No.” Zou Yang grabbed his arm and pulled him closer.

Fan Jun hugged him tight.

“A little looser,” Zou Yang said.

Fan Jun loosened his grip a bit.

“A little lower,” Zou Yang added.

Fan Jun moved his arm down to hold him by the waist, his voice muffled in Zou Yang’s neck, “Are you not done commanding me yet?”

“…When did I ever command you?” Zou Yang laughed.

“Keep going, look at me…” Fan Jun said in a low voice.

“Fuck,” Zou Yang suddenly felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. “Shut up, shut up, shut up!”

Fan Jun laughed, rubbing his nose against Zou Yang’s ear. “When you said it, I didn’t tell you to shut up.”

“That’s because you didn’t seize the opportunity,” Zou Yang said. “Shut up.”

“Mm.” Fan Jun buried his face properly again.

Zou Yang closed his eyes.

He was very sleepy, but he couldn’t fall asleep for the time being. His mind was full of unhealthy things.

Earlier he had felt dizzy and disoriented like he was drunk, but now that he closed his eyes, his mind was filled with details—even the audio track was complete.

The human brain.

Truly amazing…

“Zou Yang,” Fan Jun called his name into his neck.

The slight vibration tickled.

“Mm?” Zou Yang responded.

“Are you still angry?” Fan Jun asked.

“I’m not angry right now,” Zou Yang said, eyes closed, tracing light circles on Fan Jun’s arm with his fingers. “Whether I’ll be angry later is hard to say. I have a big temper.”

“I…” Fan Jun hesitated slightly, his voice very low. “I really like it when you’re angry.”

“You’re a pervert,” Zou Yang said.

“That’s not what I mean. Do you understand?” Fan Jun smiled. “It’s just… when you’re angry… I can’t explain it clearly, but you have to be angry at me.”

“Fan Jun,” Zou Yang clicked his tongue. “I always thought you were a serious, proper person.”

“I am quite serious,” Fan Jun said.

“Then I thought about it—what kind of serious person could come out of your 21st Middle School?” Zou Yang said. “You even went to both middle and high school there.”

Fan Jun smiled and squeezed his waist. “Does this count as discrimination?”

“Yes,” Zou Yang sighed. “You’re pretty amazing, too. You stayed at 21st Middle for six years, and although you have a hidden, less-than-proper side, overall you’re still a very, very good person.”

“What kind of talk is that?” Fan Jun said. “Then you’re still the world’s most…”

“I am,” Zou Yang said.

Fan Jun held him tighter.

“I also hope you’re the person in the whole world who needs me the most,” Zou Yang said.

Fan Jun was silent. After a while, he said in a low voice, “Zou Yang, I’m definitely not the only person in the world who needs you, but I am definitely the person in the whole world who needs you the most.”

Zou Yang didn’t speak. He just turned his head and kissed the corner of Fan Jun’s eye.

The phone, tossed onto the nightstand to charge, chimed.

“Who is it?” Zou Yang asked with his eyes closed.

“Must be the waiter,” Fan Jun said.

The phone chimed a few more times.

“Sigh,” Zou Yang said, a bit helplessly, reaching out to grab the phone. “At this hour… let’s see.”

[Respect]: It’s not that I want to interrupt your honeymoon
[Respect]: But I have to ask about this
[Respect]: Is this you two?

Below was a forwarded post from Xiaohongshu.

• Hoping the guys taking pictures by Luoyun Lake can see this post.

“What is this?” Zou Yang paused, then clicked the link.

“Isn’t this where we were taking pictures today?” Fan Jun said.

It was a photo of the lake, taken from the same angle as theirs, but the photographer had been much farther away from the lake, capturing the road as well.

• To the guys taking pictures of the sunset here today: I caught you two in my shot of the sunset, and I wanted to give the photo to you.

“Holy shit.” Zou Yang turned to look at Fan Jun.

They were pressed so close that he couldn’t see clearly and his eyes crossed.

“Did Liu Wenrui send this to you?” Fan Jun’s nose was pressed against Zou Yang’s face, looking at the screen with one eye.

“Yeah,” Zou Yang directly sent a voice message to Liu Wenrui. “How did you see this?”

Liu Wenrui’s voice message came back quickly: “You’re so anxious you’re not even typing! I just searched the place you guys were going yesterday, saw there was a lake, and today it’s been pushing guides for this lake to me all day. And then I saw this.”

“Holy shit, that actually works.” Zou Yang was shocked.

[Respect]: I’ll use a burner account to ask for the photos for you
[Zou yang]: Why do we need the photos
[Respect]: What if they’re better than yours
[Respect]: I took a look, this girl’s photos are all taken with a DSLR, she’s a professional

Zou Yang turned to look at Fan Jun again.

“Get them,” Fan Jun said.

“Alright, our Jun’er says get them, so we get them.” Zou Yang patted his face.

[Zou yang]: OK

“Let’s see what we look like in someone else’s world,” Fan Jun said.

Zou Yang smiled. “Suddenly so romantic.”

Fan Jun hugged him and didn’t say anything.

[Respect]: Give me two photos that can prove it’s you guys

Zou Yang scrolled through his phone, found a photo of them from the back, and sent it to Liu Wenrui.

[Respect]: Fuck
[Respect]: So romantic
[Zou yang]: Get down to business, stop nagging
[Respect]: You guys don’t wait up, it’ll probably be tomorrow

Zou Yang put the phone back on the nightstand and yawned. “It’s amazing we actually encountered something like this. We go on trips nearby all the time and no one’s ever caught us in a photo.”

“Is that so,” Fan Jun closed his eyes.

“Maybe it’s because Longlong is usually there,” Zou Yang also closed his eyes.

“Don’t pick on Zhang Chuanlong,” Fan Jun said with a smile. “What’s there to photograph when you four are together? At a glance, it’s just four big goofy guys.”

“Really?” Zou Yang clicked his tongue. “So the first time I went to the gym, was it also just four big goofy guys?”

“Two,” Fan Jun said.

“Who was the other one, Li Zhiyue?” Zou Yang asked.

“Mm,” Fan Jun nodded. “But I only saw you clearly. You look so much like Sister Shan… very good-looking…”

“It took me a long time to see you clearly,” Zou Yang said.

Fan Jun laughed.

This feeling was very strange. Zou Yang gently stroked Fan Jun’s arm. In the past, when Liu Wenrui stayed overnight at his place, they would also lie in bed chatting and playing games, but he had never felt this kind of quiet, grounded feeling…

He just felt incredibly sleepy but still had to keep his mouth shut… Of course, as his only point of reference, Liu Wenrui was really not a useful comparison for this kind of thing…

Because his heart felt grounded, he slept very soundly.

There wasn’t even the discomfort of sharing a blanket with someone for the first time.

Zou Yang didn’t even dream that night. He was woken up in the morning by Fan Jun patting him.

“Ah…” He rolled over without opening his eyes.

“What do you want to eat?” Fan Jun asked. “I’ll go buy it, there’s food downstairs.”

“Didn’t they give us two breakfast tickets yesterday?” Zou Yang kept his eyes closed.

“It’s past ten. Breakfast is over,” Fan Jun said.

“Past ten?” Zou Yang finally opened his eyes, looking at Fan Jun standing by the bed. It took him a long time to focus. He had really slept his fill.

“Yes,” Fan Jun reached out a hand. “Hurry up, get out of bed. I’m on a business trip, I still have actual work to do.”

Zou Yang grabbed his hand and sat up. “Holy shit, you slept until ten too? Don’t you get up at six or seven every day?”

“Special circumstances,” Fan Jun tossed his clothes onto the bed.

“What spe—” Zou Yang stopped mid-sentence, shut his mouth, grabbed his clothes, and quickly put them on.

By ten o’clock, the small town was fully awake. The sun was shining brightly, and the somewhat messy streets exuded a lively, everyday atmosphere.

They grabbed a quick bite—scallion pancakes and soy milk—ate in the car, and headed straight to Boss Li’s place.

The sunlight in Boss Li’s courtyard was even better in the morning. Zou Yang took out his phone and snapped a few pictures, following behind Fan Jun.

Bright sunlight, a slightly desolate grove, a white courtyard wall with an ancient feel.

And a cool guy.

Fan Jun was wearing a short down jacket, cargo pants, and ankle boots. He looked sharp and sexy.

Yes, sexy.

Zou Yang took two quick steps and slapped his ass right before he entered the courtyard gate.

“Mr. Zou, this is not behavior befitting a shareholder,” Fan Jun quickly turned his head, lowering his voice. “There are security cameras all around.”

“Fuck,” Zou Yang froze. “Really?”

“Mm,” Fan Jun pulled the bell on the door. “There’s one right behind you.”

Zou Yang turned his head and sure enough, saw a camera mounted glaringly on the courtyard wall. “Damn him… will he look at it?”

“He knows we’re here, so he probably won’t,” Fan Jun said. “Dare to do it but don’t dare to own up to it, huh, Zou Yang?”

“…I am still a student, after all,” Zou Yang said.

It was A-Zhi who came out to greet them today, leading them into the house just like yesterday. Boss Li was also sitting at the tea table.

It was like a rerun.

However, Boss Li’s attitude was slightly better today. “Take a look at the goods first, then we’ll have lunch together at noon?”

“We won’t bother you for lunch,” Fan Jun said. “Next time Boss He comes, he’ll have a good drink with you.”

“Do you guys have other plans?” Boss Li stood up, leading them further inside.

“Mm,” Fan Jun paused. “We’re going… boating on the lake.”

“Rowing on the lake?” Boss Li turned his head in shock to confirm.

Zou Yang was also shocked. In this freezing weather, Fan Jun was just spouting nonsense to find an excuse not to eat with him.

“Yes, a winter lake… is different from how it usually is,” Fan Jun said.

“That’s true,” Boss Li thought for a moment, then suddenly pointed a finger at Fan Jun. “I’ll make a phone call in a bit. You guys take my boat out on the lake.”

“What?” Zou Yang looked at him, then at Fan Jun.

“There’s… no need. It’s too much trouble,” Fan Jun said.

“No trouble,” Boss Li waved a hand. “Just a word from me. My boat just finished its inspection. I’ll have the captain take you guys out for a spin. Otherwise, you won’t even find someone to drive a boat on the lake at this time of year… A-Zhi!”

“Mm,” A-Zhi responded, grabbing his phone, turning around, and walking out to make the call.

“Thank you, Boss Li,” Fan Jun said.

What was there to thank him for? Were they really going boating on the lake just like that?

Zou Yang poked him in the back. Fan Jun turned his head.

You’re going to freeze to death, Zou Yang mouthed.

“We’ll both freeze to death,” Fan Jun whispered in his ear.

Boss Li had two rooms specifically used as warehouses. Aside from the stone objects placed in the backyard, everything else was in the warehouses, with the newly arrived goods right by the entrance.

While Fan Jun and Boss Li were looking at the goods, Zou Yang stood in the backyard. Various stone carvings and sculptures, bearing traces of mud and moss, were piled on the ground. Some looked like they had been sitting there for years, almost blending in with the ground.

He looked up at the sky. The sun was dazzling, the clouds moving slowly.

For a moment, it felt like standing amidst the flow of time.

He realized that this job was actually pretty good. It wasn’t too busy, and you got to travel around from time to time…

The things piled up in the courtyard were quite interesting. Zou Yang bent down, examining them one by one.

He originally wanted to follow them into the warehouse, but after thinking about it, he decided against it.

This was Fan Jun’s work. His tagging along for fun was already acting first and reporting later. Thanks to Boss He not minding, he shouldn’t follow too closely now. Besides, he could see Fan Jun from the courtyard anyway.

Because He Chuan had a clear goal from the start, Fan Jun looked through the goods very quickly. After finishing what He Chuan wanted and picking out a few things from Boss Li’s recommendations, he was pretty much done.

Then A-Zhi brought a woman into the warehouse and they started packing.

Fan Jun walked out, looked at him, and asked, “See anything you like?”

“Mm?” Zou Yang was a bit startled.

“I saw you bent over here looking for a long time,” Fan Jun said with a smile.

“They’re all pretty interesting,” Zou Yang said. “Maybe I’ll buy a house with a yard in the future and get some of these to put in it.”

“A villa?” Fan Jun asked.

“…Can’t afford that,” Zou Yang clicked his tongue. If it was in the city, then it really would only be a villa.

Fan Jun didn’t say anything, just reached over and put an arm around his shoulder.

The goods were all packed up, just waiting for them to come and load them after their boat ride.

Standing by the lake, looking at Boss Li’s boat and the captain huddled with his neck drawn in, waiting for them on the dock, Zou Yang felt his teeth chattering.

“You guys sure are in the mood for fun, bosses,” the captain waved at them. “Hurry up and get on board, it’s windy here.”

They boarded the boat. Boss Li’s pleasure boat wasn’t huge, but it was very new and looked like it could hold twenty or thirty people.

“I’ll take you guys for a spin around the lake, then we’ll go look around the island in the middle,” the captain said. “If you see a spot where you want to take pictures, just let me know.”

“Are there any spots with less wind?” Zou Yang asked.

“What are you thinking, boss,” the captain laughed. “The wind is only weak when you’re at home.”

“Damn.” Zou Yang laughed too.

Once the boat started moving, standing inside the cabin wasn’t too cold, but looking through the glass wasn’t satisfying enough.

“Let’s go to the bow,” Fan Jun suddenly said.

“Huh?” Zou Yang was stunned.

“Since we’re already here,” Fan Jun turned and headed for the bow. “Hurry.”

Zou Yang followed him toward the bow.

“I’ve never been on a boat before,” Fan Jun said.

“Then we definitely have to go to the bow.” Zou Yang patted his back.

Facing the accelerating, biting north wind, under the captain’s gaze as if looking at rare specimens, the two of them stood at the bow of the boat.

“Look!” Fan Jun gripped the railing at the bow.

“Look at what?” Zou Yang squinted his eyes. Even though the captain had slowed down and he was wearing glasses, the wind still made him narrow his eyes.

“…I don’t know, I haven’t thought of what to say,” Fan Jun said. “You do it.”

“Look!” Zou Yang said. “Our lake, just for the two of us!”