As they walked away from the coffee stand, Fang Chen’s lips—which had only just healed that morning—were swollen again.

Wuwuwu!
T^T
Poor little lamb.

Meanwhile, Seth practically radiated satisfaction, lips curled in a pleased smile. He reached for Fang Chen’s hand, only to have it shaken off.

How rude!

Fang Chen checked that no one was around, stopped, and glared fiercely. “Do you even know what it means to pursue someone?”

Seth paused. “I know, baby, I’m trying hard to make you like me.”

But in truth, all he could think about was Fang Chen’s soft, red, moving lips, wanting to kiss them again.

The little lamb huffed, “You have no idea! We’re not even dating yet; stop kissing and hugging me.”

Seth immediately seized on the last part, closing in for a waist-hug: “One kiss, baby.”

Fang Chen dodged back, arm out to hold Seth off.
“No hugs,” he scowled, “and no kisses.”

Seth frowned, Adam’s apple bobbing.

“You’re still in the trial period. Until we’re official, less intimacy!” Fang Chen added, “If you do badly, I’ll deduct points.”

Seth went silent. “So how many points do I have now?”

Fang Chen raised his chin proudly. “Half. Fifty. It could’ve been higher, but you kissed me so hard my mouth hurts. That’s a penalty.”

Seth almost laughed.

Such a strict little lamb.

“Okay,” he raised a hand, “I’ll listen to you.”

Fang Chen finally softened. “I need to go to the supermarket. You—”

“I’ll go with you,” Seth interjected quickly, “I won’t do anything, just help you carry things.”

Satisfied, Fang Chen nodded, “Fine. You get that chance.”

Seth’s car was parked nearby. Fang Chen was busy texting Jamin and forgot to say which supermarket. By the time he looked up, the car was already parked in front of one.

He stared in horror. “Why here?”

It was the fancy, expensive supermarket in the rich area—the kind you hear legends about, where even a milkshake costs $20.

Seth’s voice was calm. “You were busy texting, and didn’t tell me where to go.”

“…”
Fang Chen coughed in embarrassment, then retorted,
“You’re supposed to ask!”

He clung to the seat, refusing to get out. “I’m not going here, I want the one by the dorm.”

“Actually I wanted to invite you over. My villa’s nearby.” Seth added, “I have a parrot. It speaks Chinese.”

“!!!”
Fang Chen gaped. “Can it do backflips?”

Seth paused. “Not yet, but I’ll teach it.”

No one would believe a foreign parrot could speak Chinese, but Fang Chen still got out—since Seth wanted to try on those shirts and wanted his opinion.

It was just color choice—but all Fang Chen could think of was yellow (naughtiness!).

Fang Chen grumbled beside Seth, “Who are you getting dressed up for?”

He checked out Seth again; usually he wore suits, not snug shirts. You’d think he looked noble and distant, but it turned out his body was amazing.

Seth replied quietly, “For you, baby. I want to please you.”

Fang Chen blushed, turning away. “I don’t want to see.”

Seth looked for two seconds, then calmly took Fang Chen’s hand.

There weren’t many people inside. Seth pushed the cart, while Fang Chen nervously checked prices—everything was so expensive, he didn’t dare take anything.

Meanwhile, Seth paid attention to everything Fang Chen looked at for more than five seconds, and tossed it in the cart, like he owned the place.

Fang Chen paused, “Do you own this supermarket?”

Seth shook his head, “No.”

Fang Chen sighed in relief.

But then Seth said, “Just a minority share.”

“…”
Seth smiled, grabbed even more chips. “Which flavor do you like?”

Fang Chen wilted. “Whatever.”

Seth nodded and tossed in every flavor.

“Why so much?” Fang Chen tried to stop him. “Don’t you pay when you check out?”

“The rest is for your friends at the dorm.”

Seth dodged, holding Fang Chen’s little lamb in place.

“I have too much money. I need you to help me use it up, okay, baby?”

What a terrifying request.

Fang Chen swallowed, “Don’t try to seduce me with money.”

Seth laughed softly, then leaned down to whisper in Fang Chen’s ear, “Then teach me how I can attract you, baby.”

“…”
Fang Chen’s ears tingled. He pushed Seth away. “Hurry up, I’m heading back to the dorm tonight.”

Once outside—with three huge bags—Fang Chen tried to take one. Seth refused.

“Don’t look down on me! I’m strong!”

Seth gave him a look. “Really? Good stamina?”

The lamb missed the innuendo, proudly declaring, “Of course. I can do a hundred sit-ups.”

Seth’s gaze lingered on Fang Chen’s waist, then he said nothing more.

These were all villas, each with its own garden.

Fang Chen asked, “So you don’t live at the apartment near campus much, this is your real home?”

Seth said, “Well, this is just one house. I moved here after I came of age because I got used to it.”

“Where did you live before?”

“In a suburban estate with my parents, but they left last year to travel the world. I probably won’t see them for a decade.”

Fang Chen “wow”ed.

Inside the villa, he was startled by a voice:
“Welcome! Welcome!”

It was the parrot, lively in its cage.

Fang Chen went over, “Hi, can you say anything else in Chinese?”

The parrot flapped its wings, “喜歡你，喜歡你。”
(I like you, I like you.)

Fang Chen burst out laughing.

He couldn’t help but joke, “Did you teach it?”

Seth, putting away the groceries, replied, “Actually, we share a Chinese tutor.”

“Oh, you study together? Who’s progressing faster, you or the parrot? Don’t tell me it’s smarter than you.”

Seth raised an eyebrow and marched over, hoisted Fang Chen onto the kitchen island, and blocked his escape.

Fang Chen scowled, “Careful or I’ll deduct points.”

“I’m ahead. There are plenty of things the parrot can’t learn—special lines for you, baby.” Seth smiled lazily. “Want to hear?”

Fang Chen flushed, remembering some of those dirty lines.

“No thanks! I don’t want to hear them!”

Fang Chen tried to get down, but Seth wouldn’t let him—damn, how could he stand it with no kisses?

Seth stared at his lips, swallowing, “Baby, when can I kiss you next?”

Does kissing need to be scheduled now?!

Fang Chen kicked him, “Depends on my mood.”

Seth gazed down, eyes darker than ever—waves beneath ice.

Fang Chen felt his heart race, worried Seth might try to kiss him again, so he pushed and tried to leave.
“I only came for the parrot. I’m heading back to the dorm.”

But Seth wasn’t letting him go. “Didn’t you want to see me try on those shirts?”

Good lord!
Foreigners are so direct, even when you’re thinking it, why say it out loud?

“Who wants to see!?” Fang Chen turned away.

“I want you to watch.” Seth leaned in, nuzzled Fang Chen’s neck like a big dog, even gave it a lick.

“Seth!”

Fang Chen pushed his head. “Points off! Points off!”

Seth whined, “Not fair. I didn’t even do anything and I get docked.”

But he scooped Fang Chen up and carried him upstairs.

Fang Chen, worried about falling, clung tight—but Seth carried him no problem, like a life-size plush doll.

On the way, he pointed out, “Kitchen, dining room, game room—all on the first floor. Gym on the second, master bedroom on the third, a media room downstairs. If you want, we can add a snack room.”

“Stop, stop.” Fang Chen cut him off. “Why are you telling me all this? I’m not moving in.”

But you will, Seth thought.

He deposited Fang Chen in the dressing room, fighting the urge to steal kisses, forcing himself to stand straighter.

“Baby, watch me change, okay?”

“I—” Before Fang Chen could finish, Seth peeled off his shirt.

Just like that…right in front of him.

Fang Chen’s words caught; he swallowed hard.

Seth must be doing this on purpose, the closet dimly lit, the man standing there bare-chested, taking his sweet time before even getting a new shirt.

He asked gently, “Want to touch, baby?”

Fang Chen put out a hand, “I won’t touch.”
God! So springy!

He poked the chest twice, then mischievously slid his finger lower, outlining muscle, tracing the V-line, moving down…

Seth’s muscles tensed under the touch. Fang Chen retracted his finger swiftly and looked up innocently, “Put a shirt on, don’t catch cold.”

Seth squinted, smoldering.

Fang Chen coughed, “I should go, it’s late…ah!”

Seth ducked and bit his finger.

Fang Chen froze, shocked.

His finger was caught between teeth, not hard, just rolled gently, eyes locked on him.

Fang Chen was so stunned, he didn’t dare pull away.

He moved his lips as if to say “points off,” but Seth, as if reading his mind, let go and smiled, “More points off?”

Fang Chen was speechless.

“Baby, your scoring system is strange. Do I ever earn any points?”

“You think you deserve any?”

“My kisses are that bad?”

Fang Chen snapped, “Shut up!”

Seth stayed matter-of-fact, “You should give me feedback, so I can improve. Is it my tongue—should it go deeper? Or am I too rough when I suck your lips? Sorry, you know I can’t help it.”

Fang Chen couldn’t take any more, “Stop talking!”

Sometimes, he really admired how Seth could say this stuff with a straight face.

Seth switched to Chinese, “寶寶，你的舌頭好軟。”
(Baby, your tongue is so soft.)

Enough, enough!
Fang Chen pleaded, “Say it in English, please, Seth, I have native-language embarrassment.”

Seth pulled him in for a hug—still shirtless, hot muscle pressed against lamb, nearly making Fang Chen faint.

It’s too much.
The lamb couldn’t take such strong stimulation.

Seth murmured, “Can I kiss you now?”

Dizzy, Fang Chen tried to resist, “N-no…”

“Alright.” Seth paused, then tried, “Then you kiss me? Here.”

Here… where?

Right in front of his face: Seth’s chest, muscles taut, veins visible.

Kiss here?

Lamb froze.
Seth tempted, whisper tickling his ear, “Baby, kiss with your lips, just a touch.”

Spellbound, Fang Chen leaned in and kissed the chest—hot skin, so warm, he felt like he was on fire. Could hear his own frantic heartbeat.

Seth gazed down, voice hoarse, “Baby, bite me.”

Fang Chen, mind blank, obeyed—opened his mouth to nibble.

His teeth weren’t sharp, and on that spot, all he left was wetness and a tingling that spread everywhere.
Seth’s eyes darkened, veins stood out; he was breathing hard.

All it took was that one bite.

Fang Chen, still foggy, only realized when something poked at him.

↑
o.o!

Suddenly wide awake, Fang Chen pushed at Seth. “You, you—”

Seth was barely holding on. He didn’t keep holding on, finally releasing Fang Chen and backing off, voice rough as he called out his name.

Fang Chen was so embarrassed he didn’t know where to look—definitely not at Seth.

“Just…fix yourself.” Fang Chen stammered.

Seth squinted, staring at Fang Chen, then simply reached down.

Fang Chen panicked, “Not here!”

Seeing Fang Chen blushing to his ears, Seth finally relented, going to the bathroom.

Through the frosted door, Fang Chen could see only a blurry shadow but still felt oppressed.

Heart pounding—

After a while, Fang Chen finally knocked softly, “Seth? Are you alright? Need…help?”

He made his voice small, hoping Seth wouldn’t hear—then he could run.

Two seconds…

No answer.

Relieved, Fang Chen started to sneak off, but suddenly a strong arm yanked him inside.

“Eh, I—”

Bang! The door slammed.

It was quiet—just the thunder of their hearts.

Pressed to the glass, hot steam enveloped him; Seth lifted him up until his toes left the ground.
He felt like meat on a cutting board.

Regret!
If you ask, it’s regret!

Looking up: a chest with a bite mark.
Down: intimidating.

Disaster!

Fang Chen tried to smile. “Oh, you’re showering, I’ll go—”

Seth snorted, voice rough, “Fang Chen, can I kiss you now?”

No more “baby.” The real name.

It sent a shock to Fang Chen’s core.

He quivered, “K-kiss, go ahead.”

Would he be released after?

Seth kissed him fiercely, like a siege. He didn’t even know whose teeth got knocked, but there was the tang of blood.

Fang Chen could barely breathe, tried to pull away, but Seth’s clamp on his waist was tight, fingers almost digging in.

When Seth finally let go, Fang Chen’s tears flowed, lips swollen, slick with spit like honey-glazed strawberries.

“I… I’ll go…”

Seth smirked.

He came here himself—did he really think he could just run now?

“Weren’t you going to help?” Seth murmured, voice rough with want.

This time, the tears were real—Fang Chen was scared, shaking his head. “Seth, I was wrong.”

Seth stared, then set him down—but before Fang Chen could escape, caught his hand. “Go ahead.”

Too hot. When he touched, he nearly pulled back, sniffling, trying to look pitiful, “Seth…”

Smack!
Seth gave his butt a light slap, the sound echoing, making Fang Chen’s face burn hotter.

Calmly, “Choice. Hands, or buttocks?”

A simple test.

Fang Chen, eyes red, whimpered like a rabbit.

Seth just loomed, waiting, obvious in his intent.

In the end, teary-eyed, Fang Chen reached out his hand.

Wuwuwu.
Poor sheep.

.
Returning to the dorm was out of the question.

After a tearful shower, night had fallen.

Seth was back to normal, politely suggesting he stay over.

“If you don’t want to stay with me, you could use the guest room.”

Fang Chen gritted his teeth.
Dream on. No way he’d stay with Seth.

His hands were puffy!!

“Guest room it is!”
He glared. “Don’t get any ideas! You went too far today—I’m docking points.”

Seth barely frowned, “You were the one who offered to help. Why is it my fault? Oh, it was too long? Not my fault, your hands are too soft, I couldn’t help it.”

Still talking!

Fang Chen snapped, “You changed after confessing! Weren’t you more restrained before?”

Seth smiled, and gently kissed Fang Chen’s ear.
“I haven’t changed—it was all an act from the start.”

__

Author’s note:
Mini-theater
Fang Chen loves leaning against Seth while gaming—better than any pillow, especially in winter, all warm and cozy.
But he can’t do it often, because, eight times out of ten, it ends badly.
Two days of not being able to get out of bed.

One day he bravely suggests, “Can I tie you up? So I can lean on you and game safely?”

Seth, amused, “Your call, baby.”

So Fang Chen straps Seth’s hands, leans in comfortably, feeling so clever.
But soon, disaster: Seth, somehow, breaks free, grabs Fang Chen’s waist—
“It’s my turn, baby.”

That belt? It winds up around Fang Chen’s slender wrists.