In the days leading up to the weekend, Fang Chen was unusually nervous. He often muttered to himself, mumbling under his breath. Seth tried to hear what he was saying, but the moment he got close, Fang Chen would clamp his mouth shut and look at him warily.

It wasn’t until one time when the little lamb was brushing his teeth, and Seth walked in without him noticing, that he finally heard what he was mumbling.

“Hello, Uncle and Auntie. My name is Fang Chen. I’m a freshman at MK, and I’m twenty years old this year…”

So, he was practicing his self-introduction.

Seth was so amused he almost laughed. He came up from behind and stroked Fang Chen’s hair. “Don’t be so nervous, baby.”

The little lamb, with the toothbrush in his mouth, looked up at him through the mirror. His mouth moved as if to say something, but with a gulp, he swallowed the foam in his mouth.

“…”

After coming out of the bathroom, Fang Chen thought for a moment, then looked up at Seth and asked, “Should we go buy something?” He spoke a bit shyly, “Meeting parents for the first time, shouldn’t we bring a gift? That’s how it is where I’m from, anyway.”

Seth said in a low voice, “I told you, baby, you don’t have to worry about these things. I’ll arrange everything.”

Fang Chen sighed. “Alright.” Not nervous, not nervous. How could he not be nervous?!

Even though they weren’t going to dinner until the evening, Fang Chen started rummaging through his closet right after washing up in the morning, asking Seth what looked good. Usually, Seth took care of everything for the little lamb, including picking out his clothes for the day. Now, he naturally relied on Seth.

The man seemed to have already considered it. “The first set on the left of the closet, the beige one that was just delivered yesterday. Pair it with the watch with the diamond-dusted face.” He then reached out and stopped the little lamb, who was about to change. “Why are you changing so early? Relax a little. How about we play a few rounds of a game?”

The little lamb’s face was stern. “Can’t you be serious for once?”

“Being with you is serious business.” The man directly scooped the little lamb up. “Let’s go, let’s play a game and relax. You’re too tense. It’s fine to be tight in bed, but you can loosen up a bit during the day.”

Fang Chen was speechless. He always felt like Seth had some kind of KPI to meet; for every few serious sentences, he had to insert a dirty one. He couldn’t help but ask, “Are you bound to some system that gives you an electric shock if you don’t say something lewd?”

Seth hummed. “You like electricity? I thought you didn’t like those little clamps last time? You started crying as soon as I put them on.”

The mention of that incident made Fang Chen’s eyes well up. How dare he bring that up! Last time, he’d made Seth return the ones with bells, but the man had bought something even more outrageous. It looked plain on the surface, but once you put it on, you realized how… perverted it was.

At that time, Fang Chen was already dazed and muddled, as soft as a piece of dough, to be molded however Seth wished. So when Seth coaxed him into wearing them, Fang Chen didn’t even refuse, just looked at him with those tear-reddened, wide eyes and even actively puffed out his chest. But the moment they were on, Seth must have secretly pressed some remote control. The little lamb’s body stiffened for a second, and his already bite-swollen nipples instantly turned so red they looked like they were about to drip blood. After that, he shivered with his legs trembling, and the entire sheet was soaked through.

Not wanting to recall the chaos of that night, the little lamb bit his lip. He wanted to call Seth a pervert, but the man now took that word as a compliment. He didn’t think it was a curse; he thought it was praise. The world was turned upside down.

Seeing the little lamb too angry to speak, Seth pushed his luck. “Don’t want to play a game? How about we do something else to relax?”

What else could there be! It was just getting into bed!

Fang Chen quickly said, “No, no, no, let’s play games! I love playing games.” He turned and ran towards the game room.

Watching the little lamb’s scurrying back, Seth’s lips curled into a smile. It seemed he had completely relaxed.

After being dragged by Seth to play games in the game room all day, Fang Chen grew more and more agitated. He went from being perfunctory at the beginning to nearly crushing the controller by the end.

He lost again! He threw the controller down and glared at Seth in frustration. “Can’t you just let me win?”

Seth laughed. “Next time, for sure.” He glanced at the time. “It’s about time. Want to go get ready?”

Fang Chen blinked, only then remembering he was going to meet the parents tonight. He had completely forgotten about it. The little lamb instantly became nervous again. “Quick, quick, I’m going to change.”

The man held him. “I’ll change you.”

After returning to New York City, Seth’s parents didn’t live at the manor but in a small apartment in the city center. After traveling for so many days, they had fewer material demands for their daily life.

The car was parked in the apartment’s underground garage. Fang Chen couldn’t help but say, “Your parents are so easygoing. How did you end up with all the habits of a rich young master?”

Seth raised an eyebrow. “Me?”

“Food, clothing, housing, and transportation,” Fang Chen counted on his fingers. “Your standards are very high.”

Indeed, Seth had grown up in the manor, and his quality of life had always been the highest. The sports cars he drove had to be limited edition, the food he ate had to be customized by a nutritionist, and his clothes were all the latest from various brands.

But after meeting Fang Chen? He learned to tie an apron and cook. He hand-washed Fang Chen’s underwear, socks, and even some of his intimate clothing. Whenever he was with Fang Chen, he never let Fang Chen lift a finger.

Seth, both annoyed and amused, pinched Fang Chen’s cheek. “You’re really good at framing me. I even wash your underwear.”

Fang Chen mumbled, “Then I’ll wash it myself tonight.”

The man froze for a moment, then quickly said, “No, I’ll wash it!” That was a benefit he could not be deprived of.

When the two of them entered the apartment, a fragrant aroma was wafting through the air. Fang Chen was still very reserved when he walked in, but the next second, before he could even open his mouth to introduce himself, he was pulled into a full embrace.

“Oh, baby, welcome. you’re just so adorable.” Julie gave Fang Chen a big hug.

Was this Seth’s mother? It was the first time Fang Chen had been so close to an unfamiliar elder, and he froze a little. But the woman’s voice was very gentle, and she smelled… fragrant.

Knowing that Fang Chen was from the East and afraid he might not be used to it, Julie didn’t hug him for too long before letting go. She smiled gently at him. “Come in quickly. Seth’s father is trying to make Chinese food. I don’t know if you’ll be used to it.”

Fang Chen quickly waved his hands. “I can eat anything.”

As they were speaking, a middle-aged man walked out of the kitchen. His face looked a lot like Seth’s, but he seemed more serious. However, the apron he was wearing slightly undermined that impression. He smiled at Fang Chen, but perhaps because he was usually so stern and serious, the smile appeared a bit stiff. “Fang Chen, hello.”

Fang Chen became even more nervous, bowing repeatedly. “Hello, hello.”

Seth, amused, supported him. “Alright, go in and sit down.”

Fang Chen secretly pinched Seth from behind, took a deep breath, and began to recite his self-introduction. Seeing him so nervous made Seth’s parents nervous too. Only Seth looked a bit helpless, but he stood by and listened from beginning to end, his eyes fixed on the little lamb, his expression incredibly gentle. Fang Chen felt like he was back in school, reciting an English text.

After he finished reciting—no, after he finished his introduction, the little lamb nervously licked his lips. Julie didn’t know what the Eastern customs were and glanced tentatively at her son. But her son was staring at Fang Chen like a lovestruck fool. Helpless, she secretly nudged her husband.

Seth’s father mulled it over, then began to applaud with a serious face. Julie followed suit. The scene suddenly turned into a speech conference. The little lamb was so embarrassed he was about to be roasted whole, with heat radiating from his entire body.

Seth held back a laugh, reached out to take the little lamb’s hand, and pulled him to his side. “Alright, introduction’s over. Go sit on the sofa first. I need to check the kitchen. I smell something burning.”

Hearing Seth say that, his father remembered what was in the pot and hurried back to the kitchen. Julie went to get a fruit platter for Fang Chen to eat. Feeling bad that everyone was busy while he was idle, Fang Chen quickly said, “I’ll go help in the kitchen.”

What could he help with? The last time he had enthusiastically offered to help, he nearly cut his hand while chopping vegetables. Since then, Seth had strictly forbidden him from setting foot in the kitchen.

“No need. Be good, just sit and wait for a bit.” Seth was clearly not confident in his father’s abilities. He pressed the little lamb onto the sofa and went into the kitchen.

Julie sat next to Fang Chen to chat with him. The little lamb sat with his back ramrod straight, looking prim and proper.

“Seth has a rather forceful personality. Has he ever bullied you? If you’re ever unhappy, just tell me.” Julie’s tone was gentle, and she deliberately slowed her speech, probably worried Fang Chen would be too nervous to understand.

Fang Chen shook his head like a rattle. “No, Seth is very good to me.” No one was better to him than Seth.

Julie smiled. “That’s good. I can tell he loves you very much. When you were speaking, his eyes never left you.”

The little lamb’s face turned a little red. He had stressed it to Seth at home so many times! Stop staring at him like a lovestruck fool in public! He just wouldn’t listen!

Seeing how reserved Fang Chen was, Julie deliberately chose some light topics, talking about Seth’s childhood. “He had a bad temper when he was little, always getting into fights. It gave me a lot of headaches. He wouldn’t listen no matter what I said.”

Fang Chen wanted to say that he still had a bad temper, held grudges, and liked to spank people’s bottoms.

“It got a little better after he started learning to box. Maybe he had an outlet for his energy.”

And now? Sob, sob, it was all being vented on the little lamb’s butt.

“But I never watch the videos of his boxing matches. It’s too scary. Seeing the fists land on him, my heart feels like it’s going to jump out.”

The little lamb nodded in agreement. He felt the same way every time he watched Seth’s matches. Others would cheer for his victory, but the little lamb would just silently count how many punches Seth took, his heart aching for the pain he must be in.

The more they chatted about Seth’s childhood, the more Fang Chen felt he had common ground with Julie. By the time Seth came out, the two of them were already head-to-head, sharing photo albums.

“This one is from Seth’s birthday when he was little. He started pouting because I smeared cake on his face.”

Fang Chen also generously shared his own collection, opening his phone’s photo album and unlocking a private folder. “I took this one secretly. Seth doesn’t even know.” While the man was sound asleep, Fang Chen had clipped two bunny ears on his head. These were the ones Seth had bought for him before, which Fang Chen found tacky, so he secretly got his revenge.

The man stood quietly behind the sofa, glanced at it, and said faintly, “Nice shot. Are there more?”

Fang Chen was laughing heartily and didn’t sense anything wrong with the question, nodding vigorously. “Yes, I have many more. Please don’t tell Seth…” He suddenly realized something, looked up, and saw Seth looking down at him from above. A little lamb who had caused trouble was scared to death on the spot.

Fang Chen’s hand trembled, and he almost dropped his phone.

Julie glared at Seth reproachfully. “Why did you speak up so suddenly? You scared the baby.”

Having gotten used to Seth calling him “baby,” Fang Chen was now a little embarrassed to hear someone else call him that.

Since Seth had come over, Julie tactfully got up. “You two chat. I’m going to change.”

The little lamb really wanted to grab her sleeve and tell her not to go, but the man had already sat down next to him, his large hand resting on his leg in a silent threat. Fang Chen’s body stiffened.

After Julie left, the man leaned back lazily, one arm draped behind Fang Chen, enclosing him in his space. He tilted his head slightly and whispered, almost against Fang Chen’s ear, “Open the album. Let me see what other good stuff you have.”

Fang Chen clutched his phone tightly. “Don’t even think about invading my privacy.”

Seth clicked his tongue. “Then let’s trade. Haven’t you always wanted to delete my photo album? You delete one, I delete one.”

It sounded quite fair. The little lamb fell into Seth’s trap for the hundredth time.

“Okay.” He opened the album to show Seth. The man didn’t like taking pictures, so most of the photos in Fang Chen’s phone were secretly taken.

After looking through them, Seth nodded. “No trade. Yours aren’t valuable.”

“What?”

The photos he took of the little lamb were treasured collections. He wouldn’t delete a single one.

Fang Chen was furious. “You’re just messing with me.”

Seth pinched the little lamb’s cheek. “Then why do you always fall for it?”

The little lamb clenched his fist. This world full of lies and deception was too unfriendly to him.

The food in the kitchen was almost ready. Chinese food was still a bit too difficult. Even with Seth’s rescue, the presentation looked mediocre, but it tasted great. Fang Chen started praising it after just one bite. The week of practice at home had not been in vain; the compliments flowed effortlessly, and he praised for ten minutes without repeating himself.

Seth served him a bowl of soup, giving him a look that said, “That’s enough.” He’d reached his quota.

Fang Chen stopped, licked his slightly dry lips, and finally summarized with one sentence. “It’s even more delicious than what Seth makes.” A standard “praise one, step on one” move.

Seth’s father was instantly delighted, saying that for the month they were back, he could cook for Fang Chen every day, and that Fang Chen could come over to eat often.

Huh? That wouldn’t be necessary! Fang Chen quickly gave Seth a look.

The man huffed, looked away, and spitefully ignored him. Petty! So petty! Fang Chen secretly gnashed his teeth.

Julie smiled at him. “That’s right, baby. If Seth bullies you, you can come live here.”

In an instant, their expressions switched. Human joys and sorrows are truly not shared. Seth frowned, while Fang Chen beside him smiled with curved eyes.

“Okay, okay.”

“No need.”

The two of them spoke at almost the same time.

Fang Chen deliberately pretended not to see Seth’s glare, a smile playing on his lips.

Seth said with a straight face, “I won’t bully him. And the food isn’t even that good. It’s far worse than mine.”

His father glared at him. “What did you say!”

Seth ignored his father, added some food to Fang Chen’s plate, and coaxed him in a low voice, “It’s really not as good as what I make.”

“…”

Seth often ate Chinese food with Fang Chen and was very skilled with chopsticks. In contrast, his parents looked like they were using them for the first time. It was so difficult that they eventually switched to spoons. Fang Chen felt a little bad that everyone was accommodating him so much, but at the same time, his heart felt warm. It seemed like he was loved by many people.

Seth seemed genuinely afraid that Fang Chen would stay, wanting to take him back right after dinner. Fang Chen, on the other hand, was completely relaxed now, well-adjusted, and even got along great with Julie.

After dinner, Julie found photos and videos of their travels from the past two years to show Fang Chen. There was a rainforest adventure, ice climbing on a glacier. Fang Chen was captivated, constantly exclaiming, “Wow… so amazing… wow… so cool…”

When Seth called him to go home, he didn’t even lift his head. “What’s the rush? It’s still early. If you’re in a hurry, you can go back first.”

The man gritted his teeth in frustration. Him go back? Fang Chen was here, what would he go back for! Helpless, he could only sit patiently on the side and wait for the little lamb.

Julie smiled at Fang Chen. “If you have time, you and Seth can go travel too.”

Fang Chen sighed. “But I still have classes.”

“We’ll go next vacation,” Seth interjected at the right moment, taking the opportunity to add, “It’s getting late, baby. Should we head back first?”

“Alright.” Fang Chen reluctantly stood up to say goodbye.

Julie gave him an enthusiastic hug. “Dear, you must come over to play often these next few days.”

Fang Chen nodded with a smile.

After leaving the apartment, the man, who had been holding back all evening, scooped him up into his arms. “You still want me to go home by myself?” The man began to settle old scores, lowering his head to bite the little lamb’s ear and mumbling, “You’ve grown some backbone.”

Fang Chen laughed while trying to dodge. “Haven’t you seen it online? A proper separation can help improve a couple’s happiness.”

Seth’s movements paused. “Really?”

“Of course. There’s a scientific basis for it.” The little lamb lied with a straight face.

But the man wasn’t as easy to fool as he was, and Fang Chen didn’t expect him to actually believe it. He just didn’t expect that the man, who hadn’t mentioned the topic again on the way, would suddenly say after they got home, “Then let’s have a trial separation tonight.”

The little lamb was stunned when he heard it. He even thought he had misheard. “What?”

Seth’s expression was calm. “Didn’t you say it? Separation helps improve a couple’s happiness. Let’s try it for one night first.”

Fang Chen looked at Seth suspiciously. It was truly unbelievable. Could a wolf really give up meat?

Seeing Fang Chen’s gaze, Seth raised an eyebrow. “You don’t want to?”

The little lamb spoke in a second. “I do, I do! Separation!” His butt was getting a day off.

Seeing Fang Chen’s ecstatic expression, the man’s eyes darkened. He hummed lightly but didn’t say anything.

After they washed up, the little lamb slept in the master bedroom, and Seth took a blanket and went to sleep in the guest room. This was the first time the two had slept apart since they got together.

Lying in bed, Fang Chen felt a sense of unreality. What was wrong with Seth today? Could there be some kind of conspiracy?

But after being on edge all day, Fang Chen was actually a bit tired. Yet lying in bed, something just felt wrong. Usually, he just had to roll over to land securely in the man’s arms. Seth’s frame was much broader than his, and with just an arm around him, he could completely envelop him. The man’s chest was scorching hot, and Fang Chen loved to press against it, feeling like he was hugging a furnace. It was very comfortable. Sometimes, Seth would even pat his back gently to lull him to sleep like a child, and Fang Chen would fall asleep in no time.

But today, for the first time, Fang Chen felt that the master bedroom bed was too big. He could roll around several times and still not touch the edge. He sighed again, squeezed his eyes shut, and silently counted sheep in his head. One little lamb, two little lambs, three little lambs… He was almost at a thousand, but he still wasn’t sleepy.

Suddenly, a faint sound came. It seemed like someone had pushed the door open. Fang Chen kept his eyes closed, his breathing even, trying his best to feign sleep.

The man walked to the side of the bed but didn’t speak, seeming to just want to look at him quietly for a moment. One second, two seconds… Fang Chen couldn’t pretend anymore. What on earth was Seth doing! He opened his eyes, and just as he was about to speak, the man’s large hand suddenly covered his mouth.

“Shh,” Seth whispered. “Keep it down. Your husband is sleeping next door.”

Fang Chen was speechless. He was playing with him again, again!

But he did kind of want the man to hold him to sleep, so he reluctantly gave Seth an out. “Then be quiet and come up to sleep.” He shifted to the side.

The little lamb’s intention was for Seth to sleep with him so he could justifiably hug the man to sleep. He didn’t expect Seth to bend down and dig him out of the blankets to pick him up.

Huh? The little lamb was bewildered. What was happening? Was he being carried to the guest room to sleep?

Obviously, he had still underestimated Seth’s capacity for perversion. The man held his waist, his hand pulling down his pants. Before the little lamb could even struggle, the man’s hand was already on him. He bit Fang Chen’s ear, warning him in a low voice, “Keep it down. Don’t wake your husband up.”

Fang Chen gritted his teeth. He knew it! How could Seth be a good person! No wonder he suddenly agreed to a separation! So this was his plan!

The door to the guest room was closed, and the living room was pitch black, creating a real sense of someone else being in the house. The little lamb pressed his hands against the door, biting his lip hard, not daring to make a sound. But some sounds were uncontrollable. His hands kept bumping against the door with the movement, inevitably making noise.

Seth deliberately asked him, “If you get caught, what will you say?”

Fang Chen was so angry he wanted to kick him, but both his legs were in the man’s hands. He could only speak with a trembling voice. “I’ll say… husband… let’s do it together. He’s quite thin, there’s still room.”

“…”

The little lamb thought seriously. If all the parts of his body held a general meeting, his mouth and his butt would definitely get into a fight. Because it was always the mouth that made the mistake, and the butt that got punished.

It was almost afternoon when he woke up the next day. Fang Chen whimpered a couple of times and was immediately pulled into the arms of the man beside him. Without even opening his eyes, he started scolding angrily, “Get lost!”

Being scolded, Seth instead laughed happily and leaned over to kiss the little lamb’s cheek. “Baby was so right. An occasional separation is really nice. When’s the next one?” He was already looking forward to it.

Fang Chen was so angry he almost couldn’t breathe. Separation. It was just another way to eat the little lamb.

__

Author’s Note:

 *Bonus Theater (Irresponsible and funny version)

 Fang Chen decided to start morning runs.

 Seth didn’t really believe him. After all, this was the person who had to be coaxed and persuaded by a man just to get up for early classes. He didn’t have much credibility.

 But Fang Chen was very determined this time. “If I can’t get up one day, I won’t drink milk tea that day.”

 The man watched him quietly.

 Fang Chen upped the ante. “If I miss a day of running, I’ll quit sugar for a month!”

 Seth said faintly, “For every day you can’t get up, we’ll do it one extra time that night.”

 Fang Chen’s eyes went wide, and he fumbled to cover his mouth. “Take that back right now!”
…
Many years later, at the city’s marathon competition, the champion went on stage to give a speech.

 Fang Chen held the microphone and said emotionally, “This is all thanks to my lover. He’s the one who supervised me and made me stick to my morning runs every day…”