Typically, when Chi Yan got sick, he wouldn’t rush to the pharmacy or the doctor. He preferred to tough it out, only resorting to medicine if he couldn’t handle it anymore. From his perspective, it wasn’t necessary to take medication for every small issue.

The next day, he cooked for himself, making a relatively mild dish with little spice. This time, he didn’t throw up while eating. For several days after, there were no signs of nausea. Chi Yan assumed his body was fine again, so when You Xiaoqi called to invite him out for drinks at a bar, he accepted without hesitation.

That weekend, the bar had some special, exciting events planned. Although Chi Yan generally enjoyed being alone, he occasionally craved a lively atmosphere. He put on a light gray sweater and denim jacket, paired with jeans, grabbed his phone and keys, and headed out.

Rather than calling a car online, he took a bus to the subway station and then rode the subway to the bar You Xiaoqi mentioned. He arrived early, and You Xiaoqi hadn’t left his place yet. When Chi Yan called, You Xiaoqi was still in the middle of an intense session with a man he had recently taken a liking to. After they had finished, You Xiaoqi called Chi Yan back.

“Are you there already?” You Xiaoqi’s voice sounded slightly hoarse.

“No, I’m stuck in traffic. Not sure when I’ll get there. Maybe we should reschedule?” Chi Yan teased.

You Xiaoqi panicked, “Where are you stuck? I’ll come pick you up!”

“On the Caokin Overpass, but I’m not sure of the exact road. Are you really coming to get me?” Chi Yan replied, standing outside the bar with a cup of red bean yogurt from a nearby drink shop. The sound of him drinking was faint, but You Xiaoqi could hear it over the phone.

“What are you drinking?” You Xiaoqi asked.

“Yogurt,” Chi Yan replied while watching the cars and pedestrians outside the shop.

You Xiaoqi’s frown eased, and he said, “Chi Yan, lying makes you fat.”

“Who says? I’ve never heard that before.”

“I said it!” You Xiaoqi had already realized Chi Yan was tricking him and was likely already at the bar.

Chi Yan chuckled and continued drinking his yogurt.

“Wait for me outside. If I don’t see you when I arrive, your butt’s in trouble!” You Xiaoqi warned before hanging up.

Still undressed, You Xiaoqi got up and pulled a tight-fitting T-shirt and low-rise jeans from his wardrobe. Being naturally slim, his waist was even smaller than many girls’. He maintained his figure by hiring a nutritionist, as he disliked going to the gym and only enjoyed “partnered activities” as his form of exercise.

While getting dressed, the man with him slowly approached and wrapped his arms around You Xiaoqi from behind. Just as the man was about to kiss his neck, You Xiaoqi elbowed him, causing the man to pull back slightly.

“Hurry up and get dressed. If you’re not ready in three minutes, you won’t need to bother.” You Xiaoqi wasn’t concerned with his partners’ backgrounds. Whether they were rich or worked construction, as long as they looked good and had stamina, he found a way to get them into his bed. With plenty of money himself, he didn’t care about theirs.

He had met this man at the very bar they were heading to, and the two had been together for about a week. The relationship was going well so far. However, the man couldn’t help but wonder about the dynamic between You Xiaoqi and his friend Chi Yan. Based on the phone call, he suspected You Xiaoqi might have feelings for Chi Yan.

As they drove to the bar, You Xiaoqi tossed the keys to the man, feeling a bit tired after their earlier activities. He sat in the back, preferring not to take the front passenger seat. The car sped through the streets, occasionally going over the speed limit where there were no cameras.

The man, glancing at You Xiaoqi through the rearview mirror, couldn’t help but appreciate his beauty and how uninhibited he was. Being with You Xiaoqi was always a satisfying and enjoyable experience. They weren’t looking for love, and this arrangement suited both of them perfectly. If things continued as they were, he wouldn’t mind keeping the relationship going long-term.

Thanks to their speeding, they reached the bar in under twenty minutes, a trip that usually took over half an hour. As You Xiaoqi got out of the car, he scanned the area for Chi Yan while dialing his number, only to see him walking toward him.

Chi Yan was dressed in a loose gray sweater and denim jacket—nothing particularly fancy. But on him, the simple outfit looked high-end and stylish, enhanced by his strikingly handsome face. He could easily step onto a runway without changing a thing. Chi Yan’s appearance made the people around him seem like they existed in a different dimension.

With a streetlamp casting a soft yellow light behind him, Chi Yan looked to You Xiaoqi like a beautiful figure from the past, stepping right out of an old memory. Once again, You Xiaoqi sighed inwardly, lamenting that such an eye-catching person wasn’t interested in having a physical relationship with him.

Even though he desperately wanted to sleep with Chi Yan, he valued their friendship more.

“You finally showed up! Any later, and I’d be full from just drinking yogurt,” Chi Yan teased with a small smile, his dimples showing.

“It’s my fault for being late. I’ll punish myself with three drinks later.” Seeing Chi Yan, a faint glow appeared in You Xiaoqi’s eyes.