Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Su Ran knocked on the door next door, and He Zhiwen opened it, wearing an apron, seemingly busy in the kitchen. “What are you making? Let me help,” Su Ran said as he changed into slippers. The layout of He Zhiwen’s home was the same as his, with the kitchen just inside.

“No need, today you relax. I’ve improved my cooking skills a lot recently, just wait and eat,” He Zhiwen said. He then placed his hand on Su Ran’s lower back, leading him, “First, let me show you the new massage chair I bought.”

Su Ran followed him to a space beside the sofa where a massage chair was placed, noticeable upon entering, though Su Ran hadn’t paid attention before. The chair looked expensive. He Zhiwen grabbed his wrist, “Here, have a seat and feel it.”

Su Ran sat down, and He Zhiwen pressed a button on the remote, adjusting Su Ran’s head. Su Ran looked at him, catching a whiff of his cologne, which smelled good, unlike what Lu Jin had implied. He Zhiwen, perhaps out of professional habit, was dressed in a shirt and trousers at home, which made him look like he was at an office rather than at home, though the apron added a contradictory sense of domesticity, like a corporate elite returning to family life.

The massage chair started, and Su Ran felt like he was being enveloped, incredibly comfortable—no wonder it was a high-end model!

“How is it?” He Zhiwen asked.

“So comfortable,” Su Ran replied.

He Zhiwen smiled warmly, rubbing Su Ran’s head, “Then from now on, whenever you’re tired from work, come over to relax. Later, I’ll give you a key to my place. Treat it like your own home.”

Su Ran was taken aback and somewhat embarrassed, “No, no, I’ll just call you when I come over.”

“It’s more convenient with a key. You can come over even when I’m not home. This massage chair is amazing; I guarantee you’ll be satisfied,” He Zhiwen insisted with a smile. “Don’t be shy with me, Su Ran.”

Feeling He Zhiwen’s trust, Su Ran hesitantly agreed, “Alright.”

“You relax; I’ll go cook,” He Zhiwen said.

As Su Ran watched him enter the kitchen, he felt much more relaxed after being massaged, but it felt awkward sitting while someone else was working. He stopped the chair shortly and went into the kitchen.

“What else needs to be done? I can help; I can’t just sit around,” Su Ran offered.

He Zhiwen, somewhat helpless, replied, “Alright, you can start by cutting the meat.”

Su Ran donned an apron and stood at the cutting board, focusing on his task. Suddenly, he felt a presence behind him; slightly turning his head, it was He Zhiwen, standing very close, his breath warm on Su Ran’s neck.

In the next moment, He Zhiwen wrapped his arms around Su Ran from behind. Su Ran stiffened, acutely aware of the warm body behind him, their bodies lightly touching, the defined muscles almost palpable, and the scent of cologne filling his nostrils.

“What… what’s going on?” Su Ran’s voice tightened.

He Zhiwen’s chin rested on Su Ran’s shoulder, his voice tinged with emotion, “Ran Ran, do you know I’ve dreamed of having a wife like you, someone I could see as soon as I open my front door.”

Su Ran’s heart raced, He Zhiwen’s voice seductive at his ear, making his ears turn red, “A wife like me? What kind am I?”

“Yes, just like you… I can’t quite describe it, but you’re the standard,” He Zhiwen said.

Su Ran’s heart pounded faster, too startled to move, wondering why this conversation felt so strange…

He Zhiwen turned to look at him and then let go, sensing that Su Ran might have been frightened.

“I’m easy to find,” Su Ran said, hoping He Zhiwen hadn’t developed any inappropriate thoughts about him momentarily.

He Zhiwen returned to his spot, then murmured, “There’s only one of you.”

Uncertain if he’d heard right, Su Ran didn’t dare to ask further and instead called up the system, “555! Is the plot normal?”

“Reporting back, Master Ran Ran! Everything is normal!”

“Okay…” Su Ran thought, maybe He Zhiwen was just overly desirous of a wife, perhaps already planning how to turn Jiang Yi into his wife, so he could see him not just off work but all day long.

As the cooking neared completion, there was a knock at the door. He Zhiwen, busy with cooking, Su Ran ran to open it. The door revealed an elegantly dressed woman in a long dress and shoulder-length hair, looking intelligent and beautiful. Smiling, she said, “Hello, you must be Ran Ran, whom my cousin often mentions.”

Su Ran was surprised, wondering how often He Zhiwen spoke of him in her presence.

“Oh… Yes, I’m Su Ran, hello, cousin,” he replied.

Zhou Linlin smiled, nodding her head, and headed straight for the kitchen. He Zhiwen was visibly upset but only focused on the pot without turning to look at her, “If there’s another time, Mingzhe will be mine, and you won’t be able to take him away.”

Zhou Linlin appeared guilty but determined, “It won’t happen again. I promise, I’ll never leave Mingzhe again. Men, alive or dead, have nothing to do with me.”

He Zhiwen still didn’t look pleased. Zhou Linlin tugged at his sleeve, then asked, “Did you manage to win over that young man?”

He Zhiwen’s expression softened, a smile playing at his lips, “He might not know yet… and don’t you dare say anything later.”

Zhou Linlin covered her mouth, giggling, “I had to see for myself what kind of person could make my cousin move here, and it was indeed worth it.”

Su Ran let Zhou Linlin and He Zhiwen have some space to talk and stayed back. Just then, Zhao Mingzhe, having woken up from his nap, came out rubbing his eyes.

Upon seeing Su Ran, Zhao Mingzhe opened his arms wide, “Ran Ran, hug!”

Su Ran picked him up and headed towards the kitchen. When Zhao Mingzhe saw Zhou Linlin, he immediately teared up, “Mommy.”

Zhou Linlin came over and took him in her arms, “Did you miss mommy?”

Zhao Mingzhe wrapped his arms around her neck, whimpering, “Missed.”

Su Ran stood aside, smiling, thinking how children are naturally closer to their mothers.

He Zhiwen then joined them, saying to Zhao Mingzhe, “Did you forget about Ran Ran mom as soon as mommy came back?”

Zhao Mingzhe, covering his mouth shyly, repeated after He Zhiwen, “Ran Ran mom.”

Su Ran was jolted by the title “mom” and then took Zhao Mingzhe from Zhou Linlin, “Come on, call me ‘uncle dad’ and see.”

Zhao Mingzhe stubbornly refused, as usual, “You’re not daddy, you’re uncle.”

He Zhiwen kissed his chubby cheeks, then handed Zhou Linlin his phone, motioning Su Ran over, “Let’s take some family photos to keep as memories.”

Su Ran, confused by He Zhiwen’s use of “family,” played along and stood by He Zhiwen while Zhou Linlin took several photos.

At the dinner table, Zhou Linlin not only drank several glasses in thanks but also brought him a very expensive gift.

“Thank you, Su Ran. Zhiwen has really spoken highly of you. I’ve never seen him take such a liking to someone,” Zhou Linlin said.

Su Ran felt a bit embarrassed, “It’s nothing. Mingzhe is so cute and well-behaved, it’s no trouble at all.”

“He’s very picky about people, but he really likes you, just like Zhiwen does,” Zhou Linlin added.

Su Ran sensed something off in her words, assuming she meant he was generally likeable.

He Zhiwen nudged Zhou Linlin, but still wore a smile. Zhou Linlin gave him a look, continuing, “Zhiwen told you, didn’t he? His family is really pushing him. I’m telling you, whoever ends up with Zhiwen is going to be very fortunate.”

Su Ran nodded in agreement. He Zhiwen was a person of high personal standards, genteel and easygoing, and always witty in conversation. Naturally, anyone with him would be happy, but his cousin might not know that her cousin could become quite ruthless in the corporate battlefield.

“If he dates someone, he’ll be incredibly loyal because he’s always been one to prefer nothing over something subpar. He’d spoil them rotten and also make them feel secure. Once he’s in a relationship, he’d definitely meet the parents, aiming for marriage,” Zhou Linlin spoke confidently, then looked at He Zhiwen for confirmation, “Right, cousin?”

He Zhiwen looked at Su Ran, agreeing, “If I’m with someone I like, I’d give them complete security. I could even put my property in their name, and hand over my bank cards for them to manage.”

Zhou Linlin stared at He Zhiwen in surprise, her cousin usually appeared mature and shrewd, but he seemed utterly smitten, a stark contrast to the future corporate heir’s image.

Su Ran, too, was surprised upon hearing this, knowing He Zhiwen’s family background. He sincerely said, “He Ge, anyone with you would indeed be very fortunate.”

He Zhiwen’s smile deepened, feeling a rush to confess his feelings, but held back, considering the casual setting with his nephew and cousin around. Su Ran was special to him.

“So, you think if I confess to the person I like, he’d definitely accept?” He Zhiwen asked.

“Definitely!” Su Ran replied, picturing Jiang Yi, such favorable conditions… Jiang Yi was indeed lucky…

Zhou Linlin felt like she was witnessing a sweet moment, almost shivering from the sweetness.

After dinner, Zhou Linlin and Zhao Mingzhe retired to their rooms. Su Ran, having had a bit to drink, felt slightly dizzy. He Zhiwen led him to the massage chair, making him incredibly comfortable.

Su Ran, eyes closed in enjoyment, didn’t notice He Zhiwen watching him, the soft lighting making He Zhiwen appear even more gentle. He leaned closer, inhaling the scent of Su Ran, now mixed with alcohol, “Ran Ran, I’ll go make you some sobering soup.”

Su Ran, without opening his eyes, simply hummed in response.

As He Zhiwen turned towards the kitchen, a knock on the door stopped him. He first went to answer it. Glancing back at Su Ran, who seemed unaware and still enjoying the massage, He Zhiwen’s lips curled into a smile. But as he opened the door to see Ye Qiao, his smile vanished.

Ye Qiao, standing at the door, glanced inside and saw Su Ran lying in the massage chair, his slim figure fully relaxed in it.

Ignoring He Zhiwen at the door, Ye Qiao called out, “Brother Ran Ran, I’ve come to pick you up.”

Hearing this, Su Ran slowly opened his eyes and, seeing Ye Qiao, lazily replied, “Alright, I’ll come back with you.”

“I’m leaving, He Ge. Rest early, good night,” Su Ran said.

He Zhiwen gave Ye Qiao a cold glance, then smiled warmly at Su Ran, “Alright, good night, Ran Ran.”

Ye Qiao chewed on the words “Ran Ran” until Su Ran was outside. Su Ran sighed, “He Ge’s massage chair is really comfortable.”

“Is it that comfortable? Forgot to come home?” Ye Qiao asked.

Su Ran felt something off in Ye Qiao’s tone but didn’t pay much attention, replying, “Really, He Ge even gave me his house keys, told me to use it anytime. I thought I’d never go, but it’s truly comfortable…”

Ye Qiao immediately wrapped his arms around Su Ran, the displeasure on his face gone, and with a smile close to his face, said, “Brother Ran Ran, since it’s so comfortable, I’ll buy one too. I often feel pain in my shoulders and neck after painting. You ask him what brand it is, and after I buy it, I’ll put it in my room. You can use it anytime you want.”

Su Ran’s eyes brightened, knowing Ye Qiao would definitely purchase it, and he could also benefit from it, “Sure, I’ll ask him tomorrow.”

“Mhm,” Ye Qiao replied, satisfied, but his face lost the smile, thinking to himself about the dangers ahead and behind.

Back in his room, Su Ran changed into his pajamas, ready to sleep, when Ye Qiao came in, holding essential oils, offering to give him a massage.

Su Ran initially wanted to refuse, but Ye Qiao seemed eager to prove his massage was more comfortable than the chair. Seeing him so prepared, Su Ran agreed.

They laid out some disposable tablecloths from home on the bed, and Su Ran lay down on them. Starting from the calves, when the cool oil touched his skin, Ye Qiao’s hands followed, kneading with just the right amount of pressure, enhanced by the oil, making Su Ran’s legs ticklishly comfortable.

Gradually moving upward, Ye Qiao pushed up his shirt, revealing his smooth, pale back. From there, Su Ran tensed up. He didn’t know why, but his back felt very sensitive…

It was still very comfortable, making him involuntarily moan, toes curling.

“What are you doing?” Su Ran’s voice trembled, wanting to turn around, but it was difficult with hands pressing on his back, feeling warm breath there…

Ye Qiao quickened his technique, his fingers soft—perhaps painters naturally had soft hands. Su Ran couldn’t help but grip the pillow beside him.

Ye Qiao leaned down, whispering in his ear, “Brother Ran Ran, does it feel good?”

“Com… comfortable,” Su Ran replied.

Ye Qiao chuckled, then cautioned, “Brother Ran Ran, keep it down, or Jiang Ge might hear and think we’re up to no good.”

Su Ran immediately clamped his mouth shut, his face flushing from his cheeks to his neck.