Off You Go

Su Ran was completely flustered. He hadn’t expected Zhou Zekun to return so quickly. With that speed, did he really just go to relieve himself?

Su Ran stood there, dazed for a while, but Zhou Zekun had already come in and sat down. He swept a cold gaze over Zhao Jinshun, whose face was pale as sweat streamed down profusely.

Zhao Jinshun knew all about Zhou Zekun’s methods. After all, when he had owed money to the casino, Zhou Zekun had almost broken his legs. Thankfully, he had spoken up about this plan which saved his limbs. After entering the Zhou Residence, he realized that Zhou Zekun’s aim wasn’t just about money…

Trembling, Zhao Jinshun looked towards Su Ran. It was all this little jerk’s fault. Why did he suddenly embrace him, attracting one man after another and still clinging to him? Now they had been caught by Zhou Zekun, and he had no idea how they were going to clear this mess up.

By now, Su Ran’s face had also turned pale. He saw Zhou Zekun sitting at the table, and the waiter had started serving dishes.

Walking over, Su Ran sat next to him. He looked at Zhou Zekun and for a moment didn’t know what to say. Zhou Zekun wasn’t looking at him but had already started eating as if nothing had happened.

After a while, Su Ran leaned closer and said, “It was all a misunderstanding, not what you think.”

Su Ran’s words sounded feeble, and Zhou Zekun didn’t seem to take them in, merely responding, “Let’s eat.”

Su Ran, anxious, grabbed his arm, “Really, it was just a misunderstanding. Please don’t tell anyone…”

Speaking thus, Su Ran himself felt guilty. Zhou Zekun scoffed and then said calmly, “Let’s put that aside for now, and just eat.”

Seeing him like this, Su Ran felt uneasy, neither clear nor demanding, leaving him restless and unable to enjoy the meal.

The food was delicious, but it tasted bland in his mouth.

On the way back, Zhou Zekun still said nothing. Su Ran occasionally glanced at him, but couldn’t read anything from his expression until they reached the gate of the residence.

Zhou Zekun politely said, “Please go back, I’m heading home.”

Su Ran opened his lips to speak, but seeing his demeanor, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything until Zhou Zekun had walked away. Watching his tall figure, Su Ran felt utterly disturbed.

The sun was setting, and it wasn’t so hot anymore. Occasional cicadas sounded, adding to Su Ran’s irritation. His robe was soaked with sweat. Standing before the courtyard door, he felt choked up, not wanting to go in, but having nowhere else to go.

He stepped into the courtyard and walked to the door, pushing it open. Zhou Yuanzhe was reading—a solitary pastime since he had no other hobbies.

Standing at the door, Su Ran could feel Zhou Yuanzhe’s somber aura. His eyes remained on his book until he looked up after a while and gave a cold smile, “How was it? Going out with your little lover?”

“Just went out for a meal,” Su Ran murmured.

Zhou Yuanzhe sneered, “Some people are born cheap, can’t live without a man. You rush to seduce the servants, I didn’t send you to enjoy yourself with Zhou Mingyu.”

Su Ran unconsciously stepped back. The sarcasm, heard too often, became increasingly harsh. He looked at Zhou Yuanzhe, who seemed nearly venomous, as if spitting out the most malicious words to see him crumble would be satisfying, sparking resentment in Su Ran towards this bitter man.

“What are you looking at me like that for? Am I wrong?” said Zhou Yuanzhe.

Coming to his senses, Su Ran lowered his gaze. Zhou Yuanzhe scoffed and returned to his book, saying coldly, “Go on, you know where to go.”

After a moment, Su Ran left the room, taking a deep breath outside in the dimming light, heading towards Zhou Mingyu’s courtyard.

As he approached, the sun just set. He stood at the door, knocking. The next second, the door was flung open, and he was pulled inside.

The door closed behind him, and it was Zhou Mingyu’s urgent kiss, tightly embracing him, lips and tongues tangled loudly.

Su Ran’s robe was loose, now crumpled, a stark contrast to Zhou Mingyu’s robust form, feeling as though he was being crushed into him. The tight embrace and intense kisses left him breathless.

Finally released by Zhou Mingyu, his eyes hotly fixed on Su Ran’s flushed cheeks, he murmured, “Open your mouth.”

Su Ran’s lips, swollen from the kisses, parted slightly, his tongue trembling—just kissed too fiercely, now looking especially enticing.

Zhou Mingyu held him even tighter, chuckling, “What are you hiding for, stick it out for me to taste.”

Hearing this, Su Ran’s face heated up, but he followed Zhou Mingyu’s words, sticking out his bright red tongue. Zhou Mingyu, looking at his shy demeanor, was excited, eyes reddening, impatient to devour it.

As the light faded, Su Ran was left sweaty all over by Zhou Mingyu until his fire subsided, allowing him to slip away. Now sitting on the edge of the bed, cooling off, his body still marked.

Behind him, Zhou Mingyu remained restless, hands roaming over him, causing some irritation. After a while, he got off the bed and dressed.

“I’m leaving,” said Su Ran.

Zhou Mingyu still lay in bed, half in shadow, alternating light and dark casting a faint glow on his toned body. He sighed theatrically, “Ranran, you’re so heartless, using me and leaving.”

Su Ran paused, irritated, “It’s clearly you…”

But he was too embarrassed to say it outright and huffed before leaving. Zhou Mingyu watched his figure disappear from the room, sighing forlornly, loneliness overwhelming as he turned and buried his face in the crumpled bedding, desperately inhaling Su Ran’s scent, now mixed with the damp aroma of sweat.

Su Ran left Zhou Mingyu’s courtyard as the sky darkened completely, trees casting shadows along the path, rustling occasionally with the wind. He circled around and saw Zhou Zekun’s courtyard still lit, turning in.

There, he saw Zhao Jinshun in the courtyard, crouching and digging in the ground. Su Ran glanced at the house, dark inside, unsure if Zhou Zekun was out or had already retired.

“What are you doing?” Su Ran bent down to ask.

Startled by the sound, Zhao Jinshun jumped up. Seeing it was Su Ran, he calmed a bit and whispered, “What are you doing here, get out quickly.”

Su Ran was startled too, for Zhao Jinshun’s face was bruised, a patchwork of purple and green, looking terribly ominous.

“You… what happened to you?” asked Su Ran.

Seeing Su Ran, Zhao Jinshun felt a surge of anger but still scanned around, wary of being seen, “Look, young master, do you want to kill me? If not, leave quickly.”

Hearing this, Su Ran’s eyes reddened, “What are you saying, how could I harm you.”

“You don’t want to harm me?” Zhao Jinshun spoke up, wincing as he moved his injured mouth, “Do you know how I got these bruises? Zhou Zekun did this.”

Su Ran was stunned, “Why would he hit you?”

Zhao Jinshun almost laughed from frustration, “Why? You think hugging me without him seeing wouldn’t lead to trouble? See that hole over there?”

Su Ran followed his gaze as Zhao Jinshun sneered on, “He said if it happens again, that hole will be for burying me!”

Su Ran was confused and shocked, not understanding why it had come to this. Even if they had been caught, it shouldn’t warrant such a punishment, even making him dig his own grave…

Thinking this, Su Ran shivered, asking urgently, “How can this be… I’ll go talk to him now.”

Zhao Jinshun grabbed him, “Save it, he’s not here, and what can you say? He saw it with his own eyes, does he need to think he’s blind?”

“What do we do then… How could he be so harsh on you, driving you out would be one thing, but this…” Su Ran said anxiously.

Zhao Jinshun looked at him coldly, scoffing, “What else but because of you.”

Su Ran froze, “Because I’m the Third Young Master’s spouse…”

Zhao Jinshun stepped closer, a smirk curling at the corner of his mouth, “No, it’s because he has his eyes on you. You want him to let us go? Then go throw yourself at him.”

As the words dropped, Su Ran was stunned, then, reacting, he slapped Zhao Jinshun across the face. The smack rang out loud in the quiet night.

The slap left Zhao Jinshun stunned, then infuriated, “Damn, you dare hit me!”

Su Ran, frightened, stepped back and then ran out of the courtyard, distraught.

He lingered at the courtyard gate for a while, then entered the house. By then, Zhou Yuanzhe had moved to the bed. Seeing Su Ran come in, he glanced over, surprise flashing in his eyes, “What’s with that look, have you been crying?”

Su Ran’s hands clenched at his robe’s sides before he spoke softly, “I was discussing some plays with the Second Young Master, cried because of the plot.”

Hearing this, Zhou Yuanzhe looked him up and down, his voice softening a bit, “Clean yourself up, come rest.”

Su Ran responded, then started towards the screen, pausing mid-way to say, “The Second Young Master said he’ll take me to see a play tomorrow, may I go?”

After a moment with no reply, Su Ran stepped back to look at the bed, only to see Zhou Yuanzhe staring vacantly ahead, lost in thought.

“Yuanzhe,” Su Ran prompted softly.

Zhou Yuanzhe snapped back to the present, his hand unconsciously tightening around the book. He looked at Su Ran, scoffing, “Zhou Mingyu’s been asking you out a lot, must really fancy you.”

Su Ran’s fingers intertwined, feeling a tightness in his throat, he said, “No, it’s just we get along well.”

Zhou Yuanzhe “hmphed,” then said, “Go ahead.”