Chapter 37

Yan Zhao paused in arranging the chess pieces, his heartbeat quickening momentarily. A bet?

Was it a bet on his own chess skills, or was it a bet on whether Shen Yuanting was a serious person, or perhaps a bet on the hormonal attraction between lovers? Either way, it seemed like he wouldn’t lose out.

Thinking like this, Yan Zhao still believed that Shen Juju wouldn’t harbor any ulterior motives… After all, President Shen had always had the image of a gentle and quiet little fairy (?) Even though he occasionally had outbursts, he wasn’t the kind of impatient person… Probably.

Yan Zhao asked, “What are we betting on?”

Shen Yuanting replied, “We each write fifteen notes, and the loser draws lots. Whatever is drawn, they have to do.”

Yan Zhao: “But what if we draw something we don’t want to do?”

Shen Yuanting: “Then we have to drink three cups as a self-punishment.”

Yan Zhao nodded, “Okay.”

Yan Zhao had bought plum wine a few days ago, and it came in handy at this moment.

He placed the wine on the coffee table, grabbed some sticky notes and a pen, and began to think about what to write.

With a punishment of drinking involved, it was okay to be a bit excessive.

After writing a few playful requests for Shen Juju, Yan Zhao’s eyes darkened, his hand resting on the tabletop, guarding the words he was about to write.

Shen Yuanting knew what to write, finished the notes in one go, leaned back on the sofa, and waited for him. There was a subtle smile on his lips, slightly more mischievous than his usual shallow smile.

“Done!” Yan Zhao finished writing his requests, crumpled the notes into balls, and scattered them around.

He played as black, and the first move required no thought, directly aiming at the center of the board.

The chess pieces were high-quality Yunzi^[1]Yunzi (Traditional: 雲子; Simplified: 云子; Pinyin: Yúnzǐ; refer to special weiqi (Go) pieces (called “stones”) manufactured in the Chinese province of Yunnan., jet black and translucent, with a delicate luster. But the hand holding the black piece was equally eye-catching, with slender fingers, distinct joints, and nails displaying a healthy color.

Shen Yuanting remarked, “Your gestures are quite beautiful.”

Yan Zhao replied proudly, “Of course, the production team invited Zhang, a ninth-dan player from the National Go Academy, to provide guidance.” In order to ensure that the chess game would be appealing to the audience, the production team put a lot of effort into the details.

The game of Gomoku proceeded quickly, and Yan Zhao won the first game. Eagerly, he urged Shen Yuanting, “Open and see what you got!”

Shen Yuanting randomly picked one and unfolded it and showed it to Yan Zhao: imitate Wang Zai’s milk voice.

Yan Zhao commented, “Wang Zai’s dad, this one isn’t difficult, right?”

Wang Zai was a cow patterned chubby cat with a distinctive, sweet, and girlish meow, like a cute little milk voice.

Shen Yuanting glanced at him and said calmly, “Meow.”

Clear and cold, like the crisp sound of jade colliding.

Yan Zhao remarked, “It doesn’t sound like Wang Zai.” Though pleasant to the ears, it didn’t pass the test!

Shen Yuanting meowed a few more times, each with its own flavor, such as indifferent cat, bossy cat, and blackened cat, but there was no trace of the cute and charming Wang Zai.

Yan Zhao remarked, “Doesn’t meet the requirements, even if you meow a hundred times.”

Shen Yuanting insisted, “Wang Zai meows like this.”

Was this person resorting to sophistry?

Yan Zhao stood up and swiftly went to the cat’s nest, bringing Wang Zai out into his arms. “Wang Zai, give a meow.”

Wang Zai nestled in his arms, purring, but refused to meow.

“Wang Zai, it’s time to eat.”

Wang Zai’s nose twitched but didn’t catch any scent, continuing to lounge like a salted fish.

“Wang Zai, want to play?”

“Wang Zai, don’t fall asleep.”

“Wang Zai, it’s time for your vaccination!”

Yan Zhao held up the cat’s front paws. “Kid, give a meow, and I’ll give you some canned food.”

Wang Zai remained unmoved.

Yan Zhao: “…” Why, Wang Zai is obviously a chatterbox, but why did he become mute at the critical moment?

Shen Yuanting chuckled lightly, “You have to speak to it in cat language.”

Makes sense. Yan Zhao furrowed his brows, and meowed at it seriously.

Wang Zai: “Meow?”

“You hear that? That’s the sound!” Yan Zhao said to Shen Yuanting, then meowed a string of words at Wang Zai, who responded with a meow.

“Alright, your turn—” Yan Zhao turned around to urge Shen Yuanting to meow, but saw him with his elbow on the coffee table, his hand against his forehead, and his chest shaking slightly as he chuckled.

Yan Zhao: “…”

Damn. It’s Shen Yuanting who’s supposed to be punished, why is he also following suit?

Having fallen into a trap, Yan Zhao couldn’t let Shen Yuanting off easily. He released Wang Zai, sat beside the man, and shook his shoulder forcefully. “No cheating!”

“Got it.” Shen Yuanting’s tone still carried a hint of amusement. He casually wrapped his arm around Yan Zhao’s shoulder, pulled him close, and whispered softly in his ear, “I’ll meow quieter, alright?”

The man’s barely perceptible cool breath enveloped him, and Yan Zhao awkwardly shifted his buttocks. “Fine.”

Shen Yuanting lowered his gaze, his warm breath gently brushing against Yan Zhao’s cheek, a soft “meow” escaping his lips, his fingers scratching at Yan Zhao’s earlobe, making it turn red and tender.

“Alright.” Shen Yuanting released his grip, patted Yan Zhao’s shoulder, and said, “Continue.”

Yan Zhao stumbled through his response, “Uh, yeah!”

In the following rounds, there were wins and losses, and Shen Yuanting’s notes suggested activities like singing a song, dancing, or playing the guitar. Yan Zhao felt like his talents had been paraded around in one day, and Shen Yuanting in his heart was transitioning from a domineering CEO to a retired cadre.

While Yan Zhao had a few notes with challenges for Shen Yuanting, luck seemed to be on Shen Yuanting’s side, as he didn’t draw a single one.

In another round, Yan Zhao lost. His nerves were almost relaxed, thinking he might have to stand up and sing again, when he unsuspectingly opened the note:

Take the next punishment on White’s behalf.

Yan Zhao: “…?”

What is this? Does it mean that if Shen Yuanting loses, he has to take the punishment on Shen Yuanting’s behalf?

Yan Zhao widened his eyes. Shen Yuanting, with his thick eyebrows and large eyes, was actually playing this childish “rebound” trick!

Shen Yuanting laughed and looked at him, “Not willing? You can drink instead.”

Yan Zhao pursed his lips, “I’m willing to gamble and accept the consequences!”

The bottle of alcohol, untouched until now, couldn’t intimidate him with just a small note!

Wanting to avoid this punishment, Yan Zhao thought he could just pretend to lose. But considering that Shen Yuanting might have some tricks up his sleeve, he was unsure what strange demands he might be saddled with if he lost again. Yan Zhao felt a bit uneasy, but gritted his teeth and resolved to face whatever came his way.

The game became intense, with Yan Zhao being relentlessly pursued by Shen Yuanting, pushed to the brink. However, in the end, Shen Yuanting made a crucial mistake, and Yan Zhao seized the opportunity to connect five pieces in a row.

Yet, there was no joy in victory.

Estimating the ratio of legitimate requests to inappropriate or lewd ones among the pile of notes, Yan Zhao realized the odds of stepping on a landmine were about 50/50…

Shen Yuanting’s fingertip slowly swept over the crumpled papers, hovering over a particular one. Yan Zhao’s heart raced as he marked that spot on the pile—he knew that one was safe! Hurry and pick it!

But then Shen Yuanting’s fingertip paused, as if about to take that small note, but suddenly changed targets and picked up a different one nearby.

Yan Zhao: “…” Damn it. It’s over.

Shen Yuanting unfolded the note and raised his eyebrows, “Do you want to see me take my off clothes?”

Yan Zhao turned his head and slapped himself in the face.

He swore, he only thought Shen Yuanting had a good physique and wrote down that request out of an appreciation for art, not because he wanted to see the man’s abs.

So, damn it, why?

Shen Yuanting smirked, “Didn’t you just say you were willing to accept the consequences of the bet?”

Yan Zhao gritted his teeth, thinking they were both men, so what’s there that couldn’t be seen: “Fine, just take it off, and I’ll return the favor later.”

Yan Zhao tossed aside his coat, leaving only a shirt on his upper body.

The top button was already undone, so he lowered his gaze and began unbuttoning from the second one down. As the shirt opened up, a small patch of skin on his chest was exposed, which was dazzlingly white.

Third button, fourth button… After all the buttons were undone, the shirt hung half-covering his front.

Without hesitation, Yan Zhao took off the shirt and tied it around his waist.

He was shirtless: “Next round.”

Shen Yuanting half-lidded his eyes, observing the young man. While his figure was lean, it wasn’t frail but rather covered with a layer of muscle. A silver chain hung around his slender neck, with a ring-like pendant resting on his chest. Below that, smooth lines traced his narrow waist, and the V-lines extending into his jeans under the abdominal muscles…

Shen Yuanting lightly chuckled inexplicably: “Are you cold? How about putting on a coat?”

At his youthful age and regular exercise, Yan Zhao didn’t feel particularly cold: “No need, come on, it’s your turn.”

When he was concentrating, he leaned forward slightly, so the necklace was not attached to his chest, but slightly hanging in the air. The ones on both sides… became more present because of the cold air… but he himself was not aware of it, eagerly wanting to turn the tide.

Shen Yuanting played his piece, then the white piece slipped between his fingers and landed on the board with a snap.

He has no regrets when he makes a move, and the same goes for the words he says and the actions he takes.

Not long after, Yan Zhao held Shen Yuanting’s coat, but there was no hint of joy on his face, his brows furrowed into small rivers.

Because this coat wasn’t won back by him; instead, he was pressed into another round by someone.

And this time, the punishment is to wear Shen Yuanting’s coat.

Can you believe it? This is still a damn loop!

Yan Zhao pulled over his man’s black suit. As his hand just passed through one sleeve, he heard the man’s tone calmly say, “Put it on. Not wear it.”

He grabbed that piece of paper, the words on the back of the paper were indeed written as “put on” instead of “wear.”

Yan Zhao: “…………”

Is this another form of shameful play?

Shen Yuanting, I really misjudged you!

Yan Zhao put on the jacket. The suit still retained the man’s body temperature, and even had Shen Yueting’s scent.

Yan Zhao grabbed the collar and sniffed it, but couldn’t tell whether it was his own illusion or the scent of laundry detergent.

His action was like a cat confirming its belongings, with a bit of careless teasing. And the whole person was covered by loose clothes, black against white, making it difficult to look away.

Shen Yuanting poured himself a glass of wine, the sweet and sour fruity flavor mixed with the aroma of alcohol overflowed and dispersed in the air.

Yan Zhao said, “I want some too!”

Shen Yuanting poured it for him, Yan Zhao took a sip, and the slightly cool wine flowed down his throat, igniting a subtle fire in his stomach.

He tapped the glass on the table and licked his lips, “Another one.”

If it were a case of losing one item per round, Yan Zhao might have already lost even his underwear to Shen Yuanting. Fortunately, Mr. Shen still had a conscience and didn’t push things too far. Yan Zhao just ended up exposing a few embarrassing incidents and was forced to address Shen Yuanting as “Brother”.

Yes, brother. It’s really damn surprising. Not to mention brother, he could even be called husband.

Yan Zhao felt that he still didn’t understand Shen Yuanting. This man always made actions that he found hard to understand, jumping back and forth between purity and abomination.

When Yan Zhao lost another round and went to grab the piece of paper, he realized that all of Shen Yuanting’s requests had been fulfilled on his end. On the other hand, Yan Zhao’s requests sank collectively without leaving a single bubble.

Yan Zhao: “….” Even Gomoku is looking down on me!”

Shen Yuanting chuckled, “Did you check yours?”

Yan Zhao shook his head frantically, “What I wrote was meaningless!”

Shen Yuanting: “Isn’t that even better? Let’s call it quits after this round.”

Yan Zhao realized he was getting what he deserved. If given another chance, he’d write healthy and harmonious content for sure.

Closing his eyes, he felt around for a piece of paper, and when he unfolded it, he breathed a sigh of relief: “Drink a toast together.”

At least it’s not selling out his body alone!

Yan Zhao showed the piece of paper to Shen Yuanting, a bit smugly, “You have to join in too!”

Shen Yuanting nodded, refilled their glasses, and patted the seat beside him, “Come over here.”

Yan Zhao sat over and turned sideways to make it easier to hand over the cup.

He lifted his glass, linking arms with the other. Shen Yuanting only wore a thin shirt, with the sleeves rolled up, revealing sturdy muscles on his forearm.

Yan Zhao took a sip, letting the wine slide down his throat. His peach blossom eyes were bright and clean, and his face had a faint blush.

After finishing the drink, Shen Yuanting’s hand, through his coat, rested on the other’s lower back, and with a little force, brought the other person into his arms.

Shen Yuanting touched the back of his neck, caressing it gently with his fingertips, and said in a coaxing tone, “No more separate rooms, will you sleep in my room from now on?”