Chapter 12: Kiss

Li Huan was just being polite when he asked, but regardless of whether Song Chunhui agreed or not, the outcome tonight would be the same—he was going to have his way with this man.

He noticed that Song Chunhui’s body was covered with multiple brown marks, crisscrossing in various shades.

Feigning concern, he asked, “Brother Song, what happened to you? Are those scars?”

“Ah.” Song Chunhui was momentarily stunned and casually explained that they were old scars from when he was a mischievous child, climbing mountains and trees and falling.

Only after explaining did he realize, why was he explaining this to the young assistant? It was like trying to cover up something obvious, anyone with eyes could see they were whip marks, and his dignity was on the line.

Afraid of scaring Song Chunhui, Li Huan quickly got up and walked away, turning his back to him, saying, “Go ahead and get dressed, I won’t look, so you won’t say I’m gay again.”

“…” Song Chunhui hadn’t even thought of that. After last night’s blackout experience, he felt quite at ease with the young assistant. If he were really gay, he would have taken advantage of him already.

It was Song Chunhui himself who had a psychological shadow. During his high school years, he was almost always ridiculed because of his outstanding grades and intense studying.

In a dormitory with twenty people, toilets without partitions, and a bathhouse that was packed at certain times, he had to endure the deliberate strange looks and even malicious ridicule from others every night in that crowded and privacy-less environment.

With a towel ready to dry himself, Song Chunhui was still afraid of losing his dignity in front of the junior. As soon as he got out of the pool, he quickly grabbed the bathrobe Li Huan had brought and wrapped it around himself, tying the belt tightly to prevent any exposure.

He asked Li Huan, “Where did the alcohol come from? Aren’t you allergic to alcohol?”

“Actually, I’m not sure if that time I went to the hospital was because of an alcohol allergy,” Li Huan lied without hesitation. “The buffet at noon also offered alcohol. Brother Song, you had such a hard time last night, I thought maybe I could help you out in the future, so I tried a few sips and was fine, so I brought a bottle back to try.”

The young assistant’s thoughtful words hit Song Chunhui right in the heart. It wasn’t in vain that he spent so much effort imparting his social experience; he was someone who knew how to be grateful.

But this foreign wine, he hadn’t drunk it before.

Li Huan took the menu from the table, still with his back to Song Chunhui, and sat down on the sofa, flipping through it as he asked, “Brother Song, what do you want to eat?”

“Wait a minute!” Song Chunhui, still in shock, quickly snatched the menu from Li Huan’s hand, thinking to himself that this kid was really fearless. You can’t just randomly order things in a five-star hotel! Just one set meal could cost him half a year’s food expenses. Was he expecting him to pay?

Li Huan looked puzzled, “What’s wrong? I didn’t eat enough at noon, and Brother Song, you must be hungry too, right?”

“You didn’t eat enough at the buffet?” Song Chunhui didn’t hold back when it was time to scold, “Xiao Li, this is a five-star hotel. I can afford it, but can you, as an intern, afford it?”

His tone gradually became serious, also wanting to use this to regain some authority, “It’s not that I won’t let you order, but you need to have a clear understanding of your own capabilities, understand? In society, no one will cover for you. You must have a sense of crisis and not do whatever you want.”

Li Huan looked at Song Chunhui, who was still damp, his chest half-exposed, with water droplets slowly trickling down his skin, and his red lips continuously opening and closing. Damn, he really needed to be taken care of.

“It’s free,” he smiled at Song Chunhui. “General Manager Liu said you should rest well, order food if you’re hungry, and you don’t have to participate in tomorrow’s competition.”

Another shock? Song Chunhui couldn’t believe Liu Wenjin would be so kind and thoughtful, but then he heard the young assistant say, “I applied to General Manager Liu, and he approved it. I heard that the expenses for this team-building activity are fully covered by the headquarters, and I just heard Sun Wei say they’re preparing some late-night snacks.”

So that’s how it was.

The headquarters was indeed wealthy and had done such things before, so Song Chunhui believed it without a doubt. He sat down and started looking through the menu himself, just in time as he was starving.

“Thank you, Brother Song,” Li Huan leaned closer to Song Chunhui but maintained an appropriate distance. “I’m only able to look at this menu because of you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare to order; it’s too expensive.”

“That’s why I advise you to work hard,” Song Chunhui pointed to a high-end steak he had once eaten, showing it to Li Huan. “This is Wellington steak. You haven’t tried it, have you? I’ll order one for you.”

Whenever he heard Song Chunhui’s pretentious tone, Li Huan couldn’t help but want to laugh. Four Eyes was quite amusing. Was a mere steak worth showing off?

He cleared his throat to hide his amusement, with a mischievous intent, he asked Song Chunhui, “I haven’t tried it. What a strange name. Why is it called Wellington?”

Song Chunhui, who had no research on Western cuisine, was stumped. He hadn’t eaten much high-end Western food in his life. His first time was in his third year of college when he took his first love to a fancy restaurant.

A steak cost dozens of yuan, and he had to work a whole day to earn that. He wasn’t used to it, forced it down, and couldn’t sleep well that night in the dormitory, feeling heartbroken. Since then, he had kept his distance from Western food.

“Western food is like that,” Song Chunhui’s finger slid over a line of small text below the steak, randomly explaining, “You see this Parma ham, they use fancy names to make it seem high-end, and the price goes up. It’s actually average. I find it greasy, but you young people might like it.”

“I see.” Li Huan praised with a smile, “Brother Song, you know a lot.”

Song Chunhui: “That’s why you should earn more money. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to broaden your horizons in the future.”

Li Huan: “Can you tell me more?”

The young assistant ordered pasta and a vegetable salad. Song Chunhui looked at it seriously, shocked by the prices again and again. Anything he couldn’t understand or was too expensive, he skipped, even if the company was covering the cost.

He ordered himself a lobster pasta and, seeing “pan-seared foie gras with red wine sauce,” couldn’t resist wanting to try it. He had always heard that rich people ate such high-end food, but he was afraid it wouldn’t taste good and would be wasted, so he asked Li Huan if he wanted to try it.

“Order it, it’s free anyway.” Seeing Song Chunhui seemed hesitant, Li Huan mischievously added, “I’ve never had foie gras. Have you, Brother Song?”

“Of course, I’ve had it. It’s quite good.” Song Chunhui quickly maintained his dignity, “I’m ordering it for you, just in case you don’t like it.”

“Then I want to try it.” Li Huan added a bottle of red wine.

Song Chunhui couldn’t stop him and advised, “Don’t drink too much. If you can’t handle it, don’t force it.”

Li Huan got up and took out two glasses from the wine cabinet, opening the bottle of rum he had carefully selected. The tropical flavor masked the strong alcohol, and with Four Eyes’ drinking capacity from last night, he would probably get drunk quickly. Even if he got drunk slowly, he had all night.

The foreign wine had a slightly sour taste, with an indescribable strange flavor that shot straight to the brain, like sugarcane water mixed with some chemical substance. Song Chunhui wasn’t used to it, his throat felt like it was on fire, and he frowned deeply.

“Brother Song, drink slowly. They say you have to savor this wine to taste its flavor.” Li Huan took a sip from his glass.

Seeing the young assistant enjoying it, how could Song Chunhui accept that? He thought to himself, as a business manager, how could he be outdone by a new intern?

He tried again, this time taking a small sip, holding it in his mouth to savor it. He did taste something different, a hint of sweetness wrapped in coconut flavor, smooth in texture, and the spiciness wasn’t as harsh on the throat. He slowly began to accept it.

“How does it feel?” Li Huan asked.

“It’s okay, it’s not like I haven’t drunk it before.” Song Chunhui put down his glass and leaned back on the sofa, “When I was drinking, you were still drinking milk and wetting your pants.”

“…” Li Huan’s mouth twitched, “How is that possible? You’re not that much older than me.”

Song Chunhui: “I’m almost a whole cycle older than you. In my eyes, you’re just a little kid.”

“…” Li Huan retorted, “After the New Year, I’ll be 23, not a kid.”

“Only 23?” Song Chunhui chuckled, “After the New Year, I’ll be 32.”

Li Huan: “…Aren’t you only 30? Lying about your age.”

Song Chunhui: “After next month, I’ll be 31, and after the New Year, 32. What’s the problem?”

“You don’t count like that.” Li Huan gave up, “By your logic, after the New Year, I’m 23, and after my birthday in March, I’m 24. You’re only 8 years older than me.”

“You, you’re still too young.” Song Chunhui remembered that his adoptive father’s son was also 22 this year, the same age as the young assistant, and was about to get married.

Luo Hu was raised by him during his entire baby phase, always wetting his pants. Once, he even pooped in his pants, which got him a severe beating and a whole day without food.

He was so hungry, dizzy with hunger, that he washed all the poop and pee from his brother’s pants, knelt for two hours, and only then got a bowl of spoiled rice.

Song Chunhui turned his head, and outside the floor-to-ceiling window was the tranquil night of the resort.

Now, sitting in such a high-end hotel, tasting high-end foreign wine, enjoying another night view, he would never have to go back.

He would no longer be looked down upon, no longer be beaten or scolded, and never be locked in a dark woodshed again.

He was living his own life.

“Brother Song, cheers.”

“Come,” Song Chunhui clinked glasses with the young assistant, “Bottoms up!”

Seeing Song Chunhui tilt his head back and take a big gulp, the wine slowly trickling down from the corner of his mouth, sliding over his jaw and down his fair neck, his Adam’s apple moving up and down with each swallow, surprisingly sexy, Li Huan subconsciously swallowed.

As Song Chunhui’s mood gradually lifted, after the food was delivered to the room, he ate while showing Li Huan the world, boasting about his overseas travel experiences, embellishing them with details, starting from taking a plane, how the clouds in the sky were within reach, how beautiful Thailand was, and how pretty the ladyboys were.

“The headquarters has overseas travel benefits, Thailand is nothing,” Song Chunhui burped, saying, “Their executives go straight to Europe.”

Li Huan smiled without saying a word, seeing that Song Chunhui was clearly tipsy, his tone fluctuating, he teased, “Brother Song, have you been to the United States?”

“Not interested in going,” Song Chunhui showed disdain, slapping the coffee table, transforming into a know-it-all, “Let me tell you, the United States is not safe. Guns are legal there, haven’t you seen the news about international students having accidents? If you die, there’s no place to seek justice. If my child wants to study in the US in the future, I’ll be the first to disagree.”

Li Huan had just returned from the US in June, unaware it was so dangerous.

Unexpectedly, Four Eyes was really fun to tease. The little thing hidden in the bathrobe wasn’t even half the size of his thumb, could it even have kids?

Song Chunhui’s eyes were hazy, yet there was a stubbornness in them, as if he understood the world, and he brought the topic back from the US to China, making a 180-degree turn, talking about his proud academic achievements and work.

Li Huan watched, getting addicted to teasing, just about to ask when Song Chunhui planned to have kids.

“Let me tell you, do you know how amazing I am?” Song Chunhui raised his arm, shakily patting his chest, “I skipped grades in elementary school, was first in my class every year in middle school, and even got first in high school. Do you know what that means? I got into Norlin right after graduation, a big company, so many people interviewed, and I even got a household registration, now I’m a Jiangcheng resident.”

Li Huan didn’t care where Song Chunhui was from, only seeing his flushed cheeks, teasing him, “Brother Song, when do you plan to have kids?”

Touched on a sore spot, Song Chunhui’s face showed sadness, losing the pride he had just now. His mouth drooped unconsciously, his speech slowed, his voice became low and muffled, with a hint of grievance.

“I want to, but I can’t find a wife…”

Just a few days ago, he was saying in the company that he had high standards, confirming that Song Chunhui was really drunk, Li Huan continued to tease, “Why can’t you find one?”

“I’m not good enough…”

“Why not?”

“Too small, doesn’t work…”

“It’s okay, Brother Song.” Li Huan picked up the wine, refilled Song Chunhui’s empty glass, then held it up to his mouth, coaxing him in a slow, gentle tone, “You’re so amazing, you’ll definitely find someone. Come, cheers, I wish you find your other half soon.”

Can he really find one in this lifetime? Song Chunhui, troubled and restless, held the glass and tilted his head back, downing it in one go. He knew alcohol was harmful, but at the moment, he could only rely on it to forget his troubles.

Who knew he drank too fast, choking his throat with a burning pain, his head buzzing, temples throbbing, the aftereffects hitting him like a club, making him feel awful.

So aggrieved…

Heaven was blind, how long would it continue to torment him…

Outside the window, the night grew deeper.

“Brother Song, are you okay?”

Li Huan tentatively spoke softly, reaching out to support Song Chunhui, who was slumped over the armrest of the sofa. Just as he carefully helped him up, the next second, Song Chunhui crashed into his arms, seemingly asleep, but muttering something incomprehensible.

Warm breath brushed against his neck, Li Huan felt ticklish, paused for two seconds, then steeled himself, simply cradling Song Chunhui across his lap, casually removing his glasses, trying to call him, “Brother Song?”

The person in his arms didn’t respond.

“Drunk so quickly, your alcohol tolerance is terrible.” Seeing the sauce from the pasta still on Song Chunhui’s mouth, Li Huan, feeling disdainful, casually untied the bathrobe’s belt, lifted the collar to wipe his mouth clean.

With that wipe, Song Chunhui groggily opened his eyes.

The room was brightly lit, reflecting in Song Chunhui’s drunken, half-open eyes. Li Huan met his gaze up close, slightly tugged at the corner of his mouth, and said with a smile, “You have quite the presence, you know? It’s my first time patiently serving a man.”

Unfortunately, Song Chunhui didn’t hear, closing his eyes again.

Li Huan’s experience with men wasn’t extensive, having only recently entered the scene this year. To be precise, he hadn’t played with a newbie before, only encountering wild ones who required no effort, just a release.

The hotel had all the “tools” needed, no extra preparation required. In case Song Chunhui resisted, after carrying him to the bed, he grabbed the trousers on the bed, pulled out the belt, and tied Song Chunhui’s wrists together.

As he approached Song Chunhui, Li Huan felt no burden, instead thinking he was doing justice. Letting a man who harassed women experience being harassed by a man was an act of righteousness.

This Four Eyes really needed a lesson, and if it hurt, he deserved it.

*

His body hurt so much…

Song Chunhui, in a daze, fell into a nightmare again. Under the moonlight, his father’s shadow swelled into a mountain. He wanted to run but couldn’t react in time. A slap, carried by the wind, landed heavily on his face, and his left ear buzzed, as if he couldn’t hear anything. Fear gripped his heart, he trembled all over, tears uncontrollably streaming down, his ankles suddenly clamped by iron-like hands, dragging him out with force, gravel tearing his skin, fighting to burrow into his flesh.

“You bastard!”

His body felt like it was pierced by steel needles, every nerve screaming in pain, as if about to be torn apart. Song Chunhui knew the taste of pain too well, thinking he wouldn’t fear it anymore, but couldn’t understand why he had to endure such torment. His father was long dead, his mother too, he had already left his adoptive parents’ home, no longer living under someone else’s roof, so why…

He curled into a ball, wanting to call for help, but only weak whimpers escaped his throat. It hurt too much, no one would save him, he was a bastard…

Why was he born a bastard?

He futilely covered his eyes and head, trying to block out all the darkness that terrified him, trembling and pleading, “Don’t hit me… don’t hit me…”

“It hurts, it hurts so much…”

Damn.

Li Huan was also in pain, sweating profusely, thinking Song Chunhui’s wrists were tied too tightly, causing him to cry out. But after untying him, Song Chunhui hugged his head and started crying, soon tears and snot everywhere, as pitiful as could be, making him seem like a jerk. He had been patient enough, using a whole bottle of oil, what more did he want?

This ungrateful Four Eyes.

“Who’s hitting you, relax.” Li Huan gritted his teeth, freeing a hand to soothe Song Chunhui, massaging his muscles to help him relax. Unexpectedly, it backfired, Song Chunhui just kept crying, whimpering about “pain” and “fear,” making him furious. So he simply went for it, embracing Song Chunhui tightly as he struggled, and quickly used his lips to silence that incessantly chattering mouth.

“Mm—”

The moment Song Chunhui quieted down, Li Huan almost ascended to heaven, his whole body electrified, pleasure seeping into his pores, feeling like his soul was being sucked away, almost confessing like a young boy on the spot. He held Song Chunhui tightly, preventing him from struggling, his initially rough and wild kiss gradually turning gentle, a reward for Four Eyes. If he had known it would be this satisfying, he would have done it last night.

Until Song Chunhui slowly stopped trembling, stopped struggling, Li Huan withdrew the reward, officially starting his endless harassment…

…

This nightmare-filled night seemed endless, the end perhaps a darker abyss. Song Chunhui didn’t remember how long he had been beaten, but in a haze, a faint light appeared, finally someone came to save him.

Was it Fangfang?

Fangfang… Song Chunhui used all his strength to hold his first love tightly, afraid of being abandoned again, tears rolling down his cheeks uncontrollably.

He kissed the other person desperately, from face to lips, covering them with tiny kisses, just hoping his Fangfang would be willing to come back to him, to live a good life together.

Come back, Fangfang…

Don’t leave me…

“Fangfang!” Song Chunhui suddenly opened his eyes wide, the first thing he saw was the ceiling of the five-star hotel, not the cozy little nest he had shared with his first love.

It was a dream.

Why did a dream make his throat hurt so much? His eyes hurt too.

Just like yesterday morning, Song Chunhui’s head throbbed, cursing inwardly, he couldn’t drink like this anymore, alcohol was harmful.

He was about to move when a searing pain spread through his body like wildfire, making him gasp in shock, unable to recover, not understanding what had happened.

Damn, who hit him?

“Who’s Fangfang?”

Song Chunhui turned his head, instantly dumbfounded, seeing his young assistant standing naked by the bed, steam rising from his body, clearly just out of the shower.

Even though his vision was a bit blurry, he recognized that intimidating thing clearly, something he couldn’t envy, so was this kid showing off?

Song Chunhui had a bad feeling, it couldn’t be…

“Using me as a stand-in?” Li Huan sat down by the bed, looking into Song Chunhui’s eyes, smiling, “Brother Song, you’ll make me sad if you do that.”

“You…” Song Chunhui croaked.

“Uh-huh.” Li Huan nodded, “Let’s be clear, you were the one who seduced me. I’m so young and full of energy, it’s hard to resist. You won’t blame me, right?”

Song Chunhui was shocked, what was this brat saying?