Chapter 22: Lips and Teeth Intertwined – Kissing, Ambiguity  

The whale shark—a creature dozens of times larger than a human, whose mere gaze could evoke deep-seated fear from within.  

Fear of the colossal.  

The whale shark swam leisurely in the vast waters of the aquarium, its body swaying gently, only occasionally casting a glance at the humans nearby.  

It circled endlessly, swimming in wide loops. Even though the water behind the glass was astonishingly expansive, the whale shark continued its ceaseless motion.  

Gliding, surging.  

Lin Yu felt this was the largest creature he had ever seen on Earth.  

He turned his head slightly, glancing at Zhang Modu, who also seemed fixated on the sight ahead, and suddenly spoke, “Is this the biggest living thing I can see?”  

“Probably?” Zhang Modu answered with slight hesitation. Some creatures weren’t something money alone could grant you access to.  

Lin Yu locked his gaze back onto the massive being before him, a faint trace of disdain flickering in his eyes:  

“Not bigger than me.”  

The gold in his pupils blazed brilliantly the moment the whale shark looked his way, like dazzling gemstones in motion—revealing their sharp edge in that instant.  

The golden hue shimmered, even reflecting faintly off the glass.  

A fusion of nobility and majesty, a color that could command the submission of all creatures on Earth.  

That flash of gold happened to be laid bare just as the whale shark passed by.  

The whale shark thrashed uncontrollably, leaping and twisting violently.  

In an instant, it grew frenzied, flapping its tail as it retreated at high speed. An instinctive sense of oppression made it perceive an almost dangerous presence.  

The atmosphere ignited in a flash.  

Many visitors gasped in alarm, covering their mouths, while nearby staff widened their eyes in disbelief at the creature’s bizarre behavior.  

—Zhang Modu finally saw the gold in Lin Yu’s eyes.  

So that was it.  

Lin Yu’s expression brimmed with satisfaction as he led Zhang Modu forward, past the seals, past the penguins, past marine life he had never laid eyes on before in his life.  

They stopped at the jellyfish exhibit, nearing closing time.  

The jellyfish were housed in tanks of varying sizes, confined to their tiny worlds, their bodies pulsing up and down.  

Lin Yu curled a finger and lightly tapped the glass. The rippling water startled the jellyfish, sending them scattering in disarray, clumping together haphazardly.  

Under the colored lights, the translucent jellyfish took on different hues—mysterious and beautiful.  

No one else was around. The aquarium was about to close.  

He felt the fleeting warmth of fingers brushing against his, like a soft breeze tentatively reaching for his fingertips.  

Lin Yu lowered his gaze, letting it linger for a moment before turning his hand to grasp back.  

Neither spoke, but the heat of their palms intertwined fiercely. Lin Yu slowly curled his fingers, interlacing them tightly.  

Fingers locked.  

Lin Yu held onto him like this as they walked forward, stepping over shimmering underwater lights, passing through the tunnel of time submerged in water.  

The entire way, neither spoke, only the sound of each other’s quiet breaths between them.  

It wasn’t until they reached the exit that they finally let go.  

Lin Yu’s expression was slightly awkward. He coughed uncomfortably before turning to Zhang Modu and asking a question so simple it could’ve come from an elementary schooler:  

“Next stop, the zoo?”

Zhang Modu was momentarily stunned before snapping back to reality, his eyes bright and shining. “It’s too late now~ Let me take you somewhere nice.”

He reached out to Lin Yu again, his gaze intensely focused on him. “Is that okay?”

Lin Yu nodded and extended his hand, their fingers intertwining once more.

Lin Yu could feel the damp warmth on his fingertips, clinging to his palm, pulsating with life.

The parking lot was underground, illuminated only by the slanted overhead lights that snaked across the ceiling.

As he opened the car door for himself and was about to climb in, he felt the slight coolness of their still-connected hands.

Zhang Modu gently kissed his fingertips.

By the time Lin Yu regained his composure, Zhang Modu had already returned to the driver’s seat, familiarly gripping the steering wheel before turning his head slightly to flash him a soft smile.

“Where are we going?” Lin Yu asked, his eyes narrowing slightly, his brows relaxed in a smile as he lounged comfortably in the spacious passenger seat.

“You’ll find out soon,” Zhang Modu replied briskly.

The car engine roared to life.

“What’s your favorite color, Ayu?” Zhang Modu suddenly asked, his voice drifting slowly through the car. “May I ask?”

“I don’t know,” Lin Yu tilted his head, glancing at Zhang Modu’s profile before adding, “What’s yours?”

“I like whatever color you like,” Zhang Modu turned his head slightly, giving Lin Yu a gentle look before refocusing on the road ahead.

“Then, what kind of food do you like?” Zhang Modu pressed further.

“None.”

Zhang Modu choked back his surprise and tried another angle. “Ayu, what do you usually do in your daily life?”

Daily life?

Lin Yu rested a finger on his chin, pondering for a moment before answering slowly, “Usually, I fight.”

Zhang Modu’s eyes widened, caught off guard by the unexpected answer, struggling to suppress the storm of emotions inside.

“Please stop talking, I beg you, Host,” 001 wailed in despair.

Lin Yu chatted idly with Zhang Modu, answering many mundane questions as if they were a real couple, probing and curious about each other’s preferences.

After arriving at a reception room with minimalist yet refined decor, they got out of the car and followed Zhang Modu inside.

A sleek sports car was unveiled by the staff, its pure black surface shimmering faintly like Starry Obsidian.

The car’s flawless curves showcased its exceptional aerodynamics and smooth handling, exuding an aura of coolness and stylishness.

The iridescent black paint alone conveyed the car’s exorbitant price, while the gorgeous retro emblem hinted at its custom-made exclusivity. From every angle, it radiated rarity and luxury.

The staff handed over the keys with both hands before bowing and exiting, leaving the two alone in the room.

Zhang Modu stepped forward, gently grasping Lin Yu’s fingertips and giving them a slight shake. He looked up at him with earnest eyes. “Ayu, do you remember…?”

“That day when Li Yide gave you a car, I said I could give you something better.”

His gaze remained fixed on Lin Yu’s pupils, as if awaiting an answer—sincere and hopeful.

“This is my family’s property, no cameras… I had them bring it here. Ayu, you can say anything you want.”

Lin Yu shifted his gaze from the car and slowly fixed it on Zhang Modu’s face.

Their eyes met, and Zhang Modu’s figure gradually appeared in Lin Yu’s pale irises. The intertwining of their gazes filled the air with an ambiguous tension.

Testing. Merging.

Suddenly, Lin Yu exerted force through his wrist—

He reached forward and firmly grasped Zhang Modu’s wrist, giving it a sharp tug.

Caught off guard, Zhang Modu stumbled backward.

Lin Yu steadied him by the shoulders, gently pressing him against the car door. He lowered his head, bending his neck as he slowly leaned in—

A fleeting kiss landed on Zhang Modu’s lips.

Brief as a dragonfly skimming water.

Lin Yu lifted his eyelids, his pupils startlingly calm, yet turbulent emotions churned beneath the surface, as if countless lights flickered in their depths.

He watched Zhang Modu’s every move—the shock in his eyes, the trembling of his pupils.

Lin Yu took Zhang Modu’s hand, slowly folding it inward. Scorching heat radiated against Zhang Modu’s skin as fingertips brushed, then clenched around his wrist. Pressing him down with his body, Lin Yu leaned in once more.

Only when the warmth of their lips had seeped into each other did Lin Yu tentatively advance, his tongue probing gently, coaxing Zhang Modu’s lips apart.

Zhang Modu didn’t resist.

He even relaxed slightly, resting securely against Lin Yu’s chest, feeling the fervent heartbeat of the one he loved—solid and warm.

Lin Yu’s grip tightened further. His other arm slid around, smoothly encircling Zhang Modu’s waist, drawing them closer.

He pried past Zhang Modu’s teeth, venturing cautiously inside, savoring the damp warmth between their lips as their tongues entwined tightly.

Tangling. Yielding.

Zhang Modu’s heated breaths fanned across Lin Yu’s face in delicate strands, leaving behind a tingling warmth.

Those breaths seemed to tremble—excited, brimming with passion and joy.

Lin Yu felt hands winding around his neck, fingers interlaced, pulling him closer as Zhang Modu responded ardently.

They held each other like this until time itself seemed to stretch. Only then did they slowly part, lingering with reluctance.

Lin Yu’s lips glistened, catching the light with a faint, cool sheen.

He wiped them with his hand, silvery strands clinging to his knuckles like reluctant farewells.

Zhang Modu still hadn’t let go, arms looped intimately around Lin Yu’s neck. His eyes sparkled as he gazed at him. “Does this mean we’re together now, Ayu?”

Eager, he leaned in again, pressing a quick, smacking kiss to Lin Yu’s lips.

Their mouths were already slick with shared warmth, and the swift motion drew a crisp, wet sound. When Zhang Modu pulled back, a slender silver thread still connected them.

Entwined. Ambiguous. Fused.

Caught by surprise, Lin Yu fell silent, pondering before finally murmuring, “Does it?”

Zhang Modu’s wide, innocent eyes instantly welled up, glistening with hurt. “You kissed me… and it was my first time…”

“…”

“Mine too.”

After saying these words, Lin Yu saw the delight and excitement in Zhang Modu’s eyes. Those eyes, brimming with intense affection, stared unblinkingly at him, as if etching his image over and over again.  

Unable to resist, Zhang Modu leaned in to capture Lin Yu’s lips, his arms tightening slightly around Lin Yu’s neck. In an instant, their mouths were entwined once more.  

The warmth from their tongues spread through both their bodies, and Lin Yu’s grip on Zhang Modu’s wrist grew almost startlingly firm.  

Kissing was one of the ways humans could express love.  

Then, a hoarse, grating voice, audible only to Zhang Modu, stretched out:  

**[Congratulations, Host Zhang Modu. Estimated progress: 99%. Once Lin Yu verbally admits he likes you, the conquest will be complete.]**  

…