Chapter 23: I Collapsed (Posted a Bit Early by Accident… Let Everyone Read Ahead)

“Shall we go to your place?”

“To that home you frequent—I’ve never been there before.”

Zhang Modu’s gaze remained sincere and fervent as he locked eyes with Lin Yu, his brows slightly raised and eyes widened in anticipation.

Lin Yu lowered his head, his eyes sweeping past the scenery behind Zhang Modu before murmuring softly, “Alright.”

Lin Yu owned a house left by his mother in the non-city center area, and those familiar with him knew he usually lived there.

Though the surrounding flower beds were small and compact, they were exquisitely arranged, brimming with lush greenery and the fragrance of blooming flowers, floating like bubbles of floral scent.

This was where his mother had lived year-round before her passing—just a modest villa, yet slowly accumulating memories from the original owner’s childhood. Yes, that’s right—back then, the original owner and Li Yide had already been childhood friends.

Time kept slipping away, memories kept fading to yellow.

But in his mind, that little villa remained Lin Yu’s long-term residence.

……

When the two stepped out of the car together, the loosely shut iron gate was casually closed behind them. The paint-yellowed gate creaked as if imprinting the memories of the past.

It really needed replacing.

As usual, Lin Yu opened the front door and led Zhang Modu inside, stepping onto the soft flooring.

It seemed the housekeeper had left a light on for Lin Yu’s return. The warm yellow glow spread gently, bathing the entire room in an orange-red hue that spilled like crimson across the hallway.

Wait—something was off.

The tea cabinet had been tampered with, the potted plants replaced…

A sharp glint flashed through Lin Yu’s eyes, but he quickly composed himself, turning back to Zhang Modu with an unreadable expression.

Zhang Modu, though held by Lin Yu’s hand, craned his neck curiously, his gaze wandering eagerly as if taking in every detail of their surroundings.

When their eyes met, Zhang Modu tilted his head slightly, his dark hair swaying with the movement. “Ayu, you don’t drink coffee, do you?”

“I remember last time I offered you some, you didn’t like it.”

Lin Yu nodded helplessly.

Zhang Modu pointed at the neatly packed “Tea Cakes” on the table. Under the orange light, the leaves emitted a faint sheen, tightly wrapped together, with a subtle tea fragrance drifting faintly through the air.

“Do you like tea, Ayu?”

Lin Yu lowered his head, examining the small tea packet that had already been opened. The edges bore signs of having been torn open roughly, the jagged tear clearly not the result of careful handling.

He shook his head slowly, his lowered gaze tinged with hesitation.

Zhang Modu gestured toward the tea cabinet nearby. “Can I take a look at your tea collection?”

Seeing Lin Yu’s nod of approval, he stepped forward, gripped the cabinet handle, and pulled it open—

It was packed to the brim.

An overwhelming amount of duplicate, premium “New Year Tea” nearly spilled out of the cabinet. Some packaging was visibly extravagant, with gold-plated surfaces bearing custom logos. Many of these teas required half-year pre-orders just to secure a batch.

Zhang Modu pinched the edge of the cabinet door, forcing a strained smile. His fingertips turned white from the pressure, the awkward angle of his grip betraying the unnatural force behind it.

He bit his lip, the sharp pain bringing him a moment of clarity.  

The overwhelming jealousy threatened to consume his mind.  

What a joke—Lin Yu didn’t even like tea.  

Who else but Li Yide would buy such extravagantly expensive tea?  

Zhang Modu turned stiffly, clenching his fists before stepping back in front of Lin Yu. He forced a smile, gazing at that face so perfect it stole words from his lips.  

“Ayu, your tea cabinet is full of so many teas…”  

Lin Yu sensed the intense shift in the other’s emotions and frowned slightly in confusion. Gently taking Zhang Modu’s hand, he asked softly, “What’s wrong?”  

Seated on the couch, Lin Yu’s posture left faint creases in the fabric, his legs slightly spread, the folds of his casual pants bunching at the motion. One hand held Zhang Modu’s, his questioning eyes silently searching.  

Suddenly, Zhang Modu stepped forward—  

One knee pressed between Lin Yu’s thighs, sinking deep into the couch, leaving an empty space around it.  

Caught off guard by the sudden closeness, Lin Yu instinctively wrapped both arms around Zhang Modu’s waist.  

Warm breath brushed Lin Yu’s face as Zhang Modu leaned in, forcing Lin Yu to tilt his head up to meet his gaze.  

Zhang Modu reached out, wrapping his arms around Lin Yu’s neck before lowering his head to press slow, lingering kisses along his throat—then sucked hard.  

A tingling sensation, electric and overwhelming, coursed through Lin Yu’s body, every nerve alight with the unfamiliar pleasure.  

The skin there burned as if branded, Zhang Modu’s mouth relentless.  

After what felt like an eternity, Zhang Modu finally lifted his head, rubbing his stiff neck and rolling his sore shoulders before collapsing against Lin Yu.  

Satisfied, he admired the fresh mark blooming on Lin Yu’s fair skin—vivid, unmistakable, possessive.  

He tugged Lin Yu’s collar up to hide it, then blinked up at him with feigned innocence.  

The pinkish-red bruise stood out, subtle yet impossible to ignore.  

Pressed close, their lips nearly touching, Lin Yu glanced down at the mark before meeting Zhang Modu’s eyes again. “What’s wrong?”  

Zhang Modu scowled. “Did Li Yide buy you that tea?”  

Unable to resist, he stole another quick kiss before hesitantly pulling back.  

Lin Yu’s gaze flicked to the tea cabinet behind them, then back to the unwavering stare fixed on him. His arms tightened slightly around Zhang Modu.  

Breath hitching at the sudden pressure, Zhang Modu felt the heat of Lin Yu’s palms through his thin shirt, the warmth searing down his spine, making him arch unconsciously.  

Lin Yu nodded silently. “Probably.”  

Zhang Modu groaned, burying his face against Lin Yu’s chest. “Don’t drink his tea anymore, okay?”

He muttered vaguely to himself, “I’ll buy you… I’m jealous, I’m so jealous…”

Lin Yu felt the fuzzy sensation against his chest and tentatively reached out a hand to rub it.

Immediately, he was met with a little Zhang Modu looking up at him with surprised eyes.

Lin Yu curled his lips into a smile.

He heard the person before him speak in a soft, pleading voice, “Ayu, can I live with you from now on…”

“I’ll buy you these teas, food, everything… okay?”

Lin Yu saw the possessiveness surging in Zhang Modu’s eyes and slowly nodded, only to ask, “Isn’t this moving too fast?”

Zhang Modu pouted, “You still haven’t agreed to be with me, yet you keep touching…”

Lin Yu’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he leaned in slightly, drawing closer with each breath Zhang Modu exhaled—

Until he gently pressed his lips to Zhang Modu’s.

Entangled, intertwined.

The damp warmth spread down their spines, a tingling sensation like drowning in deep waters, swirling together.

Tempting, overwhelming.

When the kiss ended, both were breathing slightly unevenly, and only then did Zhang Modu realize—

How different Lin Yu’s gaze was now.

Tenderness, affection, patience… countless emotions pooled in Lin Yu’s eyes, making them dazzlingly bright.

Lin Yu had always seemed indifferent, as if born expressionless, yet not unapproachable.

But now, he seemed truly alive.

Like a painter had brushed colors onto him, his entire being leaping off the canvas.

Lin Yu took Zhang Modu’s hand, guiding him back to the ground, then led him down the hallway. Turning back for a moment, his lips parted slightly, “Want to sleep?”

The hallway was long, the stairs endless.

Lin Yu seemed to live on the second floor, his pulse thrumming fiercely where their hands touched, a vibrant testament to life.

A blush crept up Zhang Modu’s ears, his voice trembling slightly, “Are we… going to bed now?”

Lin Yu led him upstairs, pausing to glance back in surprise at his words.

“What do you mean?”

“Aren’t we… going to do it?” Zhang Modu stammered, eyes wide.

“Don’t you want to sleep?” Lin Yu raised a brow, guiding him into his room before letting go and patting the bed.

Zhang Modu immediately threw himself into Lin Yu’s arms.

The sudden weight tilted Lin Yu sideways, sending them both tumbling onto the mattress, but he wrapped his arms around the other, the warmth and solidity pulling them deeper into each other’s embrace, breaths mingling as they nestled close.

“Can we sleep together?” Zhang Modu blinked, eyes shining like stars.

“Okay.” Lin Yu’s voice, like him, was quiet and cool, the word soft yet firm.

“Have you dated anyone before, Ayu?”

“How are you so good at kissing?” Zhang Modu grumbled, finally voicing the thought buried in his heart.

Pinned beneath Zhang Modu, Lin Yu’s hair had fallen messily to the side, framing his delicate features, his pale irises reflecting nothing but the other’s image.

“Never have.”

“Then don’t lie to me,” Zhang Modu murmured contentedly before capturing Lin Yu’s lips, savoring the taste between them.

Following the rhythm of their entanglement, Lin Yu suddenly flipped them over. In an instant, their positions reversed as he braced his arms, pinning Zhang Modu beneath him on the bed, his gaze burning into the other’s pupils.

The bed trembled slightly with their intense movements, rising and falling to their shared rhythm.

Lost in passionate kisses, occasional whispered words escaped between their lips.

“Race tomorrow?”

“Why…” The response came muffled and indistinct.

“Didn’t you say you wanted a rematch with me?” Lin Yu’s hand traced along the other’s waist, gradually exploring forward to reveal smooth, tempting expanses of skin.

The room filled with spring’s warmth, hazy with intimacy.