Rural dogs, raised freely, generally had strong constitutions. After just one dose of medicine, Beibei was almost fully recovered. Another day passed, and it was back to its lively self, running joyfully around the courtyard.

The rainy season in the mountainous areas usually started in May, bringing nearly a month of wet and rainy weather. April, however, was the best part of spring, with warm, sunny, and moderate conditions, attracting the first tourist peak of the year. The front yard was often filled with private cars. They hired seasonal workers to help with cleaning and organizing, easing the workload.

About ten days into their relationship, Gu Wenxi began to vaguely realize some practical issues.

Du Yunyan wasn’t particularly clingy, but over the past few days, aside from being more attentive to Gu Wenxi’s needs, they would occasionally hold hands while walking in secluded places or share a passionate kiss before bed.

But that was it.

Two lovers sleeping in the same bed, only kissing, seemed to be missing something.

If Du Yunyan were a girl, Gu Wenxi might have known how to progress further. It was a physical instinct, something he had dealt with on his own before. When the moment felt right, it would naturally happen.

However, when it came to the practicalities of a gay relationship, he felt at a loss.

One night in early April, the crescent moon hung like a hook, and the stars shone brightly.

The seasonal workers were very efficient. After dinner, Gu Wenxi had no extra work and sat on the stone steps in the backyard, staring at the deep blue sky.

“What are you doing?”

“Just idling,” Gu Wenxi’s eyes flickered as he looked at Du Yunyan, who suddenly appeared in front of him. “What about you?”

“Looking for you. I thought you’d gone back to the room.” Du Yunyan initially intended to sit down but, remembering he came to call Gu Wenxi to rest, said, “Shall we go rest? There’s nothing left to do.”

Dressed in gray, with his left hand casually in his pocket, the moonlight and lamp light cast a lazy aura around him, contrasting sharply with his busy daytime demeanor.

Gu Wenxi extended his right hand towards him, “Help me up.” He tilted his head back, maintaining the posture as if he wouldn’t move unless Du Yunyan helped him.

Du Yunyan smiled slightly, cooperatively reaching out his hand, giving him a small pull to help him stand. They went upstairs together.

Before sleeping, after sharing another passionate kiss, Gu Wenxi clearly felt the awakening desire within him. The strange thoughts that had flashed through his mind downstairs resurfaced.

“Yunyan,” he turned over, almost pressing on top of him, “You’re naturally gay, right?”

“Yes,” Du Yunyan looked at him strangely, “Didn’t you already know that?”

“Do you know… do you know…” Gu Wenxi’s tongue almost got tied. Though he had said shameless things before, now he was embarrassed. The question he wanted to delve into took him a while to articulate.

Du Yunyan felt uncomfortable and cleared his throat. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

With the bedside lamp dimmed to its lowest setting, Gu Wenxi said nothing, silently watching him. Their bodies pressed together. He bent his knee slightly and brushed it against Du Yunyan’s thigh, noticing the sudden change in his expression.

Gu Wenxi’s embarrassment eased a bit. “I thought you were always so calm.”

“So what?” Du Yunyan’s face only reddened for a moment. “What do you take me for?”

A saint! Gu Wenxi really wanted to say that but was afraid it would upset this old-fashioned guy.

Du Yunyan’s kissing skills had improved, but beneath his calm exterior, there was still a sense of innocence. It seemed like the concept of “desire” didn’t fit him, like an immortal who wasn’t moved by worldly things.

Seeing Gu Wenxi laugh inexplicably, Du Yunyan touched his face with a finger. “Don’t be so improper.”

“So—” Gu Wenxi stopped laughing abruptly. “Can we speed things up a bit?”

“Wenxi,” Du Yunyan understood, “how about tomorrow or the night after?”

Gu Wenxi hesitantly asked, “Do you know what I’m talking about?”

“Yes,” Du Yunyan said gently, “I’ve thought about it. I want—” His finger traced along Gu Wenxi’s face, “You are my boyfriend. We can do more… but we need to be prepared.”

Though his words were vague, Gu Wenxi figured that since Du Yunyan was naturally gay, he should know more. So he lay back down, the heat in his body not yet subsiding. “Then kiss me again.”

Du Yunyan chuckled softly and turned off the lamp, leaning over to kiss him.

Nothing unusual happened the next day, making Gu Wenxi doubt if Du Yunyan’s words were just to appease him. In the afternoon, a delivery van arrived, and Du Yunyan signed for a new package.

The box was small, and Gu Wenxi assumed it was just some household items. But when he returned to the room in the evening and saw what was boldly placed on the nightstand, he realized what Du Yunyan had bought.

Even if he didn’t know what lube was for, Gu Wenxi recognized the condoms.

“You—why didn’t I know you bought these?”

“It doesn’t matter when I tell you,” Du Yunyan tossed the empty delivery box aside, relieved. “Besides, you wouldn’t understand.”

“Don’t think I’m that stupid, alright? You even needed me to teach you how to kiss!” But he really didn’t know much about gay relationships and felt the need to discuss some things with Du Yunyan. “Do you know what to do?”

Du Yunyan said seriously, “I know some theoretical knowledge.”

Theoretical knowledge… that didn’t sound very reassuring. Gu Wenxi asked again, “You gay guys—”

“What do you mean ‘you gay guys’? Don’t you think you are one too?” Du Yunyan frowned. “Honestly, can you accept being with a man?”

“Hey, hey,” Gu Wenxi quickly corrected himself. “That’s not what I meant… Besides, I haven’t thought about being with any other man!”

Du Yunyan couldn’t help but laugh, lying on the bed.

“Are you making fun of me?”

“Don’t mind it. Let’s continue the discussion.” After a while, he looked up and asked, “What were you trying to say?”

“Well, I was saying—” Gu Wenxi began to organize his thoughts. “So, for us gay guys, some are tops, and some are… bottoms?”

“Yes, what else do you know?”

“I don’t know anything else,” Gu Wenxi admitted, feeling overwhelmed. This was something they should discuss beforehand, but he had no concept of it, nor did he know what Du Yunyan had in mind. “So what do you think about us?”

“Do you want to know my thoughts?”

“Yes,” Gu Wenxi nodded sincerely. “At least you have some theoretical knowledge.”

Du Yunyan tilted his head, looking at him for a while. “You should be the bottom.”

Gu Wenxi swallowed hard. “Why?”

“It’s more comfortable being a bottom,” Du Yunyan said. “I’ll let you have it.”

“You’ll let me?” Something felt off.

“Yeah,” Du Yunyan gently coaxed, “and it’s easier and less strenuous. It’s more suitable for you.”

“Are you implying that I’m lazy?”

“Isn’t it good to save some energy?” He took the initiative to hold Gu Wenxi’s hand. “Let’s give it a try.”

Gu Wenxi was mesmerized by the depth in his eyes for a few seconds and pressed against his chest. “Are you afraid of pain?”

Hearing this, Du Yunyan’s face turned pale, and he slightly averted his gaze, his expression filled with conflict.

Gu Wenxi figured he was probably right and was about to say something when Du Yunyan spoke again. “I do have some psychological resistance. I’m sorry. If it’s really hard for you to accept—”

“I didn’t say I couldn’t accept it,” Gu Wenxi’s personality was such that the more someone was tough with him, the more he wanted to push back. If someone showed weakness, he would soften, especially when it was Du Yunyan, which was incredibly effective. “Alright, let’s try it.”

“Are you willing?”

“Yes.” He wasn’t exactly scared or resistant, just a bit confused—ignorance is bliss, after all.

When it came to the matter of positions, there was really nothing to mind. Both parties were equally involved, and there was no reason for either side to lose out. Maybe it was even more comfortable being the bottom, just as Du Yunyan suggested.

Besides, Du Yunyan had theoretical knowledge, which was more than he had. So Gu Wenxi asked again, “Are you sure you have theoretical knowledge?”

“Of course.” Du Yunyan closed his eyes and kissed the back of Gu Wenxi’s hand.

(…)

^[1]Author’s Note:

Complete version available in the latest Weibo post (not sure how long it will stay up…)

^[2]TN:

I searched through the author’s Weibo and couldn’t find it unfortunately. I will update if anything comes up!