7: Degrade

Sister-in-law.

It’s ridiculous.

Go to hell, sister-in-law.

Shen Cizhu bit his tongue and suppressed his negative thoughts.

He couldn’t lose his composure, even though he was being humiliated by Xie Hou.

He felt that Xie Hou deliberately called him “sister-in-law” to humiliate him. Humiliating him as the main culprit in seducing his brother into homosexuality. Humiliating him because even after 5 years of being in a relationship, his brother was willing to abandon him. Humiliate him because Xie Hou didn’t love him at all.

This was the only romantic relationship Shen Cizhu had experienced in his twenty-five years of life. At the moment he was abandoned, he felt neither aggrieved nor sad. He was just angry, and that anger was completely ignited by Xie Hou’s casual use of “sister-in-law.”

“Shen, the smell of blood here is so unpleasant. Can we go back?” Shen Cizhu’s wrist was still held by Xia Ai Dou, who was calling for him to return to their private room.

He said something to reassure Xia Ai Dou and then walked toward Xie Hou.

Don’t be angry, Shen Cizhu. Don’t lose your composure in front of Xie Hou’s younger brother.

“What does it have to do with me that you got into a fight, and why should I tell your brother, and who told you to call me… sister-in-law? Xie Hou, was it him who told you to call me that?”

Shen Cizhu stood in front of Xie Hou. Xie Hou was much taller than him, despite being several years younger. He was in that in-between stage of adolescence and young adulthood, looking handsome and aloof.

“Has your ge ge mentioned me to you?” Shen Cizhu asked.

He lifted his chin slightly, his eyes containing a subtle curiosity and arrogance, as he looked from Xie Hou’s face to his neck.

“Hmh,” Xie Hou said, his tone a bit cold but very melodious, like a spring ice cracking to release a trickle of water, “but I just don’t like calling you that way.”

Ah, he truly dislikes me, Shen Cizhu thought.

Xie Yan’s younger brother, his only younger brother, dislikes me… that’s great.

It had to be said that Xie Hou was far more charming than his brother. He always appeared indifferent and uninterested in everything, giving off an air of aloofness that was attractive to both men and women.

Including Shen Cizhu.

Ever since that night when Xie Hou had exposed his disguise during their first meeting, Shen Cizhu had considered Xie Hou a worthy opponent. Although the brawl tonight was completely unlike Xie Hou, it was better than nothing.

Evil people have a strong desire for competition and a sadistic inclination. They enjoy using dirty, liquid intimacy to obscure the nostrils and mouths of those so-called “highland flowers,” forcing these otherworldly, untainted individuals to blush with suffocation, their eyes becoming unfocused. In the end, they can do nothing but lose their composure and beg for mercy. Isn’t it satisfying?

“Don’t worry; I won’t tell your brother about what happened tonight. Even if he finds out, he won’t do anything. He listens to me the most, and he won’t blame you. Ultimately, it’s not your fault for what happened tonight,” Shen Cizhu said, his demeanor gentle and soothing.

Xie Hou looked at him.

“Be good, clean up the blood. I’ll send someone to apply medicine later; it would be troublesome if it gets infected. Next time, don’t impulsively get into fights. Both your brother and I will worry,” Shen Cizhu removed his black leather gloves. His cold, pale fingers touched Xie Hou’s cheeks, patiently wiping away the bloodstains like an elder, “It doesn’t hurt; shall I continue cleaning it for you slowly?”

This closeness, and it was only their second meeting.

Shen Cizhu was quite adept at ensnaring hearts, seemingly accepting anyone who came his way.

Shen Cizhu intentionally turned this blood-cleaning into a form of seduction, and he watched every subtle change in Xie Hou’s expression. After all, even a child, no matter how cold or precocious, would feel embarrassed when touched by another man. Despite his cold demeanor, his earlobes were uncontrollably blushing.

“I don’t want it…” Xie Hou slightly squinted his eyes, and his long eyelashes trembled.

“I’m not a child; don’t treat me like this,” he pursed his lips and held Shen Cizhu’s wrist through the sleeve of his suit, “I don’t need you to coax me.”

“I thought you would like it. Your brother really enjoys it when I touch his cheeks like this. He would comfortably squint his eyes, just like a big dog nuzzling against me,” Shen Cizhu’s fingertips touched the corner of Xie Hou’s eye, almost at the point of their lips touching, “You’re not in pain; can I continue slowly for you?”

This intimate gesture, and it was Shen Cizhu speaking to his ex-lover’s younger brother about something very private that should not be overheard.

“I don’t like being touched like this; I’m not my brother. Don’t confuse me with him,” Xie Hou remained rather cold, and the blood from his cheeks got onto Shen Cizhu’s fingers. He slowly took Shen Cizhu’s hand away from his face.

Xie Hou released Shen Cizhu’s wrist. He didn’t look at Shen Cizhu anymore, instead directing his gaze to the young, beautiful, petite boy standing behind Shen Cizhu, patiently waiting.

He had been following Shen Cizhu since earlier. Shen Cizhu seemed to like him very much.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you; I won’t touch you anymore. I’m going back now,” Shen Cizhu decided to stop teasing him, “Take care of your injuries and send some wine in a while. It can be as expensive as you like, and send as many bottles as you want. Just put it on my tab.”

After giving his instructions, Shen Cizhu headed back to the private room.

The young idol followed him closely, his eyes fixed on Shen Cizhu, hoping that he could be with him tonight and make Shen Cizhu happy to gain access to some valuable resources.

Xie Hou stood in the empty and silent hall, slowly lowering his head to look at the tiled floor. Shen Cizhu had already left, and the door to the private room was closed.

“I don’t like it…” He gazed at the transparent tile surface that could reveal human figures, his eyes filled with emotions he couldn’t quite understand, surging inside.

He repeated himself, “I don’t like it.”

At that moment, his phone vibrated in the pocket of his trousers. He answered, and it was his brother, Xie Yan.

“Little brother,” Xie Yan’s voice sounded urgent, as if he were on a busy highway with the noise of cars and horns all around. His voice appeared even more anxious in the midst of the cacophony, “Cizhu… Mr. Shen, did he go to the club where you work tonight? I can’t find him; I’ve searched the whole club, but I still can’t find him… I’m worried he might get into trouble. He has never gone out without telling me in advance.”

“He’s not here,” Xie Hou told his brother, speaking obediently, like a well-behaved child who never lied, “I haven’t seen Mr. Shen.”

Before his brother could respond, Xie Hou continued, devoid of any emotion, “As for why he doesn’t inform you of his whereabouts anymore, it’s probably because you two broke up. So, whatever he says to you is unnecessary, brother. You’ve broken up.”

—

After returning to the private room, Shen Cizhu continued to appear distressed. He sat on the sofa, his eyes drooping, feeling quite tired and wanting to sleep.

People around him tried to talk to him, but he ignored them. Eventually, they gave up and gathered to play cards, including the little idol. He was indeed well-suited to the entertainment industry, with a strong ability to adapt and a sweet tongue, which he used to flatter the wealthy playboys. His compliments kept them laughing.

The ornate incense burner was still emitting fragrance.

The scent of this incense in the private room made Shen Cizhu particularly uncomfortable. He had stepped outside to catch a breath earlier because of the fragrance. When he left, he specifically ordered the incense to be removed, but it hadn’t been done yet.

It was really annoying.

Shen Cizhu impatiently loosened his collar, revealing a generous expanse of his collarbones. He collapsed onto the sofa and lit a cigarette. He felt drowsy, and his suit jacket hung loosely on him, exposing a part of his waistline, making his waist and hips appear even more sensuous. Due to his reclined position on the sofa, these curves became more pronounced.

His beautiful and captivating face was slightly tilted downward due to his tired neck. His dark hair cascaded, covering his cheeks, and his lips were slightly parted due to his labored breathing.

The gazes of everyone in the room were drawn to Shen Cizhu. In the dimly lit private room, Shen Cizhu appeared dangerously alluring.

Completely defenseless and irresistibly tempting.

One of the young men from the Zhou family, who was in the room, saw Shen Cizhu in this state and quickly threw his cards on the table. He took three quick steps to approach him. “Cizhu, do you want to sleep? Shall I take you to rest?”

Shen Cizhu made a slight effort to open his eyes, then raised his hand and made a beckoning gesture.

“Can’t even muster the energy to speak?” The young man from the Zhou family crouched in front of Shen Cizhu and asked, “Cizhu, what’s wrong with you? You look really uncomfortable.”

He crouched in front of Shen Cizhu, and the condom in his chest pocket became more noticeable due to his leaning posture.

Shen Cizhu pretended not to see it. He placed the cigarette on his fingertips, and the smoke between his lips was hazy and damp. He spoke softly to this scoundrel, “Open the door, it’s too stuffy in here.”

These people had planned this in advance. They had invited him here tonight for this reason, and Shen Cizhu knew it but still came. He was trying to make Xie Yan jealous. He thought he could play the role of a childish and self-destructive person, but Xie Yan didn’t come.

Xie Yan didn’t come to find him.

He knew they had ill intentions towards him, but he didn’t expect them to be audacious enough to drug him. It didn’t matter, Shen Cizhu had the ability to protect himself. He just wanted to see this group of people’s embarrassment. However, unexpectedly—

The incense burning now didn’t contain an aphrodisiac.

It had been replaced.

Replaced with a fragrance that caused drowsiness and discomfort, a fragrance that kept people awake, harmless.

Shen Cizhu knew it wasn’t the conscience of these people who had changed it. So who changed it?

Shen Cizhu had been irritated by the fragrance earlier, which had forced him to step out for fresh air. That’s when he coincidentally witnessed Xie Hou getting into a fight. How could everything have fallen into place so perfectly?

There are no coincidences in this world; a rational and sober-minded person would not suddenly lose control and start a fight unless—

What if it was done on purpose? Deliberately seen by Shen Cizhu, deliberately creating an opportunity for interaction?

What if this was real?

What if it was all prearranged? From the moment they first met? If a bicycle had arrived with a powerful impact that couldn’t be urgently stopped in the middle of the night, would the person nearly harmed so easily forget the person responsible? Would onlookers easily forget the perpetrator’s cruelty in a brutal beating?

No, the memories would only become more vivid.

Xie Hou…did he really hate him?

“Go open the door,” Shen Cizhu raised his hand and patted the cheek of the young man from the Zhou family with the still-burning cigarette in his hand. “It’s too stuffy in here, right? Are you all so happy playing cards? Is there something fun we can do together later?”

Shen Cizhu had a hidden agenda.

He was unusually clear-headed, which surprised everyone present.

No drugged incense?!

“I’ll do as you say, I’ll go open it.” The young man from the Zhou family, disappointed that the drugging had failed, reluctantly followed Shen Cizhu’s instructions.

He opened the door, and a waiter happened to be at the entrance.

Xie Hou came over to deliver the wine.

Shen Cizhu flicked the cigarette into the ashtray, turned his head, and gave Xie Hou a distant smile.

Xie Hou’s entrance into the private room was unplanned.

As Xie Hou poured wine for Shen Cizhu, all the people in the private room kept their eyes fixed on him, observing the escape route chosen by Shen Cizhu.

If there were outsiders present, they wouldn’t dare to do anything to Shen Cizhu.

Shen Cizhu sat up and looked at Xie Hou, his eyes weary. The red wine in the tall glass slipped like crimson blood.

Shen Cizhu subtly restrained Xie Hou, as if by accident. His touch was very much like a predator coiling around its prey’s throat.

The young man had lean, powerful bones, and his wrist formed a curvature covered with cool blue veins. It was cold and youthful, making Shen Cizhu reluctant to let go.

“Pouring too much,” Shen Cizhu gently shook his head at Xie Hou. “I can’t drink all of this.”

Xie Hou’s hand was firmly held by Shen Cizhu. Shen Cizhu’s strength was quite remarkable, and Xie Hou’s arm involuntarily trembled, causing the red wine to spill from the bottle, splashing all over Shen Cizhu’s expensive suit.

The wine stained the suit, rendering it useless. If Shen Cizhu were to calculate the compensation, Xie Hou would never be able to afford it.

At this moment, Shen Cizhu seemed to be bullying a child.