Chapter 48
Long Yu tried to kiss him, clearly a little drunk from the night’s drinks. He was clingy, far from his usual cold and distant daytime demeanor. He kissed and tried to hug Fang Jing Yao, but having drunk, his balance was off. He swayed, almost rolling off the bed with Fang Jing Yao. Fang Jing Yao quickly grabbed him, flipped him, straddling him to hold him down, gasping: “Long Yu, behave! You’re an adult. If you fall tomorrow, how will you explain it?”
Dr. Long ignored him, eyes half-closed, moving slightly while hoarsely calling his name.
Fang Jing Yao almost gave way at that, leaning down to hold him, whispering soothingly: “Stop it, this is your home…”
Long Yu’s fingers explored under his clothes. Fang Jing Yao shivered, letting him gradually, humming in response. Long Yu’s voice burned: “I want inside.”
Fang Jing Yao: “Do you still want to be seen tomorrow?”
Long Yu thought, then asked seriously: “But I already went in yesterday…”
“Fingers count?”
Long Yu hesitated, squinting as he leaned closer, flipping over to kiss Fang Jing Yao while reaching down, mumbling: “Then let me feel…”
Fang Jing Yao dodged quickly, but soon Long Yu’s hand went wrong. Trapped at the head of the bed, Fang Jing Yao pushed his face away, nearly unable to maintain balance, trembling: “Where are you touching?”
Long Yu sighed half in frustration, half in playfulness: “Inside is so hot.”
Fang Jing Yao, embarrassed and angry: “Get out!”
Long Yu refused, trying to negotiate: “Just a little rub.”
Fang Jing Yao: “…”
“Jing Yao, just a tiny bit…” He showed a small segment with his hand. “Just a bit, I won’t move.”
Fang Jing Yao laughed in anger, but before he could respond, Long Yu, sensing his hesitation, pushed further. Fang Jing Yao inhaled sharply: “Wait, ugh!”
Long Yu didn’t wait. Drunk people only listen to what they want. Being drunk, he could do as he pleased, right?
The bed creaked—the iron frame amplified the sounds, making Fang Jing Yao blush furiously. Long Yu, never satisfied with just one round, continued. Fang Jing Yao coaxed him down, wrapping him in the bedspread on the carpet, and started another round. This time it lasted longer. Fang Jing Yao carefully served him, covering their mouths to avoid saying anything embarrassing.
Finally, he couldn’t hold back and pressed his lips against Long Yu’s neck, staying connected for a long while.
They slept well through the night.
Dr. Long, unusually, slept until past 8 a.m., refreshed. Fang Jing Yao got up early too. First, he packed the bedspread from Long Yu’s house to take home.
He held his waist, scolding playfully: “Long Yu, look at what you did. You drink and act like this! Look at my chest, the bedspread, the carpet… and you’re smiling!”
Long Yu sat on the freshly changed bed, smiling: “You didn’t get me a gift when you came. Consider the bedspread your gift.”
Fang Jing Yao paused: “Wait, your dad also gave me something.”
Long Yu leaned in, wrapping him around the waist, nuzzling his nose: “His proudest son?”
Fang Jing Yao, expressionless: “…No, a villa.”
Long Yu wasn’t particularly surprised. He just asked the location. Fang Jing Yao described roughly, and Long Yu nodded: “Not bad. Looks like the old man really likes you. He went all out. Keep it.”
Fang Jing Yao hesitated: “It’s too valuable…”
Long Yu laughed: “Take it. I also want the antique ring the housekeeper gave. If that ring is too fancy, we can leave it at home and only wear this one.” He whispered in Fang Jing Yao’s ear.
Fang Jing Yao cooperated with him and thought for a moment: “Then this is the only way. We’ll leave that at home, and we’ll wear this ‘apple’ on our hand.”
Long Yu looked down at his hand, shook his head with a smile, but didn’t contradict the “apple,” just nodded: “Okay. You’ve loved apples since you were little, right? Guess what I like?”
Fang Jing Yao saw the way his eyes curved and felt a twinge in his back from yesterday. He tightened his face and said, “Fists, right? You were asking for a beating last night… Hey hey, I’m joking! Relax, relax! I-I-I love me, okay?”
The two of them stayed the night, and the next day they drove out from home.
Fang Jing Yao was carrying a case of bottled water to the car in the yard. He noticed the license plate at the front and couldn’t help but laugh, speaking to Long Yu: “Ever since I saw this plate yesterday, I thought, the people of Sanya are really friendly—but this plate number isn’t. Driving around the streets, it practically shouts ‘poor poor poor’…”
The car in the yard stood there coolly, the license plate starting with a glaring “Qiong B,” shining in the sunlight.
Professor Long, who was tending to the flowers early in the morning, heard Fang Jing Yao and chuckled. Fang Jing Yao finally noticed him and, a bit embarrassed, said: “Good morning, uncle! I was just joking with Long Yu!”
Professor Long walked over from the sturdy flower trellis and smiled: “Good morning. You had a bit too much fun yesterday. Feeling okay?”
Fang Jing Yao replied: “Yes, yes. The wine was really good.” Halfway through, he noticed Long Yu nodding beside him, and he felt slightly annoyed. He couldn’t complain in front of an elder, but still muttered: “Just tasting a bit is fine, like the couple of glasses I had with you, uncle. Drinking too much isn’t good, right, Long Yu?”
Long Yu smiled but didn’t respond.
Professor Long, perhaps having not seen his son in a long time, or not seeing him so happy in ages, couldn’t help but glance twice at Long Yu. Then he looked at Fang Jing Yao again and felt even more fondness for this young, handsome boy. He said to Long Yu with emotion: “Your mom really has an eye for people, introducing someone as good as Jing Yao to you.”
Long Yu nodded, calmly accepting the compliment. He said to Professor Long: “Dad, we’re leaving now.”
Professor Long responded and saw them out at the door. He watched the car drive away, reluctant to leave. He recalled the only trip the family ever took—it was when Long Yu was in middle school. They hadn’t gone far, just played for half a day at an artificial lake in the city. Long Yu, not very forthcoming, never said much, but years later Professor Long realized that Long Yu had kept a stone he picked up from that lake, carefully displayed on his bookshelf with his original books.
But now things were different—Long Yu could openly say what he liked.
Professor Long stood at the door, very pleased, silently giving Fang Jing Yao a mental “good kid” card: Really a good boy!
Long Yu and Fang Jing Yao went to Wuzhizhou Island. The drive wasn’t far; after getting on the highway, they reached the pier. A half-hour boat ride later, they arrived. Fang Jing Yao ran up to the upper deck to admire the sea view, Long Yu following slowly behind, keeping him company.
Although Fang Jing Yao’s hometown also had a sea, it wasn’t this clear and pristine. Everything felt fresh. He raised his hand, looking around: “Long Yu, look, over there, right? From far away it looks like a cow’s head, that way is the horn, near the cliff—do you see it?”
While he spoke, Long Yu stood behind him, reached out, and gently rubbed his neck with his thumb.
Fang Jing Yao shivered, looked around, and saw that with the hot weather, few people were on deck. The families with kids and elders were looking elsewhere. Feeling a little embarrassed, he covered his neck and looked back at Long Yu, smiling: “What are you doing? Be careful, it’s not good if someone sees…”
Long Yu said: “It’s a bit red.”
Fang Jing Yao froze. “Huh?”
Long Yu pointed to his neck: “Here, it’s slightly sunburned.”
Fang Jing Yao said: “No way. When I went to the beach before, I only got a bit darker, never red.” He turned to check. Long Yu adjusted his collar and said: “The sun is strong here, nothing to block it. You’ll need to put on your hat when we get off the boat.”
The boat rocked a bit. Fang Jing Yao lost balance slightly and leaned into Long Yu’s chest. Long Yu’s arm supported the front, holding him between himself and the railing. He looked down to see Fang Jing Yao smiling at him up close. Fang Jing Yao stuck out his tongue and said something. Long Yu watched and listened, thinking that if no one were around, he’d bend down and kiss him.
His gaze fell on Fang Jing Yao’s lips—they must be sweet.
They stayed on Wuzhizhou Island for two days. On the first day, Fang Jing Yao went diving. It was peak tourist season, and too crowded for Long Yu’s usual tolerance, but he went along since Fang Jing Yao wanted to dive. The fish and corals were beautiful, but Fang Jing Yao was even more beautiful, especially when he emerged from the water, shaking water from his hair, eyes bright as he spoke.
“Long Yu, you really should come down and see! The fish are so small and colorful, not scared of people at all…” Fang Jing Yao gestured eagerly to share everything with him.
Long Yu didn’t dive, sitting on the boat, watching with interest: “Really?”
Fang Jing Yao’s eyes curved with joy, talking on and on, wanting to share everything he saw.
Long Yu had dived elsewhere before—domestically and abroad—quieter and better environments existed, but nowhere made him feel as tender inside as this place.
Perhaps those other places had no one to share the joy with.
When they returned from diving, a small incident occurred. Just as they reached the shore, Long Yu went to buy cold drinks for Fang Jing Yao. He turned back and saw a long-haired girl in a wetsuit talking to Fang Jing Yao, gesturing for help. The girl looked a little shy, and Fang Jing Yao nodded in agreement.
The girl turned, brushed her hair forward, and Fang Jing Yao helped unzip the long back zipper of her wetsuit down to her waist. Only then did the girl nod.
When Long Yu walked over, the girl was trying to ask Fang Jing Yao for her WeChat.
“…Thanks, little brother. Are you here alone too? We’re three or four girls. Want to join us? We’re going to the beach for a barbecue tonight.” She blinked, petite, looking up at him—adorable, almost impossible to refuse. “Really grateful for your help earlier, or it’d have been too hot—I might have gotten heatstroke!”
Fang Jing Yao said: “No need. I have my friend here!”
Doctor Long stood expressionless beside him. The girl noticed this tall, cold-faced man and brightened. The little handsome boy she’d been talking to looked like a sunny, slightly mischievous guy; this one was even more handsome. She suggested: “You can bring your friend along too!”
Fang Jing Yao shook his head smiling: “No, I’d rather be with him.”
The girl: “…Okay, goodbye.”
The girl left without looking back, having been forcibly fed a bowl of “dog food.” Long Yu reached over and tidied Fang Jing Yao’s wet hair. Nowadays, good men are taken by other good men.
Fang Jing Yao boasted to Long Yu: “See? You think you gained, right? I’m telling you, you’ll have to treat me better in the future. Lots of people like me!” He added, reflecting: “Mainly because of the face.”
Long Yu’s expression softened, but he raised an eyebrow: “That girl called you ‘brother’?”
Fang Jing Yao immediately realized he was jealous, the sourness noticeable from afar. Laughing, he draped an arm around Long Yu’s shoulder: “What’s that? I still have to call you brother. Brother, what shall we do next? I skipped the barbecue for you. There’s grilled squid over there—I think my performance deserves a skewer, right?”
Long Yu flicked his forehead and laughed: “Naughty.”
After diving, the rest of the day was sightseeing, taking the tour bus.
Fang Jing Yao chose a dolphin-shaped seat, sitting with Long Yu in the last row at the dolphin tail, enjoying the ride.
The tour guide kept explaining along the way. Fang Jing Yao’s guide was especially interesting—well-covered from the sun, didn’t seem hot, spoke in a monotone.
At one turn, the car ahead stopped, and they couldn’t pass. The guide pointed out a nearby rock. Fang Jing Yao looked—it was a flat, ugly crab-shaped rock.
“See this rock? It’s shaped like a crab, locally called a stone crab. Its shell is hard and has little meat—not very tasty,” the guide said flatly but with a hint of regret. She paused: “So we usually use it for soup.”
Fang Jing Yao was baffled. He’d seen edible plants and fruits, okay, and wild pineapples, fine, but even meatless crabs weren’t spared?
Long Yu pointed to another rock: “Look, there’s another one here, its scientific name is rough-surfaced eroded crab.”
Fang Jing Yao watched the ugly crab crawl along, feeling sorry for it in his heart—this poor guy was born like this, yet still couldn’t escape being boiled.
A little further, they came across a rock. The staff calmly said: “Everyone, look carefully at the top, where the rock has been hit by the waves.”
Everyone leaned in, thinking it might be some fossil or carving, and studied it carefully. After a minute, the guide slowly said: “See the little fish on top, jumping, right? Locally, they’re called jumping fish.” She paused, then added: “They’re delicious.”
Fang Jing Yao behind her nearly laughed himself silly.
They stayed there for two days. Except for the food on the island being a bit poor, the trip was really fun. Long Yu spent most of the time under a beach umbrella, watching Fang Jing Yao play within his sight and finding it endlessly amusing.
They returned only after having fully enjoyed themselves. Long Yu hadn’t changed much, but Fang Jing Yao had tanned a shade darker, his skin taking on a slightly wheat-colored tone. When Long Yu helped him remove his clothes, he noticed the clear contrast between the tanned and pale parts of Fang Jing Yao’s thighs and couldn’t resist touching it a few times. It looked different from when he’d been covering himself in the room before—no longer so pale, but now seemed healthier.
Fang Jing Yao didn’t mind: “I’ve been like this since I was little. I tan fast, and I lighten fast too. A couple of days and it’s fine.”
Long Yu thought Fang Jing Yao was beautiful no matter what. He didn’t mind the tan at all—he even felt it added a “chocolate flavor,” making him all the more enjoyable to hold and unwilling to let go.
Fang Jing Yao lost his “defense,” only able to protect his neck: “Hey, hey, Long Yu, I told you not to bite… hiss! Again? Every time you leave me covered in teeth marks. I can’t even wear these clothes. What if your dad sees this when we get home tomorrow!”
Long Yu leaned over him, kissing him with a playful smile in his eyes: “Not right.”
Fang Jing Yao, already a little breathless from Long Yu’s touch, asked, puzzled: “What’s not right?”
Long Yu pressed down slowly, holding his lips and smiling: “From now on, you’ll have to learn to call me differently…”
—\applause/ \applause/ \applause/—
The next day, Fang Jing Yao slept continuously on the boat, too exhausted to even go to the upper deck for the sea view. By the time they reached the car, he hadn’t woken—he’d been wiped out from the previous night. These past few days, he’d been exercising all day, playing on the beach while Long Yu sat relaxing and drinking coconut water. At night, the energetic Long Doctor had dragged him to continue exercising—no wonder he was out of energy now.
Fang Jing Yao, half-asleep, opened his eyes and realized the direction seemed off. With a nasal tone, he asked: “Long Yu? Where are we going? This doesn’t seem like the way home…”
Hearing him mention “home” brightened Long Yu’s mood. He hummed in agreement: “Right. Not going home yet. I’m taking you somewhere.”
Long Yu brought him to Nanshan Temple.
Fang Jing Yao had visited places like Mount Tai for worship, but never such a large temple. China had countless gods and Buddhas, especially at tourist sites where people often paid respects out of habit rather than firm faith.
After praying, Long Yu explained: “My dad and I don’t really follow this, but my mom does. I used to accompany her here. Since she couldn’t come this time, I’m lighting incense for her. She comes every year to fulfill a vow.”
Fang Jing Yao smiled: “She must be really happy when she comes every year! That means all her wishes came true. If it were me, I’d look forward to returning every year to fulfill a wish. One wish per year, everything going smoothly!”
Long Yu listened seriously, smiling: “I think you’d get along well with my mom.”
Fang Jing Yao had only met Long Yu’s mom once during a matchmaking meeting. He remembered her as a very capable woman, and, curious, asked: “Why?”
Long Yu pinched his nose playfully: “With a mouth like yours, you speak so nicely.”
Fang Jing Yao beamed: “Of course! My words are always better than my singing. You’ve heard me sing, right? So many people applauded… but you know what? I don’t like them—I like you the most.” He hooked a finger at Long Yu, smiling, eyes curved with joy.
Long Yu’s gaze softened, his heart warming at this mischievous boy, whose words really were better than his singing.
Before leaving, Long Yu got Fang Jing Yao a talisman and donated two extra rolls of gold-foil scriptures to be placed in the temple for chanting. Then they returned.
Professor Long hadn’t expected them to circle back, and he was very happy.
Now that he wasn’t busy, he only needed to check the military hospital branch in the mornings and evenings. Hearing that Long Yu had a little vacation to stay a few more days, he was overjoyed, letting them move into the house instead of going anywhere else.
The past two days were quiet. Professor Long took Long Yu to work, letting him meet old friends. Fang Jing Yao wasn’t interested in the hospital, so he offered to stay and help Professor Long tend to the flowers. After work, he stayed to chat and play chess with him. Sometimes Long Yu joined a game, but he was reserved and spoke little except to Fang Jing Yao.
Fang Jing Yao was different—his casual chatter could gather a group around him. Now, intentionally amusing Professor Long, he made the old man laugh every day, like a happy little spark.
With the comparison, the old man favored Fang Jing Yao even more, sending Long Yu to look at a villa, check the layout, and prepare to choose a renovation plan.
Fang Jing Yao was sweet and tactful; Professor Long quickly shared everything with him, even stories from Long Yu’s childhood.
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