ROSE INSIDE THE BASKET

"Beauty inside the mist,"

Lianhua's pupils were dilated. He looked up at Hei Bao, as if realizing what had just happened, and they both stared at each other silently. The doorbell rang again, followed by a loud knock, slightly startling Lianhua. After a split second, he pushed Hei Bao and jumped off the table. He dashed through the living room and out the front door.

Hei Bao simply stood in the kitchen, watching and following Lianhua's every move. But then, just as Lianhua was about to open the door, he came to a halt. He turned around to face Hei Bao, who was staring at him from the kitchen.

Hei Bao raised an eyebrow at Lianhua, as if he had a question for her. Lianhua ignored his stare and rushed over to him again. Hei Bao's firm hand in his and looked up at him, hesitant, nervous, and in a hurry.

"M.. Mr. Bao. I know it may sound c..crazy, but– You need to hide," Lianhua said, staring straight into Hei Bao's eyes.

Hei Bao maintained his stoic demeanor.

"Why should I?" Hei Bao asked, puzzled.

"Ah… I can't really tell you right now–" Lianhua came to a halt after hearing another loud knock on the door. He looked at the door and then back up at Hei Bao, his eyes pleading.

"Why should I hide? You have to give me a reason to hide," Hei Bao said.

"Ah... It's my brother. He… He doesn't like it when I'm alone with someone, e-especially new people," Lianhua almost whispered the last two words.

He continued to look Hei Bao in the eyes. Despite his awkwardness, he pleaded with his puppy-like eyes while clutching Hei Bao's hand. Hei Bao is still not convinced; he knows Lianhua lied. He was expressionless as he stared at the other.

"He.. He'll scold me if he sees me with someone. A-and.. He won't let me go outside for days— No.. weeks.. I won't be outside for weeks.. Please?" Lianhua was adamant.

"That's such a ridiculous excuse," Hei Bao remarked.

A loud knock startled Lianhua once more.

Hei Bao returned his gaze to the door, as did Lianhua.

"Where could a big buffed man like me hide in this tiny room?" Hei Bao finally asked after a second.

"Ah... That's..." Lianhua paused, raising a brow at Hei Bao.

"Come with me," Lianhua says, dragging Hei Bao along with him.

The pounding on the door persisted. Lianhua dragged the other into his room, then, as if forgetting something, he let go of Hei Bao's hand and rushed outside his room again, leaving Hei Bao inside.

Hei Bao expected it to be disorganized and untidy, but when he saw it, he was surprised that it was the opposite. He smiled a little because of the view. He closed his eyes and felt a wave of comfort wash over him. The scent he was familiar with engulfed the entire room.

In fact, the individual himself felt familiar to him.

'What exactly is this?'

'Is this some kind of déjà vu?'

Suddenly, an image of a happy child appeared. The child appears to have long, gleaming hair and is dressed in a long white silk gown.

When Hei Bao heard a loud step, he immediately opened his eyes. When he turned around, he saw Lianhua carrying Hei Bao's tuxedo and shoes.

"Here, Mr. Bao.. He'd be suspicious of me if that brother of mine saw this, haha," Lianhua said as he handed the items to Hei Bao, who accepted them immediately.

Hei Bao remained silent throughout, but paid close attention to Lianhua's instructions.

"Hm," hummed Hei Bao.

In the background, the loud knocking on the door continued.

"I think I really need to go open the door, Mr. Bao," Lianhua said, smiling. He was a little sweaty and puffing air. He was about to turn around and leave when Hei Bao called out to him, causing him to come to a halt and look at Hei Bao once more.

"Is it really all right for me to be here?" Hei Bao inquires.

"Of course," Lianhua replied, shyly smiling at Hei Bao.

"In fact, I really wanted you to hide inside my closet,"

"..." Hei Bao

"B... but that won't be necessary, right? Haha," Lianhua awkwardly laughed after uttering those things.

"Ah… you can sit anywhere you like," Lianhua continued,

"But please don't open this door till he leaves."

He walked away without saying anything to Hei Bao as he shut the door. Hei Bao stepped back and took a look around. The far wall was occupied by a single bed.

On the opposite side, there is a study table and a small bookcase. He noticed a small cabinet next to the study table when he turned around.

'Did he intend to hide me inside that thing?'

'That's a little small for me. Silly'

Hei Bao paused, slightly lifting his lips for a small smile.

A loud creaking outside the bedroom door was followed by an inaudible chattering sound, as though people were outside chatting.

He paid no attention and strolled over to the study table, where he draped his tuxedo on the chair, leaving his shoes near the bed. He felt as if he had forgotten something after standing there for a few moments.

Suddenly, Gou Feng appeared in his mind and reminded him of his previous messages. Then he remembered that his phone was on the top of the living room table.

On the contrary,

When Lianhua opened the door earlier, he had an awkward conversation with Hao Mingyu, who stood on the doorstep looking angry.

"What the hell are you doing that you can't even open the door right away?" Hao Mingyu half-shouted, startling Lianhua.

Fortunately, this building has a thick layer of wall that has made the entire room soundproof.

"Ah… I-I… I just… came out of the bathroom so I… I didn't hear the doorbell ringing," Lianhua stuttered, trying to come up with an excuse.

Hao Mingyu ignored him and entered the room after removing his shoes, leaving Lianhua and the door open. Lianhua bit his lower lip. He raises his hand and grasps the doorknob before closing it. He followed Hao Mingyu inside, who had made his way straight into the kitchen, like a good puppy.

"Wahh... What is this? Are you learning to cook?" exclaimed Hao Mingyu, standing beside the table.

"Ah… Y-yeah… Yes, I am. You know, I live alone, so I have to take care of myself," Lianhua lied once more.

"Wait," Hao Mingyu said as he walked over to the table to take a closer look, and Lianhua followed.

"What is this? Did you do it? How do you cut and chop things so beautifully?" Hao Mingyu asked, looking at the ingredients neatly arranged in a bowl.

"That's... I did it fairly slowly," Lianhua lied once more.

Hao Mingyu gave him a blank stare.

"Really?" Hao Mingyu inquired, his brow furrowed.

"Y-yeah," Lianhua said.

"I don't believe you," said Hao Mingyu.

Lianhua became agitated. He was about to say something when he remembered the cuts on his hand. He raised and waved his hand in front of Mingyu.

"See this? Isn't this enough evidence?" Lianhua asked, confidently.

"I don't believe it," Hao Mingyu stated.

"..."

Hao Mingyu returned his gaze to the table, this time focusing on the ingredients. Then return your gaze to Lianhua.

"You know what, Pumpkin? You're acting a little strange," Hao Mingyu admitted.

"Hm? What?" Lianhua asked, looking perplexed.

"You're acting suspiciously, Little Bro, you know?" Hao Mingyu stood up straight and looked into Lianhua's eyes, which couldn't look him in the eyes.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about, Ge," Lianhua replied.

"Are you sure you're not concealing anything... or anyone?" Hao Mingyu inquired.

"You know I never keep anything from you, Ge," Lianhua said.

"Hm. You know what? I didn't really want to ask you this earlier, but why are you sweating so much? Are you really not hiding something from me?" Hao Mingyu raised an eyebrow.

"I told you I just got out of the bathroom," Lianhua said, taking care not to stutter.

"Oh, sorry for bothering you with such a personal question, Pumpkin," Hao Mingyu smirked.

"What private thing are you talking about?" Lianhua inquired, puzzled.

Hao Mingyu smirked and questioned,

"You did the deed?"

Lianhua was perplexed and questioned,

"What? What 'deed' trash are you talking about?"

"Oh, C'mon," Hao Mingyu remarked,

"Don't act all bewildered and ignorant. We're brothers. There's nothing wrong with talking about private stuff because we're both men. What I have, you have as well."

"With the exception that mine is bigger than yours," Hao Mingyu answered, laughing slightly.

"What the hell are you talking about, Ge? What deed? What's with brother talk? What private things? What's bigger than me?" Lianhua puzzledly asked.

Hao Mingyu's smile faded. He sighed and placed both hands on his hips. Then return his gaze to Lianhua.

"..."

"What? What are you looking at?" Lianhua inquired once more.

"Aside from pooping and peeing in there, what else could you be doing in there?" Hao Mingyu inquired.

"Ah, taking a bath?" Lianhua inquired.

Hao Mingyu smacked him across the head.

"Aww! Gege, why did you do that? It hurts like hell," Lianhua moaned, rubbing his head.

"You know what? Let's just get to the point," Hao Mingyu finally said.

"Oh, please do," Lianhua said quickly.

"... Do you ever m**turbate?"

"..." Lianhua was taken aback.

"..." Hao Mingyu remained silent.

"Are you on drugs? You look high," Lianhua inquired.

"What?" Hao Mingyu inquired, perplexed.

"Please leave," Lianhua said.

To be continued.