Chapter 28

But it wasn't the time for him to act recklessly yet.

He opened his mouth, like a drowning man pleading for Yan Bozong to save him.

"Go back to your room."

He let go of Yan Bozong's arm and lowered his head. Throughout the entire process, he couldn't tell whether he was following someone else's path or finally making his own choices.

Returning to his room, he found Yan Songwei already out of the shower.

"Hey, where did you go just now?"

"I stepped out to make a call," he replied, keeping his head down.

"Did something happen?"

Qi Liangqin shook his head. "I'm going to take a shower."

He entered the bathroom, undressed, and let the hot water wash over him. He tilted his head back, allowing the warmth to soak into his skin, relaxing his body completely.

As the effects of the alcohol faded, shame finally set in.

He wiped his face and wrapped himself in a bathrobe before stepping out. Yan Songwei was already lying on the bed, patting the empty spot beside him.

"Come here, come to your master."

Qi Liangqin chuckled, climbed onto the bed, and lay down beside him with a sigh.

"I think I drank too much today. I might've said something wrong and pissed off Bozong."

"What did you say?"

Qi Liangqin turned his head to look at Yan Songwei. "I don't remember. I was a bit dizzy at the time. I'm not even sure if Bozong was actually mad."

Yan Songwei laughed. "You're overthinking it. Bozong has a great temper. He rarely gets angry. If he ever does, it's a big deal—like the world is about to end. If he hasn't come over to kick our door down, then trust me, he's not mad."

Qi Liangqin had only brought it up to set the stage for tomorrow's horseback riding. Hearing Yan Songwei's reassurance, he closed his eyes and said, "I'm too tired. Turn off the lights and let's sleep."

"I'll teach you how to ride tomorrow," Yan Songwei said as he turned off the light. "Since we're here, it'd be a shame not to. I'll show you—it's fun."

The room fell into darkness. Qi Liangqin opened his eyes, turned over, and gazed at the moonlight drifting in through the window.

It was the beginning of the month—the moon was small, a slender crescent.

"Liangqin, do you have someone you like?"

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"

"I just feel a little guilty. Even though we agreed to this arrangement, each taking what we need, every time I'm with Qingqing and see you alone, it feels a bit off. Why don't you find someone too? That way, we can both have our own fun. Wouldn't that be better?"

Qi Liangqin chuckled. "You don't owe me anything—you pay me, after all."

"But do you really not have someone you like?"

"No."

"Then do you have a type? I can introduce you to someone. I know quite a few gay guys."

Qi Liangqin turned onto his back, staring at the ceiling. "My type… Tall. Handsome… Not too handsome, just above average is fine. Doesn't need to be rich—just as long as I don't have to support him. Not that I wouldn't, but I think a man should have his own career. Actually, he doesn't need to be that tall—just taller than me. Even by a millimeter would do. Not too old, not too young."

Yan Songwei laughed. "Your standards are pretty broad. Sounds like you could find someone who fits just walking down the street."

"Right? You think my standards aren't high either, don't you?" Qi Liangqin laughed softly. "But some wishes seem so simple, yet they just never come true. It's strange, really. I don't ask for much, but somehow, I can't find the one who belongs to me. There are people worse off than me, yet they seem so much happier."

"I'll keep an eye out for you, see if I can introduce you to someone suitable."

"Ah—" Qi Liangqin suddenly let out a sigh. It came from deep within, sounding especially sorrowful in the quiet night. "Honestly… I've had this feeling for a long time, that I might never be able to be with the person I love in this lifetime…" He laughed, a little self-mocking. "Even back in high school, I had this thought for no reason. Maybe I was just being melodramatic, like a teenager pretending to understand sorrow just to sound poetic. But as I got older, that thought became more real, like it was turning into my reality. I started to panic, but there was nothing I could do. And then, the saddest thing was realizing that I was actually, rationally accepting it."

"You make it sound like you're some old man already."

"Right? You think it'd be pathetic if I were an old man, don't you?" He let out a short laugh, then closed his eyes. "Good thing I'm not—ha ha ha. So, before I end up like that, I need to go crazy while I'm still young."

The next day was sunny, with even better weather than Saturday. Yan Songwei handed him a set of equestrian attire. "I'll have one custom-made for you next time. For now, wear this."

He put on the full set—riding boots, breeches, chaps, and equestrian gloves. Yan Songwei even took a photo of him. "Looks great. You've got a really nice figure."

Qi Liangqin glanced at the photo and almost didn't recognize himself. His features leaned toward the slender side, but dressed in equestrian gear, he looked unexpectedly dashing. One of Yan Songwei's buddies teased, "You found yourself a great wife—really easy on the eyes."

"Of course. I've been into good looks since I was a kid. You guys know that."

As he spoke, he mounted the horse and extended a hand to Qi Liangqin. "Come on, I'll teach you step by step."

But Qi Liangqin didn't take his hand. Instead, he looked toward Yan Bozong. "I don't think you ride as steadily as your brother. I'd feel safer with him."

That was the truth—Yan Songwei was indeed less steady than Yan Bozong. The people around them laughed. "Liangqin, you've got a good eye. Songwei's riding skills were taught by his brother. Songwei, why don't you let Liangqin ride with your brother? That way, you'll be free to compete with me. Last time, I lost that Zhao Jun-signed helmet to you. I have to win it back today."

Before Yan Songwei could respond, Qi Liangqin had already walked over to Yan Bozong. "Big Brother."

Yan Bozong stared at him, his expression unreadable. Qi Liangqin, however, smiled and turned back to Yan Songwei. "Go ahead and compete with Brother Wang. Ride well—don't lose."

"Lose to him? No way." Yan Songwei was already eager to start. After all, Qi Liangqin wasn't his real lover, so whether he personally taught him or not didn't really matter. His big brother was indeed steadier and more patient than he was.

"Then learn well from Big Brother, be careful, and stay safe."

Qi Liangqin nodded as Yan Songwei rode off ahead. He took a step back but then heard Yan Bozong say behind him, "Riding?"

Qi Liangqin's face flushed slightly, and he nodded. "I sincerely want to learn how to ride. Please teach me well, Big Brother."

With so many people around, Yan Bozong wouldn't refuse him. He simply looked at him and said flatly, "Get on."

Qi Liangqin held his breath and climbed up. The horse swayed slightly—this was the first time in his life he had ever touched a real horse. He was a little scared but forced himself to suppress his fear and sat on the horseback.

"Step into the stirrups," Yan Bozong said.

Just as he put his foot in, Yan Bozong had already swung himself onto the horse, his movements swift and graceful, taking a seat behind him.

"Big Brother, take me for a lap first so I can get a feel for it," Qi Liangqin said, pressing his lips together and staring straight ahead.

Yan Bozong said nothing, but the horse had already started running. Qi Liangqin's body wobbled, causing him to lean into Yan Bozong's chest. The horse galloped away from the crowd, and suddenly, Yan Bozong spoke behind him,

"Qi Liangqin, you really disappoint me. Do you think I don't know what's on your mind?"

Qi Liangqin's face turned red. He gripped the reins tightly and said, "I... I just want to learn how to ride."

The motion of the horse was far rougher than he had expected, each bounce making him feel increasingly unstable. Yan Bozong seemed to be in a bad mood, urging the horse to run even faster, its strides leaping higher and farther. Fear gradually took over Qi Liangqin's heart, and he said, "It's too fast."

He seemed to hear Yan Bozong let out a mocking scoff, and then the horse ran even faster, charging toward a series of jump obstacles. Qi Liangqin's heart shot up to his throat, blood rushing through his veins. Instinctively, he grabbed Yan Bozong's arm. He took a sharp breath as the horse soared into the air, clearing the first obstacle. It quickly gathered strength and leaped again toward the second.

However, this horse was used to carrying only one rider. Now, with two people on its back, whether due to miscalculation or a lack of strength, its hind legs struck the bar. Its body staggered and lurched downward.

Even though Qi Liangqin had anticipated this might happen, he still turned pale with fear. Yan Bozong was clearly startled as well, instinctively pulling him into his arms at the moment of impact.

Without thinking, Qi Liangqin clung tightly to Yan Bozong—not out of a sense of duty to complete his mission, but purely out of instinct. However, as Yan Bozong firmly held him, his mind became muddled. He couldn't tell if he was acting for the sake of his task or for his own desires.

They tumbled to the ground, rolling three or four times, narrowly avoiding the horse's hooves. Qi Liangqin pressed against Yan Bozong's neck, his lips and nose brushing against his skin. They kept rolling until they finally came to a stop.

The scent of Yan Bozong overwhelmed Qi Liangqin, sending heat surging through his veins. The most arousing thing in this world was not the body, nor crude flirtations, nor anything tangible—it was scent.

Scent, that subtle fragrance unique to each person. It carried an unmistakable imprint of its owner, and under the influence of love, it brimmed with hormones, clouded the mind, and became an intoxicating addiction. It stirred emotions, made the heart itch with unbearable longing. Pressed tightly against Yan Bozong's cheek, Qi Liangqin reached out and grabbed him beneath.

His palm was completely filled, yet still unable to contain it. His face burned as the thought flashed through his mind—so it was real. His hand trembled.

Yan Bozong's expression changed instantly. He seized Qi Liangqin's hip with one hand, his face flushing red, yet his gaze remained fierce as he growled in a rough voice, "Do you really want me to fuck you?!"

Qi Liangqin couldn't find his voice. He simply looked at Yan Bozong. Suddenly, Yan Bozong reached out, pressing his thumb against the corner of his lips before slowly dragging it across. The pad of his thumb was rough, and a faint electric current trailed over Qi Liangqin's lips, sending a shiver of pleasure coursing through him.