CH 22

Chapter 22: President of Drama: When I fuck people over, I scare even myself.

PART I 

• • •

Sorry for splitting the chapter, but this way it’s easier for me to edit. Release times should still be (roughly) the same, and if the chapter isn’t as long as 21 and 22 are, then I’ll keep them whole. Half of a long chapter is about the same length as some of the earlier chapters are. 

• • •

He’d been thinking along the wrong lines. 

His family’s Lu Li, truly, didn’t fear being abused. The only time he had split apart had been when Xie Jianwei had fed him a spoonful of sugar instead, even.

Lu Li expressed: there was poison in the sugar, and he had indigestion after eating it, so he had split into two.

Hence, the cause of the splitting wasn’t whether Xie Jianwei abused him or not, but whether the setting was kept together or not; whether the logic worked or not; whether the dream was realistic enough or not.

Yan Ke was also impressed by Lu Li’s preferences: “My Lord, just what on earth did you do? Why is it that, no matter which Lord Supreme Commander it is, they’re all convinced that you don’t love them?”

Xie Jianwei lazily swept his gaze across him: “I too, would like to know just what it is that I did.”

Despite everything, Yan Ke was an old-timer too, someone who had watched them make to where they were now. He thought back carefully, and he just couldn’t figure it out – Xie Jianwei had lead an honest and clean life. He kept a respectable distance from everyone, and the only one he was close to was none other than Lu Li. 

When they had been waging war across the galaxy, their tacit understanding of each other had been unrivalled, as if they were telepathic. 

After the galaxy had been restored, Xie Jianwei had indeed busied himself for a while at the start, but after things had been set into motion, he had let go of all his power in order to avoid raising suspicion, without even the slightest bit of hesitation. 

He and his fellow old-timers had all watched with open eyes, and so were very sure. The Military Strategist couldn’t have so easily let it all go if he hadn’t been madly in love with the Supreme Commander. 

And so… Lord Supreme Commander, just what is it that you’re so uneasy about?

Someone who loves you so much – how could it be possible that he doesn’t love you?

Yan Ke couldn’t figure it out, and Xie Jianwei couldn’t either, but he knew that he would find the answer – he would definitely find the answer within Lu Li’s dreams. 

After returning to the dreamscape, Xie Jianwei felt bored and poked open the little box Lu Yan gave him. 

The little box had strict encryption measures; apart from Lu Yan, other people couldn’t open it at all. 

But this ‘other people’ definitely didn’t include Xie Jianwei. 

Such an easy encryption. To the Third Young Master Xie who could infiltrate the entire StarNet, it was akin to a thin piece of paper. 

He watched Lu LI for a little while, and then focused on observing that student. 

The student undoubtedly admired Lu Li, but Lu Li definitely had no intentions towards him.

But Xie Jianwei still cared a little. If one’s lover was coveted by someone, then regardless of how said lover felt, they would feel unhappy. 

Even if that someone didn’t even exist. 

Xie Jianwei irrationally ate a bout of vinegar for a little while. It was only when he saw that Lu Li had come back did he hurriedly hide the little box away. 

Lu Li had truly been busy today, so there hints of fatigue rested between his brows. 

Xie Jianwei’s heart ached for him: “Doctor lu, how about you teach me how to cook.” 

Lu Li looked at him: “What?”

Xie Jianwei said: “If I learnt how to cook, then when you come home you can eat right away.” 

Lu Li laughed and took hold of his hand, saying: “I’m not teaching you.”

Xie Jianwei: “Why?”

Lu Li said: “I like cooking.”

Xie Jianwei said: “But you’re so busy during the day, you must be tired coming back.”

Xie Jianwei’s utterly unconcealed worry for him completely soothed the insides of Lu Li’s heart, and he said: “I am somewhat tired indeed.”

Xie Jianwei said: “So then, from now on, let me…”

He hadn’t finished speaking, when Lu Li said again: “But as soon as I see you I don’t feel tired at all anymore.” 

Xie Jianwei: “…” Such an old married couple already, what are you doing saying such tarty words that only youngsters like to hear.

Lu Li looked at the tips of his ears, now slowly turning red, and he really did feel that he wasn’t tired at all anymore. 

The reason that he did so much, and worked so hard – it was for their future, their future together. 

As long as he thought of this, all the fatigue would be swept away, and he only wished that there would be 48 hours in a day. 

Doctor Lu’s face glowed as he cooked, and because he was in a good mood, even his movements when stir-frying the vegetables were explosively handsome. If others took a casual look from the doorside, they’d probably think that this was a famous chef from somewhere, the type whose one dish cost thousands. 

Xie Jianwei’s appetite at dinner was especially good, and after eating a bowl of rice he actually went for another scoop.

Lu Li said: “Don’t eat too much at night. You might suffer from indigestion.” 

Xie Jianwei said: “But I really want to eat.”

His voice was soft and ambiguous; it sounded like he was asking to be spoiled. 

Lu Li’s heart trembled, and he felt that his morals were like a castle made of sand in front of Xie Jianwei, and could be blown down within seconds. 

“Eat then; in a moment, I’ll take you out to the yard to walk a couple of laps.”

Xie Jianwei: “Okay!”

After their meal, the two took a stroll in the cool night air. There was really good weather today; after the curtain of dusk had fallen, nebulae had covered the sky, and they walked amongst the cherry blossoms scattered across the heavens, like they were stepping on the tips of gently drifting clouds. Their hearts and bodies were relaxed, and they were happy and at ease. 

Xie Jianwei craved cherries whenever he looked at the cherry blossoms, and couldn’t help but sigh: “When the flowers fall, are they going to bear fruit?”

Lu Li asked: “What fruit?”

Xie Jianwei said: “Cherries ah.”

Lu Li laughed: “Who told you that cherry blossom trees would result in cherries?”

Xie Jianwei: “…” What sort of situation was this? The cherry blossom trees in the galaxial era clearly could produce lots and lots of cherries that he couldn’t finish eating!

Lu Li explained for him, saying: “Cherry blossom trees and cherry trees are different species. Ornamental cherry blossom trees won’t produce cherries.”

The all-knowing Military Strategist Xie had never thought that he would one day suffer defeat at the hands of the neglected discipline ‘ancient history’. 

Lu Li flicked at the tip of his nose: “You want to eat cherries?”

Xie Jianwei said, disappointed: “But they can’t produce fruit.” 

Lu Li said: “There’s a cherry orchid in the Northern City, after some time, when they are ripe, I…”

He spoke, but suddenly paused. 

But Xie Jianwei was already looking at him in a happily surprised manner. 

Without waiting for him to speak, Lu Li said again: “I’ll pick a basketful back for you.” 

Xie Jianwei blinked. 

Lu Li didn’t look at him, merely switching the topic of conversation quickly. 

But Xie JIanwei wouldn’t miss this detail.

Lu Li had originally wanted to say that he would take him to gather cherries together, but had changed his words on the spot, turning it into ‘bringing some back’ for him to eat. 

Xie Jianwei wondered. This mentality of Lu Li’s wasn’t normal ah, or should he say, it was incredibly abnormal. 

He hadn’t planned to bring the matter up today, but Xie Jianwei now felt that he should raise it. 

After strolling for a few rounds, Lu Li asked: “Shall we go back inside?”

Xie Jianwei said: “En, we haven’t studied today yet.” 

Lu Li said: “Did you revise during the day?”

The Military Strategist Xie who had looked at cherry blossoms all morning and had eaten random bouts of vinegar for no reason in the afternoon said random bullshit without a change in expression: “Of course, I’ve stared at books for the whole day, you can ask anything you want.”

Lu Li said: “Don’t tire yourself out,. Just studying for a little while is fine, go play some more.”

XIe Jianwei said: “I want to learn a little more.”

Lu Li said: “These things aren’t really useful practically.”

Xie Jianwei followed up with: “How could that be? I want to learn a bit more, then I can attend school when my body’s better.”

As soon as the words fell out of his mouth, Lu Li, who had originally been walking, stopped abruptly in his steps. 

XIe Jianwei paused: “Doctor Lu?”

Lu Li was shrouded in the shadows of dusk, his facial features somewhat imperceptible: “What did you say just then?”

Xie Jianwei feigned ignorance and repeated himself: “Doctor Lu, you need to teach me more, so that when i go to school i won’t be made fun of.”

Lu Li’s voice audibly deepened some: “Go to school?”

“Yeah.” Xie Jianwei said in an excited tone: “I’ve been out of school for a long time already. I don’t know whether I’ll be able to adapt.”

Lu Li was silent. 

Xie Jianwei went over and tugged at his hand, saying: “Come on, we should study physics today, I don’t understand that much…”

He said it lightly, and his voice was still so crisp and melodious, as if it were a fruit that hung on the tips of trees, carrying a hint of an unripe tang, and yet emanating a beautiful sweet scent. 

Lu Li had liked it very much before, but now, all he could taste was bitterness – a crisp bitter taste that spread across his chest. 

Until he walked into the house, and the brightness from the lights forcibly pulled him back from his thoughts, Lu Li hoarsely spoke: “You want to attend school?”

Xie Jianwei said: “Of course.” But immediately after he also stated, a little nervous: “I…I don’t know whether I’ll be able to adapt.”

Lu Li’s fingers curled into a fist, and after doing his best to calm his emotions, he slowly began: “Don’t worry, if it’s you, you’ll be able to adapt very quickly.”

Xie Jianwei was born was overly good looks, and as soon as he walked out of the residence he was a moving spotlight. He’d be chased by innumerable people, would be admired by many, would experience a period in his life that was colourful and beautiful. 

Logically, Lu Li knew that he should be happy, but in reality he couldn’t bring himself to feel happy at all; he even felt very pained. 

He couldn’t remember when he started having such thoughts. 

Perhaps it had been in the third month since living at the residence, perhaps it had been the second month. At that time, Xie Jianwei’s body wasn’t too good, and he had also been too busy with work; he’d been worried that Xie Jianwei wouldn’t be safe at home by himself, so he went and asked his assistant to come over and take care of Xie Jianwei. 

In a mere three days, his assistant had fallen deep into the river of love, unable to extricate himself from feeling for Xie Jianwei. 

It was only when Lu Li discovered him secretly staring blankly at Xie Jianwei for a whole two hours during his afternoon nap, that paranoia had taken root in his heart. 

He had dismissed the assistant the next day, but afterwards, no matter how many nurses he hired, history repeated itself on every single one of then. 

Be it men or women, they’d always be drawn to Xie Jianwei, would always unwittingly fall, would always desire to see him.

It had probably been since that time, that Lu LI had completely put out the idea of taking Xie JIanwei out. 

He knew that such a mindset wasn’t right, that Xie Jianwei shouldn’t be kept ‘locked up’ in this residence, that he shouldn’t be isolated against the outside world, that he shouldn’t have not a single person he was familiar with outside of Lu LI. 

But Lu Li couldn’t do it.

As soon as he thought of Xie Jianwei becoming the centre of attention of millions of people the moment they left here, of how he would face innumerous temptations, would meet someone he was more compatible with, would rely on someone else, would from then on get further and further away from him, Lu Li’s chest would be left with only a fiery, piercing pain, as if burnt. 

But it was inevitable. 

Xie Jianwei already wanted to walk out of the cage, to spread his wings and to take flight.

Lu Li spent the whole evening dispiritedly, and his teaching was all over the place too.

Xie Jianwei called out to him: “Doctor Lu?”

Lu Li came back to his senses abruptly, looking at him in askance: “En?”

Xie Jianwei’s eyes curved, lightly asking: ‘Can I take the test for medical school?”

Lu Li was stunned.

Xie Jianwei was somewhat nervous as he spoke: “I want to be Doctor Lu’s student.”

Lu Li’s heart thumped violently.

Xie JIanwei purposefully let his voice soften, saying: “As your student, working with you in the same place, that way I can always, be together…”

Lu Li’s eyes stared at him unblinkingly: “Why would you want to always be together with me.”

Xie Jianwei’s cheeks grew slightly red, and he lowered his head, saying in a tiny voice: “Because…because I like Doctor Lu.”

It wasn’t his first time saying this, but it was the first time that his voice had been so lingering, as if clouds and cotton candy had threaded together, sweetness filling up the foggy air; emanating; heart-shaking. 

Lu Li asked: “What sort of like?”

Xie Jianwei raised his head, looking at him: “Together forever; always, always, always, together; that sort of like.”

Lu Li stared at him, staring straight into his eyes. He could see the trust in his gaze, could see the emotions in them, and could feel the tremors within. 

But…Xie Jianwei’s sort of like, and the like that he wanted, wasn’t the same.

The terrible experiences from before had made Xie Jianwei feel an almost paranoid desire to monopolise all of his possessions. 

In this year, Lu Li had experienced it personally, countless times.

Snapped chopsticks couldn’t be thrown away; mechanical pencils that were broken also had to be kept; and in the wardrobe – clothes that, so long as Xie Jianwei had worn them before, even if he never wore them for the second time, could also, absolutely, never be thrown out. 

Everything of Xie Jianwei’s, must always be with him. 

Lu Li knew clearly, that the Xie Jianwei of now needed him. 

But whether Xie Jianwei would still need him after walking out, was an unknown.

Not to mention…

Was there a teenager in the world who wasn’t passionate? 

That night, Xie Jianwei’s sleep quality was considerably bad. 

Lu Li probably hadn’t rested for the whole night. The hand embracing him had never relaxed, as tight as if he would never be able to hold him again if he loosened up in the slightest. 

In the early spring, the temperature was already slightly warm, and Lu Li’s body temperature was naturally high too, like a furnace. Being hugged by him in the winter was pretty comfortable, but after the weather got warm, Military Strategist Xie frequently wanted to kick him off the bed. 

It was already like that in a normal sleeping position, not to mention now, when he was so desperately pressing him into his embrace. 

If it wasn’t for the fact that Xie Jianwei felt worried for him for his illness, he’d have long have exercised some ‘domestic discipline’! [1]

Despite not having slept for a night, on the second day Lu Li was still cheerfully spirited. Couldn’t be helped, it was his dream after all. Forget about pulling all-nighters – even if it were against someone who could do it seven times a night, he could still beat the enemy by 800!

The poor Military Strategist Xie however, wilted.

He had foggily slept for about an hour, and in that hour he’d even had a dream; he dreamt that he was being hugged by a furnace, and the furnace had even kissed him nonstop. When he hit him his hand burned, when he kicked him his feet burned – he was kissed until he felt as if he were on fire, and yet he wouldn’t help him put the fire out. 

Then what was the use to such a ‘furnace’?!

After Xie Jianwei sent Lu Li away, he planned on taking a post-sleep nap.

But on second thought he couldn’t.

Lu Li number one went away, but Lu Li number two still on standby, and he needed to ‘act out the play’ with him.

So Xie Jianwei could only wait under the cherry blossom tree bright and early, taking small rests blearily on the rattan chair.

Lu Yan had come for three days in a row and was now familiar with the way. Upon going through the garden gates, he caught sight of the youth beneath the cherry blossoms.

Such a sight – as stunning as a celestial vision.

He had long since known that his younger brother’s little lover was born with very good looks, but it had also been difficult to imagine just how good looking a person could be. 

The cherry blossoms were splendid, and the youth picturesque. 

All the words in the world couldn’t capture even a thousandth of the beauty in this scene. 

Lu Yan was unruly by nature, and an innumerable amount of people had pointed fingers at him, calling him heartless.

But in this moment, there was something jumping about violently in his chest, as if it were the roaring of thunder in the springtime, making the entire world tremble. 

Lu Yan walked in front of Xie Jianwei, staring at his lips, softer than the petals of the cherry blossoms… against better judgement, he dipped his body, and captured them in his lips. 

They were softer than could be seen, sweeter than could be imagined, and they could make one drunker than even the most beautiful of dreams.

Lu Yan subconsciously used a little force, moving into his mouth. He thought that he would be rejected. To his surprise however, Xie Jianwei softly ‘hmm’’ed, like a cat, and took advantage of the opportunity to encircle his neck, sending himself over. 

A humming sound enveloped Lu Yan’s brain, and, supporting the back of his head with his palm, he let the shallow taste of a kiss become lingering and bittersweet. 

Xie Jianwei was fuzzy from sleep, knowing only that this was Lu Li, so he was as obedient as could be. It was only when the two were tightly pressed against each other did he have the vague notion of waking up. 

Wasn’t Lu Li against touching him?

He opened his eyes. Lu Yan instantly stopped in the act.

Four eyes met, and Xie Jianwei remembered: Oh. Hello Lu Li number two. 

Lu Yan stared at him for a little while, unblinking. Then, a moment later, he raised his lips in a devious smile: “Mornin’, little Jianwei.”

Xie Jianwei: “…”

Should he, in accordance with his character setting, put up a struggle, slap him on the face, and then chase this lecher out of the yard?

But the problem was that he only wanted to continue. 

So annoying. He wasn’t even allowed to finish making love. 

— For once, Xie Jianwei experienced what the Lord Supreme Commander did when he asked for sex but failed. 

However his terrible mood indeed suited the situation pretty well. Although the reason he was unhappy was because the other didn’t enter, Lu Li would definitely think that he was unhappy because he was about to enter. 

The means didn’t matter, so long as the result was the same.

Xie Jianwei got into his character in seconds. The confusion in his eyes dispersed, and a spectrum of surprise and horror filled them: “You…what are you doing!”

Lu Yan got up, slowly and methodically putting on his clothes: “I should be the one to ask you that.”

Xie Jianwei franctically tugged at his clothes, but when he covered one side, the other side would be exposed. It made things even messier instead, and it made one want to mess him up even more as well. [1]

Lu Yan’s adam’s apple bobbed up and down involuntarily. Struggling to stay calm, he said: “I was being considerate and I tried to wake you, but you latched onto my neck and started kissing me.”

Xie Jianwei eyes widened abruptly, disbelief covering his face: “How, how could that be…”

Lu Yan scooted closer to him, and suddenly popped a question: “Did you think I was Lu Li?”

Xie Jianwei: “…” You are Lu Li already; if you weren’t, then forget about kissing, bro you’d already have become a distant star on the horizon.

Lu Yan thought that he’d hit the nail on the head, and continued insidiously: “I hadn’t thought that you had such passionate feelings for your Doctor Lu.” His line of sight moved down, sweeping towards Xie ‘little’ Wei. 

His cheeky little gaze stirred Xie Jianwei up, and yet he needed to put on an expression of anger and embarrassment – it was quite tiring. 

“I…I don’t!”

Lu Yan said: “It’s fine, I don’t mind, he and I look very alike anyways.”

Xie Jianwei immediately said: “You and Doctor Lu don’t look alike at all!”

Lu Yan said with a smile: “If we don’t look a like, they why kiss me? Could it be that you want me to do that sort of thing with you?”

Xie Jianwei almost blurted out a ‘yes’. 

Luckily, he held back. Xie Jianwei worked very hard to make himself calm down: “Rubbish – I didn’t – I didn’t think of…”

“Okay okay,” Lu Yan pacified him, “It’s not like it’s anything serious, you and Lu Li have been together for over a year already, and yet you’re still like a virgin…” 

He hadn’t finished speaking before Xie Jianwei said, with his face and ears bright red: “There’s nothing of the sort between Doctor Lu and I.” 

Lu Yan visibly paused: “Ah?”

Xie Jianwei said: “Doctor Lu wouldn’t be so annoying like you!”

“Annoying?” Lu Yan was unable to stifle his laugh: “What I did just then was very annoying?”

Xie Jianwei said assuredly: “Very annoying, you’re just generally a very annoying person!”

Lu Yan looked as if he had found something new and interesting. He stared at Xie Jianwei for a moment, and somewhat disbelievingly said: “Lu Li doesn’t hug you?”

Xie Jianwei was blushing with shame at his own faked ignorance: “Of course he’s hugged me.”

Lu Yan: “…”

Xie Jianwei faltered, “He hugs me when we sleep every night.”

Lu Yan: “And then?”

Xie Jianwei: “And then what?”

“That’s it?”

Xie Jianwei didn’t reply.

Lu Yan asked again: “He just sleeps while hugging you?”

Xie Jianwei put on an angry façade and said: “What else!”

A peculiar expression revealed itself on Lu Yan’s features: “Lu Li…is truly a saint [2] ah.” Despite calling him a saint, the tone of his voice made it sound more like he was calling him an idiot. 

Xie Jianwei thought inwardly: You too, have quite the talent, calling yourself an idiot.

Xie Jianwei’s acting was beautiful and flawless, entirely enough to fool Lu Li No. 2. 

Lu Yan actually believed it. He believed that Lu Li had indeed hidden his lover away in the abode for over a year, and yet still hadn’t eaten the pretty little birdy. 

His mind spun – things were getting more interesting, he thought. 

If Lu Li wasn’t going to eat, then he couldn’t blame him, his elder brother, for not holding back.

Xie Jianwei took advantage of the opportunity to put his clothes on properly, and said; “What did you come here again for?”

At his words, Lu Yan said innocently: “I’m doing this all for you aren’t I?”

Like fuck Xie Jianwei believed him. 

Lu Yan reached out a hand, and gave him today’s little gift: “This one’s a Sabayon, flown over from Italy this morning.” 

Xie Jianwei wasn’t, in fact, a sweet tooth – but he did like eating sweets, especially if they were tasty.

The Sabayon was a desert as big as one’s palm; its recipe was quite delicate, and the most unique part about it was that it combined the inherent fragrance of both wine and eggs. In addition, with the aroma from being burnt to just the right degree, it practically couldn’t get tastier. 

Lu Yan put the cake on the table and said: “Give it a taste, if you like it I’ll bring some more tomorrow.”

Xie Jianwei wasn’t polite with him anymore either. Such an ancient food – it’d be a waste if he didn’t eat it. After all, some cooking methods and original ingredients had long since been lost, and the patissiers in the galactic era almost existed only for decoration purposes.

After feeding the cake to him, Lu Yan deliberately sat by his side, and was a little touchy too with his unruly limbs. 

Xie Jianwei pretended that he didn’t notice at all, and he even subtly created more openings for him.

Lu Yan’s brain as full of wicked ideas. When the surveillance device was opened today, what he showed Xie Jianwei wasn’t Lu Li. 

Poor Xie JIanwei thought that he was going to see Doctor Lu, so he had anticipation written all over his face. He  didn’t even dare to blink his eyes, and thus, the live-action porno smeared him right across the face. 

“This…this…” Xie Jianwei was wide-eyed and slack-jawed. 

On the screen were two men, one on top and one of the bottom, their movements very much heated. 

Lu Yan even ‘tsked’: “This one’s actually the one that’s taken on the responsibility for upholding the film industry’s reputation in recent years. Pity that even the skin isn’t as soft as yours.”

Xie Jianwei came back to himself, and exclaimed: “What is the meaning of this?”

Lu Yan said: “Don’t fret, maybe it’s an error in the signal transmission.”

Xie Jianwei’s face was flushed: “You…You…really are…”

Lu Yan said: “There’s nothing wrong with this, it’s all human nature. It’d be stranger for two people who liked each other to not do it.”

Xie Jianwei was speechless.

Lu Yan closed the screen, and looked at Xie JIanwei: “You like Lu Li right?”

Xie Jianwei replied: “Of course I like him.”

Lu Yan asked him again: “Then does Lu Li like you?”

Xie Jianwei paused for a moment, but still very quickly said: “He does!”

Lu Yan: “Does he really?”

Xie Jianwei put on a strong front, and said: “Doctor Lu definitely likes me!”

Lu Yan laughed, then said: “If he really likes you, then why hasn’t he made love with you?”

Xie Jianwei practically knew the script for the following scenes like the back of his hand; he cooperatively said: “It has nothing to do with you.”

With the air of a knowing elder brother, Lu Yan gravely helped him conduct an analysis: “You see, you’re young so you don’t understand these matters, but Lu Li definitely understands; if he truly likes you, then he would have long since done these intimate things with you.”

Xie Jianwei bit his lower lip, wanting to deny it and yet not knowing where to start denying it from. 

Lu Yan wanted to lure him into the ditch: “It’s fine if you don’t believe me. You can try it for yourself tonight.”

Xie Jianwei looked at him: “Try what?”

Lu Yan said: “You like Lu Li, so you need to make your feelings straight right, you should be more proactive. See if he’ll make love with you or not.”

Xie Jianwei paused.

Lu Yan tempted him with: “If Doctor Lu does it with you, then you can rest easy, it means that you like each other. People who like each other will be together forever and ever.”

Obviously, Lu Li number 2 had also done his homework. He knew of ‘Xie Jianwei’s’ psychological insecurities, and so had emphasised his words, repeating ‘forever’ twice. 

Xie Jianwei was swayed.

Lu Yan stopped once his goal had been reached; having made Xie Jianwei thoughts start to run, he left early.

Xie Jianwei could basically predict the traps that were laid out afterwards, and so he needed to make some preparations beforehand. 

Seducing Lu Li was very easy – what he feared was not being able to hold back, himself.

He had after all kept it inside for so long. He worried that he would go over the top with his seductions, hence not conforming to the character setting of a youth who ‘didn’t know the ways of the world’. 

As to how he would prepare? Naturally, letting the fire out would be for the best.

Xie Jianwei couldn’t do it in the dream, but he could go back to reality.

Yan Ke blinked: “My Lord, how come you’re back?”

Xie Jianwei said: “Let’s stop the treatment temporarily. Lu Li can’t sleep here forever either; there’s still a lot of things that need to be dealt with.”

Yan Ke obeyed of course, saying: “Okay.”

The magnetic field paused, and Xie Jianwei arranged for people to take Lu Li back to the Supreme Commander’s estate.

When Lu Li woke up, he was somewhat dazed: “I feel like I’ve slept for a long while.”

Xie Jianwei spoke without a change in expression: “How so? It’s was only a short afternoon nap.”

Lu Li was missing a large chunk of his memories, but he definitely wouldn’t dare show it. 

Xie Jianwei knew this too, and so blatantly messed with him.

After all, Lu Li was the one who, to this day, still refused to tell him that he and his multiple personalities’ memories were no longer coherent.

In order to pretend that they were, even if Lu Li didn’t have the memories, he needed to act as if he did.

Adding onto that the fact that he and his personalities had all started trying to kill each other, they definitely wouldn’t work together – even air was unable to pass between them. So of course he had no way of knowing about it.

Xie Jianwei used this, and easily brushed past the whole treatment thing.

Lu Li rubbed at his temples, then said: “I’m going to the S.S. Commander.”

Xie Jianwei said: “Didn’t we already agree?”

Lu Li paused.

Xie Jianwei looked at him, asking: “Didn’t you say that you weren’t going out for the afternoon, to stay at home with me?”

Lu Li didn’t know which asshole personality had said it, but he was worried that Xie Jianwei would detect something, and so could only say: “I’m not going out anymore. Got muddled from sleep.”

Xie Jianwei smiled, and directly seated himself across on his legs, looping his arms around his neck, letting their noses touch: “Little Li.”

He purposefully pushed his voice lower. The tenor, already beautiful, was as soft and as light as clouds at that moment.

Lu Li’s lips curved upwards, and his palm supported his butt. He asked lowly: “You want it?”

Xie Jianwei, for once, took the initiative and kissed him.

The Lord Supreme Commander felt overwhelmed with the unexpected affection, and ate a long-anticipated ‘navel orange’, the sweetness making him all happy from head to toe. [t/n: euphemism for cowgirl style. Or in this case, cowboy. See notes for further explanation.][3]

Xie Jianwei had held it in in the dreamland for so long, and at long last, he got what he desired in reality.

He had always complained about how Lu Li couldn’t get enough before, but the days were pretty hard too when all of a sudden he no longer wanted it. 

But absence makes the heart grow fonder, and not having done it for a period of time, suddenly going for a round, was really refreshing.

Xie Jianwei was happy, but Lu Li on the other hand tried reaching for a mile after getting an inch, and after he finished the first time he wanted to go for a second time too. 

However, Xie Jianwei didn’t dare to continue. The treatment hadn’t finished yet, and if he didn’t go back for a long period of time, changes would happen within the dream, and all his hard work for so long would have been for nought.

Having no other option, Xie Jianwei used his killer move, and made the utterly defenceless Lord Supreme Commander faint.

Returning to the dreamscape, Xie Jianwei felt refreshed all over, and believed that he could flawlessly act out the character of a pure and unaffected youth, one who didn’t know what temptation was. 

Lu Li came back right on time, and things proceeded as usual. 

It was only right before bedtime, when Xie Jianwei did something before he walked out of the bathroom.

He messed with the hair-dryer, and made the hair-dryer go on strike. It refused to let out air even if you beat it to death.

With a head of wet hair Xie Jianwei walked out and said: “Doctor Lu, the hair-dryer broke.”

Lu Li was packing up books, and when he heard his voice he lifted his head and looked over.

Xie Jianwei was wearing a thin shirt – one that absorbed a lot of water at that. Water that dripped down from the hair could basically make a trail on the shirt instantly. 

Xie Jianwei didn’t even dry his hair with a cloth, coming out dripping with water. His shirt was half drenched, and his thin shoulders, as well as the front of his chest, was all wet. 

The final blow  was that the water was still dripping, gliding across his chest, rolling down his body to his navel.

Lu Li stared at him, and felt waves of dry thirst in his throat.

Xie Jianwei called out to him: “Doctor Lu?”

Lu Li lurched back to his senses, speaking: “The hair-dryer broke?”

Xie Jianwei said: “Yeah, it won’t blow no matter what.”

There was no backup at home, so Lu Li could only say: “Come here, I’ll dry your hair for you.”

Xie Jianwei happily took the towel and went in front of him: “Then I must trouble Doctor Lu.”

Lu Li laughed, and signalled for him to sit by his side.

Xie Jianwei lowered his head so that Lu Li would have find it easier to dry, but the position unexpectedly exposed the back of his pale neck. 

The glow of it was akin to jade, and the water droplets were like gemstones. Lu Li felt even thirstier. But he did not want to drink water – he wanted to taste this skin. 

As Lu Li dried his hair, his whole body felt arid and hot.

He finished the arduous task of drying it, and Lu Li was just about to let out a breath of air when Xie Jianwei again said: “The clothes are all wet.”

Lu Li’s line of sight conspicuously floated to his chest.

Xie Jianwei purposefully tugged at his collar, and said: “It’s too uncomfortable. I need to change.”

As he spoke, he straight up undid the buttons, and while Lu Li didn’t have time to stop him, he took the all of the clothes off. 

The youth’s body appeared abruptly before him, and the Lu Li’s part that had already slightly reared its head, was instantly painfully swollen. 

Xie Jianwei wasn’t aware at all, turning to the closet to find pyjamas. 

His back was facing Lu Li, and because he was rummaging around, his thin waist swayed back and forth. And because the pants were somewhat big, it appeared as if they would fall of with just a bit more swaying. 

What made Lu Li’s breathing quicken even more was that Xie Jianwei wasn’t wearing underwear. 

It only needed a slight downwards tug, and that pretty behind would…

It was as if Lu Li’s mind had been drenched in petroleum by someone, and it instantly ignited, becoming a sea of fire.

Xie Jianwei searched for a while, before resigning himself: “I think we didn’t dry it after washing. It should still be hung outside.”

Lu Li couldn’t hear what he was saying at all.

Xie Jianwei said again: “Doctor Lu, can I wear your clothes?”

Lu Li: “…”

Xie Jianwei didn’t wait for his reply, and had already taken out one of Lu Li’s pyjamas, wearing it over his body.

The pyjama was black. Xie Jianwei didn’t own such darkly coloured clothes basically, but when he wore it, it was surprisingly tantalising. The white of his skin and the black of the shirt formed a clear contrast, and one didn’t dare take a second glance.

Xie Jianwei tugged at it, then said: “It’s so long, I don’t even need pants now.”

He was only saying it casually, but Lu Li mind instantly filled the gaps with images of Xie Jianwei wearing only his shirt…

“I’ll…go take a cold shower.” Big Doctor Lu was wholly fleeing in defeat. 

Xie Jianwei raised his lips in smile, and thought inwardly: Things have only just begun. 

Lu LI finished his cold shower and came back. Xie Jianwei went along and snuggled into his arms.

The time Lu Li took for his shower had been rather long. He probably hadn’t only showered; 9 out of ten, he’d also had a go. 

Thinking about it slightly like so, made Xie Jianwei’s heart felt somewhat tickled. 

His Lu Li; how could he be so funny?

Xie Jianwei shifted a little in his embrace, and only after a little while did he ask in a small voice: “Doctor Lu?”

Lu Li’s voice was very low: “En?”

Xie Jianwei said: “I can’t sleep.”

Lu LI’s chin was rested against the top of his head: “What’s wrong?”

XIe Jianwei disobediently touched his navel, saying: “I’m hot.”

Lu Li: “…”

Xie Jianwei thought that he didn’t hear him, and so spoke again: “Very hot.”

Lu Li let go of him slightly, and the flushed face of the youth entered his vision. His eyes were glistening, his red lips trembling minutely, as if they were a sweet fruit, waiting to be plucked.

Something roared in Lu Li’s mind.

Xie Jianwei touched his hand: “Can…Can you help me?”

Lu Li felt his part that had stiffened.

Xie Jianwei bit his lower lip, and said, somewhat uncomfortably: “I don’t know how I should do it.”

Lu Li took a deep breath, his palm delving inside.

Xie Jianwei’s body was super sensitive, and Lu Li’s palm was so hot too, so it didn’t take much before he shot.

Lu Li helped him clean up, then went to wash his hands as well. Then he patted his back, saying: “Sleep.”

But Xie Jianwei said softly: “Doctor Lu…”

Lu Li’s logical thought was continuously being gnawed at: “En?”

Xie Jianwei tilted his head, looking up at him: “Let’s do it.”