Chapter 76: Hand-washing Underwear is Cleaner
The sudden confession made a frantic blush bloom across the boy’s face.
Yu Deng glanced around, noticing many people passing by. Feeling a wave of guilty conscience, he took two steps back and punched Zhou Yuejun’s arm.
“There are people here!”
Zhou Yuejun’s hands were powerful; the wind he fanned was always very cool.
Nourished by this show of affection, Yu Deng tilted his small chin, his face showing a trace of arrogant bashfulness.
“Why are you so stupid, standing right under the sun? You’re getting darker and darker, like a piece of charcoal.”
He spoke words of disdain, but they couldn’t hide his concern.
Zhou Yuejun still enjoyed Yu Deng’s duplicity; after all, Yu Deng wasn’t very good at hiding his emotions.
“It’s so hot. I sweated so much that my shirt and pants are soaked. They’re all sticky and uncomfortable. It’s miserable.”
Ning Qian and Jian Ling walked over.
Ning Qian didn’t know why Zhou Yuejun was back again, acting like a ghost that wouldn’t disperse.
He forced a smile, swallowing his bitterness. “Dengdeng, let’s go back to the dorm first. I brought you lunch.”
The dorm wasn’t much cooler, but with Zhou Yuejun acting as a human hand-fan, Yu Deng didn’t have to be drenched in sweat.
Sweat tended to gather at his belly when he sat to eat, so Yu Deng preferred to stand.
In the past, Zhou Yuejun would have insisted on Yu Deng standing in his embrace, loosely circling him.
Ning Qian had brought Yu Deng shrimp fried rice from outside the school, along with a chicken leg and stir-fried pork with chili.
“Do you want some?”
Yu Deng scooped a spoonful for Zhou Yuejun. Zhou Yuejun shook his head. “I’m not eating. You eat, Dengdeng. I’ll eat when I get back.”
Hearing that Zhou Yuejun was going back, Yu Deng’s mood dipped again. His brows drooped and he pouted.
“Then you—”
“I’ll come to see you tomorrow too. I’ll come every day during military training.”
After all, they were lovers who were usually inseparable. This sudden separation required a period of adjustment.
Nightly phone calls weren’t enough; he had to see him during the day and have a few words.
Yu Deng took a mouthful of food, his soft pink cheeks puffed out into rounds. His long, curled lashes fluttered like crow feathers, casting small shadows.
Yu Deng was a little chatterbox.
“I found someone yesterday. He’ll fetch water for me from now on.”
“When there aren’t many people, I’ll wash in the restroom stalls or just outside. That way I don’t have to run so far.”
“We have seven days of training. After so many days in the sun, I’ll definitely turn into charcoal too.”
Zhou Yuejun: “Don’t be too honest. If you feel unwell, just pretend to faint.”
Given how thin Yu Deng was and how slight his frame appeared, no one would be able to tell if he was faking it or not.
“Also, the watch is so hot. I’m not wearing it this afternoon.”
It was mostly Yu Deng talking while Zhou Yuejun listened. The man’s eyes were slightly lowered, showing no hint of impatience.
Yu Deng said whatever came to mind, a constant stream of chatter.
His small mouth was busy, his tender red lips appearing full and soft. Pressing against his plump lip pearl, he looked so inviting that one just wanted to kiss him senseless.
Fatigue began to set in, and Yu Deng let out a yawn, rubbing his eyes. He was already showing signs of sleepiness.
Zhou Yuejun stood up and started rummaging through Yu Deng’s cabinet. “Wipe your body and take a nap. Change out of those clothes; I’ll wash them for you.”
The restrooms were the only place with faucets. After Yu Deng wiped his body with a towel and changed into clean clothes, he was shooed into bed by Zhou Yuejun.
“Go to sleep quickly.”
As Zhou Yuejun scrubbed the dirty clothes in the basin, Ning Qian was also washing his dishes.
The two men stood together in silence, the atmosphere strangely awkward.
Ning Qian watched Zhou Yuejun scrub the clothes.
Despite being a rough man, he looked unexpectedly domestic and dutiful while washing laundry.
Yu Deng’s clothes looked tiny in Zhou Yuejun’s large hands. Zhou Yuejun washed them with extreme care.
Even though it was manual labor, Ning Qian felt a sourness in his heart. He was jealous and bitter, and eventually, his temper flared.
“You could just buy a washing machine.”
That way, Yu Deng’s clothes wouldn’t have to be washed by hand.
It would also stop Zhou Yuejun from taking such a huge advantage.
He could smell it—even though Yu Deng had sweated, that sweet, thick scent on him became even more concentrated.
It carried a seductive, lingering charm that felt like it was pulling one into a gorgeous fever dream.
Zhou Yuejun saw through Ning Qian’s jealousy, his expression turning cold and fierce. “Hand-washing personal items is cleaner.”
Ning Qian wanted to smash his bowl over Zhou Yuejun’s head.
What an animal.
Don’t think he didn’t know Zhou Yuejun’s filthy thoughts.
What kind of man washes another man’s underwear? He must have some disgusting intentions.
Zhou Yuejun was just trying to “boil the frog in warm water,” planning to devour Yu Deng whole.
Innocent Yu Deng, evil Zhou Yuejun.
After hanging the clothes on the balcony, it was time for Zhou Yuejun to leave.
Yu Deng wasn’t asleep yet. He lay on his pillow, his cat-like eyes peeking at the man.
Since others in the dorm were sleeping, Zhou Yuejun couldn’t say much. He stood by the bed, stroked Yu Deng’s dark hair once, and left.
Yu Deng never exercised, so military training left him with an aching body.
During the lunch breaks, Zhou Yuejun would massage his shoulders and legs.
“Your punches have no strength. They’re soft, like kitten paws.”
Zhou Yuejun would arrive early at noon, so he naturally saw Yu Deng training.
Yu Deng wasn’t particularly tall among the boys, so he stood in the first row. While others punched with force and speed, he looked like he was just teasing someone. He looked incredibly silly.
Being looked down upon by Zhou Yuejun made Yu Deng indignant. “What?! If you keep underestimating me, I’ll sit on you until you’re flat, believe me!”
The man let out a low chuckle, appearing quite hopeful that Yu Deng would indeed sit on him.
“I’ll come pick you up after training tomorrow. Do you want KFC or hot pot?”
Over the past few days, the boy had not only tanned but also grown thinner. The bit of flesh on his cheeks was almost gone.
Zhou Yuejun’s heart ached. He wanted to suck on Yu Deng’s face until it was red and swollen.
Right now, Yang An was in the restroom and Jian Ling was slumped over the desk, too hot to even eat. Zhou Yuejun took the opportunity to pinch Yu Deng’s cheek.
It was still quite smooth, not rough at all.
Zhou Yuejun had made a soup for Yu Deng today—mung bean and lotus seed soup to clear his “internal fire.” Yu Deng buried his face in the bucket and slurped down the last of it.
Then, he peeked at Zhou Yuejun guiltily. He glanced once, then looked away, acting not like someone checking a person’s mood but rather like he was playing hard to get.
The moment he wiggled his bottom, Zhou Yuejun knew he was planning something bad.
“What is it? Are you going out with Qiao Fangyu and the others?”
Yu Deng nodded timidly, looking up at Zhou Yuejun with a submissive, pleading air. “Qiao Fangyu… said he’d take me to a buffet.”
Yu Deng had heard from Qiao Fangyu that the buffet had so many things to eat: snacks, cakes, milk, fruit, grilled meat, and seafood.
Zhou Yuejun frowned, but his tone wasn’t forceful. “Where is it? I’ll take you, or I can buy it and bring it home, alright?”
“It’s cool at home with the air conditioner. It’s definitely more comfortable than eating out.”
Just then, Yang An returned. He glanced at the two before sitting down to finish his meal.
“I already promised them.”
Under the table, Yu Deng hooked his finger around Zhou Yuejun’s. It was a gesture of peace and a silent plea.
Zhou Yuejun squeezed Yu Deng’s hand, feeling the tender skin. He could only compromise. “Then I’ll come pick you up.”
Yu Deng blinked again. “Ning Qian has a car. He’ll drive me back.”
Zhou Yuejun: “…”
He was gradually realizing that Yu Deng’s world didn’t only revolve around him.
The man’s eyes turned dark and gloomy, filled with shadows.
Yu Deng sensed it.
“You—”
Yu Deng paused. His shoulder rubbed against Zhou Yuejun’s. As he leaned closer, his natural fragrance began to intoxicate the man instantly.
The little villain’s voice was low and soft, his tone trembling as he threw out a hook.
“Come find me tonight~”
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