But you love a fool - CHAPTER 6:
Li Yu turned the steering wheel, driving into the underground parking lot of his apartment building.
Jian Suiying let out a low whistle. Not bad.
Who taught you?
My brother, Li Yu replied simply. He opened the car door, circled to the passenger side,
and helped Jian Suiying out.
Jian leaned against him deliberately, pretending his ankle couldn’t bear weight.
He wasn’t small either over one meter eighty, solidly built.
The moment Li Yu got him out of the car, sweat broke across his forehead.
Jian let out a soft groan. His supposedly weak leg tangled with itself and nearly made him fall.
The excuse was perfect; he tightened his arm around Li Yu’s waist, pressing close.
It’s too hot, Jian-ge, stop leaning on me, Li Yu said between breaths.
The parking garage had no air conditioning, and both of them were already
sticky with sweat from basketball. The heat between them was suffocating.
But Jian Suiying wasn’t thinking about the heat at all.
All he noticed was how narrow the boy’s waist felt under his arm,
how pale his neck was, and how badly he wanted to sink his teeth into it.
Li Yu had no idea what kind of indecent thoughts were flickering behind Jian’s composed façade.
He only felt guilty. He’d stepped on the man’s foot by accident during the game
it was only right that he see him home safely. Otherwise, what would Jian Suilin think?
My foot hurts, I can barely stand, Jian murmured, his voice low and coaxing.
Still, he didn’t want to make Li Yu too uncomfortable, so he pulled back a little,
keeping only half his weight pressed against him.
Li Yu finally caught his breath. He slid an arm beneath
Jian’s shoulder and began guiding him toward the elevator, step by step.
Jian lived on the top floor of the twenty-eight–story building.
The duplex had a private pool and a small rooftop garden spacious, quiet, and a little too empty.
He had never brought anyone here before except his father and a few relatives.
Li Yu was the first outsider to step into this place.
He never let casual flings near his home it was too personal, too revealing but Li Yu was different.
For reasons he didn’t want to name, he almost wanted the boy to stay.
Li Yu glanced around the apartment once they entered. You live alone?
Usually there’s a cleaner, Jian said lazily. Not at this hour.
Li Yu helped him onto the sofa, frowning. Did you eat?
Not yet. Jian rubbed his stomach, realizing he was actually hungry.
His eyes lifted to Li Yu’s face expectantly.
Li Yu sighed. What’s in the fridge? I’ll make you something.
Nothing but drinks and beer.
You don’t eat at home?
I live alone. What’s the point… oh, wait, there’s instant noodles.
Fine, I’ll make that.
Anything you make, I’ll eat, Jian said with an easy grin, sinking deeper into the cushions.
Li Yu followed his directions, pulled out a few packets of noodles, and started boiling water.
While the pot heated, Jian called out, Li Yu, come help me.
I want to shower and change.
Li Yu gave a resigned sound and came over, steadying him toward the bathroom.
Jian couldn’t help smiling to himself. The kid looked cold and serious,
but deep down he was probably honest to a fault. If Jian hadn’t twisted his ankle,
he wouldn’t have had such a perfect excuse to cling to him.
He could’ve hopped there on one foot easily, but this was far more fun.
Once inside, Jian leaned against the wall and began unbuttoning his shirt.
Li Yu froze, then turned his head quickly away.
Jian was confident in his body maybe too confident.
As he undid each button, he studied Li Yu’s expression from the corner of his eye.
If this boy had even the faintest interest in men, Jian thought,
he wouldn’t be able to stay indifferent for long.
But Li Yu’s face stayed calm, eyes fixed anywhere but him, hands half-raised in case Jian slipped.
A bit disappointing.
Help me a second, I need to get these pants off.
Li Yu reached out automatically, holding his arm steady while Jian worked
one-handed to unfasten his trousers. The pants dropped to his ankles.
He lifted one foot out easily, but when he tried the injured one, pain shot up his leg.
He hissed softly, grimacing as he wobbled.
Li Yu glanced down at his ankle, the muscles in his jaw tight. He said nothing.
Both Jian brothers, he thought, had the same kind of long, elegant hands and feet
and the same kind of trouble written all over them.
Jian grit his teeth, jerked his leg, and finally kicked the pants aside, groaning through the pain.
Then he hooked his fingers on the waistband of his underwear.
Li Yu’s composure cracked. The water’s boiling, I’ll check on it, he said quickly.
Stay. What if I fall? Jian’s voice was teasing, deliberately soft.
He had never been one to feel shame. If standing there naked could tempt the boy, then why not?
He was proud of his body, and modesty had never been one of his virtues.
Sweat beaded on Li Yu’s forehead again. He was sure Jian was doing it on purpose,
yet some part of him still doubted himself. His face flushed. Then hurry up.
Jian tugged the underwear down in one smooth motion.
His breath hitched as he pretended to stumble, body tipping forward.
Li Yu instinctively caught him, startled.
Jian’s lips brushed the boy’s cheek just a faint, accidental touch
but it was enough to see Li Yu’s ears turn crimson.
That sight thrilled him. So shy, so proper, and so tempting.
Jian thought he had never met anyone who embodied both youth and quiet strength like this boy.
A rare gem.
He made up his mind in that instant. Life was short why hold back?
No matter whose grandson Li Yu was, Jian Suiying decided he wanted him.
But Li Yu, red-faced and flustered, gathered what strength he had and half-carried
Jian into the bathtub, turned on the tap, and fled the bathroom like he’d been set on fire.
I’ll go check on the noodles.
Jian watched him go, smiling crookedly. Still such a kid. But not for long, he thought.
He soaked lazily in the warm water until the heat eased the ache from his ankle.
Li Yu didn’t come back. Maybe he really was frightened.
When he finally drained the tub and dried himself with a towel, he called out,
Li Yu, bring me my robe.
A moment later, Li Yu appeared, holding the bathrobe like it was dangerous.
His eyes darted away, refusing to meet Jian’s.
What’s with you, acting like a shy girl? Jian teased.
You’re a man, aren’t you? Nothing I’ve got that you don’t.
What’s there to be embarrassed about?
Li Yu frowned, mouth opening as if to argue, but he knew any answer would only dig him deeper.
Jian laughed out loud. Look at this body, will you?
Two gym days a week, minimum.
Worth it, right? Come on, help me up.
Reluctantly, Li Yu stepped forward and helped him stand, his face blank.
As Jian slipped into his robe, he leaned close and murmured,
Li Yu, do you know which part of a man he should train the most?
No, Li Yu said stiffly.
The waist, Jian said with a grin. Most important part of all.
You’ll understand someday… hey, tell me honestly, have you ever slept with anyone?
Li Yu’s lips pressed together. He stayed silent.
Jian could hardly contain his laughter.
He hadn’t realized teasing someone this innocent could be so much fun.
Fine, keep your secrets, he said. But if you ever want some practical lessons,
I’ve got plenty to teach you. Enough experience to last a lifetime.
He chuckled low in his throat.
Li Yu drew a long breath. If Jian weren’t injured and if he weren’t
Jian Suilin’s brother he’d have walked out hours ago.
How could two brothers be so different?
Finally, Jian was dressed. Li Yu helped him to the dining table.
Eat, Jian-ge, he said flatly. I’m heading home.
Already?
My mother’s waiting for dinner.
A pang of disappointment flickered through Jian’s chest.
He’d thought the boy might stay, at least for a meal.
But with his ankle swollen, he couldn’t very well insist.
After Li Yu left, the apartment fell silent again.
Jian picked at the noodles, appetite gone. The room felt emptier than before.
Maybe he’d gone too far, teasing the kid like that. Maybe he really had scared him away.
It would’ve been nice, he thought, if Li Yu had stayed a little longer.