Chapter 68: Side Story

The next morning, Ji Su woke in a daze.

It wasn't yet light; the room was dim.

He felt something warm pressed against his palm. Opening his eyes, he found his gaze level with a half-bared chest, his own hand resting on firm abdominal muscles.

Ji Su's mind cleared a fraction, and he instinctively tried to retreat — only to discover one of his legs was draped over a lean waist.

He was clinging to Gu Zhao like an octopus.

Ji Su's face flushed. He carefully lifted the leg that had been resting across Gu Zhao.

He'd always thought he slept well — how could his first night sharing a bed with Gu Zhao have turned into such a tangled mess...

Just as he was about to succeed, Gu Zhao let out a discontented hum from his throat, and, eyes still closed, raised an arm to pull him back into his embrace.

Ji Su didn't dare move. His cheek was pressed against the burning chest, and even the roots of his ears had gone crimson.

He struggled a little, but couldn't break free of those arms, and, afraid of waking Gu Zhao, could only obediently let himself be held.

They were legally married, after all — there was nothing wrong with sleeping in each other's arms, was there?

Thinking this, Ji Su closed his eyes again.

Listening to the steady, strong heartbeat at his ear, drowsiness crept over him, and before he knew it he had fallen asleep again.

Only when the breathing in his arms had grown long and even did Gu Zhao open his eyes, a smile spilling from the corner of his lips.

So obedient. It would be even better if he were a little more proactive.

When Ji Su woke again, he was alone in the bed.

He rose, drew back the curtain, and found it was a brilliant, sunlit day.

After washing up and changing, Ji Su stepped out of the bedroom.

Gu Zhao was preparing breakfast. Hearing movement behind him, he turned and greeted: 'Morning.'

'Good morning.' Ji Su smiled back, walked to the table, and poured himself a glass of water.

Gu Zhao leaned against the counter, watching him: 'How did you sleep last night?'

Ji Su nodded: 'Very well.'

Gu Zhao asked, unhurried: 'Was it warm, sleeping in my arms?'

'Cough, cough—' Ji Su nearly spat out his water, choking on it.

Gu Zhao walked over and patted his back lightly: 'Drink slowly — no one's competing with you for it.'

Ji Su wiped the water from his lips with the back of his hand, his gaze darting: 'Um... sorry, I don't think I sleep very neatly. Maybe we should sleep sepa—'

'It's fine.' Gu Zhao cut him off in time. 'I don't mind.'

Ji Su: 'Oh...'

Gu Zhao withdrew his hand: 'Let's eat breakfast.'

Breakfast was lavish — pumpkin-and-millet porridge simmered to a soft mush, potato cakes fried until fragrant, well-seasoned tea eggs, and refreshing pickled cucumbers. Delicious and warming.

After breakfast, Ji Su remembered something: 'Oh, Lawyer Gu — does your family know you're married?'

Before getting the certificate, Gu Zhao had asked his opinion about registering first and holding the wedding later.

Even though same-sex marriage registration was now legal, he'd felt that two men — and not even a love-match at that — holding a wedding ceremony would be a little strange, so he'd simply skipped that step.

So on his side, only Qiao Jin knew about the marriage registration.

Gu Zhao replied: 'I've told my grandfather.'

Ji Su offered: 'Then should we find time to visit him?'

'No rush.' Gu Zhao dabbed the corner of his mouth. 'We'll go back in a while.'

Despite his lingering doubts, Ji Su agreed: 'Alright.'

Hadn't Lawyer Gu been pressured by his family into a flash marriage with him?

So why, now that the certificate was signed, was there suddenly no hurry...

*

It was the weekend, no work, but both had things to attend to — one in the study, one in the bedroom, not disturbing each other.

Ji Su had expected that, after years of being single, suddenly entering married life would take some getting used to — but sharing a home like this, each occupied with his own affairs, was far more harmonious than he'd imagined.

After dinner, Ji Su sat on the carpet before the living-room sofa, headphones on, watching a film.

Gu Zhao sat on the sofa behind him, laptop across his thighs, his long-boned fingers striking the keys.

After a while, Gu Zhao finished his work, set the laptop aside, and leaned forward to look at Ji Su's screen.

Ji Su was absorbed in the film — the plot had reached its tensest moment — when suddenly a hand landed on his shoulder.

'Ah!' Ji Su cried out in fright and dodged to one side.

'Don't be afraid, it's me.' Gu Zhao soothed in a low voice.

Ji Su calmed down, though his heart was still racing. A little embarrassed, he explained quietly: 'Sorry, I'm used to being home alone — I forgot for a moment there was someone beside me.'

It wasn't that he was a coward, or making a fuss over nothing...

'Sorry, I startled you.' Gu Zhao looked down at him and laughed softly. 'But you'll need to get used to it sooner rather than later — I'm here too, now.'

Ji Su agreed: 'Alright, I'll try to get used to it quickly.'

'Mm.' Gu Zhao rose, sat down on the cushion beside him. 'What film are you watching?'

'A thriller.' Ji Su paused the film and gave a brief summary. 'It's an older one, but a classic.'

Gu Zhao glanced sideways: 'You like thrillers?'

Ji Su shook his head: 'Not really, actually. Mostly to build up some courage.'

Gu Zhao went on: 'Then what kind of films do you like?'

'Comedies, mostly. Comedies help you relax.' Ji Su pressed his lips together. 'What about you, Lawyer Gu? Do you like watching films?'

Gu Zhao replied: 'I didn't used to. From now on, I like comedies.'

Ji Su blinked, then suddenly caught what the words meant.

The tips of his ears warmed, and he turned his gaze back to the screen.

Gu Zhao asked: 'May I watch the film with you?'

'Of course.' Ji Su came back to himself. 'Then let me switch to a different one.'

This one was already more than halfway through — joining in the middle would only leave him bewildered.

The two of them settled in front of the sofa and picked out a romantic comedy instead.

Gu Zhao's eyes rested on the screen; one arm lay along the sofa behind Ji Su, his large hand hanging at the side of that slender shoulder.

As the plot progressed, the male and female leads' feelings heated up, and one kiss led to another until they tumbled onto the bed.

Ji Su's chest tightened, and he straightened his back, a little uncomfortable.

Wasn't this a comedy? How was there such an explicit kissing scene?

But the two leads on screen only kissed more and more intensely, the wet sounds and gasps traveling through the computer and echoing in both their ears.

The living room was large, but the small space before the sofa had suddenly grown cramped, and the air around them seemed to be warming.

Ji Su couldn't stand it any longer, and deliberately broke the strange atmosphere by speaking: 'I'm a bit thirsty — do you want some water, Lawyer Gu?'

Gu Zhao's hand at his shoulder shifted and closed around it: 'I'm not thirsty. Keep watching.'

Ji Su shrank a little, but said nothing more.

The corner of Gu Zhao's mouth curved, and he drew Ji Su into his arms.

Ji Su leaned against the broad shoulder, his heartbeat quickening of its own accord.

He stared at the screen, but his brain could no longer process what his eyes were taking in.

Gu Zhao lowered his head, gazing in the faint glow from the computer at that flushed, lovely face.

Teacher Ji was exacting and professional at work, courteous and reserved in private — but this look, nestled in his arms, was for his eyes alone.

The thought alone made his heart swell like a balloon being slowly inflated.

As if possessed, Gu Zhao inched closer to those full, moist red lips.

Ji Su's lashes trembled violently; in the breath drawing near, he nearly forgot to breathe.

A high-bridged nose brushed first against the soft flesh of his cheek, nuzzling him twice in quiet intimacy.

Ji Su's mind went blank; he couldn't for the life of him remember to pull away.

But just then, the phone on the coffee table buzzed.

Ji Su started awake, shoved the handsome face that was almost upon him aside, grabbed the phone, and made to flee.

He got up too hastily and nearly bumped the corner of the sofa.

A vein pulsed at Gu Zhao's temple. 'Be careful,' he said.

'Oh...' Ji Su didn't dare look back. He fled to the bedroom without turning around.

He shut the bedroom door and leaned back against it, his heart pounding like war drums, the vibration numbing his fingertips.

After a long silence, the call ended on its own — then buzzed again a few seconds later.

Ji Su came back to himself, lifted the phone, and answered: 'Hey, Xiao Qiao.'

'Susu, baby!' Qiao Jin's voice came through. 'What took you so long? I didn't interrupt anything, did I?'

Ji Su exhaled: 'No...'

'That's odd — why does your voice sound a little weak?' Qiao Jin suddenly laughed, lewdly. 'Could it be that Lawyer Gu worked you over too hard last night and you just woke up?'

Ji Su: '...'

Qiao Jin, sure he'd guessed right: 'I knew I wasn't wrong about him — Lawyer Gu is that intense!'

'No.' Ji Su raised his other hand to cover his burning cheeks. 'Nothing happened last night.'

'Huh? Nothing happened?' Qiao Jin was stunned. 'Holy shit — for real?'

'Really.' Ji Su lowered his voice. 'We just lay in the same bed and slept on our own sides.'

Even though they'd held each other in the morning, he was certain nothing had crossed the line.

'I'm just saying — you two are young and full of fire, and on your wedding night you just chatted under the covers?' Qiao Jin said, incredulous. 'Is it you with the problem, or Lawyer Gu?'

'I'm not the one with the problem.' Ji Su thought for a moment, his tone hesitant. 'Lawyer Gu should... not have a problem either, right?'

Qiao Jin was beside himself with worry: 'No, this concerns your happiness for the rest of your life — we have to get this figured out!'

Ji Su walked toward the desk: 'Maybe he just respects me.'

'Is that so?' Qiao Jin said, half-believing. 'Could Lawyer Gu really be that kind of good man who respects his partner?'

Ji Su nodded: 'Anyway, I think he's pretty good.'

If he hadn't approved of the man's character, he wouldn't have married Gu Zhao so hastily.

'Fine, then take your time building up your feelings first.' Qiao Jin spoke in the tone of someone who'd been through it all. 'Once the feelings are in place, that kind of thing will come naturally.'

Ji Su responded: 'Mm...'

'Susu, baby, don't take this lightly.' Qiao Jin said earnestly. 'A harmonious life between husbands is one of the key factors in keeping a marriage happy. If you two aren't in sync in that area, there'll be a lot of trouble down the road.'

Ji Su sat down in the chair: 'I know.'

'But with that build of Lawyer Gu's, he looks like the type who'd be good at... cooking.' Qiao Jin changed tack. 'The only thing worth worrying about is whether his size might be too—'

'Wait, stop.' The heat that had just faded from Ji Su's cheeks flared up again. 'Xiao Qiao, can we not discuss this for now?'

'Fine, fine, we won't discuss this!' Qiao Jin laughed. 'Then let's discuss — when will you tell other people about the wedding?'

Ji Su furrowed his brow slightly: 'I don't think we need to make it public yet.'

Qiao Jin pressed: 'Not even your mom?'

'She's been busy lately. We haven't video-called in a while.' Ji Su paused briefly. 'When I get the chance, I'll tell her.'

'Alright.' Qiao Jin didn't push further. 'Marriage is between the two of you anyway. Announce it whenever you're ready.'

They chatted a while longer. After hanging up, Ji Su took some clothes and went to the bathroom to shower.

When he came out after showering, he found Gu Zhao sitting on the sofa reading.

Lawyer Gu wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, his ringed fingers turning the pages — elegant, refined.

The next moment, he lifted his eyelids, and a startling predatory intensity flashed through those dark, fathomless eyes — like a wolf that had locked onto its prey.

But the look vanished in an instant, so quickly Ji Su thought it was his imagination.

'All done?' Gu Zhao set down his book.

'Mm.' Ji Su dried his wet hair with a towel. 'Are you going to shower?'

Gu Zhao stood up: 'There's a hair dryer in the bathroom. Dry your hair before sleeping.'

'Okay, I'll go blow-dry it then.' Ji Su agreed and turned back toward the bathroom.

Gu Zhao followed him in, opened the cabinet beside the vanity, and took out the hair dryer.

Ji Su reached for the dryer: 'Thanks.'

Gu Zhao plugged the dryer into the socket: 'Let me blow-dry it for you.'

Ji Su wanted to refuse, but couldn't figure out how, and for a moment said nothing.

The two of them stood before the mirror, one behind the other. Given the difference in their builds, the tall figure behind him nearly enveloped Ji Su entirely — from the mirror's reflection, he looked as though he were leaning into the other's embrace.

The hair dryer hummed to life. Gu Zhao lowered his gaze, carefully drying his hair.

Long, strong fingers wove through the dark, soft strands; the slightly rough pads of his fingertips grazed the scalp now and then, sending small jolts of current through it.

Blow-drying someone's hair was an intimate thing, and Ji Su's unease was threaded through with a faint, hidden flutter.

Gu Zhao's fingertips drifted down to the sensitive skin behind his ear, brushing that tender spot with deliberate lightness.

Ji Su's spine went numb, his legs went weak, and his body leaned back against him without his permission.

Gu Zhao freed one hand to steady him, murmuring at his ear: 'What's wrong?'

Ji Su opened his mouth to answer, then felt something pressing against his backside.

He was a normal adult male; it took him all of two seconds to figure out what it was.

His pale earlobes flushed crimson in an instant. Ji Su grabbed the vanity in a panic, half-sprawled across the marble countertop, trying to put as much distance between them as he could.

Unbeknownst to him, the pose looked more like a deliberate invitation.

Gu Zhao's Adam's apple moved. He forcibly restrained the impulse to press the man down hard against the vanity, and said hoarsely: 'Your hair's dry.'

Ji Su replied stiffly: 'Thanks...'

Gu Zhao's gaze dropped to that rounded, lifted backside, his eyes dark and unreadable: 'I'm going to shower now.'

'Huh? Oh!' Ji Su finally found his wits, stood up, and tried to leave the bathroom.

But Gu Zhao hadn't stepped aside yet, and as Ji Su retreated, he bumped back into the man's chest.

Gu Zhao's voice dropped even lower: 'Teacher Ji, want to shower together?'

'N-no need...' Ji Su refused haltingly. 'I've already showered.'

Gu Zhao closed his eyes briefly, then turned and walked toward the shower area.

Ji Su fled the bathroom at top speed and shut the door behind him.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his mind helplessly returning to the X-rated conversation he'd just had with Qiao Jin.

Lawyer Gu really did seem... big, and...

Ji Su collapsed into the soft bedding and buried himself in it.

Gu Zhao's shower took a long time; when he came out, he carried a body full of steam with him.

His gaze fell on the sleeping figure on the bed, and a surging heat began coursing through his limbs again, pooling downward. That cold shower had clearly been for nothing.

Gu Zhao took several deep breaths, then walked over soundlessly and lay down on the bed.

In the middle of the night, Ji Su woke up from the heat.

He drowsily lifted his eyelids and found that, at some point, he had rolled into Gu Zhao's arms again.

Ji Su shifted his numb legs, and his soft knee rose upward on its own.

A low grunt came from above him. Gu Zhao asked: 'Teacher Ji, what are you doing?'

Ji Su came fully awake, seized by an inexplicable sense of being caught red-handed. He squirmed in Gu Zhao's arms: 'I'm not doing anything...'

Their limbs were tangled together, and with Ji Su's restless wriggling, Gu Zhao's breathing finally came undone.

He reached out a large hand, gripped that slender waist, and held him firmly in place.

Ji Su gasped: 'Lawyer Gu...'

Gu Zhao's breathing quickened: 'Still calling me Lawyer Gu?'

'Gu... Gu Zhao...' Ji Su changed his form of address, his voice pitched slightly off-key from nerves. 'I'm not ready yet...'

'Mm.' Gu Zhao answered in a low voice, turning him over in his arms so his back faced Gu Zhao.

Ji Su had just exhaled in relief when, the next second, a large hand slipped between his pale, smooth thighs.

Gu Zhao's hand was frighteningly hot, its grip brooking no refusal.

Ji Su trembled all over: 'Gu Zhao, what are you trying to—'

'Don't be afraid.' Gu Zhao held him tight against his chest, his low, husky voice thick with seduction. 'Just use your legs.'