It was late at night. The house was dark and quiet. Zhiyuan lay in bed, not really sleeping. Just waiting.
Then he heard it. The door opening. Soft footsteps.
He sat up quickly and saw Yichen stumbling in, looking exhausted. His clothes were dirty. His hair was messy. And his hands his hands were covered in fresh bandages.
Zhiyuan rushed to him, heart pounding. "What were you doing? Why are you this late? Why are your hands like that?"
Yichen smiled tiredly. "You know, at night it's quiet. Easier to catch fish. More fish means more money."
Zhiyuan's face twisted with worry and anger. "More fish? More money? Look at your hands! Look at you! You're exhausted! You didn't even come for dinner!"
Yichen pouted, trying to look cute. "Bao bei, I'm fine. Don't worry—"
"Don't 'bao bei' me!" Zhiyuan's voice rose. "You can't keep doing this! Working all day and all night! You'll get sick! You'll hurt yourself worse!"
Yichen reached out to hug him, but Zhiyuan stepped back.
"No. You're dirty. Go take a shower. Now."
Yichen looked at his dirty clothes and sighed. "Yes, your highness."
He bowed dramatically and shuffled toward the bathroom.
Zhiyuan watched him go, heart aching with love and frustration. Then he turned and walked to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Zhiyuan heated up the dinner that had been saved. Rice. Fish. Vegetables. Good food.
A few minutes later, Yichen came down, fresh and clean. His hair was still damp. He looked younger like this. Softer.
He sat at the table and saw the food. His face lit up.
"Wow! Guo Lian is getting so good at cooking!" He picked up his chopsticks.
Zhiyuan sat across from him, smiling softly now. He watched as Yichen lifted the food to his mouth.
Then he saw the cuts. The bandages. The way Yichen's fingers trembled slightly from exhaustion.
His smile faded.
Slowly, Zhiyuan reached across the table and gently took the chopsticks from Yichen's hand.
Yichen blinked. "What—"
"Let me," Zhiyuan said quietly.
He picked up some rice and brought it to Yichen's lips.
Yichen stared at him, surprised. Then a soft smile spread across his tired face. He opened his mouth and ate.
Zhiyuan fed him bite by bite. Rice. Fish. Vegetables. Each one carefully.
"Did you eat dinner?" Yichen asked between bites.
Zhiyuan didn't hesitate. "Yes. I already ate."
A small lie. An easy lie.
Yichen smiled happily, trusting him completely. "Good. I don't like when you skip meals."
Zhiyuan just nodded, feeding him another bite.
They sat there in the quiet kitchen, late at night. The lamp above the table cast warm light on them. Yichen ate, tired but content. Zhiyuan fed him, heart full but worried.
When the plate was almost empty, Yichen's eyes started to close.
"Tired?" Zhiyuan asked softly.
"Mm." Yichen nodded, barely awake.
Zhiyuan set the chopsticks down. "Come on. Let's go to bed."
He helped Yichen stand and led him upstairs. Yichen leaned on him heavily, almost asleep on his feet.
They reached the bedroom. Yichen fell onto the bed, immediately curling up. Zhiyuan pulled the blanket over him.
Yichen's hand reached out, grabbing Zhiyuan's wrist. "Let's cuddle"
Zhiyuan smiled softly. "I'm right here."
He lay down beside him. Yichen immediately curled into him, face buried in his chest.
"You're warm," Yichen mumbled, already half asleep.
Zhiyuan kissed his forehead.
"Love you."
Zhiyuan held him close, listening to his breathing even out. The worry was still there, deep in his chest. But right now, in this moment, Yichen was home. Yichen was safe.
That was enough.
Next Morning
Zhiyuan woke up slowly, reaching for Yichen beside him. His hand touched empty sheets.
He sat up quickly. The bed was cold. Yichen was gone.
He hurried downstairs, heart already racing. Dr. Shen and Guo Lian were in the kitchen, setting the table for breakfast.
"Where's Yichen?" Zhiyuan asked, trying to keep his voice calm.
Guo Lian looked up. "He left early. Said he had something to do."
Zhiyuan closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. A deep breath.
"Once he's back," he said slowly, "I'm going to hit him. So hard."
Dr. Shen chuckled. "Okay, okay. Don't be mad. Come have breakfast. He'll be back soon."
Zhiyuan sighed. "Fine. I'll freshen up first."
After breakfast, Zhiyuan walked to the clinic with Dr. Shen. He had promised to help, and he wanted to keep his word.
The clinic was busy that morning. Patients came and went. Dr. Shen examined them while Guo Lian prepared medicines. Zhiyuan sat at a small desk in the corner, handling papers. Accounting documents. Patient records. Writing work.
To his surprise, he was actually enjoying it. It was simple. Peaceful. Nothing like the stress of running a huge company.
Sometimes, when parents were talking to Dr. Shen, Zhiyuan would hold their babies. Play with them. Make them laugh.
Right now, a young woman sat in the waiting area, very pregnant. Her toddler sat on Zhiyuan's lap, playing with his fingers and making cute sounds.
Zhiyuan smiled at the woman. "Looks like you love babies. Look at you, another one on the way."
The woman laughed. "Yeah, I love babies. But you could say it's my way to keep my husband close to me."
Zhiyuan tilted his head, curious. "What do you mean?"
The woman sighed, but she was smiling. "Whenever I'm pregnant, my husband stays with me. Takes care of me. Otherwise, he's out all day. Half the time working, half the time drinking with his stupid friends."
Zhiyuan nodded, understanding. "So babies keep him home."
"Exactly." The woman chuckled. "Works every time."
"Mrs. Chen?" Guo lian called from the door. "Your turn."
The woman stood and walked toward the examination room. She looked back at Zhiyuan with a smile.
"Take care of my little one?"
Zhiyuan nodded, looking down at the baby in his lap. The child looked up at him with big, curious eyes. Then giggled.
Zhiyuan's heart melted completely.
He smiled, gently bouncing the baby. "You're cute. Yes, you are."
The baby grabbed his finger and held tight. Made more cute sounds.
Zhiyuan stared at the tiny hand wrapped around his finger. So small. So fragile. So perfect.
A thought crept into his mind, soft and warm.
What would it be like?
He blinked. Looked at the baby again.
If I got pregnant. With Yichen's child.
His cheeks turned pink. He looked around quickly, but no one was watching.
He looked back at the baby. Imagined a tiny face with Yichen's eye. His own smile. A mix of both of them.
The baby giggled again, and Zhiyuan couldn't help but smile too.
Maybe someday, he thought. When things are more settled. When Yichen isn't working himself to death. Maybe someday.
The baby's mother came out, taking her child back with thanks. Zhiyuan watched them leave, a soft, dreamy look on his face.
"What are you smiling about?" Dr. Shen asked, walking over.
Zhiyuan blinked, face heating. "Nothing. Just... the baby was cute."
Dr. Shen studied him for a moment, a knowing smile on his lips. "Mmhmm. Sure."
Zhiyuan looked away, pretending to be very interested in some papers.
But in his heart, the thought remained. Warm. Hopeful.
Maybe soon....
Later – Back Home
Zhiyuan walked toward the house, hoping to see Yichen. Just a quick break. A few minutes with him. That's all he wanted.
He opened the front door. Quiet. Maybe Yichen wasn't back yet.
He walked upstairs toward the bedroom. Then he heard it. Strange noises. Grunting. Something heavy being moved.
He pushed the bedroom door open.
And froze.
The room was chaos. Their small bed was pushed against the wall. In the middle of the floor, a huge box lay open. And in the corner, Yichen was struggling to put together a massive new bed frame.
A king sized bed. With a thick, expensive mattress still wrapped in plastic on the floor.
Zhiyuan's mouth fell open.
"What... what is the meaning of this?"
Yichen looked up, surprised. "Oh! Why are you back so early? I wasn't done yet!"
Zhiyuan's shock turned to anger. "What is THIS, Yichen?"
"It's a bed." Yichen said it like it was obvious. "A better one. King size. Good mattress. Very comfortable."
"I can SEE that! Why did you buy this?!"
Yichen stood up, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Because our bed is too small. You always push me to the edge. And the mattress is old. Your back hurts in the morning. I hear you complaining."
Zhiyuan's face was red. "You... you bought a KING SIZE BED? With YOUR money? The money you've been killing yourself for?"
Yichen shrugged. "I wanted you to be comfortable."
"COMFORTABLE MY ASS" Zhiyuan's voice rose. "Yichen, do you know how much this costs? Weeks of work! Months maybe! And you just... you just spent it on a BED?"
"A nice bed," Yichen corrected.
Zhiyuan walked closer, waving his hands. "We were FINE with the old bed! It was fine! It worked! We didn't need this!"
"You deserve this." Yichen's voice was quiet but firm.
"I don't WANT this! I want YOU! I want you home early! I want you to stop hurting yourself!" Zhiyuan's eyes were wet now. "Do you know how scared I was last night? Seeing your hands all cut up? Do you know how worried I am every single day?"
Yichen's face softened. "Bao bei—"
"Don't 'bao bei' me!" Zhiyuan pushed his chest. Not hard. Just... desperate. "I don't need fancy things! I need YOU! I need you healthy! I need you SAFE!"
Yichen caught his hands gently. Held them. "I'm safe. I'm healthy."
"You're not! You're exhausted! Your hands are destroyed! And now you spent all that money on a stupid bed!"
"It's not stupid."
"It IS stupid!" Zhiyuan was crying now. "I don't care about the bed! I care about YOU! Why can't you understand that?"
Yichen pulled him close, ignoring his struggles. Held him tight.
"I understand," Yichen whispered. "I understand, bao bei. But this is how I show love. By taking care of you. By giving you things. I can't sit home and do nothing while I need to provide."
Zhiyuan cried into his chest. "You already provide. You provide love. Safety. Home. That's enough."
Yichen kissed his hair. "Let me do this. Please. One nice thing. For us."
Zhiyuan pulled back, face wet, eyes red. He looked at the half-built bed. The expensive mattress. The love and sacrifice behind it.
"You're impossible," he whispered.
Yichen smiled softly. "I know."
"I still want to hit you."
"Later. Help me finish setting it up first."
Zhiyuan laughed weakly, wiping his face. "Fine. But we're talking about this. About you working too hard."
"Okay." Yichen kissed his forehead. "We'll talk. After the bed."
They stood there, in the messy room, surrounded by packaging and love and sacrifice.
Zhiyuan looked at the bed again. Imagined them sleeping on it together. Spacious. Comfortable.
"Thank you," he whispered. "It's... it's really nice."
Yichen's smile widened. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." Zhiyuan leaned up and kissed him softly. "But no more big surprises. Okay? We decide together."
"Deal."
They hugged again, holding each other in the middle of the chaos.
Outside, the ocean waves continued their endless song. Inside, two people who loved too much held on tight, learning slowly how to build a life together.
Once the bed was finally set up, they both stood back to admire it. The new king size bed filled the small room perfectly. Soft sheets. Fluffy pillows. The mattress looked so comfortable.
Yichen grinned. "Ready to test it?"
Zhiyuan rolled his eyes but climbed onto the bed. He lay down carefully, then let out a soft, satisfied groan.
"Ohhh... this is so good."
Yichen lay beside him, propping himself up on one elbow. He smiled, watching Zhiyuan's relaxed face.
"See? I told you. I knew you were tired of the old bed."
Zhiyuan turned his head, meeting his eyes. A real, warm smile spread across his face.
"Thank you, Yichen. Really. This is... this is perfect."
Yichen's heart melted. He leaned closer, hovering over Zhiyuan.
"So... don't you think I deserve a reward?"
Zhiyuan's cheeks turned pink. He looked away, trying to hide his smile.
"What reward? I never asked for this bed. You bought it yourself."
Yichen pouted. The most dramatic, exaggerated pout. His lower lip stuck out. His eye looked sad.
Zhiyuan looked back and burst out laughing.
"Okay, okay! Fine! I'll give you a reward."
Yichen's face lit up. He leaned down, one hand already sliding under Zhiyuan's shirt, fingers tracing warm skin.
"So... what reward?" he whispered.
Zhiyuan's breath caught for a second. Then he smirked, pushed Yichen's chest hard, and rolled off the bed in one quick move.
"You'll have to wait for it!"
He ran to the door, laughing.
Yichen fell back on the bed, stunned for a second. Then he grabbed a pillow and hugged it, grinning like a fool.
"ZHIYUAN! That's not fair!"
Zhiyuan's laugh echoed from the hallway. "Life isn't fair!"
Yichen lay there, holding the pillow, still grinning. He looked at the ceiling, heart full.
Tonight. He would get his reward tonight.
He hugged the pillow tighter, excited like a kid before Christmas.
"I love you bao Bei" he whispered to himself.
At the Clinic – Storage Room – Closing Time
The clinic was quiet. Last patient had left. Guo Lian locked the front door while Dr. Shen went to the storage room to check supplies.
Dr. Shen stood on his toes, reaching for a box on the top shelf. His fingers just barely touched it.
"Need help?"
He jumped. Guo Lian was right behind him, so close.
"I... yes. Can you get that box?"
Guo Lian reached up easily, grabbing the box. But instead of handing it over, he set it aside and stepped closer. Pinned Dr. Shen gently against the shelf.
"We're done for the day," Guo Lian said quietly. "I'm hungry."
Dr. Shen's face flushed. He tried to look anywhere but at Guo Lian's eyes.
"Then... then go make dinner. I'll finish up here."
Guo Lian leaned closer. His lips brushed Dr. Shen's ear.
"But I want to eat you."
Dr. Shen's breath caught. His cheeks burned.
"Guo..." His voice came out weak. "We're in the clinic. Let's... let's go home first."
Guo Lian didn't move. His hand came up, cupping Dr. Shen's face gently.
"It's been so long," he whispered. "Too long."
Dr. Shen's eyes met his. The want there. The love. The patience finally cracking.
"It's the storage room," Dr. Shen tried weakly. "There's... there's boxes everywhere."
"I don't care about boxes."
Guo Lian leaned in and kissed him.
Dr. Shen's hands came up to push him away. They landed on his chest. Pushed once. Weakly.
Then his fingers curled into Guo Lian's shirt.
He kissed back.
The kiss deepened. Guo Lian's hands found his waist. Dr. Shen's arms wrapped around his neck.
Boxes forgotten. Dinner forgotten. Everything forgotten except each other.
When they finally pulled apart, both breathing hard, Dr. Shen's face was bright red.
"We're... we're still in the storage room," he whispered.
Guo Lian smiled, that rare soft smile just for him. "I know."
"We should go home."
"We should."
Neither moved.
Guo Lian kissed him again. Slower this time. Sweeter.
Dr. Shen melted into it completely.
Guo Lian's hands slid up from Dr. Shen's waist, tracing the curve of his sides until they reached the buttons of his white coat. He undid them one by one, slow and deliberate, his lips never leaving Dr. Shen's. The older man's breath hitched with each pop of a button, his body pressing closer despite the tremor in his limbs.
"Guo... wait," Dr. Shen murmured against his mouth, but his hands clutched tighter at Guo Lian's shoulders, betraying his words.
"I can't wait anymore," Guo Lian replied, his voice low and rough. He shrugged off Dr. Shen's coat, letting it fall to the cluttered floor amid the boxes. Underneath, Dr. Shen wore a simple button-up shirt, which Guo Lian began to unfasten next, exposing the pale skin of his chest.
Dr. Shen shivered as the cool air of the storage room hit him, but Guo Lian's warmth enveloped him immediately. Guo Lian creases Dr Shen's cheek with admiration before biting down his neck making Dr shen arch his back.
"You like that," Guo Lian whispered, his thumb circling one nipple slowly, then pinching it lightly. Dr. Shen's eyes fluttered shut, a soft whimper escaping his lips.
"Yes... " Dr. Shen admitted, his voice barely above a breath. "Guo...."
Guo Lian smiled with satisfaction his mouth trailing down Dr. Shen's neck as his hands worked the shirt open fully. He sucked gently at the pulse point just below the jaw, then lower, capturing a nipple between his lips. He licked it flat and wet, then grazed it with his teeth, drawing out a deeper moan from Dr. Shen.
"Guo... ah," Dr. Shen's fingers tangled in Guo Lian's hair, holding him there. His body was alive with sensation, the pain of longing mixing with the sharp pleasure shooting through his chest.
Guo Lian lavished attention on both nipples in turn, sucking and tweaking until Dr. Shen was panting, his hips shifting restlessly against Guo Lian's thigh. The younger man pressed his leg forward, rubbing against the growing bulge in Dr. Shen's pants, eliciting a needy whine.
"You're so hard already," Guo Lian said, pulling back to look at him. His eyes darkened with desire as he palmed Dr. Shen through the fabric. ".. I want to be inside you so bad."
Dr. Shen nodded, cheeks flushed deeper. "here? It's..."
"Here," Guo Lian cut him off firmly, kissing him hard to silence any protest. His hands moved to Dr. Shen's belt, unbuckling it with practiced ease. The pants slid down, pooling at his ankles, followed by his underwear. Dr. Shen's cock sprang free, thick and leaking at the tip, but Guo Lian ignored it for now, focusing lower.
He turned Dr. Shen gently, pressing his chest against the shelf. Boxes rattled slightly, but neither cared. Guo Lian's fingers traced the cleft of Dr. Shen's ass, spreading him open. No preparation, no slick just the raw anticipation.
"Spread your legs," Guo Lian ordered softly, his breath hot on Dr. Shen's ear.
Dr. Shen complied, his heart pounding. "Be gentle... it's been a while."
"I will," Guo Lian promised, though his own arousal strained against his pants. He freed his cock, hard and throbbing, the head already slick with pre-cum. He pressed it against Dr. Shen's entrance, rubbing slowly, teasing the tight ring of muscle.
Dr. Shen tensed, his hands gripping the shelf. "Guo... it'll hurt."
"Don't worry I'll be gentle" Guo Lian murmured, one hand returning to Dr. Shen's chest, rolling a nipple between his fingers to distract him. The pinch sent sparks of pleasure down Dr. Shen's spine, making him relax just enough.
Guo Lian pushed forward, the blunt head breaching him inch by agonizing inch. Dr. Shen cried out, the burn intense without any lube, his body resisting the intrusion.
"Fuck... it's too much," Dr. Shen gasped, tears pricking his eyes. His muscles clenched involuntarily, making it harder.
"Breathe," Guo Lian soothed, stopping to let him adjust. He kissed Dr. Shen's shoulder, tweaking his nipple harder now, the pain-pleasure mix pulling a moan from the older man. "You're doing so well. Just a little more."
Dr. Shen panted, nodding. "Okay... keep going. Touch me there....yes, like that."
Emboldened, Guo Lian thrust shallowly, working deeper with each slow push. The friction was raw, the stretch burning as his cock sank in fully, bare and unprotected. Dr. Shen's whimpers turned to groans, the initial pain giving way to a deep, aching fullness.
"So tight," Guo Lian groaned, his hips flush against Dr. Shen's ass. He held still.
"Move... please," Dr. Shen begged, his voice breaking. "Rub there like that"
Guo Lian began to thrust, slow and measured, pulling out halfway before sliding back in. Each motion dragged against Dr. Shen's walls, the lack of lube making every inch feel amplified the burn lingering, but now laced with building pleasure. Dr. Shen's cock twitched untouched, pre-cum dripping onto the floor.
"You feel incredible," Guo Lian whispered, nipping at his earlobe. "Taking me like this, no barriers. Just us."
"Yes... just us," Dr. Shen echoed, pushing back to meet his thrusts. The pain ebbed into a hot throb, his body yielding as Guo Lian's pace remained unhurried, savoring every clench and slide.
Guo Lian's hand snaked around, finally wrapping around Dr. Shen's cock, stroking in time with his hips. But he focused on the nipples too, alternating pinches that made Dr. Shen shudder and cry out.
"Harder theere Guo I like it when you play with them," Dr. Shen demanded breathlessly. "Make it sting."
Guo Lian twisted them sharply, thrusting deeper in response. Dr. Shen's moans filled the small room, raw and unrestrained, as the slow rhythm built toward release.
"I'm close," Dr. Shen warned, his body trembling.
"Come for me," Guo Lian urged, his own control fraying. He pounded a little faster now, the slap of skin echoing softly, until Dr. Shen spilled over his hand with a choked sob, clenching tight around Guo Lian's cock.
The vice-like grip pulled Guo Lian over the edge. He buried himself deep, coming hard inside Dr. Shen, filling him with hot pulses. No condom to catch it just the intimate spill, warm and claiming.
They stayed locked together, breathing ragged, Guo Lian's arms wrapping around Dr. Shen's waist to hold him up.
"I love you," Guo Lian murmured, kissing his neck.
"I love you too," Dr. Shen replied, turning his head for a soft kiss, the pain forgotten in the afterglow.