At Night – Their Bedroom
Dr. Shen stood in front of the small bathroom mirror, ready to start his night routine. His toothbrush in hand. Toothpaste on the brush.
Then his eyes landed on his neck. On his chest. On the marks Guo Lian had left earlier.
Small bruises. Love bites. Proof of passion.
He smiled at first. Touched one gently. Felt warm inside. Loved.
Then his mind drifted.
Flash. Darkness. Rough hands. Laughing men. The knife. The pain. Everywhere. Can't move. Can't fight. Can't—
Dr. Shen froze. His hand stopped on his neck. His face went pale. His breathing stopped.
He was back there. In that dirty room. Chained. Hurt. Broken.
The marks. Their marks. Not Guo Lian's. Theirs. All over. Everywhere.
He couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. Just stood there, staring at nothing, seeing everything.
The bathroom door opened.
Guo Lian walked in, looking for something. He saw Dr. Shen standing frozen, pale as a ghost.
Concern flooded his face. He stepped closer. Touched his arm gently.
"Hey. You okay?"
Dr. Shen flinched hard. Jumped back like he'd been burned. His eyes wide, scared.
Then he saw it was Guo Lian. Just Guo Lian. Not them. Never them.
"You... you scared me." His voice was shaky. Forced smile. "I didn't hear you come in."
Guo Lian frowned. Deeply worried now. "Are you okay? You look... you look like you saw a ghost."
Dr. Shen waved a hand. Turned to the sink. Started washing his hands like nothing happened.
"I'm perfectly fine. Just tired. Long day at the clinic." He kept his back turned. Kept his voice light. "Did you need something?"
Guo Lian stared at him. He knew something was wrong. Knew Dr. Shen was hiding.
But he also knew pushing wouldn't help.
He grabbed whatever he came for and walked to the door. Paused.
"If you need to talk... I'm here. Always."
Dr. Shen didn't turn. "I know. Goodnight, Guo."
Guo Lian left quietly, closing the door behind him.
Dr. Shen stood there, hands under the running water, staring at nothing.
The water was cold. He didn't feel it.
He just stood there, alone with the memories, trying to wash away things that would never wash away.
In Zhiyuan and Yichen's Bedroom – Night
Yichen sat on the edge of the new king size bed, bouncing slightly. Nervous. Excited. Impatient.
The bathroom door was closed. Zhiyuan had been in there for almost an hour. What was he doing?
Yichen checked his phone. Checked again. Laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"What is taking so long?" he muttered.
He closed his eyes, trying to be patient. Trying not to imagine all the possibilities.
Minutes passed.
Then—the bathroom door opened.
Yichen's eyes fluttered open slowly.
And his heart stopped.
Zhiyuan stood in the doorway, nervous as anything. His cheeks were bright pink. His hands fidgeted with the hem of a loose shirt.
Below the shirt, a short skirt. Soft fabric. Swishing gently around pale, slender thighs.
Yichen's breath caught. His eyes went wide. He sat up slowly, then stood. His legs felt like jelly.
"You..." His voice came out strange. "You..."
Zhiyuan's blush deepened. "You said you wanted a reward..."
Yichen tried to step forward. His legs gave out. He dropped to his knees right in front of Zhiyuan.
Zhiyuan's eyes widened. "Yichen? Are you okay?"
Yichen didn't answer. He just stared. At the skirt. At the legs. At the shy, beautiful man wearing it just for him.
"You're..." Yichen's mouth opened and closed. "So... and the... and you... for me..."
Zhiyuan blinked. "What?"
"You're beautiful." The words tumbled out. "So beautiful. Like a dream. Like a painting. Like an angel. Like—"
"Yichen, you're not making sense."
"I can't make sense! Look at you!" Yichen reached out, hands shaking, touching Zhiyuan's knee like it was made of glass. "You wore this. For me. Because I asked."
Zhiyuan's heart melted. He reached down and touched Yichen's face gently.
"I love you," he whispered. "So I wanted to give you something special."
Yichen looked up at him, eyes wet. "You're the special one. You're everything."
He leaned forward, pressing his face against Zhiyuan's thigh, hugging his legs.
Zhiyuan laughed softly, running fingers through Yichen's hair.
"Are you going to stay down there all night?"
Yichen looked up, still holding him. "Maybe. It's nice here."
"Get up, idiot."
"No." Yichen hugged tighter. "Five more minutes. Let me worship you."
Zhiyuan's face burned, but he was smiling. "You're so dramatic."
"You love it."
"...Yeah. I do."
They stayed like that for a while. Yichen on his knees, holding Zhiyuan. Zhiyuan standing, holding Yichen's head. The skirt soft between them.
Finally, Yichen stood. He looked at Zhiyuan with so much love it hurt.
"Thank you," he whispered. "For trusting me. For wearing this. For being mine."
Zhiyuan kissed him softly. "I'm Always yours."
Yichen picked him up easily, carrying him to the new bed.
"Best reward ever" Yichen murmured against his lips.
"Yeah yeah your reward," Zhiyuan chuckled, wrapping arms around his neck.
The night was young. The bed was soft. And love was finally, beautifully, theirs.
Yichen laid Zhiyuan down on the soft bed, the sheets cool against their skin. He hovered over him, eyes tracing every inch of Zhiyuan's body. The skirt rode up a little, showing more of those pale thighs. Yichen's hands trembled as he touched the fabric, then slid it higher, exposing Zhiyuan's cock, already half-hard from the attention.
"You're perfect," Yichen whispered, leaning down to kiss Zhiyuan's neck. His lips were gentle, sucking lightly on the skin, making Zhiyuan shiver.
Zhiyuan arched his back, fingers digging into Yichen's shoulders. "Yichen... touch me more."
Yichen smiled against his skin, moving lower. He kissed Zhiyuan's chest, licking over one nipple, then the other. Zhiyuan gasped, his cock twitching. Yichen's hand wrapped around it, stroking slowly, feeling it harden fully in his grip.
"I love how you feel," Yichen said, his voice rough. "So warm. So mine."
He kept stroking, thumb rubbing the tip where pre-cum leaked out. Zhiyuan moaned, hips bucking up. "Faster... please."
But Yichen shook his head. "No rushing. I want to worship you all night." He kissed down Zhiyuan's stomach, pushing the skirt up completely. His mouth found Zhiyuan's inner thigh, biting softly, then licking the spot. Zhiyuan's legs spread wider, inviting him.
Yichen looked up, eyes dark with want. "Can I taste you?"
Zhiyuan nodded, blushing. "Yes... do it."
Yichen's tongue flicked out, licking along Zhiyuan's cock from base to tip. Then he took it into his mouth, sucking gently. Zhiyuan cried out, hands fisting the sheets. Yichen bobbed his head, taking more, his own cock hard and aching in his pants. But this was for Zhiyuan. He hummed around the length, feeling Zhiyuan throb.
"Yichen... oh god, that's good," Zhiyuan panted. "Don't stop."
Yichen didn't. He sucked harder, hand cupping Zhiyuan's balls, rolling them softly. Zhiyuan's body tensed, close to the edge. But Yichen pulled back, not letting him cum yet. He kissed the tip. "Not yet. Let me be inside you. Make you feel full."
Zhiyuan's eyes softened. "Okay. But... Yichen....."
Yichen paused, sitting up to strip off his shirt and pants. His cock sprang free, thick and ready. "What?"
Zhiyuan reached for him, pulling him close. Their cocks rubbed together as they kissed, deep and hungry. "No condom tonight. Just us. Skin to skin."
Yichen froze. His heart pounded. He pulled back, searching Zhiyuan's face. "Zhiyuan... you know why I can't. After last time... the miscarriage. I can't risk hurting you again. I can't see you in pain"
Zhiyuan He sat up, the skirt bunching around his waist. "But I want it. I want to try again. To have your baby. We can be careful. Please, Yichen. I want to carry our child."
Yichen's chest hurt. He cupped Zhiyuan's face, thumb wiping a tear. "I know. God, I know you do. But I'm scared. What if it happens again? What if I lose you? I can't... I just can't."
"You won't lose me," Zhiyuan said, voice breaking. "I'm stronger now. Dr shen said it's possible. Safe. And I need this. For us."
Yichen shook his head, grabbing the nightstand drawer. He pulled out a condom, tearing the packet with his teeth. "No. We use this. Every time. Until I'm sure. I love you too much to risk it."
Zhiyuan's lip trembled, but he nodded, lying back. "Fine. But one day... you'll see."
Yichen rolled the condom on, slicking himself with lube from the drawer. He positioned himself between Zhiyuan's legs, lifting them over his shoulders. The skirt was still on, adding to the thrill. "I'll make you feel so good anyway. Promise."
He pressed the tip against Zhiyuan's hole, pushing in slowly. Zhiyuan gasped, relaxing to take him. Inch by inch, Yichen filled him, groaning at the tight heat.
"So tight," Yichen murmured. "You feel amazing. Like Always."
Once fully inside, he paused, letting Zhiyuan adjust. Then he started thrusting, gentle at first, rolling his hips. Zhiyuan moaned, cock leaking onto his stomach.
"Harder," Zhiyuan begged. "Fuck me deeper."
Yichen obeyed, picking up speed. His hands gripped Zhiyuan's hips, pulling him onto each thrust. The bed creaked softly. Skin slapped against skin. Yichen leaned down, capturing Zhiyuan's mouth in a kiss, tongues tangling.
"I love you," Yichen said between thrusts. "So much. You're everything to me."
Zhiyuan wrapped his legs tighter, meeting every move. "Love you too. Don't stop... make me cum."
Yichen reached down, stroking Zhiyuan's cock in time with his thrusts. Fast, firm. Zhiyuan's breaths came in short gasps, body shaking.
"Yichen... I'm close."
"Cum for me," Yichen urged, pounding harder. "Let go."
Zhiyuan arched, crying out as he came, ropes of cum spilling over Yichen's hand and his own chest. The sight pushed Yichen over, his own release hitting hard inside the condom.
They collapsed together, panting. Yichen pulled out carefully, tying off the condom and tossing it aside. He gathered Zhiyuan close, kissing his forehead.
"That was... wow," Zhiyuan whispered, nuzzling into his neck.
"Yeah" Yichen agreed. "You did so well"
Zhiyuan smiled faintly. "hold me. Tight"
Yichen did, the night wrapping around them like a blanket. Love, fear, and hope all tangled together.
Next Morning
Zhiyuan woke up slowly, his body feeling tender and satisfied. He smiled, turning his head to look at Yichen beside him.
Yichen was sleeping peacefully. Face soft. Breathing steady. Beautiful.
Zhiyuan leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.
Then he froze.
Hot. Too hot.
He pulled back quickly and touched Yichen's forehead with his hand. Burning.
"Oh no." Zhiyuan jumped out of bed, grabbing the thermometer from the drawer. He carefully placed it against Yichen's forehead.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
39.5°C.
Yichen groaned, eyes fluttering open. His whole body ached. His head pounded. He saw Zhiyuan's worried face and tried to smile.
"Mm... morning, bao bei..."
"You have a fever. High fever."
Yichen blinked slowly. Then smiled weakly. "Oh. It'll go away. Just kiss me more"
Zhiyuan wanted to laugh, but he was too worried. He leaned down and kissed Yichen's forehead again. Still burning.
"Stay here," he said firmly. "I'll be right back."
He stood up to leave.
Yichen's hand shot out weakly, grabbing his wrist. "Don't go..."
"I'll be right back."
Yichen pouted, but his grip was too weak to hold. His hand fell back on the bed.
Zhiyuan ran downstairs.
Downstairs – Kitchen
Guo Lian was at the stove, stirring porridge. He looked up as Zhiyuan rushed in.
"Where's Dr. Shen?" Zhiyuan asked, breathless.
"Coming down now." Guo Lian pointed.
Dr. Shen appeared at the bottom of the stairs, still in his sleep clothes. He saw Zhiyuan's panicked face.
"What's wrong?"
"Yichen Have High fever. 39.5."
Dr. Shen's face turned serious. He walked quickly to the medical cabinet and grabbed some supplies. Fever strips. Medicine. A cold pack.
"Go. Put these cold strips on his forehead and neck. I'll prepare medicine. Keep him hydrated."
Zhiyuan grabbed the strips. "Okay. Thank you."
He ran back upstairs
Back in the Bedroom
Yichen was still in bed, eyes half closed. He looked smaller somehow. Weaker.
Zhiyuan climbed onto the bed and gently placed the cold strips on his forehead and neck.
Yichen shivered. "It's Cold..."
"I know. It'll help." Zhiyuan kissed his cheek. "You'll be okay."
Yichen smiled weakly. "Told you... just needed a kiss..."
Zhiyuan laughed soft
Zhiyuan held his hand, waiting for the fever to break, heart full of love and worry.
A few minutes later, Dr. Shen came up with medicine and a glass of water. He checked Yichen's temperature again.
"It's high, but not dangerous. Take Rest and. Fluids and medicine after breakfast" He looked at Zhiyuan. "You need to eat too. Can't take care of him if you're weak."
Zhiyuan nodded. "I'll eat. Later."
"Now." Dr. Shen's voice was firm. "Guo Lian made breakfast. Go eat. I'll stay with him."
Zhiyuan hesitated, looking at Yichen.
Yichen squeezed his hand weakly. "Go... eat... then come back..."
"Okay." Zhiyuan kissed his forehead again. "I'll be right back."
He went downstairs, grabbed a bowl of porridge, and ate quickly. Then he grabbed another bowl for Yichen.
When he returned, Dr. Shen was adjusting the cold strips.
"Good. Feed him if he can eat. Make sure he drink lots of water." Dr. Shen patted his shoulder. "Call me if it gets worse."
Zhiyuan nodded and sat beside Yichen.
"Can you eat a little?"
Yichen nodded weakly. Zhiyuan fed him slowly. Small bites. Sips of water.
After a few bites, Yichen shook his head. "I feel so tired..."
"Sleep then. I'll be here."
Yichen's eyes closed. His hand found Zhiyuan's and held tight.
Zhiyuan sat there, watching him sleep, praying the fever would break soon.
Outside, the ocean continued its song. Inside, love sat vigil, waiting for the one it loved to heal.
Zhiyuan sat beside the bed, dipping a small towel in a bowl of cool water. He wrung it out gently and began wiping Yichen's face. His forehead. His neck. His arms.
Yichen's eyes fluttered open. He looked at Zhiyuan with hazy, feverish eyes.
"You're still here," Yichen mumbled.
"I never left." Zhiyuan continued wiping, soft and careful. "How do you feel?"
"Hot." Yichen grabbed his wrist weakly. "Cold towel feels good."
Zhiyuan smiled gently. "Good. That's the point."
He dipped the towel again and placed it on Yichen's forehead. Yichen sighed contentedly.
Then he pulled Zhiyuan's hand to his chest. Held it there.
"Don't move," Yichen whispered. "Stay still."
"Yichen, I need to keep wiping you."
"Wipe later."
Zhiyuan laughed softly. "You're so clingy when you're sick."
Yichen nodded without shame. "Always clingy. Sick or not. Just have more excuse now."
Zhiyuan shook his head but didn't pull away. He used his other hand to keep wiping.
Yichen watched him with half-closed eyes.
"You're pretty," Yichen said suddenly.
Zhiyuan blinked. "What?"
"Pretty. Even when worried. Even when tired." Yichen squeezed his hand. "My pretty boyfriend."
Zhiyuan's cheeks warmed. "You're delirious."
"Not delirious. Just honest." Yichen tugged his hand. "Come closer."
Zhiyuan leaned down. Yichen reached up and touched his face gently.
"Love you," Yichen whispered. "So much."
Zhiyuan's eyes softened. He kissed Yichen's palm.
"Love you too. Now let me take care of you."
"Okay." Yichen let his hand drop but immediately grabbed Zhiyuan's sleeve when he tried to move away. "But stay close."
"I'm not going anywhere."
Zhiyuan continued wiping. Yichen's eyes followed every movement. When Zhiyuan reached for the towel again, Yichen whined.
"Come back."
"I'm right here."
"Closer."
Zhiyuan sighed lovingly and moved closer. Yichen immediately curled into him, face pressed against his thigh.
"Better," Yichen mumbled.
"You're impossible."
Zhiyuan ran his fingers through Yichen's damp hair. Yichen made a small, happy sound.
"Don't stop," Yichen murmured.
"Bossy even when sick."
"Mm."
Zhiyuan kept stroking his hair. Yichen's breathing evened out, but he wasn't asleep. Just content.
After a while, Yichen spoke again.
"Zhiyuan?"
"Hm?"
"When I'm better... can you wear that again? ...the skirt?"
Zhiyuan's face turned bright red. "You're sick! And that's what you're thinking about?"
Yichen smiled innocently. "Fever makes me honest."
"Fever makes you shameless."
"Same thing."
Zhiyuan laughed despite himself. "Get better first. Then we'll see."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Yichen smiled, satisfied, and closed his eyes again.
Zhiyuan watched him, heart full. Even sick, even weak, this man made him laugh. Made him feel loved.
He continued stroking Yichen's hair, wiping his skin, taking care of the man who always took care of him.
Outside, the sun climbed higher. Inside, love did its quiet work.
The room was quiet. Soft afternoon light filtered through the curtains. Yichen's fever had gone down a little. He was more awake now, still weak but alert.
Zhiyuan sat beside him, holding his hand. Both were quiet for a while, just existing together.
Then Yichen spoke, voice soft. "Zhiyuan?"
"Hm?"
"Are you happy? Here? In this small village?"
Zhiyuan looked at him. "Why do you ask that?"
Yichen stared at the ceiling. "You gave up so much. Your company. Your mansion. Your old life." He turned to look at him. "Sometimes I wonder if you miss it."
Zhiyuan was quiet for a moment. Thinking.
"Sometimes," he admitted. "Not the stress. Not the danger. But sometimes I miss the... the purpose. The feeling of building something."
Yichen's face fell slightly. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For not giving you that. For making you live in this small house, in this small village, with nothing to do but clean and help at the clinic."
Zhiyuan squeezed his hand. "Yichen, look at me."
Yichen looked.
"I'm happier here than I ever was in that mansion." Zhiyuan's voice was firm. "In that life, I had everything but nothing. Here, I have nothing but everything."
Yichen's eyes glistened.
"I have you. I have Dr. Shen and Guo Lian. I have peace. I have mornings waking up next to you." Zhiyuan smiled. "That's more than any company ever gave me."
"But you had purpose there. Here you just—"
"I have purpose here too." Zhiyuan interrupted gently. "Taking care of you. Helping at the clinic. Being with the people I love. That's purpose, Yichen. The best kind."
Yichen stared at him. A tear slipped down his cheek.
Zhiyuan wiped it away with his thumb. "Why are you crying?"
"Because I love you," Yichen whispered. "Because you're too good for me. Because you chose me."
"Hey." Zhiyuan leaned closer. "I chose you because you're good. The best person I know."
"I've done terrible things."
"We all have pasts. What matters is who you are now." Zhiyuan kissed his forehead. "And who you are now is the man who works himself sick to buy me a better bed. The man who holds me when I cry. The man who loves me completely."
Yichen pulled him into a hug, weak but desperate.
"I don't deserve you," he mumbled into Zhiyuan's shoulder.
"That's not for you to decide." Zhiyuan held him tight. "I decide who deserves me. And I say you do."
They held each other for a long time.
When they finally pulled apart, Yichen's eyes were red but peaceful.
"What about you?" Yichen asked quietly. "Are you scared? Of the future? Of us?"
Zhiyuan thought. "Sometimes. I'm scared of losing you. Of something happening. Of the past coming back."
"Me too."
"But then I remember we survived everything. Louis. Ruifen. All of it." Zhiyuan smiled. "If we survived that, we can survive anything."
Yichen nodded slowly. "Together?"
"Together."
Yichen squeezed his hand. "I want to marry you someday."
Zhiyuan's breath caught. His eyes widened.
Yichen continued, voice soft but sure. "Not now. When we're more settled. When I can give you a real wedding. But someday. I want you to be my husband."
Zhiyuan's eyes filled with tears. "Yichen..."
"I know it's soon. I know we've been through so much. But I've known since that night I saved you. Since you wore that skirt for me. Since you chose me over everything." Yichen looked at him with so much love it hurt. "You're it for me, Zhiyuan. You're my person."
Zhiyuan leaned down and kissed him. Deep. Long. Full of promise.
When they pulled apart, he was crying too.
"Yes," he whispered.
Yichen blinked. "Yes?"
"Yes, I'll marry you. Someday. When we're ready. But yes."
Yichen's face broke into the biggest smile Zhiyuan had ever seen. He pulled him into another hug, laughing weakly.
"I'm going to marry you," Yichen whispered. "Liang Zhiyuan. My bao bei. My everything."
Zhiyuan laughed through tears. "You still have to actually propose properly. With a ring. On one knee."
Yichen pulled back, grinning. "Oh, I will. When I'm better. When I can kneel without falling over."
Zhiyuan laughed. "Deal."
They held each other, talking about the future. About a small wedding on the beach. About maybe adopting a child someday. About growing old together in their small house by the sea.
Outside, the sun began to set, painting the sky in gold and pink.
Inside, two people who had been through hell finally allowed themselves to dream of heaven.
Zhiyuan watched Yichen for a moment, a small smile on his face. Then his expression turned more serious.
"Yichen?"
"Mm?" Yichen's voice was muffled against the pillow.
"Can I ask you something?"
Yichen turned his head slightly. "Anything."
Zhiyuan hesitated. Then spoke.
"The videos. The ones Louis man gave me. Of you standing above women and kids. The drugs. All of it."
Yichen's body tensed. He sat up slowly, facing Zhiyuan directly. His eyes were wide, serious.
"I swear to god, Zhiyuan. I swear on my life." His voice was urgent. "I have never done human trafficking. Never. I don't know where those pictures came from. I don't know how Louis got them."
Zhiyuan listened quietly.
"I never did that," Yichen continued, grabbing his hands. "I've done bad things. Many bad things. But I never harmed women. Never harmed children. Never sold people. I swear. I would never. EVER."
Zhiyuan looked into his eyes. Saw the truth there. The desperation.
He reached up and cupped Yichen's cheek gently.
"I believe you," he said softly.
Yichen's eyes glistened with relief. "You do?"
"I do. I was just wondering why you were in those pictures." Zhiyuan's thumb stroked his cheek. "But I believe you."
Yichen leaned into his touch, eyes closing for a moment.
Then Zhiyuan spoke again. "But what about the drugs?"
Yichen froze.
His eyes snapped open. He stared at Zhiyuan for one second. Two.
Then he flopped back down on the bed and pulled the blanket over his head.
"Oh no," his muffled voice came from under the blanket. "I feel so tired. So weak. Fever coming back. Can't talk anymore. Sorry."
Zhiyuan blinked. "Yichen."
No response.
"Yichen, you literally just sat up and talked for five minutes."
"I'm dying," came the muffled reply. "Very sick. Need sleep. No questions."
Zhiyuan tried not to laugh. "You're hiding from me."
"I'm resting."
"Under the blanket. While I'm asking about drugs."
The blanket pulled tighter. "This blanket is very comfortable. I think I'll stay here forever. Goodnight, bao bei."
"Yichen."
"who? Never heard of him."
Zhiyuan finally laughed, pulling at the blanket. Yichen held on tight.
"Let go!" Zhiyuan laughed. "You can't just hide!"
"I can and I will!"
They wrestled with the blanket for a moment. Finally, Zhiyuan pulled it down enough to see Yichen's face, squeezed tight like a child hiding.
"You're ridiculous," Zhiyuan said, still laughing.
Yichen peeked one eye open. "You still love me?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Then drop the drug question."
Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow. "So you did sell drugs?"
Yichen's eye widened. He grabbed the blanket again. "Nope! No more questions! Sleeping now! Very asleep!"
He closed his eyes and fake-snored loudly.
Zhiyuan watched him, shaking his head, still smiling. He leaned down and kissed Yichen's forehead.
"We'll talk later," he whispered.
Yichen's fake snore hitched. Then continued.
Zhiyuan lay down beside him, pulling the blanket over both of them. Yichen immediately curled into him, face hidden in his chest.
"I love you," Yichen mumbled against him. "Even if you ask hard questions."
"I love you too. Even if you're a terrible liar."
Yichen pinched his side gently. Zhiyuan yelped.
"No pinching the interrogator," Zhiyuan laughed.
"Then stop interrogating."
They lay there, tangled together, laughing softly.
Outside, the night was peaceful. Inside, two people who had survived everything held each other close, questions and all.