ROT CH 29

Chapter 29. I’ll Treat You Well

After the intimacy, Bai Chengyu nestled softly in Han Junzhou’s embrace. Their long legs were tangled as they chatted affectionately.

“What’s this? A boat?” Bai Chengyu asked, picking up a small bamboo ornament from the bedside table with great interest. “It’s so pretty! It even has a canopy, oars, and a fish basket. Do you like this kind of thing?”

“Yes, my name has ‘zhou’ (boat) in it. Friends and relatives often gift me cute little boats when they see them, and I also collect some myself. This old bamboo boat was a gift from my nephew ^[1]when he traveled to Wula Island. I have more in my study—I’ll show them to you next time.”

“Okay,” Bai Chengyu replied cheerfully. Then he remembered something important. Han Junzhou had mentioned a gift earlier, and it popped into his mind again. “Hey, didn’t you say you prepared a gift for me? Were you lying?” he asked, feigning dissatisfaction.

Han Junzhou didn’t want to let go of him and kept holding him with one arm while stretching the other to grab his pants from the floor. After some effort, he hooked a small piece of fabric from the pants’ hem, pulled them over, and took out a small box from the pocket. Handing it to Bai Chengyu, he said, “Happy Birthday.”

Bai Chengyu’s eyes lit up with joy. “So, you really have one.”

He opened the box to find a simple yet exquisite red string bracelet, adorned with a tiny, delicately crafted silver fish.

“Red strings are believed to ward off evil and bring blessings. It’ll keep you safe and happy,” Han Junzhou explained. Bai Chengyu extended his left hand, allowing Han Junzhou to tie it for him. The tiny silver fish rested securely on his wrist. Han Junzhou lightly touched it and added, “I designed this fish myself. I had Van Cleef’s design director craft it for me based on my sketch, with green diamonds inlaid as its eyes. It’s one of a kind.”

Han Junzhou grabbed Bai Chengyu’s wrist and kissed the little silver fish. “Do you like it?”

Looking closely, Bai Chengyu saw the tiny green diamonds glinting on the fish’s eyes. “I like it a lot,” he said, his affection growing the more he looked at it.

Though Bai Chengyu typically disliked wearing accessories, the red string bracelet didn’t feel too flashy or feminine. Instead, it complemented his wheat-toned skin perfectly. He examined the little fish again, finding it adorable, but even more endearing was his silly Uncle Han, who had kissed his wrist earlier. Mimicking Han Junzhou, Bai Chengyu kissed the little fish softly.

Then, he moved to kiss Han Junzhou. Their conversation was interspersed with lingering kisses—lazy, warm, and filled with sweetness.

Freshly marked, Bai Chengyu’s body, though thoroughly exhausted, felt an unusual exhilaration. A new energy coursed through him, leaving him physically and mentally at ease. The faint sting at the back of his neck served as a reminder that his relationship with the man beside him had transformed into something profoundly different.

He’s… mine now?

Are we in a relationship?

This realization, coupled with a hint of doubt, left Bai Chengyu momentarily dazed.

“Are you okay?” Han Junzhou asked, noticing Bai Chengyu absentmindedly touching his neck. Concerned, he rose slightly to check the boy’s wound. A ring of bite marks adorned the back of Bai Chengyu’s neck, the broken skin surrounded by red and purple bruises. Han Junzhou reached out, gently brushing the area with his fingertips. The touch sent another shiver down Bai Chengyu’s spine.

Grasping Han Junzhou’s fingers, Bai Chengyu brought them to his chest, holding them tightly. “I’m fine. It’s just… it feels a little strange,” he said with a nervous chuckle. “So, um… are we…” He hesitated, unsure how to articulate his thoughts. He wanted to clearly define their relationship, yet the words felt too awkward to say. After stumbling over a few phrases, he fell silent.

Han Junzhou wasn’t just an expert in secondary-gender dynamics; as someone who’d been through relationships and held an age advantage over Bai Chengyu, he easily understood the boy’s unspoken question.

“Yes,” Han Junzhou replied, seizing the key point. “We’re in a relationship now. From this moment on, you’re mine—” He paused to clear his throat, changing the phrasing. “No, I’m yours, and you have to treat me well.”^[2]

Suddenly recalling a movie, Han Junzhou inhaled deeply before reciting an entire monologue:

“From now on, you’re only allowed to spoil me. You have to pamper me and never lie to me. Everything you promise must be fulfilled; every word you say must be sincere. You’re not allowed to bully or scold me—you have to trust me. If someone bullies me, you must come to my defense immediately. When I’m happy, you should celebrate with me; when I’m sad, you should cheer me up. You must always think I’m the most beautiful person, dream of me, and keep me as the only one in your heart.”

Bai Chengyu stared at his boyfriend with his mouth agape. He was thoroughly stunned.

That speech—Bai Chengyu knew it well. Back in high school, when he was forced to take a break from studies, the TV often replayed that old film. He’d watched it countless times, even in his darkest moments, laughing uncontrollably at the quirky “Vegetable Song”:

“Come, come, I’m a banana… ba-na-na-na-na…”

“…So this is the renowned film club president at work.” Bai Chengyu’s shock quickly turned into admiration. “I can’t believe you memorized Liu Yue’e’s entire monologue. What’s wrong with you?”

“That’s the deal—can you do it or not?” Han Junzhou asked, catching his breath before delivering the last line.

“Hahaha!” Bai Chengyu burst out laughing uncontrollably. “Alright, alright, give me a moment to think.” Forcing himself to stop laughing, he stumbled through his response: “I—I’ll treat you well, pamper you, never lie to you, and keep my promises. Every word I say will be sincere. And… what else? Oh, I’ll make you happy, and you’re the most beautiful—” He couldn’t help but laugh again. “You’re crazy! Memorizing a movie monologue, and Liu Yue’e’s no less. Why not Chen Jichang’s?”

Bai Chengyu laughed so hard his stomach hurt, rolling around on the bed.

Han Junzhou pulled him back, rubbing his belly to soothe the ache. Calmly, he said, “I know Chen Jichang’s monologue too.” Securing the laughing boy back into his arms, Han Junzhou took another deep breath and began:

“From now on, I will only spoil you. I will pamper you and never lie to you. Everything I promise will be done; every word I speak will be true. I won’t bully or scold you—I’ll trust you. If anyone bullies you, I’ll defend you immediately. When you’re happy, I’ll celebrate with you; when you’re sad, I’ll cheer you up. I’ll always think you’re the most beautiful and dream of you even in my sleep.”

Bai Chengyu, finally quiet, stared blankly at Han Junzhou as the latter softly concluded:

“In my heart, there will only ever be you.”

The scent of roses filled the room, and for a moment, silence took over. Bai Chengyu, who had been laughing so heartily just seconds ago, seemed frozen, staring dazedly at his older lover.

Han Junzhou gently patted Bai Chengyu, who still looked stunned. “Your turn.”

“My turn for what?” Bai Chengyu asked, still not fully recovered from his surprise.

“I’ve said so much already. Aren’t you going to say something in return?” Han Junzhou said with a hint of grievance, resting his chin on Bai Chengyu’s head and rubbing it lightly.

“I… I…” Bai Chengyu stammered for a long while, unable to come up with such a long declaration. He finally buried himself in Han Junzhou’s arms, fiddling with the red string bracelet on his wrist and the tiny silver fish charm dangling from it. In a muffled voice, he replied, “Me too.”

Curled up in Han Junzhou’s embrace, Bai Chengyu couldn’t help but laugh again as he thought about how lucky he was to have such an amazing Alpha. After his shyness passed, he stretched out from Han Junzhou’s arms and playfully wrapped himself around his lover. With a bold grin, Bai Chengyu patted Han Junzhou’s chest. “Don’t worry, old ship—I’ll really treat you well.”

“…,” Han Junzhou, now bestowed with the new nickname “Old Ship,” squinted as he listened to the cheeky little fish’s sweet words. On such a tender night, the gentleman in him decided to be magnanimous and not argue with the kid.

“I’ll treat you well too,” Han Junzhou said, pulling Bai Chengyu into a tight hug and planting a kiss on his forehead. “Now go to sleep. Otherwise, you’ll be late tomorrow. Hey, isn’t your practical exam tomorrow?” Only then did Han Junzhou remember, his hand absentmindedly massaging Bai Chengyu’s waist, belatedly worried for him.

“It’s fine, I’m all prepared,” Bai Chengyu replied confidently, not taking the exam seriously at all. He hugged Han Junzhou tighter and rubbed against him, ready to drift off to sleep when something suddenly came to mind. Twisting his body, he burrowed under the blanket.

Sliding down between Han Junzhou’s legs, Bai Chengyu gently cupped the formidable beast and greeted it in a friendly manner. “Hi, Han Jiujiu^[3]. From now on, I’m your new master. You’re mine now, so be good, okay?” He hesitated for a moment before planting a quick kiss on Jiujiu’s head. “Goodnight.”

Then he climbed back up, snuggling against Han Junzhou to find the most comfortable position. With a big yawn, he murmured, “Goodnight, Old Ship.” His whole body was burning up, his face crimson as he tightly closed his eyes, pretending to fall asleep instantly.

“…,” Han Junzhou was dumbfounded. What? He hadn’t heard clearly through the blanket just now. Han… Jiujiu?

Lifting the blanket to take a look, Han Junzhou glanced down at the awakened dragon between his legs. Veins bulging in protest, it quivered, clearly dissatisfied.

“What… what did you just call me?” Han Junzhou asked, still doubting what he’d just heard.

“Old Ship,” Bai Chengyu replied, eyes shut tight, feigning calmness.

“No, I mean… just now, you called it… Han Jiujiu?” Han Junzhou was on the verge of collapse. How could his magnificent dragon be called “Jiujiu”?

“I’m used to naming things that belong to me. From now on, you’re mine, and it’s mine too. So I’ve given you both names: Old Ship and Han Jiujiu.” Bai Chengyu lazily cracked one eye open. “You have a problem with that? Don’t like it?”

“No, no problem at all. Love it. Jiujiu is perfect. It suits it,” Han Junzhou lied through gritted teeth, the once-proud dragon deflating in despair. Poor Old Ship, now saddled with a new nickname, dared not voice any objections.

“Good,” Bai Chengyu said with a satisfied smile. To solidify the new name, he called out again, “Goodnight, Old Ship.”

Han Junzhou shook his head with a helpless chuckle. “Goodnight, Little Fish.”

Goodnight, my little leopard. My precious Little Fish.
And also… Han Jiujiu, goodnight.

(To Be Continued…)

T/L: LMFAO I can’t stop laughing of the nickname XD

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