ROT CH 42

Chapter 42: The Tiger Shows Its Claws

The group of classmates racked their brains, trying to figure out how to help the victim correct the misinformation spreading like wildfire on the campus network. They wanted to carve out a path amidst the chaos. Meanwhile, the ones at the center of the storm, Han Junzhou and Bai Chengyu, were blissfully unaware of the online uproar. They were cozily tucked away in a small private room of a porridge shop, playfully bantering while enjoying their meal.

Han Junzhou liked his food piping hot, and as soon as his porridge arrived, he began eating it with gusto. Bai Xiaoyu, however, had a cat’s tongue ^[1]and couldn’t handle the heat. He carefully skimmed the surface of the porridge, letting it cool before taking small bites. Han Junzhou soon noticed this cat-like habit. Normally boisterous, Bai Chengyu was now eating so daintily that it seemed out of character. Han Junzhou, unable to bear watching this slow pace, asked the server for two shallow bowls and ladled Bai Chengyu’s porridge into them, stirring to cool it down.

By the time Bai Chengyu finished the remainder of his original bowl, the two smaller portions prepared by Han Junzhou had cooled to just the right temperature. Seeing Han Junzhou push the bowls toward him with such care, Bai Chengyu was deeply touched but also a little guilty. Han Junzhou’s own porridge had gone cold while he was busy cooling his.

Bai Chengyu contentedly finished the last bite of his crab roe porridge, licked the thin layer of oil off his lips, and smiled sweetly at Han Junzhou. “All done!”

Though Han Junzhou had already finished his meal, he replied, “I’m not.”

“Hmm?” Before Bai Chengyu could fully express his confusion, Han Junzhou leaned in and captured his glistening lips in a kiss. He sucked gently, his tongue slipping in to explore. The rich, warm aroma of rice filled the air as Bai Chengyu let out a soft moan, pressing lightly against Han Junzhou’s chest in an effort to stop him from getting too carried away. If this continued, he wouldn’t be able to hold back.

Finally, Han Junzhou withdrew, reluctantly licking the corners of Bai Chengyu’s lips one last time before pulling away.

Bai Chengyu, slightly breathless, glared at Han Junzhou before shifting awkwardly in his seat to hide under the table. Han Junzhou glanced down, then shook his head with a chuckle. The young cub’s youthful energy was evident; just a little teasing had him standing at full attention, a small tent pitched prominently in his pants.

When the server knocked and entered to refill their tea and present the bill, he remained oblivious to Han Junzhou’s shameless display of slightly spread legs, a subtle invitation to Bai Chengyu. Bai Chengyu’s leg was nudged by Han Junzhou’s, and he glanced down at the relaxed older man. His brow furrowed upon noticing the lack of reaction in Han Junzhou’s pants.

It was only their first day as a couple, and while he reacted so easily to the slightest touch, was Han Junzhou already uninterested in him?

No, no, no. It couldn’t be that he lacked charm. It must be because Han Junzhou was older, worn out from their nightly activities, and exhausted from today’s string of incidents. That had to be it…

Han Junzhou prided himself on his self-control. As soon as the server finished pouring tea and left the room, he was ready to tease Bai Chengyu about his youthful energy. However, Bai Chengyu suddenly leaned in close, a hint of mystery in his tone as he hesitated before whispering, “You… can’t get hard?”

Han Junzhou took a deep breath, turning his head in disbelief to face Bai Chengyu, whose expression was filled with genuine concern. Bai Chengyu tried to comfort him, albeit awkwardly. “It’s okay. I don’t really want it that much anyway. You’re older now, so it’s natural that… you can’t do it every day.”^[2]

As Bai Chengyu tugged gently at Han Junzhou’s shirt, he blushed at the memory of their previous heat-filled nights. The thought that they’d need to cut back in the future left him both regretful and a little dissatisfied.

This is a grave injustice! Han Junzhou cried inwardly. I’m being wronged here! This is a huge misunderstanding!

“Shut up,” Han Junzhou growled, unable to bear the baseless accusations of the clueless little cub.

“But I really don’t mind,” Bai Chengyu blinked innocently, dealing another blow as he softly added, “I won’t hold it against you.” He even patted Han Junzhou on the shoulder, as if soothing his “older” boyfriend.

Han Junzhou was about to explode with frustration. Grabbing Bai Chengyu’s hand, he pressed it directly against his crotch, letting the oblivious little fish experience firsthand the power of a waking dragon.

“Ah,” Bai Chengyu murmured in surprise as Han Junzhou’s bulge quickly stood to full attention beneath his suit pants. The sudden, enthusiastic response startled Bai Chengyu, who pulled his hand back in shock. Eyeing the large tent in Han Junzhou’s pants, he muttered to himself, “So… it only works if I touch it first?”

That’s not how it works! Han Junzhou roared internally, so aggrieved that he almost coughed up blood.

If it weren’t for the fact that he had other plans for the evening, Han Junzhou would have dragged Bai Chengyu straight home to prove, once and for all, who couldn’t perform.

Face dark, Han Junzhou had Bai Chengyu sit a while longer in the porridge shop, drinking tea to cool off. Only after both their little troublemakers had calmed down did he lead Bai Chengyu out. Bai Chengyu, however, remained doubtful. Watching as Han Junzhou’s excitement finally subsided, he couldn’t resist reaching out again, tentatively giving it another squeeze to confirm it was truly functioning.^[3]

Driven to the brink of collapse by Bai Chengyu’s inquisitive prodding, Han Junzhou slapped the little cub’s mischievous paw away and strode ahead, not wanting to see the apologetic look in Bai Chengyu’s eyes.

As he walked, Han Junzhou schemed about what he’d do once they got home. He vowed to thoroughly dismantle this little troublemaker, devouring him until there was nothing left.

You think I’m a sickly cat just because I’ve been holding back? Wait till the tiger bares its claws.

In his mind, Han Junzhou envisioned himself pouncing on the little cub, his imaginary Alpha beast ravaging Bai Chengyu from head to tail, leaving nothing untouched. He’d squeeze him into a ball, flatten him out, flip him over, grill him…^[4]

Oblivious to his Alpha boyfriend’s ravenous thoughts, Bai Chengyu cozied up to Han Junzhou, asking cheerfully, “Where are we going now?”

“The flower market,” Han Junzhou said, sounding a little exasperated.

“Flower market? At this hour? Are they even open?” Bai Chengyu asked in confusion. Then, as if he didn’t care, he added, “You’re buying me flowers? There’s no need for that—I’m not one of those vain people who need their boyfriend to give them flowers.”

Despite his words, Bai Chengyu’s uncontrollable grin and the invisible tail wagging behind him betrayed his true feelings.^[5]

“…” Han Junzhou hadn’t originally planned to buy flowers. He had remembered Bai Chengyu mentioning that morning that he wanted to keep a pot of roses on his balcony. Since there was a nighttime flower market near the porridge shop, Han Junzhou thought it would be a good way to walk off their meal while letting Bai Chengyu pick out a rose variety he liked.

Now, however, hearing his silly little boyfriend bashfully assume he was getting flowers as a gift, Han Junzhou couldn’t help but find him adorable. Holding back a laugh, he pressed his lips together to avoid making a sound.

Seeing Han Junzhou’s silence, Bai Chengyu thought his refusal might have dampened Han Junzhou’s good intentions. So, with a gracious air, he said, “Alright then. If you insist on giving me flowers, just don’t make it too big a bouquet—it’d look ridiculous.”

“Pfft…” Han Junzhou finally couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter. Hugging his little fish, he chuckled, “Not ridiculous at all. It has to be the biggest bouquet—that’s the only way to show my love for you.”

The corny and utterly unoriginal line earned him an eye-roll from Bai Chengyu, but the grin tugging at Bai Chengyu’s lips gave him away. Han Junzhou could see just how much Bai Chengyu was looking forward to a grand gesture of love.

The oldest romantic cliché still remained the most classic. Han Junzhou silently vowed to pick out the biggest, most beautiful bouquet for his adorable boyfriend.

(To Be Continued…)

Translator’s Message:

Bai Chengyu is so lucky! Not only does he have an amazing boyfriend who takes him to the flower market, but he’s also about to get the biggest, most beautiful bouquet as a token of love. Meanwhile, this humble translator sits here, flowerless and lonely, wondering if anyone will ever send a single rose my way. Cue dramatic violin music. 😭 Oh well, at least we can live vicariously through Bai Chengyu’s romantic adventures! 💐

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-End of chapter-

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