NASAY CH 37

Huo Xingzhou’s tongue swept over the cream at the corner of Luo Xing’s lips.  

Luo Xing’s eyes reddened, his mind going blank as he stared dumbly at the emotions swirling in the depths of Huo Xingzhou’s lowered gaze. The cool press of lips against his, the wet, scorching brush of a tongue grazing his mouth—everything around him seemed to dissolve into a void of snow, silence swallowing all sound until every shred of consciousness focused solely on that single point of contact.  

Luo Xing’s wide eyes traced the lashes and gaze now inches from his own, their breaths tangling warmly between them. The “kiss”—if it could even be called that—ended as quickly as it began, with Huo Xingzhou pulling back almost immediately.  

Huo Xingzhou watched the panic flicker in Luo Xing’s eyes, careful not to push too far. With a teasing grin, he said, 

“Mr. Luo, I said I wanted to eat cake. Why did you kiss me instead?”  

Luo Xing, still dazed, replayed the words three or four times in his head before his face flushed crimson. He was the one who—!  

Wait.  

Earlier, Huo Xingzhou had asked for cake. When Luo Xing scooped a bite and lifted his head, their lips had accidentally brushed. How could he have been so careless? Before, he’d only dared steal a kiss when Huo Xingzhou was drunk. Now, he’d done it while they were both fully conscious.  

“I-I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to,”

 Luo Xing stammered, clasping his hands nervously, desperate to explain. 

“I’ll be more careful next time.”  

Huo Xingzhou seized the opportunity, setting aside the half-eaten cake—too sweet to finish—before pulling Luo Xing closer. 

“Careful about what?”  

Luo Xing squirmed, cheeks burning, but there was nowhere to hide in the confined space. Trapped in Huo Xingzhou’s arms, he mumbled, 

“Not… accidentally touching you.”  

“You take advantage of me and then act innocent. How heartless, Mr. Luo.” 

Huo Xingzhou tilted Luo Xing’s chin up, thumb brushing his lower lip as his voice softened. 

“Little Darling.”  

“Y-yes?”

 Luo Xing couldn’t meet his eyes, trembling at the nickname that seemed to melt his very bones.  

“Do you like me?”  

“Wh-what?”  

Huo Xingzhou tightened his grip on Luo Xing’s chin, forcing him to look up. 

“Tell me the truth. Do you like me?”  

Luo Xing’s breath hitched. Was Huo Xingzhou onto him? Had he discovered his feelings?  

“Why… why are you asking this?”

 he whispered, voice trembling.  

Huo Xingzhou gripped his wrist, pulling him flush against his chest, one hand cradling the back of his neck to hold his gaze.

 “Luo Xing, look at me. I lo—”  

“Wait! You… sit here first!” 

Luo Xing abruptly jerked free, bolting out the door before Huo Xingzhou could finish.  

Leaning against the door, he clutched his shirt over his racing heart, biting his lip hard. He couldn’t bear to hear it. If Huo Xingzhou rejected him, the pain would be unbearable. But what if… what if it was a confession? How could he ever deserve that?  

Huo Xingzhou stared at the empty space, lips curving bitterly. 

Running away so fast? Are you that scared of my feelings? 

Moments later, Luo Xing returned with a plastic basin of warm water and a new towel from a cardboard box.  

“Wash your feet before bed,” 

he said, avoiding eye contact. 

“We’ll… talk about the rest later.”  

Huo Xingzhou glanced at the steaming water, then at Luo Xing’s anxious fidgeting. Swallowing his words, he relented.  

Fine.

If Luo Xing couldn’t accept it now, he’d keep playing the role of a classmate. Better than risking rejection and watching him withdraw, too timid to refuse yet too uneasy to stay.  

A wry smile tugged at Huo Xingzhou’s lips.  

Perhaps he’d never love him as fiercely in return. But if he could keep him close—if Luo Xing would lean on him, trust him, even just a little—that would be enough.

“Come, sit down.” 

Huo Xingzhou stood up, smiled, and pressed Luo Xing down onto the bed. He reached to take off his shoes.

Luo Xing was startled and shrank back, but Huo Xingzhou grabbed his foot and held it in place, his fingertips pressing on his ankle as he gently tapped it. He could feel the pale tips of Luo Xing’s toes curl, and he held his foot firmly.

“Huo Xingzhou.”

“Don’t move.” 

Huo Xingzhou reached out to check the water temperature, adjusting it to a perfect mild warmth. He took off Luo Xing’s socks and slowly placed his foot into the water, softly asking, 

“Is it hot?”

Luo Xing shook his head. His toes were being held, and Huo Xingzhou gently splashed water onto the top of his foot. His nervous heart was beating wildly. 

“I’ll wash it myself, it’s dirty.”

Huo Xingzhou laughed softly, 

“It’s clean, where’s the dirt?”

Luo Xing’s face turned bright red. His foot was being held, and the slight color difference in his skin made his ears burn. He watched as Huo Xingzhou gently washed it, even playing with his toes for a moment, and it made him uncomfortable.

The sensation from his delicate skin on his toes sent a small electrical jolt through his nerves, making his heart race, like a hundred claws scratching at it, causing him to panic. He couldn’t help but want to pull his foot back.

“Huo Xing…” 

Luo Xing’s voice softened. He didn’t realize how quiet it was, and didn’t notice how his tone held a pleading, almost coquettish tone. 

“Don’t… don’t…”

“Don’t move, I haven’t washed anyone’s feet before.” 

Huo Xingzhou looked up, smiling as he saw Luo Xing shyly trying to pull away. He thought to himself, what is this little brat’s temperament?

Even in this situation, who would wash someone else’s feet, hold them, feed them, or kiss them? He wouldn’t let him confess, but he was accepting of his flirting?

Huo Xingzhou was a bit troubled, wondering if he was just playing with his feelings. He looked at him, sitting neatly on the bed, and noticed how Luo Xing was blushing, letting him hold his foot without resistance.

…He probably wasn’t that manipulative.

So, what was he worried about?

After they finished washing their feet, Luo Xing went to pour the water out, and Huo Xingzhou climbed into bed. He shivered from the cold. 

“Damn, why is it so cold?”

When Luo Xing returned, he saw Huo Xingzhou struggling to stretch his legs. He nervously grabbed the edge of his clothes and softly said, 

“I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable.”

“Come here.”

Luo Xing took off his clothes, blushing as he crawled into the warm bed.

The bed was pitifully small and narrow. It was already tight when Luo Xing slept alone, and with Huo Xingzhou’s tall frame and long legs, he could only bend them slightly. 

Luo Xing lay sideways, squashed into the corner, unable to move. After a few seconds, Huo Xingzhou suddenly grabbed him by the waist and pulled him on top of himself.

“What are you doing…” 

Luo Xing was startled and hurriedly grabbed his sleeve, lying on top of him, feeling uneasy.

“Sleeping, what else?” 

Huo Xingzhou looked at him, his brows furrowed, one hand resting on his waist, the other pressing on the back of his neck. 

“Otherwise, with this small bed, what if I roll off and fall? What will you do, take care of me?”

Luo Xing bit his lip. He was about to speak when Huo Xingzhou interrupted, 

“Stop, don’t apologize. Every time you say sorry to me, it makes my scalp tingle. If you’re really out of things to say, just tell me you like me.”

Huo Xingzhou felt his heart race, almost able to feel it through the fabric. He reached up to pinch Luo Xing’s reddened earlobe, feeling the jolt of electricity.

“Little brat.”

“Hmm.”

“Call me ‘gege’.” 

Huo Xingzhou paused, rubbing the tip of his ear. 

“Say it in French.”

Luo Xing buried his face in his chest, not daring to look up, feeling that Huo Xingzhou’s gaze was too overwhelming. Just one look made him fall so quickly. He couldn’t bear to meet it.

“Sleep, go to sleep.”

“Sleep well.”

 Huo Xingzhou, worried that he might be uncomfortable lying down, adjusted his position and turned on his side, pulling him into his arms. He tucked in the blanket on his side, but left his own back exposed to the cold.

The next morning, Huo Xingzhou woke up early and heard the front door open with a soft creak.

Heh, been waiting for you.

He lowered his head to glance at the boy sleeping in his arms, placed a gentle kiss on his hair, and whispered,

 “Sleep well, little troublemaker.”

Luo Xing, nestled in his embrace, slept soundly without hearing a thing. His breathing was steady, and not even his eyelashes fluttered.

Huo Xingzhou got up carefully, put on his clothes without making a sound, and opened the door as quietly as possible. He slipped his hands into his pockets and calmly waited for the person outside to enter.

Zhao Jiulan opened the door, rubbed her temple, and set down her umbrella. Suddenly, she noticed a row of footprints in the snow. She jerked her head up and saw a tall, slender young man standing at the main house’s entrance.

“Who are you?” 

Zhao Jiulan quickly strode up to the main house, her eyes cold and sharp as she followed the trail of footprints—leading to Luo Xing’s room!

Huo Xingzhou stepped forward and stood before her. 

“Ms. Zhao, my name is Huo Xingzhou. I’m your son’s classmate.”

He deliberately emphasized the word “son,” catching the fleeting flash of hatred and discomfort on her face before it quickly vanished, replaced by her usual cold indifference. She lifted her chin and said, 

“Luo Xing doesn’t like playing with others. You should go home early so your family won’t worry.”

Huo Xingzhou chuckled softly, his expression unreadable, but Zhao Jiulan felt an inexplicable sense of unease. She frowned and said sternly,

 “What are you laughing at?”

“Let’s have a talk.” 

Huo Xingzhou raised his eyes to meet hers, tilting his head slightly.

“There’s nothing for us to talk about. Please don’t come looking for Luo Xing again. He’s in his final year of high school and doesn’t have time to play with you,”

 Zhao Jiulan said coldly as she walked past him. She pulled a key from her bag, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.

Just as the door was about to close, Huo Xingzhou pressed his palm against it.

“If I were your son’s future boyfriend, would you still think we have nothing to discuss?”

Huo Xingzhou smiled, watching her face change instantly.