TLLKTBD CH 15

Chapter 15: Shameless—Taking Advantage of His Patron

Upon careful reflection, Lu Qian realized he had been acting out of character these past few days. He had been overreacting.

Not only did Jin Lang have no ill intentions, but even if he had, he was still eight years younger than Lu Qian. Why was he getting upset over a young man’s words? This wasn’t like him at all.

He pulled out the tickets he had tucked under the table mat, deciding that tonight, he would have a proper talk with Jin Lang.

That evening, Jin Lang was busy at the dining table. He didn’t know what time Lu Qian would return or if he would even eat the food he had prepared. Just in case, he decided to make small wontons. Even if Lu Qian refused to eat, they could still be frozen and wouldn’t go to waste.

As he worked, Lu Qian walked in.

“Sir,” Jin Lang immediately stood up, a mix of hesitation and delight in his voice. “You’re home early today? Have you eaten yet? I made some wontons—do you want to try them?”

“Such tiny wontons,” Lu Qian remarked, walking to the dining table and looking down at the neatly arranged, fingertip-sized dumplings. He was a little surprised.

“These are pearl wontons,” Jin Lang explained. “They’re meant to be small so that they cook instantly when the water boils, preserving the fresh taste of the filling.”

He hadn’t expected Lu Qian to initiate a conversation tonight, so he cautiously asked, “Sir, shall I cook some for us?”

“Sure, I’ll take a shower first,” Lu Qian said before heading back to his room.

Jin Lang let out a small breath. His legs felt a little weak, but his heart was filled with happiness—Brother Qian was finally talking to him again.

Jin Lang took out the frozen chicken broth he had prepared earlier and began heating it. Once it started boiling, he dropped in the pearl wontons and covered the pot with a lid. After letting them sit for thirty seconds, he turned off the heat, allowing them to continue cooking in the residual warmth.

By the time Lu Qian finished his shower and sat at the dining table, Jin Lang immediately served him a steaming bowl.

Inside the bowl, the tiny, goldfish-like pearl wontons floated delicately. A sprinkle of chopped scallions and crispy shallots adorned the surface. The clear broth had a slight shimmer of oil, carrying a fragrant, umami-rich aroma.

Lu Qian took a bite and was pleasantly surprised. The taste was exceptional, and soon, he found himself eating one after another, unable to stop.

Seeing Lu Qian enjoying the food, Jin Lang also served himself a bowl and sat across from him. For a while, neither of them spoke as they focused on their meal.

“Ahh, that was delicious.” Lu Qian finally set down his spoon and wiped his mouth with a napkin, fully satisfied. To be honest, after days of eating out, he had really missed Jin Lang’s cooking.

“Sir, I’m sorry,” Jin Lang suddenly put down his spoon, lowered his head, and apologized softly. “I didn’t mean it like that the other day. I don’t see you as just a job—really.”

He looked up at Lu Qian earnestly. “I enjoy cooking for you. Seeing you happy while eating makes me happy too. When we eat together, take walks, or watch movies… I truly enjoy those moments. It’s not just about serving a patron.”

Jin Lang’s voice grew quieter as he continued, “I… I see you as…”

“You can think of me as a friend,” Lu Qian quickly interjected. He could tell that Jin Lang had mustered all his courage to say these things, and if he didn’t respond, Jin Lang might just explode on the spot.

Hearing those words, Jin Lang’s heart, which had been pounding wildly, finally settled back into his chest. The moment he relaxed, his eyes turned slightly red.

He nodded earnestly. “Okay, as a friend. We are friends.” He repeated it twice, as if making a solemn promise.

Lu Qian let out a quiet sigh in his heart. He felt terrible—it was as if he had bullied a child.

Pulling out two tickets, he handed them to Jin Lang.

“This is…” Jin Lang’s eyes widened. “Teacher Ding Qiao’s art exhibition?”

Ding Qiao was a renowned master of sketching. While he was skilled in various mediums, including traditional Chinese painting and oil painting, he was best known for his sketches. He was also a visiting professor at F University.

Ding Qiao had held numerous large-scale exhibitions both domestically and internationally, with his sketches being the most famous. His ability to create depth and dimension with just a single pencil was extraordinary. Even in black and white, his drawings gave the illusion of color.

“Yes,” Lu Qian nodded. “Ding Qiao was one of my previous clients. I designed a studio for him, and he was very pleased with it, so we’ve kept in touch. He’s holding this exhibition and sent me two tickets. What do you think? Are you interested? It’s next Saturday. He even said that if I attend, he’ll personally give us a guided tour.”

“Yes! Absolutely!” Jin Lang’s eyes lit up with excitement.

The reason he had worked so hard to get into F University in the first place was because he had wanted to take Ding Qiao’s classes. Although he never got the chance, he had been disappointed for a long time. Now, not only could he visit the exhibition, but he would also get a personal tour from the master himself—this was beyond exciting.

“Consider this my apology gift to you,” Lu Qian said awkwardly. “Xiao Lang, I also need to apologize. I shouldn’t have lost my temper at you.”

“N-no, no!” Jin Lang panicked and nearly stood up, but Lu Qian stopped him.

“Alright, let’s put this behind us,” Lu Qian said. “In the future, if you have any thoughts or concerns, just talk to me. Don’t keep them bottled up.”

“Yes, sir,” Jin Lang responded obediently.

“Hey, you’re still calling me ‘Sir’?” Lu Qian scolded playfully, flicking Jin Lang’s forehead.

Jin Lang pretended to be in pain, rubbing his forehead with a grin. His face was flushed, and he teasingly responded, “Yes, little Lu Lu.”

Lu Qian laughed. “Just eat, Simba.”

After dinner, Lu Qian sprawled on the sofa, rubbing his full stomach with a satisfied groan. “Ah, I really shouldn’t have eaten that second bowl. I’m way too full.”

Jin Lang had just finished cleaning up and was drying his hands at the kitchen entrance when he saw Lu Qian lying there with a little round belly. He walked over and squatted beside him. “Want me to give you a rub?” He reached out and gently kneaded Lu Qian’s stomach.

“Hey, stop—!” Lu Qian burst out laughing, grabbing Jin Lang’s hand. “That tickles! Ah—stop scratching—” He laughed so hard he couldn’t stop, kicking his legs on the sofa while desperately trying to wriggle away from Jin Lang’s grip.

Jin Lang had only meant to help ease Lu Qian’s discomfort, but he didn’t expect such a big reaction. His playful side kicked in, and before he knew it, he straddled Lu Qian’s lap, using his weight to pin him down. His hands attacked mercilessly, tickling Lu Qian until he was gasping for breath.

“Stop! Stop—I’m gonna throw up—!” Lu Qian was laughing so hard that tears streamed down his face as he begged for mercy.

Jin Lang, worried that he might actually make Lu Qian sick, quickly let go. But before he could react, Lu Qian suddenly flipped him over, sending him tumbling off the sofa. Lu Qian swiftly climbed on top, grabbing a cushion and whacking Jin Lang with it.

“You little brat! How dare you ambush me! Do you have a death wish?!” His words were fierce, but the laughter in his voice betrayed him.

The two of them rolled around, shouting and laughing as they wrestled. By the time they tired out and stopped to catch their breath, they finally noticed how compromising their position had become.

In the end, Lu Qian was the one pinned beneath, with Jin Lang straddling him.

Lu Qian lay there, panting, his face already flushed from their roughhousing, but now, the redness crept all the way to his ears.

Jin Lang, still grinning, had one hand propped beside Lu Qian’s head while the other held his wrists above his head, demanding surrender. “Say it. Do you admit defeat?”

They were so close. Close enough to feel each other’s warm breaths against their skin. Jin Lang could even see the tiny beads of sweat forming on Lu Qian’s nose. His eyes, still glistening with laughter-induced tears, sparkled under the light.

Jin Lang felt momentarily dazed.

The worst thing about moments like these was when the air suddenly went silent.

For a few seconds, the only sounds were their breathing, their pounding heartbeats, and the low, almost buzzing tension between them.

Lu Qian was the first to snap out of it. He shifted uncomfortably and pushed at Jin Lang. “Get up first. My legs are going numb.”

Jin Lang blinked, suddenly realizing something wasn’t right. He awkwardly grabbed a cushion, scrambled to his feet, and stammered, “Ah—I, uh—I’m all sweaty from playing around. I—I’m gonna go change.”

Then he bolted, hugging the cushion like it was a lifeline.

Lu Qian slowly sat up from the floor, letting out a quiet sigh.

He knew exactly why Jin Lang had run away.

And as for himself… things weren’t looking too great either.

They had been way too close just now. With Jin Lang sitting directly on top of him like that, there was no way he hadn’t felt it.

Just earlier, he had told Jin Lang to treat him as a friend, and in less than five minutes, his own body had betrayed him.

Great. Now he probably looked like a total perv, scaring Jin Lang off.

Lu Qian sighed again, running a frustrated hand through his hair. Men… they were just helpless in moments like these. Their little brother woke up whenever it wanted, with zero warning.

Dragging himself up, he headed straight for the bathroom and took a cold shower.

Meanwhile, inside his room, Jin Lang sat on the edge of his bed, feeling both embarrassed and utterly shaken.

What shocked him wasn’t Lu Qian.

He didn’t even have the brain space to process Lu Qian’s reaction right now.

No, the embarrassment was entirely his own.

The cushion was still pressed against him, and he didn’t dare move it. He didn’t dare acknowledge what had just happened.

Because…

Because he had stood at full attention.

But… but he wasn’t gay!!!

The only reason he had agreed to take on a male sugar daddy was because of the money. His thinking had been simple and straightforward—so what if he had to sell his ass? He just had to grit his teeth and take it. It was a job, not something to enjoy.

And yet, during his “training” with Sunny, most of the lessons had been about how to be the top. How to stimulate, how to stretch, how to enter, how to clean, how to use his fingers properly.

At first, he had assumed these were things he needed to know for himself—after all, what kind of sugar daddy would be patient enough to prep their plaything? But then, when Sunny repeatedly reminded him to keep his fingernails trimmed and clean, Jin Lang finally realized…

He wasn’t going to be the one lying down.

His first reaction had been pure shock.

His second reaction was panic—what if he couldn’t do it? He had even asked Sunny if there was some kind of pill that could help.

Sunny had just smirked and teased him. “What’s this, kid? Can’t get it up at twenty? You sure you can handle this job?”

Jin Lang had been so pissed that he cursed internally. You can’t get it up! Your whole damn family can’t get it up! I just don’t do it for men, okay? What’s so funny?!

But now…

Now, the little twenty-year-old was proving to be more than capable.

The moment it was called for, it stood up without hesitation.

What the hell?!

Jin Lang clutched his head.

He couldn’t understand.

He was straight!

He had dated girls!

He had kissed his ex-girlfriend!

In fact, he had kissed the prettiest girl in school!

…Wait.

That memory suddenly hit him like a brick to the face.

What had happened when he kissed that school beauty?

Oh.

Oh.

He had pushed her away.

Not in the way a wolf pounces on a rabbit. No, he had shoved her off him in pure panic, sending her tumbling to the ground.

The poor girl had been so humiliated that she ran off crying. A princess who had always been adored and pampered couldn’t possibly handle such a rejection.

By the next day, the whole school knew that Jin Lang had been dumped.

Jin Lang groaned internally.

What the hell was happening?

Back then, he had assumed it was just self-control. He had thought he was being a gentleman, avoiding crossing any lines.

But now, comparing that memory to the way his body had reacted to Lu Qian’s breath, his gaze, the sweat on his skin, even his scent…

Damn it.

It was standing even taller.

Jin Lang threw himself onto the bed in defeat.

No way.

He was straight.

There was no way that just a few lessons with Sunny and a couple of GV clips had turned him gay.

He had to ask someone.

But who?

Sunny? No way. If the trainer found out he wasn’t getting hard for work but for real, he’d get scolded to death for being unprofessional.

“F*ck!” Jin Lang groaned.

Who the hell was he supposed to ask about this?!

Frustrated, he sat up and pulled out his work journal. He flipped to a blank page, wrote the date, then, not knowing what else to record, angrily scrawled:

“Sugar daddy got mad. Had to coax him. Got hard. No shame.”

He buried his face in his hands.

How shameless. He had just groped his own sugar daddy.

(To be continued…)