Let Me Feel Them

The thought of lying in bed together popped into his head, but sitting up wasn't exactly convenient for him either.

"How about we lie down and chat?"

"Can we?" Ye Qing's eyes widened.

"Of course. It's a little cold today, too."

With that settled, Ye Qing climbed onto the bed without another word.

This is an award-winning actor's bed, even if it's only in a hotel.

And technically, we'll be lying in the same bed.

Wow, Ye Qing. You've made it!

Gu Ze found it rather funny. Ye Qing really was a character.

The hotel bed was large. They lay side by side with some space between them.

As they talked, one topic led to another. Ye Qing got carried away and chatted with Gu Ze for a long time.

Still, he hadn't forgotten what he wanted to do. His eyes kept drifting toward the blanket, though of course he couldn't see a thing.

After thinking it over, he finally blurted out, "Brother Gu, let me feel your abs."

For the first time, Gu Ze's eyes widened slightly, as if he couldn't believe Ye Qing had asked so directly.

Ye Qing looked at Gu Ze. His eyes were large, and when he looked at someone, there was a childlike innocence to them.

When Gu Ze remained silent, Ye Qing tried again. "Brother Gu, Brother Gu, please? I'm just so curious. I really want to know what they feel like."

Ye Qing drew out the last word, making it sound almost like he was coaxing him.

Gu Ze: Can I take that as a compliment?

"Of course. It definitely is."

After a long pause, Gu Ze sighed. "Go ahead."

He was beginning to realize he really couldn't say no to Ye Qing.

Ye Qing's eyes lit up, a smile filling them. "You're the best, Brother Gu."

Then he slipped his hand under the blanket without hesitation.

Wow. The feel of them. How firm they are.

They really are different.

For all the excitement in Ye Qing's head, he stayed quiet on the outside. Gu Ze had agreed, after all. He couldn't act too much like a creep.

But they really do feel good. So smooth.

Ye Qing was enjoying himself, but Gu Ze wasn't having such an easy time. He could feel Ye Qing's cool fingers moving all over his abs.

And after hearing Ye Qing's thoughts, even Gu Ze had to admit appearances could be deceiving.

Perhaps to make it easier to reach, Ye Qing had closed the gap between them. Gu Ze could have touched him just by lowering his head a little.

Gu Ze couldn't quite explain how he felt about Ye Qing. What he did know was that he couldn't bear to see him upset.

Ye Qing's movements made Gu Ze tense up involuntarily. Before long, he felt the hand on his stomach go still.

He looked over and discovered Ye Qing had fallen asleep. When calling his name several times got no response, Gu Ze decided to carry him back to his room.

But as soon as Gu Ze moved, Ye Qing made a sleepy noise and acted as though he didn't want to budge.

Thinking of everything Ye Qing had been through today, Gu Ze couldn't bring himself to wake him.

Besides, sharing a bed wasn't a big deal. It was so large another person could have fit.

Gu Ze lay back down, putting a little distance between himself and Ye Qing.

It was the first time Gu Ze had slept beside someone since growing up. It felt oddly new. Listening to Ye Qing breathe beside him, he gradually grew sleepy too.

Just before he drifted off, a hazy thought crossed his mind: he could have asked the hotel to send up a bath towel.

Morning sunlight slipped through a gap in the curtains. The two who had deliberately kept apart were now sleeping together. Ye Qing lay in Gu Ze's arms, his cheeks faintly red, perhaps from being too warm.

Ye Qing slowly opened his eyes. Feeling warmth beside him, he turned his head slightly and saw Gu Ze, still asleep.

All Ye Qing could think was: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing? He was completely bewildered.

How did I end up in the same bed as Brother Gu?

What on earth did I do last night?

After thinking it through, Ye Qing remembered. He'd already been sleepy last night, but he'd held on because he wanted to feel Gu Ze's abs.

Once he had, he'd fulfilled a wish. As soon as he relaxed, sleep had overtaken him.

Well, I guess good looks really can be distracting.

Ye Qing wasn't sure. He only knew last night had felt wonderful. Gu Ze still hadn't woken up.

Should I sneak one more feel?

Gu Ze couldn't hold out any longer and opened his eyes.

Well, he's awake. Ye Qing had no choice but to abandon the idea.

"You're awake, Brother Gu. I'm sorry for the trouble last night."

Gu Ze rubbed his forehead. "It's fine."

In truth, the second half of the night had been rough for Gu Ze. He hadn't expected Ye Qing to be such a restless sleeper.

The moment Gu Ze let his guard down, Ye Qing rolled all over the bed. In the end, the only way Gu Ze could get a decent night's sleep was to hold him in place against his chest. Only then had Ye Qing settled down.

Ye Qing knew he'd caused trouble. He got out of bed and obediently left.

Watching him go, Gu Ze let out a small breath of relief. Good thing Ye Qing had left quickly, or Gu Ze might not have been able to hide his reaction.

When the two arrived on set, they saw Xie Quan. As soon as they entered, Xie Quan hugged them both. "Thank you! I mean it!"

"Heh, it's fine. You didn't do anything like that in the first place, Brother Xie."

"I'll treat you both to a meal when we have time."

"You'd better."

Seeing Xie Quan this time, Ye Qing sensed something different about him. He seemed better somehow.

Before, Ye Qing had always sensed a faint sadness about Xie Quan. It wasn't gone now, but it seemed lighter.

Ye Qing didn't know exactly what had happened, but he knew the change was a good one.

Life returned to its usual rhythm, with filming day after day.

The story had now reached the point where Mo Hua and Lu Yan had become good friends.

They could even talk about anything. Lu Yan understood Mo Hua perfectly. Whether they were going out for fun or doing something else, he always knew what Mo Hua wanted.

Lu Yan gave him little gifts now and then and invited him out, but what truly made Mo Hua want to be his friend was the time Lu Yan saved him.

That day, Mo Hua had been late returning to school because of his part-time job. With the dormitory doors about to close, he took a shortcut down a narrow path.

He hadn't expected to run into muggers the one time he went that way. At first, he planned to hand over his money and leave. Money wasn't worth the risk. But they wanted more than money. They wanted him, too, and there was no way he would give in.

Because his older brother was a police officer, Mo Hua knew a little martial arts. But he had neglected his training, and there were too many of them for him to handle.

He was injured, but he still refused to surrender.