Futile Devices Scans

Xue Bao Tian had a harsh-looking face; when he was expressionless, there was a faint, careless malice in his demeanor.

The young man standing in front of him looked a little uneasy. In the nightlife scene, who didn’t know that this young master of the Xue family didn’t like men? Yet today, he had specifically called for him the moment he sat down. He didn’t ask him to pour drinks, nor to serve—just made him stand there for no reason, which inexplicably reminded him of the unpleasant memories of anti-vice raids.

“So you’re the top escort here?” Xue Bao Tian looked him over critically. “Turn around—let me see.”

The young man obediently turned in a circle, his figure moving with an elegant, graceful sway.

Fair, young, and slender, with some flesh on his butt—judging him with the same standards he used for women, Xue Bao Tian found him acceptable.

“How much for a monthly arrangement?”

“You want to keep me, Master Xue?”

“Cut the crap, name your price.”

The young man quoted a number. “Anything extra depends on Master Xue’s generosity.”

A faint, cold curve formed at Xue Bao Tian’s lips, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Go take off your makeup and come back to negotiate. I can support you, but don’t actually think you’re some big shot.” One arm rested on his knee as his fingers tapped lightly, his voice casual. “We’ll go by nightclub rates. If you perform well, Master Xue will reward you.”

It was Xue Bao Tian’s first time hiring a male escort, and the other party couldn’t quite figure out his intentions, so he was somewhat wary. “I’ll do as you say, Master Xue. It’s just… I don’t take anything too extreme.”

Xue Bao Tian, who frequented nightlife venues, immediately understood what he meant. Thinking of Zhang Chi’s way of doing things—maybe not outright violent, but definitely rough and aggressive—he hesitated for a moment.

For once, the usually composed Xue Bao Tian faltered slightly. “What counts as ‘too extreme’ for you?”

Male escort: “……”

After several rounds of hesitation, Xue Bao Tian finally stepped once more into the tin shed.

The shed was just as he remembered—a cramped space with eight bunk beds and a simple table. The bedding was messy, playing cards scattered across the table. Only one bed in the corner looked relatively clean and tidy—the very place where, a few months ago, he had been tossed around like a fish being pan-fried.

He quickly looked away, venting his irritation on the person behind him. “Why aren’t you coming in? Need a sedan chair to carry you?”

The male escort he had just hired yesterday hesitated before stepping into the prefab room. The moment his foot touched the ground, he covered his nose and couldn’t help complaining, “Master Xue, what kind of client did you find for me?”

Xue Bao Tian felt a bit guilty, coughed awkwardly. “The job’s not great, but the person… looks good. It’s not like you’re staying with him forever. You’re getting paid—what difference does it make whose bed you lie in?”

“That’s true, Master Xue. My line of work doesn’t allow me to be picky, but I worked hard to climb to the position of top escort. I shouldn’t be taking the same kind of clients as streetwalkers, right?”

Xue Bao Tian glanced again at the shed’s conditions and felt a bit apologetic. “I’ll increase your pay by twenty percent—consider it hardship compensation.”

He glanced outside as if casually, then muttered, “Why isn’t he back yet?”

When the two of them entered the construction site, Xue Bao Tian had grabbed a worker and asked where Zhang Chi was. Upon learning he was still working, he pulled out a large bill and handed it over. “Go get him for me. Tell him… his grandfather is here.”

Seeing no one in the distance, Xue Bao Tian felt a bit restless. Just then, the male escort beside him asked curiously, “Master Xue, what’s your relationship with this person? You’re even helping arrange… these kinds of bed matters?”

Xue Bao Tian slowly turned his head to stare at him. “Did you come from Dunhuang? Got so many murals in your head?”

Before the other could react, the shed door was pushed open.

Zhang Chi stepped in from outside—tall and well-built. A wave of cool air came in with him, dispersing the not-so-pleasant smell inside.

He was wearing work clothes, covered in dust. His safety helmet was pulled low, hiding his brows and eyes, leaving only a sharp jawline visible. His naturally good build made even rough workwear look stylish. The tightly fastened belt and rolled-up sleeves added a sense of agile, rugged attractiveness. The faintly visible muscle lines and forearms that looked ready to unleash explosive strength added an oppressive sense of power.

He removed his helmet, picked up what looked like the cleanest enamel mug from the table, and gulped down a few mouthfuls of water, easing the heat from his intense labor. Only then did he cast a glance toward Xue Bao Tian.

“I heard my grandfather was looking for me?” Perhaps from not speaking for a while, his voice was rough, like gravel underfoot at a construction site. “Where is he?”

Xue Bao Tian showed no weakness, leaning crookedly against the table. “Call me Master Xue and you won’t lose out. If Grandpa has something good, of course I’ll think of you.”

Zhang Chi didn’t take Xue Bao Tian’s words to heart. He poured water into the plastic basin by the door and bent down to wash his face. In between, he asked casually, “What benefit?”

Xue Bao Tian pushed the male escort forward and lifted his chin. “How about it—giving him to you as a wife.”

Zhang Chi paused for a moment, then finally looked at the young man beside Xue Bao Tian. After a light glance, he asked again, “Giving me what?”

“A wife. Not bad, right?” Xue Bao Tian stuck a cigarette between his lips and patted the person beside him. “Call him Brother Zhang.”

The male escort had never won the lottery, yet at this moment he felt a similar kind of surprise. But having long been used to the cold realities of life, he understood that having cash in hand was better than having a lover by one’s side, so he was still quite concerned about this “Brother Zhang’s” identity.

Thus, he wasn’t particularly respectful, only smiling faintly as he called out, “Brother Zhang.”

Seeing Zhang Chi stare at the escort’s face for quite a while, the tension in Xue Bao Tian’s heart finally eased. Feeling confident, he nudged him with his foot. “How about we talk about a cooperation?”

Zhang Chi withdrew his gaze, picked up the basin, went out to pour the wash water, then came back in and closed the door. He said to Xue Bao Tian, “I’m a bit tired today—can we talk another day?” He rummaged under his bed and took out a towel and soap. “I’m going to take a shower. Make yourselves at home.”

Knowing he was being evasive, Xue Bao Tian grew impatient and snapped, “Just say what you mean. Stop beating around the bush.”

Zhang Chi grabbed a change of clothes and, as he passed Xue Bao Tian, ruffled his hair. His voice was so soft it was almost a sigh. “Stop messing around, Two Hundred.”

“Damn you!”

Xue Bao Tian followed him out of the shed, step by step, asking, “Why not? Fair and tender, and I’m even giving him to you for free—you still don’t want him?”

Zhang Chi draped the towel over his shoulder and reached up to take the cigarette from Xue Bao Tian’s mouth. “No smoking at the construction site.”

Xue Bao Tian didn’t bother arguing with him; he just wanted an answer. “Then why were you staring at him just now?”

Zhang Chi said quietly, “He was wearing makeup, right? I’ve never seen a man wearing makeup.”

Xue Bao Tian paused, then looked disgusted. “Your life experience could fit on a single sheet of toilet paper.”

Still unwilling to give up, he continued pitching, “Next time I’ll have him come without makeup.”

They reached the bathroom. Zhang Chi stopped, slightly bent down, and leaned close to Xue Bao Tian. In the gentlest tone, he said something chilling: “He’s too provocative. I don’t like it.”

Xue Bao Tian quickly stepped back. “Just talk—stay away from me!”

Zhang Chi pulled him back with one hand and softly called, “Two Hundred.”

Xue Bao Tian was wary. “What?”

“Don’t shout later.”

“What do you mean?!”

“Since you followed me here,” Zhang Chi turned the soap in his hand once, “then keep me company for a shower.”

Xue Bao Tian struggled back in alarm, but he was no match for the man’s strength. He was pulled into Zhang Chi’s arms, his mouth covered, and dragged half-carrying into the bathroom.

The construction site only had a communal bathhouse, a large rectangular space divided into simple cement stalls—walls but no doors, rough and open.

Thanks to his “grandfather,” Zhang Chi had gotten off work early today. Now, only he and the man bent over in front of him were in the bathhouse.

Hot water poured straight down. Xue Bao Tian couldn’t even open his eyes. His mouth was still covered, his body drifting like a leaf in swirling water, unable to stand steadily, forced to brace himself against the white tiles.

It became unbearable. The bit of anger in his heart had already been worn away, leaving only helpless compromise. He lightly licked the hand covering his mouth, a hint of pleading in the gesture.

Zhang Chi understood. He leaned in and kissed near his ear a few times before saying softly, “Be good, and I’ll let you go.”

Seeing Xue Bao Tian nod, the hand gripping his cheeks slowly loosened, then slid down and tightened again around his neck.

Xue Bao Tian immediately went back on his word. The moment he was free, he started cursing: “Zhang Chi, you damn mad dog!”

“Keep your voice down when you curse. Say whatever you want.”

“Damn your ancestors, I can’t keep it down.”

Zhang Chi laughed softly, the vibration in his chest making things even harder for Xue Bao Tian.

“Everyone will be off work soon. They’ll all come to shower.”

“Good—let everyone know you’re a criminal. I’ll have you sent to the police station!”

As soon as he finished speaking, voices of several men came from outside the bath area—rough, loud voices echoing in the enclosed space, making the noise even more chaotic.

Xue Bao Tian’s body immediately stiffened. He turned his head and looked at Zhang Chi in alarm. Zhang Chi smiled and kissed his eyes, then said, “Two Hundred, you can shout now.”

“…Zhang Chi… do you have no shame?” Perhaps because of the steam, Xue Bao Tian’s eyes were slightly red.

Zhang Chi paused briefly, then pulled him closer. “Don’t be afraid, Two Hundred.” After a moment, he added, “I’m asking you—please don’t shout.”

“You’re the one begging me.”

“Yes.”

“…Fine. I agree.”

“Thank you.”

“Someone’s coming in!”

“Almost…”

“Damn!”

The half-wet curtain was lifted, and several construction workers walked into the bathhouse. Looking up and seeing Zhang Chi, they greeted him, “So early, Chi.”

“Mm, got off work early today.”

“Heard your grandfather came to see you? Hey—who’s that in the stall next to you? Doesn’t look familiar.”

Zhang Chi had just started to respond when Xue Bao Tian cut in, “I’m his grandfather. His generation is lower—born with the fate of being a grandson.”

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