It was hot.
From the inside out.
Xue Bao Tian regretted not leaving the bamboo window cracked open earlier. The mountain breeze could not get in, nor could it carry away a single drop of sweat.
He was trapped in the searing heat, the leather at the back of his neck pulled with no real gentleness. The rough collar pressed hard against his throat; Xue Bao Tian had to tip his head back with force just to steal a little more air.
The bell’s hollow ring was dense and urgent, louder even than the rustle of wind through the bamboo. Whenever the swaying chime fell silent, tension coiled tighter in him. His fingers twisted into the cotton quilt as he waited for the next sudden, deep, and vicious strike that could land at any moment.
There was humiliation in it—especially when he knew the one he liked already loved someone else. The bitterness in his chest gathered and gathered until it pushed against the edge. With the last of his strength he lifted the hand that had been bracing him on the bamboo couch, seized the little bell, and twisted around to look back.
Yan Ye’s face was buried in the night; only the outstretched arm was clear—thick, solid, veins faintly raised from the effort. His broad palm was wound with several loops of iron chain, the picture of a tyrant’s casual cruelty, high above everything.
Catching Xue Bao Tian’s backward glance, he asked coldly, “Not happy, Master Xue?”
His wrist wound the chain two more turns, then he yanked him up, pulled him face-to-face into his arms, and pressed him down. Only when he saw the frown did he ask, “Why aren’t you happy?”
Xue Bao Tian’s eyes were full of desire and fury. He suddenly forced the chain free of Yan Ye’s hand, looped the other end around the man’s throat, and pulled hard. Voice raw with viciousness, he snarled:
“Yan Ye, you fucking bastard!”
The bell rang for most of the night.
The old yellow dog next door kept its ears perked up and listened for most of the night as well. Eventually, it could no longer keep its eyes open. Taking the uneven ringing as a lullaby, it rested its chin on its paws and fell fast asleep.
Even rolling over to lie on his stomach and smoke felt exhausting for Xue Bao Tian. Stretching out his arm toward the cigarettes on the cabinet, his fingertips reached the edge, but the pack remained just beyond his grasp.
Having already put on his trousers, Yan Ye walked over, took a cigarette from the pack, and placed it directly between Xue Bao Tian’s lips before picking up the lighter and holding the flame out for him.
Xue Bao Tian stared at him for a moment before lowering his eyes to light the cigarette. Just as the tobacco glowed red, he heard Yan Ye say, “You should smoke less in the future. It’s bad for your health.”
Lying over the edge of the bed, Xue Bao Tian smiled at him. “General Manager Yan, the highest form of courtesy is minding your own fucking business.”
Yan Ye set down the lighter, stood up, and pulled on a black T-shirt. A smile spread across his face as well. “I’ll have to be impolite one more time.” He selected a turtleneck from Xue Bao Tian’s clothes and placed it on the bed. “Wear this today.”
Xue Bao Tian touched his neck and muttered a quiet “Fuck.” Exhaling a stream of smoke, he asked the man packing his luggage, “When are you heading back to Yancheng?”
Yan Ye paused what he was doing and turned to look at him. “What do you mean?”
Flicking ash from the cigarette, Xue Bao Tian raised his eyes lazily. “I’ve got Zhao Xiao Quan watching things here. Since you’ve landed a new contract, stop worrying about this place. Besides, there are plenty of things waiting for you back at Yanyue.”
“You trust Zhao Xiao Quan?”
“I don’t trust him, but nobody turns down money, right?”
Yan Ye walked slowly to the bedside and crouched down until they were eye level. “Zhao Xiao Quan is greedy for money. But have you considered what happens if he really finds Wei Hua? What if he strikes a separate deal with him, gets even more money, and lets him go?”
The cigarette drooped downward, ash scattering onto the floor. Xue Bao Tian’s expression immediately hardened.
Looking at the bruise on that pale neck, Yan Ye continued, “As long as I’m here, I know every movement that’s made. Even if Zhao Xiao Quan wants to play tricks, he’ll think twice because of me.”
Xue Bao Tian considered it for a moment before shaking his head. “You’ve got Huaye Technology’s major contract in your hands now. This is the perfect opportunity to go back and crush Sheng Yu. Besides, you’ve already signed the contract. If you keep delaying your start date, the client can sue you for breach of contract.” His expression turned serious. “What’s meant to be will come. You don’t need to worry about my side. Master Xue has heaven looking after him. I’ll definitely catch Wei Hua.”
Then his expression changed instantly, one corner of his lips lifting in blatant mockery. “Besides, isn’t General Manager Yan in a hurry to start dating?”
Yan Ye’s gaze darkened. Rising to his feet, he returned to packing. “Master Xue’s character isn’t exactly exemplary. Heaven might not be willing to look after you.”
Before Xue Bao Tian could curse at him, Yan Ye continued, “I’ve already spoken with Lin Zhi Yi. Once things are settled on your side, I’ll take up the position. Other than the personal bodyguard duties, none of the security work will be delayed and everything can proceed normally. Yanyue will receive news today that I signed a major contract. I’ve already had Zhou Yi Ming and the others on my side spread favorable talk about me through the company. At a time like this, it’s actually better if I don’t show my face. Didn’t Master Xue once say that truly formidable people exist only as legends?”
Xue Bao Tian spent plenty of time talking nonsense with Yan Ye and could not remember when he had casually said that. The feelings inside him were impossible to untangle. Anyone hearing what Yan Ye had just said would have been moved, yet it still was not enough to drown the barrel of jealousy souring inside him.
Holding the cigarette between his lips, he said casually, “Watching people and keeping tabs on them takes time and energy. It’d be a shame if it interfered with General Manager Yan’s love life.”
With his back turned, Yan Ye lowered his eyes and replied calmly, “Then I can only ask Master Xue to improve his character and pray heaven takes better care of you. Catch Wei Hua sooner, and I can start dating sooner too.”
Yan Ye did not have many belongings. He packed the final piece of clothing into his backpack but left the zipper open. Walking over to the table, he swept all those county-restricted items Xue Bao Tian had bought the previous day straight into the bag.
“What the hell are you doing?” Xue Bao Tian immediately exploded. “You’re taking those with you to use with your next one? That’s being way too fucking frugal, General Manager Yan.”
He pressed a hand down on the backpack. “Trying to save money? Easy. Buy yourself a cemetery plot and lie there for thirty or fifty years. It’ll definitely appreciate in value.”
For once, Yan Ye was not being patient. His words were calm but sharp. “If I don’t take them, are you planning to keep using them, Mr. Straight Guy?”
Xue Bao Tian choked. The remark landed like a slap. Still putting on a brave front, he shot back, “I can use them when I get a girlfriend. General Manager Yan’s brain capacity is too small to think that far ahead, but I suppose that’s not your fault.”
Yan Ye’s expression darkened. Pulling a clip from the bag, he pinned Xue Bao Tian’s arm before he could struggle and fastened it to his bare skin. Then he lifted his chin and asked coldly, “Use them on your girlfriend? Master Xue plans to use things he’s already used himself on his future girlfriend? My brain capacity may be small, but even I never thought that far.”
“Yan Ye! Let go!”
Pinning him in place, Yan Ye’s tone became more forceful than it had ever been. “I’m going out to keep watch. You don’t need to go today. Sleep a little longer. When I come back tonight, I want to eat the food you cook. I’m helping you catch people. You don’t need to repay me with your body anymore, but you still need to repay me somehow. From now on, cook for me every day. Three meals a day. Not one less.”
Having said all that, he pushed Xue Bao Tian back, grabbed his backpack, and headed for the door.
Grimacing, Xue Bao Tian pulled off the clip and hurled it at the retreating figure. “Fine. Then it’ll be mushroom hotpot every damn day.”
“I’ll eat whatever you make.”
Without even turning around, Yan Ye opened the door and walked out.