Chapter 25

When Yu Lan walked into Shao Mingyu’s room, his heart beat like a drum.

He actually came to find Mister Shao…

This was the second time he had come to this room in one day.

Unlike before, this time, Yu Lan was sober and Mister Shao was by his side.

Yu Lan noticed at first glance that the sheets and quilt had been changed and Shao Mingyu joked, “Don’t kick the quilt off tonight.”

Yu Lan, “!”

He whined, “No! I won’t…”

Also he would try not to dirty the sheets again…

Shao Mingyu looked at Yu Lan’s back with a smile and said warmly, “It’s late, go to bed and rest.”

“Okay.”

Shao Mingyu slept on the side near the window. When Yu Lan climbed onto the bed, he suddenly realized that he was going to sleep on the same bed with Mister Shao.

The appearance of Shao Mingyu in his pajamas, leaning against the headboard of the bed was less serious than the last time. He had a touch of laziness to his posture and a casual sexiness in his pose. This look was not commonly seen by anyone else.

One glance was enough to make Yu Lan distracted. A sudden thunderclap came from outside, frightening him and Yu Lan quickly crawled into Shao Mingyu’s bed like a scared animal.

Shao Mingyu was a little stunned. He felt bad for Yu Lan but he still laughed again.

Yu Lan lay down directly next to him, huddled up facing him. Shao Mingyu originally wanted to watch over the young man for a while and had repressed his excitement about Yu Lan moving towards his bed.

But now, he didn’t care to hold it in. Shao Mingyu gave in, lay down, leaned forward and held Yu Lan in his arms, embracing him fully.

Shao Mingyu’s chin lightly touched the top of Yu Lan’s head, his hand gently stroked the young man’s hair and sighed, “What if I’m not there when there is thunder in the future?”

Shao Mingyu’s woody scent lingered faintly in Yu Lan’s nose. This scent always filled Yu Lan with a sense of security.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and whispered, “I will overcome it.”

“Overcome it like this?” Shao Mingyu asked with a smile.

Yu Lan’s whole body was almost curled up into a ball. If Yu Lan had to stay alone in his room for storms, would he sleep like this until the end of the thunderstorm?

Yu Lan moved his lips and couldn’t answer.

Besides letting his body adapt slowly to his fear, what else could he do?

In the future, Mister Shao would not be by his side. He could only endure by himself…

Thinking of this possibility, Yu Lan felt sorrow.

Yu Lan found that he was very greedy.

At first, Yu Lan wanted to let go of his feelings for Shao Mingyu and wait until he left the manor in the future to move on. But at that time, would he really be able to let go?

He had been quietly fascinated by the “future” and “love” that the store manager spoke of. He even couldn’t help but watch the romance TV series on his way back to the manor from work.

When Yu Lan realized that Mister Shao’s attitude towards him was gradually becoming ambiguous, he began to want more.

Yu Lan was at a loss, unsure of what to do. After staying in a dark world for such a long time, he finally saw a ray of light. When he realized that this ray of light could possibly belong to him, he couldn’t help but want to catch it. To hold it close.

Yu Lan took a deep breath of Mister Shao’s intoxicating scent and said softly, “Mister Shao is by my side….don’t leave.”

Shao Mingyu paused. He asked, “Then what about you? Will you always be here?”

Yu Lan was taken aback.

When Shao Mingyu guessed that Yu Lan might leave, he realized something.

He couldn’t stop Yu Lan. This child had been locked up by human traffickers for six years. It was not easy to come into contact with the broader free world. There must be a lot of things he wanted to do.

Shao Mingyu refused to hold Yu Lan back. And sometimes, Shao Mingyu had a feeling that the person in his arms would one day fly high into the sky to a place he could never follow.

Shao Mingyu needed to hear Yu Lan’s response.

He rubbed his chin against the top of Yu Lan’s head and whispered, “If I’m here, will you always be here with me?”

Yu Lan looked up in confusion.

The two looked closely at each other for a moment.

Another thunderclap came, then the wind and rain slammed the windows, making a “bang” sound.

Yu Lan trembled, lowered his head and burrowed into Shao Mingyu’s arms.

Shao Mingyu moved, lay down completely and hugged him tight.

The thunderstorm seemed to have reached a crescendo. The thunder that shook the sky continued to explode and white light flickered frequently.

Feeling how tense Yu Lan’s body was in his arms, Shao Mingyu frowned slightly and softly whispered, “It’s okay. Don’t be afraid.”

For a long time, there was a lot of thunder.

The two didn’t talk any more and Shao Mingyu gently stroked the back of the person in his arms. Their pheromones soothed each other’s nerves, creating a gentle atmosphere.

After quite a while, Yu Lan’s body was covered with a cold sweat.

He gasped and his head was empty for a few seconds. Then he suddenly stretched out his arms and hugged Shao Mingyu’s waist.

Shao Mingyu froze.

Yu Lan nuzzled against the man and said softly, “As long as Mister Shao is here, I will be here, too.”

Yu Lan couldn’t live without this embrace. He decided to change his mindset.

No longer would Yu Lan think; “I can only have a crush on this man presumptuously. When the man leaves, all my admiration for him will dissipate with time.”

Instead, Yu Lan would think, “I will try to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with this man with my head held high.”

Could he really do that?

Yu Lan didn’t know but at this moment, he could feel how strong his conviction was.

If he felt he didn’t deserve this man, he would make an effort to become worthy.

If he was too timid, he would try harder to be brave.

Yu Lan’s heart beat fast and after making this decision, he felt lighter than air.

He raised his head, feeling a little excited and eagerly said, “Then Mister Shao, we have an agreement?”

Shao Mingyu was surprised.

He felt that in these few minutes, Yu Lan seemed to have undergone a huge change.

Although he didn’t understand what it was, he couldn’t help laughing because of Yu Lan’s enthusiastic look.

“Yes, it’s a promise.”

Yu Lan smiled, his eyes curving. He burrowed his head back into Shao Mingyu’s arms and rubbed against him, “Mister Shao!”

Shao Mingyu laughed, “A-Lan, are you acting like a baby with me?”

“Yes!”

Unexpectedly, the person in his arms even gave a serious response. Shao Mingyu was surprised. He swallowed and then slightly narrowed his eyes, “A-Lan. Earlier today, why did you suddenly call me ‘Brother’?”

Yu Lan confessed immediately, “I had a dream before waking up. Maybe I was a little confused from sleeping.”

“Someone in your dream, you called him ‘brother’?” Shao Mingyu asked slowly.

Yu Lan raised his head and took a serious look at Shao Mingyu. Shao Mingyu stared back. Yu Lan whispered, “Brother?”

Shao Mingyu’s mouth curled up.

Yu Lan’s face flushed and he shyly said, “Brother Shao?”

Shao Mingyu’s breath caught in his chest and the next second, he took Yu Lan into his arms. His voice was low and hoarse, “I can’t hold back, A-Lan.”

Yu Lan chuckled. He was secretly delighted. He hadn’t expected Mister Shao to be so sensitive to this title.

Yu Lan was shy at first, calling out like that. But it became easier.

“Brother Shao? Brother Shao!” With that cry, Shao Mingyu’s body became stiff and his breathing became heavier.

He squeezed Yu Lan’s waist hard, bowed his head and leaned closer.

Yu Lan was startled and he leaned back to stare at Shao Mingyu.

The tip of the man’s nose almost touched his own. Their breath was mingled together and their lips were so close.

Shao Mingyu asked slowly, “There is another way you can overcome the thunder. Do you know what it is?”

Yulan stammered, “W…what?”

Shao Mingyu’s gaze slowly lowered and his eyes lingered on Yu Lan’s lips.

Yu Lan felt that his lips were numb, tingling under Mister Shao’s eyes.

Seeing Yu Lan’s dazed appearance, Shao Mingyu smiled smugly, “One day, I will teach you personally.”

Yu Lan swallowed. His throat was a bit dry…

**

The morning after the thunderstorm was sunny.

Uncle Liu and Aunty Jiang were up early to cook and clean.

Aunty Jiang suddenly said, “The thunder was so loud last night, I wonder if A-Lan was able to sleep.”

Uncle Liu thought about it and became worried. Yes, he had almost forgotten how scared A-Lan had been when it thundered last time.

After worrying some more, he went up to the third floor.

The hallway was quiet and Uncle Liu comforted himself. No one was awake and even if A-Lan was frightened last night, he was asleep now. Uncle Liu shouldn’t be so worried.

Uncle Liu shook his head and sighed. What would happen to Yu Lan if thunderstorms were frequent every summer?

Just as he was about to turn around and go downstairs, a door opened at the end of the corridor.

Uncle Liu turned his head and saw Shao Mingyu wearing a shirt and trousers. He quickly said, “Mister Shao, you’re up early.”

“Morning.” Shao Mingyu responded and gently shut the door behind him.

Uncle Liu was stunned and suddenly had a realization. He looked at Shao Mingyu with tentative eyes.

Meeting his gaze, Shao Mingyu smiled and said, “A-Lan is still sleeping.”

Uncle Liu stammered, “In, in your room?”

Shao Mingyu nodded, the corners of his mouth raising slightly. He seemed to be in a great mood…

Uncle Liu was shocked!

*

Yu Lan got up a little late that morning.

He and Mister Shao had finally rested late last night and Mister Shao had hugged him to sleep!

Yu Lan was very happy. He hummed a newly learned song as he got dressed for the day. When he went downstairs, he greeted Uncle Liu and Aunty Jiang, loudly saying, “Morning!”

Aunty Jiang smiled, “Oh! What a good mood you’re in!”

Yu Lan smiled shyly.

Uncle Liu looked complicated and sighed.

Although the two of them weren’t completely together and he wasn’t sure what exactly was going on, Uncle Liu had a hunch that the manor would officially welcome a new master soon.

Yesterday, because Yu Lan didn’t get up until noon, Teacher Bai naturally asked for leave.

Today, when Yu Lan met with him, the alpha pheromones that saturated his body made Bai Lu irritable.

It was thicker than last time and the back of his neck was swollen. So many bites!

Yu Lan was in a good mood even when facing the furious Bai Lu. His smile was bright, which made Bai Lu feel half-dead with anger. He wanted to faint with rage!

When Yu Lan went to the milk tea shop after being tutored, Wen Zicheng checked his progress as soon as he saw him, “How was the show you watched yesterday?”

Yu Lan shook his head, “I only watched one episode.”

“What, just watched one episode!” Wen Zicheng raised his eyebrows, “If you don’t study seriously, you’ll never start dating!”

Yu Lan whispered, “But I tried it last night!”

He, what…tried it?!

Wen Zicheng was surprised. He didn’t expect Yu Lan to look so shy, yet be so active.

He lowered his voice, leaning close to gossip, “…how did you do it?”

Yu Lan blushed and he whispered in Wen Zicheng’s ear.

Wen Zicheng covered his mouth, his face flushed with excitement when he heard a certain part. He exclaimed, “You call him ‘brother’?! Damn, Yu Lan, I didn’t know that you’re so good at this!”

Yu Lan’s eyes sparkled and he asked, “But why would someone have a reaction when they are called ‘brother’?”

“Tsk, it’s ~love! Of course, a person will only respond like that when called ‘brother’ by someone they like.” Wen Zicheng affirmed. “He must like you!”

Really…

Yu Lan leaned back, deep in thought.

Wen Zicheng said, “Yu Lan, Yu Lan, you really used a big trick accidentally! You’ll know now to call him ‘brother’ in bed in the future! The effect of this word is really too powerful!”

It could directly transform a man into a beast!

Yu Lan was confused, “I called him that in bed last night.”

“…” Wen Zicheng, “No, my use of ‘bed’ is not the same as…”

This little one still had a lot to learn.

*

Yu Lan had resolved to change his current state. While he valued the person he was now, their situation would not work forever. If he wanted to be worthy of Mister Shao, his current self was definitely not enough.

But he had no idea what to do, he really didn’t have much of an idea at all. He could only calm down and stabilize his mind to move forward step by step.

After working in the shop for a full month, Yu Lan got his first paycheck!

Although his salary was not high, he was very happy and made plans to buy gifts for Mister Shao.

On this day, there was no need to go to work and Mister Shao wasn’t coming home for dinner. So Yu Lan told Uncle Liu to send him to a nearby shopping mall.

Yu Lan didn’t know what Mister Shao would need as a gift but Wen Zicheng had given him some suggestions. Yu Lan entered the mall and looked for a store that sold ties.

While choosing a tie, he went back and forth, unsure about which style to buy.

Just when he picked up the same tie for the fifth time, a voice came from nearby.

“This tie is too mature. It’s not suitable for you, kid.”

Yu Lan was taken aback. He turned around and saw a…strange uncle.

It was summer and the man wore a full black suit, a black wide-brimmed hat on his head and a pair of sunglasses. All of this inside a shopping mall…

“This one would fit you better. It’s cute!” The uncle picked up a delicate, pink tie and handed it to Yu Lan eagerly.

Yu Lan cautiously said, “…I’m not buying it for myself.”

The older man froze and cleared his throat, “Giving someone a gift? Who is it for; dad, brother, friend? This uncle has good taste in clothing, so why don’t we exchange contact information!”

Yu Lan put down the tie in his hand, turned silently and hurried to the door trying to escape.

“…” The man rushed forward and stopped Yu Lan.

The two of them stared at each other, wide eyed.

Yu Lan warned, “I will call the police!”

The uncle staggered back and almost fell. He quickly said, “Wait, I’m not a suspicious person!”

He hurriedly took out his business card and said loudly, “I’m a model agent! Young man, you are so beautiful! Do you have an interest in the fashion industry?”