Still Frame Chapter 74
byChapter 74 Spirit and Flesh
As Wen Jin squeezed in, the bathroom immediately felt much smaller. It had been so cold outside just moments ago, but now, close to him, Zhang Liuxin could feel the heat radiating from his body.
Unlike that rainy day, Zhang Liuxin was fully conscious. He watched as Wen Jin lowered his eyes and unbuttoned his shirt, one button at a time. Wen Jin’s slightly cool fingertips brushed against his chest inadvertently, causing him to shiver slightly.
He grabbed Wen Jin’s hand, his voice sounding airy. “I—I’ll do it myself. You turn on the water.”
“Alright.” Wen Jin released his hand and turned on the hot water.
The rising steam constantly enveloped them, making the bathroom muggy, damp, and hot. Wen Jin’s black hair was wet, and he casually pushed it back, revealing a sharply defined face. The contrast of his dark hair and eyes, his cool white skin, and the delicate skin flushed by the hot water created a visual impact before Zhang Liuxin. He didn’t know where to look until his gaze landed on the gauze bandage on Wen Jin’s right arm. He snapped back to reality, grabbing Wen Jin. “Your injury hasn’t healed yet. You can’t get it wet.”
Wen Jin chuckled softly, holding Zhang Liuxin’s fingers and handing him the showerhead. His slightly low voice became suggestive amidst the steam. “Then you wash me.”
In a flash, it felt like the first day they arrived here. Zhang Liuxin took the showerhead and carefully washed him. His soft fingertips traced the contours of Wen Jin’s abs, feeling Wen Jin tense up further under his touch.
He didn’t notice that his own slender back had turned a peculiar shade of pink due to the heat. His shimmering green eyes were wet, a sight that stirred deep emotion in anyone who looked.
“Wen Jin, you’re too close.”
As he said this, Zhang Liuxin was leaning against the sink, his cheeks and collarbone covered in soap suds. The intoxicating floral and fruity scent, combined with the residual alcohol in his blood, created a dizzying atmosphere.
As Wen Jin moved closer, he brushed against him. Behind Zhang Liuxin was the cool, slick mirror, like a clash of ice and fire. Zhang Liuxin felt his legs weaken. He shifted uncomfortably, sliding down a bit. Losing his footing, he stumbled and fell against Wen Jin. Anyone watching might have thought he was playing hard to get, but Zhang Liuxin’s ears were flushed crimson. The soap suds on their bodies mingled, and Wen Jin’s kiss followed.
Water droplets streamed down their hair. Wen Jin’s kiss carried the lingering scent of alcohol. Their skin trembled slightly under the rinsing hot water, responding to the other’s gentle yet aggressive provocation.
This night certainly wouldn’t end easily, Zhang Liuxin thought, raising a hand to cover his eyes.
“Turn off the light.”
Wen Jin’s kisses rained down, dense and delicate, like a hazy drizzle. Zhang Liuxin unconsciously curled his toes, pushing against the footboard of the bed to inch away from Wen Jin.
Water droplets constantly slid down Wen Jin’s firm chest, tracing a winding path. His eyes seemed to be brewing a storm. Zhang Liuxin almost felt like a lost sailor on the vast ocean, about to be swallowed whole by him.
“No.” The voice was somewhat forceful.
Wen Jin’s knee pressed up, casting a small shadow over him. Zhang Liuxin had to tilt his head back slightly to clearly see Wen Jin’s dark phoenix eyes, which held a hint of loss of control. This made him instinctively recall their first time, that night that felt like madness.
Wen Jin lowered his head slightly, resting his forehead against Zhang Liuxin’s. His low, deep voice asked, sounding genuinely puzzled, “If the light is off, you won’t be able to see me. Liuxin, don’t you want to see me?”
He must be crazy. How could Wen Jin say something like that? Zhang Liuxin couldn’t refuse him to begin with, and hearing this now, he could only submit obediently as Wen Jin cupped his chin, providing him with oxygen, breath, and love, like an oxygen tank.
Zhang Liuxin felt the back of his neck ache. The kissing position was too awkward, so he wrapped both arms around Wen Jin. His forearm brushed against Wen Jin’s damp nape, and he distractedly wondered if Wen Jin might catch a cold.
“Wen Jin, A-Zhuo, there’s nothing here…” Zhang Liuxin breathed rapidly, feeling Wen Jin’s hands roaming over his body. The strong calluses on Wen Jin’s hands, formed from holding a gun, forcefully rubbed against his skin, causing him to shiver uncontrollably.
Wen Jin asked him, “What do you want?”
He was doing this on purpose. Wen Jin had really become mischievous since coming to Bernlin.
Zhang Liuxin closed his eyes, hardened his resolve, and leaned in to kiss the corner of Wen Jin’s mouth. He said in a hoarse voice, “You.”
…
When he opened his eyes again, the outside was bright with daylight. Zhang Liuxin rubbed his sore neck. The slightest movement made his collarbone ache. He raised his hand to touch his collarbone and found a faint bite mark, which reminded him of Wen Jin, who had been like a beast in the night.
Where was he? He propped himself up and slowly sat, but didn’t find Wen Jin anywhere.
Perhaps Wen Jin had carried him back into the bathroom to clean up afterward, as Zhang Liuxin felt quite dry. However, his left leg, which couldn’t handle much exertion, was marked with red bruises. He felt like he had been disassembled and reassembled, lacking any strength. He almost stumbled when he walked to the door, but Wen Jin, who was coming up with a tray, quickly caught him.
“Why are you up so early?” Wen Jin looked refreshed and satisfied, radiating the contentment of desires fulfilled.
Zhang Liuxin found it hard to connect the man in front of him with the one from last night. He lazily lifted his eyes and asked what time it was.
“Nine o’clock.” Wen Jin placed the breakfast on the table and pulled out a chair for Zhang Liuxin.
Zhang Liuxin accepted his service without reservation, then suddenly paused. “Nine o’clock? What about the shop…”
“The wedding went on too late yesterday. There aren’t many people today. Sister Hui said we can open in the afternoon.”
“Oh.” Zhang Liuxin felt uncomfortable under Wen Jin’s gaze. He stirred the vegetable congee in front of him with a spoon and suddenly realized this didn’t seem to be the way they made it in Bernlin State.
“Did you make this?” Zhang Liuxin looked at him in disbelief.
Wen Jin nodded. “What’s wrong?”
“When did you learn to cook? Is this something else you’ve been hiding from me?” Zhang Liuxin looked at him suspiciously.
“Try it,” Wen Jin didn’t answer, just tilted his chin. “It’s a little hot.”
Zhang Liuxin took a bite, his expression hard to describe. Wen Jin frowned, leaning closer. “What’s wrong?”
Zhang Liuxin: “The taste is a bit strange.”
Wen Jin was surprised. He took the spoon from Zhang Liuxin and tasted it. When he looked up, he saw Zhang Liuxin smiling at him, looking pleased with his successful prank.
Wen Jin smiled helplessly and pushed the bowl back toward him. “Eat.”
“Are you uncomfortable anywhere? I lost control a bit last night.” Wen Jin asked this as casually as if discussing the weather.
Zhang Liuxin nearly spat out the congee in his mouth. He felt himself turn as hot as the bowl of congee. He looked up to see the man beside him completely at ease, his face utterly serious, asking him with the professional demeanor of someone conducting academic research.
“Wen Jin, can we talk after I finish eating?”
Wen Jin nodded.
He finally finished the bowl of congee, but Wen Jin’s nonchalant comment still echoed in his mind.
“Wen Jin, you really…” Zhang Liuxin hissed, unable to find the right adjective.
“Does it hurt?” Wen Jin frowned. “Where are you uncomfortable?”
Finally, a flushed Zhang Liuxin pushed him away forcefully. “No, I’m not uncomfortable! Why have you changed like this?”
The first time they were together, Wen Jin had only said one sentence from start to finish. Afterward, he vanished, flying off to some conference in another state, leaving Zhang Liuxin to recover his spirit at Wenfei Terrace for three days.
Seeing that Zhang Liuxin seemed fine, Wen Jin relaxed, leaning back in the chair and watching him with interest. “Changed how?”
“Nothing.”
Zhang Liuxin turned his head away. He had wanted to say Wen Jin was too rough, but then he remembered Wen Jin’s deep voice murmuring “I love you” in his ear just before he fell asleep. Suddenly, he didn’t feel Wen Jin had been so rough after all.
They shared the same scent. After breakfast, bathed in the sunlight streaming through the skylight, Zhang Liuxin’s eyelids drooped again unconsciously. He felt the chair he was sitting in move, as Wen Jin pulled him and the chair closer.
“Are you sleepy?” Wen Jin played with his fingers.
Zhang Liuxin leaned against his shoulder instinctively, squinting his eyes. “No, just a little tired.”
Wen Jin was gentlemanly now, saying politely, “Why don’t you lie down on the bed for a while? I’ll call you when lunch is ready.”
Zhang Liuxin didn’t want to sleep right after eating, so he rested his head on Wen Jin’s shoulder and whispered, “I’ll just sit like this for a bit.”
“Alright, I’ll help you with the puzzle.” Wen Jin picked up the puzzle box with one hand and stroked Zhang Liuxin’s cheek with the other. It was a very natural and intimate gesture, but after the far more intimate things they had done last night, Zhang Liuxin didn’t even lift an eyelid.
Zhang Liuxin vaguely thought that if only it could be like this in Yinzhou. Wenfei Terrace was a beautiful home. In autumn, the maple trees outside the window would be covered in red leaves. They could sit by the floor-to-ceiling windows, putting together puzzles, reading, or playing with the cat.
These scenes, which had been almost unimaginable before, now flashed before Zhang Liuxin in this quiet moment.
It wasn’t until he heard a few unusual sounds downstairs that he sat up straight, rubbing his eyes. “Is someone talking?”
Wen Jin tidied the table. “I’ll go down and check.”
Zhang Liuxin grabbed his arm. “I’ll come too.”
The two descended the stairs and saw several people in uniform standing below. Their expressions were serious. The person in charge saw them, pulled out a warrant, and said, “We are from the Serlin City General Bureau. Half a month ago, a private plane from an outside state entered our city’s airspace. We have received notification from our superiors and need to question the two of you. Please come with us.”