Flirt First, Run Later [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 18

Xie Shenxing parted his legs, trapping Liang Chu between them. Liang Chu froze instantly, their faces barely a centimeter apart, on the verge of touching. Watching his stunned expression, Xie Shenxing let out a soft chuckle and gently nudged his nose.

 

“Why stay so far away? Afraid I’ll eat you?”

 

Liang Chu snapped back to reality, his mind slowly turning over. “Who’s afraid of you? You think you’re so impressive.”

 

Muttering under his breath, Liang Chu braced his hands against the man’s shoulders, trying to struggle free. Over the years, aside from the changes in Xie Shenxing’s appearance since their first reunion, what struck Liang Chu most was the sheer solidity of his frame.

 

Even in his youth, Xie Shenxing had exercised regularly, his muscles well-proportioned. In recent years, he had intensified his training without a day’s break. What had once been for fitness had now evolved into something akin to a special forces soldier’s regimen—survival skills and lethal tactics. Though the purpose had shifted, the impact on his body was the same: hard and unyielding, like a plank of wood.

 

The man’s arms tightened around his waist like iron bands. With no leverage, Liang Chu could only push against Xie Shenxing’s shoulders, but their strength was in entirely different leagues. Instead of breaking free, he found himself held even more firmly. After half a minute of resistance, Liang Chu’s body went slack, and he slumped against Xie Shenxing to catch his breath. “Are you done yet? I don’t want to be this close. Let me go now, and I might just let it slide.”

 

Xie Shenxing paused, then laughed. It had been years since anyone had spoken to him like that. He found Liang Chu’s tone and expression utterly endearing and couldn’t resist teasing, “What if I don’t let go? How will you make me pay, then?”

 

How would he make him pay? Liang Chu glared, his mind racing without an answer. He couldn’t fight him. Xie Shenxing was no longer intimidated by him.

 

Better to drop the subject altogether.

 

Liang Chu decisively abandoned the topic and frowned in complaint. “This is uncomfortable.”

 

Xie Shenxing was seated, while Liang Chu was bent over awkwardly. No wonder his back ached after holding the position for so long. Xie Shenxing glanced at the curve of his arched back and, realizing his discomfort, loosened his grip slightly. Seizing the fleeting opportunity, Liang Chu tried to leap up but failed. Xie Shenxing rested a hand on his waist, appearing to offer support but actually exerting just enough pressure to keep him in place.

 

When Xie Shenxing’s palm cupped his buttocks, Liang Chu, caught off guard while sighing in frustration, jolted forward like a startled cat whose tail had been pinched. Xie Shenxing held him firmly, preventing any escape, and lifted him by the thighs, settling him properly on his lap.

 

Now straddling Xie Shenxing’s legs with his own resting on the sofa cushions, Liang Chu found the position far more comfortable than before. He stared wide-eyed at Xie Shenxing, who met his gaze steadily.

 

“Still uncomfortable?”

 

Liang Chu remained silent. Xie Shenxing watched him intently before lowering his gaze, concerned that kneeling for too long might make his legs go numb. Having finally drawn him into his embrace, he had no intention of letting go anytime soon.

 

Xie Shenxing slipped off Liang Chu’s slippers and socks, then lifted his knees to unfold his legs, stretching his calves forward.

 

Liang Chu immediately went from comfortable to downright cozy. But while the position was pleasant, it robbed him of any explosive power. Earlier, kneeling, he could have sprung up with a burst of effort. Now, if he tried, he’d likely just end up thrusting his hips awkwardly.

 

Might as well make do with this for now. Liang Chu told himself. At least he was riding Xie Shenxing.

 

Xie Shenxing knew he would seize any chance to slip away, so he kept one hand firmly on him while using the other to shift Liang Chu’s leg to the side, pulling him closer. Then, he grasped Liang Chu’s ankle. The boy from years past had grown into a man, his ankle now thick and sturdy. Xie Shenxing traced the bone of his ankle before easily encircling it with his hand.

 

Liang Chu had no idea what he was up to and watched his movements closely. Xie Shenxing’s hands had grown rough, with faint calluses on his palms that felt like sandpaper against his skin. It was clear Xie Shenxing hadn’t lived an easy life these years. Releasing the ankle, Xie Shenxing spread his hand and measured upward from Liang Chu’s ankle, his palm gliding over his calf, thigh, waist, and finally brushing past his ear before resting on his head, ruffling his hair.

 

“You’ve grown so tall,” Xie Shenxing murmured to himself, as though his hand-measured assessment were perfectly accurate.

 

Then he moved to Liang Chu’s stomach, patting it lightly. This time, his tone held a hint of satisfaction: “You’ve put on weight. There’s some flesh here.”

 

Liang Chu had just felt a flicker of pride at being called tall, only to be called fat next. He was starting to feel pleased, but now he couldn’t help feeling a little self-conscious. Are you saying I have a belly? He sucked in his stomach, insisting to himself that this was called being strong. Ah, if only I’d taken the stairs up maybe I’d have lost a bit of weight.

 

The phone on the floor had stopped ringing. Liang Chu had no idea who had been calling so persistently. Why don’t you call again? If it’s urgent, would Xie Shenxing really ignore it? Then he’d be free. But now, this wolf was thoroughly exploring him from head to toe, as if making up for all the years he hadn’t been able to touch him. The mischievous, restless hand moved from his stomach to his lower back. Liang Chu grew wary, but his vigilance was useless. The hand continued downward, cupping his buttocks.

 

Liang Chu’s hair stood on end, and he felt utterly unsettled. Finally breaking his silence, he exclaimed, “Stop groping me!”

 

He curled his legs and tightened his buttocks, trying to evade Xie Shenxing’s hand. But the man noticed his intention and wasn’t about to let him succeed. His hand followed closely, kneading the soft flesh of his buttocks with deliberate mischief. Liang Chu grew frantic, squirming and struggling, while Xie Shenxing watched him with leisurely amusement, deliberately provoking his resistance.

 

After a few movements, Liang Chu inadvertently shifted forward and belatedly sensed something amiss. Something hard and dangerous was pressing against him from below, and he knew exactly what it was.

 

Compared to that morning seven years ago, the sensation was far more vivid and undeniable this time. Liang Chu’s eyes widened in shock. Was Xie Shenxing really into men?!

 

Xie Shenxing continued to knead the soft flesh of his buttocks with his left hand, his voice dropping to a low murmur: “Keep moving. I’d love nothing more than for you to be restless.”

 

Liang Chu’s palms grew sweaty. Continuing to struggle would only stoke the fire, but staying still felt like offering himself up to be taken advantage of. Either way, he was at a disadvantage, either way, he was being tricked. How annoying. Suspended in uncertainty, afraid that Xie Shenxing might take things further, he didn’t dare make another move.

 

Yet that part of Xie Shenxing only grew larger and more prominent.

 

“What do you actually want?” Liang Chu asked, reaching back to shield his buttocks, his tone uncharacteristically placating. “Can’t we just catch up like old friends over some tea?”

 

Getting handsy at our first meeting after all these years—so intense. What’s going to happen next?

 

Xie Shenxing examined him carefully. How was he still so endearing? Releasing his hold, Xie Shenxing straightened out Liang Chu’s curled-up legs, placed both hands on his lower back, and leaned against the sofa, indulging his little whim. “Alright, I’ll listen to our Keke. What do you want to say?”

 

Liang Chu glanced worriedly at the large bulge—why had it grown even bigger?

 

Focusing his mind, he came up with a very safe question: “It’s been so many years since we last met. How have you been?”

 

“Tolerable,” Xie Shenxing used a strange choice of words, his voice turning hoarse as he continued, “I’ve thought of you every day, imagined holding you like this, imagined kissing you. Thankfully, this pervert took your underwear, or I wouldn’t have known how to get through so many long nights.”

 

Why does that sound so odd? How did you get through them? Liang Chu looked at him gloomily, not daring to dwell on it or ask for details. How could such a safe question circle back to underwear?! Aren’t you going to boast about what you’ve learned or the impressive things you’ve done?

 

He really wanted to tell someone that he’d become a boss!

 

Xie Shenxing seemed to have developed a keen interest in the conversation, studying him as he asked, “A pervert who steals underwear—is that how you see me?”

 

Liang Chu sighed, “Ah.”

 

Xie Shenxing chuckled, “What?”

 

Liang Chu said seriously, “Let’s not talk about this. Let’s talk about today’s dishes instead. Where did you buy the groceries?”

 

Despite the years of having to remain calm and composed, almost to the point of seeming inhuman—rarely smiling, always rational—Xie Shenxing couldn’t help but feel his heart lighten. Truly, only by returning to his side did he feel like a person again.

 

Xie Shenxing let out a muffled laugh, his fingers idly tracing Liang Chu’s skin. “I’ve only ever taken Keke’s underwear.”

 

Liang Chu thought for a few minutes, and Xie Shenxing patiently waited for his response, but Liang Chu had no idea what to say.

 

It made no sense. I was never good to you. Since you returned to the Xie family, you should’ve just stayed there—wealthy, powerful, diligently increasing my task value. So many people listen to you; why come back to find me?

 

And with this attitude, it doesn’t seem like revenge or repayment. Talking about underwear at every turn, it almost feels like we’re long-lost lovers reunited. Has Xie Shenxing lost his mind?

 

After a moment’s thought, Liang Chu said, “Do you want to eat some more?”

 

Xie Shenxing fixed his gaze on him. The two stayed quiet for a while before Xie Shenxing relented, no longer forcing him to confront the issue directly. He murmured, “There’s plenty of time,” then stood up while still holding him.

 

Liang Chu jolted in surprise, instinctively wrapping his arms around Xie Shenxing’s neck, afraid he might fall.

 

Xie Shenxing held him steadily, even having the spare energy to pat his bottom reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I won’t drop you.” He strode toward the bedroom.

 

Liang Chu cried out, “Hey!” Remembering the man’s obvious arousal and the bed in the bedroom, he immediately started kicking, trying to get down. “What are you doing?! I have legs; I can walk myself! You should go back to your own home!”

 

Xie Shenxing pushed the bedroom door open, walked straight to the bed, and set him down before finally letting go. Seizing the opportunity, Liang Chu scrambled backward, lifting one foot defensively toward him. If Xie Shenxing dared to come closer, Liang Chu was ready to kick out.

 

Xie Shenxing curled the corner of his lips, grabbed his ankle, and pulled him back close. Leaning in, he said softly, “You think you can handle me? If I really wanted to touch you, I’d have done it on the sofa. Why bother coming to the bedroom? Relax, I won’t lay a finger on you today.”

 

Liang Chu freed his foot from Xie Shenxing’s grasp, sat cross-legged on the bed, and asked, “When are you leaving?”

 

Xie Shenxing straightened up, turned around to close the bedroom door, and replied calmly, “From now on, I’ll be sleeping here.”

 

Liang Chu was taken aback and frowned. “If you’re sleeping here, where am I supposed to sleep?”

 

A faint smile played on Xie Shenxing’s lips. “What do you think? Of course, you’ll sleep with me.”

 

Liang Chu retorted, “This is my home.”

 

Xie Shenxing nodded in agreement. “Right, I’m sleeping at our Keke’s place.”

 

Liang Chu glared at him, but Xie Shenxing remained unmoved. Liang Chu didn’t have the nerve to share a bed with him. That would be like sleeping with a wolf. Xie Shenxing was no herbivore; he was a carnivore through and through!

 

After mulling it over for a moment, Liang Chu said magnanimously, “Well, if you like it here, you can sleep here.” He then looked for his shoes, intending to spend the night at a hotel. Glancing down at the clean floor, he remembered his shoes had been left in the living room.

 

Liang Chu stepped barefoot onto the floor, but Xie Shenxing moved forward, blocking his way and catching his descending foot. Liang Chu stepped on the top of Xie Shenxing’s shoe and looked up at him.

 

Xie Shenxing’s tone was even. “Why did I come here? Because you’re here. If you leave, what’s the point of me staying? Seeing you puts me in a good mood, and I don’t want to upset you. Jing Ke, stay put. If you dare step out that door, my promise becomes void immediately. You wouldn’t want to be reduced to tears by me so soon after we’ve met, would you?”

 

The man’s voice was still gentle, not at all intimidating, but his words, paired with the still-evident desire between his legs, carried a clear threat.

 

Liang Chu slowly withdrew his foot and, acting as if nothing had happened, returned to sit on the bed, behaving as docilely as a puppy. A wise man knows when to yield. Real men know how to adapt.

 

Xie Shenxing sighed helplessly, looking down at him. He was so obedient and well-behaved that Xie Shenxing couldn’t even find an excuse to tease or bully him. He had no idea where to start.

 

Softening his voice, Xie Shenxing asked, “Want to take a bath?”

 

Taking a bath meant undressing…

 

Liang Chu immediately replied, “I’m not dirty.”

 

Xie Shenxing raised an eyebrow. “Will you do it yourself, or do you need my help?”

 

Liang Chu shuffled to the side and said, “I guess I’ll take a bath. Even if I’m not dirty, I still sweat. It is summer, after all.”

 

Xie Shenxing’s eyes curved into a smile. He fetched clean clothes, took off his own shoes, and handed them to Liang Chu. “Go ahead and wash up. I’ll take my turn after you.”

 

The air conditioning in the room blew cool air across the floor. Liang Chu often enjoyed walking barefoot at home, finding it refreshing in the heat. Slipping into Xie Shenxing’s oversized slippers, he clutched his clothes and shuffled toward the bathroom, grumbling to himself about how meddlesome Xie Shenxing was. Did he live by the sea or something? Even if he did, his reach shouldn’t extend this far. After all, Liang Chu was an inland guy!

 

Xie Shenxing’s gaze remained fixed on Liang Chu until he entered the bathroom and swiftly closed the door. Only then did Xie close his eyes in resignation, imagining that beautiful, alluring body. He must be unwilling. His hands pinned above his head, his naked, sensual body writhing and struggling beneath Xie’s gaze, whimpering and crying out with each thrust. His soft pleas for mercy only fueled Xie’s excitement further. What supreme pleasure would the person beneath him bring?

 

The veins on Xie Shenxing’s hands bulged, and his breathing grew heavy. He made no move to relieve the desire stirring within him, instead closing his eyes to savor this agonizing yet blissful torment.

 

Just the thought of it was enough to make his racing desires nearly uncontrollable. What could he do? He had to keep his distance—no touching, no looking, and ideally, no thinking. He knew he liked Jing Ke and that the man had an undeniable influence over him, but he hadn’t expected it to be this intense, reducing his once-proud self-control to such fragility.

 

Yet he had to endure it. He’d made one mistake seven years ago; he couldn’t afford a second.

 

Liang Chu stayed in the shower for over ten minutes before emerging. He didn’t bother drying off, standing inside until he air-dried naturally. He casually soaked his underwear in the sink, squeezed in a bit of laundry detergent, gave it a quick rub, and hung it up. Only then did he slowly put on his clothes and push the door open a crack.

 

Xie Shenxing was drawing the curtains and spoke without turning around, “If you’re done, come out.”

 

Liang Chu muttered to Banya Xiong, “Does he have eyes on the back of his head?”

 

Banya Xiong replied, “Maybe his hearing is just that sharp.”

 

Liang Chu felt like sighing again. “What do I do now? I’m so worried.”

 

Banya Xiong said, “Think of something happy. You’re a boss now—think about how much money you’ve made.”

 

Liang Chu sighed. “Still worried.”

 

As he mulled it over, he gathered his dirty clothes and walked out. Xie Shenxing’s shoes were a size too big, making it impossible to run properly. With a shuffling gait, Liang Chu bent down, took off the shoes, and held them in his hands. He scurried forward, hopped onto the bed, and gently placed the shoes underneath, pretending he’d walked over in them.

 

Xie Shenxing turned and walked toward him. Liang Chu said, “Here are your shoes. You can wear them to go wash up.”

 

Without looking at him, Xie Shenxing replied in a hoarse voice, “Your footsteps are too light. How many times have I told you the floor is cold? Did you forget along with dinner? There won’t be a next time. Don’t let me catch you walking barefoot on the floor again.”

 

Liang Chu widened his eyes in surprise. The sight of his expression softened Xie Shenxing’s heart. Who was he trying to scare? The man lowered his head and chuckled, “Unless Cocoa wants me to carry you out. I’d be happy to oblige.”

 

Liang Chu pretended not to hear and shoved the dirty clothes into Xie Shenxing’s hands, saying considerately, “I only wore these for a day. They’re not dirty. Just give them a quick wash.”

 

In the summer, Liang Chu wore light clothing—a T-shirt and shorts, just two pieces. Without even looking, Xie Shenxing knew something was missing.

 

Liang Chu couldn’t help but smirk, a hint of triumph in his voice. “It’s not right to trouble others with intimate clothing, so I washed them myself.”

 

Xie Shenxing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He clicked his tongue and looked at Liang Chu’s expression, which seemed to say, “I’ve got you this time.” He had no choice but to play along. “Oh, I really didn’t expect that. You actually washed them.” He let out a long, disappointed sigh.

 

Liang Chu waved his hand, shooing him away. “Hurry up and go take your shower now.”

 

Xie Shenxing suppressed the urge to kiss him, took a deep breath, and walked to the bathroom. He didn’t close the bathroom door, and soon the sound of rushing water could be heard.

 

Banya Xiong poked its head out of the eggshell and said, “You must be feeling better now, right? We’ve finally gotten some revenge.”

 

Liang Chu, massaging his own foot, replied, “What revenge? I was just protecting my legal rights. But now what do we do? I only have one bed. This is really worrying.”

 

His apartment was a typical single-person unit. The bed was 1.8 meters wide—not exactly small, more than enough for him alone, but not exactly large either. For two grown men, it would be a bit cramped. If they were that close, it would be impossible to avoid touching each other. If dry wood met a blazing fire, there’d be nowhere to run.

 

Banya Xiong smacked its lips and said, “That doesn’t sound right to me. Are you the dry wood or the blazing fire? I thought you were unwilling, like a damp piece of wood. But that’s even worse—Xie Shenxing would probably dry you out first and then burn you.”

 

Liang Chu couldn’t answer. After all, he was an adult, and he wasn’t without physical desires. But he had seen Xie Shenxing’s equipment. Even seven years ago, when it wasn’t fully developed, it was already intimidating. Now, after seven years, its size was unimaginable. Even just now, bundled in his clothes, it was a conspicuously large bulge.

 

If only Xie Shenxing would take the bottom position. Otherwise, who could withstand it?

 

For the first time, Liang Chu felt so prescient. His words soon proved to be entirely accurate. No one could endure it. After one round of intimacy, his entire body ached, with not a single part feeling okay. It was almost like experiencing a prolonged gang rape.

 

Liang Chu didn’t dwell on it further. He fetched bedding from the cabinet, knelt on the floor, and began making a bed for Xie Shenxing.

 

Xie Shenxing finished his quick shower and came out to see his “little wife” truly acting like one, sitting on the floor making a bed for him. Right in the middle of the room, a mile away from the main bed. Xie Shenxing paused for a moment, then walked over to Liang Chu, helped him up, and said, “Let me do it.”

 

Liang Chu nodded with relief, thinking that Xie Shenxing still listened to him very well. He stood up to leave but then crouched back down. When Xie Shenxing wasn’t around, he could wear shoes or not as he pleased, but he had forgotten to fetch his shoes from the living room while Xie Shenxing was showering. He remembered what Xie Shenxing had said earlier. The man always meant what he said, and even if he didn’t, Liang Chu didn’t want to test it with himself. So, he stayed crouched and began removing Xie Shenxing’s shoes.

 

Xie Shenxing looked down at him, feeling the warmth of Liang Chu’s hands on his feet, gently stroking them. A thousand unspoken words condensed into a long, silent sigh. Over the years, he had handled everything with ease and confidence. Everyone who met him addressed him respectfully as “Mr. Xie.” No one had ever made him feel so helpless and troubled.

 

And the only person who had given him this feeling wasn’t some formidable enemy but this powerless little thing.

 

In that moment, it felt like returning to childhood. His emotions had been as cold as a glacier, and only Liang Chu could melt him, turning his heart into soft, flowing water, allowing him to feel joy, sorrow, helplessness, and many other emotions. But no matter which emotion it was, for Xie Shenxing, it was a long-lost, joyful experience, one that made him feel alive again.

 

You can’t hit him, can’t scold him, and even speaking nicely to him depends on luck. There’s no guarantee he’ll listen. How could such a person exist? It seems heaven truly has eyes and would never allow anyone to have everything go their way. So, one thing conquers another perhaps he was born precisely to conquer him.

 

Xie Shenxing took a step back, giving up the shoes to him. Liang Chu took them aside, slipped them on his feet, and walked away. He climbed onto the bed, kicked off the shoes, and looked back.

 

He saw Xie Shenxing take the bedding he had just unrolled, roll it back up exactly as it had been before. Liang Chu was taken aback and called out, “What are you doing? Planning to sleep directly on the floor?”

 

Xie Shenxing placed the bedding back in its original spot, closed the cabinet door, and strode calmly to the bedside. Raising an arm, he pressed Liang Chu down onto the bed. Before Liang Chu could react, Xie Shenxing’s tall, masculine frame heavily covered him. Both of them carried the same scent of shower gel, yet the fragrances weren’t identical. One was lighter and fresher, while the other was tinged with a rich, intense masculine aura.

 

Xie Shenxing’s voice was hoarse as he said, “At a time like this, you still expect me to sleep on the floor? Of course, I’m sleeping with you.”

 

Liang Chu stared straight into his eyes and refused, saying, “No way! You always used to sleep on the floor before. I’ve slept alone in a bed for so many years. I’m not used to having you here. In my house, you follow my rules. Get down now!”

 

Xie Shenxing didn’t respond with words but answered with action. The bed was placed against the wall. Xie Shenxing braced his arm beside Liang Chu’s cheek, keeping some distance from his body, and with one hand, pushed him toward the inner side of the bed. Then, he lay down beside him, pulling the man who had been pushed over but sat back up into his embrace, trapping him like a wall between himself and the actual wall. In a tone that brooked no argument, he declared, “From now on, I’ll be sleeping in the same bed with you. Get used to having me around sooner rather than later.”

 

The man lay facing him, with Xie Shenxing’s left arm pillowing his head and his right arm draped over his waist. Their legs were tightly entwined, leaving Liang Chu with no room to move. Liang Chu kept his hands awkwardly folded over his chest and whispered, “You used to listen to everything I said before.”

 

Xie Shenxing’s intensely penetrating gaze softened as he looked at him. Suddenly, he moved, and Liang Chu instinctively tried to pull back. But Xie Shenxing’s hand on his waist pressed against his back, acting like a support that made it impossible to retreat any further.

 

Yet, Xie Shenxing only gently kissed his forehead.

 

“I listened to you not because I was afraid of you, Keke,” Xie Shenxing said. “It’s because I like you.”