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"San-Tu ah~ Since I bailed you out of jail, help us solve the case~" Lu Yao's mouth then fell open and his roasted chicken fell from his grasp. It was true that Bai Youning bailed him out but investigating a case...
Again...
After what he had experienced in the cell with that cell mate is too traumatizing...
"Bai-xiaojia, Please let me rest for at least a day, ah?" Bai Youning's gaze turn cold and Lu Yao felt that his skin crawl. Qiao Chusheng, who seated on Youning's left, seemed to enjoy the moment. Lu Yao frowned.
"Lao Qiao! Help your xiong di out, will you?" Chusheng smiled but it wasn't a genuine smile...
"Damn you, Lao Qiao...!"
The reason why Lu Yao doesn't want to investigate or even take the job was not only because of his traumatic experience in jail but more or so lies on...
A single Qiao Chusheng.
Lu Yao always felt his heart beat quickly everytime his best friend came close to him; Not to mention they touch ever so often nowadays. He could feel his face turn hotter and hotter everytime Chusheng smiles at him. The place where Chusheng once touched him would stay warm and his cologne would linger on.
Lu Yao himself didn't know when or where it started. To be frank, Lu Yao was never the type to fall for someone so quickly. Let alone falling in love with your best friend who happens to be a man. He also thought the fact that this little "crush" of his will never develop into something more.
Why?
Well, Qiao Chusheng likes women. That's all there is to it.
After a few of Youning's pleading and temper tantrums, Lu Yao, our poor San-Tu, had to agree. First of all, to stop her from getting themselves kicked out because of all the noise complaints and second, to forget his little "problem". Youning smiled and gave Lu Yao a peck on the cheek, which he found weird and sudden.
In the suspect's house, Chusheng knocked on the back of the cabinet full of Taoist robes and found that it was hallow. He slid the plywood up and saw a box, hiding inside.
"Lu Yao," he called out, "look at this." Lu Yao looked at the box and examined it. A chuckle escaped his mouth.
"So this is how they communicated to God, huh?" Chusheng looked at YaoYao with soft eyes and a small smile. Lu Yao blushed slightly. The detective continued to look around, trying to get away from Chusheng's line of vision.
The trio (Bai Youning came in last minute) saw a cellar in the backyard. San-Tu opened it up and looked inside.
Nothing.
After the day's work, with few clues at bay, they stopped and rested. Lu Yao however... has other plans...
Remember the cellar they found on the backyard of the suspect's house? He thought there were "treasures" or other valuables hidden so he decided a stakeout on that cellar. He opened the dark cellar and climbed down. Who would've thought that as soon as he jumped down, he would be locked in!
"Great... Just my luck!"
Lu Yao is a scaredy type. He doesn't like violence nor fighting. He thinks it's stupid. Plus he already has Chusheng to protect him! As minutes turns into hours, Lu Yao hugged his knees, hoping someone comes and help him out of this dark box.
It was lonely and dark. He wanted some light or at least someone to talk to. As he was about to submit to unconsciousness, he heard footsteps and the cellar trapdoor opened. He looked up and saw Youning and Chusheng, under the sunlight.
"Grab my hand!" Lu Yao frantically climbed the ladder and stretched out his hand and grabbed Chusheng's. As he stepped out and saw the sun shining, his legs wobbled and he landed on the grass. He sighed, enjoying the ounce of sun he's getting. He then recalled back when he grabbed Chusheng's hand. They were rough but it was warm.
Lu Yao's heart started to beat fast again.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" The man jumped and hugged the younger boy, never letting go. They tried to escape but they were surrounded. Chusheng looked at San-Tu and San-Tu looked back. His cheeks turning hot.
Chusheng proceeded to interrogate the suspect. After a few minutes of exchanging questions and answers, the suspect raised a white flag, admitting his wrongdoings.
"You know," Chusheng started, "This is something a good big brother shouldn't do." The suspect said he didn't regret it and walked away. Chusheng sat back and looked up.
"Now that this case is closed, maybe I should pay Lu Yao a visit and pay him like usual." Chusheng then rode his train of thought.
"Speaking of San-Tu, he seemed to avoid my gaze lately..." He was right. Chusheng then thought of things that he thought might offend their little detective. It's not like he gave him a dollar short on his consultation fee, right? He also paid for his morning baguette like always...
What could possibly made his partner so distant?
"Lao Qiao, What are you doing here?" Lu Yao opened door, surprised to see Chusheng, still in uniform, in his doorway. He invited the man in and settled him down. He didn't bother changing clothes. The only thing that changed is that there was an apron around him.
The smell of Lu Yao's cooking and his scent surrounded Chuseng. After a few minutes of silence, San-Tu invited Chuseng to the table to eat.
"This is rare~" Chusheng smirked. Lu Yao, sitting across, blushed. Lu Yao grabbed his chopsticks and started to eat.
"You too, Lao Qiao." Chusheng smiled and ate.
For the first time, Chusheng didn't leave because of Youning and Lu Yao's bickering. He felt happy that for the first time, he was able to taste and enjoy Lu Yao's food.
Silence surrounded them. All they could here were slurping, munching and the buzzling streets of Shanghai. After minutes that seemed hours, Lu Yao insisted that he do the dishes. As he squirmed away with the dishes, Chusheng sat still and watched Lu Yao.
From behind, Lu Yao looked beautiful, Chusheng thought. His hand fumbling about, his hair shining with the light. His figure was slim and upright, really fits to his title: Scholar. As Lu Yao turned around, he saw Chusheng looking at him. It looked like he was checking him out. He blushed and turned back around, flustered.
Chusheng then finally understood why San-Tu is like this for the past few days.
As night crawled in, Lu Yao and Chusheng just sat in the living room, one meter away from each other. Youning didn't arrive since she was writing her article (and also she had a appointment with a friend).
The lamp on Chusheng's side was the only thing that was bringing light into the room.
Lu Yao was hugging a pillow and looking away from Chusheng. The Inspector, on the other hand, throws his head back and crossed his arm on his chest. When none of them tried to brake the silence, Chusheng took the initiative.
"YaoYao..." Lu Yao jumped. He never expected for Chusheng to call him that.
"H-huh?" What is it?"
"Why have been avoiding me?"
"Me? Nonsense! Why would I?" Chusheng moved a tad bit closer and looked at the now blushing Lu Yao. Lu Yao couldn't stop his heart from beating fast. He thinks that if Chusheng moves a little bit more, his heart will explode.
As he was about to stand up, Chusheng's hand grabbed Lu Yao's and pulled him down. Now, Lu Yao is sitting on his lap, looking like a tomato. Chusheng smirked and looked at Lu Yao, still waiting for a more decent alibi.
"San-Tu, you know you can tell me." Lu Yao said to himself:
Damn it, Lao Qiao! With your seductive voice and gentle eyes, who would dare not fall for you!?
Chusheng continued to look at him and Lu Yao only said:
"I... I..." Lu Yao is now really flustered. He keeps fidgeting and shivering. He couldn't even make proper eye contact. Chusheng thought he might have gone a little too far so he released the taller male, letting him calm down.
"You don't have to force your-"
"I think I like you!"
"W-what?" Was all Chusheng said to himself after that sudden confession. Lu Yao has his eyes shut tight and his fists clenched really tight. His face was red; Really red. Lu Yao, the prideful man that he is, is now all embarrassed just because of his "problem".
It was understandable, though. A guy liking another guy is no joke. In this era, for him to confess his love was already hard enough. Chusheng smiled at the sight and grabbed Lu Yao's chin, making him look up.
"Was that why you're avoiding me?" Lu Yao nodded. Chusheng smiled and kissed his forehead.
"I knew it..." Lu Yao looked up and was shocked. He intended to cover his mouth, preventing himself form screaming but before his hands even touched his mouth, Chusheng grabbed his hands and kissed his lips.
It was deep and tender. It made Lu Yao wanna dissolve. The kiss was hot, passionate and really intoxicating.
Chusheng really did deserved his title "Man amongst Men" and no wonder girls are so head over heels for him.
His kiss is so delicious!
When they broke of their kiss for air, Lu Yao was panting with his mouth hanging open. A field of red hue bloomed across his cheeks. Chusheng licked his lips, looking like he wants to eat the man infront of him.
"I like you too." Was all Chusheng said before diving for another tasty kiss.