TUMZ Chapter 1

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After the Winter Solstice, the Weather Turns Colder

Qiu Zheyan took the black cashmere coat off the drying rack and put it on, ready to head home. As he walked through the corridor, a company employee caught sight of him and called out, “Xiao Qiu, heading home?”

Although Qiu Zheyan was the boss of the company, he was young, good-tempered, and highly skilled. Their company was an IT firm with a young workforce and a small team. The work environment was relaxed, and the employees weren’t afraid to joke around with their easygoing boss.

His cheeks were slightly flushed, and his eyes sparkled with an uncontrollable happiness. “Yeah, something at home. I’m heading back,” he said.

After he left, the remaining employees packed up to go home as well, unable to resist gossiping.

“Isn’t Xiao Qiu in a relationship lately?”

“I think so! He’s radiating that unmistakable aura of love.”

“He’s been glowing recently.”

“Feels like he really likes his girlfriend.”

“Good for him. Means we get to leave work early too.”

“Can’t believe Xiao Qiu got into a relationship so quietly. I was still wondering if I had a shot, haha.”

Qiu Zheyan, 26 years old, CEO of an IT company. His life had been smooth sailing—he was a child prodigy, skipped grades, graduated from a prestigious university, came from a wealthy family, and made his first pot of gold by co-founding a startup with a senior during college. After graduating, he worked at a major tech firm for two years before resigning to start his own business.

Not only that, but Qiu Zheyan was also a handsome man with sharp brows, starry eyes, broad shoulders, and long legs. He was upright and well-behaved, with no rumors of scandalous relationships. An absolute gentleman.

—"His partner must be a rich, beautiful woman."

—"Xiao Qiu has such high standards. Remember that rich beauty who chased him all the way to the company? He still rejected her. Whoever won him over must be extraordinary."

—"She must be stunning. That’s the only match for him. He seems easygoing, but I bet he’s got high expectations. Men usually like younger girls—probably a sweet, young beauty."

Qiu Zheyan lived close to the company for convenience. A ten-minute drive and he was home.

As he opened the door, the sound of video games filled the living room, punctuated by a man’s bright, carefree laughter.

Hearing it, Qiu Zheyan couldn’t help but smile, his brows and eyes carrying warmth, his heart feeling light.

He took off his leather shoes, neatly placed them in the shoe cabinet, slipped into his indoor slippers, and quietly entered. Immediately, his eyes landed on the man in the living room.

The man was sprawled across the rug by the TV wall, wearing a deep blue striped Japanese-style bathrobe. His left leg itched, so he curled his right leg up, using his toes to scratch it. This motion caused his robe to slip open slightly, revealing more than intended, but he seemed completely unaware. Three empty beer cans rolled nearby, along with an ashtray filled with cigarette butts. He was engrossed in his game.

The corgi lying by his legs perked up at the noise, wagging its short legs as it trotted toward Qiu Zheyan, panting happily.

The man had pale skin, a lean frame, and faint bluish-purple shadows under his eyes—the classic look of a shut-in. Even if one stretched the description, he could only be considered a slightly good-looking older man.

He was so absorbed in the game that he didn’t even notice Qiu Zheyan’s arrival.

—"So you thought he’d be into young beauties? Xiao Qiu isn’t that shallow."

—"Then what kind of person do you think it is?"

—"Someone refined, elegant. Xiao Qiu has class—his partner can’t be too bad."

“Shh.” Qiu Zheyan patted the corgi’s head and gestured for silence. He walked up behind Zhuang Hanxue, placed his hands on his shoulders, and slowly pulled him upright into his arms. He nuzzled his face into the man’s neck, inhaling the scent of body wash and faint tobacco, pressing a kiss to his neck. “You took a shower?”

The man wasn’t annoyed at being interrupted. Since the game wasn’t over yet, he kept his eyes on the screen and answered matter-of-factly, “Mm, I always have to be prepared to serve my little Qiu Emperor, don’t I?”

Qiu Zheyan blushed instantly. “Don’t call me Emperor…”

The screen flashed "WIN" with a burst of virtual fireworks. The man set his controller aside and turned to Qiu Zheyan with a teasing smile. “You weren’t embarrassed when you picked out my clothes. What’s there to be shy about now?”

As he spoke, he leaned in, brushing a light kiss over Qiu Zheyan’s lips.

Qiu Zheyan paused for a moment, then returned the kiss, hungrily deepening it. As long as Zhuang Hanxue offered even a spark, he would ignite like a wildfire, burning hot from his fingertips to his heart, losing all reason.

He was young and full of energy. They had only been dating for two months, caught in the throes of passionate love.

Like discovering a new game, he was obsessed, eager to explore every detail, never getting enough.

Afterward—

Zhuang Hanxue rubbed his sore waist, a cigarette between his lips. “My old waist is about to snap.”

Qiu Zheyan lit it for him. “Smoke less.”

Zhuang Hanxue smirked. “I let you fool around in the living room—at least let me have a cigarette as a reward.”

Thinking of his own wild behavior just moments ago, Qiu Zheyan’s face burned. He was in no position to play the virtuous one now. “You’re the one who didn’t wear underwear… I even prepared some…”

Zhuang Hanxue exhaled a slow puff of smoke, shamelessly remarking, “A proper yukata should be worn with a fundoshi, not underwear. You should prepare a fundoshi next time.”

When it came to being shameless, an older man was definitely more skilled. Qiu Zheyan could only admit defeat.

At this point, it was time to properly introduce Qiu Zheyan’s completely unserious lover—

His name was Zhuang Hanxue. If he had a courtesy name, it might as well be "Idle Fish," with the style name "Scoundrel." Thirty-four years old, unemployed shut-in. Though his name carried the grandeur of vast oceans and academic pursuits, he was an utterly unambitious man. He had never done anything evil, nor had he contributed to society—neither adding nor subtracting from the world. Just an ordinary, insignificant person.

Zhuang Hanxue was content with his current life.

They met online while playing video games, and their relationship transitioned from the virtual world to real life. Ten years ago, Zhuang Hanxue could never have imagined that one day he would turn into a game-addicted homebody, let alone that at his age, he’d be in an online romance that became real—especially with another man.

At first, Qiu Zheyan tricked him into moving in by offering him a job as a live-in gaming companion, complete with full benefits and a salary of 8,000 yuan per month. Before long, through sweet talk and coaxing, he had lured him into bed.

That said, the "salary" was still paid. He didn’t have to cook or do housework; he could do whatever he wanted every day. The only condition was that he had to wear the clothes Qiu Zheyan had picked out for him in advance.

Zhuang Hanxue finished a cigarette and leaned over to glance at Qiu Zheyan’s work emails.

One of them was from a celebrity’s studio. Their company wanted actress Jiang Ruoyun to endorse their product, but the request had been declined—either the offer wasn’t high enough, or the brand wasn’t up to par.

Zhuang Hanxue took a quick look, then, putting on an air of seriousness, said, "You want Jiang Ruoyun to be your spokesperson? She’s really popular now, and her rates are pretty high. But she’s actually my ex-girlfriend—I can help you get in touch with her. She might just do me a favor."

Qiu Zheyan burst out laughing. Zhuang Hanxue was always full of nonsense. Jiang Ruoyun was a rising star known for her pure image, adored by male fans who all called her "my wife" or "my girlfriend" online. For an ordinary guy like Zhuang Hanxue to claim to be her ex? Yeah, right.

Seeing Qiu Zheyan laugh, Zhuang Hanxue smugly added, "I’m serious! Why don’t you believe me?"

Qiu Zheyan pecked him on the lips, still smiling, and playfully said, "Alright, alright, it’s true. But that just means I can’t let you contact her. What if you rekindle your old flame? I’d get jealous."

After finishing his work, Qiu Zheyan idly played with Zhuang Hanxue’s fingers, occasionally kissing his ring finger, their hands intertwined.

Zhuang Hanxue was getting sleepy, yawning as he was about to drift off when Qiu Zheyan suddenly said, "I told you my parents live abroad, right? Next week is Christmas. Do you want to come with me to have dinner with them? My mom’s a chef—her cooking is amazing. They’ve been saying they really want to meet you. Come with me, okay?"

The moment "meeting the parents" was mentioned, Zhuang Hanxue was suddenly wide awake.

Nothing troubled an unserious man more than serious matters.

He had been slapped before, had water thrown at him, and even been hit with an LV handbag—but he had never agreed to meet someone’s parents.

Mr. Zhuang was thoroughly distressed.

He turned his head and saw Qiu Zheyan looking at him expectantly, like a big golden retriever.

Damn it. So cute! Zhuang Hanxue was dazed.

He thought Qiu Zheyan’s tactic was completely underhanded. Every time he looked at him with those puppy eyes, how could he possibly refuse? It worked like a charm every single time. If it didn’t, he wouldn’t have ended up being coaxed into bed by a guy seven years younger than him.

Just like the first time they slept together.

Like he was possessed, Zhuang Hanxue nodded. "Oh."

He saw Qiu Zheyan’s eyes light up instantly, almost as if he had a tail wagging wildly like a helicopter rotor.

Relaxing a bit, he thought: Qiu Zheyan made it sound so nice, but come on—they were both men, he was seven years older, unemployed, and just lazing around. What kind of parents would accept their son bringing home a guy like him?

Once Qiu Zheyan’s parents rejected him, he’d be off the hook.

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