TUMZ Chapter 6

| Previous | Table of Contents | Next | 

Playing cards flipped effortlessly between Zhuang Hanxue's fingers as he shuffled them smoothly, offering the girl a card to draw.

The girl turned over the card and exclaimed, "It really is the one I just mentioned!"

Qiu Zheyan had never known that Zhuang Hanxue could perform magic tricks and was taken aback. The light reflected in Zhuang Hanxue's eyes, making them sparkle. A strange radiance seemed to flow around him, adding a touch of allure. He wandered among the flowers with such ease, as if it were second nature to him.

Qiu Zheyan recalled how Zhuang Hanxue had bragged a few times before about how popular he was in his twenties. When arguing with his brother, he had even claimed that he changed girlfriends every week. Qiu Zheyan had always thought he was just spouting nonsense, joking around.

But now, it seemed that not all of it was a lie.

Zhuang Hanxue chuckled and said, "Magic tricks are so old-fashioned. Thank you all for humoring an outdated old man like me."

The girl asked, "Then, do you want to sing a song?"

Zhuang Hanxue, completely at ease, replied, "Sure! I have a few go-to songs, and I sing pretty well. I even considered chasing a dream in the entertainment industry before. Hahaha."

The girl scoffed, "Yeah, right."

But Zhuang Hanxue wasn’t just making things up—he picked the song "Li Bai" and sat down to sing.

"Most people want me to learn to see the world through the eyes of others

I took it seriously, learned their ways, worldly till dawn...

A foreign film, I didn’t understand a single word

Yet the real joke was only revealed at the end...

Look at me—so obedient, so smart, so well-behaved, so cunning..."

His deep, magnetic voice flowed through the room. The chatter gradually quieted as everyone instinctively listened. He might not have been a professional singer, but his voice was undeniably on a different level from most.

Zhuang Hanxue sang with ease, swaying slightly to the rhythm. As he sang, he casually glanced toward Qiu Zheyan in the crowd, his gaze carrying a trace of amusement. That fleeting glance, light and effortless, landed in Qiu Zheyan’s eyes with an air of scattered affection—as if the song was for him. Yet, the girls were the ones blushing:

"At least I can still write poetry to stir emotions, tease the girls..."

Qiu Zheyan remained silent, the faint smile on his lips slowly fading. He had never known this side of Zhuang Hanxue.

But upon reflection, he realized it wasn’t surprising at all—it was just so like him.

When the song ended, the girls applauded.

"You sing really well!"

Zhuang Hanxue wasn’t modest. "Of course! I won the Top Ten Singers Championship back in university."

"Say something nice, and you start bragging, huh?"

A sharp pang of jealousy rose in Qiu Zheyan's heart. He had the overwhelming urge to tell everyone that Zhuang Hanxue wasn’t just his friend—he was his kept boyfriend, the man he wanted to marry. But even if he wanted to come out, Zhuang Hanxue might not be willing. Besides, he wasn’t exactly keen on letting his colleagues pry into his personal life.

"You never told me you could sing," Qiu Zheyan said, his tone laced with something he couldn’t quite name.

Zhuang Hanxue looked innocent. "You never asked me."

After singing, they went next door to a bar for drinks and dancing.

Several drinks in, there was no sign of intoxication on him.

Zhuang Hanxue grinned at Qiu Zheyan. "I can mix drinks too. I know how to make a lot of them. This time, I’m telling you in advance—next time, I’ll make one for you."

He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and exhaled a swirl of smoke.

Women flocked around him like bees drawn to honey. "Mr. Zhuang, let’s add each other on WeChat."

Someone said to Qiu Zheyan, "Boss Qiu, why have you never brought this friend out before? You should’ve introduced him to us ages ago. As expected, handsome people only befriend other handsome people."

Zhuang Hanxue said, "Sure. Do you want to scan me, or should I scan you?"

They took out their phones to exchange contact information.

Qiu Zheyan felt as if a heavy stone were lodged in his chest, stuck between inhaling and exhaling. He watched as Zhuang Hanxue, completely unaware, casually opened the app.

This guy was an idiot. His lover was right beside him, yet he dared to exchange numbers with women.

Qiu Zheyan couldn’t take it anymore. Without a word, he reached into his pocket and dialed a number.

Zhuang Hanxue hadn’t even added the contact yet when an incoming call popped up on his screen:

[Little Majesty]

The friend request was interrupted.

Zhuang Hanxue glanced at the screen and chuckled. "Hold on a sec."

Qiu Zheyan, still beside him, nonchalantly slipped his phone back into his pocket and took a sip of his drink. Before Zhuang Hanxue could answer, he hung up.

The woman asked sweetly, "Mr. Zhuang, what do you do for work?"

Zhuang Hanxue answered bluntly, "Me? I’m unemployed right now."

She pressed further, "Are you looking for a job?"

He smiled again. "Nope. Right now, I’m pretty much a full-time kept man."

The woman hesitated awkwardly. "…Mr. Zhuang, you’re joking, right?"

Zhuang Hanxue replied with a mix of playfulness and seriousness, "No, I’m not. Just because I’m older, doesn’t mean people don’t have a thing for sugar daddies too."

Qiu Zheyan nearly choked on his drink.

Zhuang Hanxue sat beside him and patted his back. "If you can’t handle your liquor, don’t drink so much."

The women who had been surrounding him took the opportunity to quietly slip away.

Qiu Zheyan pinched the inside of Zhuang Hanxue’s thigh under the table, making him jolt like a shrimp. Sourly, he said, "You were having a great time chatting with those women. If I hadn’t called you just now, would you have added her on WeChat?"

Zhuang Hanxue blinked, looking genuinely clueless. "Am I not allowed to? If not, you should’ve told me earlier."

Qiu Zheyan felt a headache coming on. "Do I really need to spell that out for you?"

Zhuang Hanxue nodded obediently. "Oh, okay. I won’t add them then." He thought for a moment. "You’re right. A kept man shouldn’t be flirting around like that. I get it now. I won’t talk to them anymore."

If it weren’t for Zhuang Hanxue’s naturally clueless personality, Qiu Zheyan would’ve thought he was deliberately mocking him. "I’m not saying you can’t talk to others. Just… don’t call yourself a kept man. We’re in a relationship."

Zhuang Hanxue widened his eyes in surprise. "Oh, really?"

What was there to be surprised about?

Maybe it was the alcohol, but Qiu Zheyan was unusually irritable tonight. He had been holding back all evening.

And just then, someone added fuel to the fire.

A male colleague said, "I’m booking a room for some mahjong later. Anyone up for it?"

Zhuang Hanxue, eager, was the first to raise his hand. "Me! It’s been a while since I played!"

Then he turned to Qiu Zheyan. "I can’t play with women, but playing with men is fine, right?"

Qiu Zheyan said exasperatedly, "Is that really the issue here?"

Zhuang Hanxue shrank back at his tone. "Fine, fine. I won’t go. Playing video games at home is good too."

Seeing him flinch, Qiu Zheyan felt guilty for being too harsh. He softened his tone. "I’m not saying you can’t go…"

Zhuang Hanxue’s eyes lit up instantly, pushing his luck. "So I can go? Great! It’s been ages since I played! I’m actually pretty good, you know! But it’s too expensive—if I run out of money, I’ll just stop."

He was already heading over.

Qiu Zheyan felt an inexplicable surge of frustration.

He never should have brought Zhuang Hanxue out. He should’ve just locked him up at home. Better yet, if he could keep him in his pocket and carry him everywhere, that would be ideal.

Before he even thought about it, his body moved first—he grabbed Zhuang Hanxue by the collar, like holding a leash, and dragged him away.

"Boss Qiu, leaving already?"

"Mr. Zhuang is going too?"

Qiu Zheyan forced a smile. "Yeah, I’m heading back with my friend. Have fun, everyone. Happy New Year."

He pulled Zhuang Hanxue toward the parking lot, a little rougher than usual due to the alcohol.

Zhuang Hanxue pulled out his phone. "We drank. Let’s call a driver."

Qiu Zheyan opened the car door and shoved him inside.

Zhuang Hanxue fumbled and dropped his phone between the seats. Just as he was about to reach for it, an arm wrapped around his waist.

The next moment, Qiu Zheyan, reeking of alcohol, pressed against him. It wasn’t a kiss—it was a bite, like he wanted to devour him whole. Zhuang Hanxue almost couldn’t breathe.

Qiu Zheyan demanded, "You can do magic tricks, sing, mix drinks, play cards—why didn’t you ever tell me?"

Zhuang Hanxue, breathless, eyes misty, murmured, "Never had the chance to tell you… Be gentle…"

"What’s there to tell? It’s nothing impressive."

"I’m good at nothing except eating, drinking, and having fun."

"Otherwise, why do you think I have no savings at this age?"

Qiu Zheyan loomed over him, pressing him down.

He both loved and hated the man in his arms.

He thought he knew Zhuang Hanxue completely, that he was firmly within his grasp. But tonight proved how arrogant that thought was. Even if the wind paused in his embrace, the moment he let go, it was still wild and unpredictable.

How much more about Zhuang Hanxue did he not know?

He had explored every inch of him.

He had shamelessly molded him into submission. Yet the moment a woman approached, he felt like this fool might stupidly be lured away.

Was he really fine with just being taken care of, no matter who it was?

How could someone be so infuriating?

He bit down on Zhuang Hanxue’s neck, leaving a mark—part love, part frustration.

Zhuang Hanxue blacked out midway. When he woke up, he was already home.

Qiu Zheyan carried him into a warm bath, washing him gently.

His whole body ached as if he had been crushed and hadn’t been pieced back together.

Sitting in the tub, Qiu Zheyan hugged him from behind, once again the obedient, affectionate puppy.

Zhuang Hanxue wasn’t mad, just puzzled. "Why did you act like you had rabies? Were you jealous? I just talked to a few women. You’re scary."

Qiu Zheyan mumbled, "Sorry for hurting you."

Zhuang Hanxue immediately forgave him. "It’s fine."

Qiu Zheyan sulked. "Stop saying I’m keeping you. I’m serious about us."

Zhuang Hanxue hesitated. "…Mm."

Qiu Zheyan couldn’t hold it in anymore. "Let’s get married."

He thought Zhuang Hanxue would at least hesitate, but he refused immediately and firmly. "No."

A rush of blood surged to Qiu Zheyan’s head.

The man in his arms, naked from their entanglement, turned to him and asked cautiously, "Can I still live with you?"

His voice echoed in the steamy bathroom, lingering in the air, never quite landing.

Zhuang Hanxue looked at him, wary. "You’re not kicking me out now, are you?"

T/N: Please give support on my ko-fi for more updates🍊🍊🍊