"Why on earth did you take the drink, knowing it was drugged?" Mu Yang challenged the tipsy man he was assisting, annoyance lacing his voice. "I wanted to see what they had planned for me. I had no idea they would use an aphrodisiac," he admitted, clinging desperately to Mu Yang's arm, his eyes muddled with confusion and shame.
"It's a bar," Mu Yang continued, his tone firm yet calm. "People are either here for business, companionship, or to trap someone." The drunk man nodded, his expression shifting as he replied, "Thank you for the wisdom. I'll remember that for next time."
Mu Yang had come to the bar seeking a simple drink. His evening plans were dashed when his boyfriend canceled at the last minute. He had hoped to find comfort at the bar counter and the clink of ice in his glass, enjoying brief moments of peace. But then, there he was, engaged in an unfamiliar man's affairs who clung to him like a lifeline.
"Babe, I didn't know you'd be here," the stranger slurred, confusion ran across his face. Mu Yang froze, taken aback—he didn't recognize this man or their supposed relationship. Scanning the bar's atmosphere, he noticed the suspicious actions of the man beside him.
"Is he genuinely your boyfriend?" Uncertainty wondered from the questioner's lips. "Yes," Mu Yang lied smoothly, though uncertainty coiled in his gut. "He mentioned a meeting, though I had no idea it was taking place in this kind of venue," he added, his keen eye catching the way both men were dressed—one somewhat casual, yet the other clearly out of place.
"He doesn't strike me as a lightweight; why is he so drunk?" Mu Yang contemplated, questioning the man's facade. The inquiry hung in the air, triggering the unknown man, who hastily dismissed Mu Yang with a hurried farewell.
"Could you please take me to my car?" the drunk man asked with a slight whimper. Recognizing the distress in his eyes, Mu Yang reluctantly agreed, realizing the man was far gone. He struggled to support the drunken figure as they made their way through the chaotic parking lot.
"What kind of car do you drive?" Mu Yang queried. "The silver Range Rover over there," the man pointed, his finger unsteady yet directed. "It's astonishing that you can identify your car but can't even walk to it," Mu Yang muttered under his breath. "While you're helping me, I've stumbled; what would I do if I were alone?" the man retorted, a hint of vulnerability in his tone.
Arriving at the luxury vehicle, the drunk man rapped on its window, and a concerned driver stepped out. "Sir, what happened?" the driver inquired, worry etched on his expression. "He was drugged by someone he met," Mu Yang explained, sensing the atmosphere shift. "I told you not to trust him," the driver scolded the drunken man, frustration evident. Mu Yang observed the exchange, noting the driver's authoritative demeanor—this was no ordinary man; he was someone of significance, possibly a director or executive. 'That man must be trying to tarnish his reputation,' Mu Yang contemplated, worry seeping into his thoughts.
The intoxicated man clutched Mu Yang's arm, his grip tightening like a child yearning for comfort. "Come home with me," he whimsically pleaded. "I'm sorry," Mu Yang said, his heart aching at the childish disappointment reflected in the man's eyes. The glares of passersby began to irritate him and with a reluctant sigh, he gave in. Mu Yang decided to take him home, though he would have to make his escape after the drugged man slept.
Upon arriving at the elegant house, Mu Yang admired the clean, modern decor and impressive views that pointed out the man's high social standing. He led the drunk man to his bedroom, helping him settle onto the plush covers. "Could you remove my tie?" the man asked with a gentle plea, his vulnerability shining through. Remembering the sharp lessons from the bar, Mu Yang carefully unfastened the tie, slid off the waistcoat, shoes, and socks, and finally removed the belt as instructed. He helped the man lie down, observing as his eyelids fluttered closed.
Once he was convinced the man had finally surrendered to sleep, Mu Yang anxiously waved a hand in front of his face, feeling a surge of delight that he might get away unharmed. He rose quietly, tiptoeing toward the door, heart racing with the urge to escape. But just as he reached for the handle, a firm hand slammed the door shut, jolting him into sheer panic.
Turning around slowly, Mu Yang was met by the man's piercing gaze, his tone a mix of firmness and gentle inquiry. "You were planning to sneak away from the beginning, weren't you? That's why you stayed silent in the car," he stated, his voice steady, sending electric fear racing down Mu Yang's spine. He felt an inexplicable dread wash over him, instinctively knowing he should say something, anything.
"You need to catch some rest," Mu Yang urged softly, trying to mask his nervousness. But the man turned him to face him fully and asked, "Am I ugly or frightening, making you shiver like a scared rabbit?"
Mu Yang couldn't help but gaze upwards, eyes widening as he took in the man's extraordinary beauty. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 9 inches, he displayed an unmistakable aura of confidence that was both intimidating and captivating. His well-defined features were striking—a smooth forehead hinted at intelligence and intensity, while the deep brown of his almond-shaped eyes seemed to harbor countless secrets, glimmering with a cold edge softened only by a calm demeanor.
His straight, sharp nose and elegant jawline brought out his diamond-shaped face, while his full, rosy lips appeared inviting yet mysterious. Smooth, clear skin glowed under the soft light, and his thick hair, dark bronze brown and slightly wavy, fell just above his shoulders, framing his face beautifully. With a lean, toned physique, and impressively long fingers, he radiated a subtle power that left Mu Yang momentarily breathless.
"Aren't you staring a bit too much?" he teased, an amused smirk dancing on his lips.
"You posed a question; I needed to assess you to respond," Mu Yang stumbled over his words, flustered and desperately attempting to regain composure. "I should really—" but the sentence trailed off, uncertainty cradling his thoughts. Had the effects of the aphrodisiac started kicking in? It seemed impossible, but time had felt like it was slipping away, and the tension hung thick in the air.
The man's intense gaze fell upon Muyang, emotions swirling in a storm of uncertainty. Panic bubbled up within Muyang as he sensed the dangerous mix of restraint and desire in the man's eyes. He struggled to break free from the man's grasp, but it felt useless. Every plea he made fell on deaf ears. He knew that pushing him away could lead to a disastrous outcome.
"Please let me go! I have a boyfriend I really lov—" His words were cut short as the man silenced him with a crushing kiss. "You talk too much," he murmured, diving back into the kiss with abandon.
A sudden buzzing broke the morning silence. Muyang fumbled for his phone, barely able to open his eyes. Groggy and disoriented, he answered, "Hello?" The voice on the other end was filled with concern—"I've been trying to reach you! You didn't tell us about your plans, and you never came home!"
He groaned, "Sorry, Hao. I drank too much and passed out." Glancing around, his heart raced. This room was definitely not his own nor was he familiar with it. "I'll be back soon. I'll call you later!" Panic surged as he hung up.
His eyes darted around, taking in the shocking reality—he was naked, covered in bites and marks. Just as the seriousness of his situation sank in, he glanced at the figure beside him and covered his mouth in horror.
What had he done? Quietly, he crept from the bed and hastily dressed, scrambling to gather his belongings. He tiptoed out of the room, but fate had other plans. He collided with a maid, crashing to the floor. A sharp wince shot through him as he hit the ground. "I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, helping him up.
"It's okay," he replied, brushing himself off as embarrassment flooded over him. He dashed out of the house and onto the road, his mind racing. He was in a prestigious neighborhood where help was hard to come across.
Anxiously, he ordered a cab, breathing a sigh of relief when it finally arrived. The drive back felt like a blur, and soon enough, he was back in his lovely neighborhood with a warm and cozy house. As he stepped into his house, he was greeted by the familiar comfort of his small, cozy apartment. He collapsed onto his bed, ready to embrace the comfort, but fate wasn't done with him yet.
His phone rang again. "Hello?" he answered, only to hear his brothers on the other end asking, "Ge, you didn't forget about lunch, did you?"A jolt of realization hit him as he puffed, looking at the time. It was almost noon! "I'll start getting ready," he said, hurry creeping into his voice. "Order me something in case I'm late!"
Dragging himself to the bathroom, he sank into hot water, embarrassed to cleanse the evidence of the last night's chaos. Once out of the shower, he felt slightly revived, but the weight of guilt hung heavy on him. He rummaged through his clothes, his mind racing. Just last night, he'd crossed a line he never thought he would.
As he moisturized and glanced at himself in the mirror, a sense of relief washed over him—not a single visible mark out of all the narks. "At least he had the decency not to leave a visible bite. At least he's quite considerate," he muttered, but the relief vanished as the reality of his actions set in.
He collapsed on the floor, his ego shattered. "I'm not a bad person, God! My name is tarnished!" he lamented. "Im a good child who has never ever once beared the thought of cheating on my partner" he whined on the ground.
Dressed and trying to pull himself together, he always dressed to charm people. he remembered his family's skill for elegance. His parents always dressed flawlessly, while his brothers favored a more rebellious style—each unique, yet appealing in their own way. The little one was always adorable no matter what he wore.
A servant returned with his car, and he drove to the restaurant, hoping to shake off the morning's disasters. Arriving early, exhaustion hit him like a tidal wave. He decided to catch a quick nap in the car, only to be jolted awake by his mother's voice on the phone, giving him an earful him about his habitual tardiness when it came to family events.
After a quick touch-up, he strutted toward the table, and suddenly the weight of the world lifted when he saw his little brother sprinting toward him. "Ge Ge!" he cried, and Muyang's heart melted. He scooped the little one up in his arms, instantly forgetting the scolding.
"When will you ever change?" his mother scoffed as he sat down, but he brushed it off with a grin. "Mom, it's too early for lectures! What if I was about to be shipped off to a mental asylum?" he joked, earning a chuckle from his father.
""How are you, Mom and Dad?" he asked, attempting to lift the mood in the room. Their faces lit up with warm smiles as they exchanged cheerful responses. Just as he imagined, his parents were dressed to impress. His brothers also put in the effort, sporting outfits that looked unexpectedly casual and simple, different from their usual style.
"Is something happening that I wasn't told about?" he asked, curiosity sparking in his eyes as he playfully rocked his little brother in his arms. "Why do you ask?" his dad countered, raising an eyebrow. "Because Ran and Yu actually look clean for once!" he blurted, the words tumbling out in excitement. "Hey!" the brothers protested in unison, feigning shock.
"The bad fashion is just a strategy to keep the girls away," Hao Yu chimed in with a grin. "There are better ways that work better than your stupid idea," Mu Yang shot back, smirking. "Why should we listen to you when your relationships are always on edge"Hao Ran scoffed, and the tension in the air was palpable as Hao Yu and Mu Yang gasped in mock disbelief.
"How come your brothers know so much about your dating life and I'm completely in the dark?" their mother demanded, her voice rising dangerously. "Oh no!" the little one in his arms squealed, triggering a wave of laughter, except from their mother, who snapped, "Why aren't you answering me?" They scrambled to clarify, "It was just a joke!" but she wasn't having it.
Fortunately, her frustration melted away as she looked at three faces. The boys followed her gaze and exchanged glances, muttering, "Just great," as the Xu family arrived. Throughout her high school years, Mu Yang's mother had randomly met Mrs. Xu, and their bond had transformed into an unbreakable friendship over time.
Mrs. Lin, Mu Yang's mom, had fallen pregnant before Mrs. Xu, leading them to promise each other that their children would marry when the time was right. Fate had other plans—both women gave birth to sons first. While they didn't mind the idea of uniting their boys, Mrs. Xu faced health challenges that prevented her from having more children.
This drived Mrs. Xu towards the thought of having grandchildren, she didn't let the setbacks dampen her dreams. When Mrs. Lin got pregnant again, they hoped for girls to make their vision a reality. But luck was not on their side, and Mrs. Lin welcomed another set of boys into the world and to add salt onto the injury, it was twins.
Shattering their shared dreams. Mrs. Xu thought of a lot of possible ideas like adopting a daughter, but her son discouraged her. Despite their plans not coming to life, the two families remained close. However, the chemistry among their children was chaotic and undesirable.