LABMY CH34

Wei Zhenge had been researching the causes and treatments for ED online, from explanations by doctors in white coats to various folk remedies.

The endless array of treatments made him feel that it would be better to visit a hospital. The information online was too chaotic, and if he blindly followed some random method and ended up worsening the situation, that would be even worse.

However, seeing how unwilling Jian Yuanbai was to talk about it, Wei Zhenge didn’t know how to bring up the idea of going to the hospital.

He understood that the one suffering the most in this situation was definitely Jian Yuanbai.

Since he couldn’t figure out how to talk about it, Wei Zhenge decided to try using dietary supplements instead.

After all, these foods, at worst, would just cause some internal heat. They wouldn’t harm the body.

When Jian Yuanbai returned home that evening and saw the soup, sheep kidneys, and stewed venison on the table, he immediately felt a headache coming on.

Lately, Wei Zhenge had been preparing all sorts of delicious dishes, which wasn’t a problem in itself.

But these dishes were all meant to boost virility, and it was becoming too much for Jian Yuanbai, who was already forced into abstinence.

Jian Yuanbai tried to ask as tactfully as possible, “Why have we been eating so well these past few days?”

Wei Zhenge replied innocently and naturally, “It’s almost New Year’s, so we should eat well.”

“Oh, by the way, Jian-ge, when are you free? Let’s go shopping for New Year’s goods together.”

Jian Yuanbai stuffed a piece of venison into his mouth and muttered, “New Year, huh…”

Don’t tell me this life of eating mutton, venison, and soft-shelled turtle every day will last until after the New Year…

“The company’s about to start the holiday break, so we can go shopping for New Year’s goods then,” Jian Yuanbai paused, then cautiously asked, “But, Little Pillow, are we really going to keep eating like this until the New Year?”

He faintly felt that something was off, but when he saw Wei Zhenge’s natural expression, that trace of unease quickly vanished. He must have been overthinking it.

Wei Zhenge pursed his lips and said with some disappointment, “Is my cooking not tasty?”

To prove that it wasn’t bad, Jian Yuanbai devoured a large bowl, saying, “I’ll do the dishes.”

With that, he stood up and began clearing the tableware.

Wei Zhenge frowned slightly and leaned in to look at his face. Under the light, Jian Yuanbai saw that smooth, pale face getting closer and couldn’t help but swallow. He asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”

A hand brushed past the area beneath his nose, bringing out a streak of crimson. Wei Zhenge quickly grabbed him and led him to wash up, pulling out a handful of tissues from the drawer. “You’re having a nosebleed.”

Watching Jian Yuanbai rinse his face in front of the faucet, Wei Zhenge felt a bit regretful. He opened his mouth to apologize but didn’t know what to say, so he silently crossed off several dishes he had planned for the upcoming days from his mental menu.

In the end, this kind of situation really required seeing a doctor.

Before he could bring it up, the Chinese New Year was already approaching.

The streets were decorated with festive red ornaments, and almost every store was playing cheerful and upbeat songs like “Good Luck is Coming.”

Jian Yuanbai picked up a couplet from the supermarket and asked Wei Zhenge, “How about this one, ‘Farewell the old and welcome the new’?”

Wei Zhenge glanced at it, then spotted another one. “‘Year after year, prosperity flows; age after age, peace and longevity abound.’ For safety’s sake, let’s go with this ‘May the lucky stars shine brightly’ one.”

Jian Yuanbai replied, “We already have me at home. We don’t need that ‘lucky stars’ blessing.”

He seriously discussed with Wei Zhenge, “My luck is more effective than any lucky star, so let’s go with this ‘Ascending to new heights in the New Year’ one.”

The two of them debated for a long time and, in the end, chose neither. Instead, they settled on a couplet with the horizontal scroll reading “Great Joy for All” and put it in the shopping cart.

When Jian Yuanbai placed the couplet in the cart, he suddenly smiled foolishly and said, “I used to watch others buy New Year’s goods like this.”

“After so many years, it’s finally my turn this year.”

Wei Zhenge was stunned for a moment, then smiled as well. “Yeah, it’s our turn now.”

Wei Zhenge didn’t know much about Jian Yuanbai’s past, only that he was an orphan without parents and likely never had a lively New Year celebration with family.

Looking at Jian Yuanbai, Wei Zhenge felt a warmth flowing through his heart. The two of them—one without parents and the other with a father who might as well not exist—had come together to form a family.

They picked out a lot of things. Jian Yuanbai wanted to buy everything that seemed novel, regardless of whether they needed it or not. Wei Zhenge didn’t stop him and instead eagerly listened to his explanations.

Jian Yuanbai said, “Look at this! A toothbrush that cheers you on, and it’s red! So festive.”

“In the morning, when you’re too sleepy to open your eyes, it’ll cheer you on while you brush. It’ll definitely wake you up and give you energy for the whole day.”

Wei Zhenge nodded in agreement, “Buy it. Get two.”

Jian Yuanbai continued, “And look at this! An incense holder shaped like a butt. A red butt!”

Wei Zhenge said, “Buy it too.”

Jian Yuanbai was actually wealthy, extremely wealthy, and could easily buy whatever he wanted. Yet, he still sought Wei Zhenge’s approval for each item before making the purchase.

Neither of them noticed how strange this was.

In the end, they bought so much that their car couldn’t hold everything, so they had the store deliver the items.

On the morning of Chinese New Year’s Eve, Wei Zhenge woke Jian Yuanbai up early to make glutinous rice balls.

Although Wei Zhenge could cook, he only knew how to boil pre-made rice balls. This was his first time attempting to make them from scratch.

They fumbled through the process. Jian Yuanbai, with hands covered in flour, tried to roll the dough into round balls, but the more he rolled, the more wrinkled and cracked they became. Eventually, the filling inside started to leak out.

Seeing that Wei Zhenge wasn’t paying attention, Jian Yuanbai sneakily lowered his hand over the trash can.

His fingers spread open, and the misshapen, leaking dough ball fell into the trash bag with a soft “plop.” Jian Yuanbai immediately coughed to cover up the sound and humbly leaned in to ask for advice, “How do you make yours so round?”

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhenge looked at him and saw his empty hand covered in flour. “You’ve got too much flour on your hands. Just a little is enough to keep the dough from sticking.”

Jian Yuanbai nodded like a little chick pecking at rice, thinking he understood. Yet, he still ruined a few more dumplings.

From seven in the morning, Master Jian and Master Wei worked until ten before finally enjoying a bowl of steaming hot glutinous rice balls.

Jian Yuanbai watched Wei Zhenge, who was seriously eating from a bowl bigger than his face. Suddenly, Jian Yuanbai reached out and touched the tip of Wei Zhenge’s nose.

Wei Zhenge looked up in confusion, with a patch of white flour standing out on his delicate nose tip. “What’s wrong?”

Jian Yuanbai calmly shook his head. “Nothing, you just had something dirty on your nose. I wiped it off for you.”

Wei Zhenge smiled and narrowed his eyes. “Thanks.”

The streets during the New Year were cold and quiet, with only the city center bustling with activity. However, Jian Yuanbai didn’t choose to join the crowd. Instead, he drove with Wei Zhenge to a mountain far from the city.

They had planned to camp on the mountain for the night, and the two of them came well-prepared, even setting up a pot for hotpot dinner.

The pot of spicy red oil bubbled and steamed. Wei Zhenge, unable to handle spice well, slightly parted his lips and gulped down some cola to soothe his burning stomach.

“Are you okay?” Jian Yuanbai asked.

After spending so much time together, he knew that Wei Zhenge couldn’t handle spicy food. He hadn’t planned on making hotpot, but it was Wei Zhenge who insisted on trying it.

But to be fair, eating a steaming hotpot on a cold winter night really warmed them up.

Wei Zhenge’s eyes were watery from the spiciness, but he still wanted to eat. “I’m fine.”

Jian Yuanbai couldn’t help but find it amusing. As the night deepened, he pulled a few boxes of fireworks from the back seat and excitedly said to Wei Zhenge, “Let’s set off fireworks.”

The two of them lit the fireworks together. With a sharp “whoosh,” brilliant fireworks exploded in the sky, filling it with dazzling lights.

Jian Yuanbai naturally took Wei Zhenge’s hand. The two of them stood side by side, quietly enjoying the breathtaking fireworks display.

They didn’t bring many fireworks, so they quickly ran out. Just then, massive fireworks began to bloom in the sky above the distant city.

Firecrackers and fireworks exploded across the city, their echoes reaching them even on the mountaintop.

The entire sky seemed to be illuminated, with brilliant fireworks flashing by like shooting stars, only to be replaced by new, beautiful bursts.

As the clock struck midnight, beneath the magnificent fireworks, Wei Zhenge said to Jian Yuanbai, “Happy New Year.”

At some point, snow had begun to fall. Light, white snowflakes landed on Wei Zhenge’s long eyelashes. He smiled with curved eyes, and the reflection of the fireworks sparkled in his beautiful eyes.

Jian Yuanbai’s gaze followed his smile. As if enchanted, he slowly leaned toward those rosy lips. The distance between them closed, inch by inch.

They were so close that their noses nearly touched, and they could feel each other’s breath. Their faces tilted slightly, and Jian Yuanbai’s burning gaze locked onto Wei Zhenge’s lips like a predator eyeing its prey.

Wei Zhenge’s heart tightened with nervousness. But just as he closed his eyes, Jian Yuanbai suddenly gasped and took a step back, saying, “That was close.”

His hand clenched and then loosened. Amid the loud sound of firecrackers, Wei Zhenge finally spoke, “How about… we go see a doctor?”

Jian Yuanbai looked at him nervously. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Wei Zhenge held his hand, pursed his lips, and carefully chose his words. “Actually… I already know. Don’t worry, Jian-ge. I’ve done a lot of research. There’s a high chance of recovery from sudden-onset conditions like this. Don’t lose hope.”

Jian Yuanbai was utterly confused, but he understood that there was nothing wrong with Wei Zhenge’s health. “What’s wrong with me?”

Wei Zhenge sighed, seeing that Jian Yuanbai was still pretending to be fine. He decided to be direct, “I know about your ED.”

Jian Yuanbai’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I have ED???”

He was so shocked that his voice even cracked.

“You said… the platonic relationship…” Wei Zhenge hadn’t finished speaking when Jian Yuanbai interrupted him in a sorrowful tone, “It was because you insisted on being on top, and I couldn’t force you. That’s why it’s platonic!”

Although he had fallen for a man, Wei Zhenge didn’t actually know much about relationships between men. Only now did he realize he might have misunderstood something.

Wei Zhenge blinked. “What do you mean by being on top?”

Jian Yuanbai explained everything to him. Wei Zhenge’s face instantly flushed red. Seeing his pretty face blushing so adorably, Jian Yuanbai couldn’t help but feel a little restless.

Moreover, Wei Zhenge’s reaction sparked some anticipation in him.

Jian Yuanbai pulled Wei Zhenge into his arms, their bodies pressing tightly against each other. The enthusiastic little Jian eagerly greeted the little pillow.

Jian Yuanbai’s voice lowered, “You thought I couldn’t?”

He leaned in close to Wei Zhenge’s face, their noses brushing against each other. His voice was husky and seductive, “Hmm?”

Wei Zhenge’s face turned completely red. He stuttered, unable to form a proper response. After causing such a huge misunderstanding, he was now trapped in Jian Yuanbai’s embrace with nowhere to escape.

His animal instincts told him that this was dangerous. Yet, beneath the danger, there was a subtle, thrilling tension.

Jian Yuanbai gently bit Wei Zhenge’s lower lip, softly grinding it between his teeth. His voice was muffled and filled with teasing breath, “Wanna give it a try?”

“Try and see if your boyfriend can do it or not.”