DSMIS CH61

Chapter 61: Failing to Turn the Tables

At 7:30 PM, the car pulled up outside a homestay nestled deep in the mountains. The lodge appeared quite new, perched high on the mountain slope. Inside their suite, a massive floor-to-ceiling window faced the main peak of the distant snow mountain without a single obstruction. Twilight had already deepened, yet the pure, glistening white snowcap was still faintly visible against the darkening sky.

Having worked each other up during the drive, a simmering heat burned in both of their chests. The moment Shen Xing crossed the threshold, Jiang Lin spun around and pinned him against the wall. Nuzzling and kissing the side of his neck, Jiang Lin’s voice dropped to a restrained, husky rasp:

“Where did Director Shen’s enthusiasm go?”

Shen Xing responded by grabbing Jiang Lin’s collar. With the practiced speed of peeling clothes off a trauma patient in the ER, Director Shen stripped Captain Jiang down to nothing in seconds. Jiang Lin scooped him up and carried him into the bathroom. The sound of rushing water soon filled the air, leaving behind only the Samoyed—who hadn’t had time to get carsick and was now happily bounding around—and Heibao, trotting right behind with an upright, swaying tail.

Shen Xing had convinced himself that the first time had only gone Jiang Lin’s way because he was caught off guard. This time wasn’t in bed; it was in the bathroom—a battle on completely equal footing! Director Shen was itching to turn the tables and avenge his past humiliation.

Yet three minutes later, both of his wrists were pinned securely above his head by Jiang Lin’s right hand, which clamped down like a forged iron vise, pressing his entire front flat against the cold wall tiles.

The position made his face burn crimson with acute embarrassment. It defied all logic! He was an orthopedic surgeon—he had swung heavy surgical mallets for years like Zhang Fei! Even if he didn’t possess mythical “unicorn arms,” he was packed with genuine muscle and combat stamina. On top of that, Jiang Lin had an injured arm that couldn’t exert full force! How on earth had the battle escalated to him being pinned once again?

Director Shen’s facial expressions were an open book. For a detective captain accustomed to interrogating seasoned criminals, Jiang Lin didn’t need to exert the slightest effort to read Shen Xing’s psychological turmoil down to the last letter. Leaning in, he gently pecked his lips:

“Take a breather, Director Shen.”

Shen Xing let out a muffled huff, resting his forehead against Jiang Lin’s broad shoulder like a kitten that had lost a tussle and decided to act spoiled instead.

The water continued to cascade. When the bathroom door finally opened again, Shen Xing’s legs were trembling so badly that Jiang Lin had to scoop him up in his arms and carry him to the bed inside.

The bed in this high-end homestay was worlds apart from the small, cheap motel they had stayed in previously. The sheets were crisp, dry, and cloud-soft. Sinking into the duvet, Shen Xing instinctively looped his arms around Captain Jiang’s neck, recklessly indulging his hands across the man’s lower abdomen once more.

The consequences were entirely predictable.

By the time Shen Xing managed to lift his eyelids again, it was past 9:00 PM. He lay sprawled across the mattress, completely paralyzed, barely able to lift a finger:

“Are all of you police academy graduates this terrifying? Mine are supposed to be Zhang Fei sledgehammer-swinging unicorn arms!”

Shen Xing’s voice was cracked and gravelly, his throat parched and raspy, sounding thoroughly pathetic. Jiang Lin gathered him into his arms, propping him up slightly to help him sip some warm water:

“It’s manageable. Our academy training was fairly strict back then, though I’m basically half-disabled now.”

Shen Xing weakly kicked him:

“Get lost. If you’re half-disabled, does that make me fully paralyzed?”

Jiang Lin smiled, kissing the corner of his lips:

“You are a precious treasure of gold and jade. Hungry?”

Shen Xing eyed him with deep suspicion. Jiang Lin gently rubbed his flat stomach:

“Is your tummy hungry?”

Shen Xing nodded. They had hit the road right after clocking off, merely grabbing a few light snacks during the drive, and had engaged in relentless physical exertion from the moment they stepped through the door until now. It would be abnormal if he weren’t starving.

“There’s probably no delivery out here, right? Does the homestay serve food?”

“They do. I’ll have room service bring it up.”

When the food arrived, Jiang Lin looked down at him:

“Want me to hold you up while you eat?”

Shen Xing waved his hands frantically:

“Stop embarrassing me.”

After finishing dinner, Shen Xing gave Jiang Lin a firm shove:

“Go call the staff to change the sheets.”

With that, he ducked straight into the bathroom like a retreating turtle. By the time he reemerged, the bedding had already been swapped for a crisp, fresh set. Who knew Captain Jiang’s skin was this thick?

The next morning, the moment Shen Xing opened his eyes, he was stunned by the breathtaking panorama beyond the glass. Beneath a cerulean sky, the towering snow mountain felt close enough to touch through the sweeping floor-to-ceiling window. The glistening white peak looked as pristine as a desktop wallpaper.

Subconsciously, his hand drifted across the sheets, roving over Captain Jiang’s lower abdomen. With his disciplined internal clock, Jiang Lin had already been awake for a while. Facing Director Shen’s early morning wandering hands was more than he could bear, so he caught Shen Xing’s wrist:

“Awake?”

Shen Xing’s eyes sparkled as he took in the scenery outside:

“Where did you manage to dig up this homestay? The location is unbelievable.”

“Saw it on Xiaohongshu—a colleague recommended it.”

Shen Xing propped his chin on his palm and stared at him. To think this old antique actually has Xiaohongshu?

Jiang Lin cupped his head:

“Are you badmouthing me in your head?”

“Oho, you caught on! An old landline phone like you actually knows how to use Xiaohongshu without getting scammed.”

Shen Xing took Jiang Lin’s left hand, instinctively kneading the stiff joints:

“Captain Jiang, what’s our itinerary for today?”

“There’s an off-road trail leading from here toward the foot of the snow mountain. From there, a short hiking path leads to the absolute best viewing angle of Biluo Snow Mountain.”

They were in no rush. Taking their time, they enjoyed a late-morning breakfast, stocked up on trail snacks, and finally prepared to set off. Given the high altitude and rugged terrain, the delicate Samoyed would likely be thoroughly useless. Shen Xing initially planned to entrust Qianjin to the homestay owner and take only Heibao along.

Yet the moment he leashed Heibao, Qianjin let out an aggrieved, mournful whimper. Heibao stopped dead in his tracks, turning around and tugging at his leash to run right back to the Samoyed.

Jiang Lin walked over and rubbed Heibao’s head:

“Let’s just leave them both here together. Taking one and leaving the other seems unfair.”

Shen Xing laughed at his reasoning:

“Fair enough. Otherwise, that little coward Qianjin will probably be terrified. Let Heibao keep him company.”

The two changed into the matching windbreakers bought before the New Year—one in sleek dark grey, the other in vibrant brick-red—paired with UV-blocking sunglasses.

The off-road trail Captain Jiang had described turned out to be an authentic, bone-rattling off-road expedition. Shen Xing felt as if the soy milk he drank that morning was sloshing from his left rib to his right, and then back from right to left. Yet the scenery unfolding before them was worth every single jolt. The majestic snow-capped peaks loomed closer and closer, wave after wave of raw natural grandeur washing over his senses.

Shen Xing snapped photos and recorded videos non-stop on his phone:

“I’ve been in Yunnan for over half a year, and this is the first time I’ve been this close to a snow peak. All thanks to you, Captain Jiang.”

Jiang Lin smiled. Beneath the dark sunglasses, his sharply chiseled bone structure looked even more striking and defined. Shen Xing felt another urge to get handsy, but out of respect for his aching backside from the night before, he wisely exercised restraint.

The vehicle could only travel as far as the terminus of the dirt road, where a sprawling scenic turnout was packed with vehicles, resembling an exhibition of customized off-road rigs. The visitors stepping out of their cars were fully outfitted in heavy-duty mountaineering gear, trekking poles, and professional telephoto camera setups. Shen Xing was taken aback:

“Is everyone’s gear this hardcore?”

Jiang Lin popped open the Land Cruiser’s tailgate:

“We have gear too.”

From the trunk, he pulled out two professional mountaineering hats, gloves, and trekking poles, followed by a compact daypack loaded with rations and bottled water. In the blink of an eye, Shen Xing was armed to the teeth:

“Is the trail that treacherous? With your leg, maybe we shouldn’t push it. We could just take in the view from right here; it’s gorgeous enough.”

Jiang Lin replied instinctively:

“It’s fine, not far at all. We’re only going as far as the first viewing platform—just over three kilometers.”

Then, catching himself, he paused and glanced down at Shen Xing:

“Can… can you walk?”

Shen Xing caught the hesitant undertone instantly. This was a matter of male pride:

“Are you kidding me? My morning runs start at five kilometers minimum.”

Jiang Lin declined Shen Xing’s offer to carry the daypack, and the two turned to start up the trail:

“I brought oxygen canisters. If you feel uncomfortable, take a puff.”

Shen Xing caught Jiang Lin’s hand, checking the altitude reading on his smartwatch:

“Hero, we’re only at 2,500 meters. I won’t get altitude sickness. You, on the other hand—don’t be stubborn if your leg acts up. We’ll go as far as you can comfortably manage.”

“Alright.”

Three kilometers was an easy distance when taken at a relaxed pace. Strolling leisurely, it took them nearly fifty minutes to reach the destination.

The panorama from the platform was magnificent. Shen Xing felt as if the glistening snowcap was resting within arm’s reach. For a moment, the vast expanse of heaven and earth seemed to hold only himself and Jiang Lin.

Lost in a daze, he was pulled firmly into a warm embrace. The next second, that familiar, grounding scent drew near. Under a flawless blue sky before the towering snow peaks, there was no setting more perfect for a kiss.

Shen Xing looped his arms around Jiang Lin’s waist, his hands drifting down to feel along his leg, his voice laced with an attending surgeon’s stern authority:

“Tell the truth: is your leg hurting?”

A chuckle rumbled against his ear:

“Tell the truth: is your butt hurting?”

“Bullshit. My butt doesn’t hurt.”

“And if you’re not bullshitting? Does it hurt?”

Shen Xing laughed in exasperation, stomping down hard on Captain Jiang’s heavy hiking boot in retaliation.

For the descent, they took an alternate trail winding directly back to the parking lot. The slope was gentler, but the distance was noticeably longer. The sharp, persistent ache in Jiang Lin’s leg flared up, but he uttered not a word of complaint, quietly trailing behind Shen Xing to keep him securely within his line of sight.

Shen Xing pulled him up alongside his shoulder, feeling a sudden wave of relief:

“Thank goodness we didn’t bring Qianjin along. Otherwise, that little brat would have gone completely limp on the trail, and carrying that semi-truck down would have killed me.”

“It’s fine. We could have made Heibao carry him.”

Shen Xing shot him a sidelong glance:

“Tsk, tsk. You really are Heibao’s wicked stepdad.”

When they finally reached the vehicle, Jiang Lin leaned against the chassis, subtly easing the weight off his left leg. That tiny, reflexive adjustment didn’t escape Director Shen’s sharp eyes. This time, there was no room for inquiry:

“Your leg hurts.”

Having been distracted by the playful banter on the mountain, Jiang Lin had almost managed to brush it off. Knowing when to fold, he realized that trying to deceive Director Shen now would only spark genuine anger. He leaned against the car and nodded:

“A bit of a sour, throbbing ache. Nothing serious. I brought medicated plasters in the car; I’ll slap one on once we get in.”

Though his heart ached for him, Shen Xing held back any scolding. The entire excursion had clearly been planned by Jiang Lin just to give him a close-up look at the snow mountains. He stepped close and kissed the corner of Jiang Lin’s lips:

“Mm. You have a dedicated private doctor, so stop toughing it out. Toughing it out only makes the doctor angry.”

Jiang Lin was utterly defenseless whenever Director Shen took the initiative:

“Alright, I understand. No more toughing it out; I’ll tell you everything.”

Shen Xing took the wheel for the return journey. Unaccustomed to driving off-road terrain, he drove with hyper-focused concentration, only letting out a long breath once the tires hit smooth national highway asphalt. Jiang Lin glanced at the steering wheel, noting the faint sheen of sweat left behind by Shen Xing’s palms, amused by how tense Director Shen had been.

By the time they pulled back into the homestay, it was barely past 3:00 PM. Worried Shen Xing was hungry, Jiang Lin was about to suggest grabbing a bite, only to be dragged straight back into their suite.

Director Shen pushed him down onto the mattress, looking down with imperious authority:

“Pants off.”

Jiang Lin looked up at him:

“In broad daylight? Is that appropriate?”

“Stop being cheeky.”

“Oh.”

Jiang Lin unbuckled his leather belt with deliberate slowness. Shen Xing’s gaze landed on his hands again; after staring for a few beats, Shen Xing inwardly cursed his own lack of self-control. Skipping the wait, he reached out, swiftly stripped Captain Jiang’s trousers off, sat on the edge of the bed, and lifted Jiang Lin’s injured leg onto his lap.

The scarred, weathered calf was as icy as if it had been soaked in glacial water, with visible edema. He grumbled under his breath:

“Trying to be a hero. Comfortable now, aren’t you?”

Jiang Lin lightly nudged his foot against Shen Xing’s thigh:

“Being held by you is naturally comfortable.”

Ignoring his teasing, Shen Xing bundled him securely under the duvet, fetched a hot water bottle for a warm compress, and applied the medicated oil Jiang Lin had packed, working his thumbs into the swollen muscles. Only after tucking the leg back beneath the covers did he turn to wash his hands, but Jiang Lin caught his wrist.

Jiang Lin pulled him into his chest, nuzzling a soft kiss into the crook of Shen Xing’s neck:

“It really isn’t that bad. Don’t be mad.”

Shen Xing’s resolve melted instantly:

“I’m not mad.”

He rested his chin on Jiang Lin’s shoulder, letting his gaze drift out the window toward the snow mountain gleaming beneath the sun:

“I really love this place.”

Jiang Lin kissed his temple:

“I’m glad you do.”

“No more outdoor treks for the next two days, okay? I just want to lie flat, watch the snow mountain, and drink tea. I used to dream about living like this back when I was overworked.”

“That can easily be arranged. Wait till I put my pants on.”

Shen Xing couldn’t help but laugh.

Jiang Lin pulled his pants back on, headed downstairs, and popped the Land Cruiser’s tailgate open once more. From inside, he retrieved a pair of camping armchairs, a folding wooden table, and an exquisite leather carrying case.

Shen Xing poked his head over Jiang Lin’s shoulder:

“Wait… is your car trunk a magical treasure chest or something?”

Jiang Lin smiled:

“Let’s go.”

Their second-floor suite featured a private terrace outside the floor-to-ceiling glass. Jiang Lin unfolded the table and chairs, opening the case to reveal a complete, refined white porcelain tea set.

Fifteen minutes later, on the sun-drenched terrace, Heibao lay stretched out beside the table while the fluffy white Samoyed rested its head on his belly, sprawled out like a thick pancake of meat, dozing in the sun. Beside them, Shen Xing sat facing the snow mountain like a pampered lord, accepting a porcelain cup of luminous, golden tea from Captain Jiang’s hands.

Narrowing his eyes, he took a slow sip:

“This is the life. What kind of tea is this?”

“Milan Xiang Phoenix Dancong. My dad packed it in my luggage before I left home. I rarely brew it, so I hope I didn’t ruin the leaves. Does it taste good?”

Jiang Lin spoke while timing the steep, lifting the porcelain lid to decant the golden liquor smoothly into the fairness pitcher. His long, slender fingers formed a striking contrast against the pale white porcelain. Shen Xing rested his cheek on his hand, his eyes completely glued to Jiang Lin’s hands. How were these hands sculpted? Every single millimeter hits my aesthetic preferences dead center.

“Giving me tea is like casting pearls before swine—I can’t tell top-tier from mediocre. But judging purely by Captain Jiang’s hands, these tea leaves definitely weren’t wasted.”

Jiang Lin couldn’t hold back a laugh:

“Did you stare at other people’s hands this often in the past?”

“You make me sound like a total pervert. There are no ‘other people’—only you. I only like your hands and your legs. Given the breathtaking ambiance, Captain Jiang, why don’t you stand up and do a little spin for me? Let me feast my eyes.”

Author’s Note:

Even a half-disabled Captain Jiang still devoured Shen Cat clean.