Tan Yue, was in his prime and full of vitality. He was so stimulated by this and that night, his dreams were filled with a young man wearing a school uniform.
However, this was just the beginning.
As long as it wasn’t put into practice, Song Linchu was quite skilled. He dared to send any kind of picture on WeChat, making Tan Yue want to capture him and give him a good lesson. But Song Linchu lived on campus and refused to go home, leaving Tan Yue helpless.
Song Linchu continued to tease Tan Yue like this for half a month.
Finally, things took a turn.
Newly recruited employees started to join Loe. Since it was essentially a reorganization, everyone was still unfamiliar with each other so in order to promote better relationships among the company’s employees and break the ice quickly, the company planned an outing for all the staff.
The chosen destination for this outing was a famous hot spring resort under Wanou. It was now winter. The cold wave came early this year and it had snowed a few days ago. The damp and cold weather made it extremely uncomfortable, so going to soak in the hot springs and enjoy a vacation was truly a great pleasure in life.
Wanou organized employee vacations every year, and they were usually seven-day trips abroad with all expenses covered. However, Tan Yue had never attended before.
First, he didn’t enjoy such occasions, and secondly, if he went, it would make everyone else uncomfortable.
But this time, he participated for the first time ever.
Song Linchu, as a homebody who didn’t like going out and was also a “dry duck” (someone who doesn’t like swimming), had no desire to go to any hot spring resort.
Moreover, it wasn’t that he was being suspicious, but he had a nagging feeling that the company deliberately chose a hot spring resort because of Tan Yue’s involvement. Going there would be like entering the lion’s den.
During this period, he had sent Tan Yue so many random and unrelated things that would make a certain old…oh, it should be a spirited young man, love to devour him in one bite.
However, this was a company activity, and even those who didn’t understand social dynamics knew that one must be sociable at times like this.
So, Song Linchu still went.
The vacation resort was nestled deep in the mountains. The tourist bus meandered through the forest, and then, like a village emerging from the mist in a classical poem, a vacation resort nestled among the trees appeared before their eyes.
Although many people had already seen pictures of the resort online, the sight of the magnificent architecture and the misty hot springs that enveloped the entire resort from afar, creating a picturesque scene akin to a heavenly paradise, couldn’t help but elicit exclamations of awe.
What made it even more enchanting was the distant snow-capped mountain. The weather had been cold these days, and the temperature on the mountaintop was even lower, allowing for the glistening white snow to be seen.
Captivated by such a breathtaking view, many people excitedly took out their phones to take photos.
Song Linchu also took out his phone and snapped a few shots, glancing at the message Tan Yue had sent him a few minutes ago.
Tan Yue: [I’ve arrived. What about you?]
Tan Yue, a rich young master, would get motion sickness from riding on a bus, so he had come in his own car.
Originally, he wanted to bring Song Linchu along, but his invitation was declined.
Having been on school-organized trips before, Song Linchu understood that the bus ride was the best opportunity for everyone to get to know each other. Besides, once they arrived at the resort, he assumed Tan Yue would want to spend some private time together, so he wanted to take this chance to get acquainted with his colleagues first.
Tan Yue understood his intentions and didn’t insist.
Little Songlin: [We’ve seen the place and should be there soon.]
Tan Yue: [Alright, let me know when you’ve checked in.]
Song Linchu replied with a confirmation. Before long, their bus also parked in the resort’s parking lot.
After getting off, everyone proceeded to check in with their luggage.
Knowing that Tan Yue was coming, everyone was aware that the CEO didn’t like crowds. Therefore, the resort didn’t receive any other guests and catered exclusively to their company, ensuring that each person had a spacious room.
“Little Song, I’ve read the guidebook, and Qinglan Pool has the best scenery. Let’s go there later for a soak together.”
While waiting in line to check in, Feng Luo, a colleague, who had just started to get acquainted with Song Linchu, warmly invited him.
“You go ahead. I’ll soak in the indoor pool.”
Feng Luo widened his eyes and asked, “Why? Don’t tell me you’re shy.”
Unlike many places that had indoor hot springs resembling home bathtubs, devoid of any excitement, here there were both indoor and outdoor pools, allowing guests to choose for themselves.
However, most people preferred the outdoor ones. Despite being less concealed, they offered better views, and the pools were large and comfortable. Only a fool would choose to stay indoors.
Song Linchu said expressionlessly, “I’m not used to.”
Feng Luo: “…”
Feng Luo was at a loss for words.
After completing the check-in process, it was time for everyone to enjoy the hot springs freely. They eagerly put their luggage back in their rooms and went to change into their swimwear.
Feng Luo’s room was next to Song Linchu’s, and before entering, he asked Song Linchu once again,“Are you really not coming?”
Song Linchu waved him off.
Left with no choice, Feng Luo went alone. Little did he know that after everyone had gone, Song Linchu, who claimed not to enjoy large outdoor pools, sneaked out of his room with swimming trunks, looked around to ensure there was no one nearby, heaved a sigh of relief, and hurriedly ran towards the luxurious villa at the back.
The villa’s gate was left open, and Song Linchu pushed it open, finding Tan Yue sitting on a lounge chair in the villa’s courtyard, engrossed in his phone.
Seeing him running out of breath, Tan Yue asked, “What happened?”
“It’s all because of you. If I didn’t hurry, I would get caught sneaking over.”
For Song Linchu, his work at the company was more about self-improvement. If others found out about his relationship with Tan Yue, they would be too hesitant to criticize his design plans, and he would never be able to progress.
That’s why they had decided not to publicize their relationship.
Tan Yue quite enjoyed playing this secret game with him and, seeing Song Linchu panting, he whispered, “Let’s go.”
Of course, the upscale vacation villa also had an outdoor pool, which boasted the best view in the entire resort, nestled perfectly in the natural surroundings of the mountains and wilderness.
The pool was large, and due to the cold weather, wisps of steam rose from its surface. The water appeared sky-blue, rippling and enchanting, like the legendary fairyland.
Song Linchu faltered on the spot. He asked Tan Yue, who had already taken off his bathrobe and was about to enter the water, “Gege, is the water deep?”
Tan Yue recalled someone failing a swimming elective course and said, “No, it’s only waist-deep.”
Song Linchu didn’t quite believe it and said, “Then you go first!”
Tan Yue stepped into the pool.
As expected, the water wasn’t deep, and given Tan Yue’s height, it didn’t even reach his waist.
Only then did Song Linchu feel relieved and joined him in the pool.
After confirming that the water depth couldn’t defeat him, he felt relieved. There were comfortable steps along the edge of the pool, so he sat down. The water only reached his chest, and it felt very comfortable.
“Come sit over here,” Tan Yue said, pointing to a spot next to him.
Having done so many bad things lately, Song Linchu felt that if he sat next to the older man, he would probably be bullied. So, he didn’t listen and found a spot several meters away from him to sit down.
Tan Yue glanced at him but didn’t say anything. He didn’t even come over to sit next to him and simply closed his eyes, seemingly enjoying the pleasure of the hot springs.
The 21 year old Song Linchu was not like the 18-year-old self. He wasn’t worried that Tan Yue would be angry and started to enjoy the joy of soaking in the hot springs.
However, after a few minutes, Song Linchu felt that something was not right.
Why did it feel like the water level was rising?
When he had just sat down, the water was only at a point below his chest. But now, why was it almost at his neck?
Although it still only reached his waist when he stood up, and he wouldn’t drown, the sensation of the water level slowly rising was quite unsettling. Song Linchu immediately became timid.
“Gege,” Song Linchu called out, “why is the water level rising?”
Tan Yue opened his eyes and casually replied, “The outdoor water cools down quickly, so it keeps being replenished with hot spring water to maintain the temperature.”
This reason seemed reasonable to Song Linchu, so he didn’t doubt it and asked further, “But doesn’t the excess water get drained?”
“Not so quickly,” Tan Yue glanced at the visibly scared young man, smirked slightly, and said, “Don’t worry, this place has a high safety factor. There hasn’t been any incident of people drowning here.”
Song Linchu was convinced.
He continued to soak for a while. Soaking in the hot springs during winter was incredibly comfortable. He was already sensitive to the cold, and his 18 year old body was a bit weak, so he felt it more.
The temperature outside the water was relatively low, making him not to want to leave the warm water.
However, the water level kept rising!
Song Linchu saw that Tan Yue remained calm. His eyes were half-closed and he seemed to be enjoying himself. He knew that Tan Yue could swim, so even if the staff had neglected to open the drainage valve, he wouldn’t drown.
After struggling for a moment, Song Linchu quietly moved a bit closer to Tan Yue.
A bit closer…
Tan Yue had been paying attention to someone’s movements all along, and he had a victorious smile in his eyes as he sensed the person getting closer to him.
The water level continued to rise bit by bit.
When Song Linchu was two spots away from Tan Yue, the water level had already reached Tan Yue’s Adam’s apple.
Song Linchu was shorter, and when he sat down, the water went up to his chin, so he quickly stood up.
Only then did Tan Yue open his eyes, and as if surprised, asked, “How did you come here?”
Song Linchu confidently replied, “The water is too deep, and I’m scared!”
Tan Yue lowered his gaze, hiding the smile in his eyes, and spoke in the same normal tone, “It will lower soon.”
“Really?” Song Linchu didn’t believe him.
“Yes,” Tan Yue said with certainty, “Last time I was here, it started to lower when it reached about this level.”
“…”
Upon hearing that Tan Yue had been there before, Song Linchu breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Then I’ll wait.”
He didn’t dare to sit down, so he stood there. As expected, the water level didn’t rise any further, but it didn’t decrease either. And standing there, with more than half of his body outside the water, Song Linchu felt a bit cold.
He turned his head and saw Tan Yue still comfortably soaking, unaffected by the water level.
Tan Yue sensed his gaze and pointed to his lap, asking, “Do you want to sit here?”
Song Linchu: “…”
Why did it feel so wrong?
However, Song Linchu was indeed feeling cold, and it wasn’t entirely abnormal to sit in his husband’s arms. So Song Linchu didn’t refuse and walked over.
Just as he sat down, he felt something was amiss. Song Linchu, as if electrified, wanted to stand up, but his wrist was firmly held by the man.
“Don’t move,” Tan Yue whispered softly in his ear, “I missed you.”
Perhaps the hot spring had softened people, and Tan Yue’s words were gentle and alluring. Song Linchu hesitated for a moment and didn’t try to stand up again, allowing the man’s kisses to land on his cheek and lips.
The hot spring water hadn’t lowered, and the water that reached below his chest had considerable buoyancy. It was easy to lose balance if one wasn’t careful.
In this situation, Song Linchu had to endure it while tightly holding onto Tan Yue’s neck. The stimulation seemed even more intense, and the dog man took advantage of the opportunity.
“Can you come back home?” At the critical moment, Tan Yue suddenly stopped and bit the young man’s earlobe, asking softly.
Song Linchu was extremely uncomfortable, and combined with his fear of water, it occupied his mental capacity, leaving him unable to think clearly. He haphazardly agreed.
Tan Yue succeeded, whispering “good boy” in his ear, and then accommodated his wishes.
When Tan Yue finally carried him out of the water, Song Linchu’s legs were trembling. His eyes were misty, clearly indicating that he had bullied.
Tan Yue not only indulged himself but also successfully coaxed Song Linchu back home, freeing him from the torment of being enticed and tortured by photos.
This time, Song Linchu didn’t realize he had fallen into a trap. Even on the following day, when he went to soak again, Tan Yue, following the same script, played with him for a while.
It wasn’t until later, when he was truly 21-years old and went to the resort with his classmates, that he realized the water level never actually rose.
He was tricked!
Unfortunately, the years had already passed, and there was no way to keep score. So, at night, he could only bite the man’s shoulder in retaliation…
