DLRAS Chapter 71

Chapter 71: But you promise not to betray me, right?

Huo Zhenfei narrowed his eyes slightly.

Blood relations are truly wondrous things. Though he and Huo Niansheng were vastly different in both appearance and temperament, when he made that particular expression, he looked strikingly similar to him. At the same time, he took in Chen Wengang, observing only that slender hand clasp his for a moment before politely slipping away.

With thin shoulders and a narrow waist, sharp brows and bright eyes, he carried an air of refined nobility, like an orchid in a deserted valley. It was no wonder Huo Niansheng held onto him like a treasure and wouldn’t let go.

“I’m here to watch the race with a few friends. Just relaxing for the weekend.” Huo Zhenfei glanced behind him, where some friends raised their beers toward them. He then looked at Chen Wengang, a smile on his staid face that could be described as polite. “Are you two doing the same?”

“Laymen, just here to join the fun.” Huo Niansheng arched an eyebrow. “Do you know if it’s starting soon?”

Huo Zhenfei turned back to grab his beer, whispering a few words to an acquaintance. When Chen Wengang looked over, he saw that Huo Zhenfei had abandoned his original spot, choosing instead to walk over with two extra cans of beer to sit with them on the corner of the bleachers.

Huo Niansheng gave a nonchalant smirk and made room for him.

The hand on Chen Wengang’s waist tightened again.

Huo Zhenfei generously shared his beer: “The main difference between F1, F2, and F3 is the level of technology. F1 is considered the fastest race car, and the drivers are all strictly selected and trained. Basically, anyone who participates in F1 has fought their way through all kinds of races in F2 and F3.” He explained this to Chen Wengang while chatting with him.

“I once made a fool of myself by thinking all formula cars were called F1. I told people that and became a laughingstock.”

“Heh, they’re quite different. You wouldn’t believe it, but when I was young, I wanted to be a professional race car driver,” Huo Zhenfei said. “Of course, I gave up that dream in pain after strong opposition from my parents. Now that I have a wife and kids, I don’t even dare to go down and drive a couple of laps myself. I’ve experienced the speed and passion; I’m afraid if I did it again, I’d be facing a divorce the next day.”

“Your family is just worried about you. Concern breeds chaos.”

“My son is like me; he likes cars too. But he has a three-minute attention span for everything, so I don’t think it will last.”

The indicator lights lit up and then went out; a row of race cars took off simultaneously.

Huo Niansheng took a leisurely gulp of beer. Chen Wengang turned his head to chat with Huo Zhenfei, leaving only the back of his head visible. His hair was soft, and he liked to use a little gel to style it, keeping it impeccably neat, which made him look spirited. Huo Niansheng looked at the track and smiled.

Suddenly, gasps erupted one after another in the stands.

On the giant screen, a blue race car collided with the car in front during a corner battle and was tossed high into the air by inertia.

The blue car rolled over as it flew off the track, passing high above two other cars that barely avoided disaster, before smashing into the empty area outside the turn. Debris, torn into pieces, showered down from the air; a tire rolled away, and moments later, the car body burst into flames!

Many spectators stood up, crowding toward the railing to crane their necks. Huo Zhenfei wore a solemn expression, remaining seated while peering toward the scene.

Huo Niansheng said flatly: “This is why your family doesn’t let you play with cars.”

Huo Zhenfei sighed: “Indeed. Speed and passion always have a price.”

Chen Wengang was also drawn to the scene, staring in the direction of the accident. The surrounding crowd was buzzing, with all sorts of reactions. Suddenly, Huo Niansheng stood up: “Alright, let’s stop watching.” He turned to tell Huo Zhenfei, “It’s quite boring here, so we’re going to head back first.”

Huo Zhenfei snapped out of it: “Oh, alright.”

When they returned to the Yacht Club’s seaside plaza, it was three or four in the afternoon.

In the center of the square stood a giant, snow-white mermaid statue. She faced away from the sea, solemn and tranquil, her arms elegantly folded across her chest.

The beach was filled with laughter and a peaceful atmosphere. A row of red-and-white striped umbrellas held off the sun. Young men and women in Hawaiian shirts and bikinis, with sunglasses pushed up onto their heads, lounged comfortably on deck chairs. Two children were chasing each other, running toward a stand selling ice cream and fresh fruit juice. Two groups were playing beach volleyball, and a red beach cart crawled slowly by.

Further away, several jet skis skipped over the sea like flying fish, carving out ribbons of white spray.

Huo Niansheng pulled Chen Wengang straight into the bustling scene.

He vaulted over the railing, jumping down the half-meter-high steps first. Chen Wengang glanced down at his sneakers; before he could overthink it or even take them off, Huo Niansheng had already reached out a hand. He hesitated, then followed him down and was caught by Huo Niansheng.

The two held hands and walked toward the sea.

The white sand was smooth and soft, feeling like a carpet underfoot, though it was damp. The seawater continuously surged in and retreated, kicking up crystalline white foam. The group playing volleyball and the umbrellas were left far behind. They walked for an unknown amount of time until there was no one left on the beach, and the rocks became increasingly dense. Artificial entertainment facilities didn’t extend this far, so people generally didn’t come here to play.

Huo Niansheng didn’t say a word, just kept walking.

Chen Wengang pulled on the hand in front of him, stumbling as he followed behind.

Looking up, he could only see a back, not Huo Niansheng’s expression. Yet, in a daze, he remembered that previous dream.

He remembered his feet trapped in place, that sentence, “I must go,” and that person he couldn’t hold onto.

A sorrow bordering on hatred surged inexplicably in his heart, and he couldn’t help but grip tighter.

Huo Niansheng finally let out a “hiss” and pulled him to the front, laughing: “What are you doing?”

The sun began to set, and the color of the sky started to dim. Chen Wengang glared at him, a dark glint shining in his wet eyes. Huo Niansheng still didn’t understand what he had done to provoke him, but Chen Wengang was practically grinding his teeth, twisting his hand with increasing force until his knuckles turned bloodless white.

Huo Niansheng was helpless and had no choice but to offer that hand up for him to torment. Let him squeeze, he thought; he couldn’t break it, could he?

Chen Wengang gripped his hand with all his might, until even his own arm was trembling. Huo Niansheng looked at him with gentle eyes throughout. Suddenly, it was as if all the strength had been drained from Chen Wengang; he let out a long breath and, with a sense of defeat, pressed his head against the other’s chest.

“Something upset you?”

Chen Wengang shook his head neurally.

Huo Niansheng accommodated his inexplicable mood: “It’s getting late, let’s head back. It will take a while to walk back.”

On the way back, they ran into Huo Zhenfei again and went to the Ocean Restaurant for dinner.

Huo Zhenfei had stayed to watch the entire race and mentioned that the crashed driver had been sent to the hospital—he was injured, but his life was not in danger.

The dinner conversation was not cold. Huo Zhenfei, a CEO who usually handled contracts worth tens or hundreds of millions, was very approachable toward Chen Wengang. He chatted about everyday family life without airs and even said that if there was a chance to go clam-digging, he would bring his son along.

Passing by the seaside plaza again, they found a bonfire party in progress, with someone dragging out speakers to sing karaoke.

Opposite them, several tents were set up; it was unclear if someone was planning a romantic night to watch the stars.

Huo Zhenfei said he was tired and parted ways with them to take the sightseeing elevator upstairs. Chen Wengang still needed to buy a few things—his shoes had been soaked through after walking on the beach for hours, and unlike Huo Niansheng, who had everything here, he had to go to the shopping center to buy new ones.

Fortunately, the club had complete shopping facilities, with many brand-name stores, though they were slightly more expensive than outside.

Back in 707, Chen Wengang left his mud-and-sand-caked shoes at the door.

Huo Niansheng tossed aside the shopping bags and pulled him into a deep kiss.

The automatic sensor lights detected an intrusion, slowly testing the air before lighting up the living room.

He had called room service in advance; the bathroom was already steaming with mist. The hot water in the jacuzzi-style tub was full, infused with bergamot oil, giving off a light scent similar to orange and lemon.

Chen Wengang reached a hand into the water; the heat ironed out his skin.

A heavy chest pressed against him from behind. Huo Niansheng reached out and unbuttoned his shirt one by one.

His fingers groped slowly through the thin fabric. Huo Niansheng nuzzled his neck, pulling the shirt backward bit by bit, but the buttons at the cuffs were still fastened, firmly trapping his wrists. By the time Chen Wengang realized what was happening, both his hands were already behind his back.

Huo Niansheng acted at a leisurely pace, tying the shirt into a knot behind his back. He had done it on purpose. Chen Wengang was suddenly lifted into the air; Huo Niansheng picked him up horizontally. He felt the steaming vapor, and then he was immersed inch by inch into the warm water.

The buoyancy of the water pushed him upward, while the soaked clothes and trousers became incredibly heavy, turning into shackles of armor.

Huo Niansheng leaned against the edge of the tub, cradling his shoulders to keep his upper body from slipping, using his arm to firmly support his head. Chen Wengang lay in his embrace: “You should be careful. One slip, and we’ll both be on the society news tomorrow.”

Huo Niansheng lifted him up a bit more, helping him sit up: “Don’t be afraid, I won’t let go.”

Chen Wengang sat wetly in the tub, turning his face to look at him: “What do you want to say?”

Huo Niansheng arched his brows, appearing troubled: “I actually haven’t figured out how to ask yet.”

Chen Wengang thought of Huo Zhenfei: “Do you want to ask if I’ve done anything behind your back?”

Huo Niansheng looked at him gently: “Would you do things behind my back?”

“Of course I would.” Chen Wengang smiled. “Even children have their own agendas; naturally, as an adult, I have my own thoughts, my own goals, and my own way of doing things. Isn’t that normal? Niansheng, I don’t seek someone else’s opinion before doing everything. If we don’t see eye to eye, I can’t even guarantee that I won’t make you angry. Anything else?”

Huo Niansheng stared at him, saying “Oh”: “But you guarantee you won’t betray me, right?”

“What do you think?” Chen Wengang looked back at him; the shimmering light reflected on their faces.

“Look, baby, I might not be that confident,” Huo Niansheng whispered in his ear. “I hope it’s better that you don’t.”

Chen Wengang gave him a look. Huo Niansheng curled his lips, slowly lowering his gaze, and untied the knot in his shirt.

With his back free, Chen Wengang sat in the water, turning his head in an attempt to shake off the restriction. Huo Niansheng reached out again, deftly unbuttoning both cuffs. Chen Wengang glanced at him, took off the shirt, bundled it up, and threw it out, where it landed wet and heavy on the floor.

Huo Niansheng sighed, nuzzling his hairline with his lips.

Chen Wengang scooped up a handful of water and splashed it on him, grabbing his wet shirt front.

He pulled him down with force. Huo Niansheng didn’t resist, obediently being pulled into the tub. One fully dressed, one with only his top removed, their water-logged clothes made movement much more difficult. They shared a messy, water-soaked kiss.

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