One-way Passage

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After smelling the fragrance, Ming Luchuan’s head jerked up, turning to Xia Wennan and saying, “This is it.”

They both knew the scent well—it was the scent of Ming Luchuan’s pheromones, mixed with the faint smell of osmanthus flowers under the old, red-brick laboratory building.

All at once, Xia Wennan threw himself at Ming Luchuan.
He was finding it a little hard to contain his excitement; winding his arms around Ming Luchuan’s neck, he leaned in and kissed his mouth.

Ming Luchuan was evidently just as excited as he hoisted Xia Wennan up.
If it weren’t for the precious items strewn on the countertop, he would probably sweep everything away and directly set Xia Wennan down.

Rationality still intact, Xia Wennan said, “My office.”

Before, when he heard Ming Luchuan claim that they’d done it in the car and the lab, Xia Wennan had refused to believe him.
It was only now did he understand that there really were certain emotional outbursts that couldn’t be quelled by mere hugs and kisses alone.

In the sealed space of the lounge, Ming Luchuan smothered Xia Wennan in his pheromones, almost as if he wanted to suffocate him.

Both Xia Wennan’s mind and body were exceedingly overstimulated, and all he wanted to do at this very second was cling to Ming Luchuan.

Xia Wennan believed that humans had always enjoyed categorising their feelings for another in minute detail, whether they felt sorry for someone, grateful to someone, or idolised someone.
Some people only wanted a friendship, while others craved carnal pleasures.
His own feelings towards Ming Luchuan may be complicated, or perhaps very pure.
At this very moment, he was utterly convinced that, in what he felt, there absolutely was—love.

After what felt like a long time, Xia Wennan came down from the momentary blankness of his high.
He was gasping for breath as he embraced Ming Luchuan, gaze never straying from the man’s face.

“What’s the matter?” In times like these, Ming Luchuan was always tender.
He gently brushed away Xia Wennan’s sweat-soaked hair, when not even minutes before, he’d slightly lost his temper after Xia Wennan forbade him to bite his nape.

All his sulking was insignificant though, as the present Ming Luchuan was completely satiated and calm.

Xia Wennan said, “I’m so hungry.”

Ming Luchuan hugged him, buried his head in his shoulder, and took several deep breaths before getting up and saying, “Let’s get something to eat.”

Xia Wennan laid in bed, relishing in the feeling of his skin sliding against the satiny-smooth bed sheets.
He lazily said, “I don’t wanna move.”

“I’ll bring something back for you,” said Ming Luchuan.

“Really?” Xia Wennan was a little flattered.

Ming Luchuan was already getting dressed.
“What do you want to eat?”

“I’m hungry.
I’ll eat anything.”

“Wait for me.” Once he was dressed, Ming Luchuan opened the door and exited the lounge.

The room now contained Xia Wennan alone.
After exhausting both his mind and body, he was completely relaxed, and unknowingly dozed off.
He didn’t sleep for very long, though, and awakened shortly after.
When he checked the time on his phone, no more than ten minutes had passed.

Right then, the sound of the elevator in the corridor outside drew Xia Wennan’s attention.

It was ordinarily not so audible, but because the company was especially quiet today, the sound was a little clearer.

Xia Wennan thought that Ming Luchuan had returned.
Inwardly, he wondered why he was back so soon, but after lying there for two minutes without hearing Ming Luchuan enter the office, he couldn’t help but get up and start getting dressed.

Once clothed, he opened the door to exit the office, and as soon as he stepped into the corridor, he spotted Yin Zejing standing outside the lab, peering in through the window.