Chapter 3168: Plane Tree Lane Bitter Summer 0?9/10

In the afternoon, in Chenshu's home, the light was blocked outside by the curtains.

Before the clay frame of the large sculpture, Jin Chen stood naked on the carpet, his tall, slender body freely stretching; his waist was narrow and thin, yet not overly frail, and his skin, never seeing daylight, was thus pallid and cold.

If an artist of refined taste saw it, he could not help praising the body as sacred and beautiful; if a vulgar person saw it, he would feel a profane impulse. Chenshu's sculpting knife wandered over the plaster, somewhere between the two—he both admired it and felt his vulgar desires stirred.

Jin Chen lowered his eyelids, his expression somewhat vacant, his cheeks still retaining a faint flush after the fever subsided.

His soul and body were separating; he did not care what harm this flesh might suffer, and gradually he could no longer sense the existence of his corporeal form, merely drifting lightly, as if a piece had been carved out of his body, leaving an indescribable emptiness, hollow and echoing, so that when wind passed through it made a wailing sound.

In Chenshu's eyes, it seemed he could see Jin Chen's vitality continually draining away—transparent threads flowing from his fragile, sensitive spine, like invisible wings. He was a beautiful bird, trapped here, trapped in Plane Tree Lane, trapped in this frail shell, wings broken, feathers withering.

Thirty minutes later, the sculpture under Chenshu's hands had taken a rough shape.

He put down the sculpting knife, went to wash his hands, and upon returning saw Jin Chen looking at the sculpture that had just completed its first step, the plaster's rough form; hearing the movement, Jin Chen turned his head to look at him, his gaze still gloomy, quiet, on the verge of collapse, like a building that could cave in at any moment, riddled with holes inside.

Jin Chen raised his hand to touch Chenshu's eyes; when his fingertips met the thin eyelids, Chenshu closed his eyes. Jin Chen's finger pads felt the eyeball moving beneath the thin skin, stubbornly trying to discern the emotion revealed in those depths—whether true or false, reality or his own delusion.

Chenshu let him caress, then gave a soft laugh, opened his eyes, and gathered Jin Chen into his arms, embracing him.

His embrace was not broad, nor could it fully envelop; Jin Chen was a bit taller, needing to tilt his head slightly to rest his chin on Jin Chen's shoulder, yet Jin Chen still drew from it threads of safety, so they clung together more tightly.

The bruise on Jin Chen's waist had darkened, becoming especially conspicuous, like a crack in white jade. Chenshu's fingers stroked over it, not asking how it came to be, merely wandering and rubbing, like an artist enamored of his muse, or like the most romantic lover deliberately enticing, an indescribable attachment.

"Does it still hurt?" Chenshu asked.

Jin Chen's breathing grew a little heavier, and he shook his head.

He was led by Chenshu's hand to sit on the sofa, gazing into Chenshu's eyes, bringing his palm back to press against that bruise, then laying his cheek against Chenshu's neck, murmuring something softly.

After a while, Chenshu finally made out what Jin Chen was murmuring: …very dirty.

Chenshu could naturally hear Jin Chen's emotion—it was disgust, rejection, not fear. Thus he guessed that perhaps the disgust was toward the person who had fought him and left the bruise on Jin Chen's waist. At this moment, his palm covered it, as if it could make Jin Chen feel a bit better.

Chenshu's lips curved into the familiar smile Jin Chen knew, yet with added tenderness and ambiguity, wanton yet pure: "Xiao Chen, do you like this? You can rely on me a little more—being relied upon by you makes me happy."

Jin Chen's body was heating up; he had to restrain those surging impulses, which rushed through his veins like a caged beast yearning to break free, yet Chenshu's smile bewitched him, making him lose his senses.

The distance between them had somehow become this close. In Chenshu's eyes, a clear reflection of Jin Chen appeared—his pale, listless face, half-hidden by sweat-dampened messy hair.

Close enough to feel each other's breath, close enough that a single step forward would bring their ears rubbing, tasting each other's every flavor.

Jin Chen's eyes gazed at him, heavy and deep; such a look could make the one being stared at unable to breathe, too weighty, too intense, like fathomless water—once sunk, one could never surface again.

"Do you like it?" he asked in a hoarse voice, turning the question back to Chenshu.

Jin Chen lay naked on the sofa, the dark pupils holding greed and gloom that seemed frightening, yet Chenshu was lost in it; he lowered his head and kissed Jin Chen's lips.

Jin Chen's lips were just as he imagined—soft and full, their breaths intertwining, indistinguishable whose was whose.

In the afternoon as summer was about to end, Jin Chen's pain subsided, and he tasted his first kiss. Thus, for the first time, Jin Chen truly drew breath, his chest swelling as he came alive; the rupture in his heart became a fish tank, nourished by bright red blood that fed the fish named desire, which darted in the cramped space, striking the walls, longing to be released.

Desire is generally akin to appetite.

Jin Chen lowered his gaze, tightened his waist, pulling him into his embrace; hearing Chenshu's pleased hum while kissing, the itchy feeling in his heart rose again, birthing a craving appetite—he wanted only to devour Chenshu, skin and bones, swallowing him whole to fuse into one.

Jin Chen's hand gripped the back of Chenshu's head, fingers threading through his light-colored hair, clenching tight. He tasted Chenshu's tongue—soft and warm, as if it could melt between lips and teeth.

Chenshu also felt satisfied, unwilling to close his eyes while kissing; he cupped Jin Chen's face and gazed at him, his eyes greedy and enamored, tracing his brows, eyes, nose bridge, and reddened lips.

So beautiful, so pitiful, …so beloved.

The muse he easily controlled was like a holy treasure tainted by vulgar desire; purity and depravity wonderfully merged in him, a deadly attraction.

They entwined like lovers.

Chenshu finally kissed the black butterfly hanging from Jin Chen's ear, taking it into his mouth; the metal earring, carrying Jin Chen's body temperature, felt slightly cool on his tongue tip.

He gently held it with his teeth, as if tasting a candy.

Chenshu still wore the canvas apron for sculpting, its fabric not thin, dotted with dried mud and plaster powder. He and Jin Chen clung tightly; the rough apron fabric rubbed against Jin Chen's skin, chafing his body red.

The reddened chest, the bluish-purple bruise, naked, obscure freedom.

After a long while, Jin Chen's face rarely showed an expression of losing control.

Damp, fluid, the goldfish drowned in his heart.

He felt as if he were sinking to the bottom of water, yet also floating in the air, all his senses magnified countlessfold.

Chenshu's breath, Chenshu's heartbeat, Chenshu's fingertips' touch—imprinted on his skin, carved into his bones.

Jin Chen embraced Chenshu, hearing his soft, comfortable exhale; a strong possessive desire welled up from his heart.

Chenshu did not mind the apron being wet.

He unfastened it, tossed it aside casually, then embraced Jin Chen again; Chenshu asked gently, "Are you feeling a bit happier now?"

Jin Chen pressed his lips together; his lips were a little swollen, reddened from the kiss, he answered Chenshu's question silently, then tilted his head to rub against Chenshu's neck, wanting to bite.

"It's so hot." Chenshu shifted, as if he were about to melt, hanging limp on Jin Chen, his arms softly draped over his shoulders, his whole body boneless, surrendering all his weight to Jin Chen.

After a while, he finally sat upright, tidied his messy hair, and said, "Stay here to bathe; I'll go to your place to get you clothes."

Chenshu had already risen to look for the keys, casually pulling on a clean T-shirt, walked to the door and glanced back at him, eyes smiling, crescent moons: "Don't use too cold water; you just recovered from a fever."

Jin Chen nodded, also finally feeling the stickiness on his skin uncomfortable, wanting to take a shower.

In the bathroom, steam hovered.

Jin Chen used the same body wash as Chenshu's scent, minty, light and faint.

Hot water poured over his body, washing away stickiness and fatigue; he stood under the showerhead, letting the hot water run from head to foot, eyes closed, thinking of nothing, merely feeling the water's temperature and the enveloping steam.

In Chenshu's bathroom hung a small mirror, roughly for washing face and brushing teeth. After Jin Chen finished bathing, he stood before the mirror; mist blurred the surface, showing only a vague outline, so he raised his hand and wiped the water away with his palm.

In the mirror appeared a pallid face, slightly longer wet hair sticking to his forehead, brows and eyes gloomy, lips redder than usual, likely from the recent kiss.

He gazed at his reflection, recalling Chenshu's affectionate look when he looked at him; the gloom in his depths gradually faded, and he became calm.

——

Around six in the evening, the horizon ignited with fire clouds. At this time, Jin Chen needed to go to the vegetable market to buy groceries.

Chenshu was not in a rush to finish the sculpture. He looked out the window; on the horizon, splendid fire clouds blazed, intense yet fleeting.

He turned to the Jin Chen preparing to leave and said, "Come walk with me; consider it a return gift for the clay figurine, all right?"

Jin Chen changed into the long-sleeved shirt Chenshu had brought from home, the cuffs reaching the wrist roots, the collar a little loose, revealing his collarbones. He did not want to part easily from Chenshu, so he agreed again, but he did not want to show it, putting on an aloof demeanor, nodding lightly as if it didn't matter whether he went or not.

But he regretted to discover that Chenshu seemed to have seen through his disguise; otherwise, how could it be that as soon as they walked out of Toon Tree Lane, Chenshu wanted to hook fingers with him, as if holding hands.

Jin Chen's nose tip broke out in a light sweat; the long-sleeved shirt concealed the fingertips where he and Chenshu were hooked together, and from the outside they merely appeared to be walking side by side, with no sign visible.

He heard Chenshu humming an off-key tune, the melody broken and intermittent, like an improvisation with no structure. The wind from the lane's entrance blew over, lifting a few strands of Jin Chen's hair, revealing somewhat pleased eyes.

Leaving Toon Tree Lane brings you to Riverside Road. This road was built early, its asphalt surface cracked with many fine fissures. The old city and Toon Tree Lane have both been left behind by the times.

Whether it's the buildings or the residents living here, they retain the shadow of the last century. The houses are scattered, the courtyard walls low, with morning glories and creeping vines crawling over the tops. Outside the urban village, the streets are traversed by electric scooters, their bells jingling, mixed with vendors' cries, and also Teresa Teng's 'Small Town Tales'.

Going forward along Riverside Road leads to the vegetable market.

The sunset spilled onto the river, shimmering with rippling light that flickered in tiny glints with the rise and fall of the waves.

The market was bustling with people, the air mixed with the smell of fish, the seasoning of braised meat, and the greasy scent of fried food. Chenshu held Jin Chen's hand as they weaved through the market, occasionally stopping to look at the fresh vegetables and fruits on the stalls, Jin Chen following behind, while Chenshu haggled with the vendors.

At the end of the lane stood a tiny accessory shop, its front narrow, with a handwritten cardboard sign hanging above the glass counter, the words 'Free Ear Piercing' written in thick black ink, the lettering crooked.

The shop window displayed various ear studs, necklaces, and bracelets, glittering in the evening glow. Chenshu turned to look at the black butterfly on Jin Chen's ear, hooked his palm, and said, 'Xiao Chen, I want to go in and browse.'

Jin Chen recalled that day in the stairwell when Chenshu first spoke to him, and reminded, 'Not this one.'

Chenshu laughed, 'I know.'

Jin Chen still went in with him; the shopkeeper sat behind the counter making handmade accessories, glanced up at them, said 'Just browsing,' then lowered her head to continue her work.

Chenshu didn't seem to want an ear piercing himself; instead, he eagerly set about adorning Jin Chen, picking up a pair of silver ear studs, holding them beside Jin Chen's ear to compare, tilting his head to look, then setting them down and picking up another pair.

Jin Chen remained silent; Chenshu told him to tilt left a bit, and he did; told him to lift his head, and he did, also slightly tilting his head to make it easier for Chenshu to measure, appearing somewhat obedient. Chenshu looked at his compliant demeanor, felt an itch in his heart, and wanted to kiss his lips.

Jin Chen seemed to sense something, he lightly pressed his lips, stared straight at Chenshu, his gloomy beautiful eyes holding a warning yet also a hint of anticipation, contradictory and alluring.

I'm done for. How could someone be so perfectly to one's liking?

Chenshu only touched his ear, turned to look at the ear studs in the counter, finally chose three pairs, he paid, pulled Jin Chen to a brighter spot beside the counter, first removed the black butterfly from Jin Chen's ear, pinched the post of that ear stud with his fingers, and a light twist loosened it.

By the shop's light, Chenshu aligned the new ear stud with Jin Chen's ear and inserted it steadily; Jin Chen turned his head to cooperate with the motion, revealing his pale neck and side profile. A dark red water droplet dangled below Jin Chen's earlobe, swaying, like a drop of blood about to fall but not yet, morbid, a decadent beauty.

His knuckled fingers seized Chenshu's hand that was putting the ear stud on him, then naturally hooked the fingers.

Chenshu really liked it, he brought Jin Chen a step toward the wall; Jin Chen's back leaned against the wall of the accessory shop lined with shelves, the metal chains on the shelves jingled as he bumped them, the shopkeeper didn't even lift her head, continuing to string her beads.

Jin Chen's lips opened slightly, his lips moist, Chenshu lowered his head and pressed his lips to them.

Outside, the fire clouds burned at their peak, the sky dyed a thick orange‑red; the light seeped in through the accessory shop's narrow doorway, the orange‑red glow falling at their feet, accentuating the emotions that had just burst forth.