The kiss was not fleeting; Duan Xiubo’s passion was overwhelming. His tongue fervently explored Luo Ding’s mouth, sweeping every corner it could reach, while their bodies pressed closer, leaving Luo Ding breathless.
Luo Ding felt like his pores exploded. It was as if his entire being was floating in the air, his body weightless, his whole self submerged in water, and his soul drifting farther away.
At first, Duan Xiubo’s hands were braced on either side of Luo Ding’s head. As the kiss deepened, his hands slid down to cradle Luo Ding’s face.
Their breaths intertwined, carrying the familiar scent of the other. It was the first time Luo Ding realized just how deeply Duan Xiubo’s scent had etched itself into his memory.
“Mm…” Luo Ding could barely breathe. His head spun, his legs trembled, and he was held so tightly in Duan Xiubo’s embrace that it took all his strength just to stay upright.
Sensing his struggle, Duan Xiubo left Luo Ding’s lips, trailing soft kisses along his cheekbone and jaw, down to his ear and neck, sucking gently on the skin. His hands slid down to Luo Ding’s waist, trying to sneak under his suit jacket.
Luo Ding’s rationality slowly returned.
In just a few seconds of losing control, things had already escalated to an uncontrollable level. He could feel the warm, wet kisses on his neck, hear Duan Xiubo’s rapid breathing, and sense the eager hands kneading his waist. But what he didn’t know was what he should do next.
Was this a momentary impulse or should he let it happen?
Slowly, Luo Ding raised a hand and pressed it against Duan Xiubo’s arms, which had just found the seam of his shirt and were trying to delve deeper. Squinting his eyes in exhaustion, he muttered, “Duan ge… that’s enough. Enough.” They were outdoors, in a place filled with people. Although it was a secluded spot, if anyone saw what was happening, this could become a vulnerability that could be used against them.
Duan Xiubo’s hands trembled slightly, but he kept his grip on Luo Ding’s waist. After the initial dizziness passed, he realized something wasn’t right. He had begun to regain his senses even as they kissed, but the taste was too sweet to stop, and he couldn’t pull away. Even if it was just one more second, he wanted to savor this closeness a bit longer.
The feeling of going further was so intoxicating. If this was a swamp, he’d gladly drown in it. The slender body in his arms was more resilient than it appeared, and the taste in his mouth—a mix of lemon mouthwash and tobacco—was irresistibly alluring. His senses were overwhelmed by the scent of shampoo, and the smoothness of Luo Ding’s skin was sweet and tantalizing.
Duan Xiubo wanted nothing more than to throw caution to the wind, to push Luo Ding down and give in to the crazed desire he had been suppressing for so long. He had fantasized about this day for so long, night after night in his dreams. For nearly thirty years, it was the first time he had wanted something so much, yet felt so powerless to obtain it.
But Luo Ding’s quiet words instantly shattered the last of his wild impulses.
Silence spread through the corner they were in.
Luo Ding, exhausted, slowly pushed Duan Xiubo away, sliding down the tree trunk to sit on the ground. He hugged his knees and buried his head, trying to clear the tangled thoughts in his mind.
Duan Xiubo stood across from him, leaning against the tree, staring at Luo Ding’s tousled hair and collar. After a long while, he finally managed to calm his breathing.
“Was it the cigarette?” His voice was hoarse, almost unrecognizable.
“Mm.” Luo Ding, still resting his head on his knees, nodded lightly.
Whatever thoughts Duan Xiubo had were now engulfed by anger. Although drug control in some foreign countries wasn’t strict, no self-respecting person would willingly try something like that. Duan Xiubo had seen too many classmates make the mistake of rebelling by turning to drugs. These people became hollow shells, their bodies and minds eaten away, endlessly caught in cycles of rehab and relapse, with no exceptions.
Drugs were a forbidden zone, a dangerous path that, once touched, could lead to eternal damnation.
The pack of cigarettes had been new, even the seal untouched. Duan Xiubo hadn’t noticed anything wrong when he opened it, so Luo Ding couldn’t be blamed.
But whoever had handed Luo Ding that cleverly disguised pack of cigarettes had certainly meant him harm.
His anger flared, rekindling his strength. Duan Xiubo clenched his fists, his face devoid of any trace of a smile. “Who gave it to you?”
****
After Luo Ding left, Tommy Lee lost interest. He threw the foil packet back onto the table and didn’t bother with the lighter. He sat there sulking.
The others, after quietly taking their hits, lay sprawled out on the couches, dazed and twitching like dead dogs.
The young man who had eagerly invited Luo Ding to join them earlier sat beside Tommy Lee, chuckling. “Let me guess what you’re thinking. You’re thinking about that goody-two-shoes, aren’t you?”
“Shut up.”
“Ah, it really is him, huh?” The guy got more excited, leaning his head against Tommy Lee’s shoulder, laughing as his body shook. “But he ran away scared.”
The others joined in with giggles and teasing. “Yeah, that good boy got scared. How can we stop him from crying?”
Tommy Lee frowned. “Stop messing around. What’s the point of forcing him?”
A young man lying at the far end laughed in hiccups. He was the youngest of the Morlamo family, a child from an affair his father had. He had more brothers than he could count on one hand. His eldest brother was already working with their father, preparing to inherit the family business, while the youngest Morlamo gave up on trying to compete and indulged in life’s pleasures instead. After all, his father’s fortune would outlast his lifetime.
He stretched out his hand towards the sky, his voice stuttering, “… He’ll be back.”
“What?” Tommy Lee was irritated by the teasing and was starting to get angry.
The young Morlamo’s eyes glinted with pride. It wasn’t easy getting those cigarettes. He struggled to sit up, just about to boast about his accomplishment when his throat tightened abruptly—someone had grabbed him by the collar and dragged him up.
Duan Xiubo’s expression was terrifying, and he didn’t say a word as he dragged the young man toward the small grove of trees.
Young Morlamo was so dazed that he didn’t react at first, his face filled with confusion. With the drugs slowing his reflexes, he stumbled back several steps before finally shouting in panic, “Hey! Who are you?! Help me!”
But their spot was too secluded. The guests mingling in the backyard couldn’t hear his weak cries for help. A few couples sneaking off to the bushes for some privacy glanced over but quickly looked away, not wanting to get involved.
Drug addicts were as fragile as chickens. Duan Xiubo swung a punch—not even at his full strength—and the young Morlamo crumpled to the ground, his face twisted in pain.
But Duan Xiubo didn’t stop there.
“Morlamo, you’re a disgrace to your family name.” Duan Xiubo grabbed him by the collar and delivered another hard punch to his face. “An outstanding family like the Morlamos, and they produce trash like you. Your father and brother must be ashamed of you.”
“No! How dare you say that!!” Young Morlamo’s eyes widened in disbelief. No one had ever spoken to him like that, especially not to his face. Sure, he wasn’t the best, and his relationship with his father and brothers was distant. But hearing Duan Xiubo’s harsh words made him feel like he really was worthless.
Tears streamed down young Morlamo’s face. “I’m not trash!”
By now, the other guys, still unsteady, had finally caught up. Tommy Lee yelled, “Duan Xiubo, what are you doing?!”
“He tried to get someone hooked on drugs. Tommy Lee, did you bring Luo Ding here just to turn him into one of you?!”
Tommy Lee looked utterly confused. “What are you talking about?!” He felt insulted. “What do you mean ‘turn him into one of us’?!”
Duan Xiubo ignored him, pulling out his phone with difficulty and calling the estate. He asked the servants to inform the Stennis couple to bring the bodyguards over.
Panic set in. These young people had dabbled in drugs out of curiosity, but they weren’t truly reckless. If they had been, they wouldn’t have snuck into a corner to exchange their stash like thieves. The Stennis couple quickly arrived with their hired bodyguards. Seeing the scene, Mrs. Stennis gasped, “Oh my goodness, young Morlamo was attacked?”
“It was me.” Duan Xiubo, unapologetic, stepped forward and handed the opened pack of cigarettes to Mr. Stennis. “They smuggled drugs in and tried to get my friend involved. Even I was tricked. They’re trash.”
The Stennis couple exchanged uneasy glances. One of the bodyguards sniffed the lit cigarette. “It’s marijuana.”
Marijuana might not seem like much, but the Stennis couple’s expressions turned serious.
Someone bringing drugs to their party was a massive insult. In high society, self-discipline was a rule everyone had to follow. No one respected a drug addict who lost control and embarrassed themselves. And young Morlamo had not only gotten himself high, but he had also tried to drag their guests into it.
“Go to the main hall and ask Mr. Morlamo to come here,” Mr. Stennis ordered. As soon as he spoke, young Morlamo began wailing, “No! No! Please don’t!”
“And the rest of you.” Mr. Stennis paid him no mind. He had the bodyguards restrain the group of young men trying to sneak away. After inspecting their pupils, he frowned deeply. “Don’t come to my parties anymore.”
The shock was instant.
Even Tommy Lee, who had been silent, was visibly shaken.
While they had acted disrespectfully at the party, and rumors about the “supermodel party” circulated, every resident of Don manka Estate knew that an invitation to a Stennis party was a status symbol.
Why else would they attend such a boring event instead of hitting bars or chasing thrills?
The estate was full of exiled rich people, disgraced individuals, and disinherited children. Every year, the absence of familiar faces at the party became a topic of gossip. Losing an invitation equaled losing status, and in their world, where pride and face were everything, that was a terrifying prospect.
One by one, the young men began to defend themselves. Tommy Lee had been silent for a while. He approached one of the bodyguards, took a puff of the cigarette, and sniffed.
“Is this the pack you gave him?” His expression darkened, and he stared at young Morlamo from across the room.
Young Morlamo, still crying, didn’t even look up as someone went to fetch his father. He knew that once his father saw this disgraceful scene, his life was over.
“Answer me!” Tommy Lee slammed the cigarette to the ground and stormed over, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him halfway into the air. “Why did you do it?!”
“I just… I just thought you’d be happy…” Young Morlamo gasped, struggling to breathe.
Tommy Lee punched him hard in the face, then glared down at him. “You’re trash.”
Then he turned to Duan Xiubo. “Where’s Luo Ding?”
“You don’t need to know where he is.”
“Whether you believe me or not,” Tommy Lee admitted, clenching his fists in frustration, “this wasn’t what I intended. I like him.”
“He doesn’t need your affection,” Duan Xiubo retorted coldly.
“Who are you to say that?” Tommy Lee asked, staring at him.
“Because no friend of mine would ever use drugs to harm him.”
Tommy Lee was speechless.
After swallowing hard, he bowed his head in defeat. “Tell him I’m sorry.”
By now, the elders had rushed over, summoned by the bodyguards. Tommy Lee’s father arrived with his eldest son, their faces full of fury. But before they could say anything, Tommy Lee pushed past them, striding out of the grove with a determined expression, without looking back.
Mr. Morlamo, after hearing what had happened, was so angry that he could barely stand. Pride was everything to him, and his son’s actions were a humiliation. He stood straight, full of resentment for his disgraceful child, and spoke through gritted teeth, “Where is Mr. Luo now? I must apologize to him in person and beg for his forgiveness.” He was desperately hoping this was all some misunderstanding.
Luo Ding had an intense reaction to the marijuana. His body was weak, and the brief high had drained his energy. He didn’t even have the strength to stand and was now half-conscious, barely holding on.
Duan Xiubo carried him out of the grove. Seeing his state, Mrs. Stennis, who had always liked Luo Ding, was heartbroken. No one dared to defend the young troublemakers any further.
Young Morlamo was dragged out by the bodyguards, his father not sparing him a single glance. Clearly, his father was done with him. Before leaving, Mr. Morlamo handed Luo Ding his business card, apologizing profusely and offering his help for anything Luo Ding might need in the future.
What was supposed to be a pleasant party had turned into a farce. The Stennis couple, full of regret, helped Duan Xiubo get Luo Ding into a car.
“We’re sorry. This was a major oversight on our part.”
“It’s okay. He’ll forgive you.” Duan Xiubo rubbed his forehead. “Actually, I’m also feeling a bit off. Can you arrange a driver for me? I don’t think I can drive like this.”
The couple, panicking, quickly called their driver.
R : The parents are so nice how come the kids are trash ?!
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