Vinegar essence mixed with alcohol

Xu An said casually, "Years have passed, but President Shen's taste hasn't changed."

Shen Jiamu's deep eyes held unfathomable emotions as he slowly spoke, "Since we drank such strong liquor at the very beginning, everything else I drank afterward just felt a little lacking."

This phrase refers to both wine and people.

To Shen Jiamu, Xu An was like a glass of strong liquor, poured into a crystal glass, its colors reflected in the dazzling lights of the bar.

Everyone is attracted by its tempting appearance, but only those who have tasted it know the sourness and aftertaste.

Once you get used to this taste, you lose interest in other low-alcohol drinks.

Xu An deliberately avoided the veiled meaning in Shen Jiamu's words, and said with a light laugh, "There are countless fine wines in the world; you have to try them all to know."

Xu An's words were met with a cold snort from Shen Jiamu, his face grim: "Boss Xu, you've been through countless romances, haven't you found the right wine for you yet?"

"Boss, table number 2 has ordered a signature golden fish soup." Xiao Lu came over and said.

"Understood, I'll go make it. Mr. Shen, I apologize for the poor hospitality." Xu An said, then turned and went into the kitchen.

When Xu An came out again, the seat that Shen Jiamu had just sat in was empty, with a few banknotes under the wine glass.

Xu An, unsure whether he felt disappointed or relieved, leaned on the bar counter and stared blankly into space.

Shi Xi Ju was open until 2 a.m., and closed after seeing off its last customer.

Xu An changed his clothes, instructed Xiao Lu to check the water, electricity, and gas, and then went home.

The weather was getting cooler in September. Xu An pulled his coat collar tighter and slowly walked back.

It was September when Xu An left the bar in L City, exactly three years ago. The lifestyle Xu An had grown accustomed to suddenly felt a little lonely because of Shen Jiamu's appearance.

In the past, Shen Jiamu would sometimes wait for him at the bar after get off work, and sometimes he would pick him up when he finished get off work in the early morning and then take him home.

And in all the years since I arrived in M ​​City, that person has never appeared again.

Xu An lived in an old-style residential building two streets away from the shop. At this time, most people were still asleep, and the neighborhood was quiet.

Upon entering the building, there was a dark figure on the landing in front of my apartment on the second floor.

A person sat on the stairs, a cigarette between his fingers, the red end burning in the darkness.

Xu An was startled. Before he could react, the man threw away his cigarette, stood up, and pulled him into his arms.

The familiar scent instantly enveloped Xu An.

Xu An couldn't possibly forget that she had just been intimate with this man the day before.

"Shen Jiamu, you—" Xu An struggled for a moment.

"Shh—open the door, or I'll strip you naked right here," Shen Jiamu threatened in a low voice.

Xu An really couldn't figure out what Shen Jiamu would do now, so he had no choice but to obediently reach into his pocket, take out his key, and open the door.

Shen Jiamu pushed him into the house and closed the door.

Xu An's hand, which was about to touch the light switch on the wall, was enveloped by Shen Jiamu's large hand. Shen Jiamu's urgent and domineering kiss left Xu An with nowhere to escape.

The man's skillful kiss, mixed with the smell of tobacco, made Xu An's legs go weak.

He wasn't familiar with the furnishings in Xu An's house, so he led the man inside in the dark. He bumped his leg on the coffee table, and the two of them fell into the sofa.

Xu An instantly snapped out of her daze, propping herself up against the man's chest. "Shen Jiamu, what do you want to do?"

"..." the man replied without any politeness.

"Yesterday I could say you were drunk, but what about today?"

Shen Jiamu placed his large hands on Xu An's waist on both sides, his dark, bright eyes like those of a predator eyeing its prey.

"Xu An, actually I didn't drink too much yesterday."

Shen Jiamu flipped over and pinned Xu An down, controlling him.

Xu An's face paled. "Shen Jiamu, we ended things three years ago. What do you mean by doing this now?"

Shen Jiamu's thumb and forefinger gripped Xu An's chin as he stared into Xu An's eyes and said, "I was too naive back then. I offered you my heart, only to have you throw it away without a word. It took me three years to figure it out. I just wanted to sleep with you, why make such a fuss?"

In the darkness, Xu An's eyes betrayed his panic. "Shen Jiamu, if you want to sleep, you have to ask me if I'm willing."

Shen Jiamu laughed, "Hmm? You don't want to? You weren't behaving like this yesterday. It seems Boss Xu has a bad memory. Let me help you remember."

Shen Jiamu was very familiar with Xu An's weaknesses, and Xu An quickly lost the ability to resist. Shen Jiamu then personally helped Xu An recall the events of the previous day.

Daylight had broken, and Xu An lay fast asleep in his arms.

When Xu An couldn't see, Shen Jiamu dropped his feigned playfulness, his dark eyes filled with unfathomable longing. He gently brushed aside the sweat-dampened stray hairs on Xu An's forehead with his fingers and kissed it.

Three years ago, he finally got Xu An. When he was happy to have Xu An as his boyfriend, Xu An told him, "Shen Jiamu, if you only want to sleep with me, I don't mind having another companion, but I, Xu An, will never have a fixed partner in this life, and I can't give you any promises."

Shen Jiamu was furious and had a huge argument with Xu An, after which Xu An disappeared.

For the past three years, he wasn't unaware of Xu An's whereabouts; he simply didn't know what to do with Xu An.

It took Shen Jiamu three years to process Xu An's words. Now he truly understands: he only wants Xu An, regardless of their relationship.

Xu An will not have a fixed partner, which means he will always have a chance. As long as Shen Jiamu can keep Xu An by his side every day, it's just a title, nothing more.

Xu An didn't wake up until the afternoon. The warm body beside her was gone; this time, Shen Jiamu had left without saying goodbye.

Xu An sat on the bed, staring blankly at the mess on the floor.

Shen Jiamu didn't clean up his belongings when he left. Perhaps he deliberately left them for him to see, to remind him of what they had done last night.

Xu An held his head, his mind a complete mess.

He admitted that he couldn't resist Shen Jiamu. Otherwise, with the physical strength of a grown man like him, even if he couldn't defeat Shen Jiamu, he wouldn't be completely powerless to resist.

He can deceive anyone but himself.

But what exactly does Shen Jiamu mean? Does she really just want to release her physical urges, or does she still like him?

Xu An couldn't immediately tell which outcome he hoped for.

Logically, he should have expected that Shen Jiamu was only retaliating because of his sudden departure, so that he could enjoy the pleasure of being with him without any burden.

But the thought that Shen Jiamu might have really let go of his feelings for him made Xu An's heart ache so much that he could hardly breathe.

His circumstances meant he couldn't make promises to anyone, so he ran away when Shen Jiamu offered him his heart.

Xu An stubbornly believes that living in the time when someone loves you the most, even if it's only in that person's memory, is better than being let down later.