Extra - Jealousy Chronicles*

After being together for a while, He Bing discovered that his Liao Yucheng was actually a vinegar jar—and a massive one at that. Forget about men and women who got even slightly close to He Bing. Just last time walking through the neighbourhood, a neighbor lady's little grandson had kissed He Bing on the cheek while playing around, and Liao Yucheng had been sour about it for ages.

Actually, He Bing totally understood Liao Yucheng's jealousy. Liao Yucheng's obsession with him ran deep. The bitterness and grievances from all those years of secretly liking him went without saying. Now that they were finally together with mutual feelings, it seemed inevitable that Liao Yucheng would show stronger possessiveness than most people. At the end of the day, it was all because of love. 

Of course, Liao Yucheng was inherently quite considerate and understanding. Plus he was skilled at 'managing' his husband and knew how to 'train' him properly. He Bing did not mind his jealousy at all, and happily took his cues from Liao Yucheng, consciously keeping his distance from certain people. Their 'married life' was harmonious and sweet—truly enviable.

Since buying his apartment, He Bing didn't have much spare cash left. After they got together, Liao Yucheng paid out of pocket for a car. Since He Bing's workplace was farther, every day he'd drop Liao Yucheng off at his company first, then head to his own office. The two went out together and came home together every day, like they wanted to be glued together every possible second.

Near the end of the year, He Bing's company held its annual party one evening, so Liao Yucheng went home alone first. The party ran pretty late. By the time it ended, taking public transit or getting a taxi was inconvenient, so coworkers with cars offered rides to those without. 

He Bing drove a few colleagues who lived in the same direction home. And wouldn't you know it, one of them happened to be his ex-girlfriend, Qin Yaoyao.

The moment He Bing realized Qin Yaoyao was getting in the car, he was screaming internally in protest. His hands even trembled on the steering wheel, as if there were security cameras watching from above, a blade at his neck. His whole being was in a state of panic at being 'forced to cheat.' However, he couldn't make other colleagues take a huge detour to drive Qin Yaoyao home first, and he also couldn't leave her to find her own ride home this late at night. 

Seeing how casual his ex was acting, He Bing naturally couldn't be too awkward about it either. So, drowning in guilt toward his new lover, he steeled himself and dutifully drove his old flame home.

The next day was the weekend. He Bing and Liao Yucheng went out together to buy groceries. The moment Liao Yucheng sat in the passenger seat, his nose twitched. He keenly detected a foreign scent floating in the car's air. This scent was pretty distinctive too—a fresh, delicate floral-fruity perfume smell, clearly from a woman.

Liao Yucheng leaned back in his seat, looking completely relaxed. He turned to face He Bing, tone casual. "You went to your company's annual party last night, right?"

He Bing fastened his seatbelt and responded, "Yeah."

"You got home pretty late. Was there anything else after the party ended?"

This question He Bing could answer confidently. "No, everyone scattered right after it ended. Who'd want other activities that late?"

Liao Yucheng asked again, "Then did someone get in our car? I'm smelling..." 

He deliberately drew out his words. With He Bing's guilty conscience, his words sounded especially loaded. He was so scared he hit the brakes hard right after starting, the car lurching to a stop.

"...a perfume smell." Liao Yucheng finally finished the rest of his sentence.

He Bing vaguely admitted, "Well, when the party ended last night it was pretty late. Some colleagues live far away and getting home was inconvenient, so me and a few others with cars gave rides to people. Probably left behind by whoever carpooled with me." He quickly rolled down all the windows. "Let's air it out. Should be gone soon. I actually think it smells pretty bad too, haha."

Liao Yucheng watched him with a smile, not saying anything, but his eyes carried a hint of murderous intent. He Bing broke out in a cold sweat and voluntarily spilled everything. "So, uh, last night we divided people up by routes. Those living on the same line rode in one car. That, that, Qin—Qin Yaoyao, was also on my route, so..."

"What?" Liao Yucheng's expression changed. He'd originally thought He Bing had just given a female coworker a ride—nothing serious, worth a lesson and some sweet talk to smooth over. But he never expected this female coworker would be his ex, Qin Yaoyao. Liao Yucheng took a deep breath, narrowing his eyes. "He Bing, you're really something."

He Bing immediately panicked, rushing to explain. "I didn't expect it either at first! But she and I were the only ones going that  way. I couldn't ask someone else to take a huge detour to drive her home. Plus it was so late—how could I let a girl go home all alone like that? It's not safe."

Liao Yucheng still smiled good-naturedly, but to He Bing that smile was scarier than being yelled at. "Never realized you were such a gentleman." 

He Bing knew those words were definitely not praise. He hurriedly to explain more. "We didn't do anything! I didn't say a single inappropriate word to her! There were several other colleagues there—they can all testify for me!" He practically wanted to split his chest open so Liao Yucheng could see his sincerity.

"Oh." Liao Yucheng responded lightly, then turned his head back and didn't look at He Bing again. "Let's go. If we're any later, all the weekend sale seafood will be sold out."

He Bing drove the whole way in a state of anxiety, his heart all over the place. He nearly ran two red lights. He tried several times to bring up light topics to ease the atmosphere, but Liao Yucheng casually brushed them all off. He Bing knew he was in deep shit this time. He'd rather Liao Yucheng openly blow up at him, give him a good scolding, hell, or even beat him up—at least let him vent so they could make up. But Liao Yucheng seemed to be giving him the cold shoulder. The silent treatment was simply too terrifying, and difficult to endure. With He Bing's straightforward, honest personality, he really couldn't handle it.

Finally back from the supermarket, He Bing obediently carried both heavy bags. At the building entrance, they ran into their neighbour taking her little grandson for a walk. She greeted them warmly. "You two young men back from shopping?"

Liao Yucheng smiled sweetly back. "Yeah, just went to the supermarket. Bought quite a lot."

The little boy in the lady's arms blinked at He Bing. He Bing smiled back at him. The lady glanced at He Bing's bags. "Oh my, you bought so much food."

"Yeah." Liao Yucheng nodded, then said, "By the way, do you have a washboard at home?"

He Bing had been making faces at the little boy and nearly bit his own tongue hearing that, as if foreseeing the storm awaiting him at home.

The lady said, "We don't have one. Who uses those anymore? Everyone has washing machines now."

Liao Yucheng smiled. "True, though washboards aren't just for washing clothes." He glanced at He Bing. "Right?"

He Bing shivered and quickly nodded. "R-right!"

Back home, He Bing put down the bags, went straight to their room, dismantled the computer keyboard, placed it on the living room floor, and with a thud dropped to his knees on it, voice full of remorse. "Yucheng, I was wrong! I'll never do it again!"

Liao Yucheng stood before him, looking down. "A man's knees are worth gold. What are you doing?"

Head bowed in penitence, He Bing said, "I know I made a huge mistake this time. Just let me kneel here. I'll get up when you're not angry anymore."

"If I'm angry all day, you'll kneel all day?"

"I'll kneel all day."

"If I'm angry all week, you'll kneel all week?"

He Bing was unwavering. "I'll kneel all week."

Liao Yucheng turned and went into the kitchen. "Then keep kneeling."

He Bing heard Liao Yucheng washing vegetables and cooking. He stayed properly kneeling outside. To show sincerity, he kept his back ramrod straight, thighs and calves at a perfect ninety-degree angle, not daring to lift his head once.

Finally the kitchen went quiet. Liao Yucheng came to stand in front of He Bing. Though it would be undignified, He Bing really wanted to hug his legs right now.

"Get up and eat." Liao Yucheng's voice floated down from above.

"I'll eat kneeling."

He Bing had been kneeling so long, Liao Yucheng's heart had long since melted. "Get up."

He Bing looked up at Liao Yucheng, seeing an expressionless face. His own eyes were full of grievance, looking utterly pititful. Liao Yucheng's heart turned to mush. He crouched in front of He Bing, voice gentle. "Come on, if you keep kneeling you'll break the keyboard."

He Bing said dumbly, "Then... should we buy another one?"

Liao Yucheng finally couldn't hold back his laughter. "Just get up already. I'm not angry anymore."

He Bing couldn't quite believe it. "Really?"

Liao Yucheng nodded. "Really."

He Bing lowered his head again. "But I was with my ex-girlfriend again..."

"You didn't do anything wrong. It was so late last night—you had to drive her home."

"Huh?" He Bing was stunned.

"But I'm still unhappy about it."

"I know."

He Bing grabbed Liao Yucheng's hand. His fingers were a bit cold from washing all those vegetables.

"So just don't stay out that late anymore. Come home earlier. I'll always be waiting for you."

He Bing was practically moved to tears by how understanding Liao Yucheng was. He moved forward to hug him. "Yucheng, you're so wonderful."

Just as He Bing was feeling all emotional and tender, Liao Yucheng sneakily reached out his evil claws. He pressed his cold hands against He Bing's neck. The cold shocked He Bing so much he nearly jumped up. He got up and tackled Liao Yucheng onto the couch, both exasperated and amused. "Hey! You're bullying me again."

Liao Yucheng laughed smugly, head tilted up looking at him, legs wrapping around his waist, calves rubbing deliberately against him. "Then you can bully me back."

Unable to resist such blatant seduction, He Bing immediately captured his lips hungrily. He devoured his mouth, his cheeks, then traced down his neck, not forgetting to tuck those cold fingers against his chest to warm them up.

The stick-and-carrot method never failed on He Bing. Even while kissing, he was thinking how adorable Liao Yucheng was, how could he possibly be this cute, how he'd gladly let this man ruin him for life.

He Bing had just undone Liao Yucheng's pants when Liao Yucheng pushed him back. "Let me."

He retrieved lube from under the coffee table, pushed his pants down to his knees, spread his legs wide, and began slowly started preparing himself. His fingers worked in and out while his other hand caressed his inner thighs, lower abdomen, finally moving to his chest. Soft moans escaped his lips, his face flushed with growing desire.

He Bing watched with his blood boiling, torn between wanting to pounce immediately and not wanting to miss a second of this erotic show. His cock throbbed painfully in his pants, breathing rugged, practically getting a nosebleed. Finally Liao Yucheng hooked a leg around his waist, eyes heavy with lust. "He Bing, come here."

He Bing snapped. In an instant he was on Liao Yucheng like a predator on prey.

After an intense round of daytime debauchery, He Bing held Liao Yucheng close, breathing hard with satisfaction. He nuzzled their faces together affectionately, expression blissful. "Yucheng, I love you so much."

Liao Yucheng leaned in to kiss him, utterly content. Just another day of being in love, he thought with satisfaction.