'Till Death Do Us Apart 長相守(bxb)

Chapter 10

X

Ch'in Ching was to stay the night at the Shen manor. The servants were mindful and prepared the usual guestroom for him, laying out new sheets and blankets. After the two said good night at the top of the staircase, Shen Liangsheng followed the man with his eyes as he walked toward the guestroom. He blurted out, "Why don't you sleep with me tonight?"

Ch'in Ching halted his footsteps and looked back. His lips spread into a smile, and he nodded.

The layout of Shen Liangsheng's room was simple. A Western four-poster bed took up the centre of the room. The curtains were of foreign cut as well and covered an entire wall - it was likely for aesthetics and insulation since the windows were nowhere as large - like the curtains at the theatre.

While Shen Liangsheng was washing up in the bathroom, Ch'in Ching parted the heavy cloth and peeked outside. The tall and slim French windows framed a peaceful night sky painted with faint stars and a half moon.

Ch'in Ching expected the other man to do something, but nothing happened. They just lay side by side listening to each other's breathing and let sleep come to them.

He had not shut the curtains completely earlier, and the moon cast a sliver of light onto the floor that stood out in the dark room.

"Shen Liangsheng," Ch'in Ching muttered, "you might not be good at Chinese, but even you know ' Moon light by the bedding shines, ' right?"

Shen Liangsheng turned over and nuzzled Ch'in Ching's shoulder with his chin.

Ch'in Ching turned too and lay face to face with the other man. "Did you miss home while you were away?"

"No." Shen Liangsheng's answer did not sound forced but rather a casual statement.

"I actually wouldn't have minded never coming back."

This man's past was still a mystery to Ch'in Ching. He recalled the gloomy air when they last discussed this topic, and he couldn't help but ask, "How so?"

Shen Liangsheng did not avoid the question and briefly explained his background. However, he didn't want the man to pity him, so he left out many of the unhappy bits.

"This place never left a good impression, so I didn't miss it."

Although Shen Liangsheng had not gone into detail, Ch'in Ching could imagine the things he had to go through - a boy living under someone else's roof with no one to turn to in hard times - and felt bad for him. However, he couldn't show it and opted to shift the focus. "So you're a quarter White. You can't tell just by looking, though."

"It was more obvious when I was young."

"Do you have photographs?"

"I think a few."

"When are you going to show them to me?"

"I'd need something in return."

"I was just being polite. Didn't think you were serious about showing me."

"There goes your smart mouth again." Shen Liangsheng reached down to the man's crotch and grabbed it. "I remember someone was crying and begging me to-"

"Let's not bring that up again." Ch'in Ching wiggled away as his face began to heat up.

"You did it but won't let other people talk about it." Shen Liangsheng took his hand back and teased quietly, "Ch'in Ching, you little rascal."

"Good night." Ch'in Ching turned to face the ceiling once more and ended the conversation. Sure enough, Shen Liangsheng fell silent, and soon his breathing slowed as though he had fallen asleep.