Zhang Lingyi spent two days inside the house, and all this time only Wang Guangning was engaged in cooking. And though he could not become a master of cooking, Lingyi was happy to spin around him every evening in the kitchen, prompting, teaching, teasing, touching...

At last on the third day he came to work. And immediately, when manager Zhang entered his office, Xia Yingchu handed him the plan of Huidi's anniversary celebration and list of invited persons. He promptly ran his eyes through the list – yes, the name of Wang Guangning was included.

Zhang Lingyi quickly signed the project, and then sent sms to Wang Guangning: "Shusha (it is spelling of my Russian nomination of Chinese term "shou-shou"- my readers are used to see it in such lettering), tonight I am going to cook myself, what would you like to eat?"

The answer arrived at the same minute:

"The more expensively - the better! PS. Also do not dare to distract me within my working hours, I am a person of business!"

Zhang Lingyi only creaked his teeth in indignation!

And what did he want to tell me? That I am an idler, who is scribbling sms within working hours to any Tom, Dick or Harry?!

And our gentle Gong just got mad from this haughty neglect!

Guangning, though demanded to himself a piece of tranquility and autonomy but used it only for returning home a bit earlier. And even overdid it – when he entered their apartments, mister HR director was not observed within visibility limits yet.

So boooring...

Having discontentedly frowned and angrily having grinned over his own haste, Wang Guangning got his iPad, turned on TV in a drawing room and, having taken seat on a sofa, plunged into news.

He was so deeply occupied, that not at once reacted on a sudden phone call, echo of which rolled over the house.

Phone stood on a coffee table near the sofa, and the man lazily picked up a call. He hardly managed to open a mouth, as a sudden fall of the murmuring female voice fell upon him:

- Hallo, hallo, Lingyi, it's mom. I just heard, that you had a car accident, are you OK? How do you feel? What happened?!

The female voice bit into brains, causing insuperable desire to break the call. But she... she... ...

Is she Zhang Lingyi's mother?!?

All hairs on body of our dear Wang bristled for horror, and he uncertainly began bleating:

- I would like to apologize, aunty, but Lingyi has not returned yet. I am his new flatmate, Wang Guangning.

Voice in the receiver calmed down for some time in perplexity, but only to ask:

- What the new neighbor?!

Be Quiet, Guangning, be quiet! The real man never becomes angry with woman's stupidity.

Trying to remind the situation, he began to explain:

- The previous neighbor of your son has moved. And I am a new tenant, I drove to mister Zhang's a few days ago.

The voice in the receiver rose furiously, piercing a temple with sharp transition to ultrasound:

- Why are you talking nonsense? From what time does our family lease our house?!

These women... How it is difficult to cooperate with them...

- Dear aunty, I am, really, his new tenant...

- For what reason should our house be leased? – the woman on the other end did not wish to listen to any explanations, showering the suspect with infinite hysterical questions. - Who are you? Why are you in our house? Where is my son?!!

Guangning, became lost under this cruel interrogation, did not know, what could he say.

And here Zhang Christ Redeemer, the East Star, the Light of Eyes arrived, at last, to light this madhouse with his blissful presence.

Guangning met him, hissing and spatting, as the heated frying pan:

- Hey, Lingyi! I am talking to your mother, come here and explain fast, why she does not believe, that I am your tenant?!

And Guangning put harshly the receiver in hands of newly arrived.

The last with straight face brought phone to his ear:

- Yes, mom, good evening ... Yes, he did not lie to you, I really handed over one room... I ask you to change your tone ... I will surely find time to explain it to you... No, nothing is known yet (八字还没一撇 the hieroglyph designates literally "there is missed eight signs"), nothing is speaking about at all!

Lingyi angrily waved a hand, driving the neighbor away from the room.

Unrecognized tenant indignantly shrugged his shoulders – but as a well-mannered person, who appreciates private life of other people, didn't object. If Zhang Lingyi does not want him to listen his conversation, of course, he would leave the room.

But it does not mean at all, that his ears were clogged with sulfur and he's heard nothing at all!

The fact is, he's HEARD!!

So interesting... It means, that if Zhang Lingyi said the truth earlier – about leasing the house because of financial problems – if it would be the truth, his mother should have to know about it. But she did not know!

And it means, that Zhang Lingyi's family did not lease the house at all.

Or, maybe, the problem is in something different? When Lingyi graduated from the university, he could live in his own house, without renting, but at the very beginning of his independent adulthood lack of finance is quite natural. And here, to avoid pressure from his family, he let his friend (which friend – it is also important!!!) live with him to ensure his financial independence. Quite possible option ... Especially as, seemingly, his mummy likes to poke into other people's business ... 

But why he is doing it now?

Only to help the friend, or there is other, some special reason for similar charity?

Wan Guangning sat at his room, digging his fingers into the edge of the bed.

Thoughts uncontrolledly rushed within his head. His soul dreamed about it in countless painful dreams. But the panic fear to lose, lose forever, what he already possesses now, constrained better than a strict collar, did not allow to relax and to give in to a pleasant current of thoughts. The expectation, tormenting with pain and fear – that's all, that was provided to him by his cruel destiny...

Shipped in the sad world, Guangning fell into similarity of catalepsy, from which he was pulled out by a trill of mobile. Receiving a call, he looked at the screen – a name of Sun Siyang was highlighted on it:

- Hi, how are you, fatty?

Wang Guangning approached bay window and freely settled on a window sill in convenient and easy pose – put one leg under himself, rested another down against a floor.

- There will be the 60th anniversary of foundation of our University. Do you intend to take part in the evening?

Wang Guangning for a moment thought – four years ago he so melodramatically disappeared from all radars - and how he will explain it to acquaintances and messmates? He will be tortured for certain inquiries ...

Sun Siyang, having felt a sign of doubts in silence, burst in an angry tirade:

- How you dare to deliberate! I already published in our chat news about your return. All are eager with impatience to see you – and for you it is a fine opportunity to confess to your friends and to make amends, having treated all of us with a fine lunch! We guessed for three years, what happened to you, and if you dare not to visit this party, really do tremble to meet any of us, because it can end with nothing else as your death, you, shameful traitor!

The obedient sigh was the answer to his tirade:

- I've understood. Well, I hope, you will be at least merciful and do not order too expensive dishes!

- Nonsense! –after receiving the promise from Wang Guangning Sun Siyang at once became cheerful. – We've already planned to ourselves the finest menu!

Hung up the receiver, the man smiled and looked in a window. Black and velvet night blossomed in neon flowers.

The sudden knock at a door distracted him from a fascinating night landscape:

- Shou-shou, dinner is ready, let's go to eat!

Warm light scattered from Guangning's eyes, lips trembled – and he stepped over a threshold.

Zhang Lingyi really prepared very expensive food in full accordance with demands of his whimsical housemate's instructions.

The Chinese crab (大闸蟹), a shacha (paste-seasoning with shrimps, sesame, etc.), royal shrimps in curry and Chinese yam soup with pork ribs.

At the sight of so rich entertainment saliva began to flow from the mouth of a hungry shou-shou, he discarded all his cavils (I threw them for the mountain Alishan-obviously, the idiom) and began vigorously to devour all these delicacies.

- Well, how is it? Tasty? - Zhang Lingyi with impatience watched this process of delicacies consuming, unable to take his eyes from accurately cut mouth with his canines of predator.

- Do not brake, you better eat, or there will remain nothing! – Wang Guangning noisy absorbed the dinner, champing as a mythical gin, and friendly patted the cook's shoulder with his greasy, oily paws:

- You are too kind, Your Majesty, my little flower Zhang!

Lingyi darted a side-long glance at the print, which remained on his shoulder, tried to turn out from an impudent Shou-shou's hand, however the feeling of satisfaction spread inside him as hot honey:

- I know, my wife is very wise. And she will not argue with the hubby.

Guangning took a thick crab's leg, threw up his head and strictly warned:

- Go away, mister Wang begins his attack!

And almost stuck with this huge leg nearly in a face of his homemate.

Zhang Lingyi shook his head warningly, modestly looked down his eyes and outlined his stomach with a negligent gesture:

- Shou-shou, you do not even imagine, how I've pumped up my press within last four years! And what about you now, how many cubes do you have?

Thoughtless shou contemptuously sniffed:

- My little Zhang, you are so silly! The press is made not only for the sake of cubes. Long time ago I've grown up from that age, when snotty boys compete among themselves by these cubes' quantity ...

This cruel Gong – I could not refuse the sharpness of your mind – your attack is exact, as cobra's attack: my four-year-ago loss in a dispute about abdominal muscles still is painful for poor shou-shou.

Our adult, grown up, wise shou looked at his opponent, scathing him up and down, and shook his head, proclaiming:

- Mister Wang beats you not with quantity, but with quality! Though I have only four cubes, all of them are elite, strong and powerful – a fist could not punch them, and I am as top-class fighter attack plane. And some have their six – but they are soft, fat – as kissel. And such kissel should be considered only for one cube! Speaking shortly – if you don't want to turn your six cubes into one jellylike bubble, stop eating and enjoying such tasty juicy crabs and shrimps under a curry. Only strict diet and a healthy lifestyle –that is necessary for fat men like you.

From such impudence our struck dumb kid Gong nearly lost his speech power! And however... however ... it is, perhaps, a chance ...

- So, you claim, that your press is so hard to the touch? Somebody does not trust you ... Only mere allegations ... Let's me check ...

(Hey, you – Am I the wife for you? Or you really decided to check, if I lie or not ... Or perhaps you just want to grope me with this trick? Eh?)

Meanwhile Zhang Lingyi slowly, mesmerized, as a zombie, hypnotizing the taken aback shou-shou with a penetrating look, approached him and smoothly gave a hand to his waist.

He did not even expect, that his impudent intention could be executed – however Guangning for a short moment became unmoved, not trying to evade from Lingyi's touch, allowed to press involuntarily trembling hand to his stomach. His muscles under the cold fingers strained, their eyes met – met as the murderer and the victim on the place of crime...

- F...k! Ouch! Ha-ha-ha... - Guangning shouted, unable to restrain himself, and splashed a full spoon of shrimps under a curry out directly in the face of his attacker.

What are you thinking about, fool Gong? The proud emperor Wang explained to you long time ago, that tickling for him is literally death. How you dared to forget. Take the responsibility for your rush action!

Royal shrimps, regally wagging their tails, peacefully crept away on the Zhang Lingyi's face, drawing on it chaotic futuristic yellow stains. But at present Wang Guangning's artistic taste was obviously unnecessary. Looking at this masterpiece of new trend in pictorial art - let's name it foodpictorial art - our brave painter swept with laughter, convulsively sobbing and sniffing as a seal.

How impudent! This haughty shou has neither shame, nor conscience!

Eyes of Zhang Lingyi were slightly narrowed.

Guangning suddenly scented a dangerous change in the atmosphere of the room, fast suppressed hysterical snickers and begged with a bigger-smaller share of sincerity:

- Zhang Lingyi, do not become angry – I made it not purposely, you know – tickling is not mine favorite thing!

- Okay, okay, - our regal gong, despite the mess, arranged on his phiz, kept his face like a Buddhist monk, insulted by a crowd of unbelieving bandits on the roads of fate. – I would still ready everywhere to follow you, my Shou-Shou...

And, pretending to go to the bathroom, he tried to grab the insolent man by the shoulder.

Fortunately, clever Shou was prepared for vigorous resistance, and without another word, he dashed out of the dining room.

Zhang Lingyi chased after him. Quick Wang Guanging rushed into the living room and tried to hide behind the sofa in the middle of the room. But our Gong, as a born hunter, rushed after him, push him, landing a fugitive on the couch and not giving any chance of success – a fierce tiger is better to be kept in a cage, to give him acting as he will – a direct path to trouble. [We, the radiant lady Creator and Empress of this bagatelle, apologize in front of you, my dear reader, for the fact that anthropomorphic epithets did not come to my mind - notes of Chinese author]

Smart gong used very treacherous fighting technique - and it appears fruitful!

As a result, Wan Guanging was clamped by his opponent on a wide, luxurious sofa.

- Hi, my shou-shou!

- Hand off from this noble young master right now!

- Stop yelling! Your throat will hurt, who's gonna take care of you?

Heavy man's body pressed shou-shou with all the weight. That thin boy, who was the first dreamboat of ...N University four years ago, has been lost into the past. The heat from his body penetrated directly under the skin, into the blood of Guanging, he began shaking, as if boiled from the inside, his cheeks and ears – his eternal traitors – became red, and trying to interrupt this awkward, practically romantic moment, he suddenly remembered one vulgarity:

- You could shut me!

- ?

- Stop me to yell you can shut my throat with...

Zhang Lingyi was taken aback, but immediately crouched down as close as possible to the guy underneath, trying to completely control his expression:

- Perhaps the young master will lick this curry from the face of his insignificant servant? And as soon as it happens, the rider immediately let go off his beautiful horse.

And isn't it annoying! I would have beaten him to death!

The man's weight pressed him to the sofa, the closeness of this desirable, beautiful face - even in tracks of curry on it – all this made Guanging mad, despite his attempts to control his bodily and mental impulses. Last mental facilities left our guy. He closed his eyes, opened his submissive mouth wide and licked his mighty horseman in the face ... again...and again ... hot, wet tongue ran down his chin ... slid down his cheek... touched the brush of his eyelashes...

Struck by surprise, Zhang Lingyi weakened, spreading on his prey like butter over a hot frying pan. What Guanging did now, was so intimate, so sudden, so earnest, as if he was very very close person. Lingyi felt himself, as if this impudent shou with a single movement of his tongue swallowed him with all his inwards. Excitement rushed on him, and melted gong gently put his lips to such close delicious mouth ...

And it was his terrible mistake!

Regaining consciousness, Guanging, as a snake, throw himself out of gong's arms and dug his teeth into the soft, defenseless cheek...

- WHAT FOR??!!

The cry shook the living room, Lingyi rolled down from the sofa - on his left cheek there was a crimson deep bite. The poor man's eyes glistened with real tears, and he whined, thrusting a finger at his untamed stallion:

- Shou-Shou, your soul is so fierce! Look - how you disfigured me!

- Really? - unflappable Shou carefully adjusted his collar and, not looking on pissy whining predator, easily finished him off with last words:

- A freak like you can't be more disfigured than you are. So, don't be stupid.

Lingyi sullenly grinned, though he was hoping for peacefulness of his competitor, but still was ready to fight with him for life and death. However, to his deep regret, he could not fight against his Shou-Shou in full force. Frankly speaking, the victory in this fight did not shine to him from the very beginning. Attacking your Emperor - faithful dog, it's your terrible miscalculation! What the hell does the God of love make my heart so soft and weak? How could he now ride this stubborn, but such enticing little horse?

Saddened Gong grimly left the room and went to the bathroom to inspect in the mirror the damage, made by his brutal master.

****

The next day Zhang Lingyi went to work, and all colleagues at once drew their attention to the patch, obliquely crossing his left cheek. Isn't it impossible to imagine that the Director, who adores himself and his perfect appearance, could allow someone to inflict such a huge damage?

All employees in the company were simply in shock!

- Director Zhang, what's wrong with your face?

It was absolutely everything wrong with this face – and especially its petrified expression, but evasive sir referred to the vicious attack by a wild mosquito.

- What a nightmare! Can mosquitoes cause such extensive damage?

The face of a proud handsome man resembled a posthumous mask of Pharaoh:

- Just a mosquito was biting and biting in the same place.

- Oh, Director Zhang is so merciful to persistent mosquitoes?

- I don't notice bites when I sleep.

Persistent secrecy of interrogated one only increased curiosity of his voluntary investigators:

- Still it's very strange, that you have been bitten by mosquitoes, and you never woke up... Are you such a pacifist that even can't hurt mosquito?

- What's the problem with me sleeping deeply?! – - director Zhang could not help, retorted:

- How much can you talk? Get busy – and go, finally, to work!

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