The car was warm, and there was a slight sweat on the neck wrapped in a scarf. Stephen focused on driving, while Joshua rested his chin on the car window, looking outside.

They were used to the silence between them. Perhaps because there were no more dark secrets and Stephen was determined not to betray his family anymore, the silence today made him comfortable.

The warm air blew from the car, reminding him of the coal stove used for heating in his childhood home. The kettle on the stove would always make bubbling sounds, and white mist and hot air would rise together, warming up the whole house.

His silent husband seemed to have a warmth that he didn't have on normal days.

"Josh, we've been married for seven years..."

Upon hearing this, Joshua turned his head, looking surprised at Stephen, waiting for his continuation.

"These years, are you satisfied with our life?"

Joshua blinked, feeling a bit flustered by this random question. "Yes, I'm satisfied. Why?"

Stephen's mouth curved into a smile as he reached out and touched Joshua's face. "Nothing, if there's anything I haven't done well, you have to tell me."

"No, you're great."

"That's good then."

Back home, Stephen put the pile of shopping bags in the foyer. Joshua hung up his coat on the rack and was about to tidy up when the other grabbed him from behind.

Stephen whispered in his ear, "Let's clean up tomorrow. Let's first look at the anniversary gift..."

Startled, Joshua felt Stephen's breath tickling his ear, making his hair stand on end. When he lowered his head to look, he saw two diamond earrings lying in the palm of Stephen's hand.

"Do you like them?" Stephen asked.

Impulsively, he suddenly bit Joshua's earlobe, using his tongue instead of his fingers, rolling the lobe between his teeth.

Joshua's scalp tightened, and he tilted his head to evade. "Hmm, I like them..."

"I see you have ear piercings. Can I put them on for you?"

"They won't fit... The ear piercings I got when I was young have already healed... I really like the gift. Let me put it away first."

He took the earrings from Stephen's hand, but the man just didn't let him go. Instead, he lifted him horizontally, taking a few steps to the living room sofa and throwing him onto the soft cushions. Stephen loosened his tie and passionately pressed down for a fervent kiss. The warm and moist breath spread over Joshua's face like a web, suffocating his breath.

Stephen was excited and lost control, acting without restraint.

Joshua reluctantly accepted this exchange of kisses and caresses and keenly felt Stephen's overwhelming desire, which frightened him and instinctively made him want to escape.

"S...Steve, I'll go take a shower first..."

Stephen gasped and in a husky voice replied, "No need to shower." He pressed both of the man's wrists against his head with one hand, while the other began to undo his belt.

"It's dirty. I want to take a shower first..."

The belt unbuckled, and as Joshua could no longer bear it, he started pushing Stephen on the top of him.

Stephen paused for a moment, then looked up at Joshua's reddened face, instantly regaining some sanity, and moved away from him.

Joshua quickly ran into the bathroom, closing the door, and leaned against the washstand, trying to calm his racing heart. When he came to his senses, he realized that the jewelry box containing the earrings had left his palm red.

After Joshua finished showering, Stephen went in, and by the time he returned to the bedroom, the boiling water in his heart had cooled down to lukewarm.

The foreplay became mechanical, and when they reached the final step, Joshua requested to turn off the lights.

The darkness enveloped them, and the skin beneath his palms gradually lost its warmth. In the quiet night, Stephen could only see fleeting shadows. The physical needs remained, but the repetitive mechanical actions became boring and tiresome.

In order to finish quickly, he had to recall some details of his lovemaking with Jess, imagining how dedicated Jess was in pleasing him.

He attempted to replace Jess' face with his husband's, but he found it was impossible. He couldn't visualize Joshua's seductive appearance. The faces of all his past lovers jumbled in his mind, quickly fading away. As pleasure mounted, the emptiness within him grew, until the darkness filled him completely.

When the lights came on, Joshua abruptly pulled the covers over himself, wrapping himself entirely, including his head.

When Stephen got off the bed, he extended an arm to grab his scattered clothes and tuck them inside the covers. Haphazardly dressing beneath the covers, Joshua was about to get out of bed, but Stephen firmly grabbed his wrist.

" I'll go wash up first..." Joshua looked at Stephen with a bewildered and helpless expression. The sudden burst of light had already left him flustered.

Stephen was displeased, but seeing his husband's expression, he couldn't get angry at him. He loosened his grip and softened his tone as much as possible. "It's not that dirty. Please sit down for a moment."

Joshua sat down by the bed, not daring to fully occupy the space. He lowered his head, as though awaiting judgment.

"We're both men, so I'll be straightforward. Are you unwilling to do it that way or do you not want to do it at all?"

After so many years, Stephen finally brought up the issue directly. But after waiting for a while, Joshua pressed his lips together and remained silent.

"If you don't want to do it that way, we don't necessarily have to assign roles. There are many ways to experience pleasure, and we can find something that you can also accept. How about trying it with our mouths next time?"

The bold suggestion seemed to startle Joshua. His face turned red, and he stammered, "I'm not unwilling... to do it... that way."

"So, you don't want to do it anymore?"

Stephen's heart sank. "Why?"

...

"Sexual aversion?"

...

"I can make an appointment with a doctor for you..."

Before the words could fully escape, Joshua, rarely interrupting him, coldly replied, "I won't go see a doctor."

"This isn't something to be ashamed of..."

Stephen saw his face, and the words of persuasion suddenly faltered.

The flushed face from just moments ago had now drained of all color, as white as a sheet of paper. Joshua simply repeated his plea in a subdued and monotone voice, "I am not sick. There's no need for me to see a doctor."

"... Alright, then don't go. Go take a shower, and after that, let's sleep."

Early the next morning, Stephen had a steaming bowl of seafood congee, steamed dumplings, pan-fried buns, and other small pastries before heading to the company. He had a fixed routine of waking up at 7 o'clock, showering, getting ready, and leaving precisely at 7:40 for work. At this time, Joshua would usually still be asleep, and Stephen had never asked to make breakfast for him.

He didn't know what time Joshua got out of bed or how much time he spent making these items. Joshua handed him the second bowl of congee and asked, "Do you like it?"

"Yes."

Relieved by the affirmative response, Joshua said with a gentle and thoughtful expression, "Let's have breakfast at home from now on. It's not healthy to always eat outside."

Stephen looked at his soft and caring expression and nodded slowly. But as he took a spoonful of congee into his mouth, he suddenly found it hard to swallow.

This was Joshua's way of compensating him for his "neglect" last night. Seeing his relaxed expression, Stephen found it naive and somewhat laughable. If this was supposed to be compensation, and if he really needed such compensation, then what position did Joshua place him in?

Finishing eating, Joshua quickly tidied up the table and continued with his repetitive reminders, "Drive slowly on the way, call me if you want anything for dinner..."

Stephen put on his shoes and Joshua grabbed a scarf to put around his neck. "It's getting colder outside."

"I'm not a child, stop being so naggy all the time."

Seeing his impatience, Joshua felt a bit embarrassed and remained silent.

Stephen left home fifteen minutes later than usual today and increased his driving speed. After turning onto the main road, he happened to encounter rush hour traffic. The cashmere scarf, soft and warm, now made him sweaty and short of breath. He decided to take it off and throw it onto the back seat.

As he passed by the neighborhood near his company, he slowed down and circled the area.

It had been half a month since he last came here to break up with Jess. He wondered if the boy was still around. With that thought, he arrived in front of the apartment.

If Jess was still there, they would most likely have a big fight, then sleep it off, and eventually make up.

But such reconciliation would mean his own concession, accepting Jess's next attempt to destroy his family. Could he truly accept having his lover stir up trouble in front of his husband? The answer remained the same. He couldn't.

Of course, he had imagined his husband discovering his infidelity.

Based on what he knew, Joshua wouldn't do anything drastic, not even raise his voice. But inevitably, he would be hurt. Stephen had the audacity to do as he pleased, but he refrained from doing so, instead putting effort into hiding everything. He believed it was out of respect for his husband.

It was a contradiction, and he hadn't figured out how to handle it yet. But many things often remain unanswered until one truly puts themselves in someone else's shoes. Stephen opened the door to the apartment.

A faint smell of dust hit him, and the house was quiet. Jess had already moved out.

Stephen stepped into the room. Life itself often prepares suitable answers, and this was it.

The house was in a complete mess, with garbage all over the floor.

He picked up the picture frame from the ground, its glass shattered, and the boy's smiling face against his cheek became fragmented. Stepping on the remnants left by half a year of cohabitation, Stephen walked towards the bedroom.

The bedsheets were covered in footprints, and there were scattered clothes, as well as various adult toys, in front of the wardrobe and bedside table. Stephen found a bag and started putting various animal tails and ears, collars and handcuffs, gags and vibrators into the bag one by one, including the broken picture frame.

He carried the bag downstairs, stuffing it into the garbage bin . He then called the property management to have someone come and clean the house.