Rebirth Of Chen An

Chapter 204: Side Story: Chen Yang, Gone Amok (II)

“Yes.” Well, in a manner of speaking, Chen Yang was not lying. He was his lover, only he was not the only one.
The surprise quickly dissipated from Chen Chang’an’s eyes. And for a second time, he looked closely at Chen Yang. The first time was when he just woke up. Chang Yang felt as if he would melt under the man’s gaze.

“I did not know I had such a peculiar taste. You look so young. Before you told me, I actually thought you might be my little brother, or maybe a nephew of sorts.”

Laying his fork and knife on the table, the man stretched out his clean, manicured hand and held Chen Yang’s chin between his fingers. As his glance sweeped across the young man’s face, it lingered for a moment on Chen Yang’s lips, only for a moment, yet long enough for Chen Yang to notice.

“Did we ever kiss?”

“We did.”

“Why should I believe you?” Chen Chang’an’s fingers went from Chen Yang’s chin to his cheek and stroked it gently, while the grin on his lips brought a word to Chen Yang’s mind: bewitching.

“You may not remember it, but a person’s body has memories, too.”
Chen Yang leaned in and kissed Chen Chang’an. As their lips touched, an indescribable feeling arose in Chen Yang. He’d missed this intimacy between them, missed the smile on the man’s face while he stroked his hair.

The man’s lips were soft as he remembered, with a trace of the sweet taste of orange juice. The man did not push him away in anger, neither did he respond with enthusiasm.

The kiss lasted only for a moment. And when they parted, Chen Chang’an wiped his lips and said: “I think I’m not averse to the idea of kissing you.”
It seemed likely that Chen Chang’an had started to accept the idea that they had been lovers.

Since that morning, they kissed often. Sometimes it was Chen Yang who initiated it; other times, Chen Chang’an would walk over, bend down and kiss Chen Yang with passion.

Chen Yang was a man with normal needs, and someone who was hopelessly in love with Chen Chang’an. One day, he did not take his hands off Chen Chang’an’s waist after they shared a passionate kiss. Looking the man in the eye, he asked: “you want to find out if we were really lovers before?”

“Are you implying that we should do something only lovers would do?” Though without his memories, Chen Chang’an was very much as clear as he’d been. Chen Yang’s heart lurched at his words.

“If we were lovers, then no need to be so cautious. Do what you want with me. I’m here for you.”

As Chen Chang’an whispered those words into his ear, Chen Yang knew reason had deserted him.
...

Like Chen Yang had said, a person might lose his memory, yet his body had its own memories.

Chen Chang’an gained new knowledge each day. He quickly picked up how to use a mobile phone and a computer, and learned hand-to-hand combat, as well as stuff about weapons. These were things he knew before and thus quite easy when he tried to learn them again. Sometimes as soon as he touched a certain item, his muscle memories were reawakened.

So it happened concerning things only lovers would do, in this case.

“I think I now believe we were lovers.”

The man lay exhausted in the bathtub, too worn out to lift his fingers. Subconsciously Chen Chang’an hadn’t thought he would like such things, but admitedly, he didn’t mind kissing Chen Yang, or doing these sweaty couplely stuff with him.

It was much more enjoyable than he’d expected. Besides, Chen Yang was so young. As a result, they were probably enjoying it a little bit too much recently. Chen Chang’an could feel his body sending a very clear signal: take it easy, otherwise I’m going to give you a hard time.

“I love you, An.”

These words said during the post-coital period were of course not to be taken seriously. But Chen Yang did not only say it in bed; he also said it as he planted a kiss on the man’s forehead in the morning, or while they watched the sunset together in the evening.

He did not let a single chance slip to express his love for Chen Chang’an.
In Chen Chang’an’s view, it was a manifestion of Chen Yang’s lack of security. Interestingly, as Chen Chang’an gradually got used to his new life, it was not him who felt insecure, but Chen Yang.

After staying for three months at the villa to recuperate, Chen Chang’an expressed his wish to go back to the city, and Chen Yang could not refuse.
Without his memories, it would take Chen Chang’an some time to adjust to life in a big city. Yet whether it was to learn about new things or to adjust to a new environment, the strength and life that Chen Chang’an had in him again surprised Chen Yang.

Supposedly, Chen Yang should be happy now. However, he found he could no longer laugh out loud around the man, like he did in the past. Chen Chang’an smiled readily, a smile beautiful as ever. Yet Chen Yang saw no warmth in it; it was a perfect masquerade, enough to beguile anyone.

Though they often kissed, and did things only couples would do, it frightened Chen Yang that he couldn’t see these familiar emotions in Chen Chang’an anymore: the simple but genuine warmth and gentleness—feelings he had found fascinating. Now they were gone with Chen Chang’an’s memories.

He was surely enamored with the man’s strength and his perfection; nonetheless, he missed Chen An, the man who put his feet on Chen Yang’s stomach in jest, or nestled against him while watching a movie.

“You are not happy.”

He didn’t notice when Chen Chang’an came into the bedroom from the study. The man raised his hand and stroked Chen Yang’s hair. When Chen Yang looked up, Chen Chang’an opened his arms and embraced him. Chen Yang embraced him more tightly in return.
Starting from last week, Chen Yang no longer restricted where he went. And the man came increasingly frequently into the study to help Chen Yang on his work.

Chen Yang buried his head in Chen Chang’an’s neck. He took a sniff of the scent coming off him, a fresh, fruity smell from the body wash he used, like that of iced orange juice, sweet and cool.

“I’m afraid you may leave me, An.” Chen Yang held the man tightly in his arms, not wanting to let go.

The unusual force the young man put into the embrace gave Chen Chang’an the illusion that the young man might strangle him, so he patted Chen Yang’s back in comfort, and cajoled in a soft voice: “don’t worry. I won’t leave you.”
“Promise?” At his words, Chen Yang released the man from his tight grip. He looked up at Chen Chang’an, with eyes clear and bright, like they had been during his college years.

The concern and vulnerability Chen Chang’an saw there made him blink. Smiling, he pressed a kiss on Chen Yang’s forehead: “I like the way you look at me, so focused, fascinated, and subdued, like you worship me.”

The smile in his eyes grew, strong and potent like alcohol, or a drug—enough to drive a man crazy. Chen Chang’an stroked Chen Yang’s back slowly, “I promise, I will stay with you, always. What about you, Chen Yang? Will you stay by my side?”

“Of course. For ever and ever.” Chen Yang said with no hesitation.

“Good.” Chen Chang’an patted Chen Yang’s cheek, not very gently, as a coldness crept over the smile in his eyes, “I like it when you are obedient. And if you remain this way, I’m going to let you stay by my side.”

It did not matter any more who he had been, or why his memories were gone.
Chen Chang’an liked the life he had now. Looking sideways at Chen Yang, who had his arms wrapped around him in sleep, Chen Chang’an was satisfied with this young man who listened to his every word.

Still, there seemed to be something missing. The names he’d seen in the study came to his mind; Chen Chang’an broke into a smile.

Lu Feng, Ivanov, and Ding Sheng.
He’d love to meet them.