(This event happened when JJ was thirty-five years old.)

 

The dazzling lights and romantic music created a charming atmosphere, causing the two young men, who rarely attended parties, to frown so deeply that their eyebrows almost met. Many people stared at them meaningfully. Some wanted to approach them for work reasons, others to get to know them and build connections, and some looked at them with lust. Whatever the interpretation, it irritated the men being stared at.

 

"I shouldn't have promised. Damn it!" The speaker said in an extremely unfriendly tone, raising the glass of plain water to his lips and taking a sip with a fiery demeanour, as if what was in the glass wasn't water but expensive liquor.

 

"Ugh, I have to come back early because of this kind of work? I'm going to get blacklisted, damn it!" The other young man sitting next to him sighed, one arm resting on the back of the sofa where his lover sat, the other raising a glass of water to drink, with a frustrated expression.

 

Jerome swept his gaze around the place with a weary expression. He and Jinn were at a party hosted by a prominent business family. They had initially accepted the invitation because the man was a top client, and his family seemed respectable; they thought it wouldn't hurt to maintain a good relationship. But who would have thought that the son wouldn't inherit any of his parents' good qualities? This party wasn't a friendship-building gathering; it was more like a matchmaking party, with partners and even casual hookups. It was utterly ridiculous.

 

"Things were so much better in Bali, sigh," Jinn slumped back onto the soft sofa, resting his head gently on Jerome's arm.

 

“Okay, since we're back anyway, what do you think? Should we go home?” Jerome gently stroked his lover's cheek, his sweet eyes gazing through the darkness at the handsome face that, to him, had hardly changed at all.

 

Jinn is still the same Jinn as he was fifteen years ago. Even though they are both thirty-five now, the other person seems almost unchanged. His skin is smooth and clear, without a single sign of ageing. His sharp, sparkling eyes hold a mix of cunning, mischief, and wickedness. His lips still curve into a scheming smile. The only thing that's changed is that he's become more mature, calmer, and better at concealing his feelings—but only in front of others. Because when they're together, he's still the same as he used to be, as if age has been frozen at twenty.

“Stay a little longer, consider it a driving break. We'll go back in half an hour,” Jinn yawned, his eyes catching the affectionate gaze of the person sitting beside him. This person was always a step older than him, perhaps because of memories from a previous life that made them more mature, except for one thing: their annoying behaviour. No matter how many years passed, they were still just as mischievous. It was as if they had used up all the good memories elsewhere, leaving this aspect untouched. 

 

“Okay, then.”

 

"I'm going to the restroom first," Jinn told his lover softly. "Should I come along? We might get ambushed, haha," Jerome teased, before receiving a kick to the shin in return.

 

"I'm thirty-five, not three. Sit properly, don't flirt around. If I come back and see anyone sitting next to you, you're sleeping outside!" He pointed at the person who kept smiling, then walked away towards the bathroom.

 

Jerome shook his head, chuckling at Jinn’s teasing. He knew his lover was just joking and didn't mean it seriously. The older he got, the fewer people approached him. Perhaps it was because of his changing gaze, from alluring smiles to a penetrating look into the very soul. Jerome had faced death once; a part of his mind belonged to a sixty-year-old. People with impure hearts disliked standing before him, feeling constantly scrutinised.

 

The one I'm more worried about is the one who just went to the restroom. Jinn, who seems so passionate and playful, doesn't seem as serious and calm as he usually is. People are always approaching him because they think it's easier to get to Jinn than to get to him. But what others don't know is that no matter how cunning and fun-loving he seems, Jinn is actually very intelligent. It turns out that once he fully enters adult society, he's the one who hides his brilliance the most. Meanwhile, Jerome reveals his unapproachable nature from the moment they meet.

 

With a polite smile, "Oh, where did Mr Jinn go?" The voice from behind made Jerome secretly roll his eyes in annoyance before changing to...

 

“Went to the bathroom.”

 

"Oh, yes. I apologise for not being able to greet you. There were more people than expected, so it was quite chaotic. Hehe." The host apologised before sitting down not far from Jerome.

 

"It's alright, but Jinn and I will have to leave soon. We have a family appointment tomorrow morning," Jerome lied without blinking, his voice so sincere that the listener didn't suspect anything.

 

"Really? That's a shame," the speaker paused briefly before leaning closer to Jerome, acting hesitant as if wanting to say something.

 

“Is there something wrong?”

 

"Mr Jerome, is there anyone in particular you'd like to talk to? Just for fun, maybe when you're bored or something. I guess being with Mr Jinn isn't easy. Do you have a preference? Or do you like handsome guys like Mr Jinn? I have some recommendations. There are petite, slender ones, pretty and cute ones, too. Maybe you'd be interested." His expression, as if he was enjoying suggesting something good to someone, instantly made the listener fall silent.

 

Jerome's smile vanished as he stared at that shameless face, as if he had never seen anyone so brazen. Even though he knew perfectly well what his relationship with Jinn was, he was still suggesting that he find someone else. He really didn't know if he even had a brain in his head.

 

"No, thank you. Besides, being with Jinn is what I want. It's not difficult at all. He's not a womaniser as you think. Don't judge a person by their appearance; it's not very smart." The young man spoke in a calm voice, his expression one of disdain.

 

The host was taken aback by the words and the other person's dramatic change in gaze. The usually gentle and soft face of the other person now revealed clear disgust, without the slightest attempt to hide it.

 

"You! Never mind. I was just trying to be helpful. Jinn is probably having a blast with someone right now. Don't you think you look stupid for being so honest?" The host sneered disdainfully, thinking Jinn was definitely playing with some kid. The other person was interested in him.

 

There are so many of them, from young men to older gentlemen. His job is just to invite them, but after that, it depends on who can capture their attention first.

 

"Huh? I think I heard something. What kind of game are you playing? You mean me, huh?" A chuckle from behind startled the slanderer.

 

Jinn pouted before walking around to stand in front of the person who had said something so stupid. His thuggish demeanour and fierce expression made the person being stared at tremble with fear, thinking they were definitely going to get punched.

 

"Oh, me."

 

“You’re lucky you met me at this age, because if it were five or six years ago, we’d definitely end up at the police station. Next time, if you want to be bad, be bad alone. Other people aren’t as bad as you. Oh, I have to go now, and I hope we never meet again, anywhere. Bye.” Jinn gave the stunned person the middle finger before turning to hold his lover’s hand and walking out of the event amidst many curious stares.

 

"Shit, I knew something was off, you son of a bitch!" As soon as he got into the car, Jinn cursed angrily.

 

“Why? Is someone really waiting for you?” Jerome, sitting behind the steering wheel, raised an eyebrow, but his eyes gleamed coldly. Okay, I guess it’s not just a blacklist anymore. I think I’ll have to settle the score, too.

 

"Well, did your wish come true? You said you wanted a change of pace so things wouldn't get boring, but look at you! A petite, sweet-faced, mixed-race boy... You really did your homework!" Jinn grumbled irritably.

 

"It seems like this is happening more often lately. The thirties are really the golden age for men, just like people say," the driver said, driving away from the shop immediately, not wanting to waste a single second.

 

"Yeah, maybe. Charm is one thing, money is another. They have to be kept separate. My dad's probably just rich. He probably thinks I'll be inheriting something anytime soon. Those scoundrels! My dad's still in good health!"

 

Jett is almost sixty years old, but he's still in excellent health and rarely gets sick.

 

“Heh heh, yeah, that’s possible. People are flocking to you non-stop. A change of pace? Who could be as delicious as me, huh!” Jerome said shamelessly, immediately eliciting loud laughter from the people sitting next to him.

"What can I argue with? I've been eating only you for decades. Don't worry about it. Others don't understand us. Only we know."

 

Jinn took Jerome's hand, which was resting on his lap, and kissed it a few times. His fingers gently stroked the cheek of the man who was squinting at the wheel with a mischievous expression. He needed to comfort him; seeing that wicked look made him feel uneasy for some reason. Jinn tried to smile as gently as possible.

 

"But it's not bad to change things up sometimes," Jerome suddenly said after a long silence.

 

"Huh? How do you want me to... You know... plug you up?" Jinn teased.

 

“How is Three P?”

 

"Huh! Which older brother? My older brother or your older brother?" Jinn glared back with a fierce look, as if he would kill the other person if they said something that deserved to be told.

 

"Cough, cough. It's your turn, brother. I'm busy. I can only penetrate your hole in this lifetime," Jerome blurted out hastily, almost choking on his saliva. It was as if, if he spoke even a little slower, one of his legs might have met God prematurely.

 

"Do you mean adding more people for me to fill?"

 

“Ahha”

 

"You're not that generous, Jerome," Jinn sneered. What? Did he think Jinn was five years old to believe such nonsense?

 

"Come on, I've always been generous. Just you wait. In two or three days, I have to go for a scan," Jerome said, ignoring the sceptical look on the person sitting next to him. He'd always been generous, and this time he was being serious.

 

"That's all. 'Hmph, okay, I'll wait and see.'" Jinn didn't believe his lover's careless words at all. He just wanted to know what Jerome would do this time.

 

The possibility of the other person agreeing to sleep with someone else is completely impossible. The chances are zero. Perhaps waiting for it to snow in Thailand would have a higher percentage than this!