Chapter 2: The Proposition

The sunlight streaming through Li Wei’s apartment was harsh against his hangover, each ray feeling like a sharp poke in his skull. He squinted against it, groaning as his head throbbed. The remnants of last night—the chaos of clothes scattered across the floor, empty glasses on the coffee table, and a scent of Zhang Jun’s cologne lingering in the air—told him he wasn’t dreaming.

The thought of what had happened made his stomach churn. He didn’t remember every detail, but the kiss—the way Zhang Jun had kissed him—was burned in his mind. He couldn’t escape it, no matter how much he wanted to.

He sat up slowly, his body sore from the awkward positions they’d ended up in. His shirt was wrinkled, and the sheets were tangled around his legs. A slight rustle next to him made him glance over, and sure enough, Zhang Jun was lying next to him, still asleep, the faint rise and fall of his chest the only indication that he was alive.

Li Wei groaned, burying his face in his hands. What have I done?

A soft chuckle startled him. “Good morning to you too.”

Li Wei’s heart skipped a beat. Zhang Jun was awake, his voice playful, as always.

“You’re already in crisis mode,” Zhang Jun added, rolling over to prop himself up on one elbow. His lazy grin was unmistakable.

“I—uh, we—” Li Wei stammered, feeling his cheeks heat up. “I can’t believe we… did that.”

Zhang Jun raised an eyebrow, stretching in a languid fashion. “Did what? You mean kiss?”

Li Wei winced. “Yeah. Kiss.”

Zhang Jun’s expression softened, and he moved closer, his voice lowering in an almost teasing tone. “It wasn’t a crime, Wei.”

“It feels like one,” Li Wei muttered.

Zhang Jun smirked. “Well, if it’s any consolation, I’m not sorry.” He stretched his arms behind his head, looking incredibly comfortable in a way that Li Wei envied. “You’re overthinking it.”

“I’m not overthinking anything!” Li Wei snapped, though his voice lacked conviction. “It’s just—we’re friends. That’s all we are.”

“Yeah, and we’re also adults,” Zhang Jun replied smoothly, his gaze flicking to Li Wei’s lips for a moment before meeting his eyes. “Friends can kiss, Wei. You’re acting like it’s the end of the world.”

Li Wei stared at him, torn between wanting to slap him for his casual attitude and wanting to kiss him again. Zhang Jun’s grin never faltered.

“We don’t have to make it awkward,” Zhang Jun added, getting up and grabbing his clothes from the floor. “You don’t have to freak out.”

Li Wei watched him dress, but the casual way Zhang Jun moved made it clear that he wasn’t worried at all. If anything, Zhang Jun was the picture of nonchalance.

He could feel a sense of unease creeping over him as Zhang Jun turned back toward him. “You’ve been quiet. What’s on your mind?”

Li Wei took a deep breath. “I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”

Zhang Jun tilted his head, clearly intrigued. “How would you ruin it? By being honest?” He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. “Wei, let’s be real here. I’m not asking you to move in with me or anything. But there’s something between us. I think we both know it.”

Li Wei stared at him, caught off guard by the sudden shift in Zhang Jun’s tone. The playful facade was gone, replaced by something more serious, more genuine.

“What are you saying?” Li Wei asked quietly.

Zhang Jun leaned forward, his eyes locking with Li Wei’s. “What I’m saying is… I don’t do relationships. Not the way other people do them. But we both know there’s chemistry here. So why not take advantage of it?”

Li Wei’s heart skipped a beat. “What are you proposing?”

“Friends with benefits,” Zhang Jun said, his voice calm and sure. “No strings, no expectations. Just two people who enjoy each other’s company. No drama. No questions. Just… fun.”

Li Wei’s mind raced. This was absurd. He couldn’t even fathom the idea. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious.” Zhang Jun stood up, taking a few steps back to give Li Wei some space. “Look, Wei, I get it. It sounds risky. But we’re adults, and we know each other. No one else will understand us the way we do. So why not? It’s simple.”

Li Wei shook his head. “I don’t know, Jun. I just… it doesn’t seem right.”

Zhang Jun smiled, the cocky grin returning. “You’re overthinking it. You always do. Why complicate things when they can be easy?”

Li Wei swallowed hard. He wanted to say no, wanted to turn this whole situation into a distant memory. But a small part of him—the part he had kept locked away for years—whispered that maybe, just maybe, this could be the answer he was looking for.

“Think about it,” Zhang Jun said, breaking the silence. “You don’t have to decide now. But when you’re ready, just let me know. No pressure, okay?”

Li Wei barely registered Zhang Jun’s departure, his mind still reeling. Friends with benefits? It sounded so simple, so easy. But nothing about this felt easy.

The days following Zhang Jun’s proposition were a blur. Li Wei tried to focus on work, but his thoughts kept drifting to the conversation they’d had. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Zhang Jun’s grin, heard his voice. It was maddening.

And then, the text came.

Zhang Jun: Miss me already?

Li Wei stared at the message for a long moment before typing a response.

Li Wei: I’m still thinking.

The reply was almost immediate.

Zhang Jun: Good. Don’t overthink it, though. Life’s too short for that.

The words stung, but they also comforted him. He didn’t have to decide right away. He could keep pretending like everything was fine. He could ignore his feelings and go back to his boring, predictable life. But something about Zhang Jun’s proposition made that life feel small.

That night, Li Wei found himself sitting on his couch, staring at his phone. It was 9 p.m. Zhang Jun had texted again.

Zhang Jun: You ready to talk?

Li Wei sighed, running a hand through his hair. There was no avoiding it. He had to face this head-on.

He typed a quick response.

Li Wei: Let’s talk.

Zhang Jun’s apartment was a far cry from Li Wei’s minimalist space. It was a loft in the heart of the city, decorated with an eclectic mix of modern and vintage items, each one chosen with the precision of someone who knew exactly what they wanted.

When Li Wei entered, Zhang Jun was already waiting for him, looking effortlessly stylish, as always.

“Hey,” Zhang Jun greeted him with a smile that was half playful, half sincere.

Li Wei nodded in response. “You wanted to talk.”

“Yeah,” Zhang Jun said, leading him to the couch. “Let’s make this official.”

Li Wei sat down, his hands trembling slightly. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said.”

“And?” Zhang Jun leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“I’m still not sure this is a good idea,” Li Wei admitted. “But I don’t know how to say no to you.”

Zhang Jun’s grin widened. “So you’re in, then?”

Li Wei hesitated. His heart was pounding in his chest. “I don’t know if I’m in. But I’m willing to try.”

Zhang Jun’s expression softened, and for the first time, there was something almost tender in his gaze. “That’s all I’m asking for.”

Li Wei took a deep breath. “Let’s set some ground rules, though.”

Zhang Jun’s eyebrow arched. “Rules? This is supposed to be fun, Wei.”