Wheat Seedlings - Chapter 3

The bathhouse in the compound wasn't much to look at—just a makeshift shed by the water tap with a curtain hung up for privacy.

The only light now came from a broken oil lamp, which Chen Li had lit because Mai Miao was afraid of the dark.

In the dim glow, Chen Li saw his little brother completely bare for the first time.

Mai Miao was pale, so much so that in broad daylight, you could see the faint blue veins beneath his skin.

The elders said it was due to poor blood circulation—his mother had passed too soon, leaving him undernourished.

So, Chen Li often bought him meat, grain, even milk and biscuits.

But after two or three months, Mai Miao remained scrawny.

Now, his arms and legs were caked in mud, but once stripped, his skin was surprisingly unblemished.

Under the murky lamplight, his complexion took on a sallow hue, though it still didn't resemble that of a laboring man.

Mai Miao's body was flawless—no sun marks, no scars, smooth as if carved from white tofu.

His collarbones led down to his ribs, and his nipples were tiny, no larger than soybeans, looking as if they might leak water with just a pinch.

Chen Li averted his gaze, first testing the water temperature before scooping a large ladle full over Mai Miao's head.

Mai Miao shivered, kicking his legs slightly.

"Filthy little mud monkey."

Chen Li grabbed his arm, scrubbing off the dried mud.

He didn't dare use much strength, afraid he might break Mai Miao.

The scrubbing tickled, making Mai Miao suck in sharp breaths before bursting into giggles.

As Chen Li worked, his eyes wandered back to Mai Miao.

From his navel downward, all the way to his thighs, everything was smooth—not even a sparse patch of hair.

Having served in the army, Chen Li had seen enough to know what was typical.

Mai Miao's little thing seemed underdeveloped, yet fully formed just noticeably smaller.

Pinkish and not at all unsightly, it glistened with water droplets, trembling faintly with every slight movement.

Suddenly, Mai Miao yelped.

Chen Li smacked his round buttocks and tossed out, "Wash yourself."

He snatched up Mai Miao's dirty clothes, pushed aside the curtain, and strode out.

Though Mai Miao wasn't the sharpest, he was always fastidious.

Once cleaned up, he returned to the room and waited obediently for Chen Li.

It took a while before Chen Li came back. He had washed up too, his hair still dripping, and immediately set about preparing food. After the brothers ate, Chen Li tidied up.

Mai Miao rinsed his mouth and climbed into bed. Chen Li joined him much later.

Lights out, under the covers.

In the middle of the night, Mai Miao lay awake, turned on his side.

His eyes gleamed as he watched the man beside him.

Chen Li's eyes were closed, his lashes thick and long. Mai Miao reached out, tempted to touch them lightly.

Just as he was about to act up, Chen Li suddenly rolled over, trapping the small figure with one arm.

The man's body radiated heat like a furnace, and within moments, Mai Miao felt sweat forming.

He pushed but couldn't budge him.

So Mai Miao stayed still. His mother had taught him: if something couldn't be done, leave it be; if someone bullied him, run.

Mai Miao had always been obedient.

He watched for a long time, until Chen Li's eyelids twitched slightly.

In the darkness, a voice called out, "Gege."

Chen Li instantly lost all drowsiness and looked down at Mai Miao.

Mai Miao's throat was dry, but his voice remained soft, "Gege, what did you... call me?"

Chen Li replied, "Mai Miao?"

But Mai Miao shook his head, stubborn.

Chen Li fell silent for a moment. After a long pause, he called again, "Miao Miao?"

"Mmm...!"

Only then did Mai Miao respond.

Chen Li found it amusing and couldn't resist the urge to pinch him hard, but he was afraid of hurting him.

Instead, Chen Li lowered his head and, somewhat clumsily, planted a kiss on Mai Miao's forehead.

He wrapped his arms around Mai Miao. "Sleep now."

Mai Miao was still kicking his legs, refusing to settle down.

Chen Li counted to three, "Close your eyes."

Mai Miao pressed against his brother's firm chest.

Listening to the steady heartbeat, he finally closed his eyes.

***

The compound housed many people, with plenty of outsiders coming and going.

After one incident, Chen Li couldn't bring himself to leave Mai Miao alone at home.

Others said his worry was unfounded.

Mai Miao had grown up without parents—what could possibly harm him now?

Their words made some sense, but Chen Li couldn't shake his concern.

Mai Miao stopped playing with Wang Er's son, Heiwa.

He remembered everyone who had ever bullied him and would run far away at the sight of them.

Now that he was older and wiser, as long as he stuck close to his brother, not only would no one dare approach him, they wouldn't even dare look his way.

After feeding the chickens and cleaning the coop each day, Mai Miao would run to the fields to find Chen Li, following him everywhere.

At first, people laughed at him, but when they noticed Chen Li didn't like anyone teasing Mai Miao, they stopped.

It was the busiest time of the year, with everyone harvesting wheat.

Chen Li worked the fastest and gathered the most, stacking bundles of wheat taller than a man. After finishing his own plot, he helped others without asking for payment—not even a cigarette.

People said there was something extraordinary about Chen Li—he excelled at everything, almost unnaturally so.

But then they'd think of the Chen family's Mai Miao and feel things balanced out.

The two brothers were like heaven and earth—proof that fate hadn't favored the Chen surname.

Mai Miao scanned the golden wheat fields but couldn't spot Chen Li.

"Mai Miao "The eldest son of the Liu family recognized him and pointed in a direction, shouting, "Your brother went that way to catch fish!"

Mai Miao headed toward the woods.

There was a river where villagers usually washed clothes and caught yellow fish.

The midday sun was scorching, and no women came to do laundry at this hour.

Mai Miao walked along the riverbank, going quite a distance upstream before he saw his brother.

Chen Li stood in the river, where the water wasn't too deep, reaching only to his mid-thigh.

Perhaps because the weather was too hot, Chen Li hadn't caught any fish and seemed restless.

Just as Mai Miao was about to call out, he suddenly saw Chen Li lift his shirt and toss it onto the bank.

For some reason, Mai Miao hid himself.

Under the sunlight, the man's skin was a deep wheat color.

Unlike the rough, burly farmers in the village, he was lean and powerfully built, his muscles sharply defined as if carved by a knife. His body bore many scars, one after another, which didn't seem frightening but instead added an indescribable allure.

Chen Li was completely unaware of anyone else usually, he was very cautious, especially when Mai Miao was nearby. Perhaps Mai Miao's scent of wheat blended too well with the surrounding grass, making Chen Li miss his presence.

Beads of sweat covered his forehead, his body burning as if on fire, a restless energy with nowhere to go.

Behind the bushes, Mai Miao held his breath.

Chen Li yanked down his pants, and his imposing member sprang free.

Mai Miao had never seen such a monstrous thing before—his eyes widened in shock. Then, he watched as Chen Li gripped it with his hand, stroking up and down with quick, rough movements.

The cock grew harder, thicker, longer, like a weapon brimming with raw power.

Chen Li muffled his groans as he pleasured himself.

After what felt like an eternity, Mai Miao saw the unfamiliar thing spurt liquid, shooting out in thick spurts.

Chen Li sighed wordlessly, chest rising and falling as he basked in fleeting satisfaction.

By evening, Chen Li returned home with yellow croaker in hand.

Mai Miao scattered chicken feed in the backyard coop. Soon, the rich aroma of fish stew filled the courtyard.

The two ate together.

After cleaning up, Mai Miao climbed onto the bed first, while Chen Li lit mosquito coils.

Lately, the mosquitoes had grown relentless, leaving two swollen bites on Mai Miao's face.

Chen Li had endured harsh conditions during his military days, yet now he even provided mosquito nets for Mai Miao's comfort.

The night was stifling.

Chen Li held Mai Miao close, not letting go.

Mai Miao was used to it, but tonight, the heat made it impossible to sleep.

His eyes stayed wide open.

His gaze trailed from Chen Li's lashes downward, finally settling between the man's thighs.

Chen Li wore thin cotton pants, damp with sweat and clinging to his skin-unable to hide the shape beneath. Even at rest, it was substantial.

Mai Miao... wanted to see it again.

He swallowed hard, his throat dry. In the darkness, his hand reached out, fingers brushing against Chen Li's crotch.

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