Chapter 24.1 (1/2)
Deep in the Act
Translator: Kotoni
Editor: Isalee
First Published on Chaleuria
Chapter 24.1
Standing behind Fang Chi, still holding onto his bag, Gao Zhun watched as the other man pulled down the blinds in the room one by one. ”Dr. Fang, please don't… take the things I said yesterday to heart.”
The room darkened, and a shroud of vague, suggestive intimacy settled in the air. Fang Chi turned to look at him. ”I understand. You were just too nervous,” he replied with his usual gentle smile, ”I didn't take any of it seriously.”
Gao Zhun felt a slight pang of disappointment at his rea.s.surance. ”I made a wooden frame for your letter. I carved it by hand. Would you… like to see it?” he said as he took out his phone. ”I only managed to complete it sometime after four this morning.”
Fang Chi strode over. Instead of looking at the phone, he studied Gao Zhun's face and stroked it lightly with his right thumb, just below an eye socket. ”You didn't sleep well.”
Electric shocks ripped through Gao Zhun's entire body at the touch; even his tailbone tingled with chills. Then, Fang Chi moved behind Gao Zhun and held his hand while he took a look at the photo on the phone. ”That looks really amazing. You designed it yourself?”
Gao Zhun blushed and nodded. ”Send me the photo later,” Fang Chi said, patting him on the shoulder, before moving a stool to the side of his crimson couch. ”Mr. Gao, we will begin with your formal treatment today. Just relax and follow my instructions.”
”Begin… today?” Gao Zhun was a little stunned. ”What about…”
”Our previous sessions made up the pre-diagnosis a.s.sessment phase of the therapeutic process.” Fang Chi took his position behind the couch with an air of professionalism and rolled up his s.h.i.+rtsleeves. ”Take off your jacket.” As he focused his attention on adjusting the recline angle for the couch, he added absently, ”Remove your tie and belt as well.”
Gao Zhun had begun undressing, but his hands paused at the sound of Fang Chi's additional instructions. ”When you say 'remove', do you mean…”
”Take them off altogether.” Fang Chi fetched another stool as he continued, ”I need you to be thoroughly relaxed. If the waistband of your trousers feels tight, please unb.u.t.ton it. You can pull down your fly a little as well.”
Gao Zhun hung up his jacket and reached for the fabric around his neck. He was no longer afraid of undoing his tie, but in the absence of fear, the act now filled him with a new, inexplicable sense of shyness. When Fang Chi looked up after he had finished setting up the area, he saw Gao Zhun still holding on to the knot with hesitant hands. ”Does it still frighten you?” He strode around the couch and came up to the other man. ”I'll help,” he said, standing face to face with Gao Zhun, wrapping his hand around the knot. Then he gave a light tug, and Gao Zhun could not help but s.h.i.+ver as an odd feeling began encroaching on his senses in the dim light.
”Unb.u.t.ton your s.h.i.+rt a little and lie back on the couch,” Fang Chi instructed, holding Gao Zhun by the shoulders and easing him onto the couch. ”We will start with some relaxation training, which will take about twenty minutes. You can practice on your own as well, when you're at home.”
Gao Zhun's heart pounded itself into a delirious frenzy. This was not right - he knew - it was wrong of him to feel this way. Yet, when Fang Chi helped him straighten his legs on the couch, he felt as if he had even stopped breathing. ”Let's start with some breathing exercises,” Fang Chi said, his voice unusually vivid in the dark. Sitting on a stool, he lowered his left hand onto Gao Zhun's chest with slow, deliberate movements - and felt an obvious twitch in the muscle under his palm.
”Stay calm. Just relax,” he coaxed as he kneaded Gao Zhun's chest. ”There are two types of breathing. Chest breathing is the more common of the two. Now, we will try switching to abdominal breathing.” Gao Zhun was alarmed. He had a bad feeling about the word 'abdominal', but nothing prepared him for the sensation that a.s.sailed him in the very next moment. Without any warning, Fang Chi's right hand pressed onto his lower belly, and he exhaled a soft, velvet moan almost unconsciously.
”It's okay,” Fang Chi cut in before he could apologize, ”this is a normal reaction for many patients. It's possible that your trousers are too tight.” He reached for the b.u.t.ton at Gao Zhun's waist and undid it with an inward twist. ”Sorry. I'm going to loosen them a little for you.”
Fang Chi's touch continued to linger. He began pulling down the zip, bit by bit, until one-third of Gao Zhun's fly lay open under his hand. Gao Zhun held his breath. The soft metallic sc.r.a.pe was too grating in his ears - too much for him to take - and he could not help but clamp a hand over his mouth in desperation.
”Relax your body and remove your hand,” Fang Chi tried to stop him, unintentionally pressing down a little on Gao Zhun's lower belly in the process. The sensation overwhelmed Gao Zhun; it seared through his body and made him want to curl up on himself. Noticing his nervous tension, Fang Chi stood up to look at him in the face. ”What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”