【Chapter 4: It Turns Out I Was Just a Substitute】

The red neon lights of the Red Mansion flashed in the night, tinting every sin with a romantic hue. Ah-Yao sat on the stairs by the back door of the shop, smoking, his gaze hollow. He hadn't received a message from Chen Yuanxing for three days. It wasn't that he hadn't thought about reaching out—he just couldn't bring himself to do it.
A new therapist had recently joined the shop, named Jason. He was a year younger than Ah-Yao, with a pretty-boy face, a well-built body, a smooth tongue, and a knack for acting cute—clients adored him.
Jason came over, looking relaxed: 「Hey—that regular just now was really into kissing, I almost couldn't breathe from his kiss—」
Ah-Yao took a drag and ignored him.
Jason leaned closer: 「He said you used to be really good, asked if we're friends, and I told him we were close—close enough to share…」
「Enough.」 Ah-Yao cut him off coldly.
Jason hesitated, then put on a teasing smile: 「Are you jealous?」
Ah-Yao said nothing, only inhaled another cigarette; his hand trembled. He couldn't believe Jason had stolen the only man he had feelings for.
But Jason had actually known all along.
He knew someone occupied Ah-Yao's heart, and that this "Mr. Chen" wasn't an ordinary client. He deliberately played dumb at the shop, deliberately took that booking, deliberately showed Ah-Yao the kiss marks.
Because Jason had been secretly in love with Ah-Yao for a long time. From the first time he saw him smiling as he coaxed a client, taking off his shirt to reveal sculpted abs, to the lonely sight of him after closing, eating a rice ball alone by the back door.
Jason wasn't in it for the money—he wanted Ah-Yao to notice him. Even if it meant revenge, even if it meant tearing faces apart so Ah-Yao would pay attention.
The shop had recently launched a new service: the "Dual Four-Hand Course." Two therapists serve a client at the same time, creating a deeper, more intimate experience. The manager specially paired star therapist Ah-Yao with newcomer Jason.
At first Jason was a little clumsy—he was young and good-looking but still inexperienced in the skills of the trade.
Ah-Yao worked and quietly guided him: 「Use lighter pressure here—he's more sensitive.」
Jason stole a glance and nodded. At that moment he realized he couldn't look away from Ah-Yao when he was serious.
After a few sessions they grew more and more in sync.
Jason began to look forward to every shift with Ah-Yao. He liked Ah-Yao's professional, quiet manner and the small gesture after a massage when Ah-Yao silently handed him a damp towel.
At first he thought it was just colleague care; later he found himself wondering whether Ah-Yao was this gentle with others as well.
One day Jason happened to see Ah-Yao in the back secretly looking at his phone—a screenshot frozen on the screen: Chen Yuanxing in a suit attending a family event with relatives, the headline reading: "Well-known entrepreneur Chen Yuanxing appears at Family Day; a warm scene of a doting father and filial son."
Jason almost laughed out loud: 「So you're still waiting for someone who won't admit to you?」
Ah-Yao snapped his phone shut, his tone icy: 「What business is it of yours?」
Jason fired back even faster: 「Whose business is it? It's my business because I like you—it's a lot of business.」
That night they had a couple come in requesting roleplay; Jason played the boyfriend, Ah-Yao the recently appeased lover. The clients were impressed, praising how realistic their cooperation was.
After work Jason quietly asked, 「Aren't we more like a couple than that couple?」
Ah-Yao froze and said nothing. Jason suddenly smiled with a bitter edge: 「Or is your acting the real thing? When he touches you, do you wrinkle your brow and play helpless like that?」
After one shift, once the clients left, Jason couldn't help asking: 「When you help me pack up, are you being especially nice to me?」
Ah-Yao replied lightly: 「It's just a habit. Don't read too much into it.」
Jason smiled: 「But I still read too much.」
What he didn't say out loud was that he already knew Ah-Yao had a "Mr. Chen" in his heart.
That night Jason waited at the door to his room: 「Are you still thinking about him? He's just playing you. I can play a better part for you, you know.」
Ah-Yao frowned: 「Are you crazy?」
Jason pressed his hand down on Ah-Yao's, speaking softly: 「Didn't you teach me? If a client wants to play the Don Juan, we'll play the innocent girl.」
Then Jason laid his hand on Ah-Yao's chest. Ah-Yao shoved him away: 「Are you sick?」
Jason laughed: 「I am sick—the sickness is that I've liked you for a long time.」
He added in a low voice: 「You think I stole your client? No, I just wanted to prove he doesn't deserve to love you.」
That night neither of them touched the other. They lay back to back, one pretending to sleep, the other quietly crying.
To be continued ......
--- Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental ---