Love in a Shanghai Summer

2: Small Fresh Meat (小鲜肉)

Word of the day: xiǎo xiān ròu (小鲜肉)

Literal translation: Small fresh meat

Definition: Refers to handsome young men in their teens and early twenties. Aside from being handsome, a xiǎo xiān ròu usually has perfect skin and a muscular body. The term can also have negative connotations when used to mean that someone is all looks but lacking everything else.

Other relevant terms: lǎo là ròu (老腊肉) cured/preserved meat, typically ham or bacon a.k.a. DILF

*******

"Master?" Wu Chen scoffed, eyes widening into saucers.

Lili looked like a carp out of the water.

Yiwen saw an opportunity to make them disappear.

Giving Lili a smirk of her own, she turned around and glided her hands up Li Zi'an's chest until they entwined at the back of his neck. "Sorry for neglecting you, honey."

"As long as you don't do it again," he tapped the tip of her nose, "honey."

"I won't."

Yiwen wondered if they still had an audience, so she gave Li Zi'an a questioning look, hoping he'll understand what she meant. When he gave a subtle nod, she raked her fingers through the soft strands of his hair.

"I'm going to kiss you," she mouthed.

Though shock fleeted through his face, the hand he had on her waist tightened. "Then why don't you make up for that terrible neglect?"

Taking it as his agreement, she stood on tiptoe and pulled his head down. In turn, he cupped her face with one hand and closed the distance between their lips. The kiss started slow, almost tentative. Then, he nipped at her lower lip. She did the same to his. He ran his tongue along the seam of her mouth. She parted it open. When his hand wrapped around her neck applying light pressure, she tightened her grip on his hair.

Soon, his tongue met hers. He tasted like mint-laced alcohol. Fresh and intoxicating. Yiwen soon grew light-headed, but she couldn't stop. He tasted so good. But why was he pulling away? She grabbed his arm.

"Wa-wait," he gasped, gently pushing her away.

Yiwen let him go.

"The-they're gone," Li Zi'an said.

"Go-gone?"

"That Lili girl and the man."

"Oh."

For a while, she had forgotten all about them. Now she looked around. Wu Chen and Lili were indeed nowhere to be found, but several other pairs of eyes were aimed their way, instead. Women were whispering amongst each other, while men gave her knowing glances. Yiwen quickly turned away and hid her face.

"Excuse me?" A waiter arrived. "Your starters are ready. Would you like me to serve them?"

"Yes, please do," Yiwen replied.

Meanwhile, Li Zi'an plopped down in his seat, raking his fingers through his hair. The evidence of what they had just done was a bright red smear around his mouth.

While the server laid out their food, Yiwen took her own seat and pulled some tissue from her purse. She offered it to Li Zi'an, gesturing at his mouth.

"Thanks," he mumbled, eyes not quite meeting hers.

"Would you like me to pour the wine, sir?" the waitress asked her companion.