15/10/2026
Harvest Season and a Home-Cooked Meal
The buzzing of cicadas at the end of summer could hardly dissipate the scorching heat of the mountain valley. The interprovincial bus dropped Kai and Bie off at a red-dirt intersection, surrounded by endless green mountain ranges and ripe, golden paddy fields in full harvest season.
Kai—a city guy with striking platinum-blonde hair and an impeccably sleek, modern style—stood dazed in the midday sun, clutching his expensive rolling suitcase. Bie, wearing a faded blue shirt and his familiar prescription glasses, turned back to look at his boyfriend and chuckled.
"Welcome to my hometown! A few weeks ago you kept complaining about work stress and wanted a 'healing' getaway, right? This is the ultimate spot!"
Kai swallowed hard, looking at the bumpy village road and then at Bie. "I thought we’d be staying at some homestay with a pool, sipping tea and watching the mountains in the afternoon..."
"Healing through nature and hard labor is the real deal, babe!" Bie blinked playfully, grabbing Kai's hand and pulling him along.
A Morning in the Fields
Before they could even get a proper night’s rest, Bie was already knocking on Kai's door at five-thirty the next morning.
While Kai was still half-asleep, Bie thrust a conical hat, a white towel, and a pair of farm gloves into his hands. As soon as they reached the edge of the field, the rich aroma of ripe rice mixed with the early morning dew rushed into their nostrils. But Kai's joy of enjoying nature was instantly crushed when Bie held out two razor-sharp sickles.
"So, your 'healing regimen' for today is finishing this patch of land with my family!" Bie announced humorously.
Kai stared wide-eyed at the vast golden field, then pointed at a combine harvester humming loudly in a flat area far away, asking in confusion: "Wait... Why is there a working machine over there, but your family doesn't use it and makes me cut rice by hand instead?"
Bie burst out laughing and lightly patted his lover's shoulder. "Our field is right at the foot of the mountain—it's too uneven and terraced for heavy machinery to get in! It all has to be harvested by hand."
"Oh my god, Bie! You said you were taking me here to heal, but who knew you'd drag me out to cut rice like this!" Kai complained, caught between laughter and tears, though he still obediently leaned down to take the sickle.
Bie bent over, grabbing a bundle of rice in one hand and making a clean cut with the sickle in the other. "Labor is glory, babe! Work fast, and I’ll treat you to a piping-hot home-cooked meal with all your favorite dishes."
Kai let out a sigh, but seeing Bie's enthusiasm, he didn't have the heart to refuse. His platinum-blonde hair quickly soaked with sweat amid the rural landscape. Kai fumbled for a while just to find a good stance, awkwardly clutching each bundle of rice. His back throbbed with pain, but beads of genuine hard-earned sweat began to glisten on his forehead.
A Paused Moment Amidst the Paddy Fields
By mid-morning, the sun grew harsher. The two had cleared a fairly large portion of the field. The towel around Kai’s neck was drenched, sweat trickling down his toned chest revealed behind his unbuttoned shirt.
Bie sat flat on the ground among the freshly cut golden bundles of rice, holding a large sheaf tightly, sweat glistening on the bridge of his nose and behind his glasses. His towel was casually slung over his shoulder, his cheeks flushed from the heat.
Kai walked over carrying a large armful of rice. Seeing how exhausted his boyfriend looked, he stooped down and tilted his head, gazing intensely into Bie's eyes. In that moment, the distant sound of the threshing machine and the chatter of neighboring farmers seemed to fade away. Amidst the vast mountain backdrop and the sweet scent of fresh grain, only the two of them remained.
Bie looked up, his eyes crystal clear behind his lenses, flashing a gentle yet mischievous smile: "What's wrong, city boy? Tired already? Will you dare ask to visit the countryside again next time?"
Looking at Bie’s smile, all of Kai's fatigue seemed to instantly melt away. He replied softly, his eyes filled with pure devotion: "Alright, if it's for you, I can take any hardship! But you have to rub my back tonight, okay?"
Bie laughed, raising a bundle of rice to shield against the bright sunlight. "Deal! Now let's get energized—let's finish this patch so we can head home for mom's cooking!"
Cozy Night and Sweet Caresses
After a grueling day of hard work and a delicious, heartwarming dinner with the family, night fell gently over the mountain region, bringing a crisp chill in the air and a serene stillness.
In the small room faintly scenting of fresh wood, Kai lay flat on his back on the bamboo bed, letting out a soft groan as his lower back throbbed with ache from bending over all day. Bie closed the bedroom door, took off his glasses, placed them on the table, and walked over.
Bie climbed onto the bed, gently straddling Kai's thighs as his soft hands pressed lightly into his shoulders and lower back. "I promised you a 'healing' trip, so here's your back rub payment."
"Ah... that feels so good," Kai let out a sigh of relief. But a second later, he flipped over, wrapping his arms around Bie's waist and pulling him down against his chest.
Bie gasped softly in surprise, his face flushing red as he caught the warm, intense look in Kai's eyes under the dim yellow light. Kai leaned up, gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from Bie's forehead, whispering affectionately: "A back rub alone isn't enough compensation..."
With that, Kai reached up and pressed a deep, sweet kiss onto Bie's lips. The two held each other tightly, their warm breath mingling against the chill of the countryside night. Kai's hands caressed down Bie's smooth shoulders and along his spine, pulling him even closer. Bie gently surrendered, wrapping his arms around his lover's neck and running his fingers through Kai's soft, platinum-blonde hair, returning the passionate kiss.
Amidst the quiet and peaceful rural night, their tight embraces and tender kisses washed away all the day's exhaustion, leaving behind only warmth and a sweet love blossoming in the heart of harvest season.
