I’m from Hong Kong. Without going
into a lot of history, Hong Kong was a former British Colony and in 1997 we
were returned to China but remain an autonomous territory of China. As loathed as
I am to admit at having any similarities with Indigo Young (keyboard player
& know-it-all), at times I feel as confused and annoyed by Chinese
practices as him. Though I’m less whiny about it.
Anyway, ever since I can remember
I’ve always wanted to be a singer. My father tried to push me into our family
business but I’m not cut out for it. My sister, on the other hand, is great at
it. She’s super smart but still loving and kind. When I came out to her she
simply hugged me as I sobbed then showed me her collection of Yaoi—I think
that’s the right English word for manga about two men together.
I’m a fundanshi which is the Japanese
word for the male equivalent to a “rotten women” someone who loves Yaoi. I love
the artistry and the beauty but what Yaoi is to me is hope. Hope that someday
I’ll be in a place stable enough in my career where I can find a good man and
we can love each other. But for now, I’m married to the music.
Speaking of music… Fanservice is
part of the cost of fame. Musical television shows are set up with a premise of
the bands in some sort of competition with each other but really it is just to
see the bandmates do suggestive things that excite their fans. Kissing for
exposure, Jin calls it.
Z. wanted to share an exclusive
excerpt that takes place during Made in China’s appearance on a Korean TV Show.
Made in China is playing Suck Blow… and not the type any of us prefer.
Exclusive Excerpt from The Temple
of Heaven:
Tian
Di got into his lead singer mode. He kept his eyes down and shifted from foot
to foot as if he were nervous. Staring at the ground, he hoped to appear shy as
they stood waiting in line for the silly game of Suck and Blow to start.
It
wouldn’t benefit his career for fans to figure out sucking face wasn’t the only
thing he liked sucking. To say he had an oral fixation wouldn’t be an
exaggeration, and if he didn’t need to protect his voice, he’d probably smoke
three packs of cigarettes a day or suck—but this was China, not LA.
Tian
Di pieced together the information as the MC explained the game rules. “The
band able to suck and blow the best....” The MC waited for the crowd to “oh”
and “ah.” “Um, suck and blow the most cards wins.”
The
wise guy gave his oversized whistle a blow, but the only translation Tian Di
received in his ear piece said, “Begin.” As if he couldn’t have figured out
what the shrill sound popping his eardrums meant.
Some
members of Symmetry sat out the game to keep the teams even. They bounced
around the stage and rallied the crowd.
Styx
leaned over and with the necessary suction, picked up a card, then shifted it
to Jin. Jin slowly pursed his lips and blew away the queen of hearts before he
planted a big kiss on his boyfriend’s lips.
Nice!
Way to pull the attention to Made in China.
Styx
blushed and his hand fluttered to his mouth as if the lip press were a big
surprise to him. Styx must have decided to ham it up, because he shrugged to
the audience, and then he and Jin shared a quick smile. The audience ate the
affection up.
Damn,
Styx and Jin fit together like puzzle pieces. Tian Di’s heart clenched. He
coveted the deep connection they had. Each touch, look, and kiss they shared
served only to remind him of everything he lacked in his life. A couple of
years ago, exchanging blowjobs with a fanboy would have been more than enough
to satisfy him, but now... he was lucky to be flexible.
He
had never been so long between men. He wasn’t picky. Young and old, Tian Di
found reasons to enjoy whoever offered to spend time with him. Though things
had changed over the last year. The last guy he’d been with, while skilled,
left him feeling empty afterward.
He
could barely believe it, but he craved more than casual encounters. Maybe
living with people who really loved each other highlighted how fleeting and
inadequate the passing pleasure had become. He twisted his ring to remind
himself of his goals.
Styx
sucked, latching on to the eight of spades, and turned toward Jin.
The
audience got louder as Jin tucked his fingers into Styx’s belt loop and tugged
him close. Jin grazed his lips across the card as if he were kissing Styx, and
then he turned to blow the card to Indigo’s lips.
Indigo
sucked the card away from Jin, turned toward the camera, and wiggled his
eyebrows. He grabbed Tian Di’s waist.
Tian
Di tossed his hair over his shoulder.
The audience sighed.
Indigo glared at him.
Whatever. Tian Di tilted his head to the left and pursed his lips in the best pout he could manage so he could receive the playing card from Indigo’s lips. He ignored the angry daggers Indigo threw.
Tian
Di sucked the card against his mouth. He could see Styx and Jin working on
their next card.
Stepping
back, Tian Di bumped into Li, who steadied him. “Come on. Give me a card!
Symmetry is winning.”
The
scoreboard displayed two to zero.
Tian
Di blew the card to Li who sucked the card and got it into the basket. They
scored a point.
Jin
passed the next card to Indigo, which he transferred without incident to Tian
Di.
Wanting
to build the drama, Tian Di turned nice and slow, giving the camera big eyes,
and even fluttered his lashes. He leaned toward Li and couldn’t prevent the ace
of diamonds from falling to the floor, causing him to plant his mouth on Li’s.
Li’s
lips were soft, his kiss thorough, though mechanical. The kiss held affection
but lacked passion. It appeared to be nothing like the kisses Li exchanged with
Indigo.
The
crowd clapped and stomped their feet, unaware there was no chemistry between them.
Putting
a hand over his mouth, Tian Di playfully batted at Li.
Li’s eyes flashed amusement.
The onstage monitors showed young women had jumped out of their seats, screaming like they’d won the lottery. Some hugged the person next them, and a few even started to cry.
Success.
That
was what this game was all about: fan service.
The
game continued, and after half a deck of cards, even Styx appeared to relax and
get into the spirit of silliness. He dropped the card right as Jin sucked, and
their lips touched. He clung for a moment.
Tian
Di was sure when the program aired, there’d probably be hearts around their
heads at every mistake, which would be shown in slow motion. He was good with
the games... right?
For
fuck’s sake, was this worse than blowing your way to the top? At least with a suck
fest, once the guy in charge shot off, Tian Di could rinse out his mouth and
put the incident out of his head. But these damned pictures would be following
him throughout his career... however, this show would be enabling that career,
so he needed to deal. He had to keep his eyes on the prize.
Thank you for letting me share a bit about The Temple of Heaven
with you.
Many hugs, Z.
The Temple of Heaven’s Blurb
Music is Tian Di’s life and his love, and he’s made plenty of
sacrifices. His career is finally taking off with his band, Made in China, and
he’ll continue to put music first... until he meets Jordon. Then insta- lust
becomes insta-love and a commitment to the future—no matter how difficult it
might be.
Jordon lives in a bubble constructed by his overprotective older
brothers, who are so controlling that they’ve kept him from dating. A talented
artist, Jordon managed to keep his success with a Japanese manga publisher a
secret from his family, but now he fears discovery. It’s easier to let his
brothers handle everything, but Jordon has reached his limit. He’s ready to
draw some boundaries so he can be his own man and face all the challenges that
come with that.
Their families and careers aren’t the only obstacles. Jordon must
accept his identity as a gay man who doesn’t top or bottom. Fortunately, Tian
Di—and his special talents—help Jordon open up to his sexuality in an erotic
adventure that spans Japan and China, and with love, luck, hard work, and open
minds, will end in a happily ever after.
Dreamspinner Press:
Z.’s Website: https://zallorabooks.com/the-temple-of-heaven
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