Only a single bedside lamp was lit in the bedroom, its dim, yellow light outlining two entangled figures.
Gu Qian sat on the man’s strong, sturdy waist with his brows furrowed. His expression seemed uncomfortable, yet it was not pure pain.
One thin strap of his black slip dress had slid down, revealing a large portion of his snow-white shoulder and slightly swelling chest, which trembled and heaved with his movements. The dress he wore was simply too short. It was so short it did not even need to be removed. The flared hem barely covered the chaotic mess beneath, but with any significant movement, the area became faintly visible.
Qin Yue gritted his teeth, his muscles tensed to the point of aching. His large, well-defined hands slid down from Gu Qian’s supple waist to firmly squeeze his slightly fleshy thighs, leaving vivid finger marks on the fair, smooth skin.
After an unknown amount of time, Gu Qian collapsed onto him as if drained of all strength. His face was flushed and his amber pupils were unfocused.
Qin Yue teased in a husky voice, “President Gu, are you out of strength already?”
Gu Qian’s sweat-slicked palms pressed against Qin Yue’s abdominals as he tried to push himself off.
However, Qin Yue suddenly lunged upward, pinning him down like a beast released from its cage. He kissed him fiercely and heavily. His tongue reached deep into Gu Qian’s throat as if he were trying to burrow directly into his body.
When the kiss ended, the man’s large hand gripped the back of a tender knee. His voice was low and raspy as he declared, “Now it is my turn, Qiqi.”
Gu Qian trembled uncontrollably. “Qin Yue, you—”
The end of his sentence vanished abruptly into the air, dissolving into shattered, broken syllables.
The night was long. It was not until three or four in the morning that Gu Qian finally fell into a stupor, slumped on the bed. Naturally, he did not remember to tell the man to leave his house.
Qin Yue lay beside him, tirelessly stroking the skin covered in mottled red marks. After a long while, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on the exposed half of Gu Qian’s cheek. “Goodnight and sweet dreams, Qiqi.”
Gu Qian slept deeply. When he woke up, he was the only one left in bed.
He moved his body, but the anticipated pain did not arrive. The areas that had been overused the previous night did not sting with heat. Instead, there was a trace of coolness, as if medicine had already been applied.
Gu Qian sat up and reached for his phone on the nightstand. Lighting up the screen, he realized it was already past ten in the morning. He covered his face with his hand, unable to remember the last time he had slept until this hour. Fortunately, it was the weekend, and he did not have to go to the office.
With a creak, the ajar bedroom door was pushed open from the outside. Light from the living room spilled into the bedroom. The man walking in against the light was tall and his steps were leisurely. He was the very picture of a large predator that had eaten its fill.
Gu Qian reached out, caught his bathrobe, and wrapped it around himself.
“Good morning, Qiqi.” Qin Yue walked to the floor-to-ceiling window to pull back the curtains, then turned back toward the bed. “Is there any discomfort?”
Gu Qian’s voice carried a hint of hoarseness. “No.”
Though there were many moments last night where he felt he was being pierced through—the man truly seemed intent on pinning him to the bed—the current discomfort was within a tolerable range compared to the disastrous state after their first night.
“Good boy.” Qin Yue hooked the corner of his lips, praising him meaningfully. “Qiqi, you are adapting so fast.”
He knew how much energy he had and how few people could keep up with his physical stamina, but Gu Qian’s performance completely exceeded his expectations. The usually cold, indifferent, and untouchable President Gu was not only proactive but also uninhibited in bed. That waist, covered in thin muscle, was flexible and resilient. When it exerted force, it nearly made him surrender instantly.
Even at the end, when he was so exhausted he was about to faint, his sensitive body still responded. He fit with Qin Yue with an incredible synergy, as if he were born to be—
“I am going to take a shower.” Gu Qian lifted the thin quilt. “You should head back now.”
Qin Yue snapped out of his reminiscence. “So, President Gu pulls up his pants and turns hostile immediately?”
Gu Qian gave a cold sneer. “Do not act like you did not enjoy it.”
“Of course I enjoyed it.” Qin Yue reached out to touch his chin. His thumb rubbed against the reddened lips as he emphasized each word. “I was on cloud nine.”
Despite having experienced it many times, Gu Qian still was not used to his effrontery. With a smack, he swatted the hand away. “Since you have had your fun, stop being an eyesore here.”
“I might not be as pretty as you, but I would say I am quite handsome and well-featured.” Qin Yue raised an eyebrow. “How am I an eyesore to President Gu?”
Gu Qian ignored him and got out of bed. As his toes hit the floor, he realized his legs were still weak and aching. Qin Yue was quick to react, reaching out to support him. He asked with a smile, “Do you want me to carry you to the shower?”
“No need.” Gu Qian steadied himself, pulled his bathrobe tighter, and looked at the black slip dress crumpled on the floor.
To be precise, it could no longer be called a dress. It was just a piece of fabric ravaged beyond recognition. It was not only torn but covered in suspicious stains.
Qin Yue’s gaze followed his to the dress, his tone full of lingering relish. “I tore the dress. It looks like it cannot be worn again.”
An image flashed through Gu Qian’s mind, and he looked away. “Just throw it out.”
He had more than one dress in his wardrobe anyway. Even if this one had not been torn, he would not have worn it again.
“Sorry.” Qin Yue apologized with poise. “I will send you a new one as an apology.”
Gu Qian walked toward the bathroom. “No need.”
“How could that be?” Qin Yue gave an ambiguous laugh. “Since I broke it, I should compensate you with a new one.”
Gu Qian did not care to argue over such a small matter. He entered the bathroom to shower, and when he came out, the bedroom was empty again. He changed into loungewear. Just as he stepped out of the bedroom, he smelled the aroma of food.
Gu Qian walked to the living room and looked toward the kitchen. Qin Yue was busy in the kitchen with his back turned. He was wearing Gu Qian’s bathrobe. Because of the height and size difference, the robe looked a bit tight on the man.
Gu Qian stood still, momentarily dazed.
“All washed up?” Qin Yue turned around and noticed him, gesturing. “Perfect timing, the food is ready. Come have brunch.”
Gu Qian walked over. “When did you get up?”
“Around eight or nine. I could not sleep, so I got up.” Qin Yue placed a plate on the dining table. “I saw your kitchen and fridge were empty, so I ordered some ingredients and had them delivered.”
Gu Qian stopped by the table. “You did not have to do all this.”
Qin Yue pulled out a chair, teasing, “President Gu fed me so well last night, I cannot exactly let President Gu go hungry, can I?”
Gu Qian: “…”
At Qin Yue’s insistence, he sat down. On the table were four dishes and a soup: braised pork ribs, steamed sea bass, stir-fried beef, sautéed seasonal vegetables, and a fragrant mushroom chicken soup.
“I know you got tired of Western food while abroad, so I made some Chinese dishes for you.” Qin Yue served him a bowl of soup. “I was worried about time, so I just whipped up a few simple things. You will have to make do.”
Gu Qian remembered when they were chatting, Y once said he would show off his skills if he had the chance. At the time, he had not taken it seriously, assuming it was just a flirtatious remark. He never expected to actually eat a meal cooked by the man.
Gu Qian picked up his chopsticks and took a few pieces of the stir-fried beef. Qin Yue sat opposite him, watching him intently. “How is the taste?”
Gu Qian swallowed. “It is fine.”
“Getting an ‘it is fine’ from President Gu is a mark of approval for me.” Qin Yue curled his lips in satisfaction and put a rib in Gu Qian’s bowl. “Eat more.”
Gu Qian did not like talking while eating, so the two ate in silence. Qin Yue observed his preferences throughout the meal, noticing he ate the most sea bass and beef and had quite a bit of soup.
Once nearly finished, Gu Qian put down his chopsticks and looked up. “How do you know how to cook?”
As the crown prince of Universal Group, raised as the center of attention, he surely had no shortage of housekeepers. How did he have such good cooking skills?
“Think of it as a personal hobby.” Qin Yue looked at him with a smile. “Everyone should have a few hobbies, right?”
Gu Qian wiped his mouth and did not press further. Qin Yue, however, became more enthusiastic. “But the people who have eaten my cooking can be counted on one hand. Besides my family, there is only you.”
Gu Qian lowered his gaze. “Then it is my honor.”
Qin Yue shook his head and corrected him, “No, it is my honor.”
Gu Qian’s eyelashes flickered. He stood up to clear the dishes. Qin Yue stood up as well. “Leave it. I will clean up.”
Gu Qian paused, did not argue, and sat on the sofa. Qin Yue cleared the table, put the dishes in the dishwasher, and returned to the living room.
Gu Qian looked at him. “It is late. You should go back.”
Qin Yue sat on the sofa next to him, acting like a rogue. “Cooking was too exhausting. I need to rest for a bit.”
Gu Qian found it slightly amusing. “Why did I not hear you complaining about being tired last night?”
“How can those be the same?” Qin Yue leaned toward him. “One is the hard work of cooking; the other is the enjoyment of eating.”
Gu Qian pushed his face away. “Then rest here. I am going to handle some work.”
Qin Yue turned his face and quickly kissed Gu Qian’s palm, making an audible smacking sound. Gu Qian withdrew his hand as if he had been electrocuted and stood up.
Qin Yue leaned back on the sofa. “Go ahead, President Gu. Do not mind me.”
Gu Qian pursed his lips in tolerance and walked toward the study. In the study, he processed the backlog of emails and then contacted Li Hao to set a time to discuss the details of the new project collaboration.
Just as he hung up, another call came in. Gu Qian looked at the caller ID. It took several seconds before he pressed the answer button. “Uncle Meng.”
“Qi’an…” Meng Ye’s voice sounded even weaker than last time. “I heard from Siyao that you took him out to discuss a project yesterday?”
Gu Qian leaned back against the chair. “Yes. It was a good chance for him to meet people.”
“Well done, Qi’an.” Meng Ye said slowly. “I have disciplined him for twenty years, and yet he has improved more in a few months with you than all that time with me.”
Gu Qian replied, “He is just young. He will understand your good intentions sooner or later.”
“I hope so.” After speaking, Meng Ye suddenly let out a long sigh. “Qi’an, Uncle Meng’s illness might not get better.”
Deep in Gu Qian’s light-colored eyes was a layer of ice, but his tone remained calm as ever. “How can that be? Medical science is so advanced now.”
“I know my own body.” Meng Ye took a breath. “Qi’an, I finally understand the pain your mother felt before she passed.”
Gu Qian’s fingers tightened around the phone, his knuckles turning white from the force.
Meng Ye continued, “You were abroad then, not by her side. You do not know how she—”
“Uncle Meng, your condition is much better than hers was at that time.” Gu Qian interrupted expressionlessly. “Do not overthink it. I am here at Shengtai. Just focus on your recovery.”
“Good… good child. Having you is—” Meng Ye paused. “It is Uncle Meng’s greatest blessing.”
A mocking curve appeared on Gu Qian’s lips. “Uncle Meng, you flatter me.”
The sound of medical staff talking came from the other end of the line. A moment later, Meng Ye said, “The doctor is here. Let us leave it at that for now, Qi’an.”
Gu Qian hung up and tossed the phone onto the desk with a heavy thud. He had not believed in karma before, but now he was beginning to. However, dying of illness seemed far too easy for him.
Two knocks came from the door. Gu Qian regained his composure. “Enter.”
Qin Yue stood at the door, asking, “Is it convenient to come in, President Gu?”
Gu Qian was concise. “It is not.”
“Does President Gu have secret Shengtai documents hidden in this study?” Qin Yue stepped inside carrying a glass of water. “In that case, I am even more curious to find out.”
Gu Qian: “…”
If this man had any special skills besides being thick-skinned, it was nonsense and pirate logic.
“Just kidding. I was just worried you were thirsty.” Qin Yue placed the water in front of him. “The only thing in this study that attracts me is you.”
Gu Qian reached out to close his laptop. “Is there anything else?”
Qin Yue leaned his hands on the desk. “I also wanted to ask if there is anything you want to eat for dinner?”
Gu Qian looked up and met his gaze. “President Qin, if I needed someone to take care of my daily life, I would hire a housekeeper.”
Qin Yue replied with a smile, “A housekeeper is not as thoughtful as I am.”
“We are just getting what we need from each other. Aside from the bedroom, there is no need for extra involvement.” Gu Qian’s voice was cold. “I really dislike people invading my private space. Can you understand that, President Qin?”
He did not know if the other man was treating him as the “weaker party” to be cared for out of habit because they slept together, or if he wanted something more. Regardless, neither was a good sign, and he could not allow it.
The smile on Qin Yue’s face froze and then gradually disappeared. He asked in a low voice, “Everything I did today was ‘extra’ to you, was it not?”
Gu Qian remained silent for a few seconds before answering with a single word: “Yes.”
Qin Yue’s lips thinned into a line. His gaze toward Gu Qian became deep and unfathomable.
Just as Gu Qian thought the man was going to storm out again, Qin Yue suddenly stroed around the desk. Before Gu Qian could speak, he was grabbed by the waist and lifted onto the desk.
Gu Qian frowned. “Qin Yue, what madness is this now?”
“Did you not say everything except sex is extra?” Qin Yue’s voice sounded strange, as if squeezed from his throat. “Then let us do something that is not extra.”
“Are you sick?” Gu Qian could not help but curse. “This is a study, not a bed.”
“Who said it has to be on a bed?” Qin Yue laughed and leaned down to kiss him.
Gu Qian turned his head to avoid the kiss. The burning lips landed on his cheek, then moved down his neck to his collarbone, using his teeth to pop open a button of the loungewear.
Only then did Gu Qian realize he was serious. Just as he was about to kick him, Qin Yue continued downward through the clothes. Qin Yue knelt on one knee before him. The height of the desk was perfect.
Gu Qian’s fingers curled against the tabletop, and he let out an involuntary cry. “Qin Yue, you…”
Qin Yue seemed encouraged by this. He did not give Gu Qian any time to adapt. With one leg draped over a broad shoulder, Gu Qian could not help but reach out with his other hand to grip the black hair at the back of the man’s head. He closed his eyes and tilted back his slender, fragile neck. His brain, which had been a mess just moments ago, went completely blank.
After a long while, Qin Yue stood up and covered Gu Qian’s lips with another kiss. A slightly bitter taste was exchanged between them. Gu Qian stuck out his tongue in distaste, only to be entangled again. It was not until he was out of breath that Qin Yue finally pulled back a fraction.
“President Gu, seeing as I have served you so diligently…” Qin Yue lowered his posture, pleading in his ear, “Take me in for just one more night, okay?”