Since that awkward yet inexplicably sweet “first date,” the relationship between Arthur and Shen Yanzi felt as though a hidden switch had been flipped, entering a brand-new mode that left Arthur’s head spinning.
Projects still had to be discussed, and meetings were held as usual.
But some things were just… different.
Take, for instance, the way Shen Yanzi looked at him.
While he remained cold and business-like most of the time, occasionally in a corner where no one was looking, or during a moment when Arthur looked down to take notes Arthur would catch a fleeting glimpse of an incredibly subtle warmth and focus in that gaze.
Whenever this happened, Arthur’s heart felt as if it had been scratched by a tiny feather. It was an itchy sensation that made him want to burst into a foolish grin.
Furthermore, Shen Yanzi had started…
Taking care of him.
It wasn’t the kind of management a superior exerts over a subordinate, but a clumsy, somewhat overbearing form of concern.
Arthur had a habit of drinking black coffee, and he preferred it on an empty stomach. Before, no one had said anything, and he hadn’t thought much of it himself. But one morning before a meeting, he had his assistant bring him his usual cup. Just as he took a sip, he heard Shen Yanzi’s icy voice from beside him:
“Drinking that on an empty stomach is bad for your health.”
Arthur froze and turned to look at him. Shen Yanzi was looking down, flipping through documents without even lifting his eyelids, as if the document itself had spoken.
“Ah? Oh… I’m used to it,” Arthur muttered softly.
Shen Yanzi didn’t say another word.
However, five minutes later, Arthur’s assistant brought over a plate of hot, exquisite breakfast. The sandwiches were sliced neatly, accompanied by a small glass of warm milk.
The assistant’s expression was a bit subtle as he whispered: “Your Highness, President Shen specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare this for you.”
Everyone in the meeting room pretended not to hear, but Arthur clearly saw the corners of several executives’ mouths twitching.
Arthur’s face turned bright red instantly. Looking at the breakfast, and then stealing a glance at the expressionless Shen Yanzi who acted as if nothing had happened he felt both shy and warmed. He could only lower his head and finish every bit of that “special consideration.”
Hmm, it actually tastes quite good.
From then on, whenever there was a morning meeting, a nutritionally balanced breakfast would punctually appear at Arthur’s seat, as steady as a clock. Shen Yanzi never took credit, nor did he ever mention it, but Arthur knew it was his doing. This feeling of being silently kept in someone’s heart made Arthur feel as though he were walking on clouds every day.
This morning, there was an important signing ceremony that both teams took very seriously.
Arthur woke up early and dressed meticulously, choosing a light-gray suit that best highlighted his temperament. He checked himself in the mirror repeatedly, ensuring every strand of hair was in its proper place.
At the venue, everything went smoothly. The signing, the exchange of documents, the handshakes, the photos… the process was as fluid as drifting water.
Once the ceremony concluded, everyone relaxed, gathering in small groups to chat while waiting for the upcoming luncheon. Arthur was in high spirits, speaking with an official from his own team, when he felt someone lightly touch his arm.
He turned; it was Shen Yanzi.
Shen Yanzi’s face bore no expression. He simply tilted his head slightly, signaling for Arthur to follow him. Arthur was puzzled but excused himself and obediently followed Shen Yanzi to a relatively quiet lounge area nearby.
“What is it? Is something wrong?” Arthur asked softly, his heart thumping. Had there been an error in the contract just now?
Shen Yanzi didn’t answer immediately. He turned to face Arthur, his gaze calm as it landed on Arthur’s face, then… slowly moved downward, fixing onto his neck.
Feeling a bit self-conscious under the scrutiny, Arthur instinctively touched his neck. “Do… do I have something on my face?”
Shen Yanzi shook his head. Suddenly, he raised his hand and reached for Arthur’s collar.
Arthur was startled; his body stiffened instantly, and his eyes went wide. This was… in broad daylight! Even if there were fewer people here, it was still a public place!
What does he want to do?!
Just as the highest level of alarm was sounding in Arthur’s brain, Shen Yanzi’s fingers did nothing shocking. He simply and precisely touched the meticulously tied Windsor knot of Arthur’s necktie.
His fingertips were slightly cool, and as they touched the skin of Arthur’s neck through the silk fabric, they sent a tiny shiver through him.
“Your tie,” Shen Yanzi began, his voice low and steady, devoid of emotion. “It’s a bit crooked.”
Arthur: “…Huh?”
He instinctively looked down at his tie it was clearly tied perfectly! Perfectly symmetrical! He had spent ten minutes looking in the mirror before leaving!
“It’s not crooked…” Arthur defended himself in a small voice, but as he looked up, he collided with Shen Yanzi’s bottomless black eyes.
Ignoring the protest, Shen Yanzi’s fingers had already moved nimbly. He unfastened Arthur’s perfectly tied knot with movements that were both practiced and gentle.
Arthur remained frozen on the spot, not daring to move, like a schoolboy having his necktie adjusted by a teacher. He could feel Shen Yanzi’s cool fingertips occasionally brushing against the skin of his jaw, and he could smell that familiar, cold scent of cedar.
People passed by occasionally, casting curious glances that made Arthur’s cheeks flush uncontrollably. Shen Yanzi, however, seemed to have completely blocked out the outside world, his gaze focused intently on Arthur’s collar as his fingers unhurriedly retied the knot.
His expression was extremely serious, as if he were completing a task of the utmost importance.
Watching that focused profile so close to him noticing the slight quiver of Shen’s eyelashes—Arthur’s heart beat faster and faster. He suddenly felt that Shen Yanzi might not think the tie was crooked at all… he just wanted… an excuse to get close to him?
The thought made the tips of Arthur’s ears turn red.
Soon, a new, even more crisp and perfect Windsor knot was finished. Shen Yanzi’s fingers gave one last gentle smoothing stroke to the folds beneath the knot, the movement as natural as if he had done it a thousand times.
His fingertip seemed to unintentionally and extremely briefly brush against the area just below Arthur’s Adam’s apple.
Just once. It was so fast it felt like an illusion.
Arthur’s Adam’s apple bobbed uncontrollably; his breath caught. Only then did Shen Yanzi lift his gaze to meet Arthur’s. His eyes were still calm, but Arthur seemed to see a faint, satisfied glint of a smile in those deep pools.
“There.” Shen Yanzi withdrew his hand, his tone flat as if he had performed a trivial task.
Arthur looked down at the knot which was indeed even more perfect than before and his fingers instinctively touched the spot below his Adam’s apple where he had been brushed. A trace of cool sensation still lingered there.
His heart felt as if it had been overturned into a jar of honey, cloyingly sweet.
This “closet” flirt… his methods of teasing are… getting more and more advanced!
“Thank you…” Arthur whispered, his cheeks flushed.
“Mm.” Shen Yanzi responded, his gaze lingering on Arthur’s reddened face for two seconds before he turned. “The luncheon is about to start.”
The two walked toward the banquet hall, one behind the other. Arthur looked at Shen Yanzi’s tall, cold back and couldn’t help but steal a smile.
This is good.
This secret intimacy that only the two of them understand… it’s truly good.
At the luncheon, Arthur was in a fantastic mood. His appetite was great, and he even ate a few extra bites of carrots, which he usually disliked. From time to time, he couldn’t help but sneak a touch of the retied knot, as if it were some magnificent treasure.
Shen Yanzi sat at the main table, still the center of everyone’s attention, his expression detached as he occasionally spoke with others. But Arthur noticed that every time the man looked over, his gaze would linger on Arthur’s collar for an extra zero-point-something seconds.
Every time their gazes met, Arthur felt as if he had been struck by electricity. He would hurriedly look down, yet the corners of his mouth refused to stop curving upward. The entire luncheon left him feeling overjoyed.
After it ended, people began to leave the venue. Arthur intentionally lingered, wanting to wait for Shen Yanzi so they could leave together. Shen Yanzi was surrounded by several executives for a few words before he finally broke away and walked toward Arthur.
Arthur’s heart hammered; he was wondering if he should take the initiative to say something when Shen Yanzi arrived before him. He said nothing, his gaze simply sweeping over Arthur’s tie once more. Then, with an incredibly natural motion, he pulled a small, exquisite velvet box from his suit pocket and held it out to Arthur.
Arthur froze, staring blankly at the box. “This… what is this?”
“Compensation.” Shen Yanzi’s tone was flat, as if he were merely commenting on the weather.
“Compensation?” Arthur was even more confused. “Compensation for what?”
Shen Yanzi’s gaze landed on the necktie knot, his meaning clear: “I wrinkled your tie just now.”
Arthur: “…”
He nearly lost his breath!
What kind of reason was that?! Clearly, the man had taken it upon himself to come over, untie it, and re-tie it! And the tie hadn’t been wrinkled at all!
Between laughter and tears, Arthur took the box and opened it.
Inside lay a tie clip.
The design was extremely simple platinum material without any superfluous decoration, save for a single deep-blue gemstone at the top. Though small, it was cut perfectly, resembling a piece of the deep night sky understated yet luxurious.
It was clearly very valuable, and… it perfectly matched Shen Yanzi’s aesthetic while also, inexplicably, suiting Arthur’s temperament.
Arthur’s heart gave a violent leap. He looked up, staring at Shen Yanzi in disbelief.
Shen Yanzi averted his gaze from Arthur’s burning stare, looking aside. His tone remained rigid, carrying a hint of self-consciousness: “It looks alright. If you don’t like it, throw it away.”
Having said his piece, he acted as if he had completed an arduous mission, turning and walking away at a pace significantly faster than usual.
Arthur watched that back which was practically fleeing then looked down at the impossibly exquisite tie clip in his hand. Finally, he couldn’t help but let out a “pfft” of laughter.
This awkward man!
Even giving a gift involves such a lame excuse!
And “throw it away if you don’t like it”?
Who would have the heart to throw this away!
Arthur carefully took the tie clip from the box, the cool sensation of the metal comforting his palm. The more he looked at it, the more he loved it; the sweetness in his heart felt ready to overflow.
After a moment’s thought, he carefully removed his original ordinary tie clip and fastened this new one carrying someone’s intentions onto the tie that Shen Yanzi had personally tied.
The deep-blue gemstone shimmered with an understated brilliance under the lights, matching his light-gray suit exceptionally well. Arthur touched the cool gem, and the curve of his smile refused to be suppressed.
Mm.
Today’s tie…
Is indeed tied very, very well.