Inside the indoor tennis court, Lu Qi sat on the ground with one hand propped behind him, tilting his head back to drink water. His prominent Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. After two hours of tennis, he had expended a considerable amount of energy.
Sweat trickled down his face, soaking the fabric over his chest. His well-defined pectoral muscles, accentuated by the fitted white athletic wear, looked undeniably sexy.
Ji Qingyan set down his racket, grabbed a bottle of water, and sat beside him, breathing somewhat unevenly. “It’s been too long since I last played. My skills have definitely gotten rusty.”
He turned to look at Lu Qi, his gaze involuntarily lingering on his chest. Unable to resist, he teased, “Not bad, physique-wise.”
Lu Qi stretched out his legs, leaning back on his hands. He glanced at Ji Qingyan with a smile. “Thanks for the compliment. You’re not so bad yourself.”
Ji Qingyan’s exposed arms were firm and powerful, just right without being exaggerated. Despite his busy work schedule, he still managed to carve out an hour each day for exercise.
“That was really satisfying today. Let’s play a few more matches whenever you’re free.”
Lu Qi swept his damp bangs back, his striking amber eyes fixed on Ji Qingyan’s face.
He wanted to use this opportunity to spend more time with Ji Qingyan.
“Sure, I’m almost always free on weekends,” Ji Qingyan replied.
After resting for a while and regaining some energy, they resumed playing. By the time they finished showering, changed clothes, and stepped outside, the sky had already darkened.
Ji Qingyan drove while Lu Qi sat in the passenger seat, scrolling through his phone. Ji Qingyan asked, “What do you feel like having for dinner?”
Lu Qi looked up, about to say, “Whatever you decide,” but paused and instead asked, “Can you handle spicy food?”
“Yeah, as long as it’s not that insane level of spiciness, I’m fine.”
“Then let’s go for hot pot.”
“Alright.”
Ji Qingyan turned the steering wheel, navigating a curve. Lu Qi put away his phone, crossed his arms, and turned to look at the man driving.
A silver watch adorned his wrist, his fingers clean and slender. The white shirt was buttoned neatly all the way to the top. His profile was sharp and refined, complemented by a pair of gold-rimmed glasses that gave him an air of gentle elegance.
Unconsciously, Lu Qi found himself staring at him the entire ride. It was only when Ji Qingyan reminded him as they parked that he snapped out of it. “What are you spacing out for? We’re here.”
“Oh.” Lu Qi quickly averted his gaze and got out of the car with him.
They entered the hot pot restaurant and ordered a split pot. Lu Qi added duck intestines and meatballs to the spicy side. While waiting for the food to cook, he noticed the faint dark circles under Ji Qingyan’s eyes.
Frowning, he asked, “Haven’t you been resting well lately? Those dark circles are pretty noticeable.”
“It’s been a busy period lately, with lots of overtime,” Ji Qingyan explained. The company had taken on several important projects, leaving him with a lot to handle. Coupled with frequent insomnia at night, he didn’t look his best.
“Even if you’re busy, you can’t neglect your health. Work isn’t everything.”
“Now you’re lecturing me?”
“If you’re not taking care of yourself, don’t blame others for pointing it out.”
Lu Qi used serving chopsticks to pick up some fatty beef from the pot and placed it in Ji Qingyan’s bowl. “This tastes good. Have some more.”
Ji Qingyan lowered his head to eat from his bowl as the two chatted while dining.
“Where’s your hometown?” Ji Qingyan set down his chopsticks, wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, and asked.
“Up north.”
After answering, Lu Qi picked up his glass only to find it empty. The next moment, a hand reached over, and Ji Qingyan poured him some juice.
“That’s a pretty broad area. Which city are you from?”
“Are you that curious to know?”
Ji Qingyan asked in return, “May I know?”
Lu Qi looked up at Ji Qingyan, whose beautiful eyes were also gazing at him. His heart skipped a beat, but he met Ji Qingyan’s gaze calmly, a hint of unruly smile curling at the corner of his lips.
He quickly averted his eyes. “Of course, it’s not some secret. My family is in Qingcheng.”
“Qingcheng? My younger brother is also studying at a university there. I personally took him there when he started his freshman year. The scenery there is quite nice.”
When speaking of his younger brother, Ji Qingyan’s voice softened noticeably, filled with unmistakable pride.
Recalling that day, Ji Qingyan felt a wave of emotion. It was the first time Ji Jinbai had gone so far away for school. He had been pampered since childhood, never having suffered any grievances, with a gentle and soft temperament.
Worried that he might be bullied at school, Ji Qingyan had patted his head and carefully reminded him to call if he ever felt wronged.
What Ji Qingyan didn’t know was that the obedient and well-behaved younger brother in his eyes had already given himself away.
Even if he were wronged, he would only throw himself into that man’s arms to complain, spoiled beyond measure and growing arrogant from the indulgence.
Lu Qi casually asked, “Which university does your brother attend?”
Ji Qingyan named a university—the best in Qingcheng and also the top institution in the country.
“In that case, I’m actually your brother’s senior. I just graduated this year. By the way, is your brother a freshman?”
“No.” Ji Qingyan shook his head and added, “He’s a sophomore this year. Why, have you met him?”
Lu Qi propped his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his hand as if deep in thought. He replied nonchalantly, “No, I was just thinking my brother might know him. He’s also a sophomore, majoring in fine arts.”
Speaking of his younger brother Lu Mian gave him a headache. Every weekend, he was either chasing him down at bars or racing tracks, always catching him red-handed.
With an innocent, harmless face and a simple nature, Lu Mian loved hanging out at bars and drinking. Sooner or later, he’d be swindled out of everything he owned.
A flicker of surprise crossed Ji Qingyan’s eyes. He hadn’t expected such a coincidence. “My brother is also in that major and is a sophomore this year.”
Lu Qi raised an eyebrow, glancing at Ji Qingyan, and said lazily, “Then they might actually know each other.”
After the meal, they left.
On the way back, Lu Qi drove while Ji Qingyan sat in the passenger seat. Lifting his arm, Ji Qingyan sniffed it and frowned. “I’m covered in the smell of hotpot. It’s so greasy.”
Turning to glance at him, Lu Qi smiled reassuringly. “That’s just how hotpot is—it leaves a strong smell. A shower when you get back will fix it.”
Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in the underground parking garage of the residential complex. When Lu Qi turned to look at Ji Qingyan, he found him already asleep, eyes closed peacefully, his hand resting on his thigh, breathing steadily.
The car was so quiet that only Ji Qingyan’s soft breathing could be heard. The dim, yellowish overhead light fell on his face, making him look as beautiful as a painting.
Lu Qi gazed at Ji Qingyan’s face unabashedly, gently unbuckling his seatbelt. Leaning halfway over, he stared at him up close, scanning his eyes, nose, and lips inch by inch.
“Ji Qingyan?” Lu Qi called softly. Seeing no response, his courage grew.
He slowly leaned closer to Ji Qingyan, reaching out to touch his face. Just as he was about to make contact, he slowly withdrew his hand, worried he might wake him. Lowering his gaze, he stared at Ji Qingyan’s thin, pressed lips, thinking, A quick kiss probably wouldn’t be noticed, right?
Their faces were so close that their breaths intertwined. With just a slight tilt of his head, Lu Qi could have kissed Ji Qingyan’s lips. The temptation was immense, yet Lu Qi held back.
Instead, he turned his head slightly and planted a gentle kiss on Ji Qingyan’s cheek, lingering for a few seconds before pulling away. His heart, however, betrayed him, racing uncontrollably.
Ji Qingyan’s eyes remained closed, showing no signs of waking. Lu Qi reached into the backseat, retrieved a thin blanket, and gently draped it over him.
But his hand grew restless, slipping beneath the blanket to grasp Ji Qingyan’s hand resting on his lap. His warm palm covered the back of Ji Qingyan’s hand.
Just as Lu Qi was foolishly delighted at having touched the other’s hand, Ji Qingyan’s eyelids twitched slightly. Feeling the warmth from another person’s hand, the corner of his mouth lifted imperceptibly.
I thought he’d be bolder, Ji Qingyan mused. When Lu Qi leaned in, he had braced himself for a kiss on the lips, but all Lu Qi did was kiss his cheek.
How utterly unimpressive…
Lu Qi was still basking in his small victory, completely unaware that his wife was already looking down on him.