On the windowsill stood several pots of jasmine, their green leaves dotted with pure white blossoms, blooming beautifully—clearly well cared for.
Ji Qingyan held a watering can, tending to the flowers. The fragmented sunlight from outside fell upon him, adding a touch of gentleness.
Lu Qi, sitting on the sofa, turned his head lazily, propping his chin as he gazed in that direction. His eyes involuntarily lingered on Ji Qingyan’s face.
The sunlight slanted across his profile—a high nose bridge, a smooth and defined jawline that wasn’t overly harsh, a prominent Adam’s apple, and fluttering eyelashes that exuded an air of noble elegance.
Lu Qi licked his dry lips. How could someone be so good-looking? he thought.
Ji Qingyan set down the watering can and glanced over at Lu Qi, assuming he was admiring the jasmine on the sill. He walked slowly to Lu Qi and looked down at him. “Do you like jasmine too?”
“Quite a bit.”
Ji Qingyan offered to give him a pot, but Lu Qi declined. “I even managed to kill a turtle, let alone delicate flowers. I’m afraid you’d come after me.”
“With careful nurturing and attention, even the most delicate and fragile flowers can thrive.”
Ji Qingyan moved past the sofa and pushed open the door to the lounge. Looking back, he saw Lu Qi still sitting there. “What are you waiting for? Come here.”
“What for?”
Lu Qi stood up and followed him into the lounge. The space was spacious, complete with a large bed, a wardrobe, and a bathroom. The first thing he noticed was the pool table in the distance.
Ji Qingyan leaned over the table, bending at the waist. His right hand held a cue stick, while his left arm stretched straight, bracing against the edge of the table in a standard shooting stance.
His white shirt was tucked into his trousers, the back tailored to cinch at the waist, perfectly showcasing his elegant and smooth waistline. The black fabric hugged his firm curves, and his long legs were straight and slender.
Lu Qi never imagined a man could be so alluring. His eyes lowered slightly, darkening with intensity. That waist, those legs…
Ji Qingyan was completely unaware of how provocative his posture was. After taking a few shots with the cue stick, he straightened up and turned to Lu Qi. “Do you want to play for a bit?”
Lu Qi walked over to him but didn’t take the offered cue stick. Instead, he stared into Ji Qingyan’s eyes. “I don’t know how to play. Will you teach me?”
“Have you never played pool before?”
“I’ve tried, but I’m not very good.”
“It’s easy. I’ll start with the basics.”
Ji Qingyan stood beside Lu Qi, explaining earnestly. “Place your left palm flat on the table, don’t tense up, and spread your fingers naturally…”
“Not like that.”
When Lu Qi made another mistake, Ji Qingyan reached out and lifted his thumb, pressing it against the base of his index finger. The distance between them closed.
Ji Qingyan stood slightly behind Lu Qi’s left side, his chest brushing against Lu Qi’s waist. From behind, he wrapped his hand around Lu Qi’s, which held the cue stick.
Through the thin fabric of his shirt, Lu Qi could feel the warmth of another person against his waist. He could even catch the scent of Ji Qingyan and felt a brief, firm grip on his other side before it was released.
A low voice sounded near his ear. “Relax your body naturally.”
Ji Qingyan could sense Lu Qi’s momentary stiffness, but he didn’t seem to mind the contact.
“Place the cue stick in the angle between your thumb and the base of your index finger.”
The other’s breath brushed against Lu Qi’s ear. Their faces were so close that a simple turn of the head would bring their lips together.
Suddenly, Lu Qi felt the other’s fingertips land on his wrist, slowly sliding down. Ji Qingyan’s dry, warm palm covered the back of his hand, ambiguously and forcefully slipping his fingers between Lu Qi’s, then slowly tightening his grip.
In that instant, besides the man’s breathing, Lu Qi could hear his own heartbeat.
He was still bent over, his eyes fixed on the ball in front of him, hesitantly calling out.
“Ji Qingyan.”
“Hmm?” The sound came from his nasal cavity, with a rising tone. It was a perfectly normal tone, but to Lu Qi, it sounded like a seduction.
“You…” Lu Qi turned his head, about to say “You’re taking advantage of me again,” but unexpectedly, Ji Qingyan suddenly lowered his head, and he ended up kissing the corner of his mouth.
A cool, soft sensation touched his face. When Ji Qingyan realized what it was, he didn’t immediately pull away. Instead, he slowly lifted his eyes to stare at Lu Qi’s face, his gaze sweeping over his eyes and nose. The atmosphere began to grow ambiguous.
Sensing something was off, Lu Qi tilted his head back and took a step away.
Ji Qingyan released his hand, took off his glasses, and placed them aside. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he suddenly reached out and yanked Lu Qi’s shirt collar, pulling him closer, then kissed him.
The tingling sensation snapped Lu Qi back to reality. Wait, was he being forcibly kissed?
From initial shock, he gradually calmed down. His raised hands slowly fell to his sides. He neither responded nor pushed away, merely lowering his gaze and looking expressionlessly into the other’s eyes.
Just as Ji Qingyan released his shirt and was about to pull away, Lu Qi’s large hand gripped his waist, pushing him back. With a fierce look in his eyes and a hoarse voice, he said, “What, you think you can just kiss me and run?”
Sitting on the table, Ji Qingyan looked up at Lu Qi. Far from feeling guilty, he lifted Lu Qi’s chin with his fingers and said with a smile, “What do you want to do about it? You could have pushed me away just now, but you didn’t.”
“You’re quite bold.”
Lu Qi leaned down and whispered in his ear, “What else can I do? Of course… return the favor.”
Before Ji Qingyan could react, Lu Qi grabbed his chin, lowered his head, and kissed him—hard, with no technique, just a messy, frantic press of lips.
“Hiss…”
The kiss was too fierce, and Lu Qi’s breathing filled his ears. Ji Qingyan was no pushover either. He pushed hard against the other’s shoulders.
But before Ji Qingyan could catch his breath, Lu Qi grabbed his arm again, pulling him back, pressing the nape of his neck, and covering him with another overwhelming kiss.
“Enough… that’s enough…”
Lu Qi pressed against his lips, his voice hoarse and dangerous. “Didn’t you want to kiss, President Ji? Then let’s kiss until you’re satisfied.”
Ji Qingyan could clearly hear the revenge in his words. Did he really think he was afraid of him?
He cupped Lu Qi’s face with both hands, staring straight at his lips. “Really? Don’t tell me you can’t handle it.”
Faced with his provocation, Lu Qi’s competitive spirit was instantly ignited. Without a word, he used action to prove whether he could handle it or not.
Ji Qingyan held his face and kissed him.
“Hey, take it easy. Are you a dog?”
They kissed for ten minutes, and in the end, it was Ji Qingyan who gave in. His lips were flushed red from the kissing. He put on his glasses and glared at Lu Qi.
“I’m not even angry, and you’re the one getting upset? Weren’t you the one who kissed me first?”
Lu Qi’s hair was tousled, and his tone sounded somewhat aggrieved.
“I’m not angry,” Ji Qingyan said softly.
His collar was grabbed by Lu Qi. “This was my first kiss, you should be secretly happy.”
Ji Qingyan curled his lips into a smile. “Then I’m quite honored.”
The two left the lounge. Before leaving, Lu Qi even took a pot of jasmine from the shelf. Ji Qingyan didn’t stop him. “Didn’t you say you don’t know how to raise flowers?”
“Hmph, no need for you to worry about that.”
Looking at the gentle and refined man sitting behind the desk, Lu Qi was reminded again of how he looked in his arms back in the lounge…