Chapter 91: Their Endless Kiss.

Chapter 91: Their Endless Kiss.

Ying Li sat wrapped up in his coat in the back seat, his mind still in a daze. He cracked open the window and the cool night air rushed in, tousling his hair and unsettling his thoughts.

He pulled up his collar further, burying most of his face in it, leaving only his eyes to glance at the rearview mirror.

When he looked up, he met a pair of eyes. Qi Xie was also watching him. In the dim light of the car's cabin, Qi Xie's gaze, fierce and hawk-like, bore into him with an aggressive intensity.

Ying Li turned his head to the side, his heartbeat pounding loudly and rapidly.

Suddenly, a bottle of water was handed over from the driver's seat. A slender arm reached out in front of him. Ying Li took it. The bottle's cap was already unscrewed. After gulping down most of the water, his parched throat felt somewhat relieved.

His mouth still felt numb, as did his tongue, and his lips were completely devoid of sensation.

Qi Xie had kissed him so intensely, sucking on his tongue, but always checking his reaction after each kiss. Ying Li didn't dare blink, even his breath was held captive. He felt like an obedient doll, inhaling and exhaling only when Qi Xie instructed him.

They kissed for a very long time.

He tried to resist, but couldn't push Qi Xie away. The subsequent kisses left him dazed and speechless.

When it was time to get out of the car, Ying Li felt as if his legs weren't his own. Qi Xie got out first, moved from the driver's seat around to the back, and opened the door for Ying Li, then holding onto the door he asked, "Do you want me to carry you?"

The mask had long been lost, and Qi Xie wasn't wearing his hat either. His tall figure blocked the light coming from behind. He intently observed Ying Li's face, noting his slightly swollen lips from the kisses and eyes misty with emotion.

Ying Li remained silent, his earlobes flushing so deep they seemed to bleed. He handed his clothes back to Qi Xie and slipped out from under his arm, storming upstairs without uttering a word.

Walking down the corridor and just about to enter the door, Ying Li was suddenly embraced from behind, his back pressed against a firm chest.

Qi Xie held him incredibly tight. His grip was too strong, causing Ying Li discomfort. Overwhelmed with excitement, every vein in Qi Xie's body pulsed, his arms slightly trembling. A fervent desire clung to his nerves, possessively encircling the man in his embrace.

Startled, Ying Li hurriedly tried to pry Qi Xie's hands off but failed. Instead, Qi Xie's fingers intertwined with his, holding him tightly. Warmth penetrated Ying Li's skin, sending heat right into his core, making him tense once more.

Qi Xie gently kissed his ear, nibbling on the lobe, murmuring irresistibly, "I really like you."

Several rooms nearby housed staff members, some of whom were on duty at night. At any moment, a door might open, posing the risk of them being discovered. In such circumstances, Ying Li's heart raced.

The husky voice laden with intense emotion echoed in his ears. Trembling, Ying Li turned his head to dodge the lingering kiss and said, "I don't like you, not at all."

As if to emphasize his point, he added, "Zero percent."

Deep down, Ying Li warned himself: Qi Xie was like sulfuric acid; anyone who touched him would corrode. He shouldn't harbor any feelings for him beyond pity, but Qi Xie had a knack for evoking such sympathy, and Ying Li always fell for it.

"So low," Qi Xie responded, nuzzling Ying Li's face tenderly yet possessively. "Can't it be a little higher?"

Ying Li's face felt warm and ticklish. The moist and burning sensation was both unfamiliar and comforting. He firmly replied, "No, you're crossing the line."

Qi Xie paused, looking earnestly into his eyes, "In what way have I overstepped?"

Genuinely unaware, he had been gentle, fearing he might hurt Ying Li. Throughout their interaction, Ying Li seemed at ease, showing no sign of discomfort.

Ying Li didn't reply but kept trying to free his hand, clearly resisting.

With a final tight embrace, Qi Xie released him. Ying Li entered the room, while Qi Xie turned away and left.

Ying Li hesitated for a moment before asking, "Where are you going?"

As soon as he asked, Ying Li regretted it, realizing he was, once again, unconsciously showing concern for him.

Qi Xie replied, "Returning the keys."

The room wasn't entirely dark; besides the moonlight filtering in, there was a dim nightlight on. When Ying Li entered, Shen Yao was still awake.

Lying in bed, Shen Yao repeatedly watched the video of the iron flower forging. His emotions swelled with complexity, realizing that the relationship between Ying Li and Qi Xie might be progressing much faster than he had anticipated.

Hearing the noise, he sat up, his despondent mood vanishing, "You're back?"

Ying Li blinked in slight surprise, "Yeah, why are you still up?"

Shen Yao said, "I can't sleep."

In truth, he was exhausted to the bone. Yet sleep eluded him. A nagging thought kept him awake, making him wonder what could be happening between them. He didn't see Qi Xie as a particularly straightforward man.

The others had just fallen asleep but were roused by their conversation.

Song Ji Mo commented in a raspy voice, "Only coming back now?"

Xie Wen Shi rubbed his eyes, visibly groggy, "You guys are really late..."

"The hot water stops at midnight, you should shower quickly," Bian Qiao sat up, chiming in.

"Alright, I'll take a shower. You all should go back to sleep."

Ying Li grabbed his toiletries and headed for the bathroom, which was empty at this hour. Not long after he went in, the bathroom door swung open. Qi Xie stepped in, heading for the stall next to his. The previously broken faucet had indeed been repaired.

The basket Qi Xie used for his clothes was broken, so he placed his garments into Ying Li's bin. After doing so, he asked as if seeking permission, "Is it okay if I put them here?"

With a hint of nervousness, Ying Li uttered, "Whatever you want."

The partition in the stall was rather short, revealing his shoulders, pale and exposed. He felt awkward covering it and just as awkward not doing so. While he was at ease showering with Shen Yao and the others, facing Qi Xie in this context seemed more challenging—even though Qi Xie had seen and touched every inch of him before.

As Qi Xie removed his clothes, Ying Li caught a glimpse of his chest—pink-toned, with more defined muscles than his, yet not as bulky as Shen Yao's. It looked perfectly toned. On his fair skin were several distinct marks. Ying Li stole a glance, then quickly averted his eyes.

The sound of running water filled the space, accompanied by the scent of shower gel.

Unexpectedly, Qi Xie behaved reservedly, not even initiating a conversation with Ying Li.

Steam enveloped the shower room, creating a misty ambiance.

Ying Li showered quickly. After drying off, he reached for his clothes. As he was about to put on his briefs, he realized they weren't his. He'd mistakenly grabbed Qi Xie's, which, although white like his own, were two sizes too big. Instead of immediately returning them, Ying Li impulsively held them up to his waist, realizing they were considerably larger than his own size.

"Try them on."

Qi Xie gazed at Ying Li, his eyes dewy and lips a vivid red. White foam slid down his neck and the contours of his chest, evoking unspeakable desires.

"They won't fit," Ying Li suddenly felt a burning sensation holding the briefs, inexplicably reminded of an earlier time when they were less familiar, and Qi Xie had asked if he wanted his underwear washed.

Ying Li's face turned as red as a tomato, "Don't get the wrong idea, I just picked them up by mistake..."

Setting the briefs back down, he swiftly dressed and proceeded to dry his hair. However, after only a few moments, the hairdryer was taken from him.

Turning around, he knew without a doubt it was Qi Xie.

Ying Li decided to forgo drying his hair and return to his room. Yet, Qi Xie grasped his wrist, preventing him from leaving.

Standing in front of him, Qi Xie pulled him into an embrace,

His tone rose at the end, carrying an indefinable hint of ambiguity.

Ying Li's breath hitched, he looked up and challenged, "Who are you calling a 'little one'?"

Qi Xie replied, "Ying Li, you're the little one."

Ying Li seemed to be sulking at him—manifested in his avoidance, defiance, and the puffed-up, glaring eyes when he ran out of words. He didn’t even scold; if he wasn’t behaving like a 'little one,' what was he doing?

Ying Li denied, "I'm not."

"You're the one who feels good, the one who's scared, the one who's hurt," Qi Xie said, maintaining eye contact, seeking guidance with a sincere look. "What should I do? I don’t understand. Tell me."

A blush still lingered on Ying Li's face. He twisted his hand, trying to break free, "Let go."

"Your face is so red; you're still embarrassed."

How could he not be? Ying Li felt so ashamed that even the corners of his eyes turned red. He never imagined Qi Xie would use his tongue in that way. What was worse, after doing so, Qi Xie kissed him. The otherwise innocent kiss carried a strange, somewhat metallic taste.

"I'm not embarrassed." Qi Xie unabashedly stated with brazen directness, "Even when you wet my mouth, I love it."

His face was even redder than Ying Li's. But the words he spoke grew more candid with each utterance. It seemed this was the only way he could vent his passion and express his affection.

"I love it so much; I love the taste."

The pleasure reflected in Ying Li's expression was captivating. His innocent eyes were overtaken by desire. It was as if his whole body had been tenderly steamed, becoming pliant. His legs trembled uncontrollably, and he gasped, clutching Qi Xie's arm, entirely reliant on him.

Startled by Qi Xie's words, Ying Li stuttered. He wanted to silence him but hesitated to touch him. Every contact with Qi Xie heightened his sensitivity. In the end, all he could do was stare, exclaiming, "Why are you... stop talking..."

"You're so annoying."

Qi Xie seemed puzzled, "After all the care I've given you, you still find me annoying?"

Ying Li's cheeks deepened to a richer shade of red. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her voice trembled, "Stop it."

Little trickster.

Qi Xie gazed deeply into Ying Li's eyes. The flush on her face gave him a sense of reassurance, softening his demeanor. He wanted to kiss her again.

But he had kissed her a bit too fervently tonight. If he did it again, by tomorrow, Ying Li's lips would be swollen. Considering the consequences, he whispered, "Run."

Ying Li was taken aback, standing still without reacting.

Qi Xie, seemingly teasing her on purpose, leaned in close to her ear, his tone suggestive and playful, "If you don't run, I might just kiss you and steal a taste of your tongue."

Ying Li's eyes flickered a few times before she dashed off, not forgetting to toss away those dirty pants before heading upstairs.

Back in the room, Shen Yao sat upright on the bed.

Ying Li, rushing up from the stairs, felt her heart pounding wildly. Qi Xie was so unpredictable; she was genuinely frightened.

No sooner had she returned than Qi Xie followed closely behind, making the bed seem to wobble slightly.

With cheeks so red they seemed about to explode, Ying Li took some time to regain her composure, sitting at the edge of the bed putting on her socks.

Shen Yao, with a smile, asked, "Do you wear socks to sleep?"

Ying Li replied, "Mm-hmm."

From the depths of his heart, Shen Yao commented, "So adorable."

Ying Li was puzzled. They were just ordinary socks. What was so cute about them?

Just as he was about to put on the other sock, he realized it had fallen to the floor. As he prepared to get out of bed to retrieve it, Qi Xie swiftly picked it up and handed it to him.

Qi Xie was tall, standing head and shoulders above even a bunk bed. After returning the sock, he didn't sit back on his own bed; instead, he was fixated on Ying Li's foot.

Ying Li's foot was slender but not excessively so, with toes resembling tender lotus buds, not at all what one would expect from a man.

Ying Li curled his reddened toes and quickly slipped on the sock, blocking Qi Xie's view.

Shen Yao glanced over and suddenly called out, "Ying Li."

Ying Li looked back, "Hmm?"

In a low voice, Shen Yao asked, "Are you tired?"

"I'm okay. Why?"

"If you're not too tired, how about we take a walk outside?"

There was a profound depth in Shen Yao's eyes, with the dark pupils seeming to contain a handful of bright light in the night.

In truth, Ying Li was a bit weary. He hadn't slept well the night before, waking up at 4 in the morning and missing his noon nap in the car. But he still agreed.

"Alright."

Stepping down the ladder from his bunk, he noticed Qi Xie sitting motionless against the wall, their eyes meeting as he descended.

Ying Li went outside with Shen Yao. Their building was an old residential block. They strolled in the courtyard beneath a bleak and dim moonlight that cast a hazy glow on the ground.

Shen Yao glanced at the collarbone highlighted by the reflected light from Ying Li's oversized neckline, commenting, "Your pajamas are really big."

Ying Li remarked, "I usually wear a size larger."

Shen Yao gave a slight nod, then inquired, "Is it too warm? Should I go get a fan?"

"It's not hot, it's cool outside."

A chill ran through Shen Yao's heart.

It felt as if a bucket of icy water had drenched him in the dead of winter.

He kept glancing towards the staircase, uncertain of his own fears, "Did you go to see the iron sparks show tonight?"

Ying Li looked somewhat surprised, "Yes, how did you know?"

Shen Yao replied, "Someone captured a shot of you two."

Ying Li paused, "Did they recognize us?"

Shen Yao responded, "You both stood out. It would be hard not to notice. They didn't get much, just the two of you watching the iron sparks."

When in crowds, Qi Xie tended to behave, not making any overt moves towards Ying Li.

"Look at this."

Shen Yao showed him the video, which already had over 100,000 shares.

In the video, as the iron sparks flew up and Ying Li turned his head, Qi Xie gave him a quick kiss. Ying Li had felt a slight touch on the top of his head at that moment; it wasn't just his imagination.

Unsure of what to say, Ying Li simply nodded.

Seeing Ying Li's mild reaction, Shen Yao couldn't help but ask, "Where did you two go after that? It took you a while to return."

Ying Li responded, "We went to the beach, then to an amusement park and watched the fireworks."

His description was simple, but reminiscing about each moment still made his heart race. The iron sparks were beautiful, the 'blue tears' mesmerizing, but the fireworks were the most spectacular.

"We saw them too. I was thinking at the time, if you weren't outside, you would've missed such a stunning display."

And it wasn't just them; the entire city witnessed it. From the tallest mountain in Hai City, the fireworks lit up the entire sky.

Ying Li softly murmured in agreement.

Qi Xie never stated it was specifically set up for him, but Ying Li was certain.

Shen Yao glanced at Ying Li. Ever since he found out they had left, he had been restless. Now that Ying Li had returned, Shen Yao, typically a coarse man, felt particularly sensitive that night. He sensed a subtle change in the dynamics between them.

He had purposely called Ying Li out to inquire about the progress between him and Qi Xie and to see if he still had a chance.

Yet, he dared not ask, fearing the answer might not be the one he hoped for.

He felt like a coward.

The room was quiet. Qi Xie sat on the bed, leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed on the door, his expression unchanged for a long time.

After about ten minutes, the door was finally pushed open, and a faint light seeped in. For some unknown reason, his eyelashes fluttered and he closed his eyes.

Shen Yao approached, "Why did you fall asleep sitting there?"

Ying Li frowned, contemplating calling out to Qi Xie.

Shen Yao spoke, "Don't. He's a light sleeper. If he wakes up, he won't fall back asleep. Cover him with a jacket; he didn't sleep at all last night."

Ying Li fetched a coat and gently draped it over him.

Perhaps it was the dim lighting or his closed eyes, but the fierceness on Qi Xie's untamed face seemed subdued. Leaning sideways against the wall, he looked somewhat vulnerable.

Ying Li adjusted the dangling edge of the coat.

Then, to Shen Yao's clear view, Qi Xie faintly gripped Ying Li's hand in what appeared to be an unconscious gesture in his sleep. Yet, the grip was unusually tight.