Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Warm breath brushed past his hair and ear, accompanied by a faint woody fragrance.

The lingering scent of the perfume was not aggressive; it only felt warm and comfortable.

In contrast, it made the cold tension between them even more intense.

"Mr. Qin wants to be on top?" Ye Zhiqiu curled his lips in mockery. "There are plenty of people kneeling under my suit pants. Is Mr. Qin sure he wants to be lumped together with them?"

The topic of bed partners had never been mentioned by Ye Zhiqiu.

It was only at last night's birthday party that Jin Baobao had carelessly brought it up a few times.

If Qin Jianhe knew about these things...

Then he believed there was nothing else he could hide from him.

He had many admirers around him, but those he disliked, he never gave a second glance.

At this moment, the only ones he was willing to toy with like a cat playing with a mouse were Qi Xin and Gao Wenye.

One worse than the other.

Born into nobility and well-educated, how could Qin Jianhe allow himself to be humiliated like this?

How could he possibly want to be compared to those people?

Ye Zhiqiu knew that saying this would make Qin Jianhe stop tormenting him.

He would release the hand pressing against the door, step back, and let him leave.

From then on, they would just be ordinary superior-subordinate relations.

Something seemed to collide with his heart, making it feel numb, and Ye Zhiqiu involuntarily lowered his eyes.

He could give up everything, but he must ensure that those who maliciously harmed him in the previous life faced their due retribution.

Otherwise, wouldn't that be too unjust?

Kind people being maliciously schemed against and arbitrarily hurt, while those who did evil lived happily ever after.

Occasionally meeting, they might laugh at each other, mock the ruined wretch without any qualms, and loudly curse him as worthless, even in death unworthy of sympathy.

If that were the case, wouldn't it be too disgusting?

Even if he wanted happiness, his happiness must be built upon the tears and blood of those people.

His hands were destined to be unclean, and in this life, he didn't want to be clean anymore.

It would be best if Qin Jianhe stayed out of it; if he got involved, he would only become another pawn in his hands.

This is how it should be, he thought.

This is good.

But Qin Jianhe did not step back.

He silently raised his hand, his thumb gently caressing beneath Ye Zhiqiu's eye.

The warmth instantly penetrated through the thin skin, attacking deeper with wild intensity.

For a moment, Ye Zhiqiu thought he had cried.

He hurriedly raised his hand to touch his eyes, only to find no tears.

Not only were his eyes dry, but if there were a mirror, he would have seen that his expression remained tense and cold.

"Yes." After a long pause, the man's deep, magnetic voice resonated in his ears, causing Ye Zhiqiu to unconsciously curl his fingers.

"Is it possible?" Qin Jianhe asked.

Suddenly, Ye Zhiqiu lifted his eyes to meet the man's dark gaze.

Those eyes were exceptionally deep, so deep that Ye Zhiqiu couldn't see the bottom.

His fingers tightened unconsciously behind him, and his heart began to race uncontrollably.

Ye Zhiqiu heard his own voice, cold and fierce.

"If you get involved with me," he said, "don't regret it."

A faint ripple appeared in Qin Jianhe's eyes, as if he had chuckled lightly.

Then, he took half a step forward, further reducing the distance between them.

Through the fabric of their clothes, Ye Zhiqiu could feel the warmth emanating from him, slowly spreading over.

"I won't regret it," Qin Jianhe said, lowering his head toward him again.

Involuntarily, Ye Zhiqiu closed his eyes.

Then, he felt a soft, hot touch at the tip of his nose. It seemed Qin Jianhe had gently nipped him there with his teeth and then softly sucked.

Ye Zhiqiu: "..."

The place where he had been denied and trampled on in the previous life was now being kissed intimately and gently...

Strangely, a part of Ye Zhiqiu's heart, long numbed by pain and hatred, began to ache and throb faintly.

Fine and dense like needle pricks, accompanied by a tingling sensation, it rose all the way to the depths of his eyes.

Suppressing the warmth in his eyes, Ye Zhiqiu slightly moved his body. In the next moment, Qin Jianhe lifted his head.

Immediately after, he gripped Ye Zhiqiu's chin, bent down, and without hesitation, captured his lips.

The kiss was gentle; Qin Jianhe merely lightly nipped at Ye Zhiqiu's lips before releasing him.

The office was silent, and Ye Zhiqiu waited for a while before slowly opening his eyes.

Suddenly, he met Qin Jianhe’s pitch-black eyes.

Those eyes held a smile, the corners slightly curved due to the mirth, instantly alleviating much of the previous pressure.

"Didn't sleep well last night?" Qin Jianhe asked, reaching up again to touch beneath Ye Zhiqiu's eyes.

Perhaps because of his constant combat training, his fingertips were somewhat rough, causing a slight tickle as they brushed against his skin.

Ye Zhiqiu blinked, finally understanding why he had touched him there just now.

He had already kissed him; there was no point in regretting it now.

Not to mention, he hadn’t even thought about regretting it.

After all, once this kind of relationship began, it was no longer just about him alone.

Since his rebirth, during occasional quiet nights when sleep evaded him, Ye Zhiqiu had indeed pondered his future life.

As Jin Baobao had said, finding someone to share life with, without involving feelings or marriage.

But now that it had actually happened to him, he still felt a bit dazed and uncertain.

This was also the first time he realized that he hadn’t really seriously considered his future.

What his future would be like, or whether he even had a future, remained an unknown quantity to him.

Occasional glimpses of the future that flashed through his mind were interspersed among his repeated replays of revenge plans, fragmented and incomplete.

Perhaps those weren’t futures he had actively envisioned, but rather illusions created by his brain to help him survive the bitter hardships.

Ye Zhiqiu pursed his lips, feeling the lingering warmth on them, then suddenly relaxed.

He raised his hand, unceremoniously pushing Qin Jianhe away, and straightened his body.

But this time, instead of reaching for the door, he returned to sit on the sofa by the window.

Outside, darkness had fallen. Through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, Ye Zhiqiu could see the lights of countless homes and the long line of car headlights on the road.

A voice came from beside him; it was Qin Jianhe speaking on the internal phone, asking someone to bring in a cup of hot milk.

The assistant soon entered, pushing through the door. On the tray were not only a cup of hot milk but also a few small desserts, emitting a faintly sweet aroma of cream.

After the assistant left again, Ye Zhiqiu finally raised his eyes to look at Qin Jianhe.

"Qin Jianhe, come here," he said.

"Okay." Qin Jianhe responded, sitting down opposite him and handing him the cup of hot milk.

"Alright," Ye Zhiqiu said, all traces of the vulnerability exposed by the kiss earlier now gone.

If anything, he seemed even more rational and serious than during their contract negotiations, "However, I have a few conditions."

"Go ahead," Qin Jianhe said, looking at him.

Looking at the beautiful mole on his nose, looking at his soft, slightly cool lips that carried a fragrant and extremely pretty redness.

Ye Zhiqiu was beautiful everywhere, something Qin Jianhe had known since he first saw him upstairs at the club.

"First," Ye Zhiqiu said, "sleeping together is fine, but I don't want to talk about feelings."

Qin Jianhe looked at him quietly, saying nothing.

"Second," Ye Zhiqiu continued, "who I associate with and my private matters should not be interfered with or meddled in by anyone else."

Seeing that Qin Jianhe remained silent, Ye Zhiqiu frowned slightly.

"How about we put it in writing?" he asked.

At this, Qin Jianhe seemed to chuckle softly, lowering his eyelashes slightly.

"Ye Zhiqiu," he said calmly, "never give others any leverage over you."

Ye Zhiqiu was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled lightly, "So Mr. Qin is also afraid of being criticized."

"No," Qin Jianhe looked up at him, "I'm never afraid of such things."

He looked at Ye Zhiqiu quietly, his expression turning indifferent again: "I have money and status. If I want, I don't even need to think; fun things will pile up before me. I can play harder and wilder than anyone..."

He smiled slightly, "Even if people criticize my private life, what does it matter? The value I create is enough to silence the masses and even control public opinion. But you are different."

The milk in his hand was slowly cooling. Qin Jianhe gestured for him to drink some, and Ye Zhiqiu silently lifted the cup.

When he put the cup down, Qin Jianhe suddenly smiled at him.

Then, he leaned forward slightly and reached out his hand.

His slightly rough fingertips rubbed over his lips, wiping away the bit of milk residue.

"You're very young and have a bright future ahead of you, but you're also very vulnerable," Qin Jianhe said, looking at him. "So, Ye Zhiqiu, don't leave any written evidence for others."

This was a simple truth.

Ye Zhiqiu didn't know why he had been so careless today.

Perhaps it was because too many things had happened today, or maybe it was due to insufficient sleep last night, or perhaps it was simply because the other person was Qin Jianhe...

"Thank you." Ye Zhiqiu paused quietly before expressing his sincere gratitude.

Being dominated wasn't a pleasant feeling. He stood up. "I have something else to take care of, so I'll head downstairs first."

Suddenly, Qin Jianhe reached out and grabbed his wrist, pulling him back.

"I'll wait for you," he said.

"So eager?" Ye Zhiqiu couldn't help but find this amusing.

"Yes," Qin Jianhe smiled. "A bit anxious."

"Hey." Ye Zhiqiu bent slightly.

He preferred interacting with Qin Jianhe like this, sparring verbally, rather than sitting in awkward silence.

"Qin Jianhe," he asked, "don't tell me you're still a virgin."

"Yes," Qin Jianhe replied without any embarrassment, "I am."

"Professor Ye," he suddenly used this title again, "I'm counting on you to teach me."

Damn!

Unable to hold back, Ye Zhiqiu cursed inwardly.

He had never met anyone who could talk about such matters so casually, both serious and unserious at the same time.

But unconsciously, his ears began to feel hot.

"I'm leaving." Ye Zhiqiu tried to maintain his composure, breaking free from Qin Jianhe's grip and quickly heading out the door.

That night, the lights in both Ye Zhiqiu and Qin Jianhe's offices went out simultaneously.

He sent a message to Tao Ruoqing, using the need to work overnight on a fashion show as an excuse for not coming home, and used the same reason to decline Qi Xin's request to meet.

The security at Q.L was extremely strict; non-employees were not allowed entry.

Moreover, during special periods, one needed to swipe a card to use the elevators. Ye Zhiqiu wasn't worried about Qi Xin finding him.

Sneaking into Qin Jianhe's car, Ye Zhiqiu fastened his seatbelt.

"Next time," he said, "I'll wait for you farther away from the company."

There were too many people at Q.L, and many worked late into the night. Getting into Qin Jianhe's car was indeed risky.

"So afraid of being seen?" Qin Jianhe asked.

"What do you think?" Ye Zhiqiu glared. "Who just lectured me about not leaving evidence?"

Qin Jianhe didn't say anything, but the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

"If someone sees us," Ye Zhiqiu said, "not only will I be affected, but your authority in front of Zhou Lang will be lost."

He hadn't done anything yet, and rumors of his messy private life were already circulating.

Now that things were truly messy, rumors of favoritism would be the least of their worries. Who knew what ridiculous rumors might arise.

"Hmm." Qin Jianhe's lips still curved upward as he gently held Ye Zhiqiu's wrist. "Thank you, Professor Ye, for the advice."

"Now that you're calling me teacher," Ye Zhiqiu stopped struggling, "you should be more respectful."

"Sure," Qin Jianhe laughed, "okay."

Ye Zhiqiu didn't know whether they were going to a hotel or home, but he didn't ask.

Such a relationship was inherently secretive; it didn't matter much where they ended up.

As Ye Zhiqiu was thinking, the car stopped in front of a porridge shop.

"Let's eat first," Qin Jianhe said.

If he hadn't mentioned it, Ye Zhiqiu's attention would have been elsewhere, and he wouldn't have felt hungry.

But now, with the windows down, the warm aroma of food wafted over in the winter night, and Ye Zhiqiu's stomach growled uncontrollably.

Qin Jianhe smiled softly, leaning over to unfasten Ye Zhiqiu's seatbelt.

With the steaming food served, Ye Zhiqiu instantly relaxed.

Strangely, he found that this meal wasn't much different from the ones he had shared with Qin Jianhe before.

"The secretaries mentioned that one of your assistants is now working with Zhou Lang," Qin Jianhe said, carefully wiping the utensils and handing them to Ye Zhiqiu.

"Mm-hmm." Ye Zhiqiu nodded, pouring himself some hot porridge.

The vegetable porridge was light and refreshing, warming him up after a few sips.

"Meng Da will find a suitable replacement for you," Qin Jianhe said, using serving chopsticks to serve him.

"Hey, Qin Jianhe," Ye Zhiqiu looked at him with a half-smile, "you don't need to use serving chopsticks when serving me."

He spoke while lifting his hand, pressing it gently on his soft lips. His beautiful eyes bent mischievously.

Qin Jianhe remained silent, but his already deep eyes darkened suddenly. Then, he shifted his gaze without showing any emotion.

Quite innocent, huh?

Ye Zhiqiu put down his spoon and couldn't help but laugh.

Qin Jianhe was always in control and at ease around him, holding absolute dominance.

Now that he finally had the upper hand, he felt incredibly pleased.

Ye Zhiqiu's smile was particularly charming; his beautiful eyes slightly curved, reflecting the overhead light like two extremely bright stars.

Qin Jianhe indulgently looked at him. After a moment, the corners of his slightly pursed lips involuntarily curved upward.

"The assistant thing can wait," Ye Zhiqiu said after laughing, finally returning to the topic. "Let's see how things go."

After dinner, they got into the car. Within two minutes, the vehicle turned into the residential area.

Ye Zhiqiu realized then that Qin Jianhe's residence was surprisingly close to the company.

As they ascended from the underground garage, both fell back into a tacit silence.

Ye Zhiqiu's heart raced as he watched the elevator numbers jump, until it finally dinged at the top floor.

Immediately, he was led out by Qin Jianhe, pressed against the door for a kiss.

The man's tall figure enveloped him entirely, one hand firmly gripping his waist, the other tightly clasping the back of his head, showing complete dominance.

This kiss was entirely different from the one in the office, exceptionally fierce. As their lips and tongues entwined, Ye Zhiqiu found it hard to breathe.

In desperation, he reached up to grab Qin Jianhe's hair, only to have his wrist caught and restrained by Qin Jianhe.

Ye Zhiqiu then remembered that Qin Jianhe had been practicing martial arts for years.

"Hey, Qin Jianhe," Ye Zhiqiu managed to say, burying his face in Qin Jianhe's neck to avoid his intense assault. "Aren't you afraid someone might see us?"

As soon as he asked, Ye Zhiqiu paused.

He hadn't even had time to look around when they arrived, realizing now that Qin Jianhe's apartment was a single unit per floor.

"Not afraid." Qin Jianhe tilted his head, kissing Ye Zhiqiu's earlobe, the heat of his lips making Ye Zhiqiu shiver involuntarily.

Regret.

Ye Zhiqiu started to regret provoking Qin Jianhe during dinner.

The man had already been holding back for over twenty years, and Ye Zhiqiu had foolishly stirred him up. The one suffering tonight would undoubtedly be himself.

"Hey, Qin Jianhe," Ye Zhiqiu called his name again.

But before he could finish, the door lock clicked open, and he was pushed into the darkness, Qin Jianhe's lips covering his once more.

Ye Zhiqiu: "..."

The darkness amplified his senses. With nothing to see, Ye Zhiqiu could only feel Qin Jianhe's scorching lips, strong hands, and the sound of their rapid breathing in the quiet air.

After an unknown amount of time, just as Ye Zhiqiu felt his mind melting, Qin Jianhe finally pulled back.

With a click, the lights came on in the room.

The light was too bright, causing Ye Zhiqiu to blink repeatedly.

Under the light, his eyes and lips were wet.

His lively eyes slowly opened, still carrying a hint of confusion, like a bewildered yet beautiful fawn.

Yet, his fair skin had flushed with desire, resembling a ripe summer peach, ready to burst with sweet juice at the slightest touch.

These contrasting qualities blended subtly and perfectly on him, making him both sexy and innocent.

Qin Jianhe looked down at him, feeling a fire ignite within his chest, his blood boiling, his lips parched.

Unable to resist, he leaned down again.

This time, however, his kiss was extremely gentle.

He nibbled on Ye Zhiqiu's lips lightly, as if studying a new toy.

"Qin Jianhe," Ye Zhiqiu finally spoke after a long pause, his voice as soft and sweet as the drawn-out "mm" from that drunken phone call. "I want to take a shower."

"Mm." Qin Jianhe led him into the bedroom. "I'll find you some clothes."

Qin Jianhe's home was vast, a spacious duplex on the top floor, every corner spotlessly clean.

Ye Zhiqiu followed him with a half-empty mind, instinctively observing his surroundings.

Suddenly, he stopped, his gaze fixed on a picture frame on the windowsill.

The frame was small, containing not a photo but a dried rose specimen, blazing red under the light.

"Qin Jianhe," Ye Zhiqiu laughed. "You like roses?"

Qin Jianhe glanced at him, pausing for a moment before softly responding, "Mm."

Then, his gaze fell on Ye Zhiqiu's lips, which had been kissed to a rosy hue.

Ye Zhiqiu's lips were like roses—beautiful, passionate, and fragrant...

In the bedroom stood a mobile bookshelf, with some Huarong Dao toys on it.

While Qin Jianhe was looking for something, Ye Zhiqiu picked one up, intending to play a round to clear his mind.

Just as he was getting familiar with the rules, the toy was snatched from his hand by Qin Jianhe.

"Don't play at night," he said. "It can affect your sleep."

Ye Zhiqiu: "..."

Hearing this, he gave Qin Jianhe a half-smile, half-serious look.

Qin Jianhe was truly amusing.

As if what they were about to do wouldn't affect their sleep at all.

"Want to shower together?" he asked, lightly tapping Qin Jianhe's knee with his foot.

It was both a reminder and a provocation.

Qin Jianhe looked down at him, his thick lashes concealing the emotions in his eyes. "No need. I'll use the guest bathroom."

As he spoke, he handed a set of clothes to Ye Zhiqiu. "They're new, never worn, but they seem a bit big."

"It's fine. They'll do," Ye Zhiqiu smiled, getting up to head to the bathroom.

"Your clothes are being prepared," Qin Jianhe added. "Next time you come, you should be able to wear them."

Ye Zhiqiu paused, surprised. "Why are you so sure I'll agree?"

"Not sure," Qin Jianhe replied. "Just being prepared."

Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu rubbed his temple and laughed. "Forgot, your family makes clothes."

Indeed, Qin Jianhe's family made clothes. Preparing a few sets or even an entire wardrobe was effortless.

Without further ado, Ye Zhiqiu went into the bathroom.

The bathroom was just as clean and tidy as the rest of the room.

Everything was neatly organized and placed within easy reach.

After showering, Ye Zhiqiu dried his hair and took a bottle of lotion, hiding it in his sleeve.

He hadn't had time to buy anything today, but thought he might need it later.

When he came out, Qin Jianhe had already returned.

Having showered, he had changed into a silk robe and was now sitting where Ye Zhiqiu had been, reading documents.

The light cast a warm glow over him, giving him an air of calm and composure.

Hearing movement, he turned to look.

Ye Zhiqiu had just showered, and the hot water had turned his fair skin a light pink. The moisture still lingered around his eyes and brows, making him look particularly soft.

His clothes were loose on him, the cuffs rolled up to reveal a slender white calf, and the shirt hung loosely, almost like a dress, accentuating his slim frame.

Seeing him, the coldness in Qin Jianhe's demeanor instantly dissipated.

A hint of a smile appeared in his dark, bright eyes, and he reached out to Ye Zhiqiu.

"Come here," he said.