Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Qin Jianhe was still in his formal attire, his tie neatly tied. Ye Zhiqiu glanced at him and couldn't help but laugh.

"Go change your clothes and wash your hands. Also, clear the nutshells from the dining table that I left earlier," he said with a smile, gently tugging Qin Jianhe's tie, barely restraining the urge to pull him down for another kiss. "Dinner will be ready soon."

"Alright." Qin Jianhe responded, his eyes filled with amusement.

Once Ye Zhiqiu released his tie, Qin Jianhe reached up to ruffle his soft hair before leaving the room.

The noodle soup was light. Ye Zhiqiu added sesame oil and a sprinkle of chopped scallions, filling the kitchen with a faint aroma.

He swiftly turned off the stove, ladled the soup into bowls, and carried them to the dining table with one bowl in each hand.

Then, he took half a piece of marinated beef from the fridge, sliced it, and mixed it with the remaining scallion strips and seasonings, placing the dish between the two bowls of noodles.

When he returned to the kitchen to hang up the apron, Qin Jianhe had already changed his clothes.

Not really changed, just loosened his tie, removed his suit jacket, and casually unbuttoned a few buttons on his white shirt beneath the beige V-neck cashmere sweater...

This simple change softened his usually cold and professional demeanor, adding a touch of warmth to his appearance.

Seeing the neatly set table and an additional side dish, Qin Jianhe couldn't help but smile.

"So fast?" he asked.

"Mm-hmm," Ye Zhiqiu replied with a smile. "I didn't do much; the beef was already marinated."

Qin Jianhe didn't say anything more, pulling Ye Zhiqiu's hand to sit down on either side of the table.

But when he saw the precision of the beef slices, he instinctively looked at Ye Zhiqiu.

Each slice was perfectly uniform, thin as a cicada's wing.

Such knife skills could only come from years of dedicated practice in the kitchen—no less than five years.

And such skills...

shouldn't belong to someone like Ye Zhiqiu.

Qin Jianhe mentally rewound five years.

Five years ago, Ye Zhiqiu was only fourteen.

Even in the most ordinary families, it would be rare for a child to start cooking at fourteen, let alone in a family like the Ye household.

Moreover, he had recently learned about Ye Zhiqiu's family environment.

While Tao Ruoqing had played many tricks on Ye Zhiqiu, they were mostly psychological and emotional.

One way to corrupt the spirit is through excessive material indulgence.

So, Ye Zhiqiu hadn't truly suffered any material hardships.

Furthermore, the Ye family always had drivers and housekeepers, so there was no need for a child to cook.

But where did these exceptional knife skills come from?

Could they be related to the trauma he had endured?

Qin Jianhe silently placed a piece of beef in his mouth.

His diet was simple, so the kitchen only had basic condiments.

But the beef tasted subtly sweet and delicious, rivaling the work of renowned chefs in high-end hotels.

"Ye Zhiqiu," Qin Jianhe called out.

"Hmm?" Ye Zhiqiu looked up after taking a bite of noodles, his cheeks slightly puffed as he chewed, his eyes filled with a gentle smile.

Qin Jianhe suddenly found himself unable to ask any questions.

Their reunion was precious, especially with Ye Zhiqiu's pure and innocent smile.

Qin Jianhe pursed his lips, momentarily silent.

Where did Ye Zhiqiu's deep-seated trauma come from?

He didn't know.

It seemed to have no root or basis, disconnected from his nineteen years of life, appearing out of nowhere.

Leaving him with no clue how to heal it.

"What's wrong?" Noticing his unease, Ye Zhiqiu's smile faded slightly. "Is it not good?"

"No," Qin Jianhe smiled. "It's very good."

"I just wanted to ask if you rested well this afternoon."

"I read comics in your study." Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu's eyes curved again, adding another piece of beef to his steaming bowl of noodles.

Just as he was about to comment on how comfortable Qin Jianhe's chair was and wanting to buy one for his future workspace, his eyelashes fluttered slightly.

The beef was cut too perfectly.

Buying vegetables, washing them, chopping them, and cooking all kinds of dishes according to Qi Xin's tastes and requirements...

Once, it almost constituted his entire life.

Although in the few months since his rebirth, he hadn't entered the kitchen again, those years of habit and instinct still silently guided him.

Ye Zhiqiu's words slowly trailed off, his lowered eyes darkening with shadows.

But Qin Jianhe's slightly deep voice carried a hint of amusement: "I only have one set of manga books in my study."

"What do you like?" His voice was pleasant, low, and had a gentle tone as if coaxing a child, "Later, I'll buy some and put them in the study; you can go up anytime to read or take a break."

Qin Jianhe seemed not to notice anything amiss, and Ye Zhiqiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"I have some professional books at home, and some comics I liked when I was young," he said, "I can bring them over, but they don't need to be placed in your study..."

Ye Zhiqiu pondered for a moment, "They can be placed on the mobile bookshelf downstairs."

At this point, he suddenly froze.

He was indeed moving, but not to Qin Jianhe's place.

His books and magazines should logically be moved to the house he rented.

Why did he...

It was as if he really wanted to live together with Qin Jianhe.

Seeing him choke, Qin Jianhe pursed his lips, his eyes filled with a rich smile.

As if nothing had happened between them just now, the atmosphere became warm and harmonious again.

Qin Jianhe usually ate sparingly, but today, Ye Zhiqiu's vegetarian noodles made him have two bowls.

After the meal, watching Qin Jianhe get up to clear the dishes, Ye Zhiqiu wiped the table clean with a cloth.

The rose specimen on the windowsill caught his eye again, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"Qin Jianhe," he said, "I brought you a gift."

"What is it?" Qin Jianhe asked.

"I'll show you later." Ye Zhiqiu mysteriously pulled out his suitcase.

Qin Jianhe smiled, got up, and took the dishes into the kitchen.

When he came out again, he saw Ye Zhiqiu playing with a bright red rose in his hand.

"It's for you." Ye Zhiqiu smiled, presenting the flower to him, "Don't you like roses?"

Qin Jianhe didn't say anything, lowering his eyes to receive it.

At first, he didn't notice anything unusual, but once he held it, he realized it was a plastic rose.

"Hey! Ye Zhiqiu." Qin Jianhe laughed, "Are you brushing me off like this?"

Saying this, he stepped forward, placing his hand on the back of Ye Zhiqiu's dining chair, trapping him in the small space between himself and the chair, leaning down.

"That's a bit much, Ye Zhiqiu."

"Don't want it?" Ye Zhiqiu smiled, looking up at him and reaching out, "Then give it back."

But Qin Jianhe didn't give it back; instead, he hid the hand holding the rose behind his back.

"See?" Ye Zhiqiu reasoned, "You said you didn't like it?"

Qin Jianhe also laughed, finding a beautiful short glass vase somewhere, placing it next to the frame on the windowsill with the rose specimen, and inserting the lifelike plastic rose into it.

"Qin Jianhe," Ye Zhiqiu looked at the frame with the rose specimen, curious, "Was that rose given to you by someone you like?"

Qin Jianhe glanced sideways at him, responding softly after a moment, "Yes."

"Then you..." Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu winked meaningfully at him.

Qin Jianhe instantly understood what he meant.

He was referring to his previous lack of experience.

"Use your heart to like," he tapped his chest, "not your lower half."

"But you..." Ye Zhiqiu started to say three words but paused.

How could someone like Qin Jianhe, who was so sought after, have someone he secretly loved but couldn't get?

However, matters of the heart were something Ye Zhiqiu didn't understand.

In his previous life, what he thought he had wasn't real feelings but someone else's trap.

If he were to examine it closely, he had never experienced a genuine relationship.

"However," he changed the topic, teasing with a mischievous tone, "putting my flower with someone else's makes it seem like you're collecting stamps."

"Why not?" Qin Jianhe walked over, placing his hand on the back of his chair again, leaning down to kiss him.

"Ye Zhiqiu," he asked, "Is that not allowed?"

"Tch," Ye Zhiqiu said, "I don't have the right to control you."

The next moment, Qin Jianhe bit his lips, and it hurt quite a bit.

Ye Zhiqiu: "…"

"Damn it, Qin Jianhe, are you a dog?" Ye Zhiqiu cursed, only to have his lips sealed again. "%…&*!"

All the curses were muffled in his mouth. Ye Zhiqiu struggled for a while but was ruthlessly suppressed by Qin Jianhe.

When he finally quieted down, Qin Jianhe slightly pulled back. His breathing was slightly rapid, and his eyes darkened as he looked at him.

"Do it," he said, his voice tinged with a slight hoarseness, calling his name intimately, "Ye Zhiqiu."

Like his hot breath, the name "Ye Zhiqiu" seemed to be called with burning passion.

Ye Zhiqiu: "…"

He subconsciously raised his hand to touch his ear.

Then, a very low laugh came from above him, exceptionally sexy.

Damn, the boss is indeed the boss; this level of awareness has improved incredibly fast.

"Do it." Ye Zhiqiu responded absentmindedly, straightening up after a moment. "I'll go take a shower first."

Seeing him get up, Qin Jianhe reached out to grasp his wrist.

"Together." He said, his tone resolute.

Ye Zhiqiu: "…"

Another flood is coming.

"Don't like it?" Seeing him silent, Qin Jianhe looked down at him.

"Like it~" Ye Zhiqiu deliberately drew out his words, half-serious and half-teasing, "As long as it's Mr. Qin, I like everything about you."

For some reason, Qin Jianhe's eyes darkened, as if he wanted to say something, but his lips ultimately pressed into a straight line.

Forgetting that Qin Jianhe had everything, Ye Zhiqiu smiled and habitually opened his suitcase to fetch his toiletries.

Just as he opened the lid, he laughed again.

He almost forgot about the commotion earlier.

He did bring a gift for Qin Jianhe.

But it wasn't that plastic rose.

That rose was just a prop he used to tease him.

Taking out the beautifully wrapped gift box, Ye Zhiqiu smiled and handed it over.

"Mr. Qin, I brought you a gift."

Qin Jianhe: "…"

Qin Jianhe pursed his lips, but the smile in his eyes deepened involuntarily.

He was already very happy with that plastic rose.

He never expected to receive a second gift from Ye Zhiqiu within the same day.

Holding the box in his hands, Qin Jianhe looked down and opened it.

Inside was a black and gray checkered tie, paired with an exquisite tie clip, adorned with a small green cat's eye gemstone at the end.

It was elegant and regal.

"Thank you." Qin Jianhe had seen many gifts before, but at this moment, holding the gift in his hands, he couldn't help but look down at it for a long time.

His eyelashes were very thick, concealing his emotions, but a faint smile played on his lips.

"I really like it." When closing the box, Qin Jianhe sincerely and politely said to Ye Zhiqiu.

"As long as you like it." Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu's eyes also curved into a smile.

To be honest, he had carefully chosen the gift for Qin Jianhe.

After all, Qin Jianhe managed the high-end brand Q.L, standing at the pinnacle of the fashion world, so there weren't many things he hadn't seen.

So this time, Ye Zhiqiu didn't dare to be too adventurous and chose something safe instead.

Feeling satisfied that Qin Jianhe liked it, he turned around with a smile, intending to rummage through his suitcase.

But before he could touch the lid, Qin Jianhe suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled him into his embrace.

"No need to look anymore," he said, his voice hoarse from restraint, "you'll take it off later anyway."

Ye Zhiqiu: "…"

He had intended to tease this person, but when he looked up into those pitch-black eyes, Ye Zhiqiu couldn't utter a single word.

Qin Jianhe looked at him, his slightly lowered eyes seeming to burn with fire, making Ye Zhiqiu think of a hungry and fierce lone wolf on the wilderness.

Once he set his sights on his prey, there would be nothing left.

That overwhelming pressure weighed heavily on Ye Zhiqiu's heart, causing his heartbeat to quicken, and he instinctively wanted to look away.

However, Qin Jianhe's grip on his wrist was like a vise. Realizing Ye Zhiqiu's intention, he not only didn't let go but pressed him even tighter into his embrace.

Then, he lowered his head and kissed him fiercely.

It was indeed fierce; soon enough, Ye Zhiqiu tasted the faint metallic flavor in his mouth.

"Ye Zhiqiu." Qin Jianhe seemed to particularly enjoy calling his name.

Without waiting for a response, he bent down to pick him up, kicked open the bedroom door with his foot, and carried him straight into the bathroom.

Wildness met wildness, and as soon as the bathroom door closed, Ye Zhiqiu reached up to undo Qin Jianhe's belt.

The shower water suddenly poured down, a bit scalding. Ye Zhiqiu instinctively hid in Qin Jianhe's arms, and then he was lifted by his buttocks and pressed tightly against the wall.

Their hair and eyelashes instantly became wet, their drenched eyes locked onto each other, neither yielding.

Then, Qin Jianhe kissed him again.

...

They spent more than two hours entangled.

When it ended, Ye Zhiqiu was carried out wrapped in a towel by Qin Jianhe.

He placed him on the bed, pulled off the towel, and Ye Zhiqiu rolled out.

How convenient, indeed, no need to undress at all.

The cold air hit his skin, and Ye Zhiqiu couldn't help but think.

He was exhausted, his mind foggy. His snow-white skin glowed red under the light, and some sensitive parts bore faint finger marks.

Like a worn-out doll, he was limp and breathless.

Gathering a bit of strength to turn over, Qin Jianhe suddenly raised his hand.

Then, his burning palm pressed mercilessly onto Ye Zhiqiu's white back.

Qin Jianhe leaned down, lying on top of him, completely blocking out the cold air.

His soft, hot lips kissed Ye Zhiqiu's reddened earlobes, his slender neck, and his long fingers that had become weak from soaking in the bathtub for too long...

He kissed every part of him.

That fiery passion ignited Ye Zhiqiu completely.

But under the light, Qin Jianhe's gaze was calm.

He looked down at Ye Zhiqiu intently, as if trying to engrave every expression and every soft moan into his memory.

...

After everything ended, Qin Jianhe held Ye Zhiqiu in his arms.

He lit a cigarette, holding it between his fingers, and they shared it, taking turns.

It reminded Ye Zhiqiu of the post visible only to Jiang Nan in his social media feed, the caption he had written.

"The feeling of smoking a cigarette is pretty good," Ye Zhiqiu said, his voice hoarse.

"Mm." Qin Jianhe gently stroked his hair. "Sleep."

"Qin Jianhe," Ye Zhiqiu found a comfortable spot in Qin Jianhe's neck crook, murmuring softly, "Are you a fucking wolf?"

"Mm." Qin Jianhe didn't deny it. He finished the last puff and extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray.

Then, he leaned forward and kissed Ye Zhiqiu's forehead.

"Good night, Ye Zhiqiu," he said.

This time, Ye Zhiqiu didn't even flutter his eyelashes.

In that brief moment, he had already fallen deeply asleep.

At the same time, in Paris, it was three o'clock in the afternoon, and Qi Xin was waiting at the airport.

After hanging up with Jiang Nan, he felt truly unlucky and immediately wanted to call Ye Zhiqiu to ask for an explanation.

But thinking about Ye Zhiqiu's blacklist curse, he hesitated.

And after calming down, he realized that if Ye Zhiqiu asked where he got the information, he wouldn't be able to answer.

Going to Ye Zhiqiu for verification now would be like confessing without being asked, admitting that he still had close ties with Jiang Nan.

Qi Xin broke out in a cold sweat, realizing this belatedly.

After much deliberation, he suppressed the urge to contact Ye Zhiqiu and instead booked the earliest return flight that day.

He didn't sleep all night. As soon as dawn broke, Qi Xin dragged his suitcase and took a taxi back to the airport.

Even though his flight was in the afternoon, he was so anxious he couldn't even wait in the hotel.

Finally, with half an hour left before the flight, Qi Xin once again constructed his explanation in his mind for when he saw Ye Zhiqiu.

There must be no loopholes.

Absolutely none.

As he slowly thought, his body suddenly stiffened.

To do a performance thoroughly, he suddenly realized that his thoroughness seemed to be missing a very important step.

The Q.L exhibition team had not yet arrived, and if he left now, it would only convey two possible answers to others.

Either he had no intention of meeting Ye Zhiqiu at all, or he wouldn't leave before the Q.L team arrived.

Or he already knew that Ye Zhiqiu was back in the country, which is why he couldn't wait to rush back immediately.

Qi Xin felt incredibly frustrated, finding himself in a dilemma.

He thought for a moment and remembered seeing several brand teams setting up their displays around the venue when he landed.

So he immediately went to the service desk to change his flight, and then took a car back to the exhibition venue in Paris.

His luck held; upon entering, he found several domestic brands rehearsing.

Qi Xin hurriedly inquired about Q.L.

Being in the same industry and exhibiting abroad, many teams knew each other.

After asking around, Qi Xin finally learned that the Q.L team had just arrived in Paris this morning.

He immediately headed to the hotel where Q.L was staying. As soon as he got out of the car at the hotel entrance, he saw a young man carrying a large bag of milk tea and coffee about to enter.

The person was East Asian and, based on his appearance, likely Chinese.

Thinking that Q.L was staying at this hotel, Qi Xin called out to him.

Encountering a compatriot abroad brought a sense of familiarity. Hearing a familiar accent, Sun Chaoyang stopped and looked over.

"Hello, are you part of the Q.L team?" Qi Xin asked him.

"Yes," Sun Chaoyang replied, looking at Qi Xin. "Who are you? A journalist?"

"No," Qi Xin said, feeling relieved. "I'm a friend of Ye Zhiqiu's. Is he... here right now?"

"Teacher Xiao Ye has returned to the country," Sun Chaoyang said, feeling somewhat puzzled.

This person knew where Q.L was staying but didn't know that Ye Zhiqiu had already returned...

His attitude cooled down, "How could you be a friend of Teacher Xiao Ye and not know that?"

"Sorry, I wanted to surprise him, so I didn't contact him before coming," Qi Xin explained.

Sun Chaoyang didn't say anything more and entered the lobby with his items.

Qi Xin didn't linger and turned to head back to the airport.

He was truly exhausted, but at least he had seen someone from Q.L.

This made his act complete.

Now he wouldn't fear Ye Zhiqiu's inquiries.

During the flight from the country, he had been excited thinking about seeing Ye Zhiqiu soon and barely rested.

After landing, Ye Zhiqiu suddenly removed him from the blacklist, causing another emotional surge.

After telling Ye Zhiqiu that he had arrived in Paris, he lay in bed, checking his phone every three minutes, hoping for a reply.

Another sleepless night.

But instead of a message from Ye Zhiqiu, he received a call from Jiang Nan.

Knowing that Ye Zhiqiu had returned to the country, his emotions swung wildly, making it impossible to sleep.

Having spent most of the day at the airport, rushing back and forth, Qi Xin nearly fainted while waiting for a car by the roadside.

"Are you okay?" the driver asked in French, noticing his pale face.

Unfortunately, Qi Xin didn't understand French and could only communicate haltingly in English. After managing to explain, he returned to the airport to wait for his evening flight.

Sitting in the waiting area, Qi Xin took out his phone, intending to send a message to Ye Zhiqiu.

But considering the time difference, it was early morning in the country, so he put his phone away again.

Then he thought of Tao Ruoqing.

He wasn't afraid of disturbing her; after some time, he noticed that Ye Hongxian often stayed away from home for seven or eight days out of ten.

So occasionally, late-night calls would be answered by Tao Ruoqing.

Especially since she had invested a significant amount of money in his endeavors, there was no reason for her to refuse his calls.

But Qi Xin hesitated for a long time and ultimately did not make the call.

Since Ye Zhiqiu hadn't even told him about returning to the country, he worried that he hadn't informed Tao Ruoqing either.

If he called and revealed the truth...

The consequences were unimaginable.

He didn't know why he feared Ye Zhiqiu so much.

Yet, the more he feared him, the more he was drawn to him.

At the mere thought of Ye Zhiqiu, his heart raced uncontrollably.

Ye Zhiqiu seemed to possess a mysterious power that both frightened and fascinated him.

*

The morning sunlight streamed in as Ye Zhiqiu slowly opened his eyes.

Although they had been quite active last night, he hadn't gone to bed too late.

After all, they had gotten together right after dinner. Even if each session lasted two hours, it was only eleven by the time they finished.

Ye Zhiqiu stretched, feeling a pleasant soreness throughout his body.

Neatly folded clothes were placed on the bedside, and the other half of the bed was already empty.

He reached out, sensing a faint warmth lingering in the blankets.

Sinking his hand into that warmth, he lay quietly for a moment before pulling on a robe and stepping out of bed barefoot.

Opening the bedroom door, he could faintly hear Qin Jianhe talking on the phone in the kitchen.

Sunlight fell through the window, illuminating the plastic rose he had given Qin Jianhe yesterday, making it look even more vibrant than usual.

Ye Zhiqiu looked at it for a moment, then his gaze shifted to the framed specimen of a rose.

Even more vivid than the specimen.

Much more vivid.

Unconsciously, he smiled, the sunlight highlighting his curved eyebrows, giving him an especially bright and slightly lazy satisfaction.

Qin Jianhe's home had underfloor heating, so stepping on the wooden floor felt warm and comfortable rather than cold.

Ye Zhiqiu took a few silent steps forward, looking down at the faint tooth marks on his feet, unable to resist cursing Qin Jianhe inwardly once again.

This person sure knows how to come up with creative ways to torment him.

Instinctively, he curled his toes, making the bite marks more noticeable.

Is this guy a dog?

He thought.

No, wait, a wolf.

The aroma of food wafted through the air, mingling with Qin Jianhe's voice, creating a particularly warm atmosphere in the sunlit living room.

"Bighead carp, thank you. I want to make fish head," Qin Jianhe said, his voice tinged with a light smile. "Any day in the next two days is fine, no rush."

He emphasized, "It has to be wild-caught."

"Thank you."

Ye Zhiqiu was slightly taken aback.

For some reason, at this moment, he suddenly recalled the previous life when he lacked security and longed for a home of his own.

Back then, his dream home seemed to be just like this?

Ye Zhiqiu pursed his lips slightly...

It had been so long since he had yearned for a home, experienced having one, cherishing it, losing it, and even fearing it. He could barely remember what it felt like anymore.