Chapter 118: A Toast to Love

Chapter 118: A Toast to Love

Hua Rou noticed everyone in the banquet hall looking behind her. Comet, who had been by Zhao Yi's side, happily bounded over. She quickly turned her head and saw the familiar stern face of Guan Yuanfeng. Instantly, her face turned bright red.

Qin Sheng, standing opposite her, quickly came to her rescue: "Captain Guan and Dr. Zhou are like brothers in arms! Hahaha, they're as thick as thieves."

As soon as his words fell, the room grew even more silent. Everyone stared at him in shock. Qin Mu, sitting beside Shen Lan, covered his face with his hand in embarrassment, pretending not to exist.

At a small round table nearby, Yao Huan, who had been chatting leisurely with Taoist Master Yunyin, was dumbfounded. The cake he had just picked up with his fork fell back onto the plate. Zhao Yi, sitting beside him, looked bewildered, not understanding why the room had suddenly gone quiet.

Suddenly, the sound of a piano filled the air.

Shen Lan's fingers danced across the keys, playing the familiar, lively, and infectious prelude of *The Drinking Song*.

A lady suddenly stood up and began singing along with the music: "Let us raise our joyful glasses, the wine in our cups blooming like flowers..."

She wore a simple navy blue shirt dress, with a round face and large eyes, her appearance gentle and her voice unexpectedly beautiful. Her singing was high-pitched and full of passion, easily igniting the atmosphere in the room.

The people in the room clapped along in rhythm, accompanying the lady's singing.

"Let's raise our glasses and enjoy to the fullest! Day or night!"

"Life is about seizing the moment, but it cannot be without love!"

Amid the joyful and exuberant atmosphere, Dong Kexin smiled and changed the subject: "Captain Jiang, is this your wife? I heard she studied vocal music before. She sings so well. I’ve heard her practicing at home before."

Jiang Rongqian replied, "Yes, I hope it didn’t disturb anyone."

Dong Kexin said, "No, not at all. She usually practices in the evening, and it sounds quite pleasant."

A little girl holding a balloon came running over: "Daddy! Mommy is singing!"

Jiang Rongqian picked her up: "Say hi to Uncle Guan and Sister Dong. This is my daughter, Jiang Dan."

Guan Yuanfeng glanced at Hua Rou, who was deeply bowing her head, her eyes avoiding his, looking flustered and embarrassed. He said nothing, nodded in response to Jiang Dan, and then walked over to the table where Yao Lao was sitting. Taoist Master Yunyin had already made room for him: "Captain Guan, have a seat."

Yao Huan looked at Guan Yuanfeng with a smile: "Captain Guan, why did you come alone? Didn’t you bring Zhou Yun with you?"

Guan Yuanfeng replied, "Isn’t it because of the thesis assignments you gave him? He’s been so busy these days, often staying up late, not getting enough sleep, and struggling to get up in the morning."

Yao Huan said, "Oh... so you’re here to call me out..."

Master Xinhai, sitting beside him, laughed: "Shouldn’t he? Dr. Zhou is already very hardworking. Why are you piling more work on him, Yao Lao?"

"Building a new city is a huge undertaking. Dr. Zhou is like a firefighter, always on the go and working hard. Don’t you feel bad for him?"

Yao Huan said, "Zhou Yun is so smart. How can we let him waste time on tasks that anyone could do? We currently need to validate several new drugs, and we’re still lacking specialized talent. I asked him to find more people to share the workload. You see, only by producing scientific results, releasing effective new drugs, and creating social benefits can we attract a steady flow of scientific talent. With talent comes industry, and only then will Guixu City truly thrive."

He glanced at Guan Yuanfeng, his eyes full of amusement: "Besides, my student is quite stubborn. If he wanted to come, he would come whether I asked him to or not. If he doesn’t want to come, then he simply doesn’t want to. The thesis is just a pretext."

Guan Yuanfeng remained silent. He felt that Zhou Yun wasn’t happy, but with so many people around, he didn’t want to reveal Zhou Yun’s subtle emotions in front of others. After a moment of thought, he said, "If it’s not the tasks you assigned him, then I’ll advise him to pay more attention to his routine."

He stood up: "Yao Lao, I’ll be going now. Enjoy your chat."

Yao Huan smiled: "Go keep Zhou Yun company."

Guan Yuanfeng: "..." He patted Comet’s head: "Stay here and play with the kids." Seeing Jiang Rongqian and Dong Kexin about to follow him, he waved them off: "Stay here. There’s no mission today. I’ll go back alone."

As he walked out of the banquet hall, he could feel people still stealing glances at him. Inside the hall, Jiang Rongqian’s wife continued to sing passionately: "Ah, let us toast to love, again and again."

He drove back to Shanyuan Shang by himself and went to the villa first. As expected, he didn’t see Zhou Yun. He felt that Zhou Yun hadn’t come downstairs for at least three or four days. Once he gets focused, he’s truly in a league of his own.

After parking the car, he went directly to the 30th floor. As soon as he entered, he smelled the aroma. The whole place smelled like pig’s trotter and soybean soup.

On the dining table, there was a tin foil package. Judging by its shape, it must be honey-glazed barbecue ribs wrapped in tin foil. After his first taste, which left him in awe, Zhou Yun always roasted half a rack of ribs each time.

He stepped inside and glanced around. Zhou Yun was still in the study, focused intently on the computer. The evening light filtered through the window, illuminating his profile. His gaze was concentrated, but he still looked up and smiled at him: "I made some honey-glazed ribs. Go ahead and eat; I’m almost finished."

Guan Yuanfeng sat down on the armchair next to Zhou Yun. It was a somewhat worn, dark green corduroy armchair where Zhou Yun usually liked to read.

Zhou Yun sensed he had something on his mind, saved the document, and looked up at him: "What’s up today? Didn’t you go to inspect the small hydropower plant at the reservoir?"

Guan Yuanfeng’s words caught in his throat, carefully choosing his words, which he had been mulling over the entire way: "Today they celebrated Zhao Yi’s birthday."

Zhou Yun nodded: "Right, you went? I made the cake, loaded with strawberries and blueberries. Did you have any?"

Guan Yuanfeng: "I saw it... I mean, the young people nowadays are quite open-minded."

He stared into Zhou Yun’s dark, focused eyes, hesitating as he spoke: "They seem to have misunderstood the nature of our relationship."

He muttered: "I’m not really worried about what people think, but you... I mean, maybe I should find a chance to clarify."

Zhou Yun’s gaze first showed confusion and surprise, then turned to understanding, a smile slowly appearing at the corner of his mouth. Guan Yuanfeng watched the changing expressions on Zhou Yun’s face, his heart inexplicably racing.

Zhou Yun looked at him quite frankly: "Clarify what exactly? I am indeed attracted to men."

He gazed at Guan Yuanfeng, who seemed stunned, smiling slightly: "Even my teacher knows I’m gay."

He looked at Guan Yuanfeng, not continuing. He was waiting for an answer.

Guan Yuanfeng was silent for a long time, staring at him, seemingly surprised, but also as if everything had an answer. His Adam’s apple bobbed, his throat dry: "How do two men fall in love?"

Zhou Yun replied quickly: "The same as between men and women."

He even patiently explained: "It happens without any logic..."

He abruptly stopped speaking as Guan Yuanfeng leaned in closer, his tall figure enveloping him. He lowered his head and lightly touched Zhou Yun’s lips with his own, as if confirming something: "Like this?"

Zhou Yun looked at him, his lips slightly parted, as if stunned.

Guan Yuanfeng’s lips curled with a hint of triumph, as if he had achieved a tactical first win, and sat back on the sofa. He opened his mouth, about to say something.

Zhou Yun’s gaze deepened. He rose, reached over, and firmly pushed Guan Yuanfeng’s shoulders back against the sofa. He leaned down and kissed him back with a more aggressive attitude.

The kiss was deep and long. Zhou Yun’s right knee pressed against the sofa beside Guan Yuanfeng’s leg. What began as a fierce kiss slowly softened into something tender and gentle.

Guan Yuanfeng could feel Zhou Yun’s long breaths, so close.

The kiss carried joy, from passionate to gradually breathless, then seemingly wanting to withdraw.

He reached out and pressed Zhou Yun’s shoulder, his other hand caressing the back of Zhou Yun’s head, applying a bit of force, not allowing him to retreat.

Both of them were almost breathless, as if their entire bodies were controlled by hormones. The desires and thoughts in their minds were catalysts, turning their brains into fermented dough. It was unclear who had the upper hand, only that this tug-of-war, testing, and allowing was too intoxicating.

Guan Yuanfeng’s hand slid down Zhou Yun’s back, wrapped around his waist, and with some force, made him sit on his lap. He then naturally caressed the tense surface of Zhou Yun’s thigh on the sofa. The heat from his palm directly penetrated the thin linen casual pants, warming Zhou Yun’s skin.

Zhou Yun’s already ignited body was now under Guan Yuanfeng’s control. The dry, calloused palm repeatedly brushed over his body, like being struck by a series of lightning bolts. The tingling and stinging heat spread across his skin, making him suspect that Guan Yuanfeng had used his Psychic ability.

But when he gripped Guan Yuanfeng’s hand in return, the hot and powerful palm showed no signs of Psychic use.

Guan Yuanfeng's hands were large, his fingers tightly interlocked with Zhou Yun's, kissing him more deeply and forcefully.

Not to be outdone, Zhou Yun pecked at Guan Yuanfeng's forehead, neck, and chest with delicate, fleeting kisses, leaving a trail of warmth wherever he went.

Somehow, the two found themselves embracing on the bed in the room.

Their bodies fit together seamlessly, with soft lips and a lean, toned waist. Guan Yuanfeng explored with deep, deliberate attention, tirelessly savoring, his breath filled with the fresh, moist scent of lotuses.

===

In the middle of the night, Guan Yuanfeng got up and reheated the untouched foil-wrapped honey-glazed spare ribs in the oven for ten minutes. When he opened the foil, the sweet aroma of honey and lemon blended with the meaty scent, while cumin and pepper lingered in the air.

He carried the plate into the room, only to find Zhou Yun sprawled face down, clutching the blanket, his shoulders and back bare.

After hesitating for a moment, he gently shook him, "Didn't you say you were hungry? The ribs are reheated, come and have some."

Zhou Yun didn’t budge, his lashes fluttering faintly as he wavered between eating and sleeping, but sleep won out.

Guan Yuanfeng: "..." Guess even a fifth-tier master has his limits.

The autumn frost had arrived, bringing a chill to the air. He draped the blanket over Zhou Yun’s elegantly curved back and tucked his arms beneath it. He marveled at how long he’d been oblivious, blind to so much beauty.

Feeling hungry again, he took the ribs out and ate a late-night meal at the dining table, drinking two bowls of soup. When it came time to dispose of the leftover rib bones, he suddenly remembered Comet.

He checked his phone and saw a message from Jiang Rongqian: ‘No one’s at the villa. Comet’s with Yao Lao.’

Guan Yuanfeng replied with a simple "Okay."

Dong Kexin had sent him the next day's work schedule.

He texted back, ‘Push it all back.’

He returned to the room, lay down contentedly, and naturally draped his arm over Zhou Yun's waist, the smooth, warm touch filling him with contentment.

He pulled Zhou Yun closer, feeling his back press against his chest, and the rhythmic beating of Zhou Yun's heart, a novel sensation that he found intoxicating.

Tomorrow, he would accompany Zhou Yun.