Chapter 43: From Gentle to Passionate Kisses, Sealed with a Kiss

Chapter 43: From Gentle to Passionate Kisses, Sealed with a Kiss

"Jiang Fengmian, stop."

Jiang Fengqiu stubbornly extended his arm to block their way, his gaze almost maniacal as he stared at Jiang Fengmian.

Jiang Fengmian’s glance was casual, dripping with disdain, as if he were condescendingly sparing him a moment of attention. Jiang Fengqiu's blood froze the moment their eyes met for just a second.

He looked too much like the Jiang Fengmian before he changed, leaning lazily against Huo Zong, his damp eyes slightly raised, clearly challenging.

"Jiang Fengmian, you're playing the fool to catch the tiger, aren't you? You've conspired with Huo Zong from the start. That proposal was just a move in your game, and only a fool like Huo Qilin would believe it and proudly sell it to me."

"You both deserve what’s coming to you. Why are you doing this to me? Jiang Fengmian, Huo Zong is a madman, and so are you. The Jiang family is your true home. Huo Zong is just toying with you. Do you really think people like him can genuinely love anyone? It's all a lie."

"Jiang Fengmian, I’ll wait for the day Huo Zong throws you out, leaving you destitute on the streets."

Huo Zong raised an eyebrow. Jiang Fengqiu was slightly smarter than Huo Qilin, but unfortunately, he only thought about taking shortcuts, without any original ideas.

"Brother, I'm scared. I really don't understand what he's saying."

Jiang Fengmian cowered into Huo Zong's arms, his mind racing, unable to come up with a perfect excuse.

"Good boy, don't be afraid. A rabid dog will bite anyone in its path."

"I slaved over that proposal for months, and it's gone. After reporting it to the police, there was no result. Jiang Fengqiu, according to you, I should just continue using this plan without any concern. You’re quite the piece of work. If confidential documents were lost, you'd still use them without fear. You’re really something."

"Jiang Fengqiu, just wait for the investigation. You’ll have to explain to the police how you swiped my company’s confidential documents and blatantly made a game out of it."

Chen Chen called the cops right after the bidding wrapped up. He and a group of bodyguards blocked Huo Qilin, who was trying to escape, waiting for the police to arrive.

"Boss Huo, do you need me to take care of this?"

Several tall bodyguards stood behind Jiang Fengqiu, ready to haul him off if he made a move.

Jiang Fengqiu’s heart raced, his fists clenched so tight they whitened. He glared at Jiang Fengmian, then slowly shifted his gaze to Huo Zong, forced to bite his tongue and figure out how to handle the sudden accusations of plagiarism and theft of confidential documents.

"Jiang Fengmian, let’s head home."

"Okay."

Chen Chen stuck by Huo Qilin’s side, his voice raw from yelling, but no one paid him any attention.

"Chen Chen, you’re nothing but a Huo family lapdog. What’s there to be so smug about? You think just because you've been following Huo Zong for a few years, you're something special. I'm still a member of the Huo family. It’s the family company. What's wrong with me using the proposal? What can they do to me?"

"Besides, I had no idea it was anything significant. It was just a draft."

Huo Qilin immediately contacted Huo Qing. Huo Qing sounded just like his usual self on the phone, no scolding, no swearing, just a calm acknowledgment.

Huo Qilin wasn't sure what "knew" meant—whether it meant he would help him or didn't want to get involved. Cornered by four or five bodyguards, Huo Qilin didn't dare to leave, so he vented his anger on Chen Chen.

"Chen Chen, I'm talking to you. Did you hear me? Or are your ears blocked with dog hair and you're deaf?"

Chen Chen smirked, arms crossed, giving Huo Qilin a sidelong glance. "Huo Qilin, first of all, Boss Huo respects everyone equally. Everyone who works at Huo Corporation is a decent person. Secondly, you're the dog, Huo Qing's dog, wagging your tail and begging for a rotten bone."

"What else can you do besides begging Huo Qing for help? Everyone at Huo Corporation earns their money through hard work. What about you? You leaked the company's secrets, the result of countless people's hard work day and night. Why? Just because your last name is Huo?"

The surroundings suddenly fell silent. Chen Chen's words seemed to have hit a nerve. Huo Qilin raised his foot to kick Chen Chen but was stopped by the timely arrival of the police.

"Hold it right there, don’t move."

"Let’s go, take everyone back."

Chen Chen followed them to the police station. In the car, Jiang Fengqiu was still subtly vying with Huo Qilin. He knew nothing, and there was no way these things could be blamed on him.

He was just worried that Jiang Fengmian had truly recovered. If that matter came to light, he might actually end up in jail.

Jiang Fengqiu was anxious the entire ride. He didn’t dare contact Jiang Junling, fearing their conversation might be monitored.

The car raced along the overpass. Jiang Fengmian shut his eyes and feigned sleep, but he could still feel Huo Zong's intense gaze. He clenched his fists, his eyes darting around, screaming internally, unable to maintain the act.

"Uncle Wang, slow down. Jiang Fengmian’s asleep."

Jiang Fengmian: "..."

It was deliberate—Huo Zong’s blatant targeting. He didn’t believe Huo Zong couldn’t see through his act.

After a few moments of silence, Jiang Fengmian let out a soft murmur, opened his clear eyes, gave a small yawn, and tried to look like he’d just woken up.

"Brother, aren’t we home yet?"

"Soon. Kitty, eager to get home?"

Huo Zong’s intense gaze locked onto Jiang Fengmian. In the cramped space, there was no escape. Jiang Fengmian had no choice but to let Huo Zong draw closer.

Uncle Wang, what’s the deal? Why’d you raise the partition? It made it seem like something was about to happen.

"Not really, just feeling a bit dizzy."

Huo Zong let out a meaningful 'oh,' then pulled Jiang Fengmian into his arms, letting his head rest on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat.

Huo Zong’s warm hand gently kneaded his temples. Jiang Fengmian gripped his clothes, frowning as he shut his eyes.

No matter how slowly the car moved, they eventually made it home.

When Jiang Fengmian stepped out of the car, it felt like walking through a field of knives and a sea of flames. Every step was like dancing on the edge of a knife, his heart aching densely. He kept a slight distance from Huo Zong but could still hear Huo Zong's faint breathing.

It was as if he was enveloped in Huo Zong's huge shadow, unable to escape Huo Zong's grasp.

"Kitty, going straight to the bedroom as soon as we get back?"

Jiang Fengmian pinched his burning earlobe, his steps not stopping. As soon as he entered the bedroom, he tried to close the door but was blocked by Huo Zong's hand.

Through the crack in the door, Jiang Fengmian's eyes met Huo Zong's. He blinked pitifully, his fingers slowly moving up to cover Huo Zong's hand.

"Brother."

The word "brother" made Huo Zong's bones melt. His throat tightened, and he let out a soft "hmm."

"Kitty, be good. Let me in, okay?"

Jiang Fengmian lowered his eyes, silent, just slowly releasing the force on his hand, letting Huo Zong push the door open.

He didn’t dare to look at Huo Zong, his eyes red. He sniffled, afraid that Huo Zong didn’t want him anymore.

The next second, Jiang Fengmian fell into a warm embrace.

"Jiang Fengmian, you're even more charming than before. I'm proud of you. My kitty is so handsome, understands everything, and has solid explanations. It's reassured me a lot and helped greatly. It's all thanks to you."

Jiang Fengmian let out a sound, clutching Huo Zong's clothes. All his emotions surged up, and tears kept falling.

There was no accusation, no disgust from Huo Zong—just pride for him.

"Huo Zong."

"Don't cry, let me see if you've turned into a little mess."

Huo Zong gently lifted Jiang Fengmian's chin to wipe his tears, his touch lingering.

"So, kitten, do you have something to tell me?"

Jiang Fengmian cleared his throat and stayed quiet. Huo Zong pulled him onto the sofa, their eyes met, and Jiang Fengmian's cheeks slowly reddened.

"Jiang Fengmian, you once asked what I’d do if you ever lied to me."

"I was thinking... mmm."

Suddenly, Jiang Fengmian’s lips met his.

Jiang Fengmian’s teary eyes locked onto his, and Huo Zong swallowed his words, surprised. As he opened his mouth, Jiang Fengmian silenced him with another kiss.

A few seconds later, Jiang Fengmian pulled away, cheeks flushed, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he avoided Huo Zong’s gaze.

"Kitten, do you think I’d…"

Another kiss.

The touch of their lips sent a jolt through him, and Huo Zong’s body went weak. He stroked Jiang Fengmian’s chin, his eyes narrowing.

"Jiang Fengmian, are you trying to keep me from speaking?"

Jiang Fengmian nodded obediently. He’d thought it over and only came up with this one idea.

If Huo Zong couldn’t speak, he couldn’t dislike him.

"So, is this your way of coaxing me?"

"Brother, are you coaxed yet?"

Huo Zong swallowed nervously, his kitten fidgeting, fingers digging into his palm, but trying to seem calm.

"Not yet."

Jiang Fengmian pouted, looking heartbroken.

"This is how you coax me."

Huo Zong lifted Jiang Fengmian’s chin, leaning in to kiss his lips gently.

From the corner of his mouth to the center, Huo Zong kissed him with deep focus.

"Kitten, close your eyes for me."

As his eyes closed, Jiang Fengmian focused entirely on the feel of his lips. Huo Zong’s tongue brushed his lips, his hand pressing Jiang Fengmian’s neck, coaxing his mouth open.

Letting Huo Zong’s tongue slip in.

"Mmm."

Jiang Fengmian’s body melted, leaning weakly into Huo Zong’s arms, responding with tentative inexperience.

His tongue curled slightly, and Jiang Fengmian even slowed his swallowing.

A faint metallic taste spread in his mouth, indistinguishable as to whose lips were bleeding.

Without any technique, it was all about uncontainable affection for each other, uncoordinated, pressing and biting haphazardly.

Huo Zong stole all the breath from Jiang Fengmian’s lungs, tears brimming in his eyes as he gripped Huo Zong’s shirt tightly, all his weight leaning on Huo Zong.

That kiss lasted a very long time, so long that Jiang Fengmian felt like he was suffocating before they slowly parted.

The sofa cushion had been tossed to the floor at some point. Jiang Fengmian held back his rapid, heavy breaths, averting Huo Zong’s gaze.

The tension hung in the air, neither of them breaking the silence.

Jiang Fengmian licked his slightly stinging lips, lifted his hand slightly, and touched his swollen, red lips. There were small cuts on his fingertips from Huo Zong’s teeth.

He stole a glance at Huo Zong, who wasn’t any better; his lips looked even more swollen.

His crimson lips were smeared with blood, his shirt wrinkled, the collar button either popped off or ripped off, revealing his collarbone.

To Jiang Fengmian, Huo Zong still exuded a certain decadent allure.

For a moment, in the small space on the sofa, only the ticking of Huo Zong’s watch broke the silence.

One of them initiated it. After locking eyes, Huo Zong leaned in for another kiss.

It was a brief, tentative kiss, soft lips pressing together with a sense of cherishment, touching and then parting.

"Brother, are you comforted now?" Jiang Fengmian’s voice was extremely hoarse, his eyes curving as he stared straight into Huo Zong’s eyes.

"Hmm, comforted."

Jiang Fengmian pinched his Adam’s apple and made a sound, silently picking up the cushion from the floor and hugging it. His palm stroked the cushion, inexplicably nervous.

Now it was like the calm before the storm. Jiang Fengmian was a small boat swaying in the river, just waiting for Huo Zong to raise huge waves or to give him a continuous gentle flow.

"Kitty, do you have anything to say to me now?"

Huo Zong’s thumping heartbeat finally quieted down. At the moment Jiang Fengmian kissed his lips, all his reason snapped.

Those previous fleeting kisses could not satisfy. He wanted the complete Jiang Fengmian, Jiang Fengmian who belonged only to him.

Every cell in Huo Zong’s body was still screaming dissatisfaction. His fingertips curled deeply, rubbing his palm. He could only gaze deeply at Jiang Fengmian, his sight moving inch by inch, yet extremely restrained.

"Brother, didn’t you notice it before?"

From the day he mentioned that Jiang Fengmian had died long ago, everyone actually knew, but it was concealed.

"But I want to hear my kitty say it himself."

Jiang Fengmian paused for a long time, only saying, "I stopped being foolish a long time ago."

Huo Zong couldn’t figure out how long ago that was. Since his kitty wasn’t that person, then from their first meeting, Jiang Fengmian shouldn’t have been foolish.

But those injuries...

Huo Zong really couldn’t understand. Jiang Fengmian didn’t plan to say now, so he wouldn’t ask.

"Huo Zong, will you blame me for deceiving you?"

Jiang Fengmian’s face flushed; telling Huo Zong these things was no different from admitting that all those innocent-seeming kisses, hugs, and cuddles were deliberate.

It made him seem kind of twisted.

"No, it’s totally normal for you to act like that. After all, you’ve been through so much with the Jiang family, and it’s only natural you’d want to keep it to yourself."

Jiang Fengmian gave a small smile and muttered, "Do you think I’m just using you? You’ve protected me from so many attacks by the Jiang family, and I still didn’t tell you."

"Not at all. I’d be happy if you used me. With you, I feel like I’m truly Huo Zong, a real person."

Huo Zong gently pressed his fingertip against Jiang Fengmian’s dimple, manually lifting the corner of his mouth.

"Jiang Fengmian, smile a little, didn’t I just cheer you up? Don’t be unhappy."

"Okay."

Jiang Fengmian playfully smacked Huo Zong’s shoulder with a pillow, pouting, "Huo Zong, you’re the absolute worst. You knew I wasn’t naive, but you still teased me."

"Not really, I just figured it out today."

Jiang Fengmian gave Huo Zong another light tap, almost like a tickle.

"Okay, I just wanted you to comfort me, that’s all."

"Jiang Fengmian, I just wanted to sneak a kiss from you."

That statement left Jiang Fengmian completely stunned; his arm stopped mid-air, and he instinctively bit his lip, the pain only making him sulk more.

Huo Zong seemed surprisingly good at kissing, something not mentioned in the books. Although he had emotional indifference, what if the author had set him up to have kissed someone else?

Jiang Fengmian knew deep down that Huo Zong wasn’t that kind of person, but the story’s twists were beyond his control, and he couldn’t help feeling jealous.

The more Jiang Fengmian thought about it, the more upset he became, and he turned his back on Huo Zong.

"Kitty, why are you giving me the cold shoulder?"

Was it because he thought his words were too forward, not genuine enough?

"Jiang Fengmian, I didn’t know for long, just since Jiang Junling appeared, I felt you were different. Today just confirmed my guess. I always thought my kitty was incredibly smart, how could you be naive?"

"Of course, the naive Jiang Fengmian is also exceptionally cute. No matter what, as long as it’s you, that’s all that matters."

"Kitty, don’t be mad at me, okay? I didn’t mean not to tell you, I thought it should be you who tells me, it’s your private matter. If you don’t want to say, then I won’t ask."

"I thought, whenever you wanted to talk, you would tell me. I wasn’t teasing you or trying to embarrass you, I just wanted to kiss you."

Huo Zong said a lot in one breath, nervously poking Jiang Fengmian’s waist, but the man gave no reaction.

"Kitty, please, talk to me."

"Have you kissed someone else before?"

"What?" Huo Zong’s voice unconsciously rose, pursing his lips and helplessly holding his forehead. So all he said was in vain, Jiang Fengmian was just worried if he had been with someone else.

"No, you’re the first, the only one." Huo Zong immediately raised his fingers to swear, almost kneeling to Jiang Fengmian.

"Kitty, do you think my kissing skills are good?"

Jiang Fengmian scratched his ear, avoiding Huo Zong’s eager eyes, "It’s, it’s okay. Mainly, I don’t know what’s good or bad."

It’s just... really intoxicating.

Kissing Huo Zong made him feel like he was floating on air, leaning weakly into Huo Zong, his body tingling all over, just like those cheesy romance novels describe.

Jiang Fengmian thought to himself that this level should be considered good.

Huo Zong: "Heaven, judge my loyalty!"

Peck.

The kiss that landed on Jiang Fengmian’s lips was soft and innocent, like a feather brushing by, gone before he could even register it.

"Kitty, how do you feel about such a kiss?"

"It’s... nice, I guess."

Huo Zong nodded in satisfaction and patted Jiang Fengmian's little head.

"Let me see what’s going on in that little head of yours. It’s my first kiss—I’ve never been this close to anyone before. You’re the only one."

"As long as it’s you, any kiss makes my heart race. I think you should feel the same. It’s not about my skills—it’s just because it’s me and you."

It’s Jiang Fengmian. Even a simple touch from him sends Huo Zong into a frenzy.

Jiang Fengmian nodded in confusion. He mumbled an "Oh," still not quite getting it.

On second thought, Huo Zong’s words did make sense.

He covered his face, embarrassed and flustered. "Brother, you're not allowed to laugh at me."

"I won’t laugh. My kitty’s too cute for that."

Jiang Fengmien fiddled with his hair, half-lying on the sofa, secretly watching Huo Zong. He’d been stressing over something so trivial for so long, thinking Huo Zong would be angry, thinking he had already done something. Clearly, Huo Zong is not that kind of person.

"Hey, brother, maybe you should change? Your clothes look a little wrinkled."

It’s still early, Huo Zong can’t just walk around like that all day.

"I’ll change. Jiang Fengmien, wanna join me?"

Seeing Jiang Fengmien shake his head frantically, Huo Zong let out a disappointed "Oh." He grabbed Jiang Fengmien’s paw, continuously drawing circles in his palm.

"Guess once you get what you want, you stop appreciating it. Just the other night, you were waiting for me in bed, but today you don’t even want to change clothes together. It’s okay, it doesn’t matter what I do. I just thought, since you tore my clothes, you wanted to come with me."

Wow, in seconds, Huo Zong had turned into a full-on drama queen, his words dripping with sarcasm.

"Otherwise, I..."

Ding ling ling, ding ling ling.

Huo Zong’s smile dropped immediately. Of all times, why did Chen Chen have to call now?

He wanted to see what the urgent matter was.

"Hello."

With just one word, Chen Chen immediately sensed something was wrong. Something about Huo Zong’s tone felt off.

At this point, Chen Chen could only brace himself and speak.

"Mr. Huo, Old Mr. Huo just arrived with a group of people, and they came with such force that I really couldn't handle them."

"Got it, I'll go take a look."

Huo Zong wished he could just pummel Huo Qilin right now. With all the shady schemes he had done, any one of them could send him to hell. And now he had to disturb Huo Zong and Jiang Fengmian's private time. Damn it.

"Big Brother, maybe I should come along too."

Fortunately, he had mostly calmed down. If he had acted on that earlier impulse, Jiang Fengmian would have been afraid that Huo Zong might take things too far.

"Little Cat, you can just accompany me while I change clothes."

Jiang Fengmian, who was suddenly pulled away: "What???"

I thought we were going out? Now in the walk-in closet, facing Huo Zong, what if he loses control?

In the spacious walk-in closet, Jiang Fengmian was pinned into a tight corner by Huo Zong.

It was supposed to be just picking a shirt, but Huo Zong made it feel like something more was about to happen.

The torn shirt Huo Zong had been wearing hung above Jiang Fengmian's head. His fingertips brushed against Huo Zong's burning skin, and he couldn't resist the temptation, quickly grazing his abs.

"Little Cat, these are all the clothes you ruined."

Jiang Fengmian gave an awkward chuckle. He could see that they were arranged in chronological order, with the latest one he ruined placed at the end.

"What should we do then? The little kitten doesn't know any better. Big Brother, you won't get mad, right?"

"Hmm, then the little kitten will have to compensate. Ten kisses a day should suffice."

Jiang Fengmian's eyes went wide in shock. How cruel! One kiss was already overwhelming for him, and now ten?

"Well, Chen Chen seems to be in a hurry. Big Brother, hurry up."

"Alright." Huo Zong reluctantly suppressed his desire to tease Jiang Fengmian, changed his clothes, tied his tie, and returned to his usual serious demeanor.

"Mr. Huo, you've arrived."

"Sorry, Mr. Huo, I really couldn't handle it. Would you like some water first? Your lips seem swollen."

Jiang Fengmian glanced around, scratching his head guiltily.

Huo Zong glanced at Chen Chen, "Is the company too busy?"

Chen Chen didn't understand what he meant, afraid that Huo Zong was dissatisfied with him, he nervously replied, "It's manageable, after finishing this project, it should be fine. Including the previous annual leave, I can have a good rest."

"Oh, maybe you should make time for a relationship."

Chen Chen immediately understood, his eyes darting to Jiang Fengmian behind Huo Zong, whose lips were also red and swollen. A few seconds later, Chen Chen blushed and responded, not daring to look into Jiang Fengmian's innocent eyes.

They were kissing!

No wonder Mr. Huo wasn't happy. Being interrupted during their private time, who would be happy?

Chen Chen carefully recalled, in his memory, this was the first time he had seen the two of them together with swollen lips.

Could it be...

It’s true love—after being together for so long, today might’ve been their first kiss.

This is killing me!

He wasn’t his usual composed self as the special assistant anymore.

"Alright, Huo Zong, I'll make time to talk."

Chen Chen’s mind was racing, but he kept a straight face as he clumsily ushered Huo Zong inside.

"Hmm."

Huo Qing was sitting in the lobby, followed by a crowd of bodyguards.

To an outsider, it looked like Huo Qing was shooting a mobster film, threatening someone right in the police station.