Chapter 171: Admiration

Chapter 171: Longing

The lock slid with a faint click, startling Liang Xu from his daze. He lifted his gaze toward the door.

The young man who pushed the door open radiated youthful energy, every contour of his nose and brow perfectly sculpted.

It wasn’t his assistant, Zhang Ping, but the heir of New Leaf Group—Shi Lv.

Liang Xu’s pupils constricted abruptly.

In an instant, countless questions raced through his heat-fogged mind… Why was Shi Lv here? Had Shi Lv caught the scent of his leaked pheromones? Would Shi Lv discover his hidden identity? And if he did, what then?

But before his brain could form a clear thought, Liang Xu froze.

Shi Lv strode forward and held him close—or rather, embraced him.

Liang Xu could barely support his own weight, relying on trembling arms to keep himself upright.

Yet Shi Lv gripped his shoulders firmly, holding him steady, taking on most of his weight. Using this position, Shi Lv cupped the back of his head with one hand and leaned in, pressing close to Liang Xu’s scent gland.

As the Alpha approached, the skin at the nape of his neck burned as if scorched, only to be soothed by the earthy scent of petrichor. But when Shi Lv’s breath brushed against the sensitive gland, it quivered under the touch.

Shi Lv tentatively pressed a kiss to the gland. His touch was restrained, waiting until the tense, shivering flesh relaxed slightly before murmuring reassurances, repeating, “It’ll pass quickly. Just a little longer. It won’t hurt much.”

Just like those nights before, in the dimly lit room on the 29th floor of Zhenhai Hotel, comforting the Omega he’d thought was his brother.

“…”

Liang Xu relaxed, letting his body go limp in the Alpha’s arms.

Fangs sank into his skin, pheromones surged through him. Liang Xu reflexively clutched Shi Lv’s shirt, holding his breath.

When the marking was done, Shi Lv withdrew, leaving only two faint bite marks on the gland. Liang Xu exhaled slowly.

Then, the scorching heat receded like a tide, the restlessness subsiding. With his body finally at ease, exhaustion crept in.

It felt like deep sleep after exhaustion, like an extended vacation after relentless work. Liang Xu imagined himself lying on a lounge chair—turquoise waves, endless sky, golden sand, the sound of waves lapping at the shore. Under the shade of a vast parasol, lulled by the gentle sea breeze, he wanted nothing more than to sink into sleep.

Shi Lv stood firm, bearing most of Liang Xu’s weight without faltering. Keeping him steady, he pulled out a couple of tissues with one hand and wiped the sweat from Liang Xu’s gland.

Shi Lv asked softly, “How do you feel?”

Liang Xu shook his head, then after a long pause, nodded.

He didn’t know how to answer.

His body trembled faintly in the afterglow of the marking, instincts craving contact with the Alpha. If a freshly marked Omega were a cat, then the Alpha was catnip, exuding an intoxicating allure at every turn.

Liang Xu fought the urge to resist, attempting to put distance between them—but he nearly fell. Shi Lv watched him with concern but didn’t move closer against his wishes, only asking, “…Do you need to lean on me?”

“…”

Reason vanished in that moment, instinct taking over. He desperately wanted the Alpha’s embrace, wanted to breathe in the scent of his neck and shoulders.

Liang Xu closed his eyes, rasping, “I need it.”

So Shi Lv pulled him in—or rather, held him. The influence of pheromones was always mutual, affecting the Omega just as it did the Alpha. But Shi Lv, a modern Alpha, was naturally dull to pheromones. Even so, he felt a heady buzz now.

When the Omega was back in his arms, their bodies pressed together, warmth seeping through fabric, both of them sighed, overcome by an odd contentment.

But Shi Lv still hesitated to touch Liang Xu much.

They hadn’t defined their relationship yet, and being too intimate might overstep boundaries. So Shi Lv only hesitated before raising his hand and placing it on Liang Xu’s back.

Liang Xu was very thin—he could feel the prominent outline of his shoulder blades.

Truth be told, Shi Lv’s movements were awkward and clumsy, clearly inexperienced in embracing someone. Yet the palm pressed against Liang Xu’s back was warm and scorching. He tentatively rubbed the other’s back in an attempt to soothe him, like soothing a cat or comforting a child.

Under such gentle comfort, all discomfort faded away, replaced by an odd, electric tingling rising from his back. Liang Xu paused and opened his eyes.

He was facing the mirror.

Since inheriting New Leaf, Shi Lv had started wearing suits. With his broad shoulders and narrow waist, his figure was strikingly well-proportioned, and the fitted silhouette made him look even more imposing. The mirror showed only his back, but it was captivating enough.

In contrast, Liang Xu’s current appearance was downright disheveled. His face was pale, his glasses askew, the chain hanging limp. His forehead and hair were damp with either water or sweat, and even the lashes beneath his lenses bore a trembling droplet, ready to fall at any moment.

A complete mess.

But before he could wallow in self-mockery, that hanging droplet was dabbed away by Shi Lv with a tissue.

Not pressing him about it, as if it were just an ordinary bead of sweat, Shi Lv asked softly, “Feeling better?”

Liang Xu nodded. Shi Lv wanted to ask more, but he suddenly stopped mid-sentence, and the Omega in his embrace tensed up again.

Someone was passing by outside the door.

Footsteps carried through the bathroom door, muffled but distinct—the sound of leather shoes tapping against the floor.

The company had many Alpha executives, and Alphas were naturally sensitive to an Omega’s pheromones. Right now, in this small restroom, their mingled scents hung thick in the air. Green Bamboo Wine and the fragrance of rain in an empty mountain intertwined inseparably, as if they'd brought the mountain forest indoors. One might expect to witness a mountain downpour just by opening a window.

Though the New Leaf headquarters had the best ventilation and filtration systems, and the restroom door was tightly sealed, there was no telling if their scent might leak.

If that scent were detected, there'd be no explaining their situation.

Both men froze.

The footsteps grew closer, accompanied by faint laughter—barely ten meters away from the restroom now.

Liang Xu’s scent patch had already been removed, and he had no spare on hand. Shi Lv pressed one hand against the door, having already locked it earlier, while the other grabbed a tissue, dampened it, wrung it out, and pressed it against Liang Xu’s nape.

The footsteps outside became clearer, now right at the door—the very spot where the pheromones were most concentrated.

Shi Lv and Liang Xu remained silent, their breathing slowed.

Fortunately, the person outside didn’t notice anything unusual. The footsteps didn’t pause and gradually faded away.

In Liang Xu’s current state, leaving without a scent patch was impossible. Otherwise, every Alpha on the floor would pick up his scent.

Shi Lv asked, “Should I get you a scent patch?”

He had bought some but left them in his office, not carrying any on him.

Liang Xu, unaware that Shi Lv had any, felt around briefly before handing him a metallic key. “…Thanks. They’re in my office drawer.”

Shi Lv unlocked the restroom door, checked the coast was clear, and edged out along the wall.

An Alpha emerging from an Omega’s restroom—Shi Lv didn’t want to be taken for some creep.

He glanced around. The hallway was empty. Liang Xu’s office was about 50 meters away. For some reason, his pulse jumped with nervous energy. He strode down the corridor, but before entering Liang Xu’s office, he hesitated again, checking the coast was clear. Only after confirming no one was around did he push the door open and slip inside.

The moment he entered, Shi Lv pressed his elbow against the office door, locking it with a sharp click.

This wasn’t Shi Lv’s first time in Liang Xu’s office. He opened the drawer, finding personal items inside—car keys, a glass, a phone stand, cotton swabs, and other miscellaneous bits. Compared to Liang Xu’s usual immaculate appearance, these little things felt oddly intimate. For some reason, Shi Lv felt like a college guy nervously handling his girlfriend's private things for the first time.

At the very bottom of the drawer, he found the gland suppressant patches—and an onyx-black VIP keycard.

It was for the presidential suite on the 29th floor of Zhenhai Hotel.

Shi Lv placed the keycard and the other items back where they belonged, took the gland suppressant patches, and slipped back along the wall to the restroom.

In the ABO world, restrooms came in six types: three designations (Alpha, Beta, Omega) multiplied by two genders. Back in college, Shi Lv had nearly walked into the wrong one. Now, as he glanced up at the Omega-exclusive sign above the restroom, he guiltily touched the tip of his nose.

Even though none of the Omega executives were around, this behavior was still downright perverted. If someone saw him, who knew what rumors would spread?

Taking a deep breath, Shi Lv pushed the door open with grim determination.

In the few short minutes he’d been gone, Liang Xu had already tidied himself up.

He’d washed away the sweat from his hair, combed the disheveled strands back, and properly adjusted his silver-framed glasses on the bridge of his nose. Though his body was still weak and exhausted, he looked much better.

Shi Lv peeled off the backing of the gland suppressant patch, brushed aside the stray hairs behind Liang Xu’s ear, and carefully positioned it. The skin over the gland was extremely delicate, already swollen and faintly flushed from the bite, starkly contrasting with the cool porcelain skin around it.

It was oddly captivating—making fingers itch to press and prod at it.

Clearing his throat, Shi Lv firmly secured the patch in place.

Staying in the restroom wasn’t a solution. Shi Lv turned the air purification system to maximum and asked Liang Xu, “Can you walk?”

Liang Xu was leaning against the marble counter of the sink, struggling to steady himself. Given his personality, even if his limbs were weak and his body exhausted, he wouldn’t show discomfort in front of his direct supervisor—New Leaf Group’s scion—much less ask for help. He’d force himself back to his office on sheer willpower.

But Shi Lv wasn’t just his superior, nor just New Leaf’s heir.

Looking at the Alpha’s handsome, concerned face, Liang Xu inexplicably let out a soft, reluctant sigh. “Not very well.”

True to his nature, the Alpha generously offered his arm. “Then I’ll support you.”

Liang Xu lowered his gaze. Slowly, he reached out and lightly took hold of it.

Shi Lv turned the doorknob again, peeking out into the hallway. It was empty—no one in sight. The executives were all busy with their work, holed up in their offices. So, Shi Lv helped Liang Xu up and guided him toward his office.

It was an overly intimate position—the Omega boneless with exhaustion, his body steeped in the Alpha’s scent, while the Alpha’s clothes were disheveled, equally drenched in the Omega’s pheromones.

The mingling scents of bamboo wine and mountain rain were both crisp and rich, clashing yet perfectly complementary.

At this point, anyone who saw them would jump to the wrong conclusion.

After all, what else could make an Alpha and Omega’s pheromones so thoroughly intertwined?

The 50-meter hallway felt endless. Both Shi Lv and Liang Xu’s hearts raced. On either side were the offices of New Leaf’s most influential executives—many of whom they’d met with just this morning.

Some doors weren’t fully closed, left slightly ajar. Liang Xu and Shi Lv moved as quietly as possible. Shi Lv wore casual dress shoes with his suit, his footsteps light, but Liang Xu was in a traditional double-breasted peaked lapel suit paired with low-heeled Oxford shoes. No matter how softly he stepped, the taps of his heels against the floor were audible.

Each click of his heels made their hearts leap into their throats, terrified someone in one of the offices would hear and glance into the hallway.

But fate had other plans. Just as they were almost there—about 10 meters from Liang Xu’s office—they heard voices around the L-shaped corner.

This section of the hallway was a bend, designed as a shared lounge space with a massive floor-to-ceiling window. Sun-loving banana plants lined the window, trimmed into staggered shapes to create a tropical rainforest ambiance. A few plush sofas and armchairs were placed beside them for relaxation.

Originally, in New Leaf headquarters’ building design, the executive office suite was meant to occupy the entire top floor, with only two meeting rooms for conferences. The offices of other board members and division managers were supposed to be on the floor below.

However, Liang Xu had cultivated a friendly and warm image, and his status dictated that he couldn’t flaunt wealth before Elder Ye passed away. Thus, this proposal was rejected. The top floor was filled with offices just like the other floors, with Liang Xu's being only slightly larger.

But now, Liang Xu deeply regretted this decision.

As the footsteps drew nearer, on the verge of an awkward encounter, Liang Xu pushed Shi Lv away and collapsed onto the sofa.

At this moment, their tacit understanding shone through. Shi Lv reacted swiftly, releasing Liang Xu without hesitation. There was no time for adjustments—he simply leaned back against the sofa, adopting a casual, relaxed posture.

So when a certain shareholder turned the corner, this was the scene that greeted him.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, a magnificent sunset cast its glow, its light filtering through the gaps in the artificial rainforest, creating a Tyndall effect-like halo. Liang Xu sat on the sofa, his dark double-breasted suit exuding elegance and composure.

One hand propped against his forehead, his hair neatly swept back, his silver-framed glasses impeccably perched on the bridge of his nose. His deep amber eyes lowered slightly, as if lost in thought.

Behind him, Shi Lv reclined against the backrest of the sofa. From the executive's angle, only his slightly tilted profile was visible—a face so flawlessly sculpted it adhered to the golden ratios of classical aesthetics, like a marble statue. The sunset gilded his silhouette, his hair catching fragmented glimmers of light. Though he appeared relaxed, leaning back-to-back with Liang Xu, his shoulder blades were tense, his entire body rigid.

The lounge area’s floor-to-ceiling windows had several ventilation panels left open, ensuring good airflow. Both Liang Xu and Shi Lv had their scent patches securely in place, and the executive was too far away to catch any lingering pheromones.

Yet, the executive still eyed them with a strange expression. "Uh…”

He chose his words carefully. "President Shi, President Liang… are you two… uh, shooting a magazine spread?"

His confusion was understandable. Both Shi Lv and Liang Xu appeared relaxed yet were visibly tense, much like models posing for a photoshoot.

The executive had once dated a model and knew that seemingly effortless poses required full-body tension—every muscle had to be held at just the right angle to achieve the perfect posture in photos. Otherwise, the result would look sloppy and lifeless.

The way Liang Xu and Shi Lv were holding themselves now didn’t resemble two colleagues chatting in a lounge at all. Instead, they looked like professional menswear models, with an imaginary camera trained on them as they struck a pose.

And the composition…

The framing was impeccable, the color palette flawless. One figure seated, the other standing—one refined and dignified, the other rebellious and unrestrained. It was textbook magazine aesthetics.

Bewildered, the executive thought, *If President Liang switched to a white suit and President Shi wore a burgundy silk tie, this pose could easily pass for wedding photos.*

Under the executive’s utterly baffled stare, Liang Xu raised a hand and adjusted his silver-framed glasses.

His body was weak, barely able to stand, but the plush sofa concealed this fact.

Liang Xu subtly shifted his posture, crossing his legs as he regarded the executive with the same composed, gentle smile he wore during countless meetings. "Ah, President Yang. It’s nothing. President Shi and I had some matters to discuss. The office was a bit stifling, so we stepped out for some air."

President Yang: "…"

He hesitated, words caught in his throat.

Liang Xu’s office had the best ventilation in the entire New Leaf Group building.

Meanwhile, Shi Lv emerged from behind the sofa. Broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, his suit accentuating his impeccable physique, he perched on the armrest of Liang Xu’s sofa, his long legs on full display.

Shi Lv: "Ah, yes. The cutting-edge technology investment we discussed in the recent meeting—given the substantial capital involved and the uncertain prospects, I still had some reservations. President Liang is far more knowledgeable and experienced in investments than I am, so I sought his advice. The office was a bit stuffy, and with such a stunning sunset, this window offers a perfect view of the fiery clouds. Seemed like a good spot to chat."

President Yang: "…"

Again, he swallowed his words.

Shi Lv’s office also had a massive floor-to-ceiling window facing the sunset—one far more unobstructed than this one, with its pesky foliage in the way.

But as a seasoned executive, President Yang knew better than to voice his skepticism. Whether Presidents Shi and Liang were simply taking a leisurely stroll, practicing wedding poses, or discussing some dubious investment plan—if they said it was business, then it *was* business.

So, with practiced ease, he launched into flattery: "...Truly admirable, Presidents. Even the smallest investment warrants your personal attention. Such professionalism is truly awe-inspiring."

It wasn’t that he was being sarcastic, but the so-called cutting-edge technology investment Shi Lv mentioned was truly insignificant for New Leaf Group’s scale—not even worth a speck of attention. The meeting dismissed it in ten minutes. Apart from praising their meticulousness and professionalism, Manager Yang truly had no other praise to offer.

Shi Lv and Liang Xu—

Liang Xu coughed lightly and smiled. “Manager Yang, you must be busy. Shi Lv and I still have some investment details to finalize, so we’ll hang back a bit. We won’t keep you.”

Manager Yang nodded repeatedly and scurried off.

The hallway fell silent again.

Shi Lv took a deep breath, eyeing the space from the elevator all the way to the restroom at the end of the corridor, ensuring no one was left. Only then did he help Liang Xu up again, and the two of them walked into the office together.

With a soft click, the lock clicked shut.

They both leaned against the wall and let out identical sighs of relief.

Liang Xu and Shi Lv relaxed simultaneously. They exchanged a glance and suddenly laughed.

The sunset was just right at that moment, its golden-orange glow spilling through the curtains and bathing the entire office in warmth. In an Alpha’s eyes, the Omega’s features under the sunset were devastatingly handsome, while in the Omega’s eyes, the Alpha silhouetted against the evening sky was equally heart-stopping.

Shi Lv handed the remaining gland patches back to Liang Xu, who lowered his head to take them and placed them back in the drawer.

He toyed with the hotel key—Liang Xu remembered its position. If Shi Lv had seen it while retrieving the gland patches, coupled with their matching pheromones, his cover was blown.

Tension thickened between them, and Shi Lv, understanding what Liang Xu was looking at, fell silent.

For a moment, neither spoke.

At this point, Liang Xu’s careful calculus, his so-called decisiveness, had all become meaningless. He had exposed his pheromones, his identity, his vulnerabilities, and his fatal weakness. From now on, Shi Lv held a knife to his throat. Their fates were tangled into a knot beyond untying—there was no escape.

So Liang Xu simply watched Shi Lv quietly, gazing at this Alpha he adored—youthful, vibrant, kind, pure, embodying every trait he admired but had never been able to attain.

He truly liked him—so much it hurt.

The emotions he had never felt in his youth now surged in his thirties with an intensity that outdid teenage passion. Despite his usual composure and experience, Liang Xu found himself helpless to stamp it out.

Just being with Shi Lv made Liang Xu feel something long dormant reawakening in his ribs, pulsing through his veins with every heartbeat. Never before had he felt so acutely alive, so enamored, so hopelessly gone.

This wasn’t about careful calculus, forcing a smile, or maintaining rationality. It was something else entirely.

So—should he go all in?

Liang Xu was a businessman. He never went all-in, never engaged in wagers that could ruin him. But looking at this Alpha bathed in the sunset, he thought—perhaps he could roll the dice.

Shi Lv wouldn’t let him lose.

But Liang Xu, too guarded by habit, couldn’t mimic the blunt honesty of youth. He couldn’t just blurt out his feelings. So instead, he asked offhandedly, “Shi Lv, are you moving?”

To step into his life, offer whatever help he could, layer it with embraces, kisses, and enduring companionship—that was the most sincere thing Liang Xu could give.

Shi Lv had just ditched his lease on his old, run-down apartment and picked out a new place. He had already started moving some of his belongings over but hadn’t finished yet—still in the middle of the process.

Shi Lv: “Yeah, almost done. Just a few more trips, and it’ll be finished. I’ll invite you over for dinner once it’s settled.”

Even as the Ye family’s young master, Shi Lv hadn’t yet adapted to the lifestyle of the wealthy.

He didn’t feel like his life had undergone any earth-shattering changes. Though he spent more freely now, he still wasn’t at the point of hiring a moving team to schlep his things over to his new place. He preferred organizing everything himself, stuffing his belongings into duffel bags, and carrying them over in person.

The only difference was that while he used to take the subway when moving, he now opted for taxis.

In truth, Elder Ye had assigned a car and driver to Shi Lv, but the driver was Elder Ye’s informant. Since Shi Lv disliked the Ye family and wanted nothing to do with them, he never used the service.

Liang Xu said, "Don’t bother with taxis—going back and forth is too much trouble. Let me drive you for the move."

Perhaps sensing the overt intention behind his words, Liang Xu added, "Hmm... and I can also take a look at Ginger."

The little ginger cat had already grown as plump as a drumstick, yet Liang Xu, his so-called godfather, hadn’t even seen him yet.

Shi Lv: "Alright, then shall we go together tonight?"

So that evening, Shi Lv sneaked away unnoticed and arrived at a street two blocks away from New Leaf Group.

He and Liang Xu acted like spies making a drop, sneaking around and glancing left and right. Only after confirming there wasn’t a single familiar face in sight did Shi Lv finally yank open the car door and slide into the seat.

They drove toward the old residential district.

Shi Lv had already packed most of his belongings, leaving only larger items like the cat bed and cat tree. The two of them split the work, dismantling them and packing them into boxes.

Ginger was a cat with a strong sense of territory. He barely remembered Liang Xu, and when he saw his familiar nest disappearing, he went on the attack—only to be grabbed by the scruff of his neck by Shi Lv and lifted into the air, limbs flailing.

"Ginger, don’t you recognize him? This is the godfather who spent money to save you from death’s door back then. Come on, say hello to god~fa~ther~"

The ginger cat gave him a dead-eyed stare and gave Shi Lv two warning kicks in protest.

He had no intention of acknowledging someone he’d only met twice as his godfather and continued his aggressive display.

Shi Lv: "Your cat bed, food, and snack cans were all bought by him. Keep acting fierce, and no more goodies for you."

Perhaps exhausted from struggling, or perhaps understanding the threat in Shi Lv’s tone, the ginger cat gave him the stink-eye, then sulkily curled around his tail and stopped resisting.

Shi Lv tucked the kitten into a travel crate, along with his cat bed and cat tree, and loaded them into Liang Xu’s car.

Today was the moving day for the old apartment. Shi Lv had planned to move into his new place, but after he and Liang Xu started packing, they realized they’d underestimated the task's difficulty.

Cleaning, organizing, making the bed, rearranging items, reassembling the cat bed and cat tree—all of this took serious work. By the time they finished, it was already past 9 p.m.

Shi Lv stood up to stretch and muttered, "Didn’t think it’d take this long."

Liang Xu, still putting together the cat tree, checked the time and suddenly asked, "Do you want me to go home?"

Last time they’d stayed at Liang Xu’s place this late, Shi Lv had ended up spending the night.

Shi Lv was startled: "You’d be willing to stay over?"

The effects of the mark were mutual—Shi Lv also wanted to stay close to Liang Xu.

But after a quick look around, he hesitated.

Shi Lv hadn’t yet adjusted to the lifestyle of a rich kid. The apartment was decent, but it was nowhere near as nice as Liang Xu’s penthouse.

The gap wasn’t just in location but also in soundproofing, views, building features, and furniture quality—it was lacking in every aspect. And with the cleaning still unfinished, the hygiene wasn’t ideal either.

Besides, Shi Lv had always lived alone, so he only had two sets of sheets to swap out. One set had just been washed and wasn’t dry yet. He was kinda embarrassed asking Liang Xu to stay.

Liang Xu looked around and pushed up his glasses. "It’s still a bit messy since we haven’t finished tidying up."

Shi Lv said, "You should head back first. I’ve got the rest. Next time there’s a chance, I’ll have you over properly."

With that, he pulled open the door, ready to walk Liang Xu downstairs.

Liang Xu looked at him but didn’t move. Instead, he blurted out, "...This place is too messy. Shi Lv, wanna crash at a hotel with me?"

Shi Lv froze, almost losing his footing. "Huh?"

Liang Xu: "Zhenhai Hotel is nearby. The room key is in my pocket. This place still needs time to be cleaned up, so... tonight, will you stay at the hotel with me?"

His tone was spoken softly, almost carefully.

Shi Lv suddenly felt the scent of pheromones in the air grow stronger again.

The bitter top notes of green bamboo were almost imperceptible, but the alcoholic undertones were thick enough to intoxicate, as if Liang Xu had finally dropped just a fraction of his defenses in front of him, attempting to reveal his true self.

Shi Lv was a little dazed.

Liang Xu leaned against the doorway. Having taken off his suit jacket and loosened his tie for packing, his collar hung open, leaving only a sweat-damp shirt clinging to his body—just sheer enough for Shi Lv to make out his pale skin and even... the slightly different hue at his chest.

Liang Xu watched him quietly, his fox-like eyes crinkling into crescents. A smirk tugged at his lips, but this one was unlike any before—neither amiable, perfunctory, nor feigned. There was something in it Shi Lv couldn’t quite decipher.

Like a hook.

Shi Lv stared at him, transfixed.

Liang Xu met his gaze unflinchingly. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing a stretch of forearm as he held his suit jacket in one hand and fished out the room key with the other. The black-and-gold card was pinched between his fingers, stark against his porcelain skin.

Once more, Liang Xu repeated the straightforward offer: "What I mean is, Shi Lv, tonight—will you stay at the hotel with me?"