Chapter 64

Chapter 64

"Little Dad, what are you and Big Dad eating?"

Bao Yiming asked in a clingy, whiny tone over the phone. "Can I see too?"

Wen Cishu shot Bao Tingyuan beside him a smiling glance, adjusted the video call to the rear camera, and showed their dinner on the table.

"Should we have the restaurant prepare a portion and send it to the farm?"

They were having Huaiyang cuisine today—a delicate Chinese cuisine with relatively simple dishes and light flavors.

Bao Yiming looked at the food and grinned. "No need—I’ll go eat there soon."

He held up his sandwich. "Little Dad, this is the sandwich Brother Xingxing and I made together. Did you and Big Dad catch it on the security feed? Or did you not watch at all?"

Wen Cishu turned the phone toward the tablet propped on the table. "We’re watching. Wave at the camera."

Bao Yiming straightened up and hopped excitedly in front of the monitor, clearly happy that his dads were keeping an eye on him even during dinner.

Wen Cishu added, "Not just us—Uncle Xu and Auntie Zhong back home are watching too, so you have to be good, okay?"

"I’m very good, and Brother Xingxing is too. Right?" Bao Yiming poked the little monkey, who was busy munching on his sandwich.

Brother Xingxing laughed and scampered off to the other side.

Bao Tingyuan added a few reminders before the call finally ended.

Wen Cishu put away his phone and couldn’t help but cover a big yawn, his eyes glistening with moisture.

It had been a hectic day—from the airport to the farm, running all over the place.

Bao Tingyuan took his hand and gently massaged his slender, slightly cold fingers. "We’ll watch the movie next time."

"Hmm?" Wen Cishu’s dark, liquid eyes paused briefly as he asked softly, "So we’re going home this early?"

A pang of inexplicable disappointment rose.

Behind his glasses, Bao Tingyuan’s green eyes scrutinized his expression carefully. "Don’t overexert yourself."

Wen Cishu puffed his cheeks without thinking, unwilling to give in.

Their lovely date had been short, but surely not *this* short?

"Can we stay out a little longer?" He swayed Bao Tingyuan’s hand lightly, pulling out his trump card. "Daddy~"

After saying this, he pressed his lips together, his clear black-and-white eyes fixed on Bao Tingyuan, his gorgeous face the picture of innocence.

Yet, the man remained unmoved. The icy glint in his glasses carried an inexplicable, frosty aloofness.

Wen Cishu: *Crap, my old tricks aren’t working.*

Just as he was about to find an excuse to back down, he heard Bao Tingyuan give a noncommittal "Hmm."

His eyes lit up. "Then let’s go watch a movie?"

Bao Tingyuan tightened his grip on his hand. "We’ll skip the movie."

"Ah?" Wen Cishu’s rising excitement was dashed, making him want to stomp his feet like the little monkey.

He glared at the man moving at his own pace: “So we’re still going back?”

Bao Tingyuan glanced out the restaurant window.

“Let’s take a walk first before heading back.”

The restaurant was located on a high floor, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows on all sides.

At this moment, the sapphire night sky held a sliver of a moon.

Every table in the restaurant could enjoy both delicious food and the moonlit view.

Hearing this, Wen Cishu finally looked satisfied.

Though Bao Tingyuan said so, he didn’t move an inch, exuding an air of utter composure.

Wen Cishu deliberately raised his hand high and lightly tapped his palm in warning: “Then why aren’t you moving? CEO Bao, you’re such a slowpoke.”

Bao Tingyuan took in the sight of him, unable to suppress a smile.

-

Soon after, the two left the elevator and slid into the car.

Wen Cishu was puzzled—“Weren’t we supposed to take a walk?”

Bao Tingyuan slipped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer, and gave Master Liu a street name.

Wen Cishu didn’t ask further, though he wondered:

Since when did Bao Tingyuan know where to go for a “walk” on a date?

The night blurred past, streaks of headlights flashing through the vehicle.

Flickering lights swept across Wen Cishu’s face like makeup highlights.

As he quietly observed Bao Tingyuan, he was being watched just as intently in return.

Their eyes met in the dim light, full of unspoken meaning.

Half a minute later, Wen Cishu relented, his fingers fidgeting and tracing patterns in Bao Tingyuan’s palm before being firmly grasped.

Just as he was about to feel childish, Bao Tingyuan leaned in and brushed a kiss against the corner of his mouth.

Wen Cishu felt as if he’d been fed a mouthful of honey, his heart racing as he gave Bao Tingyuan a light knee nudge—

Master Liu was right there driving!

About ten minutes later, the car pulled to a stop.

Bao Tingyuan handed the tablet to Uncle Liu, asking him to keep an eye on the farm’s security feed.

“Master Liu, no need to follow us. If Yi Ming needs anything, come find me.”

“Right.” Master Liu took it, seeing the young master Yi Ming and Xingxing playing with Lego blocks on the screen.

Wen Cishu leaned forward, peering out the window at the scenery outside.

It was a small suspension bridge spanning a river. They were now parked beneath one end, looking out at the orange lights lining the bridge’s underside.

Before getting out, Bao Tingyuan shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it over Wen Cishu’s shoulders, then lowered his gaze to button it up.

The two stood close, Wen Cishu enveloped in warmth, his gaze shifting from Bao Tingyuan’s piercing green eyes locked intently on him to his well-defined fingers.

Though Bao Tingyuan’s shirt and vest fit snugly against his body, every button securely fastened, Wen Cishu found him unbearably sexy at this moment.

As Bao Tingyuan withdrew his hand, Wen Cishu tilted his head up to press a kiss against his chin, with a sly grin before turning to push open the car door on the other side and quickly hopping out.

Master Liu, who happened to glance at the rearview mirror, immediately lowered his head.

After today’s “little incident,” he felt it necessary to suggest to the young master that they get a car with a divider for future commutes.

Wen Cishu walked to the black railing, watching the shimmering river flow past, only to be guided toward the bridge.

Neither spoke, simply immersing themselves in the quiet magic of the moment.

Once on the iron bridge, Wen Cishu realized that vehicles weren’t allowed at this hour—only a few scattered pedestrians wandered about.

The bridge was so quiet that when cars passed on the roads at either end, the wind whooshed urgently in response, and the bridge’s unique structure emitted odd reverberations, pulling those on it into another world.

Coupled with the dappled light of the bridge lamps and the sparse figures, it was like a dreamy midnight scene straight out of an indie film.

Leaning against the railing, Wen Cishu gazed down at the river dappled with orange light before turning to ask, "Why bring me here? Is there something special about it?"

Bao Tingyuan replied calmly, "Master Liu drove past a few times when we were in a hurry."

He glanced back at the bridge behind them. "The view from the car was quite nice."

The night breeze tousled Wen Cishu’s hair, the strands swaying lightly in the air.

Bao Tingyuan raised his hand, his long fingers brushing through the locks before resting the back of his hand against Wen Cishu’s smooth cheek, his thumb gently stroking. Then, in French, he murmured, "I wanted the right opportunity to take a walk here with you."

His heart clenched with sudden ache, Wen Cishu’s brows furrowing slightly.

His dark eyes, shimmering under the silver moonlight, shimmered with unshed tears.

Bao Tingyuan’s broad palm pressed against his back, pulling him into an embrace, then sliding down to give his silky hair a firm tousle.

Amid the babbling river and their intimate closeness, Wen Cishu wrapped his arms tightly around Bao Tingyuan’s waist, speaking slowly, deliberately, "Bao Tingyuan, no matter what happens, let’s face it together, okay?"

"Mm." Bao Tingyuan left a soft kiss on his cheek, his lips brushing his ear. "Come on, time to go home."

Wen Cishu: "..."

It threw him right back to his student days, when his parents would always say, "Alright, alright, you should do this or that."

Leaning against Bao Tingyuan’s shoulder, he poked his chin with a finger, muttering, "Don’t treat me like a kid."

Bao Tingyuan grabbed his wrist. "Then why call me Daddy?"

"..." Wen Cishu instinctively tried to pull his hand back, only to be held tighter.

A playful gleam lit up Bao Tingyuan’s intense eyes behind his glasses as he bent slightly to kiss his wrist.

Somehow, Wen Cishu’s heart turned to mush.

On the way home, his head was in a daze, as if spellbound by that glance from Bao Tingyuan.

-

The Bao family mansion.

Upstairs bathroom.

Wen Cishu stood before the mirror, his mind wandering as he washed his face.

When they first got home, Bao Tingyuan had taken a phone call and gone to the study, so Wen Cishu took a shower.

He was preoccupied with something critically important, hesitating over whether to act, when suddenly his heart started racing.

Raised by his parents to be strictly disciplined, Wen Cishu had never done anything truly audacious on his own. Even considering something bold filled him with intense nervousness—along with a peculiar thrill.

The shower was quick and distracted.

Wrapped in a bathrobe, Wen Cishu yanked the sash tight and tied it firmly around his waist.

But when he pushed open the bathroom door and approached the room divider, he moved cautiously, careful not to make a sound.

"Bao Tingyuan?"

He peeked around the divider and called softly.

Still on the phone in the study?

Only when he stepped into the bedroom did he realize there was noise coming from the bathroom, so he hurried into the walk-in closet.

His fingers scanned swiftly over a row of black dress shirts. "Where is it?"

The white version of that black shirt—he had bought it last time.

But the closet before him was filled entirely with black shirts, the differences between them...

Practically none.

Finding that particular shirt was like finding a needle in a haystack.

Wen Cishu rested his hand on the shoulder of one black shirt, frowning in thought. Where could it be? Should he ask Aunt Zhong?

But when they had returned, Uncle Xu had mentioned that Aunt Zhong had already gone to her room to rest—she was probably fast asleep by now.

"Cishu?"

A deep voice called out unexpectedly.

"Ah—!"

Wen Cishu yelped, jumping in surprise, twisting around to see the dark-clad man looming behind him. He patted his chest in relief.

Bao Tingyuan frowned, worried he might have scared him half to death, and stepped forward to rub his back soothingly. "Are you alright?"

Wen Cishu shook his head, blurted out an excuse before Bao Tingyuan could ask. "I-I just suddenly remembered that black shirt I bought. Just wanted to try it on—see how it fits."

He gestured at the neatly arranged identical shirts. "But I couldn’t find it."

Bao Tingyuan eyed him. "Now?"

"Mm... yeah." Wen Cishu gave a determined nod.

Without another word, Bao Tingyuan turned to retrieve the shirt, but hesitated, then seemed to rethink. Instead, he reached for the black shirt laid out for tomorrow.

"That one isn’t here. This one’s the same size—try it?"

"Huh?" Wen Cishu accepted the shirt, doubtful, peering at it closely. "Really?"

Bao Tingyuan pulled out the hanger.

"I'll do it myself." Wen Cishu took the cool, crisp shirt.

Just as he thought Bao Tingyuan was about to leave the dressing room, he heard the sound of the overhead light being switched off.

Only a tall, slender vintage floor lamp remained lit in the room.

Wen Cishu turned his head in confusion, only to see Bao Tingyuan sitting in a velvet armchair, gazing at him from across the room.

The floor lamp stood behind the armchair, casting no light on his sharply defined features but heightening his imposing aura to the extreme.

His high nose bridge divided his face into light and shadow, while the lenses of his glasses reflected the lamplight, both warm and cool at the same time.

Even though Wen Cishu stood between the lamp and the sofa, it felt as if he were trapped in a glaring spotlight on stage. His fingers clutching the shirt tightened reflexively.

What was going on?

Had Bao Tingyuan just turned the tables?

Remembering his own plan, Wen Cishu forced himself to suppress his embarrassment and turned to face the dressing mirror.

Staring at his reflection, he gritted his teeth and tugged the belt loose.

The damp velvet robe slid heavily from his shoulders, revealing his slender, snow-white body.

In the dim light, Wen Cishu gleamed like polished jade.

The man sitting in partial shadows lifted his chin slightly, his gaze fixed on the graceful figure from afar.

Wen Cishu felt the weight of his stare, as if his skin were alight.

To break the silent tension, he feigned casualness, slipping on the black shirt as he spoke, "I wonder if Yi Ming has gone to bed yet. He promised in the car, but he might just sneak off to play."

To his surprise, Bao Tingyuan's voice was cooler, as if discussing the weather.

Bao Tingyuan: "It's rare for Yi Ming to stay overnight with friends. It's normal."

Wen Cishu glanced at him through the mirror and noticed that he had leaned back against the sofa, lazily crossing his legs, as if utterly unbothered.

Wen Cishu’s stomach dropped—he realized his plan might have been a terrible idea.

He busied himself with the shirt instead. "It's too big, isn't it? The style is too formal. It’s not really me."

Bao Tingyuan remarked offhandedly, "Come here. Let me see."

Hearing his indifferent tone, Wen Cishu’s chest tightened. He was now certain Bao Tingyuan had lied to him before.

Separation anxiety might have just been an excuse.

The distance was short, but each step was torture.

His thoughts raced—he must never hurt Bao Tingyuan’s feelings again and would cherish him fiercely.

Their struggles didn’t matter.

As long as the two of them lived peacefully together, watching their child grow up, that was all that mattered.

They say young love becomes old companionship. Wen Cishu thought of how Bao Tingyuan had stayed by his side for ten years—now, he would stay by his for a lifetime.

Only when his slightly cool wrist was gripped by a scorching palm did he dazedly look toward the man on the sofa.

Then, he was forcefully pulled over, tumbling into Bao Tingyuan’s exceptionally long limbs.

Before Wen Cishu could react, Bao Tingyuan’s fingers rested on his shirt buttons, slowly undoing them.

“Hmm?”

Bao Tingyuan: “You misbuttoned your shirt.”

Wen Cishu lowered his head and realized the top button was still fastened—indeed, all were misaligned.

But as those fingertips brushed faintly against the skin of his chest, undoing each button one by one, he seemed to realize something and attempted to pull away.

Yet the hand on his waist instantly tightened, holding him firmly in place.

By the time all the shirt buttons were undone and the fabric fell open, Wen Cishu flushed with embarrassment, but it was too late to say anything.

Under Bao Tingyuan’s lifted gaze, his lashes fluttered captivatingly in the light.

Bao Tingyuan’s fingers caressed gently at his soft waist as he inhaled the clean, crisp scent surrounding him, his voice low as he commanded, “Take my glasses off.”

Wen Cishu’s heart trembled, his fingertips already tingling. The hand resting on Bao Tingyuan’s shoulder lifted almost involuntarily, gently removing the glasses.

Then, Bao Tingyuan’s essence flooded over him, enveloping Wen Cishu completely.

His gaze was inevitably drawn to Bao Tingyuan’s lips, his own mouth parched.

Bao Tingyuan tilted his head back, his pronounced Adam’s apple bobbing as he leaned in to kiss his bewildered lover.

Wen Cishu’s arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders.

Even though he was the one standing, Bao Tingyuan’s overpowering presence made him the passive one.

His knees were parted by strong thighs, his waist pulled firmly forward as he was lifted onto Bao Tingyuan’s lap.

Their lips locked together inseparably.

When Wen Cishu felt Bao Tingyuan’s palm slip past the shirt, pressing against his back, he couldn’t suppress a soft moan.

But what he didn’t expect was Bao Tingyuan kissing him while simultaneously pulling off that black shirt.

“Ah…” Wen Cishu’s head tipped back, his dark hair spilling like silk as he stared at the man before him in surprise.

The corners of his eyes were flushed red, his skin tinged pink like scattered rose petals.

Bao Tingyuan’s thumb rubbed over the flushed skin, his gaze slowly sweeping over Wen Cishu’s body, his eyes dark with hungry desire.

His palm traced over Wen Cishu’s back repeatedly, as if soothing him—or perhaps simply feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat beneath his touch.

Wen Cishu’s back was so slender that Bao Tingyuan’s hand seemed to caress his very heart.

Yet he felt no danger, only shyly pressing closer against Bao Tingyuan’s chest, tilting his head up to seek his lips.

The heated kisses trailed downward—from his chin to his neck, collarbone, then his chest.

Wen Cishu was entirely under his control, unable to evade or escape. He could only arch his neck desperately, drawing shaky breaths, but all he inhaled was Bao Tingyuan’s intoxicating musk, his entire body burning.

Then, a powerful force turned him around, pressing his back flush against Bao Tingyuan’s burningly firm chest as he was made to sit facing away.

Bao Tingyuan’s knees parted, his smooth, pale thighs pressing against the black silk robe.

Wen Cishu’s feet dangled slightly, swaying idly in the air. The threatening presence behind him clouded his thoughts, and as he tried to arch his back, his waist was locked tightly by a firm arm.

When Bao Tingyuan’s palm slid slowly up along his thigh, a soft sound escaped Wen Cishu’s throat.

Bao Tingyuan pressed his chest against Wen Cishu’s back, feeling the quickened heartbeat, his lips grazing the temple and earlobe as he whispered roughly, “If your heart feels uncomfortable, call my name.”

Wen Cishu writhed helplessly in his embrace, like a beached fish gasping for air, his dry lips parting as he murmured incoherently, “What if… it’s not my heart?”

The reply was a dark, throaty laugh beside his ear.

Wen Cishu’s ears rang, and at the same time, Bao Tingyuan worked over him.

Then, everything faded—he could hear nothing, see nothing. His vision blurred, hazy with pleasure, and only the man before him remained real.

His milky-white calves twisted around Bao Tingyuan’s powerful legs, pearl-like toes curling repeatedly, as though searching for something solid to hold onto.

Midway, Bao Tingyuan paused, waiting for Wen Cishu’s racing breath to steady.

…

Late into the night, Bao Tingyuan carried him to bed.

Half-asleep, Wen Cishu vaguely felt him lean closer, their cheeks brushing lightly.

A half-formed thought flickered through his mind, but fatigue overwhelmed him, and he sank into Bao Tingyuan’s arms, slipping into a deep slumber.