Chapter 85

Chapter 85

All day long, Bao Yiming stayed with his two dads, doing whatever he pleased.

Every footprint he left on the white sandy beach was brimming with happiness.

In the afternoon, Bao Yiming received a phone call. "Xingxing?!"

He had just asked his little dad to help send a photo of him surfing to Xingxing's mom.

"Little Dad, I want to have a private chat with Xingxing!"

Wen Cishu watched his instantly beaming expression and nodded with a small smile.

Bao Tingyuan told him, "Don't go too far."

As their son walked away, he signaled for the bodyguards behind them to follow.

The waves lapped gently, and the wind rustled the trees.

Bao Yiming bounced along excitedly. "Today, both dads played with me the whole time! I’m almost getting the hang of surfing—I’ll teach you when I get back, okay?"

Xingxing: "Big brother, when are you coming back?"

"In about a day." Bao Yiming wasn’t entirely sure. "I wish you were still here—we could’ve played together."

"When you come back, want to go to the farm?"

"Sure!" Bao Yiming agreed, then had a sudden idea. "Actually, how about this? When I get back, I’ll pick you up straight from the airport, and you can come have a sleepover at my house."

He thought for a moment. "My two dads will definitely agree. Your parents would be okay with that, right?"

After all, their last overnight trip to the farm had already gotten the adults’ approval.

"Okay!" Xingxing said happily. "I’ll tell my parents in a bit."

"Mhm!" Bao Yiming leaned against a coconut tree, grinning as he tilted his head and ruffled his hair.

—Whatever happened tomorrow, it already filled him with excitement.

-

Wen Cishu was lost in thought, watching the boy’s bouncing figure in the distance, when Bao Tingyuan pulled him into a half-recline, letting him rest comfortably against his lap.

Just as he closed his eyes to relax, he heard a soft question.

"Still sore?"

Before they left, Bao Tingyuan had made sure to pick out a soft, loose-fitting shirt for him to change into.

If Wen Cishu hadn’t stopped him in time, he would’ve even sent someone to buy ointment.

Wen Cishu kept his eyes closed, refusing to answer.

Suddenly, a large hand settled on his waist. He quickly grabbed his hand and his eyes flew open. "Don’t!"

Even though this stretch of beach belonged to the hotel and was completely free of other tourists, bodyguards were still stationed nearby.

Bao Tingyuan squeezed his waist lightly, his expression teasing. "What did you think I was going to do?"

Wen Cishu: "..."

—Obviously, I was worried you'd try to undress me!

Bao Tingyuan lowered his gaze, his hand moving to the slender curve of Wen Cishu’s neck.

Wen Cishu instinctively tilted his head back, leaning into the touch.

Bao Tingyuan’s thumb pressed lightly against his jawline, stroking slowly.

Wen Cishu caught the restless desire in the air and suddenly opened his eyes, softly reminding him again, "We're outside."

"Mhm."

Bao Tingyuan replied flatly, his deep gaze fixed on the soft lips parting slightly before him. Pushing down the restless heat inside, he lifted his head to look into the distance.

The sea relentlessly chased white foam up the shore, each wave leaving its mark a little farther than the last.

Wen Cishu watched his Adam’s apple bob and, as if infected by the same tension, felt his own heart stir restlessly.

As the sea breeze grew hotter, the two of them remained as still as statues, yet an unspoken longing to embrace and kiss radiated from them both.

Wen Cishu nuzzled into Bao Tingyuan’s chest, while his hand gripped the wrist at his neck and slowly guided it downward—until it rested against his waist.

In an instant, that broad hand, barely hindered by fabric, gripped and kneaded his slender waist.

The pent-up desire eased slightly where their skin met.

Wen Cishu wrapped his arms around his waist, hiding his face.

Amid the sound of waves washing over the shore, he was enveloped in Bao Tingyuan’s intoxicating presence, his body melting under those relentless hands. He bit his lip, fighting back a moan.

As Yi Ming ran up to them, Bao Tingyuan kissed his temple, his thumb brushing the corner of his eyebrow before asking in a low, husky voice, "Shall we cook dinner ourselves tonight?"

His voice was low and rough, warm like a breeze.

"Mmm..."

Wen Cishu hummed, lost in a daze of want, his voice soft and sweet. "You cook. I’ll just eat."

Bao Tingyuan pulled him upright.

Seeing the kid coming, Wen Cishu tried to pull away slightly, but the arm around his waist only tightened. He gave in, leaning against him, resting his chin on his shoulder instead.

His eyes flicked up, lingering on Bao Tingyuan’s lips before darting higher—only to meet those dark, unreadable eyes. Embarrassed, he quickly looked away, turning his attention to the little monkey.

"Yi Ming, what did you talk about with Xingxing?"

Yi Ming flopped down, grabbing the large coconut and chugging.

The sweet coconut water made him sigh happily before he eagerly shared his plans—how he’d meet up with Xingxing as soon as they returned.

Wen Cishu smiled softly.

"Then we’ll get Xingxing as soon as we land."

Yi Ming raised the coconut, cheering, "Bring Xingxing home!"

Wen Cishu added, "Oh, and guess what? Big Dad’s cooking tonight."

"Wow!" Bo Yiming's eyes sparkled. "Papa, I want seafood paella!"

"Hm." Bo Tingyuan turned his head slightly, gazing at the handsome face beaming with warmth. "And you? What would you like?"

Wen Cishu stared into his deep green eyes, as if caught in a whirlpool, momentarily speechless. It took him half a minute to collect himself. "Uh... nothing special."

As he stood up, he added, "I'll eat whatever you prepare."

Bo Tingyuan turned back to their son, asking him to think of a few more favorite dishes.

While speaking, his arm pulled the slightly retreating figure back to his side.

As the sun set, Bo Yiming bounced ahead of his two fathers, chattering about the foods he loved.

The two fathers walked side by side, their occasional exchanged glances full of love for each other.

-

Half an hour later.

Bo Yiming was splashing about in the pool while his two fathers worked together in the kitchen to prepare dinner.

By the pool were Uncle Xu, Aunt Zhong, and the bodyguards.

Every pair of eyes was fixed on the little master in the water, worried he might have even the slightest mishap.

Before long, Uncle Xu held up a towel. "Little Master, that's enough for now? Don’t swim too much—you might get a cramp."

With a splash, Bo Yiming tilted his head back, spinning playfully in the water. "Grandpa Xu, I’ve only done two laps!"

Then he continued swimming.

Aunt Zhong said, "He’ll get out when he’s tired. Don’t worry so much, Old Xu."

Uncle Xu eyed the infinity pool, still convinced it wasn’t as safe as the one at home.

-

In the Western-style kitchen.

Only the two of them remained.

Tonight’s main dish was the seafood paella requested by their little guy, accompanied by a few side dishes and soup.

Earlier, Uncle Xu had already arranged for the hotel’s head chef to deliver all the prepared ingredients.

As Bo Tingyuan worked, Wen Cishu stole glances at him—sometimes at his face, other times at his forearms, where his sleeves were rolled up.

Wen Cishu thought to himself, who knew Bo Tingyuan could look so surprisingly hot while cooking?

Bo Tingyuan turned to him. "Come here."

"Hm?"

Thinking he was being asked to taste the food, Wen Cishu approached—only to be met with a quick kiss on the cheek.

His heart melted, but he deliberately kept a straight face. "Is this how you prepare dinner for Yi Ming and me? Not very focused."

No sooner had he spoken than he noticed that familiar dangerous glint in Bo Tingyuan’s eyes.

He turned to leave, but it was too late.

Bo Tingyuan’s arm locked around his narrow waist, pulling him tight against him. He kissed behind Wen Cishu’s ear, his voice deep and firm. "Is this the thanks I get for cooking dinner?"

Anyone else hearing his tone might have thought he was about to get angry.

Wen Cishu, however, couldn’t help but give a soft chuckle. He turned in Bo Tingyuan’s embrace, wrapping his arms around his waist and pressing a kiss to his cheek. Not meeting his eyes, he murmured, "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Bo. Cooking even on vacation."

Behind his glasses, Bo Tingyuan’s eyes held a sharp, authoritative glint. "That's all I get?"

Wen Cishu raised an eyebrow. "You want me to pay you?"

Bo Tingyuan pulled him closer. "How much are you prepared to pay?"

Wen Cishu leaned back slightly, as if calculating the "value" of the meal. "Hmm..."

Just then, a cheerful call interrupted their moment.

"Papa! Daddy!"

Bo Yiming burst into the kitchen, drawn by the rich aroma of the seafood dish. "Wow, is dinner ready?!"

"Yes, you came just in time. Let’s eat."

Wen Cishu carried the dishes out, carefully avoiding Bo Tingyuan’s gaze.

-

After the family of three enjoyed the delicious seafood, Bo Tingyuan received a work call and retreated to the guest room to handle it.

Wen Cishu went ahead to get cleaned up, planning to rest early so he could wake up in time for the sunrise the next day.

As he gathered his clean clothes, he glanced at Bo Tingyuan’s suitcase.

They had brought multiple suitcases—two shared ones and two separate ones for their personal belongings.

Wen Cishu recalled that Friday evening, when their son had pulled out a fairy tale book, Bo Tingyuan had also taken out a book.

He thought back to their flirtatious banter in the kitchen earlier.

—Maybe he could read poetry to Bo Tingyuan as a "thank you"?

With a soft laugh, Wen Cishu reached to open the suitcase.

The poetry collection was slotted diagonally into the side pocket on the left.

As he pulled it out, his fingers brushed against a small, circular bump at the very bottom of the pocket.

It was the shape of a small bottle.

Wen Cishu remembered Bo Tingyuan taking medication.

—Was he still taking them?

Suddenly, he grew confused.

But hadn’t Bo Tingyuan mentioned these past two days that he was still having reactions?

A mix of inexplicable worry and growing concern crept in. Quietly, he took out the small medicine bottle.

The white container bore an all-English label.

It was nearly empty—probably only a few pills remained inside.

Unfamiliar with medical terminology, Wen Cishu quickly took a quick picture with his phone.

After putting the medicine bottle back, he simply slid the poetry book back in at an angle, pretending he hadn’t opened the suitcase.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Wen Cishu used his phone to look up the medication.

"Suppresses neural excitement," "inhibits sexual desire."

Wen Cishu was stunned.

Wasn’t this for anxiety?

Wasn’t the side effect just a possible impact on sexual function?

How come the main purpose of the drug itself be to suppress sexual desire?

Why suppress it?

His thoughts were a tangled mess.

Just then, lively footsteps approached outside the door.

He quickly turned off his phone and put it away.

Bao Yiming, wearing an adorable little nightcap, tackled his little dad with a hug and asked sweetly, "Little Daddy~ Do I smell good?"

Wen Cishu leaned down to kiss his son’s forehead. "Yeah, you smell great."

"Hehe~"

Father and son settled into their respective beds.

Wen Cishu’s mind was elsewhere.

Assuming his little dad was exhausted, Biao Yiming urged him to lie down.

"Little Daddy, I’ll tell you a story to help you sleep. When Big Daddy comes later, I’ll tell him to be really quiet so he won’t wake you up."

"Mhm, Yi Ming is so good~"

Wen Cishu lay beside his child, listening to him tell the story, but his mind was elsewhere: Had he misunderstood all along?

But hadn’t Bao Tingyuan said himself he had mild separation anxiety?

Or maybe he hadn’t lied—just left out other stuff?

Suddenly, flashes of their most intimate moments crossed Wen Cishu’s mind—how Bao Tingyuan’s actions always carried a pent-up intensity, even the way he occasionally massaged him with his hand during the day seemed to hold a held-back roughness.

Even Bao Tingyuan’s gaze was always filled with a raw, hungry desire.

The pieces were finally falling into place.

Only then did Wen Cishu realize he had it all wrong.

—Bao Tingyuan’s body wasn’t just fine—it was practically overfunctioning.