Chapter 93

Chapter 93

After their lunch

The assistant brought green tea and cleared away their lunch containers.

Wen Cishu wiped his lips and took a sip of jasmine tea to freshen up. "Alright then, I'll head home. You get back to work."

They sat facing each other, Wen Cishu's hand resting on the table. Bao Tingyuan reached out and grasped it.

Bao Tingyuan said nothing, only repeatedly stroked Wen Cishu's slender fingers, like bamboo joints, with his thumb.

"Hm?" Wen Cishu thought he had something to say but couldn't understand why he suddenly hesitated.

He raised his hand and playfully tapped Bao Tingyuan's hand, teasing, "Bao Tingyuan? What's up?"

—If you want me to stay, just say it!

Bao Tingyuan's green eyes held unsaid feelings as he clasped Wen Cishu's fingers again. "Cishu, wait so we can go home together?"

Wen Cishu nodded almost immediately.

He had never imagined that the simple phrase "go home together," when spoken by Bao Tingyuan, could carry such an irresistible, magical charm.

However, Bao Tingyuan had an important meeting that couldn't be rescheduled. So, he asked Wen Cishu to rest in the lounge first.

Once Wen Cishu lay on the bed, he noticed Bao Tingyuan wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

"Go ahead with your work. I'll fall asleep soon."

"I'll wait until you're asleep before leaving." Bao Tingyuan checked his watch. "There's still time."

He adjusted the curtains, dimming the room to a sleep-conducive lighting.

Though it was an unfamiliar environment, Wen Cishu felt completely at ease with Bao Tingyuan there. He closed his eyes.

Bao Tingyuan leaned against the headboard, his palm resting against Wen Cishu's porcelain-smooth cheek. Behind his glasses, Wen Cishu's eyelids gently closed as he cherished this rare moment of companionship.

-

Outside the office.

An assistant from downstairs had something urgent for Bao Tingyuan but was stopped by Albert.

"Bao Tingyuan said that he’ll go straight to the meeting in half an hour. He's resting until then."

The assistant was surprised. "President Bao is taking a nap? Is he feeling okay?"

In his memory, the president often skipped lunch breaks to leave work on time.

Albert replied, "His partner is here. They probably want some time."

The assistant nodded in understanding.

Only as he was leaving did he realize the weight behind the term "family member." Hiding his mouth behind a file, he whispered, "You mean Mr. Wen?"

Albert nodded.

-

In the dim quiet of the lounge.

Just as Wen Cishu was about to fall asleep, his phone on the nightstand suddenly lit up with a vibration.

Bao Tingyuan eye-swiftly and hand-quickly picked it up, avoiding making an overly loud sound.

It was a call from an unknown number.

Wen Cishu faintly heard the noise, but was too sleepy to open his eyes, only murmuring, "You answer..."

Bao Tingyuan released his hand and stepped outside the resting area.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Chen, hello, I’m—"

Bao Tingyuan politely said, "Wait a moment, you’ve probably dialed the wrong number."

"But this phone number placed an order on our official website. This is a system-generated callback, and our system almost never errors."

The caller detailed the exact time of the morning order, the number of clothing items purchased, and other specifics, finally adding, "Since the address you provided is unusual, we need to confirm it before delivery."

The address was indeed the Bao family estate.

Bao Tingyuan glanced back at the restroom door. "The address is correct."

"Understood. You’ll receive a verification text shortly—please check it. Thank you for your cooperation."

After the call ended, a notification with images and text popped up on the phone screen.

It included the shopping list.

A few special "outfits" caught Bao Tingyuan’s eye. He opened each image before turning off the screen.

Back in the room, the only sound was Wen Cishu’s soft breathing.

Bao Tingyuan silenced the phone and placed it on the nightstand. His fingers gently brushed through the dark hair spread over the pillow before pressing a kiss to Wen Cishu’s lips.

—He was already looking forward to this special gift.

Heading to the meeting, Bao Tingyuan had just reached the conference room door when his son called.

He waved the others in first and remained outside.

"Yi Ming?"

"Big Dad! Where’s Little Dad? Did you eat yet?"

Only after confirming that his little dad wasn’t alone did Bao Yiming relax and asked next, "Big Dad, can I have a sleepover at the farm with Xingxing tonight? Can I?"

Bao Tingyuan’s gaze drifted toward the direction of his office.

"Big Dad?" Bao Yiming worried he’d get scolded for being playful. "We’ll behave! Xingxing’s parents already agreed—they said it’s fine. Grandpa Xu even called to vouch for us!"

Hearing this, Bao Tingyuan asked, "You’re going now?"

"Yeah!"

Bao Tingyuan didn’t say much, only replying, "Look after Xingxing, then."

"Yay!"

Afraid his son might try contacting Wen Cishu, Bao Tingyuan added, "Your little dad is taking a nap—don’t bother him. I’ll tell him once he wakes up."

Bao Yiming naturally agreed readily: "Sure thing~~"

Bao Tingyuan hung up the phone, stood there quietly for a beat, then had his assistant push open the office door and stepped inside.

-

After waking up, Wen Cishu had already forgotten about the phone call.

When Bao Tingyuan returned to the bedside after the meeting, Wen Cishu wrapped his arms around him: "This room is quite quiet—I slept straight through."

Bao Tingyuan felt as if a soft, sweet-scented cloud had melted into his embrace—warm and gentle.

He held him tightly, pressing a kiss to his sleep-mussed hair, and told him about the two children going to the farm to play.

Wen Cishu knew he would handle things properly and had nothing to worry about, yawning lazily.

Though his body was all loose-limbed against him, he still said, "Then hurry back to work. I’ll catch some more z's."

Bao Tingyuan tightened his arms, guided one of Wen Cishu's legs to straddle his hip, then stood up while supporting him.

"Hmm?" Wen Cishu started in surprise, meeting his deep gaze.

Bao Tingyuan walked out: "Accompany me to work."

"This is an office," Wen Cishu protested, letting his long legs swing restlessly, a little uneasy.

"No cameras, no outsiders."

Bao Tingyuan said bluntly.

Wen Cishu relaxed, resting his chin on Bao Tingyuan’s shoulder, mouth grazing his neck as he teased softly, "So President Bao takes advantage of the fact that no one can dock his salary to act however he wants, huh?"

Bao Tingyuan sat him on the office chair, fixing him with a stern look, yet his palm let his hand wander suggestively up Wen Cishu's thigh as he mused, "Act however I want?"

"Hey, hey—"

Wen Cishu quickly pushed his hand away, actually worried he might "get ideas" here, and promptly melted against his chest, muttering, "I just woke up and I’m thirsty. Where's my special treatment? I won’t come next time."

Bao Tingyuan had already asked his assistant to bring tea when he returned to the office. He now held the cup for him to drink.

Wen Cishu took a couple of sips, peeking at him between sips.

Bao Tingyuan raised a brow: "Hmm?"

Wen Cishu lowered his gaze silently.

—He was just thinking about the gifts he’d receive that night and could barely contain his anticipation.

By the afternoon, the office was buzzing with gossip.

It was said that after Mr. Wen arrived at the company at noon, President Bao had only left his office once for an important meeting and had kept even his assistant out since.

At the end of the workday, the couple left right on time.

Bao Tingyuan drove personally, with Wen Cishu in the passenger seat.

Their two security detail cars trailed close behind.

In the comfortable evening breeze, the golden sunset light spilled through the windows.

Wen Cishu tilted his head to study him.

Though Bao Tingyuan was fully focused on driving, he was unexpectedly cheerful and relaxed, even radiating an unusually relaxed, effortless charm.

Wen Cishu lowered his lashes, his delicate, fan-like lashes fluttering slightly, a faint, mysterious smile tugging at his lips.

Bao Tingyuan estimated the distance home, wedging two fingers under his snug shirt collar and tugging it loose to ease the tension in his neck.

Upon arriving home.

Uncle Xu stepped forward to greet the couple.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, he too was brimming with joy. After updating them on their son’s day at the farm, he added, "Sir, the package delivered this afternoon has already been taken to your bedroom on the second floor."

"Alright, thank you, Uncle Xu."

Wen Cishu was dying to run upstairs and check, but when Bao Tingyuan gave him a level look, he kept his expression neutral and reminded him, "The gift."

"Mhm." Bao Tingyuan handed his coat to Uncle Xu and steered him toward the antique staircase. "Then let’s go see my gift first."

"Hey—let’s eat first."

Wen Cishu tugged at him, hissing under his breath. "You go to the dining room first. I’ll check upstairs—what if they sent the wrong thing? I’ll confirm it before giving it to you."

Bao Tingyuan’s gaze lingered on his face behind his glasses, gauging how truthful he was being.

Just as Wen Cishu was dying to bolt upstairs, Bao Tingyuan suddenly wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

Leading him toward the dining room, Bao Tingyuan said, "The delivery person isn’t that careless. We’ll look at it together later. Dinner first."

"..."

Wen Cishu complained silently: We eat every damn day—big deal!

He pushed food around his plate distractedly, sipped his soup, and even called their son to confirm he and Xingxing had eaten.

At this hour, Aunt Zhong and another maid were staying at the farm to look after them, and would return to the main house later to rest.

Finally finishing the meal, Wen Cishu locked eyes with him. "Can I go upstairs now?"

Bao Tingyuan stood and held his chair out. "Mhm, I’ll go with you."

"No need, I’ll go by myself."

Wen Cishu suddenly remembered how, during the first episode of the show, Xiao Qi had called his dad super clingy. What was going on now—was one popping up in his own home too?

But Bao Tingyuan bent down and swept him up in his arms. "If it’s a gift for me, shouldn’t I be the first to see it?"

A maid who’d been heading in saw them, took a step back, and left.

With no choice, Wen Cishu let himself be carried into the elevator.

He muttered his name, "Bao Tingyuan."

"Mhm."

Bao Tingyuan studied the dreamlike silhouette cast by the elevator’s ornate grille on Wen Cishu’s figure, dreamy and romantic.

Wen Cishu teased, "What’s with the CEO act today?"

Bao Tingyuan corrected him calmly, "I am the chairman."

"..."

Wen Cishu naturally knew his position.

He continued teasing, "Don’t you think ‘Chairman’ makes you sound old? It gives off major over-fifty vibes."

The elevator doors slowly opened, and Bo Tingyuan stepped out. "Hmm, I’ll fire the current CEO tomorrow and take over."

He said it with unusual gravity, making it sound like a matter of great importance.

Wen Cishu poked his cheek and muttered, "Ugh, you’re impossible to talk to! I don’t want to speak with you anymore!"

The two entered the room.

Wen Cishu scanned the room—nothing stood out.

"They’re over on my side. Put me down now."

Bo Tingyuan held him like he was made of cotton—light as a feather and warm against him—so he was reluctant to let go and simply walked toward the screen.

Sure enough, everything was arranged in the sitting area.

Several brand boxes were luxuriously wrapped, each adorned with large bows.

Among them, a pure white heart-shaped box stood out, tied with a sleek black leather ribbon and featuring a small heart-shaped black leather clasp at the center—eye-catching.

Wen Cishu’s first glance was met with shock.

What kind of branding was this?

Were they afraid people wouldn’t realize the box contained... something racy?!

He whipped his head up to stare at Bo Tingyuan.

Noticing the heart-shaped box, Bo Tingyuan first recalled the afternoon phone call and the gift list before lowering his gaze to observe Wen Cishu’s reaction.

Their eyes met, each harboring secret agendas.

Compared to Bo Tingyuan’s unflappable composure, Wen Cishu was the first to falter.

He wriggled free and planted his feet, bending to pick up the watch box and handing it over. "This is for you."

Bo Tingyuan accepted the gift solemnly.

"Did you use your show paycheck for this?"

"Mm." Wen Cishu looked up, blinking. "Not gonna open it?"

Bo Tingyuan sat on the sofa, nodding at the heart-shaped box before asking leisurely, "Is *that* one for me too?"

"Well... it’s just some..."

Wen Cishu stammered, even tempted to chew on his lip.

At this point, he could only swallow hard and nod. "How about... you open it yourself? I’ll... I’ll go wash up?"

Noticing Wen Cishu’s ears turning pink, Bo Tingyuan tucked his hair behind his ear and dropped a kiss to the side of his neck.

"Mhm, go on."

Wen Cishu nuzzled against him, glanced at the box, then hurried toward the bathroom, his heart hammering.

Once he'd steadied himself, he wanted to crack the door open to peek at Bo Tingyuan's reaction when he opened it.

Unfortunately, the angle was wrong, and he couldn’t see anything.

Oh well. Shower it is.

Wen Cishu’s thoughts raced: With Bo Tingyuan’s intelligence, would he figure out how to wear it?

Maybe by the time he finished showering, Bo Tingyuan would already be wearing it?

—God, he hoped there were instructions.

Meanwhile, in the living room,

Since Bo Tingyuan had already seen the pictures in the shopping list and knew what was inside the box, he didn’t open it immediately.

Instead, he opened the gift box beside him.

Inside was a black ceramic, cushion-shaped watch adorned with emeralds.

A black arc at the center of the dial partially covered the gemstone, shifting slightly with the movement of the hands, making the gemstone shift like the moon’s phases.

Bo Tingyuan unfastened his left wristwatch and replaced it with the new one, lifting his hand to admire it.

His right thumb gently traced the smooth surface of the dial, as gently as if tracing Wen Cishu’s cheek.

Then, finally, he untied the ribbon on the heart-shaped box.

Underneath the cards were pure black leather straps nestled inside the box.

The box had two layers, with the cards showing step-by-step diagrams for wearing them.

There was also a small pure black heart-shaped box.

Bo Tingyuan lifted the lid, revealing a tangle of black fabric.

He hooked a fingertip under the fragile straps—so flimsy a rough touch could tear them—and slowly lifted them.

A sheer black lace thong.