Chapter 89: Chapter 89 “Can Stay Up Late, What Do You Think?…

Chapter 89

"We could pull an all-nighter, what do you think…"

Gently ruffling Lu Zhishi's hair, Chi Chen said softly, "It'll be around the New Year next year. The exact date still needs to be picked by a fortune teller—it might be a bit earlier or a bit later."

Lu Zhishi chuckled, holding Chi Chen's hand and interlacing their fingers.

It didn’t matter—earlier would be best, but even if it was a bit later, he’d still be happy as long as they could get engaged!

This was the best news before the New Year. Lu Zhishi spent the holiday season on cloud nine, flipping through the calendar and counting down the days.

This happy bubble lasted until he went back to work after the New Year.

Lu Zhishi sat stone-faced in the first seat on the right side of the conference room, skimming through documents while listening to his department’s reports. Seated at the head of the table was his Chairman Dad.

Despite his stern and serious appearance, Lu Zhishi felt dead inside—he really didn’t like working.

Maintaining a mature and steady demeanor in front of others, Lu Zhishi smoothly chaired the group meeting. But as soon as he returned to his office, his true colors showed.

"So tired, so tired, so tired…" Slouched in his office chair, Lu Zhishi almost slid right onto the floor, wishing he could just lie down and take a nap.

But he couldn’t—there was still so much work to do. His secretary brought in two more stacks of documents for him to handle.

After plowing through his tasks, it was finally noon. Too busy to find Chi Chen for lunch, Lu Zhishi quickly ate a few bites by himself and immediately retreated to the rest area inside his office to lie down and pass out immediately.

He was wiped out and sleepy—without a nap, he wouldn’t have the energy to work in the afternoon.

No matter how busy work got, Lu Zhishi never skipped his daily nap. His nap time was set in stone and always lasted a full two hours.

Work resumed at 2 p.m., and he finished at 5 p.m.—a 2-to-5 shift.

After finishing the documents on hand and handing them to his secretary, Lu Zhishi grabbed his stuff and went to pick up Chi Chen from work so they could go home for dinner.

The car drove slowly, pulling over briefly at one point. When the black car started again, a bouquet of vibrant black tea roses had appeared in the passenger seat.

Arriving at the entrance of Chi Group, he saw Chi Chen walking out. As if sensing Lu Zhishi’s arrival, Chi Chen lifted his gaze and gave a soft smile in his direction.

Lu Zhishi quickly parked, got out, and walked around to the passenger side to open the door for Chi Chen. "After you."

"Thank you, fiancé." Chi Chen leaned in slightly, his lips accidentally brushing Lu Zhishi’s hair. "The flowers are beautiful."

"Well then, fiancé, since the roses are so beautiful, can I put in a dinner request?"

Lu Zhishi returned to the driver’s seat, starting the car and heading toward the villa area. With his ears turning red, he smiled and asked Chi Chen beside him.

"You can ask me to do anything unconditionally—no strings attached. For you, I’m willing to do everything." Chi Chen gently stroked the black tea roses in his arms, already thinking about which vase to use for them later. He turned to look at Lu Zhishi. "What would you like to eat?"

………

"Seafood hotpot." Lu Zhishi followed Chi Chen into the house, watching as Chi Chen carried several bags. He insisted, "I want spicy seafood hotpot."

"But didn’t someone have a heatiness flare-up (a traditional Chinese medicine concept) just a few days ago?"

Lu Zhishi rubbed his cheek. "It’s fine, just a little spice—it won’t cause another flare-up."

"Oh, really?" Chi Chen set the bags down in the kitchen, washing his hands as he said gently, "Who was it again that said they wanted extra-spicy seafood hotpot?"

Lu Zhishi mumbled, "Maybe it was Fat Cheese from an hour ago."

Chi Chen let out a soft chuckle.

Lu Zhishi whined in a playful tone, wrapping his arms around Chi Chen’s waist and dragging his feet behind him like a clingy little tail—both amusing and endearing.

"Let’s have it, let’s have it. I’m starting school again in a few days, and then we won’t see each other for several days…"

"How about mildly spicy then?" Chi Chen turned to ask him.

Lu Zhishi freed one hand to gesture. "Just a little spicier than mild."

Chi Chen sighed in resignation. "Got it."

A cozy date for the couple! Lu Zhishi shot a text to his dads letting them know he was eating at Chi Chen’s place, then put away his phone and went to help in the kitchen.

Chi Chen stopped him, handing him a freshly washed cucumber to munch on if he got bored.

Lu Zhishi took a big bite, chewing noisily as he sat on the small sofa by the kitchen entrance, watching Chi Chen cook.

He’d steal glances, take another bite, munch happily—his eyes bright and focused solely on Chi Chen.

Chi Chen was an excellent cook, his knife skills passed down from Chi Yuehang and Song Qinian—each slice just the right thickness.

The soup base for the seafood hotpot was also prepared by Chi Chen, its aroma filling the air. Lu Zhishi couldn’t help but marvel at what a perfect match they were.

Both were amazing cooks!

After swallowing a bite of octopus, Lu Zhishi put down his chopsticks and said seriously to Chi Chen, "Don’t you feel like something’s missing?"

Chi Chen: "?"

He thought for a moment. "Candles and roses?"

The candles were in the storage cabinet, and the roses were in the living room. Chi Chen started to get up and retrieve them.

Lu Zhishi grabbed his hand. "Guess again?"

A glimmer of understanding passed through Chi Chen’s eyes. "Red wine?"

"Half right!" Lu Zhishi kissed his wrist. "Shouldn’t we have a glass of peach wine at a time like this?"

Chi Chen took a moment to process. He didn’t quite understand—what did peach wine have to do with seafood hotpot?

But if Lu Zhishi wanted to drink it, Chi Chen was naturally indulgent. He personally went back to the Chi family home to bring a bottle of prized peach wine.

"Only half a small cup."

Everyone knew Lu Zhishi’s alcohol tolerance—one cup and he’d be out. He was a lightweight but loved to drink.

"Okay~" Lu Zhishi agreed happily.

But when Chi Chen brought out the cup, Lu Zhishi’s face fell. He pointed at the small wine cup beside him.

"Half of this little cup?"

Chi Chen nodded, pouring him half of the small wine cup.

Lu Zhishi: "…"

He looked at Chi Chen, then at the cup, then back at Chi Chen. Chi Chen said gently, "This peach wine is best enjoyed slowly, in small sips. Try it—you’ll see."

Lu Zhishi was half-convinced and half-doubting. He picked up the small liquor cup, which was about the height of his thumb, and took a small sip.

After carefully savoring it, the aroma of peaches blended with the rich fragrance of fine wine indeed offered a unique taste.

He became happy again, his eyes shining as he looked at Chi Chen, his voice cheerful: "This is really good."

Seeing his smiling, curved eyes, Chi Chen unconsciously curved the corners of his lips as well, replying gently: "Mhm."

Lu Zhishi blinked his eyes, waiting for him to say those words—if it's delicious, then have a little more...

Chi Chen... Chi Chen didn't continue. He picked up the wine cup and took a slow sip, his long eyelashes lowered, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips, but he simply didn’t respond to Lu Zhishi’s hint.

Lu Zhishi trailed off: "..."

Alright, alright, just a little is enough. We still have to work tomorrow.

That small cup of peach wine, Lu Zhishi nursed it from the start of dinner until the end. Whether it was because the room’s heating was too warm or the alcohol was rising to his head, his cheeks flushed slightly pink, though his mind remained clear.

He knew to wrap his arms around Chi Chen’s waist, whining playfully and asking for kisses.

Wrapping his arms around Chi Chen’s waist from behind, Lu Zhishi pressed his face against his back, muttering something under his breath.

Occasionally, words like "kissy," "kissy" could be heard.

Chi Chen chuckled helplessly, turned his head, lowered his gaze, and kissed Lu Zhishi’s hair, coaxing him gently: "Be good. I’ll make some sobering soup (a traditional remedy), and we’ll kiss later."

This sobering soup was naturally for Lu Zhishi. Chi Chen had a good alcohol tolerance and didn’t need it.

But for Lu Zhishi, this 'one-cup-lightweight,' if he didn’t drink some sobering soup to ease the alcohol’s effects, he probably wouldn’t be in good shape for work tomorrow.

Hearing Chi Chen mention making sobering soup, Lu Zhishi’s murmuring changed from "kissy, kissy" to "gross, gross."

"Even if it’s gross, you still have to drink it. Honey water doesn't do much for sobering up. You’ll feel awful when you wake up tomorrow," Chi Chen’s voice was low and gentle.

The little octopus on his back moved around to the front, though the arms wrapped around Chi Chen’s waist didn’t let go. Lu Zhishi tilted his face up, leaning in to kiss the corner of Chi Chen’s mouth.

Lu Zhishi mumbled vaguely: "Then you should taste this nasty sobering soup too..."

A faint smile touched Chi Chen’s eyes. He tilted his head and kissed Lu Zhishi’s lips, asking knowingly: "Then how should I taste this nasty sobering soup?"

Lu Zhishi fell silent again, his beautiful peach-blossom eyes curved, only letting out a soft "hehehe" laugh.

Like a little fox, cunning and playful, his eyes full of playful teasing.

Chi Chen lowered his head, gently pecking Lu Zhishi’s lips again and again, his movements tender. Lu Zhishi tilted his face up, eyes slightly narrowed, a little dazed.

The air grew thick with tension and heated.

It was unclear how long they had been kissing when Chi Chen gently pulled away slightly, his voice hoarse: "Be good, go sit outside for a while and watch TV. I’ll bring the sobering soup to you when it’s ready."

Lu Zhishi’s half-closed eyes opened, a hint of laughter hidden in their depths. He patted Chi Chen’s chest: "Your heartbeat is so fast, and you’re warm too, and your belt buckle is digging into me. Brew some herbal cooling tea."

Chi Chen’s ears turned red hot. He lowered his gaze to look at Lu Zhishi but said nothing.

Lu Zhishi released his waist and went out. If he didn’t leave now, dry wood near a fierce fire could easily lead to something happening.

Chi Chen instinctively reached out to grab his wrist but then lowered his hand, watching as Lu Zhishi left.

He also understood—this really couldn’t continue. They weren’t legally married yet.

If they truly crossed the line, it would be neither respectful nor proper.

The more he loved him, the more he had to uphold propriety. It was less than two years until their engagement and marriage.

Chi Chen continued brewing the sobering soup and herbal tea, slowly calming his emotions, his face calm and composed.

Midway, Lu Zhishi came back once, acting shifty and hesitant, mumbling for Chi Chen to make a little more herbal tea.

"I’m feeling a bit hot too. Make a little more, and I’ll take some home to drink later..."

Seeing him like that, the heat in Chi Chen’s body subsided, leaving only laughter.

"You’re hot too? Do you want to come over? I’ll help you cool down."

Lu Zhishi: "?"

He wondered if he had misheard. Was Chi Chen usually this direct? Although he didn't act very proper at times, he was usually more reserved. Now he was actually offering to "help him cool down."

His eyes scanned Chi Chen, and he unconsciously took a step back. Lu Zhishi shook his head: "I’ll just drink the herbal tea."

Chi Chen chuckled. "What are you thinking? I meant letting you drink some ice-cold lemon water to cool down first."

Lu Zhishi let out a frustrated laugh. This guy was really bad. When he had said "help Lu Zhishi cool down" earlier, the look in his eyes had clearly meant exactly what Lu Zhishi was thinking. Chi Chen was teasing him again.

"Alright, alright, then I’ll drink some lemon water to cool down. Do you want me to help you cool down too?"

Lu Zhishi walked in slowly, holding a glass of lemon water. As he passed Chi Chen, he tilted his head and leaned in to tease him.

Chi Chen’s voice was soft and gentle, but his eyes were deep and tender: "If you don’t want to go back to sleep tonight, we can help each other out, cool down together, and stay up late. What do you think?"

Lu Zhishi’s cheeks flushed bright red. The older ginger is spicier—his cheekiness was no match for Chi Chen’s!

"Well, uh," Lu Zhishi straightened up, taking a deliberate sip of lemon water to cover his embarrassment, and shifted his steps toward the kitchen door: "We have to work tomorrow. Staying up late isn’t suitable. Maybe next time."

Chi Chen chuckled again. This little friend was quite timid but had a tough mouth.

Next time? Next time he would still dodge, just like now, running off in a flash.

He flopped down on the sofa in a blink, and sat down. Lu Zhishi tilted his head back and gulped down most of the lemon water, the heat in his body finally subsiding.

He didn’t dare tease Chi Chen anymore. After all, they were both at an age of robust health. What if he really stoked a fire? How would they put it out?

He flopped down on the sofa, grabbed a pillow to cover his face, closed his eyes, the redness on his cheeks not fading—perhaps tinted by the alcohol.

Drowsiness came suddenly. Before Chi Chen finished brewing the sobering soup and herbal tea, Lu Zhishi had already fallen asleep on his side on the sofa.

His breathing was light, his expression relaxed, only his cheeks still slightly flushed.

Chi Chen gently set down the tray, knelt on one knee before the sofa, silently gazing at his lover’s sleeping face.

After a long while, he stood up, bent down, and carried him upstairs.

The master bedroom on the second floor was decorated according to Lu Zhishi’s room at the Lu family home. Every item was arranged and decorated by Chi Chen and Lu Zhishi themselves, waiting for the other master to move in.

After gently washing and freshening him up, Chi Chen softly covered him with a soft blanket.

He kissed Lu Zhishi on the cheek, lowered his gaze, and pressed another kiss to the corner of his lips.

"Goodnight, Baby Cheese. Sweet dreams."

...

When Lu Zhishi woke up and saw Chi Chen the next morning, he thought he was dreaming—he remembered going home to sleep the night before.

After scanning the room, he realized it was indeed his own room. Had Chi Chen come over to sleep beside him?

Rubbing his eyes and taking another look, he realized—oh, this was the master bedroom of their future marital home.

He pulled back his arms and legs that were draped over Chi Chen's waist and legs. Lu Zhishi quietly watched his sleeping face and couldn't resist leaning in to brush his cheek with his nose.

He hadn't brushed his teeth or washed his face yet, so he felt too shy to kiss him properly. He’d just pretend the nose nuzzle was a kiss instead.

How nice, Lu Zhishi thought to himself. Being able to see the person you love first thing in the morning—this kind of life is truly wonderful. He had never looked forward to the wedding so much as he did now.

He couldn't wait to start married life with Chi Chen—their own little world just for the two of them. Even the thought of it made him feel happy and sweet.

It was still early. Lu Zhishi gently lifted the covers and got up, planning to get washed up and head downstairs to make breakfast.

As soon as he sat up and put on his shoes, an arm snaked around his waist, pulling him back into an embrace.

Chi Chen’s hoarse voice, tinged with sleepiness and laziness, murmured gently into Lu Zhishi’s ear: “When did you wake up?”

Lu Zhishi rolled onto his back, looking at Chi Chen while stroking his face: “Just a little while ago.”

“Mm.” Chi Chen responded, nuzzling his cheek while holding the hand that was caressing his face. “What were you going to do?”

When he felt the space beside him suddenly empty, Chi Chen had opened his eyes and woken from his dream. Seeing Lu Zhishi’s back as he was about to leave, a pang of panic shot through him, and he instinctively pulled him back into his arms to feel at ease again.

Lu Zhishi nestled against his neck, closed his eyes, and said drowsily: “Go wash up, then head downstairs to make breakfast. After eating, we can go to work together.”

Ruffling the back of his head, Chi Chen also closed his eyes and said softly: “When you’re with me, I'll take care of the cooking. Next time, you can wake me up.”

“When is ‘next time’?”

Chi Chen wanted to say, “Whenever you want, anytime is fine,” but he felt that might be improper—doing that too often might seem too indulgent.

He said: “In a few nights, or next week… Once we get engaged and married by the end of the year, things will be different…”

After thinking about it, Lu Zhishi realized there were only a few months left until the end of the year. Between attending classes, working, and writing assignments and papers, time would probably pass quickly. There was no need to rush right now.

Having sorted out his thoughts, Lu Zhishi no longer felt disappointed and snuggled closer to Chi Chen.

Breakfast was made by Chi Chen: chicken noodle soup, small wontons, and three baskets of crab roe soup dumplings.

This was typical of Lu Zhishi’s appetite, and Chi Chen knew it well. He always made sure there was plenty—there had never been a time when Lu Zhishi went hungry, only times when he ate too much.

There were always clothes for Lu Zhishi in the new house. He went upstairs to change, then drove to work in the same car as Chi Chen.

Looking out the car window, Lu Zhishi thought, So this is what married life will be like.

It really makes you look forward to it.

...

There weren’t actually many workdays after the New Year. A University started its new semester, and the Management Department had ongoing courses.

Internships that didn't require campus attendance were for seniors—Lu Zhishi and Zhao Xiaoxing were only in the second semester of their junior year, so they had to return to campus for classes. Fortunately, there weren’t many courses, and they could still go home occasionally in their free time.

After several months of being inseparable, the separation hit them hard. Once again, they were about to start a long-distance relationship—they couldn’t wait to graduate soon.

After Lu Zhishi started school, Chi Chen also became very busy, often traveling abroad for work.

The Lu, Chi, and Zhao families were all busy—preparing for the children’s engagement and wedding while also juggling work.

Spring came late in City A, and summer only arrived in late April or early May. By the time Lu Zhishi finished his final exams, he was busy working on his thesis. Both he and Zhao Xiaoxing were feeling overwhelmed.

Why did something like a thesis have to exist?

For his thesis research subject in the Management Department, Lu Zhishi directly chose the Song Group. After all, he would be taking over the company in the future, so researching it early would help him later.

Soon-to-be graduates started their summer vacation in early June. After withdrawing from the Fishing Club and the Planting Club, Lu Zhishi joined the Song Group as Junior Manager Lu, learning from Song Qinian’s guidance. Every day, he was either busy with work or writing his thesis.

Chi Chen had been very busy these past few months, making frequent overseas trips that lasted several days. Lu Zhishi strongly suspected he was making arrangements for the engagement or wedding.

“What are you so busy with? You’ve been flying abroad a lot lately—is it about our wedding?” Lu Zhishi leaned close to Chi Chen, wrapping his arms around him. After a moment, he moved around to settle himself into Chi Chen’s embrace.

Chi Chen smiled as he gently held Lu Zhishi by the waist. He loved it when Lu Zhishi clung to him like this.

“If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise.”

Lu Zhishi immediately understood and chuckled, wrapping his arms around Chi Chen’s neck and lifting his face for a kiss. “Then won’t you let me be involved?”

Chi Chen held the back of his neck and kissed him. “You started the confession—let me handle the engagement party. We can plan the wedding together, okay?”

Lu Zhishi tilted his face up slightly, eyes half-closed, his voice barely audible: “Okay…”

It had been a long time since they’d seen each other. The young couple remained wrapped up in each other for a long time without separating, their shadows cast on the floor especially intimate and tender.

As if suddenly remembering something, Lu Zhishi came to his senses and pulled back slightly.

Chi Chen instinctively leaned in to chase his lips, planting light kisses on the corner of his mouth again and again.

He opened his eyes, his gaze hazy with desire, and asked softly: “What’s wrong?”

“I haven’t finished my thesis yet…”

Chi Chen was taken aback, then laughed softly. He leaned close to Lu Zhishi’s ear and whispered: “Call me ‘teacher,’ and I’ll help you, Student Lu.”

Teacher Chi taught Student Lu how to write his thesis, his expression calm and gentle. Student Lu’s cheeks flushed bright red, but he pretended to be composed, typing diligently at his computer and occasionally looking up at Chi Chen to call him “Teacher Chi.”

Every time he said it, Chi Chen’s gaze grew deeper, half-encircling him like a hunter.

Lu Zhishi pretended not to notice, keeping his eyes on the screen as he typed his thesis. Occasionally, when he got frustrated, he’d look up and tease Chi Chen.

Chi Chen knew what he was doing, but he didn’t say anything, indulging his fiancé’s provocations.

Late into the night, Lu Zhishi packed his things to go home, but Chi Chen grabbed his wrist to keep him there.

Lu Zhishi laughed softly, leaning down close to Chi Chen’s face, his lips almost touching his: “After we’re married, fiancé. I’m afraid if I stay now, you’ll have to drink two extra pots of herbal tea.”

After giving the corner of his mouth a quick kiss, Lu Zhishi picked up his laptop and thesis materials and left, humming a cheerful, if off-key, tune.

Lu Zhishi didn’t know how Chi Chen reacted after that. All he knew was that he also needed to go home early and take a cold shower.

Even though he acted calm, he wasn’t feeling great either. After all, he was a twenty-one-year-old adult—how could a young guy like him resist when the person he loved was right in front of him?

After soaking in a cold shower for nearly two hours, Lu Zhishi felt relaxed and refreshed, the restless heat slowly fading away.

After quickly drying his hair, he worked overtime on company documents and used the remaining time to write his thesis.

During this time, Chi Chen never video-called, and Lu Zhishi wondered if he was still in the shower, so he sent a kissing emoji.

Just as he put his phone down, a message notification dinged. Lu Zhishi immediately picked it up.

—"Student Lu, Teacher Chi has something to do today. I’ll video call you later, alright?"

Lu Zhishi smiled, his voice was already so hoarse, yet he still tried to tease him.

Holding down the voice message button, Lu Zhishi sent one back, softly asking, "Teacher Chi, would you like Student Lu to bring you some herbal tea? Taking too many cold showers isn’t good for you."

After that, Chi Chen didn’t reply. Assuming he was embarrassed, Lu Zhishi chuckled lightly, tidied up his things, washed up, and got ready for bed.

Just as he sent a goodnight kiss emoji to Chi Chen, a voice message came through in the chat. Lu Zhishi clicked to listen, holding it close to his ear.

"Thank you for your concern, Student Lu, but no need for herbal tea. Just come over yourself."

Lu Zhishi’s face flushed bright red in an instant.

......

That night, Lu Zhishi couldn’t sleep well, feeling restless and feverish. In the middle of the night, he secretly got up to take a shower.

It was summer break. His days were filled with either writing his thesis or working. Lu Zhishi had been dodging Chi Chen for several days.

They still texted and video-called, but they hadn’t met in person.

Though Lu Zhishi felt a little embarrassed, Chi Chen saw through it without saying anything, a slight smile always tugging at his lips.

At first, seeing the couple not meeting up or going on dates, Lu Zhiyu thought they had argued and broken up. But after noticing how clingy they still were on calls and texts, he relaxed and stopped worrying.

No matter how much he tried to avoid it, they had to meet eventually. Summer break had just begun, and everyone was getting busier.

Such good days.

Lu Zhishi and Chi Chen finally made an appearance. After nearly a week apart, the young couple finally got to see each other.