Chapter 24 Not Allowed

Chapter 24: Not Permitted

After dinner, Shen Qingci went back to his study.

Ten years ago, he had been too busy and could spare very little time for Lu Lin.

Most of what needed to be taught or imparted had been left to the private tutors and Uncle Fu.

But things were different now.

The new company was just getting started, and Lin Wei was highly capable, handling most matters on her own.

Shen Qingci found himself with a rare amount of free time, time to personally educate this precocious child.

He sat behind the desk, fingers lightly tapping on the smooth mahogany surface as he thought about his next teaching steps.

The study door was pushed open a crack.

Lu Lin warily peeked half his head in, his hair still damp from his shower, the ends glistening with moisture.

Under the light, he looked like a large dog fresh from a bath, his eyes filled with hesitation and anticipation.

"Brother," he whispered, "are we studying English today too?"

Shen Qingci glanced up at him and responded with a noncommittal "Hm."

Once he had permission, Lu Lin fully pushed the door open and entered.

He wore black loungewear, which accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

He walked over to Shen Qingci, crouched down, and naturally rested his head on Shen Qingci's lap.

Shen Qingci's leg suddenly felt heavier, and he looked down to see Lu Lin gazing up at him, his eyes filled with undisguised dependence.

Shen Qingci glanced at him but said nothing.

Seeing that Shen Qingci didn't push him away, Lu Lin's eyes darkened slightly.

Unable to resist, he nuzzled his chin against Shen Qingci's leg, his voice tinged with a hint of a whine:

"Brother..."

The call was soft and cloying, making Shen Qingci frown.

He raised his hand and slapped Lu Lin's fluffy head.

It wasn't hard, but the sound was crisp.

Lu Lin ducked his head slightly but didn't pull away.

Lu Lin's freshly washed hair was soft and pleasant to the touch. After slapping him, Shen Qingci absentmindedly ruffled it twice.

Only then did he withdraw his hand and say coldly:

"Speak properly. You're not a child."

Lu Lin let out an "Oh," his tone tinged with a note of complaint.

He indeed stopped whining, but he stared at Shen Qingci's waist for a few seconds.

Then Lu Lin stood up, picked up the English book, and walked over to sit on the nearby sofa.

Opening the book, he lowered his head, looking as if he were studying seriously.

Shen Qingci watched him for a moment before suddenly speaking:

"You don't know English, so do you bring a translator to international conferences?"

Without looking up, Lu Lin said with a natural "Mm,":

"Of course."

The tone was so matter-of-fact that it made Shen Qingci frown.

"So stupid," Shen Qingci couldn't help but say.

Lu Lin looked up at him, blinked, and put on an innocent look: "Translators are very useful, brother."

Shen Qingci was speechless.

Looking at Lu Lin's unapologetic face, Shen Qingci suddenly felt a headache coming on.

Shen Qingci lowered his head again to look at the books on the desk, feeling the weight of the task ahead.

He flipped through a few pages, his frown deepening.

The theories and case studies in the books seemed reasonable, but when applied to Lu Lin... they didn't quite fit.

After all, Lu Lin wasn't a true teenager. He was twenty-six, with his own career, his own judgment, and perhaps... had already experienced romantic relationships.

Shen Qingci closed the book and rubbed his temples.

In the end, he simply tossed all the books into a drawer, out of sight and out of mind.

After all, he had already told Lu Lin to tell him if he liked someone.

At most... he could help vet them when the time came. That way, nothing would go wrong.

Shen Qingci stood up, ready to rest.

Seeing him rise, Lu Lin immediately put down his book and followed: "Brother, are you going to rest?"

"Hm," Shen Qingci replied.

Lu Lin's eyes lit up: "Should I prepare some milk?"

Shen Qingci recalled the glass of milk from last night.

He glanced at Lu Lin.

Lu Lin's face was filled with anticipation, his eyes shining as he looked at him.

Shen Qingci remained silent for two seconds before nodding.

Lu Lin immediately turned and headed to the kitchen.

Ten minutes later, when he returned with a glass of warm milk, Shen Qingci had just stepped out of the bathroom after showering.

He wore a dark gray silk robe, the belt tied loosely, his hair still dripping with water.

The steam from the bathroom gave his skin a faint pink tinge, making him look a lot softer than usual.

Lu Lin's grip on the milk glass tightened slightly.

Shen Qingci walked over, took the milk, sat on the sofa, and drank it in small sips.

Then he set the cup down and said quite naturally to Lu Lin, who was still standing there:

"Come here, blow-dry my hair."

Lu Lin answered and hurried over.

He knelt on the carpet behind Shen Qingci, plugged in the hairdryer, adjusted the temperature, and began drying Shen Qingci's hair.

Shen Qingci closed his eyes, leaned back against the sofa, and relaxed completely.

Almost immediately, he began to feel drowsy.

Lu Lin was meticulous, attending to every strand of hair.

He watched Shen Qingci's slightly damp ends, that stretch of fair nape, Shen Qingci's lips slightly parted in relaxation...

His Adam's apple bobbed.

Ten minutes later, the hair was dry.

Shen Qingci leaned against the sofa, breathing steadily, already asleep.

Lu Lin turned off the hairdryer and gently set it aside.

The study instantly fell silent.

Only Shen Qingci's even breathing and the faint sound of wind from outside remained.

Lu Lin knelt in place, unmoving, quietly staring at Shen Qingci's face.

Shen Qingci's eyelashes were long, casting a small shadow beneath his eyes.

His lips were slightly parted, his breathing light and slow.

Completely relaxed and unguarded, trusting his surroundings entirely.

And trusting him.

The look of eager-to-please dependence on Lu Lin's face faded bit by bit.

Replaced by a profound, extreme madness.

His gaze at Shen Qingci turned obsessive, as if he wanted to carve this person before him into his bones, melt him into his blood.

He reached out, his fingertips lightly brushing Shen Qingci's bangs, then his fingers slid down Shen Qingci's cheek, stopping by his lips.

Shen Qingci's lips were thin and pale, slightly parted now, as if inviting him.

Lu Lin's breathing grew heavier. He lowered his head, slowly drawing closer.

The distance shortened bit by bit.

He could smell the scent of Shen Qingci's shower gel, could feel Shen Qingci's warm breath brushing against his face.

Lu Lin's lips stopped one centimeter away from Shen Qingci's.

He closed his eyes, forcing himself to stop.

Then he straightened up and carefully lifted Shen Qingci into his arms.

He gently laid him on the bed and covered him with the blanket.

Lu Lin sat by the bedside, quietly watching Shen Qingci's sleeping face.

He watched for a long time.

So long that the moon outside the window had risen to its highest point.

Only then did Lu Lin move.

He lowered his head and gently kissed the back of Shen Qingci's hand.

The motion was light, like a feather brushing past.

"Brother," he murmured, his voice so low only he could hear, "You are not allowed to leave me."

As if that wasn't enough, he repeated it, his tone firm:

"Not allowed."

After saying this, he stood up, turned off the light, and gently closed the door.

The bedroom plunged into darkness.

Only moonlight leaked through the gap in the curtains, casting a faint glow on Shen Qingci's face.