Chapter 168 Can Only Do It Once

Chapter 168: Only Once

Shen Qingci cracked his eyes open, his voice rough with sleep:

"Carry me to the bathroom to wash up."

"Okay."

Lu Lin murmured in acknowledgment, carried him into the bathroom, squeezed toothpaste onto the brush, filled a glass with water, and even laid out a towel within easy reach.

He brushed his teeth with his eyes closed, rinsed his mouth, and let Lu Lin wipe the corner of his mouth dry, all without opening them.

Then he was scooped up again and set back on the bed. He rolled over, turning his back to Lu Lin, ready to go back to sleep—just as he was drifting off,

"Brother."

A low, husky voice came from behind him, thick with hurt and pent-up desire:

"You promised me a kiss, but you haven't given it to me yet."

Shen Qingci cracked one eye open, his usually cool face heavy with sleep. He hummed in response:

"I owe you one. I need to sleep now."

Lu Lin chuckled.

He looked at the figure curled up under the blanket, just a mop of black hair peeking out, his voice tinged with amusement:

"Is brother sleepy?"

Shen Qingci nodded slightly.

"So when brother's not sleepy, can I have a kiss?"

Shen Qingci didn't answer. He had a feeling Lu Lin was up to no good.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, an arm snaked around his waist, and something hard and hot pressed against his thigh.

Shen Qingci let out a silent sigh, a hint of resignation flickering across his cold, jade-like features.

Why is this kid so horny?

Is it going to be every single night from now on?

Before he could finish his thought, Lu Lin's voice, thick with desire, whispered right next to his ear, soft and pleading:

"Brother, do you want it?"

Shen Qingci turned over to face Lu Lin.

In the dim light, his eyes were startlingly bright—brimming with pent-up desire and cautious hope.

He lifted his leg a little, pressed it between Lu Lin's thighs, and gave a gentle rub.

Lu Lin's breath hitched. He shifted his hips, pressing the leg more firmly against him. Shen Qingci could clearly feel the outline and heat of his erection.

Shen Qingci looked at him and said flatly:

"Only once."

"Okay!"

Before the words were out, Lu Lin lunged at him like a famished wolf. Shen Qingci barely saw him move before his robe was yanked off and tossed to the floor, followed by his last garment being ripped off.

Shen Qingci pursed his lips.

He glanced at his own bare body, then at Lu Lin's glittering eyes, and felt his ears flush.

Remembering the mess they'd made of the bed last time, he raised a hand to stop Lu Lin's approaching lips.

"Do it in the bathroom."

His voice was cool, but carried a faint trace of embarrassment:

"And then sleep."

Lu Lin's eyes darkened instantly, the depths churning with fierce desire and barely contained excitement.

As soon as Shen Qingci finished speaking, he scooped him up, snatching the lube off the table, and strode toward the bathroom.

Shen Qingci clung to his neck, his body dangling against Lu Lin's—both completely naked, skin touching skin. He could clearly feel Lu Lin's hardness pressing against his ass, slick and already unbearably excited.

The bathroom door was kicked open.

The light came on.

The steam hadn't fully dissipated, and fine water droplets still hung on the mirror. Lu Lin placed him on the vanity counter. The cool marble made Shen Qingci flinch.

Then Lu Lin leaned down and kissed him.

*Fade to black.*

-

-

-

Shen Qingci lay in Lu Lin's arms, his dark hair spread across the pillow, a few strands brushing his cheek. His thin lips were slightly pursed, his eyes gently closed, his lashes casting a delicate fan-shaped shadow beneath them. His breathing was even and shallow.

Lu Lin lay on his side, propping his head up with one hand, looking down at him.

Morning light filtered through the gap in the curtains, spilling onto Shen Qingci's face, casting a soft halo over him.

Sleep had softened his usually cool features, lending them a rare gentleness and peace.

Lu Lin simply looked at him, his eyes full of tenderness, as if trying to brand this image into his memory.

The phone on the bedside table vibrated.

Shen Qingci frowned, his body moving slightly, as if about to be woken up.

Lu Lin reached over and silenced the call. Then he leaned down, patting Shen Qingci's back in a slow, soothing rhythm.

Shen Qingci's brow gradually relaxed, and his breathing became steady again.

Lu Lin waited a moment longer, until he was sure Shen Qingci was deeply asleep, then slowly sat up.

The blanket slipped, revealing his bare torso. The morning light fell on him, making the marks left from the night before especially clear: several long scratches on his arms, even more crisscrossing his back, some already scabbed over, others still faintly red.

A deep bite mark sat on his right shoulder, the teeth marks clearly visible. Every mark on his body silently told of the intensity of the night before.

Lu Lin glanced down at the marks on his own body, a slight smile curving at the corner of his lips. He quietly got out of bed, put on his pants, and walked to the balcony bare-chested, phone in hand.

He pushed the door open, and the winter wind rushed in, carrying the crisp chill of the early morning.

He glanced back at the person still sleeping soundly in bed; Shen Qingci had turned over, facing away from him, raven-black hair scattered on the pillow, as beautiful as a painting.

Lu Lin took out a cigarette and lit it. The flame flickered between his fingers, and the smoke was blown away by the wind.

He leaned against the railing, his gaze piercing through the curling wisps of smoke, landing on the sleeping figure.

He watched for a long time, so long that the cigarette burned out and the heat stung his fingertips before he came back to his senses.

He stubbed out the cigarette butt in the ashtray, picked up his phone, and dialed the number he had just hung up on.

The call connected quickly.

"President Lu." Zhou Jin's voice came through the receiver, clear and steady. "Regarding the matter you asked me to investigate last night, I've uncovered some leads."

Lu Lin said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"The Feng family and the Xi family did have economic ties with the Shen family, but those connections were severed ten years ago." Zhou Jin paused. "They were cut off exactly the day after President Shen passed away."

"Recently, it seems they've started doing business again, especially the Feng family, who have been dealing frequently with the Shen family."

"There's one more thing. Last night, I received a private invitation from Mr. Shen Suili of the Shen Group. The invitation is for three months from now, and the location is the Shen residence."

Lu Lin's brow furrowed slightly. "Was he invited?"

"I probed Vice President Lin indirectly, and President Shen most likely hasn't been invited." Zhou Jin's voice was calm. "This invitation seems to be for you alone."

Lu Lin hummed softly in acknowledgment and said nothing more.

He hung up the phone and put it away. The winter wind carried a biting chill, but he stood barefoot in the wind, motionless, as if feeling nothing.

He stayed there until the smell of smoke had completely faded from him before turning around and walking back inside. He stepped on the soft carpet, barefoot, making no sound.

He walked to the bedside, looked down at Shen Qingci, still fast asleep, then turned and walked into the bathroom.