Zong Cheng froze in place.
Why?!
Why?!
Why was Yin Chen wearing his coat?!
He felt like he was suffocating, and his whole body went numb.
A buzzing storm of thoughts flashed through his head, but when he tried to focus, it was like staring at a blank slate.
“Let’s go. It’s a little chilly today—perfect for going to the hot springs villa.”
Yin Chen habitually walked to the back seat and opened the car door, immediately spotting the well-preserved sweater inside.
Huh?
This looks… familiar?
His mind felt fuzzy as he pondered this.
A sudden cold wind blew.
Yin Chen shivered and decisively curled up in the car, closing the door behind him.
Still a little chilly.
He pulled the coat around himself for warmth.
This coat was really nice, he thought.
A bit loose, but actually perfect this way.
Ali really had an eye for style—this coat suited him perfectly.
Yin Chen’s thoughts grew drowsy, and his eyes gradually drifted closed.
Zong Cheng stood there dumbfounded for a full three minutes before realizing Yin Chen had gotten into the car.
Oh no!
His heart skipped a beat.
Would Yin Chen misunderstand?
Would he think something… wrong?
And there was still the sweater in the car…
Zong Cheng’s chest tightened with inexplicable anxiety.
He hurriedly stowed Yin Chen’s luggage, hesitated for a few seconds, and finally opened the car door.
A blast of cold air rushed in, and the already sleepy Yin Chen instinctively curled up into the coat.
So cold.
!
Zong Cheng stepped back like he’d just seen a ghost.
Ah—he’s dead!
For the first time!
For the first time, Zong Cheng truly understood what readers felt whenever they screamed, “Ah Wei’s dead!”
This… is too cute.
Who could handle this?
Zong Cheng paced outside the car, tangled in thoughts.
For some reason, he had a feeling that this trip to the hot springs villa might open some… extraordinary door.
So cold.
Yin Chen shivered again and barely lifted his eyelids.
“Zong Cheng, haven’t you put away the luggage yet?”
Had it already felt like a century?
Was he sleepy?
Zong Cheng instinctively got into the car and closed the door.
Once closed, his movements froze.
What am I doing?
“You’re in the car now, okay, let’s go….”
Yin Chen mumbled drowsily, his eyelids lowering, long lashes rising and falling with each breath.
Zong Cheng couldn’t help but glance over.
The back seat looked serene, beautiful.
Zong Cheng: …
Sleeping so peacefully.
Oblivious to everyone worrying about him.
A faint twinge of complaint rose in Zong Cheng’s heart—but a small smile tugged at his lips.
He started the car gently, and it silently glided into the winter chill.
The hot springs villa Yin Chen had booked was famous in their circle, about a two-hour drive out of the city.
The villa owner, a wealthy retiree in his fifties, had built it to enjoy winters while earning some extra retirement income.
Yin Chen had some business connections with him, so even though many in their circle came during the winter solstice, the owner reserved the best room for Yin Chen.
One room.
Zong Cheng, still trying to calm his racing thoughts, heard this news and froze.
“We’re sharing a room?”
In front of others, Yin Chen was his usual composed self, giving him a curious glance.
“Hmm? Is there a problem?”
The villa owner chuckled at Zong Cheng’s expression.
“Oh, you must be President Zong. Truly accomplished for your age. The room situation isn’t Yin’s fault—our villa is small, and there simply aren’t extra rooms. I hope you understand.”
Zong Cheng quickly composed himself.
“It’s nothing, you’re too kind.”
Just one room…
Zong Cheng’s eyes darted to Yin Chen. His mind was in chaos.
Would Yin Chen really not mind sharing a room with him?
When they finally saw the “one room,” Zong Cheng was dumbstruck.
The so-called “one room” was a small two-story villa.
Not huge, maybe a little over 100 square meters, but definitely not a single room like Zong Cheng imagined!
His face paled.
Almost forgot—the person who booked it was Yin Chen.
With his status, there was no way he’d really make them squeeze into a small room.
All Zong Cheng’s earlier panic and struggle melted into silent laughter in his heart.
He mocked himself inwardly.
Just then, Yin Chen came down from upstairs, no longer wearing the coat.
He yawned and greeted Zong Cheng.
“The first floor is the lounge and recreation area; luggage goes upstairs. But these are single-occupancy villas, so there’s only one bed. You don’t mind sharing with me, right?”
What? One bed? Sharing???
Zong Cheng’s heart sank again.
But…
He was a mess inside. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words.
Say what? That Yin Chen isn’t gay, so why not mind sharing a bed?
The thought popped up—and he immediately squashed it.
Saying that would be discriminatory.
He was happy being friends with Yin Chen and didn’t want to lose that.
“Ah-choo!”
Yin Chen sneezed loudly.
Zong Cheng snapped back to reality, and his millions of thoughts vanished instantly.
He strode over and casually draped his own coat over Yin Chen.
“You cold? Did I leave the car heater too low?”
He frowned, reflexively worried.
“Ah? No, it’s just cold outside today.”
Yin Chen froze, then jumped at the warmth of the coat.
“Wow, your coat is so warm, like it’s been heated by fire!”
He sighed with contentment.
“I can never get warm. I envy you.”
If only he could be like Zong Cheng—so enviable!
Zong Cheng paused.
Was this… a hint?
He pursed his lips, unsure.
“But it’s okay!”
Yin Chen suddenly perked up.
“That’s why we came to soak in the hot springs on the winter solstice!”
He brightened.
Being a CEO in a romance novel is so fun!
Unlike the poor employees who must work overtime, he could skip a few days to soak in the hot springs, and even drag Zong Cheng along!
Being a CEO really is the best!
After soaking, he’d work hard to make more money.
Feeling satisfied, Yin Chen looked at Zong Cheng.
“Shall we? Since we’re here, let’s try the small pool at the back first.”
It’s happening!
Zong Cheng took a deep breath.
Of course.
They came to the hot springs to… soak.
He nodded silently, but his mind raced with one pressing question.
Does this mean he’s about to see Yin Chen in… swimwear?
“Let’s change first.”
Yin Chen said naturally, heading upstairs.
Zong Cheng glanced at his luggage, exhaling in relief.
Good.
Good thing he hadn’t brought his suitcase upstairs yet—he could change here.
As he changed, his gaze kept drifting upstairs.
Yin Chen… in the full outfit or just a small piece?
If a small piece… triangle or square?
?
Zong Cheng scolded himself inwardly for the endless thoughts.
Still… his eyes couldn’t stop going upstairs.
With a large towel in hand, Zong Cheng remembered the first time he met Yin Chen and the question he’d asked:
“Do you like it… big?”
He glanced instinctively—and suddenly realized.
What am I doing?
What am I thinking?!
He hastily threw the towel around and wrapped a bath towel at his waist.
Better?
He pinched his burning ears, uncertain.
Once changed, he waited quietly downstairs for Yin Chen to finish.
Meanwhile, his mind refused to stop wandering.
Upstairs, Yin Chen had just grabbed his small piece, about to change, when his phone pinged.
A new chapter of his favorite CEO novel!
Yin Chen immediately set down the small piece.
One chapter wouldn’t take more than a minute!
After reading, he’d change and come downstairs.
He flopped on the bed, phone in hand, reading avidly.
One chapter—so happy!
Huh? Two updates?!
Oh oh oh! What a divine author!
Three updates!
And a Winter Solstice red envelope! Too happy!
Time flew by as Yin Chen got lost in the story, forgetting the hot springs entirely.
Downstairs, Zong Cheng checked his phone.
Fifteen minutes had passed.
He started doubting life itself.
Do men change clothes differently?
Why could he finish in five seconds, but Yin Chen was still upstairs after fifteen minutes?
A spark of insight hit.
Zong Cheng remembered Tang Chen’s drunken ramblings about some… “hip cream.”
Could it be… Yin Chen was applying something too?
Better wait a bit longer.
He pinched his heating ear silently.
Five more minutes passed. Zong Cheng felt himself getting a bit chilly.
…
Yin Chen, still not done?
Glancing repeatedly at the stairs, Zong Cheng could wait no longer.
He slowly stepped onto a stair.
No, no, no. Not safe.
What if Yin Chen was changing?
Too risky to go up now.
But…
He’d already waited a long time. Yin Chen wasn’t usually late.
Another step up.
Still uncertain.
Again, step back.
After a few repeats, he gritted his teeth and finally climbed the stairs in one go.
Better to ask than guess!
Upstairs, he saw a figure lying on the big bed.
He couldn’t describe his feelings—relief, and something more he couldn’t quite name.
“You fell asleep after I waited so long?”
Zong Cheng walked over helplessly. Sure enough, Yin Chen was softly snoring, the phone still glowing faintly in his hand.
Zong Cheng glanced instinctively.
That’s his serialized novel!
In an instant, his cold body flooded with a rush of heat.
He couldn’t handle it!