Is this guy blushing?
Yin Chen slowly typed out a question mark.
He leaned slightly forward, closing the distance.
Their eyes met, and suddenly a warm hand pressed against the back of Zong Cheng’s neck, forcing him to tilt his head up.
!
His already tense body stiffened even more. The pulse thudding through the side of his neck made his heart race, and Zong Cheng felt a twinge of regret—if only he were actually drunk right now.
The texture in that hand was surprisingly rigid. Yin Chen let the jacket fall from his hand, his tone soft.
“Drunk yet?”
Zong Cheng felt suffocated.
This felt like a death sentence.
Not drunk?
But his reactions couldn’t fool Yin Chen.
Drunk?
Then he’d be lying.
For the first time, Zong Cheng felt small, helpless, and utterly vulnerable.
His mind wavered, struggling left and right, until finally he slowly lowered his gaze and nodded.
Yin Chen: “Really? So you are drunk, huh.”
He straightened slightly; Zong Cheng quietly exhaled.
Did he choose correctly?
Next second, Yin Chen smiled at him.
“Since you’re drunk, you probably won’t remember what I do, right?”
Zong Cheng froze.
Shocked!
Regret surged!
But it was already too late.
Yin Chen chuckled lightly, methodically putting on the jacket in front of him.
“Since you’re drunk, you naturally won’t know that I’ve figured out you like me.”
!
Zong Cheng’s face flushed fiercely, his breathing quickening with Yin Chen’s movements, his heart sinking to the bottom of his chest.
How could he not know!
He already knew!
But!
Zong Cheng was dazed.
Yin Chen said he was drunk and couldn’t know…
So should he or shouldn’t he?
Stunned.
Totally stunned.
He looked like a wooden figure in front of him, and Yin Chen found it inexplicably cute.
He had to admit it.
Even if he didn’t know whether he liked Zong Cheng yet, this dazed look… he really enjoyed teasing.
Yes. Really enjoyed teasing.
“By the way.”
Yin Chen thought for a moment, then smiled, sitting across on the sofa. He lifted his leg to support his arm, hand gently propping up his chin.
“Come to think of it, last time you were drunk… you were this… cute.”
Something felt off.
Zong Cheng’s flushed, foggy mind caught this thought, and then heard Yin Chen continue.
“At that time, I actually brought you home, but you called me shortly after, saying you wanted to go home to sleep, asking who I was and why I tricked you here.”
Yin Chen’s smile deepened.
Drunk Zong Cheng was genuinely adorable.
It was a little regrettable—he had hoped to see it again tonight.
!
Finally understood how that call log from that night came about!
Zong Cheng’s blush wouldn’t fade anymore.
Late at night.
His mind wandered at an inconvenient time.
The room was so quiet.
Apart from his heartbeat, only Yin Chen’s voice seemed present.
But his heartbeat was so loud.
Thump. Thump.
Zong Cheng grew drowsy, watching Yin Chen, unable to look away from the two jackets he himself had worn.
The longer he looked, the blurrier his vision became. The air felt scorching, oxygen seeming to vanish, making him dizzy.
A strangely familiar sensation came over him. With a disbelieving gaze, he slowly collapsed onto the sofa.
Yin Chen was stunned.
What was wrong with him?
He stepped forward, fingers instinctively poking Zong Cheng’s cheek.
No response.
Pretending to be drunk or asleep?
Yin Chen pondered.
He stared at Zong Cheng for a full minute, from waiting to gradually disbelief.
Because the blush on Zong Cheng’s face had faded.
Not only that.
Placing a finger under Zong Cheng’s nose, the calm, steady breath confirmed one thing—Zong Cheng had actually fallen asleep!
Really asleep!
Yin Chen couldn’t believe it.
Then he remembered Zong Cheng’s last gaze and felt a bit exasperated.
“This… is too cute.”
He pinched Zong Cheng’s nose tip, murmuring.
Overwhelmed by nervousness into deep sleep?
If he really agreed to be with Zong Cheng, wouldn’t Zong Cheng die repeatedly?
That thought flashed through his mind. Yin Chen’s gaze slowly fell on Zong Cheng’s lips.
His fingers, as if with their own will, gently touched the soft lips.
Lightly prodding.
So soft.
Warm, and yet comforting.
Kissing might feel nice too?
Yin Chen considered.
His gaze returned to Zong Cheng’s peaceful face, eyes slightly dazed.
He actually likes me.
How miraculous.
Yin Chen thought.
So all those things he considered Zong Cheng doing out of goodness… were actually him pursuing him?
Playing games together, sampling all sorts of food.
Even skipping his own company’s year-end party to attend Yin Corporation’s event.
How could someone be so silly?
Saying nothing, quietly staying by his side.
If he hadn’t noticed, would Zong Cheng have said he liked him?
Yin Chen: ?
Absolutely not!
Firmly.
…
Thinking this, Zong Cheng seemed even cuter. What now?
Yin Chen fell into thought.
So…
Was he a pervert?
A pervert who built his happiness on others’ discomfort?
?
Yes, indeed 🙂
The next day.
Zong Cheng woke up, staring at a ceiling both familiar and strange, his mind replaying the previous night’s events like a carousel.
The scene froze on Yin Chen putting on his jacket.
Zong Cheng slowly lifted a hand to cover his eyes.
Breathing became rapid. Dim vision made him increasingly aware of the rising heat in his body.
Suddenly, he threw off the covers and dove into the bathroom.
Water soon began streaming.
“Morning, up yet?”
Yin Chen knocked.
No response.
He raised an eyebrow.
If Zong Cheng didn’t get up, he might even miss lunch.
Deciding to check, he pushed open the door.
The bed was empty.
Yin Chen felt a twinge of surprise, then heard the bathroom water.
Hmm?
Showering this early?
He sat on the bed, waiting for Zong Cheng.
Half an hour passed.
Click.
The bathroom door opened. Zong Cheng emerged, steam clinging to him.
Yin Chen instinctively turned.
Meeting Zong Cheng’s eyes—waist wrapped in only a towel.
!
Zong Cheng paused mid-motion, drying his hair.
Yin Chen also froze slightly.
His gaze subtly scanned the towel…
Previously, he had already noticed something.
Zong Cheng… part-mixed heritage, right?
Where is he looking?
Where!
Zong Cheng’s fingers stiffened. He wanted to pretend not to notice, but the lingering warmth from the cold water made it impossible to deceive himself.
Stop looking!
If he looks further… he…
“You’re awake, that’s good. Year-end party’s over, all fine, right? About the thank-you meal for helping yesterday—we’ll go out together later. I’ll wait outside for you.”
Yin Chen stood casually, calm as ever, heading toward the door.
He placed a finger on the handle, turning back.
“Half an hour’s wait, don’t rush.”
As he spoke, the heavy door muffled both his voice and presence.
The room fell silent.
Zong Cheng’s chest still dotted with glistening water, hair-drying pose frozen.
The only change—where Yin Chen had glanced for several seconds.
A long while passed.
Zong Cheng slowly exhaled from the corner of his mouth.
Half an hour?
He didn’t want to understand the meaning of those words!
Zong Cheng swore he had amnesia.
Otherwise, how could he not remember how he’d eaten with Yin Chen, then returned home?
Even sitting on the sofa at home, he was still dazed.
What exactly happened yesterday and today?
“Zong Ge! Are you home?”
?
Tang Chen?
Zong Cheng gradually came back to his senses.
He frowned slightly.
A few days until Lunar New Year, and this kid still hasn’t gone home?
He got up to open the door, seeing Tang Chen trying to slip inside. One hand pinned him.
“At this hour, why aren’t you home yet?”
?
This man was still so relentless!
Tang Chen was shocked.
Huffing angrily: “Of course I came to see you! I was already home! I flew here early this morning, alright?!”
Would he have done this if not for Zong Ge?
Zong Cheng: cold as ever. “You flew here to see me? Really? You can just stay home for New Year. Why come see me?”
Clearly, this kid was in trouble again.
?
Why can’t he come see Zong Ge?
And hey… Zong Ge, your face is giving away your thoughts.
I’m the type who immediately cleans up your mess?
…
He really was!
Tang Chen’s face fell instantly.
“Hmph, and it’s all because someone taught my mom how to watch livestreams!”
Saying this, he nearly suffocated.
“She somehow discovered I checked in to play games with Mr. Yin. Now she cries at home daily, saying she can’t earn enough for me, so I have to work hard for others.”
Wasn’t that lying through her teeth?
He just liked gaming, okay?
Besides! His mom earns so much he doesn’t even know how to spend it!
Does she expect him to spend Mr. Yin’s fortune to start a whole team?
?
Tang Chen suddenly froze.
Why was he feeling a bit fluttery?
“Then what’s the point of coming here?”
Zong Cheng sighed, relaxing his grip.
Tang Chen slipped inside, sprawling across the sofa.
“Misery loves company! Of course I came to join you! Otherwise, I can’t handle my mom alone!”
“?”
Zong Cheng frowned. “Misery loves company? Your problem—what does it have to do with me?”
Better let him deal with his mom’s tears himself.
Hmm?
Tang Chen’s expression suddenly turned odd.
Zong Cheng noticed, stiffened.
Tone slightly lowered, hinting threat: “Be honest. Anything you’re hiding from me?”
QAQ Eek, scary!
Tang Chen nervously grabbed the sofa edge, peeking at Zong Cheng.
“N-nothing much… just… when I was watching the Yin Corporation year-end livestream… my mom was watching too.”