Ren Qingyun lay sprawled on the sofa with nothing to do, hugging an oversized life-size body pillow. His long legs were wrapped around the pillow’s waist, his whole body draped over it bonelessly, as soft as if he did not have a skeleton at all.
He rubbed against the pillow, which felt exceptionally comfortable to hold, and let out a satisfied sigh. That guy had done so many ridiculous things, but at least he had done one thing right—this pillow.
The pillow in Ren Qingyun’s arms was clearly modeled after that man. Printed on it was the man’s half-smiling face and the white expanse of chest revealed by a loosely tied bathrobe. Tsk. Foreigners really were pale. That skin tone looked even fairer and more tender than his own. The texture felt pretty good too.
Ren Qingyun silently mocked him, then suddenly thought of something else. Still, who would have guessed that the butler—who looked so conservative—would actually help that man with something like this?
Rolling over, Ren Qingyun sat squarely on the pillow. He refused to believe that man had somehow figured all this out on his own. With his status, there was no way he would personally go and customize something like this. It had to be that old-fashioned fossil—bah, not old-fashioned at all. Who would have thought he was so trendy? What a pervert.
After venting about that master-and-servant pair in his mind, Ren Qingyun picked up his tablet and continued reviewing the commission he had taken on earlier. He did not know what had possessed him, but he had accepted a project centered on romance.
Was my brain flooded with water at the time? Ren Qingyun thought bitterly. He had been researching this commission for days now. The worst part was that he had only just discovered that his assistant and employees were all single.
So what if you are single? If you have the guts to stay single, have the guts to go chase someone! Using “I have never been in love, so I do not understand the sour, sticky feeling of romance” as an excuse—he could only kneel in surrender. A bunch of little brats. They had even dared to use the “act first, report later” tactic on him. Just wait until he got back—he would make them suffer properly and let them experience firsthand how bright a single dog’s backside could turn.
“Ahhhhh!” After racking his brain and watching several supposedly famous romance films, Ren Qingyun howled in agony. He was a single dog too, all right? He did not know what that sour, sticky feeling of love was either!
Forget it!
He flung the tablet onto the floor, hugged the pillow, and rolled over—successfully tumbling off the sofa onto the wool carpet below.
“Tsk. Not even the fun of falling off the sofa is left to me,” he muttered. Yet his body obediently continued rolling on the thick wool rug. Well… this was comfortable too. He had no idea where that guy had found it. It was genuine wool. Cleaning it was just a hassle.
The aloof flower of high society—image—cannot let outsiders see this side—Ren Qingyun. Hmph. He would never admit that for the sake of this wool rug, he had not eaten instant noodles for several days. After returning to the country, there were so many delicious foods. But aside from going out with Bo Rui and the others, eating alone was unbearably dull. It almost felt less depressing to just have instant noodles…
Padding barefoot into the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator. His expression instantly cracked.
Frozen dumplings. Frozen buns. Frozen steamed buns.
When had he bought these things? This absolutely was not his doing!
Ren Qingyun collapsed onto the floor in despair. How was he supposed to survive on this? Was this humane?
“Ding-dong~”
The doorbell suddenly rang. Ren Qingyun could not be bothered. Other than delivery, he did not want to see anyone. And he had not even ordered anything.
The doorbell rang for a long time. Whoever was outside seemed to finally run out of patience and stopped pressing it—only to start knocking instead.
…Who on earth is it…
Reluctantly, Ren Qingyun dragged himself up from the floor and stomped to the door, his face full of irritation.
The moment he opened it, before he could even see the visitor clearly, he was overwhelmed by a fiery, scorching kiss that left him dazed.
“Mmph—”
A powerful grip locked around his waist. Large hands roamed boldly as if inspecting territory that belonged to them, sliding directly beneath his thick wool sweater and kneading firmly. That rough, domineering kissing style made Ren Qingyun understand instantly.
That British man had really chased him all the way here.
He tried to shove the man away, only to be met with an even more aggressive invasion, almost like retaliation. Finally, Ren Qingyun lost his patience. He lifted his long leg and drove his knee upward.
“That is not very nice, you naughty boy.”
The man finally released his thoroughly ravaged lips. One hand blocked Ren Qingyun’s sneak attack while his eyes devoured the face he had not seen in so long.
“You bastard. You did not even let me breathe and you have the nerve to call me naughty?” Ren Qingyun took a few shallow breaths. What was wrong with this man? Every time, it was like the end of the world—the last kiss ever. Kiss, kiss, kiss endlessly. Could he not let him catch his breath?
“Is that so?” The man looked slightly troubled, thinking seriously. In his somewhat strange Chinese accent, he explained, “But Morris said lovers like sweet words and more intimate ways of expressing love.”
I knew it—it is that old butler feeding him nonsense again!
Ren Qingyun gritted his teeth. The first time they had slept together, although he had been wild and forceful in bed, he had still been a gentleman with impeccable manners. But later, he had gradually evolved into a clingy pervert and stalker. So it really was that seemingly stiff but actually shameless old butler giving him bad advice!
“Let me tell you, I do not like this at all. You were best the way you were the night we first met.” Ren Qingyun rolled his eyes secretly before lifting his chin with cool, noble arrogance and addressing Winston.
Winston stared at his willful, proud little expression. Heat pooled low in his abdomen. All he could see was that mouth opening and closing. He bent down and swiftly captured the damp warmth within, his tongue tangling expertly. As he tasted him, he could not help but think—just as he remembered. Delicious.
“Hey, hey, hey!” Ren Qingyun had been ambushed again. Fine, the man kissed well—but that did not mean he could kiss him whenever he pleased!
“You taste too good. I do not think I will ever get enough in this lifetime.” Even when pushed away, Winston did not get angry. His deep sea-blue eyes seemed to speak. He pressed his forehead gently against Ren Qingyun’s, his curly hair brushing lightly against him.
Ren Qingyun nearly lost his composure. The first night they had met, Winston had been shy and awkward, unable to utter a single sweet word. How had he leveled up so quickly in romance? And why did his love talk suddenly carry such depth?
“How did you even have time to come here?” Ren Qingyun finally stepped aside to let him in. Making out at the doorway was hardly appropriate.
“Where my beloved is, there I am. My love, I have come to take you home.” Winston followed obediently inside, his large hand held by Ren Qingyun’s, his eyes brimming with joy. Just as Morris had said—his beloved had already accepted him in his heart. All those daily lessons with Morris had not been in vain.
Ren Qingyun felt torn. On one hand, the man’s words were getting more and more cheesy. On the other… they sounded unbearably sweet. His heart felt like it was melting. Was he really that soft?
Seeing the hesitation on his face, Winston hurried to add, “I have been waiting for you at home for so long, but you never returned. My love, could you bear to let my longing fall like autumn leaves, one after another, unnoticed? It feels as though decades have passed. I miss you so much my heart aches.”
…He had even learned idioms?
Ren Qingyun shot him a surprised look. He had thought Winston was studying Shakespearean sonnets or something.
Winston did not understand the strange look but offered a carefully practiced warm smile. He had worked very hard to make it look natural.
Seeing that stiff smile, Ren Qingyun wanted to mock him—but for once, he chose not to. If that smile was meant for him, he would accept it.
Satisfied, he leaned up and kissed Winston lightly on the cheek before sitting down on the wool rug.
Winston touched his cheek, still slightly damp, and his smile softened naturally.
“My love, you kissed me because you are happy?”
“Yes. I was happy, so I rewarded you with a kiss.” Ren Qingyun admitted frankly. The truth was, the first time he had approached Winston, it had simply been because the man suited his taste perfectly—status and all.
Winston was visibly surprised by the straightforward answer. Gazing into Ren Qingyun’s dark eyes, he remembered Morris’s words: that the black eyes of Easterners were the most beautiful color in the world—like the most mysterious and brilliant star in a vast night sky. And when that star held one’s own reflection, there was no color more beautiful.
“My love, your eyes are beautiful.” He leaned in and pressed a feather-light kiss to Ren Qingyun’s eyelid, filled with tenderness rather than desire.
It was such a light kiss—without a trace of lust—yet Ren Qingyun’s face flushed instantly. Did this man not realize that his cello-deep whispering voice was lethal?
Suddenly drained of strength by a single sentence, Ren Qingyun simply leaned forward and collapsed into Winston’s broad chest. The man’s distinctive cologne enveloped him—it was exactly his favorite style. He closed his eyes quietly.
“My love?” Winston stiffened awkwardly, unsure where to place his hands. He adjusted himself against the sofa so Ren Qingyun could lie more comfortably in his arms, confusion in his eyes. Was something wrong?
Ren Qingyun suppressed a laugh at the man’s odd pronunciation and turned around, settling fully against his chest. Switching to a refined British accent, he murmured, “When you call me ‘my love’ in Chinese, it sounds strange. Use English.”
Winston fell silent for a moment before replying firmly—still in his unusual Chinese accent, “My love, I love you. I want you to feel no discomfort being with me. That is my love. Your request—I refuse.” His grip tightened around Ren Qingyun’s fingers.
“Look at our hands. They are different, yet when they intertwine, they become inseparable. If I fill every corner of your life with my presence, we will become the closest of lovers. No matter where you go, my heart will follow.”
Ren Qingyun closed his eyes, saying nothing. The warmth from Winston’s hand traveled like electricity straight to his heart. His eyes burned slightly.
Damn it. Why say something so sentimental? If he cried, it would look ridiculous.
When he did not respond, Winston panicked. “My love, you can ask anything of me. Just do not reject me from your life. Please. I can do anything else.”
“…Mm.” After a long silence, Ren Qingyun gave a soft hum. To make sure he understood, he lifted their joined hands and kissed Winston’s knuckles.
Winston was slow to process it. Then realization dawned. His sea-blue eyes surged with delight like rolling waves.
“I knew it. You love me too. That is why you confessed to me the first time we met! I did not understand then, but Morris taught me. I am so glad I did not lose you. My love, will you come home with me?”
Ren Qingyun’s emotions were all over the place. He admitted he had been drawn to Winston at first sight—but that had been lust, not love. Still… what was the point of arguing? When he got back, he would deal with that meddling old butler properly.
“My love, you will not come home with me?” Winston asked hesitantly, noticing his fierce expression.
“Be good. With your background, someone like me would not exactly fit in there,” Ren Qingyun replied. He knew enough about Winston’s world—old traditions, bloodlines, all of it.
“You mean that?” Winston’s expression turned cold. He had learned that Ren Qingyun had once gone looking for him but had been humiliated. That must be why he hesitated.
“Do not worry. I have already spoken with the Queen. If you return with me, she can grant you a title. Then you can live with me properly. You said you liked castles, did you not? I bought one. You can redesign it however you wish.”
Ren Qingyun blinked. A title? Just like that?
“Do not joke with me,” he said, though his eyes sparkled.
“I am not joking. By lineage, I am her only uncle…”
Winston switched to fluent English, rattling off a complicated family history and an impossibly long name.
“Wait. So the title is real? And the castle too?” Ren Qingyun tried to stay calm, but stars were already dancing in his eyes.
Winston nodded. “I have prepared everything. You just would not come back for me, so I came to find you.”
“Damn! Then I can move in? I do not even need renovations? The room at the end of the second floor gets the best sunlight—perfect for me!”
Winston hesitated. “If you like that room… it is possible. But why not stay on the third floor with me?”
“The third floor?”
“That is my floor.”
Ren Qingyun froze. An entire floor to himself? He had chosen wrong. He should claim the third floor and banish Winston downstairs.
Winston, unaware of the storm in his beloved’s mind, continued enthusiastically describing the lake behind the castle, the forest hunts, lakeside picnics.
Ren Qingyun tried to remain firm.
One sugar-coated bullet could not defeat him.
Two could not either.
Three in a row?
He surrendered.
Smiling blissfully, he snuggled back into Winston’s arms and began planning castle renovations in his head.
Winston watched him curl up obediently and allowed himself a sly smile.
His beloved was surprisingly easy to understand.