Time paused in that instant.
Lin Xingchen lowered his head to kiss him again, holding him still, quietly.
The night breeze passed, scattering petals in the air.
Pei Qingjian leaned against him, faintly catching the scent of flowers.
“Shower?” After a brief silence, Lin Xingchen finally spoke again.
He began to move, slowly rising from Pei Qingjian’s body.
Pei Qingjian felt him pull away, his face flushing so deeply he barely dared to lift his gaze.
“Sh… sure,” he whispered softly.
Hearing this, Lin Xingchen got out of bed.
He lifted the blanket, slid one arm beneath Pei Qingjian’s knees, and wrapped the other around his shoulders, lifting him effortlessly into his arms.
Pei Qingjian: !!!
He stared at Lin Xingchen in astonishment, cheeks burning furiously.
Sensing Pei Qingjian’s gaze, Lin Xingchen lowered his eyes to meet his.
Immediately, Pei Qingjian averted his gaze, lashes drooping.
Even though they had shared their most intimate moments, being naked in his arms now still made him feel shy.
“Cl… clothes,” he murmured.
Lin Xingchen smiled and bent down to retrieve Pei Qingjian’s sleepwear, draping it over him.
“It’s not like I haven’t seen it before,” he said with a soft chuckle.
Pei Qingjian stayed silent, head lowered, ears burning red.
Lin Xingchen wanted to rub them, but with both hands holding him, he couldn’t free them, so he stepped toward the bathroom.
They showered together, Lin Xingchen carefully checking that Pei Qingjian wasn’t hurt.
Pei Qingjian was so embarrassed he could barely lift his head—and then accidentally glimpsed his large manhood in the water.
Pei Qingjian: ???
Wait… that’s allowed?!
Does that mean… again?
He thought this, stealing glances at Lin Xingchen.
Lin Xingchen held him close again, taking his hand.
“Good boy.” He kissed Pei Qingjian and guided his hand to touch himself.
As Lin Xingchen kissed him, Pei Qingjian tried to follow his rhythm, responding, but soon grew weak, letting him support the back of his head.
After what felt like an eternity, Pei Qingjian felt Lin Xingchen lightly bite his lower lip, then speed up, gripping his hand tighter.
Eventually, he slowly released Pei Qingjian’s hand.
Dazed, Pei Qingjian lifted his head, not yet seeing Lin Xingchen’s face before being pressed into his arms.
His chin brushed Lin Xingchen’s hair, receiving a light kiss at the crown as Lin Xingchen caught his breath.
Pei Qingjian, hearing his shallow breaths and smelling his familiar scent, instinctively reached to embrace him.
Before he could, Lin Xingchen caught his hands, washed them under the showerhead, then carried him out, wrapping him in a bathrobe.
“Sleep now,” Lin Xingchen whispered.
Being his first time, Pei Qingjian didn’t want to overstep or ask for too much. He was careful not to overwhelm him.
Hearing this, he nodded happily, draped in the robe, walking toward the bed.
Halfway there, a question popped into his mind: “Have you kissed anyone else before?”
Lin Xingchen was surprised by the question. “Why do you ask?”
“I… just think you’re really good at kissing,” Pei Qingjian said softly.
Lin Xingchen smiled, lowering his gaze to him. “Am I just good at kissing?”
Pei Qingjian: …
His face heated up again.
He didn’t answer, walking toward the bed. After only a few steps, Lin Xingchen scooped him up from behind, cradling him horizontally.
“What are you doing?!” Pei Qingjian reflexively wrapped his arms around Lin Xingchen’s neck.
“You haven’t answered my question yet,” Lin Xingchen teased.
Pei Qingjian stayed silent, turning away.
Lin Xingchen carried him to the bed, setting him down, leaning close. “I’m not just good at kissing… I’m also good at holding people~”
Pei Qingjian: …
He tried to avoid Lin Xingchen’s gaze, but Lin Xingchen gently tilted his chin upward.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Lin Xingchen focused on his lips, speaking softly, “Looks like I kissed your lips a little swollen.”
Pei Qingjian: !!!
He immediately started searching for his phone.
Lin Xingchen laughed, pressing his hand gently. “I was just teasing. It might be a bit, but after sleep, it should be fine.”
“Then… let’s sleep.” Pei Qingjian slid under the covers.
“Mm.” Lin Xingchen nodded, climbing into bed.
“But…” He leaned toward Pei Qingjian’s ear, “you’re the only one I’ve ever kissed.”
“Really?” Pei Qingjian asked skeptically.
Lin Xingchen nodded. “Why would I kiss anyone else?”
Pei Qingjian thought: judging by that skill… seems doubtful.
Seeing his expression, Lin Xingchen chuckled. “Maybe that’s the talent of being a benefactor.”
Pei Qingjian: ??? Talent? Do you even need talent to be a benefactor these days?
He lay back slowly. “Alright, sleep now, my extraordinarily gifted benefactor daddy.”
Lin Xingchen: …
He felt his ‘extraordinary gift’ instantly double in impact.
Pei Qingjian closed his eyes, ready to sleep.
After calming himself, Lin Xingchen looked over, seeing Pei Qingjian’s peaceful sleeping face.
He reached over, quietly switching off the light.
Pei Qingjian closed his eyes, only to slowly open them again moments later.
He turned his head to glance at Lin Xingchen’s shadowy outline in the darkness.
They had just been intimate together, and now lay apart, sharply distinct.
It felt strange… but what would be normal? Sleeping together in Lin Xingchen’s arms?
He wondered curiously if Lin Xingchen was asleep.
Pei Qingjian wondered: wouldn’t he find it a little strange, the way they were lying together now?
“Are you asleep?” he asked tentatively.
“No,” Lin Xingchen replied, turning toward him. “Why?”
Pei Qingjian shook his head. “Just asking.”
“You can’t sleep?” Lin Xingchen asked.
He shook his head again. “No… I’m going to sleep now.”
He said that, yet didn’t close his eyes.
The room was dark anyway; Lin Xingchen couldn’t tell whether they were open or shut.
He truly couldn’t see clearly.
But he knew Pei Qingjian wouldn’t call out to him without reason.
So what did he want to say?
Or why couldn’t he sleep?
Lin Xingchen watched him silently, pondering.
He didn’t think for long.
Just as Pei Qingjian was about to close his eyes, he heard Lin Xingchen’s voice: “Are you asleep?”
“I’m sleeping,” Pei Qingjian replied.
Clearly, that meant he wasn’t asleep.
Lin Xingchen lifted a hand, wrapping it around Pei Qingjian’s waist, pulling him into his embrace.
Pei Qingjian looked up in surprise, only able to see the outline of Lin Xingchen’s jaw in the dark.
“Sleep,” Lin Xingchen’s gentle voice whispered. “It’s okay, I’m holding you.”
Hearing this, Pei Qingjian’s heart softened.
He cautiously leaned into Lin Xingchen, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat.
Unlike previous embraces, this was the first time he was fully conscious while holding him.
He lifted his hands slowly, carefully wrapping them around Lin Xingchen.
He felt Lin Xingchen’s hand brush the back of his head, soothing him silently.
Pei Qingjian suddenly felt a surge of happiness, a faint smile lifting his lips, as he tightened his hold around Lin Xingchen.
“Good night,” he whispered.
“Good night,” Lin Xingchen murmured, planting a soft kiss on the top of his head.
Pei Qingjian felt his grip on Lin Xingchen’s arms tighten slightly, his head nuzzling into his shoulder.
Lin Xingchen guessed correctly.
After all, it was Pei Qingjian’s first experience with something like this. Young and innocent, naïve about intimacy, it was natural that after everything, he longed for warmth and closeness.
Hence the question: “Are you asleep?”
Just as before, he was too shy to outright ask for affection, so he said, “No.”
So obedient.
So well-behaved.
Almost excessively so.
But in their relationship, a bit of restraint was a good thing—for him, and for them.
Those who are too understanding always tug at the heartstrings, which is why Lin Xingchen took the initiative, drawing him close.
He gently stroked Pei Qingjian’s shoulders, staying with him until he drifted off, then slowly closed his own eyes.
As he fell asleep, a drowsy thought crossed Lin Xingchen’s mind: maybe those five million hadn’t been spent in vain.
Although he hadn’t won Xu Ya back, he unexpectedly gained the chance to have Pei Qingjian by his side.
They wouldn’t have crossed paths otherwise, nor would any feelings have developed.
But now…
He lost one relationship, yet inadvertently gained another.
It felt worth it.
Lin Xingchen held him tightly, drifting into sleep.
The next morning, Pei Qingjian unusually didn’t wake early.
He continued to sleep soundly in Lin Xingchen’s embrace until the alarm rang.
Lin Xingchen opened his eyes and was surprised to see Pei Qingjian still asleep in his arms.
He slept deeply, hair slightly tousled, lashes long and curled, a small portion of his face fair and delicate.
Rare, Lin Xingchen thought—today, Pei Qingjian hadn’t woken before him.
He carefully moved his hand from Pei Qingjian’s shoulder.
As he did, Pei Qingjian seemed to sense the motion; his lashes fluttered, eyes slowly opening.
Lin Xingchen froze.
Pei Qingjian looked at him, a little dazed. “Why are you awake so early?”
He rubbed his eyes as he spoke.
Lin Xingchen smiled lightly. “It’s not early. I should get to work.”
Pei Qingjian: ???
He grabbed his phone from the pillow, eyes widening. “It’s already 8:15?!”
Panicking, he tried to sit up. “I haven’t made breakfast yet!”
Lin Xingchen gently pressed him back onto the bed.
He stroked Pei Qingjian’s head. “Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”
Shaking his head, Pei Qingjian reassured him.
Lin Xingchen relaxed. Last night had been sudden. Although he was careful, he worried there might be some unintended effect.
“Then sleep a bit more. I’ll have breakfast on my way to the office,” he said softly.
He added, to ease any worries, “Don’t worry. I’ll get steamed buns and soy milk—nutritious and healthy.”
Pei Qingjian, still a little exhausted from the night before, nodded. “Then be careful on the way. I’ll bring you lunch at noon.”
Lin Xingchen, touched by his diligence, smiled. “No need. You rest. I’ll have my assistant get lunch—nothing too spicy.”
Pei Qingjian shook his head. “We already agreed.”
“No rush today.”
“Tomorrow, then the day after, there’s plenty of tomorrows. I’m getting up for lunch anyway, might as well bring it over—no waste.”
Lin Xingchen: “…you really make it sound convenient.”
Pei Qingjian saw nothing wrong with that. “Exactly.”
Lin Xingchen chuckled, conceding. “Fine. If you want to bring it, I’ll be waiting for it at noon.”
Pei Qingjian smiled at him.
Lin Xingchen reached up and lightly scraped his hand across Pei Qingjian’s cheek before turning to get out of bed.
Pei Qingjian lay back down, eyes closed, continuing to sleep.
He didn’t rest for too long—by around ten o’clock, he opened his eyes again.
This time, he had slept enough and didn’t linger in bed; he threw back the covers and headed straight to the bathroom.
After washing up, he suddenly remembered Lin Xingchen’s words from last night before bed: “Looks like I made your lips a little swollen.” He leaned close to the mirror and inspected carefully.
“They’re not swollen… so it should be fine now.”
Feeling reassured, Pei Qingjian turned from the bathroom and walked to the kitchen.