Of course Lin Xingchen wanted to indulge!
He had been the sponsor for so long, yet had never truly exercised the rights of a sponsor!
Only…
“Are you sure?” Lin Xingchen asked, concerned. “It’s just right now, immediately starting—won’t it affect its health?”
Pei Qingjian wasn’t sure. “Shouldn’t be, right?”
The effects of the medicine had already worn off; what could be unhealthy now?
“Then let’s try?” Lin Xingchen asked.
Pei Qingjian nodded. Though still a little embarrassed, after these past few days with Lin Xingchen, he had grown more familiar with him.
In looks, Lin Xingchen was unmatched in elegance.
In character, he was gentle and considerate.
If he were ever to be with someone intimately, no one else would compare to Lin Xingchen.
Pei Qingjian had no complaints; he even felt like he was gaining something.
Moreover, Lin Xingchen had already spent the money; he deserved some return.
Pei Qingjian was eager to try. “How do we do this?”
Lin Xingchen looked at his innocent expression and said proudly, “You don’t need to worry. I’ll handle it.”
Pei Qingjian obediently nodded, lay back under the blanket, eyes shining as he looked at him.
Lin Xingchen felt a blush creep onto his own face at that gaze.
“Close your eyes.”
Pei Qingjian did so without hesitation.
Lin Xingchen: …Damn, he’s really obedient!
His heart involuntarily fluttered.
He lay down beside him, quietly watching.
The lights were already dimmed, casting a soft yellow glow on Pei Qingjian’s face, as flawless as a pristine painting.
Lin Xingchen thought for a moment, then leaned in to place a gentle kiss on his forehead.
A kiss to calm the nerves.
Though Pei Qingjian didn’t seem nervous now, Lin Xingchen remembered how he had drunk several glasses of red wine in anxiety when first preparing to fulfill the contract.
If they had begun then, he would never have comforted him this way—
They didn’t know each other then, so naturally, there was no concern.
But now, after ten days together,
Only ten days, and yet Lin Xingchen sometimes marveled at how accustomed he had grown to this life, as if he’d been living this way forever.
He and Pei Qingjian were surprisingly in sync.
Thinking this, he leaned in again to kiss Pei Qingjian on the forehead.
Pei Qingjian closed his eyes, feeling something soft land on his forehead, as delicate as a petal.
Again, and again.
A little itchy, he couldn’t help opening his eyes, only to see Lin Xingchen’s excessively handsome face before him.
Time seemed to pause in that instant, leaving only the thick, sticky air, heavy with ambiguous breaths that made hearts race and faces flush.
Pei Qingjian stared at him, unable to look away.
Lin Xingchen hadn’t expected him to open his eyes. Hastily, he raised a hand to cover Pei Qingjian’s eyes, his ears tinged with a faint blush.
“I told you to keep your eyes closed,” he said, awkwardly.
Pei Qingjian obediently said “oh” and let him cover his eyes.
His face was delicate, small, and Lin Xingchen’s hand over his eyes covered most of it, leaving only his rosy lips and finely shaped chin visible—like a rose hidden beneath a trellis, fragrant and captivating.
Lin Xingchen stared for a long moment, then couldn’t resist leaning closer to brush a kiss against his lips.
It was as soft as a feather, carrying the warmth of spring, gentle yet full.
It was a sensation Pei Qingjian had never experienced before.
Novel, strange.
Instinctively, he tilted his head, trying to follow that fleeting sensation.
Lin Xingchen drew back slightly, still trying to steady his breath, when he felt Pei Qingjian lift his chin.
Their lips met again.
Lin Xingchen froze for a moment.
Like a flower falling into water, it created soft ripples, spreading quietly through every corner of his heart without splashing.
He blinked, cautiously exploring, and kissed Pei Qingjian’s lips again.
Pei Qingjian’s face instantly heated.
His body tensed, but his mind was unusually clear.
Lin Xingchen is kissing him… does that count as a kiss?
It should, right?
So… was this his first kiss, now belonging to Lin Xingchen?
Not so bad, he thought.
Then he felt Lin Xingchen gently tilt his chin down.
Pei Qingjian didn’t react in time and opened his mouth out of habit.
The next second, a warm, soft presence entered his mouth.
A sensation he had never imagined.
An experience he had never felt.
His senses became both sharp and muddled at once.
Lin Xingchen kissed him, softly exploring inside his mouth. He traced Pei Qingjian’s upper palate with the tip of his tongue.
Pei Qingjian shivered, instinctively pulling back.
But Lin Xingchen held his jaw firmly, gentle yet unyielding, keeping him in place.
No escape, no struggle.
Outside, a heavy rain suddenly poured down.
It fell like a dense curtain of pearls, surrounding Pei Qingjian, whose mind was still hazy.
He could only feel Lin Xingchen’s kiss, his warmth, his breath.
Like a net, tightly enclosing him.
The night was thick and heavy.
Lin Xingchen rolled him over so he could lie on top of him.
He lifted the hem of Pei Qingjian’s pajamas, hands gripping his waist, thumbs gliding lightly along his curves.
Pei Qingjian’s legs softened immediately.
Lin Xingchen’s touch and kisses moved like wildfire, sweeping along spring winds, consuming every inch of skin.
Pei Qingjian instinctively opened his mouth, but before a sound could escape, Lin Xingchen’s lips claimed it again.
The kiss was passionate yet tender, irresistible.
The heat at his waist spread with every touch, as if burning endlessly.
His body softened into a pool of spring water, supple and unresisting.
A familiar scent of herbs and lemon wafted around them in the steamed-up blanket, fresh and intoxicating.
Pei Qingjian, muddled from the kisses, instinctively clutched Lin Xingchen’s shoulders.
He opened his eyes, misted with tears, looking as if wronged.
Lin Xingchen didn’t want him to open his eyes, so he leaned in to kiss them, and Pei Qingjian closed them again, pressed against his chest.
The night breeze blew, rustling the buds of roses, scattering petals.
Pei Qingjian tilted his head, revealing the large expanse of pale skin tinged with red from the floral embrace.
He leaned forward slightly, inhaling more of the fresh scent.
His nose brushed against Lin Xingchen’s collarbone, lips unintentionally grazing soft, silky skin.
“Good boy,” Lin Xingchen murmured, soothing him.
But Pei Qingjian was clearly unconvinced.
He lifted a foot, kicking lightly, eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Lin Xingchen patiently calmed him, kissing him again.
Outside, the wind howled, shaking branches and Pei Qingjian’s body.
He buried his head in Lin Xingchen’s neck, nuzzling gently, unconsciously acting sweet.
Lin Xingchen rubbed his cheek, pressing him back down against his chest.
In that moment, summer berries ripened, the branches dripping sweet juice, luring passing butterflies.
Pei Qingjian closed his eyes, faintly feeling his world sway.
Waves of emotion surged in his chest—part grievance, part confusion—murmuring Lin Xingchen’s name softly, a small, helpless whimper.
He felt Lin Xingchen’s tender kiss and heard his gentle voice.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Pei Qingjian looked at him with eyes shimmering like rippling water, long lashes dampened.
The outer corner of his eyes seemed stretched by the evening glow, lips hiding a hint of rose.
He looked at him—beautiful, delicate, vibrant, yet bewildered—shrouded in a misty, lingering intimacy, like a spirit half-hidden in the morning light.
Lin Xingchen lifted his clean hand, gently brushing Pei Qingjian’s cheek.
Pei Qingjian tilted his head, nuzzling against the palm obediently, like a child seeking affection.
Lin Xingchen lowered his forehead to his, softly asking, “Uncomfortable?”
Pei Qingjian shook his head.
“Then… you don’t like it?”
He shook his head again.
“Then… what is it?” Lin Xingchen’s tone softened, carrying a subtle tenderness.
Pei Qingjian didn’t know.
This was something he had never experienced before.
He had no experience, no understanding of what he was feeling.
He only knew he needed him.
Needed him to kiss him again, or coax him.
Pei Qingjian lifted his eyelids to look at him.
Rarely did he ask for anything. Throughout his life, he had always been strong and unassuming.
Never greedy.
Never demanding.
He had always been easily satisfied, content.
Yet now, he wanted a little intimacy that belonged to Lin Xingchen.
Pei Qingjian felt shy to voice it, so he lowered his gaze.
Lin Xingchen didn’t move, simply holding him, waiting for an answer.
The air seemed to pause.
Pei Qingjian felt as if he could hear the passage of time.
The bedside lamp wasn’t fully out, Lin Xingchen’s presence still strong beside him.
Summoning courage, Pei Qingjian slowly spoke, “You… you can continue.”
“You haven’t told me what’s wrong yet,” Lin Xingchen replied gently.
Pei Qingjian shook his head softly, “Nothing.”
“Really?” Lin Xingchen leaned closer, lips nearly touching his.
Pei Qingjian instinctively recoiled, but Lin Xingchen’s lips captured his again.
This time, the kisses weren’t lingering, but light, fluttering touches, one after another.
“Say it,” Lin Xingchen coaxed, “tell me, hmm?”
He soothed him while kissing him.
Pei Qingjian’s heart began to loosen under such care.
It was the first time he had experienced such intimacy.
Like two people growing together, intertwined as one.
He instinctively felt a dependence and closeness he shouldn’t have.
“I… I’ve never experienced this before,” he whispered, as if that could justify the craving he felt. “I… I’m not used to it.”
“Mm,” Lin Xingchen acknowledged softly.
“So…” his voice grew even smaller, barely audible, “could you… kiss me more sometimes?”
Lin Xingchen hadn’t expected that.
He watched Pei Qingjian finish speaking, eyes lowered, long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings, concealing his shyness and the quiet hope he dared not speak aloud.
He was endearing, he thought. There was nothing wrong with asking.
They were both new to this, exploring, learning to match and satisfy each other’s needs and preferences.
“Mm,” Lin Xingchen agreed.
He smiled, kissed Pei Qingjian’s lips, teasing, “Just kisses, then?”
Pei Qingjian nodded, cheeks reddening.
The smile in Lin Xingchen’s eyes deepened. “Nothing else?”
“Nothing,” Pei Qingjian replied.
“Then next time, tell me if there’s more, okay?” Lin Xingchen coaxed.
Pei Qingjian nodded, softly murmuring “Mm.”
“Good boy.” Lin Xingchen kissed him again, brushing his lips, murmuring, “So cute.”
Pei Qingjian felt warmth surge through his body.
Lin Xingchen pulled the blanket over his flushed face.
In the darkness, he kissed him, holding him tightly.
Pei Qingjian felt as if he had returned to that boundless sea.
The sounds of wind, rain, tides layered upon one another.
Yet all he could hear was Lin Xingchen’s voice, calling his name.
He didn’t call him Pei Qingjian, but Qingqing.
Sometimes not even Qingqing—just “baby.”
He kissed his ear, hands on his waist, pushing him further into the depths of the waves.
Pei Qingjian clutched him, feeling as if he might drown in that ocean.
Suddenly, Lin Xingchen pressed down harder, forceful yet tender, like a glacier breaking or a mountain torrent rushing, a hidden dragon leaping from the depths.
The pale moonlight poured down without reserve.
The world returned to silence; mountains, rivers, animals—all frozen in place.
Pei Qingjian opened his eyes, seeing only Lin Xingchen.
Only Lin Xingchen.