Chi Zhan felt like a level-zero player who had just stepped out of the novice village, only to be thrown straight into a boss fight—against a max-level, invincible, and self-reviving monster. The worst part? Unlike other bosses, this one didn’t go around slaughtering players. No, he preferred to leisurely watch Chi Zhan stumble into his traps with a smile.
With nothing left in his arsenal except futile resistance, Chi Zhan had no choice but to retreat. Thankfully, Zhou Yanxing didn’t push him any further. Wrapping himself tightly in a bathrobe, Chi Zhan muttered stiffly, “I’m heading out first.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and left in a rush, his escape practically a retreat in disarray.
Zhou Yanxing watched Chi Zhan’s retreating back, his mind replaying everything that had just happened.
Secretary Chi’s lips were soft and sweet, like biting into ripe fruit—firm on the outside, juicy within. It was Zhou Yanxing’s first kiss too, and he’d almost lost control. He’d reined himself in only because he was afraid of scaring Chi Zhan. If not for that self-restraint, Chi Zhan might not have been able to walk out of that room.
As he mulled it over, Zhou Yanxing tapped his fingers against the armrest lightly.
Just as he suspected.
That comment earlier—“pretending to be your boyfriend”—had been a deliberate probe. Zhou Yanxing hadn’t been sure, didn’t have any solid proof. But Chi Zhan’s reaction had given him the answer.
He’d rather recruit someone to pose as his boyfriend than consider being with Zhou Yanxing.
But why?
Chi Zhan hadn’t pushed him away when they kissed. In fact, he hadn’t resisted at all…
Zhou Yanxing frowned in thought. In matters like these, he was still a rookie himself.
Although he’d seemed composed during their interaction, he’d actually been closely watching Chi Zhan’s expression. If he’d shown even the slightest sign of disgust or discomfort, Zhou Yanxing would have stopped immediately.
But Chi Zhan had looked completely dazed, a far cry from his usual cool, sharp self. He didn’t even seem to remember to breathe during the kiss.
Honestly, it looked like he’d enjoyed it.
Maybe he should work on his kissing technique—who knows, with a little more skill, Secretary Chi might just fall head over heels and never look back.
With that in mind, Zhou Yanxing pulled out his phone and began searching: “108 Kissing Techniques.”
Outside, Chi Zhan stepped into the hallway, where the air was noticeably cooler than inside. His heartbeat gradually settled, but his mind remained a chaotic mess.
If it had been any other time, he would’ve had the presence of mind to deal with Zhou Yanxing calmly. But ever since that kiss, his brain had been running at half speed, stuttering now and then like a laggy computer.
Both Chu Xingxiao and Zhou Yanxing had said things he couldn’t decipher. What exactly did Zhou mean when he said, “Chu Xingxiao had a motive for getting close to you”?
Why did these people always speak in riddles instead of stating things plainly?
Chi Zhan took a quick shower, threw on some clothes, and stepped out absentmindedly—only to bump into someone at the corner.
He hadn’t seen the person coming from the other side and ended up colliding headlong into a cool chest that smelled faintly of pine.
“Sorry—”
Chi Zhan looked up—and locked eyes with a pair of deep, dark irises. Under the bright hallway lights, the tear-shaped mole beneath them stood out vividly.
It was Qi Song.
Qi Song hadn’t expected it to be Chi Zhan either. He was halfway through the motion of pushing the other away, but paused. Looking at Chi Zhan, he said gently, “It’s fine.”
Qi Song was wearing wireless earbuds and seemed to have been in the middle of a conversation. He murmured a few words to the other person before removing the earphones and tucking them into his pocket, then gave Chi Zhan a once-over.
“Your hair’s still wet. Why didn’t you go back to your room?”
Chi Zhan had no desire to blow-dry his hair after the shower, so he’d just toweled it off hastily. His hair had grown long enough to skim over his brows—not a problem most days, but right now, he looked more like a college student who hadn’t yet stepped into the real world.
Qi Song’s gaze drifted to his lips.
Chi Zhan’s lips were usually pale, but right now, they were a striking red—like they’d just been sucked on hard.
Chi Zhan didn’t notice Qi Song’s stare. He stepped out of Qi Song’s embrace, damp hair dripping onto Qi Song’s hand. The droplets were like tiny raindrops—or little fish surfacing to kiss his palm.
He smelled fresh, like someone who’d just bathed.
Qi Song glanced toward the direction Chi Zhan had come from.
“You went to the hot springs.”
His tone was calm, not accusatory at all. But Chi Zhan had just turned down his invitation a moment ago, and now he was coming back from the hot springs… with who?
Chi Zhan gave a vague hum in reply, then noticed Qi Song was still dressed in his outdoor clothes.
“You didn’t go to the hot springs?”
“Something came up last minute. The others went. Did something happen?”
His eyes seemed to have a calming magic to them. As Qi Song looked at him, Chi Zhan’s nerves slowly began to settle. But then, that earlier question popped back into his head—
Why did Chu Xingxiao think he was Qi Song’s boyfriend?
There had to be some misunderstanding.
But Chi Zhan wasn’t close enough to Qi Song to bluntly ask, “Do you have a boyfriend?” That would’ve been way too rude.
After mulling it over for a while, he simply shook his head.
“Nothing happened.”
Bang—
There was a window near where they stood. Through it, they could see fireworks going off outside.
Only then did Chi Zhan remember—he’d made plans with Cen Chi.
It was already 9 p.m.
Just as he was about to excuse himself, he noticed Qi Song staring out the window, the colors of the fireworks reflected in his eyes. He seemed… lost in thought.
On impulse—perhaps possessed by some mischievous spirit—Chi Zhan blurted, “Seven, want to go watch the fireworks together?”
The night was snowless, but colder than the day. Still, people who were out to have fun didn’t seem to mind. Chi Zhan and Qi Song agreed to meet at the entrance once they were dressed.
Chi Zhan returned to his room and was just slipping on his coat when Zhou Yanxing walked in.
Neither of them spoke.
After a moment, Zhou asked, “Going out?”
“Yeah.”
“With your boyfriend?”
Those three words—“your boyfriend”—had practically become Zhou’s new favorite catchphrase, his latest form of mockery. Subtext: You think you’re still fooling me? Go ahead, keep up the act. I’ll just sit back and watch the show.
Chi Zhan quickly fastened the buttons on his coat, not wanting to engage. But then he remembered—he still owed Zhou Yanxing a favor.
