Chi Zhan didn’t get into the water right away. He poured himself a glass of orange juice, then asked, “President Zhou, what would you like to drink?”
“Coffee.”
Chi Zhan paused.
“…Coffee this late? You won’t be able to sleep.”
“Whatever you’re having. Pour me a glass.”
Zhou Yanxing was holding his phone, seemingly reading through a report.
Workaholic. But at least it took some of the pressure off. Chi Zhan didn’t look at his screen again and simply set a glass of orange juice beside him. Only then did he slip off his bathrobe and step into the water.
Zhou Yanxing had stopped looking at his phone. Holding the glass of juice, he asked, “Did you not prepare a gift for your boyfriend?”
Chi Zhan froze for a moment.
“I did… but I must’ve left it in the room.”
The hot spring water was pleasantly warm, with a faint fragrance—not cloying, but rather fresh, almost fruity. Chi Zhan had always liked soaking in hot springs. He chose a spot not too close to Zhou Yanxing, and as he slid in, his thoughts slowed to a halt.
So comfortable…
He took a few sips of juice. The glass wall was one-way; from inside, they could see the view outside. Snow had begun to fall again, thick flakes dancing down from the sky. It was a stark contrast—the cold, snow-laden world outside, and the warm, tranquil space within.
“Secretary Chi. Don’t fall asleep in there.”
Chi Zhan’s eyelids were already heavy. He yawned, struggling to stay awake. But the moment he snapped back to awareness, his mind inevitably drifted back to what Chu Xingxiao had said earlier. What exactly did he mean?
As Chi Zhan was lost in thought, Zhou Yanxing silently moved closer.
His physique wasn’t that of a trained fighter—his chest muscles weren’t particularly defined—but he looked solid, like he’d feel good to the touch. Chi Zhan might’ve assumed he built that frame in the gym, if he hadn’t seen him take on ten guys by himself. Since that day, he knew better.
Still, Zhou Yanxing’s approach made him tense. He edged backward instinctively, but there was nothing behind him but tile. No escape.
“…What is it, President Zhou?” Chi Zhan’s voice was tight with caution.
Maybe it was because neither of them was wearing anything. The moment the distance closed, Chi Zhan’s guard went up like never before. And Zhou Yanxing, without his suit, seemed like a different person entirely.
Zhou Yanxing’s gaze fixed on him.
Chi Zhan’s skin was pale, flushed with the steam rising off the hot water, tinged a soft peach hue—visibly tempting. Though he wasn’t as muscular, there was a faint outline of abs, clearly someone who kept in shape.
His upper body was submerged in water, and droplets slid from his shoulders. Zhou Yanxing noticed… they were pink.
Just like he’d imagined.
Unknowingly, Zhou Yanxing’s gaze grew heated. Or maybe it was just Chi Zhan’s imagination. In this environment, everything felt hot—fevered.
Overwhelming.
“There’s something I wanted to ask you.”
His tone was casual, but his eyes never wavered, watching every subtle flicker of expression on Chi Zhan’s face.
Chi Zhan kept his face neutral.
“What is it?”
Zhou Yanxing leaned in, lowering his head just enough to speak by Chi Zhan’s ear.
“Tonight, the thing you kept looking for… was it this?”
Before Chi Zhan could react, Zhou Yanxing took his hand, pressed something small into his palm, then curled his fingers around it.
“Hold on to it. If it drops into the water, it’ll be a pain to find.”
***
Chi Zhan squeezed his fingers. It was small, slightly cool to the touch. It had to be that jade pendant—the gift he’d meant to give Chu Xingxiao. He was just about to confirm it when he realized Zhou Yanxing still hadn’t let go.
Confused, he turned to look at him—and met his eyes.
Zhou Yanxing was staring at him, dark eyes like bottomless wells. One look, and it felt like he was being pulled under.
The steam thickened around them. Both of them were bare-chested, and Zhou Yanxing’s body radiated even more heat than the water. He still hadn’t released his hand, and suddenly, the air between them was charged with a heavy tension.
Zhou Yanxing leaned in a little closer. Chi Zhan instinctively backed away. Maybe the water was too hot—his head was starting to swim.
But there was nowhere left to retreat.
The tension spiked exponentially, thick and pressing. Chi Zhan forced himself to speak: “President Zhou… you’re a little too close.”
Zhou Yanxing raised an eyebrow. “I’m waiting for your explanation, Secretary Chi.”
In a setting like this—one “President Zhou” and one “Secretary Chi”—the titles had lost all their usual formality. It didn’t sound like a professional exchange anymore. It sounded like a kink.
Chi Zhan’s brain was short-circuiting. Even his ability to form sentences was faltering.
“What explanation?”
Secretary Chi, always composed, decisive, the one who managed everything with precision. At social functions, he was smooth and diplomatic, never missing a beat. But when it came to handling intimacy, he was completely out of his depth.
And that’s where the cracks showed.
“You tell me. Giving your boyfriend’s gift to me—what’s that supposed to mean?”
…So he had noticed.
Chi Zhan was speechless. He had messed up. He hadn’t looked carefully enough before giving the gift, and now here they were. Zhou Yanxing had every right to be angry. But something about his tone wasn’t quite right. It didn’t sound like he was mad—maybe there was still a chance to fix this…
Chi Zhan was scrambling for a way to salvage the situation when he suddenly realized Zhou Yanxing was getting even closer. His breath was hot against his skin, and the scent of him—a subtle blend of the hot spring’s fruity notes and a hint of mint body wash—flooded his senses.
Scent could be intoxicating. And sometimes, Chi Zhan had to admit, Zhou Yanxing smelled really good. Ordinary, maybe, but something about it lingered.
“So what, you want me to be your boyfriend instead?”
Zhou Yanxing’s voice was low, dangerous. His eyes had gone hunter-dark—like a wolf stalking its prey in the dead of night, biding its time before striking.
Too close.
Chi Zhan’s instincts screamed in warning. He turned his face slightly, about to speak, when Zhou Yanxing suddenly cupped the back of his head—
—and kissed him.
