He’d originally thought it was just a standard tactic used in business settings—he hadn’t expected Zhou Yanxing to use it on him.
“Including the times you lied to me before. All forgiven. How’s that for a deal?”
“Really?” Chi Zhan was actually tempted. But a second later, reason kicked back in, tugging hard against his emotions. Finally, after an intense internal tug-of-war, he managed to squeeze out a refusal: “This… isn’t right.”
But the moment he said it, Chi Zhan realized something was off. His tone lacked conviction, and the words just sounded… weird.
Sure enough, Zhou Yanxing raised a brow.
“Secretary Chi, what exactly are you imagining? It’s not like your ‘boyfriend’ will find out,” Zhou Yanxing added slowly. “Unless you want to tell him.”
Chi Zhan’s face instantly heated.
They were just supposed to be superior and subordinate, so why did everything Zhou Yanxing said twist things into something weird?!
But then—
“Including the times you lied to me.”
That line… was just way too tempting.
“Are you serious? Wiped clean?”
“Would I lie to you?”
“Didn’t you just—”
Zhou Yanxing suddenly fell silent. He lowered his head, his fingers brushing through Chi Zhan’s fluffy bangs, and pressed a light kiss between his brows. Whatever Chi Zhan was about to say froze in his throat.
He was stunned.
Zhou Yanxing looked like he wanted to kiss him again, but after glancing at Chi Zhan, he thought better of it—afraid he’d get smacked if he pushed any further—and gave up, turning off the bedroom light instead.
The room instantly sank into darkness.
Chi Zhan was still in a daze.
After a long while, he finally moved his fingers slightly. A strange, hard-to-name feeling welled up inside him.
In that moment, he seemed to realize… just how much Zhou Yanxing liked him.
Chi Zhan slowly turned around, facing away from Zhou Yanxing. Then he pulled the blanket over his head, trying to hide himself completely under it.
Zhou Yanxing turned his head just in time to see Chi Zhan disappear into the covers, and couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile.
Why was Secretary Chi so damn cute?
Chi Zhan drifted off in a daze. Right before falling asleep, it felt like there was something he’d forgotten to do, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t recall it. He gave up.
Zhou Yanxing, meanwhile, was still on his phone dealing with urgent matters. After a while, Chi Zhan emerged from under the blanket, cheeks flushed—probably suffocating from being wrapped up so tightly. A few minutes later, he turned over and shuffled closer to Zhou Yanxing again, tangling himself around him.
Can’t ever let Chi Zhan share a bed with someone else—he’s way too clingy.
It was seriously dangerous.
That was Zhou Yanxing’s only thought as he let Chi Zhan bury himself into his arms and fall peacefully asleep.
Chi Zhan woke up from thirst. Groggy and disoriented, he found the room still dark and quiet—it clearly wasn’t morning yet. He thought the pillow beside him was incredibly soft, the perfect height for resting his leg on, so he instinctively draped a leg over it… Wait?
Chi Zhan, eyes still closed, rubbed up against the “pillow” for a while before realizing something was off—why did it have body heat?
He opened his eyes.
He was practically wrapped in someone’s arms, his own arm around the other’s waist, one leg hooked over him—this position… was something he could only have done himself. Looking up, he saw Zhou Yanxing still fast asleep.
“……”
There was absolutely no way he could claim Zhou Yanxing had seduced him now. He’d wrapped himself up in the blanket last night—unless someone forcibly pulled him out, which would’ve woken him instantly—no one else could’ve moved him.
And yet Chi Zhan still couldn’t believe it.
So Zhou Yanxing was telling the truth when he said he had bad sleeping habits?!
He really rolled into people’s arms while asleep… Just thinking about it, Chi Zhan felt like turning to stone.
He carefully wriggled out of Zhou Yanxing’s embrace, pulling his arm back, tucking his leg in, and quietly putting on his shoes to sneak out of the bedroom.
As soon as Chi Zhan left, Zhou Yanxing opened his eyes. Moments later, Chi Zhan drank some water—and came back.
It was only 4:30 a.m. Chi Zhan had planned to sit in the living room for a bit, but given that the mountain-backed, sea-facing area was freezing cold in winter, the warm bed seemed a much better option. He hesitated for just a second before giving in and crawling back under the covers.
It’s not like Zhou Yanxing would find out.
Chi Zhan slid back into bed, keeping a one-person distance between them, and repeatedly reminded himself to stay still. No more burrowing into someone else’s arms.
Half-asleep, Chi Zhan eventually dozed off again—this time very obediently, not moving an inch.
But after a while, he started to feel cold.
Chi Zhan’s body ran cool, whereas Zhou Yanxing was like a walking furnace, radiating warmth in every direction. Chi Zhan frowned in his sleep, clearly conflicted.
Zhou Yanxing edged a little closer.
Chi Zhan inched toward him.
Zhou Yanxing shifted back to where he started, like he was dangling a moving carrot in front of Chi Zhan, just waiting for him to take the bait.
Chi Zhan had absolutely no resistance to a warm embrace. Little by little, he slid out from under his own blanket and nestled himself into Zhou Yanxing’s arms.
Finally found a foolproof way to lure Secretary Chi.
Well, it works in winter. He’d need another method for summer.
Chi Zhan fidgeted, and Zhou Yanxing gently patted his back. Chi Zhan soon calmed down and snuggled in contentedly.
The next day was their return trip. Since it was Sunday and no one had work, they’d booked a later bus on purpose.
Everyone had already packed. By the time Chi Zhan and Tao Ran arrived, the bus was nearly full.
“The beds at this place were amazing. I seriously want to come back here next time!”
The mention of beds immediately reminded Chi Zhan of last night…
But Zhou Yanxing hadn’t said a word about it at breakfast, like nothing had happened. If he had noticed, he definitely would’ve brought it up just to tease him.
Tao Ran was heading back with Chi Zhan to Province A, taking a little break before watching next week’s matches. Chi Zhan said, “Just stay at my place.”
