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After entering March, Qi Xing finally had no chance to be idle anymore. His dad probably found it extremely displeasing to see him lounging around all day, so he threw a new project at him.
A subsidiary under Ronghua Corporation was preparing to go public in the U.S and the work had reached a critical stage. Qi Xing, a complete novice was pushed into the fray by his dad and having to deal with various people from the consulting team every day, attending endless meetings and listening to countless reports. He couldn't afford to slack off either as his dad would later question him in detail.
If he couldn't answer, he would face a warning about his credit card being suspended.
Of course, even if his dad suspended his credit card but his mom would still secretly help him out and besides, he had a wealthy grandpa, so Qi Xing could indeed treat his dad's words as mere background noise. But for some subtle psychological reason of hanging out with Ye Xingzhou, he developed a slight desire to improve himself, even if it was just a little—at least he didn't want Ye Xingzhou to look down on him.
With this mindset, Qi Xing reluctantly accepted his dad's servitude. Although he couldn't say he worked hard, at least he stopped slacking off. He reported to the office on time every day, wouldn't leave before the end of the workday and overtime became a regular occurrence.
His visits to Ye Xingzhou dropped back to three times a week or even less and he hadn't stayed over again. Ye Xingzhou asked once and upon learning that he was doing serious work, he didn't say much more. Occasionally, he would give Qi Xing some pointers on work and when they met, aside from their physical activities, they finally had some semblance of meaningful spiritual exchanges.
Compared to his dad's act of playing the fool while hiding his strength, Ye Xingzhou's business style was quite iron-fisted and assertive. Qi Xing learned from both sides and found it rather interesting.
"I heard that a senior executive at Ye's almost jumped off the building the other day but thankfully the security pulled him back. After all, he was there since the company was founded. I don't know what mistake he made to be driven to such desperation by that Young Master Ye. Ye Xingzhou's personality really makes it hard to compliment him."
On the way back to the company after attending an investment seminar with Qi Ronghua, Qi Xing was looking down at his phone when he heard his dad mention Ye Xingzhou. His brows furrowed slightly and before he could speak, his dad continued, "That incident with Boshun was similar. Although Lin Hongfei isn't exactly virtuous and hasn't even offended him but he still dig a pit to swallow the company. He's making enemies everywhere; isn't he afraid of future troubles?"
Qi Xing wisely decided not to respond.
Ever since his dad suspected he was involved with Ye Xingzhou, he had been intentionally or unintentionally criticizing Ye Xingzhou in front of him. The good impression he had built up from investing in Xingneng Technology and being taken care of by Ye Xingzhou in the capital had vanished. Now, his dad's level of caution towards Ye Xingzhou was almost akin to guarding against wolves and thieves.
"I heard he was quite close with Lin Hongfei's nephew before but when it came down to it, he still showed no mercy. A person like him, unpredictable and deep-minded, isn't suitable for friendship. Who knows when he might turn against you? You should remember this and not get too close to him for no reason," Qi Ronghua warned him.
Qi Xing chuckled dryly, "Oh."
Seeing him like this, Qi Ronghua knew he wasn't taking it to heart and huffed in annoyance.
Qi Xing remained silent and just let his dad talk, even though what his dad said wasn't entirely wrong.
If Ye Xingzhou were an arrogant second-generation rich kid and with this kind of attitude and influence, then he would be a complete tyrant. Thankfully, they live in a society governed by law, which can keep Ye Xingzhou, that untamed wild dog, in check. Perhaps only he, Qi Xing, who feared nothing, dared to mix with that bastard.
But there was nothing he could do; he was drawn to him.
Turning to the side, he secretly messaged Ye Xingzhou: "Daddy Ye, I heard you almost scared someone to death?"
There was no reply. After waiting a few minutes, he remembered that Ye Xingzhou had mentioned going out of town a few days ago, so he probably was busy. Feeling a bit deflated, he then put his phone away.
The rest of the day was uneventful. By the time Qi Xing got home after work, it was already past eight in the evening. Tomorrow was the weekend and Yang Kaiming messaged him to hang out. He had just finished showering and was lazily lying in bed when he turned over and replied, "Not going. It's boring."
Without Ye Xingzhou around, he couldn't muster the energy for anything.
Earlier in the bathroom, he had tried to take care of himself but after a long time, he still couldn't get it done, which only added to his frustration.
He went to bed early and slept until he was woken up in the middle of the night by a full bladder. Qi Xing got up to use the bathroom and when he returned, he groggily glanced at his phone. It was just past two in the morning and there was a WeChat message from Ye Xingzhou sent two hours ago: "Just got back."
Instantly awake, he picked up his phone and replied, "You really came back late."
After sending that, he climbed back into bed and thinking that Ye Xingzhou must be asleep. But less than five minutes later, a new message came in: "Still awake?"
Qi Xing leaned against the headboard and yawned, "Just woke up."
Ye Xingzhou's call came in and he casually tapped to answer. The man on the other end asked in a low voice, "Want to come out?"
"Now?" Qi Xing shook his head a bit, "What time is it? You don't want to sleep but I still need to."
Ye Xingzhou replied, "I'll come pick you up. Change your clothes."
"Okay."
He hesitated for just a moment but ultimately his curiosity got the better of him. After hanging up, he got up to wash up and change. Even though he hadn't slept for long but he felt completely energized, like a peacock spreading its feathers.
Ye Xingzhou arrived in less than half an hour. When Qi Xing got the call, he immediately slipped out into the dark and got into the car. Without waiting for Ye Xingzhou to start the engine, he climbed into the driver's seat then knelt on Ye Xingzhou's lap and tugged at his hair to kiss him.
Ye Xingzhou adjusted the seat back and naturally accepted his advances.
Their lips and tongues intertwined and they only separated when both were slightly breathless. Ye Xingzhou spoke first, "Here?"
"No," Qi Xing crawled back to the passenger seat while feeling a bit embarrassed. He feigned calmness and lifted his chin, "Let's go."
Ye Xingzhou smiled and started the car.
As the car drove off, Qi Xing relaxed against the seat, "Where did you go today? You didn't reply to my messages on purpose, did you?"
Ye Xingzhou kept his eyes on the road and casually replied, "You're just as nosy as everyone else."
Qi Xing asked, "Is it wrong to ask?"
Ye Xingzhou said, "No one really dies from crying, throwing a tantrum, or threatening to jump. That guy is old and not quite clear-headed, so I suggested he retire and enjoy his old age."
Qi Xing felt a bit speechless, "You're really ruthless. You're almost driving the Ye family to extinction and now you're starting on others. Aren't you afraid of being abandoned? What if they all think you're a tyrant and band together to usurp you?"
"Just keep the important ones steady and give them enough benefits then the others aren't important," Ye Xingzhou said then glanced at him, "Worried about me?"
Qi Xing turned his head away, "Why would I worry about you..."
But he really was worried that Ye Xingzhou would do too many beastly things and his dad would turn into Tang Seng, nagging him every day and making him restless.
Ye Xingzhou didn't say anything more and continued driving.
Qi Xing belatedly realized that the car was not heading to his home but rather in the opposite direction, "Where are we going?"
Ye Xingzhou replied, "You'll know when we get there."
Qi Xing thought to himself, "You’re not going to sell me, are you?" but he didn't bother to mention it. He leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes, "Wake me up when we get there."
They arrived at their destination over an hour later. When Qi Xing opened his eyes, Ye Xingzhou was already out of the car and was leaning against the door while smoking.
He glanced at his phone; it was almost four o'clock. Looking around, he realized they were at the mountaintop in the north of the city, a place he used to come to race cars.
Qi Xing was a bit surprised. He went down and walked around to Ye Xingzhou's side then pushed him lightly, "What are we doing here?"
There were no streetlights on the mountain at night and only the sparse lights of the city below and a couple of dim stars in the pitch-black sky.
Ye Xingzhou held a cigarette in his mouth as his gaze fell on him. The glowing tip of the cigarette reflected in his dark eyes while carrying some ambiguous meaning.
Qi Xing felt a subtle stir in his heart under Ye Xingzhou's gaze. He snatched the cigarette from him and took a puff then looked away, "It's late at night and you're not sleeping just to go here? But this place is boring."
Ye Xingzhou opened the car door and took out a slightly thicker suit jacket then draped it over Qi Xing's shoulders, "It's cold, so wear more."
Qi Xing felt a bit awkward. He had thought they would go straight to Ye Xingzhou's house, so he only wore a thin shirt. Who would have thought that this bastard would come out for a drive in the middle of the night and come to a place with not a single soul around?
"I say, you seem a bit off today. What are we really doing here?"
"Yesterday, I went back to my mom's hometown. It was her death anniversary and I moved her to a new grave," Ye Xingzhou suddenly said with his voice somewhat ethereal. "Ye Chonglin had buried her next to the grave he chose for himself. Yesterday, I moved her back to her hometown."
Qi Xing was taken aback and saw a hint of sorrow in Ye Xingzhou's eyes for the first time, even though it was just for a moment.
"You..."
Not knowing what to say, Qi Xing hesitated and returned the cigarette, "Why don't you smoke it instead?"
Ye Xingzhou paused because he was amused by Qi Xing's cautious demeanor. He took the cigarette back and bit it then pulled Qi Xing closer.
The smell of smoke enveloped them, but Qi Xing rarely did not push him away, he even patted his back.
The arrogant second-generation rich kid could also have clumsy moments of wanting to comfort someone. After finishing the last puff of his cigarette, Ye Xingzhou crushed it under his foot then turned around and pressed Qi Xing against the car door and leaned in to kiss him.
Qi Xing wrapped his arms around Ye Xingzhou's neck and after a moment of kissing, Ye Xingzhou opened the car door again and pushed him inside.
His heart raced rapidly and pounding against his chest. Qi Xing could clearly feel the strength of the person suppressing him. Ye Xingzhou's gaze while looking down at him, resembled a beast that was never satisfied, who's ready to devour him and he wouldn't refuse.
His body felt like it was on fire. Unwilling to be led by Ye Xingzhou, he raised his hand then pushed down Ye Xingzhou's glasses and let his fingers slide down his face. He then glided over his fingers to Ye Xingzhou Adam's apple and then unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt then leaned up to bite him.
Qi Xing was passionate and Ye Xingzhou could feel it. He was so enthusiastic that it even felt a bit abnormal.
Even though Qi Xing was pressed down in the most humiliating position, he neither cursed nor resisted. Even when it hurt, he just merely frowned slightly and suppressed the urge to kick. But his hands roamed all over Ye Xingzhou's chest and actively teasing while repeatedly leaning up to kiss him and offering himself.
Ye Xingzhou paused several times while breathing heavily with his gaze fixed on Qi Xing and taking in every subtle expression on his face.
He was intentional when he was exposing his scars and darkest sides to Qi Xing and allowing his little wildcat to lick them clean.
Step by step, he guided Qi Xing into his territory but he was far from as composed as he appeared. Although it seemed like he was in control but from the moment he first felt something for Qi Xing, he had already lost.
This feeling came on fiercely and passionately, like a storm sweeping through and easily breaking down his defenses and building another cage deep in his heart.
If Qi Xing didn't love him then he wasn't sure of what crazy things he might do.
When the pain became unbearable, Qi Xing finally couldn't hold back and dug his fingers into Ye Xingzhou's back and softly complained, "Be gentler; it hurts."
Ye Xingzhou paused again then kissed Qi Xing's reddened moist lips and finally eased his movements.
The complaints turned into soft moans and Qi Xing's breaths were right next to his ear. Ye Xingzhou suppressed his desire to dominate and just held him tightly and kissed his body in a way that Qi Xing liked.
He was showering him with affection.
By the time it ended, dawn was breaking. Qi Xing was too tired to move. Ye Xingzhou helped him clean up and get dressed then went to the trunk to grab two bottles of mineral water. He returned to the driver's seat and handed one to Qi Xing.
After taking a sip, Qi Xing's hoarse voice finally felt a bit better. Noticing that Ye Xingzhou had no intention of starting the car, he rubbed his face, "We've finished everything; aren't we going back?"
Ye Xingzhou replied, "Just wait a bit."
"Why are you acting so strange?"
Qi Xing didn't want to think too much. He squinted his eyes to try to sleep, "If you don't want to sleep then at least let me sleep for a bit and don't bother me."
Suddenly, Ye Xingzhou leaned over and brushed aside Qi Xing's messy, sweaty hair and before Qi Xing could react, he placed a light kiss on his forehead.
Qi Xing's voice abruptly halted and his body felt as if it had been frozen. His eyelashes fluttered and he opened his eyes in disbelief while looking at the person who had kissed him.
They had made love and kissed countless times but this gentle forehead kiss was filled with unspoken affection and it was something he had anticipated. It felt like a different kind of emotion was genuinely fermenting between them.
Qi Xing's face slowly turned red and he hurriedly averted his gaze from Ye Xingzhou then awkwardly pouting, "What are you kissing for, you bastard?"
Ye Xingzhou quietly watched him and reached out to gently pinch his flushed earlobe.
Qi Xing's heart raced but he hesitated and wanted to say something more but Ye Xingzhou reminded him, "Look outside."
Qi Xing turned his head to look and on the distant horizon, the morning glow was magnificent and the dazzling sun suddenly leaped above the clouds.
Ye Xingzhou had brought him here specifically to see this sunrise.
It wasn't a chance encounter; it was a long-planned event.
If Qi Xing minded the past that he had long forgotten, then Ye Xingzhou would create more memories that belonged to them together as long as his little wildcat was happy.
The morning light reflected in Qi Xing's surprised eyes.
He slowly blinked and finally smiled.