Chi Junyan abruptly awakened from his hormone-driven state and immediately wished a crack would open in the floor so he could disappear into it.
He tried to knock away the finger holding his chin. When he turned his face, however, his body lost its support and he toppled headfirst into Shao Siyan’s arms.
From the cooking staff’s perspective, it looked as though he had become shy and hidden in his boyfriend’s embrace.
The entire scene appeared to bubble with pink romance, and no one dared look directly at them.
After freezing for a moment, the auntie made a swift decision. “Sir, please continue with your business!” She was about to usher everyone out.
With one arm supporting the limp man in his embrace, Shao Siyan glanced at Chi Junyan’s pink neck and ordered in a deep voice, “Leave it here.”
Everyone’s limbs stiffened.
The boss was plainly being intimate with his young lover. Would it not be inappropriate for them to approach?
But no one dared disobey Shao Siyan.
They lowered their heads so far that they nearly buried them in their chests. Quickly and silently, they arranged the food, then withdrew in brisk, orderly fashion. The last person practically ran, as though a ghost were chasing him.
The apartment soon became quiet again.
Looking at the table crowded with soups and other nourishing dishes, Shao Siyan darkly kneaded the neck of the person in his arms. “Waiting for me? Hah.”
Clearly, Chi Junyan had planned to eat and drink his fill before Shao Siyan returned.
There were three soups alone.
“Quite the feast for restoring your strength.”
But Chi Junyan had already lost the will to resist beneath his touch.
Shao Siyan held his gland as though controlling his vital point.
The man’s palm was broad and warm, with a thin layer of calluses. The current produced when it rubbed him nearly pulled Chi Junyan’s spinal cord from his body.
With his face buried against Shao Siyan, his nose filled with the man’s scorching masculine scent, Chi Junyan felt that his soul might float away.
He murmured, “Don’t touch me there.”
The bleeding had long stopped, but the tooth marks had not entirely faded. A purplish ring remained, making his snow-white neck look even more delicate and slender.
Shao Siyan had learned that a patch of skin about the size of a coin at the back of Chi Junyan’s neck was unusual. It could only be seen by looking closely and was slightly pinker than the surrounding skin.
At first, he had thought it was a mark left by cupping therapy. Later, he discovered that it seemed to be a natural birthmark.
Shao Siyan massaged his neck until Chi Junyan became entirely limp and could only make meaningless little sounds. Then he said quietly, “Eat. Didn’t you order this entire table of food?”
He used all his strength to embrace Shao Siyan’s narrow waist. He imagined he was holding him tightly, but in reality he merely leaned against him without strength. Had Shao Siyan not supported him, he would immediately have slid to the floor.
He spoke with a sob in his voice. “President Shao. President Shao.”
His voice was muffled against Shao Siyan’s abdomen, sending faint vibrations through him. Shao Siyan’s gaze darkened further as he lifted Chi Junyan higher.
“Why call me President Shao? Are you my secretary?”
“Call me something pleasant.”
“Something pleasant?”
Shao Siyan laughed in exasperation. He pulled Chi Junyan from the dining chair, pushed him onto the table, and forced himself between his legs. Bending over him, he left Chi Junyan no choice but to embrace him tightly to avoid falling backward into all the soup and food.
One of Shao Siyan’s hands easily caught his thin back. “I told you to call me something pleasant, yet you’re playing clever. I’ll give you one more chance.”
The man’s large hand burned Chi Junyan’s skin through the thin shirt. His mind had already become a mass of paste; how could he have any strength left to think?
But Shao Siyan briefly loosened his support, nearly letting him fall, so Chi Junyan had to force himself to think.
“…Sir?”
“Too formal.”
That was what the auntie called him.
“Commanding officer?”
Shao Siyan became curious. “What?” Why would he call him that? Had Chi Junyan watched some melodramatic wartime television series in the apartment?
Nothing was right. What was he supposed to call him?
Chi Junyan nearly cried. His waist was stretched taut, and he felt as though the hot soup behind him might touch his back at any moment.
“Brother…”
He was pulled upright, and his lips were immediately sealed by an airtight kiss.
Mmph…
It should have grown cold, yet it was still warm and at the perfect temperature to drink.
He curiously examined the insulated cover.
Such old-fashioned objects were now rare in his world.
Its colors were bright and lively, and it was warm and soft.
Shao Siyan sat beside him.
After being busy for most of the night, he too was extremely hungry.
He glanced at Chi Junyan’s distant expression and felt uncomfortable.
This man ate his food, lived in his home, and still thought about someone else.
Shao Siyan put down his chopsticks. “Come here.”
Startled, Chi Junyan widened his eyes slightly and looked over like a young deer.
“Feed me.”
Once near him, he noticed Shao Siyan’s deeply furrowed brows and the faint shadows beneath his eyes.
He must be very tired.
Picking up the serving chopsticks, Chi Junyan asked gently, “What would you like?”
“Decide for yourself.”
Chi Junyan had been trained to serve food and did not hesitate. In a few movements, he selected several dishes and placed them in Shao Siyan’s bowl.
Shao Siyan did not move. “I said feed me.” He laughed softly. “What, you don’t know how to serve someone? You seemed quite skilled at taking off clothes.”
Shao Siyan watched him feed him with intense concentration. His long lashes moved up and down like a tiny brush, and his eyes traveled only between Shao Siyan and the food. Shao Siyan felt considerably better.
By the time the meal finally ended, Chi Junyan’s hand had begun losing strength. He failed to hold the bowl steady, and several drops of sauce splashed onto his trousers.
With a quiet exclamation, he put down the bowl and pulled out tissues to wipe them, looking as distressed as though he had damaged something precious.
Displeased that Chi Junyan’s attention had shifted away, Shao Siyan frowned. “If they’re dirty, change into another pair.”
Why make such a fuss?
Only then did Chi Junyan say quietly, “I don’t have any other clothes.”
This outfit was the only one he had, and he had altered it from Shao Siyan’s clothing.
He had intended to alter another set, but his hands lacked the strength.
Shao Siyan froze slightly before realizing that this was true. Chi Junyan had worn these clothes for two days—no, it was already after midnight. Three days.
He had no clothes to wear.
An image entered Shao Siyan’s mind: Chi Junyan greeting him naked whenever he returned home. His nose suddenly felt warm.
He touched it and discovered that he had a nosebleed.
With a cold face, Shao Siyan said, “The soup was too nourishing.”
Chi Junyan guessed that exhaustion from work had probably caused the nosebleed. He did not understand Shao Siyan’s childish eagerness to find an excuse but still agreed with him. “Mm. That must be it.”
In truth, every dish had been prepared to suit Chi Junyan’s physical condition. Although nourishing, none was excessively rich. They were gentle dietary remedies especially suitable for people with weak digestion and malnutrition.
