Chapter 3: Ji Jinbai Flirts with His Crush Online

Lu Tingshen and Ji Jinbai returned to the private room together and saw Lu Mian playing with his phone.

“Are you done eating?” Lu Tingshen asked, looking at the two of them.

Ji Jinbai and Lu Mian indicated that they were almost finished. “It’s getting late, I’ll take you back to school,” Lu Tingshen said.

He walked over, picked up his coat, and draped it over his arm.

By the time they arrived at Qing University’s gate, it was already 9 PM. After getting out of the car, Ji Jinbai knocked on the driver’s side window.

The window slowly rolled down, revealing the man’s perfect profile. Lu Tingshen turned his head, somewhat surprised.

Under the dim streetlight, Ji Jinbai leaned closer to Lu Tingshen, gazing into his eyes.

Suddenly, he smiled, his eyes curving into crescents.

The tear mole beneath his left eye seemed to come alive, but the next second, he said,

“Stretch out your hand for a moment.” The boy’s voice, usually cool and detached, now carried a soft, obedient tone.

Hearing this, Lu Tingshen was puzzled, as if he hadn’t fully processed the request. Seeing no reaction, Ji Jinbai urged again, “Hurry up,” with a coquettish insistence, lifting his eyes to look at Lu Tingshen pleadingly.

Like a kitten yearning for a stroke.

Lu Tingshen, captivated by his gaze, extended his hand.

Ji Jinbai saw the man’s well-defined knuckles and prominent veins on the back of his hand, a flash of satisfaction and excitement in his eyes.

He reached out with his delicate fingers and grasped Lu Tingshen’s long, powerful hand.

During dinner, Ji Jinbai had noticed how exceptionally attractive Lu Tingshen’s hands were.

He was a serious suit enthusiast and also had a thing for beautiful hands.

Seeing such a perfect hand for the first time, he had been secretly yearning for it the entire time.

He hadn’t expected that not only did he like the man’s appearance and physique, but his hands were even more alluring.

So, he couldn’t help but think that if he didn’t get to touch Lu Tingshen’s hand tonight, he might not be able to sleep.

Lu Tingshen felt the warmth transmitted from his hand and looked at the young man holding it, somewhat surprised.

But strangely, there was no sense of rejection in his heart, a feeling he hadn’t experienced in his over thirty years.

Ji Jinbai rubbed his thumb over the distinct veins on the back of Lu Tingshen’s hand.

If he could touch it every day, he didn’t dare imagine how happy he would be, Ji Jinbai thought secretly.

After rubbing for a while, he said to Lu Tingshen, “Your hands are really beautiful.”

Ji Jinbai lifted his gentle eyes to look at him, his cool face uttering such flirtatious words.

Lu Tingshen moved his hand uncomfortably.

Somewhat taken aback.

He had thought Ji Jinbai was cool and aloof, but his actions were surprisingly bold.

There was a slight contrast to his outwardly detached demeanor.

Half of Lu Tingshen’s face was hidden in the shadows.

His eyebrows raised, his expression became inscrutable, his narrowed eyes revealing a hint of danger, a smile playing on his lips.

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

“I do.”

“Your hands are warm and beautiful.”

“…”

Lu Tingshen hadn’t expected him to say that and was momentarily at a loss for words.

Ji Jinbai curved his eyes at him, his fingers delicately caressing the other’s long, powerful hand.

Of course, he could see the restraint in Lu Tingshen’s eyes, and he didn’t mind adding fuel to the fire.

The slow-cooking frog effect was too slow; Ji Jinbai just wanted to win Lu Tingshen over quickly.

Feeling the warmth in his hand, Lu Tingshen slightly twitched his palm, wanting to free it.

Unexpectedly, the other party seemed to notice his movement and tightened their grip.

Lu Tingshen stared at him expressionlessly, his eyes filled with inquiry.

Ji Jinbai acted as if he didn’t notice, still smiling as he gazed at the man’s deep and sharp features.

Unbeknownst to him, in the man’s eyes, Ji Jinbai’s smile resembled that of a triumphant little fox.

Lu Tingshen found it quite amusing; it was the first time he had encountered someone so straightforward.

He seemed to have figured out the young man’s intentions, but he maintained a calm expression on his face.

However, Ji Jinbai saw through it immediately, thinking to himself that this old man was really a closet romantic.

Ji Jinbai suddenly lowered his head and quickly planted a soft kiss on the back of the man’s hand, then released his grip.

He tilted his head at Lu Tingshen, his eyes slightly curved, bright and full of light.

Taking a step back, he waved at Lu Tingshen.

“I’ll head back now, see you next time, bye~ I’ll miss you.”

Lu Tingshen looked at the back of his hand where the kiss had landed. For a moment, he felt a light, feather-like sensation.

A crack appeared in his serious expression, and he looked somewhat uncomfortable, though his eyes couldn’t help but glance at the kissed spot.

But the turmoil in his eyes was unmistakable. Ji Jinbai, noticing his expression, smiled contentedly.

Inside, Ji Jinbai’s inner self was already jumping for joy. He then turned and pulled Lu Mian, who was standing there dumbfounded, back to school.

Lu Tingshen watched Ji Jinbai’s retreating figure with a deep gaze, lost in thought.

It wasn’t until the figure disappeared from sight that Lu Tingshen snapped out of it, turned the steering wheel, and drove away.

…

While driving, his phone rang. Lu Tingshen picked it up.

“Hey, Lu, come out for a drink. Same place as usual. The guys are all here. You’ve been so busy, it’s time to relax. Zhuo Yue and the others are here, just waiting for you.”

The voice belonged to Shen Ye, Lu Tingshen’s childhood friend.

The sound of clinking glasses and familiar voices chatting could be heard on the other end.

“Alright,” Lu Tingshen replied before hanging up and changing course to the bar.

As soon as Lu Tingshen entered the bar, he caught the attention of many.

His undeniable aura and sharp features made it clear he was no ordinary person, undoubtedly a magnet for many.

As he walked further in, a young man suddenly blocked his path, causing Lu Tingshen to feel displeased.

The young man stared directly at Lu Tingshen, as if he had found his target for the night.

“Handsome, want to hook up?”

Lu Tingshen never sought one-night stands when he went to bars. He despised such relationships and had always kept himself clean, never messing around.

“Move aside, not interested.”

Lu Tingshen’s expression was full of resistance, his sharp eyes glaring at the young man, as if he wanted nothing to do with him.

He brushed aside the hand blocking his path and headed straight for the second floor.

The young man stood there, watching his retreating figure.

“What a shame, such a handsome man, but out of reach!”

When Lu Tingshen entered the private room, he saw Shen Ye and the others drinking. Zhuo Yue, noticing his arrival, put down his glass.

“Lu’s here, come sit here.”

It was Zhuo Yue who spoke. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, appearing refined but actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

He moved aside to make room, and Lu Tingshen walked over and sat next to him.

Zhuo Yue poured a drink for Lu Tingshen, and Shen Ye leaned over to sit beside them.

“Brother Lu, I heard you’ve been getting pressured by your old man to get married. You’re already in your thirties, aren’t you considering finding someone?

Maybe we can introduce you to a few. What type are you looking for?”

Shen Ye and the others knew that Lu Tingshen didn’t like women.

Men of his status usually had someone on the side.

But over the years, they had never seen him keep a lover, let alone have a boyfriend.

Seeing him approaching forty and still single, his friends couldn’t help but worry.

Lu Tingshen took a sip of his drink and glanced at them, “Alright, don’t worry about it.”

Zhuo Yue, however, wasn’t ready to let it go, “Brother Lu, even if you don’t have someone you like, you must have a type, right? Do you prefer the elite type or the cute and delicate type?”

Song Ye, hearing this, stopped drinking and quickly leaned in. He couldn’t miss this gossip.

Lu Tingshen looked at the three curious faces in front of him, twirling his glass in his hand.

His gaze lingered on the back of his left hand, where a residual warmth seemed to remain.

Inappropriately, his mind drifted to Ji Jinbai, that beautiful and bold boy.

Lu Tingshen rested his left arm on the back of the sofa, smiled slightly, and unconsciously blurted out, “I like someone who’s pretty, with red lips and white teeth, cold yet soft, and has a beautiful smile.”

Shen Ye and the others noticed his smile and knew something was up.

“Oh ho~ Describing it so detailed, it seems you already have someone in mind,” Shen Ye teased, clearly enjoying the drama.

“Didn’t expect Brother Lu to like this type. It must be someone as divine as a fairy to match you.”

“Have you caught her yet? When are you bringing her out to meet us?”

Seeing their excitement, Lu Tingshen couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head.

“Nothing’s set in stone yet. He’s just a kid, we’ve only met once. What could possibly come of it?”

He didn’t know why, but when asked about his type, he inexplicably thought of Ji Jinbai. Could he really be starting to like him?

Him saying “just a kid” in such a gentle tone gave Zhuo Yue and the others goosebumps. This wasn’t like the usual Lu Tingshen.

Seeing they were about to ask more, Lu Tingshen raised his glass, “What are you waiting for? Let’s drink.”

…

Back at the dorm.

Lu Mian looked at the calm Ji Jinbai, recalling how he had touched and kissed Lu Tingshen’s hand earlier.

He was genuinely shocked, never expecting him to be so bold.

His usually aloof Second Uncle didn’t refuse or get angry when his hand was touched. There must be something going on.

Lu Mian looked at Ji Jinbai with a teasing expression, saying, “I get it, I get it.”

“Just didn’t expect you to be so bold, going straight for it.”

He was surprised when Second Uncle silently let him hold his hand. At that moment, his eyes widened, wondering if Lu Tingshen had been possessed.

Under his gaze, Ji Jinbai remained composed, though a faint blush crept onto his cheeks. It was the first time he had done something so forward.

He felt shy but not regretful, nor did he feel it was wrong to treat that man that way.

Ji Jinbai had been well cared for by his parents since childhood, with an older brother who doted on him. Coming from a good family, he had everything he wanted and was quite innocent at heart.

Ji Jinbai tended to act on impulse, so when he liked Lu Tingshen’s hand, he reached out and touched it. Surprisingly, the man didn’t seem to mind, which was a good start.

Jinbai wasn’t used to close contact with others, but he didn’t mind being near Lu Tingshen. In fact, he even found it somewhat enjoyable.