Chapter 15: Let’s Be Together

Moonlight streamed through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft glow on the comfortable king-sized bed where two bodies of contrasting skin tones lay entwined.

Lu Tingshen gently brushed aside Ji Jinbai’s sweat-dampened hair, cradling him half in his arms against the headboard, one strong thigh resting on the edge of the bed.

With a tender kiss on his forehead, Lu Tingshen asked softly, “Are you okay?”

Ji Jinbai nestled lazily against the man’s chest, nuzzling his face into it, his voice slightly hoarse. “I feel a bit uncomfortable.”

Lu Tingshen stroked his back soothingly. “I’ll apply some medicinal ointment later, and it won’t hurt as much. I’ll be more careful next time.”

Ji Jinbai shot him a playful glare, his small fist lightly thumping Lu Tingshen’s chest, as gentle as a kitten’s paw.

Wrapping his arms around Lu Tingshen’s neck, Ji Jinbai closed his eyes and kissed the man’s Adam’s apple.

He bit his lower lip, burying his face deeper into Lu Tingshen’s chest.

“Ugh, I’m exhausted.”

Ji Jinbai lifted his head, his eyes tired and slightly red at the corners, his nose flushed. He gave Lu Tingshen a light glare before shyly hiding his face in the crook of his neck.

Lu Tingshen chuckled at the sticky, complaining tone, leaning down to kiss the corner of his mouth. “Alright, let’s go take a bath.”

Lu Tingshen had initially planned to give them both a quick wash, but…

He gently laid the young man back on the bed, covering him with the blanket and pulling him into his arms, planting a kiss on his forehead.

…

In the master bedroom, on the large bed over two meters wide, the sleeping figure showed signs of stirring.

“Mmm~”

Ji Jinbai frowned as he slowly sat up, rubbing his temples.

Looking around at the familiar surroundings, he realized where he was. Memories of the previous night flooded his mind, leaving him both happy and slightly embarrassed.

The door creaked open softly as Lu Tingshen entered, holding a bowl of millet porridge.

“You’re awake. Go freshen up first. I made you some porridge.”

Ji Jinbai paused mid-motion as he tried to get out of bed, his body stiffening as if he’d been beaten up.

Lu Tingshen set the porridge on the table and, seeing his pitiful state, gently scooped him up, kissing the top of his head. “You’ve worked hard.”

With Lu Tingshen’s help, Ji Jinbai finished washing up. Just as he was about to pick up the spoon to eat, Lu Tingshen took it from him. “Let me feed you.”

Ji Jinbai happily indulged in his meticulous care.

After finishing half the bowl, Ji Jinbai mumbled that he was full.

“That’s not enough,” Lu Tingshen insisted, wanting him to eat more. But Ji Jinbai shook his head firmly, refusing to take another bite. Reluctantly, Lu Tingshen set the bowl aside.

Lu Tingshen leaned back against the headboard, while Ji Jinbai lazily sprawled across his lap.

His small hand wandered over Lu Tingshen’s well-defined abs, occasionally poking at them playfully.

Lu Tingshen caught his hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss, teasing, “You’re such a little pervert.”

Ji Jinbai wrapped his arms around Lu Tingshen’s waist, giving him a cool glare. “I’m nothing compared to you. You practically wore me out.”

Lu Tingshen scratched his nose sheepishly.

Holding the young man in his arms, Lu Tingshen stroked his back soothingly, unconsciously confessing, “Jinbai, I’m sorry.”

Ji Jinbai lay on top of him, his head resting on Lu Tingshen’s shoulder, his fingers tracing circles on the man’s honey-toned chest.

Not understanding why he was apologizing, Ji Jinbai paused before asking, “Why are you saying sorry?”

“You’re still young.”

Lu Tingshen wrapped an arm around his waist from behind, burying his face in Ji Jinbai’s neck with a sigh.

Ji Jinbai cupped Lu Tingshen’s face with his small hands, turning to kiss him. “I’m not blaming you.”

Ji Jinbai gently touched Lu Tingshen’s tall and straight nose bridge, saying, “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you.”

Lu Tingshen lowered his eyes and interrupted him, “You’re still inexperienced, that’s because you’re young.”

Ji Jinbai frowned. He was already an adult, not a child, and had his own thoughts.

He didn’t like Lu Tingshen using age as an explanation for what had happened.

Ji Jinbai and Lu Tingshen silently stared at each other, not saying a word. Ji Jinbai turned his head and buried his face in the pillow.

Lu Tingshen was momentarily stunned, then cautiously reached out to touch the ear that was peeking out, softly asking, “What’s wrong?”

The hand Lu Tingshen had placed on Ji Jinbai’s shoulder over the blanket was shaken off by the angry young man.

Ji Jinbai buried himself deeper into the pillow, refusing to acknowledge him, his temper flaring up stubbornly, making him difficult to appease.

“I was wrong,” Lu Tingshen admitted directly after trying to coax him for a while without success. Admitting fault was always the right move.

Only then did Ji Jinbai lift his head from the pillow.

He slightly sat up and grabbed Lu Tingshen’s hand that was resting beside him.

With a look of grievance, he buried himself in Lu Tingshen’s embrace, tightly wrapping his arms around the man’s firm waist.

When the right approach was used, he was actually quite easy to appease.

“Alright, I won’t say those things anymore,” Lu Tingshen said as he gently stroked Ji Jinbai’s face.

“If you want, I’ll accompany you to try it out, but you can’t regret it later.”

“Let’s be together,” Ji Jinbai whispered, his face still buried in Lu Tingshen’s chest.

Lu Tingshen looked down at him, wondering if the other man truly understood what those words meant, or if it was just a fleeting interest.

But then again, Ji Jinbai had never been one to beat around the bush.

He was straightforward and liked to be direct in front of him.

A young master raised in a wealthy family, though a bit spoiled, was easy to appease.

Lu Tingshen found it hard to convince himself that he hadn’t fallen for Ji Jinbai at first sight. Hearing those words, he really wanted to agree.

Ji Jinbai looked at the depth and restraint in Lu Tingshen’s eyes, feeling a bit disheartened.

He buried his face in Lu Tingshen’s chest, pursing his lips, silently holding onto the man’s waist, his arms trembling slightly.

Lu Tingshen silently pulled the blanket over him, covering his back.

“What are you thinking about, not saying anything?” Ji Jinbai softly spoke.

His voice was so light, as if he was speaking to himself or to the other man.

Lu Tingshen remained silent, pulling the blanket over him, covering his back.

Ji Jinbai lifted his head from Lu Tingshen’s chest, seemingly waiting for his answer.

“If you don’t agree, what do you plan to do? What will become of us?” Ji Jinbai gazed listlessly at the man’s chest, his voice soft yet fragile.

“Do you see me as just a one-night stand?”

Lu Tingshen reached out and wrapped his arm around Ji Jinbai’s shoulder, his heart beating a bit faster. It wasn’t as he had said.

“Why don’t you think that I might have feelings for you too?”

Ji Jinbai lifted his head from Lu Tingshen’s chest, staring at him without blinking.

Lu Tingshen repeated, “I have feelings for you.”

Then he added, “But I’m more afraid that you might regret it.”

Ji Jinbai snuggled closer to him under the blanket, his hands resting on Lu Tingshen’s neck, and said earnestly, “I won’t regret it, I won’t.”

As he touched the tear mole beneath Lu Tingshen’s eye, gazing at the exquisite face before him, Lu Tingshen found himself entranced.

Ji Jinbai was silent for a couple of seconds, then pulled on his fingers and whispered, “There are still three years… until I reach the legal age.”

At the legal age, they could get married.

He didn’t say the rest.

Lu Tingshen understood what he meant.

Cupping his face in both hands, Lu Tingshen said, “Let’s give it a try.”

Ji Jinbai curved his lips, nuzzling against his cheek, and replied with a smile, “Okay.”

“You can only have me from now on!”

“If you ever cheat, I’ll leave you. Remember that,” Ji Jinbai said coldly, narrowing his eyes.

Lu Tingshen chuckled and ruffled his hair. “I promise, from now on, there will only be you by my side.”

Lu Tingshen curled his lips, resting his chin on the soft crown of Ji Jinbai’s head.

“Alright, rest for a bit. Don’t talk too much; your voice is already hoarse.”

Ji Jinbai rolled his eyes and glared at him, poking his chest in annoyance. “Whose fault is it that my voice is hoarse?”

Lu Tingshen found even his eye-rolling adorable, like a puffed-up little pufferfish.

He caught the hand that was poking his chest and kissed it, his voice deep and seductive as he admitted, “It’s my fault, my fault. Don’t be mad, baby.”

“Hmph.”

Ji Jinbai, feigning annoyance, covered his mouth. “You’re so cheesy~”

The man gently laid him down on the bed, hovering over him, his head resting on Ji Jinbai’s neck.

His slightly coarse hair brushed against Ji Jinbai’s fair neck as Lu Tingshen wrapped one arm around his neck and the other around his waist.

Finally, after enough playful banter, Lu Tingshen let him go, feeling content.

Ji Jinbai yawned sleepily. “I’m tired.”

Lu Tingshen tucked him in and said softly, “Go to sleep. I’ll go to the study to handle some documents.”

“Mm.”

Hearing the soft sound of the door closing, Ji Jinbai succumbed to his drowsiness and slowly fell asleep, resting his head on the man’s pillow.