Chapter 20: You Bumped Into Me

Shen Ye glanced at Lu Tingshen, tactfully leaving the two of them alone.

“I won’t disturb your dinner. I wish you both a pleasant evening.”

“By the way, let them know they can start serving the meal.”

“Got it. The fourth floor is closed to the public tonight.”

Lu Tingshen held Ji Jinbai’s hand as he led the way, clearly familiar with the place.

“Have you been here before?” Ji Jinbai asked curiously.

“Yes, I’ve come here a few times with friends.”

Pushing open the glass door to the rooftop, Lu Tingshen stepped aside to let Ji Jinbai in.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful.”

Before them stretched a sea of roses. The moment Ji Jinbai looked up, he almost didn’t recognize the color red. The pink-tinged red swayed gently in the breeze.

What caught Ji Jinbai’s attention the most was the enormous rose heart. The innermost layer was made of Ice Blue Pink Roses, while the outer layer was adorned with vibrant red roses.

Surrounding the roses were soft yellow candlelights, their gentle glow perfectly blending with the twinkling star lights.

Ji Jinbai looked at Lu Tingshen in surprise, tears welling up in his eyes. “This is…”

Lu Tingshen held a bouquet of Scottish Roses, gazing tenderly at the person before him.

“A proper confession should start with a bouquet of fresh flowers.”

“Our beginning was a bit rushed, so let’s start over.”

“Ji Jinbai, do you know? In over thirty years, you’re the only one who has truly entered my heart. I love every smile, every pout, every bit of your playful stubbornness. With me, you can always be a child.”

“You’re not a choice I made after weighing the pros and cons. You’re the one who made my heart skip a beat, and I know for sure, you’re the reason I can’t love anyone else.”

“I don’t want to miss you. I want to have you completely. Will you give me this chance?”

Ji Jinbai held back his tears, his eyes glistening as he looked at the man whose gaze was filled with nothing but him. He stepped forward slowly, accepting the roses with both hands.

His voice choked with emotion, he said, “Yes, I agree. But you have to treat me well from now on, and you can’t get mad at me, okay?”

Lu Tingshen gently pulled him into his arms, his large hand resting on Ji Jinbai’s waist. He responded in a low, solemn voice, “Okay.”

He looked down at the tear-streaked face of the young man in his arms, gently wiping away his tears.

“Be good, don’t cry. People might think I bullied you.”

Ji Jinbai rubbed his tears against Lu Tingshen’s chest, the white shirt dampening with the moisture.

He softly replied, “Mm.”

Ji Jinbai was deeply moved. He had thought it was just a simple dinner, never expecting such a formal confession.

He looked at Lu Tingshen with love in his eyes. “Lao Lu ( Old Lu), I’m so happy. Thank you.”

Lu Tingshen paused at the new nickname, raising an eyebrow but not objecting.

He lifted Ji Jinbai’s face and couldn’t resist leaning down to kiss him.

Ji Jinbai wrapped his arms around Lu Tingshen’s neck, looking up to meet his gaze. Neither spoke, the air between them thick with sweetness.

Ji Jinbai held him tightly.

“Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s have dinner.”

Ji Jinbai carried the flowers to the dining table, placing them gently on the surface.

Lu Tingshen took his steak, cutting it into pieces before pushing the plate back to him.

After dinner, the two stood on the terrace admiring the night view. Lu Tingshen wrapped his arms around Ji Jinbai’s waist from behind, resting his chin lightly on Ji Jinbai’s head.

Ji Jinbai gazed sweetly into the distance, his hands resting on the large hands that were wrapped around his waist. He gently stroked them, leaning back against the warm chest of the man behind him.

Lu Tingshen looked down at the cool and noble young man in his arms, nuzzling his cheek affectionately.

When it was time to leave, Ji Jinbai held a bouquet of flowers in his left hand while his right hand was firmly clasped by the man.

Upon returning to West Bank Villa, Lu Tingshen bent down at the entrance to place a pair of slippers by Ji Jinbai’s feet.

Ji Jinbai noticed the cute cat patterns on the slippers, clearly something the man had specially prepared for him.

Lu Tingshen handed him a glass of water. “Here, have some water.”

Ji Jinbai, feeling a bit thirsty, took it and drank it all in one go.

Seeing him drink so quickly, Lu Tingshen worried he might choke and gently reminded him, “Slow down, don’t choke.”

After Ji Jinbai finished, Lu Tingshen took the glass and placed it on the table.

“Let’s go, it’s getting late. Time to head back to the room and get things sorted,” Lu Tingshen said, lifting Ji Jinbai’s suitcase and heading upstairs, with Ji Jinbai following behind.

In the room, as Ji Jinbai opened his suitcase and began to unpack, Lu Tingshen bent down and took hold of his hand.

“You go take a shower first. You must be tired after the day. I’ll take care of unpacking for you, alright?”

“Your towel is on the left, and the shampoo, body wash, and facial cleanser are on the shelf.”

“Alright, I’ll go shower then,” Ji Jinbai replied with a smile, standing on his tiptoes to plant a firm kiss on Lu Tingshen’s cheek.

“Thanks for your hard work. That’s your reward.”

Lu Tingshen patted him gently. “Go on, get cleaned up.”

Ji Jinbai’s eyes sparkled as he shot him a playful glance before grabbing his pajamas from the suitcase and heading into the bathroom.

Lu Tingshen sorted through Ji Jinbai’s belongings, clearing out half of the wardrobe to make space for his clothes, hanging them next to his own.

In addition to the clothes Ji Jinbai had brought with him, Lu Tingshen had also purchased many new outfits for him, which had been specially delivered from a boutique earlier that morning.