Chapter 1

The glittering crystal chandelier cast dazzling light, while expensive, soft sofas were scattered with discarded clothes.

The air was laced with intimacy, slowly spreading in every direction.

“Don’t…”

Xu Zhou was kissed until he could barely breathe, his voice hoarse and low, the rest of his words quickly swallowed.

The strands of hair at his forehead were damp with sweat. A hand pressed firmly on his shoulder, making it impossible to break free.

The man above him looked down with raw, unhidden desire—so intense that Xu Zhou didn’t dare meet his gaze.

Forced to tilt his head back, Xu Zhou clutched the sheets tightly as hot breaths brushed against his neck.

The overwhelming wave of desire left him with no choice but to endure…

After a long while, Shen Yan looked at the exhausted man who had drifted into sleep. Gently brushing the messy hair from his face, he lowered his head to plant a kiss on his cheek.

Pulling a thin blanket over him, Shen Yan gathered him into his arms and carried him into the bathroom…

—

Warm sunlight spilled through the gap in the curtains, landing on the peacefully sleeping man. Under its glow, his features softened—the thick lashes, long narrow eyes, and flawless side profile looked as though carved by the finest hands.

Down to his pale, elegant neck… faintly marked with scattered traces of red.

The room was still and silent.

Xu Zhou blinked awake, groggy from the lingering haze of alcohol. As his memories returned, fragments of last night flashed through his mind, making him squeeze his eyes shut in shame.

Reaching out to the other side of the bed, he found only cool emptiness. Shen Yan must have been gone for some time.

Before Xu Zhou could sit up, his phone rang suddenly, shattering the silence.

He hesitated a few seconds before answering. Gathering himself, he tried to steady his voice, though it still carried a rough edge.

“You—”

But he stopped, not knowing what to say. His right hand gripped the sheets tighter, confusion clouding his heart.

“Are you feeling unwell anywhere?” Shen Yan’s voice came through, calm but tinged with a certain magnetism—instantly pulling Xu Zhou back to last night’s memories.

His eyelashes trembled. Uneasy, he released the sheets and ruffled his hair.

“No…”

“What do you want to eat? I’ll bring lunch back for you.”

“Nothing…”

His mind was a mess, answering Shen Yan’s questions almost by reflex. Yet his aching body reminded him vividly of last night’s absurdity.

After a short silence, Shen Yan spoke again:
“There’s an important meeting this morning. It won’t end until noon. I’ll come back after.”

“…Mm.”

Why did it feel like Shen Yan was reporting his schedule… like family?

Xu Zhou exhaled deeply, clutching his phone tighter, his expression complicated.

“I’ve got things at the company too.”

He walked to the window, picked up the neatly folded jacket on the sofa, and ended with:
“I’ll be leaving now.”

When the call ended, a strange weariness welled inside him.

In the bathroom mirror, the marks on his body stood out. Xu Zhou clenched his teeth and touched them. They weren’t painful, but they were deep.

His gaze shifted to his flushed earlobes reflected in the mirror. He squeezed his eyes shut, recalling how the man had held them in his mouth, refusing to let go, breath warm against his skin until he shivered—clearly delighted by his reaction.

After washing up and dressing, Xu Zhou paused at the door, glancing back at the wide, luxurious bed. His lips pressed into a thin line.

It was nothing more than a transaction.

A matter of mutual consent…

He looked at the contract in his hand, emotions swirling inside him—frustration, shame, confusion… all tangled together.

But right now, what mattered most was returning to the company. With this contract, their funding crisis would be solved, and bankruptcy averted.

Drawing in a long breath, he opened the door.

A housekeeper cleaning the hallway turned at the sound.
“Mr. Xu, you’re awake? President Shen instructed me to prepare breakfast for you, I’ll bring it right away—”

“No need, thank you.” Xu Zhou shook his head quickly and walked on without stopping.

“Wait, Mr. Xu! President Shen arranged a car to take you—”

—

Top floor of Qingchuang Company, CEO’s office.

Lu Feng plopped onto the sofa, staring wide-eyed at the contract in his hands, his face written with disbelief.
“This contract has to be fake, right?”

Xu Zhou calmly lowered his head, flipping through documents with little interest.
“It’s real.”

Lu Feng shot up from the sofa, circled to face him, and blurted out in shock:
“Most people can’t even meet Shen Yan, let alone discuss a collaboration! You—you didn’t—kidnap him, did you??”

His eyes scanned Xu Zhou’s face suspiciously.
“Or… did you sell your looks?”

“…Get lost.”

At the words “sell your looks,” Xu Zhou’s gaze flickered with a trace of guilt. His fingers stiffened as last night’s memories crept back.

Adults, he told himself. It was nothing. Something he’d forget soon enough.

Lu Feng was nearly incoherent, turning the contract over and over, scrutinizing every single detail.
“Lingqi Group is a world-class corporation, and Shen Yan is practically a legend in the industry. How could he possibly agree to partner with us?”

“This isn’t some trick, is it…”

Xu Zhou massaged his temples, exasperated by the questioning. Setting aside his work, he leaned back in his chair.
“You’re overthinking it. He simply sees potential in our company’s development. This cooperation costs Lingqi nothing, and our trajectory is advantageous. It’s a win-win.”

His voice softened:
“And maybe… maybe he was moved by my sincerity.”

Lu Feng gaped, struggling to believe his ears.
“Moved? That kind of man?”

“It’s true,” Xu Zhou sighed.

Whatever the reason, what was done was done. Now, he needed to focus on making the most of this hard-won opportunity, building Qingchuang into something greater.

As for Shen Yan…

It was nothing more than one drunken, absurd night.

Everyone makes mistakes.