The weather at the end of the month was already quite hot. In this rare summer rain, Song Mianfeng arrived in City B at two o’clock in the afternoon. The rain had stopped, and the sun was shining brightly. As he came out of the airport, the cold wind and the hot air intertwined, causing him to break out in a thin layer of sweat.

Meng Huai was waiting for him at the airport in advance, and the car was parked at the airport exit with the air conditioning on. There were also cold drinks in the mini-fridge, showing thoughtful arrangements.

Song Mianfeng was tired from the journey and intended to sleep in the car for a while. However, as soon as he put away his phone, Meng Huai started talking to him.

In Song Mianfeng’s impression, Meng Huai was a somewhat taciturn young man. The last time Meng Huai came to pick him up, he had been solemnly discussing the situation of the Meng family all the way, as if completing some sort of task. Whatever Song Mianfeng asked, Meng Huai would answer. But for some reason today, Meng Huai inexplicably started chatting with him, with a stiff and awkward tone. At times, he mentioned that the preserved fruits Song Mianfeng sent were liked by both Mrs. Meng and Mr. Meng, and at other times, he mentioned a client they had collaborated with who was inquiring about Lu Yin Zhen’s preferences and recent situation.

Song Mianfeng listened to him talk for a while, then took a bottle of mineral water from the fridge and handed it to him, asking, “Would you like some water?”

Meng Huai was momentarily surprised, took the water, and drank a sip, his tone becoming even stiffer and more embarrassed as he thanked Song Mianfeng.

After a moment of silence in the car, Meng Huai spoke again, “Young Master’s birthday is coming soon.”

“It’s on the 9th of next month.”

Song Mianfeng finally realized why Meng Huai had been acting strangely, and smiled lightly, saying, “Thank you.”

The two of them were not particularly close, and after saying this, Meng Huai seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, focusing on driving attentively without speaking any further.

As they entered the Heavy Brocade Manor, the car slowed down, and Song Mianfeng saw Meng Ze standing at the entrance of the Meng family villa from afar. He didn’t particularly care whether someone came to pick him up, and even frowned slightly because Meng Ze was waiting for him under the scorching sun.

After getting off the car, Meng Ze came forward to take the luggage. Song Mianfeng carried his camera bag and a few gift boxes, and said, “Uncle Ze, there’s no need to wait for me like this next time. It’s hot, don’t get heatstroke.”

Meng Ze smiled and shook his head. “I’ve only been out here for a few minutes, actually.”

Song Mianfeng smiled and handed him two boxes of pastries. “These are specialties from City S, for you and Meng Huai.”

Meng Ze was taken aback. “How can this be…”

Song Mianfeng said, “After dining with you so many times, I feel indebted.”

“Well then, thank you.” Meng Ze took the boxes with a warm smile, “It’s hot outside, let’s go inside first.”

The living room was air-conditioned, and as soon as Song Mianfeng stepped inside, he felt a cool breeze blowing towards him, which was extremely comfortable.

Meng Yushan and Mrs. Meng were sitting on the sofa. Lu Yin Zhen was not seen, nor was Bai Sui. Song Mianfeng couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed, but he quickly suppressed it and greeted the two elders of the Meng family with a smile, handing them their gifts.

“Besides the preserved fruits, I also brought some specialty pastries from City S. Here’s the Hundred-Fruit Honey Cake, the Osmanthus Cake, Cloud Cake, and Sticky Rice Balls, and this box is cat food biscuits for Bai Sui.” Song Mianfeng placed a differently packaged small box aside, saying, “This is for Bai Sui.”

Mrs. Meng’s tone carried a slight reproach, but her eyes were full of smiles. “You’ve brought so much trouble from afar.”

The first time Song Mianfeng visited, he bought tea leaves and supplements, which, while valuable, were not necessarily what the Meng family lacked. After spending a few days with them, Song Mianfeng noticed that Meng Yushan and Mes. Meng both enjoyed sweets, so he deliberately bought many soft and chewy pastries for this visit to win their hearts.

The packaging of the pastries was exquisite, and although they were obviously from different shops, the thoughtfulness behind the gesture was evident. Meng Yushan saw this and was also pleased. “Alright, let’s put everything away. It’s so hot today, and you must be tired from the journey. Go upstairs and freshen up.”

Song Mianfeng went upstairs, took a shower, changed his clothes, and then went to knock on the door next door.

Not seeing Lu Yin Zhen inside, he instinctively wanted to send a WeChat message to ask. But then he realized that Lu Yin Zhen might be in the study, so he opened WeChat, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to go to the study.

The study door was slightly open, probably to facilitate Bai Sui’s entry and exit. Song Mianfeng pushed the door open slightly and took a peek inside. The large office chair blocked his view, and he could only see Lu Yin Zhen’s hand resting on the desk and a pale arm that hadn’t seen much sunlight due to being indoors for a long time.

Lu Yin Zhen seemed to be looking through a document, and Bai Sui was sleeping at his feet, curled up into a fluffy ball.

The quiet study was filled with the sound of rustling papers and the hum of the air conditioner. Song Mianfeng smiled faintly and quietly walked over.

Lu Yin Zhen seemed to be reviewing a project report from a subordinate. The voice in his earphones suddenly paused for a moment, and he glanced up, sweeping his gaze over the figure quietly approaching him. A gentle smile appeared on his lips.

The people in the video conference acted as wooden puppets for a few seconds. The person reporting the project hesitated whether to continue speaking, then saw a handsome face appear in the video window, wearing a mischievous smile. The attention of the person seemed to be entirely focused on their boss, so they didn’t notice that they were in a video conference. 

Lu Yin Zhen noticed it too.

Song Mianfeng’s intention to scare him was too obvious and a bit wicked.

He wondered what the reaction would be if someone suddenly caught him trying to do something mischievous. With this thought in mind, as Song Mianfeng reached out to pat his shoulder, Lu Yin Zhen’s hand grabbed his wrist.

As his wrist was suddenly held, Song Mianfeng’s hand trembled slightly, and he spoke with a hint of guilty conscience, “Ahem, what are you doing?”

At the same time, Lu Yin Zhen quickly closed the video window with the mouse, leaving everyone in the office looking at each other, full of gossip, but not daring to end the meeting and could only continue waiting.

In the study, only the financial report window that had been closed before remained on the computer screen. Lu Yin Zhen spoke calmly, “Look at the report.”

Casually, he added, “What did you want to do, hmm?”

“…Nothing.” This sounded somewhat unconvincing, and Song Mianfeng also felt a bit self-deceptive. He could only change the subject and said, “You continue, I won’t disturb you.”

The sudden interruption of the meeting indeed required some follow-up arrangements, and Lu Yin Zhen responded with a simple “okay.” “You behave yourself and wait for me. I’ll accompany you after I’m done.”

Song Mianfeng felt that his jealousy about Lu Yin Zhen’s work was too childish, so he smiled wryly, shaking his head, and casually took a book from the bookshelf to read on the sofa.

Lu Yin Zhen opened a chat window, made some arrangements with the work group, and then ended his statement with the words “meeting adjourned.”

Song Mianfeng flipped through a few pages of “Don Quixote” in his hand and realized it was the complete English translation. He rubbed his forehead; he really couldn’t get into it and started watching Lu Yin Zhen instead.

He watched Lu Yin Zhen’s slender and beautiful fingers typing on the keyboard rapidly, flipping through the remaining documents page by page, signing his name at the end of each one, and then looking up at him with a helpless smile in his eyes.

Suddenly, Song Mianfeng didn’t want to be so obedient and not disturb Lu Yin Zhen’s work. They were still in the honeymoon period, separated for so many days, and meeting without hugs or kisses; their love affair seemed too constrained.

With this in mind, he smiled at Lu Yin Zhen, a smile with a teasing implication. “Mr. Lu.”

“I want a kiss.”

There were only a few steps between the sofa and the desk, and in the ambiguous silence, Lu Yin Zhen pushed back his chair and stood up, walking towards him.

Falling into a warm embrace, Song Mianfeng closed his eyes and met Lu Yin Zhen’s kiss.

Their soft lips and tongues met suddenly, igniting like sparks, and entangled uncontrollably. Song Mianfeng’s hand stroked Lu Yin Zhen’s back, climbed up to his shoulders, and their hot breaths and gasps mingled chaotically, their heartbeats in disarray.

Lu Yin Zhen nibbled on his lip, then gently soothed it with his tongue, his fingers lightly stroking Song Mianfeng’s back, lingering downwards, settling at his waist.

Whether it was the high temperature set by the study’s air conditioner or the warmth of his lover’s embrace, Song Mianfeng felt a fire burning within him, his body’s desires clamoring for release.

Both were lost in a haze of emotions, but Lu Yin Zhen, retaining some sense of reason, gradually restrained their passion with delicate, fleeting kisses. His hand around Song Mianfeng’s waist tightened slightly, chin resting on his shoulder as he lightly chuckled, “Mr. Song, it seems just kissing you isn’t quite enough, hmm?”

His voice was like the fluttering catkins of spring, dispersed with a gust of wind, yet it left ears itching, throats itching, and hearts itching with an unbearable longing.

After the momentary suffocation passed, Song Mianfeng leaned against Lu Yin Zhen’s shoulder, softly murmuring, “Hmm,” his tone lingering, warm, “So, let me hold you a little longer.”

“The journey is long and the road is steep,” Song Mianfeng nuzzled against his shoulder, affection laced with a hint of tenderness, “I’m tired.”

Lu Yin Zhen allowed him to hold on, for quite some time, before patting his back gently, adopting a soothing tone, “Let’s go sleep for a while.”

“I don’t want to go.” Song Mianfeng relaxed his grip, reclining on the sofa, a smile curving his lips as he looked at Lu Yin Zhen, “I want to stay here, watching you.”

“Go to the bedroom and sleep.” Lu Yin Zhen was usually firm and unwavering in many matters, but only towards Song Mianfeng did he show rare gentleness and compromise, “I’ll accompany you.”