As Ning Zhiyuan spoke, he suddenly tasted a long-lost sense of ease and joy. He turned to the person beside him, saying, “Cen Zhisen, how do you plan to approach this relationship?”

Cen Zhisen replied, “Have you really thought about it? It’s not just about making me happy this time?”

“I have thought about it, and I’m quite happy myself,” Ning Zhiyuan answered straightforwardly. “Moreover, if I reject you, what will you do?”

“I’ll try harder,” Cen Zhisen said.

“Forget it,” Ning Zhiyuan shook his head and smiled. “You’re right. Love needs to be tested. Maybe even I am not entirely clear about it.”

Cen Zhisen’s gaze shifted towards him, and Ning Zhiyuan nodded, “So, Cen Zhisen, have you figured it out? How are we going to date?”

His voice carried a hint of eager anticipation, asking not only Cen Zhisen but himself as well.

“I haven’t thought about it,” Cen Zhisen admitted frankly. “Let’s go with the flow and explore together.”

“If we try and find it doesn’t work?” Ning Zhiyuan inquired.

“Then we’ll figure something out,” Cen Zhisen glanced at him again. “Unless you get thoroughly fed up with me, lose interest, but Zhiyuan, my heart has already been given to you and can’t be taken back.”

“How much do you love me?” Ning Zhiyuan asked.

“Are you asking for a confession?” Cen Zhisen questioned.

“I want to hear the truth,” Ning Zhiyuan said.

“I don’t know either,” Cen Zhisen admitted honestly. The traffic finally cleared, and the brilliant sunset reflected in his eyes. “The only thing I can be sure of is that I love you.”

Ning Zhiyuan sensed a subtle touch in his heart and smiled with satisfaction, “Okay, Cen Zhisen, you win.”

At this moment, he was genuinely willing.

They found a quiet Western restaurant, took a private room, and Ning Zhiyuan flipped through the menu, casually saying, “You asked me before how many people I’ve brought to this kind of place for a date.”

Cen Zhisen’s eyes flickered. “Hmm?”

Ning Zhiyuan smiled, recalling his previous response of “no comment.” Now, he brought it up himself. “Indeed, quite a few. But after the date here, the next usual destination was a hotel.”

“Are you implying something?” Cen Zhisen asked.

Ning Zhiyuan looked up, “I’m thinking, how is our date different from the others? Since we’re in a relationship, should we follow the general rules of dating and develop gradually?”

Their eyes met, and a smile filled Ning Zhiyuan’s eyes. “What do you think?”

“Not so good,” Cen Zhisen said, reminding him, “Zhiyuan, this kind of gradual development is what young students do. We’re not.”

“I’m still quite young,” Ning Zhiyuan disagreed. “Only twenty-eight.”

Cen Zhisen’s finger tapped on the table, sizing him up, uncertain whether he was serious or joking. “Do you really want to take it slow?”

Ning Zhiyuan changed his tone, “Let’s see how we feel.”

“Zhiyuan,” Cen Zhisen explained seriously, “Sex is a supplement to love, but it’s not everything. I want to date you not just for that. In fact, this aspect is only a small part of my motivation.”

“I value this part,” Ning Zhiyuan stated openly. “A harmonious sexual life is crucial.”

He didn’t continue this topic and called the waiter to order.

This time, Cen Zhisen said, “Same as him.”

Ning Zhiyuan chuckled, “No need to imitate me.”

Cen Zhisen replied, “I want to.”

During dinner, when Ning Zhiyuan received a call, he casually put on his earphones and answered. Whatever the person on the other end said, Ning Zhiyuan calmly responded, “I’ve seen your message. There’s no need to hurry about this matter. Let’s discuss it on Monday when we’re back at work.”

However, the person on the phone persisted, and Ning Zhiyuan, helpless, cast a glance at Cen Zhisen leisurely cutting into his steak. He swiped his finger across his phone screen, activating the speaker mode.

“Mr. Ning, you used to be with Cen An, can’t you help talk to them? Our small company is not worth their attention. They filed a lawsuit without even notifying us. When I received the summons, everyone was bewildered. If we lose the case, I won’t be able to afford it even if I sell everything!”

Cen Zhisen raised an eyebrow when he heard the conversation, looking over with a hint of surprise.

Ning Zhiyuan reminded the person on the phone, “Indeed, it’s not enough to compensate. So, don’t think about selling anything. Find some other solution.”

“Who are we kidding, Mr. Ning?” the person on the other end almost cried. “If they win the lawsuit, we might have to stop producing our products, and the company may have to settle for bankruptcy. Then, the investment from Zhongyuan will be gone too, won’t it?”

“The lawsuit hasn’t started yet, and it’s not certain we’ll lose,” Ning Zhiyuan insincerely consoled. “Don’t lose hope so early; think of a solution.”

“With Cen An suing, how many can actually win against him?” the person on the other end fretted. “Mr. Ning, do you have time now? I’ve scheduled a meeting with a lawyer. Can we meet and discuss…”

“No need to rush,” Ning Zhiyuan interrupted. “Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”

“It’s still early now…”

“Do me a favor,” Ning Zhiyuan glanced at the person sitting across from him. Cen Zhisen was leisurely watching the situation unfold, almost like enjoying a show. Ning Zhiyuan’s gaze carried a hint of reproach as he spoke into the phone, “It’s May 20th today, and I’m on a date with my partner. I can’t just ditch him like this, or he might break up with me.”

The voice on the other end choked for a moment. “You are on a date with your girlfriend? That’s fine; why don’t you bring your partner along? We can chat while eating, my treat.”

“I’m on a date with my partner, and you want to treat him? What’s going on?” Ning Zhiyuan was almost amused by him. “Forget it; he’s not interested in meeting you, and I doubt you would want to meet him either.”

The person on the other end exclaimed, “Huh?”

In the end, they agreed to meet the next morning. After finally dealing with the person on the phone, Ning Zhiyuan hung up and lifted his chin towards Cen Zhisen. “What do you think?”

Cen Zhisen said, “I didn’t quite understand.”

Ning Zhiyuan mentioned the name of the person’s company and explained, “It’s the first project of Zhongyuan Investment. They work on GPU chips. I think I mentioned it to you before. Recently, their product just hit the market and got sued by Cen An. He claims that the crucial technology used in their product infringes on his patent. Cen An wants them to take the product off the shelves and is demanding several million in compensation for infringement.”

Cen Zhisen thought for a moment; it seemed like there was such a thing. The company under Cen An was also working on something similar. This was just a method of competitive suppression. Such small companies without background and foundation couldn’t possibly be a match for Cen An.

At that time, when someone told Cen Zhisen about this matter, he didn’t even remember the name of the other company. If Ning Zhiyuan hadn’t mentioned it today, he wouldn’t have known it was Zhongyuan Investment’s project, the first project.

It turned out that when Ning Zhiyuan said it was troublesome before, he was referring to this, contemplating being sued by Cen An while sitting in Cen An’s CEO office; that was dark humor.

“Although I don’t want to put it this way,” Cen Zhisen said, “flies don’t bite seamless eggs. If there were no issues at all, Cen An wouldn’t fabricate facts and sue them.”

Ning Zhiyuan nodded. “Yeah, I agree.”

“What are you planning to do?” Cen Zhisen asked.

“I haven’t figured it out yet. Let’s see what the lawyer says tomorrow,” Ning Zhiyuan replied.

Cen Zhisen smiled, “I thought you might ask me to intervene, like considering my own investment in Zhongyuan and letting them off the hook.”

“No need,” Ning Zhiyuan dismissed the idea. “I always keep my public and private matters separate, and so do you. Let’s see how it goes.”

As for putting the call on speaker for that person to hear, it was just a joke.

“Zhiyuan,” Cen Zhisen looked at him. “If you ask, I might consider.”

“Thanks, but no,” Ning Zhiyuan scoffed. “You’re not that kind of domineering CEO, and I’m not that kind of—”

“What?” Cen Zhisen continued, “boyfriend?”

Ning Zhiyuan chuckled, “I thought you’d say ‘teasing devil.'”

Cen Zhisen’s gaze lingered on his face, with a hint of depth in his eyes. “Well, it’s quite teasing.”

Ning Zhiyuan could almost be certain that Cen Zhisen was making a suggestive remark. Unfazed, he replied, “Oh.”

Cen Zhisen chuckled and reminded him, “Let’s eat.”

After dinner, it was just past eight. They continued to drive around the city aimlessly, circling under the city lights.

“There were times in the past when I didn’t have to work overtime at night and didn’t want to make plans with anyone. I used to drive around the city like this alone, looking at the city’s night view and lights,” Ning Zhiyuan’s gaze turned to the window, passing through the night’s lights. “Especially in the first two years after returning to the country.”

Cen Zhisen looked at him, and Ning Zhiyuan’s lips curved into a slight smile. Without turning back, he said, “Don’t look at me; look ahead.”

It was something they had said to each other before.

Memories from that time were brought back. Although it was not long ago, it felt like a distant past.

“In the first two years after returning to the country?”

“Yeah, after being away for over ten years, I felt unfamiliar when I first came back. I had no sense of belonging, so I wanted to see more.”

Ning Zhiyuan spoke with a sigh-like tone.

Cen Zhisen drove quietly. One of his hands reached over, holding Ning Zhiyuan’s hand. Ning Zhiyuan lowered his eyes, reminding him, “You might get points deducted if you drive like this. Pay attention to safety.”

“It’s okay,” Cen Zhisen insisted. “There are fewer people and cars here. I’ll drive slower.”

Ning Zhiyuan didn’t bother persuading him anymore, allowing their palms to press together, fingers interlocked.

“Actually, sometimes I think, if I hadn’t been so willful back then and went to England with you, what would our relationship be like?” Ning Zhiyuan said, sounding somewhat regretful. “Do you think our relationship would be better or worse?”

Cen Zhisen asked him, “What do you think?”

Ning Zhiyuan couldn’t come up with an answer.

Depending on each other in a foreign land, free from hearing those unpleasant voices, maybe his mindset would have long been eased, and he would have reconciled with Cen Zhisen without going through years of repeated torment and struggle, evolving into those almost insane obsessions.

But it was also possible that he would despise those people who were close to Cen Zhisen, regardless of who they were. In his youth, not understanding the importance of restraint and tolerance, he might have been too obvious around Cen Zhisen. Perhaps, one day, Cen Zhisen would genuinely grow tired of him.

“I don’t know, but in that case, after you exposed my background, I might have felt even worse,” Ning Zhiyuan said.

Cen Zhisen turned his head again, and Ning Zhiyuan looked at him. “I’ve never been separated from you. If you abandoned me, I would definitely find it harder to accept. Now, I’m used to it, just a bit worse.”

Cen Zhisen frowned. It was the first time Ning Zhiyuan had said this word in front of him. He had never known before that Ning Zhiyuan’s feelings were like this.

Ning Zhiyuan’s gaze shifted away. “Forget it, let’s not talk about it. It’s too melodramatic. You focus on driving.”

Cen Zhisen looked at the road ahead, turned a corner, and parked the car in a street-side parking space on a dimly lit street.

He unbuckled his seatbelt, pushed the seat back a bit, and gestured to the person beside him. “Come over here.”

Sitting face to face, Ning Zhiyuan was placed on Cen Zhisen’s lap. Even though Cen Zhisen had lowered the seat, Ning Zhiyuan still felt awkward. His body couldn’t stretch out, and with hands placed on Cen Zhisen’s shoulders, he felt quite helpless. “Cen Zhisen, you’re not planning to have a car rendezvous here, right? Although it’s quite secluded, there’s still a chance someone might come by.”

“No,” Cen Zhisen whispered, “I just want to hold you.”

Ning Zhiyuan chuckled softly, his hands wrapped around the back of his neck. “What are you doing?”

Cen Zhisen’s hands roamed from under his shirt to his back, intimately caressing him. He couldn’t help but recall the day Ning Zhiyuan sent the word “pervert” to him. Of course, he wanted to do more perverted things, but now, holding Ning Zhiyuan, all he wanted was to gently touch him, to love him—

His brother, his precious one.

Lips pressed against lips, Cen Zhisen lightly pointed out, “Did I abandon you?”

Ning Zhiyuan stared into his eyes, not answering.

Before, he did feel that way—unveiled by Cen Zhisen about his background, abandoned by this person. But now, Cen Zhisen satisfied him in a different way.

“Will you?” Ning Zhiyuan asked.

“Never,” Cen Zhisen picked up his hand, stroking the scar on the back, his lips covering his, delivering a passionate kiss.

Tongues entwined, lingering, and the heartbeat frequency gradually spiraled out of control.

Amidst those sticky, ambiguous sounds, besides passion, perhaps there was something more.

The intimate kiss ended, and Cen Zhisen leaned against his forehead, hoarsely asking, “Do you feel loved now?”

“Cen Zhisen,” Ning Zhiyuan said, “be a little more patient.”

Cen Zhisen: “Do you want to come back with me tonight?”

“No,” Ning Zhiyuan rubbed his neck slowly, saying, “Did it yesterday, not in the mood today. Besides, thanks to you, I still need to go back and find some information, and discuss with the lawyer how to deal with Cen An’s lawsuit. Cen Zhisen, I think our date is almost over.”

Cen Zhisen: “Alright, I brought it upon myself.”

They laughed together.

After the laughter, Ning Zhiyuan sat back in the passenger’s seat, buckled his seatbelt, and reminded Cen Zhisen to straighten his seat: “It’s late, take me back.”

Cen Zhisen nodded and started the car.

As the car reached the outside of Ning Zhiyuan’s residential area, when he opened the door to get out, Cen Zhisen suddenly pulled his hand, stuffing something into it.

“For you.”

Ning Zhiyuan looked down; it was a ring, a simple ring with a few diamonds on it, presumably a tail ring.

He was a bit surprised: “You’re giving me a ring?”

Then he saw the ring on Cen Zhisen’s left hand, a similar tail ring on his pinky.

“Take it,” Cen Zhisen said.

“Why a tail ring?” Ning Zhiyuan asked, “I thought the meaning of a tail ring represents being single. You’re not implying that by giving me a ring, are you?”

“I actually wanted to give you a ring for the unnamed finger,” Cen Zhisen smiled, “Forget it, let’s keep it low-key with the tail ring. And besides, being single is a Western saying. In Chinese folklore, the pinky is where the matchmaker ties the red string of fate. Wearing a pair of tail rings means recognizing each other. So, Zhiyuan, I won’t ask you to wear it now. When you’re sure you love me, I’ll personally help you put it on.”

Ning Zhiyuan lowered his head and looked at the ring in his palm for a moment. Gradually, his eyes lit up with tiny lights: “I didn’t know you had a romantic side.”

Cen Zhisen: “First time in love, I’m learning slowly.”

Ning Zhiyuan tucked the ring into his pocket, smiling, “I accept it. Thanks, I’m very satisfied with this 520 gift.”