Chapter 2: Lovely

When Shang Zhu arrived at the designated address, Wen Shuyan was at the front desk checking in.

Even close to midnight, the hotel lobby was still bustling with people coming and going. Young men and women, pushing luggage, gathered by the front desk chatting. Wen Shuyan, in a suit and leather shoes, stood out among the crowd.

Shang Zhu looked at Wen Shuyan through the crowd. When the person at the front desk seemed to sense something, they turned around, and the next moment, extended their hand to him, palm facing up.

While the receptionist was still waiting for registration, Shang Zhu bypassed the crowd, handed over his ID, and incidentally paid for tonight’s room fee.

Without any conversation, the two of them completed the check-in procedures in silence. Wen Shuyan took the room key, and they walked side by side towards the elevator.

The city they were on a business trip to was known as the city that never sleeps. It was currently the time for late-night snacks, and the elevator going down was crowded with young men and women heading out to eat.

As guests trickled out of the elevator in pairs and small groups, the spacious area quickly became crowded. Shang Zhu and Wen Shuyan leaned against a corner, their backs of their hands brushing against each other, then quickly separating.

Once the crowd dispersed, the two entered the elevator.

As the elevator doors closed completely, Wen Shuyan pressed the floor button and turned his head to ask, “Going home tomorrow?”

Shang Zhu turned to face Wen Shuyan, “Afternoon flight. What about you?”

“Same.” Wen Shuyan took out the mint candy given by the front desk from his pocket, tore open the packaging, and put the candy in his mouth, “What’s your plan next?”

Shang Zhu stared at Wen Shuyan’s face without blinking, his gaze sweeping from the bridge of his nose downward, stopping at his moist red lips, “Working on a new project.”

Wen Shuyan crushed the mint candy with his teeth and casually said, “Busy again. I have a meeting in New York next week and might stay there for a week.”

Shang Zhu’s expression froze for a moment, his hand hanging by his side clenched into a fist, “Is it because this project didn’t go through?”

Wen Shuyan shook his head, “It was planned in advance. I have to go regardless of the outcome of this business trip.”

“And besides, this project was never our forte. It’s normal that it didn’t go through.”

Wen Shuyan smiled lightly in the mirror of the elevator, and Shang Zhu’s clenched hand relaxed again, his thumb rubbing against his ring finger.

He looked at the constantly changing numbers on the display screen, and after a few seconds, responded calmly, “Hmm.”

The elevator smoothly ascended to the upper floors, and the door silently opened. The deserted corridor was lit with dim yellow lights, and a blast of cold air enveloped them, carrying a sweet scent.

Shang Zhu and Wen Shuyan stepped out of the elevator, one after the other. Their leather shoes pressed against the thick carpet of the corridor, making no sound.

At the end of the corridor was their room. Wen Shuyan placed the room card against the electronic lock. With a “beep beep,” the lock turned, and the door opened.

Wen Shuyan pushed the door open, with Shang Zhu following behind. The half-open door slowly closed, emitting a sudden muffled “bang” just before shutting completely.

The door closed heavily, trembling slightly. Shang Zhu leaned against the door behind Wen Shuyan, snuggling into his waist, and sniffed. His nose brushed against Wen Shuyan’s shirt collar, rubbing against the exposed skin around the collar.

“When you were out socializing, did anyone offer you a companion?”

“It was mentioned, but I declined,” Wen Shuyan smelled the faint fragrance of shampoo from Shang Zhu’s hair and gently rubbed his head, nestled against his neck, “Are you upset?”

“Can’t I be?” Shang Zhu asked sullenly.

“Shang Zhu,” Wen Shuyan called him helplessly, “Don’t be so clingy.”

Shang Zhu remained silent, quietly tightening his arms around Wen Shuyan’s waist.

He was half a head taller than Wen Shuyan, and the bright overhead light cast shadows, enveloping Wen Shuyan completely.

The swaying shadows on the wall, Shang Zhu leaned in to kiss Wen Shuyan, delicately tracing his features before pulling back.

Wen Shuyan hooked his fingers around Shang Zhu’s neck, his hand on his shoulder drawing circles intermittently. His breath mixed with the coolness of the mint candy, brushing over Shang Zhu’s cheeks, making his neck and ears burn.

“Your ears are so red,” Wen Shuyan lightly chuckled, pinching Shang Zhu’s earlobe, “You’re really cute.”

The hot earlobes were kneaded by the cold fingers, causing Shang Zhu to inhale deeply with difficulty. He grabbed Wen Shuyan’s wandering hand.

“Don’t pinch me, wife.”