When both Su Ning and Shen Mingzheng fell down, Su Ning thought Shen Mingzheng was rather good, remembering to protect his head at first. But that thought soon changed.

Because Shen Mingzheng wanted to reclaim that simple kiss.

In business, it’s about give and take. This action seemed fair, but it was obviously different from last time.

The last one was cool, now the two were pressed so close together, the temperature gradually rose, getting uncomfortably hot. Su Ning even found it hard to breathe.

He felt that Shen Mingzheng wasn’t being kind; his hand on the back of his head was meant to keep him down, not let him get up.

He wanted to take back his earlier thought; Shen Mingzheng had ulterior motives.

Moreover, Shen Mingzheng kissed him too long, and after a while, unable to bear it, Su Ning pushed him slightly. Shen Mingzheng only moved back a bit, not completely away.

He kissed Su Ning’s cheek, then bit his lip after he caught his breath.

It didn’t hurt, but he kept seeking kisses, unwilling to let go, even inching further. Su Ning entered the room and took off his jacket, and now, with a movement, his shirt got flipped up. Shen Mingzheng’s hand slid in easily from his waist, making him shudder.

It was the same last time at home. Shen Mingzheng had learned his ticklish spots, becoming gradually proficient.

“Wait, wait…”

Su Ning was breathing heavily, his voice sounding odd.

It should probably stop now; it was just a spur of the moment thing encouraged by Ji Xue.

That’s what he initially thought.

Shen Mingzheng did respect him, or perhaps the kiss had reached its natural end, so he backed off a bit, but his hand remained on his waist. However, with the movement, his jacket was half off, and Su Ning instantly saw several wraps of bandages around his neck as if he was injured.

So, when Shen Mingzheng lifted him from the couch into his arms, Su Ning didn’t struggle at all, his focus on the injury on his neck. He asked, “What happened to you?”

“It’s nothing,” Shen Mingzheng explained, “The Shen family thinks I caused this mess and ultimately couldn’t accept reality. They hired someone to try and kill me.”

Removing a thorn, indeed, a primitive and straightforward method without considering the consequences, enough to show the depth of their hatred. It wasn’t just about sending Allen to the hospital; some were pushed out of the family’s core by the elder, which for some was more painful than death, a gamble worth taking.

And if Shen Mingzheng died, it would indeed lift many people’s burdens.

This time, his return brought him a step closer to the head of the family. It wasn’t uncommon for a potential family heir to be targeted.

Su Ning dared not touch it. The wound on the neck, Shen Mingzheng assured it was a minor one and had stopped bleeding quickly. Chen Tao was quick to react, and he had people to handle such emergencies, but Su Ning couldn’t see it as trivial: “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t have the chance,” Shen Mingzheng slowly rubbed his back and kissed his cheek, “They wouldn’t dare at the Shen residence. It was only after I left that they dared. Because of this injury, I missed the flight I was supposed to catch and had to wait for the next one.”

No wonder he was a bit late today.

Su Ning scrutinized the wound again, pressing his lips together in anger, “They dare to do this in broad daylight?”

“There’s nothing they wouldn’t dare,” Shen Mingzheng still had the mood to smile, “I survived this time, and they will be the unlucky ones later.”

He didn’t complain to Shen Andang, waiting for him to discover it himself would be more interesting.

He now had Su Ning and valued his life, wouldn’t let himself be harmed easily. Although Shen Mingzheng had noticed some clues before the incident and managed to dodge it just right.

This injury would always make Shen Andang suspect others, who knew that if they could attack Shen Mingzheng, they might also target the elderly head of the family.

Once this thought arises, it’s hard to suppress.

Su Ning glared at him, “Don’t talk about dying, you have to tell me about these things in the future.”

But right now, being glared at by Su Ning only made Shen Mingzheng happier.

With the checking of the injury, Su Ning’s movement and posture on the couch naturally turned into sitting astride on his lap.

Then Su Ning asked more about his family matters, and Shen Mingzheng had to be honest, not hiding anything, and hugged him tighter, saying that things are different now, he would hire more bodyguards as he feared some people might target Su Ning.

“I’m fine… but you can’t be hurt.”

Shen Mingzheng sighed, “Otherwise, Su Ning, I’d go crazy.”

Su Ning’s heart trembled.

He knew this was almost a confession.

Shen Mingzheng then lifted his head and kissed him, and Su Ning, because of the injury, didn’t dare push him away, just obediently receiving his kisses. But Shen Mingzheng, who got more than he bargained for, couldn’t help but whisper, “Why…?”

Was it just because he had been away for a while?

Is absence really that effective?

He hadn’t finished speaking, and Su Ning knew what he was going to ask.

He thought for a moment, licked his slightly red lips kissed, and then earnestly replied, first recounting the conversation he had with Ji Xue, then softly said, “I really don’t understand much, but what she said makes sense, um… it’s okay to try.”

Though he said it was okay, the next second, because of Shen Mingzheng’s hands sliding down, he leaned on him and then with a nasal “hmm,” his voice softened.

“You really are…”

Taking an inch!

“She’s right,” Shen Mingzheng whispered in his ear, “Especially about me liking you.”

“I really, really like you.”

He sighed deeply as he said it, feeling like he was holding a treasure.

He was indeed very fond, perhaps harboring a private desire from when they started talking about marriage, always feeling that marrying Su Ning was the best and luckiest choice of his life.

As he spoke these words, Su Ning couldn’t bear to push him away, so what should have stopped at a kiss didn’t stop.

One taking an inch, the other tacitly allowing.

Both were married adults, yet when passion was high, Shen Mingzheng couldn’t help but ask, “Su Ning, what about you?”

Su Ning didn’t answer right away.

It seemed like he couldn’t break free, but from the beginning, it was Shen Mingzheng who couldn’t escape.

He waited like awaiting judgment for that sentence.

“Mingzheng, you know, our relationship is different from others.”

He heard Su Ning slowly start, “I don’t quite understand, so, let’s just try first, then I’ll give you a conclusion.”

Su Ning tried to use his usual rational analysis.

If this was a proof problem, the many things that happened before and the longing during their brief separation might not be sufficient conditions for love.

But fortunately, there was no time limit to answer this question; it was already laid out there, and Su Ning was willing to answer, he had started and could continue writing.

Though he didn’t get a definitive answer, the current Shen Mingzheng saw him differently.

The current Su Ning didn’t look as serious and rational as usual. When he said this, his voice trembled slightly, his eyes slightly irritated and red, looking moist like a pool of water.

He looked overly enticing, very beautiful, captivating.

Getting such an answer was enough.

He was very satisfied with that.

The room was warm, he didn’t feel cold without the jacket and clothes, Su Ning’s skin was good, and Shen Mingzheng didn’t know why, but after being cared for this while, he hadn’t gained weight, not a bit of excess fat on his body, and when he carried him from the couch to the bed, he still whispered, “Be careful of your injury…”

Don’t mention this little injury, at this moment, even a knife to the neck wouldn’t matter. Shen Mingzheng wished he could melt into him, saying, “It doesn’t matter.”

No one was more important than the Su Ning before him.

To be honest, Shen Mingzheng really tried to control himself not to be too beastly, to stop, or wait for later, not to go all the way, but Su Ning didn’t quite understand.

“What are we waiting for,” Su Ning lay on the bed, looking up at him, his voice hoarse, hair messy, “haven’t we already gotten this far, you… really won’t try?”

He wasn’t very strong, so he stretched out his leg to hook him, intending to kick him, but holding back the force, it turned into a hooking motion.

If Shen Mingzheng held back any longer, he wouldn’t be human.

Staying in this expensive hotel had its perks, everything was available by the bed, and in the middle of the night, Su Ning somewhat tasted the consequences of indulgence.

But by that time, it was already too late.

The next day, when the group of small idols got up for breakfast, preparing to shoot a print ad, Su Ning hadn’t gotten up yet, but Shen Mingzheng had.

Not only did he get up early, but he was also full of vigor.

The team was just going out to shoot, and it wasn’t necessary for Su Ning to follow them all the time, Little Shen explained some things and then said, “I and President Su have some things to handle, no worries, you go ahead. Isn’t the afternoon off for everyone to have fun? Be safe, and remember, whether it’s the idols’ expenses or yours, the company will reimburse.”

After working hard for so long, this kind of benefit was naturally nothing, and it was said that there would be a pay raise after the new year.

He was usually very dignified and authoritative at work, very different from Su Ning’s all-rounded, easy-going personality, but both were generous in their ways, a common point that was quite good.

Everyone in the team was happy to hear this, only Li Chu gave him a suspicious look, and before leaving, he tried to knock on Su Ning’s door, but was stopped by Shen Mingzheng at the doorway.

“He’s sleeping,” Shen Mingzheng said, “Su Ning has been tired enough lately, let him rest.”

Li Chu was suspicious, “He was fine yesterday, he’s tired now, it’s not because of you, is it?”

Shen Mingzheng didn’t answer, just leaned against the door smiling.

His attitude said it all.

Li Chu realized, standing there scolding him, “…You beast! Worse than a beast!”

Shen Mingzheng didn’t take offense, his mood was very good today, nothing could upset him, he replied, “You might as well accept it sooner. Also, keep it down, don’t wake him.”

Li Chu puffed up his cheeks, trying to push him away, but he wasn’t strong enough, not as tall as Shen Mingzheng, and just at this moment, the door across opened.

Ji Xue lived opposite, just woke up, wearing the hotel’s pajamas, still draped in that thick scarf, she understood at a glance, sighing, “Ah, stop making a fuss, let him have some peace.”

Ji Xue hadn’t expected, she had undercut Shen Mingzheng so many times, thinking even if it was to make amends, to give these two a push.

But she thought trying it out was just a start, she didn’t expect it to go so deep.

Maybe marriage is different. Or maybe, some people just like to take an inch.

But what had to happen, happened, she still consoled Li Chu, “It’s okay, ah, relax, all men are like this.”

One worse than the other.

Li Chu: “…I’m a man too.”

Ji Xue looked him up and down, laughed, said, “How old are you? Just a boy.”

Li Chu still had baby fat on his face, in her eyes, he was just like the other little idols, a group running around happily.

Their departure time had arrived, the executive agent was urging, being late for shooting wasn’t good, Ji Xue also had good insight, after teasing enough, she mediated.

“Go ahead, when Su Ning wakes up, I’ll tell you,” Ji Xue persuaded Li Chu, “Wouldn’t you worry him more by delaying work?”

Made sense.

Li Chu glared at Shen Mingzheng, then took out his phone, added Ji Xue’s contact, looked her up and down again, said, “Didn’t you bring any change of clothes?”

Ji Xue nodded, “Yeah.”

“I’ll have my sister come over,” he said, “The styling team has lots of clothes, all new, you can pick some to wear.”

Ji Xue: “Yay.”

Soon, Zhou Chunqing came up.

She recognized Ji Xue immediately, then her eyes lit up.

It was that beautiful girl from the celebration party!

Li Chu felt he had successfully bribed someone, the team was still urging, Su Ning hadn’t woken up, he could only leave reluctantly, but Shen Mingzheng also didn’t like having a “spy” around, Zhou Chunqing, excited to dress up a big beauty, came in with a bunch of clothes, he mentioned, “Actually, I could also send you some clothes.”

He tried to win her back.

“No need to say more,” Ji Xue waved her hand, closed the door, “I’m on Su Ning’s side, okay?”