Chapter 25: A Single Sentence That Made President Lu Lose His Temper

When Ji Jinbai returned home, the place felt cold and empty. He turned and walked into the Painting Studio, turned on the light, and sat there for several hours.

After tidying up his paints, Ji Jinbai stood up, stretched, and leisurely opened the door to leave, heading to his room to take a shower.

As he went downstairs, Ji Jinbai glanced at the clock on the wall—it was already past 11 PM.

He frowned slightly when he noticed Lu Tingshen’s slippers still at the entrance, indicating that he hadn’t returned yet.

Ji Jinbai sat on the sofa, feeling a bit uneasy, and sent him a message. The other party might have been busy and hadn’t seen it, as there was no reply even after waiting for a while.

Ji Jinbai obediently hugged a pillow with both hands, sitting on the sofa and reading a book while waiting for him to come back.

When Lu Tingshen returned home and opened the door, he noticed the living room light was still on.

He walked in and saw Ji Jinbai lying on the sofa, fast asleep, with a book still in his hand. It was clear he had been waiting for him to come home.

Lu Tingshen loosened his tie, took off his suit, and placed it aside. He looked down at the person sleeping soundly on the sofa, thinking to himself that he hadn’t even covered himself with a blanket. What if he caught a cold?

A sense of calm and the feeling of home washed over Lu Tingshen.

He walked over, gently wrapped his arm around Ji Jinbai’s legs, and lifted him up. Despite his careful movements, Ji Jinbai still woke up.

Ji Jinbai rested his head against Lu Tingshen’s chest, his eyes half-open with sleepiness. He looked up and saw it was Lu Tingshen.

Ji Jinbai’s voice was soft and drowsy, carrying a hint of sleepiness.

“You’re back.”

“Yeah.”

“Didn’t I tell you I’d be back late tonight? You should have gone to bed first. Don’t wait for me next time.”

Lu Tingshen had a faint smell of alcohol on him. As Ji Jinbai caught the scent, he gradually became more awake.

Ji Jinbai patted his shoulder lightly, then frowned at the smell, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.

“Put me down first. I’ll make you a cup of honey water to help with the alcohol. How much did you drink tonight?”

He went into the kitchen and busied himself for a while, soon returning with a cup of honey water, which he handed to Lu Tingshen.

Lu Tingshen took it, took a sip, and frowned as he looked at the cup. “How much honey did you add? It’s sickeningly sweet.”

Ji Jinbai looked up at him, walked over, and poked Lu Tingshen’s chest.

“What do you know? This is how it works. Finish it quickly.”

Lu Tingshen didn’t argue or say anything, just frowned and downed the entire cup in one go.

Ji Jinbai took the cup from him and placed it on the table.

“It’s too late. Go upstairs and take a shower. You reek of alcohol—it’s disgusting,” Ji Jinbai said, wrinkling his nose.

Lu Tingshen lowered his head and sniffed himself. He hadn’t drunk much, and there was only a faint smell of alcohol. Ji Jinbai’s nose was just too sensitive.

“Alright, alright, I’ll go shower right now.”

In the bathroom, Lu Tingshen turned on the shower and scrubbed himself thoroughly several times, feeling like he was about to peel off a layer of skin. He lifted his arm and sniffed, making sure there was no trace of alcohol before he was satisfied.

He leaned on the sink, suddenly remembering that Ji Jinbai was allergic to alcohol.

Thinking back to that dangerous night, he didn’t want to end up sending him to the hospital just from a kiss later.

Lu Tingshen carefully brushed his teeth two or three times, then put on his bathrobe and opened the door to leave.

Ji Jinbai was already lying in bed. Lu Tingshen walked over, lifted the blanket, and lay down beside him.

Ji Jinbai naturally rolled into his arms, placing his hand on Lu Tingshen’s face and asking, “Does your head hurt?”

“A little.”

Ji Jinbai immediately sat up, looking at him with his eyes closed, a hint of worry on his face.

“Are you feeling uncomfortable? Let me massage you for a bit.”

After saying this, he gently massaged his temples with both hands, muttering as he did so.

“How much did you drink? Drinking too much is bad for your health.”

Lu Tingshen closed his eyes, enjoying the massage, which made him feel very relaxed.

He paused for a moment and said in a low voice, “Six or seven cups, I lost count. That’s just how socializing is, don’t worry.”

Ji Jinbai frowned and spoke softly.

“I know big bosses like you have many social engagements, but you should still drink less, okay?”

Then he added, “Do you not know your age? Drinking too much is bad for your health, and you might gain weight…”

As Ji Jinbai mentioned his age, Lu Tingshen slowly opened his eyes, his gaze deep and carrying a hint of danger.

Before Ji Jinbai could finish, Lu Tingshen wrapped his arms around his waist and pinned him to the bed.

With one hand gripping his chin and his eyes slightly narrowed, there was an unreadable emotion in his gaze.

Lu Tingshen looked down at the delicate and beautiful face beneath him, suddenly let out a low laugh, and then patted his back.

Ji Jinbai winced in pain and glared at him resentfully.

“What are you doing?”

“Am I old?”

“Huh?”

Before Ji Jinbai could speak again, the man hit him once more, producing a crisp sound.

Ji Jinbai covered his buttocks, his voice tinged with grievance, “I didn’t say you were old, why are you taking it out on me?”

“Didn’t you say you liked me like this when we got together? How come you’ve changed in just a few days, huh?”

“That was~ Stop hitting me, it hurts.”

“You said you didn’t mind my age, huh? What, you want to find someone younger and fresher now?”

“Am I not enough for you anymore?”

Ji Jinbai sensed the danger and blinked nervously, trying to explain.

“I never said I minded your age, I just wanted you to drink less! Don’t twist my words!”

“Really, men are still in their prime at forty, and you’re not even forty yet. Come on, don’t be mad.”

Ji Jinbai wrapped his arms around his waist and nuzzled his head against his chest.

“Speak properly, why are you acting so coy?”

Lu Tingshen looked down at the kitten buried in his chest with amusement, then leaned in close to his ear, his voice low and husky.

“At my age, I can still make you… Want to try?”

The man’s hot breath brushed against Ji Jinbai’s ear, causing the young man to instinctively shrink his neck. Ji Jinbai’s ears gradually turned red.

Ji Jinbai punched him, his face flushed, and he glared as he scolded.

“Be serious for once, why do you always talk about such things?”

“I haven’t even settled the score with you for hitting me.”

Lu Tingshen lifted his face, his gaze carefully examining him. He swept over Ji Jinbai’s cool, faintly blushing cheeks, his high nose bridge, his pale red lips, and his sharp chin.

His cool voice now carried a softness, and his long eyelashes were haloed by the bright light. His pale pink lips kept opening and closing.

“I can’t be serious in front of you.”

Lu Tingshen’s eyes lowered, and he pressed the back of Ji Jinbai’s neck, leaning down to kiss him.

Ji Jinbai bravely met his gaze, reading the danger in those sharp, deep eyes.

The cool minty taste was from his toothpaste.

Lu Tingshen released him, and Ji Jinbai’s slender fingers covered half of his face.

His cold, pale, and sharp chin looked so fragile that it made one want to cherish him.

Lu Tingshen chuckled softly, reaching out to pinch his earlobe, his voice hoarse.

He moved the hand that was covering his face away.

Ji Jinbai could tell what he wanted just by looking at his expression. He raised his hand in resistance, saying, “No, it’s not healed yet.”

Lu Tingshen hugged him and tucked him into the blanket, his voice low and husky as he said, “I’ll let you off tonight. Go to sleep.”

Both of them lay in bed, still awake, when Lu Tingshen suddenly looked at him and spoke.

“I’ll try to drink less in the future. I won’t attend unnecessary social gatherings either, and I’ll come home earlier whenever possible.”

He paused, his voice tinged with frustration, “I won’t give you the chance to find another man. Don’t even think about it.”

Ji Jinbai sighed helplessly, caressing his face, “I was just joking. Why are you still holding onto that? Forget it, forget it…”

Lu Tingshen stared into his eyes, not intending to let it go. He snorted coldly.

“Seems like I really need to keep an eye on you all the time. You accuse me of being flirtatious, but with a face like yours, I’m the one who should worry about someone stealing you away!”

Lu Tingshen’s voice softened, “I was a bit rough earlier. Does it still hurt?”

It didn’t actually hurt that much, but he still wanted to act a little spoiled. Ji Jinbai pouted, “It hurts so much.”

The man gently touched his cheek, his voice cold as he said, “Hmm, bear with it.”

“If I hear you say something like that again, your bottom won’t be spared. Got it?”

Ji Jinbai turned his back to him, letting out a defiant “Hmph.”

Like a little kitten.

Lu Tingshen chuckled softly.