Yu Li had woken up when Lu Qing was kissing him, his body remembering the intoxicating pleasure the moment Lu Qing’s tongue slipped in after two weeks of abstinence.

He could have opened his eyes and faced Lu Qing, naturally ending the “keep distance” rule and indulging in passion.

But for some reason, Yu Li kept his eyes closed, pretending to sleep, seemingly unaware of the intrusion except for his deepening breaths.

Lu Qing was thoroughly enjoying the kiss. Compared to Yu Li, his need was astonishing. Given the chance, he kissed deeply, almost making Yu Li lose his breath and moan.

He heard the familiar sound of a bottle cap being twisted open, fingers stirring inside, the sweet peach scent filling the air, making him feel weak.

Yu Li couldn’t help but wonder if Lu Qing really thought he was oblivious just because he was asleep.

Unless drugged, with Lu Qing’s size, no matter how well Yu Li slept, he couldn’t possibly stay asleep in such a situation.

If he couldn’t hold back, he’d pretend to wake up.

Either way, today was the day.

After two weeks, his body had recovered. Lu Qing was tall and strong, even his fingers were thick and long, rough with calluses, making it hard to endure.

The softer his body got, the clearer his mind became. Yu Li gripped the sheets, biting his lip to avoid “waking up.”

However, just as Yu Li was ready to “wake up” and get things going, Lu Qing ran off.

When Yu Li got up, he was both amused and annoyed.

Bold enough to start, but when it came to the crucial moment, he fled, leaving Yu Li flushed and breathless.

He threw off the covers, took a deep breath, and got out of bed, ignoring his shaky legs, heading to Lu Qing’s room.

The door was ajar, and through the crack, Yu Li saw clothes strewn about and the bathroom door shut tight.

“Useless man.”

He pushed the door open, stepping over the scattered clothes, stomping on a pair of black boxers for good measure.

The bathroom door was unlocked, and Yu Li easily slipped inside.

Water splashed, steam swirled, and Lu Qing, caught up in the moment, didn’t notice someone entering until a soft hand touched his shoulder. He froze, spinning around—

Something splattered on Yu Li’s chest. He looked down, wiped his pajama with a finger, and held it up to Lu Qing, smirking.

“So much.”

“Been holding back, huh?”

“Xiao Li!” Lu Qing stared at him, voice stammering: “Weren’t you napping?”

Yu Li stepped closer, the hand that wiped his pajama now caressing Lu Qing’s wet chest.

The soft touch was dizzying, and Lu Qing, dazed, blurted: “Xiao Li, didn’t you say… we should keep our distance?”

“Don’t pretend.”

Yu Li leaned in, biting Lu Qing’s collarbone hard.

“When you were touching me while I slept, were you thinking about keeping distance?”

“Xiao Li…”

Lu Qing looked dumbfounded, but his breathing grew heavier as Yu Li approached.

Yu Li grabbed his thick arm, guiding it to his soft lower back.

“Hurry up.”

Lu Qing heard the urgency.

“If your skills have slipped, you’re sleeping in the garage tonight.”

For two weeks, Lu Qing had been dreaming of Yu Li, so his skills hadn’t slipped.

He grabbed Yu Li’s waist, lifting him, eyes red with excitement.

The preparation was already done in the room. Skipping steps meant diving straight into the main event.

Soon, the bathroom floor was littered with wet bear pajamas.

Layer upon layer, tangled and inseparable.

…

The nap was interrupted, replaced by other activities. When Yu Li was carried back to bed, he was exhausted, ready to sleep.

With the “keep distance” rule gone, Lu Qing regained the right to be close to Yu Li. He nuzzled Yu Li’s cheek, grinning foolishly: “What do you want for dinner? Beef noodles or dumplings?”

The afternoon’s exertion had drained him, and the lunch was long digested. Yu Li was starving, replying weakly: “Both.”

“Okay, I’ll make both.” Lu Qing kissed his pale cheek, shirtless, covered in marks, humming as he went downstairs to cook.

Yu Li lay in bed for a while, then texted his brother’s assistant.

[Send a set of K-brand men’s suits, use Lu Qing’s entry physical size, include shoes, charge my brother.]

Soon, Assistant Xue replied: [Received, K-brand suit and shoes, will be delivered to Epiphyllum Mansion tonight.]

Yu Li was relieved.

With the Qin family banquet in two days, Lu Qing needed a proper suit.

The clothes Yu Li bought were too form-fitting for a banquet, so he asked Assistant Xue to arrange a new suit.

Lu Qing looked great in a suit.

They first met when Lu Qing wore a suit, though it was rented.

Assistant Xue was efficient. Shortly after dinner, the doorbell rang.

Having just regained closeness with Yu Li, Lu Qing was wary of the sudden doorbell. His first thought was Yu Huaiyuan checking in.

Yu Li, gaming on the couch, didn’t look up, telling Lu Qing: “Your clothes are here, go get them.”

Clothes?

Lu Qing paused, glancing at the couch.

Was it the kind of clothes he imagined? Hadn’t his afternoon efforts satisfied Xiao Li?

Feeling a mix of defeat and anticipation, Lu Qing opened the door, seeing Assistant Xue outside with a shopping bag.

Assistant Xue had set up the gym before, so Lu Qing remembered him. Seeing him delivering clothes, Lu Qing was surprised.

This was Yu Huaiyuan’s assistant. How could Yu Li boldly have him buy such clothes?

Assistant Xue showed no awkwardness, nodding politely: “Mr. Lu, these are the clothes Young Master prepared for you, bought to your size. If they don’t fit, contact me.”

Lu Qing thanked him, taking the suit inside. In the living room, he hesitated before asking: “Xiao Li, is this my work uniform for tonight?”

Yu Li paused, his game character getting headshot.

He tossed his phone aside, expression indescribable: “What work uniform? That’s the suit for the banquet.”

“How could I ask Assistant Xue to buy that kind of clothes? What are you thinking…”

Realizing his mistake, Lu Qing sat beside Yu Li with the suit, asking softly: “Will you wear black to the banquet too?”

Assistant Xue had prepared an all-black suit for Lu Qing, simple and like a bodyguard’s standard.

Yu Li turned to him, asking: “Do you want me to wear black?”

Lu Qing nodded, silent, eyes fixed on Yu Li.

Yu Li chuckled, leaning in to peck his lips.

“As you wish.”

…

To celebrate the project’s success, the Qin family booked the Liujin Hotel in Jiang Cheng’s center for the banquet.

Though not a leading enterprise, the Qin family’s president had a unique status. Many local families came to curry favor, and even before the banquet started, many had gathered at the hotel entrance.

Having promised Lu Qing to wear black, Yu Li chose a custom black velvet suit. Tailored to his size, silver beads embroidered on the chest formed a butterfly, the velvet’s subtle sheen making him a noble black swan, exuding an untouchable elegance.

“Xiao Li…” Lu Qing deftly tied Yu Li’s bowtie, admiring the languid expression: “You look amazing today.”

Having overindulged recently, Yu Li was a bit drained, replying dully: “I always look good.”

Lu Qing kissed his hand, delighted: “The banquet starts in over an hour, shall we go?”

They didn’t take the Maybach today, opting for the Cullinan gathering dust in the garage. Arranged by Yu Xiangguo, it hadn’t been used since.

Without a license, Yu Li planned for Lu Qing to drive it occasionally.

The model’s backseat was spacious, and Yu Li, not wanting the front seat, curled up in the back, closing his eyes.

“I’m taking a nap, wake me when we arrive.”

The route from Epiphyllum Mansion to Liujin was short but winding, and the city center was bound to be congested, taking at least half an hour.

Lu Qing drove steadily, mindful of Yu Li sleeping, keeping a slow pace. Though the road was busy, no one dared get too close, fearing costly accidents, allowing Yu Li a peaceful nap.

Many had gathered at Liujin’s entrance, a few second-generation regulars at Jiang Cheng’s bars smoking nearby, laughing and chatting.

“Brother Baicheng, I heard you got a demerit at school recently, what happened?”

The speaker was Wang Shuo, the pampered youngest of the Wang family, a reckless sort.

His question piqued the curiosity of others, all eyes on the figure in a dark gray suit ahead, asking: “Yeah, Brother Baicheng, you didn’t come drinking when we called, didn’t tell us what happened, then suddenly got a demerit. Can you still graduate? Hahaha.”

Xu Baicheng, holding a cigarette, exhaled smoke, sounding frustrated: “Don’t mention it, academic issues, got investigated out of nowhere. I was already swamped with department stuff.”

Wang Shuo raised an eyebrow: “I thought it was serious. Why didn’t you ask your family for help? A gift to the principal would have solved it.”

Someone chuckled: “What are you saying? Brother Baicheng’s family had company issues then, too busy to deal with school.”

“Oh… bad timing.” Wang Shuo glanced at Xu Baicheng’s sour face, changing the subject: “By the way, isn’t Yu Li a freshman at Jiang University? Childhood friends with you, why not ask the Yu family for help?”

He intended to shift focus to Yu Li, curious about any developments, as Xu Baicheng’s crush on Yu Li was well-known.

But today, mentioning Yu Li seemed to worsen Xu Baicheng’s mood.

Wang Shuo stopped smoking, leaning in to ask: “Did you fight with Yu Li?”

Xu Baicheng remained silent, face dark, and Wang Shuo was about to press when someone pulled him aside.

“Don’t ask, Shuo.”

“What happened that I don’t know?” Wang Shuo glanced at the person: “Tell me quietly.”

The person glanced at Xu Baicheng, lowering their voice: “On Yu Li’s birthday, Yu Huaiyuan gave him a bodyguard. Later, during military training, Brother Baicheng publicly questioned Yu Li about the bodyguard, angering him and nearly getting beaten by the bodyguard. It was embarrassing, so don’t bring it up.”

Wang Shuo’s mouth formed an “o”: “I didn’t know. That bodyguard’s tough, daring to hit Xu Baicheng. With Yu Huaiyuan backing him, it’s different.”

The person scoffed.

You were detained for a few days for partying with influencers, of course you didn’t know.

As they chatted, someone mentioned “Yu Li’s here,” and the group fell silent, looking over.

A dark gray Cullinan parked at Liujin’s entrance, a tall man in a black suit stepping out.

A valet approached to help park, but the man waved him off, walking to the other side to open the back door.

Wang Shuo nudged Xu Baicheng: “Is that Yu Li’s bodyguard?”

Xu Baicheng snorted coldly.

Through the car door crack, they saw the man holding a well-proportioned foot, gently helping the person inside put on an Oxford shoe.

Damn.

Wang Shuo was shocked.

Yu Li’s aversion to physical contact was well-known in Jiang Cheng’s circles. The young master, showered with love, had his likes and dislikes well-known.

Yet he tolerated a bodyguard touching his foot…

Thinking this, Wang Shuo glanced at Xu Baicheng.

Though childhood friends, many knew Yu Li didn’t favor Xu Baicheng. Growing up, Xu Baicheng hadn’t even held Yu Li’s hand.

Childhood friends losing to a bodyguard, no wonder he lost it and confronted him, nearly getting beaten.

It was embarrassing.

Meanwhile, Yu Li, shoes on, was led out by Lu Qing. Still tired from recent exertions, he walked as if floating.

He couldn’t let Lu Qing hold back so long again. Once started, it was endless, yet enjoyable. Yu Li tried to stop several times, only to be pushed back, ending unresolved.

The car was parked, and Lu Qing stood by Yu Li, acting like an ordinary bodyguard.

They entered the banquet hall, Wang Shuo watching Yu Li’s retreating figure, nudging Xu Baicheng: “Yu Li’s here, why not say hi?”

Xu Baicheng’s lips moved, finally muttering: “Later, I reek of smoke, Xiao Li doesn’t like it.”

Wang Shuo “ah”ed, nearly blurting “are you afraid of the bodyguard again,” but laughed it off: “Alright, there’s time.”

Turning back to chat with others, Xu Baicheng stood, jaw clenched, stubbing out his cigarette.

As if truly fearing the smoke would bother him.

…

Twenty minutes later, the banquet began. Yu Li was there to enjoy, not mingling. His brother and Qin Yue, the hosts, would be busy drinking rounds, so he didn’t seek them out.

He claimed a single sofa in the lounge, the table before him laden with sweets Lu Qing had fetched, all Yu Li’s favorites.

Lu Qing stood behind him, face cold, deterring several who tried to approach Yu Li.

Qin Yue found them as Lu Qing massaged Yu Li’s shoulders. Qin Yue’s gaze swept over Lu Qing’s hands on the young master’s shoulders, his expression unreadable.

Hearing Lu Qing’s stories of their interactions was one thing, but seeing it was another. Qin Yue finally understood the shock.

First time seeing Lu Qing so obedient, Qin Yue recorded a short video at the lounge entrance before entering.

“Young Master Yu, been waiting long?”

Hearing the voice, Yu Li and Lu Qing looked up. Qin Yue ignored Lu Qing, pretending not to know him, striding to Yu Li’s sofa, smiling: “Hello, Young Master Yu, I’m Qin Yue. Your brother’s still busy, so I came to find you.”

Yu Li had a good impression of Qin Yue, who gifted him his idol’s painting, and smiled warmly: “Hello, President Qin. You’re my brother’s friend, just call me by my name.”

Qin Yue laughed: “Then I’ll be familiar and call you Xiao Li, like your brother. No need to call me President Qin, too formal.”

Yu Li hesitated, then tried: “Brother Qin?”

Qin Yue nodded: “Sure, Xiao Li.”

As he finished, a cold gaze pinned Qin Yue, freezing his smile. He looked toward the source—

Lu Qing stood behind the sofa, eyes fixed on him. Though expressionless, Qin Yue felt Lu Qing’s gaze was sinister.

Meeting his eyes, Qin Yue cursed internally.

Lu Qing, you dog, even jealous of your brother!

Yu Li noticed the change, glancing at Qin Yue’s line of sight.

Qin Yue watched Lu Qing’s murderous gaze switch to a gentle smile in a second: “What is it, young master?”

Qin Yue cursed again: Master of disguise!

Yu Li asked, puzzled: “You two know each other?”

Both replied in unison: “No!”

As if they’d known each other for years.

Before Yu Li could speak, Qin Yue laughed, changing the subject: “I saw you two in matching outfits, looked harmonious, thought he was your boyfriend, couldn’t help but look.”

Yu Li shook his head, answering decisively: “He’s my bodyguard, not my boyfriend.”

Lu Qing smiled at Qin Yue: “Yes, just a bodyguard.”

Qin Yue: “…”

Qin Yue rambled: “Haha, I see. A bodyguard’s good too. This guy’s tall, strong, handsome, and attentive, perfect for a bodyguard.”

Lu Qing kept smiling, mouthing: “Shut—up—”

Qin Yue shut up.

Yu Li, unaware, told Qin Yue: “I loved the gift you sent for my birthday, thank you. Must’ve taken effort to get that painting?”

Qin Yue glanced at Lu Qing, waving his hand: “Glad you liked it. A friend’s collection. When I needed a gift for a partner’s brother, he gave it without hesitation. Thank him, not me.”

Yu Li paused, asking: “A collection? Is it okay to give it to me?”

Qin Yue lied smoothly: “No problem. He saw your photo, thought you matched the painting, and gave it. Don’t worry.”

Yu Li softly “ah”ed, asking: “Brother Qin, may I know your friend’s surname? I’d like to thank him personally.”

Lu Qing stiffened, massage slowing.

Qin Yue glanced at him, regretful: “Not likely soon. My friend went to pursue his love, heart like iron, didn’t say when he’d return. Haven’t seen him in ages. Next chance, I’ll introduce you.”

“Oh, his surname’s Lu. Just call him Mr. Lu.”

Surname Lu.

Yu Li paused, glancing at Lu Qing.

Lu Qing smiled flawlessly, asking: “Young master?”

Must be overthinking.

Yu Li turned back.

China has 1.4 billion people.

Just a surname, no big deal.

Thinking this, he dismissed the sudden doubt, smiling at Qin Yue.

“Sure, I’d love to meet Mr. Lu someday.”