Ji Yunzhang didn’t fall asleep until late into the night when Jing Li’s fever finally broke. He didn’t get much rest and woke before nine in the morning. Jing Li was still sleeping in his arms. Lowering his head, he pressed their foreheads together; it felt cool to the touch. The fever was gone.
Ji Yunzhang carefully shifted Jing Li’s arm aside and got out of bed, but the movement woke him. “Teacher Ji?” Jing Li’s voice was even hoarser than the night before.
“Did I wake you?” Ji Yunzhang sat back down on the edge of the bed. He took Jing Li’s hand, which had slipped out from under the covers, gave it a gentle squeeze, and tucked it back in. “Hang on, I’ll get you some water.”
Jing Li let out a soft hum.
Ji Yunzhang returned with a glass of warm water and helped him sit up to drink. Jing Li was desperately thirsty and drained the entire glass right from his hand. Only then did the dryness ease, and his throat felt much better.
He looked up. “Did I have a fever last night?”
In his haze, he’d sensed Ji Yunzhang caring for him, and he’d taken some medicine. Now his skin felt sticky from the sweat, and the bedding was warm and noticeably damp.
“You did.”
Ji Yunzhang grabbed the thermometer from the nightstand and checked again. The reading came back at 36.8 degrees. No fever. He finally relaxed.
He brushed Jing Li’s cheek. “Anywhere hurting?”
Jing Li shifted slightly and murmured, “My legs and waist.”
His legs ached from being hooked around and kneeling so long, and his waist had taken a beating no matter the position. But Ji Yunzhang had been careful with him—his theoretical knowledge was impeccable. Jing Li hadn’t felt too bad the whole time.
He touched his ear, his voice even quieter as he mumbled, “A little swollen.”
Right. The only issue had been the duration.
Ji Yunzhang caught every word and reflected once more on his loss of control the night before. He leaned in and kissed Jing Li’s forehead. “Sorry.”
Jing Li coughed lightly, eager to change the subject. “I want to take a shower.”
His skin felt unbearably sticky.
“I’ll help you.”
Jing Li’s cheeks flushed bright red. “I can do it myself.”
Ji Yunzhang’s lips quirked in a faint, teasing smile. “You sure?”
Jing Li: “…”
He wasn’t.
Fine. They’d already done the most intimate things imaginable—what was there to be shy about now?
“You do it.” Jing Li felt too lazy to move on his own. He stretched out his arms in open invitation.
Ji Yunzhang let out a soft chuckle and scooped him up.
The bathtub would take too long to fill from scratch, so they used the shower instead. Jing Li leaned against Ji Yunzhang the whole time. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught their reflection in the mirror—the marks all over his own body, and Ji Yunzhang’s. A wave of happiness washed over him.
Ji Yunzhang noticed his expression. “What is it?”
“I’m happy.” Jing Li traced the marks on Ji Yunzhang’s collarbone and shoulders—his own handiwork. He tilted his face up, cheeks flushed pink from the steam. “You’re completely mine now.”
Ji Yunzhang’s gaze softened. He cupped Jing Li’s face and kissed his eyes. “I’m happy too. You’re completely mine now.”
Jing Li broke into a smile and pulled him into a hug.
They didn’t linger in the shower. Ji Yunzhang carried him back to bed and fetched the topical anti-inflammatory cream.
Even last night, with the heated atmosphere still hanging in the air, applying it had felt awkward to Jing Li. Now, in the bright light of day, it was downright mortifying. This was nothing like during their intimacy.
He shook his head vigorously like a rattle. “No need, no need. The oral meds will do.”
Ji Yunzhang gazed at him tenderly and pecked his lips. “Be good. This works better. Any inflammation could bring the fever right back.”
Ji Yunzhang could be quite insistent, though he always made endless allowances for Jing Li. Health matters, though—he wouldn’t budge.
Jing Li gave in and obediently lay on his stomach, letting Ji Yunzhang inspect and apply the cream.
The moment it was done, Jing Li yanked the covers over himself and rolled up tight, burying his head completely like a giant silkworm cocoon. He moved too fast, though, and tugged at something sore. When Ji Yunzhang fished him out, he was frowning.
Ji Yunzhang laughed softly. He tapped Jing Li’s forehead, then gently smoothed away the crease. “Rest a little longer. I’ll go make breakfast.”
Jing Li clutched the blanket and nodded.
Breakfast was milk-barley porridge paired with two light side dishes. Ji Yunzhang carried it upstairs and insisted Jing Li eat in bed.
Sipping from the bowl, Jing Li thought it tasted better than the porridge from that Michelin-starred restaurant Ji Yunzhang had ordered the night before.
Once he’d finished and wiped his mouth, he watched Ji Yunzhang clear the dishes. “What are you up to later?”
“Cleaning the room.”
Jing Li blinked, not catching on at first. “Huh? Didn’t Uncle Wang just…” Then it hit him which room he meant. His ear tips turned pink again, and he clamped his mouth shut.
The master bedroom was uninhabitable without a thorough cleanup—especially the bed.
Ji Yunzhang smiled and ruffled his hair before heading downstairs with the empty bowls and dishes.
He went straight to the master bedroom upon heading back upstairs.
The fresh air system had been running nonstop for twenty-four hours. Even with the curtains drawn and the windows sealed tight, any lingering odors had long since dissipated. Yet the rumpled bed and the used condoms in the trash bin offered a clear glimpse of last night’s frenzy.
He bundled the bedsheets and duvet cover together and tossed them into the washing machine. The clothes, however, were beyond saving. After they’d stumbled into the bathroom last night, he hadn’t been calm or restrained at all—like a reckless, exhilarated teenager, he’d simply torn the buttons off rather than unfastening them.
He threw both his own clothes and Jing Li’s into the trash bag. As he hefted the neatly tied garbage bag to take it out, he ran into Jing Li emerging from the guest room.
Jing Li’s gaze fell on the clothes in the bag, and memories of the previous night came rushing back. He blinked a few times, a touch of regret surfacing as he recalled his favorite shirt.
“Not lounging anymore?” Ji Yunzhang asked him warmly.
Jing Li’s honesty was utterly endearing. “It’s lonely lying there by myself without you.”
Ji Yunzhang let out a soft chuckle. “Want a hug?”
Jing Li glanced at his hands, feigning restraint. “No, you’re busy cleaning.”
Ji Yunzhang could see right through him. He set the bag aside and offered, “How about I carry you downstairs to sit?”
Under that gentle gaze, Jing Li pressed his lips together to hide his smile, nodded, and reached out. Moments later, he was swept up into Ji Yunzhang’s arms.
Jing Li twisted to meet his eyes. “Don’t you think I’m lazy, not even walking on my own?”
Ji Yunzhang dipped his head for a quick kiss. “Not at all.”
Jing Li’s mouth curved into a grin he could no longer suppress. He buried his face in the crook of Ji Yunzhang’s neck, his soft hair brushing against Ji Yunzhang’s cheek. “Teacher Ji, you’re going to spoil me rotten at this rate.”
Ji Yunzhang tilted his head, his eyes tracing every line of Jing Li’s face as a faint smile tugged at his lips. “I’d be more than happy to.”
Heat flooded Jing Li’s ears, his heart bubbling with sweetness, as if he’d been steeped in syrup. He couldn’t help but smile, his features softening, the joy sparkling in his eyes like sunlight on water—radiant beyond words.
Downstairs, Jing Li settled onto the living room sofa and flicked on the TV to resume the fourth episode of Romantic Journey, the one they’d left unfinished yesterday morning. Ji Yunzhang headed back up to grab the trash and take it out.
When he returned, Jing Li patted the cushion beside him in invitation. Jing Li promptly claimed his embrace, nestling comfortably against his chest in utter relaxation.
A little while later, he tilted his face up. “Teacher Ji, I want some melon seeds.”
“I’ll get them.”
“Okay.” The word came out light and bubbly, the syllable drawn out like a delighted child’s.
Amused, Ji Yunzhang pinched his cheek before rising to fetch the seeds.
He didn’t stop there, bringing back a small dish of chips and another of pistachios alongside them—modest portions all around. There was laughter in his voice, as if he were humoring a kid. “Want me to feed you?”
Jing Li burst into laughter in his arms. Once he’d had his fill, he shook his head and helped himself.
The day drifted by in lazy leisure. Ji Yunzhang doted on Jing Li endlessly, granting every whim. Jing Li had no desire to walk anywhere, and Ji Yunzhang simply carried him wherever he pleased.
By evening, Jing Li was running a slight fever again—37.5 degrees.
It wasn’t high enough for medicine, so Ji Yunzhang wiped him down with a damp towel, just as he had the night before. The fever broke after dinner, and Ji Yunzhang checked him over and applied more ointment.
Perhaps because Ji Yunzhang was so thorough in his examination and application—tending to every inch inside and out—the discomfort had faded to almost nothing.
Jing Li sat up, cheeks still pink, his eyes shyly dodging Ji Yunzhang’s as he watched the other man pack away his supplies. “No need to apply it tomorrow, right?”
“We’ll check once more tomorrow.”
“More checking?” Jing Li’s face scrunched in protest.
Ji Yunzhang drew him onto his lap, his voice a low, soothing rumble. “Jing Li, there’s no need to feel embarrassed. We’re partners—and we’ve done far more intimate things than this.”
“It’s not the same.”
He huffed. “You’re the one all dressed up.”
“You care about that?” Ji Yunzhang gave a light chuckle. “Fine, then—tomorrow I’ll join you.”
Jing Li pictured it, then imagined where that might lead, and shook his head vigorously. “Forget it.”
He was a man himself; he knew exactly how men worked. The slightest spark could unleash a wildfire.
Ji Yunzhang read his mind instantly, a hint of helplessness in his expression. He crooked his index finger and rapped Jing Li’s forehead gently with his knuckle. “I won’t entertain those thoughts until you’re fully recovered. I’m not some horny teenager.”
Jing Li met his gaze, eyes dark and meaningful. “That’s not how you acted last night.”
Ji Yunzhang fell silent for a beat.
He sighed in self-reproach. “My mistake.”
“Damn right it was.”
Ji Yunzhang humored him. “Mm-hmm.”
Satisfied, Jing Li let his eyes drift to the window. The city skyline glittered beautifully in the night. He changed the subject. “Let’s head to the terrace.” A pause, then: “Bring the script along.”
Jing Li slid down from Ji Yunzhang’s embrace, his bare feet touching the soft carpet. He started to walk away, only for Ji Yunzhang to catch his hand and remind him, “Shoes.”
Jing Li let out a couple of soft “oh”s and obediently slipped them on.
“I’ll grab some tea and snacks,” Ji Yunzhang said. “Black tea or Pu’er?”
“Pu’er.” Jing Li added, “And cream puffs.” They were takeout from that afternoon, but he’d come down with a low fever by the time they arrived and hadn’t touched them, so they’d gone straight into the fridge.
Ji Yunzhang nodded, drew him close for another kiss—savoring his lips and tongue—then murmured, “You go on ahead.”
All the terrace lights were on, casting a glow as bright as the living room. A breeze stirred the air that evening, stronger up here on a high floor, carrying away any hint of summer’s heat. It felt wonderfully comfortable.
A sofa sat out on the terrace. Jing Li pillowed his head in Ji Yunzhang’s lap as he pored over the script for Detective’s Notebook.
He’d already read through it several times and jotted down some notes, but they weren’t detailed enough yet. He needed to dig deeper into the character’s family background, psyche, and habits—to build out a full character biography.
His role as the third male lead had plenty of screen time, including a hefty chunk of the action scenes. Best of all, there was no romance subplot for the character.
It wasn’t that he minded acting romance; it was just that this series was blatantly a romance drama, with every love line strictly heterosexual. Kissing a female co-star in a romantic context would feel off to him.
He was gay, plain and simple.
He voiced his thoughts to Ji Yunzhang. “Teacher Ji, is it bad if I’m like this?”
“No.” Ji Yunzhang’s fingertip trailed gently through his hair as he replied offhandedly, “You can tell An Jiaming to keep an eye out when picking scripts from now on. Skip anything with heavy romantic scenes opposite a female lead.”
“Really?” Jing Li sat up to face him. “Can I really be that picky?”
Ji Yunzhang took his hand. “Of course you can.”
Their fingers laced together, and Jing Li broke into a grin. “Then I will.”
Ji Yunzhang tugged him close, settling him back in his arms for a slow, lingering kiss. Jing Li shut his eyes and melted into it.
Le Xiaoxiao’s call came through just after they parted, while Jing Li was still catching his breath, so he let it ring. On the second try, he answered.
“Busy?” Le Xiaoxiao asked.
Jing Li glanced at Ji Yunzhang, eased out of his hold, and took a sip of Pu’er from the table. “Nah, just reading the script.”
“What’s up?”
“I’ve lined up some endorsement deals for you. I’ll send them over—give ’em a final look and confirm.” He chuckled, teasing, “If you can’t decide, you can always run it by Ji Yunzhang.”
Jing Li: “…”
“You’re picking up the joking habit too.”
“Who asked you to flaunt your relationship all the time?”
Jing Li paused, at a loss for a comeback. He pivoted instead. “You still at the studio?”
“Yeah. Once you confirm, I’ve gotta draft contracts to sync up with the brands tomorrow.”
Jing Li propped his left hand on the railing as they chatted. “I’ll make sure to tell Teacher Ji to give you a raise.”
Le Xiaoxiao burst out laughing. “For real? Awesome.”
He paused, then added sincerely, “I’m actually thrilled to be this slammed.”
He’d always wanted Jing Li to blow up. His own packed schedule was proof that it was happening—and it fueled him every single day.
Jing Li rose onto his tiptoes, tilting his face to the sky. City nights rarely showed any stars, but tonight one shone bright.
“You’ll get even busier,” he said brightly. “And your paycheck’s only going up from here.”
Le Xiaoxiao caught the subtext—he meant Jing Li’s star was rising.
“Can’t wait,” he said, delighted.
After they hung up, Jing Li returned to Ji Yunzhang’s side. “Work stuff?” Ji Yunzhang asked.
“Le Xiaoxiao sent over the endorsement picks for my approval.” Jing Li borrowed Ji Yunzhang’s laptop, opened his email, and downloaded the attachment.
The document loaded: top of the list was a cover shoot for T Magazine.
Jing Li wasn’t surprised—T was one of the big five fashion mags.
Scrolling down: light luxury jewelry, trendy national-style clothing, flowers, snacks… Out of the original forty or so offers, twenty had been nixed, leaving only brands with solid reps and top quality.
Jing Li saw nothing wrong with the lineup. He turned to Ji Yunzhang for his take.
Ji Yunzhang had been reviewing it alongside him. He nodded approval, then remarked, “Very thoughtfully curated.”
“I agree.”
Once he’d replied to Le Xiaoxiao, Jing Li turned shining eyes on Ji Yunzhang. Having overheard the call, Ji Yunzhang said mildly, “I’ll reach out to An Jiaming and get it sorted.”
“Great.” Jing Li’s eyes crinkled with a smile as he leaned in to press a kiss to his chin.
