Ji Zhi’s gaze fell on Jiang Yaolin. He had no idea if the other man was acting, but Jiang Yaolin’s expression did ease most of his tension. The words he had been about to call out to Sophia faltered on his lips.
Jiang Yaolin’s attention had been fixed on Ji Zhi the whole time, so he naturally noticed the subtle shift in the other man’s expression. He pressed his lips together slightly. That face, favored by countless cameras, now revealed only the most genuine anxiety. Every tiny expression silently conveyed his longing and unease, twisting his own actions into a clumsy pursuit born of overwhelming emotion.
“I know showing up like this is presumptuous. I probably… scared you again.” He lowered his eyes, his gaze landing on Ji Zhi’s fingertips, flushed pink from the alcohol. His voice grew even softer. “But… I really missed you, Bro.”
“For the past two years, not a single day went by that I didn’t think of you. I just want to talk to you. Don’t go to anyone else, okay…?”
His posture was humble to the extreme, carrying an almost pleading vulnerability.
“…Just talk?” Ji Zhi hesitated for a moment. The Jiang Yaolin before him looked so pitiful, as if a single refusal from Ji Zhi would shatter all his hopes.
Sensing the slight softening in Ji Zhi’s attitude, a glint of darkness flashed in Jiang Yaolin’s eyes. He instinctively drew closer to Ji Zhi while still whimpering pitifully. “Bro, I’ve been stepping back from the spotlight bit by bit. Soon, we can be together openly…”
Earlier, Duan Zhao had tried to use Jiang Yaolin’s acting career to threaten him, but Jiang Yaolin had never liked acting in the first place. His parents had pushed him into the spotlight because they thought he had talent. His career had gone smoothly, which only made them more reluctant to let him leave the entertainment industry.
After being forced to separate from Ji Zhi, Jiang Yaolin’s desire to quit acting and escape his parents’ control grew even stronger. Fortunately, a year after parting from Ji Zhi, he starred in a film that earned him back-to-back Best Actor awards, adding to his previous accolades. He had swept nearly every major award, finally satisfying his parents enough for them to let go. That allowed Jiang Yaolin to gradually fade from the public eye.
Free from his parents’ constraints and the industry’s ties, Jiang Yaolin finally had the chance to search for Ji Zhi.
Jiang Yaolin’s appearance in this city was to reshoot scenes for a film he had taken on before. He had lied about a few things, too. Lately, he had been keeping tabs on Ji Zhi’s whereabouts. He had originally been in the neighboring city, but news of Duan Zhao and Ji Zhi showing up here had reached his ears, drawing him over.
This was no chance encounter between him and Ji Zhi. He had sought him out deliberately.
Jiang Yaolin’s expression was utterly pitiable, but Ji Zhi quickly noticed the man drawing nearer. “Wait…”
Facing the approaching Jiang Yaolin, Ji Zhi still felt an overwhelming pressure.
Yet upon hearing Ji Zhi’s words, Jiang Yaolin didn’t stop. He continued forward slowly, his voice soft and pleading. “Bro, I just want to hug you…”
Ji Zhi realized Jiang Yaolin was pushing his luck and instinctively moved to shout Sophia’s name.
But before he could utter a full syllable, Jiang Yaolin lunged forward like a leopard—swift yet gentle. A rush of cool cologne mingled with warm body heat enveloped Ji Zhi in an instant. The call he hadn’t managed to voice was gently blocked by a long, elegant hand with distinct knuckles, turning into a muffled, startled whimper.
The hand over his mouth was perfectly controlled—not painful or rough, but an intensely intimate restraint. Ji Zhi instinctively tried to bite down, but Jiang Yaolin’s palm pressed flush against his lips. Their warm skin touched, and Ji Zhi could even feel the faint pulse beneath.
Jiang Yaolin’s fingers exerted a gentle, irresistible pressure. The pad of his thumb unconsciously—and deeply ambiguously—brushed the sensitive skin near Ji Zhi’s lip corner. The motion wasn’t so much a seal as a silent, greedy caress, trembling with the thrill of reclamation, as if verifying its reality.
At the same time, Jiang Yaolin’s other arm snaked around Ji Zhi’s waist, pulling him firmly into his embrace. Jiang Yaolin was slightly taller and broader. He leaned down now, resting his jaw lightly in the hollow of Ji Zhi’s neck. His warm breath spilled onto the exposed skin there, flushed an enticing pink from alcohol and tension.
Ji Zhi could clearly feel the solid, burning heat of Jiang Yaolin’s chest pressed against his back. Through the thin fabric of their clothes, that powerful heartbeat drummed against his spine like thunder, resonating chaotically with his own. Jiang Yaolin’s arm tightened around his waist, as if determined to crush Ji Zhi into his very bones.
“Shh… Bro, don’t call out.” Jiang Yaolin’s low, husky voice murmured right against Ji Zhi’s ear, hot breath sending shivers through him. “Just for a little while. Come talk with me somewhere else, okay?”
Jiang Yaolin’s fingers on Ji Zhi’s lips twitched slightly, the gentle rubbing growing more distinct. The pad of his thumb traced Ji Zhi’s lower lip with deliberate suggestion. That soft touch sent darker shadows surging in Jiang Yaolin’s eyes. His throat bobbed as he fought a deeper urge.
Trapped in this suffocatingly close embrace, Ji Zhi was immersed in Jiang Yaolin’s scent. It was crisp cedar blended with sun-warmed coziness—but in this abrupt, boundary-crossing moment, it turned aggressively invasive. He tried to struggle, but the alcohol and sudden shock had sapped most of his strength. His faint wriggles only seemed like unintentional nuzzling, making the arm around his waist tighten further.
His words were coquettish, but Jiang Yaolin’s tone was patient, like coaxing a child.
Earlier, outside, Jiang Yaolin had scoped out the hidden back door of the little tavern. He had already planned to whisk Ji Zhi away through it.
His voice still held that earlier pitiful tone, but in this intimate hold and restraint, it carried an undeniable stubbornness and buried desire. He was like a large dog sheathing its claws and feigning docility—yet unable to hide its primal instincts upon reclaiming its beloved treasure in its territory.
Ji Zhi was no longer fooled by that pitiful act.
He regretted falling for it again. Jiang Yaolin’s acting skills seemed even better than before…
But since Jiang Yaolin had deceived him, Ji Zhi decided to trick the man right back, just like last time.
He furrowed his brow, about to feign pain, when Jiang Yaolin spoke up quickly. “Bro, don’t try to fool me like before.”
“I won’t fall for it a second time.”
Ji Zhi, who had indeed fallen for it a second time: “…”
Had his own acting gotten worse? Jiang Yaolin used to believe him…
Now, Ji Zhi could only hope Sophia would notice something was wrong and come looking. If he got dragged off, he wouldn’t be able to see Duan Zhao…
Panic mixed with disappointment surged like a tide, but realizing Jiang Yaolin meant to take him away snapped Ji Zhi back to focus.
He racked his brain, determined not to be taken. For now, the key was to stall.
But his previous trick wouldn’t work anymore…
Meeting Jiang Yaolin’s scorching, desirous gaze, a bold and shameful idea took shape in Ji Zhi’s mind.
Just as Jiang Yaolin’s arm tightened to pull him away, Ji Zhi stopped his futile resistance. Far from pulling back, he let go of all defenses, leaning his weight backward into Jiang Yaolin’s chest even more snugly.
This subtle, almost yielding motion made Jiang Yaolin’s body go rigid. The arm around Ji Zhi’s waist loosened instinctively, as if unsure what this sudden compliance meant.
He had braced for a fight, so Ji Zhi’s unexpected surrender left him momentarily at a loss.
Seizing the fleeting opening, Ji Zhi turned his head slightly. Unable to speak with his mouth covered, his warm, alcohol-tinged breath puffed directly onto the skin of Jiang Yaolin’s cheek so close by.
Jiang Yaolin paused. He had figured Ji Zhi meant to struggle and escape, confident the man couldn’t break free. But then Ji Zhi tilted his face, rubbing his soft cheek gently against the back of Jiang Yaolin’s hand.
It wasn’t resistance. It reminded Jiang Yaolin of a kitten on set nuzzling its owner for affection—silent, clingy intimacy.
Ji Zhi’s compliance was like a tiny flame scorching a chink in Jiang Yaolin’s taut nerves. He felt the body in his arms soften, no longer pushing back but leaning in with exhausted reliance. This shook him more than any fierce struggle. The hand over Ji Zhi’s lips clearly felt the warm, boozy breaths and the soft cheek brushing his skin. That small, appeasing gesture carried an indescribable allure, crumbling part of his rational defenses in an instant.
Jiang Yaolin’s throat bobbed sharply. The pressure of his palm eased further, the restraining touch turning into lingering fondness.
Jiang Yaolin: “…Bro?”
Joy flooded his heart, but his eyes stayed locked on Ji Zhi’s near side profile, searching the trembling lashes and unnatural flush for confirmation of this change—hoping for the answer he craved.
Ji Zhi had alcohol in his system, but he shouldn’t have been drunk yet.
Ji Zhi: ?
