This kiss was very light, very brief, not as deep as the previous ones, yet it made Gu Qingzhou pause. He could feel Jiang Xu's warm breath spray by his ear, silently stirring an itch in his heart, which then started from his spine and gradually spread throughout his entire body.

Gu Qingzhou didn't know what he was thinking. He turned his head and kissed back. The slightly cool sensation was there and gone in an instant, and now it was Jiang Xu's turn to be stunned.

If it hadn't been for Gu Qingzhou's stubbornness and initiative, the two of them probably would never have started. It was like that years ago, and it was still the same now. But for the past period, aside from demanding Jiang Xu drive him to work and bring him breakfast, he hadn't made any other moves. This kiss was truly unexpected.

Jiang Xu felt inexplicably awkward. Just as he was about to say something, he saw that Gu Qingzhou had already walked past him to the kitchen and put the breakfast containers into the microwave to heat. The variety was quite rich, and he couldn't help but ask, "Did you make this?"

Gu Qingzhou said, "No, it's takeout."

The fridge was completely empty. Thinking about it, he knew Gu Qingzhou wouldn't go to the supermarket to buy groceries with a face like that. The moment the words left his mouth, Jiang Xu felt his question was a bit redundant. He could only sit down at the dining table and wait for breakfast to heat up.

The weather was already approaching autumn. Gu Qingzhou was wearing a white long-sleeved casual shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, looking relaxed and at ease. But because he was on the thin side, the collar was inevitably loose, making him seem even skinnier.

If you were to ask Jiang Xu if he felt a little guilty towards Gu Qingzhou, the answer would be yes. But Jiang Xu felt that guilt couldn't solve any problems, just like how Gu Qingzhou wouldn't forgive him just because he said sorry. So, most of the time, Jiang Xu could only remain silent.

Living with an ex, this feeling was too complicated. They were familiar with every part of each other's past and could embrace and kiss skillfully, yet they couldn't find a reason to get back together without any hard feelings.

Jiang Xu still felt that this path was too difficult to walk.

After finishing the meal that was called breakfast but was actually lunch, it was already around one in the afternoon. Jiang Xu's usual life was quite monotonous. If he had work, he would work overtime on drawings. If he didn't, he would sleep or play games. Although outsiders might find it a bit dull and boring, he himself was quite satisfied with it.

Seeing him full and content, now curled up on the sofa watching TV, Gu Qingzhou sat down beside him, snuggling up close just like when they played games yesterday. "Is this how you usually spend your days off?"

Jiang Xu thought for a moment. "More or less."

An unknown comedy show was playing on the TV. Jiang Xu was quite amused watching it, and Gu Qingzhou watched along for a while. But his gaze unconsciously drifted from the screen and turned to the man beside him.

Taking the first step is often difficult, but as long as you take it, the rest won't be as hard.

Jiang Xu suddenly noticed Gu Qingzhou shifting closer to him. Thinking he didn't have enough space, he subconsciously scooted aside. Seeing this, Gu Qingzhou gave him an emotionless glance and continued to move closer. Only then did Jiang Xu belatedly realize what was happening.

Gu Qingzhou seemed aloof and independent, but he was actually very clingy when in a relationship, the quiet kind. Jiang Xu had a deep understanding of this from high school. He was subtly silent for a moment. His underachiever-style thinking was very simple: 'we've already kissed, so a hug is nothing... right?'

Thinking this, he avoided the wound on Gu Qingzhou's face, raised his arms, and pulled the man into his embrace. Then, they curled up on the sofa together to watch TV.

Gu Qingzhou didn't struggle at all; he was unbelievably obedient. He leaned into the long-missed embrace, slowly closed his eyes, found a comfortable position, and then gently nuzzled. His soft hair inadvertently brushed against Jiang Xu, making the latter lift his chin because of the ticklish sensation.

Too skinny.

This was Jiang Xu's first thought as he held the man. He squeezed Gu Qingzhou's shoulder, only feeling bone, and said unconsciously, "You need to eat more."

When Gu Qingzhou was in university, he didn't spend his family's money, working part-time while studying as if to deliberately torture himself. During the busiest times, he couldn't even sleep, let alone eat. Later, when he started working, he had even less time. Hearing this, he didn't say anything, just gave a low "Mm" in response.

Jiang Xu didn't say anything more either. The current atmosphere was quiet and peaceful, finally not as tense and hostile as before. For some reason, he didn't want to break it.

For the next few days, Jiang Xu stayed at Gu Qingzhou's home, and the injuries on the latter's face gradually healed. The spot where the skin had been broken was now just a faint mark, unnoticeable unless you looked closely.

Jiang Xu thought that it would be unjustifiable not to go back to the company soon. He said to Gu Qingzhou, "You go back to the company first. I'll stagger my return by a day and go to work tomorrow."

When it came to the matter of paid leave, he was quite enthusiastic. But Gu Qingzhou didn't give him the chance. He put on his suit jacket, fastened his watch, looking prim and meticulous, and coolly rejected his proposal, "You're coming to work with me."

Normal people wouldn't randomly speculate about their relationship. At most, they would think it was a coincidence. It was just that Jiang Xu himself had a guilty conscience, so he always wanted to distance himself from Gu Qingzhou.

During the few days they spent alone, Gu Qingzhou could be described as obedient. Every day after eating, he would quietly curl up in Jiang Xu's arms to watch TV and play games with him. His sudden transformation back into his cold demeanor at the company was, for a moment, hard to get used to.

Jiang Xu pinned him against the entryway wall, leaned in close to his earlobe, then gave it a light bite, and said slowly in a low voice, "Manager Gu, you change your attitude faster than flipping a book."

After just a few days together, they gradually started to get used to these intimate little actions. Just like how Jiang Xu would habitually hold Gu Qingzhou when sitting on the sofa, it was a subtle change, silent and unnoticed even by himself.

Because of Jiang Xu's light bite, a faint tooth mark appeared on Gu Qingzhou's fair earlobe, which was also slightly red. He silently wrapped his arms around Jiang Xu's waist and asked casually in a low voice, "Have I?"

Jiang Xu's teeth inexplicably itched. He had felt this way before when Gu Qingzhou docked his pay. Back then, Jiang Xu didn't know how to deal with him to vent his anger. A fight wouldn't work, and neither would a scolding. But he later understood that the only way to get satisfaction was to pin the person against a wall and kiss them hard.

This kiss came silently, carrying a small hint of revenge. Gu Qingzhou didn't dodge or evade, tilting his head up to accept it all. Their intricate kisses intertwined, along with low panting sounds, inexplicably rendering the plain air suddenly ambiguous. Just as Jiang Xu was about to leave a tooth mark on Gu Qingzhou's lips, he heard him chuckle lowly, "Aren't you afraid of being seen?"

...

Hearing this, Jiang Xu paused for a second, then pinched Gu Qingzhou's chin and continued his unfinished action, biting his lip lightly. He said in a low, teasing voice, "It's fine. They'll just think your girlfriend left it."

Gu Qingzhou asked, "Then are you my girlfriend?"

Jiang Xu: "I'm a man."

Gu Qingzhou paused and didn't speak. He stood up straight and straightened his slightly messy clothes, only his lower lip was an unnatural shade of red. "If you don't want to go to work, you can go tomorrow."

Jiang Xu's long fingertips pressed against his lip, then he pulled his hand back. "Forget it. A day earlier or later doesn't make much difference. I'll go with you."

Gu Qingzhou glanced at him. "I'm not forcing you."

"Mm, you're not," Jiang Xu said. "I'm going willingly."

After he said this, he saw Gu Qingzhou smile. The aura around him seemed like a melting iceberg, his delight visible to the naked eye. For a moment, he didn't quite understand the reason why, only vaguely sensing that Gu Qingzhou's happiness was perhaps very simple.

When they got in the car, Gu Qingzhou sat in the passenger seat. He habitually looked at his left cheek in the rearview mirror. His gaze swept over the faint, almost invisible mark, then slowly moved down, finally stopping on his slightly red and swollen lips.

He unconsciously pursed them, then withdrew his gaze.

Jiang Xu started the car. Seeing this, he said, "What are you afraid of? It'll fade in a bit."

He hadn't bitten hard.

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhou's fingertips unconsciously caressed his lower lip. The contrast made the white whiter and the red redder, creating a strong visual effect. "Should I thank you for your mercy?"

But Jiang Xu said, "I won't be merciful next time."

When the car arrived downstairs at the company, it was still early, but some people had already arrived. It wasn't convenient for them to go up together. Jiang Xu glanced at Gu Qingzhou and asked, "Are you going up first, or am I?"

Gu Qingzhou said, "You go up first."

He looked at Jiang Xu, as if waiting for something. The latter leaned over slightly, gave him a kiss on the lips, then touched his left cheek before opening the door and getting out of the car.

It's very difficult for a corporate slave to ask for leave. A situation like Jiang Xu's, taking several days off in a row, was as hard as ascending to heaven. Besides female colleagues on maternity leave, you really couldn't find a second person with such treatment.

Li Si'ao was sitting in the office eating breakfast. When he saw Jiang Xu finally come to work, he was just short of giving him a thumbs-up. "Bro, you're amazing. If you hadn't shown up, I'd have thought you went on a journey to the West to retrieve scriptures. What on earth happened? You took so many days off?"

Jiang Xu said, "Didn't I tell you? My lord is sick, I have to take care of him."

Li Si'ao choked on his words. Leaving aside whether Jiang Xu even had a "lord," with his stingy personality, he was actually willing to take so many days off to care for someone? That was completely abnormal, okay?

In conclusion, Li Si'ao could only come to one conclusion: "...Your love for your lord is truly deep."