Use Me… But Don’t Fall for Me

Ye Zhiqiu had been called combative before. He wasn’t sure about that, but in this life, he did have a rebellious streak.

In his past life, Qi Xin’s manipulation had made him docile. No, not just docile—afraid.

It was hard to explain, but he knew the cause. Years of manipulation had made him lose himself.

Now, in any relationship, he instinctively wanted control. Especially with Qin Jianhe.

Qin Jianhe was already his boss. If he was also dominant in private, he’d be completely at his mercy.

No way.

So when Qin Jianhe reached out, Ye Zhiqiu stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Jianhe smiled.

“If you want to kiss me,” Ye Zhiqiu said, “why don’t you come here?”

Qin Jianhe laughed, picked something up from the shelf, and came over.

Ye Zhiqiu was suddenly nervous.

The scent of lime soap reached him. Qin Jianhe stood before him, blocking the light.

“I’m here,” he said.

Ye Zhiqiu met his smiling eyes.

“Close your eyes.”

Ye Zhiqiu laughed but obeyed.

He was so innocent.

He expected a kiss, but felt a cool touch on his scratched cheek.

He opened his eyes. Qin Jianhe was applying ointment.

“Second time,” Qin Jianhe said. “What happened this time? Racing? Your family? Your brother?”

Ye Zhiqiu had told him before.

“I let him,” Ye Zhiqiu said. “So my dad would hit him.”

“You used yourself as bait?” Qin Jianhe’s tone was unreadable.

Ye Zhiqiu was quiet. He had.

Like with VIA.

But somehow, Qin Jianhe always saw through him.

His phone rang.

“It rang before,” Qin Jianhe said.

Ye Zhiqiu saw the caller ID. “Who is it?”

“Qi Xin.”

It was. Ye Zhiqiu’s tone cooled.

“What?”

“I’m at your office,” Qi Xin said. “Did you eat?”

“I said I was busy.”

“You have to eat.” Qi Xin tried to sound casual. “A quick meal. A break.”

“I can eat at the cafeteria.” Ye Zhiqiu was dismissive. “Go home.”

“I just want to see you.”

“You want to see me, so I should see you?” Ye Zhiqiu was cold. “My work means nothing?”

Qi Xin was silent, watching the brightly lit lobby.

He felt he’d been too demanding.

“I just miss you.”

Ye Zhiqiu started to answer when Qin Jianhe pulled him onto his lap.

He swore under his breath. How was he supposed to be cold now?

Qin Jianhe’s chest was warm against his back, his breath in his ear.

“Why should I miss you?” Ye Zhiqiu’s voice was hard. “Someone who doesn’t respect me or my work? Am I pathetic?”

“If you can’t handle this, find someone who can. Stop following me.”

Qi Xin apologized. “I was wrong. I miss you, that’s all. Don’t be angry.”

Ye Zhiqiu was quiet. “Tomorrow. Lunch.”

Qin Jianhe’s arm tightened.

“Ye Zhiqiu,” he murmured, “are you keeping him on the hook?”

Ye Zhiqiu covered his mouth. Qin Jianhe kissed his palm.

He pulled his hand back. The call was impossible. He hung up.

“I said, no interference,” Ye Zhiqiu said.

Qin Jianhe jostled him, making his voice warble.

“You’re so childish.”

“What, going to tell me to get lost?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Ye Zhiqiu said. “If you fire me, I’d be the one in trouble.”

He kissed Qin Jianhe’s mouth. “I won’t tell you to get lost.”

“Good.” Qin Jianhe’s voice was rough. He kissed him back.

“Then carry me to bed.”

“In a moment.”

Ye Zhiqiu laughed. Anyone else would have jumped at the chance. He just wanted to kiss.

His phone buzzed. Several messages from Li Ling.

[Soft Little O: Men never change. Gao Wenye called me.]
[Soft Little O: Wants to meet.]
[Soft Little O: Can I make my request now?]

Ye Zhiqiu replied.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Yes. Don’t reply. Enjoy.]

He silenced his phone. “Yours is ringing.”

“Ignore it.”

He carried Ye Zhiqiu to the bed.

Ye Zhiqiu was light, even at 180 cm. He felt like a cloud.

“So thin.”

“Still growing,” Ye Zhiqiu smiled.

The bed was soft, warm. He hid the bottle under the pillow.

Qin Jianhe got in.

“Sleep,” he said, turning off the main light. “Growing boy.”

Ye Zhiqiu rolled toward him. Qin Jianhe held him.

“You could still grow.”

Qin Jianhe’s smile was a soft sound. He pushed back Ye Zhiqiu’s hair, revealing his face.

His gaze was steady, focused.

Ye Zhiqiu closed his eyes.

But nothing happened. Only the sound of breathing.

He looked up. Qin Jianhe was watching him.

“You don’t know what to do?”

He moved, lying on Qin Jianhe’s chest. “Is this some game?”

“No.” Qin Jianhe held him. “You didn’t sleep well.”

Ye Zhiqiu blinked.

He looked so soft, so confused. Qin Jianhe kissed his cheek.

“You brought me here just to sleep?”

He wanted more. The way he held him, kissed him. He wanted it.

Ye Zhiqiu’s smile faded.

“We’re not dating.”

“Not happy?” Qin Jianhe touched his hair.

“If I just wanted to sleep, I could stay home.”

He didn’t want this.

Qin Jianhe’s hand on his back was steady.

“Then let’s do it.”

Ye Zhiqiu was speechless. He sounded like he was discussing business.

He pulled Qin Jianhe’s robe open.

He looked at his body.

“You have abs.”

He touched them.

Qin Jianhe’s eyes darkened. He pulled Ye Zhiqiu down and kissed him.

Ye Zhiqiu swore. “You’re like a dog. Always biting.”

Qin Jianhe rolled over, covering him.

Ye Zhiqiu couldn’t talk anymore.

He found the bottle and handed it to Qin Jianhe.

“You know what to do?”

“I need instruction, Professor Ye.”

Ye Zhiqiu blushed. He whispered in his ear.

* * * *

He didn’t remember much after. Qin Jianhe carried him to the bathroom.

He fell asleep quickly, held in strong arms.

* * * *

He woke to Qin Jianhe’s arms around him. His nose was against Qin Jianhe’s neck.

He smelled of soap, clean and fresh.

Qin Jianhe was awake. He kissed his nose.

Ye Zhiqiu stretched.

Qin Jianhe pinned him down.

Ye Zhiqiu tried to kick him. Qin Jianhe held his ankle.

“You shouldn’t swear.”

He was too tired to be convincing.

“I’m new at this,” he said, rubbing his back.

Qin Jianhe paused, looking at him.

He was first. The body was new.

“Tired?”

“You think?”

Qin Jianhe’s laugh was low, a vibration.

“What do you want to eat? I’ll cook.”

“You cook?”

“A little. What do you want?”

“Anything. As long as I don’t have to cook.”

Qin Jianhe smiled.

“I can cook a little,” Ye Zhiqiu said. “But I won’t. Not for anyone.”

He had cooked for Qi Xin. Never again.

Qin Jianhe touched his hair. “I’ll cook. Rest.”

He went to change.

Ye Zhiqiu closed his eyes but couldn’t sleep.

He checked his phone.

[Soft Little O: You were right. He can’t get enough of me.]
[Soft Little O: Maybe he has three, five years left.]

Ye Zhiqiu’s fingers were heavy. He sent a voice message.

“Get to the point.”

[Soft Little O: That voice. Had a good night? You find someone?]
[Soft Little O: Let me know when you’re done. I’ll take over.]

He was too tired for this.

“Say something useful.”

[Soft Little O: His contract is up. He’s starting his own company. He can get me a contract elsewhere. In exchange for…]

“Fine. Just don’t sign anything bad. I’ll pay what I owe.”

Clothes were folded on the nightstand. A high-necked sweater.

He touched his neck. He put it on.

* * * *

He opened the door.

Sunlight filled the room. The smell of food came from the kitchen.

It felt like home.

Qin Jianhe was adding noodles to boiling water, focused on chopping vegetables.

The light was soft on his face. He looked almost gentle.

Very handsome.

He added the vegetables, checked his watch, and turned.

Ye Zhiqiu was watching, smiling.

“Almost ready?”

“Yes. Sit. I’ll bring it.”

“Do you need help?”

“No.”

Ye Zhiqiu sat in the sun and watched.

Qin Jianhe brought two bowls of vegetable noodles, a dish of shrimp and tofu, and steamed eggs.

“Eat.”

They ate quietly.

Ye Zhiqiu was almost done when Qin Jianhe offered a napkin.

“You’re seeing Qi Xin today.”

“Yes.”

“I saw him the other night. With your brother. He gave him something. Be careful.”

Ye Zhiqiu was unsurprised. They were predictable.

The sun was warm. The man across from him was handsome, calm.

He wasn’t upset.

Qin Jianhe held out his hand.

“Your phone.”

“Why?”

“I won’t look at your messages.”

Ye Zhiqiu gave it to him.

He set up emergency contacts.

“If you need anything, call me.”

Ye Zhiqiu looked at him. “Anytime? Anywhere?”

Qin Jianhe nodded.

“Yes.”