We Kissed Behind Closed Doors… Like It Meant Nothing

“Hey—” Ye Zhiqiu started to laugh, but only managed that one word before his lips were caught.

Qin Jianhe leaned in, kissing him deeply.

The cold door frame pressed against his shoulder, a faint ache. He started to pull back, but Qin Jianhe’s warm hand moved to his shoulder, pulling him close.

They shifted. Qin Jianhe leaned against the door, still kissing him.

He didn’t know how he was so strong. His lips were fierce, his hand on Ye Zhiqiu’s waist like iron, impossible to move.

A knock.

Ye Zhiqiu tried to push him away. Qin Jianhe didn’t seem to notice, following his lips.

The knocking stopped. The office was quiet again. Just their breathing.

After a long moment, Qin Jianhe finally lifted his head. The deep kiss became soft, light.

“You…” Ye Zhiqiu pushed at his shoulder.

Qin Jianhe smiled, holding him close, leaning against the door, looking down at him.

“I have a lot of energy,” he said, his voice low, with a hint of something else. It made Ye Zhiqiu’s ears warm.

“You called me up to act like this?” He tried to sound cold, but his face was flushed, his eyes wet.

“Yeah.” Qin Jianhe was shameless. He smiled.

“I missed you.” He paused. “I went to the stairwell yesterday. You weren’t there.”

Ye Zhiqiu’s fist relaxed.

He looked away. “Serves you right.”

Still, Qin Jianhe held him.

“Who was at the door?”

“Doesn’t matter.” Qin Jianhe led him to the sofa by the window.

He called for milk and pastries, as always.

When they were alone, he opened a drawer and took out a small, delicate tin.

“You liked this,” he said, handing it over.

Ye Zhiqiu was curious. Still a little annoyed, he was easily distracted by the treats.

Qin Jianhe watched him.

Ye Zhiqiu was complicated. Sometimes light, often innocent. Quick to take offense, quick to let go.

It made him vivid, alive. A little mysterious.

Ye Zhiqiu tried to open the tin. Qin Jianhe took it back, pressing his thumb against the lid.

Inside was a piece of chocolate.

“It’s the right size,” he said, handing it back. “Just enough to satisfy.”

Ye Zhiqiu swallowed his complaint about the small portion.

“Personal stuff done? What about business?”

He paused. “Did you unlock the door?”

Qin Jianhe went and unlocked it.

“About your assistant. Still no?”

Ye Zhiqiu would be abroad. He could only take two people.

“No.”

“Zhou Lang took yours?”

Ye Zhiqiu bit into the chocolate. “Probably.”

If Sun Chaoyang could join Zhou Lang’s team, he would have. If not, this timing was suspicious.

His other assistants hadn’t mentioned it. He didn’t ask.

“I don’t need him,” Ye Zhiqiu said. “I can ask Meng Da if I need someone.”

Qin Jianhe nodded.

“The model list is ready. They’re all new?”

“Yes. They suit my style.”

Qin Jianhe was quiet.

“It’s your first show. Most people play it safe. We could get you anyone.”

He was careful. If he had said “shouldn’t you play it safe,” Ye Zhiqiu might have been annoyed.

He was more sensitive with him. More demanding. He didn’t like being challenged.

He was often so focused on that, he forgot their positions.

But Qin Jianhe didn’t say that. He just said most people play it safe. He wasn’t questioning his decision.

Ye Zhiqiu relaxed.

“Do you trust me?”

“Logically, I trust results.” Qin Jianhe smiled. “But emotionally, I want to trust you.”

“We’ll see.”

He finished the milk, the sweets. He was about to leave.

“Dinner tonight?”

“What kind of dinner?” Ye Zhiqiu smiled.

Qin Jianhe was quiet.

“My team is celebrating.” Ye Zhiqiu smiled. “If you can’t wait, you have hands.”

“Thank you, Professor Ye,” Qin Jianhe said.

Another knock. Ye Zhiqiu left, smiling.

Meng Da was there. He was surprised.

“Xiao Ye?”

“Talking with the boss about the show.”

Meng Da looked at Qin Jianhe. He didn’t think Qin Jianhe liked Ye Zhiqiu.

“Go ahead,” he said quietly. “I’ll handle it.”

Ye Zhiqiu left, hiding his smile.

* * * *

With the clothes and models ready, Gao Yang, Wang Ru, and Zhang Lan relaxed.

Before leaving, Gao Yang booked a place for a team dinner.

Ye Zhiqiu had been so busy, they’d never eaten together.

It was near the office. They waited for Ye Zhiqiu.

Wang Ru and Gao Yang were going to the show. Zhang Lan was staying.

She was reliable, steady.

Wang Ru was careful. Gao Yang spoke English, could help.

They all trusted Ye Zhiqiu.

“Zhou Lang is taking Sun Chaoyang,” Gao Yang said.

“He said he would,” Zhang Lan said.

“After he left the boss’s office, he sent apologies to the factories.” Wang Ru laughed. “If he’d done it sooner, it wouldn’t have been on the website.”

“Maybe things are changing,” Gao Yang said.

“Not really,” Zhang Lan said. “But now, power is more balanced. The resources won’t be in just one or two hands.”

Ye Zhiqiu came in.

“I’m paying tonight,” he said.

“I should have picked a more expensive place,” Gao Yang said.

“It’s fine. You can go out after. I’ll cover it.”

They cheered.

“Tomorrow, you’re off,” he said.

More cheers. A long weekend.

“I’ll come in tomorrow,” Wang Ru said. “The pieces need to be packed.”

“I’ll do it,” Ye Zhiqiu said. “Be careful tonight. Text when you get home.”

They agreed, though they found it funny. He was the youngest, telling them to be careful.

“You too,” Wang Ru said.

He smiled.

* * * *

After dinner, they went to a bar. Ye Zhiqiu went home.

He had work to do. He needed to prepare backup pieces, cut extra fabric.

He had dealt with Lin Qunsheng. But Zhou Lang was different.

He was taking his place. He needed to be ready.

He would be at the office all weekend.

* * * *

At home, the lights were on. Ye Hongxian and Ye Zheng were eating. Tao Ruoqing was on the phone.

“Speak of the devil,” she said. “Let me ask him.”

She hung up.

“Those wives, now that you’re at Q.L., they’re all asking me about the Qin family’s eldest son.”

“What do they want to know?” Ye Zhiqiu asked.

“They want to marry into that family.” She laughed. “Dreamers.”

She was bitter. Her own plans for Ye Zhixia were failing. Others asking about Qin Jianhe was salt in the wound.

“I don’t know him,” Ye Zhiqiu said.

“I told them that. He’s not someone anyone can get close to.”

Ye Hongxian frowned. He wanted Ye Zhiqiu to connect with the Qins.

Ye Zhiqiu sat down.

“Mom, Dad, Brother. I’m going to move out. It’ll give Ye Zhixia space. Maybe he’ll calm down.”

Ye Zheng’s chopsticks paused.

“No,” Tao Ruoqing said.

She already knew. Tang Le had told her. Ye Zhiqiu wasn’t suspicious. He just wanted to avoid Ye Zhixia.

She still said no.

Ye Hongxian was the most upset.

Ye Zhiqiu was his son. His only son with Lan Yue.

If he moved out, he would be an outsider.

“Stay home,” he said. “Brothers fight.”

“We’ve fought before.” Ye Zhiqiu touched his cheek. “You saw.”

“And I’m working late. I need to be closer to the office.”

“Your father will find you a place,” Ye Hongxian said.

Tao Ruoqing looked at him.

All her work, and he still wanted his son close.

“If you’re tired, I’m worried,” she said. “I’ll come with Aunt Zhao to clean. You’ll come home on weekends.”

“A cleaner is easier,” Ye Zhiqiu said. “Weekends, maybe. I’ll come for dinner if I can.”

He looked at Ye Hongxian. “You’re busy. I’ll ask Baobao and Shaojun to help.”

“That’s fine,” Ye Hongxian said. “Shaojun is reliable.”

“Next week, I’m going to New York for the show. Then London. Almost two weeks.”

He had prepared. The shows in Milan and Paris, he would skip. Gao Yang and Wang Ru would handle things.

He had missed school, his leatherwork. He had put everything aside.

He needed to focus.

* * * *

Upstairs, he showered and made notes. When he was done, he tore them up.

He sent a message to the group, telling them he was moving, inviting them to dinner tomorrow.

He went to sleep.

* * * *

The next day, he worked. At the end of the day, the group chat was active.

Li Shaojun, Jin Baobao, and Tang Le were at a restaurant near the office, waiting.

He smiled. Li Shaojun and Jin Baobao were the only ones who could touch the softest part of his heart.

He was about to leave when he thought of Qin Jianhe.

He said he had waited in the stairwell.

He put down his jacket, took his cigarettes, and went to the stairs.

The light came on. He climbed a few steps. Qin Jianhe was there, smiling.

“You found me,” Ye Zhiqiu said.

“Tomorrow, I’m going to Hong Kong. You’ll be in London when I’m back.” Qin Jianhe’s smile was soft. “I’ll miss you.”

Ye Zhiqiu pointed at his chest, then lower.

“Which part misses me?” he asked.

Qin Jianhe didn’t know what love was. But he knew desire.

He desired Ye Zhiqiu.

“Obvious,” Ye Zhiqiu said. “Why do you have to think about it?”

His hand moved.

Qin Jianhe caught his wrist.

“The other day, in the stairwell. Did you post that photo?”

Ye Zhiqiu showed him.

“Sharing a cigarette feels this wonderful, like countless late nights when we are in an embrace, kissing.”

“Good caption?” Ye Zhiqiu asked.

“Mm.” Qin Jianhe lit a cigarette. “Want to try?”

Ye Zhiqiu took the cigarette from his fingers.

The citrus and mint mingled in his mouth. They shared it until it was gone.

“What did you say to Qi Xin?” Qin Jianhe asked.

“Nothing.”

“He threw the bottle away.”

“You followed him?”

“I was worried.”

Ye Zhiqiu was quiet. Then, “Don’t do it again.”

“Okay.” Qin Jianhe kissed him. “Come home with me.”

“I have plans.”

His phone rang. Li Shaojun.

“What’s taking so long?” Li Shaojun asked.

“On my way.”

“We’re eating.”

“Your voice sounds weird. You sick?”

Qin Jianhe lit another cigarette, smiling.

“Don’t smoke if you’re sick.”

“I’m not.”

“What do you want in a place? I found some online. I’ll check them out if you’re busy.”

“I’ll tell you later.”

He hung up.

“You’re moving?”

“Yes.”

“Move in with me.”

“We’re not at that point.”

He tried to leave, but Qin Jianhe held his wrist.

“I have empty apartments near here.”

“That sounds like being your kept man.”

Qin Jianhe laughed. “I’ll charge rent.”

“How big? My stepmother will visit. If it’s bigger than my family’s house, she’ll be jealous.”

He felt the grip on his wrist tighten. He was right.

“There’s a smaller one,” Qin Jianhe said.

“I’ll see it when I’m back.” Ye Zhiqiu looked at his wrist. “I have to go.”

He was leaving for weeks. Qin Jianhe had just started. It would be hard.

“Where are you eating?” Qin Jianhe asked. “I’ll pick you up.”

Ye Zhiqiu softened. “I’ll come to your place.”

His cigarette was almost done.

“Okay,” Qin Jianhe said. “I’ll wait.”