Kiss Me Where He Can See

This kiss had been sparked by Ye Zhiqiu. At this moment, one of his hands was holding the hem of Qin Jianhe’s tie, his little finger even wrapped around it twice.

As he wound the tie around his finger, he instinctively glanced at the silver ring on Qin Jianhe’s little finger.

The ring was antique, its luster subdued, making Qin Jianhe’s fingers look even longer and imbuing them with a certain restrained quality.

As he wrapped it a second time, he pulled gently, tugging Qin Jianhe down toward him.

Everything unfolded naturally, a fusion of fire and water, fervent and devout.

Even Ye Zhiqiu, with his calculating nature, quickly lost himself in the heat of the kiss.

He even began to forget that his original intention had merely been to spite Jiang Nan, who was surely following close behind.

He had started the fire, but the power to extinguish it was not in his hands.

Finally, perhaps noticing that the car door wasn’t fully closed, Qin Jianhe pulled Ye Zhiqiu closer, leaned over, and slammed it shut with a bang.

The soft thud startled Ye Zhiqiu, and for a moment, he wasn’t sure if Qin Jianhe had seen Jiang Nan.

If he had, what would he think?

But this thought was fleeting.

Because Ye Zhiqiu quickly realized he didn’t need to bear this burden at all.

His relationship with Qin Jianhe was exactly what it was.

And he had never hidden anything from Qin Jianhe.

He pushed himself up, pressing Qin Jianhe back against the seat, and looked down at him.

“President Qin, want to try it in the car?” he asked.

In his past life, to accommodate Qi Xin, he had kept his nature in check.

Later, he wasn’t even sure what his true nature was anymore.

Thinking back, he had lived diligently and rigidly for ten years, never really indulging himself like he had before turning nineteen.

Now, with the mood upon him, he genuinely wanted to try.

Especially with Qin Jianhe.

With his build and looks, it would be impossible not to feel something, no matter the setting.

The muscles beneath him tensed.

Qin Jianhe’s hand steadied itself on Ye Zhiqiu’s waist again.

Ye Zhiqiu thought he might say something teasing, but Qin Jianhe just looked at him in silence.

After a long moment, he finally smiled.

“Are you serious?”

“What do you think?” Ye Zhiqiu asked.

Qin Jianhe didn’t answer.

He pulled Ye Zhiqiu back down and kissed him.

But this time, he didn’t kiss his lips.

He tilted his head up slightly, pressing his hot, soft lips against Ye Zhiqiu’s nose, kissing the small, light pink mole on its tip.

Feeling a gentle bite, Ye Zhiqiu laughed and cursed, “Just tell me, are you a dog or something?”

Qin Jianhe laughed softly.

He tightened his arms around Ye Zhiqiu, pulling him closer, and rested his forehead against his.

They looked up at each other almost simultaneously, both with smiling eyes.

“Alright,” Qin Jianhe said. “When it gets a little warmer.”

The iced coffee on a summer street in New York.

The passionate promise in the car, a little later.

The next fashion week…

It seemed without even trying, they had already made so many promises to each other.

Qin Jianhe laughed softly, unconsciously squeezing Ye Zhiqiu’s hand.

Having just come out of the venue, his hand wasn’t cold this time.

“Hungry?” he asked with a smile. “What do you feel like eating?”

Ye Zhiqiu could think of many things. He tilted his head to consider.

As he turned, he saw Jiang Nan still standing stiffly by the entrance of the venue, staring fixedly at the car.

He had even forgotten Jiang Nan was there for a moment.

Ye Zhiqiu looked away.

“How about,” he smiled, “the Hunan place near the company?”

He wrinkled his nose. “So certain people don’t act like I owe them something.”

Qin Jianhe laughed. “Let’s try somewhere else.”

Ye Zhiqiu: “…”

“Wait, you enjoy being owed that much?” Ye Zhiqiu asked.

“Mm.” Qin Jianhe said. “It feels good to be your creditor.”

He squeezed Ye Zhiqiu’s waist.

“Want to pay in kind, Ye Zhiqiu?”

Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu laughed so hard he fell against Qin Jianhe’s chest, and it was a long moment before he looked up again.

“There’s a place that does a good health pot,” Qin Jianhe said, his expression barely changed compared to Ye Zhiqiu’s tearful laughter. “I’ll take you to have some soup.”

* * * *

He didn’t know how long he stood there, until his legs were numb and his muscles stiff with pain, but finally the car started, slowly pulled out of the parking space, merged into the traffic, and soon disappeared.

Jiang Nan felt dazed, everything unreal.

In the instant Qin Jianhe looked up to close the door, their eyes had met, very briefly.

He had never seen those eyes so deep, as if moist, every eyelash radiating sensuality and heat.

But then, they quickly went cold.

It felt unfamiliar, shocking, and caused him a pain like ten thousand arrows piercing his heart.

“Director Jiang,” someone called from behind.

It took Jiang Nan a moment to snap out of it and turn around.

A colleague had come to ask him about a modification issue.

“What is it?” Jiang Nan asked.

The other woman started to speak, but paused.

Jiang Nan’s complexion was terrible, pale and gray, with no color at all in his lips.

“Director… Director Jiang,” the young woman, startled, hurried forward and took his arm.

“Are you okay? Are you feeling unwell? Should I call an ambulance?”

Jiang Nan didn’t answer for a long time.

Just as his colleague was starting to feel at a loss, he finally shook his head.

“Did you need something?” he asked again.

“Model A877, the client wants to know if we can remove the metal buckle from the front and replace it with a fabric clasp.”

“Go ahead,” Jiang Nan said.

“Okay.” There was still a lot to do, but she was worried. “Can I get you some hot water?”

“No need,” Jiang Nan said. “I have some in my car.”

He paused. “Go on. I just need to rest for a bit.”

* * * *

Jiang Nan’s car was parked in the space in front of the venue.

After his colleague went back inside, he walked out, opened the car door, and sat down.

He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

It was the familiar citrus and mint scent.

The brand Qin Jianhe smoked.

It was a scent he usually loved, but now, as the heat hit his throat, he felt like crying.

Jiang Nan hugged his head, curled slightly, and began to tremble.

He greedily sucked on the cigarette between his fingers.

Every time he had smoked this brand before, it felt like the deeper he inhaled, the closer he got to Qin Jianhe.

But now, even though he smoked more deeply than ever, all he could see was Qin Jianhe holding Ye Zhiqiu tightly.

Holding him so tight, looking at him with eyes so deep, as if the person in his arms was a priceless treasure.

So even the aloof Qin Jianhe could be so passionate…

He finished the cigarette quickly.

Sitting in the driver’s seat in a daze, he suddenly remembered something.

He reached for his phone and dialed Qi Xin.

* * * *

Qi Xin answered surprisingly quickly.

He had arrived in Paris at three in the morning.

Not long after, he noticed that Ye Zhiqiu had unblocked him.

Qi Xin was overjoyed.

But after sending two messages and receiving no reply, he wilted again.

Ye Zhiqiu’s heart was like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

No matter how he guessed or thought, he couldn’t seem to grasp even a corner of it.

He could only crouch carefully in the dark, watching.

It wasn’t a pleasant feeling, but it was full of excitement and challenge.

Although he had just endured a long flight and was exhausted, Qi Xin had no desire to sleep once he reached his hotel.

Every few minutes, he would check his phone, to see if Ye Zhiqiu had replied, or if Ye Zhiqiu had posted anything new on his Moments.

He tossed and turned anxiously until five in the morning, when the deep black of the sky had turned to a hazy grey.

Finally, his phone rang.

Thinking it was Ye Zhiqiu, Qi Xin answered immediately, so excited he didn’t even bother to look at the caller ID.

Unfortunately, the voice on the other end wasn’t Ye Zhiqiu’s. It was Jiang Nan.

“Qi Xin,” Jiang Nan said, before he could speak, “why haven’t you been at the venue the last couple of days?”

“I’ve been busy with other things,” Qi Xin said vaguely. “What’s up?”

Although he hadn’t been there, his colleagues had been keeping him updated on the show.

Qiyun’s exhibitions were more successful each time, orders growing daily.

Qi Xin almost wished the show would never end.

So even when Jiang Nan called, he wasn’t worried.

He was lost in fantasies of seeing Ye Zhiqiu.

Ye Zhiqiu might still be cold, might be angry…

But Paris was so romantic. He would just have to coax him properly. He would cheer up.

Ye Zhiqiu probably wanted to see him too, right?

Otherwise, why would he have proactively unblocked him?

Qi Xin was gleeful.

“Do you know who I saw at the venue today?” Jiang Nan’s voice had a strange, gloomy quality.

Qi Xin frowned, finally sensing something was wrong.

Jiang Nan had always maintained a good image in front of him, even if he never gave him a chance.

He had never heard this tone from him before.

“Who?” Qi Xin asked, instinctively feeling that this person must be closely connected to both him and Jiang Nan.

“Ye Zhiqiu,” Jiang Nan said, his voice growing even colder.

Qi Xin was stunned.

He held the phone, and it was a long moment before he stirred.

“What?” he asked.

“Ye Zhiqiu came to the show today,” Jiang Nan said.

He paused, as if realizing something.

“What? He didn’t even tell you he was back in the country?”

Qi Xin: “…”

Qi Xin felt like he had fallen into an ice crevice.

He had just told Ye Zhiqiu he was coming to Paris to see him.

He hadn’t even mentioned that he was already back.

His beautiful fantasies shattered in an instant.

Qi Xin’s expression darkened too.

He was about to deny it, but before he could speak, Jiang Nan let out a cold laugh.

“And you say he really likes you?”

Qi Xin didn’t like hearing that.

His brow furrowed deeply.

“How is he not sincere with me?” he asked.

“Would you give up your holiday time to stay up all night working on designs for someone you didn’t like? Would you, in the busiest time before an exhibition, stay up until three in the morning drawing designs on a cold winter night for someone you didn’t like? Would you… would you put someone else’s name on your own designs?”

With each question, Qi Xin grew more confident.

Yes, Ye Zhiqiu did like him.

He was just temperamental, just a little spoiled and willful.

On the other end, Jiang Nan was silent for a long time.

He had no answer for Qi Xin’s words.

Those designs could not have been drawn in a short time.

They clearly represented a great deal of the designer’s effort.

Otherwise, how could Qiyun have broken out even slightly with such a poor start?

“You’d better be right about all that,” Jiang Nan murmured.

“Jiang Nan.” Each sentence tonight was more uncomfortable than the last.

He had tolerated it last time because Jiang Nan was drunk, but this time, he couldn’t.

“You know my feelings for you aren’t ordinary. Don’t you think it’s unfair to me to talk like this every time?”

“There’s nothing unfair about it,” Jiang Nan said, and hung up.

Compared to the cuckold’s horns Ye Zhiqiu was putting on Qi Xin, he felt he was being extremely fair to him.

If he hadn’t caught himself, he might have blurted out the truth about Ye Zhiqiu and Qin Jianhe.

But his reason was still there. He couldn’t say it.

If what Qi Xin said was true, then there might still be a slim chance for Ye Zhiqiu and Qi Xin.

But if he revealed it, everything would be over.

Jiang Nan lit another cigarette.

Through the swirling smoke, he seemed to see Qin Jianhe’s face again.

His lashes were slightly moist, his eyes deep and intense, but this time, he wasn’t looking at Ye Zhiqiu. He was looking at him.

Jiang Nan smiled slightly, reaching out involuntarily.

The smoke instantly dissipated, leaving nothing before him.

His expression darkened again.

* * * *

At the same time, a steaming clay pot was just being placed on the table.

It was still bubbling, the fragrant steam rising along with the heat.

A few side dishes had also been served, all light and refreshing, along with a bowl of poached sliced pork in hot oil that looked particularly appetizing.

Ye Zhiqiu pressed his lips together and eagerly picked up his chopsticks.

“Their poached sliced pork is more fragrant than spicy,” Qin Jianhe said, smiling at his eager expression. “You should like it.”

Ye Zhiqiu took a bite first.

The meat was tender, and indeed, it was only slightly spicy, the aroma filling his mouth.

“Mm,” he nodded.

“Eat more.” Qin Jianhe used the serving chopsticks to put food on his plate.

After a couple of bites, Ye Zhiqiu carefully spooned some of the hot soup, blew on it, and took a sip.

The oxtail soup was very fragrant, the white radishes and potatoes stewed until soft and flavorful.

He loved it immediately.

“Delicious,” he said, his eyes curving.

Qin Jianhe smiled faintly, but said nothing.

After the meal, Qin Jianhe drove Ye Zhiqiu home to rest, then returned to the company.

“The streaming apps on the TV all have subscriptions,” Qin Jianhe said before leaving. “And there are plenty of books in the study. You can look at them.”

* * * *

Qin Jianhe’s study was on the top floor, its decoration somewhat similar to his office.

But by the window, there was a lounge chair, the sunlight falling upon it, making it look very comfortable.

The study had a large collection of books, the shelves on two walls packed full.

Ye Zhiqiu looked around. Most were on finance or fashion design.

There were a few novels, but all were English originals.

He flipped through a couple of pages, found them a bit difficult, and put them back.

This was the first time Ye Zhiqiu had come this close to Qin Jianhe’s life.

If before they could be considered close, it was only physically.

Ye Zhiqiu hadn’t thought about understanding Qin Jianhe on a deeper level.

But now, he was beginning to learn, little by little, what books he had read, or what books he liked to read.

Ye Zhiqiu walked slowly, taking in the titles on the shelves.

When he reached a corner, he stopped.

One shelf up, at a height convenient for Qin Jianhe to reach, was a complete set of the Slam Dunk manga.

Instinctively, Ye Zhiqiu smiled.

He reached up, took the first few volumes of the manga, then sat down on the lounge chair by the window, opened a book, and started reading leisurely.

Although located in the heart of the business district, Qin Jianhe’s apartment was in the center of the complex, and the noise from the traffic outside was almost completely inaudible.

Only the warm sunlight shone through the glass, falling on him, incredibly warm and comfortable.

Just as he was finishing the first volume, Ye Zhiqiu’s eyelids began to feel heavy.

But then, his phone rang.

His drowsiness vanished.

Ye Zhiqiu picked up his phone and opened the chat app.

It was Li Ling, who had been quiet for a while.

[Soft Little O: When are you coming back?]

But Li Ling wasn’t really asking when Ye Zhiqiu was coming back, because he kept talking on his own.

[Soft Little O: I signed a contract today. With Gao Wenye’s friend’s company, Huayi. Heard of it?]

[Soft Little O: My first role is with Movie King Meng. Hahahaha. Playing his flirtatious childhood friend. Perfect for me, right? The role’s a bit small though. QAQ.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Isn’t it great to be in a movie right from the start?]

[Soft Little O: Tsk, tsk, tsk. Gao Wenye got this for me by giving up some conditions on his own next project. The entertainment industry really is a big trading floor. Interesting. Makes me not want to introduce him to my girlfriends anymore.]

Ye Zhiqiu laughed.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: From now on, whenever you attend an event, you can pick whatever custom piece you want from me. I guarantee you’ll outshine all your competitors. How about that?]

[Soft Little O: It’s a deal.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: It’s a deal. Now can you get to the point?]

[Soft Little O: Although Gao Wenye is still crazy about me, he has indeed been planning to get serious with Ye Zhixia.]

[Soft Little O: Also, his new company has been officially registered. He’s already quietly signed a few young actors. He’ll probably announce it to the public soon.]

[Soft Little O: He has some film offers, nothing spectacular, but enough to support the new company for now. He also plans to sign me to his company in a couple of years, once his relationship with Ye Zhixia is more stable.]

This was probably also Tao Ruoqing’s intention.

The more Ye Zhixia’s feelings for Gao Wenye were suppressed, the more violently they would rebound in the future.

Even if they could temporarily hide it from Ye Hongxian now, something bigger would inevitably erupt later.

In contrast, as another child of Ye Hongxian, Ye Zhiqiu had recently been shining brightly at Fashion Week, gaining immense acclaim.

Not to mention the rumor with Zhao Keqi.

If Ye Zhixia were to cause another scandal later, by comparison, Ye Hongxian might very well completely give up on him and throw him out of the Ye family.

Then all their years of scheming would be for nothing.

Under these circumstances, rather than suppressing Ye Zhixia’s relationship with Gao Wenye, it would be better to find a way to get Ye Hongxian to accept it, which would be more reliable.

This required a change in Gao Wenye’s status.

And starting his own company was the most direct way.

At the same time, since Ye Zhixia was now the confirmed heir to the Ye family fortune, Gao Wenye probably wouldn’t want to wait any longer.

Ye Zhixia was nineteen. Gao Wenye was already over thirty.

In a few more years, time would start to leave its marks on him, while Ye Zhixia would still be in his prime.

If Ye Zhixia changed his mind one day, he would be left with nothing.

Both sides were eager. It was expected.

Although he didn’t know yet how Tao Ruoqing would manage it, or how she would convince Ye Hongxian, this time, Ye Zhixia and Gao Wenye’s happy event would likely come earlier than in his past life.

Possibly by quite a bit.

The smile on Ye Zhiqiu’s lips deepened.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Will you go?]

[Soft Little O: Am I stupid? Ye Zhixia sees me as a thorn in his side. Would I walk right into his trap? But…]

Li Ling started breathing heavily here.

[Soft Little O: But by then, Gao Wenye probably won’t be completely fixated on me anymore. I’ve found him several other people who are about my equal. In the future, they’ll be fighting and arguing amongst themselves. They won’t even remember that my contract was supposed to be transferred over.]

[Soft Little O: And those ones aren’t as easygoing as me. If Gao Wenye actually signs them, they’ll really dare to start a war with Ye Zhixia.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: You’ve put a lot of thought into this.]

[Soft Little O: Ye Zhiqiu, you’re the most cunning person I’ve ever met. I admire you, I like you, I want to play along. If you ever need anything, just say the word.]

Ye Zhiqiu smiled and sent a red envelope.

It was neither the right season nor occasion. He couldn’t think of a reason. After a moment, he typed a few words.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: New Year’s money, in advance.]

[Li Ling: f*ck!]

A moment later, the system prompted: The recipient has accepted your red envelope.

Ye Zhiqiu put his phone down and continued reading his manga.

When he finished the second volume, the sky had already darkened.

He checked his watch; it was almost quitting time.

Ye Zhiqiu stood up, put on his slippers, and went downstairs.

Although he had said he would never cook for anyone again in this life, he still had to eat himself.

And Qin Jianhe had already cooked for him several times.

Ye Zhiqiu felt he shouldn’t take too much advantage.

He went into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and saw neatly arranged eggs, vegetables, and noodles.

The freezer next to it was even more fully stocked with various fresh ingredients.

Not wanting to make anything too complicated, Ye Zhiqiu took out the vegetables, eggs, and noodles.

He was about to start washing the vegetables when his phone rang. It was Wang Ru.

Although he had explained everything before he left, without Ye Zhiqiu there, Wang Ru and Gao Yang still felt uneasy.

They had been asking him all sorts of questions, one after another.

The call lasted over ten minutes.

When Ye Zhiqiu finally put down his phone, he saw that Qin Jianhe had sent him a message a while ago.

[QIN: What do you want to eat? I’ll go to the supermarket and make it for you at home.]

Ye Zhiqiu looked at the bright green spinach on the counter and couldn’t help but smile.

He held his phone in his hand for a moment before replying.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: I’ve already started cooking. You should be back just in time.]

After sending the message, Ye Zhiqiu took an apron from behind the door and put it on.

Then he started washing the vegetables, cutting them…

Just as bubbles began to rise in the pot of boiling water, he heard the door open behind him.

Qin Jianhe was back.

He was dressed in formal wear, his coat casually draped over his arm.

As soon as he entered, he looked toward the kitchen.

Steam was rising from the kitchen. Ye Zhiqiu was just putting the noodles into the pot, looking up with a smile.

“Go wash your hands. It’ll be ready soon.”

The man seemed to answer, or maybe he didn’t.

The sound of bubbles bursting in the pot seemed to block out all outside noise.

The broth bubbled.

Ye Zhiqiu dropped two poached eggs into the pot, then added the prepared vegetables.

Just as he was about to turn around, his waist was suddenly encircled.

Someone pressed up against him from behind.

Qin Jianhe wrapped his arms around Ye Zhiqiu’s waist, pulling him close.

He looked down, watching the thin apron strings trace the slender lines of Ye Zhiqiu’s waist, and couldn’t help calling his name, his voice slightly hoarse.

“Ye Zhiqiu.”

“Hm?” Ye Zhiqiu looked up at him with a smile, and was turned around and pressed against the kitchen counter for a kiss.

The moment he walked in the door, seeing the steam rising from the kitchen, seeing Ye Zhiqiu bustling about inside, Qin Jianhe’s heart had suddenly softened.

This was a scene he had thought he would never see in his home.

He had thought it would be fine if it never appeared, but now that it had, he realized that some empty place inside him had finally been filled.

“You don’t have to cook,” Qin Jianhe said, kissing Ye Zhiqiu for a moment before looking up. “I’ll do it.”

Ye Zhiqiu blinked.

Somehow, Qin Jianhe smiled.

He suddenly realized what it was that had filled his heart in that instant.

It was happiness.

Not because Ye Zhiqiu was in the kitchen, but because Ye Zhiqiu was in his home.

For all these years since moving in, he had been the only one coming and going.

Now, for the first time, someone he really liked, someone he wanted to see immediately after work, was waiting for him at home.

It turned out that this simple, human warmth, once so foreign to him, was worth everything.