PHWM Chapter 91.1

Mr. Liang’s long-cherished wish fulfilled, he was dazedly carried into the bathroom by President Huo.

 

Liang Xiao was placed in the bathtub, feeling somewhat unreal both physically and mentally, and touched his forehead.

 

President Huo was adjusting the water temperature and, noticing his movement, leaned over to embrace him: “Are you uncomfortable?”

 

“…No,” Liang Xiao murmured. “It’s just different from what I imagined.”

 

He had indeed been looking forward to being pressed against the door and kissed for a long time.

 

In principle, their President Huo had strictly fulfilled every word, but for some reason, the effect seemed somehow not quite right in every aspect.

 

The kiss that fell on him was too tender. He instinctively raised his head to respond, not even thinking to call for help.

 

Liang Xiao carefully recalled the entire process, somewhat puzzled: “Are romance novels this misleading?”

 

President Huo was taken aback, instinctively guessing which part he had failed to do correctly, clenched his fist slightly, and lowered his gaze without speaking.

 

Liang Xiao noticed his reaction, couldn’t help but laugh, and withdrew his thoughts: “It’s nothing.”

 

Liang Xiao leaned on President Huo’s shoulder, soaking in the tub of warm, clear water, his body unconsciously relaxing, his ears reddening: “It’s… it’s quite nice.”

 

He cared deeply for President Huo, so much that whenever he thought about it, he wanted to have a fierce fight with those nonsensical branch families, but he also couldn’t help but love President Huo as he was.

 

Without parents’ love and protection, schemed against by the branch family, facing countless opponents and traps, every day for years had been like treading on thin ice at the edge of an abyss.

 

President Huo had walked through all this step by step, still silent and determined, still clean and cool.

 

Liang Xiao’s thoughts made him feel a bit hot. He pressed his lips together and gently nuzzled against President Huo: “From now on-”

 

Liang Xiao coughed lightly: “We’re completely bound together now, right?”

 

President Huo was slightly startled, instinctively wanted to speak, hesitated for a moment, and held his hand.

 

“This time, neither of us can run away.”

 

Liang Xiao’s mind completely relaxed, and the fatigue from not having closed his eyes for a day and night surfaced. He comfortably rested his head on President Huo’s shoulder: “I’ll rest for a bit… go treat your hand.”

 

President Huo nodded and said softly: “Alright.”

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll wait until you come back to sleep.” Liang Xiao smiled. “Go ahead, I’ll be right here, I won’t run off.”

 

President Huo kissed his forehead and handed him a small snowman he had just made.

 

Liang Xiao: “…”

 

Judging by this level of proficiency, during the time they were apart, their President Huo had probably played with his own pheromones quite often.

 

Liang Xiao suddenly became concerned that he might have been the first to corrupt the clean and cool President Huo, and unconsciously felt a bit guilty. He hurriedly wiped his hands with a towel and carefully accepted it: “No, no need to be so polite…”

 

President Huo’s lips lifted slightly as he carefully helped him lean back steadily, then turned and half-crouched down.

 

Liang Xiao was taken aback by his overly formal posture: “What’s wrong?”

 

President Huo held his hand, his dark eyes deep like still water, with a flash of light passing through them, and closed his eyes.

 

He was always calm and dignified, but suddenly closing his eyes without any defense, his entire demeanor gentle and relaxed, combined with the misty vapor, resembled a kind of serenity that comes after a long journey.

 

Liang Xiao felt President Huo’s slightly rapid pulse through their overlapping palms, was stunned for a moment, and suddenly felt a tightness in his nose before lowering his head with a smile.

 

“In the future… if you want a kiss, it doesn’t need to be so complicated.”

 

Liang Xiao was afraid his breath would melt the little snowman, so he carefully held it at a distance and embraced President Huo, who was quietly waiting with his head slightly raised and eyes closed: “You can kiss whenever you want.”

 

Liang Xiao kissed him earnestly, his lips pressed against President Huo’s brows and lashes, which were moistened by the water vapor, and nuzzled: “No need to exchange it for a little snowman.”

 

President Huo’s ears reddened slightly as he suddenly opened his eyes, tensed his shoulders, and averted his gaze.

 

Unlike Liang Xiao, who talked more when nervous, the more nervous President Huo became, the more silent, dignified, and proper his behavior became, as if he didn’t want to say a single word.

 

Liang Xiao had figured out his temperament back in Jiangnan and couldn’t help but laugh. Not wanting to embarrass President Huo further, he turned back to play with the little snowman on the edge of the bathtub.

 

President Huo squeezed his hand, his heart racing as he stood up with a flushed face and quickly left the bathroom.

 

–

 

Liang Xiao had been rushing between two places and had been pushing himself to film for days. Both physically and mentally exhausted, he had reached his limit.

 

He had sworn he wouldn’t sleep, but by the time President Huo had quickly bandaged his palm wound and hurried back, he was already dozing off at the edge of the bathtub.

 

The little snowman, placed on a towel, had melted by half and was set far away by the sink.

 

President Huo moved gently, supporting him to lean steadily: “Liang Xiao.”

 

Liang Xiao had long lost any wariness toward his scent and footsteps. His eyelashes trembled as he struggled to open a small slit, confirmed it was President Huo, and then nestled into his arms.

 

“I’ll carry you out,” President Huo said softly. “Eat something before sleeping.”

 

Liang Xiao had no strength left in his body and didn’t feel hungry, so he was reluctant: “Don’t want to eat…”

 

President Huo kissed his forehead: “I’ll accompany you.”

 

Liang Xiao was so tired his mind was hazy. Vaguely remembering that President Huo had been tormented by past nightmares all day, he probably couldn’t eat much either. His chest ached, and he tried his best to muster his spirits: “Alright.”

 

Liang Xiao thought for a moment and picked out the most urgent item from his concerns, reaching out to retrieve the snowman.

 

President Huo held him steadily and wrapped him completely in a bath towel: “I’ll make you another one.”

 

Liang Xiao was reluctant: “The next one won’t be this one.”

 

President Huo looked up and helped wipe away the water streaming down from Liang Xiao’s forehead.

 

His movements were particularly gentle. Liang Xiao had quite a few injuries from filming these days, and although he wouldn’t let him ask about them, President Huo could generally tell their origins.

 

President Huo carefully avoided those bruises and wounds, let Liang Xiao lean on his shoulder, and meticulously dried his hair.

 

Liang Xiao was poetic and sighed: “Even snowmen have their own destiny.”

 

President Huo: “…”

 

Unable to persuade him otherwise, President Huo held Mr. Liang with one arm and bent down to pick up the snowman, which had melted into a small ice cone, and placed it in its destined refrigerator.

 

Seeing that he had gone out to bandage his wound, the butler was almost moved to tears with joy and immediately responded by urgently sending food, and even wanted to come in at one point to present Mr. Liang with a banner of honor.

 

President Huo didn’t think Liang Xiao would be interested in a banner and was somewhat uncomfortable with the overly grand display at the door. Then he realized these people were probably afraid he would hurt Mr. Liang, so he didn’t pursue the matter further. He stopped the butler who was calling for someone to make a banner and carried the food back to the room himself.

 

Liang Xiao’s body hadn’t fully recovered yet, and he hadn’t been able to rest properly these days. With excessive physical exertion, he might not be able to sustain himself through the next few days.

 

Liang Xiao yawned, not noticing anything amiss, sitting on President Huo’s lap and imperiously ordering dishes: “Sweet and sour ribs.”

 

President Huo took the chopsticks and picked out two pieces with the most evenly coated sauce, placing them on the rice.

 

Liang Xiao pointed commandingly: “Stir-fried vegetables.”

 

President Huo selected some crisp and tender vegetables and put them in his bowl.

 

Liang Xiao continued imperiously: “Black chicken soup, honey-glazed barbecue pork, beef ribs.”

 

His appetite had never been very large, and President Huo was concerned about him overeating and getting indigestion. After a slight hesitation, he selected the best of each and divided them into the bowl, moving it closer.

 

Liang Xiao carefully examined everything for a long time, very satisfied, and took the chopsticks as well, pushing them in front of him: “You must finish it all.”

 

President Huo was taken aback and looked up at him.

 

Liang Xiao successfully achieved his goal and was very pleased. He happily took another bowl of rice and ate several mouthfuls with the dishes, reaching for a bottle of yogurt.

 

…

 

The physical and mental exhaustion was indeed severe. Liang Xiao didn’t feel hungry, but as he teased President Huo while eating, he unconsciously ate quite a bit.

 

He was extremely tired, nodding off during the last few bites. President Huo took his bowl and chopsticks, put them away, carried him back to the bathroom for a quick wash, and then carried him back to bed.

 

Liang Xiao wasn’t actually very accustomed to being carried around like this and felt somewhat embarrassed. He took a couple of sips of water from President Huo’s hand: “You really don’t need to, I’m fine…”

 

President Huo embraced him, letting Liang Xiao lean on his shoulder: “Conserve your energy.”

 

Liang Xiao didn’t quite understand why he still needed to conserve energy, but he hadn’t been able to be close with President Huo for so long. With his body and mind wrapped in the particularly familiar cool scent, he didn’t want to move away, so he simply adapted to the situation and curled up in his arms.

 

The light was soft, and the curtains completely blocked the light from outside, making it almost impossible to tell whether it was morning or evening.

 

Liang Xiao had more or less accepted his situation, silently reflecting for a while on how “from now on the king would not attend morning court,” yawned, casually grabbed President Huo’s arm to hug, and closed his eyes.

 

–

 

These days had indeed been exhausting, and now that he was completely at ease, the accumulated fatigue and concerns all surfaced. Liang Xiao simply put everything aside and slept deeply.

 

Liang Xiao felt he was sleeping particularly comfortably. In his hazy state, he sensed someone checking his body and measuring his pheromone levels. When he was half-awake, President Huo’s palm covered him, shielding him from chaotic light, shadows, and sounds, allowing him to fall back into a sound sleep.

 

When he opened his eyes again, the tightness in his chest had dissipated considerably.

 

The room was still dark and quiet. Liang Xiao turned over and only then noticed that President Huo was still in bed, one arm around him, quietly sleeping with his eyes closed.

 

The usually decisive and efficient head of Huo Corporation was now sound asleep, his brows still showing traces of his youth, his forehead lightly pressed against his, his expression relaxed and peaceful.

 

Liang Xiao didn’t want to disturb him and carefully shifted, just about to get out of bed to find something to drink, when the arm behind him suddenly tightened, pulling him back into the embrace.

 

Liang Xiao was taken aback and met President Huo’s eyes, which had opened almost in response.

 

“What’s wrong?” Liang Xiao stroked his hair. “Still not sleeping well? It’s alright, I’m here…”

 

President Huo held him and shook his head slightly: “Do you want water?”

 

He clearly hadn’t slept for long, his voice still carrying the drowsiness of just waking up. Liang Xiao’s heart melted, and he leaned up to kiss him: “You sleep well, I can get it myself.”

 

Having slept for so long, Liang Xiao felt he had recovered quite a bit. He supported himself on his arm to sit up, was about to get out of bed, when President Huo pulled him back into his arms.

 

“I really won’t run away.”

 

Liang Xiao laughed and nuzzled against his neck: “How old are you, what are you nervous about?”

 

President Huo shook his head and said softly: “I’ll get it for you.”

 

Liang Xiao understood, sighed lightly, and very maturely patted their President Huo’s back: “Alright.”

 

Once bitten by a snake, one fears ropes for ten years.

 

After passing by each other so many times, they had finally completely cleared up the past. It was only natural that their President Huo was reluctant to let go.

 

Liang Xiao generously donated his leg, letting President Huo hold him steady as he took a few sips of water to moisten his throat, which was hoarse from sleep.

 

“Sleep a bit more?” Liang Xiao leaned on President Huo’s shoulder, carefully examining his complexion. “I won’t bother you anymore, you rest well, and I’ll go look at that small study.”

 

President Huo instinctively took care of him, and undoubtedly couldn’t sleep well while watching over him. Liang Xiao had slept enough now and wanted to go out for some air, so he remembered that room from Jiangnan that President Huo had completely moved back.

 

After learning the whole story, he had been stuck filming with the crew and hadn’t had a chance to come back, so he hadn’t seen it in person yet.

 

Liang Xiao thought for a moment and ultimately couldn’t help but feel concerned, squeezing President Huo’s hand: “Why didn’t you stay there this time?”

 

That room contained many memories of their past, and no matter how painful, going back there would have provided some comfort.

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