Yan Yixuan’s face was a mix of complicated emotions. He pulled Ji Ling up and said, “You’ve been holding onto this thought all along, haven’t you?”
Ji Ling, interrupted and a little annoyed, replied, “You’re the one who invited me inside, so don’t act like you don’t know what’s going on.” He raised his knee, and Yan Yixuan let out a soft grunt. “We’re not saints, dragging this on like this is getting weird, don’t you think?”
Yan Yixuan furrowed his brow at Ji Ling’s words. “Do you think I don’t want to? But I know that meeting you will always lead to situations like this…” His eyes locked with Ji Ling’s, full of unspoken complexity. “I’m torn. I want to meet you, but at the same time…”
Yan Yixuan trailed off. Ji Ling, rarely hearing him analyze his feelings, couldn’t resist kissing him.
Yan Yixuan turned his head slightly to avoid it. Ji Ling chuckled softly, finishing the thought for him. “You want to meet me but you’re afraid to?”
Yan Yixuan shot him a glare. “Who’s afraid of you?”
Ji Ling smiled again, leaning in close to whisper in Yan Yixuan’s ear, “I don’t know about you, but whenever I see you, I just want to touch you, kiss you.”
Ji Ling’s voice was hoarse from an old injury to his throat. Normally it wasn’t noticeable, but now, speaking so close to Yan Yixuan’s ear, it was almost overwhelming.
Looking at the man before him, Yan Yixuan realized how much had changed since they first met. He could hardly remember what Ji Ling looked like back then. Over time, Ji Ling had become so confident and radiant, his charm almost innate, irresistibly captivating.
Ji Ling wasn’t short, though his features were still delicate. However, his demeanor had changed. Lately, he had become stronger, his presence more commanding.
The sweet nothings Ji Ling spoke weren’t new to Yan Yixuan, but hearing them now, they felt awkward and like they were brushing against his heart. He lowered his gaze, seeing Ji Ling’s broad shoulders and strong arms from this angle—a perspective he’d never experienced before, and it made him feel strangely uneasy.
But like Ji Ling said, they’d been tangled up for so long. Two grown men, it was mutual, yet they kept holding back, unable to go all the way. If anyone found out, they’d think they were incapable.
Seeing the conflicted look on Yan Yixuan’s face, Ji Ling knew he was caught in an inner battle.
Ji Ling almost wanted to laugh. Didn’t he realize? The more conflicted Yan Yixuan was, the more he was wavering. Once he started feeling something, he started backing down little by little. Ji Ling figured that by now, Yan Yixuan had probably already started playing out scenarios in his head.
This seemingly proud yet gentle young master was simply too endearing.
It was the first time Ji Ling felt this way, especially with someone who wasn’t weak.
Though Ji Ling wanted to be gentle, he knew the time had come. He kissed Yan Yixuan, coaxing him with words, “We can’t just stop here, can we? We’ve come this far—are we really going to stop now?”
Although he was eager, he still asked seriously, “I think we’re at least friends now, don’t you? Do you still think I’m beneath you? If not, why not follow your own desires?”
Yan Yixuan could barely resist, but he still managed to say, “Why don’t you compromise instead?”
Ji Ling laughed, “Isn’t it the young master who’s supposed to be served?” He gazed deeply at Yan Yixuan, his dark eyes glinting, “Maybe I should call you ‘sir’ instead.”
He whispered, “But in my heart, you’ll always be my young master.”
Yan Yixuan thought to himself, he must’ve been charmed by those words.
He was indeed charmed, and that’s why he allowed Ji Ling to continue.
Seeing that Yan Yixuan wasn’t resisting anymore, Ji Ling was overjoyed, inching closer and forcing him into a corner with no way out.
Halfway through, Yan Yixuan still felt like he couldn’t take it, wanting to push Ji Ling away.
But Ji Ling was relentless, his gaze predatory like a wolf, pulling him back, forcing him to feel every inch of it.
Yan Yixuan, unable to fight the temptation, eventually gave in, sinking down with Ji Ling.
When Ji Ling woke up in the morning, he turned his head and saw Yan Yixuan lying beside him. His hair was a little messy, his brow furrowed, clearly not sleeping soundly.
The thought that he was the cause made Ji Ling’s lips curl upward uncontrollably. He lingered in the moment, waiting for Yan Yixuan to wake up.
Although Yan Yixuan looked exhausted, he slept for a long time, and by the time the sun was high, he still hadn’t opened his eyes. Ji Ling couldn’t bear to wake him, so he just waited beside him.
Finally, Yan Yixuan opened his eyes, his gaze landing on Ji Ling. The confusion in his eyes cleared, his expression changing several times before settling on irritation.
Ji Ling smiled and said, “It’s getting late, want to get up and eat something?”
Yan Yixuan grumbled a sleepy “Hmm.”
Ji Ling, not one to back down, added, “The morning light is so good, should we go for another round?”
Yan Yixuan snapped, “Get lost!” He reached out to push him away but was too weak from the soreness to do it with much force.
Ji Ling kissed his hand, smiled, and got out of bed. He brought Yan Yixuan some clothes, which Yan Yixuan accepted with a stoic face.
They took a long time to leave the room. Ji Ling tried to help Yan Yixuan downstairs, but he swatted Ji Ling’s hand away with a glare, walking down slowly on his own.
Ji Ling covered his mouth, trailing behind, afraid he’d laugh and rile Yan Yixuan up again.
When they finally arrived at the dining room, breakfast was the same as last time—rich but also light. Ji Ling helped Yan Yixuan serve some porridge, making Yan Yixuan look at him sideways.
They had just started eating when, to their surprise, Yan Yueshi suddenly showed up.
The three of them instantly fell into an awkward silence. Even a fool could tell there was something unusual going on between the two of them.
Yan Yueshi glanced back and forth between them, her big eyes wide open. Then she looked at Ji Ling and said, “So you guys aren’t just friends.”
“…” Ji Ling had just opened his mouth to speak when Yan Yixuan cut him off with a sharp tone, “We’re friends.”
Yan Yueshi plopped down at the table, grabbed a pastry and stuffed it into her mouth. “Okay, okay, friends. The kind that spends the night together. But brother, you don’t usually bring this kind of ‘friend’ home.”
Yan Yueshi had a big mouth and no filter. Another word out of her and she’d start exposing her brother’s long list of past flings. Yan Yixuan had just been glaring at Ji Ling—now he had to switch targets and glare at his sister. Back and forth like that, his eyes were getting sore.
He changed the subject. “Why are you still here? Don’t you have a job to get to?”
Yan Yueshi pouted. “You’re here too, aren’t you?”
“I’m the boss. Are you?” Yan Yixuan snapped.
Yan Yueshi chewed on a few more bites before finally standing up. “Wow, boss is so impressive.” Her words were defiant, but she knew that if she didn’t head back to work, Yan Yixuan would lecture her nonstop all day.
She turned to Ji Ling with a playful grin. “Bye, Mr. Friend.” Then she strolled out of the dining room to get ready to leave.
Ji Ling smiled at her retreating figure.
Yan Yixuan poked at his breakfast, clearly not in the mood. “Hurry up and eat. You’re driving me to the office after this.”
Ji Ling raised a brow. “Aren’t you gonna rest a bit?”
He shouldn’t have asked—just bringing it up annoyed Yan Yixuan again. “What’s there to rest for?” He dropped his utensils, forced himself to calm down, and added, “Things aren’t stable yet. I have to be at the company.”
Ji Ling got it now.
Yan Yixuan had just taken over as head of the Yan Corporation, and with Yan Yili lurking around, waiting for a slip-up, he couldn’t afford to look like a lazy ruler who slept in and skipped court.
Ji Ling quickly finished his breakfast, grabbed his coat, and followed Yan Yixuan out.
It was already pretty late in the morning. The sun was high, but the winter light wasn’t harsh. It streamed through the car windows, warm and comforting.
This time, Yan Yixuan sat in the backseat. As soon as he got in, he shut his eyes.
They’d gotten back late last night, and after that… well, things got a little intense—Ji Ling had been buzzing with energy.
He could tell Yan Yixuan was dead tired, yet he was still forcing himself to head into work. Ji Ling felt a pang of guilt.
He’d actually wanted to talk to Yan Yixuan last night. But the moment he saw him, all reason flew out the window—his whole body just burned with need. Any thought of care or concern or conversation went straight to the back of his mind.
For once, Ji Ling was reflecting on how much of a beast he’d been.
He knew deep down there was this empty place inside him. And unless it was filled, he’d never feel complete.
And the only person who could fill that space… was Yan Yixuan.
Ji Ling glanced at the rearview mirror, catching sight of Yan Yixuan napping in the back. He was sure the guy was already kicking himself with regret.
Honestly, Ji Ling had kind of taken advantage of the situation last night. And Yan Yixuan hadn’t exactly been convinced—it was more like he’d caved to desire.
When you’re lost in the heat of the moment, anything feels right. But once reality hits, regret follows fast.
Aren’t all men like that?
When they got to the Yan Corporation building, Yan Yixuan opened his eyes right on cue. Without a word, he got out of the car. Ji Ling followed after him and called out, “I’ll come pick you up tonight.”
Yan Yixuan turned and stared at him, clearly stunned. “Don’t. Just take a break.”
Ji Ling laughed softly, meeting his eyes with a warm look. “I just want to talk to you. We didn’t get a chance to talk yesterday.”
Yan Yixuan looked a little flustered, but kept his face tight and put on a tough front. “What’s there to talk about?”
Ji Ling leaned against the car, lips curled in a soft smile. “So… after spending the night together, we can’t even talk now?”
Seeing Ji Ling act so casual and calm made Yan Yixuan lose steam. He mumbled, trying to sound tough, “What’s done is done. I’m not pretending it didn’t happen.” He paused, then added, “Let’s talk on the weekend.”
Ji Ling thought this man was just too damn adorable.
Yan Yixuan straightened his suit and, without another glance, rushed into the building toward the elevators.
Ji Ling watched him go, only getting back into the car after he’d disappeared from sight.
So what if he did take advantage of the moment? He wondered if Yan Yixuan had at least felt a little bit of tenderness.
Too late to regret now.
These kinds of things—once it happens the first time, the second time gets easier. Then the third. And then you’re stuck, unable to climb back out.
That hole in Ji Ling’s heart didn’t just need Yan Yixuan to fill it. He wanted to pull Yan Yixuan into it with him.
Friends?
To hell with being friends.
Ji Ling never pulls his punches—and once he makes a move, he never backs down.
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
