Chapter 35 "Please, sleep with me"

The night was deep, but the estate remained brightly lit with perpetual lanterns. 

After the New Year’s Eve vigil, 

everyone had retired to their rooms, leaving the mansion so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Not wanting to disturb others by lingering in the hallway, 

Huaixu silently took Jing Zhengxuan’s hand, 

and the two wandered for a while before finally returning to Jing Zhengxuan’s room.

The layout mirrored Huaixu’s own—an entrance foyer leading to a suite divided into a sitting area, study, and bedroom, complete with a walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom.

The room was furnished with grand, polished rosewood furniture, exuding a rich historical aura. 

Antiques and curios were casually displayed on shelves, as if they were ordinary trinkets.

The moment they stepped inside, Jing Zhengxuan pulled Huaixu into a tight embrace, nuzzling his face and complaining in his ear, 

"So annoying. It’s been forever since I kissed you."

He then peppered Huaixu’s face with kisses—starting from his earlobe, trailing along his cheek, and finally lingering at the corner of his lips.

But Huaixu wasn’t in the mood. 

As Jing Zhengxuan leaned in for another kiss, Huaixu quickly pushed him away, wiping the saliva off his face with a stern expression. 

"We need to talk."

Jing Zhengxuan blinked in momentary confusion before leading Huaixu to the sofa. He sat down, pulling Huaixu sideways onto his lap.

"Grandpa’s too old to stay up late," Jing Zhengxuan said, tilting his chin slightly, his half-lidded gaze tender as he looked at the person in his arms. He bit his lip, resisting the urge to kiss him again, and shook the red envelope in his hand. "He asked me to tell you—this isn’t just New Year’s money. It’s a meeting gift."

Huaixu looped an arm around Jing Zhengxuan’s neck, still puzzled. "A meeting gift? Grandpa’s met me plenty of times before."

Jing Zhengxuan set the red envelope on the coffee table, finally freeing his hands to settle on Huaixu’s waist. Even through the fabric, the slender curve made his throat dry.

Huaixu’s waist was so narrow that Jing Zhengxuan’s fingertips could trace the dip of his waistline.

Swallowing hard, he explained patiently, "It’s the first time meeting as my boyfriend."

Huaixu: "..."

He froze. That thought had never crossed his mind.

The two families were so close that interactions felt routine. When they first got together, Huaixu had been a little shy, but he quickly adjusted—Auntie Xi and Uncle He treated him just as warmly as before, if not more so.

As for this New Year’s visit, Huaixu had genuinely believed it was just for the holiday.

In reality, it was all orchestrated by Jing Zhengxuan and Xi Qing. Knowing Huaixu’s tendency to overthink, Jing Zhengxuan had deliberately downplayed it, framing it as a simple family gathering.

Only now did Huaixu realize why he’d felt vaguely uneasy all evening.

The elders had been treating him like a future son-in-law, while he’d thought he was just there for the festivities.

For a moment, Huaixu felt incredibly foolish. Burying his face in Jing Zhengxuan’s shoulder, he stayed like that for a long time before lifting his head again.

Wait—even if it was a meeting gift, one million yuan was excessive!

He met Jing Zhengxuan’s cold amber eyes, but before he could speak, the other man answered as if reading his mind.

"Grandpa said," Jing Zhengxuan murmured, tracing Huaixu’s features with his gaze, 

"if you’re willing to accept me, take the check. If you don’t… it means you don’t want me."

"..." 

Huaixu felt emotionally blackmailed. 

His thoughts spun, but before he could respond, Jing Zhengxuan slid a hand under his shirt, stroking his waist and cutting off his words.

"Huaixu," Jing Zhengxuan whispered, eyes shimmering as if holding back tears, "are you going to return me? Could you really bear to?"

His expression was so pitiful and aggrieved that Huaixu’s heart instantly softened. He opened his mouth, then closed it, finally poking Jing Zhengxuan’s shoulder with a glare. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

Jing Zhengxuan’s face lit up with a radiant smile. His warm, broad palms slid up Huaixu’s smooth back, while his other arm tightened around that narrow waist, pulling him flush against his chest.

"I knew it," he murmured between kisses. "You couldn’t bear to."

Jing Zhengxuan’s hands, roughened from years of sports, scraped lightly against Huaixu’s skin, sending shivers down his spine. When fingers pressed into the dimples of his lower back, Huaixu’s lashes fluttered, his body trembling involuntarily before he slowly closed his eyes and melted against Jing Zhengxuan.

Seizing the moment, Jing Zhengxuan hooked an arm under Huaixu’s thighs and stood, lifting him effortlessly. Huaixu gasped, hastily wrapping both arms around his neck.

He might be slim, but he wasn’t light. What if Jing Zhengxuan’s arm got injured again?

Frowning in concern, Huaixu muttered, "I can walk."

Jing Zhengxuan adjusted his grip, pinching Huaixu’s nose with a smirk. "Don’t trust me?"

Huaixu clung tighter, pressing his entire body against him. "Are you insane?! That arm was in a cast!"

Back then, Jing Zhengxuan had been in so much pain his eyes turned red. Huaixu had doted on him for weeks.

Seeing his worry, Jing Zhengxuan shifted to cradle Huaixu bridal-style, peering down at him tenderly. "Better?"

Huaixu’s cheeks pinked as he averted his gaze. "...I guess."

Jing Zhengxuan carried him to the bed, laying him down before hovering over him, his gaze scalding.

Huaixu’s wrists were pinned above his head, their fingers interlaced. Jing Zhengxuan’s chest pressed so close it was hard to breathe.

When Huaixu looked up, those usually icy eyes burned with intensity, searing over his features until his skin flushed pink under their path.

Huaixu’s lashes fluttered shyly. "It’s late… I need to sleep."

Jing Zhengxuan’s gaze didn’t waver. He kissed Huaixu’s face between words. "Mm. Sleep."

A hint of annoyance flickered in Huaixu’s eyes as he tilted his head away. "How am I supposed to sleep like this?"

When his lips proved elusive, Jing Zhengxuan switched to his neck, sucking gently—holding back just enough to avoid leaving marks.

The contrast between warm lips and cool air when he pulled away had Huaixu arching backward, his throat and chin forming a taut line.

He panted heavily, chest heaving.

"Then…" Jing Zhengxuan’s ears reddened as he kissed harder, murmuring suggestively, "you sleep with me?"

His voice was low and rough, like a caged beast finally breaking free.

"Then… let go," Huaixu stammered, face burning.

Jing Zhengxuan nibbled his earlobe. "How could I let you use your hands?"

"Then…" Hot breath fanned over his ear, sending electric sparks down Huaixu’s spine. His voice turned hoarse. "Mouth?"

A soft chuckle. "I’d love that, but Huaixu…"

Jing Zhengxuan sucked his earlobe before whispering, "Your mouth is so small. I couldn’t bear to."

"Then… how?" The heat fogging Huaixu’s brain left no room for doubt. Before he could question if this was appropriate, he met Jing Zhengxuan’s gaze and blurted, "How do we do it?"

He’d only seen heterosexual adult films. How did two men…? Wasn’t it just mutual assistance like before?

Jing Zhengxuan found his confusion endearing, kissing him again before smirking. "Want me to teach you?"

The word teach triggered Huaixu’s curiosity. He nodded eagerly. "Hurry up."

Jing Zhengxuan’s grin widened. He deepened the kiss, one hand sliding down Huaixu’s back, stroking lower until—

Huaixu jolted, eyes widening in disbelief. The sensual atmosphere shattered as he trembled. "There?! How?!"

"It’s made for this," Jing Zhengxuan whispered against his ear.

Huaixu shook his head stubbornly. "No way! How would you even fit?!"

"We can. Trust me." Jing Zhengxuan kept caressing him.

Huaixu struggled. "Absolutely not! Get off—I’m sleeping!"

Seeing his resistance, Jing Zhengxuan backed off, pouting. "Huaixu, look at me…"

Huaixu glanced down, then instantly turned away, flustered. "Just… do it like before."

As Jing Zhengxuan leaned in, Huaixu added, "Quickly."

Jing Zhengxuan: "..."

---

The next day—New Year’s Day—Huaixu slept until past 3 PM in Jing Zhengxuan’s arms, waking only to glare at the chest beneath him.

If not for Jing Zhengxuan’s inefficiency, he wouldn’t have overslept so disgracefully in someone else’s home during the holidays.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Finally, he bit down hard on Jing Zhengxuan’s pec, leaving teeth marks.

The mix of pain and pleasure only made Jing Zhengxuan chuckle. He stroked Huaixu’s back soothingly. "Mad? But I couldn’t help it."

Huaixu released him with a huff. "You could’ve been faster. Or just not started at all! What will Grandpa think?"

Jing Zhengxuan watched his lips move, the pink tongue darting behind them.

He pulled Huaixu closer. "This is your home. Sleep as long as you want."

Then, before Huaixu could retort, he kissed him deeply, sucking on his tongue like a man starved.

Huaixu’s anger melted instantly, his body going pliant.

---

After paying New Year’s respects to the elders, Huaixu strolled the estate gardens with his mother.

When he mentioned the check, her reaction was calm—compared to the dowry, a million was trivial.

"If you’re sure about Zhengxuan, accept it."

Relieved, Huaixu finally relaxed his death grip on the red envelope.

Then, out of nowhere, his mother asked, "Have you thought about marriage?"

Huaixu stiffened. He was only a sophomore!

She laughed. "No rush. Just planning ahead."

Huaixu rolled his eyes. "We just started dating! And he hasn’t even proposed yet!"

As they walked by the koi pond, a vibrant orange fish leaped from the water.

"Mom! A koi!" Huaixu pointed excitedly.

His mother smiled cryptically. "Yes… a koi."

Then, softly, "Why not just ask Zhengxuan directly?"

Huaixu blushed. "Mom!"

She chuckled. "Fine, I’ll stay out of it."

---

They stayed at the Jing estate until the seventh day, filling the time with horseback riding, hunting, and golf.

Afterward, Huaixu and Jing Zhengxuan flew to a private tropical island.

Free from heavy winter clothes, Huaixu basked on the beach like a sunbathing cat, flipping occasionally while Jing Zhengxuan watched fondly under an umbrella.

One day, Huaixu decided to bury Jing Zhengxuan’s legs in the sand and build a castle on top.

As they dug, Huaixu’s hand hit something hard.

"A treasure chest?!" he gasped.

Jing Zhengxuan grinned. "Maybe pirates hid it."

Huaixu unearthed a gilded jewelry box. Inside lay a breathtaking ruby necklace and a smaller box holding two engraved rings: JZX and HX.

Realization dawned.

This was no pirate loot.

Jing Zhengxuan freed himself, knelt in the sand, and opened the box with reverence.

"Huaixu," he said, voice thick, "will you marry me?"

Huaixu’s eyes welled. He’d known Jing Zhengxuan was his forever—but he hadn’t expected a proposal so soon.

Jing Zhengxuan’s hands shook as he slid the ring onto Huaixu’s finger. "I’ve loved you for 1,460 days. I’ll love you for thousands more."

Huaixu, crying, reciprocated with the other ring. "Yes! Yes!"

Jing Zhengxuan lifted him, spinning joyously before explaining the necklace was a family heirloom from his mother.

Huaixu scolded him for burying it, but Jing Zhengxuan just kissed his pout away.

---

They announced their engagement on Valentine’s Day, then boarded a yacht.

For three days, Jing Zhengxuan "taught" Huaixu everything, leaving them both marked and exhausted.

On the fourth morning, Huaixu woke sore and glared at Jing Zhengxuan’s smug face.

"Weak and sickly?" he accused hoarsely. 

"You could’ve fooled me!"

Jing Zhengxuan pulled him close, 

whispering, "Can’t blame me when you enjoyed it so much."

Huaixu hid his flushed face in Jing Zhengxuan’s chest as the yacht drifted under endless blue skies.

In each other’s arms, they had the whole world.

---

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