Chapter 24

After finishing their meal, Li Zekun sat on the sofa and checked the charts on the computer, while Taoran washed the dishes. It was only a little after seven o'clock and the sky outside was not yet dark. Taoran took out his phone and card from the bedroom and sat next to Li Zekun. He was clumsy and struggled to insert the card into the all-in-one machine slot for a while.

Li Zekun naturally took the item from his hands, and with a flick of the pick, it was easily opened. He then inserted the card and handed it to Tao Ran, saying, "Make sure to save my number later."

Tao Ran played with his phone a few times, looking very pleased. This was the iPhone 8 in bright red that was picked out by Li Zekun's assistant. It was dazzlingly fresh and eye-catching, but the assistant must have misunderstood that it was meant to be a gift for a girl.

Lizekun shifted his gaze back to the screen. He seldom loses focus when he's working and dislikes having someone fidgeting around him. But somehow he can tolerate Tao Ran and even feels a sense of inner tranquility around him.

Tao Ran secretly sized up Li Zekun, his gaze somewhat hazy. How can this man look so good? His nose is high and straight, his phoenix eyes deep and sharp, with no flaw to be found. He quietly opened his camera and took a photo of Li Zekun's profile. His heartbeat quickened a bit.

"Will you stay tonight?" Tao Ran put her phone into the pillow behind her and looked up at Li Zekun with her small face.

Li Zekun glanced at Tao Ran and threw the question back: "Do you wish for me to stay?"

Tao Ran lowered his head and remained silent, twisting his fingers awkwardly.

"I'll be leaving early tomorrow, so if I'm disturbed, don't get angry with me," said Li Zekun without joking, as he saved the document. "Go take a shower. We only have one bathroom at home, and I'll need it later."

Tao Ran obediently went to the restroom which was not large and a bit crowded. He just quickly rinsed his hands and only realized he had forgotten to take the towel when he was about to leave.

"Mr. Li..."

Li Zekun heard a vague sound and responded, "What's wrong?"

"Can you pass me the towel, please?"

Li Zekun got up and went to the wardrobe to draw out a new bath towel, then knocked on the bathroom door and asked, "Are you finished washing so quickly?"

Tao Ran reached out a hand to take the towel, but his fingertips kept brushing against Li Zekun's from his hand to his wrist. His hand was very beautiful, with glossy, rounded nails, each finger resembling a tender young onion. Despite being slightly damp, the touch of his hand ignited a spark on Li Zekun's back.

Li Zekun reached out his hand to press down on his wrist, pushed the door open a bit wider, squeezed sideways and asked: "Are you trying to seduce me?"

Taoran nestled in Li Zekun's arms and acted spoiled. He was like a wet little animal, the water droplets on his body rubbing against Li Zekun's silk shirt, leaving large water stains. Li Zekun's breathing was momentarily disrupted, and he pressed Taoran against the ceramic wall, taking a moment before gritting his teeth and uttering a curse word.

The cold sensation behind him made Tao Ran shiver, while in front of him, Li Zekun's hot and sturdy chest embraced him. Tao Ran tilted his head up and kissed Li Zekun's lips and chin, like a little cat rubbing its face against someone's, waiting to be cuddled.

For the first time, his mind and body were unified, both afraid of Li Zekun leaving. He had waited for what seemed like an eternity and felt that every brief separation after their reunions was unbearable.

"Don't go away for so long..." Tao Ran bit down on Li Zekun's Adam's apple, his voice choked with tears.

Li Zekun finally leaned in to kiss him. Without uttering a word, his brow furrowed with a fierce determination. Li Zekun planted his lips on Tao Ran's cheek and continued to kiss down to his neck. He then pulled him around to face him.

Tao Ran gasped in surprise and couldn't see Li Zekun's face. Tao Ran felt a little anxious and struggled to turn around.

"Don't move," Li Zekun's voice came from behind, husky and deep. This body could cause tremors in every nerve of his being just by touching it, from his brain to his limbs, like a drought-stricken land yearning for rain.

"Darling..." Li Zekun kissed Tao Ran's back, his eyes narrowed as if losing consciousness, unsure of who he was calling out to.

To Tao Ran's surprise, Li Zekun did not have any intention of coming in. He held Tao Ran tightly down.

"Tighten your legs a little more.", Li Zekun whispered into Tao Ran's earlobe.

Tao Ran blushed with sweat beads all over his forehead.

Afterward, men often become more gentle and patient than usual. Li Zekun rarely explains things to Tao Ran, but this time, he took the opportunity to explain a few more things.

"Okay, be good. I'll be back in at most half a month." Li Zekun kissed Tao Ran's earlobe and after cleaning them both up, he carried Tao Ran into the bedroom.

After receiving the promise, Taoran finally felt a lot more at ease. Although she was still a bit conflicted as Li Zekun didn't take her seriously in the end, she still obediently nestled in his arms and fell asleep. Li Zekun gently stroked Taoran's back like he was petting a cat and let out a faint sigh.

At a little past three in the morning, Li Zekun's alarm clock rang, but he quickly turned it off so as not to wake up Tao Ran. After a quick tidy up, Li Zekun intended to leave the house, but hesitated at the door and turned back to stare at Tao Ran for three minutes. However, he didn't do anything and eventually turned around and left.