68: Please have mercy on me.

After finishing his shower, Shen Lian sat on the bed playing with his phone. He checked his follower count on the Social Media Platform; it had grown by nearly five hundred thousand, and the check-ins in his super topic were all from real people.

To his anti-fans, Shen Lian had been too well-behaved recently; there was almost no gossip to be found.

As for the conflict at tonight's banquet, Sun Binghe would do his best to suppress it without needing CEO Chu's instructions. On Zhou Tangsi's end, he would only expose it if he wasn't afraid of losing face.

Feng Yueshan sent a tired, sighing emoji in the group chat. Shen Lian replied: [You didn't even drink that much.]

Feng Yueshan: [Can't I be traumatized?]

Shen Lian was amused. Just as he was about to reply, his phone was taken away. He looked up to see that Chu Yilan had finished his shower and come out at some point.

It wasn't an exaggeration—Shen Lian's nose instantly felt sore.

No... sparks exploded in his brain, and his blood surged. He looked away shyly, but unable to hold out for even a second, he quickly turned back to look again, as if afraid Chu Yilan would change his mind.

Chu Yilan only had a bath towel wrapped around his lower body.

The man's height advantage, combined with his beautiful abs and V-line, were all relentlessly plucking at Shen Lian's nerves.

Chu Yilan blocked out most of the light overhead, making his expression look somewhat unfathomable.

Shen Lian observed closely before he could be certain what kind of emotion was swirling in the depths of Chu Yilan's eyes.

Shen Lian's heart pounded wildly. Yet, Chu Yilan remained silent and motionless. That powerful intensity about to erupt beneath the calm silence made Shen Lian's heart tremble as if his soul were being beckoned.

A crimson flush spread from Shen Lian's neck to his cheeks.

Chu Yilan admired the view in silence. Finally, he said in a deep voice, "You're so bold every day, with your flowers, sweet talk, photos, and videos. But when it actually comes down to it, you're shrinking like a quail."

"Who said that?" Shen Lian retorted, craning his neck defiantly.

"Forget it," Chu Yilan said. "I can see you're not willing."

Shen Lian almost jumped up. "Huh?!"

Before he could finish his sentence, the man leaned in. Even before a kiss had begun, the atmosphere shifted abruptly.

Shen Lian felt the air in his lungs squeezed out in an instant. A sudden explosion of heat waves bombarded him from all directions. In the large bedroom, it felt as if the world were collapsing, and only the small space within Chu Yilan's embrace could be called safe.

Chu Yilan chuckled low. The sound was truly captivating and pleasant. He looked at the submissive, flushed Shen Lian, his possessiveness and urge to ruin pushed to their limits. At the same time, a clear breeze and bright moon seemed to sweep through, illuminating a heart that had always yearned for life.

Chu Yilan heard his love growing wildly.

"Shen Lian," Chu Yilan said finally, "you'll understand that I am strong in every way."

Moonlight shattered across the room. Amidst the intensity, it swayed gently to the sound of soft, low whimpers.

Until dawn.

(Use your imagination, use your imagination. My driver's license was confiscated; a chapter was just locked earlier.)

—

Feeling the sunlight shining in, Shen Lian gave a soft groan. He struggled to grab the quilt and struggled even more to pull it over his head. His fingertips were weak, and his brain was a complete muddle.

He couldn't remember anything, and he didn't want to do anything.

Someone's cool hand touched his forehead for a moment, seemingly checking his temperature.

In his daze, Chu Yilan gently caressed his cheek, his voice very tender. "Shen Lian, get up and eat something."

Shen Lian blurted out, "Spare me."

Chu Yilan: "..."

After they finished last night, everything from cleaning up to changing the sheets and duvet covers was done by Chu Yilan alone. In that state, even if you threw Shen Lian into a river, he would only let out a roar from the depths of his soul as he bobbed with the waves: "Spare me!"

Chu Yilan, on the other hand, looked completely satiated and was in a great mood. He even dug out some dusty tools from a storage room he hadn't entered in years, planning to build a little nest for Chu Zhumi.

By noon, Chu Yilan's patience ran out, and he went upstairs.

Actually, Shen Lian had slept enough, but that didn't stop his limbs from refusing to listen to him. When Chu Yilan woke him, he pulled the quilt up slightly, revealing a pair of misty, affectionate eyes. "I'm not eating. I'm just going to lie here all day."

However, as soon as he spoke too much, his throat hurt.

Now, Shen Lian clearly remembered everything that happened last night.

Then, pulling the quilt over his head, Shen Lian began to play dead.

Chu Yilan wouldn't indulge him. He had already put a bathrobe on Shen Lian, so he pulled back the quilt and carried him directly to the bathroom.

"Gently... be gentle! Hiss!" Shen Lian didn't even know which aching spot to press first.

How embarrassing... Shen Lian thought. Back when he was talking big, his head was held high. Seeing how disciplined and polite Chu Yilan usually was, he had even prepared himself for the experience to be "average." And the result?

Last night, he really let everything slip out of his mouth. When he spoke harshly, Chu Yilan was even harsher. When he spoke softly, Chu Yilan was still harsh. Shen Lian didn't want to dwell too much on the pathetic state he was in, whimpering and groaning.

Chu Yilan set Shen Lian down to let him stand steady. The young man wasn't wearing shoes, so his feet rested on top of Chu Yilan's. His movements were incredibly slow as he brushed his teeth and washed his face as if his hands were about to break. Whenever he leaned forward, Chu Yilan's hand around his waist would tighten to prevent him from slipping down.

Chu Yilan chuckled, thinking Shen Lian should have learned his lesson.

Like hell he did.

The man suddenly looked into the mirror, met Chu Yilan's gaze, and gave a teasing, proud smile. He said, "With my standard for a partner, just tell me, aren't I eating well?"

Chu Yilan: "..."

Among the people Chu Yilan admired in his life, Shen Lian deserved a place.

Chu Yilan had called Ning Sixian before dawn to ask if not having a fever meant he was okay.

Ning Sixian had been sleeping so soundly he barely knew who he was. His voice was airy. "What 'not having a fever'?"

"We did it," Chu Yilan said succinctly.

Ning Sixian's head exploded at that moment, all sorts of thoughts racing through his mind. He thought that if he had committed a crime, the law should punish him—what time was it? Then he thought, has my brother really broken his fast?

He even asked, "How was it?"

Chu Yilan: "None of your business."

Ning Sixian: "..."

Shen Lian didn't have a fever. Chu Yilan had been very thorough when helping him clean up. He was just lethargic. After going downstairs to eat, he leaned on the sofa and started yawning. However, with the warm porridge in his stomach, he felt his energy slowly returning.

Shen Lian played with Zhu Mi for a while, then couldn't hold out and went back to sleep.

By the time Shen Lian recovered his strength, it was noon the next day.

Having regained control of his limbs, Shen Lian turned his head upon waking and saw that Chu Yilan was already dressed neatly in a suit.

"Going to the company?"

"Yeah, there's a meeting. I'll be back as soon as it's over." Chu Yilan habitually checked the temperature of Shen Lian's forehead. Feeling that it was fine, he was relieved. "Aunt Fen stewed some pork rib soup for you. Get up and have some later."

"Okay." Shen Lian felt refreshed all over, and then the way he looked at Chu Yilan changed. "Hey, CEO Chu..."

"Shut up." Chu Yilan looked down at him with a playful smile. "Shen Lian, don't forget the pain just because you've had your fill. You're full, but I'm not. If you insist on flirting, I don't have to go to this meeting."

Shen Lian immediately behaved. "Please, after you!"