Taking the jacket and walking out, Lu Jingshen remained silent throughout.
When she saw Lu Jingshen come out, Liu Jie hurriedly caught up and asked in a whispering voice, âBoss, are you going home now?â
Lu Jingshen slightly nodded, and Feng Si pointed to the wall clock, reminding Liu Jie with a smile, âSecretary Liu, itâs almost seven oâclock. Youâre also an employee. Thereâs no need to work so hard. Let the others go too.â
Lu Jingshen had already entered the elevator, and Feng Si stepped in with his long legs, pressing the close door button directly, blocking the stunned Liu Jie outside the door. He waved at her with a smile on his face.
âDonât go too far,â Lu Jingshen said coldly, looking ahead as the elevator doors closed completely.
âFeng Si tilted his head unconcernedly and said, âIâm doing this for your own good. Being a workaholic wonât yield good results. Even if you donât rest, you should let others strike a balance between work and leisure.â
Lu Jingshen replied, âOvertime is voluntary, and thereâs overtime pay.â
Feng Si applauded and said, âThen youâre a kind-hearted workaholic.â
Lu Jingshen remained silent.
The conversation ended there. The elevator stopped on the first floor, and Lu Jingshenâs driver had already pulled the car out and was waiting outside the building.
Before getting into the car, Feng Si tapped on the driverâs side window. The driver lowered the window, and Feng Si raised his chin and said, âItâs time for you to finish work too. Get out, and Iâll take the car.â
The driver refused to comply. He wouldnât leave until he had dropped off Lu Jingshen.
Feng Si turned back and smiled at the expressionless Lu Jingshen behind him. âWhat do you say?â
Their eyes met, and Feng Si raised an eyebrow. Lu Jingshen looked away and calmly instructed the driver, âYou can go home now.â
Only then did the driver get out of the car. Feng Si took the driverâs seat, patted the passenger seat, and gestured to Lu Jingshen, saying, âSit here.â
After a brief hesitation, Lu Jingshen moved to the passenger seat.
Once he fastened his seatbelt, Feng Si treated the Maybach like a sports car. He accelerated forcefully, paying no attention to the rearview mirror, overtaking other cars in the traffic without care. Lu Jingshenâs brows furrowed tighter and tighter, and he couldnât bear it any longer, speaking up, âFeng Si.â
Feng Si turned his head and glanced at him, slowing down the car.
âWhere do you want to eat?â Feng Si asked.
Lu Jingshen replied, âLetâs go back.â
After being on a business trip for three days and working a whole day afterward, fatigue was visible on his face.
Feng Si said, âYou insist on working even when youâre exhausted. If I didnât drag you away, how late were you planning to work?â
Lu Jingshen didnât want to engage with him and leaned back in the seat, closing his eyes.
As the car stopped at a red light at the intersection, Feng Siâs phone screen lit up briefly. He picked it up and glanced at the new WeChat message, a voice message. He casually played it.
âHello, are you free tonight? Would you like to go out for a drink? Waiting for you.â
It was a young manâs voice, speaking in a high-pitched and seductive manner that made oneâs skin crawl.
Feng Si thought for a moment. It was probably someone he casually added at the bar a few nights ago when he was bored. He didnât feel like responding, so he deleted the personâs contact.
A cold and stern voice came from beside him. âI donât care about your personal life, but since youâre now my assistant, at least have some self-restraint. Donât engage in such things during work hours.â
Feng Siâs gaze shifted, and Lu Jingshen, who had a cold expression, remained closed-eyed. His brow furrowed slightly, and there was no further response.
Staring at him for a few seconds, Feng Si scoffed, âAlex, it seems like itâs already past my work hours, right? If someone casually invites me for a drink, itâs none of your business ,Is It?â
The traffic light turned green, and Feng Si pressed the accelerator again. The person next to him, who had been silent for a while, spoke softly, âYour working hours are twenty-four hours.â
Feng Siâs expression paused, and his gaze returned to him. Lu Jingshen still hadnât opened his eyes, and that statement seemed like his imagination.
Narrowing his eyes and thinking for a moment, Feng Si pulled over and said to Lu Jingshen, âgive me a second.â He pushed the door and got out.
A few minutes later, Feng Si returned from a nearby convenience store and casually tossed the items he bought into the back seat.
Lu Jingshen maintained the same posture as if he had fallen asleep. Feng Si glanced at him for a moment, then reached over and lightly brushed his lips with his thumb. He withdrew his hand, caressed his finger, and smiled, starting the car again.
Half an hour later, the car entered the underground parking lot of Mingyue Bay. When Lu Jingshen woke up, the person beside him had opened the window and was smoking, without waking him.
Lu Jingshen slowly opened his eyes. The first thing that came into his view was Feng Siâs somewhat blurred profile, covered in smoke. His narrowed eyes were deep and filled with hidden emotions.
Lu Jingshen had a momentary daze, as if he had experienced a similar scene many years ago. He woke up from a daze and saw the side profile of the person smoking next to him. At that time, they were strangers who had met by chance, indulged in a wild affair, and then separated to return to reality.
âAwake?â
Feng Si turned his head towards him, taking another drag of his cigarette.
Lu Jingshen closed his eyes and asked in a hoarse voice, âWhat time is it?â
Feng Si replied, âAlmost nine oâclock.â
Upon hearing this, Lu Jingshen furrowed his brow. He had slept for so long in the car. Hearing the laughter from the person beside him, Lu Jingshen asked, âWhat are you laughing at?â
Feng Si shook his head. âNothing.â
He just felt that Lu Jingshen had automatically put on a mask and became guarded as soon as he woke up, which was quite boring.
It would have been more pleasant if he had stayed asleep, appearing more real and human.
Feng Si said there was nothing, but Lu Jingshen could sense the hint of mockery in his tone and didnât want to dampen the mood further.
Feng Si threw a cigarette to him. âDo you want one?â
Lu Jingshen reached out and accepted it. Feng Si flicked open the lighter and helped him light it. Lu Jingshen took a slow drag and leaned back in his seat.
Lu Jingshen had always been a highly disciplined person. Except for occasional social occasions, he rarely smoked. However, during those previous years of indulgence, he had shared the same cigarette with the person beside him, and the smoke carried their intertwined breaths as they kissed and made love, disregarding everything to satisfy their desires.
âWhat are you thinking?â
Feng Siâs voice came closer to his ear, and Lu Jingshenâs thoughts snapped back. He instinctively turned his head.
Feng Si smiled and stared at him, his gaze teasing, as if he had already seen through him.
Lu Jingshen glanced away, concealing the slight turmoil in his heart, and took two more puffs before putting out the cigarette.
As he withdrew his hand, his gaze paused for a moment, noticing the items Feng Si had bought and tossed in the backseat.
It was condoms and lubricant.
Feng Si casually took the items and stuffed them into his pocket. Lu Jingshenâs expression darkened slightly. âWhy did you buy these?â
âSince Mr Lu doesnât care about my personal life, I donât need to explain to you, right? I donât recall doing anything inappropriate during work hours either,â Feng Si directly countered his question.
After a brief silence, Lu Jingshen pushed open the car door and got out.
Feng Si followed and called out to him, âHey.â
Lu Jingshen turned back, and Feng Si smiled, âMr Lu, Iâm a person who values principles. I can use these myselfâclean and convenient. Of course, but if you donât mind, I can also help you out.â
Lu Jingshen turned away and walked off.
As they rode the elevator, Lu Jingshen remained silent with a cold expression, while Feng Si stared at him intently, lost in thought.
Upon entering the apartment, Lu Jingshen pressed his fingerprint on the lock to allow Feng Si to register his own as well.
Feng Si didnât move and blocked him as Lu Jingshen reached for the door. âDid your former bodyguard also live here?â
Lu Jingshen glanced at him, his voice cold, âNo.â
Feng Si smiled and stepped aside, allowing Lu Jingshen to enter first.
Once Feng Si finished registering his fingerprint and entered, Lu Jingshen had already gone into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and grabbed a sandwich, tossing it into the microwave. He calmly reminded Feng Si, âThereâs food in the refrigerator and the cabinet next to it. Take whatever you want.â
Feng Si casually replied, âbut I want what you are havingâ
Lu Jingshen said nothing further and added another sandwich to the microwave.
As Lu Jingshen brewed coffee, Feng Si leaned against the kitchen counter and watched him, his gaze fixed on Lu Jingshenâs every move, his eyes filled with a hint of playfulness.
After a few minutes, Lu Jingshen finished his sandwich and coffee, then instructed Feng Si, âYou can stay in the guest bedroom. Donât bother me unless necessary. Wake up at 7 a.m. every day and prepare breakfast. If you donât know how to cook, you can order takeout.â
After giving those instructions, Lu Jingshen was about to return to his room when Feng Si suddenly reached out, grabbing his arm and pinning him against the kitchen counter. Before Lu Jingshen could frown, Feng Si asked him, âWith a work schedule of twenty-four hours, what am I supposed to do now?â
Feng Si seemed to exert little force, and Lu Jingshen was completely restrained. Feng Siâs hand tantalizingly grazed his waist through the fabric of his shirt, almost sensing the real touch of the skin beneath.
Feng Siâs voice became huskier as he asked again, âWhat else do I need to do?â
Lu Jingshen composed himself and calmly replied, âDidnât you read the contract before signing?â
Feng Si retorted, âDoes the contract mention how I should serve you at night?â
âNo need for that,â Lu Jingshen said, âJust donât deviate from your duties.â
Feng Siâs gaze shifted across his face, while Lu Jingshen maintained his composure and met his eyes. In his seemingly calm and unruffled demeanor, there was a hint of indescribable emotion, unintentionally alluring.
After a moment, Feng Si clicked his tongue and released him.
Lu Jingshen was still the same as before, seemingly unattainable, keeping others at a distance, yet harboring a hidden fire within. However, Lu Jingshen didnât want to be easily provoked anymore.
He returned to his room and went straight into the bathroom to take a shower.
There seemed to be a lingering sensation from Feng Siâs touch, and no matter how the hot water poured down, it couldnât wash it away.
With closed eyes, images that couldnât be erased flashed through his mindâFeng Siâs blatant gaze just moments ago, and the naked figure he glimpsed that day in the hotel.
Lu Jingshenâs hand moved downward as he leaned against the shower glass, breathing heavily, suppressing the sounds beneath the noise of the water.
When a sudden burst of light exploded in his mind, all the images shattered, and Lu Jingshen abruptly opened his eyes.
Breathing heavily, he remained stunned for a moment, his eyes gradually ridding of the desire that had overwhelmed him.
He touched his hand, coldly observing as the marks were washed away by the water, leaving not a trace behind.