LHKE Ch32

“Is this how you are when you’re at work?” Shen Li asked as he and Lu Changting sat in the lounge area of the CEO’s office. The table was placed by the window, offering a great view of the city skyline.

“What did you think I’d be like?” Lu Changting asked as he unpacked the food Shen Li had brought. The meal, with its well-balanced combination of meat and vegetables and beautifully arranged presentation, clearly showed the effort Shen Li had put into it. It didn’t look like something hastily thrown together and delivered to him.

“When you’re not speaking or smiling, you come across as very cold,” Shen Li said, watching him take a bite, his gaze fixed on his face. “But I know that your cold demeanor is just a way to keep the unruly people in line. Deep down, you’re probably a fair and just boss.”

“There are too many unruly people. My third uncle handed the company over to me and hasn’t bothered with it since,” Lu Changting said. “Sometimes, you need to use certain methods…”

He paused, then added, “Never mind, I won’t talk about these stressful things with you.”

Looking at the food in front of him, a smile reappeared on Lu Changting’s face. “I’m starting now.”

He took a bite of a fried shrimp, savoring the soft and flavorful taste. He was about to praise Shen Li, but seeing the expectant look on Shen Li’s face, he deliberately held back his compliment and instead took a bite of the sweet and sour ribs, enjoying them slowly with some rice.

Shen Li was amused by his sense of ritual and pushed the soup toward him, indicating he should try it.

Shen Li was confident in his cooking, but he still wanted to hear Lu Changting praise him. However, not receiving praise wasn’t a big deal. Seeing Lu Changting eat his food was the greatest compliment and affirmation he could receive.

Lu Changting ate with a refined manner, yet he wasn’t slow. Within just over ten minutes, he had finished all the food Shen Li had brought, feeling full and even a bit overstuffed.

After wiping his mouth leisurely, he finally said, “This is the second-best thing I’ve ever eaten.”

As Shen Li packed up the lunchbox, he was curious despite the high praise. “What’s the best?”

Lu Changting smiled, “You.”

Shen Li’s heart raced at the casual “you” that Lu Changting tossed out. Although he was good at controlling his emotions, his expression remained calm. “Did you sneak some sugar? Your words are so sweet.”

“I’m just telling the truth.” Lu Changting leaned back in his chair, looking as if he expected Shen Li to apologize and humor him.

Shen Li ignored him, methodically snapping the lunchbox layers shut. Then he pulled out a piece of chocolate from his pocket, unwrapped it, and offered it to Lu Changting.

Lu Changting bit into the chocolate from his hand, deliberately licking Shen Li’s fingertips.

Shen Li was about to say something, but Lu Changting scooped him up by the waist and sat him on his lap. His hand brushed over Shen Li’s neck, and he kissed him softly and lingeringly, the taste of chocolate mingling with the warmth of the kiss. It was so gentle and drawn out that Shen Li felt like an eternity had passed.

He still couldn’t quite believe that he and Lu Changting were really together.

So he wanted to see him, talk to him, hug him, kiss him, and do all the things lovers do.

Actually, Lu Changting was already doing everything right.

He posted about them on social media, held his hand openly at the office, gave him the privilege of entering freely… Yet maybe because Lu Changting was so good to him, it all felt unreal.

He really liked Lu Changting, the kind of liking that made him want to give all his love to this one person.

He didn’t want to let go.

The sunlight dimmed a little, as if shyly hiding behind the clouds from the scene unfolding in the room, leaving a faint glow. Shen Li’s chest rose and fell as he let Lu Changting carry him to the bed.

The lounge was entirely Lu Changting’s private space, and because he hadn’t taken over the company for long, everything in the room was newly replaced and spotless.

Shen Li sank into the soft bedding as his lover’s warm lips lingered, kissing gently along his neck.

“You smell so good,” Lu Changting murmured, always fond of the scent on Shen Li. It was a mix of wood and a faint hint of tobacco, like a subtle crack in Shen Li’s usual gentleness, revealing a more assertive side. But then the amber fragrance would take over, leaving him enveloped in a clean, warm scent that made one want to get lost in it.

“Is it the cologne?” Shen Li panted softly, his heated gaze burning with a small fire as he looked at Lu Changting’s handsome face. “I’ll buy you a bottle.”

“No need.” Lu Changting held him, burying his head in Shen Li’s neck, inhaling deeply. “Smelling you is enough.”

He wasn’t in the habit of wearing cologne, and after smoking, he’d only use a deodorizing spray. To him, colognes often had a slightly feminine scent, so he didn’t like them. It was a bias he had never planned to correct, but when it came to Shen Li, that bias turned into a preference.

“I don’t want to work overtime anymore,” he sighed softly. “I just want to hold you like this.”

Shen Li stroked his hair. “I’ll keep you company while you work overtime.”

Shen Li decided to stay, while Lu Changting worked at his desk. Shen Li sat quietly on the sofa, passing the time by playing on his phone. Just as he finished a round of Tetris, a new message popped up on WeChat.

Earlier that morning, Cheng Zhao had replied to him with a cold “Oh,” which immediately made Shen Li uneasy, prompting him to call her right away.

After all, he was almost twenty-seven years old, and Cheng Zhao didn’t need to meddle in his love life or pry into everything. But he had just recently told her that his feelings were unrequited and had nothing to do with Lu Changting. Now, he was suddenly informing her that he was in a relationship with Lu Changting. As a mother, it was natural for her emotions to fluctuate.

After a heart-to-heart on the phone, Cheng Zhao didn’t say much, only advising him to cherish the relationship before heading off to class.

Now, Cheng Zhao had finished her school day and returned home, only to find the house empty. She sent Shen Li a message asking where he had gone.

Shen Li honestly replied that he was at Lu Changting’s company.

Cheng Zhao responded with a string of ellipses.

[Drink Less：How ambitious of you.]

[Liquor Seller: There’s food in the fridge; just heat it up and eat.]

[Drink Less: Are you coming home tonight?]

[Liquor Seller: …]

[Liquor Seller: Yes, I will.]

[Drink Less: It’s okay if you don’t, just remember to use protection.]

[Liquor Seller: ?]

Shen Li understood what Cheng Zhao was implying and instinctively glanced at Lu Changting, his face warming up.

[Liquor Seller: …]

Cheng Zhao’s reply popped up again.

[Drink Less: I saw on Baidu that if you don’t use protection, you might get a fever or an upset stomach. Just be aware.]

These private matters were awkward for her to bring up, but she felt she had to say them. Shen Li was with Lu Changting, and in her eyes, Shen Li was clearly the more vulnerable one in the relationship, which she equated with being at a disadvantage.

Now that they were dating and both were young men full of energy, it was normal for something to happen between them, but she absolutely couldn’t accept or allow her child to get hurt.

Fortunately, it was easier to type these things out than to say them face-to-face.

Shen Li stole another glance at Lu Changting, then looked down and typed his reply.

[Liquor Seller: Okay.]

[Liquor Seller: I understand.]

[Drink Less: I’ll be staying in the dorms near the school until the end of the semester. I’ll be busy supervising the juniors with their projects.]

[Drink Less: I only came home today to pick up some things.]

[Drink Less: While you’re home alone, try to come back early when you can.Drink less alcohol, keep a regular schedule, and make sure you eat on time, okay?]

Back when Shen Li bought a loft apartment near the school for Cheng Zhao’s convenience, she would still come home on weekends even when she was busy. But now, she was saying she wouldn’t be coming home for the next two months until the end of the semester.

Shen Li knew she didn’t want to disturb him, understanding that dating was different from being single. At his age, most men weren’t still living with their parents, even if they weren’t married…

Cheng Zhao was always so thoughtful and thorough about everything.

Shen Li sighed inwardly and replied, “I’ll visit you at the school when I have time.”

After a moment’s thought, he transferred some money to Cheng Zhao, noting it as “pocket money.”

After hiring a few talented designers for her studio, Cheng Zhao no longer had to worry about day-to-day operations, and she earned enough to get by. Still, Shen Li made sure to send her a decent amount of pocket money every month.

Supporting his family felt like a responsibility ingrained in him. Cheng Zhao had protected him from the world when he was young, and now that he was standing tall, it was only right for him to ensure she lived a life of comfort and ease.

Cheng Zhao accepted the money and sent back a “Cheers to our friendship.jpg” meme.

Shen Li smiled and put his phone away.