Tong Sui had not yet reacted to what Ye Linyuan was saying.
It wasn’t until Ye Linyuan made a move and whispered in his ear, “Work and rest must be balanced,” that clarity struck him.
If the similarity in their features had confused him, the malice behind Ye Linyuan’s gaze made everything painfully clear.
At least he had never experienced anything like it before.
Ye Linyuan stared deeply at him, not missing a single change in his expression, including his embarrassment and fluster.
He said, “Aren’t you quite experienced? Why is your face so red?”
Tong Sui bit his lip, too shy to say a word, fixating on the mark he left on himself.
Ye Linyuan’s gaze darkened slightly, and he lowered his eyes, gently kissing him.
Tong Sui’s teeth brushed against his lip, drawing a faint taste of iron, but that did not stop Ye Linyuan from deepening the kiss.
Gentleness intertwined with malice.
Tong Sui felt like a stone thrown into the sea, caught by the waves and pulled back just when he thought he was nearing the shore, dragged deeper into the ocean.
Just then, Tong Sui’s light brain chimed.
A video invitation popped up, its urgent ringing pulling his thoughts from their daze. He glanced at the screen, which displayed — Tong Sinian.
Tong Sui tensed up, summoning all his strength to excitedly push Ye Linyuan away.
“I—I need to answer my brother.”
But Ye Linyuan merely pursed his lips.
How could they face a video call in their current disheveled state?
Tong Sui exclaimed, “What should I do?”
Ye Linyuan pulled out a tissue, wiping his hands as he said, “Turn the screen towards me.”
Compared to the fingerprints and various kiss marks on Tong Sui’s face, Ye Linyuan looked mostly unchanged, except for a small cut on his lip.
Tong Sui tremblingly clicked to connect the call.
On the floating screen, just as Tong Sinian opened his mouth to speak, he halted upon seeing Ye Linyuan’s indifferent face.
“Uh, did I call the wrong person?”
“No, Tong Sui is here with me,” Ye Linyuan replied. “Do you need something?”
Perhaps his tone had been too straightforward, leaving Tong Sinian momentarily confused.
Wait, he was Tong Sui’s brother; shouldn’t he be the one asking that?
Tong Sinian said, “Give the light brain back to Tong Sui. I want to talk to him for a moment.”
Ye Linyuan stated, “He isn’t in a good position right now.”
A jolt of worry hit Tong Sinian, “What happened?”
“He’s working on an assignment,” Ye Linyuan glanced at Tong Sui. “Want to say a few words?”
Out of the sight of the camera, his hand reached for Tong Sui again, continuing what they had left unfinished.
Tong Sui’s face flushed instantly.
He opened his mouth, struggling to control his breathing, his voice heavy with emotion, “Brother, I’m doing my homework.”
Tong Sinian frowned, “Your voice sounds weird.”
“Maybe I’m just tired.” Ye Linyuan said without changing expression, “I arranged extra tutoring for him to ensure he can graduate despite his poor grades.”
Tong Sinian felt touched, “I can’t believe you’d go through so much trouble for him. I… I don’t know how to repay you.”
Ye Linyuan only replied calmly, “It’s no trouble; no need for repayment. Is there anything else you need? It’s getting late.”
Seeing him about to hang up, Tong Sinian hurriedly said, “Tell Tong Sui to behave, study hard, but don’t overdo it.”
After the call ended, Tong Sui sighed in relief, but facing Ye Linyuan’s dark eyes, he quickly realized their current predicament.
Ye Linyuan stated gravely, “Let’s continue.”
After Tong Sinian hung up the call, he contemplated for a moment before instructing his secretary to arrange for another sponsorship for the academy.
The secretary hesitated, “Mr. Tong, didn’t we just provide funding recently? So soon again?”
Having money doesn’t mean it should be spent recklessly.
“It’s different. Just do as I say.”
Tong Sinian glanced at the schedule for the weekend’s banquet, “Send Ye Linyuan another invitation for Sunday’s gathering.”
“Understood.”
Meanwhile, in another bedroom.
Facing Ye Linyuan’s advances, Tong Sui had nowhere to hide; he felt like a lamb cornered on a cliff, forced inch by inch to the steep peak.
He clung to Ye Linyuan’s clothes, the sweet and spicy scent of the wine grew stronger, as if it threatened to seep into his bloodstream.
“I want to sleep.”
“Really?” Ye Linyuan’s voice held a raspy edge, “But you seem quite energetic.”
“I…”
Tong Sui’s eyelashes hung with trembling water droplets, unable to comprehend how they had ended up here.
Resigned, he said, “Then please hurry.”
“It’s not something I can rush,” Ye Linyuan replied. “You should ask yourself; you know best.”
Tong Sui shyly shut his eyes.
Ye Linyuan grasped his chin, his rough fingertip brushing over Tong Sui’s sensitive eyelids. “Why don’t you look at me?”
Tong Sui’s lashes fluttered as he slowly opened his eyes, mist gathering in their depths.
The intensity in Ye Linyuan’s gaze was profound as he kissed him, like a ferociously wild wolf holding back its sharp fangs, whispering, “Look closely and remember who I am.”
Amidst the blurry images, silver and black intertwined, settling onto that incredibly familiar face, shifting through countless chaotic memories.
Time seemed to stretch on endlessly.
Tong Sui pressed his mouth against Ye Linyuan’s pulsating neck, biting down fiercely.
A faint taste of blood filled his mouth.
However, Ye Linyuan seemed completely unaffected by the pain, his black eyes ablaze with a fierce light.
With his clean hand gripping Tong Sui’s head, he shared a bloody deep kiss, each corner of their mouths explored as if seeking the essence of the other, only releasing him when Tong Sui showed clear resistance.