Seeing his hesitation, Jiang Hua raised his hand to grasp the back of Tong Sui’s head, his fingers delving into the soft black hair, and he kissed him deeply.
Tong Sui was in a state of complete bewilderment.
Faced with Jiang Hua’s forceful kiss, he panicked, wanting to say something more, but his slightly parted lips only gave Jiang Hua an opportunity to deepen the kiss.
Tong Sui was kissed breathless, his eyelids fluttering, lashes wet and clustered like soft aquatic plants.
Jiang Hua asked, “Do you still think this is a dream?”
Outside the laboratory, the researchers seemed to be doing their own tasks, but their minds had drifted to the corner laboratory.
They strained to listen but, unfortunately, the lab’s soundproofing was effective; they couldn’t hear anything and didn’t dare to approach recklessly.
Suddenly, the laboratory door opened.
Everyone hurriedly turned their heads, pretending to focus on their tasks.
When Jiang Hua looked at them, his expression was cold, yet he held Tong Sui close in one arm as if he was handling a precious treasure.
Tong Sui kept his eyes closed, like a well-behaved kitten, completely nestled in Jiang Hua’s embrace.
He was covered with a loose outer garment that appeared to belong to Jiang Hua.
His bony shoulders slumped inward, but his face had a different kind of flush compared to his earlier pallor, especially the color of his lips, which looked radiant.
It was evident what had transpired.
Jiang Hua asked, “Who’s in charge here?”
Xie Guohong quickly raised his hand and squeezed through the crowd. “Captain Hua, I’m really sorry; I didn’t assign him any task. I—I don’t know how he fell ill…”
Fearing misunderstanding, he hurriedly distanced himself from any responsibility.
Jiang Hua said, “I’ll take him home.”
Xie Guohong nodded repeatedly. “Okay, okay, let him rest; there’s no need to worry about us.”
Jiang Hua carried Tong Sui out of the laboratory.
Several team members chatting at the door quickly composed themselves and opened the door to the off-road vehicle for Jiang Hua.
Jiang Hua sat in the car with Tong Sui in his arms.
Wang Tao slid into the driver’s seat, turning back to look. “Captain Hua, is Xiao Sui okay?”
Tong Sui’s face was buried in Jiang Hua’s chest, slightly long hair hiding his neck.
Wang Tao caught a glimpse of a hand that wasn’t covered by the coat; it was slender and pale, like delicate porcelain, seemingly ready to shatter with a light pinch.
Jiang Hua replied, “Yes, back to the apartment.”
Wang Tao nodded.
Worried about disturbing Tong Sui resting in Jiang Hua’s arms, he drove especially cautiously during the journey.
Tong Sui had fallen asleep again.
Not only was his body relaxing, but also the deep-seated worries within him had faded away.
The off-road vehicle stopped in front of the apartment.
Jiang Hua didn’t immediately get out; instead, he told Wang Tao, “Don’t submit the supplies from this mission yet; wait for my instructions.”
Wang Tao paused.
Before teaming up with Jiang Hua, he had worked with others, and much trouble often arose on the road; team members typically deducted a portion of the supplies before submission.
However, since joining Jiang Hua, he realized Jiang Hua had no interest in such practices; he simply submitted whatever was needed.
Watching Jiang Hua head inside, a new team member beside Wang Tao tugged at his sleeve.
“What does Captain Hua want to do?”
Wang Tao was uncertain, but he had developed an unwavering obedience to Jiang Hua after so many missions together.
“We just need to follow orders.”
Jiang Hua opened the apartment door.
Since someone regularly came to clean, the interior was very clean.
He carried Tong Sui into the room, gently placing him on the bed.
Before stepping away, Tong Sui subconsciously grabbed the fabric of Jiang Hua’s shirt, his hand slipping out from underneath the coat, his eyelids fluttering open in a daze. “Don’t go.”
Jiang Hua held his hand. “I’m not going.”
He set aside the coat and lay down close to Tong Sui.
The mattress beside him sank slightly.
Familiar scents enveloped Tong Sui, and he instinctively leaned toward Jiang Hua, slowly curling into his embrace, wrapping his hands around Jiang Hua’s waist.
Jiang Hua couldn’t help but feel tense all over.
After such a long separation, being this close again, with Tong Sui’s fair skin before his eyes, made his heart race, yet knowing Tong Sui’s current condition kept him from making any moves, he could only let Tong Sui draw closer.
Tong Sui explained softly, “When I said I’d leave work on time each day, it was to prevent you from worrying if I told you the truth.”
Tong Sui’s breath brushed against Jiang Hua’s neck.
Instantly, Jiang Hua’s neck felt hot, and even the blood beneath his skin surged with heat.
Thinking Jiang Hua was silent due to displeasure, Tong Sui nestled closer and softly brushed his neck with his hair.
He lifted his slightly heavy eyelids.
“I’m sorry…”
Jiang Hua felt as if something was gently scratching at his heart, tingling.
Unable to resist, he reached out, his fingers stroking Tong Sui’s soft hair. “Do you remember what you promised me?”
Tong Sui’s misty eyes turned a bit confused. “What?”
Jiang Hua leaned in and whispered something in his ear.
Tong Sui’s body stiffened for a moment, and after realizing, he tried to slip away from Jiang Hua’s embrace, but he was gently caught by the wrist and tugged back effortlessly.
Tong Sui’s back hit Jiang Hua’s chest.
Jiang Hua wrapped his arms around him; Tong Sui embarrassedly curled up, feeling the muscle strength in Jiang Hua’s back.
Jiang Hua’s nose brushed against the hair behind his ear, the tone heavy as he asked, “Where do you think you’re running to? I didn’t ask you to fulfill your promise right now.”
“When, then, will that be?”
Tong Sui blinked those innocent eyes, staring blankly at him, and his expression made Jiang Hua’s throat feel dry.
His Adam’s apple rolled heavily. “Next time.”