They returned to the lakeside villa. After parking, Zheng Kunyu stepped out first, umbrella in hand, leaving his briefcase in the car. He walked to the other side and pulled open Qi Bailu’s door, clearly demanding he exit immediately. Amidst the two stark white beams of the headlights, the rain poured down in torrents. The exquisite white villa stood in the rain like a pitch-black mountain, or a terrifying beast from ancient myth.
Qi Bailu did not move. Zheng Kunyu reached in, grabbed him by the wrist, and hauled him out. Neither said a word, but Qi Bailu struggled with a force as if he were going to war. Zheng Kunyu locked an arm around his waist, half-pushing and half-carrying him forward. Cheng Wenhui stood at the door waiting for them, holding the suitcase. As they reached the entrance, Qi Bailu violently shook off Zheng Kunyu’s hand and stood far apart from him, utterly indifferent to the rainwater streaming off the umbrella’s edge and drenching his face.
Seeing this, Cheng Wenhui hurried to hold his own umbrella over Qi Bailu’s head. He spoke to Zheng Kunyu with cautious trepidation. "President Zheng, now that he’s back, please don't be angry with Xiao Qi." His voice was thick with worry; Cheng Wenhui was truly afraid of what Zheng Kunyu might do. He would have to drive away soon, and knowing Zheng Kunyu’s temperament, he feared Qi Bailu would suffer greatly this time.
Zheng Kunyu’s face remained hidden in the shadows. He said nothing, merely taking out his keys to open the door. Cheng Wenhui moved to escort Qi Bailu inside, but Qi Bailu stepped out from under the umbrella to take his own suitcase. Cheng Wenhui watched him walk through the grand entrance. Qi Bailu climbed the steps, soaked by the rain, and finally entered the vast living room, which was as bright as day. Zheng Kunyu stood there waiting for him, and once he was inside, slowly closed the door behind them.
Perhaps because of the rain, Qi Bailu’s silhouette looked even thinner than usual. He stood pressed against the door, face slick with water, staring at Zheng Kunyu with wary eyes. But Zheng Kunyu did not look at him at all. He first removed his glasses to wipe away the raindrops, then took off his deep gray overcoat and hung it on the rack. After that, he removed his tie and changed into his slippers. Only after completing this routine did he pick up the pair of plush rabbit-fur slippers from the shoe rack and walk over to Qi Bailu.
It was like a ritual of welcoming someone home, yet Qi Bailu remained frozen. Zheng Kunyu waited a moment, then knelt down. He set the slippers aside and reached out to untie Qi Bailu’s laces. He did not look like he was serving someone; there was no hint of subservience in his posture. Instead, it was as if he were unwrapping a cherished gift. Zheng Kunyu’s eyes flicked upward, watching Qi Bailu’s expression as he gripped his ankle to change his shoes.
Qi Bailu looked down at him. Zheng Kunyu met his gaze as he stood up, reaching out again to help him off with his clothes. Qi Bailu recoiled, but Zheng Kunyu’s hand already gripped his collar, searching for the zipper of his down jacket.
After tossing the coat carelessly onto the floor, Zheng Kunyu reached out to cup Qi Bailu’s head, forcing him to look him in the eye. Zheng Kunyu asked, "Do you want to do it here, or upstairs?"
"Let go of me."
Zheng Kunyu violently seized the back of Qi Bailu’s sweater collar. The fabric tightened around Qi Bailu’s neck, forcing his head back—a perfect position for Zheng Kunyu to kiss him. However, Zheng Kunyu only gave his lips a casual, fleeting peck. "Upstairs it is, then." He then hauled him toward the second floor. Qi Bailu went unwillingly; when they reached the stairs, he gripped the banister and refused to budge, as if the steps were a path as treacherous as the mountain passes of Shu. Zheng Kunyu pried his hands loose and shoved him upward by the small of his back. As they neared the final step, Zheng Kunyu leaned in, his lips brushing against Qi Bailu’s earlobe. "I told you, you would regret this."
The moment the words were out, Qi Bailu turned and shoved him without a word. He used every ounce of his strength, clearly intending to throw Zheng Kunyu down the stairs. But Zheng Kunyu had been prepared; he clamped down on both of Qi Bailu’s hands, standing firm on the step. Zheng Kunyu let out a series of cold, mocking laughs. "You heartless creature," he hissed.
At this point, Qi Bailu refused to go any further with him. Zheng Kunyu brutally dragged him along, and the moment they entered the bedroom, he began roughly tearing at his clothes. In the darkness, the two of them strained against each other like brute beasts. It took a long while before Zheng Kunyu managed to pull the sweater over Qi Bailu's head, but he didn't bother to remove the sleeves. Instead, keeping him in that position, he captured Qi Bailu’s lips in a kiss.
The sweater sleeves remained hanging on Qi Bailu’s arms like a pair of shackles, pinning his struggling movements. Since his hands were trapped, Qi Bailu clamped his teeth shut, refusing to let Zheng Kunyu’s tongue inside. He bit down so hard he nearly made himself cry out.
Zheng Kunyu fumbled for the switch on the wall and slapped the lights on. The sudden brilliance stung Qi Bailu’s eyes, forcing them shut. When he opened them again, Zheng Kunyu had already pinned him down onto the bed. The bed was vast and soft, like sinking into a gentle cloud, yet Qi Bailu began to tremble uncontrollably.
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Countless Blossoms: The Actor's Gamble | Chapter 31 | A Cold Homecoming | Novela.app | Novela.app
