LOI Chapter 16 — Curious Baby

At this hour, all the large supermarkets were closed, so even if they wanted to buy a blanket, it was too late. Was he really going to sleep in the same bed as Yan Zhi?

“What are you thinking about?” Yan Zhi tilted his head, looking at Rong Ke who stood rooted to the spot. “Don’t worry, I’m not a casual person. Even if we sleep together, I won’t do anything to you.”

Rong Ke went to the bathroom and washed his face. Looking in the mirror, he began to ponder a question that had long puzzled him—

Was Yan Zhi a top or a bottom?

In terms of height, Yan Zhi was nearly 1.9 meters tall, seemingly a top through and through. But who said tall people couldn’t be bottoms? Wouldn’t that deprive others of the right to lie back and enjoy?

As for appearance, Yan Zhi was beautiful in an androgynous way. Stereotypically speaking, such people seemed more likely to be bottoms.

Lastly, personality-wise, Yan Zhi had a princely attitude that required others to serve him, which seemed to fit the characteristics of a pampered bottom.

However, these were all just speculations. A deeper analysis was needed.

From Yan Zhi’s perspective, if this were a game of “Werewolf Killing¹,” Liu Qing would definitely be the “obvious bottom²,” one that’s out in the open.

This made Jiang Si’s identity quite clear—he was the “iron top,” an undisputed top. From this, one could deduce Rong Ke’s identity—a hidden bottom.

So Yan Zhi knew Rong Ke was a bottom, but he still acted so casually around him. Rong Ke could only think of one possibility that fit normal logic—

Yan Zhi was also a bottom.

They were sisters.

The masses truly had discerning eyes. They had discovered something Rong Ke hadn’t even noticed.

Having reached this conclusion, Rong Ke’s psychological burden instantly vanished.

No wonder Yan Zhi said he wouldn’t do anything even if they slept together. What could two sisters do under the covers besides chat?

When Rong Ke had sorted out his thoughts and entered the master bedroom, Yan Zhi was already in bed. Only a dim bedside lamp illuminated the room.

Yan Zhi slept neatly, lying flat and proper. His long eyelashes rested on his lower lids, making him look as docile as an angel.

—Isn’t this tempting fate? He’s far too trusting.

Rong Ke shook his head and sighed, lying down beside Yan Zhi. He said “goodnight” and turned off the bedside lamp.

The next morning, Rong Ke woke up feeling hot. Someone’s docility had been as fleeting as a night-blooming cactus³. Though he had lain flat when going to sleep, now his limbs were all tangled around Rong Ke.

Just then, the alarm went off. Rong Ke turned it off and nudged Yan Zhi’s shoulder. “Get up.”

After several more pushes, Yan Zhi sat up grumpily, rubbing his eyes. “What time is it?”

“Seven o’clock,” Rong Ke said. “Let’s get ready and head out.”

Just as he was about to get out of bed, Rong Ke’s peripheral vision caught a glimpse of an eyelash that had fallen onto Yan Zhi’s cheek.

Thinking it was a simple task, he raised his arm, intending to pinch the eyelash off with his thumb and index finger. However, after several attempts, the eyelash remained stuck to Yan Zhi’s face.

He decided to cup Yan Zhi’s face instead, bringing his lips close and blowing the eyelash away.

Yan Zhi looked a bit confused. “What are you doing?”

“There was an eyelash on your face,” Rong Ke said as he got out of bed.

“Oh,” Yan Zhi still seemed confused. “I thought you were going to give me a good morning kiss.”

Rong Ke was about to leave the master bedroom when he remembered how defenseless Yan Zhi had looked last night. He paused, turned back to Yan Zhi, and earnestly advised, “Pretty boys should pay attention to safety outside.”

Yan Zhi: “?”

The two men were only a few centimeters apart in height, and with similar builds, Yan Zhi’s clothes fit Rong Ke quite well.

Dressed in matching long coats, sunglasses, and scarves, even though their faces were barely visible, their aura alone was enough to draw attention.

Unlike their previous trip to the island for the cover shoot, this was a private trip. Yan Zhi took Rong Ke through the airport’s VIP channel. Though they encountered fewer people, there were still whispers and speculation about their identities.

“I might as well have worn my own clothes,” Rong Ke said, pulling his scarf down to his chin and taking a sip of coffee. “It would’ve been less conspicuous.”

Recalling his previous outings with Jiang Si, Rong Ke had always been the most low-key, wearing a simple white T-shirt and trousers, topped with a blue medical mask. No one would have paid him much attention.

“You think I asked you to wear sunglasses to be inconspicuous?” Yan Zhi asked, nibbling on an exquisite pastry.

“Why else?” Rong Ke inquired.

“Because it’s stylish.”

“…Oh.”

When the plane landed, it was afternoon local time. Rong Ke felt tired and wanted to nap at the hotel, but as soon as they entered the suite, Yan Zhi took out another set of clothes from his suitcase and said to Rong Ke, “There’s a CVV show later. Wear this.”

The outfit was from CVV, featuring the brand’s signature design elements. The silver chains looked exceedingly flamboyant.

Suppressing the urge to yawn, Rong Ke asked, “What will you wear?”

“I need to go home for a bit, so I won’t be accompanying you tonight,” Yan Zhi said. “After the show, you can wander around. There are many media photographers on the streets. If they want to take your picture, don’t refuse.”

It was then that Rong Ke remembered that Europe was Yan Zhi’s home base. This was less of a business trip and more of a homecoming.

Thinking about having to go out alone, Rong Ke felt a bit unsure. “Can I really just wander around?”

During his last visit to Paris, the schedule had been tight, and Rong Ke had to maintain a low profile. He hadn’t even visited the famed Left Bank of the Seine. If possible, he’d love to take a city walk, at least to make the trip worthwhile.

“Of course you can,” Yan Zhi said. “Just treat this place like your own backyard.”

Since his home was in Paris, there was no reason not to return when coming here for a fashion show.

Bruce, aware of Yan Zhi’s return, had canceled his other engagements and arranged a small dinner party at home.

A group of elegantly dressed people sat around the long table. After Bruce’s toast, everyone began to chat. Yan Zhi put down his champagne and said to Yan Fei, who was wearing a haute couture gown, “I’m just here for a meal, yet you’ve made it so grand.”

“I heard BEJ’s new jewelry line is selling well. Bruce is very pleased,” Yan Fei said.

“Indeed, it’s doing well.” Thinking of this, Yan Zhi took out his phone and sent a WeChat message to Rong Ke.

[Yan Zhi: Have you entered the show venue?]
[Rong Ke: I was stopped by security, saying I don’t have an invitation]

Yan Zhi frowned and immediately stood up from the dinner table, but then a new message popped up in the chat.

[Rong Ke: After waiting for over ten minutes, someone brought me in]
[Yan Zhi: I had made arrangements]
[Rong Ke: Mm]
[Rong Ke: Image.jpg]
[Rong Ke: I’m sitting here, so close to the runway]

Yan Zhi sat back down at the table. Yan Fei asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Yan Zhi put down his phone and said, “I recently found a new job.”

Yan Fei wasn’t surprised. “What are you up to now?”

“Celebrity agent,” Yan Zhi’s lips curved into a slight smile. “How about that? Interesting, right?”

“You really…” Yan Fei complained, “You’ve tried every job in the fashion industry, and now you’re venturing into entertainment?”

“The two circles aren’t that different,” Yan Zhi said. “The underlying logic is the same – gold shines wherever it is.”

As he chatted with Yan Fei, new messages kept coming in on WeChat.

[Rong Ke: Image.jpg]
[Rong Ke: The Eiffel Tower, it’s so tall up close]
[Rong Ke: Image.jpg]
[Rong Ke: The Arc de Triomphe, quite magnificent]
[Rong Ke: Image.jpg]
[Rong Ke: Have you tried the coffee at the Left Bank of the Seine?]

During the meal, Yan Zhi’s attention was mostly on his phone. Yan Fei gradually noticed something was off. “Who are you chatting with?”

“A curious baby,” Yan Zhi said, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

He suddenly felt a bit regretful for not making time to accompany Rong Ke on his city tour.

After the dinner party ended, Yan Zhi didn’t stay at home but returned to the hotel.

By then, it was late at night. The media gathered on the streets had dispersed, and Paris seemed to have shed its glamorous attire, returning to its everyday appearance.

Swiping his card and pushing open the suite door, Yan Zhi had just walked into the living room when he saw Rong Ke standing by the table drinking water, wearing nothing but white underwear.

“Why are you,” he narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling on the round curves wrapped in white fabric, “not wearing clothes?”

“It’s too hot,” Rong Ke said. “I couldn’t figure out how to operate the air conditioning panel.”

He drank water hastily, and water droplets slid down from the corner of his mouth, which he wiped away carelessly with the back of his hand.

Yan Zhi wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he felt that Rong Ke seemed a bit different from before.

Previously, he would hurriedly cover up if even half of his underwear showed, but now he was walking around the room in his underwear without any hesitation.

“Didn’t I tell you,” Yan Zhi tilted his head, appraising the curves hidden beneath the fabric, “not to wear white?”

“What’s wrong with white?” Rong Ke asked, confused. “Is it unfashionable?”

No, it’s too sexy.

Yan Zhi temporarily averted his gaze and asked, “Did you encounter any media taking your photos?”

“I met a few domestic self-media,” Rong Ke said. “But they didn’t seem to know who I was, just taking random shots.”

“Mm, tomorrow I’ll take you to SPL’s haute couture show. They’ll all know who you are then.”

Rong Ke nodded, suddenly remembering something. “Why didn’t you sleep at home?”

Yan Zhi said, “I came back to keep you company.”

“You didn’t have to. I’m not like you,” Rong Ke said.

Yan Zhi was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“Directionally challenged.” And a princely character who needs to be waited on.

Rong Ke didn’t say the latter part out loud, only adding, “I toured all around Paris today without getting lost.”

Then he added, “And I didn’t lose my wallet either.”

“But I think your safety awareness needs improvement,” Yan Zhi walked up to Rong Ke, his gaze subtly scanning his chest. “Boys need to be careful outside.”

Rong Ke understood Yan Zhi’s meaning and found it amusing. He casually patted Yan Zhi’s chest with the back of his hand, saying, “Not necessary with you.”

Watching Rong Ke’s figure disappear behind the bedroom door, Yan Zhi stood there, lost in thought. “What does he mean, ‘not necessary with me’?”

What’s going on?

It seemed to have become a bit ambiguous.