LOI Chapter 35 — I Really Don't

It would be a lie to say that he was not impressed.

Rong Ke understood Yan Zhi’s nature – he always prioritized his own satisfaction. So letting Rong Ke win at rock-paper-scissors was undoubtedly a huge concession.

As tenderness spread through his heart, Rong Ke raised his arm and affectionately rubbed Yan Zhi’s shoulder. Just as he was about to offer to make something delicious for him tomorrow, Yan Zhi suddenly said, “So does this mean you’ll wear the apron now?”

Rong Ke: “…”

The softness at the corners of his mouth instantly vanished, and his touched mood evaporated.

Rong Ke closed his eyes briefly and took a slow, deep breath. “Is this your obsession?”

“You know those aprons have been sitting around for a long time,” Yan Zhi said. “Wouldn’t it be a waste if they go out of style by next year? You’re not one to waste things.”

A vein popped on Rong Ke’s forehead. “Lingerie doesn’t go out of style!”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Yan Zhi said. “While some classic styles are timeless, people’s aesthetics are always changing. What if I don’t like the styles I bought anymore by next year?”

How could he sound so reasonable?

“So it’s not about the clothes, it’s about you,” Rong Ke said.

“No,” Yan Zhi’s gaze was sincere. “It’s about you.”

“You refuse to wear them.”

Rong Ke exhaled resignedly, knowing he could never win an argument against this neurotic prince with normal logic. He gave up resisting. “Fine, I’ll go put it on.”

“Wait,” Yan Zhi’s eyes lit up. “Wear the fox tail too.”

Rong Ke raised his fist. “Don’t push your luck.”

Rong Ke could have simply worn the sexy apron over his home clothes, but he could imagine how angry that would make Yan Zhi, and then he’d have to coax him afterward.

Better to indulge Yan Zhi’s obsession now than have him constantly pestering about it.

Rong Ke took the apron and went to shower in the bathroom. The sound of running water behind the glass door was more melodious to Yan Zhi than any opera he’d heard.

Yan Zhi leisurely scrolled through unread messages in his WeChat groups when suddenly, a video call from Yan Fei popped up.

Considering the possibility of Rong Ke coming out at a wrong time and Yan Fei seeing something “unhealthy,” Yan Zhi took his phone out to the balcony.

“Not busy today?” Yan Zhi asked.

“Even if I am, I have to make time to check on you,” Yan Fei said. She was sitting in the passenger seat of a car, with street scenes receding outside the window. “I heard you’ve been quite active recently? Investing in TV dramas and variety shows. Is it to promote your mermaid?”

It wasn’t surprising that Yan Fei knew about this. Every brand under the group reported its movements to Bruce, including decisions made under Yan Zhi’s direction.

“You know that’s not it,” Yan Zhi said, glancing briefly at the closed bathroom door before continuing, “The rise of Chinese domestic brands in recent years is inseparable from marketing strategies. If we don’t become more active, our market share here will only continue to decrease.”

Yan Fei pondered for a moment. “It seems the second quarter revenue was significantly higher than the first quarter.”

“So relying solely on magazines isn’t enough. To increase brand awareness, we need to approach it from various angles.”

Yan Fei nodded, changing the subject. “By the way, RBW invited me to walk their runway. I agreed, so come pick me up at the airport in a few days.”

Yan Zhi: “…”

RBW was an emerging Chinese domestic brand with high international visibility.

“Does Bruce know?” Yan Zhi asked. “You’re going to walk for his competitor’s brand.”

“He’s him, and I’m me. Why should my career be tied to his?” Yan Fei said. “Of course, Chinese people should support Chinese brands.”

“…” Yan Zhi paused again. “So I’m the traitor, right?”

Yan Fei laughed heartily. “Work is about being happy. It’s up to you how you view it.”

At that moment, the bathroom door suddenly opened. Yan Zhi glanced over, quickly said, “Send me your flight details,” and ended the video call.

Rong Ke emerged from the bathroom hesitantly, wearing nothing but a barely-there maid apron.

The top consisted of two straps that could be adjusted to cover his pink nipples, but the teasing glimpses were even more provocative. The white fabric below was barely two hand-spans wide, just enough to cover his groin but leaving his hips exposed. Anyone could understand the designer’s concept: not an inch more than necessary.

“Why don’t you come over?” Yan Zhi asked, sitting on the sofa.

Rong Ke leaned against the doorframe, unmoving, his cheeks slightly flushed and knees pressed together. Yan Zhi suddenly noticed something amiss and tilted his head, looking behind Rong Ke. “You’re wearing the fox tail too?”

Rong Ke murmured an vague “hmm”.

Since he was already wearing the apron, he didn’t mind sacrificing a bit more.

Yan Zhi immediately leaned forward, about to stand up, but quickly restrained himself. He gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, “Come here.”

Rong Ke didn’t move. “You come here.”

“If I move, that thing will rub too much. It’s killing me.”

Yan Zhi’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he asked, “Can’t you even manage this?”

Men are easily provoked.

Not wanting Yan Zhi to think he was inferior, Rong Ke steeled himself, took a deep breath, and walked towards Yan Zhi.

Yan Zhi’s gaze was utterly unabashed, making no effort to hide his desire. Rong Ke thought he was holding up well, but little Rong Ke wasn’t cooperating. By the time he reached the sofa, the small white cloth had “floated” up.

Yan Zhi’s smile deepened. Rong Ke, throwing caution to the wind, bent down and kissed Yan Zhi’s lips.

They naturally fell back onto the sofa. Honestly, Rong Ke quite enjoyed kissing Yan Zhi.

Yan Zhi always did things to perfection, and kissing was no exception. Neither reckless nor timid, he paid just the right attention to every corner.

Before long, the troublesome clothes were discarded, and they began to tend to each other’s heat. Rong Ke felt the foreplay was sufficient, and it was time to move on to the next step.

He headed straight for that secret valley, but just then, Yan Zhi suddenly intensified his “attentions” while his other hand swiftly yanked off Rong Ke’s fox tail.

Rong Ke felt a sudden dizziness. When he came to his senses, he had once again made Yan Zhi a bowl of “white porridge.”

Yan Zhi’s amused voice sounded in his ear, “Why are you so sensitive?”

Anger immediately rose in Rong Ke’s chest. “What are you doing? You’ve completely destroyed my dignity as a top!”

Thankfully, today’s timing was normal. Otherwise, Rong Ke feared he might never be able to hold his head up again.

Yan Zhi couldn’t stop laughing. He bit Rong Ke’s lip, silencing all his protests.

After a while, Yan Zhi finished as well.

Rong Ke finally found a chance to speak, complaining, “Are you really taking this seriously with me?”

Yan Zhi blinked innocently. “How am I not serious?”

“I suspect you have a twisted psychology, thinking your ‘sister’ isn’t qualified to top you,” Rong Ke analyzed seriously. “Otherwise, why are you so uncooperative?”

“I really don’t,” Yan Zhi said, sounding aggrieved. “I just pulled the tail for fun earlier.”

You nearly played me to death.

Rong Ke took a deep breath and said, “Forget it. Let’s not do this anymore. I can’t be the top.”

A glint flashed in Yan Zhi’s eyes. “I can be.”

“Shut up!” Rong Ke pointed at Yan Zhi. “Don’t let me hear the word ‘top’ again.”

Uh-oh, Yan Zhi pressed his lips together. He’d gone too far.

He tentatively spoke, “…Is that a promise?”

Rong Ke: “Yan Zhi!!”

For the next two days, the quality of meals at home plummeted. No matter how Yan Zhi protested, Rong Ke only made him shredded potatoes with vegetable and tofu soup.

Fortunately, Yan Fei’s flight was arriving today, and Rong Ke finally put away the dark expression he’d worn for two days.

Leaving the airport parking lot, Rong Ke was fully armed with a baseball cap, sunglasses, and mask. Seeing Yan Zhi carelessly pull his mask down to his chin, he quickly pulled it back up.

“I told you fans are scary nowadays,” Rong Ke said cautiously, glancing around. “Can you believe the landlord at Fuxin Garden installed cameras in the apartment?”

Luckily, he hadn’t stayed there since becoming famous, so nothing had been recorded.

Yan Zhi adjusted his mask, looking at the sidewalk opposite. “Are those two people looking at us?”

Rong Ke followed Yan Zhi’s gaze and saw two people across the street looking at them suspiciously, as if trying to confirm something.

The next second, one of them started walking towards them, with the other following closely, clearly intending to approach.

Rong Ke immediately averted his gaze, about to tell Yan Zhi to hurry. But before he could speak, Yan Zhi suddenly grabbed his wrist and started running wildly.

The force was so strong that his hat nearly blew off.

The shouts of two people rang out from behind, “It really is Rong Ke and Yan Zhi!”

Rong Ke ran wildly alongside Yan Zhi, bewildered, thinking this was just exposing themselves.

After crossing a green belt and weaving around several pillars, the two people following them disappeared.

Seeing no one around, Rong Ke pulled down his mask to catch his breath. “Why are you running?”

Yan Zhi said, “I’m showing them what it means to take the lead.”

A vein popped on Rong Ke’s forehead. “That’s enough.”

Yan Zhi dropped his playful tone and said, “Just practicing. In the future, if you’re surrounded at the airport, run like this.”

Yan Fei rarely attended events in China and didn’t have a fan club to greet her, so she didn’t use the VIP channel.

The arrival hall was packed. Rong Ke and Yan Zhi didn’t go in, instead hiding behind a pillar across the street.

Rong Ke had chosen their outfits today. Both wore extremely plain plaid shirts, Rong Ke’s clothes. So after finding a hiding spot, no one noticed them.

After about twenty minutes, Yan Zhi received a call from Yan Fei saying she had collected her luggage and was coming out.

He went to the hall entrance to meet Yan Fei and her assistant, then brought them to where Rong Ke was waiting. By now the area was full of reuniting people busy chatting, so no one paid them any attention.

Seeing Rong Ke, Yan Fei gave him an enthusiastic hug, saying, “Hello, I’m Yan Zhi’s mother.”

She was 1.8 meters tall, and in high-heeled boots, her long legs seemed to stretch endlessly, making her appear taller than both Rong Ke and Yan Zhi.

Rong Ke said, “I know, I’ve known you since I was very young.”

The group walked towards where Rong Ke had parked. Yan Fei walked in front with her arm around Rong Ke’s shoulders, while Yan Zhi and the assistant followed behind.

“Yan Zhi has never introduced his boyfriend to me before. You’re the first,” Yan Fei said to Rong Ke.

“Is that so?” Rong Ke thought it was because there was no pressure in the introduction. After all, if they couldn’t be lovers, they could still be friends.

“I heard you just finished filming a TV series and are resting now, right?” Yan Fei asked.

“Yes, I’ve been staying at home these days. If you want to go sightseeing, I can accompany you.”

“Don’t keep calling me ‘you’ so formally. It sounds awkward to me,” Yan Fei said. “Call me Fei-jie or Phoebe.”

Rong Ke felt uncomfortable with this. He discreetly turned his face to glance at Yan Zhi behind him.

Yan Zhi raised his chin slightly, indicating it was fine.

“Then… Fei-jie?” Rong Ke changed his address. “Is there anything you’d like to eat? I’ll arrange it.”

“It’s rare for me to be back in China. What I want most is home-cooked food,” Yan Fei said. “I heard you’re a great cook. I’m so lucky to have you as my daughter-in-law.”

“Huh?” Rong Ke’s steps faltered. “Daughter-in-law?”