LOI Chapter 37 — The Dawn of Victory

As the waiters served dessert, many guests began mingling in the banquet hall.

Yan Fei, who had missed the entrance ceremony, naturally became the center of attention. Admirers flocked to her side, and Yan Zhi was pulled along to socialize. Meanwhile, Rong Ke remained at his seat, savoring a fluffy, delicate soufflé.

Unable to access foreign websites without a VPN, Rong Ke searched domestic social platforms for Yan Zhi’s rumored exes but found nothing.

Hitting a dead end, he changed tactics and began scrutinizing suspicious details. Recalling Yan Zhi’s oddly calm reaction to the mention of Liu Qing and Jiang Si’s spies, Rong Ke reopened Weibo and clicked on Fallen Poop’s account.

The account’s IP was local, with posts about mundane topics like weather and movie reviews. Rong Ke’s experience of being on Weibo all year round told him this wasn’t a fan account.

Scrolling further, he noticed the user had liked every MQ magazine cover, including Rong Ke’s mermaid shoot. This virtually ruled out the spy theory.

A bold idea struck him—could this be Yan Zhi’s alt account? But the writing style and photo quality quickly dismissed that notion.

Wait.

The user’s album contained many street scenes near Starlight Tower, where MQ’s office was located.

The truth seemed clear—this person worked for MQ.

Rong Ke pocketed his phone and took another spoonful of soufflé, watching Yan Zhi from afar amidst the clinking glasses.

Tall and broad-shouldered, Yan Zhi exuded an air of noble arrogance. Rong Ke couldn’t help but doubt himself. How on earth did he know that Yan Zhi was a bottom?

Had he been misled by CP fans?

Those fans hadn’t met Yan Zhi in person, so it was not surprising that they would get it wrong just by looking at his face. But Rong Ke spent day and night with Yan Zhi, how could he have missed his true nature?

He had reached the bottom of the ceramic bowl, but Rong Ke continued scraping it, producing a grating sound.

Providing fan service daily was one thing, but how did he foolishly agree to try a relationship with Yan Zhi?

His temperament was clearly too gentle.

Were there no decent tops in this world?

Oh, except Zhou Lin. He was a good person.

“Finished eating?” Yan Zhi returned with a wine glass. “Fei-jie says we can leave soon.”

“Mm.” Despite his inner turmoil, Rong Ke’s expression remained neutral as he wiped his mouth. “Let’s go.”

After leaving the venue, Rong Ke and Yan Zhi escorted Yan Fei back to her hotel.

The mother and son had not seen each other for a long time, and they had a lot to talk about. Yan Zhi accompanied Yan Fei upstairs while Rong Ke waited by the roadside.

“You two are a perfect match,” Yan Fei slurred in the elevator, now a chatterbox. “Those coordinated outfits look like couple clothes on you. That’s rare. You know, I once shot a magazine with this actor…”

Yan Fei rambled on until they finally reached her floor.

“Alright, Fei-jie, I’ve heard these stories countless times,” Yan Zhi said, escorting her to her room. Mindful of Rong Ke waiting downstairs, he kept his goodbye brief.

However, Yan Fei suddenly called out, “Oh, and be honest with Rong Ke soon. Don’t let him slip away.”

“That won’t happen,” Yan Zhi waved, leaving with a casual air. “I have my own pace.”

By the time they returned to Tianxi Yunwan, it was late.

As Yan Zhi loosened his tie, ready to change into home clothes, Rong Ke headed straight for the dining area. “Have a drink?”

This wasn’t their usual routine. Yan Zhi removed his jacket and sat on the living room sofa. “You want a drink?”

“I’ve been thinking,” Rong Ke said, calmly pouring red wine into glasses on the coffee table.

“Thinking about what?” Yan Zhi asked.

Rong Ke handed Yan Zhi a glass and sat beside him. “Remember I told you I haven’t seen my parents for a long time?”

His tone was soft and steady, instantly creating an intimate atmosphere.

“Mm,” Yan Zhi acknowledged. “What about it?”

“I envy you for having a mother like Fei-jie,” Rong Ke sighed, a hint of melancholy in his expression.

“No need for envy,” Yan Zhi replied. “You can be part of our family too.”

“Yes, that’s what I’ve realized,” Rong Ke gazed at Yan Zhi, his eyes both determined and gentle. “I want to be your family.”

When Rong Ke played the role of a bricklayer in Legal Elite, there was a scene where his parents came to visit him in prison.

That complex mix of guilt towards parents, self-reproach, and longing to return to family was a complex emotion.

If Rong Ke could effortlessly portray such challenging family scenes, then this was child’s play now.

“Really?” Yan Zhi seemed surprised, setting down his glass. “Fei-jie would be thrilled.”

“Mm,” Rong Ke nodded, then shifted gears. “But before we become family, shouldn’t we get to know each other better?”

“Get to know each other?” Yan Zhi paused, confusion flickering in his eyes. “Aren’t we close enough already?”

“You know me, but I don’t know you well enough,” Rong Ke said casually, sitting cross-legged facing Yan Zhi. “What were your ex-boyfriends like? I want to see how I measure up to my predecessors.”

Yan Zhi fell silent. “…Predecessors?”

“It’s my first time being a top. I want to do my best,” Rong Ke said frankly. “I’d like to know how you interacted with your exes. That way, I can improve myself, right?”

Yan Zhi picked up his glass again, taking a slow sip of wine. “You don’t need to know. I didn’t have any particularly memorable relationships before.”

Rong Ke believed this wasn’t a lie. After all, Yan Zhi had once said love was merely a diversion for him.

But—

That wasn’t the point.

“Even if the feelings weren’t deep, you must remember the people,” Rong Ke pressed. “Do you have any photos I could see?”

Yan Zhi didn’t move, tilting his head to counter, “Do you have photos of Jiang Si on your phone?”

Rong Ke immediately understood Yan Zhi’s implication—no one keeps photos of their exes.

He quickly thought of a workaround. “There are some online.”

But Yan Zhi’s defenses were tighter than expected. He shrugged, saying regretfully, “Unfortunately, none of my past partners were public figures. Otherwise, I’d show you.”

Rong Ke: “…”

Damn, he’s good at this act.

Yan Zhi seemed to not want Rong Ke to continue asking, so he turned on the TV.

“We haven’t watched episode five yet,” he said, opening their streaming platform to “Patchwork Family.” “I heard Sha Ya’s backstory is tragic in this one.”

The topic shift was seamless.

“Yeah,” Rong Ke replied calmly, sipping his wine. “He and the boss grew up relying on each other but ultimately chose different paths.”

“Speaking of which, what do you think of Zhou Lin?” Rong Ke steered the conversation back as the boss appeared on screen.

“Zhou Lin?” Yan Zhi glanced at Rong Ke, then back at the TV. “His acting is decent.”

“I meant your first impression of him,” Rong Ke clarified. “He’s very down-to-earth and easy to get along with, but you seemed reluctant to get to know him. Why is that?”

With his glass empty, Yan Zhi set it on the table and began pouring more wine. “Want some more?”

“I’m good,” Rong Ke replied, following Yan Zhi’s lead. “You should drink less, too.”

Yan Zhi only poured himself half a glass. Just as Rong Ke thought he wouldn’t answer the previous question, Yan Zhi spoke up. “He’s not my type aesthetically. I disliked him at first sight. Besides, shouldn’t you have told me beforehand about setting me up? Making such decisions on your own put me in an awkward position.”

Rong Ke: “…”

Well, he had to admit fault there.

His offensive strategy suddenly became defensive.

“But most importantly, it’s because I already like you, but you tried to set me up with someone else,” Yan Zhi’s expression and tone grew more heartfelt. “You’re a hidden pearl, and I was the one who discovered you. I wanted to keep you for myself. Can you understand that feeling?”

Rong Ke: “…” Not in the slightest.

“Types are secondary. What matters is your heart,” Yan Zhi placed his hand over Rong Ke’s. “I’m following my heart to you. Aren’t you moved?”

Rong Ke: “…” I’m so moved that I can move back to grandma’s house.

—His grandmother was already dead, and her house was the grave.

“So,” Rong Ke launched a fiercer attack, “you’ve decided to bottom for love?”

“Hm?” Yan Zhi’s mind worked quickly, dodging Rong Ke’s trap. “I mean, if you find it tiring, I wouldn’t mind topping for love.”

This acting, this quick thinking—Rong Ke felt Yan Zhi deserved an Oscar.

Seeing Yan Zhi’s impenetrable defenses, Rong Ke downed his wine, loosened his tie, and suddenly pinned Yan Zhi against the sofa armrest.

“You know what?” Rong Ke whispered in Yan Zhi’s ear, “The moment I saw you in that suit, I was turned on.”

Yan Zhi was momentarily confused; Rong Ke had seemed so calm all evening.

“I want you to enter me while wearing that suit,” Rong Ke’s lips grazed Yan Zhi’s cheek as he gazed at him, eyes shimmering. “Too bad you’re also a bottom and have no experience.”

Rong Ke’s eyes were filled with suppressed desire, his hot breath on Yan Zhi’s lips making the latter’s throat unexpectedly dry.

“I…” Yan Zhi almost blurted out “actually I’m a top,” but his voice of reason held him back.

Don’t rush it, Yan Zhi reminded himself. The art of slow cooking is patience. If you get impatient, the duck in your mouth will probably fly away.

“You what?” Rong Ke touched Yan Zhi’s lips with his finger. “Say what’s on your mind.”

“We can take it slow,” Yan Zhi said seriously, though his hands found their way to Rong Ke’s rounded backside.

Rong Ke inwardly scoffed but kept his expression unchanged. “How slow? Who’s taking it slow for whom?”

“How about,” Yan Zhi looked as if making a great sacrifice, “I take you tonight?”

Keep dreaming, Rong Ke thought.

“You’re tired today. I can’t bear to wear you out,” Rong Ke sat up, glancing at Yan Zhi’s awakening beast. “You called me a pearl, but you’re just as precious to me. Baby, you should be cherished. I won’t let you exhaust yourself.”

Yan Zhi bit his lip, thinking, You really don’t need to cherish me…

“Let’s leave it at that for today and go shower,” Rong Ke stood, unbuttoning his shirt. “We’ll continue watching ‘Patchwork Family’ after.”

“…Just watch TV after?” Yan Zhi asked.

“What else?” Rong Ke countered, then switched to a heartfelt tone. “Actually, I don’t think being both bottoms is a problem. You know I don’t care about positions. Just tell me clearly if you want to top.”

With that, Rong Ke turned and went to the bathroom, leaving Yan Zhi lost in thought in the living room.

What’s going on?

He seemed to see the dawn of victory just ahead.