Stealing The Wind But Not The Moon [Completed]

48. I Will Lay You Down If You Pass Out.

Chu Zhichen couldn't fathom his own actions. It wasn't the dead of night, and there were no closed doors or walls to conceal him.

Yet, here he was, holding Xiang Mingzhang tightly in the midst of their daytime and nighttime at the office.

The elusive wild cat disappeared into the lush grass, its presence vanishing from sight.

Chu Zhichen's hand, which covered Xiang Mingzhang's back, felt as if it were scalded. His fingers curled slightly, contemplating pushing Xiang Mingzhang away from his waist.

However, Xiang Mingzhang had him ensnared with his sturdy arms and declared, "Consider this as compensation."

The act of compensation through an embrace held such ambiguity, but Chu Zhichen couldn't help but question, "Why do you want me to compensate you?"

Xiang Mingzhang turned the tables on him, saying, "Then let me compensate you instead. What do you want?"

Helplessly, Chu Zhichen responded, "If you release me first, I can try to salvage my dignity if someone catches us."

Xiang Mingzhang released his hold, seeing that it was suitable, and Chu Zhichen took a step back, breathing lightly as he rubbed his reddened chin against Xiang Mingzhang's shoulder.

It was their first time sharing such intimate contact since that fateful night in the office. The underlying restraint had momentarily shattered. They were afraid of crossing the line, but they had already gone beyond it.

The lunch break was coming to an end. Xiang Mingzhang fixed his crooked tie and inquired, "Do you still plan on hiding from me?"

Chu Zhichen replied, "If I hide from you, I might as well not come to work."

Xiang Mingzhang retorted, "And if I come, you still treat me as if I'm invisible."

Bending down to gather the empty lunch box from the bench, Chu Zhichen countered, "Don't you ignore me as well? You came here in the morning for a meeting that proceeded straight into the afternoon at the R&D center. Why, are you afraid to return to the office?"

Xiang Mingzhang confessed, "A little. I'm afraid that you, Mr. Chu, will hold a grudge and slip a knife into the documents when you ask me to sign."

Chu Zhichen provocatively smiled, his eyebrows raised in a lively manner, "Why bother with a knife when I could simply add a dash of poison to your coffee, like Jing Ke?"

Xiang Mingzhang retorted, "You might as well mix it into the vodka. The chance of me consuming it would be higher."

Chu Zhichen realized that yielding to someone with an unabashed lack of shame rendered him powerless. Grasping the lunch box tightly, he stated, "Alright. When you pass out, I'll place you on the desk so you can experience it for yourself."

Xiang Mingzhang sought guidance sincerely, "What would I feel?"

After pondering for a while, Chu Zhichen set the now-squashed lunch box aside. The firm tabletop had left his shoulders aching after lying flat on it for three consecutive days. He spoke, "You can return to the office and experience it on your own. I'll stand guard by the door."

A suppressed smile brushed Xiang Mingzhang's lips. "Unfortunately, I don't have the time. I need to take you for an injection first."

the back of his hand, a delicate white canvas marred by a single scarlet stroke. The scratch was not deep, but it had welled up with blood that had now dried to a faint pink stain of bloodstain.

However, he paid no mind to the minor injury. "I'll schedule an appointment after work."

Xiang Mingzhang remarked, "When you finish work, the vaccination center will already be closed."