Chapter 9 – It Hurts Right Here

That evening, the hot pot dinner was a boisterous affair spread across several tables. Smoke hung heavy in the air as everyone drank and smoked freely. Only Qi Yanze abstained, claiming he didn't partake in either. Seeing as he was the sole intern present, no one pushed him too hard, merely insisting he take a few symbolic sips.

The older women from the audit and investment banking teams, however, seemed to quite enjoy chatting with him. Despite the clamor of the restaurant, Qi Yanze responded with a polite smile to each one, charming a group of them into lamenting what a waste it was for him to have studied 'damned law.'

By the end of the meal, he had barely eaten anything. He’d been too busy fending off social advances. The fiery heat of the authentic hot pot, far spicier than the Sichuan food they’d had in City A, combined with the alcohol he'd been made to drink, left a burning discomfort in his stomach. He had a history of stomach problems, and years of abuse had left it exceptionally fragile.

On the way back to the hotel, he found himself supporting several of the more intoxicated men from the brokerage. Most of them were large and heavy, and as he helped them, he was assaulted by a nauseating combination of stale alcohol, cigarette smoke, and sweat. A wave of revulsion washed over him, and a cold sweat beaded on his forehead from the pain in his stomach and the rising bile in his throat. Yet, when the men slurred their thanks at their hotel room doors, all they saw was the young man’s untroubled, smiling face.

"Thanks for your hard work, intern."

"It is no problem, Brother. You should get some rest."

The moment he was back in his own room, he ripped off his clothes, tossing them into the laundry basket with a shudder of disgust. He leaned heavily against the sink, staring at his own reflection in the mirror… a pale, drawn face under the harsh bathroom lights.

…

By the time he emerged from the shower, it was well past ten. Qi Yanze had changed out of his usual work shirt, wearing nothing but a simple white tank top as he headed downstairs. There was a 24-hour convenience store just below the hotel. He went inside, bought a can of rice porridge, and had the clerk heat it up for him at the counter.

September in City A was already tipping into the coolness of early autumn, and the wind was strong at night. Most people were bundled in thicker jackets, but he stood there in only a tank top, revealing the clean, powerful lines of his muscles and drawing the occasional sideways glance from passersby.

Qi Yanze didn't feel the cold. The heat from the restaurant and the cloying proximity of those corpulent bodies still clung to him, a fever that even a shower hadn't managed to break. He finished the porridge in a few quick mouthfuls by the entrance, tossing the empty can into the trash. The warmth settled in his stomach, but the sharp pain remained. He leaned against a planter, lighting a cigarette and staring into the distance, lost in thought.

In the middle of his smoke, Lin Zifan sent him a video call, showing off the debauchery at the club they were at and pointing out that the crown prince of the Lu Group had also made an appearance. A chorus of wealthy young masters demanded to know why he had so inexplicably decided to go work as an intern. Qi Yanze watched the flashing red and green lights on the screen in silence. It was only when Lin Zifan suddenly cursed that the silence was broken.

"Are you fucking kidding me? You didn't eat, did you?"

"I had a little."

"Your lips are pale as a ghost. Is your stomach acting up again?" Lin Zifan frowned, then sighed after a moment. "You really know how to torture yourself."

"You sound like my goddamn girlfriend."

"Fuck off, don't disgust me. If you cut it off, I might consider it."

Lin Zifan didn't argue for long; a girl soon draped herself over his back, calling his name. The allure of soft flesh and sweet perfume was enough to make him forget his brother entirely. Qi Yanze was used to it. He ended the call without a change in expression and stared blankly into the night.

"Aren't you cold?" A low, rich voice suddenly cut through the night air from above him.

He turned his head to see Xie Chengyun standing beside him, face flushed from the alcohol. It was clear he had drunk quite a bit, but he still carried himself with an effortless grace. In the distance, a black business van was pulling away from the curb—likely the car that had just dropped him off.

"Are you finished for the night, Lawyer Xie?"

"How was dinner?"

"It was good," Qi Yanze lied without flinching as he stood up. "You drank quite a bit."

"It is not as bad as it looks. My face just flushes easily, which I can use as an excuse to get out of drinking more." Though Xie Chengyun said this, his head was still swimming. The client was state-owned, which meant a certain amount of wining and dining was unavoidable.

"Then let’s head back together. Your room is right across from mine," Qi Yanze said, extinguishing his cigarette.

"Alright."

Xie Chengyun nodded. As they walked, Qi Yanze fell into step beside him. Under the weak glow of the streetlights, Xie Chengyun could only make out the superior, chiseled lines of the younger man’s profile cast in shadow.

When his car had pulled up, he had spotted Qi Yanze sitting alone by the planters, wearing nothing but a white tank top. From that distance, he couldn't see clearly, but the light was enough to trace the athletic contours of his body. He hadn't been in the mood to appreciate it, however, because against the backdrop of the night, the silhouette looked profoundly lonely, a stark contrast to the confident young man he had come to know.

Although the younger man walked as if nothing was wrong, Xie Chengyun’s sharp eyes caught the subtle, intermittent furrowing of his brow. He had spent too much time in social and professional minefields not to have subconsciously learned to read micro-expressions.

The path wasn't long. Just as Qi Yanze was about to gather his energy and tease Xie Chengyun for his blatant staring, a jacket suddenly draped over his shoulders. It carried the faint scent of alcohol, mingled with a deeper, richer note of oud and sandalwood. It was nothing like the cloying stench of the men from earlier; this scent was grounding, comforting. Even the spasming in his stomach seemed to quiet under its unexpected warmth.

"You look a little unwell. Are you too cold?" Xie Chengyun asked, his voice laced with genuine concern. He simply thought the young man looked uncomfortable and had assumed it was from the lack of clothing.

"Lawyer Xie…" Qi Yanze turned his head. The pain in his stomach was sharp, but he still managed to force a teasing smile. "I am in the middle of pursuing you. A gesture like this… I might misunderstand."

Xie Chengyun froze, having completely forgotten about that. He was momentarily speechless before shaking his head with a small laugh. "I simply don't want an employee catching a cold tomorrow."

"So Lawyer Xie is just equally concerned for all his employees. I guess I was overthinking it."

…

In the elevator, Qi Yanze suddenly fell silent. Since he was standing diagonally behind Xie Chengyun, the lawyer didn't notice his expression. It was only when the doors opened and Xie Chengyun turned around that he saw Qi Yanze’s eyes snap open as he strode quickly out of the elevator. He simply assumed the young man was tired.

"I am almost reluctant to give this jacket back, Lawyer Xie."

Xie Chengyun was already used to Qi Yanze’s verbal jousting. "You can always buy an identical one."

"But will it have your scent on it?"

"I can tell you the brand of perfume."

The man was completely impenetrable. Qi Yanze just let out a low chuckle. "It seems Lawyer Xie’s heart is made of stone. Impossible to crack."

Xie Chengyun didn't respond, turning to swipe his key card. Before closing the door, however, he turned back to look at Qi Yanze’s pale face. For a fleeting moment, he saw a reflection of his younger self—the one who had just started his career in Hong Kong, sick or unwell with no friends to rely on. He couldn't stop his voice from softening.

"Good night. Remember to boil some hot water and take a hot bath. If you really feel unwell, you can knock on my door."

Qi Yanze had long heard from other colleagues how gentle and dependable Xie Chengyun was, how well he took care of his subordinates. Everyone seemed to hold him in high regard. Now, he had to admit, he understood why so many would fall for him. It was just a pity he would never be one of them.

"Good night, Lawyer Xie."

After closing the door, Xie Chengyun went straight to take a shower. He had had a bit of hard liquor tonight, and his head felt heavy, though he was still reasonably clear-headed.

When he emerged from the shower, dressed in a loose bathrobe and looking for a change of clothes, he realized his laptop bag was missing from his suitcase. He searched the room but couldn't find it. The computer contained sensitive client information for various projects; almost all his work files were on it. Xie Chengyun frowned, raising his phone to check the time. He wanted to call the driver but worried he might already be asleep. His temples began to throb.

Just as he was hesitating, about to send a text instead, the doorbell suddenly rang. When he opened the door, he saw Qi Yanze standing there, holding his bag. Though he had a powerful build, a distinct fragility clung to his otherwise powerful frame.

Under the bright hotel lighting, Xie Chengyun noticed for the first time that Qi Yanze seemed to have a tattoo on his shoulder, but it was partially obscured by the fabric of his tank top, a mysterious, disappearing line.

"Lawyer Xie, that man from earlier gave me your laptop bag and asked me to keep it safe for you. I just locked it in my suitcase and only just remembered."

As Qi Yanze spoke, his gaze slid down the damp V of Xie Chengyun’s robe, tracing the rivulets of water over his chest. The look was so subtly suggestive that Xie Chengyun, after taking the bag, instinctively pulled his robe tighter, covering the expanse of his pectoral muscles.

"Thank you. I was just worried it was lost." Xie Chengyun’s heart finally settled. He accepted the bag and added a note of concern. "Are you feeling any better now?"

"… It seems to still hurt a little."

Xie Chengyun paused. After a polite inquiry, this wasn't the answer he had been expecting. "Do you need some medicine? I usually carry some cold medicine with me on trips."

"I don't have a cold, Lawyer Xie."

"Then where are you uncomfortable?"

"This area."

Xie Chengyun watched as the other man traced a vague shape with his finger, unable to tell which part of his body was in pain. He gently touched Qi Yanze’s abdomen. "Here?"

"No."

The moment the word left his lips, his own hand was enveloped by a broader, warmer palm. The younger man’s fingers laced through his, and in that warm grip, his hand was guided slowly upward, coming to rest at the junction of chest and abdomen, roughly where the stomach would be.

It was a problem that could have been solved with a single sentence. But because of the slow, deliberate movement, the palm of Xie Chengyun’s hand could map the tantalizing contours of muscle beneath the thin fabric. Because he had just showered, his hand was still damp, and the thin tank top was quickly becoming soaked, leaving a comically intimate handprint that only served to accentuate the chiseled terrain beneath.

Xie Chengyun’s adam’s apple bobbed. The younger man suddenly leaned in close, his warm breath fanning against his earlobe. A slow, deliberate murmur followed.

"It hurts right here, Lawyer Xie."