Reply to Keats - Chap 58
58. Holding On to Fireworks
The rhythm of his heartbeat traveled swiftly through Chen Wan’s fingertips, reaching every nerve in his body.
Chen Wan withdrew his smile and suddenly said, “Zhao Shengge, I’ve got Shenghui’s qualification evaluation reports from over the years.”
Zhao Shengge raised his eyebrows slightly, signaling him to continue.
Chen Wan pressed both hands against Zhao Shengge’s chest, grasping the shirt with two buttons already undone. His gaze swept downward, unwavering in its loyalty. “They’re for you.”
“I can get the equity transfer records too.”
Chen Wan couldn’t read the expression on his face. He hesitated for a moment before adding, “If you need them.”
Zhao Shengge said nothing and simply looked at him, finding it all rather amusing.
Shenghui was in the petrochemical business. Fang Jian needed one of their patents. Although similar technologies existed overseas, Fang Jian considered them unsafe.
Minglong had been sent to negotiate, but Shenghui jacked up the price on the spot—three times higher than the international market average. That day, Chen Wan happened to overhear Xu Zhiying reporting to Zhao Shengge that they were working on how to tackle this tough nut.
There were other ways to coerce Shenghui, of course, but they would take time. Having long operated on the fringes of regulation, Chen Wan remarked, “They’ve faced several administrative penalties.” If those buried scandals were exposed, they could seriously damage the company’s image.
In the past, such things weren’t available online, but Chen Wan always had his ways.
Zhao Shengge almost wanted to laugh. He nodded and asked, “So, what is this… trying to score points?”
Chen Wan was momentarily stunned, then quickly said, “No.”
He spoke solemnly. “I didn’t do this to make you agree to be with me.”
Lately, Chen Wan had been pursuing Zhao Shengge with utmost sincerity—checking in morning and night, picking him up and dropping him off, fulfilling every request. His attentiveness was never overbearing. The sense of propriety and grace in his gestures had been honed over years, etched deep into his bones. Even in chasing someone he’d secretly loved for so long, he never lost control, never broke his own code of conduct.
But the moment Zhao Shengge so much as turned his head or reached out a hand, he would get a response—even without saying a word.
Anyone who’s ever basked in winter sunlight might understand even a fraction of that feeling.
Zhao Shengge had grown up in a world of bitter cold and snow. His time under the sun had been far less than most people on Earth.
Once loved by someone like Chen Wan, even if he met someone else in the future, he could never truly let him go.
“I just want you to be happy,” Chen Wan said earnestly. “It’s okay if you don’t say yes.”
Zhao Shengge looked at him in silence.
Chen Wan felt a little awkward, so he changed the subject. “Does your head still hurt?”
Zhao Shengge had drunk some alcohol that evening. “A little.”
“Let me massage it for you, okay?”
“Chen Wan.” Zhao Shengge’s hands paused at Chen Wan’s waist, and he stared at him for a few seconds. “You’re so polite.”
“…” Chen Wan had the feeling he might not be in the best mood. But then Zhao Shengge lowered his head, like a wild beast that had finally been tamed.
Chen Wan leaned in to massage Zhao Shengge’s temples. His fingertips were soft, and Zhao Shengge felt as though they were touching the nerves beneath his skin, reaching into his mind. The veins at his temples pulsed even harder.
He opened his eyes and placed a hand on Chen Wan’s neck, his fingers stroking along his throat.
Such a well-behaved face.
Who’s really the better-looking one here?
Zhao Shengge pinched the back of his neck, placed a gentlemanly kiss on the side of it, then bit down—elegant and precise.
Chen Wan drew in a sharp breath, distinctly feeling the force of Zhao Shengge’s canines sinking in, inch by inch.
Only after biting him did Zhao Shengge ask, “Can I touch you?”
Chen Wan was gasping for breath. With his movements restricted, every part of him under the other’s complete control, and staring up at Zhao Shengge’s magnified, striking features, he clenched the fabric of his shirt, wrinkling it badly, submissive as if in sacrifice. “You can.”
Zhao Shengge looked fairly satisfied. He bit down again on the same spot, though this time with less force, then soothed it with his tongue before pulling away.
The place he’d bitten was wet and reddened. Zhao Shengge reached out to touch it, pressing down with measured weight. Tilting his head, he looked sidelong at Chen Wan, his eyes filled with a mischievous sort of tenderness. “You’d let me touch you even if I don’t agree to be with you?”
Chen Wan said, “Yes.”
Zhao Shengge’s gaze turned complex, tinged with faint pleasure. He closed his eyes for a moment, and Chen Wan sensed the shift and moved slightly.
They were both adults. A few snatched “good mornings” and “good nights” squeezed out of packed days weren’t enough.
Since returning from Ting Island, they had both been busy. After the incident on the research vessel, there were concerns about Li Jiaming making a comeback, so the planned vacation to Feiling Island had been shelved.
Although Chen Wan devoted all his spare time to Zhao Shengge, Zhao Shengge still felt it wasn’t enough.
Both his body and mind missed Chen Wan. The man who was never humble or arrogant in front of others became utterly compliant and yielding before him.
Zhao Shengge used his aggressive businessman’s tactics on Chen Wan without restraint. He stroked Chen Wan’s cheek, his voice calm and gentle, yet cruel. “Even if I touch you, I may still not say yes.”
“Hm?” Chen Wan processed that, then nodded and said, “It’s okay. You should take your time to think it over.”
“……”
Zhao Shengge stared at him for a moment, then began to kiss him—not deeply, just enough to draw Chen Wan into wrapping himself around him.
Though the contact was teasing and intermittent, that bittersweet ache surged into Chen Wan’s heart like a tide. Be it crashing waves or violent storms, he took them all in wholly, and with care.
The Cayenne had exited the underwater tunnel and was passing through Central. Fireworks lit up Victoria Harbour that night.
The city lights glittered, and the brilliant fireworks spread like a magnificent dream across the night sky above the harbor. Their dazzling colors were reflected in Zhao Shengge’s eyes.
The fireworks were beautiful, but they likely wouldn’t last long.
Chen Wan didn’t know how long he could have this, so he reached out eagerly to seize this fleeting burst of light and color.
“Zhao Shengge.”
Zhao Shengge leaned back against the seat, his expression calm, his posture composed, as if entirely unaffected. “What is it?”
Chen Wan stared at him intently, his eyes dark and unwavering.
Zhao Shengge, holding onto his last shred of conscience, held him back.
“You don’t have to do this.”
Chen Wan froze, looking slightly hurt. He glanced up and said softly, “I’ve never done this for anyone else.” He was very clean.
“…” A fire sparked in Zhao Shengge’s chest. His gaze darkened, heavy with emotion. He gripped Chen Wan’s neck, towering over him with a cold, slightly fierce expression. His voice came out hoarse. “Deliberately twisting my words?”
Chen Wan shook his head and grabbed the hand trying to stop him. The strength in his grip surprised Zhao Shengge. His eyes were earnest, yet carried a strange kind of obsession. “It’s what I want.”
If Zhao Shengge refused, he had even considered forcing it. At worst, he’d apologize afterward.
Love is sometimes tender, sometimes twisted. It can make the gentle become strong and the cruel become soft.
Chen Wan held his ground, his expression unreadable for a few tense seconds.
Zhao Shengge lowered his head and looked at him for a long time, then gave a quiet order, “Chen Wan, come here.”
…
Zhao Shengge lasted a long time. The car didn’t stop until they’d gone from Central all the way to the hillside villa. Zhao Shengge leaned lazily against the car seat, his expression faint. He reached out to touch Chen Wan’s cheek and lips, eyes lowered as he looked at him for a moment. Then, he said calmly, “Thank you, Chen Wan, baby.”
Chen Wan shivered all over. It was the first time Zhao Shengge had ever said something like that with such a straight face, and Chen Wan’s entire heart went numb.
Zhao Shengge lowered his eyes and reached to hold him. Chen Wan backed away. “N-no need.”
“You’re too domineering, Chen Wan.” There was a kind of post-satisfaction sexiness on Zhao Shengge’s face. He gave Chen Wan a sidelong glance and said mildly, “Only you’re allowed to give to me?”
Zhao Shengge was a very fair businessman. After thinking for a moment, he slowly stroked Chen Wan’s back, again and again, and began teaching him how to pursue him all over again, patiently guiding him, “I like fairness and reason.”
Those beautiful eyes bewitched Chen Wan once more. In the end, he fell dazedly into Zhao Shengge’s arms.
…
The Cayenne stopped in the underground garage. Zhao Shengge wrapped his coat around Chen Wan, but it couldn’t mask the scent left on him.
Zhao Shengge was about to carry him out of the car when Chen Wan grabbed him. His eyes were still damp as he reminded him, “Zhao Shengge, I’m the one chasing you.”
But if Zhao Shengge kept indulging him like this, Chen Wan would only push further, more and more.
Zhao Shengge didn’t respond. He simply asked, “Coming up?”
Chen Wan said yes, but didn’t let Zhao Shengge carry him.
So Zhao Shengge simply held his hand. It was clearly his first time here, yet he moved as if it were second nature. If any daring paparazzi had been nearby, they might’ve run a headline like: “Prince of Haishi Returns to Seaside Love Nest Hand-in-Hand with Male Lover at Midnight.”
Zhao Shengge owned many properties. This one, perched on the mountainside of Baoshan, was one Chen Wan had seen often during video conferences. The floor-to-ceiling windows were expansive, a few books were scattered across the carpet, and a standing lamp lit up by motion sensor. A cup of Taiping Houkui tea still sat unfinished on the side table.
Work must have piled up after their return from Ting Island. He’d clearly been working late into the night.
Zhao Shengge said, “I’m going to shower.”
But after speaking, he didn’t move right away. He just stood there quietly, looking at Chen Wan.
Chen Wan asked, “I’ll help you. Is that okay?”
Zhao Shengge didn’t reply. He turned and walked into the bathroom.
Chen Wan followed him in.
When Zhao Shengge showered, he was very quiet. Leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, he exuded a cool, effortless sexiness.
Chen Wan helped wash his face and hair. Zhao Shengge stayed still and compliant, which reminded Chen Wan of a large feline: powerful, regal in bearing, yet in this moment tame and harmless—completely unlike the man in the car just moments ago, who held power over life and death.
Chen Wan silently observed him. His hand slid down to Zhao Shengge’s waist and abdomen. Zhao Shengge lazily opened his eyes and looked back. Chen Wan met his gaze with a strange, obsessive light in his eyes.
Zhao Shengge regarded him for a moment, then tapped his cheek and asked, as if concerned, “Why so turned on?”
Chen Wan’s body didn’t match his gentle and courteous temperament at all.
He shivered slightly and looked at Zhao Shengge with eyes full of sincerity and longing. “Zhao Shengge.”
Zhao Shengge touched their noses together, breathed in his scent, and let out a soft “Mm.”
Chen Wan seemed aware that his request might be a bit much. “Even though I haven’t won you over yet… can we still do it tonight?”
He used to ask for nothing. But Zhao Shengge had tempted him again and again with little pieces of sweetness, until Chen Wan began to crave more.
Trying to hold on to the fading warmth of the fireworks over Victoria Harbour.
“We just did it. Why are you in such a rush?” Zhao Shengge gave him a once-over, then gently stepped on the top of his foot.
Chen Wan’s heart skipped a beat. His toes flushed red and curled slightly, but his gaze remained unwavering. “If I never win you over, I might never get the chance again.”
A low chuckle rumbled from Zhao Shengge’s chest, as if Chen Wan had just said something childish.
“Chen Wan, playing the sympathy card?”
Chen Wan replied stubbornly, “It’s not that. And I won’t ask you to take responsibility, either.”
Zhao Shengge wiped the water from his face, then pushed him away and said in a calm voice, “No.”
Even though Chen Wan had been impossibly good to him, almost to the point of offering up his whole heart, Zhao Shengge wanted more than that.
Chen Wan looked a little disappointed. Zhao Shengge said, “There’s nothing here.”
He didn’t have a lover, and even people like Tan Youming rarely came to this place.
Chen Wan blinked and said, “I have some.”
Zhao Shengge’s eyes flickered, narrowing slightly. “You brought condoms when you came to pick me up?”
Chen Wan’s honesty carried a calm kind of stubbornness and resolve. “Not just today. Every time I see you, I bring them.” Ever since Zhao Shengge had agreed to let him pursue him.
Chen Wan was frank, but he had his own logic. “Opportunities go to those who are prepared.” And tonight, his patience had finally paid off.
“…” Zhao Shengge laughed in anger. If it had been anyone else being this calculated, he would’ve felt manipulated. But since it was Chen Wan, it only confirmed how strongly he wanted him.
He asked, “Chen Wan, do you really want to sleep with me?”
“Mm.” Ever since his teenage years, Zhao Shengge had been the centerpiece of his dreams.
Zhao Shengge, cruel by nature, looked down on him and said gently, “Then let me remind you one more time: even if we do it, I still might not accept you.”
“Mm-hmm.”
