Chapter 70: Side Story Three

Gradually, the air was being wrung from Ji Su's lungs; for a moment he nearly couldn't catch a breath.

Gu Zhao pulled back just a fraction, then cradled Ji Su's face and kissed from the tip of his sweat-beaded nose back to his wet lips, his voice gone hoarse: 'Ji Su, you asked for this.'

Ji Su went limp against the seat, breathing in small, shallow gasps, unable to form a single word.

Gu Zhao kissed him once more, and only then released him and settled back into the driver's seat.

By the time Ji Su came back to himself, the car had already started moving again.

Back at home, Ji Su shrugged off his coat and made a beeline for the study. 'I've still got things to handle. You go on to bed first.'

Gu Zhao stood behind him, watching the retreating back of his escape.

Ji Su closed the study door, sat down in the chair behind the desk, and — as if possessed — raised a hand to touch his own lips.

His lips burned; the searing heat of Gu Zhao's mouth still lingered faintly on them.

Ji Su dropped his hand as if he'd been shocked, and the tips of his ears began to burn again.

Lawyer Gu claimed he'd been single for twenty-nine years and never dated anyone — so how could he possibly know how to kiss like that?

Ji Su closed his eyes and leaned back against the chair, trying to empty his mind — but the scene from the car kept replaying before him.

He sat up again, then slumped forward over the desk, burying his face in the crook of his arm, leaving only the red tips of his ears exposed.

Last night, using his leg could still be chalked up to a man's basic needs — but kissing was different; it was something only two people who liked each other could do…

He didn't know how long passed; eventually, exhausted from thinking, he fell asleep right there at the desk.

When the person still hadn't returned to the bedroom, Gu Zhao walked to the study and gently pushed the door open.

Ji Su was slumped over the desk; the desk lamp cast a soft glow that enveloped his whole figure.

Gu Zhao's gaze softened; he moved quietly behind the desk and carefully lifted Ji Su out of the chair, cradling him in his arms.

Ji Su, half in and half out of sleep, found a comfortable position in his arms and drifted off again.

Gu Zhao carried him back to the bedroom and laid him on the bed.

His gaze fell on the faintly swollen lips; he couldn't help leaning in to kiss them.

His original intention had been just one kiss — but the moment he touched those soft lips, he couldn't hold back and wanted to go deeper.

'Mm…' Ji Su let out a nasal hum from the kiss, but still didn't wake.

Gu Zhao exhaled a low, unsteady breath and buried his face in the warm hollow of Ji Su's neck.

*

Since that night when they'd kissed, Ji Su had come to realize that Lawyer Gu only looked the part of a proper, upright man.

Given any opening, Gu Zhao would seize him and kiss him fiercely — he wouldn't stop until Ji Su was dizzy and seeing stars.

At night, sharing the same bed, Gu Zhao would find every excuse to hold him close.

Beyond using his leg, Lawyer Gu had researched and developed all manner of approaches — only the final step remained, and he hadn't pushed for it.

The reason was simple: Ji Su was afraid.

That terrifying size — just thinking about it made it seem utterly impossible…

Fortunately, Lawyer Gu wasn't the type to force anyone; he only kissed and touched him harder.

The days flew by, and the weather grew colder.

One evening, Gu Zhao told Ji Su he had to go on a business trip for a week.

Ji Su, with his back to him, let his voice go soft: 'Then go…'

Gu Zhao bit down on a snow-white shoulder: 'Can you bear to part with me?'

Ji Su burrowed a little deeper into his arms: 'It's your work — even if I can't bear it, there's nothing to be done.'

'I want to take you with me.' After the bite, Gu Zhao pressed down a rain of fine, close kisses.

He wanted to tuck this person into his pocket, tie him to his belt, carry him wherever he went.

Ji Su shook his head gently: 'I just took on a new project — I can't leave right now.'

Gu Zhao turned him over to face himself: 'Then be good and wait for me at home.'

'If I'm not home waiting for you, where else would I go?' Ji Su laughed. 'Lawyer Gu, are you afraid I'll run off?'

'Mm. Afraid you'll run.' Gu Zhao's gaze fixed on him without wavering. 'But if you did run, I'd come drag you back.'

Ji Su followed his lead: 'Drag me back, and then what?'

Gu Zhao gripped his pointed chin: 'Lock you up.'

Ji Su joked: 'Lawyer Gu, are you about to break the law you know so well?'

'That's right.' Gu Zhao let out a laugh, but his eyes were fathomlessly dark. 'I studied law so I could find loopholes in it.'

Ji Su's heart gave a tremor; somewhere deep down, he had the uneasy intuition that the other man wasn't joking.

A moment later, Gu Zhao released his chin and gathered Ji Su into his arms. 'Sleep.'

*

Lawyer Gu was away on his week-long business trip, and Ji Su was left alone at home.

At first he'd thought returning to life on his own would feel like a relief — but barely two days in, something felt off everywhere.

He'd never felt the house so cavernously empty, so silent; the quiet made his heart uneasy.

But Gu Zhao, amid all his busyness, would still find time to video-call him.

So every evening, Ji Su would shower ahead of time and sit obediently on the bed, waiting.

But on the night before Gu Zhao was due back, the usual video call never came.

He checked the time, hesitating over whether to take the initiative and call.

What if Gu Zhao was still working? If he rashly placed a video call, wouldn't he be disturbing him?

It wasn't until past ten that Ji Su figured the work must be wrapping up; only then did he open WeChat and send the video request.

The video call didn't connect. Ji Su waited patiently and tried again — still unable to connect.

He got out of bed, paced the room twice, and dialed Gu Zhao's mobile number.

The two of them rarely called each other's mobile numbers; they usually kept in touch through WeChat, barring emergencies.

This time, the phone rang only a few times before it was answered.

'Hello?' A strange male voice came through the phone — young-sounding.

Ji Su froze; he pulled the phone slightly away to confirm he hadn't dialed the wrong number, then asked politely: 'Hello, is Lawyer Gu there?'

'Lawyer Gu had too much to drink and left his phone with me,' the voice replied. 'But if you have something to tell him, I can pass it along.'

A buzz rang in Ji Su's ears; without a word, he hung up.

Drank too much. Left his phone behind.

They were all adults; he wasn't unfamiliar with certain unspoken rules of the workplace. Taken together, these few pieces of information sent a very clear message.

Ji Su sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers tightening around the phone until the knuckles went faintly white.

After a long moment, he sprang to his feet and dialed Gu Zhao's number again.

No. He had to get to the bottom of this. He refused to believe that everything Gu Zhao had shown him these past weeks had been an act.

And he refused to believe he'd misjudged the man.

But this time, the phone wouldn't connect at all.

Ji Su took a deep breath and forced himself to stay calm.

He opened WeChat and sent Qiao Jin a message; his fingers trembled, and he mistyped several characters before finally sending it.

Ji Su: [Qiao, did Zhou Yang go on the business trip with Gu Zhao?]

Qiao Jin: [Yeah, they went together.]

Qiao Jin: [What's up, babe?]

Ji Su: [I can't reach Gu Zhao. Can you get in touch with Zhou Yang and find out what's going on?]

Qiao Jin: [Hold on, I'll ask right now!]

Ji Su stared at the phone screen, feeling for the first time how clearly time could pass.

A minute later, a new message popped up.

Qiao Jin: [I reached Zhou Yang. He says Gu Zhao got forced to drink a lot tonight and is sleeping in his Hotel room now.]

Ji Su: [Is Gu Zhao alone in the room?]

Qiao Jin: [Yeah, they each have their own room.]

A breath caught in Ji Su's throat, neither up nor down; he didn't want to keep bothering anyone, so he swallowed it back down on his own.

Ji Su: [Got it.]

Ji Su: [Thanks, Qiao.]

Qiao Jin: [Wait, that's not right — Susu, why are you suddenly checking up on Lawyer Gu?]

Ji Su: [When I called Gu Zhao's phone just now, a young guy answered.]

Qiao Jin: [WTF???]

Qiao Jin: [Susu, are you suspecting Gu Zhao is messing around behind your back?]

Ji Su: [Rationally, I don't think he's that kind of person.]

But when the moment arrived, he startled to find he could no longer be so rational.

Qiao Jin: [Susu, don't worry, I'll grill Zhou Yang more carefully to find out what's going on!]

Ji Su clutched his phone and flopped back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling in a daze.

A few minutes later, the phone buzzed; the caller ID showed an unfamiliar number.

Ji Su sat up from the bed and answered the call.

'Ji Su.' A low, hoarse voice came through the phone. 'I'm sorry, I accidentally fell asleep and made you worry.'

Ji Su asked bluntly, 'Where's your phone?'

'The phone was lost; I'm having the Hotel staff look for it.' Gu Zhao apologized again. 'I'm sorry, this won't happen again.'

Ji Su replied, 'It was probably taken by a young boy. Start by checking the people at your table.'

Gu Zhao was silent for a few seconds: 'Ji Su, are you suspecting that I—'

'I did suspect, but I haven't sentenced you to death.' Ji Su cut him off. 'Otherwise I wouldn't be talking to you so calmly right now.'

Gu Zhao replied hoarsely, 'The Hotel has surveillance cameras that can prove my innocence.'

At this point, Ji Su already believed him.

A proud man like Gu Zhao, if he had truly wronged Ji Su, would at least not be denying it so earnestly.

'It's late, go back to sleep.' Ji Su's tone softened. 'We'll talk about the rest when you're back.'

With that, he hung up without waiting for a response.

After all the back-and-forth of the night, Ji Su was exhausted too. He set down his phone, lay back on the bed, and was asleep in no time.

He didn't know how long had passed when he suddenly jolted awake again.

A rustling sound came from outside the door; Ji Su instantly lost all sleepiness and got out of bed.

He grabbed the lamp from the nightstand, tiptoed to the door, and gently turned the handle.

The next moment, he found himself face to face with Gu Zhao, who was standing at the door.

Ji Su froze for a moment, still holding the lamp up.

Gu Zhao had rushed back on a red-eye flight, travel-worn, his eyes rimmed red, his usually immaculate hair now disheveled — none of his usual air of having everything under control.

The instant he saw Ji Su, he visibly let out a breath of relief.

'Why are you back in the middle of the night?' Ji Su set down the lamp. 'I thought a burglar had broken in.'

Gu Zhao said nothing, pulling Ji Su into a fierce embrace, holding him so tightly it was as if he meant to press him into his own body.

With a thud, the lamp hit the floor.

'Ji Su...' Gu Zhao spoke, his voice terribly hoarse. 'I thought you didn't want me anymore.'

Ji Su had never heard him speak in such a tone; his heart went soft and aching. 'So you rushed back overnight?'

'I was afraid...' Gu Zhao's throat caught, each word dragged out with difficulty. 'I was afraid that if I was a step late, you'd be gone.'

Ji Su raised both arms and hugged him back. 'So will you dare get drunk and lose your phone again next time?'

'I won't.' Gu Zhao buried his face in Ji Su's warm neck. 'Next time, even if I lose myself, I'll still have my phone on me.'

'Don't talk nonsense.' Ji Su's heart lurched; he swatted him. 'What do you mean, lose yourself?'

Gu Zhao said nothing, taking deep breaths of Ji Su's scent as if feeding some addiction.

They held each other quietly for a while. Ji Su patted his broad back. 'Alright, go wash up first, then get a proper sleep.'

Gu Zhao released him and pulled a phone from his pocket. 'My own phone ran out of battery; there wasn't time to charge it. This is Zhou Yang's.'

Ji Su asked, bewildered, 'What do I need Zhou Yang's phone for?'

'I transferred the Hotel's surveillance footage onto Zhou Yang's phone.' Gu Zhao opened the phone. 'From when I entered the Hotel to when I left the room — not a single frame cut.'

Ji Su laughed despite himself. 'Didn't I say I believe you? Why go through all this trouble?'

'My innocence is at stake; I must dispel every last shred of doubt in your heart.' Attorney Gu replied seriously. 'I won't allow any grudge to exist between us.'

Attorney Gu looked as solemn as if he were in court, presenting evidence to the judge — and somehow, it gave off an oddly sexy air.

Ji Su licked his somewhat dry lips, and on impulse, rose slightly on his toes and kissed him.

He didn't gauge the force right — the kiss landed with a soft pop, and somehow it was his own face that flushed.

'Go take a shower, I'll go back to bed and sleep.' Ji Su tried to bolt after the kiss, but was pulled back.

Gu Zhao gripped that slender waist and lifted him up, facing him.

Ji Su startled, instinctively wrapping his long, straight legs around Gu Zhao's sturdy waist.

Gu Zhao gave him no chance to escape, tilted his face up, and kissed him hard.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder — they'd been apart for nearly a week, and Attorney Gu was now like a starving wolf who'd sunk his teeth into meat and refused to let go.

In truth, Ji Su missed him too, and for once responded to the kiss with active, eager warmth.

Gu Zhao kissed him even harder, stumbling toward the bathroom while holding him.

The shower turned on, and hot water poured down over them both.

They kissed under the water; saliva they couldn't swallow kept mixing with the hot water and streaming down.

Moments later, Ji Su's pajamas were soaked through, the white cotton clinging to his body and tracing out bewitching curves.

Gu Zhao released him with both hands, intending to strip off his own clothes.

But Ji Su's legs had long gone weak from the kissing, and the moment Gu Zhao let go, he slid toward the floor.

Gu Zhao let out a low laugh, one hand gripping that impossibly narrow waist and pinning Ji Su against the wall, while the other roughly yanked off his tie.

His patience was utterly spent; he didn't even bother to undo the buttons one by one. With a hard pull, the shirt buttons scattered across the floor, revealing firm, beautiful chest and abs.

Ji Su leaned against the wall with hazy eyes, his mind already unclear, and boldly reached out to touch those hard abs.

Gu Zhao sucked in a breath, catching that soft, smooth hand. 'Ji Su, do you know what you're doing?'

Ji Su bit his lip and said nothing, but his gaze drifted downward, the slightly upturned corners of his eyes seeming to carry hooks.

Gu Zhao clenched his back teeth, the veins on his neck standing out, and spoke almost word by word: 'You brought this on yourself.'

Soon enough, Ji Su regretted it.

He was sprawled on the slick tile, legs trembling, unable to stand at all, his soft body supported only by Gu Zhao's hand.

He instinctively began to beg for mercy, but this time Gu Zhao hardened his heart — no matter how Ji Su pleaded, he remained unmoved, simply extending one leg.

Ji Su, unable to bear it, sank onto that firm thigh. 'Gu Zhao...'

Gu Zhao lifted him in a bridal carry and walked out of the bathroom.

Ji Su thought he was being let off, and clung to Gu Zhao's neck, smearing his tears all over his face.

Gu Zhao kissed him. 'Don't cry.'

The next second, Ji Su was set down on the bed.

He looked at Gu Zhao's expression and suddenly realized that what had just happened might have only been the appetizer.

He immediately grabbed the sheets and scooted backward, trying to put some distance between himself and this terrifying man.

Gu Zhao dropped to one knee on the bed, stretched out his arm, and easily dragged Ji Su back down.

Ji Su struggled in his arms. 'No...'

'Baby.' Gu Zhao asked tenderly, 'We've been apart so long — don't you miss me?'

Ji Su sniffed, and answered honestly, 'I do...'

This separation, he truly understood the weight Gu Zhao held in his heart.

Not compromise, not habit.

Although at first it was because of suitability — Attorney Gu was the most marriageable match for him; he didn't want to spend his whole life alone.

But only tonight did he realize, belatedly, that he had long ago — without even knowing — placed Gu Zhao in his heart.

He would worry because the other wouldn't answer his calls, and rage at the possibility of betrayal — such sweeping emotions could never come from mere habit.

Gu Zhao laughed in delight, nuzzling his nose against Ji Su's. 'I miss my baby too — miss you terribly.'

Ji Su pressed his lips together, complaining in a wounded tone: 'And yet you forgot to call me.'

'That was my fault.' Gu Zhao kissed the tip of his nose, then his lips. 'So, shall I make it up to baby now?'

Ji Su grew fearful again. 'No... can't we do it another way?'

'Baby, I would never hurt you.' Gu Zhao, as if he couldn't get enough, kept kissing his lips. 'I'll make you feel good.'

Ji Su didn't believe him. 'But it's really too big...'

Gu Zhao laughed, biting the flesh of his cheek. 'Do you know that saying things like that in bed only makes me want to more...'

Ji Su's cheeks flushed scarlet, his toes curling up in embarrassment.

Gu Zhao lifted him up, crooning low and deep in his ear: 'I won't go all the way in, alright?'

Ji Su, sitting on that lean, firm waist, wavered a little. 'Really?'

'Really.' Gu Zhao promised him. 'You set the pace; you say stop and I stop, alright?'

Ji Su had clearly been burned by Attorney Gu more than once, but this time, he still chose to believe him.