The cabin hummed with silence.
Qin Yu stood his back against the wall, one hand pressed against the cool wall, his breath still unsteady. The taste of recklessness lingered on his tongue.
Behind him, Yan Rui zipped up his pants with no rush. Calm. Composed. As if what they'd just done in the room was nothing more than a handshake.
Qin Yu finally turned. Their eyes met.
"You didn't even ask my name," Yan Rui said, voice low, teasing. "But I already know yours. Qin Yu."
Qin Yu's eyes narrowed. "So this was planned?"
Yan Rui tilted his head. "Does it matter? I got what I wanted. You didn't exactly stop me."
That smug smile again. It made Qin Yu want to punch him.
Or kiss him. Hehehehe
"Watch your mouth," Qin Yu growled.
Yan Rui stepped closer, the space too tight for escape. Their chests almost touched.
"I did watch it. While it was wrapped around my tongue," Yan Rui whispered.
Qin Yu clenched his fists, but his body betrayed him .... a spark of heat flared low in his stomach.
"Stay out of my way."
Yan Rui smirked. "Not a chance."
He reached out. One bold finger traced the faint red mark at the base of Qin Yu's throat. "Your body says one thing. Your mouth says another. I'll listen to the part that begged for more."
Qin Yu slapped the hand away. "This never happened."
Yan Rui only laughed softly, brushing past him to unlock the door. As it creaked open, light spilled in, washing away their shadowed moment.
Outside, one flight attendant blinked in surprise but said nothing.
Qin Yu exited the private room first, his shirt straightened, collar stiff, his expression locked in its usual icy calm. But his steps were uneven. Controlled. Controlled, but barely.
Why won't it be controlled? Hehehehe My man just got his ass fucked for the first time....can you imagine the pain and uncomfortability? Hehehheh
Yan Rui stayed behind for a moment longer, letting the scent of him linger on his fingers before he composed himself and walked out. He didn't know the man's life, didn't care about his world...but now he wanted to. Just... curiosity. And something more primal.
The jet touched down on the runway, and the cabin lights turned on. The glamour of midair secrecy dissolved in the cold light of morning.
Qin Yu felt a whisper close to his ear.
"See you soon, Qin Yu."
He turned sharply.
Yan Rui had vanished.
Qin Yu was the first to leave the plane, his personal assistant Shen Wenlang rushing forward the moment the stairs unfolded.
"President Qin, you're early—"
"Schedule?" Qin Yu asked, sharp, eyes already scanning the black car waiting at the edge of the tarmac.
"Meeting with CEO Wang at 10, then the press briefing for the Seoul merger—"
Qin Yu cut him off with a raised hand, eyes flickering.....just once.....toward the bottom of the stairs. Yan Rui had appeared.
The mafia boss was a stark contrast to the suited elites surrounding the plane. Black sunglasses. Tailored jacket draped over one shoulder. His presence was quiet, but the air bent around him. Like it knew who he was.
Their eyes locked.
Yan Rui didn't smile. Qin Yu didn't flinch.
Neither of them spoke.
Then Qin Yu turned, slipping into his car without another glance.
As the convoy drove off, Yan Rui slid his hands into his pockets. His right thumb brushed the ring on his finger—a family heirloom, a symbol of the Rui Syndicate.
His second-in-command approached. "Boss, your car's ready."
Yan Rui finally looked away from the fading taillights.
"Find out who he is."
"You got a name?"
Yan Rui's lips curled faintly. "Qin Yu."
That was all he had. But it was more than enough.
Meanwhile…
Qin Yu stared out the tinted window as Shanghai rose around him. The city felt different. Too loud. Too bright.
Shen Wenlang said something about stockholders, but Qin Yu wasn't listening. His mind was filled with warmth...breathless gasps in a hidden cabin, the weight of unfamiliar hands, the press of muscle and power.
It wasn't like him to let anyone touch him, much less like that.
It wasn't like him to want more.
He clenched his fist on his thigh. Once. Just once. He told himself that.
But he didn't believe it.
Not really.