The Missing Piece: 貌合神离

Chapter 9

 

Four years ago, right after Zhou Yang returned to China, Zhou Yang called Shen Mo once, asking to meet at the usual place. He said he wanted to elope with Shen Mo. Of course, Shen Mo didn’t go. But Shen Mo didn’t go to work either. He switched off his phone and shut himself in at home, cleaning the entire place from top to bottom.

 

That day, Ji Mingxuan came back reeking of alcohol. Having got drunk and tripped on his way home, he was quite an embarrassing mess. He almost didn’t recognise Shen Mo when he saw him, and even after he did, he still behaved rather unusually. 

 

He pinned Shen Mo down on the sofa and fucked him hard. When he bit down on Shen Mo’s neck, Shen Mo felt almost as though he’d become prey to Ji Mingxuan.

 

The two slept until noon the next day. Ji Mingxuan helped Shen Mo ask for leave using Shen Mo’s phone. Right after the phone was turned on, a series of text notifications sounded. Shen Mo assumed Zhou Yang had sent the messages, and Ji Mingxuan smiled at him, deleting the text messages in front of his eyes.

 

In the afternoon, Shen Mo took Ji Mingxuan’s car to buy medicine. He then heard from the driver that Ji Mingxuan had originally wanted to go to Jinxiu Villa that night. Shen Mo hadn’t known what Mr Ji had been thinking back then, but he understood everything now. 

 

Thinking Shen Mo had gone with Zhou Yang, Ji Mingxuan got dead drunk. He texted Shen Mo, asking him to stay, and then deleted each message by hand. Although Shen Mo’s memories had long since been restored, memories were still no more than memories. At this moment, he understood more clearly than ever that somebody had once loved him to the bone.

 

For so long, Ji Mingxuan waited for him at Jinxiu Villa. But he had never shown up.

 

“Uncle,” Ji Ning, at the side, shook Shen Mo’s arm, quietly asking, “Are you crying?”

 

“No.” Shen Mo recovered himself. He wiped the tears from the phone screen and replied, “I’m not.”

 

Ji Ning was young, but he wasn’t so easily fooled. He pointed to the corner of Shen Mo’s eye and said, “Your eyes are all red, Uncle.”

 

He asked again, “Why are you crying?”

 

Shen Mo turned to look at Ji Ning and asked, “Xiao-Ning, can I hug you for a bit?”

 

“Sure.” Ji Ning stretched out his arms, grinning. “Hug me, Uncle.”

 

And Shen Mo gently hugged Ji Ning in the fading light of the sunset.

 

A child’s temperature was somewhat higher than an adult’s. Shen Mo felt especially warm holding the boy in his arms. He rubbed the top of Ji Ning’s soft hair and couldn’t help but think, this person shared Ji Mingxuan’s blood.

 

Unconsciously, Shen Mo hugged Ji Ning even tighter. He asked, “Xiao-Ning, does your daddy love you?”

 

Ji Ning didn’t seem to understand what love meant. Only after thinking about it for a while did he answer in a loud voice, “Yes!”

 

Shen Mo smiled. A while later, he asked again, “Then... does Daddy love Mummy too?”

 

Ji Ning was confused for a moment before he answered in an even louder voice, 

 

“Of course!”

 

And Shen Mo said, “That’s wonderful.”

 

Really. It was wonderful.

 

Shen Mo took a deep breath before he let go of Ji Ning. Patting Ji Ning’s shoulder, he said, “All right. Let’s go play in the living room.”

 

Shen Mo put the old phone back under the pillow and left the room with Ji Ning. Not long after they sat down in the living room, Ji Mingxuan returned. After the busy day, Ji Mingxuan had taken off his suit jacket and hung it over his arm. He was only wearing a light-coloured shirt, which accented the curvature of his waist.

 

Ji Ning forgot about Shen Mo the moment he saw Ji Mingxuan, pouncing on him as he called, “Daddy!”

 

Ji Mingxuan extended his arms and picked up Ji Ning, asking, “Did you behave yourself today? Did you listen to Uncle?”

 

Ji Ning said proudly, “Of course.”

 

He turned to Shen Mo for proof. “Isn’t that right, Uncle?”

 

Only then did Ji Mingxuan’s gaze land on Shen Mo. Shen Mo said yes and quietly met Ji Mingxuan’s eyes, as if thousands of seas and mountains parted them. No, wrong, in reality, they were indeed so far apart.

 

They had dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. With Ji Ning there, they didn’t have wine and only ordered a few dishes. With grace, Ji Mingxuan looked after Ji Ning while chatting with Shen Mo, making no blunders.

 

Shen Mo didn’t talk much to begin with, but he was even quieter today. Only his eyes kept on following Ji Mingxuan.

 

Ji Mingxuan said, “I wanted to treat you to a restaurant outside, but with Ji Ning here, going anywhere would be inconvenient.”

 

Shen Mo agreed, “That’s what having a child is like, isn’t it? Parents put children before everything else.”

 

Ji Mingxuan smiled and wiped the corners of Ji Ning’s mouth. Shen Mo watched them gently, as if watching a beautiful, peaceful dream. His soul had already flown elsewhere.

 

It returned to four years ago, or perhaps even earlier, to that rainy night seven years ago. Gripping the key, he had opened that door in Jinxiu Villa with no hesitation and walked into someone’s heart…

 

At the next table, someone knocked over some cutlery, which clinked to the floor. Shen Mo shuddered. As though somebody had shattered his dream, he stood up from the table.

 

Surprised, Ji Mingxuan looked at Shen Mo. Shen Mo’s palm was covered in sweat. He knew he’d lost his composure, so he slowly sat back down and picked up his cup to have some water.

 

Ji Mingxuan glanced at Shen Mo and said, “Tomorrow...”

 

Shen Mo interrupted him, “Mr Ji.”

 

No, no, no—Shen Mo couldn’t wait until tomorrow. What if the world fell apart the next second?

 

Shen Mo hastened to ask, “Are you free tonight, Mr Ji?”

 

Ji Mingxuan raised an eyebrow. “I’m free right now, no?”

 

“I mean after dinner.”

 

“There’s not much I have to do. My most important task will be to get Ji Ning to sleep.”

 

Shen Mo looked at Ji Ning, who was poking at his bowl with a spoon and not listening to either of them at all. So Shen Mo said, “After Xiao-Ning falls asleep, Mr Ji, could you give me an hour… no, only half an hour?”

 

“What is it?”

 

“I would like to paint something for you, Mr Ji.” Shen Mo looked into Ji Mingxuan’s eyes. His voice was a little hoarse. “We made this promise long ago, didn’t we?”

 

Ji Mingxuan’s gaze changed slightly. For a few moments, he didn’t utter anything. He swallowed once before he finally said, “Right. There was such a promise.”

 

“So that’s a yes, Mr Ji?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Shen Mo breathed a sigh of relief. Even his back was wet with sweat. He had been most afraid that Ji Mingxuan would forget the promise, that Ji Mingxuan would tell him there was no need to bring up the past, sentencing him directly to death. Now, he felt as if he’d survived death, and even gained some more time to live.

 

Dinner took quite a while. Both Ji Mingxuan and Shen Mo had things on their minds, so they didn’t talk much. Ji Ning, on the other hand, had long since filled his stomach. He looked around here and there in boredom, playing with his spoon on his own. 

 

Having had a little too much fun during the day, he soon grew drowsy. He yawned again and again, his head nodding as though he’d fall asleep any second. Holding Ji Ning’s small arm, Ji Mingxuan thought about how easy it’d be to get him to sleep.

 

After dinner, the two parted ways at the restaurant door. They decided that Ji Mingxuan would find Shen Mo once Ji Ning fell asleep.

 

Ji Mingxuan held Ji Ning with one arm and walked back to his suite. He walked at a normal pace at first, but he soon sped up, returning to his suite in just a few strides. Chen-jie had already had dinner as well, currently waiting in the living room. 

 

After Ji Mingxuan had her get Ji Ning ready for bed, he personally put on pyjamas for him and coaxed him into bed. Ji Ning had felt drowsy before, but now that he was actually in bed, he refused to sleep. He demanded that Ji Mingxuan tell him a bedtime story, even asking specifically for the story of the big bad wolf and the little white rabbit.

 

Ji Mingxuan had no choice but to sit by the bed and begin, “Once upon a time, there was a little white rabbit...” Ji Mingxuan’s low voice sounded particularly pleasant in the night.

 

“In the end, the big bad wolf and the little white rabbit became good friends and lived together forever.”

 

Wrapped in the blanket, Ji Ning blinked and said, “I don’t think that’s how the story went last time….”

 

“Yes, it is.” Ji Mingxuan’s gaze deepened. He said gently, “The big bad wolf and the little white rabbit loved each other and lived happily ever after.”

 

When Ji Mingxuan finished his words, he caressed Ji Ning’s cheek and said, “Good boy. It’s time to sleep.”

 

Ji Ning had always been a little afraid of Ji Mingxuan. He could only close his eyes, his lips pouting slightly.

 

Ji Mingxuan tucked Ji Ning in and turned off the light before he walked out of the bedroom. It was only eight in the evening. So Ji Mingxuan went back to his own bedroom to change his clothes. He then found a pair of cufflinks from the drawer. Only after carefully putting them on did he look for Shen Mo.

 

The door to Shen Mo’s room was unlatched. Ji Mingxuan knocked twice before pushing the door open and walking inside. Shen Mo was busy packing his belongings. On the ground lay a big suitcase, stuffed full. Obviously, it was already well-packed.

 

Seeing this, Ji Mingxuan asked with no change of expression, “Are you leaving?”

 

“Yeah. I’ve been here for quite a few days already. I’ve had enough fun.”

 

Shen Mo folded his last garment and turned around. He said, “Just take a seat for now, Mr Ji.”

 

There was no balcony in Shen Mo’s room; instead, there was only a floor-to-ceiling window, through which he could see the sea outside. Two chairs were placed by the window. Ji Mingxuan chose one and sat down.

 

Shen Mo got Ji Mingxuan a cup of water and said, “I’m sorry. It might take you some time, Mr Ji.”

 

“That’s fine.” Ji Mingxuan folded his hands in his lap and asked, “Would half an hour be enough?”

 

Shen Mo replied immediately, “More than enough.”

 

Shen Mo’s easel stood in the centre of the room. His paintbrushes and paint were in a messy pile as well. He rummaged for the paint he needed and squeezed out a few drops. Lowering his head, he carefully mixed the colours.

 

Ji Mingxuan glanced at him once before turning away to look out the window, asking, “When did your hand recover?”

 

“It hasn’t recovered yet. I paint with my left hand now.”

 

“It should have healed a long time ago.”

 

“Yeah. The doctor said it was due to psychological reasons.”

 

“You can only get over it on your own, then. Nobody else can help you.”

 

Someone can, Shen Mo thought. One person can.

 

Once he finished mixing, he tried the colours on the paper and was quite satisfied. At first, he held the paintbrush with his left hand, but after some hesitation, he switched to his right.

 

Holding the paintbrush, Shen Mo’s hand trembled slightly. Shen Mo tried hard to suppress the discomfort. With the paintbrush in his hand, he walked toward Ji Mingxuan and sat down on the chair opposite the man.

 

Noticing that Shen Mo hadn’t brought the painting board over, Ji Mingxuan asked in surprise, “Aren’t you going to paint?”

 

Shen Mo suddenly smiled. “I am.”

 

He reached out and grabbed Ji Mingxuan’s left hand.

 

Ji Mingxuan’s hands looked beautiful, his fingers slender and fair. Only his ring finger showed the mark of having worn a ring. The tip of Shen Mo’s paintbrush quivered—its first stroke landed right there.

 

For a moment, Ji Mingxuan was stunned. He couldn’t help but shift his finger.

With surprising strength, Shen Mo firmly pinned down Ji Mingxuan’s hand and said, “Mr Ji, don’t move.”

 

“Shen Mo...”

 

“The paint can be washed off overnight. I’ve already booked my return ticket. I’ll leave tomorrow, and I promise I won’t disturb your life. Just tonight, just this once…” His voice was impossibly low. As though begging, he continued, “Let me finish this painting.”

 

Ji Mingxuan quieted immediately. So Shen Mo continued to paint. He was so nervous that sweat seeped from the tip of his nose, but he didn’t care about it at all. His attention was dedicated solely to painting on Ji Mingxuan’s ring finger.

 

Shen Mo’s brushstrokes were delicate. Ji Mingxuan, upon examining the shape, realised that it resembled a ring. As he painted, Shen Mo said, “I heard that the wedding ring is worn on the left hand because it’s the place closest to the heart.”

 

Shen Mo switched to a purest shade of red and gently marked the centre of the ring. The paint spread slowly, almost into the shape of a heart.

 

Still holding Ji Mingxuan’s hand, Shen Mo tilted his head and looked into the man’s eyes.

 

“Mr Ji, my heart is right here.” This was probably the only chance he had in his life to say these words. As such, he spoke word by word, “It has been here for seven years.”

 

When Shen Mo finished these words, he let go of Ji Mingxuan’s hand slowly, as if he had already exerted all of the strength he had in this life.

 

On that rainy night seven years ago, Ji Mingxuan had given his heart to Shen Mo but never received a response. Everything was different now. Shen Mo only wanted Mr Ji to take a look at his heart as well. But it was time for the monologue to end.

 

Shen Mo looked at the time and said with regret, “So it didn’t even take half an hour.”

 

Showing no expression, Ji Mingxuan only gazed at Shen Mo. Shen Mo avoided Ji Mingxuan’s eyes and looked at the ring on Ji Mingxuan’s left hand once more. It wasn’t the best one he had painted, but it was definitely the most heartfelt. And now, he was going to erase this heart with his own hand.

 

Shen Mo stood up and said, “Let me wash off the paint on your hand, Mr Ji.”

 

Ji Mingxuan, however, sat still and didn’t move. Under the light, he studied the paint on his left hand and asked, “This is it? You won’t be painting a portrait as well?”

 

Shen Mo stayed quiet for a few moments before he answered, “That wouldn’t be necessary.”

 

He was already in his heart. No brushstroke in this world could recreate him. How would another painting be necessary, then?

 

Ji Mingxuan nodded and stood up. “I can wash it off by myself.”

 

Shen Mo opened the bathroom door and filled the sink with water. Afraid the paint wouldn’t wash off, he made a point of getting a piece of soap as well.

 

Ji Mingxuan followed Shen Mo inside, rolling up his left sleeve in front of him. Shen Mo, catching a glimpse of the cufflinks Ji Mingxuan was wearing, suddenly remembered something, and felt his eyes grow warm. He hurried to turn his head away—water splashed inside the bathroom.

 

Shen Mo closed his eyes, feeling as though his insides were being stirred alongside the noise.

 

As Ji Mingxuan washed his hands, he asked Shen Mo, “What are your plans after you go back?”

 

“I’ll still be painting, of course. I now hold the paintbrush with my left hand. My right hand…” Remembering the promise, Shen Mo paused before continuing, “I won’t paint with my right hand anymore.”

 

“Don’t you plan on getting married?”

 

“I’ll wait and see. I don’t know if I’ll be able to meet the right person.”

 

“What kind of person do you think is the right person?”

 

Shen Mo was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond. When Ji Mingxuan repeated the question, Shen Mo had to muster up the courage to say, “I don’t have any specific requirements. As long as we have similar interests.”

 

Just as he was running out of excuses, he heard Ji Mingxuan ask, “What do you think about me?”

 

Astonished, Shen Mo turned around. “Mr Ji...”

 

Ji Mingxuan had already reached out to hold Shen Mo’s chin. Using his left hand. Ji Mingxuan’s left hand wasn’t wet. The painted ring on his ring finger looked as vivid as before.

 

Ji Mingxuan lifted Shen Mo’s chin and forced Shen Mo to look into his eyes. He gently stroked Shen Mo’s lips with his finger as he asked in a low voice, “If this is your heart, why were you going to wash it off?”

 

Shen Mo felt his chest tighten. His lips moved, but in the end he said nothing. He had missed his chance; that was the truth. He was already lucky to have stolen half an hour. In the future, he would not need to see Ji Mingxuan again.

 

Shen Mo pushed Ji Mingxuan’s hand away. Turning around, he walked out of the bathroom and said, “I’m flying back tomorrow. I have to finish packing my things. You should also head back and have some rest, Mr Ji. It’s best to wash the paint off your hands. Mrs Ji isn’t here, but….”

 

Ji Mingxuan interrupted him, “Who said I was married?”

 

Shen Mo thought he had misheard. Blankly, he stood where he was. He couldn’t find his voice for a while as he carefully tried to confirm this: “You’re not?”

 

Ji Mingxuan waved his left hand and said, “If I were married already, how could there be nothing here?”

 

“But, Ji Ning...”

 

Ji Mingxuan calmly walked toward Shen Mo, taking one step at a time. “Can’t the father of a three-year-old boy still be single?”

 

Of course, that was a possibility. Maybe he’d had a child out of wedlock, or maybe he had already gone through a divorce, or maybe… Shen Mo couldn’t figure out which one it was.

 

Ji Mingxuan had already walked toward Shen Mo. Shen Mo recoiled out of reflex. With his back against the floor-to-ceiling window, he had no way of retreat.

 

Ji Mingxuan reached out and trapped Shen Mo in his arms. Ji Mingxuan’s expression reminded Shen Mo of that night four years ago, except Ji Mingxuan had been drunk back then. But Ji Mingxuan was sober now, his eyes glowing. His breath brushed faintly against Shen Mo’s ear as he called, “Shen Mo.”

 

Shen Mo was so close to Ji Mingxuan that even his voice began to tremble. He answered, “Yes, it’s me.”

 

Shen Mo only responded once before Ji Mingxuan immediately kissed him. The kiss was so light that it was as though Ji Mingxuan was afraid of scaring Shen Mo away. He only pressed his lips against Shen Mo’s, the tip of his tongue sweeping across Shen Mo’s teeth.

 

Shen Mo’s body felt hot all over, but he still had some sense in him. Struggling, he dodged slightly to the side and said, “Mrs Ji…”

 

“There was never any Mrs Ji,” Ji Mingxuan said. “Even if there were, it would have been the person in front of me right now.”

 

Shen Mo’s voice was stuck in his throat. He didn’t ask until a few moments later, “Why?”

 

Ji Mingxuan didn’t reply. He gazed at Shen Mo deeply before raising his left hand and touching his lips to the painted ring on his ring finger. Shen Mo couldn’t help but hold his breath, as if Ji Mingxuan had kissed him on the tip of his heart. At once, he knew the answer.

 

In this world, only one thing was impossible to hide. When one person loved another, even if they didn’t say a word, a single expression—a single look—was more than enough to give them away.

 

How oblivious had Shen Mo been never to have noticed anything? But at this moment, all of the misunderstandings, the pretences, and the uncertainties disappeared. The fact that he loved him was beyond all doubt.

 

Shen Mo shifted forward a little. Just as he lifted his head, he was able to kiss the corner of Ji Mingxuan’s lips. At first, he only tested the waters, leaving after but a gentle peck. Ji Mingxuan didn’t move. He was still looking at Shen Mo like before.

 

So Shen Mo called, “Mr Ji.” Trembling, he kissed Ji Mingxuan once more. Ji Mingxuan finally couldn’t stand it any longer. He pinned Shen Mo against the floor-to-ceiling window and took the initiative to kiss him. Chasing Shen Mo’s tongue, he kissed fervently and aggressively, stirring their breaths together.

 

Not until Shen Mo was almost struggling to breathe did Ji Mingxuan back off a little, although he still lingered on Shen Mo’s lips. He kissed Shen Mo over and over, calling, “Shen Mo.”

 

“Yes?”

 

Ji Mingxuan whispered a few words in Shen Mo’s ear. The fire within Shen Mo seemed to be ignited at once. Shen Mo gasped and reached forward to unbutton Ji Mingxuan’s shirt. Perhaps the buttons were too difficult to undo, or perhaps his hands weren’t steady enough; either way, even after a while passed, he was still only able to undo two buttons.

 

Ji Mingxuan caught Shen Mo’s hands. “Too slow.” As Ji Mingxuan spoke, he lifted the hem of Shen Mo’s shirt, one hand sliding inside. His hand was a little cold. Shen Mo let out an exclamation, his body unconsciously tensing. But the heat inside him didn’t fade—it burned stronger instead.

 

Stroking Shen Mo’s chest, Ji Mingxuan leaned over and pressed his erection against Shen Mo’s thigh. Through the fabric, Shen Mo could feel Ji Mingxuan’s passion. His own situation wasn’t any better: he hadn’t even been touched in the front, but he was already bulging hard.

 

Ji Mingxuan kissed Shen Mo as he ground his hips against Shen Mo’s body, simulating intercourse. Again and again, he prodded Shen Mo’s weak spot.

 

Unable to withstand the thrusting, Shen Mo called in a begging tone, “Mr Ji….”

But Ji Mingxuan didn’t let go of Shen Mo. Shen Mo had to change his phrasing. 

 

“Mingxuan...”

 

Ji Mingxuan shuddered. Panting harder, he kissed Shen Mo even more deeply and reached into Shen Mo’s trousers. All of Shen Mo was now inside Ji Mingxuan’s hand.

 

Shen Mo hadn’t touched himself in a long time, so his body was particularly sensitive. After only a short while of Ji Mingxuan’s fondling, he was already nearing his limit. But Ji Mingxuan stopped at this point. With moist eyes, Shen Mo stared at Ji Mingxuan blankly.

 

Ji Mingxuan kissed the corner of Shen Mo’s eye and said, “Wait a little longer.”

There was lube in the hotel room. Ji Mingxuan found a tube in the drawer and squeezed some into his right hand. Then, he let Shen Mo turn over and got on top of him again.

 

It wasn’t until Shen Mo was pushed against the cold glass window that he realised what Ji Mingxuan wanted to do. He blurted, “No… Not here…”

 

Ji Mingxuan stripped away Shen Mo’s clothes. On purpose, he held Shen Mo down firmly as he said, “Don’t worry. No one can see.”

 

Shen Mo’s nipples were also pressed against the glass. Feeling both discomfort and stimulation, Shen Mo couldn’t help but exclaim out loud. Even the tone of his voice changed.

 

Ji Mingxuan held Shen Mo’s hands in place with one hand. His other hand slid down Shen Mo’s cleft, slowly circling at the entrance. Even Shen Mo’s back felt numb. But Ji Mingxuan still asked Shen Mo calmly, “Do you want it?”

 

Of course, Shen Mo couldn’t turn down the offer.

 

Ji Mingxuan asked again, “On the bed? Or right here?”

 

Shen Mo knew the answer that Ji Mingxuan wanted, but he couldn’t say it out loud. He only urged, “Mr Ji, hurry up….”

 

Only then did Ji Mingxuan push one finger inside. Shen Mo hadn’t done it for too long; he was especially tight. Patiently, Ji Mingxuan massaged Shen Mo until he could feel Shen Mo soften.

 

Shen Mo couldn’t wait any longer, crying out, “Mnn… It’s okay now…”

 

Ji Mingxuan was also getting impatient. Turning Shen Mo’s face around, he planted a gentle kiss on Shen Mo’s lips. Yet his movements were the exact opposite of gentle. Pressing against the soft entrance, he plunged into Shen Mo’s body.

 

“Ah...”

 

Although there was lubrication, Shen Mo still trembled from the pain, tightening around the foreign object that had just intruded into his body. Ji Mingxuan didn’t have it easy either. Only after pausing inside Shen Mo for a while did he start to move, holding Shen Mo’s waist.

 

As Ji Mingxuan thrust, Shen Mo collided with the glass again and again. Outside the window was a vast expanse of night. Shen Mo knew that no one could see the obscene scene unfolding inside since the window faced the cliff. Yet his face was still burning hot; he felt an indescribable sense of embarrassment. The pleasure intensified too. He grew fully erect, leaving wet marks on the window.

 

In the beginning, Ji Mingxuan was still able to restrain himself, but he later thrust faster and faster, making Shen Mo’s legs go limp. Shen Mo was dripping wet in the front as well.

 

Shen Mo couldn’t help but moan, “I can’t… I’m gonna break…”

 

Ji Mingxuan laughed in a low voice, his fingers reaching for where their bodies connected. He asked, “Where? Here?”

 

As he spoke, he felt around and forced a finger inside. Startled, Shen Mo could only squeeze Ji Mingxuan tighter. So Ji Mingxuan withdrew his hand and pushed the finger, wet with their fluids, into Shen Mo’s mouth. He licked Shen Mo’s earlobe as he said, “If this window broke, we’d fall together and drown in the sea.”

 

Shen Mo couldn’t help but tremble. He felt as though they had really plummeted into the sea—they rose and fell by the impact of the seawater before they climaxed together. The sea swiftly engulfed their bodies, and they died together just like this, never to part again.

 

The fantasy excited Shen Mo even more. Calling Ji Mingxuan’s name, he came. But Ji Mingxuan was still far from finishing. Gripping Shen Mo’s back, he thrust a few times and then brushed Shen Mo’s hair to the side, kissing Shen Mo’s nape over and over.

 

The kisses softened Shen Mo’s body. Almost senselessly, Shen Mo called out, “Mr Ji” and “Mingxuan.”

 

As Ji Mingxuan kissed Shen Mo, he suddenly bit down. It was quite a hard bite, almost as if he wanted to mark Shen Mo’s body. He whispered, “Shen Mo, you are mine now.”