What to do if you're forced into love by a powerful man?!

Xie Zhizhou buried his face in Zong Ran's chest, his breathing gradually becoming calm.

His day had been too exciting. He was kissed to the point of suffocation in the afternoon and witnessed an execution in the evening. His brain finally overloaded, and drowsiness surged up like a tide, drowning out his last bit of consciousness.

Zong Ran looked down at Xie Zhizhou's sleeping face—the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, as if he was plotting something in his dream.

He did like the boy at first. On Cuiping Mountain, the boy who was clearly terrified but still closed his eyes and threw stones at the mountain amused him.

He wanted him, like he wanted any collectible item—using tactics, patience, and an undeniable, powerful presence to encircle him in his territory, gradually making him accustomed to his presence, until he unconsciously came to regard him as his only support.

He originally thought this was just a well-planned hunt, and that he would feel satisfied once he got his prey, and then everything would return to normal.

But now that his prey has snuggled into his arms and nuzzled his chin with its furry head, he doesn't feel the boredom of the game being over. Instead, an unprecedented emotion surges in his chest.

He lowered his head, his lips gently landing on Xie Zhizhou's forehead, as if touching a precious treasure. His lips lingered there for a long time, so long that Xie Zhizhou stirred slightly in his sleep, his brows furrowed, and he mumbled something indistinctly, probably something like "Stop it" in his sleep.

Zong Ran raised his head, reached out and gently stroked his furrowed brow. He sighed, as if he had accepted his fate with a sense of relief.

He had never felt this way about anyone in his life, and he never believed that anyone would be worth letting down his guard. But at this moment, the boy was nestled in his arms, completely unguarded, occupying his bed and a place in his heart that he thought no one would ever be able to set foot in.

He thought, maybe this is fate.

He had lived for thirty years and had seen too many people betray him for profit, succumb to fear, and get close to him because of desire. The young man in front of him knew who he was and had seen another side of him with his own eyes. He had enough reason to be afraid and run away, but he still chose to stay.

He lowered his head, buried his nose in Xie Zhizhou's fluffy hair, and closed his eyes.

The armor that the clan head wore, which was always taut, melted silently at this moment, like ice being touched by a spring breeze.

He tightened his arms around Xie Zhizhou, pulling him closer, his chin resting on the top of Xie's head, their breathing gradually synchronizing.

He was destined to be subdued by someone, and he had no objection to that.

The first rays of morning light peeked through the gap in the curtains. Xie Zhizhou groggily opened his eyes and was greeted by a beautiful scene—Zong Ran was still asleep. The morning light outlined the contours of his face, and in the soft light, he looked less cold and hard than usual, and more languidly sexy.

His Adam's apple protruded slightly, bobbing gently with his breath. Xie Zhizhou could feel his breath brushing against his face, warm and even, carrying a scent that belonged to Zong Ran.

He was stunned. He had already witnessed how impressive this man's physique was yesterday at the bathroom door, but now, sleeping so peacefully without any deliberate display or flirting, he was even more breathtaking than the sight of water droplets running down his abs last night.

Xie Zhizhou silently marveled at his own good taste—how could he be so good at choosing people? Even when they were sleeping, the people he liked were so beautiful.

He stared at Zong Ran's lips for a few seconds, recalling the suffocating kiss from last night, and then the analysis he had done in his mind and the final decision he had made. A strange courage welled up in his heart.

Since he'd already given in, what was wrong with a kiss? So he leaned over and touched Zong Ran's lips very lightly and quickly. The movement was very light, like a dragonfly skimming the water. His lips only lingered on Zong Ran's lips for a moment before he immediately pulled them back. Then he quickly closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

But his eyelashes betrayed him; they were trembling slightly.

Zong Ran didn't open his eyes, but the corners of his lips curved up. The next second, Xie Zhizhou felt a tightness around his waist, and he was pulled into that warm embrace by an irresistible force.

He subconsciously opened his eyes, meeting Zong Ran's dark, deep gaze. His voice was hoarse and low: "You attacked and then ran?"

Then Zong Ran lowered his head and kissed him, a real good morning kiss, carrying the languor and satisfaction unique to a good night's sleep.

His lips lingered on Xie Zhizhou's for a moment, his fingers gently caressing his cheek, then he released him, stepped back a few inches, and looked into Xie Zhizhou's misty eyes.

This time, Xie Zhizhou didn't dodge or get angry. He took a deep breath and then gave Zong Ran a bright and energetic smile: "Good morning, Zong Ran!"

Zong Ran looked at him, his hair sticking up, his eyes shining, his lips slightly red from being kissed, and his smile as bright as the rising sun outside the window.

He couldn't help but laugh out loud, a low and cheerful laugh.

He tightened his arms and pulled Xie Zhizhou back into his embrace, resting his chin on the top of Xie's fluffy hair.

Good morning, baby.

Zong Ran released him, gently rubbing his cheek with his thumb, his tone still carrying the languor of someone just waking up: "Get up or do you want to sleep a little longer?"

Xie Zhizhou stretched in his arms, and his stomach growled at the opportune moment. He shrank his neck a little embarrassedly and said, "I'm hungry."

"Eat in bed or get up?"

"Go down." Xie Zhizhou rubbed his eyes and sat up. His hair was sticking up exactly like it was when he had just dried it last night. The collar of his bathrobe was askew, revealing half of his shoulder, but he was too lazy to fix it.

Zong Ran glanced at him, reached out to help him pull up his collar, then lifted the covers and got out of bed.

Xie Zhizhou was about to slide off the bed when Zong Ran turned around, bent down, scooped him up from the bedside, and carried him towards the bathroom.

Xie Zhizhou had been held by him all night and was already used to this treatment. He didn't even bother with a symbolic struggle, just yawned and rested his chin on his shoulder.

Zong Ran placed him on the counter in front of the sink, stood in front of him, took a toothbrush from the cabinet, squeezed out toothpaste, and handed it to him.

Xie Zhizhou took the toothbrush, then looked at the toothbrush that Zong Ran had already prepared, and couldn't help but say, "You're going to spoil me like this."

"Mmm." Zong Ran put the toothbrush in his mouth, looked at him in the mirror, and his eyes clearly said—I'm willing.

Xie Zhizhou pursed his lips and lowered his head to start brushing his teeth.

The two faced each other, one standing and the other sitting. Xie Zhizhou couldn't help but nudge Zong Ran's leg with his knee while brushing his teeth. Zong Ran leaned over and kissed him, and he immediately pretended nothing had happened and continued brushing his teeth.

After brushing his teeth, Zong Ran wrung out a hot towel, unfolded it, and used his hands to wipe his face.

The movements were very gentle, from his forehead to the tip of his nose to his chin. Xie Zhizhou closed his eyes and obediently let him wipe him, feeling that he was about to degenerate to the point of being unable to take care of himself—he was an independent and good young man who had been trained by his mother since childhood to do things by himself.

But now that Zong Ran is taking such good care of him, his little bit of independent spirit quickly crumbled under the onslaught of hot water and towels.

Fine, I'll just succumb to this once.

Zong Ran put the towel back on the rack, looked at Xie Zhizhou's face, which was flushed pink from the steam, and leaned down to kiss him again on the corner of his mouth, which he had just wiped clean.

Xie Zhizhou opened his eyes and smiled, then reached out and hooked his arms around Zong Ran's neck. Zong Ran then lifted him off the sink and placed him steadily on the ground.

The two changed their clothes and went downstairs. Zong Ran changed into a dark gray shirt, while Xie Zhizhou wore a white shirt. Zong Ran held his hand and walked in front, while Xie Zhizhou followed half a step behind him with light steps, humming the tune he had practiced yesterday. The tune sounded like a flute version of a pop song.

Chen Du was standing at the top of the stairs explaining the day's events to A Gui when he heard footsteps. He looked up and saw Zong Ran leading a boy down the stairs.

He noticed that the patriarch's usually expressionless face now held an extremely rare relaxation, and even more surprisingly, a sense of ease as if he were bathed in some indescribable happiness.

Ah Gui, who was next to Chen Du, also saw it. The two exchanged a glance, and Ah Gui's lips twitched. He then casually looked away.

Chen Du flipped through the documents in his hand expressionlessly, then sighed inwardly: He had lived for so many years, met countless people, and seen all kinds of men and women in love, but he never thought that one day he would smell this tooth-grinding, sour smell of love on the head of the family he had served for twelve years.

When Xie Zhizhou saw Chen Du and A Gui standing by the stairwell, he immediately waved to them and said in a clear voice, "Good morning, Uncle Chen, good morning, Brother Gui."

Chen Du bowed slightly: "Good morning, Mr. Xie."

Ah Gui grinned and nodded, "Good morning, Mr. Xie."

Zong Ran glanced at Xie Zhizhou—one of his two subordinates was an old man who had been by his side since he took over the family business, and the other was his most trusted confidant. They were usually the kind of people who made others tremble with fear when they were out in the world, but now Xie Zhizhou called them "Uncle Chen" and "Brother Gui," and they answered quite readily.

Xie Zhizhou noticed his gaze and tilted his head: "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Zong Ran looked away.

Chen Du opened the documents in his hand, his tone returning to its usual calm: "Master, Mr. Zhao from Yuanyang Industry will be coming over at 10:00 this morning to discuss port cooperation for the next quarter. At 11:30, the legal department will need you to review a few contracts."

Zong Ran nodded, didn't ask any more questions, and led Xie Zhizhou toward the restaurant.

Chen Du closed the file and stood there with A Gui, watching the two figures disappear around the corner of the corridor.

Ah Gui leaned closer and whispered, "Brother Chen, did you forget to mention a few things earlier?"

Chen Du said expressionlessly, "It's not important. Those things are nothing compared to Mr. Xie having breakfast."

Ah Gui was silent for a moment, then nodded in deep agreement.

Breakfast was already laid out in the restaurant. Half was Western and half was Chinese, clearly a backup plan, so that whatever Xie Zhizhou preferred could be served immediately.

Xie Zhizhou sat down next to Zong Ran, picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a shrimp dumpling, and stuffed it into his mouth, puffing out one cheek.

He stared at the eggs on the plate and was about to reach for them when Zong Ran slowly moved the plate over, picked up the eggs, carefully peeled off the shells, cut them into even pieces, and then used a fork to pick up a piece and put it to his mouth.

Xie Zhizhou looked at the hand holding the fork and offering it to him, then at Zong Ran's serious face. He hesitated for about half a second before opening his mouth to take it.

He chewed a couple of times, then his eyes crinkled into a smile: "Hehe."

Zong Ran watched him chewing and suddenly leaned over to give him a light kiss on the corner of his mouth.

Caught off guard by his sudden attack, Xie Zhizhou, with an egg still in his mouth, protested incoherently, "What are you doing—"

"I'll try some too." Zong Ran stepped back and lightly licked the corner of his mouth with the tip of his tongue.

Then he nodded, his expression serious. "Hmm, it tastes good."

Xie Zhizhou: "..."

What's so good about an egg...?

Ah Gui, standing at the restaurant entrance, almost dropped the walkie-talkie in his hand. He quickly turned around, his back to the restaurant, and looked up at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, his expression pained yet restrained.

Several servants carrying dishes entered through the side door and happened to witness this scene. They paused simultaneously, then lowered their eyes with practiced ease, carefully placed the dishes on the table, and quickly retreated.

Chen Du stood at the door with a freshly brewed cup of coffee in his hand, his gaze fixed on the two people inside the restaurant.

The head of the family was serving Xie Zhizhou shrimp dumplings. After finishing, he picked up a tissue and casually wiped the sauce off Xie Zhizhou's lips.

Xie Zhizhou tilted his head back and let him wipe it, while he held chopsticks in his hand, picking up xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).

Chen Du turned around with his coffee in hand, facing the corridor and took a deep breath. He had seen all sorts of storms, but the smiling face of his patriarch was indeed making him feel a little indigestion.

He silently prepared himself mentally: he'll get used to it; there will only be more of these kinds of situations in the future.