Hot flashes

Zhou Heng's clinginess lately has reached an unprecedented new level.

Xiao Jue took in all of this.

But gradually, Xiao Jue realized that things weren't so simple.

That afternoon, Xiao Jue was discussing with Shen Yu how to respond to the latest peace negotiation document delivered by the secret envoy from the Southern Capital, which was now worded more "earnestly".

As usual, Zhou Heng sat by the window, holding a book in his hand, but he didn't turn a page for a long time, his eyes fixed on Xiao Jue's profile.

While listening to Shen Yu's analysis, Xiao Jue glanced at Zhou Heng out of the corner of his eye.

Seeing him like this, the initial sense of satisfaction in his heart was gradually replaced by another guess—was Zhou Heng's unease and clinginess perhaps because…he felt he had neglected him lately? Busy with military and political affairs, he usually returned to his room late at night, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Even when there was some intimacy, it was always rushed due to exhaustion…

Yes, that must be it. Xiao Jue felt he had found the answer. Zhou Heng was still young, and being so close to him, he was at the age where he was indulging in pleasure and clinging.

I have indeed been negligent recently, no wonder he is looking at me so expectantly, his eyes full of unspoken grievances.

Thinking of this, the tenderness in Xiao's heart instantly transformed into a burning sense of guilt and... a restless urge to make amends.

His gaze toward Zhou Heng deepened unconsciously, carrying a dark heat that only he himself understood.

Shen Yu was extremely perceptive. He noticed that his lord seemed somewhat absent-minded, his gaze constantly drifting towards the window. Seeing Zhou Heng's worried expression, he understood. He coughed lightly, quickened his pace, and finished speaking the main points in a few words before taking his leave with great tact.

Only the two of them remained in the study.

Xiao Jue put down the document in his hand, stood up, and walked to the window.

Zhou Heng was still lost in his own thoughts, wondering if the peace talks in Nandu were a trap, until a shadow fell over him and he suddenly came back to his senses.

"Huh? You're done discussing it?" He looked up and met Xiao Jue's face, which was inches away from his. There was no particular expression on that handsome face, but his deep eyes were surprisingly bright, staring at him intently.

"Hmm." Xiao Jue responded, reaching out and brushing his fingertips across Zhou Heng's slightly furrowed brow. "What are you worried about? Your brows are so furrowed you could trap a fly."

Zhou Heng recoiled from the heat of his fingertips, instinctively wanting to say that he was worried about his safety and future, but the words caught in his throat—the reason sounded too far-fetched, and he hadn't even figured it out himself. He could only mumble, "No...nothing, just a little tired."

Tired? Xiao Jue's eyes darkened further. Sure enough, she felt wronged because he hadn't spent enough time with her.

He leaned down, placing his hands on the armrests of the chair Zhou Heng was sitting on, trapping Zhou Heng between himself and the windowsill, his hot breath brushing against Zhou Heng's ear: "Get some rest early tonight."

Zhou Heng was stunned by his sudden approach and suggestive tone, and nodded haphazardly, "Oh... okay."

He was still thinking about things in Nandu and didn't pay much attention to the deeper meaning in Xiao Jue's words.

However, it wasn't until evening that Zhou Heng fully understood what Xiao Jue meant by "get some rest early."

He had just finished showering and climbed into bed wearing only a thin nightgown when Xiao Jue entered. Unlike his usual weary demeanor, Xiao Jue's eyes were exceptionally bright tonight, even carrying a... eager, sharp glint.

He dismissed the servants, walked to the bedside, and without saying a word, simply scanned Zhou Heng from head to toe with a deep gaze.

The gaze was tangible, as if carrying sparks, and wherever it swept over, a tingling sensation would emanate from it.

Zhou Heng felt uncomfortable under his gaze and shrank back, asking, "...What are you looking at?"

Xiao Jue's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile. He leaned down, one hand bracing himself against his ear, the other already slipping inside his shirt, his palm burning hot. "Look at you," he whispered, his voice hoarser than usual, "Have you been feeling cooped up these past few days?"

Zhou Heng: "???"

"I didn't..." he tried to explain, but Xiao Jue's kiss had already landed, silencing all his unspoken words.

The kiss was urgent and deep, with an irresistible force and an almost greedy demand, which quickly robbed Zhou Heng of his ability to breathe and think.

"Ugh... Xiao Jue... wait..." Zhou Heng finally managed to turn his head away to catch his breath, wanting to explain that he had things to do tomorrow and shouldn't stay up too late. But Xiao Jue clearly didn't think so.

"Waiting for what?" Xiao Jue pressed his lips to his, chuckling softly, a knowing smile mixed with a dangerous tenderness. "Didn't you complain that I didn't spend enough time with you?"

As he spoke, he deftly peeled off Zhou Heng's already thin nightgown, his warm hands lingering on his waist, his fingertips calloused, sending shivers down his spine wherever they touched.

Zhou Heng then belatedly realized that Xiao Jue seemed to have misunderstood something!

"No! That's not what I meant!" Zhou Heng hurriedly explained, trying to push away the heavy body on top of him. "I was worried about you! What about Nandu..."

"I'll handle things in Nandu," Xiao Jue interrupted him, his tone resolute, but his actions didn't stop at all; instead, they intensified. He kissed Zhou Heng's neck, leaving a warm, wet mark there, and mumbled, "Just think of me."

"It's you I've been thinking about!" Zhou Heng cried, on the verge of tears. "It's your safety I've been thinking about..."

Before the word "danger" could even be uttered, it was cut off by a sudden, intense shock.

Xiao Jue chuckled and kissed away the physiological tears at the corners of his eyes, becoming even more fierce. "Good boy, I'll keep you company." His voice was hoarse with passion.

Xiao Jue seemed to want to make up for his "negligence" in the past few days, or to completely erase the worry in Zhou Heng's eyes that made his heart clench. This night was exceptionally long and exceptionally... full of variety.

Zhou Heng eventually ran out of energy to cry; his voice was so hoarse he couldn't speak, and his body felt as if it had been disassembled and reassembled.

Xiao Jue finally gave up, pulled his sweaty body into his arms, cleaned him up carefully, and carried him back to bed.

The man, satisfied, relaxed, his face beaming with obvious pleasure. He casually ran his fingertips through Zhou Heng's sweaty scalp and whispered, "Sleep."

Zhou Heng was so tired that he could barely keep his eyelids open.

Xiao Jue, looking at the peaceful face of the person sleeping soundly in his arms, kissed the top of his head with satisfaction.