Professor Xie, isn't this a case of forcing customers to buy products that don't match the

The next morning, before dawn, the Western Hills were still shrouded in a hazy mist.

Shang Song was fast asleep, curled up on his side in the soft blankets, breathing evenly and deeply, with a few unruly strands of hair falling across his forehead, rising and falling gently with each breath.

The door was pushed open very gently, and Xie Jing walked in.

He quietly walked to Shang Song's bedside, his gaze falling on the face behind the gauze curtain, where Shang Song slept soundly and without any guard.

He reached out and lifted the gauze curtain, hung one side of it on the bed hook, and then sat down very quietly on the edge of the bed.

This spot is very close to the sleeping Shang Song, close enough to clearly see Shang Song's long eyelashes and her slightly parted lips that reveal a hint of her white teeth.

Xie Jing's fingertips twitched almost imperceptibly, and after a moment, he finally raised his hand and gently touched that warm face.

It was incredibly soft to the touch, warm and fluffy.

Xie Jing's fingertips paused slightly, as if burned by the temperature, yet he was reluctant to leave.

He moved extremely slowly, tracing the curve of Shang Song's cheek with his fingertips, from the cheekbone to the jaw, the movement as light as a feather brushing against the skin.

Shang Song, still asleep, seemed to sense the subtle touch. He unconsciously hummed, rubbed his head against the pillow, and pressed his cheek closer to the cool fingertips.

This unconscious act of dependence stirred up even more complex emotions in Xie Jing's deep eyes—satisfaction, excitement, and an indescribable tenderness.

He remained in that position, feeling the warm touch beneath the other's skin. After a long while, he sighed almost silently, as if trying to suppress some overwhelming emotion back into his heart.

Then, he spoke softly, "Shang Song."

The person on the bed didn't wake up, only let out a muffled hum, their eyelashes fluttering.

Xie Jing could only call out again, this time raising his voice slightly, "It's time to wake up."

"...Hmm..." Shang Song struggled to open his eyelids, finally managing to open them a crack. His vision was initially blurry, but gradually focused on the figure by the bedside, backlit by the morning light.

It is Xie Jing.

Not fully awake, Shang Song blinked his sleepy eyes, looked at Xie Jing sitting beside his bed, his muddled mind slowly working, and he mumbled something indistinctly:

"...What time is it?"

His voice was hoarse and slurred, and his eyes were dazed, as if he had just woken up.

Xie Jing's eyes darkened as he looked at Shang Song, who was completely unguarded towards him, but his voice remained steady:

"Six o'clock."

"Oh... six o'clock..." Shang Song murmured repeatedly, his mind still blank.

Six o'clock... still early.

He instinctively shrank back into bed, his eyelids drooping heavily, muttering unconsciously:

"It's still early... I can sleep a little longer... the alarm hasn't gone off yet..."

As he spoke, he actually closed his eyes again, as if he was about to fall asleep again in the next second. However, two seconds later, he suddenly opened his eyes!

This is not his apartment, which is only three subway stops away from his company!

This is Xie Jing's hideout! West Mountain!

To get to the company, I have to cross most of the city! The commute takes at least an hour and a half!

"Holy crap!!!"

He exclaimed in surprise, sprang up from the bed, and stared wide-eyed!

I'm going to be late! My perfect attendance record is ruined!

He flung the covers off in a flustered and hurried manner, completely unaware that he was only wearing a thin pair of pajama bottoms. Due to the natural morning reaction, a certain part of his body was proudly erect and full of vitality.

He hurriedly reached one leg off the bed to find his slippers, muttering unconsciously, "Oh no, oh no!"

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Xie Jing's gaze initially followed Shang Song's movements, but when it swept over Shang Song's lower abdomen, his calm eyes suddenly narrowed. He almost immediately looked away, turning his gaze to the carved window, his jawline seemingly taut.

Shang Song was completely oblivious to Xie Jing's reaction. Still flustered, he jumped off the bed, his feet hitting the cold floor, which made him hiss. He quickly slipped on his slippers and rushed towards the bathroom.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom.

Xie Jing remained in the position of facing the carved window, and the suspicious blush on his earlobe not only did not fade, but seemed to be spreading downwards, and his breathing was slightly faster than usual.

After a while, the sound of water in the bathroom stopped, the door was opened a crack, and Shang Song poked half his head out, then crawled out again. His hair was wet, and he had already changed into his work clothes.

Shang Song glanced quickly across the room. Xie Jing was still sitting there, his back straight, facing him sideways.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on his handsome profile and revealing his bright red ears.

Shang Song: ? ? ?

Why are Xie Jing's ears so red?

While putting on his sock with one foot raised, he couldn't help but glance at it a couple more times.

"You..." Shang Song hesitated before speaking, "Your ears are so red, Xie Jing. Are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Jing seemed to straighten his back even more, then slowly turned his head to look at Shang Song, even though the blush on his face remained stubborn.

"It's nothing." His voice was calm, though he spoke a little faster than usual: "It was a bit stuffy this morning."

闷？

Shang Song was even more puzzled.

He put on his shoes, turned his head to look at the swaying plum blossoms outside the window. There was a breeze. Where was it stuffy?

But seeing Xie Jing's indifferent expression, he had no choice but to swallow his question.

"Oh...that's good." Shang Song replied dryly, but his eyes couldn't help but dart towards Xie Jing's ear.

Xie Jing seemed a little uncomfortable under his gaze, and turned his head slightly to avoid his eyes. At the same time, he stood up and said, "It's getting late, let's get ready to leave."

"Huh? Oh, okay!" Shang Song's attention was immediately drawn back. Forgetting all about studying Xie Jing's ears, he frantically grabbed his coat and phone, muttering, "Okay, okay, we can go now!"

The two walked out of the room one after the other, and the convoy had already driven directly to the outside of Tingyun Residence.

Once in the car, Xie Jing instructed, "Go directly to his company; have breakfast on the way."

"Yes, Master." Lin Zhou replied, handing a delicate paper bag to the back.

Xie Jing took it and handed it to Shang Song: "Sandwich and hot milk, eat it while it's hot."

"Thank you!" Shang Song took the still-warm paper bag, immediately forgetting his question about why Xie Jing's ears were so red.

As he opened the paper bag and took out the sandwich, he casually asked, "Have you eaten yet?"

Xie Jing hummed in response.

The carriage fell silent for a moment, with only the faint sound of Shang Song chewing his sandwich remaining.

He ate rather quickly, partly because he was hungry, and partly because the food was delicious.

After finishing the last bite, he was about to reach into his bag for a tissue when Xie Jing silently handed him a plain white tissue.

Shang Song paused, looked up, and saw Xie Jing quietly watching him, holding a tissue in his hand, his eyes deep.

"Thank you." Shang Song took the wiping cloth and wiped his mouth.

Xie Jing responded again.

The conversation ended abruptly again.

The car drove out of Xishan and into the morning rush hour traffic in the city.

The hustle and bustle of the city rushed in, completely shattering the tranquility of the mountains.

Shang Song stuffed the used tissues and milk carton back into the paper bag, then leaned back in his chair and, imitating Xie Jing, closed his eyes to rest.

Finally, the car came to a smooth stop in the parking area in front of Qingguo Interactive Art Center.

Shang Song unbuckled his seatbelt, picked up his small bag, and prepared to get out of the car.

"Shang Song," Xie Jing's voice suddenly rang out.

Shang Song paused, then turned to look at him.

Xie Jing still looked at him with that deep gaze, his voice slightly tense:

"You...you're not going to avoid me again, are you?"