Chapter 6
Fang Jing Yao skimmed the clauses and obligations, his eyes nearly spinning. This was only the first page; several more followed. He placed the contract back on the table, laughing nervously. “We’re dating, and you’re asking someone else for advice? This is our relationship—we should…”
“Not someone else, a lawyer,” Long Yu corrected him, raising an eyebrow. “I take matters of the heart seriously.”
Fang Jing Yao immediately followed suit. “I take them seriously too!”
Then Fang Jing Yao was stuck for half an hour going through the “trial marriage cohabitation contract.” Long Yu wouldn’t let him leave if he didn’t understand it, and Fang Jing Yao felt vaguely that he wouldn’t be able to leave without signing.
Long Yu sat beside him, expression cool, even sipping tea with a composed, refined air, yet pursuing him like a determined suitor.
Fang Jing Yao rubbed his nose and resigned himself to reading.
Though the contract was long, most clauses were trivial. Reading through, Fang Jing Yao realized it was more like Long Yu’s simulation of married life, with some small, cute anticipations. It specified that he would move in with Long Yu, clearly distinguishing couple time and private time, even detailing shared bed hours: 10:30 PM to 5:30 AM.
Financial clauses favored him; Long Yu’s assets were listed clearly. Fang Jing Yao could access all of them, several bank accounts laid out, with no spending limits, showing obvious wealth and privilege.
Fang Jing Yao watched Long Yu carefully. He sat still, sipping tea with the same elegance as before. Every gesture exuded dignity—far beyond Fang Jing Yao’s humble background.
Suddenly, Fang Jing Yao regretted it. Long Yu clearly belonged to a different world. Previously, lust had clouded his judgment; now he was fully awake but trapped.
Long Yu set down his cup, glancing at Fang Jing Yao and the contract. “Anything unclear?”
Fang Jing Yao forced a laugh. “No, I understand.”
“Sign it,” Long Yu said.
Fang Jing Yao picked up the pen, frowning as if signing a personal servitude contract. Though the terms favored him, he felt wary. Something important seemed forgotten… He looked at Long Yu. That familiar face had intrigued him from the start.
Long Yu sensed his hesitation, propping his chin on his hand, thumb twitching slightly, controlling his own restraint. “Jing Yao… can I call you that?”
“Of course,” Fang Jing Yao replied.
“This contract isn’t complicated. I’m just used to formal documents in the lab. It shows my sincerity—this is the maximum I can offer,” Long Yu said, loosening his collar slightly, brow furrowed. “If you need more time, just forget what I said yesterday.”
Fang Jing Yao couldn’t resist and immediately signed. “Who says? I remember clearly what I said myself. Don’t underestimate me—I’m not the type to flirt and run.”
Long Yu smiled faintly, joy evident in his eyes. He packed the contract carefully. “Got it. I have surgeries the next two days; let’s have a meal together this weekend, okay?”
Fang Jing Yao stiffly agreed. “Sure!”
The meal went smoothly. Long Yu spoke little but was attentive, and shared many dietary habits with Fang Jing Yao. They quickly found common topics and became familiar.
Watching Long Yu pick fish bones with meticulous care, Fang Jing Yao smiled. “Dr. Long, you really like fish, huh?”
“Fish is good for the brain.” Long Yu’s lips curved slightly, a fleeting smile appearing and disappearing, reverting to his usual cool demeanor.
Fang Jing Yao froze—was that a smile? He adored this side of Long Yu: slightly mischievous, without the usual distant elegance, making his heart ache. His yearning for freedom vanished—what’s good about being single when there’s Dr. Long?
Yes, shallow, easily swayed by desire!
Fang Jing Yao’s teasing words became even sweeter. Some internet slang Long Yu didn’t understand, so he registered a Weibo account and had Fang Jing Yao show him a few interesting accounts to follow.
Fang Jing Yao said proudly, “Come on, follow me too! I’m the best joke writer in the comic world, and the best at illustrating jokes among joke writers.”
Long Yu smiled and followed him.
When it was Long Yu’s turn to speak, Fang Jing Yao didn’t understand some of the technical terms, but he was genuinely curious and kept asking questions. Since he drew comics, his curiosity was naturally strong, and he approached everything with a mindset of gathering material. Long Yu patiently explained, and Fang Jing Yao tilted his head, looking at Dr. Long with earnest eyes, both admiring and respectful.
“Really amazing!”
“Dr. Long, you seem to know everything!”
“You’re even studying this in the lab abroad? Incredible!”
…
Long Yu was embarrassed by all the praise and covered his mouth with his fist, coughing lightly, but soon shook his head with a smile. “Not that amazing. If you ever need materials for your creations, you can call me—I’ll help you look up resources.”
Fang Jing Yao nodded generously, smiling. “Great! Then I won’t hesitate to lean on you!”
Long Yu was touched by his warmth. Being around Fang Jing Yao always made him unconsciously smile. A small tuft of Fang Jing Yao’s hair stuck up stubbornly, and Long Yu reached out to smooth it. The soft little hairs were just as he imagined.
Fang Jing Yao happily enjoyed the affection. Having signed the contract, what was there to worry about? He was already halfway into marriage, after all.
All his remaining hesitation vanished; not only did he not feel disadvantaged by signing the contract, he felt delighted.
When the waiter brought in the fruit platter, he saw the two handsome men sitting close together in the private room. The man with the professional, elite demeanor had his hand on the back of the sunny young man’s head—it looked very intimate. The waiter was forced to witness a bit of “public affection,” quietly set down the fruit, and left, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
After dinner, Long Yu drove Fang Jing Yao home. The car stopped downstairs, but he didn’t let Fang Jing Yao leave immediately.
Fang Jing Yao glanced at Long Yu’s hand still holding the seatbelt and asked curiously, “What’s up?” Could Long Yu be taking him upstairs to meet his parents? If they saw the contract, his mother would laugh so hard she’d show her teeth!
Long Yu leaned slightly closer and said, “You seem to have forgotten something.”
Fang Jing Yao squinted and moved closer, slowly pressing his lips against Long Yu’s.
Long Yu’s breathing quickened, his voice hoarse. “The contract says every time we part, there must be a goodbye kiss…”
Fang Jing Yao softly held his lips, letting out a light laugh. He could feel Long Yu’s body tremble and mischievously sucked on his lips, gently nibbling with his teeth. When Long Yu pressed him into the seat, Fang Jing Yao hooked his arms around Long Yu’s neck, parted his lips, and slid his tongue in…
