The next morning arrived with clear skies and the scent of salt in the air.
Lu Sheng stepped out of the bathroom, towel-drying his damp hair, and looked over at Chen who was sipping coffee on the couch, checking his work emails.
"Let's go out today," Lu Sheng said casually.
Chen glanced up. "Out?"
"Yeah," Lu Sheng said, walking over and plopping beside him. "Somewhere far… peaceful. Seaside."
Chen hesitated. "I have a few meetings later—"
Lu Sheng raised an eyebrow, cutting him off. "Didn't we agree? One month. You belong to me, remember?"
Chen sighed. "Right…"
He put the phone away and nodded. "Let's go."
---
Arrival at the Seaside
The two of them arrived at a quiet coastal town by afternoon. The ocean breeze was fresh, and the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks brought a strange calm.
Lu Sheng smiled slightly as he walked ahead barefoot on the sand. "This place is nice, right?"
Chen watched him, silently agreeing. "Yeah… it is."
---
They entered a seaside hotel, and Chen went to book two rooms. The receptionist, however, looked apologetic.
"I'm sorry, sir. Due to the local festival, there's only one room left."
Chen turned to Lu Sheng, unsure.
Lu Sheng smirked. "One room's fine."
Chen blinked. "You sure?"
"You're my sugar daddy, not my stranger."
---
In the Room
The room was cozy—one large bed, soft lighting, and a balcony that opened up to the sea.
Lu Sheng threw himself onto the bed, sighing contently. "Not bad."
Chen stood awkwardly near the door. "You want me to sleep on the couch?"
Lu Sheng turned to face him, eyes serious. "Why? Scared of sharing a bed with me?"
Chen met his gaze. "No. Just… trying to respect you."
A silence passed between them—thick with emotion and unspoken feelings.
Later that night, the two lay side by side on the bed, facing opposite directions. The sound of waves filled the room.
"Chen," Lu Sheng said suddenly, voice soft, "do you really regret what you did?"
Chen turned to face him. "More than anything."
A beat.
Lu Sheng slowly turned toward him, their eyes locking in the moonlight streaming through the window. "Then prove it."
Before Chen could respond, Lu Sheng leaned in, brushing his lips against Chen's lightly—just enough to tease.
But Chen didn't pull away.
Instead, he cupped Lu Sheng's face and kissed him deeply, pouring all his guilt, sorrow, and longing into it. Lu Sheng responded, his fingers curling around Chen's shirt, their bodies slowly pressing together.
The kiss grew intense—raw and passionate.
Chen's hands slid over Lu Sheng's back as he rolled gently on top of him, their breaths heavy and desperate. Lu Sheng's hoodie was pushed up, their skin brushing, their hearts pounding in sync.
Lu Sheng looked up at him, eyes half-lidded, cheeks flushed. "You really missed me, didn't you?"
"I never stopped," Chen whispered, before kissing him again.
And for the first time in a long while, Lu Sheng let himself melt.