Another week passed in the penthouse under strict, unspoken rules.
Guàn Jǐngchén's anger had not faded — it had simply settled into something quieter, more controlled. He went to the office every day, leaving Lin Yuè behind with clear instructions and monitoring enabled. When he returned each evening, the tension between them crackled like electricity.
This night was no different.
The moment Guàn Jǐngchén stepped through the door, he found Lin Yuè waiting in the living room wearing nothing but one of his black silk shirts, the hem barely covering his thighs. The sight made something dark and possessive flare in the CEO's eyes.
He didn't speak. He simply crossed the room, grabbed Lin Yuè by the waist, and pulled him into a bruising kiss. Their mouths clashed — hungry, angry, desperate. Guàn Jǐngchén's hands shoved under the silk shirt, gripping bare skin as he walked Lin Yuè backward until his back hit the large glass window overlooking the city.
"On your knees," Guàn Jǐngchén ordered, voice low and rough.
Lin Yuè obeyed instantly, sinking to his knees on the cool floor. His hands trembled slightly as he opened the CEO's trousers and freed his already hard cock. He looked up through his lashes, eyes soft and submissive, before leaning forward and taking Guàn Jǐngchén into his mouth.
Guàn Jǐngchén groaned, one hand tangling in Lin Yuè's messy black hair as he guided the rhythm. "Just like that… fuck, your mouth is still perfect."
Lin Yuè worked him with everything he had — tongue swirling, cheeks hollowing, taking him as deep as he could. Guàn Jǐngchén's hips eventually took over, thrusting shallowly into his mouth while holding his head in place.
When he was close, Guàn Jǐngchén pulled out abruptly, yanked Lin Yuè to his feet, and spun him around to face the window.
"Hands on the glass," he commanded.
Lin Yuè braced himself, chest pressed to the cool surface. Guàn Jǐngchén shoved the silk shirt up to his waist, slicked himself quickly, and thrust inside in one brutal stroke.
A sharp cry escaped Lin Yuè as the CEO began fucking him hard against the window, the city lights glittering far below like indifferent witnesses.
"Everyone down there thinks I'm a fool for keeping you," Guàn Jǐngchén growled, hips snapping forward. "They whisper that I'm compromised. That I let a ghost into my bed."
Lin Yuè moaned, forehead pressed to the glass, body jolting with every powerful thrust. "I'm sorry… I never wanted to ruin your reputation."
Guàn Jǐngchén's hand wrapped around Lin Yuè's cock, stroking him roughly in time with his thrusts.
"Then make it up to me," he snarled. "Take everything I give you."
The pace was punishing. Pleasure and pain mixed until Lin Yuè came with a broken sob, spilling over Guàn Jǐngchén's hand and the glass. The CEO followed with a deep groan, burying himself to the hilt as he filled him.
They stayed pressed against the window for several minutes, breathing heavily. Guàn Jǐngchén finally pulled out and turned Lin Yuè around, kissing him deeply but without the earlier rage — slower, almost tender.
"I still can't forgive you completely," he admitted against Lin Yuè's lips. "But I can't stop wanting you either."
Lin Yuè leaned into him, arms wrapping around his neck.
"I'll keep earning it," he whispered. "Every day. For as long as you need."
Later that night, they lay in bed together. Guàn Jǐngchén held Lin Yuè from behind, one arm locked around his waist, but the silence between them felt heavier than usual.
"The board is still pushing," Guàn Jǐngchén said quietly into the darkness. "They want me to publicly distance myself from you. I refused again today."
Lin Yuè's fingers tightened on the arm around him.
"You're still protecting me," he murmured.
Guàn Jǐngchén's grip tightened. "I don't know why I'm still doing it. But I can't stop."
Lin Yuè turned in his arms and pressed a soft kiss to his collarbone.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Guàn Jǐngchén didn't reply. He simply pulled Lin Yuè closer and closed his eyes.
The anger was still there.
The distrust lingered.
But so did the love — fractured, bruised, and stubborn.
And in the quiet penthouse, with the city lights glowing outside, two broken people held each other through another night, hoping that time and pain might eventually forge something stronger from the ruins.
End of Chapter 56