That's Not How You Kiss Someone...

They arrived at the venue for the evening banquet, a famous five-star hotel in B City. Luxury cars already filled the parking area outside, and staff from the organizer stood at the entrance to welcome the guests.

"Mr. Meng, you're here."

Most of B City's wealthy elite knew Meng Zhiyuan. Walking beside him, Jiang Ze drew more stares than he could count.

"Tired?"

Jiang Ze yawned, feeling a little bored. Whether in his previous life or this one, social functions really were the dullest things imaginable.

"I'm fine."

Meng Zhiyuan took him to the dessert section, picked up a glass of juice, and handed it to him.

"Don't wander off. Have something to eat first. I'll come find you in a bit."

Jiang Ze nodded obediently. He knew the project Meng Zhiyuan wanted to discuss this time seemed substantial; entrepreneurs and businessmen kept approaching him without pause.

"System, have you been sneaking off behind my back to get up to something? Do you even care about your performance anymore? Why haven't you given me any intel?"

"Ding! Host, of course not! So much of the plot has changed lately that the distribution of fate in this world has shifted dramatically. I've got to hurry and keep this little world balanced~ Overtime, overtime!"

"Oh~ So that's it..."

Jiang Ze chatted idly with the system as he ate a little cake. He was just about to check whether Meng Zhiyuan had returned when he turned and saw a mixed-race face instead.

"Oh! Darling! You're absolutely gorgeous!"

The newcomer had striking features and a handsome face, his vivid blue eyes revealing his mixed heritage.

He seemed to have been watching Jiang Ze for a while. Now he approached with a smile, making sure to introduce himself as he came.

"My name is Daniel. My mother is Chinese, and I'm here in China on business today. May I get to know you?"

Daniel looked at Jiang Ze with amazement and excitement, seemingly a little worked up. Those blue eyes almost seemed to sparkle.

Jiang Ze frowned, not wanting to engage with him, but the man's blatant stare was too much to bear. He could only reply.

"Jiang Ze."

He paused for two seconds, trying to keep his expression composed, then continued.

"I have something to attend to, so I'll excuse myself."

Meng Zhiyuan should have finished discussing business by now.

"Oh, Mr. Jiang Ze, pardon my asking, but could I have your contact information? Your looks are exactly my type. You're the perfect partner I've always dreamed of!"

Jiang Ze thought this man was a little unhinged. This wasn't even flirting anymore-it was practically sexual harassment. He stepped away, eager to leave.

But apparently, the man wouldn't give up until he got his contact information. Wherever Jiang Ze went, he followed.

He also kept prattling on with compliments about Jiang Ze, leaving Jiang Ze too embarrassed to stay at the banquet any longer.

Hadn't he noticed the looks everyone around them was giving them? Jiang Ze wished he could find a hole to crawl into.

This was mortifying!

"Daniel! Stop following me. I already have a boyfriend!"

Jiang Ze stopped and leaned casually against a pillar, his eyes full of impatience.

He was already annoyed, and now someone even more annoying had shown up.

He was considering whether to beat him up. If he hadn't been afraid of causing trouble for Meng Zhiyuan, his fist would probably have already landed on Daniel's prominent nose.

"Oh, Jiang Ze, don't lie to me. If you have a boyfriend, why isn't he with you? Besides, he's only your boyfriend, not your husband. Trust me, you'll be much happier if you dump him and get together with me!"

Jiang Ze rolled his eyes. Where on earth did this man get his confidence?

"Dump who?"

A familiar, deep voice suddenly rang out. Jiang Ze's eyes lit up. His savior had finally arrived.

"Daniel, you've got some nerve, trying to steal my man on my own turf."

Meng Zhiyuan's tone was calm, but his gaze was icy as he looked at Daniel.

Jiang Ze felt a tug, then fell into a familiar embrace.

The man's chest was still so hard that the collision made his nose ache.

"Oh my God, Meng Zhiyuan, what are you doing here?!"

As though he had encountered a formidable enemy, Daniel hastily retreated several steps, his face full of wariness.

"Very nice. I'm discussing a partnership with your father, and you're trying to pick up my man?"

"Jiang Ze, he's your boyfriend?"

Daniel seemed incredulous as he pointed at Meng Zhiyuan and asked Jiang Ze.

Jiang Ze rubbed his sore nose. Startled by the question, he stole a glance at Meng Zhiyuan, then steeled himself and answered.

"Yes. What, do you have a problem with that?"

The moment he finished speaking, he met Meng Zhiyuan's dark, searching gaze. He winked, signaling that they should pretend for now.

"Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"

Meng Zhiyuan looked at him for a few seconds before turning back to Daniel, much of the chill fading from his voice.

"Jiang Ze, he's such a boring old stiff. He doesn't have a romantic bone in his body! He's not worthy of you at all! Be with me. I'm very romantic, and I'll make sure you're happy!"

Meng Zhiyuan's expression darkened. He was already considering whether to make them concede another percentage point of profit on the deal.

Seeing Meng Zhiyuan's face grow grim, Jiang Ze hurriedly hugged his arm and declared.

"Who says he isn't romantic? My boyfriend is wonderful at making me happy. He just gave me a pair of earrings today!"

Jiang Ze tilted his head proudly to show off the emerald-green earrings, then turned and planted a smacking kiss on Meng Zhiyuan's cheek.

It was ridiculously loud.

Jiang Ze hadn't expected it to make such a loud sound. Regretting it, he didn't dare turn his head and simply pretended to be calm as he looked at the stunned Daniel.

"Oh, my true love! This is like a knife through my heart! How heartbreaking!"

Beside him, Meng Zhiyuan suddenly spoke.

"Get lost. Unless you want your father taking you straight back to your country today, get out of my sight right now."

"Jiang Ze, I'll come find you again! This man won't treat you well!"

Daniel seemed shaken by Meng Zhiyuan's words. After leaving that resentful declaration, he walked away.

Jiang Ze was utterly speechless at the man's bizarre way of thinking. Just as he was about to say something, Meng Zhiyuan suddenly pulled him into a nearby corridor.

"Sneaking a kiss?"

Only now did Jiang Ze feel himself blush. His expression shifted, and it took quite a bit of mental preparation before he dared meet Meng Zhiyuan's gaze.

"No... I kissed you out in the open... Besides, it was only to fool that Daniel guy..."

The young man's voice grew softer and softer. Feeling a little guilty, he lowered his eyes, his long lashes casting small shadows beneath them.

"Mm. Then let me teach you... That's not how you kiss someone..."

Before Jiang Ze could grasp what he meant, he felt something warm and soft against his lips.

His eyes widened as he stared at the handsome face so close to his own, hardly able to believe it.

"What's going on?! Why is he kissing me?!!!"

"Quiet."

Meng Zhiyuan raised a hand to cradle the back of the young man's head. His other arm encircled Jiang Ze's slender, lean waist, drawing him snugly against him.

... (The author has lost it. Please, I'm begging you, it was just a fleeting kiss. They didn't do anything else.)

"Have you learned?"

Meng Zhiyuan's voice was husky.

Jiang Ze didn't answer. He tried to straighten up, only to find his body weak. He stumbled and fell back into Meng Zhiyuan's arms.

"Want more?"

There was amusement in Meng Zhiyuan's voice, but the look in his eyes made Jiang Ze a little afraid. He was just about to refuse when the man sealed his lips again.

Jiang Ze felt his awareness gradually grow hazy. He had long since forgotten his earlier resistance and simply held the tall figure before him tightly on instinct.