As long as you behave

Gu Shang gazed at the young man before him. The touch against his lips was soft, tempting him to take a bite.

The man's piercing gaze resembled that of some large falcon, fierce and sharp. He studied every flicker of expression on the young man's face, weighing his suspicions.

He had clearly just laid his cards on the table, saying he knew Ji Mingzhu hadn't willingly married him. In essence, he had been inviting him to negotiate.

They could speak frankly. He was willing to make concessions and offer a few benefits, just as he had planned in the car on the way back. In return, Ji Mingzhu merely had to behave himself and play along, let his grandfather spend his remaining days in peace, and serve as a presentable figurehead for the company.

But Ji Mingzhu was still playing dumb... which meant his ambitions went beyond that.

Ji Mingzhu definitely had some secret agenda.

He recalled the rumors that had long circulated in hushed whispers about a priceless treasure belonging to the Gu Family.

His eyes darkened. He pulled down the hand Ji Mingzhu had pressed over his mouth and said, "Ji Mingzhu, I'd advise you not to entertain any ideas you shouldn't."

The young man blinked innocently.

What ideas? Did wanting to consummate their marriage count as an idea he shouldn't entertain?

But... that was what getting married was for! His husband didn't have to be so worried about hurting him!

The young man said softly, "I can't be the only one moving. What really matters is that you move too..."

Once he said it, Ji Mingzhu's face flushed, and his embarrassment turned into a little burst of indignation.

How annoying. His idiot husband always made him spell things out so bluntly. Didn't he have any dignity to preserve?

Gu Shang: "...?"

The man didn't understand why something like this had to be a mutual endeavor. Was Ji Mingzhu really so confident that his act would never slip?

But in any case, he had already given his warning.

"Didn't you just say you wanted to eat? Let's have something first. You haven't eaten much today either, just a slice of cake." As Gu Shang spoke, he casually released his arm from around Ji Mingzhu, took out his phone, and messaged Uncle Chen to have a late-night meal brought up.

There was plenty of time ahead. If Ji Mingzhu didn't want to talk, he would have ample opportunities to ask later. They might as well eat. He wasn't about to withhold food just to interrogate someone.

The supple feel of the young man's body still lingered faintly in the crook of his arm. Though he felt wonderful to hold, he was too thin. He ought to eat more.

Had the Ji Family not been feeding him enough? What boy his age weighed so little?

The late-night meal soon arrived. Gu Shang handed him a bowl and chopsticks. "I didn't know what you liked, so just have a little of this. Tomorrow, tell Uncle Chen your food preferences yourself. He'll arrange things accordingly."

Ji Mingzhu had still been a little angry because the man had scared him by threatening to hit him, but the moment delicious food landed in his hands, he was appeased again, just like an angry kitten won over with a freeze-dried treat.

He might have been angry, but he still had to eat. As he ate, he forgot all about being angry.

At the sight, the resolve the man had only just hardened softened a little again. What sort of little spy was such a terrible actor? No, perhaps his acting was simply too good, so utterly natural. But it didn't matter. With him right under Gu Shang's nose, he wouldn't be able to pull any tricks.

Ji Mingzhu huffily picked up a piece of crispy fish and popped it into his mouth, silently insisting that he wasn't spineless! It was just hard to stay angry at someone who fed him. His spell had merely been interrupted.

The fish was fried to a lovely crisp and well seasoned. This was the Gu Family's chef, after all. That hefty salary wasn't paid for nothing.

Still, it was just a little too oily. Although the coating retained its crunch and texture, the fish inside wasn't tender enough and had turned slightly dry. Perhaps it hadn't been marinated long enough either, as the flavor hadn't fully penetrated the flesh, leaving the faintest trace of a watery, fishy taste.

Ji Mingzhu's verdict was that it wasn't as good as his own.

Whatever else he couldn't guarantee, Ji Mingzhu's cooking had earned Emperor Ningjia's praise. The emperor had declared that his skill was on par with the imperial chefs'. And he was still so young, with plenty of room to improve. The Imperial Noble Consort's favorite dish was his sweet pear pastries, but since he was not yet married, it was considered inappropriate for him to cook often, so he had few chances to show his skills.

For that very reason, each rare opportunity to demonstrate his cooking made it seem all the more dazzling, leaving everyone who tasted it yearning for more.

Seeing the young man suddenly look pleased with himself as he ate, Gu Shang thought he was quite easy to coax. "Is it good?"

Ji Mingzhu gave him a proud glance, like a little peacock brimming with fighting spirit. "It's all right."

After they ate and both freshened up, Gu Shang headed straight into the bathroom for a shower.

He had been on edge all day and only wanted to get some rest as soon as possible. He had a meeting the following day.

But the moment he emerged from the bathroom, Gu Shang keenly sensed that someone else was still in the room. He strode over to the bed and whipped back the covers-

The young man lying in his bed immediately shrank back as though startled, like a little ball of aggrieved bunny. "Honey, what are you doing? I'll get cold."

Gu Shang: "..."