On the second floor, the rushing water abruptly stopped.
The glass shower door opened, and steam billowed out. Shao Ke hooked a bath towel with his hand and wrapped it around his waist.
He walked to the sink, picked up a black rectangular pack, and drew out a cigarette, lazily bringing it to his lips.
The metal lighter clicked, the crisp, pleasing sound echoing through the spacious room.
He held the filter lightly between his teeth and tilted his head, the flame licking the tip until it glowed scarlet.
Shao Ke had a habit of not inhaling the first drag. He exhaled as he lit it, his half-lidded eyes blurring behind the smoke rising and spreading from his fingertips.
Steam filled the bathroom, and Shao Ke reached out to wipe away the haze.
In the mirror, the man's finely sculpted features came into clear view. His usually neat hair was swept back, water dripping from its ends onto his shoulders, slowly trailing down his firm abs before soaking into the white bath towel.
Shao Ke took a deep drag, moved the cigarette away between his fingers, and casually lifted his eyelids amid the curling smoke.
Perhaps because of his prolonged immersion, a trace of desire still lingered in his eyes, along with an intimidating pressure he could not conceal.
If Yan Ningke had seen Shao Ke like this, he would never have called him a refined gentleman, and he certainly would not have teased him so brazenly.
In a suit, he was a gentleman. Without it, he was the very definition of danger.
Yan Ningke did not blame himself for very long before Aunt An knocked to tell him his clothes had arrived.
He climbed out of the tangled bedding, threw on a T-shirt and shorts, and ran outside.