SA | Extra 1

After more than a month apart, Gu Deng and Zhang Li couldn’t hold back their feelings. Just as a shadow moved by the door, Gu Deng’s rationality returned. He hid in Zhang Li’s arms, pulling away slightly. But Zhang Li greedily followed, pinching his waist and slipping his tongue into Gu Deng’s mouth.

The man’s thick tongue scraped against the roof of his mouth, making Gu Deng’s legs weak, almost unable to stand.

“Someone…” Gu Deng pulled himself out of Zhang Li’s arms, struggling to say two words.

“No one,” Zhang Li released Gu Deng, their noses touching as they breathed. “It’s my apprentice, he won’t say anything.”

“You have an apprentice?” Gu Deng asked curiously.

Zhang Li nodded, saying, “I don’t want to talk about him now, I just want to be with you.”

Ah Meng, overhearing the conversation: “………”

“Ahem,” he coughed loudly on purpose, then shouted, “Master, I took Jiajia back!”

“Go,” Zhang Li said mercilessly.

The boy mumbled something and left with the puppy. The restaurant door closed, and silence returned inside.

Their eyes met, and both Gu Deng and Zhang Li were breathing heavily. Zhang Li was already fully responsive, but Gu Deng put his mask back on, looking ready to leave at any moment.

Zhang Li lowered his lashes, looking pitiful under the warm yellow light: “You… not eating?”

Gu Deng put on his hat, calmly saying, “Let’s go to my place.”

Gu Deng’s downtown home was a spacious flat over 200 square meters, with a white base color accented by vibrant furniture and art, elegant yet passionate, matching his own temperament.

Zhang Li followed Gu Deng inside, closing the door behind him.

Gu Deng bent down to get slippers for Zhang Li, only to be embraced and kissed against the shoe cabinet.

They undressed from the entrance to the bedroom, Gu Deng breathlessly pushing against Zhang Li’s chest: “Shower first.”

Zhang Li, with a hoarse voice, agreed, carrying Gu Deng into the bathroom.

Hot water soaked their bodies, and Zhang Li turned Gu Deng around, biting his neck.

…

The bedroom was a mess, Gu Deng’s body marked, too exhausted to lift a finger.

Zhang Li rubbed his soft, thin belly, suddenly asking, “Mind if I use the kitchen?”

“Go ahead,” Gu Deng, tired and sleepy, pulled the blanket over himself and fell asleep.

Gu Deng’s features were exquisitely delicate, harmonious whether viewed individually or together. Returning to his familiar life and making career breakthroughs added sharpness and confidence to his refinement. Even now, lying marked on the bed, he didn’t seem weak or easy to underestimate.

This was the person he loved…

Zhang Li traced Gu Deng’s features with his gaze, realizing again how lucky he was. Such an outstanding person had once belonged to him, completely.

The satisfaction almost overwhelmed Zhang Li, his breathing quickened, and he couldn’t help but pull the blanket off Gu Deng and cover him again.

Gu Deng, already sleepy, only let out a soft hum at Zhang Li’s actions, ultimately letting it all happen.

The fervor didn’t last long; Zhang Li soon regained clarity, not wanting to tire Gu Deng further, ending things quickly.

For Zhang Li, it was an early end, but for Gu Deng, it was almost life-draining. By the end, Gu Deng couldn’t say a word, only letting out a few weak breaths during the intensity.

Zhang Li left his mark on Gu Deng, driven by a possessive instinct, not cleaning him up for now.

Gu Deng slept in the strange scent of the bedroom, sticky and tired, only to be shaken awake by Zhang Li.

“Eat something before sleeping,” Zhang Li brought in a bowl of noodles, saying, “Just eat a bit for now. There’s not much in your fridge, so I made tomato and egg noodles. I’ll make something better tomorrow.”

Gu Deng wasn’t picky, sitting at the bedside eating the noodles Zhang Li fed him. The noodles were chewy, the sauce rich, with a balanced sweet and salty flavor. Gu Deng ate half a bowl.

When Zhang Li tried to feed him more, he shook his head: “I can’t eat anymore.”

Zhang Li didn’t insist, slurping up the remaining noodles, cleaning up the dishes, and carrying Gu Deng to the bathroom to clean up. After eating, Gu Deng felt a bit more energetic, coaxed by Zhang Li into another round, fainting in the steamy bathroom before being carried out again.

·

The next day at noon, Xiao Mi carried two large boxes of five-star hotel takeout, opening Gu Deng’s apartment door. Sister Lan said Brother Deng was exhausted from his recent album, telling her to make sure he ate well. She also said Brother Deng needed rest, so not to go too early. Xiao Mi agreed, arriving at 12 to deliver the meal.

But when she opened the door, instead of the ethereal, lifeless living room, she was hit by the rich aroma of chicken soup, the scent of free-range chicken mixed with wild mushrooms from July, instantly tantalizing her taste buds.

When did Brother Deng start cooking?

Xiao Mi swallowed hungrily, setting down the takeout boxes and walking into the kitchen. She heard a “sizzle,” and the kitchen was filled with the rich aroma of scallions mixed with seafood, a dish of Three-Onion Stir-Fried Australian Lobster.

In front of the stove, a tall, handsome man was flipping a pan with one hand. He looked up at the noise, then calmly turned off the heat to plate the lobster, making her feel like the outsider.

Xiao Mi was a bit worried about the stranger’s identity, stepping forward to investigate: “Uh, excuse me, you are…”

“Ding—”

The steamer’s timer went off beside her, and Xiao Mi turned to see a red and white Eastern Star Grouper inside.

The man looked fierce, but unexpectedly had a good temper. He immediately took off his gloves and came over to shake her hand: “Hello, I’m Zhang Li.”

“Oh, oh,” Xiao Mi nodded, introducing herself, “I’m Xiao Mi, Brother Deng’s assistant.”

Zhang Li said, “I know.”

“So you are…” Xiao Mi tilted her head, suddenly remembering, “Aren’t you the chef from the restaurant in Alaska? I saw you once before.”

Zhang Li confirmed.

Recalling how Gu Deng had called the restaurant owner many times yesterday, Xiao Mi had a sudden realization: “Are you the chef Brother Deng hired?”

The man’s expression seemed momentarily surprised but quickly returned to calm, simply saying, “Everything is as Gu Deng says.”

With him saying that, Xiao Mi was even more certain, sighing: “Ah, if I had known Brother Deng called you, I wouldn’t have come.”

Familiar footsteps came from the living room, and Xiao Mi quickly ran over: “Brother Deng, I…”

Gu Deng walked out of the bedroom in a loose silk robe, the pale pink pearlescent fabric making him look vibrant, like a lily freshly watered by rain. His lips were unusually swollen, and when he turned, his long neck was exposed, covered in alarming pink marks…

Xiao Mi’s eyes widened, and she froze.

Her gaze lingered on the obvious hickey-like marks on Gu Deng’s neck, her mind racing like a boiling kettle.

Ahhhhh!! What did she just see??? What’s going on??? Xiao Mi covered her face, her mind screaming!!

She remembered the strong man in the kitchen, wondering if the sexy chef also satisfied Brother Deng physically?!

But could she be mistaken? Her Brother Deng was like an ethereal fairy, not someone who’d mess around with guys!

Xiao Mi was sure she misunderstood Brother Deng! The swelling might just be an allergy or mosquito bites!

Just as Xiao Mi convinced herself, Gu Deng walked past her, seemingly oblivious, and shared a passionate kiss with the sexy chef in the kitchen.

Xiao Mi: !!!

Ahhhhh can she watch this for free!!! Won’t Brother Deng fire her or the sexy chef kill her?!!

Until the sexy chef pushed Gu Deng away, saying there was someone else, Gu Deng slightly turned his head, looking over.

The young man’s eyes slightly lifted, his delicate face showing a hint of displeasure at being interrupted.

“Brother Deng!” Xiao Mi immediately stood up straight, so scared she could barely speak, “S-s-sorry, I didn’t mean to peek, I was just here!”

Gu Deng wasn’t angry, calmly asking, “What are you here for?”

“Sister Lan told me to bring you food…” Xiao Mi, half-scared, tried to straighten her tongue, “I left the stuff on the table, do you need anything else from me? If not, I’ll just…”

Gu Deng waved his hand, the smooth silk slipping from his wrist, revealing several bite marks on his forearm!

Xiao Mi: !!!

Xiao Mi had never seen such a scene, stammering, “Then I won’t disturb you, I’ll head back, as for Sister Lan…” She bit her lip, struggling for a while before deciding, “I’ll keep it a secret from Sister Lan! I didn’t see anything!”

Gu Deng nodded in satisfaction: “Good kid.”

His tone was lazy, different from his usual pure fairy-like demeanor, mixed with a maturity from experiencing pleasure. Like a ripe fruit or a flower in full bloom.

Xiao Mi blushed a bit, stammering that it was her duty.

But Gu Deng’s next words were: “But Sister Lan already knows, so no pressure.”

Xiao Mi looked up in surprise.

Gu Deng continued, “Thanks for coming, take the takeout back with you, and take three days off, don’t come over these days.”

Three days…

Xiao Mi’s face instantly turned colorful, her mind filled with images of Brother Deng and the sexy chef battling for three days and nights.

Her whole head turned bright red, stammering, “Okay, okay, I’ll go now, th-thank you, Brother Deng.”

Xiao Mi hurried to the door, remembering she forgot the takeout on the table, snatched it like a robbery, ran out, and slammed the door shut.

In the dining room, Zhang Li served the mushroom chicken soup, Three-Onion Stir-Fried Australian Lobster, and Steamed Wild Eastern Star Grouper. He poured a bowl of soup for Gu Deng, finally speaking: “You told your manager about us?”

“Yeah, I did.” Gu Deng took a sip of the soup, the rich chicken and wild mushroom flavors filling his mouth, making him so satisfied he squinted.

Zhang Li’s expression was very serious, not touching his chopsticks, and said, “Will she…”

“No,” Gu Deng said, taking another bite of the Eastern Star Grouper, the meat tender and delicate.

Zhang Li looked at him nervously, asking, “Will it affect your career, um…”

Gu Deng stuffed a piece of fish into his mouth, shaking his head: “Let’s eat first.”

After lunch, Gu Deng held a plate of fresh-cut fruit, eating while discussing his plans.

After finishing, he looked at Zhang Li: “Though I can’t fully come out, I won’t hide it from those around me. Can you accept that?”

“That’s enough,” Zhang Li shook his head, saying after a moment, “It’s already better than I imagined.”

Gu Deng raised an eyebrow: “What did you imagine?”

“Nothing, this is great,” Zhang Li, not wanting to spoil the moment, naturally didn’t bring up any hypothetical scenarios.

“You thought I’d have a secret relationship with you?” Gu Deng looked up, disapproving, “I’m not like that, and since you moved from New York to Beijing for me, it would be too unfair if we had to hide.”

“I’m glad you think that way.” Zhang Li held Gu Deng’s right hand, his gaze deepening.

“Of course, I like you, I won’t let you suffer like that.” Gu Deng said matter-of-factly, popping a strawberry into his mouth.

Zhang Li leaned down, biting the strawberry in Gu Deng’s mouth, the pink juice trickling down Gu Deng’s throat, which Zhang Li licked away with his tongue.