Chapter 58 Why Are You Tying Me Up?

The hotel.

The light in the entryway flicked on, illuminating their silent faces.

“Do you want to shower first, or should I?” Lu Er broke the silence, his tone carrying a hint of cautious eagerness.

Song Jingmo took off his coat, his voice low and hoarse. “You go first.”

“Okay.”

Lu Er quickly went into the bathroom. The warm water ran over his body, but it couldn’t wash away the chill and unease in his heart.

He finished in a hurry, wrapped in a bathrobe, damp hair clinging to his forehead.

“Brother Jingmo, I’m done—” His words caught in his throat.

The living room was empty.

His heart tightened suddenly. He grabbed his phone, voice trembling. “Where did you go? Why don’t I see you?”

“I’m on the rooftop. I’ll be down soon. Don’t come out—the wind is strong.”

Song Jingmo’s voice came through the phone, accompanied by the howling wind.

Lu Er couldn’t listen. After hanging up, he didn’t even bother changing his shoes before rushing out, running up the cold stairwell to the rooftop.

The night wind carried a biting chill, rushing into the open collar of his bathrobe and making him shiver.

Pushing open the heavy iron door, he immediately spotted the lonely figure leaning against the railing.

Even before the wind hit him, a choking smell of tobacco reached his senses.

Lu Er froze in disbelief, eyes widening.

Song Jingmo… was smoking.

His gaze fell on a discarded metal can nearby, with five or six cigarette butts lying inside, one still glowing faintly red.

Sensing his approach, Song Jingmo’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

A half-burned cigarette rested between his fingers. The cold wind had reddened them, and the faint blue smoke added a touch of loneliness to his sharp profile.

Lu Er’s throat tightened. “When did you… start smoking too?”

Back in high school, he had thought smoking looked cool. Encouraged by others, he had hidden in the bathroom to try it—only to be caught by Song Jingmo.

That was the first time he had seen Song Jingmo so angry.

His gaze had been icy as he explained, word by word, the deadly dangers of smoking, forcing him to swear never to touch it again.

Since then, he truly hadn’t.

He had never imagined that the one who had once stopped him so strictly would now stand here, silently exhaling smoke.

Song Jingmo slowly turned his head. His face carried a weariness and defeat Lu Er had never seen before.

“I don’t smoke often.”

His voice was scattered by the wind, roughened by tobacco. “Since coming back to the country, this is the first time.”

He paused, voice low. “Back when I was abroad… I’d only smoke when I really couldn’t hold it in—when the longing got too strong.”

Lu Er couldn’t take it anymore. He stepped forward and threw himself into Song Jingmo’s arms, wrapping his arms tightly around his lean waist.

“I’m sorry.”

His voice choked with emotion. “Don’t take my brother’s words to heart. I’ll never accept a business marriage. I won’t repeat my parents’ mistakes.”

He looked up stubbornly into Song Jingmo’s deep eyes, his tone more serious and resolute than ever. “I’ll only marry someone I love.”

Song Jingmo stiffened for a moment when he was hugged. Feeling the trembling body beneath the thin bathrobe and the warmth of tears against his neck, he sighed softly—his heart ultimately giving way to tenderness.

He wrapped his arms around him in return. His palm touched Lu Er’s ice-cold back, making him frown. “Running up here dressed like this—are you trying to get sick again?”

His tone was reproachful, but his actions were gentle as he took off his coat and wrapped it around him.

Lu Er: “I…”

“Enough. Let’s go back first.” Song Jingmo’s voice was hoarse as he half-supported him back inside.

Back in the warmth of the room, Song Jingmo grabbed a hairdryer and dried Lu Er’s still-dripping hair, then tucked him firmly into bed, covering him completely.

“Lie still. I’m going to shower.”

When Song Jingmo came out after his shower, towel in hand, Lu Er immediately shifted toward the edge of the bed.

He patted the empty space beside him, eyes bright with a hint of pleading. “Brother Jingmo, I’m not fully recovered yet… I still want to sleep hugging you…”

Song Jingmo paused while drying his hair. Looking at those expectant eyes, the words of refusal were swallowed.

Silently, he walked to the other side of the bed. The moment he lay down, a warm body eagerly rolled into his arms.

Like a kitten that had found its home, Lu Er settled into a comfortable position, rubbing against him contentedly.

Song Jingmo felt a headache coming on, his voice low and hoarse. “If you keep moving, you’ll sleep by yourself.”

Lu Er immediately promised, “I swear I’ll sleep properly and won’t move. You’re not allowed to leave.”

But within minutes, he sensed the stiffness in Song Jingmo’s body. A bold and mischievous thought flashed through his mind.

He deliberately shifted slightly, his warm breath brushing against Song Jingmo’s ear, his voice soft and teasing. “Brother Jingmo, you’re so warm…”

His hands began to wander.

Song Jingmo’s breath hitched. He grabbed those mischievous hands, his voice carrying a warning. “Stop it.”

Lu Er ignored him, only pushing further.

Seeing the faint redness creeping up Song Jingmo’s ears and his restrained expression, Lu Er couldn’t help but grin.

Tilting his head, he gave an insincere apology. “Ah, sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

His fingertips lightly traced along Song Jingmo’s tense jawline and flushed ear.

In a knowing tone, he added, “It’s just a normal physiological reaction. No need to feel embarrassed.”

He even leaned closer, eyes gleaming, lowering his voice with a hint of temptation. “Do you… want me to help?”

Song Jingmo’s blood rushed to his head, equal parts flustered and annoyed.

Staring fiercely at the reckless troublemaker in his arms, he suddenly reached for a tie nearby.

With swift movements, he bound those restless hands together, tying a firm knot.

Lu Er was stunned. He struggled. “What are you doing?”

“Sleep properly,” Song Jingmo said calmly as he lay back down, turning his back to him. “Stop messing around.”

Lu Er froze for a few seconds, trying to struggle, only to realize the knot was tight and impossible to undo.

He hadn’t expected someone so aloof to play like this—Lu Er grew even more excited.

Wriggling, he nudged Song Jingmo’s back with his tied hands, whining playfully, “Brother Jingmo~ why are you tying me up? Let me go~”

But soon, Lu Er realized Song Jingmo was serious.

No matter how he rubbed against him or pleaded, there was no response.

“Wah… Brother Jingmo… let me go, my hands hurt…”

“I know I was wrong, I won’t touch you again…”

“Can you untie me? I don’t want to sleep tied up…”

“Song Jingmo! You jerk! Let me go!”

“Song Jingmo, believe it or not, I’ll tell my brother you tied me to the bed and bullied me—”

When begging and scolding both failed, tears began to fall from Lu Er’s eyes, like a small animal that had been thoroughly bullied.

Hearing his suppressed sobs, Song Jingmo’s heart clenched.

He turned around, pulled him into his arms, and coaxed softly, “Don’t cry. Just sleep.”

Perhaps exhausted from all the fussing, Lu Er’s crying gradually quieted, and he eventually fell into a deep sleep, tear marks still clinging to the corners of his eyes.

Feeling the steady breathing and relaxed body in his arms, Song Jingmo let out a quiet sigh.

Lowering his head, he gently kissed the damp hair at his temple.