The news of Guàn Jǐngchén's relationship with his former intern spread through Jǐngchéng Tech like wildfire by midday. By the time the afternoon strategy meeting began, the entire executive floor was buzzing with barely contained curiosity.
Lin Yuè sat quietly beside the CEO at the head of the long obsidian table, wearing a soft cream sweater that made him look even younger and more delicate. His big doe eyes stayed lowered most of the time, fingers occasionally fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve in that shy, innocent way everyone had grown used to. Guàn Jǐngchén's arm rested casually along the back of his chair, fingers occasionally brushing the nape of Lin Yuè's neck — a subtle but unmistakable claim.
The meeting itself was routine: quarterly threat assessments, new AI defense protocols, projected earnings. But the atmosphere had shifted. Several executives kept stealing glances at the pair. Li Wei, in particular, watched Lin Yuè with a mixture of surprise and something sharper — jealousy, perhaps, or suspicion.
When the discussion turned to recent probe attempts, Guàn Jǐngchén's voice remained calm and authoritative. "The forensic scan this morning returned clean. No anomalies. We continue strengthening the secondary layers."
Lin Yuè kept his expression perfectly neutral, but inside, Eclipse catalogued every word. The scan had indeed passed, but the deeper cross-reference scheduled for next week could still unearth inconsistencies if pushed hard enough.
After the meeting, Guàn Jǐngchén dismissed everyone except Lin Yuè. The moment the door closed, the CEO turned and pulled the younger man into his arms, kissing him deeply against the conference table.
"You were perfect in there," Guàn Jǐngchén murmured against his lips, hands sliding under the soft sweater to caress bare skin. "So quiet and sweet while everyone stared. It drives me crazy knowing only I get to see the real you when we're alone."
Lin Yuè gasped softly as the CEO's fingers teased his nipples, pinching lightly. "Jǐngchén… someone might come back…"
"Let them." Guàn Jǐngchén's voice dropped into that dangerous register. He lifted Lin Yuè onto the edge of the table, pushing the sweater up to expose his chest. His mouth closed around one nipple, sucking and licking until Lin Yuè was trembling and whimpering. One hand slipped between Lin Yuè's thighs, palming him through his trousers before opening the zipper and freeing his hardening length.
"So hard already," Guàn Jǐngchén observed, stroking slowly. "Just from a few kisses in public. You really are made for me."
He dropped to his knees, taking Lin Yuè into his mouth in one smooth motion — hot, wet, and skilled. Lin Yuè's head fell back with a broken moan, fingers gripping the edge of the table. Guàn Jǐngchén worked him thoroughly, tongue swirling, hand stroking what his mouth couldn't reach, until Lin Yuè was shaking and close.
Just before release, the CEO pulled off and stood, quickly freeing himself. He slicked up and pushed inside Lin Yuè with one deep thrust, both of them groaning at the tight heat. Guàn Jǐngchén set a hard, claiming rhythm — hips snapping forward while his hand stroked Lin Yuè in time.
"Look at me," he commanded.
Their eyes locked as pleasure built fast and intense. Lin Yuè came first with a sharp cry, spilling over the CEO's hand. Guàn Jǐngchén followed moments later, burying himself deep with a low groan as he filled him.
They stayed connected for several minutes, foreheads pressed together, breathing ragged.
"I love you," Guàn Jǐngchén whispered, kissing Lin Yuè's swollen lips gently. "Let them whisper. Let them stare. You're mine, and I want the whole world to know it."
Lin Yuè clung to him, whispering back, "I love you too."
But as they straightened their clothes and prepared to leave the office, the whispers outside the conference room grew louder. Lin Yuè caught fragments as they walked down the corridor:
"…too fast. He was just an intern last week…"
"…coding skills are suspicious…"
"…CEO has never been like this before…"
Guàn Jǐngchén ignored them completely, one arm wrapped protectively around Lin Yuè's waist as they headed to the elevator.
Back in the penthouse that evening, the atmosphere shifted again. Guàn Jǐngchén cooked dinner while Lin Yuè helped, stealing kisses between chopping vegetables. After they ate, they moved to the couch, where Guàn Jǐngchén pulled Lin Yuè into his lap and held him close.
"I meant what I said today," the CEO said quietly, stroking Lin Yuè's hair. "No more hiding. You're part of my life now — publicly and privately."
Lin Yuè nodded, leaning into the touch. But inside, the pressure was mounting.
The public claim had made everything real.
The signed documents bound them legally.
The scan had passed, but the next deeper cross-reference was only days away.
And the whispers in the walls of Jǐngchéng Tech were only the beginning.
Lin Yuè closed his eyes, breathing in Guàn Jǐngchén's familiar scent.
He had chosen this path.
Now he could only hope that when the truth finally broke free, the man holding him so tenderly would still choose to love the boy who had been lying to him from the very first day.
End of Chapter 28