No One Else Will Do But You - Chapter 65

Next, it was time for Plan B: the essential dating staple—a trip to the cinema.

Watching a movie is a classic way to foster intimacy. In the darkness of a theater, an emotionally charged film can naturally heighten the romantic tension. Horror movies are particularly effective; the logic suggests that a girl would hide in a man’s arms, trembling with fear, while he reassures her with a gentle, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”

At such a height of emotion, a kiss would be the natural next step.

However, Shu Luo’s reaction to the film—The House That Never Dies—was not at all what Jiang Mu had anticipated. Instead of being terrified, Shu Luo was overly excited, leaving Jiang Mu with zero opportunity to play the “protector.”

The only silver lining was that, during the particularly intense scenes, Shu Luo would grab his arm.

Xiao Fang, your salary is staying deducted!

Jiang Mu had little interest in suspenseful films. No matter what happened on screen, he remained unmoved, even becoming slightly drowsy. As he heard the gasps and shrieks from the rows in front of them, he wondered silently: Why isn’t my Shu Luo afraid?

“Bro, how did you know I liked horror movies?”

“…” He didn’t. He had simply followed Xiao Fang’s advice.

Seeing that Jiang Mu didn’t answer, Shu Luo assumed he had noticed through keen observation. He leaned in and gave Jiang Mu a sudden, light kiss. Though it was as brief as a dragonfly skimming the water, a smile flashed in Jiang Mu’s eyes.

It seemed the plan wasn’t entirely useless, after all. At least it had earned him a rare moment of Shu Luo taking the initiative.

When it came to romance, Shu Luo was completely out of his depth; sometimes, he couldn’t even manage a proper kiss. Though Jiang Mu couldn’t see his expression clearly in the dark, he knew Shu Luo was likely blushing. He loved seeing Shu Luo’s flustered, crimson face; it was incredibly captivating.

Shu Luo tried to pull back quickly, but Jiang Mu caught the back of his neck, deepening the kiss. No one noticed them in the dim theater; it was the perfect atmosphere.

That passionate kiss felt as though it had the power to draw out one’s very soul. Their senses were set ablaze, every corner of the mouth explored. It was a kiss to be savored until they were both “drunk” on each other.

Since it was Saturday, the city’s dining scene was at its peak busyness. Jiang Mu had reserved the entire Sky Garden, S-City’s most prestigious high-end Western restaurant.

He pulled out the chair for Shu Luo and even placed the napkin across his lap with the effortless grace of a true gentleman.

Shu Luo glanced at the handsome violinist playing nearby and the waiter pouring wine, then looked back at Jiang Mu. Actually, Jiang Mu is much more handsome, he thought.

The restaurant manager approached personally, taking the red wine from the waiter to pour it himself. “Good evening, President Jiang. The menu you requested yesterday is prepared.” His tone was humble and perfectly professional.

Jiang Mu gave a slight nod. “Mm.”

Watching Jiang Mu navigate the complexities of Western dining etiquette was a pleasure for Shu Luo. He knew this was second nature to Jiang Mu; as a descendant of French nobility, this was likely just a typical meal for him.

Normally, such a restaurant required formal attire, but since Jiang Mu had booked the entire venue, the management had made an exception. No one wanted to offend this rising star of the business world.

Jiang Mu meticulously cut Shu Luo’s steak into bite-sized pieces before placing the plate back in front of him. Seeing all this careful arrangement, Shu Luo couldn’t help but start laughing as he ate.

Jiang Mu looked up at the smile. It was beautiful, certainly, but he was curious. “What are you laughing at?”

“Bro, is this your ‘Grand Dating Plan’?” Shu Luo asked. “It doesn’t quite feel like your style.”

Their eyes met, and Jiang Mu chose silence.

Okay, Shu Luo thought. It was definitely Assistant Xiao Fang.

“You don’t like it?” Jiang Mu asked.

Shu Luo took a sip of soup. “I’m just not used to it. This isn’t how you usually are.”

“What is my ‘style’ then?”

“Inviting me to the company, or meeting at school, or just going home… oh, and hotpot restaurants.”

Jiang Mu gave him a long, meaningful look. Is he complaining that I’m boring?

Shu Luo laughed. “Alright, alright. I just prefer a more relaxed environment. This place feels a bit… restrictive to me.”

Indeed, though Shu’s father had dominated the business world for years, he had shielded his children from such formal events. While Shu Luo understood the etiquette, he rarely had to practice it.

“You will have to get used to it sooner or later,” Jiang Mu noted.

His movements were incredibly elegant. He had removed his trench coat to reveal a crisp white shirt with the sleeves lightly rolled up. His long fingers handling the cutlery were a sight to behold, and combined with his mature, steady aura, he had several female servers watching from a distance with racing hearts.

“Tsk tsk. Bro, you really don’t seem like a twenty-year-old. You’re so steady and mature.”

Jiang Mu’s hand paused. Was that a compliment, or was he being called old? “I’ll take that as a compliment,” he replied, accepting it with a straight face.

Watching Jiang Mu sip his wine, Shu Luo felt a bit envious. “Bro, let me have a little.”

“You can’t handle your liquor,” Jiang Mu reminded him. “Have you forgotten last time?”

“Last time was baijiu (white spirit)! How can you compare that high alcohol content to red wine? Maybe I can handle this just fine.”

Jiang Mu didn’t stop him and signaled the waiter to pour a glass. “Take small—”

Before he could finish, Shu Luo downed the glass in one go.

Could you not be so ‘heroic’ in a fine-dining restaurant? Jiang Mu thought. He silently took a bite of steak and observed Shu Luo’s complexion.

“See? I’m fine,” Shu Luo said. “But the taste isn’t as good as I imagined. Not very delicious.”

Since Shu Luo didn’t seem immediately intoxicated, Jiang Mu let it go. However, one glass turned into many. By the time Shu Luo reached his fifth glass, Jiang Mu pressed his hand down.

“That’s enough. Why are you drinking so much?”

Shu Luo’s eyes sparkled as he looked at him. “For liquid courage!”

Jiang Mu frowned, confused. “I’m telling you,” Shu Luo continued, “I’m going to sing for you later.”

Great. He’s drunk.

While Shu Luo was still somewhat mobile, Jiang Mu decided to take him away before he could cause a scene.

They arrived back at the apartment after 9:00 PM.

“Bro… I’m hot…”

Jiang Mu watched as Shu Luo rolled around on the bed, accidentally revealing his pale midriff—a sight that left Jiang Mu with a dry throat. The alcohol had flushed Shu Luo’s entire face; his eyes were watery and his lips a deep, tempting red.

“Bro, why are you standing so far away?” Shu Luo’s voice was lazy and hit Jiang Mu’s heart like a soft feather.

“You want me to come closer?”

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Mu had him pinned beneath him, his arms braced on either side of Shu Luo’s body. The air was thick with masculine pheromones; the tension was at a breaking point.

Shu Luo licked his lips and smiled. “Bro, do you want to? You really want to, don’t you?”

“How could I not?” Jiang Mu’s voice dropped into a deep, sexy register, his eyes burning with a sudden, intense heat.

He leaned down, pressing kisses to the side of Shu Luo’s ear, his cheek, his slender collarbone, moving steadily downward. He began to unbutton Shu Luo’s shirt, his movements slow and agonizingly seductive.

In his drunken state, Shu Luo felt his body burning up. Frustrated by Jiang Mu’s slow pace, he sat up and pulled the shirt off himself.

“You’ll regret this,” Jiang Mu whispered against his ear.

Shu Luo looked at him with those shimmering, watery eyes and smiled. “I won’t.”

Those words acted as a catalyst. Jiang Mu’s lips curled into a smile that carried a hint of predatory mischief—a side of him Shu Luo had never seen.

Before Shu Luo could even process the look, he felt hot lips pressing against his chest, moving downward with a sense of utter devotion.

“Mmm…” He couldn’t help the sound that escaped him.

The taste of “forbidden fruit” sent Shu Luo’s heart into overdrive. Under the dim, amber light, his pale skin looked incredibly alluring. Jiang Mu reached into the nightstand and pulled out a bottle of lubricant.

“What’s that?” Shu Luo asked.

“Something to keep you from getting hurt,” Jiang Mu replied with a smile.

The two faced each other with raw honesty and burning desire. What followed was a frenzy unlike anything they had ever known. Shu Luo’s stamina was lacking; Jiang Mu nearly made him faint after the first round.

But Jiang Mu, whose excitement had reached a peak, wasn’t satisfied. Seeing how exhausted Shu Luo was, he slowed his pace, only for the renewed sensation to wake Shu Luo from his stupor.

Shu Luo glared at Jiang Mu, feeling the soreness and heat in his body. There wasn’t a single inch of him that didn’t ache.

“Ah—!”

A sudden, forceful movement from Jiang Mu forced a gasp from Shu Luo’s lips. Finding the sound shameful, he immediately covered his mouth. But Jiang Mu pulled his hand away, kissing his knuckles. “I like hearing your voice,” he murmured.

Enough already! Shu Luo thought. Don’t push it! I’m exhausted!

“Bro… I’m tired…”

Jiang Mu gave him a half-smile. “Really? You still have the strength to talk.”

I want to hit him.

Jiang Mu’s technique was so good that Shu Luo began to wonder if this was really his first time. But then again, they had been together since the eighth grade, and he’d never seen Jiang Mu date anyone.

This… this beast! Shu Luo thought. More accurately, he was a starving wolf—famished and insatiable.

It was a night of madness. Shu Luo was shaken awake every time he drifted off; the encounter didn’t end until the early hours of the morning.

Jiang Mu kissed Shu Luo’s sweaty forehead with aching tenderness. Watching him finally fall into a deep sleep, Jiang Mu felt a pang of guilt. He had held back for so long that once the dam broke, he simply couldn’t stop.

Afterward, he carried Shu Luo to the bath, checking for injuries. As it was Shu Luo’s first time, there was some slight tearing and traces of blood. Fortunately, Jiang Mu had come prepared with medicine. He had anticipated everything.

Only now, after this, did Jiang Mu truly feel that this person belonged to him. Shu Luo—the person he wanted to spoil like a child for the rest of his life.