Chapter 89 - The Morning

Long Mei managed to get a full hour of uninterrupted rest in the night with Jin Qing still fast asleep next to her, half an arm's length away. Long Mei woke before him, having the urge to reach out and trace the curves of his face. He looked so peaceful and unguarded. 

She stared at him beneath the low natural light of the morning. Her eyes darted between his ruffled bed hair, the small part between his lips, his soft breathing. She slowly stuck out her forefinger, hovering over the line of his jaw, when a hand wrapped around her wrist and his eyes opened wide. 

It took Jin Qing a moment to recognize her, almost as if he had forgotten where he was and whom he was with. She wondered if he saw things that chased him in his dreams. 

He let go, his expression changing from sudden alarm to calmness. "Sorry," he began. "I'm not used to sleeping next to someone." 

Long Mei's eyes gaped, curiosity overcoming her. "Even with past lovers?"

He fought a grin. "I would tell them that their stay overnight was unwelcome." 

Long Mei's mouth hung wide. "How romantic of you," she responded sarcastically.

He smiled. "I never claimed to be romantic." 

"I guess not," Long Mei affirmed. 

She knew that Jin Qing was no short of lovers. He had a face that could seduce any woman with a single glance in her direction. With his experience, Jin Qing could probably make her come in less than two minutes—

Her cheeks heated at the sudden thought that came to mind. 

Jin Qing looked at her puzzled when she slipped from the bed, darting toward the bathroom, her face reddening. 

Long Mei took a few deep breaths, calming down, as she looked in the mirror, realizing she looked awful. "No, I despise leaving makeup on my face overnight," she muttered. 

Jin Qing came from her side, leaning on the doorframe of the bathroom. "What's so bad about it?" he questioned curiously. 

"It's not good for my skin," she pouted before washing her hands and face, taking a cleanser from the cabinet. She pumped some of the cleanser on the palm of her hand before slathering it on her face. 

Jing Qing came close to the sink, picking up the cleanser, reading the benefits on the back of the bottle. "What does this do?"

She raised a brow. "It cleans your face." She looked at him. "Do you not use a cleanser?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I thought soap and water were just fine." 

Long Mei arched a brow. "No, no! That won't do." She then found a spare pink headband and placed it over his head, pushing his hair away from his face. 

Jin Qing stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror questionably before Long Mei told him, "Wash your hands first." 

Jin Qing obliged. 

After he finished, she then pumped some of her face cleanser on his hand. He palmed his hands before putting them on his face. He then lathered it, rinsing his face with water before slightly dapping a face cloth to dry his skin. 

"Feel clean?" she asked him. 

He stared at his skin, amazed. "It certainly feels different." 

Long Mei smiled. She then climbed over the sink countertop and sat with her legs dangling over the edge. "Stand in front of me," she instructed him. 

Jin Qing approached her, unsure what to do. 

Long Mei then pulled him by the waist, aligning his body between her legs. His eyes widened slightly as she grinned mischievously. "What are you thinking, Alek?" 

He looked at her up and down, at where they connected, separated only by clothing. "That you're a tease," he said. 

Long Mei laughed. Jin Qing remained still as she picked up the rest of her skincare routine, placing toner, moisturizing cream, and sunscreen over his face. "All done!" she said with a sheepish grin. 

"There are so many steps to this," he said. 

"It's to ensure that you will be looking as young as you can!" she pointedly replied to him. 

Jin Qing removed the headband from his hair and ruffled his hair.

"Let me," Long Mei interrupted, straightening out the strands of his messy hair that pointed in different directions. Her hand then dropped from his forehead to his jaw, drawing out the lines of his face. His breath hitched, and Long Mei realized her legs had instinctively tightened around his waist. 

She let go, and Jin Qing pulled away. "I have to go shower," was all he said, not looking at her as he stalked out of the room. 

Long Mei looked out the bathroom door where he left before she snapped back to herself. She then jumped off the bathroom counter, hopping into the shower to finish washing before heading back down the stairs. 

…

Jin Qing did not head to the station. 

He stayed at home, in his office, and did not leave the room except to join Long Mei at lunch to assure her that he was eating. 

Long Mei spoke with Luo Nuying in the morning and assured her that Jin Qing made sure that she was feeling fine, even better than most days. 

Long Mei put on and changed outfits in the afternoon, trying to categorize them between luncheons, dinners, formal events, and donations. 

By the evening, she made dinner, but Jin Qing did not join her. She then decided to put a meal and a drink on a tray and bring it to him in his office. 

She knocked on the door once. 

"Come in," Jin Qing said, straightening in his seat. He removed his reading glasses, placing it aside on his desk as he watched Long Mei saunter in. 

"You never came, so I brought you some food." 

Jin Qing looked at her, surprised she cared enough to make that gesture. "I lost track of time as I was caught up in some research, but thank you." 

She grinned. "What are you researching?"

He pushed his seat back, showing his computer in full display. "I'm searching for a good therapist for you. I have found a few who specialize in cognitive behavioural therapy and treatments for Insomnia.. With your permission, I can contact them and see if I can find a good match for you."