The second day of the independent audit felt heavier than the first.
Guàn Jǐngchén woke with Lin Yuè still wrapped securely in his arms. For a long moment he simply held him, breathing in the familiar scent of his hair, fingers tracing slow patterns along the curve of his spine. When Lin Yuè stirred, the CEO kissed him deeply, pouring every ounce of protectiveness and love into the slide of tongues and press of bodies.
"I need you," Guàn Jǐngchén whispered against his lips. His hands roamed possessively, mapping every inch of Lin Yuè's skin as if afraid it might disappear.
He took his time that morning, undressing Lin Yuè slowly, kissing and licking a wet trail down his body. He spent long minutes worshipping his chest, sucking one nipple while his tongue circled the sensitive peak, then moved lower. When he reached Lin Yuè's cock, he took him into his mouth — hot, wet, and thorough — tongue swirling while slick fingers stretched him open with care.
Lin Yuè moaned brokenly, fingers gripping dark hair. Pleasure built until he was trembling and begging.
Guàn Jǐngchén rose up and pushed inside with one deep thrust, setting a slow, intense rhythm. Their eyes stayed locked as he moved, hips rolling deeply, hand stroking Lin Yuè in perfect time.
"I love you," the CEO whispered with every thrust. "No matter what they find today, I love you."
Lin Yuè came with a soft, broken cry, tears slipping down his temples. Guàn Jǐngchén followed moments later, burying himself deep with a low groan as he filled him.
They stayed connected for a long time afterward, foreheads pressed together.
By 9 AM they were back at the tower. The audit team was already deep into their work. Guàn Jǐngchén kept Lin Yuè by his side in the executive office, one hand resting on his thigh under the desk while they reviewed reports together.
At 11:30 AM, the lead auditor requested a private meeting.
Guàn Jǐngchén's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Lin Yuè stays."
The auditor cleared his throat. "We've found three flagged inconsistencies in financial trails linked to personnel who joined within the last year. Small offshore transfers six years ago that match patterns used by known dark-web actors. We're cross-referencing IP logs and coding signatures now."
Guàn Jǐngchén's fingers tightened on Lin Yuè's thigh. "And?"
"Nothing conclusive yet. But the patterns are… similar to the old Eclipse case. We need deeper access to personnel devices and personal accounts."
Guàn Jǐngchén's voice was ice. "Denied. You have system access. That is enough."
The auditor left with visible discomfort.
The moment the door closed, Guàn Jǐngchén pulled Lin Yuè into his lap and kissed him fiercely, hands sliding under his sweater to caress bare skin.
"They won't find anything," he growled against his lips. "Because there's nothing to find."
Lin Yuè kissed him back with desperate need, clinging to broad shoulders. The kiss turned urgent. Guàn Jǐngchén lifted him onto the desk, pushing clothes aside. He slicked himself quickly and thrust inside with one hard stroke, setting a fast, claiming rhythm.
"You're mine," he panted between thrusts. "No audit will change that."
Lin Yuè moaned, nails digging into the CEO's back as pleasure crashed through him. They came together hard and fast, breathing ragged.
That evening in the penthouse, the tension was thicker than ever.
Guàn Jǐngchén held Lin Yuè close on the couch, arms locked around him as if he could physically protect him from the coming storm.
"The audit team wants access to personal financial records tomorrow," he said quietly. "I'm fighting it, but the board is pushing hard."
Lin Yuè's heart pounded. Personal financial records could link old dark-web payments he had received years ago for survival. One connection and the entire facade would collapse.
He buried his face in Guàn Jǐngchén's neck. "I'm scared."
"Don't be." Guàn Jǐngchén tilted his chin up and kissed him tenderly. "I trust you completely. Nothing they find will change how I feel about you."
They made love again that night — slow and emotional, eyes locked, bodies moving together like they were trying to memorize each other. Guàn Jǐngchén whispered "I love you" with every deep thrust, every tender kiss, every gentle touch.
Afterward, as they lay tangled in bed, Guàn Jǐngchén held him tighter than ever.
"Tomorrow is the last day of the audit," he whispered. "After that, this ends. We move forward together."
Lin Yuè closed his eyes, pressing his face into the older man's chest.
One day left.
The audit was closing in.
The whispers had turned into formal pressure.
And the boy who had once been Eclipse was running out of miracles.
He had never loved anyone more.
And never been closer to losing everything.
End of Chapter 39