The red emergency lighting pulsed across the penthouse like a warning heartbeat.
Guàn Jǐngchén moved with lethal efficiency, fingers flying across the main console while three holographic screens materialized around him. "Level 3 breach attempt on the eastern firewall. Origin masked through three proxy layers. They're good."
Lin Yuè stood frozen by the desk, sweater sleeves swallowed his hands, eyes wide with perfectly performed worry. "Is… is the company in danger?"
Guàn Jǐngchén didn't look away from the code streams. "Not yet. But whoever this is knows our new encryption schedule. They hit exactly where we patched yesterday." His voice dropped, cold and sharp. "Stay exactly where you are."
Lin Yuè nodded quickly, heart hammering for reasons the CEO would never guess. The "attack" was his own ghost probe — a carefully calibrated distraction designed to look threatening but do no real damage. It bought him time and, more importantly, forced Guàn Jǐngchén to focus elsewhere while Eclipse worked in the background.
He kept his breathing shallow and shaky, the picture of a frightened intern. "Should I call security?"
"No." Guàn Jǐngchén's tone left no room for argument. "I handle this personally."
For the next twenty minutes, the only sounds were rapid keystrokes and the low hum of cooling fans. Lin Yuè watched the CEO's broad back, the way his shirt stretched across tense shoulders, the sharp line of his jaw illuminated by blue code reflections. Every few seconds Guàn Jǐngchén would glance over his shoulder, as if making sure the smaller man hadn't vanished.
When the intrusion probe finally dissolved into digital smoke, Guàn Jǐngchén exhaled sharply and straightened. Sweat glistened at his temple. He turned, eyes immediately finding Lin Yuè.
"You're pale," he said, crossing the room in three strides. One large hand came up to cup Lin Yuè's face again, thumb brushing his cheekbone. "Scared?"
Lin Yuè leaned into the touch without thinking, then caught himself and nodded shyly. "A little. I've never seen anything like that before."
Guàn Jǐngchén's expression softened, but the possessiveness in his eyes only deepened. "You're safe here. No one gets past me." His other hand settled on Lin Yuè's waist, pulling him closer until their bodies brushed. "Especially not when you're with me."
The air thickened. Lin Yuè could feel the heat rolling off the taller man, the steady thrum of his heartbeat through the thin dress shirt. His own pulse raced wildly.
"I… I should probably go home," Lin Yuè whispered, even as his fingers curled into the front of Guàn Jǐngchén's shirt. "It's late and—"
"You're not leaving." The words were quiet but absolute. Guàn Jǐngchén tilted Lin Yuè's chin up with two fingers. "Not tonight. Not while there's even a chance someone is watching the building."
Lin Yuè's lashes fluttered. "Then… where should I sleep?"
Guàn Jǐngchén's gaze dropped to his lips for a heartbeat. "Guest room is ready. But if you're still shaken…" He paused, thumb tracing Lin Yuè's lower lip. "My room has better security. King bed. You can take half."
Heat flooded Lin Yuè's face — genuine this time. "CEO Guàn, that's… too much."
"Is it?" Guàn Jǐngchén leaned down until their foreheads almost touched. "I don't offer what I don't want, Lin Yuè. And right now, what I want is you where I can see you. Where I can reach you if anything happens."
Lin Yuè's breath trembled. The innocent boy mask held, but inside Eclipse thrilled at the raw possessiveness. He nodded slowly, voice barely audible. "Okay… if it makes you feel better."
Guàn Jǐngchén's eyes darkened with satisfaction. He took Lin Yuè's hand — not the wrist this time, but laced their fingers together — and led him down the dimly lit corridor to the master bedroom.
The room was vast and masculine: dark wood, crisp white sheets on an enormous bed, soft recessed lighting. A single wall of windows overlooked the glittering city. Guàn Jǐngchén released his hand only long enough to pull a spare silk pajama set from the closet.
"Bathroom's through there. Change. I'll be right outside."
Lin Yuè disappeared into the marble bathroom, heart still racing. He changed quickly into the oversized silk top and pants, the fabric cool and luxurious against his skin. When he stepped out, Guàn Jǐngchén had already changed into black lounge pants and a fitted white t-shirt that clung to every line of muscle.
The CEO's gaze swept over him slowly, lingering on the way the silk draped over Lin Yuè's slender frame.
"You look…" Guàn Jǐngchén cleared his throat, voice rougher. "Smaller."
Lin Yuè gave a shy laugh and climbed onto the far side of the bed, pulling the covers up to his chin. "I'll stay on my side. Promise."
Guàn Jǐngchén slid in on the other side, the mattress dipping under his weight. He turned off the main lights, leaving only the soft city glow filtering through the windows.
For several minutes neither spoke. Then Guàn Jǐngchén shifted closer, one arm stretching across the space between them until his fingers found Lin Yuè's under the blanket.
"Sleep," he murmured. "I've got you."
Lin Yuè turned his head. In the faint light, Guàn Jǐngchén's profile looked almost gentle — sharp edges softened by shadow. The CEO's thumb stroked slow circles on the back of his hand.
"Thank you," Lin Yuè whispered, letting his eyes drift shut while his mind raced with plans and warnings.
But as sleep began to pull him under, he felt Guàn Jǐngchén's grip tighten possessively.
And for the first time, the line between acting innocent and feeling protected blurred dangerously.
End of Chapter 6