Neither Xu Xiliu nor Qin Li paid much attention to the actual proceedings of the gala.

Xu Xiliu, content to play the role of decorative accessory, stayed close to avoid getting lost in unfamiliar territory. After discovering the exquisite desserts, he soon found another delight—the fruit platters. Meticulously peeled and diced into elegant portions, the peaches, mangoes, and kiwis were perfect for spearing with a fork, combining convenience with sophistication.

Before he knew it, he'd polished off an entire platter.

Feeling the pleasant fullness in his stomach, Xu Xiliu blinked, struck by a rare pang of guilt.

While others network, I'm here treating this like an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Wonder what the male lead thinks of this...

He turned to check Qin Li's reaction and found himself meeting the man's gaze head-on.

Qin Li hadn't moved from his languid sprawl on the sofa, legs elegantly crossed. But his dark eyes, usually simmering with menace, were now fixed unblinkingly on Xu Xiliu—as if he'd been watching for some time.

...Is he angry?

Most would shudder under such scrutiny, yet Xu Xiliu hadn't even noticed.

Wait—no, not anger. More like... amusement?

Following Qin Li's line of sight to the four empty plates before him, Xu Xiliu's stomach dropped. Heat crept up his neck.

Did I really eat that much?

His guilt intensified, though he refused to show it. Smoothing his expression into its usual polite composure, he smiled. "Mr. Qin, would you like some fruit?"

After a thoughtful pause, he added earnestly, "It's very sweet."

If I drag him into this, it won't seem like I'm the only one eating.

Qin Li's lips curled.

"Is that so?"

"Then I must try what's so irresistible to Dr. Xu."

His tone dripped with implication.

He'd watched, fascinated, as his usually restrained private doctor demolished plate after plate with refined motions but zero pause.

Where does he put it all?

That polished facade cracks for desserts, of all things.

And now he's trying to play it cool again—but that nervous tail-swish gives him away.

Xu Xiliu, ignoring the sarcasm, swiftly procured a fresh fruit platter. When Qin Li made no move to take it, he internally sighed and speared a piece, offering it on his fork.

"Care to try?"

Qin Li studied him for a long moment before accepting.

"Your smile's fake," he remarked idly.

Xu Xiliu's eye twitched.

...I will murder him.

He inhaled deeply, turning his attention to Qin Li's fruit sampling—only to notice, too late, that one of his discarded dessert plates teetered precariously at the table's edge. Qin Li's extended leg brushed against it, nudging it further toward disaster.

"Wait, don't—"

At his voice, Qin Li shifted, and the plate tipped.

Xu Xiliu lunged to intercept, slamming his palm down—not on the table, but squarely onto Qin Li's thigh, squishing cream-smeared china against black fabric.

Both froze.

Still half-sprawled across Qin Li's lap, Xu Xiliu slowly looked up to meet a gaze promising slow, painful death.

Qin Li surveyed the white splotch on his trousers. "Explain."

The temperature seemed to drop.

Forgetting their earlier tension, Xu Xiliu scrambled upright, frantically dabbing with napkins. "My apologies, I overreacted—"

Should've let the damn plate fall.

Despite his efforts, a stark white stain remained.

Xu Xiliu's lips thinned.

We're at a high-profile event. He'll be mocked relentlessly for this.

I've messed up.

Qin Li watched the doctor scrub at his thigh with whitening knuckles before yanking his wrist away. "Enough. It's ruined."

Xu Xiliu balked. "Ruined? Can't it be cleaned? Wait—how much did this cost?"

The crux of the matter struck him: I'll have to pay for this.

"Negligible. A hundred thousand, perhaps."

...A hundred thousand?!

That was nearly a month's salary!

Xu Xiliu's spine straightened, his glare suddenly fiercer than Qin Li's.

"Absolutely not!" He smacked the table. "We're not throwing it away. Unless you plan to parade back naked?"

Qin Li recoiled slightly, momentarily speechless.

Xu Xiliu nodded, satisfied. "Napkins won't work. Water should lift the cream. We'll dry-clean it properly later..."

Spotting the restroom, he hauled Qin Li up by the wrist.

To his own surprise, Qin Li found himself being towed along.

He frowned.

Why can't I shake free?

His scowl deepened.

"Quick, while it's empty," Xu Xiliu urged, pulling them into the deserted restroom.

Wetting his pocket square under the tap, he steered Qin Li to a secluded corner. "Hold still."

Bending, he attacked the stain with the fervor of someone salvaging a small fortune.

Qin Li endured silently, though his brow creased at the sight of his doctor crouched before him, diligently scrubbing his thigh.

Oddly compliant like this.

Which means he's definitely scheming.

The quiet was broken only by the soft rasp of fabric.

Until—

A newcomer staggered in, froze at the scene, and nearly dropped his phone.

Holy shit.

Right out in the open?!

From his angle, a tall, well-dressed man stood with another figure kneeling between his legs, obscured but clearly gripping his trousers, head bobbing slightly—

A breathy voice floated over: "Mr. Qin, please, I just need to—ah!"

Jesus, that enthusiastic?!

And did he say... Qin?

Squinting, the intruder recognized the profile: Qin Li! Which meant the kneeling beauty was that doctor he'd brought—

Called it! Totally his boytoy.

Can't even last through a gala without—

Not daring to linger, he backed out silently, mind buzzing with gossip gold.

Meanwhile, Xu Xiliu—having finally eradicated the stain—rose on numb legs, inadvertently yanking Qin Li's waistband.

The ensuing glare could've vaporized steel.

"Oops." He hastily readjusted the trousers.

Qin Li's expression darkened further.