Bathed in warm sunlight and refreshed by the gentle breeze, Shang Yushang began a romantic honeymoon journey with He Changning.
A handsome thirty-year-old man and his jade-like twenty-year-old husband strolled hand in hand through the idyllic countryside of Provence—under plane tree-lined avenues, beside fountains scattered across quaint alleyways and bustling streets. Wherever they went, happiness seemed to follow, and the sight of them together became a beautiful scene of its own.
Each day, Shang Yushang took He Changning wherever he wanted to go. With a DSLR hanging around his neck, he captured every joyful expression, every spontaneous laugh. The photos were filled with loving smiles, tender kisses, playful teasing, and tranquil moments of peace—fragments of a love so sincere, it could be felt through the lens.
These sweet and carefree days were untouched by scheming or manipulation. There was only the simple joy of having his beloved by his side. Provence had a way of making people forget their worries and reconnect with their true selves—of stripping away the years and bringing one back to their youth.
One day, after returning from another joyful outing, the two of them sat in bed together after dinner and a warm bath, going through the photos they’d taken.
“Look at this one! That little girl’s eyes—so big and blue. She’s beautiful,” He Changning said, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Seeing him like this made the entire trip worthwhile for Shang Yushang. He hoped Changning would always remain the vibrant, sunny twenty-year-old he was—full of youth and energy—not someone forced to grow sharp and guarded long before his time. If he could, Shang wished nothing more than to live a happy and healthy life with him by his side forever.
He smiled to himself. Life throws many things at you. No matter how strong you are, some things are simply out of your control. But instead of avoiding responsibilities, he’d rather face them head-on—to actively choose the best path forward, even in tough situations.
“Yeah, she’s pretty,” he said with a chuckle. “But not as pretty as my Changning.”
Changning raised an eyebrow. “Shang Yushang, your sweet-talking skills have definitely improved. What level are you at now, master flatterer?”
“Why don’t you come find out for yourself?” Shang teased, grabbing the camera from his hands and setting it on the nightstand. He pulled the blanket over them both, rolled on top of him, and kissed him deeply.
“Baby, I love you. I want to be with you forever. Will you give yourself to me?”
His voice was low and smooth, comforting as it poured into Changning’s heart, softening his last defenses like spring sunshine melting away the frost.
“…Mm,” Changning answered softly.
Overjoyed by his lover’s agreement, Shang kissed him again—hard. For someone as proud and guarded as Changning to surrender so willingly, it took courage and trust he didn’t take lightly.
Their kisses deepened. Their desire grew. Every movement, every touch, was an open declaration of love and possessiveness.
“You’re mine, baby,” Shang whispered into his ear, voice husky with want. “Only mine. For the rest of your life.”
Their passionate night finally ended when Changning, overwhelmed, muttered “Damn you, Shang Jianzhi…” and passed out.
Shang gently pulled out and held him close, savoring the warmth between them. “I wonder how many times it’ll take before we hit the jackpot,” he muttered under his breath.
He tucked the blanket around Changning to keep him warm, then ran a hot bath. Once the temperature was just right, he carefully lifted Changning into the tub, washed away the sweat and traces of their passion, then drained the water. He refilled it with clean, warm water and added a bit of essential oil, making sure Changning’s head was positioned safely before quickly changing the bedsheets and returning to fetch him.
He scooped the still-sleepy man into a towel, dried him gently, and tucked his bare form under the covers. From the drawer, he pulled out some medicine, checked for any signs of injury—none, just a little swelling—applied the ointment, then returned to the bathroom for a quick rinse himself. Damp with steam, he climbed back into bed and checked the clock.
Three in the morning.
He wrapped an arm around Changning and fell asleep with a deeply satisfied smile on his lips.
Changning woke up starving.
Still half-asleep, he opened his eyes and saw Shang’s handsome face close to his, a gentle kiss brushing across his forehead as Shang propped him against his chest.
“Here, drink some water first,” Shang said softly.
Changning sipped half a cup from his hand and felt his throat ease a little. “What time is it?”
“A little past ten. Hungry? I’ll get you something to eat.” Shang’s eyes were full of affection and concern.
His body felt like it had been run over—sore and aching all over, especially his lower back. He didn’t even want to move. Looking at the well-rested culprit beside him, he gave Shang a fierce glare. “Don’t you dare laugh, you jerk.”
Shang scooped him into his arms, gently massaging his waist. “I know. My fault. I promise I’ll be more careful next time—I won’t let you feel this bad again.”
Changning blushed to the tips of his ears and gave him a weak punch. “You’re still talking?!”
He was clearly annoyed… but it sounded an awful lot like he was pouting.
This little guy was just too adorable when he blushed. Shang couldn’t help but plant a kiss on his cheek. “Alright, I won’t say another word. Don’t be shy.”
Soon, a warm bowl of meat porridge and some light side dishes were brought in. Shang had Changning rest in his arms while he fed him—one spoonful at a time. Afterward, he coaxed him to drink half a glass of milk, then helped him lie back down.
Settling beside him, Shang propped himself up to deal with some work on his laptop, while his other arm cradled Changning. With a few gentle pats, he lulled him back to sleep.
