Though he’d been prepared, Ye Mingxuan’s affirmative answer sent a jolt through Tan Sizhe.
He lowered his head, his lips brushing the soft strands of hair: “You like me.”
Ye Mingxuan nodded, tightening his embrace: “Mm.”
“You like me.”
“Mm.”
“You really like me.”
“Mm.”
“I like you.”
“Mm—Mm?”
Ye Mingxuan’s eyes widened. He lifted his head as Tan Sizhe cupped his face, his dark, luminous pupils fixed on him. “Mingxuan, I like you too.”
His heart felt like it had been struck by cotton candy. Ye Mingxuan stared at Tan Sizhe in a daze: “Sir…”
Sir said he liked him! Ye Mingxuan felt like he was dreaming.
And as if reading his mind, Tan Sizhe tapped his forehead: “It’s not a dream. Pinch me… Ouch, you really have a heavy hand.”
“I’m sorry, sir!” Ye Mingxuan rubbed his arm, pained. “Does it hurt?”
Tan Sizhe curved his lips slightly, holding out his hand: “Help me put on the bracelet.”
After buying this bracelet, Ye Mingxuan had imagined countless scenarios for giving it to Tan Sizhe. Maybe he’d pull it out from under the table during dinner, or knock on the study door at night, or perhaps slip it into his master’s nightstand in the dead of night.
But he never imagined it would happen like this.
Ye Mingxuan took a deep breath, solemnly and tremulously slipping the bracelet onto Tan Sizhe’s wrist. It gleamed against the man’s pale skin, making the four thousand yuan piece feel worth forty thousand.
“It’s truly beautiful,” Ye Mingxuan murmured, his eyes brimming with starlight.
Tan Sizhe raised his hand. “Then this is your token of affection for me.”
Ye Mingxuan flushed slightly, offering no rebuttal to Tan Sizhe’s words.
Everything was understood without words. Tan Sizhe cupped Ye Mingxuan’s face. The latter’s lashes fluttered, and he held his breath, closing his eyes.
Just as their lips were about to touch, the door banged loudly.
Ye Mingxuan’s sturdy frame jerked, and he tried to pull away. “They’re back!”
Tan Sizhe pulled him back. “Doesn’t matter.”
He turned Ye Mingxuan’s face toward him and planted several quick kisses.
Ye Mingxuan whimpered, his body tensing and writhing, hairs standing on end. The sound outside grew louder, and he felt utterly humiliated.
“Open the door!” Old Master Tan’s voice echoed from outside.
The two inside froze. Ye Mingxuan stammered, “Grandpa?”
Tan Sizhe glanced toward the door, released Ye Mingxuan, and walked to open it. “Grandpa, what brings you here?”
Old Master Tan entered leaning on his cane, tapping the floor. If I hadn’t come, this family would have fallen apart! Where did you leave Mingxuan?! You—Mingxuan?”
Bai Yu said Ye Mingxuan ran away from home, didn’t he? Why is he standing here just fine?
Ye Mingxuan greeted him awkwardly: “Grandpa, the master didn’t abandon me…”
“…Grandpa, your information is outdated,” Tan Sizhe interjected.
Old Master Tan looked from him to Mingxuan. “You two young ones made up?”
Ye Mingxuan glanced at Tan Sizhe and nodded shyly.
Receiving confirmation, Old Master Tan exhaled in relief. ” That’s more like it. Couples who quarrel in bed make up in bed. What can’t be resolved by sitting down and talking things out? You young people give me nothing but worry.”
He’d nearly fallen down the steps in anger when he heard the news, grabbed his cane, and rushed over by car. He’d feared arriving too late to stop the young couple from finalizing their divorce papers. Thankfully, he hadn’t.
“Grandpa, since you’re here, please stay for dinner,” Tan Sizhe said, guiding the old man into the living room. “Bai Yu and Aunt Fu will be back shortly.”
Grandpa Tan chuckled. “Then my timing couldn’t be better. Mingxuan, come sit with me and chat.”
Ye Mingxuan nodded and sat beside Tan Sizhe. The two of them joined the old man in cracking sunflower seeds.
Before long, Bai Yu and Aunt Fu returned with fresh vegetables. Aunt Fu took charge of cooking while Tan Sizhe and Bai Yu assisted. Ye Mingxuan and the old man waited for dinner.
That evening, the group gathered for a lively meal. Afterward, Bai Yu, Old Master Tan, and Aunt Fu each returned home.
Ye Mingxuan sat on the studio balcony, gazing at the cherry blossom tree. Yesterday’s downpour had stripped the blossoms from its branches, leaving only bare limbs.
Yet he felt no regret. Everything, in the moment its life burned out, found another form to carry on its existence—like the sun setting in the west and rising in the east.
A hand with distinct knuckles reached from beside him, offering a glass of milk. “Have a sip.”
Ye Mingxuan turned his head and accepted the milk. “Thank you, sir.”
Tan Sizhe sat down beside him, and the two sat in silence.
Though this wasn’t the first time they’d sat like this, today their relationship felt different from before. This shift in their dynamic left both men feeling slightly uneasy.
Ye Mingxuan took a sip of the warm milk and stole a glance at Tan Sizhe.
So he and the gentleman were now dating. The thought made a faint blush spread across Ye Mingxuan’s face. When Tan Sizhe looked over, he averted his gaze, his attempt to hide it only making it more obvious.
After a moment, Ye Mingxuan turned his head again, only to meet Tan Sizhe’s eyes, which held a hint of amusement.
“Caught you.”
Ye Mingxuan’s heartbeat raced wildly, and he lowered his head.
“What were you thinking when you engraved the words on the bracelet?”
“Hm?”
Tan Sizhe: “Back then, you thought I had a lover. You must have been especially heartbroken. Why did you buy this for me, and engrave those words?”
He couldn’t fathom how Ye Mingxuan had carved those words while immersed in sorrow. He could almost picture Ye Mingxuan sitting in the shop, tapping away at the bracelet, his eyes burning with a flame of determination.
“Weren’t you afraid I’d reject you?”
“…” Ye Mingxuan stared blankly at Tan Sizhe for a long moment, his fingers tightening slightly around the cup. “Sir, do you remember what you told me? To bravely defend what’s mine.”
“Back then, I didn’t know if you’d reject me, but I just wanted…” Ye Mingxuan closed his eyes, gathering his courage. “I just wanted to try.”
Back then, he didn’t know where that conviction came from, but all he wanted was to carve that bracelet and give it to Tan Sizhe.
He hadn’t ignored the consequences—rejection was the most likely outcome. But what if? What if Tan Sizhe felt even a tiny bit of affection for him?
Though misunderstandings still led to a huge fight between them, the outcome was good.
Was this what they called getting the process all wrong but arriving at the right answer?
“Back then, I thought this might be the bravest thing I’d ever do in my life. At least I fought for myself. Even if the ending wasn’t good, I wouldn’t regret it.” Ye Mingxuan’s eyes reddened as he lowered his head to wipe away tears.
Tan Sizhe felt a sharp pang in his heart. He pulled Ye Mingxuan close and held him. “Cry if you need to.”
Ye Mingxuan shook his head. “I don’t want to cry.”
Because he was happy now. The tears streaming down his face were tears of joy.
“Sir, are we really together now?”
“Mhm.”
“Can we stop fighting from now on?”
“Mm.”
Ye Mingxuan smiled. “Thank you, Sir.”……
The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom. Curled up in bed, Ye Mingxuan texted Lin Jiale: “I’m with my husband now.”
Lin Jiale: “What?! You two are together?!”
Ye Mingxuan bit his nails and smiled: “Mhm.”
“Thank goodness it was a misunderstanding. I was so worried about you.”
“Thanks, Jiale. If you and Mr. Bai hadn’t run into them and cleared up the misunderstanding, Mr. Tan and I wouldn’t have reconciled so quickly.”
“You’re welcome, but you owe me a meal!”
“Deal!”
“No KFC this time—French cuisine!”
“Deal!”
“French cuisine?” Tan Sizhe’s voice reached his ears.
Ye Mingxuan turned in surprise. “Sir!”
Tan Sizhe, freshly showered and still warm, slid into bed and embraced him, resting his chin on Ye Mingxuan’s shoulder. “This time, I really should thank your friend properly.”
“Just charge it to my card.”
Ye Mingxuan blinked blankly. Tan Sizhe said, “We’re together now, married, even have a child. You still won’t let me use my card?”
Even if he didn’t use his card, Tan Sizhe still had to find ways to spend money on his little wife. Tan Sizhe was so anxious inside, wishing Ye Mingxuan would swipe his card every day, spending hundreds of thousands or even millions, so he wouldn’t have money with nowhere to spend it.
“Please, honey.” Tan Sizhe lowered his head and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Use my card.”
Ye Mingxuan was like a squeaky rubber toy—a kiss produced a soft squeak. Finally, unable to resist Tan Sizhe’s passionate kisses, he murmured, “Oh…”
Tan Sizhe was overjoyed, cupping Ye Mingxuan’s face and showering him with kisses.
Perhaps because he was too close, something inside Ye Mingxuan’s pregnant belly kicked him twice. Tan Sizhe looked down, puzzled.
Ye Mingxuan covered his rounded belly, blushing. “He moved again.”
Tan Sizze stared at his pregnant belly, a flicker of unease crossing his mind. “He hasn’t even been born yet, and he’s already trying to steal you from me.”
“Wh-what stealing?” Ye Mingxuan stammered. “Kids don’t understand that much.”
“He hasn’t even been born yet, and you’re already defending him.” Tan Sizze pinched his delicate cheek.
“Wh-what do you mean ‘steal me’?” Ye Mingxuan stammered. “Babies don’t understand things like that.”
“He’s not even born yet and you’re already defending him.” Tan Sizhe pinched his delicate cheek. “I won’t allow it.”
Ye Mingxuan whimpered, “Sir… mmm… let’s sleep…”
Worried he was too exhausted after a day of fussing, Tan Sizhe didn’t disturb him further. He withdrew his hand, turned off the light, and held Ye Mingxuan close. “Sleep now. Tonight will surely bring sweet dreams.”
Ye Mingxuan rested his head on Tan Sizhe’s chest, soaking in his warmth, and nodded slightly. “Mm.”
But today had been such an exciting day, it was hard to fall asleep quickly.
Half an hour later, Ye Mingxuan opened his eyes and looked up at Tan Sizhe, noticing the other man hadn’t fallen asleep either, staring at the ceiling.
Feeling the movement in his arms, Tan Sizhe lowered his head.
“Can’t sleep?”
“Mm.”
Tan Sizhe smiled. “I bet you can’t sleep for the same reason I can’t.”
Ye Mingxuan bit his lower lip. “Mm.”
“Mingxuan.”
“Mm?”
Tan Sizhe pulled him closer. “I’m truly happy.”
Today felt like a dream for Ye Mingxuan, and for him, it was no different.
This was the first time he’d ever liked someone, but the journey had been difficult. He’d thought he was going to lose Ye Mingxuan.
Thankfully, everything was finally heading in the right direction.
Ye Mingxuan pressed close to Tan Sizhe, his voice soft as feathers brushing skin. “Then I hope you’re happy every day, sir.”
Undercurrents stirred in the darkness-shrouded air. Tan Sizhe suddenly flipped over, pinning him down. “Then let me kiss you a few more times.”
“Huh? Sir… Mmm!”
