Wen Ran was ecstatic. YES! He had won him over!
They shared a few quick kisses, though the crowded location kept them restrained. Excited beyond measure, Wen Ran held Luo Xiao close, arms entwined, smiling with eyes bright as stars. Luo Xiao smiled back, touching foreheads gently, reciprocating the intimacy.
Overjoyed, Wen Ran pulled out his phone, capturing the moment. Luo Xiao, in equally good spirits, joined in, taking selfies, snapping Wen Ran, recording their joy.
“Shall we watch the sunrise?” Wen Ran asked, initiating their first conversation as an official couple.
“Do you want to?” he asked in return.
“I’m afraid I won’t wake up.”
“You’ll be up, I’ll call you. If you can’t get up, I’ll carry you,” Luo Xiao suggested. “When the sun is about to rise, open your eyes, watch a bit, then sleep again.”
“Really?” Wen Ran grinned. “You’re too good to me.”
Luo Xiao felt a touch of indulgence. He had never imagined watching a sunrise with a loved one might require such care—protecting, cherishing, and pampering.
He circled an arm and half his body around Wen Ran, checking if he was cold. The mountain wind was sharp, but Wen Ran didn’t feel it at all. He was too happy, nestled in Luo Xiao’s embrace, unwilling to let go.
Even as other visitors gradually left the platform, they remained, holding each other close.
The city lights and scenery in the distance weren’t much to look at, but the two of them still sat together for a while—
Beauty of the view didn’t matter; the heart felt beautiful, and everything seemed beautiful.
Wen Ran felt so inspired that he suddenly had the urge to draw again.
He felt like Luo Xiao was truly his lucky star—never before had he felt so full of inspiration, so eager to create.
The surge of ideas and energy felt like rooted branches soaking up water and nutrients, suddenly growing lush and vibrant.
And all of it was because he had met Luo Xiao.
Back at the tent, Wen Ran lay on the mat and picked up his sketchpad and pens again.
Luo Xiao stayed outside the tent, circling it once to check if it was properly set up. Thankfully, it wasn’t a flimsy tent—sturdy, large, with a proper mattress, thin blanket, pillow, and sleeping bag for experience.
When Luo Xiao entered, shoes off, Wen Ran had already removed his pants, half-covered by the blanket, head on his arm, sketching. The mountain air was cool; no air-conditioning was needed. Inside, it was refreshing, cozy enough to need a blanket for sleep.
Seeing Wen Ran focused on drawing, Luo Xiao remained silent.
He zipped the tent, considered whether to sleep in his pants or remove them. Without overthinking, he slipped out of his long pants, tossed them aside, pulled the blanket over his legs, and lay down.
As he settled, Wen Ran tossed his pen and sketchpad aside, snuggled close, eyes sparkling.
“Hmm?” Luo Xiao looked over.
“You’re not taking your clothes off to sleep?” Wen Ran asked.
Luo Xiao understood immediately, shrugging off his shirt.
Wen Ran, like an excited pup, rested his head on Luo Xiao’s shoulder, face full of joy, humming, “Your body is amazing~”
Luo Xiao chuckled.
Wen Ran ran his hands over Luo Xiao’s shoulders and chest, praising, “So great! I love it~!”
He let Luo Xiao’s hand explore freely, even lifting his own shirt, encouraging, “Go ahead, touch, whatever you want.”
Luo Xiao smiled, recalling Wen Ran’s recent teasing: “So generous.”
His hand met smooth, soft, unfamiliar skin. The touch was enough to stir him.
“Feeling it?” Wen Ran asked, hands on Luo Xiao’s abdomen, lifting his chin.
“Yeah,” Luo Xiao murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to Wen Ran’s lips.
Moments of tender kissing gradually deepened their closeness. Luo Xiao’s hand moved to Wen Ran’s waist, exploring under thin fabric, while Wen Ran boldly let him, encouraging, “It’s okay.”
Their breaths grew hot, lips pressed together, hands exploring. The tent’s air seemed to shift instantly.
Luo Xiao could have stopped—but Wen Ran whispered, “I brought it.”
Those words ignited him further. Desire, barely restrained, surged.
“Where is it?” Luo Xiao asked, breath uneven.
Wen Ran reached for his pocket but was immediately pinned.
“Not here,” Luo Xiao said firmly. The tent wasn’t private enough, too easy to be discovered. First time, it had to be a proper bed.
Wen Ran, still flushed, straddled him on the bed, kissing and gasping: “Let’s wait a bit, go to a hotel?”
“Are you sure?” Luo Xiao asked, breath heavy, then immediately agreed: “Okay, new place.”
They didn’t separate, kissing fiercely on their way out. Quick, efficient, they dressed, left the tent, got in the car, and drove to a nearby mountainside inn.
At the hotel, everything seemed normal—check-in, room key—then, once inside, they pulled each other close again, lips meeting on the way to the bed.
When they overlapped on the soft mattress, Wen Ran’s clothes were discarded. He tilted his neck, hands trembling, putting the watch on Luo Xiao. Hot breaths mingled at their lips.
Slowly, intentionally, Wen Ran raised his chin, elongating his neck. A soft, delicate sound escaped him. He realized, immediately, that the tent wasn’t suitable.
All night, Wen Ran couldn’t sleep.