The weather was perfect, sunlight streaming across the neatly lined green rows, making the bright red strawberries even more striking. Though it was winter, the temperature inside the glasshouse was perfectly controlled, nurturing these delicate fruits to full ripeness. It was harvest season, and the sight was exceptionally delightful.
Anyone would be impressed by such a bounty, let alone Qi Ji, who already had a fondness for strawberries. He remembered the huge strawberry bouquet Pei Yusheng had bought for him at the mall before and had been overjoyed. Now, faced with this entire field, Qi Ji couldn’t look away. His expression said it all:
Like.
Seeing the boy staring eagerly at the strawberries, Pei Yusheng couldn’t help but smile. He wrapped an arm around Qi Ji’s waist and led him into the glasshouse. The automatic doors slid open, revealing the full scope of this carefully prepared gift.
The glasshouse was warm and maintained at a constant temperature, with a dedicated caretaker for every plant. Each strawberry seedling had its own identification number. The garden was immaculate, more like a flower conservatory than a farm, free of odors or insects, with only the faint, refreshing scent of strawberries filling the air.
“These strawberries haven’t been sprayed with anything and are clean enough to eat straight off the vine. You can also rinse them here if you like,” Pei Yusheng said, bending to pluck a few plump, ripe berries before washing them briefly at a nearby drinking tap and handing them to Qi Ji.
Qi Ji took the strawberry, its vibrant color and fullness immediately catching his attention. The tiny droplets of water on the surface made it feel real—this field of strawberries was actually here.
Although the initial visual impact was strong, it was only after entering the strawberry field that Qi Ji realized its scale. This new villa, located in Pudong, was the largest in the Tangong villa cluster. Even though Qi Ji wasn’t deeply familiar with luxury real estate, he had heard of “building kings” and “land kings.”
Having previously collaborated with Forest Architecture while at Lina’s studio, he had some knowledge of high-end properties, including the current market price of Tangong villas—approximately 300,000 RMB per square meter.
To grow strawberries in a space this large was beyond mere luxury—it was extravagant to the extreme.
Still in shock, Qi Ji heard Pei Yusheng ask, “Want to try one? Not too cold?”
“No, it’s fine.” Qi Ji shook his head and bit into a strawberry.
The glasshouse grew several varieties. The one Qi Ji held was unusually large, roughly the size of a baby’s fist, and he needed three bites to finish it. The sweet, fragrant juice filled his mouth completely.
Large strawberries often lack sweetness, but these were juicy, aromatic, and perfectly ripe. One strawberry wasn’t enough—by the time Qi Ji finished, his hand had already reached for another.
“So delicious,” he finally managed, taking another bite before evaluating, “so sweet.”
Juice trickled to his lips. As he was about to wipe it himself, a gentle warmth brushed against him—Pei Yusheng had done it for him.
“Thank you,” Qi Ji murmured, slightly embarrassed.
Feeling the trace left by Pei Yusheng, he licked it instinctively, unaware of the effect it had. Before he could even retract his tongue, the man leaned in and pressed his lips against his.
“Mmm…”
The kiss was long, intimate, carrying the fresh sweetness of strawberries. When they parted, Qi Ji’s ears were tinged the same red as the strawberries themselves.
Unsure what to say, he offered the remaining strawberry in his hand: “S-sir,” he stammered, “let’s… share this.”
Pei Yusheng took it, smiling: “Good.”
But he had his own interpretation. When Qi Ji tried to eat the last half, Pei Yusheng leaned over again, taking a bite from it himself. Even though he had strawberries in hand, he kept going after Qi Ji’s.
After a few rounds, most of the strawberries in Qi Ji’s hands were gone. Walking further into the field, Qi Ji ate cautiously, sneaking bites behind Pei Yusheng’s back.
Seeing this, Pei Yusheng laughed and realized he’d overdone it. He stopped taking Qi Ji’s berries and focused on picking for him, allowing the boy to finally enjoy them properly.
There was no rush; they wandered leisurely, eventually reaching the center of the rectangular garden divided into four sections with different strawberry varieties. In the center was a circular stone platform, paved with individual stones that sparkled like diamonds under the sunlight.
Qi Ji, finishing another strawberry, touched the smooth, cool stones. “Are these pebbles… or diamonds?” he asked, curious.
Pei Yusheng shook his head: “Corundum, some yellow sapphire.”
Corundum? Qi Ji blinked in surprise. Ruby and sapphire were forms of corundum. He was stunned—they had paved a path with precious gemstones? But considering the villa’s price, even this seemed plausible.
On closer inspection, he noticed the stones weren’t randomly arranged but formed a subtle pattern—mostly warm yellow, rustic yet elegant, perfectly integrated with the wooden features of the glasshouse.
Qi Ji lingered a while, taking in the design, all the while being fed strawberries by the man beside him. By the time they moved on, Qi Ji was eating more slowly, full and content.
Exiting the strawberry field, they entered the villa. Qi Ji’s breath caught at the sight: a vast, sunlit space, double-height ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows bathing the interior in sunlight. Beyond the windows, a private lake stretched peacefully.
Pei Yusheng stood beside him: “You can fish or sketch here. In summer, the lotus blooms beautifully.”
Qi Ji whispered, “Even if nothing else existed, it would still be beautiful enough.”
Pei Yusheng smiled, ruffling his hair: “You can see it from the bedroom too.”
Turning indoors, Qi Ji’s attention was drawn to a stunning chandelier shaped like the sun, accented with azure ornaments mimicking the Aegean under sunlight. Every detail in the villa delighted him.
“This sofa… is it Poliform?” he asked, impressed.
“Yes, custom-made,” Pei Yusheng confirmed.
Qi Ji, familiar with high-end design but not accustomed to such extravagant consumption, could only shake his head in awe.
“During my internship at Lina’s team, I attended discussions with Forest architects about home brands. Poliform was always my favorite. And now, to see it here—it’s incredible,” Qi Ji said.
Pei Yusheng only smiled: “As long as you like it.”
They toured the five-story villa, each floor roughly 400 square meters, sunlit and spacious. Kitchen, dining, gym, home theater—they left Qi Ji overwhelmed with delight. Every small decoration appealed to his taste—refined, delicate, thoughtful.
He asked, “Where did all these come from?”
“My grandfather started in shipping. Some of these items came from voyages, some from my travels,” Pei Yusheng explained. He kissed the top of Qi Ji’s head: “We’ll explore, pick what we like, and slowly fill this home together.”
The sweetness of the strawberries lingered as Qi Ji softly agreed: “Okay.”
Gradually, the villa became more than luxury—it felt like their home. The familiar design echoed Qi Ji’s own style, down to a particular blue stone wall that matched a draft he had once made for Forest. The real space surpassed his design in perfection, yet felt intimately aligned with his taste.
Every piece—wallpaper, chair, detail—made him feel comfortable and safe. This was the home they would share, a place of their future.
Qi Ji had some knowledge of interior design and naturally understood just how difficult it was to achieve such a flawless effect. What he hadn’t expected was that his own design draft had been used. When he couldn’t help but ask about it, Pei Yusheng simply admitted it.
“I knew you interned at Forest, so I asked their team to help recreate a design you’d love the most.”
Qi Ji felt a faint understanding stir within him but dared not fully believe it. “Why…?”
Pei Yusheng softened his voice. “Because I wanted to decorate a house you’d like, but didn’t dare ask you directly.”
Though surprised, Qi Ji quickly pieced it together. “So the Poliform selection earlier…”
Pei Yusheng didn’t hide anything. “That was chosen specifically for you. Their designers will visit the country later this year; if you want, you can meet them.”
Qi Ji felt dazed, his mind a jumble. That last sentence especially—he hadn’t expected that Pei Yusheng would think of everything so thoroughly, all for him.
Forward, backward—anything Qi Ji might encounter or need, Pei Yusheng had considered it.
“Sir…” Qi Ji stammered, nearly speechless. “You’ve… thought of this so early…”
Pei Yusheng smiled. “Even earlier than that.”
Qi Ji recalled asking why it had to be him. Pei Yusheng had told him back then: from the first time he saw him, from the first fight… he had been captivated by Qi Ji long ago. No matter how many times since, his heart would always be moved by him.
Qi Ji’s thoughts raced back to the time he’d been treated for the effects of the medicine. Without Pei Yusheng’s cooperation, he might not have escaped safely. They had met only three times then, and Qi Ji had been wrapped in a shell of cold indifference. Yet even then, Pei Yusheng had fallen for him.
Speechless and slightly flustered, Qi Ji allowed himself to be led upstairs by the hand.
“Come, let’s continue the tour.”
The thoughtfulness of Pei Yusheng eased Qi Ji’s tension.
The second floor held their living quarters and workspaces. More private than the first floor, it bore the marks of both of them. Pens he frequently used, a beloved wall-mounted knife, and even the long cat-shaped cushion Qi Ji cherished—all were here.
Everything he had missed from the Rose Villa had returned, grounding a stronger sense of home.
Although the floor was spacious, they had only one bedroom. Pei Yusheng didn’t mention it, and Qi Ji didn’t notice, moving on to the work area.
Their studies weren’t in the same room, but each had prepared a space for the other to stay. They first entered Qi Ji’s study—a painting room boldly colored to stimulate creativity. Qi Ji immediately recognized the design; it had originated from his own past inspiration for a “study” concept, his ideal style. Every arrangement and splash of color allowed him to relax and breathe freely.
Now, seeing it again, Qi Ji felt something new. He remembered that this design had drawn on the style of the painting room he used during treatment, though at the time he hadn’t realized why such a room existed in his memory—only that he had spent joyful hours there with his father.
Now he understood. The room hadn’t been prepared by his father, but by Pei Yusheng, who had aided him through the treatment.
In truth, this painting room was a collaborative creation, a shared work space for the two of them.
After touring the room, they moved to the window. From this vantage point, a corner of the strawberry field was visible, and beyond it, another glasshouse—also temperature-controlled, filled with greenery, and against one wall, a cascade of purple.
On closer inspection, it wasn’t a wall—it was a vine covered in purple flowers. A wisteria wall.
Though it wasn’t peak bloom season, the greenhouse’s warmth had coaxed it into early flowering. Sunlight hit the petals, sparkling like golden droplets over a purple waterfall. Qi Ji, from the north, had never seen wisteria bloom so profusely, and he stared in awe.
Pei Yusheng’s voice came from behind: “This wisteria has been here over thirty years. It blooms beautifully every year.”
“Thirty years…” Qi Ji whispered, astonished. “No wonder it’s so full.”
“Next year it’ll bloom even more,” Pei Yusheng said. “Wisteria lives a long time—this one could survive over a hundred years, blooming for over a century.”
“So long…” Qi Ji murmured.
Pei Yusheng continued, “Not just the wisteria. Many plants are perennials. Even if they wither, they bloom again the next year.”
Qi Ji was struck—not only by the closeness of Pei Yusheng, but by the meaning in his words.
“You don’t need to fear planting seeds just because flowers might fade,” Pei Yusheng said softly. “See, Qi Qi, even if they wither this year, next year they’ll bloom even more beautifully.”
A gentle kiss landed on the thin, delicate nape of Qi Ji’s neck, sending a shiver through him. Clinging to the windowsill, he barely stayed upright.
“S-sir…” he whispered weakly, words insufficient compared to the intimacy of the touch.
All he could do was respond with his body.
I planted the seeds. I am not afraid.
A small incident interrupted their tour of the study briefly. By the time they continued, the sun was low in the sky. Pei Yusheng ended up carrying Qi Ji—the boy’s legs trembling, his waist weak. Though they hadn’t gone all the way, the exertion had left him exhausted, even hesitant at the windowsill.
There was no rush; Pei Yusheng carried him to his own study. Settling him in a soft chair, they watched the strawberry field bathed in the sunset together.
From this vantage point, Qi Ji could see the full expanse of the strawberry garden, including the circular stone platform. Now, he finally noticed the pattern formed by the colored rubies and sapphires—
It was a sun.
Under the evening sun, the translucent gemstones glimmered as if a real sun had been embedded into the ground, casting a gentle light.
Qi Ji stared, struck by a familiar feeling. His memory was excellent, but fatigue had clouded it momentarily. When he glanced at the crystal cabinet in his study, he realized why the sun felt so familiar.
Inside the cabinet was not luxury alcohol, watches, or art—but fine sand, with stones arranged precisely—the very same pattern as the sun on the stone platform in the strawberry field.
And these weren’t later reproductions. They were the stones Qi Ji had placed by hand during their first night at the seaside cabin. Every stone, even the unique orange-yellow pebble he had found by chance, had been transported and carefully displayed in the crystal cabinet.
No wonder the pattern in the strawberry field had seemed slightly different, rustic—the ground had been recreated based on the sun he had once built.
Having just cried, Qi Ji could barely speak. Yet his gaze moved between the crystal cabinet and the garden below, capturing Pei Yusheng’s attention. The man brushed the boy’s slightly sweaty hair from his forehead.
“Do you remember now?”
“This… is the sun you gave me,” Qi Ji said, nodding with difficulty. “How… is it here…”
“I liked it very much, so I brought it back,” Pei Yusheng said, wrapping his hand around Qi Ji’s thin back. In the golden glow of the sunset, they watched two beautiful suns—one in the sky, one on the ground—side by side.
“The first time, you told me I was the sun, and you were just a grain of sand on the planet bathed in its light.”
Pei Yusheng’s voice softened, warm like the setting sun.
“But, Qi Qi, you should know, my sun was given by you.”
“It was made of stones, too.”
His words were gentle, yet carried a steadying power.
“This is truly our sun and stones.”
Qi Ji froze completely.
He stood there, dazed, as if coated in the golden hues of the sunset, locked into a painting, unable to move.
Only his mind raced, spinning faster and faster.
When he had first seen the wisteria, he hadn’t realized how deeply Pei Yusheng treasured his words. Now he understood—it wasn’t just one line. Every word he had ever spoken had been carefully remembered.
And answered in the most perfect way:
With the cascading wisteria, with the crystalline cabinet and the golden sun in the strawberry garden—
With love that filled Qi Ji’s heart and left it unshakable.
Still weak, unable to straighten, Qi Ji extended his hand.
Fingers stiff and tingling, but still functional. Under Pei Yusheng’s gaze, he gently pressed his fingertips to the man’s lips, then withdrew.
A kiss on his own lips.
An indirect yet deliberate response.
His answer.