The matter of the rose garden that had appeared in the estate naturally became known to everyone.
And from that day onward, everyone noticed that the atmosphere in the estate had completely changed—no, it should be said that the atmosphere between Yan Qiu and Lu Qiao had become completely different.
Yan Qiu had noticed it as well, but seeing that Lu Qiao seemed to have made some preparations, he did not point it out.
Every morning, Lu Qiao and Yan Qiu left together for the military headquarters. Lu Qiao would go find Ye Lan, while Yan Qiu went to handle other matters. In the evening, the two of them returned home together.
Ye Lan had already become completely proficient. He could repair most damaged consciousness bodies using his own strength, and only some of the more complicated cases still required Lu Qiao to take the lead. Ye Lan also had not stopped. He had already begun teaching the consciousness manipulators under him, striving to have more consciousness manipulators master this ability as quickly as possible.
On this day, Lu Qiao said goodbye to Ye Lan and the others. As soon as he walked out of the military hospital, he saw the man waiting beside the aircraft. His eyes lit up, and he trotted over in one quick burst.
Ji Zhuyun happened to have run into Yan Qiu today and was talking with him. When he saw Lu Qiao running over, he stopped the conversation. He looked at Lu Qiao, whose cheeks were flushed from running, then at his friend, whose brows and eyes were gentle.
Tsk, tsk.
This atmosphere seemed different from before, huh?
Lu Qiao greeted Ji Zhuyun. Yan Qiu raised his hand and removed a bit of dirt stuck in Lu Qiao’s hair. Lu Qiao scratched his hair and behaved extremely obediently.
“What were you about to say just now?” Yan Qiu asked Ji Zhuyun without turning his head.
Ji Zhuyun glanced at him and continued the previous topic. “I was going to talk about something related to Lu Qiao.”
Hearing his own name, Lu Qiao shifted his gaze away from Yan Qiu’s face and looked at him blankly.
Upon hearing this, Yan Qiu calmly lowered his hand and asked, “What is it?”
Ji Zhuyun waved his hand. “You two don’t stay at the military headquarters, so you don’t know. Some rather unpleasant rumors have been spreading over the past two days. They’re saying that your relationship with Lu Qiao is unusual, and that you’ve already decided to give the deputy position to Lu Qiao, while everyone else is just there to make up the numbers—in other words, that you intend to give Lu Qiao special treatment.”
Lu Qiao’s expression darkened. “Who spread it?”
“I don’t know. By the time I heard about it, the rumor had already spread everywhere.” Ji Zhuyun shrugged.
Lu Qiao remembered that Golden Hair had said the same thing last time, and he became somewhat angry.
He knew that his relationship with Yan Qiu was different, so it was normal for it to attract attention. But did these people not understand what kind of person Yan Qiu was? How could Yan Qiu possibly do something like that?
Ji Zhuyun sighed and said, “Anyway, the two of you should be a little careful. If you act too intimate at tomorrow’s assessment—”
“—Then what?” Yan Qiu interrupted him indifferently.
Ji Zhuyun and Lu Qiao both froze.
Yan Qiu took Lu Qiao’s hand and calmly asked in return, “So what if I favor Lu Qiao?”
Even though he had known Yan Qiu for many years, Ji Zhuyun could not help being rendered speechless for a moment by this counter-question. He was somewhat helpless.
The first thing Lu Qiao did upon hearing Yan Qiu’s words was blush. But after calming down, he understood what Yan Qiu meant.
He raised the corners of his lips and said, “There’s a practical ability assessment section anyway, right? As long as I can take first place, they won’t have anything to say, right?”
A gentle breeze blew against them.
At this moment, the young man beneath the sunlight seemed to shine brilliantly, his bright eyes filled with certainty and confidence.
Yan Qiu looked at the person before him, a smile in his eyes.
Hearing Lu Qiao say this, Ji Zhuyun smiled as well.
Two years ago, he had personally watched as this person’s youthful confidence was gradually worn away by illness. No matter how hopeful he tried to appear, deep within his eyes there had always been confusion and exhaustion.
But now, that confident and powerful Lu Qiao had finally returned completely.
He chuckled. “In theory, yes. But the practical portion of the deputy assessment is somewhat limited. Many people may not necessarily be convinced by your abilities, especially when they’re already looking at you with prejudice.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make them completely convinced.” Yan Qiu spoke.
Ji Zhuyun became somewhat puzzled upon hearing this. A few seconds later, he reacted and asked, “Did you receive some kind of information? Is the assessment system changing this year?”
Yan Qiu shot him a glance.
Ji Zhuyun remembered that he himself was also one of the people who would be taking the assessment. How could Yan Qiu possibly reveal such information to him?
He immediately gave two awkward laughs. “All right, all right. As long as you two know what I told you.”
With that, he found himself eagerly looking forward to tomorrow’s show—completely lacking the awareness of a potential competitor, Ji Zhuyun thought to himself.
Lu Qiao’s side finished early today. The two of them did not immediately return to the Yan residence. Instead, Yan Qiu took Lu Qiao to find an empty training field.
“Is it really like Ji Zhuyun said? The deputy assessment system is going to change?” Lu Qiao asked while changing clothes. “Does everyone not know?”
Yan Qiu nodded. “You won’t know about the new assessment method until you see it at the site tomorrow.”
Oh, so that was how it was.
Lu Qiao did not ask any further. After thinking for a moment, he turned around and said, “Don’t worry. Just wait for me to win your deputy position!”
Yan Qiu smiled and said gently, “I’ve never worried about that.”
Lu Qiao was happy to hear that. After walking to the very center of the training field, his expression became serious. “I’m ready. Come on!”
After the two exchanged blows, it did not take long before Lu Qiao’s eyes lit up.
The last time he had trained with Yan Qiu, he had clearly felt how effortlessly Yan Qiu handled him. He had been completely incapable of fighting back. If Yan Qiu had not been helping him train, he could have knocked him down within one or two seconds.
But today was different.
Today—
The blood throughout Lu Qiao’s body surged with excitement. He continuously increased the rhythm and speed of his attacks. Although Yan Qiu steadily blocked him time and time again, signs that he was retreating had already begun to appear!
Lu Qiao was thoroughly enjoying the fight. After suddenly following up with a spinning kick, he panted, “You’re holding back?!”
Yan Qiu raised his arm and blocked him. “No.”
Lu Qiao laughed.
Yan Qiu had not held back, and Lu Qiao faintly felt that he and Yan Qiu were gradually approaching an evenly matched state!
He was no longer simply trailing behind Yan Qiu!
The thought flashed through his mind, and Yan Qiu said in a low voice, “You left an opening.”
The next second, Lu Qiao cried out in surprise as Yan Qiu caught his arm from behind. The two fell to the ground with a loud crash!
Lu Qiao panted as he lay face-down on the floor, while Yan Qiu pressed down behind him, still pinning both his hands.
“What were you thinking about while you were distracted?”
Lu Qiao rested his forehead against the floor and softly laughed.
Although he had once again lost to Yan Qiu, his voice was filled with happiness.
“I was thinking…… I think I can finally do it……”
Yan Qiu was just about to ask, “Do what?” when Lu Qiao continued,
“……I can finally catch up to you……”
Yan Qiu’s pupils suddenly contracted.
Perhaps because he had worked hard for so many years and had finally waited for this day, Lu Qiao’s emotions were both stirred and complicated. He could not help saying, “Ever since the day I met you, I’ve had this goal in my heart. Even when I got sick two years ago, this thought remained in my heart. Actually, if I hadn’t had this thought, if you hadn’t rushed back then and said those words to me, I might not have been able to hold on. Yan Qiu, if I didn’t have you, I—”
Lu Qiao suddenly trembled, and his words came to an abrupt stop.
Because he felt something soft pressed against the back of his neck, warm and gentle, carrying a tiny electric current that shot straight into his heart.
“I always believed you could do it,” he heard the man say softly. “Lu Qiao, you are very powerful. You’re even more powerful than I am.”
It took Lu Qiao a long time to find his voice. He said softly, “……Are you flattering me?”
“No.”
Yan Qiu smiled, leaned close to Lu Qiao’s ear, and whispered something.
After hearing it, Lu Qiao’s eyes widened, and he trembled slightly.
Yan Qiu told him:
Because I had already surrendered to you long ago.
That was cheating. That was way too unfair.
How could he say things like that no matter what the situation was?
That perpetually cold and indifferent appearance of his really was all fake.
Lu Qiao’s cheeks burned. He lowered his eyes and struggled with his hands.
Yan Qiu released him. Lu Qiao sat up and silently looked at Yan Qiu for two seconds before shyly moving his gaze away.
In a small voice, he said, “I finished the sweater. Tonight……try it on.”
Hearing this, Yan Qiu was about to nod when he suddenly noticed the faint blush at the corners of Lu Qiao’s eyes from embarrassment.
He froze for a moment.
After understanding what Lu Qiao meant, Yan Qiu’s eyes darkened.
His body tensed, and he said hoarsely, “Okay.”
When it came to relationships, Lu Qiao was truly a beginner.
He knew Yan Qiu was still holding himself back. Although Yan Qiu had confessed his feelings to him, he had not made any inappropriate advances, because Yan Qiu had said he would wait until Lu Qiao had thought everything through.
So the two of them continued getting along like this, but there had been no further development.
But if they were really dating, they would definitely…… kiss and hug and things like that, right?
Lu Qiao had actually never imagined that he would accept his relationship with Yan Qiu so quickly, but now he really was somewhat eager to give it a try.
Being together with Yan Qiu felt too good.
Thinking carefully about it, after all his family members had passed away, the time he spent with Yan Qiu had truly been the happiest period of his life.
What this feeling meant was already very clear, wasn’t it?
Therefore, on the day he received the gift of that sea of roses, Lu Qiao had made up his mind.
He wanted to date Yan Qiu!
But firstly, Lu Qiao was a beginner, and he was especially prone to becoming shy about this sort of thing. He had not figured out how to take the initiative and bring it up with Yan Qiu.
Secondly, Lu Qiao felt that he also needed to take responsibility for the relationship between himself and Yan Qiu.
So over the past few days, he had looked up quite a lot of information about things same-sex couples needed to pay attention to while being together, including…… well, sexual knowledge—no, same-sex relationship knowledge?
It was so embarrassing.
But Lu Qiao felt that he had prepared thoroughly. Since the sweater was also completely finished, he felt that it was about time to give Yan Qiu an answer.
No matter what, he had to let Yan Qiu know……
They could do some of the things that lovers could do now, right?
Just now, Lu Qiao had tried to give him a subtle hint.
Yan Qiu was indeed very smart and had understood it.
Lu Qiao also felt that he had done great.
He had succeeded!
Thinking about it made him even excited. On the way home, he was both embarrassed and faintly thrilled.
W-Who knew what might happen tonight……
Wait.
Had he turned into a different color?!
Yan Qiu also did not say much throughout the journey, but his tightly held hand was filled with an ambiguous pressure.
The two of them returned to the Yan residence without saying anything further. It was already evening, right around dinner time, and Yan Qiu’s father and mother were sitting in the living room talking.
Yan Qiu’s mother had submitted an application to the military headquarters, so her border-stationing duties could be put aside temporarily. She could stay home and accompany her husband for a while.
Yan Qiu’s father had been concentrating on recovering his health during this period and had not bothered with many other matters, so he and Yan Qiu’s mother were quite relaxed.
Seeing them return, Yan Qiu’s mother smiled warmly. “You’re back!”
Yan Qiu acknowledged her. Yan Qiu’s mother took a careful look at them and asked suspiciously, “You two…… are you hot?”
Lu Qiao and Yan Qiu: “……”
Both of them were a little sweaty now. It was not only Lu Qiao, who was prone to blushing—even Yan Qiu’s expression was somewhat unsettled.
Lu Qiao lowered his head.
Under Yan Qiu’s mother’s sharp gaze, he felt as though his entire lustful mind was about to be exposed!
Yan Qiu calmly said, “We just trained a little. Got a bit sweaty.”
“Oh……” Yan Qiu’s mother looked skeptical. “Then go wash your hands and eat.”
Yan Qiu nodded, and so he and Lu Qiao went to the bathroom hand in hand.
Yan Qiu’s mother narrowed her eyes and muttered, “It’s not even seven yet, is it?”
Did they really need to hold hands that tightly just to go to the bathroom?
The two young men did not turn around, but as soon as her words fell, they immediately let go of each other’s hands and hurried toward the bathroom in silence.
Yan Qiu’s father and mother looked at each other.
After sitting down at the dining table, Yan Qiu’s father and mother continued discussing various matters while Yan Qiu and Lu Qiao ate.
Lu Qiao ate very quickly, without stopping for even a moment.
He did not know whether he was simply too hungry or whether he was trying to keep his mouth moving so that some inappropriate fantasies in his mind would disperse.
Even he himself could not tell anymore.
Meanwhile, Yan Qiu drank water several times.
He had not even finished his meal, yet the water in his cup had already been completely drained.
Yan Qiu’s mother raised an eyebrow.
After Lu Qiao finished his meal, he nervously and obediently said, “I-I’m done eating.”
Yan Qiu also put down his chopsticks and calmly said, “I’m done too.”
Lu Qiao looked at Yan Qiu, shy and bashful.
Yan Qiu also looked at Lu Qiao, his gaze deep.
Yan Qiu’s mother suddenly felt as though her teeth were aching from watching them.
She was just about to speak when Yan Qiu’s father also put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and said, “I’m done too. Yan Qiu, come to the study with me first. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
Yan Qiu’s mother: “……”
Yan Qiu and Lu Qiao: “……”
Yan Qiu silently turned his head toward his father.
Yan Qiu’s mother’s lips twitched.
Seeing their expressions, Yan Qiu’s father froze. “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Yan Qiu’s gaze was far too naked.
Lu Qiao did not want the two elders to notice anything and mistakenly think that they were being that impatient, so he hurriedly signaled Yan Qiu with his eyes.
Yan Qiu took a deep breath, paused, then stood up and walked over to his father. He helped push his wheelchair.
Before turning around, he said to Lu Qiao, “Wait for me in the room.”
“Okay……” Lu Qiao answered awkwardly.
Seeing the ambiguous look Yan Qiu’s mother gave him, Lu Qiao’s face instantly turned red.
He jumped up and said quietly, “I-I’ll go take a shower first……”
“Okay.” Yan Qiu’s mother smiled like a loving mother. “Take a nice, comfortable shower.”
“……” Lu Qiao felt that there was a hidden meaning in her words.
He did not know whether he should respond or not.
In the end, with his entire face flushed red, he gave a small nod and fled upstairs as if escaping.
After he went upstairs, Yan Qiu’s mother’s eyes flickered.
She beckoned to the housekeeper.
When the housekeeper came closer, she asked, “Does Yan Qiu have condoms in his room?”
The housekeeper blinked. “I prepared them long ago. Young Master knows.”
Yan Qiu’s mother patted the housekeeper on the shoulder.
As expected of an old servant who had been with their family for decades—he really was sharp.