He’d met proactive people before, but never someone as straightforward—and as beautiful—as Wen Ran. It was unique in his life.
The last time he met someone particularly forward, a young boy had tried to climb into his tent at night—he had promptly sent him away.
But today…
Luo Xiao extended his arm, wrapped it around Wen Ran’s waist, pulling him close, pressing him lightly against his side. His deep gaze locked onto Wen Ran’s clear, shining eyes: “Bold move.”
He repeated it.
Wen Ran, pulled close and wrapped around, paused, then smiled, exuding a “you can’t do anything to me” confidence, holding Luo Xiao’s gaze fearlessly.
They stared at each other for a few seconds.
In the corner, Lu Wenwen and Shang Ge: Ahhhh!!! You’re not seriously going to… here!? This is basically the same as…!!!
Wen Ran was a little flustered.
Luo Xiao’s arm was strong, pulling him close—too close?
Fine, he kissed first, but still, this proximity and posture was too intimate.
Wen Ran’s ears turned red.
Luo Xiao noticed, amused. He had thought the boy was bold.
Then he released his arm, looking past Wen Ran to the direction of the onlookers: “Why are there spectators?”
“Don’t mind them,” Wen Ran moved slightly, blocking the view, forcing Luo Xiao’s attention back onto him.
Even without the arm around him, Wen Ran stayed close, eyes and face fixed on Luo Xiao, voice low and soft: “You haven’t answered me. Do you want to go out, or come to my place?”
Luo Xiao, never having flirted before, instinctively mirrored Wen Ran, lowering his voice: “Do you want to stay out, or go home?”
Wen Ran’s ears turned even redder, heart pounding.
“My… ah…”
His eyes sparkled like a little deer’s, unsure, flickering.
“I don’t know.”
It was Wen Ran’s first time flirting like this.
Flirting was innate; Luo Xiao was self-taught, Wen Ran relied on instinct—
He pressed close, voice soft, sounding innocent and playful: “I haven’t had much experience, so I’m not sure.”
“Outside, where’s good?”
“At home… would it be too casual?”
In his mind, Wen Ran silently applauded himself: good job! He just revealed he hadn’t dated or been on such outings before. Genius!
Luo Xiao caught that, smiling, lips curved: “Never dated anyone?”
“I thought someone as bold as you would have some experience.”
Wen Ran’s eyes lit up, countering softly: “What about you? Are you often asked out? Experienced in this stuff?”
“No.”
Luo Xiao denied it. With constant travel, sun, and rough living, he had no glamorous image—how could anyone often ask him out?
“Really?”
Wen Ran believed him, heart quietly glad—no experience, perfect.
He smiled, a restrained but joyful smile, showing a hint of shyness—unusual for his normally confident personality.
All because he’d gone a bit too far—after all, he had kissed first.
Wen Ran’s blushing, combined with the smile, looked pure and made Luo Xiao’s heart tingle.
He couldn’t help teasing: “Actually, I’m quite experienced.”
“…?”
Wen Ran instantly froze, expression shifting at lightning speed. Luo Xiao broke into a smile, unable to resist, and gently pinched Wen Ran’s face with his slightly rough fingers: “Just kidding.”
Wen Ran stared, trying to figure out if he was serious.
Luo Xiao found his gaze hook-like, irresistibly drawing him in: how could someone have eyes like that?
“Really, no experience.”
Luo Xiao scratched at the itch in his heart, coaxing him:
“Liar.”
Wen Ran whispered, playful.
Luo Xiao laughed, voice low: “Liar about what?”
“Hmph.”
He couldn’t stop laughing.
For the first time, he realized a luxury garage could be a good place to flirt.
Why else would standing here, exchanging a few words, make him feel so giddy and restless?
It was his first real taste of flirting.
He didn’t mind continuing, even with two spectators in the corner.
Leaning closer, voice soft and yielding: “Okay, I’m sorry.”
“Hmph.”
“Forgive me?”
“Hmph.”
“Hmm?”
Wen Ran’s lips curved: “Okay, temporarily.”
Luo Xiao found him unbearably cute. If not for knowing him so briefly, he might have leaned in and kissed him.
Luo Xiao took the initiative: “Where were you planning to go?”
“Guess.”
Wen Ran instinctively parried: “Wrong guess, no dinner.”
Luo Xiao smiled: “Then I’ll treat you.”
“What do you like to eat?”
Wen Ran thoughtfully lifted on his toes: “Since you’re treating, shouldn’t the guest put some thought in?”
Luo Xiao asked: “What kind of thought do you like?”
“Do I really have to say?”
Wen Ran teased.
Luo Xiao was patient, turning to face him, calmly waiting: “Tell me what you like.”
“You said it, the rest I’ll handle.”
“Can you cook?”
Wen Ran shifted the topic smoothly.
“Yes.”
Luo Xiao understood instantly. “You want me to cook for you?”
“Do I have that honor?”
They were so close that when Wen Ran rose onto his toes, his voice and breath brushed against Luo Xiao’s ear like feathers, sending a shiver down his spine.
“Of course,” Luo Xiao said.
Before he could finish, Wen Ran lifted onto his toes again, pressing his lips lightly against the side of Luo Xiao’s face, whispering close: “Thanks~”
“Not eaten yet,” Luo Xiao said, trying to steady his breathing.
He wasn’t some saint—this close, this teasing, he couldn’t stay indifferent. If he didn’t restrain himself, he’d wrap his arm around Wen Ran right then.
And this time, if he did, it wouldn’t just be pulling him close.
Wen Ran lifted his chin, so close that his words brushed Luo Xiao’s ear: “I just want it like this, is that not okay?”
He stepped back slightly, smiling at him.
Luo Xiao’s lips curved, gaze deepened.
“Alright. Fine,” he indulged.
Wen Ran’s face lit up with a bright smile. He gestured toward a car and led the way.
Luo Xiao followed and got into a black Porsche.
Soon, the car pulled out.
Once they left, Lu Wenwen and Shang Ge emerged from their hiding spot, staring after them in disbelief.
Lu Wenwen muttered: “I’m not seeing things, right? They’ve known each other for a few days and are already this close?”
“Damn,” Shang Ge said, stunned. “Wen Ran has this level of… was he possessed?!”
Lu Wenwen turned to him: “Did Wen Ran kiss him twice?”
Shang Ge mirrored her: “What kind of play are they doing?”
Both: Wen—Ran! You’re hiding way too much!
In the Porsche, Wen Ran drove while Luo Xiao sat in the passenger seat.
Wen Ran had returned to his usual composure, as if nothing had happened in the garage; even his ears had their normal color.
He chatted casually: “Are you from around here?”
“No,” Luo Xiao said, more talkative than before. “I’m from City A, came mainly for a friend’s wedding.”
“The wedding isn’t for a few days, so I just picked up some casual work,” Wen Ran remarked.
“You don’t have a job of your own?”
“No,” Luo Xiao admitted. “I don’t work, I don’t need to earn money. These past few years, I’ve just been traveling freely. If I need money or want to stay put, I’d pick a city, live and work there for some time, then continue traveling.”
“I see.”
Wen Ran looked at him, surprised: “I thought I was independent enough—turns out there’s someone like you too.”
“I don’t have a job either,” Wen Ran said, smiling. “I’m not working. When I feel like it, I paint a bit and sell to galleries. Sometimes I handle weddings or large events, decorating the venues. Most of the time, I’m just… playing—alone, with friends, at home, or out and about.”
Luo Xiao was a little surprised. Most people he’d met had jobs, even if they traveled occasionally. Backpackers like him, constantly on the move, were rare. Wen Ran was the first he’d met living like this.
“What kind of fun?”
“Where do you go?”
They spoke at the same time, then looked at each other and laughed.
“You first,” Wen Ran gestured.
Luo Xiao: “The places I mentioned before—Tibet, Xinjiang, Northwest China…”
…
They arrived at Wen Ran’s villa.
Parking in the garage, they entered through the rear door. Wen Ran entered the code: “My place is a bit messy, not decorated. I just threw it together myself.”
Beep—the door unlocked.
Stepping inside, Luo Xiao entered Wen Ran’s world.
Before he could fully take in the basement, Wen Ran turned and pressed him against the door.
Facing him, his sparkling light-colored eyes locked on Luo Xiao, he asked: “Do you like me?”
Without waiting for a response, he tilted his head, lifted his chin, and pressed a third kiss on Luo Xiao’s face, his hand pressing lightly on the back of his neck. The tone was assertive yet playful, almost coquettish: “Don’t say you don’t.”