You’ll bear the consequences.
Bear the consequences my ass!
Pei Jingchen was furious. He swore this was the absolute pinnacle of his self-control in his entire life!!
Despite their lips and tongues intertwining, despite their eyes clouding over, despite their heavy panting, Pei Jingchen held himself back!!!
When their lips parted, Pei Jingchen saw Su Qingci’s lips were slightly swollen. He felt a pang of regret for going too far. But he couldn’t blame himself entirely. After suppressing his desires for so long, how could he not kiss him fiercely, bite his lips with such intensity? And when the person he adored was flirting like a seductive demon, batting his eyes at him, Pei Jingchen considered it a major feat that he hadn’t completely lost control.
Pei Jingchen straightened his crooked tie and smoothed out the wrinkled hospital gown on Su Qingci: ” No more mischief.”
Su Qingci struggled to stifle his laughter. He thoroughly enjoyed watching Pei Jingchen’s face flush crimson with embarrassment. The man was usually so serious and self-restrained, yet when teased, he blushed and his heart raced. It proved Su Qingci’s own charm and was utterly adorable.
Pei Jingchen’s expression was a mess, his eyes darting nervously, unable to meet the alluring gaze of the “Su Daji” before him. “Go take a bath.”
Su Qingci had laughed and played enough. Lazy, he stretched out his arms. “Carry me.”
“Xiao Ci, I said no more mischief.”
“I’m not being naughty,” Su Qingci insisted. “I’m genuinely exhausted. Can’t walk.”
Pei Jingchen drew in a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. Bending low, he cupped Su Qingci’s slender shoulder blades with his left hand while his right arm swept around his knees. The motion of lifting him toward the bathroom felt awkwardly clumsy, almost as if he were moving with one hand and one foot at a time.
Seeing his flushed face, Su Qingci stopped teasing him deliberately and slipped out of his nightgown himself.
During their time living together, before each encounter, Su Qingci would thoroughly admire Pei Jingchen’s flawless physique from head to toe. Only after satisfying his eyes would he be fiercely possessed by that body—a double dose of fulfillment, doubling the pleasure.
What Su Qingci didn’t know was that after each encounter, Pei Jingchen would also thoroughly admire Su Qingci’s body, inside and out. People are naturally drawn to beauty, and Su Qingci’s physique—its proportions, bone structure, skin tone and texture, muscle definition—was so perfectly fluid it seemed like a masterpiece only a painter’s lifetime of skill could capture.
When Su Qingci turned, a deep crimson scar marked his chest—the incision from open-heart surgery. Like a flaw in a precious jade, it didn’t mar his beauty but instead held a poignant, bittersweet grace.
Pei Jingchen’s slightly rough fingertips gently traced the area around the scar, lingering there for a long time, unable to bring himself to touch the scar itself.
Nearly a year had passed; the surgical wound surely no longer ached. Yet Pei Jingchen could empathize, feeling the pain of a chest split open, the coldness of blood flowing freely.
Su Qingci grasped his hand: “Want to join me?”
Pei Jingchen naturally declined: “Call me when you’re done.”
Su Qingci chuckled softly, sinking into the tub to rest his eyes.
After soaking in the milk bath, Su Qingci stepped out. Pei Jingchen entered as if timing his entrance perfectly, guiding his to a stool and scrubbing his back.
Initially, Su Qingci couldn’t get wet after surgery and only wiped himself down with a damp towel daily. After returning home from the hospital, exhausted from the ordeal, he relied on Pei Jingchen to bathe him each time. He scrubbed his back, washed his hair, applied body wash, then turned the showerhead to full blast with water heated to a warm-hot temperature, rinsing him thoroughly. Bathing was physically demanding, taking two hours each time. Yet Pei Jingchen deliberately added a touch of intentionality to the process—like deliberately slowing down the back scrubbing, or applying the body wash over Su Qingci’s entire body with the meticulous care of frosting a cake. Of course, this wasn’t about taking advantage of the situation for personal gain, but simply a desire to prolong their time together.
Pei Jingchen realized he’d picked up this scheming habit himself. He used to accuse Su Qingci of “resorting to any means,” but now he was just as bad.
Su Qingci turned his head and said, “If we want to get cozy, let’s do it outside. Don’t sneak around in this stuffy, hot bathroom.”
Pei Jingchen’s hand trembled, nearly causing him to slip. What could be more embarrassing than thinking you’d planned everything meticulously, only to have your opponent see through you and call you out so bluntly?
Seeing Pei Jingchen’s flushed face again, Su Qingci laughed inwardly, thoroughly satisfied.
After bathing, Su Qingci changed into a clean nightgown and was carried back to bed by Pei Jingchen. “You knew I was ‘running late,’ yet you didn’t protest?”
Su Qingci smiled. “I couldn’t protest. I couldn’t beat you.”
Pei Jingchen felt a tingle of curiosity: “Be honest—didn’t you enjoy it?”
Su Qingci dodged the question: “How could I not enjoy being bathed by someone else?”
Pei Jingchen wasn’t satisfied. “Xiao Ci, you’re becoming less and less straightforward.”
In the past, Su Qingci would have flashed a sly, mischievous grin and declared unabashedly, “Yes, I say no but my body says yes.”
Su Qingci was bold—he’d openly declare his affection for those he liked and curse those he disliked. He never blushed or felt shy, constantly declaring his love and seizing every chance to profess it loudly. Pei Jingchen had taken it for granted, never finding it remarkable. Only after losing it did he realize how incredibly precious those openly declared words of affection truly were. He longed to hear Su Qingci say “I love you,” “I like you,” or “I absolutely adore you” once more—those simple, blunt, and utterly cheesy phrases.
But there was no rush. Time was on his side. It didn’t matter that Su Qingci had grown more reserved—he’d just have to be bolder.
Pei Jingchen cupped Su Qingci’s face, parted his lips, closed his mouth, then opened it again. His voice was rough, excited, nervous, and trembling with emotion. “Baby, I love you.”
Su Qingci froze.
Pei Jingchen was a conservative thinker, reserved in his emotions. He never expressed affection directly; even when baring his heart, it was through veiled, literary, and affectedly sentimental means. Of course, Su Qingci didn’t reject his artistic sensibilities—he cherished this unconventional artistry. But who ever complains about too many declarations of love? Such simple, straightforward, easily understood declarations often resonated more deeply. Just three words could encapsulate everything.
Su Qingci felt his heart soften, as if it were soaking in a hot spring, warm and fuzzy.
He didn’t call him Qingci. He didn’t call him Xiaoci. He called him baby. Though it was cliché, a phrase overused to death, there was a reason it endured!
Su Qingci’s cheeks flushed as he wrapped his arms around Pei Jingchen’s back, savoring that “baby” meant only for him, and that “I love you”—long overdue, yet finally spoken.
They say good things come to those who wait. The harder something is earned, the more it stirs up a whirlwind of emotions.
That “I love you” was so sweet it made his teeth ache!
*
Su Qingci painted every day, each canvas depicting a sunrise.
Just minutes after Pei Jingchen left, visitors arrived at the hospital room.
Pei Haiyang arrived cheerfully, carrying a flower basket in his left hand and a fruit basket in his right, bundled up in a warm military coat. “How are you feeling, kid? Will you be discharged before the New Year?”
Su Qingci assured him he was doing well and not to worry. Pei Haiyang pulled out a thermos flask containing chicken soup he’d stewed himself. The broth was clear and bright, seasoned only with a pinch of salt—absolutely healthy, light, and delicious.
After some casual chatter, Pei Haiyang noted the time and said he needed to return to bake bread. He urged Su Qingci to rest well: “Come to my place after you’re discharged. I’ll make you braised lion’s head meatballs.”
Su Qingci smiled brightly. As he rose to see Pei Haiyang to the door, he called out, “Uncle Hai.”
Pei Haiyang turned back: “Hmm?”
Su Qingci had expected to speak with openness and grace, yet facing the only elder he truly respected, he felt a flicker of awkwardness and slight nervousness. He flicked his bangs nervously, then rubbed his nose with his fingers, lowering his eyes as he said, “I’ve gotten back together with Jingchen.”
Pei Haiyang froze for two seconds before bursting with delight. “Really?”
Su Qingci nodded.
“Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!” Pei Haiyang was overcome with excitement. He wrapped both arms around Su Qingci’s shoulders, patting him firmly and squeezing tight. “As long as you two are happy together!”
Su Qingci had been confident, but seeing Uncle Pei’s kind face and eyes glistening with unshed tears, he felt ashamed all over again. “Uncle Pei, I’m being selfish, aren’t I?”
Pei Haiyang’s smile stiffened. “Why would you say that?”
Su Qingci hesitated, then gave a self-deprecating chuckle. Pei Haiyang asked, “Jingchen’s mother sought you out, didn’t she?”
Su Qingci was startled. He asked how Pei Haiyang knew, and Pei Haiyang replied, ” Fang Qiong called me after seeing you. She said she hadn’t paid enough attention to Xiao Chen, knew him even less, and needed to reflect on herself. Qingci, Fang Qiong speaks her mind. If she offended you, I apologize on her behalf.”
Su Qingci shook his head. “Harsh words, but true.”
Pei Haiyang looked Su Qingci straight in the eye. “Xiao Ci, love is inherently selfish. If it weren’t, it wouldn’t be love. Besides, what you’re doing now is mutually enabling. Just because you think letting go is best for Xiao Chen doesn’t mean it actually is. It might backfire and make things worse for him.”
Pei Haiyang pulled on his military overcoat, adjusting his cap as he spoke. ” I’m genuinely happy you two are back together. Truth be told, I’ve always believed you two were a perfect match. Like a broken mirror—only the two genuine halves can fit together seamlessly.”
Su Qingci chuckled at Pei Haiyang’s analogy.
“I read something on a public account that really resonated with me,” Pei Haiyang said. “The person who can handle your temper is the one who loves you most. The person who tolerates your temper is the one who loves you most.”
Pei Haiyang laughed heartily. “That saying fits you two perfectly.”