Shoutout to nyanmaru for the commission!
Chen Mo had tried probing his unscrupulous older brother several times, but when he realized that his brother was just as clueless, he decided to change his approach and started looking for people through other channels.
Perhaps it was luck, but he unexpectedly received a call from Ye Mu, who was checking in with his parents.
Although Ye Mu used a temporary number, Chen Mo was still able to accurately pinpoint the signal and determine Ye Mu’s current location.
Without delay, he drove to that city in the middle of the night.
Since he had only pinpointed a residential area without the exact unit or floor, Chen Mo had no choice but to wait at the entrance.
Months of futile searching had left him physically and mentally exhausted, but he never gave up on the thought of seeing Ye Mu again.
Throughout his life, Chen Mo had become obsessed with many things, but nothing had driven him to the brink of madness like Ye Mu. It was only when Ye Mu left without a word, and the possibility of never seeing him again became real, that Chen Mo understood what true regret was.
During this time, he neglected his work, leaving his company in shambles. His life had become chaotic, and he drifted through each day in a daze. He was a shadow of his former self, ridiculed by Yan Henan and sneered at by Li Wen. But despite everything, he stubbornly clung to the hope of seeing Ye Mu again.
He searched day after day, chasing down even the slightest lead. He couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, and lost a significant amount of weight. His once clean-shaven face was now covered in stubble, making him look disheveled and unkempt.
It was almost laughable that he had once doubted whether he liked Ye Mu, even as he had become consumed by the search.
He often called Ye Mu an idiot, but in the end, he realized with bitter irony that he was the biggest fool of all. He had wasted so much time on such a simple question, leading Ye Mu to completely give up on their relationship.
How could he make up for this? What should he say when he finally saw him? How could he win him back? These were all daunting questions.
Sitting alone in his car, Chen Mo’s bloodshot eyes reflected his frustration and regret, his brow furrowed deeply.
The night wore on, and as it grew later, his body became heavy with fatigue. He pinched his thigh hard to stay awake, forcing his eyes open and watching every passerby closely.
Time passed slowly, and as the lights around him began to dim, he started to lose hope and was about to call it a night when he suddenly spotted a familiar, slender figure.
Chen Mo’s eyes widened, confirming several times that he wasn’t dreaming—he had really found Ye Mu.
Once his mind accepted this reality, he almost sprang from the driver’s seat, flung open the car door, and rushed out.
There was a glimmer of joy in his eyes, but it quickly shattered as he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He hadn’t noticed earlier in the dim light, but now that he was closer, he saw that Ye Mu was walking with another man, one with an elegant demeanor.
The two of them walked side by side, shoulders nearly touching, chatting and laughing as if they were very close.
Chen Mo’s mind went blank, and the only thought that remained was that Ye Mu had found someone new.
He couldn’t describe his feelings—part jealousy, part a fierce anger that boiled up inside him.
Without thinking, he clenched his teeth, took a few quick strides forward, and threw a punch.
Jiang Xu and Ye Mu had just returned from a photography exhibition in the city and were walking home when they suddenly saw a man in a black sweater, athletic and aggressive, storming toward them.
Jiang Xu was about to say something when he was suddenly struck by a powerful blow, knocking him to the ground, his mind reeling.
Ye Mu froze for a moment, then glared at the assailant, his tone sharp with anger, “What the h*ll is wrong with you?!”
Chen Mo said nothing, grabbed Ye Mu by the wrist, and began dragging him away. “I should be the one asking you that!”
“You’re being ridiculous!” Ye Mu reacted strongly, pushing him away and instinctively turning to help the fallen Jiang Xu.
Seeing how concerned Ye Mu was for the other man, Chen Mo was filled with a jealous rage and kicked Jiang Xu again.
Ye Mu, now furious, slapped him hard across the face.
The sound of the slap was sharp, and it looked painful.
Chen Mo stood still, slightly turning his face, and a red mark appeared on his pale skin.
Ye Mu, breathing heavily, spoke in a low, firm voice, “Enough. I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but get out of here now!”
Chen Mo tasted blood in his mouth, the skin on his face stinging, his tongue tingling with pain. His eyes widened in shock, “You hit me because of him?”
Ye Mu said nothing, his face cold as he helped Jiang Xu to his feet.
Chen Mo’s eyes were bloodshot, his vision blurred with tears, “Are you two together now?”
Ye Mu ignored him, pulling out a white handkerchief to wipe the blood from Jiang Xu’s mouth. “I have some medicinal alcohol at home. Do you want to use some?”
Jiang Xu, frowning slightly, said with a hint of helplessness, “No, it’s just a small injury. Is that your friend?”
Ye Mu sighed, his expression serious, “You should go home. I need to talk to him.”
Jiang Xu glanced at the furious man beside them, clearly concerned, “Should I walk you home first?”
Ye Mu shook his head, “No need. I can handle it.”
Jiang Xu was a smart man. He saw the reluctance and determination in Ye Mu’s eyes and didn’t push further. “Alright, but text me when you’re home.”
Ye Mu nodded politely, his expression calm.
Jiang Xu nodded back, gave them both a look, and hesitantly left.
Chen Mo leaned against the wall, seething with jealousy as he watched the two of them part ways. He wanted to pounce on Jiang Xu and sink his teeth into his neck, swallowing him whole, bones and all.
Seeing Chen Mo’s furious expression, Ye Mu frowned deeply, “What’s your reason? Why did you attack him?”
Chen Mo’s anger surged, and he spat out, “I didn’t like the look of him.”
Ye Mu’s head throbbed with pain as he responded indifferently, “If I remember correctly, we’re done.”
Chen Mo ground his teeth in frustration, “Who said that? As long as I don’t agree, you’re not allowed to find another man.”
Ye Mu’s face remained expressionless as he replied flatly, “Jiang Xu and I are just friends.”
Chen Mo scoffed, his tone dripping with jealousy, “Sure, and isn’t that how it usually starts?”
Ye Mu found it impossible to communicate with him and turned to walk away.
Chen Mo’s expression shifted, and as if fearing he would lose him again, he quickly followed, sticking close by.
Ye Mu, exasperated by the sound of footsteps behind him, wished he could swat Chen Mo away like a fly. “Stop following me!”
His voice was as cool as ever, but now it carried a deep, intense resentment.
Chen Mo felt a sharp pain in his chest, like a piece of his heart had been torn away. “This road doesn’t belong to you. You can’t tell me what to do.”
Ye Mu’s headache worsened as he bit his lip hard, “Chen Mo, I’ve finally gotten used to living here. Please, just leave me alone. I don’t want to move again.”
Chen Mo’s eyes were bloodshot, his throat tight with a long-forgotten sense of anguish. He lifted his chin defiantly, “If I let you go, who’s going to let me go? Do you know how hard I’ve been searching for you?”
Ye Mu closed his eyes and stopped in the hallway, his voice devoid of any emotion, “That has nothing to do with me.”
With this cold and heartless response, Chen Mo finally broke down, unable to maintain his composure any longer.
After a long silence, he struggled to swallow, trying to ease the dryness in his throat, “I miss you. I’ve been thinking about you every day.”
Ye Mu, too weary to even lift a finger, responded, “So you just want to sleep with me again?”
Chen Mo’s eyes reddened instantly, struggling to speak as he tried to hold back his discomfort, his throat feeling choked, “That’s not it.”
Ye Mu’s lips curled into a weak, sarcastic smile, “Then what is it?”
Seeing the sorrow in Ye Mu’s eyes, Chen Mo felt as if his heart was being stabbed with a knife. After choking back his emotions for a long time, he finally managed to say, “I just want to be with you.”
Ye Mu lowered his eyes, a desolate look in them, “Go find someone else. I’m tired, I don’t want to do this anymore.”
Chen Mo felt a bitter taste in his throat, opened his mouth, and realized he was on the verge of crying, “If you don’t want to discuss, that’s fine. Just let me stay by your side.”
Ye Mu looked at him, his expression complicated and hard to describe, “Why bother? Can’t we just part on good terms?”
Chen Mo held back the rising bitterness in his chest, speaking slowly and clearly, “I like you.”
A sharp pain spread through Ye Mu’s chest, and after taking a deep breath, he coldly responded, “You’ve said that countless times in bed, lied to me again and again. Isn’t it enough?”
Chen Mo sniffled and slowly walked over to hug him, burying his face in Ye Mu’s neck, “Ye Mu, believe me. From now on, I won’t lie to you again.”
Ye Mu shook his head, his tone still cold, “There is no ‘from now on.’ We’re done.”
Chen Mo clenched his fists and held him tightly, forcing the words through his teeth, “Trust me, just this once.”
His voice, almost pleading, was laced with a mixture of pride and desperation, as if he was using everything he had to show how much he didn’t want to lose him.
Ye Mu tried to maintain his cold demeanor, the words of refusal already forming on his lips, but he hesitated when he felt the hot, dampness on his collar.
Chen Mo’s chest was heaving, whether from frustration or pain, and as he thought about the end of their relationship, he couldn’t help but break down, sobbing quietly like a child.
It was the first time Ye Mu had seen Chen Mo cry, and he was at a loss, standing still and letting Chen Mo hold him.
Chen Mo knew how pathetic he looked, but he couldn’t control himself and continued to let out all his pent-up emotions.
Ye Mu looked down at him, silent and reserved, finding his behavior childish, but deep inside, a part of him felt strangely warmed.
After a long time, Chen Mo slowly lifted his head to look at him, his tear-swollen eyes fixed on Ye Mu as if he were the entire world.
Their eyes met, and in that moment, the emotions between them were beyond words, yet a faint spark seemed to rekindle in their gaze.
Ye Mu’s eyes flickered, and he turned his face away, avoiding Chen Mo’s stare.
Chen Mo bit his lip, his heart racing with nervousness as he reached out to gently touch Ye Mu’s gaunt face, then, unable to resist, leaned in to kiss his soft lips.
Ye Mu froze slightly, his face remaining cold as he turned away, his dark eyes filled with disdain and rejection.
Chen Mo paused, his young and handsome face showing a look of hurt and defeat. He let go and stepped back, feeling drained.
Just as he was about to say something disheartening, Ye Mu suddenly interrupted him, his expression conflicted and hesitant as he muttered, “Wipe your nose first.”
Chen Mo was stunned, standing there stiffly for a long time, unable to process what he just heard. Did that mean…
—That he could kiss him after wiping his nose?
