Shoutout to Kari for the commission!
Le Cheng didn’t say he wanted to, nor did he say he didn’t.
Because Zhou Shirui had already slightly raised his head and sealed his lips.
The kiss was deep and forceful. Caught completely off guard, Le Cheng was kissed until he was somewhat breathless. Perhaps he wasn’t very talented in this area; he wasn’t very good at catching his breath and could only pant softly.
Zhou Shirui pulled away slightly, his voice hoarse, deep, and low. He was practically forcing him to make a choice, making his tone sound somewhat cold. “Answer.”
Le Cheng didn’t know why, but when he heard Zhou Shirui ask him like that, he himself began to feel strange too.
He felt that Zhou Shirui had changed again, as though he was somewhat different from how he usually was when they were dating.
But what exactly was different was something his currently numb and dazed mind couldn’t figure out. He stammered, “I-it… it’s okay…”
Zhou Shirui was so close to him that he naturally noticed his reaction.
His originally cold expression suddenly became somewhat meaningful. Zhou Shirui still wore a pair of silver-framed glasses on his nose. His features were sharp and cold, making him appear very proper and restrained.
But what he said was another matter entirely.
The corners of his lips lifted slightly, his eyes long and narrow, his tone very calm. “So Chengcheng likes this.”
As soon as he finished speaking.
A crisp sound rang out. This time, he hit the other side.
Le Cheng’s body trembled. Unable to bear it, he lowered his head and wrapped his arms around Zhou Shirui’s neck, burying his fluffy head in the crook of his neck as he whimpered softly in embarrassment, “No, I don’t, I don’t like it…”
“You don’t like it?” Zhou Shirui’s tone rose slightly, but his expression didn’t change at all. “If you don’t like it, then why are you like this?”
Le Cheng felt it. Zhou Shirui bounced him slightly again, as though reminding him once more.
His ability to react continued to evaporate in the heat. Le Cheng was completely dazed, no longer possessing the frankness and boldness with which he had volunteered just moments ago. He curled up in Zhou Shirui’s arms, unwilling to raise his head.
Zhou Shirui didn’t force him either. Carrying him, he silently walked into the bedroom and placed him on the bed. Le Cheng didn’t open his eyes. He felt Zhou Shirui approach him, and then… a long fingered hand took hold of him.
Le Cheng kicked his leg in shock. Zhou Shirui didn’t let him move, kissing his cheek as he said in a low voice, “I’ll be gentle…”
Le Cheng felt as though his head had been set on fire.
His entire body felt strange and light. He finished rather quickly, and Zhou Shirui held him tightly, seeming to give a soft laugh.
Le Cheng felt like he was being secretly laughed at. In embarrassment and anger, a tear slipped from his eye, though he wasn’t very confident when he said, “Are you laughing at me…”
“No.” Zhou Shirui refused to admit it. After a moment of silence, he added, “This is already very good.”
Le Cheng felt that answer was very perfunctory, but because of what had just happened, he couldn’t question the other person like he normally would. Instead, with flushed cheeks, he reached out and hugged Zhou Shirui.
Zhou Shirui took a tissue and carefully helped him clean up.
Le Cheng didn’t resist at all. After Zhou Shirui finished cleaning him up, he quickly stood, seeming as though he was going to take a shower.
Le Cheng lay there blankly for several seconds before instinctively reaching out and grabbing him.
“You…” After seeing what was in front of him, he struggled to organize his words before asking softly, “What about you?”
Zhou Shirui said, “I’m going to take a shower.”
Clearly, he had been the one who offered to help, yet it seemed like Zhou Shirui had ended up helping him instead. Le Cheng became a little anxious. “Why not…”
Zhou Shirui said, “It would hurt.”
Zhou Shirui moved closer to him, his expression already becoming serious. “I know Chengcheng wants to help me, but I don’t want to do it so carelessly, without being prepared.”
He didn’t want to give Le Cheng a bad experience. Le Cheng was like a treasure that had fallen into his arms. He didn’t want, after confirming their relationship, to be so impatient and start before being fully prepared.
Although he really wanted to, and had prepared some things, it was still too rushed. It was difficult for him to guarantee that Le Cheng wouldn’t get hurt.
Le Cheng hadn’t actually considered so much, nor had he known that Zhou Shirui would think about so much. His heart seemed to be locked inside a jar, soaked until it softened and began bubbling. He simply wanted Zhou Shirui to be happy. He blinked lightly. “Okay.”
Zhou Shirui lowered his head and kissed the corner of his lips, then stood up, only to be pulled back by Le Cheng again.
Two patches of red floated on Le Cheng’s cheeks, but his eyes were very bright, as though stars had fallen into them. In an innocent yet enticing tone, he said, “Actually… actually, you can use something else.”
Zhou Shirui was too smart, or perhaps it was simply a kind of tacit understanding. He understood instantly.
Le Cheng heard him ask in an utterly calm voice, “Use what?”
Le Cheng pulled his hand over, lowering his eyelashes somewhat embarrassedly as he softly said, “You know…”
Zhou Shirui’s chest rose and fell. He stared at Le Cheng for two seconds, and suddenly, the gentleness from before disappeared, revealing his most essential, fiercest nature. His long fingers gripped Le Cheng’s jaw as he pressed him down onto the bed with a kiss.
…
Le Cheng’s entire body was burning hot. The intense heat seemed as though it were going to scorch him. Two tears slipped from the corners of his eyes as he breathed rapidly.
The way he looked right now really made people want to bully him. His skin was far too fair and delicate, making it easy to leave marks. Zhou Shirui barely restrained the thoughts in his heart, because he had already bullied him once earlier.
It was difficult to calm down. Zhou Shirui comforted him before going into the bathroom to run some water, then carried him in to wash.
Le Cheng obediently curled up in his arms like an ostrich. Before they even entered the bathroom, he was already so tired that he was about to fall asleep.
Zhou Shirui touched his forehead and bathed him. Le Cheng didn’t feel embarrassed anymore, because they had just done something even more embarrassing.
When he was dried off and carried out, Le Cheng was nodding off. He barely opened his eyes a little and felt himself being pulled apart again. Zhou Shirui approached him with some ointment. Le Cheng’s face instantly flushed, but he couldn’t avoid him. With a nasal tone, he weakly asked, “What is it…”
“It’s a little swollen and red.” Zhou Shirui said quietly. “I’m putting on some medicine for you.”
“Oh…” Le Cheng’s head was still dazed, half because of what had just happened and half because he was sleepy. He struggled twice more. “But, but my legs… my legs don’t need any, right…”
“They do.” Zhou Shirui held him down. “It’ll hurt when you walk tomorrow.”
He suppressed Le Cheng’s resistance, looking at that patch of tender skin that was nearly rubbed raw, and gently applied the ointment.
After applying the medicine, he washed his hands again. When he held Le Cheng and went to sleep, Le Cheng drowsily turned his head to hug him as well. Without even opening his eyes, he called out to him like he was talking in his sleep, “Zhou Shirui…”
Zhou Shirui: “Mm?”
“Can you…” Le Cheng’s voice was very faint, dreamlike, “learn from me…”
Zhou Shirui paused for a moment and understood what he meant. He neither refused nor explained, instead going along with him very agreeably. “Okay, I’ll try it next time.” After a pause, “Learn from you.”
Although he knew it was simply impossible.
Le Cheng let out an “Mm” and didn’t say anything more.
***
Although he was very brave when he was being brave, after Le Cheng woke up and recalled what he had done in the heat of the moment, he was still extremely embarrassed.
So embarrassed that he didn’t even want to see Zhou Shirui.
The medicine he had applied was quite effective. Le Cheng changed into a pair of loose pants and could run and jump, with only a slight discomfort remaining.
This embarrassment lasted all morning, and then Le Cheng went to find Zhou Shirui again, all clingy and affectionate.
At the library, he was reviewing. Zhou Shirui sat across from him, reviewing with him.
This was what he had asked for, because Le Cheng believed that when he got tired from studying, lifting his head to look at the other person’s face would make him feel more relaxed.
There was only the rustling sound of pages turning in the library.
When Zhou Shirui read, he simply read quietly. Le Cheng had already rested and let his mind wander three times, yet he hadn’t seen Zhou Shirui raise his head even once.
Glancing at the time, it was noon. Unable to hold himself back, Le Cheng quickly scribbled something in his notebook and pushed it in front of Zhou Shirui.
Zhou Shirui lowered his eyes and glanced at it.
[So hungry, let’s go eat8! ^0^]
He had been too lazy to properly write the “ba” in “let’s go,” so he used the number 8 in its place, along with a very lively little expression.
Zhou Shirui couldn’t stop the corners of his lips from lifting slightly. He wrote two words on the paper and pushed it back to him.
[Okay, let’s go eat]
Le Cheng took one look and thought it looked too bare, so he added a ^0^ after the words.
After eating, they returned to the dorm.
Le Cheng turned on his computer, preparing to make a video.
He still hadn’t had time to make the video he had promised about the male model CP last time, so Le Cheng decided to finish it all in one night today.
Of course, he wasn’t planning to reveal any accurate information about himself and Zhou Shirui, nor would he truly show his face and make their relationship public, because he felt it would affect Zhou Shirui.
But he also wanted to give an explanation to all the people who had sincerely followed and shipped their CP.
Le Cheng thought about it and decided to make an exception and draw a picture of himself and Zhou Shirui together.
He still used his previous style, not drawing specific facial features, only the simplest linework.
The composition was also quite simple. It was of him and Zhou Shirui kissing beneath a sky full of fireworks.
Clean lines, yet capable of outlining a scene filled with tension.
He slowly finished the drawing, then edited and sped up the footage before uploading it to Douyin.
Then he pinned a comment.
[Stealing Hearts, Runaway Guoli Orange: Thank you, everyone, for your companionship and concern during this time. We’re officially together.]
After posting the video, Le Cheng felt a little nervous.
What was going on? Why did it feel like a celebrity making an official relationship announcement?
He exited Douyin and opened his chat with Zhou Shirui.
Actually, he really wanted to see Zhou Shirui’s reaction. After all, he hadn’t told him about this beforehand. After slacking off and watching videos for a while, Le Cheng finally gathered the courage to open the backend.
[He Chuan: Holy sh*t, what did I just see!!!! Artist, what did I just see!!]
[Always Love You: Okay, I saw the comment. My CP is real. I can die without regrets.]
[Mahjong Rice Noodles Are So Delicious: I must have woken up too suddenly. I actually saw my favorite blogger officially announce their relationship.]
[Going to the Dock for Some Fries: I’m eating this absolutely beautiful feast, eating eating eating eating. Thank you, artist, for feeding us this content, wu wu wu wu wu.]
[Make More Money: IT’S OFFICIAL!! OFFICIALLY TOGETHER!! So we finally don’t have to worry anymore, right!!]
[There’s a Little Cat: I love mutual love! Wishing Orange and Male Model Bro 99 years of happiness!!]
[This Is Too Strange: Wishing Orange and Male Model Bro a hundred years of happiness!! You posted a kissing scene this time, so next time, are you going to draw something else? (hint hint)]
Looking at the string of red hearts and wishes for “99,” Le Cheng felt inexplicably touched.
Actually, he was only putting an end to the “male model CP,” giving everyone, and even more so Zhou Shirui, an explanation.
But seeing that so many people remembered it still made him very happy.
So he forwarded the link to the video to Zhou Shirui.
[Orange: Link]
Without adding a single word, Le Cheng held his phone and waited for Zhou Shirui’s reply.
This time, Zhou Shirui was a little slow, as though he had carefully read through all the comments.
“Bzz bzz bzz—”
It was a phone call. Le Cheng answered.
Le Cheng asked curiously, “Why are you calling?”
Zhou Shirui didn’t answer from the other end. Instead, he said, “I saw it. Thank you, Chengcheng.”
It made Le Cheng feel rather embarrassed. His eyelashes fluttered twice. “Why, why are you suddenly thanking me?”
“Probably because,” Zhou Shirui said quite frankly at this moment, “I really like it when you do this.”
Le Cheng curved his lips. “Really? Then if I’d known, I would’ve made this video earlier.”
Zhou Shirui: “It’s not too late.”
Le Cheng asked, “Then did you see the comments? I was so happy reading them. I feel like they’re all giving us their blessings.”
“I saw them,” Zhou Shirui said. “I’m happy too.”
Le Cheng chuckled foolishly a couple of times when he heard Zhou Shirui say, “I might be going abroad during summer break.”
“So suddenly?” Le Cheng froze for a moment. “Then… did your mom ask you to go back?”
“Mm,” Zhou Shirui said. “Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried,” Le Cheng said frankly. “I believe you.”
The feeling of being completely trusted was very nice. This feeling of being held onto little by little was also very nice. Zhou Shirui quietly curled his lips on the other end of the phone. “Mm.”
“How many days are you going for?” Le Cheng asked. “You’re not going to be gone for the entire summer break, are you?”
He still wanted to hang out with Zhou Shirui.
“It won’t take long,” Zhou Shirui said. “About half a month.”
“That’s good.” Le Cheng nodded. “That’s not too long.”
Zhou Shirui asked in a very leading manner, “What would happen if it were a long time?”
“I’d miss you,” Le Cheng said honestly. “Because I’d want to see you.”
Zhou Shirui’s tone was very calm. “If you want to see me, you can video call me.”
“It’s not the same.” Le Cheng denied it.
Zhou Shirui asked lightly, “How is it not the same?”
“Wanting to see you means wanting to see you in the kind of way where I want to hug you,” Le Cheng said.
Struck in the heart by those straightforward words, Zhou Shirui completely reeled in his net and said in a low voice, somewhat helplessly, “…I want to see you too.”
Clearly, they hadn’t even separated yet, but they had already begun imagining seeing each other again.
After chatting for a while longer, Le Cheng finally hung up the phone.
The final exams were getting closer and closer.
This time, the schedule was rather lucky. When Zhou Shirui started his exams, Le Cheng’s major was also having exams. This meant they could go home together.
When he came out of the exam room, Tan Xiaobai was waiting for him outside.
Their exams happened to overlap. Although they were in different majors, the exam rooms were very close, and they were at the same time.
“How was it?” Tan Xiaobai asked him.
“I think it was pretty easy.” Le Cheng had crammed for a month, and it had worked quite well. He was naturally smart to begin with. “Maybe I can even get one of those scholarships for the top five hundred.”
Tan Xiaobai sighed. “There were some questions I couldn’t remember. I won’t fail the course, right?”
Le Cheng comforted him. “Definitely not. Didn’t you hang up Conan before the exam?”
“That’s true,” Tan Xiaobai said. “I hope the teacher can hear my sincere call. Caicai, please save me.”
Le Cheng was amused by him. “Let’s go. It’s too hot. I’ll treat you to a meal.”
“That’s great.” Tan Xiaobai fake-cried. “Little Cheng, you’re still the best, boohoohoo…”
After eating with Tan Xiaobai, Le Cheng received a call from his mom while walking back.
Cao Fanqin asked him from the other end, “Chengcheng, the weather is so hot. Are you still taking the high-speed rail back this time?”
Le Cheng said, “Mm… I’ll still take the high-speed rail back. It’s too troublesome for Dad to come pick me up. You two should rest well at home. I’ll be home very soon.”
“Alright, then.” Cao Fanqin smiled. “You’re so sensible now. Chengcheng really has grown up.”
After the call ended, Le Cheng lowered his eyes and looked at his phone. He actually had selfish motives. It wasn’t only because he was afraid of causing trouble. He also wanted to spend a little more time with Zhou Shirui. If his dad came to pick him up, then he wouldn’t be able to see Zhou Shirui off at the airport.
But when the day to go home actually arrived, Zhou Shirui didn’t let him see him off.
“The weather is so hot.” Zhou Shirui took out a tissue and helped Le Cheng wipe the sweat from his forehead. “Just see me off here.”
His attitude was somewhat firm, so Le Cheng could only nod. “Alright.”
“Then you have to be careful going to the airport by yourself,” Le Cheng reminded him worriedly. “Call me when you get there, call me when you get on the plane, and call me when you get off the plane too.”
Zhou Shirui lowered his head and pinched his cheek. “Am I going to get lost?”
Le Cheng said, without any justification but still confidently, “You’ve already gotten lost once, so you have to tell me.”
His expression was quite serious, making him seem very cute. His eyes were round and wide, but they were at the entrance of the campus, and there were too many people, so Zhou Shirui couldn’t kiss him.
Settling for the next best thing, he kissed his finger. Only then did Zhou Shirui slowly reveal his true colors. “You have to message me when you get home too. I’ll also be checking up on you, understand?”
Le Cheng was already used to being checked up on. He nodded. “Got it, got it.”
“But there’s often stuff to do at my house,” Le Cheng said. “I might not reply to your messages as promptly.”
Zhou Shirui nodded. “Mm, I’m leaving.”
“Okay.” Le Cheng squeezed his hand hard. “Bye-bye.”
Zhou Shirui turned around, but after walking a short distance, he turned back again.
Le Cheng looked at him somewhat blankly. “What’s wrong?”
“Give me your phone,” Zhou Shirui said.
Although he didn’t understand why, Le Cheng still handed it to him.
Zhou Shirui took it, lowered his eyes and tapped it twice, then handed it back to him.
Le Cheng didn’t quite understand. He looked at the screen, then looked at the app, but didn’t find anything. He tilted his head in confusion. “What did you do?”
“Nothing.” Zhou Shirui wouldn’t tell him. “Hurry back. Your face is already red from the sun.”
Le Cheng nodded. Zhou Shirui got into the car, and very quickly, he became a little black dot.
Because he hadn’t managed to get a ticket for the earliest high-speed train, Le Cheng could only return to the dormitory and wait for a while.
By the time he got on the high-speed train, Zhou Shirui sent him a message.
[^0^: I’m on the plane.]
Eh?
Le Cheng’s eyes widened slightly.
When did Zhou Shirui change his contact name?!
Although they were officially dating now, Le Cheng had never changed his contact name. First, he never thought of it, and second, he didn’t know what to change it to.
[Orange: You took my phone earlier just to change your contact name?]
[^0^: Mm.]
So cute. Le Cheng felt like something had poked right into his heart.
[Orange: So cute.]
[Orange: But classmate Zhou Shirui, I now seriously suspect that you have a tendency to deliberately act cute.]
“Ding-dong, ”
[^0^: So what if I do?]
[^0^: Since you like this emoji, can you reply to me a little faster?]
He was very frank about it. So this was the thought he had been hiding.
[Orange: Okay.]
[Orange: I’ll definitely reply to you super quickly!][Line Dog Fist.jpg]
[^0^: I’ll remember that.]
[^0^: I’ll contact you again after I get off the plane.]
Le Cheng typed an okay and sent it over.
The high-speed train arrived very quickly. This time, Le Shuhai and Cao Fanqin were waiting for him at the station entrance.
It wasn’t the first time, and Le Cheng naturally stepped forward and hugged both of them. Cao Fanqin said, “Oh my, Chengcheng has gotten thinner.”
“No way.” Le Cheng refused to admit it. “Dad, do I look thinner to you?”
“I think you’ve gotten thinner too,” Le Shuhai said. “Come on, let’s go home. We’ve already made you a meal.”
The food at home really was better than the cafeteria food. Le Cheng accidentally ate until he was stuffed.
He didn’t know how many hours Zhou Shirui’s flight was. Le Cheng had forgotten to ask, but Zhou Shirui hadn’t messaged him, so he probably hadn’t gotten off the plane yet. Someone knocked on the door. It was a neighbor stopping by to visit.
“Oh, Le Cheng is back.” It was a woman with a little girl. Her eyes were big, and her little face was round and chubby. She looked very cute.
“Come on, call him big brother.”
“Big brother!” the little girl obediently called out.
Le Cheng patted her head. “You’re so cute. How old are you this year?”
“Five!” the little girl answered brightly.
Since he was bored, Le Cheng simply played with the little girl for a while.
The adults chatted and ate sunflower seeds in the living room, while Le Cheng and the little girl played with puzzles together. The cool breeze from the air conditioner brushed against their faces, making it feel very comfortable.
But he still felt a little unaccustomed to it.
What was he unaccustomed to?
Le Cheng belatedly thought. At this time, he should have been eating with Zhou Shirui.
The little girl was very smart and talkative. After they finished playing with the puzzles, they played with race cars, putting dolls into the race cars and zooming them around the living room.
He kept her company for nearly two hours. Le Cheng lost track of time, and when he looked at his phone, he discovered that there was still no message, so he simply went to take a shower.
He searched through the wardrobe for clothes but couldn’t find his pajamas, so he asked Cao Fanqin, “Mom, have you seen my summer pajamas?”
“You can’t find them?” Cao Fanqin didn’t know either. “You’ve always organized your own clothes.”
Le Cheng was a little troubled. Just then, Le Shuhai came out of the study. “Do you mean those two sets of pajamas? I washed them for you this afternoon. Go see if they’re dry.”
Le Cheng hurriedly ran to the balcony.
He reached out and touched them. They weren’t wet anymore, but they were still damp.
Le Shuhai asked him from the living room, “Are they dry?”
“No,” Le Cheng drew out the word. “But it’s fine. I’ll find something else to wear.”
Le Cheng returned to his room and, without even looking, casually grabbed a piece of clothing from the wardrobe.
After coming out of the shower, Le Cheng lay down on the bed and only then saw Zhou Shirui’s messages.
[^0^: I got off the plane.]
[^0^: I’m home.]
[^0^: Where are you?]
[^0^: Call unanswered.]
Only then did Le Cheng hurriedly call him back.
He had wanted to make a voice call, but accidentally tapped on video instead.
The screen changed, and the image suddenly became a little blurry. Le Cheng decisively put Zhou Shirui on the large screen.
“What are you doing?” The background on Zhou Shirui’s side was very dark, as though the curtains were drawn. Only a warm lamp shone on the side of his face, outlining his features with deep shadows.
“Nothing. I was just taking a shower.”
The image shook again, as though the phone had been picked up. Zhou Shirui suddenly spoke. “What’s in your hair?”
“My hair?” Le Cheng raised a hand to touch it.
There was a strawberry hair clip holding back the bangs on one side, revealing half of his smooth forehead. It made him look a little silly, but on Le Cheng’s already fair and pretty palm-sized face, it looked more cute than anything else.
Le Cheng instantly felt a little embarrassed. The little girl had probably put it in his hair. It had felt quite cool, and since he hadn’t planned on calling Zhou Shirui, he hadn’t taken it off.
He raised his hand to pull it off.
But Zhou Shirui said, “Don’t take it off.”
Le Cheng’s movement paused.
“It looks good.” Zhou Shirui’s gaze paused slightly, his voice very soft. “Why are you wearing a T-shirt?”
Le Cheng had casually grabbed a long T-shirt. The fabric was very soft, and it was a little big on him. The wide collar revealed a patch of snow-white skin. Hearing this, he raised his phone and showed Zhou Shirui. “My pajamas are all being washed.”
As though remembering something, he poked the pattern on his chest. “Look, a carrot!”
Zhou Shirui paused slightly and said in an utterly calm tone, “I can’t see it very clearly.”
So Le Cheng raised his phone and held it up at an angle. From this angle, his eyes looked very big, his face was palm-sized, and there was even a little strawberry clipped into his hair.
Zhou Shirui’s breathing stopped for a moment, but his expression remained cool and detached.
After showing him for a while, Le Cheng asked, “Have you seen it clearly?”
Zhou Shirui neither said yes nor no. In the dark environment, Le Cheng couldn’t see what he was doing. The phone merely shook slightly, and Le Cheng heard him seem to softly hiss.
“What’s wrong?” Le Cheng asked him somewhat puzzled. “What are you doing?”
Zhou Shirui’s voice was a little hoarse, as though imitating the way he spoke: “…You guess.”
Le Cheng blinked. “I can’t guess.”
Zhou Shirui paused for a long while. When his voice fell into Le Cheng’s ears, it was low, like a murmur. “Chengcheng… I’m thinking about you.”
