You are hurting me!
Mm, sorry, baby.
Then you could at least—
No.
For the first time, this was Si Yu’s first time losing control over He Yun.
When the London daylight filtered through the white gauze curtains, making Si Yu’s aching, sore eyes feel all the more agonizing, he finally understood one thing:
Are you a dog?
With a hoarse voice, Si Yu wanted to kick him, only to find he couldn’t muster even an ounce of strength.
Awake? He Yun set down his teacup. Let’s continue.
Only now did Si Yu truly understand: yes, a dog, a disobedient dog at night.
Yet, right now, he was being so endlessly obedient.
Eat a little bit.
He Yun squatted by Si Yu’s dangling feet, pushing a small plate from the table closer to him.
Eat, eat, eat! Si Yu pointed at his red and swollen lips. You’re about to bite my mouth to shreds… Mmm.
Si Yu instinctively closed his eyes, accepting He Yun’s tender kiss.
This kiss made his body soften against his will, dyeing the tips of his ears a burning red.
I’m sorry.
Si Yu opened his eyes, looking at He Yun’s face inches away and his lips, which bore wounds of their own.
His breath hitched. Mimicking the other man’s earlier gesture, he leaned forward slowly, his arms wrapping naturally around He Yun’s shoulders.
I want ice water.
Alright, I’ll get it.
Propping his chin in his hand, Si Yu watched He Yun’s near-perfect inverted-triangle upper body, then simply leaped onto his back.
Take me with you.
Mhm, together.
He Yun seemed entirely tireless, carrying someone on his back as he wandered back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room, from time to time reaching backward to feed him freshly washed fruit or a slice of toasted bread.
They hadn’t even noticed when someone had arrived and stood waiting by the elevator entrance.
My goodness, what a sight!
He Yun paused his steps, looking at the newcomer who was covering his eyes and turning around.
Cheng Jun, why are you here?
He Yun set down the water glass and gently pressed down on the small head poking out from his shoulder.
Didn’t we say we’re signing the contract today?
Without turning around, Cheng Jun brandished the file bag in his hand.
Wait a moment. He Yun walked back to the bedroom, settled Si Yu onto the bed, and pinched his cheek. Wait for me.
Though Cheng Jun hadn’t looked closely, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the pampered beauty He Yun was hiding away looked remarkably familiar.
All my documents are prepared.
Oh, right. Take another look at the contract. Everything should be fine since we checked it.
Cheng Jun was here today because of He Yun’s house.
The deep-pocketed buyer had finally returned to London and was eager to finalize the transaction.
Strangely enough, the buyer had never once shown their face or even bothered to view the property; the only thing their assistant kept urgently asking was when the payment could be transferred.
In all his years, this was the first time he had ever seen a buyer practically shoving money at them.
What did you say?
Suddenly, He Yun paused his pen mid-signature, lifting his head to look at him.
Huh? Cheng Jun snapped out of it. I said what bad timing, the buyer arrived in London today and had me rushing around in a panic, ruining your… hey!
Si Yu was trying on one of He Yun’s hoodies, and the moment he turned around, he spotted He Yun holding the documents.
What is it?
The house, did you buy it?
Si Yu pulled back the dust curtain, walked slowly over to He Yun, and smiled. That’s right.
Just as he expected, He Yun’s expression could hardly be called relaxed. Right now, he was staring fixedly at him and asking, Why would you do that? It’s way above market value, completely unnecessary.
Si Yu reached out to wrap his arms around He Yun’s neck and replied, I like this place. The place where you lived.
But…
He Yun, I know what you’re thinking; similarly, you need to know what I’m thinking.
Si Yu leaned in closer, kissing the corner of He Yun’s mouth.
I want to be with you. Not like those hurried farewells every time before, but together forever.
He Yun found it difficult to resist Si Yu’s kisses, yet he used his very last shred of reason to reply, Even if the house were sold to someone else, I could find you a place you like just as…
No. Si Yu cut him off. I like this place, and I like everything connected to you.
Si Yu stroked He Yun’s cheek. Not just here, but Paris, New York, Jiangcheng… Wherever there’s a place for both of you and me, I want us to have a home of our own there.
He Yun felt slightly dazed, repeating in a low murmur, Our home?
Mhm, a place where whenever I come, you’re always there.
Si Yu stood on tiptoe, pulling him into a tight embrace.
I want to open every single door and see you right there.
Si Yu’s fingernails dug deeply into He Yun’s skin, as if doing so could anchor him in place.
Everything about you will be kept by me; Everything about you will be possessed by me; Everything about you will belong only to me.
Si Yu forgot how He Yun answered, remembering only how his chin was gently lifted in the steaming, humid space.
Lips and teeth entwined, lingering in a deep, tender embrace.
He Yun’s gaze was so infinitely gentle, yet it made Si Yu want to beg for mercy over and over.
Already stripped of the right to speak, every word that reached his lips could only transform into He Yun’s name.
He Yun…
I’m here.
When he was released, he instinctively tried to crawl away, but that movement felt like yet another invitation.
No more…
Just one more time.
Deceiving him, over and over again.
He Yun was nothing but a liar.
Liar, you promised to watch the sunrise! I refuse to be left alone in the car!
Si Yu pounded on He Yun’s back.
He Yun chuckled softly, stroking his long hair with gentle tenderness and murmuring, I’ll be right back down.
Si Yu lowered his gaze slightly, refusing to look up no matter how many times He Yun tried to kiss him.
Baby, wait for me, okay?
Then you have to be quick.
Mhm, I promise you.
After He Yun left, Si Yu walked up the steps more than once, only to stop short each time.
He knew what He Yun was going to do, but he simply didn’t want to face it.
Lifting his chin, Si Yu gazed at the red-brick small building tucked behind the golden beech trees, the building where He Yun’s mother lived.
Squatting down slowly, he leaned against the trunk of the tree, listening quietly to the autumn wind carrying the rustle of fallen leaves.
The wind poured through the square window, blowing across He Yun’s coffee-stained face.
Mom, the dance is already over. I couldn’t bring you downstairs.
He Yun squatted down, picking up the shards of the coffee mug she was clutching tightly in her fingers.
Next time, I’ll definitely find you a dance partner.
When He Yun had received the call and rushed over, last night’s dance had long since ended.
Yet Eleanor couldn’t understand why no one was willing to dance with her.
Right, how could anyone possibly refuse to invite Eleanor Leafgreen to dance?
He Yun tried to take her hand.
Yet the mere sight of those black eyes, identical to his father’s, was enough to send Eleanor screaming.
He Yun stood up, stepping backward slowly…
Need some help?
Si Yu asked.
He Yun froze in place.
The next instant, Si Yu’s jacket was placed into his hands.
Si Yu’s white shirt was neatly tucked into his tailored trousers, and when he bent down, the creases at his narrow waist smoothed out, catching and shifting the warm yellow light.
No one could ever refuse an outstretched hand.
The diamond cufflinks on his wrists sparkled brilliantly, mirroring the sudden light that appeared in Eleanor’s eyes as she placed her hand in his.
Without music, the rhythm tapped out against the red-brown carpet should have felt monotonous, yet the smile at the corners of Si Yu’s lips was enough to light up the entire room.
Beneath the crystal chandelier, Eleanor’s hesitant steps opened up each time she received an approving arch of Si Yu’s eyebrow, and she even began teaching Si Yu how to be a proper dance partner.
Standing by the doorway, He Yun knew full well that Si Yu was standing far away from him, yet he could feel every single breath Si Yu took.
His breathing drove the rhythm of his own heartbeat, thump, thump.
That racing heartbeat had never calmed down since the moment he met Si Yu, growing only faster.
Si Yu thought the same when he was suddenly swept off his feet into He Yun’s arms, his feet leaving the ground as he was pressed against the tall beech tree.
Thinking He Yun was going to kiss him, he closed his eyes.
Yet that kiss was endlessly delayed.
Opening his eyes, Si Yu looked at He Yun’s slightly damp eyelashes and asked, What’s wrong?
The two of them were pressed impossibly close, close enough to truly exchange each other’s breath.
Thank you.
He Yun said.
Thank you for witnessing my most disheveled and broken moments.
Thank you.
He Yun said.
Thank you for seeing my wretchedness and still extending your hand.
They stared at each other in silence for a long time, saying nothing, yet understanding everything.
At last, Si Yu closed his eyes, letting He Yun punctuate his long, unspoken confession with a kiss.
But just now… Si Yu hooked a stray lock of hair from the tip of his nose, dropping his head in defeat. Your mom said I’m bad at dancing.
He Yun shook his head, just about to speak when he burst into laughter instead.
I’ll teach you.
It must look so silly, Si Yu thought.
On the lawn in front of the psychiatric hospital, two grown men were out here dancing.
It must look so silly.
But—
I’m so happy.
Instead of resting his hand loosely on He Yun’s palm, Si Yu interlaced his fingers with his, drawing closer into the other man’s embrace while their steps swayed gently from side to side.
It feels like being with you makes everything so happy.
Si Yu slowly closed his eyes as memories buried deep within his heart rushed back like the tides of an azure sea.
Only He Yun caught him. In the past, and right now.
He Yun.
Hm?
Hold me tighter.
Alright.
Catch me, hold onto me forever.
Si Yu is such a fool.
He Yun’s amused voice drifted down from above.
Perplexed, Si Yu lifted his head, gazing deep into He Yun’s pitch-black eyes that resembled the deep sea.
Even if you didn’t say it, I would still hold you tight.
In an instant, Si Yu clenched his fingers together.
You promised.
I promised.
Actually, He Yun still had many things he wanted to say, but right now, all he wanted to do was kiss Si Yu.
Coincidentally, Si Yu thought the exact same thing.
The London daylight seemed to have no end, and the lovers tangled and embraced under the eternal sunshine.
Kiss me one more time.
Si Yu hooked down his mask, and only after receiving a satisfying kiss did he let He Yun step into the coffee shop.
He reached out to touch the reasonably clean table and chairs, just about to take a seat when an annoying notification tone sounded again.
Si Yu clicked his tongue, killing the screen without glancing at it, but seconds later, a call came through.
Si Yu: I’m He Yun, Si Yu is in the shower.
Shen Que: …
Hanging up the phone, the moment Si Yu pushed open the shop door, a burst of mocking laughter drifted over.
I’m telling you, Bai Bai, what on earth do you see in this guy? He’s dirt poor, and besides a pretty face, there’s nothing else he can bring to the table.
Oh, our Young Master Bai just can’t get him, so he’s itching for a taste!
Aside from the two speakers, a man sat in the corner booth with his arms crossed, completely silent.
Si Yu instinctively halted his steps, tilting his head to look at him.
He looked eighteen or nineteen; his skin was as pale as his name implied, and his features were quite delicate.
Hearing the man in red say he couldn’t get him and was itching for a taste, he unhesitatingly flung the cloth napkin from his lap straight at the speaker.
Then, gritting his teeth, he snapped, Take a look at what he’s like right now! Even if you forced him on me, I wouldn’t want him!
Oho, so sour!
Pressing his mask securely in place, Si Yu hung back behind the door to watch the show.
Go say hi! Have some situational awareness.
In the past, he’d only condescend to shake hands when he was out rallying votes for his old man, no way he’d ever pay attention to us! Even Young Master Bai’s face isn’t enough to buy a greeting.
Si Yu was thoroughly amused by the red-clothed man’s attempts to stir up trouble, especially after seeing the pale complexion of the one called Bai Bai, and could not help grinning.
He Yun, I told you to come say hi, are you deaf?
Wait!
Si Yu snapped back to reality.
He was accidentally eating melon about his own boyfriend!
This bunch of mental patients plus a sour grape were talking trash about his boyfriend!
I don’t know you well, and I don’t need to say hi to you.
He Yun, don’t push your luck—
Hubby.
Si Yu walked right up.