Why would Si Yu come here?
Why would Si Yu throw away his phone?
Why would Si Yu not call him?
There were too many questions racing through He Yun’s mind, but right now, he only wanted to know one thing:
Si Yu!
His voice rang out like a bell.
As the Christmas holidays drew near, the teaching building wasn’t particularly crowded, yet everyone turned their heads in unison to stare at the person sprinting down the corridor.
Si Yu!
He Yun had no spare attention to give to whether there might be global fans lurking around; he only wanted to find Si Yu.
The rubber soles of his shoes screeched against the floor as he skidded to a dead stop in front of the turnstiles, his hand halfway into his pocket to pull out his card before he suddenly froze.
A flash of insight crossed He Yun’s dark eyes, and he spun around, breaking into a run back upstairs.
Bang!
Si Yu!
The moment the classroom door shoved open, the figure slumped over the long white table swam straight into He Yun’s field of vision.
It was just like that time when Si Yu had sat right there and beckoned to him.
Only then did He Yun’s tightly strung nerves and aching body dare to relax.
His hand slipped down the doorknob. He hunched over, his damp locks plastered against his forehead, and staggered toward Si Yu while fighting to catch his breath.
Baby…
As He Yun drew closer, he realized Si Yu had already fallen asleep.
Even so, Si Yu’s fingers were still hooked tightly over the edge of the long table, exactly the way he had once pressed down on He Yun’s laptop to keep him from leaving.
He Yun sat down beside him, resting one hand on Si Yu’s hair while gently taking Si Yu’s other hand and wrapping his fingers around it in a tender, secure grip.
The warm breath brushing against his cheek caused Si Yu to slowly flutter his eyes open.
He Yun, where did you go? Si Yu looked up at him. I couldn’t find you.
He Yun had never known that breaking someone’s heart could be this effortless.
He reached out, sliding an arm under Si Yu’s armpits to pull him straight into his embrace.
I’m sorry, baby.
Even though Si Yu was sitting right on his lap, leaning against his shoulder, He Yun still felt as though Si Yu’s body were weightless, as if he might dissolve into thin air at any second.
It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have left.
The person in his arms seemed to be listening intently, his eyes fixed blankly ahead without a single point of focus.
Not until He Yun cupped his face and pressed his lips to his did a glimmer of awareness finally return to those eyes.
I couldn’t find you.
Si Yu said.
I called your name, but I couldn’t find you.
Si Yu said.
Holding him close, He Yun felt a desperate urge to pour every ounce of his strength into melting Si Yu straight into his bones and blood just to prove his own existence.
I’m right here, Si Yu, I’m right here.
Don’t let me lose you again.
Si Yu finally moved.
He lifted that face capable of bewitching everyone in the world, gazing at He Yun with eyes swimming in moisture and brimming with deep, lingering affection.
I need you. I need you more than anyone else in the world.
When someone looked at you with a face like that and eyes like those, you instantly forfeited any right to refuse.
No one could ever say no to Si Yu.
Alright, I promise you.
Behind the kissing lovers stretched a wall-to-wall glass window. Outside stood tall trees dropping withered, golden leaves, devoid of any fresh green shoots; all the vitality of growth had been plundered entirely by He Yun.
I should drop out. I should go back home. I should stay by his side, stay by his side forever.
Such thoughts took root in He Yun’s mind.
The love that had sprouted and grown ever since he first met Si Yu had, in the span of a mere year, transformed into a towering tree with a sprawling canopy.
Si Yu was wrapped in He Yun’s limbs like a clinging vine, squeezed tight enough to leave him short of breath.
He Yun?
Si Yu muttered his name in a hoarse whisper.
The person behind him didn’t move, sinking deep into sleep.
Si Yu pressed a light kiss to his forehead and began to squirm away, crawling away with a ravenous hunger.
At this point, only the gnawing hunger striking heavy blows against his stomach could pry him away from He Yun’s embrace.
He Yun isn’t even a rabbit, why is the fridge packed with nothing but grass!
Too lazy to argue anymore, Si Yu grabbed a tomato and shoved it straight into his mouth.
Mmmmmm… so sweet!
Before he could reach out to snatch a cucumber, a sudden shout from the bedroom froze him in place.
Si Yu!
Squatting beside the refrigerator, Si Yu stared at He Yun, who came hurtling toward him like a maniac.
Watching He Yun tremble down to every last strand of hair and the edges of his brows, Si Yu swallowed hard and asked, What is it?
No sooner had the words left his mouth than he was pulled forcefully into He Yun’s arms.
I thought you disappeared again.
Though Si Yu had no idea where He Yun’s panic stemmed from, he wrapped his arms around the other man all the same.
How could I disappear? Si Yu rubbed his cheek against He Yun’s cool face. I’ve been right here at home waiting for you to come back.
He Yun released him, his brow furrowing even deeper.
He Yun, I’m so hungry.
Si Yu’s stomach let out a timely, rumbling growl.
On a winter afternoon, the daylight had been chased far away, so far that it couldn’t pierce the pitch-black depths of He Yun’s eyes.
Looking terribly wronged, Si Yu flung himself back into He Yun’s arms, rubbing against him continuously: I’m really so hungry…
Alright.
He Yun picked him up, setting him right onto the kitchen counter. Sit here, okay?
Why?
I want to be able to see you.
Si Yu laughed, nodding as He Yun cupped his face in his hands.
He Yun kept watching him, watching him even when he bit his lip and buried his face deep into the fluffy white pillow.
Stop… stop looking.
He Yun finally obeyed for once, letting the pads of his fingers replace his gaze as they traced down the smooth expanse of Si Yu’s back.
Delicate and silky, just like spun silk.
Though He Yun couldn’t tear his eyes away, his large hands began to wander.
Si Yu was rolled onto his back, his legs hooked up over He Yun’s shoulders.
Don’t, don’t look at me anymore…
Alright.
He Yun answered so readily that Si Yu blinked his eyes open in surprise.
He Yun had truly closed his eyes, leaning down to his chest and extending the tip of his tongue to graze him with gentle, lingering licks.
Then… say it so I can hear.
Ahhhhh! Let me down!
Alright.
Ahhhhh! No, don’t!
Si Yu threw his arms tight around He Yun’s neck, though the hem of his clothes still ended up soaked by the azure sea water.
Throwing his head back in laughter, He Yun tightened his grip around Si Yu’s waist and shoulders, spinning around several times against the oncoming waves.
If you drop me into the water, you’re dead!
Of course I won’t.
Flanking them were the mountains sloping down toward the Mediterranean bathed in the golden sunset; behind them stood colorful houses hugging the high peaks, glowing with warm orange lamplight from every window.
Any promises made here and now would inevitably be steeped in the warm lemon fragrance of Positano.
No matter where Si Yu is, I will catch him.
As night spread across the sky, the steps winding up the mid-mountain slope grew damp with mist.
He Yun hoisted Si Yu onto his back, walking step by steady step.
Even if Si Yu is falling, I will catch him.
By the light of the moon and streetlamps, Si Yu gazed at He Yun’s profile.
Why’d you suddenly say that?
You’re the one who told me.
A dry, scratchy ache flared in He Yun’s throat and eyes.
You curled up in my arms and asked me if I had ever seen a whirlpool.
You said you felt like you were trapped inside a whirlpool, rushing and roaring with overwhelming momentum, a massive vortex that won you everything; You said everyone only saw the whirlpool, but no one saw you; You said you were falling endlessly; You said, “I feel like I’m being eaten alive.”
A pair of dark, massive hands crushed the clouds at the edge of the sky, wringing out raindrops without a shred of hesitation.
Because I love Si Yu.
He Yun looked at him, offering his confession without holding anything back.
Si Yu looked back at him, leaning in to offer a kiss.
The warm, humid Mediterranean air enveloped them, but even warmer was He Yun’s solid chest, and even damper were Si Yu’s eyes and body.
Seabirds cried out in long calls, and daylight arrived once more.
The restaurant He Yun had reserved faced the crystal-clear Mediterranean, offering a view of white fishing boats and white gulls skimming across the surface of the water.
This one won’t be too sweet.
Following the sound of the voice, Si Yu turned his head to see He Yun placing a pastry onto the plate in front of him.
What is this?
Sponge cake, filled with cheese-whipped lemon cream.
Si Yu picked up his small fork, scooped up a dollop of pale yellow cream, and popped it into his mouth. Instantly, his eyes narrowed and his shoulders hunched upward in delight.
Amused by his expression, He Yun took a bite of his own, looking puzzled. It’s not even sweet.
The next second, a napkin hit him squarely in the face, tossed straight by Si Yu.
Laughing, He Yun leaned in to kiss him.
Their figures were entirely concealed by a decorative mini tower built out of whole lemons sitting in the center of the table, leaving their lingering intimacy to be witnessed only by the sea below the cliff.
Oops, do I need to head back to London first?
Released from He Yun’s arms, Si Yu blinked open his eyes and looked in bewilderment at the newcomer.
Kyle.
He Yun stood up, stepping forward to embrace a man dressed in a tailored vest who was carrying a briefcase.
Kyle clapped He Yun on the shoulder before turning his gaze toward the person lounging against the white chair with his arms crossed.
That person was staring him up and down with undisguised hostility, yet even so, Kyle couldn’t muster a single shred of annoyance.
He was simply too gorgeous.
Right behind him lay a glass-like sea breathtaking enough to leave anyone speechless, yet in his presence, it could only be demoted to a mere backdrop.
To be driven out of one’s mind by someone like this seemed almost like his friend’s predetermined fate.
Pardon me. Kyle adjusted his glasses frame and extended a hand. Hello, I’m Kyle Bernal.
Si Yu.
Si Yu didn’t offer a handshake; he simply dropped those two weightless syllables.
Ah, the proper temperament for a beauty.
What surprised Kyle even more was that He Yun showed no reaction whatsoever to such rudeness.
After all, even the golden retriever He Yun used to keep had been trained to bow its head in a greeting whenever a prince or duchess stepped onto the estate grounds.
Well, that too was a privilege reserved for beauties.
A friend of yours?
Si Yu shot a sidelong glance at He Yun.
He Yun nodded, raising a hand to gesture for Kyle to take a seat.
I found out yesterday that Kyle happened to be here on Capri, so I figured I’d arrange to meet up today.
Oh.
Si Yu gave a flat acknowledgment, lowering his head to fiddle with his phone.
December isn’t exactly the best time for sightseeing in Amalfi. What made you two choose to come out here?
Si Yu has a shoot in Rome in a few days. A small town feels a lot more comfortable than staying cooped up in the city.
Turning a deaf ear, Si Yu completely ignored He Yun’s arm sliding around his shoulder as he tapped open Instagram.
Fair enough. A thoughtful lover really should take more care of his other half.
Propping his chin in his hand, Kyle looked at Si Yu and asked, Being a major celebrity brings complications no matter where you go. So, do you still like it here?
Not too bad, Si Yu said. Until you showed up.
At that, Kyle’s body stiffened.
Then he looked over at He Yun, only to find the latter looking equally startled.
Yet He Yun said nothing. In fact, the look he cast at Si Yu was filled solely with apology as his large hand kept soothingly stroking Si Yu’s shoulder with boundless tenderness.
Kyle didn’t seem to feel offended either, offering repeated apologies instead before lifting his wine glass and draining it in a single gulp.
He Yun has never had a dating partner, and he never even attended the boarding school dances. So you really can’t blame me for being curious about his romantic choice.
As Kyle poured wine into Si Yu’s glass, he watched the tension finally drain out of the younger man’s frame.
Cheers. Kyle raised his glass. Though it’s a bit early for a best man’s speech at a wedding, to the two of you.
He Yun raised an eyebrow slightly, then watched Si Yu pick up his glass before lifting his own in response.
The atmosphere finally warmed up, and brunch proceeded quite enjoyably.
Though he wasn’t particularly fond of seafood, Si Yu couldn’t stop praising the seabass tartare, and even requested an extra portion of red prawns.
Sitting beside him, He Yun quietly shelled prawns and crabs for Si Yu, listening attentively as Si Yu answered Kyle’s mandatory questions after a few glasses of wine.
Si Yu, how do you usually spend your free time when you’re taking a break from filming?
With work being so demanding, do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed by stress?
Right, naturally. Aside from being with He Yun, are there any other people or things that help you unwind?
How is your relationship with your production team and crew members?
Do you feel like your father or your parents as a whole had a bigger impact on your life?
I’m sorry to bring up your mother, but how is your relationship with your father?
Having consumed less than a single glass, He Yun felt Kyle’s line of questioning was growing a bit too direct, and he cast a worried glance at Si Yu.
Not bad. I go abroad to visit him during major holidays, but since we’re both busy with work and he has his own life to live, we don’t keep in terribly close contact.
Si Yu shrugged, opening his mouth to accept a crab leg fed to him by He Yun. Chewing slowly, he added, Well… our bank accounts keep in pretty close contact, though.
Both He Yun and Kyle burst out laughing.
Seeing that Si Yu didn’t seem bothered, He Yun let out an inward sigh of relief.
The three of them later found a café, sitting beneath trailing vines that bore no fruit yet still released faint wafts of lemon fragrance from their leaves, and chatted for a long while.
Just like at the restaurant, He Yun listened, Kyle asked, and Si Yu answered.
After Kyle left, He Yun followed close behind Si Yu up the steps, strolling leisurely between the tiers of creamy white houses built into the hillside.
Let’s sit for a bit, I’m tired.
Mm.
He Yun pocketed the water bottle he had just been holding out to Si Yu, leaning back against a low, curved gray-white stone wall and opening his arms toward Si Yu.
Yet a second later, he dropped his hands, because Si Yu sat down right opposite him instead.
What’s wrong?
He Yun walked over to stand in front of Si Yu.
Nothing.
Gazing out into the distance, Si Yu didn’t turn his head.
You’re not happy. He Yun took Si Yu’s hand. Why?
Watching Si Yu slowly rise to his feet, He Yun felt a hand press against his chest as Si Yu closed the distance between them. I don’t want to sit on your lap anymore.
He Yun’s heart skipped a beat.
He gripped Si Yu’s wrist, trying to keep the person who was about to pull away right where he was.
Si Yu.
An apology was already hovering on the tip of his tongue, even though he had no idea what he was apologizing for.
Anything just to make Si Yu stay. Anything to keep Si Yu from saying things like that.
Don’t you want to head back to the hotel? Si Yu looked up at him with innocent eyes. I want to sit on your lap.
He Yun closed his eyes and pulled him into a tight embrace.
Alright.
Good news and bad news, which one do you want to hear first?
In the bathroom, Kyle’s voice came through the receiver.
He Yun lowered his razor, propping his weight against the edge of the white porcelain sink.
Cut the suspense.
Yes, My Lord, Kyle chuckled. Good news: your precious sweetheart looked to be in pretty good shape today, his answers were completely standard, and everything is fine.
He Yun picked his razor back up, resuming the careful scrape of the dense lather coating the lower half of his face.
Continue.
Bad news: there wasn’t a single word of truth coming out of his mouth.
He Yun’s hand froze on the razor, his brow knitting tightly together.
What did you say?
He’s a conversationalist, but every single answer he gave was absolute fluff.
He Yun glanced toward the bathroom door, just about to speak when Kyle continued from the other end of the line: Besides, after we parted ways, I checked my Instagram and found a direct message waiting for me.
Kyle was staring at Si Yu’s profile picture on his computer screen, it appeared to be cropped from a group photo, where a figure in a black overcoat was just barely visible standing beside him.
[@ssssy: Tell He Yun his little parlor trick is cute, but I don’t like it.]
The message had been sent at 11:05, less than three minutes after he had first sat down at the restaurant table.
That’s the message he asked me to pass along to you. Ever since I showed up, he knew I used to be the family’s psychologist. I’m sorry, unless he willingly walks into my office, there is simply no way I can give you any more information.
He Yun hung up the phone, finished freshening up, and walked slowly out of the bathroom.
Done with your call?
Lifting his head, He Yun saw Si Yu sitting at the foot of the bed.
With his long, straight legs slightly bent, Si Yu was smoothing whitish lemon body lotion over his skin.
He Yun nodded.
Si Yu smiled, slowly lowering his legs and crossing them one over the other.
Do you like playing little parlor tricks like that?
Si Yu…
Kneel.
He Yun looked up in stunned surprise.
With both palms braced on either side, Si Yu let his white shirt hang loosely off his fair shoulders.
Wearing a bath towel makes it hard to kneel, doesn’t it? Si Yu lifted his foot, his rounded toes hooking the white fabric around He Yun’s waist. Take it off.
The moonlight spilling across the crimson carpet was sliced into the shape of a cross by the window panes.
Tonight, I’m going to teach you something a lot more fun.