Chapter 173

Chapter 173

"Mr. Yu, wait a moment. I need to use the restroom." Tian Ruan slipped out of the booth and darted through the maze-like hallway to the bathroom. He pulled out a packet of mouthwash from his pocket, tore it open, poured it into his mouth, swished it around for a minute, and then spat it out.

He blew into his palm to check—only the fruity scent remained.

Next, he took out a single-use soap sheet to wash his hands and gave his face a quick rinse as well. He tidied up his hair, making sure he looked fresh and clean—like a guy prepped for a date.

After leaving the restroom, Tian Ruan popped in a stick of gum, unwrapping the foil and chewing until his mouth was sweet with orange.

By the time he reached the private room door, he discreetly spat out the gum, wrapped it back in the foil, and walked in like nothing happened. "Mr. Yu, let's go."

Yu Jingmo stood up, his tall frame looming over him. "Mhm."

Tian Ruan quietly tossed the trash into a bin before quickly catching up.

Once outside the restaurant, Yu Jingmo headed straight for the clock tower. Tian Ruan suddenly felt something was off and asked, "Mr. Yu, where are you going?"

Yu Jingmo abruptly stopped and turned back. "Taking a walk."

Tian Ruan didn’t think much of it. Seizing the moment when the surroundings were less crowded, he sneakily reached out and tugged at Yu Jingmo’s large hand. "Come with me."

"Mhm." Yu Jingmo strolled alongside him, scanning the area. Only two bodyguards remained—clearly, the others had already gone ahead to prepare the surprise.

The restaurant was about a five-minute walk from the clock tower, not too far. As they strolled along a shortcut lined with bursting flowerbeds, they passed fountains and fluttering butterflies, the air filled with birdsong.

Under the golden sunlight, the tall, slender young man strode ahead with long legs, his eyes bright, his voice as sweet as springwater. "Mr. Yu, pick up the pace!"

Yu Jingmo, who had actually been matching his pace, just laughed softly in response.

The moment was already beautiful enough—if anything, Yu Jingmo wished it could slow down even more.

The ancient clock tower's hour and minute hands moved in unison, pointing to 11:45.

"Mr. Yu, hurry, hurry—!" Tian Ruan was seriously antsy and broke into a jog.

Yu Jingmo had to speed up. "Slow down, wait for me."

Tian Ruan wasn’t having it. He ran back, grabbed Yu Jingmo’s hand, and pulled him along as he sprinted.

Dressed in a full suit, Yu Jingmo had honestly never been this messy before. Torn between amusement and annoyance, he could only let the young man have his way.

The clock tower was indeed drowned in flowers, with an arch of blossoms at the entrance. Anyone unaware might have mistaken it for a church, ready for a storybook wedding.

Tian Ruan raised his hands and provided his own sound effects: "Tadaaa~! Isn’t it pretty?"

Yu Jingmo, having lived long enough to have seen it all, still played along. "It is."

Tian Ruan led Yu Jingmo through the floral arch to the clock tower’s door, where the lock had been replaced with a pair of interlocking heart-shaped locks, each with its own key. Tian Ruan handed one key to Yu Jingmo. "You open my 'heart lock,' and I’ll open yours."

Yu Jingmo had never seen such a thing before and raised an eyebrow. "What’s the meaning?"

"Originally, it symbolizes eternal unity—couples would clip these locks onto bridge railings. But since you’ve lost your memories, it’s like they’ve been locked away. So I brought these locks for us to open each other’s hearts."

Yu Jingmo liked this new interpretation. Taking the key, he inserted it into the lock and said, "I am like this key, and this lock is like you."

Tian Ruan: "..."

Yu Jingmo turned the key, unlocking it just as Tian Ruan opened the other. The two interlocking heart-shaped locks tumbled apart.

Tian Ruan unlocked the door and pushed it open, unveiling a fairytale-like scene of flowers, balloons, ribbons, and delicate gauze that instantly reflected in Yu Jingmo's dark pupils, his pupils dilating slightly, glimmering with reflected light.

Soft piano music floated from the PA system, while sunlight and a gentle breeze streamed through the windows, dappling the spiraling flower-covered stairs. The clock hands moved visibly, clicking forward one tick.

"Mr. Yu, this is our secret hideaway. Do you like it?" Tian Ruan asked happily.

"Mm." Yu Jingmo stepped inside, taking Tian Ruan's hand, his expression calm. "I like it very much. Thank you for preparing all of this for me."

Tian Ruan's eyes sparkled—if he had a tail, it’d be wagging wildly right now. "There's more."

"More?"

"Come." Tian Ruan led Yu Jingmo up the spiral staircase, their steps landing on petals scattered over the red carpet. Flowering vines entwined along the railings, adorned with balloons, while sunbeams filtering through formed in the air, and gauze curtains fluttered in the breeze.

They slowly ascended to the top floor, where the soft whir of gears and the soft ticking of the clockwork could be heard from within the massive clock face.

Tian Ruan opened a small window on the clock face, and a gust of wind sucked inward.

Yu Jingmo immediately grabbed him. "Careful."

Tian Ruan held on tightly, teetering dramatically as if about to fall into Yu Jingmo's arms. "It's so high up. Mr. Yu, are you scared?"

Yu Jingmo glanced down at him, humoring him. "A little."

"Just a little?" Tian Ruan lifted his wide-eyed, earnest look. "You're only a little worried about me?"

Yu Jingmo reached out to close and lock the clock window. "If you're afraid of heights, let's go down."

"No." Tian Ruan jumped up, checking his phone—11:59. He quickly pushed open the main window, facing the direction of the schoolyard.

A warm breeze swept in, carrying wisps of floral fragrance.

As the clock struck twelve at noon, a sudden *swish—BOOM!* erupted from the field.

The clock tower began its chime: *Dong—Dong—Dong—* deep and measured, tolling exactly twelve times.

Meanwhile, fireworks crackled endlessly in the sky.

The entire Deyin faculty and student body: "???"

What genius sets off fireworks in broad daylight?

Tian Ruan: "..."

Yu Jingmo stood beside Tian Ruan, watching the flickers of light in the sky, chuckling. "It's beautiful."

Tian Ruan froze. For all his careful planning, he'd forgotten that fireworks don’t show up well in daylight. And here he was, hoping to give Yu Jingmo a romantic confession—how was this going to work?

Well, surprises were called surprises for a reason—there had to be a shock before the delight.

"Mr. Yu..."

Yu Jingmo raised a large hand, messing up the younger man’s soft, smooth hair. "I really like it."

"Really?"

"Mm." What Yu Jingmo truly liked was Tian Ruan himself—the effort he had put in for him. "And there’s something special about fireworks in daylight."

Tian Ruan followed his gaze. Though the bursts of light were faint against the daylight, they sparkled like scattered diamonds. Just as Yu Jingmo had said, it was indeed a beauty meant just for them.

As the scattered remnants of the bursting fireworks faded away, Tian Ruan turned his face, gazing up at Yu Jingmo's unrivaled side profile.

Yu Jingmo lowered his phoenix eyes, his thin lips parting slightly. "What is it?"

Tian Ruan suddenly felt a little shy and asked, "Mr. Yu, how did you like this date?"

The corners of Yu Jingmo's lips curved slightly. "It was great."

"Then... what about me? What do you think of me?"

Yu Jingmo pondered for a moment. "Incomparable."

Tian Ruan froze. "What do you mean by 'incomparable'?"

"Priceless."

Tian Ruan couldn't suppress his smile. "Really?"

*"Mm."*

"Then you can kiss me."

Yu Jingmo looked down at him and reached out to close the window.

Tian Ruan immediately protested, "Don't close it—keep it open for fresh air." Since they were seeking excitement, a little extra thrill wouldn’t hurt.

"Are you sure?" Yu Jingmo rested one hand on the window frame, his thick, arched brows like distant mountains, his eyes deep as bottomless lakes, flecked with warmth like spring.

Lost in that warmth, Tian Ruan felt as though he had fallen into a hidden valley, encountering a majestic dragon. Meeting the dragon’s gaze, his cheeks flushed pink, and he nodded.

Yu Jingmo leaned in, pinning the young man in the narrow space by the window. The breeze was gentle here, the floral fragrance soothing—truly a perfect place to take in the view.

With one hand, he lifted Tian Ruan's delicate chin and captured those lips that were so adept at saying sweet words—and infuriating ones—soft as fresh tofu.

A hint of orange filled their mouths as their tongues tangled, teasing and savoring.

By the time their lips parted, they were rose-pink and honey-sweet.

Unable to resist, Yu Jingmo kissed Tian Ruan again. He thought Tian Ruan's name was truly perfect—once tasted, it left him craving more.

His lips trailed from the corner of the young man's mouth to his delicate cheekbones, his soft earlobes, the slender, pale curve of his swan-like neck, the faintly visible Adam's apple, and down to the delicate, prominent collarbones.

Yu Jingmo took his time exploring.

Even while yielding, Tian Ruan couldn't help asking, "Mr. Yu, have you remembered anything?"

With one arm wrapped around the young man's slender waist, Yu Jingmo slowly undid the buttons of his crisp school uniform, his gaze lowered, his tone calm. "A little."

"What?" Tian Ruan pressed.

"The golf course. The lounge. I teased you the same way there."

"…………" Tian Ruan persisted, "Anything else?"

"Not for now."

Taking a deep breath, Tian Ruan tilted his neck, letting Yu Jingmo take the lead. "I-is this... exciting for you?"

Yu Jingmo didn't answer, merely retrieving a small packet of alcohol wipes from his pocket and wiping down Xiao Tianruan.

Tian Ruan jolted from the cold, looking down in disbelief.

Yu Jingmo said seriously, "You have to wipe down first before getting intimate."

"...Oh." Tian Ruan endured it—after all, Yu Jingmo had a slight germaphobia. "I always clean up after using the restroom."

Yu Jingmo curved his lips. "Good boy."

Tian Ruan shivered again, unable to hide his excitement as he faced Yu Jingmo. He tried to cover himself but was stopped by a hand gripping his wrist.

"So energetic," Yu Jingmo remarked, watching him.

Tian Ruan flushed with embarrassment, staring fixedly at Yu Jingmo's hand.

That hand was large, pale from a life of ease, its long fingers capable of enveloping any part of Tian Ruan's body. Unlike its smooth surface, the palm bore a slight roughness, as did the webbing of his thumb—evidence of long-term physical training. Veins traced the back of the hand, pulsing with vigorous vitality, as if it held the strength to topple peaks and part oceans.

Tian Ruan was completely under its control, played with like a bird trapped in a gilded cage, unable to escape.

"Mr. Yu..." Tian Ruan melted, legs buckling.

Yu Jingmo embraced him, pressing him against the wall, his eyes smoldering with want.

"Mr. Yu..."

"Mm." Yu Jingmo responded, kissing him, giving him more.

But he had to hold back—they were outside, and they couldn’t cross that line.

Yu Jingmo endured the torment, his reason unbroken. In contrast, Tian Ruan was flushed, too young to know moderation, lost in the heat of it.

Only after reaching first base did Tian Ruan mention the picnic blanket hidden in the flowers. Yu Jingmo laid him down on it, cleaning him up, straightening his clothes.

Sheepishly, Tian Ruan offered, "Mr. Yu, let me help you too."

Yu Jingmo bit back his need. "There's no time."

It was nearly one o'clock, and the afternoon's school anniversary events awaited—Yu Jingmo couldn’t afford to be absent.

Tian Ruan didn’t understand how this had become his pleasure alone, drooping with disappointment.

Yu Jingmo laughed lowly. "Make it up to me tonight, alright?"

Tian Ruan nodded eagerly. "Okay."

"You’re so worked up over me. That already makes me happy," Yu Jingmo said, gazing into Tian Ruan's eyes.

Tian Ruan's face flushed as he replied earnestly, "Only Mr. Yu gets me like this."

Yu Jingmo's Adam's apple bobbed. Though he’d already cleaned him up, he couldn’t resist kissing him again.

Suddenly, muffled arguing floated up from below—

"Ah, when did the clock tower get so pretty? Let’s go in and see," said a girl’s voice.

"Did someone get married here?" chimed another.

A bodyguard abruptly rushed over, startling the girls into shrieking, "Creep! Get in and lock it!"

"This area’s off-limits, ladies," came Mao Qi's voice.

"Why can't we go in? This is Deyin's bell tower, and we're students of Deyin." Perhaps seeing Mao Qi's stern demeanor, the girls weren't afraid anymore.

"You ladies need to leave."

"No way! We want to see what's so shameful hiding in here!"

"There's nothing shameful. It's just that our Mr. Yu and his wife are on a date upstairs."

"Ohhh, no wonder it's so romantic." The two girls shared a knowing look, giggling as they left.

Tian Ruan: "..." So much for keeping their dating spot secret—it wasn't so secret after all.

Yu Jingmo was completely over it and pulled Tian Ruan up, saying, "Go take care of your own business. We'll leave together after school."

"Okay." Tian Ruan reluctantly descended the stairs but paused halfway. "Mr. Yu, have you remembered anything?"

Yu Jingmo: "Just a bit about work."

"Really?" Tian Ruan perked up. "Then Yu Shang won’t have to work so hard anymore, right? He can date Lu Qiuyan now?"

Yu Jingmo's dark eyes grew serious. "Do you care about them that much?"

Tian Ruan: "...It's a bit complicated to explain. You should try to remember for yourself, Mr. Yu."

Yu Jingmo hesitated for a moment, gazing at the flowers filling the tower. "What if I never remember anything about you? What would you do?"

Tian Ruan thought for a moment and said, "Then I won’t let you touch me. Then you'll just have to suffer."

Yu Jingmo: "..."

Tian Ruan really would do that, Yu Jingmo mused. Fortunately, his body remembered Tian Ruan before his mind did, letting the memories come back gradually.