Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Xu Yan sat with his legs splayed slightly, feeling the tightening grip around his waist, as if Wen Sinian wanted to fuse him into his very being.

The surrounding darkness was suffocating. He caught the faint scent of Wen Sinian’s cologne and the searing heat radiating from him like a brand.

His tightly shut eyes suddenly flew open, blinking dazedly in the blackness before realization struck.

No horror film could hold a candle to the terror he felt in this moment.

Xu Yan quickly released his hold around Wen Sinian’s neck, pushing feebly against his chest instead.

But his half-hearted efforts accomplished nothing.

The shadow before him only pressed closer, looming like some spectral presence, until Wen Sinian’s towering figure swallowed him whole.

Xu Yan couldn’t make out the expression on the other man’s face, but the moist heat of his breath was so close it nearly slipped past his lips.

On reflex, he clapped a hand over his mouth and leaned back, his voice muffled. “P-put me down.”

Wen Sinian didn’t relent. Instead, he suddenly reached out and snapped on the lights.

The abrupt brightness stung Xu Yan’s eyes. Blinking against the glare, he looked up to find those dark, inscrutable eyes piercing through him, as if searching for something.

Terrified, Xu Yan shoved his face back into Wen Sinian’s chest, his voice trembling. “Turn it off! Turn it off now…”

A deep, amused rumble vibrated through Wen Sinian’s chest as he chuckled, pulling him closer. “Not scared anymore?”

Xu Yan muttered into his chest. “No, just turn off the light.”

Next to ghosts, being seen by Wen Sinian was far more frightening.

Wen Sinian reached over and killed the lights. “Point taken.”

Xu Yan blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

Wen Sinian carded his fingers through Xu Yan’s wavy hair. “Our relationship can’t see the light of day.”

Xu Yan froze, then muttered softly, “That’s not why…”

Wen Sinian hitched him higher in his arms. “Then why?”

The way he was being held left Xu Yan lightheaded, as if he’d been thrown into a sauna—his entire body burned, his palms damp with sweat. He was sure he was about to spontaneously combust.

“Nothing,” he protested weakly. “Let me down.”

Wen Sinian wasn’t about to let go. Calmly, he reasoned, “When you were clinging to me earlier, did I push you away?”

Xu Yan faltered. “I just held your arm, and that was because I was scared—”

Wen Sinian nosed at his hair, inhaling his sweet scent. “I like holding you like this. Besides, how do you know I wasn’t scared too?”

Xu Yan thought he was talking nonsense—there hadn’t been a single trace of fear in Wen Sinian earlier.

“Baby,” Wen Sinian breathed against his neck, his voice barely-there. “I really like you.”

The ticklish warmth had Xu Yan squirming, but a firm hand cradled the back of his head, pulling him closer.

The words vibrated against his hair. “I liked you before we met. And now that I’ve seen you, I like you even more. You’re even prettier than I imagined. That’s why I was scared the moment I first saw you.”

Xu Yan leaned back, his supple waist curving into an impossible arc.

If not for the hand supporting him, he would've toppled backward by now.

Trapped against Wen Sinian like an overgrown, clingy puppy, helpless to resist, Xu Yan could only tremble and ask, “Scared of what?”

The moment the words left his lips, the briefest press of lips brushed against his neck—soft, damp, and gone in an instant.

Wen Sinian finally lifted his head, his imposing silhouette dominating the darkness.

“You’re my first love, baby.”

The melancholy in his voice rendered Xu Yan speechless.

He hadn’t expected Wen Sinian to have never been in a relationship before.

“How is that possible?” The question escaped him before he could stop it.

The school forums were overflowing with rumors about Wen Sinian—who'd believe he’d never dated.

“Why not?” Wen Sinian countered. “My home life’s complicated, and I’ve got… baggage. You know that. Who would want me?”

Xu Yan did know about his circumstances, but—

Wen Sinian continued, “But I like you so much that I can’t refuse anything you say. When you wanted to break up, I was terrified. I couldn’t sleep for days. I could only use this chance to plead for this meeting, hoping you’d change your mind.”

He sighed softly. “But it seems like you really do hate me.”

Xu Yan had never seen this vulnerable side of Wen Sinian. Shock gave way to an odd, constricting ache in his chest.

“I don’t hate you,” he murmured. “I just… we’re not compatible.”

Hearing the hesitation, Wen Sinian pressed, “How? Tell me exactly what’s wrong.”

Xu Yan opened his mouth, then closed it. Without revealing his true identity, there was no way to explain.

Misreading his silence as acquiescence, Wen Sinian grinned and kissed his cheek, his tone light. “See? You can’t even say it. No one’s more perfect for me than you.”

Xu Yan gasped, covering his cheek as his ears flamed. “Y-You can’t just kiss me like that!”

Wen Sinian only leaned closer, his hot breath fanning across Xu Yan’s lips. “Didn’t I say we’re still together? Can’t I kiss you here too?”

Xu Yan slapped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide. “No!”

Unfazed, Wen Sinian brushed his lips against Xu Yan’s knuckles. “No?”

“Baby.”

“I’m your boyfriend. Kissing me is normal.”

“Just one, okay?”

Xu Yan’s mind was reeling. He shook his head frantically, on the verge of tears. “No, no… We’re breaking up… We can’t…”

Wen Sinian watched the glistening wetness in his eyes and coaxed, “We’ll break up after.”

Xu Yan stared blankly. “What?”

Wen Sinian said matter-of-factly, “We haven’t even done what couples do. How can we say we’ve dated? If we’ve never dated, how can we break up?”

Xu Yan was so flustered he could barely think. This was his first love too, completely inexperienced in relationships, so he could only ask tearfully, "Is that really how it is?"

Wen Sinian replied without missing a beat, "Mhm."

Xu Yan thought that if it was just a quick kiss, it would surely be as fast as when Wen Sinian had kissed his cheek earlier.

Close his eyes, and it’d be over in less than a second.

So he shut his eyes and compromised, saying, "Then… make it quick…"

Wen Sinian chuckled, lifting him up and pulling him close.

His lips were glossy like fruit jelly, slightly sweet with lip balm, the peach scent he’d detected earlier still lingering.

Like ripe fruit waiting to be picked.

Wen Sinian could faintly see his fluttering lashes and growled in a low, rough voice as he leaned in, "Baby."

Xu Yan peeked through barely parted lashes, feeling the warm breath right at his lips.

"Open your mouth."

Confused but anxious to be done, Xu Yan shyly parted his lips just a tiny bit.

But the man before him still seemed unsatisfied and demanded further, "Let me taste your tongue."

Xu Yan hesitated—was all this really necessary for just a kiss?

He started to regret it. "Maybe we should just forget it—"

Before he could finish, his words were swallowed by the sudden press of hot lips.

The tip of his tongue, revealed when he spoke, was now captured, tangled, and sucked into the other’s mouth.

This was no innocent little kiss—Xu Yan was devoured mercilessly.

This kiss carried an undeniable sense of punishment, as if he were being punished for suggesting a breakup.

He couldn’t breathe, his wrists restrained behind his back. Every gasp just brought more of Wen's breath into his lungs.

Tears welled up uncontrollably, and when the kisses grew too rough, he let out small, pitiful whimpers—only to be met with even more relentless intensity.

By the time he was finally released, he was lightheaded, lungs aching, and had to be patted on the back just to steady his breathing.

Xu Yan panted desperately, his tongue still hanging out, dazed, swollen from attention.

The glossy balm had long been licked away, replaced by a wet sheen.

He collapsed bonelessly against Wen Sinian’s chest, head spinning from oxygen deprivation.

His skirt had ridden up to who-knows-where, his legs weak and trembling.

Blinking, his lashes damp, he hiccuped between sniffles and whimpered, "Break up… I—I want to break up with you…"

Wen Sinian only laughed and kissed his already swollen lips again. "Say it again, baby."

Xu Yan wiped his wet mouth on Wen Sinian’s shirt and repeated louder, "I said, we’re breaking up—mmph—!"

His lips were sealed once more.

*Not thorough enough earlier*, Wen Sinian thought.

They still had two hours left in the room—plenty of time to take his time.

*

When the door finally cracked open, the room was dark, two shadowy figures standing inside.

Xu Yan was fuming. From the moment he’d been dragged out of bed, he hadn’t spoken a single word to Wen Sinian.

His dress and hair had been neatly fixed, but he was still furious.

They’d agreed on *one* kiss, yet he’d been pinned down and kissed in every possible way for the entire duration of a movie. His lips and tongue were numb, his whole body burning.

And worst of all—he’d come here to break up, but not only had that failed, their relationship had somehow grown even more intimate.

Wen Sinian insisted they needed to meet at least *three* times before he’d seriously consider ending things.

This wasn’t what Xu Yan had expected—he’d thought he’d walk out of here a free man today.

Eventually, Wen Sinian compromised, reducing it to *two* meetings. Just one more, and it’d be over. Reluctantly, Xu Yan agreed.

Wen Sinian placed his own cap on Xu Yan’s head, tugging the brim low to hide his flushed, thoroughly kissed lips.

He’d wanted to walk him back to campus, but Xu Yan refused outright. So Wen Sinian wrapped him in his jacket instead, the oversized fabric covering him down to his thighs, keeping him warm.

Xu Yan kept his head down, straightening his garter straps—Wen Sinian had tugged at them *on purpose* earlier, nearly tearing them off. *Utterly without shame.*

Wen Sinian lounged against the wall, watching him.

Swamped in his clothes, Xu Yan looked so small, his waist so narrow it could be spanned by one hand.

Unable to resist, Wen Sinian tilted his chin up and kissed him again.

In the dim hallway light, Xu Yan felt the hot tongue slip between his lips and pushed him back in surprise—only for his bag to drop with a *thud*.

In a fury, he pounded Wen Sinian’s chest, shooting him a watery glare.

Wen Sinian picked up the bag, then took Xu Yan’s hand and pressed a tender kiss to it. "Check if anything broke."

Xu Yan opened the bag—his phone screen was cracked, glowing green when turned on, the display now unreadable.

His lips trembled; he was fighting back tears.

Wen Sinian knew how much he treasured his belongings. Taking the phone, he inspected it—a dinosaur of a phone, probably sluggish. Way past due for replacement.

Finally, Xu Yan spoke, his tiny, accusing voice as he looked up pitifully, "This is all your doing."

"All my fault," Wen Sinian agreed, pulling out his own phone. "How about hubby trades phones with you?"

Xu Yan froze, flustered by the term *"hubby"* and the sight of Wen Sinian transferring their SIM cards before placing a pristine flagship phone into his palm.

"The passcode is 0914. All payment passwords too—use it however you like, baby." Wen Sinian pulled him close by the waist, his thumb catching his tear-damp lashes before kissing them. "I’ll upgrade you again next time."

Xu Yan handed the phone back to him: "I don't want yours."

Wen Sinian took it, opened the camera with one hand while pinching Xu Yan's cheeks with the other, squeezing them into a chubby shape before leaning in to nip lightly—simultaneously pressing the shutter button.

Xu Yan's eyes widened in shock and confusion as he stared at the screen.

*Click—*

The flash lit up abruptly, capturing their intimate moment in the frame.

Xu Yan quickly pulled away, rubbing his cheek with the back of his hand.

This guy was such a dog—always biting his lips or his face.

Wen Sinian glanced at the photo, smugly squinting, then tapped the screen a few times before showing it to Xu Yan.

Xu Yan was stunned: "Y-you—change it back. Now."

He had actually set that photo as the lock screen…

Wen Sinian slipped the phone into Xu Yan's bag: "I set a password. You can’t change it, so just deal with it, baby. I’ll check next time we meet."

Xu Yan tried but couldn’t change it, pouting in frustration as he wondered what password Wen Sinian had set.

Wen Sinian thought he was ridiculously cute, his pulse racing with the urge to kiss him again.

Remembering how Xu Yan had tearfully complained about his tongue hurting, he gritted his teeth and settled for a peck on the cheek instead.

Unable to guess the password, Xu Yan glared at him resentfully: "I’m leaving."

With that, he yanked the door open to leave.

Wen Sinian gently caught his wrist, pulling him back and pressing him against the wall before leaning in with a teasing smile: "Aren’t you gonna say bye to your husband?"

Xu Yan jerked back like he’d been burned, trying to yank his hand free, but Wen Sinian only tightened his grip.

Through gritted teeth, he muttered two barely audible words: "Goodbye..."

Wen Sinian smirked wider: "Who are you saying goodbye to?"

Xu Yan bit his lip, refusing to answer.

Wen Sinian pulled him into a triumphant hug: "Baby doesn’t want to go back to school tonight, right? Stay at my place, okay?"

Xu Yan almost jumped out of his skin, murmuring in a rush: "H-husband… bye..."

Wen Sinian released him, smiling: "Goodbye, baby."

Not waiting another second, Xu Yan yanked the door open and took off without looking back.