Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Dinner was almost missed.

Before the other two returned from class, Wen Sinian finally released Xu Yan and led him out of the dorm.

They didn’t eat near the school, opting instead for a private restaurant a bit further away.

It was members-only, so there weren’t many people. They sat by the window, eating quietly.

This was their first official date since they started dating, and Xu Yan was a little nervous, too embarrassed to look up, but he could constantly feel the intense gaze from across the table.

Wen Sinian barely touched his own food. After cutting Xu Yan’s steak for him, he simply watched him eat.

When Xu Yan was almost finished, he slid his own plate over.

Xu Yan waved his hand. “I’m stuffed, I can’t eat anymore.”

Wen Sinian still placed it in front of him. “You’re too skinny, baby. Just a couple more bites.”

Every time he held him, he was afraid to use too much force, worried he might crush him in his arms.

Xu Yan obediently lowered his head and ate two more bites of steak. After swallowing, he quickly wiped his mouth. “Okay.”

Two bites meant two bites—not a single one more.

Wen Sinian watched his lips, red from being wiped. Even slightly larger pieces of meat were too big for him to eat.

His mouth was small, and his stomach was small too.

After finishing the rest of the food, the two left the restaurant.

They drove back to the dormitory building. Once parked, Xu Yan unbuckled his seatbelt and prepared to get out.

Before his hand could reach the car door, someone tugged his arm from behind. He was pulled backward, and Wen Sinian caught him firmly, with a soft chuckle.

“Baby, throwing yourself into my arms?”

It was clearly Wen Sinian who had pulled Xu Yan into his embrace on purpose. Xu Yan patted his shoulder and glanced out the windshield.

“People might see.”

It was almost 10 p.m., and many students were returning to their dorms. The area was busy with students, and even though the black car was parked in the shadows under a tree with dark-tinted windows, if anyone deliberately peeked through the front glass, they could still see their compromising position.

Wen Sinian not only didn’t let go but pulled him even closer. Xu Yan’s upper body twisted onto the driver’s seat. Fortunately, his waist was flexible enough to bend into such an angle.

Wen Sinian lowered his head and gently brushed his nose against Xu Yan’s, murmuring, “Baby, how about not going back tonight?”

Xu Yan didn’t understand. “Then where would we go? The dorm has a curfew in an hour.”

“Stay at my place. No lights-out or curfew,” Wen Sinian suggested. “Why not move out of the dorm? You can have any room you want.”

Xu Yan actually considered it seriously before rejecting the idea. “But your place is so far from school. It’d be inconvenient for my classes.”

Wen Sinian: “No one knows your schedule better than I do. I’ll drive you every day.”

Xu Yan kept shaking his head. “That’d be too much trouble for you. You have your own things to do.”

He sounded so obedient that Wen Sinian couldn’t resist kissing his lips. “Nothing is more important than you, baby. I want to see you every day. Okay?”

Xu Yan was melted by the sweet talk. In the past, he could never have imagined Wen Sinian saying such affectionate things.

Even if Wen Sinian was just saying it to make him happy, it still made him feel incredibly cherished, as if he were the most precious treasure in the world, making him feel unique and priceless.

Wen Sinian continued, “Or I could buy you a car. Which brand do you like?”

Xu Yan was shocked and shook his head again. “I don’t even have a license…”

He didn’t own a car and had never even thought about buying one. Cars were money pits, so he hadn’t even considered getting a license.

“It’s fine. Buy it first, then learn slowly,” Wen Sinian said, as if he’d already made up his mind. “I’ll have someone look for a suitable one.”

Seeing him about to call someone, Xu Yan was stunned by his decisiveness and quickly covered his phone. “Don’t buy it for me.”

Wen Sinian put his phone down and looked at him. “What’s wrong?”

Xu Yan: “I think staying in the dorm is more convenient. And cars are too expensive. You just gave me a camera—stop being so extravagant.”

Money didn’t grow on trees.

Wen Sinian set his phone aside, wrapped both arms around Xu Yan’s waist, and lifted him over the center console onto the driver’s seat, positioning him to straddle his lap.

Xu Yan gave a small yelp, instantly pulled into an embrace, pressed flush against him.

The car’s interior was cramped. He was tightly locked in by arms like iron bands, unable to move.

There was friction through their clothes.

He couldn’t even straighten up, just tilted his head back to look at Wen Sinian.

Wen Sinian lifted him slightly with his thighs, watching his adorably squished look, and couldn’t bring himself to let go.

His breath warm against his lips, he murmured, “Don’t you want to live with me, baby?”

Xu Yan really hadn’t thought it through. Things were already moving fast—was moving in together already?

Something about it felt off, and a quiet worry nagged at him.

“How about… you move back into the dorm instead?” Xu Yan’s eyes crinkled as he thought of a brilliant solution. “That way, we can still see each other every day.”

Wen Sinian smiled. “You want to see me every day?”

Xu Yan thought for a moment, then looked away shyly and nodded.

Finally satisfied with his response, Wen Sinian cupped the back of his head and teased his slightly parted lips.

“As you wish.”

Asking Xu Yan to agree to move in now was too much. If he wanted to see him more often, he’d have to move back into the dorm for a while.

Xu Yan didn’t speak again—his lips were already being sucked and nibbled, kissed more tenderly than ever.

His body gradually softened, no longer needing to be held in place. His arms were lifted to wrap around Wen Sinian’s neck, pressing them even closer together.

Wen Sinian kissed him passionately, nibbling at his soft, wet lips. One hand held the back of his head while the other traced soothing circles along his slender back.

Like petting a contented kitten in his arms, he listened to the soft sounds escaping Xu Yan’s throat, watching his fluttering eyelids.

Wen Sinian drew back slightly, looking down at him.

Xu Yan’s mind wandered, his spirit soaring into the clouds. His entire being felt weightless, as if hovering above the car roof, gazing dazedly at his own body nestled in the man's embrace.

Was that really his body? Why did it feel so light, emptied by a yawning void inside? Unconsciously, he licked his lips, catching the taste of glistening strands.

He didn’t even want the kiss to end.

Wen Sinian spoke, pulling his wandering soul back into his arms.

"You like it that much, baby?"

Kissed so hard his vision blurred.

So pure—if pushed further, would he pass out?

Xu Yan’s lips parted slightly, exhaling softly.

Wen Sinian lifted him, pressing his upper body against the steering wheel, an arm braced behind his back as he kissed him deeper, harder.

Xu Yan had thought it was over, only to realize it was just the beginning of another round.

His head tipped back, overwhelmed.

He was wearing a high collar today, now tugged down carelessly, exposing his pale, vulnerable throat.

The car’s interior was sweltering, enough to set everything ablaze. Xu Yan felt like he was melting.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the window. Xu Yan startled awake, his mind snapping back to clarity as he pushed feebly at Wen Sinian’s chest.

"S-Someone’s there..."

Wen Sinian reluctantly straightened his clothes and glanced outside.

Li Huaiche’s face was smooshed against the window, peering in.

Unable to see clearly, he moved to the front of the car, trying to spot if anyone was inside.

Xu Yan nearly jumped out of his skin. Before Wen Sinian could react, he slipped down between his thighs, crouching at his feet, then hastily grabbed the suit jacket beside him and threw it over his head.

He peeked out and hissed, "Don’t let him find me here..."

Then he ducked back under.

Wen Sinian could feel the warm, squirming weight between his legs.

He drew a slow breath and patted the head between his knees.

"Stay still."

The figure beneath him went still.

Li Huaiche reached the front of the car and spotted Wen Sinian through the windshield, sitting in the driver’s seat.

His glare was frosty, sharp enough to skewer him.

Li Huaiche suddenly hesitated.

Wen Sinian cracked the window open. "Something wrong?"

Li Huaiche: "Nah, Wen-ge, just spotted your car downstairs and wanted to say hi. Why are you still at school so late?"

Wen Sinian: "Waiting for someone."

Li Huaiche: "Who? Need me to go up and call them for you?"

Wen Sinian purposefully nudged his knee, bumping against a soft cheek. At the tiny, muffled gasp, the corner of his lips curled up.

"Xu Yan."

The person beneath the seat tensed instantly, his body stiffening slightly. The jacket-covered head shifted slightly, as if desperate to emerge but forced to hold back.

Li Huaiche chimed in helpfully, "Why not call Yan Yan directly? He doesn’t have class tonight—should be in the dorm. I’m going back up now, want me to get him for you? Just wait a bit."

"Sure," Wen Sinian said. "Thanks."

Li Huaiche hurried into the dorm building. Wen Sinian raised the window but remained seated with his legs apart.

Xu Yan listened for a while—no voices. Cautiously, he peeked out from under the suit jacket, only to find Wen Sinian leaning back in his seat, watching him with a smirk.

Xu Yan’s cheeks were still flushed, his eyes glistening in the dim light as he curled up, glaring up at him. "You lied."

He was literally in the car, yet Wen Sinian had effortlessly claimed to be waiting for him.

Wen Sinian reached out, thumb brushing his cheek.

The way his lips parted slightly, letting his face be manhandled, unable to close properly—

It was impossible not to think dirty thoughts.

Wen Sinian leaned down, breath warm against his skin, watching him silently.

The cryptic look unnerved Xu Yan, a shiver crawling down his back.

Then, he was lifted by the waist and hauled back onto Wen Sinian’s lap.

"Baby, if you pull this again, I won’t go easy on you. Understand?"

Xu Yan didn’t get what he’d done. "Got it..."

Wen Sinian pecked him as a reward. "Good boy. Stay in the dorm for me. I’ll move back soon to stay with you, okay?"

Xu Yan nodded hastily.

Ten minutes before lights-out, Xu Yan slipped out the driver’s side.

Only after he entered the dorm building did the car slowly drive away.

Xu Yan staggered back, legs shaky, face flushed.

Not wanting his roommate to notice, he headed straight for the bathroom to wash up.

Li Huaiche called from outside, "Yan Yan, Wen-ge was waiting for you downstairs earlier. Did you see him when you came up?"

Xu Yan’s voice called from the bathroom. "Yeah..."

Li Huaiche: "Good. I thought you’d be in the dorm since you didn’t have class. I even offered to fetch you for Wen-ge, but turns out you were out too. Nothing urgent, right?"

Xu Yan emerged, face still damp. "Just wanted to discuss some filming stuff."

Li Huaiche bought it completely, even offering to help whenever Xu Yan needed assistance with his shoots.

With the equipment given by Wen Sinian, Xu Yan and his team no longer needed to borrow from the school.

When Shen Nanli found out, he was completely stunned and also saw their relationship in a new light.

They couldn’t tell Zhao Qingji the truth, so they simply said they had borrowed it from another friend.

The remaining scenes only needed about another week of sporadic filming, after which the main tasks would be editing, dubbing, and special effects.

During every shoot, Xu Yan maintained an appropriate distance from Wen Sinian in public—not too cold, lest Wen Sinian find a way to get payback from him later, but also not too affectionate, lest he ask for even greater favors.

It was a tricky balancing act, but Xu Yan gradually mastered it.

Wen Sinian went along good-naturedly with all his requests, except for occasionally pulling him aside during breaks to kiss him in out-of-the-way corners or keeping him alone in the car under the excuse of talking business when dropping them off at the dorm at night—only to hold him on his lap, kissing and touching him until nearly curfew before letting him go.

Even after returning to bed at night, Wen Sinian kept pestering him, either calling or video calling him. A few times, Xu Yan fell asleep mid-conversation, only to wake up and find the call still connected the next morning.

He softly whispered into the phone, "Good morning."

Thinking Wen Sinian wouldn’t hear, he was startled when a low chuckle came through the next second.

"Good morning, baby."

Xu Yan rolled out of bed and began preparing for the last day of shooting.

Lin Xingxian had promised to help, but unexpectedly, he brought Chen Xun along as well.

Having all three of them appear in the same short film was rare, and Xu Yan had already envisioned the final shots in his mind, so the filming went smoothly.

That evening, the group went out for a celebratory dinner to celebrate wrapping Xu Yan’s short film.

As usual, Xu Yan and Wen Sinian sat together—after all, it wasn’t unusual for the director and male lead to be close.

The busiest person at the table was Lin Xingxian, who had organized the gathering and was also responsible for keeping the atmosphere lively. But seeing his best friend totally lovestruck, barely speaking a word to anyone else while his eyes remained glued to Xu Yan, made him fume.

How could such a pure, kind, talented, and beautiful junior get tangled up with this obsessive guy??

Lin Xingxian squeezed past Li Huaiche and sat next to Xu Yan. After some hesitation, he suddenly whispered in his ear, "Wen Sinian is sick."

Xu Yan nearly choked on his juice.

Lin Xingxian looked deadpan serious. "I know about you two, but don’t worry—I haven’t told anyone. It’s just between us."

Xu Yan nervously glanced at Wen Sinian, who was talking to Chen Xun, but then felt a reassuring squeeze on his hand under the table, which inexplicably calmed him.

Blinking, Xu Yan whispered back, "Then promise me you won’t tell anyone else."

Lin Xingxian nodded solemnly. "Don’t worry."

Inside, however, his mind was blown. He had only been testing the waters, never expecting to actually uncover something!

They were really together?!

Xu Yan asked, "Did you just say he’s sick?"

Lin Xingxian: "He hasn’t told you?"

Xu Yan: "He mentioned it before, but I didn’t press for details because I thought he might not want to talk about it. Sick people probably don’t like others prying."

Lin Xingxian nodded. "That’s true, but you’re his boyfriend now—you’re the closest person to him. Besides, he can’t hide it from you forever. You’ll find out eventually."

Xu Yan grew even more confused. "Can you explain it more clearly?"

Lin Xingxian thought for a moment. "Probably not. I like living."

Seeing Xu Yan frown in deep thought, Lin Xingxian couldn’t help but hint, "He goes to boxing practice often, right? That’s a way to vent. You get it?"

Xu Yan nodded. "I understand. When stress builds up, people need an outlet. Otherwise, it’ll eat them up inside."

Lin Xingxian patted his shoulder. "You’ve grasped part of it, but not all. You two haven’t slept together yet?"

The bluntness of the question made Xu Yan’s pale face turn bright red. His hand was gently squeezed, and he noticed Wen Sinian watching him, though he couldn’t tell if he’d overheard their conversation.

Judging by Xu Yan’s reaction, Lin Xingxian guessed they probably hadn’t—otherwise, Xu Yan wouldn’t look so clueless.

Wen Sinian leaned closer. "What are you talking about?"

Lin Xingxian almost had a heart attack. If Wen Sinian found out what he’d been saying to Xu Yan, he’d be a dead man.

"Just chatting. I told Yan Yan what a great match you are," Lin Xingxian said quickly. "But if you don’t want to go public, you should probably keep it low-key."

Wen Sinian leaned back, his position practically surrounding Xu Yan, his fingers still entwined with the smaller, softer hand—so delicate it felt boneless, he could shape it however he wanted.

"Not low-key enough?"

It wasn’t like they were kissing in public.

Lin Xingxian got goosebumps at the palpable chemistry between them. He’d never seen Wen Sinian in a relationship before, and now he understood why.

It was terrifying.

After the dinner, Xu Yan returned to the dorm and quickly divided up the work with Shen Nanli and Zhao Qingji. They would each do a first edit of the footage before compiling it for Xu Yan to refine, aiming to finish before the course deadline.

After washing up, he turned on his laptop and imported all the footage, ready to start the first pass.

Zhao Qingji, brushing his teeth, stood beside him and watched for a while before remarking in surprise, "Your laptop looks pretty old, but it’s running the edits so smoothly—no lag at all. Must have great specs?"

Xu Yan: "It used to have issues, but after getting it repaired once, it became super fast."

Zhao Qingji: "That’s weird. Mind if I check it out?"

Xu Yan moved aside. "Sure."

Zhao Qingji tested out the laptop for a bit, amazed at how smoothly it performed. He had some knowledge about computers, so he checked the system properties and ran a few commands to inspect the hardware. Then he understood.

"No wonder. Your laptop just has an old case—all the internal components have been replaced with high-end components. It’s a ridiculously pricey model, usually only used by game developers. Using it just for video editing is overkill for our needs."

Xu Yan was stunned. "Really? Which model is it?"

Zhao Qingji took out his phone, searched, and showed him. "Probably this one. Over twenty thousand."

Only then did Xu Yan realize why his laptop had worked like new after being "repaired" at Wen Sinian’s studio. Twenty thousand yuan—yet Wen Sinian had said it only cost a couple hundred, and in the end, hadn’t even charged him, taking only a cup of instant coffee as payment.

And back then, Wen Sinian hadn’t even known he was Yan Yan. Why had he treated him so well from the start?

Xu Yan couldn’t understand—until his phone vibrated with a WeChat notification.

"Hubby": Baby, come down.

Xu Yan's heart skipped a beat. It had been almost an hour since the dinner ended, and he had personally seen Wen Sinian's car leave. What was it doing back?

Gripping his phone, he burst out the door without a second thought.

Exiting the dormitory building, he spotted the familiar black car parked under the tree in its usual spot.

He couldn't help smiling, ran over, yanked the door open, and climbed inside.

As soon as the door shut, a hand gently grasped the back of his neck.

Xu Yan melted as he turned to look.

Wen Sinian looked him over. He must have just finished washing up, already changed into cotton pajamas, his body smelling of fruity shampoo. His damp bangs were slightly wet, clinging softly to his fair, delicate face.

Wen Sinian didn’t move, saying, "Come here."

They’d done this in the car before—private and convenient, the confined space trapping him between the steering wheel and Wen Sinian’s chest, leaving no escape.

Xu Yan had been left shaking more than once. Now, his initially smiling face reflexively tensed at those words, his neck instinctively shrinking back. But after a couple of soothing squeezes from that large hand, he obediently lifted his legs over the center console and climbed onto Wen Sinian’s lap.

Before he could press closer, Xu Yan braced a hand against his chest, trying to reason with him.

"Not so rough today," he whined. "My tongue's still sore..."

His tongue wasn't indestructible—too much and it really would wear out.

Wen Sinian stroked his chin. "Let me see—stick it out."

Xu Yan parted his lips slightly, the tip of his tongue peeking out.

He watched as Wen Sinian pulled out a wet wipe, meticulously cleaning his hands in front of him, utterly baffled about what he intended to do.

The next second, he suddenly felt the tip of his tongue gently pinched between two slender fingers.

He whimpered as both his hands were seized, pinned against his chest, his back pressed against the steering wheel.

If he lowered his gaze even slightly, he’d see exactly how thoroughly he was being examined.

Satisfied he hadn’t damaged him, Wen Sinian rubbed his fingertips lightly before releasing him.

His long fingers were wet.

Xu Yan’s lips remained slightly parted, his clothes rumpled, the hem riding up and his collar askew, revealing a glimpse of collarbone. He looked dazed for a moment.

Wen Sinian leaned down, licking the corner of his lips—sweet and fruity.

Then he tugged Xu Yan’s hem up and tucked it between his parted lips.

"Baby."

Wen Sinian lowered his head. "Hold it there."