Chapter 59

Chapter 59

There was a lounge on the yacht’s lower deck, and Wen Sinian carried him down after a while.

The captain, ever perceptive, had already retreated to the cockpit, feigning sleep.

Xu Yan bit his lip, refusing to make a sound, his whole body feeling molten, as if scorched by fire.

After several consecutive days without proper rest, his body was completely spent.

Fortunately, Wen Sinian was uncommonly tender tonight. The small window in the lounge was open, allowing them to still see the dazzling starry sky in the distance.

Wen Sinian leaned against the headboard, still fully clothed, and had Xu Yan straddle his hips.

Xu Yan had little strength left; the waistband of his pants pressed into the backs of his knees, and the garters hugging his thighs left angry red marks on his soft flesh.

Wen Sinian had put them on him before they left. Too weak to sit upright, Xu Yan slumped into Wen Sinian’s arms, his chin caught between fingers as he was turned to look out the small window at the night view.

A salty breeze wafted in through the window, the boat swaying gently along with it.

Wen Sinian traced slow circles on his back, occasionally pressing a hand to the back of his head to massage it, listening to the breathy little noises from the boy in his arms, as if he were being coaxed into comfort.

Cupping his face to lift it, Wen Sinian saw his eyes slightly narrowed, a blissed-out look on his face.

With a low chuckle, Wen Sinian leaned in closer and asked, "Do you like this?"

Xu Yan’s mind swam, like a small fish tossed into the waves.

Boneless, he rocked gently along with the motion.

Unable to speak, he gave a faint nod.

This gentleness was good—he wouldn’t gasp for air, wouldn’t end up drooling, wouldn’t black out with his eyes fluttering shut.

Wen Sinian asked again, "Then, do you like me?"

Xu Yan thought, *Didn’t I already say it earlier? Why ask again?*

But he nodded all the same.

Wen Sinian, however, wasn’t satisfied. Purposefully hiking his knee upward, he teased, "Say it, baby."

Xu Yan was startled, his breath hitching as his fingers weakly clutched at Wen Sinian’s shirt. Trembling, he exhaled shakily, tears pricking his eyes.

*It was fine just now—why does he have to bully me like this?*

*Total bastard. Absolute menace.*

Yet he obediently opened his mouth and breathed, "I… I like you…"

Wen Sinian pressed closer to kiss him. "Speak up, sweetheart. Louder, okay?"

Xu Yan couldn’t take it anymore. Meeting his gaze, he repeated slowly, syllable by syllable, "I like you… I like you… I… I like… you…"

He said it several times, his voice breaking toward the end with barely restrained hitches.

Finally satisfied, Wen Sinian kissed his lips and smiled. "I like you too, my good boy."

The night sky was clear, the sea breeze faint.

Xu Yan lay in the scorching embrace, floaty and spent.

There was no proper shower in the cabin, and they hadn’t brought spare clothes—after all, they had genuinely only planned to go stargazing.

Wen Sinian took out wet wipes and carefully cleaned him up.

The cool touch against his skin roused Xu Yan from his half-asleep state, and he gave a feeble kick in protest.

Wen Sinian caught his ankle, refusing to let him escape, then dressed him once he was done.

Now fully awake, Xu Yan heard Wen Sinian ask, "Want to go back up and take a look?"

After a moment’s thought, Xu Yan nodded and lifted his arms, waiting to be carried.

*It’s his fault my legs are too weak to walk anyway.*

Wen Sinian took him back up to the deck, where they lay on the loungers to stargaze.

Xu Yan recalled the constellations Wen Sinian had taught him earlier, lifting a hand to connect the dots in the sky with his fingertip.

Suddenly, Wen Sinian reached up as well, catching his hand midair.

Before Xu Yan could react, he felt something cold around the base of his left ring finger.

Looking down, he saw a ring as dazzling as the Milky Way now circling his finger.

Xu Yan was dumbstruck. Turning his head, he asked, "What’s this?"

Wen Sinian held up his own hand beside his. The rings they wore were a set, but upon closer inspection, their engravings weren’t identical.

When their fingers intertwined, the edges of the rings locked together perfectly, like puzzle pieces.

"Don’t recognize it?" Wen Sinian teased.

Of course Xu Yan knew what a ring was. "I mean… is this for me?"

Wen Sinian threaded their fingers together, his palm warm against his.

"It’s for you. The size fits perfectly."

He had had it custom-made right after their first offline meeting. The production had taken a long time—because it had to be made as a matching pair with his own, it had required considerable effort. The final price cost as much as two Cartier lighters.

But Wen Sinian had no intention of letting him know any of that.

"Keep it safe," Wen Sinian pressed a kiss to the band on his finger, "and don’t take it off without my permission."

Xu Yan nodded obediently, looking back and forth between his own ring and Wen Sinian’s.

They actually had matching rings now, and they looked right together on their hands.

With a smile, he said, "This feels like a wedding ring."

Wen Sinian’s throat worked, his breath coming faster. "Baby, will you marry me?"

Xu Yan froze, a flush creeping up his neck belatedly. "We… we can’t get married."

Wen Sinian said low, "We can abroad. If you don’t want to leave the country, we can even do it digitally—just need recent photos, passports, an application form, and two witnesses. The process isn’t complicated. We’ll get you a passport sorted first when we’re back. If you want the full experience, we can wait for the visa and go straight to the U.S."

Xu Yan was stunned. He had only been joking, but Wen Sinian was completely serious—and from how well he knew the steps, it seemed he had already looked into it.

Seeing Xu Yan remain silent, Wen Sinian tightened his grip around his waist: "What do you say, baby?"

Xu Yan couldn’t help but gasp lightly before finding his voice again: "I... I haven’t thought that far ahead at all... I haven’t even graduated, and I’ve never really considered marriage. You’re springing this on me—I haven’t had time to think it through."

Wen Sinian fell silent for a moment. He’d been too hasty. It hadn’t been long since they had revealed their identities to each other, and they hadn’t even settled the matter of living together yet. Bringing up marriage so abruptly must have startled him.

He should have held back. But hearing Xu Yan mention wedding rings, combined with the romantic mood tonight, he had momentarily lost control.

"Alright, you can take as long as you need to think it over," Wen Sinian conceded again. "But after we go back, move out of the dorm, okay? Come live with me—it’ll be much more convenient than staying there."

As he spoke, he lifted Xu Yan’s chin and leaned in to kiss him slowly, savoring the softness of his lips, whispering coaxingly.

"Okay, baby?"

"Don’t you want to sleep with your husband every night?"

"Any homework you can’t finish, I can help you with."

"Only being able to see you in the dorm every night is pure agony for me. Do you really want to see your husband suffer so much from missing you?"

"Baby, baby."

"Please? Hmm?"

Not only were his lips glistening from the kisses, but Xu Yan also unconsciously clenched his thighs, panting through his nose.

Wen Sinian spoke in such a low, pleading tone, as if he genuinely longed for him to move in.

Xu Yan thought of several reasons to refuse, but when the words reached his lips, his heart softened, and he couldn’t bring himself to say any of them. In the end, he could only mumble weakly, "Okay... fine..."

Then he added, "But I get to choose which room I stay in."

Wen Sinian had already gotten the answer he wanted. Any other small requests were easy to accommodate. "Sure."

Then he shifted his grip on Xu Yan and kissed him leisurely.

But in his mind, he was already planning to arrange the move as soon as they returned.

*

They didn’t go back to the lounge. Instead, Wen Sinian held him on the deck, watching the stars all night.

In truth, Xu Yan fell asleep on him not long after. Wen Sinian wrapped his jacket around him, the hem even covering his little butt.

He had been exhausted these past few days, so Wen Sinian didn’t disturb him, simply holding him without moving.

In the morning, they watched the sunrise over the sea before returning to the hotel to sleep some more.

It was the most peaceful sleep Xu Yan had since arriving in Hong Kong. Though they shared the same bed, he wasn’t pulled into another round.

He slept straight through for over ten hours, waking up only on their last day in the city.

Today, Wen Sinian finally took pity and allowed Xu Yan to go out and meet people.

In the morning, Zheng Yao, Shen Nanli, and the others gathered downstairs, ready to set out, when they finally saw the two emerge from upstairs one after the other. The sight was strange to the rest of the group.

"Yan Yan, you’ve finally recovered," Shen Nanli said, looking at him. "If you hadn’t come out today, we’d be leaving tomorrow morning—then this whole trip would’ve been a waste for you."

Xu Yan nodded vigorously, as if complaining. "Exactly! I haven’t gotten to do anything yet. I don’t even know what Hong Kong looks like during the day. So today, I’m joining you guys."

Zheng Yao stole a glance at Wen Sinian and, seeing no objection, added, "Welcome back to the team! Today, we’re planning to go to the Luge Park on the island. After that, we’ll get dinner over at Bay Island. The rest of the time, you can go explore separately—shopping, souvenirs, whatever. Just remember to stay safe and message the group when you get back tonight."

The plan sounded perfectly reasonable, and everyone agreed. Soon, they set off together.

But the moment they stepped out of the hotel, Xu Yan felt the heat. The daytime temperature in Hong Kong was over 30°C, and under the scorching sun, he was still dressed in long sleeves and pants, his shirt buttoned all the way to the top, not showing even an inch of skin.

Within a few steps, his cheeks were flushed from heat.

The hand wearing the ring was hidden in his sleeve, completely unnoticed by anyone.

Shen Nanli walked up beside him. "Why are you bundled up so much? Everyone else is in shorts and T-shirts. Do you still have a fever? Do you feel cold?"

Xu Yan shook his head. He had originally put on shorts that morning but quickly changed before leaving—his chest and legs were covered in marks, impossible to show in public. Even his arms had a few, forcing him into long sleeves.

Pouting a little, he had insisted Wen Sinian wear long sleeves and pants too, so he wouldn’t be the only odd one out.

Xiao Xu leaned over. "Are you trying to avoid sunburn? The sun here is relentless. I’ve been using sunscreen, but I’ve still gotten tanned these past few days. At this point, I’ve given up. Here, take my umbrella—your face is already turning red."

Xu Yan took the umbrella with a soft "thanks," opening it to shield himself. It helped a little, but he still felt sweltering.

Worse, the ointment he had applied earlier now felt strange, as if it had melted inside him.

He started worrying whether it might seep through his pants, taking a few steps before sneaking a feel.

Wen Sinian, walking behind the group, noticed Xu Yan’s fidgeting and stepped forward to take the umbrella from him.

Seeing this, Xiao Xu quickly moved aside, subtly observing from a distance.

Wen Sinian naturally walked beside Xu Yan, holding the umbrella for him, the ring now clearly visible, its silver gleam stark against the light.

Leaning in slightly, he asked softly, "What’s wrong?"

Xu Yan’s face was already flushed, but now he shot him a reproachful sidelong glance before whispering back, "The ointment... I told you not to put it on, but you insisted."

Wen Sinian: "I checked this morning—it’s still swollen. The ointment will help it heal faster."

Xu Yan sulked. "But it’s making me uncomfortable."

"Uncomfortable?" Wen Sinian looked at him. "Then why did you get my hand all wet?"

Mortified at the thought of being overheard, Xu Yan wished he could shut him up—better yet, make him stay silent the entire day.

Shen Nanli, of course, caught bits of their conversation. "Yan Yan, did you forget to take your medicine this morning?"

This time, it was Wen Sinian who reported: "I made sure he took it. Now he’s being difficult with me."

Shen Nanli sighed. "Yan Yan, that’s not right. You’re probably not fully recovered yet—you should take your meds. Did you bring them with you?"

Xu Yan was about to say no when Wen Sinian answered for him: "I packed them."

He stared at him in shock, only to see Wen Sinian smile gently. "Did you forget? I brought them for you."

Shen Nanli said, relieved. "Make sure to take them after lunch."

Xu Yan’s legs trembled slightly as he lowered his head, hiding his flaming cheeks. "Mm."

The Luge Park was on a hillside along the coastal road, offering a stunning view of the bay along the way.

Xu Yan loved every minute, though by the time they descended, his face was dripping with sweat, his neck flushed from the heat.

Zheng Yao asked him: "So? Did you have fun?"

"This is awesome!" Xu Yan exclaimed excitedly.

Zheng Yao handed him a bottle of water. "Drink some water. Getting too hot?"

Xu Yan was about to twist the cap open when a hand reached over, smoothly twisting it open for him before handing it back.

He stole a glance at Wen Sinian, signaling him to chill out and not stick so close.

Wen Sinian produced an ice cream like magic, waving it in front of him.

Xu Yan’s eyes instantly lit up, following the ice cream’s movement eagerly.

"Want some?" Wen Sinian asked.

He nodded like crazy, and Wen Sinian peeled off the wrapper before placing it in his hand.

Who cared about keeping up appearances when ice cream was on the line, especially on a sweltering hot day?

Xu Yan happily took a bite, the icy sweetness sending a refreshing chill through him—absolute heaven.

The others gradually gathered at the meeting point. Upon seeing Xu Yan with ice cream, they assumed Zheng Yao had bought it and started whining for their own, urging Zheng Yao to hurry and get more.

Wen Sinian kindly pointed him in the right direction, and Zheng Yao grudgingly went to stand in line.

The downhill shuttle arrived just then. Only Wen Sinian (who wasn’t eating ice cream) and Xu Yan (who was) boarded early.

As the shuttle wound through the woods, the breeze helped cool them off.

The ice cream melted quickly in the sweltering weather, making Xu Yan frantically lick the parts about to drip onto his hand.

Wen Sinian reached over, tucking back the stray hairs sticking to his cheeks before sweeping his bangs back.

His flushed face was now fully exposed—his damp, red lips parted slightly, his tongue sneaking out to catch a bit of the creamy sweetness, savoring it before swallowing.

With only the two of them on the shuttle, Wen Sinian’s gaze darkened. Suddenly, he leaned down and licked the other side of the ice cream in Xu Yan’s hand.

The cool, sweet creaminess flooded his mouth, his throat bobbing as he swallowed—yet it still wasn’t enough.

Holding Xu Yan’s wrist, he licked past his already parted lips, stealing the unswallowed cream from his mouth. He even treated Xu Yan’s chilled, sweet tongue as dessert, making obscenely loud sucking noises.

Xu Yan let out breathy little moans, already accustomed to such sudden invasions, quickly adapting to the onslaught.

But the ice cream melted even faster between them, soon leaving their hands sticky.

After getting off, the ruined ice cream was tossed into a trash bin.

Xu Yan pouted while drinking the iced drink Wen Sinian bought him as a replacement, his tongue still kinda numb.

Lunch was at a hole-in-the-wall spot on the island. Xu Yan made sure to sit far from Wen Sinian, so they actually got through the meal undisturbed.

After eating, the group hung around chatting for a while longer. Wen Sinian excused himself to the bathroom, and soon, Xu Yan received a WeChat message.

"Hubby": The stall at the very end.

"Hubby": Come here.

He knew exactly what Wen Sinian wanted to do and hesitated stubbornly, reluctant to go. Another message popped up.

"Hubby": Should I apply the cream in front of everyone instead?

"Hubby": Be good, baby.

Xu Yan was practically programmed to respond to those words—he jumped up like he'd been shocked.

Shen Nanli startled. "What’s wrong, Yan Yan?"

Xu Yan: "Nothing, I just suddenly need the bathroom."

"Turn left and walk straight to the end."

He hurried off, heading to the last stall. Just as he raised his hand to knock, an arm suddenly reached out, yanking him inside.

Sure enough, Wen Sinian was holding the cream. He unscrewed the cap leisurely, coating his fingers thickly before looking at Xu Yan. "Pants off."

…

When Xu Yan emerged from the bathroom, his face was flushed again.

Wen Sinian had washed his hands for him, and Xu Yan walked back to the table like his legs didn't work right.

The cream did feel cool and soothing, but the process was so embarrassing he wanted to die just thinking about it.

The afternoon was free time. The work crew split into small groups and left first. Zhao Qingji decided to explore alone and left with his backpack.

Only Xu Yan, Wen Sinian, and the painfully obvious third wheel, Shen Nanli, remained.

Shen Nanli hadn’t gotten to spend much time with Xu Yan these past few days. He’d hoped that, since Wen Sinian had hogged him all to himself for so long, maybe he could have the last half-day.

But he never expected the usually generous Wen Sinian to be this petty.

After visiting just two shops in the mall, Shen Nanli couldn’t take it anymore.

These two, knowing he was aware of their relationship, were completely without shame—sneaking hand-holds, secret waist hugs, or suddenly disappearing together.

Ready to cry from frustration, Shen Nanli called Xu Yan, saying he’d go find Zhao Qingji instead, leaving them to enjoy their alone time before quickly flagging down a taxi.

Xu Yan also wanted to cry—he’d wanted to go with Shen Nanli, but Wen Sinian clung to him like a leech, impossible to shake off.

Free from the third wheel’s interference, he was dragged into a high-end store.

Half the store was women’s wear, the other half men’s. Yet they lingered in the women’s section, with Wen Sinian picking out several dresses—slit-up-to-there, barely-there-back, micro-mini—holding each one up to Xu Yan's frame as if imagining how he’d look in them.

Xu Yan hid his face, but when a sales assistant approached, he tugged Wen Sinian’s sleeve, wanting to leave.

The assistant first checked out their outfits, all smiles. "Here to browse? Feel free to try anything you like—"

Only then did she realize they were in the women’s section, holding dresses.

"Are these for your girlfriend, sir?"

Wen Sinian glanced at the person using the clothes as a shield. "Yes."

The assistant added, "The styles you’ve picked are quite body-conscious. Your girlfriend must have a great figure."

Wen Sinian’s gaze raked over Xu Yan’s body appreciatively. "Exceptionally good."

"Do you know her measurements? I can help find the right size."

"Measurements…" Wen Sinian made a show of considering before tilting his chin toward Xu Yan, with a shit-eating grin. "About the same as him."

Xu Yan didn't dare to look up, silently counting the cracks between floor tiles, but still couldn't turn invisible.

The sales assistant approached him with the dresses, holding them up to check the size. "You're pretty slim, sir. Do you usually wear size M?"

When he didn’t respond, Wen Sinian stepped closer, calmly wrapping an arm around his waist in an intimate manner. "It’s polite to answer when someone asks you a question."

Xu Yan’s ears turned beet red, practically steaming.

Unless the sales assistant was blind, they should have realized he was the actual "girlfriend."

He murmured softly, "Mm."

The sales assistant showed no surprise, still smiling brightly. "These styles happen to be size M, so the fit should be just right."

Wen Sinian said, "We'll take them all."

There were about seven or eight dresses in total. Xu Yan couldn't bring himself to look properly, taking the chance while Wen Sinian was paying to slip away to the men’s section.

Wen Sinian came over with the shopping bags and, seeing him browsing around, picked out a few men’s pieces for him to try on.

Xu Yan's eyes nearly popped at the prices. Though his face stayed blank, he shook his head at Wen Sinian. "I don’t need these. I have enough clothes."

"Don’t like these?" Wen Sinian selected a few even more expensive items and steered Xu Yan toward the fitting room at the very back.

Xu Yan had no choice but to step inside and prepare to change. Just as he was about to lock the door, someone suddenly slipped in behind him.

"Wh-what are you doing?"

Wen Sinian pulled out the newly purchased white figure-hugging silk dress with a high slit and handed it to him, his eyes turning intense.

"Try this one first."