Chapter 60: Birthday

Chapter 60 Birthday

On the day Yu Lanzhao wrapped filming, it happened to be his birthday.

It also saw the first snowfall of winter.

Lin Shenshi took time off from the crew early in the morning to help Yu Lanzhao take wrap photos holding flowers in the snow, then posted them to the managed Weibo account.

[Wrap success! Hope to meet everyone soon! Finally, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas Eve!]

Soon, someone enthusiastically replied in the comments:

[Little brother's so handsome! Looking forward to your movie!]

[Happy wrap!]

[Merry Christmas Eve! Remember to eat an apple!]

Compared to the initial single-digit number of fans, after more than two months of careful management, Yu Lanzhao's Weibo account had gained 10,000+ fans.

Some fans came through the #Long Moon Star River tag, while others were simply attracted by his looks.

Lin Shenshi thought proudly:

In this world, who could possibly not be captivated by Ah Zhao's breathtakingly beautiful appearance?

After finishing up with the crew business, Lin Shenshi took Yu Lanzhao to a street near the school.

At the entrance of their destination, Yu Lanzhao paused, his deer-like eyes glimmering with both joy and confusion as he looked at him: "Xiao Shi, why are we here?"

"You'll know once we go up."

Lin Shenshi played coy, taking Yu Lanzhao's hand and leading him inside. The soft, warm touch of his palm almost made Yu Lanzhao's heart leap out of his chest.

The hotel's sign flashed into view, the young man's hair strands dancing happily in the snowflakes.

Yu Lanzhao's throat moved: What was Xiao Shi taking him to a hotel for? Could it be…?

An incredible thought made his heart flutter. He followed Lin Shenshi all the way to the reserved room.

"Ah Zhao, close your eyes."

The keycard emitted a crisp beep against the door. Lin Shenshi held his hand and guided him into the room.

"Pop!"

"Pop!"

"Pop!"

Hand-pulled party poppers burst joyfully in the air, releasing colorful streamers. Lin Shenshi shouted beside him: "Ah Zhao, happy birthday!"

Yu Lanzhao opened his eyes.

Warm orange-yellow string lights hung all over the room, with clusters of deep blue hydrangeas adorning every corner, filling the space with a dreamy ambiance and the fragrance of flowers.

A two-tier birthday cake sat on the long table, with the number 17 on top, shining with a warm glow.

Yu Lanzhao's heart felt as if it had been bathed in sunlight. Though it wasn't the outcome he had initially guessed, it didn't diminish the joy of being surprised.

"Xiao Shi, you remembered?"

He remembered it was his birthday, remembered to order a cake for him, remembered to secretly prepare such a carefully prepared surprise…

Yu Lanzhao was so moved he nearly cried.

"Of course I remember." Lin Shenshi brought over the birthday hat and placed it on Yu Lanzhao's head. Now that they were the same height, Lin Shenshi had to tiptoe slightly to put it on more easily.

Once the hat was finally in place, Lin Shenshi smoothed the stray strands on Yu Lanzhao's forehead, an affectionate smile spreading across his lips: "I'll always remember Ah Zhao's birthday. From now on, I'll celebrate every one with you."

Yu Lanzhao's gaze wavered.

Those dark, deer-like eyes reflected the face of the one he loved. The love in his chest surged violently, and Yu Lanzhao abruptly pulled him into a tight embrace.

His arms wrapped around the slender waist, tightening more and more at the small of the back, as if he wanted to press the entire person into his very being.

His fluffy head pressed heavily on Lin Shenshi's shoulder, feeling even more substantial than in past memories.

Lin Shenshi patted the young man's back: "Ah Zhao?"

"Just let me… hold you quietly for a while…" A slightly choked voice came from his shoulder, entirely different from his usual clear tone.

Lin Shenshi smiled softly.

He really is three years younger than me, moved to tears over a surprise. Is he secretly crying? Better to save him some face and pretend not to know.

Yu Lanzhao buried his face deeply in the young man's neck.

His Xiao Shi was always so unconditionally good to him, unaware of how overwhelmingly tempting such kindness was to him.

Just now…

He was so close, so very close, to kissing him.

Thankfully, at the critical moment, he tilted his head slightly and, using the motion, hugged Xiao Shi instead, concealing his real intention.

But the emotions stirring in his chest refused to calm down no matter what. He could only hold the person in his arms tightly, trying to calm down in places unseen.

After what felt like a long time, Yu Lanzhao finally suppressed that restless impulse and slowly released Lin Shenshi.

"Since it's my birthday today, shouldn't Xiao Shi keep me company drinking without leaving until drunk?"

Lin Shenshi readily agreed: "Of course!"

*

They poured drinks glass after glass. The room, once filled with the scent of flowers, now mingled with the rich aroma of alcohol. The birthday cake was cut, and Lin Shenshi playfully smeared cream on Yu Lanzhao's pale cheeks.

The cream was pure white, but it couldn't compare to the jade-like complexion of the youth's skin.

"Ah Zhao, you're so beautiful."

Under the orange glow, Lin Shenshi's cheeks were flushed red, his drunkenness so intense that he was hardly conscious. He slumped over the table, mumbling deliriously in a daze.

"If only you could be my girlfriend…"

Yu Lanzhao, taking advantage of the alcohol, asked him: "But I'm a guy, I can't be a girlfriend. Can I be your boyfriend instead?"

"Hmm…?" Lin Shenshi blinked his amber eyes drowsily, looking him over carefully, then refused with a silly smile, "I… I worked so hard to save you from those perverted scumbag tops… you can't… can't be a bottom again…"

Though he didn't understand what Lin Shenshi meant initially, Yu Lanzhao still nodded: "I understand, Xiao Shi."

If you won’t be the bottom, then be the top.

As long as it's with Xiao Shi, he’d do whatever Xiao Shi said.

Lin Shenshi swayed his head a couple of times, then buried it in the crook of his arm and fell asleep.

Yu Lanzhao stood up and walked over to him, bending down to sweep him up into a bridal carry.

Feeling his weight in his arms, Yu Lanzhao couldn't help but laugh.

Now, he could easily lift Xiao Shi.

Passing through the hallway adorned with dark blue floral arrangements, Yu Lanzhao entered the large bedroom inside.

Lin Shenshi probably hadn't planned to stay overnight at the hotel initially. The room he booked was a king room, with no decorations on the bed. Compared to the lavish and stunning surprise setup outside, this place was rather plain.

But Yu Lanzhao liked it.

He gently laid the young man on the bed, carefully removed his shoes, and loosened the collar button of his shirt.

The young man shifted sleepily, finding a comfortable position on the soft bed, his breathing growing lighter and more even.

Due to the movement just now, his shirt had hiked up, revealing a sliver of pale waist, the taut abdominal muscles rising and falling with each breath.

Yu Lanzhao's Adam's apple bobbed.

His mouth felt dry.

But he managed to suppress the restlessness, reaching out to tuck Lin Shenshi in properly, covering the tempting sight.

Just as Yu Lanzhao turned off the light, carefully lay down on the other side of the bed, and settled in to sleep quietly, the phone on the pillow lit up.

It was Lin Shenshi's phone.

Though he knew it was wrong to snoop through someone else's phone, on impulse, Yu Lanzhao reached over and picked it up.

The phone screen was locked with a password. Lin Shenshi had never deliberately hidden it from Yu Lanzhao when unlocking it before, so he already knew the code.

His fingers tapped, and a WeChat message popped up.

Lu Yuan: [Asleep?]

Yu Lanzhao glanced at the sleeping Lin Shenshi beside him, a triumphant smile tugged at his lips. Just as he was about to put the phone back, several more messages followed in quick succession.

[I ate the remaining grapes.]

[Very sweet.]

[But not as sweet as you.]

The smile instantly froze on his lips. Yu Lanzhao stared at each word on the screen, his face gradually clouding over.

What did this mean?

Had Lu Yuan already gotten intimate with Xiao Shi?

Yu Lanzhao didn't dare to think further. He gripped the phone tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Jealousy fermented in his heart, the green-eyed monster gnawing at him.

Lu Yuan sent another message:

[Coming over tomorrow?]

[I miss you.]

"Heh..."

Yu Lanzhao gave a cold chuckle, taking a deep breath. He scrolled up through their chat history and found that most of the messages were from Lu Yuan, with Lin Shenshi occasionally replying with one or two lines.

From the content, it seemed things hadn't gone too far yet, but...

They must have kissed again.

After that night when he sneaked into his room, Xiao Shi had actually let Lu Yuan touch him again!

His teeth clenched tightly on his lower lip, the taste of blood filling his mouth.

Yu Lanzhao's eyes turned gloomy as he typed a reply:

[Can’t. I’ve been busy.]

Then he deleted all of today's messages and placed the phone back where it was.

Darkness churned in his dark eyes, a silent battle raging in the depths unseen by anyone. Finally, Yu Lanzhao gently moved closer to Lin Shenshi, leaning in to whisper into his ear:

"Xiao Shi?"

Lin Shenshi remained motionless, fast asleep.

"Can I kiss you?"

The question, posed to his unconscious form, naturally received no response. But Yu Lanzhao seemed satisfied, smiling like a child who had just gotten a lollipop.

"I knew it, Xiao Shi is the best to me."

His palm caressed the cheek of his beloved. Yu Lanzhao leaned in, brushing his lips gently at first, but as time passed, he grew increasingly unable to control himself. His tongue tentatively reached out, licking the rosy lips, then slowly pried them open, delving into the depths he had long yearned for.

He sought that softness, tangling and dancing with it, yet not too fiercely, afraid of waking the drunken sleeper. So he could only take it slow, teasing and savoring gently.

The soft, wet sounds echoed in the silent hotel room, the scent of flowers mingling with the aroma of alcohol. After what felt like an eternity, Yu Lanzhao reluctantly pulled away from Lin Shenshi.

His lips, now kiss-swollen and glistening, looked fuller and more sensual than usual. Yu Lanzhao kissed them again, his tone whiny and hurt:

"Xiao Shi, you're mine."

"Don't let anyone else kiss you, okay?"

*

Outside the hotel, snowflakes fell gently. A black Maybach was parked silently across the street.

It was unclear how long it had been there, but its body was covered in a thick layer of snow.

The rear window was half-open, and on the snow beneath it, five or six cigarette butts lay scattered. The residual heat had melted the snow, leaving behind one small, dark hollow after another.

Watching as the lights went out in the room upstairs, Special Assistant Gao nervously glanced at the gloomy-faced man behind him.

"Yin Yunxian, aren't we... going to follow them?"

Yin Yunxian exhaled another puff of white smoke, the nicotine filling his lungs, numbing a deeper, more profound emotion within.

"Not going."

Today is a special day.

"Go back."

The Maybach crushed through the snow, slowly driving away, leaving the hotel behind. Half an hour later, they returned to the villa.

Yin Yunxian got out of the car and headed straight to the third floor. Special Assistant Gao picked up the exquisitely wrapped present box from the car seat and followed closely behind.

Perhaps noticing how terrible his expression was, Special Assistant Gao rarely overstepped his bounds and advised:

"Boss Yin, please don’t be upset. After all—"

"Get out."

Before he could finish, Yin Yunxian cut him off in a low, deep voice.

Though there was no reprimand in his tone, Special Assistant Gao keenly sensed the danger. He didn’t dare say anything more, set down the present box, and quietly left.

Yin Yunxian irritably tugged at his tie, aware that his emotions today were unwarranted. He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself.

After a moment, he finally returned to his usual self. He picked up the present box and continued toward the room inside.

At the door, he untied his hair tie, letting his long hair fall and cover the scar at the corner of his eye.

Then he pushed the door open.

"Beep, beep—"

"Beep, beep—"

The room was dark, with only the faint glow of medical monitors illuminating the space.

Someone was lying quietly on the bed, the breathing mask fogging up with each inhale, spraying white mist.

Yin Yunxian sat beside them, opened the present box, and revealed the exquisitely crafted cake inside.

He gently inserted the candles on the cake and lit them with a lighter, watching quietly as the flames flickered over the number 31.

"You once told me you’d spend every birthday with me from now on."

Yin Yunxian’s voice was hoarse, filled with anguish and sorrow, but he didn’t cry. Instead, he looked at the person on the bed and smiled.

"You can't break your promise."