Chapter 33

Chapter 33

After hunting around the garden for a while, besides working up a light sweat, Song Nian's face was also dirty, and the tips of his hair were dotted with petals and green leaves.

But he didn't bother to tidy up at all, a faint smile on his lips, his only thought to get the necklace to him as fast as possible.

Looking at the necklace, now recovered after being lost, Li Yanchuan's eyes flickered, and his fists suddenly clenched, trembling imperceptibly.

His lips parted as if to say something, but his throat was tight and raw, refusing to let out any sound.

He slowly raised his head and, with the light behind him, met that clean face adorned with a brilliant smile.

From then on, he couldn't tear his eyes away.

Even the dazzling emerald gemstone couldn't compare to the sparkle in Song Nian's eyes.

The world seemed to pale beside him, and his gaze could only fixate on him alone.

A crack, like something breaking, echoed from deep inside his heart.

The crack in his heart grew larger and larger, the fissures spreading like a spider's web.

In the end, the towering wall around his heart came crashing down, lowering his defenses for just one person.

Behind the vast emptiness within was a sudden clarity, like clouds parting to reveal the sun.

Only then did Li Yanchuan finally realize that he, too, had found it.

This impulse in his heart, this hollow emptiness, this overflowing void—it could only be filled by Song Nian.

Now that his heart had let down its defenses, it could only welcome Song Nian in.

To him, he was someone special.

——————

On the nighttime streets, a Bentley carried its passengers toward the villa.

Night had fallen; the stars above and the trail of taillights below were like two rivers—one celestial, one earthly—converging at the horizon, lighting up the entire city that never sleeps.

Unlike the lively scene outside, the inside of the car was exceptionally quiet.

So quiet that all one could hear was the wind whistling past the windows.

Song Nian and Li Yanchuan sat in the back seat; one was tired, the other drunk. Since getting into the car, they had both closed their eyes to rest, neither speaking first to break the silence.

Drowsy from drink, even his vision was hazy. Li Yanchuan slowly opened his eyes, struggling to focus.

And the focus landed on the necklace in his hand.

The emerald necklace shimmered with a brilliant fire, dazzling to behold.

Yet even such a translucent and noble gem seemed to pale in comparison to those luminous, clear eyes.

His deep eyes were hidden in the flickering light, making it impossible to read the countless thoughts within. Li Yanchuan closed his hand tighter and looked up at the person beside him.

"Song Nian."

The low voice reached his ears. The young man who had been gazing blankly out the window turned around and hummed in inquiry.

"I have my own plans. Don't worry."

Though the words came out of the blue, no explanation was needed. Song Nian mulled it over briefly and caught its meaning.

—Earlier in the garden, he had anxiously asked why he had agreed to their demands.

Now the answer that had been cut off was given again, letting him know it was all part of the plan.

"Okay."

Knowing he wasn't being coerced, Song Nian felt relieved, his eyes crinkling into a tender smile.

This smile caught Li Yanchuan's attention, smoothing the furrow in his brow.

Before, he never would have imagined himself saying something so close to baring his soul.

He rarely revealed his plans to people he didn't care about, as it only added instability; rather than asking for trouble, the fewer people who knew, the better.

But thinking of the concern flickering in Song Nian's eyes, and the hurt and sorrow in his expression, he couldn't bring himself to keep it from him.

As if driven by an unseen force, he blurted out words of comfort.

That faint smile was like a gentle spring breeze, softening even a heart as hard as iron.

Like a pebble dropped into a lake, stirring ripples that spread without end.

Infected by it, Li Yanchuan couldn't help but curl his lips; only one person's reflection filled his eyes.

Having searched in the garden earlier, Song Nian's face was as grubby as a kitten's; before getting in the car, he'd only given it a quick wipe with a wet wipe, leaving some smudges.

So he reached out, plucked the small petal from his hair, and, catching sight of another smudge out of the corner of his eye, gently wiped it away with his thumb.

His large palm slowly came to rest against his cheek; the moment the warm cheek met the cold palm, both of them stiffened in surprise.

Song Nian blinked slowly, his thick lashes fluttering like butterfly wings, stirring up a storm in someone's heart.

His dark irises, filling most of his eyes, were moist, always veiled in a fine mist, with light flickering within, like shimmering waves on a night lake.

When he looked up so meekly, he was so obedient that it easily touched the softest part of someone's heart, stirring the most primal desires within.

Although it was his hand that had moved first, when it came to the next step, he seemed a bit dazed; in the end, it was that soft cheek that pressed closer of its own accord.

It even rubbed slightly against his hand like a little animal.

The plump softness of his cheek rested in his palm, as if holding the most precious and fragile thing in the world. Li Yanchuan's expression softened, his tenderness melding with the liquid darkness of the night.

His thumb lightly brushed the surface of the skin, wiping away the dust that had clung to it.

The touch of his thumb on the skin was ticklish and slightly cool, causing Song Nian to squint instinctively.

Such gentle and considerate actions from Li Yanchuan were truly rare, even somewhat incongruous.

Yet they weren't unpleasant, and he didn't want to pull away.

The spot tingled, like an electric current running from his spine straight to his brain, making his whole body go a bit limp.

He secretly looked up at the man across from him. The shifting lights played across his face, accentuating his already deep and sharp features, making them even more three-dimensional.

His thin lips were tightly pressed, his expression calm, the chill of his demeanor forming a stark contrast with the gentle movements of his hands.

Maybe it was his handsome face that had him under a spell, recalling how his mind had gone blank and he couldn't help but rub against him, Song Nian couldn't help but blush.

Being this close to his ideal type, who was drop-dead gorgeous, and doing something so intimate, his heart felt like it was about to leap out of his chest.

He was grateful that the car was passing through a tunnel, the interior dark enough that the other person couldn't see the blush on his cheeks.

Little did he know, Li Yanchuan was thinking the same thing.

Li Yanchuan's breath hitched, his Adam's apple bobbing, his throat dry, and a fleeting gleam of light brushed past the base of his ear.

A faint blush clung to the base of his ear.

Whether it was the air flow or the rising temperature inside the car, the alcohol took hold, clouding his mind even more.

His ability to think and judge plummeted, leaving only the rapid pounding of his heart.

He almost forgot to pull his hand back, maintaining that tender, intimate touch.

"Th-thank you."

When the large hand retreated, Song Nian bashfully touched his cheek and lowered his head.

Li Yanchuan merely gave a slight nod, humming a low "mm," before turning his head away.

Silence fell inside the car again.

After the heat on his face subsided, Song Nian stole a glance at him out of the corner of his eye.

He saw Li Yanchuan with his eyes closed, seemingly resting, the wind ruffling the strands on his forehead, his body rising and falling evenly.

Seeing this, he decided not to disturb him, leaning back in his seat as well and closing his eyes.

The dappled light and moonlight filtered in, broken into pieces, scattering into the car, adding to the hazy, romantic mood.

On the surface, both were resting, neither speaking.

Utter silence.

Fortunately, his racing heart hadn't given him away.

They both thought the same thing.

——————

The car pulled into the villa's garden, but Li Yanchuan still showed no signs of waking.

His brows were tightly furrowed, and he smelled faintly of alcohol.

He had probably drunk too much and was already a little tipsy.

Seeing the driver standing by the car door, holding a wheelchair with a somewhat helpless expression, Song Nian waved his hand, signaling for him to just put the wheelchair down and leave this to him.

Then, he bent down and leaned into the car, gently lifting the man out of the back seat in a bridal carry.

Seeing this "boss's wife," who was a head shorter than his boss, about to carry him inside, the driver hurried over to help but was politely declined.

"It's okay, I've got it."

Song Nian said softly, then carried Li Yanchuan toward the villa.

Sheer strength did the trick. Not only did he not find it strenuous, but he carried him with ease, walking steadily without waking the man, and carefully laid him on the big bed in the bedroom.

He wanted to go downstairs and get him a glass of hot water, but as soon as he turned around, something grabbed his wrist tightly, pulling him back.

Song Nian turned around and unexpectedly met those unfocused eyes.

Those usually cold, hard eyes, always guarded, were now veiled with a thin layer of moisture under the influence of alcohol. The deep pupils lost their focus, and when they stared straight at someone like this, there was even a flicker of affection in them.

Like a swamp, it could easily ensnare someone.

His gaze was firmly fixed on him, unblinking. Being watched so intently made him suddenly feel like prey locked in a hunter's sights.

At that moment, he was sure Li Yanchuan was drunk.

The large hand around his wrist felt like it was made of iron. He tried to pull his hand away, only made the grip tighten.

"Yan Chuan?"

Seeing this, Song Nian knelt by the bed and called out softly.

"Hmm?"

His response came in a low, husky voice, probably due to the alcohol—hoarse and languid, with a hint of intimacy that made his heart skip a beat.

The bass voice murmured tenderly in his ear, so alluring it gave him goosebumps.

"Could you let me go? Let me go downstairs and get you some water to sober up."

Flustered and blushing, he cleared his throat and said patiently.

But the man's frown deepened, he sat up, and pulled him closer again.

Caught off guard, Song Nian stumbled forward, bracing his hands on the bed to avoid crashing into him.

When he looked up, the man's handsome face suddenly filled his vision, and his breath caught instantly.

They were so close, their noses almost touching. Strong arms encircled his waist, pressing him against the man's chest, with no room to escape.

"Don't... leave..."

As he said this, Li Yanchuan's warm, moist breath brushed against his neck, making his heart flutter.

"I'm just going downstairs."

Fighting the urge to shiver, Song Nian explained while trying to loosen the man's grip, but to no avail.

"No... you'll trick me..."

A little liar who would abandon him the moment he let go.

"I won't lie to you."

He assured him earnestly.

Though his eyes were unfocused, Li Yanchuan stared straight at him, squinting as if weighing his words.

His grip loosened slightly, then tightened again, as if afraid he would never come back.

"Trust me, okay? You're drunk. You should drink some hot water to sober up. It'll help."

"Two minutes—no, within one minute, I'll be back."

After a long silence, that large hand finally loosened just a little—just enough for him to slip free.

So Song Nian immediately sprang into action, dashed out of the room to fetch water, even forgoing the elevator because it was too slow and taking the stairs two at a time down to the first floor.

When he returned to the room with a glass of water, only half a minute had passed.

As he appeared at the doorway, he met Li Yanchuan's unblinking gaze.

The man sitting on the bed stared with deep, unwavering eyes fixed on the door, not looking away for a single second, determined to personally see the one who had left return before he could calm down.

Only when Song Nian returned did a glimmer of light flash in those fathomless eyes.

This dazed look was so unlike Li Yanchuan—almost adorable.

Letting out a soft chuckle, Song Nian stepped forward and fed him a few sips of water.

But after drinking, Li Yanchuan's gaze still clung to him stubbornly, still refusing to lie down, and he grabbed Song Nian's hand again.

Thinking he might still be uncomfortable, Song Nian put down the glass and asked gently.

Instead of answering directly, the man kept staring at him with intense eyes, murmuring under his breath:

"And you?"

It took Song Nian a moment to realize he was asking whether he himself had had any water.

He hadn't expected that, even in his drunken state, Li Yanchuan would still be concerned about him.

Because he had just mentioned that drinking hot water was good for the body.

Curious how he would react, Song Nian rolled his eyes playfully and deliberately answered no.

Hearing this, Li Yanchuan's gaze flickered to the empty glass, his throat tightened. He wanted to tell him to go get a drink, but couldn't bear to let go, his face clearly showing his inner conflict.

Amused, Song Nian, who wasn't actually thirsty, was about to explain when the other man hesitated, to his surprise, then slowly withdrew his hand a second later.

"Three minutes... no, five. Come back soon, don't lie to me, okay?"

He heard the man say in a low voice.

Maybe it was his imagination, but there seemed to carry a note of pleading in his tone.