Chapter 95

Chapter 95

After hearing his words, Song Nian stood frozen in place, his eyes flickering with emotion, lips parting and closing, yet unable to speak for a long time.

The stack of contracts in his hand was just paper, yet it felt too heavy to hold, the full weight of heartfelt intentions resting upon it, burning his palm and making his heart ache dully.

"I can't—"

"Don't refuse me, okay?"

Anticipating what Song Nian was about to say, Li Yanchuan raised his index finger to Song Nian's lips, his eyes half-lidded as he made a low plea.

"Besides this, I can't think of anything else I can give you."

He wanted to give Song Nian the best things in the world, but in a daze, looking back, he realized he had nothing to give.

His lover was vibrant, lively, and passionate, as bright and warm as the noonday sun. In contrast, he was aging, old-fashioned, dull, and stagnant—completely unworthy of his enthusiastic partner.

Over the years, all he had accumulated was material things like money.

Remembering what Song Nian had said last night before sleep, Li Yanchuan thought for a long time before deciding, and had the lawyer draft the contracts early in the morning.

—"Just give me twenty thousand."

Remembering his own joking words, Song Nian was both amused and exasperated.

Just a joke, and he took it seriously?

Besides, this was far from twenty thousand; it was many, many times more.

"I'm not refusing your gift, but these things are too valuable."

He put down the contracts and instead cupped Li Yanchuan's face, explaining seriously.

"And don't talk nonsense. I just love you for the mature man you are."

With that, he gave him a smacking kiss.

"They're not precious. I still think they're not enough to match your worth."

Even after signing over most of his assets to Song Nian, Li Yanchuan still felt that nothing in the world could match his lover's value.

He returned the kiss.

"You deserve all the gifts in the world."

He said it sincerely and solemnly.

Hearing his serious, sincere tone and feeling his intense gaze, being valued so highly, Song Nian got unusually flustered and fidgeted, rubbing his fingers together awkwardly.

In truth, he had always had a low sense of self-worth since childhood, so the first time he received such an incredibly valuable gift, he felt unworthy.

But Li Yanchuan had told him personally that he was worthy.

That these things were not even worthy of him.

The eyes of a lover are the best filter—no matter how he looks, he finds you charming, no matter how you act, he finds it interesting. Only you are in the frame, and everything you do is interesting.

Unconditional acceptance and everlasting favoritism are the constant meaning of being loved.

Truly loved, Song Nian's chest swelled with emotion, his heart deeply stirred.

Noticing Li Yanchuan's drooping brows and anxious expression, as if afraid Song Nian wouldn't like the gift, he couldn't help but feel amused.

Since it had gotten to this point, if he still refused, it would be an insult to his goodwill.

So he no longer hesitated, leaning against his chest, hugging the stack of contracts protectively, and answered softly:

"Thank you. I'll cherish this birthday gift."

"If there's anything else you want or wish, I'll fulfill it for you."

Hearing the affirmative reply, Li Yanchuan's brows finally softened with satisfaction, and he embraced his lover with satisfaction.

"Hey, you gave all your assets to me. Did you keep anything for yourself?"

Suddenly thinking of this, Song Nian looked up and asked.

"Then will you support me?"

Li Yanchuan asked in return.

"I'll support you with the interest from my savings account!"

Song Nian grinned ear to ear, acting silly like a nouveau riche landlord.

"With this money, I wouldn't even need to work; I could squander it for a lifetime and into the next life."

A joking remark, but Li Yanchuan took it seriously:

"Yeah, I set up a trust fund for you. The money in it is definitely enough for you to live without working for the rest of your life."

Unexpectedly, he had thought so far ahead and even prepared that. Hearing this, Song Nian stared at him in stunned silence, his mouth hanging wide open.

"How can you be so good? So good that I'll cling to you and pester you in my next life too."

He chuckled, rubbing his head against him.

Not just this life, but also the next—they would always be together.

"My honor."

Catching that fair, slender hand, Li Yanchuan reverently pressed a kiss to the ring on the base of Song Nian's ring finger.

Like a knight swearing an eternal oath to the lord he serves, promising to protect his beloved forever and ever, unwaveringly.

Soft sunlight streamed into the room, birds chirped, and tiny buds appeared at the tips of the bare branches—a scene full of vitality.

Winter waned, and spring flourished.

A beautiful future awaited.

———

Since they had opened up to each other, the two first-love fools carefully and clumsily learned how to date.

One learned to share both joys and worries without being too understanding, while the other learned to be jealous and express his possessiveness.

Their intimate relationship gradually elevated through mutual understanding.

Li Yanchuan once asked Song Nian whether the security camera in the guest bedroom should be removed.

Song Nian thought for a moment and gently shook his head.

Anyway, since he didn't go to the guest bedroom often anymore and his daily life was centered in the master bedroom, the camera still held some meaning to them. It wouldn’t hurt to keep it. Might come in handy someday.

All the daily necessities from the guest bedroom had been moved into the master bedroom. The spacious room was no longer the cold, minimalist style of a single person but was filled with lively traces of life.

The wardrobe was full and neatly packed with clothes. Beside the dark-toned formal wear in blacks and grays, a splash of bright colors stood out—a dazzling variety of styles, yet they stood side by side in harmony.

On the bathroom sink, two water rings left by the rinsing cups; not just the cups and toothbrushes—even the towels were matching couple’s items they had picked out together.

The slippers by the bed came in two sizes. The larger pair stood neatly on the floor, while the smaller one was kicked off haphazardly, scattered around, before being picked up by a strong hand and carefully set aside.

Then he slipped on the slippers and walked away, while his strong hand gathered the messy clothes scattered on the floor.

Last night had been a bit rushed, and had got carried away. The clothes had been tossed off the bed casually and lay there all night.

"Are you going to work?"

Hearing the noise, Song Nian opened his groggy eyes and mumbled.

"Yeah, your call time is at ten. You can sleep a little longer."

Li Yanchuan kissed the top of his messy, fluffy head before turning to put the clothes into the hamper.

When Li Yanchuan finished breakfast downstairs and was about to head out, Song Nian came down slowly, yawning.

Seeing him ready to tie his tie, Song Nian shuffled over in his slippers, took the initiative to take over, standing on tiptoe to help.

"Up this early? Why not go back to sleep?"

Li Yanchuan lowered his head, letting him work. The knot ended up looking just like usual, but somehow he couldn’t stop liking it.

"I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d see you off."

Song Nian grinned. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the hot milk on the table. After reminding him to be careful on the road, he shuffled over again, tilted his head up, and chugged it.

Having just woken up, he hadn’t tidied himself yet. A small tuft of hair stood upright, a curly cowlick bobbing like an antenna as he moved.

Li Yanchuan smiled fondly at that cowlick, his eyes soft as he said goodbye and prepared to leave.

Just as he stepped out the front door, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned back.

"Did you forget something?"

Noticing this, Song Nian licked his lips and asked curiously.

But Li Yanchuan didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped closer, held his chin with one hand, and tilted it upward.

Then he leaned in, and they exchanged a sweet, milk-flavored goodbye kiss.

In that kiss, his possessive desire poured out entirely, no longer hidden or restrained. Even when parting, he wanted to leave his mark.

After doing this, he finally said goodbye and actually left.

Leaving behind Song Nian, his face red to the ears, holding the glass cup, lost in a daze.

————

"Great job today, Teacher Song!"

Due to an internal error, today’s filming was delayed by almost two hours. The young female stagehand felt a bit embarrassed and kept apologizing.

But Song Nian just smiled and said it was fine, good-naturedly.

"Bro, should I drive you back?"

Xiao Sun grabbed the car keys, ready to head to the car.

He was about to say yes when Song Nian darted his eyes and suddenly got a new idea.

He waved off the offer, telling Xiao Sun to go ahead. Then he pulled out his phone, gathered his courage, and sent a message:

"Song Nian: Honey, can you come pick me up from work now? ><"

He was still worried Li Yanchuan might not see it, or that he was busy with work—was this request too demanding? He had just typed "It’s okay if you can’t" when he got a reply.

"Li Yanchuan: Okay, I’ll be right over."

No excuses or hesitant questions, just a straightforward promise.

So it really was okay to do this, huh?

Seeing this, Song Nian’s eyes lit up, shining brightly.

Having successfully taken the first step, he pressed his advantage:

"Song Nian: If it’s convenient, please bring me a milk tea too."

"Song Nian: Cat begging with paws.jpg"

When a Maybach pulled over by the roadside, Song Nian immediately recognized it as Li Yanchuan’s car.

The driver’s door opened, and a tall figure stepped out, holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a thermal bag in the other. The hem of his trench coat fluttered as he strode closer.

Li Yanchuan stopped in front of Song Nian, handed over the items one by one, then politely opened the passenger door for him.

"Why are you bringing flowers again?"

First looking at the milk tea he specifically asked for inside the bag, then glancing at the roses, Song Nian couldn’t suppress the little surge of excitement inside him.

"I thought you’d like them."

Back in the driver’s seat, Li Yanchuan grinned, then reached back to fetch a small box from the back seat.

Inside was a cake—Song Nian’s favorite.

—See? When someone loves you, everything you say and do is seen and remembered. He never complains when you ask; he only worries he hasn’t done enough for you and wants to give you even more.

"Isn’t it a hassle to buy all this?"

The little excitement swelled into an even warmer satisfaction. Even with his hands full, Song Nian didn’t want to put anything down.

"It’s on the way. Not a hassle at all."

Li Yanchuan replied. Even if it meant driving all the way across town for these things, he’d be happy to. He loved the way Song Nian asked him for things.

The sweetness of the milk tea warmed his heart. Song Nian bit his lip, unable to keep from smiling.

He was happy about the gifts he received and that all his requests had been fulfilled.

"Hey, are you free next weekend? I want to go to the amusement park with you."

While waiting for the red light, Li Yanchuan covered Song Nian's hand with his own, paused, and added.

"A date."

Since they got together, the two hadn't really had a proper date. He wanted to experience every first with Song Nian, one by one.

"Sure."

Hearing this, Song Nian nodded eagerly, brimming with anticipation.

It would be romantic to stroll together in a lively amusement park, wouldn't it? he thought.

But when the next weekend came and they arrived at the amusement park, seeing the empty, quiet venue, Song Nian opened his mouth but hesitated.

"...Did you rent the whole place out?"

Sensing something was off but not knowing what he did wrong, Li Yanchuan was silent for a long time before replying with a question.

"...Is that not allowed?"