Chapter 108: Love Me a Little More, Okay?

Chapter 108: Love Me a Little More, Okay?

His partner was someone who kept his feelings locked away.

Pei Du often wished he had some kind of ability, so that no matter what he was thinking, he'd know it the second it crossed his mind.

That way, no matter what grievances he suffered, he could comfort him right away.

Chu Lanting was heartbreaking to watch when he cried.

There's an old saying: the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Pei Du had met plenty of people who fought tooth and nail for what they wanted.

He'd seen plenty, but he never gave them more than a passing glance.

Chu Lanting, though, rarely cried. He rarely asked for anything. Back when they were at 207, the worst fight they ever had was only because Chu Lanting worked during the day and taught classes in the evening.

Worried he'd run himself ragged, Pei Du told him to get more rest.

But because he needed to prepare lessons, not only did he skip rest, he pulled all-nighters for days straight.

That time, Chu Lanting just told him, eyes red, that it was the only thing he could do.

Later, when his memories came back, Chu Lanting cried too—just like now.

Looking down at the man in his arms, his heart clenched every time he cried.

He wished he could hand over his whole heart.

Seeing the man in his arms shake his head, refusing to say what was wrong, Pei Du knew he couldn't force him. He could only take a deep breath and hold him even tighter.

"It's okay. Tell me whenever you're ready."

News from the main star came out of nowhere. The next day, Pei Du was shipping out to the battlefield.

That night, Chu Lanting—normally reserved, always blushing to the tips of his ears when they were alone—turned unusually bold.

They'd spent plenty of time tangled up together while traveling across planets.

But mostly, they just gravitated toward each other without thinking.

By now, neither of them could remember who kissed first.

Pei Du had just stepped out of the bathroom. Before the bathroom door even shut, a hand with cool fingertips caught his wrist.

They'd just gotten back to the main star. The trip had been great, but travel always wore you out.

He'd planned on just holding him and getting a good night's sleep.

Now, Pei Du regretted that.

He was pushed down onto the edge of the bed.

He watched the man slowly kneel onto his lap.

His throat tightened, and he swallowed hard. Then the man raised both arms and looped them around his neck.

Chu Lanting didn't know a thing.

Even kissing—Pei Du had figured that out on his own and taught him step by step.

On top of that, his face would flush without him even realizing it. Now that he was the one making the first move, his face was so red it looked like it might bleed.

Autumn nights weren't exactly warm.

Even with the villa's climate control running.

The bedroom was still scorching hot.

It wasn't until the wee hours that the room finally cooled down.

Pei Du held him close, and just as sleep was pulling him under, he heard a soft murmur by his ear.

"A Du... love me a little more, okay?"

Okay.

How could it not be?

Twice he'd fallen for him at first sight, and both times, he'd filled his whole heart.

He'd love him forever—until long after his life was over.

Pei Du had never thought heading to the battlefield was hard.

-

He had no one to miss, nothing to leave behind.

The only thing he cared about was wiping out the Zerg swarming the battlefield.

Every time he thought of the countless people suffering because of the Zerg, he wanted to charge straight into battle and take down humanity's greatest enemy.

But now, everything was different.

The Major General Pei who'd never once bowed his back—even when the Zerg ambushed him and left him badly wounded.

Now, though, he was bending low, letting this man do whatever he wanted.

They'd been up way too late, but Chu Lanting still opened his eyes the second the man beside him stirred.

He turned down Pei Du's suggestion to sleep in, got up, made a quick breakfast, and then picked up Pei Du's tie.

Pei Du, already in his black military uniform, raised an eyebrow. He bent down easily, craned his neck, and laid every vulnerable spot wide open for him.

"Then I'll leave it to you, dear."

Chu Lanting's cheeks flushed the moment he heard "dear."

He gripped the tie and fumbled through the knot.

"Come back safe. I'll be waiting at home."

He rose onto his toes and pressed a kiss to Pei Du's lips.

Just as he started to pull back, he felt an arm slide around his waist.

The next second, his feet left the floor, and he was set down on the entryway cabinet.

This time it was Pei Du who looked up at him.

The back of his neck was held firmly, and Pei Du's mouth, still carrying the faint aroma and bitterness of the coffee he had just drunk, lingered on his lips.

Chu Lanting couldn't stand such bitter flavors, yet he went along with it anyway.

When the kiss ended, Chu Lanting's eyes were glistening, clearly still lost in the moment, his rosy lips slightly parted as he caught his breath.

Then he heard Pei Du, always so composed and steady, say something so childish he'd never utter it in a million years.

"Babe, can you shrink down and come with me?"

Of course, that wasn't possible.

Not only did Chu Lanting have no way to change size, but even if he did, Pei Du wouldn't bear to let him follow into battle.

It was way too dangerous there—even Pei Du himself went into battle fully prepared to risk his life fighting the Zerg to the bitter end.

If Chu Lanting went with him and got into danger, he'd never forgive himself, he thought.

Major General Pei, usually so hardworking, clung to his partner and slacked off by the front door for a good while.

It wasn't until Shen Yu honked his car horn outside that he reluctantly lifted the man down from the cabinet.

"If this Zerg invasion isn't too bad, I'll be back soon. Trust me."

Chu Lanting didn't say much, just smoothed the wrinkles on his collar and told him to be careful.

There was no avoiding what was coming.

All he could do was pray for his safe return.

As he watched Pei Du get into Shen Yu's car, the two of them kept staring at each other so intensely that Shen Yu, looking like he had a toothache, poked his head out of the driver's seat.

"Brother-in-law, don't worry. I'll keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't get near any other women."

Chu Lanting let out a soft chuckle, thanked Shen Yu, and told them both to stay safe.

Only after the car had completely disappeared from view did he slowly turn and head back inside.

The villa, which had just felt lively, fell quiet again.

Xiaoqiang had already cleared the dishes from the dining table and brought out a fresh breakfast.

When he came back, Xiaoqiang cheerfully bounded over.

"Madam, breakfast is ready! Eat something before you go upstairs to rest."

Chu Lanting opened his mouth to say he had no appetite, but Xiaoqiang spoke up first.

"The master said I have to report your meals to him. You wouldn't want him to find out you're skipping meals, would you?"

Chu Lanting: "...Maybe cut back on those 'domineering major general forces love' dramas."

Xiaoqiang, caught red-handed: "...Okay then. Madam, come eat—I made it with love~"