An Unintentional Kiss

Gu Yuechen's face was full of stories, and his smile never reached his eyes.

Today was the first time he had smiled sincerely in front of Yu Yaochen. It caught Yu Yaochen's gaze, and he found it hard to look away.

Yu Yaochen's praise did not make Gu Yuechen happy. The corners of his mouth lowered slightly, and he did not answer Yu Yaochen's question.

Realizing that he had offended him, Yu Yaochen closed his mouth in regret and looked away.

Gu Yuechen had never been to a concert hall before. He cautiously observed his surroundings and followed the crowd.

Fortunately, he did not embarrass himself in front of Yu Yaochen this time. They entered the concert hall and found their seats.

Once the performance began, Gu Yuechen could still pretend to appreciate it. But after a while, he could not help yawning, unable to understand what was so enjoyable about this kind of performance.

The slow music was like a lullaby. Gu Yuechen's eyelids grew heavier and heavier until he finally could not hold on and toppled to the side.

Yu Yaochen's shoulder was bumped, and he turned his head over in confusion.

Gu Yuechen's cheek rested against Yu Yaochen's shoulder. His thick lashes hung slightly low, casting a faint shadow beneath his eyes.

Under the dim, gentle lighting, the sharpness faded from Gu Yuechen's features, leaving behind only a softness that made people want to draw closer.

Yu Yaochen's body went stiff again as he debated whether to wake him.

But seeing how soundly Gu Yuechen slept, he ultimately could not bear to disturb him. He tried to relax his shoulder so Gu Yuechen could sleep more comfortably.

It was Yu Yaochen's first time getting distracted at a concert hall. The performance onstage was wonderful, but none of it could enter his mind.

Gu Yuechen leaned closer and closer, his warm breath continually brushing Yu Yaochen's neck and bringing a faint ticklish sensation.

Yu Yaochen wanted to shift his position, but the moment he moved, Gu Yuechen seemed disturbed and let out a displeased hum.

He did not dare move again. Maintaining the same posture, his Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably.

Throughout the performance, Yu Yaochen felt as though he were sitting on pins and needles, repeatedly raising his other arm to check the time on his watch.

At last, the performance ended, and deafening applause erupted through the hall.

Gu Yuechen was startled awake by the sudden applause. He jerked his head up, and his lips accidentally brushed across Yu Yaochen's cheek.

"Wh... what happened?"

Seeing that he was awake, Yu Yaochen hurriedly shifted to the seat beside him, a flash of panic crossing his handsome face.

"The performance is over." Yu Yaochen's voice was noticeably hoarse.

Having just woken up, Gu Yuechen did not realize that he had accidentally kissed Yu Yaochen's cheek.

He looked around. Once he remembered where he was, an awkward expression appeared on his face.

"I worked overtime yesterday, and I didn't sleep well last night either, so I accidentally fell asleep just now." Gu Yuechen's explanation sounded like a cover-up. "I'm not usually like this when I watch a performance."

Yu Yaochen was still thinking about the kiss on his cheek and nodded distractedly.

"Mm."

Gu Yuechen did not want his romantic rival to notice that he was all show and no substance, so he immediately changed the subject.

"Let's go."

"Okay."

The two stood up at the same time. The person in front was jostled and stumbled backward into Gu Yuechen.

Gu Yuechen fell backward with them, and Yu Yaochen instinctively caught him, his chest pressing tightly against Gu Yuechen's back.

Perhaps because of that unintentional kiss just now, Yu Yaochen's heart was beating a little fast.

Gu Yuechen did not notice anything unusual about Yu Yaochen. He had accidentally stepped on Yu Yaochen's expensive limited-edition sneakers and was a little afraid Yu Yaochen would make him pay for them.

"Are you all right?" Yu Yaochen spoke first.

"I'm fine."

Gu Yuechen hurriedly straightened up, but his gaze could not help drifting to Yu Yaochen's sneakers. His face gradually turned pale.

There was a black scuff mark.

"Let's wait for now. It's crowded up ahead."

Seeing that he was not pursuing the matter, Gu Yuechen could not help letting out a sigh of relief.

Once they left the concert hall, Gu Yuechen thought Yu Yaochen would, as usual, politely offer to drive him back.

But this time, he said nothing. Yu Yaochen merely waved at him before turning and walking away quickly, as if Gu Yuechen were some kind of monstrous beast.

Gu Yuechen stared at Yu Yaochen's retreating back with a baffled expression.

What was that about?

Was he unhappy with the performance, or unhappy that I fell asleep?

After Yu Yaochen had gone far enough, Gu Yuechen cursed, "What a pain in the ass," then headed toward the bus stop.

Over the next few days, Gu Yuechen kept watching Yu Yaochen's WeChat Moments.

He thought Yu Yaochen would make a post. On the day they went to the musical, he had seen Yu Yaochen take out his phone and photograph the stage and the promotional poster by the entrance.

When Yu Yaochen took those pictures, he had deliberately slipped into the frame so Pei Huanyi could see him too.

But after waiting for a long time, Yu Yaochen still did not post anything new on WeChat Moments.

Nor did he take the initiative to chat with him. Their chat window was still on the messages where they had arranged to meet for the musical.

In the end, Gu Yuechen could not hold back any longer. On his day off, he took several buses to Yu Yaochen's little Western-style house.

Standing outside the door, he was not sure whether Yu Yaochen was inside, so he took out his phone and sent him a message.

Gu Yuechen: [Are you in the studio?]

Ten minutes later.

Yu Yaochen: [Yeah. What is it?]

Gu Yuechen raised an eyebrow.

So cold.

What a waste of time, going with him to that musical.

Gu Yuechen: [Can I come to your studio?]

After he sent that message, WeChat kept displaying "the other party is typing." It took about five minutes before Yu Yaochen finally replied.

Yu Yaochen: [Another day. It's not convenient right now.]

Not convenient?

Could Pei Huanyi be there?

Gu Yuechen immediately became excited. He had no intention of letting an opportunity to meet Pei Huanyi slip away.

Gu Yuechen: [Ah, I'm already at the door. Fine then, if it's inconvenient, forget it. I'll head back now.]

Not long after, Yu Yaochen came out to open the door for Gu Yuechen.

Yu Yaochen wore white clothes covered in paint of every color. Yet he did not look disheveled at all. Instead, he exuded a unique artistic air.

He looked at Gu Yuechen in surprise. "Why did you suddenly come over?"

"I missed you, obviously." Gu Yuechen brushed him off with that tired old line. "After we watched the musical, you disappeared without a word, so I had to come find you myself."

Apology showed in Yu Yaochen's eyes. "Sorry, I've been busy creating."

"Can I come in and take a look?" Gu Yuechen craned his neck, trying to see inside. "Is someone else here?"

"No. It's just me."

Gu Yuechen immediately deflated. "All right. If it's inconvenient, I won't go in and disturb you."

Yu Yaochen pressed his lips together, then finally stepped aside.

"Come in. It's a little messy inside, so don't mind it."