It began to rain in Taizhu Town. During this week off, Chu Lingjun stayed in the rented apartment with Yu Ning.
The originally clean, simple one-bedroom apartment was now littered with clothing every few steps. The sofa cushions trailed long across the floor. It was not dirty or messy, exactly—just steeped in a languid air, mixed with the comfort of being thoroughly satisfied and full.
Yu Ning was busy in the kitchen when someone suddenly hugged him from behind. He startled at first, then, without turning around, tilted his face to rub against the other person's. Smiling, he asked, "You're awake?"
Chu Lingjun sounded lazy. "Mm. Smells so good."
Yu Ning was an excellent cook. Whenever Chu Lingjun had no time, he ordered takeout, but after several meals like this, he almost wanted to uninstall every delivery app on his phone.
Chu Lingjun had made up his mind to eat like this for the rest of his life.
After all their old knots and misunderstandings had been untangled, they lived like an ordinary married couple. Of course, only indoors. Outside, they still called each other "friends." Chu Lingjun was not afraid, but Yu Ning had many concerns. He worried it would affect Chu Lingjun's work.
Yu Ning always wore a gentle smile, as though he was deeply content with their current life. Yet whenever he fell quiet, Chu Lingjun would inexplicably sense a faint, almost imperceptible sorrow beneath that smile.
What was Yu Ning afraid of? Chu Lingjun thought. I'll never let go again.
They spent an incredibly warm stretch of time together. Every morning, Chu Lingjun went to Yu Ning's place for breakfast—the steamed buns and soy milk he loved most. Their eyes met, hooking lightly in the air without a sound, and by nightfall they would burn with