On August 16th, they went to a farmhouse in the morning. Duan Xu booked the whole place for them so they could have as much fun as they wanted.
Upon arrival, some went to pick vegetables, others to pick fruit, and still others to prepare for fishing.
Duan Xu and Shen Yanlang, wearing matching short-sleeved shirts and carrying small bamboo baskets, went to the orchard to pick fruit.
August is the season for grapes to ripen, and the owner of this house has planted a large area of them. He has also built trellises, which are full of grapevines. Bunches of purple grapes hang from the vines, each one round and plump, making one's mouth water.
"Wow!" Duan Xu exclaimed, looking up at the grape trellis. "So many grapes!"
Shen Yanlang smiled, reached out and picked one, wiped it with a tissue, and handed it to Duan Xu: "Try it."
Duan Xu didn't reach out to take it; instead, he lowered his head and bit into it, smacking his lips a couple of times, his eyes sparkling. "Mmm! Sweet and sour, delicious!"
The fruit grown in season has a strong flavor, and the owner said that apart from pesticides, no other pesticides were used.
Shen Yanlang stared at Duan Xu's moist lips, his eyes darkening slightly. "Really? I'll try some too."
After saying that, Shen Yanlang his head, bit Duan Xu's lips, tasted them all over his mouth, and then released him, saying, "It tastes good."
Duan Xu looked up at him, blinked, and asked softly, "Are you looking for something exciting again?"
"Huh?" Shen Yanlang, then realized what he meant, and laughed, "Hehe..."
Seeing his reaction, Duan Xu knew he had overthought things. He immediately dug his toes into the ground in embarrassment, his ear tips turning a faint red. "You, you're not allowed to laugh!"
It's all Shen Rascal's fault. He keeps seeking thrills, making him think about those things whenever he goes to a new place. His hooligan persona is becoming more and more entrenched.
Shen Yanlang suppressed his laughter, placed his hands on Duan Xu's waist, and hugged him, saying, "Xuxu wants to do something exciting, of course I like that."
Duan Xu glared at him, then said in embarrassment and annoyance, "It's all your fault!"
"Yes, it's my fault. I led you astray." Shen Yanlang admitted his mistake sincerely.
Seeing his Duan Xu, Duan Xu didn't know what to say, so he just snorted and said, "Hurry up and pick them, then we can go back and order vegetables."
They slept in late that morning, and by the time they arrived at the farmhouse, it was already past ten o'clock. After settling in, they went back to order some dishes, and the host prepared them just in time for lunch.
"Okay." Shen Yanlang let go of him, took the small bamboo basket from his hand, and said, "Which one do you like? I'll pick it."
"That one, and that one too!" Duan Xu said, pointing to the bunch of grapes hanging overhead.
Shen Yanlang picked the Duan Xu pointed to one by one, and soon filled the small bamboo basket.
"Let's go back!" Duan Xu walked ahead empty-handed.
Shen Yanlang followed behind him, carrying a small bamboo basket. Just as they were nearing the exit, he suddenly called out, "Xuxu!"
Duan Xu turned around, "Hmm?"
"There's no one around now." Shen Yanlang leaned closer to Duan Xu, deliberately lowering his voice, "Want some excitement?"
Duan Xu's breath hitched. Staring at Shen Yanlang's handsome face, which had matured somewhat, his heart suddenly raced, and a blush crept onto his cheeks. He heard himself whisper, "Yes."
Shen Yanlang's lips curled into a smile, he put one arm around Duan Xu, and leaned down to kiss him.
[Under the deserted grape trellis, I kissed you, caressed you, and slipped my hands inside your clothes...]
Duan Xu's breathing quickened. Over the past three years, no matter how many times Shen Yanlang teased him with such words, he would be moved and even unable to control his imagination of that scene.
They continued kissing, but under the guise of their feelings, they did what they were supposed to do. Although it was just a fantasy, it was more exciting than actually doing it.
After an unknown amount of time, Shen Yanlang finally released Duan Xu, his gaze deep and unfathomable, his voice slightly hoarse, "Xuxu, after tonight, we can get our marriage certificate."
Duan Xu pursed his lips, feeling that they were a little swollen. He hummed in response, his watery eyes fixed on Shen Yanlang, "Then... shall we go on Monday?"
Shen Yanlang took a deep breath and said restrainedly, "Okay."
*
They didn't plan to go back that night, since they had booked everything and could stay in any guesthouses that were available for rent.
After lunch, we all went back to our rooms to sleep for a while. After all, the sun was so strong that going out would be like being baked alive.
After the sun wasn't so scorching around four or five o'clock, everyone went fishing, but the eight of them only managed to catch two fish, and both were small ones.
In the end, the host used a net to catch a few big fish and cooked them for them.
During dinner that evening, Duan Xu received a pile of gifts, which Shen Yanlang put away in the car.
After dinner, since there weren't many entertainment options available, Duan Xu suggested, "How about we play Truth or Dare?"
"No, I think we can get some rest earlier," Zhou Zhou said.
Xiao Xu nodded. "I've been quite tired lately, so get some rest early."
Du Shen yawned. "Yeah, I've been severely sleep-deprived lately. Let's all go back to our rooms!"
Xue Jingshu glanced at Shen Yanlang and said indifferently, "Then go back and rest."
"Let's go, let's go to sleep." Ye Xinyu pulled Du Shen away first.
Then Zhou Zhou and the others went back to their rooms.
Duan Xu looked at the empty courtyard and felt a little disappointed. He had thought he could play games happily like before, but everyone was just too tired.
Seeing this, Shen Yanlang patted his head and said, "Let's go back and rest too."
[Rest, rest, rest...]
Duan Xu looked at him strangely, "Why have you kept repeating 'rest' in your mind?"
"... I want you to get some rest early," Shen Yanlang said without changing his expression.
Duan Xu simply said "oh" and didn't ask any further questions, then followed Shen Yanlang back to their room.
Their room was on the second floor. After returning, Shen Yanlang the door, took out his phone to send a message, and then put it back in his pocket. "Xuxu, are you sleepy?"
"I'm not sleepy." Duan Xu shook his head, sat on the edge of the bed, and said, "How about we play together?"
Shen Yanlang sat down next to him. "Play some exciting games?"
Duan Xu: "..."
"Yan-ge, can't you think of something else?" Duan Xu wanted to roll his eyes. "The soundproofing here is bad, they'll hear us."
After saying that, Shen Yanlang suddenly smiled, "Perhaps we'll hear them."
Duan Xu: "..."
Poor soundproofing causes this: either you can hear others, or others can hear you.
Shen Yanlang stood up, took a tablet out of his backpack on the chair, and asked, "Want to watch a movie?"
"Hmm... okay." Duan Xu couldn't think of anything fun to do, watching a movie was a passable way to kill time.
So the two quickly washed up and lay in bed together to watch a movie, but Shen Yanlang would check his phone every now and then.
"What news are you looking at?" Duan Xu asked, displeased. "You're not paying attention at all."
Shen Yanlang put away his phone and replied with a smile, "I'm not looking anymore, I'll look at you."
Duan Xu snorted lightly, "Don't look at me, watch the movie."