No Talking

After passing through the woods and walking downhill for a while, their view immediately opened up. The trees around them gave way to a stretch of grassland.

This also seemed to be a mountaintop. The grass grew on a slope, and farther away stood another mountain, though its peak flickered in and out of sight through the heavy mist.

"Wow—" Duan Xu exclaimed. "This mist looks like something out of a fairyland."

Shen Yanlang stared at Duan Xu's face and smiled. "Yeah, it really does."

[So Xuxu is a little fairy boy?]

[Mm... fair and clean, and so cute. More like a little angel.]

Duan Xu: "..."

If he was a little angel, then Shen Yanlang was a big demon!

No, that wasn't right! A pervert! A huge pervert!

"Want to take a picture?" Shen Yanlang asked, keeping his expression neutral.

Duan Xu nodded decisively. He wanted to take out his phone with his right hand, but the moment he raised it, he realized Shen Yanlang was holding it.

Shen Yanlang didn't let go. He took out his own phone and said, "I'll take it."

Duan Xu said nothing. Shen Yanlang took out his phone, snapped a photo of the scenery first, then turned the camera toward himself and Duan Xu. "Want to take one together?"

[Save it in my photo album after we take it. I can look at it later.]

Those words made Duan Xu's heart feel sweet. Afraid his eyes would give him away, he didn't dare look at Shen Yanlang and only gave a soft hum. "Okay."

When he looked at the camera, he even closed his eyes briefly, worried his feelings might be discovered.

Shen Yanlang held up the phone, framing the two of them against the mist-shrouded grassland. Then, at the same time, their lips curved into smiles.

With a click, the scene at that very moment was captured and preserved in the phone.

After taking the photo, the two continued forward. They found that after climbing a short flight of steps, they would be on the path down the mountain. Shen Yanlang said, "Let's head back."

"Mm." Duan Xu nodded and turned to leave, only for Shen Yanlang to pull him back.

Duan Xu looked back at him. "Aren't we leaving?"

"I want to be alone with you for a while." Shen Yanlang's voice was gentle, his gaze intent.

[Such a good opportunity can't be wasted.]

Duan Xu blinked. Too embarrassed to look at him, he stared at the grass by Shen Yanlang's side without saying a word.

The two simply stood there hand in hand, facing each other. One gazed blankly at the grass, while the other looked at the person before him with deep affection.

Mist curled around them. From a distance, their figures appeared and vanished through the haze.

After a moment, Shen Yanlang couldn't resist squeezing the hand he held. He stepped half a pace closer. "Xuxu."

[This is the perfect moment for a kiss.]

Duan Xu's heart tightened, and his hand unconsciously clenched as well. He lifted his eyes, about to say something, but Shen Yanlang drew close and sealed his lips.

Duan Xu: "!!!"

He'd been kissed! Again!

Why had Shen Yanlang just kissed him without saying anything this time?!

Duan Xu's clear almond-shaped eyes widened as he stared at Shen Yanlang. Shen Yanlang kept his eyes open too, looking back at him with affection and a hint of probing.

Duan Xu couldn't help blinking. It was his first time looking at Shen Yanlang from such close range. His eyelashes were long too, and his irises weren't the pure black Duan Xu had assumed, but tinged with faint brown.

This time, Shen Yanlang lingered on Duan Xu's lips for a long while. His other hand seized the chance to wrap around Duan Xu's waist and pull him into his arms.

[He didn't push me away this time either, so I...]

The thought and action happened in an instant. Duan Xu felt his lips being licked before he suddenly realized what Shen Yanlang intended to do.

His breathing hitched, and he pushed Shen Yanlang, though he didn't use much strength.

Shen Yanlang was still pushed away—or rather, the instant he sensed Duan Xu move, he let him go accordingly, though he continued holding his hand.

"Xuxu." Shen Yanlang's voice was low. "You didn't push me away either time. Are you still going to deny it?"

[Recently, it feels like Xuxu's attitude toward me has changed. It should be enough.]

[I'll confess again.]

The moment Duan Xu heard that, he swiftly covered Shen Yanlang's mouth and glared at him. "You're not allowed to talk!"

Shen Yanlang froze for a moment. "Mm?"

"You're not allowed to talk until we get back!" Duan Xu continued glaring at him, looking like he wouldn't let go unless Shen Yanlang agreed.

Shen Yanlang was thoroughly surprised. He raised an eyebrow at Duan Xu, then slowly stuck out the tip of his tongue beneath Duan Xu's glare.

Duan Xu: "!!!"

Duan Xu instinctively pulled his hand back, and Shen Yanlang opened his mouth. "I—mm..."

He had only gotten out one word before Duan Xu covered his mouth again.

Shen Yanlang: "..."

He wanted to laugh. [What is this? She won't even let me confess?]

[Or is she... deliberately using this as an excuse to get close to me?]

Duan Xu: "???"

Don't make things up! I just don't want you to confess right now!

Duan Xu had already planned it out. Once he had fully differentiated into an omega, it would be just after the New Year and before school started. When Shen Yanlang came to find him, he would solemnly confess to Shen Yanlang again.

That way, each of them would have confessed once. He wouldn't be letting down Shen Yanlang's feelings, and it would be perfect!

Shen Yanlang licked again. This time, Duan Xu didn't move. He only glared at him. "Nod, and I'll let go."

Shen Yanlang couldn't figure out what Duan Xu wanted, but judging by his posture, he could only nod.

When Shen Yanlang nodded, Duan Xu released him. His hand had been licked twice and felt damp, so he unceremoniously wiped it on Shen Yanlang's down jacket. "Giving it back to you."

"Heh heh..." Shen Yanlang was in an excellent mood. Just as he was about to speak, Duan Xu glared at him again, so he obediently shut his mouth.

[Pretty fierce. Even cuter now.]

Duan Xu: "..."

"We're going back." Duan Xu pulled Shen Yanlang along, and Shen Yanlang obediently followed.

Though Duan Xu wouldn't let him speak aloud, his inner voice never stopped.

[He's taking the initiative to pull me along. Looks like he already likes me a lot.]

[Tch, why won't he let me talk?]

[If I confessed now, maybe I'd get a boyfriend.]

[Mm... did Xuxu realize I was about to confess just now?]

[Then why did he stop me?]

[Is it still not enough?]

Speechless, Duan Xu rolled his eyes. He turned and glared at Shen Yanlang again, leaving Shen Yanlang completely baffled.

[I didn't say anything. Why is he glaring at me again?]

[Still, he looks good when he glares. I want to kiss him.]

Duan Xu: "..."

Duan Xu quickened his pace. It had taken them somewhere between ten and twenty minutes to get there, but they made the return trip in half the time.

"Haha..."

"Let me try! I can definitely hit it!"

"Oh! Not bad!"

They heard laughter and shouting from far away. When they got closer, they saw that everyone was playing archery in the open clearing.

Duan Xu let go of Shen Yanlang's hand and ran over in a few steps. "Zhouzhou, where did you find the bows and arrows?"

The others turned at the sound, all looking surprised. Ye Xinyu even asked directly, "You're back so soon?"

Duan Xu's expression flickered. He forced himself to look calm as he replied, "Yeah, there wasn't much to do over there, so we came back."

Shen Yanlang followed him over. Finally able to speak, he asked, "The shop's bows and arrows?"

"They're from the shop," Xiao Xu answered.

Shen Yanlang understood. Without saying anything else, he looked directly at Du Shen, who was holding a bow and arrow. "Give it to me."