No Longer Being Human

Duan Xu turned off the TV, carried the snacks upstairs to the second floor, then came back down to pour himself a glass of water. After switching off the living room lights, he returned to his room.

The Spring Festival Gala was the same every year. Sure enough, Duan Xu grew sleepy as he watched. Before long, his head tipped to one side and he fell asleep.

"Ring, ring, ring..."

A burst of ringing woke Duan Xu with a start. "Hm?"

Duan Xu picked up his phone and saw it was Shen Yanlang. Then he checked the time. "Eleven thirty! Did I sleep that long?"

"Hello, Brother Yan." Duan Xu answered the call, but after saying just one sentence, he heard Shen Yanlang say, "Xuxu, open the door for me."

Duan Xu: "???"

Duan Xu was a little dazed. "Open the door for you? How am I supposed to..."

Then it suddenly clicked. His eyes lit up. "You came to see me? Wait there!"

Duan Xu grabbed his phone and dashed downstairs, throwing open the door in a rush. Sure enough, Shen Yanlang was standing outside.

Shen Yanlang wore a long black wool coat and a coffee-brown scarf around his neck. Under the lights, a faint glow softened his handsome features, while his deep, peach-blossom eyes gazed lovingly at the person before him.

Duan Xu, meanwhile, was still dressed in light brown bear pajamas. His refined, handsome face was flushed red, and his bright almond-shaped eyes brimmed with light as he looked at Shen Yanlang in delighted surprise.

"Xuxu." Shen Yanlang smiled gently.

Overcome with emotion, Duan Xu threw himself at him. "Shen Yanlang!"

Shen Yanlang caught him and pulled him into his arms. "Xuxu."

They were both still wearing pheromone-blocking patches, but their bodies still carried the faint scent of their own pheromones. Their long-awaited reunion and embrace let them smell each other's pheromones once more, filling their hearts with satisfaction.

Duan Xu was happy—truly happy. He had never expected Shen Yanlang to come straight to see him. Even though their cities were neighboring, the trip still took at least two or three hours.

Worth it.

Hearing that made Duan Xu even happier. He released Shen Yanlang, his smile blooming like a flower. "Did you drive here? Aren't you cold? Come inside first."

As he spoke, Duan Xu pulled him indoors, shut the door, and found a new pair of cotton slippers for Shen Yanlang by the entrance.

As Shen Yanlang changed his shoes, he lowered his head slightly and could not help thinking, Xuxu is so happy to see me. He probably won't blame me for coming early, right?

Duan Xu stood right beside him and rubbed the tip of his nose. Of course he would not blame him. He was too happy for that!

Hey, right!

Since Shen Yanlang was here, he could confess directly!

Wouldn't confessing at midnight on New Year's Eve be even more romantic?

Duan Xu made up his mind in an instant. It was just a pity the flowers and restaurant were gone, but that was fine. He could make up for them later.

That happy?

After changing his shoes, Shen Yanlang looked up and saw Duan Xu staring foolishly at the floor with a grin on his face. He smiled too. "Xuxu."

He checked the time. There were twenty minutes left until the new year.

"Want to ring in the new year together?"

"Yes! Of course!" Duan Xu snapped back to his senses and nodded. "If you're not ringing in the new year with me, are you going to do it on the road?"

"Mm. I came to ring in the new year with you." Shen Yanlang spoke with a faint smile.

How could I bear to let Xuxu ring in the new year alone at home?

Duan Xu lowered his head and smiled, then led him into the living room. "Sit for a bit. I'll be right down."

After saying that, he turned on the TV. The Spring Festival Gala was still playing, and then he ran upstairs.

Watching his retreating figure, Shen Yanlang's lips curved upward. That bear pajama set is pretty cute. I can buy Xuxu a few more sets later.

Duan Xu, who had just run upstairs: "..."

Duan Xu took his gift, tucked it into the fuzzy pocket of his pajamas, and carried the snacks he had brought upstairs back down.

"Have some of these first. We'll cook noodles later." When Duan Xu had shut the door earlier, he had made a point of checking. Shen Yanlang really had driven here.

Driving over himself would take two or three hours, and it was already so late. Shen Yanlang had to be hungry.

Shen Yanlang hummed softly. "I brought some dumplings my family made. They're in the car. I'll go get them later."

"Homemade by your family?" Duan Xu blinked.

Seeing Duan Xu still standing, Shen Yanlang pulled him down to sit. "My mom told me to bring them before I left."

"Huh? Your aunt told you to bring them?" Thinking of something, Duan Xu suddenly felt embarrassed. "Then does she know... where you were going?"

Shen Yanlang looked down at him, the corners of his lips lifting into a smile. "She knows."

Duan Xu took a quiet breath and felt even more embarrassed. They had not even officially confirmed their relationship yet, but both sets of parents already knew...

It's been so long since I saw Xuxu act shy. I kind of missed it.

Duan Xu: "..."

Duan Xu looked up and glared at Shen Yanlang, then picked up his phone to check the time. "Fifteen minutes left. Let's get them now, so we won't have to go out later."

After considering it, Shen Yanlang said, "All right. I'll get them."

With that, Shen Yanlang got up and headed out to retrieve the dumplings from his car.

In the living room, Duan Xu touched the pocket of his pajamas. His heart was beating a little fast. It was his first time confessing to someone, and with the moment drawing near, he was extremely nervous.

Not long after, Shen Yanlang returned with the dumplings. Duan Xu got up and led him to the kitchen. "That's so many? We can't finish them all at once. Take out what we'll eat and put the rest in the fridge."

Shen Yanlang hummed. It was too late to eat too many dumplings anyway, so they each kept six—a wish for everything to go smoothly—and put all the rest in the refrigerator.

By the time they finished putting away the dumplings and sat back down on the living room sofa, there were eight minutes left until midnight.

Duan Xu was nervous. When he sat down, he left a little distance between himself and Shen Yanlang. His eyes were on the TV, but his mind was elsewhere, focused entirely on Shen Yanlang beside him.

Shen Yanlang glanced sideways. "Xuxu, why are you sitting so far away?"

If things are like this and we still don't make our relationship official tonight, then I'll...

Duan Xu: "???"

Then I won't be human anymore.

Duan Xu: "..."

Ha. After not seeing each other for a week, Shen Yanlang was still as much of a rogue as ever.

Though that was what he thought, Duan Xu still scooted closer—just a little closer.

Shen Yanlang was dissatisfied by what he saw, so he simply got up and sat down right next to Duan Xu.

Duan Xu's body tensed. He nervously pinched his pants and kept mentally psyching himself up.

Don't be nervous, don't be nervous. They both already knew how things stood. There was nothing to be nervous about. Right, don't be nervous!

Shen Yanlang had no interest in watching the Spring Festival Gala. His attention had been on Duan Xu all night. Seeing that something was off with him, he was worried at first. "Xuxu, are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

"Huh? No!" Duan Xu was startled and forcibly suppressed his startled expression.

But Shen Yanlang still caught a trace of emotion in his face, and one brow lifted.

It looks like he's secretly planning something big?

Duan Xu gave a light cough. "Stop staring at me all the time. Watch the Spring Festival Gala. It's almost time to ring in the new year."

"Mm." Shen Yanlang turned to watch the TV.

Could it be that because I came early, whatever Xuxu told me to wait for has also been moved up?