Can't Get Away

Duan Xu: "..."

Could he read my mind too?!

Duan Xu was shocked, but on second thought, that seemed impossible. If Shen Yanlang could read his mind, he would have caught him and kissed him long ago.

Heh... Coming tonight was so worth it.

Duan Xu's gaze wandered. He glanced at the time in the upper-right corner, and his heart tightened. Only three minutes left!

Was it really that fast? It felt like only a little while had passed!

Amid Duan Xu's mounting nerves and Shen Yanlang's patient wait, the final countdown finally arrived.

The host and audience on TV counted down together. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six..."

Duan Xu took a deep breath and slipped his hand into his pocket, swallowing hard.

Five, four, three, two, one!

"Xu Xu, Happy New Year. I like you!"

"Shen Yanlang, Happy New Year. I like you!"

As the final count ended, they turned to look at each other at the same time and spoke the very same words.

Duan Xu and Shen Yanlang met each other's eyes, both stunned by what the other had said. Then neither of them could help laughing.

Shen Yanlang reached out and pulled Duan Xu into his arms. "Xu Xu, I've finally waited to hear you say that."

The two phones on the coffee table kept ringing nonstop, but neither of them paid any attention.

Duan Xu hugged Shen Yanlang too. Hearing that, he replied softly, "I-I didn't mean to drag it out for so long. I just thought... you already confessed to me once, so it was only fair for me to confess to you too."

Shen Yanlang let out a low laugh. He pulled back slightly, cupped Duan Xu's cheeks, and said, "What does fairness have to do with feelings?"

"I know you like me. Even if you don't like me as much as I like you, I'm still happy. I'm still satisfied," Shen Yanlang said gently.

As time passes, even if you only like me a little, I'll make you unable to leave me for the rest of your life.

Duan Xu: "???"

You were really a master at saying one thing while thinking another!

An alpha's possessiveness toward an omega wasn't just talk. The nice words were only meant to lower the other person's guard.

"Oh." Duan Xu answered blandly.

Shen Yanlang was a little puzzled by his reaction, but he did not dwell on it. He let go of Duan Xu and pulled a small box from the pocket of his coat.

At the sight of the little box, Duan Xu froze. He had hugged Shen Yanlang on instinct earlier and forgotten to take his own gift out.

So, just as Shen Yanlang was about to open his box, Duan Xu pulled an identical box from his pocket. Both bore the same logo.

Shen Yanlang's brow twitched. "Xu Xu? Is this for me?"

"Yeah." Duan Xu was no longer nervous. "It's the gift I prepared for my confession."

Shen Yanlang could not help smiling. Looking down at his own box, he said, "This is the New Year's gift I prepared for you. It's also a token of our love."

The New Year's gift part was fine, but the bit about a token of love made Duan Xu embarrassed again.

Shen Yanlang held his gift forward, and Duan Xu followed suit. Like they were exchanging tokens, they placed the gifts in each other's hands before taking the presents meant for themselves.

They opened both gift boxes at the same time, revealing different watches.

The one Duan Xu had bought for Shen Yanlang was dignified and elegant, perfectly suited to Shen Yanlang's temperament. The one Shen Yanlang had bought for Duan Xu was delicate and understated, just as fitting for Duan Xu.

This brand of watches was not cheap, and it even had matching couples' watches. They had both only thought of giving something to the other and had not chosen a matching set, but their watches were from the same collection, so they were practically the same thing.

Shen Yanlang took out the watch, smiling softly. "Boyfriend, help me put it on."

Duan Xu's heart trembled. He felt both sweet and shy, and did not dare look at Shen Yanlang. He lowered his head and put the watch on him.

Shen Yanlang watched him, his gaze slowly moving down from his thick lashes to the tip of his small nose, then gradually lower to his lips.

Now that we've exchanged tokens of love, next comes kissing.

Duan Xu's hands paused as he fastened the watch. He gave it one final firm press. "It's on."

"I'll put yours on for you." Shen Yanlang picked up the other watch. As he fastened it around Duan Xu's wrist, he murmured, "Doesn't this look like exchanging rings at a wedding?"

After exchanging rings, we should kiss. Then consummate the marriage.

Duan Xu took a deep breath, his eyes widening. He was not wrong, but did he have to think that far ahead?

"Not really." Duan Xu deliberately contradicted him. "A wedding wouldn't have just the two of us."

Shen Yanlang smiled and agreed. "That's true. We should invite all our family and friends to witness it."

When we get back, I'll buy a pair of rings first, so all those people eyeing Xu Xu know he's taken.

Duan Xu: "..."

He felt that the person eyeing him specifically referred to Tang Che.

Ever since Shen Yanlang had publicly announced on the forum that he was pursuing him, Tang Che had taken the initiative to contact him much less often. Together with Duan Xu's deliberate avoidance, Tang Che understood what he meant and, aside from class matters, had not contacted him on his own again.

Once Shen Yanlang finished putting it on, he took Duan Xu's hand and laced their fingers together. He also exposed the watches on their wrists. "Let's take a picture."

As he spoke, Shen Yanlang had already taken out his phone to snap a photo. Duan Xu obediently looked at the camera without moving.

After the picture, I can kiss my Xu Xu.

Just as Shen Yanlang released his hand and was about to kiss Duan Xu, Duan Xu quickly stood up. "Weren't we going to cook dumplings? It's about time. If we don't cook them now, it'll be dawn before we know it."

Shen Yanlang: "..."

Shen Yanlang watched Duan Xu's retreating figure toward the kitchen with darkened eyes, then slowly rose and followed him.

Now that we're boyfriends, he can't get away.

Duan Xu's heart pounded. Even though they had made their relationship official, he would still get nervous and shy about kissing, his heartbeat speeding up.

And now that their relationship was different, Shen Yanlang would definitely kiss him whenever he wanted. He would not restrain himself like before.

Ah, would Shen Yanlang turn into a kissing maniac?

Duan Xu filled a pot with water and lit the stove, unable to stop his mind from wandering.

"Xu Xu."

Shen Yanlang had already come over. They stood together in front of the kitchen counter. The flame had just been lit, and it would still take a few minutes for the water to boil.

Shyness made Duan Xu lower his head slightly, his eyes fixed on the flame. Under the warm light, his fair cheeks looked tender enough to squeeze water from. He was still wearing his bear pajamas, looking all soft and fluffy and adorable.

"Mm." Duan Xu answered without looking up.

Shen Yanlang placed a hand beneath Duan Xu's chin and applied a little pressure, making him look up. Shen Yanlang leaned down slightly, gazed at Duan Xu's pink lips, and whispered, "Xu Xu, I'm going to kiss you."

Ahhh!

Duan Xu felt like he was going to die of embarrassment!

When Shen Yanlang asked, he could refuse. Even if Shen Yanlang had simply kissed him without warning, it would not have made his heart race as much as that advance notice did.

The next second, a shadow fell over him, and warmth touched his lips. It carried that familiar scent of wood and blazing sunlight, warm and inviting, making him want to draw in more.

Duan Xu instinctively held his breath and let Shen Yanlang kiss him, as obedient as could be.