Happy New Year

Shen Yanlang kissed him for quite a while before realizing Duan Xu had stopped breathing. Reluctantly, he let him go and chuckled. "How did you forget to breathe?"

"Ah..." Only then did Duan Xu realize it. He hurriedly took several deep breaths, then realized how foolish he was being.

Hadn't they kissed before? Why did it still feel like the first time?

Too cute!

Shen Yanlang lifted his chin and kissed him again. This time, the kiss was deep. The possessiveness in his bones stirred, making his movements fiercer than before.

How was Duan Xu supposed to know that a deep kiss was like this? Before long, his legs went weak. Fortunately, Shen Yanlang had one arm around his waist, and he was supporting himself against the counter too. Otherwise, he would have fallen.

Who knew how long it had been before the water came to a boil? Only then did Shen Yanlang reluctantly release Duan Xu. Seeing how dewy his lips were, he brushed them with his thumb.

Duan Xu's entire face was flushed, and his eyes glistened with moisture. He secretly sighed, So this is what a real kiss feels like!

But he could barely handle just kissing. What about later...

Shen Yanlang had no idea what Duan Xu was thinking. As he dropped the twelve dumplings into the pot, he relived that kiss in his mind.

Xuxu is so good to kiss, but it's not enough. It'll never be enough. I want more.

With his face and ears red, Duan Xu turned sideways so he would not have to look at Shen Yanlang. Shen Yanlang put the lid on the pot, looked at him, and gave a low laugh.

Neither of them spoke. The kitchen held only the sound of the flame burning and the water boiling.

After a while, Shen Yanlang pulled Duan Xu around and held him in his arms. "Xuxu, you need to get used to it. I'll do even more excessive things in the future."

Like taking off Xuxu's clothes, touching him, holding him...

Duan Xu took a light breath, his almond-shaped eyes widening. Unable to hold back, he smacked Shen Yanlang once. Sure enough, once they became boyfriends, he became even more of a rogue!

"Hehe..." Shen Yanlang laughed as he caught Duan Xu's hand, then interlaced their fingers.

Shen Yanlang's laughter made Duan Xu's ears itch. He wanted to rub them, but both hands were held by Shen Yanlang, so he simply rubbed against Shen Yanlang's chest instead.

Shen Yanlang's body tensed for a moment. He lowered his eyes to stare at him and asked hoarsely, "Xuxu, did you do that on purpose?"

"Uh..." Duan Xu felt something and abruptly looked up, disbelief all over his face. "Y-you, even from that..."

Shen Yanlang could not deny it. "I like you too much. I can't help it."

"Then, then let me go first." Duan Xu felt like he was in danger. Now that they had the status of boyfriends, there was no need to be overly restrained about anything.

Of course Shen Yanlang would not let go. He even pressed Duan Xu closer into his arms, making Duan Xu so embarrassed that he cried, "Shen Yanlang! Be a decent person!"

Shen Yanlang laughed again and simply held Duan Xu. He did not dare do anything more, though, in case he could no longer restrain himself.

Ten minutes later, Shen Yanlang glanced at the pot and released Duan Xu. "The dumplings are done."

Duan Xu immediately backed away, then glared at him fiercely. "You handle it!"

"Okay."

Smiling, Shen Yanlang nodded. Under Duan Xu's instructions, he took two bowls and two pairs of chopsticks from the cupboard, fished out the dumplings into separate bowls, then ladled in some broth.

At this hour, neither of them could be bothered making dipping sauce, so they carried everything straight to the dining table and started eating.

Eating hot dumplings put Duan Xu in an exceptionally good mood. Although he had not been able to spend New Year's Eve with his parents this year, he had a boyfriend now. Spending New Year's Eve eating dumplings with his boyfriend was meaningful too.

Shen Yanlang was happy as well. Looking at Duan Xu across from him, the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously.

I hope I can spend every New Year's Eve with Xuxu.

Duan Xu lifted his eyes to look at Shen Yanlang, smiled knowingly, and voiced what Shen Yanlang had been thinking. "I hope I can spend every New Year's Eve with you."

At that moment, Shen Yanlang could clearly hear his own heartbeat. Then he smiled and replied, "Okay."

Only then did Duan Xu remember to check his phone. It was full of "Happy New Year" messages, and he replied to them one by one as he ate.

Seeing that, Shen Yanlang took his phone away. "Eat first. Reply after you're done."

Duan Xu obediently gave an "oh" and focused on eating his dumplings.

Shen Yanlang gave a soft laugh. "You're so well-behaved."

I want to bully you.

Duan Xu huffed. "Eat your dumplings."

"Okay."

After eating, Duan Xu and Shen Yanlang sat in the living room for a while, both holding their phones and replying to messages.

In the group chat with eight people.

Xue Jingshu: [Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and all the best!]

Han Xi: [Happy New Year!]

Zhou Zhou: [Happy New Year, everyone!]

Xiao Xu: [Happy New Year!]

Du Shen: [Spring Festival is here, and good fortune shines upon you, bringing smiles. Wishing everyone a new year, a new starting point, a new journey, new hopes, and new wishes. Happy Spring Festival!]

Ye Xinyu: [Happy New Year, Happy New Year!]

Ye Xinyu: [Du Shen, was that a mass message?]

Du Shen retracted a message.

Zhou Zhou: [Hahaha...]

Zhou Zhou: [By the way, why haven't Yan-ge and Xuxu responded? Don't tell me they're asleep already? This early?]

Xue Jingshu: [Impossible.]

Du Shen: [They definitely aren't asleep. Maybe they're on the phone together!]

Xiao Xu: [Makes sense.]

Duan Xu: [Happy New Year, everyone. We aren't on the phone.]

Shen Yanlang: [We're just sitting close together and watching TV.]

Ye Xinyu: [???]

Du Shen: [Holy shit! You went to see Duan Xu?]

Xue Jingshu: [Commendable courage. /applause]

Zhou Zhou: [Xuxu, didn't your parents say anything?]

Shen Yanlang: [Uncle and Auntie aren't home.]

Zhou Zhou: [...]

Du Shen: [thumbs-up.jpg]

Ye Xinyu: [Bro, take it easy. Don't bully Xuxu.]

Seeing that message, Duan Xu glanced at Shen Yanlang, only for Shen Yanlang to snatch his phone and send a message using it.

Duan Xu: [I'm not being bullied. He treats me very well.]

Duan Xu: "???"

"Don't send things randomly." Duan Xu shot Shen Yanlang a glare and took his phone back.

Shen Yanlang curled his lips. "I was telling the truth. Do you think I said anything wrong?"

"...No." Duan Xu could not refute him.

In the group chat.

Ye Xinyu: [I really don't want to eat the first bowl of dog food of the new year.]

Du Shen: [It's fine, we'll send some too. Xiaoyu, come here. /kiss]

Ye Xinyu: [Go away!]

Xue Jingshu: [Are we starting a competition to see who can post more dog food?]

Han Xi: [I'm not participating.]

Xue Jingshu: [Fine.]

Zhou Zhou: [Hahaha...]

Xiao Xu: [Hahaha...]

At last, the group chat finally quieted down.

"Yan-ge, do you think Zhouzhou and Xu-ge are together yet?" Duan Xu turned off his phone, genuinely curious.

Shen Yanlang turned off his phone too and said casually, "More or less."

"What does more or less mean?" Duan Xu asked.

Shen Yanlang looked at Duan Xu and explained first, "More or less like us. They'll probably officially get together after school starts."

"Oh..." Duan Xu nodded in understanding.

Then Shen Yanlang said, "Xuxu, shouldn't we give each other more intimate names?"

Everyone can call him Xuxu, and Xuxu calls me Yan-ge just like everyone else. There's nothing special about it.

"Uh..." Duan Xu blinked. It was possible, but what should they call each other?