Jun Yi's kiss

Sen Lijiu studied the formation for a while, then looked around.

"This place seems to have quite a history," Sen Lijiu murmured.

"Would you like to hear it, Jiujiu?" A pleasant male voice came from behind Sen Lijiu.

Sen Lijiu froze, then turned and saw Jun Yi.

"What are you doing here?"

Jun Yi smiled faintly. "Have you forgotten, Jiujiu?"

Jun Yi pointed at Sen Lijiu's necklace with his well-defined fingers.

Sen Lijiu glanced at the necklace, dropped the subject, and went back to looking at the garden.

Jun Yi sighed. "Jiujiu, all the flower fairies in this garden are figures from history."

"For example, that peony over there is Ruyi's older sister." Jun Yi pointed to a peony a short distance away.

Sen Lijiu looked at the peony in surprise. "So that's why... I was wondering why she looked so familiar."

Jun Yi nodded with a smile. "Every flower fairy here has a story of her own. If you'd like to hear them, Jiujiu, I can tell you."

Sen Lijiu's eyes lit up. "Yes! I'd love to."

Jun Yi walked over to Sen Lijiu and began recounting the flower fairies' stories at an unhurried pace.

Sen Lijiu listened quietly, occasionally offering his own thoughts.

Before they knew it, night had fallen, and stars twinkled across the sky.

"Let's leave it there for today," Jun Yi said. "It's getting late. You should get some rest, Jiujiu."

Sen Lijiu nodded. "Thank you, Jun Yi. I had a wonderful time today."

Jun Yi looked at Sen Lijiu, a hint of fondness flickering in his eyes. "As long as you're happy. Good night, Jiujiu."

With that, he gently kissed Sen Lijiu's forehead.

Sen Lijiu stared blankly at Jun Yi, unable to process what had happened.

Jun Yi stroked his head, took his hand, and led him away.

Only after they returned to the Castle of Memories and Jun Yi brought him to his room did Sen Lijiu finally react. He looked at Jun Yi. "You... you..."

Sen Lijiu gazed at Jun Yi with a pitiful expression, his platinum-colored eyes misting over.

The corners of his foxlike eyes reddened, and even his ears popped out. His voice sounded aggrieved. "Why did you suddenly kiss me...?"

Jun Yi stroked his ears. "I couldn't help myself," he said softly, his eyes full of tenderness.

Holding Sen Lijiu's hand, he led him to the bed. "All right, go to sleep." Sen Lijiu obediently climbed onto the bed and burrowed under the covers.

Jun Yi tucked him in, then pressed another gentle kiss to his forehead. "Good night, my Jiujiu."

Sen Lijiu felt his face grow hot. He quickly closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. Jun Yi smiled at the adorable sight, then left the room.

Only after the door closed did Sen Lijiu open his eyes. He touched his lips, thinking about Jun Yi's kiss.

"Oh, what am I thinking...?" Sen Lijiu muttered to himself, then forced himself to fall asleep.

In his dreams, he saw Jun Yi again, along with that garden...

Not long before, while Sen Lijiu had been absorbed in reading, Bie Yun had found a moment to leave for a while and had only just returned.

Yet everything unfolding before him left him bewildered and at a complete loss.

Bie Yun's voice trembled with disbelief, as though he could not accept what had happened before his eyes:

"I only went back for a little while, and your relationship has already progressed this far?"

His eyes revealed deep confusion and dejection, as though this sudden change had caught him completely off guard.