Xiao Yu paused briefly at his words.
He chuckled softly. "What's so difficult about that? I'll say it as many times as you want to hear it."
He lowered his head.
Leaning close to his ear, he murmured with a smile, "Darling."
"Darling."
"Darling?"
Warm breath and gentle murmurs swirled around Qi Yunheng's ear, turning it scarlet in an instant.
Tingling sensations swept through his whole body.
He felt as though he were floating, standing high above the world with soft clouds beneath his feet.
His gaze dimmed slightly, and he unconsciously tightened his arms around Xiao Yu.
He was afraid that one careless move would send him plummeting from the clouds.
Noticing his stiffness and unease, Xiao Yu wrapped his arms around him in return, drawing him closer so he could feel that he was there.
He patted his back gently, soothing him. "I'll always be here."
Qi Yunheng's eyes brightened a little.
He suddenly hugged him fiercely, as though he wanted to press him into his own body.
"Cough, cough..."
"You're holding me too tightly," Xiao Yu told him. "Let me catch my breath first. You're going to suffocate me..."
Only then did Qi Yunheng reluctantly loosen his hold a little.
Seeing that he had no intention of letting go, Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with teasing amusement. "Still not letting go? How long do you intend to hold me?"
"Two grown men hugging each other in broad daylight... aren't you afraid the patrolling guards will see and laugh at you?"
"No. This King already sent them all away."
Resting his head on Xiao Yu's shoulder, Qi Yunheng replied in a muffled voice, "I just want to hold you for the rest of my life. Can't I?"
"You can."
Xiao Yu's brows curved, a trace