Shen Lian stayed clearheaded the whole way home.
Even after he got home, took off his suit, changed into pajamas, washed up, and lay down, he never said he was sleepy.
Chu Yilan felt they needed to have a proper talk.
He sat down beside Shen Lian's bed. The ceiling light was off, leaving only a small bedside lamp, its warm orange glow making it easy to relax without realizing it.
While Chu Yilan was still gathering his thoughts, Shen Lian spoke first.
"Boyfriend, can you tell what it means to like someone now?"
Chu Yilan went quiet for two seconds, then nodded.
Shen Lian continued, "From now on, don't believe a word anyone else says. Only believe what I tell you."
Chu Yilan tried his best to piece together the shifts in Shen Lian's thoughts from these few words.
"Did you hear me?"
"I did." Chu Yilan said, "From now on, I'll believe everything you say."
Having gotten the answer he wanted, Shen Lian pressed his lips together in a smile. He reached one hand out from under the covers, took Chu Yilan's hand, and laced their fingers together. Then he closed his eyes and fell peacefully asleep.
Chu Yilan rarely experienced anything resembling apprehension. It lasted until Sun Binghe's text arrived: everything had been investigated.
Including every word Zheng Ge had said at the table that night.
Sun Binghe was always concise and efficient in both words and deeds, with no need to embellish anything. Yet as Chu Yilan held his phone and read every word, an ache began welling up inside him despite himself.
So that was it...
He'd been hurting for me.
The fierce emotion that erupted in that instant engulfed Chu Yilan completely. Everything around him was silent, yet a humming vibration rose from his