"All done."
After using his points to get a replacement marriage certificate, Li Xian made a point of holding it up in front of Ji Xie before putting it back in his backpack. Just as he thought their flirtation had finally come to an end, Ji Xie wrapped his arms around him again and brought up something Li Xian had almost forgotten:
"Back then, I heard you say you had someone you liked-"
Ji Xie deliberately drew out the last word, watching Li Xian's face intently, unwilling to miss even the slightest change in his expression.
"It was me, wasn't it?"
Li Xian pressed his lips together at the question, his gaze darting away as though he was too embarrassed to meet Ji Xie's eyes. The blush that had almost faded from his face swiftly returned.
But despite his overwhelming embarrassment, Li Xian still gave a quiet "Mm."
To say Ji Xie was overjoyed would have been no exaggeration. Though he had already guessed the answer, it felt entirely different to hear Li Xian admit it himself. The more he looked at Li Xian's shy expression, the more he adored it, and he couldn't resist making another request:
"I want to hear you say it properly."
Li Xian froze, but when he saw the anticipation in Ji Xie's eyes, he hesitantly opened his mouth:
"I..."
Li Xian had almost never expressed his feelings so directly, so, unsurprisingly, he got stuck after the very first word. His hand unconsciously tightened around the hem of Ji Xie's shirt. After taking a deep breath, he finally managed to say the whole sentence:
"I... like you."
As the last word fell, Ji Xie kissed his trembling eyelashes as though rewarding him:
"I want to hear it again."
"...I like you."
The words came much