Lu Shiyi leaned against Yu Qingchuan's shoulder as he was fed nutrient solution. Today's was orange-flavored, with a pleasant, sweet-and-tart taste.
But as the rich, overpowering aromas of red-braised pork and oil-braised shrimp drifted over, Lu Shiyi actually found the nutrient solution a little hard to swallow.
Yu Qingchuan must have been a very good cook. Just listen to his younger brother eating, like a little pig rooting through its feed.
He wanted a taste too.
Still, Lu Shiyi felt that with prolonged contact with Yu Qingchuan, it probably wouldn't be long before he woke up.
When that happened, he wondered whether Yu Qingchuan would be willing to cook for him.
If he wasn't... I'd kiss him until he agreed.
Lu Shiming kept his head down and devoured his food, his mouth glistening with oil, but still remembered to praise Yu Qingchuan. "Sister-in-law, I'm honestly starting to think my brother doesn't deserve you."
The longer he looked at Yu Qingchuan, the more he felt that, despite being chubby, he was incredibly adorable. He could paint, and his cooking was delicious too!
What was so great about his brother? He reeked of money, looked cold and abstinent, and seemed impossible to get along with.
Besides, his brother was extremely possessive.
When he was little, he had taken a liking to an aircraft carrier model in his brother's collection and only wanted to touch it. But his brother had been utterly ruthless and wouldn't let him lay a finger on it.
Back then, he had been rebellious. Since his brother wouldn't let him touch it, he had sneaked in and handled it a few times while his brother was out.
His brother had discovered it as soon as he returned, hauled him over, and spanked him until he howled.
So if his brother woke up someday, given that extreme possessiveness of his, he definitely wouldn't let his sister-in-law cook for him anymore!
"Sister-in-law, can I request crispy fried pork bites and braised chicken for tomorrow night?"
If he didn't seize this chance to eat more now, when would he? His brother wouldn't know anyway!
For a moment, Lu Shiming even thought it might be quite nice for his brother to stay asleep like this. After all, their family had plenty of money-
But Lu Shiming quickly dismissed that outrageous thought. He still hoped his brother would wake up soon.
Lu Shiyi's hand itched to smack him. Just wait until tomorrow.
Yu Qingchuan was delighted by Lu Shiming's enthusiasm and readily agreed. "No problem. As long as you like the food."
"You're the best, Sister-in-law!" Lu Shiming grinned and went right back to eating. In the end, he even mixed the sauce into his rice and didn't leave a drop.
After dinner, Lu Shiming took the food containers to the bathroom to wash them without being asked. This was the happiest dinner he'd had in a long time.
His brother had invested all his talent points in making money and knew nothing about cooking. He always hired a housekeeper to do it, but her food lacked the feeling of home Lu Shiming wanted.
Today, though, Lu Shiming felt a real sense of warmth.
Lu Shiming had intended to drive Yu Qingchuan back to his brother's Wedding Home, but Yu Qingchuan declined, looking a little embarrassed. "Um, I'll just stay here."
"Oh, oh, I get it." Lu Shiming chuckled. "Your love for my brother is rock-solid, Sister-in-law. I understand. I'll head home, then."
Yu Qingchuan smiled and said goodbye.
Not long afterward, Yu Qingchuan received a payment notification on his phone. Lu Shiming had transferred fifty thousand yuan to him, with a note that read: Sister-in-law, this is for the meals. You have to accept it, or I'll be too embarrassed to order food again.
Yu Qingchuan's throat tightened. That was so much money.
The ingredients for this meal had only cost a little over a hundred yuan. Fifty thousand would cover more than a year's worth of meals for Lu Shiming.
A year. Lu Shiyi would surely have woken up long before then.
Yu Qingchuan turned to look at the handsome man with his eyes closed and said softly, "Brother Yi, even if it's only these few days, I already feel content."
Lu Shiyi answered silently, It won't be just these few days.
In all his twenty-seven years, no one had ever made his heart stir. Yu Qingchuan was the only one.
Yu Qingchuan continued drawing his character designs on the attendant's bed, his mind wandering as he considered his future. He planned to resolve the matters involving the Yu family, then devote himself to the oil painting career he loved.
He could enter painting competitions, run a social media account, and gradually build a name for himself. In the future, he could hold exhibitions and even own an art gallery!
These were all dreams he had been unable to fulfill in his previous life.
Fortunately, he had transmigrated into a novel. This time, he would definitely make them come true.
Yu Qingchuan drew until ten, then began to feel hungry. But perhaps the herbal medicine had taken effect, or perhaps his body was gradually adjusting; he wasn't suffering quite as much.
After some thought, however, Yu Qingchuan still crept onto Lu Shiyi's bed like a sneaky cat and did his best to lie calmly. "Ah, Brother Yi, I'm so hungry it hurts again. If you don't object, I'll take that as a yes."
Lu Shiyi was inwardly amused. This little liar clearly wasn't feeling that bad.
But he needed Yu Qingchuan very much too. What did that make this-a mutual pursuit?
Since his stomach wasn't hurting as much, Yu Qingchuan had much more freedom in choosing how to sleep. Watching Lu Shiyi lie flat on his back as always, he kept feeling that he should change the man's position.
It definitely wasn't because he wanted a hug.
"Brother Yi, staying in one position must be uncomfortable, right? I'll turn you over and massage your back."
As he spoke, Yu Qingchuan gently but firmly rolled the man onto his side.
Then he began massaging the muscles in his back.
Because Lu Shiyi was regularly wiped down and carefully tended to, his back was only slightly stiff. After Yu Qingchuan massaged him for a while, his muscles regained their suppleness. Perhaps it was his imagination, but even Lu Shiyi's complexion seemed a little better.
Yu Qingchuan settled him into a comfortable position, then climbed onto the bed and nestled into Lu Shiyi's arms.
Wow, what a warm embrace!
Yu Qingchuan felt like the happiest boy in the world right then.
The only thing was, he was a little chubby. With Lu Shiyi's arm draped over him, his hand could only rest on his soft belly instead of reaching the bed.
Yu Qingchuan sucked in his stomach. "Brother Yi, I'll slim down soon."
With that, Yu Qingchuan closed his eyes and fell asleep, utterly content.
Through the thin fabric of his pajamas, Lu Shiyi rested his hand on that wonderfully soft little belly. His fingers twitched, and in the end, he couldn't resist giving it a squeeze.
Lu Shiyi had no particular requirements when it came to appearances. If Yu Qingchuan wanted to lose weight, he would support him. If he couldn't slim down, that was fine too. All that mattered was that it was him.
Yu Qingchuan slept soundly, but Lu Shiyi remained wide awake for a long time.
An embrace like this deeply satisfied his excessive possessiveness. He could gather Yu Qingchuan entirely into his arms.
During that sleepless night, Lu Shiyi also thought about the future. Earlier, that brother of his, who hardly seemed related to him at all, had said he didn't deserve Yu Qingchuan. Perhaps there was some truth to it.
His personality was rather aloof and dull, and he worked in finance, the most money-driven industry of all. His understanding of art wasn't especially deep, consisting mostly of superficial knowledge useful at various social functions.
So once he woke up, he would need to learn about those things too.
While he was making plans, Lu Shiyi suddenly felt Yu Qingchuan shifting. Like a silkworm rolling over, he turned until they were face-to-face.
Their faces were almost touching.
Lu Shiyi was still hesitating over whether to lower his head a little more when Yu Qingchuan moved again, ever so slightly, and pressed his warm, soft lips squarely against his.
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