Only with you

It had not actually disappeared completely. A faint, blurry mark remained on the side of his cheek, but it was impossible to notice without looking closely.

Lu Shiyi really liked that heart-shaped mark. He had seen it several times when he opened his eyes.

He had assumed it was a birthmark, never expecting it to disappear.

Lu Shiyi felt a pang of regret. After a moment's thought, he guessed it probably had something to do with Yu Qingchuan's physical condition.

If his guess was right, then it was better for it to disappear. He would win Yu Qingchuan's heart anyway.

"Qingchuan, come sit here." Lu Shiyi's voice was rich and pleasant. "I think we can have a talk."

"O-okay." Yu Qingchuan was so nervous that his limbs felt awkward. He slowly walked over and sat in the chair beside the bed.

He did not quite dare look at Lu Shiyi, either, lowering his head and resting his gaze on his hands.

"I told you about my condition in my texts last night. I don't know how to explain why only your touch can help me recover, but please believe me. I haven't lied to you."

Yu Qingchuan nodded, thinking it was probably because he had transmigrated into the novel. Perhaps he had brought some sort of magnetic field with him.

"I'll probably need another three days to recover completely. Could I ask you to help me a little longer?"

Lu Shiyi had considered coaxing Yu Qingchuan into keeping him company for a few extra days. With his acting skills, he could guarantee that Yu Qingchuan would never notice.

But he rejected the idea almost as soon as it surfaced. He could not deceive Yu Qingchuan. He deserved to be cherished.

He wanted to pursue Yu Qingchuan openly and honestly, as a healthy man.

So he told him the truth.

By this point, Yu Qingchuan was already wavering. Lu Shiyi was so sincere that he had no reason to refuse.

But helping him meant sleeping together...

When Lu Shiyi had been in a vegetative state, he could do it without any reservations. Now that Lu Shiyi was awake, he really felt embarrassed.

Yu Qingchuan's face began reddening again despite himself, and his ears burned.

As though he had noticed his embarrassment, a trace of sadness entered Lu Shiyi's voice. "Qingchuan, I've been lying here for over three months. My muscles have atrophied a little. It really isn't a pretty sight. I'm sorry."

"You don't look bad!" Yu Qingchuan blurted out, then reassured him, "Brother Yi, once you've recovered completely, you can just build them back up!"

He was so used to calling him Brother Yi that he saw nothing wrong with it. Lu Shiyi noticed, but did not point it out.

He could call him Brother Yi now, and later he could call him darling or husband. Lu Shiyi would not mind either.

Once Yu Qingchuan finished speaking, a sense of responsibility suddenly swept over him. He declared boldly, "I'll come over tonight!"

Once again charmed by his cuteness, Lu Shiyi suppressed a smile and held out his hand. "Qingchuan, thank you."

Yu Qingchuan hurriedly took it. When their eyes met, he felt another searing jolt. "Y-you're welcome."

Holding those hands that perfectly satisfied his hand fetish once more, Lu Shiyi felt delighted. His smile grew even more dazzling, like a male fox that had taken human form.

"You paint, don't you, Qingchuan? What sort of things do you paint? Do you need me to model for you? Or is there anything else you need? As long as it's something I can do, I'll do it."

Yu Qingchuan had not expected Lu Shiyi to offer outright to model for him. He hurriedly nodded. "Yes, yes! I paint all kinds of things, but mostly people and landscapes. For landscapes, sometimes I need to go out and paint from life to find inspiration."

"I've traveled to quite a few places on business over the years, though I haven't really had much time to admire the scenery. But I know some people who have a club. They specifically seek out secluded places with beautiful scenery. I'll ask them about it and give you some locations to consider."

"Really?" Yu Qingchuan was thrilled. "Thank you, Brother Yi."

"You're welcome. But don't painters need to enter competitions? Do you need to build your reputation or hold an exhibition, Qingchuan?"

That struck right at Yu Qingchuan's heart. What person who studied painting did not want to hold an exhibition?

Before transmigrating, he had actually attended an exhibition held by his biological father. His father's work was romantic and passionate, filled with a vibrant love that could be felt at a glance. Visitors offered all sorts of comments and praise for the paintings, making Yu Qingchuan deeply envious.

And so, under Lu Shiyi's guidance, Yu Qingchuan laid himself completely bare. Apart from the fact that he had transmigrated into a novel, he revealed practically everything.

He even felt that talking to Lu Shiyi was so comfortable that he could do it all day!

How could someone as perfect as Lu Shiyi exist?

Lu Shiming bought breakfast and returned in high spirits. But after waiting for a while without seeing his sister-in-law come out to eat, he scratched his head.

He did not know Yu Qingchuan well, but he knew his brother all too well. That man was a cunning old fox. A little bunny like his sister-in-law would be devoured without so much as a scrap left!

But he was so hungry. He had rushed over first thing in the morning without even taking a sip of water.

Since childhood, Lu Shiming had been used to eating with his family. His brother knew how much he liked that familial warmth, so whenever he was not busy, he would usually eat with him.

Right now, he did not want to eat alone. He wanted to eat with his brother and sister-in-law.

Lu Shiming waited another ten minutes, but there was still no sign of them. Feeling perfectly justified, he headed upstairs. His sister-in-law doted on him so much that he would surely be willing to eat with him.

Yet the farther upstairs he went, the more his courage faded. By the time he reached the door, his footsteps had become very quiet. He pressed his ear against it and strained to listen. There really were faint sounds coming from inside, though they seemed to be talking.

Relieved, Lu Shiming raised his hand and knocked.

Only when Yu Qingchuan heard the knock did he realize how long he had been chatting with Lu Shiyi. He was still smiling when he went to open the door.

"Sister-in-Law, I brought breakfast back. Should I bring it upstairs so we can eat together?" Lu Shiming asked.

Yu Qingchuan turned to ask Lu Shiyi, "Brother Yi, can you eat? Should we ask the doctor?"

"I don't feel hungry right now. Drinking the nutrient solution will do. We can think about it once I've recovered completely."

"Okay, then I'll go downstairs and prepare it for you. I need to take my medicine anyway."

With that, Yu Qingchuan went downstairs.

Lu Shiming stared in shock at how Yu Qingchuan had gone from guilty and uncomfortable to familiar and relaxed. He almost suspected his brother had put his sister-in-law under a spell.

He had only been gone for half an hour or so, hadn't he? Lu Shiming felt a little dazed.

He still knew far too little about his brother.

But the moment Yu Qingchuan left, the warm smile vanished from Lu Shiyi's face. He looked at Lu Shiming and said coolly, "Shiming, don't get in my way."

Lu Shiming's scalp prickled, and he hurriedly shook his head.

Even if he had considered it before, after seeing his sister-in-law's reaction, he had completely abandoned the idea.

What a joke. His brother probably wouldn't even need three days to win his sister-in-law over.

Thank goodness his brother was not a scumbag.

Yu Qingchuan warmed the nutrient solution for Lu Shiyi. Lu Shiyi thanked him, tore open the packaging, and began drinking at a leisurely pace.

His movements were such a pleasure to watch that Yu Qingchuan could not help stealing several glances. Even the medicine in his mouth seemed to taste faintly sweet.

The ancients really hadn't lied when they said beauty could be a feast.

Meanwhile, Lu Shiming ate breakfast by himself. After only a few bites, he felt full. Yes, watching their lovey-dovey display had filled him right up.

Ah, he wanted to fall in love, too.

After breakfast, Lu Shiming left immediately. He did not want to stay in this house for even one more second.

Lu Shiyi said he wanted to watch Yu Qingchuan paint, so Yu Qingchuan brought over his drawing board and painted for him. He was working on the mecha illustration for Lu Shiming, rendering even the reflections on the alloy with remarkable realism.

"Are you naturally this good at painting, Qingchuan? You said earlier that you've never studied under anyone. I'll ask around. If I find a connection, we can take a few of your works over. Getting some advice from an established artist would be helpful."

Yu Qingchuan smiled and nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Brother Yi."

He really did not know how good his painting was. In his previous life, his biological father had wanted to teach him, but something had happened to him before he had the chance.

Although this was a world inside a novel, Yu Qingchuan had already grown comfortable here and come to love it. Besides, its rules were no different from those of the real world. If he could receive guidance from a master here, he would surely improve much faster and further.

And so, after spending the entire day together, Yu Qingchuan no longer felt constrained at all. Lu Shiyi even handed him brushes and palette knives.

But all that ease disappeared when night fell. Yu Qingchuan showered in the downstairs guest room, and by the time he returned to the master bedroom upstairs, his face was turning red again.

They had chatted happily during the day, but now they were about to share a bed!

Yu Qingchuan's heartbeat quietly quickened, and his throat felt a little dry.

The main bedroom light had already been switched off, leaving only a strip of warm yellow lighting around the room. In that light, the handsome man looked even gentler. "Qingchuan, I'm truly sorry to ask you to do something that makes you uncomfortable."

"I-it's fine." Yu Qingchuan swallowed, but he still could not bring himself to climb into bed.

Help! Did Brother Yi really have this much charge left? If I'd known, I wouldn't have let him nap so long at noon.

"Qingchuan, you can think of me as a college roommate." As Lu Shiyi spoke, he suddenly chuckled. "That reminds me of a boy in my dorm back when I was a student. He was naturally sensitive to the cold, and his hands and feet were cold all year round. The school didn't allow electric blankets, either, so at first he could only survive with a hot-water bottle. Then one day, he accidentally spilled a cup of water on his bed and couldn't sleep in it, so he had to sleep in a roommate's bed. After just one night, he fell in love with sleeping beside a roommate who ran warm. In his words, it was like sleeping with a furnace in his arms, and his mother would never have to worry about his cold constitution again. He treated them to meals and begged them to take turns sleeping with him..."

Listening, Yu Qingchuan immediately seized on the important part. "Brother Yi, did he sleep with you, too?"

He wasn't jealous. Really, he wasn't. He was just curious. ╭(╯^╰)╮

A glimmer of amusement passed through Lu Shiyi's eyes. "Come lie down, and I'll tell you."

Yu Qingchuan was simply too curious to care about being shy. He pattered over, jumped straight into bed, and lay flat, urging him on with his beautiful peach-blossom eyes wide open. "Brother Yi, hurry up and tell me."

But Lu Shiyi unhurriedly switched off the strip lighting, leaving only a small night-light on. He gently lay down and turned to look at Yu Qingchuan. In the darkness, his eyes were as tranquil and captivating as deep pools, his voice as soft as water. "I didn't agree, Qingchuan. Only with you."

Yu Qingchuan: "..."

!!!