A grown-up kiss

Yu Qingchuan was trapped between the wall and Lu Shiyi, and almost instantly, his breathing grew uneven.

The entryway lights were a warm yellow, creating an intimate, romantic atmosphere that was perfect for kissing.

But-

"Can, can I have both?" Yu Qingchuan's small Adam's apple bobbed a few times as he made his request in a trembling voice.

A kiss on the lips was fine, but he wanted a forehead kiss too.

It was Lu Shiyi's unfailing tenderness that had given him the courage to ask.

At the same time, though, he worried that asking for too much would make Lu Shiyi dislike him.

Torn between these feelings, Yu Qingchuan lowered his gaze, not daring to look at Lu Shiyi's expression.

Lu Shiyi froze for a moment at his words, an indescribable warmth and tenderness welling up in his heart.

"Of course. I'm sorry. I should have thought of that." His gaze impossibly gentle, Lu Shiyi bent down and lovingly pressed a kiss to Yu Qingchuan's forehead.

Yu Qingchuan instinctively closed his eyes, savoring the kiss on his forehead.

It was so warm, exactly the feeling he had always dreamed of.

But then Lu Shiyi's rather thin lips began moving downward.

His warm breath brushed Yu Qingchuan's skin. Yu Qingchuan's lashes fluttered nervously, and he unconsciously braced a hand against the wall, anxious yet expectant.

At last, Lu Shiyi's lips arrived as promised.

He, he kissed me... My first kiss is gone.

When the long kiss ended, Yu Qingchuan gulped down air like a fish returned to the water after too long on land, his head utterly dazed.

Lu Shiyi scooped Yu Qingchuan into his arms and carried him toward the sofa. Mindful that he had not fully recovered yet, Yu Qingchuan did not dare struggle at all. After gently setting him down on the sofa, Lu Shiyi went to the kitchen to pour him some water.

Yu Qingchuan drank more than half the glass in one go.

Lu Shiyi chuckled and reached out to ruffle his hair. "Sorry. I startled you."

"Was, was that your first kiss too, Brother Yi?" Yu Qingchuan asked curiously.

Lu Shiyi nodded, answering without hesitation. "Yes."

After a pause, he added, "Sounds like you were fairly satisfied with my first-kiss performance?"

Teased once again, Yu Qingchuan blushed silently, too shy to speak.

Still, in novels, tops always knew what to do without being taught.

Stop. I can't keep thinking about this!

That afternoon, Professor Kong had asked whether he wanted to return to class. After all, the quality of teaching at Z University's School of Fine Arts was renowned nationwide, and he disapproved of someone as talented as Yu Qingchuan skipping classes.

One reason Yu Qingchuan had not been attending classes was that he had already been to university, though his original university admittedly was not as good as Z University. The other was that someone at school had bullied the original owner of his body. Back then, he had only just arrived in this world and had little ability to protect himself, so naturally, he avoided trouble wherever he could.

But now, without realizing it, he had grown a great deal. He no longer chose to hide when something happened, and even if he could not resolve it himself, he could ask Brother Yi for help.

He trusted that Brother Yi would not find him troublesome.

In short, after discussing it with Professor Kong, Yu Qingchuan decided to return to class once the competition was over.

Until then, he hoped to spend more time accompanying Lu Shiyi to rehabilitation.

Lu Shiyi had always been in excellent physical condition. After his accident, he had received the best treatment available, and even the nutritional supplements he drank cost four figures per vial, so his physical functions had barely deteriorated. With Lu Shiming and Yu Qingchuan's attentive care and muscle massages on top of that, he recovered completely in just one short week.

As his health improved, the muscle definition he had lost returned as well.

As the person who slept beside Lu Shiyi every night, Yu Qingchuan was better qualified than anyone to comment on that.

During Lu Shiyi's rehabilitation, Liang Xingyao called him countless times, tearfully asking on every occasion when he would finally come to work.

He spoke as though Lu Shiyi would be a heartless scumbag if he did not return, and even humbly offered him another two percentage points.

Lu Shiyi had originally intended to block Liang Xingyao, but the mention of two percentage points made him fall silent. His boy would need to hold art exhibitions in the future, and art could burn through a lot of money. He needed to earn more so Yu Qingchuan would never have to worry about money.

So Lu Shiyi accepted, saying he would come to work in three days, the following Monday.

Liang Xingyao could barely contain his delight. His days of lazing around were finally within reach! He could go to the School of Fine Arts and find pretty young men and women to paint his portrait and date him!

Ever since arriving in the novel, Yu Qingchuan had spent almost all his time glued to Lu Shiyi's side. Now that Lu Shiyi was about to return to work and he would be going back to school, Yu Qingchuan found himself reluctant to part. Naturally, Lu Shiyi felt the same.

Before falling in love, he had devoted himself entirely to work. He had never imagined he had the potential to become so lovestruck.

Fortunately, Starbright International was running smoothly now, and Yu Qingchuan's class schedule at Z University was not too packed. They would still be able to see each other in the evenings.

Still, he could not quite shake his displeasure, so he arranged to meet Lu Shiming at a boxing gym on Saturday for some sparring.

In other words, Lu Shiyi would finally get to beat up his little brother.

When Lu Shiming heard, he let out a string of panicked cries and pleaded miserably with Yu Qingchuan to save him. His brother was a Muay Thai expert! His punches were vicious and fast. Just thinking about them was terrifying.

But perhaps he could seize the chance to land a few punches on his brother too? Clinging to that lovely hope, Lu Shiming accepted the invitation to spar.

On Friday, Lu Shiyi drove Yu Qingchuan to Maple Leaf Valley, just outside the city. In autumn, the maple leaves covering the mountains blazed a spectacular red. There was a lovely estate there where they could take a boat out on the lake and fish, and the food was delicious too. It would be a date.

Yu Qingchuan was really looking forward to it.

Early the next morning, Lu Shiyi kissed Yu Qingchuan awake. Yu Qingchuan adored the feeling; every time, he could not help smiling.

The drive to Maple Leaf Valley took over an hour. Considering the distance, Lu Shiyi had prepared movies and snacks in advance, but Yu Qingchuan chatted with him along the way, and the time flew by. In the blink of an eye, they had reached their destination.

When two people in love were together, anything they did was enjoyable.

Lu Shiyi had planned everything thoughtfully. They spent the morning boating on the lake and admiring the maple leaves, basked in the sun in a glass treehouse at noon, and went horseback riding in the afternoon.

His riding clothes perfectly outlined his physique: broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and impossibly long legs. Dazed by the sheer beauty of the man before him, Yu Qingchuan desperately wanted to tell Lu Shiyi, Hello. Let's get married.

The tall, pure-white horse had long white eyelashes and dark brown eyes that shone with a gentle light. It looked very friendly.

Lu Shiyi helped Yu Qingchuan onto the horse and carefully taught him how to ride, then mounted another horse himself and led him around the riding grounds at a gentle trot.

Yu Qingchuan fell in love with the sport almost instantly. He even tried going a little faster, the wind whistling past his ears and leaving him feeling free and relaxed.

Dates are so much fun!

Toward evening, Lu Shiyi took Yu Qingchuan to the greenhouse. The moment he stepped inside, Yu Qingchuan was stunned. It was filled with blooming roses in every color!

The red ones were rich and romantic, the pink ones innocent and beautiful, the champagne ones elegant and mysterious... A staff member nearby explained that these were all premium rose varieties flown in by air. They could cut whichever blooms they liked, and the estate would wrap them.

As an art student, Yu Qingchuan had a certain fondness for romance. Surrounded by this sea of flowers, he was truly swept off his feet.

They're so beautiful!

"I'll cut them with you." Smiling, Lu Shiyi picked up a pair of scissors and took Yu Qingchuan's hand with his free one, encouraging him to look for the roses he liked.

With his keen eye for beauty, Yu Qingchuan immediately began searching. Worried that the thorns might scratch his lovely hands, Lu Shiyi did all the cutting, occasionally asking Yu Qingchuan whether a particular rose was pretty.

Before long, they had cut several dozen blooms and handed them all to the staff.

That evening, the roses were delivered to their room, wrapped into a beautiful, dreamy bouquet that added another touch of romance and elegance to the already luxurious surroundings.

They were staying in a lake-view room with a floor-to-ceiling window that took in the entire scene. Across the lake, the maple leaves resembled sunset clouds. Though it was late at night now, the lights kept the scenery as beautiful as a dream.

Lu Shiyi poured him a low-alcohol cocktail, and Yu Qingchuan lay back in a beanbag chair, utterly content.

Just then, Lu Shiyi lowered his head to kiss him on the lips. "Qingchuan, are you happy?"

Yu Qingchuan tilted his head up and sweetly returned the kiss. Unable to speak, he nodded. So happy!

I like Lu Shiyi so much!

The two fell asleep in each other's arms amid the faint fragrance of roses. On the other side of the city, Lu Shiming was tending to his boxing gloves, silently praying to his parents to bless him so he could defeat his brother tomorrow and pin him to the ground for a thorough thrashing!