The young man slowly opened his eyes. Memories of his previous life and this one mingled together, making his head feel as though it would split. All those forgotten wounds surfaced in his mind again.
He felt those painful memories and emotions sweep over him like a tidal wave, leaving him suffocating.
It had been a long, long time since he had felt this way...
"Nian'an."
The young man looked up at the voice and met the man's worried gaze.
He tugged faintly at the corners of his lips, trying to smile, but exhaustion left him unable to move. Even opening his mouth took tremendous effort.
Fu Xiuyuan stroked the young man's pale face, his eyes filled with unconcealable tenderness and aching concern.
Gu Nian'an gazed into the man's eyes for a long time before finally managing a smile.
He gently pulled down the man's collar and leaned in for a kiss. There was no lust in it, not a hint of suggestiveness, only pure affection.
Fu Xiuyuan's pupils widened slightly. Not daring to use any force, he simply let the young man kiss him.
After a long while, Gu Nian'an released his collar and said with some difficulty, "This is my answer to you."
Seeing the man frozen in place, the young man couldn't help smiling. His voice still a little hoarse, he said each word distinctly. "I like you, Fu Xiuyuan. As long as you still need me and still like me, I won't leave you."
Fu Xiuyuan rubbed his face hard. He knew Gu Nian'an was willing to stay, but when he actually said it aloud, for some reason, he still couldn't control his emotions.
The man's tears fell onto the sheets, drop by drop, spreading into dark patches as he repeated, "I love you. I love