"Boyfriend," Shen Xunye added for him. "It's about gaining a boyfriend who gets jealous, gets possessive, and overthinks, right?"
"Yes..." Chi Li nodded, a silly, slightly drunken smile on his lips, "I was planning to upgrade you to boyfriend..."
He leaned softly against Shen Xunye, like a drunken, beautiful, and willful kitten who had found its home.
These drunken words, each one like a tiny hook, softly yet precisely scratched at Shen Xunye's heart.
Her boyfriend is so cute and wonderful.
He raised his hand and gently placed it on Chi Li's shoulder, on that fluffy head.
He stroked her soft, black hair very gently, one stroke at a time.
Chi Li seemed to feel even more comfortable from the caress, unconsciously letting out a soft, satisfied hum.
Her head rubbed against Shen Xunye's palm, and the fingers that had been gripping his clothes loosened, letting her head fall softly.
Perhaps because the problem had been temporarily resolved, Chi Li relaxed and almost fell asleep.
Shen Xunye maintained this posture, letting Chi Li lean against him, as if he wanted to sit there forever.
The next day, early morning, at the hotel.
In the center of the bed, a dark gray down comforter billowed up, rising and falling slightly with the steady, long breaths of the person beneath it.
Chi Li lay on her side, her face buried deep in the crook of Shen Xunye's neck, fast asleep.
He was still wearing a baggy T-shirt that clearly didn't belong to him.
The neckline of the T-shirt had slipped to one side due to the sleeping position, revealing a small patch of fair and delicate skin, adorned with slightly ambiguous marks.
Shen Xunye opened his eyes first.
The hands around Chi Li's waist tightened suddenly, pulling him closer to her, and her chin gently rubbed against the top of his head.
Chi Li, still half asleep, let out a soft, nasal sound filled with sleepiness, "Mmm..."
He didn't open his eyes, but instinctively snuggled closer into Shen Xunye's warm embrace.
He rubbed his cheek against the other person's neck, finding a more comfortable spot, then sighed contentedly, his breathing gradually becoming steady again.
Shen Xunye enjoyed Chi Li's unconscious initiative.
A feeling that was extremely unfamiliar, yet exceptionally soft and fulfilling, like warm spring water, slowly washed over my heart.
This person was sleeping soundly in his arms, breathing in sync with him, their body temperature mingling with his.
After sitting quietly for a while, Shen Xunye stretched out his arm that wasn't being used as a pillow, reached for his phone on the bedside table, and glanced at the time.
She got promoted and became her boyfriend, but she still can't give up her job as an assistant.
He lowered his head and whispered in Chi Li's ear.
The voice, low and gentle from the morning light and long silence, seemed afraid to disturb the sweet dreams of the person in her arms. "Baby... it's time to get up."
Chi Li's eyelashes trembled a few times, and she slowly and laboriously opened her eyes.
Her eyes, still misty from waking up, blinked blankly before meeting Shen Xunye's calm yet warm eyes, which were so close to hers.
"... Shen Xunye?" he mumbled.
His voice was hoarse and soft, as if he hadn't fully grasped the situation.
"Mmm," Shen Xunye responded, gently brushing her nose against his earlobe. "Time to get up, we need to get back to the Raising House before lunch."
Warm breath brushed against the sensitive skin behind her ear, Chi Li flinched, gradually regaining her senses.
Fragments of memories from last night instantly flooded back.
Chi Li didn't speak, but simply adjusted to a more comfortable position in Shen Xunye's arms. Her face was pressed against his warm chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat.
Before setting off, Chi Li uploaded a selfie with a piece of bread in her mouth to a social media platform to make up for her work commitments from yesterday's trip.
A chorus of wails erupted from below.
[Honey, have you ever experienced waiting from dawn till dusk, and then from dusk till dawn again? [Dark circles under the eyes]]
[You can ignore me all you want, I'm not sad at all. [crying][clenching fist]]
[But breakfast is also pretty yamiyami, isn't it? [licks lips] Oh, I'm not talking about bread for breakfast.]
[Who's going to compensate me for my lunch, dinner, and midnight snack yesterday?! [crying]]
[My wife and I were making love last night, of course she didn't have time for you complaining husbands. [Nosebleed]]
[↑Suspected to be Shen Xunye account.]
[Strip him!]
Shen Xunye certainly didn't have time to show off online. He was currently busy feeding Chi Li oranges.
"Baby, open your mouth." He held a cleanly peeled orange segment to Chi Li's lips.
Chi Li lowered her head slightly, opened her mouth, and rolled the orange into her mouth.
After he finished the juicy orange, he frowned and made a small protest, "... Don't call me that mushy nickname."
Making noises occasionally can be fun, but doing it normally... will only make people feel ashamed.
"What's it called?" Shen Xunye handed over the second segment of orange. "Darling? Boyfriend? Or like your fans... calling you wife?"
Chi Li: "..."
He didn't open his mouth to take the orange, but only glanced at the driver who was concentrating on driving.
"It's the family driver, don't worry," Shen Xunye said, allaying Chi Li's concerns. "Just answer honestly."
"... It's all very strange." Chi Li opened his mouth and bit into the second segment of the orange, juice wetting the corner of his mouth. "Just call me by my name."
"... That won't do." Shen Xunye looked mournful. "I'm a married man now, calling me by my name would be too formal."
After a few seconds of silence, Chi Li relented, "Then think of another one. Don't use the ones I just gave."
Boyfriends... definitely deserve some special privileges.
Shen Xunye handed over the third segment of orange, saying in a calm tone, "Here, husband."
Chi Li's mouth was only half open when she froze completely.
Husband...?!
who?
he?!
"What... what are you yelling about!" Chi Li quickly bit the orange into her mouth and chewed it forcefully.
I was so ashamed and angry I felt like I was about to burst into flames.
Shen Xunye laughed so hard his shoulders shook, looking like he'd successfully pulled off a prank. "... Well, I can't think of anything else."
He held the remaining oranges in front of Chi Li, his tone ingratiating. "Is my husband any good?"
I don't know if he's asking if the term 'husband' is appropriate, or if the person 'husband' is appropriate.
Chi Li glared at him, then grabbed the orange fiercely. "Try ordering another one!"
"You won't let me scream?" Shen Xunye leaned in, trapping the person in the small space encircled by the car door and his arms. "Then it's your turn to scream."
" Chi Li." He spoke slowly, his voice even lower, carrying an almost seductive quality. "Come and call me, husband."
He pronounced the last two words with exceptional clarity and slowness.
Each word, spoken slowly and deliberately, was like a brand, burning into Chi Li's eardrums and heart.