"Hmm..."
In the ward, Shang Shujue's hand gently pushed against Song Yanqing's chest, a low, hoarse groan escaping from his throat, no longer a groan mixed with pain.
Instead, he felt an unbearable ache; his chest heaved violently, likely due to difficulty breathing, and his mind was somewhat hazy. However, the pain in his body had subsided, and the punishment was over.
"... Enough, enough... Song Yanqing..."
Shang Shujue felt like he was drowning in the gentle web woven by Song Yanqing. Although Song Yanqing was very gentle, he needed to breathe deeply, otherwise he would really suffocate.
Song Yanqing finally stopped, his hand supporting him on the bed. Shang Shujue loosely grasped his wrist, lying on the bed panting as he looked at him, his eyes unfocused and blank, as if he hadn't yet come to his senses.
His upturned eyes were tinged with a faint red, his fair face flushed with a rosy hue, and his erratic breathing revealed the rise and fall of his collarbone and his slender neck, making him incredibly alluring.
Does it still hurt?
Song Yanqing's breath hitched, his eyes darkened, he took a deep breath, suppressed the thoughts that suddenly surfaced, and bent down to hug Shang Shujue.
He tenderly rubbed his head, soothing his trembling body still trembling from the lingering pain. His voice was hoarse, but the tenderness and love in his words outweighed all desire.
"It doesn't hurt anymore..." Shang Shujue leaned against Song Yanqing's shoulder, nuzzling him slightly, then remembered his injuries. She raised her weak hand and stroked his back, her voice weak but filled with worry, "What about you? Your injuries..."
"My wounds have scabbed over; your Healing Pill worked very well." Song Yanqing hugged Shang Shujue tighter, his throat tightening as he spoke, choking back a moment before he finally managed to say, "I'm sorry... A-Jue..."
Why apologize?
Shang Shujue gently pushed Song Yanqing's body away, got out of his arms, and leaned weakly against the headboard. She held his hand and looked at the wound on his wrist. The wound on his left wrist had scabbed over and new pink flesh had grown.
"You didn't do anything wrong. I wanted to save you. I don't blame you. Don't threaten others by hurting yourself next time. They won't care, but I will."
As soon as Shang Shujue finished speaking, Song Yanqing's breath hitched, his heart skipped a beat, and he finally realized something. He stared blankly at Shang Shujue, his pupils shrinking for a moment, and his hand suddenly gripped his wrist, his breath trembling.
"... A-Jue... you... me..."
"I like you."
"...!!!"
Shang Shujue choked for a long time before finally finding her voice. After uttering four words, her throat felt like it was filled with lead, and she couldn't make a sound. Her eyes also reddened.
He already knew what Shang Shujue wanted to express, so he was a little excited, even so excited that he lost his voice. When Shang Shujue said he liked him, he couldn't say anything, so he responded with a passionate hug and kiss.
Shang Shujue hadn't expected her long-awaited confession to receive such a passionate response, and she was momentarily overwhelmed, but she didn't reject him.
During the forty-six days that Song Yanqing was away from him, he always felt empty inside, thinking about him almost every day, even though he was living a very fulfilling life.
But his longing only intensified, until he heard Song Yanqing's cry for help. Only then did he realize that his feelings for Song Yanqing had never changed because of his deliberate transformation into awkward rivalry.
From the first moment he saw Song Yanqing as a teenager, he fell in love with him. However, back then, he had a strong sense of pride and was exceptionally sensitive, which twisted his affection into dislike, leading him to constantly oppose the other person... How childish of him...
Having figured all this out, Shang Shujue had long ago decided to tell Song Yanqing his feelings, and Song Yanqing's love for him was already overflowing.
He has already confessed his love to him and has been waiting for him all along. What reason does he have to make him continue to wait? Since they love each other, wouldn't it be better for them to be together...?
but...
"Ugh... I can't breathe..."
Shang Shujue felt that Song Yanqing was too emotional. The kiss made his breathing, which he had finally managed to calm down, become erratic again. He pushed Song Yanqing's face away and turned his head to breathe.
" A-Jue..."
Song Yanqing held Shang Shujue's hand, gently pulled it away, leaned down and kissed his cheek and neck, calling his name in a low, hoarse voice, tears falling like raindrops, hitting his neck and burning his skin with goosebumps.
"..." Shang Shujue looked at Song Yanqing's tearful face, and remained silent in shock for a long time. In the end, she felt sorry for him and raised her hand to rub his head and comfort him.
"Stop crying. There's nothing here. If we keep lingering like this, things won't end well. Besides, I'm feeling a bit hungry now, so let's come back when we've both recovered?"
"...!!!"
Song Yanqing, propped up on the bed, stared blankly at him, seemingly shocked by the meaning behind his words, or perhaps feeling that she was being too incompetent. After the shock subsided, her tears fell even more fiercely, and she couldn't utter a single word...
"Oh no, my new boyfriend is a crybaby who cries easily when he gets excited, what should I do? What can I do? Be patient and comfort him..."