The two walked side by side toward Peace Temple, chatting about trivial matters along the way.
Li Yankai felt uneasy, wondering if Xie Zhuzhou had told Ji Wangyun.
He was afraid that Brother Wangyun would distance himself from him, and that would really make him sad. Even though he had prepared himself mentally, he was still afraid of facing an unwanted outcome.
Humans are indeed creatures prone to overthinking.
Li Yankai felt uneasy and wanted to ask several times, but he didn't know where to begin. He secretly glanced at Ji Wangyun beside him, who was focused on the road ahead and seemed unaware of his strange behavior.
" Brother Wangyun, what made you suddenly decide to go hiking today?" Li Yankai finally mustered up his courage and tried to break the silence.
Ji Wangyun smiled slightly and replied, "I've been under a lot of work pressure lately, so I wanted to find a place to relax. I heard that the scenery at Qilin Mountain is quite nice, so I came to check it out. I didn't expect to see you here too, what a coincidence! I just saw my younger brother mention you in the group chat, and that's when I realized you were here..."
Li Yankai nodded, but his doubts only deepened. He felt that Ji Wangyun's appearance was not accidental, but the other party's attitude remained a mystery to him.
Brother Wangyun actually came alone. Could it be because there's something he didn't know about before that hasn't been resolved? I saw Brother Wangyun looking very depressed a few days ago.
Could it be that he's troubled by love?!
Thinking of this, Li Yankai felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
Could someone have gotten there before him?
It's perfectly normal for someone as steady, reliable, and charismatic as Brother Wangyun to have suitors.
But he was still very jealous of the person who could make Brother Wangyun put so much effort into him.
Li Yankai felt a mix of emotions, but on the surface, he pretended to be nonchalant and continued to ask, " Brother Wangyun, have you been having some troubles lately? You seem to have something on your mind."
Ji Wangyun paused, turning to look at Li Yankai with a deep gaze. "Why do you ask that? Do I look like I have something on my mind?" Oh no, did Xiao Kai notice?!
Was he making it that obvious?!
Li Yankai felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and scratched his head. "Well... I just feel like you haven't been very happy lately. You seemed the same way the last time I saw you."
Ji Wangyun was silent for a moment, then chuckled softly, "It's nothing, just some minor work-related issues, which are almost resolved."
Li Yankai nodded, but his doubts hadn't completely disappeared. He hesitated for a moment, then finally couldn't help but ask, " Brother Wangyun, do you... have someone you like?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wangyun stopped again, turned around, and looked directly into Li Yankai's eyes. "How did you know?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yankai's heart skipped a beat; it was indeed true.
But he forced a smile and said casually, "Because... because you seem to have someone you like lately."
Ji Wangyun stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed, "What's going on in your little head? I'm just under a lot of work pressure."
Seeing Xiao Kai's calm and unresponsive face, Ji Wangyun felt extremely sad and wanted to hug Aolai and cry.
Li Yankai breathed a sigh of relief, but he was still somewhat uneasy. He didn't know if Ji Wangyun's words were true or false, but at least for now, it seemed that Brother Wangyun hadn't distanced himself from him for any reason.
The two continued walking towards Peace Temple, the atmosphere becoming more relaxed than before. Ji Wangyun suddenly spoke up, " Yankai, what about you? Do you have someone you like?"
Li Yankai's heart skipped a beat, and Ji Wangyun's face instantly flashed into his mind. He didn't choose to hide it, but bravely said, "Yes."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wangyun tried her best to remain calm and asked with a smile, "Oh? Who is so lucky to be liked by our Xiao Kai?"
Li Yankai looked into Ji Wangyun's eyes, hesitated for a moment, and finally decided to confess. "It's... Brother Wangyun, you."
He's still young. If Brother Wangyun doesn't like him, he'll just have to wait.
Moreover, he doesn't regret what he's done; he's not someone who likes to waver.
Besides, a short pain is better than a long one. It's something we have to face sooner or later, so it's better to say it now. If Brother Wangyun dislikes it, then he won't bother Brother Wangyun anymore.
It's best to just keep your feelings to yourself; perhaps experiencing the bitterness of love is his punishment.
Ji Wangyun was stunned. He hadn't expected Li Yankai to be so direct. His mind was in chaos, but deep down, an overwhelming joy surged within him.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. " Xiao Kai, do you know what you're saying?"
Li Yankai nodded, his eyes resolute. "I know, Brother Wangyun. I like you, not the kind of liking a younger brother has for an older brother, but... but the kind of liking where I want to be with you."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wangyun was stunned, and the phone in her hand fell to the ground with a thud.
Li Yankai even bent down to pick it up for him.
Ji Wangyun was caught off guard and confessed to before she could even react!
Faced with Xiao Kai's sincerity and enthusiasm, he suddenly felt like a despicable adult—how could he let Xiao Kai confess first?!
In his imagination, his relationship with Xiao Kai had gone through countless ups and downs, and then he was confessed to by the person he liked so naturally.
Ji Wangyun's pale face gradually turned red, so red it seemed to be steaming. Finally, he couldn't help but squat down, hug his legs, and bury his face in them.
He's a mature adult, yet he's not as good as the boy next door who's a few years younger than him.
Seeing Ji Wangyun's reaction, Li Yankai felt both nervous and expectant. He bent down and asked softly, " Brother Wangyun, are you... alright?"
Ji Wangyun raised his head, his face still flushed, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. " Xiao Kai, do you... do you really understand what you're saying?"
Li Yankai nodded, his tone firm. "I understand, Brother Wangyun. I like you, not just in a simple way, but I want to be with you, to know everything about you, and to share my life with you."
After confirming several times that he was not dreaming, Ji Wangyun remained silent for a moment, slowly stood up, and then solemnly pulled Li Yankai behind a tree where there were few people, pressing Li Yankai against the tree.
He bent over, his forehead resting on Li Yankai's shoulder, his hoarse voice revealing the turmoil in his heart.
"I haven't been sleeping well lately, and I've been feeling really guilty about something. I thought I'd keep my feelings for you a secret forever, but I never imagined you'd be the one to approach me first. I like you too, Xiao Kai... and I'm also so sorry for making you face so much alone."
Li Yankai thought to himself that he had only discovered it less than a week ago, but seeing how moved Brother Wangyun was, he was too embarrassed to say it.
Wait, didn't Brother Wangyun just say he likes him?