They stayed in this small town until night.

This town, bustling with tourists, was always lively at night.

Qi Wang and Yu Nian found a small restaurant at random for dinner, and surprisingly, the food was good.

It started raining outside, and they sat by the window, eating grilled fish and beef rice bowls. The owner also sent them a dessert, strawberry pudding in a small bowl.

Yu Nian also ordered plum wine.

It had started raining outside at some point.

This year’s autumn rain seemed to be particularly abundant.

Because of this, the square, usually crowded with people, was much quieter. Under the plane trees, warm-colored lights hid in the grass, adding a touch of warmth to this desolate and quiet autumn night.

Qi Wang lowered his head to help Yu Nian remove the fish bones, but when he looked up, Yu Nian was taking pictures of him.

He pushed the grilled fish towards Yu Nian. “Why are you taking pictures?”

Yu Nian admired the photos happily.

He hummed, “My boyfriend is so handsome, I have to take a few more pictures.”

Boyfriend.

He said that word with joy, the strawberry pudding melted on his tongue, flowing all the way to his heart.

Qi Wang was also amused, but he didn’t show off like Yu Nian did, even his joy was restrained.

He poured himself a glass of plum wine, which tasted sweet and almost devoid of alcohol.

At the end of the day, they took a night bus back.

Before boarding the bus, they asked a girl in line to take a photo of them together.

Beside a stone monument inscribed with Jiangyang County, Yu Nian held a roasted milk bread in his hand, trying to match Qi Wang’s height by standing on tiptoes, while Qi Wang rested a hand on his shoulder.

The gesture wasn’t excessive, but anyone watching from the side would feel that these two young men were exceptionally close.

On the way back, Yu Nian stared at the photo on his phone for a long time.

He leaned on Qi Wang’s shoulder, listening to the rain outside, feeling peaceful inside.

…

After taking the bus back to the city and then catching a high-speed train, they finally returned home, and it was already 10 p.m., and Yu Nian was feeling a bit sleepy.

Qi Wang opened the door to their room, urging him to go to bed in his own room.

But Yu Nian hugged his waist.

“I want to sleep in your room,” Yu Nian said confidently, his voice muffled against Qi Wang’s back, his hand slipping into Qi Wang’s shirt, “I want to sleep with you.”

“Don’t be silly,” Qi Wang instinctively reprimanded.

But Yu Nian didn’t let go, acting stubborn.

The two of them stood in the corridor for a while, the sound of clothes rustling, until Yu Nian pushed Qi Wang against the door, although Qi Wang was much taller than Yu Nian, he seemed like a cornered beast.

Yu Nian tiptoed, his body pressed against Qi Wang’s, leaning forward to kiss his chin.

“I want to sleep with you,” he repeated softly, his hand wandering to Qi Wang’s chest under his shirt, feeling triumphant, “Otherwise, neither of us will go in.”

He glanced provocatively at Qi Wang.

Since agreeing to his confession on the tram, Qi Wang had fallen from being the admired one to a butterfly in Yu Nian’s hands.

He had no power to resist, only letting Yu Nian have his way.

In the end, Yu Nian followed Qi Wang into the room.

He didn’t have pajamas and didn’t want to go back to get them, so he wore Qi Wang’s instead.

He was young, but he knew how to charm.

Although Qi Wang had spare pajamas, he didn’t wear them. Instead, he found a loose white shirt for Yu Nian to wear casually.

When Qi Wang came out of the shower and saw him like this, almost instinctively, he turned his head slightly.

He remembered the day Yu Nian had been a model in this room, his eyes were moist, like holding a spring rain, looking at him with a half-smile.

But he dared not look, and Yu Nian didn’t let him off.

Yu Nian walked over like a cat, sitting on Qi Wang’s lap.

The two of them, full of youthful vigor, the room was air-conditioned, not cold, but when their skin touched, their hearts beat faster.

Yu Nian looked at Qi Wang’s expression, raised his head, and gently kissed him.

The light in the room went out at some point.

The deep blue sheets were like undulating waves.

Inside the quilt was like another world.

Yu Nian felt like he was wrapped in a cocoon, unable to see any light.

Only Qi Wang’s warm hand stroking his face was real.

He couldn’t help but hum softly, hugging Qi Wang tightly in the quilt.

But Qi Wang didn’t go any further.

Yu Nian was still too young, too tender, like a gardenia bud that had only just bloomed, white and soft.

Even though he was so light, so soft, ready to open himself up at any moment and turn into a dream to welcome Qi Wang.

But Qi Wang restrained himself.

He didn’t think it was a good idea to have Yu Nian on the night of his confession.

He had too many concerns, anxieties, desires, and hesitations mixed together.

Moreover, Yu Nian had just recovered from illness.

So even though Yu Nian was on the verge of tears, begging him, he still pulled away.

He picked up the dropped white shirt, carefully helped Yu Nian put it on, buttoned it up one by one, covering him tightly.

The bedside lamp came back on, shining on Yu Nian’s flushed face.

Yu Nian looked at Qi Wang, almost itching with anger.

“Are you even a man?” he scolded angrily, his voice soft.

Qi Wang’s breath was also unstable, like a lion trapped in a cramped cage, eager to vent the fire in his heart.

But there was also a hint of helplessness on his face as he hugged Yu Nian.

“Don’t be silly,” he kissed Yu Nian’s forehead, “you still haven’t fully recovered.”

He paused, his voice slightly chilly, “As for whether I’m a man, don’t you know?”

His voice was far huskier and more seductive than usual, like a fire suppressed deep under the water.

Yu Nian suddenly calmed down.

His face was burning, his eyes moist, he pouted, although unwilling, he didn’t say anything more.

He snuggled back into Qi Wang’s arms, and the two of them huddled together, spending their first long night together after confirming their relationship.