Ruan Xinyuan shivered all over when Qi Xun casually called him “husband.” His eyes widened, round like glass marbles, silently rolling into Qi Xun’s heart.

“Is it okay, Xiao Yuan?” Qi Xun asked calmly, gently guiding him.

Ruan Xinyuan struggled to recall the size of the bed in Qi Xun’s master bedroom. It seemed like they could share it without any issues. After all, it was spacious enough for two men, and they wouldn’t even touch each other.

Who told him to agree just now?

He thought his question was a clever deflection, but it turned out to be a self-inflicted trap.

Besides, Qi Xun had a point. If Qi’s parents suddenly visited and found out they were sleeping in separate rooms, it would be hard to explain.

Since Qi Xun didn’t mind sharing a bed with someone who liked him, Ruan Xinyuan figured he shouldn’t worry either. They were both men, with the same physiology, so there was nothing awkward about it.

With this in mind, Ruan Xinyuan convinced himself and exhaled slowly, “So, what about toiletries for tonight?”

Qi Xun’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “I have disposable items here. You can use them for now, and we can go shopping together another day.”

“I also have clean robes, and you can wash and dry your clothes here.”

Ruan Xinyuan couldn’t think of any more questions and finally nodded in agreement, “Alright, I’ll let my roommates know.”

Z University had a relaxed policy for students staying out late. As long as they checked in at the dorm within 24 hours, there was no need for approval to sleep elsewhere.

Ruan Xinyuan sent a message in the dorm group chat about staying out overnight. The other three replied with a uniform “Got it,” without prying into where he was staying, probably already knowing.

“I’m going to take a shower. If you’re bored and want to play games, there’s a rec room next to the guest room,” Qi Xun said, taking off his light jacket and heading into the bedroom.

“Okay.”

Ruan Xinyuan watched Qi Xun’s tall figure disappear from view and quietly sighed, sitting back on the sofa, lost in thought.

He felt like Qi Xun was a bit different tonight.

Though still polite and graceful, Qi Xun had given him full respect in making important decisions, leaving the choice to him.

Yet, he couldn’t quite pinpoint what was different…

It just felt like he was being gently guided along.

After a few minutes, unable to figure it out, he stopped dwelling on it and started thinking about his “illness.”

Maybe marrying his destined person really worked; he hadn’t had heart pains for two days. But he wondered if the effect would disappear if they divorced. He couldn’t make any conclusions yet and decided to wait until he safely passed eighteen.

Ruan Xinyuan relaxed into the soft leather sofa, listening to the sound of running water.

He glanced towards the sound, noticing the master bedroom door was slightly ajar, making the water sound clearer. He thought Qi Xun might have forgotten to close it.

“Ding—”

His phone screen lit up with a new message. Ruan Xinyuan opened WeChat, his pupils unconsciously enlarging.

[Professor Qi: Xiao Yuan, I forgot to grab a robe. Could you get one for me from the guest room closet? Just pick any.]

In the guest room closet?

Ruan Xinyuan found it odd but got up and went to the guest room. After turning on the light and looking around, he opened the wardrobe door and saw five or six identical robes hanging inside.

Probably because there was no space in the master bedroom closet.

He set aside his doubts, grabbed one as Qi Xun instructed, and typed on his phone.

[Abundant Wealth Golden Ingot: I found it. Should I leave it at the bathroom door for you?]

[Professor Qi: Thanks, Xiao Yuan. Just hand it to me directly.]

Ruan Xinyuan replied with an “OK” emoji, put away his phone, and walked out of the guest room with the robe.

He strode to the master bedroom door. The water had stopped, and he gently pushed the slightly open door, quietly entering Qi Xun’s private domain.

Turning his head, he stood at the bathroom door under the warm light, momentarily frozen.

During the tour, he hadn’t noticed that the master bathroom was separated by just a frosted glass, allowing a vague view of the person inside and their actions.

Ruan Xinyuan forgot to blink. At that moment, he saw a tall figure with its back to him, using a towel to wipe its upper body and hair. He could even trace Qi Xun’s beautiful muscle lines with his eyes, not exaggerated but powerful—the kind of muscles he had always envied and wanted. Qi Xun’s waist and abdomen were also tight without any excess fat.

In his daze, the figure put down the towel and turned slightly. Ruan Xinyuan quickly closed his eyes as if burned, afraid to see anything inappropriate.

After all, certain shapes and sizes could also be revealed…

“Xiao Yuan?” Qi Xun noticed him through the glass and, seeing him motionless, sounded puzzled.

Ruan Xinyuan, ears burning, opened his eyes, lowered his head, and quickly placed the robe on the bed, speaking rapidly as if his mouth held a hot egg, “I put the robe on the bed. I’m going to the guest room to shower. See you later!”

With that, he closed the door with a “bang” and made a swift exit.

To avoid awkwardness later, Ruan Xinyuan grabbed a new robe and disposable underwear from the cabinet and hid in the living room bathroom.

Standing in front of the mirror, he panted, seeing his face slowly turning red under the cool light. Embarrassed, he splashed cold water on his cheeks, trying to cool down, and began to reflect.

How could he just stand there staring at someone and get lost in thought?

It was practically peeping!

But, taking a step back, was there nothing wrong with Qi Xun’s bathroom design and Qi Xun himself?

Who installs glass that shows silhouettes in a home bathroom… it’s so strange.

However, Qi Xun had said he wouldn’t let anyone stay over, so it made sense. No one else would see it anyway.

Tsk, Qi Xun’s physique was so well-built. He was just appreciating it, nothing more.

Ruan Xinyuan successfully calmed himself, examined the bottles in the bathroom, removed his clothes, tossed them into the laundry basket, and began showering.

Over twenty minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom, dressed in a robe, hair dried, and emotions in check.

Qi Xun was sitting in a single chair, reading a book in the same robe. The cool light from the lamp cast shadows on his high nose and long eyelashes.

“Finished?” Qi Xun sensed the gaze and looked up at Ruan Xinyuan approaching.

Seeing Qi Xun’s unchanged demeanor, Ruan Xinyuan finally relaxed. He’d just have to digest that awkward moment alone.

“Yeah, what are you reading?” Ruan Xinyuan leaned over the back of the chair, peering over Qi Xun’s shoulder.

A citrus scent wafted past Qi Xun’s nose. Ruan Xinyuan now smelled just like him, as if he had completely claimed him.

Realizing this, Qi Xun’s fingers paused, no longer interested in the dry book, and he discreetly adopted a ghostly habit, momentarily halting his heartbeat.

“Just some teaching materials,” Qi Xun closed the book, set it aside, and turned to smile at the person leaning on the chair back. “Didn’t you say you were tired on the way back? Go rest in the room. I have some work to finish.”

Ruan Xinyuan straightened up, “Oh, okay. You rest early too.”

Qi Xun smiled, “Mm.”

It was only nine in the evening, and Ruan Xinyuan, having passed his sleepy phase, felt energetic. He hesitated by the bed, then chose the side by the window, leaving a large space beside him.

The room was air-conditioned, the temperature just right. Lying on the bed, he played a few games, and sleepiness crept in again.

With no one else around, he didn’t feel constrained, casually placing his phone on the nightstand, switching to a bedside lamp, dimming the room. Half his face sank into the soft pillow.

Before long, he drifted into dreamland.

At some point, the door quietly opened, and Qi Xun’s footsteps were silent as he approached the sleeping figure and crouched down.

Ruan Xinyuan’s breathing was long and steady, his sleeping face flawless, a full, cherry-like mouth, eyes closed but still exuding an alluring aura.

Qi Xun didn’t know how long he watched before reluctantly standing up and lying on the other side of the bed, his movements silent, not disturbing Ruan Xinyuan’s sweet dreams.

With a “click,” the last light source in the room was extinguished, darkness enveloping the space.

The night had just begun.

Qi Xun turned, gazing at the slightly curled figure beside him, a smile tugging at his lips, then slowly closed his eyes.

A strange red light flashed quickly, replaced by a deep green shadow. A black and red ghostly figure floated freely in the room.

In his sleep, Ruan Xinyuan seemed to feel cold, turning to face the ceiling, pulling the thin blanket up to his cheeks.

The ghostly figure, with a clear target, unhesitatingly passed through the blanket, gently holding Ruan Xinyuan’s slender ankle, caressing it in his palm.

Then up to the calf, the ghost’s long hair draped over Ruan Xinyuan’s body, greedily enveloping everything he missed, absorbing the familiar essence.

After a while, finding his long hair bothersome, he lazily untied the red ribbon at his waist, tying his hair into a loose bun at his nape.

Time ticked by, the red and black shadows shifting continuously, moving downward.

Meanwhile, his robe fell away, revealing a broad expanse of abs, unconsciously brushing against the arm of the person beneath him.

With no more obstructions, the ghost’s eyes gleamed with excited red light, his transparent hands exploring the cherished forbidden territory on his beloved’s body.

There was nothing he could give up.

Finally reaching the precious face, he gently kissed the forehead, brows, the upturned nose, cheeks, chin…

Cherishing beyond measure, yet carefully avoiding the red lips.

The ghost restrainedly pressed his forehead against Ruan Xinyuan’s, then tightly embraced him.

The red mark on his forehead flickered intensely, signaling an impending flood of love.

The ghostly body couldn’t hold the real lover, but temporarily relieved the thousand-year-old ailment.

In his sleep, Ruan Xinyuan furrowed his brows slightly, turned over, and continued to sleep soundly.

Outside, the sky began to lighten, the light filtering through the curtains, dancing into the room.

Dawn was approaching.

The entwined ghost pulled the red ribbon from his hair, letting his ink-like hair fall, finally nuzzling Ruan Xinyuan’s nose before fading away, silently returning to Qi Xun’s closed-eyed body.

Reunited, Qi Xun opened his eyes, gazing at the peacefully sleeping Ruan Xinyuan, satisfied to maintain the human distance.

*

Ruan Xinyuan felt warm, stretching a leg out of the covers, slowly opening his sleepy eyes.

The lingering heat and passion from the dream remained, and he recalled the dream in bits and pieces.

Hot, passionate, intertwined, inseparable…

He stiffened, his mind flashing the face of the other protagonist in the dream.

Currently lying behind him.

Ruan Xinyuan dared not turn or move, as his lower body’s predicament hadn’t subsided.

His mind uncontrollably replayed the dream, forcing him to think about it.

Wait…

Why was he the one on the bottom in his dream?