Editor and proofreader: Oceanblue

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Ye Qingyun didn’t quite believe that Gu Shenyuan was the one who actively pursued him. But since Gu Shenyuan said so, as someone with amnesia, he could only temporarily believe him.

Even if Gu Shenyuan’s pursuit seemed awkward, he still had to give him face and go along with it!

Ye Qingyun thought this way, until the next day when he was called for a meal.

Gu Shenyuan sat waiting for him, and the attendants behind him all seemed dazed as if they had seen a ghost.

What was going on? Was there some mystery in the food?

Ye Qingyun looked at the unfamiliar meats and vegetables on the table, gathered his courage, and cautiously took a bite.

Ye Qingyun: ‘!!’

It was perfect, just the way he liked it.

Gu Shenyuan watched Ye Qingyun’s expression without changing his own and asked, “How is it?”

“It’s so delicious!” Ye Qingyun praised, then grew a bit curious, “Is everything here this good?”

Ye Qingyun immediately felt his question was pointless. This was the highest power center in the galaxy; of course, they would have the best chefs, and everything would taste amazing.

Gu Shenyuan: “Mm.”

Ye Qingyun eagerly asked, “How much would it cost to hire such a chef?”

He wanted to hire one too!

Gu Shenyuan looked up at him with a calm expression, “For you, one kiss would be enough.”

Ye Qingyun was stunned, unable to respond immediately.

Gu Shenyuan watched him as if waiting for something.

Could it be…?

“Not willing?” Gu Shenyuan lowered his eyes and asked in a muffled tone. “Then, what about holding hands?”

Ye Qingyun finally reacted completely.

The one who made him dinner was Gu Shenyuan.

Gu Shenyuan, someone who didn’t care about external things and certainly didn’t care about the taste of food, had made such exquisite and delicious dishes that perfectly suited his tastes. How much thought and effort must have gone into it?

Ye Qingyun felt a swell in his heart as he looked down at the table, where he saw Gu Shenyuan’s hand hanging down, forming a loose fist.

Ye Qingyun reached out and placed his hand in that warm palm, which was immediately gripped tightly.

The two hands were held closely together, and although Ye Qingyun felt nervous, strangely, it didn’t feel unfamiliar at all, as if they had done this countless times before.

Above the table, the sound of bowls and chopsticks clinking as they ate occasionally broke the silence, but there was no conversation—like two people who had just met.

However, beneath the table, the hands remained intertwined and never let go.

———

Ye Qingyun felt a little giddy.

Is this what it’s like to be in love? He liked it!

But being pampered by a domineering ruler could shake one’s willpower. Fortunately, he was raised under the red flag and had a firm mind, so he wouldn’t be dazzled and turn into a trouble-making concubine who would bring ruin to the country.

For a boy like him to have a chance to become a concubine, life is truly unpredictable.

———

After dinner, Ye Qingyun followed Gu Shenyuan for a walk in the garden.

The hand that had been released after the meal was once again held by Gu Shenyuan.

This wasn’t a closed-off space; others could come at any moment to speak with Gu Shenyuan. Ye Qingyun even saw a guard in the distance staring wide-eyed. Ye Qingyun instinctively tried to pull his hand back but couldn’t, only for it to be gripped tighter.

Ye Qingyun murmured, “In public like this, isn’t it inappropriate?”

“What’s inappropriate?” Gu Shenyuan’s voice was cold.

“Look,” Ye Qingyun glanced around, pulling Gu Shenyuan to a slightly more secluded corner, and said worriedly, “What you’re doing doesn’t match the image you want to project to your subordinates. If anyone with ill intentions sees this, they might say you’ve forgotten your duties for the sake of a man, that you’ve been muddled by love, and that you’re not a ruler with dignity!”

Gu Shenyuan: “Mm.”

“So, in public, you should still maintain your stature and keep some distance from me—”

Before Ye Qingyun could finish his sentence, Gu Shenyuan stepped forward and gently wrapped his arms around him.

This level of contact didn’t make Ye Qingyun feel uncomfortable; he was just a bit startled.

“I’ve already been muddled by love; it’s too late.” Gu Shenyuan whispered in his ear. “Let them say whatever they want. I won’t keep my distance from you for such a ridiculous reason. Ye Qingyun… to me, you are more important than anything else in this world.”

Ye Qingyun’s face began to heat up. Gu Shenyuan didn’t hold him for long and quickly released him, then took his hand again.

This time, Ye Qingyun didn’t resist, letting Gu Shenyuan hold his hand as they walked through the garden, his heart pounding wildly.

———

Night fell, and it was time to sleep.

Gu Shenyuan escorted Ye Qingyun to his room. As Ye Qingyun turned to close the door, he saw Gu Shenyuan standing outside, quietly watching him, clearly intending to wait until he was out of sight.

“Good night. You should go back and rest as well,” Ye Qingyun said, gritting his teeth as he closed the door.

After closing the door, Ye Qingyun didn’t move. He leaned against it, listening carefully, but he didn’t hear any footsteps indicating that Gu Shenyuan had left.

Could it be that Gu Shenyuan hadn’t left? But it didn’t seem likely that he’d just be standing at the door.

Ye Qingyun curiously cracked the door open slightly. In the dim light of the hallway, he saw Gu Shenyuan leaning against the wall, his head lowered, arms crossed as he quietly stood. When he heard the door open, he turned to look at him.

Gu Shenyuan was still here!

Ye Qingyun was stunned. “You—what are you doing here? Why aren’t you going to sleep?”

Gu Shenyuan looked at him without offering an explanation, only saying, “It’s fine, I’m just standing here for a while. You go ahead and sleep.”

Ye Qingyun asked, “You’ll go back to sleep soon, right?”

Gu Shenyuan answered gently, “You sleep first.”

Ye Qingyun then closed the door again.

Gu Shenyuan stood outside, listening to the sound of water from the shower inside.

Ye Qingyun was separated from him by a wall, and this distance was already his limit. Any farther, and he would feel extremely anxious.

What if something happened to Ye Qingyun and he couldn’t get there in time? What if Ye Qingyun got annoyed with him, wanted to leave, and secretly made some kind of device to escape?

He couldn’t let that happen, so he chose to stay here, even if it meant not resting. He was willing to do so.

After all, during the time Ye Qingyun had been away from him, he had rarely been able to sleep. He had long gotten used to it.

Gu Shenyuan also knew that his mindset was quite frightening. Love that doesn’t allow even the smallest space to easily suffocate, and people start wanting to escape. He didn’t want to give Ye Qingyun that feeling, so he chose to silently stand here, not disturbing Ye Qingyun.

Gu Shenyuan stood quietly as the sound of water continued in the bathroom. The door suddenly clicked open.

Ye Qingyun poked his head out from behind the door, still damp from the shower, water droplets dripping from his hair onto his exposed collarbone, before slipping down out of sight under his clothes.

“I knew you were still here!” Ye Qingyun said.

Gu Shenyuan was suddenly grabbed, feeling somewhat at a loss. He hesitated for a moment before reaching out to touch Ye Qingyun’s hair, catching the falling water droplets in his hand to prevent them from falling onto Ye Qingyun’s clothes. He spoke softly, “Don’t be afraid, I won’t do anything you’re not willing to let me do. I just… can’t sleep, so I’m standing here for a while.”

“Do you believe what you’re saying?” Ye Qingyun ruthlessly called him out.

He wasn’t foolish—based on Gu Shenyuan’s behavior throughout the day, constantly staying by his side, and the fact that Ye Qingyun had died once, it was easy to guess that Gu Shenyuan was scared and didn’t dare leave.

If Ye Qingyun didn’t open the door, would Gu Shenyuan just stay outside all night? Would he sit on the floor and sleep if he got tired?

Ye Qingyun felt a mix of frustration and sympathy. He opened the door wider and grumbled, “Come in quickly.”

Gu Shenyuan froze, almost in a daze, as he entered the room with Ye Qingyun.

He watched as Ye Qingyun grabbed a towel to dry his hair while complaining, “You’re getting arrogant just because I spoil you. You rely on my affection and do whatever you want! We haven’t even kissed yet, and we’re already sharing a room!”

Gu Shenyuan wanted to explain again, saying that even if they were sharing a room and sleeping on the same bed if Ye Qingyun didn’t want it, he would never force him. But as the words were on the tip of his tongue, they turned into something else. “We were like this before, too.”

Ye Qingyun: ‘??’

Gu Shenyuan continued, “The first time we shared a bed, we weren’t even friends.”

Ye Qingyun nearly dropped the towel in shock.

Was it really that open? Was he out of touch with the times?

No, wait. He needed to keep his thoughts pure. Maybe it was simply that they had no place to stay and were forced to share a room.

At this point, he had to confirm something with Gu Shenyuan.

“Gu Shenyuan… I need to ask you,” Ye Qingyun paused, “How far did we go before? I mean, that kind of relationship. You understand what I mean, right?”

If they had already shared a bed and were engaged in those kinds of activities every time, tonight would be extremely awkward, and he’d even have to consider sleeping on the floor.

But if both of them were cold toward those things and focused more on emotional connection, then it would feel perfectly safe.

… Now that he thought about it, Gu Shenyuan seemed uninterested in that aspect. It fit his aloof persona perfectly. Gu Shenyuan probably had only a slight interest, if any at all.

Moreover, in the novel where Gu Shenyuan came from, even though there was no romantic storyline, the perspective was clearly from the submissive role!

… It seemed that Gu Shenyuan’s character conflicted with this, and the two of them might very well lean toward a Platonic relationship.

But that was fine. Even if it were Platonic, he still liked Gu Shenyuan.

Ye Qingyun anxiously awaited Gu Shenyuan’s answer. After a long silence, Gu Shenyuan finally replied honestly, “A kiss, or… using hands.”

Ye Qingyun immediately relaxed. The process of a middle school relationship was surprisingly reassuring. He dried his hair, lay down on the bed, and urged Gu Shenyuan to take a bath.

After Gu Shenyuan came back, Ye Qingyun patted the spot beside him on the bed, signaling for him to come over.

The lights went off, and the bed beside Ye Qingyun sank as Gu Shenyuan lay down.

“Don’t let yourself stay awake. Even if you can’t sleep, you have to force yourself to,” Ye Qingyun said domineeringly.

Gu Shenyuan softly agreed, and in the dark, he groped for Ye Qingyun’s hand.

Ye Qingyun didn’t resist, letting him hold his hand while curiously asking,

“Our kiss… It won’t be the kind where our lips touch, right?”

“No,” Gu Shenyuan’s voice, hoarse and somewhat ambiguous in the darkness, replied. “It will be… a kiss where I kiss every inch of your skin.”

Ye Qingyun: ‘???’