Yu Li said he wanted to keep his distance from Lu Qing, and he meant it. Their appearances together at Jiang University had drastically decreased, and in nearly a week, the forum’s posts about them had barely been updated.

The decrease in their interactions made Xu An, who was observing from the sidelines, quite anxious.

In the crowded art class, Yu Li once again sat alone next to Xu An.

Xu An glanced at him several times before finally asking, “Yu Li.”

“Hmm?” Yu Li turned his head. “What’s up?”

“Why hasn’t your… bodyguard been coming up to see you lately? I haven’t seen him picking you up after class either,” Xu An scratched his head, hesitantly asking, “Did you guys have a fight?”

“No,” Yu Li opened his book to the page the teacher would cover. “He drops me off downstairs, and I come up by myself.”

Xu An still seemed doubtful. “Really? I remember during military training he came every day, rain or shine, to pick you up. Now…”

Yu Li: “We didn’t fight. He wouldn’t fight with me.”

Lu Qing would just look at Yu Li with those teary eyes, trying to win him over. But every time Yu Li saw that fierce-looking face making such expressions, he couldn’t bear to look directly.

Seeing Yu Li’s certainty, Xu An believed him about seventy to eighty percent.

He propped his face on his hand, wondering if their gossiping had made the two of them cautious about being too obvious at school.

Sigh…

Xu An couldn’t help but sigh.

Days without shipping them felt lonely as snow.

When would his OTP be back to their loving selves?

…

For five whole days, Lu Qing hadn’t even held Yu Li’s hand once.

That interrupted good morning kiss had been forgotten by Yu Li, leaving Lu Qing alone to reminisce and feel restless.

“Sigh…”

A heavy sigh echoed from the open-air terrace on the third floor of Xiangming Club.

“What are you sighing about?”

The iced latte’s cup was misty with condensation, leaving a faint ring on the table when lifted.

Qin Yue took a big gulp, his tone exasperated: “You’ve been here how long, and you’ve sighed how many times? Before, you couldn’t even see Yu Li for years, and you never sighed like this.”

“The hard days before can’t compare to now.”

Before, he was separated from Yu Li by a strait, satisfied just by seeing recent photos.

But now, he’d done everything with Yu Li, and the person he longed for was by his side every day. Going back to the ascetic life from before was unbearable.

“I told you you’re insatiable, but you wouldn’t admit it.” Qin Yue pushed the sugar dish toward Lu Qing: “You’re so bitter inside, yet you order this bitter coffee. Add some sugar before you get too bitter.”

Lu Qing ignored the sugar, looking at Qin Yue accusingly: “Yu Huaiyuan came that day just to deliver an invitation to Xiao Li.”

Qin Yue: “How’s that my problem? How was I supposed to know Yu Huaiyuan would come personally? Usually, assistants handle that.”

Lu Qing sighed again in front of him.

Qin Yue was getting annoyed.

“Why don’t you just come clean with Yu Huaiyuan? Tell him your Lu isn’t the bodyguard Lu Qing’s Lu, but the Lu from the Beijing Lu family. The entire Lu family will be under your command, and now! You, the future head of the Lu family, Lu Qing, sincerely want to be with Young Master Yu, even if it means being an unnamed bed buddy!”

He got more excited as he spoke, until Lu Qing kicked him with a dark face to shut him up.

“Can you read fewer trashy novels?” Lu Qing couldn’t hold back his urge to scold him: “If I really said that, not only would Yu Huaiyuan kick me out, but Yu Li would cut ties with me. Are you trying to get me killed?”

“I was just saying, can’t you just listen casually?” Qin Yue muttered, rubbing where he’d been kicked: “If Yu Li won’t let you get close, can’t you sneak in while he’s asleep? Didn’t you say he sleeps deeply? As long as you’re gentle, he won’t notice, right?”

Lu Qing: “You…”

Qin Yue: “I was just saying, are you going to scold me again?”

Lu Qing: “…I’ll think about it.”

Qin Yue: “…”

Qin Yue: “You dog, you’re the real beast.”

***

Lu Qing really took Qin Yue’s words to heart, but putting them into practice was another matter. He was hesitant.

His desire to be close to Yu Li was urgent, but more than that, he feared Yu Li’s anger if discovered. So even though he was about to explode, he maintained a calm facade.

Everything changed on the second Friday.

This was the second week of Yu Li and Lu Qing keeping their distance. The campus forum, akin to a mini Weibo, would spark discussions with any trending topic.

Recent hot topics included complaints about the slow elevator repairs in the central building and speculations about Yu Li and his mysterious boyfriend’s relationship.

[Explosive][Discussion Thread] Li Tao, YL and his boyfriend’s appearances together have drastically reduced. Are they breaking up?

1st Floor OP: Main post to prevent deletion

2nd Floor OP: As the title suggests, since last week, the sugar posts have barely updated. The updates in the past two weeks combined don’t match a single day’s worth before. Doesn’t this indicate a major problem between YL and his boyfriend? They were inseparable during the seven-day military training, so why the sudden coldness? Not even physical contact, just rare appearances together. My friend in the animation class told me the boyfriend hasn’t picked YL up for a while; he comes and goes alone.

So, what do you all think?

3rd Floor: Front row, fire extinguisher ready

4th Floor: How do you think? With your eyes. You all sound like gossip accounts, always watching their relationship. You’d think I stumbled into a celebrity forum. If you’re bored, go fix the central building elevator.

5th Floor: If you don’t like it, leave. Don’t ruin my gossip mood.

6th Floor: Already arguing? Early morning is explosive.

7th Floor: Off-topic, anyone discussing unrelated topics will be kicked out.

8th Floor: I also think they might have broken up. Interaction is too little. They were so perfect together. Don’t fight, please!

9th Floor: A girl in YL’s class quietly shattered. It’s been so long since the boyfriend picked YL up.

10th Floor: How could they break up? It’s too sudden.

11th Floor: I’ve been observing for two weeks. They must have broken up. Even if not, it’s close. In the honeymoon phase, how can you resist being close? When I was in love, I wanted to be with my partner 24/7.

12th Floor: Agree with above.

13th Floor: I agree too. CP fans, move on. Your couple is over.

14th Floor: The sky is falling.

…

236th Floor: So, YL is single now?

237th Floor: Blind student, you’ve discovered the highlight.

238th Floor: Oh my gosh, really!! I’ve had a crush on YL for so long. Now that he’s single, does that mean I can confess?

239th Floor: My roommate cried half the night when he found out YL had a boyfriend. Now he finally has a chance and has been grinning all morning.

240th Floor: CP fans’ sky fell, but YL’s admirers’ sky cleared.

241st Floor: How could the boyfriend bear to break up with YL? Heart of stone.

242nd Floor: Finally broke up. I got YL’s class schedule, ordered flowers, and will bravely pursue love at noon! (PS: I’m decent, rejected several suitors for YL. Wish me luck.)

243rd Floor: Really going for it?

…

The news of Yu Li being single spread like wildfire. In this gossip-fueled mini-society, within two classes, nearly half the school knew.

On his way to the studio during the break, Yu Li could feel many people openly and covertly watching him.

He didn’t frequent the forum and wasn’t aware of the CP shipping between him and Lu Qing, let alone the speculation about their breakup.

Unaware of his “breakup,” Yu Li frowned and quietly asked Xu An, “Do you feel like they’re all looking at me?”

The morning’s class was taught by a notoriously grumpy professor, so Xu An hadn’t dared to use his phone and was clueless about the forum’s happenings. He guessed, “You’ve always been popular. Maybe they’re just curious?”

Yu Li softly “oh”ed. He didn’t like being stared at and quickened his pace.

Xu An hurried to keep up, saying, “They probably mean no harm, but if you don’t like it, want me to post on the forum to stop it?”

“No need.” Yu Li shook his head.

He couldn’t control where people looked; that would be too domineering.

The basic course teacher assigned five pages of dynamic sketches to be submitted after class. With tight deadlines, the studio was filled with the sound of pencils and occasional complaints.

When the bell rang, only a few handed in their completed work, Yu Li among them.

As he descended the stairs, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a message from Lu Qing.

Lu Qing (Big-Chested Bodyguard): [Xiao Li, there’s an accident on Zhai Xi Road. I might be a bit late. Please wait for me; it’ll be cleared soon.]

Zhai Xi Road was the main route from Epiphyllum Mansion to Jiang University. With heavy traffic and many intersections, small accidents were common.

Yu Li replied with an “okay,” slowing his descent and leisurely sitting on a stone bench by the art building.

Three minutes after the bell, more students emerged from various buildings, heading towards the cafeteria.

Bored, Yu Li resumed reading the unfinished manga from last time.

But before finishing a chapter, he noticed the crowd slowing, discussions growing louder, approaching until they reached his ears.

Footsteps sounded on the stone path, and someone stood before him, blocking the sun, casting a twisted shadow.

Yu Li pressed the lock button, looking up.

A tall, strong boy in a printed black T-shirt stood there, holding a bouquet of dewy roses, seemingly freshly bought.

Meeting his crush’s eyes up close for the first time, the boy’s ears turned red, stammering, “Yu… Yu Li, hi, I’m Liang Anyuan from the School of Information.”

Yu Li became famous at Jiang University upon enrollment, but with a tall, strong man, presumably his boyfriend, always by his side, no one dared to confess, no matter how smitten.

The forum’s breakup speculation thread was still on the front page, and more students stopped to watch, nearly blocking the path.

In such a situation, others might have panicked, but even surrounded, Yu Li remained expressionless, simply asking, “What is it?”

Liang Anyuan gripped the flowers tightly, nervous and stuttering: “Yu Li, I’ve noticed you since you enrolled. I’ve always, always watched you silently. I really, really like you. I’m here to ask if you’d give me a chance to pursue you. I’ll treat you well!”

“Sorry.” Yu Li replied flatly, picking up his bag to leave the circle.

Seeing him leave, Liang Anyuan anxiously reached out, but Yu Li dodged.

Liang Anyuan pleaded, “Yu Li, Yu Li! I bought you flowers. Can I have your contact info?”

Facing his persistence, Yu Li repeated, “Sorry.”

“Yu Li!” Seizing the rare opportunity, Liang Anyuan chased after him, reaching out and loudly saying, “Didn’t you break up with your boyfriend? Can’t you consider me? I’m pretty decent!”

His voice was loud, oblivious to the crowd parting, allowing a tall, strong man to stride through, forming a barrier before Yu Li.

Startled by the sudden wall, Liang Anyuan nearly crashed into it. Ready to curse, he looked up, recognizing the face, and words stuck in his throat.

The man’s gaze was calm, emotionless, yet overwhelmingly oppressive.

Liang Anyuan stepped back, a bit scared, but with so many people watching, he couldn’t back down, defiantly saying, “What are you doing here? You’re just Yu Li’s ex. Don’t interfere with his next relationship! I’ll treat Yu Li a thousand times better!”

Now, Lu Qing’s gaze turned icy.

Liang Anyuan’s scalp tingled, gripping the roses tighter, about to say “hitting is illegal,” but the beautiful boy who’d twice apologized tugged the man’s clothes, saying, “I’m hungry.”

Instantly, the frost melted away.

The man leaned down, voice gentle: “Hungry? I made double-pepper pork slices and chicken wings for lunch. I also got the fruit tea you wanted…”

“Is it passion fruit lemon?”

“It is.”

“Then hurry, I need a nap this afternoon.”

Their conversation faded as they got into the car, leaving the crowd in shock.

“Damn! They didn’t break up! Not only that, they’re living together!!”

“Ahhh, my CP didn’t break up!!”

“Wow, the boyfriend’s a master of expressions. He was so gentle with Yu Li!”

“He’s got the husband attribute, not picking Yu Li up because he was cooking!”

“I’m shipping it! New attribute, new ship point!!”

“Damn, my CP is so sweet. Who spread the breakup rumor?”

“Hahaha, the forum guys planning to confess to Yu Li just got slapped!”

The crowd dispersed, leaving only Liang Anyuan standing there, face alternating between green and white, finally angrily tossing the flowers into a nearby trash can.

…

The Maybach drove steadily home, the car’s atmosphere silent.

Lu Qing repeatedly glanced at Yu Li, who was on his phone, seemingly oblivious to the glances.

Lu Qing returned his gaze to the road, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

He’d only stopped picking Yu Li up for two weeks, and breakup rumors spread.

Though they weren’t officially together.

But outwardly, he and Yu Li were a couple.

Hearing himself called “ex-boyfriend,” Lu Qing had a fleeting urge to “caress” the guy’s face with his fist.

He stared at the wide road ahead, brows furrowed.

He longed to be close to Yu Li, desperately so.

In such a short time, he’d become an obstacle to Yu Li’s new love life, a “former boyfriend.”

Thinking this, he glanced at Yu Li again, looking like a resentful husband.

Yu Li had noticed Lu Qing’s glances but was busy reading the forum post Pei Yu sent him, speculating about their breakup.

After skimming the post, Yu Li understood the sudden confession’s context.

No one had bothered him for so long that he’d nearly forgotten about pretending to date Lu Qing. If not for Liang Anyuan’s bold approach today, he wouldn’t have realized that Lu Qing’s two-week absence had stirred so many eager people.

If Lu Qing hadn’t come today, there’d be more like Liang Anyuan, and Yu Li wouldn’t have peace for the next four years.

Yu Li propped his face, calculating that two weeks of distance should suffice.

Yu Huaiyuan had checked in a few times since, but with Lu Qing back in his room, Yu Li had passed each check perfectly. Plus, with Yu Corporation taking on several big projects, his brother should be convinced by now.

Besides, Lu Qing seemed on the verge of going crazy, looking at him at home like he wanted to devour him.

Tapping his cheek, Yu Li lowered his gaze, hiding the desire stirring in his eyes.

Not just Lu Qing, he also…

Exhaling softly, Yu Li crossed his arms, looking at the distant blue sky, thinking: Maybe it’s time to let Lu Qing move back to his room tonight. After all, suppressing desires for too long isn’t good; it can drive one mad. Long-term restraint doesn’t stop longing; it intensifies it in the quiet of night.

…

The Maybach arrived home smoothly. Yu Li, already hungry, didn’t wait for Lu Qing, heading inside. Lu Qing followed, eyes filled with longing.

During lunch, Yu Li felt Lu Qing’s gaze drifting to him, but when he looked back, Lu Qing would avert his eyes, looking like he was holding back something.

Yu Li didn’t call him out, heading to his room for a shower and a nap after lunch.

With no classes on Friday afternoon, it was the perfect time to catch up on sleep.

Drawing the curtains, the room plunged into darkness.

Yu Li walked to the door, standing silently for a moment, then decided not to lock it.

He lay back in bed, closed his eyes, and soon fell into a deep, sweet sleep.

…

Creak—

The bedroom door opened gently, a tall figure appearing in the doorway.

Light from the hallway rushed into the dark room, only to be shut out as the door closed.

Lu Qing held a cup of hot milk, initially intending for Yu Li to drink it for a good nap, but now it seemed unnecessary.

He placed the milk on the table, silently standing by the bed.

Yu Li’s steady breathing echoed, indicating he was deeply asleep.

Lu Qing didn’t know how long he stood there, until his eyes adjusted to the darkness, and he slowly leaned down, sitting by the bed.

The room was cool with the AC on.

Yu Li was curled under the covers, half his face buried in the sheets. His closed eyes and fluttering lashes resembled a butterfly’s wings.

Lu Qing knew Yu Li had stayed up gaming again, yawning all morning. If not for Lu Qing’s persistent knocking, he might have slept through the entire morning’s classes.

Lu Qing understood Yu Li well. The young master slept deeply, especially after a late night. Even a thunderstorm wouldn’t wake him during a nap.

Gently raising his hand, Lu Qing’s gaze traced Yu Li’s face, his rough finger hooking the obstructive blanket, lightly touching the red lips.

The lips parted slightly, revealing white teeth and a red tongue.

His Adam’s apple bobbed uncontrollably, and Lu Qing slowly, inch by inch, slid his fingertip inside. The finger brushed past the lower teeth, delving deeper, the dry pad gradually enveloped by moist warmth.

Lu Qing’s breath hitched, muscles tensing.

He found the soft tongue, fingers moving greedily.

In his dream, Yu Li let out a soft hum, waking Lu Qing from his trance. He slowly withdrew his finger, kneeling by the bed.

After his intrusion, Yu Li’s lips parted wider, glistening, as if waiting to be filled.

Uncontrollably, Lu Qing leaned forward, hot breath brushing Yu Li’s fair cheek. He cradled the boy’s neck, urgently yet gently capturing the red lips, tongue prying open teeth, invading the soft mouth, savoring every drop of sweetness.

This was the most cautious yet thrilling kiss Lu Qing had shared with Yu Li. His heart pounded like a drum, two weeks of pent-up desire roaring, threatening to break free and consume the unaware boy.

One hand cradled Yu Li, the other retrieved a half-empty bottle from his pocket.

Three fingers twisted the cap off, two fingers dipped inside, swirling until coated in pale pink liquid.

He reluctantly released Yu Li’s lips, brushing them tenderly, then quietly withdrew the hand supporting Yu Li’s head.

The bottle returned to his pocket, the hand slick with pink liquid slipping under the thin covers, deftly hooking the loose waistband of Yu Li’s sleep pants, silently…

He glanced at the sleeping Yu Li, suppressing his increasingly heavy breathing, closing his eyes.

…

Yu Li slept deeply, the intrusion seemingly unable to rouse him.

The room was too dark to see his expression, whether he frowned or clenched the sheets.

His heart pounded fiercely, sweat trickling down his temple, Lu Qing’s eyes bloodshot, the thrill of this secret act overwhelming, pain restrained, waves crashing through him.

His body’s endurance reached its limit, and he abruptly stood.

In the darkness, the man’s expression was unseen. He picked up the now-cold milk, enduring the discomfort nearing its peak, and fled the room.

As the door closed, the person on the bed slowly opened his eyes.

Yu Li, face flushed, supported his sore waist, sitting up slowly.

Heat surged, his eyes misty, staring at the closed door, muttering softly.

“Stupid man, such a coward.”