Zhou Yi had originally thought that it would take a few more days for Liang Xianzhang to prepare for their move, but to his surprise, the very next day after work, he was taken to their new home.

When Zhou Yi saw the villa for the first time, he was completely stunned. It was a stunning sight. The grandeur and luxury of the exterior were only a hint of what lay inside. The interior, decorated in European style, radiated opulence. The furniture was exquisite, and the space was so vast that Zhou Yi felt a little overwhelmed when the crystal chandelier illuminated the room.

Still in a daze, Zhou Yi was gently led by Liang Xianzhang into the villa’s built-in elevator, and they made their way to the second floor.

Liang Xianzhang, having anticipated Zhou Yi’s reaction, didn’t press him with questions. Instead, he took his hand and patiently began showing him around.

“This is our cloakroom. I’ve had some new season items delivered here. If you don’t like them, we can change them later,” Liang Xianzhang said, pulling open the closet door. Zhou Yi’s eyes widened at the sight of the neatly arranged clothes. The sheer number and variety left him dizzy.

Before he could collect his thoughts, Liang Xianzhang led him to the next room. “This is a private cinema. I remember you mentioned that the screen at home was too small, so we got the same setup as in a commercial theater.”

And this is…

Zhou Yi listened as Liang Xianzhang continued the tour, describing each space. His initial shock gradually turned to numbness. While he had known for a long time that Liang Xianzhang was wealthy, the sheer scale of it exceeded anything he had imagined.

Finally, Liang Xianzhang led him back to the second floor and into the last room. “And here, this is our bedroom.”

Zhou Yi was taken aback. He looked around and realized that this room was identical to the bedroom in their previous apartment—same layout, same decoration, and even the same bedding. He turned to Liang Xianzhang in surprise. “Here?”

Liang Xianzhang smiled. “How is it? It shouldn’t feel unfamiliar now.”

At his words, Zhou Yi’s heart fluttered. Liang Xianzhang always seemed to sense his emotions and took them to heart.

Liang Xianzhang gently stroked Zhou Yi’s face, as if soothing his fluctuating feelings. “So, what do you think of this place?”

Zhou Yi looked around again, and it was clear that Liang Xianzhang had put a lot of thought into every detail. He couldn’t help but feel a swell of gratitude. “It’s perfect. So perfect, it feels like a dream.”

Liang Xianzhang smiled softly and took Zhou Yi’s hand, pressing it to his lips before holding it gently. “This is not a dream. This is our home. A place where we will live together… forever.”

Zhou Yi’s heart softened at his words. There was something about the sincerity in Liang Xianzhang’s eyes, the warmth in his touch, that seemed to ease the uneasiness he had been carrying.

“I’ve always felt that this house is too big, too empty. But if I live here with you, I think it will feel just right.” Liang Xianzhang said as he led Zhou Yi to sit on the bed. “This bed… it’s perfect for the two of us to sleep in together. Don’t you think it feels soft when you sit on it?”

Zhou Yi couldn’t help but smile. The initial unease he felt from being in a new, unfamiliar place was slowly melting away in the warmth of Liang Xianzhang’s words. His charming compliments only made his emotions stir.

After a moment’s hesitation, Zhou Yi leaned over, wrapping his arm around Liang Xianzhang’s neck, and whispered into his ear, “How about we lie down together and see if the bed is soft enough?”

Liang Xianzhang’s eyes darkened at his words. He stroked the back of Zhou Yi’s neck, where the temporary mark had faded, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he responded, “Let’s try it, then.”

Meanwhile, across town, Shang Yichen had just returned from work. As he walked into his apartment, he mistakenly thought Gu Shuning, sitting on the sofa, was Zhou Yi. After making this mistake several times, his reaction wasn’t as dramatic as before.

Gu Shuning, turning to face him, smiled warmly. “You’re back, Yichen.”

Shang Yichen nodded distractedly as he changed his shoes. “Yes.”

“I’ll go get the dinner I left for you,” Gu Shuning continued.

Shang Yichen’s face froze. He knew that after being abroad for so long, Gu Shuning’s cooking had become quite simple—usually light meals like vegetable salads or fried bacon and sausages.

Though he felt uneasy about eating it, Shang Yichen couldn’t reject the gesture, especially since it was made by Gu Shuning himself. So, despite his reservations, he sat down and began eating when the food was placed in front of him.

He scooped a spoonful of salad, but the bitter taste of the lettuce made his mood even colder. As he chewed, Shang Yichen’s face twisted in discomfort. He missed Zhou Yi. He missed the meals Zhou Yi used to prepare—meals that suited his taste and made him feel cared for.

As the thought of Zhou Yi crept into his mind again, Shang Yichen felt a pang of frustration. Even though he had tried to push thoughts of Zhou Yi aside, the memory of living with him had become too ingrained in his daily life to forget. He hadn’t heard from Zhou Yi in nearly two weeks, and each attempt to contact him had been met with silence.

Shang Yichen’s irritation grew as he realized that Zhou Yi had disappeared completely from his life. He was being ignored, and the uncertainty made him feel uneasy.

He sighed in frustration. If only he had listened to his instincts and kept Zhou Yi around when things felt off that day. He regretted letting him go.

“Are you worried about something? You seem to sigh a lot lately. Is work stressful?” Gu Shuning’s voice broke through his thoughts.

Shang Yichen looked up at her and felt a twinge of guilt. He had been so lost in his thoughts about Zhou Yi that he had forgotten Gu Shuning was there. “A little,” he replied, his voice flat.

Gu Shuning nodded thoughtfully, but said nothing further. The silence between them was palpable, and the conversation quickly lost its rhythm.

Shang Yichen’s mind was still preoccupied with Zhou Yi. His thoughts were distant, filled with longing for the simple, comfortable life they once shared. When he came home to a warm meal, a well-kept home, and Zhou Yi’s smiling face waiting for him—those were the moments he missed the most.

He sighed again, only to be interrupted by Gu Shuning, who quietly slid a cup of coffee in front of him. “If you’re not hungry, have some coffee. I just brewed it.”

The offer was genuine, but Shang Yichen could barely focus. He took the cup mechanically, his mind still elsewhere.

Gu Shuning watched him closely, her voice soft. “I have something to tell you.”

Shang Yichen set the coffee down, sensing that this wasn’t just a casual conversation. “What is it?”

Gu Shuning took a deep breath and said calmly, “I’ve thought about it, and I believe it’s better for me to go back to studying abroad.”

Shang Yichen was taken aback. “You… you’re going back?” His surprise was tinged with a sense of relief, and he wondered if this meant he and Zhou Yi could go back to their quiet life.

Gu Shuning smiled faintly, sipping her coffee before continuing. “Yes. I’ve made up my mind. I decided to study abroad, and it would be a shame to leave things unfinished. I’ve seen so much out there, and I’m not ready to return home yet.”

Shang Yichen nodded, a little relieved. “If that’s what you want, I won’t try to stop you.”

“When do you plan to leave?” he asked tentatively.

Gu Shuning looked at him with a playful glint in her eyes. “Tomorrow afternoon.”

Shang Yichen’s mood shifted. He tried to hide his sense of relief, but he couldn’t help but wonder if this would open the door for him to find Zhou Yi again. “Are you leaving that soon?” he asked, a bit of guilt creeping in.

Gu Shuning smiled gently. “No need to worry. I won’t bother you any longer. I’ve already stayed here long enough.”

Shang Yichen waved his hand. “It’s not like that.”

A strange silence settled between them, but this time, Gu Shuning didn’t press him for more words. Instead, she looked at him thoughtfully, clearly aware that something was missing from their interaction.

Shang Yichen, for the first time, wondered if he was ready to face the emptiness of his life without Zhou Yi.