Yu Wanlai pressed down on Yu Qingyue, lifted his hand, and pinched Yu Qingyue’s chin, forcing his mouth open. His tongue entered Yu Qingyue’s mouth and tangled with his tongue.

The air in Yu Qingyue’s mouth grew thinner, but Yu Wanlai kissed deeper, as if punishing him, making it more intense and forceful. Yu Qingyue gradually struggled to breathe and raised his hand to push Yu Wanlai away, but Yu Wanlai caught his hand in time and pressed it back onto the bed. The kiss, accompanied by wet sounds, echoed in the quiet room, mixed with increasingly heavy breaths. It wasn’t until Yu Qingyue’s stomach let out a few audible growls that Yu Wanlai finally pulled away slightly. Their lips parted, connected by a lingering silver thread.

During their struggle, the towel on Yu Qingyue’s face fell again, revealing his sparkling eyes and flushed cheeks. Yu Wanlai grabbed the towel and wiped the water off Yu Qingyue’s chin and mouth, then stood up and went to the bathroom to wash it again. By the time he returned, Yu Qingyue was already sitting up. Yu Wanlai tried to put the towel back on him, but Yu Qingyue dodged it.

Yu Wanlai explained, his voice slightly hoarse, “I cleaned it, and now you’re rejecting it?” Yu Qingyue thought to himself, most of it was actually Yu Wanlai’s fault. As he thought about it, his face flushed even more, turning completely red.

Yu Wanlai considered washing it again with soap, but before he could act, he heard another stomach growl. Unable to hold back, he turned and chuckled softly.

Yu Qingyue immediately glared at him, looking fierce, “What are you laughing at?” But Yu Wanlai found it adorable. He reached out and touched Yu Qingyue’s stomach, which indeed felt flat, then placed the towel aside and stood up. “I’ll go check if there’s anything to eat downstairs. You can sleep later.”

Yu Qingyue tensed up immediately, reaching out to grab Yu Wanlai’s shirt. “Don’t go! Why do you always want to leave? Are you regretting coming back?”

Yu Wanlai pressed his lips together, then turned back with a helpless sigh. “Aren’t you hungry?”

Yu Qingyue gripped him tightly, unwilling to let go, just as he had minutes ago, and with his eyes wide open, lied, “Not hungry!”

Yu Wanlai sighed, “…Then is that growl from your stomach?”

“I really’m not going anywhere, I just need to check the kitchen.”

Yu Qingyue furrowed his brows, his fingers tightening to the point of turning white. “I said I’m not hungry… Don’t go!”

Yu Wanlai helplessly chuckled. There was nothing he could do; it was his fault for not handling their relationship properly earlier. He bent down, took Yu Qingyue’s hand, and placed it on his shoulder to avoid his injury. Then, he lifted Yu Qingyue and said, “Let’s go together, that’s fine, right?”

At this, Yu Qingyue didn’t say anything more. He obediently wrapped his arms around Yu Wanlai’s neck and allowed him to carry him out of the room and downstairs.

Halfway down, Yu Wanlai suddenly felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. He hissed but didn’t let go, knowing that if he did, Yu Qingyue would fall down the stairs.

“…Why did you bite me?” Yu Wanlai asked, even though Yu Qingyue had specifically lifted his clothes and bit him.

Yu Qingyue let go and coldly snorted, speaking stubbornly, “I just wanted to bite.” He was still furious! Absolutely furious! How could this person avoid him for two whole months! Even when he ignored Yu Wanlai before, he never avoided him, never ignored his messages, and definitely wouldn’t just disappear!

Yu Wanlai adjusted his hold, lifting Yu Qingyue slightly, and continued down the stairs. “Fine, you can bite all you want.”

Hearing this, Yu Qingyue really opened his mouth and bit again.

Yu Wanlai: …Wait, he really bit me again! When will this anger subside? He no longer dared to leave Yu Qingyue alone. Fortunately, Yu Qingyue was still paying attention to him. Before he came back, Yu Wanlai had actually been feeling uncertain. That’s why, when he was in his own room, he couldn’t fall asleep no matter how much he tossed and turned.

Yu Wanlai set Yu Qingyue down in the dining room chair, and finally, Yu Qingyue released him. He opened the refrigerator to see if there was anything to eat. To his surprise, it was all ready-to-eat food. Yu Wanlai blinked and looked suspiciously at the boxes of pre-made meals in the fridge.

Yu Wanlai: …What’s going on here? He turned around to glance at Yu Qingyue. “Did you make a lot of dishes today? So much leftover food?”

Yu Qingyue’s gaze shifted aimlessly; he didn’t dare explain. “I guess so,” he said.

Yu Wanlai had initially planned to find something quick to eat, but now that he had found it, he suddenly didn’t want to give this food to Yu Qingyue. He pulled out some fresh meat and a small bunch of green beans. Turning to Yu Qingyue, he asked, “How about green bean meat noodles? Is that okay?”

Yu Qingyue nodded; he was indifferent to whether he ate or not. Seeing that Yu Qingyue had no objections, Yu Wanlai closed the refrigerator door and headed to the kitchen.

Yu Qingyue thought about how long it would take to cook noodles and heat them in the microwave, but when he saw that Yu Wanlai had been in the kitchen for a while without coming out, he decided to check. Of course, he wasn’t worried about Yu Wanlai running away, since the kitchen windows were small, and anyone wanting to leave would have to pass through the dining room.

Suddenly, his feet touched something cold. Yu Qingyue flinched and looked down, then remembered he wasn’t wearing slippers.

Yu Qingyue: …

He didn’t pay it any mind and kept heading toward the kitchen.

By the time Yu Qingyue entered, Yu Wanlai had already spread out the noodles and was getting ready to cut them. Just then, the oven dinged. Yu Qingyue reached over to open it and found several egg tarts inside. He thought to himself, so that’s why he had smelled a milky scent earlier.

When Yu Wanlai heard the sound, he turned around and saw Yu Qingyue standing in the doorway, not sure when he had entered. Yu Wanlai frowned and quickly walked over to pick him up, placing him on the counter. “Why aren’t you wearing slippers? Why are you running around? Aren’t you cold?”

He had originally intended to take immediate action but suddenly remembered he was cooking, so he stopped.

Yu Qingyue replied, “Not cold,” and tried to jump down, but Yu Wanlai stopped him. “This is where the food goes. What are you doing? Let me down.”

Yu Wanlai: …Really particular!

He decided to go along with it, saying, “Fine, just wipe it off later, or maybe spray some alcohol to disinfect?”

Yu Qingyue’s breath quickened, and he retorted angrily, “You need the disinfecting!”

Yu Wanlai smirked. “If you don’t need disinfecting, then sit down. Why keep rejecting yourself? You’re perfectly clean…” Saying that, as if to reassure Yu Qingyue, he leaned in and lightly kissed the corner of his mouth, then added, “Mmm, you smell nice, and sweet too.”

Yu Qingyue’s ears turned red. He thought, that must be the smell of the egg tarts, as he had eaten one earlier. He weakly refuted, “Well, other people eat too.” He couldn’t let others think he was the only one who didn’t mind.

Yu Wanlai kissed him again on the lips. “It’s fine. I’m the only one who’s seen it today. I don’t mind you. As for the others…” Yu Wanlai pulled back slightly, winking mischievously, “Mom and Dad don’t know. Let’s just not mention it.”

In the dining room, Qin Shuang, holding a water cup, had had enough. These two were staying up late in the kitchen, talking behind their backs? She cleared her throat and stepped out of their line of sight, her face stern as she quietly watched them.

Yu Wanlai was startled. “Oh my, when did this family learn to stay up late? That could’ve scared me to death!” He quickly took two steps back, distancing himself from Yu Qingyue and giving an awkward laugh.

“Aunt, are you… coming downstairs for water?”

“…Should I… get you some?”

Qin Shuang glanced at Yu Wanlai, whose hands were covered in flour, and shook her head. “No need.”

Meanwhile, Yu Qingyue quietly watched the two awkwardly chat. In the past, at times like this, he would always be the one who panicked, worried that something might be revealed. But now, since he had already said everything, been hit, and been scolded, he didn’t care whether anyone noticed. Still, it was quite amusing to see Yu Wanlai looking so flustered. Just earlier, he had said he wanted to marry him, but now he was backing off faster than anyone. Truly a liar!

Yu Wanlai inexplicably felt a chill down his spine when he saw that Qin Shuang didn’t seem to be leaving after getting her water. He had no choice but to speak up. “Aunt… how about you stay and have some noodles?” That’s when she noticed the noodles on the plate.

Qin Shuang glanced at Yu Qingyue and saw the clear intention to send her away in his eyes. She hadn’t planned to eat, but suddenly changed her mind. She turned to Yu Wanlai, her tone shifting. “Alright, then. Thank you.”

Her son, who had refused to come down no matter how much she called, now seemed willing to eat! She had been pulling a long face every day, but now, he actually seemed more lively.

Yu Qingyue pursed his lips and gave Yu Wanlai a dissatisfied glare. Truly talkative!

Soon, the aroma of the minced meat filled the air, making Yu Qingyue even hungrier. He had finished the egg tart but didn’t dare to eat a second one. It was too late, and eating too many sweets would make him gain weight.

Qin Shuang sat in the dining room, drinking water while waiting for the noodles. She thought about what she had just overheard and the actions the two hadn’t managed to hide. She had initially thought her son was just infatuated, so she didn’t stay angry for long. After all, she hadn’t expected that the first setback he would face in life would be in matters of the heart.

To be honest, she knew that Yu Qingyue was cold and distant outside, and over the years, only the two kids from the Bai family were willing to play with him. Now, it seemed that Yu Wanlai did like her son. She looked toward the kitchen with some odd thoughts. Why would he hide for two months, not even returning home? Could it be… that these two were teaming up to deceive them?

Quickly, she dismissed that idea. It shouldn’t be the case. Her son had really seemed quite upset during this time.

Qin Shuang: … After all this, she found herself no longer upset about the boundaries these two had crossed. Actually, even before, she couldn’t really be angry with Yu Wanlai. After all, he treated Yu Qingyue so well. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he had saved her son’s life.

Yu Wanlai carried a tray with three bowls of noodles and set them on the table, then returned to the kitchen to grab his slippers and place them in front of Yu Qingyue’s feet. “Here, wear mine for now.”

Yu Qingyue didn’t move and quietly watched Yu Wanlai.

Yu Wanlai somehow understood his meaning. He leaned in close to Yu Qingyue’s ear and whispered, “Your mom’s still here.”

Yu Qingyue couldn’t help but snort coldly. “Didn’t you just call her mom earlier? Now you’re pretending not to know her?”

Yu Wanlai awkwardly replied, “…She wasn’t here earlier.”

Yu Qingyue was furious. He had known all along that this person was lying to him. “Didn’t you say you wanted to marry me? Aren’t you planning to tell them?”

Yu Wanlai’s eyes immediately lit up, and he stared at Yu Qingyue intently. “So, you’re agreeing to it?”

Yu Qingyue rolled his eyes at him. He wouldn’t agree to this, especially after all the tricks Yu Wanlai had played. “Hmph, keep dreaming.”

He just wanted to see Yu Wanlai squirm in confusion, after all, this person had backed off so quickly when caught.

Yu Wanlai: …

Yu Wanlai was afraid that Yu Qingyue would ignore him, so he tried to suppress his embarrassment and carried Yu Qingyue back to the dining room.

Qin Shuang: … So, am I invisible here?

As soon as he put Yu Qingyue down, Yu Wanlai hurriedly explained, “He’s not wearing slippers, and the floor is too cold.”

Qin Shuang: “…” So, how did he come down? She looked at Yu Qingyue, who was quietly eating noodles, not acknowledging her at all.

Qin Shuang then said, “Well, let him stay cold then.”

Yu Qingyue still didn’t respond, picking up some minced meat and continuing to eat. He thought to himself that Yu Wanlai wouldn’t let him be cold. Although Yu Wanlai might run away, he still cared for him.

Sure enough, the next moment, Yu Wanlai smiled and said, “It’s fine, I can carry him.”

Qin Shuang then lowered her head to eat in silence. These two were getting more and more infuriating.

Yu Qingyue finally cracked a small smile, feeling satisfied. This was more like it. If it had been before, Yu Wanlai would have avoided him, and he wouldn’t have been so pushy. But now, he was still uneasy about Yu Wanlai avoiding him, so he really needed to see Yu Wanlai show that he cared about him.