The next day, Ji Yuzhou finally got the chance to take Jiang Xunyu to the hot springs.  

The locals had a tradition of soaking nude, something Ji Yuzhou hadn’t thought much about. But as soon as they began showering, Jiang Xunyu seemed uneasy, lowering his head to avoid looking at him. Ji Yuzhou couldn’t help but find it amusing.  

They entered the private hot spring wrapped in bathrobes.  

It was Jiang Xunyu’s first time, and he was hesitant about getting into the water. He cautiously dipped a foot to test the temperature, his pale toes tensing up. The bathrobe concealed most of his body, but his straight, slender calves were visible through the slit.  

Ji Yuzhou’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as a strange image of a swan craning its neck flashed through his mind. Feeling somewhat restless, he turned his head away and removed his robe to step into the water.  

The water wasn’t deep, and the pool’s design was clever, with large, rounded stones forming the base. Strategically placed platforms allowed people to sit comfortably with most of their bodies submerged without the water reaching their heads.  

After some hesitation at the edge, Jiang Xunyu also entered the water, moving toward Ji Yuzhou.  

His skin was fair and pale, turning a soft pink under the misty heat of the spring. The sight made Ji Yuzhou feel even more unsettled. The water seemed too hot, prompting him to stand up, water droplets sliding down his toned physique.  

“I’m going to get some water.” he said as he walked over to pour himself a cup

The ice-cold water slid down his throat, and Ji Yuzhou felt a sense of relief.

Jiang Xunyu also rose from his spot, wading through the water to stand beside Ji Yuzhou.

“Do you want some water?” Ji Yuzhou picked up another cup from the small table and handed it to him. Jiang Xunyu accepted it but didn’t drink.  

He gripped the disposable cup tightly, slightly crumpling its sides. “Are… are you upset with me?”  

The simpler and purer someone was, the more sensitive they were to others’ emotions.  

Ji Yuzhou frowned briefly, then quickly relaxed. He reached out to tousle Jiang Xunyu’s damp hair. “No, I’m not.”  

The warmth of his palm effectively calmed Jiang Xunyu’s nerves. He nodded and slowly sipped his water, absentmindedly nibbling on the edge of the cup.  

“That’s good.”  

….

After soaking in the hot springs, the two returned to the hotel for a short rest. By 5 p.m., they headed out again.

The best spot to watch the fireworks festival was inside a park. Ji Yuzhou bought tickets for both of them, putting on a large pair of sunglasses for safety reasons.

The park was bustling with families and children, likely all there to see the fireworks. Many little ones wore woven flower crowns as they ran and played among the crowd of adults.  

As they slowly made their way toward the park’s center with the crowd, street vendors called out from the sides:  

“Sir, would you like to buy a flower crown? It lights up and looks beautiful!”  

…  

“Sir, buy one! It’s cheap, pretty, and perfect for watching fireworks!”  

…  

One vendor even approached Ji Yuzhou directly. “Sir, buy one for your boyfriend! He has such fair skin—it’ll look great on him!”  

Jiang Xunyu’s face turned bright red. He hurriedly waved his hands, trying to explain the misunderstanding. Ji Yuzhou, however, simply took the crown from the vendor to inspect it.  

Turning to Jiang Xunyu, he asked, “Do you want one?”  

Jiang Xunyu shook his head vigorously.  

The vendor, disappointed, walked away, but the blush on Jiang Xunyu’s face lingered.  

He knew Ji Yuzhou disliked unnecessary hassle and thought it wasn’t worth explaining to a stranger. Still, he couldn’t help but feel shy.  

Lost in thought, Jiang Xunyu slowed his pace. The park was filled with playful children darting around, their laughter and chatter blending into the crowd’s hum.  

In the brief moment Jiang Xunyu became distracted, a group of children laughing and running passed between him and Ji Yuzhou, and before he realized it, the crowd had separated them.

Snapping back to reality, Jiang Xunyu found himself standing still, at a loss. He stood on tiptoe to search for Ji Yuzhou, but he couldn’t find him.

He panicked a little, afraid that all of this was just a fleeting dream, and losing track of Ji Yunzhou was the sign of the dream coming to an end.  

Ji Yuzhou turned around, noticing Jiang Xunyu was nowhere in sight. Frowning, he scanned the crowd and finally spotted the kid standing still, looking lost and unsure.  

He walked over and naturally grabbed Jiang Xunyu’s wrist. “Why are you wandering off?”  

The warmth of Ji Yuzhou’s hand seeped through Jiang Xunyu’s skin, spreading to every corner of his body. The chill that had gripped him finally eased. “S-sorry… I was distracted for a moment.”  

Ji Yuzhou hadn’t intended to scold him. Seeing his timid, apologetic expression, he lost any trace of irritation and held onto his wrist, leading him forward. “It’s crowded here. Getting separated would be troublesome.”  

Jiang Xunyu nodded and didn’t dare to lose focus again, sticking closely to Ji Yuzhou, not straying even an inch.  

The park was large, and with the slow-moving crowd, it was dark by the time they reached the central plaza. The fireworks show began in earnest.  

One after another, dazzling fireworks exploded in the sky, accompanied by their crackling sounds. Cheers erupted from the crowd below.  

Under the glow of the fireworks, the people seemed tiny and insignificant. The vibrant bursts lit up the night sky and the surrounding stars.  

As the crowd gradually quieted, Ji Yuzhou realized he was still holding Jiang Xunyu’s wrist.  

The touch of their skin had become slightly damp from sweat. Since they were no longer moving forward, Ji Yuzhou naturally let go.  

Jiang Xunyu suddenly looked up, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.  

He wished Ji Yunzhou would keep holding his hand a little longer.  

People are greedy, after all, and Jiang Xunyu sometimes wondered why he himself was so greedy.  

Ji Yuzhou was so good to him—taking him in from the welfare home, caring for him, helping him grow… Yet he still found it wasn’t enough, even developing feelings of a different kind.  

Quietly glancing at the profile of the man beside him, Jiang Xunyu’s heart raced wildly, like a deer leaping in his chest.  

He just wanted to keep holding Ji Yunzhou’s hand forever.  

Though he was somewhat naive, Jiang Xunyu was already an adult and couldn’t pretend he didn’t understand what his feelings meant.  

This wasn’t gratitude toward a benefactor, nor respect for an elder.  

It was possessiveness.  

He had slowly developed feelings for Ji Yunzhou.

This feeling came so naturally that he accepted it easily. It was as if a small seed had been planted deep in his heart, nurtured by rain and sunshine, blooming quietly at this very moment.