The hours passed by without Li Rong and Lin Fang realising as they were having so much fun at the restaurant. They laughed and chatted nonstop. The lingering perfume of jasmine tea blended with the sweet aroma of wine, fostering a cosy and pleasant atmosphere.
With the wine flowing freely and the evening wearing on, Li Rong began to open up to Lin Fang in a way he hadn't planned on. His inhibitions vanished with every drink of wine, and he began recounting memories from his past, his voice softening with each word.
With a distant look, Li Rong said, "I never imagined my life would turn out like this." He was recalling long-buried memories. "To think that I was once promised to some distant general, forced into a life I never wanted…"
As Li Rong said, Lin Fang listened with great attention, and his expression was incomprehensible. He saw the changes in Li Rong's features, the sorrow and regret casting shadows over his eyes.
Li Rong went on, his words coming out of his mouth quickly as he described the atrocities he had gone through, including the bandits' brutality, his family's betrayal, and his narrow escape that had led him to this place.
"It was all a ploy," Li Rong said, his voice laced with resentment. "I have no doubt about it. My half-sister and stepmother just wanted me out of the way, didn't care how it was done."
Lin Fang's eyes hardened, a spark of something unreadable passing across his face. He extended his hand and softly rested it on Li Rong's shoulder as a quiet show of support.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that," Lin Fang apologised in a quiet, sympathetic voice. "But at least you aren't anymore influenced by it, Li Rong. I have you here with me."
With a subtle smile, Li Rong felt grounded in the present moment by the warmth of Lin Fang's hand. "Yes," he said in a whisper that was almost audible. "I'm here with you."
Li Rong's remarks were increasingly forthright as the evening went on and the wine flowed more freely, his laughter resonating through the atmosphere like music. He talked about his aspirations and desires, his eyes gleaming with optimism for the future.
Li Rong proclaimed, "I want to build a life for myself," in a firm and determined tone.
With a slight smile tugging at the edges of his lips, Lin Fang nodded in accord. "And you will," he gave Li Rong his word. "You have the strength and the determination to achieve anything you set your mind to."
Li Rong found himself leaning closer to Lin Fang as the night came to an end and his eyelids became heavy with sleep. His heart was fluttering with a mixture of restlessness and anticipation.
"Lin Fang," he said in a whisper that was almost audible over the faint melodies. "You're quite attractive. I doubt I'll ever be able think about people in the same manner."
Li Rong's words hung in the air, the tension between them palpable. For a moment, it seemed as though he might lean in for a kiss, but instead, he slumped against Lin Fang, his eyes closing as sleep overtook him.
Lin Fang watched Li Rong's peaceful slumber, a faint smile playing at his lips. He carefully lifted Li Rong into his arms, cradling him gently as he made his way back to the hotel.
As he laid Li Rong down on the bed, his gaze lingered on the sleeping form before him, his heart heavy with unspoken longing. With a sigh, he turned away, making his way to his own room.
Upon returning to his own room at the hotel, Xuan Liang was overcome with a flurry of contradictory feelings and became restless. His thoughts were persistently focused on Li Rong, the young man who had unexpectedly captured his heart, while he paced the room.
The memory of their time together lodged in Xuan Liang's mind, burning brightly and threatening to swallow him from the inside out. He desired to be close to Li Rong to feel his warmth once more.
As he stared into the depths of his own reflection, Xuan Liang's thoughts turned inward, grappling with the turmoil that raged within him. He knew that he should resist the pull of his desires, that to pursue Li Rong would be to court disaster.
But try as he might, Xuan Liang found himself unable to resist the siren call of his heart. With a resigned sigh, he made a decision—one that would change the course of his destiny forever.
With a determined stride, he made his way to Li Rong's room, his heart pounding with anticipation.
As he stood before the door, Xuan Liang hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering uncertainly over the handle. But then, with a steadying breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The room was bathed in soft moonlight, casting a gentle glow over Li Rong's sleeping form. Xuan Liang's heart skipped a beat as he beheld the sight before him, his desire burning bright and fierce.
With trembling hands, he approached the bed, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Li Rong's peaceful face. And then, with a whisper of a prayer on his lips, Xuan Liang reached out and gently brushed his fingers against Li Rong's cheek.
With a wave of relief and disappointment passing through him, Xuan Liang removed his palm from Li Rong's cheek, taking care not to wake him up. A wave of tenderness filled his heart as he stood there, staring down at the sleeping form in front of him.
Even though Xuan Liang was filled with want, he was aware that he needed to exercise caution. Li Rong's wounds from his past would take time to heal because he had been through so much. Xuan Liang realised that he had to be sensitive and patient in order to gain Li Rong's trust and devotion. He couldn't rush things.
Xuan Liang walked away the bed and headed to the window, where he stood and stared out at the moonlit city below with a bitter heart. The streets were quiet now, the hustle and bustle of the day replaced by a serene silence.
Xuan Liang was lost in contemplation as he considered his future. He was aware that there was still a long way to go on his difficult journey before he could hope to build a stronger bond with Li Rong.