Ling Xie never thought he'd step into Thousand Lotus Loft without his disguise. He had been here twice before, but it felt different now that he was entering as Ling Xie.
He trailed after Chen Yi, his gaze fixed on the other's back, then shifted to his hands. He wondered if he would ever get the chance to walk around in public holding hands with someone. He was lost in thought when the hand he had been staring at reached for his face. Reflexively, he closed his eyes.
"Stop daydreaming," Chen Yi said, gently cupping his cheek. "You might trip again." Chen Yi's hand dropped and seized Ling Xie's, pulling him toward the room leading to his bedroom.
After only but a day, what had once been a romantic space now resembled a modest living room with an office corner near the window, offering a clear view of A City. The white sofa remained, but the wooden table had been replaced with a glass one. Even the red curtains had been swapped out for white ones.
Ling Xie liked the change. The room felt more comfortable and less "stressful" than before, which made him eager to dive into his studies.
Without waiting for Chen Yi's instruction, Ling Xie skipped over to the sofa, casually discarding his bag on the floor, and bounced onto its soft surface.
Chen Yi, pleased by Ling Xie's relaxed attitude, asked, "Do you want a drink?" He closed the door and sat beside Ling Xie, who responded with a shake of his head.
Ling Xie opened his bag and pulled out the subject he desperately needed help with. He was genuinely grateful that Chen Yi was offering his assistance. After all, Chen Yi was second only to Young-Su in terms of academic ability, so having his help felt like a godsend.
"Chen Yi, help me with this~," Ling Xie's defenses had long since vanished.
Chen Yi smiled, complying. Ling Xie was so innocent and naive. Though he had the urge to tease, he wasn't about to upset Ling Xie by refusing his request. He scooted closer and began to help.
Two hours later, Chen Yi poured Ling Xie a glass of water. He turned back to see Ling Xie's head bobbing up and down, fighting off sleep after two hours of strenuous studying. The sight made him want to laugh.
His thoughts were interrupted, however, when his eyes caught a glimpse of a scar peeking out.
It was only a split-second reveal, but it made Chen Yi's heart constrict. What happened to him to get his neck scarred? Why is he so afraid of it?
Chen Yi's desperation to understand grew. He didn't like the feeling of being in the dark about Ling Xie's past. The idea that Ling Xie might be suffering and he couldn't help because of his ignorance made him ache. He wanted Ling Xie to be free, to remain innocent, as always.
Ling Xie was dozing off when he felt a moist touch against the back of his neck, right over his scar. His face drained of color as he hastily tried to cover his neck, but Chen Yi held him down, wrapping his arms around him and securing him in place.
"YI!" Ling Xie screeched when he felt Chen Yi lick his scar. "Chen Yi, stop—!" A mix of pleasure and disgust overwhelmed him, and he shouted for Chen Yi to stop.
But when Chen Yi sucked on his neck, pleasure overtook disgust. "Tch!" Ling Xie bit his lip to stop himself from moaning.
Chen Yi moved to bite his ear, effectively halting Ling Xie's constant struggle. "Ling Xie, I love you," he whispered. He turned Ling Xie around, parting his legs to face him. "I will love everything about you," he vowed.
Ling Xie didn't meet his gaze and kept his mouth shut.
Chen Yi then cupped his face and brought their foreheads together—"Please believe me"—and leaned in for a kiss.
It was gentle and fleeting—a kiss full of love and longing. A kiss that carried his wish to make the person in his arms his own.
Chen Yi pulled back just in time to see Ling Xie crying. "Wi-will you—hic—really—hic?"
Ling Xie's scar burned, and the pain didn't subside, even after Chen Yi had stopped teasing it.
Ling Xie felt as though he had been living in a dream for the past few days. A dream where his crush had noticed him. A dream where his crush kissed him.
A dream where his crush said he loved him. Where he vowed to love everything about him.
Everything felt so surreal.
"Y-you won't—hic—leave me?" Ling Xie suddenly looked into Chen Yi's eyes. "You won't cheat?!"
Chen Yi finally understood. My Ling Xie was cheated on?! His blood boiled with rage. Looking into Ling Xie's eyes, filled with pain and hatred, he made a decision. I'll kill him if we ever meet. Chen Yi barely managed to restrain his murderous intent, putting it aside for later.
"Xie'er," Chen Yi's voice was hoarse. "You can lock me up if you want."
Ling Xie was startled by the unexpected answer. Lock him up? His eyes brightened as he seriously considered it.
Chen Yi felt his body heat up under Ling Xie's suggestive gaze. He truly would let himself be chained if Ling Xie ever asked for it. To think that he had fallen so deeply for him—it was frightening. But he accepted it. If it's Ling Xie, then I don't mind falling even deeper.
Ling Xie's lips thinned as he stared at Chen Yi, asking himself how they had ended up in this situation.
Ling Xie was fully aware that Chen Yi was obsessed with him. But even now, if you asked him, he still couldn't fully believe it...
That Chen Yi's obsession was tangled with love. Somehow, this guy is hopeless.
For the first time, Ling Xie took the lead.
He lunged for Chen Yi's cherry lips, prying them open with his tongue.
Chen Yi was struck dumb.
He could only respond when his lower lip was fiercely bitten. He groaned—not in pain, but in pleasure.
Chen Yi pulled Ling Xie's body closer to his, while Ling Xie took matters into his own hands, deepening the kiss. Their hearts pounded rapidly.