The wind rustled through the trees behind the library building, casting long shadows under the setting sun. Wu Suo Wei tightened his arms around his books, heart pounding. He'd received a message from an unknown number earlier that day, asking him to meet urgently. He shouldn't have come he knew that now. But something about it had felt strange, even familiar.
Now, standing here alone, he realized it was a mistake.
"Xiao Wei," came a voice behind him.
Suo Wei froze. That voice. He turned slowly and there stood Wang Shuo, hands in pockets, a crooked smile on his lips.
"I knew you'd come."
Suo Wei's breath hitched. "Why did you call me here?"
"To talk," Wang Shuo said simply, stepping closer. "You've been avoiding me."
Suo Wei clenched his jaw. "I've had nothing to say to you."
Wang Shuo chuckled bitterly. "Is it because of Chi Cheng? You think I came back for him? You're wrong."
Suo Wei blinked. "What...?"
"I came back for you, Suo Wei." His voice dropped, serious now. "I've always liked you. Back in high school... but you only ever had eyes for him."
Suo Wei's throat tightened.
Wang Shuo stepped closer. "I thought if I could get close to Chi Cheng, maybe you'd look at me. Maybe I could protect you better than he ever did."
"Stop," Suo Wei said quietly, taking a step back. "That was in the past."
"Not for me." Wang Shuo reached for him.
Suo Wei slapped his hand away, panic rising in his chest. "Don't touch me."
Wang Shuo's eyes darkened. "You can't expect me to just walk away again. Not now that I know you're with him."
"You don't know anything!" Suo Wei shouted.
That's when Wang Shuo lunged. It wasn't a kiss more like an aggressive attempt to seize what wasn't his. Suo Wei struggled, his book bag falling to the ground.
"Let go!" Suo Wei yelled, heart hammering in fear. "I said let go—!"
Suddenly, a heavy force slammed into Wang Shuo, knocking him clean off Suo Wei. A fist followed then another.
"Don't touch him!" Chi Cheng's voice roared, filled with rage.
Wang Shuo staggered back, but Chi Cheng didn't stop. He hit him again, again, until blood spilled from Wang Shuo's nose, until he lay crumpled on the pavement.
"Chi Cheng, Chi Cheng, stop!" It was Guo Cheng Yu, who had just arrived after tracking the unknown number Suo Wei mentioned earlier.
Chi Cheng was breathing hard, eyes red with fury. His fists trembled.
"If you ever come near him again," he growled low, kneeling beside Wang Shuo's barely conscious form, "I'll destroy you."
Cheng Yu grabbed Chi Cheng by the shoulder. "That's enough. Take him. Suo Wei needs you now."
Chi Cheng turned to look at Suo Wei—shaken, wide-eyed, and crumpled against the wall. In two strides, he was there, gently lifting him up and wrapping him in his arms.
"I'm here now," he whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "He'll never touch you again."
Back in their room, the door shut quietly behind them.
Chi Cheng helped Suo Wei out of his jacket, still careful with every movement, as if Suo Wei might break.
"You're safe," Chi Cheng whispered, cupping his face. "I should've been there sooner."
Suo Wei's eyes brimmed with tears. "I was so scared... I thought..."
Chi Cheng silenced him with a gentle kiss not rushed, not fiery just full of emotion. "You're mine, Da Bao. And I'll protect you, always."
Suo Wei melted into the kiss, arms wrapping around Chi Cheng's neck as tears slipped down his cheeks.
That night, everything changed.
The first time their bodies aligned fully was not out of lust, but from love that had been simmering quietly for years. Chi Cheng was gentle, so gentle it made Suo Wei cry again, this time from how cherished he felt.
Soft moans, tender whispers, skin against skin. The way Chi Cheng kissed down his chest like he was memorizing him. The way Suo Wei trembled and clung to him like he finally belonged.
No one had to say "I love you" again.
It was in every touch.
Every breath.
Every whispered Da Bao in the dark.
When it was over, and they lay tangled in sheets and each other, Suo Wei whispered, "You're not just my fiancé anymore... You're my home."
Chi Cheng kissed his temple, heart full. "And you're mine."