Guo Cheng Yu's POV
The morning sun spilled across the room like melted gold, warm and slow. It filtered through the curtains, kissing the edge of the bed and the bare skin beside me.
He was still asleep.
Jiang Xiao Shuai's face looked calmer than I'd ever seen it—lashes resting against his cheeks, lips slightly parted. His arm was draped across my chest, and one of his legs had somehow found its way over mine during the night.
I smiled.
He snored softly.
Damnn, I loved him.
I hadn't dared say it last night–not out loud. I didn't want to rush him. I knew how guarded he was. How careful he'd always been with his feelings, especially around me. We used to joke and flirt like it meant nothing, but for me, it had meant everything. For a long time.
I brushed a strand of hair off his forehead.
He stirred.
His eyes blinked open, slow and hazy. For a second, he looked confused. Then his gaze found mine and that small, crooked smile he always tried to hide tugged at his lips.
"You're staring," he murmured, voice thick with sleep.
"I'm allowed," I replied.
"You're creepy," he added.
"Still allowed."
He groaned and buried his face in my chest. "Can't believe I slept with you."
I chuckled. "You did more than sleep with me. Should I remind you how many times you—"
"Don't," he said, slapping my stomach. "Don't ruin it."
I kissed the top of his head. "I wasn't going to ruin it."
Silence stretched between us. But it wasn't awkward.
It was peaceful.
Then, softly, he spoke.
"You're really staying?"
I looked down at him. "Jiang Xiao Shuai... I already told you. Wherever you go, I'll go too. You're not just some phase. Last night wasn't a one-time thing. I want to build something with you."
He pulled back enough to meet my eyes. His were guarded. Touched with vulnerability.
"You promise?" he asked.
"I swear."
A pause.
Then, shyly, he leaned up and kissed me.
It wasn't heated like the night before. It was soft, slow, filled with things we hadn't yet said.
When we pulled apart, he whispered, "You better not snore."
I grinned. "No promises."
He rolled his eyes, but I saw it, that tiny smile at the corner of his mouth, the way his fingers curled around mine under the blanket.
He was letting me in.
And I wasn't going anywhere.