Yichen and Zhaoyan walked side by side through the bustling street.
"The city has changed so much," Zhaoyan said, looking around.
"Are you from Yuncheng?" Yichen asked, curious.
Zhaoyan nodded. "Yep."
"Ohh… where did you live?"
"Here… back in the nineties," Zhaoyan said softly.
Yichen's eyes widened. "That means… you died a long time ago."
Zhaoyan gave a small nod, his expression unreadable.
Soon, they arrived at the theater.
"What kind of movie do you like?" Yichen asked.
"Romantic," Zhaoyan replied with a smile.
Yichen raised a brow. "Ahh, really?"
"I'm a very romantic person," Zhaoyan said, grinning.
Yichen muttered under his breath, "Ghost…"
Zhaoyan chuckled at the comment, clearly amused.
Yichen quickly headed to the counter and bought two tickets, along with popcorn and cold drinks. For a moment, he completely forgot that no one else could see Zhaoyan.
They sat down in their seats.
"This movie is really romantic. Hope you like it," Yichen said, glancing at the screen.
Zhaoyan gently reached out and held Yichen's hand.
"I like everything… as long as I'm with you," he said softly.
Yichen hesitated, unsure how to respond. The movie began, and Zhaoyan still held his hand tightly.
"Watch the movie," Yichen said without looking.
"I am watching," Zhaoyan replied with a smile.
"But you're staring at me," Yichen said, turning slightly.
Just then, a girl approached them.
"Yichen?" she said, surprised.
Yichen looked up, eyes widening. "Tian Tian?!"
Tian Tian crossed her arms, frowning. "You said you were busy, and now you're watching a movie alone?"
Yichen quickly glanced at Zhaoyan, realizing Tian Tian couldn't see him.
"You ditched me. How rude!" Tian Tian snapped.
"Tian Tian—" Yichen started nervously, but before he could finish, she threw the popcorn at him and stormed off.
Yichen sat there stunned, popcorn all over his lap. Zhaoyan burst into laughter.
"You planned this, didn't you?" Yichen accused.
"No! I didn't plan anything… but it was hilarious," Zhaoyan said, still laughing.
Frustrated, Yichen stood up and left the theater. Zhaoyan, still smiling, followed silently behind him.
Yichen sat alone on a park bench, shoulders hunched in frustration. Zhaoyan quietly took a seat beside him, gently reaching out to hold his hand.
"I'm sorry," Zhaoyan said softly.
Yichen turned slightly to glance at him.
"Let's go eat some ice cream," Zhaoyan suggested, smiling faintly.
"No need. I want to go home… people probably think I'm some crazy guy talking to myself," Yichen said, pulling his hand away.
He stood up and walked ahead without looking back. Zhaoyan followed silently, keeping a little distance.
As they reached home, Yichen was still upset. Inside, Lu Nian sat on the couch, munching on popcorn while watching a movie. He looked up casually when Yichen entered.
"How's your day? And what about Tian Tian—did you two kiss?" Lu Nian asked, grinning.
"Why would we kiss?" Yichen frowned.
"You picked a romantic movie, right? I figured you were planning to confess your feelings," Lu Nian said.
Yichen's eyes widened. He quickly turned around—Zhaoyan was gone. His heart skipped a beat. Where did he go?
He hurried over and plopped down beside Lu Nian. "Lu Nian, I'm in big trouble," he said in a panic.
"What, did Tian Tian reject you?" Lu Nian teased.
"No," Yichen said, shaking his head.
"Then what?"
"The envelope… the one I picked up on the street," Yichen said nervously.
"Yeah? What about it?" Lu Nian asked, snacking.
"I… I got married to a ghost," Yichen whispered, voice trembling.
Lu Nian's eyes widened in pure shock. Yichen looked like he was about to cry.
"See?! I told you, but you didn't believe me!" Lu Nian said, sitting up.
"Please help me," Yichen pleaded, tears forming.
Lu Nian eyed him carefully. "Okay… how's your wife?"
Yichen stayed quiet, avoiding eye contact.
"What? Tell me," Lu Nian insisted.
"No… not a wife…" Yichen mumbled.
"Huh?"
"He's… he's a husband," Yichen whispered.
Lu Nian shot to his feet. "WHAT?!"
Yichen looked around nervously. "Shh! He might hear us… or already be here!"
"You… you married a boy?!" Lu Nian shouted.
Yichen nodded slowly, tears forming again.
"Don't cry, Yichen. Where is he now?" Lu Nian asked, worried.
"I don't know… maybe in my room," Yichen sniffled.
"How does he look?"
"He's… quite handsome. Looks like he belongs to one of the richest families," Yichen said, hesitating.
Groaning, Lu Nian shook his head. "Yichen, you've really created a big problem for yourself."
"Lu Nian, please… help me," Yichen said again.
Suddenly, Zhaoyan's voice echoed from down the hall. "Yichen, it's time for bed."
Yichen turned his head, eyes widening, and cried harder instinctively.
"What? What is it now?" Lu Nian asked, alarmed.
Yichen blinked quickly, hinting with his eyes. Lu Nian caught on and nodded in understanding.
"Oh! Right. You should go now. We'll talk tomorrow about the presentation. Go, go," Lu Nian said, clearing his throat.
Yichen stood hesitantly and walked slowly toward his room. Once the door closed behind him with a soft click, the polite smile on Zhaoyan's face vanished.
Zhaoyan now stood silently, serious. A towel hung low around his waist, water dripping from his damp skin, his body radiating quiet heat.
"You… really needed a shower," Yichen stammered.
"I don't need it. But I'm trying to live like a human… so you won't feel awkward," Zhaoyan said calmly.
He handed Yichen a towel. "Go take a shower."
Yichen hesitated, then took the towel and headed to the bathroom. Just before entering, he turned back nervously. "Don't come into the bathroom."
"I didn't," Zhaoyan replied flatly.
Yichen quickly slipped inside and closed the door behind him.
After the shower, Yichen stepped out, rubbing his damp hair with the towel. His eyes shifted toward the bed, and there, Zhaoyan was already lying down, eyes closed, chest rising and falling slowly like he was… asleep.
Like a human, Yichen thought, surprised. Is he really trying to live like one?
He walked closer to the bed, quiet and cautious. Standing beside it, he studied Zhaoyan's face in the dim light. His features were sharp and flawless, his expression peaceful.
"He's… really handsome," Yichen murmured.
Suddenly, Zhaoyan's eyes snapped open.
Yichen panicked, stumbling backward, but his feet caught the edge of the carpet, and he lost his balance. With a yelp, he fell forward.
Before he could hit the bed, Zhaoyan caught him in his arms.
"Be careful," Zhaoyan said softly.
Yichen's face flushed. He nodded quickly and tried to push himself up, but Zhaoyan didn't let go. Instead, his arms tightened around him.
"Don't move… just for a while. It feels… nice," Zhaoyan whispered.
Yichen blinked, stunned. His breath hitched slightly as his head came to rest on Zhaoyan's bare chest.