Yichen whispered softly, "Zhaoyan, I'm…"
Zhaoyan's eyes locked onto him, sharp and unwavering.
"Yichen, you have no more options. Just accept me," he said firmly.
Yichen hesitated, lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out.
Zhaoyan's voice lowered, intense. "Then tell me—what do I need to do for you to accept me? Why are you still fighting it? We're already married. This isn't a game."
He gently cupped Yichen's face, his thumb brushing lightly across his cheek. Yichen closed his eyes for a second, overwhelmed.
"I… I just need some time," Yichen whispered.
Zhaoyan let out a long sigh, frustration and longing flickering in his expression.
"Alright. I'll give you time. But only one month, Yichen. You have one month."
Yichen nodded silently, his body still trembling from the lingering heat of Zhaoyan's intense kiss—the way his hands had explored him moments ago, the kind of closeness that had shaken him.
"You must be tired. Let's sleep. I'll give you a head massage," Zhaoyan said gently.
Yichen quickly stepped back, shaking his head. "No, I'm fine."
Without waiting, he turned and walked toward the bedroom, needing space to breathe, to calm the storm inside him.
Zhaoyan remained seated on the sofa, eyes fixed on the closed bedroom door, his hand curling slightly as if still holding the ghost of Yichen's warmth.
He murmured to himself, "He really wants to separate from me… but that's not possible. I can't let him go."
Yichen lay down on the bed, trying to fall asleep, but his mind refused to settle. He rubbed his temples and muttered quietly, "Relax, Yichen… just relax."
Suddenly, the bed dipped beside him. Zhaoyan had silently appeared, lying next to him. His hand reached out gently, patting Yichen's head with care.
Yichen flinched, eyes wide. "Zhaoyan! Don't do that. You scared me."
"Alright. I won't do it again," Zhaoyan replied softly. "Let me pat your head so you can sleep peacefully."
Yichen gently pushed his hand away. "No need. I just need some fresh air. I'm going to the terrace. Please… don't follow me."
He quickly stood up and left the room. Zhaoyan watched him go, concern flickering in his eyes.
Outside on the terrace, Yichen leaned against the railing, trying to calm himself as the cool air brushed his skin.
The voice came softly, "The air's cold. Winter is coming soon."
Yichen flinched and turned his head—Zhaoyan was standing beside him, a soft smile on his face.
"It's romantic to enjoy the fresh air together, isn't it?" Zhaoyan said.
Yichen frowned, annoyed. "Zhaoyan, I told you not to follow me."
Zhaoyan wrapped an arm around his waist. "I'm your husband. How could I not follow you?"
"Zhaoyan, let go," Yichen tried, pulling away.
"Nope," Zhaoyan said firmly.
"If you don't listen, I'll throw you off the roof," Yichen threatened.
He suddenly paused and blinked. "Wait… you're a ghost."
He burst into laughter. Zhaoyan laughed too.
"So? How exactly will you throw me, huh?" Zhaoyan teased.
Yichen grinned. "Enough."
They laughed together, and Yichen glanced at Zhaoyan's smiling face. For the first time, he didn't feel uneasy around his "unwanted" husband. He felt… strangely comforted.
As the laughter faded, both of them turned their eyes to the sky.
"It's a full moon tonight," Yichen whispered softly.
Zhaoyan hugged him from behind, resting his chin gently on Yichen's shoulder. "Yep… it's beautiful. Just like you."
Yichen didn't respond, only kept looking at the glowing moon—warm, quiet, and at peace. Their hands found each other, fingers gently intertwined, as the wind carried a soft chill between them.
It was… strangely romantic.
They stood there for a while, forgetting the world around them. In that quiet moment, it felt like only the two of them existed.
Zhaoyan leaned in close and whispered softly near Yichen's ear, "Let's go downstairs. The air's getting cold now—you'll catch a cold."
"Zhaoyan," Yichen called.
Zhaoyan looked at him gently. "What is it?"
"Why didn't you tell me about yourself?" Yichen asked.
"What do you want to know?" Zhaoyan replied.
"Everything," Yichen said firmly.
Zhaoyan smiled playfully. "Then let's make a trade."
"A trade?" Yichen frowned.
Zhaoyan nodded. "Mhm. Give me unlimited kisses, and I'll tell you everything."
"Zhaoyan…" Yichen sighed.
Zhaoyan smirked teasingly.
"I'm going downstairs," Yichen said, rolling his eyes.
"Wait for me," Zhaoyan said, quickly following behind him with a grin.
Later, Yichen and Zhaoyan lay peacefully on the bed, Zhaoyan wrapping his arms around him.
After a quiet moment, Yichen whispered, "Zhaoyan, ghosts don't need to sleep… so what do you even do at night?"
"I watch you," Zhaoyan replied casually.
"You watch me?" Yichen asked, eyes wide.
Zhaoyan nodded without shame.
"Don't you get tired?" Yichen pressed.
"Nope. It's kind of fun, actually," Zhaoyan said with a grin. "Especially when you snore and drool."
Yichen turned to him, flustered. "Zhaoyan… I do not snore or drool."
"You do," Zhaoyan laughed.
"I don't!" Yichen protested, closing his eyes and turning away, trying to sleep.
"But you look cute when you do," Zhaoyan said, pulling him closer.
"Don't disturb me," Yichen mumbled.
Zhaoyan kissed his cheek gently. "Good night."
Yichen groaned. "Zhaoyan, leave me alone."
"Nope," Zhaoyan said with a mischievous grin as their sweet, playful bickering continued under the covers.