The morning light filtered gently through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Yichen was curled up next to Zhaoyan, sleeping peacefully, drooling slightly without realizing it.
Zhaoyan, already awake, gazed at him with a fond smile. "You look adorable when you drool," he murmured, then gently wiped Yichen's lips with his fingers.
Yichen stirred and blinked awake, catching the movement. "What are you doing?" he asked groggily.
"You were drooling," Zhaoyan replied casually. "I wiped it off."
"I wasn't drooling," Yichen grumbled, half-embarrassed.
Zhaoyan chuckled. "Okay, okay."
Yichen frowned. "Why are you laughing? Don't ruin my morning, Zhaoyan."
"I'm not," Zhaoyan said with a grin. "You're just too cute."
Before Yichen could argue, Zhaoyan leaned in and kissed him. Yichen's eyes widened in surprise, stunned into silence.
"Now it's your turn," Zhaoyan whispered.
"What…" Yichen asked, cheeks turning crimson.
"My good morning kiss," Zhaoyan said, eyes twinkling.
"Nope," Yichen shot back, scrambling out of bed. "Not happening!"
He made a beeline for the bathroom, but Zhaoyan was right on his heels. "Yichen, just one kiss!"
"Not now!" Yichen yelped, slipping into the bathroom and locking the door behind him. He laughed. "Nice try!"
Silence followed.
Yichen frowned. "Zhaoyan?"
No answer.
Then suddenly warm arms wrapped around him from behind.
Yichen gasped, wide-eyed. "Zhaoyan?! How did you—"
"You forgot," Zhaoyan said with a smirk, resting his chin on Yichen's shoulder. "I can go wherever I want."
"That's cheating!" Yichen cried, wriggling. "I said no!"
"Nope. Not letting go until I get my kiss," Zhaoyan said playfully.
"Okay, okay!" Yichen turned around and pressed a quick kiss to Zhaoyan's lips, his face flaming red. "There, happy now?"
Zhaoyan beamed. He held Yichen tighter and said softly, "That was a very sweet good morning."
"Now let me go," Yichen said.
Zhaoyan grinned. "What about taking a shower together?"
"Nope. Go. I want to get ready," Yichen replied firmly.
Zhaoyan chuckled and left the bathroom, calling out playfully, "I'll prepare a healthy breakfast for my wifey!"
The bathroom door shut, and Yichen's eyes widened in disbelief. "Who's your wifey, Zhaoyan?!"
Outside the bathroom, Zhaoyan smiled, clearly amused by Yichen's flustered voice. "I love teasing him. He's so cute when he's angry," he muttered to himself, then raised his voice again. "My wifey! What do you want for breakfast?"
Yichen yelled back, "Zhaoyan… don't piss me off!"
Zhaoyan laughed, clearly enjoying himself, and walked out of the room with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
After breakfast, Yichen grabbed his bag. "I'm heading to uni now."
Zhaoyan walked over to him and gently adjusted his collar. "Come back home soon."
Yichen nodded. Zhaoyan leaned in and kissed him softly.
"Okay, now I'm really going," Yichen muttered, cheeks slightly pink.
Zhaoyan smiled. "Bye."
At the university, Yichen spotted Tian Tian carrying a stack of books, struggling slightly. He quickly walked over. "Tian Tian, let me help you."
She shook her head. "No, it's okay. I've got it."
"Nope," Yichen insisted with a small smile. "Let me help."
He took some of the books from her arms, and together they headed toward the library. Inside, Yichen helped her place the books back on the shelves.
"Thanks, Yichen," Tian Tian said.
"It's nothing. And… I'm sorry, Tian Tian. For last time. I shouldn't have acted like that," Yichen said sincerely.
She gave him a soft smile. "It's okay. We're friends, right? No need to apologize."
She paused for a moment, then added, "Come on, let's go grab some coffee. My treat."
Yichen smiled. "Okay then."
As they sat in the café, Tian Tian's eyes drifted down to Yichen's hand. Her expression changed slightly.
"Yichen… are you married?"
Yichen's eyes widened. "Ah—what?"
She pointed. "You're wearing a gold wedding ring."
Panicked, Yichen quickly slipped the ring off. "No, no—it's just…"
Tian Tian took the ring from him and examined it. "It's beautiful… the design is really elegant. So you wear it as a fashion statement?"
"Ah… yes," Yichen replied with an awkward smile.
She handed the ring back. "You shouldn't wear rings like this—people will think you're married."
"Yeah… you're right," Yichen said, laughing nervously as he tucked the ring into his pocket.
They continued chatting as they drank their coffee. After a moment, Tian Tian said, "Yichen, tonight's my friend's birthday party. Want to come with me?"
"Sounds good," he said.
"There'll be plenty of girls there," she teased. "Maybe you'll find a girlfriend."
Yichen chuckled nervously. "Ah… I already have a crush on someone."
"Oh? Who?" Tian Tian grinned. "Tell me, I'll help you win her over!"
Yichen hesitated. Should I tell her? What if she gets upset or stops talking to me? He remained silent.
"Yichen? Tell me."
Taking a deep breath, Yichen finally said, "Because… it's you."
Tian Tian froze, her eyes wide. "Me…?"
Yichen nodded, not meeting her gaze. "Yeah. It's you. But if you don't like me that way, it's okay. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to lose you as a friend."
There was a pause before Tian Tian said softly, "Yichen…"
He finally looked up at her.
She smiled gently. "We can try dating. I mean… why not give it a shot?"
Yichen's eyes widened in disbelief. "You mean… yes?"
She nodded again.
A bright smile spread across his face. "Tian Tian, thank you so much for giving me a chance."
Tian Tian smiled back, a light blush on her cheeks.
After university, Yichen and Tian Tian headed to the party. Meanwhile, Zhaoyan sat alone at home, waiting.
The moment the door opened, Zhaoyan immediately stood up, a faint smile forming on his lips. "Welcome home."
But the smile quickly faded when he saw who it was.
Lu Nian stepped inside, eyes widening slightly. "I'm not Yichen…"
Zhaoyan's expression darkened. "I know."
Lu Nian hesitated. "I should go back—"
"Stop."
Lu Nian froze, turning to look at him nervously.
"Where is Yichen?" Zhaoyan asked sharply.
Lu Nian looked confused. "I don't know. I took the day off from uni to help my parents at the restaurant."
Zhaoyan stepped closer. "Call him."
Lu Nian quickly pulled out his phone and dialed. After a few seconds, he frowned. "His number's powered off. Maybe his battery died…"
Zhaoyan's eyes narrowed, filled with growing anger and possessiveness. "I know where he is."