Nil held Chen Yu close, his arms wrapped firmly around his waist.
Chen Yu stayed pressed against his chest for a moment, face buried there as if he had not just been threatening violence two seconds ago.
"I'm still mad at you," Chen Yu muttered.
Nil lowered his gaze, looking at the top of his head. "I know."
"Extremely mad."
Nil's lips curved faintly. "Mm."
Chen Yu lifted his head and glared at him. "Don't mm me like that."
Nil's smile deepened. "Like what?"
"Like you think I'm cute."
"But you are cute."
Chen Yu's ears turned red instantly. "I am not cute. I am furious."
"You're furiously cute."
Chen Yu's mouth opened, then closed again. For a second, he looked as if he had too many insults to choose from and could not decide which one deserved to leave his mouth first.
Nil took advantage of that brief silence. He leaned down and kissed him.
The kiss was soft, gentle enough that Chen Yu could have pushed him away if he truly wanted to.
But he did not.
His hands, which had been pressed against Nil's chest, slowly curled into the fabric of his shirt instead.
Nil's arms tightened around his waist, pulling him a little closer. The warmth between them deepened, quietly softening the anger Chen Yu had held onto for days.
Chen Yu tried to stay stiff.
He really did.
For his dignity, his pride and all the emotional suffering he had endured alone in Mo Fei's apartment.
But Nil kissed him again, deeper this time, and Chen Yu's entire resistance collapsed like badly stacked plates.
His eyes fluttered shut. He kissed him back.
Nil let out a quiet breath against his lips. He had been holding himself together for days, and now he had finally found somewhere safe to fall apart. Chen Yu felt that breath, and his heart softened completely.
Still, softening did not mean surrendering without conditions.
He pulled back slightly, breathing unevenly, and narrowed his eyes at Nil.
"You think kissing me will solve everything?"
Nil looked at him, eyes warm.
"No."
Chen Yu raised a brow as Nil brushed his thumb lightly against Chen Yu's waist. "But I was hoping it would help."
Chen Yu clicked his tongue. "Shameless."
Nil smiled. "Only with you."
Chen Yu's face heated again.
Unfortunately, he also loved it.
He grabbed Nil by the collar and pulled him down.
"Fine," he muttered. "It helped a little."
Then he kissed him again.
This time, Nil did not bother hiding his smile.
Chen Yu felt it against his lips and immediately pulled away to glare at him.
"Why are you smiling?"
Nil's eyes curved gently. "Because you missed me."
Chen Yu's expression twisted.
"I will poison your food and make it taste terrible."
"You can't."
Chen Yu gasped. "Are you challenging my skills?"
Nil leaned closer, his voice low and fond.
"I'm saying you love me too much."
Chen Yu froze.
His face turned even redder.
Outside the kitchen, Mo Fei's voice suddenly rang out. "Are you two alive in there, or should I start charging rent for emotional reconciliation?"
Chen Yu instantly pulled away, face burning. He turned toward the kitchen door and shouted, "Mind your business!"
Mo Fei replied immediately, "I am trying, but the romance is blocking the snacks!"
Sima Li's voice followed cheerfully. "Should we clap?"
"Clap and I'll break your hands!" Chen Yu yelled.
Nil lowered his head and laughed softly.
Chen Yu turned back to him, still red-faced and furious.
Nil kissed the corner of his mouth.
Chen Yu looked away, pretending to consider whether or not he was still angry.
"Hmph."
A few moments later, they walked out together into the living room.
Mo Fei and Sima Li were already tearing through the bags Sima Li had brought. Mo Fei, shameless as ever, was deep into a piece of cake, looking far too happy.
The moment he saw them, he raised his head.
"Awwn, they settled!"
Sima Li clapped once, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Yay. They settled."
Chen Yu stuck his tongue out at Sima Li. Then he turned and pointed a finger at Nil's chest.
"If Yichen sneezes and you abandon me again, I'm moving in with Mo Fei permanently."
Mo Fei's ears perked up. "I don't have space."
Chen Yu snapped his head toward him. "You live alone in a penthouse!"
"I need emotional space," Mo Fei said seriously.
Sima Li burst out laughing.
Nil laughed too and pulled Chen Yu back into his arms.
Chen Yu grumbled under his breath, but he did not move away.
Mo Fei took another bite of cake and watched them with satisfaction.
Finally.
The emotional crisis had ended. Now everyone could return to the important matter at hand.
Snacks.
Chen Yu settled down on the sofa with Nil sitting beside him.
He grabbed one of the bags Sima Li had brought and tore through it, rummaging inside with a critical expression. "What's all this junk you bought?"
"Junk?" Sima Li and Mo Fei gasped at the same time, Chen Yu had just insulted something sacred.
Sima Li turned to Mo Fei for support. "These are snacks of the highest quality," he declared. "Expensive snacks. You won't find them just anywhere."
Mo Fei nodded solemnly.
Nil glanced at the bags. "He got them from a convenience store."
Mo Fei, "…"
Sima Li suddenly became very interested in reading the ingredient list on a pack of cookies.
Chen Yu smirked. "You couldn't buy better things?" He pulled out a beer can and handed it to Nil.
Mo Fei turned to Sima Li, disappointment written all over his face. "Sima Li, I thought you were a national star. Are you that poor?"
"What?" Sima Li felt his life reduce by fifty percent under Mo Fei's disappointed gaze. "I was in a hurry, okay?" he defended himself.
"Mm. Whatever." Mo Fei reached into the bag again, then paused."Ohh, strawberry." His eyes brightened immediately as he licked his lips.
Nil opened the beer can and looked at Sima Li. "Don't you have a concert in two days? Shouldn't you be rehearsing or something?"
"He has a show?" Chen Yu asked, raising a brow at Sima Li. "I see you're still relevant."
"Hehe. Very funny." Sima Li rolled his eyes. "I've been busy all week. Tch. I need a break. Besides, no matter what, it'll turn out fine."
Chen Yu smiled coldly.
"A singer who spends most of his time dilly-dallying instead of working and putting in his best might vanish from showbiz sooner than expected."
Sima Li placed a hand over his chest. "My fans would remember me even if I died."
"Then maybe test that theory quietly."
Sima Li ignored him.
"Tell you what," he said, leaning back with a smug smile. "Why don't you come to the concert? I'll give you a show worth watching."
Chen Yu scoffed. "Nothing you do could ever impress me."
"I've seen you singing my songs, Chenchen." Sima Li winked. "Don't deny it. I am your bias."
Chen Yu's expression stiffened, he looked as if he wanted to dig a hole in the floor, shove Sima Li inside, and bury that smug smile forever.
But he controlled himself. Barely.
Sima Li, clearly having no interest in survival, turned to Nil next. "Tell you what. Why don't you come work for me, Nil? I'll treat you well as my manager."
"I'd rather he die!" Chen Yu's eyes blazed.
At that moment, Mo Fei, who had not been paying attention to their banter at all, finally looked up from the cake in his hand.
"Mm… who's dying?"
"Sima Li's career," Chen Yu hissed.
"Oh." Mo Fei blinked. "That's unfortunate."
Then he shrugged and went back to his snack.
Sima Li, "…"
Was there no loyalty left in this world?
"Whatever," Sima Li said, waving them off. "All of you have to come. I'll give you VIP tickets."
Chen Yu ignored him and leaned against Nil's side.
Nil nodded calmly.
As for Mo Fei, he simply waved one hand without looking up.
His mouth was full. Apparently, that meant yes.