Yan Suizhi gave a start.


    Due to him being outside the house earlier, his fingers were cold, whereas Gu Yans fingers were scorching.


    Yan Suizhi let him hold his hand for a while, waiting for him to tide over that haziness of having just awoken before asking, What is it?


    Gu Yans other hand was rubbing his temple. After a moment, he asked in a hoarse voice, Where are you going


    Yan Suizhi lowered his gaze to look at him, and somethingvexingsoftly scratched his heart again. It was hard to say if it was more ticklish or prickly. To the kitchen, to get some medicine for you.


    I meant, where are you going with your scarf?


    Yan Suizhi finally recalled that he was still holding his scarf, and immediately broke into softughter, saying, Going to the loft to find a hanger for it.


    Gu Yan started slightly, only then realising that he might have gotten something wrong, and pinched the bridge of his nose. The room was, for a time, utterly quiet. He didnt let go, nor did the other take his hand away.


    This was very rarely seen on Yan Suizhi, even giving a type of misconception that he was acquiescing to, or perhaps even indulging him.


    Only, no one knew if this was a special privilege because he was unwell.


    However, Yan Suizhi still wiggled the fingers that he had caught on to in the end, reminding him, almost jokingly, Student Gu, the porridge downstairs is going to turn to mush.


    Gu Yan, Sorry.


    He let go. The slight warmth dispersed from Yan Suizhis fingertips, and was once again wrapped by coolness.


    Until he went downstairs and opened the first-aid kit, Yan Suizhis heart was imbued with an indescribable emotion.


    He shook out two pills onto his palm, then heard the rustling of footsteps from the staircase.


    Why did youe down? Take some medicine and go back to sleep, said Yan Suizhi.


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    Gu Yans actions paused. Holding the cup, he hummed in assent. Mn. The flight got a notice from De Carma and Hn for testing to be conducted, so it was dyed for a while. I wasnt sure what time Ide back.


    Just that? Yan Suizhi said. Were there any issues with the test?


    It was okay. Gu Yan skipped straight to the conclusion, saying, Otherwise Id be in Spring Ivy now.


    Yan Suizhi stood by the stone pot, a hand stuck into the pocket of his pants, while his other hand gently stirred the thickening rice porridge clockwise. Hearing this, he didnt expose him, but said, The next time that you encounter anything, regardless of whether its good or badespecially if its bad newsdont hide it If anything happens to you, I hope that I can know as soon as possible.


    After a while, Gu Yan responded with a vague mn.


    What mn? Yan Suizhi turned his head over. To be frank, your words arent very credible when ites to this. Are you feeling more awake yet? Bring your photonputer over and write it into a contract so you dont sound so slipshod.


    He smiled after saying this, and went back to carefully watching the pot of porridge simmer.


    Gu Yan gazed at the view of his back without speaking, his dark eyes trembling. Words seemed to nearly escape his tongue, but swivelled to change into another question. Previously, you mentioned you found a new apartment?


    Yeah.


    Where is it?


    Over at Belma Belt; its within walking distance from Southcross.


    How are the furnishings?


    Quite decent. Thendlord is an artist, and the walls are filled with his artwork. Its very clean, Yan Suizhi said.


    Perhaps the earlier injections were now gradually taking effect, or perhaps the warm water did soothe the body some. Gu Yan was more invigorated now than when he had gotten out of bed earlier, but upon hearing this, there was yet another long, drawn-out silence.


    He refilled the ss with warm water, leaning against the zed counter, his eyes following Yan Suizhis fair and slender fingers as he stirred with the porcin spoon, and asked in a deep voice, What time are you leaving?


    Yan Suizhi smiled, turning his head over to ask huffily, Why are you in a hurry to chase me out?


    Im not.


    Then why have you asked me twice in less than ten minutes?


    Gu Yan lowered his gaze, staying silent for a while.


    Just when Yan Suizhi thought that he was choked speechless by this, and was stifling it back in again, he suddenly spoke


    If I dont ask, will you not leave?


    The slightly hoarse voice was low and deep. Its calmness was in as day, yet it somehow caused a stirring in the heart, just like a jar filled with aromatic wine, sealed tightly behind arrogance; yet, in a moment of inattention, it left just the tiniest crack.


    In the forty-three years of his life, Yan Suizhi had encountered all the different impulsive, zealous, overstated ways of expression that had always bore down on him like a surging tide, as though they wouldnt rest until they could pry open a crack and get a response. After so many years of politely sidestepping all of it, in the end, what worked on him was this line from Gu Yan.


    His hand, stirring the porridge, paused. He lifted his gaze.


    Gu Yans gaze, that never left from where it fell on him, was lighter and heavier than anything else could be.


    Behind him, across the soft carpet of the living room and a few metres more, was a transparent ss wall. Eight newly-ntedmp pines were rustling, swaying in the evening breeze. Somempflies had limated to the new environment, emerging sporadically, winding amidst the frosty fragrance of themp pines and dancing on its leaves, like scattered specks of starlight in the dark night sky.


    Yan Suizhi gave a cursory look over and seemed to let out a sigh. He spoke softly, Gu Yan.


    Mn.


    Themp pines you got Joe to procure for you have arrived.


    I saw.


    Yan Suizhi shifted his gaze to look at him instead. I heard from Fizz that you arent actually that fond ofmp pines.


    Gu Yan paused. He brushed over it, Not especially.


    Then if I move out, will there be no one to look at thesemp pines? With this, Yan Suizhi smiled, and, as if casually, said, The contract I signed with thendlord is on a trial basis. I initially nned to wait for you toe back before leaving, then nned to wait for your fever to go down before leaving tomorrow. Now that thesemp pines have been brought over, I can only change my ns again. So, if you didnt ask, I really might not leave.


    As Yan Suizhi spoke, he set down the spoon in his hand, unhurriedly took a soft hand towel, and ced the lid over the stone pot.


    The faint gurgling of boiling porridge was muffled under the lid. The evening breeze outside the window was dimly audible; starbursts of luminescence fluttered around themp pines, and the wide expanse of soft carpet was suffused with an amber glow.


    The room was warm and tranquil.


    Gu Yan, who was just leaning against the zed counter beside him with a ss cup like that, carefully watched his every move, then spoke in a deep voice. I dont know if Im delirious from fever, but youre giving me a bit of a misunderstanding.


    What misunderstanding? Yan Suizhi didnt even lift his head, still minding the porridge.


    A misunderstanding that I can say something crude, or do something crazy.


    Yan Suizhis hands paused. He finally turned over to look at him, lifting his brows. Such as?


    Gu Yan lowered his gaze as he looked at him, then suddenly pushed his index knuckle beneath the others chin. Such as this.


    Two folds gently creased his shirt at his waist from this movement. He tilted his head down slightly, and kissed the corner of Yan Suizhis lips.