WP Chapter 64

Renovation was a massive undertaking. It drained both time and energy, and unexpected issues cropped up constantly, leaving one on edge.

Fortunately, Si Shaorong was a meticulous person by nature. He always seemed to anticipate problems before they happened and had backup plans in place well ahead of time. Because of that, the entire process of renovating the new place went far more smoothly than anyone expected.

The only part that really took time and effort was the interior decoration. But Jiang Yibai only helped with choosing items. He hadn’t actually visited the new place even once.

Before they knew it, summer had returned. The one-year anniversary of their first meeting was just around the corner. Watching how busy Si Shaorong had been lately, Jiang Yibai started secretly planning something.

“One-year anniversary?” Nian Gao looked like she was having a rough night. Curled up on a large sofa in the bar, she muttered, “What’s there to celebrate about that? Since when did you get so… flowery? You growing a teenage girl’s heart or what?”

Jiang Yibai said, “He’s been so busy with the renovation that his feet barely touch the ground. He carries his laptop with him everywhere. Leaves in the morning and only gets back late at night. I tried to help, but he won’t let me.”

Nian Gao raised her hand in a gesture to stop. Her expression was ice cold. “I strongly condemn this behavior disguised as complaining when it’s actually just showing off. You. Shut up.”

Jiang Yibai held up his glass and rolled his eyes so hard they nearly flipped to the back of his head.

Li Xun, leaning lazily against Zheng Youli’s shoulder, laughed and said, “What’s wrong with it? Life should have a little more surprise, a little more thoughtful ceremony. I support it.”

“You support everything he does,” Nian Gao said with a click of her tongue. She glanced at Zheng Youli, who was silently chewing on sunflower seeds. “Xiao Zheng, aren’t you jealous?”

Zheng Youli gave a polite smile and shook his head without saying a word.

“Stop stirring up drama,” Li Xun sat up at once. “Look at that proper, well-behaved face of his. Seems so obedient, but in bed? Twice as ruthless in revenge. I’m telling you, I wouldn’t survive it.”

Nian Gao was silent for a beat.

Then she stood up and said, “As the lone single dog here, I think I’d better take my clueless ass somewhere else.”

She covered her eyes. “I’m going blind. I can feel it.”

Jiang Yibai was doubled over laughing. He nudged the toe of his shoe against Li Xun’s.

“Now this is what real public displays of affection look like. I’ve been falsely accused.”

Li Xun raised an eyebrow and slouched back into the couch again, lazy as ever. He motioned for Zheng Youli to go fetch Nian Gao back.

“Tonight’s on me. Tch. That’s what she’s been waiting to hear.”

Before the words even fully left his mouth, and before Zheng Youli could get up, Nian Gao returned with her hand still over her eyes.

“This kind of god-tier romance needs to be soaked in. Let me breathe it in a little more. Maybe I’ll catch some luck and run into love on the street tonight.”

Li Xun stared at her in silence.

The four of them huddled in the corner of the bar, murmuring back and forth, until they finally settled on a plan for the anniversary. Only then did Jiang Yibai return home fully satisfied.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he noticed that the small upstairs bedroom was lit. The warm yellow glow shining through the window made the night feel steady and safe. His steps, almost without thinking, grew lighter.

He bounded up the stairs two at a time, humming under his breath. Just as he reached the door, it opened.

Si Shaorong must have just gotten out of the shower. His hair was damp, clinging to his forehead. Steam still curled from his skin. He wore light-colored loungewear, the sleeves loose, the pant legs casually rolled up, revealing a slender ankle with smooth, toned lines.

Something in Jiang Yibai’s chest gave a little tug. Before the man could say a word, he surged forward, grabbed the door, and closed it behind him, pinning Si Shaorong against the entryway wall in a fierce kiss.

The scent of alcohol lingered between their lips and tongues, spreading through their breath. Si Shaorong narrowed his eyes, leaning back slightly to catch air, but Jiang Yibai cupped the back of his head and pulled him in again, forcing another kiss that landed deep and hungry.

A low hum escaped from Jiang Yibai’s nose. His hand slipped under the fabric of Si Shaorong’s shirt, palm pressing against skin still warm from the shower. His touch roamed greedily, caressing the soft, heated surface until he hooked a finger into the waistband of his boyfriend’s pants and tugged. Just as he started to pull, Si Shaorong caught his wrist with some difficulty and held him back.

“How much did you drink?” Si Shaorong finally managed to peel his boyfriend off him, holding him close as he asked, “I called you and you didn’t answer. Where were you?”

Jiang Yibai wasn’t actually drunk, but he had no intention of acting sober in front of his boyfriend. He draped himself over him like he had no bones in his body, wriggling restlessly, his breath hot against Si Shaorong’s skin. “Just chatting. You’re so busy lately. I’m all lonely, cold, and empty.”

Si Shaorong gave him a light slap on the ass in warning. “Don’t even think about it.”

Jiang Yibai let out a mischievous laugh and tugged him toward the bedroom. “Come on, touch me. Just one touch and I won’t be lonely anymore.”

Si Shaorong gave him a helpless but indulgent smile and followed him inside. As soon as the door closed, the room filled with breathless, shameless sounds that would make anyone blush.

No one knew how much time passed before the low, hoarse moans gradually quieted. A dim night light lit up in the dark room.

It was one of those little freebies they got while shopping for home décor online, a cartoon Baymax lamp, surprisingly cute.

The soft glow bathed the two figures tangled together in bed. Jiang Yibai lifted his head from Si Shaorong’s chest and began gently tracing the contours of his face with his lips. The thick dark brows, the sharp and handsome jawline, the tall nose bridge, and finally the lips he could never get enough of.

Each kiss landed slowly, one after another, breath still unsteady. When he reached the corner of Si Shaorong’s mouth, the man turned his head slightly, and they melted into another deep, lingering kiss.

Sensing Jiang Yibai was starting to stir again, Si Shaorong shifted beneath him and rasped, “Your turn.”

Jiang Yibai let out a whine of protest and refused to move. Si Shaorong gave him another smack, hooked a leg around his waist, and pulled him down. His other hand slid teasingly down his back, fingers brushing suggestively as he murmured something low by his ear.

Jiang Yibai finally rolled off him and looked up in disbelief. “You’re even learning how to seduce now?”

Si Shaorong flipped him over and pinned him down. His lower back was still sore, but he didn’t lose an ounce of presence. His ears were flushed as he said, “We agreed you’d wear a condom.”

Jiang Yibai grinned shamelessly. “I couldn’t help it. Do you even know how good it feels inside…”

Before he could finish, he was silenced by a kiss that came down rough and heated.

Another night of spring pleasure.

As the sound of cicadas grew louder and the heat of summer deepened, five months into the renovation, Si Shaorong finally said it was time to take Jiang Yibai to see their new home.

The surprise Jiang Yibai had been planning was set for the following day. That morning, he confirmed all the arrangements with Nian Gao and the others, then shamelessly shuffled out the door in house slippers to follow Si Shaorong.

After spring, they had bought a car together. Si Shaorong had also purchased a parking space at the new place. Up to this point, he had handled all aspects of the renovation by himself, so this was officially the first time Jiang Yibai got to sit in their car and visit the future home that would belong to both of them.

Although a few years had passed since the complex was built, it was made up of large units and had a relatively low occupancy rate.

Over time, the landscaping had matured beautifully. There was a swimming pool, a gym, a supermarket, and even a tea café. Everything one might need was already there.

They followed the inner path all the way in. Their new building sat right by the river. Sunlight filtered through the trees, scattering golden light across the car windows. Normally, Jiang Yibai would already be complaining about being baked alive, but today he was unusually excited, seriously trying to memorize the way.

The car pulled into the underground garage. The security bar lifted slowly. A mechanical female voice said, “Welcome home.”

Jiang Yibai couldn’t quite name the feeling in his chest. It was heavy, it was scorching, and it felt like if he let his guard down for even a second, something might overflow.

“This way,” Si Shaorong said, pointing ahead. “We’re in Building 12, Unit 1, 26th floor.”

Jiang Yibai gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment and followed him into the elevator. His heart was pounding hard.

But what was waiting upstairs was even more intense. As soon as the elevator doors opened, there was a sudden bang from overhead.

Startled, Jiang Yibai’s first instinct was to shove Si Shaorong back into the still-open elevator.

He thought something had fallen.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

Right after the loud bang, colorful confetti rained down on his head and shoulders, and a chorus of cheerful screams erupted from nearby.

“Welcome home!”

“Welcome!!”

“Surprised? Didn’t see that coming, did you?!”

Jiang Yibai was still frozen in place, hand outstretched in the motion of having just pushed Si Shaorong. His whole body was stunned.

“Didn’t scare you too badly, did it?” Si Shaorong stepped out again, placing a steady hand on his boyfriend’s shoulder.

He leaned in and said softly beside his ear, “Welcome home… and happy one-year anniversary.”

Jiang Yibai said nothing.

Then he looked straight at Li Xun, who was grinning like a maniac at the side. His eyes narrowed. What the hell is going on? Did you all sell me out?

Li Xun gave a discreet shake of the head and shrugged, indicating it had nothing to do with him.

In that instant, Jiang Yibai finally pieced it together. It wasn’t just him who had been planning a surprise. Si Shaorong had been preparing one too. Their surprises landed just one day apart. The absurdity of it all made him want to laugh and cry at the same time.

The little crowd of well-wishers included Li Xun, Nian Gao, Zheng Youli, Zhen Zhen, and a few fellow authors and editors they both knew.

Si Shaorong leaned in again and said apologetically, “I wanted to invite some of your students too, but then I figured… maybe it wouldn’t be appropriate. Sorry.”

Jiang Yibai had always suspected that full transparency, while well-intentioned, wasn’t always the best policy. For students who were still figuring out their values, even the smallest influence could cut both ways. He might not mean to mislead anyone, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t happen.

Jiang Yibai pulled his boyfriend into a hug and whispered, “It’s alright. You made the right call.”

Then he turned to glare at Li Xun and Nian Gao. “Unbelievable. You two really kept it this well hidden?”

Nian Gao let out a cheeky giggle and gave Li Xun a push forward. “Come on, come on. Time for the newlyweds to tour their new home.”

They couldn’t hold a wedding. They weren’t protected by law. But in this moment, it felt just like a wedding celebration. Their friends gathered around, boisterously teasing them as if it were the traditional first night in the bridal chamber. It was only then that Jiang Yibai realized what a significant moment this was, and that he was wearing a T-shirt, beach shorts, and slippers.

His entire face twisted with horror.

Through clenched teeth, he growled, “Why didn’t anyone tell me? I could’ve at least changed clothes!”

Si Shaorong looked embarrassed. “I was afraid if I said too much, you’d start to suspect something.”

Jiang Yibai fell silent.

Someone lifted a camera and shouted, “A moment this special needs to be captured. Everyone, group photo!”

Jiang Yibai still said nothing.

Si Shaorong let out a soft laugh. “Come on.”

Jiang Yibai glared at him. “You’re laughing?”

So in the photo taken that day, the one that would forever hang above their desk on the bulletin board, a group of friends smiled with radiant joy under the cicada-thick summer heat. In the center stood two men, one smiling with quiet tenderness, the other gritting his teeth in helpless fury. But in both their eyes, there was the same overflowing happiness. That perfect moment, in that perfect place, was captured and preserved, frozen in time.

Over the years, more and more photos would be added to that board. Photos of the two short-legged cats they would raise together, photos from their anniversary trips each year, snapshots from their vacations, one of Si Shaorong frowning over a slice of cake while stuck on a scene, and group portraits with the Si family during New Year’s celebrations. On and on, the record of a life shared.

All those bright, beautiful futures had already begun spilling toward Jiang Yibai the moment he opened the door to their new home.

To cheers and applause, the two of them stepped inside, hands clasped, eyes locked. Just one look, and neither of them could look away.

“Thank you,” Jiang Yibai said quietly. His eyes were red, and for once, he looked a little bashful.

Si Shaorong was moved too. He took a deep breath, steadying the emotion in his chest, and said, “Thank you too. Thank you for finding me.”

Jiang Yibai ducked his head and laughed, his eyes damp. “You really can’t pull off serious love talk. It kills me.” His voice wavered slightly, though it had nothing to do with sadness.

There was no need for further words. They both understood. Si Shaorong wrapped him in a hug, gently tilted his chin, and kissed him.

Behind them came a chorus of whistles and playful shouts. Someone was snapping photos. Zhen Zhen’s voice rang out loudly, “No one posts this on Weibo! I swear to God, if I see it online, I’ll hunt you down.”

Everyone else: “……”

Si Shaorong couldn’t help laughing out loud. “I love you.”

Jiang Yibai tightened his grip on the small box in his pocket where the matching rings were hidden and thought, Big baby, there’s still another surprise waiting for you tomorrow.

Then he answered softly, “I love you too.”

-END-