ABOES 100

【What does that mean? Is that… them admitting they’re together???】

【No no no—don’t scare me like that!】

【AAAAHHHH so you really were together that day?!! Oh my god, I’m literally jumping and spinning in place right now!】

【Oh my god oh my god I’m beyond thrilled!!!】

【F*ck, opened Weibo all happy, now leaving in tears.】

【Wait a sec—how did you all decide our male god is with Chi Yunxing? All he said was that they did spend New Year’s Eve together, he never said they were dating. Why are you CP fans spiraling again?】

【Exactly! Didn’t he literally say he didn’t think there was anything to clarify? Everyone knows their families are close—it’s not weird for them to have a holiday meal and watch fireworks. You CP fans are the ones always jumping to conclusions!】

【I’m begging you CP fans now. Sure, Duan Ge ignores your shipping, but can’t you keep it to your own circle? Every time there’s a single interaction, you scream “I ship it! I ship it!” This behavior honestly puts unnecessary pressure on both artists!】

CP fans were immediately riled up.

【Are you solo stans seriously still denying it?!】

【LMAO, what, you need them to post an official announcement before you accept reality?】

【Duan Zhiyan practically spelled it out for you and you’re still in denial. What are we supposed to do with you?】

【Still trying to spin this? Do you not have eyes, or just no brain?】

【Let’s be real—remove the question mark. They’ve got neither. Solo stans live in their own fantasy bubble. Forget them, girls—let’s just celebrate.】

…

While fans were going at each other’s throats, onlookers and neutral users also jumped in to watch the drama, all thanks to Duan Zhiyan’s ambiguous reply.

【Are they really together now?】

【Damn, they really do look amazing as a couple!】

【I liked them ever since Secret Crush—can’t believe they’re actually dating!!!! Oh my god!!!!】

【I NEVER thought I’d ship a real CP, and now here I am!! I’m thriving!】

【So like… no one’s talking about Scapegoat the movie?】

【Is this CP ship also in the movie?】

【LOL yeah, seems like it!】

…

Chi Yunxing felt his heart pounding as he scrolled through Weibo.

“Are we really okay with this?” he asked while reading from the tablet, glancing up at the phone screen mid-video call.

Onscreen, Duan Zhiyan smiled. “What’s the problem? You think I shouldn’t have replied that way, or…” He paused intentionally, then chuckled. “Do you think I should’ve just admitted we’re in a relationship?”

Chi Yunxing gave him a shy glare and set the tablet down. “That’s not what I meant! I just… fans are really fighting hard right now. It’s kinda upsetting to watch.”

Duan Zhiyan replied gently, “If they’re not arguing now, they’d still argue later.”

Chi Yunxing knew that too.

They had actually talked about this on New Year’s Day. Fans needed time to adjust, and both of them had agreed to occasionally let some ambiguous or even news leak out before officially going public. That way, when the time came, fans would be better prepared.

Chi Yunxing hadn’t expected that just one little ripple would already cause such a stir.

Right now, three of the top ten trending Weibo tags were all about them.

Even Yu Jun messaged him, asking directly if he and Duan Zhiyan were together.

Since it was going to come out eventually—and he trusted Yu Jun—Chi Yunxing told him the truth.

Yu Jun was surprised, but genuinely happy for him.

Chi Yunxing mentioned it to Duan Zhiyan as well.

Duan Zhiyan smiled. “I haven’t met Teacher Yu yet.”

“We should visit his place together sometime!” Chi Yunxing said with a grin.

Duan Zhiyan nodded. “Sounds good.”

Chi Yunxing then asked, “When are you coming back?”

Duan Zhiyan raised an eyebrow, smiling meaningfully. “What, miss me already?”

It was the seventh day of the new year—the first day back at work—and to Chi Yunxing’s surprise, Duan Zhiyan had a job scheduled today!

They had only been apart for half a day, and here they were video calling already.

So yeah, of course he missed him.

Chi Yunxing’s face turned red as he nodded, then quickly flipped the question. “Don’t you miss me?”

Duan Zhiyan was much more straightforward. His gaze darkened slightly and he nodded, “I do,” Then he added, “If you hadn’t still been asleep when I left, I might’ve just taken you with me.”

He had left early, and Chi Yunxing didn’t even know when he’d gone. Thinking of that, he sighed. “Forget it. I still need to take Grandma to the hospital later for her check-up. I’ll just wait for you to come back.”

Duan Zhiyan nodded, lifting his gaze to look deeply at him again.

Chi Yunxing felt a little uneasy under his stare. “What is it?”

Duan Zhiyan narrowed his eyes slightly, lips curving as his voice dropped low, “Yunxing, are you planning to stay at your family’s place until school starts?”

Chi Yunxing didn’t immediately catch his meaning. “Huh? Why do you ask?”

The partition in Duan Zhiyan’s car had already been raised, so no one could hear what he was saying. Thinking of that, he looked back at the screen and said in an extremely suggestive tone, “Because staying at your place… has its inconveniences, doesn’t it?”

The second their eyes met, Chi Yunxing instantly understood what was hidden in that gaze.

His heart skipped a beat as flashes of memory surfaced—those moments during their “mutual assistance” when Duan Zhiyan held back so much desire and restraint.

In just a breath, a thin layer of sweat formed on Chi Yunxing’s nose.

They were in the thick of their honeymoon phase. Sometimes even a simple kiss could quickly get out of hand.

And when you start to test boundaries… it’s hard not to want more.

Just like Duan Zhiyan said, being at home really was inconvenient.

Sure, the family probably wouldn’t pry, but still—

Chi Yunxing’s fair face flushed red, then pale, then red again. After several color shifts, he awkwardly averted his gaze and muttered, “S-So… when will you be back?” He bit his lip, then added, “When you get back… I’ll stay at your place?”

Duan Zhiyan’s eyes gleamed. “Good. I’ll be back in about three days.”

Chi Yunxing responded softly.

After ending the call, he collapsed onto the bed and rolled over once.

Instant regret.

Why did I agree so fast without even thinking?!

Now that he had said yes, there was no backing out.

Chi Yunxing took a deep breath. Okay… I need to think of a proper excuse by then.

…

Grandma Chi’s check-up was scheduled for 9 a.m., so the whole family skipped breakfast and drove straight to the hospital.

In the car, Chi Xiwen sat in the passenger seat scrolling through Weibo and grumbling, “What is up with these fans?”

“So what, you’re dating Duan Zhiyan—why do you owe them an explanation?”

“Do they think if you break up with him, they’ll get a shot?”

“You’re not even an idol! Why shouldn’t you be allowed to date?”

He kept ranting, and Grandma Chi joined in too. “Exactly! Why be a solo stan when being a CP fan is so much more fun?”

“These kids today just don’t think big enough!”

The whole car burst into laughter.

Chi Yunxing had gotten used to being teased after all the holiday family talk, but his ears still warmed up a bit.

Tan Yao teased, “Hey, I remember someone wasn’t such a fan of Zhiyan before. What changed? Why are you defending him now?”

Chi Xiwen knew she meant him. His expression twitched. “I’m standing up for Yunxing. Who’s defending Duan Zhiyan? He doesn’t deserve it.”

Grandma Chi chuckled, “Deserve or not, at least he found someone before you did.”

Chi Xiwen: “…”

Tan Yao: “Hahahahahahahaha!”

Chi Yunxing wanted to laugh too, but for his brother’s pride, he held it in—though the corners of his mouth betrayed him.

Chi Xiwen huffed twice, then muttered, “That’s only because he shamelessly made a move on Yunxing!”

From the driver’s seat, Chi Ling finally joined in, “But you’re not getting any younger either. You’ll be 27 by Lantern Festival. When are you bringing home a daughter-in-law?”

“…Dad, not you too…”

“What do you mean ‘me too’?” At a red light, Chi Ling shot him a glare. “I started dating your mom when I was 18. Your little brother found someone at 19. Now you’re the only bachelor left in the house—don’t you feel ashamed?”

Chi Xiwen: “……”

The rest of the car couldn’t hold it in and burst into laughter.

Chi Yunxing was laughing so hard he nearly shed tears, but after what Chi Ling said, he suddenly remembered the gift he’d ordered for Chi Xiwen before the New Year.

When placing the order, Chi Yunxing had also spotted something that suited Duan Zhiyan perfectly, so he ended up buying that one too.

He pulled out his phone and sent a message to the person in charge, asking about the status of the gifts.

The reply came quickly.

[Don’t worry, Mr. Chi. Everything is ready. The gift will be delivered to your home at 9 AM during the Lantern Festival.]

[Chi Yunxing: Great, thank you.]

Then he messaged Liu Ran.

[Liu Ran: I’ve already picked up Chi Ge’s gift. Ready to deliver whenever you are!]

Since Duan Zhiyan wouldn’t be back for three more days, Chi Yunxing replied.

[Chi Yunxing: Thanks. Can you bring it over to me?]

[Liu Ran: On my way.]

…

Grandma Chi’s check-up included a lot of items. Even with a specialist appointment booked in advance, it still took until the afternoon.

Fortunately, the results came out the same day—she was recovering well, with no issues.

Everyone was relieved.

Time flew, and soon it was the day before Duan Zhiyan’s return.

Chi Yunxing had already packed his bags but the problem remained. What excuse should he use for leaving home to go stay with Duan Zhiyan?