ABOES 83: We’re Really Sweet

Duan Zhiyan was genuinely laughing from being so annoyed by Chi Yunxing.

He’d been holding himself back for so long only because he felt Yunxing was still young, and since they’d only just gotten together, he didn’t want to scare him off.

That’s why every time they shared a bed, he’d quietly wake up early the next morning and take care of his “problems” in the bathroom. Even when they kissed, he always made sure to keep things restrained, trying not to let his reaction show.

All that so-called consideration in Chi Yunxing’s eyes, it had become two blunt words: “Not working.”

Duan Zhiyan took a deep breath. Looking at the sleepy Chi Yunxing in front of him, his voice turned low and dangerous.

“Then Yunxing, do you want to test it out?”

It took Chi Yunxing a long moment to process what that meant.

Duan Zhiyan clearly knew he should’ve said nothing, done nothing, and left right away but he just couldn’t bring himself to move.

The moment Chi Yunxing opened his mouth to speak, Duan Zhiyan suddenly leaned in and fiercely kissed him.

Whatever Yunxing was about to say, Duan Zhiyan didn’t want to hear it anymore.

This kiss was fiercer and hotter than any they had shared before. Chi Yunxing couldn’t even respond at first.

He kept trying to back away, but Duan Zhiyan kept following, until finally, impatient, he wrapped his arms around Yunxing’s waist and pulled him in with no room to retreat.

Chi Yunxing’s pale neck was soon flushed red.

Only then—belatedly—did he finally realize what Duan Zhiyan had meant by “test it out.”

But by now, it was too late. The bow was drawn, the arrow already loose.

…

By the time their mutual “helping out” ended, Chi Yunxing had buried himself entirely under the covers, flushed down to his fingertips.

Duan Zhiyan wasn’t even done. He gently pulled Yunxing’s hand out and carefully wiped it clean with a tissue, asking softly, “Want to take a shower?”

Chi Yunxing said nothing, playing dead under the blanket.

Duan Zhiyan chuckled, then asked with a hint of teasing, “So… now do you know if it works or not?”

Chi Yunxing’s ears turned even redder. The hand that had just been held was still tingling. He yanked it back and curled up into a tighter ball.

Duan Zhiyan smiled, but his heart softened a little.

After all, Yunxing hadn’t rested well the night before, and he’d just gone through another round of his teasing.

Knowing that Chi Yunxing wouldn’t come out from under the blanket as long as he was there, Duan Zhiyan got up and said, “I’ll go shower. Don’t suffocate yourself in there. I won’t bother you anymore. I want you to get some good sleep.”

The lump under the covers didn’t move. Dead-playing level: expert.

Duan Zhiyan just laughed again, shook his head, and headed into the bathroom.

When he came out, he found that Chi Yunxing had actually fallen asleep, still buried under the covers. His face was red from being under for so long.

The room light was dim, but Duan Zhiyan could still make out the soft flush on Yunxing’s cheeks.

His expression softened as he leaned down and kissed Yunxing gently on the forehead.

…

When Chi Yunxing woke again, it was already afternoon.

Duan Zhiyan was sitting on the couch reading a script. Hearing movement behind him, he turned his head immediately.

Chi Yunxing’s pajamas had gotten all wrinkled from sleep. His eyes were still dazed and half-lidded. Seeing Duan Zhiyan, he rasped, “What time is it?”

Duan Zhiyan walked over, ruffled his messy hair, told him the time, and asked, “Hungry?”

Chi Yunxing nodded.

“Wait here,” Duan Zhiyan said, and went downstairs.

Chi Yunxing yawned and lay back on the bed. His body sank into the soft mattress, and a tear trickled from the corner of his eye. Just as he reached for a tissue, he suddenly remembered—

That moment this morning when Duan Zhiyan grabbed the tissue box in such a hurry.

Chi Yunxing froze.

Oh god oh god oh god!!!

This morning—he and Zhiyan Ge—they actually—

Why was he only realizing this just now?!

He had just been casually chatting with Duan Zhiyan earlier too!

If there were a hole in the ground, Chi Yunxing would’ve buried himself in it already. Unfortunately, all he had was a soft, warm blanket that still smelled like Duan Zhiyan.

His face flushed red again.

He gave up on finding a tissue and just curled up under the covers.

How could he have said something like that to Zhiyan Ge?!

But then…

Chi Yunxing couldn’t help remembering and a quiet sense of satisfaction bloomed in his chest.

Even though… well… cough cough…

It was kind of nice!

He rolled on the bed twice, then buried his face in Duan Zhiyan’s pillow and took a deep breath.It smelled just like him!

Right at that moment, Duan Zhiyan came back carrying a tray of food and caught the scene. He chuckled, “What are you doing?”

Chi Yunxing froze but quickly recovered, sitting up and pretending nothing happened.

“Nothing.”

Duan Zhiyan noticed the flush on his ears but didn’t call it out. He just said gently, “Go wash up or take a shower if you want.”

Chi Yunxing’s face reddened again.

Whenever he got flustered, he’d forget things so this time, he went to shower without even grabbing clean clothes.

When Duan Zhiyan went to bring them to him, he found the bathroom door cracked open just slightly.

He raised an eyebrow. “I’ve already seen it all, what’s the point of hiding now?”

From inside, Chi Yunxing’s annoyed voice snapped, “Ugh, you’re so annoying, Duan Zhiyan!”

It was the first time Chi Yunxing had called him by his full name.

Duan Zhiyan froze for two seconds, then burst out laughing.

Chi Yunxing’s hand reached out from behind the door, yanked the clothes inside, and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

Duan Zhiyan just laughed even harder.

A while later, Chi Yunxing came out—his hair damp, skin dewy, and eyes still misty. He was glaring daggers at Duan Zhiyan like he might just punch him if he said anything stupid.

Duan Zhiyan took one look and decided maybe now wasn’t the best time to speak.

“Let’s eat. It’s still hot.”

As expected, that made Chi Yunxing relax slightly.

After eating, Chi Yunxing saw Duan Zhiyan reading a script and came over to sit with him.

Seeing how awkwardly Yunxing was craning his neck to read, Duan Zhiyan simply pulled him closer and let him sit on his lap.

Chi Yunxing’s spine went stiff again.

Duan Zhiyan wrapped his arms around him and said softly, “Relax. You’re sitting so straight, is this class?”

Yunxing finally relaxed his posture and leaned limply against Duan Zhiyan’s chest.

Duan Zhiyan smiled faintly and turned a page.

They read together for a bit before Chi Yunxing asked, “This script seems different from the one you gave me before?”

“Yeah, they added some lines and cut a few others. Still not the final draft, though.”

“Still not?” Chi Yunxing blinked.

“There are a few issues,” Duan Zhiyan flipped to the front, pointing at several red-marked notes. “These scenes don’t help develop the characters. They’d just drag it out.”

Chi Yunxing nodded, though not entirely understanding.

So Duan Zhiyan began explaining in more detail.

Later, they remembered today was the update day for Secret Crush, so they curled up on the sofa to watch the newest episodes together.

“Only three episodes again?” Chi Yunxing asked.

Duan Zhiyan thought for a moment. “That means next week finishes the high school arc.”

Chi Yunxing frowned. “Isn’t that too fast? It’s a short show to begin with but if we burn through it too quickly, the buzz might drop…”

Duan Zhiyan smiled, clearly amused. “Not enough buzz?”

Chi Yunxing paused, then thought of the CP fans that had been flooding his Weibo every day. He immediately swallowed his words.

“Plenty of buzz!”

It was true—Secret Crush was dominating every trending chart, outperforming all other dramas airing at the same time. Even without a planned promo, the fandom for “LiChu CP” was growing by the day.

While watching, Chi Yunxing couldn’t help scrolling through the Super Topic on Weibo.

As expected, it was chaos.

【Why haven’t they confessed yet?! I’m losing my mind!】
【Seriously! Whether it’s the daughter-couple or my dumb sons—confess already!!】
【They’re still in high school! They’re not even 18!】
【LMAO chill, in the novel they confess in college. Let them slow burn a bit, it’s still fun!】
【Yeah yeah but I want the sweet moments!!】
【Please don’t hurt me!! I can’t take heartbreak!】
【What if they don’t end up in the same college… or Xu Li dates someone else and leaves Ning Chu alone?!】
【I’m already crying just thinking about it.】

Chi Yunxing laughed and asked, “Why are fans like this now, do they enjoy stabbing themselves in the heart?”

Duan Zhiyan leaned over, pecked his lips, and said, “Then should we give them a little candy? We haven’t posted our CP promo yet.”

Chi Yunxing blinked. “What should we post?”

Duan Zhiyan thought for a moment, then pulled Yunxing closer, unlocked his phone, opened the camera, and whispered, “Yunxing, look here.”

Chi Yunxing instinctively looked—Click. The shutter snapped and a photo was taken.

Duan Zhiyan showed it to him. “How about this selfie together?”

Chi Yunxing stared at the photo. Come to think of it, this was their first selfie together.

His heart fluttered and without hesitation, he nodded. “Okay.”

One minute later, they both posted.

@ChiYunxing: Want some candy? #photo#

@DuanZhiyan: We’re really sweet. #photo#