ABOES 88: Relationship Revealed

Duan Zhiyan’s eyes darkened slightly. Just as he reached out to wrap his arms around Chi Yunxing’s waist, the younger man quickly stepped back, a mischievous glint flashing in his eyes.

“Let’s go!” Chi Yunxing said, his voice full of laughter.

Duan Zhiyan didn’t move, only gazed deeply at him.

Chi Yunxing showed no sign of guilt. He simply laughed and tugged at Duan Zhiyan’s hand, softening his voice as he said, “Come on, it’s cold outside.”

At those words, Duan Zhiyan finally began walking again, moving ahead of Chi Yunxing.

Night had completely fallen, and the snow was coming down even harder. It crunched under their feet with every step, and Duan Zhiyan subconsciously picked up his pace.

Even so, what should have been a few minutes’ walk ended up taking them over ten.

The apartment building had private elevators for each unit. As soon as they stepped into the lift, Chi Yunxing felt himself yanked into Duan Zhiyan’s arms.

Just as he was about to look up, his mask was pulled off, and an urgent, heated kiss landed on his lips, silencing whatever he’d been about to say into a muffled whimper.

Duan Zhiyan kissed him eagerly, even gently nibbling at his lips. Their breathing grew more ragged. When the elevator reached their floor, they separated briefly, only to start kissing again the moment they stepped inside the apartment.

The heating was on high. In just a few seconds, a sheen of sweat formed on Chi Yunxing’s nose.

Duan Zhiyan finally let him go. Chi Yunxing immediately started pulling off his hat and scarf.

“So hot!” he grumbled, half annoyed, while trying to shed his layers.

Duan Zhiyan laughed at the chaotic scene.

Chi Yunxing gave him a playful glare.

Duan Zhiyan stopped laughing, stepped forward, and helped him take off his scarf and coat.

“Still hot?” he asked, brushing a dry finger lightly against Chi Yunxing’s nose.

Chi Yunxing looked up and noticed how close they were again. Just as he tried to step back, Duan Zhiyan moved in.

He held him tightly, dropping a flurry of warm, damp kisses down on him.

“Yunxing…”

“Yunxing.”

Their lips and tongues intertwined, and Chi Yunxing felt as if Duan Zhiyan’s scent was like finely aged wine from a cellar. It was subtle and heady, pulling him under without resistance.

For two people in love, a week apart felt like an eternity.

In this warm, quiet space with no one to interrupt them, everything was perfectly suited for passion.

Duan Zhiyan’s hands wandered along Chi Yunxing’s waist, pulling a soft hum from him.

Just then, Duan Zhiyan stopped.

Chi Yunxing blinked, confused.

In a husky voice, Duan Zhiyan explained, “Dinner’s almost here.”

Chi Yunxing huffed in frustration.

Duan Zhiyan chuckled and ruffled his hair. “Want to take a shower first?”

A faint red mark from their kiss lingered at the corner of Chi Yunxing’s eye. He turned his gaze away, scanned the room, and headed toward the bathroom.

Duan Zhiyan called out behind him, “I’ll grab you some clothes—”

Before he could finish, he saw Chi Yunxing pop his head out from behind the door and say quickly, “Zhiyan Ge, you’re hopeless!”

With a bang, the door slammed shut.

Duan Zhiyan: “…”

He pressed his temple, clearly trying to stay calm, then headed straight for the bathroom but Chi Yunxing was faster. He locked the door from the inside.

“Yunxing, open the door.” Duan Zhiyan’s voice was low and tight, like he was trying to hold something back.

Only a fool would open the door now and Chi Yunxing was no fool.

“Nope,” he replied, sounding as calm as he could.

A low laugh came from outside. Duan Zhiyan turned to go upstairs for the spare key, but just then, his phone rang from inside his coat pocket.

Chi Yunxing pressed his ear to the door and listened. It was the food delivery. He breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stripped to take his shower.

When Duan Zhiyan returned with the takeout, he heard the sound of running water from the bathroom.

He chuckled and decided not to tease him anymore. Instead, he went to the bedroom to pick out clean clothes for Chi Yunxing.

He knocked lightly on the door and said calmly, “I’ve left your clothes outside.”

Very considerate—not even asking him to open the door.

Chi Yunxing waited until he heard Duan Zhiyan’s footsteps move away before cracking the door open. He reached out to grab the clothes from the chair—Only to see the man who had supposedly left suddenly slip inside.

Chi Yunxing: “!!!”

“Zhiyan Ge—”

His words were silenced by a fierce kiss.

For the next half hour, Chi Yunxing was “forced” to share a shower. Duan Zhiyan also made it very clear—physically—that the words “hopeless” should never be used on your boyfriend, especially when said boyfriend was very capable.

…

The rare snowfall lasted all night. When Chi Yunxing woke the next day, everything outside the complex was blanketed in white.

The bedroom door was slightly ajar. He could hear Duan Zhiyan’s voice, apparently on a phone call.

Chi Yunxing stood by the window for a moment, admiring the snow, then lazily climbed back into bed.

When Duan Zhiyan came in, he saw him snuggling deeper into the covers and couldn’t help smiling. “Still want to sleep?”

Chi Yunxing nodded with eyes shut.

Duan Zhiyan walked over and said in a soft voice, “But we’re trending.”

Chi Yunxing’s eyes flew open. He turned his head sharply. “What trending?”

Duan Zhiyan smiled. “Suspected relationship reveal.”

Chi Yunxing immediately sat up. “What?!”

Duan Zhiyan laughed at his expression and handed him his phone. “Just teasing.”

Chi Yunxing took the phone and instantly saw their names trending.

While it wasn’t exactly the “relationship reveal” Duan Zhiyan had joked about… it wasn’t far off either.

The trending tag read: #DuanZhiyanChiYunxingSeenEnteringSameNeighborhoodLateatNight#

Chi Yunxing’s fingers trembled slightly as he tapped the tag.

The top post was from a bystander who’d casually posted a video. They hadn’t even used the tag, it was just a random Weibo.

@ILoveLiChuForever: Holy crap! Just got back from the light show and saw two guys who looked just like Duan Zhiyan and Chi Yunxing in my neighborhood elevator!

The attached video was only nine seconds long. In the dim lighting outside the apartment, two figures stood close together and entered the elevator side by side.

At first, no one believed it was them. Though the video was clear, their faces weren’t visible.

Early comments were full of skepticism:

【Ugh, CP fans are so delusional.】
【Can you stop saying every blurry silhouette is them? It’s exhausting.】
【If you want to ship them, stay in your CP circle and don’t bother the rest of us.】
【Those two guys in the video are probably just baffled.】
【Cringe.】

…

The original poster didn’t expect her video to blow up like this. She replied politely to comments, but no one took her seriously. So she posted a second Weibo:

@ILoveLiChuForever: This isn’t some delusional CP fantasy. I saw their faces clearly at the gate earlier. I didn’t think much of it then. We happened to walk the same way for a bit, and the more I looked, the more I thought—yeah, it’s definitely them. Then I remembered Duan-ge’s Weibo from earlier. Look at P1 and P2, their outfits match exactly. Also, I know Duan-ge owns a place in our complex. P3 is a paparazzi shot from last year showing him here.

This post made everything explode.

【Wait—I didn’t look closely before, but their outfits really do match the photos exactly!】
【Matching outfits doesn’t prove anything.】
【You must not be a real fan. Anyone who follows them knows those are one-of-a-kind clothes.】
【Let me explain: Yunxing wore a limited-edition winter couture from brand D. Duan-ge’s coat isn’t couture, but it was custom-designed for him by famous Milan designer Joyce. There’s only one in the world. No chance of a coincidence. Also: yes, Duan-ge owns property in Tomson Riviera, so OP… you’re seriously rich!!!】

That comment alone sent fans into chaos.

【Holy crap holy crap!!!!】
【So it really is them!!!!】
【Aaaahhh didn’t they say yesterday they were going to the light show on Central Street? It HAS to be them!】
【So… are they really together?!】

Thousands of people speculated that Duan Zhiyan and Chi Yunxing were in a relationship but many CP fans tried to stay rational.

【They’re just childhood friends, remember?】
【Sure, we wish they were together, but it’s probably not real.】

But others ignored everything and insisted.

【I don’t care! They’re together!】
【This is killing me—it’s too sweet!】
【I’m so fed!】
【Why else would they go home together? Omg, this is so sweet I’m dying!】

Some tried to offer logical explanations.

【They’re not dating. It probably snowed too hard to go home, so Yunxing stayed over at Duan Ge’s place. Don’t ask why I’d guess that because I’m literally crashing at my friend’s too! My mom’s called me like 15 times already!】
【Wait—your boyfriend?】
【LOL off-topic, but that probably is the reason.】

About two-thirds of fans believed that theory. The rest knew the truth deep down… but refused to admit it.

Eventually, another blogger posted this.

@NingChuIsMyBaby: Holy crap—so I really did ask Duan Zhiyan for his WeChat last night?!

【Details pls???】

They followed up with a long Weibo.

@NingChuIsMyBaby: So yesterday I was out shopping with my girls. While waiting at a crosswalk, we spotted two super tall and handsome guys. Even with masks and hats, their eyes were gorgeous. I accidentally made eye contact with the taller one and instantly fell. His outfit? Totally my type. My friends hyped me up, and I actually went over and asked for his WeChat.

He turned me down, but that’s not the point!

The point is—he raised his hand, and he was holding the hand of the guy next to him. Then he said, “Sorry, I already have someone I love.”

OMG. I was both crushed and thrilled. I never imagined they were Duan Zhiyan and Chi Yunxing!

The post ended with a blurry backlit photo of the two figures walking close together.

【OP’s writing is top-tier. If it weren’t for that final photo, I’d be out here swinging a knife.】
【Next time something like this happens, take me with you!!】
【LMAO it’s not embarrassing to post an encounter—why write a whole novel about it?】
【Doesn’t matter if it’s made up. I’m fed and I’m happy!】
【They’re seriously too sweet!】
【This is killing me! Is that really something Duan Zhiyan would say?】
【I don’t know about Duan Zhiyan, but Xu Li would absolutely say that!】

…

Chi Yunxing’s heart was pounding after reading all of it.

“We got caught in a candid?” he asked, a little nervously.

Duan Zhiyan chuckled. “Relax. Only a few pictures were posted.”

Chi Yunxing sighed in relief. “Good… wait.” His eyes widened. “Oh no. My mom—”

“I just got off the phone with Auntie Tan,” Duan Zhiyan said calmly. “She called you, but your phone was on silent, so she called me.”

Chi Yunxing tensed. “She… didn’t ask too much, did she?”

Duan Zhiyan feigned innocence. “Ask what?”

The smile at the corner of his mouth gave it all away.

Chi Yunxing handed back the phone and flopped onto the bed. “Should we post something to clear things up?”

Duan Zhiyan gave him a look. “Wouldn’t that just make things more obvious?”

Chi Yunxing burst out laughing. “True.”

Duan Zhiyan glanced at the time. “Get up. Auntie Tan asked when you’re coming home. I told her this afternoon. It’s already noon.”

Chi Yunxing mumbled, “I don’t want to get up… I’m still sleepy.”

“But I have to head out later.”

“Mm?” Chi Yunxing cracked one eye open. “Where to?”

“Abroad,” Duan Zhiyan said.

Chi Yunxing instantly sat up. “What?! Why?!”

Duan Zhiyan leaned over and kissed him. “To pick up my parents. It’s almost New Year, and they’re staying in China this year.”

Chi Yunxing frowned. “When are you coming back?”

“By next week, at the latest.” Duan Zhiyan replied.

Chi Yunxing looked visibly down. “A week? We just got back together…”

A soft ache filled Duan Zhiyan’s chest. He gently said, “I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

“Promise?” Chi Yunxing looked at him.

“Promise.” Duan Zhiyan met his eyes.

Neither of them expected that he wouldn’t be able to keep that promise.

A week later, Duan Zhiyan called. Something had gone wrong with his father’s company, and he had to stay to help.

Chi Yunxing was disappointed, but said nothing—he just kept waiting.

And he waited… until the New Year was right around the corner.

On the 27th day of the last lunar month, Duan Zhiyan and his family finally rushed back to China.