Chapter 47 – Held Close to Heart

The weather wasn’t too cold the next day, but Ye Zhou still put on a high-necked sweater. Unfortunately, the high neck didn’t entirely conceal the hickey marks; there were some particularly obvious red marks below his ear and at the back of his neck.

When he cleaned up last night, he didn’t look closely, nor did he have the energy to do so. This morning, when he saw the marks all over his neck while brushing his teeth, he was taken aback. If there were just one or two, he might not have thought much of it, and he might even have wanted to show them off. But so many…it was almost as if someone had branded him. It was clear who was dominant and who was submissive.

Professor Guan must have done it on purpose.

Ye Zhou gave a helpless smile in the mirror. After finishing his morning routine, he went downstairs, where Guan Heng had already bought breakfast and placed it on the table. It was the delicious omelet from the stall at the end of the alley. Guan Heng always woke up earlier than him and had a regular exercise routine. He hadn’t wanted to disturb Ye Zhou, so he hadn’t gone back to his room to shower, still wearing his workout clothes. The slightly sweaty appearance was very manly.

When he heard footsteps, seeing that Ye Zhou had woken up, Guan Heng got up from the couch and casually ruffled his hair. “I’m going to take a shower. You can eat.”

The couch cover had been changed, but Ye Zhou now couldn’t bear to look at it straight on, unable to resist thinking about the passionate scene from last night. He felt that something about Guan Heng last night was different, but he still couldn’t determine whether he was really drunk. Guan Heng’s calm and abstemious demeanor at the moment made him doubt whether the Guan Heng he’d seen last night, who would act coquettishly and deliberately tease him, was a figment of his imagination.

He shouldn’t have blacked out, right?

It was hard for Ye Zhou to say whether he had harbored any expectations. He opened his mouth to test the waters. “Brother Heng.”

“Hmm?”

Guan Heng responded so naturally that Ye Zhou knew he remembered everything, feeling somewhat embarrassed instead. “Never mind.”

Guan Heng seemed to know what he was thinking, smiling. “I wasn’t drunk, I remember everything.”

“…Oh.” Ye Zhou hung his head lower.

Guan Heng stroked his hair again before heading upstairs.

If Ye Zhou thought about it carefully, it made sense. Guan Heng was probably the type of person who wouldn’t allow himself to get drunk. He sat down to eat breakfast, a pleasant smile blossoming on his lips.

Ye Zhou was particularly eye-catching in the restaurant today, not only because he wore a rarely-seen high-necked sweater, but also because of the marks on his neck that couldn’t be completely concealed.

The employees smiled suggestively upon seeing him.

Since he couldn’t hide them anyway, Ye Zhou simply straightened his spine, allowing people to see them openly. As for what the employees were discussing in private, he didn’t care or want to know, pretending not to hear anything.

The days leading up to the New Year were the busiest time for various industries, but a few days before the holiday, the restaurant became quieter. Zhoujishi was an independent business, not a chain store, and didn’t compete with other restaurants or bars, so it would close when it was supposed to. After discussing with Fang Ji, since they weren’t doing business during the New Year, their orders would decrease, so they decided to start their vacation early, beginning on Little New Year’s Eve. So today was the last day of operation before the New Year.

Ye Zhou used to have no particular anticipation for the holidays, indifferent to whether they took a break or not. But this year was different. He had a boyfriend, and they lived together. Guan Heng would return home on New Year’s Eve for at most a day or two, and the rest of the days were still on vacation. He had been thinking about what dishes to prepare for the New Year’s meal since a few days ago, also ordering a batch of supplies from the supplier.

But the supplier was too busy before the New Year, unable to deliver in the afternoon, so it was delayed until evening. It was almost eight o’clock at night, and Ye Zhou’s plan to go home early was dashed. He could only inform Guan Heng and continue waiting. Before the restaurant staff left work, Ye Zhou didn’t forget to give each of them a red envelope, wishing them an early Happy New Year.

After eight o’clock in the evening, Fang Ji came to relieve him.

As soon as he walked in, he saw Ye Zhou in his high-necked sweater and noticed the marks on his neck, smiling at him. “Looks like you had a good night last night.”

Fang Ji’s comment held no hidden meaning, simply referring to his good relationship with Guan Heng. But Ye Zhou felt guilty, unable to reveal the truth, and could only maintain his composure. “Professor Guan was too enthusiastic, I couldn’t handle it.”

Fang Ji nodded thoughtfully. “I can tell.”

He didn’t think much of it, only finding it incredible. It turned out that Guan Heng, who appeared so abstemious and aloof, was actually so clingy in private.

“You yesterday…” Ye Zhou really didn’t know how Guan Heng had managed to pry information from Fang Ji, dying of curiosity.

“What?”

“How did you talk to Professor Guan yesterday?”

“About what?”

Ye Zhou nervously rubbed his nose. “I told him about how clingy and jealous he is…”

Fang Ji was relatively straightforward. “He asked me what we were talking about, so I told him.”

“Just like that?” Ye Zhou was stunned, thinking that Guan Heng had some impressive interrogation skills, but then realized, “You sold me out so easily.”

Fang Ji didn’t quite understand the nuances of their relationship. “What’s wrong with telling him? Besides, he admitted it.”

Now it was Ye Zhou’s turn to be stunned.

“I don’t understand you guys…” Fang Ji, as he spoke, wanted to put his arm around Ye Zhou’s shoulders, but remembering something, silently retracted his hand. Having a boyfriend was troublesome.

Just then, the delivery arrived.

Ye Zhou immediately went forward to check the goods, confirming that everything was correct. He took out money from his wallet, not bothering to count the change, considering it a tip. Carrying two large bags, he couldn’t wait to go home, turning to shout at Fang Ji. “I’m leaving first, I’ll treat you to dinner another day. Happy New Year.”

Fang Ji had no idea what the connection between these three sentences was, but he could see that Ye Zhou was in a good mood and smiled along. “No need for another day, let’s meet during the New Year. You won’t forget your friend for a pretty face, will you?”

Ye Zhou almost forgot that they usually met privately during the New Year, avoiding New Year’s Eve and the first day of the New Year. Fang Ji hated returning home for the New Year because, as he aged, he was constantly pressured to get married. He wasn’t against finding someone, but he couldn’t find a suitable match, and those introduced by his family were all types suitable for staying at home and taking care of their husbands after marriage. He disliked this, preferring someone with a strong career orientation and a mind of their own, which conflicted with his parents’ opinions. So every year, after eating the reunion dinner at home, Fang Ji would find an excuse to slip away.

“Not at all. I’ll bring Professor Guan along.” Ye Zhou ran off after saying that. All he wanted now was to sprint home and hug his clingy boyfriend.

What could Fang Ji say? He could only shrug helplessly at thin air. “Alright then.”

On the way home, Ye Zhou encountered Guan Heng. More accurately, Guan Heng had come to pick him up.

There were only a few days left before the New Year, and Guan Heng was now much more relaxed, at least spending evenings at home. He wore the woolen sweater Ye Zhou saw him in on the first day, smiling gently. In the quiet night, he looked warm and gentle, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Ye Zhou’s heart was originally pounding, but upon seeing Guan Heng, he calmed down, smiling. “How did you know I was coming back?”

“Fang Ji told me,” Guan Heng said, taking the bag from Ye Zhou with his right hand.

Ye Zhou was somewhat surprised. He didn’t know when Guan Heng and Fang Ji had become such good friends, exchanging contact information. He pondered for a moment, joking. “Are you doing this to conveniently monitor my whereabouts?”

Ye Zhou wanted him to be straightforward, so Guan Heng didn’t deny it. “Yes, I’m afraid you’ll run away.”

“I won’t run away.”

Although they were in an alley, and there weren’t many people on the road, it was still in public. Still, Ye Zhou desperately wanted to do something. After switching the other bag to his left hand, he held Guan Heng’s left hand with his right. He didn’t have anything specific to ask Guan Heng about because Guan Heng had already made it abundantly clear. It felt wonderful to be held close to someone’s heart.

Guan Heng looked down and said nothing, merely tightening his grip on Ye Zhou’s hand, interlocking their fingers.