SG 38

Chu Baiyan’s strong lung capacity quickly showed its advantage, and he explored every part of the minty mouth. The breaths of the two blended together, and Chu Baiyan was reluctant to let go of Yan Anqing’s mouth until Yan Anqing was breathless from the kiss.

Yan Anqing’s breathing was fast, and his cheeks were hot. He licked his lower lip that hurt a little from being sucked. “You can’t kiss other people like that.”

“Only lovers kiss like that.” Chu Baiyan was defeated by his logic, and he wiped the moisture from the corner of his lips.

“Lovers?” A strange word appeared in Yan Anqing’s mind. “Me and you?”

“Yes. My feelings for you are the kind that only exist between lovers. It’s not the same as how I feel about anyone else. It’s unique.” Chu Baiyan looked straight into his eyes and watched every change in his expression.

Yan Anqing still couldn’t fully understand the difference between the way Chu Baiyan liked him and the way he liked Chu Baiyan, but he liked the kiss they shared, he liked being closer to him, and he liked that in Chu Baiyan’s heart, he was the only one.

“Can lovers sleep in one bed?” After going in a big circle, Yan Anqing returned to his first question.

Chu Baiyan smiled helplessly. “They can, but not yet. It’s like when you make ceramics. After you finish shaping the clay, you have to let it dry before glazing it. You need to first get used to being in a relationship with me, and then decide whether you want to be with me for life. You need time to think about that.”

“Go to sleep. I’ll come over after you fall asleep.” Chu Baiyan lifted the blanket and let Yan Anqing lie down.

Words like “relationship” and “for life” charmed Yan Anqing. He could give an answer right away, but since Chu Baiyan said he needed time to think, he lay down on the pillow and decided to think, even if only a little.

“Good night.” Chu Baiyan held his hand and kissed the back.

“Don’t go. Wait until I’m asleep.” Yan Anqing grabbed his hand and closed his eyes.

At first, the eyes under the eyelids still moved from time to time, but gradually his breathing became calm. Chu Baiyan continued looking at him and gently rubbed the back of his hand with his thumb. Maybe Yan Anqing himself didn’t know that the heart he offered was priceless.

With Yan Anqing, Chu Baiyan could feel that he was cherished and that he was the most important. He liked everything that Yan Anqing made him feel, he didn’t care if it was dependence or favoritism, unconditional trust or complete possessiveness.

He carefully pulled his hand free and tucked the blanket that had slipped off Yan Anqing’s body. When he reached for another pillow to go to the couch, he noticed that a tank top was under it, the same one he had left behind last time.

When he lay on the couch and closed his eyes, that kiss attacked him from every direction. From sound to touch, his whole mind was replaying that kiss in slow motion from every angle.

The part of him that had calmed down reacted again. He opened his eyes and took a few deep breaths, but it didn’t help at all. In the end, he had to get up and go to the bathroom.

When Chu Baiyan woke up the next morning, the room was empty. Whenever he stayed over, Yan Anqing always got up quietly so he wouldn’t wake him.

He went to the property office to get a new access card and bought breakfast. When he returned to “Starfish Pottery,” Yan Anqing had already arranged all the ceramics that had come out of the kiln. He had the same expression as always, and last night’s kiss felt like a dream Chu Baiyan had.

He couldn’t tell whether Yan Anqing still remembered that kiss or whether he understood the difference between lovers and friends. He watched him eat breakfast as usual, then put on his apron and start working on pottery.

When his phone alarm rang and he was about to leave, Yan Anqing suddenly stood up. Chu Baiyan thought he had something to say and waited.

“Sweet and sour pork tonight.” After saying that, Yan Anqing leaned in and kissed his lips.

Chu Baiyan froze a little and heard him say, “Only lovers can kiss.”

Yan Anqing gave a reason that left Chu Baiyan unable to argue.

He adjusted easily to his new role and loved everything that only lovers could do. Since he finally had a privilege that belonged only to him, he wanted to use it whenever he could.

Now he looked forward to bedtime every day. After showering, he would hurry to lie on the bed.

“I want to touch your abs.” When Chu Baiyan sat on the bed, Yan Anqing made a new request. He thought lovers should have more privileges.

He didn’t wait for an answer. As he spoke, he lifted the hem of his tank top. What the eyes could see and what the hands could feel were completely different. His palm could feel each muscle’s shape and movement. When his hand moved down along the lines toward the waistband, it was caught.

Chu Baiyan’s lips pressed against his, stopping him in time. Both of them were quick learners on the road of discovery. Just a few days ago, Chu Baiyan had only known how to bite clumsily, but now he could kiss back and forth with him in sync. When Yan Anqing started gasping, both had forgotten what they were about to do.

On Saturday, when they went to watch a show, two male tourists stood next to Yan Anqing. From their accents, they weren’t locals. There were always many tourists like that every day, and Yan Anqing usually never paid attention to them.

“The blue-tailed merman looks amazing! He swims so beautifully!” The shorter man with a gentle face exclaimed.

“Am I worse than him?” The taller man wasn’t happy. If it weren’t for the crowd, he would’ve lifted his shirt to show off his eight-pack abs.

“What’s there to compare? You’re not the one swimming in there.”

“Hey, babe, when we go back, let’s make a merman video.” The tall man suddenly had an idea.

The word “babe” caught Yan Anqing’s attention, and his eyes moved over the two of them. He suddenly remembered the word “couple.” They were gay.

Last time, after Chu Baiyan mentioned that word, Yan Anqing had searched it online. A couple like him and Chu Baiyan was called “gay.” He didn’t think there was anything strange about it.

Everyone had their own preferences, and they didn’t have to be like others. But when he saw another couple like them today, he felt as if he had found his kind, and he couldn’t help looking at them a few more times.

“You’re thinking about filming again while we’re traveling?” Song Yunlan looked at him with disbelief.

“It’s inspiration. We can buy a mermaid tail, wear it, and film in the bathtub.” Wang Yanghai was already imagining how to shoot it.

“Do we even have a bathtub at home? We came out to have fun, so just enjoy the trip.” Song Yunlan gave him a side look.

“That’s easy. We can book a hotel room with a big bathtub.” Wang Yanghai had already planned it out.

Song Yunlan didn’t bother to reply. The blue-tailed merman in the water was waving at him, so he quickly handed his phone to Wang Yanghai.

“Hurry, hurry, take some pictures for me. Make sure you capture the blue merman in the water.”