That night, Bai Yang had a series of nonsensical dreams. He dreamed of Shao Cheng and even the hospital, but not to visit his sister. The person lying in the hospital bed was unmistakably him. Eventually, he fell into a deep sleep again and couldn’t remember anything.
When he woke up the next day, he found the ceiling somewhat familiar, but definitely not from his own home. Sitting up, he looked around and realized he was in Shao Cheng’s bedroom. And when he glanced next to him, he was even more surprised to find Shao Cheng himself sleeping beside him, one arm draped over his waist.
Seemingly awakened by his movements, Shao Cheng furrowed his brows with a touch of irritation and half-opened his eyes. He lifted his hand and gently pushed Bai Yang back onto the bed.
“It’s still early, sleep a little longer,” Shao Cheng said without explanation, encircling Bai Yang’s waist and drawing him closer.
Bai Yang stared at the ceiling in a daze. Was he still dreaming?
Both of them were wearing nothing but their underwear, their warm and dry skin pressed together. Shao Cheng’s body heat continuously, rapidly warming Bai Yang’s body, making him hesitant to move.
“…Why so hot? Are you still feverish?” Shao Cheng’s voice carried a hint of morning grogginess. He reached out, lightly touching Bai Yang’s forehead and then his own, as if checking temperatures. Then, he got up from the bed, put on his clothes, and left the room.
After a few minutes, Aunt Fang came in with a plate of food. Bai Yang hurriedly pulled the blanket over himself.
Aunt Fang chuckled, “Why so shy? I’m an old aunt. Come on, take your medicine and have some breakfast.” She set down a plate of plain hot water and porridge and brought out a pill.
Bai Yang obediently swallowed the pill with some water. Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, “Aunt Fang, why am I here?” He distinctly remembered falling asleep at his own home.
“Oh my, you’re still confused!” Aunt Fang teased. “Last night, Shao Cheng came to find you. He happened to see that you had a fever and took you to the hospital for an IV drip. He didn’t bring you back until around two or three in the morning. He even messaged me to come early and prepare breakfast. So, here I am.”
Bai Yang stared in disbelief.
Shao Cheng actually came to find him last night? And he took care of him. Could the person in his dream last night… Was it really Shao Cheng?
His head was spinning from this sudden surge of happiness. He absentmindedly finished the porridge, leaning back on the bed with a confused mind.
When Shao Cheng returned to the bedroom, he saw Bai Yang in a daze. He commented, “You’ve had breakfast but you’re still lying down in bed. Are you waiting for me to do something?”
The comment sounded rather ambiguous. Bai Yang snapped back to reality, blushing as he sneaked a glance at the already dressed Shao Cheng. He stammered softly, “If you want to, you can…”
His voice was so soft that Shao Cheng couldn’t hear clearly. He took a few steps forward, asking Bai Yang to repeat himself. But Bai Yang didn’t dare to say it a second time. He quickly changed the topic, “Aunt Fang said you came to find me last night. Didn’t you say you couldn’t make it?”
“When you didn’t reply to my messages or answer my calls, I thought you were too upset at home. I assumed you couldn’t handle it,” Shao Cheng’s gaze held a teasing quality. He bent one of his long legs on the bed and rested an arm on the headboard, looking down at Bai Yang from above. “I hope this won’t happen again.”
Bai Yang laughed softly, a self-deprecating tone in his voice, “You saying that makes me think you care about me…” Even though he knew it was impossible.
Sure enough, Shao Cheng’s reply was, “You’re thinking too much.”
Bai Yang forced a smile, “I was also wondering if you kissed me last night.”
He had thought Shao Cheng would continue to mock him for being silly, but unexpectedly, Shao Cheng leaned closer, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. His voice was low and deep, “If I did it, what about it?”
Bai Yang froze instantly. When he spoke again, his words were stumbling over each other, “W-wait, why…?” In his understanding, having sex was something that could be done without any emotions involved. Shao Cheng sleeping with him might be merely for satisfying his desires. But kissing was different—it was something that typically happened between people who had an emotional connection. After all, kissing couldn’t relieve desire; for two people without emotions, it would be meaningless and pointless.
Shao Cheng raised an eyebrow, a touch of arrogance in his expression. “I felt like it, so I did it. Do I need a reason?”
With that, he lowered his head and quickly placed a kiss on Bai Yang’s lips.
“I kissed you again. So what?”
That fleeting kiss created ripples in Bai Yang’s heart like a dragonfly skimming the surface of a pond. His heart raced like it was about to leap out of his throat. His thoughts became a tangle, and he struggled to put words together, “I-I think that… kissing should be done with someone you like…”
Shao Cheng chuckled softly, then finally backed away, addressing Bai Yang with a change of topic, “Alright, get up if you’re feeling better. We’re going out.”
Bai Yang had to set aside his jumbled thoughts for now. He listened to Shao Cheng’s words and got out of bed. He found that Shao Cheng had prepared a new set of clothes for him. The fit was perfect, as if they had been tailored to his measurements.
The debt he owed to Shao Cheng seemed to be increasing endlessly and would never be repaid.
By the time he finished getting ready and came downstairs, Shao Cheng was already waiting at the door. That day, he didn’t drive his usual understated Porsche but rather a vintage-looking Rolls-Royce, reminiscent of the kind often seen in classic European and American films during romantic outings.
Sitting in the car felt a bit awkward for Bai Yang. He asked, “Where are we going?”
Shao Cheng stared straight ahead, his voice calm, “The hospital.”
