In the blink of an eye, the end of the semester arrived. Bai Yang only needed to prepare for the final exams, while Shao Cheng, a senior, was about to graduate from S University.
Unlike other graduates who were busy looking for jobs, Shao Cheng continued to lead a calm and ordinary campus life in his final days. Gu Weihao and Zhang Hongyi also didn’t pay much attention to it. After all, given Shao Cheng’s family background, he didn’t need to work at all.
Until one day during a private dinner, Shao Cheng casually mentioned something that left both of them stunned:
“My novel will be published next month. Do you want a copy?”
Gu Weihao’s eyes nearly popped out as he exclaimed, “What?!! Cheng, when did you… you’re writing a novel too???”
Zhang Hongyi was equally incredulous, “Cheng, I never pictured you as a writer!”
Shao Cheng said nonchalantly, “Yeah well I’m full of surprises.”
They bombarded him with questions for a while before gradually digesting this mind-boggling revelation.
“Which publishing house is it? I can make a call and put in a good word ,” Zhang Hongyi said. Due to his own business needs, he had good connections with many major publishing houses. Now that Shao Cheng’s book was going to be published, he naturally wanted to help.
“No need, it’s being handled by Editor Tao from XX Publishing.”
Zhang Hongyi was astonished, “Him? Wow! Cheng, your book is going to be a hit!” Editor Tao was well-known in the industry. He had worked on many bestselling works in previous years. After being promoted to an editor-in-chief, he rarely personally oversaw the publication of a book. However, if he was willing to take charge of it, it meant that the book would likely be one of the hottest releases of the year.
Shao Cheng shrugged, “Let’s set that aside for now. I have something important to ask you.”
Startled that there could be something more important than this, Zhang Hongyi’s spirit was stirred, and he earnestly said, “Cheng, just tell me. If I can help, I will.”
Shao Cheng asked, “Did you apologize to Bai Yang?”
Zhang Hongyi was taken aback, and Gu Weihao stifled a laugh on the side.
“No… Cheng, why do you still remember that?” Zhang Hongyi’s face turned red.
Shao Cheng raised an eyebrow, “I wasn’t going to let it slide”
Zhang Hongyi’s head was now bigger than two, and he quickly said, “okay, okay, it’s just that I haven’t had a chance to talk to him. I’ll apologize to him the next time I see him.”
“Never mind the next time. He’s about to finish class. I’ll go get him.” Shao Cheng stood up, about to leave, then turned back to Zhang Hongyi, “and to make things clear and prevent further misunderstanding: Bai Yang and I are together. Keep that in mind. See you later.”
“What…” Zhang Hongyi looked at Shao Cheng’s retreating figure in bewilderment and then turned to Gu Weihao, who was laughing uncontrollably. “What does he mean by ‘together’?”
Gu Weihao was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes. “With your level of understanding, you’re still out there meeting clients? Come on, let me explain it clearly to you…”
………………….
Later Shao Cheng arrived with Bai Yang at the restaurant’s private room. Zhang Hongyi couldn’t even look at him. He awkwardly apologized and explained why he didn’t pass the interview back then.
Shao Cheng added, “So it’s not that you lacked the ability, Zhang over here sabotaged you?”
Bai Yang was surprised after hearing the explanation, not expecting it to be like this. However, it had been a long time since then, and he wasn’t as devastated as he was back then. He smiled and reassured Zhang Hongyi, “It’s alright. Not only you, but even Shao Cheng thought my motives were impure. It’s normal for you to have thought that way. You’re also responsible for the publishing company.”
Zhang Hongyi felt even more ashamed after hearing this. “If you still want to work at that publishing house, I’ll talk to them. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
Bai Yang smiled, “No need. I’m going to do an internship at the publishing house where Shao Cheng’s book will be published. I’ve already submitted many articles to them, and I’ve talked to the editor-in-chief.”
Gu Weihao couldn’t help teasing, “You’re even going to work together? Little Bai Yang, you really can’t be apart from our Cheng.”
Bai Yang blushed, and Shao Cheng coldly snorted, turning to Gu Weihao, “I suggested it. Figure it out, alright?”
Bai Yang’s face turned even redder.
On the day of the senior graduation ceremony, Bai Yang also attended. When Shao Cheng’s parents saw him, they warmly greeted him and insisted on taking a photo with their son.
“Come on, come on. Get in here, I need to take a shot of the both of you together,” Shao’s mother said as she pushed Bai Yang toward her son.
Bai Yang felt a bit embarrassed, but he couldn’t contain the excitement in his heart. He boldly took Shao Cheng’s hand, standing tall and proud next to him, smiling with satisfaction and happiness, revealing two deep dimples.
With a click, the camera captured the youth and spirit of this moment.
Shao Cheng took off his graduation cap and placed it on Bai Yang’s head. Emotions seemed to surge in his eyes as he whispered, “I’ll wait for you to graduate.”
Bai Yang didn’t fully understand the meaning of this sentence, but he nodded with a smile.
“Yeah!”
Although Shao Cheng had graduated and left the school, they continued to live together, not much different from before. During the summer vacation, Bai Tao was finally discharged from the hospital. Her mobility was just like that of a regular person, but she still needed to be observed carefully for a while.
On the day Bai Tao moved in, both Bai Yang and Shao Cheng were in the kitchen. Bai Tao had been taken care of by Aunt Fang at the hospital all this time. Shao Cheng didn’t want to hire other servants to disturb their private life, so he learned to cook with Bai Yang. By now, they were quite adept at it.
At the dinner table, Bai Tao looked at her brother who kept picking dishes for her and Shao Cheng. Her bright eyes flickered as she asked, “Brother, where am I going to sleep?”
Before Bai Yang could answer, Shao Cheng said, “You’ll sleep in the second-floor room.”
“Then where will my brother sleep?”
“He’ll sleep on the third floor.”
Bai Tao’s voice turned disappointed, “Oh… I want to sleep with my brother.”
Bai Yang noticed that Shao Cheng’s expression wasn’t right and quickly said, “Tao Tao, you’re not that young anymore. You can’t sleep with your brother, but I can stay with you until you fall asleep.”
Bai Tao pouted reluctantly, “Okay…”
After dinner, when they returned to the room to rest, Bai Tao grabbed her brother and said mysteriously, “Brother, you’re being devoured by Shao Cheng! This won’t do. They say that in a relationship, both partners need to be equal to make it last!”
Bai Yang laughed, “Where did you hear all this random stuff?”
“Don’t deny it. I’ve been watching for the past few months.” Bai Tao pointed to her innocent big eyes, “Although Shao Cheng is really nice to us, if you’re too nice. You’ll be bullied! Even in a loving relationship, you need to stand up for yourself!”
Bai Yang chuckled indifferently, “Let him bully then. You also often bully me. I thought you were afraid of sleeping alone, but you were just pretending. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to my room. He’s probably waiting for me.”
He hurriedly muttered, “Go to sleep Tao Tao!”
He left the room hastily.
Back in the third-floor bedroom, Shao Cheng hadn’t gone to sleep yet. He was reading a book with a desk lamp on. As usual, Bai Yang climbed onto the other side of the bed. Shao Cheng put down his book and turned to look at him, “Your sister fell asleep so quickly?”
Bai Yang sighed, “She was just playing with me.” He then recounted the conversation they had just had to Shao Cheng.
Shao Cheng didn’t respond but slid his hand into Bai Yang’s nightshirt, squeezing his waist and abdomen. He buried his head in Bai Yang’s neck, inhaling the fresh and warm scent of his just-showered body.
Bai Yang habitually wrapped his arm around Shao Cheng’s shoulder. They had been intimate many times before. As long as there was nothing urgent at night, Shao Cheng would demand him almost every night. Sometimes, even during the day, if they had a bit of free time, Shao Cheng would find ways to tease him. Bai Yang, after a few experiences, had come to enjoy it, except for the times when Shao Cheng was a bit too rough.
The familiar desire and warmth gradually grew, and the air in the room became tinged with the scent of lust. The suppressed and ambiguous sounds could no longer be concealed.
Bai Yang’s neatly trimmed nails scratched a series of red marks on Shao Cheng’s bare back. His voice was hoarse as he whispered, “be gentle.. Mmm…”
Shao Cheng slipped his hand back into his pajamas and stroked his sensitive skin. The sensation made Bai Yang shiver.
Shao Cheng leaned in to kiss Bai Yang’s earlobe, then whispered, “I’ll be gentle.”
Bai Yang felt a mix of shyness and excitement. He bit his lip and nodded slightly, unable to form words.
Shao Cheng continued to tease and touch him, gradually igniting the fire of desire. The room became filled with the sounds of their intimacy and passion as the night deepened.
