Why aren't you kissing me?

My date with Fang Jinyu was arranged at a high-end music studio. The environment was private and elegant, where we could try out musical instruments and record simple demos.

Fang Jinyu is indeed a very ideal date.

He is knowledgeable, witty, and considerate. He patiently teaches Ding Xuefei a few simple guitar chords, listens attentively to her thoughts on music, and provides professional advice when appropriate.

He spoke of his fascinating round-the-world travels, his deep, pleasant voice captivating the listener. The food and drinks he ordered were also perfectly suited to Ding Xuefei's taste.

Everything was perfect.

Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, music flowed through the air, and sitting opposite was her idol, whom she had admired for many years, a mature and steady man who clearly had feelings for her.

This is a scene that countless fans have been dreaming of.

Ding Xuefei tried her best to immerse herself in the conversation, smiling and engaging in dialogue, attempting to ignore the growing emptiness and unease in her heart.

“Xuefei,” Fang Jinyu put down her coffee cup, looked at him with gentle and focused eyes, “It was a pleasure chatting with you. You are more interesting and insightful than I imagined.”

"Thank you, Brother Jinyu." Ding Xuefei lowered her eyelashes, staring at the latte art swirling in the cup.

“I know you may still have some hesitation,” Fang Jinyu said softly, with understanding and tolerance, “but I hope you can give me, and yourself, a chance. We can get to know each other slowly, give it a try, and maybe we’ll find… we’re a good match.”

His words were sincere, his demeanor appropriate, and there was no sense of coercion; he simply expressed his goodwill frankly. It's hard not to be moved when such a near-perfect person extends an olive branch.

Ding Xuefei's heart skipped a beat.

He had to admit that Fang Jinyu's words were very tempting. Being with Fang Jinyu seemed much easier. There was no heavy past, no complicated public pressure, only the possibility of being appreciated and cared for. It seemed like a smoother, brighter path.

He should try. He told himself.

During a break in recording, Fang Jinyu got up to answer a work call.

Ding Xuefei sat alone by the window, looking at the street scene outside, but her thoughts drifted uncontrollably away.

He recalled the cold and disappointed look in Yu Songlin's eyes before he left.

He recalled how Yu Songlin carried him on his back at the amusement park, walking steadily step by step.

He recalled how, on the Ferris wheel, Yu Songlin, filled with nervousness and anticipation, asked him, "Can you give me a chance?"

I recall Yu Songlin's clumsy yet eager explanation at the aquarium, the regret and pain in his eyes.

He recalled the image of the Nico puppy joyfully rushing towards him, while Yu Songlin stood by, his eyes gentle.

I remember Yu Songlin making different kinds of breakfast every day, I remember he didn't eat scallions, ginger, or garlic, I remember he had a sensitive stomach and couldn't eat too much cold food...

He even recalled something from five years ago, a silent boy who would carry him on his back without hesitation when he sprained his ankle.

Every little detail flooded his mind like a tidal wave, instantly shattering the "future" he had tried to build with Fang Jinyu.

He found himself unable to relax and enjoy this "perfect" date. His attention was constantly wandering, and his heart was always on edge, gripped by Yu Songlin, whom he had left at the villa.

If he had chosen Yu Songlin today, would they have enjoyed the date?

Why are they always regretting and feeling sorry for others?

This worry and concern is a thousand times stronger than the attraction brought by the "perfect idol" sitting across from me.

Fang Jinyu is wonderful, truly wonderful. He is gentle, mature, and talented—an impeccable potential lover.

But... he is not Yu Songlin.

Ding Xuefei finally realized this clearly. No matter what his reasons were for avoiding Yu Songlin, no matter how he tried to convince himself to try new possibilities, his heart had already made its choice.

He couldn't let go of his ex-boyfriend, who was awkward, stubborn, and sometimes awful, yet left the deepest mark on his life.

He sighed, looked up, and saw Fang Jinyu walking back after finishing a phone call. He gave Fang Jinyu an apologetic smile:

"Brother Jinyu, thank you for arranging the date today. I'm very happy. But... I'm sorry."

Fang Jinyu paused slightly, looking at the understanding look in his eyes, and smiled knowingly, with a hint of regret that was barely perceptible: "It seems that I'm already out of the game?"

Ding Xuefei didn't answer directly, but said softly, "You are a very good person, and you deserve better. But... I still have someone I can't let go of in my heart."

He had to go back. Go back to Yu Songlin. Even if the storm of public opinion raged ahead, even if the future remained fraught with difficulties, he didn't want to push that idiot away again out of cowardice or the so-called "for your own good."

This time, he wanted to follow his heart.

*

Ding Xuefei returned to the villa alone, pushed open the door, but there was no one in the hall except Nico, who wagged her tail and ran over.

"Where's your dad?" Ding Xuefei rubbed Nico's head, looking around. His emotions had reached a peak, but now that it was suddenly interrupted, he felt a little disappointed.

Could it be that he couldn't accept failure and so he hid away? Although Yu Songlin had always been calm and had never backed down despite being rejected by him many times, everyone's mentality can break down.

Did he go on a date with Stella? After all, they're the only two left who aren't on a date, and Stella used to have feelings for Yu Songlin.

Ding Xuefei felt a bit annoyed when she thought of this possibility.

On second thought, he clearly chose someone else first, so why should he be angry now?

He put Nico on the ground, and Nico ran away in a flash, leaving Ding Xuefei dejectedly walking upstairs.

As he passed that familiar storage room, a hand suddenly reached out and pulled him inside.

Ding Xuefei was startled. The other person was quite strong. His back slammed hard against the door, blocking the light in front of him. He looked closely and saw that it was Yu Songlin.

What are you doing!

When they were actually in front of people, Ding Xuefei's attitude turned fierce again; he habitually used this method to cover up his true emotions.

Yu Songlin looked different from usual. He placed his hands on either side of Ding Xuefei, their heads very close together, their breaths mingling.

Ding Xuefei noticed that Yu Songlin's breathing was heavier than usual, and there was a faint smell of alcohol in the air, which made him nervous as well.

"Have you been drinking?"

He reached out to try to push Yu Songlin away, but the other grabbed his hand and he couldn't shake him off.

I don't remember him being the type to get drunk and act crazy. What's wrong with him? Is he angry?

Thinking of this, Ding Xuefei felt a little guilty and stopped struggling. She gently placed her hand on Yu Songlin's chest, as if she could feel his beating heart.

Seeing his obedient appearance, Yu Songlin seemed even angrier. He grabbed Ding Xuefei's wrist and deliberately said, "Did you have a great date with Fang Jinyu?"

Ding Xuefei wanted to say that she wasn't happy at all. She had been thinking about Yu Songlin during their date and had even come back now, but she couldn't say such a thing in front of Yu Songlin. She just lowered her eyes and mumbled, "...What's it to you?"

Yu Songlin didn't refute. He remained silent for a while, then sighed, "You used to like him a lot, saying his songs were good and you wanted to meet him sometime. Now your dream has finally come true. I should be happy for you..."

"No, it's about him..."

Yu Songlin's fingertips gently touched Ding Xuefei's cheek. Even though he was backlit, he could not hide the burning affection and glistening tears in his eyes: "It was my bad timing that I appeared, but even if I had known it would turn out like this, I would still have chosen to appear in front of you and do all this."

It was clearly a declaration of giving up, but it sounded even more moving than a confession, and Ding Xuefei couldn't help but tear up.

"I don't blame you for choosing him, I just think you should have made things clear to me sooner. Yesterday you were concerned about me, and I thought you would choose me. Does that mean you still like me a little?"

Not just a little bit.

Tell me, Xuefei, what are you thinking?

Ding Xuefei grabbed Yu Songlin's hand, and the latter looked at him with some surprise. He leaned forward, bringing the already small distance between them even closer.

"I……"

Just as Ding Xuefei was filled with excitement and about to reveal her thoughts, a sweet electronic voice suddenly popped up:

[Ding-dong! Mission issued: Heart-fluttering moment! Please answer the target's question and say to him, "I'm wondering why you haven't kissed me yet."]

Ding Xuefei closed his eyes briefly. It was a mission anyway! He only said that because he had no other choice!

Since we're going to kiss anyway!

"I was thinking..." Ding Xuefei kept her head down, only glancing at Yu Songlin with narrowed eyes, her voice soft, "Why haven't you kissed me yet..."

Before he could finish speaking, a torrent of passionate kisses rained down upon him.

Yu Songlin leaned over, lifted Ding Xuefei's chin, and kissed her.

The familiar scent wafted over, and Ding Xuefei momentarily forgot to breathe.

The wooden door thudded with their movements, but no one cared whether they would be discovered.

Yu Songlin moved quickly, but kissed very gently. At first, their lips just touched, and then he began to gently suck on Ding Xuefei's lips, as if he were tracing the shape of her lips with his own. His kiss was tender and careful.

Ding Xuefei hadn't kissed in almost five years and was a little unaccustomed to it. Just as she was about to ask Yu Songlin to wait, he seized the opportunity and invaded her mouth with his tongue.

Ding Xuefei initially tried to resist, but she became addicted in just one second.

When his palate was licked, he couldn't help but tremble all over and almost collapsed into Yu Songlin's arms.

Her breathing became rapid, and the hand that had initially pushed her away now tightly gripped Yu Songlin's clothes.

Yu Songlin kissed Ding Xuefei until she could barely breathe before finally letting her go.

"Are you alright?"

Ding Xuefei was almost unsteady on her feet, half-embraced and half-held in Yu Songlin's arms. Her lips were being kissed so much that they could hardly match his kisses. She was panting heavily, her bright red tongue exposed, and her lips were swollen and glistening with moisture.

Yu Songlin couldn't resist leaning in and gently kissing him a few more times.