Every time Sheng Yan initiates a kiss, it's like a child offering their favorite candy—earnest and innocent.

After the kiss, he tilted his head back and asked, "Was your boyfriend handsome just now?"

Qin Zigui smoothed the tuft of hair on Sheng Yan's head that hadn't been flattened since morning, and lowered his eyes with a smile: "Handsome."

Sheng Yan nodded in satisfaction: "Then tell me how handsome he is."

Seeing the mature high school boy who exuded an aura of 1.8 meters tall during the live interview suddenly turn into a cocky elementary school kid, Qin Zigui couldn't help but ruffle his hair: "So handsome that I get jealous just looking at the comments."

Sheng Yan was a little confused: "What bullet comments?"

Qin Zigui slowly recounted: "This guy is so handsome! Which school is he from? Is he single? I fell in love the moment I saw his smile. Damn, his waist is even thinner than mine, a woman's waist! Holy crap, he's so alpha! Allow me to call him 'husband' first. Don't you guys have your own husbands? This is my husband..."

"Alright, that's enough, stop talking!"

These comments were embarrassing enough to read normally, but when Qin Zigui recited them in a serious and leisurely manner, Sheng Yan was so ashamed that he wanted to crawl into a hole.

Qin Zigui looked at his bright red ears, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The autumn rain fell softly, and the leaves of the sycamore trees drifted down.

The usually aloof and taciturn young man held an umbrella and embraced the person in front of him. Gone was his usual distance and indifference; only indulgence and doting remained in his smile. The young man in his arms also trusted and embraced him wholeheartedly.

"So sweet."

"They're a perfect match."

"They make a perfect match."

Lin Qian, holding her pink thermos, squatted under the eaves not far away, looking on with the gratified satisfaction of a mother whose favorite couple had finally gotten together.

Chen Yubai squatted down next to her, holding an umbrella over her, overwhelmed with emotion: "You know, they're so obviously lovey-dovey, how come we didn't notice before?"

Gou You squatted down next to Chen Yubai and sighed: "Actually, it's not that I didn't see it at all, it's just that I didn't dare to think that way. After all, Brother Yan is such a tough and straight man, I never would have imagined that he could have such a tender side."

Zhu Peng squatted down next to Gou You and nodded in agreement: "Indeed, it's hard to imagine that one day I would think that Brother Yan is actually a bit like a little bird clinging to someone."

Lin Qian: "This must be the power of love."

Chen Yubai: "That's great."

Gou You: "But how long do they plan to hug each other?"

Lin Qian: "Forever and ever."

Chen Yubai: "But is it really okay for the two of them to be so affectionate in front of his mother and Huang Shuliang?"

Lin Qian: "Maybe this is what couples in love are like, unafraid of family rules, unafraid of death, only feeding each other dog food."

After Sheng Yan had finally rested enough in Qin Zigui's arms, he seemed to remember something and asked, "Where are my mother and the others?"

Qin Zigui replied calmly, "They're all waiting for you at the stadium exit."

"Oh." Sheng Yan responded, closed his eyes, and prepared to rest for a while longer. However, halfway through closing his eyes, he suddenly realized something was wrong and opened them. "Wait, isn't this the venue exit?"

Qin Zigui: "Hmm."

Sheng Yan: "..."

Um? !

Realizing what the "hmm" meant, Sheng Yan looked up in alarm, then exchanged a deep look with four onlookers squatting on the ground at the venue exit, grinning foolishly, and a group of elders with various complex expressions.

Sheng Yan immediately jumped out of Qin Zigui's arms, his ears turning bright red, and obediently called out, "Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Qin, Uncle Jiang, Director Huang."

As the names were called out one after another, Sheng Yan almost buried his head in the ground.

Seeing him like this, the elders in the family smiled and refrained from teasing him.

Huang Shuliang, while taking deep breaths to calm himself, desperately told himself that while promising students for Tsinghua and Peking Universities are common, top-scoring students are rare. For the sake of Qin Zigui, a potential provincial top scorer, and for the physical and mental health of these two students, he had to endure, endure, endure.

However, when he saw his most admired student and his most troublesome student hugging and cuddling in public, Huang Shuliang, a traditional middle-aged man, finally couldn't hold back and shouted, "Sheng Yan, Qin Zigui, you two come here!"

Sheng Yansheng was afraid that Huang Shuliang would order him to have a long-distance relationship with Qin Zigui, so he obediently moved over and said, "Director Huang, please speak."

Huang Shuliang took a deep breath, ready to start cursing, but before he could utter a word, he suddenly noticed Sheng Yan's slightly lowered neck and found it extremely abrupt.

Was this child always so thin?

Remembering what Xu Qingrong said about Sheng Yan's poor health since childhood, and how he even suffered from acute gastric spasms before the competition, Huang Shuliang suddenly found himself unable to bring himself to scold him.

He used to always scold Sheng Yan, scolding Sheng Yan every day, but he never thought about how to guide Sheng Yan onto the right path for him. Fortunately, this child doesn't hold grudges, is broad-minded, has backbone, and is upright. Qin Zigui can also manage him, so in the end, he has grown into a good child that people can be proud of.

Thinking of this, Huang Shuliang sighed: "Forget it, I have nothing to say. You did well today and brought honor to the school. The merits and demerits cancel each other out, so I won't hold it against you."

Sheng Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

"But!" Huang Shuliang, still with his fiery temper, flared up again the moment he saw Qin Zigui standing next to him. "Don't think that your puppy love is the right thing to do! I'm telling you, you're not allowed to hug or kiss in school, you're not allowed to get too close, and you all need to be mindful of the consequences! And you're not allowed to let it affect your studies! Qin Zigui must stay in the top three in the city, and Sheng Yan must improve in every exam, or you'll be expelled! Expelled! Expelled!"

Huang Shuliang's words seemed to be deliberately shouted for the other students to hear.

Having outwitted him for so long, Sheng Yan knew he was a proud and arrogant old man, so he lowered his head and obediently replied, "Don't worry, Director Huang, we will definitely bring you the provincial top scorer and the admission notice from Zhonggong University next year."

"You two better keep your word! Alright, Sheng Yan, go back and write a speech about winning the championship. You'll give the speech under the national flag next Monday. Qin Zigui, go back and write a self-criticism! You should really reflect on why you two started dating so early! I still have to go back to school to clean up your mess, so I won't be attending the victory celebration banquet, and don't bother me!"

As Huang Shuliang spoke, he opened the door of an old Volkswagen next to him. Before getting in, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to say, "Also, Qin Zigui, your guardian here at school is your aunt, so just focus on your studies and don't worry about those messy things. Our school security isn't just sitting around doing nothing."

After saying that, he closed the car door, drove off in his old-fashioned car.

The others looked at Sheng Yan with mocking expressions.

They didn't look at Qin Zigui because they knew Qin Zigui was thick-skinned, unlike Sheng Yan, who blushed easily and was particularly cute.

With so many people watching, Sheng Yan kept his head down, his ears growing redder and redder with each glance. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he could only cry out for help, "Qin Zigui."

Qin Zigui lowered her eyes and smiled, then stepped forward to take his hand and whispered to the group of unserious adults, "Auntie, Aunt Xu, please stop teasing him."

"Alright, things are different when you're in a relationship. You'll openly protect your own." Xu Qingrong didn't want the two kids to feel any pressure, so she deliberately spoke in a lighthearted and teasing tone.

Qin Ru was shocked and unwilling to believe it when she first found out.

However, when Qin Zigui stood in front of her and said, "Auntie, this may be the only time I'm ever making this selfish request in my life. Can you grant it?" she suddenly couldn't think of a reason not to.

Qin Zigui was so sensible from a young age that it was heartbreaking, so she couldn't bear to refuse his only bit of willfulness.

Moreover, the boy he likes is Sheng Yan, which is great. At least when Sheng Yan is around, Qin Zigui always smiles.

So Qin Ru just laughed and said, "Of course, some people actually rent an apartment for their boyfriends. I wonder if they think we adults are third wheels."

"Aunt Qin!" Sheng Yan called out, only to realize that he couldn't beat his elders like he had beaten Qin Zigui. He could only change the subject, "Look how heavy the rain is, and you're pregnant. Why don't we go home first?"

After saying that, he pulled up the hoodie, buried his head, and walked out, trying to pretend he didn't know anyone, and then made a hasty escape.

As it turns out, Zhu Peng and Gou You are good at nothing but causing trouble. When they saw Sheng Yan trying to escape, they quickly stepped forward and grabbed him from both sides: "Hey, Brother Yan, don't go! We've been helping you fight back against the trolls on your forum all weekend, printing banners for you, and cheering you on. We've been waiting all day for your celebration banquet."

Sheng Yan gritted his teeth: "When did I say I was going to hold a victory celebration banquet?"

Zhu Peng and Gou You said confidently, "You didn't say it, but Qin Zigui did."

Sheng Yan: "?"

Qin Zigui remained expressionless: "My original words were, 'It would be unfair of us to keep this from you. When Sheng Yan wins the championship, I'll invite you to a celebratory banquet.'"

Sheng Yan: "...Qin Zigui!"

Seeing that Sheng Yan was so embarrassed he was about to explode, Grandma felt both sorry for him and amused, and quickly called him over: "Alright, stop teasing him, Ayan, come to Grandma."

Sheng Yan quickly walked towards his grandmother.

Grandma patted his head: "Grandma is getting old and her body can't take it anymore. She has to go back and rest, so she won't be going to the celebration banquet tonight. But Ayan, no matter what, you and Zigui are the best children in Grandma's heart. So no matter what bad things happen in the future, don't be afraid. Just move forward together, understand?"

"Understood, Grandma."

"Once you understand, go have some fun with your friends. Zigui is leaving tomorrow."

Sheng Yan looked up instantly, his eyes filled with unease.

Seeing him like this, Xu Qingrong couldn't bear to tease him anymore. She simply comforted him in a low voice, "Don't be afraid. This incident has had a bad impact after all. Fortunately, there is a competition training camp in Beijing, so the school decided to send Zigui there. He will come back after the competition. In two months, the attention on this matter will have gone down. Just keep a low profile, and this matter will be over."

Qin Zigui has his own competition coach and doesn't need to attend any training camps.

However, Sheng Yan also knew that if he appeared at school with Qin Zigui at this time, it would inevitably cause a lot of controversy and attention, and the school would have to give an explanation. It would be better to let it cool down first and then let it go.

This can be considered a compromise.

Sheng Yan had never been separated from Qin Zigui for so long before, and he looked somewhat lost with his eyelashes lowered.

Qin Ru had originally planned to have Qin Zigui go home to stay that night, but seeing this, she sighed inwardly, then clutched her stomach and called to Jiang Ping: "Old Jiang, come here, my back is so sore, let's go home first. As for the celebration banquet, we can hold it together when Zigui comes back with the gold medal."

Xu Qingrong knew that this was to give the young couple some private space, so she slowly smiled and said, "Okay, Mom will take Grandma and the others back first. You two can play by yourselves. Go back to your own homes tonight and be careful."

Seeing this, Lin Qian also wanted to pull Chen Yubai away and run away, but Zhu Peng and Gou You, two clueless lifelong singles, had already happily helped Sheng Yan into a taxi.

Lin Qian could only grit her teeth and curse that straight men were all idiots, while angrily dragging Chen Yubai along to protect the happiness of her CP.

Zhu Peng and Gou You chose to hold their celebration banquet at Feng Kao Bi Guo, which is located near the school.

As soon as the two men entered, they shouted, "Boss, my brother won the championship today! It's on me! Bring out your best wine!"

The best beer at the barbecue stalls near the school is just a 5-yuan can of Tsingtao beer, which they talk about like it's some kind of luxury.

However, it's quite rare to get Zhu Peng and Gou You, two professional freeloaders, to treat them to a meal.

"Sheng Yan is in love and Sheng Yan won the championship, what's all the excitement about you two?" Chen Yubai sat down next to Lin Qian, put down his schoolbag, and casually teased her.

Gou You slammed his hand on the table: "Why can't we be excited? This is someone from our Class 6, our best brother. He finally slapped those disgusting idiots in the face. We have the right to argue with Fu Yun when we get back. Why shouldn't we be happy? Why shouldn't we be excited?"

Zhu Peng agreed, "Exactly! What's our relationship with Brother Yan? The best of brothers in the world! His enemies are my enemies, his championships are my championships, his boyfriends..."

Before he could finish speaking, Sheng Yan suddenly lifted his eyelids.

Zhu Peng was momentarily speechless, then realized: "That's my brother-in-law!"

"What a ridiculous nickname." Sheng Yan said with a hint of disgust.

Qin Zigui said calmly, "I think it's fine."

“That’s right, that’s right, I think it’s great too. From now on, we’ll all be family. Brother Qin, can you deduct fewer conduct points from us? Otherwise, we’ll get scolded by our homeroom teacher every time.” Gou You immediately became friendly with Qin Zigui.

Qin Zigui didn't mind at all: "Well, just call me brother-in-law a few more times."

"Qin Zigui!" Sheng Yan, unable to contain himself any longer, his ears turning red, shouted, "Shut up!"

"Okay, I'll shut up and listen to you." Qin Zigui didn't mind showing Sheng Yan's high status in the family in front of outsiders. He chuckled and said, "I'll go to the porridge shop across the street and get you some porridge. Do you want it sweet or savory?"

Sheng Yan had just caught a stomach ailment, so he should avoid greasy and spicy foods. He replied, "Sweet, the kind with lots of sugar."

"Okay." Qin Zigui ruffled Sheng Yan's hair before picking up his phone and standing up.

Chen Yubai couldn't help but click his tongue twice: "There are still so many people breathing here, can you please stop touching me?"

"There are two people dating here, can you guys stop being so shiny?" Qin Zigui retorted calmly.

Chen Yubai: "...As expected, a dog."

"Thank you for the compliment. Please keep an eye on Sheng Yan and make sure he doesn't eat spicy food."

Qin Zigui said, preparing to leave.

Chen Yubai suddenly remembered something: "Oh, right, Qin Gou, did you bring your duty notebook? If you're leaving tomorrow, give it to me today, otherwise I'm afraid I'll forget it later."

"It's in your bag, take it yourself."

Fearing that the porridge Sheng Yan liked would sell out if they waited any longer, Qin Zigui quickly walked into the rain, holding an umbrella.

Chen Yubai then casually picked up his bag and started rummaging through it.

Qin Zigui's schoolbag was so clean and tidy that Chen Yubai could spot the duty notebook with just one glance.

However, when he pulled out the notebook, he saw another duty notebook with a black cover underneath, and frowned: "Why are there two duty notebooks?"

"It's probably a spare. I've noticed that Qin Zigui always brings two notebooks when he checks attendance in Class 6. I guess he's keeping a list of students with serious problems." Lin Qian ordered the food without giving it much thought.

She didn't think much of it, and neither did Chen Yubai. He casually pulled it out and read: "September 19, 2019, Sheng Xiaoyan, a student in Class 1, Grade 1, failed to do his homework and tried to bribe law enforcement officers by acting cute. Successful, add 10 points?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sheng Yan, who had been poking at the plastic packaging of the tableware with shame and indignation, looked up and was stunned.

Chen Yubai continued reading: "On September 20, 2019, Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 1, Grade 1, got up early and slept in. He then attacked law enforcement officers with fists and feet, and tried to bribe them with hugs, but failed. However, he was cute, so he gets ten points?"

Sheng Yan: "?"

"On September 21, 2019, Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 1, Grade 1, was found to have eaten spicy snacks, suffered from gastroenteritis, and skipped class, which constitutes a serious offense and will result in a deduction of one point. He also feigned pitifulness and attempted to entice law enforcement officers to [illegible], which was successfully completed, and will be awarded twenty points."

"..."

"On September 22, 2019, Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 1, Grade 11, secretly wrote notes and drew cute little figures during class, disturbing law enforcement officers' class. He has already done so. He is awarded 20 points, his cute little figure drawing is confiscated, and he is required to draw ten more of them as punishment."

"..."

"September 23, 2019, Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 1, Grade 11..."

"Damn it! That's enough! Stop reading!" Sheng Yan, finally realizing what was recorded in the notebook, quickly blushed and snatched the black duty notebook from Chen Yubai's hand.

Chen Yubai raised an eyebrow: "Seriously? You two grown men are into this kind of thing?"

"Mind your own business and shut up!" Sheng Yan fiercely shut down the rest of the others' words.

Then I looked down and flipped to the last page.

[Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 6 (now Class 1) of Senior Three, trusted the law enforcement officers and won the championship. He receives 100 points and a cute cake as a reward.]

Go further ahead.

[Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 6, Grade 11, successfully bribed law enforcement officers with an adorable handmade item. He receives 100 points and a permanent little fox as a reward.]

[Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 6, Grade 11, slept in late this morning. His sleeping posture was adorable. He also used the cuckoo's brother charm to try to entice law enforcement officers to commit a crime, which he successfully did. He is punished by being bitten on the lip once.]

[Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 6, Grade 11, is too adorable and has attracted a love rival. However, he realizes his mistake and tries to soften the heart of law enforcement officers with 19 kisses, and is rewarded with a meal of boiled beef.]

Page after page, filled with records, it seemed that no matter what she did, Qin Zigui liked it, and even added more than six thousand points in this way.

We continued forward until July 6, 2021.

[Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 6, Grade 11, was caught on the spot for verbally enticeing law enforcement officers. His attempt was successful. He is hereby awarded five points.]

This is the day I climbed over the wall to go and fight those blond-haired guys. It turns out that this is what Qin Zigui wrote down that day.

He never intended to threaten himself with points deductions; he just didn't want to get into a fight and was afraid of getting hurt.

And going back further, there was a year of their long Cold War.

[Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 6, Grade 11, did not eat breakfast, deducting one point; law enforcement officers secretly brought him food, which he ate all, adding ten points.]

[Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 6, Grade 11, did not eat lunch, deducting one point. He also did not eat the food secretly delivered by law enforcement officers, deducting one point. The law enforcement officers were at fault, so Sheng Xiaoyan gets 100 points.]

[Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 6, Grade 11, was injured, deducting one point; however, due to the failure of law enforcement officers to provide assistance, Sheng Xiaoyan received one hundred points.]

[I dreamt that Sheng Xiaoyan, a classmate from Class 6 of Grade 11, said he liked me. 100 points added.]

[Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 6, Grade 11, was very well-behaved this morning, carrying a bag of milk in his mouth with his eyes still closed. Ten points added.]

I miss him so much, but I can't think about him.

[Sheng Xiaoyan from Class 6, Grade 11, forgot his schoolbag at home again. Now I have a perfectly legitimate reason to talk to him. 10 points added.]

[I dreamt last night that I would never see Sheng Xiaoyan from Class 6, Grade 11 again, and I felt a little sad. Fortunately, I saw him as soon as I went out this morning. He wasn't wearing his school uniform and looked very handsome. 100 points!]

[You idiot, you didn't do your homework again]

[This is the fourth time I've been late this week. Tomorrow is Friday, and they'll be counting the number of late arrivals. I'll secretly erase three. Sheng Xiaoyan from Class 6 of Grade 11 seems to be growing taller lately and needs more sleep.]

I dreamt of him again last night. When I woke up, I wanted to call him, but I couldn't. I wonder if he's sleeping well.

I dreamt of roses.

Sheng Xiaoyan came to argue with me again. He's so cute, but unfortunately I can't comfort him. I'm afraid I'll tell him I like him.

...

[On July 7, 2020, Sheng Xiaoyan, a student from Class 1, Grade 11, made a wish that came true, and it was fulfilled.]

[On July 7, 2020, he will have a smooth life and won't need to be with me.]

He will have a smooth life and doesn't need to be with me.

Upon seeing the last line, Sheng Yan suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

He didn't know what Qin Zigui's feelings were when he kept his distance from him a year ago, thinking that he hated homosexuals.

I don't know how much I like him, but every little thing I do becomes cute in his eyes.

I don't even know how someone who truly loves another could restrain all their feelings just to ensure the other's happiness for life.

That can only be a liking that surpasses even liking, which is why one can use reason to overcome instinct and still choose to do what's best for the other person, even among the most selfish types of human emotions.

Therefore, Qin Zigui is a fool.

Couldn't he be a little more selfish, impulsive, willful, and reckless?

Thinking of Qin Zigui's silence and torment during that entire year of unrequited love, and then of all the plans and arrangements Qin Zigui made for himself after they were discovered, Sheng Yan felt a sharp pang of sadness.

Not wanting to lose his composure, he picked up the cup beside him, tilted his head back, and gulped it down, trying to suppress the soreness.

Before Chen Yubai could stop him, he noticed that something was wrong with Sheng Yan: "Damn it, Sheng Yan, what are you doing? Don't you know your own limits?"

"Never mind that." Sheng Yan lowered his head and put away the notebook.

Chen Yubai clicked his tongue: "Fine, you're the champion, you're amazing, do whatever you want. But you've made your dream come true today. Drink up, let's have another one."

"Yes, yes, yes, have a drink." Zhu Peng and Gou You were genuinely happy for Sheng Yan and quickly cheered him on.

Sheng Yan could only drink one more cup. After finishing it, he thought of something and looked at Chen Yubai: "Do you know what Qin Zigui's dream is?"

"?" Chen Yubai was taken aback. "Are we going to discuss such a philosophical topic now?"

After asking, he noticed that Sheng Yan's expression didn't seem to be joking, so he thought for a moment and said, "I really don't know. Anyway, Qin Zigui is naturally smart, meticulous, and can calm down. He's incredibly good at everything he does, so whatever his dream is, he'll definitely be able to achieve it."

Qin Zigui is indeed very capable; he can definitely get whatever he wants.

However, the problem is that Sheng Yan discovered that Qin Zigui had hardly wanted anything from childhood to adulthood.

And only now has he realized that he doesn't know what Qin Zigui wants, what he wants to do in the future, or what his dreams are.

Just like two months ago, he didn't know that Qin Zigui actually liked him.

Sheng Yan felt a little dizzy.

Then darkness fell in front of him. He looked up and saw Qin Zigui standing in front of him, coldly glancing at the others at the table: "Who let him drink?"

Zhu Peng: "..."

Gou You: "..."

Chen Yubai: "..."

Lin Qian held up the Arctic Ocean canisters with both hands: "Anyway, it's not me."

Qin Zigui looked down again and saw that Sheng Yan's eyes were not very bright. He sighed, picked up the two of their schoolbags with one hand, and took Sheng Yan's hand with the other: "He just went to the hospital yesterday because of a stomach problem. I'm worried about him, so I'll take him home first. You two can eat slowly."

Qin Zigui decided to go home and give this guy a good talking-to for not learning from his mistakes.

However, as soon as he got home, just as he was about to straighten Sheng Yan up and give him a good scolding, Sheng Yan hugged him, pressed his forehead against his shoulder, and said in a muffled voice, "Qin Zigui."

Qin Zigui couldn't get angry for a moment. He just patted his head and asked, "Ayan, what's wrong?"

"Was that year when you secretly liked me very difficult?"

As Sheng Yan finished speaking, Qin Zigui's fingers paused slightly, and then he answered very seriously, "No, it's not tiring at all to see you every day."

"But why didn't you tell me? If you had told me you liked me sooner, maybe we would have been together already."

Qin Zigui didn't quite understand why Sheng Yan suddenly brought this up, but she still answered gently and patiently, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have misunderstood that you thought it was disgusting for boys to like boys, so I threw a tantrum at you."

"You weren't just throwing a tantrum at me. You already knew that it would be tough for boys to be together, so you didn't tell me you liked me because you didn't like me." Sheng Yan's voice was quite muffled.

Qin Zigui sensed something was wrong: "Ayan, has something happened?"

"No, I just suddenly realized that I'm not good to you at all."

Sheng Yan's words sounded somewhat aggrieved.

Qin Zigui hugged him tighter: "How could you be so unkind to me?"

"I don't even know what you like, what you want to do, or what your dreams are. All I know is that I want you to take care of me, to be good to me, and to worry you all day long." Sheng Yan buried his face in Qin Zigui's neck.

Qin Zigui stroked his back: "But what I like is taking care of you, being good to you, and worrying about you."

“But I don’t like it.” Sheng Yan’s voice was a little tight. “I like that you can say what you like directly, what you hate directly, want what you want, and do what you want, instead of…”

Instead of liking someone in such a humble, restrained, and cautious way.

He used to think Xue Yi was too selfish, but now he hopes that Qin Zigui can be a little more selfish like Xue Yi, instead of always silently giving, bearing, and suffering.

Because her boyfriend is so outstanding and dazzling, he deserves to be liked by so many people.

"Qin Zigui, can't you be a little more willful?"

Sheng Yan's voice was already somewhat slurred due to the effects of alcohol.

Qin Zigui rubbed his head and asked, "Ayan, do you know what my dream is?"

Sheng Yan shook his head.

Qin Zigui said, "I've never really liked anything except you since I was little. My maternal grandparents, Aunt Xu, my aunt and uncle have all been good to me, and I want to be good to them too. My aunt and uncle were both in their forties when they had children, and by the time Zijing grows up, they will be old. So I will need to take care of Zijing in the future. If one of our two families has to take on this responsibility, then it must be me."

"But Ayan, you're different. You grew up being loved by everyone, including me. So I hope you'll live a life free from worries about food and clothing, doing whatever you want, doing what you like. You can be arrogant, unreasonable, willful, and temperamental, fearless and daring, just like that for the rest of your life. If I had to say what my dream is, this is it. And people can give everything for their dreams, so Ayan, I can't be willful, but I'll never feel it's hard."

Qin Zigui spoke gently yet with certainty, as if this was already a settled fact in his mind.

How could anyone consider living a good life as their dream?

How could someone take all the responsibility upon themselves while giving all the benefits to others?

How could I have fallen for such a fool?

This kind of idiot even mocks him for being a little fool every day.

Sheng Yan grew angrier and angrier, until finally he shoved Qin Zigui onto the sofa and straddled her, saying, "But I said I don't like it!"

Before Qin Zigui could say anything more, Sheng Yan lowered his head and bit down hard on Qin Zigui's Adam's apple, which was bobbing up and down: "Shut up! I don't want to hear you say these things!"

He wasn't drunk, but the alcohol had clearly brought out his deepest emotions.

The slight stinging and the cathartic licking made Qin Zigui instinctively bend one leg.

Sheng Yan didn't notice, but looked up at Qin Zigui with slightly red eyes: "Qin Zigui, you also have a boyfriend, and your boyfriend will feel sorry for you, so at least you can be a little willful in front of me."

Why do I cry so much now?

He doesn't seem like a school bully at all anymore.

Qin Zigui gently brushed the corner of Sheng Yan's eye with her fingertip: "But I've already done the most willful thing."

Sheng Yan looked at him.

He chuckled softly: "Being with you is already the most willful thing I've ever done in my life. Any more willful would be greedy."

It's as if being able to be with Sheng Yan is some kind of blessing from heaven.

In that instant, it was hard to tell whether it was heartache, feeling wronged for him, anger, or love. In the end, Sheng Yan could no longer hold back and leaned down to kiss Qin Zigui's lips deeply.

"Then I'll teach you to do something even more willful now."

The soft sofa made a loud, incessant noise.

It started raining again outside the window.

The patter of rain drowned out the almost sobbing murmurs that came from inside the house long, long afterward.