Not young anymore

Morning light peeked into the master bedroom through the gaps in the curtains, which were not fully drawn, casting a warm band of light on the floor.

Qi Shuo woke up first. His biological clock, ingrained over many years, allowed him to wake up naturally at the crack of dawn.

He moved his slightly numb arm. The person in his arms was still fast asleep, her cheek pressed against his chest, her breathing even and deep, and one hand was still unconsciously resting on his waist.

Tan Huaiyu was sleeping soundly, with faint bluish shadows under his eyelids, a combined trace of last night's indulgence and long-term work pressure. But his sleeping face was completely relaxed, and even the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, as if he was having a good dream.

Qi Shuo didn't move, but simply lowered his eyes and quietly looked at him for a long time. His gaze slid from his eyebrows and eyes to his straight nose, then to his pale, slightly swollen lips, and finally lingered on his smooth profile and neck.

The sunlight fell precisely on his delicate collarbone and a small patch of bare chest, where the skin was fair and smooth, almost translucent in the morning light, making the few ambiguous red marks left from last night appear particularly clear and glaring.

As he watched, a subtle, indescribable emotion, like an undercurrent, silently crept up his face. Qi Shuo shifted his gaze to the arm he was holding onto Tan Huaiyu.

His skin was tanned, and his muscles were well-defined and smooth. But if you looked closely, there was an old, slightly darker scar on the inside of his elbow, a result of an accidental cut from a machine when he was an apprentice. On his forearm, you could also vaguely see several lighter old marks that blended almost into his skin tone.

He then thought of himself in the bathroom mirror.

Having just turned thirty, the years of factory work and the elements have given him a more rugged and defined appearance than his actual age. His brow bone and nose are prominent, and his jawline is clear, exuding an undeniable sense of masculine strength.

However, at the corners of his eyes, there seemed to be very faint lines that were almost invisible when he wasn't smiling, but could be noticed upon closer inspection.

As for Huaiyu... Qi Shuo's gaze returned to the sleeping profile of the person in his arms.

He was ten years younger than me, and was already good-looking with fair, cool-toned skin. In addition, his profession as a lawyer required him to stay indoors most of the time, so he always dressed impeccably and had a refined and aloof demeanor.

Even with a busy work schedule and occasional signs of fatigue in his eyes, his clean and refined scholarly air, along with the composure and calmness that settled between his brows, did not detract from his appearance; on the contrary, they added a unique and attractive charm.

Time seems to have been exceptionally kind to him, only making him shed some of his naivety and become more reserved and radiant.

A feeling mixed with subtle unease, self-deprecation, and even a little bit of... unspeakable jealousy quietly grew in Qi Shuo's heart.

This emotion came somewhat inexplicably, even somewhat ridiculous. They had long been each other's closest confidants, having weathered so many storms together, sharing a home, and common concerns and responsibilities.

But it was precisely in such a peaceful and contented morning, in this intimate moment of skin to skin and breath to breath, that some long-hidden uncertainties about age, compatibility, and the future suddenly surfaced.

He recalled the young, energetic faces in the law firm, the occasional admiring glances cast upon Tan Huaiyu on the street or in restaurants, and the diverse, perhaps equally or even more outstanding, people Huaiyu encountered at work…

And himself? A worker who toils in the factory, his hands covered in grease and calluses, a man with old scars, his skin tanned to a wheat color, and who has even begun to notice the marks of time.

Besides his strength and sincerity, besides this small home they built together, which isn't exactly a mansion, what else could he give him?

Once the thought arose, it coiled around him like vines, carrying tiny thorns that pricked his heart, making him feel suffocated. He knew the idea was illogical, even somewhat pretentious.

Huaiyu never cared about these things; their feelings for each other had long since transcended these external matters.

But reason is one thing, and emotion is another.

Especially in such an intimate moment when one is completely unprepared, that hidden unease and possessiveness are magnified and become exceptionally clear.

Tan Huaiyu seemed to sense his low spirits and the unconscious tightening of his arms. He hummed softly in his sleep, his eyelashes fluttered a few times, and he slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes, still moist and slightly dazed from just waking up, met Qi Shuo's deep, unwavering gaze.

"Hmm?... What time is it?" Tan Huaiyu's voice was hoarse and lazy from just waking up. She naturally snuggled closer to Qi Shuo, looking for a warmer and more comfortable spot.

This small gesture of dependence instantly smoothed out some of the wrinkles in Qi Shuo's heart.

"It's still early," Qi Shuo's voice was a little low, slightly hoarse from just waking up. He tightened his arms, pulling the other person closer into his embrace, his chin resting on the top of his head. "Sleep a little longer."

Tan Huaiyu, however, keenly sensed the almost imperceptible change in his tone. He slightly raised his head, his sleepiness fading a bit, and his clear gaze fell on Qi Shuo's face as he carefully examined him: "What's wrong? Didn't you sleep well? Or... are you feeling unwell?" He reached out and naturally touched Qi Shuo's forehead to check his temperature.

Qi Shuo grasped his hand, holding it in his palm. Those fingers were long and slender, with distinct knuckles, clean and white, a stark contrast to his own rough, calloused hands. This contrast stirred up that inexplicable emotion within him once more.

He remained silent for a few seconds, staring intently at Tan Huaiyu. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he finally spoke, his voice even deeper than before, carrying an almost stubborn seriousness, and a hint of... awkwardness that was barely perceptible.

“Tan Huaiyu,” he called him by his full name, his tone unusually serious for someone not in the tender morning in bed, “I’m over thirty.”

Tan Huaiyu was taken aback, clearly not keeping up with the sudden change in topic, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes: "...Yeah, I know." He was ten years younger than Qi Shuo, so of course he knew Qi Shuo's age.

"You're not young anymore," Qi Shuo added, his gaze fixed on him, as if stating a fact, or perhaps emphasizing something.

Tan Huaiyu was now fully awake. Looking into the deep, turbulent sea of ​​emotions in Qi Shuo's eyes, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration and vaguely understood something.

He felt a mixture of amusement and a strange, tender ache in his heart.

This man, who appears calm and composed in front of outsiders, this team leader with absolute authority and superb skills in the workshop, and this loving wife who provides for him at home, actually felt such a childlike and secret unease on such a morning, because of his age... or perhaps because of something else.

He neither laughed nor immediately refuted. Because he saw beneath Qi Shuo's calm surface, a barely perceptible vulnerability and... possessiveness.

This possessiveness may seem unreasonable, even domineering, but it is precisely because of love that runs deep and a fear of loss that such irrational tendencies arise.

Tan Huaiyu didn't pull his hand away. Instead, he gently scratched Qi Shuo's calloused palm with his fingertips. Then, meeting Qi Shuo's focused and almost threatening gaze, he slowly propped himself up and half-lay on top of Qi Shuo.

The morning light cast a hazy glow behind him, making him look soft and warm.

He reached out his other hand, his fingertips gently brushing across Qi Shuo's brow bone, along his straight nose, down to his tightly pursed, seemingly stubborn lips, and finally cupped his face, forcing his gaze to have nowhere to escape but to look deeply into his own eyes.

"Look at me, Qi Shuo." Tan Huaiyu's voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable strength and a strange, comforting power.

Qi Shuo stared at him intently, waiting for him to continue, his heart beating faster than usual.

Tan Huaiyu's fingertips gently traced the almost invisible fine lines at the corners of his eyes, the movement as tender as if he were touching a rare treasure.

Then, he lowered his head and placed a light but firm kiss on Qi Shuo's tightly pursed lips.

After the kiss, he didn't leave, his nose touching Qi Shuo's, their breaths mingling.

His usually calm and rational eyes now clearly reflected Qi Shuo's features, filled with undisguised, tender yet firm affection, and a hint of almost imperceptible sly smile.

"Qi Shuo," he spoke softly, each word clear and distinct, striking Qi Shuo's heart, "Don't even mention thirty-something, even forty-something, fifty-something, eighty-something, one hundred-something..."

He paused, looking at Qi Shuo's eyes widening slightly at his words, and finally couldn't help but curl his lips into a shallow smile that was enough to brighten the entire morning.

Then, he moved even closer, almost touching Qi Shuo's lips, and in a whisper that only the two of them could hear, he declared, word by word, with utmost clarity:

"The only person I have ever loved, from beginning to end, is Qi Shuo, who is no longer young."

"Only you."

"It was you in the past, it is you now, and it will only be you in the future, until the day I close my eyes."

"So, don't overthink things that don't exist." He gently pecked Qi Shuo's lips, a light bite that seemed like punishment. "In my heart, you are the best, unique, and incomparable to anyone else."

"Do you understand, Team Leader Qi?"

He spoke the last three words with a smile, drawing out the tone, like a small hook gently scratching at Qi Shuo's heart.

All those inexplicable, sentimental, and uneasy emotions were instantly shattered by these straightforward, firm, and even somewhat domineering declarations.

A surge of scalding heat rapidly spread from the heart to every part of the body.

Qi Shuo looked into the smiling eyes so close to his own, and the affection and certainty in them made his heart tremble more than any vow of eternal love.

He suddenly flipped over and pinned Tan Huaiyu, who was still "lecturing" him, firmly beneath him.

In the morning light, his deep eyes surged with emotions more intense and complex than the night before—a sense of relief, ecstasy, the emotion of being fully accepted and affirmed, a touch of annoyance at having his thoughts easily seen through, and… a deeper longing that had been completely ignited.

“Tan Huaiyu,” he lowered his head and kissed the lips that had just uttered those tender words fiercely, whispering in a muffled but ruthless tone, “You’re finished.”

This is not a question, it is a declaration.

Then came a kiss that was longer, deeper, and more lingering than the one from the previous night, carrying a hint of punishment, yet also an overwhelming sense of cherishing. In the quiet morning light, the temperature rose again.

As for breakfast?

Hmm, looks like it'll be a bit late.

But it doesn't matter, since it's the weekend, Qingran will be picked up by Sister Jin to go to the park.

They have ample time to thoroughly discuss profound questions about age, compatibility, and "who they can only love in this lifetime."