Baby
Actually, drinking is just a side activity; the main entertainment in the evening is chatting and watching movies.
Everyone chose a foreign film that they were all interested in and found a seat on the sofa to watch it.
Ding Xuefei sat on the carpet, and Yu Songlin sat behind him. He took a cushion and placed it between them, leaning against Yu Songlin's lap.
Ding Xuefei didn't like drinking normally, but the wine Stella brought back was particularly to his liking. The sweetness neutralized the alcohol's stimulation, and he finished his small glass in no time, then secretly asked Stella for more.
Stella, curious about Ding Xuefei's drunken state because of what Yu Songlin had said earlier, poured Ding Xuefei another drink while Yu Songlin wasn't looking.
How could Yu Songlin not notice? His mind was on Ding Xuefei the whole time. He didn't watch much of the movie, but watching Ding Xuefei and Stella chatting and laughing like a child sneaking out to play made him feel happy too.
That's what it's like to like someone: seeing them happy makes you happy too.
He got up and went to the kitchen to get a glass of honey water.
When he returned, Ding Xuefei had already taken over Yu Songlin's seat. He slumped onto the sofa and blinked when he saw Yu Songlin coming over, looking quite innocent.
Yu Songlin handed him the honey water. Taking advantage of the fact that he was drunk and not so clear-headed, he pinched the back of Ding Xuefei's neck and leaned closer to say, "You can't drink anymore. Drinking this will make you feel better."
Ding Xuefei held the cup of honey water in both hands, nodded obediently, her long eyelashes drooping.
Yu Songlin couldn't help but touch Ding Xuefei's hair again.
"Hey, why are you squeezing me!" Feeling that the space had become smaller, Ding Xuefei complained to Yu Songlin, but still silently moved to the side a little to make room.
Yu Songlin said softly, "You took my seat, so you have to give me a place to sit."
Ding Xuefei was easily persuaded, and the two squeezed onto a single sofa. Yu Songlin stretched out his arms, and Ding Xuefei was almost leaning against him.
In the dimly lit room, people sat in twos and threes. Ke Ran and Ning Yusheng were discussing the plot, Xu Yimeng was eating snacks at the coffee table, Bai Mu was drowsy, and Stella occasionally clinked glasses with Shang Rou.
Apart from the background music from the movie playing on the speakers, all other sounds were very faint, and even the occasional chatter was done in hushed tones.
Yu Songlin turned to look at Ding Xuefei, who was watching the movie with his arms crossed, and suddenly felt a strong urge to kiss him.
But not now.
Ding Xuefei seemed to sense his thoughts, and suddenly turned her head to speak softly to Yu Songlin.
The movie was too loud, and Yu Songlin couldn't hear it, so he had to put his ear close to Ding Xuefei's.
Suddenly, it felt just like being in a movie theater before.
Ding Xuefei reached out and grabbed Yu Songlin's shoulder. His voice was slurred and whiny from the alcohol, sounding more like he was being coquettish.
He lightly punched Yu Songlin's chest, seemingly very dissatisfied: "Yu Songlin, is this how you pursue someone? Do you even know how to pursue someone?"
Yu Songlin thought it was cute and really wanted to cup Ding Xuefei's cheeks and rub them hard.
This won't work either.
He suppressed the urge, moved closer, and said softly, "If I say I don't know, will you teach me?"
Ding Xuefei stared at Yu Songlin, paused for two seconds as if his mind had gone blank, then suddenly frowned, stepped back a little, and said coldly, "I don't want to, you're cheating."
Yu Songlin chuckled. He actually knew what Ding Xuefei meant, but he had his own considerations.
He gently wrapped his arms around Ding Xuefei's head, drawing her closer, and whispered in her ear, "If I'm exceptionally nice to you and pursue you in an exaggerated way in public, you'll feel very uncomfortable."
Ding Xuefei shook his still-unclear mind. The first image that flashed before his eyes was Yu Songlin presenting a large bouquet of roses, followed by him confessing his love to Yu Songlin in public—it was more like a comedy than a romance movie.
Ding Xuefei nodded, it seemed that was indeed the case.
Yu Songlin was right again. How annoying.
Yu Songlin lowered his voice: "Give me a little more time, Brother Xuefei."
Ding Xuefei almost exploded when she heard that title, and completely forgot what she was talking about.
He had no doubt that Yu Songlin did this on purpose, since Yu Songlin had never called him that before! And he wasn't that much younger than him!
"Brother Xuefei, Brother Xuefei, who's your brother?!"
Yu Songlin smiled and gently patted Ding Xuefei's arm, his words clearly meant to comfort her.
Ding Xuefei was probably really drunk, otherwise how could she be so rational as to know she should stay away, yet be unable to move at all, and even want to get closer?
"So, what would you like me to call you? Teacher Xuefei? Or..."
Ding Xuefei pondered the question seriously. After drinking, he was able to confront his inner self more directly, and many images buried deep in his memory were brought to light.
Yu Songlin didn't have many nicknames for him, probably because Yu Songlin wasn't particularly romantic to begin with. When they first met, he called him "Xuefei," and that was usually how he addressed him later. Only when they were alone would Yu Songlin use more intimate terms, which made his cheeks flush now, like—
[Task posted: Upgrade your nickname! Get the target to call you "baby".]
Time limit: one minute.
Rewards and punishments omitted.
"Ahhh, stop messing with me!" Ding Xuefei cried out this time. Seeing Yu Songlin looking at him in surprise, she waved her hand and said it was nothing.
"Only one minute? Not even enough time to explain the reward and punishment! System, don't push your luck!"
【Master! Little Sweetie was just speaking your mind!】
"No! Absolutely not! You've got it wrong!" He wasn't secretly reminiscing about that at all!
[And don't let the short time limit fool you, this task is actually not difficult at all!]
How could it not be difficult! Getting Ding Xuefei to answer voluntarily is the biggest challenge!
"Hmm?" Seeing Ding Xuefei's strong reaction, Yu Songlin thought he wanted to say something, so he touched the back of his hand.
Even though the words were already on the tip of his tongue, Yu Songlin didn't say them.
He knew what Ding Xuefei liked, but he didn't say it out loud, just because he was afraid Ding Xuefei would feel embarrassed.
After all, Ding Xuefei was the kind of person who would be so angry that she wouldn't say a word for an entire afternoon if he were to carry her in a princess carry in public. If he were to call her that in public once, she would probably have to hold a press conference to clarify.
But knowing is one thing, hearing Ding Xuefei admit it herself is another.
Yu Songlin moved even closer, rubbing his forehead against Ding Xuefei's, and said, "What do you want me to call you, hmm?"
In the small space, no one noticed the two of them snuggling together. Their eyes were no longer paying attention to what was playing on the big screen. The dim lighting provided excellent cover, with only occasional glimpses of reflection slightly illuminating the ambiguous atmosphere in the corner.
Ding Xuefei: "That one."
Yu Songlin: "Which one?"
Ding Xuefei: "You've said that before too."
Yu Songlin feigned ignorance: "I don't remember, can you remind me?"
Ding Xuefei avoided Yu Songlin's gaze, her face turning red to the roots of her ears without her realizing it.
He spoke very reluctantly, his words stuck together, mumbling and grumbling, clearly trying to be cute.
"Two words, starting with B, a reduplicated word..."
Yu Songlin finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.
How can he be so cute? If we weren't on camera, Yu Songlin would definitely kiss him right now.
Ding Xuefei started bluffing again: "What are you laughing at! You're crazy! Shout if you want, fine, don't shout if you don't want to!"
“Baby.” Yu Songlin spoke clearly, drawing out the last syllable and raising his tone slightly.
When he calls me that, it feels like I'll be tolerated, forgiven, and loved no matter what I do.
Ding Xuefei turned his head away, thankful that it was a dimly lit night, but he still couldn't help burying his face in his hands.
Yu Songlin wouldn't let him off the hook, calling out twice more in a softer voice, practically squeezing him up: "Baby, baby~"
Ding Xuefei suddenly realized that saying such mushy things was not a punishment for Yu Songlin, but a reward!
He seemed to understand why the system said there was no difficulty; because with just a slight hint, Yu Songlin would keep shouting!
He's changed so much in the years!
"Get lost!" Ding Xuefei pushed the person away. "I was just joking! Don't call me that again!"
"Okay, baby."
Ding Xuefei grabbed Yu Songlin's collar tightly and glared at him with the fiercest look, but because she was so cute, it had no intimidating effect.
"If you shout again, I'll cut your tongue out!"
“Yes, baby.” Yu Songlin even stuck out his tongue.
That's too much! Ding Xuefei knew that arguing with Yu Songlin would only lead to trouble, so she simply stopped talking and sat up straight to watch the movie, puffing out her cheeks.
In fact, I have no idea what the movies are about anymore.
My ex-boyfriend just called me "baby," so I'm totally not in the mood to watch a movie!
Yu Songlin is always like this; he can easily sway her emotions. Ding Xuefei doesn't want to be like this, but those images just won't leave her mind.
In the past, Yu Songlin would call him either in bed or during sweet moments, such as when Ding Xuefei was celebrating her birthday or when he was comforting her when she was feeling down.
On the contrary, when Yu Songlin angered Ding Xuefei, he would not use this to coax her.
Ding Xuefei also asked him if Yu Songlin felt that if he had done something wrong, he shouldn't use such opportunistic methods to beg for forgiveness, and he would rather bear the consequences.
Ding Xuefei's assessment of this was: stubborn and incorrigible.
For a moment, Ding Xuefei realized that Yu Songlin had never changed.
But that only made him more confused.
Rather, the more similar Yu Songlin's current display of tenderness and gentleness was to the feeling he had when they were dating five years ago, the more suspicious he became.
If it was fake back then, could it be fake now?
Ding Xuefei's expression darkened.
“Yu Songlin”.
He sat up slightly, looked at Yu Songlin who was so close to him, and his eyes suddenly became clear.
"Hmm?" Yu Songlin answered lazily, feeling very relaxed because he was in a good mood.
Caught off guard, Yu Songlin's collar was grabbed. The soft, affectionate kitten from a moment ago had turned fierce in an instant—though he was just pretending.
"Then why did you break up with me back then?"
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