Chapter 21
Song Muqing’s words sent a pleasant shiver down his spine, a warmth spreading through his ears.
Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Lu Xuefeng felt a strange tingling in his chest.
He hadn’t drunk much, but hearing Song Muqing’s voice made him feel slightly intoxicated.
Lu Xuefeng composed himself.
“I’ll be right back,” he said.
“Have you been drinking?” Song Muqing asked, and Lu Xuefeng wondered how he knew.
“Yes.”
Lu Xuefeng lowered his eyes, noticing the faint scent of alcohol on his breath. He suddenly said, “Song Muqing, come pick me up.”
Song Muqing paused on the other end, seemingly surprised by the unexpected request.
He had been about to suggest it himself.
“Okay,” Song Muqing had intended to pick him up anyway. “Wait for me.”
Before hanging up, Lu Xuefeng heard the sound of Song Muqing picking up his car keys.
He must be leaving immediately.
Lu Xuefeng put away his phone.
Looking up, he noticed Han Chen standing opposite him.
He hadn’t heard him approach, engrossed in his phone call.
Han Chen’s gaze was calm. “Just getting some fresh air.”
Lu Xuefeng nodded, then noticed Han Chen was holding his coat.
Han Chen handed it to him without a word. “Your coat. It’s cold outside. You should put it on.”
“Thank you.”
Lu Xuefeng took the coat, feeling slightly puzzled.
They weren’t close; why had he brought his coat outside?
He casually put it on.
“Boyfriend?” Han Chen asked.
Lu Xuefeng looked at him, shaking his head. “My husband.”
“…What?”
Han Chen was taken aback.
Lu Xuefeng was surprised by his reaction. “Didn’t Jin Hong tell you? I’m married.”
“Married?”
Han Chen looked down at Lu Xuefeng’s hand.
He hadn’t seen a ring on his finger since they met.
Lu Xuefeng followed his gaze, looking down at his own ring finger, then smiled faintly. “I’m not wearing a ring.”
But Han Chen didn’t react to this statement.
His expression was complex, not offering any congratulations.
They stood there in silence, facing each other.
Neither of them was talkative.
Lu Xuefeng had noticed this during dinner. Han Chen was reserved and somewhat cold, mostly responding out of politeness.
The winter night was chilly.
“I’ll go back inside then.”
Since they had nothing to say, Lu Xuefeng didn’t want to linger.
He walked past Han Chen.
Han Chen watched him leave, his gaze following him until he disappeared inside.
Returning to the private room, Lu Xuefeng sat for a while, then announced he was leaving.
Jin Hong had also received a message from Xiao Mei and, glancing at the time, realized it was getting late.
Han Chen returned just then, and they didn’t continue chatting.
They prepared to leave.
As they exited, Su Yuhan, noticing Lu Xuefeng hadn’t driven, suggested Han Chen give him a ride.
“No, thank you,” Lu Xuefeng declined politely.
Han Chen didn’t respond.
“Why not? It’s quite far. Just give him a ride.”
Su Yuhan gave Han Chen a puzzled look, wondering why he wasn’t responding.
Jin Hong, not thinking much of it, chimed in, “A ride would be good.”
Lu Xuefeng, appreciating the offer, still refused. “Really, it’s fine. My husband is picking me up.”
Su Yuhan was surprised, his gaze turning complex.
“Your… husband? You’re married?”
Lu Xuefeng couldn’t help but glance at Jin Hong, wondering why he had spread the news at the theater so quickly.
Yet, Su Yuhan and Han Chen were unaware, and Jin Hong had suddenly become tight-lipped about it.
“Yes,” Jin Hong added, “He just got married recently.”
“Damn it.”
Su Yuhan nudged Jin Hong, slightly annoyed. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“You never asked.”
They bickered briefly, then fell silent.
Jin Hong suddenly realized something and stopped talking.
He had been puzzled by Han Chen bringing Lu Xuefeng’s coat outside and now Su Yuhan suggesting Han Chen give him a ride home.
Even he wasn’t that oblivious.
Jin Hong exchanged glances with Su Yuhan, his eyes asking if that was what he had intended.
Su Yuhan didn’t deny it, simply rolling his eyes.
Damn it.
Jin Hong cursed silently.
What a mess.
He was glad nothing had happened.
Still in shock, Jin Hong couldn’t help but glance at Han Chen and Lu Xuefeng.
Lu Xuefeng now understood what was going on and was momentarily speechless.
He met Han Chen’s gaze.
Their eyes met.
Although neither spoke, the unspoken understanding hung heavy in the air.
“Sorry,” Lu Xuefeng apologized softly, his tone a clear rejection.
“Okay,” Han Chen replied, understanding his meaning.
He didn’t insist.
There was no chance to insist.
The atmosphere became awkward.
Lu Xuefeng stood there silently, looking straight ahead. He blinked slowly, feeling slightly dizzy, wanting to see Song Muqing.
Just then, the person he was thinking of arrived.
The car stopped nearby, and Song Muqing stepped out, walking towards Lu Xuefeng.
He was carrying a scarf, which Lu Xuefeng knew was for him.
Before Song Muqing could reach him, Lu Xuefeng walked towards him.
“In such a hurry?” Song Muqing asked with a smile, stopping in front of him and wrapping the scarf around his neck.
Lu Xuefeng lowered his head slightly, feeling the soft fabric against his skin, warm and comforting.
“Yes, I wanted to go home.”
“Okay.”
Song Muqing looked past him, at the others.
He hesitated whether to greet them, then, mindful of Lu Xuefeng’s desire to leave, simply nodded politely.
His gaze lingered on Han Chen for a few seconds before he looked away.
“Let’s go home.”
Song Muqing took Lu Xuefeng’s hand.
They walked towards the car together.
Inside the car, with the heater on, it was warm and cozy.
Lu Xuefeng, feeling sleepy, leaned back against the seat, lost in thought.
“Rest for a bit. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
Lu Xuefeng obediently closed his eyes.
Song Muqing drove steadily, occasionally glancing at Lu Xuefeng.
Perhaps because of the warmth in the car, a faint blush colored his cheeks, a subtle warmth against his pale skin.
Song Muqing guessed Lu Xuefeng didn’t have a high tolerance for alcohol.
Although he hadn’t seemed drunk when he picked him up, his gait and speech had been normal.
Only in this quiet, warm space did his true state reveal itself.
Different from his usual reserved demeanor.
Song Muqing had seen Lu Xuefeng asleep but had never seen him after having a few drinks.
Arriving at their building, Song Muqing parked the car and looked at him quietly for a moment.
Lu Xuefeng hadn’t been fully asleep, just dozing off.
He opened his eyes, meeting Song Muqing’s gaze.
“I was just about to wake you,” Song Muqing said.
“I fell asleep.”
Lu Xuefeng blinked, unfastening his seatbelt.
The alcohol was starting to affect him now, and he felt slightly dizzy, his steps unsteady as he got out of the car.
Song Muqing walked beside him, supporting him slightly.
Lu Xuefeng occasionally glanced up, seeing Song Muqing’s sharp jawline and gentle profile.
He was always so gentle.
Even picking him up late at night.
As they entered the apartment, Song Muqing turned to close the door.
Lu Xuefeng leaned against the wall by the entrance. “Thank you.”
Song Muqing asked, “What for?”
“For picking me up.”
Lu Xuefeng had been the one to ask; he hadn’t asked if Song Muqing was free or willing.
Although he knew Song Muqing would never refuse his requests.
Song Muqing turned to face him, saying seriously, “That’s what partners do.”
“…Yes.”
Lu Xuefeng nodded slowly, still wanting to express his gratitude. “But I still want to thank you.”
It wasn’t just for this one thing.
Song Muqing didn’t argue, tilting his head slightly, his eyes suggesting a more tangible expression of gratitude.
Lu Xuefeng understood and embraced him.
This was how he had expressed his gratitude before.
Bundled up in their winter clothes, the embrace felt full and satisfying.
Song Muqing hugged him back.
The embrace felt natural.
After a while, Lu Xuefeng said he was feeling warm and wanted to change clothes.
Song Muqing hadn’t turned off the heater, so the apartment was warm. Lu Xuefeng, dressed in layers, had started feeling warm and slightly dizzy as soon as they entered.
Especially now, embraced in Song Muqing’s arms.
Song Muqing led him to the bedroom, removing his glasses and setting them on the dresser.
He rarely wore glasses at home, except when working.
He went to the closet to retrieve Lu Xuefeng’s pajamas.
Lu Xuefeng leaned against the wall, removing his scarf and coat.
His movements were slow. “While waiting for you outside, I wanted to see you sooner.”
His words were soft, but they caught Song Muqing’s attention.
Song Muqing took his coat and scarf, setting them aside. He looked at the faint blush on Lu Xuefeng’s cheeks and his beautiful eyes.
He couldn’t resist stepping closer.
“Why?”
Song Muqing raised his hand, his large palm cupping Lu Xuefeng’s cheek.
He pressed for an answer.
Lu Xuefeng hadn’t mentioned that one of his dinner companions had been interested in him.
He had seen the look in Han Chen’s eyes and understood its meaning.
Because it was familiar.
Because Song Muqing had looked at him the same way.
A subtle possessiveness stirred within Song Muqing, but Lu Xuefeng’s words softened him instantly.
Lu Xuefeng rarely expressed such sentiments.
He almost never said he missed him.
So, his words were like a gentle caress.
Song Muqing’s gaze lowered to Lu Xuefeng’s lips.
He hesitated for a few seconds before raising his hand, his thumb gently brushing against Lu Xuefeng’s soft lips.
His thumb caressed his lower lip.
They were so close that Lu Xuefeng’s breath warmed Song Muqing’s fingers.
His touch was light, yet intoxicating.
Lu Xuefeng, feeling the heat, unconsciously parted his lips slightly.
At that moment, Song Muqing leaned closer, his hand on Lu Xuefeng’s cheek tightening slightly.
He wanted to kiss him.
“Can I kiss you?”
Song Muqing’s voice was low and husky.
His warm breath caressed Lu Xuefeng’s lips, a mere breath away from a kiss.
So close.
Lu Xuefeng thought.
Their breaths mingled.
The alcohol clouded his mind, and he was almost lost in this tender trap.
His heart pounded.
Maintaining the last shred of his rationality, he leaned back slightly, trying to create some distance.
But Song Muqing noticed his retreat and pulled him back, his arm around Lu Xuefeng’s waist. “Where are you going?”
A hint of amusement in his voice.
He hadn’t forgotten what he wanted to do. He lowered his head and slipped something onto Lu Xuefeng’s slender finger.
His ring finger.
Lu Xuefeng was momentarily stunned, his hand curling slightly, his eyes blinking slowly, trying to process what was happening.
It was a ring.
After putting the ring on his finger, Song Muqing looked at him, then leaned closer, his lips almost touching Lu Xuefeng’s. He asked in a low voice:
“Now, can I kiss you?”
