Chapter 22
The moment Song Muqing’s lips brushed against his, Lu Xuefeng’s mind went blank.
The kiss was slow and tentative.
Song Muqing seemed to be gauging his reaction, pausing several times just before their lips met.
Lu Xuefeng felt a surge of anticipation, his heart pounding.
The alcohol intensified the hazy, intimate atmosphere, making him dizzy.
He unconsciously grasped Song Muqing’s shirt.
It was a gesture of eagerness, not rejection.
Song Muqing saw his reaction and chuckled softly, then finally kissed him.
Warm and soft.
Lu Xuefeng almost forgot to breathe.
But Song Muqing was at ease, his kiss gentle, like snowflakes falling on Lu Xuefeng’s lips.
A subtle dampness.
And the faint taste of wine.
Lu Xuefeng had never been kissed before, so his response was hesitant and inexperienced.
He gently pushed against Song Muqing’s chest when he could no longer breathe, and the kiss ended.
The air in the room had become warmer, and Lu Xuefeng’s face flushed.
His breathing was erratic.
Song Muqing’s gaze was intense.
Lu Xuefeng, feeling slightly embarrassed, stepped back, forgetting about the wall behind him and bumping against it.
Song Muqing didn’t give him time to react, not asking for permission this time, but kissing him again, a deeper, more passionate kiss, before pulling him into a hug.
He noticed Lu Xuefeng was slightly unsteady.
During the second kiss, Lu Xuefeng had clutched his shirt, as if seeking reassurance.
Perhaps because this kiss had been more intense.
The taste of alcohol lingered on Song Muqing’s lips as well.
But Lu Xuefeng seemed more affected.
Song Muqing touched his forehead. “Are you dizzy?”
Lu Xuefeng leaned against him, his lips slightly swollen. “A little.”
Song Muqing, worried he might be uncomfortable, led him to the bed. “Lie down for a bit. I’ll get you something for the alcohol.”
He was about to leave when Lu Xuefeng held his hand, stopping him.
“It’s not the alcohol.”
Lu Xuefeng didn’t know how to explain his dizziness. He glanced at Song Muqing, then looked away, his ears burning.
“It’s because you kissed me.”
Song Muqing was momentarily stunned.
Then he covered his eyes, feeling a flush of warmth on his face, slightly embarrassed.
He hadn’t expected Lu Xuefeng to say that.
He was over thirty, yet he was still flustered by a kiss.
“Do you know that makes me want to kiss you again?”
Lu Xuefeng blinked slowly.
But Song Muqing didn’t kiss him again, just gently pinched his ear.
It was very late; if they continued, they wouldn’t get any sleep.
“Change into your pajamas,” Song Muqing said.
Lu Xuefeng stood up, heading towards the bathroom. “I want to take a shower.”
“Can you manage on your own?” Song Muqing asked, slightly concerned.
“Yes.”
Lu Xuefeng was more composed now. He wasn’t truly drunk, just needed to freshen up.
Song Muqing prepared the bath for him, laying out a towel and clean pajamas, confirming he was alright before letting him shower.
Then he dried Lu Xuefeng’s hair.
After washing up himself, they lay in bed and fell asleep peacefully.
The next morning, Song Muqing woke up early and made porridge for Lu Xuefeng.
When Lu Xuefeng woke up, Song Muqing was still in the kitchen. He followed the aroma of porridge and saw it was almost ready.
“What kind of porridge?”
“Mushroom and shrimp porridge.”
Song Muqing stirred the porridge, which looked thick and fragrant, then turned off the heat.
He ladled it into bowls.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“No,” Lu Xuefeng considered this. Song Muqing always seemed to think he was drunk. “I really wasn’t drunk.”
Song Muqing glanced at him, not arguing, but his expression suggested he didn’t quite believe him.
“I remember,” Lu Xuefeng said.
Just three words, but they encompassed everything that had happened last night, including the kisses.
“You remember everything?”
“Yes.”
Seeing he wasn’t denying it, Song Muqing smiled softly. “Good.”
At least he hadn’t taken advantage of him.
During breakfast, Lu Xuefeng noticed Song Muqing was wearing his ring, a matching design to his own.
Lu Xuefeng took a spoonful of porridge; it was delicious.
“When did you pick up the rings?”
“Yesterday afternoon,” Song Muqing looked at him. “I wanted to wait for you to come home before putting them on.”
Lu Xuefeng knew what had happened next.
He had been out late, and Song Muqing had waited for him, calling him, and then they had gone home…
Song Muqing took Lu Xuefeng’s hand, looking at the ring on his finger. It suited him.
“It looks good on you,” Song Muqing couldn’t help but say. “I should have prepared it sooner.”
“It’s alright, it’s not too late.”
Lu Xuefeng didn’t mind.
“I just wanted to stake my claim.”
Song Muqing stated his intention, then added after a moment of thought, “You’re very popular. I get jealous too.”
Lu Xuefeng looked into his eyes, feeling his face warm again.
Song Muqing always said such sweet things, never hesitating to express his affection.
It was hard for Lu Xuefeng to resist.
He barely tasted his breakfast, his mind filled with Song Muqing’s words.
He finally understood why people were captivated by sweet nothings.
Lu Xuefeng had a dance drama premiering at the end of the year, so he was busy with rehearsals every day.
Yin Xiaoyu would occasionally visit the rehearsal studio to watch him work.
She would also playfully ask if the methods she had sent him had been helpful.
Lu Xuefeng tactfully silenced her with food.
“No comment.”
Although he hadn’t read the article, nor had he tried any of the methods.
After returning from her tour, Yin Xiaoyu was relatively free, without any scheduled performances, enjoying a break.
Lu Xuefeng thought she was simply bored.
It was the dancers’ lunch break, and after eating, they were at the cafe on the second floor, chatting idly.
Yin Xiaoyu was a regular here and knew everyone.
She was beautiful, tall, and had a dancer’s physique.
Earlier, when they were often seen together, many people had assumed they were a couple.
They later realized their mistake.
Yin Xiaoyu sipped her coffee, asking when his grandmother’s surgery was scheduled.
Lu Xuefeng said it was soon, next week.
“I’ll have to take a few days off then.”
Yin Xiaoyu nodded. “Did Song Muqing find the doctor for you?”
“Sort of. It’s his classmate’s father.”
Yin Xiaoyu considered this. That was a significant favor.
She looked at him thoughtfully. “It seems he’s very good at taking care of people.”
Lu Xuefeng agreed.
Yin Xiaoyu’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she observed him intently.
Lu Xuefeng frowned slightly. “What are you doing?”
“I’m wondering…” Yin Xiaoyu narrowed her eyes, trying to see through him. “Will you fall for him?”
Lu Xuefeng avoided her gaze.
Yin Xiaoyu chuckled.
“I used to think you weren’t interested in anyone,” she said.
Now it seemed he simply hadn’t met the right person.
Lu Xuefeng couldn’t deny he had some feelings for Song Muqing, but it wasn’t quite “falling for him” yet.
He was always rational about such things.
“I’ll control my emotions.”
“Why control them?” Yin Xiaoyu didn’t understand.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t answer; it was simply what he believed.
Perhaps it was because of Song Muqing’s personality; he was kind and responsible to everyone.
They were married, and Song Muqing would naturally fulfill his duties as a husband.
Even if it weren’t Lu Xuefeng, if he were married to anyone else, he would treat them with the same gentleness.
It wasn’t because Lu Xuefeng was special.
It was simply because they were married.
However, Lu Xuefeng was still grateful that his husband was Song Muqing.
Yin Xiaoyu tilted her head. “Falling for him wouldn’t be a bad thing. Perhaps he likes you too, otherwise, why would he marry you?”
“You’re just too guarded.”
Yin Xiaoyu knew being cautious was a good thing, but sometimes, letting your guard down was equally important.
Lu Xuefeng took a sip of his coffee.
It was bitter; he hadn’t added sugar.
He didn’t speak, nor did he deny her last statement.
Lu Xuefeng took several days off work to care for his grandmother before her surgery.
Deng Yuzhen felt bad, thinking it was disrupting his work, as Xu Li was there to care for her.
But Lu Xuefeng wouldn’t hear of it.
This was important, a major surgery, and he wanted to be there for her.
Song Muqing also visited after work.
The usually quiet ward felt much livelier these days.
The night before the surgery, after his grandmother fell asleep, Lu Xuefeng dozed off beside her bed.
Song Muqing walked over and draped a blanket over him.
He didn’t wake him, simply sitting quietly beside him.
Lu Xuefeng had been waking up early and sleeping restlessly these past few days.
Song Muqing knew that although he didn’t show it, he was worried.
After a while, his grandmother woke up.
She turned her head slightly and saw Lu Xuefeng asleep beside her.
Deng Yuzhen looked at him fondly.
Lu Xuefeng always appeared strong in front of others, but in her heart, he was still the quiet child who would nap by her side.
His grandfather had passed away early, then his parents had left.
Lu Xuefeng had lost so much, received so little.
The child who had once asked, “Will they ever come back?” had grown up.
The child who had learned to hold back his tears, to endure hardship silently, had become a capable adult.
He had walked such a long and lonely road.
Now he had Song Muqing by his side.
Deng Yuzhen raised her hand slightly, calling softly, “Xiao Song.”
Song Muqing noticed and walked over, squatting beside her bed. “Yes, Grandma?”
They kept their voices low, not wanting to wake Lu Xuefeng.
Deng Yuzhen shook her head; there was nothing in particular.
She blinked slowly, her voice filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Xiao Song.”
Song Muqing didn’t understand why she was thanking him.
Deng Yuzhen held his hand tightly, her voice soft but sincere. “Thank you for being there for Xuefeng.”
Her words carried a weight of emotion, years of unspoken gratitude.
Song Muqing understood her feelings and was deeply touched.
“Xuefeng is a good person. It’s what I should do,” he replied.
The ward fell silent again.
The sleeping figure beside them stirred slightly, his eyelashes fluttering.
