Over that short distance, Shen Ju barreled toward him like a little cannonball, enough to make even Pei Yan sway.
It also made Pei Yan’s heart clench tight.
“Pei-ge, comfort me a little…”
Shen Ju’s muffled voice rang out. “I’m really sad right now.”
Pei Yan froze, feeling as if something was delicately brushing against his heart.
Like a tiny creature circling around him.
Finally settling down, pressing its softness against him.
It seemed like a fragile plea for attention, but in truth, it was using its warm, fluffy fur to try warming him up—afraid even that its fur wasn’t soft enough.
Pei Yan reached out, one hand touching the top of Shen Ju’s head, the other pressing against his back.
Then, he pulled him tighter and tighter.
He was lying.
He was still playing pitiful.
But this pity carried a gamble.
And right now, he’d bet right, hadn’t he?
Pei Yan spoke lowly. “I told you, I’m not a good person.”
Yes, he said it on purpose again.
He didn’t want Shen Ju treating him based on old assumptions anymore.
Pei Yan pressed Shen Ju’s head into his chest, then reached down to grip the back of his neck.
Like holding a small animal that trusted him completely, testing just how deep that trust ran through this hold.
Shen Ju sank entirely into Pei Yan’s embrace.
He’d impulsively crashed into Pei Yan’s chest to begin with; now, with his nape gripped, he could only press his cheek against Pei Yan’s chest.
But it wasn’t just his cheek—his whole body.
Shen Ju suddenly realized they were in unprecedented “close contact.”
In broad daylight…
Even if there weren’t many people around, it wasn’t empty.
Yet here they were, hugging openly…
Shen Ju finally felt a belated wave of embarrassment.
He couldn’t help but squirm a little.
But the next second, the grip on his nape tightened, and the hand on his back strengthened too—like displeasure at his movement—pressing him even closer in the opposite direction.
Their bodies flush, seamless.
Shen Ju could even feel Pei Yan’s breath hot against the back of his ear.
His hands measured Pei Yan’s waist, realizing Pei Yan could completely envelop him.
He thought of Pei Yan’s height and build—superior enough to stand out in any crowd at a glance.
Just like today, when Pei Yan appeared before everyone, nearly all eyes snapped to him, gazes overt or covert, whispers following.
No one dared approach, though.
And now Shen Ju was this close… closer than ever.
He smelled Pei Yan’s scent.
Felt the heat of Pei Yan’s body.
Even… even experienced just how strong Pei Yan’s hold was…
Shen Ju’s hands suddenly clutched Pei Yan’s clothes tight.
He didn’t know what he was doing—just instinctively tugging back, like a kitten pushing away.
Darkness pooled in Pei Yan’s eyes.
Had Shen Ju realized something…
“Pei-ge…”
Pei Yan didn’t answer.
That bit of force from Shen Ju couldn’t budge him at all.
He should be harsher, shove him away hard.
Not this tentative pull.
It only made Pei Yan want to bully the person in his arms more.
“Pei-ge!”
Shen Ju’s voice grew urgent.
Thinking Pei Yan might still be hurting, he let go with one hand, hurriedly patting Pei Yan’s back while anxiously comforting him. “Pei-ge, we’re turning into a tourist attraction!”
“…”
Pei Yan hadn’t expected Shen Ju’s focus to be there.
He glanced down and saw the red flush behind Shen Ju’s ear.
So, embarrassed about being seen?
Pei Yan couldn’t help raising a brow, reaching to pinch Shen Ju’s earlobe.
Shen Ju’s comforting hand paused, then patted harder.
Why the little moves!
Just let go already!
In public like this—people would misunderstand.
He’d have to wear a mask later!
Shen Ju felt his cheeks heat, ears burning. He figured he just couldn’t adapt to hugging someone this tight in such a setting, so he desperately wanted to escape—like an ant on a hot pan, itching to stomp and flee but held back by some restraint. His palm kept patting frantically, mind a chaotic blur, a panicky daze like he’d been drinking.
And while he was “freaking out” here, Pei Yan seemed utterly calm and composed.
Shen Ju seriously wondered if Pei Yan wasn’t sad anymore.
Had he comforted him properly?
If so, why not let go?
With his cheek against Pei Yan’s chest, Shen Ju pondered seriously in his fuzzy, dazed mind.
Unaware he could pull away now.
Pei Yan had already eased his grip.
But Shen Ju had that little quirk—he wouldn’t budge on his own, waiting for the other to act.
Pei Yan couldn’t help the quirk of his lips.
But he smoothed it away quickly.
He wondered if this quirk applied to everyone.
Still, all things in moderation.
Once he confirmed Shen Ju wasn’t truly rejecting him, Pei Yan finally released his hold, letting Shen Ju emerge from his arms.
Shen Ju “wriggled” out, still a bit dazed.
He rubbed his cheeks, glancing down at the snow underfoot. Snowflakes still fell, swirling lazily onto his and Pei Yan’s shoes.
Shen Ju couldn’t resist nudging the snow with his toe.
He didn’t dare look at the people around now.
His face still felt hot.
This was weird.
Back when he followed Jian Yi to the market selling little felt toys, ogled by passersby, he hadn’t felt like this.
Oh right—maybe because he and Jian Yi had never hugged tight like this in public.
But there was no helping it.
He’d been so worried about Pei Yan.
As if struck by a thought, Shen Ju abruptly looked up.
“Pei-ge…”
He met Pei Yan’s gaze right away.
As if Pei Yan had been watching him the whole time.
Shen Ju’s mouth opened, and the thought in his head spilled out unfiltered. “Even if you’re a bad person, you’re still great in my book!”
This answered Pei Yan’s earlier words.
Of course, his original answer wasn’t quite that—he’d wanted to say Pei Yan shouldn’t talk himself down; in his heart, Pei Yan was truly great.
But then he’d suddenly fixated on their embrace, forgetting to reply.
Now, these words felt like his heart’s truest response.
He didn’t care what Pei Yan was.
Whatever Pei Yan was, he was “great” here.
Undeniable favoritism.
Even Shen Ju paused after saying it.
He blinked at Pei Yan.
A snowflake landed on the tip of his nose.
His little nose, red from the cold, topped with a tiny, crystalline flake.
The snowflake pure white.
It didn’t melt right away.
The next second, Pei Yan suddenly chuckled.
He reached out, gently flicking the snowflake off Shen Ju’s nose, and murmured lowly, “What to do…”
Pei Yan said, “I want to hug you again right now.”
