The item had been returned by Xiao Cheng before. He still remembered the dim and despairing expression on Luo Jingshu’s face when he came to retrieve the ring.
Who would’ve thought, not long after, the ring would find its way back onto Xiao Cheng’s finger.
Xiao Cheng’s heart was filled with indescribable and complex emotions. He stared at the ring on his finger, dazed and silent for a long time.
Luo Jingshu’s fingers still smelled faintly of massage oil. Under the warm light, Xiao Cheng’s back gleamed with a soft radiance. His supple and delicate skin looked even more enticing as Luo Jingshu kneaded it.
But Luo Jingshu didn’t dare look too much. Fixing his gaze on Xiao Cheng’s eyes, he said softly, “Brother Cheng, Happy New Year.”
This pair of rings was originally a New Year’s gift he’d prepared for Xiao Cheng. Maybe he wasn’t as excited back then as he was now, but his thoughts had never changed.
Whether it was when he bought the rings or now, Luo Jingshu had always believed that this ring suited Xiao Cheng—and only Xiao Cheng.
He had always wanted to give the ring to Brother Cheng.
Xiao Cheng’s lashes trembled slightly. He stared at the ring for a long moment before half-closing his eyes. “So, you’re just going to skip asking for my opinion and jump straight to the final step?”
He had been half-asleep earlier, with no time to refuse before Luo Jingshu had already slipped the ring onto his finger.
But once he came to his senses, Xiao Cheng didn’t feel much resistance in his heart. In fact, there was even a faint, hidden joy.
He curled his fingers slightly, concealing the unnatural flicker in his eyes.
Luo Jingshu wasn’t as calm as he appeared. His heart was pounding in his chest, but Xiao Cheng’s composed response slowly eased his nerves.
As long as Brother Cheng didn’t immediately take the ring off, it meant he wasn’t truly rejecting him.
Luo Jingshu knew Xiao Cheng’s temperament well. If he really disliked something, he would’ve returned the ring right away.
The joy of being accepted filled Luo Jingshu’s chest. A faint blush spread across his face as he kept his eyes fixed on Xiao Cheng’s profile.
“I was afraid you’d say no…” Luo Jingshu wiped the oil from his hands. As he spoke, he leaned down, rubbing his head lightly against Xiao Cheng’s shoulder.
“Brother Cheng, please don’t refuse me.”
The gift-giver was more domineering than the recipient, not giving him any chance to decline.
Xiao Cheng allowed him to lean against him. For some reason, the image of last night suddenly flashed in his mind—it seemed they were in a similar position then too.
A warm flush crept up his face as he shifted his body slightly. “Don’t press on me.”
Luo Jingshu let out a low grunt. He had felt fine before, but now, with Xiao Cheng’s slight movements, excitement flared up within him.
Xiao Cheng felt something pressing against him, and his body stiffened. “Don’t…”
Luo Jingshu exhaled heavily. “I’m not that much of a beast.”
Xiao Cheng’s legs were still weak. Although the areas overused last night hadn’t been injured, they were still slightly red and swollen. Luo Jingshu had just finished applying ointment for him.
His body’s reaction, however, wasn’t something that could subside quickly. Luo Jingshu knew he should move away, but he couldn’t bear to break the moment and instead endured the sweet agony of staying close to Xiao Cheng.
Xiao Cheng felt a vague sense of threat, especially in this vulnerable position where he had no advantage.
He could only change the subject. “Why aren’t you wearing yours?”
Luo Jingshu’s eyes lit up, but he didn’t want Xiao Cheng to see him looking so undignified. He restrained the excitement surging in his chest and picked up the other ring beside him.
“Brother Cheng, will you help me put it on?”
He was always skilled at acting spoiled in front of Xiao Cheng, especially with that voice, rich with a magnetic depth tinged with youthful clarity. It played perfectly into Xiao Cheng’s preferences.
Xiao Cheng knew exactly what this gift represented. Yet, he still didn’t reject it. Quietly, he took the other ring and slipped it onto Luo Jingshu’s finger.
Once the ring was in place, Luo Jingshu grabbed Xiao Cheng’s hand, threading his fingers through Xiao Cheng’s and interlocking them.
Their ring-adorned fingers pressed together, and the rings gleamed softly under the light.
Neither of them spoke, but the air between them was charged with an ambiguous tension.
Luo Jingshu was no longer able to keep his composure.
He rubbed his chin against Xiao Cheng’s neck, his deep voice trembling slightly.
“Brother Cheng, I…”
Luo Jingshu choked up. Always eloquent, he found himself unable to form a complete sentence.
Xiao Cheng felt nervous as well but gradually relaxed upon noticing Luo Jingshu’s overwhelming emotions.
A smile crept onto his lips. “What’s the rush?”
Luo Jingshu took a deep breath, closing his eyes slightly. He rested his forehead against Xiao Cheng’s temple, his lips brushing against Xiao Cheng’s skin. “I’m your boyfriend now, aren’t I?”
He was determined to get Xiao Cheng’s confirmation.
Too many people had their eyes on Brother Cheng. Luo Jingshu couldn’t guarantee he was the best among them, especially since he had once hurt Xiao Cheng deeply.
Though he never showed it, Luo Jingshu had less security than anyone. He feared Xiao Cheng wouldn’t forgive him, but even more so, he feared Xiao Cheng would fall for someone else.
Since their reconciliation, every day with Xiao Cheng felt like a dream to Luo Jingshu.
Xiao Cheng had actually forgiven him. He was willing to give him another chance.
Luo Jingshu feared this was just his beautiful dream, and he wanted to hear Xiao Cheng’s affirmation to make sure that everything was real.
Xiao Cheng could sense the unease in his voice, and as he realized he wasn’t the only one feeling anxious and helpless, he suddenly felt at ease.
It turns out he wasn’t the only one with a one-track mind.
“When did you become my boyfriend?”
After hearing this, Luo Jingshu’s breath hitched, his eyes turning slightly red, and he stared at Xiao Cheng intently.
“I…” I know I was wrong.
Please give me another chance, okay?
Before he could finish, he heard Xiao Cheng continue, “Aren’t you my puppy?”
Luo Jingshu felt like his broken heart was slowly being mended, his mood plummeting with Xiao Cheng’s words, only to be filled with sunshine again by Xiao Cheng.
Luo Jingshu hated the feeling of his emotions being firmly controlled by someone else, but as long as he remembered that all his anxieties and joys came from Xiao Cheng, he was willing to endure it all.
“Yes, I’m the puppy raised by Brother Cheng.”
“But I also want to be your boyfriend.”
Luo Jingshu knew Xiao Cheng had just been teasing him, and his heart, which had been hanging high, was finally put at ease. Yet, a hint of unease still lingered on his face.
“Please, okay?”
He kept acting coquettishly, even whispering into Xiao Cheng’s ear, “Brother, please stop teasing me.”
Xiao Cheng’s body stiffened.
It wasn’t the first time Luo Jingshu used this tactic, but every time, Xiao Cheng still couldn’t handle it. The moment he heard Luo Jingshu call him like that, it made his bones feel weak.
“Just speak normally, don’t act cute.”
He clearly liked it but pretended to scold Luo Jingshu in a stern tone.
Luo Jingshu saw through Xiao Cheng’s conflicting feelings, and with a sly look in his eyes, he came up with another mischievous idea.
“Brother, just let me be your boyfriend, okay?”
“Xiao Ziyue even called me ‘sister-in-law’ today,” he whispered in Xiao Cheng’s ear with a smile, “I can’t disappoint my little sister, can I?”
Xiao Cheng was now completely entangled, not knowing how to respond. He probably didn’t realize how obvious his smile was, even though he still tried to act helpless with a sigh.
“Fine, since you worked hard last night.”
Luo Jingshu’s eyes sparkled as he stared at him, even holding his breath.
Xiao Cheng’s smile grew warmer. “My boyfriend.”
Luo Jingshu’s breath caught, and he couldn’t say a word for a long time. Eventually, his eyes reddened. “Brother Cheng…”
He tightly hugged Xiao Cheng, his voice choked, “Thank you…”
Thank you for still being willing to embrace me with your gentleness, even after seeing the messed-up and obsessive side of me. Thank you for giving me another chance to be surrounded by love.
Xiao Cheng also felt a lump in his throat. He squeezed Luo Jingshu’s hand, masking his tears with a smile. “Why are you crying?”
After a long time, Luo Jingshu’s emotions finally calmed down.
Xiao Cheng never rushed him, simply lying beneath him with half-closed eyes, his expression dazed and gentle.
Luo Jingshu kissed Xiao Cheng’s cheek and, staring at their hands tightly clasped together, suddenly had an idea.
“Can I post on Moments?”
Since Xiao Cheng had already agreed, he didn’t mind others knowing. Hearing this, he remained still and let out a faint hum through his nose.
“Mm.”
Luo Jingshu reached for his phone from the nightstand, aimed it at their hands with the rings on, and after adjusting the angle, he took several pictures.
“Can I take a picture of you?”
He licked his dry lips and stared at Xiao Cheng’s reddened cheek for a moment.
Xiao Cheng closed his eyes, silently allowing him to do as he wished.
Luo Jingshu found a subtle angle, intending to show off their love without exposing Xiao Cheng’s body. So, the photo only captured Xiao Cheng’s profile.
Luo Jingshu still held a grudge against Xie Zhao’s previous actions. He decided to post it and specifically reminded Xie Zhao and Bai Yiheng to see it.
It was truly a heart-stabbing move.
Xie Zhao was fine; he already knew about this. So when he saw Luo Jingshu’s post, he felt disappointed but wasn’t too surprised.
Bai Yiheng, however, was caught off guard by the news of Luo Jingshu and Xiao Cheng getting back together.
He couldn’t have expected that the two, who had been arguing just a few days ago, would reconcile so quickly.
The speed of it made one wonder whether their previous argument was real at all.
What had happened during this time that could make Xiao Cheng change his mind in just a few days?
Bai Yiheng was composed and didn’t directly question Xiao Cheng. Instead, he first sent his congratulations, and then asked: [Have the previous issues been resolved?]
Luo Jingshu, of course, didn’t know this, but he could guess what Bai Yiheng was implying.
“Brother Cheng, that surname Bai is definitely talking bad about me.”
Xiao Cheng lazily lifted his eyelids. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
Bai Yiheng is not that kind of person.
Luo Jingshu was filled with jealousy. Even though he knew that Xiao Cheng defended Bai Yiheng not because he liked him, he still couldn’t help but feel possessive.
“Look at your phone now. He definitely didn’t say anything nice.”
Xiao Cheng didn’t want to pay attention to him at first, but Luo Jingshu insisted, so he reluctantly checked.
Xiao Cheng’s phone had no secrets, and since Luo Jingshu was already his boyfriend, he had no intention of hiding anything. He unlocked the phone screen right in front of Luo Jingshu.
They both read Bai Yiheng’s message.
Luo Jingshu felt disgusted, almost gagging from the stale, old tea vibe that hit him. It made him sick to his stomach.
What was even more infuriating was that Xiao Cheng, this man who was both straightforward and indirect, couldn’t even tell.
“You see, I told you Mr. Bai isn’t that kind of person,” Xiao Cheng said, feeling a little smug.
Luo Jingshu stayed silent.
