SDVPP Chapter 72

Rong Xu noticed it the moment he stepped through the door—every trace that Chi Han had left behind seemed to have been wiped clean.

The slippers Chi Han used to wear by the entrance, the photo of the two of them on the shelf, and Chi Han’s favorite mug on the dining table…

All of it pointed to one undeniable fact—Chi Han had already moved out.

A dull pain struck Rong Xu’s chest. The darkness and gloom that had always been buried deep in his bones surged wildly, as if breaking through a dam.

He would never be the good person in Chi Han’s eyes. He had given all his gentleness to Chi Han, making the other believe he was a warm and sunny person.

But even the tiniest thorn could so easily pierce through the illusion he had built.

A chill settled in Rong Xu’s eyes. He looked up briefly at Chi Han, who was currently playing with Duo Fu, then closed his eyes and walked into the kitchen.

He had to shift his attention right now—otherwise, Chi Han would surely glimpse the filthy mess behind the cracks in his composure.

Rong Xu took some cooked meat out of the fridge. His gaze swept slowly over the surroundings, hoping to find any sign—anything at all—that Chi Han hadn’t truly moved out.

Even just one small thing, and he would believe it.

But—there was nothing.

A shadow of grimness covered Rong Xu’s delicate features, and thoughts he couldn’t control began swirling in his mind.

Just the idea that Chi Han might have once considered leaving him made Rong Xu’s fingertips go cold.

He looked around at the walls and kitchenware glowing faintly with a cold sheen—it was so unfamiliar it was frightening.

How could one person’s presence disappear this completely?

“Rong Xu, Rong Xu?”

A hand patted his shoulder. Rong Xu slowly turned around, his gaze unfocused.

After a moment, a face full of smiles came into view. Chi Han was waving a hand in front of him, seemingly saying something with a bright grin.

Rong Xu responded with a faint “Mm,” his eyes dark and unreadable.

By the time he came back to his senses, Chi Han was already pressed against the door of the room. Rong Xu’s fingertips rested against the other’s fragile Adam’s apple, which kept moving under his touch.

Rong Xu panicked. He didn’t dare meet Chi Han’s eyes. He couldn’t imagine what he would do if he saw disappointment or fear reflected there, and how he would be able to make him stay.

He lifted his hand to cover Chi Han’s eyes, then carefully lowered his head and kissed him. He anxiously rubbed against the half-open lips, then forced his way in with urgency, clinging tightly to Chi Han like he was trying to prove something.

“Chi Han… Chi Han…” Rong Xu tilted his face, eyes half-closed and filled with dazed longing. Between their desperate, tangled kisses, he whispered in a breathless voice, “Don’t leave… I’ll give you everything…”

Chi Han was pinned tightly against the door, unable to move. His tongue felt completely numb, like it was cramping from the strain.

In a daze, he heard those words—and all he wanted was to curse out loud.

Who said he was leaving!

He wanted to explain, but Rong Xu didn’t give him the slightest chance to speak, not even to open his eyes and take a proper look.

By the time Chi Han was finally released, his tongue was practically out of commission. Gasping for breath, he leaned against the door, lips flushed a deep red, a smear of blood visible on his lower lip.

It had been accidentally cut by the edge of Rong Xu’s teeth. It hadn’t hurt at first, but after all the sucking and licking, it was now badly swollen and burning with pain.

Chi Han: “……”

At this moment, Rong Xu was planting gentle kisses along Chi Han’s jaw and neck, so tender that it was impossible to associate him with the fierce, almost devouring desperation from just moments ago.

Chi Han’s hand, trembling, landed on Rong Xu’s shoulder, intending to push him away. But the moment his gaze caught that fragile expression on Rong Xu’s face, his instinctive motion shifted—he pulled him in instead.

He soothingly rubbed the back of Rong Xu’s head and said helplessly, “What are you going crazy for now? You bit my mouth open! If I can’t have hotpot during the New Year, it’ll be all your fault!”

Rong Xu looked up and examined Chi Han’s expression closely. In those light brown eyes, he saw only a hint of irritation—none of the fear or disgust he had imagined.

He leaned in, gently rubbing their noses together. His usually aloof and distant brows were now lowered slightly, carrying an unexpected trace of pitiful vulnerability.

“I saw that there was nothing of yours left at home,” he murmured. “I thought you wanted to move out.”

Chi Han was momentarily speechless. Back then, he had moved out simply because he didn’t want to keep being reminded of Rong Xu. This place was saturated with his presence and scent—just being here every day made his heart ache unbearably.

He hadn’t expected Rong Xu to misunderstand it like this.

Chi Han felt both angry and distressed. For Rong Xu to react this strongly, this thought must have been weighing on his mind for who knows how long, over and over again. This idiot…

Chi Han sighed and began to push him back.

Rong Xu didn’t resist, allowing himself to be guided step by step until the backs of his knees hit the edge of the bed, and he slowly sat down.

Chi Han ran a finger along his earlobe, then straddled him, knees on either side, settling onto Rong Xu’s thighs.

The position was undeniably intimate. Rong Xu supported himself with one hand on the bed, while the other wrapped around Chi Han’s waist, his palm pressed through a layer of clothing against the warmth of his side.

He tilted his head up to look at Chi Han. The scorching emotions in his eyes were utterly unhidden.

Chi Han felt a flush of warmth spread through his chest under Rong Xu’s gaze. He leaned down and lightly bit the protruding Adam’s apple before him, clearly feeling the shudder that ran through Rong Xu’s body.

Rong Xu’s breathing grew heavier, and the hand on Chi Han’s waist began to shift instinctively.

Chi Han knew that Rong Xu had trust issues and was far more sensitive than most people. He had said many times before that he wanted Rong Xu to feel secure, but now, it seemed actions spoke louder than words.

Chi Han gently kissed Rong Xu’s eyelids and whispered, “Then how about I make it up to you?”

It was as if Rong Xu had been seduced. His thin lips traced a path from the bridge of Chi Han’s nose down to his slightly swollen lips, finally stopping at his delicate, beautiful collarbone. His teeth grazed lightly across the pale skin, leaving a red mark behind. He murmured, “Make it up to me?”

Chi Han nodded, smiling brilliantly. “Yep, make it up to you!”

Just as Rong Xu was beginning to respond with growing desire, Chi Han suddenly pushed him away, put on his shoes, and headed toward the door. As he walked, he called back over his shoulder, “Come on, come on, get dressed—we’re going shopping.”

Still half-embracing the air where Chi Han had just been, Rong Xu’s usually expressionless face finally showed an obvious “?” for the first time.

Didn’t he just say he was going to make it up to him?

…

On New Year’s Eve, the shopping mall was especially crowded and lively, with red lanterns and colorful streamers hanging everywhere.

Chi Han dragged Rong Xu along, stopping and going, picking up all kinds of miscellaneous items. Even though the butler had already prepared plenty of daily necessities for them, clothing was something they had to choose for themselves.

Rong Xu was the perfect clothes hanger—he could make even a plastic bag look presentable. Everything Chi Han liked, he bought two of: identical in every way, except one was a size larger and the other smaller.

Rong Xu carried the shopping bags and glanced at Chi Han with some confusion.

Why were they buying everything in matching pairs?

Chi Han took a sip of his fruit tea, raised his brows with a grin, and said to Rong Xu, “These are called couple outfits. When we go out tomorrow, we’ll wear them together. I also bought matching pajamas for home.”

Rong Xu’s fingertips trembled slightly, as if those words had scalded him. He pressed his lips together, then suddenly grabbed Chi Han and strode toward the nearest fitting room.

Chi Han: “???”

Wait, seriously? We’re putting them on now?

When they came out of the fitting room, both were wearing matching wool coats. The slim-fit cut made their long legs stand out even more.

The sales clerks nearby looked like they were about to drag the two of them out to parade through the mall. They were practically walking advertisements.

Rong Xu adjusted his cuffs and looked at Chi Han, who was dressed identically. A trace of a smile appeared in his eyes.

This blatant, out-in-the-open declaration of ownership, he liked it very much.

“Come on, let’s see what else you want to buy,” Chi Han said, tugging on Rong Xu’s hand, a bit excited himself.

Now everyone around them would know: this ridiculously handsome boyfriend was his!

The two of them ate and shopped as they went, and didn’t head back until nearly ten o’clock.

Duo Fu had long since curled up in its dog bed, fast asleep and dead to the world. When it heard the noise, it only lifted its head to glance over. Upon confirming it was its owners, it promptly went right back to sleep.

Rong Xu gave the dog a look of disdain.

Chi Han set down the new slippers he had bought—one pair for him, one for Rong Xu.

They slowly began unpacking the small items from the shopping bags, one by one. Gradually, the living room started to feel more and more lived-in.

Chi Han placed the last ceramic Santa Claus on the dining table, then picked up the shopping bags and headed upstairs.

Now that they were together, it didn’t make sense to be staying in separate rooms.

He opened Rong Xu’s closet. Inside, every piece of clothing had been neatly covered in dust-proof bags by the housekeeper.

After clearing out a large section of space, Chi Han carefully hung up the clothes they had bought today, one by one—including their matching… underwear.

Chi Han swore he really hadn’t meant to buy matching ones. What if they accidentally wore each other’s?

But Rong Xu, completely unfazed, had calmly picked up two packs of identical black underwear—one large, one small—right in front of the salesgirl.

Chi Han had held the bag open with a deadpan face while Rong Xu tossed them in.

It was honestly unbearable to watch.

Just as Chi Han was about to close the closet after organizing everything, Rong Xu suddenly hugged him from behind, nuzzling the back of his ear. Then he reached in and pulled out a pair of underwear:

“These are still new. They don’t count as your stuff yet.”

Chi Han immediately got what he meant, his temple throbbing.

Only the ones he had worn counted as his.

Chi Han blushed and clenched his teeth. “What, you want me to try them on one by one?”

Rong Xu, using the advantage of his long arms, reached up and flicked off the light switch on the wall. The room went dark in an instant.

“You said you were going to make it up to me…”

The warmth brushing against his neck sent waves of tingling numbness through him. Chi Han shuddered, closed his eyes, and gritted his teeth. “Fine, fine, fine! Let me go, I’ll put it on!”

“No need. Just stand there,” Rong Xu’s long fingers slid to the buckle at Chi Han’s waist. With a light flick, the belt came undone. Instantly, Chi Han felt the looseness around his waist, and something warm brushed past his lower abdomen. Rong Xu gently bit the back of his neck and licked the tender skin. “I’ll help you change.”

Chi Han’s mind went completely blank. A few seconds later, he felt something drop onto the tops of his feet.

It was his pants.

Chi Han: “!!!!!!”

Soon, the only remaining fabric below was also pulled down. Chi Han couldn’t help but tremble and instinctively reached down to cover himself.

Rong Xu caught his hand. With one hand, he guided the fabric downward.

“Be good. Lift your foot.”

Chi Han covered his face, feeling like his skin was about to boil over.

There was only one thought left in his head: Thank goodness the lights are off. Rong Xu can’t see anything.

A moment later, he felt soft, clean fabric sliding up his calves. Then it was gently adjusted into place. Rong Xu even tugged at the fabric caught between his cheeks to make it sit properly.

“All done.” Rong Xu helped him pull his pants back on, kissed the tip of his ear, and then reached up to turn on the light.

The instant the room lit up, Chi Han wanted to burrow into the floor. His whole body was flushed as red as a cooked shrimp.

Rong Xu’s eyes were filled with satisfaction.

That compensation wasn’t bad at all.

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