SDVPP Chapter 73

After washing up, the two of them changed into matching pajamas and leaned against the soft sofa in the room. Rong Xu reached for the blanket beside them, wrapping Chi Han up in it and tucking in the edges with practiced ease.

The fluffy blanket was soft and cozy, and Chi Han sank right into it. With his eyes half-closed, he looked like a well-groomed cat being petted the right way.

He shifted slightly and murmured, “Rong Xu, come in here, too.”

Rong Xu wrapped his arms around him from behind, adjusting the position of Chi Han’s head with a gentle hand. Chi Han felt so comfortable in this position, he could fall asleep instantly.

“Tired?” Rong Xu lowered his head and kissed Chi Han’s cheek, then gently touched the tip of his upturned nose with his lips. “Wanna watch a movie?”

Chi Han yawned and nodded. “Sure. Tonight we pass Minor New Year, tomorrow it’ll be Major New Year.”

Rong Xu casually picked a popular comedy-mystery movie and nuzzled Chi Han’s head with his chin.

They used the same shampoo, and that identical scent carried an unspoken intimacy between them.

Rong Xu’s eyes crinkled slightly as he smiled. He slipped his hand under the blanket and found Chi Han’s fingers, warm and toasty. One by one, he played with them gently.

Chi Han had been feeling a little sleepy, but the movie turned out to be genuinely engaging—he actually got into it.

By the time the end credits rolled, Chi Han was still a bit reluctant for it to end.

“Rong Xu…”

He gave their intertwined hands a little tug, only to realize Rong Xu seemed to have fallen asleep.

Chi Han carefully sat up and looked back. Rong Xu was leaning sideways against the sofa, lips slightly parted, his whole face relaxed and serene.

The fine strands of hair at his temple had been tousled into slight disarray, brushing against the corners of his brows and eyes. It inexplicably made Chi Han’s heart skip a beat.

Chi Han admired Rong Xu’s sleeping face for a moment, then quietly took out his phone and snapped a couple of photos, saving them to a locked album.

Sigh. Rong Xu is just so good-looking all the time, from every angle!

Chi Han put down his phone and slowly crawled out from under the blanket, careful not to wake the other person.

Rong Xu had driven for a long stretch today and hadn’t taken a break, he was probably already exhausted.

Chi Han slipped on his slippers, gently laid Rong Xu down, and covered him with the blanket. Thankfully, the sofa was big enough that Rong Xu wouldn’t be uncomfortable sleeping like this.

As if sensing something, Rong Xu’s hand, which was resting outside the blanket, moved slightly, as though searching for something.

His fingers brushed against empty air, and a faint frown formed between his brows. Even his breathing changed.

Before Rong Xu could wake up, Chi Han hurriedly tucked a small pillow into his arms—the one he always used in his dorm.

Once he had something to hold, Rong Xu, still with his eyes closed, pulled the pillow into his chest, patted it a few times, then rested his face against it. Only when he sensed that familiar scent did he finally relax and drift off again.

Chi Han sat on the edge of the sofa, watching Rong Xu bury half his face into the pillow. A quiet smile tugged at his lips, and his eyes sparkled like stars.

He couldn’t help but lean down and plant a soft kiss on Rong Xu’s cheek. Like an addiction, he lingered there for a while before finally getting up.

He’d originally planned to set aside time in the next few days to make a gift for Rong Xu. But now, he just couldn’t wait to give it to him.

When you fall for someone, you want to give them everything good you have.

Chi Han turned off the floor lamp in the room, grabbed a jacket, and headed for the carving studio.

…

Morning came quickly. Rong Xu’s brow twitched slightly as he slowly opened his eyes.

His dazed gaze landed on the now-empty space in his arms, and his heart gave a violent jolt, as if all the warmth in his body had instantly dissipated.

Chi Han might’ve just gotten up early, probably went to wash up first.

Rong Xu steadied himself and walked toward the bathroom.

The bathroom was pitch dark. The toothbrushes and cups they’d bought yesterday were still neatly arranged on the shelf, looking cold and lifeless, devoid of any trace of human presence.

Rong Xu took a step back, bracing himself against the doorframe. His expression was frighteningly cold.

He stood there for a moment, then suddenly strode downstairs with long, urgent steps.

The living room was quiet. Duo Fu was still curled up in its nest, sleeping.

No one was in the kitchen either.

Rong Xu rubbed his brow, his lips tightly pressed together.

Chi Han’s phone was still in the room upstairs. He probably hadn’t gone far.

Just as his knuckles were turning white from clenching his fists, a warm body suddenly pressed up against his back, wrapping around his waist.

“You’re awake? What are you doing standing here all by yourself so early in the morning? Isn’t it cold?”

Rong Xu’s rigid body immediately relaxed. He turned around and wrapped Chi Han tightly in his arms, as if finally recovering a lost treasure.

Chi Han was confused. He pulled back a little, and when he saw Rong Xu’s face, he was startled. “Why do you look so pale? Did you not sleep well last night? My fault. I should’ve woken you up and taken you to bed…”

Rong Xu tilted his head, nuzzling the palm Chi Han had placed against his face. He shook his head and murmured softly, “It’s nothing. I just had a nightmare.”

A nightmare where you disappeared.

But it was fine. Now, the nightmare was over.

Chi Han looked at him suspiciously, then reached out to touch the other’s forehead. “Are you really okay? Do you want me to call a doctor?”

Rong Xu had already calmed down by now. He pulled the other person toward the second floor, their fingers tightly interlaced, as if afraid the person might run away.

“Where did you go this morning? Why did you wake up so early?” Rong Xu lowered his eyes and asked calmly, without giving anything away.

The two of them entered the room. Chi Han took out an exquisite gift box from his coat pocket, smiling a bit shyly. “Um… this is your New Year’s gift!”

Rong Xu hadn’t expected that kind of response. He was briefly stunned, then reached out to take the gift box.

“You… didn’t sleep at all last night?”

Chi Han nodded, bit his lower lip slightly nervously, then smiled and urged, “Come on, hurry up and see if you like it. I haven’t done this in a long time, so I might be a bit rusty…”

Actually, this was the time he had put the most effort into. He was afraid even the slightest flaw would ruin it.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stayed up until morning.

Rong Xu unconsciously held his breath and slowly opened the gift box.

On a piece of pitch-black soft satin, two jade-carved dice were quietly placed. The white, delicate material was obviously of top quality. The dice were hollow inside, and only four sides bore pips.

Rong Xu’s fingertips felt slightly cold. He picked one up and brought it to his eyes—a streak of crimson leapt into view.

In the center of the die was a small, round, and smooth red bean.

A delicate dice holds a red bean—

Does the one you pine for know your longing runs bone-deep?

Chi Han had poured all of his feelings into that piece of jade and given it to him.

Rong Xu placed the die in his palm, closed his eyes, and lightly kissed it. It felt as if someone had cracked open a corner of his heart, and something surged out from within.

Seeing Rong Xu’s action, Chi Han’s voice turned hoarse as well. He took two steps forward, smiled slightly, and said, “Come, let me tie it on for you?”

Rong Xu extended his wrist, watching as Chi Han tied the red string tightly around it, as though sealing a promise that would last a lifetime.

Rong Xu’s Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed. He took out the other die, pulled Chi Han’s hand over, and tied it on carefully, again and again, making sure it was secure.

Their hands were tightly joined, and when the two jade dice touched, they gave off a crisp, clear sound.

“Chi Han.”

Rong Xu suddenly said, “If there’s a next life, I’ll definitely be the one to find you first.”

Chi Han was startled, his nose tingling with the threat of tears. He said softly, “Why are you saying something like that all of a sudden?”

Rong Xu silently pulled him into his arms and held him tightly.

Because he had realized—one lifetime wasn’t enough.

He was greedy. He wanted to be with Chi Han in every single life.

Chi Han let out a soft breath and nodded:

“Then I’ll wait for you.”

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