The house was spotless.
It was clear that during the days Su Yu was away, Qin Shou had given the place a thorough cleaning from top to bottom.
Su Yu bounced into the bedroom, took a quick look around, and then glanced hesitantly at Qin Shou.
Seeing the lively spark in Su Xiao Yu’s eyes, Qin Shou felt a soft spot inside him melt.
He walked over and ruffled Su Xiao Yu’s hair, his tone helpless yet doting, “You little rascal. I’ll go make breakfast. The PAD is on the sofa, play with it for a while.”
Su Xiao Yu ducked his head, wriggled out from under Qin Shou’s big hand, and gleefully dove onto the big bed, rolling around with delight.
Qin Shou shook his head with a smile, then turned and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Once Qin Shou left, Su Xiao Yu stopped moving.
He sneaked a look toward the doorway, making sure Qin Shou had really gone to the kitchen.
Only then did he bury his face into Qin Shou’s pillow and take a deep breath.
The familiar scent of the man lingered at the tip of his nose.
Hugging the pillow, Su Yu felt blissful as he nuzzled against it.
Back when he’d turned into a little beast, he slept here every night and never thought anything of it.
But now, as a human again, just lying on the bed made his face flush so hot he thought it might explode.
Su Xiao Yu took a deep breath, feeling like something must be wrong with him.
Why do I feel like such a creepy pervert, ahhhh!
He sat up, took a few deep breaths to calm his excitement, then peeked out again.
When he felt his face wasn’t burning as much, he finally grabbed the PAD from the nightstand and, forcing himself to act composed, walked to the living room sofa and sat down.
From the sofa, he could see straight into the kitchen, where Qin Shou was busy.
His purpose was painfully obvious.
Su Xiao Yu pretended to be absorbed in the PAD, but in reality, his eyes never left Qin Shou’s back for a second.
Qin Shou was tall and well-built, his back straight, especially those long legs—enough to outshine ninety-nine percent of southern men.
And this tall, handsome man, at this moment, was wearing an apron and cooking breakfast for him.
Su Xiao Yu felt his heart flutter.
He couldn’t imagine anything more attractive than this.
He quietly opened the PAD’s camera, aimed it at the man in the kitchen, and pressed the shutter, excitement bubbling inside.
“Click—”
The crisp sound of the shutter echoed through the living room.
A herd of grass-mud horses rampaged through Su Yu’s mind.
He quickly shut off the PAD and sat down, his butt glued to the cushion.
The “click” had been way too obvious.
Qin Shou turned around, grinning as he watched the flustered Su Yu.
“Is it a good picture?”
Even when it was time to eat, Su Yu was still embarrassed, his eyes darting everywhere but never daring to meet Qin Shou’s gaze.
Qin Shou sighed inwardly.
He should have just pretended not to notice.
Now he’d teased him and had to coax him back.
Hoisted by his own petard.
He picked up the PAD, unlocked it with practiced ease, and turned on the front camera.
Standing behind the sofa, he leaned over and half-hugged Su Yu, smiling at the camera, “Say cheese—”
The photo froze, the youth’s eyes wide with surprise, while the man behind him wore a gentle smile, his gaze soft and focused on the boy.
Qin Shou placed the PAD in Su Xiao Yu’s arms, then pressed a quick kiss to his forehead—so fast it felt like Su Yu had imagined it.
“Alright, let’s eat.”
He kissed me!!!
Can you just say it clearly, do you like me or not?!
But the person across from him didn’t hear his internal roar.
He simply sat down, steady as ever, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating.
He felt completely emptied out.
After eating, both of them were a bit too full.
They’d been too busy sneaking glances at each other to notice how much they’d eaten.
So, stuffed to the brim, the two decided to go for a walk to digest.
Jingcheng’s winter was cold.
Qin Shou carefully wrapped a scarf around Su Xiao Yu’s neck, then tucked the boy’s hands into his own pockets.
He smiled gently, “Let’s go.”
Su Xiao Yu fidgeted with his fingers, obediently letting Qin Shou lead him downstairs.
The weather outside was pleasant, with no wind.
The two of them walked hand in hand along the path below their building, circling around again and again.
The atmosphere was peaceful and sweet.
From a distance, the tall man in a black wool coat walked with his head slightly lowered, listening to the youth beside him speak softly.
Dappled light fell over them, highlighting the infinite tenderness in the man’s features.
The boy beside him was a head shorter, dressed in a white down jacket, a plaid scarf around his neck.
When he spoke, he tilted his face up, the corners of his mouth curving gently, and his eyes seemed to catch the light.
One tall, one short; one in black, one in white—their figures gradually faded together into the mist.
In short, they looked like a perfect match.
After wandering around and digesting, it was already noon.
More people appeared on the neighborhood paths—mostly students and teachers coming back from class, walking in groups.
When they saw Su Yu and Qin Shou, they’d pause for a moment, then give friendly winks and walk off chatting and laughing.
“It’s really nice here.”
Su Xiao Yu felt the kindness around him and was in a great mood.
“Yeah,” Qin Shou gently rewrapped the boy’s loosened scarf and, with a hint of probing in his tone, said, “If you like it, you can come here often.”
Actually, he wanted Su Yu to just move in directly, but being too forward would only scare his little piggy.
It was better to be subtle.
Su Xiao Yu’s eyes sparkled as he happily agreed, “Okay!”
Then they just looked at each other and burst into laughter.
People in love really are hopeless.
After enough flirting, Qin Shou led him toward the garage, his tone mysterious, “I’ll take you somewhere fun.”
“Where are we going?”
Su Yu looked curiously at the man leading the way.
Qin Shou raised an eyebrow, deliberately keeping him in suspense.
“You’ll see when we get there.”
So annoying!
President Qin watched his sweetheart’s pouty face and laughed to himself.
My family’s little one is just too cute!
Qin Shou got the car and took his beloved out for some fun.
Both of them were first-timers at dating, excited and nervous, but neither showed it on their faces.
Soft music played in the car.
Su Xiao Yu sat in the passenger seat, pretending to look out the window.
The two of them were enclosed in the small space, the temperature gradually rising.
Even without speaking, a gentle sense of intimacy flowed between them.
Su Yu felt his face growing warm.
He snuck a glance to the side.
Qin Shou kept his eyes on the road, not looking his way.
Su Xiao Yu felt a trace of disappointment, pursed his lips, and went back to gazing out the window.
His breath fogged up the glass, leaving a misty patch.
Should I say something?
Su Xiao Yu’s mind was in turmoil.
With both of them silent, things felt so awkward.
After hesitating for a while, Su Xiao Yu finally turned his head and looked at Qin Shou, stammering, “Um… do you… have someone you like?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Su Yu regretted it.
He felt like a total idiot.
What was that supposed to mean?
And asking so directly—wasn’t it obvious what he was getting at?
He wanted to throttle his one-minute-ago self.
Qin Shou raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean?”
Su Xiao Yu hurried to cover, “Big Brother Qin?”
Qin Shou glanced lightly at Su Yu, his tone teasing, “Just call me A Shou. That’s what my mom calls me.”
“A… A Shou…”
Su Xiao Yu was sure his face was turning red.
He cheered himself on—don’t be shy!
Now’s the time to exchange nicknames enthusiastically.
“You can call me A Yu, too. My… my family calls me that.”
“A Yu,” Qin Shou rolled the words around his tongue.
His smile grew even softer.
“But I like calling you Little Cub even more. What should I do?”
Su Xiao Yu’s eyes widened.
He never expected Qin Shou to use the name he’d had as a beast.
Since he’d turned human again, they’d tacitly avoided mentioning the past.
Now, hearing that familiar name, Su Yu’s heart skipped a beat.
He could only stare blankly at Qin Shou.
“What’s wrong?”
Qin Shou waved a hand in front of Su Yu’s face.
Su Yu snapped out of it, eyes sly as he looked at Qin Shou, “If you call me Little Cub, are you trying to get me to call you Daddy?”
Is this a good time or not?
He really did want to hear Su Yu call him Daddy—but definitely not right now.
Sprayed by Su Xiao Yu’s words, Qin Shou turned back to focus on driving in silence.
Su Xiao Yu secretly sized up the man’s profile several times.
As his initial shyness faded, a hint of resolve flashed in his eyes.
Su Yu was never the type to beat around the bush.
He’d just been flustered after realizing his own feelings, so he’d acted awkwardly around Qin Shou.
But with that one “Little Cub,” Qin Shou had closed the distance between them again.
Suddenly, Su Yu realized—this wasn’t the first time he’d met Qin Shou.
They weren’t strangers at all.
There was no need for all this awkwardness and hesitation.
If you like someone, just go for it.