—

Gu Zhao felt the face pressed against the side of his neck — warm, soft, damp, nuzzling against him like a kitten seeking affection.

Though no clear yes or no had been spoken, he already knew the answer.

The corner of his lips curved into a satisfied arc; Gu Zhao stepped forward and kept walking.

There were still quite a few people on the Beach. Passersby who saw a tall young man, soaked through and through, carrying another young man up out of the sea, watched them with curious eyes.

Ji Su belatedly felt embarrassed and said softly, 'Put me down — I can walk on my own.'

Gu Zhao confirmed, 'Are you really sure?'

Ji Su nodded, but the moment his feet touched the ground, he realized his legs couldn't quite support him.

The fright he'd had earlier, combined with the enormous amount of energy spent in the sea — he hadn't fully recovered yet.

Gu Zhao gathered him up into his arms again and said in a low voice, 'If you're shy, just hide your face.'

Ji Su's cheeks flushed hot. Obediently, he raised his arms and looped them around the broad shoulders and back, burying his face once more into the crook of Gu Zhao's neck.

Everyone here was a stranger anyway; no one knew them.

Gu Zhao carried him all the way back to the Hotel and walked straight into the bathroom. 'Take a hot shower first — don't catch a cold.'

After showering, Ji Su changed into clean clothes and went out.

Gu Zhao had also rinsed off and was standing by the bar warming milk. Hearing the movement, he raised his eyes. 'Come here.'

Ji Su walked over, took the milk, and drank it all in one go.

Gu Zhao asked, 'What do you want to eat tonight?'

'Anything's fine with me.' Ji Su set down the milk glass, then thought of an important question. 'Right — when are we going back?'

Gu Zhao looked at him. 'Tired of playing?'

'No.' Ji Su shook his head. 'I was wondering — could we stay one more day tomorrow?'

'Of course.' Gu Zhao reached up and pinched his cheek. 'You can stay here as long as you want.'

Ji Su laughed. 'That won't do — I still have to go back to school.'

Though he truly liked everything here, a person had to return to 《Reality》 eventually.

'If you like it, we can buy a Villa by the sea in the future.' Gu Zhao's tone was flat, as if he were discussing the weather. 'When we're free, we can come stay for a while.'

Ji Su: '...'

Buying a seaside Villa — how did it sound like buying a toy model in this man's mouth?

He didn't take up the topic, only said, 'I'm hungry. Let's go eat dinner.'

Dinner was settled at a nearby restaurant; afterward, the two of them strolled along the Beach.

The tide was coming in. Because of what had happened that afternoon, Ji Su had developed a bit of a psychological shadow — he kept himself farther from the water and wouldn't let Gu Zhao get too close either.

Halfway through the walk, Gu Zhao stepped aside to take a phone call.

Ji Su crouched down and dug, dug, dug in the sand, unearthing a few colorful shells and small pearls, then rinsed them clean with water and carefully tucked them into his pocket.

After their walk, they returned to the Hotel. Ji Su turned on his phone.

The phone had been off since yesterday afternoon; it wasn't until this morning that he'd remembered to charge it.

The moment it powered on, messages flooded in all at once.

Ji Su tapped open his chat with Qiao Jin and scrolled his fingertip up to yesterday's date.

Qiao Jin: [Susu baby! Happy birthday!]

Qiao Jin: [The gift is already prepared — when are you coming to pick it up?]

Because he hadn't replied, Qiao Jin had also called him several times afterward — none of which, of course, had been answered.

Ji Su couldn't help feeling apologetic, and a little guilty, so he walked out onto the Balcony and dialed the other party's number.

The moment the call connected, Qiao Jin's voice came through: 'Susu, why have you been disappearing on me lately!'

'Sorry, Xiao Qiao — my phone died yesterday and I forgot to turn it back on.' Ji Su apologized sincerely. 'Thank you for the birthday wishes.'

'Ah, no worries, no worries — I just wanted to give you your birthday present.' Fortunately, Qiao Jin didn't seem to blame him. 'Where are you right now?'

Ji Su answered honestly: 'I'm at the seaside right now.'

'What? The seaside?' Qiao Jin exclaimed. 'You went to the seaside by yourself? Why didn't you ask me to come with you?'

'Xiao Qiao, I didn't come alone.' Ji Su's voice grew quieter. 'I came with Gu Zhao...'

There were a few seconds of silence on the other end, then Qiao Jin said with sudden realization: 'So the birthday surprise Gu Zhao planned for you was going to the seaside for your birthday!'

Ji Su asked, puzzled: 'How did you know?'

'He asked me before how you usually celebrate your birthdays.' Qiao Jin briefly explained. 'Alright, I'll give him that — at least he has a heart.'

Ji Su glanced back at the person sitting on the sofa, and a faint sweetness rose up from the bottom of his heart, as if he'd eaten honey.

'Not to mention, Susu — you two even went on a trip together!' Qiao Jin posed the question of the soul. 'This state of things — you're really not dating?'

Ji Su came back to himself and replied softly: 'We haven't officially confirmed the relationship yet.'

Qiao Jin keenly seized the key point: 'Not yet?'

Ji Su pressed his lips together: 'I want to give him a proper confession ceremony.'

'Holy shit holy shit holy shit!' Qiao Jin instantly got excited on the other end. 'Where are you? I'm flying over right now — I have to witness this historic moment!'

Ji Su thought for a moment and politely declined: 'Xiao Qiao, how about I tell you about it after I get back?'

Qiao Jin also caught on: 'I get it — you want to be alone with him, right?'

Ji Su gave a soft 'mm': 'He prefers being alone with me.'

'Got it, got it — I was just saying.' Qiao Jin chattered on. 'But I think you don't need to bother with any confession ceremony. As long as you nod, Gu the campus heartthrob will pounce right on you!'

Ji Su: '...'

After hanging up, he returned to the bedroom and found Gu Zhao already lying on the bed.

Ji Su silently walked over to the sofa and sat down, opened a search platform, and typed in a few words: 'How to confess with a sense of ceremony'?

The answers that came up were all over the place — 'candlelight dinner confession,' 'handwritten love letter confession,' 'gift confession,' and 'love song confession.'

Ji Su's fingertip paused; suddenly he had an idea.

Though he couldn't sing love songs, but...

'Aren't you coming up to sleep?' Gu Zhao spoke, breaking his train of thought.

Ji Su leaned back against the sofa back: 'I'm sleeping on the sofa tonight.'

Gu Zhao asked unhurriedly: 'What — not disgusted by the sofa again today?'

Ji Su's ear roots grew warm; he simply closed his eyes and lay back.

What was the big deal — it wasn't as though it was only on the sofa that Gu Zhao had...

The scenes from last night surfaced unbidden in his mind; he turned over to face the sofa back, unable to hide the redness creeping up his ear tips.

*

The next morning, Ji Su woke up in the big bed again.

Gu Zhao wasn't there; seizing the chance, he quickly ran out of the Hotel.

After arranging everything, Ji Su walked back toward the Hotel, only to run straight into Gu Zhao head-on.

Gu Zhao had seen him too; he strode over in a few steps and asked with a furrowed brow: 'Where did you go?'

Ji Su fudged: 'Nowhere — just wandered around a bit.'

Gu Zhao's expression wasn't great; he held up Ji Su's phone: 'Didn't even bring your phone.'

Ji Su took the phone and ventured: 'You don't think... I secretly ran away, do you?'

Gu Zhao stared at him, neither admitting nor denying.

Ji Su curved his lips and coaxed softly: 'Don't worry — I won't run.'

Even if he did run, he should at least bring his phone.

A rare trace of unease crossed Gu Zhao's face; he turned and walked alongside him: 'No.'

Ji Su held back his laughter: 'Alright then.'

After breakfast, they went to check in at a nearby famous scenic spot.

Ji Su had brought his phone today and couldn't resist taking photos of everything around him.

As he snapped away, he inadvertently pointed the camera at Gu Zhao, who stood not far off.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs — a frame straight out of a comic, a magazine spread with every casual click.

Ji Su grabbed several shots in quick succession; Gu Zhao seemed to sense it and turned to look at him.

That handsome face wore its usual impassive expression, but the instant his gaze met Ji Su's it softened, and even the cold, sharp lines of his brows and eyes came alive.

The phone's lens caught that subtle shift and faithfully recorded it.

Ji Su's heart went soft, and a little sour at the same time.

Gu Zhao strode toward him on those long legs: 'Sneaking pictures of me?'

'How can you call that sneaking?' Ji Su lowered his phone. 'This is plainly, openly photographing you.'

Gu Zhao reached up and pinched his cheek: 'What a perfectly open and aboveboard photographer you are.'

Ji Su lifted one brow a fraction: 'Not allowed?'

'Of course it's allowed.' Gu Zhao released him, pulled out his own phone, and opened the camera. 'Come here — let's take a photo together.'

Ji Su obediently sidled over: 'How do you want to do it?'

Gu Zhao crouched slightly so their eyes were level, cheek pressed to cheek.

Ji Su hadn't expected them to be so close and instinctively tried to edge away, but a hand locked onto his shoulder.

'Don't move.' Gu Zhao looked at the lens, voice low. 'Smile.'

Ji Su's eyes curved: 'Like this, is it okay?'

'Mm.' Gu Zhao answered, but the instant he pressed the shutter he turned and kissed his cheek.

Ji Su froze for a beat; when he came back to himself, the place where he'd been kissed was burning red.

Gu Zhao lowered the phone to check the photo he'd just taken.

Ji Su raised a hand to cover his face: 'How could you do that?'

Gu Zhao studied the photo for a few seconds, then tucked his phone away, satisfied: 'Now I won't hold your sneaking pictures against you.'

Ji Su: '...'

They played until dark, then set out to find a restaurant for dinner.

Passing a music restaurant, Ji Su stopped walking: 'Gu Zhao, can we eat here tonight?'

Gu Zhao didn't even glance: 'Sure.'

The restaurant was quiet and secluded, its chandeliers lending the place a certain atmosphere; the diners all kept their voices low.

Halfway through the meal, Ji Su said softly: 'I'm going to use the restroom.'

Gu Zhao answered: 'Mm.'

Ji Su rose from his seat, but instead of heading toward the restroom, he turned a corner and made for the piano performance area.

A moment later, Gu Zhao heard a male voice ring out: 'The next piece is dedicated to Mr. Gu Zhao.'

He lifted his eyes at once, looking toward the source of the sound.

Ji Su sat at the piano, the light overhead falling softly around him, enveloping his whole figure.

Slender, pale fingers settled on the black and white keys, and a lilting, beautiful melody began to spill out.

Gu Zhao listened intently for a few seconds; the black of his eyes grew darker, deeper.

The song was the theme of an obscure French film, 《La Boum》, called 《Reality》 — with another, more romantic name, 《Ready For Love》.

The piano arrangement was even more obscure, but in one of their conversations they'd happened to discover they both knew the piece.

The romantic, graceful melody unfolded a love that was rich and tender, impossible not to be moved by.

As the piano played, Gu Zhao's heartbeat quickened; his hand on the table curled into a fist, the knuckles whitening with the force of it.

When the piece ended, Ji Su rose and bowed; the diners, still lost in the music, came back to themselves and burst into applause.

Ji Su returned to the table, the tips of his ears pink, not daring to meet the eyes of the person sitting across from him.

Gu Zhao said nothing, and as usual served him more food.

To bolster his own courage, Ji Su poured himself another glass of red wine and downed it in one go.

Gu Zhao reminded him mildly: 'Easy on the drinking.'

After dinner, the two left the restaurant and walked along the Beach.

Ji Su picked a spot with few people around and stopped: 'Gu Zhao.'

'Mm.' Gu Zhao stopped with him and turned to face him.

The sea breeze was cool, and Ji Su's hair blew up around his face.

He smoothed his fringe with a slightly awkward gesture, then drew from his pocket a small bracelet strung from shells and pearls.

Gu Zhao looked down at the bracelet: 'For me?'

'Yes, for you.' Ji Su answered, blushing. 'It's not worth much, but I picked up each piece myself, and I strung it together by hand.'

Gu Zhao held out one hand: 'Help me put it on.'

Ji Su pried the bracelet open with his fingers, slid it onto Gu Zhao's wrist, and lifted his eyes: 'Did you recognize the piece I just played for you?'

Gu Zhao looked into those star-filled eyes: 'I did.'

'That piece was my confession to you.' Ji Su's ears were scarlet, the tail of his voice trembling with shyness. 'I like you, Gu Zhao.'

Not 'I like you too,' but 'I like you.'

Though he'd already guessed the answer, Gu Zhao's mind was still being battered by an avalanche, a tidal wave — crashing into him with such force that his thoughts stalled and his expression went blank.

Ji Su fought down his shyness and nerves, his tone firm: 'I want you to know it's not just because you liked me, not just because you pursued me, that I agreed to be with you.'

Gu Zhao's throat moved; for a moment no sound came out.

'I like you. Maybe not as much as you like me yet, but—' Ji Su licked his dry lips. 'But I'll try. I'll try to be worthy of your feelings, try to give you so, so much—'

The end of the sentence cut off short as he was suddenly pulled into a familiar embrace.

Gu Zhao held him, long, strong arms locked around him with a force that seemed to want to press him into his own body.

Better that they turn to ash together, never to be parted again.

Ji Su closed his eyes and raised both arms to hold him back.

After a long while, that low, hoarse voice sounded at his ear: 'Were you serious about what you just said?'

'Of course I was.' Ji Su gave him an unequivocal answer. 'I'll take responsibility for every word I've said.'

'Ji Su, you need to know I'm a mad dog.' Gu Zhao lifted a hand to cup the soft nape of his neck, his voice rough as if gravel had been mixed into it. 'A mad dog's love — once you take it, you can't take it back.'

'Gu Zhao, then you need to know something too.' Ji Su stepped back a little, his tone serious and emphatic. 'Once you're with me, you can't throw me away again.'

He'd had enough of being abandoned, enough of being left standing alone.

'Ji Su, we're actually the same kind of people.' Gu Zhao laughed. 'Only death do us part — no breaking up.'

Ji Su's heart gave a leap — half the embarrassment of being seen through, half the joy of finding a kindred spirit — and he answered softly, as if to cover it: 'Oh...'

Gu Zhao looked at him for a few seconds, then bent and fiercely claimed the lips that had just spoken such sweet words.

At first the kiss was fierce, as if to vent some vast, inexpressible love surging inside him.

Only when Ji Su couldn't breathe did he ease back a little, the kiss growing long and deep.

A moment later, Gu Zhao shifted so they were sitting on the Beach.

Ji Su lay limp in his arms, breathing in small gasps, his face flushed all over, his eyes dewy, his crow-feather lashes dampened into little clumps — pitiful and lovely at once.

Gu Zhao still hadn't kissed enough; he took the soft, hot earlobe between his lips and sucked at it again and again, then trailed kisses from the root of the ear down to the side of the neck, leaving a vivid, wet mark.

Ji Su shuddered down his spine at the kisses, and pushed at him with a soft voice: 'No more...'

'No more?' Gu Zhao caught his soft fingertips, voice hoarse. 'I'm your boyfriend — if you won't let me kiss you, who will you let?'

'You can kiss me.' Ji Su lifted his lashes, looking at him pitifully. 'But when you kiss me like this, I can't really take it...'

Gu Zhao felt a rush of fire surge toward a certain place, and gritted his teeth as he asked: 'Can't take it already?'