Chapter Ten

When Yi Xiaoyu awoke, all of V City was blanketed in snow. He drew back the curtains and gazed out at the snowy city, feeling his mood brighten along with the wintry landscape.

“Fatty, get up,” Yi Xiaoyu said, walking to the bedside and tossing a pillow onto You Yige’s head.

With his quilt clutched in his arms, You Yige stirred, eyes shut, and mumbled feebly, “Just five more minutes, honey.”

Yi Xiaoyu knelt on the bed, cradling You Yige’s cheeks in his hands, squinting with a smile. “Do you not know what day it is today?”

You Yige slowly opened his eyes, and the sight of Yi Xiaoyu smiling so close made him shudder. He quickly rifled through his mind for anything significant about today.

What day was it? He’d been asked this before; it was either Xiaoyu’s birthday or…

“I remember now!” You Yige suddenly sat up, alert and energetic. “Today’s our second wedding anniversary!”

Yi Xiaoyu pinched You Yige’s cheeks. “Good thing you remembered. If you’d forgotten, you’d be sleeping with Scallion tonight.”

You Yige chuckled, wrapping his arms around Yi Xiaoyu’s waist and burying his face in Xiaoyu’s neck. “Xiaoyu, we’ve been married for two whole years.”

Yi Xiaoyu ruffled his hair. “Yeah, who’d have thought I’d end up with you, Fatty?”

You Yige lifted his head, puzzled. “Why not?”

“We got married after knowing each other for just an hour. Did you really think this marriage would work?”

“Of course. I fell for you at first sight. That day, I decided it had to be you for life. No one else would do—only you.”

Yi Xiaoyu tapped You Yige’s head with a smile. “Smooth talker. Alright, I’m off to make breakfast. Get up now. This weekend, I’ll go with you and Scallion to soak in the hot springs.”

You Yige nodded excitedly. “Okay.”

After washing up, You Yige found Yi Xiaoyu already bringing breakfast to the table. Scallion bounced around his legs, mouth open and tongue lolling, eager and adorable.

Scallion was a large dog. With his front paws raised, he easily hooked them onto the table’s edge, chin resting there, tail wagging vigorously, his bright eyes fixed on Yi Xiaoyu.

Yi Xiaoyu poured milk and dog food into Scallion’s two bowls, and the dog finally settled down to eat and drink.

“Do you still take Scallion out much?” Yi Xiaoyu asked casually as he sat at the table. “Since I’ve been home these days, Scallion stays in whenever you’re gone. You used to love taking him out. Why leave him at home so much recently?”

Whenever You Yige lied, his heart raced. He lowered his head and sipped his milk. “It’s cold outside lately.”

Yi Xiaoyu didn’t notice You Yige’s nervous expression and failed to see how unnatural he looked.

“That’s true, but you should still take him out every so often. He’s alone at home; gets lonely. Or bring him along when we go out.”

“Huh?” With such a big dog around, how could he get intimate with his wife?

“That settles it then.”

“…Alright.”

After breakfast, Yi Xiaoyu washed dishes in the kitchen while You Yige played with Scallion and a tennis ball in the living room. Man and dog enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

Soon, You Yige wandered into the kitchen, unable to resist the sight of that slender figure standing at the counter. He slipped behind Yi Xiaoyu and embraced him.

“Enough, Fatty,” Yi Xiaoyu shrugged him off. “We’re going out soon. Save your heat for later.”

You Yige rested his chin on Yi Xiaoyu’s shoulder, clinging like a sloth, lazily blowing warm breath into Xiaoyu’s ear. “Xiaoyu, I didn’t do anything last night.”

Yi Xiaoyu swung a hand back, smacking You Yige’s forehead. “Do you treat that as homework?”

You Yige chuckled softly, his mischievous hand slipping under Yi Xiaoyu’s shirt, caressing his smooth chest. “If it were homework, would I pass?”

“You… mmph.”

You Yige tilted Yi Xiaoyu’s chin toward himself and kissed him without another word.

Yi Xiaoyu didn’t resist. He was used to You Yige’s touch and teasing, and he liked their kisses—the ambiguous, intoxicating atmosphere always enchanted him.

One of You Yige’s hands reached below to undo Yi Xiaoyu’s belt, murmuring, “Living room, balcony, study, bathroom… hmm, the kitchen’s the only place we haven’t tried yet…”

His words sent a fresh thrill through Yi Xiaoyu, making his body even more sensitive. Just as he lifted You Yige’s shirt, the doorbell rang, ruining the mood.

“Ignore it,” You Yige said, kissing Xiaoyu’s exposed chest between words. “It must be Aunt Li bringing dumplings…”

The knocking snapped Yi Xiaoyu out of his passion. He pushed You Yige away. “Enough, Fatty, go answer the door.”

“No, honey, let me kiss you once more.” You Yige puckered his lips and leaned in, but Yi Xiaoyu pinched his waist hard, making him hiss with pain and release Xiaoyu.

Yi Xiaoyu glanced at You Yige’s obvious arousal and sighed. “Forget it, I’ll answer the door. You go to the bathroom and take care of yourself, or you’ll scare someone later.”

He untied his apron, wiped his hands, and tossed it onto You Yige. “Go on, look at yourself. Aren’t you embarrassed?”

Yi Xiaoyu left the kitchen, heading for the door. “Coming, coming.”

Peering through the peephole, his good mood vanished.

The visitor…

was Wen Ming.

When Yi Xiaoyu dated Wen Ming, he had always lived in this apartment left by his mother, so Wen Ming could find him here.

Yi Xiaoyu hesitated only briefly before opening the door.

“Xiaoyu, this is for you.”

Wen Ming’s smile was as radiant as morning sunlight. He handed Yi Xiaoyu a beautifully wrapped black box.

Expressionless, Yi Xiaoyu took the “gift,” stepped aside, and said, “Come in.”

Wen Ming’s heart warmed as he stepped inside, looking around and murmuring, “I didn’t expect you’d still live here.”

Yi Xiaoyu ignored him, closing the door and walking ahead, placing the box on the glass table before the sofa. Then he strode to the bathroom door and knocked. “Fatty, come out. We have a guest.”

The bathroom door opened a crack, and You Yige poked his head out. “Who is it? Has Aunt Li left yet?”

Yi Xiaoyu stared at You Yige’s shivering form in surprise. “You took a cold shower?”

You Yige wiped his face, shivering, looking aggrieved. “It’s all your fault, Xiaoyu. Look, my little brother is still standing.” He made as if to open the door and show off.

Yi Xiaoyu slapped his forehead. “Have you no shame?”

“None.” You Yige grinned wickedly. “Or you could come in and touch it; it listens to you best. Come on…”

With Wen Ming standing not far behind, You Yige’s endless dirty jokes made Yi Xiaoyu want to strangle him.

Yi Xiaoyu pressed You Yige’s head and shoved him back into the bathroom, snapping, “Freeze, you damn fatty.”

His face dark, Yi Xiaoyu took a few deep breaths and returned to the living room.

“He is…” Wen Ming’s smile faltered. “Your friend…”

“My spouse,” Yi Xiaoyu interrupted coolly. He sat on the sofa, poured himself a cup of tea, and said absently, “We’ve been married two years. You’ve seen him—I sent you a photo two years ago.”

Wen Ming’s face went pale, his fists clenched. After a long pause, he choked out, “The man in the photo… was very fat.”

“Two years ago, he weighed over two hundred pounds—fat and ugly.” Yi Xiaoyu’s voice was calm, as if describing a mundane fact. “Later, I forced him to lose weight, and now he’s got a great figure and his face is sculpted. Wait and see when he comes out. He’s changed a lot, but you’ll still recognize him as the same person.”

Wen Ming was thunderstruck, frozen in place, the color draining from his face.

(Ha Qian Bro: Imagine poor Wen Ming now, and poor Fatty in the future. PS: It’s not that Ha Qian doesn’t want to update more, but if I use up all my drafts now, I won’t be able to enjoy the holidays. If updates and bursts coexist, do you still love burst updates? Mwah~.)