The Academic God Becomes an Internet Sensation After Joining a Dating Show - Chapter 89 - The End of Main Story

The bathroom really felt like it was running out of air.

Mist steamed around them. The tap, still running, sent a flowing stream of water that echoed clearly in the hot environment.

Shen Xuzhi was straddled by the nude man. His clothes, soaked and plastered to his physique, highlighted his broad chest and taut muscle lines.

He gently rubbed the back of Qing Lin’s neck, his large hand cradling his narrow waist. He chuckled low. “They say intelligent people are often more lustful.”

“A fallacy,” Qing Lin retorted instantly, kneeling on his lap, his toes brushing against Shen Xuzhi’s thigh.

After a pause, he narrowed his pale eyes, his gaze lingering on Shen Xuzhi’s shirt, now translucent from the water clinging to his skin. He reached out, fingertips trailing from Shen Xuzhi’s chest down to his abs, and murmured, “But with you… it seems it is.”

Qing Lin was covered in a thin layer of foam carried over from the tub. His body was completely bare, flushed a soft pink from the heat, his skin delicate, smooth, and supple.

His ears and cheeks were a deeper crimson. He didn’t say another word, one hand resting on Shen Xuzhi’s chest. Qing Lin brushed his lips against Shen Xuzhi’s mouth, a hint of a pouting grievance in his expression—an unbelievably seductive sight.

Shen Xuzhi’s breathing deepened. He lifted Qing Lin’s waist, pushing him up slightly, and placed a hand on his Adam’s apple, tilting his chin up. “Open your mouth.”

A cascade of kisses followed, deeper than any before. Every spot his hand glided over made Qing Lin tremble slightly. He couldn’t help but let out a soft moan, which was muffled by Shen Xuzhi’s kiss.

“It’s cold out here,” Shen Xuzhi murmured against his lips. He lifted him and carried him into the bathtub with him.

“Let’s go back into the water.”

…

The temperature seemed to have risen even further. Mist swirled, and patterns formed by condensed water covered the glass.

Qing Lin clung to the edge of the tub, completely flushed. The water faucet continued its soothing flow into the bath, but the foam was everywhere. Shen Xuzhi scooped up a handful and smeared it onto the tattoo on Qing Lin’s lower back.

“In this position, I can see your tattoo very clearly,” Shen Xuzhi whispered. He leaned down and kissed the butterfly with the single wing, then reached up, pinched Qing Lin’s chin, and kissed him.

The bubbling hot water now felt like nothing more than a playful accessory. Qing Lin clung to Shen Xuzhi, his legs too weak to do anything but hook around him, submitting to his movements.

“Mmh…”

The sound of the water mingled with their gasps. Qing Lin was dizzy, vaguely catching the scent of Shen Xuzhi’s citrus-based cologne, mixed with a hint of musky, ambiguous scent that wreathed around him, trailing along his face like its owner.

A shiver went through Qing Lin. He reached out, his hand gripping for support, and accidentally hit the shower button on the edge of the tub.

Water poured from the showerhead, washing away some of the foam from their bodies. The water slid down the curve of their shoulders, soaking their hair, and dripped from Qing Lin’s long eyelashes.

Qing Lin stammered, “Let’s go to the shower stall…”

Shen Xuzhi kissed Qing Lin’s ear, then playfully bit his cheek, circling his arms around him to kiss his collarbone. “Can you even stand up straight?”

Qing Lin was mortified. He wrapped his small legs around Shen Xuzhi’s waist, his eyes, glazed with steam and water, trembled as he shook his head.

Shen Xuzhi smiled. “Good. Then hold on to me.”

____________________________________________________________________________________

Qing Lin couldn’t even recall how the rest of the night unfolded.

He only remembered the extreme heat of the bathroom, the surrounding mist, and how Shen Xuzhi held him tightly, making him so frustrated he swore at him.

He remembered them returning to the bedroom, and how Shen Xuzhi tormented him with every step up the stairs. Qing Lin was numb all over, his body burning from the citrus scent.

Shen Xuzhi called his name over and over again in his ear, pressing him to say mushy, tender things.

He heard himself seriously repeating, “I love you.”

In his daze, Qing Lin noticed the pressed-flower picture frame on Shen Xuzhi’s bedside table.

His memory was pulled back years ago.

It was a torrential downpour during his senior year of high school. Qing Lin ran back to the outdoor art studio only to see the barren branches and withered leaves destroyed by the rain. It was late autumn; blooming flowers were already rare, and he hadn’t made it in time, allowing the last ones to be ruined by the storm.

Qing Lin stared at the toppled easels, the scattered paints, and the ruined flowers strewn across the ground.

Qing Lin cried in the rain.

He had never felt so overwhelmed. Like a child pushed past his limit, he cried helplessly in the pouring rain. The wind and rain were relentless, drenching him completely—soaking not just his body, but his heart as well.

Then, an umbrella appeared.

Qing Lin crouched on the ground, crying uncontrollably. The umbrella above him shielded part of the downpour, rainwater streaming off its edges. The person holding it said nothing, quietly enduring the storm.

To this day, Qing Lin didn’t know who that person was, who had stood with him in the downpour for so long, watching him cry so wretchedly. But that person had preserved his last shred of dignity, silently sharing the moment, letting him feel that the world was perhaps not so terrible after all.

After that day, Qing Lin gathered the scattered flower petals left from the rain, dried them, and arranged them into the shape of the person holding the umbrella.

“Shen Xuzhi,” Qing Lin murmured, his lips brushing Shen Xuzhi’s shoulder, a sudden question escaping him. “Was the person holding the umbrella… you?”

Shen Xuzhi glanced at the dried flowers on the table, then leaned down and kissed Qing Lin’s lips again.

“The flowers in the storm had their own beauty; I was simply heartbroken to see you cry.”

It was him.

The sound of his heart threatened to drown out everything else. A faint current of electricity coursed through his soul, and emotion surged within Qing Lin, waves of passion pulling him back to the present again and again.

Heat flushed through him, yet he couldn’t hold himself back. Tilting his head slightly, he surrendered completely, wrapping his arms around Shen Xuzhi’s neck, his movements more tender and unrestrained than before.

“Shen Xuzhi, I love you,” he whispered into his ear. “Let’s do it again.”

___________________________________________________________________________________

Follow Heart has officially come to an end.

The final segment was filmed in Chongqing. The directors were surprisingly generous this time, practically handing the participants money to enjoy themselves and asking only for a single vlog to be edited on the last day. The three couples had a wonderful time, and the three days flew by in a blur of laughter and joy.

This was Qing Lin and Shen Xuzhi’s first trip together since they officially started dating.

They shared an authentic Chongqing red oil hotpot. The two, hailing from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, were panting and hissing from the fiery spice, gulping down drinks as they fished chili peppers out of the bubbling broth.

They visited the Cloud Walk at Raffles City, taking in the city’s sprawl and prosperity from high above. Qing Lin enthusiastically spread his arms wide, nearly scaring Shen Xuzhi into dropping his GoPro to grab him.

They visited the E’ling Second Factory and Liziba station. Qing Lin lifted his phone to record the monorail passing through a building, only for Shen Xuzhi’s face to suddenly fill the frame — the “big dog” playfully complaining about why he wasn’t the one being filmed.

They went out in disguise, sneaking into the famously crowded Hongya Cave to take in the night view. With no camera crew or onlookers around, they felt like an ordinary couple—snapping cliché tourist photos and even trying the chili-flavored novelty ice cream that only a “gullible fool” would buy.

A few sharp-eyed girls noticed them and whispered behind their hands, “Hey, doesn’t that couple over there look like Shen Xuzhi and Qing Lin?”

Shen Xuzhi overheard. He smiled, wrapped an arm around Qing Lin’s shoulder, and murmured into his ear, “Honey.”

Qing Lin’s ears instantly burned at the unexpected pet name. “Why so sudden?” he asked.

“Calling you by your name makes it too easy for people to overhear,” Shen Xuzhi explained. “You should come up with something to call me, too.”

Despite wearing a mask, Qing Lin’s cheeks and ears were visibly crimson. He stared at Shen Xuzhi for a long moment, then crooked his finger at him. Shen Xuzhi bent down to lean closer.

Qing Lin then rose onto his tiptoes and pecked Shen Xuzhi on the lips, even through the mask.

Fireworks exploded in his heart.

“Is this acceptable, darling?” Qing Lin’s voice held a soft laugh, wearing the look of someone who had just succeeded.

“Whew… I can’t keep sightseeing in Hongya Cave anymore.”

Overcome by a rush of warmth, Shen Xuzhi grabbed Qing Lin’s hand and led him to a secluded corner. Without a word, he pulled down his mask.

He lifted his chin, bent his head, and skillfully parted his lips, his tongue delving in for a deep, consuming kiss.

“…Shen Xuzhi!” Qing Lin’s heart was going crazy from the intensity of the kiss. He pounded his fists lightly on his chest, whispering between their tangled breaths, “If you keep kissing me, we’ll be spotted!”

“Let them see us,” Shen Xuzhi said with a grin. “If they spot us, we run. We can handle one more trending topic.”

Behind them, the lights of the wooden stilted buildings shimmered with a timeless grandeur. The ebb and flow of the crowd made it seem as if someone might look their way at any moment.

And yet, this kind of love felt perfect in its own way.

The whole world knew they were together.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

September arrived, and the semester began.

Qing Lin was now a senior. He had no plans to enter the entertainment industry or follow Qi Youhuai into business. Instead, he continued to live at his own pace, sticking to his original plans. His academic project had won first place in a national competition, and his paper—co-authored with his advisor—had been accepted by an SCI journal. It was the start of a new term, and everything felt fresh and full of promise.

Shen Xuzhi, on the other hand, was undeniably lovestruck. Wanting to keep living with Qing Lin but feeling that their old apartment was too far from campus, he ended up buying a “small” two-hundred-square-meter place near Zhejiang University.

On the day Qing Lin moved out of his dorm, his good roommates were all misty-eyed, trying to hold back their tears.

Huang Zishun lamented, “Ah, this day was bound to come. Our dearest, brightest Linlin is leaving our big happy family to move in with his boyfriend!”

Da Yu cheered, “Your good brother fully supports you! You and Shen Laoshi must stay loving and sweet—may the love for Qing last forever, and may the door to Lin’s heart always remain open!”

Xiao Tong wailed, “Wuwuwu, Lin ah, you have to be happy! I’m done for now—who am I supposed to copy homework from in the future, wuwuwu.”

Qing Lin found their drama amusing. Hauling his suitcase, he said, “We’ll still see each other; you can stop being so dramatic. And Xiao Tong, I wasn’t going to let you copy my homework anyway.”

Xiao Tong burst into theatrical tears.

Huang Zishun patted Qing Lin’s shoulder. “Your brothers will always be here. If you ever quarrel with Shen Xuzhi, the door to Room 315 is always open for you.”

Da Yu smacked the back of Huang Zishun’s head. “Quit talking about fighting! They’re perfectly in love! Qing Lin, just feed us a little sweetness every now and then, okay? I’m a loyal Shen Lin Qijing CP fan and a rational fan of Loving Qing.”

Qing Lin laughed uncontrollably as he was escorted out of the dorm, where he saw Shen Xuzhi waiting downstairs to take him home.

Just like that night after the livestream ended, his affection was open and unrestrained, drawing a crowd of curious students. This time, Qing Lin was no longer shy. Amidst the cheers and well-wishes of his peers, he walked openly and proudly toward him.

And there was one more piece of news that took him by surprise—

Qiao Weilan and Nan Yu were getting married.

They were the first to hear the news privately. The couple invited Qing Lin and Shen Xuzhi to dinner, gave them the wedding invitations, and asked them to attend the ceremony.

“We’d actually been planning to marry for a while, and after meeting with our parents, we finally decided,” Qiao Weilan said.

“Congratulations,” Qing Lin said, genuinely happy for them. Getting married to the person you love is a uniquely joyful thing.

Shen Xuzhi looked at the two beaming women, holding the invitation as he opened it to see the brides’ names written inside.

“Hey,” Qiao Weilan bumped Shen Xuzhi’s arm, whispering conspiratorially, “I’ll make sure to save the bouquet for you.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

“Mr. Shen? Mr. Shen?”

Shen Xuzhi’s thoughts were interrupted by Qing Lin’s voice. He turned, adjusting the glasses on his nose, and saw Qing Lin returning home from his evening class.

Qing Lin asked, “You shouldn’t push yourself so hard with work. You’ve pulled two consecutive all-nighters, haven’t you? Are you still not satisfied with the demo?”

There had been an issue with the instrumental opening for Shen Xuzhi’s upcoming tour, and the team had discussed it, leading Shen Xuzhi to decide to rewrite it. Actually, the track had already been approved and was generally satisfactory; he wasn’t staying up late because of the demo.

However, since a beautiful man was expressing concern, he might as well savor the moment.

Shen Xuzhi rested his head on Qing Lin’s shoulder, leaned over to kiss his neck, wrapped him up in a hug, and closed his eyes. “Recharging.”

Qing Lin felt he really should get some rest, or perhaps he should spend more time with him. Shen Xuzhi was about to kick off his national tour, starting in Shenzhen, followed by Qingdao, Chongqing, Hainan, Beijing, and Shanghai. Some of the dates were tightly scheduled, meaning they wouldn’t see each other for over ten days at a stretch.

Shen Xuzhi was reluctant to leave, but he couldn’t bring Qing Lin along on the tour since Qing Lin still had classes to attend.

With this thought, Qing Lin stroked Shen Xuzhi’s hair and asked, “Can I listen to your demo?”

Shen Xuzhi replied, “Of course.”

He meticulously walked Qing Lin through the concert flow. The folder contained selected songs from his album, as well as several newly written tracks, each one arranged with specific meaning. As Qing Lin listened to his explanation, he truly felt the passion Shen Xuzhi held for his music. As an original singer-songwriter, he possessed a distinctive style; his love was woven into every song.

Qing Lin suddenly smiled.

They really were quite similar.

The two men nestled together, the living room echoing with the music written by Shen Xuzhi.

Qing Lin couldn’t resist leaning in to kiss Shen Xuzhi, then noticed an audio file on his computer labeled “vital.”

Qing Lin pointed to it. “What is this?”

Shen Xuzhi paused slightly. “It’s a new song I wrote, an R&B track that’s meant to be sung while playing. It’s not quite finished.”

“Singing while playing,” Qing Lin echoed. “Could you play it for me?”

In the intimate space they shared, their heartbeats and warmth were exchanged without barrier. The faint taste of the kiss lingered like an overturned jar of orange marmalade, the surrounding air saturated with their scent, spreading endlessly. The sounds around him felt distant, yet the words that settled in Qing Lin’s heart were dream-like and soft.

“At the wedding.”

“I’ll play it at our wedding,” Shen Xuzhi said, looking at Qing Lin. “How does that sound?”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Qing Lin had recently resumed livestreaming on Bilibili.

He was now a bona fide Bilibili study creator. At his fans’ request, he began recording and uploading videos explaining math problems for the graduate entrance exam. The clips quickly hit the recommended and trending pages, amassing over a million views.

[Laoshi explains everything so clearly! The logic is easy to follow, and his voice is so nice to listen to!]

[This is amazing! I used this exact video to study for my linear algebra final. All those other channels just try to sell you courses, but this one feels so genuine! From now on, I’m only following… Qing Lin!! I can’t believe it’s actually him!!]

[Oh my god, I totally missed that the UP host was Qing Lin! Seriously! The explanation was just that good!]

[Qing Laoshi!! I passed my Advanced Mathematics final with a 92! Please praise me!!]

[Qing Laoshi, I’m begging you—please turn on your camera when you teach! If you do, my learning efficiency will skyrocket eightfold! (The power of a beautiful man)]

During one of his livestreams, a fan brought up Shen Xuzhi’s concert tour.

Tickets for the Shenzhen show were nearly impossible to get, selling out in two seconds after sales opened, leaving fans heartbroken. The concert hall was packed, the massive crowd at the stadium singing along in unison. The atmosphere was incredible, moving many fans to tears.

Many longtime fans couldn’t get tickets. Word had it that Shen Xuzhi was rehearsing in the southern province, so they turned to Qing Lin’s livestream, hoping he could help.

[Sister-in-law, we couldn’t get tickets for Ah Zhi’s tour. Could you maybe take us to his rehearsal, wuwuwuwu?]

[Yes, yes! Only Linlin can make this happen. Not the full dress rehearsal, just the behind-the-scenes practice! Also, Ah Zhi hasn’t updated his personal Weibo because of the concert. Can you show him to us, wuwu?]

[!! Linlin, could you sneak a visit! Give Shen Laoshi a surprise!]

[Yes, yes, secretly livestream it! Let’s get some sweet ShenLin Qijing moments!]

Qing Lin read the messages, realizing he hadn’t seen Shen Xuzhi in person for over a week either. Already craving physical contact, he had been planning to fly to the southern province that weekend to see him.

Unable to resist the fans’ enthusiasm, he contacted Wang Zhan. After receiving approval, he decided to grant their request. Conveniently, Bilibili had a “Surprise Project” submission category. Ever the pragmatist, Qing Lin saw an opportunity: he pinned a miniature camera to his chest to secretly stream Shen Xuzhi’s reaction to a visit he wasn’t expecting.

The plane landed at Nansheng Airport.

[Lin Lin, I love you!]

[Yay! Secret livestream!]

As soon as Qing Lin got off the plane, he took a taxi to Shen Xuzhi’s rehearsal studio.

The staff were thrilled to see Qing Lin show up unexpectedly. Qing Lin quietly gestured for them to stay silent and discreetly asked where Shen Xuzhi was.

“Shen Laoshi is in Rehearsal Room T02 upstairs,” a staff member whispered. “Go check him out quickly. He looks so cool.”

Qing Lin crept up to the second floor.

He stopped at the door of Rehearsal Room T02, listening to the explosive heavy metal sound of the drum kit.

Shen Xuzhi wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up. The top button was undone, softening his otherwise severe, buttoned-up appearance and giving a fleeting glimpse of his defined muscles, hinting at a wild, untamed energy.

He pounded the drums with fierce abandon, his intensity fully unleashed. Black wristbands wrapped his wrists, his eyes sharp and focused, every movement perfectly in sync with the music, resonating with its rhythm.

The guitar and drums surged together, an unstoppable, explosive force, branching out wildly in every direction.

To top it all off, he was wearing his signature gold-rimmed glasses.

[Absolutely mind-blowing!! Shen Laoshi is way too wild!]

[Aaaah!! So hot, aaaaah!]

[Aaaah, Shen Laoshi is wearing those gold-rimmed glasses while playing the drums! The contrast! I’m losing my mind, I’m losing my mind!]

After a quick succession of drum beats, Shen Xuzhi violently struck the Crash Cymbal, concluding the song.

Qing Lin was mesmerized.

He had never felt the direct, profound power of the drums before. When Shen Xuzhi handled music, every beat felt capable of piercing his soul.

Shen Xuzhi finished, casually wiping away sweat, his dark eyes like those of an untamed beast. He lifted his head to drink some water and suddenly spotted Qing Lin standing in the doorway.

In an instant, the obsidian-like pupils in his eyes softened with dizzying speed.

Shen Xuzhi froze for a few seconds, quickly put down his drumsticks, and rushed toward Qing Lin.

“Qing Lin?” Shen Xuzhi cupped Qing Lin’s face, looking him up and down, utterly surprised. “You actually came to see me.”

Qing Lin loved his expression. He smiled and gave him a thumbs-up. “I did. Shen Laoshi, you are so cool playing the drums.”

[Aaaah, in private, Shen Laoshi is just a wife-obsessed big dog!]

[Aaaah, I’m dying from the sweetness. Behind the camera, this little couple is so incredibly affectionate!]

[Wuwuwu, he loves him so much, so much.]

The little couple outside the camera’s view was not only affectionate, but also extremely daring.

“I missed you so much,” Shen Xuzhi said, removing his glasses. He lifted Qing Lin’s unguarded chin, fingers weaving into his hair, easily making him tilt his head back, and turned his face to kiss him fiercely.

Qing Lin hadn’t expected the kiss to come so quickly, but he instinctively yielded to it, then his face rapidly flushed as he remembered he was livestreaming.

[Aaaaaaah!!]

[Absence makes the heart grow fonder! Aaaah, my goodness, they kissed already! I can hear the wet sounds, aaaaaah!!]

[Aaaaaah!! He took off his glasses!!]

Shen Xuzhi pulled Qing Lin into the practice room, closed and locked the door, and pressed him against the wall, continuing to kiss him. Qing Lin enjoyed the feeling of the kiss. It had been too long since they had kissed, and he actively returned the passion, until Shen Xuzhi’s hands wandered where they shouldn’t, kneading too far below his waist. He then suddenly pushed Shen Xuzhi away, his eyes widening.

“Shen Laoshi…” Qing Lin looked anxious. “this isn’t really the place…”

Shen Xuzhi parted his lips, nibbling at Qing Lin’s collar, his dark eyes looking up, casual and wild. “Hmm?”

Qing Lin: “……………”

He couldn’t resist!

Seeing his submission, Shen Xuzhi’s jawline tightened. His hands slipped under the hem of Qing Lin’s shirt, every spot they touched feeling scorching hot.

“No, no, no…” Qing Lin saw the danger and quickly stopped him. “I—I’m livestreaming!”

Shen Xuzhi’s movements ceased.

“Livestreaming?” He spotted the micro-camera, and plucked it from Qing Lin’s chest.

[Aaaah, he’s been discovered!]

[Don’t stop! I still wanted to watch!]

Shen Xuzhi was slightly displeased. He held the camera and aimed it at Qing Lin. At this moment, Qing Lin’s cheeks, neck, and ears were completely red. His clothes were slightly wrinkled from being pulled up, and he looked utterly defenseless.

[Aaaah, dear Lin has been flustered into a mess like this!]

[Wuwuwu, from the boyfriend’s perspective, wuwu. That little face, those little lips—let this big sister give him a kiss, too.]

“Honey, did you come to see me, or to film a Bilibili video?” Shen Xuzhi asked. “Because I might have to punish you for that.”

With that, Shen Xuzhi turned off the camera and tossed it aside.

This was truly a new experience. Outside, the staff hurried back and forth, working intensely, and yet here he was, doing this with Shen Xuzhi in the practice room.

“Mmh… I really did come to see you,” Qing Lin was pressed against the workstation, biting his own shirt, struggling not to make a sound. “You’ve been so busy, I wanted to see you. It wasn’t just for the video…”

Shen Xuzhi kissed him deeply, the kiss urgent and intense, as he unbuckled his pants and pulled them down.

“Then you should know what to do to prove you’re telling the truth,” Shen Xuzhi breathed heavily into his ear.

Qing Lin heard him. He hooked his arms around his neck, his face red, and pecked him on the lips. The public setting made him mentally tense, and his body was more sensitive than ever.

Mid-act, Shen Xuzhi’s heart softened nonetheless.

He hugged Qing Lin, apologizing with a whispered “I’m sorry.” After he’d had his fill of him, he kissed him and said, “Once my tour in Hainan is over, let’s go on a date.”

“How about we go camping? We can watch the sunrise.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Both were eagerly looking forward to the promised camping date with Shen Xuzhi. But luck wasn’t on their side. The massive popularity of Shen Xuzhi’s concert tour brought a flood of endorsement deals and other commitments, quickly filling the pockets of free time they had originally carved out in the middle of the month.

Public opinion added its own pressure. Shen Xuzhi devoted every spare moment to seeing Qing Lin, managing to get home just long enough for a brief cuddle before having to leave again.

Coincidentally, Qing Lin was equally busy. As a senior, he had started an internship, working from eight in the morning until six in the evening, leaving him little free time as well. By the time their schedules finally aligned, it was already November.

It was a crisp, refreshing autumn day, and after a passing shower, a subtle chill lingered in the air.

Qing Lin and Shen Xuzhi drove into the mountains, retrieved their prepared camping gear, and began their hike together.

“We’re finally out here,” Shen Xuzhi said. He placed the supplies in the trunk, walked around to the front seat to buckle Qing Lin’s seatbelt, and kissed his cheek. “Take these two days to truly relax.”

The date was undoubtedly exciting. Qing Lin’s mood was buoyant the entire way. The autumn wind brushed past the window as he tilted his head back, enjoying the breeze on his face and feeling completely at ease.

The mountain had been thoroughly washed by the autumn rain. The air carried a woody fragrance, and the sun, finally breaking through, cast light across the forest, painting the landscape in golden autumn hues.

They parked the off-road vehicle halfway up the mountain. Shen Xuzhi looked particularly impressive as he expertly set up the tent, while Qing Lin efficiently assembled the grill beside him. They worked together with perfect husband-and-husband synergy.

“Why is the tent so huge?” Qing Lin asked, eyeing it curiously.

Shen Xuzhi brushed the dust from his hands. “Want to go inside and see?”

At his invitation, Qing Lin ducked into the tent. Inside, it was warm and cozy, the bedding looking exceptionally soft.

Moreover, the roof was transparent, a design that allowed them to see the pristine blue sky above.

“This tent is for stargazing at night,” Shen Xuzhi explained. “It can also be covered up, all you have to do is pull this curtain.”

“That’s wonderful,” Qing Lin said, kicking off his shoes and sitting inside. He lay down on the bedding, patting the space next to him. “Mr. Shen, come here.”

Shen Xuzhi obligingly lay down beside him, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, and they gazed at the sky together.

It was utterly relaxing, completely peaceful.

The sky was fair to everyone; they were looking at the same expanse. The only difference was the person by your side.

Their eyes were gradually drawn to each other. The two men in the tent watched each other for a long time, then instinctively leaned in and kissed. Outside, the wind whipped through the trees, rustling the fallen leaves on the ground into golden waves, but Qing Lin heard none of it.

In his world, there was only Shen Xuzhi.

“It’s not even dark yet,” Shen Xuzhi kissed his nose and chuckled. “Are you that impatient?”

Qing Lin’s fingers were lifted, their hands lacing together, and their breathing, scent, and body heat all intensified.

“Right now, then,” Qing Lin climbed onto Shen Xuzhi’s body, reaching to pull off his jacket.

“I’m afraid the moon will laugh at me if I wait until tonight.”

____________________________________________________________________________________

The ground was carpeted in fallen red leaves. The sunlight filtered through the foliage, casting dappled, magnificent patterns. Gradually, the twilight receded, turning the sky an inky black, and the moon began its watch over the mortal world.

Qing Lin was covered in sweat despite the crisp temperature, his lower abdomen aching with a soft, numbing intensity as his lips remained locked with Shen Xuzhi’s. It was nighttime, and they were outdoors. Qing Lin was overcome with shyness, realizing he was growing bolder all the time.

The temperature in the mountains dropped quickly, but with their bodies pressed tightly together, they didn’t feel the cold.

“Go to sleep now,” Shen Xuzhi murmured, kissing the top of Qing Lin’s head and holding him close. “There’s a patch of vine roses on this mountain. I really wanted to bring you to see them.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The next day, they packed up and began walking toward the mountaintop before the sun fully rose.

The summit of the mountain hosted a large patch of wild vine roses. Because they were uncultivated and grew wild, they bloomed with a more untamed, free spirit than ordinary roses. Shen Xuzhi had seen them once a long time ago and thought they greatly resembled Qing Lin. They possessed that same resilience, that same pride, while still maintaining their beauty, letting the wind kiss them freely.

When they reached the summit, they arrived just in time for the sunrise.

The light tore through the dawn, pooling over the mountaintop and covering the branches. Yet, Shen Xuzhi couldn’t find the patch of vine roses in the light. Suddenly realizing his mistake, Shen Xuzhi quickly pulled out his phone to check the date. It was the end of November.

By the end of November, the blooming season for roses was over.

Shen Xuzhi was frustrated. He looked at the highly excited Qing Lin. “I’m sorry. I wanted to bring you to see the roses, but I didn’t realize it’s too late.” He had originally planned for their date to be in October.

Qing Lin looked at the self-reproaching Shen Xuzhi, stepped forward, and took his hand. “That’s nothing to apologize for.”

“Just go with the flow,” Qing Lin said. “We came on a whim, and we’ll leave on a whim.”

His beautiful eyes held a serene clarity. “How romantic is this? The most important thing is that I’m here with you.”

Shen Xuzhi’s heart fluttered. He desperately wanted to pull him close and kiss him passionately.

Qing Lin, looking toward the brilliant sun, fixed his gaze on something in the distance.

In the yellow-green mountain landscape, among the largely withered vines and branches, a single cluster of pink roses was somehow still in full bloom. The morning light cast a brilliant color across the porcelain-white, pink-tinged petals, like a peaceful oil painting. There was no distraction, no noise—only pure, vibrant color, glistening in the breeze.

It was as if they had been waiting for them to arrive.

Qing Lin gazed at the sole surviving flowers, not yet wilted at the end of autumn, and couldn’t help but exclaim, “This is an absolute miracle.”

They had found the only cluster of roses, an experience a million times more romantic than seeing an entire field.

This was a miracle.

Qing Lin suddenly turned back.

The gentle breeze ruffled his fringe. The warm, orange light of the sunrise shone into his light-colored eyes, lifting slightly at the outer corners. The vivid flowers and his dazzling smile both flooded into Shen Xuzhi’s vision.

Then, he heard him say.

“Shen Xuzhi.”

“When I turn twenty-two, let’s get married.”

The breeze carried a gentle melody, making his heart flutter. His steady breathing wavered, and a clear, tender voice echoed across the empty mountaintop. The person before him, with his radiant features and snow-white neck, made Shen Xuzhi feel, in a moment of transience, as if he were looking at eternity.

His memories slowly drifted back. Shen Xuzhi recalled their meeting on the rooftop. The injured young man’s eyes seemed to collect the silent clouds in the sky. Shen Xuzhi had secretly watched him many times, remembering him for years.

He thought of the countless times he wanted to approach but couldn’t, and the one time he acted impulsively—thankfully, it didn’t change the outcome. He thought of that burning blue, the long years of yearning, the boy’s soft, clear black hair, and the long-desired warmth that, after all those years, he could finally touch.

It was perfect, even now.

Greenery kissed the dawn, flowers and his lover, an unexpected encounter that fulfilled a long-held wish.

Thank the heavens. After traversing years and crowds, the flower was finally placed in his hands before the raw autumn cold could completely wither it.

It’s a good thing miracles exist in this world.

—END OF MAIN STORY—