Stepping out of the bus felt like stepping straight into a painting.
The air was cool and clean, the sky ridiculously blue, and the hills rolled endlessly into the distance, covered in green so soft it almost looked unreal. The faint scent of pine and wildflowers drifted in the breeze, and sunlight scattered over the meadow like spilled gold.
"This place is gorgeous!" Liang Yue said, practically bouncing as he took his bag from Tang Ruihan—only to immediately drop it so he could dig for his camera. He crouched, unbothered, snapping pictures from every angle like a tourist on caffeine.
Tang Ruihan sighed, picked up Liang Yue's bag, zipped it properly, and slung it over his own shoulder like some overly patient babysitter.
"Yeah…" Ning Wen murmured, smiling faintly as he looked up at the vast open sky. "After living in the city for so long, this feels… fresh."
Tang Zeyan, standing beside him, didn't answer. His lips curved softly instead, gaze lingering on Ning Wen's serene face—the way sunlight lit up his features, how his hair fluttered in the breeze. He didn't even bother to hide how he was staring.
Wu Ming, one of the younger colleagues, broke the peaceful silence with a nervous laugh. "This place is great, sure, but that forest over there looks kinda creepy." He pointed at the edge of the meadow, where thick trees formed a dark, shadowy wall that stretched toward the hills.
Ning Wen glanced that way, blinking.
He Fang snorted. "Don't worry, Wu Ming. No animal or person's gonna bother taking you. You're perfectly safe."
Everyone burst out laughing. Wu Ming pouted. Liang Yue almost dropped his camera from laughing too hard, and Ning Wen chuckled—only to catch Tang Zeyan's gaze again. The younger man's eyes were sharp, deep, focused entirely on him. Ning Wen instantly looked away, feeling an odd chill despite the warmth of the sun.
Around them, the group was full of energy—taking pictures, chatting with locals, dragging luggage out from the bus.
Then came Zhang Hui, their senior, voice cutting through the chatter. "Alright everyone, listen up." He stood beside the local guide, posture straight and tone firm. "After this long tiring ride, we'll head to the hotel. We'll be staying there for the two weeks of the camp. The hotel is mainly for rest—the medical work will be held at the camp site up the hill. Each room will have two people of same gender assigned. Got it?"
Everyone nodded quickly, murmuring to each other in excitement.
Liang Yue and Ning Wen exchanged a silent look of dread that said everything: they both knew what was coming. The universe had that cruel sense of humor—it never failed to put them exactly where they didn't want to be. Sharing a room with each other? Fine. Peaceful. Predictable. But fate, apparently, had other plans.
And they were right about it.
The hotel was surprisingly grand—polished marble floors, high chandeliers, that faint scent of lemon polish and money. Everyone gathered around the check-in counter, collecting their key cards while Senior Zhang sorted out the room arrangements. That's when the Tang cousins struck.
"I'd like to share a room with Brother Ning," Tang Zeyan said, voice dripping with polite sincerity. "I'm very comfortable with him, and I'm sure I could learn a lot by staying together. I'd also be glad to help him if he ever needs anything."
Ning Wen, halfway through rubbing his eyes lazily, froze.
Then came the next blow.
"I think the same," Tang Ruihan added smoothly, tone calm and respectful. "Brother Yue is a really gentle and fascinating person. It'd be good for both of us to share a room. Besides, we're already familiar—it's better than troubling someone we don't know well."
Liang Yue, halfway through wearing up his jacket, froze. His left eye twitched.
The cousins smiled in perfect harmony—polite, charming, terrifyingly effective.
Senior Zhang blinked, looking completely disarmed. "Well, that's… very thoughtful of you both. Fine, that works. Tang Zeyan with Ning Wen, Tang Ruihan with Liang Yue."
And just like that, their doom was sealed.
Liang Yue's soul visibly left his body. Ning Wen's expression didn't change much, but the quiet despair in his eyes spoke volumes. There was no protest they could make—what were they supposed to say? Sorry, we can't share a room because the mere presence of these two might cause heart palpitations?
So they smiled tightly, accepted their key cards, and muttered their quiet thanks while the Tang cousins stood beside them, smiling like saints who'd just performed a good deed.
As they headed toward the elevator, Liang Yue sighed dramatically. "We're gonna die, Wen Wen. Death by politeness and dimples."
Ning Wen pinched the bridge of his nose. "Let's just… hope they sleep early."
Behind them, Tang Zeyan and Tang Ruihan exchanged a subtle glance, small smiles tugging at their lips—mission accomplished.
Liang Yue silently cried inside while Ning Wen sighed and gave his friend's back a sympathetic pat as they stepped into the elevator. The Tang cousins followed right behind, unbothered as ever.
When the doors closed, silence wrapped the space — stiff and heavy — at least for Ning Wen and Liang Yue. The Tang brothers, on the other hand, looked perfectly relaxed, as if the tension didn't exist for them at all.
Their rooms were on opposite sides of the hallway, so they eventually had to split up.
"I just hope Brother Ning won't find me troublesome," Tang Zeyan said, hands tucked behind his head, his voice lazy and teasing as he trailed after Ning Wen.
Ning Wen didn't bother replying, already used to that tone.
Inside the room, it wasn't exactly grand, but cozy — two beds side by side, a small table between them, a cupboard, and a balcony overlooking a lush green view that shimmered under the sunlight. It was peaceful, the kind of view that instantly made Ning Wen's shoulders relax.
He unpacked his clothes and essentials while Tang Zeyan sprawled on one of the beds, testing its softness.
"Brother Ning," Tang Zeyan spoke without looking up, still staring at the ceiling, "you should take a cold shower and rest."
Ning Wen glanced over.
"Didn't you had a headache earlier?" Tang Zeyan added casually. "I'm actually pretty good at massages. When you're done, I can help if you want."
The words came out so gently, with a hint of care tucked under his usual smooth tone — that made Ning Wen froze.
How did he even notice? Ning Wen had made sure to act composed, hiding his discomfort of the headache which he got after waking up from that short nap earlier. Unless… he'd been paying attention all along.
The realization made his ears burn.
"…Okay," Ning Wen muttered awkwardly, snatching a fresh set of clothes before escaping into the bathroom for a cold shower.
After a long, cool shower, Ning Wen finally felt refreshed. He slipped into a soft white T-shirt and black shorts that brushed just above his knees, the simple outfit making him look quietly effortless. Towel in hand, he walked to the balcony, letting the breeze dry his damp hair while his eyes wandered over the calm stretch of green hills outside.
From the bed, Tang Zeyan watched. His gaze traced the soft droplets clinging to Ning Wen's neck, the pale skin of his nape half-hidden beneath dark strands of hair, and the way his long legs caught the sunlight — smooth, lean, and completely distracting.
He forced himself to look away, schooling his face back into something that resembled composure.
"Don't you want to take a shower too?" Ning Wen asked casually, walking back toward him, completely unaware of the storm he'd just caused.
Tang Zeyan's lips curved slightly. "I will. After I give you that massage. You can rest after — I'll make sure you feel better."
Ning Wen hesitated for a second before nodding and sitting down in front of him, turning his back.
Tang Zeyan wiped his hands on his pants, his pulse beating faster than he'd admit. For a moment, he just stared at the back of Ning Wen's head, debating if he was even deserving to touch him. Then, as if giving in, he finally reached out — fingers slipping gently into soft, still-damp hair, his thumbs pressing lightly against the base of Ning Wen's skull.
The warmth under his fingertips was addictive.
He bit down on the inside of his cheek, forcing his focus to stay on the massage instead of the pale curve of Ning Wen's neck right in front of him.
Meanwhile, Ning Wen simply closed his eyes, a faint smile touching his lips as the tension drained from his shoulders. He had no idea about the silent turmoil behind him — or how careful those steady hands were being, as if touching something far too precious.
Tang Zeyan swallowed, the sound barely audible. Then—whether by accident or instinct—his fingers brushed against the pale skin at the back of Ning Wen's neck.
Ning Wen froze. Intentional or not, the touch left behind a warmth that burned too long to ignore. His shoulders stiffened; his gaze darted away as a faint blush crept up his nape.
Tang Zeyan's breath hitched, but he quickly looked elsewhere, pretending to focus on the massage again. The silence between them thickened until Ning Wen finally cleared his throat.
"I think that's enough... go take your shower," he said quietly, rubbing the back of his neck as if to erase the lingering heat.
Tang Zeyan straightened, nodding a little too fast. The usual calm in his expression cracked into something awkward—almost boyish—and Ning Wen missed the fleeting redness in his ears.
Grabbing his clothes, Tang Zeyan escaped into the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind him.
Left alone, Ning Wen stared at the door for a moment before exhaling. His eyes lowered, lashes trembling slightly. He pressed his lips together, fingers brushing over his nape again—right where that accidental touch still seemed to hum against his skin.
Liang Yue slept like a cat in the sun—until his phone alarm screamed him back to life. He jolted upright, eyes half-open, hair sticking up in every direction. A quick glance at the screen told him it was already afternoon—time to head for the camp site.
For a few seconds he sat there, blinking dumbly at the sunlight pooling across the floor. Then the memories hit: the quick shower, the towel over his head, the I'm-not-talking-to-him-I-swear attitude as he avoided Tang Ruihan's gaze… and then lying down just for a minute. Apparently that minute had lasted hours.
Except now… everything looked suspiciously neat. His blanket was tucked in like a hotel commercial. His hair—dry. His bag—folded and placed neatly on the table instead of the floor. None of that screamed I did this myself.
Liang Yue's throat went dry. Slowly, like in a horror movie, he lifted his gaze—
and there he was.
Tang Ruihan sat in the chair across from him, legs crossed, scrolling through his phone like a model taking a break between photo shoots. One hand held the phone, the other lifted a cup of coffee to his lips. Calm, collected, perfect. His loose white shirt made him look annoyingly composed for someone who had just watched a man drool in his sleep.
Liang Yue's mind short-circuited.
Tang Ruihan lifted his gaze, eyes softening at the sight of Liang Yue blinking at him, still half-lost between sleep and reality.
"Brother Yue, you're awake," he said, voice smooth as velvet. "You should eat something. We'll have to leave for the camp soon, remember?"
Liang Yue nodded slowly, like someone still buffering. His feet touched the floor, and he rubbed his messy hair, wandering toward the table in a daze.
Tang Ruihan's posture stiffened for a second—his gaze lingering a bit too long on Liang Yue's messy bird's-nest hair, the slightly crooked shirt collar that slipped down to show a bit of pale collarbone. The coffee he raised to his lips suddenly felt… way hotter than before.
Completely unaware, Liang Yue hummed happily while fixing the blanket and tidying his bed. Then, spotting the food, he practically skipped over, eyes lighting up like a kid at a candy stall.
"Have you eaten?" he mumbled through a mouthful of food.
Tang Ruihan just hummed, handing him a tissue with that calm, infuriatingly gentle look that made Liang Yue's brain short-circuit for a second.
"Uh… thanks for earlier," Liang Yue said, wiping his lips.
Tang Ruihan tilted his head, feigning innocence. "For what?"
"You know what." Liang Yue waved a hand vaguely. "For drying my hair and tucking me in like some grandma. You're actually… really good. Better than I thought." He paused, cheeks a bit pink. "Since you've been nice, I'll forgive you for being so annoying earlier."
Tang Ruihan's lips curved. "You found me annoying?"
"Very," Liang Yue said between bites. "It hurts my pride when someone younger acts more mature. You make me feel… stupid."
That earned a quiet laugh from Tang Ruihan. He rested his cheek on his hand, eyes soft, the faintest hint of amusement curling his lips as he watched Liang Yue eat with full concentration.
"Brother Yue," he murmured after a moment, voice almost teasing, "if being mature annoys you that much… I can try to act childish instead."
Liang Yue froze mid-bite. "Don't you dare."
Tang Ruihan smiled wider. "Too late."
On the other side, Ning Wen watched Tang Zeyan sitting on the bed—so still and quiet it felt almost unnatural for someone like him.
"Hey… what's wrong with you?" Ning Wen asked, rifling through his bag to grab his clothes and get ready for the camp site.
"Nothing much," Tang Zeyan replied, giving a small, soft smile.
Ning Wen frowned, studying him. "Are you… feeling sick?" His brow furrowed as he remembered how Tang Zeyan had been unusually quiet ever since Ning Wen woke from his short nap after the massaging session.
Tang Zeyan blinked, clearly not expecting Ning Wen to notice. With a little nod, he admitted it in a way that made him look like a shy, obedient child.
Ning Wen's lips curved in amusement. He found it oddly endearing to see Tang Zeyan—usually so confident, teasing, and irritating—looking fragile and… genuinely cute. Smiling to himself, he reached for his bag.
"It's probably just the long trip. It happens," Ning Wen said, rifling through his bag for a moment before pulling out a small pill packet. He grabbed a glass of water and walked over to Tang Zeyan, holding both out to him.
"Here, take this. You'll feel better soon," Ning Wen said gently. Then, with a teasing tilt in his voice, he added, "You can't assist me if you get sick, can you?"
Tang Zeyan blinked at him, caught off guard as Ning Wen quietly flipped the tables—this time, the one teasing was Ning Wen.
Tang Zeyan felt his heart thumping loudly in his chest as he tried to hide the blush spreading across his cheeks. He took the pill, drank the water, and mumbled, "Thank you… Brother Ning. You're… so good to me."
"Hmm, I know I'm great," Ning Wen chuckled softly, turning back to his bag to get changed.
Tang Zeyan stayed seated, clutching a pillow and burying his face in it like an overexcited little chipmunk. Ning Wen's smile and words replayed in his mind, making him feel almost dizzy. He gripped the pillow tighter, fighting the overwhelming flurry of feelings, but the grin on his face refused to fade.