The night was crisp, the bonfire crackling warmly, flames flickering shadows across the forest around them. Laughter, chatter, and the aroma of sizzling meats filled the air, wrapping the campsite in a cozy, lively chaos.
"By the way," Zhang Kai said between bites, nodding toward Tang Zeyan and Tang Ruihan, "you two are the youngest here and not doctors, just guests. How's the experience so far?"
Tang Zeyan spoke politely, his tone calm but eyes flicking to Ning Wen. "It's really enjoyable. The scenery, the food… and I've learned a lot, thanks to Brother Ning's guidance."
Ning Wen, mouth full of chicken, froze for a heartbeat, nearly choking as Tang Zeyan's gaze pinned him in place. He swallowed carefully, trying to keep his composure, feeling his chest tighten in a way he wasn't used to.
Tang Ruihan added with his usual smooth calm, "Yes, I'm enjoying it more than I expected as well."
"Glad to hear that. Tang Ruihan, didn't you agree to come along with Tang Zeyan at the last minute? What changed your mind?" Qiu Lei asked, curiosity lacing his tone.
Liang Yue, pausing mid-chew of corn and stretching for a distant piece of chicken, chimed in with a dramatic tilt of his head. "Yeah, why'd you come?"
Tang Ruihan tilted the plate closer to Liang Yue before answering, his calm gaze settling on the younger boy. "Maybe… the universe wanted me to be here to take care of you."
Liang Yue blinked, genuinely baffled. "Ridiculous! Why'd you need to take care of me? Don't forget I'm older than you, okay?!"
Tang Ruihan's lips curved in a subtle, almost indulgent smile, his eyes softening at Liang Yue's flustered expression. He simply shook his head, finding the elder boy unbearably cute in that moment.
"Actually… I only tagged along to help Tang Zeyan out, but who knew…" His eyes flicked to Liang Yue, "that I'd find my own purpose here as well."
Everyone at the table froze for a moment, curiosity sparking.
"Help him?" Qiu Lei frowned, leaning forward.
"Help him with what?" Wu Ming added, eyebrows raised.
He Fang chimed in, "Yeah, tell us—what exactly are you helping Tang Zeyan with?"
Zhang Kai didn't hold back either. "And what's this 'own purpose' you found? Spill it already."
The four of them were buzzing like insects, impossible to ignore, eyes all glued to Tang Ruihan and Tang Zeyan.
Ning Wen, meanwhile, felt a sudden chill run through him. He focused on his food, deliberately avoiding the heat of their curious stares.
Tang Zeyan, calm and collected, let his gaze linger on Ning Wen for a moment before saying softly, "It's a secret."
Tang Ruihan nodded, playing along, and the four curious friends exchanged frustrated glances.
Liang Yue, never one to let mysteries slide, scooted closer to Tang Ruihan, whispering suspiciously, "Is it… about his love or something?"
The distance between them shrank, and Liang Yue's chest pressed lightly against Tang Ruihan's arm. Tang Ruihan's breath hitched just slightly at the closeness, his eyes catching Liang Yue's intense, detective-like stare. The sight was impossibly cute, and he couldn't help smiling. "Yes," he whispered, leaning down to gently bop Liang Yue's nose. "But don't tell anyone. Keep it a secret, okay?"
Liang Yue blinked, processing for a moment, then almost shouted, "What?!"
Tang Ruihan was startled—not by the words, but by the volume—but hushed him quickly. "Shh…"
Liang Yue nodded quickly, lowering his voice. "That means… the one he's loved all these years is here… in this camp… with us?"
Tang Ruihan's eyes flicked toward Tang Zeyan, who was casually smiling, still watching Ning Wen with those soft, unreadable eyes. He gave a subtle nod. "Yes."
Liang Yue's eyes widened, excitement sparking. "Omg… that makes this a hundred times more interesting! You mean I already know the person he loves?!"
Tang Ruihan sighed inwardly. Probably longer than Zeyan does…
"Can't you just tell me who it is already?" Liang Yue begged.
Tang Ruihan shook his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Let it stay a secret. How about you try to figure it out yourself? Isn't it more fun that way?"
Liang Yue's grin returned immediately, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Ah… yes! I love being a detective!" He wiggled his eyebrows and leaned back, already plotting.
On the other hand, Ning Wen's mind was in turmoil, trapped under Tang Zeyan's unwavering gaze. Just then, his phone buzzed. He instinctively knew who it was.
His eyes widened as a sudden realization hit him—he'd forgotten to message or call Jiang Kaishan all day. Shock coursed through him; no matter how busy he'd been before, he always managed at least a quick text, even if there was no reply. But today… today he hadn't even thought of Jiang Kaishan. His thoughts had been entirely consumed by someone else, someone in front of him now, whose presence clouded both his mind and his heart.
Ning Wen's gaze flickered back to Tang Zeyan, who was delicately peeling shrimp and placing them on Ning Wen's plate. Each small, deliberate movement—so gentle, so careful—made Ning Wen's chest tighten.
"Brother Ning, what happened?" Tang Zeyan asked softly, catching Ning Wen staring.
"Ah… I… nothing. You don't have to do this. Don't trouble yourself," Ning Wen managed to murmur, voice betraying a slight shakiness.
Tang Zeyan's smile only deepened, warm and unbothered. "It really isn't a trouble, Brother Ning. Trust me, I'm enjoying what I'm doing."
He placed another shrimp on Ning Wen's plate, and Ning Wen's heart skipped a beat. The small gesture, so thoughtful yet unassuming, made him feel both flustered and entirely helpless to look away.
"Wen Wen!" Liang Yue's voice rang out, sharp and urgent.
Ning Wen's heart skipped knowing, since He wasn't answering the calls, Jiang Kaishan called Liang Yue instead. Liang Yue didn't hesitate; he sprinted toward a quieter spot, leaving Ning Wen no choice but to follow.
Tang Zeyan's smile faltered instantly the moment he sensed Ning Wen's tension, his brows knitting with unease. Tang Ruihan's gaze followed too, and the two brothers exchanged a knowing look.
"Don't you think you should do something about him already?" Tang Ruihan asked quietly, observing Tang Zeyan's obvious capability to act, yet noting the restraint.
"I can't," Tang Zeyan whispered, shaking his head. "Not yet… Brother Ning wouldn't approve. I… I still need more time." His gaze dropped, glimmering with unspoken emotion as it lingered on Ning Wen's shadow moving away from the table.
Every line of his expression betrayed longing, worry, and a desperate need he couldn't yet act on. He exhaled slowly, a quiet mix of frustration and helplessness.
Tang Ruihan only gave his shoulder a reassuring pat, silent acknowledgment of the storm brewing behind those hazel eyes.
Liang Yue's voice was sharp, heated, completely unrestrained as he ignored Ning Wen's protests. "You junk head! Why the hell do you keep forgetting Ning Wen is a damn doctor! Not your little housewife who stays at home waiting for your calls and texts all day. He used to do that for you, and you didn't care! And now suddenly you freak out because he didn't? Just what do you want? What are you even doing, bothering him while he works?!"
"Liang Yue, I didn't call you to listen to your rubbish. Just hand over the phone to Ning Wen," Jiang Kaishan's voice cut through, deep and sharp, brimming with anger.
"Lil Yue, stop—" Ning Wen tried to intervene, but Liang Yue shoved him gently aside.
"And why should I? So you can again manipulate him with your disgusting so-called sweet and toxic words? Joke's on you, but you can't do it when I'm here. I've had enough of you spreading your toxicity over my Ning Wen, and this ends now!" Liang Yue spat back, fiery and passionate.
"Liang Yue! You're speaking way too much right now. I don't want an outsider like you interfering in my relationship, so hand the phone back to Ning Wen, now," Jiang Kaishan snapped, his patience fraying.
"Outsider? Me? Excuse me! I've known him longer than you, jerk! And how dare you call me an idiot? If I were an idiot, I'd be sitting in your precious CEO chair running your daddy's failed company, not telling you off!" Liang Yue shot back, sass and fire in every word, leaving Jiang Kaishan momentarily speechless with anger.
Ning Wen's chest tightened, his mind flashing back to old memories. Jiang Kaishan's temper, his pride, and his weak points—he knew exactly which strings Liang Yue dared to pull, and it both scared and unsettled him, remembering how easily it had hurt before.
Ning Wen's voice finally snapped into something firm, the kind he almost never used on Liang Yue. "Liang Yue, please calm down and give me the phone." He didn't even wait, just reached out and snatched it back.
Liang Yue puffed up like a furious little cat, arms crossing tight. "I wasn't done."
"No need," Ning Wen said, sharper this time. "I told you enough times to not talk to him like that, especially about that. You know what happened last time, and you're repeating it again?"
Liang Yue's jaw clenched. "I don't care! I don't give a damn about what happened. I do care about you, and I'm not just gonna stand here watching my best friend get treated like this by some unwanted, ego-tripped son of a bastard like him!"
Ning Wen's breath hitched at those words. He forced himself to stay calm. "I'm the same too… I don't want him hurting you again. I can't stand it. Last time was enough." His voice softened, cracking a little with memories he wished he could burn out of existence. "It's fine if he says or does anything to me. We're in a relationship, so… this is normal, okay? But it isn't if you get involved. So please, Lil Yue… listen to me. Go eat something. I'll be back quickly."
Liang Yue stared at him, fists shaking. Ning Wen's gentle pleading expression was basically his kryptonite. After a long, heavy beat, he exhaled hard, shoulders dropping.
"Tch… fine," he muttered, turning around, stomping off like an angry duck because he physically couldn't tell Ning Wen no.
Ning Wen spoke into the phone with rapid, careful precision, almost like a maid giving a proper report to their master, repeating his apologies and explanations twice to make sure Jiang Kaishan understood. He begged, coaxed, even pleaded subtly for patience, making sure the older man wouldn't do anything rash—or worse, get angrier at Liang Yue.
Liang Yue, however, hadn't left. He lingered a short distance away, arms crossed, frowning deeply, eyebrows drawn in a rare expression of irritation and tension that made it clear how badly his mood had soured.
Both Tang Zeyan and Tang Ruihan noticed it immediately, realizing how serious the situation had become. Tang Zeyan's eyes narrowed for a second before he bolted toward Ning Wen without a word, worry etched into every movement.
Liang Yue's frown deepened at the sight. "Why's he running? Looking so worried, like his lover's about to die or something?" His voice was low, roughened by anger, carrying a huskiness Tang Ruihan had never heard from him before.
Tang Ruihan stayed silent, not because he didn't know the answer, but because he was stunned. Liang Yue's usual goofy, sweet face had hardened into something sharp, tense, and undeniably magnetic. The crossed arms, the narrowed eyes, the low, controlled anger—it was the kind of sight that could make anyone's heart skip. Tang Ruihan couldn't tear his eyes away, feeling a strange, magnetic pull toward the intensity radiating from Liang Yue in that moment.
He blinked, realizing in that moment that if Liang Yue had always been the cutest person he'd ever seen, now he was also the hottest. The intensity radiating off him—the sharp gaze, the tense jaw, the barely restrained energy—made Tang Ruihan's chest tighten slightly.
Liang Yue broke the silence, voice low but sharp. "Why aren't you answering?"
Tang Ruihan chuckled softly, watching every small movement, every shift of expression on Liang Yue's face. He couldn't help but think how layered and colorful this boy was, how every side of him was worth discovering—and loving—more and more with each passing second. "Well… what you said… isn't untrue," he replied carefully, trying to keep his voice calm.
"The hell you mean? Didn't you say he already has someone he loves?" Liang Yue's eyes flicked toward Ning Wen, who had just hung up, smiling softly as Tang Zeyan whispered a few words to ease his mood.
"He does," Tang Ruihan said simply, savoring the way Liang Yue's brows furrowed, his nostrils flaring slightly, the tension radiating off him like heat.
Liang Yue growled in frustration. "Can you stop talking in short forms and say it properly already? You know what? Forget it—I'll ask myself." Before Tang Ruihan could stop him, Liang Yue bolted forward, and Tang Ruihan followed immediately, catching up as Liang Yue's cheeks flushed a brilliant red from anger—or maybe something else entirely.
"Wen Wen, are you alright?" Liang Yue cupped Ning Wen's face, eyes scanning for any trace of tears or sadness, only to find something completely different staring back at him. Relief washed over him, and his frown finally softened.
"Ah, my baby, you worried me to death," he said dramatically, pulling Ning Wen into a tight hug. "I thought you were going to jump off a cliff or something."
Ning Wen blinked, confused. "What? Why would I do that?"
Liang Yue lowered his voice, a little shaky. "I'm just scared you'd change your mind again."
Understanding flickered across Ning Wen's face. He patted Liang Yue's back gently. "I'm fine. Don't get so grumpy at me. Being mad… it doesn't suit you."
"Why not?" Liang Yue asked, tilting his head.
"That makes you the opposite of what you usually are," Ning Wen replied, tugging lightly at Liang Yue's cheeks.
"I'm dumb… please explain," Liang Yue said, frowning.
"You're usually cute," Ning Wen said simply. "But when you're mad… it's the opposite."
"And the opposite is…?" Liang Yue prompted, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.
Before Ning Wen could answer, a low voice broke the hushed night. "You just become hotter."
Tang Ruihan froze immediately, realizing he'd spoken louder than intended, his ears flushing crimson.
Ning Wen blinked, suspicion sharpening in his gaze as he studied Tang Ruihan. Liang Yue, however, took it entirely as a compliment, his own ears tinged red. "Oh yes, yes, I'm hot. Thanks," he said proudly.
Tang Zeyan observed quietly, reading his brother deeply. A small, almost imperceptible sigh escaped him, a mixture of amusement and something deeper, as he thought that maybe… finally, his brother was starting to feel the same way he did for years now.
Liang Yue's frown suddenly deepened again as he turned his sharp gaze on Tang Zeyan. "You… you seem like quite the expert at making my Wen Wen feel better. I should really be thankful… maybe even share some snacks with you as a proper thank you… but I can't," he muttered, eyebrows knitting. "Don't you have someone you love so dearly? So why are you treating Wen so well? Shouldn't all these gentle gestures, all this comfort, be saved for your loved one?"
A heavy silence fell.
Ning Wen's face flushed a deep crimson, completely unguarded in the quiet night.
Tang Ruihan buried his face in his palm, silently regretting telling Liang Yue anything, while sneaking a glance at Tang Zeyan, who glared at him like a warning dagger.
Liang Yue, however, didn't relent. He tightened his side-hug around Ning Wen, protective and fierce. "Wait… are you cheating on the one you've loved for years? How dare you cheat on them with my Wen Wen? Don't make my friend a cheater along with you," he said, voice low but charged with fiery intensity.
Tang Zeyan drew in a steadying breath, rubbing his face. "Brother Yue… you've got it wrong. I'm not cheating on anyone," he said, voice firm but calm.
Liang Yue narrowed his eyes, unconvinced. "Really? Then explain yourself," he pressed, tightening his hold on Ning Wen ever so slightly, as if daring Tang Zeyan to answer truthfully.
Ning Wen felt the air around him thicken, his chest tightening. He didn't want this. He didn't want it to be true. Especially not hearing it from Tang Zeyan's mouth.
"Lil Yue… stop already. Don't force him if he doesn't want to say. Let's just go eat," Ning Wen pleaded, voice strained.
"No! I want to know this 'someone' of his!" Liang Yue insisted, eyes blazing with curiosity.
Ning Wen opened his mouth, trying to protest, "No… no need for it. His 'someone' must be shy and—"
"...What if that someone is you?!" Tang Zeyan cut him off, his voice low but impossibly sharp.
Silence fell.
Liang Yue's eyes widened, realization dawning like a sudden spark. Tang Ruihan exhaled slowly, a mix of relief and surprise crossing his features.
Ning Wen froze completely, unable to meet Tang Zeyan's steady, intense gaze. His fists clenched, body rigid.
"Tell me, Brother Ning… why are you so quiet?" Tang Zeyan stepped closer, eyes fixed downward at Ning Wen's hair, voice soft but probing. "What if it is you… does that mean you're shy and don't want to admit it?"
Ning Wen's teeth bit into his lip, his heart hammering so loudly he could barely think. He didn't look at Tang Zeyan—not once. Then, without another word, he pivoted on his heels and ran, vanishing from their sight as if trying to erase himself from existence.
Tang Zeyan stayed still, calm yet dark, his gaze following Ning Wen's retreating figure with quiet intensity, unreadable but heavy with everything left unsaid.
Liang Yue froze, mouth agape, hand pressed to his lips. "So… you've been in love with Ning Wen?" His voice was equal parts shock, drama, and disbelief.
Then, just as suddenly, he went silent.
"Actually… you're a way better option for him than that jerk," Liang Yue said finally, smirking. "But still, I won't hand my bestie over that easily. You better work hard, lil bro. Maybe then… maybe then I'll give you my blessings." He winked slyly before darting away, shouting for food.
"All the best," Tang Ruihan added, smirking, and quickly disappeared after him.
Tang Zeyan stayed frozen, the world around him blurring. Then, without thinking, he dropped to his knees, burying his face in his hands. He was going insane. Should he panic about Ning Wen running off after that half-confession? Or should he just melt at how red and flustered Ning Wen had looked as he bolted—so impossibly cute it made his chest ache?
He couldn't decide… and honestly, he didn't think he wanted to.