The day had drifted by in the sweetest way possible. Everyone had split up to enjoy the scenery on their own, then somehow gravitated back together, walking slowly toward the hotel before the sky dimmed into evening.
Ning Wen was still flustered from what happened earlier, trying so hard to act cool his soul was practically sweating. He kept his face calm, steps steady, eyes forward. Totally fake.
Tang Zeyan wasn't doing any better. Hands stuffed into his jacket pockets, expression peaceful… meanwhile his heart was literally conducting a full percussion concert under his ribs.
Tang Ruihan was equally doomed, still rebooting after whatever had happened with Liang Yue. Meanwhile Liang Yue? Man was walking like sunshine in human form. Zero stress, zero overthinking. Wild.
"I've gotten so many pics," Liang Yue announced proudly, scrolling through his phone.
"I bet all of them are about bugs," Zhang Kai said, deadpan.
"Yes it is. And I hope all these bug photos crawl into your dreams and haunt your sleep tonight," Liang Yue shot back.
"Oh shut up." Zhang Kai groaned, then suddenly smirked with evil intent. "Actually… I've got a way to haunt you too."
He yanked open his bag and pulled out two pink shirts with a cartoon kitten printed on them. One white kitten, one black. Both aggressively cute and terrifying for both Liang Yue and Ning Wen.
"Remember something?" Zhang Kai asked, eyebrows raised.
"Oh not this again!" Liang Yue groaned.
Ning Wen rubbed at his temple. "I told you everyone would remember this way too well."
"How was I supposed to know things would end like that?" Liang Yue ruffled his own hair in frustration. "I just wanted to show off."
"I'mma wear it. Darling, let's wear it together," Zhang Kai declared, yanking Qiu Lei closer like he was claiming him on national television.
Qiu Lei stumbled, glasses slipping down his nose as he pushed them back up with a flustered tap. The tips of his ears were definitely pink.
"Hey, we wore it as a friends' twinning thing, not like a couple," Liang Yue protested.
Ning Wen nodded earnestly beside him, like this reminder was vital to the order of the universe.
"Who cares?" Zhang Kai said, draping the cursed pink shirts over Qiu Lei's shoulders. "Darling, we can make it a couple outfit now, can't we?"
"...Let me go," Qiu Lei muttered quietly, but Zhang Kai clung tighter, shameless.
Hu Fang suddenly snapped his fingers. "Oh, that reminds me of something from years ago."
"What?" Liang Yue asked, suspicious.
"That phase when everyone thought you two were dating," Wu Ming squeaked, pointing straight at Ning Wen and Liang Yue.
"WHAT?!" Liang Yue screamed.
Ning Wen blinked, startled. "Wait… seriously?"
Wu Ming and Hu Fang nodded so aggressively it looked rehearsed.
"No way y'all actually thought that?" Liang Yue demanded.
"Oh, we didn't think," Hu Fang said. "We were convinced."
Liang Yue threw his hands up. "Why would I marry my baby? Actually I would. But there are… well, some problems… anyway, forget that." He spun dramatically, grabbing Ning Wen. "Wen Wen, marry me!"
He hugged Ning Wen with sparkly eyes like he was proposing on a mountaintop.
Ning Wen flushed a little, awkward but not uncomfortable. Liang Yue said stuff like this all the time. It was just their chaos friendship.
But then he met Tang Zeyan's eyes.
It was intense.
And Ning Wen felt goosebumps ripple down his spine, sudden and electric.
Like Tang Zeyan hadn't said a word, but his gaze alone whispered:
'I don't like that. And I don't want to share you.'
Tang Ruihan felt the same tension snap through him like a live wire. "Brother Yue, just...what are you doing?" he burst out, grabbing Liang Yue and yanking him back to his side. He sounded one breath away from crying, honestly, which made Liang Yue blink at him in confusion.
At the same time, Tang Zeyan's hand closed around Ning Wen's wrist.
Gentle.
Firm.
Unmistakable.
"Brother Yue," Tang Zeyan said calmly, "I don't think you can do that."
"And why not? Who's gonna stop me from marrying my Ning Wen?" Liang Yue shot back, eyebrows raised like he was challenging the universe.
Tang Zeyan didn't blink.
Didn't look away.
Just stared at Liang Yue with this flat, serious gaze that felt like a warning wrapped in politeness.
Liang Yue's voice cracked a little. "Uh… Little Ruihan… hello? Translate this look of your brother for me."
Tang Ruihan sighed, rubbing his face. "You know exactly what it means."
Liang Yue gasped. "Right. RIGHT. Oh shit, I forgot that he's in love with Ning Wen. So he's jealous and mad at me for saying that, right?" he whispered like an overexcited small animal.
Tang Ruihan nodded again, exhausted.
Liang Yue exhaled. "Oh good."
Then immediately coughed, trying to look dignified. "Well fine. I'm not marrying Ning Wen. But that doesn't mean you get him either. I'm keeping my eyes on you. Forever. Don't forget that."
Tang Zeyan gave him a tight, polite smile that somehow felt like he was saying try it.
Liang Yue shivered.
"Okay, okay, stop being like that. Some of us singles are still trying to survive out here," Hu Fang complained.
"So what? I'm single too," Liang Yue argued.
Everyone ignored him. Truly ignored him. Just kept walking.
Tang Zeyan's hand didn't leave Ning Wen's wrist. If anything, his grip softened but stayed there, guiding Ning Wen forward, pulling him ahead of the group like he was quietly claiming space at his side.
And Ning Wen… didn't pull away. Not even a little.
Liang Yue lagged a few steps behind, still mumbling to himself like a man plotting world domination. Tang Ruihan naturally stayed with him, matching his pace.
Liang Yue groaned dramatically, "Wow, it's so fun to make a lover boy jealous. I'm totally gonna do it more. But also, I gotta test him properly. I'm not repeating my past disasters."
"What mistake, Brother Yue?"
Liang Yue inhaled like he was preparing for a tragic monologue. "The mistake from back then. I kept saying I didn't like him, but unfortunately didn't do anything and try to pull Wen Wen away from that Jerk Kaishan. If I'd used even two brain cells and one technique, the present would've been way better."
Tang Ruihan blinked, impressed he admitted that.
Liang Yue continued, voice sharp with determination. "So I'm not repeating that. If Tang Zeyan actually truly loves Wen Wen, and I confirm he's nothing like that Jerk Kaishan… then fine. I'll allow it. I just want happiness for my Ning Wen. My darling deserves the entire universe."
Tang Zeyan, who'd slowed down just enough to listen, couldn't hide the flicker of respect in his eyes. "I admire how deeply you care for Brother Ning Wen."
"Of course I do," Liang Yue said immediately. "He's my only family after Grandma. Someone I love and hold dear." His voice dipped, quieter. "I'd do anything for him… I still can't leave him alone even a minute after that incident…"
He didn't explain further, but the heaviness in his tone said enough.
Tang Ruihan's expression softened, unbelievably gentle. He gave Liang Yue a small, warm nod, almost protective and didn't press about the 'incident' Liang Yue didn't wanted to talk about.
Liang Yue swung his arms as he walked, voice turning a bit lighter, like he was sharing a secret diary nobody else ever got to read.
"And I know he feels the same way about me," he said. "There was this one time I had a crush on a guy. Total mistake. I thought he was cool, but he was actually trash. Ning Wen, being Ning Wen, investigated him like he was doing a full FBI background check."
Tang Ruihan almost stumbled. "Investigated?"
"Oh, yeah. The legendary detective Wen Wen." Liang Yue laughed. "He found out the guy was a bully who forced other kids to do his homework and assignments, But you know me, I was dumb and still confessed to him."
Tang Ruihan's jaw tightening. "And then...?"
"Well, he rejected me of course...quite harshly, honestly. But here's the best part," Liang Yue grinned, pride overflowing. "Wen Wen found everything out afterward. And guess what he did?"
Tang Ruihan shook his head, fully invested.
"He exposed the dude to the principal. Got him expelled. Like expelled-expelled. Out of the school in one week. Ning Wen dropped his whole 'polite, composed, angel boy' act and went full gangster for me."
Tang Ruihan blinked hard. "Brother Ning… did that?"
"Yes!" Liang Yue beamed. "He acts gentle, calm, elegant… but when it's about his people? He's ruthless. That side of him is rare. Guess only I got blessed enough to see it."
Tang Ruihan absorbed it all, the new image of Ning Wen forming in his mind. A quiet man with a hidden fire. Someone who could destroy you politely.
Then something darker flickered in his expression. "By the way," he asked carefully, "who was that guy you confessed to?"
His tone sounded calm, but his fingers curled slightly. And in his head, he was definitely imagining giving that jerk a lesson he'd never forget if they'd ever meet.
Liang Yue shrugged. "Don't worry about him. I don't even remember his face. It was high school. Ancient history."
Tang Ruihan nodded, but his eyes said it clearly: If that guy ever resurfaced, he was getting handled.
"And that incident only made me love my Wen Wen more," Liang Yue continued, voice dipping fondly. "Our friendship just got stronger after that. I had this weird urge to never separate from him."
Tang Ruihan leaned in, curious. "So… what did you do?"
Liang Yue smirked like he was about to drop a scandal. "It's a secret."
"What is it?" Tang Ruihan asked again, too fast, too interested.
Liang Yue finally confessed with a little proud grin. "I ended up taking the medical field with him. Just so I could stay with him."
Tang Ruihan blinked. "You… picked your whole career because of Ning Wen?"
"Yup. Zero interest at first. But then it kinda grew on me. And now, bam, I'm a whole cardiologist." Liang Yue laughed softly. "Sometimes I wonder if it even suits me. My patients never believe someone like me can be a doctor of something so serious."
Tang Ruihan stared at him a bit too long. Something like admiration and something deeper flickered through his eyes.
"Is that why you're so serious during checkups?" he asked, voice gentler than usual.
"Half of it," Liang Yue scoffed, then giggled, slightly smug. "The other half is because I actually take my patients seriously, okay? I'm not a menace twenty-four-seven."
Tang Ruihan shook his head, a faint grin tugging his lips.
If Liang Yue thought choosing a career for someone was normal friendship behavior, Tang Ruihan couldn't wait to see what he'd do once he realized he was basically Tang Ruihan's entire universe.
His lips curved, soft and helpless, like he couldn't stop himself even if he tried.
"You're really amazing, Brother Yue."
Liang Yue blinked, actually taken aback for a second. "Oh? You think so?"
"Yes," Tang Ruihan said, voice steady but warmer than usual. "You're very cool. You're… really impressive. And someone I… admire a lot."
His tone dipped lower at the last part, quiet enough to hide, loud enough to mean everything.
Liang Yue didn't catch the shift at all. He just beamed, shy but smug. "Of course I'm amazing. Finally someone notices. Anyway, let's go. I'm hungry."
And with that dramatic flourish, he marched ahead with long, bouncy steps.
Tang Ruihan just shook his head fondly before following. The sky was dim now, the path darker, so he thumbed on his phone's flashlight and angled it toward the ground ahead of Liang Yue.
Liang Yue didn't even look back. Didn't think for one second about rocks, or holes, or the fact that someone was literally guarding his every step. He just hopped over little stones, swung his arms, and rambled loudly about everything and nothing: what he wanted to eat, some bug he photographed, a funny-shaped cloud he saw earlier, how he was totally sure he'd become a K-drama lead in his next life.
His laughter echoed in the cooling air, bright and reckless.
Tang Ruihan walked half a step behind, light steady, gaze soft. He hummed along to Liang Yue's chatter, nodding at every rant, every joke, every ridiculous tangent.
Every time Liang Yue skipped over a bigger stone, Tang Ruihan shifted the light closer.
Every time Liang Yue turned to grin at him mid-sentence, Tang Ruihan's heart squeezed just a little more.
And somewhere along that dim path, with Liang Yue's voice filling the whole space, Tang Ruihan realized, very surely:
His world wasn't just following Liang Yue.
His world was Liang Yue.
Night had fallen, and everyone had retreated to their respective hotel rooms.
Ning Wen headed to the bathroom for a quick shower, hoping to wash away both the day's heat and the fluster racing through his chest.
Tang Zeyan sat on the edge of the bed, hands gripping the sheets, heart thudding erratically. Every time Ning Wen allowed himself to be carefree—every small touch, every shy glance—it was like a spark Tang Zeyan had to fight against, a battle to not let his desire ruin the fragile, perfect moment between them.
His gaze flickered toward Ning Wen as he stepped out of the bathroom. Wet hair clinging to his forehead, glistening under the soft room light, he wore a loose white t-shirt and pants, the fabric damp and soft against his skin. A towel rested atop his head as he asked casually, "What happened?"
Tang Zeyan shook his head, trying to regain composure. "Ah… nothing."
Ning Wen's heart softened at the sight of him, though the flush painting his cheeks made him a little concerned. Stepping closer, he reached out, cradling Tang Zeyan's face in one palm, while the other hovered near his forehead, checking for a fever. "Are you sure? You're not sick, are you?"
The simple gesture—so tender, so intimate—made Tang Zeyan's face burn hotter, his pulse spiking. He wanted to say something, anything, but all he could manage was a shaky inhale, trapped in the warmth of Ning Wen's hands.
"You're burning up… wait, I'll get you some meds," Ning Wen started, but Tang Zeyan cut him off.
"No need, brother Ning. I'm fine… really. It's not a fever. It's… something else."
"And what's that?" Ning Wen asked, curious and slightly teasing.
"My overwhelming feelings… pouring out for you," Tang Zeyan said quietly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Ning Wen blinked for a second before bursting out laughing. "Okay… that sounded way more hilarious than romantic."
"No matter how it sounds," Tang Zeyan replied, eyes soft, voice low, "being able to make you laugh… that's what matters. That's my reward."
Ning Wen's face flushed pink, and he coughed softly, trying to hide it.
"Brother Ning… can I dry your hair for you?" Tang Zeyan asked, voice gentle, almost hesitant.
"Ah… sure," Ning Wen replied, settling down on the bed.
Tang Zeyan took the towel and began to dry Ning Wen's hair slowly, carefully, savoring every moment. His hands moved gently, brushing the damp strands, lingering longer than necessary. Ning Wen closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth, the closeness, the feeling of being cared for.
Suddenly, Ning Wen's phone lit up. He reached over and saw the caller—Jiang Kaishan.
His chest tightened. Answering now would hurt Tang Zeyan. But ignoring it entirely would also create a mess.
Ning Wen opened the chat instead, scrolling through messages. Since arriving at camp, their chat had been nearly empty. Jiang Kaishan had been persistent with calls and texts, but Ning Wen had barely replied, his responses short, almost indifferent. Ning Wen had always kept tabs on Jiang Kaishan before, calling and texting every day, but now… now his attention, his heart, was elsewhere. Someone better. Someone real.
Ning Wen read the text, his brow slightly furrowing.
"Are you at work?" Jiang Kaishan had asked.
"No, I just returned to the hotel and took a shower," Ning Wen replied.
"Good."
Then another message came.
"By the way, who are you sharing the hotel room with? Liang Yue?"
Ning Wen hesitated for a moment, then typed truthfully. "No."
"Then who is it? Who are you comfortable enough to share a room with if it's not Liang Yue? Ning Wen, are you doing something behind my back that you're not supposed to?"
Just reading the words, Ning Wen could feel the sharp edge of Jiang Kaishan's anger.
But Ning Wen didn't feel guilty. Not really. He had already crossed the line Jiang Kaishan warned him about… and yet, he was basking in the warmth and closeness Tang Zeyan offered. Every second of it felt too sweet, too precious to feel guilty about.
He let out a soft sigh and typed a short, measured reply. "Don't overthink. I've work at morning, so I'll get go to sleep, Bye."
He set the phone aside, tossing it back onto the bed.
Tang Zeyan stayed quietly focused, hands still steady as he dried Ning Wen's hair. His gaze lingered on the soft strands, every motion calm and deliberate, yet Ning Wen could feel a quiet intensity beneath the gentleness.
Tang Zeyan didn't speak, didn't question, didn't even glance at the phone.
Ning Wen's voice softened, his frown easing after he set the phone aside. "You're very quiet tonight… that's surprising."
He heard Tang Zeyan take a deep breath, voice low and husky. "Brother Ning… don't tease me."
"I'm not teasing you."
"You are. You're being mean to me."
"Again with that," Ning Wen replied, a gentle edge in his tone. "I really haven't ever been mean to you, Tang Zeyan. Otherwise, you wouldn't even call this me being mean. You haven't seen me being mean for real."
Tang Zeyan's voice dipped lower, hesitant. "Oh… then you're going to be mean?"
"No… why would you think that?" Ning Wen asked.
"What else should I think? I'm… hurt. Don't sweat over it. I will be fine anytime soon."
"Why are you hurt?" Ning Wen blinked, leaning slightly closer, though Tang Zeyan couldn't see him well from behind.
Tang Zeyan's voice shook just a little. "See, brother Ning… you're definitely being mean and teasing me. Tell me… how should someone feel, seeing the one they have feelings for… text and talk to someone else… someone who happened to be their crush?"
Ning Wen's chest tightened. He could feel the raw edge of Tang Zeyan's hurt even without seeing his face. Tang Zeyan was sulking, clearly wounded, and Ning Wen knew he couldn't ignore it.
Ning Wen replied softly, voice low and steady. "He isn't my crush."
Tang Zeyan's eyes flickered slightly, curiosity mixed with something darker. "Then… what is he?"
"He's… my past," Ning Wen muttered, eyes lowered.
Tang Zeyan's expression remained calm, almost expressionless, but inside, a quiet satisfaction bloomed. Hearing Ning Wen admit that Jiang Kaishan wasn't his crush—just a part of his past—was enough to give him hope. That past could fade, and he knew all he needed was time, patience, and Ning Wen's trust to fill the space left behind.
"Brother Ning…" Tang Zeyan's voice softened, gentle and steady. He set the towel aside and placed a hand lightly on Ning Wen's shoulder, turning him to meet his gaze. His fingers brushed stray strands of hair from Ning Wen's forehead, careful, tender.
Ning Wen looked up, eyes glistening in the soft light, meeting Tang Zeyan's steady, warm stare.
"Let's not talk about it anymore… don't be sad, don't overthink, okay?" Tang Zeyan's thumb traced the cold curve of Ning Wen's cheek, warm and grounding.
Ning Wen blinked slowly, heart softening at the gentle touch, then nodded, a quiet trust settling between them.
"It's just… I'd like to add something, if you'll allow me," Tang Zeyan said hesitantly, voice soft, almost unsure.
Ning Wen's gaze softened, a small smile tugging at his lips. "What is it?" he asked, eyes bright with quiet curiosity.
Tang Zeyan pursed his lips, heart racing. "He may be your past…" His voice faltered slightly. "But I… I want to be your present and your future. Can you… allow that?"
Ning Wen's chest warmed at the words, heart fluttering. He lowered his eyes shyly, a small blush rising. "Can you… can you wait a little longer for that answer?"
A genuine, bright smile spread across Tang Zeyan's face, his eyes shining with uncontained joy. "Yes. I can… and I will. Don't worry. Whenever you're ready with your answer, I'll be here, waiting patiently."
Ning Wen's gaze lingered on him, heart softened. He had never seen anyone so genuinely, radiantly happy at being asked to wait… and it made him want to trust Tang Zeyan even more.
Tang Zeyan smiled, leaning closer, his lips brushing gently against Ning Wen's forehead. Ning Wen closed his eyes, savoring the warmth and tenderness of the gesture. He loved Tang Zeyan's forehead kisses—they always made him feel special, cared for, and gentle.
Tang Zeyan lingered for a moment before pulling back slightly to meet Ning Wen's eyes. His fingers brushed through Ning Wen's damp hair as he whispered softly, "Okay… now don't think about all this. Go to sleep and rest properly. And yes… have sweet dreams."
Ning Wen chuckled, a soft warmth spreading through his chest. "Same to you too."
Tang Zeyan's eyes glimmered, a teasing edge in his gentle smile. "Of course… I'd have sweet dreams, and it's nothing else but you and me…"
"Okay, okay! I've heard enough!" Ning Wen interrupted, his face flushed red. He jumped up and dove under his blanket, hiding from Tang Zeyan's teasing. "Good night!"
Tang Zeyan laughed softly, watching him retreat, heart full and warm.