A Night of Rain and Restless Hearts

Like lively fish darting through a spring brook, and like the thickening curtain of rain on a spring night.

The fish swam in pairs, circling and clinging to each other, moving from one warm stream to another narrow pool, reluctant to part.

The spring rain began as a gentle drizzle, perhaps stirred by the longing of all things, growing denser, the feeling of rain deepening.

In the undisturbed late night, the fish swam freely, the rain fell steadily, and everything seemed just right.

If not for… someone suddenly attacking, Wen Yuzhi cried out in pain, touching his lips—there was blood.

Qin Huairen, following the principle of “strike first and accuse first,” pointed at Wen Yuzhi, “You, you, you…”

Unfortunately, after intense activity, his mouth wasn’t very flexible, and his brain hadn’t fully caught up either—he stammered for a long time without finishing his sentence.

Unexpectedly, Wen Yuzhi smiled when he saw the blood. Qin Huairen frowned, “Are you… stupid?”

Wen Yuzhi wiped the blood from his lips and laughed, “You used to call me a bastard, and I called you a little mutt. Looks like I wasn’t wrong.”

Qin Huairen had thought breaking Wen Yuzhi’s lip would make things awkward, but that smile dissolved the tension.

“Who told you to…” Qin Huairen couldn’t bring himself to say it, mumbling, “Who told you to do that?”

Wen Yuzhi knowingly asked, “Do what?”

Knowing Wen Yuzhi’s personality—just like himself, always seeking payback—Qin Huairen cautiously moved behind a chair. “Stop pretending. You know exactly what you did.”

Qin Huairen had bitten hard, and the blood kept flowing. Wen Yuzhi didn’t bother wiping it, licking his lips as if savoring it.

“You’re drinking your own blood? Are you insane?” Qin Huairen’s eyes widened.

“Ah Ren’s teeth are quite sharp,” Wen Yuzhi teased, licking his lips again, then shamelessly added, “Does this count as an indirect kiss?”

Qin Huairen flushed deeply, grabbing tissues and throwing them at him. “You’re crazy. Wipe it.”

“You bit me, so you wipe it,” Wen Yuzhi handed over tissues. Qin Huairen scoffed, “You started it!”

Wen Yuzhi, even more shameless, circled around the chair with a gentle smile. “Then come bite me back. This time you go first.”

“Like hell I will!” Qin Huairen quickly ran to the sofa. Thankfully it was big enough—if he moved fast, he wouldn’t get caught.

They stood on opposite sides of the sofa. Wen Yuzhi smiled warmly and beckoned. “I still haven’t treated my wound. Now there’s another one. Help me finish it.”

Qin Huairen suddenly remembered—they were supposed to be applying medicine.

The two of them agreed to stop fooling around and properly treat the wounds.

Wen Yuzhi now seemed like blazing fire, wild yet strangely alluring. Qin Huairen couldn’t help glancing at him a few more times.

Their eyes met, and something felt different.

He was still the same person, with the same clear black eyes—but now they sparkled, making Qin Huairen’s heart race.

“Close your eyes,” Qin Huairen said.

Wen Yuzhi obediently did so. Qin Huairen felt less pressure and began treating the wound.

But Wen Yuzhi kept complaining about the pain. In the end, Qin Huairen pinched his face. “What exactly do you want?”

“You’re hurting me,” Wen Yuzhi said pitifully. “You’re not gentle at all. You don’t even blow on it or say anything comforting.”

His soft tone made Qin Huairen’s heart pound. He forced himself to stay calm. “Fine, I’ll be gentle.”

But something felt off—his heart restless, his hands no longer steady.

“Well, I didn’t say no,” Wen Yuzhi suddenly wrapped his arms around Qin Huairen’s waist, pulling him into an embrace.

“I want to apply medicine like this,” he said softly. “When it hurts, I can rely on you.”

…

Qin Huairen was speechless.

But the word “rely” struck him deeply. Being someone others could rely on meant value—and value meant not being abandoned.

The wound on Wen Yuzhi’s lips was messy. Qin Huairen felt both guilty and pained, though part of him thought Wen Yuzhi brought it upon himself.

But… was he really blameless?

The thought that had crossed his mind earlier—he couldn’t deny it.

Even now, looking at Wen Yuzhi’s injured lips, that dangerous thought returned.

When it hurt, Wen Yuzhi hugged him tighter, as if responding. Qin Huairen’s heartbeat quickened.

…

Fortunately, the injury on his cheek only needed ice. Wen Yuzhi could apply ointment himself before bed.

Qin Huairen let out a breath of relief and patted his hand. “Let go.”

…

Looking in the mirror, Qin Huairen’s face was flushed, his heart still racing.

This “treatment” had messed him up completely. He even felt like running away—but outside was pitch dark.

He could only give up.

After washing his face repeatedly, he finally calmed down a bit.

…

Later, Wen Yuzhi admitted he had noticed him long before they ever spoke.

Qin Huairen was shocked—he had never mentioned it before.

“I’m sorry,” Wen Yuzhi said. “At first, I admired how carefree you were. But later I thought it wasn’t safe… Why were you sleeping there?”

Qin Huairen avoided his gaze and drank water. “I sleep wherever I want. None of your business.”

Wen Yuzhi paused, unsure what to make of his reaction.

…

That night, they were both exhausted.

But Wen Yuzhi seemed to draw endless energy just from being around him.

“I’ll take you to the bedroom,” he said.

…

Qin Huairen followed behind, watching him—tall, slender, glowing under the light.

He had always thought Wen Yuzhi was beautiful, but now his gaze lingered differently.

His heart pounded. His face grew warm.

…

Later, Qin Huairen shut himself inside the room, leaning against the door, his heart racing uncontrollably.

Something inside him was waking up—something unfamiliar, yet strangely similar to a dream.

…

Outside, Wen Yuzhi softly asked,

“Can you accept my friend request?”

…

Inside, Qin Huairen stared at the notification for a long time.

In the end… he accepted it.

…

Later, lying in bed, memories flooded back—of the past, of separation, of unfinished emotions.

He had thought they would never meet again.

Yet fate had brought them back together.

…

Exhausted, Qin Huairen eventually fell asleep.

But his dreams were restless—filled with fear, with danger, with Wen Yuzhi being hurt.

He woke up in panic.

…

Morning came.

When Qin Huairen opened the door, he found Wen Yuzhi asleep outside, curled up beside the wall.

Even asleep, he looked beautiful—fragile, almost like a painting.

…

Something in Qin Huairen stirred again.

A fire that had not gone out—now burning even stronger.

…

But reason stopped him.

If he didn’t stop now… things would spiral out of control.

And that was something he couldn’t face.