True Color (COLOR)
.jpg)
The wedding ceremony was a blur for Qi Xing in hindsight. From start to finish, all he could remember was the gaze Ye Xingzhou fixed on him—unabashedly affectionate and warm, and a smile that seemed both familiar and unlike the man he knew.
The ceremony itself was simple, just an exchange of rings. As they slipped the bands onto each other's ring fingers, their eyes met, and they shared a smile. The applause from the guests faded into the background, and in that moment, their love was finally celebrated.
During the toast rounds, Ye Xingzhou kept one arm draped over Qi Xing's shoulder, intimate and unashamed. He remained unflappable in the face of teasing, banter, and even veiled jabs, downing glass after glass of red wine without losing his composure.
Qi Xing finally understood what Ye Xingzhou had meant by "follow my lead." Ye Xingzhou was subtly shielding him from the drinking. Whenever someone tried to pressure Qi Xing, Ye Xingzhou effortlessly redirected the attention with a few words, calm yet assertive.
When Ye Xingzhou raised his glass again, Qi Xing reached over, took it, and downed the remaining half in one go.
"Uncles, aunties, brothers, and sisters, do me a favor. Tonight's our wedding night. If you get Ye Xingzhou drunk, I'll be left staring at him all night, won't I?"
Qi Xing didn't bat an eye at the suggestive remark. He knew that by being shamelessly bold, he could hold his ground.
The onlookers burst into laughter, and even those who had intended to tease couldn't bring themselves to continue.
In that moment, everyone noticed the slightly tipsy Ye Xingzhou turn his head and his lips brush Qi Xing's temple as he smiled with pure delight.
It dawned on everyone—this was what Ye Xingzhou's genuine smile looked like.
The wedding banquet ended around 8 p.m. After seeing off the last guests, Qi Xing exchanged a few words with his parents before heading back to where Ye Xingzhou was waiting by the car.
Ye Xingzhou was leaning against the rear door with a cigarette between his fingers and exhaling smoke into the night.
As Qi Xing approached, before he could speak, Ye Xingzhou pulled him into an embrace and kissed him.
From the other car, Qi Ronghua and his wife caught a glimpse of the scene. One grumbled, "Can't you wait until you get home, you little brat?" while the other laughed heartily, "Young people are so full of energy. Let's go."
Qi Xing tasted the bitter mix of alcohol and tobacco on Ye Xingzhou's lips and frowned in disgust, so he bit him lightly.
Ye Xingzhou pulled back slightly but his lips were still brushing Qi Xing's. "Can't I kiss you?"
"You're drunk, you jerk. Let's go home," Qi Xing retorted.
The driver took them home.
As soon as they stepped inside, before the lights were even on, Ye Xingzhou pinned Qi Xing against the wall by the entrance and kissed him again.
Their breaths intertwined, and the kiss grew more urgent, as if Ye Xingzhou wanted to devour him whole.
Qi Xing tugged at his hair while moaning, "Stop biting me. It hurts."
Ye Xingzhou paused while breathing heavily then kissed him again, even more fiercely than before.
Qi Xing was certain—this man was definitely drunk.
As they stumbled further into the house, shedding their coats and accessories along the way, Ye Xingzhou wrapped his arms around Qi Xing's waist and lifted him onto a waist-high cabinet by the wall, all while continuing to kiss him.
Qi Xing wiped the redness from the corner of Ye Xingzhou's eyes and said between kisses, "Ye Xingzhou, talk to me."
After a final lick at his lips, Ye Xingzhou finally pulled back slightly with his eyes slightly dazed and his voice hoarse. "What do you want me to say?"
Qi Xing chuckled softly. "So you can get drunk too?"
A beast drunk was still a beast, though Ye Xingzhou was trying hard to hold back. Qi Xing could see the raw desire in his eyes, directed solely at him.
Ye Xingzhou murmured a soft "Hmm," and Qi Xing's fingers trailed down his shirt buttons before slipping between the gaps to tease his skin. "You're drunk. Shouldn't I take advantage?"
Ye Xingzhou's intense gaze never left him and his Adam's apple bobbing as he said nothing.
Qi Xing unbuttoned his shirt one by one while his eyes swept over the exposed chest before leaning in to place a kiss over his heart.
"Ye Xingzhou, I really do love you."
Qi Xing's voice was slightly slurred.
He had drunk plenty too, and perhaps he was also a little drunk, but he spoke without any hint of embarrassment.
Ye Xingzhou's breathing grew heavier. He pulled Qi Xing into his arms and hoisted him up before carrying him to the couch.
As Qi Xing was tossed onto the sofa, he pulled Ye Xingzhou down with him till their lips met again.
What followed was unrestrained passion.
Heat coursed through their bodies as Qi Xing's hands roamed over Ye Xingzhou's chest and openly expressed his desperate need.
Ye Xingzhou's hand gripped the back of Qi Xing's knee before lifting his leg over his shoulder.
Sweat dripped down their bodies while their breaths mingled and grew hotter. Qi Xing clung to Ye Xingzhou's damp back while pleading, "It hurts. Be gentler, you jerk."
He was always like this—thoroughly enjoying it but unable to resist complaining about the slight pain, as if he were unconsciously teasing Ye Xingzhou.
And often, such moments only made Ye Xingzhou push him even harder.
Ye Xingzhou braced himself on either side of Qi Xing's head while frowning down at him. Through the haze of sweat, Qi Xing caught his gaze and dug his nails into his back.
"Qi Xing," Ye Xingzhou called his name hoarsely. "Am I bullying you?"
Qi Xing's hand slid from his back to his waist then further down to his taut thigh and felt the strength in the muscles there.
Every part of this beast was hard, making him both ache and crave, and leaving him utterly consumed.
"Aren't you bullying me?" Qi Xing managed to choke out.
Ye Xingzhou leaned down to kiss the sweat off his forehead. "I'm loving you."
Qi Xing was instantly silenced.
As Ye Xingzhou leaned in again, he wrapped his arms around him.
Ye Xingzhou's kiss pressed down, tender and profound.
Later, as the night deepened, Qi Xing sat on the balcony outside their bedroom with a cigarette between his lips and idly smoking as he gazed at the moon.
A small tree in the courtyard below extended its branches toward the balcony, and a stray cat had climbed up then stared at him with wide eyes.
The cat was black with light green eyes like glass marbles, beautiful and striking.
Qi Xing was intrigued. "Hey, little one, where did you come from? Come here."
The cat meowed twice, then suddenly disappeared.
"Hey—"
Why did it run off?
He turned to see Ye Xingzhou, who was freshly showered, standing behind him. Qi Xing frowned. "It's you. You scared the cat away."
Ye Xingzhou took the cigarette from Qi Xing's mouth and took a drag. "Why me?"
"Of course it's you. You're like a dark, menacing force. The cat took one look at you and bolted."
Ye Xingzhou, now fully sober, flicked the ash from the cigarette. "Is that so?"
"Isn't it?"
"You didn't run."
"I'm not a cat!"
Ye Xingzhou chuckled before turning his gaze back to the night view but he was clearly amused.
Qi Xing leaned closer. "Explain yourself. What do you mean?"
Ye Xingzhou looked back at him, and Qi Xing's wide-eyed, flustered expression did resemble a cat—one that was particularly fun to tease.
Finally, Ye Xingzhou spoke slowly. "I used to have a cat."
It was the first time Ye Xingzhou had mentioned the stray cat he'd cared for in the orphanage, recounting the story with little emotion.
Qi Xing's brow furrowed. "What kind of people would do that? Even kids in an orphanage could be so cruel. It's just a cat. Why couldn't they leave it alone?"
Ye Xingzhou didn't respond.
Qi Xing didn't understand that when the vulnerable are emotionally unbalanced, they often take pleasure in tormenting weaker beings.
It was a dark aspect of human nature.
Ye Xingzhou was also a bad person, but Qi Xing had placed a leash around his neck, keeping him within the boundaries Qi Xing had drawn.
Qi Xing muttered for a while, then suddenly slumped. "So I'm just a substitute for that cat, huh?"
Ye Xingzhou still had the cigarette between his lips and the glow of the ember reflecting in his eyes through the smoke. He smiled till the corners of his lips curve upward. "Do you think you are?"
Qi Xing: "..."
Qi Xing was frustrated.
How had he ended up competing with a cat for affection?
He didn't want to deal with this jerk anymore and went back inside before flopping onto the bed with his face buried in the pillow as he stared blankly at the wall.
Ye Xingzhou finished the cigarette before returning. He sat on the edge of the bed while his fingers trail down Qi Xing's bareback, and follow the line of his spine.
Qi Xing shivered, so he closed his eyes and cursed. "Get your hands off me, you bastard."
"Are you mad?"
"Go away."
"A cat wouldn't love me, but you do, Qi Xing. How could you think you're just a substitute for a cat?" Ye Xingzhou's voice still carried a hint of amusement.
Qi Xing's jealousy over a cat had truly entertained him.
Qi Xing blushed while glaring at him. "Wrong. You wouldn't love a cat, but you love me."
"It's the same thing."
Qi Xing had no comeback.
He realized he was being ridiculous and just giving Ye Xingzhou another reason to laugh at him.
Ye Xingzhou leaned back against the headboard and patted his leg, gesturing for Qi Xing to come closer.
Qi Xing reluctantly turned over and rested his head on Ye Xingzhou's lap before closing his eyes again.
After a moment of silence, he mumbled, "Ye Xingzhou, you bastard, you have to love me. Only me."
"Mm."
"I'll love you too. The most."
"I know."
"Say something nice. I want to hear it."
Ye Xingzhou leaned down till his warm breath brushed against Qi Xing's ear. "Qi Xing, let's live well together from now on."
The gentle breeze of late spring and early summer swept through the treetops outside the balcony, also brushing against their hearts.
Qi Xing felt a tickle in his chest and finally smiled while nodding.
He settled down completely and while leaning against Ye Xingzhou, he drifted off to sleep.
Ye Xingzhou looked down at him with his gaze softening.
"Good night."
Good night, my treasure.
Previous Chapter || Next Chapter