Chapter 13
On a weekend evening, Long Yu finally contacted Fang Jing Yao. When they met at the restaurant, Long Yu ended the call as Fang Jing Yao walked in. “Sorry for contacting you so late. Are you hungry? What do you want to eat?”
Fang Jing Yao sat down, looking at him. Long Yu was tall and thin, and Fang Jing Yao felt a little concerned. “Anything’s fine. You haven’t rested properly lately, right?”
Long Yu looked tired but gentle. He reached out to touch Fang Jing Yao’s cheek. “It’s okay. Just busy with things recently.”
Fang Jing Yao added, “You don’t need to come see me in person. We could talk on the phone. You should rest more—you’ve got dark circles…”
Long Yu looked down at the menu. “But I want to see you.”
Fang Jing Yao felt his ears burn. Those few words instantly eased his nervousness from the past few days. He wasn’t imagining it—Dr. Long wanted to see him too.
He couldn’t help but smile.
Long Yu finished ordering and looked at him. “What’s wrong?”
Fang Jing Yao shifted to sit next to him, tilting his head, examining him carefully. “I don’t know why… I’ve only seen you a few times, but I feel… I really like you.”
Long Yu smiled. “Really? Then you definitely don’t like me as much as I like you.”
To verify his words, Long Yu discussed plans for afterward while eating. “Want to go see a movie? Some good ones are out, but at this time, it might have to be a late-night showing.”
Fang Jing Yao shook his head. “No need. You don’t need to go to the movies every time. Rest a bit.”
Long Yu fell silent.
Fang Jing Yao tentatively asked, “Want to give me your address? I can drive you home.”
After thinking a moment, Long Yu nodded. “Okay.”
On the way back, Fang Jing Yao drove. Long Yu was initially a bit worried but relaxed seeing him drive skillfully. He chatted briefly before dozing off, exhausted.
Fang Jing Yao glanced at him while waiting at the traffic light. “Long Yu?”
Dr. Long was fast asleep, oblivious. The passing car lights outside briefly illuminated his face, making his features look even sharper and his eyes and brows strikingly handsome.
Fang Jing Yao leaned over and kissed him on the lips, then quickly pulled back, grinning to himself for a long moment.
Long Yu lived in an upscale residential complex. Fang Jing Yao circled around for a while trying to find the building number, eventually having to wake Long Yu and let him guide the way.
“Sorry, I accidentally fell asleep.”
Fang Jing Yao was in high spirits. “It’s fine! You fell asleep, which proves my driving is good and steady!”
Long Yu smiled faintly. “It is pretty good.”
Fang Jing Yao stopped at the building’s entrance, a little expectantly waiting for a parting kiss. Long Yu didn’t respond, instead unbuckling his seatbelt and stepping out. Seeing Fang Jing Yao still lingering, he bent slightly and asked, “Aren’t you coming up for a bit?”
“Coming right now!” Fang Jing Yao replied.
It was his first time entering Long Yu’s home. He felt a bit reserved at the entrance, but when he saw the inside was dark except for the hallway light, he was surprised. “Your uncle and aunt don’t live here?”
Long Yu took off his coat and handed him a pair of slippers. “They don’t live here. It’s closer to the hospital, so it’s convenient for me to go to work.”
Hearing this, Fang Jing Yao relaxed. He changed shoes and followed Long Yu into the kitchen, asking along the way, “So you live alone? Do you usually cook for yourself? Your kitchen is so clean.”
Not just clean—the entire apartment was decorated in white, with a strong sense of design. But it was so spotless it almost felt untouchable. That sense of aloofness mirrored Long Yu himself: attractive and tempting, yet constantly sending the signal, “Strangers keep out.”
Long Yu poured him a glass of water. “I don’t cook much. I eat at the cafeteria at noon.”
Fang Jing Yao said, “I didn’t know how to cook well either…”
Long Yu watched as he drank half the glass in one go, waiting for him to finish.
“As expected,” Fang Jing Yao continued, “I still can’t cook well.”
Long Yu couldn’t help but smile, reaching out to tousle his soft hair. “I just find cooking a bit troublesome, but I’m not bad at it. During my years abroad, I cooked for myself. I’ll cook for you from now on.”
Fang Jing Yao rubbed his nose. “Then I should learn too, maybe take a class or something.” He didn’t want to always rely on Long Yu.
Long Yu patted the back of his head while drawing him closer, forehead against forehead. “No need. Whatever you want to learn, you can learn here. I can teach you.”
Fang Jing Yao felt overwhelmed by his presence, slightly breathless. His mind felt fuzzy. “But… you’re so busy…”
Long Yu chuckled softly. “Even if I’m busy, there’s still time to come home.”
Fang Jing Yao froze, then after a few seconds his heartbeat surged. He looked up at Long Yu, who returned his gaze and gently brushed his nose against his. “When are you planning to move in? Jing Yao, the contract has a penalty clause. If you don’t move in, I’ll have to request enforcement.”
Fang Jing Yao tried to stay rational. “I’ll think about it.”
Long Yu leaned down and kissed him.
Fang Jing Yao blinked, slightly wavering. “My manga is still serializing. I have a short story due for a magazine. And I haven’t told my family…”
Long Yu kissed him again, lips brushing his lightly. “Move in. Okay?”
Fang Jing Yao tried to remain practical. “I have too many things. Reference books alone are a pile. My drawing board, all kinds of tools… If I mix paints, I might dirty your study…”
Long Yu replied, “The study’s yours. Arrange the house however you like.”
Fang Jing Yao hesitated. “And Huang Bao’er… it’s only been a few days. If I suddenly leave, he’ll be upset.”
Long Yu smiled as he kissed him, soft lips brushing against him. “Then bring him too. I’ll take care of you both.”
Fang Jing Yao couldn’t resist. Tonight, Dr. Long was irresistibly alluring. Not only did his kisses make his heart ache, but his words sent shivers through him. He closed his eyes and kissed back. When Long Yu’s tongue swept across his palate, Fang Jing Yao’s knees went weak. Long Yu noticed immediately, wrapping one hand around his waist and the other cupping the back of his head, deepening the kiss.
