Chapter 268
Looking at the boy nestled beside him, clinging to him just like before, although he hadn’t received the exact answer he hoped for, Zhou Qi couldn’t help but curve his lips, feeling an indescribable joy swelling in his heart.
He gently pinched Tang Yu’an’s nose and said, “This is something only couples can do. We are best friends, good brothers, so we can’t do this.”
Tang Yu’an puffed up his cheeks. “But you wanted to kiss me before!”
“When I turned into a mermaid, that’s right! And there was that time before!” In the blink of an eye, past moments flashed in his mind, and the string in his brain snapped into place.
“Like when you pushed me onto the bed in the other dimension and touched my chin! That time, the one where I poked your… that time!”
As he spoke, Tang Yu’an showed a sudden realization, looking at Zhou Qi as if he had discovered a new continent.
“You wanted to kiss me then, didn’t you?”
Zhou Qi’s face showed a rare moment of embarrassment. He cleared his throat and almost choked on his own saliva.
He averted his gaze, but Tang Yu’an insisted on making him look at him, practically pressing his whole body against him.
Zhou Qi’s ears, and even his neck, turned red.
The two of them remained in a standoff for a while. Finally, Zhou Qi simply nodded, giving in with a resigned attitude. “Yes, I wanted to kiss you back then. So what?”
Tang Yu’an finally moved back a little, but still tightly held onto his arm.
“There’s nothing to it.” He smiled, “I’ll kiss you. You can kiss me now.”
Then the boy pouted again.
His cheeks were flushed with pink, and his pouting lips looked like a ripe cherry, inviting Zhou Qi to taste them.
It was clumsy, yet full of innocent passion.
So cute…
Zhou Qi watched him, unable to stop himself from swallowing, but as Tang Yu’an leaned closer and closer, he pressed his hand to the boy’s forehead, pushing his head away.
“I’ve told you, this is something only couples can do. Not just with me, but with anyone else. You can’t do this before establishing a relationship, understand?”
By the end, his tone had become a little stern.
Tang Yu’an pouted. “Why are you being so fierce? I don’t want to kiss anyone else, just you.”
Zhou Qi’s heart skipped a beat.
“Really?”
Tang Yu’an huffed. “What do you mean ‘really’?”
“I mean…” Zhou Qi nervously licked his lips, confirming again, “You’ve never thought about kissing anyone else? Even out of curiosity?”
“Of course not. I only want to kiss you.”
Tang Yu’an’s gaze fell on Zhou Qi’s lips again, his face burning with embarrassment, but his eyes were full of longing and anticipation.
“I just want to know what it feels like to kiss you.”
The boy’s soft, gentle voice fell into Zhou Qi’s ears like the most beautiful music.
An’an only wants to kiss him, does that mean…
Zhou Qi was still in a daze when Tang Yu’an’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Brother Qi, just kiss me! Just one time…” He stomped his foot like a child throwing a tantrum when he couldn’t get a candy.
However, Tang Yu’an quickly remembered what Zhou Qi had said earlier and quickly changed his strategy.
“Then let’s establish a relationship. No longer just best friends and brothers, let’s be a couple, like Mo Yu and Ai Lu!”
Once they confirmed the relationship, they could kiss, right?
Zhou Qi looked at him, thought for a moment, and said, “Mo Yu and Ai Lu aren’t just a couple.”
“What are they then?”
“When they registered their household in the settlement, they wrote ‘partners’ in the relationship column.”
Tang Yu’an blinked in surprise. “So… they’re married? Can men marry other men?”
“In our original world, no. But here, it’s a new world.”
And it was their settlement, where the rules were set by them. Looking at Grandpa Li’s reaction, it seemed he wasn’t too surprised either.
Zhou Qi reached out and rubbed Tang Yu’an’s head. “But this isn’t something you need to think about right now.”
“Why not?”
“Wait two more years.” Zhou Qi said, “When you’re an adult and can fully take responsibility for yourself, then give me an answer.”
“During this time, you can think clearly. We’ll see if we want to become even closer, or if we stay here, and you’ll tell me when the time comes.”
“Why wait so long?” Tang Yu’an said unhappily.
“I’m already grown up. I’m an adult now!”
Looking at his still youthful appearance, Zhou Qi helplessly shook his head. “Because… I’m serious.”
He took Tang Yu’an’s hand and placed it on his chest.
“I like you. This feeling has lasted for a long time, long enough that I can’t forget it.”
“When you like someone, you become greedy. You want them to only look at you, to belong to you, and you can’t tolerate a third person between you…”
Tang Yu’an listened to his confession, his face slowly growing hot, but his gaze became more serious.
This was the first time Zhou Qi had so openly expressed his feelings.
“So don’t rush to give me an answer. You have a long time to think it through. Whether you want to accept my feelings.”
“If your curiosity for me fades and you don’t want to be with me anymore… then we still have a way out.”
“A way out?” Tang Yu’an was confused.
“We can maintain our current relationship, still be the best brothers, the closest friends.” Zhou Qi said.
To Zhou Qi, Tang Yu’an was too important.
He couldn’t afford to lose him. If becoming a couple could change their relationship to the point where he could lose him… then he would rather not start at all.
Tang Yu’an thought about his words, tilting his head. “So, after becoming a couple, we can’t go back to being just friends and brothers?”
“Can’t go back.”
Zhou Qi reached out as if to touch his cheek but stopped halfway. “Once a romantic relationship breaks down, it’s hard to return to the way it was before.”
He had watched a lot of films and read books about relationships, and that was the conclusion he came to.
Though there were stories of couples getting back together, just the thought of An’an fighting with him and pulling away made him feel miserable.
He couldn’t imagine how painful it would be to go back to that place after experiencing such sweetness, or even reaching the coldest point.
Zhou Qi felt like he might go mad…
Just then, a soft touch brushed his cheek, and Zhou Qi froze. He looked to see when the boy had stretched out his hand, gently touching his face.
“Brother Qi, you really think a lot.” Tang Yu’an looked at him, troubled.
Though he knew Brother Qi’s cautious and suspicious nature was why they had gotten this far, sometimes he felt Brother Qi was a bit too pessimistic.
Tang Yu’an withdrew his hand, nodding with understanding, saying, “Then we’ll do as you said. If that helps you feel more at ease.”
Zhou Qi stared at him, stunned.
“Although I don’t think it’s necessary… And there’s never going to be a third person between us.”
Tang Yu’an scratched his head. “But I’ll think it through. Once I prove I’m not just a passing interest, then we can kiss!”
Zhou Qi opened his mouth but saw the boy lean in again, wrapping his arms around his waist.
Tang Yu’an leaned against his chest, slightly raising his head to look at him, his smile brighter than the sunshine. He said, “If we can’t kiss, a hug is fine, right?”
Zhou Qi felt like a feather had lightly brushed against his heart.
He couldn’t respond, only staring blankly at Tang Yu’an.
Tang Yu’an mumbled, “We used to hug all the time, so you can’t push me away anymore…”
His words remained unfinished.
Because Zhou Qi had already opened his arms and tightly embraced him. He held him so firmly that Tang Yu’an almost couldn’t breathe.
Fortunately, Zhou Qi soon loosened his hold a bit, but still didn’t let go.
Tang Yu’an leaned on Zhou Qi’s shoulder, and from the corner of his eye, he noticed the redness on Zhou Qi’s ears, which made him unable to stop a sly smile.
Of course, his own cheeks were also burning.
Although they had hugged many times before, it did feel different this time.
As he tilted his head to observe, his nose brushed against Zhou Qi’s neck, and Tang Yu’an couldn’t help but take a gentle sniff.
It smells so good!
How had he never noticed that Brother Qi’s scent was so pleasant?
Tang Yu’an couldn’t resist burying his face in Zhou Qi’s neck, squinting his eyes to deeply inhale his scent.
He didn’t notice that the redness on Zhou Qi’s ears had deepened.
Zhou Qi: “…”
What is An’an doing?
He pressed his lips together, but no matter what, he couldn’t suppress the heat on his face.
Just as Zhou Qi tilted his head, intending to follow Tang Yu’an’s lead and sniff his soft scent, a noise from afar interrupted them.
“What happened?”
Tang Yu’an opened his eyes and looked over in the direction of the noise.
Zhou Qi reluctantly let go of him, glanced toward Building 1, and then said, “Check the message board.”
Tang Yu’an quickly opened the message board.
[Message Board (Store Channel)]
[Wander (Mo Ke)]: Lie Huo’s wife seems to be in labor. What should we do?
[Sunset Lotus (A Lian)]: Hurry and take her to the maternity ward!
Upon seeing this, Tang Yu’an quickly said, “Are there any obstetricians among the people we brought back this time?”
“Yes, three of them.”
As they spoke, they hurried toward the source of the commotion.
By the time they arrived, A’Xiang had already been moved, and after checking the map, Tang Yu’an saw that a few of the new residents brought back from the original world had gone to the maternity ward with her, which reassured him.
“Does having a baby require such a big fuss?” some residents murmured.
“We used to just give birth anywhere in some remote spot. Why are these new people so anxious?”
It turned out that when A’Xiang went into labor earlier, the new residents from the original world were nearby. A few of them were doctors, and when they realized something was wrong, they quickly consulted Mo Ke and rushed A’Xiang to the maternity ward.
Their urgency and the care they showed for the mother-to-be seemed strange to the long-time residents from the wasteland.
Because of their stronger physical condition, the pregnant women who had survived the wasteland usually had a low probability of difficult labor. The real threats came from the harsh environment and malicious people.
But here in the Desolate City Haven, those two issues were no longer a concern. However, because of old customs, the long-time residents still treated pregnant women and newborns with indifference.
“The Desolate City Haven takes good care of pregnant women. There’s a dedicated maternity ward in Building 1.”
Upon hearing the discussions, Tang Yu’an, with a slight frown, suddenly heard Ba Shi’s voice.
He stood among the crowd, looking at those who were cold or even dissatisfied with the preferential treatment of the pregnant women.
“If you want to stay here, live and work here, it’s better to think carefully about the policies of the Desolate City Haven and the doctrines and goals of the Commerce God Church,” Ba Shi said.
“Although the settlement hasn’t implemented a disuse system yet, you all know how hard it is to enter, and how many people outside want to come in.”
Upon hearing Ba Shi’s words, many people seemed to reflect thoughtfully.
Tang Yu’an gave him a surprised glance but didn’t say anything more. He and Zhou Qi continued to head toward Building 1.
At first, he was worried. After all, this was the first new life born in the Desolate City Haven. However, they had barely arrived when they heard the sound of a baby crying from the maternity ward.
Had it really only been 20 minutes from A’Xiang going into labor to giving birth?
Tang Yu’an was slightly confused.
Before he could react, he saw two more pregnant women being taken to the maternity ward. Since they had just arrived today, it seemed they were also at the time for delivery.
It looked like the maternity ward they had prepared in advance had come in handy.
The two new mothers’ labor processes were much slower. By nightfall, they were still enduring contractions.
Fortunately, there were obstetricians and experienced elderly residents to take good care of them.
A Lian, in charge of the maternity ward, found it rather unusual.
She had given birth herself, and her labor had been much like A’Xiang’s—she had given birth that night and was out collecting wild vegetables the next day.
After all, Lili’s father had been eaten by a mutated beast, and no one was there to care for her. If her labor had been as slow as the two new mothers, she might have starved long ago.
Looking at A’Xiang, who was being carefully attended to by Lie Huo, and then at the two mothers who were receiving tender care from the medical staff, A Lian, while envious, also felt an indescribable strength rising within her.
Their lives were getting better, and at least in the future, her daughter wouldn’t have to suffer the hardships she had endured!
With the professionals around, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi didn’t need to do much and didn’t stay long.
Before leaving, Tang Yu’an quietly gives the lucky marble to the two pregnant women.
With the boost from the luck, they would surely have a safe delivery!
*
In Peace Grocery Store, Attic.
After completing all the transactions and retrieving the drifting bottle for the day, Tang Yu’an was about to lie down and sleep when he saw Zhou Qi walking toward the stairs.
“Brother Qi, where are you going?”
“I’m going to the carriage to sleep.”
Tang Yu’an furrowed his brows, and just as he was about to stop him, he hesitated, staring at Zhou Qi’s broad back. He froze and just watched as Zhou Qi went downstairs.
He pouted, holding the blanket and lying down.
He had just said they could return to the old days, but wasn’t that impossible now?
However, after Zhou Qi had been gone for more than a month, Tang Yu’an had also learned to sleep alone, so he didn’t force him.
Lying in bed, Tang Yu’an turned over and gradually fell asleep.
He had a dream.
In the dream, Zhou Qi smiled gently at him, that handsome face, which he had seen since childhood, was only growing more and more handsome with age.
What was even more outrageous was his strong, well-defined figure, exposed to him just like when he had turned into a mermaid.
Zhou Qi slowly approached, their noses brushing together, and their lips hovered near each other.
Tang Yu’an felt his face was definitely as red as a tomato, which was why he felt so hot.
What would it feel like to kiss Brother Qi?
In the dream, Tang Yu’an’s gaze fell on Zhou Qi’s lips, and his desire reached its peak.
Zhou Qi, still smiling slightly, leaned in, and lightly kissed him like a dragonfly touching the water.
(//o//-//o//)
Tang Yu’an shyly tried to pull away but was also incredibly curious about what would happen next.
As he thought this, Zhou Qi kissed him again.
Tang Yu’an, following his heart’s desire, parted his lips and kissed him, then… he woke up, still holding the posture as if ready to taste the kiss.
What’s happening again?!
Tang Yu’an frustratedly closed his eyes, trying to continue the dream, but soon he realized something was off.
He pulled back the blanket to take a quick look, then panickedly pulled it back over himself.
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but soon the sound of light footsteps came from the stairs, and Zhou Qi appeared at the attic entrance.
He peeked in, intending to check if Tang Yu’an was awake, only to see the boy wrapped up like a dumpling.
This wasn’t the usual way Tang Yu’an slept in.
“An’an?”
Zhou Qi walked over and pulled the blanket open a small gap, revealing the boy’s flushed face.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, nervously brushing his hand over the boy’s forehead.
Tang Yu’an hesitated, about to speak but stopping himself.
“Do you feel unwell?” Zhou Qi asked. “Are you sick?”
Tang Yu’an shook his head, then, after some hesitation, quietly muttered, “I… I got up…”
“What?”
“Just… down there…”
As Zhou Qi suddenly understood, the boy had already turned even redder and buried his head back into the blanket.
Zhou Qi couldn’t help but curve his lips into a smile, leaning in close and gently saying, “It’s a normal thing. Didn’t we learn about it in biology class? There’s nothing to be scared of.”
After a while, Tang Yu’an slowly poked his head out from under the blanket.
His face was flushed, and his messy hair framed a pair of large, watery eyes, innocent yet alluring, as he gazed at Zhou Qi: “But… I dreamt about you last night…”
