Seth had always had a rather plain relationship with his parents. Perhaps it was like this in many foreign families; parents only accompany you for a short part of your life’s journey, while a partner is the one who will walk hand in hand with you for a lifetime.

But Fang Chen’s mind was clearly still filled with Chinese ideas.

He felt that since Seth’s mom and dad were back in New York City for a month, it would be too cold and indifferent to completely ignore them.

Besides, Auntie Julie was so gentle and got along so well with Fang Chen.

Thus, the final result of all this was—

Seth couldn’t find his wife anymore.

Usually, his Little Lamb would stick to his side. Apart from necessary classes, the two were inseparable.

Now, things were different. He timed it perfectly to wait for Fang Chen at the entrance of the academic building after class, but he couldn’t catch him. He could only call, and in contrast to Seth’s gloomy mood, the Little Lamb’s voice on the other end was cheerful. “I’m getting my hair done with Auntie Julie.”

Getting his hair done?

Seth gritted his teeth. “Don’t mess with your hair. It looks great the way it is.”

Heaven knows how much he loved the Little Lamb’s black hair. Although it was prone to getting frizzy, it was soft to the touch, and the feel was top-notch.

“Aiya, you’re so annoying. Don’t mind me. I’m not talking to you anymore, bye!”

Annoying?

The Little Lamb found him annoying?

Seth stared at the darkened phone screen in disbelief, his molars almost grinding to dust.

After a full day of playing, Fang Chen only returned in the evening.

After opening the door, the apartment living room was pitch black. Fang Chen was still muttering to himself about where Seth had gone when, in the next second, the lights came on, and the man was sitting on the sofa, looking at him coldly.

Fang Chen jumped. “What are you doing sitting here?”

You scared the lamb to death.

Seth twitched the corner of his mouth, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Phone off, having the time of your life out there?”

“What are you talking about?”

Fang Chen took out his phone and looked at it. It didn’t respond when he pressed the button. “It’s out of battery.”

Seth felt like he was a volcano on the verge of erupting, especially after seeing the Little Lamb’s new curly hair. He asked in disbelief, “You really got your hair done?”

The Little Lamb shook his head. “How is it? Does it look good?”

Seth’s face was cold. Just as he was about to speak, the Little Lamb rubbed his head against him. “Touch it.”

The man paused for a moment, unable to resist the temptation, and reached out his hand.

Heavens!

It felt so good!

A head of little curls, fluffy, felt soft and tingly in his palm.

Seth’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. All his displeasure vanished into thin air. His large hand ruffled it randomly back and forth until finally, the Little Lamb unhappily swatted his hand away. “That’s enough.”

I’ll let you touch it a couple of times to appease you, but you’re not going to stop.

The man reluctantly withdrew his hand and coughed. “Next time your phone is out of battery, use another phone to contact me. I’ll worry about you.”

The Little Lamb pouted. “Oh, I know.”

Seth bent down and hugged him, turning his head to kiss the Little Lamb’s cheek. “Good boy, let’s go on a date tomorrow. How about camping on the summit?”

The Little Lamb’s eyes lit up, and he nodded. “Then let’s invite Auntie Julie and Uncle.”

Seth, “…”

He took a deep breath. “A date. It’s a date for the two of us.”

“Aiya, it’s fine. Auntie Julie took me to get my hair done today. It’s only polite to return the favor. I have to invite them back.”

The Little Lamb broke free from Seth and walked into the room without looking back. “I need to charge my phone quickly. I have to call Auntie Julie.”

Seth, who had been waiting at home all evening without even getting a kiss, “…”

After a quick shower and lying down on the bed, Seth had just settled in when a Little Lamb automatically appeared in his arms.

The man grunted.

So now you know to crawl into my arms?

But not only did he not push him away, he held him tightly.

After all, they hadn’t seen each other for almost a whole day.

He had been missing him like crazy.

The Little Lamb lay on the man’s body, using Seth as an automatic heating blanket. Although the blanket was a bit hard, and occasionally had a little wooden stick, he could tolerate it.

“Didn’t you notice anything different about me today?”

The lamp on the headboard was still on, casting a dim yellow light. Seth lowered his eyes to look at the Little Lamb in his arms.

To be honest, the head of little curls made Fang Chen even cuter, like a doll.

He wrapped his arm around the youth’s waist, afraid he would fall off him, and grunted in agreement. “Your hair looks good.”

“What are you talking about? I meant something else.”

Seth raised an eyebrow and looked at the Little Lamb carefully again.

In the end, Fang Chen couldn’t help but say it himself. “I also went to a beauty salon today. Don’t you think my skin has gotten better?”

Seth was a little helpless. “It was very good before.”

Seeing Fang Chen glare at him, the man quickly changed his tune. “But your skin seems even more tender now.”

As he said this, he lowered his head and planted a heavy kiss on the Little Lamb’s cheek, murmuring, “Really, it’s softer, baby.”

Believe his nonsense.

It’s harder, isn’t it?

Fang Chen rolled off the man, wrapped himself tightly in the blanket, and said firmly, “Time for sleep!”

…

Seth recalled his life growing up. Because he had been independent from an early age, the number of times he had traveled with his parents could be counted on one hand. They had never gone hiking or camping together. This time, it could be considered a blessing from Fang Chen.

One car would have been just right for the family, but Seth and his father both tacitly drove their own cars.

When Fang Chen was put in the passenger seat, he was still muttering, “Why aren’t we all going together?”

Seth let out a “heh.” “Of course, it’s because they also want their own private world for two.”

Fang Chen blinked and looked up at him.

Whose parents are these, anyway?

The Little Lamb was a bit helpless and placated him perfunctorily. “It’s okay, we’ll sleep in two tents.”

Seth twitched the corner of his mouth. “What else? You want the four of us to sleep in one?”

“…”

The Little Lamb muttered, “Don’t be so petty.”

Seth gritted his teeth in anger.

Him, petty?

If he were petty, he would have dragged the Little Lamb back home long ago.

Driving off with a belly full of frustration, Seth could only pin his hopes on holding the Little Lamb in the tent at night, hoping the Little Lamb would let him have a few more kisses.

The destination was a mountain in the suburbs. The scenery at the top was beautiful and suitable for camping, but the prerequisite for camping was that they had to climb to the summit.

Needless to say, Seth’s parents had been traveling abroad in recent years, so hiking was a piece of cake for them. Seth, too, had it easy. Only the poor Little Lamb, even with all the bags given to the man to carry, still struggled just dragging his two legs.

After only ten minutes of hiking, he was tired and needed a rest.

But Seth wasn’t in a hurry.

His parents were already far ahead. This was perfect. With some distance between them, he could still have some intimate moments with the Little Lamb.

Sitting on a stone pier, the man twisted open a bottle of water and held it to the Little Lamb’s mouth. “Drink slowly.”

Fang Chen didn’t even extend his hand, just drank two mouthfuls from Seth’s hand, his face pained. “So tired, my legs are so sore. Can I really make it to the top?”

“We’re not in a hurry. Climb slowly, you’ll definitely make it.”

The man squatted in front of him, rubbing his calves, and coaxed him, “Baby, just walk for five more minutes, just five minutes, and then I’ll carry you up, okay?”

Actually, he could carry Fang Chen now, but it was the Little Lamb’s first time hiking, and he always wanted him to experience more.

Fang Chen said listlessly, “Forget it, you’re already carrying so much.”

“That’s nothing.”

The man looked up and kissed the Little Lamb’s lips. “Backpack in the front, you on my back.”

Fang Chen was amused by his description. He reached out and wrapped his arms around Seth’s neck, leaning over to plant a kiss on the man’s face. “You seem unhappy these past two days.”

Seth said coldly, “You can tell?”

Fang Chen said, amused, “Aren’t you almost thirty? The ‘three’ from three years old?”

The man took a deep breath.

Is this how you’re supposed to coax someone?

Every word stabs right into my heart.

He stood up and said coldly, “Get up, let’s keep climbing.”

Fang Chen, “…”

What a man of changing faces.

He pouted but had no choice but to get up and follow him up the mountain. To be fair, the scenery of this mountain was very beautiful. The route they were taking was not crowded, it was very quiet, and the air was cool. Apart from being a bit tiring on the legs, everything else was just right.

But the Little Lamb’s stamina was really limited. After a few more steps, he couldn’t go on and tugged on the corner of Seth’s shirt. “Carry me, hubby.”

Seth’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.

How many days has it been since the Little Lamb called him that?

Truly, it’s ‘hubby’ when he needs something, and ‘stinky foreigner’ when he doesn’t.

Despite this, the man still moved his backpack to the front and squatted down in front of Fang Chen. “Get on, baby.”

The Little Lamb happily pounced on him.

Seth carried him on his back as if he were carrying a small lamb pendant, effortlessly. Fang Chen wrapped his arms around his neck, spouting sweet nothings for free.

“Hubby, you’re the best. Hubby, how can you be so good? Hubby, can we go a little faster? Let’s catch up to Uncle and Auntie.”

At first, Seth quickened his pace, then he went faster and faster. With Fang Chen’s layered encouragement, he almost broke into a run.

Under a tree, Julie held a leaf and took out a sealed bag from her pack to put it in.

The veins on this leaf were beautiful. She could dry it when she got back and make it into a bookmark.

Just as she looked up, she saw someone run past her.

Julie was stunned for a moment.

That looked a bit familiar.

She said uncertainly, “Honey, was that Seth and the other one who just ran past?”

“…”

What was supposed to be a leisurely hike had turned into a race.

By the time Julie and her husband reached the campsite at the summit, Seth was already setting up the tent.

Fang Chen sat on a small stool, a pile of snacks in his arms. When he saw Julie and her husband, he even greeted them enthusiastically.

Julie smiled at him. “You guys are so fast.”

Fang Chen took a bite of a potato chip. “Seth is too fast. He ran up here carrying me.”

Looking at the man again, because he had run all the way up, he was too hot and had taken off his jacket. He was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, busy setting up the tent, the muscles on his forearms bulging. He was truly a feast for the eyes.

The Little Lamb watched for a couple of seconds, then couldn’t resist leaning over and pressing himself against Seth. “You’ve worked hard, hubby. Want some chips?”

Fang Chen held the chips to his mouth. The man bent down and took a bite. “Good boy, go sit over there and wait for me. It’ll be done soon. Are you hungry? I’ll set up the grill and barbecue for you in a bit.”

The Little Lamb didn’t leave. “You’re working so hard by yourself. Let me help you.”

As he spoke, he put the bag of chips aside, but instead of reaching out to help with the tent, he placed his hands on the man’s arms and squeezed. “Let me give you a massage.”

The Little Lamb’s hands had been pampered to be white and tender. On the man’s forearms, they looked a bit out of place. The man’s eyes darkened, and his voice was slightly hoarse, laced with a hint of danger. “Fang Chen!”

Fang Chen wasn’t afraid of him. It was broad daylight, and Julie and her husband were right there. What could Seth do?

He hummed twice. “What, you’re going to be fierce with me even when I’m helping you with a massage?”

These past few days, Fang Chen had been going out early and coming back late, playing wildly. When he came back, he would fall straight to sleep. Seth hadn’t even gotten a sip of soup and was already so hungry his eyes were green. How could he withstand even this little bit of teasing?

The man gritted his teeth and tried his best to endure. “Fang Chen, you better think carefully. Tonight we’re staying on the mountain. What about the night after, and the day after that? We have to go home eventually.”

Hearing this, Fang Chen instantly retracted his hands.

How could he have forgotten? The man was super petty.

He stood up, humming a little tune nonchalantly, and went over to the other side to play with Auntie Julie.

The man’s eyes darkened as he stared at his back, grinding his teeth.

Tease, just keep teasing him.

There will come a day when he falls into his hands!

Both tents were set up. After climbing the mountain all the way, they were starving. Everyone took out the ingredients from their backpacks and prepared to set up the grill for a barbecue.

Fang Chen could finally be of help, skewering meat on the side. He was always a little uncomfortable. The man’s gaze was constantly on him, not friendly. Fang Chen didn’t dare to look in his direction, afraid that Seth would just drag him into the tent.

Looking at the meat skewer in his hand, the skewer was long and thick. For a moment, Fang Chen actually felt a kind of sympathy.

The Little Lamb was also very afraid of being made into a lamb skewer.

While grilling, Seth walked over, nonchalantly wrapping his arm around Fang Chen, and whispered against his ear, his voice light, “Baby, I deliberately set up the tent a little further away. The soundproofing will be better.”

What?!

The Little Lamb’s eyes widened. “You better not—”

Before he could finish, Seth had already lightly patted his waist and walked away nonchalantly.

Because of this one sentence, the Little Lamb was almost dead from nervousness.

He really didn’t want to do anything in the middle of nowhere!!

The Little Lamb was anxiously pacing in circles.

If it weren’t inappropriate, he would have wanted to sleep with Julie and her husband.

Finally, his gaze fell on a few cans of beer nearby. Seth’s father had carried them up.

Didn’t they say you can turn off the chicken when you’re drunk?

Then all he had to do was get Seth drunk.

The Little Lamb gave himself a thumbs up for his cleverness!

But would just a few cans of beer be enough to get Seth drunk?

Thinking this, Fang Chen sidled over and secretly began to study them. What was the alcohol content of this?

Every move the Little Lamb made was seen by the man. He narrowed his eyes, walked over nonchalantly, stood beside Fang Chen, and suddenly spoke, “What mischief are you up to?”

The Little Lamb jumped and raised his head abruptly.

“I’m looking… at the beer.”

“What are you looking at the beer for?” Seth said slowly. “You’re such a lightweight, you can’t drink anyway.”

Hearing the man say this, Fang Chen was quite unconvinced. “Why can’t I drink? My tolerance has improved a bit, okay? We’re out playing today, I just want to have a little drink.”

Seth raised an eyebrow. “But this one has a very high alcohol content.”

High alcohol content?

High alcohol content was good.

The Little Lamb’s eyes lit up. “It’s fine, I’ll just have a little bit. You drink with me, hubby, okay?”

Seth stared at him deeply for two seconds, then suddenly smiled. “Okay.”

The aroma of barbecue soon filled the air. Sometimes, you just need this kind of original, simple barbecue to be delicious, even better than many seasoned with spices.

But the Little Lamb hadn’t forgotten his purpose.

He hadn’t had more than two bites before he quickly brought his glass over. “Hubby, let’s drink.”

Seth glanced at him and clinked his glass against his.

Fang Chen quickly said, “I’m a lightweight. You have good tolerance, so you should drink more. For every sip I take, you drink a glass.”

A pretty good deal.

Seth held back his laughter and agreed, “Alright.”

Fang Chen took a small sip, just wetting his tongue, and put the glass down. The man, on the other hand, tilted his head back and downed the whole glass.

The Little Lamb secretly gave a “yay” in his heart!

Plan successful.

For the rest of the dinner, the two couples, one was eating barbecue, the other was chugging beer.

Until finally, all the beer was gone.

Seth’s father secretly gritted his teeth. “The beer I carried up!”

It all went to benefit that stinky brat Seth.

Although the father-son relationship was average, he could still tell at a glance that Seth was definitely up to no good. Only someone as clueless as Fang Chen wouldn’t see it and would still be coaxed by him, all dazed.

Julie was also very worried and asked in a small voice, “Baby, did you drink too much? Are you feeling dizzy?”

Fang Chen, who had actually only drunk one glass, shook his head. “It’s okay, Auntie. I’m not drunk. Here, I’ll toast you.”

He held up a chicken wing. “I’ll finish this. You can drink as you please.”

Then he buried his head and gnawed on the chicken wing.

Julie, “…”

She smiled helplessly, turned her head, and glared at Seth. “Don’t bully him.”

Seth let out a chuckle. “He’s the one who wanted to get me drunk.”

But despite saying that, Seth was still afraid Fang Chen would get a headache. He coaxed him to drink some warm water, then helped him to the tent.

Fang Chen struggled. “I don’t want to sleep. I want to see the stars.”

Seth couldn’t win against him. “Alright, alright, see the stars.”

Helpless, he led the little drunkard out again, spread a mat on the open ground, and the little drunkard lay right down on it.

Seth touched his hand. It was a bit cold. “Are you cold, baby?”

“It’s okay.”

Seth was still not reassured. He took off his own jacket and covered Fang Chen with it.

They were quite lucky. The weather was clear today, and the stars at night were beautiful.

Lying on the mat, the man reached out and pulled Fang Chen into his arms. The Little Lamb leaned against his arm, so soft that it made Seth’s heart melt into a puddle.

“Baby, you don’t want to marry me, do you?”

Seth suddenly spoke, his voice slightly low.

He had asked Fang Chen about the wedding more than once, but the youth had never given him a clear answer.

Seth knew that Fang Chen’s personality was a bit avoidant, and he couldn’t bear to push him. But the possessiveness in his heart kept acting up. He really wanted to tie the Little Lamb to his side.

Fang Chen let out a small burp, slurring his words as he mumbled, “I don’t not want to. I’m just a little scared.”

Seth’s heart stirred. He sat up slightly, his eyes lowered, staring intently at Fang Chen. “Baby, what are you afraid of?”

Fang Chen looked at him blankly.

Because he was drunk, his brain was moving very slowly. It was almost instinctive, saying whatever came to mind.

The Little Lamb’s expression seemed a little wronged. He puffed out his soft cheeks, his voice muffled. “I’m afraid you’ll disappear.”

Like the little dog and the marbles from his childhood.

He could never own anything.

Seth felt as if his heart had been soaked in sour water, wrinkled and aching.

He lowered his head and kissed the Little Lamb’s soft cheek. “I won’t, baby. I’ll always be by your side, for this life, forever and ever.”

Preferably at a negative distance forever.

Fang Chen blinked and took the initiative to lean over, pressing his own lips against his.

Seth couldn’t hold back anymore. He directly scooped up the Little Lamb and carried him into the tent.

Fang Chen was still struggling. “See the stars.”

The man placated him perfunctorily. “There are stars in the tent too.”

The drunk Little Lamb actually believed him and nodded obediently. “Okay.”

Back in the tent, Seth coaxed him to change his clothes. Fang Chen started acting up again, insisting on taking a shower.

“There’s no way to shower here. Just bear with it. We’ll wash when we get home.”

Fang Chen was unhappy and shrank into the blanket, wrapping himself up like a silkworm pupa.

Seth was helpless. He went out and washed a hot towel, came back, dug the person out, and wiped him down.

After all that fuss, the little drunkard was finally lying down obediently.

He blinked his eyes and asked Seth, “Hubby, are you drunk too?”

Seth couldn’t help but smile at the mention of this.

He reached out and pinched his cheek. “Why did you want to get me drunk?”

The drunk Little Lamb wouldn’t lie and honestly confessed, “Turn off.”

Seth was stunned for a moment. “What?”

The Little Lamb’s gaze went downward as he asked seriously, “You have to turn it off before bed. Did you turn it off?”

Only then did the man realize what he was talking about and almost laughed in anger.

He took Fang Chen’s hand, his voice low and dangerous. “Then baby can help me check.”

Even when drunk, the Little Lamb had an instinct for danger. He snatched his hand back and closed his eyes tightly. “Dizzy, going to sleep.”

But Seth wasn’t angry. Instead, he said “mm,” “Go to sleep, baby.”

It’s good that he’s asleep. He can get to work.

Under the influence of alcohol, the Little Lamb quickly fell asleep, even letting out soft little snores.

Seth leaned close, kissed the tip of his nose, and tentatively called out, “Baby, baby?”

The sleeping Little Lamb smacked his lips but didn’t respond.

The man smiled with satisfaction.

The night was already deep. The mountaintop was silent, with only the occasional sound of wind rustling through the leaves outside.

And Master Seth, who had been busy all day, was about to start enjoying his dinner.

While the Little Lamb was racking his brains to get him drunk, wasn’t the man thinking the same thing?

It’s good that he’s asleep. When he’s asleep, he can eat his pan-fried buns.

In the tent, it wasn’t as spacious as at home, but it was just right. The two were squeezed together, which was actually more convenient.

The blanket was pulled up high. The Little Lamb was held in his arms, his butt pressing against something behind him. He uncomfortably tried to dodge forward, but was quickly pulled back.

That night, the Little Lamb was dreaming in a muddle.

He felt like he had fallen into a large furnace. It was hot from all directions. He was about to cry from the heat, constantly calling Seth’s name, but the man was even worse. He came over and handed him a pair of fire tongs, telling him to hold them. The moment Fang Chen touched them, he was about to let go from the heat, but Seth held his wrist, not allowing him to let go at all. He even leaned close, against his ear, constantly calling him baby, baby…

Because of this dream, Fang Chen did not sleep well that night and was woken up very early the next day by Seth.

“Baby, get up and watch the sunrise.”

Fang Chen was so annoyed. He waved his hand a couple of times, happening to hit the man’s face.

Seth caught his hand and kissed the youth’s fingertips a couple of times, then simply wrapped him in the blanket and carried him out.

Julie and her husband weren’t up yet. Only Seth and Fang Chen were on the mountaintop. The man held the Little Lamb, coaxing him.

“Baby, look up.”

Fang Chen dazedly opened his eyes.

Before him, light pierced through the clouds, and the rosy glow of dawn filled the sky.

Seth turned his head, his cheek against the Little Lamb’s.

“From now on, I’ll tell you once every day, okay?”

“Fang Chen, I love you.”