ABPBS CH115
Surrounded by desolate, silent snow mountains and topped with a canopy of gilded clouds, the sky bled a faint pink that reflected off the snow, creating a sense of bizarre, magnificent beauty. As the sky deepened, the brilliant gold was swallowed bit by bit by the heavy, profound night, pressing down upon the wilderness.
Down the mountain, the lights flickered on one by one as time passed. The orange-yellow glow resembled a sea of stars—first illuminating the walls of the houses in crimson, azure, and warm amber. Light spilled from windows like fallen meteors. Soon, ships returned from afar, their movements sending ripple after ripple across the surging water. Their searchlights pierced the surface, as if trying to illuminate the entire fjord to explore the mysteries of the underwater world.
Gu Qichi’s eyes were bright. He held the mission card handed over by the production crew, the sound of the wind and waves roaring in his ears. His emotions were usually reserved, but at this moment, watching the people below and the breathtaking scenery, his heart began to thud wildly against his ribs.
Gu Qichi wasn’t the only one with a card; Yu Sheng, as a special guest, had one too. Fearing Gu Qichi might be too shy to speak, the PD didn’t pressure him. Instead, he turned to Yu Sheng first.
“Teacher Yu,” the PD teased, “would you be willing to lead the charge?”
Yu Sheng didn’t mind. In fact, she was quite excited. She thought for a moment and asked, “If I shout too loud, will it trigger an avalanche?”
The PD’s mouth twitched. “The snow isn’t that thick here; an avalanche is unlikely. But please don’t aim to break your vocal cords—it’ll ruin your image.”
Yu Sheng smiled and picked a spot closer to the fjord. “I hope—” she shouted, “that I can find someone who loves me with all their heart!” Someone who loves me as much as Bo Yu loves Gu Qichi, she added silently.
After her shout, Gu Qichi waved at her, his fair skin flushed red from the cold. Bo Yu stood behind him, blocking the wind, his eyes overflowing with a love so intense it was almost palpable.
Gu Qichi looked back at Bo Yu, then cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone. With every ounce of his strength, he bellowed toward the horizon:
“Bo Yu! I—LOVE—YOU!”
Thank you for never giving up on me, for always searching for me.
“Gu Qichi likes Bo Yu! ‘Yu-Qin-Gu-Zong’ must stay together forever!”
If there is a next life, or the life after that, let it be me who finds you first. I want to be with you; no matter when, we will never part.
“I know,” Bo Yu whispered, wrapping his arms around Gu Qichi’s waist and resting his chin in the crook of his shoulder. “I know you love me. And I know we’ll be together not just in this life, but the next.”
Because no matter what, he would never let go of his hand.
Dinner was held at the mountain-top restaurant. The owner gifted them two bottles of brandy. The aroma was mellow, though the liquid burned slightly as it went down. Gu Qichi wasn’t very hungry, but he found himself unable to stop drinking.
Bo Yu had checked the alcohol content beforehand; since it wasn’t high, he let him indulge. However, Yu Sheng was also drinking heavily, and her tolerance was poor. Before long, she was thoroughly inebriated.
While Bo Yu stepped away to the restroom, Yu Sheng grew bold. “Xiao Chi baby… it’s so good to know you… hic!” She poured him a full glass. “Xiao Chi! Drink!”
The light in the room blurred into concentric circles. Gu Qichi narrowed his eyes, feeling the buzz. Unable to refuse her enthusiasm—and honestly wanting a drink—he clinked glasses with her and downed it.
“So spicy,” he thought, “but good.” He poured another. And another.
When Bo Yu returned, Gu Qichi was flushed crimson, giggling sillily at Yu Sheng, who had already passed out on the table. Bo Yu’s brow jumped. He strode over and realized his partner was well and truly wasted.
Gu Qichi’s eyes were half-closed, his cheeks ruddier than usual, with a hint of moisture at the corners of his lashes—likely tears from drowsiness. Seeing Bo Yu, Gu Qichi stopped smiling at Yu Sheng. He tilted his head back, his sharp jawline looking a bit softer due to the weight he’d gained under Bo Yu’s care lately. He blinked hard, trying to identify the man in front of him.
“Who are you?” he asked dopily.
Bo Yu frowned, glancing at the unconscious Yu Sheng before leaning down to look Gu Qichi in the eye. “I’m your husband.”
Gu Qichi smiled widely and opened his arms. “You’re so handsome. I want to marry you.” He paused, realized something, and corrected himself: “No, wait… you are my husband.”
He pouted, his voice trailing upward with a drunken nasal tone. “Then why aren’t you hugging me?”
The PD and two female staff members arrived to take care of Yu Sheng. Bo Yu helped Gu Qichi up, his expression cold as he told the crew, “Take care of Yu Sheng. I’m taking Gu Qichi back.”
But Gu Qichi wasn’t cooperating. He struggled in Bo Yu’s arms. “I don’t like you! You’re a bad man! I’m not going with you!”
Bo Yu sighed and coaxed him gently, “You aren’t a ‘trouble,’ you’re my baby. Let’s go home, okay?”
Gu Qichi finally seemed satisfied and took Bo Yu’s hand. He looked at him with watery eyes and asked seriously, “Am I your only baby?”
The staff stood frozen, watching the usually cool and collected Gu Qichi act like a spoiled child. Bo Yu picked him up, his sharp features softening into a shallow smile. “Yes. You are my only baby.”
“Then you better treat me well,” Gu Qichi mumbled, burying his face in Bo Yu’s chest.
In the cable car down, Gu Qichi was quiet and sleepy. But the moment they stepped out, he perked up again. He spread his arms wide and commanded, “Husband, I want a piggyback ride.”
Bo Yu knelt down and hoisted him up. Gu Qichi wrapped his legs around Bo Yu’s waist and locked his arms around his neck.
“You smell so good,” Gu Qichi murmured, nuzzling into Bo Yu’s neck. He smelled the faint scent of bitter orange and white musk—a cold, wintery fragrance that felt safe.
“Bo Yu—” he whispered, clinging to him.
As they walked through the quiet streets, Gu Qichi grew restless. Bo Yu felt a hot breath against his skin, and then, a set of teeth grazing his neck. Bo Yu tilted his head to avoid it, making Gu Qichi angry.
“Why did you dodge? Do you not love me anymore?!” Gu Qichi barked.
Bo Yu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “We’re on the street. People are watching.”
Gu Qichi slumped against him, pouting. “So I can’t bite you if people are watching?”
“You can bite me when we get home,” Bo Yu promised.
Gu Qichi’s mood immediately brightened. He kissed Bo Yu’s cheek. “Then let’s go home fast!”
On the way, they met a friendly neighbor. Bo Yu greeted him, but Gu Qichi suddenly let go and covered his own face, nearly falling off Bo Yu’s back.
“What are you doing?” Bo Yu scolded gently. “You almost fell!”
Gu Qichi looked at him with a wronged expression. “If I’m your only baby, I have to hide. If other people see me, they’ll try to steal me away! I’m protecting your only baby—shouldn’t you thank me?”
Bo Yu was speechless, then laughed. “Yes, I should definitely thank you.”
Back at the cabin, Bo Yu placed him on the bed and helped him undress. Gu Qichi sat on the edge of the bed, swinging his bare feet—his pale skin and slender ankles looking delicate in the firelight.
He downed two glasses of water, then asked for a third. “I’m thirsty, Husband.”
When Bo Yu went to take off his own coat, Gu Qichi grabbed the hem of it. The “drunken idiot” knelt on the edge of the bed, his eyes shimmering with unmasked desire and attachment.
“Not going to let me bite you?” he asked urgently.
Bo Yu sighed, kissed his cheek, and said, “Let me take off my coat first.”
“I’m watching you,” Gu Qichi warned. “You can’t back out.”
The fire in the fireplace crackled, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Bo Yu tossed his coat aside and stood before the kneeling Gu Qichi.
“Where do you want to bite?” Bo Yu asked, his voice thick and strained.
“Lean down,” Gu Qichi tugged at his collar. “I can’t reach.”
Bo Yu obeyed. Gu Qichi’s hand moved to Bo Yu’s throat, covering the vibrating Adam’s apple. “Here. I like it here.”
Bo Yu’s presence was overwhelming. He pinned Gu Qichi in place, one hand on his jaw, the other on his waist. It was a possessive, dominant stance that would have made anyone else uncomfortable—but Gu Qichi loved it. It made him feel safe.
Bo Yu’s voice was low, heavy with a desire that felt like a net closing in. “What else do you like?”
Gu Qichi looked him straight in the eye, his gaze honest and unfiltered. “I like it when you kiss me.”
Bo Yu’s breathing hitched. His thumb stroked the corner of Gu Qichi’s eye. “Do you even know what you’re saying?”
Gu Qichi straightened his back, closing the distance between them with a heartless, beautiful smile.
“I do. I also like it when you fck me.”