Once inside the room, Xiuyuan closed the door quietly behind them. The soft click echoed in the small space, making the room feel heavier, more intimate. Lianxiu swallowed hard, hands twisting nervously at the hem of his robe.
Xiuyuan stepped closer, calm as ever, eyes steady. "You've been avoiding me for a week," he said softly, but with a firmness that brooked no evasion.
Lianxiu's face flushed immediately, a mix of embarrassment and guilt. "I… I didn't mean to," he whispered. "I just… I feel… I—" He broke off, eyes darting to the floor, shoulders stiff.
Xiuyuan's gaze, calm and unshakable, met his. "About that night…" he began, voice measured but gentle, "I knew, Shen Lianxiu."
Lianxiu's body froze. His eyes widened, and a deep flush crept across his cheeks. "You… you knew, Shixiong?" His voice trembled slightly, betraying the storm of embarrassment and guilt swirling within him.
He turned abruptly, as if the act of facing Xiuyuan would make the memory even more unbearable. His mind raced, overthinking every nuance of his impulsive act, every heartbeat of that night, every moment he had dared to act without thought.
"I'm… I'm sorry, I made you uncomfortable," he muttered under his breath, voice small and almost inaudible. "I shouldn't have… I—"
Xiuyuan stepped closer, the soft click of his boots on the wooden floor grounding the room in calm. He sighed, a sound both patient and commanding, and gently turned Lianxiu to face him. One steady hand rested lightly on the boy's shoulder, grounding him, reassuring him.
"Shen Lianxiu," Xiuyuan said, voice low, precise, carrying the weight of experience and care, "even if the intent is affection, even if it is toward someone you love, you cannot act without consent. Trust is built on respect, on asking first, on understanding boundaries. Actions without that—no matter how small—can breach that trust."
Lianxiu's chest tightened, his breath catching in his throat. Every word resonated deeply, but the gentle firmness, the calm clarity of Xiuyuan's tone, made him feel safe instead of scolded. Slowly, he nodded, absorbing each word, letting it settle in his heart.
"I… I understand, Shixiong," he whispered, voice trembling slightly, but with a newfound steadiness. "I… I'll remember. I… I won't forget."
Xiuyuan's hand remained on his shoulder, warm and grounding. "Good," he said quietly, eyes softening. "You've nothing to be ashamed of. Mistakes teach us. But lessons learned with understanding are never forgotten."
Lianxiu exhaled slowly, a weight lifting off his chest. Nervousness still lingered like a shadow at the edge of his mind, but it no longer constricted him. Instead, he felt steadier, more certain — and a quiet, fluttering warmth blossomed in his chest.
He gave a polite, small nod, eyes finally meeting Xiuyuan's with a hint of gratitude and newfound composure. No words were needed beyond that, for in the silent understanding between them, something unspoken and tender had shifted, binding them closer with trust, respect, and quiet affection.
Lianxiu's chest rose and fell rapidly as he took a tentative step closer. His voice trembled, barely above a whisper.
"Shixiong… can I… hug you?" he asked, nerves threading through each word.
Xiuyuan froze, eyes widening in shock. His calm composure faltered entirely, a deep flush spreading across his face. He looked away, unable to respond, words lodged in his throat.
Lianxiu's smile was awkward, hesitant, but filled with hope. "Should I take that as yes?" he asked softly, voice wavering.
Xiuyuan remained silent, his ears bright red, his heart hammering.
"Then I'll hug you," Lianxiu said gently, careful and deliberate. "If it's a no… simply push me away."
He inched closer, giving Xiuyuan every fraction of a second to respond. And then, slowly, carefully, he wrapped his arms around Xiuyuan's waist.
The warmth of Xiuyuan's body pressed against him, the steady rhythm of his breathing grounding and comforting. Relief flooded Lianxiu's chest in a rush, washing away a week of tension, guilt, and uncertainty. He could hardly believe it — the quiet, solid presence of the man he admired so deeply was here, close enough to feel every beat of his heart.
Xiuyuan, still blushing furiously, muttered under his breath, almost exasperated, "You… learned nothing."
But he didn't push Lianxiu away. The words were more a soft protest than a command, and Lianxiu felt it as permission, affirmation, and a quiet, unspoken acceptance all at once.
His relief turned into pure, uncontainable happiness. A smile spread across his face, shy yet radiant, and his heart swelled in a way it hadn't for a long time. In that embrace, a week of avoidance, a night of impulsive guilt, and all the tangled emotions melted into a quiet, perfect moment.
Lianxiu's grip tightened slightly, not too much, just enough to feel the closeness, and for the first time in days, he felt completely, unreservedly happy.
The room remained quiet, save for the soft sound of breath and the faint hum of life beyond the walls. And in that quiet, tender pause, both of them understood something profound: trust, care, and the courage to ask had built a bridge stronger than hesitation or embarrassment ever could.
Lianxiu exhaled softly against Xiuyuan, eyes closed, heart soaring. For the first time in a week, he felt at peace. And it was perfect.