After Falling for the Handsome CEO - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: A Dream of Many Years

Shen Jin’s face turned beet-red instantly, looking as if steam might start rising from the top of his head. He buried his face even deeper, stumbling over his words as he murmured almost inaudibly, “I’m… this is… I…”

What is “this”? Just because you helped me apply some medicine, I ended up…

Shen Jin naturally couldn’t say such things out loud. He could only keep his head down, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into, stammering to find an explanation. “That’s because… because…”

“Because of what?” Yan Yu narrowed his eyes. Watching the boy’s helpless expression, the urge to tease him grew stronger, and he felt a wave of heat rising in his own chest.

“Could it be because…” Yan Yu wrapped an arm around his waist, his tongue flicking against the shell of the boy’s ear. He leaned down to kiss his neck, sucking a dark “strawberry” mark onto the skin. “Because last night… I didn’t satisfy you enough?”

“No, no!” Shen Jin shook his head instinctively, the words blurting out before he could stop them. “…I was very satisfied!”

The moment the words left his mouth, his cheeks burned with shame. He felt utterly shameless—how could he say something like that?

He didn’t understand why he was always so nervous in front of Yan Yu, especially since they had only met the night before.

Yan Yu swallowed hard. Although he had a preference for men, he wasn’t usually this thirsty. Given his current status and wealth, what kind of handsome man couldn’t he have?

Yet now, looking at this blushing youth who looked ready to combust, Yan Yu felt an overwhelming desire to bully him…

It even made him forget they were currently in a hospital; he felt like a spark ready to ignite a wildfire.

When that thought crossed his mind, Yan Yu suddenly turned and walked toward the door. Hearing the footsteps leave, Shen Jin lowered his head in disappointment, staring silently at the floor.

He thought it was only natural for Yan Yu to leave. After all, they had no real relationship; it was just a transaction. He was the one being whimsical, clinging to memories and harboring unreachable fantasies…

Just as he was spiraling into self-depreciation, someone tapped his head lightly. A husky, sexy male voice rang out: “What are you thinking about?”

Shen Jin flinched and blinked in a daze. He couldn’t understand—hadn’t Yan Yu just left? Why was he back?

Did he specifically come back… to comfort me?

Thinking this, he felt he shouldn’t be so spoiled by the man’s gentleness. He shook his head and said, “You don’t need to mind me. I’m fine, you should go—”

“Mgh…”

Before he could finish, Yan Yu pinched his chin and leaned down to capture his soft, reddened lips.

…

…

In the VIP Ward.

The room smelled faintly of antiseptic. A beautiful man lying on a pure white bed stared blankly at the open window. A cool breeze drifted in, fluttering the pale curtains and revealing the azure sky.

The sun was bright, and the breeze was refreshing.

Yet, for some reason, Xie Li felt a heaviness in his chest.

Why?

A moment later, the ward door was pushed open. A nurse walked in with a beaming smile. “Young Master Xie, you must be hungry. It’s time to eat.”

Xie Li glanced at her briefly, a faint smile touching his handsome face. He had red lips, white teeth, and eyes that sparkled like starlight; when he smiled, his eyes curved into beautiful crescents, leaving the nurse momentarily dazed.

“I’ll eat later. Just leave it there,” he said softly, glancing at the bedside table with no intention of moving.

He carried an air of clean, fresh elegance, yet there was a faint sense of detachment—as if he were shrouded in a hazy veil that made him impossible to read or touch.

He was also the dream Yan Yu had chased for many years.

“President Yan brought flowers over again just now,” the nurse said with a smile as she pushed the food tray to the bed. As she carefully set it down, she noticed the flowers in the vase hadn’t been changed yet. “Wait, hasn’t President Yan arrived yet? He definitely brought flowers to the hospital again.”

Due to an incident in his childhood, Xie Li had a weak heart and was prone to illness. During this hospital stay, Yan Yu would set aside an hour or two every day to visit and keep him company, yet today he was nowhere to be seen.

This made Xie Li feel a prickle of irritation.

He didn’t show his emotions, instead offering the nurse a gentle smile. “He’s very busy with work. It’s already hard on him to come every day. He’s probably visiting someone else this time.”

The nurse laughed. “How could it be hard? President Yan likes you so much, Young Master Xie; he wishes he could stay here and accompany you all day.”

Xie Li narrowed his beautiful eyes slightly, a shallow smile playing on his lips as he said elegantly, “What are you talking about? We’re just friends.”

They were friends—at least on the surface.

But it was a fact that Yan Yu liked him.

Xie Li had never reciprocated, but of course, he had never explicitly rejected him either.

“Yes, yes, whatever you say, Young Master Xie!” The nurse didn’t understand the complexities of their relationship. She simply nodded along, set the food down, and reminded him, “Remember to eat. Call us if you need anything.”

“I will. Thank you for your hard work,” Xie Li smiled. “You can go back to your duties.”

The nurse left after one last admiring look at that charming face. The ward fell silent once more.

He stared aimlessly at the white ceiling, wondering why Yan Yu hadn’t arrived yet. Was he too busy, or did he really have another friend in the hospital?

Usually, even if he was too busy, he would call to let him know.

The fact that Yan Yu was in the hospital but hadn’t shown up—and hadn’t called—made Xie Li feel a sense of unease. It felt like something was slipping out of his control, leaving him frustrated and displeased.

Eventually, he couldn’t help but dial Yan Yu’s number.

…

In the infirmary, the atmosphere was thick with passion.

Suddenly, an ill-timed ringtone startled both of them.

When Yan Yu saw the name “A-Li” on the screen, the smile on his face froze. His first instinct was to hang up, but his finger accidentally swiped “Answer.” Xie Li’s clear, melodious voice drifted from the speaker:

“A-Yu, I don’t feel well…”