Why Does First Love Feel This Sweet? - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Rong Yu maintained his habit of morning runs; a disciplined life brought him peace. In truth, he didn’t wake up at 7:00 AM, but at 5:00 AM. He would run for an hour, return at 6:00 AM to shower, and then—unbeknownst to Sheng Yi—slip back into bed to hold him for another hour.

He had tried to help Sheng Yi develop healthier habits, but every morning he would hesitate by the bed, only to change his mind upon seeing Sheng Yi’s sweet, deep sleep. He would kiss Sheng Yi’s forehead and head out alone.

Because of the new family member, Rong Yu had been trying to bond with Ares. Ares was truly the “child” Sheng Yi had chosen; he was a mirror image of his master—capable of eating and sleeping anywhere, and completely lighthearted.

At dawn, Rong Yu leaned over to kiss Sheng Yi’s nose before squatting by Ares’s bed. “Ares, want to go out?” Ares just rolled onto his belly and kept snoring. Unlike Sheng Yi, who pampered the pup, Rong Yu believed in scientific training. He dressed the sleeping puppy in a warm coat and carried the oblivious “son” out the door.

That evening, after picking up Sheng Yi from Master Tu’s, they found the bedroom a disaster. Ares had shredded Rong Yu’s pillow, scattering down feathers everywhere, and had even urinated on Rong Yu’s side of the bed.

“You little rascal! Apologize to Daddy!” Sheng Yi scolded, flicking Ares’s nose. Ares just wagged his tail excitedly.

“It’s fine,” Rong Yu said, reaching for the pup. Ares let out a sharp, milky “Woof!” at him. Rong Yu paused and withdrew his hand.

Over the next few days, Ares targeted Rong Yu’s sofa, his slippers, and even tore up the book Rong Yu read every night. Ares was an angel with Sheng Yi but turned into a “black angel” the moment Rong Yu approached.

Guilty, Sheng Yi suggested, “Maybe I should send him back.”

“No,” Rong Yu said, pulling Sheng Yi into his arms as they lay in bed. “Abandoning him would make him lose trust in humans. He’ll grow out of it.”

…

The Realization

While at art class, Sheng Yi vented to Ling Ye. “Ares hates Rong Yu. It’s like they were enemies in a past life.”

Ling Ye, casually mixing paint, asked, “When is he most aggressive toward your boyfriend?”

Sheng Yi paused, his ears turning red. He remembered: Ares was loudest when they were having “couple time.” Ares would bark at the bed, and when Rong Yu tried to take Sheng Yi to the shower afterward, the pup would bite Rong Yu’s pant legs. Clearly, Ares thought Rong Yu was “bullying” his favorite human.

Ling Ye noticed his blush and smirked. “I thought you two were in a marriage of convenience. Your ‘public displays of affection’ feel fake.”

Sheng Yi was stung. “How is it fake?”

“Intuition,” Ling Ye said. “If you hadn’t said you were married, I’d think you were just brothers. He clearly likes you—anyone can see that. But whether you feel the same way? I couldn’t tell.”

…

Christmas Eve

That night, Sheng Yi couldn’t stop thinking about Ling Ye’s words. He realized that while he intended to stay by Rong Yu’s side forever, he had neglected one thing: love requires a response. Was his self-righteous “support” enough to make Rong Yu truly happy?

“Xiao Yu, let’s eat out tonight,” Sheng Yi proposed.

It was Christmas Eve. The streets were lined with lights and Christmas trees. Rong Yu took him to the snack street in front of their old high school. They stood in line for Taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes) among crowds of students.

The auntie at the stall recognized them. “Oh, it’s been a while! Are you here with him again?”

“This time, I was the one who wanted to come,” Rong Yu said with a polite smile.

They sat on the steps of the basketball court, eating the warm red-bean cakes. Sheng Yi asked, “Xiao Yu, have you been happy lately? Even skipping the dating phase for the ‘daily life’ phase?”

“This is enough,” Rong Yu smiled.

Sheng Yi looked at him, wanting to be sure. “Xiao Yu, can you kiss me?”

Snow began to fall, swirling under the streetlights. In the quiet corner of the campus, they leaned in. The kiss started tentative and grew passionate.

Suddenly, a flashlight beam hit them. “You two! What class are you in?!” the Dean shouted, mistaking them for students.

“Crap!” Sheng Yi’s heart leaped. He grabbed Rong Yu’s hand and ran.

“Stop right there!” the Dean chased them.

“Teacher, stop chasing! Merry Christmas!” Sheng Yi laughed as they sprinted toward the car, his eyes bright and wild.

…

Belonging

Back home, the adrenaline hadn’t faded. In the dark of the bedroom, they fell together again. Sheng Yi realized that while he couldn’t yet match Rong Yu’s depth of emotion, he was incredibly attracted to him. He didn’t even need Rong Yu to initiate; just the scent of him made Sheng Yi want to touch him.

Tonight, Rong Yu was more fervent than ever.

“Woof!” Ares, having realized the door was open, was pawing at the bed and barking at Rong Yu.

“Wait…” Sheng Yi tried to get up to protect Rong Yu from the “misunderstanding” pup.

Rong Yu pinned him back down, biting his earlobe softly. “Ignore him.”

“But—”

“It’s fine,” Rong Yu locked fingers with him against the pillow, burying his face in Sheng Yi’s neck. His voice was husky with possessiveness. “Let him learn whose you are.”