Why Does First Love Feel This Sweet? - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Just making the decision to part ways temporarily made Sheng Yi’s nose tingle with a brewing sob. At the moment Rong Yu finally relented and let him go, he was overcome by a complex, indescribable wave of emotion.

He even felt a flicker of regret. Was he really going to leave Rong Yu behind in the country all by himself?

Sheng Yi began to doubt the correctness of this choice. After all, he had only been awake for a short while; Rong Yu had just spent three years “losing” him. His eyes reddened for a second, but he quickly reined in his sentimentality.

Rong Yu regained his composure even faster. Silently, he helped Sheng Yi adjust his clothes, his face showing no trace of turmoil as he quietly drove them back home.

That night, Rong Yu leaned against the headboard, lost in thought, while Sheng Yi hugged his waist and used his chest as a pillow. Rong Yu’s fingers toyed absently with his hair. After a long silence, he asked softly, “When do you leave?”

“In a few days,” Sheng Yi said, his hand slipping under the silk fabric of Rong Yu’s pajamas to reluctantly stroke those well-defined abs. “I haven’t discussed the details with Teacher yet.”

Rong Yu was silent for a moment. “Before the school entrance exams?”

Sheng Yi hummed. “I’ll come back specifically for the exams.”

“What about the Lunar New Year?”

“I don’t know yet.”

After holding Rong Yu for a while, Sheng Yi rustled under the covers and ducked his head down. Rong Yu’s breath hitched, his hand moving to Sheng Yi’s soft hair, gently kneading the familiar strands.

…

The Destiny of an Artist

The next morning, Tu Xinlai was discharged from the hospital. Rong Yu took a day off to help Cheng Wenge and Sheng Yi bring the teacher home. Once they arrived, Rong Yu didn’t go inside immediately. On the snowy path in front of the residence, he leaned against the car and lit a menthol cigarette, quietly waiting for the result of their discussion.

When Tu Xinlai heard Sheng Yi wanted to accompany him abroad for recovery, his eyes welled up. He sat in long, bowed silence. He hadn’t expected that at the absolute lowest point of his life, it would be his student supporting him.

Once the departure time was settled, Tu Xinlai looked out the window and said weakly, “Let him in. I have something to say to him.”

Sheng Yi called Rong Yu inside and went to wait outside with Cheng Wenge. Rong Yu sat opposite Tu Xinlai, who looked at him and said, “I’m sorry for borrowing this child from your side for a while.”

Rong Yu didn’t know how to respond. He could usually deal with anyone with polite, hollow words, but he couldn’t say “It’s okay.”

“I hope you can forgive my selfishness,” Tu Xinlai said, watching Sheng Yi in the courtyard. “In exchange, I will take care of him and do everything in my power to ensure his talent is seen by the world. I promise you, when he returns, he will be a rising star in the art world that leaves everyone in awe.”

Rong Yu blinked slowly. Tu Xinlai smiled confidently. “The first time I saw Xiao Yi, I knew. One day, he will surpass me. It is his destiny.”

“I can’t guarantee if this destiny will bring him good or bad results,” Tu Xinlai continued, his eyes lighting up with a touch of artistic madness. “Because he is a natural artist, his unique worldview is destined to clash with the world. He will spend his life fighting himself to keep his soul pure. Even if he is lonely or betrayed, that pain will fulfill him.”

“No,” Rong Yu interrupted, his hand pausing on a stray cat’s ear. He looked up, his gaze steady. “He won’t be lonely, and he won’t be betrayed by those closest to him. I will stay with him forever.”

…

The Final Ten Hours

The departure was set for three days later. Rong Yu skipped the hospital for those three days to pack Sheng Yi’s bags. Everything was folded with the space-saving precision of a perfectionist.

“Don’t go out alone over there. Always carry your phone,” Rong Yu nagged. “If you can’t speak the language, use a translation app. If there’s a problem, find the police.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Sheng Yi laughed, kissing Ares the dog. “I’ll be back next month for the exams. Don’t make it so tragic.”

Then, Sheng Yi locked Ares out of the room and dragged Rong Yu onto the bed. “Only ten hours left until I leave. Let’s get down to business.”

Rong Yu didn’t refuse this time. However, Sheng Yi noticed that Rong Yu was being exceptionally gentle and sentimental—the “Pisces” side was out in full force.

“Rong Yu, I really believe you’re a Pisces now,” Sheng Yi joked, biting Rong Yu’s lower lip. “But baby, right now, I need your ‘Rising’ sign to take over.”

Rong Yu understood. His eyes turned dark and cold. He flipped Sheng Yi over, pinning his shoulders to the headboard. Hours later, Sheng Yi was trembling, his face buried in the pillow, regretting his request as he tried to crawl away. “Wait… I have to catch a flight in a few hours…”

“Teacher Xiao Yu” simply grabbed his ankle and pulled him back.

…

The Goodbye

At 7:00 PM, they reached the airport. Tu Xinlai headed through security first to give them space. Sheng Yi hugged Rong Yu tightly, his eyes stinging. “I’ll text you when I land.”

“Stay safe,” Rong Yu said, holding him with crushing strength.

“When I get back, I’ll have to call you Senior,” Sheng Yi teased, referring to university.

“Don’t forget to study. I’ll be checking via video calls,” Rong Yu warned.

Sheng Yi lingered, unable to move. Despite the crowds watching the two handsome men, Sheng Yi suddenly pulled Rong Yu’s head down and gave him a passionate, lingering kiss for three seconds.

A few girls nearby squealed.

Sheng Yi let go, gave a two-finger salute, and grinned. “I’m off. Take care of our son (Ares)!” He turned and disappeared into the security line.

Rong Yu watched until he was completely gone. He touched his damp lips and whispered to the empty air, “Junior, I’ll be waiting for you.”