Shi Jin was confined to the bedroom by Lian Jun. He wasn’t allowed to see outsiders or go out; his phone and tablet were confiscated. The only entertainment activity he could engage in was sitting by the window to watch the scenery, and the only two living people he could see were Lian Jun and Uncle Long.

Lian Jun didn’t stay in the same room with him; he only came over on time every day to eat with him, and then… touch him.

Certain embarrassing memories surfaced from the depths of his mind. Shi Jin shook his head vigorously to cast those memories aside, looked down, pulled open his pajamas to examine the various marks on his body, and buried his face in his hands in despair.

He knew Lian Jun was very angry this time and was willing to be punished, but, but this… coming three times a day like this, he would suffer from kidney exhaustion sooner or later! Besides, every time he was the only one getting worked up, while Lian Jun always remained neatly dressed with a calm expression, and didn’t even allow him to touch back— this wasn’t fair!

Although Uncle Long said Lian Jun’s body wasn’t suitable for doing anything right now, a kiss should be fine, right… But Lian Jun didn’t allow him to kiss. No, it should be said that Lian Jun didn’t allow him to do anything at all, only allowing him to… be touched obediently.

“He really is still angry,” Shi Jin rubbed his face hard, feeling deeply troubled. Lian Jun had never been this angry before, and he didn’t know how to coax him.

Xiao Si suddenly spoke up, its voice listless: <Jinjin, why is it that these past two days, every time Darling comes, you shut me in the dark room and only let me out after Darling leaves? Are you guys secretly arguing behind my back? Every time Darling leaves, your eyes are all red and you look so weak. Did you cry secretly behind my back? Did Darling bully you… Waaah, please don’t fight, I’m scared…>

Shi Jin was embarrassed and awkward hearing this, quickly explaining: “No, Lian Jun and I aren’t fighting, and he didn’t bully… anyway, that doesn’t count as bullying. Don’t cry, he and I are doing great, really.”

<Really?> Xiao Si confirmed pitifully.

Shi Jin replied dryly: “Really… I guess.”

After saying that, he felt listless as well, feeling a dull stuffiness in his heart.

In fact, it wasn’t good at all. Although Lian Jun would come to see him and be intimate with him, he hardly talked to him, had almost no expression on his face, and his eyes were heavy— clearly holding back his anger.

Even though the two of them met every single day, he still didn’t know what Lian Jun’s current physical condition actually was. Uncle Long had come over specifically to give him a summary of Lian Jun’s present status, but his words were extremely vague, using a vast collection of medical jargon that no one could understand. So right now he only vaguely knew that Lian Jun no longer needed to stay in the isolation ward recently and that his body was slowly recovering. Aside from that, he didn’t even know whether Lian Jun was eating properly every day.

Although Lian Jun accompanied him to eat these past few days, he really only accompanied him, not moving his chopsticks at all, claiming every time that he had already eaten before coming.

He really wanted to know what Lian Jun ate every day, how much he ate, whether he felt nauseated or turned off after eating; he also wanted to accompany Lian Jun for afternoon naps, help share his workload, and stay by his side at night to watch if he slept peacefully…

“How is his body doing after all…” Shi Jin slumped sideways on the bed, buried his head in the quilt, and punched the pillow twice in frustration.

Click.

The sound of the doorknob turning made Shi Jin freeze his pillow-punching motion. He hesitated for a second and didn’t roll over immediately to greet Lian Jun as he usually did, remaining lying sideways with his back to the door.

The sound of a wheelchair rolling into the room sounded, followed by the closing of the door, and then the wheelchair started moving again… At a location where the bed could roughly be seen, the rolling sound paused briefly before continuing. Instead of heading toward the desk as usual, it moved straight toward the bedside.

The closer the sound got, the more nervous he became. Finally, just as Lian Jun was about to come around to see his face, he chicken-heartedly closed his eyes to pretend to be asleep.

The sound of the wheelchair stopped by the bed, and a shadow cast over his body. Shi Jin forced himself to relax his body and slow his breathing, trying his best to act as if he were fast asleep, feeling deeply regretful inside— If he had known earlier, he should have gotten up to greet him as usual. What if Lian Jun realized he wasn’t asleep and misunderstood that he was sulking? He didn’t know what wrong wire crossed in his brain just now that made him lie there without moving.

Pretend to sleep, pretend to sleep, gotta make it look real.

“Shi Jin,” Lian Jun’s voice sounded, somewhat quiet.

Shi Jin didn’t move.

The room quieted down. He didn’t know how long passed, but just as Shi Jin suspected Lian Jun had already left, a stream of warm breath fanned across his face, followed by a warmth on his lips.

Huh???

Shi Jin snapped his eyes open, looking at Lian Jun’s face right in front of his. He immediately wrapped his arms around his neck, parted his lips, and kissed back forcefully.

Lian Jun stiffened, hastily opening his eyes and trying to pull away.

“Don’t you dare leave,” Shi Jin pursued him, his eyes fierce, his kiss equally fierce, carrying a yearning that couldn’t be poured out from within and a desire to get close. “You were the one who took the initiative to kiss me this time, don’t even think about leaving.”

Meeting his gaze— pretending to be fierce yet actually full of grievance and missing him— Lian Jun’s fingers trembled, the warmth returning to his eyes and brows. Accepting his fate, he reached out to pull him into his arms, turned his head to kiss him back, and gently stroked along his spine.

How long had it been since he last felt this? This kind of gentle kiss of being cherished by the other person.

It was clearly affection he used to receive every single day before, yet now it suddenly felt incomparably precious.

In Shi Jin’s mind flashed the memory from before he left: Lian Jun lying pale and weak on the bed, unable to open his eyes no matter how he called out to him. His arms tightened, kissing more and more passionately. Finally feeling that Lian Jun was sitting too far away, he simply knelt at the edge of the bed and leaned over. Then, feeling that the food container on Lian Jun’s lap got in the way too much, he reached out, grabbed the container, set it on the nightstand, embraced Lian Jun, and pulled him down backward onto the bed.

The sound of the wheelchair being kicked aside echoed. Shi Jin entangled Lian Jun with hands and feet, coming close to Lian Jun’s face, continuing to kiss him messily, saying: “You can punish me however you want, just don’t ignore me, give me a little response…”

Lian Jun was dragged down to press on top of him. Seeing his frantic appearance and the faintly red corners of his eyes, Lian Jun’s heart softened. He closed his eyes, bit him with a bit of force to force his movements to pause, then pushed himself up and asked: “Have you reflected?”

Shi Jin looked up at his calm, commanding gaze, pursed his bitten lips, and his expression suddenly turned fierce. Yanking Lian Jun’s collar to pull him down, he said: “No! How am I supposed to reflect! Every day I worry whether you’re eating well, sleeping well, or if you’re uncomfortable somewhere— where would I find time to reflect! Stop having Uncle Long fool me with superficial talk, how is your body really doing? I’m terrified! Why won’t you tell me anything! If you’re angry, you can hit me, scold me, punish me. You obviously know I’ll worry, get anxious, and overthink, so why won’t you say anything, you—”

Lian Jun suddenly cupped his face and kissed him down, smothering all his words.

Shi Jin turned his head to dodge, determined to have a proper conversation with him today.

“I’m sorry,” Lian Jun suddenly spoke.

Shi Jin instantly stopped all dodging movements and looked up at him.

“Sorry for taking so long to wake up,” Lian Jun touched his face and asked, “Are you angry with me?”

Looking at Lian Jun’s complexion, which had become slightly rosier from kissing, Shi Jin was filled with mixed emotions. Compromising, he relaxed his body, hooked his arms around Lian Jun’s neck, and took the initiative to kiss him: “How could I possibly be angry… You’re too sneaky.”

Lian Jun rubbed the hair on the back of his head, closing his eyes to return the kiss.

After the kiss ended, the two embraced tightly, neither speaking first.

“You can lock me up,” in the end it was Shi Jin who spoke first, frowning as he admitted his fault. “I will reflect, but don’t stop talking to me. I want to know if you’re eating well and sleeping well.”

Lian Jun touched his hair and suddenly said, “It’s grown longer.”

Shi Jin froze, looking up at him: “What?”

Lian Jun stroked his face and said, “When we get back to the island, have Gua Six cut your hair for you.”

Looking at the gentle look in Lian Jun’s eyes, Shi Jin opened his mouth slightly, then pursed it tautly, buried his head to hold him tightly, and said fiercely: “You really are a bastard, sneaky and difficult… Fine! I’ll get my hair cut. Whatever style you want me to cut it to, I’ll cut it that way. I’ll listen to you on everything!”

Listening to Shi Jin’s voice raspy as he spoke, Lian Jun’s heart, which was never hardened toward him in the first place, softened completely. He bowed his head to kiss the top of Shi Jin’s head, sighing deeply in his heart— Forget it, let it be like this… I can’t really bring myself to make this person sad.