Ch.69 – The Star Around The Sun

The next morning, Yang Youming and Xia Xingcheng had breakfast at the hotel before setting off by car. 

Li Yun didn’t accompany them, simply sending them off as they got into the car at the hotel entrance.

When they left the hotel room, Xia Xingcheng wore a cap and mask, and Yang Youming also had sunglasses on, but they were still recognized. Before getting into the car, Xia Xingcheng saw someone taking pictures of them with their phone. Huang Jixin’s repeated warnings came to mind, and he was a little flustered for no reason.

He glanced in that direction. When he heard Yang Youming urging him from behind, he lowered his head and got into the car. 

Yang Youming followed him in, and the driver closed the door.

The interior of the vehicle was spacious, and the heater was on full blast. Xia Xingcheng took off his cap and mask and looked at Yang Youming who was sitting next to him, saying, “I saw someone taking pictures.” 

Yang Youming took off his sunglasses, slipping them into the pocket of his down jacket, and said, “Still not used to it?” 

Xia Xingcheng couldn’t help but say, “It’s different when it’s with you.”

Yang Youming didn’t say anything, shooting a look at the driver’s direction, so Xia Xingcheng didn’t mention it anymore.

They shed their down jackets. Yang Youming had changed into a turtleneck sweater today, because when he got up earlier this morning, his neck was covered with mottled marks. His back and shoulders also had tiny cuts that Xia Xingcheng had scratched and bitten out.

When Yang Youming looked in the mirror, Xia Xingcheng came into the bathroom to hang a towel. Yang Youming pressed his fingers to the bite marks on his shoulder and glimpsed at him in the mirror.

Xia Xingcheng walked out somewhat sheepishly. Yet after going out, he felt a little unwilling, stretching his head back and saying to Yang Youming, “This is called marking the prey.”

After he said this, he wanted to go, but Yang Youming grabbed his wrist and pulled him back into the bathroom. Yang Youming hoisted him up and sat him down on the bathroom countertop, pulling open his collar to reveal his fair neck and acting like he was about to bite down hard. 

Xia Xingcheng really thought that Yang Youming was going to bite. His eyes were shut, ready to endure the pain, but in the end, all that fell on his skin was a single light kiss. 

As Yang Youming’s lips left his skin, he stared at the place he had kissed and whispered, “It’s been marked well.”

Xia Xingcheng turned to look at him. Yang Youming’s expression was gentle, as if all his attention was focused on him. Abruptly, his heart started to beat violently. It was as if Yang Youming had really branded his body with this one mark, and his entire body burned up in an instant. 

Up until now, whenever Xia Xingcheng subconsciously touched the skin above his collarbone through his clothes, those memories would abruptly flood his mind. 

At this time, Yang  Youming leaned against the back of the chair and shut his eyes to rest. 

Xia Xingcheng was still in good spirits. He reached out to pull down Yang Youming’s collar to see the marks on his neck.

With his eyes still closed, Yang Youming grabbed Xia Xingcheng’s hand, holding him palm and pressing it to his leg, saying, “Rest for a while, be good.”

Xia Xingcheng glanced at the driver in the front seat, then closed his eyes and leaned against the back of the chair, hooking his finger with Yang Youming’s pinky.

The car drove out of the city center for more than an hour and into the mountain road on the outskirts of the city. The mountain was not tall, but snow could be seen on the mountaintop. The mountain road was very deserted. Except for the dense woods on both sides, all that was left was a walled off yard. It was basically a private courtyard. 

Xia Xingcheng looked out the window and saw a black car parked on the side of the road. Their car began to slow down and soon stopped near the car. 

As soon as the car stopped, Yang Youming got up without waiting for the driver. He had already put on his jacket, opening the door to get out of the car. He stood by the door and held out a hand towards Xia Xingcheng. 

Xia Xingcheng took his hand and got out of the car. As soon as he stepped out, the two let go of each other’s hands, because two people had gotten off the car in front of them–one was Chen Hailan, and the other was Qin Xueyue. 

Qin Xueyue wore a long skirt under her white down jacket that parted from her knees down to her sneakers, exposing her calf. Her face was filled with astonishment the moment she saw Xia Xingcheng, and she ran over to him. “Xingcheng, what are you doing here?” 

As she arrived in front of him, Xia Xingcheng gave her a very light hug and patted her back, then soon removed his arms, saying, “I came with Ming ge.” He didn’t even know who Yang Youming was taking him to see.

Chen Hailan also came over and raised his hand to wave at Xia Xingcheng, “Xingcheng is here too?” Then he said to Qin Xueyue, “Xiao Xue, Ming ge doesn’t need an introduction from me, right?”

Qin Xueyue looked up at Yang Youming and greeted him with a rare and somewhat shy smile, “Hello, Ming ge.”

Yang Youming nodded mildly.

Chen Hailan approached them and said, “Jingyuan called me early this morning and asked me to bring Xiao Xue with me. I didn’t expect that Xingcheng would come as well, and it just so happens that you youngsters can hang out together later.” 

Yang Youming said, “I brought him to come and see.”

Chen Hailan knew that they were familiar with each other and didn’t think it was all too strange, but Qin Xueyue kept looking at Yang Youming with prying eyes.

Right then, Yang Youming asked Chen Hailan again, “Your wife didn’t come with you?” 

Chen Hailan said, “She had something to do at work and couldn’t get away.” Soon after, he turned around to look at the mountain road ahead and said, “There are still ten more minutes until we get there.” 

When Qin Xueyue heard this, she suddenly grabbed Xia Xingcheng’s hand and pulled him forwards, saying, “Let’s go, go and take our car.” 

Xia Xingcheng rejected her without a second thought, “No thank you, I’ll just take this one.” 

Yang Youming shot a glance at Xia Xingcheng’s hand that was held tightly by Qin Xueyue.

Qin Xueyue wanted to insist. Chen Hailan came over to smooth things over, patting Qin Xueyue’s shoulder, and said, “We’ll be arriving soon, Xingcheng will keep his Ming ge company in their car. When we get there, you guys can go hiking, okay?”

Only after hearing Chen Hailan say so did Qin Xueyue let go.

Xia Xingcheng returned to Yang Youming’s side and said, “Ming ge, let’s get in the car.” 

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⟵ Chapter 68 | TOC | Chapter 70 ⟶