Chapter 19: Can We Still Kiss?

Chapter 19 Can We Still Kiss?

The soft light from the arched ceiling in the hallway spread like flowing water, stretching the sense of depth in the space.

Like a road that never ends.

Chen Jiadong said softly, "This isn't as simple as you saying sorry and me forgiving you. We're not on the same path anymore—we can't keep walking together."

"Why do you even bother?"

The words turned into a dull buzz in Lu Hechi's head.

"Alright, go on back."

With that, Chen Jiadong patted his shoulder and brushed past him, walking off.

Lu Hechi stood there, watching until his figure disappeared.

"..."

Back in the private room, Shen Lanxue was drinking.

Song Jiyao had his forearm resting on the armrest, a cigarette between his fingers, and asked Shen Lanxue, "How are things going with your guy lately?"

"Not bad."

Shen Lanxue dropped his gaze, his voice flat.

"Not bad?" Song Jiyao raised an eyebrow. "I find him pretty interesting. The amnesia is like a full-on personality swap—he's a completely different person."

"Honestly, isn't this like living with an eighteen-year-old? Pretty fun, actually. At that age, they're stubborn and fun, and they really know how to stir things up."

Zhou Fang set his glass down: "He's more tolerable now than before. If you really want to..." He paused, then pitched a bad idea: "Just let him never remember."

Song Jiyao: "A-Fang, you're cold-hearted. No wonder no girls like you."

Shen Lanxue smoothly changed the subject.

He didn't want to get too deep into his relationship with Lu Hechi with his friends.

By the time Lu Hechi came back, the group had already moved on to other topics.

From new national policies to projects that were looking promising lately.

Lu Hechi couldn't follow any of it, but he caught a faint smell of alcohol.

He whispered to Shen Lanxue, "Bro, did you drink?"

"Yeah."

Lu Hechi was about to tell him to take it easy when Song Jiyao suddenly leaned over, topped off his glass, and started pushing him to drink.

Things got hazy.

Lu Hechi drank one glass after another.

Plus, he wasn't in a great mood, so he ended up drinking more and more until his face was bright red.

Shen Lanxue furrowed his brow. "That's enough."

Lu Hechi didn't know how much he'd had.

He only remembered Song Jiyao keeping his glass full, Zhou Fang egging him on, and Shen Lanxue trying to stop it—but he figured it was fine and drank his fill.

Finally, he stood up in a daze to go to the bathroom, only to realize his legs had gone weak and he could barely walk.

He grabbed the sofa armrest for a couple of seconds, the world swaying in front of him.

"...Brother."

He instinctively looked for Shen Lanxue, his voice thick.

Shen Lanxue stood up and grabbed his arm. "What's wrong?"

Lu Hechi nuzzled into his chest, eyes a little red. "So dizzy. I wanna go home."

Shen Lanxue glanced at him. He didn't ask more, just turned to Song Jiyao. "We're heading out."

Song Jiyao leaned back on the sofa, smiling. "It's still early. Leaving so soon?"

"He's drunk."

"You brought him, so it's your call." Song Jiyao waved a hand. "Let's meet again next time."

Shen Lanxue helped him out. Once outside the door, he reached into his pocket for his phone to call the driver.

The call had just connected when, before he could say anything, Lu Hechi wobbled against him, rubbing his head against him.

He hit the elevator button.

"Sir?" The driver heard the rustling and sounded a little confused.

The elevator doors opened.

Shen Lanxue guided Lu Hechi inside and said calmly into the phone, "We're coming down now. Pull the car around to the entrance."

"Car..."

Lu Hechi caught the keyword and lifted his head off Shen Lanxue's chest.

Shen Lanxue hung up, leaned down slightly, and was about to press the elevator button.

"..."

Just like that, out of nowhere, they collided.

First, the tips of their noses grazed each other.

Then—a softness pressed against his lips.

The air went still.

The elevator doors slid shut slowly, slicing the hallway light into a thin line before sealing completely.

Their lips were still touching.

Lu Hechi's head was already spinning, and now it was even dizzier—the alcohol had his brain running at half speed.

When he finally registered what was happening, their lips were pressed together, the feeling registering loud and clear.

Soft, warm, with a faint hint of alcohol.

Lu Hechi realized.

These were his big brother's lips.

He wanted to pull back, but his back was against the elevator wall—there was nowhere to retreat.

Shen Lanxue seemed just as startled, just as frozen.

Their breathing was close, soft and shallow, the cramped space slowly filling with tension.

The elevator began descending, and the slight drop made Lu Hechi sway, then he grabbed Shen Lanxue's clothes, his fingers clenching a little.

Shen Lanxue finally moved.

He tilted his head, pulling back a little.

The elevator light was harsh and white, and Lu Hechi's mind cleared slightly—he saw the red creeping up Shen Lanxue's ear.

"...Stand properly."

Shen Lanxue said, his voice lower than normal.

Lu Hechi swallowed hard, but he didn't let go: "...Brother, you stole a kiss."

"I didn't."

"You did."

Shen Lanxue paused for a second: "...We bumped."

Lu Hechi buried his red face in his shoulder: "That still counts as a kiss."

There was no talking him out of it.

Just then, the elevator reached the basement, the doors opened, and cold air rushed in.

The heat faded a little.

Shen Lanxue stepped out first, like he was trying to avoid him.

He walked a few steps ahead.

Hearing nothing behind him, he stopped and turned back reluctantly.

"You coming?"

Lu Hechi was still leaning in the elevator, holding his hand out to him, looking at him with dazed eyes: "I can't walk."

Shen Lanxue looked at the outstretched hand, hesitated, then walked back, took it, and pulled him out.

Lu Hechi let himself be pulled along.

The underground garage was empty and quiet, the cold air drying the sweat on their palms, only the sound of their footsteps echoing.

The driver was already waiting by the car, and when he saw them approach, he jogged over and opened the back door.

Shen Lanxue helped him into the back seat, then got in right after.

The black Maybach pulled out of the garage and merged into traffic, streetlights flashing by in segments, casting alternating light and shadow on their faces.

Lu Hechi couldn't sit up straight, leaning on Shen Lanxue, breathing heavily, his warm breath brushing against Shen Lanxue's neck.

One had his eyes closed, the other sat stiff as a board.

A few blocks later, Lu Hechi stirred. Without opening his eyes, he mumbled clingily: "Brother... your heart's beating so fast."

"...Nonsense."

Lu Hechi shifted, pressing his ear to Shen Lanxue's chest.

Counting each beat.

Until he hit one hundred and twenty-three.

He opened his eyes, sat up, and turned to look at him: "It's not nonsense."

He paused.

"I counted it."

Shen Lanxue didn't answer, just turned his head to the window, watching the lights flow by outside.

In the dim, shifting light, his expression was hard to read.

Lu Hechi leaned over, took his hand, and laced their fingers together.

As a streetlight flashed by, he saw the red creeping up Shen Lanxue's ear.

As they turned a corner, Lu Hechi rested his head on his shoulder and asked softly: "...Can I kiss you again?"